The North Territory ~ Marcs Manor.

Death awaited in the night, silent shadows witnessing the destruction of a once powerful demon, his people, his hoarde, his power, all cut down and destroyed, leaving nothing of what had been once, now it was all aflame, and he couldn't stop it, he couldn't stop them.
Dorren sat at the entrance of the mansion, the raging fire that surrounded him did not touch him, rather it played with him, seeming happy to find him and do his bidding.

Next to him was Monica, so content to be by his side, untouched by the flames, she smiled looking into his eyes, how she never wanted this moment to end. Several bodies dropped from the air, dismembered and immediately the flames that were razing the mansion moved to engulf the broken pieces of flesh, turning them to ash. "That's the last of them, while you too were canoodling, we did all the work." Danton pointed out with narrowed eyes.

"Oh please, look behind us, I can say this hideous architecture deserved to burn and besides, if you look closer you'll find that the fire isn't just burning the building." Monica retorted head safely tucked in Dorren's hold, when Danton looked past the flames and saw the charred bodies, it seemed no one had escaped the onslaught.

In the far off distance those who resided in the north but had no love for Kybern were rejoicing, knowing that finally his reign of terror would be crushed. "Everyone let's move back furthed away, I have a feeling that he'll show up soon." Dan told the amassed crowd who did not hesitate to listen to the Mercia child, they knew of his family and they knew of his individual strength, and with his sister Imani there, they wouldn't dare go against him, so they did as told.

As if a prediction come true, Kybern battered and barely clinging to life stumbled out of the forest, it seemed the power and life in him was slowly being drained. "He is one tough bastard." Danton commented as he watched the demon heave and cough blood onto the ground whilst he straightened himself and stood to face the four beings in front of him, and beyond him his worst nightmare come true.

All he had built, strived for and achieved in the North, his home, it was all in flames and anger swelled in him and showed in his eyes. "How dare you?!" He accused looking at the Mercia. "This is my land, my territory, you cannot take it from me!" He growled, the earth breaking with the power he exuded. "You came here from nowhere, expected us to bow to you, you do not know our struggles, our pain, you have no right to claim the North, and I should've done this a long time ago!" Dorren spat in anger shocking the demon.

"You, a weakling, without backbone, you without power, what can you do to a demon like me!" Kybern growled unleashing a concentrated spiral of fire that should've hit the weakling in front of him, burned him in an instant, when the attack stopped the Mercia children were in the air, Danton keeping them up there whilst Dorren stood in a sea of flames, his skin turned charcoal black with fire burning all over his body.

"I was born in the depths of the underworld, where demonic fire created my being and fueled it, demons forget that it was us who stood guard to protect." Dorren rumbled, his accent melding into the darkness of his voice creating something terrifying and truly Kybern was shaken. "I am only sorry, I did not do this earlier." He whispered before lunging for Kybern, in the blink of an eye the demon was clutching his abdomen.

A knee to his chin that cracked it and a punch that blew off his jaw completely. "I own the North now, I claim it, for my people who want peace, for my people persecuted because of where they came from, broken by men like you." Dorren growled going for an X sciccor before Kybern could recover, he grabbed the demon by his legs and threw him into the embrace of the raging flames on the second floor of the mansion.

"Do you think if Kybern was fully healed, Dorren would have trouble with him?" Rod asked, fascinated by the display the hound was giving. "Yes, but then Dorren isn't just an ordinary being, he's a descendant of Cerberus, nomatter if Kybern was at full strength he would have never won this fight." Danton replied, they all waited to see the outcome of the battle, explosion after explosion echoed in the mansion before one combustion took hold and the explosion that followed caused the mansion to collapse.

Kybern crawled out of the wreckage, blood trailing behind him, as for Dorren, he walked out on four legs, larger than most wolves, a primal look in his eyes with flaming blue eyes. He stalked the demon like hunter would do prey. "Your old flame asked for your head." Dorren told Kybern who stopped crawling in shock, overturned himself to face not just the Mercia in the sky but the hound that pounced on him. "No, I won't die, no!" Kybern's screams were loud, echoed in the far off distance where everyone heard them and a chill set in.

