Chapter 6 | Redirected

Upon materializing out of the portal, Ashley stumbled forward a little. Chris, whom had his vertigo more under control than her, grabbed hold of her to keep her from falling. Though it had been years since Chris had gone through a magical portal, his rustiness was better than her lack of experience.

She steadied herself, then took a look around at her surroundings. There were no tall pillars, marble floors, or servants as they were expecting. Instead, the stench of a thousand year's filth filled a dark cavern.

"I thought Ricky said that portal was supposed to take us straight through to the palace. Unless you guys have a much different definition of a palace." Ashley stated.

"No," Chris responded wearily, "This isn't the palace. It's the Badlands. I don't know why the portal took us out here, but we better get moving. There's a reason they call it the Badlands."

"Dare I ask... Why?" She questioned as they began to move.

He opened his mouth to reply, only to be cut off by her scream. Ashley jumped back when a hairless misshapen creature leaped down in front of them. Chris instinctively put his arm over her, though he had no plan on how to deal with it. Suddenly, from the darkness, the creature's back was met with a knife. It released a shriek as a manicured hand pulled the blade back out.

"That's why." Chris muttered to her. He dropped his arm from in front of her, but did not ease up. "What are you doing here?"

Out of the shadows, their savor stepped forward. Her red hair was pulled into pigtails, framing her sharp face. She gawked at his behavior, spilling over with sass as she spoke, ""What are you doing here?" Um, how about a "Oh, hey, Kylie, nice to see you for the first time in six years, thanks for saving my life within the first two seconds I came back to Salem"!"

Ashley giggled, "I like her."

Kylie straightened her back and dawned a proud smile, "Thank you! At least one of you appreciates me." She shot daggers with her eyes at Chris.

He sighed, "I'm sorry. I'm just a little on edge. Thank you, Kylie. What are you going in the Badlands? Alone?"

She twirled the knife around and stuck it in her waistband. Kylie tightened her pigtails as she explained, "I didn't come alone. The king sent Nikki and I to get some things from the troll market, but the normal path was blocked off. So we split up to try to find a new way. What are you doing here? And care to introduce the pretty lady?"

"This is Ashley. She's a friend of mine from the mortal world. I took her with me because she's a good fighter and I didn't want to make the journey back on my own. Ricky told me the portal in the Scranton crypts lead straight to the palace. It brought us out here, though."

Alarm washed over her face. Kylie quickly started to walk the direction they came, muttering, "No, no, no. That's impossible." She earned a look of horror when she saw the glowing portal. She turned back to the others, "This portal was deactivated centuries ago. It shouldn't be redirecting from the mortal world anyways."

"Is that bad? That it's going back to earth?" Ashley asked.

"Very bad." Chris replied. "That thing Kylie killed, it's nothing compared to what else is in the badlands. If any of those creatures got loose on earth, humans wouldn't stand a chance."

She looked up at him worriedly, "You can deactivate it again, though, right?"

"Whomever reactivated it will just turn it on again." He said.

"We have to destroy it." Kylie stated.

"No!" Chris protested. "You can't do that! Angelo is still back on in the mortal world. If you destroy this side of the portal, it'll destroy the other side."

"We have to." She repeated her previous statement. "He'll be fine. Some of the gems are with him and Ryan. When we get back to the castle, I'll have Hannah contact them and let them know it's out of service."

"Is there other portals in the mortal world?" Ashley asked.

He sighed, "Yes. The next closest one is in New Jersey."

"Hm, that's why there's so many weirdos in Jersey." She commented.

"Are you going to help me?" Kylie almost demanded of Chris.

"He can't." Ashley answered for him. "Ricky said his powers are really weak because he hasn't used them in a while."

"Unfortunately she's right." Chris confessed.

The embarrassment riddled his face. Despite wanting to leave behind his supernatural ancestry, he was still ashamed he let himself get this far gone. Kylie made sure to add to his guilt by giving him a shame-casting stare. She turned towards the portal and set her ghostly hand along the black metal frame. Branches looking similar to lightening reached out from the portal's eye as she absorbed it's energy. Once the colors and life of it were gone, she grabbed a rock from the ground and smashed it into the gem on the top of the portal's frame.

