Warriors Of The Vampire

Chapter Eight: The Ceremony Of Blood

Though Edward and Alison were separate from Keira and Brad, they were all hiding near the exit. At least close enough, still in disbelief they'd made it this far. Edward and Alison watched from behind a large crate they hid behind just near a cell. It was a tight squeeze up against the wall, but once in a while they would peak around it to see what was happening.

The others, Brad and Keira, had managed to actually fit inside a crate. They didn't look and see what was in it, they didn't have time to. They just hid when they knew they had to, and had stayed there. The box didn't appear to be filled with anything, but the stench inside was almost unbearable. Still, they knew if they were to be found, they would be dead very soon.

Alison noticed that several Vampires had started coming in earlier, and now, more and more began to come in, making there way down the steps to the bottom floor. Edward thought for a moment, and then whispered, "It must be the ceremony."
Alison turned so she could see him, asking, "What ceremony?"
He replied quietly, "Brad and I heard through the door, two of the Creatures speaking about some ceremony of blood."
She whispered, "That doesn't sound good. What else did you hear?"
"Not much." He continued, "Just that several prisoners were to be ready and used in this...whatever it is."
They sat in silence for a moment, listening to the chatter of Vampires, it was almost like a whisper on the wind.

Both of them knew that if they were seen during any point from now on, they would be killed. Still, Alison had a bad feeling about this ceremony, and wanted to do something about it, "We can't just let them kill a bunch of innocent people while we watch."
He responded, "Well, what else can we do?"
"I'm thinking, I'm thinking. Maybe we could disrupt it somehow? If we got enough people free, we could maybe get away." She said, still pondering deep thoughts.
Edward just stared back at her, "There's no way. I mean, look at all of them down there." He explained looking out over the hundreds of Vampires there must have been, "We wouldn't even make it down the first set of steps."
"Maybe we could attract attention to ourselves up here." She said.
But he quickly shot that idea down as well telling her, "Yeah, and then we'd be backed into a corner, with no way out. Remember, our exit door is still probably locked."
She insisted saying, "We don't know that. We have to do something."
"Are you willing to risk it?" He asked.
Alison replied without waver, "Yes. For the lives of others. Who knows what they're going to do to them down there."
He then replied, "Alright. I'm with you. Just so long as you understand we probably wont live too long after they spot us."
She just peered out, watching more Vampires come down the stairs, "What have we got to lose."

Robert came through the door, walking down the hallway, Catharine at his side wearing a lovely dark blue, almost black dress. It came down to her ankles, and she wore matching shoes. The dress sparkled as she walked, and was backless, strapped around her neck, as the front was open V necked. Her dark hair was put up high, revealing more of her pale skin.

On his other side, walked Camilla. With a grey dress on that came up above her knees and flowed out at the ends. Her chest completely covered, yet this dress was also backless, and her hair was hanging down behind her.

With a woman on each arm, Robert headed down the hallway to the main room. Torches lined up in rows on either side of him, on the walls. They could hear the sounds of the Vampires and Creatures together as they walked. Robert had waited for this moment, this night for a long time, and was going to enjoy every minute of it.

But he didn't have time to soak up the pleasures of the moment, when he saw up ahead, three Creatures standing together huddled up, and beside them were Bruce and Lucy. All of them seemed distressed, and Robert could tell something was amiss. As they approached the group, Robert whispered to both Camilla and Catharine to go ahead and take their places down stairs, assuring them, he would be with them shortly.

As they walked on ahead, he stopped and asked, "What's going on?"
Lucy tossed her red curly hair over her shoulder, "Master, four of the prisoners have gotten away, and one of them was killed."
His tone immediately changed, and then he asked, "How is this so? Who was it that let them escape?"
The Creature that had killed Annelisa was present, and Robert could sense right away, that it, was the one to blame. He walked towards the monster, as it trembled in fear, "I see the blood on your claws and clothes, it was you? Did you let them escape, and then, murder one?"
All was silent as the others just watched, Robert smiled, though all of them knew it was not one from joy, "I can smell the humans blood on you." He then reached out without warning and lifted the Creature off the ground by his neck, "You cannot fool me!" His breathing became more shallow, as his eyes fueled his anger. He closed in his grip around the monsters throat until it began to bruise and swell before he popped it, then dropped him to the ground.
Lucy couldn't understand Robert's reasoning, he turned as saw the curious expression in her brown eyes, and he said, "You must be willing to kill your own kind. Remember that Lucy."

