Hi everyone, long time no read. Here we have part one of reVamped's epic finale... you know me :)
In this chap, we get to see another side of Alter Ego - the young vampire girl inside, Sasha Bato.
The Arcane of Sasha Bato/The Finale Pt. 1
Arcane – Secretive/only known by a select few…
*Previously*
Take Care SARAH!" I hear Erica cry as they make their Houdini, and I can't help but chuckle. "Well… my lady… you ready?" Ethan asks, and I grab him by the hand. "Yeah…" I reply, looking down at the map resting in my free hand. I swallow hard and except our fate. Feeding off the fire ignited in all of us, thanks to Benny, I channel that vampire rage and anger and shake off the fears involved with seeing Alter Ego.
"I'm ready…" I say proudly. I unroll the parchment and look down into it. On it… I see a hillside. On that hillside… I see a crucifix, watching over the graveyard below the way a scarecrow does a cornfield. And on that crucifix…
I see Alter Ego.
?:?AM/PM – The Ochela Vampire Village – Year: 1922
Alter Ego's POV
The Arcane of Sasha Bato
It's going on three weeks now; the Banshees have apparently discovered the identity of the next nova… hmp… big woop, you know what I mean? Shit, halve the time, the village is either too scared or too Bourgeoisie to deal with the Banshees. But now, allllll of a sudden… the Banshees are all anyone can talk about.
"Sasha!" I look up at the sound of my name. Maryland and Lola. My two besties walk into my bedroom and join me on my bed. It's not long before they're nagging like brides – "You've been in here this whole time, and you haven't done anything to your hair, Sasha…" says Maryland. Maryland's a blonde – always talking about her hair, or somebody else's hair, or her clothes, or someone's clothes. But don't get me wrong… I love my blondie. "Yea, and what are you wearing?!" cries Lola. Lola – she's not as high strong about her looks like Maryland, but she can have her days. "Chill, you two idiots. It's just a temple meeting. Like any of the other temple meetings we've been to."
"Sashaaaaa…" whines Maryland… — "yeah, Sasha… you're acting as if you've forgot how important this temple meeting is going to be… We're finally going to find out who the Vampire Nova is!" I look at Lola in disgust for going along with this mess. "Wooo… the Vampire Nova… I can't believe it, we're finally going to learn who the bleh bleh bleh BLEH!" I feign interest in their convo and run several curious fingers through my hair. OMG… crinklyyyyy. "Um… maybe you were right about my hair, Maryland, but still… I don't care about the Vampire Nova, you guys."
(—GASP—)
"You should, Sasha!" cries Lola, completely appalled. "Why should I?" I demand. "Because, SASHA, the Vampire Nova is a woman of class, a woman of strength… she's… she's—" "She's a freaking superhero" I interject.
(—GASP—)
"Why do you two keep doing that?" I ask. "Because, you're talking crazy, kid" says Lola. "Yeah, man. Totally crazy…" Maryland agrees. "I don't care about some overrated, water chuckin' diva, and all of a sudden, I'm talking crazy?" I ask, in complete disbelief. Lola caresses my cheek and smiles… — "that's right honey, but don't worry… we can help you!"
And she says that crap so seriously, that the three of us can't help but to bust out, laughing…
"How can you two possibly help me?" I ask – the curiosity evident as it drips from my tongue like snake venom. "Don't worry about all of that! What… you need to do—" Maryland and Lola grab me by either arm and tug me off the bed. "—is get… your pampered ass up… and get dressed!" Lola finishes as they shove me towards my closet.
I really hate getting dressed for things – it's such a bother! "What are you two wearing?" I ask before separating the curtains in between me and the closet. "What do you mean? Our temple robes!" replies Maryland. "UGH!" I scoff. Maryland and Lola are apparently already dressed, for they each have on their temple robes and sac shoes. "I hate wearing those things!" I scuffle through my closet's only shelve, searching through the bundle of clothes for the smallest indication of my temple robes. "Here it is!" says Lola. She snatches the shimmering green garment from the mass of unfolded clothes and hands it to me. "You saw this in the closet, Sasha…" she accuses. She's right… and I don't care. "No I didn't!" I snatch the robe from Lola and begin to undress.
"Geez…" whines Maryland. "What's the matter with you?" Lola asks. "Sasha's boobs are huge!" Maryland replies. "Yeah Sasha, where did those come from?" I look at the two of them with a pure sense of impatience. "Your grand-mama."
(—GASP—)
"OMG! You two are so annoying!" In response to their overly dramatic gasp, I shove my way through them and duck off into the bathroom. "Whateverrrrr… two minutes, Sasha!" I love my friends. Even though they annoy the living hell out of me, I wouldn't ask God for any other idiots.
