To Break Down The Walls (Kravin5150 & darkangel76)

[Kravin5150]

Vino walked over the the monsters corpse with his sword drawn. He raised it and drove through the creatures skull for good measure. "It's dead now." he told her as he wedged his katana out and sheathed it. "Remember to aim for the head and you should be fine. you did pretty good." He told her as he walked over to her. "This thing is one of your worst nightmares and there are hundreds of them and right now we are standing in what used to be a nest. From the looks of it all of them have hatched and have left." He told her as he sifted through the loose soil. He took Kyle's shotgun and one of her shells and showed her how to reload it. After cocking the weapon he handed it back to her. "How's your shoulder?" He asked her.

Vino looked up at the sky and at a few trees. He then pointed in a direction and calmly said "Our destination is that way. We aren't that much farther from it, but stay alert. You never know when another one of these things are going to try and attack again." The area around them wasn't too bright because of the branches but everything was still clearly visible. The farther they would venture though, the darker it would get. "Once again, stay close. These things have a tendency to snatch things that aren't theirs." He told her as they began to walk.

It was very dark in the woods and Vino had a very uneasy feeling about being in the dark. It wasn't long before Vino heard the noises begin to emerge. This time there were more of them and it seemed like they were surrounded. "Stick close." He said as he took hold of her hand and began to navigate through the forest. He had to alter his course in order to not run into the creatures but there were so many of them that it seemed liked they were purposely trying to lead him somewhere.

Suddenly a figure dropped down from the trees. It was a night creature, it screeched out and lashed out at Vino with it's clawed hands. Vino quickly batted it away and delivered a hard right hook to it's face. The creatures jaw almost severed from it's head as it let out a painful cry. Vino quickly turned and ran, dragging Kyle along. Before soon the night creatures began to fall from the trees like rain. They were heavily out numbered. "Fuck." Vino muttered under his breath as he pulled out the knife he kept from the bandit. He let go of Kyle for a moment and began to slash and cut the creatures that dared come too close.

The creatures were relentless and kept coming in waves. Vino managed to hold them off for awhile until the numbers began to overwhelm him. He suffered a few scratches and bites but didn't pay any attention to them. He was focused on protecting Kyle. A creature lept on to his back and tried strangling him while another on tackled him to the ground. Just as it seemed things couldn't get any worse, a few creatures began to run away. The ones that stayed were busy with Vino and didn't notice the giant tree creature looming above them. One by one they were snatched up and devoured by the creature. Vino took this moment to break free from the night creatures holds. "Kyle! Run!" Vino shouted as he back to run. He looked back to make sure she was following but was frightened when he saw her running the opposite direction with the creature chasing after her.

"shit." he said as he ran after her.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle rubbed at her shoulder as she watched Vino go over to the large creature and stab it with his sword. It was sore from using the gun, felt as though she mildly strained it. Overall, it was fine, but she knew it was unfortunately going to ache for a bit. As Vino plunged his sword into the beast’s head, making a crunching sound as it severed its skull, she felt herself shiver. Despite feeling slightly squeamish, she was grateful to now be fully certain the thing was dead, that it wouldn’t move ever again. There was something about being reassured of such things, especially out in the wastes where the creatures were strong, vicious and didn’t give a shit what you were.

Vino then showed Kyle how to reload her gun and explained to her a bit about where they were. How they were in a nest. She was astounded at how much he knew about the wastes. About the land, the creatures. How to just survive it. It was all so foreign to her since she’d never ventured outside her sector’s walls. Though, being considered useless and hopeless only added to why she’d never left it before that fateful day not too long ago.

As Kyle and Vino began to make their way through the dark, dead woods, Vino held onto her hand, whispering that she needed to stay close to him, keep alert. She had absolutely no objections to that. She was terrified beyond belief and even knowing that Sector 10 was just on the other side of the woods didn’t help ease that one little bit.

Slowly, they made their way through the darkness. Kyle’s stomach felt very unsettled and she could feel her skin getting goosebumps. Something wasn’t right. She couldn’t place it, she just had a feeling. Just as she was about to tell Vino about her unease, one of the nightwalkers dropped down from above, barring their way forward.

“Oh god,” Kyle mumbled.

Vino punched the thing, making it seemed dazed. But he didn’t hesitate. Instead he just grabbed Kyle’s hand and began to run. She could hear the creature’s screeches ringing in her ears as they ran. But no matter how fast they went, how skillfully they navigated the terrain of the woods, more and more nightwalkers kept on coming. It was as if there were hundreds of them and they were surrounding them, stalking them, ready to devour them.

Kyle’s hand slipped from Vino’s as he began to engage in hand-to-hand combat with some of the creatures, one of which actually jumped onto his back. She gasped in horror at the sight of it all. Feeling panic and fear washing over her, she stood there frozen, useless, trembling. Even with the chaos, the fighting, she could hear more strange noises all around her. Sounds of more creatures hiding in the shadows, readying themselves to emerge, to feed.

Suddenly, a creature came at Kyle. Trying to scream out, but unable to find her voice, she just began to run, her instincts taking over, leaving all rational thought behind. ‘Vino,’ she thought. ‘I can’t leave him!’ Just as she was about to turn around, she heard Vino’s voice. He was telling her to run, to get away. Focusing on his words, she resumed course and began to run as fast as her legs would go. She could hear the thing behind her, making her that much more terrified. She hoped that Vino was following her as she had no idea where she was going, her only thought – to get away from the thing pursuing her.

Kyle just ran, her legs burning with each stride. Trying to weave between the trees in hopes to lose the creature she knew was pursuing her, she only managed to scratch herself up a little. ‘Fuck!’ she cursed at herself. She knew the smell of her blood would only entice the creatures more, make them that much more lustful to feed on her. The woods were getting darker as she ran, making it difficult to see. She tripped several times, causing her to lose momentum. Suddenly, she noticed a large rock in her path. Gasping and deciding to ‘just go for it’, she jumped over it, not caring what was on the other side, if anything.

As Kyle prepared to land, she realized that she’d made an error in judgment. On the other side of the rock was a rift, a decently large one. She fell through the opening and into a pit of darkness.

Finally finding her voice, Kyle screamed out. “Vino!!!” Her voice echoed along the pit’s walls as she fell and fell, landing on cold hard ground with a thud. Barely able to keep her eyes open, she noticed that she was underground and that there was no way out of where she was. Feeling hopeless and fearful that Vino wouldn’t be able to find her, she let the darkness swallow her up and lost consciousness.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino ran as fast as he could through the trees. The night creatures hot on his trail, returning in greater numbers. He pulled out the knife and sliced the ones that got too close. He looked ahead and watch Kyles running figure suddenly sink out of view. "Kyle!" he cried as he lept through the air and followed her down into the darkness.

He landed on his back with a thud as he quickly tried to regain his strength and stand. He stood up and tried to look for Kyle but the light was so dim and his shades made it all worse. He took them off and put them in his pocket. He could barely make out the figure of a woman next to him. He knelt down and shook the body vigorously to try and get her to awaken.