They all would never want to cross someone who could make a demon such as Kybern wail in pain, until it was all silent, the mauling being the only remaining thing, Dorren tore off the demon's head, ripping it off and continued with his limbs, blue flames were released from his mouth burning the body parts away, when he was finally finished he shifted back to his first form, a man with charcoal skin, then after it returned back to normal only he was stark naked.

"Sis you have got yourself some nice firm ass right there, look at that body, and oh, dear gods he's packed."  Danton muttered ignoring the looks he got from both Monica and Rod. "Stop oogling my man and give him a towel." She hissed. "But I like this view." The angel whined. "Hope you'll still like it when I tell Dan." Monica threatened and in an instant the angel snapped his fingers making a kilt appear on Dorren.

"Hmm, now all I wanna do is lift that kilt and slap that ass." Rod quietly murmured shocking Danton. "Me too." Monica supported. "What you support him, what's wrong with you?" He was shaken, and couldn't believe Monica supported Rod, it seemed wrong. "Hey, if you did it, it'll be weird, but if papi Rodrigo over there did, it, it would be hot." Monica argued leaving Danton's jaw unhinged. "I will never get this family." He muttered earning a chuckle from Rod as they landed next to Dorren who seemed bashful for some reason.

"You heard everything we just said didn't you." Monica giggled coming over to Dorren who didn't reply at first. "Meh, just all of it." He replied neck tinted red. "Well I have a weird family, better get used to it." Monica laughed wrapping her arms around Dorren's neck and kissing him. The man suddenly groaned and Monica knew it wasn't because of their kiss.

"Danton!" Monica screamed knowing her brother had definitely placed that teasing slap on Dorren's ass. "I'm going to kill you!" She yelled diving straight for her brother who ran away.

"Children." Rod sighed turning to Dorren. "Being a leader means being able to stand up for everyone when they can't, to fight for them and live for them, for years you've repressed your power thinking it was a burden, I assure you now it is not, its the tool you will need to help you control the North, others will come to claim the North, you must be ready to defend it, now and always." Rod spoke wisely, a part of Dorren taking his advice and keeping at heart.

"Tell my children I've gone to find their father, they will stay here, help you fortify the North, the real work has just begun." As those words left Rod's lips, Dorren was astonished to see the large man's eyes turn to reptilian slits, his body began to change, shifting until towering over Dorren was a Naga, the feathered serpent, a creature he never thought he would ever see and its power with its size, made him shiver, in an instant it was gone in a blur of speed.

"Where's papi Rod going?" Monica asked dragging the large angel with her, in a choke hold of course. "To find Lael." Dorren replied still awestruck. "You get used to it, I personally like his sabertooth form, that beast is so warm and cuddly." Monica commented knowing what had grabbed her man's attention. "Now you, apologize." She stated in an angry tone smacking Danton head.

"I'm sorry for feeling you up, but you have to admit, you're really tempting our resolve in that kilt, I bet if Dan were here, he would grope you." Danton apologized though it felt nothing like it, suddenly a flutter of wind came blowing Dorren's kilt, he barely had enough time to push down the thing when Dan appeared next to Dorren with a knowing smirk.

"Sis do you mind if I say something." He exclaimed and Monica groaned but nodded failing to see how Dorren was exceptionally beet red by the cheeks and neck.

"Dorren has the nicest ass, we're like twins, its so firm, and don't get me start—." The fae stopped when he saw the death glare he got from Monica. "Daniel Lien Mercia, what is wrong with you!" She screamed unleashing a sonic attack on Dan who flew away but she didn't follow him instead grabbed Dorren and walked away. "My love, we may have a hard situation." Dorren whispered looking down and Monica only managed a chuckle.

Lael Mercia.

"The hidden forest of your domain, I should have realized." Dunkan chuckled standing next to Lael who simply smiled, it had been a long night of love making indeed, and a morning of it too, but now they were fully dressed, standing in the middle of Lael's domain, well a part of it that always rooted itself wherever he was, and in front of them was the chaos tree, larger than any tree in existence, no man or mystic could ever see it unless Lael allowed it.

