Alterverse

by Keith B Darrell

  “The serpent cult worships the Dark Gods.”

  “Wrong, my child. The Naga worship a hypnalis as their high priestess and pledge allegiance to the Dark Gods. But allegiances may shift like the desert sands. The serpent cult that I command in Africa is an offshoot of the Dark Gods’ Naga cult and they worship me as their high priestess despite the fact I am not a hypnalis.”

  Amadi pondered his grandmother’s words. “I had never considered that before. Yet, while you may lack the ability to transform into a snake woman, you are the human embodiment of the black mamba. Even the snakes of the jungle obey your commands.”

  “And that is your first lesson in the nature of power. It doesn’t come from titles or associations with organizations – those bestow only authority that has been granted to you. True power is never given; you must take it when the opportunity arises.”

  “As I have done. I’ve risen through the ranks to become a Nosferatu Lord.”

  “Fool! You’re not listening. You haven’t taken power, any more than a dog has after receiving a treat upon performing a trick for its master. You’re a Nosferatu Lord because you follow the path laid out by the Dark Gods. You’ll only achieve power when you follow your own path.”

  “What would you have me do?”

  “There’s an opportunity before us. A great opportunity, perhaps the greatest the world has ever known. We can risk all to seize it or be like the ostrich and stick our heads in the sand ignoring it. This is our chance for self-determination and power.” She squinted at him. “Do you not feel it in the air?”

  Amadi displayed a bemused countenance. “I feel nothing unusual.”

  Mamba Anyiewo sighed. “That’s because you are merely a vampire and not connected with the spirit loas of our ancestors. Change is in the air: a new energy. We’ve entered the Age of Magic and with the dawning of a new age come many opportunities. All of existence can be summed up as a constant battle between two opposing forces. In the jungle, we see this play out as predator versus prey. In the Orient, they teach the dichotomy of yin and yang. Western cultures focus on morality plays of good versus evil. But the true dichotomy, the only two real opposing forces in the entire multiverse are Order and Chaos.”

  “But there is no contest,” Amadi said. “The dark goddess Nyx was born of Chaos and from her union with Erebus, the darkness, came all the rest of the dark deities.”

  “Yes, yes,” Mamba Anyiewo said, impatiently. “We live in a world without hope, in a land of darkness and despair, where Chaos has replaced Order… Or so it seems. But look at me. I wield great power, but the sources of that power –voodoo and zombification – are all about control, and that is the essence of Order, not Chaos. Taking control means achieving self-determination – freedom to follow one’s own path. The Dark Gods will be vulnerable during the Age of Magic. Why do you think they’ve begun hunting down all the practitioners of magic – the witches, warlocks, wizards, sorcerers, and other mages? They fear magic.”

  “They never feared magic before.”

  “We were not in the Age of Magic before. Anything is possible now, even the end of their reign over the multiverse, and they realize that. The lords of Chaos will not be easily defeated and you’ll need powerful allies, but when they fall we will become the masters of our own destinies and unlimited power will be ours for the taking.”

  “But how–?”

  “As others perceive our once omnipotent overlords are now vulnerable there will be a rising opposition and each individual shall have to choose a side. Make sure you choose the winning side. Align yourself with allies.”

  “But how will I know whom to trust? If I had this conversation with wrong person I’d be labeled a blasphemous subversive and sentenced to death.”

  “I never said it would be easy. Were power so easily obtainable it would be worthless. But in the Age of Magic, those who practice magic wield the ultimate power, whether they realize it or not. They’re being persecuted by vampires and werewolves, the Dark Gods’ lapdogs. Surely they’d expect a Nosferatu Lord like yourself to be an instrument of their destruction. If instead, you were to aid them covertly you’d undoubtedly ingratiate yourself with them.”

  Amadi gulped. “To commit such an apostasy... You’re asking me to betray the Dark Gods and everything I believe in.”

  “I’m asking you to believe in yourself,” Mamba Anyiewo said sternly. “You will not be alone. As I said, others will rise up and you’ll find allies among them. And I shall also be here with my legions should you need me.”

