As the light of the Fantasia shimmers brightly, a new story begins its telling...
{|} Story 5: Darkness the Vampire Slayer {|}
} Lore {
Long ago, when humanity was still young and innocent, the world was besieged by an unending horde of supernatural beast. Vampires, demons, the undead, dark gods from the hellish realms; these forces brought about an age of chaos and fear and humanity would huddle in fear, crying out for salvation.
To answer the call, six powerful mystics would come together and perform a dark, forbidden rite. Together, these six called into the world a powerful force from the nether realm, channeling this power into the body of one young girl, to make her the hope that would banish the darkness and restore the light.
She would become known to the creatures of the darkness as... the Slayer!
Once empowered, the Slayer set out on her sacred mission, hunting and killing all forces that wanted to subjugate and dominate human life and she would find herself having success after success. However, the Slayer was far from all powerful.
Like the waxing and waning of the ocean tides, so to be the power of the Slayer having moments in time where her power would be at its apex and other times where it would be weak and fragile, leaving her vulnerable. Because of this, it was natural that eventually the Slayer would find herself being attacked during one of her periods of weakness and would be slain.
Though luckily, this was not the end as the six mystics had foreseen this issue and as such, they made certain that when one Slayer fell, another would arise to take her place, to succeed her and continue on with the sacred mission.
In addition to the Slayer, the mystics all called forth another, a man who would be given immortality and in exchange, he would seek out all new Slayer's so that he could train them, watch over them until they finally fell in battle, thus making him begin his search for the next so the cycle could be continued.
Of course, this immortal man didn't have true immortality. Rather, his gift was that he would live on without fear of natural death occurring and should he ever be struck down, killed by the enemy, he would be reborn with all his past memories so that he could continue his work until the day neither he nor the Slayer would be needed to safeguard the world no more.
While it would take many centuries, and many Slayers, worth of work, a time would come when the great threat would be greatly diminished. While it wasn't completely gone, it had been lessened enough to allow the people a chance to live happy lives, to build up their kingdoms and civilizations, and...
To make most of them forget these horrors had even existed to begin with, believing it all to be nothing more than myth and legend.
But myth and legend it is not as the war continues, albeit in secret from the greater world. And now, with the death of a Slayer having recently happened, the time had come for a new Slayer to arise. And her name was...
} Scene 1 {
Whack... whack... whack... whack...
The blonde-haired girl continued to swing her wooden kendo sword around, hitting each of her dummy targets perfectly.
Whack... whack... whack... whack...
She tried several maneuvers, some being more successful than others as she danced around the small area she had set up for her practice.
Whack... whack... whack... whack...
She makes one final swing but stops just shy of hitting her target, instead letting the blade just rest against its wooden face as she breathes heavily taking a few moments to catch her breath.
The girl then smiles big as she uses one arm to wipe the sweat from her brow. She then steps away from the practice dummies, walking over to the side of the room where she had left her towel, playfully flipping the kendo sword in the air as she does so.
Once she had reached the rack her towel was resting on, she pulls it clear and wipes the additional sweat that had formed away, also giving her whole head a proper rub with the towel.
"No doubt now. I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be for the upcoming kendo tournament."
"Yeah, right, Lalatina. You know, as well as everyone else knows, any chance at victory you may have will be dependent on some serious luck."
Lalatina frowns before turning to look at her friend, Karen, who was standing just inside the door into her little training area. She frowned because she thought she was alone and because Karen actually had the gall to believe her chances at winning would come down to peer dumb luck.
"And what makes you say that? You watched me train there; something you know I really hate people doing, watching me train which I see as a private affair. No matter, the point is you watched me train so you should know how on point my movements, my speed, and my strikes were just a moment ago. How do you figure I'm going to do anything but win in the upcoming tournament?"
"Hm, let's see. There's the fact you can never successfully land a hit on your opponents, even when they are being nice and standing still, which is something that still mystifies me. And there's also the fact you just LOVE being hit. You get off of being abused SO much. It's actually rather creepy, Lala. You're not, by any chance, a masochist, are you?"
"(blushes bad) N-No, of course not. What girl in her right mind would ever find pleasure of any kind with being hit, used, and abused by anyone or anything? As for why I can't land my attacks on living people. I... I just don't like hurting others is all. Nothing more, nothing less."
"Yeah, sure. If you say so."
Lalatina, now feeling a slight anger rising, says with a slightly more heated tone-
"Why did you drop to see me, anyways? I thought we all had a no direct bothering of one another at each other's homes, except through our phones, rule in our little group."
"We do, but seeing as I live just a few blocks away from you AND you weren't answering your phone, I decided to come by and ask you..."
"Ask me what?"
"The rest of us are heading down to the mall to hang out, catch a movie, grab a snack or two, and flirt will some guys to make them think they could actually have a chance with us when they really don't. I was wondering if you wanted to come with?"
Lalatina thinks about it for a moment, then smiles and says-
"Can you give me fifteen minutes to take a shower?"
Karen smiles, giving her a nod.
(about two hours later)
"Oh god, that movie was so Grody."
"Yeah, could the main character have been any uglier."
"And the worst thing about it... the main character was the best looking one in the whole film."
chattered Penny, Poppy, and Pepper; three girls who were part of the same click that Lalatina and Karen belonged too. The five girls had just left the movie theater, having seen the so-called latest blockbuster to come out.
"I can't believe THAT's the film everyone is raving about. There was nothing good about it. What do you think, Lala?"
"I thought the monster designs were pretty sweet looking. I wouldn't mind running into one of them in a dark alley at night here in the future."
The others look at each other, then back at Lalatina who appeared to have this dreamy look about her. It was already well known to them that their friend had some... WEIRD taste and interest, but they were usually easy to ignore. That is until she had a reason to talk about them.
Wanting to change the subject, and get Lalatina's thoughts elsewhere, Penny quickly suggests-
"Hey, let's head over to Cashman's. See if they have anything new on display."
The other girls, save Lalatina, quickly agree with this idea as they turn their walk in that direction. Both Karen and Poppy have to grab Lalatina and pull her along though, otherwise she would have remained standing there, lost in whatever fantasies she was having there.
Once they had reached Cashman's Department Store, one of the best, and most expensive, clothing stores at the mall (the sort of places only the rich and well liked could shop at), the five-some quickly begin looking around.
