Life After the Cataclysm - Chapter 3

Zack stood slowly his hands clenching into fists as he looked around he walked slowly up to the smouldering wreck wondering if the 50 could be recovered but wondered how hot that gun had gotten he looked down to his gloves shrugging he was just approaching it when Lyand jumped on top of the smouldering wreck. An image probably conjured by Kade gave the hysterical scene of the fuel tank exploding as he landed on it watching him... Zack looked back down the row of two cars his hand unconsciously going to the scar on his cheek as he heard Lyand shout for him on the left.

Zack quickly moved into position he walked to the first car as he was approaching the door he heard a click he choked the words grenade back down before he could shout them it may have been something else someone loading a magazine he looked to the door and realised the click had been it opening. “Come out slowly and you can go I won’t kill you.” The two raiders in the car looked to each other as no way of surprising Zack as he had heard them open the door before they could slam it into him. The two opened the door slowly still unable to stop themselves from banging the door against the chasm ungracefully the two closed it afterwards walking backwards a distance before turning and running Zack opened the door peaking his head in happy to find it empty he moved to the next car.

This one was empty with some suspicion he lay crouched down in the narrow space to look under the car he found no traps or raiders hiding underneath he moved behind the vehicle finding no one behind it he reached for the rear doors but he stopped noticing that it was already undone quickly standing to the side expecting it to rocket up and a group of maybe 6 raiders but Kade snickered in his head telling him no life forms were inside the truck. Zack believing the demons instincts opened the truck indeed finding it held no raiders just ammunition, guns and many over equipment from radios to rations they had obviously found the convoy which brought in the luxuries for after the battle for the raiders. “We got a nice truck here Lyand.” He clambered to the front hopping into the front seat the machine was still turning over as he went through a routine check of how to drive checking his mirrors... hmm no mirrors check the fuel level.... no gauge you simply ran out without knowing. Zack frowned at the machine looking down expecting a gear box but remembered not many cars used such a thing an automatic. “Ok everyone in.” Pulling the level into reverse and waited for Lyand and Si...Kaelan she’s dead get over it sonny just don’t confuse the two in front of her that would be embarrassing.

Lyand tentatively climbed into the truck's passenger seat. He had never ridden in a motorized vehicle before and he was surprised just how comfortable the seat was, although the cab was a little cramped. Thankfully the interior of the truck was designed to be roomy and even though he and Zack were far above average height had enough room.

He watched curiously as Zack checked all the levers and controls the magically fired up the engine by turning some sort of switch. The large man was rather looking forward to a 'drive', as he had once heard the ancients called it. After they backed up for about ten car lengths, the chasm widened and Zack was able to turn the truck around. They then headed straight east along the canyon road.

The red moon was hanging low in the sky now. Even though he had no device to measure time, Lyand knew that sunrise was a little over three hours away. He always knew when dawn would come. So long he had dwelled underground guarding his brother that he had forgotten what it was like to race time but over the last few months he had once more become accustomed to resting during the day.

Lyand took his sword off his back and placed it beside Zack's claymore between them. He leaned back and enjoyed the luxury of traveling without any strain to one's body and relaxed in the seat. Zack had turned off the headlights, as all them were able to see in the darkness they were more of a nuisance than anything and also made them a target.

"This is most enjoyable." he commented as he folded his large arms across his chest.

It did not take long to reach the end of the chasm and they began to drive up a winding road that took them into the vast steppe lands. A barren wasteland of sand and scrub stretched out before them as Zack found the remnants of an ancient highway that took them on a southerly course.

"In another hour we should consider seeking shelter for the day." mentioned Lyand, to his fellow nocturne, "These barren steppes will offer us little protection."


Back in the Sanguine Valley, the victory shouts of the conquering raiders mixed with the anguished cries of those who fell under their rule. Lord Bloodhand had been defeated but had abandoned the settlement long before it fell. His fortress was empty save for some soldiers that had stayed too long to loot their former master before the usurpers finished them off.

The glow of the fires could yet be seen in the distance turning a small patch of clouds that hung over the canyon a vibrant orange. That was the end of Sanguine Valley, but Bloodhand and his new doctor lived on, making their way across the steppes in small caravan of vehicles. They and a troop of loyal soldiers headed east toward the coastal settlements to start again.

The furious ape-man, still recovering from his wounds, stared out the window. His fierce eyes searched the steppes, wondering what had happened to this arch-enemy Zack. Perhaps he was just beyond the ridge of rock to the south, he could not know, but he knew that they would meet again.

Kaelan had felt the jarring to her ribs when Lyand had landed on the ground on the other side of the wall. She appriciated the fact that he was as gently as he could be, but she'd still felt it. She stayed close to Lyand while looking for Zack. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw him and heard him holler something about the truck he was standing next to. She'd heard of these machines but had never ridden in one.

Kaelan climbed into the back and got comfortable, her curious blue eyes taking everything in. She gave Zack a tentative smile, letting him know that she was glad he was with them again. As they started to move, the few bumps they hit forced a moan from her as her bruised and cracked ribs protested to the movement.

"Where are we headed? I have no true destination as I was just wandering."

