A/N~Hey everyone! So, after reading the fifth book (well, part of it,anyway) I got super inspired and wrote this little thing. ^^ Basically, Dorian's life is saved from death (o0o) and he learns about the return of Tomas Tod. This is only the prologue, so that my future chapters (if I do post more chapters) make a little bit more sense. :D Anyways, this is my first fanfic EVER, so I really hope it's good...if any spelling mistakes appear, please notify me and I will do what I can! This is basically a Yaoi story so if you don't like, don't read T-T Couples are VladimirXDorian and maybe HenryXOCXJoss later...I haven't made up my mind yet.

I hope you enjoy, and reviews are 3 !

Dorian laid still on the ground, his features pale, torso unmoving. In the bitter pits of death, in the deep unconsciousness of his soul, Dorian fought to believe of his passing. Reviving the last moments like an old cassette, he remembered the pain of the stake through his chest, vivid and still fresh in his dying mind. Then he saw a face, a young one's pretty face, bewilderment beyond comprehension written deep within his dark eyes.

Ah, yes, Dorian knew who the boy was. He knew all too well. In his centuries of roaming about the globe, never had Dorian fell upon such an intriguing individual, one as complex and as beautiful as that special young one. Being a hybrid link between human and vampire, granted with the divine powers of Pravus, he had captivated the madman's interest, and much more, up until the very end.

He who went by the name of Vladimir Tod, nonetheless.

It was he who should have received the fatal injury. He who should have been staked by the Slayer. He should have felt the overwhelming pain. He who should be lying still on the ground, breathing in his last breath, taking away the prophecy of the Pravus with him in his final slumber. It was he who should be in Dorian's place, alone and cold on the earth.

Dorian wanted nothing of it. Thinking about the boy's death added pain to his already wounded chest. As he saw the Slayer lift his stake behind Vladimir's back, he took no time choosing to save the hybrid's life over his own. He had never suffered as great of pain as he had when the stake pierced through his flesh, but he never regretted it.

He had saved his life; if only for shortly, he had saved Vladimir's life. He had guarded his loved one from the cruel grips of death. He had given his life to the one he cared most for on the face of the earth.

Dorian couldn't think of a better way to end his life. Though he would never see the sun rise again, though he would never drink blood again, though he would never be able to tell him how much he means in his heart, he died knowing that Vladimir would live, even only another day.

It was more than he could ever asked for.

Feeling his body weighing down more and more, Dorian knew his time had finally come. It was only a matter of moments before he was forever gone into the abyss of the afterlife, forever to sleep in the depths of hell itself.

He thought one last farewell to Vladimir in his last pieces of consciousness, and wished him a life of happiness. The young one had gone through so much, it was only suitable for him to live on a better life. A better life without him.

As the darkness slowly crept into his mind, a shimmer of light pierced through Dorian. Strangely enough, it enveloped him, like a sweet caress, and chased death away from his believed forsaken soul. Confusion crept over him as all pain dissipated into nothingness, every nerve in his body setting on fire. It was perplexing; instead of feeling like death had finally come to take him away, he felt every fiber of his being reviving.

Then, from the silence came a voice, as warm and as soft as a summer breeze, "Dear Dorian; you who always wanted to die in such a over-dramatic way. Sweet to perish for the one you love, but I am in dire need of your assistance."

Dorian's eyes shot open when his name was spoken, and, through a foggy blue aura, saw the face of a stunningly beautiful girl. She was as pale as porcelain, curly brown hair framing her youthful face and cascading down her back. She wore a light summer dress, possible of snow-color, with matching bows tied up in her hair. Her eyes shone in the moonlight an incredible electric blue color, as vividly as the day sky itself.

He smiles at the lady's familiar features. He had expected no one to come and save him from death, but, had he thought through it only a moment, he would have no doubt she would come for him. It was like her to do that; save his soul when life itself couldn't pull him back, though she probably never actually had any use for him. She was simply kind-hearted that way.

The girl, by the name of Marie-Anne resembled a saint in every way imaginable.

Marie-Anne smiled warmly at Dorian once she saw his opened eyes. "Good evening, Dorian."

"Good evening, Marie-Anne." He whispered, still unable to properly speak. The wound had not yet fully healed; it still needed a little more time.

"I do hope you realize that, had I arrived only a second later, you might have been beyond rescuing." She said, sternly, as her hands hovered over Dorian's chest. "I cannot bring people back past the point of death."

"But you came just in time." Insisted Dorian, as the blue aura dissipated from around him. Once completely gone, he sat up slowly, brining up his right hand and flexing his fingers in admiration. "No restrictions in my muscles." He looked down at his chest and the only proof remaining of the incident was his shredded shirt, soaked in his blood. His skin was otherwise flawless. "Not even a scar visible. You have honed your healing skills well, Marie-Anne."

She gave out a contented sigh. "Don't ever scare me like that again, Dorian, you hear me? I almost lost you, I could feel you slipping away…and, for a minute, I thought I was going to lose you for good. I…" She hesitated slightly, then took Dorian's hand in hers. "Never again Dorian. Ever. I don't think I would stand losing such a friend as you."

