A/N: Thanks to my beta, Olethros.

Erik: the Vampire Hunter - The Continuing Adventures

Episode 16

By: Elektra

Erik sat on the floor in a darkened corner of the bedroom, watching Christine sleep. How she could sleep when she knew whom…what… wandered the house in the form of a soft spoken young man, he couldn't figure out.

Orpheus had still not left their home, though his reasoning was beyond Erik. He imagined that Oren was frightened of what lay ahead and saw the house as a place of refuge - but the demon that possessed him was not so innocent.

No, Erik was quite sure Sytri had other reasons for staying where he was. Erik watched the boy like a hawk, making sure Christine was never left alone with him.

Christine, for her part, was torn between her concern for Oren's well-being, and her fear of Sytri's power. She did not insist he leave, though she knew the risk that lay just beneath the gentle boy's surface.

Erik thought she was far too compassionate for her own good.

Nadir, on the other hand, had decided to keep his distance. His own brush with death was enough for him to question Erik's sanity in letting such a dangerous creature remain under his roof.

Suffice it to say, the Guild detective had not come to visit since.

Though Orpheus was doing the best job he could to prevent Sytri from gaining full control, Erik could see the boy's strength was weakening. He was showing physical exhaustion from the effort. His personality flipped on a dime. He was going to lose the battle whether he wanted to or not. Sytri would soon have his own body back…

… unless the demon found himself trapped once again.

Could I do it?

Erik wasn't quite sure which question he was asking: Could he end Orpheus' life if Sytri took over … or could he find a new body in which to trap the demon?

And if I attempted the latter, who could possibly be strong enough to withstand Sytri's influence?

A disturbing thought entered Erik's head.

I have been controlling my demons all my life. What difference would it make if one had a voice?

He glanced back at Christine.

And how much danger would SHE be in?

That was where the line of thought turned. Erik realized that his decision was already made.

I'll have to make myself scarce. Just for a little while.

At least it was better than staining his hands with blood once more, losing Christine forever.

Erik slowly pushed to his feet and changed into his sleepwear. He quietly slipped into bed, his back to the woman beside him, and closed his eyes.

Sleep refused to come.

He wasn't sure how long it was before he felt the slender arm around his waist and the warm body snuggling against his back.

"Beloved…" he began softly, "I must go on an assignment for the Guild."

"When?" came the sleepy reply.

"In the morning."

He could hear the frown in her voice when she spoke next, "And when, exactly, did they tell you this?"

"They told me nothing. It's just something I know must be done."

"I don't understand," she replied.

"No need to understand. Just know that I will be gone for a while. I cannot give you an exact time, but it will only be until matters are taken care of. I will try to keep in touch. Hopefully things right themselves quickly. I don't like being away from you for very long."

"Care to explain more?" Christine asked.

"Right now, I can't. I'm not quite sure myself. I'll let you know as soon as I know."

Christine let out a sigh, but her voice was gentle when she spoke next. "No secrets, Erik."

"No secrets. Not anymore. I promise."

Christine resigned herself to the situation. For now. "Turn over and say goodbye properly then…"

Orpheus's room – several hours later

Erik stood over Orpheus's sleeping form and glared down at him. " Come now, useless creature!" he hissed, "Don't you want to say hello to your son?"

"Useless, am I?" came Sytri's voice from Orpheus's body, golden eyes slowly opening. " Really, Erik... you make me laugh. As if ANY demon has a use above ground! I am not here to be useful. I'm here to have fun."

"In a weak boy's body?" Erik asked. "Or perhaps I am calling the wrong creature weak."

"And what, exactly, do you mean by that, son?"

"Only that you have failed to gain complete control of his body." Erik shrugged, "Not that it matters. After all we did to you, I'm surprised you even had enough power to return topside to begin with."

Sytri sat up quickly. "You are making claims for which you have no proof!"

"I admit, I am baffled by your reappearance, Father," he spat the word out bitterly. "And my curiosity leads me to wonder if you managed it all by yourself."

"You think I couldn't?" Sytri asked, his tone growing angry. " I am stronger than you know!"

"If you were so strong, you would have entered MY body instead."

Sytri let out a harsh laugh, "Best not to challenge me, boy. You don't know what I'm capable of!"

"Obviously, you're not capable of controlling ME so you needed to find this boy in my place."

"This BOY has my body. Or rather, what is left of it. I wanted it back."

Erik nodded his head, as if something had been silently confirmed. " MY body is closer to yours than his is now. I am wholly your blood." He paused a moment, "Well, save for that 'human' part you seem to abhor so very much."

