Vampire Nation 1: Titan's Story

by Joe Fowler

  Our little group ended up in my room again. They were filling me in on the progress with Justin and Hercules. We were mostly just passing time when Ghost walked up to stand in my doorway.

  “Come on in and join us, Ghost.” I said. I felt it was my responsibility since it was my room. I didn’t really want Ghost there but I was going to be nice and offer.

  “No, thank you though. I was wondering which of you would feel like sparring with me when Cerrus comes.” He stated. I was about to say that I would when both Trog and Speedy volunteered. Ghost nodded and said, “Good, I’ll see you then.”

  I could see in Trog’s mind that they didn’t want me to spar with Ghost. He would be having his eighth fight and would be leaving soon. The fewer who knew my true strength and speed the better, as far as they were concerned. I read all of this in their minds as Ghost walked away, headed back to his room.

  “We talked yesterday while you were gone. It seems best that the other vampires shouldn’t know any more about you than what they can see in the arena.” Speedy informed me.

  “I can see why that would be the best idea.” I looked around not knowing what else to say when it dawned on me. “Is sparring all we do when we travel like this?”

  “Mostly. They make sure we know where the donor room and the showers are. The rest of the time is spent in these rooms or sparring in the training room.” Speedy explained. “Was your name all that you and Arria talked about?”

  “Nope. Although on a related topic, she is debating between the names Apollo and Blade for you, Justin.” I looked at him and he laughed.

  “Apollo and Blade? Wow, does she not know me at all? I know the reason for those names but they don’t really fit.” He said. Then he laughed and added, “Hey, it’s better than Huitzilopochtli.”

  The rest of us looked at him with the same puzzled expression. I looked through his mind to see that Huitzi-whatever, was the Aztec sun god. That cleared it up a little for me. Speedy and Hercules were stuck on Huitzi-whatever.

  “Huitzi-what?” Speedy asked.

  “The Aztec sun god. Sorry, I studied old myths and legends like that. It was a hobby of mine.” He informed us.

  “Did you get a new name? Trog seems to know already. What is it?” Hercules asked.

  “Titan. My new name is Titan.” I listened to their minds and found that they all liked the name for me. It had power.

  “I like it!” Speedy said, excitedly.

  “It fits with what Speedy was saying yesterday. The Titans were what the old Greek gods were afraid of. If you consider the old ones as the ‘gods’ of vampires, as they seem to be setting themselves up to be, then Titan, you, are the one they would need to fear.” Justin expounded. Speedy and Hercules both smiled and felt a little warmer inside. Of course, that is a figure of speech since all vampires remain at room temperature.

  We talked a little more. Nothing important, just small talk.

  Cerrus stood in my open doorway. I had heard his thoughts as he approached and so had Trog and Penny. Nothing important was being said so we didn’t see it as being a problem. Cerrus looked like he had a problem. His mind went curiously blank for a second before the anger kicked in.

  He was not liking the camaraderie we were showing. He thought it better that we were not friendly toward each other at all. That was the way it had been when he was going through his fights and he thought it should be that way now. He debated for a moment, or maybe a week, on whether to make us stop gathering like this or to take the matter to Arria and let her decide. He decided to take the matter to her.

  “The training room is open now. Give the donor room some time before you go to feed. A new group of fighters just arrived and the new donors need to be brought in. It should be around an hour or so before they are ready. Can you guys find the training room or do you need me to show you the way again?” Cerrus asked.

  “I remember the way, Cerrus. Thank you for letting us know.” Trog spoke respectfully.

  Cerrus looked around the room once again. His gaze lasted half a heartbeat longer on me but he didn’t speak to me directly. He then turned and walked away.

  His thoughts were a mess. Cerrus was warring with himself over his mixed feelings for Arria. Half the time he hated her with a fiery passion. The other half of the time, he was trying to be the good second in command and do what he thought would bring him favor in Arria’s eyes. He then hated himself for wanting to please her. He was having a rough time with things.

  We knocked on Ghost’s door and let him know the training room was ready. Together, we all made our way to start our day of sparring. We weren’t the first group to arrive in the training room. I studied them briefly to look for Cindy. These were all different vampires that I hadn’t seen before.

  The other group had six fighters spread across three mats. Our seven fighters took three mats that were off to the side. Both Speedy and Trog agreed that we should keep distance between groups. Speedy had seen fights between groups break out in these training rooms before. He knew how badly those involved were punished. It seems that every offense against the old ones’ rules, whether a small infraction or huge one, means death to the violator.

  “When do we get the new addition? Arria will need a new first rounder.” I asked as Speedy and Ghost were about to take the mat.

  “The new ones usually wake up a few hours before their first fight, like you did. They seem to time them out pretty well. There was the one who almost didn’t wake up in time. We won’t see the newbie until fight day.” Speedy told me.

