Creeper's Captive
Chapter 25
/
As the days began blending into one another, Trisha was only getting worse...not better. Alonus had become very concerned and was acting the vigilante, pacing back and forth in the room and guarding her more and more while the pregnant woman became pale and started to lose a shocking amount of weight. Even Ami's cooking just wasn't cutting it anymore. Dinarius felt a bit helpless in this situation, he could help watch over her, he could go hunt for deer or other supplies, but in truth he couldn't think of much else.
Except for one thing, but Alonus shook her head at him.
Auntie...are you sure? He started, meeting his crystal blue eyes to her gaze after quite a few hours of them just watching the sleeping woman's breathing as if they could keep it going by sheer will alone.
It would kill her nephew...it would just kill her now. Alonus was in the rocking chair and just staring at the sick woman; a thousand pages of worry in her expression. She was no idiot of course and was probably thinking over several ways to help Trisha, but it seemed for the time being none were coming to mind.
Dinarius sighed and looked back at her forlornly.
You are such an honorable soul. I know you would help her despite everything; despite how she treated you in the past. She walked over to Dinarius and gave him a tight hug which he returned, using wings and all. But she is too weak and would never make it. It might kill the child too since this is my son's child and not yours. We have to think of something else...
Actually not ME, auntie, I was thinking you would do this of course. You are more human than me, and it worked with Jezelle after all.
Alonus realized he had a point, but surely there was no way Trisha could survive it now, unless...unless she tried something different altogether as some buried memory began to surface.
Meanwhile Ami, who had been outside watching Solarus chase squirrels around for his lunch came back in at that moment, content to let her now very agile son explore mostly by himself. Besides his father was nearby in the cave...probably crafting weapons again.
How is she doing?
Not well, Ami. Not well. But...we will try everything we know. Alonus sighed and reached for some papers she had put together that seemed to have strange writing and symbols on them.
Whoa what are these? Ami came by looking over her shoulders and examined the strange writings with confusion on her face.
They are some healing spells and herbal formulas...I've had to try and recall all of this from memory as those ancient scrolls we once had are long gone. Or perhaps hidden somewhere by the dark mages-
Dark Mages...you mentioned these once before I think, but can you explain them a little more to me?
Alonos rose to her taloned feet, nodding, and she set the papers down on a small table and spread them out. Yes. They are those who created the heradus to begin with. It was a very long time ago Ami, over a thousand years. Vampires once ruled the night with vast covens that spread over miles of territory. A great evil that massacred and slaughtered so many humans that eventually those humans, out of desperation, found a way to fight back. They knew the vampires weaknesses such as iron or sunlight, but humans had to fight hard to take down just one master vampire and it was never enough. Many died trying. She paused, and looked back at Dinarius. Some heradus are more like animals, like Dinarius, and some more like humans...such as my son. This is because he was born from one human parent. The dark magic's influence is so strong that this does not seem to weaken the heradus side of the genes. In fact, it seems to make us stronger, in ways that even I do not understand. I myself had a human mother.
Ami's eyes widened slightly at this revelation. You did?
Yes. Her name was Allana, but I never got to know her. Alonus seemed to stare far off a moment at the memory, of both sadness and joy perhaps, or some turmoil of emotion that the queen was fighting hard to control. My father was called Orionus, black as midnight, just like me. He was absolutely wonderful in nature despite Ramonus being his father and was, a powerful and loyal guardian until he made a terrible mistake.
At my birth...my father watched anxiously because my mother was having a hard time. There was a lot of blood...and as he went to aid her in any way he could while the frantic doctors tried to assist, his claws became covered in her blood as he held her. The scent must have been overpowering. He was already very hungry but trying to ignore it in order to be there for her. It was not a smart decision. By the time I was finally born and my weakened mother struggled to hold on...he reacted on impulse from some urge deep within and ate the placenta. At first, this did nothing...and my mother didn't even notice. I don't even know that he realized the implications of what had just happened in that moment.
Sadly though...my poor mother would not survive. She lost too much blood. The daughter she had given birth to was strong and healthy, and Orionus adored me. But he was now faced with losing his beloved, and the grief was too much to bear. After her inevitable death, he went into isolation for a time, after giving me to a wet nurse.
