The War Between Queens [COMPLETED]

The Refuge From Light

~Jack~ (And more of my odd soundtrack music because I have nothing to do: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNk9rvacryo) 

"Are you sure you want to do this, Jack?" Elsa walked by me, hand in mine as our steps echoed on the dark stairway underneath the country of Germany. It was hard to accept the fact that all vampires lived underneath the ancient nation, nor the fact that there was a whole nother bloodthirsty community beneath it.

Mavis and Dracula followed us like shadows cloaked in the darkness of the packed boulders of gravel. Their eyes glowed blue in the darkness, but remained wrapped in the silence of their mourning. They did not like the sacrifice of my plan, but knew it was for the best–every now and then Mavis would wipe away a stray tear as she watched the back of Elsa's platinum braid swing in between her shoulder blades. Dracula cleared his throat repeatedly and watched the uneven pattern of blocks pass by.

At the end of the stairway the smell of sewer water floated into my nostrils, making my nose crinkle as the creaking of the rotting wooden dock came closer. Elsa's hand grew cold in mine as her eyes darted down the blackening river, remembrance thining her lips. "We have no choice," I remarked as the surface of the liquid rippled to the edge of the grim-coated rocks. The bow of a cramped, rocking ship waded through the depths as a hooded figure appeared, pointed spear in skeletal hands. I inhaled shakily and leaned towards Elsa as I murmured, "Please tell me that's his toothpick."

"He uses it to command the water, and he can still hear you Jack," She muttered back.

As the boat glided over the blackish waters, the face of the figure appeared. He was as pale as Dracula, cracks in his skin like flaking paint on an ancient canvas. His eyes were milky white, glazed over with the absence of hair visible. And his pale lips were dry, the sharp points of murderous teeth glinting in the darkness.

When the bow of the ship met the short dock, he rasped, "Queen Elsa, your council awaits." His voice was aged and scraped against my ears. Elsa nodded and avoided looking at him as we all piled into the scanty boat. It creaked and dove an inch into the water at the extra weight. The ship sharply turned around as we sat behind the navigator, whose back was still turned to us.

"So..this is new. You do this every day?" I addressed the silent figure as Elsa attempted to shush me. "My name is Ambrogino, meaning the 'little immortal one' from my home town," He did not turn to meet my eyes, but the steel grip on his spear tightened. "It was given to me by the people of Italy when I was nothing but a child, condemned to this life and haunted the canals of Venice," He replied, "for I was the one who made them. My new transformation to immortality brought me great power over the waters of yore." I swallowed, and finally took Elsa's advice on being quiet. Her eyes stared into mine with a single message; Not everyone who turned immortal chose to be, and it wasn't fun. The glint of his spear pierced my eyes, and an inscription written in latin was carved into the steel pole. The letters glowed a soft blue as the boat pushed forward against the gentle waves.

As the boat continued to swiftly slither down the canal, the shadows on the walls began to morph and twist into figures.

They all wore cloaks, hiding their features with heads bowed. Elsa gulped as she whispered in my ear, "Underneath Germany is the home of all vampires. It's called Schutz vom Licht, or Refuge from Light. No, not all stay here permanently, but if they do not state their existence and take vows before returning to the world, they cannot leave."

"And if they can't leave?" I asked.

"The vampires that live here aren't known for their kindness," She said.

More of the shadows slid along the walls to follow us down the channel of water. Now they looked upon us with gleaming red eyes, and bats fluttered above my head.