#ROCKY who lives in AMMONIA and EATS OUT THE SAME HOLE HE SHITS | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lexiseigneur · 5 years

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Chapter twenty-two: The valley of the shadow of death

Ao3

The Master listened to the voices of his many children. He floated in the infinity of his mind and observed the lanterns which were the souls he had collected. Never had they been so numerous and he swayed gently in the symphony of their whispers. When he spread his crimson presence, he saw through their eyes at will. Thomas had delivered delicious news. In a few moments, he would have the pleasure of drinking yet another of the Invictus’ loved ones. This prospect made the worms rush faster under his colorless skin. And when her light would join those in his mind, he would know of ways to find the Born and finally kill him.

A voice beckoned the Master and he focused on that child. It was in pain but that was not the reason it had called out. The Born was there, punching and kicking at his progeny. When the Master plunged into the soul of this child, the Born ceased his brutality.

“Can you see me through it?” He said and grabbed Strigoi whose irises glowed red.

“Have you come to find me, Invictus?”

The son’s eyes were wide and the usual defiance was gone. That was intriguing.

“WHERE IS SHE?”

The Strigoi was a mere ragdoll in his grasp. The despair in his voice was music to the Master’s ears. He laughed through the borrowed mouth.

“Ha…my son. Always too late to save those you cherish. Today will not be an exception.”

The Born let go of the Strigoi. Panic as the Master had never seen on that face pierced through.

“No! Not her!”

“Her…just like the others. Do not fret for she will live on within me. Maybe you will get to meet that new version of her.”

“Take me instead,” said the Born.

The Master gasped in pleasure when the blue eyes had turned glassy.

“What are you proposing, Born?”

“Take my life, but let her go. I cannot do this anymore. I cannot bear to have her die because of me.”

It was too good to be true. The body he borrowed twitched and approached the son.

“The Invictus…the Unconquerable… wishes to be conquered?”

The Born’s face lit up with hope.

“Yes! Take it! Take my body but leave her,” he begged.

The Master purred lowly and worms rushed his flesh in excitement. That submission…it was the sweetest of all. It tasted better than the blood of the Born’s families. This idea made him ache with sudden desire. The proposal was something he had never considered before. The Master currently occupied an unimpressive form, taken out of necessity, not choice. On the other hand, the Born’s body was powerful and eternal. In this instant, the Master never desired to inhabit a shell more than this one. Yes…And the woman who was now flying to him would serve as the first meal he would consume with that new body. It all fits so beautifully.

The Master summoned his children to join him. He had to be sure that the Invictus would not have the opportunity to change his mind and escape. Especially when faced with the realization that the woman would not be freed. The prospect of crushing that hope was also marvelous.

“Follow that Strigoi but…leave your weapons.”

He wanted the Born disarmed. Not because he was afraid of his blades or bullets but as a confirmation of his submission. Without hesitation, the son shed his automatic weapons and a small silver knife from his pocket. The bone sword was on its way with the woman and the Master would enjoy possessing it. As a keepsake symbolizing his total victory. The Born followed the Strigoi through the streets of New York and into Central Park. Amongst the skyscrapers, the townhouses, and the churches, the Master’s many children gathered to witness and assist in the joyous event.

Waves rippled on the Turtle pond under the pressure of the helicopter’s blades. The aerial vehicle landed near the waters, on the scene of the Delacorte theatre whose seats had once been green but had accumulated too much grime to let their original color through. Surrounding the amphitheater and the lake were dead trees with the occasional evergreen which had survived so far. On a rocky hill overlooking the pond, the grey stones of the Belvedere castle waited. It was a shame that such a beautiful place should become the scene of such violence.

“I have just arrived and the Master is here,” said Quinlan.

His voice was always clear, even with the crippling loudness of the helicopter. As soon as the engine stopped, Amir took out his weapon and sat next to the pilot who raised his hands when he spotted the gun.

“You stay here and keep an eye on the pilot but don’t hurt him. We might as well fly away from here once we have the worm but also…”

It was hard to say those words.

