Rays Through The Eclipse [Closed]

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose chuckled at the expression that came onto Alys’s face as the cat made its way to her, purring all the while, and enjoyed the affection. Then it promptly strutted off to continue basking in the attention and curiosity of others.


“I’d swear she was my sister,” Ahmose commented lightly. Some religions he knew of believed in reincarnation. It was not his belief, of course. He still held to the traditions of Egypt. One life, and one death, with oblivion as the potential fate for those who were not good enough in life.


He didn’t know what fate befell vampires. He suspected it was the same, but he wouldn’t know. He wasn’t all that keen to find out, either. “Are you all right, Alys?” He asked her.


~***~


They did not leave the town, but Aiden was able to outrun the others despite the weight he was now carrying with him. ‘You must be old.’ They said with age came strength, and speed. Gwendolen had clearly underestimated the age of this one.


Soon enough, he was walking into a home where another vampire was. She stiffened as she heard him take in a deep breath, afraid he might lose his calm to the smell of blood, but he didn’t. He greeted them, “Hi,” she lifted a hand awkwardly, still being carried by Aiden, “I’m Gwen.”


The man was Ceaserus. Gwendolen was brought over to a cot and she remained on it when put there. The adrenaline was dying out, and she could feel every injury. She wasn’t inclined to move much and make it worse. “Thank you,” she said when she was put down, “You have amazing tolerance,” she couldn’t imagine the hell this was for Aiden, though she supposed he was lucky. He didn’t have to breathe.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys looked over at Ahmose dark eyes guarded. She looked down at her feet as she spoke to him.


"I am fine, why do you ask?" The bath had done her well calming her nerves and relieving her from her dream. She shifted her wait then turned her chocolate brown eyes back to him. She always got caught up in his silver eyes they seemed like they new her so well that he could see everything that was inside her heart. At first it had sent shivers of fear down her spine but now she just wished he really could see it all. She had no one to bear her heart to. Drake was too one sided on things and often told her what she was feeling was wrong. But how could her feelings be wrong? Her gut had always been right.


<***>


"I've been working on my tolerance for 2000 years. My brother here is much older." Aiden smiled it was he'll for him he didn't know how much more he could take he had already missed his hunt and the girl reeked of fresh blood. He looked at his friend tipped his head politely and excused himself.


Ceaserus smiled to Gwen and in a calming manner patted her shoulder. "Have no fear child I will have you patched up in no time." The ancient walked away rubbing his almost bald head. He opened up cabinets and gathered his supplies the smell of blood did not bother him at all, he was beyond the word of ancient.


He came back with surgical thread a needle and lots of antiseptic. Also he carried a pan to collect the bullets in.


"You have iron in your bones child to have survived this long." He searched around his night stand for his large tweezers.

 

[Lucyfer]

“Only to make sure,” Ahmose answered, “I am told it is polite to check in on a person’s state of being, and you did not seem well earlier.”


“You were looking at her,” Fenuku noted, exasperation in his tone. He at least understood why it was wrong to do that, though the years spent with Ahmose made him forget in the moment.


Ahmose gave him a curious look, before it struck him again. That issue of modesty. “Oh…oh yes. I am sorry about that,” he wondered if it had been perceived more as a threat, or as wrongful lust. Neither would have been accurate in that moment, since he’d gotten caught up in the small wounds on her arm.


~***~


Aiden might have all the tolerance in the world, but his struggle showed before he left the room. ‘For someone who hates humans….’ It didn’t make any sense that he’d want tolerance so badly. Yes, there was certainly a story there, and Gwen was more curious about it than before. She’d have to lighten up on mocking him in the future.


Ceaserus returned to Gwen’s side and touched her shoulder, a kind smile on his lips. He went away to get supplies, and Gwen tilted her head towards the ceiling. When he mentioned iron, she chuckled, “I might.” She didn’t know. “I’m a dhampir,” in case he couldn’t tell. “I don’t quite know what I’m made of.” No way to compare. Apparently this was impressive, though. She’d keep that in mind, though she wasn’t sure if it was impressive for vampires, or for humans.


