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Chapter one:
Like a Lamb to the Slaughter
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When Aro touches Bella's hand and receiving certain responses he deemed necessary, he realizes he can't let her go. She is the immaculate blank canvas...inaccessible by not only his touch...but unmoved by vampires abilities of any sort. Although it would be rather interesting to see what kind of power could be hidden within her if turned, she is the missing puzzle piece he requires to unleash true evil upon the world. Earning him the rightful place as Supreme Ruler without retaliation from any coven nor other creature attempting to claim the throne. He orders the capture and imprisonment of the Cullen siblings, who are adamant on saving her from the horrific fate – revealed to them though their abilities. He orders all their communication devices to be removed and for the ritual to begin as soon as possible. Edward fights and is almost decimated as he fought in his attempt to reach and save Bella, while Alice screams for audience to plea for her life. Bella watches and reacts to the situation - in a very Bella way - screaming desperately, silencing them all. Against her fear and the pleas of her loved ones, she turns to the royal three, accepting her misfortune. She stood, far enough from his reach as her words are heard barely above a whisper. "Edward, keep Charlie and everyone I love safe. Take care of them while I'm gone. Please, stop fighting. Do this for me. For the love you have held for me." Her soft voice froze his movements, venom gathers in his eyes, and his silent heart breaks anew. With his defeated demeanor, the guards are able to pull him away; taking the siblings to the belly of the dungeons. Far from her - from trying to make an escape. Bella turns around and as tears stain her face, manages to force the words out, "I beg you, will you grant me a last request." Aro looks at her bemusedly and permits her to voice her concerns, "You may speak." She bites her trembling lip and wipes her eyes with the back of her hand. "I will not fight you. I will do as you say. All I request is for no harm to come to those I love, both known and unknown to you, for as long as they live. Have mercy, I beg you, and send my remains to my family so they may have closure with my disappearance and death. My loved ones knew nothing about vampires, since I kept the secret to myself." Marcus felt his rage boil over. Who did this human believe they were to grant such a request? "Your last request means nothing to us human girl!" Caius ignores his outburst and furrows his brow in contemplation, "I must ask, why would that be your last request? Are you not concerned with the fact that you will die here?" "Silence!" Aro's voice resonates throughout the room. After what seems like some hours, he breathes unnecessarily and regards Bella once again. "Very well Isabella. Your request is not unreasonable, and I have seen for myself that you indeed have not shared our existence with any other humans. To put your mind at ease, we will prepare a document with your final words and place the royal seal on it. This should give you a sense of peace, my child; it is assurance that we will fulfill our end of the bargain." Marcus and Caius become furious, "You would allow a mere human to make demands of us!" Aro glares at them, his words radiate power and malice, "I have spoken. How easily it escapes you thatI am the leader of the Volturi. Need you a reminder dear brothers?" The two brothers do not speak. They know their places and would not dare challenge Aro. The Volturi King turns his attention back to a quivering, sobbing Bella. As he spoke he made no attempt to hide his excitement over the coming events, "Isabella, follow Heidi. She will take you to be prepared. Renata will bring you the document for your approval and place our royal seal upon it." As soon as she is out of the room with Heidi leading her, Aro turns to his brothers, who sit with interest awaiting his next words. He smiles as he speaks, "I will return shortly, brothers." He begins to walk at a slow human pace with purpose. Marcus calls for him, "Where are you heading Aro?" "I have decided to pay a visit to the Cullen siblings." he responded. A chorus of cackles follow him out of the grand room as he continues to walk to his destination. ***...***...*** Edward's defeated expression spoke volumes to Aro. The lover novices face grotesquely stricken by tears of venom. The Cullen Seer also appears to be saddened by the events that have taken place. Aro gives them both a slow inviting smile, "All shall be pardoned once Isabella has fulfilled her purpose. I came to ask if you would like to watch the proceedings. You couldprovidethe girl some comfortduring this detrimental time." Edward remains silent as his head falls into his hands. He wanted nothing more than to make a move and take Aro by surprise. But with Alec and Jane present he would be putting his sister in further danger. He decided against it, since he had already done enough damage for the time being. Alice glares at him before turning her attention back to Aro, "I want to be there for Bella." Aro nods at her and looks back at Edward, "Did you not love the human enough to be there for her, boy?" Edward squared his shoulders in minor defiance at his King. "I do love Bella. I never stopped loving Bella. I