Arise High King Vamp (MT, CLOSED ATTN Macabees)

[Lynion]

Vamperial Empire of Lynion
Lynscert Island, Imperial Airbase
March, 1988


The Empire of Lynion, or simply the empire, has broken its borders and conquered all that lie before it as nothing could withstand her might. The empire had become a cancer to anything that touched it and now, it had caught the eyes of two larger nations, Lyras and Lamoni. This was because of how Lynion was treating all who she conquered and now threaten the empire itself. In a matter of mere weeks, the once powerful empire was grinded to a halt and its war machine stunned by such fighting. Only to see itself being ripped apart as it was forced into a retreat with every passing day. Sure, it had its glorious moments but that was behind them now. Now, it was a matter of time before Lynion is smashed to pieces. Even though this produced the worse of people’s character to emerge, it would also produce heroes that Lynion would desperately need in order to survive.

However, elements within the Vamperial Order that haven’t being corrupted by the stench of the emperor, had debated whether or not to offer peace to the nations it had conquered in order to Lynion intact. In order for this to occur, it would mean the removal of the bulk of the Vamperial Council and assassinating the current monarch, Emperor Marcus Kingston. Using an element of the Shadow Assassin’s and the Black Assassin’s, they safely escorted a former exile to the Lyras and Lamoni Governments and discuss terms of surrender. All was expected, except for the introduction of a Parliament. However, with limited room to debate, the Exile agreed to the terms as he had his sickening methods to dispose of Parliament should it ever emerge. With this, the Coalition Forces would keep Empire forces in check and would not invade Lynion further.

Upon return, the Exile was welcome with a small group of friends as they quickly hid and meet in secret to discuss the terms of the surrender. They were amazed that the Exile was able to keep the Lynion Kingdom well intact and surprised by the unexpected merging of Parliament House. However, all had agreed to the terms and would begin to bring down the reign of Marcus and his corrupted officials, so long they could stay one step ahead of His Majesty’s Secret Service (HMSS) but HMSS would finally face the Shadow Assassin’s, the Death-head Assassin’s and the Lynscertian Dragon Order. Thus, started the first period of cloak and dagger as both sides were keen to wipe out the other. Once the members had left, the Exile stayed for a moment as he wanted to talk with Supreme Headmaster Blood Raven. The underground bunker was once used as an air raid shelter and was now being used by what is considered the Resistance Force. The Exile looked about, at the wooden desk with maps over them, chairs being pushed to one side, radio operators listening in on vital information and a number of safes to keep classified information safe.

“It’s safe to talk,” Raven started as he stood firmly to attention. He was wearing a traditional common outfit that the public wore as he refused to be seen in public with his military uniform unless it was on official business. Much like what the others have decided to do themselves in order to avoid getting caught. However, it was the Exile’s outfit that worried him. The Exile was wearing a mixture of the Shadow Assassin uniform and the Dragon Order uniform. The DO uniform was used to blend in with the shadows and be one with the darkness. It was a pair of combat boots, long trousers, a shirt, a military style cloak and a pair of gloves, all in black and elements of dark grey to help blend in the darkness and the shadows. His SA uniform consisted of a scarf that wrapped around his neck and formed a barrier over his mouth and nose leaving only his eyes exposed, he also wore a hood to cover his head and partially his face. His eyes were generally covered by red coloured sunglasses in order to adapt his eyes to the sunlight during the daytime. On his belt, he had a few tools that he often used including two curved daggers and a gothic katana with a crimson red colour across its blade and hilt to reduce reflection off it. This hinted he was someone high in the Dragon Order. The Exile lowered his face protection and flicked off the hood. Raven starred down the eyes of what seemed to be an empty shell. His body screamed in fear as he was lost for words as he finally realise who the Exile was. The pale face, the bloodshot demonic red eyes and the fangs coming from his mouth, there was only one person who could be this.

“Vamp…” Raven started only to be cut off by the Exile’s hushing tone.

“I am not that person until I become myself,” Vamp whispered in a cold bloodthirsty tone.

“Of…of course sir,” Raven was relieved as he straighten himself. “I have a position for you to maintain until further notice. You’re a headmaster that works with Special Forces,” Raven handed Vamp a concealed file that explained who he was.

“Drake Ruthven,” Vamp whispered to himself. “A wandering vampire that serves only the purest of vampires which is himself,” Vamp looked up with a pale deathly look at Raven. “Does this mean I need an apprentice?”

“You have to sir,” Raven pointed out to him as he moved around the table, towards a desk and pulled out a list of suitable apprentices. “You can choose whoever you desire. The seal and this letter of approval will—will suit your needs,” Vamp took out the letter and smiled with white shiny teeth before putting it aside. He went through the list and found one to his liking and only took that one file with him. “You’re not…?” Raven stopped with his words as Vamp glared at him with such a look that could kill him. With that, Vamp left the bunker and later found himself on a train bound for Port Glasgow, the capital of the Lynion Islands.

Vamp had left Lynscertia seeing a beautiful landscape, law and order and a stable society. Upon arrival into Port Glasgow, he saw the opposite. Taking his time and no luggage with him, Vamp left the station and looked back at the bridge the train had crossed over to get to Lynx Island. He then turned and quickly covered his face including putting on a pair of red sunglasses. It was the start of winter in Lynion as it would consume 8 months in total and the remaining 4 would be a pleasant spring season before winter set in. Wandering through the city, he noticed the homeless were out in force trying to stay alive to see another tomorrow. The Secret Service were out patrolling the city streets along with regular policemen to keep law and order intact. Port Glasgow was looking gloomy and there was little hope once you ended on the streets. There were very few places to go to as the Mafia, under the control of Emperor Marcus, had become a force to be reckon with and made sure the homeless and those poverty stricken were kept in line. This often meant that a trading of drugs was kept alive to help ensure this. Was this Lynion? A powerful nation now stricken and also on the verge of civil war? There was little he could do at the moment. However, as he started to thirst for blood, something he needed to control over.


Vamp was reaching his destination when he decided to divert for a moment as a Secret Service member had decided to take a break and force a humble merchant to pay him off. Vamp moved past the pair as he swung around the moment he was given cover by the buildings and apartment rises. He silently removed his mouth protection and slowly begun to stalk the troublesome secret service member from behind.

“Com’n sir,” the merchant begged the secret service member. “I have children to feed and I can’t afford this,”

“How’s that my problem?” the service member demanded of the merchant. “You should’ve gotten yourself a better job than this,”

“It’s all I can do,” the merchant pleaded with him as he was starting to beg for his mercy. Vamp quietly walked behind the service member while the merchant covered himself and prepared for the onslaught. It was a quiet moment when Vamp came behind the service member and quickly covered the serviceman mouth to stop him screaming. Vamp’s victim tried to scream and tackle his way out but Vamp was too powerful for him. The moment turned to nothing, as Vamp’s fang came out and sank deeply into the man’s neck blood veins. And slowly, the once lively man slowly become an empty husk of pale skin and no blood found in his body. His life drained away and the empty body collapsed to floor. As Vamp wipe away the blood, he grinned but noticed the merchant was looking at something behind him. Spinning around, he came face to face with the serviceman’s partner who was shocked and surprised. The man wanted to scream but nothing happen and as he went for his sidearm, Vamp quickly jumped at him and repeated what he did earlier, except, the merchant ran for his life fearing he was next. Once the serviceman met his fate, Vamp was now at his full strength and needn’t worry to feed again for a very long time.

Vamp raced through the crowds, cleared several blocks and eventually reached the troublesome area of the city where he found the orphanage. He smiled underneath all his clothing and gear as he started to approach the orphanage unannounced and didn’t have an appointment either. His hood, glasses and mouth piece covered his entire face as the public started to give him a wide breath just from the atmosphere he had around him. When he approached the main door and walking up the steps he knocked with a heavy fist three times on the door. It didn’t take too long and someone answered the door. It seemed to be an older woman who could’ve being the caretaker.

“Who might you be?” she asked Vamp in a good manner.

“I am Headmaster Drake Ruthven of the Vamperial Order,” his introduction caused the old woman to raise an eyebrow but nevertheless heard him out. “I come seeking a Miss Candace Swallow is she in?”

“I’ll see if she’s home. Please come in and wait at the dining table while I find her,” the old woman escorted Drake to the dining room and set about finding Candace Swallow. “Candace? Candace Swallow,” she would call out. “Someone from the Vamperial Order is here for you. Candace?”

The woman’s voice drained from his ears as Drake/Vamp looked about. There were a number of children that had come home from school from a range of ages possibly the youngest being eight and maybe the oldest was 18. He wasn’t sure either but he watched the children play, do their homework and do what children did. For a split second, Vamp could see his son and daughter in his arms just shortly after they were born. It was a beautiful sight to behold but one that would be cut short of his exile and their deaths back in 1979. He wondered, what would his grandson Marcus know about him? Vamp removed his glasses as his eyes adjusted to the light and it let off a bright crimson red colour in his eyes that matched his pale skin that has being tanned slightly since he feed himself. He lowered his mouth protection covering his mouth and sat on the table the letter of approval and a file officially offering Candace her position. Now, it was a matter of time before he met Candace Swallow.

[The Macabees]

Candace had not lived a very enjoyable life. Her parents having died when she was a young girl, not yet beyond her fourth year of age, Candace was forced into the life of an orphan. Despite her troubles she never lost sight of her dream: to join the Order as an apprentice. Every year, for some large number of years now, she applied, but without much fortune. Candace had lost some of her previous anxiety over the whole thing — hope and excitement tend to wane as failure extends —, but she nevertheless continued to fight for what she saw as her only opportunity to escape the pain of being a 'parentless' child. Perhaps the Order could be the family she never had. She contemplated this, her eyes reflecting a cultured depression, as she sat in a fair sized room with a number of other girls.

Ms. Arabella, this particular orphanage caretaker for quite some years now, came into the room and sought out the young Swallow. "Candace, there's a man here waiting to see you. You didn't tell me you would have company."

"I didn't know, either. Who is this man," inquired Candace. She grew a bit uncomfortable, because her luck with strangers had never been very good.

The caretaker thought about it for a little while; in her old age, it was easy to forget things, even a name someone had just told you. "Oh yes," she finally started, "Mr. Drake Ruthven. He's with the Order. A Headmaster, I believe he said."

Candace's face brightened a bit when she hear those words. She did not expect the Order to seek her, especially after so many years of failed applications for their apprenticeship program. The other girls turned their heads as well, as their interest had been piqued. Candace always talked about the Order, whether others wanted to hear about it or not. It was her life's obsession and it all seemed to be coming into place now.

One of the girls said, quite meanly, "With her personality, I wouldn't be surprised if this Mr. Ruthven denied her in person."

"Shush up," warned Ms. Arabella. "C'mon Candace, let's go. He's waiting."

Candace stood up and walked through the hallways towards the dining room, where Drake Ruthven was sitting and waiting for her. The girl who had insulted Candace in passing had a point, though. The young Swallow never had much luck with adoptive families. She was either to extreme for them, or them for her. A couple of so-called "guardians" had even tried to things which are better off left unsaid. Safe to say, they were no longer around — Candace knew very well how to protect herself from predators. She never allowed anyone to take advantage of her. It had developed into something of a wall that oftentimes separated her emotionally from others, which is probably why her popularity with the other girls was at an all time low these days. There was some question of whether she would be able to handle the discipline of the Order and there were worries that perhaps she would react violently to any chauvinism displayed by her soon-to-be peers — Candace, after all, was prone to violence in certain instances.

There Drake Ruthven sat at an old wooden dining table. He was draped in quite a few layers of clothing and there were a pair of thick, dark lens sunglasses on the table (signs of special attributes to those informed about those type of things). He actually looked shady, but that was sometimes how the Order operated. When Candace entered the room Ruthven stood, and she curtsied and said, "Very pleased to meet you Mr. Ruthven."

[Lynion]

“Hello Candace, please sit down,” Vamp returned the gesture and sat down comfortably in his chair as he went through the conversations he overheard earlier. He pondered for a moment as he wonder about the other female for a brief moment. Then he observed Candace sitting before him as he was slightly curious about her. With that, he pulled back his hood and exposed an uncombed jet black coloured hair. His hair was spiky leaning towards his left but it wasn’t formed in any particular way, it just seem to be his natural hair style he travelled with. He then took his left hand and pulled down his winter mask. The mask itself was latex, it provided air holes around the nose and the mouth, it was able to project his voice in a slightly deeper manner, and finally on both sides of the mask, it had a gothic style of a cross which was a deep crimson red colour. When he took off his mask and put it aside, it exposed his face for what it was. His skin was an artic white colour but yet his eyes was a deep demonic red colour. His facial hair went around his mouth and under his nose and joined up to his side burns, again jet black colour like his hair colour. It was prickly like it was shaven a few days ago and it had grown back but it didn’t show any progress of it growing in any form. When he talked, it was cold, sent a chill down people’s spin when they were in trouble, it was commanding like a general, but it would rage like a hurricane when his rage succumbed him. But yet, he talked like he was a father figure to people. Yet, when he talked his fangs were exposed. Some would argue they were like viper fangs, long, solid, and incredibly sharp as they were position where his Caine teeth were on the top part on his mouth, hence the mask.

He then turned and noted Candace. He could sense some form of depression, in fact, he guess the female was going through a stage of depression and culture of it. There was no guessing of why either. She’s an orphan, struggling to be accepted by her follow peers, no parents, few or no friends around and she wanted to leave. Vamp knew the type of fate that awaited for orphans that didn’t go into foster care. They ended on the streets doing who knows what to survive. Did he pity her? Maybe. But he felt he could bond with her and maybe produce the father figure she needed. Or maybe she needed a speck of hope. How can she find hope in the Order when the only reason they rejected her was because she was a female? Vamp stopped his train of thought at a brick wall, sat back in his chair and concluded she could be it.

“Hmm…” Vamp/Drake started. “You…you are an interesting person Candace,” he continued as he then looked at her and studied her facial movements. If she was to do the same to him, she would only see an emotionless artic white face looking back at her. There was a sense of a chill that could shatter an ice block that came with his look, yet, it was more…friendly. There was little emotion in his voice when they first met let alone his entire face. The only hint of emotion was his commanding father figure which everyone have noted in seeing in him. Children would feel safe around him but his rage would be unmatched by anyone who would come across him. It would be the feeling Candace would get off him. He was a warm, comforting, protecting and caring father figure.

“When I went through a few hundred looking for a suitable apprentice, yours screamed out at me the most. I’m not sure why either. Though, yours was at the bottom and already rejected. When I looked at it, I was assured it was a mistake by others and offered to have it removed, yet you were…” he was trying to think of the words. “…one of the few that actually met the standards and requirements in the pile. I haven’t interviewed the people who decided on the fate of your applications so I don’t know why you failed,” he explained to her. Though, he did have a suspicion as to why she failed but he didn’t wanted to say anything until he knew for sure. “So,” his fingers stopped tapping and he drew out a knife from his belt and placed it on the letter.

“I want you to be my apprentice,” seven words that would pierce into her. He could sense that those words were something she was seeking. “Before you answer, hear my terms and conditions just so you know what will happen to you,”

“I will teach you in the Arts of the Viper Assassin. You’ll be enhancing your senses, your mind, your speed, reflexes, agility, jumping and landing, combat, defensive techniques and of course strength. Eventually you’ll be faster than any other normal human being,” Vamp started to explain. “I’ll be providing a wage of your level, looking after you, equip you with suitable equipment and clothing, and when you have completed your training and trails, you’ll go into knighthood. I’ll remain as your Master until at a point of time I’m confident with your ability and skills. It’ll be my decision alone,” he began to explain the terms and conditions to her as she sat with him at the dining table. “This means you’ll have to leave the orphanage behind and the Vamperial Temple will be your new home. It’ll be sometime before you enter it as I’ll be training for you for a few months,” He then took the knife and opened the letter before handing it to her. “This letter is the official recognition that you are an apprentice to me and I am your Master and trainer. It has already being acknowledge by the Supreme Headmaster Blood Raven and three other members of the Vamperial Council. Once you sign it,” he stopped as he pulled out a pen from his pocket to give her. “You have accepted the terms and conditions I have granted you. You’ll become a member of the Order with the rank of Apprentice. We won’t be heading to the Temple straight away, as I need to train you first and it can be done on Lynx Island. So, do you accept these terms and conditions?” Now, he awaited for her to answer him.

“Will you be my apprentice?” He formally asked her.



Meanwhile…


At the scene where Vamp had sucked the life, blood and maybe soul out of the secret serviceman before he met with Candace. A detective was looking at the body. He had to light a cigarette just to look at the body let alone be able to withstand the stench. The body had being fully drained of both blood and life and if it weren’t for his ID papers, they wouldn’t have being able to identify the body. It was shady business as to why he was there in the first place. The merchant square, as it has being called by the locals, was alive with what little business and market stalls that could be found in these hard times. Often it was alive with traffic, now it seemed quieter than usual. Traffic had being diverted, but there wasn’t much as the serviceman was down an alleyway in an apartment square but there wasn’t any doors which meant it was mainly used for an escape route in the event of a fire occurring. There was virtually nothing they could use if it weren’t for the fang marks.

“What do you make of this Adams?” the first detective asked his partner as he drew out the end of his pen and exposed the bite marks.

“It wasn’t an animal Chuck,” Adams answered the older man as he looked at the marks. He noticed they went deep into the flesh and possibly into the blood veins at that rate. “Surely it couldn’t have being…”

“A vampire?” Chuck finished Adams question. He was about to say something else when members of HMSS arrived.

“You have to leave detectives,” the ranking HMSS member started. He looked to be in his mid-thirties, military background and confident in himself.

“Sir, this is a crime scene…” Chuck started as he turned from the body to the group of seven HMSS team. He then noticed heavily armed men closed off the area.

“I know, but this is our member and we deal with our own,”

“We’ll leave,” Chuck started. It took a moment for Adams to bring himself to being forced out of a crime scene. The pair didn’t like the appearance of HMSS but they had no authority over them and like many others, they prefer for them never to have existed in the first place. Chuck moved with Adams and the pair left and climbed into an unmarked police car and drove off. A number of HMSS vehicles had arrived at the scene and it only concluded what Adams first thought of it.

“So it was a vampire?”

“Yeah,” Chuck responded as he lowered down his window and threw out his cigarette butt. “If you believe the legends of Lynscertia, only a pure blood vampire could do that to anyone. Let’s hope it only kills HMSS members,” they both chuckled as they drove back to the police station.

[The Macabees]

Mr. Ruthven's face was a very pale white and eyes a piercing bloodlust red. Most humans would undoubtedly feel their fear creep into their very bones, as the very man that Candace now sat across from looked into their eyes. His facial expression could be termed emotionless, but that would be a betrayal to the information he surrendered. Candace figured Mr. Ruthven — or Drake, as his informal name — was the type that few being were interested in vexing. He was the kind of man who could snap a man's neck in a heartbeat...although Candace was not necessarily privy to the fact that the comparison was quite literal. But, he didn't scare Candace. She had seen, and experienced, too much to be afraid. Even in the face of complete uncertainty, she had learned how to toughen up and survive. In a dog-eat-dog world there is no place for fear, self-doubt, or timidity. That's why the shark is the king of the seas.

Candace, nevertheless, developed an unparalleled respect for Drake from the very first second he revealed himself and spoke. You don't have to fear someone who you admire; someone whose talents are far beyond yours; someone who could nurture you into a superior being, capable of a thousand times more than what Candace was capable before his tutelage. Drake oozed a determinant presence. He was an imposing man who could command your attention just by him being there. He exuded some kind of brilliance with every word, and his manner of being was worth imitation. Respect in any relationship, be it professional, personal, or otherwise, is crucial because only if you respect someone can you truly judge his or her true character and abilities. Candace understood where her place was, and she would have to conform to fit that position.

