Chapter 38 Disturbance In The Force
"Murder is a disturbance in the Force, the epitome of a disturbance in the Force."
That night Shuzen Akashiya Issa holds a party, the celebration supposedly in honor of Tsukune returning to the castle. In reality Issa only wanted an excuse to hold a party. It isn't often that the Vampire Elders are together in one place except for a meeting of the Elders, and Issa took advantage of the opportunity to play host and held a party. Tsukune hadn't made any decisions on whether or not to take any of the potential suitors he'd met with that morning as a mate, though he did say that he would like to get to know a few of them a little better.
Dressed in a suit complete with red lined black cape Issa sits upon his throne atop the dais in his throne room. The grand chamber is teeming with movement, dancers filling the floor directly in front of the throne, the vampires moving in time to a gothic melody played by a small orchestra in the back left corner of the room. Against the left side of the room is a row of tables with food and drink laid out, servants standing near each table to assist the guests in whatever manner they wish, each of the servants a lower race assuming a human guise and dressed in servant's attire.
At his left side, dressed in a low cut silver gown that matches her hair and sitting on a padded stool is Issa's third daughter, Akashiya Moka. Since the…incident…with Moka and the werewolf Issa has taken a hard line with her, keeping her in the castle for over a month and severely restricting her personal freedom. He no longer trusts his third daughter, and has kept her in the castle to make an example out of her.
It is at his decree that she sits at his left side, her punishment being that she's allowed to attend the party but not be a part of it. Instead Moka has had to sit next to her father on a stool like a child in time out, rather than on a throne like an equal. She has had to watch as both her sisters dance and enjoy themselves; Ria in particular has sent Moka several condescending looks as she dances with some nobleman or son of nobility.
Issa for his part sits on his throne, enjoying the festive mood of the party, watching the members of the other noble houses dance and enjoy themselves. Earlier, Akasha sent him a message that both she and Tsukune would be attending the party, and Issa cannot wait until his former mate and his only son arrive. The message did not say when they would arrive, only that they would be attending.
Standing just outside the door in the hall Issa knows that a servant stands dressed in a suit and tie, the servant's sole responsibility to open the door and announce the guests as they arrive to the party.
As if in response to his thoughts one of the doors at the far end of the throne room opens, a voice speaking above the music and the murmur of the guests that are talking amongst themselves and not dancing.
"Announcing the Hades Lord Bloodriver Akasha and her guest for the evening!" The voice calls out to the assembled crowd.
As one the dancers stop and the music comes to an abrupt halt, all eyes in the room turning toward the door, watching as a man and a woman walk into the grand throne room hand in hand.
XXX
5 minutes earlier.
Walking down the hall in Castle Akashiya Tsukune is dressed in black, his attire closer to medieval era armor then party wear. A black leather long sleeved brigandine covers his chest and arms, black metal fingerless gauntlets covering his wrists but leaving his fingers exposed. On his shoulders he wears a pair of simple black circular spaulders. On his waist he wears a simple belt attached to his pants, a hole in the pants at the base of his spine allowing a sleek black spade tipped tail to slip through and coil around his waist, a pair of black leather full greaves adorning the front and back of his legs with black metal sabatons with leather soles on his feet. He hadn't wanted to dress in the armor, but the brigandine is backless, the spaulders clipping to the part of the brigandine that covers his lower back.
Akasha on the other hand is dressed in a red dress, from the waist down the dress is rather 'normal' for evening wear. Though from the waist up the dress wraps around her stomach and leaves her upper back exposed, a single U shaped stretch of fabric covering her breasts and behind her neck, leaving her sides and much of her cleavage exposed. Unlike Tsukune she wears matching red shoes with three inch heels.
Both of them are in their true forms, Akasha's long shimmering silver hair down, Tsukune's short silver hair lightly combed and styled how he likes to wear it. Both of their eyes are red, a soft crimson glow shining in their eye sockets. Both of them have their black bat-like wings draped over their shoulders, the claws of their wings interlaced over their collars, the wings hanging like capes over their shoulders and their arms, rather than appendages.
Unlike Akasha Tsukune has a tail lightly wrapped around his waist. While he was in the Caribbean with Kurumu and her family he'd fed on a lot of succubus blood, and Akasha had warned him that a Shinso can assimilate other monster's traits by drinking a large quantity of their blood. He hadn't been expecting to grow a tail when he's left to train with Akasha, and has only had a scant few days to get used to it, and everything its presence entails.
Approaching the door Akasha's grip on his hand tightens just a little, her red eyed gaze turning to her right to look at him.
"Are you ready for this Tsukune?" Akasha asks as they approach the door, the announcer already reaching for the knob as the couple approach the large door.