By the time he DID return...he was not the same creature we all had known, and nearly ten years had passed. It was terribly upsetting, Ami, because unlike Ramonus he showed great remorse. He told me in agony that he had started hunting and eating humans and felt the impulse to do so irresistable. After ten he tried to stop and hunt the normal prey. No matter how many animals he tried to eat however, they no longer sated like they used to. And with our great success at dwindling the vampire numbers over the years, they were learning to hide better and becoming harder to find. Before he could go back out to hunt more hapless humans, a great tiredness overcame him and he had fallen into a cursed hibernation.
After some brainstorming together to try and find the reason why, my father realized it had happened at my birth. I was in shock. What had caused him to do it? He could not say, only that terrible hunger had welled up within him at the scent of Allana's blood all over his claws. It just happened so fast. He had meant well...but in truth, my father should have not been there. At the time, no one could have predicted the outcome.
And for some time he lived this agony. Ten years, ten days to eat like a madman, and back to sleep again. He never glorified in it, he never tried to find enjoyment in it or use their bodies like art. No, my father became a terrible human killer, but he never found any joy in it.
And somehow, he found a way to end himself. Alonus fought back the bitter tears but they came anyway, flowing down her face and dripping onto the ground, making her eyes like shimmering golden pools.
He insisted he was to be put into a deep cave somewhere, tied tight with chains, ropes, or whatever we could find, cast spells on them so they would hold fast...and then be buried there with no way out. He would starve himself and hope to turn to nothing but dust. It was a horrid fate but my father was near madness, alone with this suffering, and depressed over the death of his love. He begged us never to try and find him or release him.
We did this Ami...we being the other heradus and some of our humans friends, but it broke me apart. For days his muffled screams and yells could be heard in that cave...his great suffering and pain as he slowly starved. But whenever I tried to mentally comfort him he only told me, albeit weakly, to never get him out of there.
And after a time, there was only silence...and no one would ever hear his mental voice again.
One thing that did not die however was the dark mages' spells my father alone had attempted to salvage. He told me where those scrolls were and as a young girl into my teenage years I memorized what I could. After that he had said to burn them all so they would never get into the wrong hands.
And so now...I try to remember them. The first is for Trisha, she needs immediate intervention-
Dinarius who had been listening sadly the whole time came forward and shook his head. That alone could kill her. The dark magic demands energy...
Yes, yes I know. But we must try because there is nothing else to do. And with that Alonus went outside and started collecting all the herbs and natural items she would need. As she did so, the crows suddenly began to get closer to her, cawing and growing more excited in their behavior.
It was then that she heard a particularly loud cawing sound, a click of a bill, and the rustling of wings as something landed near her head on a branch above. She looked up to meet eyes with an unusually large raven, perhaps even more black than her own hide and with a curious, faded symbol of a star on its head. It puffed up, ruffled its feathers, and took a few steps closer on its long legs.
Caaaw. Starcrow!
/
In the cave Goliathus had gone very quiet at hearing the raven's sudden intrusion into the quiet forest. It was an odd sensation because he felt as if it had been his own mind that had sensed the name, but he knew it had not come from him. He was in the middle of making new shurikens but was finding it hard to get motivated in finishing them. He felt very uneasy since having the unwanted and surprising conversation with Ramonus. It weighed heavily on his mind every day. It had in fact been days with no further word from him...and yet he knew...this was hardly the last time he was going to be in the picture.
And now...he was craving Ami's flesh every second of every day, because he had been stupid enough to taste her blood. He growled in frustration and got up from his crouched position to go the entrance of the cave and look around outside. He saw his mother outside, staring up at the tree.
Mother?
She turned to look at the cave entrance. This raven...it's a familiar. I have never seen him before. Have you?
Intrigued, Goliathus spread his wings and flew over to them, landing nearby. He shook his head. I have seen ravens before, but never noticed this one. It must lead the crows.
CAAWW. Yes. Starcrow.
Alonus gasped, but in truth, this really shouldn't surprise her. Not too long ago, Goliathus had managed to convey to the crows an order to attack Dinarius, which they had obeyed. The bold birds had even gone after the wolves. But how, and why? Searching her memories, no such Ring had ever been given to her son. The original mages were long gone by the time of his birth, anyhow.
Starcrow from where do you come from? Who was your master? Alonus asked, and the raven came swooping down to land on her shoulder.
Poofing up again, it clicked its bill and preened a wing for a moment, before finally answering. Maniel. Maniel. Mage. Ring! Dark. Fire. CAAAW.
