[WingcommanderIV]

The Aldonn Chronicles Ep 18: Night Forevermore part 3

Aldonn groaned as his head throbbed angrily. Reaching towards his chest, he tenderly rubbed his side, taking note of a few broken ribs. Ignoring the pain, he got slowly to his feet.

An old merchant from across the street came hobbling over on his cane, “Are you okay, man? You just fell 7 freaking stories!”

Aldonn held up his hand and tried to reply but could only cough. Instead Aldonn gave a thumbs up, and then continued back into the building, and towards the stairs. It took five minutes to climb the stairs, as he took every step one at a time. When he finally got to the room, he was greeted with a complete mess.

The floor was almost complete caved into the floor below. The walls were riddled with holes, and broken furniture. The windows were all shattered, and across from that a pile of weapons and debris sat dangerously. Aldonn immediately noticed Edward in the back of the room, and ran around the gaping hole in the center, and knelt down beside him, “Ed…you okay?”

Ed coughed, and sputtered blood from the gash in his neck. He managed to whisper coarsely and said with a smile, “You look terrible.”

Aldonn smiled too, “Falling seven stories is ill-advisable, let me tell you now. Will you live?”

Edward put his hand to his neck, and winced, “Sure. Let me just patch this up.” Struggling to his feet, he ripped a part of his shirt off, and tied it to the wound to quell the bleeding, “Where’s Frank?”

Aldonn surveyed the room, while trying to remember where he’d seen Frank last. Remembering the pile across the room, he rushed to it, and began lifting the heaviest things off the pile. His ribs and arms protested angrily, but he ignored them.

After a minute of hard work, he was rewarded with a panicked groan from inside, “Frank? Frank! Don’t worry man, I’m coming.”

Aldonn pushed the last of the Debris aside, to find that Frank didn’t look any better than the rest of them. He had a very swollen black eye, and an Axe dug deep into his leg. Aldonn grabbed his hand, pulled him from the debris and, laying him down, pulled the axe from his leg.

Frank screamed, and gritted his teeth, “Is Cyan okay?”

Edward, still holding the torn cloth to his neck, joined Aldonn at Frank’s side, “You mean the girl?”

Frank nodded, “She’s been hunting vampires her entire life, that’s why they attacked. They wanted her.”

Aldonn scratched his head, and quickly searched the room, “Well they got her.”

Frank tried to get up, “We need to save her.”

Edward held Frank back, “Careful, we’re not exactly at perfect fighting form here. And even if we were, we have no clue where they’d take her.”

“They’re going to torture her, or kill her, or worse, we can’t give up on her. She deserves better.”

* * *

Abjex couldn’t take her eyes off her. They had moved the chair aside and hung her from the ceiling, tying the ropes so tight that they made her wrists bleed. Her face was a complete mess, mangled and misshapen, and bloody. Her clothes were in tatters to the point that they no longer covered anything. Her white hair was drenched red, tangled and matted to her face, and Abjex thought she was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. She was like a fallen angel from one of those temple murals he’d often stared out when he was a kid. He missed those. When he grew up, he stopped caring about religion, and now that he was a vampire, he couldn’t go back if he wanted to.

Still, he remembered the pain on their faces, and could still imagine what it would be like to assert himself on an angel. Of course that’d never happen, but at least he had her.

Keller walked in, and crossed his arms, “Are you just going to stare at her all day?”

Abjex looked up, “Do ya need her?”

Keller shook his head, “Not until tonight. The ritual can’t be done until the sun sets.”

“I hate the sun.”

Keller smiled, “If successful, we’ll never need to worry about the sun ever again. You can play with her all you want till then, just as long as her heart is still beating.”

He left the room and Abjex smiled. He grabbed her nose, which was already barely hanging on her face, and twisted it hard. She growled, and her eyes flew open. She could barely see through the blood, but knew where she was, “You asshole.”

Abjex smiled, “Mine isn’t the one you should be worried about darling. I have you until the moon rises, and I’m going to make you beg for it.”

Cyan didn’t say anything, but simply stared at him through her stained eyes.

“I’ll make it easier for you, if you say something heavenly. Angelic…Anything. Come on.”

Cyan continued to stare at him, and her silence provoked him to back hand her across the face. Barely flinching she finally said, “You can shove a pike up your ass.”

Abjex stopped, “Hmph…that’s good. I like that. Sounds like a good idea to me.” He circled around behind her, still grinning, “I’m going to enjoy making you scream.”

