Chapter IX
An Elder Unleashed
Markus's head snapped round, he saw Amelia standing there behind him; her intoxicating scent was exactly how he remembered. He took his foot off of Malachi's chest, and turned around properly to see his age old ally. He took a moment to take in the view, Amelia was standing before him with perfect posture, her hair pulled back tight, her healing wounds still visible due to her ivory white complexion. She was dressed in a figure hugging black gown that gently clung to her body exposing her neck and shoulders.
"As beautiful as ever Princess." Smiled Markus
Amelia took a second to take in Markus's new grotesque appearance "I wish I could say the same." She spoke coldly, with an element of contempt "What do you want Markus"
"For you to rule by my side" He smiled
Amelia laughed "Markus your infatuation was boring a millennia ago, now it's just pathetic, leave this place now."
Markus took several steps towards her "I'm going to free my brother Amelia, we will rule over all the immortals"
"What immortals Markus?" Yelled Amelia "You've done a pretty good job killing a lot of us"
"Yes" Sighed Markus "I destroyed my coven…"
"It was never your coven to destroy" she hissed
"That's a matter for debate" he smiled "Now tell me Princess, considering you were supposed to have woken me up, why aren't you surprised to see me standing here?"
"Come on Markus" she began with rising hostility in her voice "who else is petty enough to destroy a coven, and I see you've undergone some changes, which means maybe you could have got the better of Viktor."
"Viktor?" Hissed Markus
"Even with the Lycans help Kraven could never have beat Viktor"
Markus laughed "I'm afraid I can't take credit for that Amelia, perhaps you should ask the other."
"The other?" asked a puzzled Amelia "There is another abomination of nature walking round?"
"Not an abomination Amelia, merely evolution'
Amelia quickly lost all interest in this conversation and almost became visibly upset "You merge the bloodlines? You spit on the covenant by flaunting these new abilities, you destroy the coven, you come here kill my men and attack my chylde, and you really think you can win me over with a speech?" Amelia' fangs extended to their full length, and her normally beautiful eyes became tainted with a sinister hatred "To hell with legends Markus" she hissed "I'm willing to risk killing you!"
Markus began to laugh however in a split second Amelia had glided down the corridor with a cat like grace and struck Markus in the face, sending him staggering back.
"Oh Princess" he spat "You could have had everything!"
At that the two flew at each, delivering blow after blow, two elders locked in mortal combat, Amelia, Princess of the Vampires, Strong and Graceful, and Markus the first Vampire, a hybrid and the living embodiment of a new covenant. An epic encounter, worthy of legend. The narrow corridor of the Ziodec facility negated some of Markus's newfound hybrid abilities. Amelia was able to get close to him without having to worry about his spear like limbs, much to Markus's surprise. During the battle Amelia allowed a sick grin to creep across her face, she felt alive. Her defeat at the hands of the Lycan attackers had been her own fault, she had become complacent. For an entire century she had not thrown a single punch, she had allowed Malachi to do her fighting for her. She had hid behind him, allowing her Chylde to get his hands dirty, so she would not have to. She was no longer worried about getting dirty, her dress was torn, her jewelry scratched, and she did not care. She wanted to win, to beat Markus, using any means necessary. While she was attacking him, she let her guard down for a second, Markus was able to strike her in the face, and she fell to the ground. As Markus stood over her she looked up at him, with tears in her eyes and her bottom lip trembling "please…" she began "Please don't"
Markus stopped, he'd always wanted Amelia, feeling a mixture of lust and pity he held out a claw to Amelia, a gesture of mercy. His gesture however was not appreciated, his hand of peace was met with a kick to the groin, and before he knew what was happening Amelia had a vice like grip on his throat her tears had disappeared and she began to laugh "My God Markus you really are stupid" her grip tightened, her nails drawing blood from his black leathery neck. Despite Amelia's strength Markus's rage would no longer be bound, he delivered a blow to Amelia's chest that nearly sent her through a wall, before she knew what was happening it was her that was now being held by the throat, suspended just above ground level "You have insulted me for the last time Amelia!" his voice was filled with Venom, for a moment Amelia was terrified, then she saw something and managed to choke a laugh "What are you laughing at?" he demanded, just then he felt a painful thud to the back of his skull, he released Amelia and stumbled forward, he turned around to see something he had not expected. The thud had been courtesy of Malachi's boot, he was standing, he had regained his blade, and he was back in the fight. Markus was trapped in a corridor, with Malachi in front of him and Amelia behind.
"Is everything okay my lady?" He asked
"Yes Malachi" she smiled "as always your timing is impeccable"
Markus turned to Amelia "Your chylde I presume"
"Do it now!" she commanded, at this, both Sire and Chylde lunged at the hybrid, their moves in perfect harmony with each other, neither missing, Malachi willingly absorbing everything Markus could throw at them, sacrificing his own body so that his mistress could attack Markus. However despite this Amelia was not at full strength and Malachi was not an elder, Markus was able to overcome the pair's assault, he focused his attack on Malachi, getting him out of the way so he could kill Amelia. He once again tossed the bloody form of Malachi down the corridor and turned his attack to Amelia. Malachi rose wearily to his feet, his ears were ringing, his eyes filled with blood he could make out the silhouettes of Markus and Amelia, he could see she was losing.
"Markus!" he choked, he heard Markus shout back, but he couldn't make out the words, then the bat like silhouette of Markus began to advance on him he could barely stand, he knew this would be the night he died his only comfort was that he was buying Amelia some time, as Markus was nearing him, he heard something, a voice he knew it, it was like gentle rain water falling against a leaf, he couldn't make out what it was saying, he thought he must have been hit in the head too hard, then he heard it again, that sweet voice, and this time he understood what it was saying "Malachi! Get Down!" the voice screamed. Just as Markus was within arms reach Malachi felt someone grab his collar and pull him back, he fell to the ground, and then the unmistakable sound of gunfire, three men in long green coats stepped over him and began to fire at Markus. Malachi felt a gentle hand run through his hair "Its okay baby, your safe." He looked up and through his blood soaked eyes, he saw a raven haired angel cradling him in her lap. He smiled, there was a monster trying to kill him and his mistress, there was gunfire all around him, and she just sat there amongst the carnage, comforting him, an angel, his angel, "Nina" he choked.
