Spirit Blood: Genesis of War
Chapter 9

Together the three men and two children, Nia and Taoloe, entered a small town decorated with warped and faded shops. Upon entering the town, Makaylen recognized having been here once before during his past travels.

“I know this town,” he quietly said to his companions. “But it doesn’t seem to be doing too well right now.”

All around them the town’s folk were in a rush to close up their shops and flee into the safety of their own homes. Vacant and frightened glares were the only recognition the three men got to show the town’s folk even realized they were walking down the street.

“They don’t seem to be too fond of strangers, do they?” Davien asked observing the people staring at them as they ran about their shops.

At the end of the road was a trail leading to a cluster of small and dilapidated adobe huts spanning a ten-acre field. Nia and Taoloe tugged at Christopher’s robe urging him to follow them towards the huts.

“Come on!” Nia urged. “Our home is this way.”

Together the children lead the men into the center of the colony of huts. Each hut looked almost identical with only a subtle difference here and there.

“How do you know which one is yours? They all look alike,” Davien sympathetically asked the children.

“Well, we’ve been wrong a few times, but we can usually just tell. Our mom tries to leave little clues now and then that only we realize are there. It’s kind of a game we play,” Nia answered.

“What kind of clues?” Christopher asked curiously.

“Little things like a piece of yarn on the porch or a leaf stuck in the door jamb to catch our attention. Sometimes they’re so small even we miss them,” little Taoloe muttered.

Up ahead of them was a plain and average looking hut. The men searched for any kind of clue that Taoloe had spoken of, but only saw a light flickering through the cracks of a warped wooden door and the appearance of a shadow pacing back and forth from underneath it. The children set off in a run swinging the door open wide and leapt into the arms of a beautiful dark skinned woman.

“Mother!” Both children shouted in unison smothering her in hugs and kisses.

The woman fell to her knees, eyes full of tears, returning excited hugs and kisses to her children. Taking just a moment from kissing their red cheeks she looked up to call for her husband.

“Massuoe! Massuoe! Our children are home!” She shouted before laying kisses upon them again.

An average height man with a thick build and potbelly ran from another room scooping both his children into his stout arms. The three men witnessed from outside the hut the touching reunion. Seeing that the children were now safe and at home they turned to leave.

“My dear sweet children. You have been gone for so long. How did you get back?” The father asked his children between kisses from both.

Taoloe looked at the doorway and pointed at the men departing. The father released his children back to their anxious mother and walked to the doorway.

“Excuse me, sirs,” he called out to them from within his hut. “I cannot thank you enough for the gift you have brought to my wife and I today. Could I please know the names of my children’s rescuers?”

Massuoe brushed back his thick black hair and wiped his tear stained eyes dry with his thick and calloused shaking hands. The three men turned around, but only Davien had a look on his face of great pride and arrogance. Christopher stepped forward to shake the man’s hand when Davien cut in front of him nudging Chris aside.

“My name is Davien and I saved your two children,” Davien announced with his chest puffed out. “My fellow travelers and I found them being tortured by a Scorp-Man. You know, half-man half-scorpion creature; nasty things…anyway, as I was saying, we found them and then I…”

Before Davien could continue to build himself up Massuoe simply grabbed him between his two massive arms hugging him tightly. After letting Davien free, much to Davien’s relief, Massuoe hugged Christopher just as rambunctiously, but when he went to greet Makaylen with a hug, Makaylen stretched out his hand for Massuoe to take instead. Not moved, Massuoe shook his hand with the same intensity and vibrancy as his hugs wearing a huge smile of thanks.

“I am Massuoe and this,” pointing into the hut towards his wife, “is my wife Sonja. Please, please you must come in and rest.”

Massuoe shoved the three men into his domain where each of them was met with a round of kisses from a very grateful and crying Sonja.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you! You have brought back my dear children to me. How can I ever thank you enough?” She exclaimed through her tears.

Makaylen tried to offer only his hand rather than be mauled with affection by Sonja, but she only used his outstretched hand to draw him closer to her so she could hug him fiercely.

“You’re welcome Ma’am. You’re welcome,” Makaylen repeated trying to release Sonja’s grip on him while Christopher and Davien chuckled at his blushing cheeks.

After the commotion had settled down and everyone had had a bite to eat, the children were sent to bed where they fell asleep instantly. Sonja and Massuoe sat up making tea for their guests and talking through the night about what had brought them into the Archaic Forest.

