The Vampire's Praetor
AGE RATING: Age 15+
Disclaimer Note: This is purely a fanfiction depicting characters from a project developed by an author of his own private ideas. The author of this written fan fiction DOES NOT, repeat DOES NOT claim Vampire Knight as one of its works and does not associate with Viz Media, Shojo Beat, Hakusensha, and all others contributing to the work of Vampire Knight.
However he DOES claim all characters associated with "Tiamat Visual" as HIS OWN creation, this includes the following: Merc Venatir
_
Well... I'm still running... running to save my life... sigh... how do I keep getting into these situations?
I grasp my wounded arm tightly, and took another look back as I had done so many times before.
My right arm is still able to move despite the loss of blood.
Taking this opportunity, I reach for my holster with my injured arm pulling out a Beretta 90-TWO handgun.
With the pistol in hand, I reach over my left shoulder and began firing in the direction of my pursuers in an effort to steer them off.
It unfortunately does not help.
However, it did slow them down for a short while.
"I don't see them" I say to myself in high alert observing my surroundings as I continue to run.
My handgun ready just in case they tried ambush me.
I've been trying to run from my pursuers for about thirty-minutes now.
It's kind of crazy to have this kind of endurance, especially having a bad wound like this gash on my arm.
However, the wound has actually begun clotting, guess that's the plus side of being a praetor, had the wound been any bigger I would've been in trouble.
"Maybe that's why they veered off" I whisper to myself.
I slowly come to a stop, and begin to look at my surroundings.
Once again, a deathly silence settles on me.
Using the opportunity, I take out the magazine to my handgun and begin looking at the it's contents.
"I have five rounds left" I whisper to myself putting the used magazine back in the handgun, and the handgun itself back into its holster.
I take my "A-Phone" (I hate you Copyright) out from my pocket and begin using the GPS module.
I stare impatiently at my phone, and to my dismay, the words "COULD NOT FIND YOUR LOCATION" appeared.
I sigh with disappointment, "Where am I?" I say lowly.
I turn my head in all directions looking for any trace landmarks.
Finding my exact location was impossible in this forest, there was no trace of landmarks, just endless trees.
Now that I think of it, this whole mess started with the "Old Man" teleporting me to this unknown desolate location.
"Of all the places why would he put me here?" I say to myself as I continue thinking about the situation, Now I begin to wonder... "Why would he teleport me to such a hostile location, instead of..."
A rustling in the bushes interrupts my thinking and I quickly pull out my handgun pointing towards the sound.
"..." I glared at the newcomer, he was without question, he was a vampire...
He stared at me, the thirst for my blood could be seen in the expression on his face.
"This is only going to end one way..." he speaks to me; to my astonishment I was actually surprised these things had the ability of free speech.
I replied boldly, "I agree."
I should have thought about this more clearly, because right after saying that phrase, I take one look around my perimeter and I find that I'm surrounded by the pursuers I thought I evaded.
The "supposed" leader stood in front me and speaks out once again, "good... then I expect no resistance from you." he said as all four Attackers begin to close the gap towards me.
"I always thought your species worked on instinct..." I spoke out, insulting the leader, "I didn't know your kind carried intelligence to think and plan"
They ignored my insults and closed in, no matter what I said the fact of the matter remains, I was in a very awkward situation.
"I forgot to replace the used magazine in my handgun... dammit..." I Thought to myself as I stand in my defensive stance, "I have one hundred rounds in my sling pack and two magazines in my left cargo pants pocket..." I continue thinking as my hand slowly wander to the side of my belt.
"Just relax" The Leader spoke out once again, "it'll hurt for a moment, then... you won't feel a thing".
He stops, and so do his followers, "After this, your fears and worries will be put to rest..."
His words were very intelligent... he actually sounds a bit like a praetor... regardless I am still surrounded.
I closed my eyes and enabled "Auric Vision" As I open my eyes again to stare at the leader; he has praetoric resonance within his body.
He stopped and took notice of my glowing eyes, "What's this?" he said looking to me relaxing his stance... "This is not a standard praetor ability..."
My eyes were glued to the vampire after realizing an obviouis conclusion, "I knew it!" I spoke in my mind.
The leader vampire was a "HUNTER KILLER - CLASS VAMPIRE" A vampire who had devoured the blood of a previous praetor, and evolved into a praetor-vampire hybrid.
It was no question why he had independent thoughts and intelligence to command a few lower level-E vampires.
I waited and looked at the Hunter Killer and noticed he was still observing my ability of Auric Vision.
I slowly looked around and took one last look at his followers.
I managed to find a flaw in their approach: three out of the four attackers were about to attack and strike me down.
As I observed their movement pattern I realized I had one opportunity to open a door and escape this stranglehold.