“It’s a form of transportation it’s just a shame it can’t scale rock faces.” As he glanced to his left seeing a large cliff seeming to be impossibly huge with its top scratching at the sky. He could feel the sun rising bit by bit dawn approaching unlike Lyand his accuracy of time was not as honed unknowing he had three hours left till dawn all he felt was an itch at the back of his head as the demon bided with its time before sleeping . Zack continued to scan around him finding little cover. “We might find a motel somewhere to settle down.” A small memory of that time so long ago when he had fallen into the motel in that second story window… he pushed the memory away but did not banish it for it was not just a sad memory it had its moment of meeting.

Zack reached into his pocket finding the crumpled picture he had always stared at a photograph the road being straight did not hamper him from unfurling it expecting to find it covered in blood scratched and covered in dust but the photo as always proved to be clean. It showed twelve people all wearing rather extravagant wear from different countries and cultures; suits, robes, garments, great ball gowns even a man who wore a set of old armour but three of the group standing to the far left stood apart seeming almost as if their own group did not associate with the rest the three contained Zack on the edge his long hair cropped shorter strands playing across his face the same face, same coat but something different as he stood next to a girl... his sister the same smirk a curl of the corner of the mouth the hair both black as night in the black and white photo then the startling odd person who the sister hung her hands around a person shorter than Zack his hair a wild bright white in the photo he smiled as he stood in what could only be called a true gentleman’s tuxedo with top hat hair spilling out to flow over his shoulders. The huge pair of revolvers on his hips the bullet belts going across his waistcoat his smile unlike Zack’s and his sister did not radiate confidence but a pure surety of his limits. “Bishop?” The demon taking an interest in the picture remembering the time easily quickly sliding the words into Zack’s mind.

“Shelter…” Zack yanking himself away from the demons question of his reminiscing over the photo. He saw a large sign post slowing the car down the three easily seeing the motel neon long dead with the small building beyond the post he stopped the car letting the engine roll over as he thought about it finally he crawled the car forward parking the car across three parking spaces. Zack reached for the claymore with one hand switching the engine off with the other he lifted himself out the car using the door frame looking round he predicted maybe an hour till daylight but as always his prediction were probably wrong by those crucial minutes

He walked to the Lobby opening the empty glassed double doors he moved further in hearing Lyand and Kaelan clamber from the vehicle slamming the doors. Zack still hadn’t answered her question on where they were going but was it the fact he didn’t know where he was going. “At the moment we are looking for somewhere for Lyand we can discuss history once we find somewhere the big boy can sleep.” Moving to the counter he found the register looted for its dollars keys for the rooms were on hooks behind the desks ironically they were all left in condition hanging and not tarnished just slightly dusty he picked a set of keys looking over the number looking around he saw small corridors leading off the lobby one door labelled 1-29 the other 30-48. “Any number in particular you want?” looking to the two as they entered the crunch of glass under their feet putting his claymore back onto the back hooks of his sheath holder finding ease in pulling the leather straps around the sheath he smelt nothing menacing on the air he heard nothing stir the place even felt empty...but sometimes good things happen when buildings aren’t empty.

Lyand was appreciative of the shelter from the suns rays. He reached over and randomly procured a key, ending up with #17 and proceeded to make his way outside to find the door with that number. Making his way back through the shattered doors of the lobby he saw that his room would lie in the row to his right. Walking past doors one to sixteen, Lyhand was surprised to find that all were in reasonably good shape and were all still locked. Some of course had their windows broken in from the elements, but others were intact, like his own room.

Unlocking the door, the large man let it swing open and stood back. He scanned the entire room with his sensitive eyes and made sure that nothing lurked within before entering and checking out the bathroom. Everything seemed to be as it was left all those many years ago before the cataclysm. He closed and locked the door, then pushed a large chest of drawers against it. Giving a quick peek out of the heavy black-out curtains he surveyed the area then shut them tight.

Lyand slapped the bed, clearing the dust off of the sheets of the one furthest from the door and tossing his gear on the other. It would soon be light, but until then he opened his satchel and took out some dry meat, a canister of water and an old book. He made himself comfortable, placing the water on the bedside table as he placed some of old pillows against the head board of his bed and leaned against them. Picking up his book, he took a chew of meat and began to read the ancient story which he knew well, but never tired of reading.

Kaelan was a little slower getting out of the vehicle, her ribs protesting to the movement, but she ignored it as she made her way into the old motel. Her blue eyes widened at the interior, looking around the lobby then down at the multiple doors. She watched as Lyand grabbed a key with the #17 on it. She looked over at Zack, wondering what room he would choose.

"I don't particularly care. I just want to lay down."

She grabbed the key with the room #13 on it, liking the number. She walked down to the door, slid the key home and unlocked the door. Upon entering, she peered at the large bed, then the faded picture that was handing crookedly on the wall. Grabbing the bedspread, she gingerly shook it out, sneezing at the dust flying. Laying down, she curled into a ball and lay there, thinking about everything that had happened. Especially about Dravesh and the memories that had surfaced. She shivered thinking about the beatings the ape had given her when they'd been younger....much younger. Even with her animal dna, she wasn't sure she was a match for him and decided that her best bet was to avoid him at all costs.

