InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Sorry’s bullshit."

Let me tell you about the night... (from_the_depths) wrote in haunted_roads,
@ 2008-05-11 20:08:00

Entry tags:

dorian, nikolaos

Week Seven: Wednesday
When: Late Night
Where: Underground
Who: Nikolaos and Dorian

Dear Dorian was thinking about leaving. Nikolaos knew this; he knew that it would occur all too quickly. He'd wanted to act swiftly when they first arrived because of it. The other was skittish, paranoid of his own shadow and constantly seeking out a reason to pack himself up and move again. The only reason he'd delayed this time was because of that succubus that had his balls leashed. That had worked in their favor and was going to continue to. But first Dorian needed to be made aware of this. More then that he had need to be told just how things were going to go. Running wasn't an option for him right now and Nik was going to be the one to deliver that news.

It was about time that they had a bit of...family bonding wasn't it? Nikolaos had been told to keep back; it was well know how much he truly loathed the weaker demon. He wanted to kill him, bring his head back as a trophy to remind all what living on the surface made a demon become. It weakened the spine. It made them forget what power and place really was. More then that it weakened the blood. Their name. It was something to hate...and something to stop. For more then just this one.

Plans had changed however; Nikolaos took it upon himself to see to that. But he had the backing of both mother and grandfather on this one regardless. Why leave this task to the other too distracted by his past to worry about the task he was sent here to complete. Did he know what Dorian planned to do? Or that he'd seen his precious succubus. Had he been watching him like he should have been? How could you watch when you were watching another? Nikolaos would see to the job himself then.

Someone needed to.

It was far from the best time of course, but timing mattered little. Nikolaos knew that the departure of the other needed to be stopped and his own anger would not jeopardize what he was told to do. Nikolas knew how to bite back that rage, to contain it and appear eerily calm. He was taught well to keep that control. He knew he'd have chance to let that anger out. But this wasn't it. Not yet...soon....but not tonight.

Down into the underground Nikolaos and loyal guards went. They knew exactly where the man was. Nikolaos knew where he sat even and what drink was currently in his hand. Another was there, watching, listening. They knew what the man had planned for after that drink. One last shot to still the doubts hmm? One last drink before family came to visit.

The smell of chaos was in the air, Nikolaos could nearly taste blood upon his tongue with each breathe. The underground was familiar territory for the demon even if it didn’t compare to home. Tonight he was down here for a different kind of play then typical. Tonight he had a job to do. Every exit of the bar was soon watched. Nikolaos waited at the exit, back to the wall near the door. The other would come out on his own or soon he’d be flushed out. Nikolaos certainly hoped that his dear cousin made tonight difficult on himself.

All thoughts were pushed from his mind but the task at hand. The events of the nights before were all but forgotten. The anger so buried back that it scarcely was even a flicker now inside of him. None of it mattered tonight. Nikolaos knew how to see to tasks given to him. The job came before all else. Nikolaos stood, calmly now…waiting.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-16 01:21 am UTC (link)

Of course he was leaving Seattle. What other choice did he have, the greatest temptation that he'd ever known was pulling him in like a magnet. It had taken everything in him to walk away the first time he didn't think he had it in him to get close to her again and trust himself to make the same decision twice. Granted by the look on her face... he wouldn't have to make the decision twice, she'd have slit his throat quite handily. And enjoyed every second of it. Not that she didn't have ample reason to feel that way...

The signs had been written on the wall for all too long, blatant and screaming at him that he should leave Seattle. He should have walked away the minute he started encountering the other demons of his kind. Felt like some sort of twisted omen that he kept ignoring. Playing with fire...

But he hadn't. Instead he'd kept pushing his luck. Pushing until he found what had been teasing at him almost since he'd first walked through the city. His luck was officially over and Dorian knew it. His questions had been answered, she was alive and as well as could be but it was time for him to go. Move on and far far away from her to protect from the danger that his presence could bring her life.

The few things he traveled with were already packed, ready in his hole in the wall of a motel room. He was just waiting until it was later, until it was the darkest part of night to take to the shadows and leave the city without a trace. Only it was proving harder to leave then he thought it would be... One drink became two and then three. Money was slid across the bar as Dorian finally forced himself to push away from the stool he'd occupied for too long. With the slight screech of the chair legs across the bar floor every hair on the back of his neck stood up on end.

