((blood and memories; ~windsong~ part c. read the other parts first, neh?))

“He... He smiled. Smiled and said: Ah, well, Kaine-san. I am a monster, after all. It’s actually a rather fitting punishment for a monster, neh? I don’t believe... I will ever forget that...” the blonde slowly responded, his tone flat, his voice weak. “An odd thing for... A ‘dying, ancient monster’ to say, isn’t it?” the man then questioned, his voice level, emotionless. “A dying, ancient monster,” Kaine murmured quietly, his words trailing off as he again gagged, blood leaking from both corners of his blistered lips.

“A dying, ancient monster?” A harsh thing to say about the elemental, wasn’t it? Dying and ancient, a monster... Mithra let out a sigh, his gaze moving to the blonde demon’s face, taking in his expression. His eyes tightly closed, yet his face... For a moment, a look of... What was that? The small framed man blinked, raising a magenta eyebrow. A weary, melancholy expression? On the Letrum Venator? Okay. He really is acting odd.

“Not my words, Starne. That is a direct quote from our wonderful Councilman Nuiwa. A bit before he ‘kissed’ me, actually,” Kaine replied, a hint of a wry smile briefly gracing his burned, raw lips.

“Oh. Well, that makes sense. He doesn’t exactly hold a real high opinion of Druuvbin, does he?” Mithra remarked with a short, humorless laugh, shaking his head. Such an arrogant bastard... The slender, small framed man took in a weary breath, his vibrant purple eyes holding a trace of anger. Ikenna Nuiwa... Such a conceited fool. Though compared to the rest of the Council... He’s actually mild. Sad, but true. Though egotistical and obsessive, the man was one of the few members on the Council that wasn’t entirely corrupt. Which is why the Council is so eager to get rid of him...

“He’s quite... The pompous fool, isn’t he?” the blonde demon inquired, his voice abruptly switching back to a more blasé, carefree tone. “Though... I believe it might not have been wise...To tell him that...” the man added lightly, blood continuing to slowly drip from both corners of his blistered lips.

Wait... Mithra’s eyes widened and he raised an eyebrow, a disbelieving look appearing on his feminine face. “Sir... You mean you actually called Ikenna Nuiwa... You called him a pompous fool? To his face?” the small framed demon nearly squeaked, incredulity tinting his light voice. Was... Was he completely out of his mind? I knew he said he provoked him but... Fuck, did that take some balls.

“That was rather foolish of me, yet I somehow couldn’t resist,” Kaine remarked with another small smile, though a look of pain flashed across his pale features and he winced, taking in a sharp breath.

“Sir?” the magenta haired demon inquired, apprehensively taking in the man, his blood drenched uniform, his blistered, burned lips, his tightly closed eyes... He’s getting worse. I really need to get the fool out of here, Mithra thought with a frown, continuing to watch the suffering Letrum Venator, noting his limp position, his legs spread out before him, his hands resting lifelessly by his sides... The cell phone lying beside him, covered in blood... Too much blood.

“Though I believe... It was probably the fact that... He believes I let Malba go that really angered him,” the blonde Hunter commented evenly, his yellow eyes slowly opening, focusing on Mithra.

The small framed demon remained in silence a few moments, taking in Kaine’s words. Well... Did you? Mithra wasn’t honestly sure what to make of the whole situation. If the Letrum Venator had been able to obtain Malba Nuiwa’s blood... Then... How had the man escaped? If Kaine had found him... And those bullet wounds... Why would Kaine have let someone shoot him? A mere gun? He must have... He... Had the Letrum Venator, Death Hunter for Tevrra... Had he actually let a designated target go? It... He almost had to have. Yet, why? I... Mithra frowned, his vibrant purple eyes moving to meet Aevik Kaine’s yellow gaze. “Sir... Did you let Malba Nuiwa go?” he questioned, his voice quiet, unsure. Am I insane? Why the hell am I asking him? Hopefully the man wouldn’t get too angry...

“Of course,” Kaine responded simply, faintly shrugging his shoulders. The Letrum Venator again tightly closed his eyes, a frown on his lips.

“...Oh.” Well. He hadn’t expected that frank of an answer. He also had expected the man to at least show a bit of anger over his direct question, yet... Kaine only looked... He only looked weary. So he... He really did let Nuiwa go. “Sir... That... You do realize that...” Mithra started, however trailed off, a perplexed, puzzled expression playing across his feminine features. He could be executed for that. The Letrum Venator letting a target go, that...

“The consequences? I hardly care, Starne. It’s not the first rule I’ve broken, I assure you,” the blonde confessed, a hint of amusement tinting his weak voice. “That’s not something to be concerned about,” he added, briefly opening his eyes long enough to meet Mithra’s gaze, giving the man a small smile.

“Sir... May I... Uh, ask...” the small framed demon began, yet paused, not sure he wanted to press his luck with questioning the Letrum Venator further on the matter. So far he hasn’t gotten angry with me... Do I really want to push him? he thought uncertainly, his purple gaze focused on the blonde’s pale face.

“Ah, you want to know why, correct?” Kaine questioned, amusement again entering his weak, deep voice. “It’s alright, Starne... I’m not going to bite you. You really... Don’t have to be so... Afraid of me,” he stated softly, lowering his head. He then spit out a mouthful of blood, a pained groan escaping him.

“Uh, well... I just... Didn’t want to intrude, sir,” Mithra stuttered, a hint of a blush tinting his cheeks. I’m not... Afraid of him, exactly. He just... Well. The man is unpredictable. I’d prefer to keep my life... So yes, I suppose he makes me a little nervous, but I’m not afraid of him. He really wasn’t. A little wary of him perhaps, but...

“I don’t know why. I suppose that’s not exactly a satisfactory answer though, is it. Yet I... I really don’t know...” Kaine stated, his tone quiet, weary. He moved a hand to weakly rub at his closed eyes, a troubled expression appearing on his bloodstained face. “I just... I despise him... But...” the Letrum Venator trailed off, gagging up more blood, his hand dropping away, his eyes closing tighter. “Ngh.”

Despise him? If he despised Malba Nuiwa, then why...? Why go to such lengths to... “You despise him, but...?” he gently prodded, forgetting for the moment to be anxious of angering the demon. This was getting too odd and curious to just leave be.