In his true form Tsukune feels every bit the vampire that he is, strong, fast and incredibly tough. Even then, Tsukune knows that he and Akasha are going to be the center of a lot of attention, their appearance alone assures that.
Surprisingly, Tsukune isn't as nervous as he thought he would be about it.
"I'm ready Akasha-sama." Tsukune answers her confidently, the two of them stopping in front of the door.
"Your names?" The announcer asks, and Akasha answers him.
"Bloodriver Akasha."
"Her guest." Tsukune responds curtly, and the man nods.
Glancing over at him Akasha wonders for a half second why Tsukune didn't give his name to the announcer. As a vampire and a guest at the party it his right for his name to be announced upon his arrival. She can only assume that he doesn't want any more attention drawn to them. He's well aware that both Moka and Ria are attending the party, and there is a chance, however slim, that Moka and Ria won't be looking for him if his name isn't called, and they might assume that Akasha is attending with another vampire or some other creature.
In truth Tsukune realizes that he's attending this party with the Hades Lord herself, and anyone looking at them could easily mistake them for a couple. He feels that if his name is announced alongside hers, it will give the impression that he and Akasha are 'together' when the truth is the two of them are just attending the party together as the Hades Lord and her guest for the evening, nothing more.
Opening the door the announcer opens his mouth, speaking into the room, his voice loud and proud.
"Announcing the Hades Lord Bloodriver Akasha and her guest for the evening!"
XXX
Every pair of vampire eyes in the grand throne room watch as Akasha and her guest enter the room, the two of them in their true forms, their wings in clear view. Akasha walks into the chamber like the Lord she is, Tsukune on the other hand just tries to look as confident as he can, the younger vampire comforted by and feeding off of Akasha's confidence, giving off the impression that the two vampires are together.
Watching Tsukune and Akasha enter the grand ballroom Ria is amongst the throng of vampires standing aside, talking and being social. She's dressed in a black gown with ribbons of red, the dress matching her dark hair and crimson eyes, the dress tight against her voluptuous form. Her dark hair is held up in a bun on top of her head, her face set in an amused smile. Like usual, she's covered from the neck down, her black gloved right hand holding a glass of champagne with her left arm supporting her right, casually drinking the champagne from the stemmed glass.
Kahlua is on the dance floor, the second daughter of Shuzen Akashiya Issa dressed in a flowing silver gown and diamond encrusted tiara, a pair of diamond earrings made of platinum adorning her ears rather than her normal Rosario earrings. She's dancing with a handsome young vampire around her age, the both of them are single and good looking, enjoying their lives as they are.
All of their eyes follow Akasha and Tsukune as they enter the room, the Shinso pair moving elegantly and unhurriedly, the entire party stopping for the sole purpose of witnessing their entrance.
Walking next to Akasha Tsukune's grip on her hand tightens ever so slightly, the only sign of the Aono vampire's insecurity. Akasha for her part has over three centuries of experience dealing with this sort of situation. Ever since she was given the title of Hades Lord she's been up to her elbows in high society and parties such as this one.
Tsukune on the other hand has been to several parties like this one, though he's never been quite the center of attention before. The first time he'd shown his face to these people it had been shocking (to them) after he'd sworn the blood oaths to Moka and made her his mate. Everyone had been surprised that the aristocratic Akashiya Moka had turned and taken a second born vampire as her mate. After the initial outrage, and Moka's insistence that Tsukune wasn't just a passing fling and they had in fact sworn the blood oath, things had settled down and the party continued. For an hour or so after several young, handsome vampires had approached her and offered their heartfelt best wishes on the union, and Tsukune got the definite impression that each of the young men was a potential suitor for Moka's hand had she not chosen him. In the end, all of those vampires will now get the very chance she'd denied them by mating him, now that she's renounced him and their bond has been absolved.
From her seat next to her father said former mate watches Tsukune with the eyes of a hawk. Seeing him in his silver haired, red eyed, winged form for the first time Moka sucks in a sharp breath of surprise. She can only guess that Akasha gave him a massive infusion of her blood at some point for some reason, and said infusion is the source of his aberrant appendages.
Kahlua for her part takes in the first site of her Itotou-chan with a smile. Seeing him confident and strong Kahlua is happy, especially since he isn't fighting with Moka or scowling at her. Seeing him in his new outfit she's glad that Tsukune finally decided to actually get dressed up and would've preferred it if he had come to her. She loves to play dress up, and she's sure she could've found something that would make her Itotou-chan look ravishing...
"They're all staring at us…" Tsukune leans toward Akasha, whispering in a hushed voice, his red eyes darting around the room.