Considering the way her blood made Aiden leave, she went with human.


Any human with these wounds would be dead, but she knew for a fact no vampire would.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

She nodded to him looking at Fenuku at least the old man knew it was wrong. But Ahmose didn't seem to think so, but he was ancient and culture wasn't always what it used to be. "Its ok. It was a mistake and it is not like you haven't seen a naked woman before, I'm nothing special." She twisted the end of her braid. "I had a nightmare and I needed some peace and quite is all. I'm well." She wondered just how much he did see, she could only cover so much. She wasn't one to get embarrassed though she thought of her body as a well oiled machine it was mostly muscle and scars. Not to say her breasts were small. They were just average maybe a little on the larger side, but other than that she was all muscle. She reached out her hand as the cat came back her way.


<***>


"Ah yes, a half blood. I have known many in my years." The old man smiled. "Please try not to move. He blinked his gold eyes. He felt his way around the wounds plucking out the bullets and the shrapnel with out moving his eyes from the wall behind her then he sewed her up with steady a steady hand. He felt around his night stand again for a rag then he soaked it with antiseptic before dabbling on her wounds though he was blind he did this with precision.


"All done, try not to pull them to much child or you'll have not of a mess on your hands than before." He smiled and took his supplies to put them away again. He washed the bloody pan in his sink then dried it off and put it away.

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose chuckled at the statement. In general, the body was nothing special, every body was made up of similar parts. Even so, it was such a negative way to think of the form, “Every body is special, like every snowflake,” someone had told him that once. He’d been a sarcastic asshole at the time and noted that if everything was unique, then nothing was.


The vampire he had been friends with then hadn’t found the statement as amusing as he still did. He didn’t add on that part. “I am sorry for your poor dreams. I’m afraid I do not know how to fix nightmares,” when he was much younger, he had been plagued by them, too. Now they were quite infrequent. Either Ra had forgiven him, or Ra had forgotten about him. He wasn’t sure which was better, honestly. “You have quite a lot of scars for a rebel, so I’ve no doubt you have seen much to cause those bad dreams. I wish I knew how to stop them.”


~***~


The dhampir did her best not to move as the older Ceaserus tended to her wounds. Her fingers would clench into a fist now and then as the pain became difficult to bear, or she would grit her teeth and take in deep breaths, but she managed not to cry out or move much more than that.


It took a little while, but the wounds were eventually stitched up and the blood was cleaned off her. It couldn’t be removed from the clothing she wore, but it was at least removed from her skin.


She was given leave to move, but not much, so she sat up, “Thank you,” she spoke to him. She considered asking him about the dhampirs he had known, but there was a more pressing concern on her mind. She slipped off the cot, careful with her movements, and walked out of the room to locate Aiden.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

She nodded to his mention of snow flakes, her favorite thing was snow actually. Everything seemed so much more beautiful and innocent covered in snow. Then Alys' hands flashed to her arms. Those were a different kind of battle scar, and she wasn't going to share such information in a crowd, so she didn't talk about her scars.


"I was born in war, if it didn't haunt me then I wouldn't be sane." She looked up at him again. "And it's ok there is nothing anybody can do, something seen can not be unseen that easily." She shifted her wieght again moving her hands away from her cuts and to her knees. "Thank you for your concern though."


<***>


He was bent over in a chair clutching his head, his headache pursued though even with the pressure he applied to his temples. He looked up when he heard her enter the room and turned to her.


"Feeling better?" He smirked playing off that he had just been in a weakend position. He stood and walked over expecting her with piercing icy blue eyes.


"We probably need to get some blood in you after that." He chuckled. The ancient man entered the room also shaking his head at Aiden. He wasn't one to like jokes about people's health.

