Chapter 4: Hallowed Grounds

January 17, 2598 | 4:58 a.m. Wednesday early morning

Maidwick Woods, a section of the country that Andromeda Morganite has no sway over. Though she has attempted several times to take control of it. Just not recently from what I can see. There is not too much known about the woods, except it can and is often used as a safe haven for those who cannot find anywhere safe to go.

That's a comforting thought. Plus, if it is where the quartet is hiding, that would make things easier. To put it elegantly, Maidwick is the biggest lead we've had in weeks.

It all started with Mors remembering the words of a mad man. Except I do not think Valo is a mad man in the literal sense. I have my suspicions on whether or not Valo being captured was part of the plan all along. Between the traveling, research, talking, and resting between, I got to think long and hard about what Mors had stated alongside the what I found in the articles.

Something wasn't adding up. These four were smart enough to know it was a trap. I realize that it could be a case that they wanted to save the bait, as it were. However, what if there is more to it? I find it hard to believe that Valo didn't know what Sorina is. In fact, I would be surprised if she hadn't told Noe and Lorcan as well. She was never one to hide that part of her with people she trusted. She was utterly too trusting. Then again, so was I once upon a time. That has changed. For her though? It could have been an asset.

I have no solid proof, yet. However, it is possible that they planned a counter. What is better than capturing your enemy? Making them think you have been beaten. Using Sorina, they could easily have someone act as a dead body to be carried into the building. Valo being captured would give them another option of gathering intel on Morganite's organization. Of course the wounds would have not completely been part of the plan, but it might have been welcomed to really bring everything together. To make it seem as if their counter wasn't planned.

Telling Mors about Maidwick would have been a tactic of gathering a formidable ally.

Him having an invite is a good thing. Meaning they at least want to open up a conversation. Let's hope they are willing to speak with me as well. I am putting a lot of faith in Sorina's memory of me being her friend. That could backfire on me somehow. We will see in due time.

The last time I wrote in this journal was eleven days ago. It is amazing how fast time can slip by when you are planning and researching to assist the future of mankind. Granted, it isn't all that had transpired. No. There is much more. In fact Mors is officially living in my apartment with Orion and Damaris Blackwell's blessing. Though I think they may start making me pay rent. For a while they said that payment in the form of protection was enough. I fear I am officially pushing my luck.

The pen clatters onto the page as Omnia grumbles, her hands vigorously rub her face before cupping it. Mors gently placed his hand on her shoulder as he stood next to the lounge chair near the open window. Frustration exuded from her as she felt Mors being gentle with her. Her breathing went from a heavy irritated, to soft and calm.

"What's on your mind, Omnia?" There was a sweet cadence that flowed with concern coming from Mors' voice as he looked down to Omnia, curious to what she was so frustrated about.

She took a deep breath as she casted her gaze outside. "I want it to be done already. I want to fix what these humans destroyed. I am tired of seeing history constantly repeating itself. Seeing millions suffer over an ideal that fits only a few is pure insanity to me." Pulling her gaze from the window, she looked up at Mors with tears beginning to swell up in her eyes. "I never wanted this sort of life for humankind. I strived to make it better. I founded a research center to prevent situations such as this. Yet I keep finding that they do not desire help. They seem to want things to be agonizingly slow, painful, and down right cruel. Why can they not respect one another? Why can they not realize that peace is nothing more than communication and compromise? I don't understand."

A smile crept onto Mors' face, one that looked like a cross between mischief and warmth. "I may not have lived as long as you, but I have noticed that mortals do not always have their best interest at heart. From what I have gathered of this particular group we find ourselves involved with, they care. They want to change things too, and hopefully they will. I do understand wanting to help out. Perhaps you can." For a moment he studied her face, noticing how she looked more frightened at the idea. "What don't I know?" The words hit her like an arrow to the heart. "Trust me this once, Omnia."

"I have a hard time trusting anyone. If I'm being totally honest with myself as well as you." Her gaze focused on her hands instead of Mors. Fidgeting seemed like the best option she had as the nerves swelled inside her. It wasn't that she lacked emotion. She simply lacked the ability to feel it towards others, though in that moment it seemed that perhaps she was lying to herself.

"I get it. If you can't trust me though, who will you ever be able to trust?" Mors looked at her with a gentleness that she had only seen from one other person; Nen.

A grumble of pure aggravation escaped her lips as she looked up at him, slightly turning her head to see his face better. "Alright. I will trust you, for now." She let out a sigh while her gaze followed Mors as he sat in front of her. "I was human a long time ago. To be honest, I do not even remember how long ago it was now, but it was thousands upon thousands of years before this era. I was being taken through the desert at the time."