As the man across from her offered the apprenticeship, Candace couldn't believe it. Her youthful exuberance got the best of her; Candace's eyes widened and her face turned up in an expression of glee. She had been waiting for this momentous occasion for many years now. All others had given up on her, and even she had begun to lost hope. But, Fortune has swooped down to correct an imperfection. Candace had the talent, intelligence, and innate aggression that could far within the Order. Why she had been passed up by other recruiters she would most likely never know. None of that mattered now, in any case. The world had been made right. There was nevertheless a brief, but significant pause before she responded to Mr. Ruthven's question.

After a number of attempts at being assigned "masters," or what others might call "parents," she was unsure as to how this new venture would fare. While Drake most certainly manifested an aura of guarded trust, Candace's past experiences ran deep. When she was but eleven years of age, Candace was assigned to her fifth foster family. Apparently, they weren't ready for her, as the husband was soon thereafter left by his wife. Whatever sympathy the young Swallow had felt for her supposed father it quickly disappeared. One night, as she quietly slept, he crept into her room. But, he was preying on a predator and the rabbit never kills the hawk. There were, of course, signs that not all was well with the man, especially following the departure of his wife. So, while he climbed into the bed and began running his hand down the silhouette of her body, her arm slowly moved towards the bedside table to her right. He failed to notice and that mistake cost him his life, for it was only a few seconds before the sharpened end of a small pocket knife cut in his neck, nicking a carotid artery. She left him to bleed while she darted out of the house and to safety.

Putting thought into it, Candace shook her head. This is different. This is the Order. Smiling, she finally replied, "It would be such an honor for me to be your apprentice."

Candace then proceeded to sign the agreement Mr. Ruthven had placed before her.

Behind her, she could feel the presence of another girl: the one who had insulted her earlier. Candace didn't turn around; spite is for the weak. Nonetheless, she felt the immense pleasure of finally proving her detractors wrong. She thought about the dozens of people who had told her she would never amount to anything, that she was scum, and that her future was on the streets. They were wrong. While Candace was no proponent of malicious bitterness, a little revenge didn't hurt anyone. Especially the scumbags. They'd pay dearly. But, for now Candace had something else to worry about: proving to Drake Ruthven that she was a worthy apprentice and, much more importantly, that she would be worthwhile member of the Order. That task would not be easy, as she was soon to discover.

[Lynion]

Vamp sat quietly in his seat as he could tell she was overjoyed by this piece of news. There was that moment when she signed it that he felt her fate become sealed to his own. He looked graciously at Candace and noted carefully to himself that she was sensing someone or something. The thought pondered briefly in his mind as he was curious whether it was someone from earlier or not, or maybe he shouldn’t go any further. The thought faded to nothing. Regardless of what anyone else was thinking, Candace was the only person of interest at the orphanage. Sitting back in his chair, Vamp took out a gold pocket watch that could’ve being from the 1800’s but it was kept in prime condition, it even had the traditional Roman Numerals on the clock face instead of numbers. He was looking at it while Candace had finished signing the form, and finally he was roughly calculating something in his mind. He then looked again at the pocket watch and finally closed it up.

“That piece of paper is yours to hold onto it until I can get it into the Temple,” Drake/Vamp stated as he stood up from the dining table. “We’re going now. Say goodbye to those you wish and only bring what you need. Anything else stays behind and I’ll have it sent to the Temple,” Vamp explained to her. “When you’re ready, I’ll be outside waiting for you,” Vamp finished the discussion and picked up his things. His face remained pale but the artic white colour of his skin would soon hide itself as he picked up his mask and put it onto his face to hide what others would be scared of, before finally putting on his red tinted sunglasses to keep his eyes from being harmed by the sunlight. Taking his leave, Vamp/Drake left the room and went outside waiting on Candace to arrive.



Once Candace had arrived, Vamp would take her away from her life in the orphanage and begin her training. Her equipment reflected that of the Viper Assassin traits. It was light, flexible, suited to the Lynion climate, easy to blend into a crowd, it could be modified to meet the needs of the user and in addition, it was black with dashes of crimson red. When the hood was put on, it had a fully grown viper’s head in the position to strike and its colour reflected the rank of the person. Green meant apprentice, blue meant knight, grey, white and black cherry meant master and on the rare occurrence, headmaster was black cosmos, crimson red and forest green. It would be something earned, not granted.

7 months. 7 brutal months it would be for Candace. In order for Vamp/Drake to ensure Candace would survive whatever the Order would throw at her, Vamp was forced to do 9 months of training within 7 months. The first two months were focused on her fitness making her faster, agile and she was also taught parkour in order to deal with urban surroundings and the jungles. Parkour was also a requirement for the military, but Vamp decided to enhance the training. The third month was focused on self-defence and offensive, swordsmanship and marksmanship. Most of the training in the third month was conducted at one of the Order’s training camps at the far end of the island. The fourth and fifth months was focused on stealth, assassination techniques, lock-picking with her fitness being revisited. The sixth month was a revision of everything she was taught along with techniques of keeping her mind focused and able to analyse her surroundings to use them to her advantage. To Candace’s horror, she would attempt to chase down Vamp and try and assassinate him. Not an actual assassination, a mock version, excluding the actual civilian population in Port Glasgow. She would take a full month to track him down in the centre of the city in an old industrial complex that has being abandon. In order to make this as realistic as possible, Vamp provided her with a modified .303 rifle that use a full clip of paintball shots. If she got him in the head, the heart or any critical points, she would win. However, because of his abilities and unique traits, Vamp was able to hear her off when she entered the abandon industrial complex.

Candace was on the production level with Vamp overhead in the roof but within sight of Candace. He carefully made his way through down the lights, leapt over hanging chains and finally jumped onto the floor with his pistol aimed at her. When she heard the click of the pistol, she had spun around with the rifle aimed where his heart was. It was quiet that moment. Though, he completely underestimated Candace and that was the first lesson she taught him. Vamp had relaxed his guard and then when he lest expected it happened. The sound of the gunshot echoed throughout the complex as Vamp just stood there in disbelief. Looking at Candace, he noticed there wasn’t a drop of paint or blood on her. When he looked at her a second time, the rifle was smoking and on his shirt was a splash of yellow paint as he silently swore at her. Once he unbutton his shirt to where the paint was, he noted carefully of the bruising on his skin. It was a combination of purple and maybe red colours. There was no telling if it was by accident or on purpose, from Vamp’s point of view.

“You did assassinate me Apprentice,” Vamp pointed out to her as he was amazed at her abilities and pleased with her. “Come, it’s time you got a decent bed and a warm meal,” There was no hint that Vamp was furious with Candace, but there was that smile that could be heard when he said ‘Apprentice’ which was the only hint he was pleased with her abilities. “Then tomorrow, we’re going to the Temple,”

After visiting a drop box which Vamp used to communicate with the Order and taking a letter, Vamp had gotten them into a motel that overlooked the city from the hills. It was quite beautiful waking up to a forest landscape, in a warm room, with warm beds and nothing to fear. There was that aura surrounding Vamp like he was a lion and anyone who approach Candace with impure desires would catch a glimpse of what death could’ve being to look at.

That night, Vamp allowed Candace to sleep for as long as she desired in her own room. For himself, he didn’t really needed much sleep as he regenerated through the drinking of blood that he managed to forge through the means of combining animal and human blood together and formed a blend that he brewed in order to prolong the efforts of blood in his system. He would close his eyes gently and relax his body while he became intoxicated through the drinking of blood that he kept in glass bottles. While drinking blood before sleeping, he could hear Candace heartbeat. He could hear the beating of her heart. In his head, his mind raced through everyone he had ever known. His wife, his children, his friends, his enemies and then finally, it happened.

Vamp allowed himself to drift off as he felt something strange. It wasn’t natural for him. It was like his spirit had being set free from his eternal damned condition and allowed to roam world itself and saw for what it was. He could see Marcus sitting on the throne, he could see members of the Order, HMSS, Police and the military. His spirit could clearly see the outline of their blood veins, their hearts and their souls. His spirit wandered without aim and purpose until he saw it. It was clear like clear water. There was someone standing before him, an empty shell, without a heart, and without blood flowing through its body. He could feel its movement as the creature raised its left hand and pointed at him. The dream was cut short as Vamp suddenly woke up. Convinced it was a dream, Vamp realised day was breaking and quickly remember he had Candace in the other bedroom.

Later, when Candace would wake up, the aroma of a fully cooked breakfast flooded their rooms and it would be enough to cause any stomach to grumble for it. It would be sitting on a plate in the kitchen just wanting for Candace to come along and have. Meanwhile, Vamp had finished his own and was lying down on the couch with his feet hanging over the edge of the two seater reading through a letter he picked up last night. His eyes couldn’t believe what was in the letter and he didn’t wanted to hear about it either. The Supreme Headmaster Blood Raven had passed away during the night, though, the writer is convinced he was assassinated by the corrupt headmasters but there is little to look into. In addition, Blood Raven had named Vamp as his successor. So much for using Drake. Nevertheless, there was another issue, Headmaster Hector (one of the corrupted officials) was challenging him for the position in a duel. Vamp scrunched the letter in his hand and waited for Candace to appear. She needed to know what was going to happen.

[The Macabees]

A change of clothing, just in case. Toothbrush and toothpaste. Hair ties and clips. Toiletries. That was just about it. Candace didn't take much when Drake and her departed for training, as most of what she needed would be provided for. Her new master had offered to have the rest of her belongings delivered to the Temple, but the young girl turned the offer down. "Today, a life ended and another begun. My stuff," she said the latter word as if ridiculing her own belongings, "is of no value. I thank you again Mr. Ruthven for this opportunity. My hope was fading, but I felt the need to persist in my gut. In the past, my intuition has saved me from a great deal of pain, both emotional and physical." Drake had proved the young, but bright Candace's intuition to be right once again.

The drive to the their new quarters did not take long. At least, time seemed to fly for Ms. Swallow, who was keeping herself from biting her nails. Never before had she felt such anxiety. Even during the darkest moments, Candace's nerves did not fail her. Her past as an orphan automated certain personality traits and taught her a broad set of skills; the apprentice feared few things. This time was different because the ruling mood was not fear, rather it was excitement. A tempered excitement, but not in the way that would calm her. 'Cautiously exited' may better capture her emotional alloy. Candace wondered about what lay in front of her and whether she would succeed in her endeavors.

For two months, the candidate focused on her physical strength and abilities. Garbed in a flexible suit that stuck to the skin, mostly black, but decorated with streaks of crimson red, Candace fine tuned her body. In parts of Lynion prospered the rumor that Macabee recruits had to climb the tallest mountain in the Empire, which is Mount Popoltatec of Theohuanacu. Surrounded by a vast desert, the result of a brutal nuclear war, the majority of Popoltatec was almost always covered in snow. According to the fable, the towering colossus claimed the lives of no less than one thousand Imperial soldiers each year. Well, the men who survived that ordeal would quiver in their boots if they suffered what Candace did under Drake's tutelage.

Focus. Don't stop. Keep running. Self-motivation was crucially important. Mr. Ruthven was not kind or compassionate, and he definitely did not feel any pity. If all went well, Candace Swallow would be one of 'his own' as a member of the Order. He truly believed in her, which is why he pushed her during her training more than he would any other apprentice. There was something about Candace that made her different; you could feel it, even if you couldn't put your finger on it. Indeed, she very well was different from the rest. Some could silently repeat to themselves the '90 percent mental, 10 percent physical' meme, but not Candace — if that's what you're thinking, then you're already setting yourself up to fail. Her mentality was oriented towards one thing only: victory. Victory over Drake. Victory over her detractors. Victory over herself.

"What, too tired for drills?," Drake would scream in her ear. He would awaken his young apprentice early in the morning, sometimes as early as 2:30am. She had no routine. Ms. Swallow was slowly adapting to a new way of life, where a controlled spontaneity would allow her to continue to overcome unexpected obstacles. Developing habits would keep her brain in a box and Candace would be unable to respond to rapidly changing events, such as attacks and random complications to missions.

Her eyes stained a light red from morning grogginess, Candace quickly responded, "No, sir!"

She quickly realized that wearing her training suit while sleeping would save her a lot of trouble in the morning, and thus it was not long before he could quickly jump out of bed as soon as Vamp walked into her room. In fact, soon enough Ms. Swallow developed a kind of sixth sense, which warned her of Drake's presence even before the master had opened the door. If that was her awareness at night, one could only imagine her thorough understanding of her surroundings while awake.

Candace's abilities grew exponentially. Within weeks she expertly jumped from surface to surface, through windows, vents and over obstacles of all shapes and sizes, exploiting whatever space she could find to optimize her movements. She was quite brilliant, really. Her shooting was outstanding, even though she had hardly held a gun in her life. Of course, there had been quite of bit of target practice at various ranges and it had taken some time before Candace truly mastered the various weapons at her disposal. Combined with her razor-sharp intelligence, the strength Candace had gained and the training she experienced provided a foundation that could eventual propel the young woman to the positions of highest repute in the Order. After all, the hint of these qualities that had caught Drake's attention was precisely why he had chosen her as his apprentice. Others had passed over her because they didn't have the capabilities of appreciating what Candace had to offer.

Two months of intense physical training, then a third of weapons practice. After five months, Candace was a killer. Some targets could be out of her reach, but they would be fools to take that for granted. As the training came to an end, the most difficult task of all was left to complete. Drake was hidden somewhere in a large industrial complex, and the apprentice was ordered to assassinate him by means of a .303 caliber rifle. The building was abandoned and decrepit, the railings rusted to a copper brown color. Some walls were covered in moss and others were falling apart. In the distance, a drop made contact with a pool of water, the sound reverberating through the maze of silent halls. Through these passages crept Candace, who stealthy darted about in an effort to hunt for her prey.

Quickly looking around a corner, the apprentice wondered, Where are you, Mr. Ruthven? Today is the day I prove who I am and what I can do.

Outside, the wind picked up and filtered through some of the glass-less windows around and above her. As it gushed through into the complex, it seemed to whisper, "Candace, turn back."

No. Candace did not contemplate any ending to the exercise that didn't involve her succeeding. Failure wasn't an option, because that would no doubt be a most fatal setback to her objective. She persevered as she continued to make her way through the open spaces and closed pathways that separated her from the man she was supposed to 'kill.'

Drake had the opportunity to take victory for himself. He actually saw her first, as she entered a larger room on the production level of the plant. Vamp, as was his true name, slowly descended from the heights on which he comfortably observed her. Pistol already in hand, he prepared to swoop down to catch her unawares. The master had underestimated the apprentice and Drake soon found himself dumbfounded. In the midst of the unfolding chaos, Candace had shot him in the heart, her rifle belting a multicolored paintball. She did not tremble or contemplate, and she felt no doubts. The best assassins were merciless, and Ms. Swallow had the talent to be one of the foremost practitioners of her art. Although she had just defeated her master, a man she greatly admired and respected, Candace could sense that he was more pleased than disappointed. She had 'graduated.'

That night she was allowed to sleep as much as she desired. Honestly, Candace was too accustomed to waking up early, and at varying times, to sleep much. She woke up sometime in the early morning, the first rays of sunshine had only just begun to seep through the blinds covering the room's windows. Drake was already readying room in his own room; the smell filtered through the door and into the hallway that connected the two rooms.

Knocking on the door, a strong voice emerged from the inside, "Come in."

Expecting good news, Candace eagerly entered. But, Drake's face betrayed his usually calm demeanor. Something big had happened.

[Lynion]

“Get your things. We’re leaving now,” Vamp told her firmly after she had entered the room to find him putting on his cloak. There wasn’t much Vamp had bought with him as he travelled light since he started training Candace in her apprenticeship. He waited for a few minutes for Candace and once she joined him in the car they were using, they quickly sped off down the road and onto the highway towards the capital city.

“Allow me to bring you up to date with a few things,” Vamp started. “The Supreme Headmaster Blood Raven was found dead yesterday with the thought of a heart attack had occurred on a perfectly fit man. They found out he was poisoned. When a Supreme Headmaster dies, he’s allowed to leave a suitable candidate to take his position so long the person has passed all the requirements for the position. SH Blood Raven named me to take his position in his Will. However,” Vamp started to explain as he moved through traffic and used other vehicles to shield themselves from the police. “Currently there are eight corrupted officials on the Council hell bent making the Order a puppet of the traitor emperor. In order to change who can take the position, either I need to be dead or they convince one other member of the 12 member Council to change their mind on the subject. Currently the Council is standing with 11 members and they’ll need nine to make a change. However, the other three members have demanded that I come back to the Temple and settle the argument before it gets out of hand. In addition, the emperor and the corrupt officials have branded us as heretics with a bounty on our heads. They want me dead and you alive for some reason. Don’t ask why because I don’t know,” Vamp explained to her as they entered the city. “Also, my name isn’t Drake Ruthven, its Vamp Kingston. Drake was an old friend of mine a long time ago when we were both Shadow Assassin’s,”

A pleasant thought indeed. He wished Drake was still around to help him with their current problem. Maybe Drake would’ve taken Candace as his apprentice instead of him? Who knows what would’ve happened. He continued to drive through the city itself. HMSS was seen battling crime and corruption while turning a blind eye to selective issues that payed them off. At one point, he swore he heard gunfire in the distance or maybe it was him. The city was in decay and it needed someone to save it or face revolt. As they came to a halt at a set of traffic lights that just turned red, to their left were four HMSS operatives looking about. They were on the right hand side of the car and Candace could see them easily. Vamp could see them out of the corner of his eye and tried to reach for the pistol he had on his left hand side. He turned back to the lights, still red. He had reached for the handle of the pistol when the group of HMSS operatives spotted Candace.

The man who spotted her, was getting the attention of the other three who seemed to be laughing at a joke. At the same time, people were trying to get to the lights to wait for the next crossing. Looking back at the lights, all the lights were red and it would be four seconds before theirs turned green. In the split second, Vamp noted two hooded characters moving about in the crowd and then the four operatives went down at the same time. As the light turned green, the crowd gave way and Vamp could see two of the four dead bodies lying on the pavement with the two hooded characters vanished. He quickly drove off and from there it seemed things were quietly going to hell. At one point civilians were pushing out HMSS operatives out of restaurants and ranting until the military police arrived to deal with it. It was clear now the military and the Order were prepared to wipe out HMSS but where being held back by something.

When they finally arrived at the train station, they came face to face with a massive train station and also the largest train station in the Vamperial Empire. The station was divided into three sections. The first section had ten platforms that were being used by both the civilian population and also the military population. The civilian trains were used as a major de-cluttering process in order to allow the major civilian train station to operate more smoothly. The second part was the military section that connected Lynscertia Island to the rest of the Lynion Islands. It wasn’t uncommon to see trains passing through with military equipment on carriages and today was no different either. The third part of the station was only a few lines on the far side. It allowed goods to be transported across the islands that included, fuel, crops, cattle and other products to cross through the islands.

However, as they came to a halt, Vamp noticed a major change with security measures. During the time Candace was hunting Vamp, he took a quick detour to the station before to the industrial complex. Since then and now, security had doubled. Walking out of the car, himself and Candace made their way through the heavy security presence. They were all ready as if they were going to be invaded any moment. Assault rifles, SMG’s and even a few APC’s outside were being deployed or maybe being moved to the army base. Regardless, military and security presence had double since he was last here.