"C'mon Kyle, wake up. This is not a place we want to be."

He said solemnly as he looked around. They were in the underground now. When every night creature buries themselves to get away from the sun, this is were they reside.

Vino could hear them, their deafening footsteps as they crawl their way towards the two intruders. He could hear them crawling down from where Kyle and him had fallen. He heard them come from every direction, he could feel their presences around him. He felt a little scared, not for himself, but for Kyle.

Vino stood up and unsheathed his sword, there were no more trees in his way to limit his movements. Suddenly all motion around him stopped. The creatures were wary of him and did not attack right away. They seemed to be studying him for a moment. Vino shut his eyes and concentrated on all his other senses. The sounds, smells, feelings, and even taste of the things around him heightened. He was able to paint a clear picture in his mind of everything around him. He tuned into their sounds, the heavy breathing, the shuffling of dirt as they moved. He could smell their putrid sent that wafted around him. He could see every single one of them in his mind.

Vino's eyes shot open and he lunged forward and began to hack and slice every creature within range. They let out a high pitch shriek as they all moved towards him. He was aware of each and every creature's movement as he struck them down before they could get within three feet of him or Kyle.

Vino fought for what felt like hours before he had felt nothing but death around him. The silence was deafening as the last creature was killed. He could feel his clothes soaked with sweat and blood. His breaths came out in pants and he finally collapsed from exhaustion. He moved over to Kyles body and dragged her to a near wall. He sat against it and held onto Kyle, cradling her. His breath began to steady and he could feel his erratic heart beat slow and sync with Kyle's calm heart.

"It's ok, we're safe for the moment." He said with a smile as he looked upwards. The large hole they had fallen through seemed to be the size of a quarter now. A small beam of light shining through reflecting off his clear sapphire blue eyes.

 

[darkangel76]

Slowly, Kyle’s eyes opened. She was surrounded by darkness, a black and lifeless void. Blinking a few times, she took notice of the strong arms holding her, rocking her. She immediately knew it was Vino and knowing that somehow made her instantly feel safe. Stirring herself awake, she looked up into his face.

“Are we safe here?” Kyle asked, her voice soft.

Kyle tried to recall what had happened, but her mind was a blur. She remembered the events in that dead forest. The winged beasts, the night walkers. She remembered running for her life, a night walker hot on her tail. As she ran, she remembered jumping over a rock and falling. That was it! She’d fallen into some sort of pit and she was sure that’s where she and Vino were now.

Glancing around, Kyle let her emerald eyes adjust to the darkness. She looked up and saw the opening of the pit. It was so far away and the climb up to it would be impossible, especially since they didn’t have the right gear or supplies to make such a climb. She looked around the cavern. It was fairly spacious and she could see multiple tunnels branching off of it. Suddenly, her entire body began to shiver, her teeth to chatter. Night walkers. Yes, she was sure that this was where those things stayed during the daylight hours, the times when their light-sensitive bodies could not withstand the conditions of the surface.

Kyle looked into Vino’s face once again, her expression worried, frightened. “The night walkers live here, don’t they?” she asked him. Though she already knew the answer. Her eyes tearing a bit, she buried her face against his chest so that he couldn’t see her cry. She wanted to be strong, a survivor. Not some useless, hopeless nobody from Sector 8.

As Kyle clutched at Vino’s coat, her eyes widened. Lifting her face from his chest, she tilted her head. “You’re soaked.” She paused and touched his cheek with her hand. Blood. “You’re hurt.” Her face turned worried and she began to inspect him for injuries by patting his cheeks, his neck, his chest, his stomach. “What the hell happened while I was knocked out?” she asked, her hands touching each of his cheeks, her face full of fear and concern.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino looked down at her while she awakened. He felt a little relieved that she was okay. He looked down at her when she asked if they were safe. "Not for long." he said with a light tone. His voice was calm and relaxed, they were safe for just a moment longer before more will come. He was a little surprised at how quickly she caught on, until she clutched his coat. He felt a wave of sorrow wash over him. He gently hugged her into his chest trying to comfort her. He knew this was all very traumatizing for her and a person can only handle so much. She then abandoned all signs of grieve as she quickly turned to concern.

"I'm fine, just a little exhausted. This blood isn't mine." He said to assure her that he was ok. "It was a little crowded in here and I had to clear it up." He said jokingly. "More are on their way her. We have to get out of here, but who knows where these tunnels lead." He looked down at Kyle in his arms.

"Are you ok? You took a pretty big fall." He asked a little concerned, being injured in the caves was definatley not a good thing. She didn't seem hurt, if she was she was managing it well. He let her sit against the wall as he went to stand.

He walked looked a round and saw nothing around. It was total darkness outside the small beam of light that fought through the darkness. "Given that the night walkers are everywhere, it would be safe to assume these tunnels go through many different places. I'm sure they don't care where they end up because they just really don't care about anything but food." He let out a small sigh. "We might end up farther from your destination. Actually, it's most likely whats going to happen." He felt for her shoulder and rested his hand on it for a moment. "But we are going to make it out of here." He assured her

He stood up and took off his blood soaked coat. Underneath was an equally soaked tank top; however, his shirt was covered in sweat. "We need to build a fire. To do that we need something to light on fire." He cleared his throat to prepare for his next statement. "Since all of my clothes are soaked and we have no other source of kindling, I'm afraid I need your clothes." He said knowing how little clothing she actually had.

He paused for a moment to get her reaction before he couldn't suppress his laugh he had been holding in. "I'm just kidding, Night Walker blood is highly flammable. My coat will work fine, we just need to get it hot enough." He said with a smirk as he took out the sheath on his sword and wrapped his coat around it. "Now then, how to get it lit?" He asked.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle’s emerald eyes widened when Vino told her they’d need her clothes for a fire. He had to be joking! She didn’t even have any underwear thanks to the events of the night before. She was barely covered as it was. How could he expect her to traipse around wearing nothing but her own skin?

When Vino started laughing at her, Kyle felt her cheeks redden with a deep, scarlet blush. It was probably the only time she’d ever be grateful that there was no light. Night walkers be damned!

“I’m just kidding. Night walker blood is highly flammable. My coat will work fine, we just need to get it hot enough,” Vino spoke after he finished laughing. He wrapped his coat around his sword. “Now then, how to get it lit?”

Kyle felt so embarrassed. She thought Vino had been serious for a moment and she felt so stupid for believing his words. Looking at the ground, she scuffed one of her feet against it making a slight scraping sound. Heaving a sigh, she looked over at Vino once again and shrugged.

Again, Kyle felt useless. She had no idea how to light a fire when they had no supplies with them at all. Back at Sector 8 they used flint and steel to make fires. Occasionally they were able to get their hands on matches or lighters or gas. But such things were not readily available where they were. She glanced around the cavern. Everything was just rock. Though a few of the dead branches from the trees on the surface were littered about. She wondered if they could be used somehow.