Karen and the other three quickly begin going through all the clothes on display while Lalatina just wanders around, acting like she was looking at things. Truth is though, she wasn't as into fashion as her friends were. Sure, she liked nice clothes and liked wearing them and looking good, but it wasn't a priority for her.
It was then her eyes fell onto something very interesting. A white jacket with golden trim running along it, having an almost armor like design to the leather. Immediately, Lalatina walks over to it and begins giving it a closer look and feel.
"Looks cool, feels good, and it's definitely something I would wear. Maybe I'll actually...?"
"Hey, did you actually find something that interest you for once, Lala? Hey guys, check it out. Lala actually saw something she likes for once."
came Pepper, already having come over to join Lalatina with the examination. Having almost made her decision, Lalatina pulls it off the rack and off the hanger before sliding it on. Yeah, she liked this, and it would surely be a buy for her here today.
"So, what do you all think?"
"Oh god, you really going to buy something like THAT? Surely that has to have been a mistake item they often get. I'll need to go let the counter girl know about that. I mean, look at it. It's so... pedestrian."
said Karen, her disdain for it being made clear. The other three also end up agreeing with that assessment.
In the end, Lalatina left the store without getting it after all, showing that even she wasn't yet immune to the power of peer pressure and opinion.
After walking around for a bit more, the girls decide it was time to be taking off, thus leading them to an elevator. Poppi presses the button to summon the elevator and when it finally arrives and the doors open, then are stopped from stepping inside by a strange looking man who was already inside it.
This man, wearing a tacky looking purple colored outfit that looked like something a butler would wear, and a odd looking black and white mask over his eyes that made them think he worked as a circus clown of something.
He stared at them, and they stared back at him. Finally, Karen, who was getting annoyed, said-
"Geez, what's your problem, freak. Never seen a group of beautiful girls before. Well, now you have so get over it. In fact, do us a favor and get off the elevator so we can use it ourselves. Come on, quickly now."
"... As you wish."
said the man, finally walking off the elevator and away from the five. They quickly hop onto the elevator, with Pepper tapping the door close button quickly. They then watch him carefully as the doors close and they begin their trip to ground level.
The mask wearing guy finally looks back at the now closed elevator, a smile on his face as he says to himself-
"Moi shall be seeing you again soon, chosen one."
A bit of time later...
"Well, I'm officially done for the night. What about the rest of you?"
asked Poppi. Penny speaks first by saying-
"Yeah, me too. I've already used up all my allowance anyways so I can't do anything more. What about you, Pepper?"
"Count me in on that. Seriously, I need to get the 'rents to increase my allowance when I next see them. Karen, Lala, what about you two?"
"I'm ready to head home myself. With the kendo tournament just a week away, I need to get plenty of rest so I can make sure I'll be ready for it."
"Not that any training is going to do you any good. Anyways, I think I'll stick around here for a bit longer. I'll call my dad to come pick me up here in a bit."
said Karen. The other four nod as they part ways with Karen, heading out to Poppi's car. As they go...
"Hey, stop thief. Get your ass back here."
The four girls turn and watch as a guy, probably the same age as them or around their age, dressed in a green track suit and brown hair, being chased by several security guards. They watch, with some amusement, as the guy gets tackled and smacked around a little before turning away and getting back to their next objective.
However, things were about to take a sudden turn for Lalatina...
} Scene 2 {
Ring... Ring... Ring... Ri...
"Hello... who's this? Don't you know what time it..."
"Lala, is that you, Lala?"
"Pepper? Yeah, of course it's me. Who else other than me here would be answer my own cell phone. Now, want to tell me why the sudden call when it's just barely past four in the..."
"Lala, this is bad. Very bad. It's Karen... she's gone missing."
A few hours later, as the morning news reports...
"Donnelly Karen, eldest daughter and child of Donnelly Aster, CEO of Donnelly Enterprises, was found murdered last night outside Northpark Mall. According to the coroner report, the cause of death appears to be extreme blood loss brought about by, and I quote, one hell of an extreme hickey."
Even later, at school...
"I can't believe it... Karen is actually dead? I mean, how does that even happen to one so young and beautiful and... vain?"
"Honestly, Pepper, I can't believe what she was wearing when she died. Seriously, after telling Lala that a certain jacket looked horrible and had to be a mistake, she went back after parting with us and bought it for herself. That must really piss you off, huh Lala?"
asked Poppi. It takes Lalatina a few moments to respond, finally saying-
"I'm more upset that someone has died, someone we actually knew and were friends with. Sure, I'll admit I'm angry about what she did before dying but I just need to remind myself it wasn't the first time she's pulled that crap with me, or with all of you too."
That gets the others to nod in agreement, remembering how Karen would often lambast them for their fashion choices only to mimic and steal the look herself and claim it was, or would become, all the rave.
Lalatina then presses her hands together and says a prayer for their fallen friend.
"Karen, you could be a real bitch sometimes, hard as hell to deal with. But you were still my friend and I will miss you. I hope you'll find Heaven to be a more satisfying home for yourself from now on. Rest and know peace."
The other four girls follow Lalatina actions, also saying their own prayers for Karen. After that, they went about their day, doing whatever it was they could do in order to not let their own individual sadness overtake them.
For Lalatina, as she continued her training for the kendo tournament, something began to stir within her mind. As she hit the training dummies, it was like she was seeing images that were foreign to her mind.
A girl with a wooden stake stabbing a man in the chest.
Another girl, dressed like a nun, forcing a woman onto the ground with a cross to the woman's chest.
Yet another girl, this one dressed in medieval attire, swinging a sword around and decapitating all manner of strange looking creatures; all while having the happiest smile on her face.
With each hit landed, another image popped into her mind, all of them seemingly driving her next attack to be even stronger and more forceful than the last. Lalatina didn't know why, but she had this feeling something was changing within her, awakening even.
Like she was on the eve of becoming something more, something so much greater than her current self.
(elsewhere, in a dark place)
A man dressed all in a black tuxedo, enters the mostly empty room and approaches a statue carved into the form of a horned demon. The man then bows before the statue, leaning forward to kiss the feet of it, then turns his gaze upwards to look upon the face.
"Dark one, I... your most humble servant, ask you for just a little more time. Even now, me and my men have begun making preparations for your revival. Here soon, you shall walk the earth once more. To help accelerate this, I have been seeking out worthy candidates to join our black crusade. Know that the wait is almost over and soon, the world will finally remember who its TRUE masters are."
