Primitive Instinctive
Chapter I: Unknowing
"Well then, what is it you plan to do?" My friend asked, her questioning gaze not once leaving me be. The night was warm, and I wore only a white cotton towel around my waist after having groomed myself, the rest of my body, exposed and heated as I stood at the fire place of my own home, far from the cities and set in the mountains and lakes. I stared into the dancing flames, deep in thought, the fire reflected in the hazel of my eyes. Jordis looked to me still, "Have you any clue what kind of danger you've once again thrown yourself into, Alessandro?" My eyes left the flame, and went to her. She was a lovely woman, curvaceous but built strong like a mare, soft and young winter white skin, scarred and callused in only a few places as a result of warfare. She was curvy and long, her height nearly equaling mine, she stood five foot seven, and I a little over five foot nine. Most women from this particular region were, like her, above average in height, some reaching over six feet. "You look pretty Jordis." I commented unabashedly, noticing her dress. Rarely had I ever seen her wear clothes suiting for a woman, I'd only ever mostly seen her encased in steel, but at the moment, she stood in a casual dress made from leather and denim. The kind of dress you'd see a common day lady wear on her way to purchase groceries. And sandals, was she really in sandals, and makeup? "Alessandro…" Had I actually made her feel some kind of happiness with but a simple compliment? She looked at me, and I gazed directly back, I wondered if I was piercing her more than she I, for I was absorbed in the electric blue of her eyes.
With anyone else, their gaze may go to my body, drawn to the taut and thick muscle bound skin, gleaming from the light of the flames, but not Jordis. She was different, and though the subject of many of my own fantasies, I offered her the same respect. Refraining my sights from her voluptuous form that so many other men had shamelessly admired and commented upon, a moderate deal of them warranting a solid fist to the face from I. "Things are hardly ever as they seem, don't you understand? This woman you've found, who's to say she speaks the truth, who's to say…" "I know she speaks the truth." I interjected. Silence, only the crackles of the fire. I moved from the flames and approached Jordis, slowly, my eyes not for a second leaving hers. She stood her ground, still and unflinching, perhaps her heart wasn't beating as heavily as mine, or like me, she just wasn't showing it. People like she and I, knew well how to maintain composure in times of duress. I stopped, only when I was face to face with her. There was a pause as I looked down at her face, overshadowing her whole frame, an exchange of body heat resonated between us. In that moment, I felt as if, within my broad shoulders and muscular arms I could envelope her whole lovely, effeminate form. I raised a bandaged hand. The white cloth drenched in my own blood. "What happened to you?" She had asked, the genuine concern of her voice, the caring, something I was very familiar, and something I felt I couldn't live without. It made my heart weak to just hear. "Something that could have brought me down, for good." I answered as I gradually unwrapped the bloody cloth from my hand, revealing a healing wound that appeared to be… a bite mark.
Her face had the bare expression of surprise mixed in with fear. "Is that from…?" "Vampires, Jordis." "You were bit?" "I was." Her eyes were searching my face rapidly, almost as if in a panic. She looked at my cheeks, my lips, and my eyes. Then she put her hands on my mouth, opening it forcedly. She had small, womanly hands, and yet they were roughened by the trials of war. I didn't resist her inspection, I had nothing to hide. "No fangs, no tinge of red in the eyes, there's still life in your cheeks and lips." Her confusion was something you could sense from a mile away. "How?" She asked, incredulous. I wasn't sure if she was conscious of her hands, how they had stayed on my face, but with a gentle and caring touch. I very softly moved them away, not wanting but knowing that I must, as began to feel a gradual hardening form between my legs, and wearing nothing but a towel, I couldn't allow it. "Her." I answered simply. "Alessandro, tell me what happened?" "It matters not." I retorted evasively. I had told Jordis some, but this particular subject had not arisen until then, and I turned away at her question. By withholding this information, I only intended to protect Jordis, and this other woman, if you could even call her that. I felt a hand grip me by the forearm before I could walk away, Jordis, her touch was enough to make me forget any and all concern of secrecy. "Please…" she said gently, and again came the eye contact. "You can trust me." And just like that, I was hers to command.
