Michael inhaled deeply as they came up the driveway. He could not believe that they were this close again. Only this time the stakes were higher and there was not any time to waste. Noticing everyone getting ready as well, Michael pulled a gun out from under his coat and looked at the seemingly empty house that stood before them.
An abandoned limousine sat at the door of the house, which was torn and destroyed. His mind was in overdrive as he saw that there was only one vampire standing outside the door. His face grim and his gun pointed towards them. "We shall fight to the death. Avenge those before us, and return peace to this Underworld." Luke said as he slammed on the breaks.
Luke was the first out growling and shooting at the man who stood in front of the door. However, the vampire's movements were too quick and he dodged the bullets. They were still shooting at the small group as they came out of the van.
Lydia and Haley looked around, checking for any sign of any other vampires. They heard a growl and saw Michael was transforming. Shedding his jacket, he glared daggers at the house before them.
The vampire ceased his fire as a low rumble was heard throughout the valley the house was on. Guns shots rang in the air that had been suddenly silent. Vampire jumped over trees and climbed out of holes that had been dug into the ground.
Michael didn't even take another second to think as he ran through all of them. Slashing and cutting. Not even flinching as their bullets penetrated his thick skin. All he saw was that he was one-step closer to getting Selene back.
Drake's eyes had widened but his determined stature never wavered. "Never easy is it?" He asked climbing onto the top of the van and firing. Silently praying that nothing happened to William who still slept inside of the van.
Luke punched the man who had been shooting at them, then hit him in the gut with his gun. He finished him off placing the gun to his head and pulling the trigger. He could see the blood spill out the other side as the man's body fell to the ground. A satisfied smile appeared on his face as he spun around shooting another round into a vampire that came after him firing as well.
Charles just stared on, this wasn't his purpose. He couldn't fight those of his kind, it wasn't in his nature. However, he would not go against Haley's wishes. She was like a daughter to him, and no matter how hard he tried, it was impossible to win in an argument against her. He sat in the van silently watching the lycan twitch in his sleep and eyeing the other vampire who sat in the van her eyes wide in terror.
Michael snapped the vampire's neck just in time to punch another vampire, who caught his fist and pushed him back. With a growl, he lunged forward once again slashing his face and feeling the flesh slide through his fingers.
His primal beast lashed out, sinking his fangs deep into the man's neck; draining him of blood. The body dropped and Michael licked his lips blood staining his face. His black eyes found that the house was unprotected as the fighting behind him continued.
Using his speed, he rammed the door open. The door swinging back on its hinges and slamming into a table that was placed behind it. No one occupied the room, although their scents lingered here. He let out a desperate growl his nose sniffing the air around him, trying to catch her scent.
Drake watched Michael drink from the vampire, a blood lust in his eyes. He quickly felt a vampire closing in on him and he spun around punching the vampire square in the face, "I don't like people sneaking up on me." He grinned before shooting the vampire. The bullet taking effect and burning his body into ashes.
Luke moved with grace through the ever-diminishing crowd of vampires. Cracking necks and shooting others. This is what he had been trained for. He was going to get his revenge on the vampires for killing his family. There was nothing better than getting revenge. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw movement by the stables a few meters off. Letting out a primal roar, he tore after the figure, his body outlined by the moon.
Lydia pulled out her sword stabbing the vampire and piercing its heart. While it was stunned, she chopped its head off and jumped back avoiding an attack from another vampire. Haley came back to back with the vampire elder. She may have not been an immortal, but she certainly had the powers of one.
The girl rammed her shoulder into a vampires gut avoiding being hit with a sword. Quickly she stepped on his foot and brought her hand up breaking his nose on impact and then spinning around and tripping him; bringing him to the ground before.
Lydia came up next to her and stabbed him with her sword. She offered the girl a small smile as she continued to fight off the vampires that had come out of nowhere. They were soon to be diminished; the vampires didn't have much of a chance against the powerful beings that killed them with ease.
Marcus who was currently attaching Vincent to large cross frowned at her but said nothing making sure Vincent, who had been knocked out once again was securely chained down.
"Why are you doing this to me?" She asked her voice cracking.
"You broke the chain!" He screamed leaning down in her face, "I am all that is left of the council, and I will decide your fate. You heard right, you broke the chain and you must be judged!"
Her eyes narrowed as he stood up straight. "I show no mercy for those who turn against the own kind for a beast."
"He is not a beast. You are the same!" She replied fighting against the chains.
"You will be burned alive. Something reserved for witches in my day. We have no time to wait for the sun to rise. If I kill you before he gets here in time, I won't have any more problems to worry about. Everything is falling into place. Soon you will be a pile of dust." He said laughing and clapping his hands together.
He glanced around listening to the shouting of the fighting going on outside. Sniffing the air he glared, "Looks like we are running a bit behind schedule." With a menacing look at Selene, he pulled a lighter out of his pocket.
