Chapter One

The city was vacant as usual, old flyers and a small white bag of garbage flew across the street, carried by an invisible wind. The city was not completely abandoned, a few inhabitants could still be seen walking on the relic streets.

Among the survivors Marcus was the most infamous and hated one, he desecrated their temple and mocked their gods every chance he got, and yet he was so immersed in their most important part of their worshipping, the manipulation of magix.

He hogged much more food than he needed, he was after all only feeding himself and his pet weasel, most of it that was most probably stolen from some near death traveller. They moved in, not many assassins were left in this former city of Sudbury.

Three in total, garbed in a complete stealth one piece suit, katanas on their sides they went up the emergency stairs, despite their best efforts each step emitted a loud clanking noise, the stairs were very old and had not been maintained for quite some time.

Ordinarily they would not have risked it, it was only canned food after all, but Marcus had something of much higher value, something that came from the gods themselves, and it was about time this undeserving warlock gave back what didn’t belong to him.

Reaching the top floor the first assassin peered through the apartment, an old carpet that may have been white at a time was now completely grey and covered with stains from all the pizza boxes, empty cans and other such foods disposed onto the ground.

Upon a desk near the door stood a machine from the old times, a computer as it had once been called. Turning to the other assassins he gave them the ok signal, lifting the window up with great difficulty he stepped into the apartment, katana raised in a defensive posture.

The sound of running water could be heard from the washroom, tolerating the strong smell of decomposing food as they approached the bathroom. Like everything else he had, apparently he’d somehow stolen the bit of running water left in the former city.

Slowly pushing the door open they met a large cloud of warm vapour, the sound of someone whistling in the shower could be heard. Grinning largely, anticipating easy success they stabbed the katanas through the shower curtains.

To their very surprise their swords met nothing but air, pulling the curtain open to find it completely empty. Looking back at the others he was about to curse when the explosions began to rip through the apartment, quickly running back for the window they fell through the floor, lives extinguished by fire and rubble.

***

Fifty miles away from apartment explosion Marcus drove by calmly on his bike, the roaring sound of the powerful engine overpowering the distant sound of the explosion. Engine coming to a stop he put the kick stand, standing on the side walk he breathed in the toxic air.

Marcus couldn’t help but laughing at the mention of fresh air, the only people he ever heard use that term were country dwellers, smokers and idiots, which pretty much described 3/4 of the population of the outside world.

He looked over the looming warehouse, signs of old age as the paint was faded and the flat cement walls were cracked severely, another few years and the year would collapse. Walking to the entrance he went to open the door, finding it surprisingly locked.

With a frown he placed his hand on the door, hearing the unlatching of the interior lock he drew his .44 magnum colt anaconda and slowly pushed the door open, not noticing any major changes to the warehouse, no footprints on the extremely dusty floor.

Feeling the wriggling under his leather coat Marcus said, " Hold on there Grover, I’ll let you out you over spoiled critter you." Unzipping his leather coat Grover ran out from under his coat, landing on its four legs the weasel sniffed the ground and then looked back into Marcus’ eyes.

The sound of his black leather work boots against the old wooden floors resounded throughout the two story edifice, this building was as one of the older ones of the city. Walls had once been a revolting shitty brown covered by a dirty red carpets.

The carpets had worn out over a century ago and the paint had somehow managed to get even uglier, and as far as food went if one wasn’t picky food was an abundant source. Most people were travellers, and left over military rations stored in a secret compartment in an old warehouse weren’t exactly prime targets.

Approaching the old steel stairs he could hear faint breathing from his makeshift living room, Grover running ahead of him growling in his whiney little critter voice Marcus whispered as loudly as possible, " Grover, get your scrawny little ass over here right now!"

Not listening Marcus quickened his pace, probably just someone looking for a place to relax, maybe a free meal, maybe there would have been a time where such a thing might be accepted, but Marcus needed all the food he had, every grain of food was the difference between life and death. It would be simple, just politely kick them out or kill them in the process.

***

Who was this stranger coming to her rescue now, not even hiding his motorcycle. Whoever this was, he wasn’t the back up they would have expected to come and bail out a vampire from a small warehouse with no possible points of escape other than the door itself.

They would have expected more vampires, but she wasn’t a typical vampire after all. Turing to the four others he said, " Lets make boss Uramon proud, lets show him that we are no ordinary vampire hunter clan, we are the best."

