Warriors Of The Vampire

Chapter Nine: The Ceremony Of Blood (Part 2)

When Robert gave the signal to the Vampires behind him, it began. For they knew it was time to feed. Quickly forced down and tied to the stone table was Nicholas by Catharine. As soon as he was forced down, all the others began to panic. Hillary screamed while dragged up the stone steps to the 'torture area'! Along with her was Adam, being dragged, kicking and fighting with all he had in him. Teresa was forced up the steps as well, leaving only Nicholas tied down to watch!

It all moved so quickly, and happened so fast. Amy knew that there was no doubt they wouldn't waste any time in torturing the poor prisoners. They watched with heavy hearts, begining to feel as Bobby felt for them. Though it didn't matter, but Bobby couldn't allow himself to give up and watch them be killed in front of him.

He fought and struggled until his wrists and ankles felt bare, as though his flesh had wittled away, leaving only the dry bone. Sweat began to drip from his forehead as his eyes welled with tears, such sorrow for the prisoners caused him to forget about what was to happen to him after all this was done, and for the moment, it didn't matter. Although, he never forgot about Chantal, and did take great comfort in not seeing her there. To be tortured before his very eyes. Still, he felt helpless none the less.

Robert just sat back, propping himself up on the table Latila had just been removed from. Now he was going to watch. His dark eyes full of such anticipation, such hate for the humans, he almost felt alive again. And the sexual pleasure he derived from it all was like a bonus.

Adam was quickly stripped of his garments by Camilla. Then while facing the crowd, from behind Camilla held him in place, and bit him. Draining the blood from his neck, that precious blood that flowed within his veins. To taste it, sent shivers up and down her spine. Then when he was weak enough, she let go, and he fell to the ground. Hitting it roughly as she opened the door to the iron madian. Looking in at all it's stratigically placed spikes, she smiled with delight thinking of all the suffering it was to cause Adam.

She turned, her dark hair shifting to the side, and she said, "Robert? May I have the goblet?"
He hopped off the stone table, and picked up one of the goblets. Taking it to her, all the while with a pleasent look on his face. Then he headed back down to watch.

The rack was meant to be used on Teresa. George had already bound her to it, as Hillary was still being toyed with by Jerry. Nicholas just watched all the while. During some point between the screaming and laughter of so many Vampires, Catharine leaned down, whispering into the young man's ear, "Which device would you like to have used on you?"
His breath now getting more shallow by the minute, robbed of his speach, he couldn't speak. Not one word.

Lying in wait, wondering what to do inside the crate were Brad and Keira.
"She's dead, I let her die!" Brad spoke, sorrowfully.
Keira cautioned him to keep his voice down, and replied, "You did not kill her. There was nothing you could do."
He responded almost in tears, "There must be someway...someway to stop them."
She replied, "Not by getting ourselves killed."
Wiping the few tear drops that had fallen from his eyes, he said, "What I mean is...someone who could help. We need someone to destroy them, to stop them. It can't just be us."

Edward and Alison watched, stuck and unsure of so many things. They didn't know whether to go down and try to save the people, or to just escape. The choice seemed obvious, but their hearts told them otherwise. They couldn't find the coldness within themselves to leave the people behind.
"What if I ran and distracted the Creature with the keys and....." Alison started.
Edward stopped her, "No, that's no good. Just distracting one wont help."
"For God sakes! A woman is already dead, we have to try something!" She exclaimed, trying to keep her voice down.

All the while, Brad just stared out watching what was about to take place.
"I can't...I can't do this..I can't watch." He muttered.
Keira reached out and with her hand, gently forwarded his gaze to her, "Then don't. There's nothing you can do."
He said, as a tear rolled down his cheek, "If we're going to die up here anyway...why not die trying to save someone?"
Just then, both of them heard loud painful screams of agony coming from down below. Quickly they looked outward.

Adam had been placed in the iron madain. With spikes piercing him all over his body. In the back, the stomach, chest eyes, above the groin, legs and arms. Until every part of him ached, he then cried out in lament from his horrible pain. It seems too much to bare, yet he was still alive inside. Blood oozing from every wound, he could feel the flow of it, rushing and dripping down. The coolness of it. But that didn't matter. His vision was snatched from him by the two large rusted points burried in his eye sockets. All he could do was yell, cry and scream.