“The station is under the control of the Vamperial Order,” Vamp explained to Candace. “In 1012, the Kingdom of Lynx invaded the Vamperial Order which would start the famous five year Island Wars. The war ended in 1017 after the Vamperial Order sacked all the capital cities on the Lynion Islands and the signed all the islands to be united under the Lynscertian Flag. Ever since then it’s being united under Lynscertian Terms. This area where the station is and also the garrison on the other side is considered part of the Old Lynscertian Kingdom,” Vamp explained to him. “After that, Port Glasgow was rebuilt with the station on the side,”

The waiting for the train seemed shorter than usual when the next military train arrived. On board was a few hundred men being transported to Lynscertia, some were recently trained and heading to Lynscertia for further training, the bulk were Legionnaires, Rangers and Marines being recalled to the island. At the front was a powerful bullet train ready to speed off to the other side. The train was nothing more than a troop transport train. At the front were a few special carriages at the front and they were reserved for officers and members of the Order. Vamp looked about and showed his ID as they boarded the officer’s carriages. They took an empty compartment in the second carriage for themselves as they waited for a few minutes before finally the train rocketed off.

“It’s still going to be a few hours before we arrive,” Vamp explained to her. “Any questions about anything?” He asked her. “You’re allowed to ask me anything and I’ll try my best to answer them,”

[The Macabees]

Not entirely sure what Drake — or Vamp, rather, thought Candace — was going on about, the young woman struggled to keep up with him. They glided through the city streets, gracefully avoiding the authorities along the way (with one major close class). Still, it was all arriving as a haze to Ms. Swallow, a thick mind-fog clasped around her mind like a blanket. Trapped, she sought desperately to get out and understand the context of what was making Vamp so anxious. She very much disliked not knowing what was going on. But, it was all just too confusing, especially considering the violence on the street; a violence Candace was not accustomed to. She had done plenty of combat against Vamp during her training, and she had even killed in her premature lifetime, but street violence was one of the few things she had not yet witnessed. Combined with the history lesson and the politics, Candace simply hoped that she could fill in the gaps as she rode the wave, so to speak.

Holy shit, I'm sitting in a car with Vamp Kingston. It finally hit her! This guy is related to His Imperial Majesty Kingston, the current ruler of the mighty Empire of Lynion. Still young and not well educated in current events or politics more generally, she was the victim of a troubled childhood. Candace was nevertheless astute and profoundly sharp. He must be making a move for the throne. She kept that thought to herself, because although Vamp had treated her very well and she held the utmost trust in him, the ongoing confusion regarding what exactly was going on made her for a fleeting moment doubt her master's intentions. Candace shook her head and turned her mind elsewhere, Vamp is an honorable man and what he has planned is undoubtedly righteous. It must be. I cannot doubt him now, because it could mean either his death or mine. She resolved to continue following the uncertain path she was currently stumbling down, with a tight knot forming in the pit of her stomach.

What what if his intentions aren't pure? An elemental question, but one Ms. Swallow could not afford to entertain.

At the orphanage she had heard a story about a man whose fate had been already settled before he had even been born. Despite his persistent attempts to avoid what he had been chosen to face, his trajectory was time and time again corrected. Candace had never been one for the supernatural, but her experiences thus far seemed to corroborate the moral of this particular tale. My destiny has been chosen for me and there's nothing I can do about it, she reasoned.

Vamp and Ms. Swallow soon arrived to a train station, located in the heart of an ancient kingdom — the land of Lynx — that had been conquered by the Vamperial Order. The area was well guarded, with a small number of armored personnel carriers and a larger unit of heavily armed soldiers. The station was of strategic importance, as it connected Lynscertia to the other isles of Lynion by means of a military rail line. Vamp parked the automobile and the two headed into the rail complex. The order member didn't seem to mind the presence of the troops, which seemed to reinforce Candace's suspicions of an impending coup even further. Indeed, it was almost as if he expected them there. They waited for the next train, which came sooner than expected, and they hopped onto it. Within 10–15 minutes they were zooming towards Lynscertia, where Fate herself awaited the master and his apprentice.

When Vamp finished his debriefing, Candace remained silent for a few minutes afterwards. She had a thousand questions to ask, but she couldn't fit them all through the door. Finally, she turned to him and asked, "What is going to happen at the end of this track?"

She then turned her head towards the other side, so that she could look out the window. Land gave way to water and Candace quietly reflected upon the sea's beauty. The waves crashed upon the columns of the rail track and elsewhere the currents swayed back-and-forth. It was all so carefree; an organized chaos. Despite her yearning for nirvana, that was not the life she was born into. She turned back to Vamp as he replied to her question and she focused her attention on what mattered now — surviving the situation. Candace was about to reach a threshold. She was no longer an apprentice, she was a significant piece of the puzzle. The pressure was on her and she was still inexperienced. But, perhaps that was why Vamp had chosen her, because he knew she was capable of surmounting the challenge. For that supposed fate to unfold, however, Ms. Swallow would have to avoid succumbing to the appetizing option of giving up and choosing to live a less complicated life.

[Lynion]

“What’s going to happen at the end of this track?” Candace asked Vamp.

“Justice,” Vamp answered back to her. The one worded answer that many would dread to come from his mouth as he looked at the sea below them crash against an underwater reef or against fishing boats lying between the coasts. He then removed his sunglasses and mask from his face as it seemed that his face appeared to be slightly sunburnt.

“Headmaster Blood Raven was murdered a week before your training ended,” Vamp started to explain what was going to happen. “Headmaster Roberts desires to continue the pointless war that has seen us become monsters in the world. What he doesn’t understand, is that the Coalition is going to send an invasion force at the start of next year to the Lynion Islands if we don’t bring justice to the Imperial Emperor and the 8 Members of the Council,” The Pointless War as it became known to the Order. “There are eight members of the Council who want me dead and you as a slave for themselves. Roberts, Gavin, Campbell, Kay, Kemp, Dunaid, Forbes and Day have being corrupted by the Imperial Monarch in order to continue the war. There are three others who need to stay alive but are thankfully not corrupted…yet,” Vamp explained the intensions of what was going to happen. “So, I’m going to duel the eight of them and kill them in the process,” how he said it was without life or emotion but there was a combination of a fiery rage behind his words. “Then the Imperial Monarch will be dealt with. I’ll give him the option of death or exile and but I’m prepared for death to occur,” The sense of an unequal rage dwell within him.

Then it happened. The train gently slowed down slightly as the sea gave way to the cliff tops of Lynscertia. What was an hour or so long, felt it was over in minutes as their arrival was signalled by the outpost on the bridge end on Lynscertia. There wasn’t a militarised check point like at the over end of the bridge but more of an observation post that was used to keep an eye on the trains coming to and from the islands. As they continue, the tracks slowly started to fork out and eventually it came to some beautiful scenery. Unlike Lynx Island, it wasn’t urbanised. There were rolling hills gently scattered with the last of the snow, pine trees and forests covering either side of the track gave a sense of peace and comfort. It was nature at its purest as herds of deer could be seen and then running away from the train line. There was the odd occasion where they pass over a bridge to get over a valley or over rivers. It seemed to be never ending until from time to time, there were a number of keeps that started to plot along the lands. They were used to be able to house small military garrisons to provide an early warning system in the olden days but were now converted to radar and radio stations. There was of course the odd military compound that was being used for training and then it went back to forests. Finally, the scene changed one last time as the train started to circle the right.

“The Fortress City of Vamperial,” Vamp started. “Home to original Lynscertian Monarch and home to the Vamperial Temple,” The city seemed to be something out of a story.

The city itself seemed to have towered over the walls that had surrounded it. In itself, the city was the oldest city on the Lynion Islands but the walls were brand new when the city extended itself four times, over centuries, to fit in the population. After that, there was a declared population cap hence the reason new towns were emerging outside but within distance of the city itself. Skyscrapers and towers loomed over everyone else as the city seemed to be beautiful on the outside. When the train adjusted itself and came into the city, newcomers would be shocked to see the difference between Port Glasgow City and Vamperial City. Like Port Glasgow, there was emergency services working, a government and a city. Unlike Port Glasgow, Vamperial City was clean; it appeared to have no homeless on the streets and little crime present. In fact, there were a few patrols out on the roads but some would argue it would be the presence of the Order that kept law and order intact. It was peaceful; it was comforting and beautiful in its design.

“There is nothing quite like it Candace,” Vamp smiled as the city gave way for the Temple. The Temple was built into the Hunter Mountain Rangers and it was like domes: domes that had snow littered on top of them, guard towers forging the old protective walls and one flag on each of the towers. The domes vary in size but in the centre was the largest of them all with one on either side about half its size and then a number of smaller ones around the others. “Don’t be fooled by its size, the Temple was originally built into the mountain itself and the bulk of it still is,”

The train slowly came to a halt just outside the Temple itself in a train station. Once there, there were a number of trains heading out to the rural areas of other cities on the island. Upon exiting the train, Vamp and Candace would notice the slow rush hour to get home before dinner. Public transport snaked around the station slowly as they begun to reduce the number of people lurking about the station. Among them were a number of significant people. Some had ceremonial armour that represented the wolf, others the eagle, very few had the snake or the vampire armour and finally, there was the civilian population working about.

“One of these days, every other will look like Vamperial City. But without the Temple and the fortress, it’ll be cleaner, less crime and corruption and better for the public,” Vamp explained to her. At that point two people dressed in strange clothing started to approach them. “The ceremonial armour comes after you have become a Knight. It’s very light to use but only for ceremonial events. Usually, each group has its own armour that it uses. People like us, we have the lighter armour to move about more freely,” Vamp had to stop as he came face to face with the two strangers the approached them. Both were wearing the Lynscertian Ceremonial Armour. It was black. Cargo pants, shirt, belt, and even the cloak they were wearing were black. In addition, they were wearing the traditional slouch hat with the red feather on the right hand side to signal they were Shadow Assassin’s. The first one appeared to be middle aged but was more youthful than most people at his age. The second one seemed to be slightly older than Candace but was a knight instead of an apprentice.

“Apprentice Candace Swallow, allow me to introduce Vamperial Master Rathma Phoenix,” Vamp introduced the oldest one first who, judging by the colours on his right shoulder, was superior to the other one. However, they both seemed very polite but one could sense they were slightly ruthless. “And his former apprentice…”

“I’m his brother of the Order now,” the second one corrected Vamp.

“My bad,” Vamp smiled. “Knight Revan Pearce,” Revan then smiled at Candace but wasn’t sure what to do. There was something odd about the two of them. Revan seemed very observant with everything around him but there was something inside of him that made him a wise, cunning and ruthless assassin and someone without emotion. Rathma on the other hand was the final step of Vamp’s apprentice years. He was wise but wiser than Revan, he had sense he could be cold but yet firm when he needs to be. The three men had something around them which would make people go away from them.

“Now, Pearce,” Rathma then turned his attention to Vamp as Vamp seemed to be surprised by this sudden movement. “Allow me to introduce my former master, Headmaster Vamp Kingston,”

“Kingston?” Revan was very surprised and shocked by the introduction and surname. “Are you related?”

“Yes,” Vamp cut him off. Rathma then smiled at the seriousness of Vamp. “A lot has changed since I was last here,”

“I will tell you one thing Apprentice Swallow,” Rathma started. “I used to be his apprentice when I turned 16. Blast that was a long time ago,” Rathma smiled at the thought. “You haven’t aged a bit since I first met you. I’m slowly going grey at this moment,” Rathma was complaining about this hair going salt and pepper style but slowly grey was becoming the dominant colour.

“Those were the good times,” Vamp smiled. “Don’t know why everything had to go this way,” There was a silence for a brief moment.

“I find it hard to believe you haven’t aged sir,” Revan added. “Pity there isn’t photos of you back then,”

“Back onto the important topic Pearce,” Rathma pulled rank on Revan. “The Council is gathering, you better get inside quick and deal with the corrupted official’s sir,”

“Just stick with me Candace and you’ll be fine,” Vamp smiled at her. He then took out two long daggers and gave them to her. “Yes, there is a graduation present and these aren’t it. Just keep them on as insurance,” Vamp told her. “I’ll be polite and say hello. Come along Candace,”

[The Macabees]

Before having signed on as Vamp's apprentice, Candace had never really expressed much interest in Lynscertian politics. Her academic education was substandard. A an orphan in Port Glasgow, she was never really afford the opportunity to go to school. Oftentimes, her foster parents — which would frequently change — would enroll her, but Candace was not one for the intellectual. The circumstances of the time just did not permit it; self-protection requires other types of knowledge, the kind you get on the streets. Rather than read books, the young Ms. Swallow would ditch class or escape from her room to meet with her friends on the decrepit city thoroughfares. That a mere child would consider the dark alleyways and narrow urban arteries safer than school and her want-to-be-parents reveals the mentality this fledgling girl must have developed over the years. In any case, the fact was that Candace did not really know anything about the current government of Lynion or the intricacies of Lynscertian statecraft. That was a weakness of hers that she would have to overcome during her career as a brother...well, sister...of the Order.

As Master Kingston explained to her how the country's political stability was hanging by a thread, Apprentice Swallow could not help but face confusion. She could sense the urgency of the information; whereas in a classroom she may have fallen asleep, her ears were perked and directly in tune with Vamp. Candace wanted to understand it all and read between the lines, but she couldn't. It would come to here later, as it often does with the rest of us. The basics were well understood, at any rate. Vamp would have to kill a considerable proportion of the Council, by means of duels. To her, that kind of approach seemed inefficient. Accustomed to murdering her victims via more discreet methods, like butchering a man who sought a much too personal relationship with her, the past Candace Swallow would have simply assassinated her prey via darker methods. Nevertheless, during her apprenticeship she had learned to respect the both explicit and implicit codes that governed relations between members of the Order. They were much more than rules; they were institutions that had organically arisen over hundreds and hundreds of years — they were integral to the success of the organization.

Vamp was very certain of himself. He, honestly, had good reason to be. He was Vamp Kingston, after all; his foes shuddered at the mention of his name. It was no surprise that the Council wanted him dead, as he posed quite a threat to their power. Indeed, this whole "complication" had emerged as a result of Kingston's promotion to the prestigious position of Supreme Headmaster; although, the suspected murder of Blood Raven, the previous brother who had filled the role, hadn't helped the situation either. Of course, to Vamp perhaps Supreme Headmaster was still too minor of an appointment. After all, he was in some way related to Marcus Kingston, the ruling monarch over Lynion. The plot thickens. While that was the extent of Candace's knowledge, there was much more to the story. In fact, there hadn't been a "complication" at all. Vamp and Candace were heading to Vamperial City for the purpose of carrying out a plan that the clever vampire of royal-blood had devised years earlier to any of this taking place. Justice. That's what Lynion desperately needed. His hand had simply been forced earlier than expected. Justice was coming early.

As Candace's sharp mind continued to mull over Kingston's words, she turned to him and, first pausing and taking a breath, asked, "Roberts? In-invasion?" Events were dire and Swallow wanted to understand them. She'd see if Vamp could trust her enough to offer further details — information he probably wouldn't give to others.

"Headmaster Roberts is challenging me for the leadership position," Vamp explained to her. "He murdered Blood Raven. He'll try to murder me and...he wants you as his personal slave," Everyone knew Roberts was keeping enslaved girls for his personal needs but none had done anything about it. "Yes, we are under threat of invasion from the nations of Lyras and Lamoni," Vamp seemed to be annoyed by it. "I managed to strike a deal to avoid invasion, however. One of the requirements is that the eight Council members are bought to trial. I agreed, but persuaded them that it should all be done on Lynion terms. In short, they got the death sentence and I'll send back their heads."

"Whatever happens, Master Kingston, my loyalty is unwavering." Her face manifested the emotion of a rock. Candace's determination to follow his noble lead and her recently established responsibility to the Order defined her commitment to Vamp. She would aid him in his endeavors to her death.

Master Kingstom smiled, "I would not doubt that for a second, young knight-to-be."

Lynscertia was a beautiful island. Never had she seen such extensive forest. The only jungle the young girl ever saw was the urban jungle of Port Glasgow. Acre after acre, the vast sea of tall Lynscertian black pines seemed to stretch all the way to the horizon. Ms. Swallow could not help but feel impressed. It dawned upon her that she missed quite a bit during the early years of her unfortunately impoverished life. But, now things were different. Thanks to her sudden change in fortune, Candace would see the world one day. She dreamed of visiting the fabled golden shores of the Golden Throne, a faraway Díenstadi power that she only knew through the history textbooks that she had picked up once or twice many, many years ago. Lyras had always piqued her interests as well, although entering those lands was all but impossible — the Lyrans were a very private, exclusionary country with a unique culture unlike few others. Besides, as a Lynscertian born-and-raised under the Imperial regime of Marcus Kingstom, she had been taught a deep dislike of the state imposing its will on what she then considered her completely legitimate overlords. Maybe visiting Wanderjar would get her close enough.

Neither had Candace seen a town like Vamperial City. First she saw its growing suburbs, expanding in all directions out from the city like petals to a flower. But it was the city proper that excited her the most. It was downright gorgeous. Vamperial City was also surprisingly modern, skyscrapers towering towards the heavens above.The urban landscape whipped by them as the train twisted and turned through the city, but soon gave way to countryside again. Soon, Ms. Swallow would see the frosting: the Temple. In a hypothetical parallel universe, some might compare it to the hagia sophia, only much more elegant and much more beautiful. Her myriad domes were lightly decorated by a layer of snow, which slowly descended from the clouds flying overhead. Their train halted right before the byzantine walls of the Temple; around them, a number of trains were departing to other parts of the island and some others were just arriving as well. The station's walkways were crawling with other knights and members of the Order, many of them wearing decorated, ceremonial armor. My new home, toyed Candace, at least for now.

As they walked out, the two of them were approached by a pair of men. They seemed important, and indeed they were. Vamp introduced them as Master Rathma Phoenix and Knight Revan Pearce. Kingston's dig at the latter pleased Candace; she would be a knight soon — if the planets aligned, so to speak — and she saw Pearce as a competitor. In his case, Phoenix was apparently the one-time apprentice of Vamp — hard to believe, given his age. Wow, how old is vamp? Candace smiled, but remained quiet. Vamp seemed to want to get straight to the point; he had quite a bit of work ahead of him and there was very little time to waste. The conversation continued, with Rathma and Pearce opening up with some light chitter-chatter. Soon, though, it centered on what matter. The Council was convening and the time to address its corruption had come. Rathma urged Vamp into the Temple, to intervene in the meeting. Turning to her, Master Kingston handed Candace a pair of daggers, which she hid beneath her attire. If needed, she could draw them and even throw them within a heartbeat. With their work in the train station done, she followed him into the Temple.

[Lynion]

The walk up to the Temple would be the last time to turn back. The last moment to think about running away. When the main steel gate lowered itself, they were greeted by construction work being done on the right. It was actually the beginning of the new armoured workshop and housing of the equipment. At that moment, Vamp put on his hoodie to help cover his entire face as his cloak just gently glided, just above the ground. The grounds were busy, but it wasn’t hard to miss the pattern of people giving Vamp and Candace a wide distance. Some even whispered amongst themselves about the pair but nobody dared to say anything to the pair. It was like, it was taboo to speak to them.

When they arrived at the entrance and entered the Temple, they found it was made out of marble which was formed in the mountains. Rooms spread out through the mountains making it much larger than from what the outside gave it. It was a maze of rooms and corridors. There was of course signs pointing to various rooms. The Library. The Training Room. The Council Chambers. The Lodge. Just to name a few and with an encrypted message pointing to the War Room. The Lodge was were a number of the members of the Order lived, that included the Council, various members and of course, Candace Swallow.

“Much of the Temple was built into the Lynscertian Mountain side,” Vamp explained to her. “The original construction of the Temple was something of worship. We’re not sure what they were worshipping but it eventually got the religion wiped out. The signs were down Chamber 378.926 if you ever want to have a look at it yourself,” Vamp explained it to her as they passed through the Temple itself. Just like outside, people were standing to one side and avoiding them as they were afraid of Vamp and curious of Candace. Then he went silent for a moment as he thought about what he just said.

