Atlantis

Twisting

The next three days are counted as the best days of my pitiful life over in the Earth that hosted the myths I was told as a child. What happened during those times aren't worth explaining only mentioning. At the end of the third night the dawn revealed the city of Atlantis on the horizon. I had Striker do a search of nearby towns and villages in hopes of finding Victor or Clyde so I could leave Mandy in their care for the next event in my life. Luckily I found that the two I was looking for were in the same place.

It was a town that was known for its glass made by dwarves. It was Dorinsville and the inn held hot baths a rarity not found in the country and hardly in the towns around Atlantis. Victor was off in the woods stretching his legs as I walked into town with Amanda who was dirt covered and hair tangled. I had somehow managed to get it detangled, partially, and got the dirt on her face off.

She skipped around the open streets as others started their daily routine by opening their stores or cleaning up from the night. I trudged along behind her feeling extremely out of place in my pure black attire. I had her turn at the inn and went inside to get Clyde who was still in his room. Opening the door I didn't even flinch as a shirtless elf turned to see who it was.

"I have a present to give you, hurry along downstairs." I said still standing in the doorway.

"You're still alive I see. Are you going to stand there while I dress? How brave of you." Clyde said striding over.

I put up a hand. "I could easily fling you outside the window. Put on a shirt already you are wasting time."

"Ouch rejected by a woman in the morning."

I turned on my heel so fast he took a step back. "Fine I'll leave my present in my care."

"No need. I'll be right behind you in a moment." I looked at the shadows around the room trying to locate the snake. Finding none I quietly summoned Quicksilver to my hand and used my mind to locate the familiar. I found him and let a bullet fly at the snakes tail. A small bang escaped the gun but other than that it was the hiss of the serpent.

"Don't ever follow me again or I'll kill you." I threatened leaving the room.

"What the hell was that!" Clyde said loudly following after me. His shirt was loose and missing its collar but at least he had one on.

"A warning." I said with a shrug.

"Unbelievable!" he said with a bite.

I lead him down the stairs to a table where I had ordered breakfast for three. A servant brought out a steaming mug and placed it in front of Clyde as he sat down. Amanda had already finished her meal and was sipping down a similar drink. I picked at my food eating the meat first and leaving the bowl of fruit untouched. The two looked at each other but neither offered to eat it for me. I gulped down my water and placed Quicksilver in gun form on the table.

"Is that my present?" Clyde asked in his silky voice.

"If you can pick it up but she is the real present. I need you to take good care of her while I'm away." He reached out to pick up the gun then froze with his hand above it.

In his panic he looked at me and I grinned knowing he could never pick it up. If anyone tried to pick it up, besides me, they would have to enter a covenant with Quicksilver. That itself would cause the average man to be afraid of picking the gun up. Quickly withdrawing his hand Amanda laughed knowing what had occurred inside Clyde's hand as well. Only the truly desperate entered a covenant with a demon.

"I would have anyways if you hadn't brought her here." Clyde said trying to help his injured pride.

"Leaving a girl alone is a rule you never break. The second is to never talk to strangers. I've watched too many movies to know what happens when those rules aren't followed." I said as the servant took away our dirty plates.

"Miss would you like these fruits or should I take them?" She asked.

"Take them. There isn't enough energy in them to actually eat them." I said sliding her the bowl. My words gave me curious looks but I ignored them. "Look after I'm gone you guys need to think I'm dead or missing got it? And whatever you do, do not ask where I have gone."

"What are you planning to do?" Clyde asked leaning on the table.

"Leave her be, Clyde. There is nothing we can do to stop her."Amanda sniffed. I went around the table and gave her a hug. "I expect news about the relationship when I get back." I whispered.

"Only if you tell me all about your trip." We did one last squeeze and I let go. "See you again?"

"Hopefully." our last words were a whisper a last goodbye before I left for years. "Hmm." I cleared my throat. "Where's Victor?"

"Went to look for his brother. Delayed our trip by three days." Clyde said with a grunt.

"Thank you." I headed for the entrance then looked back a final time. "For everything." I ran out the door. Amanda had finally found a guy she could trust, I was happy for her. Even if that guy betrayed others it was for her sake. I couldn't ask for any more.

I went into the tree line sending Striker on Victors scent. Quicksilver was in my hand for protection. I went about two miles before I heard a shout. "Jerimiah!" I ran towards the source and saw him after a short burst. His hair was disheveled and clothes in rags. Blood covered his face and bare body in deep scratches. Red eyes and a worried look.

"Victor!" I cried running to him. "What happened?" I pulled his head to my chest as we both fell onto our knees on the moss and leaves beneath us. He tried to pull away as though he was desperately searching for something. "Rahn? Are you here?" I called. Victor pushed me away weakly only to fall back onto my shoulder. His breathing was ragged and painful like his ribs were broken.

The cat appeared beside his master looking at him with sad eyes. "Master, what do you want me to do?"

"Go away Rahn this doesn't concern you!" Victor said angrily. He slouched back supporting himself and looked at my with unyielding eyes. "You too for that matter." He went to stand so I got up to help. He brushed my hand away and stood by himself causing more blood to flow out of his wounds. "Jerimiah!"

"You can't do everything by yourself you moron!" Rahn growled ramming Victor to the ground in his large cat form. "All these years you didn't give two thoughts about the guy and now you think since he asked you for advice you owe him something! He may have some of the same blood but you are NOT his brother." Rahn had him pinned down beneath the claws of terror.

I stood horrified and unknowing of what to do. Why were these two fighting? I wanted to tackle the cat and save Victor but then I might have to fight off the cat and grab Victor before he runs off. "Rahn." I pleaded quietly. "Don't do this."

"If you still want to go after that monster I'll happily end your life right here and now! The Realm knows you won't even get a word in before it kills you!" Rahn pressed down harder on the struggling mass that was Victor. "How would you like it? Quick or painful?" the claws sunk into Victors shoulder and he let out a cry in pain. Whisps of smoke came from the wounds as the claws retracted.

I could smell it the grotesque smell of the Realms outlands where no creature could live. The air was toxic without any plants to filter it and was the most potent poison in this world. If Rahn could contain it in his claws then he was more powerful than he let on. I knew no healing magic because I had never needed it for myself or companions.

"Get off!" Victor said as a dagger made of an old fang swung at the cat causing him to jump away to avoid the hit. Victor use the chance to retreat to a tree and get in a proper stance. His wounds started to close up while his eyes turned a dark red making the previous red look pink in comparison. Vampires can control their own blood but at the cost of precious energy. Their kills were quick for a reason.

"Fool!" Rahn snarled baring his own fangs. Both of them looked like feral beasts fighting to the death. "Come to your senses or I'll break off our contract as is my right if my master is possessed. Thus you would know too much and I will ultimately kill you."

"Kill me? Hah you might as well try killing the king!" Victor laughed with a voice that was no longer human. Not that he was human to begin with. It is probably better to say he lost the calm controlled voice for the one that hunted its prey until it had its fangs sunk into the flesh.