At this, every single one of the many crows started to make a loud cacophony of noise as if emphasizing the truth of this cryptic statement. It was actually quite alarming to Alonus, as the murder of corvids were getting closer and many circled in the air high above them.
Ah. So you followed one of the mages. Maniel...this name sounds familiar. The "Father of Heradus". I wonder if this was him...
Goliathus turned to his mom, eyes slightly widening at this title. Father of Heradus?
Yes. The one who allegedly created us from the beginning.
/
Ami sat near Trisha in the house, who had finally woken up again. It seemed the noisy corvids outside had woken her. "Ami..I don't feel very well. At all. All I want to do is sleep." She sighed, and Ami frowned at her sunken eyes, and an obvious loss of weight. She was beginning to look gaunt. Trying to hide her growing concern, she shook her head. "You don't seem to be taking this pregnancy very well." She tried to give her an assuring smile despite this statement but Trisha wasn't even looking at her, she just stared at the blanket clutched in her fists.
"No. And don't forget, I never even wanted it."
"I-I know. But you're trying...for Alonus maybe, for me...you're trying and I honestly think you're one of the strongest people I've ever met." Her voice wavered just slightly.
Trisha gave a weak chuckle and grabbed her elbows, hugging her arms to herself as if cold. Ami offered another blanket but she pushed it away. "Blankets won't help this cold. This cold permeates every bone in my body." Trisha scrunched her face in what seemed both confusion and fear. "Darry keeps visiting me in dreams. He says he'll be there as soon as I need him. Such...weird dreams. So clear...so vivid." Trisha turned, looking at the now trembling Ami, who was losing the composure she was somehow managing to keep. None of them, none of them could hide this truth any longer. "It's as if he's really there, like I can even smell him or feel the air blowing in the breeze as we stand in a field, talking. He tells me about grandma, and that Billy kid, and I've even met this guy called Scotty whose like some kind of basketball player. I think he's from the Bannon Bantams team, the one Darry used to play in himself. I have no idea what the hell is going on and its kinda freaking me out." She suddenly leaned, heavily, into Ami's side. "I'm so damned tired."
/
Ami feeling rather concerned over the increasing weakness in Trisha, found herself needing to leave and instead hovered around Alonus, hoping to help with the spells. But the female heradus had already finished one scroll and was working on another. Ever since the uncanny arrival of the raven, the process was seeming to get that much easier. Goliathus was in the background nearby, but his eerily much colder mood was making Ami nervous. Still, she wanted to go talk to him, despite feeling rooted to her spot.
Alonus looked up, grinning at her, but the expression fell from her face quickly. Why do I sense fear from you?
Oh...well... Ami was still looking at Goliathus perched on his favorite rock, but not once did he acknowledge her. He doesn't seem so happy today.
Alonus turned to look at him. His moods change because his mind is not sound. I told you this. But in all honesty if it doesn't feel safe to you Ami...then, trust your intuition. She turned back to the scrolls, with Starcrow perched at the end of the table, peering at her as she wrote. Ignore him for now. Worry not, because I'll keep a close eye on him.
CAAW. Stay, stay! Starcrow dipped his head at her as he sent the mental words.
Blinking in surprise Ami looked at Starcrow and the raven clicked its bill. I think I'd better listen to a talking raven. She grinned and Alonus chuckled. I certainly would! He's a smart little ball of feathers.
The loud squawk of umbrage caused Alonus to chuckle again.
Okay not so little. But you're still a ball of feathers. GRIMY feathers, I might add. Come Starcrow, let's give you a bat, and turn you into a presentable familiar again.
CAWWW! The raven puffed up and started to preen madly, but then seemed defeated when Alonus came over to pick him up, tucked him under her arm, and took the squawking bird inside for a bath.
/
Daddy? Dadda?
Goliathus was still trying to get the blasted shurikens done, and was concentrating so intently on his work while he perched on his favorite rock, that he actually didn't notice his son who had clambered up and was now sitting near him, gazing up with his big golden eyes and wiggling his talons. Talons which had grown a bit in length.
The voice caught his attention but he didn't shift his eyes away as he kept etching his design into the bone tips.
Solarus watched him curiously. What this?