At the exits... he didn't need to look to know that they were there. Who they were, specifics were not even needed, Dorian knew enough. His luck had well and truly run out. Dorian took a few more dollar, whatever he could spare out of his pocket and slid them towards the bartender, wouldn't even begin to cover the damage that was likely to occur but he had to do what he could. He gave a short nod of his head to the man before he vaulted over the bar top and made his way through the back.

Not that he thought that would be an easy exit.

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from_the_depths
2008-05-16 02:06 am UTC (link)

A man on the run rarely should push his luck, it really was asking for trouble wasn't it? especially when it came to a man hunted by demon kind. A man hunted by his own blood. Some began to believe that if enough time had passed that the others had simply forgotten about them. That was rarely the case however. No...it was more eagerly waiting for that perfect time to strike. Giving another that false belief that the chase has begun to lose its thrill. He doubted that Dorian was that great a fool but that was about as little as Nikolaos could give him.

He was a weakness to the family. A disgrace to the name. For Nik this mean he should simply be removed. Taken out before he had chance to soil the name anymore then he had. But it was not in his orders to eliminate the man. It was his orders to see to bringing him home. home....it shouldn’t be such to someone like him.

How his father ever thought that this….creature…could come to lead the family he did not know. He had shown weakness his entire life. Running from the shadows, letting another rule his actions and movements. There was nothing about him that showed a true ruler. Nothing that made him even close to worthy of the title. Nikolaos had not wished to doubt his father’s actions. But now he’d been forced to doubt it all.

It put him in a rather…distasteful mood. One that this other demon now got to be witness too. But Nikolaos would have to restrain himself…unfortunately.

Nikolaos had his doubts that the man would simply hand himself over. In fact he was rather counting on it. What fun would tonight be if the man simply walked out the door and said here I am? No...he wanted the struggle, the fight, to put the other in his fucking place. Maybe it would ease some of that tension settling all too deeply between Nik's shoulders. He doubted it of course...but he didn't mind the attempt.

The man, if nothing else, could become a good punching bag.

Inside demons watched and outside demons were ready. Nikolaos was notified immediately when the excuse for a demon decided to make his move. A thin smirk curled his lips as Niks position changed. At the front exit he quickly turned, shoving past others to make his way towards the back. Those there would not let him leave....but it wasn't an enemy of flesh and bone he'd find grasping for him. But hands from the shadows, reaching out to still his movements.

Hands that seemed to appear from every inch of darkness, every corner. A handful of true guards awaited him before Nikolaos even made his presence known among the fray. "I do hope you fight Cousin, we could all use the laugh..." his tone held a hint of a growl as his eyes nearly flashed.

Those that disappointed deserved punishment.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-19 01:00 am UTC (link)

If there was one thing Dorian never thought, it was that he was forgotten or that his trail had ever run cold. He'd had that thought once, once upon a time it felt like now. He'd hoped that whatever importance he held was long gone to those that sought him. He'd thought that he'd done a good enough job of secreting himself away... away with her, but he clearly hadn't. That near miss had been more then enough to keep Dorian from ever thinking that he was safe again.

It was all... such a ridiculous point to Dorian anymore. Whatever they wanted from him, it was laughable. Did he want to return to any home that his 'family' held? Absolutely not. He had always heard stories of hell from his mother and father, faint memories anymore but he didn't even need those to know that hell was no place he wanted to be.

A ruler? If there an answer more severe than fuck no, Dorian would have used it. That was nothing that Dorian could even conceive of wanting. And why anyone else would want to put him anywhere near such a role was entirely unfathomable.

Frighteningly enough, he held a great many beliefs in common with his dear cousin, at least when it came to ideas of what Dorian's place in their 'family' ought to be. Not a part of it at all worked for him as well, though dead did not.

Dorian didn't even need to take a step outside to feel the pressure of the darkness outside. Stronger, more palatable than what was normally sent after him. They meant business this time and Dorian knew it was going to take everything he had if he was going to manage his way out again. That if felt a little too strong this time around. The shadows pulled at him as he pushed them back, trying to make his way through what was normally friendly ground. Tighter and tighter they tried to hold him just as he sought to avoid the pull, slipping free of their grasps at the very last moment.