Her eyes getting heavy, she struggled to stay awake, wondering where Zack was and if he and Kade were okay. Smiling to herself, she chuckled. She had no idea who Kade was, only that he lived within Zack....somehow. She liked Zack and his zest for life and battles. Lyand seemed to be solemn, quiet, the opposite of Zack. Her eyes closed and she drifted to sleep......dreams of a young ape boy with glowing red eyes rolling around in her head.

Zack gave a yawn moving back round the desk walking to the vending machine as Kaelan walked in and picked #13 he smiled at the number he was going to reach for #12 but stopped himself it would be strange of him to pick the room directly next door to her… well he considered it strange and decided he would sleep in the lobby he wanted to be on the front when something happened. He pulled the vending machines front open bending the strip of metal holding it shut. Reaching inside he pulled a packet of cig’s smiling at the classic Marlboro gold packet. He sat back down behind the desk pulling a set of thick sunglasses setting them on his face the world crimson with the colored glass he leant back on the chair a cigarette in his mouth a match materializing in his gloved hands he lit the match striking it on his chin a neat party trick taking a slow take on it he enjoyed the smoke. Zack found he had placed the photo on the desk. “Damn it how do I keep leaving this out?” He reached over to it stopping as his fingers laid on the edge he took a slow breath as he remembered an event which he himself could only half believe in his own mind. He picked the photo the urge to rip it in half but it was the only photo he had of his family well… his excuse of a family.

He left the photo on the table leaning back on the chair at almost an impossible angle the claymores point stopping him from falling back he leant like this for almost an hour before he felt the demon walk to its corner to sleep his dreams were peaceful when Kade was in his little sleep. Zack stood up moving to the wall which stood opposite the door taking the claymore off his back his hand firmly gripping the hilt as he used it to help him sit down. He leaned forward eyes drooping closed he finally fell into the misted fields of his dreams walking for nothing but neither the less he was walking in those knee length black fields of burnt wheat turning round he found himself once again… Kade… “Thought you had gone to sleep?” Kade walked forward the wheat moving away from him without him needing to part it. “Just wanted to see how little brother was coping.” Zack frowned at Kade he thought he saw concern reflected in Kade but no he knew it was simply that Kade was interested in the girl few would fight for a complete stranger only stupidly compelled beings as he saw Zack would do such an act. “You wish to fight her yourself?” Kade looked astonished as he was questioned on such a subject. “I want no such thing and you know this the last time I fought a friends… well it got a little out of hand as he was too sure of himself on his skill level!” Zack kept his fury in check as he stared at the ever blank face of Kade with little twitch’s as Zack’s only means of telling this thing felt such emotions as fury or happiness.

Zack aimed to sleep till a little past dawn it would take only a small disturbance to wake him as he will not fall into a deep stupor of sleep but still the wind whistling did not wake him he welcomed such sounds for he was outdoors again.

Lyand kept on rearranging his body, trying to get comfortable on the bed. While many of the cuts he had received from his bout with his brother were superficial the bruises he suffered were deep. Alone now, there was no need to maintain his facade and allowed his face to reveal the agony caused by his damaged muscles and bones. He took comfort, though, in knowing that by sunset they would be healed to the point where he could easily function at normal capacity.

Placing his book down, Lyand raised an arm and inspected it. He flexed his bulging muscles and slowly opened and closed his hand. It was starting. Already he was growing stiffer, the muscles beginning to atrophy making movement difficult. It was happening quicker than usual which Lyhand attributed to the sanguine moon and so he decided that he had best make his extra fortifications soon rather than later before it may be too late.

Lyand slowly sat up. He moved like an old man, stiff and worn out as he placed a table in front of the window to help block out any day light that might seep through the curtains. As he checked the door once more, and ensured the heavy dresser before it was secure his blue skin had paled and shimmered like his silvery white hair. His flesh was becoming cold, as cold as ice and his radiant red eyes had faded to a solid silvery grey making it difficult to see. All about him now appeared as shadows, and feeling his way back to the bed the large man laid down and let the process take it's course.

As he lied their, his skin slowly turning bone white he closed his eyes and recalled the picture that Zack had in his hand while they were in the truck. He did not want to pry, but he had caught a glimpse of what he assumed was him when he was younger and there was someone else, a girl who bore a striking similarity to him. He could not see the rest of the picture but Zack seemed to lament over it and by it's tattered and worn appearance it had been taken a long time ago.

Lyand could feel the first rays of dawn now as the cold coursed through his body. How he longed for his subterranean home far to the north, where night fall for extended periods of time. Deep beneath the ground the day could not effect him and it was there that he had cared for his brother since he could remember, but now that time was gone. Before the last of the life left his body, Lyand forced his hand over his silent heart as blackness washed over him. His skin had turned white as snow and as hard and cold as ice. He appeared inanimate and were it not for the black leather clothing one would believe him to be a statue carved of of shimmering white rock.

Kaelan was having trouble sleeping. Her body ached and her bruised ribs made it difficult to breathe. After awhile, she decided to rise and explore a little. Her stomach gave a mild growl, letting her know that it had been awhile since she'd eaten and after using animal dna during the battle, she would need to eat.....and soon.

Stepping out into the hallway, she makes her way to the lobby, wondering how Lyand is faring with his injuries. Upon entering the lobby, she sees nothing, then she sees Zack, asleep on what looks like an oversized couch. She sees the picture in his hand and walks over to him, looking down at it. Cocking her head, she studies the picture, wondering at who the people are.