Goliathus wrapped a piece of leather mutiple times around the three points and over the center, having no more dental fillings to use. He could get more of course...but had been greatly restraining himself from doing so. It surprised him again, just like eating the chickens at the farm, but he shook that thought away with a huff.
It's a shuriken. A weapon. Goliathus finally said to Solarus, although he still hadn't looked at him.
Shoo-rick-ken? Solarus tried, tilting his head and reaching up with his tiny clawed hand to touch it.
Yes, very sharp. Very effective. He wrapped it several more times until it seemed to be tightly held enough.
Shoo-rick-ken catch fishie? Go get fishies?
Goliathus sighed, and now he finally looked him over. Why are you so obsessed with fish, Solarus?
Cause yummy. Momma feed Sollie fishies. Good! He smiled toothily up at his father, who merely snorted at that answer.
This is not for catching fish. It is far better for deer, cows...or humans. He chuckled dryly, but Solarus had gone quiet and was now glaring at him.
No. No hoomans. Daddy is bad. He started to settle on his feet, opening his little wings and attempting to glide down, but Goliathus picked him up suddenly.
I can show you how to hunt with these.
No! No hoomans.
He sighed. It was just a joke. Albeit one in poor taste. No, I shall show you how to use it for hunting deer.
Deer? Eat deer?
Yes. More and more dull and boring deer meat. The last feeding had left him so tired, and listless. In fact the more he resisted human flesh, the worse he felt, and far more irritable. But perhaps a little training for Solarus would help give him some energy back...and distract him. Distract him from Ami who was smelling more delicious by the second.
/
After Goliathus had told Ami his plans on giving Solarus a brief hunting lesson (he insisted not for humans this time) she found herself not knowing what else to do. At the moment she was feeling extremely hopeless about doing anything to help the ailing Trisha, and with Goliathus now spending some (much needed) father-son time with Solarus she found herself resltless with not finding anything to be useful for. Heading back for the cave, Ami made sure to have the new dragon dagger tied to her waist...close to her side...it actually felt good to have a weapon on her. All the talk of vampires, and mages, and...this Ramonus character...what she wouldn't do to just have some ease of mind lately. But it seemed that was only something which would laugh in her face every time she wished for it.
When Ami got to the entrance after climbing up the minacious rocks leading to the entrance, she found Dinarius perched there, like a guarding sentinel.
And what are YOU doing, hm? Ami grinned at him, but was surprised with a bit of a blush across her cheeks when he met her smile with an even warmer one. Well I'm keeping an eye out, Ami...just in case.
She sighed and sat down precariously next to him. The air smelled damp but fresh, it had rained briefly and the air was a bit humid. It made her feel a bit heady but the smell of the earth, especially after a rain, was always her favorite. It calmed her, nature was always something she enjoyed immensely.
That...and the company of this rather unusual heradus. She tried to hide these thoughts from Dinarius, reminding herself mentally to be cautious around these creatures...Goliathus was always nosing around in her brain, but thankfully it seemed the others were better at minding their business. Usually.
I'm glad that you are, Dinarius. I really enjoy your company you know.
Oh? He moved from a crouching position to a half-lying one, one leg dangling over the side of the rocks and tail swaying lazily. I'm glad to hear that.
He smirked, and she suppressed a giggle. Can't help it really, your Auntie goes on about how great you are, you know. She kinda gushes over you.
At that Dinarius laughed, nodding. Yeah...she does, doesn't she? I don't know that I deserve all the praise but...I guess it's because I was kinda like a son to her long before Goliathus was born.
Ami met eyes with him and blinked curiously. You know she calls you nephew...are you really related to her?
Hmmm... Dinarius scratched his chin, eyes closing briefly. You're perceptive, Ami. No not really...but her sister DID raise me, so I guess that makes me her nephew kinda unoffically.
Who is Alonus' sister?
Well...after auntie's parents...uh...passed on...she was still kinda young and so some human friends took her in like a daughter. Those we know we could trust. They had a daughter of their own who I think was called Emily. She took to Alonus and so they were like sisters. Very, very close.
Ah...I see, and so when this Emily got older she somehow found you and adopted you?
Yeah...no one knows actually where I came from. It's a bit of a mystery. He shrugged. All I know is that they found me as an infant. And I had Puvo with me even then. But it doesn't really matter to me, I'm quite happy with the family I have.
He grinned and Ami smiled back. I hope I can be family, too, Dinarius.
