An invitation to chaos… When I first embarked on this journey, those words lingered quietly in my heart. I never spoke of them, hoping that everything would be okay. As my fiancé and I stand proudly against the crimson-colored beast king of the sky, it feels as if my wish… No, I know for sure that my wish will be granted… The power given to us by God, manifested from the love of our friends – the Paradise Angel and the Moonlight Envoy. With it, we will engage in an epic struggle to break the first link of the Church's chain of tyranny.
Stephen, Natalie, Theodore, Yuvraj, John… You've been through so much with us, and you're still here standing with us. Not only that… You're now one with us. You donated your life force, your existence and everything that you are to us. We thank God for friends like you. Though you may have struggled and failed, you still stood back up and fought with us. Because of your unyielding friendship, a power that comes from God's heart, we now stand a fighting chance…even against a legendary Crimson Blood Dragon.
The transmogrified Bishop's eyes widen, and glow with a bright red light, "I will savor the taste of your blood, as your fleshly bodies crunch to pieces in my jaws. You may be angels, but you are nothing against the power of a dragon. Stuart Bennett, Damien Crosse…PREPARE TO DIE!"
"We're not afraid of you…" I approach the dragon with daunting stride.
"…You are the darkness, we are the light…" Damien follows me with intimidating character.
"…The world is counting on us…"
"…Our friends believe in us…"
"…The people, and all of God's creatures desire a peaceful world…" I come to a halt just steps away from the mythical creature. I look up to the Bishop with a furious golden glow emitting from my eyes. "…They want to live as one, not separate. You people of the Church have a hard time understanding that."
"That is why we, the Infinity Radicals, stand up to you…" Damien arrives and stands at my right side. He looks up to the monstrous dragon with a righteous silver glow shining from his eyes. "…We've seen worse, like the Copa Cabana Incident. Those people were a civilization that desired the same things we do today. They wanted freedom… You call yourselves 'clergymen', but you're far from being holy in any form or fashion. So, that's why…"
"…In the name of God and the future of this world…"
"…YOU WILL KNOW YOUR PLACE!" our territorial auras shine vibrantly.
Bishop Delouse, and all the Elite Clergymen, are nothing before the strength of an unbreakable friendship. We have faith in our bond; the indestructible chains of destiny that link us together… Let it burn brightly as an inextinguishable flame. Let the power of our hearts pierce the sky, as the sun and the moon!
Our power is unstoppable… The darkness, and all those that dwell in it, will fall before the power that we possess. Our strength comes from entities that have stood the test of time. The sun…and the moon… The heavenly bodies that have governed the lives of our ancestors… The holy men of the olden days spoke of them with great admiration, and reverenced them hallowed title. We are the Eyes of the World – the golden morning light and the sparkling evening star! We see all…we shine above all! We are everyone's light...and we are everyone's hope!
Natalie, Stephen, Theodore, Yuvraj, John…and all the friends that we've made along the way… The Patriarchs of Infinity, the Methuselahs, the Rookie Radicals, the Former Clergymen, the Refugees, Whitney Houston, Brother Youssou N'Dour, and especially little Enrique Iglesias… Everyone, let's fight together! Let us open the door to a brighter future…as one!
The battle for peace has reached its turning point…and it will end in our victory! I promise you that!
(Opening Theme 2 – "Chikyuugi" by Matsuzawa Yumi)
BLOOD/Night Finale – Send Me an Angel
Damien and I take flight upon shining wings of light. The Bishop feels our power levels rising by the second! However, he stands strong against us, and prepares himself for the first attack… I summon the power of the sun, engulfing my fists with shells of solar energy! Damien summons the power of the moon, and materializes a longsword of unbreakable silver in high grasp!
"Useless…your power is useless!" the Crimson Blood Dragon expands his grand wings, and waves them forward… A tempest of hurricane-force wind flows from his flapping wings, which repels us with little effort! We're sent flying away in the Bishop's storm… He laughs at us for attempting to close in on him. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! The sun and the moon… Really, I expected more power from the both of you. How disappointing…and amusing at the same time. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
"AAH…!" our friends are caught in the storm's furious wind.
"Oh no, they'll be killed!" we regain our posture by exciting our territorial auras, and create a metaphysical energy wall in front of us. The storm's path of destruction is cut in half, and our spectating comrades are saved from death. The Crimson Blood Dragon's eyes shine with a frightening scarlet light, and casts a wave of ionic plasma energy upon us! I prepare my fiancé for impact. "Damien, brace yourself! This may hurt a little!"
"I'm…I'm not afraid, as long as I'm with all of you…" my loving boy takes my right hand, and I return the gesture by holding his with a firm grip. Damien smiles, believing in the power of our bond. "…This won't destroy us. Now, everyone, burn your existence!"
("Okay!") the voices of our companions speak from our hearts.
The Bishop's optic wave of ionic plasma crashes into our territorial wall with ground-shaking force! However, despite the monster's efforts, our light still shines brightly… The Elite Clergyman licks his jaws, believing this to be the extent of our power.
"The sun and the moon, indeed…" snickers the Crimson Blood Dragon… But then, his confidence is brought to an end, as our auras grow to immense proportions! Bishop Delouse is psyched by the substantial amount of spectral energy before him. "…Inconcevable (Inconceivable)! How did their power grow so much…?"
"AAAAAAAH…!" our voices light the skies with mountainous pitch. With a single pulsation of our territorial auras, we break through the Bishop's optic blast! Damien and I charge forward with trajectories of light trailing from our bodies. Our hearts resound as one; our voices decorate the air with righteous energy. "We won't give up! Bishop Delouse, your end is near…!"
"Tais-toi, impertinente métis (Silence, impertinent half-breeds)!" the Bishop swings his large tail at us, and swats us away with a single blow!
"AAH…!" we're sent plummeting to the earth at uncontrollable speeds.
We crash into the courtyard with ground-shattering impact! A large cloud of rubble and dust emerges from our point of collision... As the dust clears, the truth is revealed… We've been reduced to a severely injured state. Our friends are torn by the sight of our broken bodies!
"Stuart, no!" our maid of honor is brought to tears.
"Oh God, Damien!" our best man's heart is broken in half.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…!" laughs the coldblooded creature of myth. Bishop Delouse begins walking towards us with tremulous stride. "Too bad, Ange du Soleil (Angel of the Sun), Ange de la Lune (Angel of the Moon)… Hmph. The Eyes of the World… Useless, useless, useless! You've bored me beyond comparison, and you will now become my next meal. I hope you enjoy the burning flames of my stomach. Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!"
"Goddamnit, you two…GET UP!" cries the heartbroken King Henry. The Former Patriarch runs forward to save us. "I'll never forgive you if you die like this!"
"Henry, come back!" the worried Leonard chases after his lover.
"No! I won't let them do this!"
"Henry, please stop…he'll kill you!" the Bishop eyes the lovers with a glowing scarlet gaze. Leonard and Henry are frozen in place, and fall to the ground in overwhelming fear. The Former Pope is brought to laughter by the King's brash behavior. "Heh-heh-heh… Henry, you're such a fool."
"I know… I've been a fool for centuries. I guess this is my punishment."
"Get ready…he's coming…" preps the Former Pope, as the Bishop's eyes shine brightly with ionic plasma… All of a sudden, three bodies appear in front of them: Niccolò, Mary Victoria, and Jorge. "What…are you doing?"
"What we should've been doing from the start", the voice of Brother Randal alerts the lovers. They look behind them, and witness the forthcoming of their fellow radicals. Upon their arrival, the Leader of the Highwaymen helps his fallen brethren to their feet. "Let's protect the lovebirds. We can't do much, but we can shield them with our existences. Everyone, let's do it!"
The Infinity Radicals burn their existences brightly, forming a field of prismatic light… The field's bm expansion passes over our broken bodies, and repels the Bishop with mammoth-like force! The Crimson Blood Dragon is knocked off of its feet, but manages to regain composure by flapping its grand wings. The Elite Clergyman takes to the air, and releases a wave of ionic plasma from his eyes… The optic blast crashes into the Radicals' barrier, beginning a struggle of spectral muscle!