She turns and walks over to the desk, stepping behind it and looking around. She sees ledgers, pamphlets of some sort and a lot of dust. Looking at the various keys hanging there, she smiles and grabs keys to rooms 1 thru 12, deciding to explore the rooms, her curiosity getting the better of her.

Zack walked along the field coming to the city recognizing it as somewhere before the flare he had been with the syndicate he felt the unusual itch at his cheek lifting his hand he found no scar. “Bah another memory.” He walked from the field onto the street looking back he found only the street continued no blackened burnt wheat field. “Dreaming memory?” His feet walked him straight yet he saw that the street changed like that of turning round a corner but he continued on this straight wide street. The buildings looking as though they erected from the floor in their dark grey...with no bricks or metals just solid lumps he passed a red bricked part with graffiti on the walls till he reached a plaza in his dreams his mind reeling at the size of the open space a crest in the centre he could not fathom from the angle he was at. “The syndicate plaza?” looking straight ahead he found himself looking at the gothic mansion he lost half his breath its startling beauty depicted in his mind. Walking forward he saw two people at the doorway he saw the black hair and the blond tails of them he tried to get closer but the more he walked the faster the mansion pulled away from him. “Damn it!” Knowing it wasn’t the mansion running away from him it was that he was walking away his back turned looking over his shoulder as he left. “It was the right action, wasn’t it?” He let it go fighting was no use it was already over he had ran away afraid of himself and now he was ashamed he had left both of them... before the we... he awoke not wanting to think more in his dreams he needed a distraction.

Awakening his eyes scanned the room his hand dropping the picture as it slipped from moving sleepy fingers his eyes seeing a slight blur. “Kaelan?” Zack leant down picking the photo up his eyes squinting causing him to grimace a little as some sunlight slipped round the sunglasses to his unadjusted eyes. Lifting himself using the sword he gave a healthy yawn scratching the side of his face he lifted the sword then letting it hang limp in his grasp. “Damn what time is it, I thought you would still be asleep?” He walked next to her to accompany her on her little curious adventure the man seemed almost lifeless after yesterday’s bundle of energy and close calls.

Kaelan felt Zack approach before she saw him out of the corner of her eye. She smiled at him, then turned her attention back to giving in to her curiosity. Opening room #1, she went inside and seeing that the curtains to the window were open, she ran over to them and quickly closed them so that the sunlight wouldn't harm Zack. Bathing to room in a dusk like light, she opened old, cracked drawers on the dresser, rummaging through what tattered remains of clothing were there. Then she looked at the t.v., remembering seeing something like this when she was younger and lived in an all white room. She shuddered, remembering that with that white room also lived Dravesh when he was younger. Pushing the memory aside, she stepped around Zack and looked in the bathroom, wrinkling her nose at the moldy, mildewy smell coming from the room. Leaving that room, she headed for #2 and did the same in there. She repeated the process in all 12 rooms that she had keys to, finding nothing to satisfy her curiosity and her stomach was now growling loud enough for Zack to even hear it. She had to eat or she would grow weak...unable to call on any of the animal dna in case they were attacked again.

Heading back down the hallway, she knew there had to be a kitchen or something around as this was a place where people would apparantly stay....so it only made sense that there would be food of some kind. Whether or not it was still eatable was another question altogether. Her stomach growled again, this time cramping painfully. She was running on low reserves.

She looked to Zack, her blue eyes filled with questions...but those could wait.

"Do you have any idea if there is any food around here at all? I have to eat Zack or I will suffer the consequences of using my animal dna without compensating for it."

She kept walking, seeing a door that had a 'STAIRS' sign above it. Opening it, she looked at the steps leading down and after a brief hesitation, proceeded to go down them.

Zack followed her as she opened the doors finding each room exactly the same as the other Kaelan having he courtesy of closing the curtains in each room for him dimming the rooms to a dusk light he pushed back the hair which seemed to have gone wild over the small hours of sleep he had napped. He watched Kaelan silently as she rummaged through drawers and she looked at the T.V shuddering at it Zack could help but mumble. “Probably don’t work anyway.” Zack let her into the bathroom he felt the waft of smell hit him quickly remembering not to breathe through the nose with such a smell. They repeated the process over and over again Zack rubbing under the sunglasses trying to remove the sleep. He heard the rumbles of her stomach from behind her when she suddenly stopped he almost bowled into her stopping short of her seeing only curiosity in her eyes questions which wanted answering which he would answer as there was no need for too many secrets. “There should be food in the kitchens.”... He looked to the stairs she had located wondering what could possibly be on a lower floor except the living quarters of the owner of the motel or a lair... bah Zack shook the idea away. “The owner may have lived down here meaning a kitchen might be down here.” He moved down the stairs behind her he moved his neck to the side a sickening click emanating from the spine. “That’s a little better never good to sleep sitting.”

Kaelan took her time going down the stairs, not knowing what they would find.

"Do you think Lyand is okay? Should we go back and check on him?"

