Yukai-suru

"As you all know, from the commotion around the Vatican, the Pope has been taken by a rebel group from the Empire." Caterina told the odd group standing, or sitting, in front of her desk. "You have been chosen because of your skills and the fact I know you will find his Highness even if you lose your lives."

The group consisted of the most able individuals from AX. They were all trusted and exceptional in their own ways, one was even a Crusnik.

"Yeah, but where is he?" Leon scratched his head, "If we don't know then I guess we can't go and kick those Vampire's butts!"

"Yes, I know. I have already thought that through and sister Kate is looking into it as we speak." Caterina told him, annoyed that he was pointing out flaws of the plan before it was put into practice.

Leon shrugged, "I don't really care, but this pisses me off that they had to do this. They're gonna make fools of us." He smiled slightly, "From what I heard it was partly your fault he got himself captured in the first place!"

Caterina shook her head and Abel interrupted the dark haired man, "I don't really think any of us would have seen this happening. The Vatican has never been broken into before so why now? I think we should first find out how they got in and deal with that first." He pushed his glasses up from the bridge of his nose, "They may try and get in again. This time they could destroy us."

Leon huffed, but didn't argue the case further. Caterina nodded her thanks to Abel who smiled in return to show it was no problem. There was a movement and Caterina looked to the left of Leon. A flickering and then a holler gram of sister Kate came into view.

"Lady Caterina, we have recieved a message from the vampire in charge of this offence. Shall I put it through?" She asked in a ghostly tone.

"Yes, thank you sister Kate." Caterina said, "It would be wise to try and trace the vampire from this message, could you do that?"

"As you wish." With that sister Kate flickered out into nothing and a message came up instead. It had flowing writing and it took a moment before the Duchess of Milan could make sense of it.

Terrans,

We have your leader in our custody and we can not guaranty his safety unless our demands are met.

Caterina shook her head at how cliche it was.

These demands are as follows:

Release all of the Methuselah's in your prisons. ALL of them.

Give my group all the money you have and which you can get hold of.

Bow down to our might and shake with terror before us!

I will give you but three days for our demands to be met. If they are not then I will have to destroy your leader. We have been treated unfairly for far too long! I will not stand by as my people are destroyed by your insane ideas of peace!

Quake in our presence,

Lord of the Night.

Caterina read the letter out to the group before her. The all remain silent through the reading, except when Leon chuckled at some of the context.

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"Look, just shut up!" The vampire told Alessandro sternly. The boy had been crying for nearly two hours and it had finally worn away the patience of the vampire.

Alessandro tried to stop the tears, but chocked on his sobs and went into a fit of coughing which just angered the Methuselah further.

"Why cant you just be quiet?!" He finally yelled. He was getting ever so close to kicking the Pope. "I don't see why you're so upset!" He threw up his arms in exasperation.

Alessandro looked to where he thought the vampire was standing, his eyes watery and red. "I...I'm very...very sorry.." He whispered, "I...I'm..." He closed his eyes, "I'm so scared!" He sobbed at his cowardice. Why was he so terrified? He knew his brother would have handled the situation so much better than he was. He could feel the vampire's eyes looking at him, judging him like everyone else did. He knew the vampire would be the same, he would laugh at him and scorn him and ridicule him. Alessandro knew this and accepted this, but it still caused him pain to know what everyone thought of him.

There was silence once more, this time the Terran leader didn't sob, but kept as quiet as he could while letting the tears run in silence.

"I do not understand you Terran! You have complete power! Yet you are only concerned about what I think of you?" The Methuselah chuckled cruelly, "You are a fool to think such things at a time such as this! You could be killed! Does that not bother you?"

The question hung in the air. The Pope sat, stunned at what he had heard. Eventually he replied, "I...I just..." He took a breath, "I never wanted to carry on living this way. I...I think I would be better off...dead." He paused, surprised at how easily the words had flown from his mouth. The tears had stopped their descent from his sore, red eyes for now. He could tell that the vampire was smiling, he didn't know how, but he knew.

"I think so too, but I will not kill you." Alessandro shuddered at the voice. "I think you are an interesting person. You are indeed worthy of my time." A hand gripped the Terran's wrist tightly. "I will keep you a while longer, you will be useful to bargain with." He laughed a scorn-filled laugh and released the trembling boy's hand.

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Phew! Another chapter! Completed! I'm really enjoying writing this story I hope you lot are enjoying it as much as I am! If you do then please R&R!