A/N

REVIEW COUNT FOR CHAPTER 20 -- 16 (YAY!)

Thank you all who have reviewed.

If you cannot bear the silence and the darkness, then do not go there; if you dislike black nights and yawning chasms, never make them your profession. If you fear the sound of water hurrying through crevices toward unknown and mysterious destinations, do not consider it. Seek out the sunshine. It is a simple prescription. Avoid the darkness. It is a simple prescription, but you will not follow it. You will turn immediately to darkness. You will be drawn to it by the chords of fear and longing. You will imagine that you are tired of the sunlight; the waters that unnerve you will tug in the ancient recesses of your mind; the midnight will seem restful—you will end by going down.

—Loren Eiseley

from The Night Country

Forgotten Memories

Chapter 20

Gohan stood with Cain atop a hill. The maniacal dark elf smiled brightly at him while Gohan waited patiently. They were alone, no one around for miles on end. This was far in the vampire realm of Thea, a place that very few creatures ventured to and some feared to speak of.

The dim outline of the sun began to rise and Cain pointed to it. "At this moment few have realized what happens. Not even Fenrir knew what happened at this time. There, at the very beginning of the sun, is the opening of the realm of the Dark Lord. Few know of it and those who do stay away from this area. To enter his realm you must watch for the rays of light. One of the rays only goes forward and if you walk into it you will enter his realm. This is why the people of Egypt also called him Aker, guardian of the sunrise and sunset, because his realm was in between both."

"So he lives in the horizon." Gohan commented, gazing with anxious eyes at the dim rising sun. It was hard to tell day from night if you lived farther in Thea where Raphael reigned, but out here it was as obvious as the ground beneath your feet.

Cain nodded and pointed at the sun once more. "There are two peaks, ancient peaks, that the Egyptians called Manu and Bakhu. Manu was the western peak and Bakhu the eastern. In between these mountains, when the sun rises, that is where the straight ray is formed. You have to be quick however, it only happens for a moment then his realm is closed until the next day."

Gohan narrowed his eyes to make out nearly twenty mountains and frowned. "How will I know that they are the ones I search for? There are nearly twenty mountains there!"

"Well Lord Vikram you must remember the people of Egypt." Cain smiled. "Aker was the double lion god, guardian of the sunrise and sunset. It is not called this for nothing."

"So Manu and Bakhu look like lions correct?" Gohan asked with a glance.

Cain smiled, saying nothing, and bowed before he disappeared. Gohan looked at the area once more before turning around and walking towards Ushra. The mighty horse snorted and turned, allowing his master access to his back. Taking the reins he gave Ushra a slight kick and the winged creature took to the sky.

XX

Duncan tried to act calm as he approached the two vampires who supervised the male criminals that were against King Raphael. He had gotten past the orcs and lower level vampires, but these were working with King Raphael, and if he wanted to get Alcander and his group out of jail he had to be calm and convincing.

One of the vampires gave him the once over, a suspicious look on his face. "General Duncan it is good to see you well. How may we be of assistance for you today?"

"I would like to see the faction leaders." Duncan said calmly as he held his arms out, the other vampire checking him for any hidden devices.

The suspicious vampire glanced at him and opened a folder, flipping through it. "The faction leaders? You know you have to have King Raphael's permission to see them."

Duncan glared. "I'm a General of King Raphael's Army!"

"And I am King Raphael's elite supervisor." the vampire retorted. "What I say goes. You must have King Raphael's permission to see the faction leaders. If you have a problem with that you can leave."

Duncan hissed at the confident vampire and stomped out of the encampment. The vampire that checked him for devices blinked at his leave and grew nervous. "Are you sure we should've done that? He is the General of King Raphael's army after all. He should be able to see the faction leaders..."

The other vampire waved it off with a scoff. "If he wanted to see the faction leaders he should've gotten permission from King Raphael. Don't worry about it, he can't do anything to us anyway."

The nervous vampire nodded at his superior and began to walk off. "Well I'm going to take a break..."

"Hm." the superior vampire said without looking at him and wrote something on his clipboard as he went the other way.

The lesser vampire scowled at his superior and continued walking before bursting into a run down the halls to find General Duncan and help him out. He had a strange feeling that if he did not help the angry Vampire General he would not live very long.