Chamber 378.926. It had become legend within the Order about what the religion was worshipping and some had speculated about it. But because it had little to do with the present time, it had become a legend and now, it was becoming a myth. Of course, Chamber 378.926 was accessed to anyone within the Order but there was little information about what the religion was.

Neither was it a matter they needed to investigate.

They continued to walk through the hallways as the signs soon changed to a foreign language, or the native language of the island: Lynscertan. It was perhaps the most unique language in the world as it required another language to decode it unless the person, like Vamp, was born on the island then they process the gift to speak the language. In short, it meant they were heading in the right direction.

When they finally arrived to where they were meant to be, they soon realised the dilemma of their situation. They entered the Council Room. It was much larger for 12 people to debate about what was on their minds and of course the kingdom. However, when they arrived, the room was packed with Masters and Headmasters curious about why they were called into the chambers. When the pair passed through the group, many were pleased to see Vamp again and many were curious who the girl was.

They arrived at where a barrier had being formed where they met someone who had known Vamp as well. The mood was calm and quiet as they gave the three people room. Vamp then proceeded and removed his cloak, his sunglasses and his mask that he wore.

“Long time no see sir,” the man greeted Vamp. He was about the same height as Vamp, similar snowy pale skin but he was a blonde hair and red eye person. In addition, he was wearing civilian clothing. It was the sort of gear to hide yourself in, cover your face but hold plenty of equipment.

“Headmaster Slavic,” Vamp greeted him as if he was an old friend. “How you being?”

“Annoyed as an enraged wolverine,” he responded.

“I’m sorry sir,” a squad of security guards approached Vamp quickly after noticing his location. “You’ll need to be strip of all arms,”

“Of course, they’ll do anything to keep things fair,” the remark from Vamp caused Slavic to raise an eyebrow in response. “Would you mind sir?” Vamp asked Slavic.

“Not at all sir,” Slavic opened his arms as Vamp removed his cloak, his mask, his sunglasses and then all of his arms and gave them to Slavic. “Who’s the girl?” He asked curiously. “Your daughter?” The question made Vamp laugh a little.

“No, but I’m pretty sure that’s what everyone thinks,” he stated as Candace came over to him. “Allow me to do the introductions. This is my Apprentice, Candace Swallow. Apprentice Swallow, this is Headmaster Slavic. He isn’t an assassin like you, in fact, he’s the most ruthless and cunning field commander the Order has,” Vamp explained to her.

“A woman? An assassin?” Slavic was curious as he wasn’t sure what to think. “Then again, why am I not surprised by your standards sir?”

“Don’t be then. She packs a punch,” Vamp responded. “Look after Candace, I’m expecting this to be a bloodbath. You’re the only one I’m entrusting this task to as I’m expecting some form of flak to occur,”

Slavic nodded in agreement as they watched Vamp entered the barricaded off part of the Chamber. Slavic then proceeded to wrap Vamp’s cloak around something. It was loose but it easily cover whatever was hidden within the cloak itself. He then proceeded to hand it to her as he position himself behind her for safe keeping. At the same moment, Rathma and Revan had entered the Chamber and were close by Slavic and Candace for additional protection.

“There’s a pistol hidden inside the cloak, Apprentice,” Slavic whispered to her. “Don’t take it out but consider it insurance if need be,”

Vamp entered the inner part alone and unarmed as he stood before the Council. There were 12 seats in total but only 11 were occupied by someone. In the middle, was a blade of some kind stuck in the ground as a middle age man stood up and went over to the blade. He proceeded to make himself look like a hero. It did make many cheer for him but many more weren’t too sure about his leadership abilities or himself. He then took hold of the blade and try to take it out of the ground.

“The Fable Vampire Blade,” someone nearby called out. “He who can take the sword out of the ground, is destined for high king,”

“Pull it Supreme Headmaster Roberts,” a group shouted.

“Shut your mouth worm,” another voice responded. Roberts wasn’t the Supreme Headmaster yet but he liked the sound of it.

When he proceeded to take the blade, it didn’t budge. It didn’t even move as Roberts tried with all his might to move the blade. Furious, he proceeded to kick the blade with his stubbornness only to damage one of his toes slightly. He jumped back as it came clear who the three non-corrupted headmasters were. They were sitting at the back and were shock by the humiliation that Roberts bought before them.

“Who needs this stupid blade?” Roberts called out. “Power does not come from the blade but by ones actions,” The call made many cheer for him as they called him Supreme Headmaster repeatedly. The room was packed and it was growing louder as many debated about Roberts position.

“You cannot pull the blade through strength alone Roberts,” Vamp declared as the room went silent by his voice alone. “But you must call through it, by blood alone,”

“The Exile has returned to bless us with his presence,” Roberts called as he began to mock Vamp. “This is the Pretender and he has given himself in,” many laughed as Roberts mocked Vamp verbally before making his mistake. “So, where is your so called Apprentice?” He mocked as Slavic eyed the position around him. A few faithful to Roberts began to make a move on Candace but neglected the presence of Slavic, let alone Rathma and Revan who were now itching for a fight. Roberts looked annoyed by the response of Slavic, Rathma and Revan.

“What’s wrong Roberts?” Vamp taunted him. “Out of touch?” he questioned him. “Or are you annoyed you won’t have a new addition to your sex slave industry?” This caused nearly everyone to gasp in horror. “Don’t worry, the authorities have being informed and on their way to deal with them,” Roberts and the other seven corrupted officials were surprised by this. “That’s not why I’m here either,”

“So it’s the position then?” Roberts questioned him.

“No it isn’t that either. This isn’t about the position Roberts,” Vamp responded. “You killed the only person I ever called a brother. Now, I’m going to make you pay Roberts,”

“I did murder him,” Roberts confessed. “He was a fool to have agreed to what you did,”

“Saving the kingdom?” Vamp questioned him. “We saved a kingdom, but you’ll pay for everything along with the other seven,” Roberts suddenly begun to clap his hands confident he could still win.

“Unless you haven’t noticed, we’re armed and you have nothing,” Roberts grinned. He and the other seven headmasters drew out their blades. The other three headmasters nodded in agreement to each other as they stayed in their seats.

“Then by right of the Order,” one of the three declared, Headmaster Jian. “I hereby authorised trail by combat,”

Vamp had known he was going to fight his way through and kill the corrupted headmasters. He smiled warmly as two of his fangs suddenly grew on either side of his mouth. Taking both of his hands, he used his fangs to cut deep into his hands and drew blood. Once he had done so, and without saying a word, he positioned his legs evenly apart, one in front and one behind. He then held out his arms and hands out firmly before closing his eyes. After a moment of silence, the blade moved, shifted and then finally it was released from the rock it had being in. Flying through the air, the blade came flying towards Vamp with incredible speed before he ended in his hands with the blade pointing up and Vamp holding the handle.

Opening his eyes, Vamp let out a terrible roar that sent shock waves through people as fear entered the corrupted officials and everyone else. In a split second, Vamp bolted across the room where he came face to face with the first headmaster in question. Headmaster Oliver. Oliver held his blade out in defence but Vamp’s movement and speed including the blade was too quick for him. Vamp’s new blade, the Vampire Blade of the Vampire High King, went straight through the stomach and out the back as it was drench in blood. Oliver fell to his knees with only seconds left as Vamp proceeded and successfully sliced off his head.

“No…” one of the headmasters whispered.

Three more engaged him as they quickly traded the clash of blades against steel. Vamp seemed confident but didn’t show it as he was able to quickly block any attacks. He waited for something or maybe a moment. People were still in shock after what they saw happened to Oliver but then a soft chant of Vamp’s name could be heard. It was then that the moment occurred. Headmaster Triss saw his moment to strike but Vamp was took quick as he diverted the blade into Headmaster Jones into the heart. Triss was shocked by the death of Jones. He was horrified and let go of his blade, but not before he felt the cold hard steel from Vamp’s blade take off his head. Jones was still gasping for air as Vamp finished him off quickly by slicing through the neck. Vamp went over to Jones body and finished the job by cutting off Jones head. At that moment, Headmaster Austin tried to kill Vamp but at the last second, Vamp moved and Austin merely cut his skin through the tunic he was wearing. Turning around quickly, Vamp kicked Austin’s sword out of his hand and without using his blade, he took Austin’s head by his hands and snapped his neck.

“I’ll still need your head Austin,” Vamp whispered to the dead body as he threw it aside. The remaining four weren’t too sure what to do. “I’m not taking prisoners either boys,” snarled Vamp as his bloodlust over powered him. His eyes glowed as red as the fires of hell. He raised his blade at the remaining four as his shirt and blade dripped with blood. The crowd was stunned and quiet as everyone awaited to see what would happen next. George, Hills and Schneider in desperation quickly charged Vamp all at once.

George came on the left, Hills in the middle and Schneider on the right with their blades aimed at Vamp. Successfully deflecting all three blades, Vamp stepped to his right and twisted the blade in a clockwise manoeuvre. The blade came up and cut off George’s right arm just above the elbow. Screaming in pain and falling to his knees in pain, George had moments to live before Vamp pieced his neck through causing him to gaggle on his own blood. Hills, blinded in anger, charged forward to Vamp in a thicken rage.

“Arghh…!” he cried out in a roar.

Vamp merely had moments to spare as he moved his body to the left, and then again to the right as he dodged the wild swinging of Hills blade. It was like watching an amateur practicing with a master of the blade. Somehow, Vamp was able to calculate where Hill would try to stab him and then throw his body in the opposite direction. It was in a split second that Vamp saw his moment. Hill had position his blade’s handle towards the end of his hands. Vamp swung his blade behind his back, up again into his right hand and then pieced his blade through Hills wrist.

“Ahhh…” Hill whimpered. “Please stop this…” he quietly begged.

“Did you gave the same offer to Blood Raven?” Vamp questioned him as he re-position his blade and then sliced off Hills head. Blood dripped from Vamps hands, his fingers and even his uniform. Yet, it seemed comforting to him as he looked up with a death steer towards Schneider as he was the last one before Roberts. “Well?” Vamp’s rage was no showing of being contained as the world seemed to shrink. His voice echoed and reached all corners of the room and even heard in other parts of the Temple. “I want to know, did you show Supreme Headmaster Alexander Johnson Blood Raven any mercy?” Somehow, his rage made Schneider tell the truth as he shook his head for a no. Holding his blade up in a defensive position, it was mere seconds before Vamp charged forward. He swung his blade at Schneider’s blade and as the two clash together, the Vampire Blade cut through Schneider’s inferior blade. Schneider closed the gap further, took out his small dagger and tore out Vamp’s eye quickly and cleanly. Vamp let out a roar of pain as he intended to return the favour.

The room gasp as mere seconds later, Vamp turned the blade around and sliced off Schneider’s head as the seven corrupted headmasters lay dead and headless on the floor. His rage turned into his wrath as silence fell upon the room. Everyone was now curious at what would happen next. Scared and horrified, Roberts looked about for something better than a sword and realised he had his side arm. Vamp walked towards Roberts and then saw what was coming. Roberts took out his semi-automatic pistol and started to fire. Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang and then click. Six bullets slammed into Vamp but he hadn’t fallen over only his spare left hand was feeling all over his chest as it was clear where the six shots landed. Yet, it was impossible to see if he was bleeding or not. Slowly, he took out the first bullet and looked at it. It hadn’t penetrated his skin but they left holes in his uniform. In fact, they were blanks.

“That’s…that’s impossible,” Roberts was stunned beyond words as he helplessly watched Vamp walked up to him. He prepared his blade but deep down, he knew that if his ‘bullets’ couldn’t stop him, what could? His body shake violently with every step Vamp made towards him. He could feel his world around him fall into darkness as an unseen force made his hands feel numb. The blade fell to the ground as the crowd stood in awe and silence. Falling to his knees in fear and terror, Robert’s eyes slowly started to stream with hot tears. Vamp’s left hand took a chunk of his hair and held it back as with his right hand, he positioned his blade on his neck.

“By right of trail I have verged all corruption from the Order,” Vamp announced. “Before I remove your head child, I am to seal your humiliation,” Robert’s body was shaking beyond control as Vamp kneed him in the nose, causing it to bleed violently. “I want all Apprentice’s and Disciples of the fallen headmasters to step forward into the clearing,” It took a moment for the words to sink in, as slowly as ever, 40 Apprentices and Disciples ranging of ages between 18 and 36. They stepped forward into clearing terrified of what had happened to their former masters. Some came forward of their free will, others were forced into the centre.

“I will say this once and only once,” Vamp announced. “I will not and I do not tolerate corruption within the Order. The Order was feared across the seas and now it has become a vial pit of corruption. I must set the example for everyone who has and will enter the Order,” Vamp declared as members of the Vamperial Guard, who protect the Temple, were forced to keep the 40 in line. “On your knees now,” his rage echoed through the room as by this point, many had ventured into the room to see what was happening. “Some of you had the pleasure of being my apprentice, others I consider friends and many have known me. I am fair, kind but my rage is unmatched on any level. Therefore, I will make you one simple offer,” This came a surprise to everyone as does the next part did. “In honour of the Fallen Blood Raven, I offer you two choices, pick wisely. Do you want Blood Ravens Mercy or do you want exile?” Vamp asked them as they begun to whisper amongst themselves. One stood up, perhaps the eldest in the group.

“On your word…sir,” he gulped nervously. “Blood Raven’s mercy,” they all agreed to the offer.

“Blood Raven’s Mercy then?” Vamp asked as they confirmed it with yes’s and nods of agreement. “You want Blood Raven’s Mercy!” he shouted as he grinned. “Now Roberts, look into their eyes and tell them, tell them of the what mercy you showed Supreme Headmaster Blood Raven,” Robert’s struggled to breath at this point as it felt he had a thorn in his neck.

“We killed him,” Robert’s whimpered.

“Your fate is sealed. Guard’s, execute them by their own desires,” Ordered Vamp as at this moment, the Vamperial Guard had sided with him. The cries were silent quickly as the Guard gave them a quick death. The room feel silent as they watched Robert’s get beheaded in front of them sealing his fate. A split second of silence was followed by the cheers of the Masters, Headmasters and Knights as the remaining three members of the Council rose from their seats and walked towards Vamp. It seemed that the remaining Council members were pleased with the final result. They stood behind Vamp and raised their hands as the crowd went silent. Vamp turned around and knelt to one knee before the Council.

“By trail of combat,” Headmaster Jian started as Headmaster Vladimir and Corinth stood on either side of Jian. “And by the heritage of Blood Raven given to yourself, I ask that you take this oath as the Oath of the Archangels, or as you’ll be commonly known, the Supreme Headmaster’s.

“Do you Headmaster Vamp Kingston, swear to uphold the Creed of the Vamperial Order? We live in interesting times at hand as now, the Blade of the Vampires has chosen its new master before us all. You have cleansed the Temple and the Order of its evil and corruption. Now, you must uphold justice where ever you may walk, defend those who cannot defend themselves, never to take advantage of the disadvantage, become a bonfire of hope upon those who need it and to defend the Vamperial Kingdom of Lynion both home and overseas. Your life will be reflected upon what deeds and actions you conduct. But most importantly, you will become an influence amongst others. Do you Headmaster Vamp Kingston, swear to uphold the Creed of the Vamperial Order, the Lynscertian Warrior Sect and the Lynscertia Monarch?” Jian spoke out the Oath as others listen quietly.

“I do,” Vamp responded as blood continue to drip from his clothing and head.

“Be gone, be gone the days of the Ways of the Headmaster,” Jian announced as he took out a dagger and leaned it against Vamp’s left cheek, his right. He then proceeded and cut a deep wound into the side. “Let this be a sign of remembrance of your oath. Now, arise, arise the new Archangel. Arise, Archangel Vamp Kingston,” Jian announced. As Vamp stood up, the crowd let out a thundering applause. It was clear, Vamp had become the new Supreme Headmaster and the Vamperial Order had accepted him as their own.

“With respect sir, you’ll be granted the uniform after you have showered and changed,” Jian whispered to Vamp.

“It’s quite alright, I would’ve refused until I’ve done so,” Vamp whispered back to him.

Vamp made his way through the blood drenched room, passed the bodies and now pass through the members who were shaking hands with him and patted him on the back with encouragement. The applause continued for a while before the members of the Order began to stop but continued with the words of encouragement. Vamp somehow managed to make his way back to Slavic as he stood in awe of him. Taking out Vamp’s cloak, he quickly handed it to him.

“Thanks,” Vamp thanked him as he used his cloak as a towel for the blood on his face and hands.

“Not a bad day’s work is it?” Slavic started causing Vamp to smile while Revan and Rathma walked over to him. “Lost an eye but cleansed the Temple,” Slavic then proceeded and hugged him aware he had an implant of blood on his shirt. Vamp forgot about his lost eye as he proceeded to feel the empty socket. “There is one last thing I must know sir. The bullets…how…?”

“They were actually blanks,” Vamp explained to him. “Someone changed them,” Vamp looked up to Revan as he was throwing a magazine clip up and down.

“Just for the record sir,” Revan started. “I was under orders of Headmaster Jian. We figure he would plan something dirty. So I changed the bullets to blanks,”

“Thank you Knight Pearce,” Vamp smiled. “You two are dismissed now but don’t go far either,” Vamp ordered the pair as they saluted him, he returned the salute, and they walked away. The room was emptying as it was now down to Slavic, Candace and Vamp.

“What now sir?” Slavic asked him.

“Well, for a start, fresh clothes and a shower to rid of this blood,” Vamp stated. “However, we must now move quickly if we are to secure his Imperial Majesty, Marcus Kingston. Take the heads of the fallen Headmasters and put them in pickled jars. Then send them to the Coalition Commanders as a clear warning to stay away and we are keeping our side of the deal,” Vamp ordered. He then looked at Candace and smiled. “Which reminds me, did my request form come through?”

“Yes sir,” Slavic responded. “I had sure it got to her room on time and without it being looked into,”

“That’ll be your graduation gift Apprentice,” Vamp stated. “It’s a starter kit and on top of that, you get your own room to yourself. Slavic, I’m going to need you later,” Vamp continued. “You must excuse me now Apprentice Swallow. I need time to assemble the Council together and begin the final part of the plan. Apprentice Swallow, you must report to the War Room at 0930 tomorrow morning,” Vamp explained to her. “If you head to the training room I’m sure there’s a few instructors who can teach you a few things to improve your skill sets,” Vamp explained to her as he waited for them to leave. “Slavic, please be kind and escort her to her room,” Vamp then proceeded and tried to wipe away the blood on his gloves and face.

In the form of a graduation gift, there was a Glock pistol, which was standard amongst the Vamperial Order and the military. In addition, she was given a McMillan Tac-50 or simply ‘Tac’ with a request form requesting ammunition from the armoury for both the rifle and the pistol.

[The Macabees]

Candace was a mere spectator to the battle between Vamp and the corrupt headmasters. Not only were her hands full with his cloak and whatever it was hiding, but she couldn't bring herself to react as Vamp slaughtered the seven men in what turned out to be a moderately uneven sword fight. Sure, Kingston may have lost an eye, but that's not too bad of a price to pay in exchange for seven dead enemies. The beheading of Headmaster, or former Headmaster better said, Roberts was icing on the cake. Not only had Vamp finally rid himself of his enemies, but he had earned himself a promotion in the process. Indeed, he was the new Supreme Headmaster — acknowledged by a consensus of his (remaining) peers. Neither did it hurt that he earned Candace a promotion as well, although perhaps "graduation" was a more accurate term. She'd soon be Knight Swallow, which she thought was a rather appealing name (in fact, she was secretly pondering changing her first name from Candace to Night, because Night Swallow sounds pretty cool).

