Eternal Flames :3:

Eternal Flames :3:

Everybody pays…

"If you'd actually listen and let me finish-"


"No you listen! You left us when we needed you most! You hurt us…you hurt her! You didn't even give a reason! VIXEN LOST HER ARM!" She roared out, digging her claws into his flesh. "Things could have been different…but you weren't there to change it…"

Orochi groaned, seeing there was no reasoning with Blackberry, but he attempt.

"Blackberry, I'm sorry…just take a breather and let me explain-ACK!" he gave out a sudden yelp as Blackberry's fist unexpectedly punched him in the snout.

"Bitch!" he hissed out as he held his throbbing snout.

Blackberry snarled, she was practically foaming at the mouth; she was so consumed with hatred it seemed reasoning was a lost cause.

"Shut up! Just shut up! I don't want to hear it!" She raised her fist again, ready to strike him again.

"Blackberry-!" called an unfamiliar voice.

She paused for a moment and gave a devilish glare at the woman.

"What!?"

The girl paused for a moment, stiffening to her cold voice.

"uhm-…Prince Bloodwing requested to see you…he said it is important…"

Blackberry clenched her fangs and in a fit of rage suddenly slammed her forearm against Orochi's throat. Orochi choked and couldn't even yelp, yet alone breathe. When she removed her arm his hands instinctively wrapped around his throat as he coughed up saliva and inhaled shaky breaths.

"You're lucky Orochi! You are fucking lucky!" She snarled before leaving in rage. "I'll deal with you another time…" she grumbled coldly as she walked away.

The messenger suddenly exhaled. She had been holding his breathe fearing Blackberry would take her rage out on her next. She turned her attention to Orochi and walked to him.

"Are-Are you okay, sir?"

Orochi still taking in heavy breathes made a small nod to the stranger taking in her features. The first thing he noticed was the large horns sprouting from the females head the curled backwards. She had pure white fur and large ears. She had ocean blue hair and eyes to match. She had large feathered wings that were also the same shade of blue. She had feathers on her forearms and feathers going up her legs that resembled miniature wings closed.  She had a long lizard like tail with blue fur on the end of it. He observed the multiple piercings in her ears and the light blue blouse and skirt she had on.  Orochi tried to fix his composure and made a weak smile.

"Thanks, but I am fine…"

The female grinned excitedly. "You're very welcome! Maybe I'll see ya around, bye~" She giggled a bit, and began to leave.

Orochi stared for a moment before calling out. "I'm Orochi."

"Ameria!" she called back without looking back in his direction as she skipped around the corner.

Orochi stared and made a weak laugh, her care free spirit reminded him of Vixen, before this whole mess started. He exhaled slowly as he began to wander in a random direction, lost in his memories.

~~~

Safaia was vomiting harshly, having Vixen right behind her holding her hair.

"How can you possibly work like this- have you even told Sabor yet?" Vixen spoke quietly, as she tried to focus on the ceiling and not her friend throwing up her insides.

"N-no..." Safaia managed to choke out before going back into her fits of vomits, her body trembling as it seemed it would never end.

"Why not..?"

Safaia shakily leaned away from the toilet, grabbing some paper and wiping her mouth with it.

"I'll tell him….not now."

"Then when?"

"Soon…"  Safaia flushed the disturbing contents of her stomach away before taking a stand and washing her hands.

Vixen sighed and released Safaia's hair and rubbed her forehead, feeling a little agitated with her friend.

"Safaia…it would really put my mind at ease if you would take a break…just rest for a few days...Bloodwing can handle  things without you, the outlook of our success is increasing…" the coyote spoke calmly.

"I know you only wish to help, Vixen...I'll rest…later." She said quietly as she walked passed her friend and out the door.

Vixen only shook her head.

"So stubborn…" she whispered before washing her own hands and leaving as well.

As Safaia walked down the halls, she gazed up to see a dark canine coming her way.

"Hello, Blackberry-" she paused, "-is something wrong?"

Blackberry looked up at Safaia and unclenched her fists.

"It's nothing." Blackberry said shortly moving her glare to the wall.

Safaia watched her carefully, subconsciously stretching out her joints.

"That's okay; you don't have to talk about it."

Blackberry sighed a bit before gazing at her.

"Hey, where is Blood?"

"Bloodwing, you mean. He's probably on the top floor. That is where I normally find him, or with Viper…and I'm not sure where Viper is right now." Safaia replied as she rubbed her elbow.

The canine groaned rubbing her forehead.

"I should have asked the messenger where he was…Thanks anyway; I'll check the top first then." Blackberry had begun to leave, before stopping again. "You wouldn't know what he wants with me, would ya?"

Safaia shrugged and made a weak smile. "No idea."

"Damn…oh well…" she said quietly, about to leave again then paused once more. "One more thing…"

"Yes?"

"Are you okay?" Blackberry asked quietly, staring at her intently.

Safaia blinked to her odd question and slowly nodded.

"Mmm…yes. Why do you ask?"

"No reason…" she said as she left.

Safaia stared for a few more moments before sighing, rubbing her elbows again and continuing on her way.

