Chapter 8: Coliseum Of The Dead Gladiators

AN: Its been while and its good to be back! I decided to add a summary to the fic so that at least those who haven't read will understand what D.M.S. is about. Plus, making some few more corrections on my chapters. Ch. 8 has been slightly refixed.

~*~

The room was well lit with red candles that were placed everywhere and around a red symbol as Carmilla & Chamberlain managed to find two of Dracula's possessions. With the tunic well flat on the floor and the amulet around the collar, Carmilla spreads her arms openly as her loyal Chamblain stepped closer. Both began to chant ancient words and lightening occured as the candles began to flicker. The wind swirled violently, as the empty tunic began to rose like a balloon, standing in midair as the spell took effect.

Pale hands came out from the empty holes of the black sleeves and feet filled the black century old shoes as a head came out from the collar. Long silky locks of hair appeared close together until they spread out. Carmilla smiled slightly. "Ha...Yes. It worked. The Count has returned." She said.

Dracula stood before them, his red eyes boring into Carmilla's and Chamberlain's, as his face was frail and white as a ghost. The red haired woman didn't say anything but spoked as she had to him before, "Welcome back, my lord. It is I, Carmilla. Your most loyal countess. This is Chamberlain. We have brought you back to reclaim your power and turning this world into chaos."

"................"

"Do you not remember, my lord?" But as she about to speak more, both Carmilla and Chamberlain gasped as Dracula fell to his knees, began to tremble as Carmilla was worried. "My lord..."

"How can this be?! Dracula should have been in full condition and--"

"Because that was the first part of the ritual. The book says, once revived, the being is weak and useless until midnight arises; thus, regaining his conscience and full strength. Cursed this, but no matter. As long we brought Dracula back, we will wait for the time comes." Said Carmilla, as she knelted beside the Count and embraces him as if he was alittle child.

"But mi lady, those mortals have defeated two of your daemons, Kuro and Dhalsim." Said Chamberlain.

"I guess I have underestimated them. It seems that they'll be on their way here, soon. Not if I can stop it! They must be dealt with before midnight arrives!"

"They are heading toward Serge's area and as for the other two, they're at the castle corridors."

"Excellent." The woman lets go of the Count who looked back at her with sad eyes as she got up and walked toward the globe. She smirked at the image showing Yoko, Fairy and Arikado defeating a few enemies.

Afterwards, the trio were about to go futher when suddenly, the ground began to shake as a crack appeared moving toward them. Arikado was about to grab Yoko and leap to dodge the attack when it went underneath them and the trio fell into the dark pit.

The image faded as Carmilla began to laugh and looked again to see Damien, Bleu and Soma heading toward the next area. "As for you three, you shall be next on the list."

~*~

***The Arena***

As Soma and the others stepped in the Arena, arrows hit the ground as they moved out of the way; seeing skeleton archers and dead gladiators surrounding them.

Each of them had red or green armors and helmets as each had bows while a few had swords, glaring at the intruders. "This is....so not good." Said Damien when he heard a yelp from behind; one of the skeletons captured his elf with a sack as she struggled to break free. "Let her go, skull face!" He was about to attack with his sword, until he was jumped by five skeletions as he tried to knock them off. "Shit! There's just too many!" Exclaimed Soma who was now on his back glaring at each of the dead. For light looking sketetons, they sure had a strong hold on both boys.

"Damn! We really are in a tight spot!"

A green skin creature walked in a room as he stopped and bowed his head. "Master, we captured the intruders, just as you requested." Said the ronyan as the being he bowed to turned toward him. He was a full muscle gray skin being with brown leather armor, red cape and boots as a skull shape pendant hunged around his neck. He had short, but spiked blonde hair while his red eyes gleamed as he said. "Good, bring them in!" He ordered as his minion bowed his head again and exited out of the room where he motions his men to enter as the sounds of curse words, boots hitting the pavement and struggling increases. Both boys were brought in, hands tied behind their backs while struggling to break free as one of the dead soldiers held a glass case with the elf inside who looked at her master and Soma, worried what will happen to the three of them.

As both boys stop struggling, they look up to see the head leader walking toward them. Soma and Damien glared at the creature who was quiet for a moment, until he spoke, "So you are the ones who entered to the castle I presume."