There was something that sent a chill down her spine, however, and it wasn't all the creepers who had tried to inch closer to her before Vamp laid his foes to waste. Candace was not quite sure what to think about what considered the murder of 40 apprentices and disciples. While she understand that they had been corrupted by their masters, they were still learning and perhaps there was still an opportunity to cleanse them, so to speak. Vamp preferred not to explore that opportunity, opting to order the Vamperial Guard to slaughter them where they stood. It was a dramatic end to an already dramatic conflict, but there was a small part of Ms. Swallow that thought it was a bit excessive...and perhaps a bit tyrannical. Nevertheless, what was done was done; and, who was she to question the virtuosity of her master? Indeed, the man was the leading force for good in Lynion, a country long perverted by His Imperial Majesty Marcus Kingston.

She said not a word about her feelings, in any case, instead preferring to nod at Vamp when he issued his orders to her. She quickly dismissed herself, "Supreme Headmaster Kingston, Headmaster Rathma, and Knight Pearce, I thank you for your kindness and for all that you've taught me. I will retire to my quarters now. I hope to see you all again soon."

She turned around, but before taking a step she turned back around and added, "Supreme Headmaster, I will make sure to be at the war room tomorrow, at 0930." She nodded again, and with that she left to her room.

She navigated herself through the twisting passageways of the Temple. The external architecture of the building was majestic, and the internal aesthetics did it justice. The high vaulting ceilings were an absolute marvel to look at and Candace was still a bit overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of it all (and the shock of previous events had still not dissipated completely). She had some trouble finding her quarters, at first. Some of the instructions were in some strange language that Candace did not understand, so she was forced to ask where to go at times. It was a bit annoying, since a good number of people expressed shock, to some degree or another, at seeing a female member of the Vamperial Order. She paid them no heed though, accepted their instructions, and continued to make her way to her room. After a few mistakes, a number of wrong turns, and various other minor setbacks, she finally made it to her destination.

The room was nice, although somewhat rustic — a bit underwhelming really, given the grandeur of the Temple. But, it was fitting for someone who had only graduated her apprenticeship, whatever Candace's sense of entitlement. First things first, she hid the cloak and the things wrapped within it in the best possible spot she could find, which ended up being inside a closet. She'd have to build some type of safe that could fit under her bed, moving forward. She'd also have to build some locked racks for her weapons, including the Tac she received as a gift. Speaking of that gift, once she put the cloak in a safe place, she turned and started looking for the package Headmaster Rathma had made sure to send her. Finding it on a table, situated against one of the walls of the room, she proceeded to tear it open, finding in it her two new weapons and her letter of graduation. "Knight Swallow," she whispered to herself. Her dream of joining the Vamperial Order had finally been realized — hard to believe, especially since months before she had began to think she'd never be accepted as apprentice.

Suddenly, there was a knock at her door. Scurrying along, she opened it to find a young man before her. "Knight Eccleston. You must be Candace."

"Yes, that's right," she responded, somewhat skeptical of Eccleston. She'd had to acclimatize to the new environment. "What is your concern, knight?"

The man seemed undisturbed by her not-so-subtle aggression, "Rumors of your arrival have been circulating these halls all day, Ms. Swallow. When it comes to an apprentice to Headmaster Vamp——"

"Supreme Headmaster," corrected Candace.

"Err, right. Supreme Headmaster." That annoyed Eccleston somewhat, but he decided to give her the benefit of the doubt. "In any case, as I was saying, when it comes to an apprentice to Supreme Headmaster Vamp, it's difficult to put an end to the gossip. I, and many other recent graduates — and numerous apprentices too —, live in rooms much like yours in this area of the Temple. I just wanted to stop by and invite you to meet some of them."

"No, I think I'll stay here this evening." She wasn't feeling well. It was better to rest and recover from what she had seen that day.

Eccleston's lips curled in disappointment, "Well, gee, that's too bad. Maybe another day then."

"Maybe," retorted Candace. She pondered the consequences of closing the door on him, judged them to be inconsequential, and proceeded to do so. Before she could close the door completely, he stuck his foot right between the door and the frame, impeding her from fully shutting him. Quite vexed, she chastised him, "Excuse me, but I've deemed that our conversation here is over. I would like to rest now, so please go away." She kept trying to push the door against his foot, secretly hoping it would get crushed.

Continuing to ignore her rudeness, Eccleston kept talking, "So Candace, what are your plans for today? A few friends of mine and I could show you around. There's a lot to see here at the Temple, and I'm sure you want to get to know these grounds. Soon you'll be expected to know the building by memory. You're probably going to the war room tomorrow, so we could show you that as well. That way you won't arrive late tomorrow morning."

"You need to mind your own business, boy," was Candace's answer to that. Noticing that he just wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, she sought a compromise. "I'll tell you what. Tomorrow, if I have time, you can introduce me to some people here and you can show me around. How about that? Does that sound good?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Excellent, I'll see you tomorrow...maybe." Kicking his foot away, she slammed the door in front of him and let out a loud, "Thank fucking God. What an annoying prick." Little did she know that her and Eccleston would become good friends.

She walked back to the gift package and took the weapons. Sitting on a couch in the room, she laid the pistol and the rifle down on a large coffee table in front of her. First, she took the pistol, stripped it and laid out the pieces in front of her. Then she put the pistol back together, slowly at first. She didn't have much experience with these things yet, but she figured that she'd be expected to know them intimately. So, she would spend the rest of the day learning how to take them apart and put them back together. When the pistol was complete, she worked through the rifle. After spending an hour on that, she went back to the pistol, and back-and-forth for some time. Before going to sleep, she'd take both of them apart one-after-the-other, mixed up the pieces, and put them back together by deciphering which components belonged to what. It turned out to be a bad idea, because it'd take a good number of hours.

By the time she was done, the dark night had swept over Lynscertia. Putting on some garb proper of sleep ware, she brushed and flossed her teeth, and then washed herself. Finally, when the routine was finished, she climbed into bed, turned off the light on a table next to her, and went to sleep. Her ill-thought-out foray into disassembling and assembling weaponry would cost her a few hours of sleep, as just five hours later she was up again. Quickly devouring breakfast — Candace was hungry, as she hadn't eaten anything the day before, except for breakfast —, she got ready for the day's duties. By the time she had finished preparing it was 0800. Knowing that she'd have trouble finding the war room, she left early. By 0845 she was where she needed to be, deciding to stand around and wait for further instruction. The next stage of her training would soon begin...

[Lynion]

It wasn’t until 0850 when someone showed up to the war room. He was carrying a small wooden box that was filled with a number of vails with various liquids inside of each of them. In addition, on his left hand side of his belt, was a small pouch of little balls, maybe the size of marbles or smaller. He was surprised to see Candace outside the door of the war room. In fact, he wasn’t a member of the Order and neither was he dressed as an official. He was more casual than anything else.

“Hello ma’am,” the man started as he headed over to the door. “You must be the renowned Apprentice Swallow that I’ve being hearing about. And you’re the Supreme Headmaster’s apprentice. I wonder what’s it like to be his apprentice,” the young man thought about it for a moment. He was about two years older than Candace and seemed more mature for a male. “My name is Ranakhan and I’m an alchemist and a good one too,” Ranakhan put down his wooden box next to the door as he shake hands with Candace while wearing a pair of woollen gloves. He then proceeded to open the door for her and followed her in with his wooden box.

The war room was filled with computers, cabinets, there was a few bookcases with storage fills, printers and at the centre of the room, was a large wooden karri table. There was a few maps on them, one of Port Glasgow, one of the palace, and a few of the Lynx region. Ranakhan positioned his box on the table and moved some of the maps aside. His box had a number of small wonders and he even put a pouch on the table. Out of the box came a few bottles, several vails sitting in their stand and there was a small bottle that label, ‘Protective Measure’. The pouch and the small bottle was put together and then he removed the wooden box from the table. He looked around again and realised he was missing something. Looking everywhere, he eventually looked down in his box again and found what he was looking for. When he picked up a file that was at the bottom of the box, he notice Candace was interested in his vails.

“Please don’t touch any of the vails ma’am,” Ranakhan politely asked her. “Each one of these vails have the power to kill a fully grown male bull elephant in its prime in a matter of minutes. It’ll kill us in less than 10 seconds if consumed,” It would seem that Ranakhan was some kind of nut case, yet he was a gentleman protector of sorts. “Don’t worry, I generally make the medications for hospitals, the military and the like. Poisons are a side thing that Hea…Supreme Headmaster Vamp was interested into,” He had briefly forgotten that Vamp had become the Supreme Headmaster as he had only arrived in the evening. “Maybe possibly the strangest person I ever met,” he proceed to move his box away when he looked up again. “He’s strange…when I first met him, it was like, and I was looking at the Abyss. I caught him standing in front of a mirror but…I didn’t see a reflection…” Ranakhan thought about it then brushed it off. “Maybe I need to do something else,” He then bent over to look into his box for something. It was about 0910 when Vamp Kingston entered the room.

“Morning Apprentice,” Vamp greeted Candace. He approached the desk and was surprised by the scene of the vails and the pouch with the needle. There was a moment of silence when Ranakhan stood up.

“Here it is…” Ranakhan had taken out a small bottle of whiskey. “…I was thinking…” his voice drifted off as he starred at Vamp. “What the fuck did you do yesterday?” he growled at Vamp.

“…” Vamp was about to say something when he was cut off again by the young man.

“Might I remind you what we agreed and decided to do?” Ranakhan’s voice sounded it was about to explode.

“We’re here to remove the current monarch and the corrupted officials in the order,” Vamp answered him.

“Yes that’s right,” Ranakhan was clearly upset with Vamp about something. “What are we meant to do?” He asked him as he crossed his arms in front of his chest. “We are here to remove a hated psychotic tyrant from power and to remove the psychos or HMSS from position. I know you were motived by hate and revenge for Blood Raven, but those 40 unnamed men you ordered killed was not acceptable. We’re enforcing a benevolent monarch to the throne is that understood?”

“Yes, sire,” Vamp responded.

“Good, I’ll let this pass but I want to know, why did you do it?” Ranakhan asked him firmly. Vamp seemed reluctant to say anything at this point and sensed Candace must’ve thought of it as well.

“We tried it before sire,” Vamp stated. “Before I took Apprentice Swallow as my apprentice, myself and the Arch-Demon tried to rehab one. We took one of the senior leader’s prisoner and then attempted to conduct rehabilitation on him. What we found when we went through the mental progress…their unconscious minds had being tapped to cause as much critical damage as possible,”

“I didn’t realise Roberts was that clever,” Ranakhan was surprised what had being done.

“That’s the issue we run into sire,” Vamp responded. “This level of hypnosis was design to occur about four hours after Roberts was killed. Someone else did this to his men. The construct of the hypnosis itself…well…I haven’t seen it before. I contacted a number of mentalists and they never seen or heard of it until I asked them about it,” Vamp stated. “I know my tactics can be brutal at times but I do it for the greater interest of the kingdom sire,” Vamp bowed to Ranakhan and then moved over to the table and looked at the vails. It was 0920 Hours when the rest arrived.

There was Master Rathma Phoenix, Knight Revan Pearce, Headmaster Jian, Headmaster Slavic and there was Headmaster Sherman, head of the Shadow Assassin’s. Each one had with them their files they were given and reported in. They all snapped attention when they saw Ranakhan and all said:

“Good morning Prince Ranakhan Kingston,”

“Since everyone is here, I suggest we get a start on the briefing,” Vamp started.

“Err…with all due respect sir’s, but,” Revan started. “Why on earth is she here?” Everyone glanced at Candace with curious thoughts about why she was here and then turned to Vamp.

“She is the key to this assassination. I believe she has a chance to get further in than anyone else does,” Vamp explained to everyone. “Gentlemen and lady, we are about conduct a natural assassination on…His Imperial Majesty Marcus Kingston. In his place, his step-son and heir to the throne, Prince Ranakhan will assume the throne with his twin brother, Xiahou helping him to rule as a duel monarch,”

“But why her?” Revan still questioned him.

“Simple grasshopper,” Sherman stepped in as Rathma contained his laugh. His accent was on Chinese decent as he was a first generation Chinese living in Lynion. Before he became head of the Special Forces, he was a master kung-Fu monk. “None of the men can get to him close enough. His windows are bullet-proof and if we conduct a full blown assault on the palace, we will face the Special Forces that make up the Imperial Guardians, bodyguards to the monarch. Also HMSS operatives swarm the palace against us,” His thick accent made some of his words unclear but he could still be understood. “Hence why, we ask for the alchemist to help us,” he waved his hand towards Ranakhan. “And why we need a woman to do a man’s job grasshopper,” Revan was clearly disappointed with the selection but everyone knew not to mess with Sherman.

“Here’s the plan,” Vamp started again trying to avoid any conflict between Revan and Sherman. “Once a month, every month, the emperor orders a fresh batch of female ‘maids’ to take over from the used maids before them. They age between 14 and 22 years old and need to meet his own needs and desires. This has become his obsession,” The men knew that ‘maids’ actually meant sex slaves. “In order to succeed, they must serve him a glass of red wine and he determines them if he wants them or not. The ones he doesn’t want are sent to the sex slave industry. Recently we’ve being intercepting them and moved them to a secret location until it’s safe to send them off without them being picked up again,” Vamp continued.

“Now, Swallow,” Ranakhan started. “The method of attack is poison but not any poison either,” He then proceeded to take out his small flask of water, and then released the needle into the water. “This is an antipode you’ll need as insurance,” He offered it to her to drink it. “You need to drink all of this and it won’t hurt a bit. What it does…” he went over to the pouch and took it back to her. “This is extremely hard to make and deadly to anyone. These small capsules contain the poison to clutter the blood veins to stop them pumping blood to the heart. Thus, it creates an artificial heart attack and will kill him under 20 seconds flat. Don’t take it. The drink you’re taking will protect you against this,” Ranakhan explained to her. “Now, to poison him. All you need to do is drop it into the drink he has. Doesn’t matter what it is as the capsules dissolves and the poison spreads through the drink. Even if he has a taste of it, it will kill him. Don’t worry if you put more in by mistake as it only speeds up the timer by about two seconds per extra capsule you use. Remember I only made five,” Ranakhan explained to her as he put the pouch in front of her.

It was quiet for a few moments as everyone considered what was just explained to them. They weren’t going to kill the monarch but instead kill him by a natural cause so it wouldn’t appear to be an assassination. It was critical everyone understood what was happening between them as they deeply took it in.

“This is all highly classified so NO-ONE must know outside these walls,” Vamp firmly stated then shortly, everyone nodded in agreement. “A few final things as well. Swallow, I’m going to give you a sports bag that you need to fill with a change of clothes and any weapons you want to bring. The Imperial Guard will have automatic weapons to give them to you. This is a measure of insurance in case there’s more HMSS than what first thought of. Prince Ranakhan will smuggle your bag into his room. Once you killed the monarch, retreat to his room to get your stuff. You may need to help the Guard. Once there, Prince Xiahou will climb the palace and raise the national flag upside down once the monarch has being killed. This will raise the alarm and the marines will reinforce the palace and remove the HMSS from there. Once this is done, you’ll need to stay for a bit longer until we have things operational there Apprentice Swallow,” Vamp concluded her part of the mission. He then allowed Slavic and Sherman to take over.

“Next we need to settle with HMSS Headquarters and their outpost,” Slavic started. “You don’t need to worry about this Swallow,” he assured her. “Headmaster Sherman already has his men watching HMSS at this very moment. At this moment, a regiment is being formed at the railway yard to be transported across the bridge. Their aim is to overpower the HMSS headquarters in Port Glasgow. The 30th Marine brigade will land at Huntingdale, Sydney and Seoul and overpower the HMSS outposts in those cities. Supreme Headmaster Vamp will take the HMSS headquarters in Port Glasgow. What extra units are we deploying?” Slavic asked Vamp.

“We’ll deploy the 5th Vampire Guard into Port Glasgow,” Vamp reminded him. “Half will focus on the city and the other half will be ready to storm the palace at a moment’s notice,” Vamp explained the extra force being deployed. “We’ll need to move quickly to secure Port Glasgow, HMSS HQ and the Palace. Once then, Prince Ranakhan will be crowned king and we’ll begin to conduct the mop up operations. Rathma and Revan, you’ll command the second half and be ready to storm the palace,”

“Yes sir,” they both replied.

“Now remember Candace, you’ll have the honour to assassinate the emperor. Once done, retreat to Ranakhan’s room and you’ll find your smuggle things. I advise to get rid of the maid uniform,” Sherman pointed out. “Headmaster Slavic, have your forces ready to remove the HMSS from power with the Supreme Headmaster taking the Headquarters. Master Phoenix and Knight Pearce, be ready to storm the palace if need be. Headmaster Jian, you must land the marines in the other cities and remove HMSS like thunder. Also, we will need the military police to assist the civilian police in order to maintain order. We will not use martial law or we will be seen as invaders,” Sherman explained the plan in short. “This is highly classified Swallow so you can’t tell anyone both before and after,”

“Let’s do this,” Vamp smiled. Ranakhan then cleared his throat as he pointed back to Candace. “Nearly forgot. Ever since we’ve being in this pointless war, we have lost a number of knights and masters in it. So, we decided that Prince Ranakhan will knight you. You’ll become Knight Candace Swallow once this is over,” Vamp informed her. “From there, Headmaster Sherman will train you further to be the lethal assassin and Prince Ranakhan has kindly volunteer to show you how to make poisons and antidotes as well,” Vamp concluded. “We’ve told you everything and kept nothing from you. I have great faith in you that you can pull this off but I need to know if you’re up to the task,” Vamp asked her. “If you are, you’ll be taken via helicopter and Ranakhan will slip you into the maid’s line. Remember, you only need to poison him and then bail for his room and then help the Guards,”

The question was put forward, could she do it?

[The Macabees]

Only a few minutes after she arrived, Candace was joined by a young man only two or three years older than her. He was a character she had never seen before, although she had grown accustomed to meeting new people in recent days. Indeed, the Order was a brand new world for her and it would take her some time to become acclimatized to the environment. Her up-to-now refusal to integrate with the other apprentices, and other persons more-or-less her age living in the Temple, also played a role in that, although that would change when Candace had time to worry about 'the little things.' For now, she was almost exclusively focused on her training and her progression as a member of the Order — she was eager to prove her detractors wrong —, with the occasional dark memory of Vamp's slaughter of the day before seeping into her mind. Over night she had tried to put that behind her, preferring to give Supreme Headmaster Vamp the benefit of the doubt, but even she, an orphan who thought she had already experienced it all, succumbed to the doubts of Vamp's virtuosity. She'd get over it sooner or later, and no doubt Vamp would at some point provide her with an explanation of his actions.

The man who arrived at the War Room soon after Candace was Prince Ranakhan Kingston, although she didn't recognize him at the time. They conversed a bit, as he prepared for what she expected was the beginning of a new period of training. Opening a wooden box he had put on a large table in the room, he unveiled a number of potions and other chemical compositions. He had introduced himself to Ms. Swallow as an alchemist, so such things were fitting of him. Candace's curiosity almost got the better of her as she reached to one of the vials laid out on the table, but 'the alchemist' kindly chastised her before she could touch anything. She quickly apologized and was soon truly appreciative of 'the alchemist's' quick reaction, as he explained to her what those liquids were and what they did. When he told her, she shivered a bit — these were the kind of things you heard about in the movies, at least the kind of movies they played at the orphanage in Port Glasgow. A massacre on her first day at the Temple, an introduction to extremely deadly poisons on her second, this was the real deal. As she was a bit out of her element, she let him speak and kept quiet.