The Aono vampire can feel every pair of red slitted eyes on him, his attempt to try and enter the party in a subdued fashion blown out the window. He isn't used to being the center of attention, and he doesn't want to be. He just wants to attend the party as a regular guest and member of Issa's family.
"Of course they are staring at us Tsukune." Akasha answers him in the same hushed whisper. "I am a Shinso and their Lord. Were you not my equal they would still look at you and judge you."
The Vampire Queen's words do little to subdue his nervousness. He'd wanted to avoid making a scene, though a part of him knows that making a scene was unavoidable. He's attending this party with arguably the most powerful vampire in existence. The other vampires are going to look.
"Just ignore them Tsukune, half of them are just jealous of you being on my arm."
"And the other half?"
"They are jealous of me."
She makes it sound like the other women are attracted to me…
Slowly walking forward Tsukune's glowing gaze pans the room, and to his surprise Akasha is right. The looks he sees on the faces of many of the female vampires are filled with envy and desire, Tsukune knowing enough to know said envy is directed at Akasha, said desire directed toward him.
The Shinso couple slowly makes their way toward the dais and Akashiya's throne. Sitting upon his throne Akasha's former mate watches the two of them approach him with guarded interest. Ever since the night Tsukune and Akasha slept together Issa has suspected that Tsukune has changed, that Akasha's Shinso blood may've changed him from a 'normal' vampire into a creature like her, a creature that is altogether different than him or even Akasha's daughter Moka.
Stopping before the dais Akasha tilts her head respectfully toward her former mate.
"Issa." Akasha says simply, the true ruler acknowledging her appointed representative.
A moment later Tsukune slips his hand from hers and expertly drops to one knee in supplication, his wings spreading out on the polished marble floor like a cape, the gesture a son recognizing and respecting his father, as per his position.
He never once looks at Moka.
"Akashiya-sama." Tsukune says in greeting, rising to his feet, looking up at Issa with his crimson glowing gaze.
Nodding Issa returns Akasha's gesture, wordlessly acknowledging his former mate before he turns his gaze to his son, favoring Tsukune with an approving smile.
"It is nice to see you my son." Issa responds in his normal baritone.
Sitting there Issa looks directly into Tsukune's eyes, his only son's gaze confident and strong, so similar to the time he came to the castle seeking the absolution of his bond with Moka.
"Out of my way!" A woman's voice yells irately.
From the throng of vampires a blonde woman pushes her way forward, the crowd parting to allow her passage. Seeing the movement out of the corner of his eye Issa turns his gaze toward her, watching the buxom blonde woman stride toward his throne, Tsukune's dark father instantly recognizing the blonde haired red eyed beauty as Renard Maria, the only vampiress to ever ascend to the position of Elder Vampire and Issa's most despised rival.
The blonde woman is dressed in a low cut red evening gown with her hair tied into twin buns, one above each ear. She wears a pair of red ruby earrings with rubies each the size of Tsukune's thumb nail in her ears.
The look in the woman's eyes is irate, Maria is clearly displeased with Tsukune at Akasha's side, and the mere thought that a measly second born could possibly be the equal of the greatest vampire to ever walk.
"Is there something you require Maria?" Issa asks neutrally, his right elbow on the arm of his throne, his face leaning on his fist, his gaze looking at Maria curiously.
The blonde vampire elder glares daggers at the Shuzen lord, her displeasure clear as day to both Akasha and Tsukune. Sitting next to her father Moka's gaze remains locked on her once mate, the young vampiress unable to believe that her Tsukune can possibly have changed so much in only a scant month. Just thirty-five days ago he'd been by her side and a loving spouse. For a creature that is going to live for eternity whose family hasn't changed at all for as long as she can remember, she just can't fathom that Tsukune can undergo such a major change so 'quickly.'
"Do you expect this…trick to actually work?" Maria demands, motioning toward Tsukune with her right hand, her voice tinged with disgust, her heated gaze directed solely at Issa. "Do you honestly expect me, or any other elder to believe that a measly second born possesses even a fraction of the power of a Shinso?"
A slight smile curls Issa's lips.
"You misunderstand." Issa corrects her with mirth in his voice. "I had nothing at all to do with what you see before you. If you have difficulty believing in my son's strength then perhaps you should direct your questions to the vampiress on his arm."
Blinking Maria's red eyes narrow dangerously toward Issa. She's sure that this is some attempt by Issa to try and increase Tsukune's value amongst the other noble families, to send a message to all his potential suitors that Tsukune is much more than just a second born vampire, when in truth that's all he is, in spite of his connections.
"This is no trick Renard Maria." Akasha speaks from Tsukune's side. "He is as your eyes perceive him."
