Fiction:War of Vampires/The Quest

Embarking on the Mission
The sound of polish meeting blade edges could be heard throughout the abode of the as the two  exiles,  and Kanna, prepared themselves for the trek ahead. Backpacks filled with supplies rested on their backs as their thoughts laid with the journey that awaited them, although Hachi found his thoughts significantly divided; Clothovera remained prominent within his mindset. Nyakik approached the duo, holding Alhazred on her mouth. The book had a grim look, still feeling guilty for everything that had transpired in the last few days, and took responsibility on ensuring that his witch mistress was saved no matter what. never cared for Alhazred's well-being, but she did.


 * Alhazred - Are you all ready to depart?
 * Kanna - Even if I wasn't, it wouldn't change anything. I just know that no matter how prepared we are, we're gonna get jumped along our path.
 * Hachi - ...Thanks, Kanna, real confidence booster.
 * Kanna - My apologies. Yeah, I'm ready.
 * Alhazred - Good, then let us revise our plan of action... Wait. Where is the witch?
 * Kanna - ...I thought you knew.
 * Alhazred - Ugh. Find her, we can't waste time.

The Sea Witch had locked herself in her room inside her cave ever since Zran Kar took Clothovera. The whole incident hit hard extremely hard, for she had felt like a part of her had been taken away. She was also unaware of Zran Kar's control over the witch girl, so as far as the Sea Witch was aware, Clothovera had deliberaly delivered herself to the Simulacrum. Kanna approached the Sea Witch's room while Hachi had gone to look outside of the cave, and the former character let his hand knock on the sorceress' door several times in a four-note pattern.


 * Kanna - Sea Witch? You in there?
 * Sea Witch - What do you want?
 * Kanna - You all packed up? We'll need to leave soon. ...You okay in there?
 * Sea Witch - I ain't leaving to nowhere.
 * Kanna - May I ask why?
 * Sea Witch - Why would I leave?
 * Kanna - Why wouldn't you?
 * Sea Witch - I have no reason to leave. If you want to go because of Clothovera then suit yourself. I'm staying.

Kanna groaned and folded his arms, resting his head upon the door that separated them. He gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes as he did, tapping his foot. Behind his mask, he wore an agitated, frustrated expression.


 * Kanna - Open the door, Witch.
 * Sea Witch - Leave me alone.
 * Kanna - You're being immature.

Hachi entered the cave once more to see Kanna at the far side of the main hall at the Sea Witch's door, and soon approached him when he saw Kanna leaning against the door. Hachi looked visually tired and worn - a result of having not slept for the last few nights - and soon stood beside his fellow Lagosi, calling out to the Witch within her room.


 * Sea Witch - She betrayed me, Kanna. With a demon. A demon!
 * Kanna - Hachi, tell her what you told me.
 * Hachi - She didn't betray you, Sea Witch, she... S-She was tempted by the demon, and s-she got mind-controlled.
 * Sea Witch - That's nonsense. That greedy little half-human did it because she wanted it... Now I get reminded why I never got too attached to people.
 * Hachi - I was there, I saw it! She couldn't do a-anything!

There were a few moments of silence before the door was unlocked from the inside, and it slowly opened to reveal the Sea Witch. Her expression was gloomy and her eyes were reddened and tired, tears still visible on her face. The Sea Witch had never cried for anyone before, but now, she was running out of tears to shed for Clothovera.


 * Sea Witch - ...Are you sure?
 * Hachi - Don't you trust me, Sea Witch? Why would Clotho ever betray you if she wasn't being mind-controlled? You're the best teacher she's had.
 * Kanna - If you're not going for Clothovera, Sea Witch, at least come for the young tyke.
 * Sea Witch - ...It hurts so much...

The Sea Witch grabbed Hachi and put him against her in a hug as she began crying again. Hachi gasped as he was embraced by the Witch, and his mind immediately flashed back to thoughts of the girl they loved. Allowing himself top open up, he returned the hug that the Sea Witch placed him into, and started to tear up and cry alongside, sobbing gently on the Sea Witch's shoulder. Kanna, meanwhile, took Alhazred from Nyakik's mouth and placed him on his belt.


 * Alhazred - Well, that you are all here, let's revise our plan. Since we don't know where Castle Nightshade is, we should first visit the . One thing I know is that vampires love elven blood the most, therefore the chances of finding a direction from there are the highest.
 * Kanna - Ugh, the Sovereign is full of snobs, though. 
 * Alhazred - Elven snobs. To get there, we must go north. I believe there's a shortcut next to the mountains of Ar-Klith which should let us skip a fair bit of walking. The only downside is that we'll have to traverse through several caves.
 * Kanna - We live in a cave, Alhazred, I'm sure we'll be fine.
 * Alhazred - Fair point.
 * Sea Witch - You all better be right about this...or I'm never cooking for you again.

Hachi chuckled at the Sea Witch's comment, his reddened eyes blinking softly, and Kanna nodded to acknowledge the Sea Witch and Alhazred. Hachi looked over towards Nyakik and gestured towards himself, crouching onto a knee so that the familiar could rest upon his furry shoulders. Nyakik placed herself on top of Hachi's shoulder, letting out a sigh as she did.


 * Nyakik - At least there is no turtle waste involved this time.
 * Hachi - We can't guarantee anything, Nyakik.
 * Nyakik - Let us go. I want my Clothovera back where she belongs, letting me sleep on her legs and stroking my back.