No Place Like Home [Miracle!]

[Ayen]

Here she was standing at the entrance of her home. A home she hasn’t visited for over six centuries. A home she burnt to the ground after a slaughter fest that nobody else has been able to top since she performed it back in the 1400s. Maricul stood there unaffected by the lances that were aimed at her by the holy guards of the Holy City that she so much despised. They tried to force her back but she didn’t move, and for one reason or another they didn’t appear willing to get very close to her. Either because they wanted her to make the first move or they feared the former resident of this town too much to get any closer.

Right they should.

Maricul took a single step forward and all those in front took a single step back to maintain that level of distance. The others around her back and sides held their ground as they looked ready for a war they may not survive. The people here have already been forced inside their homes, as if they actually thought they would be safe there should the vampiress decide to finish what she started all those years ago. But fortunately enough for them Maricul didn’t come here looking for a fight. She came here for one purpose, and one purpose only. To speak to their highly gifted and young leader. The one making history everyday she lives.

Miracle.

[Miracle]

The disturbance of a terrible and dark force was felt by Miracle all the way into the holy temple interrupting her prayer. Concerned Miracle got up and left the temple, making her way over to the entrance of the town where she would only frown at what she'd see. Guards holding up their lances to the infamous Maricul that had been solely responsible for this town's destruction many centuries ago. And even though the woman currently held no threat to the town the guards insisted on causing a confrontation where there was no need for one. The frown was soon wiped off Miracle's face as she approached the scene, the guards making way for her as she now looked into the eyes of the vampiress standing before her.

There was silence. Nothing and no one made a single sound now that Miracle was on the scene. Her expression was blank for the most part at first until finally a smiled appeared on her young, graceful features.

"Welcome home."

The guards around them were confused and started whispering to one another until they were under the glance of the High Priestess.

"Lower your weapons. If she wanted a fight she would have attacked by now. Lower them!"

The guards complied to Miracle wishes and then returned to their posts leaving Miracle and Maricul alone near the town's entrance.

"My apologies. They're trained to raise their weapons when...."

[Ayen]

“A monster stands before them,” finished Maricul.

Maricul still remained unaffected by the previous scene so no apologies were necessary. Had she entered this city with no resistance at all she would have thought something wrong then scold them for such neglect. It was amusing to see grown men taking orders from a child. Back in her day they would’ve sooner openly beat their children at the altar of God before taking orders from them, no matter how “gifted” they appeared to be. Looks like the beating she dished out several centuries ago knocked some common sense into them, then again, maybe not.

“No apology necessary, milady. I’ve come to expect holy seals and dancing swords when I enter such a city. A circle of lances was a nice change of pace.”

[Miracle]

Miracle didn't look comfortable at the idea of referring to Maricul as a monster even if that what she was. Many in the village did not agree with her standpoint but she was still of the opinion that if God would take back Lucifer himself, should he repent for his sins, then nobody was beyond redemption. Not even the direct sire of the "No Life King" herself.

"Walk with me please."

Miracle began heading to the temple wanting to get the vampire out of plain sight so the villagers would not be frightened. People here had faith that nothing bad could ever occur in the holy temple so that was the best place to move this conversation, she could only hope that being in such a place would not cause great harm to the vampire in question.

"Am I correct in assuming that you're here because of the various dimensions coming together?"

[Ayen]

Maricul followed and only smiled at the intoxicating scent of fear radiating of off the villagers here like toxic waste. It was quite the feeling, to know that you could cause such a reaction in the hearts of man. It seems that this little girl was the only one that did not fear her. Maricul could tell her faith was strong and that it rewarded her greatly, how else could she have attained the things she has at her age?

“Correct. What do you know about it?”

Maricul’s eyes glanced up to the temple they were approaching. Her eyes flashed red in anger at the many painful memories there no thanks to her father, her sister and what she found to be neglect on the part of God. But she cast those thoughts away. For now she would keep in line. There were far greater things at hand to intend to then old grudges.

[Miracle]

"In the past couple of days we've offer shelter to people from worlds we couldn't have ever imagined. Every story had different details but were roughly the same. They were doing what they always did and then suddenly they were in a new world."

Miracle stopped at the entrance of the temple and said a silent prayer before the doors were pulled open and Miracle led Maricul inside to the sanctuary.

"News have also reached our ears of a tower being called the Downward Spiral has appeared just outside of Isafaro to the north of the continent. Isafaro, Jherrazad and Moon Valley are all trying to get their hands on it and for now have only agreed to allow their own men to do research there. We're currently under discussions of who should be our representative to research the tower. Chances are that knowing General Vulture and your sister the way I do, a war could very well begin over possession of the tower."

[Ayen]

Maricul walked past Miracle’s position in the room and proceeded down the narrow gap between pews. She eyed the altar and while she grew closer to it she could hear the sounds of her father’s whip hitting flesh. The gnashing of teeth, the gasps and cries of people who didn’t have the courage to take a stand against his tyranny. Maricul could practically feel the whip hitting her back. She now stood before the altar, narrowing her eyes over it as she listened to Miracle explain the situation. The vampiress only chuckled once she was through.

“The power to travel to any world you wish right there in the open within our grasp. Beautiful.”

Maricul had to wonder who the “mastermind” behind all of this was. She needed to give her compliments. Not only had they destroyed the grand design, caused chaos and remained undetected but allowed a means to travel to all of these worlds knowing full well that the people in question would wage war over it for power, rather than come together to figure everything out. Genius.

“And Aircano is located right in the middle of Isafaro and Jherrazad.”

