Home Sweet Home

Double doors slid open letting in fresh air to the otherwise claustrophobic steel box that Bella and Armaros were standing in. After gaining permission to enter zero ground the elevator had moved them through the maze of tunnels that was the route to the isolated prison. They were pretty high up in the mountains and the doors opened to a gorgeous view over the valley beneath.

The wind carried hundreds of scents to them from the valley below. There were the sweet scent of orchids and vanilla as well as other flowers mixed together with the fresh scent of pine, chestnut, and the scent of musk coming from the animals. The chirping of different birds welcomed them along with the cries from monkeys, squirrels, frogs and insects. Accompanied with the low baritone vibrations of growls from predators. The view before them looked like something from another world altogether. How can a place that is the battlefield for vampire wars be this beautiful?

Luscious rainforest spread out beneath them in every shade of green imaginable. Trees grew on top of each other in a struggle for sunlight. A clear crystal blue river divided this forest in two and it seemed to run straight into the sky where it connected with the horizon. The bright sunlight reflected off the water in a rainbow of vibrant colors that shifted as the water rushed to the ocean. Bella could see pink dolphins playing near a bay, a female let out a call and was joined by two more. She saw a monkey swing from branch to branch, before jumping straight into the water. Several more calls erupted underneath the leaves as if commemorating it. Two more joined the first one in the water.

A group of birds flew over the water in a perfect V formation, dipping down to test the water temperature just as she had expected them to do. Because they flew like this every day. Bella could see the young birds becoming more skilled in their flying technique and that they have shed their baby feathers. Three of the more playful ones teased each other as they flew earning them a quick lecture from an elder bird.

Every inch of the lower mountain area was covered in vegetation. In the horizon to the east Bella could see the tip of grey mountain rising above all else. The summer has been warm and ice has disappeared from the tops. But in a few months it will once again look like the icing on a chocolate cupcake.

Bella and Armaros marched down from the western mountain side; their speedy sprint carried them from the barren rocks above down to the lively forest in seconds. It felt like coming home being surrounded by moist air and heavy scent of musk, trees and flowers. This forest has been her home for so long it was like a part of her was missing when she went away. The part that was good and alive. In here, at the same time away from everything Bella felt complete again. Leaves brushed against their skin as they sprinted past, like a gentle caress from a long forgotten friend. The grass under their feet was like soft feathers and the ground gave way under their steps as if they were walking on a plush carpet.

The animals scattered around them but they paid them no attention. Seconds later they stopped at Bella's getaway place. She stopped here every time after a mission before she faced Lucy. It was a small waterfall by vampire standards surrounded by trees. It was secluded and quiet which was exactly what she needed.

"LAST ONE IN IS A SLOW TURTLE!"

Bella shed her clothes and the next second she was high up on the waterfall. The sun reflected against her skin in a million tiny diamonds as she leaped off the cliff. Her arms were raised, a smile spread across her face and her eyes sparkled with joy. She let out an exciting shriek and landed into the water with a splash.

Bella came up and wiped water away from her eyes. She looked at Armaros who was grinning smugly at her in the water.

"Ass!"

Armaros' grin turned into a teasing smile and Bella just couldn't find it in her to stay mad at him. She shook her head and swam a few laps around the small lake. Armaros was just floating in the water with his eyes closed. Suddenly a body knocked into his and pushed them both under water. Armaros' arms quickly locked around a delicate waist and spun them around. They broke the surface and he tossed Bella into the air, causing her to let out a shriek of delight. Instead of sinking with a splash, Bella's feet touched the water surface and she landed like a graceful cat. She grinned at Armaros as she took a few tentative steps on the water, but her joy was soon gone as the water gave way and she sunk. Bella aimed water at Armaros when she surfaced again, but he dodged it.

"Teaches you to think you are some God walking on water"

"You just couldn't let me have that could you?!"

Bella laughed as she looked at Armaros, water running down her skin causing her to glow even more beautifully in the sunlight. The deep blue water around them had a dark green shade from the trees reflecting on the surface. The heavy roaring of the waterfall played a private symphony for them. Once again Bella was amazed by the fact that Armaros' eyes didn't change color when he turned, and it was probably the only thing she was ever envious of. His royal blue eyes that sparkled in the sunlight had an almost hypnotic attraction force. Right now they fit so well with his young face. His dirty blond hair was glued against his head. His pale lips curved in a smile.

