Into the Darkness

[The_Unknown_Usual]

Ulric looked around the landscape from the tree he was behind. It was dark, night time in the forest. No signs of life. His eyes glanced around once more to make sure, like a hunter stalking an elusive prey, but to no avail.

He sighed, walking a few steps forward. His target had led him through the forest and suddenly vanished. This was bad. It could mean an ambush, but going by instinct and by how this particular one acted, Ulric was sure he had fled. A pity, really. He had hoped to at least follow it to its nest.

Vampires. Filthy bloodsuckers. But then, who was he to judge? He hated every minute of what he had become. But despite this, he decided to still hunt the creature he had when he was human. He drew his morning star and moved forward, wary.

He would find this vampire. And its kin. And he would slaughter them all.

[FallenAngel]

Hashim was very comfortable in a tree, almost asleep, letting the sounds of absolutely nothing lure his mind into the black abyss of unconciousness...

His sharp ears heard a crack beneath him. He refrained from a groan as he opened one violet eye and looked down. His mouth pulled down into a frown as he spotted a person walking cautiously beneath the trees.

He sat up, and stretched his wings, making slight rustling noises... half hoping to scare the wanderer. Of course, it might not be a good idea... his hand moved to the sword as his side. Just in case.

[The_Unknown_Usual]

Got you.

Ulric leaped up at the noise with inhuman speed and power, especially considering his armor. His cloak fluttered with the wind, his hood almost fell off. He performed a downward strike on the branch as soon as he reached it, hoping to kill the vampire instantly...

[FallenAngel]

Hashim gave a swift kick at his assaulter before leaping out of the branch, wings blending with the already dark canopy of leaves above. He landed a good distance away from the man, keeping his eyes on the cloaked figure. His fingers tightened on his sword instictivly. He cursed his own curiousity. Why didn't he play the coward and run? Because this man looked like he was searching for something, and Hashim just happened to have made the mistake of sounding like the prey. Thus, a chase would inevitably ensue.

He stayed in his crouched position, wings tensed up in a natural defensive pose. He didn't speak as he watched the hunter carefully.

[The_Unknown_Usual]

Wings...

"You... you are not the one I seek," he said, putting his mace back on his belt and turning. This was only another delay, and he couldn't afford delays. The vampire he was searching for looked human, save the eyes and skin tone. No, he would leave the one with the wings in peace, unless he pestered him further. He was not his enemy. He started walking in the opposite direction, still cautious, but more relaxed now.

[FallenAngel]

Hashim stood, cocking an eyebrow. "Then, if you don't mind me asking, who are you looking for?" He shrugged, "I might have seen the poor victim."

Damn his curiousity to hell! This is going to lead him no where... he knew it. Why not just save people the trouble and kill himself one of these days? No... he wasn't suicidal. How could he be?

[The_Unknown_Usual]

"Hm. This doesn't concern you, in all honesty. But if you'd like to help, fine," he said, "My target is a vampire. I'm sure no further description is needed, seeing as you don't see many vampires anyways..."

Ulric stopped, waiting for a reply.

[FallenAngel]

Hashim scratched his head nonchallantly, "You know... I think I might have seen one of those bloodsucking vermin somewhere around here." He rolled his shoulders. "But that was a few hours ago. I don't know where he is now." He said it like it was of no big deal... so like a fallen angel.

[The_Unknown_Usual]

"Then I believe we're speaking of different vampires. So, now, I'll take my..." Ulric stopped, a sudden shocked expression on his face. He looked down. An organic spike had pierced his upper right chest area. He coughed up some blood. A voice came from behind him.

"Got you, hunter. You should know not to let down your guard."

"... I didn't."

With that, Ulric grabbed hold of the exposed part of the vampire's arm, holding in in him so his prey couldn't move. He then spun with his mace and delivered a solid blow across the vampire's face, knocking him away.

"Hm... Lucky shot. Next time I'll hit an organ, though, and you won't be able to do that."

"Fool. There won't be a 'next time,'" Ulric calmly replied. The vampire looked at him, puzzled, and all of a sudden Ulric shot forward and grabbed him by his neck. He looked the vampire in his eyes, restraining his arms, "Now then, perhaps you'd be willing to be a bit more cooperative, yes?"

"Go to hell!"

Ulric twisted his arm, making the vampire cringe in pain, "Now that I have your attention..." Ulric said, going towards the vampire's ear and whispering something in another tongue. The vampire had a shocked expression.

"You're..."

"Stow it. Tell me what I want to know, or this mace takes off your head."

"Gah... I... I can't..."

"I'll count to three."

"Fine! Toward the mountain, at the base is a cave, just go there and you'll find him, now please, let me go!"

"... Fine," Ulric said as he loosened his grip. The vampire immediately grinned after being let go.

"Foolish human!" he cried as he drove his spike at Ulric again. He suddenly froze. Ulric had caught his arm before it could reach him.

"I warned you," Ulric said as he raised his mace and brought it down on the vampire's head, crushing it in. He was dead before he hit the forest floor. Ulric sighed and let the rest of the body fall limp. He then started walking in the direction of the mountains, thinking the new information over to himself.