"Insensés (You Fools)…!" the Bishop increases his optic blast's spectral composition, and places a lot of pressure on our comrades' territorial barrier! The Infinity Radicals are in trouble… The barrier…it's cracking! "All of you are a bunch of mindless zombies! Rien zombies écervelés (Nothing but mindless zombies)!"
"Shit…!" swears the struggling Brother John.
"He's…too…strong!" struggles Sister Sarona.
"Is this…the power of the Elite?" thirds Grandpa Christopher.
"I'm afraid so…son…" confirms Grandpa Frederic. However, the Legendary Protagonist retains his resolve, and encourages his comrades. "…But, we can do this! We're not weak… We're much stronger than this; all of us; we're much stronger than what we are right now… Everyone, burn your existence to the core! For Infinity!"
"For Infinity!" the Infinity Radicals' territorial energies shine with magnificent luster.
"…Don't…" even in my unconsciousness, I can feel their energies. I shed tears…knowing what they're trying to do. "…Don't… Grandpa Fred…Grandpa Chris…Uncle Al…Drew…everyone…"
"…Don't do it…" weeps my unconscious fiancé, feeling their territories burning brightly. "…Don't kill yourselves… Everyone, stop it…"
"We're sorry, lads", apologizes the Cyber-technologist.
"This is all we can do to save you", seconds the Head Mother.
"We're not strong enough to fight him head on, and we're sorry about that", thirds the Cryobiologist.
"However, we love you enough to do this…for the sake of the future", weeps the Vestal.
"This is our way of saying 'thank you'…" smiles the Legendary Protagonist.
"…Yeah, so keep your heads up, Sunny Boy, DC" weeps the Protected One.
"We promise to come back to you, mis amigos (my friends)", promises the Masked Berserker.
"We've put a lot of faith in you…because we know that you can save us all", weeps the Crusnik Lord.
"It's not every day that I say this, but…you're royalty in my heart", weeps the King of Rutherford.
"God is with you all, just as we are right now", smiles the Soft-spoken Ecclesiast.
"…Stop it…" I plead in my unconsciousness state.
"Selfish to the very end…that's what we like about you two, Stu, DC", weeps the Twins.
"Jimi…Jay…everyone, stop…" weeps my fiancé.
"I'm sorry…and I hope we can be hermanos (brothers) when the fight's over", smiles the Necromancer.
"We believe in you, the Eyes of the World", weeps the Rolling Stones.
"You are the light of hope…" smiles the Highwaymen.
"…You are the light of everyone…" seconds the Lost Boyz.
"…Everyone, stop it…please…" Damien and I struggle to awaken, in order to stop their sacrificial actions.
The existences of the Infinity Radicals shine as an immaculate white light! It grows…and grows…and grows… The Bishop finds it hard to retain his aerial posture, and grounds himself to retain his equilibrium. The voices of our comrades resound with righteous fury, as their spectral energies burn to the limit!
"RAAAAA…!" their warcries sound throughout the European skies like a monstrous thunderstorm.
"…Stop it…STOP IT!" we call out to them, but it's too late…the act has already been done.
"Such power…!" the Bishop is overwhelmed by the power of the Infinity Radicals. His optic beam is disrupted, before the light of their friendship crashes into his large, reptilian frame! The Crimson Blood Dragon is rocketed into a 50-foot fall to the courtyard grounds! "Damn you all! AAAHHH…!"
As the Bishop crashes into the ground, our friends…every last one of them… The Infinity Radicals collapse from burning the entirety of their existences. Without the proper life force, they're unable to continue living. The Crimson Blood Dragon rolls to its feet, turns around…and gazes upon the downfall of the Infinity Alliance… His soul is filled with frenzied mirth.
His laughter lights the evening skies of Rutherford, and spreads throughout the land, "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha…!"
"…No…God, why…?" Damien awakens from unconsciousness, and struggles to stand to his feet.
"Grandpa Fred, Grandpa Chris…everyone, why…?" I push myself to my hands and knees. The Bishop stops laughing, and lowers his head to us. He observes our emotional resolve, as we crawl to our friends with the little strength we have left in our bodies. "…Fools… You're all… You're all a bunch of fools!"
"…How are we supposed to do this without you?" we try to stand, but quickly lose our balance, and fall to the ground. Damien and I manage to push ourselves back to our hands and knees. The weeping Angel of the Moon looks forward to everyone, and beholds the image…of their bodies changing into spectral remnants. Damien panics, and attempts to hurry to them, but loses his balance once again. I make it to his side, and help him sit up on his knees. My fiancé cries in my arms. "…What's happening to them…why are they disappearing?"
"No existence, no life…" smiles Father Andrew. The Cyber-technologist looks to us with a weak smile. "…I feel like shit. I was the one…who dragged you into this… Now, I'm a fucking mess. We all are… We burned the entirety of our power, and wound up in the dog house. Karma's a bitch…ain't it, lads?"
"Be quiet, Andrew!" laughs Mother Wendy. The beautiful Abbess looks to the sky with tearful eyes. "God's looking down at us right now…so show some respect… He's opening the door. I think he wants us…to stay there for a while… Ah, the gates of Heaven are pretty…"
"Don't talk like that, Beth!" I command with mournful tone, as tears begin falling from my eyes.
"I've been waiting for decades to actually die…" confesses Brother Heath. His fellow Methuselahs sympathize with his emotions. "…I'm a cowboy of the old west. I'm Billy the Kid… I should've been dead before the end of the 18th century, but I'm here… I really wanted…to tell…Brother Johnny 'adios' before… Before I parted from this world…for that big saloon in the sky…"
"Heath…you're…Billy the Kid?" weeps Sister Sarona.
"Yeah, Ronnie…I am. Sorry…for keeping that…a secret...everyone…"
"That's…pretty badass…Red", smiles Brother John.
"I…second that…" agrees Brother Kevin.
"Yeah…me too…" dittoes Brother Jayson, as the Methuselahs begin fading away into the afterlife.
"I don't regret a thing…" weeps Brother Randal. "…At least I get to see my wife…and my daughter… I know it's only temporary…but any moment with them… That's 'Heaven' in my book…"
"…We're not vampires, so it's only natural that we go first…" Brother Paul's spirit completely fades.
"…Stuart, Damien…win…please…" with Sister Eve's spirit fading last…the Methuselahs are no more.
"Guys…don't let our sacrifice be in vain…" pleads the Faction Leader of the Rolling Stones…as their spirits ascend into the heavens. "…Fight hard, fight strong… If you don't…you're going…to…answer to me… Take care…"
"Damien…" my fiancé crawls to his Great-uncle's fading body, and holds his right hand. The Crusnik Lord smiles upon his nephew's handsome profile. "…I almost forgot…you're an angel… At least I have a messenger…to guide me into the afterlife…for a short stay… Uncle Al loves you, Little One… Do the Crusnik race justice…and defeat that bloody bastard…"
"Uncle…Al…don't leave me…" pleads the Angel of the Moon, as the Crusnik Lord ascends into the heavens. "…No…don't go… Come back, Uncle Al… Come back…everyone, don't leave…"
"Those tears…don't suit you boys…you know", Grandpa Christopher holds his father's hand, as I crawl to them as a broken man. I attempt to touch them, but their composition's beyond unstable… I can't lay a finger on them. "…I'm sorry, Sunny Boy. Grandpa can't…move…or even touch you…"
"We're fortunate…to have you near us…my boy…" Grandpa Frederic looks over to Damien, and notices that he's holding Niccolò in these last moments. The Legendary Protagonist smiles, and looks me in my weeping eyes. "Oh, Stuart…you look so much like me… It's like…I'm saying…goodbye to myself… I can't wait to come back, so we can…play this 'football' game Chris has spoken of… Do the Von Alucard bloodline justice, my boy… We're…counting on you… "
"Don't leave…please…we need you…" my Grandfathers fade into the heavens before my eyes.
They're gone… All of our friends and loved ones are gone… The Infinity Alliance…is…it's dead… The Bishop mocks our suffering with coldhearted laughter. His monstrous voice decorates the skies with heartless elation.
