Nightfall fell upon the Eastern Coast as Jen's Gryphon glided through the air swiftly. The young vampiress gazed down at the dark blue liquid as Talis(Jen's Gryphon) flew along the water's edge. His swiftness caused a breeze against the vampiress, blowing her long hair and black tunic gently.

An hour passed flying along the dark waters before they saw shore. Talis needed to land to rest and hunt for a small meal. "Talis." Jen spoke softly. "We need to land...hmmmm....over there looks good." She added pointing to a spot of sand that was located near some grass.

Talis never failed a command. He flew over to the grassy spot and the young vampiress dismounted. She walked up to the water and stood there and looked at it for a while. Talis walked up to her and nudged her on the shoulder gently with his beak. "Oh sorry, Talis...I forgot you were hungry. Go yourself something to eat and leave me the leftovers. I need some blood..."
With that command the Gryphon swiftly flew away. Jen didn't bother to watch him leave. She continued to stare at the dark water lost in thought. Jen was so lost in thought that she didn't realize that Talis came back with fresh meat a moment later. "Heh, you found that fast. Thanks, Talis." Jen laughed looking at the dead corpse. It was undescribable. She couldn't figure out what it was so torn up. "You must have really been hungry." With that Talis sat along the shores while Jen drained some blood from the dead corpse of some animal. When done she let Talis finish the rest who left nothing uneaten.

Jen went back to thinking about what she should do next...traveling around aimlessly would do her no good. Since her mother's death she had to do something. Her thoughts diminished as she noticed a figured approaching from afar. The young vampiress couldn't see who was coming toward her because it was so dark. All that could be seen was a shadow of a figure walking toward her. Talis, out of instinct, walked up beside her; and curled his tail around her. If this person or whoever was dangerous the vampiress needed protection. Still Jen felt no need to draw her bow. She only smiled as the figure approached.
"Who goes there?" Jen spoke to the figure who was approaching them. "I am Jen, and I am a vampiress. Don't be afraid to approach me. I am friendly and my Gryphon won't attack unless I am in danger...or under my command. So come let us chat if you would like."

Tanya walked down the beach, the night was still young and she yawned happily, she had yet to find another adventure. She hoped to find one soon but tonight, tonight would be for enjoing the beach at moonlight. She turned, her grey dress moved as she saw the moon begin to rise above the ocean, the reflection of Istilipe was beautiful as the waves came in and out. She saw a shadow but dismissed it as a large bird and continued walking. Her staff was used as a walking stick and left an inch deep hole in the ground as she walked. Her hands began to shake for a moment but stopped as quickly as it started.

As she passed some dunes she heard a voice, "Who goes there? I am Jen, and I am a vampiress. Don't be afraid to approach me. I am friendly and my Gryphon won't attack unless I am in danger...or under my command. So come let us chat if you would like." she heard a female voice say. She continued and found a female vampire next to a gryphon. She smiled and waved. "Hello! Sorry if I startled you, I did not mean to at all. I am Tanya. It is a pleasure to meet you Jen. How are you on this lovely night?" she asked as stars came out one by one against the black void of night. The silver light of the moon shined against Tanya's hair and made it silver instead of white. She stopped a little ways away from the vampress who made herself known as Jen and placed her staff in front of her and held it with both hands and leaned on it for support. She smiled and waited patiently for an answer as she watched the gryphon eat.

The beach is beautiful... we must go on, we need an explanation! You are wasting your time Wise and besides, you're not here to enjoy the scenery.

Wise hated the demon inside of him. It always argued with him, telling him of greater issues.

We have all the time in the world! Don't talk to me, I want to enjoy myself. As I told you on Istelpe, I need to see Arda from different perspectives.

I will leave you in peace for tonight, but come tomorrow we must move on. The old man will die soon and that's if he hasn't died already.

Wise sighed as he continued along the beach. He had to think about things, what he was going to say when he eventually found his father. It was his destiny and it would eventually happen. It was high tide and the beach was very small. The water was covered in darkness and the cliffs blocked Wise' view of the surrounding area. After walking for a while, he decided to make camp for the night. It was cold but Wise had withstood worse.

As he sat down to take a short rest, he saw a figure a small way down the beach. What shocked Wise was that a big bird swooped down with a big chunk of meat in its talons.

I didn't expect to see another mortal on the beach tonight. But then again life is full of surprises.