  Amadi looked into the old woman eyes and nodded. “I know what I must do. I shall return to Europe.”

  His grandmother looked at him with a puzzled expression. “Back to Paris?”

  Amadi shook his head. “England. I have a plan.”

  “A plan?”

  “To set upon the path to take power.” He kissed her cheek, ignoring the black mamba’s hissing. “Thank you, Grandmother.”

  Mamba Anyiewo’s ti-bon anj pulsated with a brilliant phosphorus purple glow.

  The short, rotund woman paced about the kitchen of the cabin secluded in the deepest part of the woods. Her gray hair was pulled back in a bun and a pair of small spectacles perched on the tip of her nose. “I don’t see them anywhere,” Matilda Twitch said. “Are you certain you didn’t eat them?”

  “Why would I?” Phineas Twitch replied. The white-haired man seated in an easy chair in the next room swallowed quickly. “I don’t even like newt eyes.”

  “How am I supposed to cast my spell without newt eyes?” She stared at the cast-iron cauldron hanging over the fireplace.

  “Does it have to be a newt? The woods are filled with other kinds of salamanders.”

  Matilda shoved her grimoire beneath her husband’s nose. “It specifically says eye of newt, not any old generic salamander you happen to find around the house.” She walked over to him. “Open your mouth, Phineas.”

  “Why?”

  “Because if I smell even a hint of newt on your breath you’re going to be spending the night in the swamp replacing mine.” She was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Matilda looked quizzically at Phineas. “Who could that be? No one ever comes this far into the woods.”

  “There’s only one way to find out. Answer the blasted door.”

  Matilda wagged her finger at him. “Don’t even think about rushing off to brush your teeth to hide the evidence. I’ll deal with you later.” She opened the front door. “Cat whiskers and broom bristles!” she exclaimed. Matilda called out to Phineas, “It’s Drusilla!”

  Phineas rose from his chair. “Are Samantha and Emma with her?”

  “No, but she’s not alone.” Matilda swung the door open and invited their visitors inside.

  “Mother, you remember the Braxton brothers?” Drusilla asked, as they entered the small cabin.

  Matilda perused her guests. “My, you boys certainly have grown up.”

  Ezra Braxton smiled self-consciously. “It has been quite a while. The last time we saw you was back in the old country before the British colonized America.”

  Alastair Braxton raised his chin. “We’ve had a rather successful law practice for the last few centuries.”

  Matilda arched an eyebrow. “You’re lawyers now?”

  “Indeed we are,” Tobias Braxton said with a self-satisfied grin, hooking his thumbs in the pockets of his vest.

  “That’s too bad,” Matilda said. “I remember your mother had such high hopes for you. But don’t worry; Phineas and I haven’t spoken to anyone from the old country in centuries.”

  The Braxton brothers appeared crestfallen, uncertain how to respond. Drusilla intervened. “We haven’t come on a social call. Samantha is in trouble.”

  “It’s not that good for nothing shapeshifting warlock Mordred, is it?” Phineas grumbled. “I never did like that one.”

  “You never liked any of Samantha’s boyfriends,” Drusilla said. “You thought none of them were good enough for her.
Although come to think of it, you never said a word about mine.”

  “You’ve always looked out for your sisters,” Matilda said. “What makes this time different?”

  “The Dark Gods are persecuting practitioners of magic,” Drusilla said. “Those that haven’t been banished to Limbo or other desolate realms have gone into hiding.”

  Matilda shot a knowing glance at Phineas. “It’s begun, then.”

  Tobias cocked his head. “What’s begun?”

  Phineas gestured for the Braxton brothers to sit on the sofa. “The Age of Magic. It’s coming has been prophesied for eons. It’s the only reason the Dark Gods might fear witchcraft. Magic will be at its apex: those able to wield it skillfully will have the power to challenge the gods.”

  A concerned look crossed Matilda’s face. “And a goddess of magic would pose an even greater threat to them.”

