Araceli's mood brightened as Darious took her hand even though they were going on another potentially dangerous trip that could lead her to a watery grave. She tried not to think about it in detail at the moment and pushed the thought away focusing more on how Darious was able to interact with her more physically now.

Following back into the icy depths, they plunged under she let him guide the way. Her hand tightened around his a little briefly, reassuring him that they were going to be alright. As they began to navigate the dark water, she was a little surprised to feel how strong of a current there was yet in this stream her body felt fine at the moment but she was certain that she wouldn't be able to do this for very long.

Her eyes had adjusted as best as they could to the murkiness, not much light was let in so there was not much to see. "Oh Darious, I really hope we get there soon." It was one thing to be fighting the current underwater, but it was another to be fighting it blindly.

((I suck for not posting sooner, sorry!!))

Val watched him for a second, then shook her head as if there was water in her ears. "I'm sorry...," she said, her voice shaking a little. "A-are you telling me that... there are really vampires and werewolves and.... You're one of them, right?" She wrapped her arms around her, suddenly feeling cold, like someone had thrown a bucket of ice water on her. She let it all sink in, closing her eyes to let herself focus.
"I think we should get out of here," she said quietly. She looked up at him, her arms still wrapped around her. "I don't know if I can believe you, but it's obvious that the longer we stand here the more danger we're in." If it hadn't been for the fact that the village was practically ashes, she would have turned and bolted towards it. But she knew it was all gone, and he would probably catch her anyways. Or the wolves would find her and tear her to shreds.
She knew she her legs were trembling, and her breathing was short and panicked, but if she focused on that she would break down, and she didn't need that right now. She lowered her head and instead she tried to focus on getting somewhere safe, on getting to the mansion. She wasn't so completely sure anymore that it was safe, but it was better then being outside, and she had survived there before.
[[Val probably wouldn't be a good mom either. Her children would tell her something and she'd be calm for a while, and then break down into a mess lol.]]

Hiro had finally made it across the huge bridge and was now standing at the door to a castle. He was wearing a hooded cloak and holding a bag of clothes over his right shoulder with his right hand. He looked up as far as he could and could barely see the top of the castle,'Holy hell, this place is huge.' He slowly walked up to the door to the castle, knocked on it lightly once, then again, but hard enough for the entire door to shake. He was expecting a butler to come and open the door, but instead it just swung open, reveling the well lit foyer and unnaturally high ceiling. He took a few steps in and the door shut behind him, he looked around the huge room,"Hello, is anybody here?"

Acheron had heard a knock. "the caslte has let him in" he said aloud alitlle shocked.
"if you would please excuse me, i believe we have a guest." he told the two in front of him.
"Alex see to it that Keado is happy, try and get him to go down to the garden, the water there will help heal him." turning toward Alexia he contined. "we have yet another to welcome, care to join me?"
rounding the corner, he saw a figure. He seemed to be calling out. "Welcome stranger"
He bowed before the new comer. "May i ask what brings one such as you here?"
Acheron raised his head with a smile. Lady vexous would find this exciting, a new vampire. his mood darken at the thought.

Hiro had placed his bag on the floor, when somebody came around a corner to greet him. He pulled back his hood, reveling his black, with red highlights, hair, as well as his bright red eye's. He returned the bow and tried to copy the way his greeter bowed,"I am a traveler. I used to be war addicted, but I would like to take a, sort of, vacation from as much blood shed. If it wouldn't be too much trouble, do you mind if I stay here?" He slowly regained his composure and stood straight up, holding his hands behind his back. He tried to steady his nervous breathing as he waited for a response from the person in front of him.

((omg. I’m so sorry to keep you guys waiting for so long. I had a big test that I was studding for most of last week, so I didn’t get much computer time))

“O’ yes this one is glad that he is okay, as well, that he is.” Kaedo said and then fell silent as he listened carefully to what Acheron had sent to him. Then with a smirk Kaedo remarked out loud, “Yes I suppose that you would be right master…”

“No thank you. This one can tell that something is coming and he wishes not to go out and meet it, not yet at least.” Kaedo said while shaking his head back and forth to Acheron’s first question.

“This one definitely does not wish to go back down there!!” Kaedo yelled and jumped up as if to defend himself, in case Acheron was going to make him against his will. “What he means to say is, ‘Thanks but no.’ I was already in this water that you speak of once this evening, and unfortunately it does nothing to aid us…. I suspect it because of the mark…” he added then sat silently for a moment as though considering it still. “If this Vexous this She Devil that attacked Miss Alex earlier, then this one would much so agree on her not knowing of this one. Yes, that he would.” He said with a shiver then looked off to the door just moments before one could hear it opening.

