The Crimson Fang

Everyone stopped at the Altros’ words. “Her what?” Sakura asked, believing that she had to be hearing things. “I said I’m her father.” Ami didn’t recognize this man, having never seen him before, yet somehow, deep down inside, she could feel that it was true. She stepped in between Joseph’s blade and Davinthos, hoping to stop the strike. She clenched her eyes shut, waiting for the pain of Joseph’s blade piercing her, but it never came. She opened her eyes, taken aback by the blade tip, a mere inch from her eyes. There was a look of disbelief on Joseph’s face. “Don’t tell me you believe the words of this Altros.” The last word came with venom behind it. Ami could feel the hatred that he bore them. She nodded. “Either way, we need to free Draken. That means, regardless of whether he is your father or not, we must kill him.” He turned to Davinthos. “I do apologize, in the unlikely event that you are being honest, but you need to die.” “If I were to release the lad, would you guarantee the safety of my life?” Joseph thought for a moment. “While I cannot guarantee your life, I can tell you, by my honour, that you would receive a fair trial. Ami, now that it is known that you may be Half-Altros, they may demand that your life be forfeit, as well. I apologize to you, if it comes to that.” Ami nodded once more, turning to Davinthos. He smiled at her and released the chain that bound Draken to him. “A fair trial is more than acceptable, since I have no more reason to oppose you. The on giving me my orders,” he said, motioning to the Altros that Joseph first killed, “has been slain, causing this army to lose its leader.” Cheers rose out through the sky, as the last of the Altros invaders fell. “Excellent. We must seek out King Artemus’ heir, now. He’ll need to be informed of the situation, and prepare for the trial.” The Crimson Fang returned to the interior of the castle, beginning their search for Prince Albert, King Artemus’ eldest son.

They found him, as well as his brothers and sisters, hiding in the banquet hall. “Our apologies for having taken so long in finding you,” Joseph said, as the Fang bowed. “We have not heard from father. Is he well?” A solemn look crossed Joseph’s face. “I couldn’t reach him in time to save him. I apologize and take full responsibility for his demise.” Albert frowned. “Did you at least avenge him?” “I did, my king.” “I am not king, yet. We need to prepare for the coronation ceremony, before anything can be made official.” Elder Simon, who had also been hiding nearby, spoke up upon hearing this. “Ahh, yes,” everyone jumped in surprise, as he revealed himself, “the Ceremony of Ascension. I will begin preparations immediately.” He turned, rushing from the hall. Prince Albert turned to Davinthos, a look of disgust on his face. “Why is there an Altros here? I demand that he be destroyed, and that his filth no longer plague these halls.” Joseph bowed his head. “It is a bit of a delicate matter, my prince. He has surrendered and is therefore protected by our laws, until he stands trial, after which his life will be decided.” “Why is that delicate? The trial will most likely end in his death.” “He claims that he is Ami’s father,” Joseph replied, motioning to the quivering Hawk. Prince Albert stepped back at this news. He turned to Ami. “Ami, go retrieve your mother. We will find out if this claim is true or false.

The trial was a small one, being kept in absolute secrecy. The only attendants were the Crimson Fang, the royal family, Elder Simon, Ami’s mother, Lady Emma, and the prisoner, Davinthos. “Before the trial begins,” Prince Albert began, “I wish to confirm something. Lady Emma, is the Altros Davinthos truly the father of your daughter, Ami?” Emma nodded. “Very well. Perhaps you would wish to tell us your story now, Davinthos? Remember that we will make our final judgement, based on what you tell us, as well as what you can do for us.” “Thank you, Prince Albert. Your generosity is limitless. I met Emma during the First Great War. At least that is how the Altros refer to it. I am not quite certain if your people have a name for it, but I digress. I had abandoned the Altros ranks, not sharing the belief that the murder and enslavement of the creatures of the world was our destiny.”

“I met her as I was walking through some fields. I had never before seen a being so beautiful. I instantly fell in love with her. We sat beneath a nearby tree, and spoke for several days straight, after which, I confessed my undying love for her. She returned my love, and we held each other in a long embrace. Unfortunately, before Ami had even been born, all members of the Altros race were imprisoned and sealed away. This, to my dismay, included me, as well as those who were in service alongside me.”

“That ‘prison’ was absolute hell for me. Not only had I been torn from the only woman I had ever loved, and have ever loved since, but I was surrounded by my former ‘comrades,’ whom I had abandoned. I was beaten mercilessly, almost daily, for several centuries. One day, one of the high ranking Altros approached me with a proposition. He offered to forgive me for my treachery, and even absolve my crimes, if I served him, unquestioningly, until the day he, or myself, die. He had assumed, obviously, that I was going to be the first to die, and I felt the same way, to be honest. The beating came to a complete halt, since he had told a group of his larger, stronger followers to protect me from the others. When we had finally managed to break through the Seal and enter this world again, he told me to stay with him, as opposed to joining the attack. He sent most of his other followers into the battle, though. Most of them were slain by Reinhardt, who was even a legend amongst our people. Zalterosand and a few others were the only to return to us when the Seal had been restored. Zalterosand bragged to just about anyone who would listen, that he had been the one to slay the great Reinhardt, which won him great praise and acclaim. When the Seal broke this time, Zalterosand was sent to distract the son of Reinhardt, whilst the rest of us struck the very heart of the Crimson Nobles. My master believed that, if the son had even a fraction of the power that Reinhardt has, he needed to be kept out of the way. Even he had not expected that the son of Reinhardt would have the power to destroy Zalterosand!”

