Disclaimer: I did not, do not, nor never will own Vampire Hunter D or its affiliates or anything of the kind. I repeat it is not mine. I am poor and work at a grocery store so if some big company wants to sue me they won't get much. So please do not sue me. I am just expressing how much I like the character and the stories by writing my own little piece of fanfiction.
Gah! I don't know what to write. I'm so uninspired! Whaaa! I'm just sitting here staring at the disclaimer statement, and it's not helping. So now I am just typing randomly because I can't think of how to start this stupid chapter! Gah! It's so frustrating! But that's not the only reason this chapter is late. I had exams and end of the year papers to do. Plus my computer CRASHED twice! TWICE!! Found out it was the hardrive. I had to replace it. Then I had to load everything from Windows to Ms. PacMan back on my computer. YES! I play Ms. PacMan! It's a great game everyone should play it. Then of course there is my other obsession, which is the best game ever, WARCRAFT. Mwhahahaha. I had been playing warcraft III, and when my computer crashed I lost all of my progress. Whaa! So I have been playing that trying to get back to where I was. Then my roommate, who usually fusses at me for not writing my story, made me read a Harry Potter fanfiction that she thought was good. It turned out to be hilarious, so I put off writing for a bit longer. Hee hee. Ok, I have been ranting for quite a bit and I still don't know what to write! *Sigh* I will figure it out eventually.
Reviewer Response: Hope I didn't leave anyone out.
Kitala – Sorry about the slow update. I think I've seen the movie, but I will see if I can't find that book sometime. Thanks for the suggestion.
Ashley Sinstar - *Ducks* You scan daily, hehe. Sorry it took so long. Thanks for the awesome review, it meant a lot to me.
Silverwolf – Well here's another long chapter for ya. Thanks for the review. Hope you like this installment.
Guineverekoopa – Don't worry you weren't the only one who didn't see the Veshic thing coming.
A-E-W – Nice to 'see you' again. So glad you liked the last chapter. Hope this one lives up to par. If you want to draw more pics, I'd love to see them : )
Lee – The scene with D and Linda was a bit of a stretch I admit, but I tried to make it so even D knew he was doing things out of the norm hehe. I hope you will like the battle between D and Veshic.
Dark Knight Librarian - *sniff sniff* I'm touched. You really think it's that good. Hope you like this installment just as much. As for D and Linda well I don't think I will do anything romantic. I find D hard to write as a romantic lead, but I have plans for Linda. *evil grin*
Durine – Thanks for the review. Hope you still like the story.
Tina – Sorry it took so long for an update. Hope your still reading and enjoying the story.
Vampire hunter v. – Addicted Wow. Is it that good? Thanks for reviewing.
Emiri-chan – Haha sometimes I need someone to hold me at katana-point. "My roommate says you're the coolest reviewer ;-)" Hope you enjoy the fight scene. I tried to make it good. Glad you liked the D and Linda scene. I wanted to show D in a softer light. I'll try and refrain form any really bad cliffhangers. *evil grin*
Kat – Yeah, the first chapters are bad about grammar. I'm trying to re-edit them. Hopefully the last few have been better.
RJ – Thanks a lot. I thought the story needed a little humor to help break the tension.
SS/HG-GottaLoveEm – Why am I responding to you?! You live across the hall, in the same apt. Hell, you've already read this chapter. Hehehe You need to review though. Even though you already told me how great this chapter is! :-P
Zero-Celsius – Yeah I guess I left you hanging, didn't I. Extreme apologies for the long wait. I'm glad you like the story and thank your for the compliments.
Ria – I know it was an evil thing to do, but I couldn't resist. :-P Thanks for R&R
Wintersong – Thanks, I love it when I get critical feedback. Specially when it's positive ;-)
The Color of Night
*Where we left off:
["Shouldn't you be dead boy? I could have sworn you had already been dealt with, along with that human loving moron you called father," the vampire sneered. Clarra shot a confused look at D. What she saw did not bring her comfort. Pain and hate laced with something akin to fear.
