Chapter 9

Days in the castle pass slowly, with me training almost from sun up to sun down. Slowly, I become stronger than before, each day breaking me down and building me up. Silas has even decided to train, doing light excerise and martial arts. As the sparring rages on, I land a solid kick, pushing Martha--a Blood servant-- back a few feet. Blood slips from the corner of her mouth, a small smirk on her face.

"Enough! Take a break," Mr. Kyro commands.

"You're doing wonderful, Dear," Katherine cheers. "Today, we are going to unlock your powers."

"As Sir Rowan knows, this world has many different ways to gain power, however it's how the body perceives the energies that will determine which is best for it," Mr. Kyro starts. " Mana and Qi are the main ones. Vampire have the bodies of a Qi fighter naturally, but we are in tune with Mana. However there have been cases for Vampires to be intune with Qi over Mana."

Taking the new information in, I ask," But not all vampires can use Mana can't they just use Qi?"

"Most would think, and although it is possible, the progress you would achieve would be almost none campared to if your in tone with Qi. thats why most blood servants and some vampire learn the Blood Arts over going to Qi fighting," Mr. Kyro explains. "That isn't to say that if they tried, they could also be good in Qi fighting. It's in your knowledge that if your talent, will, or body cannot handle the presure of the Qi if you're not compatiable and visa versa than you won't be able to learn any power."

"Damn," I wince.

"Dear, you don't have to worry since you're a Noble," Katherine trying to consoll me.

"That's not it. . .It's just harsh, but this is the how the world we live in works," I admit, shaking me head softly to rid myself of such thoughts.

Having rested enough, I turn to Mr.Kyro, awaiting instructions.

"This may hurt, but endure. You'll know what to do," he informed. He steps behind me, and I feel him place his hand upon my back. For a second, I felt a refreshing wave come over me, enveloping me, but it didnt last. Suddenly, that wave become a raging storm. Intense pain consumes me, threatening to take me in its clutch, but I grit my teeth willing myself to hold it together, to be strong. It's harder than it sounds.

The pain kicks up a knotch, and I know this is about to be hell. Sweat pours from me like heavy rain, and my once rod-straight back bends. Still the hands don't leave me. How long, I don't know, but time passes, and the pain contiunes to amp up. Still with every part of me, I hold on. My blood-shot eyes become a bit blurred, but i can faintly see a worried Katherine.

I'm weak. To still have someone worry about me, pathetic!

I steel myself, but my limit is reached. My mind fades into black.

***

Opening my eyes, I appear in this dim-lit room. The walls are laid with stone, giving me castle vibes. In front of me is a room, seemingly humming with power; it calls to him, putting me in a semi-trance. Walking in the room, the floor slightly rubbles, as I turn around to see a stone wall slide into place.

Well some much I can do.

Looking around, I'm amazed at what I see. Dazzling swords. float on the air along the wall, books hover as well, power pouring of of them in massive waves. walking around, more and more weapons and books come out, each one powerful in its own right. They stand by me, some even bumping against me gently, as if asking me to pet them.

But I don't. It feels wrong. Instead, I follow where my feet lead. Down many alise, Weapons and books try to block my way, but i gently push them aside. Something calls to me.

Rowan. . .Rowan. . . Rowan

As if it's urging me to find it, I calls my name. It isn't til i stand in front of this glass case, holding a black book that has many, many pages. The voices seems to hush, a baited breath of hope. Surrounding the tall case is a skeleton of what seems to be a dragon, its claws wrapped around the case. Even in death, it radiates power. commands respect, orders lesser beings.

'what is't yond thee wanteth, vampire' a deep, velveted voice questions.

Something inside of me trembles at the sound, but i steel my will, and answer," This book is what I want."

Immediately, that voice sounds, fuming,' who are your to come here,

to dare want what i protect?!'

The skeleton head moves, looking down on me.

'A weakling! To dareth!'

"What is wrong to want power, to want to grasp it within your hand," i roar. "You, a majestic and power being, is reduced to a skeleton, protecting something you, yourself could have. Is it wrong to say that I want the strength to be stronger than you?"

'Coequal in this state, I couldst killeth thee with nothing but a bethought.'

"Then why don't you? I fear no one, not even death, himself," I retort, anger in my bones. "You are nothing more than a bluff, pushing me away from what i desire."

'But can thee taketh the consequences of what thee desire? '

"Only time will tell, but even if i turn into a demon, to protect those I care for, i will gladly do it," I snap, glaring back at the dragon head.

'Can thee imagineth, coming to thy owneth senses only to seeth hell on earth. And t's a hell of thy owneth creation. Can thee taketh the burden?'

"Even if i have to set this world on fire, killing everything there is, roaming the earth to destroy, I will do it with no hesistation."

'Blinking idiot! thou art nothing m're than a blinking idiot who is't only wanteth and wanteth, not seeing the evil standing behind t. Thy desires may beest the death of thee.'

"Around and around we go, what do you want? I can tell that you want something from me?"

'Though mine own corse is dead, mine own soul is not. I wanteth to leaveth this lodging, but art thee willing to taketh carryeth the did cost?'

"It is done, now let me have what I desire."

'Lodging a dropeth of thy blood on the case, and i shall doth the rest.'

I bite the tip of my pinky, letting the drop of blood fall upon the case. Immediately, the case begins to glow, and the dragon head turns back, and roars into the air. The weapons and books around all bow down. After the dragon's roar, the skeleton turns to ask, falling apart. The glass case opens, the book floating out to me, but instad of stopping in front of me, it sinks into my body. Pain burns on my back and the back of my right hand.

'Thee very much art thy fath'r's son. Haply anon, i can fulfil mine own duty, thy masjesty,' the dragon ='s voice sounds through my mind, giving a painful echo.

What he says goes above me head, no matter how much I try to concentrate. With the pain flaring higher, my mind fades away, taking the ain from me, as that familiar darkness takes me within its arms.