At this, he frowned slightly. Thank you for the sentiment but that's a bit too awkward for me, considering.
He stood then, with Ami looking puzzled and opened his wings, giving them a good stretch.
Oh Dinarius if I've been too forward or something I apologize-
A clawed hand cut off her thought as he gently caressed her neck. Ami shuddered all over at the sensation, defintely caught off guard at this gesture. His hypnotic eyes were nearly screaming something at her and suddenly she was so overwhelmed she had to look away.
No need to apologize. Look I'd better fly around a bit and make sure all seems well. Who knows how long it will be before Ramonus comes to plague us.
Ami watched him fly off, enjoying the brief gusts of warm air he sent over her from the takeoff, but feeling instantly as if a part of her had just left.
/
Goliathus who had only just returned from the hunting lesson had been watching the interaction between the two, keeping out of view as he crouched on a rock ledge nearby, hidden by tree branches. He huffed angrily as he watched the long-tailed heradus fly off and saw Ami coming down the path. In seconds, he was in front of her, growling low.
She yelped, nearly falling back but somehow managed to stay her balance.
What exactly is that about?
She noticed as she asked this question that his claws were digging deep rivets into the earth again, a quirk of his that she never liked. It made her nervous, and even now, that fear rose in her again.
What were you talking about with him? He practically demanded, and his voice was low and chilling.
What the hell, Goliathus? Didn't we just spend some nice time together? And where is your son?
He looked over his shoulder briefly. At the house, with his grandmother. And yes, we did, but do not avert the question.
What? She put her hands on her hips. I'm not allowed to talk to him?
Dinarius...he means to have you, Ami. Or attempt to take you away from me. And no one takes what is mine.
Ami bristled at this, and Goliathus actually felt a moment of surprise at the building anger he saw on her face. He could not remember, at any time, having seen such definace set solidly on her features before.
I do not BELONG to you. I do not BELONG to ANYONE! She surged forward and swept past, purposefully bumping into him, but just as she did so he reacted and grabbed her, snarling.
You DO belong to me, breeder! You always have and always will! Mother goes and demands things of me, but she is at least heradus. YOU are just a whining mouse, and you are MINE.
No! She yanked herself from his grasp, tears streaming from her face now. She even pulled her dagger out, holding it out in front of her but knowing it would hardly affect him in any serious way. What is wrong with you? One moment we are spending some nice time alone, you even gave me a GIFT, and now, you are threatening me? And treating me like a mere possession again?
Silence reigned between them for several minutes. Ami just continued to stare, trying harder than she could cope with to control the fear, and refusing to leave his gaze. Finally he sighed, or half-snarled anyway, and shook his head.
i told you this already, I do not understand my own behavior. It changes like the tides, and at times I am helpless to control the urges. He began to turn away from her and then stopped, sniffing the air and glancing back. But what I say is true, that other heradus, he desires you.
Ami sighed, this whole thing was starting to get on her nerves. SO what if he does? You act as if in five seconds I'd go over to where he sleeps and join him!
He was glaring at her now, arms folded and standing like a stone blockade in her path.
Let me go past. I want to see Solarus. And I will have no further discussion on this.
He bared his teeth and stepped forward with a snap of his wings and a deep growl, which caused Ami to make a run for it, and she suddenly dashed forward getting past him.
Goliathus fought with himself not to chase her. The stupid woman, she should know better than to run like a scared rabbit, fear was the very thing he found impossible to resist.
In one moment, he felt his will fail, and he focused on her like a target, tensing his whole body and ready to strike. In the next however, before he could even take a step, something crashed into him so unexectedly he went careening into a nearby tree, and broke several branches along the way before hurtling to the ground in a heap with a heavy weight falling upon him. It was his mother, and she began to viciously tear at his sides and bite into his wing. He howled in pain and managed to kick her off with both legs. Once the two stood, they circled, with Alonus behaving like an enraged feline while she stalked about and hissed dangerously.
DARE to go after her, and I will SHRED you! She growled, screeching with her head crest wide open and wings held high. Goliathus was alarmed at his own mother's aggressiveness, it was starting to get worse, and he noticed it. In fact, she was becoming almost hateful of him. The words had stung from earlier, how she had mentioned how he shamed them by his behavior, and with that memory he sighed, gave a snort, and stopped. It was pointless to fight her, and the last time he had, the regret had been intense. No, he would not do that again.
