Subterranean Darkness

[Calli]

Sare wasn't stupid, she was oh so careful when she lowered herself into the grate, and if only that little girl hadn't screamed, Sare would have been able to get away without a singular problem. With a oh so gentle wince, she could only look towards the beast as it knew now her position and of course a hand had flown to her hip, where her presiouse sword was positioned.

Oddly enough it did not attack, merely turned tail and ran, the heavy footfalls and spalshes of water told her where he was going, and thanks to massive girth, his runnign footfalls resounded, even when light was forsaken to her, for yes she was following, the sound of her own footfalls could have betrayed her position but why would he be listening that carefully? Why think she'd follow into his realm.

But the thing that didn't serve her well was the massive girth provided footfalls that would echo through a good many of the tunnels, the roar did not help either... nor the little girls scream.. though that one she could somewhat tell of the position... somewhat, no completely and with silences now falling over her like a soffocating blanket, she knew the preditor was probly laying in wait for its prey. All she could use was her sixth sense. hoping it would guide her to his position. And for now she kept a hand to her hip, her digits griping the hilt of her trusted sword... her steps carefuly and basically silent, her form kept close to the walls. She was trying not to let the creature have the element of surpise. But this was his realm, not her own.

[Clockworkchicken]

The city was big. Vast, that's for sure, and one could easely get lost in it's draining canals, aswell as hide if one knew the way down there. One thing was certain: it wasn't a pleasant place to be for some mere mortal. But Aaron wasn't a mere mortal, atleast he didn't feel like one. The thought didn't keep him busy though; the vampire infront of him did. It was not some special, high leader or something, but there where many who wanted his head, so he had been following him for the past day, and finaly he got tired of waiting. Growling loudly in his bloodrage, he stood infront of Aaron, ready to fall out.

Aaron kept silent, a smile, almost a grin on his face, as he looked toward him, ready to draw a weapon if needed. Both had been in a fight before, that was seen by the ragged clothing, but as the vampire showed barely any wounds, Aaron's mortal blood dripped down over his cheek, and down his arm, which was probably the reason the vampire lost control. Then, the vampire left a snarl, and leaped forward. As fast as possible, Aaron jumped to the site, as the vampire almost hit him. He then turned around, and pushed the vampire with it's chest to the wall. He didn't wait, he knew the vampire would simpely trow him back if he did. Else, he drew his magnum, and placed him horizontal against the lower part of his head, and pulled the trigger. As expected, his head splattered against the wall. Quickly pulling his hand back, Aaron muttered slightly, with a smile on his face "even night people need brains" as the liveless, and headless body slid down the wall, like some ragdoll.

Just as he was about to sheat his gun, the roar almost pulled him off his feet, but he managed to just stay, so that his only reaction was the turn of his head "what the.." he whispered, as he quickly looked around. He knew something dwelled deeper in the tunnels, something big, he learned that trough mere rumors, but he knew it existed, and it would probably be dangerous, he silently oversaw. The smile came back on his lips, as his ego came up "then again, the slayer would be famous." he brought out, again in a whisper. With that, he sheated the gun, and walked down the tunnel he was in.

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron kept walking along, slowly, and almost soundless. trying as best to avoid the few, old, flickering lights, probably ment to be used by maintenense(sp) workers who came down here. Carefully, he checked every corner, every cross with another pipe, just to check if it was here.

All of the sudden, two pairs of feet where softly heard, not much but it was there. For a single moment, he even thought it was his imagination, but when he held his breath, to get rid of the disturbing noise inside his head of in- and exhaling, he defenately heared them.
Quickly, and silent, he moved to the side of the tunnel the footsteps came from. It wasn't that thing: the massive footsteps came from somewhere else, and he didn't seem to try to hide himself. Silently, he waited for the soft footsteps to approach. Again, he held his breath, and pulled his knive from his sleeve. With a little luck, the woman ignored him, and walked by.

At that moment, he quickly moved from the shadows, into the open (not that it was much lighter) that was a risk he had to take, and at that moment, the woman (Sare that is) could probably strike, if swift enough. But, as quick as he could, he grabbed her arms, and pushed them tightly on her back, pulling her against him. Then, he moved his other hand with the knive in it, against her troath, speaking as soft as possible in her ear. "I'm not in the mood to kill another soul. Who are you, and why are you here? when you are no danger, I'll let you go." This, he ment. Against a common enemy, he would be glad to have an ally. But, with the world he was living in, he couldn't take the small risk.

[Calli]

Sare was completely focased upon her prey. The gigantic beast who had a small girl captive. Sare was so completely engrossed in this mission shge missed the man who was hiding within the shadows that was until she felt the cold metal pressed to her delicate flesh and the arms holding her still.

Sare grinned as she heard a human voice and couldn't help but laugh at his words. It was a soft mocking laughter. "Please. You wish to threaten me? Do you reconize my garments?" She pointed to the severe white garments she wore. The mallorys loved black and white. For they symbolised the breaking of the forces of yin and yang, good and evil.

