Introduction
There is a long forgotten legend from the 18th century that tells of a time when vampires had nearly overrun the planet. Humanity had tried sending their best warriors and hunters to eliminate the blood sucking menace. Unfortunately, this was to no avail. Finally the most powerful elemental mages from all over the world got together to find a solution. They pleaded to the gods, begging for a creature with skin that could not be penetrated by the vampires, claws strong enough to rip them to shreds and a means of destroying the vampires permanently. The gods, in all their twisted wisdom, heard the pleas of the mages and bestowed upon them the blessing and curse of dragons. The mages themselves were transformed into various forms of dragons, each with the elemental powers they had in their mage form.
The dragons spread through the world wiping out wave after wave of vampires. The vampires, having acquired positions of great power and influence, spread the rumors that the dragons were evil and trying to destroy the kingdoms of man. This got kings to send armies to slay the dragons, which forced many of the dragons to revert back to their mage forms for their own safety and only hunt at night.
Eventually, the vampires numbers dwindled to a manageable amount and they went into hiding, as did the dragon mages. Both Vampires and Dragons became the stuff of legends and the facts surrounding their powers got twisted with every telling of the stories. The vampires continued to take positions of power and influence but they also continued to feed the myth that vampires were fake. Meanwhile, the mages foresaw a time when the vampires would rise again and decided to take precautionary measures. The ritual for invoking the dragon spirits was recorded onto an enchanted crystal tablet and the air dragon mage was tasked with hiding it at the ends of the earth where no vampire would know about it.
Fast forward to the modern world. Everyone believes both vampires and dragons to nothing more that the stuff of fairy tales and legends. Vampires feed in secret and have special arrangements with blood banks and butcher shops. The descendants of the dragon mages have no idea of their heritage or the power that runs through their veins. One such descendant is a young man named Jayce Ericson. He's a photographer for a science themed magazine and was sent to the South pole with a group of scientists studying the effects of electromagnetic fields on subatomic particles. While they were down there they got a large amount of interference from a cave near the site. They went to investigate and found an old man suspended in what they could only describe as a chronoton field. He was holding a pink crystal slab with strange markings engraved in it. Jayce, being a purist when it came to photography, always brought a Polaroid camera with him in addition to his digital cameras and took a few pictures of the old guy in the ice and even got a close up of the crystal tablet. He liked the way the old camera captured the true essence of an image and not just a digital copy of it.
Upon returning to the site, Jayce heard a news report broadcasting over all the frequencies. There was a solar discharge headed for earth that was large enough to render every electronic devise on earth useless. This would leave Jayce and the scientists stranded in the South Pole and there was nothing they could do about it. In the final hour before the discharge hit the earth Jayce decided to go out and see the beauty of the South Pole one more time before he was stranded there.
Suddenly the Sky lit up with the aurora borealis only the colorful waves came all the way down to the ground. The waves came closer and closer until one of the waves completely enveloped him. He felt a strange tingling feeling as like a foot falling asleep, but all over his body. It grew stronger until he felt like his very atoms were being ripped apart. Then he was gone.
After every computer, phone, electronic devise or anything that used electricity was rendered useless, the vampires no longer had steady sources of blood to depend on. The blood banks and butcher shops no longer could keep the blood fresh. The vampires quickly went feral and started hunting humans like wild animals.
Before long there was world wide panic and humanity was thrown back into a new dark age where only the strong can survive. There was no power, no phones, no means of travel without animal power and no modern conveniences of any kind. This is the world where Jayce now wakes up, confused and with no memory what happened and no idea that it's 82 years after the day he vanished.
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The Story So Far... Write a Post » as written by 3 authors
It was dusk by the time she made her way to the edge of the ruins of the place once called Seattle. Flynn was crouched behind a pile of rubble, what used to be some sort of moving vehicle. She had never seen one work--just seen their bones laying rusting and mangled around the edges of the city like the carcasses of great metal beasts. She licked her thumb, sticking it into the air above her head--testing the direction. Downwind. Perfect. Nothing ahead of her would be able to scent her. This was a pretty typical scavenging mission for Flynn--she often went alone since she was considered somewhat odd by the others in the pack. Ever since she was small she had an unfortunate habit of losing her temper and well...accidentally causing spontaneous fires. This, she had learned, was not a very normal human thing to do. It wasn't, however, without its perks too.
Being able to generate large amounts of heat proved quite useful in the winter time when the snow piled high on their settlement. Her pack leader's house, where she lived with him and her four adoptive older brothers, was always lacking snow even during blizzards. It melted as soon as it hit the roof. Plus, they didn't have to expend nearly as much energy on gathering firewood as other pack members did--thanks to that. All her brothers had to do was tease her--mercilessly. In the summer, as it was now, she tended to sleep outside if she lost her temper to avoid overheating the house. Flynn could also melt precious materials if it came down to it. But the whole fire-thing was mostly involuntary, no matter how much she tried to control it. Pack members had all sorts of nicknames for her--"Sparky", "Firefly", "Matches", you name it. The meaner ones just stuck with the classic, "Freak".
