"We know what we are, but know not what we may be." William Shakespeare

Part I

Belial's back is pressed against the wall, her blaster hovers beside her head in her right hand. Her jaw clenches as she sums up their current situation. They are inside a dilapidated old warehouse somewhere in San Francisco, The World. As far from Rhy'Din as one can possibly get. Bel has never really favored the place the Elves call The World, not over other realms where being what she is has some tolerance of acceptance. Wulf and she are trapped at a juncture of hallways and under heavy gunfire. Bullets whiz past down the long stretch of hall separating her from the object she has come to "acquire". A glance of green eyes to her companion, nay, assigned bodyguard really. (A distinct lack of trust in her on Corwyn's part...) Wulf is grinning like a fiend as he takes pot shots at the enemies.

"Whoohoo!" he hollers over the zing of passing bullets having caught her eyes on him. "Never knew you had this much fun on your business trips!"

Yeah, right. Fun.

Bel scowls and shakes her head. He may think this is fun, but she's not really enjoying it. "I hope whatever it is Corwyn has sent us for is worth this mess." But, it is more likely Wulf can't hear her over the constant barrage of echoing shots. He nods nevertheless and keeps on grinning as he pops off a few more shots meant more as a determent than to actually hit anything.

"Maybe we outta come up with a new strategy, Bel?" He shouts over the noise. "They've got us pinned down here, and unless you got an idea on how to get us outta this, I'm seeing a stalemate coming when we run outta ammo."

He's right of course. Bel scowls harder, her thoughts drifting back to Corwyn's office and how simple he'd made this assignment seem.



"I need you to pick something up for me in the World." Corwyn said as he looked up from the paperwork scattered over his desk. A wave of his elegant Elven hand invited her to sit, but Bel stood instead. She was still upset over what Jack had said only a few weeks past. "Corwyn's manipulating you both, Bel! Why can't you and Sid see it"!" Was Jack right' Bel crossed her arms over her chest and stared at Corwyn.

"Something on your mind, Belial?" He asked as he glanced from the papers back up at her.

"Why me" You said since I have been assigned House Leader of Onyx, that my wandering days have ended. Isn't there someone more..." She paused for effect "Capable, less impossibly placed, who might better serve you as errand boy?"

"This is a sensitive matter, Bel. It requires someone I can trust implicitly. At this time, that would be you." He smiled with his typical easy charm. "The information you will need is in that envelope" a nod of his regal silver-haired head towards the envelope on the edge of his expansive desk. "I need you to keep this mission under wraps. Of course, Wulf will accompany you; it is his assignment to see you are kept safe."

Bel had frowned then just as intensely as she does now. 'His assignment to keep her safe'; yeah, right. Unlike her, Wulf can get shot and it could prove fatal. A low growl falls from between clenched teeth as she levels the blaster while rounding the corner. Humans don't have the same skill set of those of her ilk; she targets two of the shooters and takes them both out with well placed shots of her own, too quick for them to have time to aim back and she's pressed once again against the wall.

"Shit, Bel! That was like..." Wulf's expression is more than a little impressed, obviously he doesn't know how closely related she really is to him. "Wow!"

"You didn't really think I was merely a human, Wulf, now did you?" She smiles, a hint of her old self showing through. "We aren't likely to take them all out that way, but a few less never hurts."

"Right on, sister!" Wulf laughs zestfully; he really is enjoying himself. Good for him.

"You stay here and keep them occupied, I am going to slip up to the roof and see if I can't find a way to outflank them." Bel says as she holsters her blaster, preparing for action. Wulf nods and grins again. Maybe he heard her. Maybe he didn't...

The Thorn of Zenfaer.

Bel thinks the title sounds sinister, and assumes it is a relic of some sorts. Why else would Corwyn have sent Bel" Bel has a knack for finding high-powered relics; she's been hunting them for years and has gained quite a reputation for her "finds". She'd also assumed that they would meet some kind of resistance. Acquiring powerful things tends to lead to powerful opposition - no one ever wants to lose their trinkets and toys, most would rather die than let them go. Bel sees no problem giving them what they want. She's good at bartering in many ways and if death is the payment demanded, then who is she to argue" She beyond most understands that there is more to existence than the physical realms.