It was then that Kyle recalled a method she’d seen Tuck use a few years back. Tuck. Poor guy. She missed her ‘older brother’. Though he could be a royal pain in the ass and a condescending prick, she’d looked up to him and cared about him. He truly had been a ‘brother’ to her.

Kyle walked over to Vino and began to untie her hair, letting it fall past her shoulders in wild, dark waves. It was hot, but she saw no other option. She handed the string she’d used to keep her hair back off her neck to Vino.

“Here, I think this might be useful. You can use it with those branches over there. Make a bow with the string and then wrap it around a branch.” Kyle picked up a branch and handed it to Vino. “If I’m remember right, you can use it to make the branch rub against a larger one and make a fire.” She paused. “If your coat is as flammable as you say, then the heat alone should cause it to spark. Right?”

Kyle didn’t know if her idea would work or if she’d even gotten it totally right. She was going by memory here. Trying to recall what she’d seen Tuck do a few years back when they’d ran out of their usuals for making fire. Regardless, she hoped the thought would at least trigger something with Vino. She was sure he knew what she was trying to remember. He was a true survivor and one of the bravest men she’d ever met. She was glad he was with her. Looking into his eyes, she felt her cheeks suddenly get hot, so she smiled at him, hoping he wouldn’t notice.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino reached out and took the hair tie and felt around for some sticks. "Ok, got some. Hope I can do this in the dark." He said as he tried to use as much as the light to help him tie the sticks. He steadied one stick to the ground, holding the other perpendicular. He began to move the stick back and forth against the other creating friction. Slowly it began to smoke. "Just a little mo..." Vino stopped what he was doing.

"Kyle, take my place. Now!" He said as he drew his sword from his sheath before giving the sheath to Kyle. "Focus on getting the fire, the faster the better." He told her.

He could hear them. They were all around, staying just beyond what the light could see. He stood over Kyle as she used the beam of light to heat the grinding sticks faster. The creatures began to move closer. Vino started to ready his sword.

His blade rested in the beam of light, blocking it from Kyle. The beam was reflected into the eyes of a near by Night Walker. Instantly the creature's eyes began to smoke. The Night Walker clutched it's eyes inf pain and fell to the ground shrieking.

Vino then got an interesting plan. He began to slice through the beam sending them in different directions while still helping Kyle. Vino used his senses to feel where to point the beam. One by one the Night Walkers were blinded. At this point some began to run while others began to charge. Vino pulled out his knife and slashed at all the ones that got too close while still blinding the mid range creatures.

Just then a bright light lit up the cave as the fire was lit. A glow of blue filled the cavern, lighting up tunnels and passages. The walls of the cave was embedded with large blue crystals that reflected off of every other one around it. Vino looked in amazement at it as the jewel on his bracelet began to glow blue, giving off extra light.

Vino looked around at the fallen Night Walkers that laid there motionless. He looked over at Kyle with a sarcastic look. "Could't get that lit a little bit sooner?" He smirked at her, his eyes glowing with the light of the crystals.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle’s gem-like eyes widened as the crystals embedded in the cave walls took on an eerie bluish glow. As the light from the flames touched them, their light only seemed to grow brighter. It was a spectacular sight to see and was unlike anything she’d ever seen before. It was beautiful, almost hypnotic.

“Couldn’t get that lit a little bit sooner?” Vino asked with a smirk, interrupting Kyle’s awe and admiration of the glowing crystals.

Kyle scowled. Though she had to admit that she liked the fact that Vino was starting to relax a little bit around her. It was nice to see him this way, to see him let his personality out from behind the walls he seemed to have built up around himself, hiding the man he was.

Standing up, Kyle brought the make shift torch over to Vino and for the first time, got a good look at his face. A look at him without his shades hiding his eyes from her view. His eyes were the bluest she’d ever seen and the glow of the crystals all around them only intensified their color. She gasped a little and looked away for a moment, her eyes falling on the blue stone in the bracelet around his wrist. She bit down on her lip and looked back at him.

Taking a deep breath, Kyle finally found her voice and spoke. “Well, I’ve never done that before,” she said matter-of-factly. “Not to mention under pressure.” She handed the torch over to Vino and wrapped her arms around her middle. She looked around the cavern, the bluish glow of the crystals bouncing off the lifeless forms of the night walkers that Vino had just killed.

Kyle could feel the fear rising within her as she saw the dead bodies of the creatures littered about. She feared what would happen when the torch went out, if they’d be able to light something else on fire instead, where the tunnels led and to what or where. It was overwhelming. She looked over at Vino and tilted her head. “Which tunnel do we take?” she asked. “And what happens when the lights go out?” Her voice was shaky and she knew that she was trembling as well. She tried to hide it so that she didn’t come across as weak. Given where they were and the situation they were in, she knew it wouldn’t help things, but only make them worse. Looking deeply into Vino’s eyes, Kyle took a shaky breath to try and calm herself down. “What then?”

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino placed his hand on Kyle's shaking shoulder. He looked into her eyes and smiled softly. "Be calm, as long as I'm around nothing bad to you is going to happen. There's no way I'd die when you still need protection." He moved a stray strand of hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. He then cupped her face and leaned in to give her a quick kiss.

He pulled away almost instantly but there was still a slight hesitation. "So stay calm, the worst thing to do in this situation is to freak out."

He looked around at the piles of bodies littering the floor. All of them dead. He examined on of the creatures he blinded, it shouldn't have died from being blinded. He looked as he saw the skin bruise and decay. The light didn't just hurt the night walkers, it killed them.

Vino had looked up and saw the beam of light's entry wasn't there. This meant it was probably dark now. "My guess is the Night Walkers are out, running from the light in here. So we shouldn't run into any problems."

He looked over at the tunnels. He picked the best lit one. "Well go through that one, lets move." He said as he allowed her to go first. "By the way, for the fire going out..." He tilted the torch over a pool of Night Walker blood and set it a blaze. The entire room they were just in was slowly engulfed in flames.

"There's enough fuel in there to last it a good while. It also seems like these lights reflect of each other throughout the whole tunnel." He took the lead and began to walk, making sure she was by his side.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle felt her breath catch as Vino gently touched her face, brushing her hair away with a tenderness she hadn’t expected. The gesture made her feel warm inside, tingly. As he leaned down to give her a kiss, she felt her heart stop and as he pulled away, she felt it suddenly pound within her chest. She looked at him with unblinking eyes, her lips burning wonderfully where they’d made contact with his. His words were lost upon her, her mind consumed with how his lips felt against her own.

Vino led Kyle toward one of the tunnels. The one that looked to be the most well lit of them all. It made perfect sense to her that he’d choose that one. It would take longer for the lights to go dark, thus giving them the best advantage given their situation. For now, they had to take advantage of the fact that it was night time, that the night walkers were now on the surface leaving the tunnels free and clear for travel.