"Otōsan, kore wa subarashīdesu (Father, this is awesome)!" the childlike Kyonshī excites, observing our struggle at his father's side. The Count doesn't answer his son. He's frozen; Count Valdo stands with an arrogant smile, not moving a muscle. Brother Johnny shakes his father just a bit. "Otōsan, daijōbu (Father, are you okay)?"
"Yes, Johannes. Father's all right."
"Why aren't you saying anything, Otōsan (Father)? You look like you're frozen stiff."
"I'm just amazed, that's all."
"Me too. Stuart-kun and Damien-chan are very strong. I like them. Otōsan (Father), when do I get to play with them? I'm starting to become really bored."
"You'll be able to play with them soon enough, my boy", the Lord of the Night places his left arm around his son's shoulders. Brother Johnny cradles against his father with a child's love. Count Valdo pats his son's back, and smiles at how loving his heir has become. "With a heart like yours, I'm pretty sure they'll grow fond of you. Now, let's pay close attention to this. The climax has just occurred. Your cousins are sure to win."
"How do you figure that?"
"Their friends are gone; however, their travelling companions are still inside of them. Those old fools are much too stubborn to give up now. We're about to pay witness to an amazing display of power, you and I."
"Yay! Stuart-kun, Damien-chan…fight, fight, fight!" cheers the hyperactive Kyonshī.
Count Valdo's smile becomes venomous and sinister… His heart is set on obtaining our power for his genocidal cause. When the childlike Brother Johnny finally gains control of the night, the Count wants us to be at his side. As he observes the second round, the Lord of the Night grows fonder…of the power of the Eyes of the World. It's the very thing that could secure the Church's plans for world domination. The merciless Master Vampire strongly believes in this, and cheers us on in silence.
Meanwhile, back at the demolished Rutherford Branch, Damien and I are faced with the most heartbreaking moment of our lives. So many peoples have died before us… It's not something that one can easily swallow. These people – our family and devoted friends – have stood by our side in the battle to unite the races. Sure, some presented themselves as enemies at the beginning, but that's all changed. These people were so very precious to us… And he… The Bishop killed them all! As God as our witness, we'll deliver devine retribution upon this wretched soul…if it's the last thing we ever do!
"Beautiful…absolutely beautiful!" the Crimson Blood Dragon mocks our sadness with mountainous laughter… He doesn't realize it, yet…but Bishop Delouse has made the worst mistake of his life… Damien grabs hold of his longsword's grip, digs the point of his blade into the ground, and pushes himself to his feet… He uses his weapon as a crutch, and limps his way to my side. The Bishop ceases his laughter, and observes our tenacious behavior… I push myself to my feet, finding the strength to stand with my fiancé. Bishop Delouse smiles upon our resolve. "Oh…? Still ready to fight, are we? Or, is this the quiet before your surrender?"
We're silent… Not a word is spoken. The Bishop walks forward, and comes close to us. He lowers his large head, and snorts a gust of wind that pushes us to the ground! Damien's longsword flies out of his hand, and falls to the ground… The Elite Clergyman laughs at us for attempting to stand in our broken physical condition.
"Ha! I guess it's the quiet before the surrender, after all."
"You talk too damn much", the sound of my voice is full of life and vitality. The Crimson Blood Dragon stands up straight, and pays close attention to our actions. We, the Eyes of the World, stand to our feet with little trouble this time. Damien opens his right hand, and mentally summons his longsword using his empathic abilities. As he grabs hold of his weapon of silver, we look up to the Bishop with furious eyes. I ball my hands into tight fists, itching to dig them into the Bishop's rotten skull. "You like making people suffer. It makes you smile… It's what you live for, isn't it? You're nothing but a coldhearted murderer!"
"Hmph! You've got me memorized already? I'm touched, Ange du Soleil (Angel of the Sun)."
"Those were our precious friends!" the Angel of the Moon furiously clutches the grip of his sword with both hands. My fiancé holds his blade in front of him in an offensive front-stance. "You're pathetic… You, and all those like you, are just pathetic! Jean-Claude…you won't get away with this!"
"I like you too, Ange de la Lune (Angel of the Moon)", laughs the smug Elite Clergyman. Bishop Delouse expands his grand wings. He creates another tempest by furiously flapping his with wings… The hurricane-force winds crash into our stationary frames! The Crimson Blood Dragon laughs with vicious spirit. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Useless, useless, useless! Everything you do is…"
Our territorial auras excite, and expand to mindboggling lengths! The Bishop's storm is overpowered by our existence! The mythical dragon is subjected to its stinging brilliance! His roars of agony light the evening skies… However, his wailing is brought to a close – Damien flies forward with epic grace, and lands a bone-crushing missile dropkick to the dragon's belly!
"RAAAAA…!" the Bishop is severely injured by my fiancé's critical attack. Damien bounds from the dragon's chest, pushing him to the ground with his leg strength… Bishop Delouse plummets to the canvas in a world of pain. The assault isn't over – the Angel of the Moon concentrates his territory, and summons a pillar of destructive lunar energy from the earth's crust! The Crimson Blood Dragon is rocketed into the air by Damien's decisive attack! The light of the moon burns at his skin, sending waves of unbearable pain through his body. "I…I can't believe this… RAAAAA…!"
I appear above the Bishop's body in a flash of solar energy! Invoking the power of the sun, I bombard the airborne goliath with sunlit fists of fury! In the Bishop's mind, our attacks seems as if its stemming on for an eternity… The pain is real, and unbelievably fierce. It's like a nightmare… His body's suffering the burns of Damien's moonlight, and the endless stabbing of my sunlit fists.
("The sun…and the moon…") the Crimson Blood Dragon reflects on the legend of the Eyes of the World with resentful thoughts. ("…Since the dawn of time, before the age of man, the Eyes of the World have watched the progression of humans, animals, vegetation, and technology. Man has studied them, attempting to understand the secrets of these heavenly bodies. Some worship and reverence them as gods, but they're nothing more than mere stars in the sky. However, their power is imminent…their existence is endless… Unless God himself says that their end has come, they will shine as the beacons of hope for the world… Hogwash! I have the power to defeat any legend; power that can crush the heavens with a single blow! Ange du Soleil [Angel of the Sun], Ange de la Lune [Angel of the Moon]…this charade ends here and now!")
A monstrous territorial aura of crimson light expands from the Bishop's colossal frame! Just by exciting his spectral energies, Bishop Delouse repels us with violent force… The Crimson Blood Dragon plummets to the canvas in a loss of physical strength! We, the Eyes of the World, crash into the courtyard with ground-shattering collision! After having fought so hard, and burned a large portion of his existence, the Bishop has lost a substantial amount of physical strength… Damien and I, however, are still able to stand to our feet.
My fiancé joins me at my right, and takes hold of my hand. We approach the fallen Crimson Blood Dragon together, hand-in-hand… The mythical creature rolls to its feet, and looks upon us with resentful eyes. He's still weak, but his tenacious resolve keeps him afoot.
"…The Eyes…of…the World…" snarls the Bishop with glowing crimson eyes.
"I…am the Right Eye of the Sun…" I declare with fatigued tone.
"…And…I am…the Left Eye of the Moon…" continues my fiancé, as we come to a halt before the mythological creature of darkness. "…By the providence of the Lord…delivered by the love of our friends…we stand before you as the eternal deities of the universe."
"Only God has the power to silence our light… Unless He wishes us to shine no more…we will continue to guide the people of this world to a brighter future."
"Our resolve is much stronger, and eons more just than yours. You, an Elite Clergyman, should be a holy soul. But, look at you… You're a disgrace to the cloth; any real man of God…would shake his head at the mockery you've made…of our Lord and Savior."
