While Jory, Kerri and Zedd took care of the vampires Colleen had to team up with Scotty and Craig to go talk to the lycanthropes, not all of them of course but a few and they decided to go with the werewolves first. It wasn't that she didn't like Scotty & Craig, its just that they were human and no matter how well they could use a weapon and fight they were still no match to a lycanthrope..especially a werewolf and it made her feel that if something did go down she would have to protect them instead of just taking care of the problem..demons had their ways of dealing with problems. Jory told them that he acually knew the leader of the werewolf pack, the alpha or also commonly known as the Ulfric aka the Wolf King. He said that he went to school with him back in their elementary days and it wasn't until half way through High School that the alpha contracted the lycanthropy of a werewolf after being bitten by one.
His name is Colin Smith and since then Colin has been rising up the ranks within the pack..eventually snagging the spot as dominate alpha a couple of years ago. Last Jory heard the pack was running smoothly and no one within its ranks had a complaint..hopefully Colin will be willing to help his former school yard friend in this war or the werewolves will be powerless to Durius and his current onslaught.
Jory had phoned a head and let Colin know that he was sending three representitives to his territory for a discussion, Jory needed his permission because Jory now had a reputation and was not of the normal human race..that can be quite threatening to most packs or pards or whatever group you were apart of so it was always nice to call and ask. Colin was quite pleased to hear from Jory, especially after what has been going on recently in Spokane, and granted permission for Jory's representitives to come and share news with him. The werewolf hang out, which was a sport's bar & grill called "Colin's Place" was a popular hangout during major sporting events, other then that it was the main meeting place for the werewolf community other then its lupanar which resided in the outskirts of Spokane in some forests. A lupanar is where the werewolves go for more..personal matters..especially when it concerns the full moon. Colin invited Colleen, Scotty and Craig to come to the sports bar & grill instead of the lupanar to conduct business in the back offices off the building..it was much safer back there.
Colin's Place was located in a section of Spokane named "The Y" due to the area being shaped like a Y, on it stood much of the major buisnesses that operate in Spokane..its also where much of the lycanthrope buisness is too. The location is very well placed for the lycanthropes because their meeting grounds isn't too far out of reach from The Y..so they can make quick escapes to where if needed.
Jory told them a little about The Y, said he used to live there as a small kid and its the main way to Colbert where currently Durius is stationed at. He said they should be safe, but if something were to happen then all she'd have to do is strike up her demon link to Zedd and they'd be there in a jiffy..that was comforting.
The drive from Mt. Spokane to The Y was about a two hour drive and for the most part id was quiet..at least on her part. Scotty & Craig were apart of the UEF, a wrestling federation that Jory & Kerri were also apart of and they had plenty to talk about while she sat in the back and sulked about her new life. It was weird having her connection to the underworld be severed..her entire body felt cold from it, but a new link between her and Zedd was beginning to form that was feeding eachother their powers..she could feel herself becoming warm again and it was the greatest feeling in the world, she was going to have to thank Zedd someday and maybe apologize for some of the things shes done and said to him..but for now its time to deal with the werewolves.
They pulled into Colin's Place and noticed there were only a few cars there..mostly trucks or mini-vans, and the inside look pretty empty..guess Colin had everyone leave. They got out of the car and took their weapons with them, Scotty carrying a short sword along his left side and a handgun packed with silver bullets on his right side. Craig was only carrying a short sword and some throwing knives and Colleen had a long sword that hung to her left side..almost scraping the ground...all weapons made of silver. Jory made it clear that everyone was to wear trenchcoats or dusters to help conceal weapons and allow you to put smaller weapons in places you couldn't with clothing or smaller jackets and so they walked up to the building dressed in their coats..looking almost Matrix like as they entered the door and stepped into the establishment.
The place looked and smelt like your normal everyday bar & grill. The smell of cigarettes and food wafted through the air as they made their way towards the bar, all the tvs had been shut off and the only sound to be heard was people putting up chairs and cleaning off tables..kinda seemed a bit early to be closing down the place but it wasn't her building to run. The bartender was washing off his bar and tossing bear glasses into a soapy sink when she saw them walk up and wait for her to finish, she had long blond hair that reached down to the middle of her back and it shined in the light that hung over head. She wore a sweat stained white shirt that had the bar's logo on it and wore tight thigh hugging blue jeans that showed off her figure..she couldn't have been older then 25 and the softness of her face told Colleen that it had to be around at least 23.
