She raises an eyebrow and vanishes in bluish smoke, passing through the bars and reappearing inside my cell. I wasn't scared, I can't stay, after seeing as many Kurt appearances as I did and even having traveled on several of his teleports! Still, it was an interesting scene.

- The plan is for me to be able to get rid of the King's command, through his blood and, with his help and help from the Russian, finally kill the bastard and rest in peace, after so many centuries!

I can't help laughing, as she watches me, incredulous:

- I'm a mutant, but my blood is not sacred or anything, mistress! Why do you think you'll be able to get free by drinking it? And who said that Omega Red is not going to be an obedient puppy?

- Oh ... It does not matter if you are human or mutant, I always amuse myself with your inability to see a span in front of your nose! The Count only agreed to share his blood with the bruises because he needs them for his final plan to transform mutants into vampires, otherwise he would not have shared this preciousness with anyone. And look how shrewd he was, he didn't let them drink straight from you, but rather, after his blood quickened and transmuted into him. Didn't you find that strange? Didn't you wonder how it could be more vindictive to let hundreds of them destroy you? Instead, he shows himself as a martyr in the face of that immense mass of maneuver, non-thinking beings! Worms! They are just that...

As for Mr. Arkady, he is only pretending to help because they put a device on the synthesizer and warned him about it. If he does not help, they can kill him.

You see, we vampires have an extraordinarily complex society, Mr. Logan. Mounted on grape varieties that I will not have time to explain. The important thing is few have reasoning beyond the average, the vast majority only blindly obeys the designs of their superiors and the superiors respond to the King's wishes. Any resemblance to his life is not a mere coincidence.

- Is it like a pyramid, not of money, but of blood? A broad base that is dumb and blind and, at the top, Drac, commanding the commanders of the mass? - she smiles as I speak.

- Exactly, I would not have explained it better. We also have a vast literature in our midst, written by vampires of higher caste, some wizards, and sorceresses, even. Because the closer we are to the Count's blood in our creation, the more special abilities we have, you know?

- Yes, I understand. And from what you said at the beginning, then you can do much more than just turn blue smoke, right?

It's her turn to laugh, a velvet laugh, a sound that sounded like a mermaid's song, calling me into her arms, a bunch of pheromones hit me, and my pupil dilates, I need to try to keep control, the beast howl inside me! She feels something different and takes a few steps towards me, I realize that she takes a deep breath. And I take the opportunity to talk, in an attempt to maintain control:

- Do you also smell different smells, pheromones, and other odors?

- I can do much more than that, Logan ... I can modulate how people will receive my stimuli, while analyzing the hormones and pheromones that come out of them. I can say that in all these years, I have never met anyone who could handle my manipulation for so long. Even more knowing how much you perceive more than normal humans. I am impressed! - she goes on saying this as she gets closer to me - According to our legends, a blood would appear capable of making society less pyramidal and more horizontal. Where everyone would be able to answer for themselves, without being bound by caste, without being obedient against their will. It would be the end of a Kingdom and the beginning of a more just society among us...

I had to get out of bed and walk around the cell, moving away from her. When she realized that her manipulation was having an effect, she stopped and smiled, again making me see her prey.

- You don't think I'm going to help dethrone a King so that a kind of President can rise, right?

- Did you forget what I said at the beginning? I just want to rest in peace! Joining those I loved one day, it has been a long time since I need to walk with your drawings around so as not to forget their faces! I live in a daily hell! Making crops - I looked like someone who did not understand -, transforming people or even entire cities, just because that night the King wanted to increase his kingdom! I have the power to break this cycle, Logan! But I need to know if your blood is that of the legends. I have been waiting for something like this since the day I read about it, in the Middle Ages ... - and his voice was getting nostalgic, his face was changing, as if all the tiredness of those centuries came at once. I stopped feeling her hold on me and, at that moment, I was sure that all of this was real. I saw her, but she did not pay any attention to me anymore. Opening the cameo on the necklace, she started to caress the two images that existed inside, and, with that, I was able to approach, of my will, with the desire to help yes, if it was possible for a legend to come into existence. When I touch her shoulders she shudders, closes the photo frame quickly and is kind of intangible, as Kitty was able to be, but in a bluish cloud.

- You showed me everything I needed to believe your story, Ravena. If you need my blood to test the theory, it's yours, babe.

Her big light brown eyes light up, she solidifies and holds out the hand I hold out to her, thinking it would be the location of the bite. I feel the coldness of her skin and I shiver, not caring, she puts my hand on her waist and brings our bodies closer, I realize that she is not manipulating my hormones and yet she can feel my desire for her, the instinctive response of my body. She starts that moment with a kiss, and I get lost in her arms and smile.

After a few hours, we let our exhausted bodies relax on the bed:

- What's up? Can you tell if it worked? Or will you only know when he tells you to do something?

