Eight years earlier, just past Maxim's sixteenth birthday...

"I need you to promise me something, Daphne."

"Of course, Maxim. Anything..."

"If I ever become one of them, promise me that you won't hesitate -- that you'll end my existence."

She stared at him in shock, smoky gray eyes widening before she shook her head. "I... I don't think I can promise you that, Maxim. I couldn't bring myself to do it, even if you were about to sink fangs into me," she admitted, averting her gaze and tugging the heavy blankets closer to her, as though a chill had suddenly struck her. He lifted one hand, fingers brushing against her cheek as he leaned forward to press his lips to hers in a brief kiss. "I have faith in you, Daphne -- we both know what must be done, and the risks we take." Light, steel-colored eyes wavered, and he looked away as well.

"They're going to crown you as Lord of the family tomorrow, you know." She changed the subject abruptly, and moved to nestle her lithe form against his, one slender arm draped across his chest. "I expected it. Aubrey is still training to learn more about her talent for witchcraft, Camden and Richter don't graduate from their training and the university until November, and Isabella chose to leave after..." "It was your father who died, Maxim -- this is your birthright." He nodded slightly, a faint gesture barely noticeable in the darkness. "Nonetheless, it should been me, that goes after Camille -- not Mother."

The blonde-haired woman shook her head, pale locks of hair straying to brush against her face. "If something ever happened to you, I'd seek revenge as she did -- even if it meant resignation. She loved your father -- as I love you," Daphne replied quickly, looking up at him. He was silent for a moment, then glanced back at her and smiled slightly, dark tendrils of hair shadowing the familiar features of his face. "There are days that I think you're what keeps my humanity in place," he murmured quietly, his muscled arm tightening just barely around her in a squeeze.

One day later...

The assembly of family that had gathered in the halls of the Redmont manor was one of the largest on record since their battle with the Diaz and Lexus regimes nearly seven hundred years prior. Maxim was seated at the head of the largest table, marked by a single, slightly jagged cross of bright crimson upon the table -- other tables were headed up by respective leaders, with modified versions of the symbols used by slayers and their ilk. A single person had risen -- the former Lady Redmont, Eleanor -- and the mother to both Maxim, and Aubrey. And when the attention of all seven branches of the Redmont family had fixated upon her, she drew a hasty breath and began to speak.

"It is with great regret that I formally announce my... departure, to hunt down the abomination responsible for the recent attack upon this estate. The death of Nathaniel was a tragedy, but one that we are not strangers to. Some chose to renounce the humanity of regret and revenge, to selflessly lead this family even after loved ones were lost -- I fear that I am not that strong," Eleanor spoke, the woman's gray-colored eyes traveling around the room. Most of the slayers assembled shook their heads, but remained silent while she continued to speak. "In my stead, the Redmont who shall lead this family -- and usher in a new era in our war -- will be my son. Lord Maxim Redmont is your ruler now, and I pray for a successful reign." Maxim glanced away from his mother, and caught a brief smile from Daphne -- before another Redmont rose, from the farthest table -- marked by a single stripe of red across a black, inverse triangle.

"And who says that this youth is fit to lead us? You, Eleanor? Even Nathaniel had passed the age of twenty years when he was crowned as Lord. This is a farce, and I-"

"You will silence yourself."

All heads turned, eyes falling upon the newly elected Lord Redmont as he rose from the chair -- flanked by Richter, and Aubrey -- shades of events to come, perhaps. "My mother has made her decision, Griffin -- and I'll not tolerate your disrespect upon her last day with us," he stated flatly, and leveled his gaze upon the one who'd spoken out against him. Richter nearly took a step forward, already rolling his sleeves up -- only a look from his cousin warded off any possible violence. Griffin stared, then merely nodded and seated himself once more. "I've not much to say to any of you -- other than I will not accept failure. Not from any of you, and not from myself -- we are living in a world where we are the minority. There is no margin for error, and I intend to make this era of the Redmont name one that the undead will remember for as long as they live. My first act as Lord Redmont..."

He fell silent for a moment, and glanced at Isabella -- all the while, Eleanor watched what she had expected would transpire. The woman who would later become known as the Guardian slid a small box towards the Lord Redmont, which he then took into his right hand before kneeling before the blonde-haired McKennah girl, whose eyes were wide with hesitant surprise. Danika, Daphne's younger sister, watched after exchanging a knowing smile with Isabella, who was supposed the half-sister of Maxim and Aubrey. Of those gathered, Daphne was one of the few who hadn't anticipated what Maxim had planned. "My first act as Lord Redmont, is to ask for Daphne McKennah for her hand in marriage -- for her to take a place alongside me, as Lady Redmont. Will you marry me, Daphne?"

And unlike last night when he'd asked her to make him an another promise, she knew the answer immediately.

"Of course I'll marry you, Lord Redmont."

Six years ago...

Something about the situation was unusual, and he couldn't quite ascertain what it was. The sight of the dark-haired woman leading the vampire up the stairs was duly noted, and Maxim thumbed the pair of oak stakes that he'd braced between the first and fourth knuckles of his left hand. She seemed almost excited, and the vampire somehow didn't seem quite so predatory -- in fact, it was as though she was luring him into some kind of trap. Light, gray-colored eyes narrowed, and Maxim extended both arms as he leaped up -- hands caught the ledge of a window, and he pulled himself into another jump -- eventually scaling the building, using that technique. The woman had nearly led the vampire up to her room at the inn using an outside set of stairs, and the slayer crouched upon the rooftop of the adajecent structure, all the while keeping his attention focused upon the pair. The woman laughed as she unlocked the door, and the vampire hastily followed her in -- prompting Maxim to lunge for the other roof and catch himself on a ledge above the stairs.

Dropping onto the wooden steps, he'd cautiously begin making his way up towards the darkened entrance, and ashes blew across his feet as they scattered out from the room. His eyes widened, and he could see the piercing emerald hues of the woman's predatory gaze before she came darting out of the room, fists raised. The first blow caught him off-guard, and his jaw snapped under the force -- spitting out blood, Maxim realized he wasn't dealing with a human, or an undead judging by the way her skin seemed flushed, and her ragged breathing. He brought one knee up in a vicious strike to her stomach, and narrowly avoided her sudden swipe with one arm by stepping to the side...

...and behind him, the metal railing was snapped in half from the force of her blow.

"What are you-"

"Who are you-"

"Why are you here-"

"How did you hide from-"

They interrupted each other on both inquiries, and they both fell silent afterwards -- the woman offered a shy, though amused smile before extending her hand towards the Lord Redmont. "I may have been a bit hasty. Jass Strata, and you are?" He warily glanced towards her outstretched hand, then back towards her piercing, emerald-shaded eyes with suspicion evident in the expression upon his face -- before he reluctantly took her hand and gripped it firmly -- so much, that her knuckles cracked and she winced visibly. "Lord Maxim Redmont. Do you care to explain yourself, Miss Strata?" he inquired, releasing her offered hand and stepping back from her. Even then, she politely smiled with a hint of playful sarcasm, as she met his gaze evenly.

"Will you interrogate me in shackles if I don't, Lord Redmont?" Her question caused his eyes to narrow slightly -- and nevertheless, he smiled a bit. He dug his heel into the ashes that had gathered upon the stairs, and then looked back up at her, "I suppose if you slay them, you can't be entirely bad -- what are you, exactly?"

Jass' emerald-hued eyes lowered, and she turned away from him -- the flirting had ended, replaced by a somber expression that simply didn't fit the dark-haired woman's classic, beautiful features. "Most would call me a demoness -- those who are intelligent enough to see me for my breed... wouldn't associate with me. Just like them, I must feed..." He knew what it meant -- they had taught him at the university about several different types of the unholy, and her kind -- succubi were one of the most famed. They were also unique in the fact that they still displayed a conscience, and would sometimes choose the supposedly righteous path in life. "Remorse is the first step to redemption, some say. Denial of what you could be," he murmured, only to take a step back as she whirled around.

