Liz Bathory

I placed some names in the post to make it a bit more clear. Sorry for that all

Out of the shadows... almost invisible Elizabeth and her minions watched Rotten Luck fight. She had descided to stay out of direct contact since there where now too many unknown elements running around. Instead she had traced and followed the one person she met on this planet that she knew enough from to be useful as a guide... Rotten Luck!

In any case... if he would become a problem keeping to his deluted heroic idea's he would be easily disposed off. Still for the heroic zombie to be of any use... he had to win this fight. A bit of help might be useful for him. She concentrated a bit while Rotten initiated his attack then send a enchantment of empowerment (Enchant Undead) his way. Effectivly it should double his resistence and strength, normally she would include a sword and armor too... But Rotten seemed to like and use his fists more.

A small smile formed around her lips...

But the moment Schmitt re-gained his focus he noticed that his attacker was gone. As stealthy as Jack had managed to attack, just as stealthy did the werewolf pull a retreat.

And indeed, Jack was still dizzy... and the resistence he had encountered was way too much for the moment. His human mind just won it a little bit from his animal instinct... although even those instincts where talking to him about survival. He knew the couples scent... and would be able to find them again anyway.

Staying completly out of sight he moved as fast as he could.

Jack dug up his rage.. and stood up... Rushing his claws around to get the alusive hero. He had lost the advantage... and he didn't liek that a bit. This was meant to be an easy kill. He was in conflict with his animal rage and stuboness against his human mind.

The wolf picked up a boulder from the garden and threw it too the girl. It was stil obvious she was his weak spot.

Jack shook of the slow dizzyness of the blow... "I didn't travel so many miles to give up so easily hero! You are on the list... so you are worth money... . It is a shame I didn't expect the chick here..." He nodded to Wrath... "But I take her head just to be sure. Maybe she is worth something."

He roared between his teeth... "Now be sensible and play dead for me..."

Jack got hit with enough force to be thrown off-balance. And he flipped his body around in mid-air to regain it. He landed marely 10 meters from the couple... turned and attacked again. Pushing his speed up to the limit in order to get enough moment for a metal-slicing cut.

It was obvious that he wouldn't reach the girl while the man was still there... then again... the bounty was for the man anyway!

The lich, Vladimir was his name and once a personal friend of Elizabeth before his 'demise' made him even more useful, nodded slowly and grabbed inside his robes. Dust went up and some insects escaped it. He took out a scroll and handed it to the 'guest'.

"The list...", he answered... "Bounties are better for those higher on top and of a considerable generous amound to start with." His dead eyes looked straght at the shinobi... "We hadn't had any 'complains'... yet!"

Jack uttered a loud growl... the spikes caought him off-guard and managed to make wounds on his arms and legs. But he simply ignored them... his regenerative ability already visibly healing them.

Seeing the metal shield appear he changes tactics and goes for the weakest link... the girl! Aiming to jump her and using her as a shield for the metal man.

Unnoticed by any a tall yet very stealthy being was watching the two heroes from his cover. His yellow wold-eyes finding the prey. Now that they where so close to gether... and arms entabgled this seemed to the best timing possible for Jack Wulfe to strike.

He never hated travelling... in fact he loved the forests of germany... so when he learned that one of the bounties was abroad... he followed. Far away from most of the heroes that could have helped him... or from the Longbow or PPD that had experience with super-powered enemies. This should be easy.

He readied himself and still completly silent he jumped up high... fully intending to ripp both of them to pieces with his claws. Lizzy only needed the heads for her bounty anyway!

Without showing any fear Elizabeth addressed Tomb again... "Now you are a crafty suicidal little nibblet I see. Give me a sample of the virus contained and I will have proof. Proof to see that you can do what you claim."

Liz hold up her hand to stop Lucard from responding in an outrage again...

"Until then you and your trash have outlived their welcome. Prove that such a virus exist... and I will see if I can persuade some sort of deal." She picked up the vampire girl's head... "This is not enough proof for me... you hear me cupcake!?"

Back in the Castle Shannon too was looking at the bloody cutup of the mutilated Vampire with wide-eyed horror. And although she didn't get sick her hands where covering her mouth and she was struck silent.

Elizabeth stayed cool though and gave a silent nod to Lucard to be quiet. "Look here, little girl... I am not in the mood for messy games. And I am not going to pay for it in any way. In fact... I should have you on your knees cleaning this up!", she waved to the blood, bones and flesh scattered all over the room. "Further more... I pay a bounty a head. But for those on my list only. This... 'girl' was not on it."

She walked a bit closer to the hologram... as if it was the camera. "I am not taking any blackmail... and certainly not form a child." Behind her back she waved to Shannon and Darkleaf to get out of the room. "Your little device might be able to explode but I am ok with that... I have reasons to believe I will survive it. Will you survive my anger though?!"

"That's the question..."

