The Masqued Requiem, Chapter Eleven: Captive Heart

[Masqued Serenity]

http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/32359/t102...-captive-heart/

[Masqued Serenity]

THH's post:


(silence)

"..." Zev's expression did not change as the party burst through the doorway: two of the Lezian councillors, Arvin, Roxanne, and Ranulf. Ranulf was the first to overcome the sheer shock of this occurrence, and, so, spoke first...

"Caterina!" Ranulf cried, before it registered who held her hostage, "...Zev?! What are you... Not a few hours past, you fought alongside me to save Caterina! What are you thinking?"

"...You know what it is to enjoy Caterina's embrace. Soon, so shall I, even if only our corpses are together for but a few moments..." the werewolf dreamily trailed.

"You're insane, Zev!" Caterina spat, "I can't believe I ever felt sorry for you, even for a second!"

"...I have procrastinated for long enough. I know the exact point with which you may die instantly, without pain... However much it pains me to disturb your beauty in such a way..."

Gripping her tighter with his left hand, he pulled the golden-hued blade away from her, preparing to thrust into her throat.

"Caterina!" Ranulf cried, edging towards them, though he knew that any sudden movement might make Zev's aim slip...

"Farewell, most fair princess. I love you..."

(Song: Zev's Theme)

The moment those three words passed from Zev's lips, his pupils widened. He blinked once, and faltered slightly. As though he had suddenly realised what he was doing, he dropped the Masamune, which clattered off the stone ground out of his immediate reach. He released his hold on her, never removing his gaze from a fixed point at nothing in particular. He shivered noticeably, and breathed shakily, like one who had just seen or done something beyond horror...

Without a hesitation, Caterina darted away from him, and buried herself in Ranulf's arms. All present could only watch as Zev then fell to his knees, and hunched over, clutching his head with both hands...

"What... What have I done...? What has become of me...? Why... Why did I...? L-Love...? No... I... I... What...?" He had lost all train of thought and speech, and tears began to stream down his cheeks.

To see someone broken in such a way, even one who nearly committed such an atrocity as consciously murdering the very one he loved, was a pitiful sight for all else present, and nobody quite knew how to react...

[Masqued Serenity]

OCC: Sorry for the delay and the very short post.



Caterina looked at Zev in pure shock. Her expression did not change, but she was trying to sync together all that just happened. 'Zev Loves me?!' She thought over and over in her head.


Seconds later the door flew open with a bang, and William and a few castle guards came in. "What is going on?" He yelled. Caterina immediately turned to him and tried to find the correct words. "I want an answer!" He yelled after no one responded.

"This is not your castle" came the sly voice of Arvin. William turned to him and said "what did you say?" William gave him a most dirty look. "You're right Arvin" Caterina finally said, "It's mine and my fathers."

"Excuse me?" William said sarcastically to her. Caterina then said to him "you are not of his land, I suggest you stop shouting orders." William looked like Caterina had slapped him in the face, without any word of gesture he slowly turned to the door, and left.

"Zev?" Caterina's voice asked him.

[The Hero Hartmut]

(Song: Zev's Theme)

Zev was totally unaware of William's entrance, or even of her asking for him straight after his exit. His overflowing, acid-green eyes were glazed over, though fixed in a state of shock. His kneeling position unchanging, he quietly continued mumbling out his thoughts, only just audible enough for all present to here...

"All this time... I believed it to be nothing more than a crush... Something I could escape, and protect her from myself... Now, it's obvious... And she knows it, now, too... Can I ever tear myself away from her...? And, even if I could, would I be able to go on...?

Shivering, he slowly shook his head, still oblivious to his audience, who remained silent to hear this soliloquay.

"It doesn't matter, anyway... I tried to kill her! Nothing can ever pardon me from this... No amount of torture could possibly be as painful... I wonder would she be so merciful as to sentence me to death...? No... I have been so selfish for too long; though kind, she would not allow me such a sweet embrace as that... Who cares what becomes of me...? Who would miss a monster such as me...? Who could ever love a beast...?"

Letting out a low, canine-like howl, a single tear slid down his cheek, and he dropped to the floor, practically in convulsions...