It was then Selene noticed all of the hay surrounding the platform. Even without a super sense of smell, the intoxicating odor of gasoline filled her nostrils. She watched as Marcus slowly came towards her. She was shaking in fear, she didn't want to die and she didn't want to die like this.
He flipped the lid open (Zippo Lighter) and ran his finger over the rough little wheel, making a sparks that ignited the wick inside of the light and ultimately creating a large flame. "You have been condemned to death for the treason of your own coven, breaking the chain of elders, and slaying an Elder by your own hand. Good riddance Selene the former Death Dealer."
Marcus pulled his hand back and moved to toss the lighter into the pile around her. As soon as it hit the hay, a gust of warm air filled the small room and Selene gave a scream for help. The fire was starting to lick the edge of the platform making the steel chair grow warm.
"Help!" She cried. Vincent stirred shaking his head his eyes widened. Using all of his will power, he tried to break the chains that bound him to the crucifix. For a moment it almost worked, that was before he was shot in the shoulder.
Marcus grinned and lowered the gun as he watched the flames grow higher and higher. A fierce howl was heard outside of the stable and the wall exploded. Pieces of debris flying all over the room and dirt mixing with the air. The hunched over figure stood and roared once again.
A large lycan stood before them his eyes cold and his movements quick. Marcus aimed his gun but the lycan was too fast as he jumped to the ceiling and the opposite wall and finally landed on the platform. He growled and pulled at the chains; yanking them from the chair.
Marcus took this moment to shoot the lycan in the back. He howled in pain but continued his quest and picked Selene up. Jumping out of the ring of fire, he landed on the loft above. He laid her down and jumped back down to the lower level. Landing right on top of Marcus and pinning him to the ground.
Marcus dropped his gun and hissed. His eyes lost their blue luster and they turned to an onyx black. Blazing with the light from the large fire that started to burn the metal chair and charred it black.
With his mouth open wide, he let out an angry roar. His fangs elongating and his skin molding and changing. Luke roared back with just as much force shoving the hybrid down and digging his claws into his armor like skin.
The hybrid roared in pain and kicked him off. Blood flowing down the wounds as he stood quickly to his feet.
"Damn animal!" He growled running towards him.
Luke had landed on his feet and was hunched down ready to pounce. Both beasts collided in midair and both fell to the ground a death grip around their necks. Marcus rolled over and dug his claws into Luke's neck.
Luke roared as he tried to fight back, clearly having a disadvantage in speed and experience, but kept fighting nonetheless. He used his knowledge and tilted his head; bringing his jaws closed around the elder's arm. The skin ripping and tearing as he jerked his head.
The grip on his neck loosened and he released his bone-crunching grip on Marcus' arm. Rolling back and onto his feet, he let out a low growl. The elder hissed in pain and held his mutilated arm.
Luke glanced back where Selene was peeking over the edge of the loft, her eyes wide in fear. He turned his head back just in time to see Marcus flying towards him. He held his hands up catching him by the shoulders.
"Kill him!" Vincent shouted still struggling against his chains, and the ever-burning fire that seemed to close for comfort.
Luke shoved the elder back and made him stumble backwards and land against the wall. Marcus was enraged by now and jumped forward punching Luke in the face. His head snapped to the side and Marcus kneed the lycan in the gut, and then gave him a strong upper cut that knocked him backwards to the dirt ground.
Luke shook his head and roared climbing back to his feet. Marcus, however, was one-step ahead of him and grabbed a pipe that lay on the ground. Bringing his arms above his head, he ran towards the struggling lycan.
He brought his arms down full force using the momentum to carry it downwards towards Luke. Luke barely managed to bring his arms up to deflect the blow before it made him fall once again to the ground. The pipe fell from the hybrid's grasp, dented in the shape of two very large lycan arms.
Marcus was breathing deeply now as he held his hands out to the side in a slightly crouched position. As Luke started to get up, he pounced on him wrapping his massive arms and hands around the lycans throat. Even though he struggled, Marcus never let go only tightening his grip on his throat.
"Time to die!" Marcus growled.Selene watched the event in horror, yet she was too weak to move. She had barely managed to climb to the edge of the platform to watch. Memories assaulted her mind as she looked around the barn she was now in.
She saw Vincent give her a hopeful smile as he cheered Luke on. It made her wonder what was keeping the others, besides the fact that there were more than a dozen vampires that had appeared.
She watched as the two battled neither seeming to get an upper hand. That was until Marcus obtained a pipe. Her breath quickened and watched in horror as Marcus hit him. Although it didn't seem to affect Luke as much as she thought, it would.
Her eyes keep nervously glancing back towards the hole near the door; so far, she couldn't see anything. She was waiting for a sign or for anything, she was waiting for hope.
Then Marcus' voice caught her ears. "Time to die!" His voice deep and low, emitting a fearsome growl.
