Darkness Leads the Way

Chapter 3


If I Die…

By Chaosdreamer

A Chronicles of Riddick fanfic
Pairing: Slash Riddick/Vaako
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the rights to Pitch Black or Chronicles of Riddick. They belong to David Twohy and Universal Studios. *Pity*
Summary: Next chapter that I had sudden inspiration to do.
I'm sorry when I said this would be the epilogue. I had sudden inspiration and
am deciding to make this fic even longer, as well as tying in the first Riddick
movie with I hope, major success.
Warning: Language, harshness. There will be violence and gore, so be warned.

Author's note: I honestly don't know how long the harness's lights would last, but I'll assume for this fic that they go for quite some time, and that Vaako would shut it off and use the other lights as well.

*….* : Sound effects

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Vaako couldn't remember how long he had stayed awake. His vision had long since blurred over, his legs so cramped that he wouldn't even dare to stand up to relieve himself. He had attempted to do so some immeasurable hours previously, his body so dehydrated that it hurt to urinate, not that anything came out in the end.

His stomach had ceased growling in hunger, the ache reaching past his stomach almost up to his chest. He cursed his weak state, feeling no better than the lowest human scum for becoming so weak and aching from not even three, barely four days…is that all?…of drifting in and out of awareness in this Hellhole.

Body thick with dried sweat and things he didn't dare try to name Vaako's head feel back to smack painfully against the wall. I'm almost beginning to wish that I'd wake up and this would all have just been a bad dream.

Don't kid yourself. You're fucking dead.

He couldn't help but smile, the action painful as it pulled at his dry chapped lips, nearly laughing that the last voice in his head sounded eerily like Riddick's.

Riddick….

I'm so sorry that I was so useless to you that you jumped so readily at the conclusion that I betrayed you. You are a great leader and you shall lead the Necromongers to glory.

Pity I will never witness it, or be allowed an honorable death.

But that's how it is for a 'traitor', isn't it?

Vaako gasped and jerked upward as a loud clang echoed throughout the cramped room, the harnesses' lights illuminating the standing Dame Vaako and her bloody nearly torn open wrists, the bloody mangled wires lying on the ground as she tore away the last barrier between her and the door, somehow finding the strength to push the doors open wide enough for her to slide through.

Without a single weapon or light.

"DAMN IT!" Vaako cursed, staggering to his feet before collapsing in a heavy heap, legs not having adjusted to bearing the full weight of his body. As fast as he could he forced the harness on, grabbing several other lights and the largest gun, barely able to squeeze through the opening in the door, following the pounding of his wife's retreating footsteps.

He felt as if he were running through mud up to waist-level, legs lethargic and body so drained that he felt useless as he stumbled after his wife, "Wait! Damn you, Dame Vaako! Damn you to Hell!" The Necromonger faith may not believe in a version of Hell, but Vaako cursed the wretched woman for her stupidity, cursing her for everything, for her treachery and role that led to the both of them being left to die.

"They're coming! They're coming!" She yelled back, laughing with a child-like glee as she ran, leaping out of the cargo's ships main doors, nearly tripping in her haste as she scrambled through the pitch darkness, nearly disappearing from his sight as she flew across the desert. Her babbling was a trail he could easily follow, just as easy for the beasts that circled them both, hissing at the halo of light that surrounded the human trailing after the one loping ahead.

Vaako could, indeed, hear them coming, but not the same thing that whatever Dame Vaako's maniac mind was hearing. Without aiming he fired up into the air, rewarded with the wrenching shriek of pain and the echoing thud of a large body hitting the ground. His victory was mute though when he heard the distinct sound of crunching and rough tears as the large creatures struck at the fallen predator.

They eat their own comrades, whether or not they're still alive. Vaako thought in disgust.

Vaako could hear the beasts running as well as flying, beating down upon them both, certain that he could feel them gnashing at his heels. A spark of panic lit in his heart, cool rational escaping him, a small child-like part of him whimpering in fear, realizing that there were indeed monsters hidden in the dark.