Chapter II: Benevolent Sexist
I had been led, after a series of events, into the cavernous depths of that vast mountain, and once within I found, what was rumored to be an ancient evil by the common witch-hunters and sorcerers of this land. From the great libraries, I had read, in search of answers, for what was buried deep beneath the surface of that mountain. Some was simply conjecture, exaggerated tales of twisted necromancers performing sacrificial rituals to appease their deities in return for a weapon that would let them conquer this world, other books contained theories of a prophetic nature. That what lied within, once released, would bring upon us not simply the end of this land, but the end of days for the whole of this earth. But it wasn't merely curiosity that set me on the path to what I had recovered from those dim caverns, it was the beasts I had tracked. I was on their trail for weeks, after the massacre they had wrought to that city. The leader, or more appropriately, Jarl of that town sent for me, a crusader or sorts, to hunt down these daemons. But once I had trailed them to that mountain, there were a great deal more. These ones, I knew, were different from the rest. It wasn't simply what they wore, how it was uniform and representative of some greater clan, it was how they were organized and calculated. Still vicious and savage, but not the common beasts of the wild to which I was accustomed, no, they were something more I knew.
I kept watch of that mountain, and overtime I observed them gathering, as though a flock converging for worship. They were bringing in workers, men and women who were bound to them by some kind of sorcery, they carried pickaxes and shovels. These ones were digging for something, what I did not know, that's when I began my research, and after all I had heard, between what I thought may be lies, or simply rumor and tales to keep the children away, I knew of only one thing for certain: It was imperative to keep them from getting a hold of whatever lay dormant within that mountain. In addition, there was a job to be done, the Jarl wanted his justice exacted, a rather vast sum to my name once the deed was done, and that was my primary intention.
From her perspective, I wonder how things may have appeared, after I had set her free. The prison in which she was captivated, I myself would never be able to withstand for such a time, regardless of whether I had any nocturnal abilities such as her. I stood within that expansive cavern, and once there I knew that this was what they were after, and not only the vampires I had come to learn, but the hunters. "Whatever the hell this thing is, puzzle or parlor trick, solving it is the key to what these fuckers have been digging for." The huntress commented, her words laced with a venomous hate. I met her only a few hours earlier from then, she had the same intentions in that cavern as I, her alignment however, was something we didn't share. She, and a squadron of three other hunters, each loyal to a sacred society of vampire slayers, calling themselves the Dawnguard, had been tracking these demons long before I, with orders to eliminate whatever the vampires were digging for. She was the only survivor of her squadron, after they had ventured into this mountain. The trials of combat were clearly evident on the both of us. Dirt, grime, blood and sweat, the smell of it was strong between me and her. New and fresh wounds, any blood of ours that was shed had been permeated in our own adrenaline.
This puzzle, it seemed to have been constructed not only by architects, but by magicians. It wasn't simply machinery at work, whoever designed this structure upon which Belle and I stood, had somehow managed to make sorcery as much a part of this conundrum as physics. "Here, please, hold this." I gave my torch to my companion, this dark and somber cave had been dimly lit until now. Basins of phosphorus fires circled the center of this round dais upon which we stood, the placement of each basin however, could be adjusted. That was a part of the puzzle. "This may take a while, but I think I understand." An hour or so I believe, the phosphorus of the basins had, somehow, upon some sort of activation, screamed out and lit higher and more aggressively. I was almost set into a panic from the flames, thinking that perhaps, by attempting to solve this conundrum, I had somehow triggered a trap of some sort, but no, because from the center of this circular platform the floors began to descend into steps. This revealed a pillar in the middle, this I knew, must be the key. I looked over at Belle, and she back at me, "It needs blood." She said. She approached the pillar, one hand raised over it, and in the other a blade was drawn. "Don't." I said, call me a benevolent sexist, I've no care, I wanted me to be the one over her. I put one hand over the pillar, and with the other I gestured for her blade, "Beleval, let me." She looked at me, confused for a moment, although she understood. "I suppose chivalry isn't dead after all."