"Then again... mahybe you wish to dance with the bringer of death. It is you who are in the wrong place! Leave the demon to me. I'm well qualified for the deal. I've taken care of vampires, daquires and licans. " She sneered slightly as she knew this stupid chatter was keeping her from her goal. The monster would be getting further away....

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron smirked slightly at first as she started talking, and at the end, the mere smirk turned into a downing, mocking laughter. With a quick move, he pulled the dagger from her troath, and pointed it to the back of her head "listen missy, I don't care what..." he stopped a moment, to look her over judgingly "...garnments you wear, or what faction you serve, it doesn't give you more right" he looked at her, his eyes half closed in mistrust.

"it is YOU who should beware when mocking Aaron Overland, profesional demon hunter" he says, with a proud grin on his lips. "now, I have no need to slay you on the spot, but there are two options: we go together, or I go alone" he moved the dagger slightly, so it would jerk in her skin a little "the choise is completely yours"

[Calli]

Sare was far from scared. In fact this behavior amused her. As she heard his name she quirked up a brow. She knew the name. She had heard it pass the lips of the only vampire she feared to kill. Sare turned on her heel and looked at him with her arms across her chest.

"I know you. Not much of a demon hunter though. You always get saved by one. Calli Kenisa ring a bell?" Sare laughed. "No worries. I've tried to kill her as well, but I'vw given up long ago. Now listen here. I'm not going to be ordered around. I'm following this monster because I dispise watching innocents murdered." Sare drew her ancient blade and pointed in the direction she was going. "Two pairs of eyes are better then one. After this mission is finished. Expect no respect." She then turns about and starts walking.

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron frowned deeply, even though it probably wouldn't be seen in the dark. Quickly, he pulled the knive back and sheated it in the sheat on his hip. "There will be a day when the roc will fall, though... frikin' vulture..."

He sighed slightly, but then smiled, at her comment. He arched his brows for a moment, and then said "Well, you won't be particular on my A-list either, since I prefer to walk alone" He placed one hand lightly on her shoulder. "But I apriciate your optimism." He then released her shoulder, and followed her silently into the darkness.

[Calli]

Sare froze as she felt a touch on her shoulder. When it was removed she relized she had stopped breathing. "Never, ever touch me...." She practically hissed. Her steps came even quicker as she started towards where she thought the monster was.

Her footsteps weren't loud, from years of training she knew how to keep these monsters from Knowing her position. Upon coming to a corner she slowed. It was here that she heard the paiun filled sob of the little girl. Sare winced, her hand gripped the hilt of her blade tightly.

The creature wanted them to pursue it. She didn't understand what it had in mind, it it had enough of a brain to even think of a plan. Pursing her lips she started her slow pace once again, trying to get past the echo's that could confuse so easily. She held up a hand to keep this man a bit behind her and to motion for him to remain silent.

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron remained as silent as a mouse. Henche, as silence as a dead mouse. He was mortal, yes, but he wasn't stupid. At first, he shove forward a bit every time, but when they came to more rainwater flooded parts, even that made too mutch noise to his ears, so he tried to walk past the sides a bit more, and ofcourse to keep up with wonder woman infront of him.

Quickly, he unsheated his handguns, and aimed at the place he heared the crying child's voice, but it was no use, because soon the echoes made it look like it came from everywhere. He didn't take trouble to listen carefully, and just followed Sare with increased alertness.

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron and Sare had been walking for several hours now, following the abomination that was ahead of them. Aarons feet became weary, and he became tired. It wasn't something for him, but he was starting to give it up. Under a slow, and somewhat more clumbsy feet of a tired human, a small bone snapped. Chicken probably, but it did make him jump up a bit, but not something to notice for someone walking a few yards ahead. Far in the darkness, a loud moan was sound. It was the fleeing patient #0023, no doubt, but it was the distance that was troubeling. It sounded over a mile away.

"Let's give up this chase Sare!"

He lowered his arms that he was holding all the time, as if it became part of his body, and slowly sat down against the sewer wall.

"I'm not one that easely gives up, but I'm weary, and I know you are too"

He sheathed his guns, and flicked out a flask of liquour from his belt, popping it open with his thumb, and taking a long gulp. After he whiped his mouth on his sleeve, he continued.

"Besides, if she was really hurt, the child has bleeded to death, already. I want it dead too, but this chase is useless... let's go back"

[Calli]

Sare sighed quietly as Aaron sat down. Sare was tiring and she didn't wish to admit it. The high heel of her boots was causing her feet to cramp, her leg muscles felt as if they were wieghed down by lead. She turned slightly towards the man and offered a extremly faint smile. Time to face the facts.