 

[Lucyfer]

There was a defensive gesture when Ahmose mentioned the scars, and that was when he knew exactly what kind of scars those were. His stomach churned, pity and disgust mixing in one nauseating emotion. Back a century or so ago, he remembered the goth club scene. Not all partook of it, but there were humans there who willingly cut themselves as a way to express themselves.


Ahmose had never been sure what to think of it, but he’d never thought it was good. It was as bad a habit as smoking. “You’re right, and you’re welcome,” he rose then, finding it difficult to converse at that moment. He went to pick up his cat, but as he did so, he remembered one thing was left unresolved, “Oh, I meant to ask you—how are we going to go about this trade?”


~***~


“I am,” Gwen answered Aiden when he asked. She was nowhere near perfect, but she could certainly agree that she was doing better. She’d feel about a thousand times better with some blood, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. She still had her sanity, still was not rabid even if she could feel the hunger gnawing at her.


Aiden must have been able to see it in her face, and she chuckled a bit at the joke, “One thing at a time,” she responded, and then carefully crossed her arms over her chest. “I need to know something,” she imagined Aiden could guess what it was, but she verbalized it anyway, “Why did you save me?” That was not going to make his life easier among the other vampires. It would look like he was helping a rebel.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys looked up watching the recognition on his face. She turned away disgusted with her weakness. She stood dusting off her pants. "I've already set up a meeting you will come with me along with Fenuku, and Dean, Drake will run recon he'll be our eye in the sky and our sniper for cover if we need to make a quick getaway." She watched as the circle around them dispersed. She looked at him again wishing she could explain to him about her scars that she wasn't just some dumb teenager just trying to act out. She didn't want attention she wanted clarity and only pain could bring her that battle calm.


<***>


Aiden had been waiting for that question. He turned away pondering things he had many lifetimes were he had tried to play the hero and others when he was nothing but a bad guy. He turned back to her and looked her in the eye. "Because it was the right thing to do." The old man behind him laid his hand on his shoulder and blinked his unseeing eyes.


"It was the right thing to bring her here to me boy." He smiled and patted his back before walking away to gather what little blood supplies he had left.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

(Bump)

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose was surprised. He didn’t know when Alys had a moment to set up a meeting, considering he’d been up this night and saw quite a bit of her activity. He looked to Fenuku, who shook his head. He hadn’t seen her arrange this meeting either. “Well, all right then,” Ahmose supposed he couldn’t argue with efficiency. “I do hope that this all goes as well as you intend. Who did you arrange the meeting with?” That might help to let him know if he should expect a fight or not.


~***~


Gwendolen managed not to scoff or even laugh at Aiden’s statement, though she certainly questioned his morals. She didn’t know how one second, it was the right thing to capture her and hand her over to the vampires, and the next it was the right thing to save her. “Well then, I suppose I’ll get out of your hair as soon as morning comes, so you can think of some way to save yourself from the trouble that’s likely to fall on you.”


If she were gone, it might help. She didn’t know if it would or wouldn’t, but at least she wouldn’t be in his presence. In the morning, she wouldn’t have to deal with any vampires, either. Just humans. She could manage that and slip out and get back to her camp.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

"A women named Phoenix. She assured me she has Gwen under house arrest and she will not be harmed." Alys looked from Ahmose's hypnotic solver eyes to Fenuku. "Do you know of her, is she one to keep her word?" She asked them both. She had never heard of the vampire woman but she hoped she could take her word for it. Either that or they were both screwed.


<***>


He smiled and shook his head. "No please, stay. I won't be in any trouble no body saw me." He patted her shoulder and looked at the old man who nodded his head briskly.


"You need a few days to heal up child. You can help me gather herbs if you really think you're being a bother." He chuckled. His ancient face cracked a smile and he walked over to his bed. "Now both you get to sleep this old man has had enough excitement for one night."

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose’s blood ran cold when that name was mentioned. If Phoenix had Gwen, she was as good as dead, or worse. “I know her,” Ahmose answered while slowly shaking his head, “She won’t keep her word. If Gwen is in her custody, then….” Well, he wasn’t sure how to say it.