Until a voice gave him pause. Not one he was familiar with, but it was the words. Cousin... Wasn't surprising in the reality of his family, that much he knew. He turned slowly toward the voice, hands spread wide. "I'd hate to be a source of amusement..." he retorted finally getting a look at the face that went with the voice. His cousin apparently.

With no intention of actually giving himself up that easily, but with just as little intention of getting into a fight where the numbers clearly told him he didn't stand a chance... Dorian focused every bit of power he had and pulled at the darkness that was just as much a defense as it was an offense. One last effort to slip into those shadows and at least get a head start on this particular group of bastards.

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from_the_depths
2008-05-19 01:16 am UTC (link)

It mattered little what the man wanted or thought. Whether he wished to be in hell or be of their blood changed nothing of the situation. Nikolaos would be happy to bled him dry and remove all traces of that familiar blood if he were allowed. Sever those connections once and for all with one that did not deserve them. But the words were to bring him in. To bring him back to hell and see then what he was truly worth. His father sought something from him, but it was Nikolaos's belief that once the man was in hell his grandfather would see to his death.

There was no way that Nikolaos would stand by and let this excuse for a demon rule their blood. He was not fit. He was not capable. And he did not have the willpower for it. How his father believed that he could ever put this one in charge was beyond Nikalos. It was just another strike against him. Another reason to believe that he cared nothing for the family any longer. He'd found his excuse to get to the surface and he had used it. Once here nothing of the job seemed to matter.

The job. The job was what Nikolaos now kept his focus on. The demon that he knew would try to slip away again. Run before they could get chance to really pin him down. But Nikaloas wasn't going to allow that to happen. No, he came prepared. Knowing well that the man held some years on him he wouldn't seek to do this on his own. Even if he was elder he would not. When it came to a job, a command, you ensured that nothing would go wrong. That you would come out on top.

The shadows snatched out at him, pushed back against him despite his attempts to control them. Nikaloas was determined, angry, and he used all of that to push those grasping hands. To strengthen their grip, to turn fingers to claws seeking to tear at the flesh and rip the other apart. If only he were allowed...

"Ah...but your life already has been..." Nikalos returned with a tone to his voice that spoke just how pathetic he found the other. Distasteful that he would even have to share the same shadows as him now. Nikaloas did not hide from sight, he let himself be seen. Let him look upon the face of the one that was here to see to his demise one way or another. Be it rotting down in hell or death upon the surface. He wanted to make this one hurt. Scream. To wound him for forcing them to the surface to chase after him.

"Run run....fast as you can..." Nikolaos laughed, a sharp growl of a sound that cut through all of the shadows. The other sought to escape within the shadows that the other guards already were a part of. Nik was not the only shadow demon present. Into the shadows he could move but within them others were present, following that trail, chasing him in a game of cat and mouse that the other was not going to win.

He was out numbered, out powered....and those his will to get away could not be denied neither could Nik's will to see this one stopped.

The thick shroud of shadows swept through the underground, but no matter where Dorian turned or where he sought his escape, the others were there.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-21 03:29 pm UTC (link)

They had that in common... the fact that it didn't seem to matter what the either one thought. Even if it was an agreement of sort that ended in no real agreement. Dorian held no allegiance to his family but apparently the fact that he had their blood was enough to make him enemy number one. That fact just couldn't be ignored, forgotten, left to fade into history. No, that was clearly something that Dorian could have only dreamed about as a child. And he had. Wasn't often that children wished that they truly had no family.

How different would Dorian's life have been without that blood tie that he'd never wanted.

Once upon a time he'd almost understood what the struggle was all about. Long ago he'd heard it explained from both of his parents and even in his youth the fight had almost made sense. But now... Now all sense of logic had been lost as far as Dorian was concerned. Any idea held by his uncle was far from known by his nephew. And why they still wanted, still needed to find him and bring their own day of reckoning down upon his shoulders, Dorian truly could not understand.

He almost wanted to know... Find out what was so worth all this effort, all these years and wasted life.