“I am on a mission to replace a young woman before she is turned into a vampire. I only hope I am not too late,” Makaylen calmly revealed to the couple.

Both Davien and Christopher couldn’t figure out what was most eerie about this conversation, the fact that neither Sonja nor Massuoe bat even an eyelash at the mention of vampires, the fact that Makaylen was so calm about his dangerous mission or the fact this couple knew of where vampires could be found right here in their own town.

“Now let me get this right. Are you actually saying that vampires live here in your town?” Davien asked astonished.

Sipping from his cup Massuoe calmly answered, “Well not actually in town, more on the outside. They do, however, frequent a small club here in town. They are pretty much the only ones that frequent the club; them and the other Fae people.”

Shaking his head in disbelief Davien asked, “Why do you allow this to go on? Can’t you burn the club down or something?”

“Sure, we could burn it down, but that won’t stop them from coming into town. Besides, they would just take out their revenge and make something else their club. This way we don’t suffer from them being here. We just give them a place that is all theirs and they leave us alone for the most part,” Massuoe said shrugging his shoulders.

“Why do they use it? What purpose could it possibly serve?” Christopher asked quite curious about this strange and almost unknown about creature.

Sonja leaned back and stretched one arm behind her husband answering, “It’s some sort of sanctuary for them where they can go and not be hunted by humans or Elves. They need an escape from their many enemies as well. Lately, however, their mannerisms have seemed to change a bit. We used to never hear them or really ever see them, but lately they’ve been venturing out in the town. Everyone is really scared about it too. There are so many of them, we couldn’t possibly protect ourselves properly.” She began to weep as she continued, “When the children didn’t come back yesterday we feared the worst. We thought perhaps the vampires had taken to attacking anyone caught out at night.”

Sonja began to cry so hard with relief that her children were home that she had to rise quickly and check on them in their beds. Makaylen listened intently to the explanations and was amazed there didn’t seem to be any fear or worry in the town, until of late, about vampires living so close to their own homes.

“Surely they do not actually live in this town but rather out in the forest somewhere. Do you have any idea as to why they come here at all? If they’re not attacking the residents what is here for them other than this sanctuary?” Makaylen questioned.

Smiling Massuoe answered, “Well, there is something they may be more interested in than just a sanctuary. It has something to do with a special ore and mineral resource I and other towns folk stumbled across near here just before the vampires showed up.”

“Why do you think vampires would be interested in ores and minerals?” Chris asked before Makaylen could open his mouth to ask the same.

“Well,” Massuoe said putting his cup down and leaning in to speak a bit softer. “It’s not just the ores and minerals, but what they can do. A while back we stumbled upon a mountain we had never seen before.”

“How could you not have seen a mountain? Aren’t mountains Big?” Davien asked sarcastically.

“Yes, my wise sir, they are big, but this mountain is so hidden we had never seen it before,” Massuoe replied almost smugly.

Sonja spoke up now, having returned to the main room and overhearing the gentlemen’s conversation,

“This particular mountain lies in the middle of the forest where the mist is thickest. Most people do not venture that far nor go looking for some secret hidden mountain, so you see it is quite concealed and easy to miss.”

“We were looking for a new way to get food to our town when we spotted a strange mountain just sitting in the forest. We were so surprised we thought we had gotten lost. Upon closer inspection we found multi-colored rocks imbedded into the very sides of the rock,” Massuoe announced.

“So, what makes you think the vampires may be interested in multi-colored rocks?” Davien asked again too sarcastically.

“It’s not just the rocks, it’s what the rocks can do,” Massuoe informed his doubtful guest. “We found them to work as a conductor which makes it possible for techmagi machinery to actually work here in the Archaic Forest. After a few months of mining, groups of vampires and Fae started coming out of the forest looking to co-exist with us. They were led by some vampire lord named Lester Longshanks.”

Makaylen recognized the name, but knew Lester was far from a vampire lord. He wasn’t even an underling and had been kicked out of his former coven years ago. It wasn’t impossible, but was highly unlikely, that Lester could gather such a force and have enough power to enslave an entire town all by himself. Surely, he thought to himself, there must be someone much more persuasive and powerful behind all this.

Finishing his thought, Massuoe continued, “Apparently, Lester’s followers are working for a dark master who wants the power of the stones. Now we are sort of blessed slaves for them. We do all the mining and keep our lives while they get the stones and, for the most part, pretty much leave us alone.”