She lays her head on my torso before answering, playing with some hair on my chest:

- It is difficult to explain in words, Logan ... Before your blood, it was as if there was a background noise in my mind, something superimposed on my thoughts, something stronger than me, outside me. After the first sip I could feel a loosening of that sensation. Something happened, yes. If that was what I expected, I will not know until later...

- And how will Omega and I know when to act?

She looks up, with a look of indignation and comments:

- Ah! You will know! I may have been sweet and quiet here, but do not be fooled by the size of the mess I can make.

- I'm not even questioning that, babe! It's more because of our "blindness", see? Since we can't see a "span in front of the nose". - and I try to imitate her voice, making her laugh.

- Do you want to meet them?

- Who?

- Them ... - she moves her hand, while her pendant floats up to us, closed.

- Sure! Of course! It would be an honor, my lady.

She opens it while floating and I can see two drawings, one with a young man, no more than 20 years old, features very similar to hers and seriously, on the other side, two girls, identical twins, flushed, smiling, happy.

- We got married when I was 14, he was 16. Although arranged, we were soul mates...

- There is a thing that I do not believe, Ravena ... I had my loves in these more than 100 years, I loved each one with the greatest intensity that I could, but I don't know if I would call it a soul mate...

- Men do not really believe in these things, do they? We had already met before the wedding, during a party between our kingdoms, at the time, I was 10 years old and, instead of doing like other children, running to sweat, playing tag, we separated from everything and stayed seeing the stars, we talked about things that, even today, I consider to be adults and, in each one of them, our opinions were remarkably similar. We completed each other, I ... - she couldn't continue, hugged my chest so tightly that I was short of breath, dug her nails into my shoulder and, when I felt something damp on my chest, I could see a big blood stain that came out of his eyes. She was crying! That being so old, apparently invulnerable, capable of bending desires and changing desires, was totally fragile in my arms. I didn't interrupt her; I didn't know what to say. I returned the hug, bringing her closer, I rested my chin on her head. Sniffling, she continued:

- I need to finish. I need to revive to strengthen my motives, sorry ... - I put a hand on her shoulder, an invitation to continue - The children came a year after the wedding. We were happy and we knew, our lands were productive, not because we had any natural advantage, but because we treated our vassals as family. We went to the fields, together with the workers; we did not miss anything ... I wish we had not drawn so much attention; that we were not so proud of our happiness ... The King arrived at dawn, with some minions. They asked for refuge in our village and we, naive as we were, opened our doors for them. - I kissed her on the head, she caresses me on the chest - Gradually, our vassals were dying, getting sick and, while abusing our hospitality, he studied us, chose which one of us would be able to serve him within what he needed ... My mother had something mystical, I remember that she was able to make things float, as I did now with the medallion. Hundreds of years later, he said that the fact that I was a mutant made me choose ... It started undermining my husband's health and, when we could not do the harvest anymore, due to the lack of staff, he asked for an audience with me. , said he had the solution to that problem, seduced me ... Or did I let myself be seduced? I will never know...

I had to interrupt:

- Are you crazy? Never think you let yourself be seduced, Ravena ... You are the victim here! He's a jerk, a liar and a manipulator. You were just a child.

She is silent for a while, before resuming:

- Thank you... I do not know who I was anymore. I only know the hatred I have for what I am! The hunger I felt was so great and he made me drink from my girls, saying that it would appease and then my husband... We left the castle, which was on a very commercial route, to hide in his castle, Carpathians. We stayed there for centuries, until his ego decided to expand even more... He left me running business in Eastern Europe. Until last month he asked me to come here, with plans for world expansion that I had never heard of before. He has transferred many counts to this place, he is transforming this part of Krakoa into his new castle and, by directly attacking these nobles, his strength will also diminish. You killed several, Logan, but we still have a hundred of them... I want you to keep this, he does not allow me to use it in public, says it makes me look weak! - and she leaves the necklace on my belly while she sits on the bed.

I take the necklace, sit next to her, we look at each other and she kisses me goodbye and goes blue until she disappears. I take a deep breath. It is always hard to see someone who has suffered more than you. It gives a feeling of relief over the misfortune of others. I know it's not cool, but I can't get that feeling out of me, just as I'm sure I'll put that necklace on top of her corpse, when we're done with that bastard!

Put on my clothes, lie down again. Now, it was waiting for the signal that Ravena would give so that Omega and I could help. I had already spent a lot of energy and needed to let my body recover. As soon as I go to bed, I feel an unusual sleep and let myself be taken to the world of dreams.

