Dream Another Sunset, The Darkness Will Devour

Deep within The Dream forest, are things that crawl and kill. One should never stray from the paves, and endure the sickness of the sweeping chill. This forest, was known for its name, but not because it was a dream, but a nightmare. A simple play on words, to fool all those who dare wander. For those who are easily rused, are the ones who suffer the most vile of deaths. But of course, this forest does have one asset that is not exactly vile.

For years now, Zarai Dubon had made himself at home in the Dream forest. It was an easy way to catch meals, as stray or lost campers/travelers would always get lured into this forest by its most inviting creature. The young vampire ventured outside of the forest sometimes, often into town to read in the library and socialize with the fellow hidden Vampires. But Zar often kept to himself. Alone, he felt that it was best, cosidering he didn't want to crush the fragile figure of a woman, nor the feeble mind of man.

Sitting silently in the bay of a tree, one of the tallest in all the lands, his gleaming black eyes watched the clouds and the stars, naming off the constelations, and far planets. His pale skin glowed in the moonlight, and his long black hair gently flowed with the air currents washing over him. His perfectly angular chin rose to the sky, staring lovingly at the face of the moon. His horns had gown two inches over the last years, but he was hardly proud of it. It seemed as if his demon side was beginning to show further, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. A soft smile played his lips. He wore no shirt, and was completely fine with it. The cold had no effect on him, seeing how he was colder. On his back was the tribal, celtic tattoo of his prophecy. He however, was proud of that. His muscular body was nothing to gaze at, his pecks and abbs were as normal as any human's. Covering his legs, were loose black jeans. He was barefoot too. Upon his lap, was a sketchpad. His fingers gracefully held the stick of charcoal, that so thoughtfully traced the lines of the horizon, and the bottom half of the moon. He was no Matise, but an artist none the less. He was a patron of the fine arts, as France had inspired him to go beyond books, and into the pastels of art. Just then, his sensitive eardrums picked up the crackling of leaves beneath him on the Dream forest's floor. His eyes dropped down from the moon, to the trees below. "A guest?" He asked himself. One eyebrow rose in curiocity. He did not move, nor ask, as he didn't exactly want to give away his position.

*Ember walked alone in the strange forest that she had somehow managed to get lost in. she wore her red dress and a pair of her favorite boots. she had decided she wasnt going to use her wings to get her out of trouble this time, she wanted to find her way back herself. Ember stopped walking a second and sat beneath one of the trees. she was taking a break trying to figure out where she was. She had left her friends party to be alone afterall she was invisible to everyone at the party already. She had walked along way from the house and found herself lost in a strange forest.*

I cant concentrate on anything, which means I wont be able to make it out on my instincts or my abilities.

*she sighed leaning her head back against the tree letting her curly hair fall loose around her shoulders. *

Is there anyway I could actually find my way back?

Upon hearing the footsteps, he already knew three things:

-This intruder was lost beyond compare.
-It was a woman, telling by the light footsteps.
-She wasn't human.

At that thought, Zar sighed. He threw the stick of charcoal, letting it sail, and then fall. He gripped the tree branch and his sketchpad, and then let go. Falling below about fifty feet, he soon hit the ground unharmed, and as if nothing had happened. The ground beneath him was caved in slightly, but there was no sound to his landing. She was not far from him, so he decided to walk instead of flash-step his way. When he was about 8 feet from her, he turned his direction. He was behind her now, as she sat against the tree. He smelt her, and comfirmed she was a woman, and not human. He crept silently towards her, and then knelt down behind her. His arm hung around the trunk of the tree, and his mouth was directly behind her, and near her ear. "It isn't safe out here, you know..." He gently whispered. He was hoping to starle her a little, as he was quite bored.

*Ember opened her eyes and was quickly on her feet. she stared at the man curious to know if he was lost in the forest too or if he knew his way back.*

You know it isnt nice to sneak up on people, and even if it is dangerous to be alone, maybe thats what I prefer to be is alone.

*she smirked wiping off the dirt on her dress*

He slowly rose to his height, and smiled. His smile was one that could rarely be seen by any thing human, a smile that none of his kind was able to make. One of true enjoyment. He chuckled, and ran his fingers through his long hair. His smile proudly framed his glistening fangs. "I hardly sneaked, it was too easy. Its like you have human ears." He chuckled again. "But may I ask, what you are doing at this hour, in this forest?" He smiled once more at her.

I do have human ears at the moment thank you. Mainly because my mind is filled with too many thoughts I just cant keep track.

*she shook her head and sighed sitting back down.*

You see I was at a party and I felt excluded, all those couples dancing as I sat alone in the back of the room. Thats when I saw the man that has been using me all these years the one I called my master with another female, I simply cant stand up against her, I am certainly nothing to him and standing next to her I would feel invisible so I didnt want to feel alone in a big crowd so I left to truly be by myself. I seemed to have walked in this forest by accident and I kind of got lost.

*she closed her eyes and tried not to cry. She was unstable at the moment and she hoped he couldnt tell to much that she was in a weak state but could quickly regain her fighting skill.*

He listened to her explaining, and understood to a degree. He looked up towards the moon and smiled. "Accidents aren't always accidents...sometimes it is fate. Maybe it was fate that carried you to this forest, to meet me." He said witha smile as he looked back at her. Sitting down next to her, he watched her to make sure she wasn't crying. He never wanted to see a woman cry, it was too heartbreaking to him. "Believe me...I know alot about fate." He said as he threw his thumb over his shoulder, pointing out his tribal markings.

*she hid her tears from him and gathered enough strength to speak.*

Maybe but at times I believe Fate is cruel. My life has been nothing but torture, yet somehow i still have enough courage to stand tall through it all.

