Renaku stood on a jagged cliff that overlooked the desolate city that was once known as Lachesis. Large buildings toppled over, and worn by the winds of time mimicked the great mountains of the northern west. Brittle and smooth rock, like melted glasss, covered the ground and reflected the moonlight. The windblown grains of sand, combined with the eerie crimson glow of the moon, created an effect like no other. It was both beutiful and mysterious, breathtaking and frightening. It was a natural special effect that put the town of Lachesis on the map. Of course mapmakers have ceased putting this town on maps, ever since it fell in a a shower of brimstone and flames. Renaku narrowed his eyes as he stared up at the blood tinged moon. This night held a lot of signifigance for him, because it was on a a night similar to this that he almost died. It was on the season of the Blood Moon, that Renaku fought his first vampire. It was that night that he met Hell...And it was the same night a Legend was born. ============= Vampire Legend R Episode 6 Stem of Hatred/Red Diana By Tso ============= ======================= Warning: Death and Destruction everywhere. Plus a torture session with Xellos! Nah just kidding. There are some attempts at dark humor though...At least tried attempts... ======================= "You could stand on top of the highest mountain and scream your lungs out, but even there your God will not hear you." ----------Wandering Tso ------------------[25 years ago, The Great City Lachesis]--------------------------------- Renaku ignored the stares that the townspeople threw at him. And the people did the same by avoiding him like the plague. It was a balance he was accustomed to, but it didn't mean he neccasarily liked it. But it was the life of a vampire... At least that's what Renaku told himself. Renaku sighed morosely and walked further into town. This was the first town he had been in, that he had not just picked out for a feasting. Instead, he came to this town to look for someone that would help him with his bloodlust. It was times like these that he wished his levitation ability wasn't so unusal. Instead of flying above the crowd, he was forced to tip his head back slightly and stand on his toes to see above the hats of hairless heads. He cursed under his breath. He cursed the fact that he was a vampire, and he cursed the fact that his contact couldn't have picked a smaller town. Because of his inatentiveness, he didn't see the man coming out of the alley. It wasn't a massive concussive crash, as when two lovers or two rivals meet. Rather it was more the ignorable bump mostly encountered in large congested towns. "So sorry." Renaku turned slightly and bowed to the stranger. "Quite alright." "Woah! Watch it there buddy!" Renaku turned his head and noticed yet another man had emerged from the same alley. He gave a short apology, and turned to again to see of there were any other strangers that he might accidently bump into. Flowing from the shadows like black water were four strangers that emerged from the dark reccesses. He counted six in all. The first person he bumped into was a tall, slender, and somewhat bishounen blond who seemed to eye him in a way that made Renaku uncomfortable. Moving to stand next to that guy was a bespectacled blue haired man whose glasses seemed to glint in that certain threatening way. Following the example of the previous strangers were a heavily scarred mercanry type with a 'very big sword' strapped across his back, and following him was a heavily tanned green-eyed boy of no older than eighteen. The final two were the ones that put Renaku's suspicion senses on end. He was a very imposing, and strangely familiar, heavily armored man complete with long flowing forest green cape and shadowed faetures. If Renaku had felt that there should be a model for demonic knights, he would've picked this guy off the bat. Next to him was lithe, slender woman dressed in nothing but a silken drawstring teddy and a sheer robe. If he didn't know any better, he would've given this woman 400 gold pieces for one night. That is, of course, if he was still human. He took in all six of these strangers and immediately his danger sense went on the brink of short circuiting. "May we help ya? is somethun wrong laddie?" Renaku blinked, and turned to the auburn haired woman that spoke to him. "Ah, nothing is wrong. I was just...thinking about something." The woman smirked mischievously, "Aye, Ya thinkun about a lost love or somethun?" Renaku blinked again as he found this woman's accent to be very peculiar. For the time being he catagorized it as somwhere from the Northern Emerald Lands, but he woul have to check on that later. He thought back to the woman's exact words, and smirked sardonically at this woman's assumption. He hadn't had a woman in years, but he wouldn't tell her that. Something was funny about these characters and he would find out what. He scratched an itch on the back of his head, and smiled. "Yes, M'lady that's precisely it." She winks and tsks him playfully, "Iye Knew it. Ya seem like thee type that would break many a woman's heart." Renaku gave her a plastic smile and hoped to the Divinity that it looks real. He wracked his brain for another question to find out more about thes people, but found it impossible when the large man placed a hand on the woman's shoulder. "Marrigan, I believe that we have dallied around long enough. It is time we move on." "Ye right Giovanni." She turned to the silver haired vampire knight, "I think we should be leavun ye now. So sorry to be holdun ye back." Renaku gave her another plastic smile and waved. He took a quick glance at the imposing knight and damned him silently, "Its really alright. Hey, maybe well see eachother again." She smiled slyly and looked him right in the eye, "Maybe, lass." Renaku silently watched them leave. He still didn't know what bothered him, but he knew one thing. There was no way, he was going to be leaving them alone for his stay here. But first he had business to take care of. With that in mind, he took off for his destination. ------------------------------------------------------- Marrigan takes another look behind her, and watches the silver