Maricul turned her head to look at Miracle, an amused smile on her pale features now.

“Sucks to be you.”

[Miracle]

Miracle only watched as Maricul went over to the altar, sensing the pain deep inside the vampiress as it appeared the wounds caused from this place hasn't truly healed even after all of these years. As Maricul expressed her amusement to what many in the village found to be a very serious matter Miracle kept a straight face. Not allowing the vampire's taunts to get to her.

"You understand how serious our situation is. If Isafaro and Jherrazad go to war with each other neither nation will hesitate in conquering this place to use as a footing. I've already requested an audience with Vulture and Ranko in the hopes that we can come to a peaceful solution. There's something much bigger than all of us at work here and the last thing we need is war with each other. You know Ranko better than anyone, can she be reasoned with?"

[Ayen]

“Ranko….”

Maricul grind her teeth at the name. The Red Devil, a woman who possessed a weapon that could devour your soul. A formidable force in combat both in power and skill. A woman she’s been unable to defeat even with all the strength, power and skill at her possession. These days a battle between them would just reach a stalemate whereas in the past Ranko has always dominated. At least Maricul knew she was getting somewhere when it came to her one true rival, and only remaining family.

“Hard to say. Maybe, maybe not. It depends on the situation.”

Maricul finally turned her back on the altar and returned her gaze to the holy priestess of Yahweh.

“Either way Vulture is the one you won’t find reason with. He’s the definition of insanity on this continent. Your request of peace will fall on def ears.”

[Miracle]

How family could fight in such a matter as she knew Maricul and Ranko did she would never understand. Even the relationship between Cain and Abel had a side that was not hostile to the other. Yet at the same time neither women ever delivered the killing blow. Many who knew about their blood-feud shrugged it off at them being too evenly match to kill the other. Miracle liked to believe it was because deep down they still loved each other and wouldn't dream of taking the other one's life.

"All the same I have to try. I believe through the Lord all things are possible. Even peace with a madman."

Even if negotiations failed Miracle had enough faith that she could win an alliance with the Free Army that has been trying to free Jherrazad from Ranko's reign for a number of years. Hopefully it would not come to war but if that be his will then so be it.

"Have you only come to achieve information or have you something to share? Do you know who or what is behind all of this? Any leads?"

[Ayen]

Maricul gagged at that line. “Through the Lord all things are possible.” It’s just the kind of line you’d expect from someone like this but that didn’t make it any less sickening for the damned soul to hear. There was a time where Maricul believed the same as she, a time where Maricul was an innocent girl but so called “men of God” ruined that image of the Lord for her a long time. That and Maricul felt God abandoned her long before she even became a monster. The man who left her to die after turning her into a vampire was more compassionate in comparison, in her mind anyway.

“Why don’t you ask that god you love so much? Isn’t he supposed to be all knowing and powerful? Surely he already knew that these events would transpire long before they occurred but did nothing. And still he does nothing. Not a single thing for you, your people or anyone else in this world. No. He just sits up there on his ass watching us squirm!”

[Miracle]

Maricul's anger and hate towards the Lord was apparent but it was not her place to interfere. That was something that Yahweh and Maricul would have to talk out on their own. She was here to offer shelter and set an example for others to follow. Miracle did frown however when Maricul claimed that Yahweh knew all along and hasn't lifted a finger to help.

"He doesn't know."

Those words would've been enough to make even the strongest believer of Yahweh fall silent.

"The Lord does not know the power behind this crisis."

It pained her to admit it but she had prayed and communicated with the Lord. He shared with her the fact that even he did not know what caused this but would do what he must to find the one responsible for this chaos. It was something that Miracle had told no one, until now. In truth it was foolish for Miracle to think for even a brief moment that Maricul would know when he didn't. But with such a revelation made Miracle thought truly anything could be possible now. All bets were off.

[Ayen]

Maricul cocked an eyebrow after such a stunning revelation. The only thing she could think of doing was laugh darkly before turning back to the altar.

“I suppose the “Word of God” is sacred and cannot be lies. Then again I never put all that much faith in his word to begin with.”

Maricul moved over to the front pew on the right side of the room and sat down on it, making herself comfortable as she just stared up at the ceiling of the great holy temple.

“I have theories on what may have caused this but you better pray that none of them are correct.”

Maricul have seen things. Great things. Terrible things. Any one of these “things” would have the power to do this but there was no concrete evidence that they were in fact the cause. She would have to see this tower but to go as “The Seductress” Maricul or Luca Valentine? Maricul lowered her head and then patted on the open space next to her on the pew, motioning for Miracle to have a seat.

[Miracle]

"I prefer to stand if you don't mind."

Miracle walked over to the altar and then looked up to where she knew the Lord was smiling down on her. There was still no fear in her eyes but at the same time she wasn't going to tempt the Lord by being that close to a vampire and creating a situation that could have been avoided had she been more careful.

"I'm interested in hearing your theories, if you would. And.... if you need a place to stay you're more than welcome to stay in the village. We have the room."

[Ayen]

Maricul snorted.

“A woman of God offering refuge to a vampire. Now I’ve seen everything.”

Maricul stood up and then closed the gap between herself and Miracle, smiling down at the child as she brought her right hand up and ran it through her long dark hair before gently stroking her cheek.

“And a child will lead them. It’s rather poetic really. Such a pretty little flower you are. It almost…. tempts me to….”

Without meaning any harm Maricul moved to give Miracle a light kiss on the cheek, tempted to grab her right there at the altar and bleed her dry before God but resisted the urge. Miracle was more useful to her alive than dead.