"Are you almost done?" Lola singsongs from my bedroom. "Yes!" I reply. Maryland and Lola charge into the bathroom at the sound of my lie, and together, they stare at me with looks of disappointment. "What?" I demand. Lola grabs a comb and starts to rake it through my locks. "You. Are. No. Good. Sasha…" she complains. "I love you too, Lola." I take my bath rag, scrub away the boogers from my eyes, and wash up the rest of my face. "Who do you think the Nova's gonna' be?" Maryland asks as she starts to brush through her own hair. "Don't care!" I reply. "I think that Falen chick is going to be the Nova" says Lola. "Why Falen?" I ask. "I thought you didn't care!" says Maryland. "Shut up, Maryland!" I say, turning to scowl at her – jerking Lola along with me. "Hey! You keep it up and you're going to tear all of your hair out!" "UGH!" I roll my eyes at Maryland and return my attention to Lola. "Sorry babe…" I apologize half heartily. "You're so full of shit, Sasha…" Lola replies, and the three of us erupt into laughter again.
(—GONNNNG!—)
The three of us look up…
(—GONNNNG!—)
"What was that?" I ask.
(—GONNNNG!—)
"It's time! The Banshees are ready to announce to the identity of the Nova!" Maryland nearly chokes on her enthusiasm as she bounces on the spot. "Already?" cries Lola as she struggles to straighten my hair. "Yeah… c'mon!" Lola picks up the pace with the comb as I reach for my ugly, temple-sac shoes. I hate those things! "C'mon, put the tits away." Maryland shoves on my shoes and ties them as I make to tie up my robe. "How's my hair?" I ask Lola, on the verge of freaking out. Lola kisses the tips of her fingers before replying in a horrible French ascent, "Magnifique!"
"Get out of my way, fool!" I barge pass Lola and follow Maryland outside.
(—GONNNNG!—)
"That's the late bell!" Maryland cries. The three of us fall in line with the other villagers scrambling to make it to the temple in time. The temple is embedded on a mountain side that overlooks our village – to get there, we have to pass hut after hut after hut after hut after hut after hut after hut… and then walk up the mountain side to reach the entrance. "OMG… it's so hot out here…" Lola sighs. I agree. "Yeah… this is some bullshit."
(—GASP—)
Lola and Maryland look at me with the nerve to call themselves appalled. "AGH! What now…" I whisper, ANNOYED.
It takes us little to no time to make it through the village. "The Temple Elders are going to be so mad at us…" Maryland grieves through a saddened expression. "OMG who cares? Screw the Temple Elders!" I reply, frustrated. I'm peeved – like I said, before all of this, nobody cared about the Banshees, the Nova, or the Temple Elders. It's driving me freakin' crazy!"
(—GASP—)
"Young lady!" shrieks a monk walking along side of us. "What?" I hiss. "How about you show a little more respect for your Ancestry?" "Shut up, old man!" The monk swears under his breath and trudges along up the hill. "Sasha!" cries Lola. "What?" I demand. Why does everyone wanna' censor me? "I can't believe you just said that to a monk!" "Pssh! Please. What's so special about him?" "He's a monk!" says Maryland. "Whatever. What's so special about a monk? Besides, he's a fake monk. Monk's don't swear."
(—GONNNNG!—)
We make it to the temple entrance at the sound of the last gong. "All of you are late!" says Temple Elder Sonya, the eldest of our village. Standing next to her, I see the fake monk I had it out with a sec ago. "What do you have to say for yourself?" Temple Elder Sonya is staring directly at me…
"Sorry… guys… won't be late again. Promise." "Take your seat, Sasha…" says the fake monk. I stick my tongue out at him as I follow Maryland and Sasha to only remaining seats in the temple. "Hey Sasha…" I hear some guy ask from the left somewhere. "Drew…" I reply glumly. Drew… my ex. I had to call that one off… so childish.
"I've been missing you…" he whispers. "Em… hm…" I hum. "Fo'real Sasha… I miss what we had!" Maryland and Lola turn to scowl at him. "Do you?" I reply. Drew nods his head. "Then what are you going to do about it, Drew?" I ask. "What do you want me to do bay?" he replies. I roll my eyes to look up at the ceiling and pretend to contemplate. "Hmm… iono… maybe you could… get lost!"
Maryland and Lola share a giggle before turning to smile at me. "Pssh… boys" I say, laughing along with them. "Hhemm… GIRLS!" screams Elder Sonya, and ALL eyes fall on us. "Don't. Look. At anyone…" I whisper to them, and our gazes fall to our laps in unison.