"Shouldn't I be asking you that question?" D growled, "Veshic!"]
Chapter 11: Family Feud
A cold wind blew through the streets of the town of Citil. It rustled through the paper lanterns adorning the buildings, several of the flimsy items went sailing through the air. Ladies grabbed their skirts, so that they would not end up over their heads. The men clamped hands upon their hats and held their jackets closed. The possessed element whipped around two figures standing at opposite ends of a dance floor. The air between them became charged with an ancient force. The violent wind pulled at the hair and clothing of two, sending D's hair tie down some forgotten alley. The bewildered citizens got their first glimpse at pointed ears and the power of millennia of hate. Martha had pulled a stunned Linda off the dance floor, clutching her like a small child would a treasured doll. Linda continued to stare bewildered at what had earlier been her charming dance partner. The change was so sudden, that it was hard to believe the persona of the princely gentleman had ever existed. Clarra, ignoring the frightened Martha and Linda beside her, stepped cautiously towards D, her eyes going from one creature of the night to the other.
"D, what's going on? Do you know him?" Clarra's bewildered voice broke the tension. The newcomer to the evening laughed, while walking closer to the pair. Clarra felt the hunter stiffen at his approach. She opened her mouth to ask again, when the sound of feet clamoring downstairs distracted her. Mr. Borgish came running out of the town hall, followed by everyone still inside. The portly man huffed and puffed his way over to center of the crowd's attention.
"What, what's going on here? What's all the commotion about?" Mr. Borgish panted, "Who are you sir?" The pale eyed vampire turned his attention to the plump mayor smiling, pointed teeth gleaming. Before the vampire could speak, D stepped between him and the mayor.
"Leave them out of this," D's cold voice cut in. "The townspeople have nothing to do with this."
"Oh but my dear boy, they have everything to do with it. They have been aiding and abetting my runaway bride. For such crimes they will have to suffer, as will you" came the chilled reply. The vampire's eyes flashed a deadly crimson before he smiled again.
"D what is going on?"
"I could ask you the same thing Clarra. What the devil is going on?" croaked Mr. Borgish.
"I, well…" Clarra stammered looking at the surrounding people.
"Ah, so you didn't tell them, did you my dear?" the vampire mocked with fake sympathy. "How quaint."
"Veshic!" D growled warningly.
"D, why are you calling him Veshic? His name is Trevlin…isn't it?"
"I always was more partial to Veshic. It is much better than that human name my whore of a mother gave me. But after my return to the world of the living," he gave a snort, "I thought it would be best to keep a low profile. You see my dear boy you didn't kill me that day. Oh if you had only known, but then you were young and naïve to the ways of war. I bet that was the first time you had actually fought a real battle." Veshic laughed again upon seeing D's hateful glare. "Is that a blush? Oh don't feel so bad, you did wound me greatly. I spent two thousand years in hibernation and then an eternity simply rebuilding my power." Veshic stopped his mocking laughter. "You really disappointed me that day. I had hopes of you joining us, dear nephew."
Clarra whipped around to face the man she had let into her house, the man who had spent time with her child, and who was supposed to protect them. Her pale face swiveled to meet his gaze, but D did not look at her. His heated gaze was focused solely on the vampire.
"D…" her voice was quiet and strained, "what does he mean? You can't possibly be…I mean he's and you're…D?" D did not answer, and did not look at her. His mind was burning with questions. Most importantly, how was Veshic here?
"What the devil is going on? I'm the mayor here and I demand an explanation!" Veshic rolled his sickly colored eyes toward the mayor, while plastering his deranged grin back in place.
"You are quite the talkative one are you not? I believe you may be the first to go. You seem to be well fed, and like an over stuffed hog, you are well past your slaughtering time." Veshic's form blurred leaving a windswept image in his wake. As he settled behind the mayor, he ran a pale hand across the terrified official's neck. The light and delicate caress belied the deathly intent. "Yes, well past time," the cold voice was a whisper to a victimized ear, "and whoever heard of a celebration without a roast pig." D grabbed Veshic's wrist, yanking back the hand before talon like nails could rest on exposed flesh. The mayor's eyes shot open, as if awaking from a trance.