“So no one has gotten hurt from this arrangement?” Christopher asked doubting this to be entirely true.

“Oh, I didn’t say that,” Massuoe answered. “There have been a few that stood up to them thinking their hospitality meant they wouldn’t hurt us, but they were either punished to death or were forced to become one of them. It’s just easier to do what they want and stay out of their way. We’ve lived this way for the last few years.”

“Gentlemen, if I may interrupt, it is quite late. I have prepared a warm place for you to stay the night and I won’t take no for an answer,” Sonja added after Makaylen and Christopher began to turn her offer down. “I would like to give you so much more, but it is the best I have to offer you for what you have given to me and my husband today. Please stay. Besides it is best you don’t travel at night, especially around here.”

Davien immediately stood up to follow Sonja to his bedding. He wasn’t going to sleep on a cold hard ground if he didn’t have to. The other two men thanked her profusely and followed her as well. Makaylen thanked Shiloh under his breath for leading them to these children in the forest and ultimately, he hoped, to the whereabouts of Veronica.

The next morning the limited sunlight shone through the small windows giving the hut a very warm and homey feel to it. Makaylen arose first and worked at waking the other two men. Davien complained that hunting vampires on an empty stomach was ridiculously dangerous and that a cousin of his had ventured into a fight once after not eating and was so weak from a lack of food that he was beaten to a bloody pulp. Makaylen warned him that they’d just have to take their chances as he hurried him and Christopher out of the hut before the family could awaken. Makaylen led the group out of the cluster of huts and back towards the main road. They traveled further up the road leading into the heart of the town when they spied a neon-illuminated sign reading Exile.

“That must be the place. They seem to like the fact they are the only ones that can use techmagi here. I can only pray we replace Veronica in there and quickly,” Makaylen said in disgust of such a foul place as a vampire’s haven.

As the men made their way to the club Davien busied himself with making sure he looked his best. He didn’t want to be found looking shabby if some young damsel in distress should make an appearance and need his brave services. Besides, he thought to himself, I need to look good for the awards ceremony this town will be holding in my honor after I rid them of these foul creatures.

“Ok, now that we know where their club is we’ll have to replace somewhere to hide out until nightfall. We’ll need to keep a close watch on our surroundings. I don’t want to take a chance on them having any familiars watching the club,” Makaylen warned.

“Familiars?” Chris repeated.

“Yes, as sad as it may sound, there are actually people who desire to be bitten by vampires without being turned into one. I can’t imagine what sort of existence these poor souls must possess. But, they are very dangerous and always keeping a watchful eye out for anyone that may mean to harm their masters,” Makaylen informed him.

Nestling into the thick brush surrounding the area, Makaylen, Davien and Christopher situated themselves for the long wait.

Irritated at having to sit on the hard ground for several hours, Davien spouted, “If we have to just wait why couldn’t we have waited at Sonja and Massuoe’s house? At least there we’d be comfortable and fed.”

“We do not want to associate ourselves with anyone in particular here. We’d only endanger their lives by engaging in such comforts. It will be nightfall in a few hours. We must be patient and rest. Our enemy will be wide-awake and ready for a fight come nightfall. We must ensure we are as well,”

Makaylen told his complaining friend.

After several more hours of here and there naps for the three men, nightfall came over the town and the defenseless people scurried into their homes for safety. Making their way towards the club Makaylen suddenly stopped in his tracks when he spotted Veronica with a very well dressed and pompous looking man entering into the club.

“Lester,” Makaylen sneered from behind clenched teeth.

Before Christopher or Davien could make out exactly what Makaylen had just muttered, Makaylen was sprinting for the club entrance with his friends closely tailing him. Slowly Makaylen opened the door and the three men entered into the club. Inside everything was dark with only artificial light and neon to illuminate the place. The wall behind the bar was a display of florescent lights and streams of bubbles which shown through the shelves of bottles lighting them in different colors of pinks, blues and greens. On the far left wall, away from the bustling noise of the dance floor, sat a group of booths and tables each glowing from the black lights hanging above. In the very center of the club sat a staircase to the second floor and a large dance floor lit up by only the occasional multi colored laser show and rotating colored spotlights.