Soon thereafter came Vamp, Headmasters Jian, Slavic, and Sherman, as well as Knight Pearce. Still not saying a word, Candace let Vamp and 'the alchemist' speak. She was happy to know that Vamp did have a legitimate explanation for his treatment of the corrupt headmasters' apprentices and slaves, although it would still take her some time to get over it completely. But, any thoughts of yesterday's events were briskly swept away when she learned that 'the alchemist' was actually a prince; a prince of Lynion, no less. And to think that she had gotten the opportunity to shake his hand! Then again, she was the apprentice to Vamp, another person of royal blood. So perhaps she shouldn't have been so surprised after all. In her defense, these caliber of people existed only in television, in the news, and in her dreams, so meeting them was quite the novelty. She had been told of the kings, emperors, and princes of Greater Díenstad, and of course she knew of the Lynion royal family, but she had never ever seen them with her own eyes, let alone be allowed to touch them and interact with them. It was all rather exciting.

The excitement was somewhat ruined by Revan's exasperated questioning of her presence. She kept her mouth shut, because talking back to a superior always backfires (and a knight is a knight, even if he's an idiot), but she could think whatever she wanted — no one could read her mind (although, by this point, she wouldn't be surprised if someone could). Fool, thought Candace, I will rise above you one day.

Vamp came to her defense, explaining that Candace had unique qualities that made her the perfect perpetrator of an assassination they had planned. The shock of that temporarily made Ms. Swallow forget all about Revan, but then the guy opened his damned mouth again. He proceeded to question Vamp; the others' tolerance of Revan took Candace somewhat unprepared, as he was a mere knight questioning the Supreme Headmaster. But, it made he realize and appreciate the degree of mutual respect members of the Order had for each other — all recognized the value in each others' opinions. The Temple was, in a sense, an academic setting for the art of the covert. The young apprentice had always lived in a world of chaos, which obviously did not suit her, so perhaps this setting would prove to be just right for her. My new home. She didn't forget about Revan either, Shut up idiot, let the Supreme Headmaster say what he must! Although she was not prepared to hear the news that she had been chosen to 'lead' (in the sense of being the actual assassin) an assassination mission, against the monarch no less, she could not wait to hear the rest.

Sherman quickly quieted Revan by explaining Candace's role, and then Ranakhan took point. He explained to her the poison and the antidote, and her task of murdering the monarch by poisoning his drink. Within her bones she felt that tingle one feels when nervous. It was almost uncomfortable. But, even that could not dent Ms. Swallow's overall elation. Finally, she got her chance to prove herself and, perhaps, to earn herself a reputation; the kind of reputation one needs to rise through the corporate ladder, so to speak. Candace was known as "Vamp's Apprentice," evidenced by the way that Prince Ranakhan first greeted her, but the young woman was unhappy with the unofficial title. Her 'fame,' if one could call it that, was derived entirely from the reputation of another man, one that she hadn't contributed to. That was not right, and she would eventually have to build her own legend. Successfully carrying out the mission Vamp and the others had handed to her would be the first step towards accomplishing this end, and what a step it was — it was much more than a rite of passage to knighthood. The number of apprentices who had received an opportunity like this could probably be counted on a single hand, even if it were the hand of a four-fingered species.

After Ranakhan told Candace of the general gist of the plan, the men proceeded to talk between each other. Revan, who Candace considered a boy and not a man, stood quiet as well. Finally, after much discussion, Vamp turned to Apprentice Swallow and said, "I have great faith in you that you can pull this off but I need to know if you’re up to the task." He said some additional words, but Candace was already eager to respond to listen to the rest of Vamp's explanation.

Keeping her cool, for appearances sake (to not appear to much like a novice), Candace finally replied, "Yes, Supreme Headmaster, it would be an honor to carry out the assassination, to protect Lynion and her people, to serve the Order, and to distribute justice to those who have wronged." She then added, "These words shall not escape me; I will tell no one."

[Lynion]

Royal Palace

The helicopter landed after about two hours flight from Lynscert Island to Port Glasgow and then onto the palace. The palace was fairly large but it wasn’t an oversize palace as seen in other places of the globe. Instead, the palace is what was used to be Fort Glasgow. It was a bit like the Vamperial Temple, however, it was situated on top of a hill overlooking Port Glasgow, the fortress wasn’t dug into a mountain but instead, the walls snake around the fortress leaving plenty of room to be used for a pool, tennis court, a cricket pitch and it had its own helipad. The main palace was located in the middle with two barracks on either side of the palace and watch towers at the main gates and at the four main points of the wall. Deep underground the palace, it had its own nuclear bunker that can withstand a 5MT nuclear warhead while supporting just over 1,000 people.

“Remember, maid, just follow my lead and don’t speak unless ask to,” Prince Ranakhan reminded Candace Swallow. When he did look at her, he could see her feminie features that were well hidden by the Viper Robes she was given. He only wished she would get rid of the outfit but he didn’t dare say anything more to the assassin, least they are uncovered.

When the helicopter landed and the pair got out, they were greeted by the Imperial Guardians. The personal bodyguards to the monarch. It was stated in their vocabulary that the words ‘surrender’ nor ‘retreat’ exist and are not defined. They weren’t forged to appear pretty but arguably, the most bloodthirsty soldiers in the kingdom. They politely bowed and then snapped to attention at the sight of Prince Ranakhan.

“Your highness,” one of them started. “Your father desires your presences,”

“Desires?” Ranakhan questioned back at the concept of being desired. “Does my father not know I have come to him, bearing a gift from Lynscert Island?” He started as he presented Candace. “This gem of beauty has travel far and I have no desire to be kept from him. She will be bring him much pleasure to him,” Ranakhan had developed a mild idea of ‘pleasure’ as he thought about their assassination attempt.

“Apologise my lord,” the guards bowed again.

“Fear not my friends. Come, I must present the Gem of Lynscertia,” Ranakhan demanded.

The pair was escorted as one of the guards led the pair and one escorted from behind Candace. As they marched through, by what felt like a death sentence, it was hard to miss the tensions that seemed to be rising between the Imperial Guardians and the HMSS operatives that have recently taken up post in the palace. It was mainly due to the fact that the HMSS had out-numbered the Imperial Guardians on a two to one ratio but lacked the arms and training that the guardians had.

Though, they did pass through some beautiful gardens growing a combination of the local native flowers and plants while also able to support a selection of foreign flowers and plants. Servants were out in force keeping the gardens maintained, cleaning the palace windows and running to and from jobs.

When they entered the palace, it was just like other royal palaces. Everything seemed to be in perfection and lined together to match each other. There was a pair of guards at every post and they would snap to attention and salute the prince. However, whenever they pass HMSS operatives, they were less than keen to salute the prince or recognise he’s the monarch and next in line to the throne of Lynion. Yet, the Imperial Guardians were able to keep them in line.

When they arrived in the throne room, they came face to face with their target and a selection of other officials. In the middle was a golden throne with every gem engraved into it. On either side of the walls, were paintings of not only previous kings and queens of Lynion, but then something happened. Ranakhan had never pay close attention to the details of the paintings as they explained who succeeded who and when. There were names prior to 1926 that not many would’ve heard of outside of the kingdom but there was one that stood out. 1870 to 1926 was King Alexander Edwards and then from 1926 to 1942 was King Vam’dionperial Kingston. He had a remarkable resemblance to Vamp Kingston and the main difference was the fact he had two eyes and not one. 1942 to 1947 was Queen Ellie Kingston, 1947 to 1979 was King Lanakhan and from 1980 to present, was King Marcus Kingston. Ranakhan then moved Candace in front of his father, King Marcus Kingston.

Marcus sat on his throne comfortably with a maid to his right that could’ve easily being younger than Candace but she was terrify of him. The man on the throne was an unfit and overweight man suckling off the hard labours of others while he sat on his golden throne and ruled the Empire with an iron fist. He laughed with a greasy voice as nodded at his son.

“My step-son,” Marcus started as he stood up. “You have made me proud and very pleased of you,”

“Thank you, step-father,” Ranakhan reminded Marcus of his official position to him. He watched carefully as Marcus took his time and moved around carefully of her. “She is a beauty from Lynscertia itself. She is quite the gem that I found there, to be provided as tribute to you,”

“Indeed,” Marcus finished inspecting his new found joy. “Perfect timing, this one here,” the current maid he had with him. “Is expiring. Guards!” A pair of HMSS operatives approached him. “Take this one,” the younger maid protested as she knew her fate was sealed. “And share her with the others,” Her protests fell on deaf ears or ears that couldn’t do anything. Marcus beckoned Candace to stand on his right hand side. Ranakhan nodded to Candace to move. When she was on his right hand side, an official step forward as business began.

“My lord,” the official started. “There have being confirmed rumours that vampire attacks have being occurring in Port Glasgow. Some of the attacks started at the start of this year and they are mainly aimed at the HMSS officials and operatives. The first being near an orphanage in Port Glasgow…”

“Bah!” Roared Marcus. “This is nothing than rumours and murders, leave it to the police to decide. I have no interest in dealing with false rumours that are to waste my time. Why not deal with the new and current Archangel or Supreme Headmaster,” Marcus declared as he appeared more concern. “This man has insulted me. He doesn’t even bother to kneel before me and swear his allegiance to me. I want him removed and I don’t care how,”

“It shall be done my lord,” The head HMSS operative stated firmly as he escorted the official out of the room.

The next person was going to freak a fair amount of people out. When he entered the room, all that was visible to anyone, was his oversize black cloak, his metallic gloves and his Grim Reaper horrifying skull mask. Ranakhan was clearly disturb by the sight of this man or creature. Its head scanned the room and noted the presence of the Guardians, the HMSS and then it gave a stare at Candace for an unknown reason.

“Ah,” Marcus started with a smile across his face. “I thank you for your services Reaper,” Reaper seems to be the only known name to the man in the cloak. “You have done a great service to the Empire and for that I’m thankful,” Even though Reaper’s mask was clearly pointed at Marcus, there was an icky feeling his eyes were staring at Candace. That’s when it happened. “I…” Time seemed to have stood still. Everyone besides Candace and Reaper were frozen like statues. Reaper took the moment as he walked about until he was standing a fair distance between himself and Candace.

“I…know…you’re…purpose…” his voice was like that of a deathly chill but there was a commanding tone behind it. “I…know…his…fate…is…sealed. Now…my…child…send…a…message…to…your…master. The…Reaper…calls…for…his…soul…Candace…Swallow,”

With that, everything went back to normal. It was like nothing had happened. Marcus, Ranakhan or anyone else seemed to have noticed that something had occurred between Reaper and Candace. The Reaper looked about, then at Candace before turning to face Marcus.

“Now, I have…” Marcus started.

“I’m not interested,” Reaper cut him off in mid-sentence as he turned to leave. The sudden change of his tone had set off Marcus in an aggressive mood.

“What?” thundered Marcus quickly. “Don’t you dare walk away from me!”

“I just did,” Reaper called out in a deathly tone. Marcus was enraged by the mere thought let alone the act that was committed in front of him. Though, without taking any immediate action, Marcus allowed Reaper to exit and then turned to the commander of the HMSS operatives at the palace. He then took his right index finger and moved it across his neck as if he was slicing it open. Upon which, the commander nodded and went after Reaper.

“Maid,” Marcus then turned to Candace and snapped at her. “Get me that glass of wine,” Marcus pointed to a glass of red wine that was off to the side. It was recently poured when the servants must’ve figured out Reaper might cause stress to Marcus.


Meanwhile in Port Glasgow…


The Inter-Station was busy during peak hour traffic. Civilians were taking trains to the outer parts of the city and the military were transporting an additional regiment into the capital. The Vanguard to the operation were squads of Viper Assassin’s, Shadow Assassin’s and with support from Vamperial Masters and Knights. They busy themselves by observing HMSS operatives and their headquarters in the capital while Vamp and Sherman took to the rooftops to find a better view of the palace. They had organised a regiment to enter the city and be ready to storm the HMSS headquarters while another battalion was being mobilised.

“Is this what should happen?” Sherman asked Vamp as they watched the flagpole on top of the palace.

“I’ve calculated every possibility and we must do a primitive strike…” Vamp started.

“I meant about the apprentice,” Sherman corrected him quickly.

“What about her?”

“Why?” Sherman asked the question.

“Have you seen her profile Sherman?” Vamp asked him. Sherman gave him a look as if he felt he had to read something when he could ask about it. “I’m looking at a girl who hasn’t had a stable home and may have killed a selection of possible adoptive parents. I wager it has something to do with her gender,” Vamp tried to explain it to him. “She’s the most promising student I’ve seen to date Sherman,”

“Yet it would seem hers and your fate to be the High King are connected,” Sherman pointed out something that made Vamp hold back his rage softly. “Why her? I hope it isn’t for this mission,” Sherman was well respected within the Order and considered an Elder of the Order both by his maturity and age of wisdom.

“No,” Vamp peered through the binoculars watching the palace. “She’s promising and has the ability to do it,”

“What’s better, to be on the streets or trained to be a killer?”

“Do you expect me to play god?” Vamp questioned him firmly.

“No,” Sherman responded. “I know what you are,” Sherman stated. Vamp hated the thought someone knew about it. He could trust with Sherman about his attempts to become the High King of Lynion or maybe even the Elder King of Lynion someday. “Where others failed, I know,”

“Then you’ll know I’ve being monitored since I came home,” Vamp responded. “Be thankful that I’m the last one left,” The last one. The thought rang in his head as he stopped watching the palace ignoring the fact that the Reaper had gotten away without them knowing about it.

“If I know, she’ll know soon enough,” Sherman pointed out the obvious.

“I want to know if she thinks it’s possible before I say anything,” Vamp answered him. “Let’s focus on the mission at hand. Get your men into position and I’ll join you once the flag is raised,”

“Alright Vamp,” Sherman accepted the offer and headed down as Vamp continued. When Vamp continued to watch, he felt something was wrong but didn’t know what it was. He was hoping Candace wouldn’t get cold feet about it. If she did, it’ll be up to Ranakhan to pull something out the blue.

“Elder King,” Vamp scoffed at the thought. “Catchy, it makes me sound ancient,”

[The Macabees]

Candace's smooth hands were on the verge of quivering as she walked towards the table, off the side of the king's stunningly crafted throne. For months she had been trained for this very moment; Vamp had tested her mental fortitude, her physical capabilities, and the limits of her intelligence. For years now grew a perpetual ambition to earn the very opportunity now within her grasp. She was just a few minutes from killing the King of Lynion himself. Few assassins are awarded targets of such high prestige — indeed, many knights stood envious of her, a mere apprentice. If she succeeded one day she would be history, a claim few others could make. But, the pressure was overbearing. Negative thoughts crossed her mind, like a storm cloud in the skies. Was her plan robust? Would someone catch on to her and the crime was soon about to commit? Candace took a deep breath, calmed her mind, and tried to focus on the task-at-hand.

Despite her skills and her cunning, killing King Marcus would not be easy. She had in her sleeve a hidden vial of a poisonous solution, brewed by the noble Prince Ranakhan himself. Deadly, the poison promised to kill her target within twenty seconds of him drinking his glass of wine. All she had to do was get the solution into the wine, but as she approached the table dozens of alternate endings — endings with an associated theme of failure — shot across her brain, neurons alight in her mind.

Marcus looked at her, licking his lips in perverted anticipation. While she doubted herself, she therefore also made sure to walk in an inviting way, showing off her curves by gently and subtly swaying side-to-side. She could feel the unsupportable heat of the men's stares boring through her thinly covered back. In the past, people who had looked at her with those eyes tended to not have good intentions. All too often those kind of men brought trouble. Fortunately, that meant that Candace had quite a bit of experience with trouble; indeed, that was a significant component of her pre-Order experience, including in the murder department.

Fourteen and starving to death on the streets of Port Glasgow, now many years past, Candace was trailed by a homeless man who had seen her roaming as she looked for a safe place to sleep for the night. The sun had fallen hours before and if the city lights weren't scant, they were certainly dim. Caught somewhere in the heart of the industrial area of Port Glasgow, there was not a soul around interested in helping her. As the man neared her, unsheathing a small knife that he would most likely use to assault and threaten her, to force her into some lewd act. Of course, Candace would have none of it. When he came close enough, she revealed a blade of her own, this one much longer, and sharper than the man's. In a swift move, practiced over time on former victims, she swiped at his neck, slicing through it deeply enough to cause him to fall to the ground and slowly bleed to death. A terrible death, for a terrible man.

Today was another terrible man's turn to die. Reaching the table, she grabbed the glass by the stem. But, as she turned, she purposefully lost control over it, justifying her decision to grab the top of the glass with her other hand. With her back half-turned, and her hand covering whatever part of the glass exposed to the view of others, the poisonous solution dripped from the small vial, attached to one of her sleeves. The elegant droplets of venom diffused with the wine, subtle and sophisticated. While those watching her would likely notice her stumble, they would remain unaware of her true intentions. Although perhaps she may have just put Marcus off a bit, she'd make up for it on her way back by turning up the charm a bit. She'd have to walk back especially seductive, her manipulative intentions hidden. This time the glass did not sway, as she brought it back to the King, her eyes never leaving his.

"Your Majesty," she said, "your wine." She quasi-curtsied, lowering herself a bit as she handed the King his glass of wine.

[Lynion]

The Royal Palace

‘What is she doing?’ Ranakhan was watching Candace’s movements as he attempted to control his thoughts. ‘What the hell did Vamp think of this woman?’

“Hohoho,” Marcus laughed mockingly as he watched Candace moved from besides the throne to where the wine was. Even when she nearly dropped it, it appeared both Ranakhan and Marcus didn’t seem to find any fault with her. Somehow, Ranakhan was finding himself observing her more than an assassin but not before his step-father caught him in the act.

“You have picked well,” Marcus complimented Ranakhan as he took hold of the glass of wine. Ranakhan could feel his heart beat but at this stage he couldn’t figure out whether it was beating for Candace or it was beating for possible failure or maybe it was for success. “I must admit, your other brother seems to have being very poor in choice. He could never mount to what you can,”

“Thank you father, but in Xiahou’s defence, he is…not interested in trying to please you but earn his way,” Ranakhan thanked him as well as defend his step brother.

“I prefer the women,” Marcus admitted as he took the wine to his lips, noticing that Ranakhan was looking his way, unaware he was watching him but instead, Marcus thought he was looking at Candace. He took the wine away and decided to tease Ranakhan. “Though, I know you’re terrible with women,” Ranakhan was controlling himself as his knuckles were turning red with rage. He was half tempted to strangle him right there and then. “Maybe you should take…” his fingers ran over Candace’s dress as Ranakhan suddenly had a three way battle in his mind. He was trying to control his rage over his step-father, while controlling his lustful desires towards Candace and also trying to keep his cool. “Yes, you should take her,”

“Father,” he decided to play into Marcus’ trap. Marcus laughed at Ranakhan as he handed Ranakhan the glass of wine. Without thinking about it, Ranakhan took the glass of wine and took a sip of it. His mind was focus on finding a way out of this. Did he just try to kill himself? It had being 30 seconds and it was obvious to everyone he was fine and to Candace he had taken the antidote. He then gave it back to Marcus.

“Here’s to our health,” Marcus toasted to him as he drank it. He drank and he drank. Ten seconds and he had stood up. “Now…” 15 seconds. “My son…” those were his last words as he suddenly felt pain grip his entire body. His hand went to where his heart was as everyone stood in silent. Marcus collapsed to floor, gasping for air and trying to say something. His eyes wandered the room and finally rested on Ranakhan as he tried to reach out to him and then, he died trying to gasp for air. Somebody screamed, medics and doctors were called but Ranakhan stood frozen.