Maybe... it was time to just end it all. How many people would be saved by that one act? Dorian couldn't even comprehend it. He wasn't sure if he wanted to, he was at least still selfish enough to want to live yet. Though after seeing her again and remembering what it was like to truly live, he didn't know that he could stand to never have that again.

The air felt like it was crackling with the power being exuded by all. Pushing and pulling through the waves of darkness that shrouded the underground where no natural light could reach. He knew as he first began to push through the darkness, ignoring the words cast back by his cousin, that all of his determination and all of his experience wouldn't be enough. For the first time... he was almost certain that it wouldn't be enough.

What were you supposed to feel like when you knew your end was coming? Dorian didn't feel anything yet. Nothing past the ripping hands of the shadows as they pulled back at him fighting to keep him from moving forward. Invisible to the naked eye but not to what truly hunted him.

Near one of the exits up, he finally stopped. A wall against his back, the stairs up to his right where he stood so close. Only two options, to face it all or to push up to where humans eyes could see and it would take more work to hide what was happening. His hands were braced in front of him, pushing back the tide of shadows with everything that he had.

"Do you have a name cousin? A reason you're sent to do the dirty work that no one else has been able to manage?"

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from_the_depths
2008-05-21 04:06 pm UTC (link)

As a youth he had more sense then. To think that years would change anything of the family was a foolish thing. To believe that years would somehow dull the act done, that it would change the blood in his veins or what those before him had done. No such strikes against the family weren’t just cast into the shadows to pretend they never came to pass. Instead they would be set right. Corrected in whatever way the family deemed appropriate. The fact that the family was divided in that choice didn’t matter to Nik. Not when it came to knowing simply that the demon was not going to leave. That aspect of the job he could do without question or hesitation.

No matter his anger, no matter his dislike, he would not sabotage the job. He would not risk allowing the other to escape again, to spend more time on this pathetic mission then need be. Unlike his father Nik was not seeking to milk this trip to the surface for all it was worth. No, it was about time someone did as needed to be done.

The guards with him now knew that failure was not an option. Nik’s anger was already spiked; to fail him now would earn death. A slow death, a torture for their inability to do as they were told. None were weak, none were young. The best that they had brought with them were now at Nik’s side. All eager to hunt. To please the eldest of their blood. To prove themselves.

Within the shadows Nik smirked as the other rushed off, thinking somehow he could manage to escape the weight of the demons chasing after him. There was no question that he would not be enough. To Nik there had never been question in that. He would never be of their blood. He’d never be strong enough. Loyal enough. He could never compare. Yet they had to leave him alive, catch the fleeing fool and drag him back to where he belonged. Let him see what it was to be their blood…then bleed it out of him bit by bit.

The guards moved in a flurry of darkness, staying always on the mans tail; never allowing him even that inch to think that he could possibly evade. Nik did not follow the group but instead moved, rushing forward towards the exits, seeking to cut the other off at the pass. They all knew where it was he would run should he seek to play this game. There were only so many exits easily accessible from the bar. They’d seen to all of them. They did not come into this blind or unaware. They came in realizing that the mouse would skitter away from the cats gapping jaws.

Showing still how weak he was. No fight in him…not a kind that could be respected.

The guards circled the other as much as they could, Nik standing among them with a still half amused twist showing to his lips. Vaguely amused…vaguely enjoying this. But there was not near enough bloodshed. Not enough to sedate the anger. “I’m here to finish a job.” And that he would see to. The end of this. One way or another. “A name? Truly curious dear cousin or simply stalling? Hoping you’ll be able to come up with some perfect plan….” Nikolaos stepped forward, yet still guards were there, right at his back. “I’ll give you a suggestion then…” he began, that tone similar to one telling the grandest of secrets. “…don’t choose the stairs.”
He’d have quiet the welcoming if he choose that way. Then again didn’t he already? The party here or the party upwards….tough call.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-23 04:04 pm UTC (link)

It was that disconnect, that push away from the life and the feuds so deep rooted in hell that made it almost easy to wish that they could all move on from what had happened so long ago. That was what his family had wanted, that distance and separation. A chance at safety? Though they had been all too foolish to think that would have ever been a possibility. In many ways it had left their children only too vulnerable. Knowing what sought them... but not truly knowing as their parents had.