"How dare you speak of me as though you know what I've been through, or even who I am, Maxim Redmont! You have but a name to match with a face, and nothing more-" "If there truly was nothing humane or righteous left in your soul, you wouldn't be speaking with me right now," he pointed out, and the look upon her face was nothing short of smoldering, enthralling -- it wasn't difficult for him to guess just why her vampiric prey had fallen into her trap so easily. Her fingers lowered as she moved forward, and she touched his silver wedding band gently, staring at it for a moment.

"If I deny that there is good in me, does that mean that you deny the darkness within you?"

She pushed him back, a step away from the entrance into her darkened room -- and the slayer's thoughts turned to Daphne. Reflexively, he batted her away with one muscled forearm, shoving past her. Light, gray-colored eyes closed for a moment as he began to descend the stairs -- with Jass' stare following him every step of the way. "We'll meet again, Maxim -- count on that," she called after him, before he vanished around a corner, and was gone from her sight. Stakes were replaced back against his belt once he was farther away, and he idly reflected on her unanswered question...

...and he knew they would certainly meet again.

A little over a year ago, in a village named Saharis...

"Then come, slayer! Catch us, if you can!" Christopher's voice echoed across the ravaged town of Saharis, and Maxim broke away from the guards who had banded together to fight against the demons brought by the Ravenholm. In his hands, the Daikonran blade pulsed and hummed with an energy that was anything but holy -- he wanted nothing more than to utterly torment the demon Deceiver, for what he'd done to both the Redmont name, and to Daphne. Demetri -- the controlling personality of the dual-natured Ravenholm -- lifted one arm towards those unclean entities that still lived, waving them away from the town, "All forces, fall back! We've done what we came here for!" Glowering eyes of neon orange fixated upon the Redmont slayer through the slits of the grisly armor -- both Christopher, and Demetri's laughter echoed as they began to back away... but not without one final ultimatum, as their withering strike force began to flee from the scene.

"Come Maxim -- it's time to settle the score, once and for all..."

The blade carried by Maxim was sheathed, and he began heading for the stalls where his warhorse was tethered -- and the settlement's sergeant, Evrian Winters, tried to stop him. "Lord Redmont, where are you going?" Maxim continued hastily checking over the beast to ensure that it hadn't been wounded, or its armor damaged in the clash while it was tied up -- when he was satisfied, he lifted himself into the saddle and glanced towards the soldier. "I'm going to go avenge something that I lost long ago -- they shouldn't return, Sergeant Winters. And if they do, I'm confident that you and your men can handle them," he paused, before looking up, towards the gates, "because I will deal with the Ravenholm myself."

He spurred the warhorse into motion, and the beast began to gallop through the mangled gates, and towards the road. Behind him, the mayor of the village -- Vance Bradshaw finally limped towards Evrian, and they watched as the slayer finally began to fade from view. "Do you think he'll survive what's waiting beyond that monster, Evrian?" The weary sergeant glanced over, and shook his head solemnly. "No sir, I do not. He has no idea of what lies ahead, I fear. They came before the Ravenholm attacked, and took several of my men -- my best guards, no less - to help kill Lord Redmont. It wasn't part of the agreement, but what choice did we really have?" The mayor sighed, and shook his head as he looked away. Guilt was written all over the faces of both the old man, and the soldier -- but relief was there, as well.

"Father! Sergeant Winters! Where is Lord Redmont?!"

The girl was no more than sixteen -- the daughter of the mayor, Cheyanna. Confused, she glanced back and forth before Vance opened his mouth to speak, "Well, Cheyanna, we-" "He chased away the demons for us, while we defended the main avenue. He told us to say good-bye to you, for him," Evrian interjected, before the mayor could say anything. Gratefully, Vance nodded to the sergeant before he gestured to the house, "Let's get back inside, daughter."

Away from the village...

"Is he on his way, Ravenholm?" Her voice was smooth, almost musical -- even with her small stature, the way that the other twelve centered around her was apparent. A leader amongst leaders, however unofficial it was -- Christopher stared, from inside of the flesh-bound armor, remaining utterly silent. After all, it was Demetri's bargain with the vampiress, not his. "Indeed, he is, Countess Alaina. Soon, the bane of our existence will be torn to shreds, and we will-" "Jaxith -- Erasmus -- dismiss our Ravenholm friend. We've no further need of him," Alaina sneered. Two more vampires -- one seemingly disfigured, with a horrid face -- and another that was tall, and hulked over even Demetri, at nearly seven feet tall -- stepped forward. Nosferatu, and Gangrel.

Hooves beat upon the ground as Maxim spurred the warhorse to move faster -- he could see the Ravenholm turning, and simply... leaving. Likely to further the pursuit, as far as he could tell. "Goddess, help me..." The prayer was whispered silently -- he briefly wondered what had happened to her, since that day that she'd summoned him and River to the mountain -- and then he was focusing upon the jump that the warhorse was about to make. And he knew, with absolute certainty, that the beast wasn't going to make it. Even so, the jump was made and Maxim gripped the edge of the cliff after leaping -- the body of the horse smashed into the hard granite, and the Redmont closed his eyes in sympathetic disgust. "As if enough lives haven't already been lost tonight," he murmured, lifting himself onto solid ground... only to be confront by thirteen of his hated foe -- the undead.

"And still more lives will be lost, Maxim. My name is-"

"It doesn't matter what your name is."

"Maxim, you've no idea of whom-"

"And I don't need to. You're about to die -- again."

Alaina sneered, and waved one hand dismissively towards the Lord Redmont. "Subdue him -- without slaying him," she ordered. The audacity of the command brought a rather grim smile to the slayer's youthful features, and he drew the Daikonran forth from its sheath, "You won't take me alive, abomination..." Guards, dressed in Saharis' uniforms stepped forth from the bushes, their weaponry trained on the conglomerate of undead, to which the Redmont's smile widened slightly. And in one moment, the way that Maxim saw the world changed. The twelve humans suddenly turned their weaponry towards him, and the two females in the lead of the group -- Alaina, and another dark-skinned beauty -- laughed uproariously at the look of surprise on his face.

"I don't want to have to kill any of-" The first pair of guards cut him off as they rushed forward, and Maxim fended off their first blows with their axes before they moved into the path of one swipe with the Daikonran. Both guards fell, their throats slit -- and Maxim hesitated, only once. The thought that ran through his mind -- a wondered question of whether or not his Goddess would abandon him for that -- was what caused it, and it was long enough that the guards seized the opportunity. A mace was swung low, and the spiked sphere of iron crushed the Redmont's right knee -- the blade was swung by Maxim as he put his weight upon his other leg, and that guard's lifeless body fell to the ground, as well.

He finally began to move, turning to face Alaina -- if he was going to die, he wanted to ensure that he took her with him -- and the net was suddenly wrapped around him. The Daikonran nearly cut through it, and then the vampiress was wrenching it away from his grasp, and looking at him with disgust in her eyes. "My name is Alaina, of the Malkavian breed -- there is so much about us that you don't know, Maxim. So much," she paused, her chilled fingers stroking against his cheek as she leaned forward, "that you'll soon learn, my wayward slayer."

The net was tied and secured, and Erasmus stepped forth to smash one booted foot into the slayer's face -- his nose shattered on impact, and blood splattered across the ground. Jaxith growled, baring disfigured teeth towards the fallen Redmont, before bringing one foot down across his right shoulder -- a sickening crunch echoed, and he could no longer even struggle. Yet even then, Maxim was defiant. "My Goddess will see the end of me before you'll ever have your chance, Alaina -- She'll never let this happen..."

"Your Goddess -- for all of her compassion and mercy -- cannot save you from us, Maxim Redmont. You are beyond all help -- you are ours, now..."

Almost nine years earlier...

