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Just under a year ago - the mansion outside Prague

Martin and Heather were an interesting pair to choose for bodyguards, Erzuli could not help thinking to herself as she instructed the two Blackclaw to carry yet another sealed box into the van which waited outside the mansion, like so many others. He was a short wolf built purely of corded muscle, with clothes on he looked like a cub could push him over and of some sort of mixed heritage, some Middle Eastern in there. She mused about asking him about it but went back to her task. Looking down at Anya, who was holding the huge tome from the Chamber and a pen: the Pure Blood nodded approvingly as she could see only one box was left to load of the artifacts she had chosen to take with her. She'd chosen to take all of them of course but that was beside the point... she now had a new purpose, keeper of all the knowledge and power. The thought made her shiver with pride.

"Is that all, Mistress?"

She looked up at Heather, whose South African accent never ceased to make her chuckle. She was proving to be one that would question the Pure Blood, probably much more than she was currently showing in the future, Erzuli suspected. It was a trait she appriciated but was cautious of, she would have to watch the tall white girl closely.

"One more and then..."

Erzuli was cut off by a commotion to her far left. She looked over to see some wolves arguing by the open back of another van, one which had pulled up barely ten minutes before. The two males involved seemed to be bickering over a large crate, which was shaking seemingly of its own accord. Feeling a pang of irritation she stalked over.

"I don't know why we brought it back Karg, what use is this going to be to the queen?" The scruffy man spoke in a local accent and shoved his taller companion in the chest.

"Because he might come back for it. She told us to bring back anything of use!" The one called Karg stood his ground but sounded unsure. "It used to follow him everywhe..."

"Both of you had better not let my sister seeing you argue over this... box." Snapped Erzuli, clipping both men on the back of their respective heads. "She is quite irritable considering what happened to her consort."

Both the men grumbled to themselves but made no protest or attempt at continuing the argument.

"So, what exactly have you two been doing then?" Erzuli purred, pulling them both closer. "I'm sure I can take care of it."

The box shook again and a growl came from within. Without waiting for a response, Erzuli pushed the men aside and went upto it. She knocked on it, only to be met with another growl. 'Well it can't be a wolf,' she thought, 'but what is it if it isn't?'

Erzsébet appeared next to her, an annoyed frown on her face.

"Can we get a move on please? I've been wanting to get away from this place for decades."

"Shhhh!" Waved Erzuli at her, causing the two wolves behind her to look at each other with confusion across their faces... neither had spoken after all. She looked over the other things in the van, piles of personal items, most very expensive looking but nothing she recognised.

Erzsébet rolled her eyes and vanished into the crate... only to rush out seconds later, followed by a large growl, looking rather ruffled and with an utterly disgusted look on her face.

"Oh I know that thing." She muttered. "It almost tore my dress once, one of the last times the Chamber was opened. It took some irritating man to drag it out. I did consider it might be useful if only properly used... but it was only a theory."

"Really?" Erzuli mused over her thoughts for a moment, then turned to the wolves behind her. "Put this in my van! Then go and give whatever report you have to my sister."

The men looked at each other for a moment but then shrugged off their doubts and picked up the crate. Erzuli looked at the ghost.

"We really need to talk."

Player Event Introduction....

... Atlas tensed at the approach of the darkly garbed Kindred, his muscles coiling like steel as he prepared to hurl himself towards the intruding Vampire..his blood begining to boil in anticipation of the coming fray..

At the same instant, Valintin advanced, his lips parting in a slight grin as he slowly twirled the pulsating blade in his grip " I know not why you've chosen this moment to once again appear my child" The vampire said coldly " But rest assured...I will find the answer...even if it's written in your blood."

Jimmy's eyes flashed coldly, his posture tense as he crouched low..prepared to meet Valitin's charge...a smirk crossing over his pale features " Come then..." Jimmy grinned..." find all the answers you seek.."


...A bit brief I know...but should serve well enough to get you two off and running...so...send in those action PMs.

PM sent...

... this should be good..

Yes indeed! This shall be a Battle Royale! Or is that some sort of cheezburger? I really can't tell anymore.....

Derrick awoke to a bright light. An incessant beeping was going on somewhere to his right.
His eyes adjusted to the light, he was in a hospital bed, to his left was a surgeon wheeling out a set of scalpels with unmistakably silver blades, easier for cutting through werewolf flesh.
Derrick sighed and dismissed the second of terror. He was in the Fang’s HQ, they were the only ones that used Silver for medicinal purposes.
Derrick looked up at the monitor, it was beeping slowly to itself.
Derrick peeled the electrolodes off if his body and winced as the monitor flatlined. He quickly unplugged the thing.
He could feel that he was fine, the doctors and guards let him pass and retrived his clothes, they had a policy, if the wolf could walk, it could fight. The Fang was a very Spartan unit.
Derrick opened the door to the hospital, it was technically just a wooden frame in the cliff, massive iron gate welded on.
Stepping out, a guard in full Land Warrior gear stood barring his way, Derrick rolled up his sleeve.
On the forearm’s underside, an emblem had been tattooed and burned on with silver, it read ‘Derrick Moss’
The emblem displayed two crossed swords, before a superimposed full moon, the legend read

‘Templum Luna’

The guard nodded.
“Move along, sir.” He said, saluting.
Derrick returned the salute, the Fang was wildly recognized as the most militaristic of Lycan factions.
“Sir?” asked the guard.
“Yes?” derrick said, turning around and grabbing a cigarette from his many packets.
“The Marshall requests an audience.”
Derrick coughed around his unlit cigarette.
“what? Why?
The guard shrugged. “Search me”
****************_
Derrick entered the Great hall, it was under the Town Hall of Nuketown, the massive chamber was filled with soldiers and delegates. Derrick looked up at the proudly displayed banners on the high vaulted ceiling. The throne of the Alpha Wolf or the ‘Marshall’ was on the top of a massive set of stairs.
Derrick proceeded up the stairs, it sure did cast an impression.
There was a man at the top, he was standing and talking to a young man who leaned on a broadsword.
“You may go, Mordred.” Said the Marshall, waving the man away.
The Marshall looked like an old man, but one who was in the best shape of his life, he wore pristine chainmail of steel and Kevlar links, a beige tunic proudly displaying the Maltese cross was over steel plate armor, it too was filed with Kevlar.
Derrick saluted, snapping to attention.
“at ease.” Said the Marshall.
Derrick adopted the ‘Stand Easy’ stance.
“Marshall De Molay, I wish to report a successful mission, sir.”
Jacques De Molay smiled and nodded.
“good, then I trust you have what we need?”
“yessir.”
The Marshall stood up and produced a small black box.
“the next parts of your job, find out about this, and then you are to accompany the ambassador to the Queen’s Den.”
Derrick was taken aback by this, he had always thought of himself as a run-of-the-mill grunt, at best he was a very competent detective. He nodded.
“also,” said Jacques. “Sgt. Ruiz is going to be accompanying you, the Agency is going with the entourage as military attaché.”
Derrick nodded.
“All of us?”
“Yes, Agents Shultz and Korfa have just retuned from Iceland, they foiled a plot by Vampirii to destroy the UN building.”
Derrick nodded again. “when are we leaving?”
“now. All of the loyal top lycan in the world are gathering there tonight…reminds me of these days in the Templar…” the old man trialed off.
“anyways, I want you in full military attire, no trench coats this time round.”
“But sir, Abdi-”
“Has a uniform of sorts, he was a mercenary once, correct?”
“We all were, sir.”
“Good. Now I will be-” Jaques was interrupted by a crash from the hall, the sounds of booted feet rushing down the corridor outside could be heard.
“what in Lycaelon’s name…?” asked the old man, drawing a massive broadsword of silver.
A guard entered, his desert fatigues contrasting with the banners on the walls. “someone has entered the Nuketown, Humanii.”
The grand master looked suspicious. “Hunter?”
“More likely a vagrant or a child on a dare, sir.”
“Well, go on. Escort them out.”
“Yes sir.”
“Derrick? Go with him.”
Derrick saluted and donned his fedora, turning around, he walked to the guard.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
the halls got less crowded as they neared the surface, the tunnels becoming more dusty and made of rock.
Derrick hissed to the guard. “I’m not armed!”
The guard unholstered a Colt1911 pistol at his hip and passed it over.
“you know how to look like a government official, right?” asked the guard.
“Yes I have been doing this a while. How old are you by the way?”
The guard unslung his M4. “I was turned age five, I was a Case Three.”
Derrick nodded. Case Three was when a child or homeless person saw a lycan, the Fang disliked killing pups, so they turned them and raised them among Wolves.
Other ‘cases’ were ‘Case 1’ was a pureblood, none of the fang were purebloods as far as derrick knew.
Many of the Fang were Case Two, ‘Half Breeds’ a werewolf parent and a human parent, sometimes feral and sometimes not. Usually these were latent until they experienced some sort of trauma, but the few humans that the Fang knew sometimes had werewolf children, it was greatly frowned upon to do it forcefully like the tribes of yor did, but there were uncountable cases where a werewolf ‘fell in love’ with a humanii, and they were then granted the privilege of reproducing. Many of the humanii that were allied with the Fang lived away, or were turned themselves. because living on a military base populated by soldiers who change into seven foot beastmen every month is slightly disconcerting.

Case Four is when a ‘pity bite’ is done, these are when a man is killed or dying and a friend bites him or her to keep him or her alive. Dutch was a Case Four.