Sytri let out a cold laugh, "I can easily take care of that."

Erik feigned interest, "Really? And how would you propose to do that? You are still far too weak to-"

Erik's air was cut off before he could finish. Though he knew what was happening and could easily fight the hands wrapped around his throat, he chose not to.

The plan would not work otherwise.

Sytri's eyes bored into his, their golden shade a mirror of his own.

"You claim I am so weak, yet here I am overpowering you, just as I overpowered Martine. Just as I overpowered the Persian. I can easily take your body for my own. Would you like me to prove it?"

Erik allowed a challenge to enter his eyes. A challenge he knew Sytri could not resist.

Try it...

A painful pressure filled Erik's body. It started from his head, and then slowly made its way through. It was in his chest now, moving down to his abdomen, then to his legs and finally his feet. Erik felt heavy and thick, as if he had been turned to stone.

Though his eyes were open, he saw nothing but blackness. It filled him, chilled his blood. He lost track of how long it took before he could regain any feeling.

Slowly, his eyes focused once again. The hands around his throat slid away and a room came into view. Erik saw a young man sitting up in his bed, looking around as if something had greatly confused him.

"Mr. Erik?"

Erik blinked away the last few black spots that crowded his sight and focused on the young man before him. He looked different. His hair, which had once been dark and streaked with gold was now a shimmering blonde - as it no doubt had been several millennia ago.

His face looked younger, his sea-green eyes more innocent.

"What happened?" Orpheus asked. "He… he's gone!"

"No, he's not." Erik replied.

"But… I feel… free!"

"Yes. He no longer inhabits you." Erik replied. Instead, it is I who am shackled in your place, he added silently.

"Oh really, son..." came a voice within Erik's head, "Must you always be so dramatic?"

The voice was disturbing. He looked at Orpheus, wondering if the younger man had heard it. Oren seemed happily clueless.

"I… I can leave now. I can go somewhere else!" Oren replied, oblivious to Sytri's voice.

"I would suggest you don't go too far," Erik answered. "You're still a suspect in Martine's attack."

Orpheus bit his lip nervously, "She needs to wake up. She needs to tell them…" he shifted back and forth. "Do you know if she's well? I worry about her."

"I plan to see her later. To see if she has woken yet."

"Can I come? I… I can help. I mean…" Oren wrung his hands nervously. "I woke up gods. Surely I can wake up a mortal woman. Or… we BOTH can, maybe?"

Erik studied Orpheus, wondering if such a thing could possibly work. "By singing?"

Orpheus shrugged, "That's how it happened before."

Erik considered this. "I suppose it's worth a try, though I will feel like a fool."

"Please, Mr. Erik. I want her well again."

Erik nodded. "Come with me then. Tomorrow."

Erik left the room silently, and momentarily wondered why Sytri had not yet tried to overpower him.

The Next Morning

Christine slowly rolled over to see a note standing alone on Erik's pillow. Left already? She wondered. She picked up the note, her eyes skimming over the red scrawl, disbelief setting in the further she read.

"No…" she gasped. Why? My God, Erik! Are you insane? She shook her head. Silly question, Christine. Erik never once claimed to be of sound mind.

She continued to read on:

… please forgive your Erik for keeping this from you last night, but he did not wish to end the night in anger.

You must understand, however, that this was something that needed to be done. It was the only alternative to Executing Orpheus. Your Erik is willing to do anything to keep his promises to you, for they are the only promises that have ever mattered.

I know we will see one another before this mission has been completed, and it's best you know the danger you face. If, at any time, my behaviour is different from what you are used to, run. Run and do not stop until you know you are safe.

Yours always,

Erik

Christine let the paper fall from her hands, at a loss for what to do next.

At least she knew the truth. Unfortunately, the truth involved her fiancé being possessed by his demonic father.

It was not as if there were support groups for such things.

Hospital

I feel HIM here again. But something is different. He's not nearly as cocky as he was.

And someone else is with him.

"Mr. Erik, those air ducts are rather dusty. I think I inhaled an insect or two as well."

I hear the voice of my darling Oren. Is he with the Hunter, Erik? Sytri's son?

"Would you rather have been seen? I could arrange it quite easily."

Yes. That is definitely Erik.

"No, Mr. Erik. I'm sorry."

They are silent, though I feel them coming closer.

"Ms. Robichaux? I don't suppose you can hear us."

Erik's voice is so similar to Sytri's voice, yet far more pleasant to hear.

