Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Cassandra the Hunter ❯ Names ( Chapter 1 )

You know, life gets boring after a while. Same old, same old. Not that living the life of a thief-for-hire is boring, in fact its very entertaining and exciting. But I can't help feeling that something isn't right. People always say that you should life your life to the fullest. Why? It's not like it's going to help you in the end. You'll die and be forgotten; just like everyone else. I don't want to be known as the infamous thief-for-hire anymore. I want to make a real name for myself. I want to be remembered and not forgotten but only for doing what's right and not falling into the darkness within myself. But how?

---

“Quick, show of hands, who can see in the dark?”

No hands went up and, in response, pale fingers flicked off the switch. There was a crash and a flash of light as a hand fumbled with the switch, only by that time, the figure that had turned off the light was long gone.

---

The figure gracefully landed on a car hood, the only sound being that of shouts from the building. Mischief danced in glowing eyes as the figure jumped off the car hood and landed on the pavement silently. Then, they began to walk down the sidewalk, a slight bounce in their step and the sound of their humming echoing everywhere.

As the figure stepped into a pool of light from a street lamp, it was revealed to be a simple girl, one with fiery red hair and green eyes. She wore a simple lavender shirt and tan cargo pants. Everything about her looks seemed normal, but then again, people who jumped out of fifth story windows and landed silently and safely on car hoods were obviously not normal.

The girl stopped moving as the street became silent. Intelligent eyes glanced towards the red-orange horizon. The sun was rising, why was it suddenly silent? The sun didn't affect warlocks. Green eyes widened in realization at why it was suddenly so silent and why she wasn't being followed. She hadn't run into warlocks after all. Those had been vampires.

A loud curse rang throughout the street, breaking the sudden stretch of silence as the girl broke into a run. Vampires were in the city. That wasn't good, not at all. The Gods had banned vampires long ago from the city. The fact that they had disobeyed the Law was just enough to make her squirm. Something was happening. She wasn't hero material, never had been and never would be.

A macaw flew past, the wind of it making the girl's hair dance softly and she stopped moving. As the bird turned around to brush past her again, her hand flew up and wrapped around it. The bird squawked once before ruffling its feathers, somehow managing to look very offended.

“You didn't have to do that, Cassandra.” The macaw glared slightly up at her and she smirked faintly.

“If I didn't, you'd continue to fly around me like some idiotic bird, Lakyle.”

“Currently, I am a bird, though.”

“Change into something else then.”

Cassie released the bird and watched with little interest as it flapped its wings once and landed on the ground silently. There was a silent pause before the bird disappeared and in its place was a rather large black wolf.

“Better?”

“No. That's going to grab unwanted attention.” She answered curtly, “Something else, preferably something that's found naturally in this area.”

The wolf grunted something in a language that Cassandra chose not to translate. There was another pause before a `human' took the wolf's place. The male was of average height, looking to be about eighteen with waist-length black hair and the amethyst-colored eyes. His outfit was rather simple; a pair of black jeans, a simple blood red dress shirt and black steel-toed boots.

Cassandra shook her head softly in disagreement with Lakyle's `human' form. It was still eye-catching, although not in the way it had been before. Leave it to a part shapeshifter, part incubus to attract all females within a five-block radius to him. But Cass couldn't really blame him for that, after all it was a born ability that most of his forms were attractive to females (even female animals) and it took a lot of concentration to make him ugly and unattractive and concentration was one thing the demon did not have. After all, he had the attention span of about five seconds….

“Ohhh someone's got something shiny!”

…Make that point five seconds if there was a shiny object around.

The redhead shook her head in mild amusement before reaching into her pocket and pulled out a silver locket. She tossed it over to the demon and started to walk back to her apartment.

“Hey, I thought you went into that place for surveillance for your next job.” Lakyle looked up from his studying of the shiny object and raced after her, shoving the locket into his pants pocket.

“I did,” She grunted, flashes of the past hour or so going through her mind. “But after finding that and a few other interesting things I'm not doing it. That was a vampire blood bank, I don't play with vampires.”

“A what?” The demon's eyes widened as the two crossed the empty street, “But that guy said it was a warlock territory! And vampires are forbidden to come here!”

“Obviously, he was lying.” The girl mumbled as they slipped into her apartment complex, “And obviously, they don't care anymore.”

“So, shall we go tell the Gods?”

“No, it's none of our business.”