“Malba was... Such a foolish boy. For some reason, he was... Under the mistaken impression that I... Have a heart. Such a foolish thing to think, don’t you agree? I still don’t understand it and I... I despise him for it,” the Letrum Venator admitted with a frown, a perplexed tone in his weak voice. “Of course he despises me now. I made sure to see to that... Make him despise me, just as... He should...” Kaine let his sentence trail, a genuinely confused expression briefly playing across his pale face. “I... I let him go because... I... Why did I let him go?” he inquired softly, his eyes opening, a weary, suffering expression in his yellow gaze. “Why would a soulless pawn let a target go? I... Honestly don’t have a real answer... For you, Starne.”

A soulless pawn... That... Suddenly, Mithra wasn’t so sure that Aevik Kaine was ‘soulless’ at all. The look in his eyes, the tone in his voice... He had never seen the man actually... That’s emotion and he... He looks miserable. Really miserable. The small framed Hunter blinked at this realization, his pink lips forming a frown.

“Hm. One... Good thing did come from my visit with Ikenna Nuiwa, however,” Kaine commented, his tone abruptly shifting, all trace of melancholy simply vanishing, instead replaced with that trademark pleasant demeanor.

“A good thing, sir?” Mithra questioned, a bit thrown by the man’s sudden switch in mood. He’s so odd.

“Councilman Nuiwa’s ability... It... Gave me... I might have an idea... A solution to the seikon-kaijin. Though, I am not sure that... It would work,” the Letrum Venator responded, his tone taking on a hint of uncertainty, a thoughtful expression appearing on his pale, pain-stricken face.

What? A solution? What the hell was the man talking about? You just got finished saying you despise Malba Nuiwa, yet now you’re thinking of a supposed ‘solution’ to the seikon-kaijin? Kaine... Kaine was a complicated person. Though... I’m suddenly not so sure that he’s quite as emotionless as what he claims to be. Why would he do the things he does, if he were truly emotionless, truly soulless? I know the Letrum Venator is supposed to be soulless, but... “A solution, sir? But... There is no solution. That’s kind of the point, right?” Mithra inquired, a bewildered tone in his light, feminine voice.

“Hm... Yes. That’s exactly right, Starne. Which is... Why it may just... Very well work,” the blonde responded lightly, a smile forming on his raw, blistered lips. “If... I... It could work...” the man trailed off, half-choking on the blood dripping from his mouth.

Well... That made no sense...the slender demon thought, a look of bafflement briefly flashing through his vivid eyes. He really didn’t know what the hell to make of the Letrum Venator’s statement. It may work because there’s no solution? That... What the fuck is that supposed to mean? Mithra was simply too tired and frazzled, weary and... I really don’t know what that could mean. It’s... Hard to tell, knowing Aevik Kaine. “Sir... Not to anger you, but... I really think it would be best if you let me get you out of here, at least take you back to the base. Surely you would be more comfortable there than in this alley,” the magenta haired demon stated, a touch of concern bleeding into his voice as he watched the man choke, gagging up even more blood. He’s really going to bleed to death if I don’t get him some help. Of course, I don’t know if he can be helped, but it’s at least worth a shot. A hell of a lot better than lying against a wall in a cold, dank, dirty alley.

“...Comfortable? In Gahlrey? Surely... You must be joking,” Kaine responded, his tone light, somewhat amused.

Mithra blinked, a smile forming on his pink lips at the blonde Hunter’s statement. So... I take it he isn’t fond of Gahlrey either. “Well, sir. Gahlrey is a wretched place, but it’s better than lying in an alley,” he commented evenly, giving the man a small smirk.

“Yes... Well... This world is a wretched place, so I suppose it... Doesn’t really matter where I am... It all... Feels the same...” the bleeding demon admitted, his yellow eyes meeting Mithra’s vivid purple gaze.

“It... It is rather wretched, isn’t it?” the small framed man remarked with a short, bitter laugh. This world of ours... It is a wretched place. He’s right about that.

“Speaking of wretched... Virade Sefth... Is he alive?” Kaine questioned, his tone calm, yet a spark of anger briefly flickered in his yellow eyes.

“Unfortunately. Throwing tizzy fits over getting a damn shot and being a general pain in the ass,” Mithra responded, rolling his eyes, a wave of annoyance flowing through him at the memory of the arrogant bastard, so narrow minded and judgmental, so... So very stupid. Stupid and obnoxious...

“Oh? He’s still alive? Well. That’s something that will have to be rectified,” the Letrum Venator replied, his tone light, pleasant, yet an intense, dark look flashed in his eyes.

I suppose I won’t be doing that court martial paperwork after all, Mithra thought, raising an eyebrow. Rectify? Virade Sefth is a dead man. Somehow... That really made him happy. Maybe that makes me horrible, but... Kaine killing Sefth would make me really, really happy at this point... Annoying dick. That was assuming the Letrum Venator lived. It would be kind of hard for Kaine to kill Sefth if he were dead himself...

Mithra’s contemplations were abruptly cut off as Kaine gagged, lowering his head as blood freely ran from his mouth, dripping to collect on his brown attire. Damn it. “Sir... Will you please let me get you out of here? You’re going to bleed to death if you don’t at least let those doctors at the base try to help you,” he stated frankly, risking angering the demon. At this point, Mithra really was growing too concerned over the man’s quickly deteriorating health to remain quiet. It was entirely too much blood. Kaine’s face deathly white, his lips leaking so much blood... He’ll just have to get pissed. I’ve got to get him out of here.

“...I... Suppose you are right, Starne...” the blonde responded with a soft sigh, tightly closing his yellow eyes, leaning his head wearily against the dirty alley wall. “It’s rather... Unseemly... Allowing myself to... Be so very... Weak...” Kaine commented haltingly, his deep voice frail, suffering. “Incredibly unseemly.”

“Unseemly? Even if you are the Letrum Venator, you’re not impervious to pain. You’re injured. There’s nothing ‘unseemly’ about that, sir,” the slender, small framed demon responded with a smile. Could it be... Was the man embarrassed? Why the hell would he be? It’s amazing he even lived through Nuiwa’s ‘death kiss.’ He certainly has nothing to feel shame over. “The Letrum Venator is allowed to feel pain too, sir.”

