Flame 36 - Plans Laid Out

Opium Scatterella's blurry vision came back and slowly tried to remember what happened. He saw Astrid and Krauser waiting for him to wake up. When he realized where he was, he jolted up.

"What happened??" he asked both of them.

"It's fine. We got both territories," Krauser said. He then walked to the couch and sat down while drinking coffee.

Opium looked at the clock and saw that it was just around 3 am in the morning. Agad itong tumayo pero pinigilan siya ni Astrid.

"You're not okay, Opium." Astrid said and stopped him from going out of the room.

Lumingon lang ang bampira sa kanya and gave her a 'what the heck' look.

"You need blood. I only gave you blood tablets. It's never going to be enough. If we continue doing this, you need to feed."

Opium shook his head and decided to go out of the room. Nagulat siya ng makita si Yohan Malchizeko kasama ang iba pa sa cabin.

"Yohan? What the--"

Yohan immediately kneeled. "Master, I'm-- I'm sorry!!! I know you ordered me to protect Lady Via but I couldn't leave you behind like that. I'm so--" Opium snapped and gave him a solid punch in his face. Yohan dropped, Leeroy held on Opium while Astrid and Krauser rushed out of the room after hearing the commotion.

"You left Olivia alone there? Huh? You punk!!! You're disobeying me now? HUH? ANSWER ME YOU MUT! YOU SCUM!" sigaw ni Opium habang sinisipa ang nakahigang bampira.

"Tama na, Opium!" sigaw ni Annielyn at agad lumapit kay Yohan.

Tumigil siya at agad inalis ang mga kamay ni Leeroy sa katawan niya. Nagpupumiglas ito at umupo to get a closer look at Yohan while he lies on the floor with a sore cheek. He grabbed him by the collar and gave him a deadly grin.

"S-Sorry, Master..." hirap na sabi ni Yohan.

Opium sighed. Unti-unting lumuwag ang pagkakakapit nito sa collar ni Yohan. "Fix yourself and stay here. I'm sure the coven will be looking for you and have you killed." Binitiwan niya ito at tumayo na.

Agad inasikaso nila Annielyn at Katherine si Yohan. Akma namang paalis na si Opium ng harangan na naman siya ni Astrid.

"Opium, you need to feed." Astrid reminded him again.

"I'll take a few deers along the way, don't worry."

"No, Opium. You need to feed," seryosong sabi ng Fairy sa kanya. Her eyes looked straight at him at walang nagawa ang bampira kundi umiwas.

"Sheesh! Okay! Sige! I'll try!" sabi nito para lang makaalis siya. Nagkakamot pa ito ng ulo na lumabas ng cabin.

Madilim pa sa palibot ng cabin at nang maiikot ni Opium ang kanyang paningin, bigla itong naging malabo. Tila ba umuuga ang kanyang paningin at ano mang sandali'y matutumba siya. Napakapit siya sa pinto at agad na iniyugyog ang ulo.

"Fuck this!" inis na sabi nito sa sarili. Ayaw na niyang uminom ng dugo ng tao dahil nahihirapan parin siyang kontrolin ang sarili sa paginom dito. Bukod doon, maselan siyang masyado. Mas gusto niya ang dugo ng mga babae kasya lalaki. At nahihirapan siyang maghanap ng dugo na aayon sa kanyang panlasa.

Agad namang nilapatan ng lunas si Yohan Malchizeko matapos nitong makatanggap ng suntok kay Opium. Annielyn took in charge of it dahil mas inaalala ni Astrid ang kalagayan ni Opium.

"You and your Master sure have weird conversations. Talaga bang nagsusuntukan kayo after not seeing each other for a long time?" tanong nito.

Yohan gave her a bright smile. "Not really. He's strict ever since we were kids. He's always like that, grumpy, serious and protective about Lady Via."

"Wait, you were childhood friends with Opium?" Krauser suddenly butted in.

Yohan nodded.

"Then that means..."

"I'm part Rooseveltian, like Master Opium. I've been his loyal servant for many years now."