“Wow, you right for once!” The voice commented. “Yes, this one is always good at getting bad feelings,” He then added with a sigh as Acheron left the room and directed Alex to convince him to go down to the garden. Then looking to Alex and cocked his head to the side curiously. “You are hurt?” He asked as he knelt down before Alex and reached his hand to her face. “Perhaps you should be the one to go into the water and not this one.” He added as he lightly pushed her face to one side so to get a better view of the injury.

“Does it hurt?” He questioned with a whisper as he leaned closer to Alex. “I could make it feel better….” He added in the hushed tone as he stared into Alex’s eyes. The golden flints in his own oddly colored eyes flickering in the light.

Alex's gaze turned toward the direction Acheron was headed and nodded at his request. "I will do what I can." She smiled at Kaedo but her smile faded when Kaedo reacted to Acheron's suggestion. She was torn and didn't know who to satisfy and thought about it for a moment. Well if he takes me down there...that would mean that I'd gotten him down there...and that means that I've done what Acheron asked me to do... Her face didn't show it but she was smiling on the inside that she'd thought the situation so well.

Alex looked back to Kaedo, leaving her thoughts, when he began to talk to her. "It's nothing really, just a scratch." She smiled and laughed nervously but she allowed her head to move without any resistance when he tried to get a better look at her injury. "No, it doesn't hurt...not really..." A slight blush fell across her face again when he got closer and spoke to her in a quieter tone. His eyes were magnificent, as always. "I...I mean if you think...that that would be best..." She swallowed. Her body was stiff and her arms were straight and unbent with her hands cupped in her lap.

"Yes," he replied softly, possibly to both things she had said. He walked over to the great doors, making sure Val was following and keeping his head tilted up, watching for any signs of movement. His copper eyes watched everything but they didn't seem to observe, glancing just past whatever they saw. He laid his hand against the wood and froze. "There are people just inside," he said warily, listening. One voice was familiar, the other was new. He sighed. As long as it wasn't Vexous he decided it would be safe. He leaned gently against the doors and they opened for him. At least the castle wasn't trying to kill him. As far as he knew.

Val followed him up the steps, her hands still clenching her elbows. She looked up when he spoke, her eyes wide and blank and her face pale. She was focusing hard on not letting herself break down, but her body didn't seem to get the message. She would follow him in once he entered, and then she would try and run for the room Acheron had led her to and let herself shurt down for a bit. If she didn't make it that far... well, she'd figure it out.

They had been swimming for a coupe of minutes now, and Darious was beginning to worry about Araceli, she hadn't signed him in anyway as to whether or not she need air. she'll tell me, there's no way she'd let herself drown... there's no way i'd let that happen.
They finally could stop swimming down as they seemed to reach the bottom of the tunnel, the current he had created had died off and they swum steadily through the water now.
he stopped short has he saw something he didn't think he would a fork in the road, or in his case the tunnel. three holes faced them, the center pointed north while the ones ether side pointed slightly east and west.
It was hard to tell what way would lead towards the castle, as he couldn't really tell where he was. i could go to the surface and find out, i'm a ghost after all i can float right through the walls of the tunnel...but i would have to leave Araceli, could she last that long?... no it's not an option, were going to have to choose which way to take.

Acheron smiled as he realized the man was a little nervous. "no need to worry stranger, your kind are always welcome here, this place is somewhat of a safe house, we only have one rule, no your own kind or others of supernatural backgrounds, humans are fine."
Acheron approached the man. "May i show you to a room? would you prefer the east or the west wing of the castle?"

Once again, Hiro bowed down low to the person who had greeted him so graciously,"Th-thank you." He reached down and grabbed his bag, after he had come back up from the bow. As he had it before he came inside the castle, he slung his bag over his right shoulder, took one more look around the foyer, then back at his host,"Um, I would prefer the west wing, but whatever is open is fine. I don't want to be picky."

Acheron smiled at his last comment. "this place is hard to fill even on it's most crowed nights."
he motioned for the new comer to follow him as he continued to to speak. "i'll give you a quick tour, then leave you to get settled in."
He started to walk towards the kitchen area. "here's the kitchen, vexous usually keeps a fresh supply of blood in there so feel free to help yourself, i would advise you not to do that around to many humans though, they do seem to find it somewhat frighting." looking at the burnt kitchen he frowned. "but it does need some work, we had a little house fire earier"
moving on he stopped just beside the stair case that led to the next floor. pointing to a door behind the stair case he continued. "no one really knows what in there, the rooms always different when you enter, the castle itself is a little weird, but if you don't hurt it it wont hurt you." he smiled at the last remark. "to your left is the living room area, and upstairs are the bedrooms. any questions so far?"
"oh yes and my name is Acheron i serve everyone and everything in this castle, so if you need anything feel free to ask."