"Quiet, I've heard enough!" the Bishop's anger silences us, but we're not moved one bit. He's a pathetic sight… Bishop Delouse is a man who has given his last for the Count's malevolent vision. If this is the strength of the Elite, we're not impressed. If anything, we feel sorry for this man. The emotions of our companions, who have merged with our souls, resonate vibrantly… They feel the same as we do. Despite his sizable loss of power, the Crimson Blood Dragon prepares himself for his next attack. "You know nothing! You know nothing about me; my resolve; my ambitions; my dreams… Regardless of your overrated title, the Eyes of the World, you cannot see into the depths of my soul. Our cause is just; your cause is foolish! Insensé au cœur (Foolish to the core)! I… I… I will teach you not to underestimate me!"
"Why do your eyes seem so familiar, Jean-Claude?" my boy's question silences the dragon's anger. Damien approaches the Bishop with his left hand over his heart. The Elite Clergyman looks down to the Angel of the Moon with guilty expression. "That anger…those eyes… Why are they filled with so much suffering? Where have I seen them before?"
"Does it really matter, Ange de la Lune (Angel of the Moon)? I'm your enemy. Show some pride in your resolve, petit garçon (little boy)… I'm not emotionally vulnerable like a normal Clergyman. The Elite has no place for feelings, so don't try to sympathize with me. Si vous le faites, vous allez mourir (If you do, you will die)."
"The Elite aren't emotionally vulnerable, you say?" my laughter pricks at the Bishop's patience. I hold my hands up and approach the mythological creature in peace. "Don't mind me, my friend. I'm just amazed that you'd stand there and lie to us. Your emotions have been on high since the start of the second round. So, it's only natural for a man of my intelligence to laugh at you."
"How arrogant of you, Stuey", Damien snarls in a mode of offense.
"Don't fret, love. You're a man of exceptional knowledge and grace yourself. I'm just speaking directly about myself, that's all… I'll make it up to you tonight. How does that sound?"
"Like a lot of fun…jerk", snarls the blushing Angel of the Moon.
"Enough pillow-talk!" snaps the Crimson Blood Dragon.
"The dragon loses his temper, once again", I come to a halt just steps away from the mythological creature. I look up at how tall he is compared to me… I ascend into the air upon my solar wings, and come face-to-face with the Bishop. He eyes me with confused expression. "Elite Clergymen and normal Clergymen aren't any different, Jean-Claude. The Count picked you because he 'liked' you, not because he wanted to share the world with you. Do you honestly think a man like that would keep you around when your job is done? You're about to lose to us, and that's not good on your part. The question stands: What do you think Count Valdo will do to you when you arrive to his chateau in Moldavia? He's watching you right now, so you can't lie… How will you get yourself out of this tight little spot, Jean-Claude?"
"Don't speak forebodingly to me! I know he's angry on the inside, but at least I'm giving it my best effort. I'm not doing a half-assed job. Besides, I was sent her to give you a message…not to win."
Damien tilts his head with curious character, "A message, you say? What message is that, Jean-Claude?"
"There are people in the Church that are much stronger than I am. Even at this level of power, you're still no match for the Lord of the Night. These are your true forms…but there's a power beyond this. So, in the end, you're the ones doing your job halfway, not me. When you arrive in Romania, your adventure will begin anew. However, this time, you'll be faced with nightmares that make your past battles look like child's play. Are you truly capable of standing up to such power…like this? Can those who are flawed overcome the flawless?"
("…Yes…we can…") the voices of our friends speak from the depths of our souls. The spirit of the Earth Master appears before us as an emerald-winged angel. He looks just like us, only of a different color. ("…This world is imperfect, fella. Everything and everyone on this planet is imperfect, even the Count himself. Who wants to be without flaw? That just sounds…well…boring…")
"Stevie…is that you?" Damien delights. "What happened to you? You look like…like a…"
("I'm an Angel of Nature, Day-Day. Your hearts gave us a new power.")
The spirits of our friends emerge from our hearts, and stand before us with glorious presence… They're beautiful. Is this…oh my god, is this their second form?
("I…am an Angel of Time"), Raj declares, who has become an orange-colored angel.
("I…am an Angel of Vision"), John declares, who stands as a crimson-colored angel.
("I…am an Angel of Fire"), Natalie declares, gracing us as yellow-colored angel.
("I…am an Angel of Earth"), Theodore declares, standing before us as a white-colored angel.
("We don't have concrete names, but this is our second form"), our friends' spirits disappear, and reappear behind Damien in a flash of spectral energy. I descend, and land directly in front our friends. I take my rightful place at my fiancé's side. The angels place their hands on our backs, and fill us with a wave of their territories. Stephen speaks to the Crimson Blood Dragon with valiant tone. ("These boys are right about one thing – you bastards are pretty damn pathetic. What man can stand up and say, 'oh, hey, let's kill all the humans and take over the world', and go to bed at night in peace? Were we not human once before? Ask yourself that… Do you remember your family? Friends? Neighbors? I know I do. I used to enjoy playing with the kids in my village, and I was the most popular guy in the area. And then, in came the Count with his cryptic lines and bold strut. Took me out of the world of the living he did; didn't waste a second doing it. He did the same thing to you, but he filled you with so much darkness that you can't see where you're going. The Elite Clergymen are vampires who've been pulled much farther from happiness than a normal Clergyman. You killed our friends, and destroyed the Infinity Alliance, all for the sake of a man that could give two shits about you. That's why we think you're pathetic, JC. It's not because we hate you… It's because we feel sorry for you, fella.")
Our companions' territorial auras burn brightly… It feels…warm. This is the full extent of their power? Words… A new set of words are coming to me, to us… A new power is awakening in our hearts. Damien and I join hands, as our territories shine brighter than the morning sun… The spirits of our companions fade back into our hearts, and become one with us… The Bishop's eyes glow with a furious crimson light.
"Sweets…let's bring our friends back", I open my eyes and gaze upon the Bishop's pathetic image.
"I was just thinking the same thing, Daddy", my fiancé opens his eyes and looks to the Bishop with a warm smile. The Crimson Blood Dragon blasts a colossal ionic wave from his eyes! Despite its composition, the Elite Clergyman's optic blast pales in comparison to the power of our bond. The image of the Infinity Radicals runs through our minds, and touches a very gentle spot in our hearts. Tears fall from our eyes, as we confess the depths of the love we have for them. "If we never loved you enough, we're sorry. Please, forgive us… Come back to us, everyone…please… We're suffering without you by our side. God gave you to us, and we want to keep you near. You're the people who should grace us at our wedding."
"So please, don't make us live another moment without you?" beautiful emotions fill my heart. I think back at how we met, where we've gone, and where our journey has led us… These people are irreplaceable. No one can take their spot… Their smiling faces; we want to see them again. "I know you're all looking down on us, smiling and shedding tears with us. It's because of you that we found this form… And, it's because of you that our love grew. We don't regret having our eyes opened…because you were there with us the entire time. So, in honor of our bond, we humbly bestow upon you the same gift you gave to us… We give you…a second chance."
The Count and his Heir are fascinated by the psychographic image generating from the courtyard of Infinity HQ… Brother Johnny hops forward and touches the framing of his father's pier glass. He excites and hops happily around his father. Count Valdo folds his arms, and giggles a little under his breath.
"They're winning, they're winning, they're winning!" cheers the hopping vampire heir.
"Calm down, son", smiles the Lord of the Night. Brother Johnny stops hopping at his father's right side. As they watch us lift our lateral hands to the sky, the influence of our existence reaches the borders of Moldavia. Count Valdo looks to his window in a mode of shock. ("What on earth…? Is that…? Impossible! Is this the full expansion of their power? It's… By Jove! It's just a wide as my own!")
"Otōsan (Father), are you all right?" questions the Kyonshī of his dazed father. The Count calms down, and smiles. Brother Johnny cradles against the emotional Master Vampire. "I feel them, too. Their power…feels really nice, and really, really warm. Stuart-kun and Damien-chan are going to win… And, when they get here, we'll play…forever and ever and ever."
"That sounds lovely, my son. I can't wait for them to arrive as well. Those Infinity idiots… Resilient to the end they are. We're in for a grand spectacle with this final attack."
