Blood and Darkness

The water pressed in all around us as I was dragged through and under it.

Light, lost in the murky depths, barely illuminated our bodies as for many minutes or hours I was carried off. Barely conscious, my mind focused on Naomi and Venora and my sister. Trying, trying to keep their faces strong in mind. The loss of blood and trauma however had different ideas, and the darkness came upon me strong once again.

In the lightless realm, the dreams came strong and fast.

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Recovery and Retaliation

infirmary-vamps-lairPandora paced back and forth in the infirmary of Vamp’s Lair where she was recovering from her wounds.  She had been brutally attacked by three very ancient, very deadly vampires.  She had held her own, but alas… they would have bested her, had it not been for Va’lis, Cassius, and Flavius.  They pulled her out in the nick of time, but they would be dammed to go home empty-handed. They went back in and risked the ancients summoning the rest of their ugly lot.  Against a pack of them, they would have all perished. But Pandora would not be leaving that dreadful mountain without Isonu. Isonu, who was good, just, and fair and so much a reflection of everything she wanted all her sons to be. No… her heart would not allow it.  And somehow they did it.  Isonu was now in my infirmary, recovering, but he had not regained consciousness yet.  This worried me. Worried her.

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A Razele Nonetheless, Pt. 2

the-mines-tokunoVa’lis summoned all his strength knowing I was not at full capacity. Using his Blood Magic, he was able to take out the youngest of them, which was a half-breed — how dreadful it must be to have your own blood incinerate you. Stefan and Illyana Draco would be much much harder.  This duo had been fighting for years together, they had it down to a science.  But luckily, I have the blood of Enkil in me… so even tired and half-drained, I’d still be one hell of a challenge!  They didn’t expect me to be so strong, the shock of my blows clearly adorned their faces. So they went after Va’lis… and well, me… sure come at me all you want, but you do not touch my family! With a ferocious hunger, I ripped through them as Va’lis used his greatest Blood Magic abilities to immobilize them enough so that I could rip their hearts out… one at a time.  Drenched in blood, we both pressed on knowing we had but minutes….  tired, and growing weaker and weaker by the minute — especially Va’lis whose powers draw on his own blood — but we couldn’t stop. We had to get Isonu!  A few younger guards accompanied by the Yomotsu came at us, we had to fight!

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Seeing Tokuno, Part 2

Tokuno InnI decided to wake Venora up in a very special way. The sun had just set as I snuck out of the room we had rented, and my footsteps were quieted on the soft floors. It only took a moment to reach my destination as I had seen the vendor the night previous. Smiling, gold passed to the merchant and I snuck my way back beside her.

Licking my lips, I brought the flute up and began to play.

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Seeing Tokuno, Pt 1

6941303644_23453d8e7b_bIt was, I believe, the cherry blossoms that she liked most.

We’d left for Tokuno two days after my wounds had healed. Left family and friends and just… walked. I had promised her an indepth look at my homeland. Ever since I told her of how the moon rising looked, cresting the forests. The songs of the cranes as they swoop across the gently lapping waters at the shoreline. Or… of how the wind will dance around with cherry blossoms  and surround you with their sweet calming scent.

Arms and armor we left behind, save for our twin Katanas. I, clad in a kimono of sunset red. Venora in her own, newly obtained kimono of robin egg blue. She had yet to become acustomed to traditional Tokuno clothing, and for the first day stumbled a bit. But with my hand in hers, by the next, one could swear she had grown up in the palace of the Empress herself.

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