A/N: If you haven't already noticed, I couldn't figure out exactly how I wanted to finish up this story. The Red Fedora was so kind to finish it out it for me. This is all her. *bows out of the way*
A heavy silence filled the room…as if those gathered within its canvas walls were mourning the loss of the man who lay as still as death upon the cot before them…rather than hoping, and praying, for his safe return and that of the man who sat unnaturally still by his side.
Orwell watched from her perch on the lounge tucked into the corner of the room, her dark eyes narrowed and her expression weary. She had tried to move closer to her partner; however her attempts had been halted by a firm…though sympathetic…Max. It was dangerous enough with Ruvi connected as he was…the ringmaster would not allow the chance that anyone else might be drawn into the dream walker's web. Orwell wrapped her arms tighter around her knees, drawing deeper within herself as she watched with a heavy heart. Vince had become more than her best chance to complete her goal to expose her father for who he really was…he had become more than her partner. He was her friend, her strength, her hope. His overprotective 'older brother' nature both annoyed her and made her feel safe…and she had not felt safe in so long.
She needed him.
The city needed him.
He had to survive.
Her gaze shifted to where Max stood just within the doorway, his hooded eyes focused Ruvi, watching for any indication as to what was happening. It had been nearly an hour since the two men had returned to the dream world. Sixty minutes since either had moved. Three thousand and six hundred seconds since anyone had dared move. Orwell's dark eyes returned to her partner. The only evidence that Vince was alive was the barely perceptible rise and fall of his chest beneath the light blanket as he breathed.
A sniffle came from the chair beside Max and a slight frown marred the large man's face as he placed a gentle hand on Raia's shoulder. Only Rollo was absent as someone had to man the park's security monitors. If Vince were to lose, it was a fair bet that Chess's revenge would not stop with the man's life. Trolley Park could be at risk as well.
All eyes focused on the men in the center of the room as Vince issued a small groan. Ruvi's fingers tightened around Vince's wrist in response as his opposite hand flexed slightly against the man's forehead; his head remained bowed in deep concentration as the other's watched with bated breath.
It had begun.
oOo
Vince rubbed his bruised shoulder as he carefully regained his balance on the uneven pavement. A small frown creased his lips as he fingered the tear in his sleeve where he had struck the corner of the brick wall. Thin wisps of dark mist slid silently over the cobbled path beneath his booted feet, wrapping around him like the cold heavy fingers of a grasping hand. A shiver ran up his spine as the damp worked its way beneath the hood of the cape, caressing his neck with an icy whisper of a breeze. He could sense Vitari's presence growing stronger with each step he took closer to the center of the dreamscape. The world around him had grown perceptively darker since the walker's arrival. The corridors had begun to shift of their own accord, herding him like a rat in a maze toward some end game of the man's design. His mind felt sluggish, his limbs heavy and Vince felt himself growing weaker with each passing moment. He was beginning to lose control.
Clear your mind. Concentrate.
A bit of the tension dissolved as he heard Ruvi's voice whisper in his head, reassuring him that he was not alone this time. Vince drew a deep breath and released it slowly as he obeyed; some of the weariness began to fade as he felt the comforting warmth of the talisman beneath his armor grow stronger, chasing away the chill of the surrounding darkness. The grasping shadows fell away as he regained a small measure of control. He closed his eyes as he deepened his connection to the world around him, picturing the layout in his mind. The small frown returned. Apparently he had been going in circles…the dream walker had connected the corridors into one large loop, most likely in an attempt to wear him down. Vince resisted the urge to set them right again; it wouldn't do to tip his hand so soon.
The frowned deepened as the corridors began to shift as he watched, opening into a new pattern…one that connected in a swirling arch toward the dreamscape's center. A scream split the oppressive silence which surrounded him. His pulse quickened and a surge of adrenaline drove the fatigue back as he plunged forward into the darkness, taking care to avoid the pulsing shadows at its edges.
"Where are you hiding, Cape?" a familiar voice taunted. "Are you afraid to face me?"
Vince shoved the anger back as he quickened his step. He knew this Chess was just a figment of his imagination…as was Dana…but the fact did not make it feel any less real. Not in this crazy place.
"The brave hero, safe in hiding like a rat in a hole, leaving the innocent to suffer."
His heart twisted in his chest as at the pained whimper that followed. The cape whipped around him as he slid to a sudden stop as the buildings ended…ejecting him into the center of a large open space. A deep mocking laughter filled the air as the heavy fog faded away, as if someone had thrown a reverse switch on a dry ice machine. The acidic taste of bile rose in the back of his throat as he focused on the pair before him.
"Ah, there you are. I was beginning to think you wouldn't show."
Chess's lips stretched in a cold smile as he tightened his grip on the mass of auburn hair clenched tightly in his fist. Light from a nonexistent source reflected chillingly against the untarnished blade of the knife he held against Dana's pale throat. Vince felt the chill and the fear returning as his wife's face contorted in fear and pain as Chess pressed edge of the knife closer against her skin.
"Stop." Vince heard himself whisper. "Let her go."
The blade lowered slightly as Chess shifted his strange eyes toward his adversary.
"I am willing to let her go…for a price." He purred smoothly. "You know what I desire…your identity for her life."
Release all emotions. He will use them against you.
Vince paused at the sound of Ruvi's voice. He was distracted a moment later as Chess pressed the blade against his wife's throat with enough pressure to draw a small amount of blood. His heart twisted at her soft cry, as he watched it trail a dark path against her ivory skin.