Alone Dorian knew that the search was never ending. That he could never be truly comfortable anywhere. It all seemed such a pointless waste. This constant search, the game of cat and mouse that had gone on for nearly two centuries. Could anything actually be changed with his death? Did it actually matter? Apparently... if only for the knowledge of a job completed.

Dorian was oh so happy to oblige.

With fewer numbers Dorian knew he could have escaped. Could have done so with little bloodshed. He'd done so before. And not just with moments of luck as he had as a child. But here and now there was a great deal more preparation. A planned out and well orchestrated hunt that he'd allowed to find him with the distractions he'd sunk into. He knew he should have left weeks ago. He had asked for this end with his own stupidity.

Fight. That was the only answer that they ever had. Dorian was tired of it. Tired of the killing and tired of the bloodshed. Maybe that made him less respectable in their eyes but he'd never sought their approval and never would.

"So you think you'll be the one to complete it? Glad to know my relatives are so humble." Dorian bit back in reply as guards moved into a semi circle around him as was to be expected. Guards always did as they were told. Cannon fodder that moved. "I've lived long enough without having to stall or play games. I don't know why I'd start now." Dorian began though his mind was in constant motion, sizing up everyone around him sensing what he could about them, their strengths and weaknesses. The youngest guard that was near to him. Eager to prove his worth, though he never would. Dorian could almost feel regret for that fact.

A lightening quick movement and Dorian had the younger demon by the neck, claws slicing through the skin there. He hated the act, always did... never truly feeling that preserving his own life was worth that of others but it was the game they all played and this young demon was only going to serve as a barrier between Dorian and the magics that tugged at the shadows all around them. A few steps to the left away from the stairs, deeper into the darkness.

He didn't really have a chance but he had to have that one last try. He'd never been one to give up.

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from_the_depths
2008-05-23 05:05 pm UTC (link)

Those so eager to throw themselves into disgrace had little care for those it affected. Their children, their blood, none had stilled them in their choices. And now, years later, still their foolish choices impacted the bloodline. Nikolaos was all too eager to end this once and for all. To rid them of this section of the blood, this branch of it that had no right to be among them. Cut out the root of the problem before it began to infect all else. They’d let this problem go for far too long now.

Mikkos had allowed it. Yet another strike against the demon. Another piece to cause doubt, to question. He too would have to be cut away if it continued. Dug out and exterminated before his problems began to fester and grow. Already he’d begun to affect many with his choices. Already it was insult. Nik had no respect for those that cared so little for the blood within their veins. Blood that should be respected.

Tonight the job would be seen to. The man would be captured. He would be kept. But he’d not be brought into hell until Nik had seen to the rest of the business the surface now held for him. But unlike the fools that had sought him out before, fools now dead and gone, Dorian would be kept or contained in a way that would not faltered. Nikolaos was not going to fail because of this excuse of a demon. He’d evaded for too long. Not proving worth in his own self but proving the lack there of in others. Nik would not be among them. Not now. Not ever.

Did he know he could escape? It wasn’t all a numbers game. The age of those aiding now had gone up. Whether it was all or a few Dorian thought himself too highly if he believed he could escape simply because some numbers were less. Nikolaos simply refused to bother to take the risk. He would cover all ground, all bases, and would not allowed this night to falter in what he sought done. They all came into this knowing what had need to be done.

“There is no debate in it cousin; you will come with us tonight. No matter how you seek to evade. No matter the lives you try to take. We can play this game all night…but you will still be in our hands by the end of it. Broken and bloody or angry and bound…that is up to you.” He made his own choice here and now. He could have stilled the loss of life, kept to his high ideals that all of this was pointless. Instead he chose to kill one so very young. One that was nothing more then a test to see just how willing the man was to strike out against one that stood little chance.

Seemed he had no delay in it at all. That amused Nik…vaguely.

The demon was dead and Nik had no care. In a rush the guards were upon him. Pouring in from the stairs above now, charging from the pile that had circled around him. All were eager for blood. So denied in their time to the surface they were hungry for the fight. For the attempt of the other to flee. Nik wouldn’t steal that from them. Not yet. Not unless it was truly needed. But while he had chance to play it was the guards that were forced to be so…diligent. Guards now that were earning their reward for it.