"Welcome Village!" Elder Sonya calls out, reclaiming the temple's attention. I breathe a sigh of relief. "Today… will be a glorious one – a day to remember." I look up to see Drew in my retina, smiling at me. I give him the finger.
"This beloved ceremony will go down in the history books. Today, we will witness the birth of a new Era. Today, our village will welcome the world's next Vampire Nova!" The temple erupted in un-coordinated applause as Elder Sonya extended her arms dramatically.
The applause died down as Elder Sonya readied to speak. "Please welcome, all the way from the mountains of Ochela, our honored guests, the Ochela Banshees…" The second Elder Sonya said this, the temperature within the temple dropped, and the sunlight peering in from outside died away. "Damn, it just got hella cold in here!" Lola whispered.
Six Banshees entered the temple – each draped in tattered, black robes, except for one particular Banshee – this Banshee's robes were scarlet, and in prime condition as compared to the other five. Their aroma – was petrifying; they reeked of age and death – the hue of their skin was a bluish-purple, and their veins bulged the way tree roots do the Earth. They separated – three a piece, on either aisle they marched. The temple was dead silent.
"Welcome guests!" says Elder Sonya as they approach her at the head of the temple. "We are honored to hear of your prophecy, please…" Elder Sonya relinquished the stage, and she and the fake monk took their seats somewhere in the front where we couldn't see them.
The Banshee wearing the scarlet robe removed the hood of her garment, revealing one of the ugliest faces that I have ever seen. "Dear decedents of Lynx… the Vampire Goddess…" The Banshee begins. "Today, is day to be remembered. The identity of the savior, the Vampire Nova, will be revealed." As screeching as a nail on a chalkboard – the Banshee's voices rings throughout the temple – irritating my ears to the point that I fear they may bleed. "The prophecy has been foretold, and therefore, it must be fulfilled…"
At this, the Banshees stood in formation, forming a five-pointed star, with the scarlet-robed Banshee in the middle. In unison, the Banshees extended their arms, concealing the scarlet Banshee within them as they held one another's hand. From within the confines of her bodyguards, the scarlet Banshee began to mutter an incantation under her breath. Her eyes closed, and then reopened – at which point an ominous glow formed around their group.
Then… the scarlet Banshee pronounced her prophecy…
Of the supernatural community, the vampire race holds the only remaining traces of supernatural ancestry – The Vampire Nova. The spirit of the Vampire Nova has carried on for generations, and will continue throughout the generations until she meets her end in the same manner as the Omega Wolf.
Adorned with the supernatural ability to control the five elements of life (Fire, Water, Rock, Air, and Spirit) the Vampire Nova is a being of uncanny ability.
The state of Nova, as it pertains to the vampire race, is one of great power and responsibility, merely granted as means to provide balance and harmony to the supernatural community.
Through prophecies interpreted by the final descendants of the Banshee Witches, the characteristics of the next Vampire Nova have been disclosed…
The Vampire Nova walks among the descendants of Lynx, the Vampire Goddess. She will have a resilient sense of rebellion, however, love… will be her virtue.
The Vampire Nova is a woman of youth – renowned and beloved by those near and far.
The Vampire Nova has spent her life – pampered and well-nourished in the lap of many luxuries
Soon after her rise to Ancestral Prosperity, the Vampire Nova will endure a mighty deceit.
The Spirit of the Vampire Nova shall rest dormant on the Earth, until the rise of her successor
At which time, the successor of the Vampire Nova shall lead a small few, against an army of her own kind.
So it has been prophesized, so it must come to pass…
The Vampire Nova is… Sasha Haru Bato…
All eyes fall on me. What. The. F— "SASHA BATO!" Elder Sonya bellows. I look around and stare blankly into the eyes of hundreds of bewildered faces. "Come forth, young Nova, and accept your destiny…" says the Scarlett Banshee. I exchange glances with Lola and Maryland, for I know they are just as thrown off as I am.
"Well… go up there!" Lola whispers. I swallow the lump evidently forming in my throat and make to stand up." From my peripheral, I see Drew and his cronies exchanging dap and looks of satisfaction. "That's my girl…" he says as I barge pass him. My eyes fall on his, and with the illest face I could muster, I whisper… "Dick head." Don't get me wrong… all the while I'm distracted by Drew and his ignorant friends, I'm totally freaking the hell out on the inside. I didn't sign up for this! I don't want to be the Vampire Nova, I never wanted to be the Vampire Nova, and geez… I can't handle all of these people looking at me…
I don't know what it was that drove my feet forward, but I scaled the aisle, refusing to look anyone directly in the eye, all the way to center stage where Elder Sonya and the Banshees awaited. "Come here, young Nova…" croaks the scarlet Banshee. The Banshees disperse from their five-pointed star, allowing me to reach their scarlet Prophet. "You are indeed, the Nova in which I envisioned, aren't you?" she asks. I shake my head eccentrically and doubtfully. The temple erupts into a hush tone of laughter. I turn on the spot and shoot daggers to any and every familiar face that I could find.
