Haunting ground Chapter 10
Alone and without you.
An open, relaxed hand can caress, grasp and, when needed close into a striking fist. Tightly clenched, a hand can only be used to strike. A tense mind is like a clenched fist; mental fears and tension prevent us from being fully functional.
-Dr. Haha Lung
Knights of darkness, 1998
A large figure moved in the corner of the cave, standing up on its hind legs the huge hairy form dwarfed Diblilitas. It came down on all fours, causing the ground to shake as it landed. Brown hair falling lightly to the ground. Its large ears following a noise. It raised its huge brown snout to the air, she could smell blood, a small figure lay in her den. Something about him smelled familiar, a massive paw touched the boys back. She could smell death in the air. She moved the boy slightly, her paw had 5 claws, almost eight inches long and razor sharp, her massive arms rolled him over, he wasn't breathing. She moved to his hand that had a small blade in it, it was covered in blood. But it did not belong to this one; she sniffed the air as a loud bang pierced the sky. The smell of the blood was in the same direction, she could now smell blood in the air. Another predator had foolishly wandered into her territory. This enraged her; a low growl erupted from her throat and out her mouth, which became a roar. The massive beast charged gracefully out of her den, moving faster than a race horse.
Fiona continued to run. But stopped, she could hear a low yelping off in the distance.
Fiona followed the sound, before her was a clearing and a small white figure lying in the center, Fiona couldn't see well because her eyes where filling with tears, "Hewie? No... Not you."
Fiona knelt down next to the dog, the wound was deep, she took some of the First aid cloth Ren had given her, and she wrapped it around the dog's leg. "This will stop the bleeding," she said the tears rolling down her face. Hewie must have known Riccardo was coming and drew his fire away from her.
Fiona cried even harder, leaning against the dog burying her face in the dog's fur. Just then there was a snapping of a branch, Fiona snapped up trying to cover Hewie.
It had to be him. If Riccardo saw Hewie, he would kill him for sure. She couldn't lose him too, "I'm not leaving you, I'm just going to lead him away." she hugged the dog and ran out into the open, Riccardo catching sight of her.
"So this is where you've been hiding." he said smiling. Fiona turned and ran as fast as she could. She screamed as a shot rang out hitting just in front of her, spraying dirt on to her bare legs. He fought just like Ren, both didn't look to kill they're pray right away. They wore them out, and then struck. Fiona ran, pumping her arms why does he want me alive? Does he want this Azoth as well? Questions burned at her mind but there was no time, she could hear him Right behind her. She stopped at a dead end, thinking fast she ducked in to a small bush and waited. She held her breath when Riccardo came in to view. He raised his pistol, and shot at her. She screamed falling from the brush and in to sight, Riccardo smiled, as he began to reload. Fiona stared up at the hooded man a smile on his face. He didn't notice the massive figure come out from behind, it had glowing white eyes. It growled the sound rattling her to her core, Fiona suddenly locked eyes with it. She froze with fright as the monster rose 12 feet high. Riccardo turned just as the massive bear swiped at him, sending the man sailing in to the brush. Riccardo stood and fired a look of terror in his eyes. But the huge Cave bear didn't even seem to notice the shot tear in to her arm, Riccardo screamed as the massive contradiction tore into his body armor, throwing him around like a rag doll, his screams filling the air. The Bear roared again, this snapped Fiona out of her fear and she continued on running, trying to re-trace her steps back to Hewie. She ran down a short hill, but stopped, nearly running off a cliff, a draft shot up pushing her back. She turned trying to re-trace her steps but Riccardo slowly approached bloody and beaten. Fiona calmed herself down. Riccardo didn't even smile; he knew the game was over. "Why are you doing this...? What did I do?" Riccardo looked at her from under his hood. "You Inherited your father's azoth." he said like it was the most obvious thing he had ever heard. "THAT! Is what you did," he snarled. Fiona felt her face become hot with anger and grief, she had lost everything. "WHAT Azoth? I don't even know what that is!" she said backing up but trying not to fall off the cliff.
Riccardo holstered his flint lock. "That Azoth belongs to us, Fiona. Don't you see...?"