Images flashed through her mind as she closed her eyes tightly. Viktor was choking Michael, killing him. Her eyes flew open and with every ounce of energy she could muster she screamed, "NO! STOP!"
Marcus froze for a moment and turned his head towards her. "I'll get to you soon enough little girl."
"No you won't." A voice said from the doorway. Michael stood growling his cold black eyes penetrating those of the other hybrids.
Marcus roared and tugged on Luke's neck, only causing a strangled growl to emit from his throat. Michael ran towards them, but was stopped when something pierced his skin and went into his back. He fell to his knees and pulled at it.
Selene watched as he pulled the metal arrow from his back and hissing. Michael looked around trying to find whoever had shot him, but he could find no one. Her eyes were immediately drawn back to Marcus and Luke. Luke had gotten the elder off him and now kicked him backwards. This was a big mistake.
Marcus landed in a pile of cans, which broke, allowing whatever liquid inside of them to shower over half of the building. Both of them were now covered in it. Marcus looked livid and roared once more. The room lit up, the gasoline fueling the large fire that had already been lit.
Marcus punched Luke one more time before picking him up by his throat and tossing him backwards onto the burning platform that he had rescued Selene from. His body seemed to disappear and no sound was heard except for the crackling of the flames.
Then they all heard a scream, but this wasn't one of a lycan, but that of a human. Luke's human form stood to his feet as he screamed the flames burning his body, "I'll take you to hell with me!" He said jumping from the platform. His eyes glowing red from the light and from anger as he picked up a shocked Marcus and started choking him.
The smell of burnt flesh soon filled the room as the flames still ate away at Luke's flesh like acid. Marcus had now caught on fire also and both of them were struggling. Finally, Luke rolled onto his back using the momentum to toss Marcus onto the burning platform.
"This is for all the innocent blood you have shed. You murderer!" He spat jumping into the flames.
Selene held her hand out, somehow willing it to bring Luke back out of the fire but she couldn't. She heard him growl and scream in pain that she couldn't imagine. "Lead on Michael!" He screamed his voice finally dying down and his movements from within the fire had ceased.
At that, moment she felt eyes on her and looked up. Michael was kneeled before her. His eyes full of sadness and love. He had transformed back into his human self and was now reaching out to her. "We don't have long." He whispered gathering her in his arms.
A silent tear made its way down her cheek as she nodded at him taking in the comforting feeling his gaze brought to her. He tightened his grip on her and stood slowly. He paused for a moment and kissed her on her forehead, then jumped from the loft; landing softly on the ground below.
A noise made him spin around however. Something was moving inside the burning platform. His eyes widened and he fell to the ground. Just in time to miss a flying body shooting over their heads.
Michael quickly regained his stance and stood back on his feet holding Selene close to his body as she hid her face in the crook of his neck.
"Didn't think I would be killed that easily did you?" Marcus asked patting out the flame that was burning on his arm. His skin was torched leaving black marks all over his body; even his bones were starting to show through.
Michael narrowed his eyes at the vampire hybrid. "Don't worry Michael, you will die and she will follow you soon." Before Marcus had finished his sentence his feet had left, the ground and he came towards Michael and Selene knocking into them.
Michael slid backwards across the dirt ground gripping Selene tightly as he went. He clenched his teeth together as they came to a stop across the room and away from the burning flames. "Stay here." He whispered to Selene who had pulled away to look at him.
"Michael..." She whispered.
"Selene, you must stay here you are in no condition to be moving around by yourself. Hopefully Lydia will get here while I am distracting Marcus, they will perform what is needed to keep you alive."
He laid her on the ground before standing up and facing Marcus who now had his arms crossed over his chest. "Tick tock, tick tock." He taunted.
This only made Michael angrier and he transformed back into his hybrid self. Marcus roared and jumped towards him. Michael moved to the side and kicked him in the back making him stumble forwards.
Marcus quickly spun around and punched Michael who only punched back in return. Both men were now trading blows. Their claws cutting into each other's skin, and their eyes burning with hatred.
Marcus wrapped his large hand around Michael's throat and hissed; he lifted him off the ground and stared into his eyes. Bending his knees Marcus used the force to throw Michael upwards and onto the loft.
With one glance at Selene, he jumped upwards and out of her sight. It was then she heard a noise at the door and she turned her head. A young girl was standing there with a gun in hand looking surprised. She looked around the room until her eyes fell upon Drake. The girl gave him a small smile and ran over to him.Lydia watched Haley as she killed the last vampire that was in their area. She gave the girl a small smile. "So, in these dreams...this little boy protected you?" Haley nodded, "Are you sure they were dreams?"
"I'm never sure anymore. All I know is that he came to me every night. I think my mom was scared of me having an 'imaginary' friend as she called him. He felt so real though."
Lydia smirked and tilted her head towards the stables; she saw fire and quickly looked at Haley, "I think it is time that we help Michael now."