~~~

It took a while of searching before Blackberry actually found the Prince.

"Ah, why hello my lady, for a second I thought you would not come," said Bloodwing smoothly.

Blackberry stared at him blankly, before speaking,

"What do you want?"

The Prince could only chuckle then smiled.

"Still no respect I see…fair enough, I need you to accompany somebody while she goes out to gather some resources."

"But it is dark…shouldn't stuff like that be done during the daytime or something?"

The prince chuckled and smiled.

"My dear, just because we are against demons doesn't mean that we are any safer in the sunlight. In fact, I'd prefer you would go now than in the daytime. Hopefully you will not be seen as easily."

"Why me?" she said as her ears folded back in dismay.

"You have perfect vision at night, yes?"

She sighed before scratching the back of her head.

"Well I can't be the only one who can see in the dark. You're a bloodsucker, can't you see in the dark….and then there is Sabor, and Viper could do it too…I'm sure there is more options."

"My lady, I would do it myself if I could, but we all know why that isn't an option. Sabor had just returned from battle and is recovering from injuries. Viper…isn't doing well right now…I have decided to give him some time….before sending him out again." The prince paused for a moment, before continuing. "Thou not worry though, if you run into trouble it will be small. Majority of the stronger and more intelligent demons are on the battlefield or with Satan himself. It is highly unlikely to run into any real threat."

Blackberry began rubbing her forehead softly.

"And it is just the two of us-"

"It is just a quick errand, you shouldn't need more" he spoke with a slight smile.

Blackberry stared him down, before frowning.

"What ain't you telling me…?"

"You are always so paranoid, my lady. It is just a simple assignment."

"And what exactly are we getting?"

The Prince leaned back slightly, gazing at her gently. "Well, it seems that we need more medical supplies. Iiwa is getting a list from Vixen and Ameria. She will be your partner. I just need you to escort her to London Jordan hospital. It is one of the rare buildings that wasn't burnt to ash or came crashing down during the attacks. Hopefully you'll find everything you need there."

With that said, a blue-ish green praying mantis entered the room. She wore a short red kimono with black slacks underneath. She had ruby red eyes and long antennae's that curled back like hair.

"Blackberry this is Iiwa, she used to be Safaia's royal guard. Iiwa, this is Blackberry, she will be helping you."

Iiwa gave Blackberry an emotionless stare before bowing in respect. Blackberry stared back and sighed a bit. "Sup' to you too, I guess…"

"Let me know when you are ready. I'll be in the front waiting." Iiwa state before walking back out the room.

"Right…" Blackberry replied before slowly following.

"Good luck ladies." called the Prince.

When Blackberry walked out the room she went the opposite direction than Iiwa.