"How many Rooseveltians are still in the Coven?" Krauser asked and sat down beside Yohan.

"Just me. I was an honorary Scatterella after the war because it was a special request of Opium, and also to save me from the mass killings of Rooseveltians."

"I'm sorry to hear that," the telepath apologized. Yohan smiled and pat his back.

"It's fine. I owe Master Opium my life. And I'll follow him wherever he goes. Hindi nga lang ako nakaalis agad sa Coven because he instructed me to watch over Lady Olivia."

Katherine sat down the couch too and smiled. "So are you joining this secret alliance? We could use another vampire," she asked.

Yohan smiled at everyone in the cabin. "It would be an honor."

D-5 Before full moon

As soon as the sun comes up, Annielyn Thompson came out of the cabin with her fight gear on and walked in the forest. There she saw Krauser Vaughaun training with her fellow werepanthers. Katherine Lovell is busy inside the cabin organizing some files.

It has been three days since Krauser Vaughaun started his physical training with the weres and he has made great improvement.

"Lower your stance, Kraus!" she instructed. She slightly hit his knee to bend him down a little and perk up his chin to improve his posture.

Once in position, he attacked one of the panthers wearing combat suits. Hindi rin nagtagal ay lumabas na mula sa cabin si Yohan Malchizeko. Stretching his arms and removing his Guild Leader uniform.

"Astrid said you need to rest," sabi ng werepanther sa bampira ng makita niya ito.

"No time for that," pinatabi niya ang werepanther na kalaban ni Krauser at ngumiti sa harapan ng telepath. He mockingly waves his hands, signalling him to come to him.

"Are you for real?" Krauser sighed.

"Try me!" Yohan slyly replied.

Agad umatake si Krauser but somehow, he was caught up with a powerful hold. One swift move and he landed on the ground, chin first. Struggling to find an escape as the vampire holds both his hands at his back, he squirms around to break free.

"Lesson 1, submission!" Yohan said as he held Krauser's hands tight. "Vampires are known close range attackers. After being caught up in a powerful hold, they can easily stab their opponents using their own hands."

Katherine went out of the cabin and saw her Master struggling to break free from the vampire. Tumayo siya sa tabi ni Annielyn at sabay nilang pinanuod ang training.

"Shit!" Krauser, already losing his temper, grab hold Yohan's arm and twist his body to shake his opponents momentum. He successfully took off his hold and is now lying on his back with Yohan still on top of him.

"Try harder, Vaughaun!" Yohan said as he tries to take hold of his legs.

Krauser uses his remaining strength to kick him out. He's unaware that he placed both of his hands on his chest and an unexplainable force sent Yohan off a mere distance from him. Krauser was stunned as he stared at his hands.

Natigilan ang lahat sa pagsasanay. Even Annielyn and Katherine were also stunned of what they saw.

"That's Levitation," Astrid suddenly said as she flew beside Annielyn.

"Levitation? Is that the one you told us about his telepathic powers? That he can levitate things aside from reading thoughts?" Katherine quickly asked.

The fairy nodded.

Krauser slowly looked at his hands and was amazed of what he did. Yohan scoffed and stood up. He walked towards Krauser and offered him a hand. He jokingly punched his arms.

"You're not that bad, Krauser Vaughaun. Kaya pala Master Opium instructed me to train you," he said then jump a bit far and went back to his fighting stance. "Alright, let's start from the top. And, please, try to control that until we find someone who can teach you," he instructed.

Krauser quickly get into his fighting stance and they attacked each other again.

Katherine smiled and walked back to the cabin to finish her files.

Opium unlocks the door of the Hubbert's and found Cedrick in the living room. The kid was watching television and ran to him as soon as the kid saw him enter.

"Opium! Where have you been! Ate's been worried sick about you kagabi!" he told the vampire as he clung himself to his long legs.

"Where's she?" he asked the kid while struggling to remove his small hands wrapped around his thighs.

"Out to buy some blood. It's almost full moon, Kuya Opium," agad natigilan ang binata at napaupo sa sofa katabi ang batang Cairopteran.