Somehow that sobered them up. The atmosphere changed and this happy moment was gone. Her smile faded as he turned around and got dressed on the bank. The playfulness gone completely and the direness of their situation were beginning to sink in again. Armaros remained with his back against her until Bella also was dressed, even though he had just seen her naked.

The rest of the way to Lucy's camp was silent. Bella knew Armaros was anxious and a little scared at what was going to happen. He walked just a little closer to her than what was appropriate between a master and an urum. But she couldn't blame him. Lucy's temperament had gone worse every time they didn't manage to find Maria. Truthfully Bella too was afraid. Both were well aware of what Lucy's mate and general was capable of.

Birds chirped around them. Sunlight danced over their skin. They could see the animals fussing over their cubs, looking for food or just lazing in the sunlight. Leaves were disturbed and ripped off as a monkey swung by. A fruit dropped to the ground followed by an angry cry. This delicate precious life around them so vibrant and still so fleeting was something that marveled them. As they came closer to camp the forest around them changed. More trees were broken. The atmosphere was dampened and soon the only sound they could hear close by was that of newborns growling and fighting.

The size of the camp was impressive. It stretched on for miles. Newborns were grouped and trained in different tasks. They watched as one of the trainers Ryan lectures a newborn about to keeping focus. Their eyes trailed over the everyday routine of the camp and landed on a blond figure that stood on a hillside looking down on the ground. Behind her stood a male, his posture rigid but there was a hint of possessiveness and protectiveness in the stance he held around the female.

The female was average height and dressed in corsets and a medieval dress in dark green lining. Her blond hair was tied half up half down. Her curled locks fell against a delicate neck that sparkled in the sunlight. Her red eyes looked right at them silently commanding them to come over, already displaying her displeasure. Bella and Armaros were across the training ground and up on the hill in a few seconds. They climbed the last steps slowly. Both kept their heads low and submissive.

A long silence stretched on as Bella and Armaros felt Lucy's eyes scrutinize them with the sharpness of an eagle. Her gaze burned across their skin and fear rebelled against their chest in clashing waves. Their stomach knotted. An invisible noose tightened around their necks until they could hardly swallow. The atmosphere was wrung up so tight that the drop of a needle could cause an earthquake. Lucy lifted her skirt with one hand. Three steps brought her in front of Bella. A sharp finger settled against her jaw and Bella lifted her eyes to look at Lucy.

"We are so sorry we failed again"

It was an elongated silence that followed. The kind that made you want to leap out of your skin, claw at your chest to ease the furious fear that boiled the venom in your body. But the vampires present showed no such signs. On the contrary they stood still like statues, not breathing and silently waiting for their Noct to give them an order.

It was the kind of day that called for a picnic in the park. Mischievous rays of sunlight showered over the hillside where they stood. It playfully engaged in a game of hide and seeks with the surrounding trees and vampires. The light shone into their eyes once in a while as the leaves leisurely moved around in the light breeze. It cased their pupils to dilate and shrink back and force.

Lucy felt like nature itself was mocking her for this failure which in turn made the already charge atmosphere even heavier. Maria had escaped her clutches again even though they had such good intelligence this time and she had acted fast. Why did her soldiers fail? Did they think she was just passing time in play? Or has she kept them alive for too long that they have gotten brave? Then she needed to teach them a lesson. With a hand gesture she called her most trusted general to her side. They shared a look and general Lues nodded in understanding. He gave Bella and Armaros a look and the two of them followed him leaving the hillside.

Lucy's camp was a simple large open space of concrete. The hard material has taken many hits and gradually reduced to something akin to compressed black sand. The newborns were separated in smaller groups of five practicing different ways to block, counter and kill an opponent.

Lucy watched unimpressed as the newborns made the same mistakes over and over again. Never go for the obvious kill. Is that so hard to remember? Lucy absentmindedly recalled the name of this trainer, Ryan, the youngest of them. She had seen potential in him and molded him to fit her every desire, obedient, smart and loyal he was someone she could use comfortably. She now watched the slightly temperamental vampire leap at his student and a second later has separated head from body. The other four vampires shuddered and covered back in fright.

"Tsk tsk"

"Noct! I am sorry I didn't know my own strength..."

