Zion's face darkens. "I see... Heinrick actually kept the notes." He looks off in the distance. "I trained some of them, you know. Father was getting worried about needing to protect them all the time and tasked me with their training. I had my lieutenant train them. Okran, if I remember correctly. And they did well. We did what we could to be able to defend themselves. Then... Then Tahrovin came along." His words were sour. "I told Okran that he wasn't a good fit. He was too... Ambitious. Exactly the sort that Father had warned against but the human refused to listen and he would hurt himself otherwise wo we trained him..." He motioned with a hand and shadows gathered around the ground and an image came into view. It was a memory of the Elder's.

-----
[i]"I do not think it wise." A young Zion scowled at the scrawny human. "There is a dark fire in his eyes, Okran."

The older vampire chuckled. "It's roughly the same look that a certain Vampire has when he sees his mate." The large man chuckled, shaking his head. He shifted his helmet from one arm to the other. "I'll keep an eye on him. He's young. He'll grow out of it. We'll turn him into a fine soldier."

[b]Ten years later[/b]

Fires raged in the castle. Vampires and humans alike were running all about as the Guard did what they could to protect everyone. Zion held on to a small child, running from the East wing to the courtyard where a large humanoid man with glowing red eyes and a burning sword stood over the charred remains of General Okran.

"It took you long enough." Tahrovin growled, a grin on his face. "Remember when you told me I would never be strong?" He laughed darkly, eyes filled with madness.

"I never said you wouldn't." Zion pushed the child behind him. "Stay put, Kexal." The Vampire glared at the other man. "I aid that you would be corrupted. Your ambition was always too great. You seek to destroy. You woke up Kurogane. Did you honestly think you could fight a [b]Dragon[/b]? You are a fool."

"And you're a monster." Tahrovin chuckled then grunted as a horn called. "It's been a nice chat but I've got to go, see you in Hell, Zion." He struck the ancient sword in the ground, fire bursting from it and taking off into the night. Zion covered the child behind him, his shadows absorbing the strike. Overhead a dragon cry sounded and black fire started to rain down from the sky.[/i]

---

Zion waved his hand and the memory vanished. "Heinrick collected all of the events and compiled everything. He was always an archivist and Tahrovin had swayed him to his side. The man was as cunning as he was ambitious. He'd made a deal with a demon, to gain enough strength to destroy our people, founding the Hunters. They have turned away from such practices after Dryder managed to kill him. Not much remains of the history of that time..." The Elder Vampire sighed. "I knew a lot of good humans. Men and Women who wanted to be able to fight for themselves. I even regularly employed humans as my assistants. I've done what I could to keep relations positive. It's is difficult, considering the pull the Hunters hold on Humanity. Preying on the fear of differences they have."

[hr]

Rex nods. "I know... I wouldn't blame you, Jay. Get some rest. I'll see what I can do." He thinks for a moment. "I do not use Alchemy as much. Jivarn does. I focus on runecraft. More powerful effects, just takes time to master the Aetts. I'm about journeyman level. What effect would you need? I can probably set up some regeneration charms, they help recover energy. Aren't too taxing, especially since I had to use a blood rune to cancel that pendant."

He reached into one of the pockets of his coat and pulled out a bag. Rex pulled out three runes, naming them softly as he placed them on the ground. His facial tattoos glowed silver as he pulled upon the Wyrd. "Berkanan, Thurisaz, Laguz. Like a stream fills the river that flows into the lake, come forth oh Fount of power. I beseech the Well that feeds the roots of the Tree. Heimta knáligr." The runes shimmered and erupted into a fine blue mist, that drifted over to Jay and proceeded to cover him like a second skin. Rex let out a deep breath. "This will help. Rune magic isn't great for fast combat but it more than makes up for it's weakness with how versatile it is. Do you need anything to eat? The charm usually increases one's metabolism."