“If we fail, you’ll have a way to escape.”

Amir chin jutted forward but his gaze stayed on the pilot. Raul’s heartbeat was almost too loud as he grabbed her elbow.

“Don’t say shit like this, Lex,” said Raul.

His voice was almost steady. They kept quiet as they walked through the amphitheater and on the path leading to the stairs of the castle. At the bottom of those stairs they stopped, and Raul reached inside his pocket briefly. It contained the remote to activate the jamming devices. Both swords were tucked in his belt. Then as if finally finding the courage to do so, he held tighter on Lexi’s arm and dragged her up the stairs. At this moment, because she was also terrified, she was proud of him. He did not have the advantage of inhuman strength or speed but still, he climbed on. The top of the stairs was surmounted by a cover and as soon as they crossed it, Lexi was sick to her stomach.

A silhouette towered over a kneeling Quinlan. It wore a flowing coat with a deep hood and from across the large terrace, it reeked of blood and ammonia. Strange, rushing noise like that of a small stream filled her ears and with a heave of disgust, she realized it came from the multitude of worms crawling through his body. When the black hole of the hood turned to her and two red coals stared, Lexi knew they had made a mistake.

As they stepped closer, the struggling away from Raul’s grip stemmed less and less from acting and more from her fear. Stepping into the glow of Quinlan’s soul had been going home. This was stepping into a tar pit. Her body shook but she allowed Raul to pull her closer to the abomination. The man stank of adrenaline. This plan is stupid. We are all going to die. In her breast pocket, she carried the cyanide pill and she wanted to take it out. To have it ready.

She only calmed because the Master turned back to Quinlan but not before her Dhampir eyes saw through the shadows of his hood. His skin moved with the rushing of worms and his nose and lips were shrunken and black. Even in her nightmares, she had not imagined this.

Lexi needed to take a hold on herself. But she could not reach for the dark room in her mind. “Lexi, look at me. I am with you.”

Quinlan stared from under his smooth brow. She focused on his eyes and on how much she trusted and loved him. Even as his gaze shifted away, his strengthening presence stayed in her. The Master held out a hand to Quinlan. The middle finger was long and curved like a talon and on his palm rested a pile of black soil.

“Eat it.”

Quinlan obeyed with an expressionless face.

“Now let her go. As you promised,” he said then wiped at his mouth.

“First…you must say your goodbyes, Born.”

His long middle finger pulled Quinlan’s chin up and made him stand up. Raul tensed next to her though he could not possibly perceive the Master as she did, with the stench and corruption of his soul. They both startled when a man appeared in front of them. She had not noticed his presence so far. He was insignificant next to the Master.

Under the smell of make-up and clean clothes, there was the distinctive acidic tang of a Strigoi. Eichhorst sniffed the air in her direction like a dog and smiled savagely. As if to confirm what she already knew, his third eyelid blinked over artificial blue eyes. He took the two swords from Raul tucked them under his mutilated arm.

“I will take it from here…” he said with a marked German accent. “You…”- he looked at Raul - “Away.”

He made a dismissive gesture of the hand then grabbed her by the elbow. Gunshots exploded in the distance. Lexi’s ears twitched as she encompassed the sounds of the park. Hundreds of Strigoi snarled and growled amongst the dead trees and further away still, there were the screams of human beings. The horde grew closer and their screeching rang clear in the night. Raul’s heart jumped violently. How long would the different teams last around Central Park if they had to face an army? Raul had reached the same conclusion but did not have the presence of mind to first leave the terrace. He fumbled for his pocket and Eichhorst’s attention shifted from Lexi to him. He scowled.

His stinger flew and almost connected with Raul’s neck. Almost. She pushed the human out of the way and he rolled on the stone floor, stunned. Lexi punched the Strigoi’s chin and his teeth sunk into his own flesh. He screeched and the swords fell as he held onto his mangled stinger. Raul was crawling away, toward the small box which had flown out of his grasp and onto the stone tiles. Shit.