Maria's red eyes slowly pan up and down Tsukune's body, her face showing her revulsion.
"You expect me to believe that this…" Maria waves her right hand at him again. "Has become a Shinso and possess more raw power than me or any of my progeny?"
"I am only saying that Tsukune is as you see him." Akasha responds evenly, her glowing red eyes' meeting Maria's narrowed red ones. "This is no illusion or trick."
"Then you insinuate that he is worthy of accompanying you, the Queen of our kind, when he's nothing but a second born that's been a vampire barely even a decade?"
Standing there Tsukune's red eyes blaze, the glow from his eyes intensifying in repressed anger.
"You should be careful how speak about him." Akasha warns the Elder Vampiress. "If you anger him he might put you in your place."
Maria's red eyes go wide in sarcasm.
"Him?" She asks disbelieving. "I would mop the floor with him! Even my son could tear him apart like a newborn whelp!"
"Why don't you prove your boast?" Issa asks from his throne, a sly grin coming to his lips. "Invoke the Rite of Savartis."
Tsukune's curious glowing eyes flicker between Issa and the blonde English Elder.
Rite of Savartis?
"Savartis was a vampire who was alive a millennia ago Tsukune." Akasha explains for him. "He was notorious for holding tournaments with the prize being the hand of his child in bond."
"So…" Tsukune begins slowly. "This rite is some sort of tournament for the position of bondmate?"
"It's a match, Tsukune." Issa corrects him. "Invoking the Rite means to lay a challenge. As you are the closest Akasha has taken to a bondmate since she renounced me, Maria may invoke the Rite and challenge you as Akasha's champion, Maria's chosen champion fighting for her family and himself."
Akasha's champion? Me?
"I am merely attending this event as Akasha's guest. She hasn't designated me her champion or even a suitor for her hand." Tsukune corrects them all.
Sitting on her padded stool Moka feels relief wash over her. Akasha has promised her that she isn't going to actively pursue Tsukune. She'd sworn that she wouldn't do anything to actively sway him, unlike her older sister Ria, who has been trying to drive a wedge between them for years. Even though it's just etiquette, she knows Tsukune well enough that if he were interested in being mated to Akasha, he would say so.
"I invoke the Rite of Savartis." Maria decrees confidently. "As my champion I select my son Alexander. He will mop the floor with your so called 'champion.'"
"The rites demand a prize." Akasha responds casually. "Since Tsukune is neither my suitor nor my bondmate I wager my position as Hades Lord." Akasha responds evenly, staring Maria down. "Against this I ask that you offer your services as a lover for my viceroy."
Issa blinks in surprise, the Vampire Elder sitting forward eagerly.
Tsukune's glowing gaze flickers to Akasha, his eyes questioning.
Why would she demand THAT against her position as Hades Lord?
"You would wager your position as Queen of our race against my services as a lover for your Viceroy?" Maria asks, and Akasha nods.
"My Viceroy has been in charge of the dimension for over a century, and I feel it's time he was rewarded." Akasha explains her reasoning. "Should Tsukune win you will service my viceroy as his lover whenever he chooses, for as long as he desires it."
"I accept your terms." Maria agrees with a boastful smile. "When I am Lord my first act will be to remove your viceroy from his position and have him undertake the most disgusting and shameful task I can think of."
From his throne Issa chuckles merrily.
"When you are my lover, I will have you service me immediately, in front of everyone assembled here." Issa calmly retorts, his confidence in Tsukune absolute.
"I will never please you." Maria snaps at him, her voice filled with disgust.
"Then you should bring your champion forward Maria." Akasha reminds her, and the blonde woman nods.
"Alexander!" She calls out. "Come here!"
"Yes mother!" A male voice answers from the throng surrounding them.
Several of the vampires' part, a young man apparently in his early twenties stepping forward. Like his mother Renard Alexander is blonde, his short hair slicked back, his red eyes are nearly the exact same shade of crimson as his mother's. He's dressed in a midnight black suit with a silver vest and tie. He's relatively handsome (as most of the vampires here are) and Tsukune can see through his suit that he has a muscular build.
Smiling Maria motions toward him clearly pleased with her progeny's timely appearance.
"This is my son Alexander." Maria shows him off like he's an animal on display. "He will annihilate your pathetic second born."
Smiling the two hundred year old pure blood vampire nods.
"Of course mother." He agrees, sending an anticipatory look toward Tsukune.
"Then let it be a match to the death." Akasha decrees, the blonde Elder Vampiress smiling in agreement.
"I would have it no other way." She says before turning her gaze toward her son. "I want you rip that pathetic piece of filth apart and thoroughly humiliate him."
