+Shadow of the Night+ Meeting with fellow hunters+
The flight had been long, but the plane finally arrived.
It was a jet-black machine, Alex's private plane.
Menardi and Saturos left it first. Saturos was never good at flying. Alex and Dodonpa followed, and the four went to the nearest bar.
"So tell me, when are we supposed to meet them?" Dodonpa asked.
"They should be here in a matter of minutes. Remember that it is important to be polite during the briefing. We don't want any trouble with the local hunters. Be careful with what you say, otherwise they would get cocky. Then they would probably alert Isaac, by patrolling extra. They haven't fought a Higher Vampire in nearly 200 years."
At that point, two people entered the cafe. The first one, a girl, had red, semi-long hair. The other one's was green. This one was male.
They moved to the group. "I suppose you four are Alex, Dodonpa, Menardi and Saturos?" The big man asked. But before he could introduce himself, the red- head rushed to Menardi.
"Menardi, long time no see. How are you?"
"Karst, lovely to see you. I didn't knew you had made it in?"
Alex looked at the two hugging woman. "I take it you two know each other."
Menardi released the girl and turned to her fellow companions. "I apologize, Alex. Everybody, this is my sister, Karst. And then this big guy must be..."
"Agatio." The strong man finished. "And we are some of the Hunters in America. We're here to pick you up and bring you to HQ." Agatio turned and walked out of the bar. Karst nodded to follow, and the four Austrian Hunters left their table, money by their empty glasses.
"Hey, what about a tip!"
The six turned. The waiter stood by their table, counting the dollars. "What tip, service wasn't that good." Dodonpa countered, but Karst hold him back. "In America, the pay for these waiters isn't included in the bill, as it is in Europe. We usually pay at least 6 percent tip, for the service."
"Well that is just weird. But okay." Alex pulled a bit out of his wallet and gave it to the man. "Here, take it."
The man in white and black was in a bad mood, it was obvious. "Well, a little bit nicer wouldn't hurt. You dumb German."
Now, there are some things you just shouldn't say to Alex. He was a patriot in hart and soul. Germany wasn't bad, Germany was good, but Austria was in Alex's opinion the best. He grabbed the man by his collar and threw him on the table. It's legs fell under it and the man fell on the floor.
"I am from Austria. You would do better to remember that." He kicked the man once more, and left the bar, ignoring the stares he got from the other people in the café.
"Is he always like that?" Karst asked her sister.
"Oh, yes. When it is about Austria, he is. Don't know why."
Saturos walked next to her. "I do. They say he gets it from his father. That man always was a patriot himself, and he was killed by a vampire. But his last words where, and I quote; It was worth it, Alex. It was for Austria."
Karst looked at them, her eyebrows peaked. "You Europeans are oddballs."
"And what about you, Karst. If I am not mistaken, you are Menardi's sister. Are you not European?"
Menardi's face fell, and so did Karst's. "We...we where separated in the adoption agency. Karst was only 4. She was sent to America, and we only made contact about 5 years ago."
They walked down the parking lot. A limousine was waiting for them. As soon as the driver noticed them, he came out of the long car and opened the door.
"I have to admit it, you Americans know how to make a guest feel welcome. That is at least one thing." Alex said, forgetting his earlier fight.
"Don't start it, Alex. You know we should try to work together, if we want to defeat Isaac." Dodonpa couldn't let Alex ruin it already. It was him after all that told them to be polite.
They where seated in the leather chairs. Agatio faced Dodonpa. "You seem to be most interested in capturing this Isaac. How is it, that a group of four hunters come to here, just for one Vampire?"
"You have no idea. Have you ever heard of a 'Higher Vampire'?" Agatio nodded. His partner moved herself and was now sitting next to the green- haired man. She looked very interested. "The Higher Vampires are somewhat the Elite of the entire bunch. They are a race apart, as they can only become one by another. Also, instead of just making a whole lot at the same time, these ones are limited by rules created by their 'council'. They are the ones who rule the entire community."
Karst snorted. "Community? Them? They are just some mad creatures, they have no rules."
