The Book of Atlantis

by Lady-Ravenhawk

Fourteen years of peace have blessed the earth. But all good things must come to an end. A vengeful enemy reappears, shaking the Z-Warriors to their core when one of their own ends up murdered. Hellbent on revenge, Goten sets out with his nephew & Piccolo's daughter to track down the killer with nothing but a book to guide them on the most frightening adventure of their lives.

21. The Full Moon

The sun had just sank beneath the horizon when Faelon woke them. He gave Nadia a small smile as he saw her skin, unblemished beneath the bit of poultice that still remained. "I have water outside if you want to wash the rest of that off," he told her in a quiet voice before he turned to wake the others.

The moon hadn't risen yet, but both Phoenix and Goten whined when Faelon woke them up.

"I forgot tonight was the full moon," Goten said, snuggling against Paige. Already he could feel the energy coursing through his body, making him feel jittery and restless. He knew the moon would be up soon and he'd have to find a place to seclude himself for the night. He didn't want to take things too far with her. Not out here, where they were surrounded by friends. Not for her first time. He wanted that to be special, to do something for her that he hadn't done for anyone else, although at this point he wasn't exactly sure what that something special would be.

Phoenix pulled the blankets over his head. "I'm not getting up," he whined. He shivered violently and curled in on himself. Not only did he feel the energy of the moon, but his grandfather's warning echoed through his head to never look at the moon. Phoenix feared it, what it would do to him, what the transformation would cause if he looked at it. His grandfather was always so fearful of it that he had instilled that in him. Phoenix knew that Goku had accidentally killed his own grandfather when he was young and had transformed. And he didn't think he could live with himself if he accidentally killed someone.

Faelon tipped his head curiously to the side and looked at Paige. "The full moon? Why do they fear it?" he asked. He could sense the nervousness from both of the other men. He had never heard of such a thing, of a person disliking the full moon. He'd always found it calming, the soft rays that lit up the forest in the most beautiful light.

Paige looked to Faelon, forgetting for a moment that he had only just joined them. "Well, not sure if you noticed, but they aren't exactly human. Well, not completely anyway. They are Saiyans, an alien race that transforms under the light of the full moon. Those with tails turn into great apes with immense power. Those who haven't had proper training forget themselves and who they are, who their friends are and can cause great destruction." She looked to Goten, knowing that he would be feeling the effects soon, if not already. She licked her lips, wanting to have him for herself, but they needed to find Antonia and Orion. That energy would do well to help bring them down. "Orion might transform tonight as well."

Goten almost perked up at that thought. "Hey, you're right," he said as he sat up. "Maybe I can use up this energy that way." He remembered a story about his father battling against Vegeta on the night of the full moon, a sparring match of epic proportions. "Only two ways to burn it off. Fighting or fucking, right?" he chuckled and looked at Paige. Oh, he shouldn't have done that. He felt his length stir already just by looking at how beautiful she was. He gave her a playful shove. "Stay away from me or we won't accomplish a goddamn thing."

Faelon raised his eyebrows and gave an uncomfortable chuckle. "Well then," he said and turned to leave the tent, not sure what to say to that. He stepped out into the cool night air, wondering just how destructive this power was. He would hate to see the mountains ruined by another battle. "The moon hasn't risen yet," he called over his shoulder. "Come and eat something before it does. We can make a plan for the night."

Nadia shook her head at her companions and hurried after Faelon into the calm night air. They weren't as silent as they would like to think on some nights, she thought to herself with a smirk. She sat next to the elf, dipping her hands into the basin of cool water he provided for her and began to wash off the remains of the medicine on her skin. She smiled at the whole, unblemished flesh that was beneath. "The magick of the elves. I am impressed," she said as she looked to him.

He smiled at her again. "I'm happy it worked for you," he said as he made a small fire to fix them all something to eat. His expression turned sober again as he looked out over the landscape. Something in the air didn't feel right to him, even though the night was still and quiet. "I can sense something out there. I cannot explain it. I've never felt something like this before. I fear this night will not end well."

Paige rubbed at Goten's shoulder and nudged Phoenix with her foot. "Come on, let's get something to eat before the moon is up. We can just have you boys on the hunt for Antonia and Orion tonight. That should keep you both occupied for a little bit," she said as she kissed Goten quickly on the lips, resisting the urge to reach down into his lap and feel for the hardness she knew would be stirring. She quickly moved out of the tent to hear Faelon speak. "What's wrong?" she asked as she listened around them, "I don't hear anything."