The man then smiles, showing off the fangs his lips had hidden before he once again bows before the statue of that which he calls Dark One, the one he sees as his master.
(back with Lalatina)
"You know, maybe we can ask the principal if we can hold a special school memorial for Karen in the coming days."
suggested Penny, getting a nod of agreement from Poppi. Pepper, however, reveals-
"Been there, done that. He said there will be a special assembly on Friday where they school will do a tribute for her."
"Wait, wasn't there already going to be a assembly on Friday anyways? For the upcoming tournament between our school and schmuck High?"
asked Poppi. Lalatina answers that by saying-
"Yeah, there was. Maybe he just figured it could kill two birds with... one... Damn, that one was in bad taste once spoken."
"Maybe a little."
said Penny, almost pinching her index and middle fingers together.
Currently, the four girls were leaving school and heading out to Poppi's car. Pepper then ask-
"So, what should we do now? Go hang out, maybe do something Karen would have liked as a way of remembering her?"
"Yeah, maybe. How about we..."
Before Penny could finish, the girls find someone going crashing into them, sending both himself and Poppi and Pepper falling onto the ground.
"Hey, what the hell?"
"Yeah, you just don't go running into some girls like that."
shouted the two. The guy, already getting back to his feet, says in a panicked voice-
"Look, I'm sorry. I just need to make my escape. I'll make it up to you both later."
With that, the guy goes running off as they hear the sound of another coming from behind them. Looking back, they notice Akira, head of the football team, yelling at the guy who had collided with them to "get his ass back there so it could get kicked."
"Guess that must mean he did something to really piss Akira off, huh?"
"Seeing as it was Akira, and the fact that guy looked like a loser, it must have simply been looking at Akira that got him all mad. You all know how Akira feels about nerds and geeks looking at him for more than a split second."
"Yeah... wait, that guy. Didn't he look familiar to any of you?"
asked Lalatina, getting the others to look his way as Akira goes running past them after the guy. When they finally look back at Lalatina, shaking their heads no, she says-
"He was him, that guy we saw running from the mall cops last night."
"Oh yeah, that was him, wasn't it. Either his parents worked some magic to get him out of jail already or whatever it was he did wasn't bad enough to earn him a spot in jail; like pulling a prank on one of them or something."
"Think Akira will catch him?"
"If he does, that guy will be spending the next while in the hospital unless someone breaks up their little squabble quickly. Anyways, let's get out of here before someone accuses us of being nerds for hanging out in the parking lot.
With that, the four girls continue on their way though Lalatina does look off in the direction that guy, and Akira, had ran off in and she finds herself wishing he had ran into HER. No real reason as to why, not like she was interested in him or anything, but her fetish was what it was and she couldn't help but think it might have been fun to be knocked onto her own ass by him. Just a little bit.
A few hours later, after the sun had set...
The guy in green peeked nervously around the corner, cautiously looking out for the roid jockey named Akira. He was pretty sure he had gotten away from him but one can never be too careful here. Seeing no sign of Akira anywhere, the boy in green finally steps out onto the street and begins his walk home.
"You should probably consider skipping school tomorrow, Kazuma... maybe the next several days in fact. Akira will probably forget what you look like by then and you'll be safe from another beating, a swirly in the shitter, and a stuffing into a locker."
The boy named Kazuma wasn't even sure what it was he had done wrong to piss Akira off. He had just been walking down the hall, heading for the exit, when he had heard Akira scream out his name. He didn't have to to process anything else as he ran for his life, knowing what would happen if he was caught.
After passing a few buildings, Kazuma saw the one final obstacle he would need to overcome before he could make it it his street, a large park. It wasn't that it was dangerous, as far as he knew anyways. But the park was the sometimes home to a lot of weirdos in the dark on the night most wouldn't want to run into.
Sure, he could just go around the park but that would add at least fifteen minutes to his trek home and on this very night, he was feeling a little wary of being out of the streets. Also, he wanted to get back to the new MMO he had just gained a few days ago.
And so, Kazuma began making his way through the park, walking rather quickly as he couldn't shake the nervous feeling he was starting to feel more and more. Just as he sees the exit to the far side of the park coming into view...
He hears the snapping of a twig.
This makes Kazuma come to a dead stop and look back in the direction of the snapping sound. He knew he shouldn't, knew he should instead be making for the exit as fast as he could run. But he couldn't NOY just stop and look back.
He could see it on the ground near the lamp post, the snapped branch from a tree on the ground. He couldn't see what had snapped it though he was confident it hadn't been from it falling onto the ground.
"Hello, is anyone there?"
he said, his voice a little wavy. When he gets no response, he starts to slowly back up more and more.
'OK Kazuma, just keeping going, keep going, get you ASS out of this spooky place right... (bump)'
He had impacted against something, making him go completely rigid before slowly turning around, only to be knocked unconscious by something hitting his head hard. The last thing he saw as he hit the ground, before the darkness took him, was the legs of a person who appeared to be dressed in red.
'Damn it, I knew I should have just ran for it...'
The next day...
Whack... whack... whack... whack...
Lalatina continued striking the dummies, finding her training, her preparations helped her to focus and not think about other, more depressing things. For some strange reason, she suddenly had the strangest of desires. Looking around and seeing she was alone, she decides to start indulging in these sudden wants and desires.
She starts doing spins around the room, flips and spins and twirls, rolls and slides, and jump kicks. As she does this, she feels a sense of excitement she had never felt before. And like before, she felt like she was close to awakening something insider her, something greater than anything she had ever known before.
And then the sound of clapping snaps her out of her reverie, making her look at the figure who had appeared suddenly inside the room with her.
"Impressive, most impressive indeed. You truly have a talent for that sort of thing, miss."
"... Um, thank you? Is there something I can help you with, sir. Are you lost or are you looking for someone?"
Was Lalatina embarrassed about having been caught doing all that? Yes, she was feeling embarrassed. At the same time though, she was also feeling a rush of excitement too. That was something that had never happened to her before but she did like it though.
The man, wearing a mask over his eyes and a purple suit, smiles at her and says-
"Actually, I've been looking for you, actually."