He knows about the Full Moon. Doon din balak ng Coven na buksan ang Assaiah. He cannot tear his body in half to protect the Hubberts for Full moon if he's out in the Upstate woods, battling with his own Coven. Kaya nga gustong makausap ni Opium si Celestine.

"You look sick, Kuya." Cedrick went to him and placed his small hands on his forehead. "Hindi ka naman nilalagnat, lamig lamig mo pa nga," sabi pa ng bata.

He playfully bonked his head and laughed. "For a kid, you certainly are a moron. I'm a vampire. I'm always cold, because I'm already dead."

"Bakit ako? Bampira din ako diba?"

"You're different, Ced. You're a half vampire. You're only a vampire during full moon."

Just in, biglang bumukas ang pinto at napalingon ang dalawa mula sa sofa. Celestine was still wearing her uniform while carrying two huge paper bags. Napatayo agad si Opium to help her carry them pero hindi siya pinansin ng dalaga.

Dire-diretso si Celestine sa counter top at binuksan agad ang paper bag para ilagay sa cabinet ang lahat ng kanyang pinamili.

Masiglang lumapit si Cedrick sa kanyang kapatid. "Ate, si Kuya Opium--"

"Go wash and change to your pajamas, Ced," malamig na utos nito sa kanyang kapatid. Agad namang napatingin si Opium sa bata at bakas dito ang lungkot sa malamig na mood ni Celestine.

"Okay po," he said and march himself to his room.

Opium walked towards Celestine and aggresively took some of the jars she was organizing.

"Ano ba! Akin na nga yan!" inis na sabi nito habang inaabot ang kinuha ni Opium.

"Anong problema mo?"

"Wala!"

Opium looked at her and raised his eyebrows.

"Wala nga sabi eh! Akin na nga--"

"Is this about last night? Look I'm--"

"I couldn't care less where the hell were you last night, Scatterella."

Opium pouted his lips. Agad namang hinablot ni Celestine ang jar na hawak nito. "Grabe ka. Sakit mo magsalita. It's as if like you don't care about me!" pag-iinarte nito.

"Eh ikaw? If you care about me, then you should at least tell me where you were! Hindi yung magdamag mo 'kong di pinatulog sa pag-aalala!" Huli na nang marealize ni Celestine na napasobra yata ang kanyang mga nasabi. Opium slowly smiled at her.

"I'm sorry. I should know better."

She rolled her eyes and walked out of the kitchen. Dumiretcho ito sa sala. Tinanggal niya ang heels na suot niya at ang medyas saka niya ito nilagay sa shoe rack malapit sa pintuan ng kanyang kwarto. Opium followed her around.

"Celestine naman! Sorry na," he said.

Hindi siya pinansin ng dalaga at patuloy lang sa pagliligpit ng kalat. She even slammed the door when she entered her room. Opium sighed and chuckled a bit. He's awfully bad with taming girls lalo na kapag nagtampo na ito. He suffered most of his life persuading his sister too. And now, with Celestine.

Agad ding lumabas si Celestine, nakapambahay na ito. Simpleng strap top at shorts. She even stopped and side-eyed Opium dahil alam nito na he's checking her out. Just like what he always says, 'He has needs'. Umirap ang dalaga at naglakad ulit patungo sa kusina para magluto.

Sumunod lang si Opium pero bigla itong natigilan ng may maamoy siyang kakaiba. Nakita niyang tinatali ni Celestine ang kanyang buhok, agad nitong tinakpan ang ilong at bibig. He took a step back pero napansin niya ang unti-unting pag-ikot ng kanyang paningin. He was about to walk out of the kitchen but he tripped in one of the dining chairs.

"Huh? Hey!" naalarma naman agad si Celestine at nilapitan ang binata.

"No! D-Don't!" Opium waved his hand and tried to speak. He had a hard time opening his mouth because his fangs are growing and he cannot control it.

Bumalot ang takot sa buong katawan ni Celestine ng makita niya ang unti-unting pagbabagong-anyo ng binata habang nakaupo ito sa sahig. "Opium? Hey! Ano bang nangyayari!" she yelled pero hindi ito makalapit dahil patuloy ang pagharang ng bampira gamit ang isa nitong kamay.