Haley nodded and picked up a gun from a fallen vampire as she ran towards the stables. Lydia watched Drake as he snapped another vampire's neck with a satisfied grin on his face. "One more for me!" He yelled swinging his arm over her shoulders.
Lydia glared at him, "What?" He asked raising his eyebrow.
"You're covered in blood." She said taking a step away from him.
"You're a vampire; I thought blood turned you on." He said pouting.
"Yes, but not vampire blood."
"Will the blood of your mate do?" He asked grabbing both of her hands.
"It is the sweetest I have ever tasted." She replied giving him a short kiss on the lips, "Now we don't have anytime to waste. We must save Selene."
Drake nodded as they walked off towards the stables, the dead bodies of vampires lying on the ground behind them.Haley stopped at the large hole in the door and gasped. The flames were giant in size as Michael and Marcus fought up on the loft. Her eyes quickly scanned the brightened area and found Vincent hanging from a crucifix his blood red eyes gazing back at her.
She smiled at him and ran over to him, her face now concerned. "I'll be alright, just get me down." He told her concentrating.
Haley nodded and aimed the gun at the chains as Vincent pulled tightly on them. With four shots, all chains had been broken and Vincent fell to his knees and hung his head down low to the ground. Haley dropped to her knees beside him and placed one hand on his back and the other on his shoulder.
He looked up at her and gave her a weak smile. "We have to get you and Selene out of here."
"I have to tell you something..." He whispered.
"Haley!" She turned her head to see Drake motioning for her, "We need to get them away from this fire."
She nodded, "Hold on, Vince." She told him pulling his arm over her shoulder and standing up. Vincent laid his head down on her shoulder as she pulled him, slowly, out of the stables. Once outside she laid him on a grassy patch near a dirt path.
She ran a hand through his hair, "You alright?"
"As I'll ever be." He replied his tone soft and weak.
"You don't sound it."
"I don't ever sound it. I just have a weak voice."
She gave him a small laugh, "You're going to be okay."
"I hope." He said. Tilting his head to the side, "You know, you look very familiar."
"Really?" She asked confused.
"Yeah, you remind of this little girl I used to know." His words were mumbled and slurred, "She was cute, and if I wasn't an immortal, I would have married her."
"How old were you?" She asked.
"I was thirteen." He said softly closing his eyes.
Haley's own eyes widened in panic as she smacked his face lightly, "C'mon Vince, don't go to sleep, stay awake."
He reopened his eyes and gave her a lopsided smile, "But I'm tired." He whined.
She smiled and leaned down to kiss his forehead, "If you go to sleep, you may never wake up."
"That sounds good."
"Are the fumes getting to your brain?" She asked glancing back at the flaming stable.
"Already have, love." He grinned.
She rolled her eyes and looked up to the stable watching the flames that were devouring the small building. Still questions formed in her mind, and she was never more confused. What did he mean when he said that she reminded him of a little girl he used to know?Drake and Lydia entered the building scanning the area quickly. Lydia spotted Selene laying on the ground and ran over to her while Drake watched Michael and Marcus on the loft above them.
Selene sat up, she may be weak but she wasn't going to let it stop her. Lydia kneeled beside her, "You okay?"
"I'm fine." Selene told her, "Just a little weak."
"C'mon, we don't have much time to perform this." Lydia said helping her up, "Drake." She called. He looked at her and nodded before looking back to Haley and Vincent.
"Haley!" He yelled motioning for her, "We need to get them away from this fire." He then turned back to Lydia and picked Selene up himself.
"Gotta run." He told her carrying a very fragile Selene out of the stable, Lydia following in his shadows.
Once outside Drake laid Selene on the ground not far from where Haley let Vincent lay. He gave her a reassuring smile and looked over to Lydia who kneeled beside him.
"You remember how to perform it I assume." She told him.
"O-of course." He stuttered, "It has just been more than seven hundred years." After scratching his head for a moment, Drake closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then opened his eyes once again with a triumphant grin on his face, which slowly turned to a frown.
"What is it?" Lydia asked narrowing her eyes in confusion.
"I just remembered all of it." He told her softly.
"What is all of it?"
"Death." He breathed getting back to his feet.
"For who?" Lydia asked standing up as he had done.
Drake didn't answer her, but instead he pulled something out of his pants pocket, "Didn't think I would ever have to use this." He muttered.
Lydia stepped closer to him and looked at the little vile he held in his hand. Her eyes widened as a wind blew from the storm they had raced on the way here. "Is that-"
"It's a little gift from the rulers of the Underworld. It was what Vincent used to save my life the first time the virus was transmitted. They gave it to him when he was cursed told him that it could only be used once. Luckily, when I, well, visited them on the brink of death, they gave this to me, and told me that there would only be one time I would need to use this. This time is now."
