Chapter Four - In Working Towards
Blinding light pierced through the shadowed haze of a concealment spell into the dim light of a stone hallway. Torches burned as miniature replicas of the sun outside, spaced intermittently along the space. The fire flickered across the rock, lending a historic air to the passage, creating surrealism quite matched by the type of beings that frequented the area. They fit well, as many of their ilk were as old as creation.
Hidden by shadow, a pale form leaned against the wall, arms crossed and a scowl half seen upon his face. A twist of the lips briefly exposed a slightly elongated canine, and the light shined on streaks of crimson along the ebony hair as the figure scanned the entranceway. As the spelled shroud rippled to allow entry, sharp blue-black eyes glittered with a subtle tint of vermilion. Remaining in his position, the casual sentry followed the new arrival with his keen gaze, observing silently the cloaked man.
Stalling a near distance to his viewer, the new figure bothered not to remove his hood, merely glancing into the darkness and seeking out the other. Pushing from the stone, the latter moved into the light, revealing his form. Tall and lean, his features sharpened to severity, the Vampyr looked as sin and appeared to revel in it. Clad in tight black trousers pushing the limits of propriety, leather comprised boots and gauntlets, and a blood coloured shirt seeming to flow across his spectral skin, he stood before the other, hair grazing his shoulders as he stilled.
"Carnifex."
The Vampyr inclined his head to his companion. A smirk adorned his face briefly at the name, before settling back to his intense expression. He gazed at the hooded figure before him for a moment, garnering a raised eyebrow from the man. Deliberately ignoring the inquisitive look, Carnifex turned and looked out of the haze covered entrance to the passageway. Before the other could speak, he gave a casual wave in his direction.
"Ateraes. So this is a result of an indirect assault."
A wry grin twisted the man's lips as he shook his head slightly and began heading once more down the hall. The Vampyr moved beside him, joining him in his descent as the floor sloped downward and converted to stairs. The torches along these walls flared to life as they approached, the ones behind them dying in their settings.
"And since when has everything gone to plan, amice?"
As Ateraes spoke, he and his undead companion reached level ground. Instead of raw stone, polished gray marble now shone along the walls and the floor, shining in light from floating candles near the ceiling. Reaching an archway, they left the hallway and walked through to a large room.
"You're bleeding," the Vampyr said, not bothering to glance at the man, "I could smell it the moment you returned. And you look rather vile."
Walking towards a table, Carnifex palmed a vial and tossed it to his associate. With a glare and then a nod of thanks, Ateraes quickly opened and down the concoction quickly, swallowing against the terrible taste.
Vanishing the bottle, he glanced down at himself with a sigh. He flicked his wrist and grasped his wand, retrieving it from the arm sheath he wore. Shrugging out of his torn and burnt outer robes, he repaired them with a muttered spell and set them aside. As he attempted to work out of his shirt, he decided not to bother and disposed of it with a sweep of his wand.
Light scars shown on a lean, muscled torso, a contrast to the tan of the skin. Red gashes inched closed as the potion came into affect, and Ateraes finished cleaning up with a couple more incantations. Walking nearer to his comrade, he sat easily in a chair, leaning back and kicking a leg up to rest on the table. As Carnifex followed suit, the wizard explained the events of earlier, the Vampyr listening in rapt attention.
"Everything was progressing well, the detonations had carried through without hitch. Unfortunately, as we engaged the enemy, two non-hostiles arrived and were soon spotted."
"Bystanders? In Knockturn Alley?" Carnifex questioned, brow furrowing.
"No. Order members."
"Order?" Sitting up abruptly, Carnifex leaned toward his companion. "Order of the Phoenix?"
"No, one of the other Orders around here." Ateraes stated sarcastically.
A low growl issued from the Vampyr, as he rose sharply from his seat and advanced on the man before him.
"We do not have time for your witticisms, you arrogant mortal! Tell me you wiped their memories." At Ateraes' calm negative, Carnifex grabbed the man by the arm. "Are you daft, boy? They could spell our ruin. You should know that! You should have acted against it. If that Order moves against us, there is no way we can continue our . . ."
Carnifex's voiced faltered as his comrade's skin heated under his palm. Suddenly a flare burst from beneath his grip and his hand was consumed in fire. Wrenching away, a cry escaped the Vampyr's lips as the blaze moved up his arm. Tripping over the chair he had previously occupied, he fell painfully to the floor, attempting to still the fire. Vamping out to show his demonic nature, his canines lengthened and his features became sharper. His eyes glinted a vivid red, tinting orange as they reflected the moving flames. Agony shot through him, as it burned through cold flesh and bone. Then, just as it moved to engulf his form, it blazed out with a blinding flash.