I-I will not. He said simply, and raised his hands.
Alonus sensing he had indeed calmed down, folded her wings and whirled around, heading back down the path. Good!
Goliathus watched her go. Feeling miserable, hungry, and ashamed with himself, he went to the sky and left the area. Perhaps for a long while.
/
Dinarius had circled the forest for a few miles out, and more than once. He could not see any indication nor sense Ramonus anywhere. However, he was also quite aware that this one was such a powerful telepath that he could easily hide his thoughts, and remain undetected. Of course that bit of news from his aunt had made Dinarius nervous, but at the same time, more anxious than ever to protect Ami from him.
He would steal her away for sure, use her to break his curse... his thought trailed off as he landed on a high ledge by another copse of evergreens. It had a good vantage point while remaining partially hidden, and he crouched there a while, sniffing the air.
He felt a tickle then as Puvo came out from under his mane and settled himself on his shoulder, chirping all the while.
Yeah what, Puvo? Looking for some fat moths? He smirked.
Puvo shook his furry head and pointed with one wing over some nearby rock formations in the distance. He bared his teeth, looking more menacing than usual for such a little creature and went silent.
Dinarius took the cue and nearly stilled his breathing while crouching lower to the ground, listening carefully.
There was a cracking of branches in the distance, a minor sound, not something obvious...something he could tell was accidental. Someone was there, attempting to be as stealthy as possible, and suddenly an intensely familiar smell hit his nose. A scent that caused his entire body to light up and every muscle tense, but Dinarius stayed rooted to his spot. As he watched carefully, a human- like form came from between two trees, but was watching something to its left. Dinarius looked over and saw a campsite that was pretty well hidden, and surprisingly he had not noticed it before. It was a hunter's camo tent, and perfectly placed to blend in.
But he noticed the figure was not the owner of the tent...some more sniffing of the cooling breeze around him told him that two humans were in the tent, and sleeping. The one approaching however that held the strange scent...the one approaching was...
Vampire! Dinarius snarled but quickly stopped himself and got as low to the ground as possible. The figure watching, who now appeared to be a male with dark clothes on, quickly looked around, possibly catching the sound, but of course Dinarius held no scent. The only way to detect him would be to see him, and clearly the vampire had not noticed him yet. It was cautious however, and one in moment it turned into dark smoke and reappeared closer to the tent, this time with no branches snapping or any sound whatsoever. In just a few minutes, those humans would be dead.
The heradus felt his claws digging deep into the rock beneath him, and a deep growl starting in his throat as all the hairs in his furry white mane stood on end. Puvo couldn't growl, but made slow, barely heard squeaks that showed he too was anxious to attack.
Attack...and feast.
This was what his kind were meant to do, and his stomach roiled with hunger, now increased by tenfold. He watched carefully for a few moments longer but had to act before the vampire made its move. Two hunters in the tent...and two outside of it, what irony.
However the vampire had no idea that it too was becoming the hunted.
Perhaps this is why when Dinarius did finally spring from his ledge and open his head crest to scream...a tactic to instill utter fear into the vampire, that immediate chaos erupted.
The men in the tent instantly awoke of course, and scrambling, the two scraggly bearded inviduals came out to see what the hell had made the noise. But by the time they did, nothing could be seen. Instead, they heard terrible, haunting noises just a few yards away, shrieks...yells...and unearthly, horrible sounds that caused the two to abandon their tent altogether, grab their hunting rifles, and take off without looking back to their pickup truck. In seconds, they were heading down the small dirt road leading to the campsite and getting out of there as fast as they could.
/
Back at the brick house, Alonus was in the middle of pouring a cup of an herbal tea she had made for Trisha and nearly dropped it at hearing Dinarius' screeching in the distance. Faint, but she definitely heard it. She stood up quickly, and attempted to connect to his mind. She could practically smell coppery blood, feel clawing, kicking, biting...
Vampire. Vampire.
It was the bat, who didn't speak but put the words literally in her mind like reading a book. Every part of her wanted to bolt out of there and go join her nephew but Trisha could not be left alone. Especially if said vampire decided to head this way. She tried her son, but Goliathus had blocked everyone out. Like an iron wall, she was unable to break through.
Damn it!
/
Dinarius tore through the forest, chasing the enraged and terrified vampire, who was doing all he could to put distance between himself and the heradus.