Admittedly, I did flinch as I made the wound upon the palm of my own hand, not too deep, just enough to draw the right amount. I returned the blade to my companion as the blood dripped its way not onto, but apparently into the pillar. The phosphorus flames lit even higher, they screeched out even more, no longer just crackling but giving eerie cries. Something began to shift beneath me, I felt a soft quake that slowly grew to spread throughout the surface of the platform. The ground was vibrating, and I could hear the rusty and ancient machinery that was constructed below shift and change. I took a step back, Belle and I looked all around us, expecting something, but we knew, whatever it was it couldn't be good. Of everything I had read, although rumor and legend, much of it had reached a certain degree of accuracy up to that moment, I prepared myself on the idea that whatever lie in the cavern, dormant and sleeping, was evil in its nature, a beast. Some daemon capable of wicked destruction. Belle drew her crossbow, and from her quiver a bolt with which she loaded her weapon. I heard the sound of the string click as she pulled the bow back. She didn't take aim, instead she was on the alert, looking all around her, ready to pull that trigger the second something, anything, came at her. I held in both my hands the heavy, ornate battle-axe, blood and flesh already lining its edges as a result of earlier combat. I could feel the vibrations in my chest, my heart pumping blood to every muscle in my body, making me primed and ready for war.
The pillar receded back into the floor, confusion at first, until a greater column began its gradual ascension. What was this? Some kind of cage? Perhaps within was the monstrosity of which the books had wrote. Belle and I both focused our attention, and once this column had fully ascended, standing six feet tall, I prepared myself for whatever was imprisoned in this structure. Every legend, every rumor, tale, all of my research, each had one thing in common: Whatever lay within this expansive cavern, buried in these dimly lit depths, was something evil, something powerful, perhaps even capable of annihilating this whole earth. And that was what I readied myself for, the front face of this column began to lower back into the surface to set free whatever it held within. I gripped my battle-axe tighter, clenched my jaw, my shoulder, chest and arms primed for combat. I felt as if even Belle could hear the beats in my breast, they grew ever more rapidly, as though a steaming engine roaring out, powerful enough to propel forth an entire line of pistons. What really lay within the depths of that mountain, I was not ready for, and I could never have hoped to prepare for.
Chapter III: Impulse
"This woman, Belle, an elf you said she was, pointed ears, dreamy eyes and all, did she not try to…" "Kill me." I took a controlled sip from the wine glass in my hand, as I sat reclined in my oak wood chair, gazing into the fireplace yet still. "Yes, on two occasions I recall. First time around, was when I had found her, and she thought me one of them." "One of the vampires?" Jordis too, sat reclined, in her hand a beverage which I had served, yet I had not witnessed her take more than a single sip, as she listened intently to the story which I told. "Yes, once I proved my humanity she restrained herself. This time, the second time however, was different."
I had lowered my axe, and felt my heart skip a beat, the surprise so strong in me that I almost felt as if every molecule of blood coursing through my body had suddenly ceased any and all movement within my arteries and veins. Belle stood without words, no grammatical expression of any kind could have possibly explained the shock with which she and I had been struck. The front of the column had fully descended to reveal what was encased within. It was a woman. Her arms were crossed over her chest as if she had been buried in a coffin, and her eyes yet still were closed, like she were sleeping. She began to fall forward, I rushed forth to support her. Battle-axe lowered in one hand, I had the other around her back. Her head and hands laid against my chest as I enveloped her effeminate figure in the warmth of my arms and shoulders. At first, I thought that perhaps I was cradling a corpse, she was cold, and incredibly pale I had noticed, as though the emptied and abandoned vessel of a soul. It was not so, I discovered, when I felt breath against my chest, and a heartbeat. Slow and relaxed beats that, in that time of her anxiety, began to increase rapidly.
Perhaps Belle witnessed her open her eyes over my shoulder, or perhaps she could already read the signs which I had ignored, but within the periphery of my vision I saw her aiming her crossbow directly at this woman's head. Then I heard that vicious hiss, followed by the sickening sound of sharp and ancient fangs retracting from gums and pressing against teeth. "My reaction, Jordis, I admit was not something I had expected." I heard the familiar click of a trigger, accompanied by the release of a crossbow wire propelling forth a lethal projectile. It was then that I threw this woman, this vampire, I had just to realize, to the side away from Belle's line of fire. Just as I turned to face Belle I heard the sound of the vampire hit the floor, followed by the splitting of a bolt colliding against the solid structure of that once sealed column. "What the hell are you doing!?" Belle wasted no time before loading in another bolt, once again taking aim at the woman. She promptly recovered from the floor, it was then that I had full view of her. As she growled in a state of defense, her edged fangs fully exposed, and her eyes, an unnatural shade of scarlet that glimmered with a thirsty and savage light. And there was blood, fresh blood, running a trail from her lips to her chin. I knew then why that device required a blood sacrifice, why my blood needed to be drawn into the pillar. It was to awaken her, this ancient and powerful beast before me. Her clothes, similar to the outfits worn by whatever vampiric clan that was digging for her, but it was different in some ways, perhaps to distinguish status. Without delay, Belle had her finger pressed against the trigger of her firearm, and this demon was ready to pounce in attack. I jumped in between them, hands raised, gesturing for surrender. "Wait!"