He could vaguely make out in the distance the rough outline of large structures, some sort of natural formation. So sort of canyon ahead…

A louder, more distinct flapping of wings alerted him of the impending danger. "Dame! Get down!" He shouted in warning.

He realized too late that the monsters did not launch solitary strikes.

It came too fast, too quickly for him to avoid.

The rough cry of wings cutting through the air and the heavy slash cut through the loud sound of his breathing and his wife's insane laughter.

The pain was indescribable, a hot flash of sensation burning along his back, mouth opening in a soundless cry of surprise at the shocking intensity of sensation, his Necromonger body unaccustomed to deal with such agony. The armor, torn and sliced open like someone had take a large knife to aluminum foil, had save his life, his very spine, but not his flesh.

Dame Vaako was not so fortunate.

Everything was in slow motion as Vaako's legs crumbled and he collapsed onto the ground, dust spraying around him, groaning as his arms sparked with pain and were bruised from his rough fall, hands somehow managing to hold onto his lit light source.

The screams of the beasts were so loud that Vaako feared he would go deaf from the horrendous shrieks.

The wet sound of torn open meat was horrifically loud.

*Shlunk*

Dame Vaako's laughter was cut off immediately, like a puppet from its strings, voice now a wet gurgle, Vaako lifting his head to see the darker patch of fluid, his wife's blood, so thick and dark against the natural darkness cast across the entire area. The ink-black dampness of her blood was soaked into her dress and forming a deep puddle around her, the light still gripped tightly in Vaako's hand making the blood flash crimson and obsidian as it highlighted the spilled fluid. When the creature had struck the long blade on its wrist had sunk deep, so deep that it had impaled the woman, the blade catching and getting stuck tight in her spine.


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Dame Vaako couldn't believe or comprehend fully what was happening.

The pain was something she had never experienced after the Purification process that led to her becoming one of the greatest female Necromongers.

A part of her was outraged that these filthy beasts dare interfere, cutting between her and the glory of the Necromongers that she so deserved.

Yet another part of her was deathly afraid.

Pity that neither emotion would save her.


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It seemed to irritate the beast that it couldn't shake the woman loose that was impaled alive on its blade and it shook its arm roughly, trying to dislodge its meal. In its haste to tear her free it disregarded the other beast that has struck Vaako. Vaako's attacker leaped onto Dame Vaako, its hammer-shaped head darting forward, sinking its teeth into on of her flailing arms. With a rough shake like a bulldog with an old bone it tore her arm free from the socket, the bone-gray features of its face painted black by the sudden burst of blood from the separated appendage.

Dame Vaako had no air to scream, but the wet gurgling increased in tempo, even as more beasts darted forward, latching onto flailing limbs, another beast fighting over the arm that the first still held clutched tight between its jaws. The original attack hissed at the scavengers, dragging Dame Vaako across the dirt, leaving deep groves and thick patches of blood as it batted furiously at the scavengers, attempting to guard its meal.

The creatures were nearly rabid with bloodlust as they fought and tore at their meal, even managing to disembowel one of their own when it came too close to the meal, stepping too close to an older, much larger scarred beast that slashed viciously at the smaller creature, spilling its insides across the ground.

Vaako was running by the time Dame Vaako's arm had been ripped free, knowing that he could do nothing to save his wife. He was fortunate enough to have regained his grip on his gun, especially with the numbness that was spreading though his arms, one hand clutching at the loose harness, the beast's attack from earlier having cut through the harness's straps, his grip the only thing keeping it on.

Even if I run, where will I go?

Anywhere but here!

A loud echoing crack and thundering roar rumbled above him, droplets forming and sliding off his armor.

Please no…

The only answer was another rumble of thunder, rain beginning to pour down, the bitter cold of the water causing him to hiss as it dripped under his armor and across the bleeding wound on his back.

That's not fucking fair!! He mentally screaming in frustration, nearly sobbing at the futility of it all, not really getting anywhere as the ground began to turn into mud, wiping desperately at the moisture as it covered the lens of the lights, worrying the water might seep in and damage the electric wiring.

Just keep running, find somewhere to hide.