"Oh ho hooo… don't be shy, young Nova…" says the Banshee, giggling along with the rest of them. "This is your destiny…" "But I can't be the Nova. I can't be your… savior…" I protest. "Oh, how you are very wrong, young Nova. You are the absolute and only one who can be our savior. Fate has chosen you, and only you… and now… you must cast your fears aside, for fate, has chosen you for a reason." I'm still not buying it. Who in their right mind would want me to be their Savior? Shit… I'm only nineteen; I've only had one job… that I quit… I'm not good with responsibility.
"Please, young Nova, decedent of Lynx, the Vampire Goddess, you mustn't be afraid. Only through your life, may the world be reborn… It is up to you…" "Only through… my life?" I question. "—and death" she adds. "My death!?" Oh that's it! I'm not dying for anything! I was warming up to the idea of being the Nova, but that did it..! Game off… no dice.
"Um… Elder Sonya… Ms. dead… Banshee lady… I think I'm going to have to respectfully decline…"
(—GASP—)
I turn to scowl at the people of the temple for their overly dramatic gasp – and just as I am about to give some random person the finger, Elder Sonya places a hand on my shoulder, capturing my attention. The scarlet Banshee starts to giggle again. "Oh ho hooo… you see… you are the Vampire Nova! A resilient sense of rebellion, as the prophecy foretold, is in you, young Sasha Bato." I turn to look at Elder Sonya and frown. "I guess there's no more avoiding this, is there?" She shakes her head proudly… "Nope."
I sigh… they laugh… the temple applauds… big whoop.
"Young Sasha, Haru… Bato…" the scarlet Banshee begins. "You have been deemed the Vampire Nova of this generation. Under you, dawns a new era sovereignty. Do you accept your destiny, as the Vampire Nova of the Ochela village of Lynx, the Vampire Goddess?" "Do I have a choice?" I reply in response. Elder Sonya skips her teeth and rolls her eyes with a scoff. The scarlet Banshee merely blinks at me. "Fine…" I mutter under the irritation, arms folded – mind made up for me.
"There you have it Village! Please, show your devotion and love, for the Vampire Nova of the Ochela Village –
SASHA HARU BATO!"
The temple elders stood and made to gather around me. "All hail, Sasha Haru Bato!" they bellowed in unison. "All hail, Sasha Haru Bato!" cries the rest of the temple. Boy, I've never been hailed, before… it's kind of cool now that I think about it.
But why me? The question never leaves the pit of my soul as Elder Sonya drapes a diamond in crested medallion around my neck. "What is this?" I ask once she's finished. "The Nova Stone of Lynx, our Vampire Goddess. May her courage and wisdom, be with you, Sasha…" Elder Sonya grins from ear to ear, as if she's… proud of me. "Elder Sonya… are you… crying?" I ask as a tear trickles down her cheek. "I am Sasha… I had no clue… that of all people, our biggest trouble maker would turn out to be our Savior…" she replies. "Um… thanks… I'll try not to cry that much, elder…"
The scarlet Banshee giggled once more at this, and after doing so, gathered her fellow Banshees and made to leave. "Our time here has come to an end, great people of the Ochela tribe…" the scarlet Banshee announces. "Young Sasha Haru Bato, we wish you many blessings… be sure to stay true to yourself, and make your tribe and ancestors proud." "I will try…" I reply to the Banshee. With that, the six Banshees fall in single file formation and make their way out of the temple. The second they're gone, the temperature returns to what we consider the normality, and the temple is once again, illuminated from the sun outside.
Slowly and surely, the tribesmen and women begin to disperse from the temple – Maryland and Lola scurry up the aisle to join me on center stage. "Vampire Nova, huh?" says Maryland once they're at my side. "Yea… crazy right?" I reply. "You sure don't seem surprised!" Lola hisses. "What do you mean?" I ask them. Maryland rolls her eyes – "Only thirty minutes ago you were saying how much you didn't care about the Vampire Nova –" says Lola. "Yeah… and now look 'a here…" says Maryland. Um… It really blew me – what in the hell was their problem? "You two can't be serious…" I say to them, mocking their feigned expressions of irritation.