will never love another the way I love her, but I will not watch her die. I will not let my last memory of her be tainted by you." "As you wish." Aro said with a knowing smile, motions for the Pixie to follow him and places six guards by the cell where the mind reader will be staying for the time being. He leads the way out of the dungeon. Alice stays still, not knowing where to go. "Follow me, my dear." Alice revised and reviewed plans from every possible angle and sees no escape. She trails behind him solemnly. "Won't you consider joining us?" He asks her once more, as he usually does when they meet. "I am sure you understand now more than ever why I must decline." Alice replies, trying to keep the ferocity of her anger out of her voice, remaining on his good side. No sense in angering the one who will single handedly destroy her family on a mere whim. When she hears the faint, but recognizable sound of Bella's heartbeat Alice requests a moment alone with her best friend before her imminent death. Aro obliges her, but only after he touches her small hand and views no plan for escape. Still, he is cautious and weary of the Seer. He calls for Jane to accompany and guard them while he finalizes the preparations. Alec had already been ordered to guard Edward. ***...***...*** Bella cries as she holds on to Alice's cold, marble form. She replays the faces of her loved ones in her mind, wishing she could tell them all just how much they meant to her. She makes Alice promise to let them think she was happy during her last hours of life, and to give Jake a letter she wrote for him as realization hits her; Alice nods in understanding. Jake will not know the truth either. He would resent the Cullen's for not being able to stop her coming death. Bella needed him to be able to move on and to not harbor hatred in his heart. Plans are made for the story to be told, making Bella the victim of a horrible accident - an adventure gone wrong - on a solo trip on a helicopter ride while Alice and Edward planned for a romantic evening for them two. It seemed viable. It was all in Alice's words. As the minutes ticked by, Bella did not speak of Edward. Instead she silently placed another letter in Alice's hand... it was addressed to him. Alice understood the difficulty of the tasks Bella gave her. As she looked into the future she found herself blind as to what will happen after Bella's death. She said nothing to distress her friend. No matter what happened or what was done in her visions, the result were always the same. Bella would end up becoming a sacrifice and endure pain beyond what any other being has ever experienced. If they were willing, the torture endured would last but a moment, one that would be etched into her for eternity. In a second of desperation, she considered biting her best friend, changing her. Why didn't she think of this before? She turned and pulled her human friend to her lips, making Bella gasp, butthe wheels began to turn in her mind far too late. The doors creak open and in steps Felix quickly stopping her attempt with a hand on her shoulders, "It's time." They follow the death dealer, surrounded by a small army of guards ordered to retain them if necessary. Jane trails behind them, her watchful eye set on the Pixie. Upon entering the great room, they encounter a sight to behold. The lighting is subtle and dim; a sinister circumference of shadowed, hooded, statuesque vampires stood behind several candelabra that was erected beside a plethora of inscriptions and symbols drawn on the ground. A large boulder was placed in the center with several pieces of rope laying beside it. A table with vials, books, a chalice and several cloths was placed in front of a large, black mirror. "Know that if you do not cooperate, you will be forced to do everything. It will all be over faster if you do not hesitate." Aro said calmly, but his excitement was palpable. Bella was trembling like a leaf when she let go of Alice's hand and took Aro's. He then guided her to the boulder while Felix walked beside them. She was lifted and tied onto the rock; arms and legs extended to either side. She was thankful that at least the rock was smooth and not jagged. "Let's begin." Aro said with bodacious exhilaration. The hooded statues stepped closer and began chanting as she sobbed quietly, fear and resignation coursed through her.
"Sapahe zodimii du-i-be, od noasa ta qu-a-nis, adarocahe dorepehal caosagi od
faonutas peripesol ta-be-liore. Casareme A-me-ipezodi na-zodaretahe afa; od
dalugare zodizodope zodelida caosaji tol-toregi; od zod-cahisa esiasacahe El
ta-vi-vau; od iao-d tahilada das hubare pe-o-al; soba coremefa cahisa ta Ela
Vaulasa od Quo-Co-Casabe. Eca niisa od darebesa quo-a-asa: fetahe-ar-ezodi od
beliora: ia-ial eda-nasa cicalesa; bagile Ge-iad I-el!"
The horrendous, slow chant was repeated over and over again in a solemn rhythmic tone that vibrated from their empty chest cavities and chilled her to her very bones, making the soundtrack to her – very public - demise. Aro walked to the table and revealed what was beneath the cloths. Her terror multiplied as she took notice of the several sharp devices adorning the flat surface; she scanned each object until she met was met with the face of her tormentor. Words failed her as her face flushed cold and the warm tears cascaded down her paled cheeks, shaking with the intense dread of what was to come.