The second floor was occupied by only Fae blooded creatures, and the staircase leading up was guarded by a very large wolf like creature. In the middle of the room was a round bar surrounded by many bottles of liquid in varying shades of colors and textures lit up by the same bubble display behind them. Along the right and left walls were booths, tables and a dance floor, as well, all glowing from the same light schemes as the floor below them.

Even though they had walked in almost immediately after her, Veronica was nowhere to be found. The only human looking patrons they could see looked quite pale and unfriendly. Growing quite uncomfortable with the situation, Davien spoke up first in a very boisterous, yet nervous, tone.

“Okay,” he loudly whispered, “I’ll start slapping these pale fools down here while you two go and wrench some information from whatever that thing is blocking the stairs.”

Christopher and Makaylen exchanged glances before Makaylen took charge again.

“That thing is an eight foot Kunine warrior and he is blocking the entrance to what I can only assume, from the looks down here, to be where the Fae blooded creatures socialize.”

“Okay, my mistake. Why don’t you go and wrench some information out of those Fae things and I’ll take care of business down here,” Davien again excitedly whispered.

“Davien, those Fae things hold a bond to the natural magic of Krysala. Though I may not agree with them and their natural beliefs, they are more powerful than you may think,” Makaylen warned whispering back.

“If you’re afraid, fine. What do you suggest then?” Davien whispered arrogantly.

Makaylen searched the crowd on the dance floor and sitting in the booths looking for anything that could give him a clue to Veronica’s whereabouts.

“Is something wrong Makaylen?” Christopher asked searching the room for any sign of danger.

“No, nothing’s wrong. I just can’t seem to get a clear fix on her with all these people around. I think we’re going to have to do this the old fashioned way and split up to look for her,” Makaylen announced now looking at his cohorts.

Looking quite nervous Christopher spoke up, “Split up? Why should we do that? I’ve never faced creatures like this alone…”

Interrupting Chris and stopping Davien before he could display his false bravado, Makaylen held up his hand and spoke to his friends hoping to once again ease their fears.

“Chris you have faced things far worse before and survived to face even more. Summon that same strength and you will be able to handle any opposition.” Thinking a bit about the situation at hand, Makaylen continued, “On the other hand, perhaps it would be best if you two stayed here in case Veronica tries to leave. Just don’t look obvious in your attempt to guard the door. I’d hate to get into a fight right now.”

Much happier with this plan instead, both men nodded their heads and walked over to a more inconspicuous booth to sit and case the room. Makaylen turned to the staircase surprised to see the Kunine absent from his post. He ascended the unguarded stairs and melded into the crowds of supernatural beings. Just as he was beginning his search a very large and bushy hand smashed down upon his shoulder turning him around to face the owner of the hand. Before him stood the very angered eight-foot Kunine wolf warrior guard looking down upon him. Looking up into this strange and fierce creature’s face, Makaylen was reminded how powerful and ferocious this wolf like species was known to be in a battle. This particular warrior was the color of rust and blood mixed together with small patches of matted graying fur. His piercing yellow eyes, snarling teeth and the large spiked mace resting in his massive paw like hand didn’t help much to ease Makaylen’s apprehension at having to deal with this creature.

“Norms are forbidden in here!” The wolf-man snapped in a low growling voice.

Just then two very large and strange creatures came to stand behind the wolf-man to aid him if needed.

“I have no desire to start a brawl,” Makaylen said searching hard for the correct words so as not to offend these highly aggressive individuals. “I have simply come up here hoping to replace the person I could attain permission from to locate a Norm friend of mine to take out of here.”

Staring at Makaylen trying to sense either fear or lies coming from him, yet sensing nothing, the

Kunine glanced over his shoulder and gave a nod dispensing the services of his two backup warriors. He turned his attention back to Makaylen quite impressed with him for his respect and lack of fear.

“I give you that permission,” he snorted down at Makaylen. “Now follow me, I know someone that can help you replace your friend so you can quicken your departure,” the warrior snarled in repulsion.

Without a word Makaylen began to follow the large reddish wolf through the strange crowd. Everyone moved out of the Kunine’s way as he approached, not wanting to entice his anger. The pair walked to a far and very dark corner where a set of steps lead up to a corridor quite hidden from easy view. Standing guard at the top of the steps was a large vicious looking ogre armed with a jagged axe. As soon as the Kunine approached, however, the ogre moved aside seemingly nervous about the encounter. About twenty feet down the dimly lit corridor rested a very narrow spiral staircase. With great difficulty the Kunine warrior squeezed up the narrow staircase halting Makaylen as soon as they reached the top landing.

