Topic: A Rebirth - Into Living Darkness

Tieko

Date: 2007-02-21 08:27 EST
((A brief history))

The moonbeams sliced through the air like great pillars of light which seemed to support the entire canopy of leaves within the forest. Lying supine on the forest floor, Tieko slowly regained wakefulness as his eyes focused on the treetops dancing in the chilling breeze. It had been a clear night, slightly cold and with a steady wind, and on any other day this might have been considered beautiful " but tonight, beauty had forever been redefined into a sadistic darkness that he suddenly felt running through every fiber of his being. This was strange...he was overwhelmingly thirsty as if his entire soul craved something other than water.

Eventually, as control over his body came back, he sat up...in a pool of blood. With the disorientation beginning to ware off he turned to see a body near him...a young woman...it looked like...dear God! It was Brinn! Her eyes lifeless, her body motionless, her skin white as snow as he stumbled over himself to her side and, not knowing what to do and the daze of the moment sinking in, he held her, weeping " from both unbearable grief and also from the unquenchable hunger that lay within his own body. What the hell was going on' Why was she covered in so much blood" Wait " she took a breath! Her eyes flickered...she was still alive!

He jolted up to kneel beside her and repositioned her to lie down comfortably so that she could easily breath. The warmth of her skin began to return as he held her soft hand and cradled her head with his other arm. Then his eyes caught the glimpse of a shadow and he turned to find a man standing over them, wearing a dark suit and his eyes...those penetrating eyes watching with delight. Holy God the hunger inside Tiekos soul was so strong now that he felt like his skin was crawling. Instantly, as if a raging flood had slammed through an unprepared village, the mans face caused a synapse to connect...then another...and soon the entire night's memory came rushing back to Tieko.

Tieko snapped his eyes back to Brinn as she began to stir, now coming back to consciousness, and the two lovers gaze met " Brinns eyes reflected hope as she saw her love, kneeling over her " Tieko's eyes reflected...oh no...a coldness never before witnessed in this world. Noooooo! The thirst was uncontrollable, cutting through his veins like fire " it was too much! Tieko broke their eye contact and buried his teeth into her neck with such force the forest itself howled. Brinn could not scream, she didn't even try, as Tieko began to feed for the first time. His silent tears of suffering mixed with her grieving tears of betrayal, which fell to the ground, joined together, as if being buried in a grave. Brinn reached up and lovingly held Tiekos hand, having the strength to do nothing else. All he could do was watch in terror as his craving overran his control...until her eyes dilated, her grip released and her body relaxed " death had taken her.

Tieko came up with a horrifying scream, blood trailing from his teeth as he released her neck from his vicious bite. He had just killed, in a slow agonizing death, his soul mate...fed on her as if she was nothing " the rage inside his mind was now overpowering. He had not chosen this, he had not wanted this " he had a future with Brinn, to raise a family, to die an old man with plenty of grandkids. Instead he had drained her blood because he lacked the strength of self-control. Now he was that which he loathed most...a vampire. He turned his hate filled eyes to the dark man near him who had begun walking away into the night without a sound, as if a ghost. All that Tieko heard was the mans frightening whisper, "Welcome, my son..." and the shock of it all crashed down on Tieko's awareness and hurled him back into unconsciousness once more.

Tieko

Date: 2007-02-21 10:45 EST
Death, destruction, evilness, ruthlessness, and sadistic suffering raged through his veins like angry lightning slicing through the sky. The never ending memories kept screaming through his mind, fighting for his attention, constantly reminding him of the dark truth that soaked his entire being. Yet, standing there on the edge of night, his stoic countenance never betrayed the inner turmoil that boiled just bellow the surface of consciousness. He never let on about the truth within his soul, if he even had one of those anymore, and thus, as far as the world was concerned, he was the model example of uncompromising seriousness. It had been centuries since he had watched the life seep from Brinn's beautiful eyes that night, but the excruciating pain was still like a hot knife slowly cutting away at his broken, bruised and bleeding heart " and the world would never know"

His eyes were fixed on the Market Place entrance, watching the people move in and out, memorizing their faces, listening to their heart beats, imagining what their stories were and simultaneously not caring. His hands were crossed behind his back and standing there, just outside of the fire light range, his gray eyes glimmered" for he had caught up to his prey, so to speak. Yes, it was a cunning smile that liberally danced across Tiekos lips for this night was proving successful after all. His steps were deliberate and his gate steadfast as he gracefully moved across the fire lit clearing from the small trail toward the Market Place entrance.