[Erk The Mage]

Just letting you know, I'm here now, and I'll post when necessary(though I may need reminded )

[The Hero Hartmut]

OOC: This post takes place away from Castle Leziah.

BIC:

(Song: Plotting...)

Meanwhile, back on the Adair Shrine, Malgent remained completely focused, his eyelids screwed shut and his breath almost held indefinitely. For several minutes, Adonis and Damien had watched intently, wondering ow long it would be before he returned to them. Eventually, however, he opened his eyes again, and let out a sigh of relief.

"My lord?" Damien cautiously approached his master.

"...It would seem that the fates yet side with me," Malgent smiled faintly, but this quickly turned to a calculating frown. "Nonetheless, it will still be necessary to get Caterina on her own before I can speak with her again... Zev will no longer obey my commands while in human form, conscious or not. It is clear that he must either be persuaded to join me, or he must be destroyed..."

"If he must be destroyed, then I-"

"Hold your tongue, Damien. You have proved, time and time again, to be incapable of truly defeating him." Adonis could have sworn that he saw Malgent try to restrain a smirk as Damien showed visible displeasure at his lord's words, but chose not to question it.

"But, my lord, if you give me another chance..." the Frieus ruler pleaded.

"No... Zev is a particularly special case. Only a specialist stands a chance at taking him down. Summon the Red Reaper; I would assign him the task..."

"Surely you cannot mean that you want Todd to go after that fleabag? He is nothing more than an idealistic fool, who does not even know of your existence!" Damien disbelievingly exclaimed.

"And he shall continue his ignorance of my return. You, however, will inform him of this free werewolf that is roaming. He alone holds the weapons that stands a chance at his destruction... Besides myself, naturally..."

"But why him? Why entrust the weapons of The Order to one who does not directly serve you?" Adonis spoke up.

"One cannot be too careful. He is unaware of my presence, and so is in no possible position to turn his power against me..." Malgent then eyed both of them, before fading into the darkness.

"Fail to do this, and you shall suffer the repercussions..." His voice echoed, even in his immediate absence.

Grumbling resignedly, Damien pressed his fingers to bot of hs temples, and concentrated for a few seconds. A magic gateway of black and white energies opened soon after, and from it emerged a young-looking red-haired man dressed in elegant noblemans' clothing. The portal closed into thin air behind him.

OOC:

Name: Todd Quinlan
Age: (unknown, though looks to be close to 20)
Race: Werefox (similar to a werewolf on a basic level. Retains human composure on transformation, and becomes more crafty and intelligent, though gains little to no boost in physical strength)
Sex: Male
Nation, and affiliate: Frieus, evil
Country Born in: (unknown)
Country residing in now: Solobo
Appearance (Sprite or words):
Personality: Very self-confident, due to the fact that he has wrought vigilante justice upon countless fiends. Respectful of Damien, who has assured him that he is against such beings (though unaware of the true intentions of his benefactor, or the existence of Zorloft). When focused on a hunt, he tenaciously chases his quarry to the bitter end, and stubbornly refuses to listen to any word against him or his actions.
Class: Reaper
Weapon: Possesses several, but favours the Flower Scythe of Lamuria
Other Info: Also known under his infamous alias, The Red Reaper. A dedicated monster hunter, despite being aware that he is not human himself. He believes that he is exempt from status as a monster because he actively hunts down more dangerous varieties of beast. Somehow came into possession of the weapons of the Ancient Order, which he makes use of in his hunts. A highly-ranked subordinate of Damien's, who had given him lordship over the werewolf-infested island of Solobo.

BIC:

(Song: The Red Reaper - Todd's Theme)

"You rang, Master Damien?" Todd yawned softly, and scratched his side. Damien seemed somewhat repulsed by this flippant attitude, but swallowed his pride.

"...I have received word of the whereabouts of Zev." Though this message was a short one, it was enough to get Todd to completely snap to attention.

"Zev?! You're absolutely sure? I've been hunting him for eons... I've seen neither head nor tail of him for a century!"

"Yes, yes, you have made that abundantly clear over the years that I have hired you... It would seem that he has gained the trust of the Aliconian princess, Caterina, and is presently staying with her," Damien explained.