"May I help you?"
"Yes, were here to see Colin."
"Are you the representitives of Mr. Johnson?"
"We are."
"The Boss has been expecting you, my name is Penny..I'll be your escort for the night."
"Nice to meet you Penny, I'm Scotty, this goofy looking guy right here is Craig and the girl infront of us is Colleen."
"I've heard of all of you, quite the war brewin between you guys and Durius."
"A war that will be quickly ended once Durius has the balls to face us."
"Pretty cocky for a human, you do know that Durius is one of the highest ranking demons in the Underworld right?"
"I couldn't careless what Durius is, we will win."
"Before this war is over Craig..you will die."
"What the Hell....?"
"Do you acually think you can take on a werewolf..muchless a demon?"
"I can hold my own."
"Maybe with your precious little weapons, but what if you were unarmed?"
"Well then I guess I just gotta do what I gotta do to survive or I'm fucked."
"What about you Scotty? You think you could fight a battle not meant for humans?"
"Jory and Kerri are human..they seem to be fairing well."
"They have gifts that protect them from the things they battle..all you have is weapons."
"This war is a battle not just over this planet, but for life itself..I do believe I should be able to play a role in that regardless of what species I am."
"And you demon, you dont mind that these humans fight at your side?"
"Jory has faith in them, and they have held their own thus far."
"That doesn't answer my question."
"They are more cunning then you know, so no..I dont mind."
Penny stared at the three of them soaking in their answers, it was hard for her to understand how normal everyday humans would be able to survive a battle that is prodominately lycanthropes, vampires, and demons..then again, even humans of normal stature aren't completely defenceless.
"Though I dont understand why Jory would allow normal humans to fight by his side, I admire that he has faith in their abilities..and I cant argue with them either..as they do stand before me today after some terrible battles."
"We've been through a lot, but we are determined to put Durius in his place and show him that his wicked ways are not welcomed here."
"....On that note, follow me."
They shrug and follow Penny out of the bar area and into a darkened hallway that is only lit by a single lightbulb that is beginning to dim. This hallway is the one that typically leads you to the restrooms and payphones and that clipboard with all of them small ad papers pinned to it..but this hall went further then that and entered an office area that at the moment was dark and lonely but more then likely can end up being warm and lively. They passed several offices before they turned a corner that lead them down another hallway lit only by a red lightbulb at the end of the hallway that showed a door with the words "Mr. Smith" written acrossed it. As they reached the door Penny turned and held her hand out for them to stop, when they did she spoke to them and this time it wasn't questionably or cute funny girl..it was low and serious.
"I'll be needing your weapons."
"Uhh...what?"
"The Boss doesn't want any weapons in his office while your here..you may have permission to be in this area but that does not mean you have permission to be armed."
"That hardly seems fair, were in an area of werewolves who, if they dont like our idea could easily tear us apart and were unarmed."
"You said it yourself, you can hold your own."
"Just give up the weapons guys, the sooner we get this done with the sooner we can get out of here and report back to Jory."
"I dont like this Colleen..."
"It doesn't matter if you like it Scotty, were in their territory now..we do as they say."
Colleen kept her eyes on Penny because even though she didn't admit it aloud..she agreed with Scotty. Both Craig and Scotty grumble as they take off their gear along with Colleen and toss them next to Penny who just watches with a blank stare. Finally when everything is off Penny opens the door and steps aside.
"Goodluck guys."
They walk by Penny without a passing glance and enter a huge room that had a very long dining table stretching down the middle of the room with plates and silverware set out. As they walk in further they stop and are stunned to see the room is filled with fully changed werewolves staring at them..with most of them at the foot of a huge throne made of bones and in it sat a man that did not match the description of Colin that Jory gave them. This man had brown hair, not the pale blonde that Colin has, and his body was more muscular..more dominating then Jory described him. His smiled at them and his wolf teeth broke through the smile..which also gave away his amber eyes..wolf eyes.