"For me? May I ask why because if you're intentions are what I'm thinking it could be, then I hate to break it too you but I'm not the kind of girl who will just sleep with any random guy."
"Fear not for Moi..."
"Though I suppose if you really wanted to, you could try to force yourself onto me. I would resist, of course. But as you do look plenty (huff, huff) strong, I don't imagine I would win and in the end, you would (huff, huff, huff) deflower me and leave me a complete mess."
What was going on, Darkness wondered. Was the idea of this man she had never seen before attacking her, overpowering her, having his way with here... did it actually turn her on? It did, it was turning her on and what was worse, she didn't have a problem with it at all.
She then realizes something else. She HAD seen this man before, the other day back at the mall. He had been the guy inside the elevator.
The man looks at her, clearly taken aback by her words and actions before clearing his throat.
"Ahem, as I was saying. There isn't anything to fear from Moi as I have no intentions of doing you any harm. That said, I do need something from you."
"And that would be... um, what's your name again? My name is Lalatina, by the way."
"An honor to meet you, Lalatina. Moi's name is Vanir and I will need you to come with me for a bit."
He was planning on defiling her, wasn't he? In that case, how could Lalatina... possibly say no!
} Scene 3 {
After leaving the school, Vanir guided Lalatina along, bringing her to a part of town she had never visited before. As they walked, they talked as well. Talked about the secret history of the world, of the forces of darkness, and of the one who had the power to fight back against them: the Slayer!
Soon, they had reached a decrepit old building, one that had a condemned sign out front. Despite that, they stepped inside and after a little more walking, entered a large room filled with all manner of weapons and other training accessories.
Lalatina was amazed such a well-maintained room could be found inside a building that looked as bad as this one did on the outside and inside coming in, like it could collapse at any moment, which makes her ask-
"You sure it's safe to be in here? I mean, the sign outside did say..."
"Oh, that old thing. Moi placed that out there himself to keep people away. Even the homeless vagrants tend to stay away from this place, all thanks to a little magic Moi has placed over the location. This magic is so strong that even the local government has forgotten to tear this all down. This place makes for a great base for Moi's activities... at least for the time being."
"Yeah, about that. Let me see if I understand what you told me before. I'm the latest in a long, and I do mean LONG, line of chosen ones who are called the Slayer. Destined to fight the forces of evil and darkness and keep the world safe and sound. Did I get all that right?"
"You also forgot that the Slayer can only be female. Apart from that, yeah, you have the basic gist of it."
At hearing that, Lalatina starts laughing, making Vanir give her an amused look.
"Did Moi say something funny?"
"Yeah, actually. All of it was pretty funny. Do you understand how dumb that all sounds to someone like me? That has the feel of some cheesy B-Movie plot. I get it. You must be some kind of hack writer or washed-up film producer. Someone who's trying to create his magnum opus and wants me to help him out for some reason."
"Hm, an interesting idea... but I'm afraid everything I told you was one-hundred percent true."
says Vanir, pulling away from Lalatina, walking over to a table that had a row of knives and daggers laid out upon it. It takes one rather sharp looking dagger and begins to play with it while Lalatina simply asks-
"And I should believe all that because?"
"Because... of this!"
Vanir suddenly spins around, launching the dagger at Lalatina. She could see it coming at her fast but knew there was no way she could dodge it. Her time with her kendo training had taught her much and she knew the speed and power of the thrown blade was too great for her to react too, thus she braces herself for the painful impact...
Only to stop the blade with nothing more than her index and middle fingers while feeling a powerful blast of wind continue sailing past her, making some papers on the wall get ripped off and fall to the floor.
Vanir smiles as Lalatina looks in amazement at the dagger she had so easily caught, and in such an unexpected way too. She then looks at Vanir, still stunned as she asks-
"How did I do that?"
"Like Moi said. You are the Slayer now. Your power, skill, and instinct as a Slayer have started to awaken. Now, if you think you are ready, shall we begin waking the rest of you up?"
An hour later, Lalatina was going to town on the training dummies in the room. Unlike when she did her kendo training, she was using real, life ending weapons now. Her attacks were easily destroying the dummies, not that it mattered as by the workings of some strange magic, they would always repair themselves.
Off to the side, Vanir was watching her, coaching her, and offering up suggestions. From time to time, he was snap his fingers, causing the dummies to sink into the ground and turn the whole room into a kind of obstacle course for Lalatina to run through.
Lalatina was shocked at how quickly she was taking to all of this, and even more shocked at how much she was enjoying it too. For the first time in her life, she felt like she was truly coming into her own here. It was a rush, a thrill unlike any other. And she was absolutely LOVING it!
Vanir then claps his hands, drawing her attention to him.
"OK, that's good. Great even. Your adjustment rate is amongst the fastest Moi has ever seen before. No doubt you'll be ready to play your part in the war soon. Now, Moi thinks you should take a breather."
"Do I have too? I mean, I feel like I can still keep going for a good while yet."
"While that is a good thing to hear, Moi still says you should take a moment to rest. After all, as powerful as you are now and as powerful you will soon become, you must remain cautious as you are NOT invincible."
Hearing that makes Lalatina sigh, though she did have to acknowledge to herself she was starting to feel a little fatigue here. She walks over to Vanir and takes a seat on a chair, wiping the sweat from her face then taking a drink of water he had provided.
"Tell me. How did the other Slayer's die?"
"Almost all in the heat of battle sadly. I have only ever known one to actually make it to old age, to have actually died from old age though that was a very peaceful period of time."
"Those that died on the battlefield. How did they fall?"
"Exhaustion, mostly. While a Slayer does possess a massive amount of stamina and endurance, it does have its limits. In a battle against a large enough force or a smaller sized force that has some especially powerful fighters on their side, a Slayer can be overwhelmed and made to become too tired to properly fight back. Remember, your strength, speed, and ability are all connected to your stamina and endurance. If those start to wax and wane, become weak, then your WHOLE you will suffer too."
"So, avoid any lengthy battles. I think I can do that easily enough."
"Also, avoid taking on any fights when you're on your period. For reasons I have yet to learn, your powers will weaken by half over the three days you are on your period. You won't be completely powerless, but you will be more vulnerable."
"Isn't that always the case. Still, I think I can manage. Now, what about you, Vanir? What's your role in all this adventure and excitement?"