He smiled softly at her, giving her hand a slight squeeze. "I did not mean to scare you, I assure you that. I just couldn't let myself stand by and let Vlad…" he left his sentence unfinished , but he had said enough for Marie-Anne to understand. She simply gave him another smile, and stood, gracefully, "I know, Dorian. I know your feelings towards Vladimir. You did it to protect him from harm. But, imagine the pain he suffers right now."

Confused, Dorian stood as well, intrigued by the girl's comment. "Whatever do you mean?"

She looked up at him- standing, Dorian was a good head-and-a-half taller than her- and gave him a knowing look. "He hit his Slayer friend until near death, saw you die before him, for him, and drank from you. I think that is pretty troublesome by itself, but the guilt he carries is…overwhelming." She spoke the last word with heaviness in her voice, her eyes darting to the ground. "He blames himself for everything that has happened."

Dorian winced. For Marie-Anne to say Vladimir's guilt weighed heavy on him meant he must carry it like dead weight behind him. Awful play on words on Dorian's part.

Marie-Anne saw the hurt crossing her friend's features, and decided it best to change to another subject. They would talk about it further later. But, for now, "Did you see who appeared in the clearing?"

Snapping out of his thought trail, Dorian stared intently at the girl. "No…I felt a new presence, although familiar, but was out too cold to notice who it was. Do I know him?"

She bit her bottom lip, hesitating whether she should tell him or not. In the end, though, he had a right to know. "Yes, as do I, though not personally… It would seem that Tomas Tod has risen from the grave."

Wide-eyed, Dorian stared at her in disbelief. "No…it can't be…"

She nodded solemnly, the thought sending shivers up her spine. "I do not lie; he passed right by me. If I hadn't been hiding, he would have bumped right into me. He bypassed you as well, but fortunately believed you were dead. I had the time to move you away before anyone else saw you."

As if in denial, Dorian shook his head from side to side. "No…he had burned…Vladimir said he had seen his ashes…"

"Yet he walks amongst the living, in flesh and bones. I can swear it on my own mother's grave," Marie-Anne implied, with much meaning in her words.

The thought of Tomas being alive both set them on edge. The air tensed considerably, and Dorian realized in that moment the danger Vladimir was in. If his father was still alive, he would surely go see him first, filling the young one's brain with his lies. He would lead him to do whatever he wants, and eventually take his Pravus powers away from him, one way or another. It would be the end for Vlad, along with vampirehood and humanity's freedom.

Forever.

Forever without Vlad was torture to Dorian.

He had to do something to prevent it. But what could be done?

"I know a place," Marie-Anne said, as if she had read his thoughts, "A place where he can be safe. Not forever, but long enough for Tomas and his followers to loose track of him. Long enough for us to reinforce our troops and to protect him from further assault. If we take him there, we would win the upper hand. Vladimir would be safe."

Dorian stared at her in complete awe and disbelief. "When did you…?"

She smiled, that smile she always had when her planning-ahead paid off, and told him, "I foresaw such a thing happening, where we would need to re-locate in case of emergencies. I thought about it after Vlad's trial, where he would need a safe-spot to hide from Elysia."

The vampire grinned. He had to admit, that had been a smart move on her part. "Now, it's just a question about convincing him, am I right?"

Marie-Anne nodded. "The sooner, the better," she said. "We don't know when Tomas's next move will be, but we have to be ready for 'sooner' than 'later'."

Dorian acknowledged the situation's gravity. They couldn't let Tomas reach his goals. So Vladimir had to be taken away to somewhere safer, somewhere where he could be freer than if he stayed in Bathory. It had to be done for his own good. Even though it meant leaving his family and friends behind.

That would take some time, and Dorian took care to acknowledge that as well. "Should I pay him a visit, then?"

Marie-Anne visibly hesitated, chewing on her bottom lip and twirling her thumbs around one another. After what seemed like a lot of deliberation, she finally said, "I guess we have no other course of action. I feel bad-he's been through so much already, tonight especially…I guess I was hoping we could give him some time. But it won't be long until he wants to start searching for Tomas, and we can't take the chance to let them meet again."

Dorian, seeing the girl was obviously troubled, took her in his arms and gave her what he hoped was a recomforting caress. "You only have his best interest in mind, Marie-Anne. It might be hard on him at first, but Vladimir is an exceptional boy. He'll get through it."

"You're right, Dorian; Vladimir possess a strong will," She murmured into his chest, with a trembling voice, "But even the strongest soul on this earth can be shaken. All I hope for is that he will understand our motives and let us bring him to safety."

"He will, don't you worry none," Dorian soothed. "If we tell him the truth, he will see clearly. And he will see that we only want his well-being." He broke the embrace with Marie-Anne, tears now rolling down her cheeks, and gave her shoulders one last reassuring squeeze. "I am grateful to you, Marie-Anne; your intentions are to save Vlad, but you save the whole world by trying to protect him. You protect my world, and for that, you will always have my gratitude."

She laughed then, wiping her cheeks with the back of her hands. "Enough with the honors; I am but doing what is right. Now, leave, Dorian; find Vladimir, your love, and save him from the evil of Tomas and his followers. Be sure to be seen by no one."

As if he were the servant and Marie-Ann his master, he bowed, stalking into the night, unheard and unseen. He would save his loved one, at any cost possible.