The chant changed at this time to an odd prayer, the tone forceful and demanding.
"Adagita vau-pa-ahe zodonugonu fa-a-ipe salada!
Vi-i-vau el! Sobame ial-pereji
i-zoda-zodazod pi-adapehe casarema aberameji ta ta-labo paracaleda qo-ta
lores-el-qo turebesa ooge balatohe!
Giui cahisa lusada oreri od micalapape
cahisa bia ozodonugonu! lape noanu tarofe coresa tage o-quo maninu IA-I-DON.
Torezodu!
gohe-el, zodacare eca ca-no-quoda!
zodameranu micalazodo od
ozadazodame vaurelar; lape zodir IOIAD!"
She was distracted by this disturbance, but brought back to her atrocious reality by being humiliated as the robes she was told to wear were torn off her body. "No…please!" she cried and was ignored as they stared at her naked and vulnerable form, left to be feasted upon by the eyes of everyone present. Aro opened some vials and took a gelatinous substance and began to rub it on her skin, further increasing her mortification. Her body began to react involuntarily. "Harpie's blood," He explained caressing her bare skin, "A rare found aphrodisiac. I need you to be aroused for the next part of the ritual." He said, his thumb and finger surrounding her pink peaks to harden and with touch massaging her breasts. "STOP THIS! PLE-EASE!" Bella begged, unable to keep her sobbing silent, a fight renewed within her as she struggled with restraints when his hand lowered to land at her apex, playing with her bundle of nerves. "NO! STOP! STOOOP!" Aro smiled; delighted and amused with the suffering girl. "YOU BASTARD!" Alice screamed, maddened by the sight of her friend in such humiliated state. She had to be restricted by those placed to guard her when she tried to stop the assault from continuing. She was pushed to her knees and made to watch helplessly. "BE SILENT OR BE REMOVED!" Aro snapped at the foolish pixie and continued his torment. Once Aro grew bored and had his fill in violating her - feeling as her body sagged in resignation - he turned around - abandoning her momentarily - to approach the table of instruments he was anxious to play with next. "The flow of life to bring forth the eternal damnation of this miserable world..." Aro began as, to the dismay of Alice, he chose the first one of the several different devices. Meticulous incisions and punctures were placed throughout Bella's nude form. Her blood slowly streamed down to the rock. Bella yelped, screamed, and pleaded for her pain to stop. Aro continued, "I bring suffering to this creature to pay you worship! Oh Dark Lord, I beseech thy fury upon this mortal world. Bathe my impure form with your glory to deem me worthy of becoming the vessel for your grand design. For your favor, I offer thee this virgin sacrifice!" Bella's shrieks became louder, echoing through every corner of the room. To her horror, the suffering was not over. In Aro's hand was a long blade, he slowly pushed it inside her. The evil glint in his eye and a growing smirk caused her to close her eyes. She couldn't continue to watch. He broke her hymen as part of the ritual offering; her increased agony furthered his enjoyment. Aro proceeded to violate Bella in front of the sadistic inhuman audience. "YOU MONSTER! YOU VILE DIS-!" Edward screamed as he broke into the room. His senses and voice were cut off by Alec who, caught up with him. Alec thought better of his decision and decided to give the mind reader his sight back. He knew it would please his master to know he forced him to watch the unstoppable events unfolding. Bella was stuck in a silent perpetual scream. Her throbbing body slowly giving in to the penetrating object. She could feel it break through her vital organs, sharp jolts of pain pricked every inch of her, inside and out. She prayed for something to make her unconscious because the feeling of her life being drained from her was excruciating. Aro was collecting her blood on the chalice that had been placed underneath the red stream. "From your aroused blood, I shall become more than a mere immortal tainted by my impurity of prior mortality. Because of your purity, my dear, I shall transcend. REBORN as the FIRST pure form of evil to walk the earth in CENTURIES!" Aro said to Bella's dying form with glee. He carefully inhaled the scent of her blood and greedily drank from the chalice. Bella couldn't fight it anymore. She allowed the peaceful darkness swallow her... saving her from Aro. Alice let out a sigh of dreadful relief, sagging in the hold of her captors. Her head hung low in sadness. Bella, her best friend, had finally given in to death. No longer enduring Aro's deranged theatrics. Aro shook suddenly, his smile gone from his face. He glanced at his brothers who were intently watching him perform the ritual. The floor began to rumble and the walls trembled as his eyes rolled back. The candles snuffed and hurricane force winds blew with in the hollow hall, causing fearful commotion between the immortals. Then, just as suddenly, it all became quiet and still. The audience flinched as the candles re-lit with a ghostly sigh, revealing Aro's body laying on the ground. His hand let go of the chalice, which had spilled its contents in a splatter on the floor beside him. Unconcerned for his brother, but angered by his failure, Marcus stood and ordered for the immediate cleanup of the great room. Caius sat in a corner of the room, forever the immobile statue. As the group began to obey their ruler's demand, Aro arose from the ground, till he floated over the floor. Everyone was shocked, frozen where they stood. His loud cackle resonated through the room. "It is done! I am the most powerful being in existence!" ***...