But just once she would like it to be a civilized affair, No gunfire, no magic tricks, just a quiet exchange of money for item kind of thing.

Bel slips down the hallway, retracing their previous path. She has the layout visualized, and already a strategy in mind. Her feet carry her swiftly and silent, her movements practically on auto-drive. Her thoughts however are chaotic; a mishmash of now and the past as scenes flicker across her mindscape like some disjointed, independent film. She recalls her first days in Rhy'Din; she was a different creature then, a demoness hungry for her freedom with a wanderlust that demanded action. She'd been the monster in the night, a predator of humans and elves alike. Back in those days, bartering for souls for personal gain was the game. And, she learned to play it with finesse. That was all before the awakening...

It dawns on her that Corwyn must have known what she was all along. Bel pushes the thought out of her head. Now is not the time to ponder such repercussions. Nevertheless, all that has happened to her has shaped and influenced this moment. As her feet find a sure path towards the metal stairs and a ladder she suspects will take her to the roof, inside her head Bel is wondering just what it is she really wants. Once upon a time, killing had been fun. Drenched in blood, in the heat of a fierce battle, the adrenaline alone was the drug. Adventure such as this would have been top of her list of 'things to do today'. Somewhere, somehow, that's all changing. When Corwyn had kyboshed her "walkabouts" citing her position as Leader of Blood House Onyx, Bel had assumed that she, like many others in the Family, was being relegated to a more domestic, paper-pushing kinda gig. Yet....Here she is, being shot at and sneaking around to ambush from behind, thick in the violence she had begun to think of as her past. So....What does she really want' She had pined for the adventure while trapped behind her desk....Then, she'd found an interest in Corwyn's private library.

Some might wonder how come it took her so long to figure it out. Belial thinks Freud would have a field day diagnosing her. Whatever the myriad of excuses, or reasons she may have given in the past to avoid such things as tomes the size of small boats, went out the window when she realized that the more she read the more she began to understand things. So many things in fact that more and more questions have arisen. Bel has found a new passion that eclipses even the heady draw of violence - wisdom. Through her studies, Bel has learned the value of spirit, soul, the essence of connection and the magic of the grace of humankind. This new found understanding has not dulled her "killer" instincts, she has no qualms when it comes to protecting her and hers, but it does make her reconsider such choices as the situation in which she finds herself now. She could choose not to do this.

Up the ladder and to the roof. Not a soul covering the hatch. Bel counts three, perched to cover the front entrance and the side door that she and Wulf had already stolen in through. Not a very tactical bunch, which gives Bel a sick feeling. Poorly trained people means non-military, non-military means civilians. Damn it! Killing them is akin to slaughtering hapless sheep. No sport, no victory, just a bunch of corpses whose souls become barter for others' gains. Bel sneers silently as she makes a swift surveillance of the rooftop. No other obvious way inside, but she has her own tricks up her sleeves. Having lost all desire to kill their current enemies, Bel leaves the hapless would-be snipers alive as she turns into a nearly invisible mist. Drifting much like a ghost she crosses the roof unseen to the point where she knows the gunmen had lain in wait for them. And, like a ghost she sinks down through the layers of the building. It feels strange, passing through physical objects, like pulling apart strands of herself, stretching them like taffy only to draw them tight again.

This is a new trick, a trick learned from one of the many books in Corwyn's private library. If she'd not read about it, she'd never had tried it. It had taken her months of practice and even now she is not quite sure what to expect next. She doesn't feel a draw off of her energy, but certainly there must be some disadvantage, something she simply hasn't triggered yet. Well....today might be that day. Bel drops a mental shrug as she shifts through walls and over floors, just like a floating specter. Until she hits something that she cannot penetrate. Bel scowls at this new barrier; it's not physical, it might be mental....or magical, but it would take someone of great talent to create it: someone that can't be simply human. A mental sigh. Of course, it would be as far from simple as possible. Damn Corwyn! He had to have known. Bel moves around the barrier, trying to find any holes, trying to find any answers but to no avail. She is now by the top of the stairs leading down to the ambush site. She can hear the gunfire but not as sharply as when she was physical. She should put a stop to that then figure out this new obstacle. Bel solidifies; her feet hit the floor with a soft thud. Her blaster already in hand she begins creeping down the steps. So far no ill effects from the dematerializing....