‘What have I done?’ he thought to himself. Was he getting cold feet? No. This is what was needed and for the greater good of the kingdom. It was done. Screams could be heard, doctors rushed and without realising it, Ranakhan was pushed aside over to where Candace was standing. He was still in shock as one of the guardians tried to snap him back to reality.

“Sir?” the guard questioned him over and over and then, without any form of emotion, he looked up, and looked at Candace. This look wasn’t one of lust but one of thanking her and maybe looking for her help. Ranakhan finally snapped back to reality when HMSS operatives broke into the throne room and looked about. Was he still frozen? What was wrong with him? There were five that entered the room first. There was a guardian standing near him. Then one of the HMSS operatives targeted Candace and that’s when it all happened.

Ranakhan reached for the guardian’s pistol in his back and he took it out. Then everything seemed to have slowed down as he took it out. The guardian didn’t seem to feel it when Ranakhan took out the pistol and aimed it at the operative aiming his rifle at Candace. Without thinking or showing emotion, Ranakhan fired the first shot. The bullet whizzed through the air, slammed into the neck and out the other end. Before the operative fell to the floor and died, Ranakhan fired the next shot into the head of the second and the third before firing two bullets each into the remaining two operatives. Ranakhan was in shock. He didn’t show any emotion, he didn’t even think about anything else and he didn’t realise what he just did. When he realised, the pistol dropped from his hands as everything snapped back.

“I…” Ranakhan turned and took Candace’s hand with him. He then ran off with her following him. His mind returned to fighting the lustful desire for Candace and fighting. He wanted to cry for the death of Marcus, he wanted to find comfort in this but he needed to fight for the kingdom. They ran through a few hallways before they came to his bedroom.

“I don’t know what happened,” he told himself as he opened the door. Inside Xiahou was sitting on his bed and could tell what had happen. No-one needed to say anything. Not a word was needed to say when Xiahou saw the pair. Yet, Ranakhan seemed in shock. In fact, when Ranakhan staggered into the room and sat on his bed, Xiahou tried to bring him around. “I had to do it…do it…I…I didn’t had a choice…what…what should I have done?” The words staggered out of a teenager that had witnessed the closest person he had to a father died in front of him and by his own poison and then killed five HMSS operatives.

“Ran?” Xiahou observed him for a bit. “What happened?”

“I…” Ranakhan was about to say something when the sound of gunfire erupted.

“Just stay here,” Xiahou didn’t know how to handle Ranakhan at this stage. Maybe Candace knew what to say or maybe she is actually cold and heartless. It didn’t matter. Ranakhan was the least of their worries as gunfire suddenly erupted. “Your Master sent ahead your change in a sports bag with a sub-machine gun with mag’s. It’s going to be all hands on deck,” He looked at Ranakhan and noticed he was sitting down and starring into nothing.

“Code Red, ultimate Cod Red,” a voice over the intercoms could be heard outside the doors.

“So…we got HMSS looking to take the throne and my step-brother is in a state of shock,” Xiahou suddenly started to feel nervous and shock. He then walked over to the window and opened it for fresh air to breath. “I doubt he’ll move for now. I’ll be a monkey and put the flag upside down,” He then went to the nearby desk, opened the top draw and took out two hooks that he attached to his wrist. Turning back to the window, he locked the window into position and positioned himself outside of the room. “Can you do me a favour please,” Xiahou’s head appeared through the window. “I think it’s you get rid of the maid outfit,” Was he playing with fire? Without thinking about it completely, Xiahou made his escape and worked up the two storey building.

Xiahou had made his way quickly up the buildings wall. If it was not for the hooks he had crafted, it would’ve being harder to climb higher free handed. Unlike his step-brother Ranakhan, Xiahou had being trained in the Viper Order of Assassin’s. The same one that Candace is part of. Unlike Candace, Xiahou had being part of the Order since he turned ten. Ranakhan on the other hand had taken the path of the Vamperial Order but favoured more of a medical approach, thus his ability to be a pharmacist.

Upon reaching the top, he could see Port Glasgow below. He breathed a sigh of relief as a number of Imperial Guardians were surprised to see him. They watched him and called out to him, but he didn’t seem to answer them as he dashed across to the flag pole. He then took the flag down, unhooked it and then re-hooked it so it was upside down and then rushed it up the pole. It was done. Then he could hear it, the gunfire erupted between the Imperial Guardians and the HMSS operatives that have started a battle. Now, their hope rested on the Vamperial Order.

[Lynion]

Pearce, Phoenix, Vamp and Sherman


The 92nd was being transported onto trucks when Rathma noticed the flag onto of the palace was upside down. It was a distress call that the military used. In this case, the palace was under siege, the monarchy was shattered and now it was time for glory. When the 92nd was being transported, it was clear that it was time to bring them up to speed. Once they arrived at the edge of the palace grounds and with a retreating outnumber Imperial Guardians falling back to their finally position, Rathma took hold of a speaker and quickly spoke to his troops.

“Men of the 92nd, today we stand together as brothers in arms and we stand to fulfil our oaths,” Rathma begun as men heard it over radios or being near him. “At this moment, our monarchy is in danger, our kingdom is in danger and those we had sworn to protect are in danger. HMSS are nothing but scumbags and low life thugs will we stand for this?” A sharp response “No!” came back. “Today we fight. God save the monarch! For nothing will save HMSS from our wrath!”

“To the king!” Pearce shouted as he led the men up the hill. The 92nd Regiment followed Revan’s lead as Rathma joined in. Spreading out across the hill and towards the palace, HMSS operatives were caught off guard by the sudden arrival of a military regiment. Though, they were able to bring them to a mild stop before realising they now had to fight a two way battle. Caught in the middle of defenders and attackers, they were still determine to take the throne.

“This is the Imperial Arbiter to all Imperial Guardians,” there was a crackle over the radio that was picked up by the military. “Elements of the 92nd have arrived as reinforcements. Do not fire on friendlies, I repeat, do not fire on the 92nd as they are friendlies,”

The HMSS operatives suddenly found themselves fighting a two sided battle. They started to begin gaining ground in the palace but soon came face to face with a dangerous stalemate. With the throne room lost, the Imperial Guardians had created a barrier at the bedrooms. The remaining monarchs were Prince Ranakhan and Prince Xiahou.


Vamp and Sherman


Vamp looked around at the busy street where HMSS headquarters were located. He looked about at the small number of cafes and noticed a number of undercover Shadow and Viper Assassin’s. Unlike other times, Vamp was in a standard civilian outfit watching the building. He didn’t wanted to risk being spotted so early. Under his jacket, he wielded a number of pistols in the event of being spotted but it appeared that it wouldn’t happen. Looking back down the street, he saw Sherman and nodded to him.

Walking casually towards the building, he noticed that the HMSS operatives were more nervous than usual. Glancing across, the operatives didn’t seem to be bother by his presence until he enter the building. Once inside, Vamp noticed a number of civilians coming in and out. People walked to and from the main receptionist desk, HMSS operatives glanced about watching people move about and Vamp walked towards the front receptionists.

“Excuse me ma’am,” Vamp started to the young female receptionist. “I need to speak with your boss,”

“Err….” The woman was confused. She called over her supervisor and told her what happened.

“I’m here to talk to the director of HMSS,” Vamp explained himself again.

“I’m sorry, but you can’t see the director. He’s in a meeting at the moment,” the supervisor explained to him.

“I’ve got a bomb,” bluffed Vamp but it appeared that no one was buying it. Calling over the guards, they started to escort Vamp out of the building. Feeling frustrated, Vamp took the first guard and quickly snapped his neck. He then turned to the second, kneed him in the crown jewels, pulled out his pistol and shot the two front guards while using the operative as a shield for the two at the desks. Once the guards had killed their own, Vamp swung around and blasted the two with the remaining bullets in the pistol.

“I just wanted to talk to your director,” Vamp announced as he removed his jacket. Underneath, he had eight 9mm silenced pistols with full magazines, four on each of his sides. Taking out two and remembering there’s seven bullets in a magazine and an additional bullet in the barrel. There was about 3 minutes once the silenced alarm went off before operatives with M16’s would sweep through the building. The civilians quickly ran out the door also completing Vamp’s hidden agenda of no civilians being inside.

Moving up the staircase, since the elevators were being de-activated, he remembered hearing that the director’s office was on floor four somewhere towards the west wing. He had to run up the staircase quickly, and as he passed by the floor doors, he quickly blocked them through the means of whatever he could find. If he couldn’t he simply ignored it.

When he arrived at the top of the floor, he took out two pistols and killed the first two guards. He was careful with the amount of bullets he used and quickly killed whatever guards he could find and then forced the non-combatants to find cover and lock their doors. Running and gunning any guards in his way, he eventually came to the west wing. There were a number of rooms in the west wing.

“What?” maybe a little more planning could’ve happened. That’s when he heard a soft moan, or a groan or maybe something broke.

Carefully moving over to the room, he tested the knob and realised that it was locked. Stepping back, he charged forward and kicked down the door. Inside was a long table with about 12 seats on both side and one chair at the end. At the end, was the director and he was with a young woman.

“Oh, now this is good,” Vamp started. At that moment, about five guards came around the corner. Spinning around, with the pistols drawn, he quickly gunned them down and heard someone calling any further attempts off. Throwing the two pistols aside, Vamp took out another pistol and rushed over to the director.

“Get lost girly,” Vamp threw off the young woman and she quickly rushed out of the room and the building. Taking the director by his shirt, Vamp pulled him over to the door. “Alright director, we are going to play gods,”

“You’re mad,” the director protested. His eyes were mad with rage as he was pushed over to the door where Vamp looked around the corner.

“Come out with your hands up,” one of HMSS operatives shouted.

“Not now kiddie,” Vamp responded as he used the director as a human shield. He then proceeded over to the window where the director could look out.

“Hold your fire,” the director order as he begun to sweat with fury. His hands reached out in a protest as he looked out the window.

“What do you see?” Vamp asked him.

“Bradly tanks,” the director protested. “Is that…infantry?”

“Yes,” Vamp answered him as a company had formed with the Bradly IFV’s with their weapons aimed at the building. “This is simple, I want you, to surrender HMSS over to me,”

“Who the hell are you?” the director demanded as he tried to struggle only to be met with an iron grip.

“Supreme Headmaster Vamp Kingston of the Vamperial Order,” Vamp introduced himself, still with an arm around the directors neck. He then took one of pistols and made a hole by using the butt of the pistol. “Now,” Vamp then took out a white handkerchief. “All I want you to do, is surrender and I’ll will show mercy. If you don’t,” He then tilted his left arm around so he could see his wrist watch. “We got about ten minutes before they bring the building down,” Vamp explained to him.

“Wha…?”

“10 minutes,”

“Just stop,” the director ordered. “Operatives, drop your arms, this is insane and we can’t win,” the director had a little bit of logic in him as he took the white handkerchief and flew it out the window. “We surrender,” He gave the order again and the operatives finally understood what was happening as they lay down their arms. Looking out the window, the director noticed a number of military personal rushing into the building. A few minutes later, a white flag replaced the Empire of Lynion flag and HMSS operatives around the kingdom were surrendering. However, there were a handful of headquarters in the kingdom that put up a fight but it only delayed the inevitable when HMSS was finally defeated.

The main concentration of HMSS were fighting on the palace grounds a losing battle.

[The Macabees]

Candace, the Royal Palace

Candace could hear the harsh clash of bullet on marble, and the intermittent yelps of newly dead men, as she undressed in the room's bathroom. She quietly slipped out of her skimpy maid outfit, lifting something of a burden off of her shoulders. She wasn't comfortable dressed as a harlot, and while the costume was part of her mission, it was an unpleasant experience to the draw the attention of the room's men in the way she had. Other men, typically much older than she, had looked at her in the same way. Many of those men were now dead, sometimes at by means of her blade, other times felled more deviously. At the same time, Candace was somewhat relieved to know that she could seduce men in such a way. It was just another tool added to her deadly repertoire — one that she would undoubtedly have to use again in the future. The men who gawked at her would never have her anyways. She was built for a higher purpose, one aligned to that of the Grim Reaper. Before dressing herself in new garbs, Candace took a look at herself in the gold-framed mirror.

The assassination of King Marcus was the first of its kind, at least in Candace's book. She had taken life before. But, her reasons were always personal. This was an assassination, a beast she had never handled before. Candace almost felt pity for the man, betrayed by his own people, his own son. Turning on the ivory faucet and watching the cold water pour out like a tamed waterfall, she dipped her head into the marble sink and washed her face. Candace reminded herself of how terrible a ruler Marcus was, and how he had betrayed his own people by acting like a tyrant. But, would the men replacing him do better? She quickly dispersed that thought from her mind. Politics wasn't her game, killing was. Sometimes, though, it felt that without knowing politics, it was too easy to be tricked into doing the bidding of another despot. Government, scheming, deceit, were all things she would have to learn, to make sure he path remained righteous and deserving. There was no time for that now, however, and so she resigned herself to putting on her new uniform, one that better reflected her tomboyish personality.

When ready, she left the bathroom and entered the price's room again. He still seemed in a state of shock. Weak. How can a man like that rule Lynion? There was no time to reflect on Ranakhan's surprising weakness. She took the submachine gun from the duffel bag Vamp had left her, arrayed some additional ammunition around her, and took a final look at the prince. "Your men are dying, Ranakhan. The king is dead. It's time for the new one to impose his rule."

Xiahou, the prince's brother, had already left out the window to fight his own battle. He was tasked with raising the Lynion flag upside down, to signal the 92nd regiment still well away from the palace. Candace's battle was elsewhere, where the melee continued. Without offering Ranakhan a second warning, she opened the room's door and left. She didn't worry about closing it behind her. Gun in hand, she slowly made her way through the hallways, gunfire guiding her all the way. She had never seen the palace in person before, let alone been in it, but Candace tried her best to remember the way she had came with Ranakhan — the prince holding her hand the entire way, like a little school girl. Head and shoulders stopped low, weapon facing forward, and brain quick and agile, the Vamperial Order apprentice made her way down. Like a panther stalking its prey, Candace led herself to the ongoing conflict now spread broadly across out the numerous palace halls. The HMSS were fighting what would quite evidently be a losing battle, but that fact did not seem to kink their resolve.

Carefully twisting around a corner, she saw an HMSS soldier firing down corridor, his back facing her. Creeping, now on the very tip of her toes, she slung the weapon on her back and silently grabbed a knife she had hidden on her waist. The man had a smile on his face, believing himself to the victor of a tiring firefight with three or four gunmen. They had retreated, seeing Candace and wanting to avoid killing her, but the HMSS soldier didn't catch on. Before he even had the opportunity to notice, she pressed the razor sharp blade on his neck and carved it left to right. First blood seeped a roaring river of blood, then he gurgled, and finally she released his head from her grip to his body crumple on the floor. Without paying the event much mind, she ran over to the gunmen, who watched her wide-eyed and bewildered. Her knife was once again in its sheath, almost as quickly as it had gone out, and her submachine gun was back in her hands. As they gawked, they failed to say a word and Candace quickly realized she was about to command her first military unit.

Turning to one of the soldiers, she said, "Gawking like that makes you look stupid. Pay attention, the battle still rages." They still said not a word, looking at her as if she were an alien from outer-space and they were the first humans to see it. "Ugh, follow me!"

The three men — a small unit, but a unit nonetheless — trotted behind her and she led the way, continuing the way she was going. As they made their way back to the center of the fighting, they found themselves involved in another firefight. A squad of HMSS operatives had been pinned down by an allied unit coming from the other directions. The HMSS had seen Candace's party coming the other way and had split their fire to meet the new thread. Candace's warband came to a halt and organized themselves behind whatever cover they could find. If the battle was going to come to an end soon, they couldn't let the HMSS operatives to bog them down via to-the-death firefights. "Push forward! Do not let them hold you back, soldiers. Your freedom, and that of your sons and daughters, depends on it. Fight on, brave soldiers of the Imperial Guard!"

A leader does what she asks of her followers. Candace made the first step forward herself, prancing from obstacle to obstacle. Bullets flew past her like the devil's hail, but the enemy's aim was skewed. They rarely had time to pop their heads out and shoot, because covering fire from the opposite end of the hall was quick to take of whatever advantage to kill the HMSS men. Like a fluid dance, she gradually came close enough to fire a successful shot, putting a round between the eyes of an unfortunate operative who dared to poke his head around the corner. The firefight stopped, if only because the operatives had retreated into one of the rooms, but Candace did not let them get away. Putting away the submachine gun again, she took out the knife and ran in. Outside, one could hear grunts, clashing, and gun fire, but that lent no evidence as to what had happened. The Imperial Guard soldiers, curious, moved towards the room. They stopped well short of interesting, not knowing whether Candace had done their job for them.

"Maybe the bitch is dead," one ventured to guess.

One of the men who had followed her from before diverged, "If she had lost, I think the fight would have lasted longer."

"A woman killing those HMSS operatives? I doubt it. I say again, the bitch is dead."

"The bitch is not dead." The heads of the dead operatives rolled out from the door, staining the palace carpets and marble walls crimson. Candace walked out after, her face streaked red and her hands covered in blood. The violence was excessive, but the young apprentice was building a reputation for herself. One that would impress the soldiers; one that would give them a reason to follow her orders. To some, the ultimate test of manhood is one's brutality and abilities as a killer. To those, Candance met the standards. In fact, she exceeded them, by a mile or many.

Her small army now growing in size, she continued down the winding passageways. One pocket at a time, she contributed to the sluggish elimination of the pockets of HMSS. Although soon the 92nd would arrive, the battle ahead remained long. The dead littering the ground all around her, Candace ignored the dark philosophy behind the carnage. It would haunt her dreams later, and she would deal with them then.

[Lynion]

“The Wall is breached!” someone shouted out.

There had being a terrific explosion that rocked the Palace Grounds. Picking myself up off the ground, with my ears ringing and partially deaf in one ear, I quickly picked myself off the ground and glanced about. My fellow HMSS operatives were lying on the ground dead, many begging for their mothers to come to them and others were splattered everywhere.

“Damnit…” I whispered to myself.

I crawled, I pushed myself and I begged for my strength to return. Blood dripped down my arm, the dirt mixed with my wounds causing them to sting even more and at this point, I wouldn’t care if the Grim Reaper appeared and took my life. Yet, somehow, I found myself standing and racing for cover as bullets whistled in all directions.

“Fall back!” another shouted.

This whole world could go to hell for all I care. It was over. From what I could tell, the Vamperial Order had dispatched a knight and a master to take the palace from us, and they were beating us to death. I clutch my right shoulder with my left arm and noticed the gunshot wound that shattered my shoulder.

Racing through the gardens, passing by the dead and joining the remaining group of HMSS operatives, it was now hopeless to remain on site. The others had decided to retreat and had called in a group of helicopters to evacuate the wounded and the remaining survivors. This wasn’t going to be easy since the helicopters lacked the room to take off a large group of people. We would be moving by half squads per helicopter. Damnit…why?

We had fallen back into the barracks and had being fighting for about three minutes before we heard helicopters roaring across to the helipad. We had struggled to hold onto the helipad and the longer we stayed in the barracks, the less chance we had of leaving.

“Enemy IFV approaching,”

What? An IFV? If an IFV had arrived, it would be a matter of time before tanks showed up to finish the job. I groaned from the pain in my shoulder but it was deafen by the cries of the dying and the injured. More of our operatives were falling quicker than we can find replacements for them.

KABOOM!

An explosion ripped through the skies as I struggled over to a shattered window and looked out. The enemy had called in air support and were destroying our only escape route out. Operatives argued about what to do next, I swear I heard them mentioned deserting but what was the point now? Our director was dead, there was no reinforcements arriving, our men weren’t equipped to deal with a superior fighting force and we had ore injured and dead than alive.