In it, instead of all the redheads who have been part of my past, I am graced with the memory of the brunette Arnaaluk * and the fact that she said about the dreams before my arrival in the tribe. I may not have considered that Eskimo as a soul mate, but she considered me that way. I reviewed our union, the various northern lights that we saw together, our moments in the middle of bear skins. I think that was a gift from Ravenna ... An invigorating gift.

(* character created by Lslauri for the fanfic: Logan [Wolverine] among the Inuit)

I don't know how much time I spent sleeping, but I am awakened by the Russian's tentacles, listening in the background to some screaming and fighting sounds:

- How can you sleep like a pile of dung with all this fuss?! Wake up, Canadian! Our time has come! The time when enemies will fight side by side, against a much larger enemy.

He opens the door without any delicacy, tearing the gate off with the tentacles and throwing them aside. I get up at once, put the pendant in my pants pocket, and we set off in the direction of the fight. When we arrive, we see many black spots scattered on the ceiling of the hall, as soon as I arrive, I don't understand what they can be, but when I can better see Ravena fighting with those counts, I realize that each spot is a vampire that she vaporized, leaving half of it for outside, catching sun, while the other half stayed inside the hall. They moved so fast that it took me a while to understand the speed of the fight.

Drac foamed orders for the servants, while trying to remember everything he had done for the teenager and how much she was nothing when he found her.

- We can have everything, Ravena! This is the moment! People are too concerned with the mutant issue to remember our existence! Come back, my queen!

It was then that I understood the reason for her need to talk about her family. To make an outburst with someone who understood her. She was definitely the strongest woman I have ever met! And the fact that she was turned into a vampire didn't make her any less of a woman in my eyes ... Her tenacity and focus gave me direction.

- They're not even seeing us, Red! What do you think about attacking the King directly? I think Ravena is taking care of the counts. Where's his weak point?

The Russian looks at me suspiciously, for all the names I used and I shrug, pointing with my arm the reason for our conversation.

- I thought of something, during these months that I stayed with them. I don't know if it will work, but Ravena said I should try ... But for that I need the device that turned the synthesizer into a bomb!

At the time I think, "you need him to get out and leave us here, with this thing to fix it! The shit! " and I nod to Ravenna, to no avail. If there was someone who knew who or where that device was, it could only be her. I was going to need to unlock my mind to try to connect with that vampire! ... But in doing so, I was going to drop an alert to all the telepaths from where I was! And now?

That's when the Raven's voice invaded my mind and said, "We were blood lovers, Logan ... I have been listening to your thoughts ever since. I agree that the Russian will want the device to escape. But he is right to want some security. It turns out that you have been with him since I gave you my most precious possession. The cord is attached to a sensor inside my pendant. Drag the cord with force that the Omega explodes, like fireworks. It is my way of thanking you for listening to me, accepting me as I am and understanding that not all people have his price. Thanks..."

I put my hand in my pocket and show it to Omega:

- Ravena said this is the device. So, whatever you have in mind, you can make sure I don't kill you until we're in the living part of Krakoa.

- I need more than that, Logan! I'm going to risk my life in a ploy against the King of vampires and you still want to kill me?

- I had to see your face, Reddie! You're right! When we're in front of everyone in Krakoa, I'll give you the device, okay?

"Much more sensible, Logan ... I do not need you to keep your promise to place this pendant on my corpse. They are alive in my memory and I know that if there is an afterlife, I will have to go a long way to reach them. But it will be my way and I will be free! " - a warm hug took over me and I turned to the Russian.

- Right! What's your idea?

- Carbonadium can function as a potentiated silver, taking advantage of the ability to suck up energy and its malleability to create a cocoon.

- Can I make a suggestion? Why don't you make this cocoon in his heart with one of the tentacles, while the other holds his body? And while he tries to get rid of you, I decapitate the bastard! See if you don't let him fly around, huh?

- It is not an exact science, Logan, we are dealing with the King of vampires here! ... But I will try to do my best, tovarishch!

There was no way I could not remember Rasputin with that word! My mind is saddened, remembering a time when he sacrificed himself to save the mutants from the Legacy virus. What the hell! Now he was happy, together with his sister Ylliana! Where do I remember his death? Are there only clones of the mutants living in Krakoa ?! What the hell! This confusion was getting too confusing for me ... So, I see Omega Red leaving on top of the Count and I leave the scene, for him to think I'm still stuck in the cell. The attack was really a surprise for the vampire. He thinks he is so master of the world and disdains others to the point that he did not imagine being attacked by someone he had threatened. It seems naive, right?

I can't know their reactions, because I can only see their backs. The idea really starts to work, but the Russian can't stand the strength of the energy he is sucking and starts to scream in pain! I know how much pain he could take and, just to screw him up, it takes me a little longer to go and do my part.

All the other vampires stop fighting when Dracula falls to his knees.