haired man dissapear into the crowd. "Something is wrong Marrigan." She shook her head, and tried to find the man in the crowd, but he seemed to have just vanished. "Nothun Really, Jess that there be somethun suspicous about that stranger." The crimson haired sword bearer raised an interested eyebrow, "Trouble?" "Nay, Jest somethin about 'im." "Well then, I guess that just means we'll have to keep a careful eye on him for your stay here, ne Marrigan?" She turned to the slender blond and smirked, "Aye, Ya do that Nigel. An Take Ferio with ya. I be havun a feelun he might useful." The blond sneered menacingly while the red haired swordsman just gave an uninterested nod. ----------------------------------------------------------- As the moon reached its zenith in the black sky, Renaku decided that now would be the perfect time to find that hotel. He mentally berated himself for earlier cusing his contact for choosing Lachesis, when he should've been thanking him. Most cities usually closed all of their inns right after midnight, but not Lachesis. Lachesis at least left a few inns open for latenighters. This was due to the fact that Lachesis was a business and trade city, so latenight visitors were expected. Of course not all the hotels in Lachesis were like this, making his search all the more difficult. Especially since he was looking for one certain inn, in a city that was half the size of a small country. Fate is a known trickster, so when Renaku stumbled upon the inn he was looking for, the Boar and Pike inn, he knew who to thank. The interior of the Boar and Pike inn was made mostly of redwoods and animal skins, with a large fire burning in the background. Overall, it emanated a home-like tavernish atmosphere. His eyes scanned the lobby for his contact, but all he found was a chubby dark haired man he guessed was the innkepper. The innkeeper kept a wary eye on the new visitor, and when he saw him move toward the desk he blinked. He rubbed his eyes and shook the cobwebs that he felt had accumulated, because he swore that man just glided across the room. Blinking his eyes open, his gaze was met with ice blue eyes. "Ah, hello sir. How may I help you?" Renaku reached into a pouch and placed a handful of gold pieces on the desk. "I merely ask for room, board, and a favor." The innkepper eyed the pile of money, then takes the appropriate amount for the room and meal. A considerable pile is still left when he handed Renaku his room key. He leaned his elbows on the desk, and placed the extra coins in front of him. "Oh? What is this favor?" Renkau shoved a few extra coins on the pile, with a yellowed parchment. "I was told to meet an Easterner by the name of Fong Chiang at the Boar and Pike inn He said that he would be here at the precise time when the moon reached its zenith." The man read over the parchment, then gave Renaku a studious look. "You are....Renaku, the bearer of the Demon Slayer?" Renaku looked back expressionlessly. The inkeeper noded his chubby head, then motioned Renaku to follow. Renaku complied, and moved behind the desk only to find that the man had dissapeared. He then looked down at the slightly ajar trap door at his feet. A trap door he would never have seen if he hadn't seen the crack. "Clever boy." ------------------------------------------- Renaku took a look around him trying to find the innkeeper. He was surprised that such a short, pudgy man could move so fast, but saved those thoughts for later. He took in the smooth moss laden blocks that made up the the stone corridor. He took in the intricately etched glass bulb lamps that sat on black carbonite pikes. He also noted how the etched pike torches projected weird shadows on the wall. Some were unidentifiable shapes, while others were uncomfortably familiar. He tore his eyes away from one image that he felt was very disturbing, and looked down the short hallway. He took in the total size of the corridor, 100 steps forward and at least 5 steps wide. He took in the fact that there was no door on the other end of the short corridor. He took this all in, and worded his thoughts into one simple statement. "Very...Damp." His eyes easily picked out the only door that was slightly ajar, and he moved to it. Cupping his hand over the broad side, he used his super senses to listen for anything suspicious. A crackling noise, and the sound of one person breathing came from behind the thick slab of wood. He found this slighty unusual, so he took a peek through the crack. A large red chair was set behind a large oak desk, and in front of that desk sat the innkeeper. Behind the innkepper he could make out a fireplace, which explained the crackling noise. His attention returned to the innkeeper, and he gauged his body. From the way his arms were moving slightly against his chest, he could tell that the man was still breathing. But his charge seemed to be absent. He looked behind him to see if Fong Chiang was going to use some of that old eastern trikery to sneak up on him. Nothing. Renaku menatlly sighed and accepted the situation as is. Slowely, he opened the door, and took a cautionary step in. "Ah, Mista Renaku. It iz good to see you, Yes." He turned his head toward the source of the voice and found a different short pudgy, man sitting in the big red chair. *Now why didn't I see that earlier? Eh, must be because of that old Eastern trickery...and because he's so short.