<< Gaide's Reign


Rayan sighed in relief, as the passed the gate which once led to Dorämi, finally free of the hell that surrounded the, once before. He looked to the sky-- the crimson now faded into a dull normal grey around two-hundred metres from the gate,"Finally..."

"Mm..." Dimitri nodded slowly then looked at him "Uh... when we get back to your place, can I use your shower...?" he gestured to his blood soaked self.

Rayan looked to Dimitri, and nodded,"Yes, of course." he nodded again.

Dimitri grinned abit "Heh, thanks,"

Rayan shook his head,"No problem at all." he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to neaten it up again. Rayan pulled it into a loose ponytail, and smiled in relief, ears twitching freely,"Much better." he said to himself.

"Why don't you just hack it off...?" Dimitri asked, sideglancing him. He apprently liked the idea of people cutting their ludicrously long hair off.

Rayan shot a glance at him, and stroked the long strands of his fine hair affectionately,"Never!!" he gaped,"Elven pride," he pointed to his hair,"Right here!!"

"...Yeaaah..." Dimitri cocked an eyebrow "It's hair,"

Rayan shook his head,"No it's not! It's long, elven hair!! Do you honestly expect me to cut it off?!"

Melody snarled,"Geez, calm down..."

Dimitri rolled his eyes and ran a hand through his own hair "It's beautiful, silky, angel hair, you honestly expect me to dye it?" he smirked abit.

Rayan blinked at Dimitri, and his face fell. He looked ahead, and sighed as he walked,"Well, you had to dye it, and I know you wouldn't have out of free will. I'd cut it if I had to...but I don't!!"

Melody sighed as well, twitching her ears irritably,"Well, you may as well have to soon."

Rayan swallowed, and rubbed the back of his head sheepishly,"Aww.."

Melody smiled a bit,"But...After Kaine'll tell us off, none of these stupid disguises'll be of any use anymore." she paused for a bit,"...and I don't think there's any point of changing how we look if Kaine could see through our hair dye and hair cuts. So, there'd be no point in hacking off that 'elven pride'."

Rayan smiled widely,"Yay!" he sighed again in relief,"...anyways...another few miles or so, and we'll be at my place."

"Yay!" Dimitri made an uncharacteristic cheering gesture.

Melody looked to Dimitri, and arcked a brow. She smiled slightly,"Thank God..."

Dimitri sideglanced her and his eyes narrowed. He dropped his arms and went back to walking in a slouch.

Melody blinked again, and her face fell. Rayan shook his head,"You happy moment ruiner!" he hissed at her. He sneered, and walked ahead.

Melody stood gaping,"What--I--he--but--happy--no...Agh!" she moaned in aggrivation, and shook her head.

---

Kaine hissed in pain, as he fished out the bullet from his arm. He growled inwardly, staring at the thing in vile. Spat covered it soon enough, and Kaine threw it with disdain at his hotel room's wall. After a while, he fell silent, and plopped down on his bed, letting his arm bleed freely for a while,"I swear..."

"..Kaine...?" came a muffled voice through the wood of the door.

"Hmm?" Kaine sat up, and smiled slightly, walking over to the door. He lazily opened it, while leaning his unharmed arm against the wall,"Hello."

Morgan stood there "What happened to your arm?" she asked automatically, seeing as how the blood was the first thing that caught her attention.

Kaine sideglanced his deep wound,"...Dimitri."

"You ran into them again?" she grimaced.

Kaine nodded, and gestured for Morgan to enter the room,"Yeah...I almost had them too."

"...But..." she entered the room accordingly, taking a seat on a chair.

"...they almost had me too." he sighed, and sat on his bed.


"... That's new," her eyes narrowed "So... they ambushed you...?"

Kaine nodded again, it was getting rather repetitive,"Yes, dear." he ran a tired hand through his hair,"The angel literally jumped me...and you were right," he looked to Morgan,"They did disguise themselves. The angel looked like he took a bloodbath with his hair and wings, and the hanyou tried covering her ears with a bandana. She seemed to cut her hair as well...and they've got this elven kid with 'em too."

"The next time you see them, they're gonna have an army I swear..." she muttered dark words, glancing around.

Kaine sighed,"Maybe you're right, Morgan. But I've got almost all of Hell on my side, so I wouldn't worry." he said, trying to lighten the mood. He smiled reassuringly at her.

She smirked at him "I said it once, I'll say it again; you're too nice for a vampire,"

"Heh..." a serious expression took over his features again,"Anyways, let's forget about it for now."

She grinned "Sure, I won't speak of it," she made a mock zipper motion across her lips.

Kaine nodded, and looked to a nearby cabinet,"Could you do me a favour, hun?"

"Sure," she contiued a habit she had of poking wounds in her fingertips with her nail and crossed her legs under her.

He sighed,"If you see you-know-who again...kill him." he glared mildly at his wound,"Or at least try to...because I don't think I'll have the will to soon enough." Kaine looked to her, and smiled slightly,"Oh, and get me some bandages in the cupboard." his tone of voice changed from vile, to soft and gentle.

Morgan laughed alittle at him,. getting up gracdefully and hopping over to the cupboard, getting the bandages accordingly. " 'Course," she went becak to him, starting to unwrap the bandages afresh "I'd be delighted,"

Kaine chuckled at himself,"Thank you." he said, his gaze turning to the window.


"So, how did the festival go?" she asked, continuing to wrap his arm in the bandages.

Kaine shrugged,"Okay...nothing new." he said simply.

