by J. Thiele
“Case stop.” Pearce told her.
“I won’t stop; he’s giving in like it’s a choice,”
“STOP!” Pearce raised his voice, Casey froze, and he looked at Damon. “What do you need us to do son?”
“He needs to be brought up here, use a net over him; it will prevent him from attacking you. Rick I will need a silver tipped dagger, one of the sharpest.” Rick nodded and went to the weapons locker. “Ray would you do the honours in blind folding Beth? I do not wish her last visions to be of violence”
“NO!” Beth said “I will be by your side as I should have been from the beginning, when it is time I will look into your eyes and your love will be the vision I take into the afterlife, please do not blindfold me?”
“As you wish my love.” Damon told her
Casey finally realised that Damon was going to kill Victor in front of his entire nest, sacrificing himself and Beth right along with him. Damon went to take his book of Genesis from the shelf, when Casey stood in front of him in an attempt to stop him in his tracks. He kept walking forcing her backwards. “No! I won’t let you do this. This is insane, you can’t.”
“Casey, it has to be. How many people must die before we say enough?” Damon asked her. “There is no other way, it has to be.”
“Then I’ll take no part in your suicide mission. Count me out.”
Casey headed toward the door, oblivious to the fact that the sun was already down. Just as she opened it an arrow flew through the air hitting her in the shoulder and throwing her off her feet.
“Cover me Ray!” Rick said as he made his way outside to drag her back in. Ray took up an automatic weapon and stood on the threshold. Casey’s blood had dozens of them closing in fast. Rick open fire on them, aiming at nothing yet anything that moved. They were too fast for him to get a clear shot, so he simply held his finger on the trigger and let the gun do the rest.
Bullets flew over Rick and Casey as he struggled to get her back inside before any of them got close enough to reach them.
Once they were back inside Kara raced to her aid. She pulled the spear from Casey’s shoulder and noticed the wound was turning black, she’d been poisoned, but Kara didn’t know what with or how to treat it. Casey began to lose consciousness and Kara began to panic. “Case! Case don’t leave me!” she screamed with tears running down her face.
The poison was working fast.” Kara looked at the team. “Help me, I’m losing her. I, I don’t know what to do”
“I do” Beth said as she knelt at Casey’s side. She opened her wrist and let her blood flow into Casey’s mouth. Casey spluttered and soon regained consciousness. “Take her to the lounge, she needs to recover.” Rick scooped her up and placed her on the lounge. Ray went back to the door and open fire again. “YOU MOTHER FUCKERS!” he shouted as his gun continued to turn shadows into dust.
Rick pulled him back to safety. “You wanna be the next one wearing an arrow as an accessory?”
Beth sat on the edge of the lounge stroking Casey’s hair, “You look like my Josephine, or at least how I imagined she would have looked at your age.”
Casey felt weak, but she drew the strength to reach up and touch Beth’s cheek. “It’s hard to believe looking at you that you’re my great great grandmother, you’re beautiful you know?”
“Rest child.” Beth leaned down and kissed Casey on the forehead, breathing in her essence. She wanted another memory to take to the other side with her.
Beth stood and noticed Damon’s absence; she also noticed the trap door was open.
Rick was missing as well, and the lights underground were switched on.
Chapter Fifteen
Damon and Rick approached Victor’s cage, he was cowering in the corner trying to hide his eyes from the burning rays of the lights. Damon had learnt to cover up as much of his skin as possible and wear shades when the lights came on. Rick opened the cage door and cuffed Victor with the special edition sterling silver cuffs; he also placed a silver net over his shoulders to further subdue the vial creature.
He pulled Victor to his feet using the cuffs as anchorage, and led him out of his cell, down the tunnel and up the steps to where the team where all waiting.
His skin had already begun to blister and peel from the cuffs and his shoulders were smouldering. Damon also had blisters forming on his face where his skin was left exposed to the lights, however without any silver touching him he healed remarkably fast.
“It’s time.” He announced.
Casey rose from the lounge and went over to face Victor. She looked him in the eye and spat in his face. Victor laughed in hers. “This is not how this will end, perhaps later I will spare you, and you can become my bitch.” He said with his top lip curled.
Damon offered his elbow to Beth; she inhaled deeply then weaved her hand around it. He took the first step toward the door when Pearce stood in his path. “I’m a man of few words son, but I wanna say, that as dead people go, it’s been an honour working with you.” he shook Damon’s hand then turned his attention to Beth tipping his bald head with resect he simply said “Ma-am.” Beth tipped her forehead in response. Then from nowhere, he balled his fist tight and landed it as hard as he could into Victor’s face. “I’ve been waiting for the chance to do that you son of a bitch.’
