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Seal of Darkness	By : RaphaelTMNT Category: -Misc Anime > Crossovers Views: 4281 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Batman, Rosario Vampire or Dark Stalkers nor the characters from either of the three series. I do not make money from writing this story.

Chapter List
- 41
- 42
- 43
Seal of Darkness
CHP42: Ornament of Light and Darkness

Sitting back and with much concentration, Moka Akashiya held a needle and in her opposite hand a brown leather jacket which she lowered over her knee and went right to work. She used the needle and thread repairing the damage that had been done, so naturally. She moved the apparel flipping it around when needed. Advanced as she'd become with her craft in the year she was finished with the jacket quickly and then moved onto a pair of black boots that needed shinning and small touch ups. It had been a moderately busy evening but in the last hour things started to slow with less clients coming through and the vampire was happy for that. Just as she finished with the footwear Moka received a message on her phone.
"Him…" she looked over the caller ID and speculated why he'd call at such a time.
"Who's that?" Tina jumped up on Moka from behind, a coworker and good friend. "Is it your boyfriend again?"
"This one is important, I really need to take this," the vampire strolled off into the next room.
She made certain she was alone before making the call.
"This was unexpected, whatsup?"
"Are you busy?" the other questioned.
"I've got about another hour before my shift ends, is this urgent?"
"Try and get out of there if you can and contact whoever else you can. I tried Aono but he was unavailable."
"Where will we meet and do I need the suit?"
"No and I'll meet you in the ally just down the street."
Moka didn't care to inquire why he wanted to meet, knowing it had to be pretty important if he was asking in the first place. At the conclusion of the call the silver haired vampire headed up front and spoke with the head manager coming up with an excuse there was an emergency in the family and just like that she was dismissed and met with the dark knight down the block. She managed to reach two others. And with the meeting place discussed, Batman and Moka waited as three others arrived, being Nightwing, Mizore and Gin. The group of five was met by John Constantine who arrived not even a minute later and as he did an abnormal force surrounded them all and they were relocated in the blink of an eye. They reappeared in a large space comparable to a library, shelves of books all around and over fifteen feet high!
"You brought us here?" Yukari looked to John.
"No," someone answered from a dark corner of the room, revealing herself from a dark corner. "It was I."
"Zee," Batman moved in on her.
"I asked for her to be here," John coughed clearing his throat. "To help with some of the visuals if you will."
"Visuals," Gin rubbed his hands together. "I love slideshows."
His remark was ignored by everyone as Mizore, Yukari and Moka sat at a nearby table while everyone else remained standing.
"Where is here exactly?" Mizore asked.
"I just like to call it the workshop," Zatanna replied moving around as she lowered her hand over the table. "I spent so many hours in this room as a young child learning magic, most of the books in this chamber related to spells, barriers and control of all existing magic."
Yukari's eyes wondered around taking in the view of the countless stacks of books and in a state of admiration. She was on her way to becoming an expert in witchcraft and by some, magicians were considered a cousin bloodline to witches and so in that sense she felt somewhat of a connection with Zatanna.
"Well I don't want to waste anymore of my time or any of yours, so what do you say we get right into it."
Everyone paid close attention including the dark knight himself as John went on.
"Shall we start with Ezutopia, or what you all know as Zelliatos...yes that's right, the hellhole of a realm wasn't always that way. Once upon a time it was a place of light, prosperity, and sunlight, the bluest of skies, oceans and mountains that were said to reach the skies. A true tropical paradise much like Themyscira if you're looking for a comparison."
Everyone was dialed in but no one more interested than Batman to hear what Constantine had found, John proving to be more than valuable time and again in regards to the enemy they faced.
"This was also the home of Argias, who in the beginning wasn't such a bad guy, quite the opposite actually. His true form was that of a demon, but regardless of that he was unlike the prototypical beings of his race, very generous, kind and caring. He was a well-rounded melee combatant and looked over and guided the farmers within that realm in flourishing the best crops that they could. He was also an individual of great knowledge, known for studying for hours at a time. In just the first forty years of his life it is said he took over a significant leadership role. I could go on all day, but then we'd never get to the actual point. There was said to be a planet in the same stratosphere as Ezutopia of great dark matter. The ruler of this world was a dictator by the name of Zelliat who was of the same demon race as Argias. They referred to him as the king of darkness."
No one knew where the story was headed, but even so they listened to every detail closely.
"There was no relation outside of that, but this Zelliat invaded Ezutopia and thousands were slaughtered and many taken prisoner. Argias was one of the few that managed to escape their raid with a couple hundred others."
"Why did this dark king invade, was it to expand his empire?" Moka asked.
"Not exactly," John shook his head. "The planet in which Zelliat and his armies originated from was on the verge of decimation, its core unstable from a massive meteor shower that rained down upon the planet. The greatest minds with Zelliat included realized their only chance of survival was to relocate and so they did. Ezutopia was that destination and for over a year Zelliat ruled over those that weren't killed. Those that opposed him were publically humiliated and executed but in just a little over a year Argias returned, and it was after nightfall that he and his men attacked."
"Wouldn't they have been greatly outnumbered?" Yukari asked.