She cocked an eyebrow "Okay... you just seemed really excited about it before, but there you go, people change..." hse chuckled abit, finishing the wrapping job. "You know, if you'd been nice enough, you could've just asked you-know-who to fix it for you," she laughed "I'm joking,"

Kaine shot her a mild look, then rubbed the arm with the bandages around it, falling silent.

Morgan's face softened a bit "Kaine...?" she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Kaine slowly turned his gaze to Morgan,"Yes, Morgan?"

"... You seem very... bothered," her brows furrowed abit in concern.

"Mm." Kaine looked to his feet, in deep thought,"...Dimitri...and God's will making sense to me..." he closed his eyes,"Of course I'm bothered."

"God's Will?" she bit her lip "You mean... you're having second thoughts...?"

Kaine's head perked up, and his head whirled towards her,"W-what...of course not!!" he snapped.

She narrowed her eyes "Then what's 'God's will making sense to me'? It sure sounds like it,"

Kaine stared at her for a while, and bit his lip, reflecting on himself-- was he really regretting this all,"...i-it's not." he sighed, running his fingers through his fine hair,"It's just ... this whole war is becoming pointless." he said,"It's going to go on forever until an entire half of the universe is dead, which'll be impossible..." he pasued for a while, and got up, pacing to the window at the far end at the room,"...but what do I care?" he said, tyring to reassure himself,"I'm just doing this for pleasure and money..."

"..." Morgan looked sharply at him "That's not true and you know it. You're only here because you have to be, you're just making the best of it." she stood and went to him, standing beside him and watching "... God's Will to not kill,"

"Hm," Kaine drummed his fingers against his injured arm absently,"...I don't think God or the Devil wanted this to start." he flexed his fingers, trying to change the subject,"This...war...I'd think God doesn't want anyone to be killed- especially for his will. And the Devil only opposes God because God made him that way, and I doubt that he'd want to wipe out the human race or steal their mana-- we thrive off human's pain, and if there aren't any left..." he blinked out of the train of thought, and shook his head, the subject his speech changed to also became undesirable"...but that doesn't matter. All that matters is that we win..."

Morgan looked at him for a while then sighed deeply, waving a hand "Fine," she went back to where she was, crossing her legs inder her and continuing the task of puncturing wounds on her fingertips.

Kaine swallowed, as his gaze returned to the window. His eyes narrowed, and he sighed,'Damn them all...'

---

Rayan smiled, as his house came into view,"Ah, yes!!"

"I'm glad you remembered the way back," Dimitri said, smiling a little.

Rayan smiled widely, and pranced over to his door,"Now we can all rest, happy safe and-"

The door opened from the inside, as a tall, obviously angry elf stood at the doorway,"...and where have you been, Rayan?!"

Dimitri stopped where he was, taking a step back from the angry aura emitting from the door way.

"...Eh..." Rayan blinked, and smiled sheepishly, looking up to his older brother,"...Hi?"

The angry elf glowered down at Rayan,"...get in." he snapped.

Rayan scratched his head,"I would but...you wouldn't want me leaving dear guests outside?" he smiled, and gestured to Melody and Dimitri.

Melody blinked, and twitched her hanyou ears, waving meekly.

Rayan's brother glanced to Dimitri and Melody, and sighed, opening the door further and getting out of the way,"Come in, you three."

Rayan nodded, and went inside suite. His brother eyed him carefully,"Someone's got some explainin' to do..." he said as he walked in. He smiled gently at Melody and Dimitri. Melody followed inside obidiently.

Dimitri went in awkwardly, the new presence in the house making the whole building less familiar. "Hi."

He nodded back to Dimitri, and closed the door behind him.

Melody made her way to the nearest couch, and sat down on the far end of it, shifting uncomfortably. Rayan did likewise on the other side.

Soon, his older brother sat down in between them. They both shifted over, as if he was something vile, or poisonous. With a distorted look, he glanced at them both, and smiled,"You look as if I'm going to kill you all." he said, chuckling to himself.

Melody sighed in relief-- the distorted face was starting to fend her off a bit.

Rayan rolled his eyes,"Well, you did look like it...you could've been a bit more welcoming." he hissed at him.

"Fine," he feigned a smile at Dimitri and Melody, and waved,"I'm Dalamir. Welcome." he gave Rayan a look,"All I wanna know is why the hell the whole in the roof got bigger instead of smaller..."

Melody's flushed red, and shifted again, twitching her ears absently.

Rayan smiled slightly, and scratched his head,"Well, after you left, it apparently began to rain hanyous."

Melody narrowed her eyes at Rayan, and sighed, giving an apologetic look to his brother,"Sorry,I kinda..." her eyes shifted,"Fell through your roof."

He cocked an eyebrow,"Really? And why would a young lady such as yourself be falling through the sky...?"

She scratched behind her ear,"I fell."

"...? From where?"

"...out a window."

Dalamir gave an appalled look to her,"What the hell is going on...?!"

Dimitri leaned on a wall, clicking his half busted gun absently "We were running from authorities; some crack head from Hell wants us dead and decided to put up wanted posters. Also, I had a bit of a run in with an employee at the inn. Please stop asking questions," he narrowed his eyes.

Dalamir's gaze switched to Dimitri. He returned the grim look,"..." He chewed the inside of his cheek absently trying to find a smart-ass come back,"...fine." was the best he could think of.

"Thank-you. And as for Rayan's absence, you can blame us--" which was a lie as Dimitri distincetly remembered Rayan asking to come along "--we invited him,"

Rayan's head perked up, as Dalamir turned to him,"...is this true, Rayan."