Duncan scowled as he continued on his way to the outside gates. He was about to leave when the yells of one of the vampires he met earlier called out to him. He turned and watched as the vampire ran towards him and stopped in front of him, gasping for breath.

"General...gasp...Duncan...gasp...Sir..."

Duncan raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "Yes?"

The vampire caught his breath and stood up straight. "Is there anything else I can help you with? I can't let you see the faction leaders without my superior's permission but perhaps there is someone else you would like to see instead?"

The General thought for a moment and smiled. "Yes there is. I would like to see the Jinn."

The vampire's eyes brightened. "Ah the Jinn! That I can do without my superior knowing! Come this way please."

Duncan smiled in glee as he was lead towards the Jinn compound. He made a mental note not to kill this vampire after King Raphael was dead and to give this vampire's superior a horrible death. The vampire opened the door and bowed Duncan inside before closing it.

Rows and rows of cells greeted him and the lighting was dim. Some of the captured Jinn were transformed, some were not. One Jinn caught his eye however. He looked beaten, bruised, and almost near death. Scars were on his arms and legs and he was breathing hard and leaning against the wall in his human form.

Duncan nodded towards him. "Who is this Jinn?"

"Oh that Jinn." the vampire began, "He was the Jinn of Lord Gohan who had been banished into the Poena Eterna. Lord Gohan may he rest in peace."

The Vampire General was surprised at the vampire who said this with bowed head. It seemed there were still vampire loyal to Gohan even in this day and age. "I see...what has happened to him?"

"King Raphael has thrown him to the Primus continuous times for not answering his questions." the vampire informed Duncan with a sad look on his face at the Jinn. "This one is a fighter. He actually killed one Primus and injured the other two. He is a very powerful Jinn."

An ancient Madrid? Duncan thought in surprise and faced the injured Jinn. "You, Jinn, what is your name?"

The Jinn opened one eye and glared at him, his other eye unable to open. "I answer to no vampire but my Master."

"He's been giving the same answer to King Raphael," the vampire said, shaking his head, "You'll get no answer out of this faithful Jinn."

Duncan nodded and looked at the Jinn again. "If you will not answer to a vampire then I will let you answer to your Master. I come bringing the glory of Lord Vikram."

The Jinn stared at him with slight shock. "Lord Vikram? He is alive?"

The vampire was also staring at Duncan in shock. "Our Lord Vikram has returned to us? I thought Lord Vikram was dead? Is he coming to bring destruction?"

"Nay," the General replied, "He is coming to bring salvation."

"Salvation..." the vampire whispered with a smile.

"I am Vincent." the Jinn finally said.

"You may call me Duncan." Duncan responded with a bow then looked at the vampire. "Release these Jinn in the name of our Lord Vikram."

"On one condition." the vampire said sternly as he opened Vincent's cell. "That you save my family. King Raphael is holding them captive so that I do not go against him. As long as they are safe I don't care what happens to me."

Duncan shook the vampire's hand. "It is done. I will do it myself and bring your family to safety."

"Thank you..." the vampire whispered and began opening each cell.

The Vampire General went to help Vincent but he pushed him away and got up himself. "You may bring the glory of Lord Vikram but I refuse to be helped by one I do not know."

"Of course Madrid." Duncan said, backing away.

Once the Jinn were let out all were in human form and behind him waiting for instruction, Rachel helping Vincent stand up. Vincent looked at Duncan with his good eye glowing. "Lead us to Lord Vikram."

XX

Videl sat quietly at the table, a shiner on her eye. Keith was furious that she left his bed and found her sleeping in the music room with the door locked. He had bashed the door to pieces, yelled at her, and hit her. She had somehow kept herself from crying and said nothing.

Keith ate at the far end of the table, sipping his coffee occasionally and reading some scrolls. The faint sun light going through the window let people know it was morning. He looked up at her with a glare which narrowed more when he saw that she did not eat.

"Why are you not eating?" he asked angrily.

Videl looked up at him slightly, her unsightly mark covered by her hair, before looking back down. "I'm not hungry..."

Keith growled. "Do you not know the rules of my house yet? I tell you when you are not hungry! Now eat!"

"This is Korin's house..." Videl said quietly but Keith heard it.

The angry vampire slammed his coffee mug on the table and it splashed coffee onto the clean scrolls. His anger rose at the damage and he glared at her. "Look what you've done now! Do you see these papers? They were important ones and you have ruined them!"

