The Battles

...Her name is Crystal. She has been a vampire for 300 years...and a woman for 200. How wonderful to find a doctor who was "gifted" with being a creature of the night;as she was! The first 100 years were pure terror...an eternity as a male. She owed Dr. Darkner so much...but there is eternity to pay back his selfless deed. now, she was a woman,her TRUE gender;

Only since then did she realize that This vampire existence was rather fun! How Crystal loved to tease the mortal males into having sex with her...and all the while,they thought it was free!! "HA!" she remembers;as she licks her full bloody lips...

One night Crystal was prowling, looking for another man to receive of his blood. She was certain none of these puny men would ever be anything but a pleasant meal for her. However, tonight seemed different. She felt strange, expectant. What could be going on here...oh my.

Suddenly she saw a very handsome young man. What is your name, she inquired. This was part of her game she enjoyed so much. "Quentus" he responded. Suddenly a shock went thru her body...oh my what could this mean??

It was the name. Deffinetly. Quentus. In her mind she replayed over and over the way his sweet mouth moved when he said it. Quentus. A word that is so delightful it must be repeated by the one who said it. "Quentus", she said. "Indeed. What do they call you." Her mind scrambled. Her name? How the hell could she forget her name? She looked him over. About 6 feet tall with dark hair. His eyes were black with flecks of blue in them and his skin had the off white pigment of milk. "Crystal. They call me crystal", she stambered. She went back to her esamination. Those eyes. So alluring and nostalgic yet frightful. Scared to look at them but unable to stop. Did she know him?

Crystal shook her head, and tried to gaize absently around the smokey bar. Was he aware of her reaction and that she had been inspecting him? She struggled with her most alluring yet noncommital look. "I knew a Quintas once," she observed as she sipped what could have appeared to others as a fine red wine. He turned and smiled, with those lovely eyes, almost holding a twinkle of amusement. Just then, the atmosphere of the room seemed to change, almost bristle! "Quintas!" Another man with a deep melodic voice was speaking form behind her. She did not even have to turn to sense he was not mortal.

Smoothly she pushed the bar stool around to get a better look at the man. Blue Jeans, Black shirt, thin black leather tie. His skin was pale and his eyes seemed to glow in the dim light of the bar. He was unusual however in that his hair which she expected to be black or dark, was a brownish auburn. Quickly her eys searched his neck and there for sure was the tatoo. This man was no ordinary immortal. He was a seer.

Immediately;Quentus approached Crystal. Rather surprised by his abruptness,Crystal froze,but for only a moment. Quickly,She recovered,and came on guard,eyeing him suspiciously. "My Lady Crystal" He began speaking,voice low but crisp"You are in danger!" Crystal tossed back her head;her shining black hair tosseling down her back."Oh AM I?" "Please"he began again"I have come to warn you" "Why would YOU want to help ME?"she asked;now somewhat interested. "THAT; we can discuss at another time"he began, restlessly...right now;I must tell you..."His concerned eyes met hers "Your master ,...CREATOR...'Celine',knows that you are now a woman..." Crystal's eyes flashed, as she spoke clearly"It took her HOW many years to discover this? I do not belong to her...she PLAYED with me ...why should SHE care??"Then she gave a little laugh."HA" "Please Madame!"He said,as he stepped closer"This is not to scoff at!!!! She is VERY angry! My dear lady, In her rage..."Quentus began looking quite upset, "She has... KILLED Dr. Darkner!!DESTROYED HIM!" "And there is more horror to come!" Crystal's eyes became red as fire as she.........

Retorted....killed him did she. How can she be sure he is really dead. He has power she knows not off, not to mention the not inconsiderable power of myself. Does she not have any idea how even the ATTEMPT to destory him brings forces to bear again her that could very easily destroy her completely???

Please madame, Quentus implores, this is what I fear...I hope that we will not find unleased here the means to ALL of our destructions. You know as well as I that should you attach Celine in search of revenge, that that will bring the wrath of Dorkus upon you..and the spiral of destruction will have just begin.

Crystal looked at Quentus for a moment in puzzlement and careful consideration of how to respond. Ok, Quentus, I will hold my wrath in check for a moment..please explain more about why I should be careful not to arrange Dorkus' wrath, I have heard only whisperings in the most muted tones about that great one. "I am your student in this matter".

"It's all about the code of vampires. You never kill your own kind. expecially your creator. It's not natural. Dorkus is one of the ancients. No one has seen the ancient one in centuries. So powerful, so old, so wise, Dorkus is beyond the physical laws that govern us, outside of time and space. It, because Dorkus has no real gender, can appear in any form in any time and place. It is wispired that Dorkus is so strong, it hasn't fed in over a millinium and they also say, it drank the blood of Nazareth. Imagine, crystal. The very blood of Christ. Such an immense, ancient, and horrifying creature. It is said that Dorkus has recently risen after a century of hybernating in the sands of the Sahara. The creature has since grown tired and vexatious with the younger fledlings. Dorkus wants to bring about a coming of the old ways. Establish a new coven and bring order to the creatures of the night. Throwing it's wrath on you for killing your creator is just the starting point that Dorkus would need. In the mean time you must handle that thing on the other side of the room. He knows what you are. Be careful crystal.....