It was also a gateway to the other dimensions where his siblings lived. "You never thought I would allow you here." Lael mentioned and Dunkan did not respond, simply gave a nod. "It is after all part of the many secrets of the multiverse, of you." Dunkan whispered in response, Lael knew the man next to him was in awe, and humbled at the same time. "Are we going to talk about it, why you chose to bind yourself to me, to my being." Lael questioned earning a scoff from Dunkan.

"I know we must and you must realize that, it has always been what I wanted, to follow you into the unknown, to wherever your roots must take hold." He replied and Lael was stunned into a thoughtful silence, then sighed. "What about your people, your pack needs you, one day the Medium may come and give me a new world that I must nurture, will you follow me then?" Lael demanded, facing Dunkan who did not seem to waver in his resolve despite how he scared him.

"Without question, my life is yours, my heart is yours, all that I am belongs to you, so yes even if the Medium, were to come today I would follow you." Dunkan did not change, his proclamation made tears spring in Lael's eyes, such devotion, he had never known it. "I love you." Dunkan whispered, as the symbol of chaos glowing green burned on his chest beneath the plain black tee he wore. "I must warn you, I have obligations to those who have also decided to stay by my side." Lael muttered and the beautiful predator next to him chuckled.

"I'm not worried about sharing you with Cagli, I'm rather excited, he's grown since the last time you saw us, and I'm not afraid of Rodriguez's rut, I'm rather excited, I've never experienced what it would feel like being with another Apex predator." The statement from Dunkan caused a surprised gasp to come from Lael. "You know." He mumbled.

"It's kind of hard to miss how possessive he is of you, he also bound his life to you, it made making my decision easier." The confessions did not surprise Lael but what did was the love that came from Dunkan, the truth he could feel in each and every word he spoke.

"Here I thought I would need to mediate for you not to kill each other, yet it seems I won't but you must assure me that you can share." Lael asserted as Dunkan smiled, moving in to hug Lael tightly. "I will only share you with those two, because I accept them, the rest I will kill." Dunkan promised and Lael did not miss the underlying promise of death to who ever would come between him and those who loved him, Lael accepted that, so he nodded.

There were no words he could say beyond that. "I'm in love with you Dunkan Blanc." He finally said it and the joy he felt pouring into him from Dunkan was indescribable.

The tree behind them swayed in the wind, a slight bristle to their leaves and the bushes below, the sound became louder until the cause revealed itself after passing through the tree line and the energy that was emitted from them, Dunkan gasped whilst Lael smiled to his surprise, separating from their hug he walked forward, the Naga that had appeared coiled around Lael, towering high above him, it gave a soft rumble yet looked so ferocious and deadly.

"I haven't seen you take this form in such a long time." Lael commented in his pleasure, brushing up on the dark scales that glistened in the morning light. The Naga lowered its enormous head and Lael raised his hands to receive it, he laid his head on the feathered reptile's head, a certain kind of peace and energy enveloping the two, and then slowly it began to shift back, naga to man, and then Rod stood in front of Lael, head still connected to Lael.

"That was you, how many forms can you take, that was brilliant." Dunkan blurted out with the curiosity of a child earning laughter from Lael and the naked Rodriguez who was fully clothed when Lael snapped his fingers. "I am a first shifter my true form is a sabertooth, but when I lost my mind, I hunted other predators devouring them to add on to my being, I hoped it would bring my mind to heal but instead it made me a Chimera of three predators." Rod explained with a proud smile looking at Dunkan.

"Wow, I want to know more." Dunkan inquired but Lael cleared his throat. "You two can bond some other time, you have news to tell me." He directed his gaze back to Rod who nodded. "Dorren has claimed the North, we aided him in killing the rest of Kybern's men after I made sure the dragon and the demon would fight, we have one less enemy but an enemy nonetheless." Rod explained in short for Dunkan's sake since he was pouring all his knowledge of the recent events into Lael's mind.

