slayers_desire | back for answers in Rome

"You think the vampire is the same as Kal. Is that why you fight so hard to ensure she never comes out?"

He doesn't have an answer to that. "You're saying it's not?"

"I am a vampire Clark. Every day. Every night. There is no stone that changes me. It is who I am."

"Is it not who you love?"

It's a hard thing to accept. For all the denial that they had about things not being normal, this is one that he never expected to trip him up. And in a strong way, she's right. He's been equating her vampire side with Kal for a long time, even if not consciously. "I guess it is."

He feels less draw from the red Kryptonite as the stones between him and April started to fade.

"If your love needs to save me, it has to be complete."

"I love all sides of you."

"Even Kal."

Again, he feels like he's failed the test. He didn't have the right answer, didn't accept the right perspective. And she's right. He's been making assumptions that were unfair, and unknowingly hurting their relationship.

"I do love you."

She moves towards him, and gently touches his face. "You have one more path."

Then soft whisper, that definitely sounds like it is April, and not the Demon, or an illusion. "You are almost there."

It's a small thing, but it's the encouragement he needs right now. He's still determined to see this through, but now he feels more confident about it. His world has been shaken today, and he knows there's still more to come. "Thank you."

She gives him a hug, then guides him to the entrance of the next path. "Use what you have learned for this last test."

The end is in sight, and with those words of encouragement, he feels ready to go on. To face whatever challenge awaits him at the end of these trials. "I'll see you soon."

Walking down the last path, Clark won't have to go far until he encounters the last trial. The path twists and turns around a small area.

He feels like he is being watched. There is movement. A growl of a creature stalking him.

Given what happened with Doomsday, it's a bit unnerving to know that something, or someone, is watching him unseen. But he also knows that whatever it is will find him. And he doesn't see a point in delaying that. "Who's there?"

The creature moves from shadow to shadow. It is nearly bald, with a grotesque face. It moves with a primal nature, sniffing at the air, as if trying to make sense of him.

There is something unusual about the encounter. Like Clark knows he is not being hunter per se... but the creature is seeking something else.

It's definitely strange, that's for sure. He stands his ground, making no threatening moves, and tries to keep an open mind. "Hello?" he tries again.

It moves forward. And growls and grunts. Too primal of a creature to communicate in a verbal response. Except for how grotesque its appearance is, the creature almost reminds Clark of how a cavemen would act.

It sniffs at him again. And looks at him. There is something familiar in its eyes.

((bed time))

He takes a step towards it too. He's not sure just why it's familiar, but he has a suspicion that he keeps to himself for the moment. "What are you looking for?"

((Won't be around for most of tomorrow due to Thanksgiving, going up north with family who don't have internet))

It lifts a taloned claw on its hand to gently touch his face. It grunts and points behind it. Attempting to communicate something.

It's a familiar gesture, too. And he watches it closely, unsure. "You want me to come with you?"

It nods, gesturing behind them too. There is a tunnel that the creature wants to lead Clark down. And a soft light seems to be glowing slightly at the end of the tunnel.

Keeping an open mind is easy now, after everything he's been through so far. And while he isn't completely unguarded either, he doesn't feel like the creature is a threat. "Then let's go."

Together they move down the tunnel. They enter a open caveren, where Clark can see that the glow comes from a pedestal on the other end.

The sound of more growls come from around them as five other creatures appear. These ones do not look friendly, in fact they look hungry.

All five open their jaws, a maw of veins and fangs that look quite frightening and start to advance. The one with Clark opens its jaw, and growls protectively.

He's on his guard, but watches the one with him for cues on what to do. He's still not sure about the purpose of this test, but that seems to be a common thing with the demon trials. And rather than take any action himself, he's waiting to see what happens first.

The four opposing demons spring forward to attack. The one with him manages to block two of them, attacking back in force with its teeth and claws. But it the other two are on Clark, attempting to claw at him and bite him.

They are not going to have munch luck piercing his invulnerable skin. But they are still fierce creatures.

He can only hope that they share vulnerable areas with humans, as he strikes out against them, aiming to defend and disable rather than harm. Using pressure points is unlikely to work, but he can still knock them down, or try to knock them out, relying on his training to guide his motions in combat.

Unfortunately, these creatures are more Demon than human. His strength is good in knocking off him, but they get back up and attempt to attack him again.

He notes that the creature that was with him is savage in its attack of the others, using its claws and maw-filled fangs to tear one apart piece by piece, killing it. Before moving onto the other opponent.

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