Chapter 3: Miracles

The strange party that had now come together by circumstance had managed to find a resting area in the remains of a bombed out house. Its walls were scarred with a charred black color betwixt a pale gray cement color. The only sign that there were people here now to those who might look on the outside was a dim orange light that illuminated a sparse portion of the house and the small murmer of a crackle from a fire. The night was otherwise cold and dark. Lucian had taken the first watch, though the semi captive vampire soldier also stayed awake in both fear and contempt for Audric. His hands were sore and blistered red, proof of both the previous battle, and the wooden spike acting as a grave stone for his comrade just outside the house.

The soldier looked quizzically at Lucian and finally broke the hours long silence, "Pact Child, no, Prince Lucian, why do you side with these detestable humans?! I know that you're a Dhampir, but you're also royalty."

Lucian was sitting somberly on a rock in a small beam of moonlight hugging his sword which was still in its sheath such that its hilt rested calmly like a newborn on his shoulder. He gave the soldier a short smile and paused a moment before answering, "It's a long story, one that if I told you, might make you an enemy of the empire my brother and Alercia have built. But if you really want to know, knowing that, then give me your name good soldier."

The soldier responded immediately without hesitation, and much strength in his voice, "My name is Cyr'al, and I never fear the repercussions of truth."

Lucian smiled, "It is good to see that the spirit of knowledge has not yet been completely corrupted or decimated by the rule of the D'rachnos." Lucian paused, "Ultimately, there is much to be said, and said it shall be someday, but the details you should know is that my brother Malus slew father while proclaiming the name of the D'rachnos."

Cyr'al blinked in abject horror, "D'rachnos?" The words barely escaped his mouth, with much fear in them, "I thought that clan was extinct."

Lucian sighed regretfully, "We all did, but somehow they worked themselves into Malus, after what I have seen today, I think it must have been Alercia's doing."

Cyr'al used his hands to motion a holy cross over himself, "I see. No wonder that human hates us so much."

Lucian nodded, "The D'rachnos took his daughter."

"His… his daughter?" Cyr'al asked quizzically raising his eyebrow ever slightly like a curious owl, clearly wishing more information.

"We never found her remains, except for a gruesome sight that was left along with their symbol." Lucian responded, "Audric hasn't been the same since."

Cyr'al made a heaving motion and ran to a nearby bush; and shortly afterwards vomited to the side, knowing what the D'rachnos left behind from their human sacrifice rituals from history books.

Shortly after this, a quick and quiet shriek was heard coming from the resting area, sounding like a high pitched siren that had been muted and covered by wax paper.

"Release me! Wretches!" The voice of Malus called outwardly followed by a series of epithets.

Lucian grinned like a devil, "Looks like we woke up sir shrieks a lot." He chuckled coming closer to Malus, "So does baby want his pacifier?"

Malus looked up with seething anger, his eyes like a cornered bear, "Lucian." He said with a guttural growl, "Release me now you mutt!"

Lucian gave a toothy grin and turned his own sharp eyes like knives back at Malus, "Same sparkling personality as ever Malus."

Malus grunted, "When father hears of this outrage it will be you under rope and tackle Lucian!" He growled.

Lucian and Cyr'al, who had returned from his vomiting, gave Malus a quizzical look that rivaled a curious puppy.

It was Cyr'al who spoke first, kneeling, "B-but lord Malus, your father has been dead for three years. You are the king now."

Malus grunted angrily, "Then why am I tied up! I don't know what prank Lucian has wrangled you into, but you would be better served ceasing it."

Lucian looked to the skies for a moment, "Father give me strength." He said quietly to himself. Producing a small knife from his belt, Lucian quickly cut through the rope that bound Malus to the ground.

Malus looked at Lucian quizzically, "That's more like it, mutt. But you've ended your game so soon." Malus mused with a horrifying grin, "You never were very sly, little brother."

Lucian looked at the moon, ignoring his brothers words, "Cyr'al wasn't lying. Father's been dead for three years, murdered." He said somberly.

Malus suddenly took a more serious tone, "You're serious. I should've known, you weren't the sort for games, that's more Senzier's thing. Tell me Lucian, who killed father, we'll avenge him together." He said with an underlying strength in his voice.

Lucian looked towards Malus again, "You did."

Malus looked quizzically between Lucian and Cyr'al, confused and angry he spat on the ground, "If I did the deed, why don't I remember it?!"

Lucian sighed sadly, placing his right hand on Malus' right shoulder, "I don't think you've been in your right mind all this time. Alercia must've bewitched you."

"It can't be… It can't… it!" Malus paused as visions of the past began flooding his memory like a freight train. Malus grabbed his head and sat down writhing in pain, he screamed, "NO! No! I can't be remembering this! No… Father…" Tears began to stream over his face at first slowly, but then they came falling like a cascading waterfall.

"Lucian!" Malus screamed, grabbing the dagger Lucian held from him, and pointed it at his own heart, "Avenge him! Avenge our father, and my mother. Do it now! Please, do it while I'm still sane!" He pleaded frantically.

Cyr'al knelt down to Malus and quickly knocked the dagger out of his hand, "Majesty! I cannot allow you to kill yourself! If you feel guilty thus, then it is our duty to fight the enemy." He said with strong resolve.

