Thais Hostel V: Black Hearts

[Midnight Slayer]

Previous entries in the series:

Thais Hostel: The Murder of Annie White
viewtopic.php?t=5591&sid=7c9c1b9d9679a6 ... 6402c4715d

Thais Hostel II: Owin's Revenge
viewtopic.php?t=5611&sid=7c9c1b9d9679a6 ... 6402c4715d

Thais Hostel III: The Black Chariot
viewtopic.php?t=5677&sid=7c9c1b9d9679a6 ... 6402c4715d

Thais Hostel IV: Black Clouds
viewtopic.php?t=5681&sid=30343fcb5592f1 ... cbdda81590


Thais Hostel V: Black Hearts
By Master Slayer / Midnight Slayer
__________________________

Chapter I: Foul Play

14:00
Valkera Blackheart stumbled upon a letter left on the meeting table of the Red Rose guildhall. The letter is an invitation to the play “A Dance With Death” hosted by the Alanui Institute addressed to the Red Rose and the Blackheart family.

15:00
Mihiron becomes suspicious of the invitation and suspects foul play after Valkera shows him the letter. He was not informed of any upcoming event at the theater. He advises any members that will attend the play to be fully stocked with weapons and ammunition.

00:23
Marziel, Midnight, and Annie step outside of the Hostel and see the black chariot with the hooded rider atop the phantom steed waiting to chaperone them to the theater. The three of them open the doors and have a seat, nearly filling the small cabin. Midnight sits next to Annie in the chariot with Marziel across from them and an empty seat to his side. Annie is overwhelmed by the beautiful gothic designs and lavish interior of the chariot. Midnight sinks down slightly further into his oversized cloak to hide his face.

00:25
Drarice Blackheart carries Eleanore Silverhand in his arms down the alleyway of the Hostel. A black chariot slowly rolls by. Drarice locks eyes with Marziel as the chariot pulls away. He felt as if he was looking a killer in his eyes. Drarice turns the corner and kicks the door of the Hostel wide open.

“I need a room.” Drarice demands while standing across from a very frightened Inn-keeper.

_____________________________________

Chapter II: A Ride With Death

00:23
Marziel notices Annie admiring the chariot.

Marziel: Quite impressive isn’t it?

Annie White: I would say so! You must be a very wealthy man.

Marziel grins at Annie’s compliment then looks over to Midnight. The little elf is slumped down in his cloak with his scrapbook and a book of Banor in his lap, still unaware he is in the company of vampires.

Marziel: Why do you carry this book with you?

Midnight looks up, then holds his scrapbook up for Marziel to see. It is in terrible condition and smeared with blood.

Marziel: No. That one.

Marziel points to the book of Banor which is in pristine condition.

Marziel: Why do you insist on bringing it?

Midnight and Annie are confused why Marziel is showing such disdain for the book, and why the sight of it has made him visibly upset.

Midnight: I will read from it soon.

Marziel: Allow me to save you some time. Anyone attempting to spread peace and prosperity is a fool. This world is not a peaceful place. There is no sense in rejecting the truth. This life we have is about survival, do you understand? Only the weak would let their guard down.

00:25
Midnight holds his thoughts to himself. Marziel puts two fingers in his mouth and whistles. The chariot begins to pull away from the Hostel and passes by the alleyway. Marziel locks eyes with Drarice carrying Eleanore in his arms. “Is she still alive?” Marziel thinks to himself. Within a few seconds, Drarice was no longer in his view and the chariot made a turn down Sorcerer’s Avenue.

Marziel rudely snatches Midnight’s scrapbook. “May I?” he asks afterwards with a grin then begins flipping through the pages. Midnight doesn’t seem to care. Marziel stops on a page titled “TRUST” and reads the passage.

Marziel: I am to believe a young boy wrote this? Where did you find this? Tell me, who really wrote this?

Midnight remains silent. Marziel leans forward and looks Midnight in the eyes.

Marziel: I want to know who I am seated with, and who I am aiding into the theater. Now show yourself.

Midnight looks over to Annie. Annie gives him a reassuring nod that he will be alright. Midnight removes the hood of his cloak and his eyes ignite with fire.

Marziel: Ahh, there you are. Can he hear me?

Midnight Slayer: Yes

Marziel grins.

Marziel: So the wanted poster is true. You are a demon, aren’t you?

Midnight remains silent. Marziel speaks to the soul possessing Midnight.

Marziel: I have quite the play for you tonight.

Annie smiles in excitement.

Annie White: We are getting closer! I imagine it will be magical!