***

She had been certain she had locked the door, the warehouse had an abandoned look to it but she knew they’d tracked her down, fusing the lock so that even with a key the door would not open, unless kicked down.

And yet she had been woken from her slumbering sleep as the sound of the door opening peacefully, followed by very strange words, Hold on there Grover, I’ll let you out you over spoiled critter you. Not much of a catch line for a hunter of the infamous vampire hunter clan.

They were such sombre characters, dressed in their white clothes and black trench coats with the red crosses on the back, looked more like red cross society than lucrative vampire hunters, they thought they were so tough and so smart, trained for the sole purpose of killing vampires.

Most of the time they ended up getting killed by some trivial mean, this time however they’d trapped her into this warehouse, and now her only hope was whoever had just walked into the warehouse. The footsteps neared, Grover, get your scrawny little ass over here right now!

He was nearing her now, going up the spiral stairs. She knew now it must be the property owner, she had deduced someone was still living here by the large supply of military rations, very foul tasting excuse for food that never expired, according to the expiration dates these went back five centuries.

They were probably stale, then the stranger appeared in the room, first a cute little weasel ran up to her, gnarling fearlessly at her contrary to what most animals usually did, which was run and hide. This was one courageous little weasel, whoever owned it must be some mighty and courageous person indeed.

She was surprised when instead of some might warrior or elusive tracker walked in a rather common looking man. No special attributes, standing a simple 5.10 with a medium build at best, and that was being generous. His eyes were a dull brown with matching frayed hair, whoever this was definitely wasn’t mighty or courageous.

As he raised his large pistol, aiming it directly at her she frowned at his attire, black working boots with the bottoms so used he looked like he could slip on a gripped mat, jeans of equal condition with a large rip starting from the bottom of the left leg and going up to his knee, giving it a hippie sort of look.

All topped off with a stained white t-shirt and a worn leather coat, smirking at the sight of him he said spitefully, " I wasn’t expecting any guests, I would have dusted a bit, prepared some tea and crumpets, you know."

He may not have been mighty or courageous, but he certainly was a cheeky little devil, he probably didn’t know what she was, " Its ok, I always considered such things to be a little too posh for my own taste, and your abode is... very interesting, you mise well lower the gun."

Guns were so pointless, she didn’t believe in the use of guns, she’d been around when guns were in mass production and they’d caused nothing but trouble all around. And they still were, although people called them the gifts of the gods, wars were fought over little ankle pistols.

She could tell by the smug look on his face that lowering the gun was the last thing on his mind, she knew his type, vampire, mortal, they were all the same. " Wow, now that you put it that way I guess I am just going to have to listen to you now won’t I, I mean I have the gun and you got some sort of sword but since mise well lower the gun?"

Without warning he pulled the trigger, bullet entering her skin she fell back with the impact of the powerful weapon, frustrated at the headache this would most likely cause in the morning. Getting back to his feet, bullet falling out of her forehead as the skin healed he looked, mouth ajar in shock.

Even the weasel had backed down, hiding behind its master’s heels as he smiled, " Your right, now how about I lower my gun and just..." she cursed under her breath as the warehouse owner turned, bumping into the tall vampire hunter. As he looked up into his eyes the stranger finished, " leave?"

***

Pushing him against the supposedly bullet proof woman the tall intruded moved out of the doorway, followed by four other men in similar attires and physiques. Pulling out long curved scimitars the apparent leader said, " I see you did call for backup, and yet you can’t even do that normally can you Vanessa, any normal vampire would have summoned an actual vampire."

Looking at the vampire dressed in cargo pants, skater shoes and a brown hoodie he then looked the other side at the armed intruders with the white clothes and black trench coats. " backup? I don’t even know this woman, I live here, but if you would just excuse..."

Trying to just casually walk by them the same guard pushed him back again, " Maybe your not, but you’ve got the bad timing award so your going to die anyway, so stop being heroic and move out of the way."

***

Here stood the man she’d pegged as a cheeky devil of a coward, gun in his holster standing between her and the vampire slayers. She watched as his sword descended upon him, readying herself to move into action and save him the weasel master was already in motion.

Pulling faster than she would expect he blocked the sword with a strange looking knife, blade stuck between two teeth upon the knife he gave it a hard twist, with amazing quickness and efficacy the blade snapped in two. Before the specially trained vampire slayer could react his other knife was out, slitting his throat with one quick motion.