Two older men saw his approach and purposefully averted their eyes and moved several steps out of his way. As he entered the Market Place, people seemed to part for him, as if he were a burning rod of fire cutting through ice. However, they did not stop their business or make any big deal about his presence" they just made sure they were not in his path. Tieko crossed his hands behind his back as his slow stroll took him through the various street merchants selling their wares. Many were packing up as dusk was quickly melting into night. Toward the end of the street, on the right, was the typical slave trader, speaking in a loud voice that carried over the crowd trying to make that one last sale of the day. When he noticed Tieko, his smile got a little bigger, but his voice got a little more timid.

With a nervous chuckle, the fat, dirty, flea infested slave trader said, "You've found me, dear sir," as he bowed his head slightly in greetings. Tieko simply stopped before the man and locked his cold eyes on him, but said nothing. After a moment, the grin faded from the fat mans face and he took on a more somber tone, "Um, well" what can I do for you tonight, sir?" Tieko, just stared at him. It wasn't a mean stare or a stare of intimidation, although that was usually by default anyway, it was a patient stare, because the dirty slave trader knew exactly why Tieko was there. Another moment passed and the slave trader shifted his weight around, visibly becoming uneasy about the situation, and Tieko could hear the slightest variation in his voice start to become shaky, "Sir, I swear, you've mistaken me for someone else, I never took her and I don't sell kids!"

It was a despicable trade to sell children as slaves, and those who did were despised, even though it wasn't against the law. Usually these Low-Traders, as they were sometimes called, did business outside of major public areas so that their customers could have privacy. Because those who used children as slaves might not be as equally despised, especially if the owner was wealthy, but it still was somewhat looked down upon these days. However, Tieko had tracked and followed his prey for sometime now and he was not mistaken. He silently stood there in front of the slave trader, his hands still crossed behind his back and he simply rolled his shoulders forward to adjust his long coat. The slave trader became truly anxious at this time and his voice echoed such, "Look, sir, there's nothing I can do for you. I, uh, just' um, please, I'm just a man trying to earn a living, ya know?" All Tieko did was take one step toward the now sweating man, his eyes never leaving him. The man broke then and his voice turned to a whisper, ?"ok"uh, how about we talk in the back, no?" And the trader turned and led Tieko behind his shop, through a large crack in the wall, and into a dark field where the local merchants parked their carriages and tied up their horses.

Tieko followed the trader through a maze of carriages and pack horses until they came to a several large cargo carriages. A few men huddled near a small fire, apparently employees of the trader looking after the cargo and they stood as Tieko approached, but made no sudden moves. The slave trader threw back a canvas covering from one of the carriages, exposing a cage, and the young girl sleeping inside. The slave traders voice changed to that of a sells man, "I can make you a very good offer, sir." Tieko took a few steps closer and looked at the young girl. Yes, his prey slept quietly inside the cage, dirty, looking hungry, but nevertheless, his prey indeed.

Tieko turned to the slave trader, locked eyes with him, and with a low yet powerful voice, "You will simply give her to me, and it will be your pleasure to do so."

At this the slave trader chuckled, his belly shaking under his filthy cloths. "You can't be serious, sir, I'm a business man, you see. Tell you what, you give me thirty seven hundred and I give you this girl. That's a steal, by the way, you won't find that anywhere else." Tieko did not respond, he just continued to stare at the slave trader, his patience wearing thin now. The slave trader responded, "I'm not going to budge on this, no money no girl." Tieko could sense the other men behind him move in closer, although he never let his eyes move off the trader.