"You try my patience, Cape. Make your choice or I will kill her now."
Dana gasped in pain as the blade cut deeper. White hot rage overtook him as he grasped the cape in his gloved hands, preparing to use it against Chess…or at least he tried to. Shock dulled his anger as his hands passed through the fabric as if it were vapor.
Don't give in to your fears. You must clear your mind.
Vince drew a shuddering breath as he forced his eyes to close, shutting out the image before him.
"Tell me what I want to know and this will all be over."
It was not real. He knew this and yet he felt reality grow further away with each pained gasp that echoed from the lips of his wife's image. He could not give in…Chess would kill his family without a thought if he knew Vince's true identity…and then he would turn his revenge on Vince's friends, ripping away his support before destroying the man himself. Too many innocents had died already…and many more would die if he lost.
Vince focused the remainder of his tattered strength on the ring hanging from the chain around his neck …and as he did he could feel the warmth growing stronger until it burned against his chest, grounding him against the twisting nightmare which threatened to swallow him. Chess's voice faded…drowned out by the blood pounding loudly in his ears.
Get ready.
He opened his mind fully to the dreamscape, focusing on the dark presence just beyond the edge of the clearing. A slight grin tweaked at the edge of his lips as he waited for Ruvi's signal.
Now!
The blue eyes flew open, burning with a bright intensity as the dreamscape began to dramatically twist around them…spinning like wildly a psychotic merry-go-round. The images before him vanished as the shadows drew back to reveal a dark figure, reeling against his sudden loss of power. The ring seared against his chest…its intense heat flowing inward, restoring his control and grounding him.
An animalistic roar was his only warning before a wave of energy struck him. Vince staggered back…his control faltering as a second wave struck him.
"You dare try to defeat me?" came the incredulous roar.
Vince grasped the cape once more…and felt a small measure of relief as he felt the heavy weight of the smooth fabric within his hands.
"I do." Vince taunted. "What are you going to do about it?"
He snapped the cape outward as the man surged forward. The black fabric engulfed the man, and Vince snapped it sharply sending Vitari sprawling against the stones. Vince staggered back as an unseen force slammed into him, nearly knocking him off his feet, as his opponent regained his.
"You are weak, Cape. You cannot defeat me." The voice snarled. "You will die…slowly and painfully."
A small smile creased Vince's face as he felt the shift in the energy surrounding them. The plan was working…the dream walker's connection was growing weaker, his focus inhibited by his anger.
"Not today." A third voice stated dryly.
Both men spun in the direction of the voice as a third figure appeared within the circle.
"You!" Vitari hissed as he turned his focus toward the newcomer.
Ruvi grinned darkly, his face half shadowed by the hood of his cape as he raised his hands toward the dream walker, pinning the man in place. The swirling tempest surrounding them faltered as Vince sank to his knees, his eyes shut in tight concentration in an effort to hold his control. His body trembled with fatigue as the winds strengthened around them.
"Hurry." He gasped.
Vitari roared in fury as he struggled uselessly against Ruvi's hold.
"It's your turn now, Necromancer. What are you afraid of?" Ruvi whispered darkly.
As they watched the man let out a shriek of fear, whipping to face an unknown assailant.
"You lose, Dreamwalker."
Ruvi released the man, sending him sprawling. Vitari sprang to his feet, waving his arms wildly against a vision only his twisted mind could see. Vince felt a strong hand grasp his arm and a sharp tug against his mind as Ruvi hauled him to his feet.
"The door, Vince, now." His friend ordered sharply above the roar of the tempest and the pitch of the walker's screams. The winds grew stronger, buffeting against them as Vince shifted his attention toward a large door which suddenly appeared beside them. Ruvi shoved him forward, grasping the handle of the door and pushing it inward as Vince's control failed. He fell into the darkness beyond as Ruvi followed quickly, forcing the door shut behind them as the dreamscape collapsed in upon itself…taking its master with it. And then there was nothing but silence…and welcoming oblivion greeted Vince as the last of his strength gave out.
Rest, my friend…you are safe now.
oOo
Peter Fleming frowned as the silence that greeted him as he entered the dimly lit warehouse. The hard soles of his expensive shoes clicked loudly against the concrete flooring. His frown deepened as he approached the silent figure seated at the workbench in its center. The soft scent of a variety of sharp spices tickled his sensitive nose unpleasantly as he made his way closer.
"You had better have some good news for me." He stated coldly.
Annoyance surged through him at the man's failure to respond.
"Are you listening to me?" Fleming growled as he stepped forward and grasped the man's thin shoulder.
He stepped back suddenly as Vitari slumped boneless against the surface of the table, spilling the smoldering incense from its burner. The look of fear in the man's vacant eyes sent a cold chill through Fleming. His eyes shifted to a piece of parchment beneath the dead man's hand. He retrieved it carefully, dusting a smattering of glowing embers from its yellowed surface. His eyes darkened with frustration…and hate…at the word's scrawled across its surface.
The Cape is..
It ended sharply…trailing a jagged scribble of black ink.
Fleming crumpled the paper and tossed it back onto the table, before spinning sharply on his heel and stalking back the way he had come. His body guard opened the door to the dark car silently as he approached.
"Torch the warehouse." He ordered as he slid into the dimly lit interior.
He seethed softly as he watched his men disappear into the building, gasoline containers in hand. The Cape may have won this round…but he would fall in the end.
This town was not big enough for the both of them…and Chess did not share.