"About time you showed, I was almost prepared to go on a different killing spree."
"What is this? Your not Colin."
"I could have told you that hunny."
"Where is Colin?"
"Shhh...your spoiling the moment my sweet."
"No, you tell us where Colin is..she wont be shutting up."
"Ooo..a fiesty one! We truely have been rewarded."
"Rewarded?"
"You see princess, DaemonLord Durius and I got here before you and took care of Colin and his pack..now I run things around here and the first order of buisness from Durius is to have you three...as a very tasty snack."
"Gee...I'm glad this turned out well..fucking Penny."
"Oh enough chit chat, I'm STARVING..and I'm craving fresh blood, how about you guys?"
Howls erupt from the furry throats of the werewolves answering their master's call. They all turn their attention to the three and slowly stalk toward them..mouths drooling with the antcipation of having their warm blood flow into their mouths.
"Let the feast begin!!!"
The last thing Scotty and Craig saw before being tossed into a wall was a tornado of fur and teeth zipping at them with food on their mind...then it got dark.
Because of what their specialty is, Zedd's assassin's were sent to the most popular bar for bounty hunters in Spokane County to try and recruit some into the group. Kain, Vincent, and Cloud..one time former enemies of Jory alongside Zedd when they were but lowly street thugs..are now highly skilled masters in distance and close range killing and now personal bodygaurds to not only Zedd...but Jory, and it didn't bother each of them one little bit because now that they have a purpose in life they didn't want to lose it to this Durius goof..and Jory is the key to keeping things the way they are now.
Unlike the vampire and lycanthrope community which thrives mostly in the heart of the city, bounty hunter hangouts tended to be more in the outskirts of towns where it was a bit more peaceful and more lay lowish..only a bounty hunter truely desperate would venture into a big city for money, bounty hunters were frowned upon by the monster community because it was a bounty hunter's job to kill monsters..and unless a bounty hunter was in on official buisness then all he was doing is looking for trouble..at least thats how the monsters see it.
They are a lucky few though he can thrive in the city without the monsters messing with them too much, and those people tended to make the more money..but the rest had to stick with the outskirts and buisness wasn't all that bad. There was always someone who wanted a vampire or lycanthrope or whatever killed due to it killing someone close or infecting someone close...or just because, even normal humans can be as cold blooded as the evil creatures that stalk the night.
Jory told the assassins of a spot inbetween the cities of Colbert and Deer Park known as "The Lodge" where locals went to drink and bounty hunters went for jobs. The locals for the most part were hunters, and so didn't mind that bounty hunters used a more of a hunting man's drinking place as a place for work because bounty hunters were basically the same as them..except they handled more dangerous things then just a deer or a regular wolf. Being that bounty hunters take any job if its good, the assassins were praying that someone from Durius's camp hasn't visited yet and put out a contract on Jory & his group, they needed these guys more then Durius did and to lose them would be a crushing blow...Durius knows this.
They pulled up to The Lodge and made sure they were armed and ready. Unlike Jory, the assassins were more into guns but weren't shy to use knives and swords themselves...but today these men were carrying Desert Eagles and throwing knives..just enough to keep them protected in a "just incase" situation. The Lodge was lit well and it showed that people were up and about inside playing pool or drinking or whatever it is a hunter of any trade wants to do at a bar at this time of night.
Ready to go, the assassins get out of their ride and head into the building. Outside was a couple of guys talking over a cigarette who slowed down their conversation as the assassins walked by. They paid no attention to them as they walked into the building and watched as all eyes suddenly turned to them...and time seemed to stop at that point. Kain lead the group into The Lodge then stopped in the middle where everyone could see them, not a person made a move since they walked in..and it told them something was up.
"I apologize, but we came in to ask if anyone would accept a contract to come work with our bosses."
Suddenly a voice from the backs chirps up.
"Whos yer bosses!?"
"Zeddicus Rahl and Jory Johnson."
Suddenly a woman popped out of the crowd and made her way towards the assassins. She was wearing a tight black one piece vinyl suit draped with a leather trenchcoat no doubt hiding weapons from the look of her. Her dark brown hair was slicked back over her shoulders and her eyes pentrated them with a drown brown that rivaled Jory's
"He said you would come."