“When we came through the Seal, the master decided that we should head straight for the throne room. He had wished to not waste any time in subduing the Noble army. I was ordered to bind Drakenarius, whilst the others bound the rest of the Crimson Fang, allowing my master to slay King Artemus. I do greatly apologize for my hand in that misdeed. Fortunately, however, when the son of Reinhardt destroyed my master, I became free of my contract to him. I had all but backed out of the battle, when the Crimson Fang approached me, ready to slay me, as well. I released Drakenarius, after The Crimson Dragon had agreed that I may face trial, and I surrendered to him.” Prince Albert interrupted for the first time since Davinthos had begun speaking. “What is it that you want from us?” “I wish for you to turn me, so that I may join your race, and can be with my love and our daughter.” “I fail to see what an Altros has to offer our people. Care to enlighten me?” “I have the ability to pinpoint Altros activity, allowing you to find them and defeat them. I offer my services in this regard, in return for your gift.” Prince Albert pondered this matter for several minutes. Davinthos was terrified, awaiting his judgement, and began to sweat profusely. Finally, the prince rose and spoke. “Very well, Davinthos. We will turn you, in exchange for you aiding us in the search for the Altros, locating their whereabouts for us. Ami, if you would be so kind as to do the honours?” Ami looked up at Prince Albert, confused. “It is my decision that you should be the one to turn your father.” Joseph stepped forward. “All due respect, my prince, none of us have ever turned anybody before. I doubt that Ami knows how.” Elder Simon seemed to get excited. “I would like to take this opportunity to teach her, your grace. That is, if you would allow it, of course.” Prince Albert nodded, and Simon walked over to Davinthos. He motioned to Ami. “Come closer, my dear.” She approached the two of them, as Elder Simon placed his arm around her shoulders. “First you must draw blood from him. It matters not how you go about doing this, but there must be a significant amount. Once you have managed to draw the blood, you must drink it. This will do two things. Firstly, it will allow you to convert your own blood, temporarily, to a ‘type’ that is compatible with the person whom you are attempting to turn. That way it will not kill them when they drink yours. Secondly, it allows you to gain their knowledge, as well as many memories, and make it your own. Blood carries much of the two, after all. Then you will open a wound on your own body, allowing some of your own blood to spill forth. Finally, the individual that wishes to undergo the change must drink the blood that comes from you. Go ahead, try it yourself, my dear.” Ami did as Elder Simon instructed her, and Davinthos drank her blood; his body fell to the floor and began writhing. “Ahh, yes. I neglected to mention that, in order for the transformation to occur, the subject must first die, as their body takes your blood into their own. Then, if the individual is worthy, they will be reborn and rise, a member of the Crimson Noble race. If they are unworthy, or their body cannot accept the transformation, they will stay dead, never to rise again.” As he finished, Davinthos’ body became still. After several minutes, his eyes opened, revealing a deep red colour, and he rose to his feet. “Thank you,” was all he could say. Prince Albert asked him, “Are you still able to track the Altros?” “I can give you an exact location on all Altros who are active and at large. However, those who have gone into hiding, or those who are subtle in their movements, I can only give a rough estimate as to their locations. I can pinpoint the town, but cannot do much more than that.” “Good enough. You, Elder Simon, and myself, will go to the map room, where you will point out the Altros’ locations. Thank you, Lady Emma, you may return home now.” Lady Emma looked at Davinthos. “Once all is said and done, and we have the locations of the Altros, I will send him to see you. I am sure you have much to discuss. As for the five of you,” he turned to the Crimson Fang, “go get some rest. You have earned it. Be prepared to leave, though, when I call you.” The Fang nodded in reply. “This hearing is hereby adjourned.”

The Fang retired to their rooms in the castle. They rested, as they reflected on the events that had transpired, and packed some supplies, preparing for their impending hunt. Joseph thought to himself, I will make sure that every single one of them pays the price for what they have done. I don’t care how long it takes, it will be done.

They didn’t have to wait long to hear word from the prince. A knock on each of their doors indicated that it was time for them to go. They each looked back as they left their rooms, making sure they had everything they needed. They made their way to the map room, where Prince Albert pointed out their target on a large map. “I expect this to be taken care of swiftly,” he ordered them. It was a fairly easy hunt, as were the ones that followed.

The Crimson Fang returned late one evening, after hunting and destroying a group of Altros on the southern continent. As they brushed the snow off of themselves, Sakura smiled. “You know,” she said, “I really expected the ’legendary’ Altros toe be a bit more, umm, challenging.” Everyone laughed, except for Ami. The group turned and looked where Ami was standing, only to find nothing there.