When Zack motioned for them to continue, Kaelan nodded her head and proceeded down the stairs. Once they reached the bottom, it curved around to a door, which was partially open. Pushing it the rest of the way open, Kaelan poked her head inside and calling on the wolf's sense of smell and hearing she sniffed the air and listened. Smelling and hearing nothing, she stepped into the room. It was dark and unlike Zack, she couldn't see very well in the dark, even if she called on her cat's vision. Feeling around on the wall, she found the switch and flipped it up. Only one of the flourescent lights came on, but it was enough for her to see and not too much to hurt Zack's eyes. She looked around and saw machines lining a wall. They were large machines, all of them had circle windows in the front of them. Walking over to them, she reached out to touch one and jerked her hand back before reaching out again.

"What do you suppose these are, Zack? They're big and they have windows! Do people live in these?"

Looking down the wall, she sees another door and heads for it, opening it. Her eyes are bright with wonder, almost like a child in a candy store. Inside the room were two vending machines and two soda machines. Seeing the various candy bars, granola bars, cookies, etc. she raced to the food, hoping that it was still eatable.

Zack walking behind her told her to continue when she questioned whether they should check on Lyand why waste more energy when their goal was within sight to walk down some stairs. He walked next to her this time as they came to the door he tilted the glasses forward looking over them as he saw the darkness within the room. The two stepped into the room he saw what it contained. “A laundry room?” He heard the click of the switch he lifted the glasses quickly but to find only one light turned on he removed the glasses the light not enough to pain him. She asked what seemed so obvious to him a set of washing and drying machines but he knew this only before the flare. “They are used for cleaning not living in dirty clothes spun inside the machine removing dirt with a powder which helps remove dirt, the window is for observation don’t know why, they are old technology.” Describing the machines simply as he crouched in front of one but stood quickly finding no interest in the machines.

Zack followed Kaelan to the other door followed opening the door she walked in with bewilderment of a child Zack walked more slowly to the vending machine stepping round Kaelan he pulled a knife out confusion hitting Kaelan as she recognized the knife he had thrown at someone during the battle in fact his coat hanging open she saw all his knife sheaves had filled Zack pried the simple lock mechanism open the glass door swinging open. “Don’t eat the cookies they will have gone off majorly and the some of the chocolate may not be edible anymore.” He moved to the soda machine opening it in the same manner he reached in pulling one of the drinks he threw it at Kaelan who caught it easily he reached in picking one for himself he sat down against the other soda machine his back feeling the slight hum of energy through it. “Well we found food and drink.” Sheathing the knife he opened the can of soda taking a drink finding a little burst of energy reading the label to find it contained caffeine.

Kaelan heard what Zack had said and she stayed away from the cookies and chocolate. The granola bars she grabbed, though and ripped into them, eating 3 within minutes. She ripped into the fourth and finished it off when she popped open the can of soda and gulped it down. She was feeling better when she sat down next to Zack.

"Why all of the knives? How did you know what those machines were? Who is Kade? How is it he lives within you? What does Dravesh want with you? Why does he want me? How is it I remember him when he and I were younger?"

Her questions came out in a matter of seconds, before she stopped so that she could take a breath. She looked up at Zack, her blue eyes full of curiosity. She looked a lot like Sin, but with enough differences that it wasn't too painful for Zack to look at her. She took another drink of her soda, waiting for answers, unsure if she would get them. She liked Zack and this Kade and she felt as if she knew him from somewhere, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

Zack took a deep breath. “Ok...starting at question one. The knives are part of me in a sense detachable but still a part of me or more accurately Kade his fangs as a Jackal the knives are carried on me. Ok question two well let’s say I ain’t the young man you think I am quite a bit older...ancient for that matter. Question number three...Kade.....” Zack paused on this thinking how he should explain him thinking it over. “I came upon Kade as a young child he made a deal with me, found him up in the north where I used to live in a cave he’s a parasitical demon with a form Kade’s being the Jackal which hides within the host surfacing mostly at night time due to the volatile behaviour to sunlight. He is harboured as a dream creature or memories as some people believe things to be life like in a dream Kade is something like that but is actually alive in his own sense.” Happy with his answer on what Kade was keeping out the gory nasty fact which surrounded Kade. “Dravesh...we were working in the same facility quite a while ago you may have forgotten a large amount of it he was young then and did not understand how I was a right hand man to one of the most important people in his life not taking the role of an invigilator I cared for the people in their Dravesh believed the doctors brutality was the right way so he has hated me of jealousy for being accepted even though I never appeared strong or cruel I was everything he believed a right man should not be.” He made his own speculation even he fully did not understand why Dravesh hated him so Zack had left leaving the spot open having enough of the facility he had entered for the pay to find the secrets of the lab he left Zack scratched the scar on his face slowly. “You were one of the Doctors subjects if I may be so blunt and Dravesh believes it right to bring them back in for torture and pain he remembers you and you remember him as you two were both in ward #203 I think I was allowed to visit occasionally when the Doctor was not about but much of it will be hazy for you that was a bad time.” His gaze had changed thinking about the past brought the obvious things attached he had raised Sin and Alex only two doors down from her very cell in that white room.