He watched the two feast upon the meat. The giant bird was a gryphon, beautiful, amazing in stature, and powerful at the same time. The mortal seemed to be a vampire of the female sex. She was quite pretty considering she drank blood. Wise didn't want to get in her way. He had heard many tales of the evil beings, sucking the blood of people while they sleep at night. He watched her for a while, her Gryphon devouring the last of the meal.

"Who goes there? I am Jen, and I am a vampiress. Don't be afraid to approach me. I am friendly and my Gryphon won't attack unless I am in danger...or under my command. So come let us chat if you would like."

Wise was surprised by what she just said. Her voice was calm and welcoming. He thought that the vampire had spotted Wise for a second but instead she was looking in the other direction. He could see a young human girl walking towards the vampire, a wide smile clear on her face.

"Hello! Sorry if I startled you, I did not mean to at all. I am Tanya. It is a pleasure to meet you Jen. How are you on this lovely night?"

What is this, some kind of romantic moment? Kill them Wise, I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

What did I tell you demon! Leave me and take your pathetic thoughts with you. I threaten to slit my throat once more and I assure you will not like that one bit.

The demon immediately stopped, knowing that Wise was capable of killing himself. He continued to watch them, wondering what the vampire would say in return. He thought this beach would be deserted but like the barren wastelands of Istelpe, they weren't.

Jen smiled even more when she notice another soul approach her. She motioned to Talis who backed up a little to finish his meal. When done the gryphon walked up behind her and sat down infront of her.

"The pleasure is all mine. What am I doing you ask miss? Im enjoying a wonderful evening by the beach. Remembering my dear mother....who was...tradgically murdered by my father..." Jen replied. "I was remembering...when my mother and I visited this beach....so what brings you here?" Jen asked her standing there.

Jen looked over and saw another figure walking toward them. They stood alittle far way from them but she could still see them. It was a man. She smiled and waved her hand respectfully at him. "Hello there sir." Jen said happily. "How are you? I am a vampiress. Just so you know too. Im glad there are others out here besides me....Im also surprised that you confronted me. Not many confront vampires.....it makes me sad. " The young vampiress then turned to her Gryphon. "Oh, Im sorry. This is Talis my Gryphon. He is very realiable and kind." Talis flew up to the man who just approached them. Talis looked at him and then lowered his head. "Hahahaha." Jen giggled. "He wants you to pet him. Go ahead he doesnt bite. Not unless I tell him too." Jen turned over to the girl as well. "You can pet him too. He's very friendly and likes others, like me.Hahahahaha." Jen walked up to Talis and waited to see if the girl and man would pet him.

"The pleasure is all mine. What am I doing you ask miss? I’m enjoying a wonderful evening by the beach. Remembering my dear mother...who was...tragically murdered by my father...I was remembering...when my mother and I visited this beach...so what brings you here?"

Wise didn't get it. This girl was so happy, like there was nothing wrong. However, that was not the case. There was evil everywhere you go, in everything you see. Just like there's good in everyone, there is evil in everyone too. Wise continued to watch the Vampiress from a short distance, but she somehow spotted him.

"Hello there sir. How are you? I am a vampiress. Just so you know too. I’m glad there are others out here besides me...I’m also surprised that you confronted me. Not many confront vampires...it makes me sad."

Wise knew Kapisapek would be furious. This girl was so innocent and the demon would love to smash her face into a brick wall. However, he didn't say a thing.

"Oh, I’m sorry. This is Talis my Gryphon. He is very reliable and kind. Hahahaha, he wants you to pet him. Go ahead he doesn’t bite. Not unless I tell him too. You can pet him too. He's very friendly and likes others, like me.Hahahahaha."

Wise wondered if this girl was crazy. She sent the bird over to greet Wise as he approached. This freaked him out a little bit, but the giant bird did not attack but signalled Wise to pat it.

"You shouldn't trust strangers young Vampire. There is alot of evil in Arda and it is not a very smart thing to do. If I was Ita you'd be dead."

Wise pet the Gryphon, purring as he stroked its side. Wise wondered why the two girls were all alone. There parents would be horrified if they knew they had come out onto the beach at night.