Kylie dropped the stone to the cave floor. She turned back towards them as she dusted off her hands. "Let's get going. We should find Nikki and get back to the castle."

She walked ahead of them, obviously knowing where she was going. Ashley and Chris quickly followed behind. They continued along a rough trail, being cautious of what lurked in the shadows. Silence fell upon the trio for about five minutes. That was five minutes too long for Ashley and she had to break it.

"Chris, what was that one's name? The one that came with Ricky and wouldn't stop staring at my-"

"Shush." He mumbled to her as he cut her off. He gestured towards the woman in front of her and tried to translate quietly to Ashley that her choice of words weren't for the best. "And, his name is Devin."

"Devin, that's right. Um, he said that mortals aren't aloud here. At least, they aren't supposed to be but they made an exception for me. Anyways, if mortals aren't aloud here, that means you aren't one. So, um, do you mind me asking what you are?"

Kylie briefly glanced over her shoulder at the other. "The politically correct term is ethereal being, but most people just call my kind a ghost."

"Oh. Are you apart of that, uh, Zodiac thingy that everyone keeps talking about?" She asked.

The spirit in front of her became tense at the mention of the Devil's machine. She stayed quiet for a reflective minute, then replied, "I was, yeah. Nikki was too, same as Devin. How much have you been told about it?"

"Ricky explained it to me. He said it's a collection of restless spirits, and there's something that can be built to harness their power. Anyone who builds the machine will become very powerful." Ashley told her.

"That's the basic gist of it. The twelve restless spirits, they aren't just any random twelve restless spirits. Each has to fit a profile. Devin is The Jackal. Nikki is the the Torn Prince, and I was taken as the Angry Princess. There's more but it's not worth discussing. Only four of the twelve ghosts are still with the king."

"Who's the forth?" Chris asked.

"The first born son. You know he only stayed because of Devin." She replied.

"You only stayed because of Devin." He reminded her.

She snit, "Yeah, and Devin stayed to serve the king. In more ways than one."

"So you and him-"

Kylie turned around sharply and cut him off, "Look, Chris, I know you've been off in fairytale land for the past six years, but shit is different here. People don't settle down and get their happily ever after like you and Angelo did. We don't get to live relaxed lives and let our powers just slip away. We're constantly on high alert, especially in the last few years. Shit has been getting really bad ever since you left. The creatures have become savages."

"Ricky mentioned it was bad. I didn't realize... I'm sorry."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "If you were sorry you wouldn't have left... We need to keep moving."

Kylie turned back on the path. She began walking quicker, obviously wanting to progress this. Chris looked down at Ashley to check on her. She gave him a soft, sympathetic look. Then she lowered her head and kept moving forward, as he did the same.

Chapter 7 | Stung By the Wasp

The night sky stained the horizon, seemingly permanently. Kylie, accompanied both by the companion she left with and the ones she found along her journey, lead the group into a grand castle. They crossed a long bridge, which hung over a boiling moat.

Ashley peaked over the edge at the bubbling black substance. "What is that?" She asked her old friend.

"Tar." Chris answered, without even having to look over the edge. "There's a spell that keeps it boiling constantly, even in the winter. If it ever cools and hardens, that's a sign that the castle is dying. But you wouldn't need the tar to tell you that."

Her expression was careful, but confused. "What do you mean?"

"Rose would turn to stone." Kylie replied. She stopped halfway on the bridge and pointed towards the top of the castle, "She's up there- Oh, c'mon. She always hides are the most inconvenient times."

Nikki looked up to where their eyes remained. He raised his hand to his lips and forced a whistle. The piercing noise rang out for what seemed to be miles. A shifting noise sounded from behind the castle, and a large beast shadowed over it's top. Ashley's eyes widened as she saw the creature come into view.