“I hope that answers all your questions but you have one lingering on your tongue.” He took another gulp from the soda can. He could almost hear the questions of Sin and Alex as they asked him what a train was when he had started a story on such a subject. His eyes lowered he placed the can on the floor standing back up he removed his coat slowly placing it on the ground and removing the harness of knives and claymore sheath. Zack un tucked the black shirt he wore unbuttoning the shirt Kaelan at first confused but memory had the answers as recognition dawned on her a black clothed man wearing an open shirt and a ta... there it was a tattoo on the chest covering where his heart would be the same man who she remembered prying the murderous Dravesh from her in the white room when the ape had attacked her. The hair had been a lot shorter yet here was the man not aged in the least the pentagram tattoo over his heart with symbols around the points of the star. “Now you know why you have that niggling feeling that you knew me ironic that we meet again.”

Kaelan looked up at Zack as he removed his coat and shirt, then paled when she saw the tatoo and memories surfaced again of being beaten to a bloody pulp and then being saved by......Zack.

"It was you......you always pulled Dravesh off of me. But....that means that......I was created. That I am......a freak. It's not normal to do what I do.....is it? But.....who is the man in the white coat that I remember. The man with the hard eyes. He wasn't nice.....I was glad when Bea took from there."

Kaelan stood, beginning to pace, trying to put the pieces together. Zack had always been there when she'd been a little girl. He had always saved her when Dravesh was turned loose on her. Her blue eyes stared at his face as she stopped pacing. She walked over to him, having to look up in order to see his face. Raising her hand, she stroked his cheek, running her fingers over his nose....his lips...his chin, staring into his eyes the whole time she touched him.

"Even when I was a little girl, I thought you my white knight. It seems that you still are my knight. And Kade? How does he feel? What does he thing about all of this?"

She lowered her hand, but still looked in his eyes, her blue ones curious and full of emotion.....so much like her half sister's, Sin's. Sin's eyes may have been amber in color, but they'd held the same emotions as Kaelan's. Compassion, understanding.....and acceptance.....acceptance of Zack and Kade both.

She approached him her hands running over his face as if to ensure the memories which had surfaced were real after all that Zack was indeed her saviour. “I guess being a white knight will be okay “The doctor was the one in the white coat a man of great...ability to commit evil deeds of pain a genius in his area of expertise being genetics.” Remembering the name with spite his target had eluded him he did not know much more of the doctor having tried hard not to associate himself with him.

He felt a dull pain wondering if was wounded or something looking down beyond her looking at the tattoo finding no mark he could only guess it was the aching sorrow as he saw that familiar look of Sintara on that face of Kaelan he could see little difference except the eye colours, she had accepted both of them Zack and Kade. “Kade is taking a break the whole ordeal of the raid has tired him so he sleeps in a corner of my mind it’s the other reason for my affinity to sunlight his hate of daylight reflects upon me as well.” Almost on time he felt Kade stir like a blink of an eye to Zack a thin whisper coming to him. “Windows.....upstairs!” Zack turned to the exit he thought over his options finally deciding on his action. “Collect some food Kaelan cause I have a bad feeling that something happened upstairs.” Picking up his gear he clothed himself slowly slipping on his glasses the harness then slipping himself into his coat smoothly he slowly walked back into the laundry room.

Kaelan turned, finding an old bag in the corner of the snack room. Shaking it out, she grabbed what eatable goods from the snack machine along with some of the sodas and jammed them in the bag before running out of the room to catch up with Zack. As she headed upstairs, she saw Zack running down the hallway where Lyand's room was, her heart beginning to beat hard in her chest. She had a feeling that this wasn't going to be good.

Entering Lyand's room, Kaelan gasped when she saw the large hole in the wall and no Lyand. Zack was walking around the room, looking over everything before looking out of the hole. She walked over to him and saw what he was looking at. The silouette of a man, walking towards the motel. But, where was Lyand. Looking down, Kaelan saw the hoof prints leading away from the motel and she could tell by the depth of the prints that the creature had been carrying something.....or someone.

"Where's Lyand, Zack. What happened to him?"

Her voice was a whisper, knowing that Zack probably didn't know anymore than she did. Her blue eyes looked back at the figure making his way towards them.

Zack had inspected the room with little to find Lyand had simply disappeared through the wall he rooted round the room the blue giant had not struggled if he had been taken and it was hard to tell whether Lyand could have punched the whole through the wall. The debris seemed to have gathered outside and inside the wall had simply been ‘removed’. Zack could feel a slight burning sensation on his face the sunlight touching it. Zack looked up seeing the silhouette of a man walking towards them Zack stepped through the whole the direct sun beating on his face he began to sweat his skin pricking he felt he was being burned he knew it would be a while before he started to steam. “Lyand seems to have been taken by something part animal could be one of the Doc’s men but first we have a visitor.”

Began to walk toward the man pushing the goggle like sunglasses flush with his face being a deep crimson colour stopping any sunlight getting to his eyes. Zack continued to walk forwards his hands at his side being as unthreatening as he could he did not look back to see if Kaelan had followed him the two stood apart a good distance. “Excuse me you seem to be a little lost being all the way out here?” Zack had to be cautious few people would bother to come out this far just for a motel unless he was a stranded adventurer.