“Stay here,” the wolf-man gruffly instructed Makaylen as he walked away into the room in front of them.

Following the instructions, Makaylen breathed a thanks to Shiloh for having not brought Davien with him or things probably would have already turned bad. He watched the Kunine approach a full Katilian woman sitting upon the lap of a Fae creature whose type Makaylen had never seen before. Taking notice of the large wolf coming her way, the Katilian woman pried herself away from the Fae she was entertaining and jumped up to greet him.

“Choric,” the woman exclaimed. “Wish to join us?” She asked in a most enticing voice gesturing to the discarded Fae man behind her.

“Never,” he coldly replied. “I do however need your services to replace someone.”

Excited to be of use to this large wolf-man, the Katilian woman seductively purred walking closer to him.

“How intriguing! How can I be of help to you?” She asked in a low purring voice.

Not amused, Choric roughly grabbed her by the arm and began to drag her over to where Makaylen was patiently waiting. Now completely offended, the Fae man rose up and attempted to grab Choric’s arm, but before he could latch on, Choric spun around and angrily said something to him in his own language forcing the terrified man back into his chair where he sunk deeper and deeper until Choric finally turned his attention back to Makaylen and walked off dragging the smiling woman with him. When Choric stopped in front of Makaylen and released the arm of the woman, her eyes widened with disgust.

“A Norm!” The woman exclaimed in abhorrence gawking at Makaylen.

“Yes a Norm. Do you have a problem with that?” Choric growled down at her.

“No…no problem I guess,” she said nervously while lowering her head in reluctant submission.

Choric nodded for Makaylen to ask to cat woman for her help, but when he looked at her she was glaring at him with her beautiful green cat eyes.

“I can only assume that he would bring me to you because you possess some special gift at controlling minds or something, especially with how much he knows I hate Norms,” she hissed now glaring at Choric as well.

Clearing his throat, Makaylen replied, “Well, okay… Um, I need your assistance to replace someone. She is also a Norm and is here somewhere in the club. She has dark hair, full lips and brown eyes.” Continuing, despite the Katilian woman’s sighs of disinterest, Makaylen added, “She’s a friend of mine and I only want to take her from here so as not to upset any more of the patrons like yourself.”

The Katilian woman began walking around Makaylen eyeing him up and down, “And just why should I help you, Norm? Why should I care about your friend?”

Trying very hard to think of an answer that might spark this woman’s interest, Makaylen answered, “Well…” He began to stammer until finally an idea popped in his head, “She’s quite a beautiful woman and, even though you are also very beautiful and exotic, I believe she may be able to give you a run for your money.” When the woman’s attention sparked he added, “Let’s face it, all I’m doing is taking away your competition. The only reasonable choice is for you to help me replace her then all the suitors will be yours to choose from.”

A single eyebrow lifted on her face before she replied, “Interesting thought, but I am confident that everyone knows I am the best choice here no matter what my competition may look like. However, since Choric desires for me to help you I suppose I can try.”

The odd looking pair walked away to talk leaving Makaylen standing alone once again.

“Fine, I’ll help him,” she sighed speaking low enough for only Choric to hear her. “At least he seems to genuinely be trying not to cause problems. And I couldn’t sense any fear coming off of him either.”

“Neither did I when he first spoke to me.” Looking around the room at the many secluded booths and even beyond the room where there were rooms even he hadn’t dared enter before, Choric remarked, “You can see the aura of the people around. Check for another Norm signature and let me know.”

Closing her eyes and breathing deeply, the woman calmed her body entering into a type of meditation. Upon opening them again her beautiful green eyes were now a pale white with her cat eye slits dilated wide. Searching the room she saw the powerful red aura of the Kunine species beside her blazing like fire and the many other auras in the room of various colors each associated with their type of species. However, when she happened upon Makaylen her eyes widened having never seen an aura like his before. In wisps of ghostly gray mist Makaylen’s aura shrouded him like a cloak with vibrant colors streaming through it. She stared intently at him until a nudge from Choric put her back on task.

“What is it Sheneska?” Choric asked her seeing the unfamiliar look of shock on her face.

“I’ll have to tell you later,” she replied already searching the crowd again for a Norm aura.