As the blood flowed, pouring out of the large device, Camilla caught what she could of his blood in the goblet. Once full, she drank from it with a fire in her eyes like never before. Enjoying every drop of his agony.

Robert was almost shaking as he watched. The hate was so deep within him, that he could feel it lighting him on fire. Clenching his hands into fists until his nails dug into his own flesh, he saw visions of her in his mind. Pictures of Carmen, moving very fast, and the images drove him mad with anger. So much so that it was all he could feel, filling him up until he brimmed with it, from his eyes anyone could see.

Finally stripped, Hillary was screaming, while being forced down by Jerry onto the chair of spikes!
"Please! No! No! I'll do anything!" She pleaded.
Jerry laughed, "That's good, scream for me. It's better that way!"
He smashed her up against the chair, before situating her in it long enough to strap her down into it.
She cried aloud, "Don't! Ahhh, it hurts...stop!"
Robert could not be still from her last remark, rising up he shouted, "You think that hurts! You don't even know the meaning of pain. By the time they're through with you, you'll have wished you were never born!"
Such an outburst unexpectedly did not shock the crowd, but Catharine it did. For she could see it in his eyes, the pleasure dissipating, turning from enjoyment to violent anger.

All the while she watched him closely, still being able to keep an eye on Nicholas. He was silent, still in disbelief. Wondering how he'd ended up here. Then, he finally managed to muster up his speech.
"You..can't do this." He said in a low and shaken voice.
Catharine, brushed her fingers through his dark black hair, staring into his large brown eyes, open wide with fear she replied, "Anxious for your turn? Or are you just scared?"
"Those people didn't do anything to you....they aren't even fighters. Please...let them go." He spoke trying to calm himself.
She smiled, revealing her sharp fangs and said, "And what will I have in return? No one to play with?"
He swallowed hard and then responded in an unshaken manor, "Me. Let them go, and you can do whatever to me."
After a short pause she answered, "No. I'm going to do what I will with you. After, I watch the others die. You see that's how I like to do it. It..gets me all worked up." She laughed cruelly.

Teresa had already been strapped to the rack by George, and he was loving torturing her. As her clothes tore along with her limbs, he watched her struggle. He liked fighters, and she was a fighter. Breaking spirit and bones was always fun, he thought.

In the middle of all the screams, crying and laughter from the tormentors, Robert heard her voice in his head. He heard it on the wind, like a whisper. It took him back, without realizing it.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

He watched her face by candlelight. Sitting at his table, with the Bible opened up, lying flat on the wood. He propped his head up with one hand and listened to her read a passage.

She read, "Let all the bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you with all the malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving to one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Then there was silence, they both just smiled at each other across the table.
"Is it your favorite passage?" He asked.
She rose up with him as he lead her to his front door, "Oh, it's so hard to pick a favorite. Anything that deals with forgivness." She said as he opened the door for her.
He asked as she stepped outside, "So you believe everything....I mean, everyone can be forgiven?"
She leaned in, brushing his face lightly with her fingers, then she leaned in more, kissing his face gently, and she said, "Yes, I do. Goodnight Robert."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Edward and Alison heard the loud cries of anguish, and looked down to see what was going on. Without much of a plan Edward said, "No more decisions! We go down there now."
His voice was firm, yet calm, his brown eyes showing a glint of the rising fury inside him.
She replied, "Alright."

At that same time, Brad was going crazy. But Keira simply would not let him do anything first without arguing over it. But when he saw what was taking place, he couldn't hear her voice anymore. All else faded away, he couldn't help himself. It was almost natural instinct.

Snapping out of his daze to look up to the top level and see two people dashing for the stairs. It wasn't long before everyone knew that something was up, and all was disrupted.
Still half dazed and pointing up he shouted, "Get them!"
Catharine urged everyone to stay seated, looking over at Robert he placed his head in his hands and then rubbed his forehead. Right away she could tell something was wrong. He almost seemed relieved that the ceremony had stopped.