  “Hecate can take care of herself,” Phineas said. “I’d imagine witches everywhere are praying to the goddess for aid.” He looked bemusedly at his daughter. “Why haven’t you girls transformed into the goddess yet?”

  Matilda shot him a harsh look. “She told you, Samantha’s in trouble.” Matilda turned to Drusilla. “What is it, dear? What trouble is Samantha in that’s too much for you to handle on your own?”

  The crone grimaced. “She was abducted some time ago by the Dark Gods. It’s taken a great deal of sleuthing but I’ve finally discovered where she’s being held. The vampires are keeping her prisoner in England.”

  “And what of Emma?” Matilda asked.

  “She’s safe,” Alastair Braxton said. “A number of our children have taken sanctuary in one of the caves. Not even we know the exact location, in order to ensure their continued safety.”

  “One of our own, young Jonas, is with her,” Tobias said. “Emma will be safe until we can unite her with her sisters and bring forth our goddess.”

  “You were right to come for us,” Matilda said.

  Phineas nodded. “Retirement was getting boring. It’ll be good to get back into action.”

  Ezra cleared his throat. “With all respect sir, the building in which Samantha has been incarcerated is also the headquarters of Sir William, the Nosferatu Lord of England. Practically every vampire in London comes in and out of the building at all times.”

  “Obviously my brothers and I will assist in any way we can,” Alastair said. “Ezra’s point is that extricating Samantha from her confinement will be almost impossible.”

  Phineas Twitch smiled. “I’m certain you boys are accomplished warlocks, and I know even as a child Drusilla was a formidable force to be reckoned with. But Matilda and I came of age in an earlier era in which it was necessary to hone our magical skills to a level far beyond what passes for wizardry today. Rest assured, those British vampires will rue the day they foolishly chose to abduct our daughter and earn the ire of the Twitch family.” He turned to his wife. “Matilda, put out the fire. It may be a while before we return home.”

  Chapter Ten

  Katrina set down the two cups of hot chocolate in front of Ursula and Quinn Fenris.

  “Mmmm, I don’t care what Mom says; your hot chocolate is better than Bartholomew’s,” Quinn said.

  Katrina grinned. “I think your brother is flirting with me.”

  Ursula rolled her eyes. “Probably. You’re female. I hope you don’t mind our mother dumping us on you like this. She got a lead on a case and had to follow up on it.”

  “I enjoy looking after both of you.” The barista smiled at them. “It might as well be my calling.”

  Quinn frowned. “I don’t see why we couldn’t have gone with Mom. She treats us like we’re kids.”

  Katrina tweaked his nose. “You are kids. Your mother doesn’t want to expose you to danger and she’s right.”

  Quinn glanced up at the barista’s plush cat ear headband and his eyes fell on her bosom, settling on the nametag resting above her breast. Her name was written in black marker on the white card inside the rectangular plastic nametag, which had the restaurant’s name, Bubastis, engraved in red above, and below the title “barista” in smaller red engraving, however the color had worn away leaving only the letters ‘ba st .’ “You need a new nametag.”

  Ursula’s phone beeped. “It’s a text from Alaric. The Resistance is having another strategy session this afternoon.”

  Quinn gulped down the last of his hot chocolate. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go.”

  “But Mom told us to stay here.”

  “Bor-ing. Why should Mom get to have all the fun? Besides, maybe Alaric will let me use the trident.”

  “Resistance?” Katrina asked. “That sounds dangerous.”

  “Um, it’s a role-playing game,” Quinn said.

  Katrina winked. “Uh huh. Don’t worry; I’ve got your back.”

  Ursula smiled. “You’ve always been like a godmother to us, Katrina. Why are you so good to us?”

  “As I said, it’s my calling. Besides, I like you and Sexy.” She pinched Quinn’s nose and took away the empty cups.

  Quinn grinned from ear to ear. “She called me sexy.”

  Ursula rolled her eyes again. “I suppose we can get back here to Mom’s office before she returns from her case,” Ursula said, thinking of Alaric and not wanting to cede any additional time with him to Katsumi.

  “Cool. Let’s go.”