"Conde (Count) Valdo, I've arrived with the assassin", the Lord of the Night looks to his chamber door. Standing before him is the Cardinal…and Brother N'Dour's in his right arm. The Master Vampire approaches the Elite Clergyman and the Apprentice with daunting stride. "He seems to have lost his memories. Obviously, this is the work of Father Andrew and his existence of sound, Echoes. What would you like to do with him?"
"Take him to the Altar for cleansing", Count Valdo holds Brother N'Dour's chin with a gentle right hand, and lifts the boy's head a little. He sees the mindlessness that has befallen the young man. "So, this is the boy who fell in love with the Angel of the Moon? I haven't seen this little fellow since I spawned him from my existence… I've missed you, N'Dour. You'll now continue your services with the Church. If you run away from me again, I'll be forced to punish you. Is that understood?"
"…Yes…Master Valdo…" the mindless Apprentice moans.
"Otōsan (Father), can I play with the funny boy when he's done with 'the Altar thingy'?" excites the hopping vampire heir. His father looks to him with a smile, and grants his request with a nod. Brother Johnny hops merrily around the study. "Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay! I have a playmate! I have a playmate! Yay-yay-yay!"
"Your son is a ball of energy, mi señor (my lord)", delights the veiled Cardinal.
"Yes, he is", agrees the loving father, as he watches his son hop towards him. Count Valdo opens his arms, and welcomes his son with into his embrace. The Kyonshī hugs his father with heart-warming joy. "Aww, that's my boy. Such a gentle young man. I'm sure N'Dour will enjoy your company. Isn't that right, N'Dour?"
"…Yes…Master Valdo…" the mindless Apprentice looks to the pier glass, and notices the grand image of the battle at Infinity HQ. He approaches the pier glass, and grasps the attention of his company. Brother N'Dour places his hands on the pier-glass frame, and sheds tears of agony…and sorrow. "…Da…mi…en… Da…mi…en…"
"Esencia, escort this young man to the Altar at once", commands the Lord of the Night. Cardinal Evandro respectfully bows to his master, and fetches the longing Brother N'Dour. The Elite Clergyman places the Apprentice over his shoulder, and carries him out of the Count's study. The Master Vampire excuses himself, and leaves his son with fatherly verse. "Johannes, I must tend to your playmate's mental state. Tell me what happens when I return. If you can't remember, I'll just rewind the psychographic image using my existence. Behave yourself while I'm gone, boy. Don't make a mess, or papa will be force to give you a spanking."
"Hai, Otōsan (Yes, Father)!" the Heir smiles to his departing father. The door to the study closes, and Brother Johnny turns his attention to the pier glass. The childlike Kyonshī hops to the mirror, and places his hands on its frame. A faint image of his past, before he was taken by his father, runs through his mind. This memory confuses him… He sees three people in his vision, but they're blurred out for some apparent reason. ("Who are these people in my head? Oooh! I Boku wa konran sa kirai [I hate being confused]! …Oh well… I guess the image will clear up sooner or late… But, for now, I must watch Stuart-kun and Damien-chan do this 'spectacle thingy' Otōsan [Father] keeps talking about… I wonder what that is. I bet it's really, really pretty!")
Back in the courtyard of Infinity HQ, Damien and I stand before a mountain of territorial power… The Bishop is exhausting his existence to obtain victory. However, at the same time, we stand empowered by the love of all the people near and dear to us; all the people of the world; the animals; the plants; even the unborn stand with us. This is the power of the peoples' hearts. Our power is limitless… Though it may not be enough to stand up to the Count, it's enough to bring an end to this emotional struggle.
"You won't defeat me…!" swears the furious Crimson Blood Dragon.
"Is that so, Jean-Claude?" I smile with unbreakable confidence.
"I am one of the Elite! Even if I burn the remainder of my existence, I won't allow you to continue on! Vive l'Eglise (Long live the Church)! Vive Comte Valdo (Long live Count Valdo)…!"
"Pathetic to the very end, I see", Damien giggles, amused by the Bishop's resolve.
"How dare you mock me! I'll see your burning corpses collapse to the ground! And then…then I will savor the taste of your charred flesh! This is the end for you! Au revoir, Yeux du Monde (Goodbye, Eyes of the World)!"
The Bishop increases the ethereal structure of his optic blast, and casts a devastating windstorm across the Rutherford terrain in the process! However, despite the Elite Clergyman's efforts, we're not moved from where we stand… The power of everyone in the world keeps us afoot. Their hearts are one with ours… Together, we can do anything. We can move mountains; we can calm an oceanic tempest; we can still the wrath of a mighty cyclone. We are the Eyes of the World… We're everyone's hope… We're everyone's light… We are the past, the present, and the future. But, most of all… Most of all…we want there to be peace amongst races.
"Golden sun, shine your burning light of fate…" I recite with resonant verse.
"Silver moon, guide the blind with your gentle glow…" Damien continues with reverberating tone.
"This power…" the Bishop feels a massive increase in our spectral composition. The amount of power exhausting from our existences is without comparison! A sphere of prismatic territorial energy forms above us, and grows large with every passing second. It floats above our lifted lateral hands…like the titan Atlas, who supports the heavens with his majestic fortitude. The Bishop gives into his emotions, once again, and panics. "…This is a nightmare! No matter how much my existence burns… I just can't touch them! Merde…merde, merde, merde, MERDE (Damn it…damn it, damn it, damn it, DAMN IT)…!"
"…Surviving the passage of time, enduring the depths of eternity…" our voices resound throughout the European skies like a mighty thunderstorm. Our sphere of prismatic territorial energy ceases its expansion, after reaching a total of 50-feet in height. The Bishop panics, realizing that this is the end of his battle."…The power you've gathered shall now become one with us. We are the sun. We are the moon. We are the Eyes of the World. Together, let us banish the darkness to the depths of oblivion. Awaken, light that pierces the ramparts of eternity!"
The many eyes of the United Kingdom are watching us… They can see it – the sphere of rainbow light that decorates the evening sky. It's the most beautiful thing they could ever lay eyes on. It's their power… It's the power of the people who've suffered at the hands of the Church for ages… This light will bring an end to our battle…and resurrect the lives of our fallen comrades. With these words, we grant the Infinity Radicals a second chance… We grant the world a season of peace…if only for a little while.
"For the sake of the future – Sunlight Nocturne: Passionate…DUET!" our sphere of prismatic light is cast forth, and instantly disrupts the Bishop's optic blast! The Crimson Blood Dragon thrusts his large claws forward, and attempts to stop our attack with his physical strength. The prismatic orb crashes into his hands, and his struggle to survive begins… He struggles, and struggles, and struggles. However, no matter how hard he resists, the Bishop's defeat is at hand. Our warcries light the evening skies with righteous reverberation. "YAAAAAAH…!"
Our ultimate technique, Sunlight Nocturne: Passionate Duet, overpowers the Elite Clergyman…and fuses with his gargantuan frame… His body is lit by a magnificent prismatic glow. He feels the darkness within shredding to pieces. A tear falls from his right eye, as his physical composition shrinks…and changes. For the first time in centuries, the Bishop feels the power of love… He feels the power of an unbreakable bond.
("The Eyes of the World…") his body reverts back to normal, and is lowered slowly to the courtyard. As this happens, he reflects on the power that has overwhelmed him; the power that has proven to be stronger than that of the Count. ("…Transcending the pages of history, their light has overseen time immemorial and novel. Their power knows no boundary. Only God himself can silence their immaculate glow… I understand now. Perhaps we, the Church of the Red Moon, are fighting a losing battle after all… Despite my defeat, Comte [Count] Valdo, your message has been delivered successfully. I wish I could apologize to ces garçons [those boys] for causing so much trouble. But, that's not going to happen anytime soon… I know that Comte [Count] Valdo won't allow me to rest for long… I'll see them again, someday. Pour l'instant…au revoir, Ange de Soleil, Ange de la Lune [For now…goodbye, Angel of the Sun…Angel of the Moon]…")
Brother Johnny delights in what he sees in his father's pier-glass mirror! The hyperactive Heir hops around his father's study in a circle… He's so overjoyed that he's unable to stop hopping. He finally understands what his father means when he refers to something as "a grand spectacle". The childlike Kyonshī hops to the mirror, and places his hands on its framing. His corrupted heart is filled with joy… The one thing he wants most of all…is to "play" with Damien and me for all eternity.