Not all were of the shadows. Many were cloaked by it from the others but their abilities were all together something else. Fires of hell, ice to freeze the limbs, even the earth rumbled in the wake of the frenzy. Not all had to be of their blood to be loyal. But tonight they were all seeking to prove their worth.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-28 02:43 am UTC (link)

Dorian just didn't care... he didn't care what wounds to pride and bloodline had happened. He didn't care what must be avenged based on whatever arcane rules of behavior they all operated along. He most certainly didn't care what they all thought of him... yet he had to care all at the same time. He had to care in order to survive, had to understand why it was that they continually came after him, had to understand how they would come after him... And he hated it.

The only thing that he had never been able to bring himself to truly care about was what any of his blood relations that had to exist out there thought of him. Hate, loathe, pathetic... it mattered little to Dorian.

Dorian didn't know if he could actually escape. He had to believe in some way that he could... that there was a chance. There had been so many times before and he'd always been able to find some small avenue of escape. If he didn't believe that now, he had as good as given up. No matter the odds... numbers or abilities.

All of which Dorian knew just by feel alone were not in his favor at all tonight.

The death of the demon held in front of him, did not sit well with Dorian. A life was never taken without that remorse but Dorian tried to be a realist and knew that it was kill or be killed in the world he had to move through. The demon held in front of him as a sort of shield would have likely tried to kill him given the opportunity... not that it made his actions right. Just practical.

The numbers swarmed Dorian and he knew that there was little he could do. He could only melt into the shadows and disappear for so long, barely any time at all given those that were around him. It was overwhelming, the numbers that had finally been sent after him, the skill of those that swarmed him. It took the heat of a flame produced by a particularly skilled fire demon to still Dorian's progress to the left away from the stairs and somehow toward a freedom that didn't exist any longer. The dead form was dropped from Dorian's hands and left to slump to the ground in front of him, a good chunk frozen from a stray attempt to slow him down by another demon. He had served his purpose.

"Call off your dogs Cousin." Dorian's voice cut through the darkness. "If this is to be finished... let's have it done properly, blood for blood as it began."

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from_the_depths
2008-05-28 03:25 pm UTC (link)

Of course he didn’t. That was where all the difficulties stemmed from wasn’t it? Where that disrespect truly showed through. That lack of care. That lack of deserved respect. The less he cared the worse it really was for him. Demons could respect fight. They could even respect a healthy dose of disobedience. But flat out disrespect….that was another matter. A matter that Nik was apparently here to settle. One that he was growing quiet fucking tired of truly. He was not leader, it was not his place to keep all of their blood in line. Yet somehow that had become the case. The failure for it would be swift and without mercy. Nik was not going to allow it.

No tonight there was only one true option for this situation. As much as he would love to spill the mans guts upon the floor and watch him writhe…he’d not. As much as he wanted to finish this he could not. It was not just Mikkos that wanted the man alive. In fact if it just was then Nik would likely kill him now on fucking principal. But it was the elder demon as well, the eldest of their blood.

Perhaps he wanted to punish the man himself for all his blood before him had done.

Nik did not question, he did not argue. He simply spoke that he could get the job done and he would. He’d do as his father was not. He’d do as many before him had failed in. Alone it would be a struggle, Nik was no fool and he’d not forget his own age or that of others he faced. But his ego was not so vast that he believed he needed to do all alone. No a wise man, a wise leader, knew when to use the skills of others to their advantage.

The younger demon was a pawn. Just a piece to play in Nik’s opinion. As were all the others there tonight. Each and every guard there could fall, falter, fail…and it would not matter to Nik so long as in the end he got what he wanted. Their lives were of little importance. Death did not make him remorseful or wish he’d done things another way. In every fight there was the chance of death.

Around him the guards swarmed forward to do as they were told to do. Fire, ice, energy whipped and tore at the flesh. The scent of blood tinged the air and Nikolaos breathed that scent in deep. It did not satisfy…it only made him crave more. More that he’d not be given. Not tonight. Not until this job, this task, was finished.

