A.N. Hello, there are some who know me as Samansa-Chan147 but when off the internet I am known as ******** and I decided to discuss a very serious matter today... Creative block, everyday writers and artist of all ages are afflicted with this horrible disease and we need your help the viewers or the readers to assist us with this horrible problem. I myself am a victim of this horrible disease and for one cent a day you can help people like me get over this problem.

Okay so no more joking around and I hope that those who read this know that it was NOT to be taken seriously, I don't want your money and there is no cure for the Creative Block so go home people your drunk if you even believed that this was serious I was just having fun.

Disclaimer: I do not own Cirque du Freak nor do I want your Money

Chapter 37

*Dorene's POV*

Kurda, Gavner, Harkat, Darren and I all sat in the hall of gathering mulling over the predicament Darren had gotten himself into. Kurda and Gavner were explaining to Darren how the trials worked while Harkat listened silently, at times I would add something to what Kurda or Gavner had said, but only if they forgot a detail which wasn't often.

As Gavner was explaining the importance of being careful at the beginning Kurda suddenly smiled and burst in how Darren might be lucky after all. I stared at him and suddenly it dawned on me. "The Festival of the Undead!" I yelled out just as Kurda did, the look on Darren's face told me that someone would need to explain a little.

I sighed and began explaining "The Festival of the Undead is a large celebration that we celebrate once all the vampires have arrived for council, it lasts for three nights and days during which no official business is taken care of and we spend this time getting drunk off our asses and beating each other will also be my first time taking part in the festival" I finished up as Kurda revealed that we were only waiting on three vampires that were still making their way to the mountain.

Kurda began complaining that it was unfair of the princes to expect Darren to complete the tasks and at this I was fed up. "Kurda don't forget that I was a Vampire for a shorter period than Darren and I completed the tasks easily!" I exclaimed as I slammed my hands down onto the table. It took mere moments for Kurda to regain his composer and then he some how managed to calmly reply.

"You don't seem to remember but in one of your trials you nearly got punctured and you have the scar to prove it." I stared at Kurda and if my stare could burn Kurda would've been a black crisp within seconds. "Well Kurda while you see it as nearly dying, I see it as a great start to the many scars that I am probably going to get as a vampire.." I gave a triumphant humph and then added as a side note. "Given my mentor."

That little remark nearly had Gavner dying of laughter as he piped in to Kurda how I was more Vampire that he was. Kurda gave a defeated sigh as Mr. Crepsley and his old mentor Seba Nile came up and joined our group. "So was there a clause that my mentor missed for MY trials?" I asked as the two sat down. Gavner looked away with what looked to me like embarrassment and Seba spoke up.

"We call it the Time of Preparation and what is entails to is that between each trial Darren will be given a period of short practice for the trial and a time of rest before undergoing the real thing." I gave Gavner one of my killing stares for missing such a detail but then I let it go realizing that in my head I was slighting better than Darren for not making use of such a clause. Mr. Crepsley than added that in total Darren would have 48 hours between each trial.

Under his breath I couldn't help but hear Kurda mutter once again 'how unfair it was.'

Mr. Crepsley got up and went behind Darren. "Darren I will see you in the Hall of Princes tomorrow but you should be getting to bed for rest is vital during the trials." I stood up to and made my way to my cell which was separate from the males I came to the mountain with. As I was settling down into my coffin Darren brought his head around the edge of the curtain that acted as a door.

"Hey Dorene you still awake?" I sighed, knowing full well what Darren was going to ask. "Yeah, you can come in." Darren said thanks and almost timidly entered the small room. "Um Dorene I wanted to ask you about your trials." I gave a slight smile at how predictable Darren was when he came to my cell. "Fine, ask away Darren."

Turns out all Darren wanted to know was what trials there were and how they went about picking them at random. I explained as detailed as I could and then,

"Hey Darren do you want to see the scar I got?" The expression on Darren's face told me that he wasn't really expecting this question from me but ever so slowly he nodded. With that I slowly pulled up my shirt just to show my midriff. On the right side there was a scar that almost practically wrapped around to my back and nearly killed me if it were slightly more to my left. Darren looked at the angry jagged scar. "What trial did this?"