Vanir is quiet for a moment, then finally says-
"In an age long since forgotten, when the first Slayer was awakened, so to was I summoned into the world. A demon who was entrusted with the task of finding all Slayer's and training them, watching over them. Because of that, Moi supposes you can call me a Watcher."
"Wait, you've been alive for thousands of years? Huh, you look pretty good for an ancient man."
"(wagging his finger) Correction, an ancient demon. My kind have an extremely long-life span. In fact, we do not really die in the same manner as your kind can, Slayer. But that doesn't mean we can't die if we suffer enough injury to our bodies, it's just that death doesn't..."
Before Vanir could finish, a sudden scream rings out from another room close to where they were at. Immediately, Lalatina is on her feet, a short sword in hand she had grabbed from the table behind her.
"What was that? Was it some kind of vampire... or a demon that's attacking this place?"
"Neither actually. Moi forgot about his special guest, who appears to have finally woken up. Come, let us go say high to him."
"Guest?"
Vanir only smirks as he was already walking out of the room. Lalatina follows right behind as they walk down the hall and into another room, one that had a creepy, ritual like vibe to it. At the center of the room, on the floor, was a boy in green who seemed to be tied down.
'Wait, isn't that...?'
Once again, Lalatina was seeing that guy, the one who had been chased by the mall cops and again by Akira back at school. Clearly, this guy, whoever he was, had a habit of getting himself into trouble.
The guy in green notices them and, in his understandable panic, shouts out-
"You? What's going on here? Why did you two kidnap me? Were you two ones who attacked me last night and why did you... oh god, the way this room looks. You both must be some kind of satanic cult, aren't ya? You're going to sacrifice me to your dark lord in the hopes of getting something in return. Just to let you know, I doubt my soul will get you anything good here."
"Vanir, what is this? What is going on here?"
asked Lalatina, though Vanir doesn't respond to her. Instead, he walks over to Kazuma then kneels down beside him, a big old smile on his face.
"Now, now my friend, please try to calm down."
"Kinda hard to do there, buddy. Seeing as you have me all tied up like I'm some prisoner."
"Ah, that was merely a precaution. Something I did as a just in case you had been turned into a vampire before I could get to you."
"A vampire?" (x2)
Vanir then explains what happened with Kazuma. It seems when Kazuma was making his way across the park that night, he had been attacked by a vampire by the name of Rebel, one of the four lieutenants to the vampire Lorthos. Rebel had got the drop on Kazuma, knocking him out and had started to drink Kazuma's blood when Vanir had arrived and forced Rebel to flee. He had then brought Kazuma back here so he could rest and recover.
"And this Lorthos guy is?"
asked Lalatina.
"Lorthos is himself a lieutenant, under the command of a vampire known as the Master; said to be the oldest known living vampire in the world. He and his men had been sent on a mission by the master to investigate something, but they have suddenly turned traitor midway through this investigation and are now up to something here in this city."
"And you wanted to make sure I didn't become another minion to this Lorthos guy?"
"Exactly as having you become one could be an issue. Normally, you have to have your blood almost drained then be made to drink the blood of your attacker before you'll be turned, but I wanted to make certain I hadn't failed to notice you being made to drink, hence Moi's actions here."
"OK, then I guess I can forgive you. Now... mind letting me go?"
"Before that, Moi needs to do two final tests here. First, will you look at this and tell me what it makes you feel?"
Vanir then pulls out an orb that shined like a mini sun in his hands. Kazuma just looks at it, then says-
"Well, apart from making my eyes hurt, I feel nothing... though I can't help but feel looking at it long enough will give me a tan."
"So far so good. Now, look at this girl here and tell me what looking at her makes you feel."
Vanir then reaches out and touches Kazuma's shoulder as he looks Lalatina over.
"I want to fuck her, to be honest. Long hair, big boobs, beautiful face. (Vanir pulls his hand away) She's my type of... girl... oh my god, what did I just say?"
As Kazuma begins to panic, Vanir begins to laugh while Lalatina averts her gaze. While hearing Kazuma say that caught her off guard, she was even more surprised to find she didn't quite mind it. In fact, she actually felt like she had been turned on a little by his words.
"You did that to me, didn't you? You made me say all those... embarrassing things."
"Moi admits I was responsible. But all Moi did was make you speak your mind honestly. What you said there was all you."
"Great, now I'll never have a chance with her."
"(to herself) I don't know about... (to Kazuma and Vanir) I mean, was that the only reason you brought Kazuma here, Vanir. To make sure he didn't become a vampire. Why did you tell him becoming one would be bad?"
"Hm, you noticed that. Very well, Moi shall tell you both. (frees Kazuma, allowing him to stand) You see, this boy here is very special, a power that is also needed for what's coming. He is a Sensor, a decedent of the famous Van Helsing family of vampire hunters."
"Wait, Van Helsing. You mean that guy from the Dracula story?"
"The very same, boy. He and other members of his family have long had this talent about them, to gift of sensing otherworldly evil in the area. When Moi first met them and discovered their talent, it was decided the Sensor should work closely with the Slayer as the power of the Sensor would aid the Slayer in doing her mission far more effectively."
"So, Kazuma's suppose to be my partner for all this then?"
"Wait a moment. I don't get what you are talking about. I mean... I don't have that kind of power?"
"Are you so sure? Moi was able to see into your mind while you were out. During that night, when passing through the park, you had a sense of danger about you, telling you not to be heading down the path you were walking."
"Yeah, so. That was just my nerves acting up. As much as I hate to say this... I'm a big old coward at heart. I hate having to risk my neck at doing anything... and everything. I like to keep safe. Just because I was having a freak-out doubt doesn't mean I have any special power like you say I have."
Vanir considers this, then says-
"Perhaps you are right. Perhaps Moi bringing you here, doing a ritual to awaken the sleeping parts of your Sensor power was a waste of time. There is only one way to find out."
"And that would be?" (x2)
} Scene 4 {
"Why do I have to do this? I told you; I don't have any special powers. I'm a slacker, nothing more and nothing less."
complained Kazuma as they walked down the dark streets of the city, heading towards the morgue. Actually, their ultimate destination was to a nearby cemetery by the morgue was on the way and for some reason, Vanir really wanted them to stop by there first for some reason.
"Just humor Vanir for this one night, Kazuma. If you do, I'll owe you a favor."
offered Darkness. In truth, she was also thinking this was a waste but unlike Kazuma, she was more open to the idea after recent events.