I closed my eyes and turned off Auric Vision, then glared at the Hunter Killer with "dark blue" colored eyes
The quiet of death once again settles on us, whether or not death was on my side, depends on my actions...
The uneasiness, the adrenaline pumping, the heightened sense of things even as my Auric Vision was turned off...
My stance stays defensive, no weapons in hand, but my hand still hovering over the holster ready to pull out the handgun...
A small breeze blows a collection of leaves past us; then I let out a small breath...
I hear the sand under one of their shoes shift, and instantly run to the Hunter Killer pulling out my handgun and pointing it at him.
As expected, my attackers leap to attack where I once stood, as a result, they all crash into one another.
As they lay dazed and confused, it leaves me enough time to attack the Hunter Killer
Temporarily out of danger I focus my attacks on him and fire my handgun at him.
I was going to get out alive! ... However I had not counted on one thing... my opponent dodges all 5 rounds from my handgun.
My slide locks open signifying my magazine is empty...
"...That Bastard!" I yell out in frustration, as I continue running towards him.
The Hunter Killer opens his arms as if letting me run towards him for a hug, this however, is an obvious death trigger, if he grapples me in his arms, it's the end for me.
If I slide left or right, he can strike the final blow to me.
If I change directions and run to the forest, he can leap to attack me...
"Auric Vision!" I yelled in my soul, as my eyes glow bright once again.
The world slows down like before, with my activation of Auric Vision, I begin sensing for solutions to my predicament...
After a short while of observing, the only useful thing at my disposal is an empty handgun and right now, that is of no use... or...
"... okay I hope I remember how to do this!" I blink and standard vision returns as I raise my empty handgun above my head, pressing the magazine release, and without adjusting my course, I continue running towards the Hunter Killer.
His smile was irritating... he obviously thought he was better than me... maybe he is... but one thing is for sure... I wasn't going to die at the hands of this monster...
I do the one thing he least expects.
With hands wide open his reaction time is delayed and me being closer than ever, I take the chance.
I throw my handgun towards his head. The Hunter Killer caught completely off guard, can't stop the gun as it impacts his forehead dead on
With success, two results happen: with the impact, he is stunned and by releasing the empty magazine it flies out of the handgun enabling a fresh magazine reload.
My handgun flies in an upward direction flying above the Hunter Killer.
Utilizing my one chance, I jump on the stunned Hunter Killer, landing one foot on his chest and the other foot swinging upward kicking his chin with force.
The momentum of the kick causes me to flip, immediately flying into the air I reach into my pocket and pulling out a fresh magazine, looking upwards, I see my handgun.
With both me and my handgun falling to earth I catch the vital piece of weaponry in the air and land back to earth both feet planted on the ground, a good distance from the Hunter Killer and his followers.
I quickly load the fresh magazine into my handgun pulling back the slide to load a bullet in the chamber.
Tossing my handgun to my left hand, I use my right hand gripping blank air.
Focusing energy in my hand my katana appears instantly in my hand. (backwards in hand)
Being ambidextrous plays a vital role in my combat. A gun with 16 rounds in my left hand, my katana in my right hand I turn to face my attackers with even odds
My attackers soon recover from my little stunt; they get up and join the Hunter Killer, As he glares at me with much anger in his face.
"As expected of a Praetor!" he points forward towards me giving an order... "BUT YOUR LUCK HAS RUN OUT! ATTACK!"
His three followers charge towards me, in response I charge to engage them too.
I easily dispatched the first. as he slashes his claw towards me, I shoot 3 rounds into his leg.
I then dash to the second slashing upward, not giving him a chance, I sever his arm from his body.
After watching the second fall to the ground screaming and bleeding badly, I look to the 3rd vampire follower...
It was a female, she was scared and hesitant, and didn't want to wind up like the others.
She didn't seem to be a threat.
I brushed her off and walked passed her, towards the Hunter Killer...
... Such a stupid mistake...
As I closed in on the Hunter Killer, he made a slight nod looking behind me...
I threw my katana hand upwards to block the female vampire's attack, but I missed the counter horrifically, and was forced to block with my forearm.
She slashed me leaving, four deep and widely open cuts on my right forearm.
Cutting through the flesh and muscle rendering my right hand unusable.
My soul katana vanishes from my hands and disappears in fading light.
This came at a horrifying consequence: with my right hand, rendered useless I could not summon my Soul Katana, making my melee skills useless.
As I looked at the female, I feel a piercing sharp pain in my abdomen.
I quickly turned my head and see the Hunter Killer slashing my abdominal area with his sharpened nails, in addition it was then too, I realized he cut the sling to my sling pack making it fall to the ground.
Shaking my head to regain myself, I then knew it was obvious the female had been bait to lower my guard on the primary target the Hunter Killer.
Sigh... Why am I always like this? A gentleman even to the enemy...