But the screams continued, they all looked at Robert wondering what they should do.
He finally answered, "Kill them! Quick!"
"Master, you can't be serious?" Camilla questioned him.
He snapped back enraged, "I said kill them now!"

George quickly took Teresa off the rack, as she fell into his arms, appearing to be in awful pain, as Camilla opened the iron madian, allowing Adam to fall out, covered in blood. She bent down, and sucked him dry quickly. While Jerry took Hillary off the chair and into his arms, swallowing up her life force, her blood.

Catharine refused to do as Robert said, standing there, without waver, unmoving. He stormed towards her as Nicholas watched them fight.
"Kill him!"
She replied angrily, "No! I will not have this ceremony disrupted!"
His eyes seemed almost red with flames, as he yelled back, "Kill him!"

And while they argued almost seconds after Edward and Alison headed out, Brad shot out from the other side of the room. Now was his chance. Keira quickly followed. When the others spotted them, they knew it would be a perfect distraction, and sure enough they were right. The Creatures weren't headed towards them as much anymore, and Brad and Keira were headed for the door out, but the Creature with the keys kept it guarded!

Staring up at the chaos errupting up above, Jerry held Teresa in his arms, unknowing that she was alright. Well enough to make her move, and she did, right then. Hitting him, taking him off guard. The other Vampires saw it all and the crowd got impatent in a hurry. It was only then that Robert and Catharina saw her, running for the cage to get the others out!
"Stop her!" Shouted Catharine.
The Creatures on the lower level after her, but she was quick. Already fast, but weakend a little by the rack, she hobbled and dashed her way to the cage, finding Lucy and Regina waiting for her.

Just then she looked up and saw what was going on above her. She saw the two people, Edward and Alison headed down. But she herself knew she might not make it up, and that if they came down, they'd be dead as well.
Screaming at the top of her lungs, she cried, "Go! Don't come down here! It's too late, just go!"
Too far to see the look on her face to judge, all they could go by was the sound in her voice, the tone and concern. They wondered if she could do any good on her own, but somewhere deep down, they knew they had to head for the exit. It all became clear now. The plan.

Since they hadn't even reached the stairs, all they did was head back, Regina and Lucy grabbed Teresa, ready to kill her Robert yelled, "Stop! Throw her in with the others!" He commanded.
They both looked at each other, and he repeated saying, "You heard me, in with the other prisoners. As of now, the ceremony is stalled!"
He urged the Vampires to stay down there, he needed to contain those people causing such a mess up above him.

Regina and Lucy did as they were told. Robert looked down, taking hold of Nicholas head by the hair, he leaned down quickly and bit him. Draining him quickly right in front of Catharine. When he was finished, he looked up at her, staring back at him in obvious anger, they just stood there for a moment before Robert wiped the blood from his lips and walked to the center of the room.

He called out, "Camilla, Jerry and George!" They all looked up at him, dropping their bodies, drained of life.
Continuing he asked for, Mena, Regina, Lucy. Chris and Nadia. Then, he looked over at Catharine, "Are you coming?" He asked. She didn't say a word. All the Vampires he'd called for came to him, in a cluster now, Robert standing in front they followed him, and without noticing, Bruce snuck in behind them, mumbling to himself, "Stupid ceremony...I told them to just do it..but no!"

Up on the top level, Edward and Alison had reached the bridge, crossing over to the right side, the side near the door, where they saw Brad and Keira heading for the same hall. They must have been chancing it to. While this was not the greatest of plans, it did stop the ceremony, they thought to themselves. Ready to make a dash for it, both of them braced themselves.

The bridge had no railing, and was very narrow. Also high up. High enough where the fall would kill them. Although, a fall to concrete would most likely kill anyone from not so far a distance. Still, they had to get across to the other side, but Creatures, four of them, guarded the bridge, all standing, just waiting for them. All during this, Robert and his group of chosen Vampires were headed their way!

Noticing them on the other side, Brad couldn't help himself, he had to go and help if he could. But Kiera just wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.
"Quick, we have to help them!" Brad said, turning their way.
Kiera grabbed his arm, spinning him around, she looked deeply into his eyes and said, "Leave them."
He looked over at them then back at her, he jerked his arm free and ran to help out. She sighed and chased after him. All the while Alison and Edward could see them coming.