"As you wish, Mother." He says with a nod.
Tsukune turns his gaze toward Akasha, his glowing eyes questioning.
"I can kill him and there will be no repercussions?" Tsukune asks calmly, and Akasha nods.
"You are fighting as my champion Tsukune." Akasha explains for him. "Your actions are my actions."
Nodding Tsukune turns his attention back toward his opponent.
"I am ready." Tsukune declares casually, his wings still draped over his shoulders.
Smiling Alex removes his suit jacket before he reaches up and unties his tie, handing both articles of clothing to his mother before he removes his vest, leaving only his shirt, his pants, his belt and his shoes.
"Please hold these for me mother while I slaughter this whelp." Alex speaks to his Elder, and Maria gratefully accepts the offered clothing.
"I look forward to your victory, my child." Maria says to him before she steps back, giving her son a wide berth.
Placing a gentle hand on Tsukune's cheek the Aono vampire looks into Akasha's eyes, the Hades Lord's glowing gaze confident and supporting.
"Give him no quarter Tsukune, he won't give you any." Akasha warns him, and Tsukune touches her hand with his.
"I won't, Akasha-sama." Tsukune assures her, squeezing her hand a moment with his before he lowers his hand, Akasha's own hand dropping away from his cheek.
Without another word the Hades Lord steps back, the throng of vampires gathered around the two combatants taking an involuntary step back to keep their distance from the retreating Hades Lord.
"I am ready." Alexander smiles at him, raising his fists and dropping into a boxing stance.
"Begin!" Issa calls from his throne.
The second the word leaves his lips the vampire Alexander goes into motion, charging at Tsukune head on. Stopping inside arm's reach Alex thrusts his right fist forward in a straight jab, Tsukune shifting his head to the left, avoiding the punch and allowing Alexander's arm to pass over his right shoulder, his face set in an impassive mask. The pure born vampire swings his arm around in a back hand motion, aiming to knock Tsukune's head from his shoulders, the Aono vampire leaning back, his opponent's fingers skimming Tsukune's silver locks, Tsukune's arms still at his sides. The entire interchange happens in a scant two seconds, both vampires moving at inhuman speed.
"Fucker!" Alexander cries out, shooting his right foot out in a rising kick meant to connect with Tsukune's chin and knock his opponent on his back.
Again the Aono vampire barely avoids the blow, Tsukune taking a step backward to allow the blow to pass harmlessly in front of him.
"Stand fucking still!" Alexander growls, dropping his foot and stepping forward, thrusting his left fist forward with all of his weight behind the strike, the blow aimed directly at Tsukune's impassive face.
Tsukune's right hand rises, grasping his opponent's fist mere inches before it touches Tsukune's face. His fingers wrapped around Alexander's fist the Aono vampire stops his opponent's punch in its tracks. In one moment both combatants are motionless, the air rushing away from them from the force of their demonic energy. Looking past his hand to his opponent's face Tsukune's face is still set in an impassive emotionless mask. His opponent however shows his anger; his brows cinched together, his eyes burning with annoyance.
Tsukune's left foot lances out, his sabaton covered foot striking Alexander in the ribs, eliciting a grunt of pain from the blonde's lips and knocking the wind out of the vampire before Tsukune releases his hold on Alexander's fist and sends him skidding back, his formal shoe covered feet skidding against the smooth marble floor for 6 feet before he comes to a stop. Lowering his foot Tsukune watches as Alexander's eyes meet his, the pure blooded vampire's eyes burning with fury.
"You will pay for putting your disgusting hand on me." Alexander threatens him, Tsukune unfazed by the threat.
Amongst the throng of spectators Ria smiles as she watches the spectacle. Knowing just how powerful her younger sibling was before Akasha's blood fueled transformation Ria is certain that Tsukune can handle his significantly older pure blood opponent. Just seeing him fight and act so emotionlessly she's pleased, glad to see her younger sibling finally acting like the vampire she has always known to be sleeping inside of him.
Moka for her part watches with a mix of concern and fear. She knows that she made Tsukune strong and taught him just about everything she knows about fighting, but he knows very little if anything about magic or the mystical arts, and if his opponent is schooled in such forms of combat, Tsukune will be hard pressed to counter it.
Sending a look her father's way Moka takes in her father's amused expression. Like Ria and Akasha, Issa is absolutely confident in his son's ability to mop the floor with his opponent, and appreciates Tsukune's sense of showmanship that he didn't immediately slay his opponent and is instead toying with him.
"Is that all you have?" Tsukune asks passively, the two of them still standing apart from one another, Alexander coiling his legs.
"I'll kill you!" He roars in rage, springing forward like he's been shot out of a cannon.
