“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”
It matters not what one fears, it matters not how one fights those fears, what matters at the end of infinity is survival. Not all are blessed with good luck when dancing with death, and even when you win you never really come back out the same, but what if you were to lose that dance only to be given one last chance to fight for your life all over again? What would you gain by winning the dance of death?
Do you seek redemption? Vengeance? A fresh start?
Or maybe you just choose to live out of spite. The choice is all our own.
The crunch of boots landing on snow was such a satisfying sound, at least in normal circumstances. When trying to stay silent? Not so much if you were a normal person, but she wasn’t normal. Far from it, her steps were silent and deliberate. The masked woman just looked like she was trying to get home, the tension was palpable as she walked under the city street lights. Her hood was pulled over her head, the bangs in her eyes obscured most of her face, if it weren’t for the black outfit she was wearing one could mistake her form as a ghost. She made no sound as she moved, hell you couldn’t even hear breathing. She was walking along the park and though most animals were hibernating the winter away it was fairly normal to hear owls soothing the empty night air with their lulls and coos. Even crickets would sound in small bursts of life, chittering away and keeping most normal folk awake at night. The silence was utterly deafening in the dimly lit park, and for the silence to reach this level it only meant one thing.
A predator was hunting.
It begs the question though. What happens when two predators hunt for each other?
The chill down her spine, the looming dread that was so thick it was nearly visible, the feeling of eyes boring into her very being. Who was here? Why were they here? All the pale woman knew was that whatever it was, it was here for her.
Not a single sign of life was detected around the woman, but that didn’t stop her from placing a hand at her side as she walked into the nearest neighborhood. A new development in the normally bustling city of Rose Lake. Most of the housing had been completed and put up for sale, but no buyers as of now. Perhaps she could stay the night at one of the many empty houses… provided she felt safe enough to stop here to begin with.
She quickly ducked between two houses, her long legs hooked around the edge of a chain link fence, hoisting herself up and over into the overgrown backyard. Someone definitely needed to call a landscaper… but that wasn’t her issue. She then shoved her hands in her pockets and crouched low, the last thing she wanted to do was run into some homeless person looking for a place of refuge. Not that she was scared or anything, she just didn’t want to deal with the hassle of… hiding a body.
The wind was bitingly cold and licked the skin of her exposed thighs as she sat low, the howling was so loud one could mistake it for the howl of a banshee. This didn’t relieve her tension even a little bit as the lingering feeling of dread continued to rear its ugly head around her. Every small crunch, every snapping twig, and every–
Was that tapping? She heard tapping. It couldn’t be from the house, it sounded like it came from every direction. Dammit, she wasn’t safe yet. So she kept moving, trying to pry herself away from the feeling of paranoia. No matter what she had to stay calm, that was the only choice she had… stay calm… stay calm…
I'm 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖. It looks like your gods had forsaken you, Dear. ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Snow.
The pale ghost trailed forward as he tracked his quarry through the city's residential district, the snow blanketing his head and shoulders. While the falling ice would have made him shiver before, now he felt nothing. His nerves were blind to the touch of Winter. His skin was resistant to its chills. Even his breath lacked mist; All were signs that he was no longer among the living and yet, he had never felt so full of life. His dress shirt had a dash of red splattered across his torso. A reminder of his quarry's attempt on his life. Inside of his cold heart existed only one emotion: anger.
He once believed he was free in the mortal realm. Without a need to flaunt his noble inheritance, he assumed that an ordinary life would be possible for even a monster like himself. However, the divine of fate did not have his peace in mind. To be mistaken as the target of a hit only to wake up in an empty alleyway with an ungodly thirst, he couldn't tell whether his reawakening as an undead was the result of mere coincidence, or whether it was all planned out by a malevolent being. Regardless, the only image in his mind was that mask; The face of the killer that took his mundane life away. He recalled their scent while they struck him with their knives, using it to track their movements. As subtle as it was, the smell of his own blood was potent enough for him to follow even streets away.
As he pursued his assassin, he noticed a sudden shift in their speed. They knew he was coming. Though, instead of feeling cautious, the vampire felt excited. The thrill of a hunt, especially towards the target of his malice, was a sinful pleasure he never imagined himself experiencing, let alone enjoying. Eventually, he ended up in front of the house that smelled most like them. It appeared, they were attempting to hide. "Quaint. To think, hiding in a house would be enough to stop me." While the idea of simply breaking down the door just to engage them in direct combat was a fine idea, he found another much more delectable. Fear. To inspire fear in his enemy would give the vampire the opportunity to toy with his prey before indulging in his meal. To devour the one that took his ordinary life away; To consume who stole the peace he's always wanted; No one was going to take that joy away from him.
He approached one of the windows, tapping on the glass in a rhythm using his index and middle fingers. If his target already knew he was coming, he was going to enjoy their mental anguish as an appetizer.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
While he roamed around like a shark circling his prey, he tapped the other panes of glass while twisting each doorknob in between. With each tap of his fingers and swivel of his wrists, he was gentle, teasing his hostile intentions with ginger motions.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
In moments, his form shifted into shadow before reappearing inside. With the darkness that shrouded the rooms, he was able to move around while avoiding detection, still tapping on the panes of frosted glass. He wanted his target to know that no walls nor doors could keep them safe from him.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Finally, he appeared behind them, tapping the window inside of her own room. Tap. Tap. Before finishing the third, the vampire grabbed both of their wrists while she turned towards the sound, pinning their hands over their head. "To imagine, I'd let you escape after what you've done to me." Now that he had the opportunity to get a better look at them, he realized that his killer stood a couple feet shorter than him. His eyes took note of their mask and silver streak in her hair. "Never thought, someone as small as you would be so deadly. I wonder what face you're hiding behind that mask." He reached over with his other hand, placing his long slender fingers in between their chin and their mask. "I wonder if you're scared. Perhaps you'd taste better like that. Or maybe, you're angry. Ooo~ Wouldn't your fight be delectable."
"You're not real, none of this isR E A L." ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
She stood there quiet, not making a single noise as if that would help the situation. Her mask sat there on her face, the stained cracked porcelain capturing what little moonlight shown through, the mouth had a distorted permanent smile, like she was always laughing. Or maybe she looked always ready to feed, but it didn't matter. He could trap her in the moment, but the shock wore down quickly, dead silence was now replaced with a low rumble. A guttural snarl began to rise from her covered lips, it was partially muffled, but even then he could hear it loud and clear. A faint glow was centered in the eyes of her mask, the sockets blocked with mesh fabric to hide her eyes, but even then there was that soft glow, it was eerie to say the least.
"No... you... you're dead, I killed you. I–" Her voice was deep and raspy, it was like she was speaking through wild snarls and growls. A hint of surprise laced her tone as she eyed him up. Blood, she could see it... She could smell it. This blood was no longer that of a human, no... no this couldn't be. For the first time in years she felt a chill run down her spine, fight or flight began to kick in reigniting her instincts for self preservation. He wasn't playing around. The woman reared her head back, her shimmering skin caught fractals of moonlight, she may have been somewhat shorter, but that was no issue. Her body began to twitch, her chest beginning to convulse as she let out shaky breaths, gasping for air.
Crack.
Craa--aacck.
Bones began to contort with sickening pops, the flesh on her back began to rise as the sound of meat tearing apart echoed through the room, it was like taking the peel off of a fruit, the skin, membrane, and muscle twist and tore with strange squelching noises. The scent of blood now overpowering every part of the brain as gleaming metal blades ripped from her back. The blades were as big as she was, and thought they resembled wings the blades caught and reflected light, bits of skin and muscle tissue hung off her new metallic appendages like a sickening display of viscera and cruelty. That certainly never got any easier to deal with, but she wasn't about to go down without a fight. Moonlight filled the room as the dark clouds rolled by, revealing her light in all of its ethereal glory. They could see each other more clearly. An undead abomination that towered over her being.
Shadows began to sway unnaturally, like they were as sentient as the masked assailant that stood before him. Short and fairly petite, but she was not to be taken lightly. With a distorted screech the shadows began to rise from the floor below, they made shapes of all kinds, it was almost like watching some sort of demonic lava lamp as it moved with such grace and fluidity.
The shadows sharpened themselves to a point as they swirled around the room. With another distorted cry leaving her lips the tendrils of darkness whipped at him, attempting to slash his fancy suit. She had to finish this job one way or another, when she eventually wriggled her way out of his grasp she took some steps back and began to hunch over, her hands outstretched and flexing as curved black claws slowly grew outward. She may have still had those damned blades somewhere. The blue double edged karambit blades she held as she plunged them in to his heart back when he was still of the living. No more words needed to be said from this point forward. This was their dance to the death, his revenge and her redemption. It was time to finish what she had started. It had been how long since she killed him? She was a cocky young hotshot, it costed the wrong man his life. The regret and sorrow... but she couldn't think about that now, she had to survive. That's all that mattered.
"Believe what you want about me. Pray to whichever god is willing to save you.
Know, that I am 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝. Know this nightmare is your 𝕥𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕕 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕚𝕥𝕪."
The vampire's dark, ethereal form held off from lifting his killer's mask. This thing that he bound against the wall acted more beast than person. They were broken, a mere shell of a soul. The marks on their face were not associative with one based in reality. A permanent smile was painted on her lips. A couple white dots were glowing beneath the transparent mesh slits of their mask, following his own glowing orbs, unblinking and uninterrupted. All he could see with his illuminated, crimson eyes was a vessel for a dark god and hints of regret. "No... you... you're dead, I killed you. I–"
His other hand grabbed them by their neck, feeling the blood quickly pulse through their arteries. Their heartbeat was fast and their breaths became rapid. He could taste it already: Fear. Though, there was something off about his prey that kept his fangs away from their veins. Their body was not as it seemed. Cracks and pops had come from their shoulders and spine. Their limbs contorted in strange directions, forcing him to let go. Metallic wings sprouted from their back, covered in meat and sinew. With the shower of blood, the light from the moon turned red as it penetrated the gut covered glass. This thing in front of him was neither beast nor human, they were a monster.
The shadows that surrounded him did not obey the laws of nature. They circled him as if they were alive. They rose and stood into the light where no object could cast shade, reacting to his killer's transformation, beckoning to her deafening scream. Though, the vampire showed no fear. In fact, this sudden display appeared to have cracked a broken smile over his face. Like his home, this world knew no peace. He wasn't the only monster that roamed the streets of Rose Lake and he doubted there was one better at commanding the shadows than he.
Several blades had ended up being buried within his form from various angles, but no blood was spilled. His body lacked sufficient mass for their edges to even embed themselves into. The creature that stood in front of them was nothing more than a shadow. A being that lacked physical presence. Around them, other shadows began to stand in opposition to their commands, taking up his form in defiance of her wails.
"To think, in my desire to escape from the life of a monster. You were the one to bring me back."
He forced their karambit against their arm, leaving behind a bloody cut in their flesh. Slowly, he brought the blade to his lips to get a taste of their blood. It was unlike any other he tasted before. Their species was unknown, and yet their blood was delicious. The vampire needed to have more.
"Unfortunately, you're wrong. You did kill me. My heart stopped beating thanks to you."
Another slash came from behind, cutting into their hoodie to leave a gash against their back. This time, his attack wasn't motivated by the desire to inspire fear. The vampire was getting his revenge for his death in their hands. "Though, I must admit. You do taste wonderful. Such a shame to have such high quality blood be wasted on the likes of you."
His storm of attacks kept on going from different angles. Each shade that took his form was dangerous, slashing at their body where they couldn't guard. It was only when he struck her from the front when he stopped. A slash of their hoodie exposed a rather vulnerable component of who they truly were.
"Oh. . . Well, isn't this interesting~" He reached around her from behind, placing her own blood-stained knife at her neck. "To imagine that someone as. . . Gifted. . . As you would be the one to end up killing me." His eyes traced over her voluptuous breasts, now aware of her hidden sex. "Ha. . . Either your god hates you . . . Or you've been asking for it." He forced her head to the side, impaling his fangs in her neck to draw out her blood. The rugs beneath them became stained in her red liquids as he took a sip of her life. While he did so, he reached with his open hand to grope her, defiling his hostage. "Tell me and don't you lie. I hate liars." He pulled away from her neck, whispering with his dripping fangs while he dragged the knife lightly against her skin. "Why me? I haven't hurt anyone yet. Be honest, and I promise I'll make your last minutes on this planet pleasant for you."
"An apology is off the table I'd imagine... but it wasn't supposed to be this way."
Words could not merely begin to describe the dread she felt when her magic was countered. She was used to being the top dog, she was used to watching her prey writhe in agony before their lives were permanently snuffed out of this mortal existence, she was the killer without a face, the nameless assassin that stalked the night. Who was he but a monster under the bed so many feared? But no, calling him such would make her a hypocrite. She too was a monster. A monster created by the hands of the cruel world around her.