He felt himself turn a bit clammy, as he always hated lying. Rayan nodded vigorously,"Yes, yes."

Dimitri rolled his eyes "Anyways; with your permission sir, I'd like to take a shower,"

Dalamir turned back to him, and eyed Dimitri, noting the dry and cracked blood all over his self. He nodded dismissively,"Go on." he said.

Melody twitched her nose, looking rather annoyed,'Well, isn't he the biggest, bossiest son of a...' she breifly shot her middle fingers at him,'Little freaking--'

He suddenly turned to her,"Is something wrong?" he asked, arching a brow.

She flinched back slightly, and blinked, shaking her head,"No."

Dalamir smiled slightly,"Good." Melody mocked him silently as he turned back to Dimitri,"There are towels in the far bottom left hand drawer of the cabinet in the bathroom."

Dimitri made a slight face gesture which could've been considered many forms of an insult, but was intended to be a slight thanks. He took of his jacket and shirt at the same time and tossed them on Melody's head just for kicks. He exited the room.



Melody felt her face turn red, as his shirt and jacket flew on her head. She shook, out of anger and out of brief infatuation. She made a loud annoyed sound, and threw the items of clothing off her head and onto the ground,"Why--he--hell--fuck--damn--..." she picked them up again, and stormed over to the bathroom door, throwing the clothes angrily at it,"DAMN YOU!!" she hissed at Dimitri through the door.

Rayan laughed mildly,"Okay, okay, Mel, chill...Take a breather or something."

"What's wrong? Don't they smell pretty?" came the muffled reply through the wood as running water was heard.

Melody's face reddenned,"They fucking don't!!" Yes they do, Melody, stop lying.. Melody fumed angrily, and kicked the door, swearing multiple times at him,"You little bastard!! I swear, I'm gonna kick your ass once you're finished!!" she kicked the door once more, and sighed huffily, turning to Rayan and Dalamir,"...I'm going outside."

Dalamir cocked his head,"To what, get your ass kicked by authourities?"

"No...to breathe." she panted heavily, and kicked the door behind her another time.

Dalamir smiled slightly,"Okay then."

About seven minutes later, Dimitri, being known for his short showers, walked out in wet pants which he seemingly dumped in the sink and washed with hand soap. He toweled his crimson hair and shook his head, walking over to his jacket and shirt. He eyes them before chucking them in the sink as well. He scratched his chest and plopped on the couch. "Anyways,"

Rayan's ears twitched as he watched Dimitri,"Feeling better?" he asked.

Dalamir muttured something darkly,"Don't you fit right at home..."

Dimitri sent a black look at Dalamir "Excuse me?" he snapped sharply, narrowing his eyes.

Dalamir glanced away from him,"Nothing." he replied.

Dimitri rolled his eyes, and feeling very uncomfortabel with a bare chest in a slight stranger's house stood and wandered to the bathroom where he rubbed his shirt with a near by cloth.

Melody pranced back in, ears still twitching angrily, and face still flushed, although she seemed somewhat calmer. She breathed slowly and heavily,"I..." Deep breath. "...have returned..." She said while standing in the middle of the room, although it was kind of obvious.

Rayan smirked,"NO! You haven't! You're still outside!! Trying to calm down!!" he teased, smirk growing. He did this weird circular gesture with his arms,"You were never here..."

In an instant, one of Melody's shoes connected with Rayan face with a hard impact. After it fell to the floor, Rayan remained silent.

Dalamir chuckled lightly.

Dimitri walked back in the room and caught sight of Melody, sopping shirt in jacket clutched under one arm "Oh, I thought it was quieter in here before," he smirked a bit, scratching his the bloody bandages which were painfully obvious against his pale skin.

Melody glanced over to him, and her eyes narrowed sharply. She snarled, and took his place on the couch.

Dalamir looked back to Rayan,"Are your little delinquent friends staying the night?" he asked.

Rayan shot him a look, then looked to Melody and Dimitri,"Need a place to crash?"

Melody shot another glare to Dalamir,"I wanted to, but now I'm just scared I'll stain your elven house with my 'delinquent' ways." she said rather pointedly at Dalamir.

"Mm, same here," Dimitri leaned in the door way of the bathroom, wringing out his clothes and taking care to get as much water outside the bathroom as possible.

Dalamir eyed them both carefully, and sighed, getting up,"Feh. You can still stay." he walked towards his bedroom door,"In fact, I enforce it...I don't want you running around, finding some way to drag my little brother around." he yawned and entered the room, shutting the door behind him,"G'night!!"

A growl rose in Melody's throat ,"Thanks, o mighty master..." she muttured.

Rayan scratched his head, and looked at Dimitri and Melody again,"Now to figure this out..."

"Figure what out?' Dimitri asked, slinging his clothes over his shoulder.

Rayan sighed,"One of us is sleeping on the floor tonight." he said grimly, going to a far end of the room. He opened up a closet, pulling out a few blankets, and a few pillows. He walked back to the both of them, eyes barely making it over the mountain of cotton things,"Oy."

"I'll sleep on the floor," Dimitri volunterred(sp?), scratching his small beard.

Melody shot him a look,"Are you kidding me?! You're freaking injured!! What, you want horrible abdominal pain for the rest of your life?!" she snapped,"I'll sleep on the floor."

"It's the floor Melody. There aren't spikes jutting out of it or killer rats out to drink my blood scurrying around. It's the floor. I've slept on the floor before, I'm fine," Dimitri said reasonabley, already taking his place on the wood.