The sound of screams punctuated by the force of an explosion rocking the grounds of estate was what startled Maxim from his sleep, and the blonde-haired beauty next to him snapped awake as well. There wasn't anything that needed to be said between the pair -- blankets were shoved aside and they began to strap on military-grade boots, before reaching for different sets of armor. She secured her set first, and stood before moving to the table next to the doors -- a single arrow shattered the glass behind her, and to her credit, the McKennah girl didn't flinch. Maxim finished with his armor, and caught the belt she tossed at him -- loaded with silver-tipped stakes, the trademark weapon of his family. He secured it in place, watching her for a brief moment as she sheathed her mother's silver-edged sais behind her back -- and then he was moving towards the door of her room. "Wait... please? I need to tell you something, before we go out there." "Daphne, we don't have time-" "I'm in love with you, Maxim Redmont."

It was a fleeting moment -- he turned back to stare at her for a moment, as she stepped forward to join him next to the door. He leaned forward and kissed her once, and it was a more romantic gesture than the youthful encounters they'd had prior to that, "I love you, Daphne." And before anything else could be said, the Redmont was opening the door, and the McKennah girl followed him into a scene that seemed as though it had come straight from Hell. Ghoulish machinations with rotted skin shambled forward, and it marked the first time that either of them had been in a real battle -- idly, Maxim reflected back on how his training was nothing like the real thing. He moved in first -- a saber was drawn, and he tore through the first pair of advancing zombies with no hesitation -- behind him, Daphne dug her sais across the throats of other undead creatures that were climbing along the railing of the stairs.

"This is no place for children! Back to your rooms!" Eleanor protested from the doors of the manor's entrance -- Maxim failed to even pause, and Daphne followed his lead. "We need them, Eleanor -- we won't survive until dawn without everybody!" Nathaniel argued, and his wife relented to fall back away from the doors. They were subsequently smashed from the hinges, and a demon staggered through -- it was unlike anything that Maxim had seen before. Nathaniel pushed his son back, and from the stairs came his cousin -- Richter Redmont, the First -- and together, they began to attack the beast. It howled in dismay as Nathaniel struck it, and Maxim eventually started to move forward before Eleanor placed a hand on his shoulder. "You aren't ready, Maxim -- not for this..."

And at that precise moment, Richter's body was suddenly torn in half by an errant set of claws from the demon, and Nathaniel was thrown back into the stairs. Maxim lifted his saber once more and shrugged away from his mother, and Daphne watched in horror as he started marching forward to meet the beast head-on. "...Father!" Richter M. Redmont, the Second -- the son of the now deceased priest and Maxim's cousin -- stood there, eyes wide as he stared at the scene below. Anger contorted his features, and he lifted his hand -- in it, was the same glaive that Maxim had seen locked away in the family's armory. Zahrim, was the name that had been given to it...

He leaped from the stairs, the glaive digging a sickening gash down the scaled back of the demon -- and when it turned to slash it him, Maxim brought his saber up in a stabbing motion, and ended up striking the creature in the eye. Unwilling to stand by and watch, Daphne suddenly charged forward, and dug both of her sais into the beast's other eye -- blinding it to Richter's movements. He stared at Maxim, then towards Daphne before gesturing to the doors, "They'll need your help -- I'll handle things here, cousin," Richter spoke, bringing the glaive up and through the unholy monster's skull -- it suddenly went limp, and crashed to the floor.

Nathaniel joined the pair of Maxim and Daphne as they exited, and however bad the scene inside the mansion was -- the clash that was occuring outside was far worse. "Maxim, you and Daphne need to find Camden, and Danika -- the four of you have to stick together, for your own sake. Find Isabella and ," Nathaniel ordered, pointing towards the lawn -- Danika was visible, but Camden was nowhere to be seen. "But, Father... what about you?" The question was issued with confusion, and Maxim stared at his father in wide-eyed horror.

"Maxim -- they've come to kill me. I'm sorry, my son -- but I can't bear risking your life to save mine. Go -- that's an order."

"We don't abandon family, Father..."

Daphne turned away from the scene, tears already filling her eyes -- the implications of the situation were there, and Maxim averted his gaze from his father as well. Nathaniel sighed, and looked up at the approaching hordes, before reaching out to lay a hand on Maxim's shoulder. "There are times when we must make sacrifices for those we love, Maxim. Go -- protect the McKennah girl, as I will protect your mother."

And with that, Maxim turned away from his father -- and he moved with Daphne into the midst of the battle. Danika had evidently been without a weapon when the assault had begun, for she was carrying a simple stick and bludgeoning anything that came close. "They won't stop coming, Maxim! Somebody must've gone to quite a bit of trouble to set this up," Danika shouted, stepping back as Maxim's saber cut through another shambling ghoul. "Their forces aren't going to last much longer if we keep our spirits up, little sister," Daphne replied first, keeping her back to Maxim's own. Danika and Daphne worked in tandem with each other, the younger, red-haired girl working to distract their foes while the blonde-haired older sibling moved in to slaughter them. Each time a creature stepped up, it was knocked down by one of the three until at last, a more challenging foe loomed -- a creature unlike anything that they'd seen before.

It stood nearly nine feet tall, and it was gruesome -- limbs had been created by stitching together parts from three seperate bodies for each leg and arm, giving it a grossly increased range, and huge claws of serrated bone had been implanted into its right hand. A tumor-like organ protruded from its chest, beating in rhythym as it lumbered towards the three -- lips had been removed, keeping its filed, sharp teeth exposed at all times. Glazed, unseeing eyes still seemed to look directly at them -- it was an abomination, by all means.

Camden came out of nowhere, burying a sword that he'd picked up from a fallen guard -- it struck the beast through the stomach, and yet no blood spurted from the wound -- only a thin trickle of some vague, stomach-turning fluid that didn't resemble anything they'd seen before. It looked down, and then used its left arm to launch Camden into the air -- he thudded against the ground, and Maxim lifted him up to rest against him and Danika for support. "What... is that thing?" he gasped, fighting for air -- two of her ribs had been broken by the harsh landing.

"I call it Legion."

A blonde woman had spoken up -- and as Maxim's attention was drawn to her, he also saw the body of his father at her feet. Blood streamed down his side from a wound inflicted by her rapier -- and all four of them recognized her for what and who she was. "Camille Lexus..." He sneered, and threw the saber aside as he began heading for her -- fists clenched, and the Countess Lexus threw her head back with a fit of laughter. "Tonight must be a good night for you Redmonts to die, eh?" She leaped, catching the railing of the second-story balcony, so that she could stare down at Maxim with a cold smile upon her elegant features, and the Redmont gazed up at her hatefully -- he cast a glance back at his cousins, and Daphne -- all three were occupied with evading Legion.

Revenge was what Maxim wanted -- and that spurred him to begin scaling the walls of the estate's lavish manor, using the ledges of the windows to climb to the lofty perch where the Lexus vampiress awaited him. She met him as soon as he'd lifted himself onto the balcony, her heeled boot smacking into his face -- he spat blood back at her, and she momentarily stared at him. Defiance, and ruthless disgust ruled by a desire for revenge -- he almost thought her expression softened, before he swung one fist at her -- and connected with the side of her face. She fell, and Maxim moved in -- but she inevitably caught his foot as he tried to kick her, and pushed him off-balance. "You're not a match for me, boy," Camille hissed, as she prepared to lunge -- instead, he brought both booted feet up and into her stomach with enough force that she broke through the railing, and fell some forty feet to the ground below.

When he finally pushed himself to his feet a few seconds later, he could see Camille staggering towards the gates -- with part of the wooden railing jammed through her stomach. Danika and Isabella could be seen as well, jerking upon a chain that had been tangled up around Legion's misshapen ankles -- Daphne and Miriam both thrust daggers into the cancerous, exposed heart of the ghastly creature, and it moved no more.

The Redmonts were victorious, but not without a price.

Nearly thirty minutes later...