The first slash sent a wave of hot searing pain that traveled around her arm, she hissed in pain as her own weapon betrayed her and flayed skin from muscle. However, she had felt much much worse. No matter how much he hacked and slashed at her with her own weapon, no matter how much blood bathed the carpet below in an unholy shower of dark crimson she held on. Wounds on her body healed as fast as they were inflicted, the scent of her blood was that of mulled wine and cloves. A strange creature she was... and when he jerked her head to the side and removed that black hood he saw long pointed ears that were folded back like a cornered animal. Was she an elf? No... elves were old and regal, never this barbaric or violent without a reason... and well... the wings on her back, scratch that. Definitely not an elf.
A low guttural groan left her lips, but this one wasn't of pain and suffering... it was more... happy.
The woman let out a low groan when she felt gloved fingertips glide across her breasts. The two mountains of soft bouncy flesh molded and morphed against his palm, what was most noticeable was her body, but not in a visual sense. Sure it was rare to be up against a female assassin, but this had nothing to do with her sex. She was cold. Her body, the air around her, even the air she breathed... It was cold to the touch, sure she had just been out in the elements not long ago, but her body showed no signs of heating up despite standing there, her own blood rolling down pale flesh like a crimson flood on the purest snow. Even her blood was warm and fresh, her heart was beating the pace now accelerating, her breaths shaky as her lungs inflated and deflated with every hesitant breath. She was so cold for a monster of the living.
If he was ever allowed to gaze upon the face of his killer, he might just see a dusty rose color decorating the surface of her cheeks, but his questions dragged her back into reality. How could she tell him? No point in hiding it now. It had to be said, it's not like she wanted to hurt him to begin with.
But she did.
Sorry wouldn't bring him back from undeath, so she spoke for the second time in a voice that was much calmer albeit weaker, "You were marked as a hit... and now I see why. I was told to neutralize you for an interrogation so we could find out why other organizations wanted you dead... I never meant to kill you, but I got cocky. I thought if I aimed right..." The woman simply scoffed and shook her head. It didn't really matter that her slip up killed him or not, what mattered was that she killed him in the end. Intentions at this point were null.
"Kill me, torture me, skin me alive, but that wouldn't matter. You're still being hunted." Her tone was dull and monotone, but she wasn't wrong someone wanted him dead and they wouldn't stop. Now she lay there under his hands, her fate was held hostage by the tall pale ghost looming over her, his lips stained red from her blood. Was that a smile on his lips? Was that dead pale face dusted with light red? Was her blood... no... that was impossible.
She didn't dare move a finger, in this state there was no way she could get out. She either had to play her cards right or die trying. One way or another she wasn't going to make this easy for him, but for what it was worth she would find a way to help him. She owed that to him... and herself too. Not to say that she was a killer with morals or anything, but the last thing she wanted to do was die a death that wasted her last moments of life. To hell with secret information and classified files, she had to give him something, any clues before she was taken out. Was it out of guilt? Anger? Spite? Who really knows anymore.
Her body was ice cold for one that knew life. Quick to heal and vibrant in blood, he noticed his assassin was no mere human nor common species. The revelation of her sharp ears, her metallic wings, and the oddity that was her cold body temperature suggested a form that was foreign to this world's denizens. Though her scent, her clothes, the way she spoke, and even her conventional methods in killing betrayed his guess. She was very much a monster like him; A being of fear that traversed the night, lingering beside the fine line between the mundane and the supernatural. For a brief moment, he felt something other than blind hate, compassion. A short, passing emotion that resulted from an understanding of who they were to the human world: Monsters.
"You were marked as a hit... and now I see why. I was told to neutralize you for an interrogation so we could find out why other organizations wanted you dead... I never meant to kill you, but I got cocky. I thought if I aimed right..." The vampire brushed her knife against her pale skin, dragging its length gently across her surface. A smile grew across his face as he watched the strain in her muscles cease. She wasn't going to fight back.
"Good girl."
He whispered against her neck, pressing the handle of her knife against her thick mounds. There was nothing in her voice that could denote a lie. Her throat didn't shiver as she released her confession nor did the glowing white orbs that shined behind her mask look away. Instead, he noticed another emotion pervade her hidden face. Her breathing was shaky and her groans weren't stressed. Her breasts even reacted kindly to his touch, displaying her preference for this hostile intimacy. She was liking this.
"Kill me, torture me, skin me alive, but that wouldn't matter. You're still being hunted."
The vampire grabbed her throat with his open hand, forcing her to look up at him while her knife was used to play with her body, slicing away at the remaining fabric that concealed her form. Basked in red moonlight from the bloodstained windows, he couldn't help but find himself enjoying his new toy. "Now why would I do that?" He cooed, dragging his fangs against the arteries that lined her neck. "The fun had only just begun and the night is still young, my dear. Besides, I'm sure you have some information about the organization that sent you after me."
"And from the looks of it. It seems like you're enjoying this, too. Aren't you?"
Her knife reached down to her thighs, cutting the hoodie off her body to expose her torso entirely. However, he wasn't done. No where near so. To waste the opportunity to make a lustful example of his killer was not a chance he was willing to pass up. He drifted her blade towards her panties, brushing the cold steel against her most vulnerable point. Meanwhile, one of his shadows began to pull away at the bottom half of her mask, getting a view of the redness that decorated her cheeks. The view of her lips curling inward was intoxicating. The little hushed moans that would escape her was addictive. The sudden tension in her spine and limbs whenever he touched where she was sensitive served to make him thirst for her more. Upon growing fascinated with her unique response to his display, he wasn't going to take her life until he'd done all he wanted.
"Do tell me of these "organizations" that would prefer me dead. The boss who ordered you to neutralize me too. I'd like to hear the names of those who have made me an enemy." He thrusted the handle into her panties, teasing its heft through the black layer. "I wonder how foolish you would have to be to wish the hatred of a pureblood vampire onto yourself. Either they are overconfident in their strength or ignorant of the powers that be." In combination with her weapon, the vampire assaulted her with his mouth. His fangs continue to bury in her neck from various spots as he teased the handle inside of her. "Though I confess. I am growing rather fond of your taste." As a result of his acts towards her and the potency of her blood, the vampire was beginning to become aroused himself. His cold hatred began to contort from the influence of his sick, rising lust. "Perhaps death would be too good for you. Maybe I should enthrall you and use you as a receptacle for my thirst and lust." He hummed, licking his blood stained lips. "You would like that, wouldn't you? Your body is perfect for it, given your rapid healing ability." The vampire insinuated on doing more with her. As time passed, so did the amount of her blood that made it into his system. Eventually, her dark panties ended up on the floor unable to resist the vampire's affections towards her. He was going to take her, whether she liked it or not.
The look of mutual understanding they both shared, it was short lived of course and she was promptly forced into a rather... intimate position. At this point he could do anything to her and she wouldn't protest. She did this, this was all her fault. She got cocky and she got sloppy, and now he was back for revenge one way or another. Her body didn't react much to the knife being dragged across already marred skin. Then her ears flickered and twitched, "Good girl."
Her breath hitched immediately and she felt a pang of heat steam from her heart as it bounced up to her throat then straight down to her pelvis. Even her legs quivered when she heard the words. Why? Why had she reacted this way?
This woman was a killer, she had never been caught, never spared lives, and was too hard to break... but this physical touch. It was going to bring her to her knees. She had never felt the rush of these feelings before. It was intoxicating, dizzying even. She snapped out of the haze she was in to answer his questions, "I won't give you the name of my boss... but she's someone like you. As for those hunting you, all I know is that they're a human ran organization that want to eradicate supernaturals like you and me... Ironically there are rumors of the head commander being a demon... the irony right? I was tasked to get to you first... And if it isn't obvious enough, I fucked up." The fae explained all that she could without compromising too much.
"Pureblooded vampire or not, I know that these shitheads have a shitload of money, artillery, and some sort of anti-magic that can do some serious damage. If I had to guess, you were the next hit. I have files that could prove this back in my safe house... I.. owe you. I owe you a lot, it's no sorry... But it could save your li- Er... Unlife." She sighed and gasped when he started to tease her crotch with the handle of her own blade which also had a smaller blade on the end.
His words had her reeling all over again. Lust? Thirst? She tried to wriggle her hands out from his grasp, now left in a garter belt, stockings, and her choker... She felt her mask moved to the side of her head as she looked up at him. She was rather cute, a pale face with black painted lips. She had piercings under her chin and a scar going down her right eye nicking the eyebrow in the process. Those eyes though... those damned white eyes. She had no discernable pupil or iris. It was as if her sclera took over completely, you wouldn't be able to tell where she was looking, for all this vampire knew she could be looking up, down, or all around. The subtle glow of them too.... it illuminated her cheeks and she blinked rapidly, hell she was ever wearing eyeliner despite the mask covering her face. Redundant if anything, but she just liked to have a normal hobby.
"N-Now wait a sec- You- Wait-! You c-can't just-" The fae stammered and stuttered when her panties were promptly cut off and fell into a crumpled heap like the rest of her clothes. The scent of her sweet blood permeated the air around them, the thick metallic scent laced with spice would be intoxicating to any vampire. Not to mention the rumors in vampiric circles of fae blood. The perfect vessel, always regenerating blood merely hours after losing it. Unable to die from blood loss, and even able to regenerate limbs and organs. The healing and sweet properties of their blood... though none knew the aphrodisiac effects it had.
This vampire would soon understand the consequences of drinking the blood of a fae. And soon enough the effects would take hold. Not like it would help the fae by any means, but his would certainly end up as a night to remember if not more. It was his choice, but at the same time it wasn't as if the fae was entirely unwilling. After all...
"𝕊𝕝𝕒𝕧𝕖? Hmm . . . I quite like the sound of that."
"How naughty~ Already thinking of me as your 𝕞𝕒𝕤𝕥𝕖𝕣."
You've got my body, flesh and bone The sky above, the Earth below
Nothing to say and nowhere to go A taste of the divine ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴏɴɪɴɢ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
Whether it was due to the potency of her blood running through his system, her submission to his whims, or a combination of them both, the vampire didn't care. His mood was starting to take a shift. The blind thirst for revenge that once shrouded his vision began to fade away. Instead, a new craving began to emerge in its place that caused his pants to feel tight. Her moans were delightful. The shivering in her legs from even the slightest touch of her handle drew his eyes downward. She felt good grinding against his body as he held her close. His killer was more fond of their change in standings than he expected, causing a devilish grin to crack over his face, displaying the bloodied fangs that were hidden underneath.
"I won't give you the name of my boss... but she's someone like you." He traced his fingers across her neck, pressing the pads against her bruise to remind her of how forceful he could get with her. "Oh? Consider me curious, though I suppose, there are other more interesting ways of extracting that information." He licked his lips, still massaging her folds with the handle of her knife, risking her well being for the sake of teasing her more. "As for those hunting you, all I know is that they're a human ran organization that want to eradicate supernaturals like you and me... Ironically there are rumors of the head commander being a demon... the irony right? I was tasked to get to you first... And if it isn't obvious enough, I fucked up." The vampire slowed his hands upon her confession, even holding her blade still. While her blood suggested she was feeling the effects of his intimacy, he couldn't find any trace of a lie. Her heart didn't beat rapidly. Her scent didn't appear to change. She didn't seem to sweat nor look away. Even her blood flow remained rather ordinary for someone who was willing to bedefiled and yet, the mere idea that he was a target simply for being a vampire made him angry. "To think, humanity would continue to choose to make the night their enemy after all this time. Ha, it looks like some things don't change after centuries."
"Pureblooded vampire or not, I know that these shitheads have a shitload of money, artillery, and some sort of anti-magic that can do some serious damage. If I had to guess, you were the next hit. I have files that could prove this back in my safe house... I.. owe you. I owe you a lot, it's no sorry... But it could save your li- Er... Unlife." The vampire put away her knife in his pants, instead plunging his long, slender fingers inside of her entrance. The woman that stood in front of him was not his enemy, but rather an asset to be used: A mere drone to her organization. A servant that made his body ache in desire, and now, a slave that owed a debt to him. "If you aren't lying to me, it looks like we have a shared enemy. A dangerous foe if they're capable of denying us our magic." His eyes lost its crimson glow, shining instead from the red hue of tinted moonlight. "And don't you worry about me. I'm not a fool so set in his ways that I would obediently follow the whims of my heated emotions. If our goals are aligned, consider me a friend for now. My name is Fennagan. Fennagan Terrenoire, but you could call me Fenn, or master if you prefer."
"Though, don't confuse my change of heart with mercy, dear.
Just because I'm not your enemy does not mean you are free of your debt."
"You owe me and I won't let you go until you've paid me back in full." Fenn stripped her clothes, forcing her bare in the cold room. "N-Now wait a sec- You- Wait-! You c-can't just-" His fingers began to increase in its speed and intensity, forcing new feelings to flood her body from below. His other hand wrapped around her neck, limiting the amount of oxygen that reached her lungs. In exchange for his grace and forgiveness, he wanted to take her body instead. A fair trade, claiming her body for his own. "I can't just what? Are you so quick to forget your offer? To be my slave?" His thumb reached over towards her clit, stimulating his slave with three of his fingers. He struggled with forcing the two inside her already, though he didn't mind her resistance. All it proved to her new master was that she hadn't been bred by another.