Vino looked back at the cavern in which they’d just been standing in. It was covered with night walker blood. So, he tilted his torch and let the flames touch the blood. Immediately, the entire cavern was set ablaze. Kyle smiled. With the cavern on fire, it would make it more difficult for anything to follow them from behind. She looked up at Vino and moved just a bit closer to him. He made her feel so safe and there was a beauty about him that she couldn’t quite explain. She was glad he’d saved her from those things that fateful day. And then again and again and again. He was like her guardian angel, forever protecting her. Always there when she needed him.

Kyle’s thoughts were interrupted as Vino slowly began to walk down the tunnel. She moved to be by his side, staying so close that their hands brushed against one another. Each time she felt his skin against her own, a warmth spread over her, making her smile, making her blush. She looked over at him and wondered what he was thinking. Biting her lip, she cast her emerald eyes downward, the blue glow of the crystals illuminating the earthen ground beneath her feet.

They walked in silence for several minutes. Kyle felt a strange sort of tension building up within her. Trying to tamp it down, she looked over at Vino once again and spoke. “How long do you think these crystals will glow after our torch goes out?”

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino looked around. "I don't really know. Hopefully we will make it out before that time comes." He said with a slight smile. The tunnel was fairly large and gave them plenty room to walk. The air was stale and cold, their breath could be seen every time they exhaled. The stench of rotted meat was gently wafting in the air. It was getting stronger the farther they walked. Vino had an uncomfortable feeling.

Soon the path opened up to another cavern. The blue light reflected off of themselves to illuminate the cavern in a dark, mysterious blue. On the ground were hundreds, maybe thousands of bones. Vino inspected them, all meat was stripped off and they were littered with teeth marks. Vino figured it to be some kind of feeding ground for the monsters.

Suddenly the earth beneath them began to shake and rumble. It wasn't an earthquake, the rumbling would stop then start then stop. They sounded like footsteps, large foot steps. Out of another tunnel came a flash of light. A large fireball jetted out of the tunnel aimed at Kyle. Vino quickly dove and tackled her to the ground, the fire ball exploding down the tunnel they came from. The force caused the tunnel to collapse, blocking the light. Once again they were in the dark.

The rumbling footsteps came closer and the sounds of rocks and crystals breaking under immense pressure was heard. A large guttural growl was heard, it was almost deafening. Just then a large ball of fire formed, the light reflecting off the crystals again to reveal a large inhuman beast. The creature stood on two goat like legs, the fur matted and covered in dried blood. The creatures skin was pitch black and seemed to swallow all the light. Large protruding muscles could be seen over it's body. It had large three fingered claws that manipulated the fire ball in it's palm. Two coiled horns adorned it's head as it looked at the two with it's blood red eyes that seemed to glow. It opened it's mouth, two large bottom teeth stuck out from it's jaw as it once again growled. "Shit." Vino muttered as he clutched Kyle and dove them out of the way of another fireball. They were in the dark again.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle suddenly found strong hands grabbing at her waist and throwing her down onto the ground. Vino’s body lay over top of hers, protecting her from the sudden fireballs being hurled in their direction. The weight of him on top of her and the way his arms circled around her, felt oddly nice. Shaking her head and trying to focus on the situation at hand, she realized that they were lying on top of bones strewn about the earthen floor. Their torch had been dropped, had gone out. And the tunnel from which they’d come had been collapsed. There was nowhere to go but forward and that meant facing whatever it was that was able to wield fire.

Body trembling, Kyle looked up and caught sight of the thing that suddenly attacked them. It was a demonic-looking beast, unlike anything she’d ever seen before. It was as if someone’s nightmare had come to life. The smell of it hit her nose hard, making her want to throw up. But she managed to keep the bile trying to rise up from her stomach down. Instead, she focused on Vino’s protective embrace. Just then, she saw the thing’s hands light up, balls of fire forming within them. Her green eyes went wide and the thing let out a loud roar.

“Shit,” Vino muttered in Kyle’s ear. Again, he grabbed her waist and moved them out of the way just before more fireballs could hit them.

This was not good. The fireballs released by the thing only lit up the cavern for a short burst, shattering the crystals that naturally illuminated when exposed to light. At this rate, even if they were able to somehow survive this situation… how were they to regain possession of fire? Not to mention the added advantage of the glowing crystals. Then, when daylight came to the surface and the night walkers returned… Kyle didn’t even want to think about it.

Kyle’s eyes watered as the beast approached them. It was enormous, hideous. She wanted to scream out, but knew doing so would only expend energy she’d more than likely need if she even remotely wanted to get out of this situation. She clutched onto Vino, her body shaking. She desperately tried to calm herself. Being in Vino’s arms helped her there, but it still didn’t make the creature go away. Some way, some how, they’d have to attack the thing back.

Again the beast’s palms lit up and fire began to form within them. Vino noticed it immediately and moved them both out of the way just before a third set of fireballs struck them. Instead, they hit the cavern wall causing the area to quake and more crystals to rain down upon them. Suddenly, Kyle’s eyes widened and she whispered in Vino’s ear.

“It takes him about a minute or two to recharge those fireballs. Maybe we can attack him during his charge.” Kyle took a deep breath. “You can see well in the dark, just tell me where to go and maybe we can run in and knife him or something.” She looked at him, wondering what his thoughts were about that. He definitely had the better of the surviving skills. And there wasn’t much time before the thing would be charged up again and ready to throw more fireballs in their direction.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino smirked as they huddled close in a corner, ready to jump out the way of another blast. "I like that your thinking but it's gunna take more than a knife to kill this thing. Also, I don't see well in the dark. I don't see much at all, I rely on my other senses." The beast let out a roar and produced another fireball. The cavern lit up and Vino took this time to examine the surroundings. There were no other paths to take aside from where the beast originated from. He thought for a moment on possibly snaking past the demon down the tunnel, but there was no way they could out run or dodge a fireball in a tunnel.

Vino looked at the walls as they shined with the crystals, a few dark patches from where the beast had crushed the crystals. They were jagged and sharp, if he could somehow slam the beast against them it would surely injure, if not kill it. Neither of them had the strength to do so however, Vino was running out of Ideas and drew his head back in frustration. Just then something caught Vino's glance, he smiled briefly as he formed a plan. "Alright, when he throws that fire ball you get his attention by..." Vino's words were cut off as the demon hurled the flaming mass towards the two, catching them off guard. Vino quickly shoved Kyle out of the way and braced himself as he took the blast.

A bright light and immense heat deafened Kyle's senses for a moment. As her eyes adjusted back, the light was gone leaving her in darkness. The smell of burnt flesh hung in the air like a thick fog. The beast let out a growl as it sparked another flame, the ball growing every second. The cavern lit up again but Vino was nowhere to be seen, all that was there was a pile of crystal shards and a pile of ash. The monster saw Kyle try to run but caught her in his powerful grip. The creature held her up, his grip tightening on her body as he refused to let her go. The beast looked at her with malicious intent as he breathed his foul, hot breath on her. It opened it's jaws wide revealing it's jagged yellow teeth. The demon prepared to bite into her like a candy bar but was halted when a blade was stuck into the side of it's neck.