“Ah... Mithra... Please... Don’t call me that...” Kaine mumbled softly, his tone far off, distant. The man then choked, a soft, low groan escaping his bloody lips.

Mithra blinked, startled by the demon’s usage of his first name, and... Startled by his request. Don’t call him the Letrum Venator? What? “Sir?” He called me Mithra... I’m surprised he even remembered my first name. It’s not as if we’re exactly close...

“Ah... My apologies, M-Starne... Ngh... That was impolite of me,” the Letrum Venator whispered weakly, his closed eyelids twitching, his body slightly sliding along the wall, as if he were about to fall to his side.

“Sir. Nothing to apologize for,” Mithra responded, quickly moving to catch the man before he could slump over to the ground. He gently kept hold of the demon’s upper right arm, helping the blonde remain in a sitting position. “Oh, and by the way, sir. You can call me whatever you like. Just... Stay alive. Is that a deal?” the magenta haired demon inquired quietly, carefully taking in the Letrum Venator’s face, the pain and... Weariness. It was quite surreal. I’m not used to seeing the man display genuine emotion. It’s usually that empty smile, but... There was nothing empty about the expression on the man’s face at the moment. Not at all.

“How is it... That such a kindhearted boy... Ended up as a Hunter... Of all things? It doesn’t suit you,” Kaine slowly responded, his tone far off, obviously nearing unconsciousness.

“Kindhearted, sir? Well, I wouldn’t go that far,” Mithra replied with a rueful grin, a bit of amusement playing in his vibrant purple eyes. “And I’m not exactly a boy, either. I am twenty-five, sir.”

“Yes well... I am a great deal older than... Twenty-five, so... To me, that seems rather young...” the blonde Hunter stated, a hint of melancholy bleeding into his otherwise pleasant, amiable demeanor.

A great deal older... Yeah. I’ll bet. Mithra wasn’t sure how old the man was, but... Well. I know he has to be at least nine hundred. Plus he called Nuiwa’s son a boy, so... Yes, a ‘great deal older’ is obviously not an exaggeration. “Sir, this may hurt, but I need to eh, well, get you back to the car. I’m going to carry you, if that’s alright, sir?” the magenta haired demon questioned carefully, not wanting to hurt Kaine’s pride. You can’t walk. You can barely breathe... I’ve got to get you the hell out of here.

“You... Really don’t have to... Call me sir...” was the demon’s only response, his head lowering, his weak voice trailing off into silence, carried away by the chill Tevrran breeze.

“Kaine, sir? Kaine? Sir?” Mithra inquired uneasily, frowning as he received no response. Damn. The slender, small framed demon moved to gently check the Letrum Venator’s pulse, an anxious expression on his feminine face. Mn... Getting weaker. With that thought he moved to take better hold of Kaine, effortlessly picking the man up, standing. He carefully situated the tall demon over his left shoulder, his vivid purple gaze moving to glance about the desolate, dank alley. How long was he here, anyway? How many hours did he spend in this alley, before he called me? That was... For some reason, that thought really... Kind of pissed Mithra off. Damn Ikenna Nuiwa. And Cairra Darcy, of course. It was simply irritating, to leave the man... In a fucking alley.

This must be an interesting sight. A little shrimp like me carrying Aevik Kaine, tall and fearsome, the ‘Letrum Venator...’the slender demon thought, his purple gaze moving to the man held over his shoulder. Of course the ‘fearsome’ Letrum Venator certainly did not look formidable at the moment. Blood leaking from his lips, his eyes closed, his face expressionless. Burned and bleeding, weak, unconscious...

“Hold on, sir,” he commented quietly, moving to briskly walk back towards the exit of the alleyway, a deep frown on his pink lips. He isn’t going to last long enough to get back to Gahlrey... That’s over an hour away on the transport. He won’t last that long, I know he won’t. The slender demon increased his pace, his booted feet clicking against the pavement, echoing in the narrow passage.

“Sir... You’re probably going to get rather angry with me for this but... I really don’t think you would last the trip to Gahlrey,” Mithra mumbled quietly, a weary sigh escaping his lips as he finally reached the alley’s exit. His focus moved to the street, his gaze locking on the parked, medium sized black car on the opposite side of the road. He’ll probably kill me for it but... “I’m taking you to a hospital here in Atrum-Terra, sir,” the small framed demon stated, ignoring the odd looks given to him by passerby. Yes, stare away. Fools.

Despite the high probability of angering Aevik Kaine, Mithra still, he... Well, he didn’t want the man to bleed to death on the way back to Gahlrey. He’ll just have to get pissed off. That’s that.

How the hell had he gotten himself into this, anyway? This has turned out to be one hell of a weird day... First the incident with Nuiwa’s son, dealing with the fallout, dealing with that fool Virade Sefth. Now... Finding the Letrum Venator lying in an alley, gravely injured, acting... Unusual. Showing melancholy, showing... Some odd, weary side that... I thought the Letrum Venator was supposed to be soulless? He...

--“Ah...Mithra... Please... Don’t call me that...”--

There had been emotion. He... He didn’t understand the blonde Hunter, didn’t understand his odd mood swings or his intentions even, yet... There’s more to him than the ‘Letrum Venator.’ The man... The stories were wrong. He’s supposed to be soulless, incapable of feeling anything, but... That’s wrong. It has to be.

--“I wonder... Do you think there is anyone... In the world... That doesn’t despise the Letrum Venator?”--

On thinking of Kaine’s odd question asked earlier, it almost... Mithra’s frown deepened as he crossed the street, heading directly towards the black car. It was... Sort of sad, really. I never thought much of it before, but... It wasn’t as if Aevik Kaine had chosen to be the Letrum Venator. He hadn’t had a choice in the matter at all... So was it really fair for people to despise the man? Soulless... That...

“Tevrra is a cruel country, sir,” he murmered quietly, another soft sigh escaping his pink lips. Whether it was true that the blonde demon was evil, whether it be true that he was actually that cruel, heartless person the ‘Letrum Venator’ was supposed to be... Mithra wasn’t sure, but...

--“I wonder... Do you think there is anyone... In the world... That doesn’t despise the Letrum Venator?”--

“I won’t call you that anymore, Kaine, sir,” he stated firmly, his purple eyes troubled, his attractive, feminine face holding a look of puzzlement. He... He honestly didn’t know what the hell to think anymore. I’m too tired to even think straight...