"Psst!" a voice behind her hisses. "Hey You!" A loud whisper beckons. Bel turns her head to peer over her shoulder at a petite Japanese girl peeking out of a door Bel hadn't seen before. Green eyes widen with surprise.

"Where did you come from?" Bel stage whispers back so to be heard of over the noise of the gunfight below.

"Oh," The girl grins sheepishly "it's a little trick I do. But that's not the point! Would you not kill off my friends please" They are only trying to protect me."

"Protect you?" Bel is more than a little confused and she is letting it show.

"Yeah, I know, it sounds weird and maybe even a little cult-ish, but they're really nice folks and they think I am something I'm not. I just, well, you know, I don't think they should die because of me. So, if ya tell me why you are here, maybe we could just work this out and no one else has to die?" The girl asks hopefully.

Careful for what you ask for, you may get it comes to Bel's mind as she smiles at the girl. "Happy to. I've come to acquire the Thorn of Zenfaer. I would be more than willing to pay handsomely, and without further violence."

The girl smiles wide as she stretches out her hand towards Bel, a chain dangles through her fingers. "That's what you wanted?" A soft giggle. "Here ya go then. It's just a silly old silver necklace, but if you want it, it's yours!"

"A silver necklace" Ahh..." Bel takes the trinket, fingers brushing the girl's and like a flash of lightning she realizes it's not the necklace she's actually here for. Thrown for a loop, Bel's mouth falls ajar and those green eyes widen obviously on the small figure crouched beside her. "You..."! Damn you, Corwyn!"

"Me" What?" The girl retains her easy smile, hopeful and sunny. "You have the necklace, do you mind calling your people off please?"

Bel has to stifle a chuckle. Her people. There are only she and Wulf, how terribly demeaning for the poor fellows fighting, no doubt. "Yes, let me call my people off." No need to humiliate when it could potentially be sidestepped. Compassion' Maybe....or maybe it's really about the bartering. The attracting more flies with honey method. With a thought, Bel tells Wulf to stand down. "I have a bodyguard in the hall; I would like him to be escorted without damage to us if you could arrange it. Would that be suitable" The rest of my....er, people are gone."

"Ah?" The girl stares at Bel suspiciously. "Wanna explain how you did that without a radio?"

This time, Bel chuckles out loud. "There are more things in this world than heaven and earth." She quotes Shakespeare. "We have our ways, child. Suffice it to say, do you mind letting your people know not to hurt my person please?"

"Oh, yeah, of course. Hey Haru!" The girl hollers down the stairs. "We've worked it out! Don't shoot the man at the end of the hallway, let him through!"

"Huh"!" Came a voice from below followed by a thunder of feet on the steps. Three men with guns drawn round the corner and come to a sudden stop staring at Bel and the girl crouched on the stairs.

"What the..."

"Hey, how'd you do that"!"

"So, you're saying it's over?"

They all spoke at the same time; it made Bel's head hurt.

"Yeah, it's over. She came for my necklace."

All three turn to stare at Bel, their expressions say it all; they don't believe that for a minute.

Well....they're right.

Bel gives them her most dazzling, trustworthy smile. "Please let my bodyguard through' The others have already left. We promise to do no further harm. You have my oath on this."

She watches as they struggle to make up their minds. With the one they are trying to protect sitting on the other side of the one they are wary of, the answer is pretty easy. They lower their guns and the one who seems to be in charge turns and heads down the stairs, barking orders for the others to 'stand down'. At least the violence aspect of the acquiring has been quashed. The next phase will be far harder to manage no doubt. How could Corwyn have sent Bel to pick up this girl and not tell her?"!! A relic. So simple! All of it bullshit!

To be continued...

Part III

Bel slams her psychic barriers down, cutting off that powerful probing tendril with an ease granted by her Triumvirate bonds. But the visage of Veighn haunts as an aspect of that seeking energy reminds her most distinctly of the Dark Lord himself. Surely he can't have anything to do with any of this"! Stranger things have happened, and over her existence she has learned that more often it is Fate rather than coincidence driving the bus.

Pushing the thoughts of the Dark Lord from her mind Bel turns to survey the room, looking for any hints as to where this power source has sprung. Without any undo surprise she finds her gaze landing on the girl again. The girl's aura is aglow with an unearthly bluish-white as she hovers over one of the wounded at the far end of the room from where Bel and Wulf stand. Her eyes are closed and her lips are moving, but only a whisper of syllables can be heard. Even by one as talented as Bel.