Videl stared at him in shock. "B-But I did not do anything!"

"Who cares if it is not your fault, I am blaming you!" he growled, slamming his fist on the table and causing the mug to fall over and spill the rest of its contents on his scrolls. His eyes turned a furious red. "NOW look what you have done!"

"I haven't done anything!" Videl argued with a frightened look in her eye as Keith advanced towards her.

She tried to get away but Keith slapped her to the ground. He pounced on her when she tried to get up and turned her over so that he sat on her. A glint was in his eye and he was about to tear off her clothes when he was kicked ferociously into a wall.

Videl looked up at her savior to see an injured Vincent transforming back into human form. Blood fell from his wounds and touched the floor, burning on impact. She smiled at him and in return he smiled at her before glaring at the astonished Keith who was currently picking himself off of the floor.

"The Jinn? Impossible!"

Vincent growled. "Believe it vampire scum. The Jinn of Lord Vikram are free once more."

Keith glared. "Lord Vikram will bring destruction, just as he did centuries ago!"

Vincent smirked at that. "Yes he will bring destruction. Destruction for those who have brought destruction and salvation for those who desire it."

"You are a fool!" Keith snarled and pulled out his sword, charging at Vincent. He swung down at the weary Jinn only to have it stopped and broken by another sword.

Vincent looked relieved and collapsed onto one knee, his injuries draining him. The hooded man who stopped Keith kicked the vampire back and looked at him. "Vincent you are free to return to the manor and get your injuries looked at. You've bled enough for me."

The Jinn bowed and looked at Videl. "Lord Vikram what about Lady Videl?"

"Let her stay here and watch. I have a score to settle." he responded as Keith pulled out another two swords, a fearful look on his face as he gazed at his hooded enemy.

Vincent bowed and disappeared. Videl looked up in awe and Keith glared in fear. Gohan pulled the hood from his face and both of them gasped. Without a word he put away his sword and looked at Keith as if he was a lion measuring up his prey. Keith nervously stared at him.

"It has been a while since the last time we saw each other Keith." Gohan began, taking a bite into an apple. "Somehow I think it has been far too long. How many years have you been dishonoring my mate?"

Keith scowled. "She is not yours! She was mine to begin with and will always be mine!"

Gohan tossed the finished apple away and pulled out his sword once more. "Then let us finish this once and for all Keith. You have received power from Victor so I am sure I am supposedly no threat to you correct? Come, let us fight for Videl."

Keith smiled. "This is the only thing you've said that I will ever agree on!"

He charged and Gohan easily blocked Keith's blows. Two swords against one was difficult to fight but Gohan made it look extremely easy. Keith was trying hard to stay calm as anger would only get him killed while Gohan was calmly blocking his blows.

With an almost graceful sweep of his sword Gohan made Keith lose both of his swords. He pointed his sword at Keith, smirked, and backed away, motioning for him to pick up his weapons once more. Keith looked at him suspiciously before scrambling over to get his swords.

Gohan watched in amusement almost as Keith picked up his swords and took a stance. His eyes narrowed however as he saw Korin's staff hanging from his belt like a trophy. Before they began once more Keith closed his eyes and made a silent request to Raphael.

King Raphael please lend me your strength to fight against your enemy and mine. Lend me your strength so that I can kill Gohan who wishes to kill you.

As if he heard the prayer Keith began to glow. Gohan narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the amount of power flowing about Keith and got ready for whatever may come. Keith smirked and looked at Videl with a ferocious look, eyes glinting with both power and confidence.

"You'll be mine soon enough Videl."

Videl shuddered at the thought and glared at him. "I'll kill myself before that happens."

Keith just laughed and turned back to Gohan. "Are you ready?"

Gohan held out his sword. "The question is, are you ready?"

Both launched at each other and their swords clashed. Gohan blocked one swing and dodged the other, both swifter than before. He still kept up with Keith however and his own swift attacks were more than a match for Keith since he hadn't attacked till now.

Keith, sensing an opening, jabbed out with both swords. Gohan jumped up just in time and landed gracefully with a foot on each sword. The Vampire General growled and the Vampire God tapped him on the head once with a smirk before flipping off the swords and blocking the jabs.