"As you wish," whispered Tieko. A flash of steel here, a spin there, a muffled scream drowned out by blood, a slash or two, a few other short screams, another slash, all in a fury of intense anger and then" silence. Tieko stood there alone, the other men now lay at his feet, dead, or dying, blood splattered everywhere and the night seemed as if nothing had happened. Tieko dropped the slave trader's sword which he had quickly taken at the beginning of the short fight, and turned to the crate. Behind the bars stared right back at Tieko, horrified eyes of shock as the girl had wakened in the midst of the slaughter.

For what seemed like eternity, the two just stared at each other. Then, in a short moment, Tieko unlocked the bolt with the keys he had palmed from the trader and opened the latched door. It was as if Tieko had let out a whirl wind as the girl instantly darted out of the cage and ran into the night"or at least tried to. Tieko caught her arm and jolted her back, off her feet, and to the ground before him. With his voice, strangely calm as if he was in church, he said, "It would be wise for you to stay with me, young one. You don't know what monsters lay wait in the darkness." His eyes were gentle, her eyes were still in shock. "Come, we have things to do." He turned and began walking back to the Market Place. He needed to buy several things before all the merchants left for the evening. Tonight had so far been productive. He had retrieved his prey and now he could continue his journey ? the only variable was how much work was needed to get the girl under control.

Tieko

Date: 2007-03-01 15:50 EST
One never genuinely knows the evil that lies wait in the shadows of life. Such malicious truths remain hidden, much to the average person's appreciation. Tonight, however, the young girl balled up in a corner had witnessed one such truth in the shadowy form of Tieko, a being that had, in one look, redefined her life forever. She now sat on the floor within a small room, her back in a corner and her arms wrapped around her knees " her deep blue eyes stayed locked on Tieko who currently stood with his back to her looking out the third story window of the hotel. She had been here all day, exhausted, but too anxious to sleep. She was fourteen, but many people mistook her for ten because she was smaller than average. Then again, chronological age has little relevance in the real world and so far in her short life she had lived two lifetimes. Yet, despite her age and her apparent innocence, there was a deep fire inside her that she had kept secret her entire life, and this strength was what had kept her alive since she was born. She had willingly followed Tieko here, for no other reason except the deep fear of the "others" and she recognized, in some small part, that Tieko was'different; at least she hoped.

Tieko stood watching the daylight fade, soon night would take its hold upon this world and his day could begin. He preferred to move and work at night, not out of necessity as some were in the habit of believing, but rather out of practicality. The room was still dark, save for a single candle flickering along a wall, as if silently screaming for help before the wick burned away. As always, Tiekos voice was calm but it still commanded authority, "You still alive, little one?"

The young girl just sat there, silent, her eyes still on Tieko watching his silhouette fade as the light drained from the sky.

He turned his head slightly to look over his shoulder at her, "Your silence speaks volumes." He returned to watching whatever it was outside the window, "I will give you one comfort: of all the monsters that might lurk in the shadows" you can trust me." For what seemed like another eternity, the two remained silent in the room. Now happy with the degree of darkness outside, Tieko walked across the room and opened the door. "Let's go." The girl just sat there, her eyes following his every move like a wild animal waiting to either escape or attack. "It's time for us to see just how hot that fire burns in your heart," Tieko said with a brief half grin. He knew by the momentary shock on the girls face that he had hit a nerve.

Then, as the beginnings of true realization began to light up inside, the girl simple stood, dusted her cloths off, and walked to Tieko. Her voice soft, but fiery nonetheless, "I have no choice do I?" And she audaciously walked out of the room " Tieko closed, locked the door, and followed her to the street. This little one might be tougher to deal with than her predecessors, but then again, Tieko had gotten to her later in her life than he would have hoped.

Silently, the two walked side by side through the semi-crowded town streets. There was nothing too terribly exciting or unique about this town except that walking its streets tonight were two irreplaceable people, who barely knew each other and who, in all good time, would continue a bond started many centuries ago. So, without speaking a word to each other, they eventually found themselves following an angry mob of people, dragging an elderly man along a street that lead out of town. Standing several inches above everyone else was a large man, obviously the ring leader, leading shouts and accusations of sorcery and witchcraft about the elderly man, who had given up trying to fight his attackers.