She wanted to scream her words, but could only find the courage to speak it quietly. Her voice raised in pitch from fear, "Is that a fucking dragon?"

"Yeah, guardian of the castle. My great grandfather was the one that raised her and taught her how to protect the palace. He set in place a spell that if these lands ever became corrupt, Rose would turn to stone until the day they were worth protecting again." Chris explained to her.

Ashley nodded, unable to take her eyes off the towering beast. Chris pulled her along as they continued towards the palace. At the door, the guards were quick to let Kylie and Nikki pass. They stared hesitantly at the mortal and warlock.

Kylie grabbed Chris' upper arm and said, "They're with us."

The guard groaned and let them continue forward. Kylie yanked Chris onward, which in turn made him pull Ashley along. They were rushed through the halls until they found Devin. His face seemed made of stone as he observed the situation in front of him.

"Where's the king?" She asked him before anything else.

"He's in his quarters. I have orders of what to do with these two once they got here." Devin looked from her over to Chris as he continued, "Why didn't you come through the portal we told you to?"

"They did. It brought them out at the wrong place. Someone reactivated the portal in the Badlands and redirected the one back in Scranton to it. We had no other choice but to destroy it. We need to let Ryan-Ashley know the portal is broke." Kylie urged him.

Devin turned slightly backwards but kept his eyes forward. He addressed Ashley as he gestured towards a thin woman in waiting, "This is one of the gem creatures, Hannah Sykes. She's going to take you to have some medical testing done, so we know if your body can withstand being here a long period of time. Then she'll get you settled in a guest room."

Ashley looked back to Chris for his approval. She was weary to trust anyone but him. He nodded and whispered, "It's okay. You can trust them."

"Type her blood. Take a good amount." He told Hannah. "I also need you to contact one of the gems in the mortal world and tell them they have to use the portal down in New York if they need to come back. Get Ashley some better clothes as well."

"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" She piped.

"It's for the best that you don't look as mortal as you are." He replied. His eyes fell upon his phantom friends, "I trust you got what you were sent for?"

"Of course." Nikki scoffed, almost disgusted that he dared question it.

"Good. Bring it to the lab." Devin motioned behind himself, in the direction Hannah had started to lead Ashley. They began to follow, which left just him and Chris. "Ricky wants to see you, in private. Follow me."

"I know my way around." Chris somewhat bitterly muttered.

X X X X

A bedroom fit for a king was filled with nothing but silence and the smell of raw passion. Candles lining a chandelier provided romantic lighting, which cast upon grey fleur de lis wallpaper. While a body rested on the grand canopy bed, Ricky sat at his desk. Smoke floated from his cigarette while he sat reading over a scripture.

His eyes drifted over his shoulder, his head barely moving in that direction. He stood to his feet and walked towards the room's door. Upon opening it, he saw the man he expected.

"I'm glad to see you made it here safely." He somberly told Chris.

"Hm," The other snit, "Really?"

Ricky expected bitterness, of course, but he was hoping their circumstances would force it aside. He stepped out of the way of the door and gestured for Chris to step inside. As he did so, his eyes scanned the room and narrowed at the figure on the bed.

The vampire took notice and walked towards the resting body. He leaned over the bed and woke the man who wasn't even fully asleep. "Love, could you step out of the room?"

Kuza sat up and ran his hand through his hair. He groaned sleepily, but seeing his old friend standing across the room woke him up. "What's Chris doing here?"

Ricky glanced back at him, then looked forward to Kuza. His eyes dimmed, "We'll discuss it later. Just, please, go lay down in one of the guest rooms or something. He and I need to talk privately."

"Of course, Sir." He murmured as he pulled his shirt out of the mess of sheets.

Kuza stepped down from the raised bed. His wholehearted soul shined through his worrisome eyes as he stared at Chris. He was truly worried what could possibly bring him back to the place he swore he'd never return to. Kuza, now with wondering thoughts clouding his head, moped out of the room.

Chris couldn't help but frown as he watched him leave, "Why'd you give him his memory back? We could have spared him."