"Nor do I," he answered. He looked at her, spying her long ears. "I assume your hearing is even more sensitive than my own," he said. "I doubt they have left this place. I feel as though they are near, preparing to strike. The other who was with her, he is a Saiyan like them?" he asked. "I wonder if they plan to make use of this full moon. Or if they know of some weakness they may exploit. Either way, it unsettles me."

Goten stretched as he exited the tent, followed by Phoenix who looked pointedly at the ground. Goten reached over and squeezed Phoenix's shoulder. "Just don't look at the moon. You'll be alright. We'll find them. If Orion is around, he won't be able to keep his energy down either for much longer." He sat down and accepted the food Faelon had prepared. He didn't recognize it, but he was so hungry that he didn't care what it was in that moment. He looked at Paige again and felt an entirely different hunger fill his being. "Damn these Saiyan genes," he grumbled under his breath.

Phoenix shivered again as he sat next to his uncle, his tail whipping back and forth behind him. He hated this. While he knew he couldn't do it, everything in his being screamed out for him to look at the moon. And the damn thing wasn't even in the sky yet. He ate quickly, his movements jerky as he warred with himself. "Fuck this fucking shit with a rusty chainsaw," he muttered. His temper was flaring and for no reason at all. "I wanna find these bastards tonight. Take this shit out on them."

Nadia watched Phoenix with interest as she took out her last ration of blood. She sighed, if they didn't do this soon, she would have to waste more time to go back to Dracula's castle to get more. She bit into the bag and drank for a moment before she pulled back to tilt her head at Phoenix. "The night is lovely, there is no moon in the sky yet. Relax and enjoy this while you can," she said. "Didn't you say you wanted to look at the sky on the night of a full moon? The stars are lovely even this early. So full of memories."

"I can't relax," he answered tersely. He shuddered again, his muscles bunching under his skin, his whole body feeling tense. He finished off his food and got to his feet, pacing as he continued to stare at the ground. "Goddammit," he hissed.

Goten watched his nephew carefully. "We need to find them as quick as we can," he said to no one in particular. "Let him channel his energy into a fight. He'll be alright." He lowered his voice a bit as Phoenix paced away from them. "He's still young. He's only sixteen, he's still learning to handle it."

Faelon cast a wary glance at Phoenix before he looked to Nadia again, who was still looking up at the stars overhead. It warmed his heart to hear her speak so fondly of the stars and he looked up at them as well. "I don't usually get to see such a magnificent display of the stars," he said softly. "There aren't many places in the forest where we have such a spectacular view of the sky."

Nadia looked at him for a moment, not believing him, but then she recalled his forest. So thick with trees they must have blocked even the starlight. "You have never climbed to the top of those magnificent trees to gaze out at the stars?" she asked. "You should come to Transylvania. We have wonderful stars there."

"I have once or twice, but my father doesn't care much for such things. He doesn't approve of wandering," he answered. He gave a chuckle. "Not that it stopped Enelya. She always wanted to go exploring." He tore his eyes away from the sky to look at her again. She was radiant in the soft light of the moon that was creeping over the edge of the horizon. "I would like that," he said softly. He was surprised at her invitation, but something about it made him happy to think that she wanted to continue this new friendship even after their adventure was over.

Goten gave a start as he felt an energy surge. "That's Orion," he said and got to his feet quickly. The moon was affecting the other Saiyan now that it had risen and he prayed that Orion didn't transform. "We have to be careful. Oozaru form is dangerous," he warned Nadia and Faelon. "Especially if he knows how to control it. He won't go after Antonia. We'll be his target." He licked his lips nervously. "If he does transform, our only hope is to cut off his tail. It'll stop the transformation; he'll turn back to normal."

Paige was on her feet in the next instance, feeling the energy again. The whole forest and mountainside had gone deathly quiet. "Shit. That's not a normal energy surge." She growled as she felt it sky rocket. "I'd be willing to put all my money on it that he transformed. They were waiting for this." She could feel the energy shift and the earth began to shake in time with a monster out footstep.