Falling back, dead before he hit the ground with blood spurting out of the open wound on his neck the other guards began to move into action. However this strange man had even more surprises up his sleeve, pulling his gun out with lightning fast reflexes she with her heightened senses could not even keep up.

Four shots resonated, each vampire slayer with a hole dead centre in the forehead they all fell with loud thumps. Gun still smoking he opened the loading barrel, two bullets remained out of the capable seven. Why would he use bullets, such a rare commodity to save her?

As casually as ever he reached for his belt, noticing the belt filled with bullets he reloaded and placed the pistol back. " So your a vampire, I suppose I can’t make yo leave now so I suppose you can stay for the night, its not very cozy considering there is only one bed, and I am not giving it up, I’ll get you something."

He knew she was a vampire and yet insisted on treating her like a mortal, vampires had no need of sleep but she’d underestimated him once already and didn’t want to find out that he knew more about vampires than he was letting on. As he left the little weasel approached her, rubbing its forehead against her Vanessa let it jump in her arms.

As she pet it, feeling its smooth fur against her skin he walked back in, " Ah hell, the bed is yours, you are after all a guest. Your lucky I can’t kill you or... I might not be so hospitable, anyway, its in the next room, by the way, name’s Marcus."

Extending his hand she smiled, hand slightly occupied by weasel she shook his hand rather awkwardly, not a proper hand shake but it would do. As he left she said, " I guess it wasn’t coincidence that I came here, I guess it was destined."

Stopping abruptly he turned, " Destined? Oh, your one of those, your a mumbler are ya? Talk to the sky and hope something happens? Which one is it? God, gods, Budah, Zeus" Another part of this stranger was now apparent, she didn’t even have to ask his name because his reputation told her exactly who he was.

After the fall of technology and the birth of The City religion had become a strong factor, God was the dominant power still. She worshipped God, which was strange considering she was a vampire. But then there was the infamous Marcus, the bullet maker who scorned anything divine and meaningful.

But she should not be so harsh on him, she herself was not regarded so well either. A vampire seeking peace, most vampires were not but blood thirsting monsters who wanted to kill even when they thirsted not, but Vanessa had more ambitions than that.

She remembered the old days, she knew of The City and how they were the only place of true peace and tranquillity on the earth, how they hogged everything that was good even if sharing might save the entire world, while the world fought every day to survive The City simply sat back and watched.

It was about time they shared what they had, " I worship God Marcus, the only true God, all the others are false idols and..." Doing the hand talking motion she frowned at his cheekiness, he was much worse in person. " Yes, ten commandments rule number uno, I went to Sunday school too, but I already been cursing and I already murdered so there’s no point now is there? No sermon, good night."

She could have said a million things, about how she was a vampire and had a damned soul and yet she was still good, everyone had hope, even a vampire with the need to feed. Walking out she couldn’t help but wonder why him, why Marcus the warlock, Marcus the mocker, Marcus the skeptic.

She knew she couldn’t take the city on her own, and she’d gone to form a team, a team of devoted fighters of awesome skills and principals like her own, and yet she was given a selfish warlock who’s only goal was to live til tomorrow, and when tomorrow reached his goal would be to live til the next day.

But she’d seen his skills, as despicable as he was she could find a use in Marcus, although it would take quite some convincing, how does one get a skeptic to leave his comfort zone on a mission based on nothing but an idealistic dream?

***

Another damn crazy, society was full of them crazies since the beginning of time, he’d seen it in the history records. Despite popular belief technology could still function, sitting on a very old, uncomfortable futon he watched the television.

He had far too much junk for his own good, dvds of new of the past and fictitious shows and movies. Of all the movies he had in his possession the Pirates of the Carribean series, Die Hard series and BattleStar Galactica were his all time favourites.

He watched as Roselyn jumped in fear as the cat jumped on the desk, chuckling at this he watched as the sun slowly rose into the sky out of the window. It was about time for his daily run, at least he’d disposed himself of those pesky hired killers at his decoy apartment.

Walking out to his motorcycle he opened the weapon slot on the side, pulling out a large bar of pure iron he closed it and walked back into the warehouse. Sitting down at his working station he rolled back, always enjoying the rolling chair. Putting on the gas mask he grabbed the bullet mold and rolled back to the work station.

As he was about to begin he heard soft footsteps coming down the stairs, turning the chair to see his vampire guest he waved, " I hope you enjoyed the bed, I know vampires don’t sleep, but I figured you wanted some comfort at least, you know, since your God wasn’t exactly in a sharing mood, don’t you ever get tired of"

Walking to face him, a look of irritation on her face she said, " Marcus... shut up." It was his turn to be a little shocked, no one other than himself was ever that direct, and anyone else who would have said that would be dead.