"And let him wonder aimlessly and hopelessly like Ashley?" He questioned. Ricky sat down on the bed, pulling one of his legs up as he rested his back on the canopy's poll. "Please, come sit down."

Chris set down his bag on the back of the desk chair in the room. He had nothing else to do, so might as well. As he took a seat in a mirrored position as the other, he continued his negativity, "For someone worried about the end of the world, you aren't in much of a hurry."

"You have to fix problems on your own side before you can even think about making moves toward the enemy." Ricky said. "I really meant it when I said I was happy you made it here safely. Creatures have been going missing lately. Everyone from the townspeople to my men."

"I can probably tell you why. When Ashley and I came through the crypts portal, it was supposed to bring us out here at the palace, but it brought us through to the Badlands. We were lucky enough that Kylie ran into us. She destroyed it to prevent it from happening again, but that portal shouldn't have been open in the first place."

"Dyfier is more aware of our movements than I thought." Ricky stated, letting the spitefulness spark in his eyes. "I don't think he knows I went back to the mortal world to get you, but he knew I did go back there and through to Scranton. He likes to play games of cat and mouse like this."

Chris rolled his eyes, "Gee, sounds familiar."

He seeped a sigh through his nose, "You know I never wanted to hurt you. I only forced you to leave me alone because I wanted you to stay away from Salem more than you did. With your powers practically dormant, it's not safe for you here. The creatures here, they either hate you for letting a vampire take over or they want you dead because you're my enemy. At least, our families are enemies. I wouldn't consider us-"

"Really?" He snapped. "When I saw you last year, you wiped my friends' memories, threatened to kill them, threatened to take Angelo from me and turn him into your sex slave, and threatened to turn me into a vampire. I think that goes over the bounds of even frienemies."

He sighed and stood, sauntering towards his desk. "Like I said, I did it for your own good. I never wanted to hurt you. You know I still hold onto our memories together; The good ones at least."

"That's all you have to hold onto." Chris seethed.

Ricky lit a new cigarette. He pushed papers and scrolls back on his cluttered desk. As he took a huff off his smoke, he picked up a withered letter. He read off the inked words,

"To comfort both of us, your hand came over mine,

we stayed that way, suffering together
in our bodies, as if all suffering
were physical, we touched so in the presence

of strangers who knew nothing and cared less

vomiting their private pain

as if all suffering were physical."

Ricky cautiously set down the paper. Chris stayed quiet and unresponsive to the words he was just read. He lowered his head with fear of saying something he shouldn't.

"It's hard to believe ten years ago, you wrote those words for me. Poem after poem, you wrote because it was our only way of being together." Ricky softly spoke, his tone matching that of the dim candles. "I kept every single one. I do read them when I'm alone at night, feeling empty. It's true what they say, that all the money in the world can't bring you happiness."

"You know I love Angelo more than anything in the world." Chris stated simply.

"I've seen. I check in on you from time to time, through Juliet's looking glass. Your little girl is beautiful." He said.

Chris earned a gentle smile as he thought of his family, "I'd do anything to protect them. I love them more than life itself. I do think of our time together, but I think you're in love with our memories. You don't love me anymore."

Ricky marked every step carefully. He came to where Chris sat, resting his smoking hand along the bed post. "Think whatever may comfort you, but I know my own emotions."

Chapter 8 | Pain of Love

Distaste stained Ricky's expression. He knew Chris would never accept the truth that the others had. It was unfortunate, but nothing could be done about it. It was best to move on.

"Why is Mike staying here?" Chris asked, "Normally Mike wouldn't have given you the time of day."

"He's under the influence of a vampire trance. I had no other choice. You know Mike wouldn't let us protect him any other way." Ricky responded.

He grit his teeth, "And how exactly did you put him under your trance?"

"I think you know." He snit.

"Enlighten me." Chris scoffed.

"Sex parties. Naturally. We're having another one tonight, if you want to join us."

He rolled his eyes, "No thanks. I think I'll pass. Why are you wasting valuable time on shit like that? Shouldn't we be out finding the other pure creatures?"