"The pleasure is all mine. What am I doing you ask miss? I’m enjoying a wonderful evening by the beach. Remembering my dear mother...who was...tragically murdered by my father...I was remembering...when my mother and I visited this beach...so what brings you here?" the girl asked but before Tanya could answer the vampress began to speak to someone else. "Hello there sir. How are you? I am a vampiress. Just so you know too. I’m glad there are others out here besides me...I’m also surprised that you confronted me. Not many confront vampires...it makes me sad."

The man seemed confused at the vampress who called herself Jen and Tanya the adventurer. She smiled and waved at the man as he approached them. "Oh, I’m sorry. This is Talis my Gryphon. He is very reliable and kind. Hahahaha, he wants you to pet him. Go ahead he doesn’t bite. Not unless I tell him too. You can pet him too. He's very friendly and likes others, like me.Hahahahaha." Tanya watched as the man stroked the gryphon.

"You shouldn't trust strangers young Vampire. There is alot of evil in Arda and it is not a very smart thing to do. If I was Ita you'd be dead." the man said sounding as if he was surprised that they were out all alone but was wise in his sayings. Tanya turned to the man. "Yes that is true sir but one cannot learn about the world nor live if one does not take chances. And although evil does destroy it also does something else. Like a fire it burns the forests destroying everything in its path but the fire, once over fertlizes the ground, allowing stronger plants and animals to live there once again. Evil makes people stronger, no matter what the cost those who survive are greater than the evil that they fought. I have learned that at a very young age. Although evil is terrible, it is also good as well." she said stroaking the Gryphon's wing.

"Yes that is true sir but one cannot learn about the world nor live if one does not take chances. And although evil does destroy it also does something else. Like a fire it burns the forests destroying everything in its path but the fire, once over fertlizes the ground, allowing stronger plants and animals to live there once again. Evil makes people stronger, no matter what the cost those who survive are greater than the evil that they fought. I have learned that at a very young age. Although evil is terrible, it is also good as well."

"Do not say such things! You do not understand evil as much as I do and you never will. Evil is never a good thing, it destroys and causes death. Evil will never make people stronger, it just makes you think you're stronger. Evil lies, murders and never says sorry. Never say such a thing child, it will destroy you in more ways than one."

Wise could hear Kapisapek laughing in his head, taunting his will. He bounced against the walls of his soul, making him feel sick inside. He chewed on his heart and smashed his brain with a club. He was relentless. This was true evil and it could never be justified.

"I am sorry, but you must know of these things little one. I have met many who justify evil and eventually go down that path. You musn't get sucked into the lie, understand?"

"I have to agree with Tanya. But I live nowhere. I am on my own." The vampiress smiled looking at all of them. "If you sir are wondering why I am so peaceful this is why. I see a strange look on your face and sense something complex about you. I take after the elvish customs. One being I do not worry about what lies a head, just what is happening currently. There is also no need for one to be in a sullen mood. Why that would only bring others down. You just have to look on the postive side of things. That is what I believe. I have studied some elvish culture and part of thier language as well. They are such peacefull beings who I wish to be like. There is also one more thing I wish to say. I forgive anyone for what they have done. Even...my father."

Jen then thought for a moment and then said in a soft voice. "Sucked into the lie.....yes. I think I understand that....its just too bad that my father didnt understand that concept....or......I wouldn't be standing here now." Jen added closing her eyes. She opened her eyes after a moment and looked at the man. "May I ask you one thing sir? You are no ordinary samuri are you not?...for some reason I sense something about you....maybe its my imagination....but its familiar....."

Jen could sense something about him but she did not fear what it was. Just something she knew that was familiar. It was a familiar feeling, a feeling that she would only get around her one friend who was a demon. A darkness type feeling. She wasn't quite sure but she had to know if he wished to speak. Jen wasn't going to force him into answer. "Answer if you only feel comfortable telling me. Im not going to force you to tell me. Although I will tell you this. Ive been around many demons...and half-vampires to know how to sense them. One of my best friends are a demon. And they have helped me many times. I wander how they are doing now." Jen spoke with another smile.

A life full of happiness...no death. That is all I have ever wanted....why doesn't anything ever turn out like it should? But I should look on the brighter side of things. I'm alive and I've met new friends. Besides, hate just spawns more hate and nothing is ever solved. Happiness....yes that is what the elves believe in. Well most of them. Jen thought waiting for a response peacefully.