"Indeed they were, but the element of surprise played heavy in their advantage, a coordinated attack led by Argias himself. Little by little their ambush succeeded and Zelliat's men were slayed before the dark king himself was beheaded in a long dragged out battle with Argias. Victory couldn't have been his without the aid of those taken prisoner, which assisted in evening the numbers. It was also on that night that Argias unleashed a hidden power that even he himself didn't know he had. He was known as the hero of Ezutopia and became a prominent figure in rebuilding what had been destroyed and inspired hope. The Vlets were among those who he freed from Zelliat's hold and from then they made a vow to serve him for as long as he lived. Not only was he powerful, but bloody inspirational from the stories that have been told. The power he'd unleashed that night was all because of his inner blood, it was then that Argias became aware he was partly Homo Magi."
"Homo Magi, what is that?" Gin asked.
"The same bloodline as Zatanna," John responded. "But there is no relation. Anyone of this bloodline is capable of powerful magic, but he held only fifteen percent of this in his blood which means there would be limits to what he could do on his own without the use of items constructed to specifically increase ones magical prowess. Unlike Zatanna here, the great Argias had plenty of limitations to his magic."
There wasn't a single detail the dark knight didn't take note of, knowing there could be significance in every word that was said. The story continued on and though Zelliat had been defeated the inhabitants of Ezutopia enjoyed only a few brief years of peace as the ticking time bomb of a planet exploded and massive dark matter from its core zipped through the solitude of space and engulfed Ezutopia.
"The people of the realm were well informed and knew ahead of time this would happen, having weeks to prepare and potentially even relocate. Argias took center stage in the efforts of this as the human world was discovered and many began relocating to this foreign land to them. However more than sixty percent of the population refused to leave their home world and so they suffered the consequences," John said.
"That doesn't sound good," Moka added. "What became of those that stayed behind."
"To put it short they were consumed by the aura's darkness depriving their souls of any good in their hearts and those oceans and skies that were so blue, turned to blacks and reds and the air dense, heated with an unbearable intensity."
Gin halfway felt his skin crawl at hearing this.
"Sounds like a living hell," the werewolf gulped.
"Maybe... but I've been to hell," John looked at Gin directly. "Trust me mate, that ain't a place you want to visit."
Moka, Yukari, Mizore and Gin glimpsed at one another wondering if he meant that figuratively or literally, but even so he continued on.
"The realm of Ezutopia as its people knew it was no more, transformed into a shit hole where one loses his or her sanity. And with this change they took to calling it Zelliatos," Constantine clasped his hands together. "Named after the dark king who originated from the planet which was the ultimate destruction of their own."
"What happened to Argias during all this?" Moka asked.
"He was one of the few that fled to the human world and it was then he met with who would become his most valued ally for the next several centuries. Apollo, the great emperor of Yokai and some claim they were the greatest duo of that time."
"Until Argias went rogue," Moka added.
John quickly shook his head as he let out a sigh.
"I wouldn't call it that, how should I put this. Argias and the emperor shared similar views with the same ultimate goal, but the latter wanted to do so through brutal methods. You could even say somewhere down the line Argias lost sight of his original intent as ambition took over and his thirst for power increased. Another story for another gathering, and with a little background info at your service I say it's time for the essentials."
"And what are those?" Mizore asked.
"Three Qcvaues, Essternound, Barbados, halt..."
A majority of the room hadn't any idea what he spoke about except one.
"Those words," Batman stepped forward. "I've heard them before, each was included in the information I uploaded from Todd Heinstan's computer software months back."
Hearing the mention of this the silver haired vampire recalled hearing those words in the cave, which was also her first time inside the bat cave.
"Good to know, but let's hope it doesn't come to this," Constantine situated his hands inside his pockets as the atmosphere around became a whole lot more intense. "The three Qcvaues are Greek columns said to reach hundreds of feet into the skies constructed of magic and just as the Drocgoeus they cannot be destroyed... as we originally thought."
"What do you mean by that?" Moka questioned.
"What are their purpose and how did they come to be?" Batman inquired.
"A question even I don't have the answer to," Constantine shook his head. "But I hear it was the doing of a supposed Greek deity and that the amazons might hold the answers to this. That aside I do know the purpose of these columns and how to activate them. That also falls in line with the Essternound medallion."
By this point many within the room found themselves confused, all except Batman who kept an open mind, Yukari who was used to spells and sorcery and Zatanna who had already gotten a scoop of the information before their arrival.
"A powerful magic user is the only one capable of activating the columns, but only with possession of the Essternound medallion. This item was created on a galactic level and has been used to invade unknown dimensions as well as stop them.'
"Batman," Zatanna spoke up over John. "Those three locations we visited a while back triangulating Gotham are in fact that of the Qcvaues. The magical presence was immense in each location but as you recall I was unable to connect with a single of them, and this was because..."
"You didn't have the Essternound medallion," Batman's eyes narrowed.
Zatanna simply nodded as John Constantine continued on.
"To put it blatantly let's say Fairy Tale got its hands on everything they needed to open Vheuto lazz, this method works as a counter to close the gateway and according to the specs each of the eight Drocgoeus would immediately be destroyed in this process," John informed. "However such a tactic would be risky. There is said to be a ten to fifteen timeframe in which the gateway rises from the depths of earth before the dark dimension would open. It is in this time and only at this time that the Qcvaues could work as a way to close Zelliatos for good, as the eight keys would be no more."
"But extremely risky, as we would be allowing them to open the gate," Batman's eyes narrowed. "And we've already got two, so that won't happen."
"Like Batman said, we have two, it won't come to that," Gin added.