"You were ready to lay down your life, for a woman you'd just met?" Jordis looked at me, not with disbelief, but confusion. "Not even a woman, a vampire." I had not an expression for, what appeared to me, almost to be judgment, I remained indifferent as I calmly took another sip from my glass. "I don't expect you to understand Jordis, as I myself do not. You and I both are well aware of a vampire's violent nature, the twisting of the mind as a result of the virus, but I was drawn to protect her. It was no conscious decision, jumping in between Belle and her, it was an instinct. A reaction made upon impulse. Yet still, one I do not regret."
Chapter IV: Chivalry
"Belle, stop." The huntress kept her firearm raised, and the vampire displayed no intention of retracting her fangs. This woman, Beleval, I could see the bitterness lining her eyes, just as I could hear the hatred laced in her voice. "You stand to defend this abomination!? This beast masquerading as a pretty little woman!" I looked behind me, at the monster that stood, wielding her fangs and pointed claws. How could I? Was I really going to defend this demon, this vampire, the supposed bringer of doomsday according to all those pages I'd read? Yes, yes I was.
"Belle, there's been enough blood spilled this day." I said, an attempt at persuasion, although not effective it seemed. "Yet she still stands!" The huntress shouted in frustration. I knew, hopelessly I knew, that Belle would not leave this dank cavern without more blood, and if I stood in her way, then I too would be subject to her aggression. "This is what those monsters want, whatever value to them she has, we can't allow them to take it. They want her for a reason, I will not let them have it. I will not leave this place, until she lays dying upon these floors, like the rest of her kind! Like the rest of my own Gods damned comrades who lie slain within this accursed mountain!" "I can't let you do this Belle, I beg of you to see reason." "What reason!? Please do, tell me your rationale for standing by a bloodthirsty beast!" "You want her dead Belle, then first you must kill me." There was a brief pause, a murderous silence, and then a bellow of agony.
I held my freehand over where Belle had shot her bolt, it struck my chest and planted itself firm into my own solid muscle, bleeding near profusely. This bolt had not penetrated passed the barrier of muscular tissue, had it done so however, it would have perforated my very heart. In this moment I became blinded with adrenaline, my mind choosing fight over flight, I was once again thrown into that state of aggression, of war, that deters all reason. I saw Belle begin loading in a secondary bolt, and it was clear she fully intended to do away with me. In this time I reacted immediately, the excruciation of which I should have felt from my chest wound, drowned out by the intensity of the moment. I took my freehand and promptly broke off the protruding bolt, then charged forth as if a crazed bull, battle-axe raised. Belle had loaded her firearm and once again raised it to me, but too late. She took her shot, but I had brought my axe down fast upon her crossbow, it misfired shooting passed me before it had been crushed on the ground by the force of my weapon. She was quick to react, pulling a dagger from its holster on her waist. In a swift and fast motion she lunged forward. My eyes widened when I saw her go for my abdomen, I quickly dodged the attack and she had moved to behind me. Although I was not unscathed, though I avoided a solid stab from her dagger she still managed to make a small, bleeding cut along my oblique. I ignored the wound, in fact, I'm not sure if in that moment I even noticed it.
Belle wasted no time after her failed attempt at stabbing, just as I had turned to face her she unleashed a flurry of slashes and jabs. I was quick to dodge and deflect each one of them, and as I had expected she made a mistake. I bended back to avoid a slash at my throat, then I saw an opening for attack. In one swift motion I moved behind her and before she could turn around I already had the handle of my battle-axe hoisted firmly around her neck. I heard her croaking for air, but still, with a dagger in hand she moved her arm back in an attempt to plant the blade in my thigh. I quickly yanked her to the side and held her on the ground, just barely avoiding the strike. Now she was truly defenseless, no way to gain release from my hold, no way to attack. I pressed the handle of my axe harder against her neck. She continued to resist, even as she choked for air and was nearing suffocation.