In this world, many practiced magic and in many areas it was a major aspect of life, but it had always been controversial to the populace as a whole. Unfortunately, some were in the habit of taking their prejudice to the extreme, and right now Tieko and the young girl were witnessing such. The towering beast of a man was like a catalyst to the crowd, leading them out of the town to a clearing where they tossed the old man to the ground. He rolled a few times until finally coming to rest in a cloud of dust, his face hidden in his arms, trembling " there was nothing he could do accept concentrate on breathing.

The huge man continued to taunt his captive and the ever increasing shouts from the crowd just spurred him on. He kicked the man, then someone else did, and eventually a stone was thrown"and a few feeble screams later, the elderly man went limp under a barrage of rocks. The crowd whispered hushed words of satisfaction mixed with some of regret, but either way, they soon dissipated back to their lives, leaving the old man lying there with his eyes opened to the sky.

Inevitably there was always someone who unconsciously volunteered to be the object of Tiekos lessons, and tonight, it was the large man who just moments ago had led a lynching mob that unjustifiably ended an old mans life. So, winding the streets in the dark, with the young girl right beside him, never missing a step, Tieko followed the large man at a distance until he ducked into a small alley. Ah, a cunning grin played on Tiekos lips " this would be yet another moment of truth and he looked at the young girl who did not return his gaze. "Do you feel it inside of you, the burning, the fire, like lightening cutting through your veins?" His voice barely a whisper.

The young girl did not answer; she just stared at the alley where their large prey had ducked into. It was she who took the first step " a promising sign to Tieko that his efforts in hunting her down might not have been futile after all. He followed her slow pace, just a few steps behind her, watching her, as if he had just released a prized hunting falcon upon a fleeting rabbit. It was in this moment, the calm before the storm, that he felt most at peace. It was in this moment that life and death shared the same time, the same space and in this moment"he felt as much alive as he could be " it was both his addiction and his curse. And so, with the young girl leading and Tieko pleasantly following, they too ducked into the alley"the true test was just beginning.

Rosaria di Vinizio

Date: 2007-03-05 22:12 EST
Ignorance begets fear.

Fear is not a rational emotion. Justified or not, it jumbles the mind, muddles clarity of thought, and can too quickly stir a crowd of otherwise normal people into a panicked mob bent on the destruction of something they don't understand.

That was what Cassady saw that night.

Gittern strings stumbled to a halt, discord echoing in the darkness, for who with an ounce of compassion could ignore the scene that unveiled itself before her" She watched with a horrible sort of fascination as one man taunted another, the bigger one bullying the smaller as if the two were yet again children. Violent children, her thoughts corrected, for she knew this would not end with a tussle to be broken up by their parents. Then came the first strike, as if she had called it into being, and she had to force herself to remain rooted to the ground, lest she jump in and add another to the body count. Fists clenched. Foolish, foolish children! The very fact that the elder was being bested by brawn made the huge man's claims shout falsehood to her! And even if the old one was a warlock or magic-user of some sort....If he was dangerous, or evil, why weren't they all dead" Why could common folk and one big man take him down?

Then the crowd dispersed. Fearing the worst, Cassady rushed to the man laying motionless upon the ground. His gaze stared upward without seeing. His chest was stilled without breath, and his heart no longer beat. Tears of fury and grief slipped from her tightly-closed eyes. Fingertips gently closed his, then her head came up quickly. His height was easy to distinguish in the torchlight. She moved quickly now, surely. Her gittern was almost carelessly placed in its case, latches secured, handle snatched, and she darted down the street.

She caught sight of him and slowed her pace, matched his. She tried to calm her breathing, but her hammering heart would have none of it....Instead, she muffled it in her mantle, took quiet steps, kept to the shadows as best she could. Lightly built, she wasn't loud to begin with, and, although her skill at sneaking around left something to be desired, the man didn't seem to be aware of her.

Cassady would follow him home.

