In a dark hall deep within the castle Cristo changes to the form of the Vampires. He was shortly joined by Linarie, “Are you read to do this?” she says.

A half shrug motion pointing out his current form to indicate confirmation, “Ready when you are”, Cristo replies.

Linarie then also changes form to match that of their foes, and the two make their way to the darker side of the castle, the side that has been won by the vampire’s sneak attack the night before. They emerge on the back end of the castle unnoticed and begin to mingle with the victors. The goal is to gather information, or so Linarie thinks...

After an hour or so Cristo beckons Linarie to a dark secluded corner of the candle lit ballroom. After discussing the gathered intel from their scouting mission Cristo breaks the conversation with the most unusual question, “Do you know how my parents died?”

Linarie responds, “I have heard stories and rumors, neither of which I assume are true.”
“Probably not, since the story of their death is a tightly kept secret of mine, one that has burned my soul for many a century now”. After a short pause Cristo continues, “What seems like a millennium ago my father was traveling late at night. Venigo, the vampire somehow found him and approached my father with a proposition.”

Linarie interrupts to ask “What could a vampire possibly offer an Elf??”

“Nothing of course but I don’t believe Venigo knew that, especially since he offered to turn my father and grant him immortality.”

Linarie almost broke out in laughter fully aware that immortality for an elf is as about as useful as holes in a spoon, but she held back sensing the dark nature of the story she was hearing from Cristo.
“Obviously your father did not partake in the offer I presume?”

“Correct, he laughed at the vampire and turned him away. However, Venigo didn’t take kindly to such a response as he was used to dealing with mortal humans that would grovel at the chance at immortality. So, he began scheming revenge.” Cristo pauses for a moment to gather his thoughts.

“About a fort night later Venigo had sought and learned my father’s name, where he lived, and who my mother was. With this intel he decided to make his move. He gathered about half a dozen fellow vampires, including Xantra, who now is his ‘Wife’ as it were. With is band of misfits they attacked our house in the middle of the night... I remember all of it.” At this point Cristo is choking up a bit and needs a drink.

After obtaining a couple glasses of wine to share with Linarie he continues his story. “I was a very young elf back then, only 12 years in the age of men. My room was just off my parents. I was startled awake from the crash of the vampires breaking into my parent’s room. Venigo attacked my father instantly, while he slept, he didn’t even have a chance to wake up... My mother on the other hand must have already been awake, but she too was taken so quickly by surprise, Xantra had her grimy little paws around my mother’s neck before she killed her she asked her a question I will never forget. ‘Do you wish you accepted his gift of immortality now?... Bitch!’. My mother let out a short scream and it was over, both my parents... gone.”

Linarie asks the obvious question, “They didn’t come after you? Why did they spare you?”

“Not sure to be honest, I suppose they were just unaware of my existence. My bedroom door probably thought to just be a closet. Either way I kept silent to ensure my survival through that horrid night”

After what seemed an eternity of silence and wine sipping, Cristo breaks with “You know who runs the band of vampires that now occupy the west end of this castle Linarie?”

Linarie starting to realize the weight of the situation replies “Venigo?”

“And Xantra, they are one in the same these days. That small band they put together grew unchecked into this army we see before us. Now that you know more of my history than any other I must confess.”

Linarie, uncertain of Cristo’s motives, shakenly asks “Confession?”

“Yes confession.” Cristo pauses for a moment “Last night’s secret attack on the castle was not totally a secret. I helped them...”

This revelation that Linarie just bore witness too was too much to take in... “What do you mean?!”

“I helped them plan an attack on this castle.”

“Why would you do such a thing!? Good elves died defending the keep last night and you stand here to tell me that it was perpetrated by you? To help someone who killed your parents??”

“It was the only way to get them out of their fortress... Together... and into a space in which I could seek my vengeance.”

Hearing that the entire grim situation that she sees in front of her was caused by her best friend was too much for Linarie. She decided to return to the east wing, which at last count, is still under elven control.

“We have gathered our intel, we must return now.” Linarie commanded. Without giving Cristo any time to reply she began making her way back to the passage they came by.

Once they reached a safe position Linarie barked to Cristo “Change back to elven form and come with me now, we have much to discuss with the elders.” Following her orders, he changed back to elven form and began following Linarie, at least to a point.

Once they reached the upper ledge Cristo decided it was time, time to carry out his redemption that has burned his soul for so long. He broke rank from Linarie’s path and made his way back west towards the front line. There would be no more hiding and sneaking around this time.

As Cristo approached the defensive line of the vampires, the dozens of demon-like creatures protecting the vampires began to make offensive movement towards him. With a quick wave of his hand all the progressing monsters were subdued. Once beyond the front-line Cristo made his way through the legions of Vampires, knowing he would be safe since he was their co-conspirator after all. Despite this however elven folk were not very welcome in their world so Cristo was still at the ready to defend himself if need be.

Turing into a grand chamber he could now see his targets, Venigo and Xantra, surrounded by guards and other vampires, perched up high atop a grand stair case fit for a king, relaxing comfortably on a long couch side by side. Cristo’s thoughts ran rampant “The only thing between me and my vengeance now is a small chasm and some stairs...” and with that levitation was cast.

The vampire leaders took note as they caught site of Cristo floating across the chasm and up the stairs, but of course they were partners, with their allegiance they had no worry of what might come.

“They must have learned of his deceit and cast him out.” Says Xantra.
“Likely so. Either way, I welcome any new recruits” was Venigo’s response.

Still levitating Cristo reached the couch where his immortal enemies took such comfort.

“What ill events bring you to us before our planned rendezvous?” Venigo asked.

But before Cristo could respond Xantra interjected “Who killed your parents?”

This question of course caused Cristo’s mind to race. Did she know who he was? Were they about to ambush me and end my quest for vengeance once and for all? Or was she just a simple mind reader that could vaguely make out the horrors stumbling around his head?

With a light chuckle Cristo responds “Do you have a mirror?”

In that instant both Venigo and Xantra knew their fate was sealed, as it turned out neither had any clue who Cristo was until that moment. Xantra only sensed the deep thought within Cristo’s mind and asked that question on impulse. A look of sudden dread could be seen on both of their faces as Cristo clasped Xantra’s head, pressing his thumbs deep into her eye sockets. All the while screaming and channeling all his magical fire into a tornado of complete annihilation.

As Cristo’s body began to look more like a lava flow, a tornado of fire whirled around him with such force and voracity that any all things found within it were incinerated, including Venigo who still sat next to his beloved with that look of despair, on that comfortable red couch...

The firestorm grew and grew as Cristo channeled all of his hatred into the one being that caused so much anger in his life and soul. In short time the firestorm burned through the entirety of the west wing, vanquished the entire vampiric army by fire, and the head of Xantra, still in Cristo’s grasp, naught more than a skull of charcoal.

Cristo, now spent and weakened, tosses Xantra’s remains and floats down a few stairs to take rest. A few minutes later he can hear the clamoring of the elven army making their way towards his position. Likely wondering what the fuck just happened. The first to break into the room, he alone now occupied, was his good friend Linarie. She makes her way to the stairs where Cristo is resting and sitting down beside him, “We could hear your screams from the other side of the castle... I thought you were dead”

“Well I am not, I am here, albeit weak.”
“What happened?”
“Vengeance... Vengeance happened.”
“This doesn’t change the horror of what you did to accomplish this task of yours.”

“I know, I will live with the death of my kin, heavy on my heart, for eternity.”
“I doubt the elders will let you stay with us. You will likely be banished.”
“I am ready for my fate.”
“Was it worth it? All of this... To avenge your parents?”
“Yes... yes it was”