I react quickly throwing my left hand out bashing my handgun into the face of the female vampire.
I then dashing back a safe distance, then stop where I am.
I beginning to feel woozy, I fall to the ground, crouching on one knee.
The ground was starting to grow red as blood from my hand dripped to the floor.
I noticed a growing puddle where my hand hung uselessly.
The gashes on my arm made the older wound look like a paper cut, however it wasn't the worst injury.
My eyes begin glowing bright blue, as Auric Vision slows my view of the world.
I begin making observations of my injuries, taking detailed notes of the gashes and cuts
The bleeding from the gashes on my stomach was controllable however, this injury however was the largest and most lethal.
My right arm still hung uselessy, and most notably continued hemorrhaging profusely.
The biggest threat however, was the fact that I was losing a lot of blood...
I didn't have a lot of time... I would soon bleed out... I had to make a move now!
The Hunter Killer and his newly revered female companion, begin cleaning their claws of my blood.
The two other attackers, That I thought I had incapacitated slowly got back up.
Even with mortal wounds they continued on at smell of blood.
The Female speaks out, "You were right... his blood is delicious..." she turns her attention to the Hunter Killer, "I want more..."
In reply the Hunter killer assures her that she will get her fill of blood, "he has no hand in which to play his card, he is..."
A single gunshot interrupted their conversation...
I hold my Handgun firm and steady in my hand... the smoking barrel reveals I truly had made the shot...
"I still have my left hand!" I yell out as an insult to the Hunter Killer's unfinished sentence.
The female Vampire slowly turned her head slowly to look at me as I finished my insult, however out of her view the Hunter Killer falls to the ground, a bullet hole tunnels through his right eye and out the back left side of his skull...
He, like the rest before him, dissipates into dust.
being what he is though, the Praetoric aura housed within his body is soon revealed and it too, disperses as well...
Realizing the opportunity for me to make an escape, I begin running into the dark forest.
The other two vampires begin pursuing me as the female stays behind for a time to mourn at the Hunter Killer's demise.
I choose to continue my run through the forest... this like all the other choices in the past half hour, takes its toll on my health
It seems my way of life has led me to the brink of death... And now it appears I can't even maintain my own safety anymore...
Five minutes pass... Five minutes of running and shooting to keep my pursuers at bay... Five minutes of running with multiple open wounds... As expected my ruined body collapses from the massive and continuous loss of blood...
Regardless of my situation, I refuse death in this manner.
Against all odds, I lift my head and hold out my hand reaching in the darkness for anything...
With an outstretched hand... my eyes became cloudy and glazed... and very slowly my eyesight began fading out...
My body slowly gives in... my hand lay limp... I lay on my stomach, my head turned to gaze at the flat surface of grassy earth on which I rest
... "So this is the end for you?"...
I hear a voice... my own... I must be dead already...
... "You're not dead... not yet at least..."...
I force my head upwards looking up...
A white hand... what's going on? Somehow I find the strength to lift my left arm again...
With the strength I had somehow regained, I reach up and grasp the hand tightly...
Bright light... the kind of brightness you see as you are dying...
I blink a few times... the brightness fading... Did I in fact die?
"You're not dead Merc... you just need help..." a voice from behind me, says, when I turned to look at the source there was only white nothingness.
"Who are you?" I ask, as if speaking to an imaginary friend.
There is no reply...
"Merc..." the voice speaks out again, "Fate has now began to work with you please strive to live a bit longer."
"WAIT!" My reply is loud, actually echoing through the realm I was in, "Where am I right now, and who are you truly!?"
"..." to my dismay there is no reply. I begin looking around for answers, but once again, there is only white nothingness...
"Strive to live..." I hear the voice again... "I'll give you some of my aura, but after returning to your world... FIGHT!"
At least that made sense, I nodded my head in approval, still wanting answers to the many questions I have but accepting the voice's words
"Good... don't worry... all the questions you have will be answered in due time..." that is the last thing I hear before being enveloped in white light.
"Heh... well at least he had the kindness to answer one question..." I close my eyes relaxing my body...
I soon wake up where I thought I had died.
My breathing has stabilized, my sight restored, however, my right hand was still useless and my wounds were still bleeding profusely.
I don't know what happened but I'm still in trouble... I look at my left hand and realize I grasped a firm vine attached to what appears to be, a castle wall.
Having new-found strength I use my left arm to prop my back against the wall.
Although I have the strength to stay alive longer it was obvious: I was not going anywhere in my condition.
Holding my defensive position, I now look out towards the dark forest.
Using my left hand I grip the Beretta 90-two handgun and release the used magazine
I only had three rounds in this magazine.