— "Anybody gonna say something?" A dramatic pause falls between the three of us as I impatiently wait for them to explain… "thought SO!" Grabbing my necklace, I cut my eyes and storm away from them. I couldn't even think about how much my friends just pissed me off, for as soon as I stepped out of the temple, it all began…
Sarah's POV – Liana's Burrow – Following Rory's Burial
The Vampire Nova
"What's your plan, Ethan?" Ethan pulls me into our bedroom at the burrow and closes the door behind us. "I need you to fall asleep…" he replies. "You need me to fall asleep?" "Yeah." "What for?" "I'm going to try to join you, while your dreaming, Sarah." I inch a little closer to Ethan to ensure that I had heard him correctly – "You want to join me while I'm dreaming?" Ethan nods. "Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I believe that I may be on to something."
"Okay, I'm all ears," I offer. "K." Ethan grabs me around the wrist and leads me over to the bed – there, he directs me to sit, and he follows suite. "Okay… you need to see Alter Ego, and I have to be with you…" "What for, Ethan?" "Back there… when we were digging Rory's grave," he begins, pointing with his thumb to over his shoulder," "—I had a vision… I saw you and alter Ego… fighting—"
"Yeah I bet… you know what I mean?" "Yeah… but…" "—but what?" "I-It… it wasn't just any… ordinary fight." Ethan possesses a strange array of words that he likes to use to explain himself, and when he says things like this, I can't help but to be scared! "What do you mean, it wasn't ordinary?" "Alter Ego — Sasha's her name, by the way… S-Sasha was… doing things. She could… c-control theEarth, the wind, move water… and make fire." I breathe heavily and digest the scoop. "Some vision…" I say jokingly – smiling. Ethan blushes a color a rarely to get see… "I know, right…"
"So… I'm still a little hazy with the details of your plan, bu." "K, what parts?" says Ethan. "Um… the part about you needing to be inside of my dream" I reply. "Oh yea… well… I'm not too sure about that vision… but… I had another one…" "You did?" I ask, drumming my fingers and eyebrows. "Yea." "And where was I during all of this?" "You were standing on the patio, right before we heard Erica screaming…" "Okayy… I'm going to stop asking questions… explain?"
"Sure. Well… Alter Ego… Sasha… was a young vamp who lived a long time ago. She was very popular… that much I could tell. I saw… I witnessed a ceremony. A bunch of witches, like the banshees that we found in the mountains, delivered a prophecy to a tribe of vampire descendants. They announced the identity of the Vampire Nova. It was Sasha."
"The Vampire Nova is Sasha?" Ethan nods at me. "Do you think that could be the reason why she was doing all of those things in your vision?" "Iono…" Ethan replies, shrugging his shoulders. "But you know, now that you've mentioned it, I'm starting to think you may be right, bay." "Yes! So we're getting somewhere?" "Yeah… we are… We know who the Vampire Nova is—" Ethan begins. "And we know what she can do…" I add. "Right…"
"But what is it that we don't know?" I ask. "Huh?" "C'mon, Ethan, there's always something that we don't know, or else none of this would be a problem in the first place…" "Hmp…" Ethan's hand starts to rub on his chin, as it appears that he's contemplating our conversation. "I don't know what it is that we don't know, but what I do know, is how to find out…" he says.
"And how do we do that?" I ask. "You sleep." Ethan gestures for me to lay down on our bed – swallowing the nerves clumped together in my gut, I do as he wishes. "Okay… what now?" I ask, a little freaked. "Where's the map that Benny gave you?" "It's right here…" I remove Benny's map from within my back pocket and hand it over to Ethan. "Woa!" Ethan gapes as a note falls from within the map as he makes to unravel it. "What's that?" I ask him. "It's… from a spell book…" he replies. "A spell book?" Ethan nods at me before reading the print aloud.
"—Vampire Nova
Of the supernatural community, the vampire race holds the only remaining traces of supernatural ancestry – The Vampire Nova. The spirit of the Vampire Nova has carried on for generations, and will continue throughout the generations until she meets her end in the same manner as the Omega Wolf and Banshee Witches.
Notice the use of the word 'she' in the previous sentence. This can be attributed to the ancient curse place upon the original Vampire Nova, Omega Wolf, and Banshee Witch. The Vampire Nova can only be of the female gender.
Adorned with the supernatural ability to control the five elements of life (Fire, Water, Rock, Air, and Spirit) the Vampire Nova is a being of uncanny ability.
The state of Nova, as it pertains to the vampire race, is one of great power and responsibility, merely granted as means to provide balance and harmony to the supernatural community.
Through prophecies interpreted by the final descendants of the Banshee Witches, the characteristics of the next Vampire Nova have been disclosed…
The Next Vampire Nova will be born of the human race. She will have a resilient sense of morals of which will carry on with her during her supernatural transition.
The Vampire Nova will never lose her sense of love, or her faith. Even though she bears an un-beating heart, the Vampire Nova will bear children.