* He walked gracfully toward the desk and studied the man more closely. He was a stereotypical example of an Eastern merchant. If the pear shaped man were standing, he would've guessed his height to be about 5 heads tall. His youthful chubby face complemeted his pudgy body, and the mustache and glasses only made him look all the more cute. If you were into that kind of thing, of course. The man gave Renaku a pleasant smile. "Fong Chiang Wong I presume?" The man gave a jovial nod, which made the red leather chair bounce up and down. Renaku reassesed ths man and compared his behavior to that of a small child. He grinned in inwardly because if his charge thought like a child, then it woud make his dealings all the more easy. "So, Mr Fong. You know why I'm here?" The man gave another bouncy nod, and took out a knobby white object. The Gouzhun Root, a questionable creature, because no one knew whether to classify it as plant or animal. Like a plant it grew in the ground, and needed the care of water. But unlike plants, it did not need the sun, and it had one certain characteristic that seperated it from most plants. It bled. Through the plants veins ran the blood most usually seen in things like pigs, rats..and sometimes humans. Rarer to find the ones that bled almost human blood. But it was this rare type that was the perfect holdover to his blodlust. Renaku stared at that one root, much like a child would eye a new toy. He looked back up at the merchant and indicated the plant. "How do I know this is the real stuff?" The easterner only grined. He took out an intricite dagger from his robes, and ran it across the roots ivory surface. The root pulsed once, then a red fluid flowed from that shallow cut. A viscous familiar crimson liquid that made Renaku's nose twitch excitedly. Renaku grined and reached for his pouch. "I'll take it and whatever else you have." Renaku took out a handful of coins and placed it on the desk. It was a modest amount if one was buying a small piece of land, so he was surprised when Fong pushed the money back toward him. He stared at the money, then pushed it back, and soon they were playing a game of pong with the pile of gold. (Also known in resturants as 'who gets to pay') Renaku's eyes burned red, and he forcefully shoved the money into Fong's hand. "Take it dammit!" Fong only tsks Renaku, then pointed down. He followed the fingers path, and found Fong pointing at his Demons Slayer Blade. Renaku indicated it and then points to the white root. "You want my blade, for the Gouzhun root?" The Easterner noded once. "Hell no." Fong only shook his head and indicated the innkeeper. Renaku, confused by the gesture looks, and his eyes almost fall out of his head. Renaku had heard legends, but he has never seen the Gouzhun root in action. Two were resting on the innkeeper's neck, and there was one root on each of his legs. Three roots were sitting under the innkeepers folded arms, which explained the stedy rise and fall of chest. This was because the Gouzhun root was a known parasitic plant that fed on the blood of any nearby living creature, and when it fed its body pulsed with the bloodflow. He cursed himself when he should've realized that there was only one set of lungs working in tis room. He also noted that this was not the same innkeeper that greeted him earlier. That this was the real innkeeper of the Boar and Pike inn. He turned back to the Easterner, and Fong gave him a toothy grin. A toothy grin filled with many sharp triangular teeth. A set of sharp triangular teeth which were usually exclusive to demons. Renaku cursed under his breath, as he should have realized that only demons would be able to handle the Gozhun root. He also should've realized that demon's were very sneaky creatures, and that most Eastern demons have the speed of a wind demon. Renaku was surprised he didn't feel the loosening of his sword, when the Fong suddenly phased out from behind the table, phased beside him, and then phased out with said sword. The normal human reaction would be to carefully feel around for the stolen item in the place where you last left it. However, Renaku was a vampire, and for once he was thankful that being a vampire had made him a quicker thinker. He turned on his heel, and literally flew out of the room like a bat out of hell. ----------------------------------------- Tonight was one of the few times that Renaku actually felt real stress, so much so that he was using something he rarely used at all. He flew above the town, for once not in his bat form. Being a vampire had given him certain other skills other than transmutation. His vampire abilities were about on equal with the skills of an intermediate mage, meaning he could use levitation spells, and he could to phase through some matter. They were common parlor tricks usually associated with his kind, however he rarely used them becaus he felt flying around and phasing was cheating himself of his true potential. But someone had stolen his Demon Slayer Sword, so he used that as justifcation for using these yet uncontrolled skills. He scaned the area through his superior senses: His eagle like vision, his bat like hearing, his wolf like sense of smell, and a sixth sense particular to vampires and most demi-humans. But he still came up with nothing, and he was getting tired. He picked a nice, open, but still hidden hidden spot of a certain alleyway for a short rest. It was at the crook at the end of an alley, where the moonlight still shone. The crook was a more than modest size, not really a crook at all. If Renaku didn't know any better, he would've guessed that fate intentionallly led him here for a fight... He got into one of the few empty handed fighting stances he knew, as he felt a tap on his foot. His foot slid back slightly, and he brought his arms closer, tightening his less than praticed Northern Fox Fist Stance. His eyes traveled down and he found a black and skin toned thing, with a scarlet stump on one end. Using his foot, he launched the thing into the air in front of him, and caught it. It was the head of Fong Chiang Wong. "Thought that might interest you." Renaku's eyes snaped back to the area in front of him. From the shadows, two familiar figures emerged. Taking the lead was a heavily scarred man whose ankle length reddish hair bordered on the color of blood red. His facial scars took on a peculiar shape, the one above his left eye was shaped like the Lachesis symbol for Nike, and under it was what seemed to be an upside down G. On his right cheek was mercenary's cross slash, a scar usually created in merc initiations. Even the scars on his exposed forearms seemed somewhat designed. He eyed Renaku coolly with his hard lavender eyes. "Nigel, how about giving him his toy." "Aww, and I wanted to keep it too." His eyes traveled to the bishounen blond and he studied him. He was somewhat taller than anyone else he had ever met with the excption of that demonic knight they were with earlier. He had shoulder length blond tousled hair, which almost hung over his