Nathaniel laid upon the bed, and looked at the family that stood before him -- Richter stood next to the bed, still in the robes of a priest and looking towards the ground. Eleanor herself sat upon the bed, tears streaming down her face as she held her dying husband's hand, and with a voice wracked by pain, Nathaniel looked towards the youths and began to speak.

"In my final moments, I have but one thing to ask of you all. Do not mourn for me, please. The beauty of our mortality, my family -- what those monsters have forgotten, or never known -- is what we fight for. We strive to make every moment count, to experience every minute with those we love as though it may be our last. It is inevitable that we die, and it is my regret that I'll not live to see my son follow in my stead, or to see his marriage to a fine young woman. It is my regret that I'll not see Aubrey graduate from her teachings, to bring her knowledge back to us as not a villainous witch, but a noble hero. It is my regret that I'll not see Isabella or Richter rise to become valiant defenders of this family, heroes in their own right. But make no mistake about it, all of you..."

"...make no mistake about it, my son and daughters..."

"I love all of you, and it was the greatest honor of my life to have known you all."

Nearly two years earlier...

Defeated.

The scheme, when Maxim paused to consider it, both brilliant and cruel in nature -- and it meant that he had underestimated those that he faced. It was a mistake that he suspected he wouldn't have the chance to make again -- ahead, the castle that Sergeant Winters had shown him days before loomed ominously, and as if on cue, Alaina looked back at the imprisoned Redmont. "The place of your demise, Maxim -- and to think, you were here only days earlier. Isn't it amusing?" she asked, with a twisted smile cast back towards the slayer. The guards continued dragging him ahead, chains wrapped around both dislocated shoulders so that they were out of range -- even as badly injured as he was, they weren't about to take chances. The vampires mocked the fallen Lord Redmont, and the dark-skinned woman that held his blade eventually leaned down as they stopped before the gates of the castle. A grin formed on her face, and she pressed her cold hand against the warmth of his face -- Maxim snarled, and spat blood into her face -- and as expected, she backhanded him with enough force to break his jaw.

"My name, Maxim, is Sherine, the Brujah Countess. And-"

"How many times do I have to say it? I don't know if it's the age, or if you're usually this inept -- but I don't care who you are. You're nothing more than a check mark on a list to me."

The guards, in a blatant attempt to impress the alluring vampiresses, kicked the imprisoned slayer in the face -- the cheap move sent him flying back, colliding with the hulking form of Erasmus. The Gangrel leader stepped over the Redmont, and looked towards both Sherine and Alaina -- neither of which seemed pleased with the six humans that had remained to help transport the captive slayer. Nevertheless, doors opened, and they pulled Maxim's still form into the halls of the castle -- there was an eerie quality about the place that he'd noticed before, but it was much stronger now. There was something in the air -- a smell, like a tomb that had been sealed for centuries. Alaina smiled grimly as she knelt before him, her fingers grabbing at his chin and forcing him to look up at her -- beneath her iron grip, his bones cracked and threatened to break entirely.

"We're home at last, Maxim. And isn't it lovely? I do believe you'll find the interior so much more lavish whenever you see what wasn't hidden from you on your first visit her," she murmured, rising to her feet and gesturing for the guards to lift him as well -- a crunching sound emanated from his crushed right knee, and his teeth clenched together as pain lanced through him -- he wasn't about to give them the satisfaction of hearing his agony.

"It looks as decrepid as you, monster."

"Oh, Maxim. You'll learn to love me, in time."

Her overcoat was pushed away, revealing the blackened ballroom gown that clung to the curves of the Malkavian vampiress' small, lithe form -- behind her, Jaxith and Erasmus pulled the locks open on a pair of heavy, cast-iron doors. "In this room, is where the Nightmare of our race comes to an end," Alaina gloated as she made the declaration, sauntering into the dark chamber and extending her arms around in a gesture meant to make Maxim observe the place where he would spend his final moments -- he refrained, even as the guards dragged him inside. "Do you fear death, Maxim Redmont?" Sherine cooed, before turning on her heel and walking away. "Come with me, gentlemen -- and collect your reward." The guards snorted, and threw Maxim onto the floor at Alaina's feet, before moving to follow after the Brujah beauty. "Yes. Go collect your reward, and cherish what little time you have left..."

The laugh from the chained slayer made the men depart rather quickly, and then the doors were slammed shut -- and Maxim Redmont was alone with his captor, Alaina.

Her fingers touched his cheek in a lover's caress, and the look of disgust as he turned his attention towards the floor was enough to provoke Alaina's temper. "You have little time left as well, Maxim Redmont!" she hissed, to which Maxim suddenly turned to face her, grimacing. "Then finish me, abomination. If it is my time, then it means I served Vita's purpose, and I've done my part!" "Oh, still so blind... defiant and faithful to your precious Vita until the bitter end, Maxim?" His expression was one of anger -- infuriation at how she gloated before him, and refused to simply finish him off. And when she sank to her knees in front of him, slender limbs wrapping around his muscled shoulders, Maxim's defiance melted into horrified disgust. She laughed cruelly, a musical, triumphant sound that only confirmed his worst fear.

"Oh, my sardonic slayer -- you see what's going to happen now, don't you? It's going to hurt, Maxim. It's going to be the worst agony that you've never imagined, and then some -- and it will be," she paused, leaning forward to press her chilled lips against his cheek, "positively orgasmic for me." Her fingers suddenly tangled in his dark hair, jerking his head back -- even though he tried to resist, there was little he could do in his injured state. "You're going to regret this -- I swear it. Vita would sooner see me dead, than one of you monsters," he growled, and this time, Alaina failed to retort. Inwardly, he prayed with every fiber of resistance -- all he could do was hope that the Goddess of Life -- the deity he was faithful to -- would hear him and slay him herself, before he was... too far gone.

She suddenly leaned forward, fangs bared, and she bit into the promising jugular vein of his neck, tearing back to open a gaping wound -- blood splattered across her face, and she pressed her lips to the gash. Hungrily, she began to consume the vitae that spilled forth, eagerly swallowing and then tearing at the wound with sharp fangs to keep the blood flowing. He weakened, and eventually went limp in her arms.

Don't let them make me into what I fight against, Vita, he thought. Help me, please...

As his life began to ebb away, he was dimly aware of the Malkavian pressing skin to his lips, and he choked on the sudden rush of coppery fluid -- the taste of her blood was bitter, and Alaina gleefully laughed as she forced him to drink it. "Taste me, slayer -- it won't be the last time," she whispered, as he finally collapsed, succumbing to the blissful, cold slumber that came with the end.

And then, Maxim Redmont was simply undead.

Hours later...

Where am I?

The thought cut through the jumbled mess of his shattered psyche as he pressed hands against the tiles of the floor, and tried to focus -- a shudder of violent agony rippled through his muscled frame, and a roar of anguish echoed in the circular chamber -- beyond the cast-iron doors of the room, he could hear laughter and voices. Muscled limbs wrapped around himself as he tried to control his reaction to the pain, and scarlet-colored eyes flickered around the room observantly, taking in his surroundings. The room was pitch black, and yet he found he could still see rather well -- a fact which no longer bothered or surprised him. His teeth gritted together, and he could feel the fangs pressing against the inside of his mouth -- and a wicked grin began to form upon the ashen features of his face. Another fit of excruciating agony suddenly seized his muscled form, and he arched his back -- fingers gripped the floor until they bled, and his mouth was frozen in a silent scream of pain.

And in the back of his mind, something snapped -- and that side of the Redmont gave birth to one very simple, very primal instinct: destroy.

He could hear footsteps, and he suddenly launched himself at the doors -- both fists slammed into the one on the left, and he felt it give. Snarling, fangs bared, the vampire slammed a muscled shoulder into it, and the barest flicker of light filtered into the room. A roar of infuriated rage echoed, audible even to those outside of the chamber. He rammed his shoulder into the door again, and this time -- it bent over, mangled beyond repair -- and he could see the other vampires -- including Alaina, and Sherine. In their grasp, was the girl from the village -- Maxim found himself ignoring the fact that she had a name.