Crystal thought a minute. There was much to think about. Hummmm....Dorkus, the ageless. She had heard the rumours, what Quentus had just told her explained so much. Some how she knew every word was the truth. She did have to be careful....no revenge for the time being against her creator. Let the Mama Vamp hang herself as it were.

Oh but the creature who knew what she was....who was Quentus referring to??? Hmmmm. She scanned the room, at first seeing nobody that stood out. Then out of the corner of her eye she saw him. Tall, black of hair, very very slender...hmmm and with a weird glint in his eye. In the same moment she saw him, he acknowledged his recognition that she had recognized his presense. "hello, I am Rabori" he said so low that Crystal barely heard him. Instead she was certainly that nobody other than herself heard him at all....except perhaps Quentus. Her heart suddenly jumped with horrible dread. What could Robori showing up in this out of the way bar mean????????? (shudder)

Crystal sighed...gosh, life is so confusing. So many people were involved in this situation. She was so grateful that QUENTAS the seer was helping her, giving her such good guidelines. It was obvious to her now that her initial attraction to that creature, QUENTUS was like a moth's attraction to the flame...true death calling her. Looking at Quentus now, she could see the malice behind that angelic smile...... A shudder of fear ran thru her body.

How clever of Celine to kill her surgeon DR DARKNER..the one thing sure to provoke her wrath. Celine had wanted a war, especially one that would bring down the wrath of that Ancient one DORKUS on her. How diabolically clever of Celene. But then she had always been such.

However, something else was just outside her consciousness. She knew with a little thougth and perhaps a little research she could fiqure this out. How come Quentas and Quentus had such similar names????? There was a reason she was certain. The answer was just outside her reach...hmmmmmmmmmm Quentas so very good (a seer being of the kindest of the various parts of her benighted society.) and Quentus, alto oooooh so very beautiful it took her breath away being a rapakind...one of the worst.`And then Rabone too..what was his story...hmmmmmmmm. Interesting that Rabone and Quentus were both here tonight.

Then of course there was the other issue. Celine and her murder of Dr Darkner. Dr Darkner had been a seer AND a surgeon. His specialty had been fulfilling the wishes that would make the undead happy. So why then would the protection of Dorkus not extend to him??? Could Quentus be wrong in thinking that killing Celine would bring Dorkus' wrath on her?? Surely Dorkus wanted his children to be happy.

As she was thus pondering, a very very deep quiet descended on the bar. Suddenly she knew that some of her questions were going to be resolved very quickly....she realized she was nervous...very excited and at the same time scared. This feeling was a bit like what she understood Celine to be describing when she alluded to a visitation of one of the Ancient Ones. Hmmmmmmmmmm.

As the clock chimed midnight,Crystal decided that she must hunt now,and put her confused thoughts aside...if for only a moment. As she rose to leave the bar and begin her search,the bar doors flew open. It was DORKUS,who entered...his eyes finding Crystal Immediately...

DORKUS....she had never seen such an otherworldly presense. Tall, impossibly tall, and so slender with an ethereal look about him.

He smiled so calmly and she knew she was about to learn about many things. "ah", he said, "you are one of the more receptive ones". I can tell you know something of the truth even now. Tell me, he whispered, what do you think of Quentus and Quentas???? She felt almost carassed by his words...honored that he would deign to speak much less to treat her almost as an equal. Well, she stammered, I am not sure. He responded "hazard a guess, my dear one".

Well, she said, I feel that they are somehow related...yet so very different. I cant quite put it into words. I know that Quentus is a rapakind..a most vile being. Hmmmmmm, Dorkus responded, do you indeed, with the hint of a smile. Well......I think so, she murmurred. Or maybe not...hmmmmm.

Dorkus exclaimed.....oh so you have doubt. Does it perhaps occur to you then that we all have our roles. Some of us are "creators" and some "destroyers". That path is chosen before time begins...and incidently many of us have played different roles. However, every once in a while, a receptive one comes along. One who is able to perceive more. If it makes you feel better Dr Darkner is not dead....that was a test. I wanted to see two things...if Celine was truely a destroyer or a creator....and she gave me THAT information. But also if you would care enuf to want to right that wrong BUT also receptive enuf to know that there can easily be other things at stake.

Crystal felt faint..so much information..and yet somehow she knew part of her had known all along. What really surprised her was Dorkus next statement.

"I have been to see The good Doctor...He wants to see you." Crystal stepped back;Why would he want to see me now? Did he know that Celine had his very "being" in her hands? Did she toy with him? ;really mean to harm him? or was what Dorkis said correct?Was It all a test? Is he angry now? "Very well"Crystal replied"I will see him."