cobalt blue eyes. The swordsman was dressed as a common mercenary, but if this guy was a mercenary he had unusual taste. His long lords coat and shiny black boots were clothes Renaku would expect to see on royalty rather than on the street scum this guy seemed to be. The bishounen tossed the Demon Slayer Blade a tad to quickly. Luckily, Renaku's reflexes were quick enough to catch it before it lopped off his head. Renaku's hand tightened over the blade handle as the heat emanating of it was burning his hand. Renaku's eyes travel back and forth between the two. With his other hand palming the hilt he speaks with an almost evil tone, "What is this? Who are you?" The scarlet haired man, reaches behind him, and places his hand on the hilt of his extra large sword. "I am Ferio and this..." The bishounen snaped his hand in front of the swordsman. "Hey, I could introduce myself, Ya know?" He turned his gaze to Renaku and gave him an evil grin. "I am Nigel, and we are both members of the exclusive Blood Moon Society." Renaku raises an interested eybrow. Most guys arrogant enough to state the organization they belong to, usually were wackos bent on taking over the world. "You're not some secret society bent on taking over the world are you." Nigel crinkled his eyes, and giggled into his hand. "Take over the world? Now why would we want to do something silly like that...We--Ow!" Nigel rubed the back of his head, and matched Ferio's glare. Ferio ignores Nigel and turns back to Renaku. "Don't listen to him. He's is just a blithering idiot." Ferio ignored Nigel's ranting about respect and leadership, and tightened the grip on his blade. He drew the large slab of steel out of his scabbard, and kept at it for at least a minute. For the second time today Renaku's eyes buged to an impossibly huge size. He guessed the blade to be at least 3 double steps long and a little more than a double step and half wide. In other words, the sword was huge! Even by most bereseker sword standards, it was ridiciulosuly big. Far to big for any normal swordsman to handle. *Why do I have the urge to say your sword is bigger than mine?* He shook it off and notes that the design was a bit strange for a monster sword. "Hey, Is that a double edge or single edge?" Ferio grins and steps back into a stance. "It is Single edge, double edged-double step length, point. But don't bother trying to accomodate your style, I'll beat you anyway." Renaku shook his head and promised himself to check the sword after he won. He stepped back into a variation of the Mandion Arc stance called the Mandion Slash. The Mandion Slash was only one of three variations of the Mandion Arc. The only differnce with the Arc technique, was that the Slash techniques held the sword blade up over the head, very useful if the attacker struck from overhead. He took that familiar stance, and studied his opponent warily. He snarled menecingly, and hoped that would enough to make his opponent back off. He did this because he didn't want to fight, and he had to admit that sword looked quite threatening. "Why Are you trying to fight me? I did nothing that seriously insulted you." "Because, Lady Marrigan sensed something about you, and I think I see why vampire boy." Ferio, gave Nigel a look. "Nigel stay out of this, I want to face this guy in single battle, _without_ your assistance." He winced, "And I really don't feel like looking at the ugly rabbit demon thing you turn into." Nigel laughed and took out an obsidian ball with an emerald pentagram symbol etched into the face. "Oh no, I'm not going to help you. I'll just lend you an extra set of helping hands." A red bolt emerged from a corner of the five ponted star creating one of the ugliest demons Renaku has ever seen. It stood a few heads taller than Nigel, and it very much resembled a brown skinned malnutritioned praying mantis carying a large scythe. If bugs had a Death, he would've guessed that this thing would be it. Renaku narrowed his eyes and tensed for the oncoming attacks. Ferio eyed, the giant bug warily and glared at Nigel. "Do not have that _thing_ assist me unless it is neccasary. Understood?" Nigel gave him a mock salute, "Righty-oh old chap!" Ferio grunted derisivly, then returned his gaze to Renaku. "Shall we dance?" Renaku scoffs, "Bah, That is so cliche." Ferio initiated the attack with a wide overhead slash, just as Renaku had predicted. The Mandoin Slash stance had its gaurd from above so Renaku merely shifted slightly and hoped to the Divinity that his sword and his vampire strength could take the full brunt of the attack. The sword struck with the force of a falling building, but Renaku held up against the strike. He would've congratulated himself for taking the hit, but he was expecting a follow up. And he wasn't disapointed. Ferio pulled back from the overhead, and twirled slightly to execute a side slash. Renaku just grinned, and stepped back. He parried the end of the blade, then used his vampire speed to rush in for the finishing slash. He was surprised when the large blade suddenly got in his way. "Impossible! No one should be able to wield a blade of that size with that much speed!" Ferio twirled the blade, back into a gaurd position and sneered. His fangs glint in the moonlight, as he eyed Renaku with a cool glare. "Heh, Lets just say I'm a little special." Renaku's eyes narrowed and decieded that now was the time to get serious. If his opponent were human he wouldn't have worried so much, but demonic vampires were a whole different matter altogether. He shifted back slightly as Ferio opens again with another overhead slash. If Renaku didn't know any better, he would've guessed this guy was just swinging wildly, but the slash and gaurd style he used seemed to use a mix of several styles, Mandoin Arc, Hive Swarm, Blunt Oak, Split Hair, Split Dog Hair, and some other style he was not familiar with. Renaku had fought many a skilled swordsman from a many different schools but he had never faced a 'man' who combined several styles together, and successfully fought using a berserker's blade. Renaku watched the overhhead come in, and steped back while parrying the end. He then rushed in and attempted his own jumping slash. Renaku shifted his