Eternal Existence

Chapter XIX - The Finale (part two)

"Let me go!  I need to get to him, LET ME GO!" Ariana screamed.

"Luthen, I realize that you are heartless but give her this chance to be with him.  If he isn't already dead I'm sure he's close to it," Kirsten said as she pleaded for Ariana.  "There's no place for her to escape and we all know the circumstances if we even think about trying something, please, let her go."

He frowned and somewhat of a growl flowed from him; however, he released her wrists.  "Go!" he bellowed.

She swiftly jumped up from the chair and sprinted over to Garamond.  Ariana knelt and placed his head on her lap.  As he lay there she gawked into the face of the man who acknowledged her as his daughter.  She searched his features but in her own theory she could not see herself in him.

Garamond was of the undead so he had no heartbeat, she couldn't tell whether he was alive or dead.  All the while Judas kept his eye on her and listened in to her thoughts.  When he took a step to approach her Luthen spoke up.

"Don't get any ideas Judas.  Remember if you try anything she's as good as dead," Luthen conveyed very smugly.  He actually didn't care whether or not this short lived family reunion took place.  Pity was not something that he succumbed to in the least.  But he decided to partake in this spectacle because it amused him.  He fed considerably off of their pain and anguish.

Scott directed a question to Kirsten, "Is it true?  Is he really her dad?"

Kirsten nodded and answered, "Yes, he's her father."

"Mother..." Judas started off but was cut off by Kirsten.

"Shhhh...not now Judas.  Right now she needs you, focus on that."

His attention briskly returned to Ariana.  He could tell that she was stuck somewhere in between shock, denial, and acknowledgement of her birth parent. He lowered himself down across from her on the other side of Garamond and placed his fingers on the unconscious vampire’s temples.  If there was anything left at all inside of her father Judas would surely be able to pick up even the weakest signal of existence.

Ariana remained quiet and allowed Judas to do what was needed for she perceived his thoughts and knew the nature of his probe.  It only took a minute but for her it seemed like an eternity.  He looked directly into her concerned eyes and stated that her father was still with them but barely.  There was a low moan and they both looked down at Garamond.

"Fa...Father," she whispered so low that she barely heard the words leave her lips.  He looked weak and old but he managed to acknowledge Ariana as he lifted his hand and one single finger slid across her cheek.  He was so broken-down that he barely could open his eyes.   

"You look so much like your mother," he slowly stated as he struggled to get those few words out.

"Don't talk, save your strength," Ariana insisted as she watched him cough and clutch at his chest.  She wanted badly to cry but she had to be strong for him.  If this was all the time that they had left she was certainly not going to waste these precious moments.

 “Isn't this touching? I am tired of this pathetic show of affection. Both of you leave him be and get away, NOW!” Luthen growled.

“NO, I'm not leaving him like this,” Ariana shrieked.

Luthen's eyes glowed bright crimson and he started to radiate a huge illumination that swirled around him. Kirsten wasn't sure of the intensity of his powers but she knew this was not good and the projected target would indeed be Ariana. She had to think fast.

“LUTHEN...LUTHEN!” she screamed to get his attention. “She speaks out of protectiveness for her father, she's not challenging you. You brought us all here for a reason so let's get on with it,” she pushed as she hoped it would trigger him to calm down and stick to whatever it was he had in mind.

“Get her over by the altar now! I won't ask again.” The illumination was still there but it had diminished down some so her intervention had worked.

“Judas please get her over there,” Kirsten instructed her son.

He stood and walked around to Ariana as he held out his hand to help pull her up. She gently placed Garamond's head down on the ground as big tears rapidly escaped her swollen eyes.

“Judas..I...I can't leave him like this,” she uncontrollably sobbed as she lingered by her father's side.

“Come Ariana,” he instructed as he pulled her up and guided her over to the mentioned spot.

When he grabbed her Judas felt a minor electric current sweep through both of them. It wasn't purposely done and although he had felt it she was under so much distress it had not even fazed her.  Something was definitely off and a weird sense circulated through his whole body.

His attention was on her and he could tell that she seemed shaky and off kilter. She had completely broken down and his heart screamed to hold her tight and comfort her, but Luthen would never allow it.

“You may be this big bad vamp that's able to kick my ass and destroy me but now I really don't care. You're a heartless monster. You wanted to watch her suffer and see her pain from all of this. Why!” Scott asked as he yelled out.

Luthen let out a sinister, boisterously laugh. “You puny human, I like your initiative to fight for the woman who you love. Even being human I think you're a better man then Judas,” Luthen stated.

He walked over to Garamond and pulled the weak man up against the nearest wall. He slapped his face a few times to gain his attention. The unsavory vamp roughly grabbed her father's face with one hand and there was a quick spark of light. Right after that Garamond was able to focus a little. He was still very wary but alert to allow Luthen to finish what he had summoned everyone there for.

“Well old man, I've given you enough strength to speak so should you do the honor or should I?” he asked as a wide, vicious smile displayed across his face.