"We don't even know if they've been born yet! They're near impossible to find. I'm just waiting on Dyfier to make his next move."

"So you dragged me all the way here for me to sit around and wait?" He gawked.

"Yes!" Ricky snapped, "And that's exactly what you're going to do. Find Hannah and she'll show you to your room. I expect to see you at supper in a few hours. Go get some rest. I'm sure you're tired after all your travels."

"I'm-"

"That's an order!" He demanded.

Chris narrowed his eyes at him. He grabbed his bag and turned for the door, "Yes, your highness."

Ricky sighed and sank down into his desk chair. Chris slammed the door on his way out. Tensions were running high, but he expected as much. You can't take a scorned lover and expect him to work well with the creature that burned him. The King pushed aside a few papers on his desk, pulling a painting from the bottom of the pile. The watercolor was dim, edges torn, and stained from ashes. Through all the years wear, you could clearly see it was a painting of a much younger version of Chris.

"I could fuck every creature in this world and the next, and they still wouldn't be close to him. It took such a long time for me to find him, and I let him slip away so easily." He said.

Though it seemed he was talking to himself, he wasn't. Ghost had been present and not visible the entire time. Ricky knew this and spoke his halfhearted words to his long time companion.

"Did Angelo steal him from you?" Ghost asked as he materialized.

"No." He replied, "Chris and I came from two families that were against each other. They prevented us from seeing each other. We were a true Romeo and Juliet. Chris and I wrote letters back and forth and would send them through carrier pigeons so we didn't get caught. Eventually though, our fathers found out. They caught Chris and I when we snuck out one night. My father asked me, if I'd ever give up my fangs for him. When I said no, Chris felt betrayed. He got angry and we got into a physical fight. Eventually someone came and broke it up, but we beat each other pretty badly. A few years later he fell in love with Angelo. It was that same year that my family overthrew his."

The spirit stared in wonder, "Has anything changed?"

"What'd you mean?" Ricky questioned, setting down the painting to pick up a smoke.

"Now, would you give up your fangs to be with him?" He stated.

After releasing a puff, he responded, "I'd give anything."

Ghost remained silent for a moment. He drifted throughout the room as he thought. They remained quiet to each other as Ricky started to sort out the many old letters on his desk.

"Fate has a funny way of working things out." Ghost finally piped up.

"Yeah," He snit, "It does. Kind of like how it brought half the pure creatures to our doorstep."

He scrunched his face in confusion. "Half?"

"I believe Ashley to be one. I need to taste her blood, but her aura, it's strong. When I ordered those medical tests on her, it was simply an excuse to draw blood from her. Whenever Josh has it for me, we'll see."

"That only leaves four more to find." Ghost replied.

Ricky stood up from his desk. He pushed the chair in, then leaned against the edge as his eyes glazed over. As his smoking hand traveled away from his lips, he looked to the only other creature in the room. He and the spirit came to a comfortable stare.

"Devin?" He softly asked.

A heavy breath traveled through Ghost's nose, "Yes?"

"I know there's a few escorts coming to the party tonight and everything. I'll get my fill then, but I can't wait. And those girls, I can't get drunk off their love. They can't make me forget." Ricky said.

"What are you saying?"

"It's been awhile since we've laid in a bed together."

Ghost crossed his arms and looked down, "When we fuck during your sex parties and all your royal orgies and shit, it's different. Just you and I is so intimate, and that's what ruined Kylie and I's relationship before. I'm trying to get back with her and make amends."

"She doesn't love you." He stated bluntly.

"Neither do you, not enough that we'd ever wed."

"You're right," Ricky replied, "But I will care for you more than she ever will. Please, Devin. I need someone to help heal my pain."

The lost soul played with the thought in his mind for the time being. He sighed and straightened his posture. Ghost walked over to his king and gently met their lips. Ricky put his hands on the phantom's face, melting into his icy touch.

A/N: Chapter 9 was never completed, so it was never named.

Chapter 9