Somewhere safe…

He laughed, but it came out more like the sound of a wounded animal, "There's nowhere safe."


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"We will be planet bound in two days at best, my lord."

"That's not good enough!" Riddick growled, slamming his fist on the table, causing various attendants to scramble away in fear, his own Hellhounds actually cringing away, ears folding back. "I was told the Basilica is the greatest and largest ship of your damn fleet!"

One of the techs sputtered with slight indignation, "It is meant to drive fear into our enemies and its power is immeasurable in this entire galaxy, but it was not built for speed, my lord!"

"The ship cannot go any faster." Scale informed, "We are at maximum speed."

Toal hesitated before speaking, "We do not even know if either of them still live. It will not be surprising if Dame Vaako has already passed, but there is more of a possibility that the Commander is still alive."

"And why should it matter, since they are traitors, my lord?" Scale dared to ask the question on everyone's mind.

"I'll decide for myself whom the traitor really was." Riddick answered darkly, finally dismissing the assembled commanders and personnel with a sharp gesture.

"I only hope that my calculations are wrong and that you'll make it in time."

"I'll get there, and I'll drag Vaako all the way back to this ship if I have to." Riddick snarled, glaring up at the ceiling of the ship, "Although I may have to get out and push this damn hunk of metal by the time we're there!!"


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Vaako's legs gave out almost half a mile into the canyon.

His spirit had given out less than that.

Rising unsteadily to his feet he ignored the hand resting against the canyon wall, as well as ignoring the splash of blood left behind as he trailed his hand along the wall, using it as support as he stumbled forward. The damn beasts, having already finished off his wife apparently, had continued in their pursuit of a meal, striking at Vaako and launching over five different attack.

Vaako had lost his gun to one of his beasts after the third attack.

He only had one knife left after the last.

Only having taken out three of the beasts, it was nothing to be proud of. They had scored much better, since Vaako was clumsy from the wound on his back, as well as having uneven footing on the muddy soil. He was now soaked through from the rain and mud, even though water was still pouring from the sky. Fresh cuts and bruises were scattered across his legs and arms, his armor offering only minimal protection from possible amputation. The large stretching bruise across his chest was the result of using his gun as a shield when one of the beasts had rammed into him from in front in a surprise attack, the beast carrying off his gun when his fingers numb from the force of the attack.

The sudden rise nearly killed him, Vaako slipping and sliding down with every other step, the lights failing to scare off the bravest of his attackers, several lights on his harness already smashed open.

At least the rain seemed to finally be stopping.

His hands dug into the damp ground, grunting as he pulled himself up the slope, his right leg completely useless after the last beast had tried to tear a chunk out of his thigh, leaving a long thin cut from hip to calf. His pant leg underneath his armor was soaked through with blood and mud, the fabric glued to his skin.

Vaako gasped as one of the smaller beasts landed near his neck, the little beast's small hands scratching his temples and his shoulders. He rolled partially down the hill, trying to shake the bastard off. Receiving several more cuts to his hands he managed to grab the little shrieking beast, feeling no glory at snapping the thing's neck and throwing it behind his shoulder, food for the bigger beasts still stalking him.

*Snickt*

Blood filled his mouth as he bit into his tongue to keep from screaming in agony.

One of the largest creatures had used the smaller creature as a distraction, sneaking down towards Vaako from above him. With a graceful dive it had sunk the long wrist-blade through Vaako just underneath his collarbone and above his lung, impaling him, the blade buried into the wet ground, not allowing him to move an inch.

Vaako turned his face away as the creature leaned forward, hissing against his cheek, its breath rancid from the meat clinging between its teeth, snapping its fangs an bare inch from his skin.

No no no no…I was so close to the top…It's not fair! Vaako cursed, frustrated and aching, in agony from the pain and the possible freedom not even twenty feet ahead of him.

He didn't bother to hold back a cry of pain when something bit into the calf of his working leg, teeth digging deep into flesh, another beast darting forward to try to salvage a pound of flesh from the much larger predator.