"I'll meet you in the front in a minute…"

~~~

"Nuuuuu!" cried a cat as he rolled around with three kids on him.

"Back I say! Stay back!" roared Jester in a playful tone, putting his son in a headlock as his daughters nibbled on his ears.

"Well, isn't that just cute…" spoke blackberry softly, leaning in the doorway to his room.

"Mommy!" cried the kids as Jester released his son and the other two jumped from their father and ran to her, hugging her legs. Jester soon followed, slowly crawling off the bed and walking up to her, kissing her gently. "You were gone awhile, did you take care of him?

Blackberry happily kissed back, before pulling away. "No, I got interrupted….Prince Bloodsucker wants me to babysit this pray mantis…"

Jester's ears folded back as he slightly leaned into his mate. "But, were you not just in battle a while ago?" he whined quietly, before continuing. "How long do you have to 'babysit'?"

"I don't know. We have to go to some hospital and get some more medical supplies…maybe an hour or two if everything goes smoothly?" She knelt down with the children and held them close.

"I'll be back soon- have you been good?"

The children nodded, their eyes sparkling clueless of what was really happening. Once released from Blackberry's 'death' grip, they began rolling around on the floor, playfully fighting each other. Jester knelt down with Blackberry and sighed quietly, leaning his head into her shoulder.

"Be safe, okay?" He looked at her softly and kissed her cheek.

Blackberry sighed in content and held Jester close for a moment, before standing up with him.

"Alright. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll be back quicker than expected- and if I get lucky…maybe you'll get lucky~" She hinted with a lustful grin.

Jester blushed lightly before making a weak smile.

"Sweetie…not in front of them…"

"Oh hell, like they really understand," she laughed before leaving. "See ya soon, love you!"

"Love you too…" he said quietly, and turned around to see his three little ones staring at him.

"Can we get lucky too?" ask Starlight with an innocent grin.

~~~

The outside world was in shambles, the city that once stood tall in glory was now withering to dust. It was hardly recognizable as it resembled ancient ruins. The sky was a muddy orange tint, not even the once bright stars could shine through its cloak.  Blackberry walked ahead of Iiwa on all fours. She climbed over the rubble with a little bit more ease than the mantis.

"We should be almost there…" Blackberry said quietly.

Iiwa was silent at first, taking a little bit more time to climb over the rubble and catch up to the canine.

"I knew you'd come back…"

Blackberry paused and stiffened.

"Did you hear something?"

"No, did you?" Iiwa answered quietly as she finally caught up to the canine.

"I thought I did," Blackberry said as she forced herself forward again. "Just be cautious."

Iiwa nodded silently to her before also continuing on. It didn't take long before the hospital was in sight.

"No, I know what you came for! You can't have it!

Iiwa tensed, unsheathing her dagger. Blackberry had also stopped and snarled in warning.

"Did you hear it this time?" Blackberry growled.

"Who is there?" Iiwa questioned in her soft spoken tone.

"Stay away!"

Iiwa paused to the fear in its tone.

"Come out slowly…we will not harm you…"

As Iiwa worked on trying to coax it out of hiding, Blackberry worked on trying to find it within the darkness. It concerned her when she couldn't pick up a scent beside her own and Iiwa's, and found it difficult to pinpoint its voice as it just echoed around them.

"I know what you want, and it is mine!"

"Please, calm down, we want nothing from you…"

"Lies! All lies, your tricks no longer work on me!?"

"If anything, we want to help you-"

"No! Stay back!"

Seconds after the screech a large object could be heard hurling through the air. Iiwa gasped, suddenly dropping to the ground. Mere moments after she had dropped a ford pick-up truck landed just feet in front of her.

"It's mine!" it yelled one last time before leaping out of its hiding spot and diving for Iiwa. Blackberry quickly intercepted and grabbed the creature while it still was in the air. She made a quick 180 turn and slung the attacker into the hospital. The attacker smashed through the wall and into the facility.

"You okay?" Blackberry asked as she helped the mantis up.

"Affirmative." Once Iiwa was up, her antennae's  perked up as she attempted to get a feel of her surrounding.

"Did you get a look at our attacker?"

"Nah, I was too busy slinging her ass through walls…"

Iiwa sighed to her sarcasm before gazing over the damaged wall. She cautiously walked towards it and peeked her head in. Blackberry followed behind her and placed her hand on her shoulder.

"Stay close till we can get some light."

Iiwa nodded as she allowed Blackberry to go in first; she made sure to stay close behind. Blackberry looked around the hospital with ease, She stopped when she saw a blue feline sprawled out across the floor on her side with multiple shelves knocked over on top of her. The feline groaned as she slowly tried to get back up. She had red shoulder length hair with black tips. Black spots covered her midnight blue fur. She was covered in dirt and dry blood and her clothing was severely torn and worn out.  When her eyes opened they were a crimson red. Blackberry was frozen in her spot to what she saw. Her body began to tremble as she slowly whispered,

"Siren?"


…nobody knows the price.