"You are our child." Fiona couldn't believe this mad man. "Stop!!" she screamed. "I am not your child, I know exactly who my parents are," she whimpered not sure what was what anymore. "Fiona" he smiled. "We are... or rather I am, knowledge, I hold invaluable information from the dawn of time." I like your father. Am a great alchemist. I will not die. "I Am Aureolus Belli and I... well look at my face Fiona." He flipped back his hood; he had a deeply scared face. But Fiona couldn't believe her eyes, he looked just like. "Just like your Father, Ugo!" Riccardo smiled. "Daddy!?!" she felt the headaque return. Riccardo smiled with a maddening grin, "your father and I are clones, we are clones created by your grandfather Lorenzo." Fiona couldn't believe it, her father's face so prominent in her mind. Her dad... Riccardo smiled at her. Fiona felt dizzy her head was pounding like her brain was bouncing off the wall, trying to escape. "I hunted you and your family down; I caused the car crash that killed your mother."
"Come on Fiona!" her mother called. Fiona walked along the path from her dorm. "Bye Fiona! Have a good vacation!" she turned to her friend Sally. Fiona smiled shyly.
She headed for the car, "glad to see you're making friends," Ugo said. She smiled as her father put her travel bag in the trunk. In the car her father scolded her mother, like he always did when she did not put on her safety belt. "Honey put on your seatbelt," her father Ugo demanded of his wife. She mockingly put it on but released it when he wasn't looking.
Her parents made some idle conversation, but Fiona simply glanced out the window.
She smiled at her mother who placed her hand lightly in her husband's hand. Both where still so much in love, Fiona dreamed that one day she would be like that. A nice young man who would watch over her and protect her.
It was beginning to get dark as she groggily looked out the window. A large black car pulled up a long side of them; it looked as if the driver was staring right at her. As it got darker they entered a large wooded area. Fiona sat up something in her gut screamed a call of warning; she and her parents were in danger. She looked up at her father, who didn't seem to notice. Fiona turned her attention back to the car as it moved to overtake them; she stared in to the dark vehicle. Dad…? Fiona was about to say when the black car rammed them, "what in god's name…" her father yelled, just then they were hit again. The car lurched off the road, her mother screamed as Fiona looked up, at the large log pile they were heading right for, Fiona needlessly screamed.
"Riccardo please Leave them be… I'll go with you…"
"It's too late for that brother… you had your chance…"
Fiona heard a sickening slicing sound and her father's painful grunts, the figure who was speaking to her father moved, as he lifted up his hat. She realized her father was staring back at her with a cold blank stare, he then started to laugh, his eyes wide with madness. Fiona felt darkness swirl around her and…
"I killed your father, only to bring you here. That way I too could be Human. Ugo is no more, I am the Original."
Fiona unable to combat the thoughts and emotions running through her head fell to the ground. Riccardo slowly approached and knelt down beside her, he smiled lightly. As she looked up at him slipping out of consciousness. With your azoth I will finally be complete; you're going to give birth to me all over again. The last thing she felt was him lifting her up and away.
Riccardo smiled, he had the man made humans Remove Ren from the area and take him back to the castle. He slowly went through Ren's inventory, Ren had been well armed.
His compound bow was the most dangerous weapon in his inventory, The Demon stalkers where legendary for they're archery. John had always carried a bow like this, as well as a long sword. But the way Ren had fought, in some ways where different to John. The boy not only had his daggers, the throwing weapons caught his eye, they where all Japanese in style. They resembled nothing of what john once used.
Riccardo knew everything about Ren's mother's side. But he knew nothing of his father, he had thought about interrogating the boy, but now he had all he needed. Looking down at Fiona's lithe form. He had dressed her in a surgery garb, and sedated her for the time. Riccardo smiled as he pulled up the garb. He held a small probe, separating her legs. He knelt down reaching forward with the probe.
Fiona let out a few moans, but did not wake up. Riccardo smiled as he pulled out the long metal tube. Examining the probe, "another two or three days at most..." he sneered
Fiona went in and out of consciousness, the sun reflecting in the dark room she was in, she slowly woke up dragging herself to the large bars, falling back into her deep coma.