"You did an amazing job, I couldn't be prouder." Lael praised the man who blushed, it was barely visible but Lael saw it, he caressed Rod who held a proud smile. "Now I must go and see Korval, he must know the grounds in which we can either both prosper, or he dies, as for you I need you to call on Lila, Monnet, Ashanti and Nelson, I would have preffered we call Simon and Ron but they have children, we cannot drag them into this." Lael instructed to which Rod nodded in understanding.

"What am I to do mistress?" Dunkan asked looking at Lael expectantly. "You'll be helping Dorren, I'm sure someone will step out of line and try challenge him, make sure he doesn't kill too many people and also help him integrate those who will be settling in his territory, I will be taking back the portion of the Western territory I had given him, which shouldn't be a problem since he has the Northern mountains now, he's always loved them." Lael chuckled to which they all joined in laughing.

"Understood my love, while I'm at it I'll have Cagli go home and assess the damage done in his territory aswell." Dunkan told Lael who nodded happily. "Good." He accepted holding out his hand and two portals that led to two different locations appeared. "I'll see you both later." Lael told the two before they walked into their respective portals. "Thank you Fate, for looking out for my children." Lael whispered holding his palms together as if praying, when he released them green sparkling fairy dust cascaded into the air, then he vanished, along with the sacred hidden forest.

Blanc Manor ~ Sal and Sydney.

Sal sat there silently, flabbergasted by his little brothers actions but also the way he clearly seemed to have planned throwing him into this situation head first without warning, he looked at Sydney with silent contemplation and wondered what he was thinking, yet despite how absurd it seemed, he already knew what the man next to him was thinking, after all there was never a more true love that what he and Sydney had shared, it was an epic love.

Sydney couldn't help look at him, he was gorgeous, his skin, his hair, his authentic accent, it drove him mad being unable to get closer and just kiss him and it was no man's fault other than his. He had destroyed what they had by abandoning Sal the way he did, to fulfil a duty that gave him nothing but headaches on end and heartache for eternity. "Amrit." He whispered and his love looked at him with nothing but hurt and tearful eyes. "Easy on me Sydney." His love replied.

It was abrupt, and unexpected yet when Sydney called him by his name, that name, he peeled away layers of carefully made barriers that he had created to prevent himself from getting hurt, Sydney did not hesitate to embrace him, hold him and let him fall apart, despite how much he hated Sydney, he couldn't stop loving him aswell, when he saw him dangling on that ceiling, broken and near death, his heart shattered, he was reminded of all the times they were happy together, and he was close to losing him.

It was easier for Sal and many others to hate the person they loved, because despite the hate they knew they loved that person and he was in reach, they would be happy and moving on, you would too, though gradually, but when Sal saw the love of his life, almost dead, he felt it all, he couldn't lose him, they could both live the rest of their lives hating each other and loving each other aswell, it sounded twisted yet wasn't it better.

"I never stopped loving you, I never stopped dreaming about you, all the times and places, the memories we made, I never forgot." Sydney poured out his heart, tearing it open for Sal to hear his truth, beg him to love him again. "I can't do this anymore, I can't live with you at arms length and not like this, I'm begging you my love, forgive me." Sydney was finally broken, knees on the ground and blood tears pooling and freely flowing from his eyes. "Please my love." He pleaded.

Sal had no words to express how he felt, Sydney had never been a man who begged, or completely broke down like this, it was no ploy, or act, he knew, truly knew that Sydney spoke the truth. So he wiped his tears away and his own. "There is so much to say, so much to go through." He choked out and Sydney nodded sitting next to him. "I cannot hate you anymore, it's tiresome, its a weight that keeps me from living my life, and I wish things were different but I guess destiny had other plans." Sal bitterly chuckled.

"Yet, the truth is, I hated you because I loved you, I still do, and its not easy for me to just accept you back." Sal confessed and Sydney nodded, knowing that it would never be easy to pretend that everything was okay that they could pick up from where they left off a century ago. "I know, but what if we started over?" Sydney suggested an entirely hopeful look in his eyes. "Begin again." Sal muttered with a smile. "Yes Amrit, begin again, start over, the thought of dying without ever giving you my life and my love, terrifies me." That confession truly shook Sal, he had thought he was the only one who felt it.