Maybe that was why she felt she had to do more. To push the envelope a little. With well-practiced steps, Flynn crept into the city ruins. She could count the number of times she had been to the city. But she had the route memorized to the old ruins of the "Drug store". Medicine was hard to come by in the wilderness, aside for the few and rare bitter tasting herbs some of the settlement doctors managed to find. Hefting her empty scavenging pack, she crept into the alleyway beside the old store.
Voices. She froze like a rabbit sensing a predator. Male voices. At least two. Movement. Shuffling. Other humans? Unlikely this far into the city. But what would Vampires need medicine for? Could medicine like that even work for them? The voices faded. Receded. Footsteps leaving. Flynn had wedged herself into a square overturned trash dumpster while she waited for the voices to fade. She waited, and waited, and waited. Her feet started to fall asleep. But she was surprisingly patient. She had to be. It was what kept her alive this long. Confident that whoever the voices belonged to were gone, she crept from the ally. It was darker now. How long had she waited? She better hurry up. Darkness was not a human friend. Though, she had always felt she could see better than most of the pack in the dark.
On nearly silent feet she crept into the Drug Store and listened. Silence. Silence. She sniffed the air a little, like an animal might. She had noticed vampires often had a certain smell. Like the inside of a freezer. Though she never understood why. She did understood this was also not a normal human thing--and had kept it herself. Satisfied she was alone, she began filling the bag with what seemed to be pain medicine, as well as cough syrup which was often helpful for the littler ones in the settlement. Once full, she made her way back out into the street, senses on high alert. This was way past curfew, Flynn knew. She was going to be in a lot of trouble back home. Quickly, quietly she crept around the corners of buildings, never leaving her back open, never staying still for too long. She made good time--excellent time. Flynn allowed herself a small, proud, smile.
That was when she smelled it. The freezer smell. As if walking into an invisible wall she slammed to a stop, ducking down. Flattening herself against the side of a rusting mail receptacle. Ahead, the smell seemed to be coming from an open door--the windows were caked with dust--but from what Flynn could see--was stacked with haphazardly placed books. A book store? Well--that made more sense than a drug store. She supposed they still probably enjoyed reading...what else is there to do when you live forever in a cursed half-life? She could feel her heart slamming against her rib cadge and swallowed hard. Now you've done it, Flynn. She thought to herself angrily. You've gone and gotten yourself killed.
Should she run? No..predators like that...better to hide. But where?
Brandonโs dreams were not very settling. He remembered all the things that Darren had told him had happened to him in the hospital. The abuse, the way their parents had ignored him. In the dream he was in the hospital with Darren in a padded cell. The walls fell away into a black abyss and Brandon was trying to save Darren when a huge white and blue dragon flew out of the abyss and breathed a torrent of ice shards at the two of them tearing them to shreds. The dream then faded away, but it wasnโt enough to wake him up. He managed to sleep until morning. He woke up before both Darren and Ven. He sat there still holding Ven in the same position he was in when he fell asleep. He just smiled and held him tight until he woke up.
Darren slowly mumbled, forcing himself up from his side. ~Freedom is all an illusion. You must break free of your chains. Let me in. Let in your protector.~ Darren shrugged, sitting upright. He didnโt need to act like anything was wrong. It wasnโt. He usually had intellect when first waking up as well. Turn around, he saw Brandon and Ven. โI see you two slept well.โ Darren said jokingly as he pointed out the obvious. He felt exhausted, mentally. Like always. โEverythingโs so peaceful. Itโs so foreign to me.โ Darren muttered quietly, slowly standing up. Itโd be awhile before Ven woke up. He looked too tired to even attempt moving in his sleep.
Brandon was thrilled that Darren was lucid and not freaking out. โWell, I wouldnโt say I slept well, but I slept deeply.โ He sighed. He slowly slid Ven onto the bean bag. โI didnโt get to answer all of your questions last night before you passed out.โ He smiled at Darren. โI didnโt stay in Seattle all this time. I actually just came back last year. After I thought you and Tony were both gone, I went looking for any kind of information on legends of vampires, so I knew what to look out for and if I had to feed on humans or just blood. I realized I could feed on any blood, not just human, but I also found some really old legends about a savior to the humans that would have the power to bring the vampires to their knees. It was said that he would return in the land of the rain where the sun set on the ocean. I figured that meant Seattle so I returned to help him if I could when he returned. A year later I find you and Ven.โ He explained. He gave Darren a big hug. โSo when sleeping beauty wakes up, we should go get you something to eat and get your meds in before the voices get too loud.โ He grinned. He didnโt want to tell him about the dream and worry him more than he needed to.