She looked down at him, and geave a defeated sigh,"Fine." Melody said, ploping herself on the couch,"The second I hear you whine, we're switching places."

Rayan blinked, and shrugged, tossing a pillow and blanket to Melody. He still had a huge pile of soft pillows and blankets with him, and he blinked down to Dimitri. He smiled, and plopped the rest of the items on top of him,"G'Night! I'll be in my room if you need me!" he pointed to a nearby door, and waved dissmissively, entering his bedroom.

Dimitri made a muffled noise which was probably some profanatic curse of the sorts and pulled the blankets form his head, setting them accordingly on the floor.

Melody yawned, and stretched, taking her place under her blanket. She set up the pillow to her head, then covered herself under the soft covers, taking off her shirt for comfort's sake. She peered her head up, and turned towards the back of the couch, discarding her shirt onto the floor. She clutched the blanket to her chest, and twitched her dog ears, satisfied,"Good night, Dim." she closed her eyes, and tried drifting off.

Dimitri watched her a moment, then picked up his sopping clothes and threw them over the side of the couch, at her fett for courtesy sakes. He sighed silently and started aranging the blankets in the best way possible on the wooden floor.

A muffled voice came through Rayan's door,

"IS EVERYTHING OKAY?!" he yelled.

One of Melody's ears perked up, and she sighed, opening an eye,"Yes, Rayan, we're fine!"

"Y-You sure!! I can always swap places with any one of you!! S'alright, I swear--"

"RAYAN, we're fine...!!"

"...okay then..."

Silence fell, then Melody laughed quietly, closing up her eye and other ear,"G'night to you too, Rayan."

Dimitri sighed silently again and laid te blanket out flat, falling back on it whilst scratching his chest "Mm."

Silence fell over the house again. Melody mused quietly, as she fell into a bliss sleep.

Although Rayan was usually quiet and subtle, his snoring was a whole other thing. It echoed through the once silent house.

Dimitri groaned at the loud noises and stood up, grabbing the blanket, he headed outside. He lay down on the lawn where he fell asleep.

---

"...so he let you go, did he?"

Kaine cleared his throat, and nodded. It was the first time he had faced Kuroi Gaide since he had first hired him,"Yes, sir."

Kuroi sighed, tapping his fingers against his desk. He opened his sharp eyes, and peered up to Kaine,"I'll just have to go get involved myself. It seems this will be more difficult than I assumed," he stood up, and set some papers down. He looked back up up Kaine,"You know what you must do now, right?"

Kaine nodded, again, scratching his head,"Yes, sir." he muttured.

He laughed, and walked around the desk to him,"I'm guessing you're very tired of this repetitive process, correct?"

Kaine sighed irritably,"Well, yeah!"

"Don't worry. We'll get'em soon enough." Kuroi smiled, and slid a hand over his shoulder,"I assure you."

Kaine smiled slightly, and walked towards the door,"Let's go then."

---

The next morning...

Dimitri opened one eye as the sun lit up his face irritatingly. He groaned and sat up, wings stiff and stomach throbbing. He sighed standing up entirely and went back into the house, blanket in hand.

He entered the room he was originally supposed to be sleeping in and tossed the blanket on the ground. He walked to his clothes flopped lazily over the couch Melody and felt them. Still damp. He cursed and let them flip over the couch ungracefully and land on Melody's feet.

Melody stirred in her sleep, and opened an eye up to Dimitri. She moaned, and turned over, kicking his wet clothes off of her feet,"Nyaaaaaah..."

Dimitri glared at her "Get over yourself..."

Melody sighed irritably, and threw the pillow at his head,"Fine." she hissed, stroking her hair back.

Dimitri twitched as the pillow colided with his head. He glared at her again "I'll go wake Rayan up," he stalked over to said person's door and opened it. He took no care to be quiet as he walked over to the figure.

A muffled moan came through the mountain of blankets, and Rayan turned over, tiredly. He opened an eye, and peered to Dimitri, smirking under his covers. Abruptly and suddenly, he burst up smiling, and glomped Dimitri,"G'MORRRRNING!" he said, smiling widely.

"Ack!" Dimitri stumbled a bit under the hug, face flushing a few too many shades for it's own good. "Good morning Rayan," he said dully, scratching his head.

Rayan drew back, and sighed, making his bed suite,"Funny, I never thought of you as a morning person." he winked,"No offense or anything."

Melody sighed, looking into the room. She stretched, and arranged the blanket over the couch accordingly,"I'm goin for a walk." she called out.

Rayan's ears twitched, and he looked through his bedroom door, and nodded," 'Kay. Be careful."

She nodded, and walked on outside.

Dimitri made a half wave after she was gone "Okie dokie,"

Suddenly, a girl with blonde hair came running down the street screaming as two guys came running after her. "Get back here b**tch!!" one of the men yelled.

Dimitri's ears tweaked and he grimaced. "I'll be back," he said to Rayan, heading out the door.
He stepped out and caught sight of the two men and the girl, his eyebrows slid downwards "Hey!" he shouted at them.

"Were busy can't you see!"The med both yelled still chassing after the girl.

"AHH!!!HEEELLLPP MMMMEEEEE"She yelled running.

Dimitri growled and his hand went to his gun which he drew quickly pointing it at the men "Stop it, now,"

"Screw off"one the the guys said and threw a rock at Dimitri and kept running after the girl who now had climbed up a tree.

Dimitri slightly when the rock hit him above the brow. "I am so sick of being..." he continued with strings of profanity as he clambered after them, shooting one in the leg "I said stop it now!"