Nadia's eyes widened as she felt the earth shift. "Oh gods, what kind of being is this?!" She glanced over at the others, expecting them to suddenly change as well. She could sense the energy in the air and she feared seeing their enemy like this. How big was one to make footsteps like this? She could see him now, on the horizon and it made her blood run cold. "Gods help us."

Faelon instinctively reached for Nadia's hand and squeezed it. He'd never seen such a creature. Its roar rent the night air, making the very ground tremble. A giant ape, at least forty feet tall was stalking towards them, its eyes glowing red as it snarled and roared again. He thought he could understand now why the others feared it so. He'd rather take on ten of the Chinese dragons than to face down this monster.

Goten was surprised that he felt not fear, but excitement. He let the energy surge through him, transforming him into a super Saiyan. The challenge before him, the moonlight fueling his energy, it all coursed through his Saiyan blood and he relished in it. He looked at Paige, a smirk pulling at his lips. "Let's do this," he grinned.

He launched himself into the air, flying straight towards the gigantic beast, ignoring the shouts of protest from his friends. Oh, it felt good to unleash his energy like this, to channel it into something productive. He almost snickered to himself as he narrowly avoided the huge fist of the great ape. "Come on, bitch!" he challenged and punched the creature square on the snout. He felt confident, cocky even, and he intended to drag this out as long as he could, just so he could enjoy the moment.

Paige watched Goten for a moment longer as he rushed head on at the beast. She could feel how much his energy soared as well, the light of the moon potent to any who were of Saiyan blood. She looked to Phoenix. "Now's your chance to exhaust that energy!" she shouted before she took off after Goten, charging energy blasts in her hands.

Nadia stared after them for only a moment. "These friends of mine... they are not normal," she said before she drew her weapons. "Let's see if we can cut off its tail."

Faelon's eyes went wide as he looked at her. "And how do you propose we do that?" he asked. The height of the creature alone posed a problem in even getting to its tail. Not to mention the fact that it was stomping about, roaring and swatting at the Namek and the Saiyan who swarmed around it, hitting it with blasts of energy. He looked over at Phoenix who hadn't moved yet, and he felt his blood run cold. "Phoenix?" he asked carefully.

Phoenix was rooted to the spot, his breathing ragged. He'd looked up at Orion to see the transformation of the other Saiyan. But at the same time, he had unknowingly let the light of the full moon hit his eyes. He was frozen, his blood pounding through his veins. His jaw fell open, his canine teeth elongating as the transformation raced through his body, breaking it down and rebuilding it. He could feel his muscles tearing, ripping, bulging. His bones seemed to crack as they grew, raising him to a height that matched Orion's. His skin prickled as thick black fur sprouted and covered his body. And the next moment, Phoenix lost all sense of who he was and an ear-splitting roar ripped from his throat.

Goten froze in midair as he heard the second roar of an Oozaru. "Phoenix, NO!" he screamed, but it was too late. He threw himself out of the way as the beasts charged each other, the ground trembling with the impact. "Paige! Get out of the way!"

Paige jumped to the side, just narrowly missing getting stepped on as the two Oozarus attacked each other. She caught sight of Nadia and Faelon backing up towards Goten and she ran over to them, dodging the massive tails that whipped through the air above her. She dived for safety with the rest of their group behind a boulder that fell from the mountain. "Holy fucking shit," she gasped as she looked out at the display. She watched with some horror as Phoenix opened his great maw and fired an energy blast at the other Saiyan, "Fuck."

Faelon drew his sword, twirling it once through the air as he watched with wide eyes, though he didn't know what he could do to influence the situation. Nothing could have prepared him for this. "You said if we cut off their tails, it will end this?" he asked Goten.

Goten nodded. "But we can't cut off Phoenix's tail!" he cried over the roaring apes and the sound of the rocks trembling and cracking around them. "He'd never forgive us!" He reached out and hugged Paige close as one of the monsters flung a boulder at the other, but it was blasted into pieces and rocks rained down on them. His head was swimming with the turn of events as he tried to make a decision about what to do. Both of the Oozarus were consumed with their fight, punching, kicking, biting, blasting energy at each other with a ferocity Goten had never seen before. And they had no concern for the people around them. "We may have to cut off his tail," he admitted, feeling sick with guilt for it.