"I said leave them out of this," D snarled. His eyes were tinged blue at the edges, as he shoved the dark creature from the startled man. While stumbling away, Mr. Borgish clutched and groped his neck, as if to assure it was still there. His wide eyes and red face shifted from the two entities before him.
"M..monster," Borgish's voice came in a choked whisper, as if he had been strangled instead of merely touched. He backed away, not sure which of the men he meant.
"You should learn to respect your elders boy," Veshic returned D's snarl before resuming his nonchalant tone. "Didn't your father teach you any manners, or maybe he didn't have time to. Such a pity," scoffed a smirking Veshic, while cradling his wrist.
"My father had time to teach me enough Veshic. Including that you are nothing but a traitorous bastard, who should have stayed dead."
"Well maybe if he had taught you better, I would be," he paused to brush imaginary lint off his cloak. "Did you even pay attention when I killed him? Of course not, kids always get caught up in their own plights. Think back, my ignorant nephew, to that oh so fateful night. As much as I would like to say that your father's gruesome death was just that, gruesome, it did have its purpose. As much as I enjoyed decapitating old Vlad, it was a needed step in a series of three. Come, come do you really think someone that old and powerful could be simply done in by a stake in the heart?! You are more stupid than I thought, must be the human in you. You remind me of an old Romanian saying. 'Cãteaua de pripã îsi naste cãteii fãrã ochi.' The hasty Bitch brings forth blind whelps." Veshic sighed dramatically while circling around D; "To be sure that a vampire of such immense strength is killed one must sever the head, pierce the heart, and burn the remains. Surely you have come across, in all this time, a vampire who defied the death by stake trick. Perhaps even you, though, I doubt that. Your father may have been Dracula, but you are still nothing but a half-breed whelp."
Veshic once again stood in front of the fuming hunter and a bewildered Clarra. The onlookers, who had not already gone into shock, did so now at the mention of the dreaded vampire lord's name. D stood stiffly trying to keep calm. He knew Veshic was trying to rile him, and that it would do him no good to go on a rampage. Veshic was older, stronger, and more powerful. He may be a made vampire, but he was made by Dracula himself. The first one his father ever brought across. Veshic was cool and calculating. He had studied the art of battle since he was five, while being in custody of the Turks. He held loyalties only to himself and was perfectly vicious. Most dangerous of all was that he knew the most about vampires; next to Dracula. He knew every strength and weakness, and how to use them to his advantage. He was now the oldest creature of the night in existence, the Vampire King's own blood brother.
"D I don't understand. What's going on?" Clarra lightly touched the stiff hunter's arm, but her eyes never left the full blooded vampire before her. D glanced at her through the corner of his eyes briefly.
"Don't you get it yet you silly girl," the vampire sneered before turning to D. "I can see why you might take an interest, my dear nephew she is a pretty thing, unfortunately not very bright. Then again that's usually for the best; however, I don't see why you go through the trouble of protecting her." Veshic emphasized with a flick of the wrist in Clarra's general direction. "Must I spell it out for you, my dear? I guess so; obviously my slow witted nephew is not going to enlighten you. Oh and you delightful little peasants might want to listen as well," he paused gesturing to the crowd, "you might find the sordid details your trusted companions omitted to tell you, immensely interesting. It should entertain you for the next few minutes or until I kill you, which ever comes first." Veshic gave a wide pointed tooth grin, as his gaze turned to stare directly into D's furious eyes, whose growl was fully audible.
"This is between you and me, dear uncle," D stressed, "I will be happy to finish the job I started and kill you elsewhere."