He looked around the area near the base of the staircase, accounting himself with where it was so he would be able to find it again,"Um, no, I can't think of any questions, I think you've showed me just about everything I need to know." He started climbing the stair's to where all the rooms are,"By the way, I'm Hiro. Oh, and should I be warned about any other people staying here, I could hear some other people moving around as you showed me the tour."

Acheron placed a hand to this face as he thought. "we have a few humans here that dont know your kind or others for that matter dont exist, so if they were to find out, just make sure they dont leave. apart from that i think your fine....oh wait we did have a Lycan a while back, haven't seen him for awhile." stepping aside he bowed once again "i hope you enjoy your stay, the doors that have people staying in them wont open for you, so dont be afraid to try out all the doors." with a smile he straighten walked back towards the kitchen area.
it may be a good idea to start cleaning that up. he thought.

With a slight smile on his face, as though satisfide with making her blush, he pulled back and stood to his feet. "No need to be frightend, my dear. Kaedo is only frightend of being down there because the human prison where we were is down there as well." He added as he offered his hand to help her to her feet.

"This one has pleanty reason to be scared of that place, that he does." Kaedo commented deffensly as he looked about nervously. "We'll be fine. Besides the water might help you to remember things better." He added looking to Alex to see if she was going to add in on it. "This one supposes that it is worth a try...." Kaedo finally said with a sigh; the before glimmer that was in his eyes seeming to dull.

Alexia floated throught the air when she noticed a hole in the roof of a building. She looked through it and saw that Acheron was there. She soared down and landed elegantly on the floor behind him and tapped his shoulded.

Hiro sighed and slowly ascended the staircase to the upper level, thinking sarcastically to himself,'Wonderful, a Lycan...' He had only come across a few in his travels, but he saw what they were capable of. After about five minutes of searching for a door that would open, he found a nice, cozy room that would suit him perfectly. He placed his bag down inside the room, next to the door, and looked around. He found a coat rack and placed his cloak on it,'Hm, I guess I should go and meet some of the other people staying at the castle. Don't really want people freaking out when they see some random guy walking around.' At the thought, he left the room and went down the hallway, from the way he came from, and followed it all the way to the same staircase. He noticed someone talking to the person who had greeted him earlier, so he walked down the staircase, wanting to meet the person. As he got to the bottom step, he spoke,"Um, hello there. I'm sorry for the interruption, but I wanted to get acquainted with some of the people who lived in the castle.

Alex's body relaxed as Kaedo stood up. She frowned inside at the fact that Kaedo seemed pleased with himself at the reaction he'd gotten from her. Why do I always do that? Am I really that much of a child still? She was displeased with her blushing everytime someone got close enough and resolved that she wouldn't next time.

"You know, you've got to face your fears sometime, otherwise you'll never be able to deal with it. And I kind of want to see this garden. It sounds like a very beautiful place. But I wouldn't imagin it any other way with the way this castle looks." She smiled and accepted Kaedo's offer to help her up. "Thank you."

Alex watched the two of them interact for a moment, still amused by the way each of them takes over. But she chimed in when the voice paused. "You know he's right, and I promised that I would help you remember! And besides, you won't be alone this time." She tilted her head slightly to the right, continuing to smile.

Rasul stepped inside, not even making a sound. The front hall had cleared. Strange. But he wasn't complaining. "Perhaps the garden water will heal your burns," he said, rather distracted in listening for any others so that his own voice was muted. Without any instant danger he had time to glance at his leg as he walked. It was worse than he had thought while in the smoke. Even though it was healing, bits of milky white bone showed through the charred parts. He tried to walk so that the cloth of his pants covered the injury from sight. Maybe he could use some of that water himself.

Val looked up at him, a puzzled look onher face. "Garden...?" she asked, her voice soft.
[[OMG sorry, short post D:]]

She let Darious lead on but was beginnign to think that she may need air. "don't be weak, just hold on a little bit longer and we'll be there. We may even break surface." She thought to herself trying to stay optimistic in their situation. Her body was beginning to feel a bit cold at her fingertips and toes from the water and it seemed to sink in more as they stopped at the mouth of the the three tunnel entrances. Her green eyes went to Darious' face as she tried to search them for an answer in the dark waters. She gave a questionable look not sure what to do.
"I can't wait any longer... I won't make it unless I ask for air." She squeezed Darious' hand and pointed to her throat indicating that she needed air finally.

“This one is not afraid he’ll have you know, he just does not wish to go down there that he doesn’t.” Kaedo said as he pulled Alex to her feet and then looked about the place nervously while Alex continued talking. “You know she has a point? Besides that she wants to see the pretty garden. It would be rude of you not to take her there. It’s the least you can do, since she’s trying to help you.” He added mockingly as he looked to Alex. Kaedo fidgeted for a moment before finally answering. “Okay this one well go as long as Alex is coming with us.”