"You're awfully tight~" Fenn cooed, whispering into her sharp ears as he pressed the outline of his cock against her ass. "I couldn't imagine someone who tastes as divine as you would end up being a virgin. Hmph, I wonder if that's the reason why you taste so good . . . Or perhaps, it's your species that makes me want to eat you up. I don't mind either, but I think it'll be fun to figure that out." He pulled his fingers away, watching as the strings of her lust bridged the frigid gap. "You're really loving this, aren't you? Not once have I heard you say no. It's like, you're inviting me to do more with you. Oh, you'd like that, wouldn't you? To lose your virginity to a vampire that wants to claim you~"
The vampire pushed her down onto the bloody carpet, unzipping his pants to expose his length. His cock glid onto her folds, grinding against what he wished to take from her most. "Tell me what you really want, dear. If you beg for it, I might be kind enough to be willing to do it to you." He spoke, curious as to whether the strength her lust would force her to beg for his dick.
"Oh, and your name would be nice too. I'd like to know what to moan in your ears~"
She felt her lower lip trembling as he continued to work past her wet slit with the handle of the blade, wary that the smaller blade on the end would slice her skin. Then again that would have been the least of her worries anyway. "Well human nature always remains the same even after all of this time, they hate what they do not understand. They fear it. They are right to fear it... but to try and eradicate what they fear. That is their downfall. It always has been, always will be."
The woman then gasped when she felt two fingers plunge into the depths of her core. A jolt sent from her pelvis to her heart as she let out a shocked yelp. She felt cold air feather across her pale glittery skin. She had more scars under that hoodie of hers. She had certainly won her fair share of battles. When Fenn continued to slide his fingers through her core she arched her back as a groan of pleasure and shock escaped those black lips. "N-No I haven't forgot the offer b-but—" She bit her lower lip to stifle her sounds. Her body was shaking and she looked up at him then right back down. "Mmmnnggghh... This wasn't part of my training admittedly." The woman would pant.
Her eyes immediately widened to the size of saucers as she felt his length sit against her ass."W-What's that? What's–" Oh she knew exactly what it was, but that part of her mind just had to ask. She had to confirm. A cold shiver ran down her spine, she had never felt cold before. This was a first to say the least. Then again she wasn't used to being caught wither. Even that was a first for the half fae.
Oh to be caught in the web of a vampire. A pure blooded vampire at that. She was going to be in for it whether she liked it or not, no amount of pleading or bargaining would change his mind, after all she offered to be his slave. She was going to make it through this. She had to, she owed him any and all of his desires for taking his life. She was lucky he only demanded this much after all. It was high time to suck it up.
"My... name...?" That was certainly a loaded question, at least to her. She hadn't used her real name in years. Though she reasoned that he wasn't one to care about her real name either way. She sighed and opened her mouth to speak, her next words rolled off her tongue like velvet honey as she leaned her head back against his chest slowly tilting her head up to meet his gaze, a nervous smile spread across her lips as sharp fangs were peeking out with the contrast of white against her black lipstick.
"I quite like that. Though, I doubt its a better nickname than𝕞𝕚𝕟𝕖."
A collar made of shadows began to form around his hand, one that had her name imprinted on its magical leather. It was made custom to her size, to assure that her breath would be within his control. If Fenn was to enjoy his slave and reclaim her debt in full, he wanted to ensure that he got to explore every one of her little nooks and crannies to its deepest limits. The skin of her neck was wet with his saliva, mixed in with crimson from her bleeding neck. His fingers were dripping in her essence, her body in preparation for what's to come. "Don't worry if you're new to these feelings, dear...
...Iintend on training you to be the perfect vessel for my lust."
Immediately, Fenn stripped her mask off her face, taking advantage of her fugue while she was hypnotized by the new sensations. "So that's the face you're hiding, Zero. Such a shame to have a beauty like yours be hidden behind a layer of plastic and fabric." He kissed her deeply, holding her neck in place so she couldn't move away. It didn't matter whether she would have posed a risk to his well being. Her blood had shriveled his ability to reason, replacing all sense of logic with a radiant desire to make her his own. He wanted to taste her everything, from her blood, to her saliva, and even the liquid love that ran down her thighs. As he held her neck in place and forced his tongue between her lips, his hand stroked her inner thighs, fingers becoming drenched in what came out of her.
In time, Fenn pulled away just to give his slave an opportunity to breathe, strings of saliva bridging the gap between them. It would have been a shame if Zero fell unconscious before the fun began. "Though. . . I guess there's something special in that, isn't there. Few people have ever got to see your face. Even fewer would be able to be so close without concern for their safety. And only I could see how your face looks while contorted in pleasure." As she panted in front of him in an attempt to recollect herself, he sucked on his fingers growing enamored with her lustful flavors. Vampires like him were most sensitive to their sense of taste. To find a partner's flavor that appealed to them was enough to warrant their passionate curiosities. Unfortunately for Zero, to have someone that smelled as good as her, that felt as good as her, that moaned as well as her, that looked as good as her, and that tasted as perfect as her; It was enough to warrant the beginnings of an addiction.
"But it does drive me to wonder, dear. What face would you make if I was inside you? What look would you give me if you took my entirety? Hmm?" Fenn pinned her against a wall with force. His hand was on her shoulder as his arm forced her legs to spread apart. His other held onto her chin tightly, forcing her to keep her gaze towards his own eyes. "Would you melt? Would you break? Would you fall in love? Would you be scared? Oh, to think of the many possibilities~ It's so exciting, isn't it?" He attempted to thrust in, his cock missing and gliding against her entrance. "Mhmm~ You're so wet already. I wonder if being held like this is making you want me more?"
The vampire continued to tease and tease, pressing the tip of his dick against her. All he needed was a final push to take her virginity. "Maybe under a different set of circumstances, I would have given you the right to decide whether you wanted to take me or not but. . ." Finally, he thrusted in, piercing his killer's pussy. "That's not the choice you made, now is it, Zero?"
Fenn smirked, feeling the blood run down his shaft as he continued to thrust. The imprint of his cock inside her body was shadowed by the moon, giving the vampire a delectable sight to grow fond of. Zero was tight around him, as if her body was begging to be bred like the obedient slave she was. "Oh... Dear. To think someone as attractive as you hasn't been bred yet. Unfortunate really, well. For anyone else." He looked down at her face, whispering as he stared at her white eyes. "But don't worry. Your master will make sure to take care of you. I'll ensure that no part of you remains untouched."
Fenn lifted her off the ground, forcing her back against the wall behind her. He was much taller than her, and he loved it. He enjoyed the fact that his smaller lover's feet wasn't able to touch the ground as he fucked her, forcing her to rely on his own strength for a sense of balance while gravity sunk her deeper against him. Every now and then, he would tug at her collar, using a dark leash to control the movements of her head. He truly enjoyed their slave play, becoming addicted to his newfound sense of . . .
. . . ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕣𝕠𝕝
As the night ran on, more shadows began to bind her at various parts of her body, controlling nearly all aspects of her movement. Dark ropes covered her breasts, arms, wrists, thighs, and neck; A dark blindfold covering even her eyes and ears. Fenn wanted to dictate her range of motions all throughout, to take control of both her heart, senses, and body. He wanted to be the reason why she fell from grace: Her first lustful sin. He desired to see how broken Zero could become from his touch, combining sensory deprivation with bondage as he took advantage of her body. Especially for one new to these feelings, he wanted to abuse her sexual naivety and inexperience to taste something that few vampires ever get to experience: The lustful ambrosia of naked emotion.
Zero gasped softly as her eyes widened further. She felt her choker practically disintegrate under the weight of the collars magical presence. "Vessel? For lust? Wh– I don't know if I can take all you have to give, Fenn." She spoke in a low tone as her mask fell and she turned her head away from him. "Hmph... I haven't heart a compliment like that in some time, though for the record my mask is porcelain. Not plastic." She replied and closed her eyes as their lips met. Black colored lipstick stained the vampires slips making them feel silky smooth. As much as Zero wanted to return his advances she couldn't. She was bound and held in positions where she couldn't move, not only that, even if she could she had no experience with this sort of thing. Sex wasn't exactly a part of her training. She was a rather responsive woman though, her body shivered as she felt his cool fingertips gliding across her thighs as she shared their deep kiss. How did she know how to kiss? She didn't, quite frankly she was trying her best to feign some experience.
"Don't get used to it, vampire. I need this mask."
Zero listened to his words intently, finding her face flush redder and redder. Why was her face so hot? What were these feelings stirring in her body? The feeling stirring and shooting down to her aching slit. Lust. She felt lust.
But how? Why? This was a foreign feeling. In all of her life she never felt this way. It was burning, no, freezing? No, no, no. Shocking! Shocking? No. It was all of it and none of it at once. She had no idea what to do, how to feel, how to react.
A gasp came from those lips as she looked sown, seeing his cock slide across her entrance and up her body when he had missed. Her body began to shake. No. It had been shaking already, she was just more aware of it now. Zero let out a sharp yelp when he buried his cock deep into her dripping cunt. "O-Oh SHIT—!!" The assassin yelped out and arched her back to a near ungodly angle. The next few hours were agonizing for at least twelve or so different reasons. Her skin was glimmering in the light of the moon, as if her body was painted in a radiant glittery-holo oil. But the only makeup she wore was that on her face, well... what once was makeup for that matter. It was now a inky black mess running down her cheeks, her lipstick stained and smudged against her lips and piercings. Her eyes darted towards her mask on the floor right up until he blindfolded her. Zero gulped slowly and through the night she was left writhing under his touch.
Soft moans and whimpers came from those blackened lips, her jaw hanging open to reveal the sharp teeth. "Haaa~ Aaahhhnn~ F-Fenn... S-Slow down... pl-please... I... Mnngggghhhnnn~♡" The fae was starting to really beg for mercy at thin point. She could only move so much, then being pinned to that wall with her bloodied back against the off white paint color.
If he could see her eyes through her blindfold he could see the hearts in her eyes. The lust dripping down her body like sweat. Her sweet juices leaking out and splattering the floor as it soaked his throbbing cock. She would have an asthma attack at this rate, she was damn sure of that. Her soft cries... soft pleas for mercy as she looked up at him, the blindfold may have covered her eyes, but he could still see the soft white glow piercing the fabric as her body twitched and shivered. Once, twice, three times, four... over and over again she was subjected to not one, but several climaxes, one after another.
She screamed so loud her voice had gone raw from the use of her voice, her lungs ached as did her lower body, joints aching as he held her in a stiff position, but that pain was no longer relevant. All she could feel was the overwhelming pleasure mixed with the pain of raw overstimulation.
Mercy was granted to those who deserved it. Once Zero decided to wield her blades against Fenn, to draw her weapons and uphold her end of the contract, she feigned her right to his grace and mercy. Zero was his enemy, and now as his slave, the vampire held the right to decide her fate. Though at this point, she became an object of fascination rather than the target of his fury. To see his killer be broken down, drawn to orgasm over and over again against her will, was a prize far sweeter than any revenge can offer him. Her throat had grown coarse over the course of the night. Her body was sore and limp at the limbs as a result of him pushing her body beyond the brink to near exhaustion.
For a moment, the vampire wondered how much of her pleasure derived from a craving for another, or whether the reason was caused by some more primal urge to breed from fear. Regardless, she was his to toy with. Her body, her voice, her blood, her soul; Every part of a woman that a vampire could ever want was his to claim, his to own.
"Oh? Aren't you letting out a lot." Fenn chided, still pumping his dick with the same intensity as he did hours before. Unfortunately for his fairy assassin, undead vampires had no need for rest. As long as they had a constant source of blood to refill their stamina, he could go as long as he liked. "At this point, I can't tell whether enslaving you is what you wanted all along, Zero." He thrusted up into her, forcing her legs to dangle off the ground as he wielded his height against her. As he spoke, he brought his head down to her neck, tasting the sweat and saliva that dripped down her skin. Not only was the vampire interested in her blood, but her other flavors as well. He was curious as to whether she tasted different when she was scared. "Perhaps I'm doing you a favor making you mine." He whispered into her neck.
Though as much as Fenn wanted to make an example of her, to ruin her mind and devour her essence, there was one thing that remained anchored to the front of her vampire master's mind. If Zero was truly a virgin as she claimed to be and as her body suggested, it meant that no other man had left their mark in her. A crude smile grew over his fanged mouth as he found himself increasing in his tempo. No one else had the right to breed her, other than him.
"𝔹𝕖𝕘." Her master demanded.
The more he continued to motion his hips, the more Zero could feel his cock twitch. He was close. Though, Fenn didn't intend on waiting. Instead of postponing his own release for her, the moment she opened her mouth, he began to fill her with his seed. Streams of white began to paint her insides white with his lust, staining her guts for the first time. "Mhmm~ You're such a good slave, Zero." He gritted his teeth to hold back his moan, forcing his shaft to press against her harder. "Let this be a reminder of who owns you." Throughout his entire prolonged orgasm, he shoved his hips further, fucking his cum deeper and deeper inside of her as his dick poured out more in abundance. He didn't aim to just make her his. He aimed to violate her. To defile the woman that took his life away. It was only right to trade something he could never receive again for something she can't as well.