Though fires cast light into the darkness the entire area had been cloaked, others could scarcely see their hand before their faces and yet the family moved. Weaving through the shadows, preventing every escape Dorian sought to make. “Finished? Things have just begun cousin.” Nik’s boomed through the shadow, a charge to the word that nearly hinted to laughter.

“No matter how I do wish to end this completely….” The shadows began to recede, though the guards were at their place still. Claws and hands upon the other demon. The hands belonged to those that cast light through them all, not allowing the run away demon the same sort of chance to try to slink away into the shadows. “…others have a desire to be…reunited with you.” He continued, his tone then blank, neutral and forced calm. He’d play by the families rules. For now.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-05-30 01:09 pm UTC (link)

Pawns, fodder, collateral... Dorian was simply tired of it all. Tired of the fact that so many were thought of so little. Tossed into a fire for which there was no escape all too often. It was just a fight he saw so little purpose in, death for no reason. Did they care? Did those walking into the flames not care that their death likely meant little in the grand scheme of things? Or perhaps Dorian had simply been too long gone from family to see the importance of it all. Those blood ties meant nothing but death to him.

He knew he was as complicit as the rest of them. Dorian had taken his fair share of lives in the fight to keep his own life. Was it right? Was it wrong? He certainly didn't think it was right but it was the way of the world and Dorian knew all too well.

Just as he knew that this moment would not end as all the others had. No matter the fight to stay alive in him... not every fight was winnable. Or perhaps better put, not ever fight was escapable.

"Did I say I was finished?" Dorian asked from where he stood flashes of fire illuminating the darkness in small bursts. He didn't need the light to know all that approached though. The presence of those approaching crawled along his skin. "It is a family..." derision filled that world, "matter."

The hands that came around his wrists and arms in their attempt to hold him where he willing stood for the moment were ignored as the shadows began to fade into the background and his cousin came into view. His words though were far more... surprising than his presence. Others... "Who?" Dorian's voice demanded an answer, muscles tensing in his shoulders and through the rest of his body. His fight wasn't completely gone and they'd be foolish to think that hands could always hold him. He wanted his question answered. He wanted answers to this whole damn mess.

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from_the_depths
2008-05-30 02:04 pm UTC (link)

Those that died, died for a cause. A reason that they were proud to serve for. But Nikolaos did not expect the other to understand that. No he had no understanding all of loyalty, of family, of blood. And that, to Nik, was where he would always fail. Where he would always be weaker, less of their blood, less of a demon. The fact that the other did not even care about that…spoke volumes to Nik. More then enough to ensure what he already believed. That this man had no place within their family. That Mikkos was wrong to think there was any use in bringing him back. But he’d come to find out that his father was wrong in a great deal of things.

Nik wanted nothing more then to end this fools life and return to hell. To leave this pathetic waste of time behind him. This was a task that was not even his own yet now he had to take it upon himself to finish what they came here to the surface to do. The task that his father had forgotten.

“And it is family that is here. You can feel them. And that family matter is why you are alive at all.” Yet the words near dripped with disdain for that fact. The blood in his veins should be bled out. Drop by fucking drop till there was nothing within him for others to call family. Nik remarked. But as much as Dorian spoke of “finishing this” it wasn’t a matter for him to finish. Not either of them.

Dorian had no means to finish it. And Nik did not hold place to. Not without going against orders, words, and that he’d not do. He did not follow every word uttered or demand given but he knew the ones to hold to. The orders that would not be allowed to ignore.

Foolish? No, they knew the others tricks and they knew what he was capable of. That is why light now blinded Nik enough to make him squint as he looked at the other. Light from those with age enough to keep it should the other try to battle darkness against it. He’d gain sway but the other two had strength not to be denied. Shadows, hands, even those that were ones with the shadows could be contained. Trapped. Nik knew the ways in which to do so. He’d experienced many of them.

Training for a true member of their blood held no mercy.

“Are you demanding something of me….?” Nik smirked slightly so. “You’ll find out soon enough.” Dorian was a man that Nik would not answer to. Never. “Now your choices are die here or come with us…” and hopefully die later “Your attempt to fight and show bravado grows tiresome.” Though it was more that Nik’s ability to restrain himself grew less and less with each passing second.

The man was supposed to be brought in alive. This Nik knew. But he’d take punishment for killing him as “no other option” should he have to. The pain would be worth it.