"Now, they're one step closer to playtime with Johnny-chan!" the hopping vampire develops a sinister grin. But then, he laughs his emotions away, and begins hopping around the room once again. In his own little way, he congratulates us with youthful cheer. "Stuart-kun-yō banzai (Hurray for Stuart)! Damien-chan-yō banzai (Hurray for Damien)! Boku no itoko-yō banzai (Hurray for my cousins)! Yay-yay-yay-yay-yay!"
In Manson, Ms. Houston and her Aunt Dionne pay witness to the phenomenon that lights the evening sky… The United Kingdom is sure to rave about this for years and years to come. Her little brother, Michael, runs downstairs and joins his family members. The bouncy tyke is overjoyed, and runs into the yard, attempting to touch the rainbow-lit night sky.
"Michael, come back inside", smiles the elderly aunt.
"But, Auntie Dionne, the sky's all funny looking", bounces the excited Michael.
"It's our friends…" Ms. Houston's emotional tone grasps her aunt's attention. The future administrator is crying… She feels our love more than anyone. She knows, firsthand, how strong our bond truly is. "…They won, Auntie Dionne. They defeated the enemy, but it doesn't feel like their battle's really over. They still have to defeat the Count, and this guy's power was nowhere near as strong as his."
"Well, I pray that these remarkable young men and women find the nerve to do defeat the Count", excites the elderly family member. Ms. Houston and Little Michael are humored by their aunt's energy. Auntie Dionne laughs at herself for behaving so youthfully. "Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho! Silly me. I forgot I'm not as young as I used to be. Please, forgive your dear, old auntie."
"It's okay! Auntie Dionne's still very pretty!" cheers the happy little brother.
"Oh, Michael, you know just what to say to brighten an old woman's day."
"That's my brother for you", smiles the loving Ms. Houston.
"Whitney, Michael, let's keep our friends in our prayers. I pray that God keeps them safe, stills their fear, and strengthens their resolve. I may not know their faces, but I can surely feel their hearts. They fight on as a family, and stand against the enemy as a righteous sword."
"Wow! Pretty words!" Michael dances merrily in a circle.
"That was pretty deep, Auntie", seconds the proud Ms. Houston.
"I know these things, my dears. Friends stick by each other, no matter what. They're a family, even when their own loved ones refused them proper refuge. However, their bond is much stronger than any mere friendship; this light proves that, and not a word has been spoken to me about their relationship."
"Yeah, they'll be on each other's side…forevermore…" weeps Ms. Houston.
"Because that's what friends are for…!" sings little Michael.
Michael's energy brings laughter to his little family… Michael joins his family members, and enjoys this one-in-a-lifetime wonder at their side. Ms. Houston knows that she'll see us again, someday. However, as of now, she must let us go. We've a journey ahead of us that will decide the fate of mankind. Her heart fills with joy, knowing for certain…that we'll reunite again in the near future.
Damien and I are tired... We've fought so hard… This has truly been our toughest battle to date. The Bishop has taken so much out of us…so much that we're no longer able to stand. We collapse to the ground, losing our angelic adornment in the process… Damien and I are reverted back to our normal human forms, before our bodies even touch the ground. We may be "the Eyes of the World"…but these eyes are rather tired right now.
"…Is…is it over…Stuey?" my fiancé breathes in his fatigue.
"…Looks that way…love…" I push myself to a sitting position, but instantly fall back down. We laugh at ourselves for pushing our powers to the limit; for placing ourselves in such a silly situation. "...I…can barely…even sit up… This is worthy…of a column…in the funny papers… Wouldn't you say so…Damien?"
"Yes, Stuey… It's…quite the tickling…situation…"
("Well, don't you two look a god-awful mess"), the voice of the Earth Master resonates from our hearts. Five spheres of prismatic energy emerge from our chests… The prismatic spheres float a few feet away from us, and materialize into the image of our devoted companions…in their normal forms. Damien and I delight, overjoyed to see them standing before once again. Natalie, Theodore, Stephen, Yuvraj, and John kneel next to us. John holds Damien in his arms, and allows my boy to rest his head against his shoulder. Natalie supports my upper body by allowing me to lay my head in her lap. Stephen acknowledges us with proud tone. "Just like the Twins said – stubborn to the very end you are. You lads surprised the hell out of all of us. Good job, fellas."
"You guys…weren't so bad…yourselves…" Damien smiles.
"Will…the others come back…soon?" I ask with a lethargic smile.
***Image Song: Changin' by Stephanie feat. Tanaka Roma***
("We're right here, Sunny Boy"), Grandpa Christopher's voice resonates from the northwest. We look towards the broken main building, and pay witness to the lustrous resurrection of the Infinity Alliance. The Patriarchs, the Former Clergymen, The Mother Superior, the Rookies, the Methuselahs, the Rolling Stones… They're reappearing before our very eyes… It's a miracle! As their spirits take form, they congratulate with charming verse. "We saw the whole thing. We got to watch you guys with Mom. She asked me to tell you cowboys she said 'outstanding form, and keep up the good work'."
"It sure was nice to hold my little minx one last time", delights my Great-grandfather. Everyone smiles, knowing that Grandpa Frederic means what he's saying. He looks upon us with fatherly pride. "Now, how about we reschedule that 'football game'? You two look like you've been wrestling with a stampede of angry bulls."
"We…love you too…Grandpa Fred", I laugh with lethargic tone.
"Hey, DC, how about I show you how to work a gun?" asks the Gunslinger, on behalf of the Methuselahs.
"…I'd like that…Billy…the Kid…" Damien weeps, despite his fatigue.
"We're all very proud of you", Mother Wendy says, standing in the arms of her loving husband.
"Darien, come out and say hello", Thaddeus commands, as his existence releases a pool of golden liquid from his feet. The liquid mutates…and forms the Doppelgänger's biological composition. Darien smiles at us, and waves to us with his right hand. "I think it's more than fair if he gets to spend some time with you boys. I need a break from fighting, anyway. I'm long overdue for some quality time with my wife."
"Oh, Thad, you're such a fresh little something", blushes the beautiful Abbess, filling us with laughter.
"So, are you boys looking forward to the wedding?" asks the smiling Father Andrew.
"Oh, I'm so excited…I can't wait to be there with you guys!" delights the lovely Mary Victoria.
"We can't wait…but…there's so much more…" Damien loses the battle to stay awake, and falls asleep.
"…So much more…ahead of us…" I fall into a deep sleep as well.
"Aww, they look so cute when they're asleep", coos the admiring Sister Sarona.
"My nephew gets his good looks from me", proudly declares the Crusnik Lord.
"Yeah, right, we believe that", snickers King Henry with sarcastic tone.
"Well, it's true. The men of the Crosse Family are rather handsome. I was known to be quite the lady-killer in my day. But, that was centuries ago."
"More like an eternity", teases the whimsical Brother Jayson. Uncle Alexander hisses at the sarcastic cyborg, freezing him with fear. "Whoa! Okay, it was just a joke…stay cool."
"Hmph…looks like things never change, even after death", smiles the humored Father Luis.
"But, things can change here on earth…right?" Jorge questions of his little brother.
"Sí (Yes), they most definitely can. It's good to have you with us, Jorge."
"Likewise, hermanito (little brother)."
"Brotherhood rocks", cheers the Twins, as they embrace each other with a side-hug.
"Guys, we should rest up for the evening", Natalie suggests. No one can argue with that. It's been a pretty hectic day for all of us. "Brother John, Brother Kevin, please take our sleeping heroes to a soft bed. We leave for Romania in 48 hours. Sleep well everyone, for the journey ahead of us is sure to be a tough one. For Infinity."
"For Infinity", salutes the Infinity Radicals.