Crystal found out where Dr. Darkner was resideing now;and began a short journey to his dwelling. Finding the old house,Crystal went to the door and knocked lightly. The door slowly opened,and Dr. Darkner peered out. Seeing that it was Crystal,he opened the door fully and welcomed her inside. "I am relieved that you are O.K." Crystal began."I heard that you wanted to see me?" Alex Darkner looked into Crystal's eyes,allowing her to see his blue eyes bareing down on her. He was not angry. and,thanks to any God,he was unharmed. "Crystal..."Alex began."Dorkus has told me of your wanting to thank me." Crystal started to reply,but Alex put a finger to her lips"You already have...or should I say,that I actually owed you..." He turned"Not that I was aware of what I am about to tell you...Dorkus showed me the light...he told me..." "What?"Crystal asked,shaking slightly. "Well,Crysatal...100 years before you were a vampire,you were a male.We know that.BUT...100 years BEFORE that...in another life...you were a mortal female. You gave birth to a baby boy who at the age of 26 was attacked by a beast,and became a vampire. That young man became a doctor,selfishly,to see if a cure to our darkness could be found. Crystal...that baby;that young man and doctor was,is,me. You are my mother from another life. I survived that life of yours and buried you. You were then reborn as a man. Do you understand?" As Alex turned around,he was just in time to catch Crystal,as she fell into his arms.

(moan!!!) finally Crystal woke up...what had happened....oh yes, Dr Darkner was still alive and was indeed her son from another incantation. Something within her told her it was all true.

So, Alex, (since you are actually my son and friend, I think it ok to call you Alex), what of the cure. Is there one, for I have known you to go out in the daylight. Well, Alex replied, not exactly...it is just that with a right spirit one can rarify oneself and become more "other worldly" than "undeed"..much as Dorkus has over time. However, studying at the feet of Dorkus allows you to progress faster than the 5,000 years that it took him to arrive at his present state. Besides, that path is open only to certain few of the undead. That is why we did the test. If you thought Celine had killed me, I knew your anger and pain would make you want to destroy her, despite the injunction against killing one's own kind. The REAL test was to see if you could be open to the possibly that there was more to look at than what was obvious. "so I passed the test then" asked Crystal??? "yes" Alex responded or "you would not be here". He went on to add that he was eternally grateful she HAD passed the test. A day is coming when the undead who refuse to change will have to be disposed of, and I would much hate to have to do such to my mother.

They embraced for a long time. Suddenly Dorkus tall nimble form came thru the doorway, or rather they became aware that he was in the door. "Come Crystal, it is time for your first lesson"...the words reverbated thru Crystals' head.

Oh my, what was to come now??????????

Crystal and Dorkus walked out into the night. "If my first lesson is successful;may I also walk in the light?Crystal asked. "The more lessons that you learn"Dorkus began"The more POWER you will have to OVERCOME some of the obstacles that stand in the way of the others,that are vampires." "As mysterious as ever!" Crystal sighed,with a small laugh. Just then "Quentas"appeared at the end of the block. He was walking towards them.when...

suddenly, she "heard" him speak. "hi, Crystal, congratulations on passing the test" she heard in her head. She looked from Quentas to Dorkus in time to see a very wan mysterious smile. Aha, so the test she had just undergone was rewarded by this...the ability to telepatically communicate with seers, one of the most powerful of the undead socieity. She looked back at Quentas to see that he was beaming with pride..and she knew the pride was for her. Such love and affection she felt radiating from both Dorkus and Quentas. How could she ever have feared Dorkus..the Ancient One. He is the very essense of love, she thought. Hmmmm, was that Quentus she saw out of the corner of her eye??

It certainly was Quentus! As he approached,Crystal noticed another,walking up beside him. Celine! What was THIS about? Celine pushed ahead of Quentus."You arrogant little fool,you!Do you think that you are safe now?" Quentus just smirked,as Crystal turned towards her teachers"Now what?"she began..."And I thought that the rest of this evening was going to be sexually satisfying..."....

Hmmm...she thought to herself...how interesting that Celine would be brave enought to come on so nastily in front of Dorkus of all people. Not for nothing was she referred to as the biggest bitch among the undead. Then she heard Dorkus "whisper" in her ear..."she seems me not...nor does Quentus....think only of our love and we will elevate you such that they cant see you either". Crystal dwelled on their loving kindness to her for just a moment and suddenly she saw a puzzled look in Celine's eyes "where did they go Quentus?? They were right here." Meanwhile Crystal felt the embrases of both Dorkus and Quentas...and warm flowed over her. Ahhh, such esctasy. Now she could simply enjoy the purity pleasure of it. Perchance in a bit she could think upon it and describe it to herself for she knewn this was very important (that she understand it) but not now. For Now...just ESCTASY!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!

So,Crystal walked back to Alex Darkner's house,with Quentas and Dorkus. Alex welcomed them back inside,as Quentas and Dorkus,led Crystal into the room where Alex had been waiting.Crystal went directly up to Alex and As Crystal kissed Alex's lips,Quentas and Dorkus excused themselves,and went back out into the night. Alex looking in Crystal's eyes said faintly"I am your son"...Crystal just laughed,and looking back to him said"Darling! That was in another life!! Kissing him again,she bit his lips gently...