Only moments later Sheneska found the aura of a Norm surrounded by many non-norms in a booth two stories down. As she watched she could tell the people surrounding the girl had no living auras and her own was flickering and fading slowly away. Closing her eyes again she took in a deep breath reopening her eyes to their normal cat-slit green. Standing on her tiptoes, she whispered in an odd language into Choric’s ear.

“I found her and your friend is not a Norm,” she warned.

Not surprised to hear this news, Choric gave a nod and a grunt as the two began walking over to a very anxious and curious Makaylen.

“Well? Did you replace her?” He asked excitedly.

“I did,” Sheneska answered haughtily. “She now sits with vampires and,” she paused hoping to dramatize the moment, “she has been bitten.”

Immediately Makaylen’s head dropped in disappointment with himself. He’d allowed too many obstacles to delay his helping Veronica. When he finally looked back up his eyes were so full of vengeance and rage Sheneska stepped back in fear and wonderment at just what this ‘Norm’ may really be.

“Where?” Makaylen gritted through his teeth.

“Down there,” Sheneska quickly pointed down below her. “She’s surrounded in a booth on the first floor downstairs.”

Without haste Makaylen turned and headed back down the narrow spiral staircase. Quite interested in just what he had planned, both Choric and Sheneska followed close behind him. The moment Choric reached the bottom of the stairs in the main room he shot passed Makaylen and turned to stand right in front of him.

“Where do you think you’re going? You said you weren’t looking for a fight,” Choric said baring his teeth feeling quite disrespected.

Makaylen closed his eyes trying to calm himself and keep his anger under control. When he opened them again he looked in Choric’s eyes with a cold distain for the fact he was, once again, in the way of him doing what he needed to do.

“I’m going over to that booth area and I’m getting my friend out of here. And, if I’m lucky, I will be taking the head of whoever bit her as well.

Stepping closer and squaring off with Makaylen, Choric drew his spiked mace, “You want to start trouble after all then, eh? Well, if that’s the case then you’ll have to go through me to do it!”

“Listen to me for once,” Makaylen spewed at Choric, his patience growing thin. “All I wanted to do was get her and leave, but you have prolonged my agenda long enough. If you’re looking for a fight then why don’t you help me rid this place of those foul creatures?! You’re their slave dog! If you wish to remain just that then, by all means, fight me, but if not then fight with me instead and we can get rid of them for good!”

For a moment Choric growled in anger for having been spoken down to by some Norm, but the truth in Makaylen’s words began to transfer his anger to the group of vampires he was trying to protect instead. Those vampires are the real wretch and I’ve followed their orders long enough, he thought to himself. Glancing over at the area where the vampires hung out, Choric began to growl and salivate no longer out of fear, but rather out of hatred and despise for those pretentious creatures. Choric grasped his mace tighter snarling his teeth.

“So, are you ready to eradicate this problem then?” Choric asked Makaylen ready to finally fight.

“I’m going with the both of you,” Sheneska spoke up quite determined to follow them.

The alarming spectacle of a dog, a cat and a crazy man strutting over towards the vampires caught the attention of most in the club. The patrons on the dance floor stopped dancing and dispersed wanting to be anywhere but here if someone was actually crazy enough to defy a vampire sect leader. Two large leather armored vampire guards lazily stood from their seats to quickly end the small uprising.

“Stop right there, Dog!” One guard told Choric holding his hand out in front of him.

With one fell blow of his mace, Choric knocked both guards across the room getting the attention of all who remained sitting in the booths. Christopher and Davien, witnessing the commotion, quickly got up and decided to help Makaylen with his fight. Christopher wanted to try and protect innocent bystanders and his friends while Davien wanted to get a piece of the fighting before Makaylen finished it all. By the time they got through the crowds of people watching the action three more men lay on the ground missing vital parts of their body from either fierce claws or a sword. They fought their way into the middle of the commotion only to see Makaylen standing beside the huge Kunine warrior who was holding a vampire’s entire head in one of his paws. Also in the mix was a cat-woman with razor sharp claws protruding from her human like hands crouching down ready to pounce another vampire. Davien drew his sword ready to fight when Choric noticed him and, throwing the captive vampire in his hand across the room, started at Davien. Just then he also noticed Christopher backing up into the party backwards, staff at the ready, watching for any attacking vampires from the rear. Choric was about to attack Davien when Makaylen put his arm out and shook his head no. Grunting, Choric turned his attention back at the three vampires standing before him ready to fight.