body to the side as the wide underhanded slash seemed to come out of nowhere. He lands a few feet away, and recovered quicly enough to avoid yet another overhead. Renaku lets out a frustrated breath, and watched as the large blade bore down on him again. He mentally cheered when he saw that this guy's seemingly incredible strength was nothing since he needed the momentum from the overhead to work his incredibly large sword. He then notes that this time Ferio's stance put his weight on his right foot, which was unusual for right handed sword fighters. Working on a wild hunch, he spins toward the right side of Ferio's body, and as expected, when Ferio tried to hit him, he was hit with the blunt end of the sword. With his body only inches from Ferio, he grins. "Now we finish this!" Suddenly, A burning sensation in Renaku's chest makes itself known. Renaku looks down and finds that he seemed to be floating a few feet above the ground, and there seemed to a curved metal blade sticking out of his chest. A curved blade that for some reason made him think big ugly giant praying mantis of death. He watches helplessly as Ferio takes his Demon Slayer out of his loosened fingers. Ferio grins evily, then turns to glare at someone beside him. "You really didn't need to do that Nieg. I could've taken him myself." Out of the corner of his eye, Renaku was able to make outa shock of blond hair. *Oh damn that's right, Nigel* "Now Now, Ferio. Don't get angry. I was only doing what was neccesary in such an expected circtunmstance." "You saying my skills are less than perfect?" "I said no such thing! I merely stated how your chances of winning aginst this guy by just using that kick-ass sword of yours, were at most questionbable." "Kono Baka. I don't need to--" Renaku's vision begins to darken. *Oh damn did they get my heart.* "Oh look! He's going unconcious! Jugharm, Take this Darkblood to Lady Marrigan. And be quick about it." Renaku was expecting the brown praying mantis thing to grab him, but what he didn't expect was the large green skinned creature with a gold mask and seven glowing red eyes . It was not exactly the last thing he wanted to see before passing out. ----------------------------------------- Renaku felt his conciousness travel between a space and time that borders sleep and wake. If concious thought were possible he would've realized he was floating in non-space, but this type of thought is impossible when one's way of thought is beyond that. He also would've realized only dead people could only think like this, but again his thoughts were beyond that. "This is...The Demon Slayer Blade?" *Voices?* "Aye, this is better than that uselss artifact we were lookun for." *What? What are they talking about?* "Heh, This is unexpected. But this is better, yes?" "Indeed. This holds a lot more potential. Plus we now have a contact." *Contact?* "He will serve us well. This vampire has proved to be more useful than you expected eh, Marrigan?" "Heh, Oh course. An he wull prove to be even mare useful in the future. But for now, how do we deal with this boy." "Leave that to me." ----------------------------------------- The first thing Renaku felt was a drowsy sickening wave of nausea. To better explain the feeling, imagine the morning after drinking 3 whole kegs of the best Aurusian beer, and multiply it by ten. Renaku groaned as he came to what he felt was conscious, but being in the state he was in, he wasn't totally sure. *Where am I? Why is it so dark?* He tried to look around him, but all he found was complete darkness. Then he realized that his eyes were still closed. He slowly blinked them open, and then closed them immediatly due to the blindning light. He squeezed his eyes shut, then squinted another eye open, then squeezed it again, and then opens the other one just a crack. He repeated the procedure, until finally his eyes became accustomed to the light...or lack thereof. What he thought was blinding light was actually a few well placed Lachesis torches. Well placed if they wanted the dim light to be glaring him in the face. It wasn't like the room was toatally dark, it seemed to have a somewhat golden glow to it. Although it was still a dungeon, and therefore was catagorized under 'dark and damp building'. His eyes take in the lack of lively decoration, when he realizes something. "I'm, Not dead?" "Nyhehehe. Oh, I'm thinking your going to wish ya were, dude." Renkau's head whiped to and fro looking for the voice that seemed to echo all over the room. His eyes settled on a particular patch of shadow, and he snarled. He snarled to hopefully scare the perpetrator out of his hiding place, and because shaking his head like that was making his headache worse. "Show yourself! Where are you?" "Isn't it: Where are you, Show yourself?" Renaku caught a brief flash of movement out of the corner of his eye, and turned to the space in front of him. At first he thought his vision was just getting a bit blurry, but then he realized that something translucent was phasing before him. The spectre grinned and materalized completely. It was the same bespectacled man he ran into earlier. He was dressed in the same loose blue eastern robes he saw him in when they first met, but his glasses seemed to glint just a tad more. The man brushed a shock of dark hair out of his face, and he stared into Renaku's. Renaku stared past his glances, and his eyes went up in surprise. A set of ice blue eyes met a set with one blue eye and one yellow eye. "My My, This is quite amusing. I have never come face to face with someone that gave Ferio a decent challenge. You must be quite lucky to take advantage of that small problem he has with that huge blade. By the way, My name is Shioryu Wong." Renaku gave a short nod, "How do you do, My name's Renaku, Now please tell me? Where am I and why am I still alive?" The man covered his mouth with the back of his hand and he let out a shrill laugh. "Nyehehehehe. Mistress Marrigan has many abilities. Like brining the undead new life, as is with your case Mr Renaku-chan." Renaku gave his best menacing smile, "Well that's nice and all but that didn't answer where. Now can you help me get out of this, what I'm assuming is a dungeon, so I could find