Tsukune's vampiric eyes track his opponent, the Aono vampire casually noticing a twenty-five percent increase in his opponent's speed compared to his previous attacks. Unfortunately for his opponent, he isn't fast enough.
Alexander sends his right fist out in right hook and Tsukune steps lightly, allowing the blow to pass in front of him and across his opponent's body. Pulling his right fist back Alexander fires a left jab, again Tsukune expertly avoids the blow, allowing it to pass him by harmlessly. Dropping Alexander extends his right leg, spinning his body in a counter clockwise sweeping motion, aiming to take Tsukune's feet out from under him. Instead the Aono vampire again steps back, raising one foot and allowing his opponent's limb to pass harmlessly by.
A murmur of disappointment runs through the crowd around the two combatants. The assembled vampires want to see blood, instead they're being treated to a showcase of Tsukune's ability to avoid and repel his much older opponent's attacks and nothing else.
Anger rising inside Alexander he continues turning, rising to his feet and thrusting out with both fists, sending the strike straight for Tsukune's chest.
His fists impact Tsukune's chest, the Aono vampire's wings still draped over his shoulders. For a moment Alexander feels a rush of victory at finally landing a blow against his opponent, then his fists continue moving, passing through his opponent's chest…
What the? He asks himself, pulling his hands back, looking down at them and then to the winged vampire standing across from him, Tsukune's face set in that same impassive mask he's worn the entire fight.
"Is that the limit of your abilities?" Tsukune's impassive voice comes from behind Alexander, Tsukune's opponent turning around in surprise to see Tsukune standing there with his hands at his sides, ten feet between them, the Tsukune standing in front of Alexander disappearing in an eye blink. "Your last grouping of attacks was twenty-five percent faster than all your previous attempts. Is that the limit of your strength and speed?"
Watching the fight carefully Ria's face shows mild interest.
An illusion? Does that mean he's gained succubus powers along with that tail?
His anger beginning to boil Alexander's demonic aura flares, his energy swirling about him in anger his voice is like a man possessed by a demon.
"I'll fucking show you!" He screams in fury, drawing his fist back and charging at Tsukune.
Once inside arm's reach Alexander thrusts his fist forward, putting all his strength, anger and speed into the attack, his fist like a miniature battering ram.
BAM!
The air rushes out in impact as Alex's fist meets Tsukune's, the Aono vampire again stopping his opponent's strike inches before it can connect, Tsukune's left hand wrapped around Alexander's right fist, their hands shaking as Alexander tries to push his fist forward and Tsukune's hand holds his in place. The pure blooded vampire looks on in stunned disbelief. In his mind there is absolutely no way that a ten year old second born should be strong enough to stop his full strength. Even if Tsukune blocked the punch it should've knocked him on his back just from the transfer of force. Instead the Aono vampire stopped the punch cold and took the entire force of the blow and shrugged it off.
Tsukune takes in his opponent's disbelief stoically. It's clear to him and everyone present that his last strike was his best, meant to show Tsukune the difference between his and Alexander's strength.
"Such a shame…" Tsukune whispers, his opponent blinking in surprise, about to ask what he's talking about when Tsukune's right palm lances out, the heel of his hand crashing into his nose and knocking the older vampire back, a fine mist of blood spraying from his nose, the heel of Tsukune's hand striking the soft tissue of Alexander's nose and smashing it in.
Reeling in pain the older pureblood grasps at his nose, his world swaying back and forth like a ship on rough seas. Among the throng his mother along with the rest of her entourage stares in open shock.
How the hell can he hit so hard?
The gathered spectators murmur approvingly, the smell of one of their own being blooded exciting them all. They want to see more, the majority of them don't even care whose blood is spilled.
They just want blood…
Gathering his wits Alexander jumps back in, refusing to believe that his opponent is as strong as he apparently is, there has to be some trick to it. Alexander raises his fist to throw a punch when Tsukune's wings unfurl, the Aono vampire spinning around counter clockwise, the steel like wing slapping against Alexander's body with a crack, sending him flying through the air and crashing into the marble floor almost fifteen feet away, a gust of wind blowing from Tsukune's wings, blowing up the dresses and coat tails of all the nearby vampires, the air whooshing by relatively harmlessly.
Ria drops one hand to her dress, holding it down while her other hand holds onto her glass of wine. Kahlua drops both hands over her waist, holding her silver gown down and preventing her dress from flying up and flashing her body to the assembled crowd, several other female vampires among the crowd assuming similar poses.
Akasha is relatively unaffected, her dress tight around her waist and with her wings draped over her shoulders and down her back she doesn't have to worry about her dress blowing up and exposing her panties to the assembled crowd.