"That simple? I always thought they were cold-hearted non-caring bastards." Lydia said looking up at him.
"It came with a price." He told her after a moment.
"What was the price, and please don't tell me you did something stupid?"
"Just remember that I didn't choose this. When the choice was made, it wasn't I who made it."
"What are you on about?" Lydia asked putting her hands on her hips.
"I'll never let you go." He told her cupping her cheek.
"As I will never let you go, Christopher." She said her eyebrows scrunching up and her expression still confused, "Where are you going with this."
"No where." He told her turning back to where Selene laid, "Haley, did you bring a knife of some sort with you?"
The girl looked at him confused, "Yeah."
"Could I borrow it?"
Haley took her bag off her shoulder and rummaged around in it until she pulled out an odd-looking dagger, "Will this do?"
"Perfect." The word rolled off his tongue as he took it from her grasp, "Be ready Vincent." He told the young man as he looked back and forth between the vile and the dagger he now held.
Lydia placed a hand on his shoulder, "Will it work?"
"Should, it's the only thing that could anyways." Drake answered turning his head to the side to look at her.
"Be careful." She whispered in his ear kissing his cheek softly.
"Always am." He replied giving her a chaste kiss on the lips. Pulling back and looking her in the eyes, "Love you." He grinned.
Lydia grinned back, "I love you too."
Drake glanced at the small watch on his wrist, "We don't have much time left. I have to get started." With that, he kneeled beside Selene and tilted her head up while holding the vile in his opposite hand.
Her eyes were half-open as she seemed to be falling asleep, "Stay awake Selene." He told her gently, "Drink up." The lycan whispered pulling the top off the vile with one hand and letting it roll as it hit the ground. He then tilted the vile to her lips.
The liquid seemed to revitalize her as she opened her eyes a bit more and drank it down as it entered her throat. Her eyes fluttered open for a second as she gave Drake a confused look.Michael shoved Marcus back making him crash into the wall. The flames were making the temperature unbearable. He could feel the sweat pouring out of him as he snarled at the Elder. His hair was wet with sweat as he ducked from a punch Marcus tossed at him.
With speed and grace, he spun around tripping Marcus to the ground and then jumping catching a beam above him. He started to swing and when Marcus stood, back up Michael kicked him square in the chest and let go. His black eyes squinted to see around in the smoke that now clouded the room.
A hand wrapped around his throat and he managed to let out a small cough. He met the eyes of Marcus who grinned at him picking him up off the ground, "I can't let you stop me." Finishing his sentence off with a growl, he shoved Michael backwards and through the thin roof of the barn. The lycan hybrid hit the ground with such momentum that he began rolling until he stopped about three yards from where he had landed.
Wincing he rolled off his stomach and onto his back. His head moved to the side and he spotted Selene a few feet from him, with a worried expression on her face. Drake and Lydia also were looking at him. He knew he couldn't afford to let Marcus win, not when they were so close.
Shaking his head he stood to his feet and looked up at the hole he had made coming out. Marcus stood the flames illuminating him as he jumped down and out of the burning building.
Michael ran at him jumping over a fallen log as he went, but never losing speed. Marcus just walked calmly towards him a determined fire burning in his cold black eyes. "I told you, I can't let you stop me, and you won't."
Michael punched him in the face with his right hand and then again with his left. While the elder was stunned, Michael kicked him in his stomach and then brought his elbow down on the back of his neck. Anger was fueling the lycan hybrid as he grabbed Marcus' head and pulled him up.
Marcus retaliated punching him repeatedly in the stomach and making Michael stumble backwards. The vampire hybrid regained his composure and ran a bit towards his enemy, bringing his foot up and kicking him in the face, knocking him on his back.
Michael groaned in pain as blood poured from his nose and he rolled on the ground trying to get back up. Marcus smirked and kicked him again in the face.Drake muttered under his breath as Michael and Marcus fought, trying to hurry and complete the ceremony. His hands were shaking and were sweaty. He grabbed Selene's hand quickly and slowly took the knife to her palm. With one quick movement, a deep gash was made and the red liquid poured from the wound.
He dropped her hand and cut his own, growling from the sting he placed his hand in hers and closed his eyes. Images of the world he had been to as the ritual was being performed on him roamed through his mind. He could feel the presence of two powerful beings colliding with one another and knew with out a doubt that he was starting to feel reality again.
Opening his eyes, he took a deep breath and he looked down at Selene. Her eyes were closed, but her eyes still moved under her eyelids, back and forth faster than he could count. Standing up he moved over to Vincent, "The blood of the perpetrator." He whispered taking the knife once again and cutting Vincent's palm.
Instead of grabbing his hand with his own wounded one, he simply tilted the hand to the side and gave it a gentle squeeze, which let blood pour from the wound, and into a vile he now held under it. He handed Haley a rag that he had in his pocket and moved away, "Keep pressure on it for now." She nodded and he went back to where Lydia hovered over Selene watching her intently.