“Phoenix, er…she built her own prison, but it may as well be a dungeon torture chamber. She prides herself on breaking humans and vampires alike.” Fenuku filled in, then realized how terrible that sounded, given that the person in question was likely a friend of Alys. “B-but maybe she’ll make an exception!”


“Not for me,” Ahmose scoffed. He and Phoenix disagreed on much. She would try to get him killed.


~***~


Vampires were not who Gwen lived with. It was strange for her to be told to stay, to be told it would take a few days to heal. No doubt, the old man was right. There was a protest in her throat, but she kept it down. It could be saved for later.


She had a group to get back to, before they moved on and she lost their trail. “I’ll help with the herbs,” she agreed, not wanting to be a bother at all. “I hope you rest well,” she needed to rest. Still needed blood. Problems for later, she suspected.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

(I'm sorry I haven't replied yet I haven't been n my computer I'll try to post tomorrow.)

 

[Wolfprincess17]

"Then what do we do?" She asked her chest aching with guilt for letting her men down once again. SHe should have known not to trust a vampire. As far as she was concerned there was only one good one left in the world and he was bargaining his life for a rebels.


"Do you think she's torturing Gwen and keeping her in her prison?" She blinked just thinking of the horror.


"That is awful." She looked up at Ahmose hoping he could think of a better plan than she had.


<***>


Aiden led her to the room he usually slept in when he stayed here. "The bed is yours. I'm going hunting before I go on a killing spree. I'll bring some back I usually hunt for the old man anyways." He smiled and pulled his hood over his head again and disappeared into the last shadows of the night.


It would be dawn soon so he had to hurry. He ran with all the speed his thirsty body could muster and he searched for the right scent. When he found it his eyes dilated and he skid to a hault turning toward it. He was all predator now.

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose didn’t have an answer to that. If Gwen was in the custody of Phoenix, then all bets were off, “I don’t know,” he admitted.


Fenuku looked a bit sad, angry, even, that Ahmose didn’t have an answer. He spoke to him, “You know no one has ever escaped it. Phoenix might bring Gwen with her, but it will be to show off what she’s done.” Fenuku looked down, knowing that would be true. Ahmose looked to Alys, “I would suggest considering what Gwen would have wanted done, in the case of her death.”


It was harsh and he knew it, but Gwen was as good as dead if she was in Phoenix’s care.


~***~


No options were given, but a bed, and rest. Gwen knew these things were necessary, and so she didn’t protest it, but it was strange. She wasn’t the sort who was usually taken care of. She was the one who tended to insist that others take care of themselves, but then, in a group of humans, she was typically the one in the best condition.


She took a seat on the bed, and eventually she did stretch out and lay down, resting an arm over her forehead. ‘A day or two at most. Then I have to head back.’ She thought, breathing slowing as she shut her eyes.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys shook her head. "No she's not dead. She can't be." She said firmly and standing. "Gwen escaped I'm sure of it either that or the woman is telling the truth. I can't be in charge, not again.I'll think of something, I'll save her! " She vowed and then turned blinking quickly to keep the tears from her eyes she tore toward her tent. If Gwen was dead then it was her fault and there was more blood on her head. She seemed to never be able to wash her hands of all the pain and suffering she caused.


<***>


Aiden skid to a halt, his meal was crouched in the undergrowth stalking its own prey. The stag turned its huge head toward Aiden opening ite black nostrals it had nothing to fear of him since vampires didn't bother with animals. As soon as the human's eyes followed the stags line of sight the stink of fear wafted through the air. Aiden inhaled it with a smirk before he was ontop of the hunter. He ripped through his neck spraying the fresh blood every where. In Frinzy from the sight and scent Aiden sucked him dry. The gun clattered to the ground useless, as it always had been.


Aiden finished his meal then continued hunting bagging up the left overs for the girl and the Ancient. When he was done there were four more dead humans and more than twelve bags of blood which he carried in a large bag on his back.