Daniella smiled at her as Hewie pounced on the maid, His barks and growls reflecting off the red walls. She froze as the maid threw the dog away; Daniella smiled her face still just as beautiful. But it had 6 extra eyes; she screamed revealing rows of sharp teeth, her face melted away. Her skull in a permanent smile, her hand extended in to a five fingered talon, she began to move towards her. Fiona turned seeing her father, she ran to him for help. But it wasn't him, his face was deeply scared. He held her as the maid thing headed for her, the monsters eight red eyes glaring at her stomach. She screamed as an arrow slammed in to the demon Daniella's back.
There was the sound, almost like a camera flash charging. A blast of light seemed to eat her alive. A black figure stood before her, he was hooded. He raised his bow and arrow. "That's right boy, Right there." the man said. Fiona closed her eyes waiting for the sharp blades to pierce her chest, as the arrow was released. The arrow made a sickening slicing sound, the grip on her let go and her father fell, she didn't look back. The dark hunter stood there looking at her, he turned and walked away. There was a light wine, Hewie was there. He lightly licked her hand.
Fiona slowly woke up. She looked around. As she lifted herself up a shattering pain ripped through her head. She breathed heavily unable to move, she felt a cold wind rush passed her face, but with that she found the energy to stand. The ground was dusty and cold. She was in a small cell block; she pulled herself to her feet. She looked around thinking about Hewie and Ren. Both where gone and she was all alone. She felt tears well up, as she noticed a small note sitting on the ground, Fiona picked it up. It was addressed to her, just like the last time.
Fiona, are you well?
I am deeply sorry to hear of our Friend, but you should know.
He died honorably, but that is not important. Let me tell you about the location you are currently in. this place is known as the water tower.
Riccardo has confined you in this tower.
It disheartens me to say that there are no exits left in the water tower.
However... all is not lost
For there is a way to "create" an Exit.
Somewhere in the basement there lays an item known as the "magisterium."
After you obtain it, use it at the top floor of the tower.
That will open a path that connects the water tower with the house of truth where I reside.
Also, avoid Riccardo at all costs. He is, for lack of a better word, Dangerous.
Oh, if only I weren't cursed with this useless fossil of a body, I would run to your aid.
Also, fate hasn't given me that chance.
I pray for your safety, Fiona.
Lorenzo
Fiona dropped the note, she was alone again.
She walked over to the bars. Leaning her head against the cold metal, taking in a deep sigh. Suddenly there was another cold wind, fait whispers could be heard all around, they seemed to emanate off the walls. The sand and grit at her feet began to move, the whispers got louder and the sand swirled around the door, she screamed as the guard bolts exploded and the door crumbled to the ground. She stood in amazement as the sand settled and the whispers stopped.
Fiona stepped out of the cell, she was cold. Realizing she had nothing on except a surgery gown Blood was on it, but she was not sure if it was her own. She checked herself over. "What did he do to me?" Fiona stepped out of the room. Before her where a set of caves. Not bothering to try the door she stepped in to the caves, suddenly getting the feeling she wasn't alone.
"Fiona!" she froze and turned, But Riccardo was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly the figure emerged, Fiona backed away as Riccardo slowly faded from sight. Footsteps began to make their way towards her. "Ah... so the formula is working then." the steps started getting closer. "It works directly on the eyes. You can't see me, can you?" she suddenly felt something caress her ear, she grasped it, falling back against the wall, she screamed as something caressed her cheek. "You are mine now. I own you," Riccardo whispered in her ear. She whimpered as Riccardo appeared in her face. "You are mine. I own you," he laughed. Fiona turned and ran, Riccardo did not follow.
The butler stood there and smiled, "follow her." Sand and dirt blew away and a hooded figure appeared from the shadows. The figure nodded, it headed forward.
"Bring her to me un-harmed," the figure turned, he produced a bow. "Of course," the figure said smiling.
Fiona found herself jumping at every sound. The walls were cold; she could barely see a foot in front of her. She yelped as she fell to the ground, she had stubbed her toe for the third time. She lay there as very light footsteps moved in behind her.