Tieko

Date: 2007-03-14 11:53 EST
Unrestrained wrath can be either hideous or beautiful, depending solely upon the observer. Everyone has the capacity to kill, to hurt and to pour out vindictive suffering onto another; the right circumstances dictating of course. However, not many people truly tap into the deepest, darkest places in their souls " if more did, the world would be a different place. Tonight, as Tieko passively orchestrated the current events, he watched, much to his delight, as what can only be described as a beautiful display of hot blooded anger began to ensue. Through his eyes, Tieko saw beauty where many would see a repugnant show of malice. Well, at least it had the potential to be beautiful; the young girl still had a long way to go.

Standing there, just inside the alleys mouth, Tieko paused, as the young girl continued on, her eyes locked on the large man who had stopped to talk with another man. The slow voyage of the moon across the night sky had only just begun, and so, the alley was bathed in darkness, a fitting atmosphere. Tieko knew that the young girl was about to be baptized into a darkened life and so, standing here in the darkness, watching her walk without hesitation toward the large man, he let another smile hint at his lips.

Her steps were light, but quick, and the two men in the middle of the alley must not have heard her coming because when her soft voice finally echoed, they were in mid-sentence. She said, "Excuse me, sirs, but could you help me with something?" She had those adorable puppy-dog eyes that just screamed innocence " something that would no doubt benefit her later in life.

The large man answered with a scruff voice, like an old dock hand who had smoked one too many pipes. "What the hell is a girl like you doing back here?" Both men just looked down on her with a chuckle shared between them. They didn't notice Tieko at the other end of the alley.

And the beauty of it all began"

The young girl reached down, picked up a lead pipe several feet long, examined it, and then looked up at the two men who were now ignoring her, as if she were nothing more than a stray dog. Her voice was suddenly saturated with hatred in answer to their question, ?"killing you?"

The two men had barely enough time to look her way before she swung the lead pipe like a base ball bat at the larger mans knees; and he buckled to the ground like a bag of rocks, his right knee cap shattered. In the same motion, the young girl, spun once and did the exact same thing to the smaller man who never had time to react from the shock of what was happening. After all, this was suppose to be a harmless little girl but some how, as the man sank to the ground with his knee cap shattered as well, he had the frightening thought that perhaps this little girl was more than she appeared.

Now, with the two men moaning on the ground and the young girl standing above them, the shadows hiding within the alley seemed as if to silently cheer in acceptance of her as a proud parent would. Without hesitation and with her breathing slow and deep, the girl proceeded to swing the lead pipe barbarically between the two men. She cared not of the blood splatter on her face"and each time the pipe connected to bone with a crushing sound the girls eyes glittered just a little more.

Unfortunately, the girl did not have the strength to dominate the fight and even though the two withering men on the ground were bloodied and broken they eventually wrestled the pipe away from her and pinned her beneath the weight of them both. She struggled to get out of their grasp but they just laid there a moment, holding her down, catching their breath, still in shock that this little girl had given them such a beating. The larger man spit blood in the girls face bellow him and chocked out, "Now it's our turn bitch! Didn't your mother ever tell you not to play with strangers?" The smaller man could not talk with his now broken jaw, but his glare said it all, she was about to experience a new level of pain. With the combined weight of the two men on top of her there was no way she could escape, but her determination never diminished and she continued to squirm beneath them.

The first few hits to her face were light, as if the men were taking their time. Then the larger man simply wrapped his rough hands around her neck and squeezed. The girl struggled, her small hands trying to push the two of them off her, but it was no use, her strength was dwindling. Laying on the ground she bent her head back, just enough to see the end of the alley and all she could make out was the dark outline of Tieko, standing there, watching, unmoving, like a statue of shadows. The thought occurred to her'she was on her own; Tieko was not going to help. Fear passed over her face as she suddenly realized her plight " death was immanent. In a rush of adrenaline, she reach both hands up to the larger mans face and dug her thumbs into his eyes, feeling a warm liquid ooze down her wrists. He let out a horrific scream and rolled away. The smaller man swung his right fist and caught the girl in the stomach, making her roll the other way. He stumbled over to his friend to check on him, but all he heard was the larger mans screams as he rolled back and forth on the ground, his face in his hands, blood seeping through his fingers.