The guy who got shot in the leg fell down in pain holding his leg "SHIT!!!!"he yelled. His companion ran to his friend and helped him up "Let's go this guys a freak...."the uninjured guy said as they both walked away.

Dimitri cursed some more as he returned his gun to it's respected holster and glanced up at the girl in the tree. "Are you okay?" he asked apathetically.

"No..."

Dimitri narrowed his eyes "Well, those thugs are gone so you can come down now,"

"I hurt my leg...it's bleeding, one of them cut me leg but I blocked out the pain and ran.."She said and pointed to a deep cut in her leg.Tears streeming down her face.

"Yes well, I'm sorry to tell you, but staying up there won't make it nay better," Dimitri sighed "My friend can help you if you put up with the pain a while longer," he mentally cursed himself for coming out to see the commotion.

"..ok...."She said and slowly climbed down the tree then when she got to the ground her legs gave way adn she fell.

Dimitri sighed again and stalked over to her. He grabbed her by the back of her collar, lifted, and walked back inside the house whilst carrying her a foot above the ground like a bag.

"Ow you bastard!don't you have any respect for women!If you treat every girl like that your'll NEVER gonna get ANYWHERE in live!"the girl yelled

"Whatever..."

Rayan blinked, as Dimitri walked in with the girl. He cocked his head, and walked over, releasing Dimitri's grip,"I know you know better than that." he said, looking to the girl. He blinked at her again, then cleared his throat,"Um, are you alright, miss?"

"No.."she said and looked at her bleeding leg.

Rayan peered over as well, and grimaced. He sighed, and set her on the couch,"I'll get some bandages for that." she said quietly. He stared up at her for a few moments, and squinted his eyes, as if in remembrance. He noted the elven ears, and smiled. He walked over to the cabinet, and fished around for bandages,"I think you should take a breather, Dimitri." he said, shooting him a look.

Dimitri returned the look except with more emphasis and growled "Well, excuse me," he rolled his eyes and went back to his clothes, throwing his shirt on not caring if it was wet or not.

Rayan sighed heavily, and walked back over to the elven girl,"May I see your leg? I'll fix it all up." he smiled slightly,'My hands go no where else, I sear."

"Good...."She said and showed Raya her cut.

Rayan grimaced at the wound,"Oy..." he gently began wrapping bandages around her leg,"Big one, eh?"

"...yaa..."

He looked up at her again, and felt his face turn red, going along faster with the bandaging. He ripped the last piece off the roll, and sighed,"There." he said, putting her leg down. He sighed, and shifted away from her slightly,"Done."

"thank you..."She said "Oh by the way my names Abi" she said smiling faintly.

"Whoop dee doo," Dimitri went into the bathroom and slammed the door.

"Abi..." Rayan nodded, and turned away,"That's...a nice name." he glared at the bathroom door for a while, and mumbled something.

---

From the heart of the woods, a deep sigh was heard from the hanyou which sat on it's floor. Her two clear eyes looked up to the sky, and she spat on the ground again, staring on ahead at the giant tree before her,'It's nice to be away sometimes...' Melody thought, running a blade of grass through her index and middle finger absently,'From Mr. Brightside, and from that stubborn little...' Melody snarled and got up, stretching,"Ah, well...I should be heading back,"

The energy drained girl spat on the ground again, and walked on,"I'll give that Dimitri a piece of my mind..." she muttured, storming along.


She abruptly stopped, and perked her head up, as she felt everything tremble, and saw it too-- the scenery of the forest turned into a lake of green, rippling and distorting it's crisp image. Melody froze, and felt the gorund ripple out, as if she was the epicenter of the whole pheonomenal. She blinked again, and flipped her head around, as the comotion stopped. Her eyes narrowed at her surroundings, and she carried on. As she walked, the forest rippled again, and she stumbled forward, cocking her head. It stopped again, and she walked forward,"Eerie..." she stopped abruptly, and arched a brow, as the giant tree she once sat in front of was there again,'That's weird...I was going forward and...' she shrugged. Maybe she had gone in a circle without even realising it. She turned away from it, and walked on again. The pounding rippling effect happened again, and she walked forward. The tree was in front of her yet anothet time,"This is getting really eerie..." she glared at the familiar wooden thing, and turned around again. She stormed off again, arms swinging by her side angrily. The heart pounding effect occurred again, and Melody rolled her eyes,"Good Lord-" suddenly she stopped. A rippling wall was in front of her. She grimaced,"Is this...what's..." she reached out to it, and yelped, flinching her hand back. She saw her hand come back this way through the wall...what was this?

She slid her hand through the wall again, and saw it come back the same way through the stream. Aggriavted, and ran on through, but ended up in the same spot. Her eyes widened, and she looked around her,"Wh-what the hell is this?!" she hissed. She ran through the wall, and the pounding sound and effect happened again. She skidded to a stop, as she winded up in the same place once again. She felt herself shake. She turned to the wall, and drew her sword, breathing heavily,"C'mon..." she tried slicing through it, but cried back, when she felt her own sword slice the side of her arm on the other side. She screamed back, and held her bleeding arm.

"Hmmhmmhmm... be careful, half-breed...you wouldn't want to cut yourself to death, now would you...?" a shuddering voice pounded throughout the area.

Melody's eyes widened, and she flipped around,"Wh-what do you want?!"

"Mmm..." The voice remained silent for the while.

Melody growled angrily,"L-let me out!! This isn't funny!!" she yelled,"I'll tear you to pieces!!"

"...try. Try getting close...you're stuck in a void, Melody. Made up by your greed, your sins, your hatred...this is you."

