07-17-2004, 03:30 PM
Once known as Matt Murdock, the Daredevil of Hell's Kitchen, the damned creature that stood before the Watch had recently come to be known as the Red Death. It was a moniker that fit him well, considering the body count that he had tallied since being turned into a creature of the night. But as powerful as he was, vampires still had their weaknesses: weaknesses that this group did not seem to be ignorant of. And because his powers were not entirely limited to the supernatural, he knew when he was outnumbered. For he could clearly hear eight distinct heartbeats sounding as drums all around him. If it had been eight humans coming for him, he wouldnât have thought twice. But this group had power. His senses told him that much. It was apparent that they were not the normal hunting parties that Frank sent out into the night. They were heroes. Which would make it all the more sweet to tear the flesh from their bones. Realizing that lunging headlong into their midst would get him nothing but a wooden shaft through his heart, the Red Death put his other senses to work.
The group was conflicted in their demeanor. Some were the epitome of cautious: wary and ready to strike at a moments notice. Others were curious: their inquisitive nature obviously getting the better of them. But there was another emotion present in the room as well. It was an emotion that the Red Death had become intimately familiar with throughout his life. Even before being turned he had been able to easily recognize fear. It was like a drug to him. The way fear swept over a person was intoxicating. It was a subtle mix of panic and insecurity in his prey that made their hearts race and perspiration drip from their skin. The smell of fear hung heavy around him, and he could hardly contain himself. But there was one among them that did not seem fearful. His heart raced faster than any other, but it was not due to fear. His whole body seemed to move at an accelerated rate, and he was cocky to boot. It was a personality trait that Murdock had always despised. Fortunately for him, with his vampiric abilities assisting him, the boyâs speed would pose little problem. Timing his movement between the blink of an eye, the Red Death vanished and then reappeared beside Barry and clutched the boyâs outstretched arm in his vice like grip. Holding him a full foot off the floor, he gazed at the whelp and answered the questions that had been posed, âI used to be known as the Devil. But now I am Death itself. And this house no longer belongs to the one you seek. He was the first to fall before the Master. Although you have come at a very opportune time. For I am always famished when the sun first sets.â And then, as the Watch looked on, the one time Devil bore his teeth which glinted brightly in the moonlight. They had mere moments to save Barry from his own youthful foolishness.
The group was conflicted in their demeanor. Some were the epitome of cautious: wary and ready to strike at a moments notice. Others were curious: their inquisitive nature obviously getting the better of them. But there was another emotion present in the room as well. It was an emotion that the Red Death had become intimately familiar with throughout his life. Even before being turned he had been able to easily recognize fear. It was like a drug to him. The way fear swept over a person was intoxicating. It was a subtle mix of panic and insecurity in his prey that made their hearts race and perspiration drip from their skin. The smell of fear hung heavy around him, and he could hardly contain himself. But there was one among them that did not seem fearful. His heart raced faster than any other, but it was not due to fear. His whole body seemed to move at an accelerated rate, and he was cocky to boot. It was a personality trait that Murdock had always despised. Fortunately for him, with his vampiric abilities assisting him, the boyâs speed would pose little problem. Timing his movement between the blink of an eye, the Red Death vanished and then reappeared beside Barry and clutched the boyâs outstretched arm in his vice like grip. Holding him a full foot off the floor, he gazed at the whelp and answered the questions that had been posed, âI used to be known as the Devil. But now I am Death itself. And this house no longer belongs to the one you seek. He was the first to fall before the Master. Although you have come at a very opportune time. For I am always famished when the sun first sets.â And then, as the Watch looked on, the one time Devil bore his teeth which glinted brightly in the moonlight. They had mere moments to save Barry from his own youthful foolishness.