The most comment was Case five wolves, bitten and their biter running off. Derrick, Abdi and Ruiz wee all case Five.
The tunnel reached an end at a pair of iron doors, these were opened into the ground floor of a small storage shed, Derrick racked the colt’s slide.
The door was pushed open and a cool breeze buffeted at thee two for a moment before becoming room temperature, stepping out into the evening Derrick saw what appeared to be a man, stumbling around.
Derrick caught the sent of overpowering alcohol, the man was drunk.
The Mgral looked around, wondering how the man got this far into the desert. Warranted, it was only maybe half an hour to an hours drive form San Fransico, but who camped near Nuketown? A bit of singing and laughing filtered through the air.
The guard looked over at derrick as if to say ‘well this complicates things.’
The man stopped by a house and dropped his pants. His reason for being here pooling on the ground.
“Hey buddy?” shouted the guard.
The drunk turned. The guard was waling closer to him. “Wha-? Dis is…ou camping grund, geroff it.”
The guard walked up to the man and said. “This is a nuclear testing facility, property of the United States Army, now remove yourself or I will be forced to remove you.”
“Is tht a challll…eng? Asked the man, slurring words.
The guard said “You mad?” and punched the man square in the jaw, sending him reeling. The man hit the floor with a thud.
After a moment of consulting his earpiece, the guard looked over at derrick. “go over and get those feths at the camp, were bringing dinner to the Queen’s.”
Derrick said “You know their drunks, right?”
“Yes, and it is noted that drunks tend to taste decently better.”
Derrick nodded, the alcohol in their bloodstream would make them taste fine indeed.
“Probably gonna be some sort of ceremony, so lets have ‘em alive, right?” asked the guard. “Jacques says so.”
“Got it, private.” Said Derrick, and holstered the pistol.
It took about three minutes of walking to get over the ridge, where around a dozen men were seated. Derrick noted with some displeasure that the men had brought rifles.
Derrick called out to them. “Hey!” he shouted, waving is arms.
The men were al inebriated, it took very little time at all to subdue them. By the time the vehicles had left for the Den, the men were still stunned.
(Leaving it here, not sure if this falls under my jurisdiction. To RP a scene with the Queen, might leave it to FITZZ or Warork I still have a bit to post for the car ride though, by the request of Kais..)

4 years earlier

Sven was behind wheel of van with Bjorn in the passenger’s seat. They were driving through the Northing Peninsula of Michigan and it was pouring rain. They were on their way to some old French ruins which was being used as lodge for a group of Gray Matter mages. The Sixed Fingered Hand was attacking their lodges in this area; they were mostly on the lookout for the mage Illuminatus.

“I wish I could drive out to more areas than this,” Sven said before to drank from his cup of coffee to keep himself awake “and the only times we get to places like this is when ever some bad stuff is going down.”

“We probable aren’t even going to deal with anything. Those Purifier nuts most likely did their job and killed them all, we just need to worry about any information they could have found.”

“You don’t seem to have any hope for those mages there, do you?”

Bjorn just groaned and leaned his head back into his seat “I think it is a damn shame whenever a mages dies, it’s a fething tragedy when a whole lodge is wiped out. I’m just annoyed with what kind of mages they are. They are mostly a threat to us, they can barley handle their powers, they take insane amounts of time on rituals that lead to nothing, and they refuse to help out with things. They're just a total mess.”

Sven looked back at Bjorn with a sharp glare “I may not like their recklessness too but damn they’re mages! They are given us nothing but information, sure, most of it is comply wrong or applies to nothing but they have something going on in their mind that lets them see beyond the normal world. Also very few of them ever fall to corruption.

“Whatever, we’re almost here. I will like them when they do something productive.”
Sven just rolled his eyes and stopped the car. They were just out in front of a tall slope with an old stone manor at the top. There were torch lights visible from the foot of the slope and a tower of smoke escaping from the manor, like if there was a large fire. It took Bjorn and Sven 20 minutes to reach the top. They had to trudge through layer of mud and dirt. On their way up they saw several sets of footprints, like if a mod charged up the hill.

They finally reached the top, exhausted and covered in mud. There they saw the main door blown open with explosives, they could see smoke bellowing out form the door way. The two created a vortex of wind, blowing the smoke away from them as they entered. As they set foot inside they saw book shelved being devoured by flames, bodies scattered about. Some were burning while others were riddled with bullet holes.
Sven and Bjorn trekked further in; seeing now, purifier bodies with large blast marks in their flesh. Then that come to a large chamber and sitting in the center of the room surrounded by purifier bodies, was Illuminatus sitting in the lotus position, meditating. He had bullet wounds all over his body but he sat calmly take slow deep breaths. He was lost in his own world.

“How the hell is he alive? Not only that, but he must have been breathing nothing by carbon dioxide for the last hour!”

Sven leaned over to Illuminatus and looked at his wounds “His meditation must have slowed down his heart, helping with the bleeding. He also must have been breathing of what little oxygen in the air there is, but yes, he should be dead.”

“Lets just get the guy out of here and get him some help.” Both of them then lifted Illuminatus up and carried him out “What kind of idiot get’s shot and starts meditating anyway?” Bjorn muttered as they made their way to the van.

Player Event ...Combat Resolution....

.... Moving faster than the eye could follow, the elder Kindred surged forward...his deadly blade cutting through the air scant inches from where Jimmy had just stood, hissing in frustration, Valentin quickly pivoted lashing out one more...but again his nimble target avoided the blows.
" You've grown slow old one" Jimmy mocked as he lashed out , knocking the older Vampire sprawling into the street...with a small chuckle. Jimmy turned just as Atlas roar filled the air around him...
The huge beast moved swiftly, his razor like claws slashing deep gouges into the startled vampires back, eliciting a cry of pain as Jimmy leapt away from the snarling creature, blood flowing freely down his legs.
A second later two more wolves appeared, a male and a female...both glaring at the bleeding kindred with murderous fury , with a combined howl the both charged rapidly forward, fanged maws frothing in anticipation of the kill...
The wounded vampire quickly took to the air, avoiding a vicious slash of claws, he focused his energy and shouted out blasphomous incantations..causing the male wolf to shriek in agony as a fountain of blood erupted from it's nose and mouth and sending it toppling in a writhing heap onto the cracked and filth pavement.

" This may have been a bad idea" Jimmy quickly mused to himself an instant before he felt a searing pain rip through his arm as Valentin's blade bit cruelly into flesh and bone, the impact of the blow sending Jimmy into a spiraling crash against a nearby brick wall...
Landing in the street, Jimmy's eyes flashed upward as the largest of the wolves...the other powerful male, again roared out in ferocious blood lust and vaulted onto the hood of a parked car, preparing to dive for the kill...but...as the beasts legs coiled to propell itself forward...it's right foot slipped out from under it, and with a startled howl...the massive creature crashed head first onto the tarmac..
That was all the opertunity Jimmy required, again he focused...his lips moving rapidly...and again the blood begin to pour as the huge wolf grasped it's shaggy head and snarled in agony..
Quickly Jimmy leapt to his feet, preparing to finish the beast off, his eyes narrowed...his teeth gritted...when he was struck from the side by a fur covered wrecking ball of snaping jaws and slashing claws...
Jimmy twisted ...staring eye to eye with the snarling female wolf..her claws reached back prepared to unzip the vampires guts...
" Guess my bad lucks caught up with me" Jimmy thought bracing for the blow...
But before the creature could strike, Valentin was there...grasping her clawed hand and shouting " Hold Bella...he lives for now!!"...
Reluctantly, the she-wolf stood...glaring down at the bleeding vampire...a snarl on her lips..
Jimmy sat up slightly as Valentin crouched before him, his blade inches from Jimmy's throat...the elder Kindred smiled..." I think it's time for those answers.."

Combat results...

Steve-2 wounds
Bella-0 wounds
Valentin-0 wounds
Atlas-1 wound
Jimmy 2 wounds.

They were about a half an hours drive from the Hunters base where they were operating on the portal and Joker had began to feel uncomfortable. Knight was sound asleep in the backseat cradling an unopened beer, he was on his fifth now and was put put him right to sleep before he ever got around to opening it. Spades sat in the passenger seat of the black convertible fondling and slowly sucking on the end of a king-sized laffy taffy he had picked up when they stopped for gas a half mile down the road.

It was boiling out with the sun beating down on them as they drove, Joker was at least thankful that they could put the top down and enjoy the wind. He had taken of his jacket and it lay folded neatly on the ground in the back seat, the top button on his dress shirt had been unbuttoned and his tie was loosened around his neck. Joker didn't like the feeling of being dressed so informal but he detested the feeling of sweat even more.

"Hey joker, can I ask you a question?"

Spades sounded from his right

"Go for it."

Joker replied not really in the mood to deal with Spades at the moment, he was hoping the conversation didn't end with blowing Spade's brains out all over the dash with his pistol but decided to trust himself and let him ask away anyway.

"You told me about what happened in pragque a while ago."

Spades stated before deciding to gnaw at his laffy taffy some more.

"And?"

"Well," Spades began "You mentioned how Ace and Jack, and pretty much everyone else who went there with you died."

"Get the the point."

Joker demanded

"Do you ever feel even a little bit guilty over it?" He asked, "I heard from everyone else you were pretty close with them. Yet, I never saw it bother you all that much."

"Of course it bothered me." Joker replied "I can't let it get to me though. Ace was my best friend and he died acting under my orders. I can't change it or go back in time to stop it from happening. It is what it is."

"So you just sit there and pretend it didn't happen?"

"I don't have that right to be upset about it. I have to give orders and make decisions what to gamble and what to not. If I let the death of a friend eat at me it would cloud my judgement. I might end up making a stupid mistake and risking someone elses life."

"I see"

Spades replied shifting around in his seat uncomfortably.

The car fell deathly silent for a while as Spade's curiosity had been sated for the moment. Joker looked over and felt a feeling of relief as Spades finished the last of his laffy taffy. Joker was just happy he didn't have to hear the smacking sound of him chewing it anymore. The silence was finally shattered as spades erupted in laughter from the passenger seat.

"What?"

Joker said beginning to regret bringing him along.

"I just read the joke on the back of the wrapper. Why do bananas have so much courage?"

He said as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

"Why?"

Joker said mono toned.

"Because they travel in bunches!"

Spades managed to say before releasing another howl of laughter. Upon hearing this without thinking Joker's hand had absent mindedly groped for his gun by the side of his seat.

Great event Fitzz...

... nice fight Catos, but it wasn't good enough...