Batman understood why John brought the information to their attention however, there was always a chance things went south and when that happened having a contingency in place was crucial.
"There is however two major details I forgot to mention," John Constantine spoke up. "Another energy source would be required to perfect this which is also true in regards to the opening the gateway. The most ideal source would be harnessing the sun's solar energy, the most pure and most effective. And the second thing needed is either a sacrifice, a wizard, magician or a powerful being that's capable of controlling his or her body's energy and manually directing the gathered power to the focal point, being the gateway."
Mizore shot up from the table, her eyes never drifting from Constantine.
"Just who are you," she looked at him with intent. "You know way too much!"
The snow woman looked back and forth between Moka, Gin and Yukari.
"I can't be the only one suspicious of him," she then looked back at Batman who stood tall without much an expression. "What do you think?"
Batman moved forward in just two steps.
"John is quite resourceful, possibly the most in the world and though he pushes certain borders to achieve his goals or in this case obtaining information, we can trust him."
For a little while Mizore stood and was hesitant before eventually sitting.
"For our sake let's hope it doesn't come to that, the whereabouts of that medallion are unknown. Lucky for you lot and everyone else we have two of their precious keys. But anyhow back to the story, long after the yokai emperor had imprisoned Argias from whence he came, descendants of the Vlets worked tirelessly behind the scenes in hopes of bringing their ruler back. One by the name Rory Vlet came the closes but in the end he was discovered and beheaded by Apollo himself," Constantine rubbed his hands together as he lowered one foot down over a stool. "From then it seemed to be the end of it all and Argias would forever remain trapped in the hell of Zelliatos."
"But then what?" Moka inquired.
"He had a living son, Genzo Vlet," the entire room became quieter as even their breathing slowed. "Surrounding himself with powerful wizards and sorceresses he's managed to live far passed his time dating back to the mid fifteenth century."
"Wait you don't mean!" Yukari's eyes shot open.
"Fairy Tale's head guy, the one they refer to as his majesty...yes, his name is Genzo Vlet. And before you ask how I gathered this bit, one of their D ranks was in hot water with a certain collector from the underworld and in exchange for me keeping my mouth shut about his whereabouts he gave me what I wanted. I came onto him by a stroke of luck during investigations of another. So listen closely, I'm going to tell you all I've heard about him, some of which might be true and others not. Take it for what it is."
"This is aside the point but just how powerful is Argias, I mean what would we be up against if he were to get free?" Yukari asked.
Constantine exhaled as he ran two fingers under his chin.
"Nor he or Apollo were close to the destructive strength of Alucard in his prime, but still quite formidable. Apollo was Argias's superior in both strength, technique and speed but comparable in intellect. Apollo outweighed him in every physical category, until well… Argias stumbled upon what you could call the great equalizer. A small ornament, an item capable of increasing one's base magical prowess twenty times. Only because of the fifteen percent of homo magi in his blood was Argias capable of using this item and so his strength and magical prowess increased twenty times what he was typically capable of. This very item put him on par with the emperor in physical abilitu, and his increased magic granted him defenses that Apollo had never seen before. He was able to do things with his magic that just weren't possible before. But even with all this Apollo ultimately won the showdown between them."
"And the name of this ornament," Nightwing crossed his arms. "What was it called?"
"The seal of light, mate," John responded. "And it is said in using this ornament the power boost he attained took a heavy toll on Argias's body. This might very well be why he failed in the end, after all he was fighting with an incomplete weapon, or rather a piece missing."
"What do you mean by that?" Moka questioned.
"Such an item of so much power couldn't possibly be used for long without something to balance it from the other end. It's impressive Argias survived using the bloody ornament for as long as he did and with such success."
Gin chortled as he scratched at the back of his head.
"And again I'm lost."
"Sorry mate, I suppose I should have been more specific. There is a second ornament, one created as the balancer to the seal of light and when combined together the magical potential is said to be boundless by the magic user who possess them both. It is simply known as the Seal of darkness. Argias holds the ornament of light, but it's unknown where the other lies."
Year 1633
It had been twenty three days since the beginning of the terrorist attacks. Twenty three days of senseless fighting and killing. Days of destruction, pain and mourning. Days of victory, defeat and a feeling of desolation and optimism. So many lost and she couldn't sit idly by anymore. The town of Brementon was the center of it all, and the soldiers called upon to put an end to the travesty were incapable of breaking through the terrorists defenses and getting into the city. They got about as close as the outer boarders before either being killed or captured.
Gaining knowledge of this and despite their father's wish they couldn't comply with his request they stay put inside the palace. They were trained to be warriors, born of a warrior race with battle and combat burned deeply in their veins. It had just hit noon and the sun bright. There was a group of fifty led by Akasha, the adoptive daughter of the yokai emperor. A feeling of hope was felt between them as they moved into enemy territory with the barricades behind them, but the scent of death soon filled their nostrils. Taking charge Akasha quickly directed the group behind a large boulder as she heard footsteps over an upcoming hill. They were more than likely doing their usual sweep of the borders, that being the terrorists.
The group consisted mostly of Goblins, fishmen and Sagari yokai. It had already begun, another round of torture of the soldiers taken captive, their screams and cries filling the air. The criminal group had taken over and surrounded the town of Brementon. It was something the captives had grown accustomed to, the sounds of destruction and screams. These beings were relentless and didn't care who was killed in the process. They sprung their attacks anywhere and anytime including amongst blameless civilians. The two vampire sisters made their decision, no more, not another day or night.