She shook her head,"No...no it's not..."

"This cold, and desolate place..this is where you belong." Kuroi laughed coldly,"This is your hell..."

Melody felt herself breath heavier, and shook her head, trying to run through the wall, but the same result happened again,"N-No..." she swallowed, and tried again, but to no avail.

"This void...is your soul. Your emotions. It'll drive you insane...and kill you in the end...I assure you.

She broke. Her mind, her sanity, her will to try any further. She felt herself begin to cry, and she dropped to her knees, shakily hugging herself,"Go...go...help..." tears poured down like a river of sorrow,"Help...!"

"This is where we are all meant to be...where you were meant to be."

She shook her head, and started screaming, losing all sanity within her,"No...No...I don't..."

"This is hell...you've made your hell this way. You have no one to blame but yourself, my dear."

"No...n-no..." Melody shook her head again,"Dimitri...Rayan..." she called out helplessly,"...AAAHHHHHHH!!!"

---

Dorämi

"...Do you feel it working, my child..."

The cold vampire kneeled there, bleeding in front of the altar. The cult members chanted outside this hellish cathedral, as Kaine growled inwardly. He felt his own crimson stain the floor, and he looked up through a wall of glass to a dark red orb, black, crimson and grey swirling, the essence of evil emitting from it's center.

*It was thought to be the doorway to hell-- the true hell. For centuries, these creatures of the underworld had come here, for it was their only way to communicate with Satan.

This is where Kuroi was born -- up here, before the gate of hell. Bara was born in a similar church, but in Je'haltha- the Holy city.

Kuroi was therefore known as an incarnation of the devil himself- off to bring evil into the world, destined to oppose his brother.*

(*Brief history lesson for better comprehension*)

"Why..." Kaine hissed, shutting his eyes closed. Remenance of tears was oblivious, as the salty drops fell down his face, mixing with his blood and sweat,"I understand, but why does this hurt so much..." he opened his eyes, and called out,"Why did you choose me, out of all times, Satan?!" The pain he felt wrangled through his voice,"I don't believe I'm strong enough right now..." he winced,"To take this...this 'ritual'..."

"...Ussta dalharuk, dos vel'uss xortin dal uoi'nota, Usstan kus dos...ussta orn zhal rosa pholor nindol tresk'ri, nau selg'tarn vel'bol. L' comson nindel orn tlu op'lin orn tlu a dosst rahi, vee'ther dos ssinssrin folt natha ap'za xor naut. Nindol tresk'ri orn tlu udosst. Evagna uns'aa, ussta dalharuk...or'shansene z'klaen tlu morfel." the deep and hellish voice replied. His words were for Kaine's ears only.

Kaine's eyes widened at him, and he shook slightly,"...sacrifices...that's all we've making in this war." he said, voice coarse and tired out,"We need to take more action..."

"Kaine...you're awfully impatient and anxious about this, aren't you?" he laughed coldy. It caused the whole church to vibrate. Even the cold-hearted Kaine shook nervously.

"Y-yes...of course."

"What we desire will happen once again...Usstan iglata."

"Promise what?" Kaine asked,"...Vel'bol ilro'e ulu dos iglata? Nindol tresk'ri zhah naut jalbol 'zil dos tesso udossa ol orn'la tlu..."

He chuckled again,"...quin."

Kaine's head perked up,"...yet?"

"Mmhmm."

Kaine looked to the ground, and shook his head,"Tell me...what will happen?"

"Dalzhind orn repeat oltan. Udos ph' galla ulu re-create... vel'bol incident nindel seperated udossa."

The young vampire's eyes widened again,"...seperated Heaven and Hell?"

"Aye."

A smirk came across the bleeding vampire's face,"Heh...I get it."

"Good...I'm trusting that Kuroi explained the rest before...you now know what to do, correct?"

Kaine nodded,"Yes, sir."

"Very well...have your plans with Kuroi begun?"

"Yes. We're almost finished with them. I think we have one of them down..." Kaine sighed,"Though I haven't the faintest clue why...they're just three kids."

"...who could ruin everything. Gaer zhah l' mirshann...Dimitri? Natha Orthae uss, zhah naut uk? Valyrin d' ironic, xuat dos talinth? Lu'oh nindol gumash sha'nalt..?"

"...siyo. Xuat telanth Dimitri's kaas p'los uns'aa 'sohna, qualla. Ol silara uns'aa jiv'undus."

"Yes, of course...do not worry."

Kaine's expression totally reflected the statement.

"..Plynn olist, ussta dalhar...gaer ph' nindyn vel'uss orn gyolaen dos 'zil biu ilthy'eo. Drill xun naut eszak. Nindol dosst elamshin..."

And with a zip of dark light, the orb returned to a normal curcular and simple shape, the dark aura weakening.

"Thank you, Kaine..."

With the devils words echoeing in his head, he stopped bleeding. The vampire stood, and left.

---

Dimitri came out of Rayan's bathroom, head soaked in water after he seemingly dunked it in the sink. He groaned when he looked around at the company in the room. "She's not back yet?" Dimitri asked Rayan, taking a seat on the ground.

Rayan looked from Abi to Dimitri,"Melody?" he shook his head,"No, don't think so." he cocked his head,"You never know, she could be pissed at you or something." he chuckled lightly,"By the way you awoke her so abruptly, I wouldn't balme her if she needed extra time to breathe a while."