"A fledgling did that...?" Sherine's voice was full of surprise, and the Redmont took a step back as he heard the lock on the right door being opened -- one fist plowed into the iron, and the door flew open. He stood there, just beyond the reach of the blinding illumination from beyond his room, and as Alaina stepped forward, the vampire Redmont hissed, fangs bared once more. She threw the Saharis mayor's daughter into the room, and offered a sickeningly sweet smile to him. "Your first, my precious slayer -- after her, you'll be a virgin no more," the Malkavian countess announced cockily -- Erasmus, who'd been checking on Jaxith after the door had crushed his disfigured body, hurriedly closed the door and barred it in place.

Cheyanna Bradshaw tried to get to her feet, only to suddenly feel cold hands grip one of her feet and wrench back until the bones of her ankle snapped, protruding through the skin. A shrill cry of pure agony rang out, and she clutched her wounded foot as she sobbed, and tried in vain to see the source of the footsteps that meant her attacker was circling her. It terrified her -- whomever was there was like a caged animal, toying with her. "Who.. who's there? I haven't done anything to you!" She tried to lift herself to her feet, and a bare foot smacked across her face in a brutal kick -- gingerly she reached up to feel her face, and found her jaw was simply shattered.

"Ignore the pain. It's only going to get worse."

Her eyes widened in the darkness, and she suddenly scrambled back against the wall in fright. "Lord.. Redmont? Why are you doing this?!" she asked in obvious protest, just as she heard the footsteps suddenly cease -- he was right in front of her. Hands suddenly pinned her to the wall, crushing her shoulders until the bones cracked and eventually broke, prompting her to shriek from the excruciating pain. "Your kind sacrificed me to save their own worthless, meager lives... and I find myself thirsting for something new..." She cried out as he sank his fangs into her vulnerable throat and then tore away, creating a gash not unlike the one Alaina had inflicted upon him, and greedily, the vampiric Redmont drank from the girl until she went limp...

One hour later...

"He's been silent for some time, Alaina."

"Feeding calmed him. I believe it's time our wayward slayer and I had a heart-to-heart talk -- Jaxith, open the door."

This time, Maxim could sense Jaxith's fear in opening it, simply by the way he hesitated -- and it made him grin. When the door finally opened, he kicked the head of the Bradshaw girl out into the light, and it struck the feet of Sherine, who stared at it in bewildered fascination. "Violent, are we?" He stepped forward, scarlet-hued eyes narrowing as the light illuminated his muscled frame -- bare, save for the military-grade pants he'd been wearing when he had been embraced into the throes of vampirism. He stood there in silence, and Alaina stepped forward with a smile that wouldn't have been out of place at Hellview's criminally insane ward.

"I embraced you to redeem you, Maxim. You are mine, and you must follow me."

"Lead the way, Alaina, and I shall follow."

The last that that went through his fragile psyche as she turned away inspired a cruel, grim smile from Maxim. I will follow you... for now..

I'll never leave you, but fate has come to silence me.
Darkness... is all that I see.
I cannot reach you, and soon the earth will cover me.
It's become so hard to breathe...

Forever is waiting...
The final steps you're taking, will soon be buried in the sand...

All of the battles, they say we won...
They leave another thousand lives undone.
Another thousand lives...

You're gone but not forgot -- another hero lost.
The sorrow builds with every passing...
All the lessons that you taught, and all the light you brought...

All of it, simply gone...

Sixteen years earlier...

"Maxim, this is my friend-"

"Daphne McKennah. You're Lord Nathaniel's son, right?"

"...Right."

The blonde-haired girl held one hand out to the dark-haired boy, and he glanced down at it surreptitiously before looking towards Aubrey, who smiled proudly. After a moment, he took Daphne's hand and shook it lightly -- the girl tilted her head. "Why are you so quiet?" Aubrey grinned, and leaned forward before leaning against her friend, "He's like that. I think he gets it from Father. They're just so mysterious!" Maxim's sister teased, and he briefly tried to hide a smile from the two.

It wasn't meant to be, because Daphne spotted it and pointed a finger accusingly. "He almost smiled! He's not mysterious," she stated bluntly, but it was meant with a soft, cheerful tone. Aubrey abruptly laughed, and then stiffened -- Eleanor and Nathaniel stood twenty feet away, discussing something with an older, blonde-haired female guard. It was Delilah McKennah, the widowed mother of Daphne and her younger sister, Danika. "They're talking about my father, aren't they?" Daphne asked, a frown marring her gentle features. Maxim tilted his head, and then glanced back at the blonde girl, at last recognizing her last name.

"It was your father, in that last fight -- I'm really sorry, Daphne."

"What?"

"It was her-"

"He was at the gates when the Diaz twins attacked. He was the one who sounded the alarms, and Lord Nathaniel tried to save him, but they..."

She trailed off, and began to stare at the ground before Maxim tapped her on the shoulder gingerly -- Aubrey likewise began to stare at the ground, the typical reaction of a child to news that they were too young to fully grasp. Even as educated and smart as they were for their age, the concept of death -- something so permanent and sorrowful -- was something they couldn't entirely understand. "Aubrey and I overheard my father earlier -- he said what your mother and father did saved the estate, you know. I mean, that's what the adults always do -- they fight to protect us. We're going to have to do that one day, too," Maxim stated, with all of the pride that an eight year old boy could muster. Both girls laughed, and Daphne then leaned forward to hug Maxim, who reacted as a young boy would -- he immediately tried to escape her clutches. She was oblivious, and Aubrey only laughed harder, before looking in the direction of the adults. All three were smiling, and watching the children -- something that they'd all understand much better, later in their lives.

"You can't do that in front of my parents!" "Why not?" "Because he's the great Maxim Redmont, the Nightmare of all monsters everywhere!" Aubrey proclaimed, striking possibly the most heroic pose that she could muster. Both Daphne and Maxim stared at her for a moment, before bursting into a fit of hysterical laughter, which prompted her to drop her arms and then look away as though offended. Daphne fell for it, and immediately tapped Aubrey on the shoulder, to which she cracked a grin and then quickly tried to hide it.

"You were faking that!" "It's what I do. I'm going to be a spy when I grow up and graduate from the university, you know," Aubrey responded, before looking back at her brother and friend, "and what about you?" "I'm going to be like my father. I want to protect everybody, and stop the monsters in their tracks," Maxim replied solemnly, before he too looked towards Daphne.

"I want to be Lady Redmont!"

Maxim's jaw hung open, and he stared.

Daphne looked back with a puzzled expression, ever oblivious.

"You wish to be Lady Redmont, Miss McKennah?" At the sound of Eleanor's voice, all three children froze in place, and Daphne's face paled as she turned around rather slowly. Maxim folded his arms across his chest, and dug his heel into the dirt, avoiding the stern gaze of his father as though he'd found the grass infinitely more interesting to look at. Aubrey, meanwhile, was anxiously watching the exchange between Daphne, and Eleanor. "Well, I.. I just..." she stammered, fearfully gazing up at the Redmont matriarch with soft gray eyes that betrayed the fact that the girl felt as though she had said something horrible. Instead, Eleanor laughed and smiled, before looking at Delilah, "Your daughter is as ambitious as my husband was in our youth, Delilah -- I dare say, she has the attitude for the position," the Lady Redmont noted, prompting Daphne to relax a bit.

"Are you intending to perform the marriage ceremony out here on the front lawn, or shall we go inside and have our dinner first, Eleanor?" Nathaniel inquired with a sarcastic touch, but with a smile that betrayed the rare, cheerful nature of the Lord Redmont. Eleanor feigned a frown, and Delilah chuckled before Maxim turned his attention to his parents. "May Daphne come and have dinner with us, Father? Mother?" Light gray eyes shifted back from his mother, to his father -- the three adults exchanged curious glances, and Delilah shrugged lightly to indicate indifference to the request. "She may, if she wishes it. Remember the rule, Maxim -- all of your family and friends in, before dusk," Nathaniel reminded him, before he turned away -- Eleanor joined him, and Delilah moved after them at a steady pace.