Darren sighed. โI have to learn how to take care of these voices on my own or when theyโre triggered, I wonโt be able to stop what they make me do.โ He hugged Brandon back gently. โAlso. Why did you sleep well? Was it too weird? I mean, it was weird for me. I had the weirdest dre-โ Darren cut himself off, thinking of how heโd word it. โAnyway. Where did you hear these legends? Do you have an idea who the savior is? Are they still suitable to do it? I mean Iโd assume this person is able to do it if the legends are like that.โ He couldnโt stop himself from talking. โWhat if they kill- Kill- Kill- Kill us?โ Darren was surprised when he couldnโt get the next word out. โThat was weirdโฆ I never had anything like that happen- happen- happen- hap-, Happen before.โ Darren looked at himself weirdly. This was a new one.
Brandon listened to the many questions. โI know you need to learn to control your voices, but the meds can make it easier. Even when they run out, if youโve taken them for a long time, it could potentially reverse them.โ He spoke softly, his voice was still raspy from everything he had done the night before. He wasnโt used to heavy breathing anymore. โI had some weird dreams too. As far as the legends go, I went as far as Brazil and other parts of South America listening to the legends of the humans from a distance. They were never very specific, but from what I heard it seems like heโs going to have the power to wake up the power in humans to defend themselves. I donโt think weโll be killed if we help out and make it clear we feed on animals not humans.โ He heard the way Darren was having trouble with his words. โI think we might need to switch your medication. If this is one of the side effects.โ He got the bag of meds and the book of descriptions. He crossed off the medication and took out a new one. โThis one only seems to have a few side effects like dry mouth.โ He said as he set it on the counter.
Darren chuckled. โIt- It- It- It- Itโs not the medication. Itโs me struggling to keep control.โ He sighed. โIโm just so confused. Itโs hard to choose between pleasure or pain. Iโm not strong enough to handle them.โ Darren felt like heโd weigh them down, and he would. He wanted to leave, but he wanted to stay as well. He knew which one was right and which one was wrong. โItโs hard fighting a battle I know I canโt win.โ Darren was so focused that his word stuttering had stopped, only for a brief time. โI donโt get why- why- wh- w- why Iโm like this.โ He felt a surge of anger embody him, making him press away from Brandon. โBut I canโt survive on animals alone. Itโs the thirst thatโs unbearable with these voices!โ Darren stood up, storming off to see if he could find a book to read.
Brandon took the information in and tried to understand Darrenโs point of view. He could see the anger in his eyes, but he knew that wasnโt really Darren. He walked over to him as he was looking at the books. He had grabbed a few of the pills off the counter. He bit into his own wrist and let the blood start to flow. โFine, you wonโt have to quit cold turkey, here.โ He came up behind him and pressed his wrist up to Darrenโs lips. He knew it was risky and that Darren might not be able to stop himself, but he refused to give up on him. โDamn it youโre family and I donโt care what the hell is wrong with you, you donโt give up on family. Iโll do anything to help you. Now drink up so you can take these and get those things to shut up so you donโt have to fight them as much.โ He demanded. He didnโt care if Darren was mad at him or not he was gonna get better or die again trying.
โI feel quite insulted, Brandon. You know heโs not in control and you still offer your blood to him.โ Darren took a whiff of Brandonโs blood before opening his mouth. โBut Iโll still go along with it. Why wouldnโt I? Everyone needs their family. Even if that family left their siblings under the belief that they were dead.โ He chuckled, slowly pressing his teeth against Brandonโs wrist. โThe pills will take aboutโฆ Ten minutes before taking effect. Heโs taken them so many times Iโve lost count.โ After he took the needed blood, he voluntarily took the pills as well. โYouโre lucky that Iโm the rational one. A big difference from the one you first faced that smacked Ven to the side into a wall.โ
Brandon could see what was happening and he had no idea that it had gotten this bad. He didnโt say anything to the one that was controlling Darren as he fed on the blood. He didnโt want to give them any more fuel to try and turn Darren against him. He waited about fifteen minutes before looking at Darren and seeing a slightly confused look on his face. โAre you Darren now?โ He asked cautiously. โI didnโt realize it had gotten that bad. Multiple personalities now?โ He hugged him before he had the chance to answer. โDonโt let them turn you against me, I didnโt know you were alive.โ He whispered in his ear.
Darren was rather confused. โOf course Iโm Darren. Who else is Darrenโฆ that you knowโฆ?โ He didnโt know why Brandon hugged him so suddenly. โTo respond to the previous part first, โtheyโ told me it was (Dissociative identity disorder) D.I.Dโฆ And he told me youโd do anything to protect me.โ So he was rather confused on the hugging part. โHe told me that while you protected me from the outside, heโd do so from the inside. A bit weird. Also, he said not to listen to what you said when he left. That youโd be speaking about how he talked about making me believe you were dead. Heโs quite nice, yet he refuses to tell me his name.โ Darren could see why Brandon would say that though. Itโs how the man sounds and how he said it. Darren wouldโve thought something was up had he not been told, or seen it from Brandonโs view. โBut I think Ven might wake up soon consideringโฆโ He looked around for a clock of some sort. โI saw him fifteen minutes ago. He might be waking up soon.โ
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Ven actually woke up around the estimated time. โHm?โ He was still exhausted, but at least he could talk and think sense again. โWhere are you guys?โ Venlak stumbled to get a good standing on the ground. His mindset and vision were still returning after his long sleep.