Chapter V: Man & Beast
"I had her on the brink of death." Said I, explaining these events to my friend. "Did you do it?" She asked, wanting for an answer that would bring her relief. "She wanted me dead, what would you have done Jordis?" A question of a fatal nature, deflected by yet another question, such inquiries were enough to make anyone more than simply uncomfortable or disturbed, but doubting of the other's sanity.
Belle's face had begun turning a shade of red, as her mind was cruelly deprived of oxygen. Then to a perturbing purplish palette. I heard her croaks lessen as her resistance began to gently wane. And then… I released her. Rising from the ground, my axe no longer straining against this woman's throat, I looked down upon her. She had one hand set upon the floor to support herself, and the other on her own neck, as if it were supposed to help her catch her breath, yet still she was struggling to take in air. As she coughed and struggled to remain conscious, on the brink of passing out from the lack of oxygen, I stood in front of her, the wounds she had brought me still bleeding although by very little. "I told you, enough blood has been spilt this day." She regained at least some composure, from all fours she shifted back to be on her knees. Her hand no longer covering her neck, I could see the damage I had wrought upon her, the purplish and dark red bruising that now lined her throat. I felt sorry, but without remorse, having seen my own wounds; the broken crossbow bolt implanted in my chest, and the deep slice along my oblique, she fully intended to kill me if not at the least cripple me. I turned my head toward the vampire, she stood in silence, no longer wielding her fangs, and her claws had retracted. "We need to leave." I said simply. "What makes you think I'd go anywhere with you?" Those were her first words, a reasonable rebellion against me apparently had remained.
At first, I thought perhaps a domineering approach may suffice, but I opted for an attempt at reasonable persuasion, "You've been asleep for Gods know how long." I said. "Trapped within that cage, how or by what, I do not know. Yet still, I'd wager this, you've no idea what year it is, no idea what has changed in a land you once knew, I don't think you even know precisely where you are or what this place is. Answer me sincerely, am I wrong?" I looked at her, in a questioning gaze, she was speechless. A brief pause, and it was clear, that I was right in my presumptions.
"Jordis, it was unbeknownst to me at this time, I'm not sure for how long, perhaps since before Belle had even made an attempt upon my life, but we were being watched." Lurking in the darkness, upon silent and swift feet, they observed, waiting for the perfect moment. Belle and I, both injured, exhausted, and distrusting, both prime targets for whosoever wished. "Woman, believe me when I say, that I mean you no harm." I had said, a genuineness in my words. And just as I thought that perhaps, I had her convinced, that perhaps she would leave with me and I would have answers, I caught a glance of two glimmering red orbs in the distance. Perhaps they had always been there, perhaps my skills of observation were less than admirable, regardless, I had just noticed them. I saw what appeared as two crimson dots in the darkness, just over the woman's shoulder. It was sudden, yet luckily I had the reflexes to avoid what could have been yet another fatal blow. From the shadows where these two glowing eyes were an axe came flying. Fast and deadly was its rotation, I immediately turned sideways, and the steel crafted weapon flew passed my chest, planting itself in the structure behind me. "Alessandro!" But Belle's shout of warning was too late, just as I had dodged one vampire's attack, another revealed itself and already had me in a chokehold.
I heard the animal hiss and growl as it raised its head, opening its oral cavity full and wide, prepared to dig its fangs into my throat. Almost in a panic, I firmly grappled the shirt collar 'round his neck, then, bending forward, flipped his whole body over my back. But now, the one who had released that axe upon me, came charging at a supernatural speed, a vicious and animalistic hissing as he made his way. I moved my hand to unsheathe the broadsword that hung in its holster at the right side of my waist, but I was deterred, the vampire I had dropped down on the floor persisted and held my sword hand before I could draw. Promptly I raised my only free hand, my only option left being to use the defense of my gauntlet. Too late yet still, and all the more thrown into alarm, a third vampire came from the shadows and gripped my gauntlet with a supernatural strength. Both my arms were imprisoned by the might of these animals, resistance to no avail. I stood defenseless, and face to face with the axe-thrower. He looked into my eyes, the warm and lively hazel contrasted against his cold and glowing blood scarlet. The beast looked at me, and a savage grin gradually spread across his mouth, revealing his fangs. "No!" Belle made a move, in an attempt to save me from what I knew would come, but there was a fourth to this vicious clan, and he had her restrained. "We are going to have so much fun, you an' I. Pretty elf bitch like you, you'll make for an exquisite snack… with you I can satisfy more than just one thirst." The beast put his hands on her, my mind went what would happen to her, what could happen to her.