I simply shook my head, "Just hope that you don't get it, and if you do get it hope that you aren't as cocky as I was when doing it." Darren slowly nodded his head while exiting my 'room'. I on the other hand once again made myself comfortable in my coffin and fell asleep.

Darren was almost done with his trials just this one and one more and he completes them, I sat in the hall of Princes a familiar sight to me and wait as Darren pulls out the numbered stone, I couldn't help it but I was holding my breath hoping that he wouldn't fall due to his severe burns from his last trial.

As Darren began pulling his hand out of the bag I started getting a bad feeling about the trial that he was about to pull out. I watched as Darren handed the stone to the attendant and listened as the attendant called the number on the stone for the whole hall to hear.

My blood ran cold as I remembered the number and it nearly froze as the trial was called out. "The Blooded Boar!" Everyone got excited and my mind began racing with the thought that Darren was never going to heal in time for the trial, but next thing I know, the princes are revealing that non of them are going to be able to make it and that he will be given 72 hours, three days till they can start the next trial.

'Will that be enough time?' I ask myself watching as Darren gets back on his stretcher and is then carried out by Mr. Crepsley and Kurda. I follow the rest of the vampires out then race back to Darren room where he is already getting his burns treated again.

Darren for the past three days has been getting many visits from our mentors and the others and his burns have been healing nicely but when I see him get up to make his way to the trial I can't help but notice that he is unsteady on his feet. We get to the arena and just as we are about to split up I whisper in his ear.

"Don't get cocky Darren."

Before he can reply I leave and make my way to the stands wanting to get a seat by our mentors and friends. As I catch sight of them I think back to what I whispered to Darren and hope that he got the message. I sit down and watch in suspense as Darren enters the arena, and right after him the boars.

The crowd of Vampires goes into an uproar as Darren beats the first boar but my breath catches in my throat as he received a nearly similar scar to the one that I received during my time in this trial. After Darren beat the first boar though he gets caught underneath the hulking mass of muscle, fat, and fur and the other boar is racing towards him.

I get up from my seat wishing that he would get out in time, or that I could go down and help him but that would be against the rules and both Darren and I would be penalized. As I am about to give in to defeat and pray for the luck of the vampires for Darren I see a blur off to my side race down into the stadium and when I look, Harkat is standing there helping Darren up with the second boar dead and on the ground.

The crowd goes into an uproar and next thing I know Darren is surrounded within a circle of our mentors, along with Kurda, Vanez, Seba, and Arra. Seeing this I jump down and make my way to the group to make sure that Darren is okay.

Around us are yells of death and anger, I can understand it but still this is a dying group you would think they would call for the death of one of their own. I can hear Kurda arguing Darren's case and then as Mika leaves to discuss this with the other princes I can't help but hear as he says "I would make peace with the Vampires Gods." to Darren.

Harkat and I go with Darren to their room and wait for the verdict and I can't help but notice that the entire time Darren is shaking, but then again so am I. We wait in deafening silence as Darren's case is being argued in the hall of Princes. As I am about to get up and find someone to tell me what is the verdict so far Kurda appears in the doorway.

Darren looks up from his cot as Kurda explains that Mr. Crepsley and everyone his arguing his case, but he stops and slowly shakes his head. "But everyone else is demanding for your death."

That one word echos through my mind and I grab hold of Kurda. "There's got to be something we can do to save him though right!?" I exclaim while shaking him. Kurda looks down at the ground, and then explains that the only chance that Darren has is to run from the mountain.

Both Harkat and I want to go but Kurd aargues with us and makes it clear that he wont be persuaded against his choice of only he and Darren running. Harkat and I give in and watch as Darren follows Kurda out the door while yelling back empty words and promises to meet us back at the Cirque.

A.N. So yay Happy Birthday to me consider this a birthday present from me to you, that's right I am giving back to the world this year in my own little way and thank you Jason for reviewing quite a while ago I am sorry for not posting this chapter soon but I hope that this makes up for it.

Also if you haven't noticed but I skipped all the trials but that last one that is because I didn't know what to type and didn't want to hold this chapter back any longer so no hate for that please.

Until Next Time Peace, Love, and Virtual Hugs ^.^