Chapter XVI

Michael Vs Malachi

Two warriors stood poised for battle, ready to fight a war that had been waging for centuries, a war of the covenant. On one side, Michael, the genetic evolution of the immortal bloodline, whose existence alone is a threat to the covenant imposed on the immortals by the Vampires; and on the other side, Malachi, the best of the Bloodline's old guard, whose mission it was to ensure that this particular branch of evolution was a dead end. It was Michael who threw the first blow, lashing out with his razor sharp claws. As Malachi had predicted his attacks were wild and erratic, easy to counter. Malachi was able to dodge the initial frenzy, until Michael let his guard down for a split second, then Malachi was able to launch his attack, striking the hybrid in the face with his cane, he began to deliver a series of kicks and knees to the reinforced rib cage of the hybrid. Malachi was able to dodge Michael's flaying claws, until one devastating strike caught him off guard. "Shit" he cried as the hybrid began its furious assault on him, Malachi was barely able to defend himself, landing one lucky punch he sent Michael staggering backwards, and deciding he needed room to breathe, leapt from the water drenched ground and clung to the ceiling.

Once he had reached the relative safe haven of the ceiling he turned his head, to look down at Michael and hiss, however Michael was not on the ground. Malachi cast a glance back to the ceiling to see Michael clinging to it just next to him. The hybrid let out an intimidating growl. "Oh for fuck sake!" yelled Malachi in frustration as he released his grip of the ceiling and descended gracefully to the floor. When he landed he looked up at his opponent and let out a sinister hiss "come on" he goaded him. Michael would not disappoint, his eyes filled with rage, he pushed off from the ceiling and lunged downwards towards his opponent. As soon as he did Malachi let a sick smile creep across his face, with a flick of his wrist he turned his cane so that the solid silver point was facing the lunging hybrid and leapt to meet him in mid-air. Michael had no time to defend himself, nor correct his trajectory; the silver point of the cane pierced his leathery flesh, and exploded through his Lycan style rib cage, tearing through his body just below the heart. Malachi withdrew the cane and landed on his feet, as Michael crashed to the ground in a heap. Malachi immediately unsheathed his blade and began to cut away at the fallen hybrid. Michael let out a roar of pain and struggled to defend himself from his attacker's blade. He finally managed to push Malachi away long enough to struggle to his feet. "You're just a Vampire!" he growled

"Don't feel too bad son" said Malachi smirking "I've been doing this since before you were born" Malachi then proceeded to deliver a kick to Michael's face sending him back to the ground "probably before your Grandfather was born" he added. Angered by his enemies taunts Michael did something Malachi had not expected he leapt to his feet and charged towards him. "Oh this aint good" he muttered under his breath as he prepared himself for the hybrids attack. The two collided with each other, and began to wrestle on the ground, both men trying to gain a superior position, Malachi had lost his blade, however due to the injuries Michael had already sustained, he was still able to match his stronger opponent in their display of power. Despite Michael's wounds his raw power seemed to be unstoppable, Malachi struggled in a futile effort to get to his feet. It was no use Michael knelt on Malachi's chest, his claw grasped around the Vampire's throat. Malachi struggled to reach the gun holstered on the back of his belt, however the downward pressure Michael was exerting on him was too great.

The Vampire was now at a clear disadvantage, and how no idea how he was going to reverse his fortunes. However that question seemed to answer itself when he heard footsteps coming down the metal stair case to the rear of the room. Before Michael had the chance to react there was the sound of gunfire, all the shots seemed to connect with the hybrids upper body driving him back from the Vampire. Michael was visibly shaken; it was not the first time this had happened to him in this room. With Michael's grip broken Malachi was able to force him backwards, and then reaching behind his back un-holstered his own firearm, his desert eagle and fired a few shots at the hybrid. Then recovering his blade he quickly turned to see who had come to his aid.

"Shit!" he spat "Nina, get out of here!" he demanded with a slight growl in his voice

"I only wanted to help you!" she pleaded

"And it's appreciated angel" he began "however right now you can help me by getting out of here." Malachi then immediately turned his attention back to Michael, holstering his side arm he again flew at his more than worthy opponent and began to deliver a series of kicks and punches, making sure Michael was unable to get back to his feet. He had planned this battle perfectly, he had been sloppy allowing Michael to gain the upper hand, he would not allow such a thing to happen again, especially not with his beloved Nina looking on. Malachi drove his blade into the Hybrid's leg "Frankly I grow bored with this." He said breathlessly. He watched as Michael struggled to his feet and shook his head "You should stay down" he said firmly "It would be a lot less painful if you did." Michael ignored him and stood firm "Any more advice" he growled, spitting up a little blood.

"Yes I have" hissed Malachi "Respect your elders" he said coldly as he began to advance on his fallen prey. Michael made an attempt to regain his lost advantage; however it seemed to be in vein. Malachi was able to block or dodge all of Michael's attacks, then sidestepping him; he delivered an elbow to Michael's head again knocking him to the floor. These exchanges continued for several minutes, though Michael was able to land a few blows the advantage lay firmly with Malachi, he even took the time to turn to Nina and blow her a kiss. The battle was won. Malachi again hit Michael in the face with the angel shaped handle of his blade, and then stood over his fallen prey. Malachi again drew his firearm and pulled back the hammer, he held the gun in one hand, and his blade in the other. "You fought well" he told Michael in a reassuring tone, as he pointed the gun at Michael's head. "There is no dishonor, you won't feel a thing." And then the sound of gunfire as three shots echoed through the cold air of the room.

Malachi took a few steps back from Michael, and turned to where Nina had been standing. However she was no longer there, she had been knocked to the ground, and standing in her place was Selene, arm outstretched, holding a smoking gun.