"Yes.... Sadly you are probably right...." This was in answer to the last statment. About the young child. "It's just... this creature shouldn't be let go!" Her silver toned eyes shifted down the tunnel. She had heard the groan to. And the sound... it was so faint it did give more then a subtle hint at the distance.

"Justice must wait it seems...." Sare whispered. She ran her fingers through her long silky hair. "Seems I must go to my home and face the family. I failed another mission." She shook her head, clearly irritated at herself. She began pacing with no thought of her weary feet. She knew she was using up her energy for the return trip but currently she didn't care. The idea of another failure was eating at her mind.

[Clockworkchicken]

Aaron was nodding aprovingly trough the whole story, taking occational sips from his flask. On the word combination 'failed' 'mission' and 'another', though, he perked his ears intensively, and then bursted out in a hearty laughter, echoeing across the walls of the sewers, so it made him smuther his own laughter with his hand, to a mere chuckle.

"Failed another mission?!"

he brought out, but then quickly clears his troath.

"I mean, yes, it will be terrible news for the family, but I'm afraid we have no other choise"

He got up from the floor, and his thought was totally with his warm bed, with one empty space free, if she wanted. H e shook his head from this thought, as Sare just continued to pace down the hall, almost more stubborn then he was. He smiled mockingly, and just watched her.

"Why do you keep trying to be the 'good guy'?"

He sighed, and turned his head away with closed eyes.

"Heroism makes blind? I thought only love could do that"

He turns back his head, and pushed away from the wall, to walk along with her. She is mad, he knew. This wasn't heroism at all, this was suicide. He didn't even had to prove himself against this nutter.

"you are insane! While I take a good night rest now, when I wake up, you will probably lay in the gutter, completely exhausted! Don't think I'll be heading out to get you."

He moved to the site of the sewer, and grapped the iron grips leading to the sewer exit in the ceiling.

"Final chance to see that this enemy has outrun you. Come along now, or I'll report the death of the girl, AND the death of their mercenary"

He waited a moment or two, but then dropped his head with a sigh. Slowly, he started climbing to the top.

[Calli]

Sare narrowed her eyes as he burst into waves of merth. A flash of anger flew over her face, fists clenched. As he tried to smother his laughter, her eyes rolled. Sare went from angery, to annoyed to shamed. She nodded as he blurted out those three words.

"Sadly I'm not as reknown or sucessful as your little love intrest Calli." These words came out with a sneer. Sare didn't enjoy being laughed at. Her parents, her whole family for Christs sakes got on her back for being was her brother called 'The Failure.' Being trained as a fighter as soon as possible, she had gone through rigerous routines, the same as all her brothers, sisters and cousins. Yet never managed to reach their calaber.

"Now. I know. Their is no other way but to leave it at this. You don't need to remind me whats best. I'm no child." Sare stalked away before he could even offer her a drink. But she did turn back after a moment, hesitated before saying. "My families Mansion is just on the outskirts of town. Near Treason Forest. It is most likely closer to the Nexxus Unit then your home. If you'd like to sleep in a guest room, you are welcome." She emphisesed guest with a tiny smile.

[Sakuris]

Caim opened his eyes, blackness.....He thought for a momentbefore rasing himself, stiff joints creaking, he gave a little stretch a smile forming on his lips, not that it mattered, no one could see. He wondered how he had got to this place gingerly stepping forward only to find the floor missing and dropping aout two feet into an un seen pit. He landed with an ''UMPH'' the wind getting knocked out of him, tuning over slowly he reopened his eyes, ''maybe we need to adjust to the darkness'' he regularly talked to himself all of his friends always laughed at him for both his sheer clumsiness and the fact he liked talking to himself. The wind returning to his lungs he stood up, ''or maybe some light'', he raised his hand ''Onimu'' a small ball of flame burst form his open palm, ''lovely now let's try and find a way out'' pulling himself from the space he dragged his heels as hewalked towards what seemed to be the only available opening in the wall, he reached for his sword but found it wasn't there, ''What the...'' he never left the barracks without it, so shaking his head he wlaked along empty passages and corridors, each turn he thought leading him to anothe dark place.

Half an hour later he was still wondering if there was a way out when he wandered into the room with Calli and without realising fell over her, ball of flame rolling across the floor.

[Calli]

A dark, cold and dank room. One that most humans couldn't see a foot infront of their faces. For Calli it was the equivelent of dusk. Only some places were cast in shadows and fine details were lost. She had sat herself down upon the cold stone floor of the place, her long cloak spread out under her. Her leather attire of a halter top that only covered her breasts and loose pants that allowed movement, didn't bring much warmth to her body. But Calli didn't notice the cold all that much. She had her sword held loosly in her hand just in case she needed it and her senses were on full alert.

But no matter the strength or acuteness of her senses would have enabled her to expect the human that came towards her was going to stumble over his own fat feet, trip over her and land on the ground. She raised an idle eyebrow, a small smile creeping up upon her lips. But she said nothing.