All Mithra knew was... He had somehow seen a different side to Aevik Kaine, in that dark, dirty alley. A side he... Honestly hadn’t expected.

Now. Let’s see if we can keep you alive, Kaine.

“Damn. This is going to be a long, long night... I deserve a day off after this...”

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

“Bring me another one.”

“Uh, but...”

“I said bring me another drink,” Ikenna Nuiwa snapped irritably, his red eyes moving to lock on the lean, attractive elemental bartender standing before him. “Bring me another drink or I’ll burn you and your bar to the ground, how’s that?” he then bit out, lowering his gaze to the empty glass held in his hand. Yes. That was mature...God, I sounded like Malba... he thought with a sigh, shoving the empty glass away, his slender hands clenching into tight fists. Honestly, he was well aware he had definitely had... A few too many. Yet he really didn’t give a damn. It still hurt, so there for it wasn’t nearly enough.

That god damn Letrum Venator... How dare the man? After so many years, a real chance to see his son again, to... Yet Aevik Kaine had taken that chance away, letting Malba...

“Hurry up with that drink...”

Councilman Ikenna Nuiwa let out a deep, agitated breath, his red gaze moving about the run down dive he sat in. Taking in the moody grey and black wallpaper, the cracked black and blue tile floor, the ancient, worn bar directly before him... Faded and worn, dark, dim... It... It really suited his mood.

The small room was sparse, a few tables with black, cracked seats, holding no customers. The place was deserted, save for himself. The room was rather still. Still, except for the two large black and white speakers attached to the wall pumping in fast paced, dark, edgy electronica music, filling the otherwise quiet bar.

As of late, he had taken to coming to the dive quite frequently. In one of the worst sections of the Cinis District, a small bar in a dingy building, away from crowds, away from office buildings and obnoxious, two faced government officials. The few people venturing into the ‘Pullus Fragmen’ bar were usually there on business. Drug dealings and other unscrupulous acts... Though Ikenna would much rather spend time in the Cinis District with common criminals, rather than deal with duplicitous, Main District politicians. Politicians pretend to be your friend as they stab you in the back. At least in Cinis, the criminals freely admit to what they are.

“Here, sir,” a voice cut into the redhead’s thoughts and he looked up, noting the tall, thin sprite holding out a shot glass, filled with dark, murky liquid.

“Thank you,” he muttered, turning his gaze back to the bar, taking in the scratched, worn wooden surface. The bartender quickly set the glass in front of Ikenna, a frown on his lips as he focused on the Councilman. “Heh, Not to get too nosy, but... Is there something wrong? You look, eh... Well...” the man trailed off, absentmindedly running a hand through his long, loose silver hair.

“What? I look more mentally unstable than usual?” Ikenna inquired flatly, briefly looking up to meet the man’s dark eyes, then once again pulling his gaze back to the bar, reaching out his left hand to grasp the glass before him. “Is that what you wanted to say?”

“Heh. Well. No, not exactly, but now that you mention it,” the man responded with a wry smile, a teasing tone in his light, pleasant voice. “Wanna talk about it?”

“Not really,” the redhead mumbled, his dark, makeup painted lips forming a deep, weary frown. “It’s nothing to concern yourself with, Nia,” he added, closing his red eyes. He didn’t want to confide in the damn bartender. Though in all honesty, the man wasn’t completely intolerable. He had actually kind of taken a liking to the guy. He was a little odd, but... At least he isn’t afraid to talk to me...

Nia Foveo was the owner of the dive, though considering he was a bartender (among other things) in the roughest neighborhood in Atrum-Terra, he was pretty easygoing and friendly.

Hell, even his appearance seemed a touch out of place in the dingy, dim bar. Long, silky waist length silver hair, vibrant black eyes, tall and lean, slender. Dressed in casual blue jeans and a loose fitting fuchsia top... Though the most out of place thing was his easygoing attitude. It was somewhat refreshing, after having to deal with countless fools on a daily basis. Like Cairra Darcy...

So no, it wasn’t that he particularly disliked the elemental, he... He just... Ikenna really didn’t feel like talking. Period.

“Is it... Is it about your son, sir?” Nia questioned, leaning his elbows on the bar’s worn surface, his dark eyes focused on the redhead.

“When isn’t it?” was Ikenna’s only response, taking a rather large drink of the potent liquor held in his left hand. When wasn’t it about Malba? For so many years, he... Why won’t you listen to me, you fool? I...

“You know... I heard the rumors. Is it true that your son--” the lean, attractive bartender began, however Ikenna let out an agitated growl, interrupting the man’s sentence.

“Nia... Go away,” the blood-red haired man stated with a shaky sigh, closing his eyes. He didn’t want to talk. He didn’t... “God damn Letrum Venator,” he mumbled softly, his grip on the liquor glass tightening as he raised it to his lips, finishing the rest of its contents in one drink. He had Malba... Right there, yet he... He... How injured had Malba been? How much blood had he lost? How... It was maddening. Not knowing, not...

He hadn’t seen his son in twelve years. Though before that one solitary meeting twelve years ago, he hadn’t seen him for over a century... It... Ikenna slammed his left hand to the bar’s surface, shattering the glass against the hard counter. The redhead opened his eyes, noting apathetically that a large shard of glass had embedded itself into his palm.

“Hey. That’s hardly helping matters,” Nia commented dryly, shaking his head. “Are you okay?” he then inquired, his dark gaze moving to focus on the man’s bleeding left hand.

“No,” Ikenna stated hollowly, jerking the shard of glass from his hand, tossing it to the bar surface. He then raised his hand, licking away the majority of the blood slipping from the deep gash in his palm. No. He was far from ‘okay.’ “I’m never going to see him again, am I?” he questioned flatly, his red eyes focused on his hand, watching with a masochistic sort of fascination as blood continued to drip from his palm. Blood. It... Fool. Utter fool. If you would just... I... The redhead’s thoughts trailed off and he let out a growl. Why would he not listen? Why... Why risk your life over...

“Never? Well, that’s a pretty pessimistic outlook,” the silver haired sprite responded with a small smile, his light voice holding a tone of sympathy. “You don’t know that.”

“Don’t I?” Ikenna responded hollowly, closing his eyes, lowering his head a bit. “Get me another drink.” He... He really needed more alcohol. A lot more.