"But on the off chance you can, let it be known that I plan to get rid of Sytri. I'll need your assistance to do so, however. If there is a way we can wake you, we will attempt it."

Oren's beautiful voice woke gods. Perhaps hearing the two of them sing together…

"… even though I still feel like a fool."

Erik is not one to do foolish things easily.

"Oh no, Mr. Erik. You're not a fool. It could work."

Sweet Oren, always the optimist. Please don't give up on me."

"Very well, boy. You begin."

"Yes, sir - Musica è il mio amore. Il primo e l'ultimo. Musica è il futuro. Ed il passato in me. Restare senza note. Impossibile perchè. In queste stanze vuote. La musica mia c'è…"

Orpheus's voice. The voice that could wake the gods.

"Musica e l'amore. Primo e anche l'unico. Regalo mio piu grande. La musica per te…"

And now… the voice that could make angels weep has joined him.

Erik, do you even know the incredible power you have?

Erik and Oren stopped singing when they heard the quiet moan coming from the unmoving woman in the bed before him. The masked man narrowed his eyes and studied Martine for any sign of life.

"I'm telling you it won't work, Son!"

"Be silent!" Erik shot back at the voice that interrupted him.

"Mr. Erik?" Orpheus looked up at the taller man, eyes fearful.

"I am not speaking to you, boy…" Erik hissed. "Continue the song!"

Oren nodded and continued to sing. Erik joined him once again. As their voices filled the room, Martine's lips began to twitch and her eyelids began to flutter.

"Stop it!"

Erik felt as if something had just stabbed his skull from the inside but did not heed Sytri's demands.

Martine's eyes slowly opened. She tried to speak, but her throat was far too dry, her voice a croak.

Erik silenced his voice. Orpheus followed shortly after.

"Go now," Erik instructed the younger man. "Leave the same way we came. I need to inform the nurses that she is awake, and it would do no good for them to find you here."

Oren did not protest and did as he was told. Once he was gone, Erik set about taking charge of the newly awoken patient.

After several minutes of tests and checkups, Martine was able to bring her bed up into a sitting position. Erik saw her wince, and witnessed Sytri's memory of impaling the wooden stake in her chest. The demon had rather enjoyed it.

Martine slowly sipped the water that had been placed beside her, careful not to overdo it, considering she had not had anything in her stomach for some time.

Erik pulled up a chair and sat beside her bed, getting straight down to business. "How do I get rid of Sytri? He is here now," he explained, tapping his temple. "I've freed Orpheus of his influence."

Martine nodded, understanding that this decision was for the best. "You need to send him back where he came from."

"And how do I do that?"

Martine took a deep breath. "I'll have to consult my books. But…" she indicated her weakened state, "It won't be any time soon." She glanced away, her next words making her voice quiver. "You must take Oren home first."

"Home?" Erik asked.

"I made a foolish mistake, Mr. Garner. I brought together two different worlds. It wasn't intentional." She released a breath. "I pulled Oren's spirit from the underworld and placed him in Sytri's body. As you've no doubt realized, Sytri is from a far different place."

"What does this mean then?"

"It means I've interfered with both Hades and Lucifer. Two very different creatures. Neither are known for their generous spirit."

"Wonderful," Erik muttered.

"Sytri was one of Lucifer's lower minions. If he had a problem with it, he would have already sent a servant out. I imagine he probably doesn't care at this point."

Erik ignored the angry response from his traveling companion. Sytri was rather offended at Martine's obvious dismissal of his importance to 'Lou'.

"Hades, on the other hand," Martine continued, unaware of the noise in Erik's head, "… has a habit of involving himself in things above ground – such as kidnapping a goddess's daughter to make her his bride." She murmured.

"Yes, I've heard that story," Erik replied.

Martine nodded, "I had no right to take Orpheus from him. He needs to go back. If he wants to live, he needs to ask Hades for his release – though Hades would want something in return, no doubt."

Erik nodded.

Martine met his eyes, "For now, go where you're most comfortable. Somewhere you have power and control. Stay there until I'm well, and we'll take it from there."

"I know where to go," he answered, then stood up and offered Martine a curt nod of his head.

There was one place where he felt in complete control. A place he was a large part of, where he knew every nook and cranny, every hidden tunnel and passageway.

Where he could keep his eye on the one he loved, even though he couldn't touch her.

Erik quickly made his way to the opera house.

End of Episode 16

A/N: The song Erik and Orpheus sing is "Musica" by Il Divo.