Vino stood on the monster's shoulders, his shirt singed off as he had a large burn mark covering the left half of his torso. Shards of crystals were embedded into his flesh and seemed to glow even brighter. Half of his face was burned to a crisp as his eye bled profusely, another bright shard could be seen shining in the socket. He has a very raged expression, his good eye was wide and full of hatred as his teeth clenched. He withdrew the sword and slashed at the beast's wrist, cutting about six inches deep. The monster howled in pain as it dropped Kyle, her body hitting the floor with a thud.

Blood poured form the demons wrist as it tried to swat at Vino. Vino responded by jumping from the beast shoulder onto it's forearm. He slashed at the bicep before jumping back onto it's shoulder to slice at it's head. The blade penetrated but not deep enough. The blade was now wedged deep in the monster's skull, starting from the top of it's head and deep into it's eye. The demon cried out again as it violently thrashed trying to get Vino. Vino ditched the sword and lept above the demon. He pulled out his knife in mid air and shoved it into a hanging stalagmite. He hung from it as he looked down at the demon. The demon, in a rage, threw it's fire ball straight up. Vino swiftly jumped out of the way as the flame collided with the roof of the cave. Large, sharp pointed crystals and stalagmite fell from the roof impaling the demon in various ways. Vino dropped to the ground and picked up Kyle in his arms despite the burning pain. He carried them into the tunnel the beast came from and laid them down. The crys of pain and agony were quickly muffled as the demon was stabbed and buried beneath the rubble. The cavern's roof opened up as the dim sunlight flowed in, illuminating the cave.

The fallen rock had created a nice hill that lead back up to the surface. Towards the bottom there was a slightly shimmering of metal protruding out. It was Vino's sword, sticking out of the rock like the sword in the stone. Vino staggered back to his feet and limped over to the sword. He grasped it and tugged but the sword didn't move. He gripped the handle with both hands and braced his foot against the incline and pulled. He let out a cry of pain as the strain on his burned skin and muscle became excruciating. With another loud cry of agony the sword was freed. Vino fell back onto the floor and doubled over into a ball and screamed out.

He knew now that Kyle was once again safe and with the adrenaline no longer flowing he was now being subject to the worst physical pain he had ever felt. The stinging of his exposed muscles, the slight wedging of the shards and the pain of his punctured eye was too much for him to hold in. Tears flowed from his good eye as he screamed and writhed. He then felt a pair of arms holding him. He could hear a heartbeat and feel a wetness drip onto his skin. Kyle was holding his head to her chest and it appeared that she was crying more than he was. Vino's crys and screams quickly died down as he wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her close and he bared with the pain. She was safe and he was happy to sacrifice his body for her well being.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle held Vino close, her eyes sore from sobbing. He’d sacrificed himself for her. Willingly. The way he’d fought the demon to get her to safety… no one had ever done such a thing for her. Not even Tuck, who’d been like a brother to her. But this man… he’d saved her more than once, placed himself in danger more than once. No matter what happened to her, she knew so long as he had life in his body he would come for her. It touched her deeply, on levels she couldn’t quite explain. A couple days ago they were strangers, him reluctant to even have her around. Now? Now he’d do whatever he needed to keep her alive.

Hot tears streamed down Kyle’s face as she looked down into Vino’s. His beautiful face had been marred by shards and by fire, his skin blackened, his one eye bleeding. She felt terrified for him, not to mention guilty. Had he not saved her that one day when her group had been ambushed, he’d never be injured like this. Gently, she touched his face, her teeth chattering.

“Don’t die on me, Vino. I need you,” Kyle sobbed, stroking her fingers through his hair. As she spoke to Vino she found that there was so much more meaning behind her words than what it seemed. She did need him, but not just because he was a survivor, strong, skilled. No. There was more to it than that. And she’d known it since the moment he’d saved her from those bandits. Probably even before that.

Kyle looked down at Vino, fearful for his life, aching for him as she saw the pain he was in. She could see the tears in his one eye and it made her heart hurt terribly. He wrapped his arms about her waist as laid there nearly helpless in her arms.

“I won’t let you die, Vino. I won’t,” Kyle’s voice was almost a whisper. But the determination that sounded in those words was immense, something unbreakable. She would do whatever she needed to do to make sure he’d live, to make sure he’d heal.

As Kyle looked at Vino, she could see that if he managed to heal… no, when he managed to heal… he’d be more than scarred and that he’d lose an eye. But in her eyes, such things were trivial. She didn’t care about those things. She just wanted him to be all right, to feel no more pain, to be with her.

Hands shaking, Kyle began pulling out what crystal shards she could from Vino’s flesh. There were so very many, large pieces, small pieces, mere slivers. It was disturbing, but she’d do it for him. She had to. Every fiber in her body screamed at her to help him, including her heart.

Kyle continued to pull out what shards she could, but she also worried about Vino’s burns. Gently stroking his hair and placing a gentle kiss against his forehead, she whispered, “I’ll make sure you heal. I’ll make sure you’re okay.”

Biting down on her lip, Kyle tried to figure out where to go, what to do, because Vino needed more help than she could give him with what they had, which was next to nothing. She needed to get him somewhere that had at least some basic, minimal supplies. Sector 10 was farther away now than ever, her home back in Sector 8 even further. Plus, she had no idea where she was anyway. She felt helpless, hopeless. But she refused to let such feelings consume her. No. She had to find a way. And she would. Even if it meant traveling to Hell and back again.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino clutched onto Kyle, making sure she was there and safe. She began to pick the pieces of crystal from his burnt flesh. He felt nothing, he thought it would hurt, but his whole body felt numb. The only thing he could do was hold onto Kyle as she tended to him. His chest felt heavy and his body felt cold. He could barely see out of his good eye, but enough to make out the fading sunlight. Nightfall was approaching and he knew that their troubles weren't over yet. He tried to speak but his words were drowned in blood. The world around him growing dark as he felt his strength fleeting.

He looked up at the opening that was made and could make out two figures. One was average build and it was holding the hand of a smaller figure. He desperately tried to move, talk, do something but he couldn't. "Look daddy! There are people down there!" He heard the voice of a little girl through the deafening silence that was overtaking him. "Hello! Are you folks okay down there!" He heard the voice of a man this time. "Stay here Lin, Daddys going to help these people out." The man said as he carefully asended down the sloped rubble to get to Vino and Kyle. He reached the bottom and looked at both of them with caution not sure if they were friendly or not. The man wore jean overalls and a blue shirt, his hair was thin and brown and he had a pair of brown eyes that held a gentle expression. He looked down a Vino and visibally winced at the sight. "My family has an underground bomb shelter not too far from here. You two look like you've been through hell and back. You can come heal up as long as you don't try anything underhanded. He doesn't look like he will make it soon on his own." He said to Kyle as his gaze kept wandering back to Vino's beaten and bloody body.