Eventually, Fenn began to calm down. As he pulled out, his cum dripped down Zero's thighs. He filledher, taking her first time in a show of power. As he basked in the afterglow of his new partner, the sun began to rise through the windowsill. It was warm and blinding, making the vampire uncomfortable. It was also a sign that it was not long until someone were to investigate the home, though if that were the case, he didn't think of it as much of an issue. If she didn't take care of it herself, he would.
Fenn sat down on the blood stained couch, gesturing to Zero to sit beside him. The hatred he once held towards her was placated for now. What he needed wasn't to kill off his only lead who held information. What he needed was an ally he could trust, at least just for the moment. If a powerful corporation knew the truth of his existence despite his short stint in the human world, it meant that they had power that could rival even that of the vampiric realms. He understood the meaning behind her warning. If he didn't work with her, he might experience a second death, one that even he might not come back from.
"So, Zero. . ." Fenn wrapped an arm around her neck, looking at the mess they made from afar. "You said you had a boss like me. A vampire, I could presume?" He pulled her close, getting a whiff of his scent that now had a place on her body. "I suppose, that would mean we would share the same goal. If there's an enemy corporation that's here to hunt people like you, I, and her down, it would make sense for us to work together."
Fenn drew his hand over the hole in his shirt where Zero's blades met his body, taking his life. "Though I do have my doubts about the efficacy of your people, given your mistake; I guess I could overlook your accident just this once." The vampire sighed. "If not for your body convincing me, I doubt I would be so lenient." He turned towards the door, resealing his clothes using his shadowmancy. "Consider me your partner for now. Your boss had earned a right to an audience with me. Though. . . We should get going soon, however. It would complicate things if one of us had to shed more blood again so soon."
Zero was more or less holding onto him for dear life, when her legs began to dangle and she felt herself starting to slip Zero wrapped her legs around his waist. It was all she could do to not end up sinking to his base. Her jaw would clench as she tried (and failed) to stifle one of many moans. Many more starting to come out in shaky huffs and pants. Her hoarse weak voice calling out to him, saying his name like the last prayer she could ever whisper. Her jaw dropped and a yelp escaped those smudged black lips. "F-Fuck... Mnnghh~ F-Fine. You own me... you own... me... you... you own.... you..." Zero let out another gasp that turned into a rough, gritty moan and she arched her back. Those black metal wings were fluttering against his every thrust.
Even when they had finished their little session Zero was still a mess. She was panting hard, her body on the brink of an asthma attack as she let out a few dry coughs. Her mask was already fixed to half of her face by this point. She didn't explain why, but she needed that mask. That was non-negotiable. Either way it wasn't much of an issue, Zero was about to pass out anyway.
Though his voice snapped her out of her groggy state. She nodded and trudged over, promptly flopping onto his lap her face staring at the ceiling through those unblinking porcelain eyes. "She is similar... though there's something rather off about her. There are a few vampires at the organization as is, but none like her. As for me... Admittedly I'm knew to this. Do not allow my flaws to shape your view of those I work under. I was given a chance... and I fucked it up." Zero sighed and shook her head. If she were to be honest her ego was greatly wounded and if anything her pride would likely continue taking hits until the end of time.
Her eyes darted towards the newly stained window and she nodded. Zero shot up to her feet, she wobbled just a bit as shadows swirled and rose from the ground below, her clothes forming over her body once again, the black hooded dress that clung to her curves, tall boots, and black gloves. "The head quarters is off in Roselake just a city or two over. I'll try to catch her at a time where she's not busy... though, you'd need a place to lay low... Let's get going." She sighed and grabbed what little things she had, mostly just her bag. Actually it was just the bag.
"My bike is just at the tree line. You alright with that?" She asked as her eyebrows raised and she tilted her head to the left. It was a little too far to the left if anything, anything more and one would think her neck was to snap, but it wouldn't. The fae were mysterious creatures. Even half breeds like her.
She was left waiting for his answer, and with that came many thoughts to mind. Would he turn to ashes in the sun? Would he even know how to ride a her bike? He was pretty tall... would he even be able to... Never mind. She needed to focus on the task at hand, and that was getting out and getting her new undead partner to a safehouse of some sort. Getting caught like this wasn't ideal, especially in a house that was brand new, never moved into... and was promptly sullied with blood and likely semen amongst other strange substances. Homeowner's discount anyone?
Fenn stroked her hair, finding an odd peace in the stillness of the room. After an exhausting night spent defiling his slave, he couldn't find the rage in his undead heart to continue hating Zero. While he might have lacked trust, the fire that motivated his heated anger was gone. Instead, the warm afterglow of the winter sun had embraced the vampire in its place, giving Fenn a sense of serenity after the chaos of the night before.
"She is similar... though there's something rather off about her. There are a few vampires at the organization as is, but none like her. As for me... Admittedly I'm new to this. Do not allow my flaws to shape your view of those I work under. I was given a chance... and I fucked it up."
"Well, you're still alive aren't you, Zero?" Fenn leaned back against the blood-stained couch. "Can't say the same for myself, but I suppose if I'm still wandering this mortal plane, I have a second chance to do what I'd like and be who I want. Should be the same for you too except, you know. . . You're still breathing and warm-blooded." He looked down at her mask quizzically. "Was your boss the same person who ordered you to wear that mask? If so, I don't know if I'm willing to do the same. It's a rather peculiar look, wouldn't you say? Not exactly the least attention grabbing either, even if there is a magical component." He blinked, before shaking his head. It wasn't the time to get to know her now, they needed to get moving soon if they were not to be caught off guard by the advances of their potential would-be assassins. "Where did you say your base was? I could imagine if you're here, it shouldn't be too far, should it? I'd like to have a word with your boss before deciding whether working with you long term would be the best decision for my well being."
"The head quarters is off in Rose Lake just a city or two over. I'll try to catch her at a time where she's not busy... though, you'd need a place to lay low... Let's get going.My bike is just at the tree line. You alright with that?"
As the vampire walked into the sun, Zero noticed his body didn't seem to be influenced. While he opted to stand close to the shade, there weren't any undue consequences that came from direct contact with the solar rays. It appeared more as a minor annoyance if anything. "Bike? What do you mean by a bike?" The vampire squinted at her motorcycle that stood beside a tree. "Don't you mean a horse? That's what this world calls them right? Or was it . . . Horsepower?" He walked over to it, scratching his chin. "I don't understand why humans would call these things, bikes or their carriages, cars. It just doesn't make sense to me. Where are the legs? Where are the horses? Is it run by magic?" He glared at it for a moment, shrugging before sitting on it like a horse. "Whatever it is.Lead the way."
Chapter 1.2.The Call from Heaven
"𝔹𝕖 𝕤𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕠𝕟𝕖, 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕪 𝕤𝕒𝕪."
The interviewee's eyes stared at the skies for a bit, offering the heavens a short prayer, before facing ahead towards his biggest battle to come. A mask decorated his face to hide his true identity. Ashe's hands gripped tightly to his resume as he approached the office building of the Supernatural Safety Unit (SSU). Around him were many new faces that were too busy to pay attention to the potential rookie's pleas for help. "Excuse me! Pardon me!" No response. It was a big day for the organization since it was recruitment day. There was a lot of paperwork to be done. Many others were expected to be drafted into this class of trainees, and Ashe hoped to become one of them. However, what he lacked was direction and what they lacked was a map.
"Oh..." He gave a tired sigh. Today wasn't going his way already. Not only did he forget to take training booklet with him, but he wasn't able to find his friend at the subway. He stood amidst the wandering crowds, standing out like a lost puppy until he felt a tall body slam against him. "My, I didn't think they had human shaped statues here, Zero. Oddly vain, don't you think?" The vampire looked down at the human. "Oh, you're alive. Hello uh... Human thing. Yes, yes. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Now, can you go tell me where to meet this Adriana person that the others are talking about? I need to meet with her soon." Fenn picked him up off the ground while Zero looked for the best way to navigate the wandering crowds.
"Uh. . . I don't know this place well. I'm new here, and I'm trying to find Adriana too! I'm supposed to find her for my interview." The vampire rolled his eyes. "Oh great, another straggler. Well, if we're to meet the same person and go to the same place, I don't believe there's anything wrong with sticking together. What say you, Zero? Mind if we take this one along?"
Ashe's eyes lit up at the vampire's suggestion. While their first meeting might have been the result of an unexpected collision, he was welcome to help. "Oh! Please! I uh... I kinda forgot the training booklet at home. If you could help, I'd appreciate it! Really!" The human approached Zero, placing both of her hands gently in his own. "I'd really like to work here, but I don't know where to go. The others here, they're kinda... Hard to talk to. They're really busy, I think-"
"What? You've never seen a motorcycle in person? Geez, how old are you anyway? Like. . .Ok let me guess. You're at least five hundred years old. No— Wait. Six hundred! You're like six hundred! Right? Am I right?" Zero asked and was laughing near hysterically. She held her ands out about a foot apart and shadows began to rise from the ground in smoky strands of silk. A solid black motorcycle helmet was created in her hands, then another. Zero slowly removed her mask then placed it down the front of her dress, it was mildly uncomfortable and definitely impractical. With that she placed one helmet on herself and secured it, then she looked up at him and slid the protective gear over his head, her touch was nearly as gentle as last night.
"There you go. Now you hold onto me tight, around the waist preferably. Can't have you flying off the back." The woman giggled and took her place on her bike, she revved the engine and awaited him. Once he was secure she took off, speeding down the icy streets the sunrise acting as the backdrop for the dive into their strange life together.
Zero was in the middle of showing Fenn around the compound, beyond the barbed wire metal wall fencing and the guards that looked ready to start another world war the place opened up into a massive courtyard. The building had at least seven floors though the spacing between the windows going up was a little odd to say the least. Enclosed skywalks were visible connecting the main building to a few other buildings on all sides. Patrols were walking up and down hallways, hell even the lobby receptionists were locked and loaded. Many senior agents were leading small groups of applicants around. At the very least if they weren't a good fit for the agency they would promptly get their minds wiped from these events and onward...
It was for the best.
Zero just blinked as she watched this looming vampire more or less runover what she assumed was a small child at first. She herself was a tall woman. With nearly six feet to flaunt and some extra inches with the high heels she wore... Yeah she was up there. "Wait Fenn that's not a—" She squeezed her eyes shut as she watched the poor guy topple over. "ANYWAY. Yeah we're going to see her right now, I have to meet with her anyway so it's no issue at all!" Zero smiled and then flinched when he held her hands.
Physical contact wasn't exactly apart of her training... She eyed Fenn for a moment then back at Ashe. She still wore her motorcycle helmet so neither could really see her expression. "But uhh yeah... When it comes to recruitment expos like this, everyone gets lost. We're a pretty big building. You can call me Zero by the way." She spoke and awkwardly shook his hand. She wasn't exactly socialized, her preferred methods were typically kill, turn in, kill, profit. That was about it. Words were rarely spoken in real fights. At least for her. That name would mean something to Ashe eventually. Despite being one of the first here Zero herself kept to herself. She was like a wraith, someone you heard of but you were unable to tell if she truly existed or not.
Zero led the two men towards a hallway that was locked down, she scanned a keycard against the reader and led the two inside. Fenn may not have realized it, but Ashe certainly did. This building, no, this entire place wasn't an average government building. Quite frankly no one truly knew how the recruitment process went, he was just approached by a woman one day, a pretty lady that was a bit taller than average, her hair was a pale blonde color and the one eye he could see was a bright blue. She had approached him with a job opportunity... and now here he was.
Zero led the men towards a set of elevators, she picked one and stepped inside. There were only a few buttons and some sort of scanner. She leaned down after scanning her keycard and a small camera peeked out and she lifted the helmet visor.
The words came out of the speaker all wrong. It was garbled AI and even then it was a bit eerie.
Zero led them down a corridor with no windows. And there only stood a single doorway at the left. The end of the hall had a floor to ceiling window panel as a few vending machines dotted the walls. Two hulking armored men stood on either side of the door. Before they could even go on about how "The boss was busy state your business." Zero pulled out the mask from her dress and the men visibly tensed up despite their fully armored forms. A silent understanding was held as one piped up, his voice was booming yet the whole time he sounded rather practiced yet not quite robotic.
"Adriana. She's here to see you." The man spoke as he got no response. Silence fell over the group before a soft voice spoke from within. "Send them in." A woman spoke as Zero pushed open the polished spruce wood door and her boots met a carpet rather than the harsh tile they were on earlier. Zero motioned the two men inside, surprisingly Fenn never once had to bend or crouch to enter a doorway since arriving. An oddity amongst many here.
"Ah... I see you brought the vampire... You've righted your wrongs. I'll revoke your suspension. . . You will never disappoint me like this again." She spoke and turned around in her black leather chair. The room was rather lavish and had all the makings of some rich office executive. Oak bookshelves lined with encyclopedias and history books, a long L desk with some rather hi-tech computer monitors on top, they weren't big and bulky like normal, a bit thinner which was strange to anyone who hadn't been here before. The Persian rugs were a nice touch too.