***...*** Bella's limp body was untied and released to Alice after they were all dismissed. Aro was impatient to begin preparations for his new empire, calling forth prior captured humans to become the evenings meal. Edward sobbed tears of venom as Alice walked toward him; in her arms lay the love of his life. The guilt of having been the catalyst that caused her light to be extinguished from the universe laying heavily on his cold unbeating heart. His request to be made to join her in the afterlife was again denied by Aro, as per inscribed in the creed with the royal seal in their possession. The Kings explained to Edward that if he attempted to draw attention to their kinds existence, it would not end well. For every human near and far, and for his family as well. Edward tried, for once, to not be selfish. They carefully wrapped Bella in Egyptian silken sheets and placed her in the lavish coffin provided for her transport. They were silently guided to the elongated vehicle awaiting to take them to their destination. Jane approached them with their cellular devices and wordlessly handed them to the siblings. The guard stood stoically, watching the them drive away.
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Alec and Felix laughed at all that Bella suffered before she died. Jane turned and they both fell to their knees in silent screams as she approached them, "She may have been a mere human, but the torment she endured permitted the rebirth of our Master. To partake in further humiliation of her tattered form is to diminish the value of her sacrifice for the greater good. That then lessens the ascent of our soon to be Emperor. The least she deserves is our respect. You will be wise to keep these comments to yourselves." She left them where they were, astonished as to what could be happening with the sadistic vampire they have come to fear for the last four hundred years. Jane dismissed everyone surrounding her private chambers. She ordered a couple of adult male humans to be delivered to her doors in a couple of hours and to not be disturbed. Bella's sacrifice had been fun at first... then suddenly her last human moments resurfaced in her memories. She had been only thirteen when she was turned, but not before she was savagely humiliated, probed, and raped. She was tirelessly tortured for what felt like ages until she was forced to give in to the accusations of witchcraft. Instead of salvation and forgiveness, she was burned at the stake. The memories made her feel dirty after witnessing Bella's death. She disrobed and walked into her private lavatory. After some time passed, the two human men were brought to her. They reeked of fear and begged for her aid until they noticed her crimson eyes. She jumped on them and drained them quickly, leaving their corpses outside her room to be picked up shortly. She closed her doors and her thoughts were consumed with how her past affected her now. Jane always fed on two adult males. When she saw them, she saw the faces of the two who where the gutless, spineless, scumbags she despised most in her existence. Her father and uncle where the last faces she saw before the burning. Jane bathed again to rid herself of the humans stench. It was their fault she could never find a suitable mate. Her brother couldn't remember this, for that she sometimes was thankful. Who knows how he would react to remember his own death at the hands of two people he trusted the most. Jane thought of her lonely existence – remembered how Edward and Bella were so willing to die for one another. She realized that after so long, it was time. After all, she couldn't spend eternity with only her brother for company. She set off to request time to travel alone, something she rarely did, and began to make plans to search for a mate of her own. Aro was the only one who understood Jane's need for sudden solitude and granted her reprieve of her services in Volterra. He sent her off with a wish of good fortune and a prompt return to her home. Not so much a wish as it was an order; as soon as she had regained peace of mind. Alec watched in shock as she left the grounds, without so much as a glance in his direction. With a touch, Aro was happy to learn that Alec remained ignorant as to the reason of his twins sudden departure. He deliberately avoided revealing the truth, and ignored the young boy's need for reassurance. Aro then pushed forth plans for unifying the covens under his rule, and also for vampires - as a whole - to become the supreme beings in the world.
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The whole planet will become their feeding grounds, the humans herded like cattle, raised and only allowed to multiply to increase their count for this purpose alone. He was happy with the outcome of this...indeed. ...