They hurried out onto the bridge as the hissing Creatures readied their claws for the kill. Alison, noticed that Robert and some of the others were headed for them. So she knew they had to move even quicker now!
She shouted, "Edward! Look!" Pointing their way, Edward saw, but so did Robert.
Robert turned to the others and said, "They're trying to get to the other side, hurry!"

By this time, Brad and Kiera had reached the bridge with several Creatures tailing behind them. Without further thought, they ran out onto it, dashing towards the four Creatures facing Edward and Alison! Niether of them were really fighters, or fans of heights, yet still, they launched forward, they had no other choice.

The nearest Creature to him, was the one that Brad dashed for. Immediantly, the Creature was taken off guard, as Brad leapt for it. Giving it just enough push to send it flying over the edge! The Vampires saw it falling, and looked up. Robert feared they were losing the upper hand.

The remaining three monsters turned their gaze to Brad, lying on his stomach on the ground. Trying to recover from the fall. Kiera ran to him, struggling to help him up. Edward and Alison could see some more Creatures headed towards them in the distance, they needed to get off that bridge.

While the Creatures were distracted, they both made a run for it. The Creatures had reached Brad on the floor, picking him up, ready to throw him over the edge! Kiera tried to stop it, but the other two quickly grabbed her as well. Alison and Edward arrived just in time, they began to fight with all they had in them.

Edward, focused on getting Brad down, while Alison focused on the other two Creatures. It's cold clammy claws wrapped around Brad's throat, he fought for every shallow breath, peering over the edge so high up, while the other set of claws dug into the flesh of his legs. He didn't try kicking or anything, for he was afraid to fall.

Trying as hard as she could to get Kiera free, it was to no avail. Their sharp razor like claws, sank into her skin, almost so much so that she couldn't get free even if they tried to let go. Still they fought with force, much stronger then the humans. And during this, more and more of them gathered, they were running out of time, and the Creatures were blocking their entrance.

Gasping for air now, Brad struggled to speak, "G..go.." He begged meakly. All of the blood rushing to his face, as he felt himself slipping away. But Edward would not listen, he kept fighting. He of course held off in fear of losing Brad. Then, finally, the monster dropped him! He fell all the while his heart pounding as he reached out to grab for anything, barely catching the edge of the bridge. Such a cruel force of gravity caused his fingers to pop when he caught the stone grip, and he swallowed hard, and with his new found voice he shouted a loud in pain.

Just two floors away from them, were Robert and the others. Going faster and faster, more and more to reach their targets as they fought not far above them.

The Creatures tiny black eyes, stared upon Brad's face in agony as it headed over to him, ready to knock him off. Although, he couldn't hold on much longer anyway, and prepared himself to meet his fate.

But with one spinning kick, Edward sent the Creature tumbling over the edge. He was sent back sliding a little ways, before falling to the ground.
"Hang on!" He called to Brad as he picked himself up painfully.
He rushed to the edge, extending his hand to Brad, he took it and quickly all his weight was put on Edwards arms. He pulled, and Brad grabbed for the edge, until finally he was brought up.

Then, Edward turned and tried the same spinning kick on the two Creatures that held Kiera. They began to fall backwards, only, Kiera was going with them. Brad shot up and tried to get to her, as did Edward and Alison. They grabbed her legs just before she went down. But the Creatures claws inside her, shredded the skin on her arms, as blood poured down, some falling on the hungry Vampire crowd.

Even with all three of them trying to save her, it was no use. Edwards eyes widened, he didn't expect this to happen, he had to save her. But his hands were sweating now, and she slowly slid out of his grasp. And when he lost her, the weight was too much. Brad and Alison couldn't hold on anymore. It was as though she was ripped from their hands.

Kiera, still held onto by the Creatures, was sent crashing down screaming loudly all the way until she hit the ground with a loud splat! Blood and insides everywhere, like she just popped, or blew up from the inside out.

Robert stopped, looking down to see some of the Vampires scurrying about to lick up Kiera's blood. Disgusted and angry he was but they'd reached their floor!