Before another round of attacks could pursue the well-dressed man stood up from his seat in the middle booth pushing the table out from in front of him. With only a motion of his hand, he commanded the three guards to drop their stance and move aside. Slowly, and with a vacant expression, Veronica also stood up from her seat beside the man and crouched down clumsily by his side like an injured dog. The anger in Makaylen grew witnessing the ghastly sight of Veronica’s pale complexion and almost dead black eyes. His own eyes now glowed intensely of white pearl mingling with a swirling gray smoke flowing in and out of his once black pupils. The well-dressed man wore a look of curiosity and warning noticing Makaylen’s glowing eyes. Never before had he witnessed such a thing, which touched his heart with a slight fear. Quickly, however, he regained his prideful and arrogant composure and began to pet Veronica’s head as if she were a dog lying at his feet.

“Veronica, you are coming with me now!” Makaylen demanded.

Veronica only remained as she was, staring catatonically and not answering.

“What did you do to her you foul servant of the abyss?” He shouted.

“Tut, Tut old man,” the vampire stated ignoring the intense stare of Makaylen’s white eyes. “You don’t need to shout. I am standing quite close enough to hear you. Veronica cannot hear you right now, however. She’s going through a remarkable change.” Looking down and again petting her head he added with great arrogance, “She is now my servant and will do only as I say.”

The anger in Makaylen began to rise to a state he’d rarely had to deal with. With great effort he struggled to control the dreadful thoughts enveloping his mind as he tried to focus on his mission. Closing his eyes, he took a long breath before opening them upon the vampire again.

“Then I suppose my mission has been altered. Now instead of taking her out of here unharmed I have to end this tyranny with your death and free your victims with their deaths as well,” Makaylen strongly and determinedly uttered.

Shaking his head in overconfidence, the vampire answered, “I rule this side of the world and have done so for over 500 years. What makes you think you are capable of doing what so many others could not?”

“Instead of asking questions why don’t we just step outside and replace out who will be left standing, Lester Longshanks?” Makaylen calmly asked.

Now losing his own calm composure, Lester dropped his smirk. Too many years had gone by with no one having the gall or the courage to stand up to him in such a manner.

“You are an ignorant and rude old man aren’t you? I suppose I ought to take you up on your offer and teach you the lesson you are so needful to finally learn Makaylen,” Lester spoke in irritation. Having heard quite enough in his life from this brash vampire, Choric leapt out at Lester with a fierce growl. Before he could land his strike, however, Lester easily caught and held his lowering mace with only one hand. He looked up at the towering dog with a superior look upon his face.

“Haven’t I already taught you your lesson Choric?” Lester asked.

Choric’s face wore the great effort he was putting into trying to move his mace closer towards Lester, but having only moved an inch closer towards him, Choric began to growl fiercely. The patrons surrounding the spectacle began to back away even further just before Choric was knocked unconscious by being flung across the floor by Lester’s free hand. Lester looked down at his hand where the mace had driven a spike deep inside and shrugged it off with no signs of pain. Stroking his spiked goatee, Lester turned his attention back to Makaylen.

“You seem to pick your friends like you do your fights. Very foolishly,” Lester stated.

Just then Sheneska pounced at Lester slashing and stabbing with her deadly claws. Again, with no effort, Lester dodged every strike she brought down on him. With a move more for show than necessity,

Lester, with unnatural speed, spun around like a dancer and positioned himself directly behind her kicking her in the back of the head. Her unconscious body flipped before landing with a thud on the floor.

“I’m going to have fun turning those two,” Lester muttered with a fanged grin glancing at the two fallen comrades and then up at Makaylen.

“Outside NOW Lester!” Makaylen ordered.

With a cocky grin, Lester headed towards the door followed closely by his entourage and Veronica. Makaylen started for the door, as well, when a hand caught his arm.

“Don’t do this Makaylen,” Davien pleaded turning his friend around to face him. “She’s already gone.”

Makaylen shook his head and, without a word, turned again towards the door now closely followed by his two friends.

Outside Lester stood a distance away facing the club with his entire entourage standing behind him.

“Well Makaylen, the time has finally come to pass when you and I get to stand off with one another. You won’t be as lucky as you were before, however, when you destroyed my kin,” Lester started with confidence and then anger.

Walking up to face his enemy, Makaylen stretched his neck while answering, “It wasn’t luck Lester and you are facing me now having grown in my knowledge and power. How very unlucky for you.”