The man had a laser blast in his torso, Bel's work, and from the look of him he didn't have much time left. Yet....as the girl continues her odd swaying over him the man's wound begins to knit closed, impurities trickle from the quickly sealing opening in his chest and already the pale of death is receding. Without breaking the trance the girl moves to the next man, repeating her strange chant and sway with the same results. It looks effortless, as if the cost of energy is null and void somehow....Even with Elven Healers the energy consumption would be appreciable. What the hell is going on here"! This child is much more than she appears, and even as Bel thinks this a glimmer, a flicker of a glance, reveals a hidden truth: The girl is glamoured. The spell seems nearly as intrinsic as Bel's own, meaning maintaining it cost her little and leaves no residue for others to pick up on. The glimpse is too quick for Bel to catch more than a shade of what?s real; she still has no idea what the girl really is.

"Bel" We gonna go do this, or we just gonna stand around here while you gawk at the girl?" Wulf asks, stepping closer as if that might aid in snapping her back to the now.

"Ah' Yeah, right, the Dragons..."

"I saw something too." Wulf leans in and whispers. "You as lost here about all this as I am' Or am I the only one having the wool pulled over my eyes?"

"We're in the same boat, Wulf."

"Yup." He nods, taking her word on it, and straightens. Losing the whisper he continues "then we'd better get to the Dragon issue before trying to cipher out the girl."

"Yeah..." Bel turns her back on the room and strides out the door, leading the way down the stairs to the makeshift fortifications below. Tactically they had chosen a good spot to put up their defense, but there are still many holes that need plugging. They have a few things to do before company comes and no one seems to know just when that will be....Heck, they thought Bel and Wulf were the company!

Time is sparse and preparations are many. Not wanting to undermine the current chain of command, Bel pulls the youthful Haru aside, to begin assessing the set-up, while Wulf makes the rounds, checking ammo, and weapons. It takes only a handful of minutes for Bel and Wulf to realize how poorly prepared these people are. Wulf heads off to rig the entrances with scrounged booby-traps as Bel once more pulls Haru aside and begins filling in the tactical blanks. She already knows this battle will have to be won by her and her personal brute squad, Wulf. Should any strays get past the two, however, better to have the motley troops in line and as ready as they can be.

Bel does her best to inspire Haru, hoping it will carry over to his people; high morale can turn a battle she has witnessed. As with all bad timing, Wulf rounds the corner of the hallway, heading back towards them at a rapid pace while she is still in the middle of rallying the commander.

"Hope every thing's set, cuz we've got company!" He announces, hopping over the makeshift-blockade and coming to a stop beside Bel, peering down at her with a wicked grin. "They brought a freakin' army." He fairly beams with pleasure. "This is gonna be fun!"

"Ah, yeah, fun..." Bel looks back to Haru. "If anyone comes down that hallway, you and your men shoot 'em. Do just like you did before with us, ok" Keep shooting."

"We will. But..."

"Inspire your men to fight valiantly, Haru San, and don't worry about us. Wulf and me won't be using this hallway, sweets. We've got other ways to....hop around." Bel smiles reassuringly at Haru, as she reaches over to place her hand on Wulf's arm. In a flicker the two vanish.

Somewhere in the darkness of the first floor, they materialize. "Ya know how much I hate doing that, right?" Wulf complains.

"Yeah....and you got a better suggestion?" Bel smirks as she hankers down, taking in the vantage point, assessing the best locations from which to strike in the opening gambit.

"You think they have any idea what?s about to happen to them?" Wulf whispers as he joins Bel in a low crouch.

Bel shakes her head. "Doubt it, they likely expect this to be a walk in the park..." and it would have been if she and Wulf hadn't come along.

"Yeah." Wulf darts a quick look around, listening intently. "You cover the front, I'll handle the side. Sounds like you got the higher concentration."

"Don't worry about me, Wulf. You keep an eye on your six. I will get through them as quick as I can."

"Heh. You're a cocky bitch, Bel. You keep an eye on your six." Before Bel could retort, Wulf is edging off towards the side entrance.