Long curly red curls framed the face of a pale woman. Her dark clothes were a contrast to the floor to ceiling windows that made up the wall behind her. She wore a burgundy bodycon dress that lacked any straps and nearly zero wrinkles as the dress held her body tightly. On top of that was a black blazer that was held closed by a thick belt with a golden buckle. The most attention grabbing feature on her body wasn't the bright red hair or the English accent she sported, but rather it was those eyes of hers. Her eyes were an off-white color, she barely had the outlines that separated her pupils from the iris and the iris from the sclera. There were also moving specks of light blue in those eyes, they held a dim glow that was mesmerizing to most. The fangs were barely noticeable hiding under wine red lips.
"It would seem you brought an extra. . . Ah... I know you. You're Ashe. A recommendation from Barracuda. . .Welcome, both of you. Sit." Her voice was soft and melodic, as if she were a siren luring a sailor to their demise. She motioned them to the two leather chairs as her head snapped in Zero's direction. "Pour them some tea, they look like they need it." Adriana spoke and Zero complied immediately, sauntering over to the small counter with a kettle, a coffee pot, a small fridge, and many varieties of tea, coffee, and other toppings. She began to boil water as Adriana looked at the two men expectantly. If they wanted to speak with her they needed to make that move first.
"What? You've never seen a motorcycle in person? Geez, how old are you anyway? Like. . .Ok let me guess. You're at least five hundred years old. No— Wait. Six hundred! You're like six hundred! Right? Am I right?"
"Add a thousand more years and you got it right, Zero." Fenn chuckled at her guess. "That young? I mean, I suppose someone might get confused. These clothes are unfortunately human. But, I guess there's nothing wrong with appearing youthful. It means that others would underestimate me. Great when assassins are after your life." He gave her a knowing glare. "And at least, I earned a slave worth her value."
The vampire gave a curious glance, seeing Zero's shadow's magic be used to form a helmet in hand. While the magic itself wasn't all that impressive, it was the practical application of it that grabbed his interest. "Hmm, handy. Perhaps I should do the same and make a mask to cover my identity. Though, I do prefer the feeling of fabric over magical weave. The sweat gets absolutely everywhere; It's disgusting! Then again, I don't think I'm going to have that problem anymore, thanks to you. Given the fact that I'm dead. Or undead rather-"
"There you go. Now you hold onto me tight, around the waist preferably. Can't have you flying off the back." He mounted the back of her motorcycle, wrapping his arms around her waist. While the size difference had made it awkward, in time he found himself comfortable with his position, gripping her where he enjoyed most.
"Oh, please. How fast can this thing go anyw-" Indeed. There were some experiences, even a vampire couldn't expect after sixteen hundred years of un-life.
"ANYWAY. Yeah we're going to see her right now, I have to meet with her anyway so it's no issue at all! But uhh yeah... When it comes to recruitment expos like this, everyone gets lost. We're a pretty big building. You can call me Zero by the way."
"THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU, ZERO!" The angel bowed over and over again. The fear of failure on his first day had faded, albeit for the moment. "You are a LIFESAVER! A HERO! A-"
Before he continued, Fenn interrupted him, getting quite annoyed at his intense show of gratitude.. "Yes, yes, she's a grand accomplishment. A wonderful figure. A perfect hero. Bow before her. Yes, Yes." His sarcasm was as obvious as can be, bleeding potency into his words. "Now, Can we get on with it? I'd rather avoid standing in the sun any longer than I have already. I don't how you both feel, but it's hot. I could feel myself melting into my suit."
"Oh, sorry about that, Mister uh. . ." Ashe looked up at the tall vampire, curious as to his name. "Fennagan la Verduhn de Terrenoire." Try as he might, the angel simply could not remember his name. Fenn spoke it quickly, trying to get out of the sunlight, but in doing so, he confused the poor rookie. "Mister. . . F-F. . . Finnigin lal Verdan Deterrornire?" Zero's master appeared distraught at the butchering of his name. "Oh gods. How did you manage to get EVERY part of my name wrong? Ugh. . . Are every one of your rookies like this, Zero?" He turned to Zero, finding himself disappointed in the SSU's prospects once again. "Just call me Fenn. You can't get that wrong, right?"
"Fenn. Zero. Those are nice names. My name is Ashe! It's nice to meet you!" Fenn rolled his eyes, responding sarcastically as he followed Zero into the building. "My pleasure, Ashe."
As the trio walked past crowded hallways and through high-traffic corridors, there were strange glances by the many others around, turning the heads of people that frequented these rooms. While the SSU was home to many supernaturals, Zero, the vampire that ogled her as she walked, and the angel that others were beginning to recognize were among the oddest faces ordinary staff could see. Eventually, they were led to a locked hallway.
"Uh... Zero? Do you think we're lost? I don't think there's anyone else here." Ashe peered around quizzically. "N-not to say you're going the wrong direction or anything but it looks like this place is impassible. You think they're doing construction or something back there?"
Fenn's eyes illuminated as he scanned the rooms behind the wall. There weren't many living bodies unlike the halls they passed through prior. "I'm assuming Adriana is behind there?" His attention was glued to the larger figures that remained unmoving from their post. "Unless this "Adriana" is built like a gargoyle, I'm concerned about this being a potential trap." He turned his gaze back down to his slave, noting the lack of anxiety she displayed towards him. "Though, I suppose I should put some faith in you. You don't seem scared."
ＡＣＣＥＳＳ ＧＲＡＮＴＥＤ
A keycard. "Woah... That's cool! Am I gonna get one too?" Ashe's eyes glimmered at the sight of it. Whoever Zero was, she had to be a high rank if her card was able to open a locked hallway with this level of security. "Ooo... Fancy. I could imagine It would probably be easier and more secure if Adriana used magic instead of cards. You can't exactly steal magic, but I suppose it allows humans through, yes? Odd little gadget. Steel walls and keycards beat ordinary locks, that's for sure."
The two followed her into the elevator, noticing that her card was being used again. This time, however, her card revealed a secret panel. "Interesting. This building have any more of these secrets?" Ashe's hands were shaking from excitement. He always saw these hidden contraptions in movies, but he never imagined it was real, let alone in a place where he wanted to work. "That. That's really, really freaking cool. Is this standard for everyone? Or is it like this only for secret agents? Ooo. I'd wanna be one!"
ʙɪᴏ ꜱɪɢɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴘᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ!
ʙɪᴏ ꜱɪɢɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴘᴇɴᴅɪɴɢ!
ʙɪᴏ ꜱɪɢɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴠᴇʀɪꜰʏɪɴɢ!
ʙɪᴏ ꜱɪɢɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴠᴇʀɪꜰʏɪɴɢ!
ʙɪᴏ ꜱɪɢɴᴀᴛᴜʀᴇ ᴀᴄᴄᴇᴘᴛᴇᴅ!
Garbled tones premise the call of the dark.
The sound of the corrupted AI voice sent shivers down the angel's spine. It was alien to the recruit, unknown to even his celestial circles.It wasa verse meant to behidden beyond the veil of reality.A statement foreign to even the heavens above. His small presence shrunk further against the corner of the elevator. Fenn on the other hand had his interest piqued. The words that escaped the machine had reminded him of forbidden spell tomes back in his castle. Whoever had involved themselves with these dark hymns were most likely attuned to a dark god. "It appears I stand corrected. I can't wait to see what these walls are hiding within its depths."
The door opened, revealing a windowless hallway. In front of the only door on this floor were two massive men that Fenn assumed to be guards. They were better equipped than the men on the floor above. Their weapons were new sights to the vampire; An amalgamation of magic and technology. While Ashe gripped to the back of Fenn's jacket, the vampire noted their sudden submission to the fairy before being invited in.
Fenn's eyes were quick to notice familiar scents in the room they were escorted to. It reminded him of home, causing his muscles to tense up. He left the vampiric realm for a reason, to escape the madness that came from his responsibility to the kingdom. He originally wanted to live a quiet life, but it appeared the god of Fate had something else in store for him. He wasn't meant to escape.
He sat down quietly alongside Ashe, being greeted kindly to a cup of tea. "I wouldn't say, she right her wrongs just yet, Adriana. Just because I came here doesn't mean I'm willing to work with you just yet." Fenn glared, his crimson eyes illuminated due to the strength of his emotions. He did not see Adriana with the same familiarity that Zero did. The room got tense, causing Ashe to gulp. "Tell me, and be honest. Why the sudden interest in me? You're doing so well for yourself in the living realm, I could see. Persian carpets. A leather chair. Blood wine. Is my capture some sort of power play to gain political power by ransoming me to my own kingdom? Or is it more out of a desire to torture me like your mother was known to when it came to her guests, hmm? I recognize the smell of your blood. You're of her bloodline. Though, last I recall. . ." He took a sip of the tea that was poured for him. "We weren't at war. I can't imagine why you'd send an assassin instead of someone more adept at capturing rather than murder."
Ashe's eyes bounced back and forth nervously. His hands shook his application as he handed it towards her amidst the vampiric duel of words. "H-hi. I'm here for the interview. Is this a bad time?"
"Bad time? Oh, I'd tell you what a bad time's like Ashe, but I think Zero would offer you a better answer. She is the one that perpetrated this after all, right dear?" He reached over, wrapping an arm around his slave'swaist.
Zero's sarcasm came in abundance, and it was a part of her that many agents had gotten used to by this point. Of course it was really up to Fenn to change that, though if he tried it would likely be an uphill battle. Zero was a stubborn bitch when she wanted to be, it wouldn't be long until the vampire found that out about his new prize. The elevator felt mildly tense after that strange distortion over the mic came through.
Zero simply remained quiet, giving side glances towards the two men ever so often as she let out a sigh. "If this were a trap Ashe wouldn't be with us, I wouldn't risk something like that."She scoffed, though that statement was a bit rich coming from her. Zero knew she had to become better though. She could not allow such a massive error to ever take place like that again."As for the tech here' you're correct that there is no magic imbued within the locks or keys, we do however have other. . . methods for taking care of such possibilities."Zero replied as she turned to face her master, as she turned her head back to facing the doors of the elevator a smoky black mist began to emit from her helmet until the head piece dissipated entirely as the mist appeared to be sucked into the sleeve of her dress. Her black and silver messy hair obscured most of her face, and by the time she stepped in to meet Adrianna she had strapped the strange mask securely over her face.
Her expression was just as blank as it had been hundreds of years ago when they were but children. The vampire got up and paced back and forth. "Had I wanted you dead or ransomed, you wouldn't be seeing my face. . ."Adrianna responded with a tone that had the slightest hint of amusement. "My mother has nothing to do with this, with who I am now. That old bitch can rot in the deepest pits of hell for all I care. What I do here is for myself, and for those I decided to fight for."Adrianna spoke with venom laced words intermingled with sprinkles of passion.
Adrianna was a unique vampire, as old as Fenn if not older, but she was not pure blooded. She was half human, her mother, the queen of a vampiric kingdom had taken a human warlock as her consort, and soon Adrianna was made. It was said that when pure vampires made a child with those who possessed the purest form of old magic that the result would be something of a psychic vampire.
Adrianna had no thirst for blood like most, she had thirst for the life energy around her, plants, souls, magic that traveled through threads of time and space. The sources for satiating her hunger was as endless as her hunger itself.
"I didn't bring you here to send you back off to that dreaded world of carnage and crimson. I wanted to see if it was truly you. I wanted to recruit you... Though I see that chance is near non-existent."Adrianna scoffed as Zero looked away, she was definitely not proud of herself for what she had done. She knew she was better than this, but she fucked it all up. She got cocky.
She was going to take responsibility one way or another though. She didn't really have a choice in the matter to be honest.
Adrianna's gaze flicked over to Ashe and she chuckled. "Ahh... So Barracuda actually found you. . . Death itself. I'm impressed. . . You could do well to learn from your seniors Zero, You will be forgiven this once. Though... I expected more from someone who was described as a prodigy... But we all make mistakes and horrid choices I suppose."Adrianna sighed and shook her head as she returned to her seat, she looked at Ashe once more as Zero made the group cups of tea but was promptly whisked away by her vampiric master before she could even take a sip.
Zero was quiet and hadn't answered Fenn's question, she was too deep in thought, to angry at herself. There was also a strange feeling that welled up in her, but she couldn't quite place it, no not even a little bit. When she finally spoke her voice was rough and a bit dry. She wasn't in as good of a mood anymore, and she had no one to blame but herself."He's right. I apologize Ashe. I'm sure your interview will be fine... But there are some issues I must attempt to take responsibility for."She spoke with words ingrained with melancholy. She had to right her wrongs one way or another.
"That being said, Prince Fenn. . . Name your price and her punishment in exchange for your services... You will be compensated with more than what your cozy life could give you... And I am not merely talking money here. I do hope we can come to an... agreement sooner or later."Adrianna replied as she tilted her head, her eyes beginning to glow with dim blue light as if she were staring through him, through Ashe, through Zero, and everything in between.