“...Alright.”

--“...It’s interesting. You claim to care so dearly for your son, yet you care nothing for his wishes. That really is interesting, don’t you think? Fascinating indeed, sir...”--

Aevik Kaine. That, that son of a bitch... How dare he? How dare he question his intentions, his... I care about my son more than I care about life itself, arrogant fuck. No. He did not care for Malba’s wishes, or his wants. Why? Because he... I don’t care if he hates me, wishes me dead. If I can just find a way... If I can just... His thoughts trailed off as an image of his son drifted through his mind, an image from centuries past... Lying in a hospital bed, hollow and broken, his eyes red and a gunshot wound to the chest... If I can just fix him... I... Then that’s all that matters. Damn everything else. I simply don’t care. Ikenna didn’t care about Tevrra, didn’t care about his position, didn’t care about the world. All he... It was his fault. His fault that his son... That Malba was... If not for who I am, he wouldn’t have... He...

“Here,” Nia’s voice cut into the redhead’s contemplations and he opened his eyes, meeting the lean man’s gaze. “Thanks,” he mumbled, moving to take hold of the glass with his right hand, downing the entire contents of the glass with one large drink.

The silver haired bartender raised an eyebrow, a frown forming on his lips. “Sir. I really think you should slow down a little,” he commented, crossing his arms about his chest.

“I’m not paying you to tell me what you think, now am I? And stop fucking calling me ‘sir.’ It gets rather obnoxious,” Ikenna stated flatly, firmly placing the empty glass on the bar surface, the glass clinking at the contact. “I’ve been coming regularly to this damn place for over two months now, yet you still insist on calling me that. It’s annoying.”

“Don’t call you sir? Well. You are a Council member, it kind of goes with the territory, doesn’t it?” Nia remarked, a touch of amusement flickering in his dark eyes. “So what do I call you?” he then asked, a small smirk on his lips.

“A Council member... Don’t remind me...” the redhead murmured with a sigh, closing his red eyes. “My name is Ikenna, not sir. I’m not a fucking Council member here... I’m just a foolish lush, hiding away from the world,” he added bitterly, moving his right hand to rub wearily at his temple. Malba... Damn it...

“Well. I’ll agree with the lush part at least,” Nia commented, a teasing tone in his light voice. “Though I still don’t get why the hell a Council member for Tevrra would want to spend his nights drinking in a run down bar in the Cinis District. Shouldn’t you be at some fancy place drinking whatever it is you rich people drink?” the man inquired, leaning his elbows casually on the bar’s surface, his dark eyes filled with curiosity.

“I’d just as soon die, thank you very much,” Ikenna responded flatly, rolling his red eyes. “I’d much rather spend my nights here than with twofaced, elitist fools. Those ‘rich’ people you speak of. They are far worse than any Cinis commoner, that I assure you,” he added, a frown on his dark, lipstick painted lips. “Besides... It’s quiet here. No one to deal with. Well. Except for you. You’re annoying, but mild compared to what I have to face every day,” the redhead added dryly, his frown fading, the smallest hint of a smirk briefly forming on his lips.

“I’m not sure if I should take that as a compliment or if I should be offended,” Nia replied with a short laugh, his voice holding a tone of amusement. “Though I wasn’t aware the ‘soul-fire vampire’ had a sense of humor,” he added, the grin on his lips slightly widening.

“A sense of humor? Hardly,” the red eyed man responded, his gaze moving to the bar surface, taking in the worn, faded wood, and... Hey. “When’s the last time you cleaned this, Nia? This is filthy,” Ikenna commented with an arched, slim eyebrow raised, a frown forming on his lips as he noted the smudged surface. Fingerprints and alcohol stains...

“Hey. You’re the one who wants to hang out in a dive, so don’t complain,” the man responded, shrugging his shoulders. “Mn, it looks like for once I’ve actually got another customer besides you,” the man then commented, his attention focusing to a slender, blue haired demon moving to sit at the other end of the bar. “Be back in a sec.”

“Oh, do hurry back,” Ikenna flatly remarked, sarcasm dripping from his smooth voice. “Though while you’re at it... Bring me another drink,” the redhead added, his gaze moving back to his cut left palm, watching apathetically as blood oozed from the deep gash.

“You’re impossible,” Nia stated with a shake of his head as he walked away, toward his ‘customer.’ Ikenna had a pretty good idea what kind of ‘customer’ the demon was. It was no secret to him that Nia sold quite a bit more than just alcohol. How else could he keep such a dive running, otherwise? Works good as a front I suppose... the red haired man thought, moving to lick away the blood trickling from his palm. Red blood, red eyes, red...

Damn it. He simply couldn’t force it from his mind. Malba... He had been shot and... Regardless of how bad he was physically hurt, going back to that place, getting shot, it... It had to have brought back rather unpleasant memories, to say the least. Memories of that human and...

In a way, Jinya had been the boy’s downfall. Only sixteen when he met the human, only nineteen when he killed him. He had been so broken, so hollow and it... Why blame yourself for something that wasn’t your fault? Malba, you fool, I... Ikenna closed his red eyes, a deep, troubled frown on his lipstick painted lips. It wasn’t your fault, yet no matter how many times I told you this, you never once believed me.

How bad were Malba’s injuries, how... Where the hell was he? And Kaine, what did he do to you, before he let you go? Did he hurt you? Did he... It was so infuriating, so frustrating, so very... So... That Letrum Venator. When he had stood in his office, that false smile plastered across his face and that... Ikenna simply hadn’t been able to control the urge to make the man suffer. Generally, he saved most of his wrath for Cairra Darcy, as he despised the little whore, but... That false smile and those words, questioning his... Damn Letrum Venator... I really should have killed you... It had been his intention to, yet at the last moment... He had cut the drain short.

Perhaps it was a shred of his faded, frozen conscience that had stopped him from finishing the act. On some odd level, he actually pitied the Letrum Venator and the life forced upon him, but... That’s still no excuse. Letting Malba go... Knowing how much danger he’s in... Ikenna had fully intended to drain every last drop from the man, until he was nothing but a dead, empty shell, but... Why I stopped I really don’t know. Bastard... He could still die, but.... Eh, he’ll probably live. Not that I care. Of course, this was assuming Cairra hadn’t dropped Kaine off of a bridge... I really shouldn’t have left her alone with him. It’s hard to tell, knowing that little tramp.

