Arch cawed gently, pecking Nadia's head in an affectionate manner.

"I promise." Maraud helped her up. "Notice how you resisted the hunger and can make coherent sentences? When you're distracted by pain, fear and such, the hunger's control of you fades away. Very good indeed."

Arch preened his feathers.
"Old Rook's faithful familiar," the bed remarked.

Maraud noted her discomfort but chose to not test her further - the real test was yet to come.
"I want this to be very clear," he said firmly. "You will receive no more blood for another month unless I personally see other reasons to have you feed sooner. Do you understand?"

Decoda nodded her head, still smiling. She flapped her wings, which she started to notice how heavy they were starting to feel. "I hope we find what we're looking for soon, my wings are starting to tire."

Noise flew back to where Tybalt and Decoda were. The expression on her face was worried.
"I'm... I'm sorry. I don't know where it is, if it was even here to begin with." She bit back a sob and tried to take a calming breath. "I'm not sure how intact my memory is. I don't even know when I went to sleep." She sighed dejectedly and settled onto Tybalt's neck, clearly depressed. Rail flew nearby trying to comfort her sister.

Newi watched the egg as it breathed. Lela was in there, the chemicals changing her DNA. As long as everything went to plan she would be the new beginning to a long dead race. The possibilities here were endless. If she could bring this species back, then she could create her own. Surpassing god himself seemed to be attainable.
"Ma'am?" The british baritone spoke from behind her. She turned to see the seemingly young man standing in the hallway wearing a smart tuxedo. "What is it, Fen?" Newi asked him.
"We have visitors to our lonely mountain." He informed her calmly with no emotion to his words.
"Deal with them as usual. There was no need for you to inform me of their intrusion."
"On the contrary, ma'am. These are no ordinary explorers. One of them is a dragon." A small smile upturned a corner of his mouth at the creature's name. She stared at him dubiously.
"Do not joke with me pup." The ice in her words was colder than the air outside.
"I wouldn't dare to, madam." He pulled a small tablet from his pocket and showed her the image. A large golden dragon flew with a few smaller winged beings around it. Newi's breath caught in her throat.
A live dragon. After all these years. Her shock was palpable. Fenrir watched her face carefully, wondering at how her mind worked. "Bring them to me, Fen. If they resist do what muzt be done. I want the dragon unharmed."
"Of course, ma'am."

The cold wind buffetted his clothing as he stood on the mountainside gazing up at the small group of intruders on their mountain.
"You lot! Get down here!" Fenrir bellowed into the sky.

Decoda paused, and looked in the direction of the shouting. She flew towards the ground and landed in the snow. "Why have you called us down here?" She asked, as her left eye turned white once again.

Maraud pulled her into a hug.
"I will protect you from both your hunger and other dangers."
He forced her to look at him.
" I will not hurt you unless you do not comply. But you seem to be strong. I believe in you. Do you feel better?"

Rail and Noise studied the man in a regal looking suit and tie. There's something familiar about him... Noise thought but couldn't decipher what it was.

Fenrir calmly regarded the dragon, the two angels and the young demon before him. An odd band to these lonely mountains. A twitch of knowing came to him as he studied the young demon and angel that were riding on the dragon's back. In an attempt to put a name to their faces he dug through his extensive memory but time had forgotten them. It will come with time, as all things eventually do.
"My mistress wishes an audience of you." He spoke to Tybalt but his gaze took all of them in. "We seldom get visitors out here these days. The last group to come through were... uncooperative." His face remained neutral as he put emphasis on the last word and his hands clenched into a representation of claws for an instant before relaxing at his sides once again. "Though I believe you to be in possession of more reason than they were." Fenrir paused for a moment to take the group's reaction in before continuing.
"Sir and madams, if you'd be so kind as to follow me. We'll see what business brings you out this way. My mistress can be impatient, it isn't overly wise to make her wait too long." He half turned and waited for their response.
If they attempted to leave Newi would want the dragon, it could not be allowed to escape. The angels and demon were of a different matter. Their possible escape would end with his punishment, but their deaths would be inconsequential. Allowing a slight amount of his wolfscent into the air to be interpreted as either a show of camaraderie or threat.

Sauriel looked down at the floor, unsure if he should say what was on his mind. He decided that it needed to be said and spoke up.
"If my brother is involved in this...and he may very well be...you might be in even more danger than before. He might try to pursue me. He might even use you or Nadia to get to me."
He clenched his fist and looked up at Semira.
"You know that I would protect you with everything I have. But...realistically speaking, I can't promise that it would be enough. Do you still want me to stay with both of you, knowing that possibility?"
He shook his head and looked down again.
"Or...would I just be another burden on your shoulders?"


