Chapter 5 Darkness Within

"HOW BAFFLED THEY ARE, WHEN THEY SEE THE DARKNESS RESIDING IN ME."

***

PHASE ONE

"What do you think of your younger brother sir Balkyre Erva ?", the butler said to the young master as he poured wine into the vampire's glass.

"I don't see him", replied Erva, "as much of a threat."

"Your elite guards have reported that the second prince is making a move towards Balkyre Fang", said the butler as he arranged the books on the shelf of this library.

"I don't know what the second prince is up to", Erva replied, dismissing the importance of the report, "all I know is, there's someone who's going to nip his precious flower in the bud."

"You mean madam Theonis", the butler suggested.

"Of course Ludgar", Erva replied, "she's been keeping an eye on Fang as well, so she'll probably be making her move by now."

***

"So the second prince had a secret encounter with my younger brother", Theonis said, stroking the hair of her brown cat.

"Yes", Arman replied, "I'm certain of it madam Theonis."

"I too can testify that we saw Fang being taken into the second prince's chariot by his guards." Dartor asserted.

"In that case", Theonis said, her eyes glimmering with bloodlust, "then we must find out what it was that made the prince become so enamoured with little Fang that he even invited him for a chitchat."

"Then if it's dangerous to our goal", Arman asked,

"Don't hesitate to use your claws", Theonis answered, that flash of lightning blew past making the purple of her eyes glisten with an even more intense desire to kill.

***

"You are back master", Artena said with a bow as master Fang climbed the stairway leading to the upper floor of his mansion.

"Has the household gone to sleep already ?" Fang said out of habit.

"Of course master Fang", she replied, pointing the only lit candle towards the direction of master Fang's room.

"There's no need Artena", Fang said, his once dull eyes igniting their brown flames and his fangs baring themselves, "I'll be taking care of the guests myself."

***

The sky thundered and the lightning flashes came like an ocean of white flames setting the entire province of Malma ablaze in its blinding haze. But a pair of burning brown eyes stood at the hallway of this mansion, it was too bloodthirsty to hold on any longer.

"Why are they so out of timing", Fang sighed, "they really are making me get bored."

The door leading the mansion suddenly flung open to reveal the dark outlines of two men, Fang's long awaited guests.

"What kind of tea would you prefer gentlemen for a weather like this ?" Fang began.

PHASE TWO

"Can't you hear me gentlemen", Fang repeated, "what kind of tea would you like to have ?"

"It's surprising to know that you were expecting us" the man to the right said as they both walked into Fang's mansion.

"The surprise isn't about what we don't expect", Fang replied, "it's about the expectations that end up being unfulfilled", walking out of the shadows Fang revealed, "isn't that right Arman and Dartor from the Mane's Citadel ?"

"You even knew our identities", said Dartor, drawing out a dagger from his cloak.

"It doesn't matter if I didn't even know about your wretched existence.", Fang replied as he walked down the stairs, descending from the upper floor.

"Don't get overconfident simply because the second prince has been giving you hints." Arman warned.

"The second prince ?"

Fang gave them that quizzical stare before exploding into a fit of insane laughter, that sent the roof of the mansion shaking. The once dead candles reignited themselves and at the same instant died out.

"Will it be surprising if I said", Fang chuckled placing a palm on his forehead, "that even the prince doesn't know of what was to happen here tonight."

"I won't believe a drunkard like you", Dartor replied calmly, he simply didn't want to believe that an ordinary drunkard who spent his entire time in the pubs and bars would be accustomed to pulling strings at the underworld.

"You were just lucky Fang to have been informed about this in advance", Arman pointed out.

"Blame it on chance, luck ... just do whatever you want", Fang smiled, "but I assure you of only one thing", lifting his right hand and baring his claws, "you will be walking out of this mansion half-dead."

"I didn't think an ordinary drunkard would possess such guts", Arman said unsheathing his dagger, "but before I do the needful", he queried, "what did you and the second prince discuss in private ?"

"For me to compete for the position of duke." Fang replied deftly.

"Aren't you afraid of what your siblings might do to you if you decide to follow the prince's order ?" Dartor asked.

"Why should I be ?" Fang retorted, "in fact, I agreed to his proposal."

"Then you don't deserve to be alive young vampire", Said Arman as his being frayed through the distance, his dagger ready to bury it's blade into Fangs heart, "I only pity the daughter of Desmator Mcvaller, who will be the only person to mourn your ..."

Arman felt himself fall to the ground, what was happening ? He tried moving his limbs but he couldn't. What had this bastard done to him ?

"Dartor", he called", be careful, this bastard must have some ..."

Arman was surprised to see even Dartor on his knees unable to move. What had they gotten into ? Maybe the only option would be to transform.

"You called for it boy", Arman laughed, "your little trick won't ..."

Arman's laughter turned into a dying scream as those chains of flames bore their way through every muscle of his being, with the same torturous chains gnawing at Dartor.

"Quiet gentlemen", Fang hushed, "don't forget what you came for", that devilish smile etching itself on Fang's lips, "tea !"

Fang exploded into a maddening fit of laughter which made the foundations of the earth quake. The skies rumbled with those incessant flashes of white, blue and purple lightning. The red moon grew a mouth which opened, revealing that lashing serpent like tongue. The moon's smile was horrifying, like a weregoyle ready to devour its prey.

PHASE THREE

Was this really the Balkyre Fang whom they had been spying on all theses months ? Arman wondered. From what he was witnessing today, if told by someone else, he wouldn't have believed, but now it was clear, that Balkyre Fang had the potential of ousting his siblings.

"Now gentlemen", Fang said lifting a finger, "since you've refused to choose the type of tea you would like to drink", those shadows in the form of branches grew from the floors of this mansion aiming at Fang's victims, bounding them along with the chains. They sent their branches cutting through their flesh burying themselves deep into their bones, making both vampire and werewolf scream and howl to the thundering skies, "I'll serve you the best."

"Won't it be better to make them return alive master Fang ?' that female voice said from behind.

"There's no need for them to live Artena", Fang replied, the dark grin on his lips exposing his elongated fangs, "I'll keep them alive, long enough to pass my message."

Those burning teacups rose from the floor of this mansion, levitating their way towards the two restrained men with the branches forcing their mouths open.

"Don't forget the taste gentlemen", Fang eyes burnt like hell, "because it's a once in a lifetime delicacy."

The men roared as the contents of the cup were poured into their bellies, their dying screams resonating with the clash of lightning and thunder - it was the peak of chaos, ruled by the mad laughter of one vampire - Balkyre Fang.

***

Theonis opened her eyes to witness those two apparitions standing at the end of her room, their eyes burning red and their stance as still as statues.

"Arman and Dartor", she said, coming down from her bed and walking towards them, "was the job well done ?"

Theonis was surprised to hear no reply, her heart beat skipped a bit, but she tried to remain calm.

"Can't you answer me ?" She asked without getting a reply.

"Can't you ..."

That thunderbolt followed, the flash of lightning illuminating her room, then she saw them, lines of trickling blood that had formed a pool below her feet.

"What ... Arman ... Dartor ... what ..." Theonis stammered.

"The prince ..." Arman gasped, his breaths steaming, "the prince ... ignorant ... Balkyre Fang..." That flash of lightning set the skies ablaze illuminating Arman's burnt and disfigured face, the appearance making Theonis shiver.

"Balkyre Fang ..." Arman began shivering as he stammered, "Balkyre Fang ... demon ..."

Both men fell to the ground at that instant leaving Theonis staring at their dead bodies with no clue on what to do. She could only wonder.

"The prince, ignorant ?" Theonis mused, "Balkyre Fang, demon ?"