Brandon smiled at Darren. โWell, he doesnโt need to protect you anymore now. Youโre out of that awful place and you have me. And yes he did say that I let you think I was dead, but I thought you were so it wasnโt intentional.โ He said before hearing Ven wake up. โOver here, just had to get Darren a snack so he could take his pills.โ He called out. He turned around to see Ven and suddenly the room started spinning and he felt dizzy. โOkay thatโs not good.โ He said as he tried to steady himself on the bookshelf next to him. He fell to his knees before looking up at Ven. โI need to feed.โ He growled. His own instincts kicking in. He breathed in deeply trying to get the smell of blood to track something to eat. But right now he could only smell his own blood and barely a little of Venโs. He ran out of the store and breathed in the outside air smelling a deer nearby and a human. He growled and took off in the direction of the deer where he tore into it and drained it dry. He hoped that Darren was in control enough not to hunt the human as well.
Ven tried to rush to Brandon, to stop himself from falling. โBrandon!โ He was rather too late in getting to him. Venlak himself stumbled forward, face planting on the ground. What if he ran into trouble outside and he was alone? A lot of things could happen!
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Darren shifted to the side, pressing forward against the ground. โWhere are you going Brandon? You recently fed didnโt you?โ Darren tried his best to slow down Venโs falling while still rushing after Brandon. His attention was fixed upon Brandonโs smell, following it. He had a slightly different pheromone radiating off him, just like Ven, making it easier to hunt โem down. Coming up behind Brandon, he gently placed his hand on Brandonโs shoulder. โAre you alright?โ Darren asked questionably towards Brandon. Was he ok? Why did he need to feed anyway?
Brandon looked up at Darren cautiously. His face was covered in deer blood. โIโm better. I didnโt have a lot of blood in me before I offered. I mean, I fed yesterday but I also โgaveโ a lot of it yesterday. I didnโt think it was that much, but I guess I was wrong. I felt the hunger hit me right after the dizziness and the only blood I could smell was my own and Venโs. I had to get out of there before I hurt either of you trying to feed. I might need to get a couple more deer or something, just to be safe.โ Brandon thought it was kind of odd to, he had at least one and a half wolves worth of blood in him still by the time Darren had fed on him and he didnโt take all that much. โI think there might be something wrong with me, Iโm burning through blood quicker than I should be.โ He said after doing the math in his head. โEven with all the extra running around and stuff yesterday, I should have had more blood in me.โ He looked worried.
Darren sighed. โMaybe itโs nothing related to these things that youโre thinking about. Maybe itโs related to the thing you think might not affect you as a vampire in whole.โ He crouched down to Brandonโs level. โJust take a break, get some blood, and donโt do anything. If it still runs out of your system, weโll know something is up.โ Darren gently rubbed Brandonโs back, sighing again as he did. โWeโll figure it out. Trust me.โ He wouldnโt let Brandon die in the future. So he was going to figure out a way to help Brandon. Itโd be the first and last thing he did for today, or else heโd forget about taking his pills. (Tag. Might have to go soon, and be back around 4-5ish.)
โSounds like a plan. To think, all those years I tried to take care of you, and now youโre taking care of me. I love you bro.โ He smiled and gave Darren a brotherly hug. โCan you tell Ven whatโs going on? I need to go get some more animals. You guys are welcome to join me hunting if you like. Just follow my scent.โ He offered. He felt bad for running out like that, for making them worry, but it was better than the alternative. He stood up and sniffed the air. He caught the scent of a bobcat sleeping in a nearby building using it like a cave for shelter. He was gone in a flash. He had the creatureโs neck snapped and was feeding when he realized that he was in the hospital where his parents said he was born. โHmm, maybe thereโs some information here that could help me figure out whatโs wrong if itโs something genetic or an illness.โ
He began looking around the place and searched through all the file cabinets pulling any file related to his parents, his brother or himself. He knew that the files were usually kept on the computers, but he also knew that physical copies were also required. He found several files in the building as well as some other animals using it for shelter that he ate. He began to look through the files. He found some interesting things in his motherโs file. She had received treatment for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. โShit, that could be bad.โ He muttered after reading it.
Darren nodded, walking off. Something felt off but Darren couldnโt place his mind on it? Tongue on it? He forgot the term people used. He rushed off to go back to Ven and tell him. He was surprised they hadnโt ran into either human nor vampire. Darren came at the front entrance to the store. โHey, Ven.โ He entered, letting Ven know he was here.
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Ven quickly responded, walking towards Darren. โIs Brandon okay?โ He was confused, or rather, the state Brandon left in. โHe didnโt look okay so how do we know if heโll be okay?โ Ven pushed for some kind of information on this.
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Darren was trying to keep up as it was. โD-donโt worry about Brandon. He only went out to find some animals to feed upon. He was deprived of blood, so he went to go get some. Thatโs all there is to it.โ And Darren hoped so. Darren grabbed his jacket which somehow got off him as he slept, placing it on him. โJustโฆ Stay here. I have some things I have to take care of.โ He walked out without letting Ven respond. He felt like he had a needed purpose to try and help Brandon, no matter what he said. Darren only hoped that in leaving Ven to help Brandon, Ven didnโt run into trouble while he was gone.