To my left, a fanged beast eager to dig its teeth into my flesh, and to the right yet another, then in front of me, a third of the same. I knew what would come, if not turned, then I'd be drained. I braced myself, as the monster that stood before me grinned with a devious smile, I looked into those dark crimson eyes, any fear I had was gone then, for them I would not show it, even if I had it. After that moment, not much is clear in my memory. I remember the stinging torment, one in my hand, another in my calf, and the last in my neck, I was being consumed by three at once. It wasn't long before I felt my vision blur and darken, my mind becoming light, and a weakness in my legs. "Alessandro!" She called my name, and once I heard it I felt a sardonic humor, this woman wanted me dead only minutes ago, for the love of God make up your fucking mind. Strange, to think that something such as that would have been my final thought.
Only now, did it seem Jordis took a particular notice of the other two bandages dressing my bare body, one along my neck, and the other around my calf. "There's no doubt in my mind Jordis, I most certainly was going to die." I'm not sure for how long those three were feasting upon me, it could have been seconds, minutes, I do not know, what I do know is it was long enough for the woman, the one who'd been encased in that column, to decide against letting this horror continue. My next memory was the scene of an ornate dagger, perhaps crafted from some kind of ebony metal, protruding from one of the vampire's throats. I looked on, at the monster before me, as it croaked on its blood, his eyes wide with what was perhaps a mix of agony and shock. His crimson fluids poured forth from his throat, some lined my own face in a scattered pattern. He fell to the floor, as whatever life was left of him to begin with, evacuated his body, and before him stood the woman, that bloodied blade in her hand. The two vampires, the ones to my right and left, removed their fangs from my flesh, and hissed viciously, it was then I saw my opportunity.
The one to my right, as he gripped my wrist I yanked him into a head butt. Any pain that I felt in my skull was ignored. The vampire stumbled back and thus my right hand was free. The one to my left, I had promptly turned to and using my elbow I struck at his face, he resisted, keeping his grip and responding with a savage growl so close to my very eyes I felt what could have been both his and my own blood spittle onto my face. I struck him again, then again, and a fourth time more so powerful than the others, I could hear the armor of my arm bluntly bashing into his face. The sound of metal and bone colliding rigid against one another. Upon the fourth strike, the vampire had fallen backward. I wasted no time to unsheathe the broadsword from the holster at my waist, as the vampire from earlier had charged at me, I turned and in one swift motion my blade slashed deep across the beast's abdomen, and he was thrown to the floor to bleed out. The second one promptly dashed forward, fangs ready. He attempted several attacks with his claws, I dodged, parried and blocked with my sword. I quickly found an opening and took advantage, his stomach exposed I plunged my broadsword into him with so much ferocity his whole frame I had raised off the floor, and then I tossed him over my shoulder. Two more left. Before I knew, one planted his claws deep into my back, I roared in agony, ignoring the pain I immediately turned around to take his arm with mine in an underhook lock, then in one swift motion I swept his leg. He fell hard on his back, a solid clunk, before I stomped his head in with my armored boot.