"Yeah, and you be...?!" Exclaimed Damien.

"I am Serge, the daemon of the Arena. I was chosen by my mistress to gaurd this place from intruders, like you!"

"We came here to stop this mistress of yours from resurrecting the Count and getting out of this castle!" Exclaimed Soma. But Serge only smirked. "Heh, we'll see about that." He turns away from him as Damien struggled, still glaring at the daemon. "Why you bastard!"

"Lock these intruders in the dungeon until I figure out what to do with them. As for the fairy, take her to the small chambers and keep her there until it's time to feed the Vipra."

"Yes sir."

As he left, two ogres knocked Soma and Damien out cold with a club from behind, as both went limp and hunged by their shoulders. Bleu sat on the glass bottom part, watching Damien and Soma being taken to the dungeon.

~*~

The elf looked at her surroundings as torches flickered like fireflies and heads of victims impaled by wooden stakes, eyes opened in terror just as they were before losing their bodies from the blade. It wasn't long before the creature who had Bleu's glass case placed her inside the isolated chambers and without another word, locked the door infront of her. She sighed, but made a slight smile. The elf began to shake her glass prison back and forth until it managed to fall on the floor with a crash.

She stood stiff, incase someone heard the noise, but to her surprise, there were no sign of any footsteps coming toward the chambers. Bleu flew toward the latch and with all her might, she managed to open the little peek door as she looked around if the close was clear. "Good, now I can go find Master and Soma." Said Bleu as she flew to her right and head toward the dungeon.

~*~

"Uhn...*hisses* Shit, what the hell happened? I feel like my head's been bashed in by a sledge hammer. Soma?" Asked Damien who placed a hand on his head as Soma slowly awoke. "..Where are we??" Asked Soma.

"Well it ain't shelter, if thats what you're asking. That Serge guy locked us up and worst of all, he's got Bleu." Said Damien, recalling his elf familar who was kept in a glass case before he and Soma were knocked out. As the american youth got up, he helped his partner up from the ground and spoked, "Damn, what are we gonna do now?!" Exclaimed Damien as he punches one of the bars but nurses the numb afterwards. "I don't think that was nessecary, Damien." Said Soma.

"........."

"There's no need to worry, you two. Bleu to the rescue!" Exclaimed a familier voice as Damien looked up in surprisement, to see the elf hovering infront of the cell as she smiled.

"Bleu, how did you escape?"

"The cage was made out of glass and well, I had to shake it until I freed myself. I'm glad you two are all right."

"Excellent, can you get the keys over there?" He asked. Bleu nodded her head as she flew toward the spot where the keys were hunged. She got ahold of the ring, but struggled to hold onto them without making a noise. "...If I had wings...I would have an extra boost...ACK!"

"Hold on! Come Imp!" The albino managed to outstretch his arm through the bars and a blue demi creature with a pitch fork appeared as he spoked. "What can I do for you, Master?"

"Help Bleu with the keys."

"Yes, master."

Imp flew toward the elf as both managed to bring the keys toward the cell. Soma takes them and unlocked the door; freeing them both. "Now that we have escape, let's find a way out of here."

"Not yet. Those creatures got ahold of our weapons and tooked them to one of the chambers."

"Crap! We got to find them!"

"Yes. Let's go!"

Soma opened the door slightly as he looks around outside, seeing if any of those creatures weren't around as he then closes the door slightly before turning to Damien. "Well?" Asked the american.

"The coast is clear, c'mon!" He whispered as they exited the dungeon and ran to their right, where they found a long stairway leading up. Their footsteps hit the solid steps as they reach the doorway and Soma opens it, looking out if anyone was near and motioned the others to follow. Torches flickered as Soma and the gang continued straight in their path until they stop behind a wall and the albino peeped out to see what lied before them. To his relief, there was a wooden door across them and another path leading both left and right. The elf was alarmed as she closed her eyes for a moment as Damien became puzzled. "Bleu?? What is it?"

"........I sensed the Claimh Solias' and the Soul Reaper's power. They're in the that room!"

"Let's go!"