Kaelan watched as Zack headed out to meet the stranger, knowing that the sun would cause him discomfort if not pain. She didn't like this....not one bit. She knew that Zack could pretty much take care of himself, but the sun....the sun could be his downfall. Looking around the room, she saw nothing that would help him and feeling frustrated a loud growl escaped her lips. Lyand had disappeared and Zack was out in the sun. What was next.....an attack from below ground? Or worse?

Leaving the room, Kaelan went back out to the lobby, rummaging quickly behind the desk for anything that would help Zack. Still, she found nothing. Sighing, she grabbed the bag of food and sodas from the reception desk and headed for the door to join Zack, looking around cautiously as she stepped outside.

As she walked towards Zack and the stranger she felt eyes upon her and stopped, looking around her. Looking up, she saw what looked like an upright......hyena? At least, it resembled a hyena, on two legs standing on the roof of the overhang. The thing had a large, oblong head with a wide mouth, strong jaws, and pointed teeth. It's upper body was massive and a little hunched, the shoulders broad, the arms long and muscular. It's legs were shorter than it's arms, and she watched as it bent over, laying it's hands down, showing that it could run using it's arms and legs if needed. It turned it's head slowly, it's reddish/gold eyes resting on her. Lifting it's massive head, it sniffed the air, then looked back at her....a sickening grin crossing it's face, showing it's pointed teeth.

"Escaped pet......catch and return....get reward."

It's voice was growly, but what it said told her everything. This thing was going to capture and take her back to it's master. Her eyes going wide, she dropped the pack and began to back up, keeping her gaze on the hyena-man, because she could see now that it was clearly a male. One step back....two.....three. That was all she got when she saw it bunch it's muscles to leap. Turning, she ran for Zack calling on the dna of the cheetah to give her speed but she was too late or too slow, she didn't know which.

"ZAAAAAACK!!!! OOOOMPH!!!"

The wind was knocked out of her as the beast tackled her to the ground, her head hitting the hard surface, causing her to see stars. A massive, clawed hand grabbed her by the arms, making deep puncture wounds as it hauled her to her feet, holding her in front of him, her feet dangling off of the ground.

"You come....we play on the way.....I get reward."

The hyena-man looked over to Zack, grinning lewdly at him.

"MY PET, NOW!! DOCTOR REWARD!! GIVE PET TO HIM!!!"

Kaelan kicked out with her booted feet, catching the beast in his privates multiple times as his head turned, pain-filled eyes peering at her before she found herself being thrown to the ground as he howled his agony before grabbing his private area, glaring at her. Walking over to her, he picked her up by her still tender throat and hit her with his beefy fist. Kaelan fought against the darkness that threatened to swallow her, as she tried to breathe through the massive hand squeezing her throat. This couldn't be happening!!! They had to find Lyand, not fight this idiot!! She couldn't believe what was happening, even as she began to black out. The last thing she knew was being slung over it's shoulder as it began to run around the motel, opposite of where Zack and the stranger were standing.

The approaching figure was nothing more than blurred image, obscured by the dust kicked up by steady gusts, but as the man drew nearer the details of his form became clear. Long black hair fluttered like a tattered flag and his old grey tunic billowed in the wind. Drawing closer yet they could see that his features were Asian and on his belt was sheathed sword that appeared to look more like a gnarled wooden rod, engraved with many symbols and Chinese characters.

When Zack spoke, the man looked up with narrowed eyes, squinting against the blowing dust and sand. He had only looked into the face of the tall man briefly before he lowered his head again, then looked beyond him, glancing at the woman who was approaching them.

The stranger, like Zack was cautious. He was studying them and when his eyes caught sight of the large, bipedal hyena emerging from a cloud of red dust, he lowered himself into a fighting stance and watched. Even as the tall warrior reacted, the wanderer did not move nor reach for his sword. He focused on the creature that was attacking, Kaelen and it seemed as if he was expecting the creature to be something else. He immediately turned his head toward the hole in the wall ignoring the bounty hunting animal mutant as he tried to claim his prize. The stranger anxiously approached, Lyand's room and seemed to focus on nothing else, as if he were oblivious to the fight occurring only ten meters away.

The stranger could have helped but he had traveled too far to pass up such an opportunity. He was close! He could feel it! Unfortunately it would seem that he had another unexpected problem. One that he had not foreseen in the large man that had greeted him but he would cross that bridge when and if the time came.

As he walked toward the destroyed room that had been Lyand's, the stranger held out his tattooed hand before him, the palm of which had a black astrological sigil imprinted upon it among other symbols. He reached into his tunic, and pulled out a medallion, gripping it in his other hand while quietly chanting in his native tongue. Only once did he break his concentration and look over his shoulder, but whatever would come to be he could not forsake his quest and his vengeance for one woman.

Kaelan's fear had turned into anger in a matter of minutes. Her blue eyes turning to ice, she called on the dna of the tiger and stayed still as stripes formed in her hair and her strength intensified as well as her incisors becoming longer and her eyes becoming the golden/green color of the big cat. Her nails formed into claws, something that hadn't happened before, but she would dwell on it later. Draped over the shoulder of the creature, she drew back and swung with her hand, slicing open the back of the beast's thigh. Howling in pain, he stumbled but didn't fall as Kaelan sliced again, this time on the other leg.