Footsteps could be heard coming their direction, stopping the discussion instantly. Lucian quickly drew his blade, as did Cyr'al. Malus stayed behind them at an alert stance.

"Whose there?!" Lucian said with a commanding voice.

The frame of a woman in shadow came into view and Lucian's stance stiffened, "Alercia." He growled with a tense tone of voice, and spat at the ground, "I won't let you take my brother again!" He said striking out at the woman.

Lucian's sword slashed at the speed of thunder, crackling sparks came to life as he did so. However just before the blade would strike he pulled it back quickly.

"Elana! Don't sneak up on me like that." Lucian sighed in relief.

Cyr'al and Malus dropped their guards simultaneously as they heard this.

Elana pulled back worryingly, "I just heard talking, thought we might be under attack…" She said nervously.

Coming behind her Travis and Audric walked into the scene. Travis laughed, "Like teacher like student. Well since we're all awake we should move on I suppose."

Audric sighed and looked at Cyr'al nervously, "Look uhm..." He paused, "I'm sorry for how I… how I behaved earlier in our fight. I killed your friend so you probably can't forgive me, but…" He mangled out worryingly.

Cyr'al shook his head, "Lucian told me about your daughter, and of the D'rachnos revival. I can understand, if they've been active, why tensions on both sides have arisen."

Travis smiled, "Thank you, vampire soldier. You saw the worst of Audric last time, and he's been beating himself up all night to me about it."

Cyr'al shrugged, "We have a common enemy now regardless. In-fighting isn't going to help us when we're fighting demon worshippers."

Audric quirked a brow, "You mean to tell me you didn't know?"

Cyr'al nodded, "Nobody does really, if the Pact Child himself hadn't of told me, I never would have realized it myself!"

Audric then noticed Malus untied, "Lucian uhm… why is your brother…"

Lucian smiled, "He seems to be freed of Alercia's control now. It seems to be proximity based"

Audric sighed, "Okay fine. I don't really understand vampire magic so you do whatever, but DO keep an eye on him, okay?"

Lucian nodded, "Yup."

Travis smirked, "Who knew it, Humans, Vampires, and a Dhampir working together. Lucian, you really are aptly named as a Pact Child." He clapped his hands, "Okay people, my teleportation ability still isn't ready, and wouldn't carry this many people anyway, but assuming Outpost Zeta actually exists it should have a transport we can take."

Lucian smiled, "Lucky for us it did exist. I don't know if it's still operational though."

Elana laughed lightly, "What makes you so sure bright eyes?"

Lucian grinned a cocky grin, "Because that's where mother was stationed during the war before I was born, and more importantly it's where I was born."

Malus raised an eyebrow, "I thought you were born at the castle?"

Lucian shrugged, "That's where I was taken after I was born, and it's where I was officially stated to have been born. But, I was also taken there often by mom for an in case of emergency exit. Ironically, it was the exit I took from Star Cross to the castle when I was driven out as a kid."

"Well then Lucian, lead the way." Travis said with a cheesy grin.

Lucian nodded, "It should be a bit east of here." He said leading onwards through a beaten path.

It was a strange path Lucian led the group through, it looked more like something of an animal track. It lead several twists and turns through the forested area where the leaves were a golden brown.

The path lead on for several hours before Lucian stopped at a large tree. He knocked on the tree in three seemingly random spots and tapped his foot on the ground. As he did this eventually a branch on the lower side of the tree slit half of itself down ninety degrees, revealing a small number keypad inside of it. Lucian input a code into it quickly, when he was finished he closed the branch back together. With a thud, an opening in the tree trunk opened to reveal an elevator shaft.

At that point, Malus began to scream uncontrollably and fell to the ground holding his head once more, "No! No!" he screamed.

Coming into vision in a quick flash of red light that filled the area for but an instant like a floodlight, Alercia appeared and chuckled, "My, my, dear Lucian. Not only did you bring us a gift, but you led us right to your base in this area. Isn't that right dear?" She said menacingly, looking straight into Malus' eyes.

Malus stood up quickly as if in a trance, forming up next to Alercia, and grinned cruelly, "It looks like the ruse worked." He chuckled madly. "Did you really think me mad enough to prattle on like an infant, only to 'regain my senses' so quickly Lucian?" he chuckled darkly.

Lucian cursed under his breath, drawing his sword, "I should have been more careful. Damn it all!" He said to himself.

Elana drew her sword as well, "I won't let you hurt Lucian any more!" she screamed.

Travis and Audric drew their blades as well, "I won't allow you to desecrate this holy place!" Travis said taking lead.

Cyr'al grumbled under his breath, and drew his blade on Alercia and Malus, "Any who worship the D'rachnos are my enemies, regardless of blood. Have at you!"

Alercia grinned darkly, "You think any of you will survive?! Ha! Not even 'the mighty' Senzier could take us on, he fled like a coward! What hope do Humans, a Dhampir, and a traitor have?" She chuckled.

The air seemed to go thin for a moment and time seemed to slow to a grinding halt. But then something impossible happened, something no one saw coming.

A blinding white light came from out of the elevator, and sparks of lightening followed outward, "Leave my boy alone, you bitch!" A woman's voice came following it.

Lucian blinked in confusion, "M-mother?!"