He looked around at all of them just standing there, "Find them, and when you do, bring them to me. They will suffer greatly for their actions, but do not, harm them yourselves. Lucy, Bruce, you two must accompany me to the ceremony." Looking at the remaining two Creatures he commanded them to go, and off they went, looking for the other prisoners.

"Hey, we have the slayer, why don't we just perform the ritual instead of all this ceremony stuff." Said Bruce ignorantly.
Robert tried to ignore him, but he kept on saying, "What is the ceremony for anyway?"
Finally Robert replied, "It is a celebration to mark this wonderful occasion. And we cannot perform the ritual until the perfect time tonight."
He was trying to control his anger, as they began walking, but then Bruce said, "If I were doin' it, I'd just do it already."
"That is why you will never be like the rest of us." Robert replied harshly.
Then, they carried on walking.

In the center of the large room on the ground floor, were five stone tables that had been built into the ground years ago. All perfectly aligned with each other. On each of the four corners were brown leather ties, they too had been built into the tables. The tables were spaced apart by just enough length to fit the small steel carts that stood near each one. Laying on both shelves of each cart were different instruments. Knives, needles, and other torture devices such as, 'The Cat's Paw'. But on every one except Robert’s, was a stone goblet in crusted with jewels.

Behind the tables a little ways were three wooden tables on wheels, facing up right. And bound to them were, Amy, Bobby and Eliza. There to watch the ceremony take place. Their hands each, were bound up high at the wrists, and their feet together at the ankles. They were also all wearing a device called 'Mute's Bridle'. An iron gag to keep them from talking on disrupting anything. Each of them had been dressed for the occasion, and changed from their other clothes.

Both Amy and Eliza wore matching blood red dresses. Made with silk, there were two parts. The top, which was tied around the neck and came up high, stopping at the breast. Their skirts were long and came to the ankles, but flared out. Neither of them wore shoes. There regular outfits were left up in their cells.

Bobby was dressed in a fine black suit. With a white button down shirt underneath the suit jacket. Tucked into the matching pants, wearing black shoes.

To the left of the room was a large cage with several people chained inside to the bars. Thirteen to be exact, Bobby had counted them. He was relieved not to see Chantal inside.

All of the female prisoners wore the same attire. White silk dresses, almost see through that came to the ground and no shoes. The men also all wore the same thing, brown pants and white button down shirts. They too had been dressed for this occasion.

Readily standing by to feed other than Robert were, Catharine, Camilla, George and Jerry. They were the carefully selected few, worthy enough to take part. But they were just the ones chosen to feed and perform tortures. Others had been selected for smaller jobs. Lucy and Regina, were chosen to select the prisoners and bring them to the others.

To the right formed from the concrete were five stone steps, leading up to a small slab, and on that slab were three devices. One called, "Chair Of Spikes", the other, "Iron Maiden" and the last, "The Rack".

All around the room, every torch was lit. Giving off a candle like glow, very dim and frightening for the poor souls that lie in wait to be killed and maimed. All the Creatures stood guard to make sure nothing went wrong. And surrounding all of this, were several Vampires, so many that it filled the entire area.

Among many in the crowd, up in front were, Nadia, Bruce, Chris and Mena. All with a front row seat to watch this torture. And all of the Vampires in the entire castle, were down there as well. Once Robert had made his way down, everyone took their positions. Each Vampire ready near a stone table.

The first to be taken out of the cage, was Latila. Robert had requested that all of the four prisoners who were caught trying to escape, should be brought out first.

Latila's hands were bound in front of her with rope, as she was pushed screaming towards Robert. Chosen to be his first victim, and although she did not know what was to be done to her, by the looks of everything, she knew it would not be in her favor. Finally, shoved into his arms, she dropped to the ground before him.

Next, was Adam. He was taken out and given to Camilla. Only that angry and youthful look he'd had in his eyes only hours ago, had quickly gone away. Replaced by a look of fear. He didn't think about death, he wasn't worried about all of the Vampires around him. He was simply afraid of the pain he was sure, that he was about to feel shortly.

Thirdly was Nicholas. He didn't wish to fight, so along he walked slowly towards Catharine. A glint of excitement in her eyes couldn't help but show through, she was more then ready for this. But Nicholas, was not, and though trying not to show it, he was scared to death.

Second to last was Hillary. Crying still just like she'd been hours ago. She knew deep down that this was the way things would turn out. She knew that she would never been lucky enough to escape, and that's when the reality that her family was probably dead as well, hit her. Walked towards Jerry, she was given to him.