The arrogant grin left Lester’s face as worry took over, “There is NO possible way a mere human could become more powerful, let alone as powerful as you were those many years ago.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more Lester,” Makaylen boldly answered back.

Makaylen unsheathed his long black sword and held it to his side staring at Lester. Lester shot a glance down at Veronica causing her leap up with two daggers in hand rushing at Makaylen wildly. He dodged and parried each blow so as not to hurt her in her mindless state.

“Real brave you piece of slime,” Davien yelled out at Lester. “Why don’t you fight him yourself coward?”

“I’m saving him for last. Why don’t you try your luck first boy?” Lester yelled back with a grin perceiving Davien’s weakness in passing up a challenge.

Davien took a step forward before being halted by Christopher’s strong hand.

“Don’t even think about it Davien. We know you are brave, but this guy isn’t someone either of us would want to face. Please, drop your pride and let Makaylen take care of him,” Christopher beseeched him.

Davien breathed in deep trying to calm down knowing perfectly well that Christopher was right.

“Not this time I’m afraid,” Davien yelled back at Lester. “Makaylen, however, challenged you, not your mindless girlfriend. Still, there you are just standing and letting a woman fight your battles for you.”

Lester began to laugh until he noticed the whispers and doubtful looks being shot at him by the Fae blooded creatures that stood watching the fight. He knew very well he couldn’t afford not to have the support, respect or fear of these lowly creatures. Lester’s grasp on these simpletons was loosening before his eyes and he knew he only had one option left; he had to utterly destroy Makaylen and show his true power.

Makaylen was still in retreat of Veronica as he tried not to counterattack with anything harder than a kick or punch to push her away. Her attacks were relentless and becoming more lethal, yet Makaylen refused to harm her. As abruptly as the fight had begun, it ended suddenly as she dropped her arms and ran back to her crouching position at Lester’s side.

Makaylen dropped his protective stance and breathed a sigh of relief that his fight with Veronica was over. Facing off with Lester once again Makaylen’s eyes lit up in anger with the glowing smoke filling them. Lester shivered for the first time in over 15 years, the last time he and Makaylen had met, but he knew he couldn’t back down out of this fight.

“Come Makaylen!” Lester shouted in a not-so-sure voice. “Come get what you came for!”

Without warning Makaylen ran at Lester in full sprint, but with super speed and reflexes, Lester drew his sword and parried Makaylen’s strike. The two men stood blade-to-blade trying to get the upper hand against the other.

With a stunned look upon his face, Lester stated, “I’ve underestimated your power after all Makaylen.”

“I’ve obviously overestimated yours Lester,” Makaylen retorted.

With a great force surging through his body, Makaylen shoved Lester back sending him crashing to the ground. Lester furiously leapt back to his feet baring his fanged teeth at Makaylen.

“I haven’t even started to fight Stryphe!” Lester yelled readying himself again.

Quickly Lester ran his hand over the blade of his sword lighting it aflame. He slashed the air sending a stream of fire-blazed arrows at Makaylen. Makaylen twisted and twirled his sword in every direction the arrows came at him causing them to fizzle out and hit the ground as soon as they collided with his blade. Lester let out a roar of anger while shooting his free hand straight out as if pushing some unseen object. By the force of his power, Lester sent a shockwave of sound rippling over the ground towards his adversary. Makaylen gripped one side of his cloak covering himself making a sturdy stance against the shockwave. His quick thinking against the powerful attack caused the effects to only push him back a few feet.

In a state of panic Lester threw his sword like a spear, but kept it suspended in the air. Suddenly all the weapons of his entourage and Veronica’s daggers were also suspended in the air and facing Makaylen as

Lester controlled them with the moving of his hands. Davien and Christopher stood in awe of Lester’s power and wondered if this might be Makaylen’s end. With only a move of his hand, Lester launched each weapon suspended in the air at Makaylen with the speed of a Tech-pistol. However, Lester had once again underestimated Makaylen’s skill as Makaylen leapt from where he stood bouncing from one place to another with Lester leading the weapons around in a chase behind him. Finally Makaylen landed directly face to face in front of his foe, smiled and in a flash vanished from Lester’s sight. Before he understood fully what Makaylen had just done, the horde of weapons came hurling towards Lester knocking him to the ground pierced through. With blood sputtering from his mouth Lester only had time to open his eyes to see a pair of legs standing directly over him before Makaylen’s sword thrust the final death blow.