Tybalt looked at the mysterious man with a dubious expression.
"This may be a little risky, but...if these people have information we need, it would definitely be worth the trouble."
Thinking this to himself, he slowly descended to the ground. When he landed, he reverted back to his human form and took a few steps forward. He looked around and Noise, Rail and Decoda, as if making sure that this was really okay. Then he looked back at the man with a smile.
"I think we can spare a little time. By all means, lead the way."

There was an unpleasant GLURK, and Squillok's lifeless corpse skidded across the floor, coming to a bloodied crumpled stop against the corner of the bed, which recoiled in haste.
Standing in the doorway were the vampire they had met earlier, Moloch himself, and the current reigning champion, that was just dusting off his hands.
"Probably going to want to wash those," the vampire advised, grinning like a leech. "You don't know where vermin have been."
His eyes alighted on Nadia and Victoria, and they lit up.
"Ah-hah hah... those two." He pointed to them and looked at Moloch. "When they are defeated in the arena, they join my harem."
Moloch didn't even hesitate. "Done."
Maraud stood up, his face completely calm. "Ah. Thought I could hear some sycophantic whining not too far off. Ra-Vage." He said it like he was examining something unpleasant on the sole of his shoe. The other vampire grinned showing long fangs - an intimidation tactic. "Ah, Maraud. Is she one of yours? She seems a bit unhappy. Plus, I don't recall you being the type to burden yourself with subordinates. Why don't you hand her over to me so I can - shall we say - take her... off your hands?"
The way he emphasised the two words sent shivers up the men's spines. Maraud's face did not change one iota. He calmly tilted his head.
"You may want to follow your fellow lapdog to get yourself cleaned up too - I for one would want to at least swill after so thoroughly sucking on Moloch's co-"
There were three lightning-fast cracks, and a second later both vampires were locked in the middle of the room. The other vampire's fist was pressing hard against Maraud's jaw, and Maraud's own hand was gripping Ra-Vage's nose. Blood ran down Maraud's chin.
A second later, blood dripped from Ra-Vage's right nostril.
They both stepped apart, and regarded the other with utter contempt.
"I will never understand how you take such pride in being such an unkempt ragged and backstabbing lowlife."
"Considering you're a pathetic gibbering depraved slave to those stronger than yourself, I still hold the high ground," Maraud replied sweetly. His eyes flickered red, just for a second. "The vampiress is mine. Seek to change that, and I will snap you down the middle like a wishbone."

Cryth and Jokan ran to Squillok - but nothing could be done for him, and they bowed their heads.
The champion, Jroenbane, snorted. "See you in the arena," it chuckled as it left.
Moloch left too, seemingly there to ensure that business didn't get out of hand.
Ra-Vage simply winked at Nadia. "It's been a while since I've had a mother-daughter combo... maybe you first, while she watches..."
Maraud let his tongue linger over his extended canines. "Ra-Vage, I sincerly hope she doesn't have someone as disappointing as YOU for a first time. Poor girl wouldn't even know they got larger than beansprouts..."
Ra-Vage scowled, and left. Maraud looked at what was left of Squillok and seemed annoyed. "Great," he said, crossly. "Now you lot actually have to figure out how to win. Good luck with that."

"I am grateful to hear that, sir." Fenrir said with a small bow. "Right this way, please. Do mind your heads and step." He pulled aside a white clothe that blended in perfectly with the surrounding snow and rock to reveal a small corridor. Leading the way inside he spoke apologetically, "Once we enter the actual complex there will be more than enough room for us to stand upright. This posture is quite uncomfortable for any species."
They moved on in darkness for several more minutes until they came to a dead end. Fenrir did something that couldn't be deciphered in the darkness and a door slid open with a pneumatic hiss.
"Welcome to our home." He said bowing a bit more formally. "I'll take you to my mistress, she'll simply be delighted. We don't get many visitors here. Due to our remote location I'd wager."
He lead the way through the complex labyrinth of hallways.

-----------------------------------------

From the moment they entered the actual facility itself, Noise and Rail fell into a kind of daze. The two walked without talking as Fenrir made small chat with Tybalt and Decoda. The two appeared normal other than the glaze to their eyes and the slight sluggishness of their movements. To them, the world had taken on a dreamlike quality and they struggled to pull themselves from it.
The two knew these halls, knew what they had once contained. Despite the serenity that was pressing on them, the two began to feel the forgotten fear deep in their guts.

