Chapter 11

Hitsuzen of Shadows

Ivory locks cascaded down onto the ground as Hiden moved through the darkened corridors. His movements were swift and smooth. He was like a flowing river. Everything about him was graceful, just like his queen.

Reija remained silent, her attention focused solely on Hitsuzen. As one of the most feared Shadows, Hitsuzen was a waste to kill at once. But he was dangerous, and was guarded heavily at all times. It was a thought that puzzled Reija greatly.

"My lord, why have you not killed Hitsuzen? You spare no one your mercy, yet Hitsuzen still lives," Reija finally asked as they moved down a spiral staircase.

"He is not mine to kill," the vampire king replied, flashing a grin at the Kage. "One should always finish what one started, no?" And with that, he made it to the bottom step and stopped before a gigantic door made of dark, rotting wood.

Reija noticed that the beautiful gothic carvings had been etched away, replaced by claw marks. The angel statues that were placed on either side of the doors were headless and shattered.

A shiver ran down her spine. She had never been in such a place before. Not even in Hitsuzen's eternal imprisonment did she dare to come before the Doors. It was the place of damned souls, where the living lived as the walking dead, never dying but never living. All the Shadows she had sealed were dwelling within the Doors' confines. Even far away from the Vampire Realm, she could hear the Shadows' screams.

Hiden looked unflinchingly at the door and drew out a long, beautiful dagger. Holding it up to his free hand, he slit his left wrist open and wiped his blood on the dagger's face. He then turned to face Reija.

Reija took a deep breath and held up her right arm. Within seconds she could feel the dagger plunge into her skin and slit its way up to her wrist. Blood oozed out of her flesh once again, this time dripping down her arm. Biting her bottom lip shut, Reija wiped her blood onto the clean face of the dagger.

It was then that Hiden proceeded to murmur an incantation, moving towards the door and placing the dagger in an engraving against the old wood. Slowly, he spun the dagger in place, causing the blood to drip down the dagger's tip.

"You have half an hour before the last drop falls," Hiden said, standing before the door. "That is all the time you will need." And with that, he moved aside, allowing Reija passage into the prison.

Clutching her locket, Reija took a deep breath and slowly moved forward, forcing unnecessary thoughts out of her head. She needed to focus. Hitsuzen was dangerous even in captivity. The wrong move could put her at a disadvantage.

Moving completely into the room, the giant doors behind her closed, leaving her in total darkness. For a long time, Reija stood where she was, motionless, closing her eyes and taking as little breaths as possible.

Suddenly, there was a soft rustle, and the sound of a match striking against the wall echoed into the dark room. Soon the smell of sulfur lingered briefly into the air as a glowing candle came into view, followed by an illuminated mask.

"A visitor?" a deep voice said aloud as Reija stared intently at the mask.

Reija said nothing as light footsteps approached her.

The footsteps stopped just a few feet in front of her.

"You are strong, vampire. Oh, how your aura makes me quiver."

Reija clenched her fists tightly, subduing her anger. She had to stay calm. She needed Hitsuzen. Only he knew what was truly going on.

Hitsuzen inhaled sharply but stood motionless, candle in hand. "How I long to tear your flesh with my claws. It would give me such pleasure…"

"You don't remember me, do you, Hitsuzen?" Reija finally spoke up, her voice wispy and soft.

"That voice…"

Reija took a step forward. "That rainy night on the hill. You made me a legend, general."

Hitsuzen chuckled, cruelty reverberating in his voice. "Oh, my beautiful Kage, how can I ever forget you?" he said, his voice filled with longing. "You are the very essence of my dreams. You are all I can ever think about."

Reija moved into the light, her pale features illuminated at last. She looked beautiful in the candle's glow, like a wilting flower. "I'm touched."

Hitsuzen chuckled once again. "Why have you come, my beautiful Kage? Did you miss me? I rather hope you did."

"No," came the simple reply.

"Tsk. How disappointing. We are like lovers, my Kage. We share a very powerful bond, one that may never be broken."

Reija's eyes glowed a bright crimson. "We are not lovers, Hitsuzen. We are enemies. You mean nothing to me."

"On the contrary, my pet," Hitsuzen replied, "I mean the world to you. I gave you my kiss, the first kiss to ever fall upon your pretty lips. I have given you my most precious gift. I have given you your destiny."

"I care not for destinies. I care only for answers." Reija took another step forward and pulled a chair out of thin air. Sitting quickly, she crossed her legs and folded her arms over her chest. "Let's begin."

Hitsuzen remained standing, inhaling sharply. "Such arrogance…"

Reija ignored him. "The Shadows believe that trouble is brewing. They fear something," she said, staring intently at Hitsuzen's masked face.

He laughed mirthfully. "You ask of me something I could not possibly answer," he replied with glee.

"You knew of this day even before your downfall. Your kind believes in destinies and prophecies. This was predestined."

"Perhaps," came his illusive response. "But even if I told you, you will not be able to escape your fate. You, of all people, should know that you are bound to your fate."

Reija's gaze hardened. "Tell me the truth. Just what is going on in the mortal realm?"

"Death is coming to all mortals and vampires. Even the Shadows will fall. Only those fit to rule shall inherit what is truly theirs."

Reija tugged at her locket. "So there is going to be a war," she said softly, no longer looking at Hitsuzen. "It's going to come to this after all." She rose up from her chair and shook her head. "Then I must do what I can." And with that, she headed to where the doors had been. But before leaving, she turned back to Hitsuzen and scowled. "That night on the hill…It was no random slaughtering. Why did you kill my parents that night?"

There was a long silence before Hitsuzen spoke. "Those that defy destiny suffer a terrible fate. Your father, especially, knew that."

Reija felt her chest tighten, and she faltered for a moment. "Looks like my father and I had something in common. Both–"

Reija was immediately silenced as Hitsuzen grabbed her and kissed her forcefully, parting her mouth open with his tongue. Reija struggled to get away, trying to fight off his strength. But he had already pinned her down against the chair, his claws digging into her shoulders as he forced her down. Soon she was beginning to feel dizzy. Her senses were growing dull, and she was losing consciousness.

"I have waited for you for a long time, my beautiful Kage. Soon you will belong completely to me," Hitsuzen's voice echoed into her mind as he continued to kiss her.

Reija's eyes drooped closed as her body grew limp.

"For now I must depart from you again…" And with that, Reija blacked out.