* * *

Edward kicked a panel of the remaining wall angrily, and to his surprise, it fell off and a set of leather bound books tumbled out. He picked up one of them, and began to read:

“Dear Diary. Today was my birthday and I spent it in doors like every other day. Normal girls would have parties and friends and cake but all I get is a beating. Father is quick to remind me that I am not normal I am a freak. I try not to be it isn’t enough for him. Nothing is enough for him. Mommy gave me this diary but father took it away. He told her it would make me weak but she said all normal girls write in diaries. I want to be normal I don’t want to be a freak. Hopefully father won’t find this.

* * *

Dear Diary. Father returned from a hunt angry he hurt me again. Said he wanted a boy, not a girl. A freak of a girl. I’d never be able to hunt. When I told him I wanted to learn to hunt, he only hit me harder. He said a hunter wouldn’t scream. Must not scream.

* * *

Dear Diary. Big Girls don’t cry. I am a slow learner.

I deserve the bruises.”

Frank slapped the book from Edward’s hands, “What the hell are you doing? That stuff is private.”
“And disturbing…” echoed Aldonn.

Edward sighed, “It’s obvious this girl has had problems in her past, but we have to wade through these if we’re going to find her.”

Frank shot Edward a quizzical glance, “What the hell do you expect to find in these fun fairy-tale childhood memories?”

“You said she’d been a hunter all her life. She’ll likely mention common vampire hideouts and nests somewhere in her diaries.”

Frank nodded, “Maybe…and that’s a big maybe…when she’s older. Not freaking 6.”

Edward couldn’t argue that and kicked the first book away. He then grabbed the second and started flipping silently through it.

Meanwhile Aldonn rose, and joined Frank in a huddle with the hope of not disturbing Edward, “And what are we going to do once we find where these things are. They’re stronger than us. And faster.”

Frank nodded, and leaned in extra close to Aldonn’s ear, “We lost because we were using the wrong weapons.” He pointed to the pile of weapons that used to be organized on Cyan’s shelf, “Next time, we’ll be ready for them.”

“I’ve got something,” exclaimed Edward, “Her Father and her were hunting, and came upon a vampire nest. A big one. Her father died in the fight, and she barely escaped. Says she never went back, was too afraid. I’d imagine that’d be exactly the type of place those monsters would take her.”

Aldonn nodded, “Right. Let’s kick their ass.”

* * *

The streets bustled calmly as the day ticked by quickly into night. The further the sun set, the more rapid the streets became. Finally the sun hit the horizon, and the moon began to rise.

* * *

With the sun below the roofs of the buildings, Keller was free to move again. He didn’t have far to go, his living quarters were situated just over the warehouse in question But the only stairs down were on the outside, which in hindsight was a poor choice for a vampire.

Not that he’d need to worry about that much longer. He through the front of the warehouse to find himself in a large room completely empty except for 4 old ladies playing cards around a table. He walked past them, nodding as he went, and made for a large metal door in the back. It was open, but when closed and locked would only open again from the inside. Perfect for his needs. He entered it to find Abjex resting on a chair.

“Why won’t you scream?” Abjex asked the girl angrily, not noticing Keller.

Keller crossed his arms, “Not having troubles, are you?” Perhaps Abjex had met his match. If that was true, Keller imagined he’d be mighty pissed. Abjex liked to get his way.

Abjex turned to Keller and growled, “It’s time already?”

Keller nodded, “Did you collect the blood like I asked?”

Abjex nodded, and picked up a large glass of Cyan’s blood, “What do you need this for?”

Keller took it from him, “It’s part of the ritual.” Keller began using the blood to draw an image on the wall of the moon when more vampires joined them in the room with the book and all the materials needed for the casting.

As the last one entered, Keller turned to him, “Close the door behind you. We don’t want any interruptions.”

* * *

It was already dark by the time Frank, Edward and Aldonn arrived at the warehouse. Frank stopped outside the door, and looked back. They were all carrying crossbows, as well Aldonn had a pike strapped to his back, and Edward had an Axe.

Frank steeled himself for what was waiting for them inside. Every time he’d fought a vampire, he’d been on the losing end. Gritting his teeth he gave a roar and charged into the room…

…to find 3 old women playing blackjack on a small table. Frank searched the room, but it was empty other then them, and a large metal door on the other end of the room.

Frank could feel Edward step up behind him, “Very fearsome.”

Frank frowned. If this wasn’t the headquarters, then they were right back where they started. He stepped forward, and headed straight for the other door, “Hey, grandma…you haven’t seen any vampires around, have you?”

One of them looked up, “What’s that, my dear?”

Frank shrugged, “Never…never mind. So what’s behind this here door?”

Frank searched it for a handle, but couldn’t find anything to help open it.

The same old lady answered him again, “It doesn’t open from this side.”