Brandon took the files and went back down to the main entrance of the hospital. He figured it would be best if he didnโt go running off while waiting for Ven and Darren to come join him. He went back to reading over the files. He looked over Darrenโs file to see if there was anything that could give him more insight into his illness. He saw nothing that he didnโt already know seeing as they didnโt have any records after the time he was put in the asylum. He looked back to his parents apart from their mom having CFS, he also saw that their father was hypoglycemic. Both conditions could be passed down genetically and might account for his burning through blood at a high rate. He was anxious to tell Darren to let him know that he might have figured it out. He sat down in the waiting room, he wondered if the emergency generators in the basement would still work, they were in the basement when the flare hit, so they may have been shielded from the flare. But they would have kicked on right after, not that anything electrical would work that could use the power.
Darren slowly wandered off. โI think I know who the savior is Brandonโฆ And itโs my job to get him now.โ Heโd heard about a human the Vampires recently got. He was tooโฆ Human to pass anyoneโs test of current knowledge. โIโll bring him back, and no one needs to die.โ Darren mumbled. He didnโt know what was coming over him. It was a feeling he couldnโt push away. โThose damn vampires are gonna pay.โ He gritted his teeth. One two. One two. One two. Darren listened to a melody playing in his head that he became accustomed to his time at the asylum. It didnโt matter whether the voices made it or not. Heโd make sure no one got hurt when he could do it. Could he do it? He didnโt know. Darren had to believe in himself. Inโฆ himself. โYou may hate me for leaving without notice, but youโll find a note somewhere explaining myself, Brandon. I only wish you do not come after me.โ The vampires which he was after were possibly experienced more than any of them. So unpredictability would have to be on Darrenโs side.
Brandon was beginning to wonder what was taking so long. He knew his scent was strong enough to follow in his state. He decided to go to the basement and check the generator while he was waiting for them. He took a look at the big machine and noticed that the fuel tank was empty, so there was nothing he could do anyway. He went back up and sat down and when he did, he heard a crinkling sound. He stood up and checked his pocket and saw a piece of paper in his pocket. He unfolded it and saw it was a note from Darren. It read: โHello, Brandon. Most likely, by the time youโre reading this, and I wonโt be cheesy, Iโve made my way to someone I believe to be the savior, as you put it. Ven is only aware that you went out to find blood since you needed it. Donโt follow me, as I donโt expect Iโll be returning. But I hope that in my attempt, I somehow get the humanโฆ Dragonโฆ Priest, guy, to you. Your dearest brother, Darren.โ
โThat little bastard!โ Brandon growled as he put the note back in his pocket. He took off back to the bookstore. When he got there he told Ven about Darren had done. โI think I should go after him, even if he told me not to. Heโs gonna get himself killed before he finds the damn savior. And what the hell does he mean by Dragon? Is the savior a dragon?โ His mind couldnโt stay fixed on one topic. He was erratic and jumpy. Heโd finally found Darren and now he just ran away to try to save humanity. โIโm gonna try to stop him before he gets killed, you can come with to help me, or you can stay here and be safe. I wonโt have a problem with either, but if youโre coming with we need to leave now.โ Brandon said as he grabbed a handful of dopamine pills. His plan was to knock his ass out and medicate him so he wouldnโt run away.
Ven was still trying to wrap his head around what was going on. โI thought he was heading back to you.โ He quickly swung his jacket over his shoulder, trying to understand why Darren left in the first place. All three of them couldโve done it in the first place. โWell we have no idea where heโs heading, so how do we know which direction to go in?โ Ven was trying to make sense of this, or as to why Brandon was so erratic. But he also knew what heโd do if his own brother did this stunt, so he understood it however slightly. โDo you have an idea where heโs going?โ He rushed outside he Brandon. Ven would just have to follow Brandon to Darren, seeing as how he didnโt know exactly how to follow Darrenโs scent, unlike Brandon, who has lived with Darren for some time.
Brandon tried to calm himself enough to explain things a little bit clearer. โI thought he was going to come back too, but he knows something about the legends that I have been following the last few years.โ He sighed. โI realized that thereโs something wrong with me. Iโm burning through blood quicker than I should, moreso when things are chaotic like the last couple days. He thinks he knows where the savior of the humans is and he ran off thinking the savior could help me or something. Itโs just a combination of genetic crap and the vampire virus. Heโs overreacting and I know heโs doing it out of love, but thereโs no need for him to do that.โ He looked back and forth around the city. His hunting and tracking instinct taking over, he sniffed the air, his brotherโs scent was similar to his own, but just a little more musky. โIf the savior of the humans is here and the vampires know about it, theyโll have him hidden away somewhere, most likely in that huge mansion they like to stay in, pretending to be royalty like children.โ He snarled. โHeโs gonna go there first, but if he barges in, with the state of mind heโs in, heโs gonna get killed before he gets inside. Iโm gonna have to drug him to calm him down.โ He said. He found Darrenโs scent in the air. โHeโs this way.โ He said as his head snapped like a hunting dog in the direction of his prey.
