Author's note: Thank you to my two faithful reviewers. You are the reason this story is going on. So thank you again to Tifa Lockheart and StrawberryEggs. You are both great.
Trials
Rabat turned to look into a face that he honestly never thought to see again. The face of a man he had once shared a drink with and they had talked for awhile, becoming quick friends. That was until Rabat let it slip that he was working for earth and had brought the earthlings down on the planet that they were staying on.
Rabat saw Akarik and then he saw Akarik's foot as it slammed into his face crushing his nose and sending blood spraying. Rabat flew backward a good fifteen feet and landed hard.
"You son of a bitch, because of you everyone I knew on that planet is dead," Akarik yelled and started to advance on Rabat.
Akarik realized that he was still holding Kahlua and handed her to the woman next to him. "Keep her safe," Akarik said his voice cold.
Layla took the unconscious girl into her arms, "Okay." Layla who hadn't known Akarik for very long knew that he was dangerous at the moment.
"You son of a bitch! How dare you," Rabat yelled as he sat up and fired his pistol at Akarik. The shots rushed forward three taking Akarik in the chest with another punching into his shoulder.
"Yes, yes Rabat use that pathetic weapon of yours." Akarik then rushed forward again and Rabat leapt to his feet. He aimed a kick for Akarik who ducked under the kick and while kneeling punched Rabat in the stomach.
Rabat stumbled back coughing. Rabat was still coughing, "I'll kill you." He fired his gun again and once again the bullet tore into Akarik. Akarik wasn't even trying to dodge, and that was making Rabat nervous. He knew this man was dangerous, in fact he had seen him kill with such ease, that it was like watching a grown-up rip the arms from a doll.
"Better men than you have tried," Akarik hissed.
"What the hell is your problem," Rabat demanded firing again and again the bullet tearing into Akarik who didn't dodge.
Everyone was watching the display with mixed emotions. Most were confused to say the least but some others had different emotions filling their heads. Ezra was scared to say the least but she was also relived to see that her daughter was fine. She didn't know what to think of the two men fighting and in truth she didn't really care. She only wanted to see Kahlua.
Ezra moved to the strange woman and said almost frantic, "Can I have my daughter?"
The woman turned her head to Ezra and knew instantly that the woman was indeed the girls mom. The look of peace and innocence in the eyes spoke volumes. "Sure here she is safe and sound."
"Oh thank goodness," Ezra said as a great weight felt as if it had been lifted from her shoulders. Ezra took Kahlua from the woman who was holding her out to Ezra. Ezra started to cry silently as she felt her daughters familiar weight and the evenness of Kahlua's breathing.
Layla smiled slightly to see mother and daughter reunited. She turned her gaze back to the fight and the others that were watching the two men fight. Layla's smile disappeared as she watched Akarik take bullet after bullet not slowing down and only seeming to get more mad. Layla had a feeling that Akarik really did want to kill Rabbat.
Akarik ducked under a punch from Rabat and sent a punch of his own at Rabat's elbow. His fist connected and Akarik heard the crunch of bone as Rabat's arm flew out wide and Rabat screamed in pain. Akarik then stepped in close and elbowed Rabat in the face sending Rabat reeling. Rabat stumbled back and fell on his ass looking at Akarik though the fingers of the hand holding his face. Blood seeped down his face and Rabbat was terrified.
"God what are you," Rabbat yelled as Akarik slowly advanced on Rabbat.
Just then something happened that seemed to surprise everyone. Meia placed herself in between the two combatants. She had her legs perfectly spaced to allow for maximum stability just in case Akarik charged. Meia though had a feeling that if she stood her ground then Akarik wouldn't hurt her. She had to hope that Akarik wouldn't hurt her.
Meia had been watching the fight and she just couldn't understand what Akarik was doing. Yes Rabbat was a worthless piece of flesh but he had helped them out of a tight spot with the forces of earth. She was inclined to give Rabbat the benefit of doubt. That and she didn't want to see Akarik kill a human. She understood his hatred for the Slythiks but Meia just . . . she honestly had no idea what she wanted. All she knew was that she didn't want to see this fight continue. She didn't want to see this fight finish because it would mean one of them was dead.