Putting aside the fact he couldn’t kill her he had a feeling even if she had been human he would not have killed her, it wasn’t the fact she was woman, it was just... he simply couldn’t get angry at her despite her beliefs or her shutting him up.

Smiling he said before turning to work, " I know you don’t need to eat but you’ll need blood, just leave my blood and Grover’s blood be, if you wait up I’m going on my run, I’m sure we’ll find you someone."

***

Whatever his problem was with religion he certainly had respect for her, despite his taunting and mocking she did not hear any hate in his voice, more like he was trying to provoke a debate by saying something he knew was the contrary to what she believed.

She watched curiously as he began to create bullets, holding a crude apparatus with two bullet shapes he used magix to melt the metal off the bar, letting it pour into the molds he turned and said, " At least you don’t worship the gods, bullets falling from the sky? Gifts from the gods, ridiculous, lets go on the patrol."

Touching the metal a red glow came from the tip of his finger, as the metal began to harden he got to his feet, picking up two box fulls of ammunition he asked, " I know its "destiny", but why would "destiny" want you in my old warehouse of all warehouses, not exactly the garden of eve."

As he got on his motor cycle, Grover jumping up on the motorcycle and crawling up his shirt, head sticking out of the top she replied, " Exactly for that reason, instead of some fancy plaza I wanted a place of complete secrecy, and your warehouse seemed the best choice."

Starting the engine, the loud roar of the unstable hydrogen flowing through the motorcycle, he said over the engine, " See, there is a logical answer, as Spock would say, if its not logical its crap."

Getting on the bike she asked before they started, " If you don’t believe in God, or god, what do you believe in?" Looking back at her, large goggles on his face he smiled slyly, showing a few chipped teeth, " Since so many religions are running about I created my own, the Marcunisim, live to live. You survive, any means necessary, you don’t mind music?"

Cranking the music full blast the lyrics " I’m just taking care of business" blared out with a catchy classic rock sound as he peeled away, the way he weaved through the streets and alleys made it evident he truly knew Sudbury very well. He looked very relaxed, probably looking for food, trying to pass the time and spare the misery of eating those crappy military rations.

Suddenly his music was interrupted as static took over the radio, frowning at this she realised it wasn’t just cds he was listening to, it was the actual radio, " Where do you get the radio station from, as I recall all..."

Making a sudden stop he turned sharply to the right, going into an alley he drove quickly toward the dead end, grimacing with anticipation of the pain Marcus suddenly did another heard break, turning 90 degrees and coming to an abrupt stop mere inches away from the dead end.

He looked panicked now, she hadn’t seen anything out of the ordinary and yet he was no moving in the same manner one draws a pentacle to ward of demons, pulling a grey wool blanket out he threw it over the motor cycle, making sure it was well hidden he then turned to the nearest dumpster and opened it, signalling her to get in she did as told, Marcus followed her.

Both crouching in the empty dumpster that had apparently not been used in over a century she began to ask when Marcus send, " City patrol, no garden variety either. Fully armoured elite guards directly from The City, sent in land squadrons with search hummers."

As old as she was she’d never heard of city patrol, the only logical reason behind this was that The City feared losing their wealth so much they probably had a base established in Ontario, sending out patrols across the province, killing anyone they seen to quell any possible uprisings.

Smiling at this she began to push it open, as Marcus went to object she said in a matter of fact tone, " I’m a vampire, trust me, I got it all under control."Quickly getting out of the dumpster she heard the powerful sound of a v20 engine, gas gusslers which meant they were probably based near an oil patch, one of the oil patches that had come near the end of the fall of society.

Without hesitation she metamorphosed into a guard she had once killed, thinking it wise to memorise his appearance she walked at the end of the alley, waving her hands to catch the attention of the oncoming black hummer.

Stopping slowly, brake lights flashing on the large vehicle came to a halt. Large thick doors sliding open five heavily armoured guards came out of the large hummer, shields on their backs with dangerous looking long swords in hands.

Surrounding her the senior ranking officer faced her, " Lieutenant, what are you doing so far out of you search quadrant? Your with Echo company aren’t you, that’s Azilda." She hadn’t known this of them, search quadrants? Companies? She supposed there was only one way out of this mess now.