Shannon opened the door a bit... and looked at her mistress very carefully... "Missy Elizabeth will survive yes... Shannon is sure..." Then pulled Darkleaf with her to the door.

"Talk... and do not leave out any details... and I do mean any!", Elizabeth said with a commanding tone.

Shannon stayed at the door... and even though the room had enough space to hold the wee fae, she would rather stay outside peeking in.

Elizabeth pauzed a moment to try and let the important parts of the volume of text sink in. Listening to Shannon panicking always gave her a slight headache... and now there where two of such critters around.

"Where is Lucard now, Darkleaf!", she walked to the big hall where she didn't saw any of them. "And our 'guest'." Elizabeth noted blood and wood splinters on the floor. But they wheren't there.

"Follow me you two... he may have taken her to his room.", and with that she walked to wards the dungeons. Across the stone corridor... the torches on either side flamed on by themselfves the moment the vampire passed them.

At the ebon mirror suddenly a fast moving blur of white and red knocked Darkleaf away from the tendrils. The two creatures landed in the corner of the room... Shannon O'Banshee looked up at Darkleaf... her red hair wild and messy...

"Missy Elizabeth said no touchy darkness to Shannon and Shannon told Darkleaf it is dangerous no touchy because bad things might happen and Shannon likes Darkleaf so Darkleaf better be careful ok ok creepy things in mirror things not good to Fae.", the wee banshee rambled on hyperactivly.

Behind them Elizabeth appeared from the mirror and noticed the two Fae. "Shannon! What is happening here?! Explain..."

But Shannon had no answer to that as she didn't want to tell on Darkleaf... and she was in another section of the castle.

Back in Amsterdam the meeting of the Council came to an conclusion. The Primogen was initiated as new member... replacing the destroyed Tai-Wei. He and the others would stay in the Victoria Hotel for another week before returning to their homes in an conventional way. Elizabeth had used her crystaline mirror though, knowing full well she couldn't be missed very long. The dark gate still open at the head of the meeting table.

"So you are staying here then, old friend?", the blood countess said to the Primogen.

He nodded... "Only for a little while to get to know the others better for as long as they stay here. I will be returning to my sarcofagus in the castle shortly though, and can do so by my own means if neccisary." The ancient vampire waved to the oval black spot hanging in mid-air. "I gather you will not leave it open indeffinatly..."

Elizabeth gave him a small smile... "I see how long I can hold the spell up for you..." She then turned to Vladislav Draculea standing not far from her. "Prince Vlad, it was a pleasure seeing you as always. Please grace my home again with your visit." She gave him a kiss and turned around.

Her coat blew up a bit while standing infront of the gate... as if it was feeling her wanting to enter. Small tendrils allready reached out for her. Then she pressed her hand against the surface... and stepped through it...

On the other side the surface went from ebon crystal to a wild tar like substance. Tendrils of darkness shaped and formed... The other-dimensional demonic forces that the crystal was actually a gateway to where struggling to keep the vampire in during transit. And some of the tendrils tried to grabb Darkleaf her prodding finger.

Bases like this must be earned.. by hard work and playing. Prestige on a large sg is almost limitless.

I know that I have more prestige then I can ever use and I have a base with so many objects in it. What do I do with 53 mill unused prestige? Pay that small rent?

If you descide on having a small SG, you descide on having a small base. If you want to see fantastic large bases... merge youre smaller SG's into one big one.

With a silent but determined move Akasha grabbed a clean goblet from the table. She opened her hand with her nail and a low pressured flow of blood fell into the goblet. Then she passed the goblet to the one next to her... who did the same. Each of them placed some of their blood in the goblet until it was filled and back with Akasha.

The Queen of the Damned raised the goblet... "By the blood we are bound!", she said out loud... then drank some of the mixture. Each of them did the same after her.

"And so it is done... we will never be destroyed... as the blood is the life!"

I dont pvp.. it is not my 'thing' so to speak. But I don't see the harm of the pre-I13 pvp at all. Sure... som AT's or powers where better then others. But thats the same in PVP and PVE.

I believe the facts that there is a decline in PVP. That alone should be a reason to roll back PVP changes done in I13. Just accept that it wasnt a good idea and get some players nack.

Elizabeth stood up and looked around her peers... "Gentlemen... and woman... I know it is hard to comprehent his claim of age. Akasha here obviously knew of him... but thought him destroyed. I have had the opportunity to watch him for a long time. And even then I thought his claim was ludicrous."

She looked at Akasha for a second and their gazes nearly destroyed each other. Akasha was not happy with the introduction... not happy at all. "Last week the Blood Orb came in my possession. Who knows the reason Tai-Wei had to send it to me. But because of that I watched and heard the conversation between Jarek'ankemma and the Blood God. Giving me full proof of that which he claimed. This one is like us. And had we know of him sooner the Council would have contacted him ages ago already."