"As I have said, boy, they are all involved. Now do show some manners and stop interrupting. To think you are supposed to be royalty. Really you are no better than a mutant servant, though, your blood is hardly any less tainted. Now as I was saying, my dear Clarra, the man you have placed so much trust in is, in fact, my nephew. My brother's only heir, and a worthless one at that," Veshic gave a sniff. "My brother allowed his first born son, his heir to the throne, to be tainted by human blood. I can see the usefulness of a half-breed, but as one's heir, truly unseemly. And yes, my naïve mortals, when I say heir to the throne I mean the prince of all vampires. Here in your very town you have the son of Dracula, the Vampire King."
A collective gasp went through those gathered. All eyes left the condescending speaker to stare as the son of children's nightmares and adults' dark fears.
"Of course he should be dead. I guess we underestimated each other that night, didn't we? Perhaps I was just too distracted by the elation of holding your father's severed head." Veshic moved closer to D and started to circle him like a wolf on the hunt. "After all it was a great achievement defeating my brother. I planned that night for so long," Veshic continued as he reached out to lift a lock of D's wavy hair. "For over two thousand years I waited for a weakness to present itself, a crack in the formidable exterior," Veshic said letting the hair slide through his fingers, "then it came. His downfall came in the most unexpected way, and I didn't have to do a thing. He fell in love with a human. Some slip of a girl who basked in the light of day." D stilled himself, not willing to give Veshic the satisfaction of twitching. The vampire continued to twirl the lock of hair and speak, as if he were having a polite conversation about the weather.
"I knew when it happened, D, when he became soft. His eyes lost the crimson color of bloodlust. He was more human than even before his turning. It was utterly disgusting, and yet all the more perfect for me. And then you came, a half-breed whelp, the weak link. I knew I could rally an army of Nobles behind me, solely on the idea that, you should not be allowed to inherit the throne. I could topple my human loving brother and bring the vampire race to the pinnacle of power. We would be able to embrace the true color of night, darkness." Veshic's grip tightened on D's hair, "then you had to ruin everything. Do you think your father was proud of you that night, or disappointed that you didn't complete the job, Kaziglu Bey?" Veshic yanked D's head back, as he sneered Dracula's endearment. D ripped himself away violently, leaving several strands of hair twined around Veshic's talons.
D growled something in a long dead language as his eyes blazed a burning blue. He could feel his fangs lengthen slightly. He was angry and no longer cared if Veshic wanted it that way or not. D burned with a fierce fury fueled by reawakened pains, reopened wounds, and old fears and regrets made fresh. The vampiric senses of the dark prince awoke with a vengeance. D could hear Milly's frantic heart beat as she raced back with his katana, but D could not wait for her. He summoned the sword by will alone. The bespelled blade answered the command, responding to the unearthly blood call of its master. It flew from the child's hands and into the awaiting hunter's. D ripped the blade from the scabbard, the latter flung to the ground behind him. The borrowed dress coat too, found a home in the dirt. D stood feet braced apart, the katana brought to bear in front of him. Although both pale hands clasped the hilt with a painful grip, D's face was masked with a deathly calm. The only thing giving way to his true emotion was the continued blazing blue hue of his eyes.
Veshic eyed the hunter with the same aristocratic boredom that had prevailed through most of his appearance. With the exception of a slight red glint to the otherwise yellowish eyes, one would think the vampire didn't even notice the obvious threat. Giving a slight huff, he proceeded to make a dramatic showing of straightening the lace protruding from his left cuff.
"Do you really think you can win my deluded nephew? I wonder how long you have suffered from such delusions of grandeur," Veshic paused turning his head slightly; "ah it seems my other objective has arrived. This certainly is turning out to be quite the family reunion.
"Mr. D, Mr. D! I had your sword but it went away…oh you have it," cried out the child as she ran toward the gathering.
"Milly!" Clarra grabbed up the child before she could get to close to the vampire. "Stay back Milly."
"So this is the child. Well the name is a little unsatisfactory, but that can be corrected, otherwise I am pleased that she took after the better half of her parentage. Now why don't we stop wasting time, Clarra. You and the child will come with me…"
"You stay away from my child you monster! We want nothing to do with you," Clarra shrieked.