A freaking heradus!
The forest was too thick here to fly, but the vampire decided running was going to fail a lot faster then gaining some speed in the air, and they were certainly fast. He took off like a bullet, heading straight up and through the canopy, and decided heading to the nearby mountains was the best place to try and find someplace to hide.
Much to his utter shock and dismay, Dinarius had almost caught up to him in a flash. He saw the head crest, opened wide, and the long and shark-like teeth and he screamed, trying to go faster, trying to get away...where in the hell had it come from?
"I have no qualm with you heradus, leave me be!"
Dinarius ignored the plea and didn't miss a beat. Hunger drove him, and with a snap of his tail he was suddenly upon the vampire, who yelled out in agony as they crashed to the ground.
The vampire felt his leg break and groaned in pain, scrambling back from the fury of claws, teeth, thrashing tail, and white fur that was now coming towards him on all fours.
"Fuck! Listen to me, would you? Hear me out! My name is Sampson, I'm not what you think I am, and my clan-"
Sampson was suddenly cut off by a beam of green light emitting from a small, flapping creature that had sprung off the heradus' shoulder, and he went flying back into a boulder so hard that his shattering shoulder bones could be heard echoing throughout the forest.
He screamed loudly in pain, and then an all-consuming fatigue began to consume him. His energy was fading fast as if he himself was bleeding out.
"Gaaah! Fuck...shit...shit..." Trying as hard as he could with whatever strength remained, he continued to pull himself along the ground trying to escape, but it was useless. Dinarius slammed down on his back, sinking his whole body into the earth and making breathing nearly impossible. Unable to speak now he had no choice but to use his mind voice, for one more desperate plea.
Please...don't kill me. I'm not a bad vampire, those guys...those hunters, they- AAAAAAAA!
A pain exploded in his back as Dinarius had torn into his flesh with his taloned foot, attempting to tear out his heart from behind.
No such thing as a GOOD vampire, if that's what you're implying.
Sampson struggled, attempting to get free. Attempting to twist his arms around behind him he managed to grab a wingtip and pulled as hard as he could, succeeding in tearing the delicate skin.
Dinarius yelled, snarling as he had not exepcted that manuever. In the one moment he took to glance at his torn wing the vampire had shockingly managed to recover from Puvo's magic and quickly rolled onto his back. They stared for a fleeting moment, and then Dinarius saw stars as suddenly two feet landed hard into his jaw, knocking him backwards.
Listen to me. Damn you, LISTEN TO ME. I KNOW what you are, heradus, and I know what you do. But I am not your enemy. Who the fuck are you anyway? We haven't seen one of you in freaking...god damn...for centuries!
Groaning, Dinarius stood up slowly, grimacing and glaring at the vampire.
I highly doubt you know me. He rubbed his aching jaw, which felt broken. Puvo, find the wolves. NOW.
The little bat responded quickly to the private thought and flew away, chirping madly. The vampire noticed and watched for a second, but seemed quite reluctant to keep his eyes off the heradus for more than one second as the two started circling each other.
Tell me anyway! Sampson appeared young, he was the typical black-haired vampire with dark green eyes, but appeared to be a mere teenager. However Dinarius knew they retained their youth anyhow, so looks could be deceiving.
You seem like a Royal to me, Sampson. And all Royal vampire clans are enemies.
I might be Royal, but I never followed Marcus or Donovan. I'm from a seperate clan that doesn't believe in slaughtering humans for our sustenance!
Dinarius laughed, despite his aching jaw, and shook his head. Bullshit. I've watched your kind slaughter innocent children, and I don't believe a damn thing you say.
Sampson stopped circling and sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. I am telling you, I don't kill humans. I take what I need, but I leave them alive.
And that was your intention with those two hunters, I suppose?
YES. I was going to put a spell on them to keep them asleep, take only what I needed and not enough to kill them, and be on my way. It's always how I hunt...so much easier when they are sleeping. Less fear, less mess...better all around.
Silence. Dinarius was incredulous; this was not something he could believe, but Sampson certainly seemed convincing. Still, he wouldn't trust him, not one bit.
He crouched, ready to pounce again, when howls and snarls filled the air. Both looked to their right and saw many huge, loping wolves approaching in the distance.