out?" The man lifted a finger and tsks Renaku's aggressiveness. "My My, Aren't you an eager beaver. Although, I am so sorry to say I cannot help you escape, or reveal our location, or tell you anything for that matter." He glared at the jerk, "And why not?" The jerk smiled and indicated the floor below, "Try moving your arm, Then look down." Renkau moved to look down, but his chin was held up by Shizumu's cupped hand. "Now Now, Move your pretty little limb first, Then look down." Renaku sighed and moved his limb, only to find that it was impossible and that it stung to do so. He looked up to see both his arms bound by barbed wire. His vision traveled down and he saw his legs were bound in a similar fashion. He also noted that he was hanging at least 20 steps from the floor, and that his guest was standing in front of him without a platform. "As you see, you are our captive and as such you have no rights, except for the right to scream out in pain when we hurt you." Renaku lifted his face and gave Shioryu a bewildered, curious look. "What are you..." Wong grined, "I am what the Easterner's call a Feng Shui, but I'll understand if you feel more comfortable with calling me a Darkblood." Darkblood, a term used to describe creatures of the night. Renaku had only heard of a Feng Shui once, but had never had the term defined for him. If this guy was Feng, then he would classified Feng Shui as sadistic psychos. Especially with those nasty little things he seemed to be taking out of his coat. Renaku watched as the Feng Shui fumbled through his robes. Eventually his hand came out with a few fisihng wires that each had a little black needle on the end. Renaku eyed the devices warily, "What are those?" Wong blinked, then gave Renaku another grin, "Oh, I just created these little toys to torture you with. Arent they nice?" Wong then started gesturing with them, much like a trophy wench in those wierd so called 'game shows', "These are special ignition needles I created. The fishing wire that runs to the needle, is like the fuse of a bomb. Each inch is 30 seconds each, neat huh? And these little needles at the end, are also flammable although they are more of the explosive variety." He stuck one into Renaku's chest, causing him to scream. "Did I mention they were barbed?" Renaku grits his teeth as the needle made its presence known in the most painful manner. "There are almost 500 needle point spots on the body that can cause instant death. Surprisingly, only a few of those points could be found in the torso area." He put another needle in and smiled up at Renaku. "Be lucky I'm not really trying to stick you in those spots. Although luck dosn't seem to be looking kindly upon you today." He spun another needle from his collection, and Renaku eyed it with trepedation, "Why are you doing this?" Wong took hold of the needles base, and ran his finger to the end of the string. He then took that neeedle and inserted it into Renaku's chest very slowely. "Because I get the impression that Mistress Marrigan... Well, it seems that you seemed to have stumbled upon some very important information. This is just punishment for that crime." Renaku clenched his teeth in pain and and galres at the Feng, "But I've never heard of the Blood Moon Clan!" Wong gave him a sly look through slitted eyes, and he smirked. "That is only one of the many names we go under. I could tell you few others, like Sons of Chaos, or whatnot, but telling you that..." "What?!" He winked and points at Renaku's nose. "Not to sound corny, but that is a secret." Renaku narrowed his eyes, "Oh, would you mind telling me that secret? As a dying man's wish, of course." Shioryu's eyes softened, changing from a calm sadistic look to a calm paternal look. He leaned forward till his face was only inches from Renaku's and he poked his nose. "No." He then leaned back from Renaku's angry face, and took a few more needles. "Now then where were we. Ah yes I remember now." Renaku eyes watered as he watched yet another needle pierce his reddening skin. ----------------------------------------------------------------- -- Renaku groaned and tried not to look at his bloodied chest. *Wong was not kidding when he said those needles were explosive.* "Hello, Hello, Are you conscious again Mr Renaku?" Renaku glared at his tormentor, "Why are you back, Come back to torture me more?" "Why yes!" Wong moved to Renaku's chest and started to poke and prod it. Renaku wouldn't have minded this too much, if it weren't for the fact that his chest was so bloddied. He glared down at Wong, only to meet a pair of bright bi-colored eyes. "Ooh that looks messy, Let me clean you up!" It is then that Renaku notices the bucket in Wong's hand. "What's that?" Wong grined, and held up the bucket. "Its acid wash! Nyehehehe!" Wong then started to carress and posture with the bucket. "This here is a special concotion of acid wash that me an Nigel came up with! It cleans and hurts at the same time! Kind of like Yellow Cleanser but ten times more painful! Care to try it out Mr Renaku?" Renaku growled at the Feng. "Oh that's right you can't move! Here let me do it for you!" Being stabbed with needles and then having them explode on you, Renaku could take. But there be no man alive who could take an acidic wash to tender, bloodied skin. ----------------------------------------- Renaku winced as he heard the steel doors to his jail cell creak open again. He looked through half lided eyes, and spoke with a very weak voice, "what, come back for more." Renaku is hung from the ceiling by barbed wire, each length of wire attached to a sperate limb creating a very vulnerable spread eagle position. He was quite nude, and he was also quite beaten. A bloody and acid burned chest was the most recognizable injury and there were also several puncture marks across his body, and a dead Gouzhun root sticking in a very uncomfortable spot. Of course the worst imjuries were not the physical ones. It was that damn headeache taht just wouldn't go away. Being in such a state, Renaku was expecting Wong to come back with more 'toys'. He was not expecting the 15 year old boy that was looking up at his prone position. The boy very much resembled the 18 year old he had seen