Pretty soon, Damien and I are resting in separates beds… Our dorm room is quiet. It's amazing that the Halfway House survived the Bishop's attack. His spirit is probably somewhere in the afterlife by now, but he's sure to return someday. The Count's most definitely not allowing a power like his to go to waste. For now, however, we need all the rest we can get. Our dreams are filled with beautiful images… Peace. Love. Happiness. Togetherness. Tenderness. We dream of the future, and where we wish to be when this is all over. We've come so far…but we still have such a long way to go. Until that day comes, when the world finally sees an eternal calm...
We'll continue to dream…we'll continue to believe.
~2 and a Half Days Later…~
"My, this evening sky's a sight to behold", Damien and I are resting in the comfort of a hotel in Bukovina. Since this was our first stop, we decided to take a rest here for the evening. There aren't any branches in this area, so we're in the clear. Right now, my fiancé and I are sitting on a canopy swing on our suite's balcony. We're cradled next to each other, enjoying the fruits of our engagement. "It kind of feels good to be away from the UK. There's a couple of memories I'd like to leave behind in our home country."
"Here-here to that, love", Damien smiles. "But, you need to remember the good things, Stuey. The bad things are shorter in number compared to the good things. Now's our chance to make a lot of new, fresh and fabulous memories… I've a question though, Stuey."
"What is it, Sweets?"
"I'm thinking about adopting a child. Would you like to do that soon, or after we're married?"
"Hmm…" I ponder on that for a second. An answer comes to me, and makes me smile. "…Well, since you asked nicely, I think we could get one before our wedding. Problem is: Where do we start? There're several adoption agencies in Romania, but they're not very welcoming to outsiders. Gideonites are very prominent in these parts. I'm surprised this hotel gave us a place to rest our heads. That was…rather neighborly of them."
"The world's multidimensional, Stuey. We just have to learn how to accept that. There are good people, and then there are bad people. Some are even stuck somewhere in between."
"You're right about that, Sweets. Silly me. As a man of intelligence, I should've been much sharper than that. There goes a couple of my 'cool points'."
"I don't want a 'cool man', Stuey", Damien looks to me with warm eyes.
"Oh really, now? What kind of 'man' do you want then, Damien?"
"The 'hot' kind…like you", our lips touch, and we engage in a tender kiss for several moments… Damien suddenly remembers something, and pulls away from me. "By the way…Stuey?"
"What is it, dear?"
"We didn't make love 2 nights ago. I didn't forget about your little promise. You're a naughty, naughty boy… I've a mind to give you a spanking for your misconduct."
His coquettish personality brings a smile to my face, "Forgive me, Damien. I can make it up to you right now if you wish. We've got a room to ourselves; no one to bother us; no interruptions. Just you and me…and the bed… Care to give it a go, Sweets?"
"Carry me?" Damien blushes with innocent gesture.
"Carry me?" I mock with high-pitch tone, making him laugh. My fiancé stands from the canopy swing. I stand as well, and quickly swoop my boy off his feet with my strong arms. My playful gesture makes Damien hoot. I then carry my boy into our hotel room… I lay Damien on our bed, and mount him with sensual bearing. Towering above him like a preying jungle cat, I engage his eyes with loving glare. My fiancé caresses my left cheek with his right hand. "Your touch was always so soft, Damien… I can't wait to start a little family with you, you should know that more than anyone else. So, will it be a girl…or a boy?"
"It depends. I like all children, so it'll be hard to choose."
"I know what you mean", I smile. I lean forward just a little, and place my lips inches away from Damien's. I decide to play a sexual game with him. "Oh, crackers… Now, I'm feeling a little indecisive."
"About what, you silly boy?" Damien laughs.
"I don't know how long we should go tonight. Have any requests?"
"Here's one – don't stop, Daddy", Damien places his hands behind my head, and pulls me closer.
With the meeting of our lips, and the birth of a passionate kiss, our love session begins… Although big guys like me lie and say "oh, I can jump hurdles in the bed with you", it never truly happens. I just enjoy making love to my boy. What's there to prove, when all's been proven from the very beginning? Love is love… Sex is temporary, but love…is eternal. Another one of those useless facts, right? Ha! I'm so clever with words… Now, would you be kind enough to step out of the room?
"Daddy's" got some work to do…if you know what I mean.
News of our landing on the Romanian soil has reached the ears of the Master Vampire. Gathering information from a set of "watchful eyes", the Lord of the Night anticipates our arrival. From the silence of his bedroom chamber, Count Valdo watches the Moldavian countryside with dreaming expression.
"Mon Seigneur (My Lord), please forgive my intrusion", the Count looks to his chamber door with a smile. Knelt before him is none other…than the Bishop of the Church. Jean-Claude has been resurrected via the Count's mystical Altar, which is kept in the deepest depths of Chateau de Nocturnus. His existence has been restored, and he's been filled with more darkness than ever before. The Elite Clergyman reverences his master with grateful tone. "Merci, Comte Valdo (Thank you, Count Valdo). I am unworthy of such kindness, and I'm more than willing to continue my services with L'Eglise de la Lune Rouge (The Church of the Red Moon)… I heard that N'Dour's one of us again. Is this true, Mon Seigneur (My Lord)?"
"Yes, it is. N'Dour's now my son's most-valued playmate… I see word travels quickly amongst our ranks."
"It was word of mouth, Mon Seigneur (My Lord)", smiles the Elite Clergyman.
"Nothing but, my friend. You old goats need to learn how to keep your mouths shut. Gentlemen don't go around gossiping like little schoolgirls. Do yourselves some good and learn some manners, will you?"
"I'll make it #1 on my 'things to do' list", giggles the Bishop. Jean-Claude looks to his master with curious eyes. "Speaking of 'things to do', how are things looking in Wallachia? I hear Katherine's band will arrive there first. Are our Wallachian forces ready for dispatch?
"Yes, they are. Be sure to remind Cardinal Evandro of Katherine's arrival? His memory isn't as well as it used to be. He needs a push every now and then."
"As you wish, Mon Seigneur (My Lord)", bows the Elite Clergyman.
"Thank you, Jean-Claude. Now, see yourself out."
"As you wish, Comte (Count) Valdo. Pour des raisons de la course (For the sake of the race)."
The Bishop's composition decomposes into a pool of lifeblood. As the Elite Clergyman slithers away, the Lord of the Night turns his attention back to the Moldavian countryside… Thoughts of the trials to come run across the Count's mind. In his heart, he knows that his days are numbered. If we were able to defeat an Elite Clergyman, and invoke a level of power exceeding that of his own, then the future of the Church of the Red Moon looks rather grim… It looks rather grim, indeed.
Brother Johnny's sound asleep in his bedroom, and Brother N'Dour's right there at his side. Having undergone the "cleansing process" of the Count's Altar, the Apprentice has become something terrible on the inside. He feels the same, but his spirit's been corrupted. He's just like Brother Johnny… They're in the same boat; they're surrounded by the same ocean of despair.
"N'Dour-chan…" the Heir's warm voice alerts the corrupted Apprentice. However, despite what Brother N'Dour may've believed, Brother Johnny's still fast asleep. He's talking in the midst of slumber. His silly words confess the contents of his dreams. "…Cinnamon rolls…cream pie… Eat with…? Chocolate…milk…"
("He's dreaming about eating junk food with me?") his playmate's youthful dreams bring a smile to the suffering Apprentice's mournful profile. He's grown a little fond of Brother Johnny, and remembers him as a valued rookie of the Infinity Alliance. In his heart, Brother N'Dour knows that they'll be reunited with the rest of us. He just wonders when…and how we'll meet. Will it be good? Or…will it the otherwise? ("I'm a little afraid, now that my soul's been tainted with darkness… Damien, Stuart, Mr. Galloway, everyone… I'm sorry that I allowed myself to get caught. I'll be back with you very soon… And, hopefully, I'll be able to bring Brother Johnny with me. Just hold on. I'm sure we'll be back together sooner than we know it. For Infinity.")
It's the next morning, and Natalie's sent every last one of us a text message… She claims that "we're in for a surprise". She also asked us to "pack our bags as quickly as possible" because she has "one heck of a treat" for us. I don't know how I should take this… Whenever Natalie says we're "in for a surprise", or anything of the sort, there's always a catch to it. Oh well, friends shouldn't judge their friends, I suppose.