"Seeing you like that, it terrified me too." He told the vampire who sighed, a heavy silence engulfing them yet it was peaceful. "I am bound to my father now, a promise that I will always follow him, wherever he goes." He finally said it, a truth Sydney needed to hear. "I am bound to you, therefore I will go where you go." Sydney asserted right then, no fear, no hesitation. "Your family." Sal protested. "Will not need me forever, I have given them everything, my children at some point will not need their father as much, but you —I will always need you and you will always need me, I will follow you." Sydney argued making Sal chuckle.

"How presumptuous of you that I will always need you." He chortled and the vampire laughed lowly. "I know so because I know your heart, and you know mine." He exclaimed just as a green four leafed clover bloomed on Sal's palm surprising him, and also making tears sting his eyes. "What's wrong?" Sydney was quick to question. "Sneaky bastard." He grumbled lowly and Sydney worried.

"My father has been listening to our conversation, he gives his blessing and has given me the option that one day when I'm ready, he won't stop me from leaving him, rather will give me away himself, happily." Sal explained and without warning Sydney picked him up and twirled him around. "Im so happy!" The larger vampire yelled in bliss. "Put me down Syd!" Sal shrieked but also joined the vampire who laughed in absolute joy.

Seris Mencini & Kolby Mercia.

"Seems like they worked it out." Seris muttered next to Kolby who was smiling next to him by the window seat. "Well a little meddling helped." Kolby replied with an innocent chuckle. "Oh so will you meddle in our lives." He accused Kolby who gave him a mischievous wink. "Of course I will." He told the vampire before they both burst out laughing then settled down into a peaceful silence, Kolby held up the wine glass filled with blood and a tiny bit of alcohol to satiate Seris's hunger and help him heal.

"Do you think we'll be happy like that." The vampire suddenly questioned catching Kolby off guard. "Maybe, the future is never certain." He replied knowing how true that statement was. "I won't hurt you ever again, all my life my father taught me the wrong way to love, and my uncle, rather all my other very meddlesome relatives showed me a different way, I want to have that bliss with you, no matter what or how short lived, I want it with you." Seris claimed, his eyes dead serious.

"Seris I am not just a mystic, I am my father's child, a being who lives outside of the design, what happened, that was child's play compared to the kind of dangers I will face in the future, and I don't want you to get hurt because of me." Kolby argued looking away from the vampire who quickly caught his hand taking his attention. "That's not your decision to make, nor anyone else, I choose you, to stand by you, and dodge death as many times as I can just to be with you and that's a promise." He exclaimed and Kolby smiled.

"Sap, the alcohol is getting to your head." Kolby chortled. "No you're in my head and it took almost dying to realize that in this moment, I can either choose to love you, or run away like a coward,  and I choose you, I'm a Mencini, I'm no coward." The vampire proudly exclaimed and didn't hesitate to bridge the gap and kiss Kolby who responded eagerly aswell.

"Hey Kolby wanna t—." That was how Devon yet again ruined their moment, Seris stole another kiss and turned to glare at the fae. "I really suck at this timing shit huh." Devon chuckled and the vampire groaned whilst Kolby just laughed.

"What's up?" He asked Devon who sighed sadly. "Kevin all this while thought he was human, and he only knew about the mystic world through Seris after he accidentally revealed his vampirism, but Kolby a human can't see you weave, or see the magic I have;" Devon paused. "Which means he's not human, then what is he?" Kolby questioned. "That's what I need help figuring out." Devon replied and Kolby silently nodded.

"I'll help but only if you let me have at least an hour uninterrupted with Seris." He also bargained and Devon nodded furiously. "Deal, starting now." The fae teen accepted rushing out the door. "Now where were we?" Seris asked sensually. "Oh, you were drinking this blood to heal and about to tell me of your meddlesome family." Kolby told the boy. "Damn it."

The Stag

Though I'm not 100% with Kolby and Seris or Sydney and Sal, I'm sure like them, a lot of us are a work in progress, we all just need a little more time and love.

Saint Jay.