"..." Dimitri narrowed his eyes at Rayan "I didn't do anything," he growled defiantly, standing up and brushing himself off as he did "I'm gonna her a piece of my mind," he spat, not knowing he had just quoted Melody from earlier, and got up and walked out the door.

Rayan looked on after him,"I'll catch up with you later!" he called. He looked down to Abi, and smiled,"Wouldn't want to leave a guest trailing behind, now would we?"

---

Dimitri grimaced as he trailed down Melody's path, mildly aware that something out of the ordinary was going on. But then... something's always out of the ordinanry here he reminded himself dully as his feet caught on pebbles, sending them yards ahead.

His eyes wandered lazily, taking in the repetitive scenery until he caught sight of a figure bent down. He blinekd and withtin seconds realized it was Melody. He blinked again increasing his pace once he noted something was wrong "Melody?"

Melody winced and whined again. Her ears perked up, and her heart skipped a beat. She a breath of relief, she peered up, and saw Dimitri,"D-Di..." she got up, and feebly tried walking over to him, back arched tiredly, only to get caught in the same loop again. From an outsider's point of view, it appeared as if she was going in circles. She stumbled forward slightly,, then peered back to Dimitri over her shoulder,"D-Dim..."

---

Rayan looked on after him,"I'll catch up with you later!" he called. He looked down to Abi, and smiled,"Wouldn't want to leave a guest trailing behind, now would we?"

A yawn was heard from the other side of Dalamir's door, and he opened the door, stretching,"Good morning, you delinquent-" he blinked. No Melody, no Dimitri, just Rayan and this new injured elven girl,"...I won't even ask." he shrugged, and made his way to the kitchen.

Rayan sighed, and rolled his eyes,"Good morning to you too."

A knock came to the door.

Dalamir blinked to the door, and shrugged,"Hm." he walked over to it.

Rayan got up, and looked down to Abi,"Be right back." he smiled, and walked over the window to see who it was curiously. His eyes widened,"...Holy crap."

Dalamir opened the door, and smiled slightly,"Why, hello there, Mr. Romero...here to pick up another weapon?"

"Yes. Thank you for your time..."

Rayan swore under his breath, and went under a state of panic, closing the curtain, and pacing around the room,"Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God..."

Dalamir looked irritably over his shoulder, and his eyes narrowed sharply at his brother. He sighed, and turned back to his customer,"One moment, I'll be back."

Rayan continued pacing an over-swearing,'When we signed that stupid contract, 'you are obliged to sell weapons to all' at the time didn't seem like,'even the bastards from hell' as well...' he thought, cussing, and cussing.

"Knock it off, Rayan." Dalamir said absently, while carrying a scythe to the door.

Rayan's jaw nearly dropped to the floor, and he twitched irritably. He shook his head, and continued pacing,"Aw God, oh God, oh God..."

"Thank you, Dalamir."

"Don't thank me, thank my brother. He forged it."

He laughed,"Is that the one swearing in there?"

Dalamir sighed,"Yep..."

"May I speak with him?"

Rayan's ears perked up, and he twitched again,"...SHIT!" he jumped under a table feebly.

Dalamir nodded, and rolled his eyes to Rayan,"Get out here, punk." he snapped.

Rayan gave a desperate look to Dalamir, and sighed, dragging himself to behind his brother,"...y-yeah?"

Dalamir gestured to his customer,"Someone wants to thank you."

Kaine's fingered his weapon, and blinked down to Rayan. He smirked,"Thank you."

Rayan looked up to him, and blinked several times. He felt himself turn red.

A look of evil grasped Kaine's features,

'I'm watching you, Rayan...' he said mentally to Rayan.

Rayan could tell what he was thinking through the menacing grin. He turned another shade of red, and ran inside.

Kaine laughed,"Quite a shy one, eh?"

Dalamir sighed,"May seem that way to strangers...after being his brother, he can get very annoying."

Kaine nodded,"Good day then," he payed Dalamir, and went on his way.

Rayan looked through the window again to see if he was gone. Kaine stopped, and turned around, watching rayan through the window. He smirked, and mouthed,'Til we meet again...', and left.

Rayan ducked a moment too late, and sighed, as he heard his brother close the door.

Dalamir looked down to Rayan,"...what was that for?"

Rayan got up, and gave him a look, swearing under his breath,"When we say 'we sell wepaons to EVERYONE', I never thought 'vampires from the depths of hell' fit into that category!!" he snapped.

Dalamir shot the look back,"Well, there's nothing I can do about the way you feel--"

"I MADE A WEAPON FOR THE GUY WHO INJURED DIMITRI AND I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT!! HE'LL KILL MORE ELVES LIKE US WITH THAT THING!"

Dalamir staggered back," Are you telling me that Mr. Romero was the one who--"

"...Mr.Romero?! MR. ROMERO IS A TOTAL JACKASS!! He put up anted posters for my friends!!"

"How could you let yourself become involved in this?!"

"I don't know...!!"

Dalamir's eyes narrowed in thought, and he looked around. Finally, he spoke lowly,"We're gonna have to move, then."

Rayan's eyes widened,"Move?! NOW?! We have an injured elven lady, a missing hanyou, and an angel who really needs some anger management classes on our backs, and you're suggesting on moving?!" he hissed.

"Do you want to die?!"

"...no."

Dalamir gave him a look, and started picking up anything, scanning them to see if they were important,"...then we're going."

---

Dimitri eyed her, a mildly disturbed look creeping to his face he contued pacing towards her until he stood above her shaking form. "Melody what's wrong..?" he asked slowly, placing a hand on her shoulder.