"Stop," Meia's voice sounded like a whip crack. "Akarik you don't want to do this," her voice grew softer as she looked at Akarik and her features softened.
Akarik continued to advance his eyes never leaving Rabbat who started to pull himself backward away from Akarik. Rabbat didn't know what to do as nothing seemed to stop Akarik. It was like Akarik was a machine instead of flesh and blood.
"Please Akarik, please stop," Meia nearly pleaded her voice almost breaking as she realized Akarik didn't even see her. That hurt, the fact that he didn't even notice her. She didn't know why but it was like a knife to her heart.
Akarik continued forward and Meia stood her ground. She wasn't go to cave in and let Akarik kill someone. The others watched in fear. None wanted to move to interfere but all were scared. They didn't want to see Meia get hurt and yet they had to believe that Akarik wouldn't hurt her.
Dita watched in horror as the blood soaked Akarik advanced on Meia. Jura watched as well her hands on her hips. She wasn't happy that Akarik was acting this way, she didn't like to see him this way.
The group watched, and none of them wanted to see Akarik do anything that he was going to regret. They didn't know him well that was for sure but they knew that he was a good person at heart. "Don't Akarik," they yelled almost as one causing them to look at each other in confusion.
Misty watched her heart racing and her hand came to her mouth in horror as he closed with Meia. "Don't do it," a whisper escaped her lips. Her gaze turned to see that Paiway was watching with that same mixture of horror on her face. The difference was that deep down Paiway was glad that Akarik had showed up. She knew that he had saved her from unwanted attention from Rabbat. Paiway felt terrible for feeling that though and her head sank as tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
Meia stood her heart beating so loud that she thought they must have all been able to hear it. Please don't Akarik she thought. She held her arms out as Akarik closed to within a couple feet and then he stopped for a moment.
His eyes seemed to clear and he looked at Meia, looked at her with concern etched on his face. He noticed that she had a single tear sliding down her perfect cheek. "Oh god wha . . ." he started but fell forward as a darkness rushed up to claim him.
They were all stunned to see that Akarik had stopped. They hadn't been so sure that he would, in fact they had all been a little scared. Akarik then whispered something and fell forward as unconsciousness claimed him. Everyone was just a little bit relieved to see him go unconscious.
Meia's heart soared as he had stopped. She was elated that he had realized what he was doing and had paused. She saw the change in his eyes and a small smile had come to her face. She heard him whisper, "Oh god wha . . ." and then his eyes closed and he started to fall forward.
Meia moved forward with her trained reflexes guiding her. Akarik fell into her as she wrapped her arms him. His head came to rest on her shoulder and he was nothing more than dead weight. Meia almost fell under his weight but somehow she managed to retain her feet. "It's okay Akarik I've got you," she whispered into his ear as she held him.
"Here Meia let me help you," Gascogne said as she moved alongside Meia. She slipped one of Akarik's arms around her shoulders to help support his weight. "Paiway get the medical room ready," Gascogne barked.
Paiway who had been standing motionless jumped at the sound of her name and scampered off to do as she was told. Meia and Gascogne carried Akarik onto the Nirvana and to the medical facility. The others followed except for Dita who stayed behind.
"You should leave now Rabbat," Dita said in her cheerful tone. "It would be best."
"Rightty Right. I got that vibe myself," he answered as he picked himself up. He limped to his ship with Utan at his side and they boarded and flew off. Rabbat had never been beaten so soundly in his life and he hated it. He never wanted to show his face to the women again but he knew in time their paths would cross. He also knew that he would meet Akarik again and they would finish what they started. Rabbat shivered at the thought. He knew on that day he would die.
"Goodbye and good riddence," Dita said sternly to the retreating ship.
"C'mon Dita, we should go check on Akarik with the others," Hibiki whispered into her ear. She shuddered in joy at having him so close and she nodded her head. Together the two of them boarded the Nirvana hand in hand.