The throng of spectators in the path of Alexander's body quickly move aside, allowing the pure blooded combatant's body to bounce against the marble floor and land on his back, Alexander skidding for three feet before he comes to a stop fifteen feet away from his opponent.
With his wings open the crowd makes sure to keep their distance, lest they touch one of Tsukune's aberrant appendages and be accused of interfering in the match. Of them all only Akasha watches without a hint of surprise or curiosity. Only she knows the full depth of her champion's abilities, and that now that Tsukune has opened his wings, he's fighting seriously.
This will be over soon. Akasha thinks to herself, her face showing the barest hint of approval at her champion's routing of her supposedly 'superior' opponent.
Watching the two hundred year old vampire bounce off of Tsukune's wings like a giant paddle Ria wonders just how powerful her younger brother has become. She's accepted the fact that he's strong, that he, along with her Lord Father are the only two creatures in the world that are worthy of her love and affection. She'd thought that Tsukune's wings were nothing but for show, or at best a means to achieve limited flight. If they're strong enough to be used as offensive blunt force weapons…
I wonder what he can do with that tail… She wonders to herself, taking a sip from her glass of wine, looking on with expectation and approval.
Oh his throne Issa smiles, the Vampire Elder watching his son thrash his greatest rival's progeny with genuine pleasure. His suspicions about his only son are all proving true, and this match will serve as a message to the entirety of their society that the Shuzen family not only posses the Hades Lord but a second vampire of nearly equal power and strength.
"You fucker…" Alexander mutters as the air settles, the pure blood shaking his head to clear it before he gets to his feet, Tsukune still standing fifteen feet away from him.
The Aono vampire stands with his left arm at his side, his left hand balled into a fist. His right hand also hangs at his side, however Tsukune's right hand is flat, his fingers set in a position to deliver a knife edge chop, a slight shimmer in the air surrounding his right hand.
Standing there Akasha recognizes the silent shimmer surrounding his hand, her suspicions that this match is going to end quickly all but confirmed at the sight of it. Akasha knows exactly what Tsukune is planning to do, and she's also fully aware that her opponent has no idea what's about to happen to him.
Throughout the entire room, only one other creature recognizes the slight shimmer hovering around Tsukune's right hand. Sitting on his throne Shuzen Issa leans back, his son's victory all but assured.
So, he can use 'that' technique? I never knew he had it in him…
Next to him Moka watches on the edge of her seat. She has no idea what her former mate is about to do and can only guess as to purpose of his right hand's position and the shimmer surrounding it. She's confident that Tsukune is going to win, though unlike her father and mother she has no idea exactly how Tsukune is going to assure his victory.
"Surrender now and I will make your death quick and painless." Tsukune calls out to his opponent, his voice carrying with it an absolute promise.
An arrogant smirk curling Alexander's lips the pure born progeny of Renard Maria raises his fists, dropping into a fighting stance.
"You're the one who's going to die quick and painlessly you freak." Alexander shoots back.
"Very well then." Tsukune answers, his words a pronunciation of his opponent's slow, excruciatingly painful death.
Tsukune's right hand swings around his body, parallel to the ground, a slight flicker appearing in the air between him and Alexander a moment, the air itself still, the throng of vampires seemingly holding their breaths, waiting to see what's about to happen.
Hot pain shoots up Alexander's legs, the sensation stabbing in his mind. Looking down the vampire is shocked to see blood spurt from his legs midway down this thigh, his pants dropping down, revealing his knees and his shoes as his pants fall to the floor, the rest of his body pitching forward, falling face first into the marble floor, blood squirting from the cut, the vampire cut clean through skin, muscle and bone.
"GAH!" Alexander cries out in agony, his hands clutching at the stumps that were once his thighs, his legs still upright not two feet away from him.
Blood oozing from his legs Alexander clutches at the stumps, willing the wounds to stop bleeding but he's been cut through the bone, and unless the limbs are reattached, he's going to bleed until the wounds close, which will leave him unable to walk.
CLANK, CLANK, CLANK, Tsukune's slow and meticulous footsteps clatter against the marble floor.
"You chose this." Tsukune says simply, slowly walking toward his opponent, the Aono vampire closing for the kill.
All around him the throng of vampires are excited; the smell of Alexander's blood has them all enthralled, including Ria and Kahlua. On his throne Issa knows that this match is over, that Tsukune won't be giving his opponent the time to recover from the injury. Next to him Moka clutches her seat, watching in stunned horror as her former mate crosses the distance between him and the pure blood, Tsukune ready to deliver the finishing blow.