She turned, a black shadow ducked down a hall. Fiona was sure the figure was carrying a bow. She stopped remembering Ren, and the gun shot that killed him. Her eyes watered up, " R…Ren!?!" she whimpered, there was a noise behind her. Fiona spun around looking about. 'My imagination.' She shivered the look in Riccardo's eyes before he killed him where burned in to her memory, it was pure hate towards her friend. She would never see him again. Fiona stood and continued down the hall; "I have to keep moving, it's what he would have wanted." there was a sound, an echo. It sounded like someone saying "Wrong." She eventually came to a set of stairs. Fiona froze. There where light footsteps heading away from her. Suddenly they stopped at the top of the stairs, but nothing. She could see, nor feel anything. As she walked up the stairs she noticed a strange heat, like when you are standing next to another person. Fiona swung her arm trying to catch whatever was there. Suddenly her hand connected with... nothing. Fiona continued up the steps, she was definitely in a tower, she could see a long spiral walk way heading all the way to the top. She looked around; a small fountain was set up on a wall. She stepped over to it taking a light drink. She froze, the sand and grit on the floor behind her began to move, and the whispers returned. Fiona heard footsteps, heading up the stairs they where light but familiar. And they weren't Riccardo, a shadow appeared. He stood an almost a foot above her, he was wearing a black hooded jacket, black paints and large black boots. A large Bow in his hand. The sand lifted off the ground and gathered around the bow and formed an arrow. The figure stopped. Fiona couldn't believe her Eyes. "Ren!?!... You're alive!?! I thought I would never see you again!" Fiona ran to him, hugging him she smiled tears falling from her eyes, he was extremely tense, and that saffron smell, that made her feel so safe was gone. She slowly fell back looking at him. He locked eyes with her, something was wrong, he in no way looked happy to see her. He stepped back and raised the bow, taking aim at her. Before she knew it the arrow whizzed by her head. She screamed falling to the ground. The figure then began to approach, Fiona backed away trying to get up. "Ren why are you doing this?" she looked in to his eyes, as he approached.
"Games over Fiona, I told you to run and now you deal with me!" She shook her head, "Now I'm bringing you to Riccardo, and that's all there is to it." A look of disbelief and betrayal in her eyes. She screamed, "But why?" Fiona went to run, but Ren grabbed her arm and threw her to the ground. Fiona's eyes welled up as pain shot through her arm. He glared at her with ruthless abandon. "Now this is how it's going to work, we can do this easy, and you follow me to Riccardo. Or I can do this real easy and I guarantee you won't like it." Ren clenched his fist his knuckles cracking under his gloves. He raised his bow, taking aim. "What's it going to be?" Fiona backed away, as he released the arrow. The shaft hit just behind her, it burst sending sharp shards of sand everywhere. The hot pieces of ground up rock scratched at her. Fiona yelped as the black hunter began to march towards her, he reached for her, his hand opening like a claw. As her back hit a wall, she went to run. But Ren's hand grabbed her by the throat. He held her there, she tried to cry out. But her air supply was completely cut off. He dropped her to the ground. Fiona sat there coughing fiercely.
He stood back laughing. "No wonder you got so far, I was always there to save you." His foot lifted pushing her shoulder sending her to the ground. Fiona remembered what Ren had said in the cave, she stood and tried to run. The hunter just stood there. "Don't run, you'll only die tired." he smiled, Fiona ran back into the basement caves, just then something flew by her. She was blasted by a wall of sand, she screamed falling back. She got up and sprinted for the spiral walk way. Ren wasn't far behind, but she didn't need to look back to know he was quickly gaining. She cut across a bridge that connected to the next set of walk ways. Thinking fast she caught sight of a lever; she screamed catching sight of Ren's shadow. She knew Ren's hunter spirit, he would never stop tracking her, she had to block him off. She flipped the lever, one of the gears moved, moving the platform from the way she had come over to the adjacent walk ways, Fiona Ran up the next walk way. Just then an arrow struck the wall, it burst spraying her with debris, she fell looking back. He stood there, looking at her with deep anger and hate. "You can't hide from me forever; it's only a matter of time." She turned and continued up the spiral flight.