"That is where you are wrong. There are such rules as to give up on your 'prey'" Dodonpa spat out the word "Once a Higher Vampire orders it. This rule is also obeyed because of the law of the strongest. In this matter you may just be right, Karst, as it is a rule used by animals as well. But some rules, to assure that the Higher Vampire Race remains powerful and pure, they are divided in teams of two. One Master, and one Apprentice. Once the Master dies, the Apprentice becomes the Master, and searches for a new student in the human world. If the Apprentice dies, the master looks for a new one. This is their weakness."
Agatio looked confused. "How come? Should it not make their race stronger?"
"You don't get it. They already are stronger. Just for the fact they are bitten by Higher Vampires, they become nearly 10 times as strong as a normal one. Also, they walk though sunlight, can withstand crosses and holy water, garlic and enter a house at will. But the fact that they are only allowed to Darken someone else once the other partner is dead, means that if you kill both before they change anyone else, they won't grow back. Eventually, they will be no more. We have already cut their numbers greatly. I believe there is only 1/10 of their original numbers." Dodonpa smiled at this.
"That is why it is so important to get this one. But tell me, is this one the former Master, or just the newbie student?"
Dodonpa thought for a moment. "This is the Apprentice." Agatio began to smile. "But, this one has been around longer then most Masters. He and his Master Felix where one of the strongest teams out there. He probably knows more about it then any others."
The green-head's smile turned upside-down. "How old is he." "Almost 450 years. The master was near 800 years. Even for a vampire, that is old. I don't even think there is a Vampire that old in the Counsel. Except their leader."
Agatio bended over. "Who killed the former Master, and how."
Dodonpa grinned. "I did. And he was finished with a stake."
"Finished?" Agatio didn't fully understand. "What do you mean, did you use a weapon to weaken him first? A sword?"
"Standard procedure 3 Venom. You are a hunter and don't know it? Well, you haven't been dealing with them in a while. Once a Higher Vampire gets in your way, and he is to strong to be taken out by sheer combat, the Data Keepers search for the pattern, the victims he likes. The fielders go out, and pick about twenty, twenty-five of them from the streets. They are brought back to the lab and given an injection with the Blood-Venom. Then, the baits are dropped in the Vampires hunting area. Once they are drained, the blood is in the Vampire, and with it the poison. It is nearly undetectable. Most of the time, it finishes them off. Felix, however, was capable of tasting the venom. He was too late, however. I finished him."
Agatio's face paled, if even possible. "And, what happens to the other ones you infected?"
Dodonpa's grin faded a little. "The venom cannot be cured. In 48 hours, they die."
Karst too, felt quite shocked. She turned to her sister. "Is this true? Then, can you not cure them?" Agatio's gaze followed Karst's. "What do you mean? What could she do that the scientists would not be able to?"
"I'm a witch. But, I am unable to heal them. I am not a white witch. The Agency does not hire White Witches, since their powers are useless against vampires. I am a Red witch, one who has some control over fire."
The car had stopped. Alex stepped out first. They had arrived at a beautiful white building. The large golden covered door led them to a large hallway. After Karst had announced themselves at the lobby, they where led to an elevator.
"So, let me get this straight?" Agatio started. "You're a Red Witch, and Saturos is what kind of Warlock?"
"Hate to disappoint you, but I ain't no Warlock." Saturos stated. "I'm a Combat Hunter. Like you, I suppose. I'm probably the best in Austria, followed by Dodonpa here. Though he's more of a stake person, I prefer the Flame Sword. It is a sword enchanted with fire magic. As you are aware, enough fire can kill a vampire too. Higher Vampires are resilient, but enough flames and even they turn into dust."
Karst looked at the last member of the group. Alex still hadn't told them what he was. Before she could even ask, the man seemed to guess her thoughts. "I'm a Psychic and a Telepath. Plus, I'm pretty good with a combat Spikestaff. It's a lot like a staff, but the ends are stakes."
"You must tell us more, but for now, we have arrived." Agatio opened the elevator. They entered a great room. It had all kinds of computers. After they passed it, they stood before a large office. After they knocked the door, a reply came.