Vino could only make out the silouette of the man in front of him. His voice sounded distant and inaudable. He had no clue what was going on, but there was nothing he could do. His body had stopped responding to his commands and every move was fought with pain. He looked up to see Kyle talking to the man, she seemed almost relieved. Everything else in the world was nothing but a blurred vision, but Kyles image was still crystal clear in his eyes and he was thankful for it. The darkness he was slipping into wasn't so lonely as long as she was there. The man and Kyle both took a shoulder and began to carry him up the slope. When he was lifeted, large amounts of pain surged through his entire body and in an instant his whole world went black as his passed out.

They reached the top of the slope where a young girl with long black hair and green eyes, wearing a pale yellow sun-dress was waiting. She seemed almost unphased by Vino's broken body as she skipped over to the man and held onto his leg. "Daddy, we have to get home bfroe the monsters come!" She said as the man smiled down to her. "We are heading home now, we will have a couple guest with us though." The man looked at Kyle. "My names Shep and this here is my daughter Lin. You will meet my sister Elaine and my brother-in-law Jacob. We have a large bomb shelter that my father constructed back before the war, incase something like this happened. We have an extra room you can stay in until your he is healed up." He said as they continued walking.

They walked for a little while before coming to a hatch in the middle of a feild. Shep pressed a few number on the covered keypad and a sound of a latch being opened rang out. He lifted it up and let Lin go in first. He then allowed Kyle next. "Alright, I'm gunna lower him in. Try not to drop him." He joked as he carefully handed Vino's body to Kyle. Once inside he shut and locked the hatch and dusted off his clothes. The shelter was huge. It was like a underground house, complete with three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a kitchen. "We are hooked up to an underground water deposit. You look like you could use a shower. I'll ask Elaine for some of her clothes for you to change into while we patch up your boy here." He said with a sincere smile. Just then a woman about five feet tall and dark brown hair that reached her shoulders emerged from a room. She was in her early thirties and her eyes were hazel and she seemed a little shocked at Kyle and Vino. "What happened out there? That was some earth quake. And who are these people?" She asked. Shep stepped forward "These are people I found. This one here is about half dead and I couldn't leave the young lady and her dying boyfriend out in the night. They would have never survived. Now get Jacob, this man needs help. Oh, and could you lend the little lady a set of clothes?" He asked. Elaine just simply nodded and went back into the room. She emerged with a light blue sleeveless dress. "I have others, but this one should be fine for you to sleep in. I'll get you a pair of pants and shirts in the morning." She said as she handed them to Kyle. "Shower is down the hall to the left." SHe told her as Shep took Vino into another room.

When Kyle came out she was direscted by Elain to a room in the far back of the shelter. Inside the room a man in his late thirties with black hair and grey eyes was finishing wrapping a bandage on Vino's eye. Vino was laying on a bed, his whole half of his body covered in bandages while piles of bloody towles littered the ground. "I'm Jacob. I've done everyrthing I could to help him, but the shard in his eye seemed to be fused to what was left of his eye. I've never seen anything like it but I didn't want to mess with it and cause anymore pain. I still don't know if he will be able to survive. He has lost alot of blood. It's all up to him now." The man said as he gathered up the towels and exited the room, leaving Kyle alone with Vino.

 

[darkangel76]

Once Jacob left, Kyle immediately rushed to Vino’s side. He looked so much better to her eyes now that he’d been cleaned up and bandaged, though she knew he was still far from being ‘out of the woods’. Regardless, no matter what sort of injuries he sustained, he would always be a man she looked up to and admired greatly. A man larger than life and one she was finding that she cared for very deeply.

Emerald eyes tearing, Kyle took Vino’s hand into hers and kissed it, letting his palm rest against her cheek as she held it there. His hand felt cooler than she expected, but she was relieved to feel that it had some warmth to it. It meant he was alive, his blood pumping throughout his veins. And it gave her the smallest feeling of comfort.

“I’m so sorry this happened to you,” Kyle spoke softly. She had no idea if Vino could hear her, but it didn’t matter. It made her feel better if she let herself believe he could and so she did, not caring what the actual truth of the matter was. “I’ll make sure you get through this. I won’t leave your side. I won’t.”

Kyle’s tears streamed down her cheeks making Vino’s hand become slightly wet with them. She placed small, tender kisses where her tears had fallen, trying her best to not show just how frightened she truly was. She wanted to remain calm. For him. To make him proud.

“We’re with some very good people now, Vino. They’re helping us,” Kyle sniffled as she brought up her other hand and began to run her fingers through Vino’s hair. She didn’t know if she did it for herself or for Vino. But a small part of herself said it was for both. “Soon you’ll be up and about,” she added. “And totally exasperated at my hopelessness,” she laughed through her tears.

Kyle leaned down so that she could rest her head against Vino’s chest. She could hear his heart beating and feel his chest moving up and down as he breathed. There was something very soothing about the sound of his heart so she remained that way for several minute before she wrapped her arms about him and hugged him tightly.

Kyle had no idea how long she stayed that way with Vino, her arms about him, her face against his chest. But eventually she’d fallen asleep only to wake up next to him, her body tucked against his with a hand lost in his hair. Slowly, she sat up and looked down at him. Gently, she touched his face.

“I don’t know if you can even hear me… but I’m here, Vino,” Kyle spoke, her voice low. “God, I must sound stupid…” her voice trailed. She wiped at her still teary eyes, which were now very sore from crying. “But I don’t care. I’m going to keep talking to you until you talk back to me. Okay?” She paused a moment. “Good, I’m glad you agree.”

Swallowing and then licking her lips, Kyle gave Vino a kiss on the cheek and laid back down next to him. She stroked his hair and nuzzled close to him, hoping that her presence would give him the same comfort she felt just then by merely being next to him, touching him, letting her mind see that he was indeed all right.

Her eyes getting heavy once again, Kyle whispered in Vino’s ear. “I’m not leaving you… so you better not leave me… okay?” At that, she let her exhausted body succumb to the sleep it so desperately needed.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino felt himself floating. He wasn't in water, in fact he wasn't really sure where he was. It was complete darkness. He could move, but felt no solid mass anywhere. He body was numb and took a few moments before his commands to move were registered. A feeling of calmness swept over him. In the distance he could see a feint shimmer of light. He tried to move to it as fast as he could, but it was taking an agonizing long amount of time to travel even a few feet. He gave up trying to force it and let himself gently float towards it.