Vampire! Brothers! Kill! Kill! Kitsune did not hide his thoughts, all of them heard it, and Sampson cursed under his breath and tried to run, only to scream in pain again at the reminder of his broken bones. He was in bad shape, and the bat's spell was still causing his energy to be at very low levels.
Give it up Sampson, today you're going to die. First, I'll let my Ring tear you apart and feast on your flesh. And then, they'll save the heart for me, which I will rip right out of your chest. Then I'll watch you burn away into nothing but ash.
Sampson pulled his gaze away from the approaching wolves and stared hard at the heradus.
Why do you hate us so much?
Pah...is that a serious question? Really?
Sighing, Sampson seemed to have resigned himself to his fate, and slowly sat on the ground , groaning as the action caused his broken bones to rub together. He gritted his teeth, attempting not to scream again.
You didn't tell me your name.
Fine. It's Dinarius. You don't know-
Dinarius?! Sampson went to say something further, but Kitsune, who had arrived first, sprang from the ground and leapt upon him, clamping down on his throat. The dire wolf bit down heard enough that the head was nearly severed. The entire pack began tearing at the vampire hungrily, tearing off limbs and fighting over the chunks of flesh. Through it all Sampson was still alive and tried to get away...but of course all in vain.
After a few more minutes nothing much was left, as the wolves picked at bones and finished off some remaining intestines. And STILL the cursed being still moved about, with only the heart, clearly visible in the chest cavity, beating away even though no blood remained.
The wolves looked up at their master and backed away, as he reached down, pulled the heart free, and gulped it down without a moment's hesitation. He quicky took flight then as only moments later fire erupted, burning away the rest.
With this, Dinarius felt his body healing further from his long, long rest when his aunt awakened him. His senses were more keen, his heart had replaced itself with a new, even stronger one, and memories...even more memories began to flood his brain.
As for Puvo, who had eaten some of the flesh himself, his eyes began to glow a faint green.
The dark magic was getting stronger as the very force of itself was absorbing the powerul supernatural energy of the vampire.
/
Before Dinarius could even land on the ground near the house, he was met by Alonus in the air. It seemed she would say something, but the worry melted from her face when she got a good look at his crystal eyes that were more intensely blue than before. She smirked.
Good job, nephew. But where...where did it come from?
Now THAT is a good question, auntie. But I hope we find another one soon, for you!
The two landed and sat upon the log near the door. Alonus sighed and shook her head, but smiled slightly when the raven soared from a tree branch and onto her shoulder again. She pet the bird under its bill and it made a happy "clonk" sound.
Trisha drank the special tea but she is still very weak. I may need to use the Ring after all, but I am afraid no matter what I do, she will die if we don't take drastic measures. Starcrow also warned me earlier that the fetus inside her would never survive an actual spell at this time. In the end, Dinarius... she looked up at him. In the end, you may have to do the blood exchange. She stands a slightly better chance with it. I would do it of course...but I think you should this time around.
Dinarius blinked, looked at the house a moment, then narrowed his eyes. I see what you're doing. No...I won't do that. I WILL do it for Ami, though. When that time comes-
Nephew please! You must get Ami out of your mind! I told you!
He shook his head again. She needs a good protector. Goliathus sees her as property, and you just SAW that before, when you had to stop him from attacking her. I care about Trisha plenty...but giving her my blood bonds me to her, and it's not her that I have these feelings for.
Hands on her knees Alonus slowly shook her head, got up, and stood with her back to him.
One thing you certainly are...is stubborn. But I guess it runs in the family. She looked over her shoulder, long blonde waves cascading down her back. Be careful, Dinarius. Just...be careful. I don't know how, but somehow...if you succeed in this, do your best not to make a terrible enemy out of my son. I think he's already aware of your desires for her. As for me...I will no longer intervene. I realize now, that is not my place. Because as we have said before...Ami's happiness is paramount. And if, in the end...she paused briefly. ...if in the end she chooses you and that makes her happy...so be it.
She walked back into the house as the night air grew chillier, and Dinarius nodded, satisifed.
Finally, his aunt was beginning to understand.
Understand how Goliathus did not deserve Ami in the slightest...and he would help her escape him.
/
The next chapter should be up in a few weeks! Thanks for all who continue to read and remember that reviews are all us writers ever want.
Oh and one thing, understand that this story is still a different entity than TGC. It has similar elements, but will NOT have the same outcomes.