The ripling effect surged from Melody and Dimitri to the ground, and it spreaded through the forest the moment the outside figure came in contact with Melody.

Melody continued shaking, unaware that Dimitri was right beside her. She'd gone numb,"I-It won't...let me g-go..."

"..." Dimitri's brows furrowed and he walked around in front if dropping to eye level. He grabbed both her shoulders "Melody, look at me, what won't let you go?"

---

"Umm.....whats going on?Who was that and killing efls..."Abi said uneasy.

Rayan looked to Abi,"Kaine, a vampire...he's after the one who was rude to you, and another girl who you haven't met yet...he killed an elf at a war ceremony of the sort."

---

Through Melody's view, it seemed like Dimitri was reaching through the barrier,"D-don't you s-see it..." she swallowed , and looked up to Dimitri, eyes glazed over,"I-it won't let me go back..."

Dimitri blinked, looking at the rippling as it spread across the terrain "Mel, we have to go, okay?"

Melody shook her head slowly for a while,"I-I can't...it w-won't let me go..."

"I'm going to take you away," Dimitri said slowly, face creasing in concern "I'm going to get you out of here,"

---

Abi was silent for a moment "...ookk..."

Rayan smiled slightly,"I know it may seem confusing, but there's nothing we can really do right now." he nodded,"You're not healed yet...do you mind coming with us?"

---

"P-please..." Melody whailed, and continued shaking,"M-make it let me g-go..."

---

"Sure...theres no where else to go anyways...not with those two asses after me.."Abi said and tryed to get up.

---

"Shh," he sighed and slid his hands down her arms to take hold of her hands "It's okay, we're going to get out. I promise,"

Melody sniffed loudly, and nodded slowly, gripping his hands tighter," 'K-kay..."

---

Rayan walked on beside her, and helped her up. He smiled gently,"Okay...good."

"Thanks.."A bi said, blushing a bit,"Oh...I never got your name..."

Rayan blinked, and nodded,"Rayan."

"Oh..."Abi said and smiled remembering that name form somewhere.

---

Dimitri nodded as well, standing up "Now stand up, and we'll get out of here, and you won't have to see it anymore," he pulled her gentley the arms, growing more uncomfortable and disturbed by the thought of rippling ground as the seconds ticked by.

She swallowed dryly, and nodded again, slowly getting up,"Y-yeah..." Melody chocked out. She managed a small smile.

---

"You don't happen to be Rayan Tael'eatha?Do you.....?"Abi asked.

Rayan smirked,"What, you need to know my last name to recognize me, Abi?" he said, playing with the engagement ring around her finger.

"well....."Abi said tears filling her eyes "I wasn't sure it was you...I mean it's been so long..." she then burst out into tears and hugged Rayan "Oh I've missed you..."

---

Dimitri smiled hollowly(now a word!), simply for reasurrance. He stood and looked around, eyes narrowing at the scene "Okay.."

Melody blinked, and watched him enter the void. She scratched her head, and looked around absently.

He sighed and looked back to her "You can see me, right?" he asked, unsure of the place from her point of view.

Melody looked up to him, and nodded slowly,"Heh, y-yeah." she replied, still a little shaky.

---

Rayan froze for a while, and smiled, returning the embrace. He leaned his head against hers, and sighed,"Sorry..."

Dalamir peered over, and rolled his eyes, smiling inside,"Here we go with the soapopera..."

"It's not your fault...I'm just glad you have you back" Abi said and put both her hands on Rayan's cheeks and kissed him gently on the lips.

Rayan's eyes widened, and he felt himself turn every possible shade of red. Slowly he drew back, and tore his gaze from her,"Sorry...it's just a bit weird. After so long."

Dalamir, sneered, and headed for his bedroom door,"Get a room." he snapped, smirking. With a novel in hand, he entered his domain, leaving the other two alone.

---

"Good..." Dimitri bit his lip and turned qaround, still holding one of her hands "I wonder if we can just---" his statment was cut off when he tripped over a tree root and slammed his face into a noticabley large tree trunk.

"EEP!" Melody stumbled forward slightly, as he dragged her down. She thudded on the ground, and sighed,"Owie..."

The rippling effect occured once again, but it was an impact of high magnitude. The ground shook immensely, and the barrier dissapated into nothingness.

Melody blinked, and looked around, as the ocean of green calmed to it's normal forest state. She sighed in relief,"I...it's gone..." she smiled widely.

Dimitri pulled his face from the bark and blinked "It.." he looked around as well "Hey, cool," he grinned a bit, helping the fallen Melody to her feet.

"Mm." Melody staggered to her feet, and sniffed out of habit. She looked to Dimitri, and smiled. The instant she was upright and on her feet, and turned to him, and hugged him tightly, thankfully,"Thank you."

Dimitri blinked stupidly, face flushing. He wasn't used to such close contact with anyone and he was at a loss "Uh.. You're welcome?"

---

"Oh...I'm sorry..."Abi said and looked away."Well...like you said before we should get going..."

Rayan cleared his throat, and nodded, getting up,"Oh, um, right."

---

Melody smiled, and drew back, sighing. She turned towards the direction of Rayan's house,"Heh, we better head back..."

"..Uh huh.." Dimitri frowned standing up straight again and brushing his self "Yeah let's go,"

Melody nodded, and made her way back to the elven residence.

As soon as Dimitri and Melody exiting the clearing and were out of view, Kuroi jumped down from his place, and to the trunk of the giant tree. He smirked on after them, and picked up a stray angel feather. He smiled, and fingered it carefully with dragon hide gloves on,'Perfect...'