"It seems I was closer to the mark than I expected -- I believe our son has found a-"

"Maxim, come on! We need to go and find Isabella, Nimeni, and Camden, if I'm going to help you make sure everybody's inside by dusk," Aubrey shouted, already heading off -- Maxim cast a curious look back towards his parents, as his sister's yelling had drowned out whatever his mother had been saying as they had left the area. With a shrug, he looked back and then followed after both Daphne and Aubrey without a second thought given. He had a far more important task -- it was the duty of the oldest child of the Lord and Lady Redmont to ensure that all of his family and friends were in the manor before the sun set. It was a lesson in responsibility, or so Nathaniel had told the children...

Several years earlier...

"I just spoke with Danika -- Daphne seems nervous, but I doubt it's anything to worry about. What about you, cousin?"

Maxim straightened the scarlet-colored tie, and glanced back at the former priest with a slight grin, before shrugging. "I've been waiting for this day for the past three years, Richter. I don't think I could honestly be more ready." "Well, if it matters, you couldn't have made a better choice," Richter replied, with a faint nod. Isabella glanced up from the corner she sat in -- the only female Redmont that had opted to group herself with the rest of the males -- and gave a slight inclination of her head to echo Richter's sentiments. "Camden and I were speaking the other day, and-" "-we all mostly expected this, given that you both grew up together. She'll make a fine Lady Redmont, cousin. Lady Eleanor would be proud," Camden finished, prompting a scolding glare from Isabella.

A small box, shrouded in black velvet, was pulled from the pocket of the tailored suit that Maxim wore -- and subsequently handed to Richter. It was opened only for a moment, and Isabella's eyes widened, before she stared at Maxim. "Is that what I think it is?" she asked, and Camden merely shrugged, though he recognized the jewelry as well. "Mother left it with her belongings, along with a note -- she wanted me to give it to Daphne, and I think it's perfect," Maxim confirmed, to which the three other Redmonts nodded slightly. Richter glanced at the window -- by now, the sun had almost reached its peak in the sky, and he cast a surreptitious glance back towards his cousin, the Lord Redmont. The box with the wedding ring in it was carefully tucked away, and Richter carefully brushed his hands down the front of his own suit, and Isabella finally pushed out of the chair -- though she hadn't been coaxed into a dress as Danika and Aubrey had, she still dressed in appropriately formal attire.

"Alright, well -- this is one affair we need not be fashionably late to, I'm thinking. I'm going to go and take a seat in one of the front rows. I don't want to miss watching these two profess their undying love for each other," Isabella chastised with a light grin, before moving to Maxim and embracing him in a friendly hug. "You've become a very noble man, cousin. Your parents would be proud -- as are the rest of us," she added with a genuine, smile, before exiting the room and leaving the Lord Redmont there with his other cousins.

When the door had closed, Maxim settled his attention upon Richter and Camden with a light sigh, before turning to the window. Sunlight beamed down upon his face, and light, gray-colored eyes stared at the landscape of the lavish estate thoughtfully, before he looked back at them. "Part of me hesitates to leave the estate for even a moment -- I have this feeling that something will happen once I do," Maxim admitted quietly, to which Camden shrugged, and pushed away from the wall. "Even if it did, Richter, Isabella, and the rest of us are more than capable of dealing with whatever situation might arise, Maxim," he replied, before Richter inclined his head briefly to indicate agreement. "He's right. She's about to be your wife, Maxim -- the two of you deserve a chance to focus on each other, instead of the fighting," the former priest affirmed, before gesturing to the door.

Music began to play -- the cue for the groom to enter, no less -- and Maxim's posture straightened before he settled his attention upon the exit of the room. "I can't wait to see her, Richter," he mused quietly, before moving towards the door.

By the time he stepped into the central hall of the luxurious manor, the other branches of the family had already assembled, with the nobility of the line -- Maxim's own sect -- in the center. The Lord Redmont moved down the aisle with a slow, deliberate stride, observing the amount of family that had gathered -- with the exception of those that had died, or gone missing -- everybody who had seen him propose to Daphne McKennah three years earlier had returned for the wedding itself. By the time he reached the altar, the captain of the estate's guards -- Edgar Raze -- stood ready, as the acting priest for the ceremony. Richter had declined to perform it, citing that he was more of a warrior than a man of faith by that point. Both Richter as best man, and Connor as the single groomsman, had flanked Maxim on his approach -- it marked the first time that they were seen in formal attire, rather than battle gear. "Not nervous, but anxious," Captain Raze observed, with a slight grin. Maxim briefly nodded, and the music abruptly changed to something softer...

...something more suitable for the bride.

Doors opened, and the Lord Redmont watched with his breath held, as she stepped into the room -- Danika and Aubrey were clad in similar dresses of maroon and black, matching with the shirts and tailored suits of Richter and Camden. As for the bride herself -- Maxim simply admired her with an obvious look of love. She was garbed in an elegantly simple dress of white, trimmed in both satin and lace. A single necklace of pearls adorned the blonde-haired woman's neck, and the traditional veil covered her feminine, lovely features from view. "You're staring-" "I know," Maxim interrupted Richter's harsh whisper with one of his own, accompanied by a grin as the McKennah woman joined her future husband at the altar he stood in front of -- Danika as maid of honor, and Aubrey as bridesmaid, took up positions opposite of the two male cousins that stood near Maxim.

"Are we ready, then?" "I am, Captain," the veiled bride acknowledged, her voice slightly muffled by the sheer fabric that hid her face from view. Maxim looked towards the sentry captain, and nodded slightly, to which Edgar merely smiled. "Then let's begin. Lord Maxim Redmont, and Miss Daphne McKennah, in presenting yourselves here today to be joined in marriage, you perform an act of faith. This faith can grow and develop and last, but only if you both decide to make it so. A lasting and growing love is not guaranteed by any ritual," Edgar Raze spoke, his voice echoing throughout the room as the entire Redmont lineage watched on, almost as anxious as their young leader. "If you would have the foundation of your marriage be the devotion you have for one another, not just at this moment, but for all the days to come, then treasure the hopes and dreams that you bring here today. Establish that your love will never be blotted out by the common nor obscured by the ordinary in life. Faults will surface where now you find comfort, and admiration can be shattered by the routine of our war-torn lives."

Both bride and groom stole a glance at each other, before Captain Raze continued.

"Dedication, love, and joy can grow only when you nourish them together. Stand fast in that hope and confidence, having faith in your shared destiny just as strongly as you have faith in yourselves and in one another today. Only with this spirit can you forge a union that will strengthen and endure all the days of your lives. They may have eternity, but with love, so do we." Both Danika and Aubrey smiled at the words of the vows -- the same vows that Nathaniel Saesire and Eleanor Redmont had taken some twenty years earlier. "Maxim, if you will..."

He turned to face his veiled bride, and caught a brief glimpse of her stormy, gray-colored eyes behind the sheer fabric -- a slight smile formed, before Richter took a step forward to place the small, velvet-encased box upon the altar. "I, Maxim Redmont, take you, Daphne McKennah, as my partner and love. Beside me, and apart from me -- in laughter, and in tears -- in conflict, and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting in what I do not, in all the ways life may find us." The wedding ring was taken from the box, and there was a collective hush that fell over the audience at the sight of that piece of jewelry, but what brought a smile to Maxim's lips were her words. "Oh, Maxim..." He gently took her hand into his, and placed the ring upon her finger, before continuing. "Daphne, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow -- and with all that I am and all that I have, I love and honor you."