The demon silently agreed before cocking his head to the side as Cassandra flung open the door to the stairway. Magic crackled against the male's skin as the door slammed into the wall and Lakyle shouted out a warning, but it was too late. There was a blast of energy slammed into Cassie's form, forcing her to fly backwards into the demon's chest.

Curses were heard and Lakyle grabbed at the girl's now limp form as he changed, black feathery wings tearing holes in the back of his shirt. There was a hiss as he flew forwards and slammed into the closing door, his shoulder taking the brunt of the hit. The door slammed open and purple-eyes narrowed at the sight before them. There were two warlocks. Even worse than that were the fact that there were two vampires right behind them.

Cassie stirred, groaning softly and sliding her eyes open. They quickly closed as Lakyle flew forwards, wings flapping frantically as he made for a window. Glass shattered before the demon even reached the window and as the shards fell to the ground, he soared into the morning sky. There was a twin set of shrieks and then explosions of light as the two vampires burst alit before crumbling to the ground as ashes.

Lakyle gave the two warlocks a faint smirk as he sent the two a parting gift. Two green-black balls were tossed into the building before the demon took off, flying off into the morning. An explosion went off behind the hybrid being and the human girl but it didn't seem to even faze them.

Black wings soared through the air, their feathers soaking up the golden rays of the rising sun, flecking nothing. Calculating violet eyes glanced briefly around them as the two landed on a building a safe distance away from the once apartment complex. A nauseous groan came from the Cassandra as Lakyle set her down.

“Never again..” Came her grumbled as she opened her eyes, “Flying with you is like riding The American Scream Machine in Six Flags…it's sickening.”

“Sorry,” Grunted the demon, smiling slightly, “Forgot you get motion sick.”

“Anyway, what was with that blast that hit me? It should've killed me!”

Lakyle grinned, looking very much like the Cheshire Cat at the moment. “That pendant you wear not only helps me find you, but it protects you as well.”

Cassandra blinked, confused, before looking over to her once home, “Come on Lakyle, we're going to go seek Apollo, now.”

Lakyle opened his mouth to question her on how she knew Apollo was still around in the mortal realm but she waved her hand, silently telling him off. He bristled, wings flaring slightly out from behind him as he stared coldly at her. Who was this human to wave him off like that?

His anger died away quickly however as those emerald orbs landed on him once more. He cursed the gods mentally and held out his hand, offering his services once more to the female. He was getting soft, especially when it came to Cassandra. He couldn't help it, though; the girl could worm her way into anyone's heart.

The demon's musings were cut short as the girl reached over and took his hand, “Do you know where Apollo hides?”

“Of course.” He snorted, looking a bit offended, “The God of the Sun and Prophecy cannot hide his power from demons.”

The girl frowned, tilting her head to the side before blinking, “Well then, shall we go?”

The only answer she received was a sharp tug and she made a noise as she fell into the demon's arms. Her growl was muffled due to the fact that he had grabbed her around her middle and took off rather quickly. Her complaints died in her throat and she closed her eyes, resting her head against Lakyle's shoulder. Her main problem was now trying not to loose her dinner all over the demon.

---

The noise was what woke her first. It was a loud buzzing sound, not unlike that of a bee's. Cassandra wrinkled her nose in distaste and picked her head up, looking around.

They were still flying, although now it was obvious that they were there. The aura of the place was ordinary but that was just a mask. The true aura was buzzing with the energy of a God and it made her a bit giddy. Looking up, however, she realized that it didn't have the same effect on her companion. Lakyle was scowling, his eyes darting around, and unease written on his face.

“What's the matter?” She asked, eyelids lowering halfway as she eyed him.

“Apollo has company. I smell Artemis.”

Cassandra quirked her eyebrow in surprise but kept silent and instead watched as they flew towards a small palace. The palace was made of white stones and gold adorned its windows and the main entrance. It was surrounded by some laurel trees, which didn't surprise her in the least. After all, Daphne had been turned into a tree because of him.

Lakyle landed softly, placing Cassandra on the ground softly and turning his attention towards the palace before them. His wings folded neatly onto his back and then disappeared as he strode forward, passing the guards of the entrance without a second thought. Cassandra was soon to follow, practically running to catch up with her friend.

The two strode down a hallway, neither now paying much attention to the hall but more so to their thoughts. They walked into a throne room-like place and Cassandra flinched slightly. The power in the room was immense and it bore down on her, squeezing her mentally and making her feel light-headed. That was why most mortals never came to the Gods for advice anymore. It gave them headaches.

