Not much to say here, except this chap was written half by me, and half by Elena :)
My OC, Arian, is a grumpy jackass in this chap...(mysteriously) but of course theres more to him than meets the eye...O.o
Prisoners Chains: thanks so much :D we did continue, and will continue to continue, hope you enjoy :)
Amy-xoxo: awww thanks that means so much to us! you rox! :D
xX101Yukki101Xx: yeeeaay! now chap1 of TVF 2: LCFOTB is actually up :O that took a bit longer than i anticipated :'( but 2 will definitley not take that long.
here we gooooo...
"Mika Ver Leth, do you agree with said rules and feel ready to begin the trials of Initation?"
"I do."
"Then so be it. Let the first trial be drawn." Paris Skyle stated calmly. As of this moment, he was not Mika's mentor, but a Vampire Prince. He would not be at Mika's side during these trials, to comfort and advise like he always had. Paris was a Vampire Prince, and his first loyalty was to the Vampire Clan. He glanced at Mika, who returned the gaze. As the young Vampire did so, he could feel the older Vampires eyes burning into him, with some unreadable expression. Pride? Worry?
Mika turned away and looked at the other two Princes, Arian Welver and Vancha March. Vancha flashed a grin at Mika. He was in his first year as a Prince, and had not yet adopted the politely solemn attitude of Paris and Arian. Mika returned Vancha's smile, momentarily forgetting his anxiety. He glanced at Arian. The second oldest Prince was leaning comfortably back in his throne in the shadows, seemingly faking relaxation. Arian had never been impressed with Mika, ever since he had been (as Arian called it) "prematurely blooded". True it was that Mika had been blooded at a mere five years old, still he had earned his place in the world of Vampires.
And now I'm going to prove it, he thought grimly as Paris reached into the small sack the held the stones to represent each trial.
"Paris!" said Arian sharply, leaning forward into the light. His expression was sneering indifference.
"Arian?" said Paris pleasantly.
The named attempted to match Paris's warm smile, but only made his cold sneer more noticeable.
"Don't you think," he said smoothly "that it would be more prudent to have the trial drawn by someone...other...than the boy's mentor?
"The boy?" Arrow shouted indignatly from the back of the hall. Mika flashed a grin at his best friend. Mika was almost 80 years old, but appearing to be in his early twenties. But he never expected Arian to call him anything other than "the boy" no matter how old he got.
"Arrow, you will not speak to a Prince in that tone." Paris said to his second student. 'I would have expected better. You are excused from the hall."
Beside Paris, Vancha smirked. Arrow grinned once more and left as he was ordered. Arian glared at Arrow's retreating back, then fixed his icy gaze on Mika, who stared back determinedly.
"Well, Paris?" Arian growled, abandoning all politeness.
The oldest Prince continued to smile, although it seemed strained.
"Surely, my dear Arian, you do not think that I will...manipulate...these results in Mika's favour? So that he will have an unfair advantage over any other average Vampire?"
Arian looked shellshocked. Judging by his expression, Paris had summed up his intentions in one breath
"Would I place one Vampire's well-being over another's?"
Arian tried to meet Paris's eyes, but couldn't seem to.
"Would I, Arian?" Paris repeated.
"No." said Arian grimly. "My sincerest apologies, Sire Skyle."
Paris did not comment on Arian's less-than-sincere tone, for Vanchas voice was heard for the first time. His smile was gone, but he winked encouraging at Mika.
"Of course no one doubts you Paris, but it will look better if someone else draws the trials. It doesn't really matter who does it, and we do not want anyone to doubt Mikas succes sometime in the future. Other vampires will be blooded, and not all will get to know you as well as we do." He scratched his nose. "Just to be safe, let someone else pick the trials."
A guard brought a leather pouch up to the platform where the Princes stood. Despite its small size and worn appeance, there was something impressive yet unnerving about it.
That bag might hold my death. Mika thought grimly to himself.
Arian reached forward into the bag. Paris narrowed his eyes.
"Arian, why do you insist on drawing the Trial yourself, and are so reluctant to allow someone else?"
Arian did not seem to be prepared for this remark.
"I merely believe, er, it should be-" he spluttered redundantly, as Paris took the bag and held it out to Vancha March.
What could Arian be thinking? Mika wondered tensely. He had never liked the cold moody Prince, but now his behaviour was simply odd.
"You may draw the Trial, Vancha, as I believe your hand has not yet entered this bag." the older Vampire smiled warmly.
With Arian looking mutinous and Paris observing calmy, Vancha slowly reached into the pouch and withdrew a simple black stone. In what seemed like an eternity for Mika, Vancha turned the stone so he could see what was written on its front...
"The Aquatic Maze." he said simply.
Mika did not know what exactly he'd been expecting, but this seemed much less frightening than whatever his frienzied mind had conjured up.
The Aquatic Maze. What could that be? Something to do with water, obviously. And a maze of some sort. Maybe he had to find something in a maze... Or maybe just escape with his life? An order from the Princes broguth him back to earth...
"Mika Ver Leth, you are now fully committed to completening these Trials, even at the cost of your life. You are now excused to prepare yourself for what awaits you."
As Mika bowed to the Princes and turned to leave, he glanced back one more time. His eyes met Paris's. Jet black and bluey silver reflected each other briefly, and Paris's expression softened. As much as he was a wise Vampire Prince, he would forever be Mika's mentor, and the closest thing to a father the dark young Vampire would ever have. Failing him would be worse than death.
While his footsteps on the stone floor echoed trough the Hall he felt the icy glare of Arian Welver following his moves, taking away the warmth of Paris' eyes. Mika instinctly straightened his back and felt a cold, yet encouraging will fill his chest. Whatever the Aquatic Maze was, he would survive and finish it. For everyone he held dear, he would finish it.
if you review, Elena will give you sweets! But don't expect any sweets from Roxy...she likes her sweets waay too much.
chap 3 shouldnt be too far off...
cyaaaa!