"Fine, but only because you're hot and I'm into girls like you. So, Vani, I get the basic gist on how Slayer's are suppose to work. Is there anything else either me or Darkness should know here before we find ourselves running into any creature of the night... if we actually do have a run in that is."
Kazuma had been given the four-one-one on the topic of Slayer lore too before they had left.
"Hm, let me... oh right, there is something Moi left out. If memory serves, all Slayer's have a unique quirk about them, a kind of gimmick that makes each one a little different from the others."
"Can you give me an example here?"
asked Lalatina. Vanir thinks about it, then says-
"Moi believes the last Slayer had an issue with heights. Another had a fear of spiders. There was one who hated the sight of blood so much it would make her faint. Oh, there was this one Slayer who was a total pacifist... she didn't survive this war long as you can imagine."
"So, what you're saying is that Lalatina here will also have her own particular quirk about her, something that will reveal itself soon enough."
"Yes, I believe so."
"... Has any of these quirks been a good thing or have they all been negatives?"
"Not all. There was one Slayer, about five-hundred years ago, who couldn't feel any pain... couldn't feel anything really. There was another who was the product of a union with one of Kazuma's ancestors, resulting in this Slayer having the Sensor power. Moi had hoped it would be added to the mix of powers all future Slayer's could have access to but alas, it was not to be."
"Guess that means my family's power... potential power I mean, is something really... AHHHH!"
Kazuma suddenly grabs his head, making Lalatina rush over to his side to support him and keep him from falling onto the ground. Vanir looks at him, then at the morgue which was coming into view. He then looks back at Kazuma and asks-
"So, do you believe me now when Moi says you are the Sensor?"
"I believe I need an aspirin right now. Seriously, I better not suffer these headaches going forward or I'll just lock myself away from the world and become a NEET."
"Save that for later, Kazuma. Do you know where the enemy is located?"
"Yeah... in there... I think."
Kazuma then points towards the morgue, then adds-
"I don't know how, but I can sense the number of dangers coming from within there. I can sense... two of them but one feels weird, like it's a small presence that's slowly growing big..."
"That means we have a vampire that hasn't been fully risen yet. A recent victim that had been turned into a vampire who shall soon awake. Let us get in there and finish them both off quickly."
Vanir then leads the way with Lalatina right behind him. Kazuma hesitates for a moment, even considers turning back and making a run for it. In the end, he curses under his breath and follows them inside.
Inside the morgue...
Inside the back most room, a woman dressed in a goth like outfit, though nearly all white in color, hovered over the concealed body of a recently murdered girl; that girl being Karen Donnelly. Normally, a new vampire would only rise from the dead once buried and, in the ground, but for some reason, her burial was taking longer than it should, thus a need for an unorthodox awakening.
"Mm, I can hear it. The pulse of your new life, your un-life as it were. It's time to awaken, friend. Awaken and join your new family."
There wasn't any actual pulse to be had as vampires didn't have a beating heart. The words of this goth vampire being more figurative and poetic than literal. She looks at the exposed hand of Karen, seeing the slightest of twitches with the fingers.
Then came more movement and twitching. And then, Karen slowly sat up, allowing the blanket covering her to fall away. She looks around the room, confused before her eyes fall on the goth vampire.
"Where... where am I?"
"In your delivery room... so to speak. So how are you feeling?"
Karen looks over her now deathly pale skin, flexing her fingers before flexing her whole arms.
"Strange, I feel a little cold, but not in a bad way. And I feel... powerful, strong even. Like I have this incredible energy coursing through my body. What happened too me?"
The goth vampire then explained everything to Karen. At first, the words she heard terrified Karen but as the goth vampire continued her explanation, the fear and terror Karen shifted to interest and excitement and soon, she was smiling deviously.
"So, I am an immortal now. I will look this beautiful forever, right?"
"And you will have power and ability no man or woman can hope to match. There are some rules that come with being a vampire, but we can talk about those as we..."
"Let me guess, drinking blood, avoid direct sunlight, can't enter a person's home without permission first. I know the stories."
"Good for you. There are a few other things on top of that, but we can get to those details later. For now, I should go introduce you to the rest of our little group. My name is Hale, by the way. And you are..."
"Karen. Just Karen now, I guess. Do I really need to meet the rest of your group? Can't I fly solo and do my own thing here, Hale?"
"You can... though I would suggest taking time to get use to your current lifestyle first before having those kinds of thoughts. Now, we really should get going. Never know when our enemies could make an unexpected arrival."
"Right... (hops off the table) Wait, what's this about us having enemies? You mean like werewolves?"
"First, perhaps you should get dressed, unless you're find with walking around in the nude. I believe the clothes you were wearing at the time of your death should be in that box there. As for the enemies I was speaking of, I'll tell you as you get dressed."
Once Karen had finished dressing...
"So, we have beef with some groups of vampires, with werewolves in general, and certain other races of demons. Sounds complicated."
"It is, but those aren't nearly as bad as our biggest problem. The Slayer!"
"The who...?"
Before Hale could explain, the was a sudden crashing sound from down the hall, the sound of the entrance to the morgue being forced open. Hale sighs, then says-
"Guess you're about to find out firsthand."
A few moments before...
Upon reaching the entrance of the morgue, Lalatina tried to open both door but found neither would heed her pull. When she tries several more times to no success, Vanir has to point out a little detail to her.
"Place is closed for the night."
"Great, then what are we suppose to do now?"
"Simple. Moi suggest we BREAK in."
"Wait, hold up. Now I'm not above committing a little crime every now and then, given how much the world tends to take from us, but isn't doing something like this going a little too far? I mean, we can just call the cops and..."
suggested Kazuma, getting Vanir to look at him and say-
"And tell them what, exactly? That we needed to get inside the morgue so we could kill a vampire or two? They would either laugh at us as they hung up or send someone down to bring us in under the belief that we were all on drugs."
"OK, I get your point. I was just saying..."
"Anyways, will you help me here, Slayer?"
"Sure, on the count of three. One, two... three."
Lalatina and Vanir each throw themselves at a door, causing both to fly open. They then make their way inside while Kazuma hangs back outside for a few moments before finally sighing and following them in, figuring that he might draw attention to himself he he just stayed put at the entrance.