O.o Well I guess thats something I can be proud of. I managed to deal damage to the mighty Atlas, in one wayor another. Anyway, answers shall be up soon, stay tuned....!

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:Great event Fitzz...

... nice fight Catos, but it wasn't good enough...

... Hell, it was a four on one fight...all things considered I think Jimmy did pretty damn good, had it been one on one there's a good chance one of your characters might have snuffed it Kais.

Steve namely...

... and I know, it's just friendly banter, and of course Atlas had to hit his head on the road...

... and on a one on one fight with Jimmy against Valentin (hell I'd love to see that) Valentin would probably pwn...

... Atlas on the other hand, hell, he'd have to go on close combat to have a fair chance, but with mist? I dunno, could be pretty one sided...

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:Steve namely...

... and I know, it's just friendly banter, and of course Atlas had to hit his head on the road...

... and on a one on one fight with Jimmy against Valentin (hell I'd love to see that) Valentin would probably pwn...

... Atlas on the other hand, hell, he'd have to go on close combat to have a fair chance, but with mist? I dunno, could be pretty one sided...

Yeah, I know it's all in fun...
Atlas, BTW, fell off the hood of the car due to the aura of " bad luck" that surrounds Jimmy...which I've decided to make less of an actual "power" in games play and more of a random occurance that may or may not affect combat situations.

... Natasha exited the meeting hall , her Black Claw Guards following close behind, the case Harlow had liberated carried by a large wolf ...
The Queen briefly addressed him over her shoulder..." Secure the case in the vaults Nor" she said " I shall contact my sister and have her examen it as soon as possiable"
" Yes my Queen" the big wolf replied, breaking off from the other guard and moving towards the secured vaults at the end of the hallway.

" Mistress" Davin said as he approached Natasha with a slight bow " We have received word of an approaching contingent of emissaries representing the Blunted Fang..which should be arriving shortly."
Natasha frowned..." For what purpose?" she snarled lightly " I've little paitence for platitudes right now...or banal chit chat with politicians"
Davin shook his head " I am unsure as to the nature of their visit My Queen...I only know they request an audiance ...should I turn them away?"
Natasha's frown grew deeper...she shook her head and sighed " No...escort them to the meeting hall when they arrive...security measures Alpha...inform me when they get here..I will see them" her eye flared angrily " But they had best not waste my time"...
" By your command My Queen" Davin said with a bow before turning and moving swiftly away...
Natasha continued to stride down the hallway, muttering curses under her breath as she did...reaching her private chambers she sling open the door..
" Will there be anything else your majesty?" one of the Black Claw inquired..
He was answered by the door slamming in his face.

FITZZ wrote:

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:Steve namely...

... and I know, it's just friendly banter, and of course Atlas had to hit his head on the road...

... and on a one on one fight with Jimmy against Valentin (hell I'd love to see that) Valentin would probably pwn...

... Atlas on the other hand, hell, he'd have to go on close combat to have a fair chance, but with mist? I dunno, could be pretty one sided...

Yeah, I know it's all in fun...
Atlas, BTW, fell off the hood of the car due to the aura of " bad luck" that surrounds Jimmy...which I've decided to make less of an actual "power" in games play and more of a random occurance that may or may not affect combat situations.

Yeah, I know hes told me about it at school...

... having it as a power would be a bit too overpowered...

... but it was funny when Atlas fell...

... and I think Steve's gonna have a bit of a headache...

... oh yeah, about Steve, maybe there should be a post of Natasha talking about how Steve is feeding her information...

... Eric Cole sat silently staring at Sasha Reynolds for a long moment before speaking..." So what your proposing is that somehow..sanctioned Network Mages will be more successful in stableizing this gateway than the Djinn have been?"
" Exactly" Reynolds said with a nod "..At least in theory...though I suppose will have to wait to see just how accurate that turns out to be.."
" I don't get it though" Cole said " The Djinn are clearly successful in opening the portal...in time they should be able to hold it open..."
Reynolds nodded again " I'm not minimalizing their contribution ...we just feel that the mages will provide the needed focus to expidite success...they're simply more astute in this sort of matter...again..theoritically."
Cole sighed " I still don't even get what the Network hopes to achive here" he said rubbing his eyes, still fatigued from lack of sleep..." I mean...why do they even want to open a gateway into a dimension filled with vampires?...if you'll forgive my French...it just seems like a fething stupid idea from the word go."
Reynolds stared at Cole for a moment and cleared her throat..." Think of it as a step in counter measures...intelligence shows this ...world exist...we also know that at least some of the Kindred can cross from our world to that world by utilizing their own ...portal."
Cole sighed " This...Crooked House..right?"
" Precisely " Reynolds nodded " They ave the means to appear any where they wish...unleash an army any where they wish....or at least their heirarcy does"
" So" Cole said " The Network wishes to be able to what...take the fight to them on their own turf?...destroy their...world?"
Reynolds frowned..." Not so much...perhaps the anology of the French resistance would be best here...we know their are still humans alive on ...that side..we know that some are fighting against the Vampires there...the Network seeks to aid them...provide resources...some troops...enough to keep the ruling Kindred of that world occupied ...keeping them from being able to focus their full attentions on.." she trailed off
" On our world." Cole finished her sentence...
Reynolds nodded " Exactly...keep them fighting on their side of the fence...so they don't spill over onto ours...oldest political trick in the book"
Cole leaned back in his chair, his head ached and he wished he could just go back to sleep..." Yeah.." he said " I suppose it is...let's hope...pray it works"
" That's what we're all trying to acomplish here " Reynolds smiled

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:

FITZZ wrote:

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:Steve namely...

... and I know, it's just friendly banter, and of course Atlas had to hit his head on the road...

... and on a one on one fight with Jimmy against Valentin (hell I'd love to see that) Valentin would probably pwn...

... Atlas on the other hand, hell, he'd have to go on close combat to have a fair chance, but with mist? I dunno, could be pretty one sided...

Yeah, I know it's all in fun...
Atlas, BTW, fell off the hood of the car due to the aura of " bad luck" that surrounds Jimmy...which I've decided to make less of an actual "power" in games play and more of a random occurance that may or may not affect combat situations.

Yeah, I know hes told me about it at school...

... having it as a power would be a bit too overpowered...

... but it was funny when Atlas fell...

... and I think Steve's gonna have a bit of a headache...

... oh yeah, about Steve, maybe there should be a post of Natasha talking about how Steve is feeding her information...

You want a traitor in your ranks?...I think that would be a cool bit of story there.

FITZZ wrote:

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:

FITZZ wrote:

Shas'ui T'au Kais wrote:Steve namely...

... and I know, it's just friendly banter, and of course Atlas had to hit his head on the road...

... and on a one on one fight with Jimmy against Valentin (hell I'd love to see that) Valentin would probably pwn...

... Atlas on the other hand, hell, he'd have to go on close combat to have a fair chance, but with mist? I dunno, could be pretty one sided...

Yeah, I know it's all in fun...
Atlas, BTW, fell off the hood of the car due to the aura of " bad luck" that surrounds Jimmy...which I've decided to make less of an actual "power" in games play and more of a random occurance that may or may not affect combat situations.

Yeah, I know hes told me about it at school...

... having it as a power would be a bit too overpowered...

... but it was funny when Atlas fell...

... and I think Steve's gonna have a bit of a headache...

... oh yeah, about Steve, maybe there should be a post of Natasha talking about how Steve is feeding her information...

You want a traitor in your ranks?...I think that would be a cool bit of story there.

Remember my last big post?

Steve was talking to Natasha...

... there is a traitor within Atlas' ranks...

And Jimmy might happen across this particular mole. If he does funny things may insue.

Catos wrote:And Jimmy might happen across this particular mole. If he does funny things may insue.

Lets move all this to the discussion thread so we don't clutter this RP thread up with chit chat.

Player: Mink580

Character: Dom Avotis

Race/ affiliation: Hunter/ Dervish

Age: 28

Physical Description: Male, 6' 3", Black hair, and gray eyes. A flimsy build, but with unseen strength under the surface.

Equipment: Ariel pattern daggers, Wheres a long gray leather covered trench coat, and a wide rimed hat.

Back story: He was born in the Italian providence of Tuscany, altho a dead language his family still spoke Latin, and on occasion he is know to mutter in it. From a young age his father taught him how to use knives, and scythes, when he turned 13 his parents separated, and he left with his father and moved to America, the land of promise it was there he was introduced to the land of the super natural and he learned the ways of the hunter after several years he decided to become a dervish, and fight the werwolf swarm.

Virtue: He can pull himself and others out of a tight spot.

Vice: He always looks back at the past instead of whats happening

Major NPC

Character: Era Avotis

Race/ affiliation: Hunter/ Stalker

Age: 22

Physical description: Female, 5' 3”, Blond hair, gray eyes. A small build.

Equipment: Stalker standard equipment, Crimson red coat, and black metal plated jeans.

Back story: She and her brother Dom, moved with their dad to America, they were split up, when Dom left to join the Hunters, she followed in her brothers footsteps and joined the Hunters, but unlike her brother she hated to get up close, so instead of becoming a dervish she became a Stalker.

Virtue: She shows compassion to everyone.

Vice: She is easy to trust the wrong people.

... Natasha seethed with irritation ..her annoyance at having to engage in idle meetings with wolves playing at human military games vexed her and she tasted blood in her mouth as her fangs cut into her tongue...
" Is everything alright Mistress?"Mia and Mya said in unison.
Natasha simply snarled under her breath...feeling a wave of anger wash over her..she needed to get out...stalk prey..she sighed...she needed release..
Her icy eye fell to her computer screen...which was signaling she had received another message...more intel from her agents doubtlessly...she slowly moved across her chambers and cued up the message..
Reading...she felt her blood began to burn...