earlier. Even the darkly tanned skin, unusally shaped ears, the big green eyes, and the sandy brown hair were an exact likeness. "Hey, Don't you have a older brother?" The boy gave the prone Renaku a warm smile, "Well, We come in many different shapes and sizes." The response confused Renaku a bit, but he shook it off. He gave the boy his best pleading look, and pulls at his bonds. "Please, get me out of here. I beg of you, I can't take this anymore." The boy closed his eyes, and gave Renaku a mysterious smile, "A man committed a crime a long time ago, and was executed for it. The heavens, finding the death not suitable enough, brought him back to life, with his old memories. Unfortunately he was born with same desires and was killed again for the same crimes. For a thousand years this cycle was repeated. and heavens couldn't figure out what was wrong. They believed that reincarnating him with memories his of crimes and punsihments would correct him, but it was all for naught. What they didn't realize was that his criminal mind may have been instinctual, and that he was being punished for his own nature. So should such a being be considered a criminal?" Despite his discomfort, Renaku apraised the boy with a look, "Wow, you're quite knowledgable for a child. But what does that have to do with my situation?" The boy smiled and waved his hands. Suddenly the bonds that held Renaku up were broken. It only took half a second for Renaku to realize he was free, and he compensated immedatly. He landed on the ground with barely a sound and once grounded, looked the boy over. "That story. That criminal was me wasn't it?" The boy only smiles, "Do not assume the world centers only around you Renaku. Remember you are part of one whole. And that fate only plays one game." Renaku shook his head, and took advantage of his freedom to leave. He glanced back at the boy. "Hey aren't you coming? You freed me, so you must be good." The boy only smiled, "I have my purposes dear Renaku. One of which is to complete the agendaa of this orgnaization to a tee. Not Surprisingly enough, freeing you only helps with our purpose." "Huh? How?" "I believe Shioryu put it best when he said, we are the Sons of Chaos. But telling you that is more than that is more information than you need to hear." Renaku advanced on the boy. "Now look here, kid." The boy held up a finger and winked, "Ah Ah. I do belive your going to miss that hot festival going on if you don't stop dallying around." Renaku paused and eyed the boy suspicously, "What festival?" The boy smiled, "Ooh its really something. Fireworks going off everywhere, and people running around like their heads were chopped off. You better hurry or your going to miss it." Renaku took one more look at the boy. "Before I leave I'd like to know what's your name?" The boy only stood there and smiled. Scoffing, he turned to the exit. As he leaves Renaku hears a response, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to hear it or not. "My name? It is David, David Darkchylde. of the Clan Darkchylde" Darkchylde. The name of an infamous clan of dark elves...But that is a story for another time. -------------------------------------------------------- Renaku ran through the empty corridors of his captors. Normally, he would've taken the time to search and scan, but Darkchylde's behavior had really put his danger senses on edge. He wasn't sure if it was fate again or just plain convenience, but surprisingly enough he was able to find the exit without his usual wandering. Behind the large wooden doors he could make out a red glow. Normally he would attribute this to the night of the blood moon, but the unnatural heat emmenating from the door bothered him. His fears were confirmed by the sight before him. "Hot festival indeed." Before him was the City of Lachesis going down in ashes. Raging fires burned between and inside every building. The charred remains of human bodies scattered the dirt ground. And the dust grains that gave Lachesis its name as 'red night town' truly lived up to its name on this fiery night. A red haze covered the town, like a vengful ghost coming from the bowels of the Demon Realm. Renaku squinted his eyes, and tried to pick out any survivors. He spotted, a man in a long coat that was moving towards him. Renaku waved to the man and ran to him. "Hey you!" Renaku stops as the man was now fully visible. A slender blond man with cobalt blue eyes, dressed in a long dark coat. "You..." Nigel grined wickedly and held up a familiar sword, "Hey, I think you'll want this back." Renaku caught the blade, and held in in front of him using the Split Hair style. Unlike the wide range defensive/offensive abilities of the Mandoin Arc family, the Split hair style was more precise and more restrained. The man who taught him the style, Gonriel, told him that this style should only be used in the hardest battles when being extremely cautious was important. The only drawback was that it was completely defensive. Renaku shifts his stance slightly as he eyes Nigel. "What...What did you do!" Nigel laughed into his hand and eyeed Renaku menecingly, "Oh now, don't put complete blame on me. You also had your own part in the destruction of Lachesis." Renaku tightened his grip on the sword and glared at his opponent, "What do you mean! I had nothing to do with this!" His opponent only stoodd there casually and grined. "Yes you did. For starters you came here with your Demons Slayer, and you helped us find Chiang." Renaku seemed taken aback, He remembered how Chiang took his sword, and how he found Nigel and how they captured him. "You...You were with Chiang! You brought me here!" Nigel taped his chin in a contemplatve gesture. "Actually, your arrival was not forseen, but it was quite welcome. Originally we were to look for an artifact in this city to assist us in our little project, but your sword proved to be an excellent substitute. Chiang was another unkown variable, but he proved to be an excellent 'contact'." The word contact itches the back of his subconcious but he ignroes it. "What are you talking about! If all you wanted was Chiang and my sword, then what was all that stuff about all that stuff about the punishment for my crimes!" A