"Mommy, who is that?" Milly trembled in her mother's grasp, afraid of the truth that her senses presented her with. Veshic laughed moving forward, but stopped at a menacing growl from the hunter. The pale eyes flashed red.
"The child is mine, D; surely you aren't stupid enough to come between me and mine." Veshic's frown slowly turned to a smile; however, his eyes remained as two red embers. "We shouldn't fight you and I, after all, we are all family here. Surely you have felt the pull of the blood that binds us." D glanced swiftly at Milly, realizing what his fascination with the child had been. The calls of blood bonds are strong among creatures of the night. He had been so far removed from close family, he had forgotten.
"You're one to talk uncle. You killed your own brother, my father. But if you want to abide by the laws of blood then as an elder member of the family it is my job to protect a fledgling like the girl, even if it means from you." D adjusted his stance so that Clarra and Milly were behind him. Leveling the katana at Veshic, D mimicked the vampire's sneer, "maybe you are just afraid you can't kill me without the twenty lackeys who helped you against my father."
Veshic snarled drawing forth a great broadsword from under his black cloak. The green satin lining reflected off the blade giving it an ethereal glow. A great emerald in the pommel caught the light to further the ire luminescence. Runes of power ran up the length of the ancient blade giving off an aura of dark magic. D could feel the air become heavy with the scent of death, while Milly cringed at the foreign sensation. Veshic held the sword to his lips, and ran his pointed tongue across the tainted metal, before pointing the cursed object toward the damphire.
"So be it my dear nephew."
In movements too fast for the human onlookers to see, the two dark creatures lunged at each other. Screams rang out, the clashing of steel cut through the air. Clarra and Milly were pushed back against the crowd by a spiraling blast of wind. Immense waves of energy rippled outward from the point of conflict. D and Veshic stood braced sword to sword, neither giving in. The hunter spun to the left letting up the pressure of his blade at the last moment, then brought it back around only to be parried. A dance of blows and blocks followed. The graceful movements of the vampiric entities hypnotized the crowd. D feinted forward bringing the katana up in a deadly arch slicing into the vampire's whirling cloak. Veshic jumped back lifting the torn edge.
"You seemed to have improved over the years. Perhaps I shall have to step it up a notch."
With that the elder combatant rushed forward. D brought up his sword to slice through the approaching vampire only to meet air. No, not air…fog! D whipped around expecting a blow from behind. He was met by more fog. The entire dance floor was covered with a foot of fog. D narrowed his eyes, the blue fire leaving them. He knew this move. He'd only successfully done it once, a very long time ago, under his father's tutelage. The key was to stay focused. There would be a quick gathering of energy when Veshic reformed. If he could just stretch his senses and find it…the strike came to quick! The fog rose and engulfed the startled hunter, as the edge of the blade slid through cloth and flesh. Veshic was gone, seemingly, before he was even there. D stumbled back clutching his right shoulder with his left hand. The symbiot stirred as its home was coated in blood. The red liquid seeped through the shirt and vest, leaving streaks down the sleeve. D could feel the gash start to heal. The pain of the flesh reknitting was worse than the initial wound.
"D!" the symbiot burbled out around a mouth full of blood. D paid the creature no mind, as he continued to try and focus on the swirling fog surrounding him. "D you're fighting like an ignorant mortal. You can't beat him like this. D! Are you listening to me?"