She faced Eichhorst whose stinger had returned to his throat. She could not let him get to Raul or the switch. Eichhorst’s face was covered with white blood and worms. The swords lay behind him, inaccessible to her. Nictitating membranes covered her eyes in anticipation and with a quick jerk of her arms, she snapped the chain binding her wrists. Time slowed as she wound up her muscles.

Quinlan was now struggling with the Master, attempting to keep his attention on him. He was giving them time.

Lexi pounced toward Eichhorst who also charged her. That Strigoi was quicker than any other she had met. But her speed was unmatched. She jumped and his arms closed on empty air. Lexi landed on his back and grabbed at his head. His only hand closed on the balaclava and fabric tore around her neck. With a crack both his neck and her hood gave way. In the glow of the surrounding lamps, her silver hair gleamed.

The Master shrieked and slammed Quinlan down on the stones. They fractured from the impact.

Eichhorst fell under her, dead and Lexi jumped toward the swords. The Master swatted her and she flew across the terrace and slammed into a wall. Even with her Dhampir eyes, she could not follow his movements. He had seen her and the devices had not yet been activated. That was if there still any of the machines left.

Quinlan struggled up and rushed but the abomination was faster. Faster than Lexi by a wide margin. The hooded beast leaned above her and the stink at this distance was almost physical.

“First Invictus? My daughter?”

A misshapen hand closed on her small neck and the Master stared at her face. His voice was full of the rush of worms and the vibrations of his throat. Quinlan was almost onto them but two Strigoi connected with him and they rolled away in a mess of limbs and snarls. All around, creatures swarmed.

“You are not the First or the Fourth…”

The fingers tightened. She couldn’t breathe.

“I know your face. It’s impossible.”

In the corner of her eye, she spied Raul reaching the switch. Her cervical bones were about to snap like matches. Lexi looked into the glowing red eyes and smiled.

A buzzing sound rose in her mind.

The Master heaved and his stinger hung from his open mouth, useless. Around her neck, the vice-like hold unclenched and she pried his hand off. Needing to catch her breath, she kicked the Master away from her before falling to her knees and coughing. Quinlan had already picked up both swords which he swung at the Master unsuccessfully.

Lexi jumped to her feet and caught the handle of the wolf-headed sword that Quinlan tossed at her. Side by side, they faced the thing that had plagued her nightmares since she had learned of its existence. On the terrace and the towers, Strigoi stood like statues. Raul was nowhere to be seen and that made her breathe more easily.

“Your duplicity will finally bring about your end,” said Quinlan.

The stinger returned to the shadows of the Master’s hood and the red coals of his glare shone momentarily brighter. The buzzing sound decreased in intensity.

“My special children will soon take care of this…inconvenience.”

The Master twitched violently and despite his obvious discomfort, grinned. Lexi felt Quinlan tense and when she glanced, his face was contorted in revulsion.

“Now!,” said Quinlan.

They flew with weapons forward. Although weakened, the abomination was still incredibly quick. It avoided the metal over and over again. Time slowed for the three dancers. And to humans eyes, they were probably little more than blurs.

“I will give you an opening…strike him!” said Quinlan.

There it was. Their chance. Silver sang as it rushed toward the white skin. That skin turned a healthy human pink and her stab landed short. Stephan stared at her through rimless glasses.

“What are you doing, Lexi? Don’t you love me anymore?”

Her eyes bulged. What was he doing here? Where was the Master? Her stance lost its steadiness as she stared into the dark blue eyes. He stepped closer and the irises turned crimson.

“LEXI!” roared Quinlan.

His hand clasped on her shoulder and hauled her back. Not quite fast enough. Sharp claws had sunk into her core. She rolled on the stone and her sword fell a step away. Lexi struggled to lift herself on her elbows. The injury was deep. Too deep. She was convinced that without Quinlan’s intervention, she would have been torn in half. You fucking moron. With fingers slippery from her milky blood, she undid her belt and tied it firmly above the five stab wounds. It hurt impossibly and she was nauseated. Her entire body shook fiercely but steadied when the Master pounced on Quinlan. White blood splattered the floor and Quinlan retreated, standing close to her. Three gouges marked his face and fury filled Lexi’s chest. Her body burned from her anger and from the cuts in her flesh.