There will come a time during her life in which the Vampire Nova will relinquish her own soul for the likes of love.
In doing so, the Vampire Nova, will reclaim her soul, securing her place as the SOLE Vampire Nova of her time.
The Vampire Nova will face hardships, the loss of love ones, and supernatural torment unlike anyone of her kind.
The Vampire Nova will lead a rebellion against an empire of her own kind – an empire whose sole intent is to enslave the world in which the Vampire Nova calls home.
Leading the Empire against the Vampire Nova… will be the Demon who lives within her – the Demon who mirrors the image of the Vampire Nova.
In order to succeed, the Vampire Nova will use the power of love to defeat the Demon that haunts her...
So it has been prophesized, so it must come to pass. –"
Excerpt From Chapter 18, A War In WC: It's Going Down
Sarah's POV
and then I clench my stomach – for it has never quivered as it does now…
and then I clench my mouth – for I fear the worst
puke ever on the verge
of spewing
OMG… for one… I can NOT be pregnant… and two… "—You're the next Vampire Nova…" croaks Ethan. "Um… so it seems…" I manage to say. "There's no doubt about it, bay… you're the Nova. You've got to fall asleep!" "Yeah, I know! I need to see Sasha – I have a few questions…" Ethan chuckles and tucks the note back within the map. "That's what Benny meant… when he told you that you could use the map to get to where you needed to go, even if you were, dreaming. He must've done some research on the Vampire Nova and slipped that note in." "Yeah… he must have," I agree.
A minute passes.
"You asleep yet, bu?"
"…no…" I reply in small voice.
"What's the problem..?" asks Ethan.
"IONO… maybe if you were lying down with me, I'd be able to fall asleep quicker…"
Ethan pretends to scoff at me before pulling back the blanket and hopping in.
"Hi there…" I whisper, sleepishly.
"You better fall asleep, Sarah…" he says. "Sure thing, Casanova."
—It's not long before I'm dreaming – indeed, I know that I'm asleep. The only thing about it, as I figured… no Ethan.
I search the horizon for any signs of familiarity… but all I can make out are tombstones. This time, there is no need for supernatural caution – for I've been to this graveyard far too many times to forget its layout: tombstones here, crucifix there – besides, it's too late to turn back, anyways.
"Sasha!" I scream out into the horror. I hear nothing except for the crunching of leaves trampled in my wake. "I'm not afraid of you, wherever you may be…" — my attention falls onto the crucifix, perched on the tip of the Cliffside. Found you…
The midnight air is something chilly...
My body has lost the need to breathe, but at times like these, I breathe any way… anything to remain calm, you know? It's like… following a shadow – my breath's the shadow, for as I climb up the hill that remains in between the cross and me, every breath I take lingers before my face, like a kid with headgear-braces.
Hwarkk – Hwarkk – Hwarkk
"C'mon, Sasha!" I scream out into the night. I reach the top of the hill and immediately start to examine the crucifix. "Where did she go?"
Hwarkk – Hwarkk – Hwarkk
I turn around on the spot – nervously, I approach the edge of the cliff and peer over into the depth below – nothing but fog. "So… you've finally made it…"
"Sasha…" I stare into the eyes of my demon in the flesh, Sasha, the Vampire Nova – it's like staring at a full-figured mirror. "Sarah…" she replies. "It seems as if you've been looking for me…" she adds, folding her arms and advancing. "I have been looking for you… you owe me some answers." Sasha smiles, and then gestures for me to continue… "Go ahead."
"Who are you?" Sasha snorts at me. "Nice question, genius… you already know who I am…" "You're wrong!" I retort. "I don't know who you are. Who, are you?" "Ugh… My name is Sasha Bato. I'm a vamp. I'm sort of… this—" "You're the Nova, Sasha. Cut the bull, okay? Tell me what I want to know."
"I am, chick! Geez… people today are so impatient…" I can't believe her. "What in the hell was with all of that freaky shit, Sasha. Why the crows? The crucifix… the popping up in my dreams? The hallucinations? What in the hell was all of that?" "Oh… why didn't you just say so? That was just me, having a little fun with you, kid." "Fun? Do you think all of that shit you put me through, was fun? Are you insane?" "Meh… maybe a little."
At this point, I'd just about had it with Sasha. "You ARE insane, has anyone ever told you?" Sasha shakes her head and shrugs her shoulders – "Nope, you're the first." "Okay… look, Sasha… I don't have time for this. What is Jesse up to?" Sasha blinks at me and mocks my mood of impatience. "I'm sorry Sarah, but I can't help you…" "Well then I'm done here!"