“What brings you, a mortal and a demon, here?” Apollo asked, his voice ringing.

“Pardon the intrusion, milord, but Cassandra wishes to speak with you about something very important.”

“Cassandra, as in, the reincarnation of my Cassandra from long ago? Step forward, mortal and let me have a look at you.”

Cassandra tilted her head, puzzled, but did as she was told and stepped forward, bowing her head in respect at the Gods. There was a pause before soft laughter and she looked up from her studying of the floor, startled and confused.

“She looks nothing like the old Cassandra.” Artemis said.

“Oh, but you're wrong, my dear sister, that look in her eyes is the same. Tell me, Cassandra, what is ever the matter?” Sky-blue eyes twinkled softly.

“Vampires are invading your city and team to be teaming up with warlocks. They are forbidden, as you well know, but they don't seem to care. They even attacked us at my apartment house and blew up the building.” Cassie said, lying with practiced ease. She knew that Apollo and Artemis both knew truly who had blown up the building, but it had been the vampire and warlock's faults that Lakyle had done it in the first place.

“I see…well its about time I guess.” Apollo mused, leaning back in his throne.

“Excuse me, milord?” Lakyle blinked.

“Do not feign innocence, Lakyle, this is your fault after all. If you hadn't gone and done a team-switch then Cassandra wouldn't be targeted.” Artemis said, her voice ringing.

Cassandra jerked her head up in surprise as Lakyle stiffened, “What?”

“Do not worry about it, Cassie, it is nothing all that bad. My sister just likes for her young girls to be protected and she doesn't trust your guardian.” Apollo waved his hand lightly before smiling. “Anyway, back to why you came here. Do not fret about the vampires running loose in the city, I have taken the liberty of already informing them that if they take too many humans that they will be banned. You only need to worry about those attacks on your life, they will happen often and there is nothing I can do about that. I am sorry Cassandra, but I cannot stop them from going after what they believe are threats to their existence. However, not all vampires are evil. Learn who isn't and befriend them. Now, go, before my sister ends up attacking your guardian for giving her dirty looks.”

“I don-”

“Cassandra.”

Cassie sighed heavily and mumbled her thanks before walking out, Lakyle at her heels. The demon paused; however, at the exit to the throne room and he turned his head to the twins, silently thanking them before he walked after the human. There was a soft sigh from Apollo as he watched the two leave before he looked to his sister as she spoke.

“Was that wise, my brother? He has a soft spot for her. He'll never let her die.”

“Artemis, he hasn't done anything inhumane since he's met her. Let him find a way to make her immortal and let them be. As long as the once Demon Lord is calm and no longer as evil, all is well.”

---

Cassandra frowned as she stood upon the rubble that was once her apartment house. Nothing was left undamaged and she sighed. She'd have to start all over again now. Her attention soon went up to Lakyle as the demon kicked a piece of rubble.

“What do we do now?”

“Fight.” Was the only answer she received.

“Against whom?”

“Anyone who dares to defile you.”

She lifted an eyebrow, “Why?”

“Because you are the light that no one can touch.”

“What?”

“The original Cassandra was tainted by her powers and labeled as a madwoman. You are her but different. The only way for you to make a name for yourself is to attack and destroy your enemies before they destroy you. Go to the dark realm and make a name for yourself there.”

She frowned, “But wouldn't that make me dark?”

“Not as long as you control yourself. Don't let the darkness consume you and you will still be apart of the light.”

She smiled suddenly, liking the thought of fighting against the vampires and warlocks who had destroyed her home and her human neighbors who were friends of hers.

“To the darkness then?”

Lakyle nodded and the two ran off, the demon and the mortal, fighting for themselves and only themselves.

---

Brilliant green eyes flashed in the darkness and the vampires took one look at the pale girl before them before turning around. A shadow moved, purple eyes glaring down at them and they froze.

I've think I've finally figured out how to be remembered for all time.

There was a sudden rush over movement and the shadow and the red-haired girl rushed forward, slaying any vampires they could reach.

I found out that it isn't always about being remembered and famous. It's about being yourself and doing what's right, so that's what I'm going to do from now on.

The girl laughed softly, fangs glimmering in the streetlights as she stepped out of the ally, the shadow next to her. The shadow, a male with raven-colored waist length hair and purple eyes, chuckled softly.

After all, I've got all the time in the word to make a name for myself and as long as I don't give into the darkness that is within every being in this world, I will be able to continue to make a name for myself.