  Observing the twins rising from the table, Katrina approached the other barista. “Bartholomew, will you cover me? I have to step out for a moment.”

  Bartholomew nodded and Katrina slipped out the door behind the twins. Ursula and Quinn stepped out of the building housing the Bubastis Café and the Nightstalkers, Inc. bounty hunting agency and unlocked their bicycles. They pedaled off, followed furtively by a calico cat.

  Alaric switched off his phone. “They should all be here soon.”

  Katsumi looked around the schoolyard. “Wouldn’t it be safer to meet in the Dreamscape?”

  “Probably, but it would be a lot more difficult to convince Nitrate to return there. We need to learn to function as a team and that means learning about our powers and abilities, and discovering each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

  “I have much to learn. I’ve never been part of a team. Kunoichi always work alone.”

  Alaric held her hand. “You’re not alone anymore.”

  “Having friends is also a new experience. I feel an unusual fondness for the others.” Katsumi gazed into his eyes. “But my feelings for you… I can’t describe them. I’ve never felt this way before.”

  Alaric smiled. “I think I have the same feeling. But we must be careful not to let anything distract us from our mission. The fate of the multiverse and many lives, including my parents’, depend on its success.”

  “As a kunoichi I was trained to eschew friends and devote myself entirely to my mission.”

  “That’s not what I meant. “It’s important to have friends – and other relationships – as long as they don’t interfere with the ultimate success of the Resistance. I told you before, the essence of humanity is the ability to feel and share emotions.”

  “You also told me they had made me a killing machine. Ironically, it’s my skill as an assassin that makes me of value to the Resistance.”

  Alaric leaned in and kissed her. “But it’s your beauty that I value most. But not just your physical beauty. You have an inner beauty, as well. At first, I only saw the strong warrior woman but later I saw the vulnerable girl inside. I think that’s what attracted me to you. I know what it’s like to have to be strong on the outside when what you really need is a hug from someone you love.”

  “I’m experiencing so many new feelings and perceptions,” Katsumi said. “I sense your sadness. You miss your parents.”

  “I’m about to become a man and yet inside part of me is still a little boy who wants his mother and father back.”

  Katsumi squeezed his hand. “We’ll get them back. My mission will not be comp
lete until you are reunited with your parents.”

  Across the schoolyard, Asabi was speaking with Professor Eligos. “Thank you for providing me and the others with housing; but for such commorancy we would have no place to sleep.”

  “It was the least I could do considering you’re risking your lives.” He looked up. “It appears the rest of your team is arriving. I should make myself scarce. It’s best my students don’t know of my involvement.” The great duke of Hell returned to the schoolhouse.

  Síofra and Kaya approached Alaric and Katsumi. “Sae, yar an assassin,” Síofra said. “Where’s yar weapon?”

  Katsumi reached into her garment revealing several shuriken and blades. “Sometimes I use these. I might also use a hatpin, or turn whatever object is nearby into a weapon.”

  Síofra examined the metallic throwing stars. “Impressive. I bet those silver stars could even harm a vampire.”

  “They stopped three vampires when we first met Katsumi,” Alaric said.

  Síofra smiled. “Good tae ken.”

  “What powers or special abilities do you have?” Katsumi asked Síofra.

  “I dinnae have any powers; unless ya count cruelty and depravity,” the changeling replied.

  A fox trotted toward them and morphed into the kitsune Kita. Asabi joined them. A few moments later, Asmodeus and Nitrate arrived. Alaric waited until Ursula and Quinn pulled up on their bicycles before addressing the group.

  “I called you here today because we need to start training as a team. Part of our resistance effort involves spreading our message of hope and freedom through the Dreamscape and some will involve infiltrating the opposition but there will also come a time when we must go into battle as a team and that means learning to work together. We have to act as more than a collection of uniquely powered individuals. It’s all about teamwork. I want us to have daily practice sessions from now on. We can simulate potential combat situations.”

  As they practiced, none of them noticed the calico cat watching them from behind the schoolyard’s chain-link fence, nor did they observe it later scamper away.