They quickly went from room to room and just as the last room came into view, two figures emerged from out of it into the hallway. Seeing them brings Vanir and Lalatina to a stop, but for very different reasons.
"Hale."
"Hm... of, if it isn't Vanir? I had heard you were in town but to actually see you again... Have you been doing well?"
"What a thing to ask when you should already know the answer. Now, would you mind telling me why you would want to hang out inside a morgue of all places?"
"Had to be here to collect my new sister. Shall I introduce you to..."
"Karen? No, it can't be."
"Ah, I know you don't... oh right, Lalatina. So, we cross paths again. I hate to say this, but I don't think we can be friends anymore. I've, well, I guess I can say I've outgrown you. However, if you're willing to let me do a little something to you and you agree to be my servant, I guess I'd be fine with associating with you again. You'd be fine with that, right?"
Lalatina clenches her fist, feeling angry at seeing her old friend alive again as she understood what that meant here. She then let's out a sigh before a smile forms.
"Karen, I've always thought of you as a friend and when I heard you had died, it did affect me. However, seeing you here now, reborn as a vampire, has reminded me of something. Something I've always wanted to do where you are concerned. Something I can now do without any regret."
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"Kick your ass... for always being such a shallow, self-absorbed bitch!"
} Scene 5 {
The exit door of morgue is sent flying as smoke comes pouring out from within. Hale and Karen then emerge, running from the building, towards a nearby cemetery.
"I don't understand. Why are we running? Shouldn't we be able to take those two?"
"Take them, yes. But not inside such close quarters though. You have only just awakened and direct combat had never been my thing. If it were one of them, then we'd be good but both the Slayer and Vanir together... I'd not want to risk it."
"OK, fair point. Is there a reason we're heading to the cemetery?"
"I have a few boys hanging out there. We can use them to put the odds into our favor."
After Lalatina had made her declaration to Karen, Hale had quickly pulled out a little smoke bomb which she had then tossed to the ground before grabbing Karen and pulling her towards the exit door, leading them to their current action.
Looking back, they could see Vanir and Lalatina finally emerge from the smoke and the morgue as well, giving chase after them. The two vampires had a good head start though as they had already reached the cemetery.
Hale quickly makes a whistling sound, causing movement to occur from further into the sea of graves. After reaching the middle of the cemetery, the two girls finally come to a stop before looking back at their enemies, who had reached the cemetery entrance but had stopped.
"Why are we stopping, Vanir?"
"Because they are waiting for us? Hale has never been a great fighter and this Karen girl will need time to fully come into her own as far as being a vampire is concerned. Despite that, they've stopped running. It isn't because they are tired as vampires don't become tired so that must mean they had some allies within to aid them."
"So, what, we back off and let them go for now?"
"No, Moi believes the two of us can still handle this fight, so long as the other underlings to Lorthos aren't around to join in the fight. All the same, remain cautious here."
Vanir then pulls out his cross shaped dagger while Lalatina redoubles the grip she had on her stake as they walk into the cemetery, moving closer and closer to the two female vampires.
Karen, feeling confident and maybe even a little cocky too, smirks as she says-
"So, actually coming into the lion's den are you, Lalatina. I never knew you had the guts."
"More than you ever would. Throwing myself into danger is something I'm more than fine with, unlike you who would freak out if you chipped a nail or learned daddy wouldn't buy those new shoes you wanted."
This makes Karen sneer, then smile as she says with the kindest, most sincere voice-
"You know what, I'll just settle for killing you. No rebirth as a vampire for Lalatina."
"Good because I already have a day job... and a night job too, I guess."
As for Vanir and Hale, they just look at each other for a moment before Hale finally says-
"So, we really going to go at each other, old man?"
"Seems like it. However, if you tell me where I can find Lorthos and what exactly brought him around these parts, then I might be willing to let YOU go here."
Hale smiles at hearing that, a strangely sincere smile, before saying-
"You and I both know I CAN'T do that... (quietly to herself) much as I would like too. (Aloud) Attack!"
There was a flurry of motion as six more vampires sudden jump onto the scene, all of them going to attack Lalatina and Vanir who go on their own counterattack. Karen goes to join in as well but is stopped by Hale.
"Wait, why are you...?"
"Watch and observe for now, Karen. See how our kind can fight. See how our enemies respond, how they fight. Wait till the moment's right then you can strike yourself."
Karen understood, at least she thinks she did. She was, after all, still new to this. Best to look on and get a better understanding of things over thinking herself invincible already and jumping into another early death.
Back at the morgue, Kazuma finally emerges from inside, coughing from the excess of smoke that still lingered in the air. He waves his hands before him to help clear the air before looking around.
"Hey, where is everyone? Lalatina... Vanir... dead girl and goth girl? Was I ditched... AGAIN?"
In truth, Kazuma was really considering just calling this whole bit of weirdness a night and going back home. In fact, that sounded like a good idea. A great idea, in fact. He goes to begin his walk home when he hears noises coming from the nearby cemetery.
Going against his better judgment, he turns and looks, seeing movement within the darkness and shadows.
'That must be where they're at. No, no-no-no, just ignore all that, Kazuma. Maybe you do have a kind of radar that allows you to find the creepy crawlies of the night, but that doesn't mean you can fight them yourself. Just leave the heroics to to super powered types and think only of your own self-preservation here.'
Kazuma then starts to walk away from it all. He walks and walks and walks and stops and stays still...
"Oh god damn it!"
he shouts out before turning and running towards the cemetery.
Back in the cemetery, the two female vampires watched the fight going on between the six minion vampires and the two opponents raged on. Vanir was taking on two of them and appeared to be having trouble fight them while Lalatina battled the remaining four.
Hale was focused on Vanir and his fight, her eyes showing no emotion as she watched Vanir getting hit and thrown around. Sure, she was aware Vanir was skilled enough to handle two minion class vampires on his own, but this fight was proving more of a challenge as one was a massive, mountain of a man with an incredibly well-built body while the other was smaller, fast and sleek, and hard to get hold of.
As for Karen, who was watching Lalatina's fight. She was actually a little confused. Sure, she was seeing Lalatina being punched, kicked, slammed around all over, and being generally overpowered by her foes, something Karen had expected to see happen as she still thought Lalatina was just a normal girl. But there was something else happening here that didn't make sense.