And the last prisoner, was of a different group. Her name was Teresa. Dragged out, kicking and fighting, it was no use. Knowing it wouldn't do any good, still she fought until she was brought before George. Staring up at him with her furious blue eyes, she tossed the brown hair from her face, with one quick jerk of her head.

"Rise!" Shouted Robert to Latila. Not angrily, but firmly and loudly with his booming voice. She arose quickly as he stared at her. He came towards her, she shrieked and tried to back up, but only bumped into the back of one of the stone tables.
He spoke gently, "Give me your hands. Do not, be afraid."
Shakingly she reached out to him, and he took her arms by the wrists. Undoing her bonds slowly, he could see the bruises where she'd tried to escape, and light stains of blood from the effort as well.

Once her hands were free, her arms dropped down to her waste weakly. Robert commanded, "Come to me." And she ran to him without hesitation, burying her face in his chest and crying out. Looking for any rest from fear. He pulled her closer to him, stroking her blond hair as she wept, "Please, I don't want to die. Instead, make me like you, just don't kill me."
Still in his arms he stared down at her as everyone watched him closely, as though they were learning something.
"Do not fear death my dear. For do you have any idea of what you ask?" He said.
She did not answer, but in return kept weeping.

The others held their prisoners steady, watching Robert. High up on the very top level of the left side, Alison and Edward watched as best as they could. There were Creatures guarding every level. But they to were focused on what was taking place. Now was their chance, they had to move. And so they did. Although they weren't sure just where they were going. That was until Alison noticed two Creatures standing guard of the hallway. The very same and only hallway that lead to the door way out of that place. Now, she had a decision to make.

She pulled Edward aside, taking him back behind the large crate, "What are you doing?" He asked.
She replied, "The two Creatures standing guard by the hallway...."
"Yes, what about them?" He persisted.
Alison replied, "They have the keys attached to the belt straps of their coats."
He slowly stared out at them, and saw that she was in fact right!
Edward said, "That's our way out."
"Exactly. So what now. Do we stop this ceremony, or do we get out to find that orb?" She posed the question.
He sat in silence for a moment, and she spoke softly, "What is more important now. Fewer lives, or all of them? We could even save ourselves in the process."
But he quickly interjected, "What about the Creatures? How do we get passed them?"
Sitting back, she looked over at him, "We may need to think this through for a moment."
"Yes. But only a moment, or those people down there could die." He said.

Brad looked out of the large crate they were inside. Breathing in the fresher air on the outside.
"What's going on down there?" Asked Keira, looking over his shoulder.
He replied, "I'm not sure."
Just then a Creature walked by, quickly they slipped the lid shut unnoticed.
Keira said, "They're still looking for us."
Brad looked out again carefully, "Yes, on every level." He said. Then added, "Whatever is happening down there, it must be stopped."
"What do you propose?" She asked quickly.
He responded after a brief moment of silence, "We have to stop it someway."
Grabbing onto his shirt, she looked him deep in the eyes, "If so, we'll be killed."
"No. Maybe not we. Me." He corrected himself.
She just asked, "What are you saying?"
He replied, "If I am to run out, do not follow me, but hide until all attention is on me, then get out."
She continued her questions, "What are you going to do? You can't save those people down there. Their fate has been chosen."
"I can't wait. The longer we wait up here....it..it could mean someone’s life." He said.
Keira said, "It's not your job to save them. And they can be, if we find someway out of here. Just, stay with me a little longer. We can work this out."

On the ground floor, all of them waited and watched. They knew that once Robert was finished with his victim, it would be time for them to start. She looked up at him, still crying. He wiped the tears from her warm skin, and smiled. And when he did, he revealed to her his fangs. She screamed in terror and tried to pull away, but he grabbed her arm, yanking her forward. Then, in total silence, he stared deeply into her eyes for the longest time. Lifting her chin, raising her gaze to his eye level, he drew her closer to him.
"Do you have family?" He asked.
Her bottom lip quivering she replied, "No...not anymore...just my, my brother. I don't know where...he is."
Without any empathy in his voice, he responded, "He is without doubt dead."
She began crying, but he kept her looking into his eyes, "You have no one." He continued, "So, why this longing to live?"
"Because, I..I don't want to die." She wept.
He slowly took her into his arms, placing her in front of him, with her back to him, looking out over all of the Vampires.
"Why not, invite death...it can be so...sweet." He said, brushing his lips across her throat.
She turned to face him, and when she did, he took her hand in his and slowly walked her to the stone table nearest to him.