Akarik slowly opened his eyes and started to cough. Water that had been in his lungs was forcibly removed by the coughing. "How . . . where," he wondered as he was wracked by another fit of coughing. Water left his lungs and was surprised to find he was still alive.
Akarik lifted his head and looked around the place he now found himself in. The last thing he remembered was his wife betraying him and stabbing him. He then remembered falling off the cliff to his death. Well maybe not his death he decided as he looked around.
He slowly started to stand up but he felt the pain his back and remained on his knees. God it hurt, those wounds his wife had given him. All of them. Tears streaked down his face as he remembered that she had been cheating on him with his best friend. "How could she," he whispered.
"Because she is evil," came a woman's soft voice.
Akarik was startled to say the least and he stood up fast fear coming back tenfold. In that instant though he wished he hadn't. The pain laced through his body and he doubled over. "Who's . . who's there?"
Akarik saw that he was in a cavern that was filled with stalagmites. They were everywhere and some had crystals forming on them. There was light down here but from what he didn't know. The place seemed barren but then he saw a woman walk out from a shadow. He couldn't believe that he hadn't seen her. He had been looking right where she was but he still hadn't noticed her.
He felt the blood flowing down his back then and dropped back to a knee. He just couldn't stand any longer. The pain was too much, both physical and emotional. He rolled onto his back not caring that it sent new waves of pain through his body. Akarik's gaze watched the ceiling and the lights dancing up there.
As he watched the ceiling the woman came into his view. Akarik knew he was dying. He was losing too much blood, and he had fallen a great distance. He knew he probably had internal injuries and so he was just lying there waiting for his death. The woman though smiled down at him.
She was pretty but nothing special. Her hair was dark brown and pulled back in a braid. Her eyes were a dark hazel color and she even had a few freckles dotting her face. Her smile was infectious as he felt one come to his face.
"My name is Vera, and you are?"
"I am Akarik."
"Hmm nice name Akarik very exotic. I like it."
"Thanks," closing his eyes.
"Do you hate her Akarik? Do you hate her for what she did. For bringing those creatures to your home?"
Akarik thought about it for a minute. He had never really been one to hate but . . . she did deserve it. She had brought death to so many people so many innocents. He knew deep down that yes he did hate his wife. "Yes I do. I hate what she did, I hate her and my friend."
"Do you wish to get revenge? Do you wish to live?"
"Yes I want to live. And . . . and I want to get back at her! I want her and him to pay for my pain," he yelled and started to cough as the pain intensified.
"Ho there Akarik don't get too excited or you might kill yourself," she said taking him in her arms. He was surprised to find that she could lift him. He wasn't a small man and she was carrying him as though he weighed nothing. It was amazing really but he felt the darkness start to close in on him. He fought it but it was hard to stay awake when his body cried at him to just let it rest. He finally relented to the darkness.
He awoke sometime later, his body feeling . . . different. He didn't understand it. He knew he should have been dead. The wounds he had sustained . . . he reached behind and felt his back where his wife had stabbed him. The wound was gone! It was gone! How could that be? It just wasn't possible.
He stood up quickly and looked around scared. There was little enough light but he could see just fine. What the hell was happening to him? He didn't understand. How, why, was he okay? It didn't make any sense.
"Oh you are awake now Akarik that is good. You have been asleep now for more than four days. Quite a long time for someone who . . ." the woman didn't finish as she came into view.
He remembered her and that she had told him he could live. "How am I alive?"
"Oh that well shortly after you passed out you regained consciousness. I'm surprised you don't remember," she softly replied as she sat a tray down in front of him with nothing on it but a wine glass filled to the brim with red wine. He shook his head as it seemed she was waiting for a response. He confirmed her suspicions though. "Well I offered you life, a very long life you see. You wanted it and the only way for me to grant it was for you to fully accept it from me. You had to trade a little of your blood for mine. That and I had to bite you," she said with a slight grin.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Akarik asked full of fear at what she was saying. In truth he didn't understand any of what she had just said. Accepting something from her and giving her part of his blood.