Akasha's second in command grabbed hold of a crossbow and aimed forward as they slowly made their way up the hill toward the chaos. What she was doing was no different from what her adoptive father would have done, defending the realm years ago, time and again. The vampire's ears perked up at the screams and cries of innocents. Anyone could find the fight, just run towards the fleeing inhabitants.
Civilians were shoving and trampling one another as the vampire led the small group of soldiers, looking to put an end to the violence. It was far south along the dirt roads where citizens of the town tried escaping. Smoke rose just about ten blocks from their position, the air smelling of flames. Akasha's heart raced as she and her team picked up speed towards the locale in hopes they could make it in time.
"We must hurry!" Akasha yelled as she sprinted along the road.
They were getting closer and could see clouds of dust obviously a result of the inferno created by the criminals. The mob was thinning out as the last of them ran out in the direction of Akasha and her group. It was in that moment she realized the fire wasn't created by the terrorists but by a monstrous figure zipping through the skies high above, with massive wings and breathing fire.
"Nii-san..." Akasha whispered.
Suddenly stopping Akasha almost fell over herself in seeing Fafnir flying around in his true form. He had the terrorists on their heels but from afar two cannon balls enlaced with magic exploded over Fafnir's body and the full sized grown dragon plummeted out of the sky as Akasha watched in horror, her shoulders tightening as her heart sprinted. The vampire took off running in the direction of where Fafnir ended up. As she did the criminals had fired off a special net over his body which sent magical electrical charges throughout his body, bringing about lots of pain throughout his body.
"Stop right there!" Akasha sped through punching and kicking at them.
Others nearby looked in her direction at just about the same time as she pulled the net off Fafnir. Akasha quickly calculated their movements and dodged their attacks and projectiles that came at her from a couple different directions. While leaping into the air her legs wrapped around the neck of one, snapping his neck as his body fell to the ground completely motionless. The next came at her with a bladed staff on both ends, swinging it as he tried cutting and slicing into her, Akasha leaping upward and kicking through the staff and into his face. His body dropped to the ground unconscious but the assault wasn't over as eight attackers came for her at once, not a single of them landing even one hit as she took them out. By then Fafnir returned to his human form and shook himself off as he stood.
"What in the hell are you doing here?! Father would lose he mind if he knew you were out here on the frontline, where's Sasha!
Akasha's head lowered in a way that a younger sister would when being scolded by a parent or older sibling.
"She's here," the vampire looked up at him. "But not here, but you should be thankful I showed when I did, you could have been killed!"
"Had it all under control," Fafnir rubbed his hands together. "It's all part of the game sis, I had them completely fooled and then I was go..."
"What's with you and everything being a game?! That attitude and cockiness is going to get you killed, I worry about you nii-san."
Fafnir couldn't help but chuckle and his response further agitated the vampire as she glared getting the impression he was making light of her feelings and she didn't like it.
"Retain from laughing or I'll put you in your place," Akasha glared.
"Oh I'm so frightened," Fafnir trembled with sarcasm.
He was unprepared as Akasha threw herself forward and embraced him in a hug, his mouth lowering slightly.
"Ok, ok that's enough I told you I'm fine, stop with this cuddly lovey dovy stuff," Fafnir pushed her away and the vampire smiling. "You need to return to the palace, find Sasha and I want you both to go together. Please, before someone else finds out you're here. My lips are zipped, won't say a thing to father."
"I can't," Akasha shook her head. "These criminals have taken so many lives and for nothing! I refuse to remain behind the palace walls while the people of our realm suffer."
"Dammit Akasha it isn't your responsibility, there's a reason father is the emperor he'll...we'll take care of this, so go home I don't want to ask again. I was supposed to be our final offensive effort and as you can see I failed. The plan now is to wait on incoming backup. As we speak father meets with the leaders of each separate faction and together they're devising a way to..."
"And while they do that more and more people will die, innocents! I've heard the stories of what this group has done in other towns, once they conquer a landmark within hours their prisoners are killed if their demands aren't met. I love father just as much as you but he is only one person, even the most powerful being in this realm can't do it all on his own. Have they yet stated what they want?"
Fafnir shook his head as the two were disrupted by a loud whistle and Akasha's gathered troops had been ceased and a group of persons approaching them.
"Damn, just my luck!" Fafnir cursed beneath his breath.
"What is it?" Akasha asked. "Who are they?"
"That's commander Hatsuo, the one overseeing this operation," Fafnir responded.
"You there!" the commander pointed to Akasha who was dressed in dark red and black armor. "You're the daughter of our emperor and these men claim you're the one that dragged them out here. Is that true?! You have no such authority to command such a squad!"
This is exactly what Fafnir wanted to avoid, knowing good and well this would happen. Akasha was in the wrong and there were rules to follow even if he didn't agree with all of them.
"I am," Akasha nodded. "I take full responsibility."
The commander clinched his fists while sharply biting over his tongue.
"You're coming with me," he frowned. "We're gonna have a long chat in my tent. As for you lord Fafnir, there's something I'd like to ask of you. Pity your efforts to break through were a failure… you were our last chance and now we must wait."