The beast that still kept Vaako impaled hissed at its smaller comrade, clicking and chattering at the scavenger, ignoring the human's choked cry as it rose up and leaned over him closer to the smaller beast, blade twisting and digging into flesh.

The smaller beast shook its head, trying to pull Vaako back away from the first, its efforts useless against the more immense strength of the larger predator.

The larger beast screamed in fury, rearing up, yanking the blade out of Vaako and slashing it across the other beast's face.

The smaller one shrieked, releasing Vaako's leg, inhuman hands rising to clutch at its damaged face, rolling away and howling as the larger one pounced on it, both rolling across the muddy floor, ripping and tearing at each other. Other creatures began to circle the two fighters, sometimes diving in to nip at either, waiting to see which one fell and would be more meat to fill their own bellies.

Finding some spark of strength inside of him Vaako moved as fast as his body could, biting his lip against the pain as he pushed with both of his legs, using the one arm not limp at his side, staring dumbly as he suddenly appeared at the top of the rise, taking in the sight of an well-sized settlement.

Could this possibly be salvation?

The entire complex may have originally been solar-powered. He argued with himself.

If the colonists weren't fools then several brought generators and the proper items to run them.

First I need to find the best area to set up a small base, then I'll worry about finding more light.

The lights on his harness flickered dangerously as he forced himself to his feet, rocking and stumbling like a failing robotic entity. Pulling out one of the last of his flares he lit it, judging the distance to the settlement, gathering himself, and broke out into a run.

The beasts howled as they realized their prey was escaping, pushing each other to the side as they scurried up the slope after Vaako, loping after the stumbling man who was already halfway to the complex.

As Vaako ran he began to roughly tear what remained of his armor off of his body, ignoring the pain as straps snapped and armor pulled away from being glue to his underclothing and skin by blood and mud. His leg armor fell first, Vaako not even caring where they landed. With his one good arm he managed to tear away the armor from both of his arms. Finally he rid himself of the light harness and the rest of his armor, needing speed and riding himself of the weighty armor and the now failing light. Clothed only in the shredded remains of his long-sleeved black shirt and pants that were underneath the armor, the outfit similar yet far less formal than the clothing he had worn to the ceremony honoring the new Lord Marshall. His hair whipped behind him as he ran, barely ahead of Death that followed close by, his skin ghostly-white in the dark and back-lit by the bright green flare in his hand.

He managed to lose himself in the maze of the complex, somehow losing most of his pursuers as well. He quickly bypassed any buildings that were damaged or too accessible, knowing that the creatures could possibly slip inside.

Soon though as his body began to grow stiff and began to slow down he had to make a choice of the three buildings into the near center of the complex. Choosing the largest and most secure looking one Vaako rushed inside, barely stopping to slam the large doors shut and barricade them with several thick beams of metal, the beasts pounding against the doors with utmost fury.

Vaako spun in a complete circle, holding the light to guard him, making certain he was alone. He cursed as he scanned the room, finding that there were no weapons of any sort, but at least no other entrances. It appeared to be some sort of lab, with various rocks and crystals dated and scattered across long tables.

Yes, you've come so far. A rat in a dead-end of a maze. He thought sarcastically.

With child-like fury he kicked at the dirt-covered floor in frustration, jumping at the loud metallic clang when his foot connected with some sort of large metal panel in the floor.

Listening for a moment to the angry drum of the beasts Vaako crouched down, with one bloody and scratched hand wiping away the dirt, ignoring the sting as sand fell into his open wounds. Finally he wiped enough dirt away to make out a hidden door with a nearly invisible flat handle on the side, large enough for him to enter, possibly a secure facility.

A particularly loud smash and one of the beasts' hands broke through the door, stretching and groping towards him as if it could sense how close Vaako was.

Vaako leaned forward and grunted as he pulled with all of his might to lift the panel, the thing amazing heavy and thick, the Necromonger almost losing his grip twice from the sheer weight and awkwardness of the damn thing. Once he had forced it open enough he dropped the flare down the entrance, noting how it illuminated a decent sized room several feet down, a ladder leading into the room.