"May I ask you one thing sir? You are no ordinary samurai are you not?...for some reason I sense something about you....maybe its my imagination....but its familiar.....Answer if you only feel comfortable telling me. I’m not going to force you to tell me. Although I will tell you this. I’ve been around many demons...and half-vampires to know how to sense them. One of my best friends are a demon. And they have helped me many times. I wander how they are doing now."

Tell her nothing! It will only lead to our demise.

Wise thought about the girls question. He wanted to answer but he what it was. He didn't know how Kapisapek ended up inside of him, able to talk with him and mentally hurt him. A tear slid down his cheek as he opened his mouth, knowing that the girl deserved an answer.

"I am half-demon. My mother died during child birth and my father he...he abandoned me."

Wise thought about this for a moment. He was in Arda to find his father, but he didn't know what he was going to do when he did.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to go. Best wishes to both of you and stay safe."

Wise forced a smile, tears streaking down his face. He turned his back to the girls and started walking. He didn't know where he was headed but he had to get away. No one deserved to be in the presence of Wise, not after the horrible things he did. He was scared he'd do something he would regret, what Kapisapek would make him do.

"Half-demon...hmmm. Ive never heard of someone being half-demon. But it is possible." Jen spoke softly and looked at the man. He looked as if he were upset. "Oh, Im sorry. Are you upset? Did I say something wrong? Im sorry if I did."

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to go. Best wishes to both of you and stay safe."

Jen watched him walk a bit and she went after him. "Hey don't go. Whats wrong? Whats makes you run away?......or are you afraid of vampires?" Jen asked with a frown. "Are you okay?"

Talis looked at them and walked up to Jen. Jen stood infront of the man and waited to see if he would say something or walk away. Jen didn't mean to upset him but she couldn't figure out what made him upset. Although she didn't want him to leave. She would be sad if he did.

"Do not say such things! You do not understand evil as much as I do and you never will. Evil is never a good thing, it destroys and causes death. Evil will never make people stronger, it just makes you think you're stronger. Evil lies, murders and never says sorry. Never say such a thing child, it will destroy you in more ways than one." Tanya took a step back her face wide with fear and surprise as the man whom she had just met repremanded her for her way of thinking. "I am sorry, but you must know of these things little one. I have met many who justify evil and eventually go down that path. You musn't get sucked into the lie, understand?"

Like the child she was she slunk together her hands folded shaking her head bowed in an automatic defensive movement that a child takes when their parents punish them as a lesson for doing wrong, not out of anger but worry that the child may be hurt later on because of their misdeeds. She looked at the sand at her feet. "Sucked into the lie.....yes. I think I understand that....its just too bad that my father didnt understand that concept....or......I wouldn't be standing here now. May I ask you one thing sir? You are no ordinary samuri are you not?...for some reason I sense something about you....maybe its my imagination....but its familiar....." Jen said. Tanya looked at them both silently. "I am half-demon. My mother died during child birth and my father he...he abandoned me." she thought back, the story seemed familar, not exactly the same but similar, a mother dying and a father leaving the child when it is born. Soon a name came to mind, Umbra. she remembered a half demon named Umbra who was under similar circumstances.

"I'm sorry, but I think I have to go. Best wishes to both of you and stay safe." Wise said, Jen ran in front of him. "Hey don't go. Whats wrong? Whats makes you run away?......or are you afraid of vampires? Are you okay?" she asked him, Tanya looked out at the ocean, the moon a vast white cresent against the dark sky not sure of what to say. "Don't worry Jen. Maybe one day he will understand where I was comming from. Untill then let him believe and live as he pleases. Sometimes what people need to do is just...Ungh" she cried and fell to the sand cluching her shirt above her heart. She could not believe it. The attacks were becomming more frequent and damaging. Maybe she would not live to see her fifteenth year. She winced from the pain as her heart raced and her lungs had difficulty taking in air.

"Hey don't go. What’s wrong? What’s makes you run away?......or are you afraid of vampires? Are you okay?"

"Don't worry Jen. Maybe one day he will understand where I was comming from. Untill then let him believe and live as he pleases. Sometimes what people need to do is just...Ungh"

Wise turned as the girl fell to the sand, clutching her heart. She looked as though she was in immense pain and Wise couldn't let her die. He ran towards her as the girl tried to stand, having trouble breathing. The girl looked as though she was used to attacks like this but Wise felt responsible for what had happened to her.

"Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything, I have some water if you'd like some."