XXX
On his back and looking to the ceiling, Colton held a glimmering smile. The woman beside him ran her fingers through his hair. He looked to the vampire beauty and kissed at her forehead. They stared and smiled at each other as they rehashed all of what had been taking place. Colton conveniently happened to be visiting a neighboring town on business and when he heard about Sasha's mission he made in effort to reach out and spend some time with her and he didn't regret it. The female vampire moved in closer beside him and kissed at his cheek, before lightly biting and sucking at his upper lip. He wrapped an arm around her and massaged his hand over her bareback, and Sasha wrapped a leg around him as they stayed like that for a while.
"Nee-san is gonna kill me," Sasha chuckled, the vampire just now recalling there was a planned early strike on the enemy. "But this was definitely worth missing the action."
"Then I'd hate to keep you any longer if it's trouble, better to show late than never."
He was spot on in his assessment and in one final kiss Sasha was out of bed and Colton remained over his back marveling at her nakedness the entire time. The vampire slowly dressed into her armor, tying her hair into pigtails using two bows. When finished she went straight for the door but stopped short of it and took a deep breath as she looked back at him.
"What is it?" he questioned, knowing her all too well and when she had something on her mind.
"It's nothing really," Sasha spoke gently as she exhaled. "We've been seeing each other for over a decade now and have been sleeping with each other longer than that. So what I'm asking is…"
"When will we take it to the next level?" Colton interjected, knowing exactly what she was getting at.
"Yes," Sasha's gaze lowered over the ground. "I know you're enjoying the bachelor life and if you were to be mated to me I wouldn't take that away. You could continue your fun with all your ladies on the side and party till your heart's content."
Colton ran both hands over his face as he sat up and with his back against the headboard, grasping at some point this exact conversation would arise.
"And what about you, would there be any changes? Have you even thought of bringing our relationship to your father's attention?"
Sasha grumbled somewhat while looking at Colton.
"Didn't need to, father is extremely perceptive and so he's known for some time now. I might engage in a fling or two, but I believe you alone would satisfy my physical needs. But you know me," Sasha licked at her lips as she gazed down on him, "I'm a bad girl and marriage won't change that."
"I figured as much," Colton smirked. "But what of the emperor, could you say for sure he'd approve of us, I mean you being with me?"
Sasha knew the answer to this but kept quiet for a moment as she silently deliberated.
"Yes and no I suppose," the female vampire shrugged.
Colton didn't know what that was supposed to mean and so he stayed silent, waiting for Sasha to follow up.
"You're the son of probably the wealthiest most knowledgeable vampires here in the yokai realm. Your family name stretches further than you could know. Not to mention your family holds more territory than any other vampire family, including the ever growing Shuzens."
"But," Colton crossed his arms, knowing the words at some point or another would come.
"Unfortunately none of that really matters, even if father has a good working relationship with your own. Family accomplishments and stuff of that nature are secondary to him, father would be more interested in the way you live your life, how you interact with others, present yourself and most importantly how you'd treat me."
Taking her words into account Colton thought them over carefully before choosing to speak.
"I'm no warrior, sheesh I can't even remember the last time I held a weapon. I'm a ladies man, what can I say and there's no changing those things. I can't defend you in battle, but I'd say you're plenty capable of doing that yourself."
"Father wouldn't concern himself with your lack of combat experience. He'd be more interested in the man that you are and he would be indifferent to your bachelor lifestyle and would suggest you give it up if you wanted to be mated to me. True, I'm attracted to warriors, what vampire isn't? But that isn't all I look for in a potential mate, as you can obviously see or we wouldn't be standing here."
Colton sighed as he looked up at Sasha.
"You should really go, we'll continue this conversation later. However if you want my honest opinion I like things the way they are. I'm not yet ready to be tied down and all the added responsibilities that would come with it. Maybe in another decade or two, sorry Sasha… I'm just not ready for such a commitment."
In nodding her head Sasha smiled as she pushed open the door.
"Fine by me, we've got all the time in the world," Sasha blew him a kiss right before exiting.
Out front she strapped up and took off on a horse that had been tied to a tree. In just a little under an hour she arrived on the battlefront behind the underground barricade. The fighting had suspended for the time being. The horse galloped around and toward commander Hatsuo's tent as Sasha caught a glimpse of the wounded being patched up and visuals of the deceased covered by sheets. As she came to a stop beside the tent she heard voices, one which belonged to Akasha and her overall tone heated. Sasha listened carefully as she lowered herself from the horse, but couldn't make out the context of the conversation.
"I'm here," Sasha pushed through, counting up to five different persons inside with her adoptive sister included.
She had no time to apologize for her tardiness as commander Hatsuo was in the middle of chewing out Akasha for something. It seemed as though no one realized she was even standing there.
"Hello, I said I'm here! What's with all the fuss?!"
"Isn't this wonderful," Hatsuo chortled. "Another of the emperor's little girls, perhaps he should have thought to put a leash on you lot."
"Excuse me?! Do you understand just who it is you're addressing?!" Sasha snapped as she marched forward. "I don't give a damn if you're in charge of this operation or not. You will address me properly or I'll have your head!"
Hatsuo bit at his lip with his fists tightened and his teeth gritted.
"I… apologize my lady," he had a difficult time getting those words out.
"Much better," Sasha smirked. "So what seems to be the issue?"
"Everything!" Akasha shot. "The Ace Syndicate have taken over Brementon town just two miles ahead with a resident count of at least eight thousand, most of which elders, women and children! And if that wasn't bad enough they've taken prisoner at least one hundred of his own men and he's so spineless that he refuses to do a thing about it!"