She sipped some of the blood in her glass to clear her throat... "Ofcourse if Akasha would have mentioned to us he was there we would have tracked him down or find out how he ended. It seems that at some point we stopped looking for more like us... content to be ten. I like to raise a vote for membership to the Council for Jarek'ankemma, the Primogen."

She looked at the others around teh table... one by one... Ending with Akasha, who full well knew this was coming. It was the reason she was the host of this meeting. She didn't like it but several of them where already nodding in agreement. There was no way to avoid it anymore... "We vote!", she said short and to the point. "All raise their hand for official membership the this Council of peers for the one called Jarek'ankemma named by most 'the Primogen'!"

She looked to the one next to her... Vrykolakas was sitting silently trying to 'read' the new comer. He too had seen millenia and was one of the oldest amoung them. Then he spoke... "He is what he claims to be!", and raised his hand in agreement.

Tatomir Mullo was more conserved. "I am not sure. Do we need any other... I also find it hard to believe his claim. Even though two of us who are reliable obviously say so." In turn he tried to see the motives of both Elizabeth and Akasha. He was a thief and scoundrel even when alive and full well knew why Elizabeth wanted her old 'friend' in. He also saw that Akasha was not happy with her sovereignity challenged. "The rules we made at the end of the first millenium say he should be one of us. I agree." And with that he raised his hand.

All eyes moved to Eztli. The Aztec never talked much. And even now just seemed only to try to read the mind of the new comer. Obviously not satisfied with his result the sorcerer stopped his actions. "He is allowed...", was all he said. Then raised his hand.

Rityu Njaya raised his hand too. "I know all that is too know and trust the judgement of the lady that brings him."

"Well... I do not!", said Melisizwe. "We don't need one that can possibly be above us in power if all these claimes are true. Let us find another replacement. Surely one is out there. I say no!"

Elizabeth looked at the African vampire with renewed distrust. She didn't expect this resistence from him at all. "He is like us... much can be learned." And with that she raised her hand.

Looking at Elizabeth Vladislav smiled. "The countess is right. That is what this gathering is all about. A meeting of peers. He should be with us." And the Prince of what once was Wallachia raised his hand.

Sheridan Morr smiled. Then adressed Akasha... "My dear... you will always be my Queen." Then raised his hand in agreement.

Akasha held her hand down. Only sipping some of her glass trying to hold her raising temper. "Then it is agreed. We are a Council of Ten once more!", she said with a hatefull hiss in her voice.

Friday 9th of June, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Amsterdam on a Friday night... On the Dam people are enjoying the nice summer. The diversity of bars and shops illuminating with life. Most of them still decorated in the orange colors in celebration of the soccer WK. A bit back to the Central Station the Red Light district is more of a erotic color. But not less busy. At Damrak 1 – 5 we find a less lively crowd gathering though. A whole floor of the 4-star deluxe Victoria Hotel Amsterdam was rented by what the manager would call ‘an international meeting of high executives’.

The executive room of the building from 1890 probably was seeing its strangest host of executives ever. Now that the night had come and privacy was secured the Council of X where showing their vampiric origin. The meeting was a special one… and called in haste… One of their members had perished. The ancient Tai-Wei had fallen to his madness and was vanquished by a new host of vampire hunters back in his temple in China. Without a sound they took their seat… Vladislav Drăculea of Wallachia, Tatomir Mullo of the Holy land, Vrykolakas of Greece, Eztli of Aztec, Rityu Njaya of India, Melisizwe of Africa and Sheridan Morr of Ireland. At the head of the table stood their host of this meeting… the Queen of the Damned… Akasha of Kemet! And yet.. they where not complete yet.

While several of them waited in patience Vrykolakas mixed some wine with what was obviously blood and drank some. He looked at Akasha who was wearing a long black gala-dress. Her dark skin made her almost invisible in the soft light of the room. “My dear Akasha…”, he said with a grim smile. “We travelled thousands of miles to be here for this emergency meeting. And still we have to wait!”

Akasha didn’t answer but looked at the back of the room where a black spot appeared in mid-air… dark tendrils came out and the hole grew slowly. When the spot was large enough to allow a whole body through a hand became visible through it. Out stepped the bloody lady of Čachtice... the countess Erzsébet Báthory. Behind her a large ancient vampire appeared. He was there on invitation… indeed… he was partly the reason of the meeting!

The Primogen stopped in front of the table… while behind him the portal remained open. A dark background on the almost white skin of the vampire. Elizabeth took her seat at the table giving a friendly nod to Vladislav. After the final trial against the Blood God she was now convinced of the Primogen’s heritage… that he too was one of them. And the perfect one to replace Tai-Wei. It was also the perfect one for her. About two years ago she was host to her old friend Vladislav for a long time. And she knew she could always count on his support. Now she brings the Council a new member that has been her friend and trusted templar for years. If all went well she would have three of the ten votes in her complete control.