"Of course should you decline I'll just have an agent wipe your memory of this place and they'll put you back where ever you wish to go."She shrugged and as Zero opened her mouth to protest, but Adrianna shot a hand up to silence words unspoken as they died on the fei's throat. She looked over at Fenn... She... She didn't want him to forget... that... that was far too painful, but that wasn't a choice she got to make. The cards were dealt to Fenn and it was his choice on how he wanted to play them.
Why did she not want him to forget? She should have wanted for him to leave and sever their ties as master and slave... but somewhere in her...
"Even after how many centuries? Five? Six? Seven? You're still the same princess I've met all those years ago, Adriana." Fenn's eyes glimmered like rubies, glowing in respect to her bloodline. "Those eyes have not changed since, have they? They're as cold as ever." He set his gaze on her icy blues; His reflection frozen in the frigidity of her stare. "Perhaps even colder than when you left; But there's a firm conviction in your stare too. You meant every dastardly word you spoke of your mother, haven't you?" Unlike his vibrant crimson, her gaze was different than that of most vampires. She was of no ordinary bloodline, nor did she succumb to the same sanguine thirst that other members of their kind were known to be subject to. Adriana was different. What she fed on wasn't the blood of life but instead, its ambient energies. An energy vampire; A rare subspecies known for having rather unique abilities.
"Not that I care about her much. Your mother wasn't exactly known for her mercy. Last I recall, she had a thing for torturing those who captured her interest." He rolled his eyes at the memory of bowing to her; Offering his respects to a woman that only knew fear. "If she died, it would do the vampiric realm much good. At least, my mother understood the importance of treating your subjects with care. Unfortunately, my dad took too much of your mother's reasoning. Shame."
Fenn looked down at his cup of tea, tasting familiar scents of home. "Tell me, did you predict my arrival? That Zero would have been the one to take my life; That I would succumb to a new fate as an undead?" He placed the cup down, pulling his chair closer to her. "Before we discuss the terms of our contract, I'd like to know how much you were involved with my untimely passing. Answer truthfully and my recruitment is near guaranteed, bar some particular conditions for my new slave." Fenn eyed Zero down, his orbs stalking her form as a predator did its prey.
"Umm. . . Excuse me." Ashe interrupted the two vampires. "What is it now, Ashe? Can't you see that we're in the middle of a discussion?" The pink haired man stood up from his seat, walking himself towards Adrianna's side. "No need to apologize Zero; I. . . Actually had a hand in his un-death too." Fenn paused, looking down towards the smaller man. "Repeat that again. . . But this time, with some context." The vampire stared him down. "I'd rather you not skip out on the details, Ashe." While he appeared to be polite, the tone he wielded had made his request seem more like a threat.
Unlike before, the shivering recruit was gone. In his place was an aspect of death; Someone much more than what his original appearance might suggest. "Your soul is due to be reaped, Fenn. If it wasn't for my attempt to find new work, I would have been the one to escort your soul to the afterlife." His hair had shifted to a white similar to that of snow; his jacket had contorted its shape into shadowy robes. Behind his back sprouted ethereal, bony wings that weren't connected to his body. Ashe was as very much who he claimed to be; The dark energies that surrounded him could not be mimicked elsewhere. "Oh, to think even you'd be hiding a secret like this, Ashe." Fenn swirled a spoon in his cup of tea, staring back at his reflection. "It looks like I'm not the only otherworldly being that calls this new world home."
"So. . .A hub for supernatural entities. Perhaps a zoo?"
"If what you spoke about Barracuda's superiority is correct, I'm assuming there are many more others here like us. Different." The vampire offered his counterpart a toothy grin. To imagine that a pureblood would take such a fascination in the affairs of other species was an idea that was beyond him. While Fenn may have not shared the same views as his father, there was still a sense of racial superiority that was instilled within him from an early age: That other species were meant to be subservient to their vampiric masters.
Ashe sighed, sitting down to take his cup of tea. "Apologies if I was rude, Fenn. I just. . . I don't want to keep reaping souls for an eternity. I wanna avoid being the last thing someone sees if I could help it." He drank his tea, before looking up at his quarry. "But, if you start any issues, I don't think I would be able to procrastinate on taking your soul from you any longer. An undead that starts problems is an undead that could not be overlooked. At least, that's what my mom would say."
"Relax, Ashe. If Adriana and I intended on coming down to blows, we wouldn't be talking here in the first place." Fenn turned his attention back towards Adriana. "While a cozy life might be attractive, I'm not willing to obey your every command like a dog. I'm not your thrall." While Adriana was capable herself, Fenn was no slouch. He had the magical strength of a pureblood, vampiric prince; Though where his magical affinity lied was not in energy manipulation but rather shadowmancy. He was the leader of his own dark cohort; An army that knew not the limits of a physical body. Wherever he marched, his foes had needed to take up arms of their own, less they wish to be outnumbered and made a new remnant of his warband. Knowing this, he understood his own value. It meant that he had negotiating power.
"I left home for that reason. Didn't wish to deal with the overbearing commands of my father nor the assassination attempts from my brother, Sebastian, any longer." He leaned back, feeling the cushions press against his lumbar. "And while the premise of leaving this all behind and forging my own destiny might be enticing, it's not going to bring my life back. I'm forever altered because of the agent you sent; My fate's bound to you in one form or another." Fenn turned towards the window, watching as the skies faded into orange hues.
"The fact that I'm still here means something."
"Heaven and Hell haven't earned me. Not yet."
He took a moment to think about his choices. If he were to disagree, to live a life away from Adriana and the others, he would have little doubt that another similar to Zero would find him again. Except, there was no guarantee that he would come out alive the next time. To finally escape from the vampiric realms only to have it cut short was an outcome he was not willing to accept. On the other hand, if he chose to join her, he'd be in a place that might better understand him. He wouldn't be alone and he'd be able to experience every little inch of his slave for as long as he liked. Even if he had to work with her and follow her orders, if the others were so resolute in following her commands, it must have meant that she was a great leader.
Fenn inhaled deeply, before extending his hand. "I suppose, working with you is the lesser of two evils. Treat me right and I assure you, you've found a valuable ally. As for my conditions, I want to know the truth about how much you know; How much you planned ahead for my arrival. That and an explanation for what you're doing here. Its as if your trying to raise an army, given all I've seen outside. . ." He wrapped an arm around Zero's waist, pulling her into his lap. "Oh, and as for her punishment; I only ask that you accept whatever fate I wish to make her succumb to." He licked his lips, revealing the mark on her neck that claimed her as his own. "Worry not, I don't intend on hurting her. Can't have her breaking before she paid her debt off in full."
The vampire turned back to Ashe, losing the threatening facade he wore earlier. "There, happy now? I'd like to stick around before you consider reaping me."
Ashe nodded his head. "As long as you don't cause too much trouble, I don't think I'll need to. Besides, you're right. Fate probably has something left in mind for you if you died right when I was looking for another job." He chuckled. "I don't know how that Barracuda is, but I've heard from a nice friend that this place was hiring. Thought it would be a really nice change to be doing good for a change. To be the reason why someone smiles instead of the reason why someone shivers in fear."
"I'd like to be someone my mom could be proud about."
"Someone that doesn't have to reap souls to do good."
He looked just like her... In all her beauty and brutality.
She couldn't help but laugh softly, a rare reaction from her. Hell, not many knew that the witch of ice could even smile let alone laugh. The calculating cool gaze was nearly impenetrable to even the most skilled mind readers and illusionists. The laughter even put Zero on edge, her body visibly tensing up and as she began to show more of her cautious side, slowly turning to face her boss and examining her while saying gods knows what to herself. Either way, this was a red flag if she ever saw one.
It was true, Adriana was indeed not bound by the sanguine thirst nor was she unable to brave the rays of pure sunlight. She was what many vampires envied. A perfect specimen among most. Not to mention something that was hard to recreate. She could turn mortals into her blood thirsting cousins, but it didn't change them into her breed. She was an odd one, possibly one of the only of her kind. Adriana did not care for who or what she was. She was simply herself, and no one else. And nothing would change her.
But that damn laugh, she wasn't laughing at Fenn either, no... She found it funny. His words in particular.
"I left? Is that what they're saying these days?"
She was laughing so hard she nearly cried. Even the outside guards looked to one another, wary and unnerved at the cackling of their stone faced boss. There was no magic to sense, no foul play, no hint of drugs in the atmosphere. She was just laughing. "Oh Fenn... I didn't leave... not on my own accord, I was planning on it after I saw to it that my future kingdom would thrive... but that bitch caught me before I could. She buried me deep into the earth of this world where my power would weaken with nothing to feed from... I was in slumber until three hundred years ago. There was a cave in and my chains were broken..."
Zero was staring at her boss in disbelief as she was almost tempted to remove her mask so she could see her superior eye to eye. No one should have to be subjected to such a cruel fate... but she was. Trapped in Solitude... Sleeping for eternity until death or hopefully being found.
Zero was about to speak, but Adriana beat her to it. "But that's not why you're here... To answer the more important question... no. I did not. I merely saw it happen."
"What happened to you was one out of tens of thousands of potential outcomes."
Adriana's eyes flickered to Ashe, giving him a knowing look. She sighed and began to explain as best as she could."It's true that I saw you die... I saw you die in many ways in my visions, in my... dreams. Some of those deaths were permanent, some of them weren't even caused by Zero herself... in many of those futures you lived. You kept living, until you were inevitably hunted down... some futures I couldn't fully read... When I can't read someone's possible future in its entirety... It means that I am no longer in that time either."
"Was your death necessary? That I am not certain of, but there was so much to see... and yet every step you take, every single mundane choice you've made in this life has drastically altered the path of your futures."
"The future is never absolute. To most they see one... but I see them all."
That was a hell of a burden to bear. Seeing so many futures any given moment, with all the futures she read of Fenn, there were possibly hundreds more she hadn't seen yet. No. Definitely hundreds if not thousands more, that's how it was for everyone. And yet she had no one to tell. No one to share those secrets with. Sharing those secrets could potentially kill someone. Be it herself or someone else. In action could also cause death or destruction, but it was the lesser of two evils unfortunately. To hold such knowledge of the future. She could even see visions of the past when she slept. For Adriana she never had dreams. She only saw events in time that occurred either forward or behind her in her life time. Sometimes she saw events that happened across the world, where she could do nothing but make suggestions to her higherups about places they should look into.
That was the extent of how much she was able to say about future events. She was only allowed to drop subtle hints... Sometimes it was enough... and sometimes it wasn't.
"I don't know what all of this means. Even someone like me, with the power to see times unseen... doesn't have all the answers."
That being said she nodded in acknowledgment of his punishment for Zero. The assassin would of course be reprimanded, but with the course of his future was set on its new path... she had to admit, maybe taking his life was the right choice in this... At least that's what it looked like for now, but she could never tell anyone. No one would see what she sees...
And that was better for everyone. If anyone should suffer the weight of the endless futures, then Adriana would do it again and again. She wouldn't subject even that bitch of a mother to the suffering of the visions she lived through. When one saw the future it wasn't just a slide show of events or a movie in a darkened lone cinema. She was there. She lived it.
The smell of soot and ashes from an explosion, the taste of blood pooling at the back of her throat when shot, the sound of cried from children ripped from their parents for their own safety since survival was never a promise. It was more than merely watching events unfold. Every single vision she saw she lived in, again and again and again...
Adriana gave Ashe another knowing look, her smile brought back down to it's more smaller almost neutral state. Zero seemed a bit confused at his words and spoke, "Eh? Isn't reaping souls a good thing? People shouldn't be afraid of death. It's all natural... we live and we die. Hmm... I wonder if there's an afterlife for people like me..." Zero would mumble off to herself and tilted her head even in Fenn's grip leaning her head on his chest. There was definitely an afterlife for Zero somewhere, but it was one that her kind, the fae kind, took respite in. Not the traditional heaven or hell.
Not like she'd know either way, she just found out she was some sort of freak of nature hybrid two years ago.
"I do hope these answers are... sufficient for your questions Fenn... It is truly the best I can offer you. I... Wish I could tell you more. I truly do." Her voice was soft and genuine. She couldn't dare try and explain the mental gymnastics that were her psychic abilities. Sure he could comprehend it in a logical sense, but would his emotions allow for critical thinking when it came down to it? Sadly there was no future to read that would determine such an answer.
What good is future sight if it can't provide you with answers?
It appears that even you can make mistakes, Adriana.
"Your words would suffice for now, princess." While Ashe and Zero looked upon Adriana's wholehearted laugh oddly, the vampiric prince understood that her past was well within expectations. Regardless of how unique of a vampire she was with her special gift, her experience wasn't all that isolated. Burial was a common form of execution; One far more cruel than a mere implanting of a wooden stake to the heart or separation of a head from its shoulders.
Her words that followed were cold and absolute in its devastating honesty. As he stared towards her icy blues, underneath the cool calm of her persona; He could tell of the darkness that lied below the surface. There was a reason far deeper than mere benevolence pushing her to act so strangely for a vampire. A reason to cooperate with the lesser species more vast than the kindness of her frozen heart. However, now was not the time to unravel the agenda of his new companion's politics. She was useful and that's all that mattered. She offered a haven where he didn't have to be concerned over assassinations. Despite any past misgivings between their two families, the two vampires in this new realm were distinct. They had goals that were beyond that of their lineage.