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dust_and_shadow
2008-06-03 03:10 am UTC (link)

Of course he had no understanding of family, of loyalty or of blood... Dorian's understanding of such concepts would always be tainted by the knowledge that his blood wanted him dead. How that could foster any sense of loyalty to ones family or blood was far beyond Dorian. Pushed to even greater extremes by the knowledge that any he did grow close to, any attempts that make those ties with others would only be used against him. Used against those that he brought into dangers cross hairs. It was impossible for him to truly understand those concepts.

Or at least understand them in the same way his cousin did... to place the importance on them that he did. It simply couldn't be.

Dorian stared at Nik as he spoke, the words pulled the corners of his mouth up in a derisive sort of smirk. He couldn't help it... the words were just priceless. So chalk full of irony that Dorian could do little but laugh in the face of them. "Oh it's a family matter that keeps me alive now. My gratitude is endless then..." he drawled back, sarcasm thick in his low voice.

It was the light that kept him tied so very closely to where he stood. Not physically. If he wanted to put up a fight he still had that in him. But to what end? To face more numbers than he could ever possibly think to overwhelm without the comforting shadows to fade back into... Dorian knew he couldn't. So he faced whatever was coming his way now. As little as he wanted to do so.

His luck had seemingly run out.

"Yes." Dorian replied simply, his form not budging a step from where he stood. He had that much fight left in him. He wanted some fucking answers and he would get them. Or perhaps die trying... though he did wish to avoid that. Even if death was inevitable. HE wanted... to know. Needed to know. "What grows tiresome for you... I have little care for. Answer the question." Dorian said not giving up as he managed to continue to withstand the irritation of the light that bore down on them.

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from_the_depths
2008-06-03 10:15 am UTC (link)

His blood, that tainted kin, had put him in this place. Those disloyal fools that deserved nothing but death. Did they really think they’d get away? That such insults would not be avenged? Any that did had no true knowledge at all of his blood. This would not be allowed to continue. The rotted piece should have long ago been torn off. Why it hadn’t Nikolaos did not know. Was it his fathers will that let it go this long? Another before him? He’d not even venture to guess. All he knew was what was before him. This man. This demon. Was not going to rule. Not while Nikolaos was alive to prevent it.

If that was what his father truly sought then they would have problems above and beyond that which they already had.

“You have no idea how grateful you should be.” Nikolaos remarked in a tone that was knowing. He knew the families cruelty. He knew it very personally. This, all of this, was nothing compared to how it could have been from day one. The man had no idea. None. In a way it amused Nikolaos and at the same time…made the disdain felt even thicker. Choking. How badly he simply wanted to tear out his throat and watch the blood flow.

Demands demands. Dorian could make all the demands he wanted but the more he did the more Nik was going to ensure that the man hurt. Deeply. Very very soon. No one that was lesser made demands of Nikolaos. He drew in close, baring the weight of that too bright light “No.” a simple heavy word that edged with a growl and possibly even a bit of a smirk.

No he’d get no answer tonight. Perhaps if he’d shut up he might have. Nik did love to indulge in just what pains were awaiting someone. But he pushed and Nik was not one to be pushed. Unbudging, especially when he knew he had the upper hand and tonight that was not something that could even be argued against. “You do make this difficult on yourself. I can’t say I mind however….” With the words he was gone, disappearing into the shadows beyond. Getting out of the way as the light intensified to blinding painful degrees.

The demon had fight perhaps. But it was a bit difficult to fight against drugs now wasn’t it? And Nikolaos’s patience for the man coming on his own two fucking feet had been extinguished. As the light blinded the needle was stuck. Quick acting. Potent. Meant for demon blood. Meant for supernaturals with more then a bit of fight against such ends. It was not Nikolaos’s preferred end to this. Of course not. He was a man that far preferred the fight. But tonight, with them wanting the demon alive, this was the choice. A fight…and Nik would want a final end.

They had known who they were dealing with after all. Come into every fight prepared. Nik had known from the moment he saw the demon that he was coming with them. One way or another.

Dorian had simply picked this path for himself. Not that Nikolaos believed the other willing to see it that way. But what did that really matter?

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