-------------------------------------------

Newi watched the monitors as Fen lead their guests towards her reception room. A dragon in human form and an angel conversed with Fen as they walked. The young angel and demon held back and walked as though they were under the effects of a drug. Looking at their faces a predatory smile stretched across her face.
"Welcome home girls." Newi said with a purring voice.

Semira shook her head
"No you wouldn't be another burden on my shoulders. Besides can't be any worse then dealing with Lucifer, the demons of all demons. I know you would do everything in your power to protect the both of us"
she placed a finger under his chin moving it to make him look at her
"I don't think I will be able to protect Nadia without you, I need your help."
she looked down at Nadia
"Nadia need you. there could be a chance I will have to be away to deal with a few things in order to keep Lucifer off my tail and..."
she looked up at Sauriel
"I will need you to look after her for me while I am gone.. if you dont mind"

Before she could say anything else Moloch and the other vampire had entered. When they spoke of Nadia, Semira grabbed hold of Nadias shoulders to hold her close.
"First thing is first we will take them down. They will NOT get my daughter"


Victoria heard the voices and looked up to see another vampire. Aside from Maraud this would be the first vampire she has seen. and he seemed to take interest in her and the little girl that was in the arena. It was then she realized they were in a battle arena. Was she expecting to fight here? She watched as Maraud told Ra-vage that he was basically to leave her alone. He really did mean what he said. She stayed put, in fear that if she moved around that she might lose control and go into another frenzy. She shuddered at the thought.

Amelia looked up at Maraud
"You mean we have to fight...."
she looked over at RaVage
"them?"

Sauriel felt a sense of pride and belonging when he heard Semira. She said that she needed him. She said that both of them needed him. His determination to fight grew even stronger as a single thought took over him: he wanted to protect the people closest to him, no matter what kind of enemies he would face along the way. He nodded firmly, his eyes practically glowing with resolve.
"I don't mind at all. As long as I can do anything at all to help, I will."

Just then, the doors flew open and some unpleasant acquaintances walked inside. He looked at Squillok's corpse, then to the champion, then to the vampire who talked about adding Semira and Nadia to his harem. He replied to Semira, still giving a hateful glare towards the vampire who was walking away.
"No, they won't. The only question on my mind is "which one of us will get to stab his heart first?""
He summoned his sword to his hand. He was shaking just a little, not out of fear but out of anticipation and rage.


Tybalt carefully looked around the hallways as his group went through them. He sometimes stopped to admire some new piece of architecture he found, but he soon realized how distracted he was getting and caught up to the others. The smile on his face could easily be described as glowing.
"This place is amazing! I've never seen anything quite like it. Is this the kind of architecture used by The Gray?"
He looked over to Noise.
"What do you think, Noise? Is this place ringing any bells for you?"

Maraud shook his head.
"Sadly, yet fortunately, you do not have to face Ra-Vage in the arena. You are going to be pitted against the champion, who if you remember can disintegrate anything he touches, by the looks of it. Good luck fighting THAT."
He flicked an eyebrow at Semira's and Sauriel's reactions. "Don't worry yourselves," he said idly. "Moloch may talk like he's running the show, but that is far from the truth. We have a covenant, me and him, and believe you me he has something FAR worse than anything you two could do to fear if he breaks it. As long as you defeat the champion - and stay in one piece - Ra-Vage will only be able to drool impotently from the sidelines."
He seemed to muse for a second. Then his lip twisted, like he was trying to swallow something particularly resistant.
"However," he said carefully, "I'm sorry to point this out, but in order for this to work... Nadia and Victoria are both going to have to fight in this final battle. Hopefully it shouldn't get too bloody. Hopefully. Probably. I hope."
His eyes flickered to the girls in question. "How would you feel about that?"

Decoda followed Tybalt, and the well dressed 'man'..not saying a word..just observing, and listening. Then she finally asked: "Who is your 'mistress'?" She tucked her wings closer to her body, as her left eye drifted between white, and blue.

Maraud rolled his eyes.
"That will not work," he said flatly.
"I will make this as simple as I can. If they do not fight, they are not considered gladiators and are outside of my deal with Moloch. Meaning that while we are in the arena, Ra-Vage will simply come here and take them. Moloch will do nothing to stop him, and these two would be helpless. It is not your decision to make, it is theirs."
He looked at Victoria. "For events like this, your feeding restrictions are lifted. It is seeking out targets and feeding them on your own volition that is prohibited."
His gaze switched to Nadia.
"You are old enough to understand the risks. What is your decision?"