"G-Go away! Go!" he said, almost half growl.

Hindi malaman Celestine Hubbert ang gagawin. Napalingon siya sa bintana at iniisip na tumalon doon kung sakali mang atakihin siya ni Opium pero natigilan siya ng makita niya ang kanyang itsura.

She gasped as she realized what she did. Napahawak siya sa kanyang leeg at muling tumingin kay Opium na tila nilalabanan ang sariling pagbabagong anyo.

"Oh my God, did I--"

"Just go!!!" he yelled.

"But you need blood! Hindi pa kita nakitang uminom ng dugo simula nung isang linggo!"

"Stop being stupid and leave!!!" Opium found the strength to stood up and walked towards the door, but still struggling as he grabbed his own hair and pulled it up, aching his throbbing head.

Celestine managed to run to Cedrick's door and lock it from outside. She double locked it just in case. Natigilan lang siya when he heard Opium dropped before he could even reached the door.

Lumapit siya sa bampira at inakay ito upang maiupo niya. His eyes are gleaming red and evidently pale. He seemed struggling to breathe, too. Signs na kailangan niya ng dugo, Celestine knew about this dahil ganito rin ang nagiging lagay ni Cedrick tuwing sasapit ang full moon. Medyo kakaiba nga lang ang imahe na naaalala ni Celestine sa kanyang kapatid.

"Opium, you need blood!" she breathe in deep before sitting closer to him. She slowly tugs her hair on one side, revealing her neck.

Opium's state changed aggresively. Tila bumalik ulit ang sakit ng ulo niya at naglaway ito. "No! No!" he said as he fights the urge to feed on her.

"It's okay, Opium." She whispered to his ear and gently holds his hand. "It's fine," she assured him. Celestine held his face and leans in to kiss him. It was a slight peck. She nudged her forehead on his and kissed his nose.

"I-- I can't!!!" Opium said in between pants. He was still trying to fight the temptations of feeding. Opium promised not to feed on humans because it shakes his principles, of what he's fighting for, but somehow, animal blood or blood substitute tablets cannot quench his thirst for real blood.

Celestine thugs her strap top down, revealing her shoulders. Opium's eyes widen and his lips were squirming. Celestine looked in his blood red eyes. It registers no other emotion except hunger and she smiled.

Opium gulped and closed his eyes. His fangs grew long as he slowly reach out for Celestine Hubbert's neck. His hands creeped in her small waist, one even slid in her top and supported her bare back.

Celestine took one deep breath before hearing a growl and squealed because of a slight sting. She even jolted up, her back arched but Opium's hands were there to support her. As the fangs of Opium Scatterella buried itself through her neck, it felt nothing but pleasure. The squealed turned into moans and she loses her consciousness as she was drowned in a deep, pleasing feeling.

Opium slowly sucked her neck and once he had enough, he removed his sharp fangs off of her neck. He wiped his mouth clean using the back of his hand and look at Celestine's unconscious body. Her neck was lovely, Opium smiled as he caressed her face.

Hindi malaman ng binata ang pakiramdam habang hawak niya ang babaeng walang pagdadalawang-isip na ibigay ang sarili para sa kanya, para iligtas siya. He owes his life to this woman. Binuhat niya ang dalaga papunta sa kwarto nito at naghanap ng patch upang takpan ang dalawang marka sa kanyang leeg.

He tucked her to bed and leans in to kiss her forehead. "Rest well," he whispered before closing the lights. Narinig naman niya ang pagkalampag ng pinto sa kwarto ni Cedrick.

"Ate!!!" sigaw ng bata mula sa kanyang kwarto.

Natatawang binuksan ng bampira ang pinto at agad lumabas si Cedrick. "Tulog na Ate mo, kaya matulog ka na rin," he said.

"Aalis ka na naman ba?" malungkot na tanong nito.