“Do not let him get to you again. He can make you see things!” said Quinlan.

When she tried to stand, agony sent her back down on the stones. Their injuries oozed pearly blood while the abomination stood, intact.

“I saw Stephan.”

Quinlan nodded.

“Yes, and now I see Tasa. How badly injured are you?”

“We will have to make this very quick,” she said and forced herself on her feet. The pain sent bright flashes in her vision.

Quinlan glanced at the blood spreading on her shirt and pants. Despite the pressure of her belt, she still bled profusely. She would not last long. But it did not matter because her end would come soon either way. Lexi just needed time to finish this battle. She needed him to remove her pain so she could fight. The buzzing decreased in intensity yet again.

The Master laughed and advanced slowly toward his wounded prey. He removed his hood and Lexi forced herself to stare away from his nightmare of a visage. The beast blocked the glow of a lamp and as he approached, his shadow engulfed both Dhampir.

“I need you to take some of my pain. When I reach for your soul, do not block me,” said Lexi.

He stepped between her and the Master.

“Hurry.”

She did not want this but there was no choice. When he had taken her grief, for a short moment it had felt like death. It had been oblivion. But now, it did not matter if they lost themselves into one another. She plunged inside her mind quicker than she had ever done before. As soon as her consciousness floated in the lightless space, she pounced on Quinlan’s soul. Vaguely, she could still perceive the Master and his shadow growing darker. Death was coming. The cocoon’s shell melted and she sighed in relief because his warmth was so very soothing.

“Though I walk in the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,”

She thought as the warmth turned into searing heat. Her mind disappeared once more.

The Master leaned forward with a revolting smirk.

Their faces hardened and an eerie glow appeared around their irises. They could see through two pairs of eyes because at that very moment they belonged to the same entity.

They grinned when the pain subsided and Lexi’s body stood without impediment. The Master stared in bemusement at their eyes burning with the icy light. A guttural growl shook both Dhampir’s chests and they adopted symmetrical stances.

“It ends now,” they said.

This time, they flew as one, moved by the same desire for revenge. Moved by their love for those the Master had stolen and so that others would be spared that fate. Under this coordinated and unrelenting assault, the Master lost ground. Since they had become two parts of the same being, fainting and trapping was a trivial matter. The Master could not anticipate their manoeuvers.

His back was almost to the low wall surrounding the terrace and before he could jump off and disappear, both blades darted toward his throat. The clawed fingers closed on each of their wrists but the impetus of their movement forced him down on a knee. Like scissors, the blades crossed just before the red folds of his neck. He was stronger than each of them even as they held onto their swords with both hands. They grunted with the effort it took to push the blades toward his skin. The Master was slowly pushing them away from him and as he did, he sneered at their inferior strength.

It was impossible to determine where the idea for their next move originated. At this instant, they only had one mind. Both their jaws dropped open. Two stingers flew toward the Master’s head. His face contorted with the realization that he had lost. Four talons grabbed at the skull and violently pulled toward the crossed blades. The Master’s head flew above their shoulders and landed on the dark stones. Thin worms poured out and they observed intently.

There was the crack of a gunshot. With a sudden snap, Lexi found herself again and with her consciousness regaining its uniqueness, the searing in her core made her yelp miserably. Quinlan held his shoulder and white blood shone on his dark coat. Confused, they peered around and spotted two figures just inside the building. One was a young human boy, the other a Strigoi with a ridiculous maid accoutrement. The human held a rifle and was aiming at Lexi. Without Quinlan taking away her pain, she knew she would not be able to run. It was a struggle to remain standing. The fight had worsened the injury. Her companion snarled and sped to their new assailants. Eyes wide, the sapient Strigoi ran away but the boy did not have the benefit of unnatural speed. Quinlan tore the weapon from his grip and his stinger closed around the small neck.