"Through the gift of your blood we shall remain connected for as long as we are both alive which for our kind is very long indeed," she told him as she sat down on a chair and crossed her legs. Akarik noticed that one of her legs was mostly exposed now due to the blood red dress she was wearing having a slit in it nearly to her hip. He looked away quickly as a gentleman should.
"Oh a gentleman. I haven't met one of you in a good few hundred years," she chuckled.
"What are you talking about? You don't look any older than perhaps twenty," he told her as he sat with his back to the stone wall and pulled his knees to his chest. For some reason it made him feel a little better.
She laughed for a moment and then turned her gaze to him and said, "No Akarik I am not twenty. Thank you for the compliment though. No in truth I am very old indeed. I am more than three thousand years old Akarik." Her voice was weary Akarik could tell and she seemed so sad. "I am one of a very few of my race left alive. I am a myth Akarik."
"What? You are a myth? You are more than three thousand years old? How is that possible? I don't understand?" Akarik was starting to panic slightly. What the hell had he gotten himself into. What the hell was going on. He dropped his head into his hands and felt tears slide down his cheeks. "I need to get out of here and get back to my family. I need to leave," Akarik whispered.
"You can't Akarik. At least not yet. You are thought of as dead, at least that is what will be reported. It would be best to stay here with me and learn about your new powers, to learn about yourself, and what you now are."
"What am I," Akarik asked lifting his tear stained face to look at Vera as she approached him her high heels clicking softly on the stone. It was a nice sound Akarik had to admit but he didn't think it should have sounded quite so loud to him. His hearing had never been very good but now he heard the sound of her thighs brushing together as she walked towards him.
"You are a vampire Akarik. A creature that subsists on the blood of other creatures. A creature of myth, a creature known as a hunter. You have heightened senses, you are now stronger than any ten men, faster, and many other things as well. In short you are what would be considered superhuman. This is what you accepted from me and it is what you will be forever most likely."
"I'm a what?" he yelled shooting to his feet his eyes wide. "I can't be one of those things. They are stories!"
"No we are not stories Akarik but we are not like the stories either. If you will sit I shall tell you how we originated." She paused here to let Akarik decide what he was going to do. Slowly he sank back down to his sitting position. He just didn't understand anything anymore. He just wanted to go back home with his wife . . . the wife that had betrayed him and stabbed him in the back quite literally.
"You see we, vampires that is, used to be human. Humans lived on many different planets not just earth as the earthlings believe. None of us remember where humanity originated but it wasn't earth or any of the planets you will find them on now days. So a group of humans decided to exploring in space to see if they could find new life and other such nonsense on some other planet." Vera pulled a chair up and sat down again. She reached down and dipped a finger into the wine and licked it off her finger and smiled at Akarik. "You really should try it, it is amazing."
She inhaled deeply then at his look. "Alright back to the story. Yes the found a planet but by accident. Their spaceship was hit by a asteroid and they were forced to land on a planet that they hadn't completed an analysis of. They crashed on that planet, and their ship was broken beyond repair, at least immediate repair. Oh what a planet it was. Everything was beautiful the plants and everything. We went out exploring and found that there was no intelligent life on the planet. We also soon found that there was also no water on the planet and none of our equipment worked from the ship so we weren't able to create any water if you get my drift." She sighed deeply and ran her hand through her hair. "Well there was an abundance of animals and so we took to hunting to at least get some food. The problem was that the creatures meat was saturated in blood. It made it difficult to eat but eat it we did. Through the blood we were able to live as well without water for a time but it was no substitute. Some of us died and yet others of us didn't. We took to watching the animals and figured that they would lead us to water they had to drink to right? Wrong we watched as they tore into each other with elongated canine teeth. They seemed to feed on the blood of their prey and not the flesh. It was very unique."