Majesty...it is with the utmost personal risk with which I've contacted you..but I pray my gesture shall perhaps, in some small way, warrant your mercy upon me..
I have information which I am certain is of interest to you, primarily concerning the union of two Traitorous Lycans , And a Kindred called Valentin...
There activities are most seditious towards you My Queen...for, not only does the traitor called Dez Blue along with a wolf called Atlas continue to recruit Nrajah into their Lunar Brotherhood..
but they have also sought out the sibling of your lost consort, and now ...with her aid..seek to find and assassinate you my Queen...
I pray my information will be utilized to eridicate these traitorous wolves and their vampire allies...and beg my Queen show mercy to myself...who foolishly turned from your grace
Please find all attached information reguarding key locations ...
Your most humble and sorrow filled servant..
S.

.....A low growl formed in Natasha's throat...growing to an ear shattering roar as the Wolf Queen slammed her fist down unto the oaken desk...splintering it as though it were cheap paste board..
The twins shrieked out in startled terror as half of the desk was hurled through the air and imbedded itself in the wall over their heads, a rain of papers and files falling onto them as they coward..
the second half of the ruined desk traveled a fast arch through space...smashing into the far wall as Natasha threw her head back and roared...
... Quickly the chamber door burst open and a half dozen Black Claws entered...their posture ready for expected combat...
Glancing about the wrecked chambers, but spying no attacker...Nor spoke...his voice uncharateristicly shaken..." What is it My Queen!!?"...he asked, still rapidly glancing about..
Natasha stood trembling...her single eye blazing with barely contained fury...her voice dripping with a murderous cadence as she spoke...
" Get Harlow up here" she snarled..." I have a job for him..".

Harlow walked the halls of the compound alone for a few minutes until he came to a familiar door along one of the corridors. The halls weren't exactly empty, a few wolves and servants and other such staff crossed it at a few points but the place was by no means crowded. All of them steered clear of Harlow as he walked though, he had only thought about it briefly, perhaps it was out of respect and less possibly fear, or maybe it was just because he projected an aura of unpleasantness that they gave him a wide berth, either way it suited him fine, he wasn't a real social type.

Harlow opened the double doors to reveal a small lobby that had a few chairs, lamps, and tables that had an ashtray on each of them. Needless to say, the furniture and everything about the rooms in the Den spoke of a highly wealthy quality, one that wasn't exactly Harlow's forte but one that he had no qualms about. To the right of the lobby was a door leading into an office where he was kept updated on the ins and outs of lycan efforts across the world. Beyond the lobby on the other side where another set of double doors were placed was where Harlow was headed though. As he approached it, his nose picked up a scent that made his mouth water, he recognized it well enough as cooking meat though what kind was beyond him. He also heard the sound of something fizzling faintly and had a good idea of who would be on the other side of the door when he opened it.

Going through the doors was like stepping back in time for Harlow. The chambers had a southwestern saloon feel to them that he found himself at home at, or at least about as home as he could ever feel. It had a high vaulted ceiling and was quite roomy, Harlow looked over to the right of the chamber where there was a small kitchen to see Katherine fixing something on a counter with his backed turned to him. He smiled slightly, she was a better cook than him he had learned and it was something she enjoyed doing so he was content to let her cook for him as she saw fit. She didn't turn to look at him but obviously she didn't need to knowing him by his scent as he entered. She did half turn her head though as he walked in and looked over her shoulder to what she was fixing. There was a large platter with a sizable amount of charred meat sitting on it. It sizzled slightly as if it had just been taken from the fire and exhumed a steamy, deep cooked smell that only came from dishes that had been roasting for an entire day.

"That smells good." Harlow said in his usual way of stating the obvious. Katherine chuckled slightly before answering.

"It should, its been in the oven since this morning." She chimed to Harlow's contented grunt. He reached over her shoulder to pick a bit of the charred bark off the platter and was just about to succeed when his hand was suddenly struck by the flat part of the spoon Katherine was holding. He jerked his hand back as if it had been burnt and gave her a look which she returned.

"Ah, ah..." She protested. "Its not done yet." Harlow shook his head and smirked a bit. He'd tried the same thing several times before with her and each time had elicited the same response, it was just a small game they shared and one that Harlow tried to enjoy.

He shook his head a bit and went over to the other side of the room where he placed his duster and hat on a coat rack next to where Katherine had hung her jacket. Harlow found a seat a bar on the left side of the room that was stocked with several types of vintage he kept in the chamber, he found a mug and poured himself a drink from the tap, he looked around the room where many grinning white skulls looked down upon them. He had not been idle for the past year and neither had he been too busy to have a little sport. A range of big game from his several trips around the world sat on display around the large chamber; everything from long horns to buffalo to mountain lions and more, all dead by his own two hands. It was funny, he had only been keeping track of the beings he'd killed for the past year now, before he'd heard stories of wolves who were renowned for keeping trophies as a way to show others' their prowess and had thought it nothing more than a pastime taken up by butchers to gloat in the blood they had spilled. But now that he had somewhat of a reputation to keep, he realized that the practice was not all that barbaric and had taken it up himself, there were more than just animal skulls on the walls though, The queen had many enemies, many that Harlow had had to face over the past year; large humanoid skulls with rows of shark like teeth sat alongside more slender skulls with razor fangs who even themselves sat alongside run of the mill human craniums. Yes, the lycans had many enemies and a lot of them had places in this chamber that Harlow had chosen as a testament to his own skill.

Harlow stared up at what he considered the centerpiece of the collection, it sat on display on the wall across from the large bed which was covered with furred blankets. It was a massive, beastly trophy that had been bleached white and held four massive canines at the end of its maw, around it sat Harlow's old weapons; to its right were hung his twin pistols, under it was held his old rifle and to the skull's left was where the shortened shotgun rested. Harlow hadn't touched the things in a while, they were objects of a time in his life that was now passed and despite his proficiency with them he couldn't be comfortable holding them again. Harlow found a small box on the bar and took out a cigar from it, lighting it with a match that he ripped from the box next to it. He went over to the bed and sat there for a moment a bit fatigued and tried to enjoy the moment of quiet...

A minute passed in quiet clarity before he noted that Katherine had moved over onto the bed behind him, put her head on his shoulder and her arms around him.

"So how did your escapade into the city go?" She asked softly in his ear.

"Was rather boring up until there was a job to do. Just us sitting around in the shadows until the right people showed up and then boom, go time." Harlow responded, his eyes closed as he puffed on the cigar and blew a plume of smoke.

"Boring? I heard you lost someone..." Katherine persisted.

"Yeah, Juili had a couple Russians backing him up, I took one, Kaleb took the other...he wasn't so lucky." Katherine nodded and rubbed his shoulders.

"That's too bad." She said trying to sound suitably depressed.

"Yeah, gotta find someone to take his place." Harlow said simply, his callousness took Katherine off guard but she shook it off knowing it was just in his nature to be insensitive sometimes.

"So, that thing you brought back, it has to do with this...kindred...dimension, right?" She asked, Katherine wasn't in the top ranks of the Queens court so she knew very little of what exactly Harlow did all the time. He just nodded.

"Yep." He said simply leaning forward onto his knees. Katherine looked at him worried, she was one of the only ones who knew him well enough to know when he projected an air of worry and she knew that his short answers were the result of this feeling.

"Hon, what's wrong?" She asked, looking at him intently though he kept looking straight ahead and put out the cigar in an ashtray next to the bed. After he was done he sighed a bit and looked at her with an uncomfortable expression.

"I'm not going to sugar coat it, Kitty, something's coming, something bad." He said simply. She looked at him confusedly.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean things are picking up speed, the kindred is moving, the Network is moving, they've been quiet for almost a year now but lately things have picked up and now..." He trailed off a moment before continuing. "It looks like there's a storm coming...a bad one."

Katherine was silent for a moment as she contemplated this, she knew exactly what he meant, she had seen a bit here and there of small sparks of violence that had come up during the past year, hell she had had a few close calls herself of the war between Lycans, humans, and vampires, and it wasn't pretty in the slightest. She looked at Harlow's hunched form and leaned over kissing him on the cheek slightly.

"Sounds to me like we should enjoy the time we have." She said mischievously next to him. Harlow chuckled a bit at that which made Katherine smile.

"I like the sound of that." He said again simply just as a rapping came at the door and he snapped his head around, he grumbled a bit but stood up. "What is it?" He asked aloud.

"The queen requests your audience promptly." The voice from the other side said, Harlow grumbled again and shook his head.

"I'll be there in a minute." He said again and went to grab his jacket and hat again before heading towards the door, he was stopped as Katherine moved over to him and gave him a squeeze around his torso. He leaned down and kissed her with a bit of a smile.

"I'll be back soon enough, and then we can have whatever it is that smells so good over there." He said making her chuckle.

"Go to work, cowboy." She said as he separated from her and walked out the door.

BIC:…………….Light in the Darkness: part six…………….

Vegas and Muse stalked the streets of Rek’shilva, the rest slowly following behind. They stopped as two exiled ones passed. They smelled the blood around Matt who was still grunting. But they kept walking, there was no point in fighting against a larger group for one Corpus. The group waited until the two Vampirri had traversed the road before continuing. The smell of death circling around them. It was a perfume Muse had bought some time ago. It gave you a smell so heavy that it subdued the Kindred to the fact you were human. Most thought that they were free ghouls. Muse suddenly turned left into a small alley, her scythe clenched in both hands. She didn’t liked to be around Vampires and Vegas couldn’t blame her. They ignored the malfunctioning Promethean, who was constantly opening a box before closing it again. They had made it, a small house with a bulky iron door. As in every city the wall were covered in graffiti, sentences of regret, pain and anger. Memories from when the night fell.

The door opened, revealing a small vampire, he looked shocked as he saw Vegas standing before his door. Normally they never met here. But Vegas had no other choice. Monk quickly looked into the alley, seeing if there was anyone else besides them. He sighed as he motioned them to enter. The fireplace showered the single room in an aura of light. Vegas eyes started watering as they adjusted to the light. It had been a long time since she had been in a place so well lit. The rest of the crew had the same problem. The room was filled with cabinets, desks and chairs. Pillars of parchment placed upon them. The text were a mismatch of different languages. James walked towards the desk in the middle, plowing all the parchment off it. Monk saw it happening, clearly not happy. But he didn’t speak. Michael carefully placed Matt on top of it. Helping James to salvage Matt.