January 17, 2598 | 10:39 a.m. Wednesday late morning

Took a few hours for me to tell Mors everything, but I did tell him my story. The best part is the fact he listened to every detail. He listened about how Nen found me in the desert as the slavers had left me to die. How Nen held me in his arms, hesitating for a moment before he fed me his blood to revive me. Nen always said that our bloodline has a funny way of knowing who to trust. We simply have to listen. Today, I truly listened to that part of myself.

After I spoke about Nen, I went on to detail the vampiric bloodline that runs through my veins. Verity. The ability to change my reality as I see fit with the price of my own blood. When I told him that my blood matches my eyes as well as my tears, he was utterly confused. He stated that he had seen my tears at night when I slept. He saw me use Verity on the bodies that were on the road, yet my blood was not crystal blue.

That gave me a chuckle. I reminded him that Verity is dangerous. And it is.

The person who killed Nen was someone who wanted two things from me. Verity was the first thing. The second was to kill Nen as well as me. Safe to say Nen gave up his life in order to protect me. I took the pen that allows Verity to be utilized then ran like the wind.

Rather I used another vampiric skill to run. Mors couldn't believe that it was called Immanis Cursus. Though I am sure there are other things to call it besides that. That was simply what Nen had called it. I prefer it. Mostly because it came from him.

Focusing back on Verity. I told Mors that I could easily change the way things were at present. It would take almost every ounce of blood I have inside my body to make it happen. That was the dilemma I was having. I could fix everything, however, humankind would not grow. They would not learn anything.

He did make a point that humans, apparently, have not learned anything if this type of situation keeps happening. He understands though. It is a matter of taking the easy way out. If I begin to fix everything with Verity, it would never end. I would be the one thing Nen was afraid of. Betraying everything he and I believed in for the sake of the easy way out.

The goal remains the same for now. Make our way to Maidwick Woods. Treva said we can get a map at Hallowed Grounds Café. We are going to leave in a few minutes. Mors is giving me a moment to write all of this down. Sadly, I still have to wear that dreaded pastel pink hoodie. I loath that blasted thing. The color is nothing but an eye sore. Treva and Mors believe it brings out my eyes. Perhaps it is true, though I refuse to believe it at all.

I wish it were not daylight, nor do I wish Mors was being hunted for freeing Valo.

"Pack it up, Omnia. We got to go." Mors' voice gave off an air of urgency as he glared over at Omnia for a brief moment.

It only took a moment for Omnia to put her journal away, the leather creaking with age as she closed it. The pen was neatly tucked into the bindings that kept the journal shut. Part of her did not want to even consider the next part, yet she was in the habit of never leaving it behind. She picked up the box that held the pen that she used for Verity. Every time she left the apartment she would place it in a messenger bag that was usually had on her. It wasn't something she normally thought about. However this time it was different. Omnia's conversation with Mors has made her think more about Verity than ever. Contemplating on whether or not she should utilize it to its full extent.

The entire situation was utterly frustrating, because she knew that there may be a moment she would have to use it. It was also a case of, she would rather have it in her possession, safe and sound. Rather than leave it behind with the possibility of having someone take it while she was away. Granted it would be useless without her blood.

With a little urgency in her step, she walked up to Mors. "I'm ready. I swear you are a slave driver today."

"I want to get a move on so we can get to Valo. I need to know that everyone is okay. I don't like being hunted either." Mors let out a little shout of excitement. "Got it! Is there any possibility of just using your blood to make a map appear? It would be safer for both of us."

If looks could destroy someone entirely, Mors would have be obliterated the moment Omnia set her gaze upon him. Her eyes narrowed as her brows furrowed. "You have got to be kidding me. Did I not just tell you that it is dangerous to use Verity when it is not an absolute emergency, Mors? Now you want to take a short cut because you are frightened that the mortal law enforcement might find you at a café?"

There was an audible gulp from Mors as he made haste through the door, making his way down to the first floor. With a shake of her head, Omnia trailed after him. She knew that he meant well. Both of them were afraid in some way. She just had to have better control over it than he had. At least that was her understanding. There was still much about Mors that she did not know. She was not sure if she would have find out more about him either, after all their main focus was finding the resistance.

Justice and hope waits for no one.

January 17, 2598 | 12:27 p.m. Wednesday afternoon

Never standby and watch someone hurt another. If you are able, do something. Even if you are simply screaming. Plus, sometimes it means a free meal if you help. I know I do enjoy a free meal from time to time. That is exactly what happened on our way to Hallowed Grounds Café.

There was a young man walking down the sidewalk. Right outside the alley we had hidden in. Two armed men, I assume they were enforcers of Morganite, attacked him. I will be brief and state that they wanted to harm him in ways that no one should be harmed. I do not wish to say more than that. If you must, use that imagination most humans struggle with.