Lucy silenced Ryan with one look. She was pissed and wanted an outlet. A growl reverberated from her chest as she kicked the head so it rolled next to the body. A second later it was burned.

One of the newborns, a girl that looked 15, let out a shriek before clutching her hands to her mouth. Lucy sent her a glare that brought her to her knees.

"No, please... Please!" She grew more and more hysterical as Lucy came closer. She was torn between the primitive need to run and a more rational choice to stay, as running would surly result in her death. The fear in her eyes answered all of Lucy's question. No! No please don't kill me! The plea was loud and clear even unspoken. Lucy yanked her to her feet. The close proximity silenced the girl at last but she still quivered like a leaf.

"If you don't fight child, then you are of no use to me."

Ryan understanding the silent command straightened ready to train/ fight her.

"Please! We don't want to fight. We want to go back home!" A newborn said. He looked to be around 28, a bit rebellious and still had his spirit left.

"Go home? You have no home, don't you remember?"

The torn look on the man's face delighted Lucy. He took half a step back, eyes wide in disbelief. But soon his face morphed into a mask of fury. What he didn't say his eyes spoke clearly. I would never hurt my family, you are lying. I don't believe you. I'll find a way to get out. Determination settled in his face.

Lucy knew the argument before they came. How could she not. Newborns like him all acted the same, desperate, fearful, hopeful, and distracted and she pitied them for their foolish hearts and innocence.

"Okay, you can see your family again if you do well on the next battle."

The man looked at her in confusion and wonder. Lucy strode away with new anticipation. What face would he make when he realizes that he have to fight his own wife and that his child is dead? She knew it was only a matter of time before the bloodlust lifted enough for him to recall the beginning of his vampire life with sharp clarity.

"If you are this distracted in a battle you would be dead by now"

Ryan made them pair up and continued to fight. He himself was fighting the man that Lucy talked to. An irrational hint if jealousy made him beat the man up worse than he otherwise would have. He didn't understand what an honor it is for her to even look at him, Ryan thought.

Bella and Armaros silently followed Lues down an all too familiar path that would lead them to the caves east of camp. The warm air around them chocked their throat and seemed to restrain them in their movement, as if they were humans pushing their way through cement. The moist air that stuck to their skin was another reminder of how volatile their situation is. Lucy has lost all patience. For all they knew Lues could be killing them once they were out of sight.

It was rare for a vampire to survive past the first year. It was even rarer to live beyond two or five. Bella has been part of this camp for almost 72 years. The reason? She could control Armaros. She was the shield they had been looking for, for almost 40 years. However even that excuse only goes so far. Lucy is not forgiving. Lues is ruthless when it comes to punishments. He lived for those moments. Sometimes newborns were turned just so he could have his fun. Not that he needed any excuse to punish them, he dealt those as he saw fit.

Different scenarios of past punishment rushed to Armaros mind. What would he do this time? How will he start? How long will it last? Armaros knew every single one of Lues' favorite methods. Been subjected to them countless of times. But there was something about this man that just seemed to break him no matter how much he tried to resist. As if something was engrained so deep into his psyche that he should always fear him.

The gentle warmth against Armaros skin made him think back to the burning furnace of pain he was subjected to five years ago, the previous time they tried to find Maria and failed. He could still remember the flames that danced against his skin. This warmth seemed to reawaken those feelings, as if reminding him of what awaited him. It tickled his nerves on what was to come.

Trees shaded them from the midday sun. Leaves glowed yellowish green in the light. If you tuned out the sound of newborns it almost seemed peaceful walking down this path. They followed the grass-covered way upwards to the chilled dark caves.

The caves were facing north, which means very little light ever shined inside. The stone walls and floor were moist from water and the air chilling. The sound inside the cave magnified by echo allowed them to clearly hear every water drop falling, ever groan the mountains made, the breathing of bats, paws of large mammals that walked by and many other sounds.

The road beneath their feet went from soft soil to hard rock. Light that surrounded them was replaced with darkness. Warmth turned to bone deep chills. With every step every instinct in their body told them to run and never stop. The overwhelming fear clawed at their frozen hearts. The only hope they had was to see this through. No matter how afraid, they wouldn't run.

To be continued...

AN: some more clarifications

Eres= owner/ master

Urum = a possession, a claimed vampire

Noct= leader of a sarue, war lord

Sarue= vampire clan