The floor is several inches thick with decent enough metal. The panel has a surprisingly decent locking system on the inside. Vaako noted.

It will do.

Not bothering to look up at the sound of the creatures Vaako dropped into the chamber, barely managing to catch himself and hold onto the ladder, slamming the panel closed, hands clumsy as he slid the large locks and bars to close the panel from the inside.

Once done he fell the last distance to the floor, grunting from the impact, several of his wounds torn open once again. His flare was amazingly still working so Vaako examined the room, finding it of decent enough size, walls bare of any items with no damage. Running his hand along the walls he determined that every inch of the room was well fortified and thickly paneled, enough that even the Necromongers' own guns couldn't pierce through it.

Someone certainly spent a lot of time and profit to build this room. For what purpose, I wonder.

There were a few actually unspoiled rations that Vaako found in an open crate, but Vaako knew he would just vomit it back up, body too weak to maintain any food. He did however drink slowly from the cache of water, rationing himself on the amount of fluid that had been stored into the room.

Unfortunately there was no generator to be found, but Vaako guessed that even if he had found one there was probably no fuel left to power it. He was thankful enough to have found this room.

Forgoing any further exploration, wary of the sounds of the creatures exploring above, Vaako pulled a pile of folding clothing from another crate to his side, tearing the fabric into strips, beginning to wrap it over whatever wounds he could.

His hands shook visibly in the darkness, his vision having adjusted to the lack of light, the flare beginning to fail. He dared to pull out his last flashlight, propping it up in front of him so that the room was half-lit on his side.

The wounds were far worse than he had thought. After wiping away the drying blood and mud, he found that his legs were still bleeding, the wounds inflamed along the edges, possible infection from whatever bacteria was on the creatures' blades, teeth, and claws. He was unsuccessful at wrapping his shoulder or back with his one arm, surprised to find a row of teeth marks on his right side, one of the beasts apparently having tried to bite through his armor yet succeeding though at piercing his skin.

Vaako shivered from the amount of cold, pulling the thicker set of clothing to cover his chest.

Blood loss, possibly going into shock. Suffering from exposure, dehydration, and lack of nutrition, obviously. He noted dully. Low supply of-

The shadow in the farthest corner of the room moved.

Vaako gasped and stumbled away, reaching for the dying flare and throwing it towards the corner.

Nothing. It was only a shadow, the flickering of the flare making it appear that something had shifted through the shadows.

Vaako didn't know if he wanted to laugh or cry, his mind a mess, rational escaping him.

Perhaps he was going insane.

He could barely make out the sound of the creatures chattering above him, thankfully not banging on the panel, seemingly not being able to find him. He huddled near the light, wrapping his arms around his knees, shivering from the cold.

If he remained still and remained quiet, then they would find him.

They can't see you, how in the world would they know where you are? Part of him asked.

They don't need to see me, they only have to hear me.

Then don't make any noise. Was the reply.

Don't move, don't make a sound. Silence means your safe.

Calm down. You're starting to panic. It warned.

Shut up. In case you haven't noticed, those things took a bite out of me. I will not let them inside to try again.

Understandable, but fear will not help you. It replied.

He bit his lip to keep from laughing. The only thing here is fear and helplessness. Where is the great First Among Commanders? It is all hopeless.

Moisture pattered across the front of his legs, Vaako raising his hand to his face, awed to find silent wetness seeping from his eyes, no sound escaping him as a part of him shattered and broke inside.

You are afraid. It noted with a little bit of pity.

I am lost. He countered, letting his head fall back, staring blindly up towards the ceiling, chest heaving from the silent sobs that racked through his chest, the silent sounds of grief slowly forming into light coughs. Vaako covered his mouth with his hand, disgusted to find phlegm coming up from his lungs, disgusted at the bitter taste of the material that was filling his lungs. Hours of exposure to the frigid rain had brought upon phlegm traveling into his lungs. If he was unfortunate, in due time it could develop into something far worse than a simple cough.

Maybe it would be for the best if I just opened the panel and let them inside.

After all, Death is much quicker than this sort of agony.