wild look crossed Nigel face, "Crimes? Hahahaha! No, there were no crimes. We just needed to keep you distracted so that we could make use of your Demons Slayer blade. Wong was just to keep you preoccupied in the most distracting way, because there seems to be some universal rule that says that the hero always has some kind of special connection to his weopon. And we didn't want you interuping us, sooo." Renaku grined viciously, "Well, looks like one of your own members betrayed you! I'll stop you right now!" Nieg raises an amused eyebrow, "You mean David? I don't think so. He got you out here without having you checking the other rooms of the building, so I think he did his job perfectly. Plus we already finsihed what needed to be done, so you're a tad late in actually stopping us." Renaku glared at the blond demon, "So, you just used me?" "No, we just used your sword. Although that does count as using you, right? Haha!" A condescending look crosses Nigel's features, "I'm sorry if you're a bit late in saving these people though..." Niegl holds out his hand in a peacful gesture, "No hard feeling, right?" With an inhuman cry Renaku rushed toward Nigel. He ignored whatever training he had, and overextends his stab, sending him through the dissapearing spectre. Renaku turned his head sharply only to see... nothing. Nigel's voice echoes through the burning atmosphere like 100 voices of the damned. "Hahahaha! You have been of great use to us Sadaku Nan Roane!" Sadaku Roane, the name his foster parents gave him when he was just a babe. A name that his foster parents said was the name his biological parents wanted him to be called. A name he hadn't used in years since he...left. Renaku looks wildly about him, "No-one knows my real name! How do you know it!" He is answered with silence, which only fueled Renaku's anger. "Tell me dammit! How do you know my name!" Renaku thrusted his fist into sky and screamed out the pain he had felt for the past day. He screamed out for the pain of the many dead residents of what was once Lachesis. He screamed out for the pain of the life he now lives. He screams out against the gods that hate him. He screamed out against Lord Moon for allowing such a travesty to happen on this day. The building from which his captors restrained and tortured him, suddenly collapsed and burst into flame, creating a backdrop of raging fire that complemented his pain. ----------------------------------------------------------------- - If only Renaku were airborne, he would've seen that the fires around the town formed a circle with line cutting diagnally through the lower quarter. The lower left side was extended a good distance, and the other ended was a mangling of Lord Moon's celestial symbol. A mangled celestial symbol that represented a minor moon goddess that went by the name of Diana, a reflection of Renaku's Lord Moon. The symbol of a line cutting quarter way through a circle with the mark of a minor god on one end, was a symbol that even hardened mercenatries feared. It was the symbol of a minor earth goddess, that was used by the extreme politcical group called the Sons of Chaos. The symbol of a god of trickery and deceit, was used by the street gang known as the Mischief Makers. A similarly designed symbol for a minor moon goddess, named Diana, was used by the exclusive Blood Moon Society. And it was a symbol of a demon lord, was used by the Fumu. Different gods and goddesses, connected by one sole brand, and one sole purpose. A purpose whose path Renaku had grown to despise. A path that was filled with violence and hate, that cost many lives. This was the day that Renaku slowly raised himself from the ground and swore to his gods. Swore on the honor of Lord Moon, swore on the faith of Lady Sun, swore on the pride of Lord Darkness. Swore on the names of all his gods and goddesses, that the travesties that took place today would never happen again. This was the day a legend was born. But that is a story for another time. -------------------------------------- Renaku looked over the desolate landscape once more, before turning sharply to leave. He walked away with his cloak flapping in the wind and one thought burned into his mind. Even after the destruction of that one branch of the Fumu, he knew that his dealings with _that_ society were far from over. "What are you doing here?" The feel of a steel arrow head against his neck made him pause. He took a quick glance behind him, only to see a flash of green. He was about to retaliate, when a familiar voice interrupted him. "Muramato. I believe he poses no real threat, you can let him go." That voice. A voice that has been burned into Renaku's memory, like the voice of that vampire that turned him into what he was today. He turned slowely and saw the archer that held him at arrow-point. She was a severely dressed green haired woman with an inhumanly cold facade. But that wasn't what interested him. What interested him was the slender blond bishounen, that stood next to her. "You..." Nigel grined, a very sinsiter grin. "Well well, it looks like fate has dealt me a winning hand. How do you do Renaku?" Renaku snarls and balls his fists. "What? Has the devil returned to further defile his old stomping grounds?" Nigel raises an amused eyebrow, "Oh no no no. The devil has only returned to play with his favorite chew toy." Renaku eyed him suspiciuosly. "What do you mean." Nigel reached for the hilt of his sword and his eyes glint "I was sent to find you and bring you to my new employer. I do not see what such a lovely woman sees in you, but it was her request, so I must be fulfill it." He draws his sword and levels it at Renaku. "So will you come peacefully, or shall I have to force you to face your lady love?" "My lady--" Renaku's eyes widend as realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "You can't mean?" Nigel only grined wickedly, and attacked. --------------end of a beggining---------to be cont.----------------------- Vampire Legend R, Created by Ben Overmyer Vampire Legend R Episode 6, Stem Of Hatred-Red Diana. Written by Tso, Proofread by J. Evans Specail Thank you To Evans-san..Er, John for helping me keep the story straight...Or at least I hope its stright.