Commander Hatsuo immediately slammed a fist over the table silencing the pink haired vampire.
"I'm the leading commander and I will do what I feel is right and will save most lives. Right now the enemy outnumbers us five to one with their four thousand soldiers, who are more skilled than our own."
"But not than me!" Akasha retorted.
The room became so quiet following that remark, but then came laughter from not only Hatsuo but his men and neither Akasha or Sasha were amused.
"What're you gonna do?" the commander asked between laughter. "Trot into Brementon town and take them on all by your lonesome?"
"If that's what it takes, then yes!" Akasha said with determination.
This was however followed up by additional laughter and some even mocking her.
"What a stupid cunt," one said.
"Prettier than a rose, but dumber than a rock," another said as he laughed.
Sasha was utterly stunned, eying her adoptive sister who just stood there and allowed them to talk down on her like that. Never before had anyone spoke to either of them that way and Sasha was just about ready to lash out and tear open their throats. They were indeed the emperor's daughters but in that instant it was clear they didn't command the same respect. Those men wouldn't dare have talked that way to them had he been standing there.
"Alexander Timaeus and his squad will arrive within the next seventeen hours, an individual I'm certain you two have sided with countless times. He is considered to be your father's greatest soldier," the commander went on. "On a battlefield such as this, little gals don't belong so step aside and leave it to the pros. We shall strike upon Timaeus's arrival."
The pink haired vampire knocked over a nearby table in a single punch and her face turning red.
"I am Akasha, daughter of the great emperor Apollo and personally trained by him. Allow me to lead the charge and take back Brementon, I am the greatest warrior on either side of the battlefield aside from nii-san, and in single combat I scare from no one… not even Alexander Timaeus!"
"Overconfident little bitch!" the commander retorted. "You think just because you were trained by our emperor, that you're somehow the greatest warrior! Everyone believes they're the best until they've been punched in the mouth. Go back to your palace and go ride a pony like the little princess you are, this fight is no place for either of you. You're welcome to stay on camp site until night's end, but then you're gone. Out of my tent, both of you!"
Akasha was the first to storm off feeling she might strangle someone if she didn't get as far away from them as she could.
"You must have enjoyed that!" Sasha hissed. "Father will know about this, I swear it!"
With nothing else to say Sasha also marched out of the tent and went after Akasha. The vampire knew her adoptive sister all too well and knew there had to be a lot circulating through her mind.
"What will you do?" Sasha inquired after catching up with her.
"Nothing," Akasha looked up into the moon occupying the sky.
Sasha didn't believe that for even a second, the look in Akasha's implying that she was cooking up something. But aside from that she couldn't believe how they were treated as if they were just lowly ranked soldiers, Sasha grimacing at the fact had Fafnir even been in attendance and not off collecting supplies elsewhere those men never would have spoken to them that way. Hatsuo might have been in charge of the operation but he nor any of his soldiers were more polished combatants than Fafnir.
"Oh wait," Akasha smiled as she uncovered a small box from her pocket and handed it to Sasha. "This is a little gift I picked up for you, I went through great lengths to find it so I hope you like."
"What is it?" Sasha asked curiously.
"You'll just have to open it and see."
Sasha did exactly this and her eyes immediately lit up as she looked down over a silver diamond necklace with Purple Heart pendant.
Present day
A small non mandatory meeting had just commenced inside the primary Fairy Tale headquarters and those that were stationed in the human world returned almost immediately. The news was big, the demons head Ra's Al Ghul having an alternative method, an ancient stone capable of powering Vheuto lazz that didn't require Wayne Industries Generate U Solar Eight. And this also meant a partnership with the company was no longer necessary. Ra's knew a partnership would never happen, because unlike most in Fairy Tale, he knew the secret of the enterprise's CEO.
Jitoshi Ichiro had much on his agenda following this but felt the need to rest up first and so he headed straight for his quarters. Letting out a yawn he lied out over the bed kicking off his boots and with his hands positioned behind his head and staring at the ceiling. For about a minute he stayed like that until a knock at the door brought him out of his thoughts.
"What up?" he situated on his side.
The person on the other side didn't answer and instead he pushed the door open and entered.
"Issa Shuzen," Jitoshi sat up fully as the vampire approached, closing the door behind him. "How can I be of service?"
"I need a favor, there's something I want but for no reason can it point back to me."
"Name it," Jitoshi said, pushing out of the bed.
The vampire dressed in mostly black and coughed as he cleared his throat and paced around in place.
"I need the working schedule of Bruce Wayne, events, his favorite party spots, specific routines, how he gets from one place to another! I want it all..."
With probing eyes Jitoshi raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah...don't know why you've come to me, Todd's got Wayne's schedule and so does your woman," Jitoshi bit back, still somewhat bitter at the dark lord's denial of him. "Either or could..."
Issa silenced the smaller vampire by roughly tugging at his shirt and even pulling him off his feet as he hissed.
"What part of I want my involvement a secret didn't you understand?! Yours will be unknown as well but I need for you to complete this simple request for me and I'll take care of the rest."
"Ok, ok I get it," Jitoshi pulled out of Issa's grasp and fixed his collar. "I don't know what you're after, but do realize we… well I guess not anymore."
Issa quickly took hold of Jitoshi's throat and squeezed tightly.
"I don't give a damn about what Fairy Tale wants, I've made my decision and it is final!" the vampire tossed Jitoshi aside as his nerves slowly calmed. "My apologies, let us discuss my proposition. There will be something in it for you as well. Money, name your price."