"Hurry, Logan! The time is now!" - Ravena signals in my mind and I run from my hiding place *SNIKT* we see the King's head roll across the dark rock, it seems that even in slow motion. A darkened mist comes out of his neck, looking like a lot of imprisoned souls and those who obeyed him, against Ravenna, begin to tremble at an incredible speed, then turning into smoke. It was one of the "top 10" bizarre things I've ever seen!

I look at Omega and he is passed out next to where Drac's body was, which also fell apart, but in something more like necro-manure. The tentacles were in the shape of what they embraced, but there was nothing there anymore.

Ravenna appears, shrouded in blue, with a face of unspeakable suffering:

- When I solidify, I will die like the others ... I do not want to die like that! I just wanted to hear your voice one more time, and for you to hear mine, stating your ability to get it right. You just need to find Moira X, don't you?

I open my eyes wide. What did this woman not know?

She smiles, even in pain, and says:

- Oh! They have not called me that for a long time... Woman... She is where you least expect it and where no one visits! Think about it... See you in the afterlife, Logan! - And it goes up with great speed, passing through the ceiling and, probably, seeing the sun for the last time.

Damm! If she knew where Moira was, it was hard to talk?!

I hear the Russian start to regain consciousness. He slowly returns the tentacles to his fists while asking:

- It worked? I am feeling as if I have died and, despite that, with the energy to live a thousand years! That's weird!...

- It did work, Arkady. We put an end to him and his scoundrels.

- But what about Ravenna?

- She is also gone... She got the freedom she wanted so much...

- Can you walk? Let's go to Krakoa. I hand over the detonator but still keep an eye on you, get it?

He lets out a "humpft" as he gets up. We decided to go out through the ceiling, which seemed very thin, counting on the scorched vampire marks. Red picked me up and I dug in with my claws. We walked the bare rock for a few hours, until we entered the domains of the Hellfire Club. I knock on the King's door and a butler full of himself answers, asking me if I have an appointment. He doesn't even look at us properly. His sense of superiority is such that it disgusts me.

- Listen here, bub, I don't even need to see the owner of the mansion, as long as he can lend us some vehicle to get to the Carousel.

- Sorry, gentlemen ... But I can't bother Mr. Shaw with that.

- How about that, stilted ?! - *SNIKT* ejects one of the claws, with the most lateral touching inside the butler's nose. He doesn't move or be frightened, he just looks at me with even greater contempt.

- Wait out here, please ... - with unspeakable coldness.

- Is this guy a robot? The Russian asks.

- Worse ... It smells like a cushion and acts like one, but it's just a butler!

I hear some muffled voices from inside, and then Sebastian looks like he's in grace.

- I needed to see it with my own eyes! Logan ... Logan ... Did you threaten a valiant member of our club? That's true?

I shrugged:

- I told him I didn't even need to bother you, as long as we could have a vehicle to get to the Carousel. But he insisted on taking this little problem to you, what to do?

- Vehicles are almost a thing of the past, Logan! But being you the savage that you are, do not amaze me! ... Come, follow me! I have a portal at the back of the mansion that leads to the Arena, will you?

- Of course, of course!...

And as I walk inside the mansion, I think of the riddle of Ravenna: "She is where you least expect it and where no one visits!". There are so many places still little visited in Krakoa ... I was in a place like that a few days ago, with Kitty! But no sign of a portal at all. I snort a little too loudly and Sebastian comments:

- Sorry, I know how big the mansion is and even I get tired of walking in it...

Just to make fun, I comment:

- Why don't you put portals in the rooms? That would greatly shorten the route...

- Look, it's not a bad idea! We will need to renovate the hall to fit so many portals, but it's not all bad.

I don't even dare to answer. I roll my eyes and laugh inside. Soon I would no longer need to see the face of that bastard!

A few more minutes walking and we find ourselves in a roofless area, with a central garden, where there are still more buildings next to it. There, some portals were planted and, after passing through three of them, Sebastian points out:

- This is it, gentlemen.

I don't even thank him, I walk across it without ceremony and I hear Omega Red saying some nonsense to him.

We left close to the Arena, but I heard a commotion at the side. The Carousel is the place destined for the great festivities of Krakoa. In fact, on second thought, I had spent more time in that place than anywhere else on the Island, and now, that made a gigantic sense to me ... "Circus to the people" ...

Omega holds my arm while charging me:

- We're here, Canadian. Will you fulfill your part of the deal?

- Of course, I will, Arkady! What are you thinking of me? We just need to find Magneto, so I can deliver the pendant with a witness and also explain what we did, okay?

- He's up there, look! - and pointed to one of the platforms that are above the ground and gather the mutants. Each platform has its own musical style, like a great "Cirque du Soleil".

Next to him there was also Charlie and it would be strange to be in front of him, without letting the biggest telepath in the world enter my mind. And now?