Vegas pulled Monk into the corner. “Why the hell was Mattheus and consorts at my transfer. I paid you fething well to make sure no one would find out.” Mattheus smiled, he found human emotions to be weak. “I assure you, that I have told no one. I have a reputation to uphold. If people think I work both ways, I’ll be dead in a matter of minutes. So please refrain from accusing me off lies.” He sneered. Vegas growled, she didn’t like to be told off. Especially from a treacherous vampire like Monk. But she needed him, so she stayed calm. “And why did you come to my place, you have Mattheus, the one embraced by Cain himself tracking you. And you decide it would be fun to come here?” Monk was getting angry. “He led us here, it was the only way we could escape. He had Bloodhounds following our every step!” She responded, trying to keep her cool. “Why would Mattheus lead you here, it makes no sense. Vampires like that, don’t like to be seen around Exiled ones.” “How should I know, I ain’t a Vampire.” She sneered back. “Enough.” Monk hissed. “This is getting us nowhere, what is done is done. What do you need?” he asked “I need an exit.”

Monk nodded his mind calculating. “Escapes don’t come cheap.” He gleefully said. “You fething leech, how dare you ask for more. Wasn’t our previous payment enough!” Vegas was furious, how dared he abusing them. Vegas crew was silent as they watched the lighted discussion between Monk and Vegas. “keep those insults to yourself, or do you feel the need to express yourself?” Vegas hands clenched her stakes. She could already see the stake in his cold heart. Black blood slowly filling the floor. “What do you want?” James interrupted as he saw Vegas bloodlust rising. “Anything of value.” Monk replied, shifting his attention to the more complying human. James nodded. “We have information over the Altic Slayings.” Monk laughed. “That’s old news, I can’t even sell that to a dog…..But there is something I want.” Monk answered, his nose slowly sniffing the air. Blood. “He wants Matt?” Michael shouted pulling out his pistol. The rest immediately followed, an array of weapons aimed at Monks head. One order from Vegas and he would be dead. They would have to find another way out, but at least this wretched maggot would die. Vegas pulled her stakes out ready to surprise the startled Monk. But she stopped as soon as Matt spoke.

“I agree.” The room was silent, except for the sound of burning wood. Matt coughed, blood trickled from his mouth. “I agree” he stuttered. “We have a deal.” Monk quickly interrupted securing his payment. “What?” Vegas exclaimed. “It’s not…like…surviving it.” He muttered trough coughs of blood. “I….do….fo you.” Matt grunted. Vegas looked at James, his face betrayed that Matt was talking the truth. Vegas growled, she wanted to kill Monk. But there where more important thing. She placed her stake back. “We have a deal. Matt will stay behind.” Monk smiled, happy about this pleasant turn of events. “A deal we have.” Follow me he said opening a molded wooden door. A small stair descending into the deep. One for one they descended, leaving Matt behind. Each one thanking him in their mind. Vegas was the last on upstairs, her hands waving trough his uncoated hair. He looked at her trough his blood soaked eyes. His eternal smile still lingering on his face. Even this, couldn’t steal his humanity. Vegas pulled out a pistol placing it in his hands. She wanted to say something, to thank him or to comfort. She didn’t know what. Instead she smiled back, placing a kiss on his forehead. As she walked away she heard Matt speak his last words. “Kill….Kill them all.” Vegas descended the stairs into the darkness. Swearing that she would do everything in her power to abide his final wish.

Deep down in the basement, Monk opened a pothole. “Follow it, and it’ll lead you out.” He said. His eyes watching the stairs, wanting to claim his dying price. “Not that fast.” Vegas said. “You’ll take us there. This is not negotiable.” She sneered at Monk. He reluctantly nodded as Muse pushed him forward with her scythe. They climbed down into the sewer. The foul water sneaking into their shoes. Monk went first down the path, followed by the stern eye of Muse. They walked for two hours, down the putrid sewers. Following the marks placed by Monk long ago. “We’re at the end.” Monk said. Pointing at the rusted ladder going up. “After you.” Muse said, following Vegas order to the letter. “But off course.” He replied. Something was off Vegas thought as Monk climbed to the surface. Again they climbed up, one at a time. Until finally Vegas ascended the ladder to freedom. As she climbed out she saw her crew standing together surrounded by a group of others, weapons pointed at them. Chains around their hands. A trap. Vegas pulled out her sole pistol. Pain came from her neck. Monk stood behind her, heavily breathing. A silver dagger placed against her artery. “Don’t try anything foolish.” He hissed. “Drop your gun, or your mates will die.” Vegas was infuriated, she knew she had to kill him when she had the chance. Vegas complied as she threw her pistol on the ground.

A man clapped. Vegas watched as three man appeared. The one on the right was nothing more then skin draped around a skeleton. The symbol of the Swarche Sonne clearly visible on his robes. A watcher. Next to him there stood a brut of a Vampirii. Every muscle trained to crush his enemy’s. He smiled as he watched Vegas. But none of them were important to Vegas. Only the clapping man. His cold eyes inside a handsome face. Mattheus, Chosen by Cain. “So this is the infamous Vegas?” he spoke, his voice as fluent as velvet. “Nicely done, exiled one.” He said. “Thank you your excellence.” Vegas noticed his attention dropping. Instantly she dropped herself to the floor, ignoring the small cuts the dagger made in the side of her face. She whirled her feet around, dropping Monk to the ground. She jumped on him, slamming her skull against his nose. Blood spatters flew everywhere. She pulled his own dagger out of his hands ready to end his existence. Her motion abruptly ended as Aleron grabbed her arm. Instead Vegas lunged herself forward. Her teeth locking around Monk’s ear. Aleron pulled her away from her victim. Giving her enough force to rip Monks ear of. Monk howled as his hand pressed against his non existing ear. Vegas growled as she tried to get out of Aleron’s mighty grip. Monks Vitae dripping from her face.

Mattheus softly grinned. “I see why they call you the Devils bride.” He said. “But even the devil is no match for me.” Monk crawled back on his feet. His hands caressing his battered face. “I hope you’ll remember this forever, you fething leech!” Vegas angrily shouted, still trying to finish the job. “You’ve done well.” Mattheus said to monk. But sadly this is where our venture ends. Surprise was the last thing Monk felt before Mattheus decapitated him with one flash of his ornate blade. Vegas griined as she saw his head rolling on the ground. Mattheus placed his sword back in it’s scabbard. “It’s time to bring our prize back. I long to see the streets of Arl’nev once more.”

Having found a human that was wondering outside of town at night Florence smiled. He had found his meal. The human was something like 6’ 10”, wearing a trench coat and a large black cowboy hat. Intrigued by the man and feeling something greater was at work he decided to carefully kill this one. Jumping out from the shadows he walked up to the man rather loudly and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Yes” the man said rather menacingly as he turned to face Florence “Can I help you”.

“Yes you can” Florence said as he grabbed the man’s throat and ripping it out. The man stood there bleeding. Annoyed Florence grabbed his face and ripped it off. The man fell to his knees and went flat on where the man’s former face would have been. After removing the man’s coat hat and taking his wallet, Florence sat down for his meal



Finishing his meal, Florence wiped a stray spot of blood from his chin. Curious he looked through the man’s wallet. In the plain black leather wallet he found $500 and several credit cards and a driver’s license. It said Mark Smith. Bored he walks over to a nearby trash can and chucks the drivers license in. returning to the crypt, as dawn is fast approaching, he thinks that there is something afoot.

“But what is it” he says aloud, as he lies down to go to sleep “well whatever it is it is going to be interesting”.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sleep was not restful that night. Tossing and turning there was no rest for the wicked.


Florence finds himself surrounded by darkness.
“Florence, find my ring”

“Find my ring; let your feet guide you”
“Ivan is that you?” Florence yells into the darkness.

In the darkness a ring comes into shape. It is a simple silver band with a small onyx stone mounted in the middle.

“Find my ring, avenge me and do what you were born to do.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Florence awakes gasping for breath, ears listening for any sound.

He looks around.

His eyes widen. There in the center of the crypt is a single white candle burning. Wax running down the side.
Disturbed and intrigued Florence sits up all day watching the candle burn, thinking.

Part Four... Blood of a Dragon.


The Police helicopter flew across Columbus Park, below the pilot could see multiple flashing lights of Police and Fire Department vehicles criss-crossing the streets as they tried to rush towards the direction of the chaos. The Gang riots of a month previous had been nothing to this, something was desperately wrong on the streets of the lower Manhattan. People had gone mad, there where reported infections of some kind of disease that drove the victims mad, all over the downtown area. As the Chopper passed down towards the Downtown Hospital he could see the glaring lights off in the distance to his left on the Brooklyn bridge. The rumours around the Station where right, the National Guard where sealing it off.
As he glanced to his right Louis noted that Charlie his co-pilot had pulled out a camera and was taking shots of the city below them, fires where spreading across Spruce Street and Park Row, carnage reigned on the streets. Louis felt his heart sink as he glanced down at the Hospital, and sighed flicking open his MIC on the headset.

"Control, this is Eagle wing, do you want us to assist on rooftop NYDH, there seem to be folks up there?"

He half circled waiting for a response, he could see several Doctors, nurses and patients clinging to one another just short of the landing pad. The Hospital Chopper must have already left with a full load, and they where left the butts hanging in the breeze for its return. As he passed over he spotted three security personal keeping guns trained on the rooftop access door, it looked like that had barricaded it up with anything they could find on the roof.

"Negative Eagle wing, all craft are to proceed organized pick ups, let local ground enforcement deal with any other issues."

Louis growled as he cut the MIC dead, and stared down at the people waving arms frantically. He watched as obvious gunshots rang out across the rooftop as the door was smashed open, and other figures began charging at the ones waving at him. He stared as people tried to flee, but something was happening, he couldn't make it out.