Without hesistation, both Soma, Damien and Bleu moved quickly to the door where the spaniard found it open and all went in. The elf's sources were correct. The Claimh Solias and Soul Reaper were on a black stoned table, glowing, as they sensed their wielders' auras entering the small chamber. Both Soma and Damien picked them up as the glowing stopped.

".......---"

"HALT!!!"

One of Serge's men spotted them as he was about to shout, when Soma uses the Flame Demon's attack and burned the him to crisp. Without hesistation, the trio went out of the chamber and toward their right, entered the next area until they encountered more skeletons. But before they were about to attack, Soma and Damien did a double attack using the lightening doll's soul which shocked the skinless warriors. About three cart load of bones were now piled and mixed ontop of eachother as Soma and the others jumped over them and proceeded to the next path.

Meanwhile, inside his lair, Serge looked down at the escaping captives, when one of his men appeared and bowed. "My leige, the prisoners have escaped......apparently, they managed to get through the dead gladatiors and knights."

"I can see that."

"Shall we go after them?"

"I have a better idea." Said Serge, as he turned to his soldier. "I have a feeling they'll end up in a specific place..."

They continued running until a Skull Millone appeared and almost struck Soma's arm with his poison claw. Damien uses the spear at the creature, only to see it got stucked through his skin as the demon jabbed a punch at the boy who moved out of the way before throwing an ax which went through its head as the demon fell on the ground and desinagrated. They found a path leading up as they jumped to the top and found big doors which probably leading to the enemy. Both boys opened the door as they entered an extraordinary, but strange area: The place was wide and had many stands like a staduim, including one that was for a ruler to sit. The steps before them led to a ivory and concrete ring which haven't been used for nearly a century. Paintings of Gladiators looked down at them as they held spears and wore tiaras while their bodies had armor with a strange symbol in the center. The spaniard knew exactly what this place was, as the more confused Damien was amazed by the area.

"Oooh.." Said Bleu.

"Why would a Coliseum be doing in a castle like this??"

"Because the Count himself loves to see many fight to the death, however, it's more likely he enjoys seeing them punished by feeding them to his monsters!" Said a low voice as the being appeared out of the shadows, just before light blinded the trio and sounds of a crowd echoed. The light dimmed away, as Soma and the others looked up to see Serge sitting on the ruler's seat looking back at them while crowds of goblins, skeletons, & demons surrounded the Colisuem. Serges made a smirk as he rosed from his seat and said outloud, "Let the battles begin!"

Shouts, growls and cries made a huge uproar, as the ablino and the others were still looking around them, before Damien and Bleu were pushed out of the ring, looking back to see Soma in shock as they were. "What the hell?! SOMA!" He ran toward the ring, only to be strucked by a barrier and fell back. "Uhn..."

"Master!"

"What's the meaning of this, Serge?!" Shouted Soma. The daemon smirked as he replied sharply, "Only one shall fight a match, without any assistance from his partner and either he loses or succeeds, it will be the second fighter's turn to fight!"

There was a hiss as the gate rosed up and Soma didn't move at all, holding his Claimh Solias as he looked into the eyes before him. Everyone, including Damien and Bleu watched as the creature appeared from the shadows, tail rattling and venom drips from its fangs. "Soma Cruz, Your first opponent is the man-eating Vipra!"

Roars from the crowd erupted as Soma remained where he was. "What's he doing??" Asked Bleu. Damien didn't say anything but watches as the creature moved toward the spaniard. The snake humaniod was female, but was the size of a long hose as she stood up. Her body was green and scaley, while her long raven hair moved slightly as red eyes gleamed at the boy who still didn't moved.

The Vipra screeched and lunged at Soma who did a backdash before he shot an arrow which didn't even pierce her skin as it fell before his feet. He was surprised by the result before the creature swung its tail at Soma who was pushed out of the ring toward a blood stained spiked wall. Quickly, the spaniard changes to his bat form and stops just in time before his wings got caught by the spikes as he hovered in the air, then flies toward the Vipra. She summons a few snakes that lunged at the bat, only before it changes back to human form in midair, as Soma attacks with quick slashes and their remains fell on the ground before desinagrating into flames.