"Stuey, what do you think Nattie means by that text message?" asks Damien, as we exit an elevator.
"I haven't a clue", I smile, as we approach the front desk. I hand our suite's cardkey to the desk clerk, and our little stroll continues. "I wonder if it's something…big."
"Something big, you say? You sound as if you're getting a toy, Stuey."
"Well, there's nothing like the purr of a finely-tuned engine. I like cars, especially the big ones. Those are all the 'toys' I'll ever need."
"Oi, wait for us!" the sound of a female's voice comes from the elevators. We turn around, and look upon the hurried forthcoming of…Mary Victoria and Father Luis. The Vestal and the Masked Berserker arrive, and stand at our side. Damien and I notice their…trendy change of attire. Mary Victoria catches her breath, and apologizes for her party's lateness. "Oh, please do forgive our tardiness. I set my alarm ten minutes past schedule by mistake. Silly me, and I'm supposed to be the polished record-keeper here."
"You two look…marvelous", Damien delights, as he examines their attire.
Mary Victoria dons a black sleeveless, skin-tight catsuit with matching bracers, and vertical lining that accentuates her…ahem…lady's assets. Father Luis dons his old priestly robes, which is customary of all field agents. Just like TJ, Luis's field robes are ventilated by Father Andrew's technology. Leaves a lot to the imagination, which is always good. Mary Victoria delights from hearing Damien's approval.
"Oh, I'm so glad you like it. I used to wear this catsuit during my assassination missions. Since I'm off to save the world and all, I think it's best that I dress for the occasion. Those ugly Church robes weren't my style to begin with. I like showing off my figure…with a little class, of course."
"We should get going", Luis suggests in departure.
"Good form, Lu…let's do that", I agree, as we tail after the serious Masked Berserker. When my little party arrives outside…the 'shocking surprise' is revealed. "What the deuce…? Is that a…?"
"It's a luxury motorhome!" Damien delights. We feast our eyes upon an Infinity-branded, black and silver motorhome with the works. It's brand-new, polished, and magnificently built to the tee. By Jove! Where on earth did Natalie get this from? Damien runs forward and gets a closer look of the luxurious 16-seater. "Oh, wow! Is this what we're going to be traveling in from now on?"
Natalie appears out of nowhere and scares us half to death, "Surprise…!"
We collapse to the ground, succumbing to the pressure of our agitated heartbeats… The Head Mother's bursting with an abundance of energy today. But, that's nothing new. We stand and ogle Natalie with annoyed expression. She ignores our anger, and walks forward with childlike mirth.
"Sorry about that, but I'm just so excited", she comes to a halt, turns around and looks to us with joyful character. We smile upon her merry personality. Natalie's never going to change, no matter what. The Head Mother pulls a cordless microphone out of her back pocket, and initiates a grand introduction. "Everyone, our work has finally paid off! The people have spoken; the masses now sound the name of 'Infinity' with pride! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, allow me to introduce you to the newest edition to the Infinity Alliance: our very own luxury RV, 'Midnight Train'!"
"Oooh!", we applaud with wide-eyed expression.
"Parliament and the Royal Family donated this baby to us", Stephen aborts the motorhome, and approaches us with a proud strut. He walks behind Damien and me, and pats us on the back with fatherly gesture. The Earth Master places his arms around our shoulders, and congratulates us. "Once again, you two did something amazing. Great Britain refused to overlook your efforts in Rutherford. The government pitched and bought us a better means of travel because of it. Looks like you've hit the lotto with this one, fellas."
"Maybe we should defeat another Elite Clergyman", Damien jests, making everyone laugh.
Father John pokes his head out of the first window, "As if we have a choice. But, I feel you – if Parliament and the Royal Family liked us that much, we should be handing asses out every day."
Brother Theodore pokes his head out of the second window, "Yeah, we sure did show that Bishop. I wonder if they'll give each of us a mansion if we defeat the Count. That'd be major sweet."
Father Yuvraj pokes his head out of the third window, and sardonically critiques his comrades' commentary, "Did you two just say 'we'? Stop biting off of the lovebirds' victory, scene queens."
"Everyone, excuse us for a second", pardons the beaming John and Theodore, before they pull their heads back into the motorhome. They walk up behind Father Yuvraj, pull him into the RV, and commences giving him a right-good beatdown. Everyone else is frozen by their violent display of brotherhood. "Nobody asked for your stupid opinion, ya fat-nosed jerk!"
"Ouch! I was just kidding, so knock it off!" screams the agonizing Time Bender.
"You MUST suffer!" hisses the feral assailants.
"AAH! Somebody get these morons off of me!"
"Knock it off, you idiots!" laughs the Head Mother, before she runs into the RV to stop them.
"Yeah, settle down in there, ya bum-sucks!" seconds the Earth Master, as he joins in on the fun.
***Finale Ending Theme: "Heaven in the Hell" by Nana Mizuki***
We're tickled by our companions' kooky personalities. We can't live with them, but we most definitely can't live without them. With Mary Victoria and Luis joining us, there're now 9 radicals who'll be traveling the Romanian countryside... All for the sake of defeating the Elite Clergymen, and ending the Count's reign of terror. This adventure looks to be just like the former: full of love, togetherness, danger, passion, and revelation. I can speak for all of us when I say this – "I wouldn't have any other way".
"Looks like this journey's going to be an entertaining one", smiles the Vestal, as she and Father Luis board our new motorhome. She smiles to us in departure. "It's dawn now, boys. Let's get a move on."
"Good form, Vickie", Damien smiles.
My fiancé's statement tickles me a bit, "Oi, that's my line."
"Oh, can't I borrow it this time, Stuey?" we join our lateral hands, and walk towards our destiny.
"Of course, Damien…of course", I pardon with loving mirth.
We caught ear of Brother N'Dour's abduction from Michael and Josh, who scheduled an evening out with the young man. Everyone suspects this to be the Count's doing, which is nothing short from the truth. Now, not only do we have to save Brother Johnny…we have to save Brother N'Dour as well. I know that our meeting won't be a pleasant one. The Lord of the Night's known to corrupt everyone in his midst.
However, just like last time, we won't lower our heads. Jonathan and Joshua, Jorge, Mary Victoria, Niccolò, Leonard, and King Henry – they were once our enemies, but now they're our valued comrades… They're our irreplaceable friends. So, in the end, we know that it's possible to get Johnny and N'Dour back. Until then, we will stand against the Church of the Red Moon…and continue our struggle for peace.
The battle to bring an end to the bloodshed…begins anew…
~Series 2 – BLOOD/Dawn~
Our journey has brought us to Romania: a place of exceptional beauty with a history that's rooted in the deepest of darkness. The Count's crusade for world domination has not only victimized Brother Johnny, but also the gentle Brother N'Dour. Old and new friends will join our fight for world peace. On the other hand, frightening nightmares and new enemies await us as every corner.
We've come so far… We've seen so much… However, the battles ahead of us will open the gates to perdition. Next Up – the first chapter of Series 2: This Train Don't Stop There Anymore. We'll meet an old friend whom we haven't seen in years… But also, we'll meet a new enemy that aims to darken our day. As if our lives weren't catastrophic enough. Anyway, until next time, may peace and good fortune be with you all.
And with that, ladies and gentlemen, the first series of the BLOOD Saga is complete. I hope you've enjoyed the first book; I worked my ass off to make this, and it took me a total of... Drumroll! ... ... ... ... It took me a total of: 3 months and 11 days to complete Series 1! Phew! Talk about "a lot of hard work". Anyway, look out for Series 2: Dawn in the near future. I'm currently working on a story I've entered on "the other fiction site" called "Corazón Mysti Force", but I'll be gathering ideas for Series 2 at the same time. That final battle against Bishop Delouse took a lot out of me... Oh well, it's done, so I'm happy now :). Comments, comments, comments, reviews, reviews, reviews. I'm looking forward to your opinions; positive or the otherwise, your info helps my writing skills. Take care and have a lovely year :D!