Drake's hands were still shaking as he tilted the young woman's mouth open and poured the blood in. "There is only one more thing to do..."Vincent watched as Haley held his hand tightly. His mind wasn't as clouded as it was before, and he could think and speak more clearly. He didn't know exactly what came over him, whether it was the smoke, or the lack of food, he would probably never know. Haley gave him a smile and he gave her own back. His stomach seemed to do flips as he watched her.
The way her forehead creased when she was concentrating and she bit her bottom lip. It dawned on him that he had in fact met her before, but could never really realize it until now, "I-" He began.
"What else happens in this ritual?" She asked before she seemed to hear him.
He paused, he didn't think he should tell her, but, she couldn't like him like he did her. Could she? No matter now, it wouldn't be long before his death would come, and he would leave this world because of another mistake.
"Is it something bad?" She asked him after he didn't respond.
He gave her a sad smile, "Maybe."
"How so?"
"If you consider dying something bad, then I guess it is." He answered his voice hoarse.
Haley looked at the ground for a moment and then back up at him a sad expression on her face, "You mean you're going to die, don't you?"
He nodded grimly, "One must pay for their sins at one point or another. It is my fault that she is dying. I must do what is right."
"Then, this is right? Dying to keep someone alive?"
"Dying to keep a race alive, dying to keep love alive, and dying to keep hope alive. It was my mother and father's dream to bring peace and live in peace with the two different races. I must keep hope alive that it will some day happen. I know it will, seeing Michael and Selene, there is no doubt in my mind. I must die."
Haley remained silent watching Marcus kick Michael in the face until Vincent pulled on her hand.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For never getting to know you better. Leaving when we just met."
Haley gave him a small smile, "I don't think people truly leave when they die."
"Maybe, maybe not. I guess it depends on what is still lingering here that make them want to not leave." Drake told her looking up at the cloud-filled sky.
Haley leaned down and kissed his lips softly, her brown hair falling and tickling his face. "I will miss you."
"You barely know me." He told her.
"But I feel as though I have known you all my life."
Vincent gave her a small grin, "Me too."Drake dropped the vile on the ground just as Marcus grabbed him by the back of the neck and tossed him several feet away from Selene who had her eyes slightly open. Lydia stood up and hissed at the vampire hybrid.
He hissed in return and slashed at her face, using this moment to kick her backwards and further away than Drake was thrown. His sinister smile only got wide as he bent down by Selene, "Long time no see." Licking his lips, he picked her up by her throat.
Her eyes only searched his pleadingly as the immortal blood started to kill off her human virus causing her to be thrown into waves of convulsions. "I must kill you now, before that moron gets a chance to."
Vincent must have heard him because within seconds he had pulled the vampire elder away from Selene who dropped to the ground her body still too fragile to make any sudden movements. Marcus growled in frustration, "You are beginning to be more of a problem than I bargained for." He yelled jumping at the weak young man.
"Should watch where you shop then." He told him blocking an attack and kicking the elder in the back.
"I shouldn't be wasting my time on a fly like you." He yelled punching the boy square in the chest and knocking the wind out of him. He fell to his knees clutching his chest and gasping for air. Marcus took this moment to his advantage and picked up the dagger Drake had been using.
"I'll kill her first, and then deal with the rest of you." He roared running towards the fallen body of the vampire turned human.
He brought the dagger down only to find that it didn't hit Selene at all, instead, the blade had pierced the heart of Vincent, "Sorry to dis- appoint you..." Vincent grinned.
Marcus' eyes widened in realization of what he had just done, "No, no...you better not die you fucking little bastard!" He screamed.
Michael who had now made it to his feet again snarled at the elder and punched him in the back, he then spun him around and close lined him to the ground, loose dirt flying up around them from the impact.
While the two hybrids were fighting Haley crawled towards Vincent who now laid on the ground his eyes opening and closing slowly, his hand came up and pulled the dagger out, he winced but soon had a look of calm on his face as he tilted his head towards her.
"There is some-something, I must tell you." He told her his blue blood starting to leak from the corner of his mouth and the corners of his eyes.
Haley was now in tears and hovered over his body, "What is it?" She asked holding back a sob.
He motioned for her to come closer so that he could whisper in her ear, "I...I was the little boy..."
His voice was crisp and smooth almost as if he was healthy, "Sorry I left you. Your mom threatened me though."
Haley gave him a small laugh, "Will you wait for me? Where ever you go."
"Always." He said giving her a small smile. She leaned down and kissed his forehead, "You were my best friend, forever. Remember?"
She nodded and gave his hand a squeeze.Drake winced when he hit the ground. He would definitely have to give Marcus points for power. Groaning he sat up and rubbed the back of his neck. His eyes widened in horror as Lydia's body came hurtling towards him and landing a few feet above him.