With a roll of green eyes, Bel begins making her way towards the front doors. Bold of them to use that entrance, but then again....seems they might have known more about their mission than she and Wulf did about theirs. None of that matters now. Bel focuses on the task at hand. A rough estimate from previous run-ins with the Dragons, and keeping the object of desire in mind, this could be anywhere between eight to twelve guys - Pretty easy for Bel to mow through, if she doesn't mind advertising her 'talents'. Bel knows better, however, so she will rely on stealthy hand-to-hand then ranged weapons. Being nearly invincible has some advantage; she doesn't have to worry about some lucky shots. As she lays in wait she listens, as the footsteps grow closer. She hones in her senses, letting them tell her what they could.

A visual of the front of the building forms; sounds are like homing beckons, granting her a layout of their approach. They are exercising a certain caution and attempting to move quietly. They are trying to be sneaky. There are at least twelve at the front....Bel does a quick calculation. Damn, that means six to eight at the back! Wait a minute; this isn't a typical Dragon Squad....This is more like a death squad....Bel opens her mental connection with Wulf to inform him just as he does the same.

'More than I thought, Bel, this ain't your everyday Dragon dung...'

'Yeah, was just about to tell you that too. Keep sharp, you've got at least six to take out...'

'Seven by my count. But you've got something else up there....ya picked him up yet"'

Bel frowns as she tries to puzzle through what Wulf is relaying to her. She opens herself up just enough to snake out a tendril of energy to investigate, (Veighn had taught her the wisdom of being cautious with this specific talent). It takes less than a minute....Demonkin.

What the fuck"! Damn Corwyn, damn his eyes! 'Ok, they came a lot better prepared than we did...'

'Yup. Tag, he's yours, fallen angel babe.'

So much for the hope he hadn't heard the Elder....Bel mentally squares her shoulders. Demonkin doesn't really change the game plan it just adds a bit of hefty spice, she tells herself. The concern is why did they send Demonkin" The Dragons are a primarily human group, they believe in keeping their Asian bloodlines as pure as the Trueblood Elves. Demonkin are a hybrid of human and demon, and although the Dragons prefer purity of lineage they aren't stupid enough to turn down the occasional 'gifts' granted their community. What must they know of the Thorn that they would resort to sending such a powerhouse to collect her" No time to worry about that right now as the front doors blow off their hinges and the booby traps spring into action.

Forty-seven minutes later and the open first floor area of the warehouse is a bloody wreck. Body parts are strewn all over. The walls blackened and otherwise decorated with gory graffiti. Blood spatter seems to be the hallmark of the new interior design. Bel wades through the grisly mess to Wulf lying prone near the office entrance. He'd been tossed there by the demonkin only a few moments ago. Bel leans down, extending an arm to him.

"What a mess!" She comments as she looks over the warehouse.

"Did he say anything?" Wulf demands as he finds his footing after hoisting himself up with her aid.

"Who?" Bel releases her hold on Wulf's arm and continues her visual inspection of the warehouse.

"The demonkin?" He gives her an exasperated look.

"Ahh.... We didn't have time for a chat, Wulf....in case you missed it."

"Ya killed him outright Bel"! So much for questioning the bad guys to figure out what they know."

"Hmm....killed" Not exactly..." Bel trails off looking at the floor at their feet.

"What do you mean....'not exactly'?" Wulf sounds suspicious.

"He teleported away before I could finish him," Said flatly as that green gaze flashes heatedly up at Wulf. It wasn't her choice and she'd had no control over it.

"What?"! He got away"! Shit!" Wulf looks over at Bel, shaking his head. "So basically you're saying we've just declared war on the Dragons'."

Bel drops a half shrug, "We'll worry about that later....we have to check on the others. I didn't sense any alarm from them, but..."

"We can't know until we have eyes on 'em. Got it." Wulf heads for the door leading into the office area.

"Ahh, Wulf" Sorry, sweets, we can't go in that direction, they are likely to shoot us..."

"Oh, yeah." He chuckles rubbing at the bump on the back of his head. "Greeeat, now we get to teleport again...." He sounds none too happy about this mode of travel but he moves back towards her anyway. "Let's get this over with." He mutters as darkly as he can muster.

"Of course...? Bel's chuckle echoes in their wake as they vanish.

To be continued...