"How dare you play with me!" Keith yelled and attacked, only to have his swords broken and suffer a slash on his arm, rendering it useless. Keith screamed his anguish and almost immediately the Phlegathon appeared before him. Gohan stared in astonishment.

You are a worthless fool Keith that is why I disposed of your Master Roshi. He was weak and in return you are as well. If you want to prove your worth then kill Gohan with his own sword...or die trying.

"I am not weak!" Keith yelled to Raphael and grabbed the sword. The Phlegathon burned into his skin but he refused to yell, biting his lip fiercely to ignore the excruciating pain. He looked at Gohan and said in gritted teeth, eyes red, "Prepare to die Gohan!"

Gohan blocked the swing of the angry and desperate vampire. The power of the Phlegathon chipped the elvin sword and caused him to slide back slightly. He could feel the heat of the Phlegathon melting his sword each time he blocked Keith's attack. For a vampire with a useless arm and a sword eating his skin Keith was holding his ground.

After one strong swing Gohan's elvin sword could no longer stand up to the power of the Phlegathon and it broke, the swing continuing on to stab into Gohan's shoulder and give it a serious burn. Keith laughed triumphantly and Gohan hissed at the damage.

Keith pulled the sword out and swung the final blow. Gohan, without hesitation, grabbed the sword just as it was about to hit his head. Both him and Keith were in shock. Keith because Gohan had just grabbed the mightiest sword in the land and Gohan because the blade was surprisingly cool.

Gripping tightly the Vampire God pulled Keith forward and used the remnants of his broken sword to stab through Keith's good arm. The Vampire General screamed in pain and yanked the Phlegathon, slicing Gohan's hand. Gohan hissed and staggered back where Videl ran over to help him.

Keith dropped the Phlegathon and looked at his hand to see it deteriorating into bone. His burning and stabbed arm shook uncontrollably. He looked at the bleeding Gohan glaring at him and was going to attempt to pick up the Phlegathon when he saw feet in front of it.

His eyes traveled up to see Raphael in new King gear, a frown on his face. "K-K-King Raphael!"

Raphael frowned at him and picked up the Phlegathon with his only gloved hand. "You disappoint me Keith."

"I t-t-tried Milord!" Keith responded, his arm still shaking as more of his flesh was consumed. Now his bone was exposed up to his elbow. "P-P-Please give me another cha-cha-chance!"

Raphael smiled demonically. "I will not give you another chance but maybe my grandfather will."

Keith smiled up at him as best as he could. "R-R-Really?"

Raphael nodded, still smiling. "Of course Keith...in hell."

Keith's face turned into shock for the last time. Raphael swung down with the Phlegathon and Keith screamed. His body was consumed by the fiery attack of the Phlegathon and he was soon turned into a harmless pile of ash. Raphael laughed and turned to face Gohan with a smile.

"Victor."

"Brother."

Gohan got up to face him but Raphael's newly acquired powers caught Gohan off guard and he was sent flying through the wall of Mortis Manor to fall to the ground below. Videl ran to get him but Raphael grabbed her and yanked her roughly back, laughing.

"You've grown weak brother! You should've killed me when you had the chance!" Raphael taunted. "I'll just take her for a prize until you can grow strong enough to face me! In the meantime I'll destroy that mansion of yours! Don't think that I do not know of Duncan's betrayal! That is no matter to me, I have many Generals that I can wage war with! Lucius is still loyal to me!"

"Gohan!" Videl screamed as she was dragged away into a portal by Raphael.

Soon all was silent and Gohan lay on the grass outside feeling angry and defeated. His eyes looked up at the sky where he saw the faint outline of the sun moving across the sky. His eyes slowly began to close as the internal burning of his injury was slowly bringing him into darkness.

Videl...

The end of chapter 20. Keith has finally been disposed off but Lucius is still alive and well. Gohan was so close to getting Videl back wasn't he? Ha ha yeah I'm evil like that. (sweat drops) Anyway I finally finished this chapter today. Homework is catching up to me and I don't feel well...but I'm doing what I can. I still have no time to make pictures for this but I'm doing my best to get things done.

The Dark Blessings chapter update should be soon, most likely next weekend at the most. The Dragon's Knight chapter is ready to be placed up but I don't want it up just yet. I want to do an overview of it before putting it up, plus I want Dark Blessings done before it's up. Still trying to fix up my website too. (sighs) Well until next time faithful readers and reviewers. Ja ne.