The creature dropped to his knees, throwing Kaelan away from him, rage glowing in his eyes. Kaelan landed gracefully, rolling to her feet, coming up to a crouch. Baring her now 1 inch long incisors, her golden/green eyes cast a red glow as she prepared to defend herself.

"First Dravesh and now you!! What is it you assholes want with me?!!"

The hyena beast didn't answer, as she didn't think he would. Instead, he got to his feet, blood dripping to the ground behind him as he stalked her.

"I find lost pets....I know their scents.....I bring them to father......father give me reward. Sometimes he let me play with his pets. I want to play with you....you a pretty pet. I take you back now....but first....you learn not to hurt Boris."

Kaelan watched as 'Boris' approached her catiously, the way a predator stalked prey. She still couldn't figure out why this 'father' wanted her back so badly, but she wasn't about ready to find out. When Boris leaped at her, his sharp teeth bared, she watched and waited and just as he was on her she bolted to the side. Boris slammed into the ground quickly regaining his feet and charging her again. Staying in a crouch, Kaelan let out a loud hiss as she lashed out with her claws, slicing Boris' chest open as his fist slammed into her shoulder. She toppled to the ground, a little slower getting to her feet this time, but she made it as Boris wiped the blood from his chest. Now snarling, she could see that all she succeeded in doing was angering the creature and knew now that she would have to kill him if she was going to get back to Zack.

Boris charged her again, an eerie laugh coming from his large mouth as he dropped to all fours, running at her. Kaelan once again watched and waited until the last second, leaping into the air just before he slammed into her. As he came to a skidding halt, Kaelan was already leaping again, landing on his back, her arms wrapping around his broad chest, claws digging into the muscles of his chest. Opening her mouth, she bit into the back of his neck, the tiger's strength pouring into her jaws as she tried to snap his spinal column at the base of his neck, but she was too small to do so. Instead, she hung on as he tried to grab her and pull her off of his back, his long arms tearing at hers. Releasing the back of his neck, Kaelan started to go for the side of his neck when Boris swung his head back, cracking her in the forehead. Her hold loosened enough for him to untangle her from his back and throw her away from him. She crashed to the ground, rolling. Breathing heavily, she slowly regained her feet, looking at Boris through the blood streaming into her eyes from the split skin on her forehead. She was losing the tiger's strength now and knew that she had to finish this and quickly. Boris let out a howl of pure rage, blood streaming down his chest and back as he charged now in a frenzy. Just as he was withing a few yards of Kaelan she leapt, meeting him with a sounding crash of bodies. Quickly, she closed her teeth over his jugular and tore, warm blood squirting into her mouth.

She leapt away from him, blood running down her chin, her eyes casting a red glow as she watched him sway, blood running from the gaping hole in the side of his neck. His eyes became dull and lifeless as he crumpled to the ground. Kaelan stayed in a cat like crouch, staring at the body, the taste of his blood on her tongue. Her tiger seemed to be renewed as well as the other predator's dnas she carried. Her eyes took on an eerie glow as she fought the urge to rip into the body. Just as suddenly as it had begun it ended and Kaelan slumped to the ground, suddenly exhausted and sick to her stomach at what she'd done and almost done. Throwing up what little she'd eaten that morning, she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand once she was finished, looked over at the body and the pool of blood that was now around the head and neck and almost retched again. Getting shakily to her feet, she began the walk back to where Zack and the stranger were. She had questions for Zack and she wanted answers. Why did this doctor want her and others like her back so badly? What happened to her when she tasted the beast's blood? She felt.....crazed almost. Zack would have the answers...at least she hoped he would.

Zack tried to concentrate on the figure finding few details on the man he recognized the man to be Chinese Zack disregarded the man turning slowly he thought he had heard his name yelled into the air his skin was prickling. His irritation causing him to not be as awake as usual he could only watch in shock his skin lifted his gloved hand to his face trying to stop the rays falling upon his face. He looked down seeing the hyena he tried to step forward he was getting drained by the sunlight he hadn’t felt this weak in sunlight in ages he tried to run after Kaelan falling to one knee he took a deep breath forcing himself upright as the Hyena took Kaelan round the corner. He pushed himself upright his hands going to a dagger he continued to walk in dogged steps his eyes blazing as he continued to walk a small part of steam leaked from his collar as the flesh seemed to issue steam from the seams of his coat collar. Zack took deep breaths forcing himself upright the claymore on his back weighing every pound of metal it really was pressing down on his back. “Must save Kaelan!” Zack’s efforts were meaningless as he reached the corner he heard deep thuds but could walk no further like a wounded man he collapsed in the sand face first trying to breath as his skin continued to feel like red hot iron needles shoved into its pores releasing steam from his skin.

He heard the sand being crunched underfoot he lifted his head finding only the sun then he heard the steps come round the corner he half expected the Hyena to come back with a leg in its mouth but to his relief it was Kaelan. “Hi again.” His voice no more than a whisper he tried to stand himself back up his embarrassment obvious as he could not even cope with sunlight beating down on him. He sat up sweat boiling on his skin the reason for the steam erupting from his face and neck seeming to just rise from the insides of his coat. “Let’s go inside, bring the stranger in if you can, I’m gonna go find a hat." Using the wall to support him he pushed himself up into a standing position walking with his shoulder against it.