Ikenna really couldn’t stand the woman. Extremely intelligent when dealing with medical and scientific advancement, a genius even, but otherwise? A complete and total moron. Dimwitted and obnoxious. Sadly, he was forced to deal with the woman on a regular basis, as... It was his job. Unfortunately. Councilman Nuiwa, head of Medical and Scientific Developments. Ugh... It was a wretched job. Dealing with the budgeting and secrecy, the disgusting, horrid things the ‘scientists’ did in the name of medicine. Having to deal with that blood-lusting, obnoxious little whore, Cairra Darcy, head doctor of the whole damn thing... But it will all be worth it. If I can just... Find a way... Somehow, if...

--“...that dying, ancient monster you speak of? It would appear your son must care for him quite a bit, as the sole reason he broke into the facility was to obtain medicines for him. Perhaps your son doesn’t want that ‘monster’ made to be the sacrificial lamb you so desperately seek to turn him into...”--

Those words... Aevik Kaine, he... He knew nothing. Speaking as if he knew anything about the matter... Druuvbin. He... Ikenna was quite aware that for some reason, Malba had taken to the psychic, but... I don’t care. I... Whether it really is true about Druuvbin, I don’t care. If it would help Malba, keep him alive, keep him sane... I’ve done many terrible, reprehensible things in my life, and I’ll do one more, if it saves my son. Even if he hates me for it. If Malba were to hate him, wish him dead, he’d accept that without a moment of hesitation.

I’ll let him kill me himself if he wishes it, but I... I will not let him die, just for the sake of that psychic. The man was ancient, dying, and if indeed the rumors were true? A cold, monstrous man. It... It was concerning that Malba trusted the psychic. If the rumors were indeed true... He... Druuvbin is no one’s friend, if it is true, if he really... Yet it didn’t matter. Regardless of whether it was true, it still... One life, compared to the life of his son? I’ll do whatever it takes. Anything.

It had been so long, so very long since he had seen his son smile, so long since he had heard his voice, or listened to him rant with that temper of his, it... Where are you, fool?

An image of his last brief meeting with Malba flashed through his mind and he closed his eyes tighter, a deep, shaky sigh escaping him. Twelve years ago. Druuvbin had been apprehended and... Malba had burst into his office, eyes red with fury, his voice cold, dark...

--“Tell me where he is, you fucking bastard. Tell me! Where is Druuvbin?”—

--“Malba? Malba, I...”—

--“Where is he? If you care anything about me, if you have ever cared anything about me, then you’ll tell me. Tell me where he is, Dad. Tell me what the fuck you’re doing to him, tell me where he is!”--

So irate and angry, his tone cold, his eyes red, his energy so very unstable. Malba had been struggling to keep himself together, it... It had been apparent in those red eyes, that cold voice... He...

--“...I do care about you, Malba. Which... Is exactly why I’m not going to tell you. Malba, I know you care about that monster, but... Protecting him is only hurting yourself... Can’t you see? I only want to help you.”—

--“You... You really aren’t going to tell me, are you. I knew it... I knew this would be a waste of time. You fucking cold bastard. Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”-- His voice had gone flat, the anger in his eyes fading, replaced with such a... Hurt, betrayed expression. With those words Malba had simply left, slamming the door behind him. The last words with his son in twelve years, it...

--“ Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”-- That... That... But I’m doing it for you, fool! Why couldn’t Malba see that? I’ve never... I’ve always let him do what he wants, be what he wants... Anything to make him happy, but I... He had even let the boy spend time with a certain human assassin... A notoriously remarkable assassin. Malba had been a mere sixteen years of age at the time. A boy.

Tenrai Jinya, one of the very few human Hunters to ever grace the Tevrran forces. A former Xzutai officer turned Tevrran. An elite assassin. Damn good, even compared to his fellow demon and elemental officers. The man had been impressive... Yet despite being a vicious, ruthless assassin, he had been quite kind as well... His death had broken Malba. Broken and... I shouldn’t have let him spend time with him, shouldn’t have... Shouldn’t have... The redhead’s thoughts trailed and he took in a weary breath, forcing the images from the past away.

He... All he cared about was Malba’s wellbeing, he... If he wants to be an assassin with that blood-fox and Kopaka, fine. I couldn’t care less, I just... He just... I want to know where you are. I want to know if you’re okay, you fool... Ikenna took in a shaky breath, closing his eyes tighter. He did at least have one shred of comfort, knowing that Kopaka could treat Malba’s wounds, hopefully and... He’d honestly... He’d always liked the odd ice/wind elemental. Such a strange man, but kind... He had been a sweet, protective child, always looking out for Malba... The doctor had been there for Malba during... Some very bad times and... God damn this. I... Where are you, Malba?

“Your drink,” Nia stated softly and Ikenna opened his red eyes, focusing on the lean, tall elemental barkeep, taking in the sympathetic expression playing across his pale face. Don’t look at me like that... “Thanks,” he responded, taking the glass from the man, taking a large drink. It still wasn’t enough. He... It still hurt.

“It won’t help,” the silver haired sprite commented with a soft smile, his dark eyes focused on the drink held in Ikenna’s lithe, pale hand. “Doesn’t matter how many you drink. You should know that by now,” he added, moving his gaze away from the glass, instead meeting the redhead’s gaze. “Why don’t you go home?”

Home? What home? Ikenna had no ‘home.’ An empty house in the finest residential district of Atrum-Terra, full of shadows and darkness... Well decorated of course, with deep reds and blacks, but no amount of décor could ever hide the empty, suffocating darkness. He... “No. I’d like to hide away from the responsibilities of being a Councilman for a little longer. I still haven’t spoken with the rest of the Council since the incident involving my son... I’d like to avoid that for awhile longer,” he admitted hollowly, taking a large drink of bitter liquor, taking an almost masochistic pleasure in the feel of that fiery liquid sliding down his throat, burning, acidic...

“You’re not a real popular guy amongst them, are you?” Nia inquired, moving to hop up onto the counter, casually sitting on the bar’s surface. Ikenna raised an eyebrow at this, however said nothing, only rolled his red eyes. It was the man’s bar, if he wanted to... Sit on it, then fine... Still. Hardly sanitary.