Suddenly, Damien spotted the Vipra who stood up behind his friend. "Soma! Look out!" But as Soma was about to turn, the snake woman bites his left shoulder and held him tightly with her hands. "Soma!!" The albino cried out in pain as the Vipra sanked her teeth even deeper, allowing her vemon to flow within the boy's body.

Struggling, Soma managed to break free from her clutches by changing into a bat and flew with one wing in tact. [Damn it, if I had known that much sooner, I would have summoned the Poison Worm or Zombie to protect me from the venom..I must-] He was cuttoff by the Vipra as she captures him in her mouth, before swallowing him in one gulp.

The crowd was going wild as Serge smirked before laughing while Damien and Bleu watched in horrer. The american shuddered as he couldn't believe it was over. "Soma...."

"*Gasps*....."

Then the daemon looked at Damien who looked up at him, giving the eye of death and revenge to Serge who said, "Now it's your turn, boy!"

Just then, the Vipra began to act strange, her stomach began to move around until something white shot out like a cannon and she cried out in pain before she began to glow, then BOOM! everything went white. Damien shield his eyes from the blinded light as his elf took cover underneath his ponytail and everyone who watched did the same. The light soon faded as everyone, including Serge and Damien were able to look now at the scene. To their surprise, bits of snake skin and parts pour down like rain as Bleu was rather digusted by it. "Eww, you know, an umbrella would come in handy for a situation like this..."

There was a small silence until questions like, "What happened?" or "So who the hell win, was it a tie?" began flowing through the audience as Damien and Bleu tried to sense Soma's presence. The albino was nowhere to be seen. Then, from a distance, the spaniard was spotted walking toward the end of the ring with one hand on his wounded shoulder and the Claimh Solias in his left hand which surprisely had no blood or dents as if it was hardly used. The barrier broke as the Vipra's remains turn to flames that dissappeared and what was left, was her outline that was blown off by an odd breeze. Soma fell to his knees as he drops his sword next to him when Damien ran toward the albino. "Soma!"

"It's alright, Damien...I'll be fine, the poison will wear off from my body in a few seconds...I'm just glad I got out of her before I was digested." He said. Damien made a slight smile as he did a playful punch on Soma's good shoulder. "You nucklehead."

"Ah, let me guess: was that an insult or a complement?" He asked as he made a slight smirk. "I would say both.." Said Damien as he was rewarded with a glare by Soma who then winced in pain as the american held his shoulders still. "You may be invincible, but still...it's best you don't make that wound worse. I'll have Bleu to--"

"Damien, I have Alura Une and Gaint Worm to use, no need to worry about me. You must be ready to fight the next opponent."

".......Yeah, but don't go dying on me, kay?"

"Heh relax, I'll live longer...be careful." Said Soma, as he watches Damien go up to the ring then awaits for the call. Above, Serge looked right at the wounded spaniard and the american youth standing in the ring as he began to muse. 'How could he have defeated the Vipra while he was eaten..? This is impossible, yet..strange. His powers felt so familier. In that case, I'll keep a close eye on this other human.' "Damien Chambers! Since the Vipra have been defeated by your partner, you will be facing the next opponent! Your next opponent is the demon, Threnody!"

Once again, roars of excitement covered the Colisuem as sudden flashes appeared before Damien eyes, as it lands on the ground. A being stood infront of him as Damien looked into his golden depths. He had the face of an elfin's, his ears were slightly pointed and his body was covered by gold armor while the long tail hunged from the back. (it's almost similer to Leon's outfit.) The gold hand gaunlets had nails that were sharp and deadly as his long silver hair stood motionless. Gold eyes flashed through Colbalt as both fighters looked face to face. The demon was the first to break the silence as he spoke, "Damien Chambers, is it not?"

"What's it to you?"

"It has been awhile since I faced a human and maybe this time, this should be an interesting match." He said. Damien was quiet for the moment until he spoked. "I take it you're the type who'd fight anyone, including humans whether they're strong or weak."

"Now let's begin, or do you want to leave the ring to give your last word?"

"Sorry, not gonna happen. Ready as you are."