Paige felt her own stomach turn at the thought and she shook her head. She remembered her Papaw sitting her down when she was younger, telling her about Saiyan tails. How important they were, how much they meant. That a Saiyan's tail was a piece of themselves. "No, we find another way. We find a way to keep going until morning, or we knock his ass out. He'll transform back if we make him unconscious, right? Shit, but then what about Orion?" She ran a hand through her hair.

Goten backed up, still holding onto her. "I don't know," he answered, not daring to look away from the fight. "I'd say let's cut off his tail and let Phoenix finish him off, but then Phoenix will turn on us. He's not in control. You can tell. He's running purely off instinct right now. And all that instinct is doing is telling him to destroy anything he can get his hands on." He shuddered as the moon crested higher in the sky, bathing him in its light. "Goddammit, I really wanted to fight." He was almost envious of his nephew in that moment, that he was able to expend his energy in such a way.

"We can't let them battle on like this all night!" Faelon protested. "They'll destroy the entire mountain region! There must be a better way to handle this!" He'd seen enough destruction already. He certainly didn't want to see any more, especially if they could somehow prevent it.

Nadia was still keeping her eyes on the fight. She didn't trust these beasts and she watched their every move. There was a huge crash as Phoenix managed to throw off Orion, hurtling him away onto his stomach. She cringed as she watched him jump up into the air and landed on his back, bearing his wickedly sharp teeth and clamped down on the other's tail. A horrible roar filled the air, full of rage and pain. "Look!" she shouted.

Goten felt his stomach churn as Phoenix gave a feral shake of his head and ripped Orion's tail from his back. He hissed through clenched teeth and his hand instinctively went to his own back, rubbing at the tail scar there. It frightened him how wild Phoenix was, how vicious.

The roar of Orion quickly faded into the scream of a man as his body shrank and returned to a human-like form. He screamed and writhed on the ground as Phoenix stood to his full height again and spat out the tail that hung from his mouth. Goten nearly shouted in protest as Phoenix grabbed Orion up in his huge hands and squeezed him, making the other Saiyan scream even louder if that were possible.

"Oh gods, don't look!" Goten cried, but he couldn't tear his eyes away as with a sharp squeeze and a twist, Phoenix tore the other Saiyan's body in half and flung it down on the rock.

The brutality of the act was almost too much to stomach for Nadia. That was rather, ironic, she grimly thought considering her own nature. She remembered all the pain and death that had surrounded this opponent. There was no doubt in her mind that he deserved to die, but to die like this… She didn't know, it didn't sit right with her. All they needed to do now was find Antonia and have Phoenix kill her the same way.

Paige closed her eyes, rubbing at them. "Goddess, help him find a better path," she murmured softly, before she realized how ungodly quiet it was all of a sudden and she realized the Oozaru that Phoenix had become was too silent and she dared look up at him. Red eyes, angry and clouded gazed down at them. His tail flicked back and forth, not unlike a cat that was stalking its new prey. "Ah, shit."

"Distract him!" Goten ordered, thinking quickly. "Split up, keep him disoriented! I'll try to knock him out!" He grabbed Paige's arm and planted a quick, fierce kiss on her lips. "Be careful! And whatever you do, don't let him grab you!" He flew up into the air again, circling around behind his nephew, trying to get at the right angle to land what he hoped would be a powerful enough blow to knock Phoenix unconscious. It was easier said than done.

Faelon ran away from the women, shouting at the great ape, who turned its eyes upon him. He stared right back, his every muscle prepared to react as he tried to anticipate Phoenix's next move. "Watch out for that tail!" he called out in warning as the long appendage swished through the air and slammed into the ground, leaving a great crack in its wake.

Paige flew up into the air, circling around, using her slender form to quickly dodge Phoenix's fists as he tried to grab at her. She scowled as he almost caught her. "Damn, he's faster than he looks. I blame that on your dad, Goten!" she shouted as she held her hands in front of her, conjuring up the water magick her mother had taught her. She wished she had spent more time learning it as much as she learned hand to hand, or hand to energy combat. Goten said to distract and disorient Phoenix as much as possible. She let loose the giant ball of water and sent it crashing into the beast's face, earning an angry roar for her troubles as he stomped around.