Opium walked towards him and kneeled para magkapantay sila. "Yes, but I already left a note of where I'll be at tonight on your Ate's bedside table. I'll also call her tomorrow morning. Magkikita rin naman kami sa school." He assured the kid and pats his head.

He was about to walk out when Cedrick hold on to the hem of his jacket.

"M-My Ate... I think... she likes you."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know."

"She... she likes you a lot."

He smiled and open the door. "I know kid, don't worry. I know everything and I will not hurt her. I promise."

Cedrick smiled too and nodded.

"See you tomorrow morning. Look after your sister."

"I will! Bye Opium!" Cedrick waved as he watched the vampire disappeared from his sight.

Zirco made his way to the training camp to look for Olivia, after a long day of training and guarding. They have to double their efforts in protecting the remaining areas surrounding the Assaiah. He found her training with other vampires and headed by Stan Berkley.

"Lady Via," Zirco called her attention and bowed.

Olivia stopped and bowed to Stan and as well as the other vampires training behind her as respect. Agad siyang inabutan ni Zirco ng towel para punasan ang kanyang pawis.

"Why are you here, Zirco?" she asked.

"You need to come with me. I'll discuss you the order and plan for Full Moon," Zirco said with a serious tone. Olivia had to raise her eyebrows because of how Zirco is acting.

"Well, okay?" she clearly has no choice anyway.

They drove by the Scatterella House, a few kilometers away from the Scarlet Mansion. Zirco went inside the House. Last time Olivia was here was during the Coven dinner where Opium ran away. After that night, Opium was announced as a traitor and never returned.

Nagtataka naman na dumiretcho sila sa dulong parte ng House. Doon, may isang elevator. Ngayon lang nalaman ni Olivia ang tungkol dito.  Agad namang bumukas ang pinto, Zirco quietly pressed the button for the elevator to work.

"W-Wait, we're going down?" laking pagtataka ng dalaga. Zirco only nodded his head and smiled.

Once the elevator 'ting'-ed, Zirco stepped out. Napasunod naman agad ang naguguluhang si Olivia. Half way through it, she noticed what this floor is.

It was huge than she thought. It was an underground facility. Human sized tubes were lined up, with bodies soaked in water. They seemed to be sleeping. Dahan-dahang lumapit si Olivia sa isa sa mga hatch. There she saw a girl floating in water with a few apparatus glued on her chest. She was about to placed her hand on the glass hatch when the girl opened her eyes.

"W-What the--" it was a horrifying sight. The girl slowly transformed. Her eyes became pitch black, it even started crying blood while still being underwater. Her facial veins became purple and has long gritted teeth. She was slamming the hatch open and Olivia had to step back and was somehow traumatized with what she saw.

"Lady Via!" Zirco came in and helped her stood up.

"W-What are they?"

"Cairopterans."

Olivia looked around the whole floor. It was full of human sized hatches with different people in it. Napatingin siya ulit sa babae na nilapitan niya. Patuloy pa rin and pagwawala nito. May mga lumapit na tao doon, nakasuot sila ng overalls na puti, goggles at masks. May tinurok sila sa isa sa mga aparato na nakakabit doon. Unti-unting nanghina ito hanggang sa makatulog.

"They are called Cairopterans. You see, your Dad, Lord Gifford, is planning to use them as an army."

"Army? Against what? We are the strongest clan in this city, he doesn't need this."

"He needs them for something else." Zirco said and lead Olivia to an empty room. It looks like a board room with a circle table and chairs.

Zirco adjusted the light settings to make the area where the podium and white board a bit dim. Binuksan din niya ang laptop at sinimulan ang isang presentation.

"This mission is most probably our last mission stake for the Coven, Lady Via." Panimula ng binatang Leader habang hawak ang remote.

"Last mission?"

He nodded. "You see, the Assaiah that your Father is protecting is actually the portal to the Underworld."

"But... but that's myths. And besides... who knows what kind of creatures are there!"

"You see, that's why we need an army."

"No! This is... this is dangerous! For the city! For all of us!"