Wise didn't know what to do. She didn't have a medical band on her wrist and there was no medicine in her bag. He waited for her reply, wondering what he could do.

Let us go! I cannot stand to be in the presence of ones such as these. She deserves to die, don't help her.

Wise ignored Kapisapek as the demon taunted him, but it was quite a difficult task.

"Tanya?" Jen said turning to look at the small girl. "Are you alright? What's wrong? Hmmm...."

Jen stood there as the man came back and she made no move toward them. She had no idea what to do because she was never near humans very long. the vampiress did remember her best friend ITanium scold her for trying to save Kyo, her other friend. Jen never did know what happened to Kyo. It had been so long since she had seen him....the poor blind man. Jen wished she could see him and Zelris again. ITanium and Lance too. Jen didn't make a move toward them at all she just stood there.

'ITanium...would know what to do....I dont....I wish he was here to help.' Jen thought looking at Tanya. 'Is there something I can do?...at all? I don't understand humans.'

"Im sorry. I dont know what to do....I don't know how to cure...what ever it is you have. I'm so sorry Tanya." Jen said feeling ashamed there was nothing she could do.

Jen walked up to Tanya and waited to see if she would be okay. There was nothing the vampiress could do. She was no healer.

For what seemed like hours Tanya was in immense pain, but only a few minuets after the attack began the pain disippated and her breathing became easier. "Are you okay? Do you need me to get you anything, I have some water if you'd like some." She shook her head as she no longer needed to gasp for air. Her white pigtails hit her shoulders as she felt her heart slow to its normal pattern. "Are you alright? What's wrong? Hmmm...." she heard Jen say as she slowly stopped shaking. She finally stopped as the attack ended, she felt a little weaker than before but she was able to get up.

"Im sorry. I dont know what to do....I don't know how to cure...what ever it is you have. I'm so sorry Tanya." She used her staff as a leverage to get up. "I am fine now. Its alright Jen. There is nothing you could do anyway. I have been like this since I was born, the doctors have no clue what causes them I just get them at anytime. I've learned to deal. Besides..." she said smiling at them, "Life is too short to keep worrying about such things. Sometimes you just have to move on even with pains. Even when you do not understand why you were cursed with them. she said.

"Oh thats...sad...but aleast your okay." Jen smiled looking at the little girl. "A Curse? What curse is that? I've never heard of one that could cause that much pain. How did you get it? Is it genetical?" Jen asked worried.

That seemed dangerous but as long as Tanya seemed to be okay then all was well. Still that seemed alittle strange for a curse that could cause heart attack like symptoms. Jen stood there and waited for the little girls anwser. I was disheartening to watch someone young suffer in pain. She wished she could do something for her.

Tanya now stood fully without the use of her staff to help her stand. Jen smiled but her eyes showed concern. "A Curse? What curse is that? I've never heard of one that could cause that much pain. How did you get it? Is it genetical?" Tanya shook her head.

"I do not know how I got this curse. If you could even call it such a thing. When I was born the doctors found my heart scorched and a hole the diameter of an arrow shaft above my heart. I was always weak and bedridden untill I was three. Even then I was always watched carefully, always kept close to home in fear I may have an attack at any time; you've seen what they can do." she said looking at her hand which shook slightly. "I quickly learned, as my parents did, that I could not stay in bed forever. I snuck out as often as I could, and moved farther from the boundries of my parents home. I kept moving farther untill my parents finally gave up and only demanded that I come home if I had an attack or at sunset. That I agreed too, now out on my own I actually find life better then I did locked up in the confinds of Estolad. I try to live each day to the fullest." she said and looked out over the waves at the horizon. "The doctors say I will not live to see my next birthday. Sometimes when the attacks get as bad as the one you saw, I believe them. But if that is what Lothlomendil wants...There is nothing I can do to stop her from taking my life when it is my time."

"That is very strange Tanya...." Jen said looking into the nightsky. "...but if you have any doubt left in your heart....you wont make it. Just keep believing that you will live the rest of your life. If you do I'm sure you will live till you are one hundred. Sometimes all you need is a little faith. I know I will be able to get revenge on my father one day for the death of my mother. I dont know if you know this but my father killed my mother."

Talis walked up to Jen and shielded her wing his wing. The gryphon seemed to sense her sorrow and out of sympathy shielded her.

This poor girl....she deserves to live....why is the world this way? Jen thought standing beside Tanya.