  Speedy and Ghost squared off. The first attack was Speedy moving too fast for Ghost. Speedy had his hand around Ghost’s neck before Ghost could do anything about it.

  “Damn, I’m glad I don’t have to fight you! Now, act like a normal vampire and move a little slower, please.” Ghost said this good naturedly. He still seemed a little shaken though. He was on his eighth fight and wasn’t used to being beaten.

  The next round would have been an even match but Ghost would become intangible and Speedy’s fist would go right through him. After a few days of this, they stopped.

  I was seeing how hard it was to even spar. Speedy at full speed, couldn’t be handled by the others. Ghost would become intangible and not allow himself to be hit while dishing out punishment on whomever he was facing. Trog and Penny did best by sparring with each other. Justin and Hercules ended up being paired off. The trouble was, they couldn’t really help each other very much.

  I stood there watching them and trying to figure out better ways of training. I wasn’t getting any closer to a better way. Ghost began to look my way more and more.

  “Are you going to just stand there? Why aren’t you sparring?” Ghost asked me. Trog and Speedy both beat me to the punch with their answers.

  “He doesn’t need it.” Speedy told him.

  “None of us can stand up to him long enough to do him any good.” Trog added.

  Ghost looked at me as he contemplated what was said.

  “I can show you if you want, Ghost. I am faster than Speedy and stronger than Hercules. If you want to spar against me, I’m willing.” I stated as evenly as I could. I didn’t want to sound like I was challenging him.

  “How did you get two gifts? I thought we only got one each?” He asked. He sounded a little pissed off about it.

  “I think of it as one gift, call it a fighter’s combo. No one knows what gifts will be given to each of us. You know that better than I do.” I said, hoping to remind him that I had no more control over what I could do than he did when he turned.

  “So that is why everyone was making a fuss over you the other night. Wow, both the speed gift and the strength one. I guess you will win your fights easily then.” He seemed to have calmed down.

  I checked his thoughts and enjoyed what I saw. It seems Ghost is much smarter than I first gave him credit for. I could read his mind but wasn’t able to fully keep up with his leaps of insight. I understood each one but I needed extra tim
e to process. It would be nice if Ghost were able to be trusted. That kind of intelligence would come in handy.

  “I keep being told that I won’t have a problem winning my fights. I guess we’ll see.” I said, in a more relaxed frame of mind.

  Everyone continued to switch sparring partners every so often. That way each would get a new gift to face. I stood and watched. I occasionally saw something that would help and would make the suggestion. For the rest of the time, I was bored.

  During one of my bored periods, I looked over to watch the other group spar. I saw a teleporter and a strength gift. It was too hard to tell what else was happening. I was watching them when I noticed a set of eyes staring back at me.

  He was smallish in size. He wasn’t sparring much either. I had already seen him watching the others. I kept his gaze until he dropped his. Woohoo! I won the staring contest. Like I say, I was bored.

  We were just about to return to our rooms when another group entered. We stopped to watch them. I instinctively looked for Cindy. She wasn’t there. None of these looked familiar so I guessed they weren’t a group that was at my first fight.

  “Ethan, I mean Titan, didn’t you have a friend who was fighting with another old one’s group?” Speedy asked.

  “Yes. Her name is Cindy. We worked together at the diner. When Arria turned me, another old one turned Cindy. She won her first match the other night. I’m keeping an eye out but I know it is unlikely I will see her again.”

  “Wait, when did you get your new name? You haven’t even fought your second fight!” Ghost raised his voice a little louder than normal. Both the other groups turned and stared at us. After some time staring, they turned away.

  “Last night. Arria sent for me when the rest of you were going into the waiting room. She told me she was having some trouble naming me and she asked me to help.” I told him the basics and hoped it would be enough.

  I watched his thoughts, carefully. He was over his anger. He was becoming puzzled.

  “I really hoped he would continue to mind his own business. I don’t like that he is asking questions like this.” Trog told me.

  “This is understandable. It seems everything with me so far has been a bit different. From the speed and strength to being named early. He won’t figure it all out and we will be careful not to let him find out. It will be okay.” I wasn’t completely confident but I felt sure enough of my statements and Trog could feel that.

  “Whatever.” Ghost mumbled. He turned away acting like he didn’t care but I could see his mind working overtime. He actually had the thought, however brief it was, that I might be hiding an even bigger gift. He dismissed the thought and tried to get his brain back under control. He was happy that he would have a mystery to solve now. He was going to use me as a replacement for the books he missed so much.

  I was so preoccupied with Ghost that I hadn’t noticed the smallish guy from the other group approaching us with another of his group. Trog got my attention with a mental shout.

  “Penny, challenge Justin to a sparring match. We need to see what he wants and it would look too weird if none of us are practicing.” Trog suggested.