 

[Lucyfer]

The denial was heartbreaking. ‘This group will decay without Gwen.’ Ahmose thought, and it did not make him feel good. He had hoped this group would be able to survive and persevere—change things. However, it seemed they did not truly have leadership outside of Gwen. The group that hid behind another name, was truly, completely, controlled by someone with a very visible identity.


Alys walked off, and Ahmose let out a sigh. He motioned to Fenuku and decided to head to his own tent to try and figure out something, as well. Fenuku followed.


~***~


Sleep came easily, surprising the dhampir almost when she was on the brink of it. She did not expect to find comfort so quickly in a strange place, and yet her fears faded from the memory of the old man tending her. She was not even worried that she would be found in that home, nor did she consider either the old man or Aiden would kill her.


If Aiden was going to, he would have done so much earlier than this.


So, Gwendolen slept peacefully.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys paced in her tent wondering what she should do. She was scared to lead and yet people kept putting her in the position of a leader. She thought back to when she'd happily take over the rebellion. What had changed since then? Had she let fear control her that much? She growled at her weakness, how could she let her emotions cloud her mind like that. She drew her knife looking at the sick blade. She had used this knife to carve her skin so many times, and she realized now that this was always embodiment of her weakness. She sheathed her knife and stood pulling at her hair.


What to do? Her eyes landed on his side of the bed it was untouched. She sighed and touched the blanket on his side. Maybe it was time to stop wallowing in her self pitty to stop living in the shadow of his death. Would Keegan want her to stop living along with him? She sighed.


<***>


Aiden made it back by dawn and enter the house to seethe old man washing his dishes. He didn't use them but he liked they way they looked and they got dusty after long Aiden shook his head and deposited the blood in his fridge.


"Thank you my friend!" The old man said happily. He didn't but for himself very much any more but Aiden happily did it for him.

 

[Lucyfer]

A week passed and Ahmose managed to survive. Gwendolen did not show up in that time, and he could see the morality fading. Dean’s optimism started to die away.


It seemed they were all holding their breath that this meeting with Phoenix would go well. “You don’t have to go,” Fenuku hissed under his breath.


Ahmose smiled, “I know, but I need to,” Phoenix would not go along with this. He knew that if she had Gwen, then she would not be in good health. There would be a fight. He would need to be there to help.


~***~


Gwendolen had not expected to stay a week, but she lost track of time under the tutelage of Ceaserus. There was plenty of blood, so much so that Gwendolen realized it might not be lack of blood she needed to worry about, but lack of other forms of sustenance like vegetables.


Fortunately, those were found, too.


When Gwen realized how long it had been, she had a momentary panic, and started to pack up what little she had. She was in good enough health—she had to head back to her camp.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys had worked up the nerve to throw away the things of those she loved that were never returning. She turned her bed back to a single bed by removing some of the stuffing. She had tried her hardest not to cut and she actually felt better like she was finally healing.


The better she felt the more she got rid of Keegan's stuff. She was nervous, however, of meeting Phoenix but she was happy that Ahmose had agreed to come with her. If it came down to a fight they'd need him.


<***>


Aiden stumbled upon Gwen furiously packing her things. He had gotten to know her fairly well by now and he knew by her frantic energy that she was stressed. "Where are you going Ceaserus is asking for you, he's in the field gathering herbs. You were meant to go with him, this morning." He had gotten back early this morning from yet another hunt and seen the old man who was rather distraught that his favorite student had ditched him and forgotten about him.

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose stepped out of his own tent when he knew it was safe to do so. Fenuku had promised to remain behind this time and watch over the cat. Ahmose wouldn’t risk bringing Fenuku along on this venture. It was far too dangerous, and Ahmose knew this wouldn’t go well. ‘I wonder if there has been further communication with Phoenix.’


Ahmose hadn’t dared to ask.