Another one agreed with her, “We haven’t seen it open in forever; we have our weekly card games here.”

Aldonn crossed his arms, “Isn’t it…passed your bed time?”

Frank didn’t know what Aldonn was getting at, but didn’t care. He was still trying to figure out how to get through the door.

Edward tried to look at their cards, leaning over one of the ladies. She looked up at his neck uttering a indiscernible noise. Edward gave her a questionable look but Frank ignored that too, grabbing the chair from another one of the ladies.

“Mind if I borrow this chair, ma’am?”

As he grabbed her chair she jumped out and over his head and landed behind him. Edward saw the whole thing and exclaimed with surprise, “Holy…did you see that…my grandma pretty spry but she couldn’t do THAT!”

Frank turned quickly, “There you are, hi…”

The old woman bared her vampiric teeth, and bit at his neck. Before her teeth hit his skin, Frank dropped his arm, and a wooden steak carved to resemble a crude shaped dagger rolled into his hand. He stabbed it straight into her heart, then pushed himself away.

The old woman looked down into her chest and her jaw-dropped, “You young whipper-snap…” she couldn’t finish her sentence as she blew up.

Frank hit the ground, narrowly avoiding the shockwave of energy, and looked up in time to see the other old lady attacking Edward. She slashed at him, scratching him across the cheek and arm.

Frank didn’t notice the third woman diving at him in an attempt for revenge. Luckily Aldonn did.

He yelled warning at Frank, “Heads up!” as he pulled his trusty sword from his back and cleaved her head clean off. Frank rolled away as she also blew.

Frank got up slowly and watched as Edward still failed to hold his own against the third vampire. She kept deflecting every bunch, and tearing into him with her claws. Finally Edward managed to get his crossbow between him and her, and he pulled the trigger.

She took a step back and smiled, “You missed.” The bolt was sticking out of her stomach, missing her heart by a good amount.

Aldonn grabbed her from behind and shoved her into the metal door, “How do we get in?”

The vampire steadied herself, and smiled again, “You can’t. It doesn’t open from this side. And they’re not gonna open it until the ritual is over.”

Edward, who was reloading his crossbow, looked up in surprise, “What ritual?”

“Some spell…it’s gonna stop the movement of the sun and the moon. Make it forever dark.”

Frank followed Aldonn’s lead and looked to Edward questioningly who didn’t know what they wanted from him, “Yeah, that’s bad.”

Frank and Aldonn shared a glance, and Frank gestured to the door, “We gotta get in there.”

Aldonn pulled his pike from his back, ‘I’ve got an idea.”

* * *

Keller stood in front of Cyan, with Abjex and a third vampire surrounding her making a triangle. They were humming while he prepared to read from the book in his hands. Two other vampires stood on either side of the room, watching.

“The Moon shines
Holding back the light
Let our hands that bind
Help it in its fight

We do not tan
Of blood we suck
We offer you this woman
For you to…”

There was a loud bang at the door, and Keller stopped chanting, “What the hell was that?”

He stepped towards the door, and angrily placed his ear against it, “I specifically told you I didn’t want to be disturbed.”
The door blew inwards, sending Keller flying across the room. The book slid from his hands landing near one of the vampires. Standing in the open doorway, Aldonn let go of his pike which had splintered in the explosion.

Keller barked at his men as he got to his feet, “You grab that book, you two keep humming. And who the hell are you?”

Frank stepped in front of Aldonn holding two wooden daggers in each hand, “Sorry about that. We were looking for a good time, and heard there was a big party going down in this warehouse. Of course we had to attend.”

Cyan stirred from her painful unconsciousness, “Frank…”

“Hey baby. I see you got invited. Kinda rude not to bring us along.”

Frank noticed one of the vampires grabbing for the book, but Edward noticed him first, shooting a crossbow bolt into his heart.

Keller ignored the exploding vampire to his right, “Get them!”

Frank threw one of his daggers at Cyan, cutting one of her arms free, she grabbed the dagger and began working away at her other bonds. Frank pulled another dagger from his pocket, and jumped onto the nearest vampire.

Edward pulled out his axe as the vampire to his right charged at him. Hitting the vampire in the face with the blunt side of his axe, Edward pushed forward.

Aldonn pulled his sword free again, and looked for where he could be the most help. Keller took notice of Aldonn, and grabbed his own sword in defiance, “You think you’re good with that thing? Try using it on me boy.”

Aldonn was looking forward to a new challenge. He could feel his skills with the blade getting better with every use, and longed for a challenge.

They locked swords, and Keller growled, “I was trained by the oldest swords-master alive. I was his protégé for sixty years. Do you think you can even pose a threat to me?”

