Intro... New Blood and Ancient Evil (#21634)


CallToPower

 

Posted

The room was dark except for the few beams of light that snuck through the cracks of the vertical blinds covering the windows. The noise of the streets below began to dim as the sun drew past the horizon in retreat from the approaching night. Markis’ eyes focused in on the small silvers of light that fell across him as he lay motionless on the bed. Watching little dust particles dance within the light, Markis’ thoughts drifted off to recount the day. He tried to remember the last time he felt so alive! It was funny to even think of the word alive, musing to himself. As he did not think anyone would say that a vampire was alive at all. Either way he could not recall any other time in at least the past hundred years that he felt close to being human again. To finally meet someone that knew what he was and yet accept and trusted him was something he had longed for many years. Markis’ reflections were rudely interrupted by the dull ringing of the phone next to him on the nightstand. Coming back to the here and now Markis lazily reached over and picked-up the wireless handset.

“Hello.”, he said with a slight questioning tone.
“Mark its Val” the headset spoke back to him.
“Hey Val, what’s going on?”
“We have a problem Mark.” she spoke back with a hint of urgency in her voice.
Sitting up on the edge of the bed, “What is it?”
“Its Di’nessa, she has finally done it.”
If a vampire could feel a chill Markis just felt one down his spine.
“What do you mean, what’s going on?” he spoke quickly.
“You know her little pet project she has been working on? The one we never thought would come to bear any results?”
“Yeah.”, Markis spoke with hesitation and a slight feeling of worry.
“Well it has. Some of the locals apparently found what she was looking for. How she found out about this I don’t know. I do know that those locals belong to that sect of magi that you have crossed paths with in the past.”
“No!” was all he could muster to say as Valery continued.
“You know what will happen if she gets her hands on the contents of that coffin?”
Markis just sat in silence as Valery’s voice continue to flow from the headset. Just thinking about Di'nessa caused a feeling of rage well up in Markis.

“This city will be in ruins within a month. Everyone here will either be dead or a member of one of the houses.” Valery paused for a short time then continued.

Valery is one of the humans Markis keeps in touch with from time to time. She had a canny ability to learn about the happenings within Paragon. Some of the information she came across has helped Markis fight against his “brethren” in the past so they keep each other updated. Now it appears as though her ability has uncovered something Markis has been worried about since he first learned that Di’nessa was seeking the coffin that contained Lord Arndreth’s heart.

Di’nessa has always been one to seek out the most pleasure without regard to anyone else. Her drive to indulge in pleasure is so strong that she willing became a vampire so that she could forever partake in the extravagances of the world. She has long since forgotten her mortal life and is over 600 years old. Currently she commands a small group of young vampires known as the Shadow Lurkers by those in the mortal realm. Even though she still strives for pleasure, Di’nessa has decided she wants power too. Just as with her craving for pleasure she will let nothing stop her from getting what she wants. So much so that she is willing to go against the other houses of the vampires to raise an ancient and power vampire lord in hopes that he will give her the power she seeks.

“That includes your new found “friend” as well Markis.” Valery spoke with an unsure voice.
Sighing deeply, “I know what it means Val. Trust me I know firsthand what Di’nessa is capable of doing.” Markis would know Di'nessa very well as it was her that make him a vampire.

Markis was born in the late 17th century. He lived a simple life where he helped his family run a small bakery in the heart of London. He was not a social person by nature but sometimes he would join the few friends he kept close to evening parties hosted by the more affluent citizens. It was at one of these parties that he was noticed by the Lady Di’nessa who took an immediate interest in the handsome young man. Markis showed no interest in her though. Not to be denied her conquest, shortly after Markis left the party Di’nessa hunted and made him a vampire thinking he would be the perfect plaything. Even though he was turned Markis' soul was not. He still held respect for life and as such would only hunt the villains of the time to sedate his hunger. Over the years he has learned to control his thirst that he has even entertained love with mortals. To this day he still secretly fights to save the humankind from the blight of the vampires that just see them as food or playthings.

“So what are we going to do?” Valery asked. “You cannot go up against Di’nessa alone.”
Silence was the only response Valery got back from the other end of the line.
“Markis?”
“I’m here Val. I am just trying to think of what to do. One option I have is not one that I think will be easy.”
“What?” she asked with curiosity.
“I might have to try and get some of the “heroes” of Paragon to help in this.” he said with hesitation.
“Oh, umm...” Valery started to speak.
“I know Val. It will be hard to convince them of my intentions but if I was able to convince you that I am not like the others then I must try to convince others to help me now.”
“OK I realize that Mark but who? Who will you approach that will not just first see you as a vampire and try to kill you on sight.” she questioned.
“I can only think of one but lets how this hero has friends that can also help. I have to go Val. Can’t waste any time.” Markis spoke the last words in a rush.
“OK, OK. Keep me posted. And Markis, good luck and be careful.”

Clicking the hang-up button Markis threw the phone on the bed and rushed to get dressed. He had to hurry to try and save the people of Paragon he had come to care for. Some even more than others.


 

Posted

And of course I just noticed I posted to the wrong forum. Sigh.