Chartreuse || ONC 2022

▪︎ Digi Log 18 ▪︎

The Throne Room of the Red Palace
Neo-York
23:34

Mina drove her sharp white fangs into the thin green skin of West's throat. Blood flowed freely from the vain to her mouth, and she drank with no semblance of guilt.

"You're a fool, vampire," West whispered in a jerky voice.

Suddenly, Mina stopped and let go of the partially drained foul woman. She felt a burning in her veins — a sensation she'd never experienced before. Mina collapsed on the floor, clutching her stomach and chest.

"Fool..." West muttered again.

Mina looked up at the witch through her pain. West's green lips curled in an insidious smile.

"What...have...you done?" Mina gasped. She was unable to catch her breath. Her veins burned within her.

"I take it I'm your first witch?" West asked. "How thrilling. It's always nice to assist an acquaintance in trying something new. It's simply too bad that you didn't know a witch's blood is poison to a vampire."

On the floor, Mina made a strangled sound.

"A defense mechanism of sorts," West continued. "Clever, isn't it? I think so. As a vampire is one of the only creatures in the cosmos that can harm or kill a witch."

A loud bang sounded at the door, and Ava-1 burst into the room. "Mina! I'm here to—"

The cyborg stopped short when she saw the condition of her friend.

"Well, don't leave us in suspense," West prompted. "You're here to...what? Help her? Good luck."

Mina withered on the floor like a helpless child, clawing at her chest and throat.

Ava-1's face twisted into a glower and she seethed where she stood. "You wicked old witch," she growled.

"Humph. That's original."

"Yeah, well, we can't all be trend setters like you. A red throne? Seriously? Barf."

"You need some manners, cyborg."

"Sorry about that. I never went to finishing school."

Ava-1 expelled a huge current of electricity at West, and it knocked her backwards, all the way to her tacky crimson throne. Sparks flew from her slight body, and a visible electric surge rippled through her black hair.

West slowly climbed to her feet, a huge sphere of electricity pulsing between her outstretched hands. "I'll teach you a lesson for that," she proclaimed with a sneer. "Your vampiric cohort may have weakened me, but not enough to be bested by you. I can harbor energy, too, you know. Since the age of nine."

She released the sphere of electricity back at Ava-1.

The stock hit Ava with a nauseating sizzle, frying her superficial circuits. Her body went rigid and she toppled over.

West looked down at Mina where she still writhed on the floor. "You see? No one can stop me. I am too powerful." She began to slowly pace around Mina, her long red skirt swishing around her. "Now, this I will take pleasure in. You conceded little piranha — you honestly thought you could terminate me with nothing but a pair of fangs? I'm almost insulted, but at the same time, I suppose I should be thanking you for making this so easy on me. I hear vampires don't age. I don't either. Not anymore. And as much as I'd like to keep you around to torture you for the rest of our very long lifespans, I simply can't allow you to live. Do you know why?"

She tipped Mina's chin, forcing the Victorian vampire to look at her.

"Because you know the truth about me," West said pointedly. "Chartreuse did not work on you. I could never continue to rule this city, or any other for that matter, if everyone knew I was a witch! Mortals fear and hate witches. Really, I think they're jealous, but jealousy can turn into fear and hate, don't you agree?"

Mina moaned and clutched her stomach, but she was not intimidated. Between clenched teeth she said, "You are nothing."

West's eyes went wide, and she kicked Mina ferociously in the midsection. "Nothing? I'm nothing?! I'm winning! What are you doing? You're dying! Is that something to write home about? No. Dying's easy — anyone can do it."

"Including you," came a voice from behind her.

West whirled around to confront the offending voice, only to find herself face to face with the missing Negotiator.

Saito grabbed her around the neck and plunged his sword through her torso.

West made an aghast gurgling sound of disbelief. She sucked in a few ragged, wet breaths. "T—this—" she stammered, her voice a hoarse whisper. "This is folly. Blades cannot...kill me."

"Good," Saito stated. His nostrils flared as he tightened his grip around her throat. "You do not deserve a warrior's death. You will live. And you will answer for your crimes."

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