Ven nodded, rushing behind Brandon. Heโd trust Brandon no matter the situation. โBut are you sure he needs to be drugged? Maybe explain things to him and maybe heโll listen.โ
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Darren continued walking. ~Are you sure you want to do this? These Vampires have more experience than you. What if you die? What then? Even if you took that into account, what about Brandon? Heโll never forgive you for letting yourself die knowing the consequence.~ โThen damn the consequences. I know who the savior is and I have a chance to get them to safety. Itโs more than enough to settle the consequence. If you canโt see that, then shut up.โ Darren growled. He wasnโt in the mood to discuss this. โNow Iโm going. Itโs most likely he found the letter and looking for me.โ He only hoped the Mansion he spoke about didnโt come into Brandonโs mind. โHopefully, and I say hopefully loosely, we can get to the Mansion before it crosses his mind.โ He continued walking, deciding to try and block out the voices.
Brandon was faster than the average vampire. It might also account for his blood use the last couple days and his fatigue. He was well fed right now, so his speed wasnโt being affected. He followed the scent until he could see Darren. โIโll try it your way first, but if he doesnโt listen, heโs getting himself knocked out.โ He whispered just loud enough for Ven to hear. He slowed down his movement so that he was silent and approached from up wind so he wouldnโt be able to smell them. He bent down and launched himself at Darren wrapping his arms around his neck and going limp to pull him to the ground. They were just about a block in front of the mansion and Brandon did his best to keep from drawing unneeded attention to them. โWhat the hell do you think youโre doing?! Why are you trying to get the damn savior, you wonโt even get past the gate. I know you think you need to protect me and help me, but getting yourself killed wonโt help any of us. Come on, letโs go home and rethink your strategy. If we get more people to help, or at the very least find a way to infiltrate the mansion and get the savior from inside, weโll have a better chance.โ Brandon explained and hoped that Darren would listen to reason.
Ven tried his best to stay up with Brandon. (So short on Venโs part.
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Darren grumbled as he tried to keep Brandon up. โI can get in there. Iโm a Vampire. Getting the Savior is all that matters, isnโt it? If so, youโll let me go do what I have to do, Brandon.โ Darren had no interest in not trying. The Savior had to be in there. Darren could do something. โJust let me try something for once! Youโve always been there for me, when I was suppose to be there for you!โ He tried his best to continue walking, but Brandon was weighing him down, and just when he thought Brandon was enough, Ven tried to weigh him down as well. โDamn it Brandon. I understand how you feel, truly. But I have a chance to make everything right. After all everything Iโve gone through, let me have this one.โ Darren was begging in his own way to do something right. He failed to be there as a brother for Brandon, and Brandon was always there for him. It had to be Darrenโs turn to be there for Brandon now. He had to keep going. Heโd do anything for Brandon.
Brandon dug his heels into the dirt to act like an anchor for Darren. โYou big idiot, Iโm not telling you that you canโt go in there and you canโt rescue the savior. Iโm just telling you that we need to have a plan first!โ Brandon growled as he struggled to stop Darrenโs movement. โI know you want to do something for meโฆ to help me for once, so help me now. Stop what youโre doing and letโs get a plan before you get yourself killed just because you feel bad about a childhood you had no control over.โ He said. He reached into his pocket and grabbed the pills just in case he didnโt get through.
Darren tried to push on. โBut I had control over it. I couldโve been better if only I spoke out sooner. That was my mistake.โ He paused as he listened to Brandon. โBut what if I could get the Savior out without having to get a plan? I could do it.โ His voice drifted off. ~Listen to him Darren. Itโd be the smart move to do. Iโd hate to have you die on me. And then I die with you.~ Darren didnโt want to listen to them. But he was a sucker for logical thinking. โI guess I can see how Iโd get myself killed.โ He said as he looked at the Mansion. Before, he wasnโt thinking logically, but now he was.
