Chapter Two: Black as Night

[The Mighty Thor]

Making his way to the front window, Dan listened as Spider-man and Tessa discussed faith. Keeping one eye on the window, he allowed his attention to drift over to the two heroes and their differing opinions. Interjecting his own thoughts he said, “Faith is much more than just what you believe in, my friend. These days, faith is the best weapon you have against what stalks the night. That tiny cross doesn’t mean squat if you don’t have the faith to back it up. I’ve seen vampires rip crucifixes right out of peoples hands before simply because they thought they could hide behind an empty symbol. Keep your faith close to you. You’ll need it.” Letting his friend finish his important bit of advice, Wong produced what they hoped would be their city’s salvation. From the pouch on his back he pulled the Book of the Darkhold. It was an ancient book of spells that only the most powerful of sorcerers had ever laid eyes on. But these were difficult times that called for unconventional solutions. With much trepidation, Wong laid the book in front of Sage and opened it carefully, revealing the Latin text within. Although he only teased her with the preceding pages, wasting little time as he flipped deeper into the tome, quickly finding the oldest of the books pages and the Ancient Atlantean text that was written there. Tessa looked excited and amazed all at the same time. She had indeed come across written Atlantean in her previous travels, but had never seen anything this old. Recognizing the look on her face, Dan said from across the room, “I’ve seen that look before. You better find a comfortable perch Spider-man. We may be here a while.”

Annoyed at her seeming flippant attitude concerning the use of her powers, Blade hesitated before he dared to reach out for Rogue’s hand. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had made the right choice in picking his scout party. But, as he had told Frank, he wanted to keep the invisible girl close by, and this was apparently the price he would pay. Reluctantly, Blade reached out and took the girl’s hand, soon finding himself floating on an invisible disc of pure energy ten feet above the other’s heads. Feeling fairly secure in his mode of transportation, and taking note that Barry had successfully climbed aboard Norrin’s board, Blade delivered his instructions. In no time the quartet of scouts were out of sight, headed North toward Westchester.

Following the same path on foot was the rest of the Watch, accompanied by Vance and Castle. Frank led the group of newly appointed vampire hunters in silence, allowing his young teammate to field questions from the others. “I don’t know if that would work or not Barry. Atlantean is a very difficult and complex language, and the text that the Darkhold contains is older than anything in recorded history. I doubt Tessa will be able to translate it, let alone you trying to do it via psychic speed reading.” As Paige slid up next to Vance, now back in her non-husked form, he casually draped his arm around her shoulder. It was unusual to be keeping such attractive company, and he planned to take full advantage of it, assuming the young mutant didn’t smack the taste out of his mouth for being so bold. “Logan is the key to this whole mess. Or at least that is what we have been led to believe. Our sources told us that after a trip oversees, he came back far more dangerous than ever before, which is saying something if you know Logan. No one has seen him since his return, but we have a pretty strong feeling that the sudden rise in New York’s vampire population is radiating out of Westchester, home of Logan’s buddies the X-Men. To put it bluntly, Logan is one bad ass mutant-vampire. He has an almost insurmountable healing factor, bones that are stronger than steel, and a killer instinct to rival that of Ghengis Khan. He has become Lord of the Vampires, and yes, he has one helluva set of claws.”