In the thicket of the forrest, a man sat on a fallen log. The canopy of towering green above cooled him and the misty sprays from the crashing falls in the distance quenched his parched skin. As he bent low to scoop his hand into the cool water of the stream, the muscles of his body stiffened suddenly and a chill ran from the base of his neck down to his spine. As the piercing, icey-blue orbs glanced upon the reflection of the heavens in the glassy waters of the stream, they were struck with a look of distress. Moments before, the sky had been azure blue, dotted by billowy clouds. But as he lifted his eyes, the canvass had shifted dramatically. Storm clouds cast against a reddening backdrop.

The man rose to his feet and vanished.

On another plane.

Two girls faced each other in combat. One girl wore a sailor type outfit of black and silver. The other girl looked rather menacing, decked entirely in black from the raised collar of her trenchcoat to the heavy laced boots she wore on her feet.

He blinked his eyes, thinking they were decieving him.

The girl in the trenchcoat began to vanish by her own accord, a sorcerer's trick used to mystify her opponent. But he locked on to her aura and swept her from their time.

------

*Shimatte* The katana's blade sliced clean through the hefty limb of the great oak. Victoria leaned against the rough bark, pounding her fist into it with every curse she muttered underbreath.

She was done pussy-footing around. She was sick of "playing by the rules." She knew well what she must do in order to defeat Celly and the others, but it was against her nature. Teamwork. She was lonewolf from the very beginning of her existence. She had often asked herself why these odd things were happening to her, when all she truly wanted was to be left alone. There were times she wanted to give up in battle and allow her opponent to take her head. At least then it would be all over, right? *I should have done that, too late now.* The girl sank to the floor of the forest and reached into HammerSpace, pulling out a 12 pack of Dr.Pepper. Smiling, she sliced open the packaging with a trusty dagger.

----------

Where the godhell did she go? Seth stepped out of the shower, pulling his hair back in a loose ponytail. Beads of hot water cooled on his bare skin as he crossed the tiles and onto the rich crimson carpeting of the bedroom. Clothes from the night before were strewn about the sides of the bed, which was itself, in shambles.

He'd spent the night alone, with several bottles of burgandy.

It was strange to him. Before all this had happened to him, it was easy to seek comfort in another warm body. But that didn't fill his needs any longer. He'd tired of that particular Game. Now what worlds were left to conquer? Who would have guess Eternity would be such a bore? He recalled a time when he was young and ranking amoung one of the best champions in his own *game* Then the time of the Inquisition came upon them and his kind were hunted.

That was when his *savior* came, literally snatching him from the fire which devoured his kindred. That night he'd been *recruited* A Guardian? It sounded alluring to him at the time, simple. His first and only charge was Victoria, *he* made sure of it. Through the centuries they'd become like siblings and she was the closest being he had to a family. He was willing to risk both life and limb for her, though she would never know it--he would not allow her to.

And now it worried him. Where was she? He could no longer feel her presence.

The Ventrue Prince leaned against the brass railings of ths Parisian cheateux. The chill of the morning air pierced through the pores of his skin.

"Where are you,Vic?" He sighed and stared into the rising sun.

----------

"Remy."

*click, fire* An empty Dr. Pepper can goes up into the air and explodes.

On the remains of an ancient oak, a dozen Dr. Pepper cans and several Frappucccino bottles are lined up.

"Meridith."

Nyx reaches into HammerSpace and pulls out a crossbow. With the tip of her finger, she lights the point of the arrow.

*click, fire* The arrow shoots clean through the can and sets it ablaze. *grin*

"Mercy."

The trenchcoat girl reaches into the breast of her garb and pulls out several throwing knives.

*whoosh. zip. strike. strike. strike. strike. strike. strike. strike* The empty can is riddled with throwing knives.

"Anaera."

Nyx's hand glided across her neck, tracing the visible scar concealed beneath the raised collar of the trench as she eyed the Frapuccino bottle menacingly. With eyes focused on the object, the bottle began to shake uncontrolably.

*SHATTER*

The girl smiled. Enough for now. Nyx drew a pack of Reds from her pockets and lit up, gazing proudly at the simulation before her.

*Such hatred.* The man shook his head sadly. The girl was very powerful, but that power was not being channeled productively. The games she played with her abilities shamed him. Fear gripped his heart to think that these were not the full extent of the power which was her birthright.

That yarou of a Guardian had not taught her to use them. But seeing her well and fairing, more or less settled his mind. Perhaps this was meant to be. Besides, it had been over a millenia since.... His hands shook and he made clenched them into fists. What was this? A case of the nerves? Impossible. What could cause aniexity in a god?

He eyed her movements, the cloud of nonxious fumes emitting from her lips and nostrils as she breathed in and exhaled the contents of the thin, lit scroll. Somehow, the crude act took on it's own grace.

There were bruises and soot on that cheek which once was rosy, and blistered and chapped, those lips were once so supple, yet they did not loose heur coral hue. Once round bright eyes gazing into his own with innocence, now were dark, not only in their natural taint, but streaked by the storms within her.

A jolt of recognition juted through Victoria's senses. It was another "buzz?" Not an Otaku, not an immortal... something else. Recognition.

Swiftly she drew her sword and faced the unseen foe.

"Show yourself, baka," she hissed.

"There is no need for that, Victoria. You are safe." From the shade of the cedars, a tall, gallant man emerged. An air of royalty overwhelmed her in his presence. This was someone of great importance. Faint lines etched around his mouth and eyes, yet his eyes were frightingly bright, like two icy flames lit from within his sockets. His sliver hair rested below his broad shoulders. His attire was simple; a blue and white garb reminding her of tales from the Arabian Nights, yet different with influences from the Far East, almost resembling a Shogun's casual choice.

The man called her by name. Did he know her? And if so, how?

Victoria was not about to let her guard down. "Who are you?" The man's visage, she knew she had never set eyes on, but a feeling crept inside her of recognition she could not shake off. The face of this man brought unwarranted saltaine drops to fill her eyes and glide against her soot stained cheeks.

*Great itme for my allergies to act up, kuso!* Roughly she wiped her cheek with the sleeve of her coat. But her jaw began to tremble.

He steadied his shaking hands at his side, subduing their nerve impulses. The girl's tears took hold of his still beating heart which ceased to pulse for a moment or two. Does she know me? Should I make myself known?

"Who are you?" The inquiry came again.

The words escaped his lips before his mind could calculate them. "I am Reydin, god of thunder. Guardian of earth realm..." His voice summoned the great storm clouds and lightning streaked the heaven above them.

The stern look in his eyes struck her in ways unknown. Would he destroy her? No.

His eyes softened, gazing into a darker shade of his own. "...and your father."