“Off course she’s coming with us, don’t you ever listen?” He added and smacked the palm of his hand on his fore head as though frustrated. “O’ yes about what you said my dear?” The other voice chimed in while directing his attention back to Alex. “Kaedo is never alone. I’m always here with him.” He said as a mischievous smile spread across his face before he turned about. “Come, the gardens this way.” He added as he motioned for her to follow. “Just to let you know this one still does not like this idea.” he said as he slowed down so that Alex could walk beside him.


Mikhial began to wake slowly, his body stiff and sore from laying in one place for so long. “How long have we been out?” He asked out loud, expecting to here Nix answer. Nothing came and only the sound of his comrades slowed breathing could be heard. “Nix….? Nix?!” Mikhial began to yell as he looked to the almost lifeless body that was stretched out next to him. “What?!.... Why didn’t you come back?! You said you would!!” Mikhial hollered as he grabbed Nix by the scruff of his jacket and shock him. “You son of a leach!! You said …. You said you would….” Mikhial’s voice began to die down slowly as light tears started to form in the corners of his eyes. “Maybee… Perhaps he’ll still come back…..” Mikhial told himself as he stood to his feet and stretched. “Until that day comes. I’ll take him some where safe… So he can rest.. until then…” Mikhial added out loud his voice more of a whimper sound. Then shifting into his half form. After that he picked up Nix's body in his arms and stood to his full hight. Tiping his head back and raising his muzzel to the sky, he let out a long mornful howl that sang threw the crisp air before echoeing into the far off distance.

Darious was busy trying to figure out which way was the best to go.
I guess taking the middle one would be most logically….. let’s hope so.
He was about to begin swimming again when Araceli squeezed his hand, but he froze as he looked back at her and she was pointing to her throat. He swallowed hard, Damn I shouldn’t have stopped we could have made it, a grin escaped his lips, then again…..
His thoughts trailed of as he looked at her weary face, her hair flowing around her.
Pulling her into his arms he closed his eyes. First he pushed the water out of his mouth and summoned air into the empty space.
Opening his eyes he looked down at her, raising her chin with his free hand he moved his mouth closer to hers, their lips touched and he allowed her to take the air from him.
Even under the water her lips felt so soft, he went to pull back to see if she had enough air now.

Vexous was becoming bored and rather irritated, sighing aloud she decided to speak.
“Have we been flying for a life time or is that my imagination, I need some excitement in my life.” In the distance she could see the castle, or more over the hole in the kitchen’s roof, her eyes widened. “Vincent do you wanna see if we could put on an act, the best way to kill your enemy is to pretend to be there friend wouldn’t you agree”. Twisting her body she that she was facing him, she ran a finger nail down the side of his face and winked at him. “it’ll be fun” with that she jumped of the side of Josephine and landed on one of the high towers, looking down through the hole in the roof she had a perfect view of Acheron and another women she hadn’t seen. “she has a strange atmosphere about her” she said aloud as she sat herself down to watch.

Acheron almost jumped as Alexia came up behind him. “Oh pardon me, you startled me” he told her with a smile. Kicking at the burnt bench it broke to pieces. “Welcome back my lady” she said as he picked up the broken pieces and carried then to a door that lead outside. As he reached for the door handle the whole door fell of it hinges and landed on the ground with a load bang. Sighing he stepped over it and through the rubble in his hands against the outside wall of the castle. “With the walls being stone I hope they’ll at least stand.
With people around he didn’t bother to use his powers, not much they would have done anyway, he wasn’t like his father, he didn’t have that much power.
Walking back inside he sighed again. “well better get it done.
He had noticed that the new comer at come back down stairs, he waved at him and contined to work.

(( hey Ceal where abouts is your charater again...i kinda forgot O.o))

Alexia nodded and followed Acheron to the door and than back inside.

Acheron frowned a little as Alexia followed him, but shrugged it off.
i should really get this gone. Picking up a few chairs he carried those out side, as he put them down they crumbled..... "As everything turns to ash, a new dawn will raise bringing new hope." the line had been something his father at always said, before he went insane with power.
Acheron had no clue as to why this father had lost his mind, he just kept to himself mostly.
Shaking his head at the old memories. "there's no point dueling in the past" he mumbled to himself.
I wish everything would go back to the way it was, almost peaceful.
enter the castle for the second time he laughed alittle. walking over towards the large table that usually sat up to ten people he tried to lift it. "Even though it's burnt it still weighs alot." stepping back he braced himself for the next impact, as he expanded his leg and kicked one of the six legs the table had. "guess it has to go out in pieces."