"I like your style, boy." Said Threnody before both fighters leaped at eachother and in a flash, lands on different spots. The crowd were growing impatient by the two as they didn't make a move but knelt for a minute. Suddenly, the black band that held Damien's ponytail, came loose as his brown hair fell on his back like silk, while a small cut appeared on his left cheek. The youth touched the small wound as he looks at the blood on his palm, there wasn't a hint whether he was shocked or afraid.

Where Threnody stood, a cut apppeared on his right cheek as he found a small drop of his blood before his feet. "Hmm...'I sensed something from within him very strong and even when we clashed, half of that power nearly killed me.' He turned around to see Damien getting up and discovered a small cut on his left cheek and his loose hair as Damien uses the Lightening Doll soul at the demon, only to see Threnody shield himself with a wall of fire, missing the attack. "Impressive, Damien....But not impressive enough!" Said Threnody as he summons a horde of deadly crystral shards, which went quickly toward the boy who takes out his sword and cut through an open space infront of him as a black hole formed and all the shards were sucked in. '........?!'

The crowd watched as the black hole with the captured shards vanished and seeing Damien looking at his sword. 'Where did that come from?? It's almost like Dhalsim's soul...but how could I possess it, if he was killed by that cloaked guy!"

'There it is again, I sensed it. That boy's definitly not human...' He glances at the young american for quite sometime. 'However, by the looks of his expression, the boy is surprised himself. Seems to be new to his power...'

Outside the ring, the halfly recovered Soma sat against the wall, watching the whole thing as he was surprised by this new attack of his friend's. 'Something is very odd here. I never seen Damien used that attack before, unless...the blade has developed some new tricks on its own...'

'Master...' Thought Bleu as she watches her master remained motionless. From above, Serge glares at Threnody for wasting time than finishing the human as he too was shocked by this. 'Finish him off now,Threnody..!!'

"I'm not exactly sure how this happened, but all I know is, it's time to end this!" Said the demon as he leaped again and summons an Ice Dragon Spirit which shot a strong ice breath from its mouth as Damien looked up before the ice fog covered him. It lifted and what appeared infront of everyone was a frozen Damien trapped inside a huge ice block. Without stopping, Threnody summons a gray orb which went toward the block and light filled the room. It faded as everyone opened their eyes and what they found astounded them. The blast that Threnody used, shattered the frozen american into pieces.

"No!" Cried Bleu, who covered her eyes while shedding tears. Soma shooked in fury and sorrow as he saw his friend's remains. "...Damien....Noooooo!"

Another riot appeared from the crowd as Serge himself was enjoying this. "Ha,ha,ha..! Well done, Threnody! You have took care of one nuisance, now you have to take care of that one over there!"

"Hmm.." The demon glanced at the remains which suddenly glowed and began to combine together. Instantly, a light stood hovering as a heartbeat was heard from inside. Everyone, including Soma, Serge and Bleu watched as the light vanished and in its place, was Damien Chambers, with locks covering his eyes. "......"

"What's this?!" Demanded Serge.

"Damien....??" 'Something is very unsual with Damien, I felt his power increased!'

There was a silence until the american looked at Threnody with one red eye while the other was covered by his locks as he held his sword. He definitly looked different. His loose back length hair grew slightly as it covered his ears while his fingernails were sharper as a cat's and the purple aura that formed his outline began to glow greatly. "So, you have brought out your full power to resurrect the inner soul you possessed. I surmised that you wouldn't die that easy..."

"Shut up! We came here to battle, not to talk about any of this crap, are you ready?!" Demanded the american whose voice developed a low and venomous tone which surprised the others. The demon too, was surprised, but summons the Balmung and held his stance. "Very well, let's begin..."

Both enemies face to face....The battle is far from over until one claims to be the victor.

To Be Continued......

AN: Another chapter has withdraw from completion of the whole sitaution. Ah well, at least you gotten another hint this time, from the end. Now the question is: Could this odd transformation be connected to the Being whom Dhalsim almost mentioned? If so, has Damien lost control of it?? You'll have to wait and see until the next installment of this chapter continues... In th meantime...well, finishing up anything I have to do. BTW, Balmung is a sword found in the Arena in Aria of Sorrow. A legendary sword of the Dragon Slayers. Sayonara. Please Review.