"As unfortunate as the limitations of your gift are, at least, their presence puts my mind to ease." The tension in Fenn's body had begun to escape him. With the added knowledge that her mistake in getting him killed was potentially genuine and that the truths she shared in front of him were real, he didn't feel the need to fear her. If she wanted him truly dead, she would have killed him at the entrance. "It means that you truly are as you say you are. Not many vampires could say the same for themselves."
While Fenn spoke with Adriana, Ashe turned to Zero. "Reaping souls might sound like a good thing on paper, but doing so is a different story. You become the true end for those who left this world too early. You become the wolf that chases those who wish to linger for too long. Maybe for some people, I'm the person they look the most to." The angel of death brushed his hand against his cloak, a technique he learned to calm himself down whenever his anxieties over his own responsibilities were getting the better of him. "But. . . Those people make up the minority. You see the worst this world has to offer. You see the souls of those murdered. The souls of those innocent. The souls of those subject to the devilish whims of others."
"Say what you like about my job but. . . I wouldn't wish this fate on even my worst enemy."
Fenn quietly listened to the reaper speaking, taking a drink of his tea as he looked at the crowd around him; A vampire that could see a multitude of futures; A monstrous fairy assassin who failed in her duty and had willingly chose to become his slave; A grim reaper seeking a second life away from death. "You've collected yourself quite the menagerie of minions, princess." The vampire had given his new boss his fanged smirk, returning confidence back into his demeanor. "So what now? You've never mentioned once the purpose behind accruing so much talent. What was it now. . ." He looked towards Ashe, reminding himself of what the angel said during their first meeting. "Something about interviews or a recruitment day? There's a horde of others outside waiting to join your beck and call. Tell me, what are you organizing? What function will these talented people serve?"
"With an army like this, I'd assume you'd be marching on the vampiric kingdoms themselves."
Chapter 1.3. MyPurpose
"She's gone, Ace. One day, you'll need to move on."
A man and a woman in matching attire stood at the end of a beach nearby a busy seaside nightclub. As they gazed onto the moon's reflection over the ocean waves, Ace had smoked a cig to calm his nerves. Away from the neon lights, the rampant sex, the flash of guns, and the scent of booze, the gang member was left alone to his thoughts. It was in the peace and quiet where he thought of her, the girl that left him. He couldn't tell whether she found another or whether her circumstances wouldn't allow them to be together. However, that didn't matter. The pain was still the same. It was still real. He was still left behind for a reason he wasn't told and yet despite that, Ace never moved on.
"And what? What next, Neon?" He took a huff of his cig, letting the smoke fill his lungs in an attempt to relax. "Do I just find another blonde bitch to fuck in her place? Do I take shots until I can't feel a thing? What? So fucking what if she's gone? She was my fucking purpose. She still is." He pulled his cig out, tossing it into the waves once he huffed his last. "Ace. . . We're concerned about you. That's all. You're our friend too." Neon placed a hand on his shoulder, only for the damaged man to pull away. "I'll. . ." He sighed, taking a deep breath of the ocean breeze. "I'll be fine. Just head back to the club alright? We have a job to do. I'll catch up with you once I get my fucking head on straight."
Eventually, he returned to the entrance of the club. While his crew scouted the place nearby, acting as "guards" for the mob boss that hired them, Ace played the role of bouncer. His scary appearance was enough to make most creeps keep their distance. Others who were foolishly brave enough to start a scene had ended up becoming examples to those who have yet to try; His victims ending up bloodied with a bat and thrown into the streets. After a while, he saw a blonde woman approach him. With his mask on to hide his identity, he wiped his bloody bat with a rag before greeting her.
"Name, ID. You know the drill." Ace crossed his arms, standing in the way of the entrance. "And don't try and pull any pretty-face type shit with me. I'm not some horny virgin that came here to smash. Don't expect bribes to work either. No amount of money is worth my fucking reputation." Upon closer inspection, the guest was able to notice a familiar jacket; A gift from long ago. While most parts of his body had changed since the girl of his past had rejected him, it appeared he still clung onto her memory. His jacket had signs of wear and tear; Rips in the seams fixed through various restitches and stains washed out over the course of years. "Oh, what? Did you come here to stare or did you come here for the club? I'm not the main attraction here, you know?"
Neon walked over to Ace from behind, tapping his shoulder. "Alright, we got the pics we needed, Ace. What now?" He turned his body towards his friend while keeping his eyes on the guest. "Let's finish our job and get going." Ace left a couple hundreds in her hand. "Go ahead and take a break. Get a drink for yourselves and relax a little. Tip the bartender too. Don't worry, it's all on me. Just don't forget to get me some Chinese food on your way back home." Finally, he turned back around once Neon left the two of them alone. "Sorry 'bout that. It's a busy night in there. Lots of fucking drunks to kick out."
"Someone likeyou could never hope to comprehend my abilities... and for your sake I hope it remains that way." If the prince knew what was good for him, he would be content with the answers he got. No one, likely not even Ashe could see the scale of what she lived with every hour of the day. Adriana's eyes began to glow. . . Another vision, somewhere far off into the distance of time and space. It had been sprung on her and she was still as stone.
Zero immediately tore away from her master and began to guide Adriana to her couch where she could see to her visions on a comfortable place.
Zero looked over to Ashe as he spoke about the reaping of souls. She found it strange, but then again it was typically her job to make the souls he likely reaped... That gave her a slight shiver, but it was just how things were.
Sorry not sorry Ashe...
As Adriana was locked away in her mind, Zero looked up at Fenn and sighed. Sure she was a recruit working for Adriana... but the two had a personal connection. One that not many could say they had with the red haired woman. Luckily, before the assassin needed to speak up for her employer, the vampire princess looked up. "I can't reveal everything... but there are people who want the lot of us dead, simply for being born the way we are... and likewise there are many people like us that wish to take over groups, cities, and even states of people... if not more. The only reason that the world hasn't gone through such shit by now is because of people like us. We have bases all over the world to prevent things like this... think about it... not even just vampires, but demons, fae, werebeasts, spirits, elementals, enhanced super humans... All of that against a world that's bad enough as it is already..."Adriana began to explain.
Zero could only nod in agreement with her superior. Her mind wandering to the dark days when she witnesses her family burn to cinders and not being able to do a damn thing to protect them...
Her dearest little sister...
Oh Dina...
This world was worth fighting for.
And despite her contract with the prince, Zero didn't give a damn about what he thought.
Adriana looked off to the side, those icy blues staring into the window at the many below them, doing their part for this safe haven. "I will only say this once... Unless you decide to take no part and live your peaceful life out of my way..." "𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖 𝕖𝕚𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕣𝕚𝕖𝕟𝕕, 𝕠𝕣 𝕞𝕪 𝕖𝕟𝕖𝕞𝕪."
"Oh me? Right! I.D... Here~"
The blonde sauntered up, a pretty black dress exposing tattoos and a pretty diamond choker around her neck. She handed him her I.D. with a smile on her face, and there a picture of her looking much for stoic was presented, "Leona Valentine" was the name written on such an I.D., her age was listed as twenty-four, and the rest of the government I.D. shit that was listed on there.
"What next, a full cavity search?"The broad smirked as she put a hand on her hip, her hair obscuring her right eye here, and even on her ID card. Saying she was a pretty woman was a vast understatement, the woman was gorgeous, what she was doing here? Only the good Lord knows.
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly at the one behind the man, then watched as Ace generously laid some big bills in the person's hand. "Aww~ Someone must be a nice boss."She teased softly and flashed a smile. Most of the time that smile got her exactly where she wanted to go, but she could already tell it would take a lot more than some pearly whites to get the information she wanted.
Her breath hitched in her throat when she heard the other person speak his name... Ace... a name she hadn't heard of in years, yet one not forgotten by her. What's more, the boy even looked the part of her never forgotten friend, but she couldn't say anything. Not here, not yet. She couldn't blow her cover on what could have been a mere coincidence.
That would be an even worse offense than what Zero had done if one could believe it. "Glad the club has some nice protection~ I feel safe around you already, Mr. Security guard~" Leona would flirt as she waited for him to allow her entry.
She just needed to get in and get out. Simple right? Right?
"I mean, you could have fooled me with the main attraction part, I'd definitely pay more just to see you."This damn broad was relentless, though it was likely normal. Ace wasn't just your average white guy with a wife beater and a ball cap.
Or maybe he was, wait, no. Asian. Definitely Asian.... Half Asian maybe...?
It wasn't something that mattered to her in that moment, maybe she could break down his walls... or maybe she would get kicked out of this club before she even entered.
It had been a long while since she flirted so openly like this, she didn't even know if it was just acting anymore... he looked just like him. Her lost love... her reason for surviving so long.
That boy.. that damned boy, in the red and grey letterman she "borrowed" and gave to him... It looked just like it, but it couldn't be him... how would he have survived in this world? She wondered how he was, how his sister was, and besides, that was nearly a seven years ago in North Carolina, there was no way in hell he managed to move his ass up to California like this. The blonde laughed internally at her foolish dreams.
That little boy was long gone, and she would probably never see him again. It was time for work, time to focus on her job... Getting leads on the rumored trafficking ring down in the southside of town, the possible allegations of them being linked to several clubs around the city. Her nights of getting drunk to what could have been could wait for when she was done. She had to do something, so that no one else had to go through her pain every again... so that those who HAD gone through her pain got their freedom again... so that those lost to those vile groups... would rest easy knowing that their abusers were sent to hell.
"Another pretty face among many." ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜰᴀʟʟᴇɴ ʟᴏᴠᴇ| ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴠʟ ꜱᴠᴅɴᴇꜱꜱ ↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
"One moment." The familiar guard looked over her ID, giving Leona a couple look-overs to examine whether she fit the character on her card. 'Same hair color. Same skin color. Same scars. Same tattoos. Looks right enough.' There were far too many younger girls that faked their age to get in with their so-called boyfriends. While the woman in front of him didn't appear to be faking her identity, he still held some suspicions over why someone that looked so attractive would willingly subject herself to the horrors that occurred within this "nightclub."
Usually, these popular places acted as a front for prostitution rings; The same type of setup that took his Kaia away from him. It pained him that he needed to defend a place as sinful as this one in order for him to get the information he needed. However, to prevent others from suffering the same fate, he was willing to do evil. He was willing to expose himself to the life that Kaia had hidden away from him and even partake in it if it meant that he would be the one to end it all.
If to end evil, one must commit evil;
Then the ends justify the means.
Ace didn't care much for the fame nor influence that a hero held. To him, even the brightest heroes had a dark side. Many who claimed to stand against the wanton acts that frequently happened behind these walls were the same perpetrators that funded it and partook in its defiling nature. It was as if, they tried to wash their sins away by acting better from face value. The gang leader was sick of it. He was sick of the hypocrisy of these false faces. At least, if he were the one in charge of defending many of trafficked people, he'd ensure that they would be free in the end. Where he failed with Kaia, he would not fail again with anyone else.
He held up a list of names, checking through to see if hers was among them. "Ah, here you are. Leona Valentine." He handed back her ID, stepping to the side to free her way through. "You know, I can't ever understand why someone like you would end up coming to a place like this one." He raised an eyebrow at the sight of her. Leona appeared wealthy. Her tattoos were so exquisite, he couldn't imagine them being done by an ordinary artist. Her clothes were fitted to her shape, rather than selected from a rack amongst others. Her body had an amazing physique; Each muscle of her exposed legs were perfectly toned.
She was too perfect. "Unless... You came here to take a look at the merchandise." The more time Ace spent around these circles, the easier he recognized the two types of people that came through those doors. If someone came to a nightclub like this one, it was for one of two reasons: Either to buy something they weren't supposed to or to be sold. "Is that it? If so, you'd be more interested in the guys and girls in the back. I'm not for sale, Leona, and I never will be." He crossed his arms, noting the features on her face to mind.
One of the lessons that Kaia taught him when they were still together was to never to underestimate a pretty face. Usually, if any woman came prepared with the perfect combination of makeup, hair, and clothes, there was a reason behind it. Many would let their guard down around someone so aesthetically pleasing, giving the weaponized beauty a level of power that could allow whoever to manipulate and take advantage of others with ease. They were to be treated as dangerous. The women in his gang had reinforced this belief. Seeing them in action as they made their way through halls of guards had steeled his resolve whenever someone like Leona approached him.
Though, before she approached onward, he placed a hand on her bare shoulder. "If you're here for them. I'd keep my hands to myself if I were you." His hand grew tight, turning her body towards him. Beauty amounted to little in his eyes after seeing it succumb to ruin too many times before. "Hurt anyone here and you and I have a problem. Got that?" His voice had became aggressive.
"This bat isn't for show."