As he got closer he heard a voice. It sounded like a whisper being said into his ear. It was not one single voice but many combined in perfect unison that sent chills through his spine. "This is eternity, this is home. Your time is finished, accept and you shall live in pure content and happiness forever." it spoke with a sincerity in its words. 'So...this is death.' Vino thought to himself. His thoughts seemed to echo out into the darkness as if he had said them aloud. "No boy, this is not death. It is salvation, it is mercy, it is the sanctuary for the damned." The voice spoke back. Every word seeing to sooth his spirit and calm his mind. He could feel himself giving into the voice as he drifted closer to the light.

It was close now, the bright shining light with no definable origin. "Who are you?" He asked to the voice. "I am God." The voice replied. Vino smiled slightly and shook his head. "No...your not. God died when the world did. What is left is a godless place with no rules or laws. God wouldn't have allowed this to happen." He said. Vino could almost feel the voice smile back as it spoke. "You are wise Vino. Maybe God wanted the world to see what it would be like if God wasn't around to set balance anymore. That if they truly didn't need God anymore then it must mean they have what it takes to control fate and their own life." Vino shook his head again. "Then God was wrong, the people need divine intervention now more than ever. But if it amuses you to watch the world go to hell then there is nothing I can really do about it then." He said as he was now face to face with the light. "Accept the light and free yourself from you torment Vino, you deserve it." The voice spoke.

Vino began to reach out for the light when he felt a rain drop hit his cheek. He took his hand and felt it. It wasn't water, he was able to deduce. It was a tear. Another seemed to drop onto his face as he could hear a feint voice echoing in the subconscious of his mind. "I'm sorry..." The voice was a little unfamiliar and faded in and out. He couldn't understand most of what it was saying but a few words were able to slip in. "I'm not leaving you...so you better not leave me..." Vino looked around and the calmness of the voice wore off. "Kyle.." Vino whispered. He looked at the light and then looked away. "I don't accept, I'm not finished." He said. "Choose wisely boy, for the next time I come calling you might not be taken to a better place." The voice reasoned. "I don't care." Vino said. "Kyle needs me and I'd condemn myself if I wasn't there to protect her." He said. The voice let out a short chuckle that would have been missed if it wasn't the only sound in the void. "Very well Vino. You shall be returned, but know that great danger lies ahead and you will need strong resolve to conquer it." Vino smirked "I have to protect Kyle, thats good enough resolve for me." He said. "I will give you a gift to aid in your battles, use it wisely. If you abuse it then it will take your life." the voice said. "What gift?" Vino asked, but before he got a response the light vanished and Vino felt himself falling at amazing speed.

Vino shot up and his head slammed into Kyle's forehead. He raised his hand to his head only to realize it was wet. He looked over to see Kyle rubbing her own head, her eyes red and puffy from crying. Vino still found it as the most beautiful sight he had seen in a long time. He let out a small laugh. "Did you think I'd leave you alone? God knows you'd be dead in an hour." He joked as he smiled to her. He turned down eternal content to be with her and just seeing the look on her face when she found out he was alive was enough for him to realize it was worth it.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle rubbed at her head, the pain sharp, but dulling quickly. Eyes sore, she let them focus on what had hit her. Vino. It was Vino. She blinked several times as she stared at him in disbelief. ‘Is this real?’ she thought to herself, a smile just barely playing on her lips.

“Did you think I’d leave you alone?” Vino asked, his voice almost light. “God knows you’d be dead in an hour.” His voice was filled with laughter, warmth. The sound of it made Kyle’s heart want to burst.

Almost immediately, Kyle found her lips turning upward into a full out smile. Her lower lip trembled a little as a wave of relief and happiness washed over her. Unable to hold back, she threw herself at Vino, her arms wrapping around his body as she buried her face against his chest, his teasing words making her feel so very warm inside.

“You’re okay…” Kyle sobbed. “You’re alive… you’re really here…” She held onto Vino so tightly. “I knew you wouldn’t leave me.”

Kyle held onto Vino for several moments. She needed to make sure she wasn’t dreaming or delusional. That he really was there, alive, warm. Pulling back, she let her eyes wander over his marred body. He had so many burns, all of which were scarring pretty badly. She felt horrible that he’d been injured so badly, and all to protect her. Despite the disfigurements, she couldn’t help but smile at him. He’d still be the same Vino she met on the sector path, the one who saved her from those swiftly, skulking things who’d wanted to eat her alive. The one who saved her from the bandits, the flying creature and… the demonic beast. In her eyes, no amount of scars would change the beauty she saw in him, the man she saw and cared for.

Kyle gave Vino a watery smile and placed a gentle hand upon his cheek. “Somehow you always come for me…” her soft voice trailed. “How are you feeling?” she then asked, her heart racing at their closeness. “I hope you’re not in too much pain.”

 

[Kravin5150]

"I feel like I got set on fire." Vino joked as he let out a small chuckle of amusement. Ever since the world ended he had never felt happiness. But waking up and seeing Kyle there waiting, hoping, even praying for him to get better made his heart warm and the look on her face when he first awoke, it made him truly happy for the first time in a long time. "I feel better actually. Though these bandages are a bit of a hindrence." he said. Vino looked around with his unbandaged eye to see a homley shelter. He was a little confused and tried to remember what happened. The last thing he remembered was getting slammed by a fireball while trying to protect Kyle. He also remembered his dream, or was it a vision? H didn't really know. He raised his hand to his head, the stiff joints popping as they loosened up. "Where are we?" He asked Kyle as he rubbed his head. Vino didn't feel any pain in his body, but he knew the damage was severe.

A moment later he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. He looked over to see a man standing in the door way. Jacob could see the puzzled look on Vino's half covered face. "I'm Jacob, I live here with my family. We are survivors and you and your lady friend were brought here to recover. Well, you more than her. You were in pretty bad shape when you got here. I have some pills to help you with the pain." Vino shook his head "I feel fine. Though you wrapped these bandages a little tight. Can we loose them?" Jacob raised an eyebrow and looked at Vino. "Fine? you were burnt half to death and had your eye peirced out. The last thing you should be feeling is fine." He told him. Vino just shrugged and looked at Jacob. "Shit happens?" He said as he sat up. Jacob let out a small sigh. "You are an interesting one." He said as he walked over to Vino. "Well if you feel fine then I guess we can remove them...I just hope you wern't to attached to your old appearance." Jacob told him as he started to unravel the bandage.

When the bandage was removed he could see the amazed look of both Kyle and Jacob. Vino was also surprised that the world was in a vibrate color now. Before the world was dull and the colors seemed to blend, as if all the life of the world left when it ended. Now everything was crystal clear to him. "Is it that bad?" Vino asked. Jacob, still speechless reached over to the drawer and pulled out a mirror. He gave it to Vino and he held it to his face. Half his face was melted with scar tissue, the very corner of his mouth sealed shut, but what caught his, and everyone elses, attention was his eye. It was still there but the cornea was glowing blue with blue veins protruding into his eye. Looking closer he saw that the crystal had fused with his eye in perfect shape. His iris was still pitch black but a small dot a blue shone through. "Freaky." Vino said as he looked up at Kyle.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle hugged Vino. She was so happy to see him alive and well. As he sat up and looked at her, he seemed so much warmer, so much more affectionate. It was becoming clear that he was no longer seeing her as an obligation. That she was becoming someone he cared about. Or so she hoped. She knew she cared for him and very deeply and she couldn’t help but hope that he returned her sentiments. Her views of him had changed drastically that fateful night he saved her from the bandits. There wasn’t anything she’d deny him now. All he had to do was ask.