He coaxed her into climbing on top it, and lying down. He stood looming over her, she was still shaking. He gently ran his left hand up and down her legs. Starting at the ankles, working his hand slowly upwards. Closing her eyes, she allowed soft moans of pleasure to pass her lips, as he cast his spell on her.

All of the Vampires just marveled at how he could frighten her, yet gain her trust so quickly. He stopped, only for a moment, and tied her down. First her arms. Fastening them down to the top left and right corners. Then, he came down, opening her legs wide and tying them down as well. She just lied there, still writhing and every now and then, letting out a soft moan. He came up to where her head was, and whispered in her ear, "I could make your death feel so good."
As soon as he was finished speaking to her, he reached over to the metal cart, and off it, he took a small knife. Very thin and sharp. With that in hand, he came back to her. He tossed the white skirt of the dress high up. High enough to where he could see her inner thighs.

He then took the knife to her thigh, and sliced slowly. She curled her toes and bucked her hips upward as the blood poured down. Dripping onto the ground floor. Leaning down, he slowly placed his mouth over the wound and drank. Letting out a quick grunt of displeasure for only a second, she was soon comforted again by his soothing touch, the feel of his hand swiftly moving over her.

All this time, Bobby, Eliza and Amy watched. Disgusted. Bobby could barely watch, for he knew there was nothing he could do to save any of the people.

Struggling against his gag, Bobby's cries were muffled by the device. He fought against his bonds as well, but it was no use, and his wrists and ankles began to bruise. Eliza and Amy did no such things, for the knew that there was no way what was going on could be stopped. Though Bobby thought them heartless for not making any efforts. Not even the looks on their faces showed one ounce of sorrow or fear for the victim.

When Robert was finished drinking, he lifted his head and looked at Latila. He'd done it, she'd been tricked. Though for moments it felt orgasmic, now when she looked down at all the blood, she began to scream! A smile spread across his face, followed by a look of gratification in what he'd done.
"Let me go!" She shouted, pulling and tugging at her bonds.
Robert laughed out loud, "It's much too late for that my dear." With that, he revealed his fangs.
She stopped and asked, "What are you?!"
He walked closer and replied, "Everything you told yourself couldn't possibly exist. The thing you feared in the dark as a child. I am the hairs that stand up on the back of your neck when you're alone. The monster lurking deep in the shadows everywhere you turn. The creature you never wanted to face. I'm the terror that haunts you in your worst nightmares, and the cold air that brushes across your face."
Tears poured from her widened blue eyes as she said, "I don't want to die!"
With one swift movement of his hand, he reached up and tugged at the strings holding her dress together. It quickly opened and slid off her body, leaving her naked for everyone to see.

Bobby closed his eyes, turning his head away, he could not watch this any longer. Latila screamed while Adam, Hillary and Nicholas watched. There was nothing they could do, surrounded by all these Vampires with no escape, they had no choice.
She pleaded one last time, "Please, don't kill me!"
A sly smile stretched from ear to ear, he replied, "It's no use, you're going to die. I will make sure you feel it!"
She screamed as he quickly grabbed her, she fought him as he forced her head aside, and then he sank his fangs into her throat. He carefully sucked away her life, not spilling a drop as he caught it all in his mouth. Relishing the taste of her young and fresh blood, delighting in each scream of agony. It sent jolts of pleasure through out his body, it was time, time for all of them to pay for what they'd taken from him, starting with her!

She could feel the life being drained from her body, as she breathed in her last, and then succumbed to death. He pulled away from her gently, looking over at Regina and Lucy, letting them know it was time to take the body away. As they came forward, Robert brushed her cheek, "So young...so soft." He sighed, as they carried her away.
"See what I have done, and know, what you're all capable of. Each of you posses the power to give new born life to a creature of the night, and take it away from pitiful souls such as hers. We may have faded with the sunrise, disappeared into the worst places of the earth, gone, and for centuries. Humans have forgotten we exist, dreamed us up as myth. But we'll show them. All of them. And they're not afraid, so we have weakened over time, become afraid as they should be. But we must remember, fear, is the only thing that separates us, Vampires, from them. Humans. We will not fear them any longer, we've been away too long. Unleash your brutality, unleash that power, the darkness, we are forever and shall fear nothing! Tonight, Madison Hills and tomorrow, the world. Make them all suffer, make them pay!"
The crowd cheered and screamed, all of them ready to suck their way through the world, drinking and draining all human life! They were sure they could rule again.