"Enter."
The flight had been long, but the plane finally arrived.
It was a jet-black machine, Alex's private plane.
Menardi and Saturos left it first. Saturos was never good at flying. Alex and Dodonpa followed, and the four went to the nearest bar.
"So tell me, when are we supposed to meet them?" Dodonpa asked.
"They should be here in a matter of minutes. Remember that it is important to be polite during the briefing. We don't want any trouble with the local hunters. Be careful with what you say, otherwise they would get cocky. Then they would probably alert Isaac, by patrolling extra. They haven't fought a Higher Vampire in nearly 200 years."
At that point, two people entered the cafe. The first one, a girl, had red, semi-long hair. The other one's was green. This one was male.
They moved to the group. "I suppose you four are Alex, Dodonpa, Menardi and Saturos?" The big man asked. But before he could introduce himself, the red- head rushed to Menardi.
"Menardi, long time no see. How are you?"
"Karst, lovely to see you. I didn't knew you had made it in?"
Alex looked at the two hugging woman. "I take it you two know each other."
Menardi released the girl and turned to her fellow companions. "I apologize, Alex. Everybody, this is my sister, Karst. And then this big guy must be..."
"Agatio." The strong man finished. "And we are some of the Hunters in America. We're here to pick you up and bring you to HQ." Agatio turned and walked out of the bar. Karst nodded to follow, and the four Austrian Hunters left their table, money by their empty glasses.
"Hey, what about a tip!"
The six turned. The waiter stood by their table, counting the dollars. "What tip, service wasn't that good." Dodonpa countered, but Karst hold him back. "In America, the pay for these waiters isn't included in the bill, as it is in Europe. We usually pay at least 6 percent tip, for the service."
"Well that is just weird. But okay." Alex pulled a bit out of his wallet and gave it to the man. "Here, take it."
The man in white and black was in a bad mood, it was obvious. "Well, a little bit nicer wouldn't hurt. You dumb German."
Now, there are some things you just shouldn't say to Alex. He was a patriot in hart and soul. Germany wasn't bad, Germany was good, but Austria was in Alex's opinion the best. He grabbed the man by his collar and threw him on the table. It's legs fell under it and the man fell on the floor.
"I am from Austria. You would do better to remember that." He kicked the man once more, and left the bar, ignoring the stares he got from the other people in the café.
"Is he always like that?" Karst asked her sister.
"Oh, yes. When it is about Austria, he is. Don't know why."
Saturos walked next to her. "I do. They say he gets it from his father. That man always was a patriot himself, and he was killed by a vampire. But his last words where, and I quote; It was worth it, Alex. It was for Austria."
Karst looked at them, her eyebrows peaked. "You Europeans are oddballs."
"And what about you, Karst. If I am not mistaken, you are Menardi's sister. Are you not European?"
Menardi's face fell, and so did Karst's. "We...we where separated in the adoption agency. Karst was only 4. She was sent to America, and we only made contact about 5 years ago."
They walked down the parking lot. A limousine was waiting for them. As soon as the driver noticed them, he came out of the long car and opened the door.
"I have to admit it, you Americans know how to make a guest feel welcome. That is at least one thing." Alex said, forgetting his earlier fight.
"Don't start it, Alex. You know we should try to work together, if we want to defeat Isaac." Dodonpa couldn't let Alex ruin it already. It was him after all that told them to be polite.
They where seated in the leather chairs. Agatio faced Dodonpa. "You seem to be most interested in capturing this Isaac. How is it, that a group of four hunters come to here, just for one Vampire?"
"You have no idea. Have you ever heard of a 'Higher Vampire'?" Agatio nodded. His partner moved herself and was now sitting next to the green- haired man. She looked very interested. "The Higher Vampires are somewhat the Elite of the entire bunch. They are a race apart, as they can only become one by another. Also, instead of just making a whole lot at the same time, these ones are limited by rules created by their 'council'. They are the ones who rule the entire community."
Karst snorted. "Community? Them? They are just some mad creatures, they have no rules."