Faelon ran forward, using Paige's water attack to his advantage, and he swung his sword, connecting with Phoenix's leg. He felt bad as the giant ape roared again, but really he doubted he had done much more than to leave an angry scratch on his flesh. Faelon turned to look back at Phoenix, and the next moment his heart stopped. Phoenix's tail went swishing through the air, heading straight for the vampire who had run into the fray. "NADIA!" he screamed out in warning, but it was too late. Phoenix's tail smashed into her and threw her several yard away where she crashed into the side of a cliff and crumpled at its base.

Everyone seemed to freeze for a moment in shock as the vampire landed on the hard, unforgiving rock. "No!" Goten gasped, but the next second, Paige's terrified scream rang out and made his blood turn to ice. He felt his mind go dizzy when he saw Paige in Phoenix's grasp and the very recent memory of Orion being ripped in half hit him again. "PAAAAIGE!" he bellowed, feeling the fear and anger rip through his body as his power surged.

Paige lost her breath as Phoenix began to squeeze her tightly. She could feel the pressure building in her head, her feet. If he squeezed much tighter, she was sure her eyeballs would pop out of her skull. She looked down, seeing Goten as he roared. No, it couldn't end like this. Not when they had come so far. Not when they had a life to live together. Everything they talked about, a home, a restaurant. Their friends and family. It all flashed before her eyes and her heart ached for it. "NO, PHOENIX! STOP!" she cried, "STOP IT! DONT KILL ME! I DONT WANT TO DIE!"

Goten flew at the back of Phoenix's head with all the strength he could muster, both of his arms stretched out before him, his hands balled into fists, his body like a spear. "KAIO-KEN!" he roared just before he collided with the back of Phoenix's skull. His arms zinged with pain as Phoenix stumbled forward, his grip on Paige slackening.

Goten turned in midair, the reddish aura around him fading back to gold. Phoenix's eyes went glassy and unfocused as Paige slipped from his grip, and he fell as if in slow-motion. His body hit the ground with a great rumbling and slowly shrank back down into his human form once again where he lay unmoving upon the flat stone ground.

Paige coughed, breathing hard as she sucked air back into her body. Everything ached, it was a painful, dulled sensation. She would have sworn that he broke some bones, but aside from a few scratches, she was relatively unscathed. "Thank the Goddess," she gasped as she hacked and finally fell to her side on the ground.

Goten landed next to Paige and grabbed her, looking her over. "Are you okay?" he asked, tears brimming in his eyes. "Are you hurt? Oh my gods, Paige, I thought I'd lost you." He was shaking all over as he ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her, hugged her, trying to calm her and himself.

Faelon ran as fast as he could back towards Nadia, fear clutching at his heart for her. "Great Spirits, no," he breathed as he saw her, broken and bleeding on the ground. Even with as strong as she was, the hit from Phoenix had overpowered her and injured her greatly. He settled on his knees next to her as she gasped for air, trying to hide the pain in her expression. He could see that she was trying to heal herself, but she was struggling. "Nadia," he said softly and reached to touch her, gently running his fingers through her hair. This was beyond his power to heal. He felt helpless in that moment. "Tell me what you need. Tell me how to save you," he pleaded in a whisper.

Nadia had never felt a pain so great before and her eyes flickered to Faelon. She knew what she needed. "No," she gasped, "I cannot ask this of you. I cannot." She would not ask for blood from him or her other companions. "The price is too high," she said weakly as she turned her head into the palm of his hand.

He drew his thumb across her cheekbone, his eyes searching hers as he tried to understand. Only one thing made sense to him that she would consider a high price. "Blood?" he asked softly. He carefully pulled her into his arms as he sat down and cradled her to his chest. He felt his heart race as he cupped the back of her head and brought her lips closer to his throat. "Drink," he said simply. He hated the way she trembled in his arms, how ragged her every breath was. He didn't think he could bear to see her die, even though he'd only been part of this adventure for a very short time. "Drink," he insisted. "You forget, I am immortal like you. Whatever worries you, do not let it. I shall be fine."

Nadia swallowed thickly as he exposed his throat to her. She could practically feel his pulse racing through his veins and she longed to sink her fangs into his flesh. What would change for him? He was already an immortal like he said. She was growing weary and her mind was filled with a haze as she murmured her thanks and opened her mouth. Her sharp teeth sank easily into his neck and his blood splashed across her tongue, making her moan softly. She could feel her body greedily using it as she drank.

