The Multiverse: Framed Tribute

He had a wonderful night's sleep, up in one of the rooms he normally never visited. It was lush with blues, a new preferred color of Casren's, with clear glass orbs set into the ceiling and walls. The relaxing evening and replenishment had nurtured his mind, letting it wander quickly to the aesthetics of the lawn, saving serious matters for later.

Now, Casren stood outside, wondering whether or not it was time to remove the heads and pikes. The skulls up on the castle and with the gargoyles could stay: He wasn't about to climb up there. It was the lawn that he cared about, for the grass needed cutting, and he wanted to maybe plant flowers.

He would have to talk to a certain entity about that. Casren ripped a pike from the ground, rattling the skull on the end and giggling.

A sniveling demon was dragged up the path to the castle by a man in a metal suit, a suit of war. Some would call him a knight, but he was something far more dangerous. A crusader of the modern age. His armour was that of science, powered by a battery and able to shoot flames and explosives. He also had guns of silver and cold iron.

The demon could not break the mans grip, which was wrapped around his one hand that remained, the other an openly bleeding stump and almost certainly a fresh wound. Jean-Paul Sebastian, the ex-priest assassin, marched up to the front door of the Castle Vankoryth.

Let any vampire who dare cross the lords will challenge him.

Excuse me,

Spoke Casren, holding the pike as a staff. It was quite the spectacle, whoever that was dragging whatever that was. The knight, of sorts, unsettled the old vampire.

Who are you?

"A messenger of the Assassin Society here to return to you the fear of God." With that he cast forth the demon, who crumpled in a heap and covered their head with their arms. "Your tribute of blood to ensure the alliance continues. See it cower? Know the penalty dealt upon your blood-drinking kin."

His hand extended expectantly.

What are you?

Casren asked the 'Fear of God', then looked up to the Assassin's Society member.

Who are you? You wish the bounty, I presume?

"I am Jean-Paul Sebastian. Ex-priest and current assassin. Hand over the photo and you can have your next meal, heathen." He kicked the demon in the side, a swift sharp kick of a metal boot.

Ah! The photo, yes,

Casren disappeared through the door and returned not moments later, carrying a semi-large picture frame, and a set of shackles on his elbow. The frame was mahogany, intricately carved, and housed a photo mounted on cream paper. The photograph itself was enlarged, on low gloss paper, protected by a sheet of glass on the frame.

It was of the last three kills, the family, slumped together, obviously dead. Blood trickled from each of their collars. They were arranged on the stairs, and the lawn stretched before them. The pikes and skulls grew larger as they came towards the camera, slipping from focus as blurry blobs.

With a puffed chest, the vampire handed over the work of art.

"You killed but a child," Jean-Paul spat, "Who had yet to have time to make a man of himself. Your ilk disgust me. I will look forward to some day purging the world of your kind." He snatched the image before reaching for the scruff of the demons neck, lifting him and throwing him at Casren's feet once more.

Likely Jean-Paul would not be sent again for this task. Even now he turned to march away without a word.

You brought me the child,

Casren spat back, dancing on his toes as he watched the brutal man retreat.

He better handle that picture with care.

Casren then swooped down, shackled the thing, and gave the demon a frustrated kick to the skull. That should put it out for a while.

The Multiverse » Arcs » Framed Tribute

As written by: lostamongtrees, Patcharoo

9 pieces and 2 characters involved, written by 2 different authors.

1 places involved

So begins...

Framed Tribute

Setting: Castle Vankoryth