"For without cause, there can be no effect": Aristotle (384BC)
>>>Several months earlier...
The blue glowing light of the full moon sneaked through the little openings of the window of a campus room like a thief. Spreading its little rays of light here and there, invading the privacy of the battle between the two sweaty bodies as skin against skin grind against each other rhythmically.
The melodic war cries of the two participants echoed across the four walls of the room-the Messy mixture of male and female clothes on the floor acted as an audience and witness to the erotic tango between the two.
The continuous back-and-forth kissing of the bunk against the tiled floor provided evidence that no matter how fierce the two battled, a victor was not anytime soon in sight. Just then, an accidental hit of the remote control brought the television in the distance to life.
"Stop! Stop!! Stop!!!" Katie demanded.
Adria had to stop his vigorous pounding as she pushed him off in an attempt to catch her breath and listen to the interrupting news on the television.
Katie reached for the remote by her side and increased the volume.
"Breaking news! This just in: A vampire has attacked an Avalon research center in the Cornerstone District. This is already the third time this month. Reports say that at least four are already dead. We will now be taking you live to the scene of the crime."
"Adria! Look!" She called the attention of the very handsome pale-skinned man sitting beside her. Pulling him out of the pleasures of the cigar he had just lighted.
"Isn't Cornerstone a part of your protection quarter?" Katie asked.
Adria's eyes widened in realization. He immediately jumped down from the bed and searched for his clothes on the floor. He brought out a cell phone from his pants. Pushing its buttons, the phone screen read 25 missed calls.
"Shit! shit!! Shit!!!" Adria cursed as he hurried to put on his clothes.
He wore his shoes and with his overall jacket in hand, he hurried for the window.
"Wait!" katie called for him carrying the sheets over her chest with one hand, "You forgot your necklace."
He stopped and turned to snatch the necklace from the outstretched hand of the naked lady.
Running out, her voice stopped him again. "I am going back today."
He turned to her, "Really!? Didn't you say you still had like a week or something?"
"Yes! I said that last week! Don't tell me you forgot again."
He put the necklace around his neck, "No! I didn't forget." Then he whispered, "I just wasn't listening."
"I heard that!" She pouted.
"Okay! okay!! I'll make it up to you when you get back." Adria teased.
"Promise?" Katie asked shyly, twisting the edge of the bed sheet in-between her fingers.
"I promise." He turned again to leave, but the sight of her partially naked and sweaty body made him swallow hard. "You know what? let's just go an extra five minutes."
She screamed as he dived back on the bed.
...
Thirty minutes later, Adria ran through the top of the city houses, making incredible jumps from building top to building top with such speed and agility that would make the greatest of athletes bask in both envy and surprise.
As he ran, his phone rang noisily.
"Hello!" He answered still on the move and a shy feminine voice spoke, "Adria! It's Tasha. You said you were going to visit me today. I know you are busy protecting people against vampires and all, but I miss you. I really do. It won't be like last time. I promise. Besides, My dad is not home and I can even invite my sister over again."
The moment he heard the invitation of a third party, the image of a very robust woman choking him with her chest popped into his head.
For a slight second there, he was nearly tempted to change his route.
"Sorry, I am busy at the moment. Let's put a rain check on that." He pressed the red button with what little willpower he still had left as a man and continued his hurried advance. The phone rang again and he answered, "Didn't you hear me!? I said I was BUSY!"
"ADRIA!!! you stupid idiot. Where the f*ck are you!? I have been trying to reach your line for like forever now."
"Sorry, Who's this?" Adria asked.
"Are you freaking kidding me? What do you mean by that? Are you stupid!?" Emilia complained in anger.
He removed the phone from his ear in order not to hear the nagging that followed.
After Adria was sure it was done, he placed the phone back on his ear, "Hey! Emilia. So it's you. Please forgive me, I didn't..."
"WHAT!?" Emilia interupted him, "Forgive you!? I know you are definitely messing around with some tramp again. Who is it this time? One of the college tramps? You better get your ass to that research center ASAP! or else, Dr Pearl is going to have your ass."
*Beep*
The phone went off. "Shit! Low battery."
He continued moving until he saw a building in the distance. It was on fire with the blaring sounds of police cars and fire trucks all around it. He jumped down the tall building that was at least 50 meters high, landing heavily with a tumble to break his fall beside a policeman that was addressing the firemen.
The policeman looked to his side in quick panic. "Dear heavens Adria! Don't give me a scare like that. I am not getting any younger, you know."
"My apologies inspector Jack. I didn't see you there. I would have tiptoed from the roof of the building to the ground." Adria smirked weirdly.
"HAHA! very funny. You are late again, or is this no longer part of your quarter?"
"I know, I know! I'll get to it. Any information on the Vampire?"
"That's the thing. From the reports, it seems to be at the west wing of the building."
"The west wing?" Adria asked for confirmation, "Isn't that where?"
"Yeah! It beats me too. I also found it strange. one would have expected it to go to the east wing where the soul cores are kept." Inspector Jack scratched his head. But I am sure it is not something you can't handle." Adria nodded at him as he approached the building, one step at a time.
"Hey! get away from there, the fire will burn you!" A fireman tried to stop his advance but inspector Jack held the fireman back, "Don't worry, he's got this."
Adria came close to the big burning three-story building. Because it was a research center, it was fortunately fenced and quite spaced away from other houses. Almost as if the company expected such accidents to happen. He squatted low and then with so much force that broke a small circumference of the ground around him like a spider web, he shot straight for a burning window on the second floor.
All that saw this, watched in surprise. The fireman that was trying to stop him earlier on looked to the old pot-bellied inspector that had stopped him, "That guy! he is one of them, right? The Darklings?"
The Inspector nodded. The fireman immediately brought out a set of beads on his neck and said a low-toned prayer.
Inspector Jack stared at the fireman strangely, "So you are a man of the Akreem cult?"
"That is very offensive, inspector. We are not a cult, but rather a religion. We honor the sanctuary of the soul and detest abominations like Vampires and Darklings that have perverted it."
The Inspector frowned. As a logical thinker, he really did not like to get into petty arguments with religious fanatics. "Whatever it is you say, people like him are all that stands in the way of those damn creatures and us."
The inspector looked around and sighed at the expression the people around him had. At least he was more open-minded, but most people were not, and the addition of the continuous teachings of that cult did not help societal views of the Darklings.
Darklings were Humans made into hunters in order to bring down vampires. Their strength and physical abilities had been enhanced many times by biological innovation just for this cause.
They were responsible for keeping the peace against the monstrous creatures. And most of them were diligent at it. Most were, but not Adria.
This guy was just a disgrace to the Darkling core and the name of the military.
His thoughts were better filled with alcohol and women than work. On top of that, he carried one of the biggest secrets of this country called Zogland. A country ruled by Monarchy, but it's hands and legs were so strong, that their influence spread amongst all seven continents of the world.
This was their capital city called Avalon city. Renamed after the company that created Darklings. It was also the company that helped with the latest fueling technology called Ryeoun core, made straight from the souls of living organisms.
Ironically, this was greatly desired as food by vampires. At least, that was the norm, until now...
.....
*BOOM*
A loud explosion from the window Adria entered drew the attention of the crowd.
"What the hell are you doing there boy!?" inspector jack Frowned.