"Are you sure about that… it seems to me that… you're stuck here. You are dreaming, remember?" "Bite me!" I reply in disgust, and the second I turn my back and make to storm away, a hand clamps down on my shoulder. "Wha—" I turn on my heel, prepared to tell off Sasha… "OW!"
She punches me in jaw. "Ugh! You bitch!" Sasha extends her arm, placing her palm to my face. "I'm sorry you feel that way… AGH!" a gust of wind gathers at the tip of Sasha's extended hand, sending me tumbling down the hill on contact. "You came here for a reason, Sarah. You are the next Vampire Nova… but you see, the only problem is… I'm not ready to give up the benefits…"
Sarah brings herself to a stance, ensuring enough distance between herself and Sasha as she prepares to defend herself. "You don't want to fight me, Sarah…" Sasha mocks, but it doesn't bother Sarah. "Big mistake!" Sarah launches herself upward – waiting until she's at eye level with Sasha before adding, "—you shouldn't have done that." Sasha grins, "Oh really?" The second Sarah's close enough to attack Sasha, she's met head on with another gust of wind.
"Aghhhh!" Sarah's propelled backwards, crashing through the crucifix dead center. 'What is it going to take?' Sarah breathes out of frustration. "You're going to have to do better than that!" Sasha lands firmly, a mere few feet away from where Sarah caught her balance. "I was thinking the same thing about you," Sarah hisses. Sasha awkwardly smiles, for she couldn't honestly say if Sarah was joking.
Sarah drops her guard. "I'm leaving, Sasha… I'm done…" "You're leaving, eh? Okay… Leave." "Agh!" Sarah chargers for Sasha, swinging here and there at the blurred images of Sasha's face –with every attempt, she misses, falling deeper and deeper into her own irritation. "You're not fast enough!" Sasha smirks. Sarah knew that Sasha was more agile than she was, but she was never going to allow her the satisfaction. "Agh!" Sarah charges again, eyes locked on the tip of Sasha's jawbone.
The knuckle to face connection was instantaneous – Sasha stumbled aside; while attending to the pain in her jaw with her free hand, she uses the other to fire another gust of wind at Sarah. Sarah plunges head first through the cyclone, gaining speed with every successful trudge forward. Sasha bellows,"—ahuh!" as another clinched fist comes in contact with her.
"DIE!" With both palms of her extended arms pointed at Sarah, Sasha emits a bolt fire – it dances its way to Sarah, singing the ground underneath in its wake. "OH. MY. GOH-AHHH!" Sarah rolls over – having dived out of the fire's trajectory in time, she manages to avoid the flames and stands to her feet, unscathed. "That's all you got, SASHA?" Sarah mocks.
Sasha charges for Sarah – she catches her one time across the face, and finishes with a gust of wind that sends Sarah tumbling downhill into the tombstones. "Aghh…" Sarah moans as she desperately removes the debris from on top of her. As she stands, Sarah gapes at the sight… "Wh—"
Sasha's pupils glaze over – turning completely white, like eggshells. The dirt and debris surrounding Sasha on the hillside rises, and soon after, there's an aura around her. "I'm not joking, Sarah. I want you to DIE!" Sasha plunges both fists into the depths of the ground beneath her – with a mighty roar, she removes an enormous boulder from the Earth and juggles it in her hand.
Sarah tenses, preparing herself for whatever elemental warfare gearing to come her way. Sasha raises her hand to sky – the boulder rises about twenty feet to mirror her movements. "What are you doing?" asks Sarah. Sasha replies with a devilish grin. She brings her free her to clasp with the one above her head, and with a sudden jerking motion, she sends the boulder spiraling towards Sarah.
Sarah stands rooted on the spot, shocked into paralysis. The closer it comes, the bigger the boulder appears to her – bigger and bigger and bigger – every second that passes between Sarah and the enlarged rock, the greater it seemed, and the more Sarah panicked. "This can't be happening!" The boulder crashes into Sarah with a thunderous WHAM! Sasha erupts into a fit of laughter.
"HAHAHAHAAA! You see Sarah? This fight… is hopeless. There is no way that you can—" Suddenly, the epic boulder smothering Sarah starts to tremble. "What!?" The boulder rises, slowly but surely, it rises in the same manner in which Sasha had commanded.
"Sarah?" breathes Sasha. Sarah appears – with trembling legs beneath her, she clenches the boulder – it wavers above her head a sec before she chucks it aside. "You're going to have to do better than rocks!" Sasha scowls, infuriated. "I'm still a vampire…" Sarah adds. "AGHHH!" Sasha bellows to the heavens, adoring the sky with a blanket of grey and purple-ish clouds. "Okay vampire… how about some of this?"