Apologies. That was crueler than I desired to be. Mors helped the young white haired man while I happily disposed of the two armed men. I hadn't fed in a few days. My eagerness left nothing left than husks. Unfortunate for them.

Anyways, the young man smelled rather familiar. It is strange for so many familiar people to suddenly start to appear. Rather it is something that is truly worrisome. He smelled of my adopted child that ended up a doctor at World Death Intervention Research Center. I didn't ask at all. To be honest, I don't think I will.

Currently, Mors is treating the young man to a cup of coffee and a muffin. The money, if you are wondering, came from Treva. Told us we would need money to get the map. Which I understand. Doesn't mean I like the thought of not having my wealth anymore. I even asked about W.D.I.R.C. and got nothing. No one knows about it at all. When I asked about the facility, I was told that they didn't even know it was there. The building itself!

I am guessing it has at least been over 5 thousand years since W.D.I.R.C. was in operation. As depressing as that is, I am not surprised in the least.

Oh. The name of the young man, if you wish to know, is Arius. His eyes an ocean blue color, while his skin is inhumanly white. To be honest it matches his hair. Mors is attempting to get more information. That way we might be able to help him get to where he needs to be safely. He seems so lost.

It's rare to write while things are happening. I am used to writing after it has happened. I suppose it was meant to happen at some point in time.

Officially we are owners of a map of the city. The trip to Maidwick looks like it could take about a full day, if not two. There's a total of three trails we could take to get there. If we had more information on the place then perhaps Mors could have taken us there with one of his abilities. Apparently he can make portals in order to transport more than himself. Obviously it isn't always that accurate. I don't think he uses it very often. Not that he denies that possibility. Pure speculation here, I do believe that he is still young for his species. Like I stated, speculation. I have no evidence to say that is true, or that it isn't true.

"What, Mors?" Omnia slammed down her pen onto the table as she turned to look at who she thought was Mors. Instead, she came face to face to the mysterious stranger, Arius. "Oh. It's you."

A low chuckle that sounded like pure decadence left his lips. "Quite alright, Miss Somniare Omnia. I do thank you for your rescue." His voice sent shivers down her spine as he smiled at her. Lowering his voice even further, Arius whispered into her ear. "Why is it you hide what you truly are? I can see the crystal blue blood pumping in your veins. How unusual for a vampire?"

Her blood ran cold, her eyes going wide as she turned to look at him. Making eye contact she felt his hot gaze burn into her. "What are you?"

"Couldn't I ask you the same thing, Founder?" Before she could utter another word, Arius disappeared from the café.

Mors ran after him, wanting to make sure that Arius was going to be alright. However, Omnia remained frozen in her seat, staring at where Arius had been standing. Every single nerve ending within her were on high alert. No one had called her founder in a deathly long time. Those that had known her personally called her that from time to time. She couldn't remember or didn't know who Arius was. There was a small hint to who he was at least related to, if not who he was in the past.

His scent. His facial structure. From what she understood, Arius should not exist anymore. Unless his DNA had been manipulated to the point he was no longer human in any aspect. With him having taken off, Omnia didn't know how to find out for sure. The computers at her facility would have stopped working long before she woke up.

The only hope she had to find out was to either find Arius, or find someone who was there. She knew that her best bet would be to find him once more. However, she had more pressing engagements to deal with.

"Omnia?" Hearing Mors' voice shattered her thoughts, making her look at him. "You alright?"

Without uttering a word, Omnia gave him a small nod.

Mors looked down at her journal, then back to Omnia. "You look like you were stabbed in the back." His eyes shifted over to the map. "Okay. So we have the map. Are you worried about Arius? Or did he hurt you some way?"

"It is nothing. We need to make it to Maidwick, Mors. Sooner the better." Omnia's mind was still reeling from what Arius had stated, yet she was fighting to shift her focus to the problem at hand. "We have three options."

"I got it. Let's go with the trail that is the quickest. We can't waste time. Plus. I really want to take this hood off at some point in time. I prefer your apartment." Omnia couldn't tell if he was attempting to make her smile, or to make her want to end him.

Once more, she gave a nod in response. Slowly she marked the shortest route with a shaky hand. It was obvious that Arius had rattled her. "We'll leave from here. Today. If all goes well, we will be there by tomorrow morning. By morning, I do mean early morning, Mors." She stood up, just to collapse back down. "Sorry. I just need a moment."

Mors hovered over her with utter concern as he watched Omnia pick up her pen.

January 17, 2598 | 12:27 p.m. Wednesday afternoon

Who is Arius? What is it he knows? Can't. I have to focus. I have to focus. I have to find Sorina and the others. I cannot lose that focus despite of the ghosts of my past.