He ventured towards the central fire and took a seat there, to wait for the others to be organized enough to leave.


~***~


Gwendolen heard Aiden’s steps before he arrived. She couldn’t help but smirk a bit at his question, “You know I don’t belong here,” she told him, her few things gathered. She threw the bag over her shoulder. She would have preferred to leave during the day, when vampires wouldn’t be out, but time hadn’t allowed for it, “I have to get back to my group. I’m in better health now, there is no longer a reason for me to remain.”


Obviously there were reasons for her to remain, but none of them were good enough. Gwen had her priorities, and now that she was recovered, her priority was to try and find her own group. Hopefully, they would be days away from here, but she had a nagging doubt about it.


Groups didn’t always follow the will of their leader, when the leader was absent. They might be doing something stupid. “I’m sorry, Aiden. I have to leave.”

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys made her way to the fire sitting. All the others gathered around her. Moral had been low for a while until she got herself together,but now they looked at her with utter faith. She looked at Ahmose. Her chocolate brown eyes were unreadable to many emotions swam around in the depths.


"Yo and I will go alone into the tent, my snipers will be on the ridge and the infantry on the hill just incase"


 
Aidens heart ached at her statement something he hadn't felt in a while, it took him by surprised but he kept it hidden. His face turned to stone and he nodded.


"At least see the old man before you leave, he'll miss you. Your his favorite." There was a smile in his voice but his face was unreadable. He turned to walk out of the room to return to his fight to eliminate the humans.

 

[Lucyfer]

Of course they would be going into a tent, where all those snipers and all those infantry men wouldn’t be able to see what was going on.


Ahmose gave a mute node. He wasn’t in a position to argue since Alys had gotten this idea into her head, and wouldn’t let it go. Vain hope, no doubt. “Let’s go, then, if we’re ready,” he rose from where he was sitting, prepared to leave whenever Alys and the others were ready.


~***~


The hardening of Aiden’s expression wasn’t unexpected. Gwen imagined her choice was not something that pleased him, since she would be returning to the humans he still seemed to detest. No matter. “I will,” she consented, “Don’t worry. I’m sure you’ll be his favorite again soon enough,” it seemed likely that Ceaserus had many favorites in his long life.


With that, Gwen moved by Aiden to exit the place and find Ceaserus, to tell him farewell.

 

[Wolfprincess17]

Alys nodded and dismissed the others she walked to Ahmose and touched his arm lightly taking him from his thoughts.


"You seemed like you had something to say?" She regarded his opinions highly. She noticed Fenuku was not with him and was glad he appreciated the danger of the situation.


"I'm only doing what was asked of me to get Gwen back." She stated she was open to any suggestion she just didn't want the vampire to feel like she wasn't in control then things would get bad real fast.


<***>


Aiden shook his head watching her disappear he hoped the best for her.


Ceasures was in the field next to the house pulling small leaves from the ground. His movements were leathe and graceful but you could tell his age by the way his skin stretched looking translucent and the way his face scrunched every time he shifted his position. He heard her approach but did not look up.

 

[Lucyfer]

Ahmose’s arm flinched at the touch, only because it was unexpected. Alys had not shown herself to be the sort who randomly touched people prior to this. Realizing it was not meant to harm, he offered a soft smile, “I stated my opinion before. It hasn’t changed. That’s all.”


He considered this would never work. If Gwen was there, she was dead or broken. Phoenix would never part with a half-broken toy. It would be even worse for morale than not having Gwen at all.


He walked along with her, though. He made no attempt to run, or to even detour from the path.


~***~


“Ceaserus!”


Gwen imagined Ceaserus had heard her steps long before she entered the garden, but she still felt the need to call out to him. “I’m sorry I wasn’t here this morning,” she expressed as she came to a stop near to the old man, “I had to pack. I have to return to my home,” her people. “I’m in better health now, thanks to you, so I can make the trip,” assuming she could stay out of sight of the vampires until she got back into the woods. The nearby city was still far too populated with them.