"Mother of God." Charlie gasped.

The both watched as something leapt at one of the nurses, and both of them pitched over the side and tumbled towards the sidewalk far below. Louis took a deep breath and then turned the chopper out towards the south, they needed to get to the roof of the life insurance building on Wall Street.

"This sucks Charlie, we're picking up friends of the Mayor and citizens are in trouble right before us."

"Not a lot we can do about it Bra." Charlie muttered taking another snapshot.

"Yeah it just.."

The who chopper pitched right and the rotor blades screamed as the turned away from the Millennium Hilton Hotel, and veered dangerously towards the Century 21 Department building, Louis pulled frantically at the controls trying to reach his MIC button to alert. Where the hell, something had leapt on them from the Hotel, he tried to make it out but could on see a shadow wrapped around the tail and rear rotor.
Charlie turned and tried to take a shot, glass shattered and with a scream his co-pilot was ripped outside by something flesh like. He didn't see it, the screams, Charlies screams, then the Building was looming ahead of him, Louis yelled out and covered his face..

Below on the Streets screaming citizens of New York, barely paused as the explosion rang out high above them, the monsters, the monsters where everywhere.

............


Scarlett walked into the broken shell of the Orpheum Theatre, the place had been abandoned for days. A sign had said it was closed due to structural damage, but there was no indication on what might have caused it, Scarlett could guess though. She paused as the others followed her in, most of the Police and Fire Department Vehicles where south of them, but sirens still rang out in the distance. Nero and Lilith had infected many more mortals as the passed north into the city, chaos reigned and that was the perfect cover for what needed to transpire.

"Seems empty." Muttered Gerstard looking about the foyer.

"Worked all that out on your lonesome?" Sneered Lilith, a slight wince crossed her features as the blood as it reminded her to play nicely with her brethren.

"Lets find who we have come to see." Snapped Scarlett and began into the main theatre itself.

............


It was dank, dark, cold, nothing stirred, nothing living anyways. As the small group entered the room, they spotted a rather large Opriknikki standing next to a dark haired maiden who seemed to be concentrating on the newcomers. Scarlett undisturbed by their quiet calm in what she brought them, knew they must be fully aware of the blood and what it could muster. She walked forward, noting other faces across the theatre, some kneeling or leaning against the edge, some resting in the seats.
The framed the middle aisle, which lead straight to the stage, where upon two figures where waiting. One a dark haired handsome man smiled at the small group, in particular Scarlett and Olivia, while the other was hidden under a thick heavy hooded robe.

"Welcome to New York." Said Byron with a grin.

She did not know him, but something seemed oddly familiar, she stepped forward and looked up towards the two of them, barely noticing that her companions had allowed her to cross the last few metres alone, such was the aura about the hooded Kindred.

"I have seen you in dreams." It stated as it looked down towards her.

Scarlett watched mesmerized unable to speak as he offered a hand, uncertain on what else to do, she took it and was lifted gracefully onto the stage in a fluid motion. As she stood there face to hood, she stared as he slowly lifted his hands and pulled at the robe, loosing the cloth until a small goatee like beard was showing, and then lowered the hood completely. The long black haired man looking down at her smiled, he was easily another five inches taller than she.

"This meeting has been a long time coming, even if you where not aware until mere weeks previous to this night." His voice had a eastern melody to it, something that tugged at your mind as he spoke, a presence like no other.

"I carry what is yours." She finally managed to gasp.

He nodded, and walked past her out onto the very edge of the stage, keeping one hand in Scarletts behind him.

"My Children long have we waited in the shadows, long have we remained hidden, dead to those who would hunt us, who would fear us. Now after many long years, we have finally regained what was once ours."

A mild rapture of excitement echoed about the theatre as he paused, Scarlett could only watch, dizzy with anticipation on what he had to say.

"I have kept all of you at arms reach, ready for the long night where we could regain what was ours, regain our birthright and bring vengeance on those who would stand against us. The wretched. The Foolish, The Were bloods, the Witches, Wizards, the ivory tower that is held beneath the Cursed Caine. From this night, we will be a match for everything he has, his children, the crooked world, it will mean nothing to us, this world is ours, and I will sever Caines grip on this place, while we will stand in the long night and rule for eternity."

The roar of approval shock the walls as the Kindred leapt to their feet cheering.

"I promise you all this, for I have stood against Caine in the dark and put him to one knee, I will do so again. I am the Dragon, I am Vlad Tepes the Impaler. I am Dracula, the heart of the blood, lord of Vicissitude!"

He span Scarlett into his arms and sank his fangs deep into her neck. Scarlett felt a shriek of joy as the blood within her passed into Dracula, the whole world blurred as he head fell back in his arms, the dim lights above becoming fireballs of light as she descended into darkness.

"No, do not!" Olivia's voice echoed in her ears, and she fell, hitting the ground with a thud.

She tried to stand but could barely move, Dracula had almost drained her ash. The blood, the voice, it was gone. Scarlett screamed as blood exploded from her lips, her body shutting down from so much blood loss. She tried to focus, she could hear Olivia scream as the handsome one, grabbed her and bit down onto her neck. The ritual, it wasn't a sharing of blood, they needed to take theirs. She managed to look at Nero, who was smiling as the ritual continued. The bastard had known.

"Stop!" The lone female voice echoed out in the theatre.

Everyone paused, Dracula turned to face to voice, while Byron let the near comatose Olivia slump alongside Scarlett, blood dribbling down his face as his eyes narrowed at the figure standing in the door way. Nero, Lilith and Gerstard turned to look upon the stranger, while the Stirgoi, V'ral quickly made his way to the stage.

The tall female held what could only be described as a Crescent moon shaped axe, she was wearing padded leggings, with a ancient breastplate that was moulded to her specifically. Around her neck was a strange looking charm, a black rook, drilled to allow twine to pass through it.

"Areto!" Whispered Nero in shock.

Cain had released her, to deal with the blood. Nero snapped his head back, an she wasn't alone. He watched as V'ral pulled both Scarlett and Olivia from the stage, and under the nook, allowed both to feed from him.

"Destroy this fool!" snapped Dracula, as he turned and headed for the rear exit. Byron grinning as he followed, his flesh rolling around the neck and face.



**Okay thats it tonight, Part Five will be up tomorrow**

Confused Florence finishes his meal and stalks down the street.

“That was rather tasty” he says out loud, “now to figure out where to go…”

Stumbling along that night Florence combs the city unaware of what he is looking for only thinking that his feet will eventually take him where he needs to go.

Confused after several hours of walking he looks around. He again has managed to wander farther into the city then he meant to. Now he stands in front of a pair of great oak doors. Next to it is a sign that reads “LiBRARY”. Curious he walks inside. From the outside it looks small, but inside it is actually quite large. On the right there is a large quantity of fiction novels. Walking over he scans a few of the titles. Velocity, the girl who loved Tom Gordon, insomnia, and all great fiction he thinks. Than he realizes that he can’t ever remember reading any of them. As he is about to walk over to the other side of the hall and look at the non-fiction he hears a voice.

“Can I help you?” turning slowly he see from who the voice came. An old lady, most likely in her late 30s with long brown hair, wearing glasses that seem precariously balanced on her nose.

“Can I help you?” she repeats.

“uhm..yes you can I was wondering if there were any reference books on Ivan?” he replies.

“Oh you mean Ivan the terrible” she says “yes there are plenty of those right this way”

“Ivan the terrible…?” he thinks.

After being shown the reference books he sits down and reads.

A few hours later he looks at the clock on the wall. It was almost 3 o’clock!

“I better get the hell out of here” he says under his breath.

Rushing out the door he chuckles loudly. “So Ivan’s plan to fake his own death back in 1584 did work. Oh that tricky old fart.” He snarls in a dark voice oozing with the truth of death.

"Yes, he will be well taken care of." Claudius said over the phone, "You can be sure of that."

The voice on the other end asked another question.

"Of course I know how to deal with a guest of his standing, and don't worry everything will turn out just fine." Claudius finished before hanging up the antique phone. It was old and outdated, but he preferred the aesthetic quality of it. The polished black looked fantastic with the gold plated rings that wrapped around either end. Claudius then got up and smoothed out his suit, he had been planning this entire event for over a month and now it was time to see the end product.


Andy sat in a makeshift locker room adjacent to the main peristyle of the mansion, it had been his first time into the actual main area of the mansion and he had been hit with a bit of surprise. He knew that Claudius was rich and he knew that Claudius would most likely have extravagant decor, but what was actually in front of him was amazing. Beautiful mosaics and frescoes adorned each wall and tropical flowers sat on pedestals in well lit alcoves placed in the walls. A bright red baseboard contrasted with the pure white walls and marble columns he seemed incredibly fond of. He had been even more amazed at the main foyer, a long burgundy carpet led up a large staircase, again marble columns lined the upper floor and reached to the ceiling as bright royal purple cloth was draped neatly along the banisters.

Andy was only there to help greet the arriving vampire, but wore a smooth purple robe over his body and boxing shorts as he stood behind several ghouls and of course Claudius and Claudia. Andy watched as the Claudius and Claudia exchanged pleasantries with the visitor and then he saw the ghoul he was supposed to fight. It was a monster, even for a ghoul that said a lot. He stood almost a foot above Andy and looked to weigh almost double his size, the ghoul looked down at him and sneered as if he knew who was already going to win. After sizing the ghoul up, he could see why the ghoul would think incorrectly.

Never the less, he finished putting on his gear as he waited to be called out to the ring that had been erected in the middle of the peristyle. The ring itself was neatly put together and Andy would have guessed that it had taken a week to get it ready, the outer rim of the peristyle had been aligned with seats for the ghouls and some servants lucky enough to witness the fight while Claudius, Claudia, and their guest sat on a balcony on the second floor overlooking the ring. Andy pounded the gloves together and was happy that he couldn't feel the metal hand anymore than his normal one, it felt oddly familiar now and Andy had managed to strengthen his muscles just enough to keep his hand closed tight enough to fight.