Vera looked at Akarik to make sure he was still listening and he was quite intently she noticed. "Well we were all starting to get weak, that is the ones of us that were still alive. We thought to cut into the trees but there was no water there either just a red liquid that was very similar to blood. We started to despair that was for sure. Well it got difficult to get the blood of the creatures we hunted and so we took to drinking the blood of our comrades. As time wore on we somehow managed to survive. It started to make us worry and then we noticed the changes in us. The meat of the creatures just didn't hold the taste that is should. It just didn't seem to satisfy like it should. In time the need for blood was so overpowering that we all started to hunt the creatures and drain them dry. The thirst had a hold of us. It was something that was terrifying, that we needed blood in order to subsist. I learned this because for a while I denied it and wouldn't even touch blood just to see. It was the wrong thing to do. I nearly died, I nearly attacked my own friends for their blood. It scared me but in time I learned to control the lust for blood. We all did, and we all learned that our bodies had mutated in order to survive. They had mutated so that they could subsist on what was there, basically blood in abundance. It seemed that also drinking the blood of those animals had played a part in the mutation, at least a very small part. We became more but also became a little less. We were no longer mortal. For some reason a side effect was the fact that we no longer aged. We aren't undead as the stories go, we are very much alive and can have children normally. We are quite alive with emotions and the sun doesn't hurt us and nothing hurts us that the stories say. We are just advanced humans if you will."
"That is amazing," Akarik said looking at her. "I am now one of them. But how did you make me one."
Vera looked at him closely,"Well we can transfer our power to someone who is completely willing. It is somehow like a virus and yet it isn't. I bit you and you changed into one us. I can't explain as we have never been able to understand it ourselves."
He looked at her a moment, "I see. Well I guess then that if I am one of these vampires I better learn to control the thirst? Isn't that what you called it?"
"Yes or you can call it a hunger but it results in the same end. You must have blood even though you can eat normal food and it will sustain you a little. In the end though blood is what keeps us alive without it we die."
)
The Nirvana had left shortly after Dita had boarded and they had started on their long trek home. Once everything was fixed properly though the trip would be short. They would be able to use the space jump ability of the pexis and then they would be home in a matter of minutes. It would be good to get home they all thought.
It had been three days now and everyone was still getting used the fact that they were seeing a married couple on board their ship. Many of the women had taken to spying on them to see how a man and woman interacted who were married. It was unheard of! How could a woman marry a man! It was just wrong! Coexisting was one thing but to live with one in the same room, and to sleep in the same bed! It was almost too much for the women to fully comprehend as well as the men.
Duero didn't spend much time on it though as he had a patient. It was where he was now watching over his unconscious patient Akarik. He heard the door slide open and he turned in his chair his coat billowing behind him and he saw Meia stride into the infirmay as she had every day.
She spent most of her time here Duero knew watching over Akarik and Duero wasn't sure why. He figured that she felt she owed him or something because that was the way Meia was. She was always trying to fulfill a debt to someone if she felt she owed them.
Meia walked up to Akarik her strides gave away the fact that she was uneasy. They were slightly hesitant as each step seemed to take just a split second longer than it should. The sound of her breathing filled the air and Duero went back to working on his computer. He wanted to leave Meia alone with Akarik as much as he could so he decided it was best if he just didn't get too nosy. He would let her have her time with him.
Meia pulled up a chair and sat down next to Akarik, the chair close enough to the bed that her knees were touching the edge of the bed. She reached out and placed her hand on his and she marveled at how cool his skin now was to the touch. "Well Akarik it's been three days now. When are you coming back to us? You can't die yet you know. There are some things I would like to tell you. I . . . I . . ." Meia started and a single tear gathered and traced its way down her cheek. It landed on Akarik's hand and others followed. "You can't die you hear me," she breathed through her sobs.
Duero stood up and left his white coat billowing out behind him. "I need to go inform the captain of how supplies are Meia. Would you watch over our patient for me." He didn't wait for her answer but strode out of the room pausing at the door long enough to glance behind him and see that Meia had her head down on the bed. She was trying to compose herself he knew. He was glad that she had started to finally warm up but he hated to see her like this as did the rest of the crew.
"Wow so they are married. It is amazing it really is," Dita exclaimed her eyes bright as she watched Layla and Dazin. Dazin leaned in and gave his wife a quick kiss. He was more than aware of the way everyone was watching them. He had to admit it made him nervous. He had never been an object to be viewed and learned from before. His wife though just thought that it was quite funny.