*she smiled at him lightly and stared at the markings on his back.*

do you mind? *she asked polietly so she didnt startle him when she went to trace her fingers lightly over the strange markings*

He smiled and nodded. "No, not at all.." Once she started to trace, his eyes looked over his shoulder, and seemed to darken with seriousness.

"Prince of heaven and Hell, bringer of death, giver of life and love. Cloak the Earth in red, only to grow green with new life. Love those who see." He recited. "Thats what the markings mean..." He explained.

"But...maybe Fate brought you hear, to end all of your tourture. Maybe fate had come to reward you for your courage..." Her fingers tickled his skin, as delicate as they were.

hm that is all very interesting, its like I have seen these markings before. I just cant remember where....

*she stopped touching the markings and blushed before looking down at the ground*

But how could Fate possibly reward me? I....I wouldnt know what to do.

When he fingertips fell and her voice trailed, he looked back at her.
"You deserve to be rewarded. Maybe something in this forest, will give you much happiness..." He looked own at the ground, as his lips pressed together, as if deep in thought. "..That will make up for the horrible tauntings of your past."

*She looked up at him and suddenly she felt lightheaded. she had forgotten to hunt for she intended to feed that night when instead things had changed. She wasnt able to drink from her master as she had thought. She laid her head on his shoulder and smiled nearly in a daze.*

I'm sorry for this. But maybe I can find happiness maybe it isnt too late for me afterall...

As she felt lightheaded, he could hear her heart pulse sickly. It was slowing down, and he didn't like that. "You must feed...you're going to become unconscious..." He looked over at her, and smiled. "Here." He held out his wrist to her, telling her to taste him.

*Her senses perked up at the sign of offerring yet she couldnt quite make herself drink from him.*

I cant, I will make it through I just need to....rest.....
*she whispered. she knew it was her rule to not take blood from a stranger especially a man. But she was truly in a bad state and if she didnt get blood soon she would surely pass out and she wouldnt allow herself to do that either. it was one or the other and she didnt know what to decide.*

You dont even know my name and yet you offer your lifes essence so willingly.

*she took his wrist and held it gently as if she didn't want to dig her nails into his skin. she kissed the pulse on his wrist as she could feel it gently beat against her lips.*

He stayed quiet for a while. As he watched her kiss his wrist, he couldnt help but feel as if his heart just skipped a beat. "You..you are in dire need...please.." He looked at her, and then looked down at the ground.

I cant drink from you, unless you are sure that I have your full permission. Considering your heart just skipped a beat, I shall drink but only since you have offered. I thank you.

*she stopped talking as soon as her fangs broke through flesh. she could taste the sweet blood that was kept inside his body. It was warm and refreshing. It only took a few drops to cure her and make her feel better. she kissed the marks where her fangs had been and sealed them to prevent the blood from flowing.*

Thank you. *she whispered to him*

Once her fangs sunk into his flesh, his eyes closed tight. He lowly growled, but it sounded more like a purr. The veins in his arms started to throb and ache as the pain ran through his arm. As she removed her fangs, he looked at her. His eyes were glowing a deep red, and his pupils dialated. He suddenly looked away from her. "You're...welcome." he managed to say. He calmed, and as his eyes returned to her, they were black once again like before.

You know there is something about you, that is so familiar to me. Its truely making my brain hurt. *she stood up and cortsied slightly*

Where are my manners? I am Ember, feel free to call me Emm. Might I ask for your name as well?

He stood up as well, running his fingers through his hair. He often did that when he was nervous. "I'm Zarai. You can call me Zar though." He smiled brightly. "Oh? How do I remind you? My markings?"

*she smiled at him sweetly*

It's a pleasure to meet you Zar.
You have similar markings of a person I once knew long ago. He has long been out of my memories but seeing those markings again just reminded me.

"I have yet to find any markings such as mine..in any text books. I've been researching for hundreds of years now." He smiled sweetly, and seemed to bow, taking her hand as he did. "It is a pleasure to meet you, darling Emm." He said with a sheepish grin.

Tis but a pleasure to meet a kind gentleman such as you in a place such as this.
Might I ask where we are? Oh and I believe you will find out what those markings mean when the time is right.

*she smiled back at him*

He smiled brightly and chuckled. "My prophecy doesn't help, its all riddled. My father said thats what my markings said, as if they were an ancient tounge." He sighed, and then looked aroound, placing his hands on the back of his head. "We're in the Dream Forest. I live quite a miles away, but I live within this lovely forest. Do you need a place to stay, or do you need an escort out?" He smiled lightly and waited for her response.

Well considering that I am dressed in this attire and dont want to be left alone at the moment.....I'm quite unsure with myself I mean I'm cant decide whether to leave or to stay. Its peaceful here, unlike the city and its very beautiful.

*she smiled staring at the sky.*

You know maybe the markings mean much more than the riddle says. What if your destiny was chosen but you hold a greater responsibility in the choice of life or death.

*She blushed and shook her head* Oh well mind me I'm simply rambling on about nothing...

"As I said before, My mansion is within two miles from here. You are welcome to stay there." He said with a warm smile. "And maybe, I am made for just that. Life And Death. Create a life, and then take all else away. Perhaps I am to bore children, or wipe the universe from all life? What If,...all I am to be, is the bringer of the apocalypse? The Seven signs have not shown,...I must not be ready to destroy the world." He ended with a chuckle, obviously joking. His smile told of warmth, yet the icy feeling of creeping curiosity. He suddenly needed to know more about this familiar he reminded her of. Maybe he might get somewhere in his studies, maybe he wasn't the only crossbreed out there...