“You’ll pay for that old man.” Victor assured him.
“Yeah, it will have been worth it you piece of shit.” Pearce told him.
Rick handed Damon the silver tipped dagger and proceeded to march Victor toward the door.
Ray was close behind with his assault weapon ready to fire. Victor caught sight of the mass of vampires that had gathered for his release. He stood before them and raised his smouldering hands in victory. Damon raised the dagger and was about to plunge it into Victor’s spine when a vampire from out of nowhere flew across the crowd and tackled him for it. Victor was pushed to one side as Damon and the vampire he knew as Dominic wrestled for the dagger. Rick and Ray dragged Victor back inside and with the help of the others put him back in his underground cell.
Dominic and Damon were of equal status; both were from Victor’s immediate line. Dominic was approximately a year younger than Damon, but was always keen to follow in Victor’s footsteps. In another lifetime they would have been considered brothers, and could be compared to the likes of Kane and Able. Dominic resented the respect that Damon received from the colony, as well as the respect that he showed himself. He always thought that Damon believed he was better than the rest.
Dominic was the only one that Victor truly trusted. It was believed that he was also privy to who Victor’s maker was. He always referred to him as the Original Father.
The two bounced each other off walls and buildings, for what seemed like hours, neither man nor creature dare intervene.
Ray and Rick were watching from the threshold when Ray heard a familiar voice calling from the crowd.
“Ray, help me?” he looked over and saw Brandy being held by two female vampires.
“Brandy! I’m coming!” he shouted taking Rick by surprise.
“What the fuck are you doing Man?” Rick grabbed Ray before he managed two paces toward the waiting pack. “She’s gone, you can’t help her.”
“Fuck off man! It’s Brandy, we have to help her.” he wrestled himself lose and ran toward the pack.
Rick had no choice but to open fire on the pack to keep them away from Ray whilst he was on his one man rescue mission.
Between the dust flying and Damon and Dominic still battling it out No-one noticed the crowd parting like the Red Sea until the reason for it had made its way to the front of the mob.
Suddenly everything fell silent, except for the battle between the two vampire gladiators.
“ENOUGH!” Came a voice from the figure that had just made its way through the crowd.
Damon and Dominic ceased their battle immediately, and Dominic fell to his knees.
The crowd followed suit, Damon however remained standing.
Ray lay injured on the ground; his attempts to save Brandy fell in vain. Once he’d reached her, she turned on him and sank her fangs into his shoulder and had begun to drain him of his blood.
“What in the fuck is that?” Pearce asked looking from the window.
“If I didn’t know any better, I’d say it was the Messiah.” Rose told him from over his shoulder.
“The Messiah? Their vampires not Jews.”
Rick scampered over to Ray to try and drag him back inside, hoping he would go un-noticed.
The stranger stood in front of the pack like a principle about to address his students.
“HEAR ME,” he spoke in an earth moving tone, “I AM GENISIS, YOUR TRUE FATHER. I HAVE COME FORTH TO END THIS WAR THAT IS NOT YOURS.”
Dominic stood to speak to the Vampire that had them all spellbound. “Your greatness, you have been away so long. Much has happened. The vampire Damon has…”
“SILENCE!” Dominic bowed his head, and the god like vampire continued. “I HAVE BEEN GONE, YET I NEVER LEFT. I HAVE SPOKEN, YET YOU HAVE NOT HEARD, AND I HAVE SHOWN, YET YOU HAVE NOT SEEN.”
Damon stood amazed at the man who called himself Genesis, his voice sounded eerily familiar.
“HELP YOUR HUMAN, SEE THAT HE IS SAVED.” He said to Damon. A second later Damon had scooped Ray up and delivered him to Beth, who was already drawing her blood to heal him. Rick was close behind.
“Who the fuck is he?” Pearce asked while Damon was inside.
“I am unsure, but I believe he is Victor’s maker. It appears his subjects are more informed than I. Close the door behind me until I say otherwise.” Damon instructed.
“Too fucking right we’re closing it.” Pearce said as he locked it after Damon exited.
“STAND BEFORE ME DAMON CARTWRIGHT.” He was told when he returned. He stood and faced the stranger who held out his hands to him. Damon rested his hands in Genesis’s palms. For the first time in his existence, he felt warmth in his veins.