The creature's words were drowned out by the rushing whirling of the vaporous mist. The haze had completely consumed the hunter. D couldn't see anything beyond the white soup. He could feel Veshic's presence scattered and far off, nothing solid, nothing tangible. To the left! The mist swirled in on itself! Power gathering at its center! The fog rushed by him so quickly, D was left with a sense of vertigo. The dark blade came down in a powerful swing. This time D managed to block just in time. Veshic's blade glanced off the defending metal sending green sparks spraying up into the air. Falling back, D dropped the katana slightly. The force of the impact having reopened the still healing shoulder wound. Before he could right himself again the fog swirled around him to the front, then the possessed substance rushed forward. The motion was too fast, the fog to maneuverable. D was thrown back, over the assembled crowd, body crashing into the side of the town hall! He fell to the ground in a shower of broken brick and plaster. The katana landed blade first into the dirt two feet away from skewering the blubbering mayor. The fog pulled together becoming the solid form of Veshic. The crowd parted as the vampire moved towards the fallen hunter. D groaned while pushing himself up with his left hand. He sat on his knees clutching his shoulder, his eyes surveying the situation. Veshic was now between him and his sword.
"D," the symbiot hissed in a low voice, "you can't win like this! He's to powerful. Give in to it, it's the only way. Fight him like a Noble! Swordplay and human tactics aren't enough, not this time."
Somewhere in the back of his mind D knew the creature was right. Veshic was a true Noble with a power the world had not seen since the fall of Dracula. With a few rare occasions, it had been many a millennia since D had fought what he would have considered a true Noble. Most of the vampires still in existence could be handled by humans. The bloodlines where thin, the power even more so. The ancient and powerful ancestors were long forgotten. But what the symbiot was suggesting…NO! He couldn't possibly. To give in to that extent… he had never, never dug that deep into his darker half! To release his birth right, his father's power, the power of The King of The Night, the power of Dracula that flowed in his blood; he just couldn't. What if he couldn't control it?
Veshic continued his easy stride over to D. A chuckle rumbled in his chest, as he viewed the delightful scene in front him. Dracula's son kneeling before him wounded and unarmed. He would soon crush every last trace of his departed brother. Then there would be no one who could possibly stand against him. With the vampire community weakened, Veshic would be free to take over. The Noble class would be reborn in his image. The laws of Dracula erased, and the entire world would cower at his feet!
"You're pathetic. Vlad Dracula Jr. indeed," sneered Veshic. The dark vampire gave a snorting laugh, as he raised his right hand with the palm up, fingers spread wide. The air around the pale appendage grew hot and thundered like the center of a storm. Misty clouds swirled around the outstretched arm, while lightening like bolts of energy shot towards the hand. Veshic curled the tips of his fingers inward, deadly claws bared. Mere inches from the smooth flesh a wavering dark orb appeared. The object's surface was molten and erupting with bursts of greenish light.
D strained to move. Move before Veshic released the ball of energy. His knees stayed planted in the dirt. His legs would not stand. His hands had not the strength to push him up! His body was weighed down by an impossible gravity. The air around him was heavy and oppressive. It felt as if a blanket of lead were over him.
Veshic continued to press his power down upon the hunter. Willing the halfling to stay put until his finishing attack was ready. D looked up and the vampire could see the dawning realization in his nephew's eyes. The pale blue pools wide and indignant, full of rage at his uncle and the very real fear that came upon him. So much like his brother's eyes, would they too turn a lifeless grey? Veshic paused but a second, but it felt like an eternity as he locked eyes with the younger version of his brother. The vampire's face became an impassive mask, as the dark orb gave a shudder seeming to absorb all light around it. With a flick of the wrist the spell blasted toward the immobile half-breed!
D saw the attack hurdling at him. His eyes widened in horror. A scream tore from his throat, as the force of the oncoming blast knocked him into the wall! Then everything seemed to slow. His body, suspended on the wall, was falling slowly as the crackling ball continued forward. The burning orb was all consuming, spinning towards him, blinding his vision, drawing him in to its endless depths. He was held captive in an immobile silence by the strange light. D could feel his brain numbing, control slipping, reason leaving, and his darker instincts taking over. He fought the haze in his brain. He had to stay in control. There were too many people here to risk. He had stay in control. He must keep his mentality conscious, and not give into the bloodlust. Control, he must stay in control! The black orb was upon him, engulfing him in an imprisoning sphere. Pain, excruciating pain shot through every nerve ending! Green bolts of energy tore into him from all sides illuminating his dark prison. Flesh was split open, the wounds seared shut by seemingly read hot pokers and their hellish heat. His gums ripped open as long fangs shot to full length. D could feel the burning itch as his eyes turned red, the madness of bloodlust descending. He was falling in the darkness grasping for something to hold onto.