"The city will be destroyed eventually. Once the portal opens, kailangan may pwersa ang Coven para tuluyang mapasakamay ni Lord Gifford ang parehong mundo. Kaya rin ipapakalat ang Cairopterans sa Full Moon ay para maging mga bampira rin ang lahat ng nananatiling mortal na naninirahan sa buong New Wellington."

Olivia stepped back. Her mind was clouded but not enough to see the real picture... the real plan that his Father wanted.

He wanted to destroy New Well.

"Olivia... the Coven is meant to rule. It is what we all wanted ever since. To rule out all supernatural beings," Zirco tried to convince her but she remained stunned.

"I-- I need time..."

"Time for what?"

"To think about this," Olivia turned her heel and walked out of the facility, leaving Zirco Hudges behind.

Out of the shadows, Ludwig Harris walked towards Zirco. He was there, listening as well. His face tainted with a smile, a mocking one though.

"What did I tell you?" the Seeker said, almost trying hard to hide his bluff.

"Shut up, she'll come back and join the coven. I know she will," sagot ng bampira.

"But you know, I'm interested on what you're planning to do once he sided the traitor."

Zirco pressed hard the remote he was holding and within seconds, it was nothing but rubbles. "I'll chop her leg off so she can't run away," he gritted his teeth and threw the broken remote on the ground. "I'll never let that bastard take her away from me," he said and smiled at the Seeker.

The Seeker handed him a glass of champagne and smiled. "Cheers, to the upcoming end."

"Cheers," he said as he reluctantly clinked his glass.

Krauser Vaughaun was still out in the woods, with only a bonfire serving him light. Using all his mental strength, he tried to levitate a rock not far from him. He was successful enough to unlock this potential, it will truly be a big help in protecting their alliance and fighting the Scatterella coven. However, he cannot fully use his powers, just yet.

The stone only levitates around 6 to 10 inches max. Krauser had been doing the same thing since this afternoon and yet no improvements.

"Okay Kraus, let's try it one more time," he said to himself and concentrated on the rock. He moved his hand up and the rock slowly moved upward.

As he was about to heighten the rock, Cohen appeared in front of him. He shoot up and yelled because of total fright.

"What the fuck!!! D-Don't teleport without short notice!!! You scared the fuck out of me!!!" sabi nito sabay sipa sa Crawler.

"Hehe! Sorry! Nasanay lang!" sabi nito sabay kamot ng ulo. Agad namang lumabas si Katherine ng marinig ang sigaw ng Master. She sighed and shook his head once he saw Cohen.

"Hindi siya sanay dyan, Cohen. Give him a break!" sabi nito sa kaibigan.

Krauser sighed and sat down on one of  the log surrounding the bonfire. "What brings you out here, Officer Olsten?" tanong niya.

Cohen Olsten was re-assigned in a different precint after the Mass killing incident dahil nasangkot ito sa pagtulong sa case ni Leeroy Nixon. Nagsisilbi rin siyang information broker ng buong kapulisan sa New Wellington.

"I know a someone who can help you control your powers, Krauser!" masayang sabi nito.

Even Katherine's face lights up when she heard the news. "Really? Who?"

Cohen handed a folder to them. Agad binuklat ng telepath ang folder pero agad ding sumimangot ng makita kung sino iyon.

"This dick? Are you for reals?" agad nitong tinapon sa bonfire ang folder at tumayo. Susunod na sana si Katherine pero napatigil sila ng marinig ang mga sunod na sinabi ni Cohen.

"He knows about the Underworld portal, Krauser. I think he can help us."

Krauser looked back at the Crawler and sighed. He pulled out the folder away from the bonfire, half of it already burned.

"Bring me to Duke Davis now," he said and he held on to the folder.

*****

A/N: Ayokong mang-jinx. But the plot is quite stable as I have it in me kaya nakakapagupdate ako ng pa-konti konti. Let's not hope for any regular updates still.

Salamat sa mga naghintay ng sooooobrang tagal at patuloy na naghihintay. I'll try my best to write during my free time so I can finish everything and leave Wattpad without regrets or an empty heart.

Enjoy the updates! x