“Is this a trick?” Damon asked as tears welled in his eyes.
“IT IS NOT A TRICK MY SON, I AM GIFTING YOU WITH THE WARMTH THAT YOU ALREADY HAVE IN YOUR HEART. YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN….”
Before he could say another word Dominic rushed at Damon. “NOOO!”
With the sweep of his hand Genesis sent Dominic flying into the neighbouring wall.
“Father, I beg you. You have been deceived; he is not the chosen one. I have followed my makers orders, delivered him new sons and daughters, I have done all that he has asked of me. I should be the chosen one.” Dominic pleaded.
“THEN YOU HAVE BEEN A FOOL! YOU HAVE GIVEN UP YOUR FREE WILL, TAKEN WHAT IS NOT YOURS AND KILLED WITHOUT REMORSE. YOU HAVE LEARNT NOT A SINGLE LESSON FROM YOUR EXISTENCE”
“I have obeyed.” Dominic said with confusion in his eyes.
“SPEAK NO MORE!” He closed his fist as if catching the air, suddenly Dominic’s voice was gone, his eyes widened at the realisation that Genesis had taken it from him.
Then his attention flashed back on Damon,
“YOU HAVE SERVED OUR KIND WELL DAMON, YOU HAVE PRESERVED YOUR DIGNITY AND EVOLVED AS WE ALL SHOULD HAVE EVOLVED.” His voice was not loud, yet could be heard above everything else.
He turned Damon to face the other vampires, “BEHOLD, YOUR NEW FATHER. I HEREBY LIBERATE YOU ALL FROM YOUR BINDS AND COMMITMENTS TO VICTOR. FROM THIS DAY FORTH, DAMON CARTWRIGHT WILL BE YOUR GUIDANCE. HIS WORD WILL BE LAW.”
A voice from the crowd came forward. “I am three hundred years older than Damon, I will not be under his rule, nor will my nest. Victor is my maker and I will forever serve him and him alone.” Several voices could be heard agreeing with the older vampire.
“AS YOU WISH, BUT I HAVE GRANTED YOU ALL WITH FREE WILL, SO YOU WILL SPEAK ONLY FOR YOURSELF. YOUR NEST IS NO LONGER AT YOUR COMMAND, EACH INDIVIDUAL WILL HAVE THEIR OWN SAY AND MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES.”
The crowed began to separate into two groups. Damon turned to Genesis, “Your Grace, I do not deserve such honours. I am not without sin.”
“BRING ME VICTOR; IT IS TIME HE WAS HEARD.” Was all he said in response to Damon’s statement.
Chapter Sixteen
Damon rushed past his human counter parts and opened the door to Victor’s tomb. “Rick, will you assist me in binding him once more?” he asked as he took his first step down below the floor.
Rick was quick to accommodate Damon’s request, everyone was keen to see where this would end.
Once they neared Victor’s cell, Damon announced that he had a visitor. Victor was already aware that his master had arrived; he could sense his presence and was in no hurry to receive him. For the first time in Damon’s existence he saw a hint of true fear in Victor’s eyes.
Victor knew there was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide; it was time to meet his maker.
As he was brought to the surface, Genesis looked upon Victor’s face with a sadness that only a parent could understand. “YOU HAVE DISSAPPOINTED ME VICTOR. EXPLAIN YOUR ACTIONS TO ME, LET ONLY I PASS JUDGEMENT ON YOUR SOUL.”
Victor was released from his binds and his wounds quickly healed.
“I have no words to say to you. You abandoned me. It was your words that began my reign.” Victor spoke with venom in his tone.
“MY WORDS?”
“I asked you to take me with you, I pleaded with you. But you thought you were better than me. I was not ready you said. Make your own path, when you have proven yourself worthy, only then you shall follow. Well I am worthy now. Look around, I have an army of followers. Yet you have come alone. I will rule the world, so I will not be judged by you.”
“I NEVER ABONDONED YOU VICTOR. YOU NEED ONLY HAVE SPOKEN MY NAME, AND I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT YOUR SIDE. YET YOU CHOSE TO FORBID THE MERE MENTION OF IT. I HAVE NOT HEARD IT MENTIONED IN ALMOST A MILENIUM.”
“Eight hundred and seventy nine, to be precise.” Victor snarled. “Most of my colony don’t even know who you are, you have become so insignificant.”