"In war Jordis, it's often said that we go into a trance, a state of pure violence and aggression." "Bloodrage." "… Yes, that is what your people call it." My mind was fogged with adrenaline, outside of my own heartbeat, each sound was muffled, but there was one that caught my attention. The sound of fear: Heaving breaths, anxious vibrations of the heart, profuse sweating that left drops upon the floor. I turned my head, before me I saw the final remaining vampire. Alone, the last of its squadron, she stood, dreading the doom she would face. I felt a sense of mercy, even as I saw the blood that lined the mouth of this bitch, I knew I had not the need to kill her. "Go." I commanded, the blood of my enemies lining my own face as she looked at me. She turned to flee, but not before, to my own incredulity, a dagger implanted itself into her throat. I stood, mixed emotions of rage, empathy, self-doubt. Her life fluids gushed forth from her neck, she fell to a knee, one hand clutching at her wounded throat. She leaned against a pillar before finally falling face forward, a pool of blood swelling around her body. I looked at Belle, and she back at me, with the pierce of those warrior eyes. "She was fleeing." I said solemnly. "She was a vampire." "She was unarmed." "Claws and fangs." To this I said nothing, until she retrieved her weapon, and took aim at the one I had fought so viciously to protect. I stepped into the trajectory of her dagger before she could make her throw. "No." I commanded. Woman still hadn't learned her lesson. "You, will not." "I could kill you where you stand." "You can try," I began as I raised my bloodied broadsword against this elf, "but I assure you, the result will be the same as last." I could see her fingers pressing hard against the handle of her blade, she was tensing up. I do not know whether this anxiety stemmed from either the fear of losing against me yet again, or if she genuinely did not want to kill me, although she did only minutes ago from then. "This time Belle, you'd best believe I won't show mercy again." With that, and with great reluctance, she lowered her weapon. I let out one heavy breath, before sheathing my sword, then, turning my head toward the vampire woman. "Belle, you and I, are the best chance we have at making it outta here alive."
Chapter IV: Thirst
"I'm certain you can imagine we had not so much difficulty escaping the depths of that treacherous mountain, as we did in trusting one another…" I continued explaining to Jordis as she looked intently upon me. "That mountain, are all the tales true then, gargoyles, draugr kings, witches and werewolves?" I was in no position to deny any of those myths and rumors which had been told, in fact, I was only in a place to confirm them as fact. "Yes, they're all true." "Then tell me, how is this woman any different?" "Jordis..." "Every text you've read, every library you've scoured, and each one said…" "That the bringer of doomsday lay dormant within those caverns." "Yes, Jordis, I need not hear it again." "Then why do you protect her, shelter her?"
It was after I had finally convinced the huntress and vampire to agree a truce, although one that was wavering and undoubtedly temporary, that a far more pressing concern had arisen. "You'll turn if you don't see to those bite marks." Belle commented, solemnly and without restraint. I searched one of my many & various satchels and pouches for the necessary medicine, a concoction made to rid the body of mild diseases. "No potion will suffice." The vampire said, her voice was elegant, soothing even in this time of duress. I looked at her, a curious gaze. "What do you mean?" Belle inquired. "These ones were elites of my clan. Older than generations of kings and queens. Once bit by one of their ranking, the disease spreads faster than it would from some petty bloodsucker." I looked at Belle, and she back at me, I saw the fear in her, the anxiety. She was worried for me, and as was I.
"You're saying it's too late for me?" I asked solemnly, I knew this woman was playing no ruse, already I could feel my head growing lighter, my knees weaken, and a sickness in my stomach. "If it was one bite, perhaps, but you sustained three. The only reason you could still even be standing would be by the forces of pure strength alone, and the adrenaline." My mind had begun to fade, as I felt this virus take more and more hold over me. A parasite, coursing rapidly throughout the corridors of my blood vessels, making its way through to my own very heart. Suddenly, I could feel the heaviness of my clothing and armor, my weapons and equipment. I began to lose balance, Belle rushed to my side, supporting as much of my weight as she could beneath her small, effeminate stature. "Alessandro!" She called out my name as I began fading into a slumber. True, we clearly had not any particular affinity for one another, she had just made an attempt on my life after all. Yet it was obvious that within our own exhausted and weakened states, our best chance at escaping that foul cavern was each other.
"Alessandro, please, you must stay awake!" She pleaded as she struggled to support my progressively collapsing form. My breaths grew heavy and more rapid, I looked down upon my own hands and saw my skin turn a sickly white and the veins beneath go an inky black. I felt myself become enveloped with dread, was I really going to turn? Would this be my fate, to live an immortal life thirsting for blood? I began to contemplate my existence, what lay within my future, and had decided my best course of action. "Beleval..." I whispered her name, she put a hand against my forehead, feeling my temperature. She had such a gentle touch. "Gods, she tells no deceit." She said dreadfully, feeling the incredible heat resonating off of me, then looking to my arms, a hideously deformed white contrasted with the flow of blackening life fluid. "Beleval… you must…" I fell to a knee, Belle could no longer carry me. She rested me on my back. "… You have to…" And before I could ask her to commit a rather twisted form of euthanasia, the vampire rushed to Belle's side. "I can stop it, I can save him." She said promptly. "What? How?" "You're not going to like it…"