Meanwhile, Abjex moved to pry Frank from the vampire he’d jumped on, as Cyan finally freed herself from her bonds and jumped onto Abjex digging her dagger into his skin, “I’m going to enjoy making you scream.”

Keller swung his sword as if it was a part of his body, pivoting on his heel, he aimed it straight for Aldonn’s neck. Aldonn blocked the attack, but before he knew it Keller broke into a flurry of movement knocking his blade to the ground, and in the same movement jabbing straight towards Aldonn’s jugular.

Aldonn shifted his wait, and swung his sword low at Keller’s shins. Keller jumped over Aldonn, planting both his feet on Aldonn back and kicked off to land 5 feet away. Aldonn charged at him, slicing diagonally upwards with his sword, a move that Keller easily kicked aside. Aldonn had already shifted his grip, however, and spun his blade nimbly under and over, cleaving down and through Keller’s left shoulder.

Keller’s arm hit the ground, but Keller ignored it, grasping his sword hard in his right, “Not bad for a human.” He then jumped into a flurry of parries and thrusts that Aldonn had a near impossible time keeping up with.

Finally Aldonn recognized his upper hand, lying on the floor beneath his foot. Stepping back he pointed his sword down towards Keller’s spellbook, “Don’t you need this?”

Keller moved to push Aldonn’s sword away, but instead of skewering the book, Aldonn pulled his sword back and slashed it out again, cutting off Keller’s other arm. Keller stumbled back in shock finally realizing he’d lost.

Aldonn smiled, and couldn’t help but say something witty, “Not such a good swordsman now, are you?” Frank was starting to rub off on him.

Aldonn cut Keller’s head off, and turned to walk away. As the other’s finished with their vampires, they joined him.

* * *

Frank joined Cyan on the roof. Edward had cleaned her up as much as she’d let him, and then without saying anything, and clothed in nothing but a blanket from her loft, she’d made for the roof. Staring away at the horizon, she didn’t even notice him behind her. Her head was so full of conflicting thoughts, memories, and emotions, she couldn’t even think straight.

Frank didn’t say anything at first. What could he say. All the pain she’d gone through all her life, “What’s up?”

Cyan still didn’t say anything. What could SHE say to that?

Frank continued, “Yeah that was um…me trying to make conversation…poorly.”

He took a step towards her, but she took a step back.

“I can’t imagine what you’ve gone through…”

She finally broke her silence, “I don’t want to talk about my problems, Frank.”

Well that was a start, “Then listen. I can’t imagine what you go through everyday, or how you manage to cope with it. But you do, You’re the strongest girl I’ve ever met and it’s amazing, and…if I’d gone through the stuff you have…I wouldn’t be able to cope…I’d be in a mental ward. Stark raving mad. As it is I have nightmares every time I go to sleep.”

She turned away from the horizon, “Sometimes I sit in front of the fire, and feel it’s warmth on my skin. I can close my eyes and imagine that it’s the sun beating down on me. My greatest fear is dying before I get a chance to see it”

“But it would kill you.”

She ducked her head slightly, and leaned against a nearby ledge, “If only.”

Frank bit his lip, “I know you’ve been alone…and stuff But…”

“I like being alone.”

“But you don’t have to be. I mean you know us now, and we’re not going anywhere…well we are, we’re going back to Capsin in a couple hours. But…well I want you to have this.”

He pulled his communicator gem from his pocket, and handed it to her. She took it gently, and looked it over, “What is it?”

“It’s…um…my communication gem. If you need us, or just wanna talk, hold it in your hand and think about Aldonn or Ed, and...yeah that’s it really.”

She looked into it, “Thank you.”

“The suns coming up soon…you wanna go inside?” Frank gestured to the stairs.

“I’d like to stay a little longer,” she replied as he turned to leave, “sort things out. Imagine myself in a better world.”

Frank suddenly felt inspiration, “You know,” he started, “It’s true the world sucks. And sure bad things happen. But if you hold on, as long as you can...sooner or later some good things are gonna happen too. And the good things make the bad things worth living through.”

The End

By: Andrew Geczy

Next Time: Tune in for part one our first “Season’s” epic finale. Friendships will change, truths will be learned, new heroes will be found, and a people will lose everything.

[Uga Stormchan]

Originally Posted by WingcommanderIV

“You know,” he started, “It’s true the world sucks. And sure bad things happen. But if you hold on, as long as you can...sooner or later some good things are gonna happen too. And the good things make the bad things worth living through.”

Truly inspired words.

Great action and the descriptions are awsome.

Sorry it took so long for me to get to reading this. Been a bit busy lately.