Thunder roars from above – the deafening CRACKLE gives Sarah a start. "What's the matter, vampire?" laughs Sasha. Sarah bares her fangs – the veins above and below her eyes begin to bulge on her face –her pupils turn the hue of scarlet. "Aw… did I upset you?" Sasha teases, but it's apparent that Sarah's had enough, for she doesn't entertain Sasha with a reply… she charges.
"ARGH!" Sasha cries as Sarah drives a clenched fist into the pit of her stomach. The other fist connects to Sasha's temple, knocking her down to her hands and knees. "AGH!" Sarah punts Sasha across the chest. "Hmp! Seems like you need a little more practice, Nova!" Sarah hisses. But she doesn't offend Sasha in the way she intended. Instead, Sasha slowly brings herself to a stance, laughing at their squabble. "What's funny?!" Sarah demands, clenching her fists. "You!" Sasha scoffs in reply. Sarah blinks at the Nova, "What?"
Sasha's next move was one too quick for Sarah to contemplate. Sasha leaps forward– she plants her left foot on Sarah's chest, and uses to the other to flip herself backwards. Her right foot grazes Sarah across the chin, sending her tumbling backwards. Sasha lands her tuck with ballet footing as she extends one arm to sky. "It's been fun… but I've let this go on for far too long. Goodbye Sarah."
Ethan's POV – Liana's Burrow – During Sarah's Encounter with Sasha
The Vampire Nova
This is the first time that I've ever seen Sarah cry while she slept. I wonder what's going on in there. What could possibly be doing this to her? I knew from the jump that this would be nerve-wrecking for me. Sarah's a tough girl… but tell me… what's more bothersome that watching a girl cry?
"I have to try…" I whisper to myself. I honestly had no idea as to how I was going to get into Sarah's dream – I'd never done anything like that before. I close my eyes and put my forehead to Sarah's. She's as still as a statue – if it weren't for the occasional tear, I would have thought her to be dead.
My powers have never been a, see on demand, type thing, like the way that I need them to be right now. I have visions when I have them, and ever since my change, they've been harder to come by. "Okay… concentrate…" My eyes are closed, but all I can see are the emptiness of my eyelids. "Come on Sarah... show me something!"
Nothing…
"There's got to be a better way…" Back in the day, physical contact with the supernatural would trigger my visions… but I've been holding Sarah all of this time, and nothing. But maybe…
I brush aside a few loose strands of Sarah's hair and place my lips onto hers…
Sarah's POV – Liana's Burrow
The Vampire Nova
My eyes jerk open, for in my brief unconsciousness, I imagine Ethan kissing me.
"It's been fun… but I've let this go on for far too long. Goodbye Sarah." The sky crackles and immediately illuminates with streaks of lighting. I look on as sparks flicker at the tip of Sasha's fingers, for I fear the next trick she has in store for me. "DIE!" With another crackle, a long, slithering trickle of lighting extends from Sasha's fingertips – at which, she points directly at me.
As the static bolts surges toward me, I recall all of the regrets of my life. I think about the things that I've done wrong, and if given the chance, how I would redo them. I think about Rory's grave, and Benny's grandma, and even Erica. I think about my family back at home – my family who's not going to remember anything about me when I'm gone, for we charmed them not to. And then, I think about Ethan. I think about me and Ethan's first, and our baby girl, Ethara. And all of that thinking, that desperate, last moments of your life thinking, allows my soul a release… as the bolt of the lighting strikes me down through the heart.
Sarah falls to her knees – her pupils return to their natural shade of brown as her body collapses onto the Earth beneath. Sasha looks on, smiling with the upmost satisfaction. As the wind from the storm blows, it pulls at the tattered remains of Sarah's clothes, singed by the lighting.
All the while suffered within the midst of her dream, the pain she endured reflected itself upon her reality. For as Sarah's still body lies within the confines of her bedroom with Ethan, her soul suffers – a soul, like any other, that can actually grieve from the contents of a dream – her mere soul that she relinquished when she drank human blood for the first time, now reclaimed for dying for fate's will. Only through the death and resurrection of her soul has Sarah claimed her destiny… as the next Vampire
Nova.
Ethan's POV – Liana's Burrow
Sarah awakes with a start – her breath catches on cue as her eyes open, dancing around the room until they land on mine. "Sarah?" "Ethan?" Sarah sits up and wraps both of her little arms around me. "I thought I was never going to see you again!" she cries. I return the gesture, a little confused. "It was only a dream, bu. You okay?" "Ethan… Alter Ego killed me…" she replies seriously. "Are you serious?" I question. "Yes! I thought I was gone, Ethan…" I reach out and caress Sarah by the ear. "Well… lucky for me, you're still here, huh?" Sarah smiles.
"Tell me about it..."
Next
A War in WC: The Finale Pt. 2