Brandon put the pills in his pocket again. โGood, now I donโt have to drug your ass.โ Brandon chuckled. He turned to face Darren and looked into his eyes. โDarren, you know our parents, I told them you were talking to people that werenโt there and they just told me you had an imaginary friend. If you had spoke up they would have just said it was childish nonsense.โ Brandon spoke softly. โYou donโt owe me anything Darren, certainly not your life. If anything I owe you. I tried to tell them that the asylum was mistreating you, that they were abusing you. I knew what was happening to you and I couldnโt stop it.โ Brandon had a tear roll down his cheek. He didnโt like thinking about what the asylum did. โI have no doubt that youโd be able to get in there, itโs the getting out that would be hard to do. Did you even have an exit strategy? Do you even know what the Savior looks like?โ He chuckled. โCโmon, letโs go back to the bookstore and plan this thing out. Also I found our medical records while I was hunting in the hospital. Yours obviously are incomplete but I also got mine and our parentsโ.โ He smiled. โI think I figured out what was wrong with me.โ
Darren turned towards Brandon. โYou were gonna drug me?โ He asked laughing. โI mean, I had an escape plan. Kind of. I guess it wouldโve been hard to get out of. Besides, I owe you a lot. You always visited me, no matter how bad I got. Youโre the one person that kept me going.โ He brought his hand around, patting Brandon on the head. โIโm always gonna take care of my little brother, even if he always takes care of me.โ Darren was intrigued by what Brandon had found. โSo whatโs wrong with you exactly? Is it something that can be fixed?โ He was hoping it could be fixed. It had to be fixable. โI mean, you can tell me on our walk to the bookstore.โ
Brandon grinned. โI was only gonna drug you if you didnโt cooperate.โ He chuckled. As they started walking back to the bookstore. โIโm not completely certain what was wrong, but I looked at our parentsโ medical records and found this.โ He handed the open files to Darren and pointed to one spot. โMom was treated for chronic fatigue syndrome, something that the doctors still hadnโt found the cause of when the flare hit, it might be something passed on genetically. Then thereโs this.โ He opened the other file and pointed to something else. โDad was hyperglycemic, so both of these could have been passed down to me and been dormant until now. If these conditions reacted or mutated with the vampire virus it could explain why I was burning through blood so quickly, I may have to feed more than average for the rest of myโฆ well forever.โ He explained.
Darren tilted his head. โSo thereโs no way to fix it?โ He was surprised Brandon was so calm about all of this. โWouldnโt that get annoying?โ Darren quickly went over the the files. โIโm sure they found a way toโฆโ There had to be a way to help Brandon. โI refuse to believe thereโs nothing out there to help you. There has to be.โ What kind of like would Brandon have if he needed to feed constantly? He didnโt want to think about it, but it plagued his mind. Heโd find the cure. Or something to help Brandon. โBut why donโt I have it? It doesnโt make any sense. I have my disorder, which is weird. Neither of them had itโฆโ Or maybe it was just something in Darrenโs life that made him this way. โIโm over thinking things.โ He laughed quietly as he continued to walk with Brandon to the Bookstore.
โWell, Iโm not sure that itโs cureable, but I think itโs treatable. Iโm pretty sure I remember Mom taking pills that she said were for her โexhaustionโ. I think that might have been what she was talking about. I can check that book of prescriptions when we get back to the bookstore and see what treatments were used then maybe pick some of the meds up.โ He thought about the genetic possibilities. โThatโs a good question, but then genetics work in weird ways. Mental disorders, physical disorders, all that kind of stuff can be brought on by a lot of factors and the way things are in the world right now, we just donโt have all the information we need.โ He smiled. It wasnโt long before the three of them were back at the bookstore. He thought it was odd how quiet Ven was being. Heโd have to make sure to spend some alone time with him later. (tag)
Darren nodded, walking inside the bookstore, giving him some free time with Ven. He knew when some people needed some time alone anyhow. So he left no comment, but an unspoken answer with a nod.
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Ven was a good listener. As he noticed Darren walking in, he turned towards Brandon. โItโs a bit weird. If we know where the savior is, why donโt we just rescue him? He could be dead before we can come up with a plan, couldnโt he? Then itโd be all for nothing.โ Ven said quietly, looking to the ground. To think about it all ending in vain. He couldnโt bring himself to wrap around that thought. So many things could go wrong. So many. โBesides that, I think weโll have a good run getting into the mansion when we come up with a plan.โ He was also wondering about these pills. If they could help Brandon, heโd have to get them.
โI really donโt think those vampires even know heโs the savior. If theyโre keeping him in the house, most likely theyโre using him as a feeding human or a pet. Those humans get treated surprisingly well. I actually lived with them for a while right after being turned. Also, from the stuff I read about the savior, he wonโt even know heโs the savior.โ He looked at Ven with a smile. โI agree that weโll have a better chance with a plan first. I think it might be best if you and Darren go into the mansion, they probably wonโt take me back. Iโll need you to make sure Darren gets his meds. Iโll be waiting out here for you. If the savior is someoneโs pet, you may have to get them to take the savior out of the mansion so you have a better chance of getting them to the human settlement. But it might be a good idea to wait and take care of it in the morning with a fresh mind."
Frightened out of her mind, she had slammed herself into the rotting carcass of a nearby vehicle. The windows had all been shattered long before and some birds had clearly made a nest out of the front seat. Flynn, thanking whatever gods there might or might not be, practically flew through the back shattered window. Her thin boyish body was a blessing at this moment as it helped her avoid the shards of glass dangling like teeth in the old warped window frames. Blood would only draw them. Some of the nesting birds chirped at her--startled by her appearance but thankfully, they did not take to the air. It must be sitting on an egg, Flynn thought gratefully. She had heard about the protectiveness of mothers. She couldn't remember her own.
Flattening herself, Flynn wedged herself under the back seat in the small rotted space between the floor and the back bench. It was very cramped. But the scent of the birds should cover her own. Should. Should. Her heartbeat seemed to say it too. Should. Should. Should.