"Who said we'd come?"
"A Mr. Durius...he came in, offered us a generous ammount of money, and said that all we had to do to get it was to kill you three..and here you are, didn't even have to work at it."
The situation was now dangerous and they had to get out, but how? The place was crawling with bounty hunters looking for some quick cash..as good as they were they were never going to make it.
"You would take the money of a foul demon who will end up killing you anyways?"
"Oh please, he may be powerful but even he cant fathom the tricks us bounty hunters have up our sleeves."
"It doesn't matter what magic tricks you have, he'll eventually find you all and kill you."
"Well, until that unlikely event happens..I'd like to get paid."
Suddenly weapons ranging from swords to guns were pulled out in a blink of an eye..even from the assassins. They all had their weapons pointed at eachother and not one person had a drop of hesitation in their eyes...this is what they do for a living.
"I know we'll probably die where we stand..but I'll go to Hell with the satisfaction of knowing that some of you will be coming with us without a cent to your name."
"Admiral last words...now lets do this."
He stood there alongside Kerri, Zedd, and Maxwell and watched his grandma, still looking like the phantom of the old, hover off of the ground several feet away with a strewn of unconcious and possibly dead bodies all around. When they reached the front door they witnessed the last person be tossed down the road and thud into a heavy metalic object..either a car or garbage can..either one was going to hurt you. Now she was there alone staring down at the four infront of her..an evil smirk forming on her lips.
"Jory Johnson, its been a while."
"Indeed it has been grandma."
"Oh? So you know who I am then? How rich."
"Cut the bullshit nana, your on the wrong side and you know it."
"Yes, I know I'm on the wrong side."
"Then why? Why fight me?"
"Dont you remember Jory? Remember all that time ago when I sucked the evil stain left behind by Zeddicus after Vic forced him out of you?"
He remembered it like it was yesterday. His grandma had come to him in his time of need when Zeddicus was losing his control over Jory's body and sucked the evil stain out of Jory's soul that was imprinted there by Zeddicus..has this somehow infected her?
"I remember."
"It was then Jory..then that the stain took over MY soul and turned me into this..this..hideous creature!! Ever since that day Jory I've been forced to serve DaemonLord Durius all because you let me to receive the evil in you!! Your stain of evil turned me from God and put me in the embrace of Lucifer himself!!! YOUR THE ONE WHO HAS SENT ME INTO HELL!!!!!"
He couldn't believe it..the evil stain in Jory's soul that had made him so cold and cruel to everyone had contaminated his grandma's soul and it has made her into what she is now..an evil demon serving under Durius. Jory turned his gaze to Zeddicus who looked just as stunned as Jory felt..did Zeddicus really have no idea that would happen?
"Because of that Jory..because of you sentencing me to an afterlife of pain and anguish, I have made it my personal duty to do the exact same for you!"
"But nana..I.."
"Hush now my child, the pain will be soon..and I will bathe in your torment as you watch what I have instore for you."
"I'm sorry nana if my tainted soul has turned you into this, and I promise I will fix it..just please...renounce Durius and join us, help us rid him of you and everyone once and for all!!"
She stared at him for a moment..as if the last of her sanity was pleading with her to listen.
"I know theres still a part of you in there grandma that loves me and knows this is all wrong, and you know I can help you."
She tried saying something..but her head began to shake violently and the air around them began to sizzle with her power.
"NOOO!!! LIES!! ALL LIES!!!! YOU MUST SUFFER!!!!"
With that a group of Durius vampires marches out of the darkness looking like zombimes and they toss a women inbetween Jory & the phantom. Upon taking a closer look..Jory realizes its Becca aka former UEF Krash Course Champion Safire. Jory takes a step towards her, who is tied and gagged with bruises and cuts all over her body, but the phantom sends a ball of light at Jory which connects and sends him flying up against the building.
"Tonight...Durius's Revenge will strike down you and this pathetic city my son...and I will enjoy it."
DaemonLord Durius has outwitted Jory and his gang..catchign him off gaurd at their three major locations. Can he end the war now with them like this? Or can Jory and his crew find some sort of miracle?