Ignoring the pain in his back Drake crawled towards her as fast as he could. Once he reached her side, he pushed her long hair out of her face, "You okay?"
"I'll be fine." She answered sitting up with his help, "As soon as I kick that bastard's ass."
Drake grinned at her then turned his head quickly to see Vincent kicking Marcus and protecting Selene. He looked at Lydia his face serious, "How much time do we have left?"
"Roughly nine minutes. " She answered checking the watch on her wrist.
"He knows what he has to do?"
"He couldn't forget if he tried." Lydia responded moving to stand. Drake soon followed and stood up beside her, "I hope this works." She said biting her lip.
"Don't do that." Drake groaned.
"What?" She asked looking annoyed.
"Bite your lip. It makes you look too cute."
Lydia grinned, "Aren't you quite the charmer."
"Got years of practice." He grinned kissing her quickly.
The shouts of Marcus got their attention as they turned their heads. He was screaming at Vincent who was laying on the ground his hands holding him up as he hovered over Selene, a dagger protruding from his chest.
"Oh my God." Lydia whispered moving towards Marcus and Vincent. Drake grabbed her arm and held her back, even though he knew she could break free if she wanted to. She glared at him and he simply nodded towards Marcus' direction. It was then she noticed Michael coming up behind the man a look full of hate showing in his eyes.
She stopped glaring then, just stood stiff, watching the scene unfold before her. While Michael had Marcus distracted, she watched Haley crawl towards Vincent. The few moments she watched them, with their eyes shinning with something she couldn't quite place, she felt her whole world crumble. Vincent was like a son to her, and now, she was losing him.
Lydia felt Drake's arm wrap around her shoulders as he sensed her sudden change of mood, "Go say your goodbyes." He whispered in her ear giving her a push forward, "I'll be right here if you need me."
Lydia nodded giving him a thankful smile before moving towards the young boy she had watch grow for the better part of her life. Haley looked up at her as she came closer, taking shaking step, after shaking step. She learned long ago that it wasn't easy to say goodbye. Sometimes you tried to convince yourself that it never actually happened in the first place. In this world however, you learned to except fate and mistakes. All which go hand in hand. Mistakes are merely fate.
Vincent tilted his head and smiled at her, she felt her heartache as she saw him, blood spilling out from his eyes and pouring out of his mouth. He was pale and his red eyes seemed to be dead and lifeless, dull compared to their normal luster they usually had.
She felt the hot tears in the corner of her eyes, and her stomach was in knots, the feeling of dread had long ago washed over her the moment she knew of his plight. Kneeling beside him, she sniffed as the tears, which were now cold from her icy skin, rolled down her cheeks.
"I'm going to see mother and father again." He whispered.
"Yes, you'll get what you have only dreamed of." She told him just as quietly.
"My family, I get them back, and peace can finally be restored."
Lydia pushed his long bangs back away from his forehead, his face was covered in sweat and she could feel his body heat radiating off him in waves, "Because of you, Vincent, because they believed in you and you did exactly like they knew you would."
"Thanks...for everything," He told her reaching his hand up and grasping her own, "Grandma."
"You are welcome for everything, my grandson." Lydia told him squeezing his hand, "Tell your mom and dad I said hi."
"No problem." He grinned, "Can you tell everyone I'm sorry, especially Selene, hopefully, my sacrifice was in time to save her."
Vincent glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes. Her body was stiff, and her chest rose and fell weakly as she fought for life and the liquid administered to her began to kick in. "Only one more thing to do..." He said coughing as he looked back at Lydia.
She nodded tearfully. "I will miss all of you..." His voice floated in the air as his red eyes turned cold and lifeless. The grip on Lydia's hand went slack and the wind blew his hair across his face. With a sob, she let go of his hand and closed his eyes.
"You will be missed greatly." A comforting hand on her shoulder made her turn her head. Quickly wiping the tears from her eyes she checked her watch once again, it was ten minutes after she had last checked the watch.
Drake looked at her worried and he bent down to look at Selene, her eyes were half-open. "Selene?"
He got no response as her eyes closed all the way and her breathing became shallow. She seemed to pass out. Carefully he placed his hand on her forehead, she was burning up! He pulled his hand back like he had been stung.
"What is it?" Haley asked.
"Same symptoms as before, when she was changing into a human. I don't remember this being part of the process though. In fact, I was back on my feet a few minutes after Vincent had sacrificed himself, I never passed out."
Lydia looked at him worriedly, "Do you think it worked?"
"I don't know anymore. I think it is up to her." Drake responded.Michael closed his hands around Marcus' neck and growled in frustration, "It's all your fucking fault!" He screamed as Marcus pushed him off.
"What, has the time ran out for our young leader?" Marcus asked slashing at the lycan hybrid and catching him in the lower stomach.