"Relax, Ace." Someone else came from behind the alley way. Another guard that appeared more shifty than the man in the letterman. "I could show her around." On the other hand, while Ace was harsh with his tone, this guard spoke with sugar. "Come on, lighten up a little. Won't ya? Its not often we get a pretty guest." Ace's mood soured further at the sound of his voice. "Hey, fuckface." He let go of her arm, walking towards the bigger man. Despite the contrast in size, he approached him with no fear. It was like the many times before where others had flirted with Kaia with Ace by her side. Even now, he ended up defending her.
"She's my mark. Find your own." He leaned his head down, smirking devilishly. "Oh? Having a hard time with her or... Are you getting bored up here? All the fun is in the back. You could always join us, you know? There's enough girls and guys to go around for the both of us." Ace glared daggers up at him. His eyes were fierce, lacking in mercy and empathy towards a soul he deemed as below human. He was no better than the monsters he would read about on online forums. He was just another beast parading in a human mask.
'The fucking audacity you'd need to say that to my face.' His other hand coiled around his bat, gripping the handle tightly. "Oh what? Are you turning ace? No one could get you hard anymore?" The guard mocked him, patting his back without realizing how much he was getting on the gang-leader's nerves. "Is that why you call yourself that? Man. To think all those girls liked you and you can't see them for who they are~ Holes to fuck. Eh, I guess it doesn't matter. More for us~"
"Are you fuckin deaf?"
Ace lifted his bat off the ground, unknowingly. His body was reacting by itself to his words. "Oh~ I'm so scared of your bat~" The man jeered at him. "Is that what you wanted to hear, bitch? Don't think your fucking girl or boyfriend's present is going to scare m-" Before the guard had finished, Ace had swung his bat, sending his larger opponent into the brick wall behind him. While Ace might have been strong enough himself, his bat was magically enchanted to give more strength to his swing. "You hear that?" Silence. As he listened, all he could hear was the quiet rumbles of the club inside and the passing of the waves over the sands below. "That's what I fucking wanted to hear but no! Had to ruin my fucking night, didn't ya?" He spit on the guard body. "Gods, I hate it here."
He rolled his eyes, pulling the unconscious body of his coworker behind a dumpster before returning to Leona. "Look, feel free to walk in. But you didn't see anything. Got that?" He pulled some cash out of his wallet, handing her enough to get a glass of something from the top shelf. "Here. Get yourself something to forget what you saw. Have yourself a great night, or whatever."
He sighed, leaning back against the brick wall. It was nights like these where he wondered what type of life would he have led if things had taken a different course. If she said yes. Ace pulled out another cig, pulling out a lighter gifted from his sister to light the end. "I wonder if she still thinks about me." The man chuckled as he spoke to himself. "Eh, probably not. She'd hate me anyways."
Leona couldn't even get a single word in, hell if it weren't for keeping up appearances she would gladly be lizard blinking right about now. Between the talk of merchandise, Ace's warning of keeping her hands to herself despite literally grabbing her, and then the rather shady looking body guard who came in, attempted to make a pass, insulted Ace and all of his abilities... and then was promptly sent into the near by brick wall.
Damn... That poor brick wall.
For a moment she saw something familiar in him, her smile was a bit sad then immediately she got back into her character. "Damn... Rough night...? As for the whole baseball bat and brick wall thing... don't worry, I saw absolutely nothing."She chuckled and put up a hand refusing his hush money. "You look like you need a drink more than I do... And for the record, I'm not too sure what you exactly mean by merchandise... unless you mean strippers right?" She asked him with a look of slight confusion.
Of course she knew exactly what was happening beyond those walls... but she couldn't help but feel for the boy in the old red letterman. There was something so strange about him, the familiarity of a never forgotten friend. The face of a love she once knew. A love that could never be hers.
She remembered that day like yesterday. When that boy with the bright smile held up a green dinosaur plushie late at night... the carnival music and the bright lights from the many attractions came to her in a blur...
Oh how she wanted to say yes... How she wanted to run away with him, be by his side forever... she was only seventeen, and yet she felt so small. She wanted nothing more than to run into his loving arms, to live the life that could have been.
He looked exactly like her could've been.
But life was never fair, and this girl had a score to settle... many scores. She had people to fight for. The place she grew up was a cruel one, being paraded around scantily clad for the amusement of men and women she thought she could trust. Seeing who she saw as her brothers and sisters who were years younger forced to do the same. She put up the strongest front she could for so long. Being the oldest and most trusted she had to bear the weight of her siblings on her shoulders, she could have left them... she could have left it all behind... but she didn't. Even at the expense of what could have been, she didn't regret a damn thing.
Those horrible people were dead and gone, burnt to cinders, buried in the dirt thousands of miles away under remnants of the past. Everything in her path that night had been turned to ash for the sake of her real family. She didn't know where most of them were at this day, but that wasn't an issue... They were safe. That's what mattered.
Leona glanced over at him and stopped at the entrance. She couldn't help but to look him up and down just one more time, the name he was called had sent shockwaves up and down her body, she couldn't tell if it was truly him, part of her wanted to doubt it. The other part was holding onto hope with an iron grip.
Before she could keep her mouth shut, the words slipped by black cherry lips, "You know... whenever you get off... I'd like to buy you a drink... maybe two. You look like you need to blow off some steam."She smiled at him sympathetically and carried on inside, as much as she wanted to carry on the conversation with this boy... she had a job to do.
She needed to get to the root of it all, so that way no one had to go through what she had ever again... and nothing could get in the way of that. For her sake, for the sake of many others... and his sake too.
If only she could see that smiling face again, she could die happy.
Ace's eyes had noted Leona's swift change in demeanor. There was a glint of sadness in her eyes, as though she saw a face that reminded her of a regret. Still, regardless of his wishes to protect those trafficked from the predators that frequented these clubs, guests and merchandise included, he had a duty to fulfill; Responsibilities to uphold. If he felt for everyone that came through those doors, he would be a bitter mess unable to save anyone; A monster made through persistent firsthand experience with trauma and loss.
To Ace, he needed to become the devil to save lives. He needed to hurt people in order to heal more. If there were gods above to judge him, he didn't care for their petty opinions. To allow such sin to exist and be committed towards those innocent, they were not gods worthy of worship. They didn't care for people like them. Why would they care for someone like him? Behind his mask stood the chill of his lips; His childhood smile bound behind countless chains that stemmed from his frozen heart. Committing the same atrocities that his ex partner had succumbed to in the past had burnt the open wound left behind by her rejection. He was little better than them.
The only difference between him and his predatorial enemy...
... was that he had reasons.
"Damn... Rough night...? As for the whole baseball bat and brick wall thing... don't worry, I saw absolutely nothing." Her sudden return to her flirty facade had returned him back to reality. He struggled to see the smile she hid behind as anything but fake. "Yeah, cause there was nothing to see in the first place. Fucking California earthquakes. Shit always happens when you least expect it." He kicked a fallen brick to the side, noticing his money being given back to him. "Huh? What are you doing? That's for you, dumbass."
"You look like you need a drink more than I do... And for the record, I'm not too sure what you exactly mean by merchandise... unless you mean strippers right?" Ace responded with his own curious glance. "Well, its a damn strip club. I'm sure you know that much already. Besides, keep the cash." He pushed her hands back, refusing her refusal. "Its not like I'm coming back inside until after this place closes anyways. Bartender would be long gone by then." The money in her grasp was what he was paid to play his part in their schemes. It was dirty; A byproduct of giving in to their wicked fantasies to find an in to take advantage of.
"You know... whenever you get off... I'd like to buy you a drink... maybe two. You look like you need to blow off some steam." At first, he was suspicious of her offer. In this line of work, there was no such thing as something truly free. There were always strings attached to every charitable act; Another favor to be owed. Combined with a pretty face, he resisted his initial urge to accept. However, before he had a chance to respond, she entered the inside of the club. There was no bartering nor persuading to be done. Just a simple, thoughtful request. '... I guess there's nothing wrong with sticking around for a little longer.' He thought to himself, before returning to his job.
The neon lights of the club with the night sky as a facade had reminded him of kinder times. The cold gangster had found an odd sense of comfort in the low thumps of bass as he reminisced the rest of his shift away.
No matter how much time could pass, he could never hate her.
His first and final date was the pinnacle of his life. Here, amongst the rides, the games, and the food, Ace saw her sparkle the brightest by his side. Holding his hand was his sun, her smile radiating its warmth on even the deepest, darkest pits of his heart. It would soon be the perfect time to spring the question: Will you be mine? As they strode through the wooden walkways, taking in the sounds of the ocean waves as they shared snacks together while waiting in lines, his mind had recorded her image to memory.
Every shade of her, he wished to inscribe into his history. Every smile under every light, he wanted to experience. After living most of his life through a cold childhood as a result of his background and his cold and scary facade, it felt like he found the one separate from his immediate family where he could truly be himself around with no concern for consequences. He was happy by her side, and so was she by his.
Eventually, the two had ended up sitting in a carousel as the sun had dipped below the horizon; The stars twinkling above while firecrackers had broken apart the midnight abyss above them. It was a beautiful sight, but nowhere near as attention grabbing as her eyes lit up by the universe. Finally having a moment to themselves, away from the eyes and ears of others, Ace had mustered the courage to confess his truth. With his heart open, his mind the most vulnerable it ever was, and their cabin reaching the zenith of the Ferris wheel, he spoke up.
"Hey, Kaia. Will you be mine?"
His voice had trembled upon delivery, yet his will persisted through the fear. This was their moment. This was his first step towards following his dream of living a life he could be proud about. However, the words that came out next from her mouth were not what he expected. Instead of hearing a vehement affirmation and a returning of his love, what he heard was a refusal. "Not now? What- What do you mean not now, Kaia?" She offered no details. She hid something from him. "Am I not good enough? Is that it?"
His world had begun to crumble upon her refusal. Unlike Kaia, whenever Ace had heard a delay in plans, it usually meant that it was never meant to be. His late father's behavior towards him and his family had trained him to believe that any answer that wasn't a yes was a no. The Ferris wheel continued to spin, lowering the couple back down to the ground. The rest of the ride had come and went in silence, stopping once the operator had opened the door for the two of them to leave.
"Keep the present. It was for you anyways." He tossed her the present he intended on giving her. Inside was a chain necklace with dog tags attached that held the Ace of Spades symbol on one side and their names on the other. It was made with pure silver; An expensive gift earned through the many part time jobs he worked just to get her something befitting the woman that made him smile. "I'll... I'll get going. Its getting late. It'll be bad if I missed the bus."
His voice had grown cold as he turned his back to her to hide his tears. It was the first and last time she made him cry. To finally reach the peak of his life so far only for him to be slammed back down to Earth had shattered his fragile heart. It appeared that the words of those who wished to separate them were true. There was no way someone like her could love a monster like him. She deserved better.
That failed date was the last time he ever saw her. Soon after, he heard about the fire in her residence and the burnt bodies of those inside. Her parents had passed away in the fire, and it was assumed that she had passed away alongside it. Apparently, the news had revealed her parents as human traffickers. They were using their home as a front for a prostitution ring, causing Ace to realize how much her family had influenced her upbringing in the worst ways. As the pieces had begun to align, he finally figured out that it was them that prevented them from ever coming to be. Her parents had taken away his happy ending.
Instead of wallowing in depression from losing his sense of purpose, he forged a new one through his anger. He was going to prevent others from ever going through the same, no matter what it took to do so. His fearful visage had a use now; Gathering the right attention for his cause. It was her departure that formed the Ace he was today. It was her parents that made him a terror on those who wished revenge on him and his newfound criminal family.
The night had turned to day as the sun had greeted the ocean's surface with orange and red hues. Not much had happened between Leona's entrance and the sunrise. His watch had rung, signaling the end of his shift. It was over. The music had died down. Those that came for the dancing and drinks alone had funneled out of the sweaty stage, leaving behind the few that finished their drinks. With his gang finally out of the building, he had no reason to stick around any longer, yet his curiosity had forced him to linger.
Leona had promised him a drink. The least he could do is stick around for it. Once she had come out, he waved at her while he leaned from the pier's fence. "Morning, Leona. Have fun back there?" He puffed another cig; His third for the day. "So about those drinks. There's a bar around the corner. Heard that place has something better than this one."
"How about we swing by. Beats hanging around this place any day."
The bar nearby was a front for his gang; A place for them to stakeout while planning for another job. Around them sat others dressed in similar fashion, discussing their days and the adventures they came from. "So, tell me about yourself. Don't put up an act either. I could tell when someone's lying." Ace poured her a glass of whiskey, pulling his mask down to reveal his lips. Here, surrounded by those he deemed trustworthy, he felt little pressure to hide his identity. He was well respected among his ranks.
"You don't look like the type to ogle at strippers... If you came for drinks, there are better places too." He poured himself a glass beside hers. "Makes me wonder whether you're there to find an old friend. I hear about these stories a lot. Someone goes missing so a mom or a sister... Maybe a best friend would come to the wrong place in search for them and they disappear too. The cycle continues." He lifted his glass, swirling its contents while eying the sparkling crystals that cooled the liquid inside. "So, what's your reason? I find it hard to believe that someone like you just stumbled into a strip club."
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