Fiona ran as hard as she could, Tears pouring from her eyes, her legs burned from the sand arrows, she dropped finally stopping to cry. Her mom was dead, her dad was dead. Everyone who she came in contact with her wanted something she couldn't give, Ren had… turned on her, and she couldn't understand why. She sat down bringing her knees to her chest; she felt a draft travel up the hospital gown and against her uncovered skin. "I'm going to die." She said shivering. Fiona sat there, she kept crying and sobbing. Her tears flowing freely. She couldn't stop them; her once normal life was shattered. She let out a cry, "Hewie?"
Ten minutes went by, and there was no sign of Ren. She leaned her head against the wall. She felt a little better; she stood and quietly continued up the spiral stairs, the odds were against her but she wasn't going to give up. soon she was in a massive circular room, the floor decorated with a mural that displayed all the constellation's, but in the center of the room was a circular stair leading up to the top of the tower. She could feel a strong draft. She climbed the steps; she opened the door taking in the cool night air. Fiona looked out across the Lake at a large building, the House of truth. If only I can make it there. She wandered around.
Seeing stationed in the center and against the wall, was a 3D diorama of the tower and what she assumed was the house of truth.
"Fiona!!!" she froze, her heart jumping into her throat. "Why Must You Defy Me...? Why Do You Run?"
Fiona turned seeing Riccardo appear. "Let me in to you, Fiona, let me in to your womb." she backed away, now more angry then afraid. "Give me a child," He yelled. "No!" she screamed as hard as she could. "Never... stay away," Fiona backed up. "You don't have a choice Girl," Riccardo yelled. She continued to back away as she collided with a tall figure, she turned. Ren looked down at her an unnatural madness in his eyes. She shivered as his hand shot up, she tried to stop him but he was too strong, a cloth covered her nose and mouth, a vinegary like smell raced into her, she felt light headed and fell in to his arms.
No---------?
It was dark all around, she was inside another cage, the floor she was laying on let out a faint blue glow, she looked around. Ren was standing by some machinery; he glanced over at her letting out a faint smile, nothing apologetic about it. The cage was a kind of plexi glass, Fiona sat up looking around. "Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but you got to stay there for a few days," Ren shrugged. "Riccardo seems to think some confinement will do you some good, think of it as time to reflect." Fiona shook her head, "Reflect??" Ren walked up lightly playing with his knife. "On some Key facts," he smiled, it was a deadly looking smile, which scared her more then all they're other stalkers, combined.
"One: your parents are dead, so you have no place to go. Two: no one knows you're here, so nobody's coming to save you." He put the blade across the cadge it made a scratching noise that made her want to scream. "And three if you try to escape, I'll hunt you down just for fun. So maybe it would be smart to consider Riccardo's Offer, because I worked hard to get you here, You aren't Leaving." Fiona shook her head, "so everything was…?" Ren slammed his fist in to the cage, causing the entire 4 by 4 cube to shake, Fiona screamed. "A Lie!!! You're just figuring it out now?" he laughed "But everything you said and did?" Fiona screamed. Ren circled the cage like a hawk. "If I'm going to make it believable." Stabbing the cadge, the blade cutting in, Fiona screamed, the sharp object brushing against her arm, Ren smiled at that.
"Why do you think I let the groundskeeper live, why would I let that Fucking Maid survive too." Ren pulled the weapon out. "Lord Belli worked hard to create them."
Fiona shook her head. "I won't believe that." Ren smiled, "then you're a bigger fool then I thought. Because guess what, when Riccardo's done with you. I'm going to do to you, what I did to those straw dummies back at the castle."
Have you ever loved someone so much, you'd give an arm for? Not the expression, no, literally give an arm for? When they know they're your heart, and you know you were their armor,
And you will destroy anyone who would try to harm 'her, But what happens when karma, turns right around and bites you? And everything you stand for, turns on you, to spite you?
What happens when you become the main source of her pain?
Eminem - when I'm gone