But if it didn't? She was a snack for them. Waiting to be tasted. Waiting to die. A tin can snack. Flynn swallowed dryly, focusing on steadying her panicked ragged breathing. It was far too loud in this tiny space. Her sense of time felt warped. Her feet began to cramp uncomfortably. Gingerly, slowly, she tried to stretch her toes in her awkwardly fitting boots. How long had passed? Minutes? Hours? Would the pack even look for her? Maybe they would just be grateful...
Time passing. The gentle rustle and chirping of the mother bird. Time passing. Flynn shifting as gently, softly, gingerly as possible. Listening. Straining her ears for movement. Any sign that she was found. None came. She must have fallen asleep out of sheer exhaustion at some point. She jolted awake, nearly exclaiming in surprise when the sound of running footsteps, fast, very fast came to her ears. She stuffed a fist into her mouth, biting down to silence herself.
"Brandon!" She heard a male voice. Familiar. The same one from before? Then a sound as if someone fell. Could vampires be clumsy too? She was shaking with the effort to keep herself silent. Shaking with the fear of discovery. Flynn heard moment, someone getting to their feet? Someone else running. Two pairs of running feet? The sound grew distant. She waited. Silence. The mother bird twittered in her nest. They didn't smell her? Was this a trap? Hesitantly, she inched from her hiding space. Her body protested, aching as she drew herself into a crouch. Cautiously, she peered through the back window at the bookstore. The scent--the very cold scent was fading. The mother bird, realizing Flynn was still present began to cry out loudly. This seemed as good a time as any to make her exit.
It was light out--an early pink of morning. Were vampires weaker in the day or was that a myth? Flynn couldn't remember. She didn't want to personally find out. As quickly and quietly as she could, she made her way toward the edge of the city. Her bag rattled softly as she jogged, the medicines she'd scavenged clinking around. A sense of relief washed over her as she made it to the treeline. She was nearly home. And she was not dead. Or undead.
- 53 posts here • Page 3 of 3 • 1, 2, 3
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View All » Add Character » 17 Characters to follow in this universe
Newest
Flynn O'Connor
Play with fire..and you'll get burned
Travis Ericson
"This wasn't the life I chose."
Darren
"Why must we suffer at the hands of others?" - "One goes, another comes. Everyone is replaceable."
Brandon Lamont
"I didn't lose my humanity when I died."
Venlak
"The true battle is within. We must learn to control our desires rather than letting them run free."
Lance "Elder" Mason
"Just because you don't believe the legend, doesn't mean it isn't true."
Florin Morvant
But babe... you taste so good.
Mavis45
I am Mavis. I'm a vampire. I like to do whatever.
Jayce Ericson
"What the hell is going on?"
Trending
Florin Morvant
But babe... you taste so good.
Travis Ericson
"This wasn't the life I chose."
Flynn O'Connor
Play with fire..and you'll get burned
Brandon Lamont
"I didn't lose my humanity when I died."
Darren
"Why must we suffer at the hands of others?" - "One goes, another comes. Everyone is replaceable."
Mavis45
I am Mavis. I'm a vampire. I like to do whatever.
Lance "Elder" Mason
"Just because you don't believe the legend, doesn't mean it isn't true."
Jayce Ericson
"What the hell is going on?"
Venlak
"The true battle is within. We must learn to control our desires rather than letting them run free."
Most Followed
Jayce Ericson
"What the hell is going on?"
Mavis45
I am Mavis. I'm a vampire. I like to do whatever.
Venlak
"The true battle is within. We must learn to control our desires rather than letting them run free."
Darren
"Why must we suffer at the hands of others?" - "One goes, another comes. Everyone is replaceable."
Brandon Lamont
"I didn't lose my humanity when I died."
Florin Morvant
But babe... you taste so good.
Flynn O'Connor
Play with fire..and you'll get burned
Travis Ericson
"This wasn't the life I chose."
Lance "Elder" Mason
"Just because you don't believe the legend, doesn't mean it isn't true."
View All » Places
52 posts · 7 characters present · last post 2017-10-27 13:37:47 »
Earth ↪ Seattle Owner: SugarNspikeS
Seattle, Washington or what's left of it.
1 posts · 5 characters present · last post 2017-10-03 01:01:22 »
The market place has been over-grown with trees and bushes and looks abandoned from the outside.
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Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
by SugarNspikeS on Mon Oct 02, 2017 4:30 pm
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on Mon Oct 30, 2017 8:11 am
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Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
Most recent OOC posts in Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
Re: Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
Then--later in the week because I'm a throbbing mass of impatient--why is this deaaaaaad? -pouts-
Re: Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
I've submitted a character. I'd love to join in. Please let me know if anything needs to change character-wise. Hope to be approved soon!
Blood & Fire: 2nd attempt
This is the 2nd attempt at this roleplay. The first time didn't end too well, but if you're interested in vampires, dragons and lots of back story in a post-apocalyptic Seattle, feel free to submit a character.