Edgar nodded slightly, and looked towards Daphne as Danika chose to step forward and place a similar box upon the altar, next to the one Richter had set down. "Miss McKennah, if you will..." It was the last time she would be addressed by that name, and Maxim expected hesitation -- but there was none. "I, Daphne McKennah, take you, Maxim Redmont, as my partner and love. Beside me, and apart from me -- in laughter, and in tears -- in conflict, and tranquility, asking that you be no other than yourself. Loving what I know of you, and trusting in what I do not, in all the ways life may find us." She fell silent, and reached for the ring that she had selected -- a simple band of silver, engraved with the family insignia of the Redmont line. Danika smiled proudly, and nudged Aubrey who just nodded, watching the scene before them with something akin to awe. Gingerly, Maxim felt Daphne take his hand and place the ring on his finger, and he lifted gray-colored eyes to look up at her with a faint smile of his own. "Maxim, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow -- and with all that I am, and all that I have, I love and honor you."

He could see tears in her eyes, but the brilliant smile on her face was even more prominent despite the veil she wore, and Maxim inwardly was impatient, for the first time. Captain Raze stepped forward, looking towards the newlyweds with obvious approval. "May this day shine eternally in both of your lives, and may all that is beautiful, virtuous, and honest remain with you both, always." The sentry captain turned away from the couple, looking towards the rest of the family, "With this promise made and you as witnesses, I ask you to now greet Lord Maxim Redmont and Lady Daphne Redmont as husband and wife. Lord Redmont, you may now kiss your bride," Edgar finally finished, stepping back.

He lifted the veil, and his wife was simply beautiful -- from the smile that tugged at her plush lips to the gaze of admiration in her stormy gaze, to the way her pale tresses of blonde hair had been brushed back away from her face in vain -- it was clear to everybody assembled there that it was one of those rare unions that could be classified as, 'meant-to-be.' He leaned forward and pressed his lips to her own, and the couple wrapped their arms around each other in a lover's embrace as thunderous applause resonated through the empty room -- but still not loud enough to prevent them from whispering to each other after they broke that first impassioned kiss.

"I love you, Daphne Redmont."

"And I love you, Maxim. Forever, and always."

Dear, my love, haven't you wanted to be with me?
And dear, my love, haven't you longed to be free?
I can't keep pretending that I don't even know you...
And at sweet night, you are my own... take my hand...

...We're leaving here tonight
There's no need to tell anyone, they'd only hold us down.
So by the morning light, we'll be half way to anywhere.
Where love is more than just your name...

I have dreamt of a place for you and I -- no one knows who we are there.
All I want is to give my life only to you...
I've dreamt so long... I cannot dream anymore.
Let's run away, I'll take you there.

Forget this life, come with me.
Don't look back -- you're safe now.
Unlock your heart, drop your guard -- no one's left to stop us now.

...We're leaving here tonight.
There's no need to tell anyone, they'd only hold us down.
So by the morning light, we'll be half way to anywhere.
Where love is more than just your name...

Some time earlier, about eleven months after Maxim was turned...

A grim smile of cruel determination formed upon ashen features as the Redmont moved across the field, flanked by those who had become the foundation for the new Brood. That war-torn cloak of faded crimson hues fluttered lightly in the wind, and moonlight illuminated no less than seven figures in a ghastly, pale light -- Jass Strata and Aubrey Redmont remained closest to their leader, as per usual. To the left, Kieran Redmont and Shauna Redmont also approached, with the former dispatching those few survivors still left following the cataclysmic battle between the Absolutioneers who had sided with the fallen vampiress Alaina, and the Army of the Silver Cross. "She isn't far, brother. Foolish of her, not to flee-" "Her pride will be her downfall, then," Kieran murmured, with a chiding tone that echoed the limber assassin's disgust. The King of the Brood -- the murderous Redmont vampire -- didn't respond, instead settling his attention on the castle that loomed ahead. It was the very place where he had been embraced -- where he had awakened as a new kind of nightmare. Nimeni Redmont, an exile, had joined them and now walked in between Aubrey Redmont and Christian Redmont -- the latter of which had also been changed by the former's unparalleled magical skills.

A mangled gate was further destroyed, torn away from the hinges by Maxim and tossed aside without a second thought -- the group moved through the courtyard, and ashes blew across their feet with every step. "The Army of the Silver Cross... they must've been prepared for the Absolutioneers. Ironic, that Damosien and Alaina were plotting against each other, all this time," Jass murmured, with a slightly jaded smile. Aubrey's cold stare focused upon a struggling slayer, trapped beneath the bricks of a ruined wall -- and the heel of her boot crushed his neck in one move, punctuated by a stomach-turning crunch. "Weak," she muttered, with a shake of her head. Blood was splattered across the front of the castle's entrance in gruesome patterns, and limbs were strewn about carelessly. Kieran stepped forward, his wakizashi blade jammed in between the closed doors -- it was brought down, and the ominous click of the lock snapping announced the arrival of Maxim, and his deadly Brood.

The rest of the council responsible for his change had been consumed by him -- he had drained them one by one, of every last drop of blood they had. Twelve had been eradicated over the span of three weeks -- in twenty days, Maxim had rampaged against experienced elders from every sect in the vampire society -- and succeeded far beyond even his own expectations. He idly smiled as they stepped inside, whitened fangs barely exposed. "She isn't far, brother," Aubrey noted, her eyes lifting towards the stairs to indicate where she sensed the crazed Malkavian vampiress.

That smile degenerated into a wild, sinister grin as he began to stride towards the stairs -- Jass began to follow him, only to halt when he lifted a hand towards her. "Do not interfere with this, not with her. I will handle Alaina -- alone," the former slayer ordered, before he began to ascend the stairs. They followed him as he moved towards the upper tiers of the castle, and more specifically -- the room where he knew he'd find Alaina.

After all, it was the same room where she had changed him into a vampire.

They marched through eerily silent halls littered with corpses -- the battle had raged even within the fortress itself, it seemed. And thus far, Maxim had noted no survivors -- while there were human carcasses, there were no ashes to indicate Absolutioneers had died as well. Bright, fiery eyes of feral scarlet lifted towards the doors ahead, and the black-clad marauders stood there -- no less than ten of them, armed with blades and hooks tempered with silver. Jass hissed beside him, and almost moved forward before Maxim blocked her -- as they got closer, the Absolutioneers began to part, stepping aside to allow the Redmont regime access. When Maxim pushed the doors open, the mix of Absolutioneers and Brood members moved to peer into the room -- Alaina stood in the center of a circular chamber, lined with disfigured and dismembered bodies. A single, bloody rapier was gripped in her hand, and her light eyes were narrowed with utter hatred.

"Hello, Maxim. Come to face the consequences of your actions, my treacherous protege?"

"Haughty, as usual -- your pride is your undoing, Alaina."

She sneered and took a step forward, as Maxim flung his cloak aside -- he was garbed in blackened Absolutioneer armor, though the insignia had been stripped away. His own blade was drawn forth, and behind him, the audience of the clash stared in anticipation. "Not so long ago, you claimed that you embraced me to redeem me. I have... surpassed you, Alaina -- so much, now... that you are obselete. A relic of a society that I will crush -- you were right about one thing, and one thing only."

"I will usher in a new era for our kind -- a pity, that you shall not witness it."

"You have slaughtered your own kind -- our kind -- in your relentless bid for power. A kinslayer, in every sense of the word."

"The Kinslayer, my wayward teacher."

"For once, it would seem that we agree..."

She lunged forward then, her rapier swung about in a graceful arc that was cancelled out by Maxim's own slash -- sparks flew as metal struck metal, and he was the first to move after they parried -- his blade seamlessly slid away and into another swing, which Alaina blocked in one fluid motion with her own weapon. The Kinslayer, as she had christened him, proved to be relentless -- no sooner than she had stepped back to regroup, she found him advancing upon her and swinging the blade with a speed that even she couldn't match. Blood sprayed from a gash that the Redmont carved into her left thigh, and she stared at the menacing vampire -- the nightmare that she had created.