For one thing, Lalatina didn't appear to be fighting back at all. Sure, maybe that meant she knew she didn't have a chance but still, her not doing ANYTHING, saying anything either, was weird. If that wasn't enough, it was the other thing she was observing that was really confusing her.
Lalatina looked like she was letting them kick her ass. She looked like she was enjoying the abuse.
"Lala, please tell me you aren't as messed up in the head as I've always suspected you were."
Vanir grunts as he hits the ground hard, his body looking beaten and battered. The smaller of the two vampires reaches down and picks up the dagger Vanir had been holding, looks at it, then tosses if off to the side before looking back at Vanir and saying-
"It had a nice look it but there's something about it that just... burns one's hands. Anyways, can we kill this guy, boss lady?"
Both the small and the bulky vampire look back at Haze who closes her eyes and gives them a silent nod. They then look back at Vanir, who was still trying to recover. The bulky vampire then steps forward to tower over Vanir, seeing the mask wearing man trying to get back onto his feet. The bulky vampire then brings his two hands together, ready to crush in Vanir's skull.
"Oh yeah, I really love this part. I bet his brain is going to go flying..."
The smaller vampire's words are stop as the tip end of the dagger appears in his chest. He looks down at it, then back up at his giant friend before his body burst into dust, revealing Kazuma, holding Vanir's dagger in his hands.
Immediately, the bulky vampire turns, seeing his buddy get dusted, then brings one of his arms swing down to batter Kazuma and send him flying.
'Damn it, I knew I picked the WRONG time to start playing hero.'
Kazuma hits the ground hard, rolling a few times before coming to a stop. He then finds the shadow of the bulky vampire come over him as the monster of a guy goes to end his life. Luckily, it was his turn to bite the dust as Vanir had recovered enough to grab his dagger and follow Kazuma's actions by stabbing the bulky vampire in his own back.
Vanir then helps Kazuma to his feet while saying-
"You're timing is impeccable. Moi was really in trouble till you came to the rescue."
"Yeah, well... don't expect me to be all heroic there going forward. Seriously, I'm not cut out for this life."
"That remains to be seen, my boy. Now, I wonder how our Slayer is... doing?"
The two of them look, seeing no sign of Lalatina but they could see the four vampires she was facing all dog piling something on the ground. They could then hear it in the air, the oddest of things being said.
"Oh yeah, keep going. I think I'm close to breaking now!"
Kazuma and Vanir look at each other, then they look back as he says-
"I remember being told Slayer's having little quirks about them. You don't think...?"
"(sigh) Indeed. It seems we have found what our newest Slayer's little quirk is. Moi was afraid it would be this kind of quirk."
"I feel your pain there, buddy. When your destined world saving hero is also a masochist, only bad things can be coming your way."
They then watch as Lalatina continued to be dog piled and attacked for a few more moments before Vanir finally clears his throat, then says-
"Slayer, Moi knows you must be having a great time there with your new friends, but we really need to be wrapping this up, don't you think?"
"... Fine, but only because these guys can't seem to do anything more to me now."
A few seconds later, the four vampires are sent flying as Lalatina effortlessly knocks them off herself. She then hops back onto her feet before running over to and staking each one. With those four dead and dusted, Lalatina takes in a deep breath before walking back over to Vanir and Kazuma.
"God that felt amazing. Having so many voracious beasts on top of me, trying to have their way with me. I don't know... I think I found that something special I've always been looking for all my life."
"You're not right in the head, you do know that right. Seriously, what kind of girl would actually enjoy... wait, you don't have any actual injuries on your person. Just a few scuff marks."
Lalatina checks herself over, confirming that Kazuma was correct about that little detail. She then smiles and says-
"Guess I'm a lot tougher than even I was aware. Anyways, can we go hunting some more vamps here? I still feel the need for a little excitement."
"First, we should deal with Hale and the... newbie... hm, Moi sees they have made a run for it."
Sure enough, there was no sign of either Hale or Karen. Kazuma then asks-
"So, what happens now?"
"We'll call it a night for now. After this, Moi believes we all could use a little rest."
"If we must. Personally, I'm fine with keeping at it for the rest of the night if needed."
"Good for you. Sorry, but I'm not. After tonight, I am SO done with this. Thank you both for this mentally and emotionally scarring experience. I'm heading home, locking my door, and becoming a NEET! Now, if you excuse me..."
"Ah, don't be like that. Come on, I'll make sure you get home safe."
Kazuma tries to get away from Lalatina, but the Slayer grabs onto him and forces him under her arm. She then goes to walk away with him struggling in vain to escape. She stops long enough to wave goodbye to Vanir, saying they'll swing by his place tomorrow.
Vanir watches them go, then smiles before turning and walking away.
"So far so good. Moi has to wonder though, should I leave things with just the two of them or perhaps Moi should consider bringing in the other potential allies as well? Oh well, Moi shall decide later."
As for Kazuma and Lalatina...
"So, your name is Lalatina, huh? That's an... a nice name."
"What, is there a problem with my name?"
"No, not really. It's just that... Lalatina the Vampire Slayer doesn't sound right."
"You think so? Hm... maybe you're right. So, you have any ideas on what alias I can go with instead?"
"Let me think... you're a girl with the power to fight vampires, werewolves, demons; basically, all that live within the dark... oh, I know. How about Darkness... Darkness the Vampire Slayer!"
"Hm, Darkness the Vampire Slayer. The darkness that fights against the other darkness. I like it. Alright, from this day forth... I am Darkness the Vampire Slayer!"
{|} Fin... and to be continued... {|}
AN: And thus, we end another chapter. As you can probably guess, this chapter is based of the series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with Darkness playing the role of Buffy, Vanir playing the role of Merrick (and later Giles), and Kazuma playing the role of Pike (Buffy's original sidekick in the movie).
Like with the other chapters of this arc, I doubt I'll do more in this world though if someone out there wants to do something with it, that's fine. As for what I could see in the future of this world, I would say Dust would be Xander, Megumin would be Willow (and she would have a past with Kazuma), Yunyun would be Tara, and as for Aqua? Well, she's either Cordelia or maybe she could be the Oz of the story. Beyond that, like who would be the Angel and Spike of this world, I'm undecided yet.
Anyways, we have one last chapter in this arc, one that will be about Eris. The name of that story?
In A Moment's Time. Until then...