In the Enemy's Fortress

In the Enemy's Fortress


I finally got my laptop back... it took waaaaaaaay longer than I anticipated to get it back. Anyway, here is the next chapter for those who are interested. Spamilla is out of college for the summer... but she also is working, so don't expect a huge change in my chapter pacing.

I'm to sorry for the long wait since the last chapter.. I am too lazy. But you're all so cute when you beg for chapters! *pinches cheeks*

Chapter Nine: Bargaining


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Vlad spent much of the next morning conversing with Skulker. The man had just delivered the staff. He noticed immediately that the staff was much lighter than what the appearance led you to believe. It was a large, gray staff that was decorated by many engravings. Most likely engravings commissioned by previous owners. It was a sight to behold in and of itself. A history of misery in his hands.

"There you are, Plasmius... Payment for handing over the Ghost child to us... Your information was very helpful in ridding ourselves of him. Now, if only there were a way to rid ourselves of his parents," the large, hulking ghost said, standing before Plasmius.

Plasmius shrugged, "Yes, it had been rather difficult keep up my double life.. However, with every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.. You rid yourself of the Ghost child and his parents woke up and smelt the coffee.. There's only so much you can prepare for."

The cyber-hunter sighed and nodded his head, "I think it's about time that I terminate my contract with you, Plasmius.. It is getting more and more difficult to come by and see you for your missions."

He sighed and checked the computer on his wrist, "Just out of curiosity, what do you want to do with the Arma Captus?"

Plasmius shrugged, "I plan to use it to take over the Human World.. Just a bit of a mission I've been planning on doing for the last few years."

Skulker rolled his eyes, "You're going to become a slave to the thing that dwells within in order to do that? You know that means, if you take over the world, it becomes his.. It doesn't work the same for Ghosts as it does for Humans.. Since you can't surrender your spirit at death, it just takes it now if you make the deal."

Plasmius grinned, "I am well aware of the power this staff possesses, Skulker.."

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Danny jumped slightly from his spot on the bed when he heard Vlad's knock on the door. He watched the door as he heard Vlad unlocking and jiggling with keys.

Vlad entered the room with an armful of clean sheets. He walked over and set them on the edge of the bed.

"How are you today, Daniel?" He asked as walked back over and locked the door. Danny watched as he placed the key in his pocket. It wasn't until after the door was locked did he realize that he could have gotten out. He was quick enough... No.. If he tried to escape, Vlad wouldn't be happy with him.

"I'm okay," Danny said softly, hopping off the bed to began replacing the soiled sheets with the fresh ones. He was glad that he had clean sheets now. He no longer had to sleep on the edges.

"Good..." He watched as the boy begin to replace the sheets. Daniel set the soiled sheets on a chair in a neat pile before he began to resheet the bed. It was beginning to look like the little lesson that he had taught the boy was beginning to sink in. How good to know!

When Danny finished, he looked to Vlad. He was wondering what he should do now. He was hoping that Vlad wouldn't want to 'Christen' the sheets.

"Daniel, if I were to ask you to do me a favor, would you do it?" Vlad asked, sitting down on the bed, looking back at Danny.

"I.. I guess I wouldn't have much a choice... because you wouldn't be too happy with me if I didn't..." He sighed and began wringing his fingers together. "Is there something you want me to do?"

"I am going to give you the choice to do something for me, Daniel. You don't have too, but know this, if you don't, you'll sincerely regret it. And you know I'll see to it," Vlad said to the boy looking over his nails.

Danny just stared at the floor. The whole reason why he was brought here was about to be laid in front of him, he could feel it.

"So, the question is, Daniel... Will you do it?" Vlad asked, giving a lazy look back at the boy.

"Of course, I will... I.. don't want you angry with me," Danny said softly. He stood there, his eyes to the floor. He almost wanted to disappear. He was no longer curious as to why he was here. He just wanted the man to leave. He wanted to be alone.

"Would you, say... Give me your soul, Daniel?"

A cold chill ran down his back as his head snapped up to look at the man, "What?"

"You heard me, would you give me your soul?"

The look Vlad was giving him was almost uncaring. Like he already knew the answer. ....The cocky asshole.

"What.. would you want with my soul, Vlad?" He asked, the cold chill centralizing in his stomach, he could feel the cold tightening. What could he possibly want with his soul? It made no sense.

"Just answer the question, would you give me your soul, Daniel?" Vlad asked casually. Given the tone of his voice, Vlad could've been asking about the weather.

"No.. I wouldn't give it to you... My soul is eternal.. It's the only part of me you can't take away.. Why would I give up something so precious?" Danny could hear the desperation in his own voice. He didn't like it, but he couldn't imagine this conversation without him sounding a bit desperate. He still had a playing piece against Vlad! He may control his body, but he wouldn't have his soul.

Vlad sighed, "Tsk, tsk, tsk... Oh, Daniel, you know that's not the answer I wanted to hear." He sighed and stood, "But have it your way. I will keep up my side of the deal, you'll regret not letting me have it."

Danny felt his hands shaking, "What do you want with my soul, Vlad?"

"Well, if you must know, Daniel.. I have in my possession, a staff of immeasurable power. For the trade of one soul, I can use the staff to finally take over as ruler of all mankind... The only problem is.. The staff is ruled over by a spirit I must give my soul too.. and if he had my soul, then the world becomes his.. Not a good exchange, if you ask me. Instead, I intend to give him your soul."

...The greedy bastard.. This wasn't just about making Danny his property, it was about using him up completely. If Danny made this deal, there would be nothing left. His body, his mind, and his soul would all belong to Vlad. He couldn't let that happen.

"How could you? You.. you brought me here, raped me, and tried to break me so I would make a deal to give my soul to some spirit!? So you can take over the world?!" Danny was yelling, tears were rolling down his face.

"'Tried to break' you? Haha, no, I think I succeeded when I broke you, child. You just have a flicker of life back in you because you realize you have a playing piece, but I'll take that away from you yet. Soon, you'll find out you'd rather be the property of some unknown spirit than I."

Vlad then stood and nonchalantly left the room, locking it behind him.

Danny stood and stared at the door. What was Vlad thinking? Why would he do such a thing?

However, Danny crawled into the bed and began to think. If he didn't do what Vlad wanted, things would definitely get worse than they already were. He knew Vlad would probably torture him into it. He could see it. Perhaps the man would chain him to the wall and not feed him, keeping him alive on potato peelings. Maybe he would start doing deviant sexual things to him. The list of the horrors that Vlad could have waiting for him was staggering.

...But it wasn't worth it to give up the only piece of him that he truly had control of. Because, if he gave up his soul to Vlad, then he would be a prisoner for the rest of eternity. There would no longer be the prospect of freedom after death.

It was just the thought of how long he could live as Vlad's prisoner before the man would kill him. If Danny stayed strong, perhaps the man would just get sick of him and kill him. Find someone else who would gladly give up their soul for him. He couldn't imagine Vlad keeping around if he wasn't going to do what the man wanted. He would just be a burden.

Sadly, the thought didn't bother him anymore. After being here about a month, the prospect of his death no longer frightened him when compared with what he could get himself into. Becoming the property of some unknown entity.

Danny sighed pulled a blanket over his head as tears began to free roll down his face. Why couldn't this all just be over with?

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I plan to end this fic with about fifteen chapters, just to give all of you a heads up... It all really depends on how things play out. I have the idea in my head, but nothing is set in stone. However, it won't be more than fifteen chapters in length.

Reviews are love. Let me know what you think.