When the smaller man turned around he saw the girl standing with the lead pipe cocked back over her shoulder and revenge filling her eyes. With one savage swing of the lead pipe, the smaller mans head cracked, his eyes rolled back in his head and he slumped lifelessly to the ground, blood now pooling out from his ears. The girl then took a few steps to close the gap between her and the larger man who was now on his knees, searching for the wall with his outstretched hands. She said nothing; just raised the pipe above her head and in a few vicious strikes, the larger man sprawled out onto the ground, his face and head nothing but a misshapen bloody stump.

Blood soaked, exhausted and weak the girl finally made her way back to Tieko who's cold, yet serene, expression was frightening. She just looked up at him and collapsed.

Tieko caught her before she hit the ground and lifted her limp body into his arms. His voice nothing but a whisper, "Welcome, my child?" as he carried her into the night. Tieko had the fleeting thought they were being followed, but paid no attention right now. Tonight was yet one more beginning that he was not going to miss"

Nesarei

Date: 2007-06-27 12:33 EST
She woke with such a sudden force of consciousness that for a brief moment, she thought something had jarred her awake. But the room was silent, the candle flames were motionless and the air was still. She sat up on her thin mat, on the floor and pushed off the blanket. The small room was not well lit, save a few candles, but at least she was alone. Her dreams, those vicious dreams of hers, were now waking her every night. I couldn't be that. I can't do such things. I am not a monster. She touched her neck with both hands, took a breath, felt her wrists for a pulse and then stood, hesitantly looked into a mirror, into her own eyes " and she breathed a sigh of relief. She was certain she was still herself and that the man, or monster, from the other night had not harmed her.

She used the water bowel and washed her face. Was it day or night' The window was covered with a thick blanket, which she peeled away to look out. She was on the second, or was it third, floor or a building and dusk had just started to fall. She must have slept all day. She glanced at the only door for the room " it was still locked. Perhaps there was time. He had found her before, but this time, if she got away, she would be more careful. There was no need to stay around and find out what he had in mind. Young girls like her did not survive their innocence very long in a place like this.

She got dressed in a hurry, tied her hair back, looked around one more time " she had been taken with nothing, and therefore she would leave with nothing. A few steps toward the door and she unlatched the two locks. She eeeeeased it open, then just as easily closed it, in silence. The hallway was clear, freedom was within reach. A few careful steps later and she turned the corner for the long hallway toward the stairs. Her breathing shallow and quick " the sweet taste of freedom was on the tip of her tongue. So close.

Tieko

Date: 2007-06-27 15:58 EST
Darkness did not fall, in as much as it erupted in a silent scream of ecstasy when Tieko walked into the hallway from the stairs. The shadows always took pleasure when Tieko revealed his true self. Standing there, the perfection of simplicity, his eyes locked on the young girl. That is when the shadows nearby snapped and seemed as if to bow in his direction, out of reverence " so slightly it was hardly noticeable. His voice commanding, yet soft, "You're hell bent on living a lie aren't you? Do you think you can walk away and live a normal life" You don't have that luxury." He began walking toward her, slow steps.

He wasn't so much intimidating by sheer terror, in as much as awe inspiring by his profound presence. Something about him just made one want to either follow him into the gates of hell, or attack him with passion (and in rare cases, commit suicide). He hoped that the young one standing before him would do neither. Instead, after a few more steps, his eyes never leaving hers, he stopped " folded his hands neatly behind his back, and for what seemed like forever only stared at her. His rhythmical breathing was maddening; though the tempting way he portrayed himself as peaceful was conversely mesmerizing.

Was it seconds, or decades that past by' The air hung in still anticipation, the shadows nearby continued to orient themselves toward him. Darkness knew darkness. "Come, follow me. The alternative is death, not by my hands, but death nonetheless. As I have tried to communicate to you before, those are your only two choices, a fact of life, as it were " not a threat, not a promise, just truth in rare form." He paused, letting her catch her breath and his words sink into her brain. "Save us both time and cease this childish display of ignorance, because we both know you are not going to follow through and run away. Your intrigue has been peeked too high at this point. Consequently, so has your fear. Do I need to hold your hand the entire way, or will you start broadening your perspectives some??