“Not popular? That’s the understatement of the century,” the redhead quipped dryly, a weary sigh escaping his dark, lipstick painted lips. “I’m sure they’ll have me killed eventually,” Ikenna stated apathetically, taking another drink, finishing off the glass.

“Kill you? Uh, doesn’t that concern you?” the silver haired man inquired, raising an eyebrow at the Councilman’s indifferent words.

“No. Not really,” he responded with a shrug of his shoulders, his red gaze moving down to his left hand, noting that the large gash in his palm had stopped bleeding. Not that he cared. “I’ve grown quite weary of this world. I have one thing I have to do first, but then? If they want to kill me? More power to them, I honestly don’t give a damn,” Ikenna confessed, closing his eyes, moving his right hand to rub at his temple. He was sort of... Starting to feel the effects of the alcohol, yet it wasn’t enough...

--“Druuvbin isn’t a monster... You are.”—

Not nearly enough. “Get me another.”

“God, Ikenna. Do you realize how much money you waste in here? You’re making me a rich man,” Nia commented with a shake of his head. He hopped off of the counter however, moving to fix the man yet another drink.

“Might as well waste my money here. I don’t have any other use for it. Nothing meaningful anyway,” Ikenna stated flatly as he pushed a stray strand of blood-red hair away from his eyes, a hollow, expressionless look playing across his pale face. “I get paid to be a hypocritical politician, so why not waste it on frivolous things?” he questioned, taking in a weary, shaky breath. He... He really needed more alcohol. A lot more.

“I’m serious. You spend way more here in a week than what most of my clients pay in a month. And you just buy booze. That’s pretty sad,” the silver haired elemental stated with a dry laugh, placing a fresh glass of dark liquid in front of the redhead. Nia then took his place back on the bar’s counter, crossing his legs in a casual position. “Look. You’re the only one even here,” the man pointed out with a wry smile, his dark eyes moving about the deserted bar.

“Hm. Maybe it’s the music,” Ikenna commented flatly, his red gaze briefly moving away from the bar counter, glancing at the large black and white speakers on the wall.

“Hey. Now don’t go insulting my music,” the man responded, crossing his arms in a mock indignant posture. “This is good music,” Nia stated firmly, lightly tapping his booted foot against the bar surface in time with the fast paced, dark electronica.

“Hm. If you say so,” was the redhead’s only response, a hint of a smirk briefly forming on his lips. In all honesty, he actually kind of liked the music, but it was amusing, irritating the elemental with insults to his ‘precious’ electronica.

“So. What do you think the Tevrran public would think if they knew their Councilman for Medical and Scientific... Er, whatever the heck you are, what’cha think their reactions would be if they knew you were hanging out in a drug dealer’s bar?” Nia questioned lightly, another teasing, pleasant smirk forming on his lips.

“What does it matter? I’m already hated. I don’t believe my public image can be tarnished much more than it already is,” Ikenna replied with an indifferent shrug, taking a large drink from his liquor glass. Why should I care? I’m already in, can’t get me off the Council now. Unless I’m killed of course.

“Heh. You’re a pretty apathetic guy, aren’t you?” the elemental quipped, a dry laugh escaping his lips. “Hey, mind if I smoke?” he then questioned, reaching a hand into a pocket of his dark jeans, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and a petite green lighter.

“Why would I?” Ikenna questioned with an eyebrow raised, a small frown on his lips.

“Well, you know how bitchy people are about it nowadays. Can’t smoke anywhere without getting hassled. Us smokers have a bad rep you know,” Nia stated, his playful smirk still present as he lit up a cigarette.

“Well. You could always just kill anyone who has a problem with you smoking,” Ikenna suggested dryly, taking another drink from his glass.

“That sounds more like something you’d do,” the silver haired man commented with a laugh, shaking his head. “Besides, I hear prison’s not such a fun place. I’d like to avoid it if possible, thank you very much,” he added, deeply inhaling a puff of smoke, drawing nicotine into his lungs.

“If you want to avoid prison, I believe you might be in the wrong line of business,” the redhead responded evenly, his eyes locked on the glass in his hand. “The last time I checked, selling drugs is rather illegal,” he went on to say, a hint of a smirk briefly gracing his lips.

“Ah, well yeah. That’s true, but hey, if I get caught, you can use that popularity of yours to get me off,” Nia remarked, his tone teasing, an amused expression on his fair, slim face. “Even if everyone hates your guts, you’re still a Councilman. You could still get me off, right?” he questioned, a grin on his lips, his voice light, joking.

Ikenna only rolled his eyes at this, not bothering to respond. He instead finished off the rest of his liquor, setting the glass down with a resounding clink. Still not enough...

The red haired man closed his eyes, moving to place his elbows on the bar’s worn surface. He then moved to rest his forehead on his hands, taking in a deep, fatigued breath. He was rather tired, which of course was being multiplied by the large amounts of alcohol he had consumed. Yet sleep wasn’t something easy to come by for Ikenna. He usually... Well he hadn’t slept much in... Twelve years. No... Make that a hundred, actually. Maybe I should ask Nia for something to knock me out, the redhead thought halfheartedly, closing his eyes tighter.

Ikenna vaguely made out the sound of the front entrance door to the bar opening, but didn’t bother to look up. Another of Nia’s ‘clients,’ surely. He quite frankly didn’t care.

“Uh... Ikenna? Know how you said you wanted to hide away from the Council? I think you just got found,” Nia whispered uneasily, his tone taking on an anxious tint.

What? Ikenna opened his blood red eyes, pulling his head away from his hands to look to the entrance of the ‘Pullus Fragmen.’ A wave of irritation sparked through his weary body as he took in who was standing in the doorway. Oh, wonderful. Just what I need right now.

“Well, well. Look who I found,” the tall, well built man stated, his deep voice holding a haughty, condescending tone. Ikenna glanced over the man, resisting the urge to roll his eyes at the demon’s attire. As if he were about to go to war, right in the middle of fucking Atrum-Terra. Fool. The man wore the traditional black and gold military colors, along with custom spiked black armor on his shoulders, legs and chest... To some, the redhead assumed the large, armor-clad man must look quite imposing, yet... He looked like a fool, in Ikenna’s opinion. An utter fool.