Unknown to either a single individual listened in on their conversation beside the door, her cat ears perking up as she listened in.
XXX
As he sat behind the wheel and the batmobile racing down the streets of Gotham Batman reviewed everything he'd heard, the information more than insightful. Since the beginning when the yokai of Fairy Tale surfaced in Gotham he didn't know for what reason or who was in command but those questions were no longer unanswered. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he almost didn't see a dark figure that dropped out of the sky. At the last moment he stepped on the gas as the batmobile swerved and skidded.
His gloved hands hung on the wheel as he looked out in front of him and took notice of the individual blocking his path. Six foot batwings extended out of her back on either side and she wore a gray dress, with a cape hood combination. In reaching over her head and removing the hood she disbanded the wings, with a black bow tied in her hair and the look of distress in her jade orbs. Even from his distance Batman perceived the bags under her eyes which could have been lack of sleep, crying or a combination of both. His grip tightened over the wheel as he bit back.
"Bruce," she called out to him sympathetically and his body reacting to just the sound of her voice, tightening. When he didn't respond she tried again but much louder with more conviction. "Bruce I know you're in there and you aren't going anywhere until you talk to me!"
Fury and aggravation raged from her tone triggering him to budge as his grip remained tight over the steering wheel. He'd already said all that was needed to be said and any further discussion between them was wasteful, his stance firm and nothing could be said or done to change that. Her patience grew more and more thin with each second that passed and he kept quiet, the vampire closing her fists and in one strike she punched into the vehicle leaving behind a sizeable dent! Batman's eyes enlarged but he remained still, biting back.
"If you don't show yourself I swear I'll rip you out of this hunk of metal! I will not be pushed aside and disregarded. I've been reaching out to you nonstop and you don't even have the decency to answer, so show yourself or Ill pull you out by force!"
She was livid and her face red, quickly losing her patience with him. Seeing as the situation was getting progressively worse and if it continued she was likely to become violent and so against his own wishes he lowered the top of the vehicle. Her intensity seemed to lower somewhat at this, but her fists still clinched and peering down over him as if he was the target of prey.
"You think you're the only one that's hurting! What I did and keeping it a secret was damaging and it hurt you, I understand but I also recognize that I love you! I've barely been able to sleep and when I am in the office I haven't been able to focus and efficiently complete my duties."
"Your own doing," Batman glared.
"No," she shook her head. "This wouldn't be happening if you'd open up and talk to me like normal people do!"
"In case you haven't noticed I don't exactly fall under the category of normal. You made your choice when you decided to sleep with Issa and I've done nothing that you haven't already."
The vampire knew exactly what he referred to without specifics and even felt her heart plunge. During the period Issa first arrived and they were together Bruce phoned her countless times but she never bothered to call back until weeks later. She understood she was in the wrong but also knew she'd do everything in her power not to lose him. He was a good man and there were no other out there like him; that much she knew for sure.
"You're with him Akasha, it's simple as..."
"What if I were to leave him?!" the vampire shot, feeling her blood twist.
The statement was startling and Batman grimacing and biting at his tongue. In searching her facade for anything that might tip her intent. There was nothing in her eyes nor expression that indicated she was being dishonest, but the vampire had constantly lied to him and lived for eras so becoming proficient at deceiving didn't seem too farfetched.
"You wouldn't," Batman scowled.
The response itself felt like a small victory as he didn't completely denounce her. Again the dark lord found she had to put herself out in the open and setting her vanity aside and in this situation she had no choice or he would slip away from her for good.
"I never once heard you say those words," the vampire's breathing deepened. "I want to hear you say it Bruce, just once. Tell me that you love me, I know that you do but I want to hear it and I'll..."
She sighed and bit at her lower lip, a thunderous surge zipping through her spine. This was harder for her then she thought, but would do anything in her power to keep the man she loved.
"Say it and I'll leave him...I'll leave Issa for you, only you! I swear it, so please give me another chance."
In a one gasp his throat closed at the assertion and his body grew heavier from being put in such a position, the vampire looking on with hopeful eyes. Even if he wanted, nothing that came out of her mouth was believable and after what she'd done he couldn't so easily forgive her and so promptly.
"You love him," Batman sneered. "Why would the most powerful vampire abandon her first love, who is of her bloodline and share a child together..."
"Why're you being so difficult?! I love you!"
"You don't love me!" Batman shot back. "You've convinced yourself of that, because if you did you never would have done what you did."
"I made a mistake!"
"Another lie!" Batman retorted. "You're only upset because you got caught. Nothing would have changed, otherwise."
Biting back the pink haired vampire sniffled as she lost control and tears fell from her eyes, frustration and regret getting the best of her. She had nothing to say and for him that all but confirmed what he said.
"You can cry elsewhere," Batman frowned. "Out of the way, I have somewhere to be."
"No," she whimpered looking him in the eyes. "Don't go, please can we at least meet somewhere tonight? I...you mean too much to me and I want to make this work. I could stop by after you're done patrolling."
She wiped away tears from her eyes as Batman lowered his foot over the gas.
"Out of the way or I run you over."
As if a bullet to the heart Akasha felt her body go numb at the threat! Never could she have imagined such words would be directed at her and from him and it crumbled her very soul.
"You hate me that much huh, then go ahead and do it, but I'm not moving! I betrayed you and I'm sorry about that, but I won't turn my back on you or give up on us!"