"That is where you are wrong. There are such rules as to give up on your 'prey'" Dodonpa spat out the word "Once a Higher Vampire orders it. This rule is also obeyed because of the law of the strongest. In this matter you may just be right, Karst, as it is a rule used by animals as well. But some rules, to assure that the Higher Vampire Race remains powerful and pure, they are divided in teams of two. One Master, and one Apprentice. Once the Master dies, the Apprentice becomes the Master, and searches for a new student in the human world. If the Apprentice dies, the master looks for a new one. This is their weakness."
Agatio looked confused. "How come? Should it not make their race stronger?"
"You don't get it. They already are stronger. Just for the fact they are bitten by Higher Vampires, they become nearly 10 times as strong as a normal one. Also, they walk though sunlight, can withstand crosses and holy water, garlic and enter a house at will. But the fact that they are only allowed to Darken someone else once the other partner is dead, means that if you kill both before they change anyone else, they won't grow back. Eventually, they will be no more. We have already cut their numbers greatly. I believe there is only 1/10 of their original numbers." Dodonpa smiled at this.
"That is why it is so important to get this one. But tell me, is this one the former Master, or just the newbie student?"
Dodonpa thought for a moment. "This is the Apprentice." Agatio began to smile. "But, this one has been around longer then most Masters. He and his Master Felix where one of the strongest teams out there. He probably knows more about it then any others."
The green-head's smile turned upside-down. "How old is he." "Almost 450 years. The master was near 800 years. Even for a vampire, that is old. I don't even think there is a Vampire that old in the Counsel. Except their leader."
Agatio bended over. "Who killed the former Master, and how."
Dodonpa grinned. "I did. And he was finished with a stake."
"Finished?" Agatio didn't fully understand. "What do you mean, did you use a weapon to weaken him first? A sword?"
"Standard procedure 3 Venom. You are a hunter and don't know it? Well, you haven't been dealing with them in a while. Once a Higher Vampire gets in your way, and he is to strong to be taken out by sheer combat, the Data Keepers search for the pattern, the victims he likes. The fielders go out, and pick about twenty, twenty-five of them from the streets. They are brought back to the lab and given an injection with the Blood-Venom. Then, the baits are dropped in the Vampires hunting area. Once they are drained, the blood is in the Vampire, and with it the poison. It is nearly undetectable. Most of the time, it finishes them off. Felix, however, was capable of tasting the venom. He was too late, however. I finished him."
Agatio's face paled, if even possible. "And, what happens to the other ones you infected?"
Dodonpa's grin faded a little. "The venom cannot be cured. In 48 hours, they die."
Karst too, felt quite shocked. She turned to her sister. "Is this true? Then, can you not cure them?" Agatio's gaze followed Karst's. "What do you mean? What could she do that the scientists would not be able to?"
"I'm a witch. But, I am unable to heal them. I am not a white witch. The Agency does not hire White Witches, since their powers are useless against vampires. I am a Red witch, one who has some control over fire."
The car had stopped. Alex stepped out first. They had arrived at a beautiful white building. The large golden covered door led them to a large hallway. After Karst had announced themselves at the lobby, they where led to an elevator.
"So, let me get this straight?" Agatio started. "You're a Red Witch, and Saturos is what kind of Warlock?"
"Hate to disappoint you, but I ain't no Warlock." Saturos stated. "I'm a Combat Hunter. Like you, I suppose. I'm probably the best in Austria, followed by Dodonpa here. Though he's more of a stake person, I prefer the Flame Sword. It is a sword enchanted with fire magic. As you are aware, enough fire can kill a vampire too. Higher Vampires are resilient, but enough flames and even they turn into dust."
Karst looked at the last member of the group. Alex still hadn't told them what he was. Before she could even ask, the man seemed to guess her thoughts. "I'm a Psychic and a Telepath. Plus, I'm pretty good with a combat Spikestaff. It's a lot like a staff, but the ends are stakes."
"You must tell us more, but for now, we have arrived." Agatio opened the elevator. They entered a great room. It had all kinds of computers. After they passed it, they stood before a large office. After they knocked the door, a reply came.
"Enter."