Faelon shivered as her teeth pierced his neck and her lips sealed around the wound. There was only the briefest flash of pain before an almost pleasurable sensation settled into him. He leaned back against the stone wall behind him and let his eyes fall closed. He'd never experienced a moment like this with someone. It was intimate, tantric in its own way and he couldn't stop the soft moan that wrenched from his throat.

Nadia felt her strength returning as she drank, it had been a while since she drank from an actual being and certainly never like this where the blood was offered up freely. Being held in Faelon's arms as she drank from him was a moment so precious to her, she could barely believe it. The way he moaned as she took from him something she could not give back. He smelled incredible to her, his blood sweeter than anything she could remember tasting, he was exquisite and she wanted more. Wanted to hear him make those sounds only for her. She reached up with her hand, cupping his strong jaw and pressed more firmly against him.

Faelon felt relief sweep through him as he watched her body heal and felt her movements become stronger. He hadn't expected this reaction and he fought the urge to cry out as she drank his blood. He tangled his fingers in her hair as he tried to control his breathing, his toes curling as his eyes rolled in his head. "You're safe now," he whispered to her. "Phoenix has been subdued. And I imagine Antonia has fled since her only companion was defeated." He dared to turn his face just slightly, his lips brushing against her temple as he spoke to her. "You take what you need from me and then we shall rest easy for the night."

She forced herself to ease her jaw off of him. She had what she needed and could feel her body starting to put itself back together. She absentmindedly licked at the wound she had caused, shivering at the taste of the blood. "Delicious," she purred softly against him, thinking that she had spoiled herself for wanting any other blood. "We will have to be careful in the sunlight with you. I am not sure if you will turn or not."

He chuckled as the punctures on his neck healed over. "My kind are immune to disease, to most of the poisons and venom in this world. I doubt very much that that will happen," he said, still holding her to him. He sighed and relaxed a bit, not wanting to let go of her. "These companions… friends… of yours are very strange to me. Never have I seen such power or such odd creatures," he said as he watched Goten wrap a blanket around Phoenix and carry the unconscious younger Saiyan back into the tent. He curled himself a little more around Nadia when Goten looked over at them, as if wanting to shield them both away in what he felt was a rather private moment. But Goten merely nodded at them and returned to Paige. Faelon gave a soft sigh and looked down at Nadia again. "Do you lot always make such an impact when you travel to a new place?" he asked with amusement in his voice.

She laughed at that. "More than you would think, though, this is the first time I've seen that little trick. I've been with them for a while and yet they are always finding ways to surprise me," she said as she leaned back against him heavily. The fear of the battle was now dwindling away and with her need for blood sated she could feel another hunger creeping upon her. One she hadn't felt in a while. All things in good time, she felt sleep creeping on her. "I think I have had enough of beasts and battles for now."

Faelon smiled and closed his eyes as he leaned his forehead against hers. "Then let us retire for the night," he said softly and got to his feet, easily lifting her in his arms. "You need rest and I am weary myself." He hadn't slept in almost two days and now that the excitement of the battle was over, he could feel exhaustion creeping through him. He carried her into the tent and stepped over a snoring Phoenix to lay down with her. "Sleep. We shall try again tomorrow. We're halfway there now that one of them is slain." He tucked her in carefully and settled himself beside her. He felt his face go a little hot again. "May I sleep here beside you?"

Nadia smiled softly at him. "Yes, of course. Goten and Paige may keep first watch. I don't think we will have to worry about Antonia for tonight. Her end draws near and the tables have finally turned." She sighed as she got comfortable next to Faelon. "Thank you for saving my life. My offer to show you Transylvania still stands. "

A smile split his face at that. "And I shall take you up on that offer as soon as our quest is complete," he answered. "You have seen my home, I would love to see yours." He reached over and ran his fingers through her dark hair again. He just couldn't seem to stop touching her. "We'll be there before you know it." He watched her as she relaxed and her eyes fell closed. Part of him almost wished their adventure would drag out a bit, just so he could spend more time with her. But then again, perhaps this new friendship wouldn't have to end at all. He felt excitement spark in his chest at that idea and he suddenly found it very hard to fall asleep.