“Do not kill him,” said Lexi.

“I believe this is the Goodweather boy, he deserves that fate.”

“It’s over. No one needs to die now. Please.”

When Quinlan let go of the unconscious boy, his heart still beat. She shifted her focus back to the severed head. Lexi took out the coffin from her pocket and opened it. From the cut cervical, the rope-like creature crawled out. The motions were wrong, it did not slide, it spiraled in her direction.

“Pathetic,” she whispered.

She coughed in the crook of her elbow and ignored the blood this had left there. Quinlan stood beside her and also observed the laborious progression of their vanquished enemy. Carefully, he grabbed the crimson worm behind its mouth. Lexi presented the metal box to him. His face impassible, he dropped the Master on the silver. The beast convulsed and a shrill joined the faint buzzing in her mind. Moonlight shone on the crimson worm a last time before its final journey.

Quinlan’s shoulder twinged but he could bear it. As he would bear the numerous contusions in his back and the cuts on his face. Lexi closed the box and the Master’s scream died down. Quinlan took the radio out of his pocket. It was shattered and unusable.

“Will you be alright for the moment?” he asked Lexi whose body radiated intense heat.

She nodded once and put the box in her pocket. Lexi had put a firm muzzle on her emotions and nothing passed to him through the Bond. Still, when the violence of the gunshot had separated their minds, for a very brief moment, he had perceived her agony on top of his own.

“Raul and Amir should have their own radios. We have to tell the others that it’s over. No one should get hurt needlessly,” she said.

A dozen Strigoi stood on the terrace and on the towers, almost still. With only a fraction of the jamming signal remaining, some twitched again. A few looked around slowly.

They left as quickly as Lexi could manage. When they reached the bottom of the stairs she held onto the railing and coughed again. Suppressing his fear for her, he took her arm and half carried her on the path. They would rest once final victory was a step away.

Like droplets of ink, red blood marked the grey cement and led to the body of a neatly dressed Strigoi. High heels and an elegant black dress were marred with white blood and worms. Her stinger had been pulled out and still twitched a few paces away. The couple stared at the red blood, both worried and thirsty.

“Raul?” she asked.

“No…why would the blood lead toward the castle and not away from it?”

She wiped at her mouth and her fingers trembled. They moved on, toward the amphitheater and the helicopter. Its door opened and both Raul and Amir appeared. The scent of fresh blood wafted from them.

“You got it?” asked Amir.

“Yes,” said Quinlan.

Amir activated his radio and barked into it.

“We’re by the pond, in the theatre. Retreat but come pick us up first. Raul is injured.”

“Got it!” replied an out of breath Gus through the crackling speaker.

Raul leaned against the fuselage of the helicopter. He sweated despite the coolness of the night and grimaced while clutching his arm. The smell of blood did not come from him.

“How are you hurt?” asked Lexi.

“I think you broke my arm when you pushed me.”

She grunted and Quinlan wanted to help her inside the helicopter but there was a matter to resolve first.

“What happened to the two of you?” asked Quinlan.

Amir glanced at his friend and his labored breathing and turned to the Dhampir with a wry smile.

“I was going to stay in the chopper like Lexi said but…Strigs were coming from all over the place…people were shooting guns...I thought I would be more useful helping you guys than babysitting the pilot. He is fine by the way…I just tied him up.”

He squeezed his forearm around which he had tied a piece of his torn shirt, and stared at the blood smeared on his palm.

“Met a Strig on my way to the castle and you should have seen me…I was fucking awesome. I pulled that stinger right out of its throat. Then I dragged Raul out of there and came back here while you guys were fighting…”

The smile seemed a little strained now. Lexi stared with a gaping mouth and leaned on Quinlan more heavily. Under the young man’s skin, just above his collar, a worm crawled up and up. Quinlan’s chest tightened and Lexi made a strange sound, like a wounded animal. He could do nothing as her face contorted in pain and she burst into loud sobs.

“That’s what I thought…,” said Amir and his smile faded.

“Amir…I’m so so sorry,” she said and had a violent fit of cough.