And for the first time, Alaina knew what humans felt when they were faced with the end of their existence -- she knew what fear was.

She snapped, unable to handle it any longer -- the rapier was lifted, and she charged in with unbridled fury -- her blade was parried by the former slayer, but her fist cracked against his jaw, and Maxim stumbled back before catching himself. For a second, scarlet-colored eyes met with her ivory stare -- and then both vampires bared their fangs in a disparaging hiss before striding forward. Alaina dropped back at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the swipe of Maxim's blade, and she then moved in -- her rapier stabbed him through the stomach, and she lifted him from the ground with a hateful scream...

...that died down as he pulled himself down the length of her blade to grip her throat. His own sword was dropped, and he reached behind his cloak for the last vestiges of his former profession -- a single wooden stake, carved from a piece of white oak, was brought into view. She lowered him, and let go of her rapier, but it was far too late. The Absolutioneers and the Brood members stared, as Alaina sank to the floor -- with the stake having pierced her neck straight through. He lowered himself to both knees in front of her, grinning triumphantly -- her rapier was removed, and tossed aside, well out of her reach. His muscled limbs encircled her waist, and the pleasure that Maxim took in the situation was amplified by the sudden wave of fear in her eyes. "Oh, my weak teacher -- you see what's going to happen now, don't you? It's going to hurt, Alaina. It's going to be the worst agony that you've never imagined, and then some -- and it will be," he paused, echoing the words she had spoken to him before changing him, "postively perfect for me."

The stake was ripped from her neck and tossed aside, and Alaina collapsed against him as he sank his fangs into the gaping wound and began to consume her blood as though the thirst was overwhelming -- he had learned to quell the driving need and ignore it for periods of time. Her eyes glazed, and rolled back into her head as the Absolutioneers exchanged wary glances -- before they knelt as well, making their sudden shift in allegiance to the Redmont name rather obvious. Alaina weakly tried to push Maxim away one final time, and her last words echoed in that haunted chamber...

"Undeath suits you, Maxim Redmont -- the Kinslayer..."

And then she simply went limp, and silent. He continued to feed from her, even as the flow of blood slowed to a trickle, and then stopped entirely. He could feel her power, intoxicating and justifying all in one perfect moment -- the end of a plan that had been formed within his shattered mind the minute he had awoken, not as a slayer, but as something so much more potent and intricate. All that she had learned and experienced -- every ounce of her amassed power -- now belonged to him. The once-beautiful Malkavian vampiress' skin faded from a pale, ivory tone to a sickly gray, and Maxim at last tore away from her with a bloody-thirsty growl -- rising to his feet, the Kinslayer leveled his gaze upon both the Absolutioneers, and his family, before the leader of the Absolutioneers stared up, towards the King Redmont. "We serve the strongest of our kind, my liege. The Absolution Brigade is yours to command, and we stand ready to march for war," the masked marauder stated flatly, to which Maxim merely smiled -- Alaina's blood still dripping from his lethal, elongated fangs. Jass tilted her head, as Aubrey moved forward to incinerate the corpse of Alaina.

"What will you do now, Maxim?"

"Now, Jass -- we return home."

Months after the disappearance of Daphne Redmont and her funeral...

Light, gray-colored eyes flecked with scarlet stared down at the sight of the grave, and the accompanying marker, before the Lord Redmont sighed slightly. It had only been a month and a half since they had laid the memory of Daphne Redmont to rest, and he found that he was still unable to tear himself away from the loss. Moonlight barely filtered through the leaves of the oak trees that sheltered the cemetary located on the estate's grounds, and cast eerie shadows across the muscled form of the slayer, before he sank to the soft grass next to the stone marker. "I miss you, still. I'm not used to this -- it's like something that's not going to heal, and," his eyes closed, as he paused for a moment, "I don't know if I'm strong enough to overcome this, Daphne." He fell utterly silent in the solitude of the cemetary -- guards posted at the gates as a figure approached, and then they simply let the cloaked form pass -- as she drew closer, Maxim recognized the familiar scent of the woman's perfume -- and he knew why the sentries hadn't stopped her.

"She wouldn't want you doubting yourself like this, Maxim. We both know that," Jass spoke quietly, as the Redmont rose to his feet, his eyes narrowing. His attention followed her as she bent down to place a single rose upon the fallen Lady Redmont's grave, before his gray-hued eyes met her own emerald-shaded gaze. She regarded him coolly, and for a moment, Maxim was unsure of what to say to the demoness. "She loved you, Maxim. But you both knew the risks -- this life isn't safe for any of us. We stand to lose-" "You don't know a thing about loss, Jass Strata," Maxim interrupted her, his cold stare making the demoness flinch as though he'd struck her. He took a step forward, closing the distance between them and pressing his index finger against her shoulder in a provoking fashion. "You're just as bad as they -- the undead -- are, Jass. You've no idea of what us -- what living, breathing creatures -- can feel. You don't know what love is -- you don't know what sorrow is -- and you can't possibly understand what loss feels like. So, let's leave the false condolences out-"

Her palm struck the side of his face, and he fell silent -- though those piercing eyes of light gray shades fixated on her. Tears had formed in the demoness' own eyes, and she pressed both hands against his shoulder in an effort to shove him away from her. "How dare you, Maxim... I came here, because I understand all too well. You stand there and dare to condemn me -- but I had no choice in this. And you listen to me, Redmont-" "Lord Redmont," he corrected, his tone taking on a slightly more cruel tone, as his eyes narrowed slightly. She hesitated, and took a step back from him before averting her gaze elsewhere. "I only came here, because I remember what it feels like to lose somebody you love, Maxim. This affliction -- my existence -- is a result of my own selfish nature... that cost somebody I once loved his life." she confessed, before turning away from him.

It was the first time that she had ever given him any insight into her own existence -- up until that moment, she hadn't chosen to reveal anything about herself to him.

He remained silent for a moment, his attention lowering to the single red rose that the demoness had placed upon his wife's grave, before another sigh escaped him. That dark cloak accentuated the Redmont's muscled frame as he stepped forward, again closing the distance between himself and the Strata beauty -- once there, a hand was gently placed upon her shoulder. "I shouldn't have made the accusations that I did, Jass. My apologies," he murmured quietly, to which she merely nodded.

A moment passed, and the Strata demoness turned, slender limbs embracing the Redmont tightly as she buried her face against the fabric of his cloak with a sigh of her own; one that exuded exasperation and discontentment. "I'm so tired of the fighting, Maxim. I'm tired of killing, I'm tired of waking up every morning and finding out people I know are gone," she spoke, lightly shaking her head as she released him and stepped back. This time, he moved to embrace her, muscled limbs pulling the Strata beauty back against him. It was a feeling that he understood all too well -- each of the Redmonts had expressed that very sentiment. They wanted a day where there wasn't a need to walk around armed, to where they could enjoy a night's rest without wondering if they were going to awaken to the sounds of alarms and fighting.

"I'm not what you think, Maxim. I'm not some murderous monster, and-"

"I know that, Jass."

"I don't want to live forever, Maxim. I can't... I can't go through eternity, watching people like you and her suffer..."

Again, he was given insight. This time, she vaguely insinuated that she had been alive -- and immortal -- for quite some time. He was silent for a moment, and then she suddenly leaned up to press her lips against his in a soft, chaste kiss that she broke before he could return it. "Of all the tragedies that I've witnessed, Maxim Redmont," she paused, taking a step away from him and glancing towards the grave of the Lady Redmont, "the lives of you and her are the most heart-breaking. The fighting -- this war against the undead -- is costing all of us, Maxim. You, moreso than most -- I have to ask you, is it worth it?" She pulled her coat around her, and began to walk away quietly before coming to a halt and looking back at him expectantly, awaiting an answer.

"Nothing was worth losing her, Jass. Nothing."