"You already did that when you slept with him over and over."
The top to the batmobile slid shut and Akasha braced herself for impact as the vehicle pulled back in reverse. And in one quick spin the vehicle took an unexpected turn and raced in the opposite direction down an adjacent street speeding off. Deep down she knew he wouldn't do it but that didn't help her feel any better as she dropped to her knees and cried in the middle of the street. By then she was running out of time and options and felt herself becoming desperate in the sense she'd do just about anything to regain his trust and get him back.
As he drove on he didn't know what to make of the encounter between himself and the vampire. She was emotionally in a worse spot than himself and he just couldn't understand why. If she truly felt nothing for him as he believed, she shouldn't have been reacting that way and they were in this position because of her actions. Even so it pained him to see her like that and Batman sharply bit down. He didn't have very much time to think it over as the police radio warning went off, and the dispatcher detailing a hostage situation in an apartment complex just about two miles away and so he stepped on the gas and headed in that direction.
"Shut up. Keep quiet, all of you!" the criminal screamed, stabbing a butcher knife into the carpet of the floor just inches from his primary target's leg.
Her name was Dorothy Woods, a Gotham city psychiatrist who had treated him more than any other. She was all that interested him and the other hostages used only as leverage to better his situation if and when authorities arrived. Dorothy watched as he walked around inserting gags down the throats of the other ten hostages, all of them tied down with rope around their bodies and legs. She made a soundless, gagged scream, her eyes wide with trepidation. Having a man with countless self-inflicted cuts, carved into tallies, covering his body all over and knowing that she might be the next representation over his flesh as yet another victim frightened her to no end! He finished with the last of the ten before returning to Dorothy and gave her his best smile.
"I'm sorry, Dora. Things weren't supposed to escalate like this. I didn't mean to end him, let me remove that, yes? You'll be good, quiet, uh hu? Nod and I take it out."
She could do nothing but sob as this man had taken away her life and man who meant the world to her. They were engaged and would have been married in the next four months until this fanatic took him away from her. Dorothy's eyes shut as she continuously told herself it was all a dream that the past couple days were just a nightmare and she just needed to wake up.
"I asked you a question, Dora...DON'T ignore me! I had to kill him, you belong to no one, not his no one!" his hand seized around her chin.
Her tears trailed down her cheeks as she stared at him. With each second that passed it became more and more difficult for her to bear the slashes. So many cuts...and she knew what they were all for. Victor Zsasz was her patient for months and just after his escape from Arkham he tracked her down and murdered her fiancé who was with her at the time. Sometime during those daily sessions as she tried reaching him and pulling out any sanity left within him, Dorothy noticed a change in his eyes. At first she believed it was progress but now she knew that was all a lie, he had grown an attraction for her during those sessions and that was it.
"Mmm..."
Victor cursed aloud forcing the gag out of her mouth with a quick jerk, and Dorothy choked as air hit her fast, coughing and taking in deep breaths for the first time in hours.
"We can now venture the world, just the two of us… we can run and spread our wings, my sweet Dora. That's what you want, isn't it?"
"I-I..." she could barely speak with tremble in her tone.
"Say that you want to run away with me. That you need me!" Victor put the knife against the bulb of her throat. "Please... please say it..."
"I love you... and need you."
It took everything within her to produce those few syllables, but it was her life on the line.
"Lies, you don't want me! You're devastated, I took him from you, what was his name again," Victor scratched at his chin with two fingers. "Oh yes, Eddie. You loved him so much that you were gonna tie the knot, have a few children and live a happy life together! And now you're just scared, because there's a crazy holding a knife to your fucking throat! Don't lie, tell the truth! You despise me!"
"B… but y-you said...you said..." Dorothy was losing her breath and hope of making it through this situation.
"Don't you dare!" he moved his hand back and slapped her across the face with force as her head swung back against the wall. She was weeping and begging him from the inside to stop this madness, to show empathy for her.
"Now I'll ask again Dora, how do you feel about me? And the truth this time!"
"I hate you and I wish you were dead! You're an absolute monster... the worst of the worst, you're disgusting, worse than a roach!"
"Yes. Go on. Condemn me. I want to feel that fury. Spill out to me, Dora, kill me with your revulsion." He actually fell back with satisfaction and even licking at his lips.
The serial killer hadn't felt this empowered in quite some time and it was great, the disgust and resentment in her eyes fed him exactly what he wanted.
"Tell me more, my beautiful Dora, I want to know more!"
"I'm not your Dora, freak!"
To the left of them a window smashed through as the glass shattered and the last thing Victor Zsasz saw was the glowing white eyes and pointy ears of a familiar foe. It was over before he even realized it as the dark knight came down on him and he was knocked out cold in a single strike and his butcher knife falling helplessly over the carpet.
"Batman, thank goodness!" Dorothy shouted.
"Are you alright?" Batman took a knee as he cut the ropes off her body. "He can no longer hurt you. It's over."
"I wish that I could say I was," she cried. "But I'm not."
Batman lowered a reassuring hand over her shoulder to provide comfort.
"Give it time, it'll get better."
With Zsasz cuffed Batman proceeded to cut loose the other hostages and not long after GCPD stormed the building and by then the dark knight was gone, but it was another of Arkham's escapees off the streets and he hoped for that number to increase before night's end.
To be continued
- 41
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- 43
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Seal of Darkness