Her knees buckled and Quinlan helped her sit on the ground until the coughing stopped.

“What the fuck is happening?” asked Raul.

His head lolled and he squinted through the sweat in his eyes. Amir turned to him and his usual grin was back. He removed the fabric from his arm and showed his friend. Raul shook his head.

“They gonna kill that thing and it won’t matter anymore…,” said Raul.

Lexi moaned and put her face in her hands. She swayed softly and Quinlan wanted desperately to hold her and take her pain away.

“Raul…I am afraid we will not be able to test whether this could be true,” he said.

“Why the fuck not?” Raul spat back.

“’ Cause it will take too long to get to Mexico City and by the time they dunk the box in the volcano, I’ll be too far gone.”

“No! This is bullshit! It’s fucking over now! Why the fuck did you leave the chopper you goddamn idiot?” said Raul through gritted teeth.

“And let you get all the glory? Fuck off! Oh and by the way, I’m not an idiot, I know you found my stash, asshole.”

Raul stared in disbelief then laughed and Amir chuckled as well. Carefully, he hugged his friend whose laughter was replaced by quiet tears.

“Tell Gus I’m sorry I fucked up,” whispered Amir.

“Just tell him yourself.”

“I don’t want him to look at me like you guys are looking at me right now.”

With a grunt, Lexi stood and when Quinlan reached to help, she raised a hand and he stopped himself. She exhaled gingerly and stopped crying. Her face hardened.

“If you want to tell him goodbye, do it now,” she said.

Quinlan walked resolutely to the young man who faced him.

“Amir I am sorry you will not get the opportunity to see humanity rise from its ashes, however, I do not doubt you will be remembered and celebrated for the role you played in saving it.”

Quinlan held out a palm. Amir shook it with his back straight and his head high. Then he went to Lexi who pulled him gently into a hug.

“I wish we had met sooner,” she murmured.

He held a little tighter and Quinlan worried he might hurt her.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

“Make it quick, Lex.”

She took his young face between her hands and grinned softly. Amir was trembling but he forced a smile on his face. Lexi kissed his brow and he closed his eyes. Then before he could open his eyes again, she snapped his neck. His body was heavy so she let herself drop to the ground with it. Quinlan fought the burning sensation behind his eyelids. Raul howled and with uncertain footsteps, he approached Amir’s body. Lexi closed Amir’s eyes as Raul clutched at the hand of his friend. At this moment, the dead face looked incredibly young even with that scar of his. Quinlan felt nauseated by this.

“We must leave,” he told Lexi.

Despite her reassurance that she would be alright, he was worried about her weakened state. Their mission was not yet over. On the road running by the castle, an SUV was approaching. Raul would be safe. They had to go because time was of the essence. And also because at this moment, Quinlan did not want to face the Sun Hunter and his grief.

“Help me to the helicopter,” she said.

“Raul…they are coming. I’m sorry.”

He was ignoring her but she continued.

“Despite all this…Raul…please, live well.”

Quinlan assisted her to the helicopter. In the cabin, she secured herself to a seat and slouched. The pilot’s wrists were handcuffed behind the back of his seat and Quinlan freed him.

“Fly to the JFK airport. If you attempt to escape or disobey my order, I will tear you in half.”

“Ok ok! Please don’t hurt me!”

The man was about thirty, with black eyes and an expressive face. He instantly reached for the commands to start the flight. Above them, the rotors came alive and the blades slashed the air with increasing speed. From Central Park, the ride would last ten minutes at the most. He sat by Lexi who cried as she stared at the window. When he took her hand, her gaze shifted to him. She appeared almost…guilty.

“My Quinlan…”

Her eyelids seemed to get heavier by the second. Quinlan stared with bated breath.

“Forgive me.”

She coughed and white blood dripped on her chin. He reached for her face just as her eyes fluttered shut. The warmth of her presence faded away to almost nothing. Quinlan screamed for Lexi both in his mind and with his voice. The mechanical slashing of the helicopter drowned out his plights.

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