"D!" Milly and Clarra screamed simultaneously. The strange ball suddenly expanded, encasing the hunter within its crackling depths.
D heard the scream, his name, something from outside the darkness. He held onto the sound with a vengeance. Like a drowning man clutching a life line. People he had to protect. People he wanted to protect. All from a creature who he hated, who killed his father, who stole his life. D let out a roar. His own power pushed against the dark energy around him, sending it shattering! The broken spell whipped through the crowd like a hurricane, then rained down in a shower of black glitter.
D could feel his heartbeat slowing. Every sense was alert. He could hear the pumping of the blood in everyone's veins and smell its rich scent, but he did not thirst. He was in control, complete and utter control. A level of control he had never before had. He felt no temptation, no lust for blood, or craving for carnage; just power. Unbelievable, endless, eternal power coursed through his veins. It was like feeling and sensing everything at once, from the heartbeat of a flea to the movement of the earth itself. Veshic seemed so far away and insignificant. An overwhelming sense of calm and completion descended upon the dark prince, as the power spread throughout him.
The vampire stood stock still, shocked into silence. He wasn't sure what had happened. How had his spell been blocked? Only one had ever escaped that attack, but that one was long gone. Now the bastard's son had managed to avoid death. A bloody half-breed whelp had defied his power! Now the halfling stood tranquilly before him, but something was different. Veshic watched almost puzzled, as D continued to stand there with his eyes closed. Then he felt it. Air caught in his tightened throat. He couldn't breathe! This wasn't happening! He was not seeing this! D's power level continued to rise. His long dark hair floated up and around the pale serene face. His clothing tugged upward, as if he was standing on steam vent. A dark blue cloudy mist spiraled up around him. His eyes slitted open and intense blue light spilled from the cracks. His skin took on a bluish tint as it sunk to an even paler palette. Veshic could see the tips of porcelain fangs on the whitish bottom lip. An ancient powerful force assaulted his senses.
"Dra…cula…," whispered a stunned Veshic.
The citizens of the town of Citil stared transfixed at the transformation. If they hadn't already been afraid of D, they were now. The strange force that encompassed the man pressed down upon the very souls of the gathered mortals. Milly and Clarra, though remaining unafraid of D, found themselves cringing at the power radiating off the strange creature who had taken the place of the unassuming hunter. Veshic, and possibly the symbiot, were alone in comprehension of the events taking place. The vampire could feel the beginnings of fear creeping up his spine. He fought the feeling down. He would not loose. Not to a half-breed whelp!
D's eyes snapped open, blue light piercing the dark night. The spiraling dark mist flew outward in one massive gust. D was fully focused on the vampire before him. No other thoughts matter now. His only objective: to kill the traitor who brought down the house of Dracula. He stepped forward slowly. With an almost sauntering gate, he walked toward Veshic. His father's sword raised itself from its earthly prison and flew to hover before D. A clawed hand fell upon the hilt, long pale fingers deftly curling in an easy grip. Veshic tightened his hold on his own sword watching the movement with anticipation. D stopped a few yards from his objective.
"Visitors from the past shall return to hell," the declaration was calm and D's voice flat.
"Come at me then halfling. Lets see if you truly are your father's son," came the firm reply.