“Oh Vampira…”, he calls her again.

Marziel: It is to die for!

___________________________

Chapter III: The Interrogation

The chariot comes to an abrupt halt at the west exit of Thais. Red Legion guards are blocking the exit. The flames in Midnight’s eyes blow out like a candle. He places the hood of his cloak over his head again then slumps back in his seat Henricus stands outside of the chariot knocking on the door.

Marziel leans over and opens the door on the other side.

Marziel: What is this about?

Henricus requests to enter the chariot. Marziel approves. Henricus sits to the side of Marziel and across from Midnight.

Henricus: We are looking for a little elf.

Henricus points to Midnight.

Henricus: His height and size.

Marziel: I was offering this young wounded elf and this little lady here an escort to the play tonight. I wouldn’t suspect one of them to be wanted. May I ask why?

Henricus ignores Marziel.

Henricus: Remove the hood of your cloak, little one. I need to see your eyes.

Midnight sits up and removes the hood of his cloak. His eyes are dark red and flickering in the moonlight. The flames are not there. Henricus reaches into his coat and pulls a vial of holy water from his pocket. Marziel and Annie become extremely uncomfortable. The smell of the holy water burns the insides of their noses.

Henricus: You are wounded. Here. Have a drink, little elf.

Marziel is grinning now. Annie is overwhelmed with worry for Midnight.

Henricus holds out the vial for Midnight.

Henricus: Go on. Have a drink.

Midnight, unshaken by Henricus, grabs the vial and gulps down the holy water entirely. Nothing happens.
Midnight returns the vial to Henricus. Marziel, Annie, and Henricus are all stunned that the elf is still alive.

“If he is not a demon, then what is he?!” Marziel thinks to himself.

Henricus: This is clearly not the little elf we have been searching for. You are free to pass into the theater.

Marziel: Splendid! Now, if you don’t mind, I must hurry to prepare.

00:55
Henricus steps out of the chariot and waves down the Red Legion guards. They move to the side and the chariot continues on to the theater.

_______________________________________

Chapter IV: The Arrival

01:00
The black chariot arrives at the Open-Air Theater with hundreds of spectators eager to see the play. Many have already gathered outside and some have already taken their seats in the theater. The left wing has been reserved for the Red Rose and Blackheart family with a single rose placed in each seat. Marziel, Annie, and Midnight step out of the chariot and make their way through the entrance.

01:05
Mihiron stands by his fluffy companion Pretinha down by his legs when Valkera approaches him. “Shall we take our seats?” Valkera asks. Mihiron replies, “I’ll watch here from the front gate and keep an eye out. You go ahead.” Valkera Blackheart enters the theater and walks the aisles to find Dama Blackheart seated and waiting for her. More Red Rose members, Blackhearts, and many other guests from around the world take their seats one by one. Valkera notices Drarice is missing.

01:05
Drarice is seated by Eleanore’s bedside in the Hostel when she finally awakens and delivers a chilling message. She accused Marziel, an evil man that rode in a black chariot, of attempting to murder her. “Where was the chariot headed?” Drarice asks. Eleanore sits up swiftly with a look of worry on her face. “To the Open-Air theater.”

01:10
Annie White and Midnight have taken their seats in the theater close to the front row. The storm clouds continue to roll in like thick black smoke swirling and blocking out the moonlight above. Red Legion guards and Inquisitors have the outside of the theater surrounded. Annie becomes visibly excited in her seat and nudges Midnight. “The Blackhearts and the Roses are here! Look!”. Annie has a gleam in her eye for Dama Blackheart, who is seated in her beautiful long red dress next to Valkera and Navi Blackheart. She waves to Dama with a big smile. Dama notices her and waves back.

Annie turns back to Midnight with the smile still on her face. Her mouth is opened wide enough for Midnight to see her sharp fangs. At this moment, he comes to the realization that Annie is not human. Midnight suddenly has a sickening feeling that something terrible is coming.

The audience is seated in silence. The curtains open and the play begins.

________________________________

-MS-

[Dama Blackheart]

Perfectly written! I laughed at some of the reactions, I was apprehensive about these (seductive) vampires and I loved seeing familiar names in the story once again. Thank you for this wonderful piece, little elf

[Alanui]

Perfect! I still dream of an ingame written version

[Midnight Slayer]

That would require an entire library, wouldn't it?

-MS-

[Drarice]

You don't know how it's all going to end, you're on pins and needles when you read it, so incredibly exciting.
Again fantastically written, looking forward to the next chapter so much!!
Thank you MS <3