Looking at Vino as he teased her now, Kyle couldn’t help but smile. The stoic man he’d been prior to their time in the underground caverns was almost totally gone. The walls he’d built around him were crumbling. She’d glimpsed that while in the caverns. Yes, he was getting used to her as she was getting used to him. Or so it seemed. He no longer winced at her touch, no longer recoiled. It made her heart feel light and her tummy flutter. It made the hope coursing through her veins run strong.

Jacob walked in and introduced himself when he noticed that Vino had woken. He then helped him remove his bandages per his request. Kyle was astounded that he was feeling no pain. But she hardly cared at the oddity of it. She was just glad he was all right, that he was healing, that he was with her once more.

As Jacob took the bandages off, Kyle looked at Vino, her expression one of total awe at the sight of his face. His burns were more or less healed though they left his face very badly scarred. He no longer looked like the man she’d met along the sector paths. And his eye… my god, she’d never seen anything like it! She gasped as the light glinted off the crystalline surface that had fused with the eye he’d once had. It was strangely beautiful.

"Is it that bad?" Vino asked. Jacob handed him a mirror so that he could see the affects of his injuries. "Freaky," he stated, putting down the mirror and looking over at Kyle.

Kyle had a difficult time trying not to stare. Vino’s face had been altered so very much and it was her fault. She couldn’t believe that he wasn’t angry with her. His newly receptive nature made her wonder if he’d had a strange dream while he’d been passed out. Regardless, she liked this side of him and didn’t want to question it for fear of losing the ground the two had made over the past several days. They’d been through so much together and like it or not, he was forever emblazoned on her heart.

Her emerald eyes tearing ever so slightly, Kyle gave Vino a smile. She reached out a hand and gently touched his scarred cheek. "Not freaky," she whispered, not caring that Jacob was still in the room. "Beautiful." Again she hugged him. "I’m so glad you’re all right. And that you’re not mad at me… this… it’s… it’s all my fault. I’m so sorry." Again she hugged him, her arms tight about his middle now that she knew he no longer suffered any pain. Pulling away ever so slightly, she looked up into his eyes and smiled. "You’ll always come back for me. Won’t you?"

Somehow Kyle already knew the answer. But she wanted, no needed, to hear Vino say it.

 

[Kravin5150]

Vino smiled and held Kyle close to him. Her scent invading his nose as her warmth spreads throughout his body. "I couldn't leave you if I wanted to, you'd be dead in an hour." Vino smirked as he held her closer to his chest. Jacob feeling a like he was intruding decided to leave them be. "If you need me, I'll be in the other room." He said as he exited through the door and shut it behind him. Vino smiled again as he held Kyle. He could feel that one side of his face was tighter than the other. Vino reached up to his face and ran his fingertips along his scar tissue; his cheek was rough and uneven.

He looked at Kyle, her gaze never leaving his face. He knew she wasn't looking at his scars. Deep down inside he knew that she was looking pass the physical, she was looking at him as a human, a man, a savior. He couldn't leave this world as long as she was in it; she needed him. In a way, he needed her also. Life had been cold since the world ended."The world made me empty..." He said breaking the silence. "Feelings, emotions, all that was washed away from me and left me void inside." He looked into her eyes, his hand rested on his scar. "It helped me survive, not feeling remorse or guilt. To absolutely care about no one except for yourself, it helped me last as long as I did. I've seen the worst of mankind out in the wasteland and it made me not giving a shit all the easier."

He took his hand from his cheek and reached out to cup her face in his hand. "But you..." He started, not sure what he was going to say. "You make me feel something. I care about you and I can't stop. I haven't felt like this in so long I forgot I could feel it. I lost everything I ever loved cause I couldn't protect them...but I won't lose you." He leaned his head in close til their foreheads touched and he spoke in a low voice. "I want to feel again, like I'm still a human." His breath wavered a bit. "What happened in the cave, I became something...something that I could feel consuming me and changing me." He moved his other hand to place over her hand and held it tight. "But if that what it takes to keep you safe, I will use its power. I just want to embrace this moment and have feeling..and emotion...to be human. Let me feel this." He said as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.

 

[darkangel76]

Kyle felt her tummy flutter, her heart pounding beneath her breast. Vino’s words were so intense, touching her deeply and making something stir within her that she’d only just started to feel that moment he’d rescued her from those bandits. A chill ran down along her spine when the memory briefly flooded her mind. The terrible things those men would’ve done to her if he hadn’t come for her…

But then, Vino always came for her. Always. Despite the burden she was to him from the moment they’d met, Kyle knew without a doubt that the man would find a way to get to her if she needed him. And she so very much needed him, something she knew with all her heart. And not just for the sake of protection or for the sake of helping her get supplies back to her home sector. No. It ran much deeper than that, in ways that words just couldn’t begin to appropriately describe.

Kyle felt her emerald eyes prickle with tears as Vino divulged what he was feeling inside. Emotions so intense that they made her lose her breath. And to think there was a time she was certain he hated her, wanted to be rid of her. Gasping for air, her adrenaline surging, she suddenly felt her body come alive with desire and something more. Something that went beyond lust and delved into the realm of need. Sitting there beside her, he looked so beautiful to her eyes. She recalled his features before the scars. Though worn from life in the desolate wastelands, he’d been practically flawless. Now? He was marred beyond repair, yet somehow this only beckoned her further.

Just then, Vino leaned close, his lips pressing themselves against Kyle’s. Oh in that moment, her mind all but spun out of control. Any and all rational thought melted away and all that was left was him and her and the moment they were suddenly sharing together.

Body tense, Kyle tried to make sense of what was happening between herself and Vino. It was something both her body and mind were longing for. And if she truly admitted it to herself, they had been since that moment he’d first come for her when she thought her life and honor would be tarnished forever. As her mind reeled, warm tears spilled down her cheeks and she felt her lips kiss his back, moving against them with fervor and passion she hadn’t quite realized she was capable of showing. Suddenly desperate for more of his touch, she brought her hands up to his face and gently caressed him, her lips not once breaking the contact.

Kyle’s body ignited with life and began aching for nothing except Vino. He was the only one who could quench the burn and quell the thirst that were rising up inside her. Needing to be closer still, she shifted her body, her hands moving down along his neck and making their way to his shoulders, his back. She clutched him tightly, her lips still moving with desperate need as tiny whimpers passed over them. The heat she felt between them was intense and moving to pool within her core. Mewling, nearly begging, she let out more small sounds of encouragement hoping, wishing that somehow he’d answer her pleas.