"Are you ready?" the ghoul asked as he held a walky up to his ear.

"Ready as I'll ever be." Andy said as he began to hop in place excitedly.

"Don't forget your mouth guard." the ghoul said as he shoved it into Andy's mouth, the bitter plastic hadn't been fit to his teeth and the ridges bit into the soft flesh of his gums. It was unpleasant, but Andy began to chew on it in order to force it to conform to his teeth profile. "Now let's go." the ghoul said as he grabbed him by the arm and led him out into the open air of the night. Bright lights shined from each wall and corned in order to prevent any shadows from appearing on the white canvas of the ring. Andy was temporarily blinded as he walked out and heard the sound of clapping. He was sure it wasn't for him individually, but he was sure it was because he represented the best that Claudius had to offer in a match, either that or they were just giddy to see him get clobbered by a giant. Either way it made him chuckle, it felt like a show more than real life, as he climbed into the ring with a "trainer" at his side. He looked across the mat and could see the burly ghoul stepping in, his dark red robe barely fitting over his musculature. Andy wasn't sure, but the ghoul seemed bigger than before, he blamed the lighting but remained undeterred as Brandon walked into the middle of the ring and signaled for the crowd to be quiet, he held a small microphone in his hand and began to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began loudly, "tonight we present to you a fine match between two championed servants of their respective owners. In the red corner we have weighing in at seven feet, three inches and weighing in at more than 300 pounds, representing the House of Harold Dubecht; the mountain of muscle, master of mayhem, Andre Mstislavich!" he waved his hand in the general direction of the large ghoul who flexed and purposefully tore the robe he was wearing in half before ripping the rest of it off and roaring into the cold night air, steam came from his mouth as if a volcano were erupting and loud cheers came from the servants of the visiting vampire. Andy could see the silhouette of Harold as he clapped his hands in the balcony seating, Claudius seemed to be entertaining him as well. "And in the blue corner we have weighing at 220 pounds and standing at six feet, one inch, representing the House of Claudius Sylvanus, the poet of punishment, the baron of beatings, Andy Bruss!" Brandon announced as Andy pumped his fists into the air and turned in 360 degrees, cheers came from the ghouls belonging to Claudius as he did. Andy's "trainer" removed the robe from his body, revealing his back, lines of light scar tissue marked where his werewolf healing had not been enough to return his skin back to normal. Andy stood there with purple gloves and black boxing shorts as he sized up his opponent in pure red shorts and gloves. The two walked into the middle and met with a ref, which was really just a ghoul wearing a black and white referee's uniform, "Okay you two should know the deal, no hitting below the belt, no kidney shots, no biting or headbutting, and even though we all eat people here, let's have a nice clean fight. Touch gloves if you want to."

Andy put his gloves out and watched as the giant slammed his own down and made Andy's hands ache. He shook off the mild pain as he stepped back and waited for the bell, which announced the start of the fight with a joyful ding-ding. Andy began jumping side to side in an attempt to throw off the big man, but to no avail. Andre took a massive swing and caused Andy to duck before a left upper cut made him jump backwards. The giant grunted with each swing and Andy knew he would have to be faster in order to even hope of beating the ghoul. Andre took another massive swing with his right hand, Andy took the chance and lunged forward before shooting upwards and delivering a blow to the underneath of the giant's chin. Andy watched as the ghoul recoiled and stepped backwards before slowly lowering his chin and glaring at Andy. "You die now little puppy." Andre said in broken English as he stormed towards Andy who's best option was to stay out of the way.

"Your fighter runs like a chicken instead of fighting like a werewolf, or even a human." Harold said to Claudius who clicked his tongue.

"You judge too soon my friend." Claudius said, "Andy has been known for his surprises."

Andy kept ducking and weaving around the slow but powerful punches coming from Andre and kept delivering his own. The ghoul was becoming tired as Andy repeatedly hammered blows into the ghoul's stomach and was on the back foot before he reached the belts lining the ring. He held on to it with his right hand and tried to defend himself with his right. The bell dinged and allowed a mercy to the ghoul as both fighters returned to their respective corners.

"You are doing good, too good." the ghoul said to Andy, "I would be careful this round, play it safe and see what's up."

"He's just too big for his own good." Andy replied as he took a swig of gatorade from a bottle, "I'll hammer him in his face this round and soon that'll be all she wrote." Andy replied as the bell summoned him to the center of the ring once more. Andre was breathing heavily, but still glared at Andy with anger, "I was wrong about you." Andre said.

"Oh and how is that?" Andy asked, watching for any moves.

"You die now." Andre said as he made a wide swing that Andy began to duck. Andy lunged forwards again, ready to pummel at the wall of muscle that stood in front of him. He looked for an uppercut and didn't see one so he continued his movements until a left hook crashed into the side of his head. Andy's world went black as he stumbled sideways, he hit the canvas with a thud as cloudy liquid began to pour from his ear. The referee ran in to stop the fight and took a kneeling position near Andy before beginning a count. Andy saw himself getting punched again before the chanting of the crowd began to return him to the world. He heard the count reach seven before he lifted an arm and slammed his fist into the canvas to push himself up, more cheering as he managed to clamber to his feet. Andy shook his head and looked at the ref, "You sure you want to go on, your ears were leaking?"

"Yeah, I'm good, advanced healing and all that jazz." Andy said as he cracked his neck and began hopping place.

"Alright, its your death bed." the ref said before allowing the fight to continue.

"That wasn't very nice Andre." Andy said as he hopped around the man.

"You are very annoying dog." Andre said with a grin, "Most of the time they stay dead, but you are too annoying to die."

"Well that's what they say." Andy replied, watching for the same move as before.

"But there is more than one way to skin a cat so I think there is more than one way to kill a..." the ghoul was stopped mid sentence as Andy delivered a jab straight into the ghoul's mouth and causing Andre to recoil backwards gripping his chin.

"Don't like you chin touched huh?" Andy mocked as he continued to jab at the ghoul's mouth. Andre blocked as best he could before Andy began working his face. After a matter of seconds the ghoul's face looked more like ground beef rather than something a mother could actually love. Andy knew the bell was about to come and decided to stop the show then and there by crouching and launching his upper body upwards and then transferring the momentum to his right arm before sending all of the energy into Andre's chin. The force of the blow not only sent him staggering backwards, but sent him staggering against the ropes and eventually over them. A loud smack and some shaking announced the fact that Andre had fallen out of the ring and onto the hard pavement four feet below. Andy stood near the edge as he watched the ref count down. "10!" Brandon shouted into the microphone. The ghouls of house Dubecht hurried over to their champion and checked him for signs of life, he was still alive, but it would be a hell of a time carrying him out to the SUV.

"Winner by technical knockout, Andy Bruss of House Sylvanus!" Brandon shouted into the microphone as Harold Dubecht sat with his mouth agape at the sight of his champion crumpled on the ground.

"I told you he was surprising." Claudius said, "But now we matters to discuss."

"Your money will be in your account by tomorrow evening." Harold said as he shook his head in disbelief, "Don't worry, I will keep my word."

"Oh, but there's more than just that." Claudius said as he snapped his fingers. Two vampires in pure white and sunglasses shut and locked the door to the room.

"What is the meaning of this?" Harold asked as he looked around for help or a way out.

"We know about you Harold." Claudius said as the vampires in white grabbed Harold, still in shock, by the arms.

"What, what do you mean?" Harold asked.

"Nothing Harold, you never existed." Claudius said as he handed Claudia a stake, a sadistic gleam in her eyes.

On the ground, Brandon had heard the signal and soon weapons were trained on all of Harold's ghouls. With Brandon's own snap, the snap of silenced gunfire echoed through the peristyle as Harold's ghouls were punctured with bullet after bullet. Andy stood there in amazement before Brandon led him away, back to the room where he would get dressed and go back to his house. Andy quickly changed and began to hurry out of the building before he was stopped by Claudius. "That was a good show Andy." he said calmly as Claudia wiped blood from her chin.

"What was that?" Andy asked, "I mean, your guys just killed all of his guys and..." Andy said as he looked at Claudia, "You killed him didn't you?"

"Do you mind if we did?" Claudius asked with a raised brow.

"No, I don't but I didn't know that you drank your own kind's blood." Andy said.

"We normally don't but there are those that do out there." Claudius said, "Now as to why we did what we did, let's just say that not every kindred wants to play follow the leader with Cain."

"Cain, the big bad vampire guy... wait," Andy said as he rubbed his head, "listen, that punch really did something to me, can I just go to bed and not worry about this?"

"Of course, go to sleep, you deserve your rest." Claudius said, "But your disrespect of Cain's name will be punished tomorrow with twenty lashes."

"Of course, but I'm going to go lie down now, lashes tomorrow please?." Andy said as he walked out of the door and towards his home. He was just seeing and hearing things, that blow had given him brain damage and he needed a good night's rest to fully recover. At least that's what he talked himself into believing by the time he reached home and fell into bed.

"How was the fight dear?" Wendy asked as she instantly began to cling to him.

"I won, hopefully get the day off tomorrow for celebration." Andy said, "I think Claudius killed another vampire though."

"Why would he do that?" Wendy asked.

"Don't know, said something about following Cain." Andy said, "But my head hurts right now, so I'll tell you tomorrow if I can remember." he said before delivering a kiss to Wendy's forehead, "Night."

"Good night my big handsome boxing champ." Wendy said as she curled up against him.

BIC:…………Arl’nev, The black city: part 1…………….