He winced and jumped back slightly before jumping forward again and tackling him to the ground. Marcus rolled and pinned Michael to the ground wringing his hands around his neck, his claws digging into his skin, he pulled his hands up and slammed Michael's head into the ground, repeatedly.
The damage was quite obvious as blood soon covered the ground where Marcus channeled his rage on the young man. Releasing his grip on his throat Marcus made a tight fist and punched him in his abdomen, the power and force allowed him to break the skin.
Michael screamed in absolute pain, his eyes wide and his body stiff. Marcus grinned twisting his hand around inside the body. His screams soon echoed throughout the clearing and it caught the attention of Drake who transformed hurtled himself towards Marcus.
As Michael's pain started to overwhelm him, Drake bit Marcus on the neck from behind and pulled him off his lycan leader. His mouth full of blood, Drake let out a menacing growl spitting out the bluish flesh from where he had bitten Marcus.
Marcus hissed and spun around kicking the beast and making him stumble, in the same fluid movement he grabbed the lycan's arm and twisted, satisfied when he heard the bone crack and the howl of the wolf that fell to his knees clutching his arm and whinning.
He didn't notice Michael had climbed to his feet and was now holding the dagger that was bloodied after being used several times that night. Before Marcus had time to react, the dagger was pushed through his back and exited out of his chest.
Within seconds, he had reverted back to his human form, his cold eyes now wide in shock as his body slowly died. He fell to his knees clutching his chest his mouth hanging open as the dagger still impaled him and blood trickled down his chin.
With a small 'thud', his body fell to the ground, his face in the dirt. Drake was laying on the ground a few feet away, clutching his arm.
Michael now stood his hands clenched as his sides and his eyes closed. He opened them and started walking quickly towards where Selene layed changing back to his human form as he did so. The burning stable behind him in the background now completely engulfed in flames.
Lydia moved away from the motionless girl as Michael stopped in front of her, his stable stance hid his real feelings of the situation as he fell to his knees. Covered in blood and large wounds he grabbed her smaller hand in his own. It was cold, like when she was a vampire, but somehow, it felt different.
He looked at Lydia, "Is she going to make it?"
Lydia who was now popping Drake's shoulder back into place looked at him grimly, "I don't know for sure. There is one way to know for sure though. Check for her heart rate. Even as a vampire, you should be able to hear her heart beating."
She pointedly looked at Haley who simply moved to fetch her bag. After placing it over her ears she placed the metal over the vampire's heart. Michael couldn't see her face and with a sense of dread washing over him, he didn't want to at the moment. He watched Selene, who had a peaceful look on her face.
It seemed like forever had passed when he turned his head to look at Haley. Her eyes were dim as she retracted her hand, "There is no heart beat, I'm afraid that the attempts might have been too late..." Her voice was cracking as she spoke.
Michael didn't absorb the information right off the bat. It took him a moment to realize what she was saying and soon he felt the tears fill his eyes and spill out onto his face. His world was lost. Everything he fought for, everything that happened, didn't matter anymore.
He lost the person he loved, he let death claim another person he cared deeply for and despite his best attempts, he broke down into sobs hugging her small frame to his as he cried into her shoulder. Cried for the loss of his love, and for the nothingness that he was left with in the empty world.
Drake comforted Lydia while Haley watched Michael silently as he held the warrior clad in black leather to himself.
"You can't leave me..." Michael told her, "You promised you wouldn't leave me!" He cried, her body was still limp with no sign of life. Thunder boomed around them and lightening lit up the sky. The clouds seemed to open up and rain poured down on the group. Battling with the fire a great distance from them as they grieved over the losses.
"I love you damnit...you just can't leave me, Selene. I am lost, I have no reason to live. You gave me reason, and you promised not to leave me. Please, please keep that promise..." Michael said holding her lifeless body close as the rain poured down around them.
I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be. A reason to start over new, and the reason is you... I've found a reason to show, a side of me you didn't know, a reason for all that I do and the reason is you...A/N: Well, that was a bit hard to write...and it is the longest chapter in the story...hell the longest chapter I have ever written. A lot of death, and a lot...well...just a lot going on. Luke died getting revenge, although it didn't quite work. Vincent died as it was necessary for Selene...although it seems a waste at the moment...In truth I wanted to kill a few more people in this chapter, but there is always the last chapter for some unexpected things.
Also, I would be very grateful if you didn't try to kill me because of...well Selene's death. There is a reason for everything...as to why this chapter is up so late, either I haven't been home to write it, or my internet was down so I didn't really have access to post it when I did actually finish writing it. Enough boring stuff, and I hope the whole Haley and Vincent thing didn't counfuse all of you.
I had to put a verse from Hoobastank's The Reason at the end, just so you know, I don't own it. I was just paying tribute to my boys Doug Robb and Dan Estrin who were great in concert, and I think the song fit this anyways...to many late night video watches. Thanks for reading and see you in the final chapter.