Looking up Alexander recognizes the look in Tsukune's glowing gaze. It's the same look that he's seen in the eyes of his mother time and time again. The same look that she had when she hung him into a well and left him to hang there for over a year.
Tsukune's right hand is still flat, the shimmer hovering around his hand as he approaches his opponent.
"…I yield!" Alexander cries out, the pain from his severed legs beginning to dull. "Please, just kill me and get it over with!"
Looking down at him Tsukune slowly shakes his head no.
"I can't do that." Tsukune answers heartlessly. "You chose this. Your pride made you blind to what should've been obvious. Now you will suffer, but you still have your pride."
Sitting there the irony of the situation is not lost on Moka. Tsukune could just as easily be speaking to her about their relationship, telling her that she chose to toss him aside, that her pride chose this course and made her blind to what she now understands. Unfortunately for her, it is a case of too little, too late.
Swinging his right hand up into the air there's another shimmer in the air between Tsukune and his pureblood opponent. In the next instant Alexander's left arm splits from his shoulder, fresh pain filling the pure born vampire as even more blood spews from his now severed left shoulder.
"AH!" He cries out again, his remaining arm clutching at the wound on his left shoulder.
Rolling over into his back the blonde haired vampire screams in pain, blood pumping from the wounds on his legs and his left shoulder.
"You will suffer…" Tsukune explains, reaching out and grasping the pure blood vampire by his hair.
Raising the torso up Tsukune opens his mouth, baring his fangs he can smell Alexander's blood, the sweet smell of blood making him hungry. To the other vampires Alexander's blood smells bitter…
The Shinso palette however, is far less…refined…
Letting out an animalistic growl Tsukune sinks his fangs into his opponent's neck savagely, Alexander opening his mouth in a silent scream as the vampire's blood flows down Tsukune's throat, the Aono Shinso sucking the blood down greedily, taking as much blood from his soon to be dead opponent as he can…
Watching him draining Alexander's body Ria can't help but smile. To her the sight of Tsukune drinking blood so freely is long overdue. For Moka she can't believe her eyes, Akasha watching calmly, knowing how Tsukune's palette has changed since his transformation.
After nearly a full minute Tsukune pulls his lips from his drained opponent, the Aono opening his grip from his opponent's hair, the torso dropping and hitting the floor with a flop, the head flopping back against the floor and then bouncing off the floor before coming down again, coming to an inert rest on the marble floor in front of him.
Spreading his fingers Tsukune extends his left arm, holding his hand out at shoulder level, his palm up, his thumb and middle fingers pressed together.
"Incendia." Tsukune intones, snapping his fingers, a ball of flame the size of a baseball appearing in his hands.
Looking up at him Alexander's eyes are wide and unseeing. Standing over him Tsukune looks down at the blonde vampire with disgust in his glowing gaze.
Seeing the flame and the look in his eyes a shiver of ecstasy runs down Ria's spine. She knows what Tsukune is going to do, can see it in his eyes and in his body language.
Do it Tsukune! Set him of fire and make him suffer for slighting you!
Sitting on his throne Issa watches with only mild interest. The match is already over; all that's left is for Tsukune to apply the finishing stroke. Once his opponent has been reduced to nothing but a pile of ashes Tsukune will be the victor in the match, and Renard Maria will be his personal sex slave.
A smile curls Issa's lips at the thought, at the humiliation he's going to put his greatest rival on the Council through.
Next to him Moka's red eyes are locked on her former mate, the vampiress unable to believe that Tsukune is going to burn Alexander alive and kill him. Tsukune has never been one to turn down a fight, to protect his loved ones Tsukune would do anything, but he's never killed unless he had to! If his opponent stops fighting before Tsukune injured him badly enough Tsukune always let them go, or only beat them hard enough to cause them to lose consciousness. He's never killed a beaten opponent unless he's absolutely had to, and he's never acted like he enjoys it.
He wouldn't…he can't… Outer Moka sobs in her mind, the pink haired personality watching the fight unfold through her other self's eyes.
He won't. He's our Tsukune. He would never just murder someone unless he absolutely has to.
For her part Kahlua just wants the fight to end so she can get back to the party. She's always preferred things like dancing and partying to fighting and killing people. She's a very good assassin, and when she has to kill someone she pursues the assignment without fail, but she's never enjoyed doing it.
Amongst the throng Maria can't watch, Alexander's mother turning away from the scene. The members of her entourage all look away as well, each one of them knows Alexander very well, and to watch him burn alive is just too much for them. Standing there Tsukune looks toward Maria and her entourage, his glowing gaze watching the woman he can see her emotional pain hanging over her. She really doesn't want to watch her son immolated right in front of her.
"Know your place…" Tsukune intones the Shuzen family creed.