“I AM SADDENED MY SON, YOU HAVE BECOME DELUSIONAL IN YOUR QUEST FOR POWER. YOUR WORLD WILL CEASE TO EXIST IF YOU CONTNUE THE PATH YOU HAVE CHOSEN. THERE WILL BE NOTHING LEFT IF YOU TURN THEM ALL OR KILL THEM. WHAT WILL YOU FEED YOUR ARMY ON THEN?”
“DO NOT CALL ME YOUR SON!” Victor bellowed at Genesis. “I did not choose a path, I created one. All this could have been yours, but you chose to sit idly by and watch as men grew stronger and forced our kind into the myths of dreams and movies. I created an Army, and now I have hundreds of disciples under my command, and I will have mankind remember us. They will bow at our feet and beg us to drink from their veins or become one of us. Have you ever tasted the blood of fear father? It has a sweetness like no other. Unlike you...father… I have not wasted my entire existence waiting, I made change. What is it exactly you have been waiting for, by the way?” His voice was becoming arrogant and condescending.
“MY SUCCESSOR VICTOR: THE ONE WHO WILL STAND IN MY LIGHT, SO I CAN RETURN TO THE SHADOWS OF THE SUN. I HAVE WAITED FOUR THOUSAND YEARS TO FIND THE ONE.”
“Oh and do you think you ever will? After all you don’t really seem to be looking very hard, and with only four disciples in your direct line, it leaves you with little hope, does it not?” “A thousand years is but one day with God my son.” His tone had shifted, and only Victor and Damon could hear his spoken words. “It has not been a tiresome wait, and now my wait is over.”
“Over?” asked Victor.
“Yes my child, I have made my decision, and my successor has been found.”
Victor fell to his knees, “Father, have you come to take me home? Have I finally shown you my worth?”
“No Victor, your fate will be up to Damon to decide.” His voice rose again. “THOSE WHO FOLOW THE PATH OF VICTOR SHALL FALL FROM THE PATH OF VICTOR; YOU MUST CHOOSE YOUR DESTINY.”
“Damon? He is not even four hundred years old. He has only ever been a maker once and he murdered his prodigy. You cannot be serious father! I will not allow it!”
“IT IS DONE VICTOR. DAMON HAS SHOWN COMPASSION, RESISTENCE, BRAVERY, AND FREE WILL; ABOVE ALL HE HAS EVOLVED AS WE ALL SHOULD EVOLVE.” He addressed the crowd before them. “CHILDREN OF MY BLOOD, COME FORTH AND CHOOSE YOUR PATH.”
Victor turned to watch his blood line divide. Searching for loyalty, he spoke. “Do not listen my children, I have led you to a higher status, we can continue our quest and we will hold the power!” the larger portion of his colony chose to keep their loyalty, knowing no better. “He is but one, we are many, together we can overthrow him, we must ATTAAAACK!” Victor ordered his members to rush on Genesis.
Genesis didn’t flinch, he raised his hand and suddenly they were all disintegrated, their dust still settling when Genesis spoke again.
“MY SON, AGAIN I AM DISSAPPOINTED IN YOU. YOUR ACTIONS HAVE BEEN OF SELFISH INTENSIONS AND THE COST WAS THAT OF THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN. YOU MUST STOP AND CONSIDER YOUR SINS AND SHOW REMORSE.
Victor turned to his maker. “The only remorse I have is that I did not let Damon perish on the battlefield. He has destroyed everything. He was a do-gooder in his natural life; I foolishly believed I could turn his soul. He was always too much like you. I should have destroyed him many times when I had the opportunity.” He turned to Damon and shouted, “But it’s never too late to right a wrong.” And suddenly he was air born and swooping at lightning speed in Damon’s direction. Without thought Damon’s hand went up and Victor was suspended, held by an invisible force, a power Damon didn’t even know he obtained, his instinct had taken over.
Victor’s eyes were wide, as were Damon’s. Both were surprised at the power he had displayed.
“DAMON, YOU HAVE THE POWER. YOU MUST CHOOSE HOW TO USE IT.”
“What shall I do?” he asked Genesis.
“THE CHOICE IS YOURS. BUT REMEMBER, YOU WILL LIVE AN ETERNITY, WHAT EVER YOU DECIDE MUST LIVE WITH YOU.”
“If I set him free he will seek revenge.” Damon considered his options.
“THERE IS NO DOUBT.” Genesis replied.