Jill sat high in the air, carefully balancing on a molded wooden branch. The wind softly blew, trying to knock her cowboy hat of. Jill didn’t like the wind, all it did was annoy her and kick dust in the air. If she would ever find the wind, she would get Vegas to kick his ass. That would teach a lesson to the wretched wind, Jill grinned. “But, she isn’t here.” Kibbles said. Jill pulled Kibbles out of her pocket. His cuddly soft body warming her hand. “How do you mean?” she asked. “Well she isn’t here, isn’t she?” Jill looked around, watching for a sign of Vegas. Kibbles was right, Vegas wasn’t here. “What should we do?” She asked Kibbles, unsure about what to do next. “We should find her.” “That’s a great idea.” Jill smiled, placing her teddy back in its pocket. What should she do, if she hadn’t found Kibbles. He was so smart. She climbed out of the tree. The horse that had gotten her out of the trap, gazed at her as she dropped from the tree. “What you looking at?” she asked the horse. The horse just nickered as it stared back at the ground. “Yea, you better look down punk.” Jill growled as she climbed back on the horse. She had already delivered the canisters to the freemen. So now she could concentrate on locating Vegas. Cause Jill had a sneaking suspicion that the wind was close, as a new breeze tried to knock her hat off.

Vegas sat in a dank dark room. Her hands tied, chains around her feet. The chain was connected to each member of Vegas crew. No one spoke, most slept or just stared right ahead. The past eight days had been gruesome. Mattheus adherents had kept them walking for hours with minimal sleep and food. On the third day Michael tried to run, only resulting in several deep gashes as the bloodhounds easily struck him down. Only the command of the beast masters avoided certain death for Michael. Why they kept them alive? No one of the crew knew. But all feared the worst. And so they walked towards Arl’nev, the black city. Under a haze of fear, slowly sucking out their soul. Every day the Watcher would come in their middle. Drawing a symbol on the ground, the symbol of a sun. Which he then filled with black ash, completing the strange ritual. Then he would look at them one at a time. Dark fingers clawing trough their minds. Searching trough long forgotten memories, draining all hope out of them. His dark eyes always lingered on Vegas the longest. How she hated those prying eyes. His name was Aries. And always not far from him stood Aleron, his naked chest proudly displaying his victorious scars. His hands close to his hammers, hoping one of them would make a move. From conversations between servants Vegas had deciphered that he was the Primus. Whatever that would be.

The cell door opened, flooding the dank chamber with hellish light. The captives looked up with squinted eyes. “On your feet.” The guards bellowed. Pulling the chains to force them up. The guards were dressed in blackened armor, a crimson toga draped around their shoulders. Vegas had never seen this kind of uniform, she wondered to whom they belonged. The guards escorted them trough the dungeon, until they ascended and reached the private quarters. Pillars of marble, stood guard at every corner, Murals depicting ancient roman battles covered the walls. Statues of gold waiting in recesses, forgotten by their owner. Everyone of them drank in the luxury of this place. Except Muse who ignored everything and kept walking. Vegas saw her spraying the death perfume on her. She wondered how Muse managed to conceal it, and why she had kept it. There was no point in hiding their humanity anymore. They stopped at a large ornate door. Mattheus and Aleron stood before them. They had switched their attire to a more appropriate one for these surroundings. Mattheus, looked like a gentleman from the Victorian era. Complete with an emerald cane and top hat. Aleron grinned as he saw Vegas. He was clad in the same uniform as the guards. But on his breastplate there were three silver skulls crowned by an aureole. His helmet with a bright red mane, hanging casually under his shoulder.

The ornate door opened, revealing a giant round room. An almost exact replica of the saint peters basilica. A small shallow pool placed right in the middle, with a small ivory island in the middle. The rest of the room was filled with Vampirii, drinking, conversations. Everyone was dressed in different styles. Vegas saw people in toga’s talking to men in business suits. Admirals and generals standing next to each other, bragging over past deeds. Ghouls waved through the Kindred, trying to keep everyone supplied. Vitae laid on the floor ,where a careless Vampire had spilled his precious cargo. Half naked Slaves stood on platforms, seductively dancing to the sound of an string orchestra. Sometimes a Kindred appeared, pulling the damned soul of the stage. Guiding her to a more isolated area, covered behind massive purple curtains. The empty place, was soon occupied by another even more scantly clothed slave. The guards opened a path through the celebrating Kindred. Making sure their prisoners would get to their destination. The captured humans slowly walked to the island, their eyes locked onto the feast off excessive. Never before had they seen such a thing, a place full of sin. They passed two naked vampires, caressing each other before a smiling audience. Their teeth piercing each other’s skin, sending small streams of dark crimson down their body.

The guards pushed Vegas and her crew onto the small island. An oasis of calm around an ocean of madness. Mattheus and Aleron stood before them. They seemed to be waiting for something. And then it came. A gong resonated through the massive hall. The crowed immediately went silent, the orchestra stopped placing. Leaving the dancing slaves confused. Some kept dancing, completely oblivious to the recent events. The ornate door opened once more, revealing an old man wearing an medieval armor made out of pure silver. Dark symbols carved into the precious metal. A Red cape with golden edges hang over his shoulders. Clear blue eyes betrayed a malicious intellect. The man slowly walked towards the middle, flanked by the familiar black guards. The vampires bowed to the man, as he passed them. Until he finally reached the edges of the pool. “Greetings, Elder Hadrian. Foreman of the counsel.” Mattheus spoke with his smooth voice. “I return from my assignment, given to me by the second court of Cain.” Mattheus waited until this had seeped into everyone’s mind. He would make sure everyone remembered who he was. “I went in search of the Wasteland Ghost, the scourge of the Kindred. The devils bride, not an easy task. Yet I accepted. For no one may stand before the might of Cain.” He smiled as he saw the crowd hanging on his lips. The only one seemingly bored was Hadrian. ‘The old fool’ Mattheus thought. Soon it would be Mattheus that took Hadrian’s position as Foreman of the counsel. “I hunted this ghost all across the wasteland, until ten days ago. I managed to trap her, using my cunning intellect. And was able to capture the ghost singlehanded.” He waited am moment before continuing. Reveling in the attention. “Yet, I did not kill her. I took her and her entire group of rabid dogs to Arl’nev, the crown jewel of Cain.” He motioned to Vegas. But she defiantly kept standing until one of the guards shoved her forwards. The eyes of many Old Bloods rested upon her. “I give you Vegas, the Wasteland Ghost. To fight and die in the Arena, for your pleasure. My humble gift to the city of Arl’nev.” Mattheus exclaimed, sending his message to the far corners of the hall.

Excited whispers, spread through the Kindred like a disease. Squeaks of pleasure, followed by the smiling of lips. Until Hadrian raised his hand. “I accept your gift in the name of Arl’nev. And I hope She will live up to her name.” The room exploded this time, as Hadrian went back to his private quarters. Many Kindred gaping at Vegas, discussing how she would die. What they would were to the festivities. Behind her Vegas could hear Michael crying. “They’re sending us to the Arena….Why didn’t that Bloodhound kill me when he had the chance.” “No talking!” the guard exclaimed, slamming his fist into Michaels stomach. Vegas could feel her very own heartbeat resounding through her body. So this was it, all these years of hiding and death. And this was where it was going to end. As a spectacle celebrated by Vampires. She watched as the room returned to its sinful pleasures, of blood and decay. Until she noticed Aries whispering into the ear of a little girl. She was dressed in a sober black dress, two bows hanging in her long brown hair. Her hazel brown eyes locked with those of Vegas. Who was she? Vegas thought. She had to be important, seeing as Aries merely spoke with Mattheus. And here he stood whispering in her ear. The watcher stood back up and left the little girl, who walked towards Vegas. Her feets slipped into the water surrounding the ivory island. She ignored the warning of the guards. There she stood before her, observing every inch of her. “I hope you’ll do well in the Arena.” She spoke with a slight German accent. “It would be sad to see such an opportunity….discarded.” She disappeared into the crowd before Vegas could say anything. Leaving Vegas alone with her troubled thoughts, surrounded by an ocean of Kindred.

... Natasha turned facing Harlow as he entered her chambers, around them several servants were busy cleaning up the debris strewn round the room, their movements quick yet cautious as they attempted to do their duties and avoid the Queens attention at the same time.
Harlow glanced over at a group of Black Claw who stood nearby, each wolf wore a look of combined anger and wariness on their faces..
" Well" Harlow thought to himself as he stepped over an overturned dresser and bowed his head slightly " Somethings certainly angered her"
Clearing his throat, Harlow glanced towards Natasha " You summoned me?" He asked.
The Wolf Queen nodded, fury still shining in her cold blue eye..." Indeed" she said , thrusting a small stack of papers at the Wolf " Read these" the rage in her voice barely contained..
Harlow took the printed pages and quickly read, his eyes returning to Natasha when he'd finished..." So...the pup hasn't learned anything I see...despite his Fathers head being removed" Harlow shook his head " An alligence with a leech..and " Harlow paused..." Is..is this correct?"
Natasha nodded, knowing what Harlow was refering to " It is...or so he who sent the message claims..the sister of my...of Kerri ...apparently has opted to aid these..traitorous Nrajah in their pathetic aspirations to destroy me."
Harlow nodded again, fully grasping why his Queen had become so angered " I ..understand " he said, his face showing just the slightest bit of compasion for the rage he knew was boiling within Natasha...
" I want them all found Harlow...every last one of them" Natasha said..." Use any means neccesary...but I want these traitors found and destroyed...all of them"
Harlow bowed slightly " It will be done..."
" Harlow" Natasha said, her gaze softening slightly " If possiable...bring me Isabelle alive...I would deal with her myself."
" Understood my Queen" The wolf said as he turned to exit..
" And Harlow" Natasha added " Do watch yourself out there ...I...I wish for no harm to befall you."
Harlow simply nodded, a small smile on his face as he left the chambers, the papers containing all the information he needed to track the traitors clasped in one hand.

" Begging your pardon My Queen" Nor spoke from Natasha's side" But...will you be ...that is...do you feel up to meeting with the emisaries from the ..Blunted Fang?"
Natasha snarled.." I despise banality...as you well know Nor" she said.." But in the interest of our people...I suppose I must endure them."
The huge Black Claw bowed his head..." I shall see you are informed when the arrive my Queen"
Natasha fixed the Black Claw with a stern gaze ..." They had best not waste my time..or try my paitence..."
" Understood my Queen" The huge wolf said with a bow.