“Damnit…” I swore again as I looked across as one of the officer’s head exploded. Snipers. Bloody snipers! Our helicopters were destroyed or falling into the ocean, an IFV had arrived and blasted the unlucky operatives apart and now we were struggling to hold onto our own ground. Another shot was fired, but this time it came from inside. Then slowly, the gunfire stopped as we were all stunned by what happened. The last remaining officer wanted to fight to the death but more had argued to surrender. I guess, we are surrendering now.

“This is Supreme Headmaster Vamp Kingston,” I heard a voice shout out at us. This only confirmed the puppet in the Order has being replaced. “You have fought well but you are now surrounded on all sides. Your reinforcements in the capital and the other nearby cities, have being crushed or surrendered. Your director has surrender and it’s only a matter of time before the rest cave in under the pressure. Do yourself a favour and surrender. Do so, and you will be treated as POW’s, according to our Rules of War. Refuse, and I will not leave one of you breathing,” What? Live or die. The remaining NCO’s that took charge found a white shirt and waved it out the window. It was over. HMSS had surrendered the palace. What good was it anyway?

Later, I was surprised by the grace we were given us. We were truly shown the status of a POW, the injured were sent away to be treated in military hospitals such as myself, NCO’s and any officer that survived were sent to Hell Gate Prison. I believe that’s where the rest of us will be sent unless something else happens.


Vamp watched carefully as he noted the HMSS operatives coming out of the barracks with their hands in the air, some waving something white but all had thrown down their weapons. The 92nd had fulfilled their role defeating the HMSS in the palace and were acting as temporary guardians to the palace until they were ordered to leave.

Once he was convinced they had all surrendered, arms were counted for and HMSS was being taken away to prisons, he made his way with Sherman on his left and Phoenix on his right as he entered the palace. Inside, he carefully noted that a combination of Shadow Assassin’s and Imperial Guardians had taken up the role of defending the monarch. From time to time, he would come across dead Guardians and HMSS, he would step aside and allow the wounded to leave and both the Guardians and the Shadows were thankful he had arrived on the scene. Though, he could sense the concern about a change of monarch.

They arrived in the throne room where they found Marcus dead on the throne. Walking over to the corpse, he quickly checked for a pulse just in case something went wrong. Nothing, not a heartbeat nor a breath flowing through the nose or the mouth. He nodded to the others as they were approached by an Imperial Guardian, Mavis, and the head of the Imperial Guardians.

“Excellent work,” Mavis started.

“Relief division has arrived with the reinforcements to help secure the palace fortress,” Vamp informed Mavis.

“That’s not all,” Mavis signalled them to follow as the trio followed behind him. “We found some interesting documents at HMSS HQ on the palace grounds. It would appear that the director was in league with someone else to take the throne,”

“Any idea who else was involved?” Vamp asked curiously.

“As in, was one of the son’s involved?” Mavis changed the question on Vamp as he held onto his SMG in his right hand while the other hand was finishing a bandage on his right arm. “No. I’m not sure if you heard, but Ranakin couldn’t handle killing four people let alone the monarch,”

“Four people?”

“Four HMSS operatives,” Mavis stated. “Though, the first kills are the hardest to understand. He never killed before,” Vamp nodded as they approached the study. “If you don’t mind, I had Apprentice Swallow watch over the princes until you arrived. You never told me you had a natural born killer in the ranks,”

“My apprentice has skills untapped,” Vamp explained to Mavis. They eventually arrived in the study which was rather large and also acted as a minor library. Ranakin was sitting behind the oak desk in his leather chair looking at a whiskey glass full of whiskey. He was gazing at the glass as the bottle seemed to be only opened.

“Hello,” Ranakin started. Candace was standing to one side along with two Imperial Guardians inside and two on the outside at the door. The door was thick enough to deny people from listening to the conversations inside. Xiahou seemed worried about his brother turning to the bottle. Vamp signalled Sherman and Phoenix to stand over the door as he approached Ranakin.

“No,” Vamp took the bottle off him and removed the full glass of whiskey from his grasp. “Just no,” He then turned to the guards and gave the items to them. “Get rid of this and give us some time to ourselves,”

“Yes sir,” The guards bowed and left with the items. When they had gone, Sherman had the door covered and Vamp was sitting down, it was now safe to say his piece.

“History will not remember the assassination,” Vamp started. “They will remember Emperor Marcus died from a heart attack and you help stopped a coup from the HMSS. They will remember about the tyranny of HMSS and of Marcus but nothing of the poison will be known. Yes, there will be thoughts about it but you two will openly deny it and stick with him dying from a heart attack. The autopsy will confirm this,” Vamp explained to the two princes.

“What will history remember of you?” he looked directly at Ranakin as he looked up. “Weep over the death of your father but know this. I will not tolerate a drunken monarch,” The look Vamp gave him was something that could make someone piss their pants. “Today, you will stand with Prince Xiahou and take the throne. You will stand with a united kingdom and you will govern the kingdom accordingly,”

“I will,” Ranakin gathered himself together. “Am I expect martial law to be enforced?”

“No,” Vamp stated. Everyone would be caught off guard as this was the normal thing to do. “If we impose martial law it will not send the wrong message across. If we are to survive this, then we need to do this right. The Vamperial Order will supply the Police Force with additional police personal. They will appear in police uniform and assist in civic duty. The military will secretly conduct counter insurgencies against any possible further rebellions,” Ranakin and Xiahou were agreeing to the terms as the pair were starting to understand what was happening. Vamp then leaned back into his chair as he prepared for the last part. “I’ve sent for Master Kidd and his team. They are economic masters and will help you with both the economy and the public. Do this right, and the kingdom will love you forever,”

“Yes,” Ranakin looked up. “You’re right,” Vamp smiled as he believed he had finally gotten through to the princes. He then stood up and left.



3 Months Later.

March 1989,

It had being two months since the fatal heart attack of Emperor Marcus, the attempted coup by HMSS and the newly installed monarch, King Ranakin and King Xiahou, had all shaken the kingdom. However, thanks to the effectiveness of the military that shut down any attempts to restart HMSS or attempt another coup, and also the sudden boost in police personal to secure the kingdom, law and order had being secured.

However, it would take another five years before the economics newly formed by the Monarch and the Order take effect. In the meantime, former HMSS buildings were turned into safe houses for the homeless and the poor. Providing them a suitable house to sleep in all year round. Eventually, the public would get behind the monarch’s new ideas and the kingdom will have its economy greatly boosted.

Economically, the kingdom went from an economy going through a recession into a booming economy. Everything was plentiful, crime was at an all-time low, the homeless was no existant and there was enough to support the disadvantage to help themselves. The kingdom was thriving once again and it became a powerful kingdom in the region.

In the meantime, history was in the making.

In the Vamperial Temple, the Order had being reformed. A new Vamperial Council was appointed which included the surviving four members from the old council. At the head, Vamp Kingston had taken and secured the position as Supreme Headmaster of the Vamperial Order. However, since the last Supreme Headmaster had being in power, they lost a large number of Knights, Masters and Headmasters. He was forced to boost the lost members of the Order.

On March 23rd, 1989, four newly appointed Headmasters were appointed, including Slavic and Phoenix, 24 new Masters were appointed, including Revan Pearce and 38 new Knights were appointed including Candace Swallow and David Longshanks. In total, 66 members were promoted. It doesn’t include the new apprentices introduced.

The ceremony was held in the cathedral where members from the Assassin’s Leagues were present to see it. Celebrated commanders and members were present, and there were some that were interested in young Swallow. Many didn’t know she had assassinated the pervious monarch, but key officials had known what she did. When she became Knight Swallow, there was 30 endorsements for her knighthood. 20 more than she needed.

Swallow would spend the following two years finishing her training with Vamp while he juggle time between her training and his commitments as the head of the Order. From 1991-1995, she spent four years training with Headmaster Sherman in self-defence, hiding in plain sight, being a shadow and perfecting her assassin skills. 1995-1997, she was trained under Headmaster Phoenix for unit tactics and commanding anything from squads to platoon size military units. When her training ended in 1997, she was officially set loose upon the world.

However, she would be forever attached to Vamp Kingston since he was her master. The Viper Order, which she was attached to, had sent her out to assist in assassinations of drug smugglers, death cult leaders, weapon smugglers, and enemy military officers. With each engagement that the kingdom was thrown into, assassins were always sent with the military detachment.

End of Chapter 1 - Introducing Swallow

[Lynion]

Chapter 2 - The Battle of Union, the Popular Assassin and Headmaster.

In 2000, she was promoted to Master Swallow. Among the new perks, she can command a squad of 12 personal, be involved with the Order and have a voice to speak out, and finally, she was allowed to train an apprentice.

However, not all was well. With the economy booming, and no more invaders, there was one condition that had to be met and it was parliament. The kingdom was meant to be a Constitutional Monarchy, however since Vamp knew this would fail and to avoid another disaster, he convinced their new allies to allow them to test it out. Union became the testing ground for democracy. But, it was failing.

2002-2003, Parliament had become corrupted, the Union public believed that the kingdom had left them to rot under the new ideas of a Western World. In 2003, a new confederacy was born with city states creating a rebellion against parliament. It became known as the Confederate States of Lynion (CSL). At this time, Vamp was called away to fight a war overseas in the interest of Lynion’s allies. But he hadn’t underestimated the capabilities of the CSL. He had boosted the military presences in Union but unknown to the world, the Order was betrayed.

In 2004, Headmaster Jullian Kullen betrayed the Vamperial Order and leaked invaluable information to the CSL. With that, the CSL was able to convince a number of the military outposts to join the CSL.

September 12th, 2004, Union fell into civil war.

Vamp had protested against allowing the Union Parliament Forces to deal with the rebellion, convinced that the UPF was not prepared to fight a better trained force. Thus war was waged all across Union. It would become a bloodbath. The Order had being forced to stay away from the conflict since they were trying to find the location of a traitor.

The war continued until April 2006 when Headmaster Phoenix and Master Pearce had gone against the Monarch and the Order and dispatched themselves and 50,000 men, 2 divisions of 25,000 each, to be sent into the conflict. With Parliament in retreat, they were finally captured by Phoenix and Pearce when they landed at Fort Trinity. The Union Parliament was sent back as prisoners and be tried as criminals since they failed to do anything about the rebellion but prolong it.

When the force dubbed the Phoenix Force and landed at Fort Trinity, they were dispatched and halted the overwhelming force of the CSL coming before them. However, thanks to the betrayal, Ex-Headmaster Kullen had pushed Phoenix Force back into Fort Trinity but couldn’t get them out of the port city. Phoenix and Pearce had enforced terror into the CSL to ensure they could hold onto the port city.

Phoenix Force had 50,000 men in total, they were able to rally a further 20,000 Parliament Forces, 15,000 Regular Vamperial Forces and 30,000 militia forces operating as a guerrilla force in CSL supply chains. Trinity was held by 85,000 and they faced a force of 170,000 that had them trapped within the city itself. Vamp had finished with a conflict overseas with a force of 75,000 and was returning home when it was decided his veteran force will reinforce Trinity and break the siege. However, at the Vamperial Temple, the Monarch had decree they recapture the colony.


Vamperial Temple,
War Room
2006


Master Swallow had being called to the War Room as she was being added to the task force sent by the monarch. Everyone was annoyed they couldn’t intervene sooner than now. Regardless, something needed to be done. Rumours had started to come out of the colony of something more terrifying than Vamp’s rage lurked in its shadows. Rumours of prisons being a copy of what Hell could be like and a sex slave trade being developed to help fund the CSL war efforts. Regardless, at home, it had being confirmed that Headmaster Jian was stepping down and retiring. His replacement hadn’t being confirmed, but Headmaster Slavic was the favourite to take his position.

“Gentleman, lady,” Slavic started. In the War Room surrounding the table was Major Jackson Price, Master David Longshanks, Viper Master Liam Jaxson, Knight Bradly Cooper, Master Azzari (Vamp’s younger brother though this is UNKNOWN), Headmaster Lee King, Master Swallow, Rear Admiral Kennedy and Master Octavia Lingston. This many military commanders meant a large force was being sent to break through.

“As you are well aware, the monarch has granted us the request to recapture the colony. Supreme Headmaster Vamp has taken the burden and will relieve the garrison at Fort Trinity and break the siege at the same time,” Slavic started as a map of Fort Trinity appeared with all known positions of the enemy, their numbers and what they were. “Our task is to bunch a hole and reclaim the colony as our own again. Therefore, we need to achieve three objectives,” He then took out the photo of Kullen and placed it on the table, another photo was of York which was a key port on the eastern seaboard of Union and also serve as a landing position, and finally General Kairgoth.

“Master Longshanks, Azzari, Octavia, and Knight Cooper, you will be task with taking York and securing the inland roads to push on. Once York is taken, move in land and taken the International York Airport which we will use to supply fighters, bombers and supplies,”

“Who will be in charge?” Longshanks asked curiously.

“I will be but Octavia will be the ground commander,” Slavic then turned to Azzari. “Azzari, what’s our intelligence like?”

“We have soiled information that we will be facing three artillery brigades, two armoured divisions, an infantry division and a mechanised brigade. There are numerous gun emplacements just waiting for us to arrive. We’ll need something heavy to barrage and then send in the marines,” Azzari explained to them.

“I’ve got something,” Rear Admiral Kennedy started. “The Lyrans developed a Hellion Cruise Missile. Fantastic destruction effect and an insane 3,000km range from launch position,”

“Our carriers can launch a carrier based YA-42 fighter jet. We’ll have the edge to engage both the airport and secure the skies,” Lee added.

“Azzari, work with the admiral and Lee, and designate targets. Longshanks, Octavia and Cooper, prepare the landing sites for our army,” The Master’s nodded but didn’t leave. Everyone wanted to know what will happen with Kullen. “I assume before you leave you want to know Kullen’s fate?” He looked around and everyone nodded or stared at him. “I’m going to need a cold blooded killer to do this,” He then looked over at Jackson, Liam and Swallow.

“You three have some of the best assassin’s working in your squads,” Slavic stated firmly. “However, I feel that I can allow Swallow to take pick. You have a choice, we needed Kullen assassinated quickly and quietly. Without him, they won’t be able to predict our moves and it will shorten the war quite a bit. In addition, it will allow us to send a damaging morale blow throughout the CSL and we hope to see them give in. Nevertheless, General Kairgoth is the CSL commander in northern Union. Killing him will damage the military command chain of the CSL and give us valuable time to punch a massive hole into their lines and get through. Killing these two generals will allow heavily damage the moral of the CSL,”

Slavic explained it to her. “However, if you capture Kairgoth then he’ll provide us with the intelligence about the CSL and he’ll become a tool of destroying the morale of the CSL. Kullen needs to die. He has committed treason and betrayed the Order. Whoever you choose, Jackson and Liam will take the other,” Slavic explained to her.

[The Macabees]

A long time had passed since the night she had killed the old king of Lynion, but to her mind his death was fresh. Almost as if had happened yesterday. Candace shuddered, almost forgetting what she had become, returning to the naivety of her former self. That cold, bloody night earned her knighthood, but it was much, much more than that. For years the Order was her dream and all those around her — the girls at the old orphanage, the parents who tried to touch her, her supposed friends — had told her that the dream would never be realized. They were wrong. She allowed herself a subtle smile, careful not to allow the other masters to see it. One day, the children of those people, or perhaps their grandchildren, would read a history book telling of the story of Ms. Swallow's assassination of the Lynion Monarch. Surely, by then, the relevant documents would either be declassified or leaked.

But Candace quickly composed herself. The years after the assassination were not ones of butterflies and long strolls on the beach. No, she was still an assassin and over the next decade, and over, she would kill many more men...and women, and sometimes, unfortunately, children (sometimes they just got in the way). This was not a job for the weak and she certainly was not weak. Neither would she give any signals of weakness, lest her competitors in the Order snap at her heels in an attempt to take her position and her glory.

She listened attentively, standing within the dark war room of the majestic Vamperial Temple, as Slavic gave her a brief rundown on her newest mission: the assassination of Jullian Kullen, the man who had betrayed his people and his allies. Kairgoth was also on her list of targets, preferably alive. He apparently could offer important intelligence about the Confederate States of Lynion. I'll try my best on that one, thought Candace, but sometimes mistakes...do happen.

She had a couple of days to put a team together. My own team. I might even get myself a couple of apprentices. Yes, it was about time she started training her own 'school of thought' in the arts of death. Two days, thought, was a very short time — apprentices were more a long-term responsibility. For now, she would have to approach twelve of the best killers she knew. Candace was determined to start immediately. Snapping her right arm into the shape of a salute, she bellowed, "Yes, Master Slavic! By the next time you see me, I will bring you the head of Kullen and that of Kairgoth, as well...although, I will try my best to bring the latter one in alive."

Slavic grimaced. He knew Candace for what she was, a very efficient killer, but not one predisposed to the minutiae of a tactful take down. But, her skills had earned her a reputation and they out-shined her deficiencies. No wonder Vamp had been so eager to take this one under his wing. She was special; Slavic could sense it. Indeed, it's why he trusted her so. He shook his head, as if to free up his mind, and responded, "You will bring him alive, Candace. Don't try. Do it. We can use what he knows to help us end this rebellion once and for all."

With that, she fell out, gathered whatever she needed and headed out of the room. There was a long day ahead of her and tomorrow wasn't anymore promising. After that, it was all hands on deck to plan out, train for, and then execute the mission. First things first, she wanted to invite the first member of her team. Master James Eccleston, the very first person who had approached her on her first night in the Temple with a genuine interest in sparking a friendship. That friendship had continued since then and had persevered to that very day. He was not especially adept at anything in particular, but he was trustworthy, he was a leader, and she needed him on her side. James was the politician and he would be able to help Candace sway others to her team.

Reaching into her pocket, she revealed a boring grey cellphone. Flipping it open, screen on the inside flap extended upwards, she searched through her text message history until she found a previous conversation with James. Candace quickly typed a short message, warning that she was looking for him. She shortly received a response, which invited her to his quarters outside of the Temple. Some of the senior members of the Order liked to live outside, in the city, and one of those was James. Another one of those was Candace, although she always seemed to spend more time inside the hallowed temple walls. Slipping the phone back into the same pocket, she left the Vamperial Temple, stopped a taxi, and had it take her to James' flat a good fifteen minutes away.

During the ride, Candace used her time to compose a list of some twenty people, all of whom she would approach during the next two days. She would accept the eleven best who accepted her request, along with Master Eccleston. As she soon found out, listing twenty names was more difficult than she thought and she still had not completed the list when she arrived at her destination. Signing, Candace paid her fare, left the man her change, and then stepped out to the dirty city street. In front of her, James' apartment building spiraled into the sky. Somewhere in there was his 'lair,' as he called it. Men, she joked to herself.

On the inside wall of the thick door frame was positioned a call box, which she used to ring James. He didn't answer, but instead buzzed her in without even bothering to confirm that it was her. Candace didn't seem to think much of it — everyone does it, after all. She walked through the lobby, towards the single elevator shaft. When the lift arrived, after she had called it with the button, it took her to third floor, whereupon James was already waiting for her outside of his flat's door. They smiled at each other and James exclaimed, "Candace, it's so good to see you!"

"I'm afraid our reunion today is more about negative things than it is about positive things," said Candace, almost absentmindedly.

James frowned, but then carried on, frustration apparently gone, "Well, these days there doesn't seem to be much of anything positive to talk about anyways." He shook his head to himself. "Come in, come in, dear. Susannah," his wife," is preparing some tea. We can sip on it while you tell me what's going on."

Thirty minutes later, he was the first member of her team and they had already set off to persuade the third...