“Arlo,” he stated flatly, meeting the man’s gaze, taking in the demon’s dark blonde hair, pulled back in a simple topknot, his masculine face and his ethereally bright, lime-green eyes. Not to mention the VAILS input device attached to his right eye. Somewhat attractive in a rugged, burly kind of way... However nothing was attractive about the bastard’s personality. Councilman Arlo Tuoni, head of military affairs. A warmongering, bloodthirsty fool. Among other things.

“Ikenna. Now, why am I not surprised to find you in a little run down, trashy place like this? It really suits you,” Tuoni commented with a derisive, mocking tone in his gruff voice. “Drinking and sleeping around, that’s our Councilman Nuiwa for you. Still out drinking at this hour. How shameful,” the demon added with a shake of his head, moving to sit down on a worn, wooden barstool directly next to the redhead.

“What do you want, Arlo?” Ikenna inquired irritably, not in the mood to even attempt civility. He certainly held no respect for the man, so why pretend otherwise?

The large demon ignored Ikenna’s heated inquiry, instead turning his attention to the silver haired elemental still sitting on the counter. “Well, what are you waiting for? Get me a drink. Strongest you’ve got,” the man growled, his tone impatient, gruff. “Damn low class scum. And put that out. It stinks.”

“...Yes, sir,” Nia bit out, obviously attempting to keep his tone polite, though finding it rather hard. The lean, tall sprite stubbed out his cigarette on the bar counter and then quickly hopped off, moving to fix Councilman Tuoni a drink.

--Told ya. See, always getting hassled for smoking a lousy cigarette...-- Nia telepathed, an exasperated tone in his light mental voice.

--Hn, well... I wouldn’t concern myself with what Arlo Tuoni thinks,-- Ikenna responded, a hint of a dark smirk briefly forming on his lips. --Tuoni is a fool.--

“Hurry up,” the demon snapped impatiently, watching the silver haired sprite with a self-important, arrogant look on his face. “Damn elemental...” he then muttered, rolling his lime colored eyes.

Ikenna twitched at this, a flash of anger appearing in his blood red eyes. Obnoxious, incompetent bastard, he thought, taking in a deep, irritated breath. “I believe you could show a bit more respect to the man, Arlo. It is his establishment after all,” the redhead commented coolly, his smooth voice dripping ice.

“So he owns this piece of shit place huh? I’m impressed. Really,” Tuoni responded with a smirk, turning to give Ikenna a derisive look. “Show respect to a common Cinis District piece of trash? Right.”

“Your drink, sir,” Nia stated flatly, moving to set a murky glass of liquid before the man, a frown on his lips, his body stance clearly showing his irritation. “Will that be all?”

“No. One more thing,” Arlo commented evenly, a flash of dark emotion playing on his masculine face. With that said, he reached across the bar to grab the sprite’s wrist, jerking him close. “Talk to me in a disrespectful manner again and I’ll teach you a lesson you won’t soon forget, that I promise you,” he snapped, his tone menacing, cold. “You won’t enjoy it, but I will. Immensely,” he added, pulling the elemental closer, a lecherous smirk forming on his lips. “Make myself clear? Good. Now be a good girl and get the hell out of my sight. Elemental,” the demon bit out, releasing his hold on Nia, shoving him back.

The silver haired sprite’s fists clenched and an irate expression appeared on his slim, attractive face. He said nothing however, choosing to step away, moving to the far side of the bar.

“I hardly think that was necessary, Arlo. Though I suppose it’s nothing unexpected, coming from a primitive, warmongering fool,” Ikenna commented coolly, his voice ice cold, his fiery eyes flashing with anger. The elemental certainly hadn’t deserved that and quite frankly, it really just... Irritated Ikenna. Fool...

“Says the pacifistic little angel, Nuiwa. Spare me the bullshit. I really don’t want to hear it. So... Everyone’s been wondering where our favorite Councilman wandered off too. Luckily I got a tip from an acquaintance that you like to hang around in low class, shitty places. Picking up one night stands and drinking the whole bar. Guess my acquaintance was right. Go figure. Of course it’s no secret that you’re a drunken whore,” Tuoni responded, moving to grasp hold of the glass before him, taking a drink of the dark liquor. The man then let out a grimace, his gaze moving to Nia. “What the hell kind of crap is this? This is the best you’ve got? Figures,” he commented with a put out sigh, taking another large drink of the liquor.

Picking up one night stands and drinking the whole bar? A drunken whore? Well... Yes, actually there was some truth to that. Anything to distract himself, to forget, even for a brief moment... Not that he felt the need to explain himself to this fool. “Yes well, I’ll drink what I like and sleep with whomever I choose. I really fail to see how this is any of your concern, Arlo,” the redhead remarked, his smooth voice calm, artic cold. Ignorant fuck...

“Oh everything you do is a concern for the Council. As you are obviously an incapable fool, too obsessed with your little worthless son and his blood to actually do your real job,” Tuoni countered smoothly, a smirk forming on his lips. “It’s pathetic, how much you obsess over that feeble waste. You’ve gone mad, trying to help that disgrace.”

...Fucking bastard... Ikenna tightly clenched his fists, his right eyebrow twitching, an irate expression forming on his pale, attractive features. How dare he? How dare he talk about Malba in such a... “Arlo, I’m only going to say this once, so listen carefully, you asinine, inept wretch. Speak of my son in such a manner again and you will suffer, and trust me when I say suffer. You don’t even know the meaning, but I can most definitely teach you. Now do you understand? Or was that too many big words for an inept fool such as yourself to comprehend?” the red haired man questioned coldly, his voice taking on an almost sing-song like quality, silky smooth and deadly.

“Oh I understand. It’s bullshit, but I understand. You think you can hurt me, Ikenna? That’s amusing,” the large framed demon stated with a gruff laugh, shaking his head. “You’re funny, really.”

Ikenna closed his eyes for a moment, biting down on the inside of his lower lip to keep from snapping back at the man’s brash, obnoxious comment. He... He really needed to control himself. As much as he would enjoy tearing the very life out of Arlo Tuoni... Now isn’t the time. I have to possess full use of my Council powers. If I kill him, I could very well lose my power over the med and science research department. True, Ikenna couldn’t be kicked off of the Council, but he could most certainly face some serious repercussions if he murdered a fellow Councilmember. Not now... Not yet.

((---next page now, neh?-->