"Finally, after so long, I will have another opportunity to rid the world of that accused monster... There'll be no need for a bounty this time, m'lord; this one's for me..." He then stretched his open palm above his head. A lone sakura petal floated down from the grey sky, and landed in his hand, before instantaneously growing out into a long, curvy scythe, with a green stem-like handle, and a bended pink blade with a cross symbol at the back of it. A flourish of more petals seemed to explode from behind him, dotting the stony ground with their pink hue as they fell. With that, he reopened his gateway, and stepped back into it, before it once again disappeared.

Damien and Adonis then glanced at each other and scoffed with mutual contempt, and both teleported away, themselves...

[Masqued Serenity]

Caterina looked at the lone wolf crying, on the floor. She felt sad for him and did not know what to say. She saw Zev as a danger to himself and to others as well in his state.

"Uhh Zev..." Caterina whispered, Zev looked at her with tears. "I'm afraid you are going to hurt yourself, or worse yet- someone else..." Zev stared at her even more. "So I think it's for the better... Guards keep watch on him, keep him safe." After saying those words Zev couldn't find himself to make another scene as the guards took hold of him carefully.

After that tiring and interesting day, everyone returned to their rooms. Ranulf stopped by to check up on Caterina "will you be okay by yourself?" he asked her worried about earlier. Caterina looked up at him and after a moment of silence spoke. "I think I will." Ranulf gave her a look. "It'll be okay" she said again. "Well... Please, if anything comes up, promise me you'll call for me." Ranulf told her with a smile. Caterina smiled back and said "I will." After that he gave her a kiss goodnight, and bowed to her, bidding her goodnight.

(Heart of Darkness)

She went into bed, and released her mind into her dreams. Unfortunately her mind wasn't her own anymore... Blackness now filled her mind, as in the distance she heard a voice...

"I am your angel of sorrow... I am your prince, the king of your dreams..." In Caterina's mind she felt herself snap awake but yet she was still sound asleep...

[The Hero Hartmut]

(Song: Zev's Theme)

The lycanthrope said absolutely nothing as he was frog-marched to the dungeon of the castle. He had no energy to resist, nor any desire to do so. In fact, once he was left in his prison and the bars were shut, the only thing he uttered at all was a quiet recommendation to the guards to lace the bars of his cell with liquid silver, to ensure that he could not escape. The guards, considering him to be little to no threat at present, however, decided simply to leave him alone in his locked cage, and both then retreated to the mess hall for supper. His sword, the Masamune, remained up in the room, but, as nobody else could so much as pick it up, it was left to lie there. Resigned in everything he simply leaned against the stone wall, and slid down it into a seated position.

I'm so pathetic... Even after everything, I couldn't retain so much as a shred of dignity, much less any indication of my sanity... I wonder if this is truly my fate, however... Though I remain near Caterina, I must now watch helplessly as she lives a happy life with Ranulf... Actually, whatever happened to Zeighart? There was no trace of him on the island...

He slumped his head into his folded arms, supported by his knees.

At least here I'm of no threat to anybody, now... If those guards listen to my suggestion, then not even the full moon will be any cause of concern anymore... And, so, I await a time when I will be executed by, perhaps, one of Caterina's descendants, while I waste away, undying... I just wish it could be done and over with, though...

(Song: The Red Reaper - Todd's Theme)

Suddenly, as though the Fates themselves were paying heed to his thoughts, a black and white portal opened on the othr side of the bars, and out stepped the blue-suited hunter, his unusually-coloured scythe in hand. He smiled a broad, twisted grin of triumph as he saw his quarry imprisoned, who had quickly brought himself to his feet on noticing this happening.

"Zev... At last, we meet again! Though, I must say, after so long, you've made it surprisingly easy for me..."

Zev blinked once, apparently mystified that this strange character was aware of him.

"...Do I know you?"

Todd was taken aback somewhat, at this inconceivable lapse of memory on Zev's part.

"Surely you jest! After a hundred years, I have finally hunted you down since the last time you evaded my clutches... You always did prove to be a slippery catch, but now I have you right where I want you!"