"Heh... no big deal I have a hundred rounds inside my sling..." my eyes grew wide as I reached a horrific realization
Earlier as I was attacked, the hunter killer cut the lining to my sling pack as he slashed my stomach "I LEFT MY RESERVE AMMUNITION IN THE FOREST!"
"DAMMIT!" I yelled out bashing the wall with my handgun.
"How many rounds do I have left?" I whisper to myself in frustration, as I search my body for ammo.
As luck would have it, I find one fresh magazine...
"It's better than nothing; at least I'll live long enough to watch myself die..." I quickly load the fresh magazine into the handgun and take aim.
The pursuing vampires jump down from the tree lining and begin walking towards me.
"Come on! WORK FOR YOUR MEAL!" I fire a shot, hitting one, but it doesn't kill him.
This action makes the two retreat back into the tree lining.
The shots echoing through the night sky.
I continue to shoot at my attackers more shots echo into the sky.
Soon the condition I was in before returns, I grew weary, and weak, my hands begin shaking and the gun in my hand starts to blur out...
At this moment I realized I was now mindlessly shooting, my shots missing by a mile, until I hear a "click"...
The slide on my handgun was locked open signifying I was out of ammo...
I was now defenseless... wait... I begin feeling the ground around my legs and find the magazine containing three bullets...
I load the magazine into the handgun, and release the slide taking aim into nothingness.
With the last of my will, I regain myself... "Come on! I'm not dead yet!"
Unaware of their plan of attack, the vampire with the severed arm leaped to deliver the final blow.
Shifting my view I look towards the attacker, then close my eyes...
Well this is it... I'm finished... you know... I do kind of wish for one thing...
I had hoped to meet my Maiden before this would happen... but... oh well... my life was never meant to end happy...
As I open my eyes to see the final moments of my life, I was taken by surprise not seeing my attacker at all...
Where the vampire once hovered, was a spinning rose insignia and what appears to be dust flying with the wind.
The second vampire ignoring the new danger, leaps from the treeline to try to subdue me, I rapidly took aim at him, but to my surprise he was knocked out of the way by a girl with brown hair, a black uniform, and a staff like weapon...
I watch through hazy eyes as the girl retreated closer to me to protect me.
A second person walks into my view.
He was a boy, silvery hair, roughly my age, six feet in height, and carrying what appeared to be a modified M-1911 Handgun.
The young man walks over to the Vampire on the ground shooting into the heart.
Immediately a rose insignia appears subduing the vampire and turning it to dust.
Silence settles on us... only death is absent... peace and safety is heard in the wind...
For a moment my two saviors continued scanning the forest line looking for threats, but now they focused their attention on me.
The girl quickly kneels besides me to see my wounds, "Zero!" she yelled out, "Get Head Master Cross! This person is still breathing. He needs serious medical attention!"
"Zero..." I whisper in my head... my hands still firmly gripping the handgun
Zero looks down at me and the girl, then nods, "That's not what I'm worried about Yuki..." he says to her running off to get help
"...Yuuki..." I whisper in my head... still tightly grasping my handgun...
At this point I sat in critical condition, I wasn't even fully conscious.
I steadied my flow of breathing, but my senses were still on high alert.
I took notice of Yuuki trying to reach for me, but I quickly reacted moving my handgun and taking aim at her head.
Yuki blinked for a moment realizing she was staring down the barrel of a handgun, her determined look was now ridden with fear as she looked at me with horrified eyes
I glare back.
My dead blue eyes meeting her horrified gaze.
Although they were ridden with fear, I could make out the details of her eyes.
They glow a dark red, but not like the vampires, there was a beauty within her gaze.
I continued staring into her eyes, but after a brief moment she breaks the silence
In an attempt to plead for her life she speaks out, "W-wait... please... I'm not a..." I pull the trigger three times, emptying my magazine before she can finish her sentence.
The echoes of the shots travel through night sky like many times before... Smoke from my gun barrel ascends upwards... The slide of my handgun is locked open... Not only does this signify I am out of ammo, but it also signifies, my fight for now... Is done...
My Handgun, once aimed at Yuuki's head was now aimed passed her head at something in the background.
Something hit the ground behind Yuuki: the Female vampire; the one that tricked me, fell from the tree line and landed on ground dissipating into dust.
A horrified Yuuki slowly turns her head to look at the gun that was once aimed at her head, a horrified expression written on her face, as she turned her head to notice the dissipating vampire.
I hold the gun tightly speaking out, "Be careful... You missed one..." I drop my handgun and relax... immediately going unconscious... Not just from loss of blood, but exhaustion and fatigue as well...
Yuuki looks back at the flying dust of the terminated vampire, and shakes her head. Regaining control of herself she looks back to me, the look of fear long gone, and the look of determination back in her eyes.
I was now fully unconscious, I would be unaware of her thanks and praise until the upcoming morning.