Cutter collapsed against the dark wooden door that separated the rear hallway from the side entrance to the stage. His whole body stung from the acidic gas that had been pumped down into the sewers, and his face and heads were smeared with the foul dredges of New York's underbelly. He had fought his way through hundreds of infected to get to this point. The images of their animalistic forms slashing at him in the darkness, seemingly spurred on by the choking chemicals still flashed in his mind. His progeny Mina had seccumbed early on to the vapor, and he had carried her limp body with him over his shoulder as he fought his way to the surface. He looked down at her burned body now, perhaps if she were brought to one with greater skills in replenishment she could still be saved. But Cutter's mind was one of cold justice and facts, and although he loved Mina, this would be his only chance at slaying the white skinned demon on the stage beyond. Cutter wept as his fangs pierced the defenceless flesh of his student, and as they did so his soul serged one step closer to the beast.
Back on the stage Vernon had worked up the crowd into a frothing roar. "Too long have we been victims of Cain's blood!" he shouted. "Too long have we been held back by the weakness of our sires, and the generations and generations we are from Cain! Raise your cups, for tonight you will be transformed. No longer will the weak blood in your veins hold you back, under this storm I will become your sire and you will become my second generation!" At this the crowd became somewhat quieter as the blood being brought to them was gulped with reckless speed. Vernon grinned and continued "Without the need to consume blood we are no longer vampires my children, instead we are simply... powerful"
In this moment Cutter chose to act, bursting through the door and onto the stage. Desperate and far too late, he seemed the embodiment of the Camirilla- an institution crushed and failing. As loud as he could muster and with all the bravado Ventrue are graced with, he commanded that Vernon answer for his crimes. The blood streaked audience immediately hushed. Even Kaytoss's allies, having broken themselves up into different parts of the building watched on, electrified in the moment.
Three times Cutter tried to enter and twist his enemy's mind, but each time he was rebuffed. Growing frustrated at the impotence of what was undoubtedly his strongest ability, he reverted to taking physical action. Unbeknownst to Vernon, Cutter had a trick up his sleeve. Perhaps now his only trick, the heirloom sword of Paul-john. Given to him upon his appointment as Justicar. It's length and hilt were nearly invisible to all but the wielder, and its blade was considerably sharper than steel.
In three hasty steps Cutter was nearly on top of Vernon, but as he swept his right arm up to bring his secret blade into Vernon's mass, he was stopped.
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