Dazed, Carnifex shook his head, grasping at his injured arm. Only it was perfectly whole, as was the shirt covering it, and not a trace of heat remained around him. Glancing up, his eyes locked with the cold emerald gaze of the wizard standing over him.
"Do not attempt to tell me of my actions, Raphael." The Vampyr visibly winced at the use of his birth name. Ateraes remained calm, but power issued from his body, casting his face and bare chest into eery light. "If you fear discovery, you may leave. I consider my allies equals, by forget not whom is the commander of this group. I do not follow anyone's order, I gave that up long ago. Should you not view me as either equal or leader, do not remain here and place my people at risk. I do not accept that from associates or friends. Am I understood, Vampyr?"
Shakily rising, demonic features retreating, Carnifex stood before not his comrade and friend, but the commander of the Praesidium. His many years and his plentiful skill as a creature of night did not overrule the other's sheer power and ability. At that moment, Carnifex fully realized the man before him was not to be underestimated. Finding respect in the wizard's leadership, more than that of an equal ally or young friend, the Vampyr rose tall. Fisting his hand, he placed it over his un-beating heart in a sign of honour.
"Yes. Imperator."
Nodding, Ateraes stepped back, righting the fallen chair with a wave of his arm. Sitting heavily, he sighed and ran a hand over his face. He watched the shaken Vampyr warily move nearer and seat himself. Knowing both that he had overreacted and that he had needed to prove himself in the other's eyes, didn't help his already chaotic thoughts. An ache due to that and the expense of such magic as he had preformed that day, claimed place in his head, not to be dispelled by any potion as his other injuries had been.
"Carnifex, I am aware of just what I am doing."
"You are playing with fire, Imperator." The Vampyr may have gained increased respect, but he hadn't survived both mortality and his siring by being less than determined.
"I know that. Amice. But I also know I have a rather great affinity for it." Ateraes looked pointedly at the other, his gaze glancing down to the Vampyr's arm.
Following the gaze, Carnifex asked, "How did you do that?"
"Playing with fire."
Shaking his head, the Vampyr's eyes flicked down then up to lock with the wizard's across from him. "What are you playing at now?"
"A new game. For us, anyway. The rules were developed long past." Ateraes smirked slightly, then again smoothed his palm across his face, trying to will away his headache.
"Was I supposed to understand that, or are you being deliberately obtuse?"
Damn, he never was one to be submissive long, Ateraes thought, his lips quirking.
"Carnifex, I'm going back into the wizarding world."
"And now you are mad." The Vampyr stared incredulously at the leader of the Praesidium.
"I am not mad. Well, any more than I ever was, I suppose. I told all of you this plan months ago."
"Yes, after you neglected to discuss it with any of us. You can't be aware of the danger if you are going to do this. Should you get caught, the best you could hope for was a quick Kiss. You can't . . ."
"Raphael."
The Vampyr's jaw snapped shut and he turned his gaze away from his compatriot. Both were silent for a long moment, the only sound the wizard's breath in the stillness. Carnifex turned back to his friend and confederate, studying his face.
"I know why you left, and I know you as well as most. What I don't understand is why you wish to return to a world that nearly broke you. Especially under such a ruse and in such peril."
"Because I must."
"But under the Order's awareness?" Carnifex stopped for a moment, simply watching the other. "In Albus Dumbledore's home field?"
"You forget. It was once my home field as well. I can use that, Carnifex. My plan will allow me much, they will accept what I feed them. And I won't be alone, remember another of our ranks will be there."
"Oh, yes, that one. Someone that must remain hidden as though you haven't known them for these past years. A few of the past years, anyway." A sneer turned the Vampyr's lips.
"Don't start on that again, I trust them to have my back. It doesn't matter that the familiarity must be secret." Ateraes smiled a wry smile. "I will be so overwhelmed by the results of my return and story, that I doubt I'd have time to notice the operative, at any rate."
"Of course, the return of the prodigal prodigy of the wizarding world."
"I've been called worse." Another smile, this time slightly truer.
The Vampyr grinned at his leader and comrade in arms. "I'm sure they will think of more. Now, eight years is a long time. Will you even recall your birth name when needed?"
"That is one thing I will never be allowed to forget. It's a symbol, and now I'm going to use it, instead of it allowing me to be used. I'm returning to the home of my past, but this time I'm the manipulator."
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed. Thank you to all reading and those that reviewed, both this and my other story -The Betrayel of Innocence.
-Zenn
Ateraes derived from: Ater - black, dark
Carnifex derived from: Carnificis - an executioner, hangman, murderer, tormentor, scoundrel
Imperator (-oris) - a commander, leader, chief
Amice (-i) - a friend