"Shit" mumbled Malachi, as he sank to his knees and let out a cry of pain. His cry resonated in Nina's ears, and brought her to her senses. "Malachi?" she asked wearily.

"Nina!" he cried. Nina looked up from the ground, to see her lover dropped to a knee.

And then she saw it, the most horrific sight she had ever seen. An eerie blue light emanated from her lovers mouth, and lit his skin. "Nina!" he pleaded again, as he collapsed to the ground and began to convulse.

"I'm here baby" she said franticly, as she cradled him in her arms "I'm here"

"Oh shit!" he cried loudly, as his skin began to crack, exposing the same sickening blue light. "I'm not….I'm not… coming back….from this one angel." He choked through the searing pain, as he felt his blood boil from the inside.

"Yes you are" she cried "You are baby! You have to" her eyes now filled tears, she turned to Selene "What have you done!" she screamed.

"Eradiated UV rounds" said Selene sorrowfully "There is no defence"

Nina turned back to her lover as he convulsed in her arms "Tell, Amelia… I'm sorry" choked Malachi.

"You can tell her yourself" she whined "You have to stay with me! It's what I want! You've always given me what I want, just one more thing."

Malachi, tried to smile through the pain, however he once again flinched, as more of his skin, began to crack, exposing the ultra violet fluid that now flowed through his veins. "I love you angel" he choked "from… the second I …. First saw you" Nina held him close and continued her desperate pleas for him to stay with her, she watched as his emerald eyed began to glow blue, until they to cracked. "I can't… I can't see you angel" he said franticly.

"I'm still here baby" she reassured him, stroking his hair. She watched as his glowing blue cheek exploded into dust, and he began convulsing violently. "I love you Nina" he said franticly "I love you"

"I love you too baby" she said as she began to weep uncontrollably.

Then with one final convulsion the last of the life escaped Malachi's body "I love.." then there was silence, as the dust on his face mixed with the tears that were flowing down Nina's face.

"Baby?" asked Nina "Malachi!" she again pleaded "Oh Malachi" she whimpered before breaking down over her lovers burnt remains. Barely able to see through the tears she grabbed the gun that Malachi had been holding, and drawing her own turned to face Selene. She was gone, as was Michael; she sat alone cradling the body of her fallen lover in her arms, crying hysterically. Her screams and wails echoed through the underground labyrinth, heard not only by the retreating Michael and Selene, but also by the Death Dealers who were supposed to have kept Selene away from the battle. They began to run when they heard Nina's cries. When they came to the room, they were all shocked by what they found. Malachi was fallen. One of the Death Dealers, Christian, stepped forward, and tried to lead Nina away. "Come on ma'am" he said gently "There's nothing we can do here."

"Get away from me!" she screamed, almost perforating the Death Dealer's ear drum.

Christian put a hand to his mouth, clearly disturbed by what he was witnessing. He reached in to his pocket and pulled out his cell phone. "Let me speak to Dimitri" he said, his voice shaking "I've got some bad news."

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Dmitri hesitated as he stood in the doorway to Amelia's office; he watched the elder sit at her desk as she read through some files Director Holtz had left her. "My Lady" he said nervously "May I enter?"

"Of course Dimitri" she said warmly "What can I do for you?"

He approached Amelia cautiously, when he got to her chair, he bent down and whispered into her ear. Amelia let out a cry of pain, as if she herself had just been delivered a mortal blow, and buried her head into her arms. She began to cry, and repeatedly screamed the name of her beloved Chylde. Dimitri watched helplessly as his mistress hysterically grieved for the loss of her loyal protector. She had broken down in tears, making no attempt to keep up appearances. Her beloved Malachi was gone, her reason for living, nothing meant anything anymore, not the bloodline, not the covenant, nothing.

"Who did this?" she said hysterically "Who took my chylde from me!" she didn't even wait for Dimitri's response, before breaking down again.

"Selene. My Lady" said Dimitri with his head bowed "Selene shot him with some kind of ultra violet weapon."

"Selene" cried Amelia "first Viktor, now my beloved Malachi" Dimitri watched on as his mistress gave in to her emotions, and allowed her vulnerability to be seen by everyone.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Nina had been ignoring the pleas of Christian and his Death Dealers, for over an hour; she just sat there, still cradling Malachi "It's going to be okay." She said rocking her lovers body back and forth "We're going to get some help, we're going to be together forever" she sad, still clinging on to the impossible hope that she would not be alone for eternity. "You said you'd never leave me baby" she smiled in a near delusional state "so I'm never going to leave you." Christian now began to worry he knew that dawn was approaching, and that they would have to retreat to the safety of Ziodec. He had to get her out of there now, yet she still refused to listen to anyone. He had to forcibly remove her, trying to be as gentle as possible he and one of his men pulled her off of Malachi's body, and carried her kicking and screaming through the underground tunnels. "No!" she screamed, clawing at the Death Dealers, "I have to stay with him!" she cried "Please, Please." Nina's screams continued to echo through the sewers as she was man handled back to the vehicle that had brought the Death Dealers to scene. As her screams faded, two Death Dealers remained behind, to recover the body of Malachi, and prepare him for transport.

And so ends the life of Malachi, beloved chylde of Amelia, paramour of Nina, Champion and protector of the Great New York Coven. A warrior hand chosen by his mistress to defend the covenant, and become one of the greatest immortals the night has ever known. In a century of warfare he had never known defeat, it appears fate is not without a sense of humor, as it was neither a Lycan nor a hybrid that defeated him, but one of his own, bearing the weapon of a human. So ends the life of Malachi, heir of Amelia, champion of the covenant. Long may his name be spoken.