Veshic barley saw the move, as D sprang forth. The vampire brought his sword up blocking the offending blade centimeters from his face. D quickly countered over and over again barely giving the older combatant time to breathe. The hunter's attacks progressively getting faster as Veshic struggled to keep up. The vampire fought back as fast as he could, but he was completely on the defensive end. D's image began to faze in and out as the pace increased. Veshic growled in frustration in between pants, while D smirked. The prince's movements were fluid and unforced. He could have been dancing a ballet, while Veshic chopped at his after image. Suddenly, without warning, D rushed into the vampire! The hunter's form split in half as he whipped around the obstructing form. The disoriented vampire was swept up in a whirl wind of motion. Losing his footing on the ground, Veshic found himself toppling over and over in the center of a black tornado. Limbs flailing everywhere, while hundreds of tiny blades slashed into his skin. Dark crimson escaped its fleshy prison to circle in the spinning air. As quick as it had begun the cyclone stopped, dropping a struggling and confused Veshic in the dust. He jerked to his feet. Left, right, behind… nothing, no where. Veshic stood panting with rivulets of blood running from thin lacerations. He winced as a cut under his eye closed over. D was no where in sight.
"Eeep."
Spinning around expecting an attack from behind, Veshic saw nothing, but became aware of a slight weight upon his sword. Veshic glance down, then fully at the end of the blade. There sat a small black bat. He gapped at the apparition, and then a rustling sound caught his attention. The rustling of… wings?! Looking up, the vampire, found himself surrounded by hundreds of bats sitting on the wire that once held party lanterns. Simultaneously the winged creatures flew up. The billowing black cloud moved with a hypnotizing grace, which was faster than any bird of prey. Veshic stood transfixed as the writhing, undulating vision came swooping from the sky. He threw up his arms over his face, as the beasts rushed by him! D reformed on the other side in a choppy mix of bats and man. Veshic twisted around bringing his sword up in opposition, but the countering blade pulled back, fazing out and then reappeared as it stuck solid flesh. D was fully solid as his katana slid home in the sheath of tissue! Veshic's mouth was opening and closing like a fish, as he gawked at the object protruding from his chest.
"Boy…" D's face was set in stone. Veshic gagged and gulped trying to continue. "It seems you have me at a disadvantage," pausing to gasp Veshic went on, "I underestimated you. Perhaps we can strike a deal. Work together… anything you want D. The world will be ours. I can help you. Put you on the throne you deserve, my dear nephew," Veshic coughed out. Blood began to trickle from the corner of his mouth. D's face was impassive. The hunter gripped the hilt tighter preparing for the final strike.
"D wait! Anything, everything, just name it." D brought his face close, nose to nose. His burning blue eyes bored into Veshic's, his breath coasting over the pale face. D's voice came through clenched teeth.
"My father."
D wrench his sword up through Veshic's body, then twisted the blade violently. D stood back as Veshic's body fell to its knees. The sickly green eyes flared red briefly before losing all sign of life. The mouth gapped and fell open. Blood spilled over the lips, running down the chin to mix with the same leaking from the neck. The head started to slip to the left. A gush of crimson liquid bubbled up spilling onto the ground. The head landed with a splash in the pooling substance. D was a motionless statue watching the crumbling vampire. He flicked his wrist sharply upward and the body lit in blaze of flame. A sudden wind picked up the ash carrying it away to places unknown. D stared at it a long moment. The tension began to seep out of him. He could feel his grasp on the immense power begin to fade.
Everyone was still and silent. The people openly gaping were brought out of their trance as the pale hunter collapsed! The katana clattered to the ground. D, on his hands and knees panting, tried to fight the wave of nausea and dizziness. The power he held earlier drained away leaving him cold and exhausted. Fangs retracted in painful slowness, and eyes dimmed to their natural color. A curtain of dark hair covered his face from view. He could barely hear the crowd as it began to stir. A deep hibernating sleep threatened to overcome him, but he needed to get up. The people were still here. The town saw everything. He might not be safe. It might not be safe to sleep, but he was just so tired.
End chapter 11
Ok there we go. Another chapter done. YAY!!!!! Big thanks to my roommate, Leigh, who told me to 'go right your story, or your grounded' and acted as a sound board. Hope everyone likes this chapter. Fight scenes are hard to write, but I think it turned out better than I thought it would. Anyway there is still more to come, and I will try my best to update sooner. Now review please. You know you want to. ; )
Starmaster