"Dazin why are you so shy?" she asked coyly batting her eyelashes at him. Damn she was beautiful he thought to himself and started to reach for her. He stopped himself though from doing something he would later regret he knew. "Aww, weren't you going to kiss me the way I deserve to be kissed?"
"Well maybe but . . ." he gestured around. "Look at them. They watch us like we are bugs or something. It makes me nervous."
"Honey it's okay. They come from planets where men and women were at war. It is only natural that they be curious to see they way we act." She started to laugh then and her cheeks flushed a little.
"What," Dazin began warily.
"Oh nothing I was just thinking of what they would think if they knew what we did behind our door at night. What if they have camera's on us," she said laughing even harder at the look her husband gave her.
"You . . . you don't think they would put a camera in our room," he nervously asked glancing around like it was a big conspiracy.
Layla threw her arms around her husband, "Oh honey." She leaned in and gave him a kiss for everyone to watch. Everyone did as well.
"Huh," Hibiki said musing to himself watching them. From the movies him and Dita had seen well . . . there was little kissing. There was a bunch of something else involving few cloths but . . . this kissing was something new to him. "I might have to ask him to show me that," Hibiki whispered to himself.
"What's that mister Alien," Dita asked cheerfully watching him her head cocked to the side and a smile playing about her beautiful full lips. Those really were nice lips Hibiki thought as he looked at Dita. "Hibiki," she prompted and her cheeks colored as he just continued to stare at her. "Mr. Alien," she said more forcefully leaning in close.
"Huh, awww, what the hell are you doing," Hibiki yelled waving his arms in front of his face as he leaned back in the chair and it toppled over. His legs were poking straight up in the air flailing back and forth to show off his anger.
Dita giggled as she helped him to his feet which brought a new fit of anger from Hibiki. His arms were flailing about and Dita was just smiling at him with her beautiful eyes on him. All throughout the room people were watching the two of them. Everyone had to admit that the two of them made for a good show. When all else failed and things were getting boring they could always watch Dita and Hibiki to get a few laughs.
Two people in general were watching them closely though. Layla and Dazin. The two of them knew a little more about what was going on there. The two of them were in love. Those two just didn't know how to properly express their love for one another. "Isn't it great sweetheart to see young love," Layla whispered to Dazin and turned her head up to look at him.
"Yes it is," while he leaned down and kissed her gently.
The time passed for Akarik and he learned about his new powers. He learned that his strength was nothing short of amazing as was his speed. He learned how to fight even better with Vera as a tutor. She was so amazingly talented. She was everything to him his mentor, his confidant, even from time to time his lover as two people who needed one another sometimes. She was there when his nightmares came and she was the one who comforted him.
She would just hold him, "It's okay Akarik, in time everything will go away. The pain will fade and you will not even care about what she did to you. I will be here for you until you are ready to leave." She was always so kind and understanding of him.
The time continued to pass for him and he in truth lost track of it. He didn't even know that five years had passed. Five long years and he hadn't aged a single day. His body was honed to perfection in that time and his skills were nearly without equal he knew. He also knew that it was time for him to leave.
He approached Vera, "I must leave now and get my vengeance. I know you said that I would forget but I haven't and I must get my revenge."
Vera sighed and nodded her head. "I understand Akarik. Some pain can't be erased without a little blood to help. I don't feel you are ready to go but it is your choice and I will not hold you here. I only ask that you never forget about me." Those last words were spoken softly and she had a pleading look in her eye.
He walked forward and embraced her. He placed a kiss lightly on her lips then, "I will never forget you Vera. I promise. You are the one person in the world that I can trust and the one person besides my family that I care about."
"Thank you," she whispered into his ear as they shared one last night together before he left to return to kill his wife and best friend. Before he left on a very long journey.
Sorry for the wait everyone but I have been so busy of late that I have had very little time to myself. Oh well I hope you all enjoy the chapter and I promise the next won't take six months.