Alison and Brad rose, but Edward did not, he just stared in horror at nothing.
"Come on!" Brad urged him.
Alison shouted, "Forget about her! We have to go!"
Brad's brown curious eyes searched the top level for the Creature with the keys, luckily for them, he was still guarding the door. Probably forced to stay and guard it.

He pointed, "Look! That's our way out! Come on, we're so close!"
She reached down, lifting Edward up under his arms. He clumsily rose, still mesmerized and struck with guilt that was unimaginable.
"Come on!" Brad yelled running as fast as he could across the bridge.
Alison turned around and saw Robert and his group crossing the bridge now!
Yelling at Edward she dragged him along, forcing him to go, "They're coming! They're coming!"

Finally across the bridge, they'd made it. Creatures running at them from every direction.
"The keys! We need them now!" Alison shouted.
The Creature guarded the open archway in fighting stance, ready to kill them all! Then, without warning, Edward broke free of her grasp, and ran for the Creature. Fearless though it seemed, he was only doing so to see if he could save them and in the process get himself killed.

Surprisingly, he was able to reach for the keys, tossing them aside to Brad. But when he turned away, the Creature slashed him in the side! Blood oozed out, as he fell to the ground. Now Robert and the others were so close, there wasn't anytime to help Edward. And he didn't want to be helped. Out of every prisoner he tried to save, the three of them remained, and he blamed himself, just like he knew he would.
"Go! Get out of here hurry, there's no time!" He shouted at Alison and Brad.
Brad hurried along, as Alison paused for a moment, looking Edward deep in the eyes one last time.
"Good luck." He said with a smile.
Soon after, the Creature raised it's claws to kill him, and that's when Alison ran away.

Robert got there just in time to stop the monster saying, "Do not kill him! I don't want him to die here!" Looking right into his eyes Robert said, "He's going to suffer slowly for the trouble he's caused me. Regina, Lucy take him! Follow us, before those two escape to the upper levels of the castle!"
Regina and Lucy did as told and hurried behind the others.

Never slowing down for even a minute, Brad and Alison ran quickly for the exit. Down the long dark winding stone halls. Only lit by torches lining the walls. Behind them they could see only darkness, but hear the Vampire's footsteps in the distance. Alison could see the door as they dashed for it.

Just feet from it, Brad got there first, fumbling for the lock to put the key in. It was so dark, and he could barely see a thing. Alison stood eager beside him, ready to be free from this prison, but happy at least she'd been able to come this far.
"Come on, come on!" She urged.
He responded shakingly, "I'm trying!"
The footsteps grew closer in the dark, yet still they could see nothing.

Then, he found the lock, and twisted the key inside, pushing forward, the door came open, shedding light in on them. He let her out first, and then he quickly followed. He knew the Vampires were close, he turned to lock them in, but now they could hear them talking, running after them.
"There's not time! Come on!" She said, and he listened to her, putting the key in his pocket, they made a run for it.

By the time Robert and the others reached the outside, they were no where to be seen! He was infuriated.
"Lucy, Regina, I want you to take our prisoner upstairs, to the fourth floor, lock him in the sitting room. When you're done with that, go and get Bobby, Amy and Eliza from down stairs, I want them placed back in their cells." Robert said, they nodded and dragged him up the stairs.
He then said, "Nadia and Mena, I want you to check in on our sacrifices, make sure they're secure!"
They agreed, "Yes Master." Said Mena, as they headed off.
Robert added, "George, Jerry and Chris, you search this entire downstairs area, I want those prisoners found. Camilla, Catharine and I, will search the second story seperatly. They couldn't have gotten far." With that, they started to walk off.
"Hey, what'll I do?" Bruce asked.
Robert didn't even look over as he replied, "Guard the main doors down here and don't move!"
He stood there with his arms out, "You've got to be kidding me right....hey come on here! You gave them all important jobs...guard the door? Guard the door! You're testing me aren't you!?" They just ignored him as he went on, "I'll be the best guard you ever had..guard."

When the reached the top of the stairs, Robert watched as Catharine and Camilla split off. He just had to find those two, he had to find them, and make them pay.