As she slowly reached for her sword a rear guard, looking her over said, " She’s the messenger, Captain Echo reported he was sending a messenger bearing new for me sir, said it was confidential information that he could only intrust in myself."

Turning to face him, stern in face he said, " Lieutenant Frank, why in sphynx’s hell would you be informed of this rather than myself, you are new to this company, new to the service. I am a veteran of 25 years, explain this to me?"

Looking back at her Frank winked as though signalling for some unknown plan to go into action, she smiled and winked back understanding exactly what he meant. Changing into her true form she smiled at their shock as they backed off slightly, all but Frank who moved closer to her, going back to back, sword extended.

Looking outraged the captain yelled, " Lieutenant, this is unforgivable, how can you betray us for some freak vampire! We will kill you now, and we will kill her." Pulling her dual swords, not able to resist noticing and admiring the vine designs on the solid oak hilts. Slight fear in their eyes they moved in for the kill.

Doing a back flip over the fastest approaching guard, twisting in the air to avoid the blade she landed behind him, slicing the back of his throat using so much force than the blades cut though skin and bone, decapitating him in one quick motion.

Turning on her Frank stabbed the sword using all his strength right through the thick iron plating of the full body armour, blade tip coming out of the front, covered with blood the remaining elites backed away completely. Facing them from far Frank and Vanessa stood beside each other, standing with their weapons ready waiting for a second attack.

However fear took over their elite training, running away in a great hurry, tossing their armour off to make their retreat that much faster, just to insert a little squealing scream of a school girl and the sight might be comical, in a pathetic sort of way.

Turning to face Frank she asked, " Why did you do that, you could have obeyed orders and died as well but instead you took my side, the side of a vampire instead of the side of your superior forces?"

Smiling calmly as Vanessa turned and walked back in the alley he replied, " Exactly for that reason, why die when I can join forces with the infamous Vanessa, the vampire that fights even her own murderess thirsting. The vampire with a dream and a heart, why are we coming into the alley?"

Without answering, swords back on her back she kicked the dumpster full force, sending a loud ring across the alley. Pushing the lid off Marcus came out, " Jesus Murphy Van! Sure you couldn’t kick any bloody louder?"

Jumping out of the dumpster he noticed Frank, as their eyes met anger came into his eyes as well as the type of recognition that never results well. Pointing at him accusingly he scowled, " You killed my top assassins with your bomb you scoundrel, I oughta have your head."

Backing out of sword reach, anaconda out and pointed directly at him Marcus grinned, " That would be sort of hard considering its attacked to my body, Van, maybe you can put a leash on your little pet here."

Putting her hands on his she lowered his sword, " I know, the moment I met him I wanted his head on a silver platter and all the blood in his body, but if you come with me I’ll explain everything, those elites couldn’t have gotten too far."

***

Marcus was alone once again, making yet another friend. Letting Grover out of his coat, gun casually at his side he walked over to the hummer, opening the door he peered inside. Beautiful leather interior, lots of room with high-tech front. This was a marvel in itself, directly from The City it must have been, nothing like this could be found anywhere else.

Keys still in the ignition Marcus smiled at his luck, he’d never gotten a free ride so easily in his life. Van had her little friend now so he could leave her without feeling guilty, she was after all one tough vampire, she could probably defend herself better than he could defend himself.

Getting into the hummer he memorised the location of his motorcycle, if it came down to him he would come back and get it, but for today his routine could be altered, he had a lot of magix to perform if this ride was going to be permanent.

***

They had been easy to track, her blood thirst had been getting uncontrollably strong and finally she relieved it, those guards had never stood a chance. Cleaning the blood off her face Frank was standing a little farther off, looking around evidently not liking the sight of her sucking down his ex-coworkers blood down.

Asking as casually as he could, hand on sword pommel, " So why haven’t you killed Marcus yet, what possible value can he have in your eyes. He’s a coward, weak, no attractive qualities and completely against God." Beginning to walk back to the warehouse where she knew Marcus would be she replied, " He’s unique, maybe I need someone unique for my mission of unique nature?"

Frowning at this strange logic she laughed, " Look, if I were to kill him because he doesn’t conform then I would be a hypocrite, and besides, warlock blood is bad for the health in the long run, tainted with magix and God knows what. Not to mention his gun skills, anything else twenty questions?"

Smiling at this they walked quietly toward the warehouse, now she had a warlock and a warrior, she was almost on the way of an actual strike team, three more people and the mission would truly begin, The City was going down.