"...'One hundred years'? I wasn't around a century ago, and, by the look of you, I somehow doubt that you were, either. Perhaps you have the wrong person...? That said, if you wish to slay me here, I have no objections..."

Todd raised both eyebrows, clearly shocked that everything he had gone through trying to catch Zev was left forgotten. A sense of indignation boiled within him, and he became furious.

"How dare you deny everything that has happened?! For so long, I have been on your case, trying to rid the world of your kind, and now, even though Damien has led me to you once again, I-"

Zev perked up on hearing that name.

"Damien?! The Emperor of Frieus? You're associated with him?"

"Even if I am, why should that matter?" the red-haired one flippantly enquired.

Zev's blood heated up under his skin, and he assumed a figting stance.

"Though my desire to remain alive is but a thread's strength at best, I refuse to be ended by anyone under that cur's command! Prepare yourself, stranger!"

"...That's TODD! Todd Quinlan, The Red Reaper!" the Reaper fumed, and he raised his scythe...

(Song: Forgotten Challenge)

Suddenly, as if by magic, the Masamune returned to Zev's hand in a wisp of dark energies. Both were momentarily distracted by this revelation, but their attention quickly turned back to one another. Todd swung his scythe in a downward direction, leaving a breeze of pink petals in its wake, and destroyed the cell bars. In the space left behind, Zev charged through, ready to thrust the blade into Todd's body, but the blue-suited nobleman flicked the fingers of his free hand towards Zev's face, obscuring his vision with a flourish of red rose petals. The werewolf stumbled, inadvertantly evading a slashing motion from the flower scythe.

"What's beautiful can be dangerous!" Todd quipped, before raising his free hand. Thick, twisted rose patches instantly grew all around Zev, of which the thorns were razor sharp, from between the cracks in the slate ground.

"You'll need more than mere buttercups to subdue me!" Zev snarled, as he cut down some of the rose bushes, and leapt over the trimmed hedging before it could hastily regrow. His then jumped to the side, and vaulted himself from the wall, before plunging the pointed end of the Masamune into Todd's side.

"Ouch! You'll regret that, fiend!" Todd cried, as he forcibly removed the sword from his wound. Though bleeding profusely, he showed no signs of faltering.

"What...? You're not even fazed? But that must mean..." Sword still in hand, Zev bounded backwards, out of the scythe's range.

"That I'm not human, either? Of course I'm not! How else could I have survived to pursue your actions for all of those decades?" Todd seemed resentful, even insulted, at being made to say this.

"Are you a werewolf, too?" Zev momentarily lowered his sword; after all, he knew that he would not be able to kill him, if that was the case.

"No!" Todd appeared horrified at the very concept. "Why would you ever believe that I was ever one of your filthy, primitive kind? No, I am a werefox; far superior to your ilk!" He then edged forwards and swung his scythe horizontally, Zev only quick enough to block the attack with his blade at the last possible moment.

"Werefox...? Then why are we fighting? We are both werespecies; surely we have a common cause?"

"I fight to rid the world of destructive creatures like you! I do not go on bloodthirsty rampages when the full moon transforms me, so I, unlike you, am not a monster!" Todd pointed his open palm towards Zev, causing a gust of thorns and sharp petals to fly in the werewolf's direction, half of which lacerating Zev's exposed torso.

"Agh!" Zev yelled in pain, though was still fit to fight. He charged in a blind fury at the werefox, but was met with the butt of the scythe to his chin, knocking him off his feet and flat onto his back.

"How typical of your type. Rushing in blindly, without a hint of strategy... It would be an embarrassment to end your life in a dreary place such as this, and an insult to the many years I've spent trying to locate you. We will continue this on the isle of Solobo..."

Zev, though still almost motionless on the floor, couldn't believe his ears.

Solobo? My home? Wha...?

He didn't have tme to finish this thought, as Todd had grabbed him by the left ankle, and dragged him through one of his teleporting corridors of magic, which closed behind him...

The ring of roses left behind in the dungeon floor remained as colourful as any rose outside under the light, and remained unwilting for several days after the skirmish. Nobody in Alicon would ever know what had taken place down there that evening in the empty dungeon...