  “Come on, Justin, let’s have a match.” Penny didn’t hesitate.

  Justin could see the guys approaching and knew something was up. He went on the mat to face Penny without question. The two of them were making their first pass when the ones from the other group reached us.

  “You guys don’t mind some company do you?” The smallish one asked. It was hard to place his accent. Maybe Swedish?

  “We don’t mind at all. It’s nice to talk to new people. I’m Trog, and you are?”

  “I am Loki. This is Vlad. We were getting bored. We’ve been practicing for weeks without any fights. We are tired of being around each other now.” The smallish Loki was talking to Trog, but kept his attention on me most of the time.

  “That’s a long break. We fought two nights ago.” Speedy said. He walked up beside Trog. “What levels are you two? If you don’t mind me asking.”

  “I am ninth level and Vlad is fourth level.”

  “It looks like you and I might fight, Vlad. I’m fourth level myself. I guess it depends on how many old ones will bring groups. Do you guys know yet?” Hercules asked.

  “From what I overheard, there will be six teams. That could change though. Do you guys have a ninth level?” Loki asked.

  “No. Our eighth level died two nights ago. We are missing a fifth level as well.” Speedy said.

  I was busy listening to their thoughts. I both liked and hated what I found out. Hercules would have a chance if he did face Vlad. Strength on strength. Vlad didn’t look big or strong like Hercules, but with vampires it really doesn’t matter about size. The part I hated was really bad. Loki could read the gifts of others.

  He was still confused about me since he was reading several different gifts without realizing my own given one. He was having trouble focusing on what the others were saying now. I could see Trog looking at me and heard his thoughts warning me.

  “Loki, I can see you are a little confused with me. Before this gets out of hand, we should talk.” I said, as calmly as I could.

  Our group all looked at me in shock. Even Trog and Penny, who knew Loki’s talent, seemed surprised at me. I was more worried about Ghost hearing this than I was about Loki. I could sense enough good in him to believe he could be trusted.

  “I was thinking the same thing. But that is one of your gifts isn’t it? You can read minds.” Loki pointed out.

  “Wait! Your gifts were the speed and strength! You have telepathy too!” Ghost remembered to keep his voice down this time at least. His words came out in a whispered shout.

  “Along with being able to walk in the sun.” Loki added.

  Ghost tried a quick attack on me but I stopped him with a punch to the jaw. He couldn’t see the punch in time to go incorporeal. He stayed on the mat looking at me with hatred in his eyes. I knew this might be our downfall but it was too late to turn back.

  “Have you heard the legend of Ares?” I asked. Loki nodded. “I have the gift the old ones fear.”

  Loki, Vlad, and Ghost all stared wide eyed and slack jawed.

  The speed of Ghost’s mind was astonishing. In no time, he had not only caught up, but was passing through ideas that I had barely thought of yet. Loki was catching up. Vlad wasn’t overly concerned since he had the same mindset that Hercules had about knowing his time was limited in these fights.

  “I have to ask you to keep this quiet. I knew your gift would have you overly interested in me until you either figured it out or said the wrong thing to the wrong person.” I stated it as plainly as I could. It was up to him now.

  I watched his thoughts as he looked around at the rest of our group.

  “Hercules, you and Speedy need to spar too. We are getting some looks from the other groups. We don’t want the wrong one to see us and say something about it.” Ghost interrupted my thoughts.

  “He’s right. We need to keep this as normal looking as we can.” Trog added. Penny and Justin were still making halfhearted attacks at each other.

  I was still watching Loki.

  “The question is, are you going to kill the old ones like Ares did? Or, will you be smart and do things the right way?” Loki asked. Trog and Penny faltered in their thoughts for a split second but I was still focused on Loki.

  “I only awakened two nights ago. I am second level. I am still getting used to all of this. Part of me feels the resentment for being used for the old ones amusement. I also understand the necessity of the fights as well as the need for the council. Truthfully, I don’t know what to think about a lot of this. I know how the guys in my group feel. Well, Ghost just found out and he seems to be the smartest of us from what I can see. I plan on looking at every option and deciding what to do when I have more information.”

  Speedy and Hercules didn’t like my answer but I could hear their thoughts as they started to understand. Trog
and Penny were willing to go along with what I decided. I couldn’t keep up with Ghost’s mind well enough to know how he felt.

  “Then this might help.” Loki said. He gave a look to Trog with the thought of standing close to us to hide what was about to happen. Trog saw the thought and smiled as he changed position to block the view from the other groups in the room.

  When Loki got to my side, he looked around to make sure we were hidden before offering me his arm. I drank from him until I felt his gift become a part of me.

  “Thank you, Loki.” I told him sincerely.

  “I just hope this doesn’t blow up in our faces. You all realize the old ones will kill everyone who knew about this, right? Not to mention the fact of giving you our abilities to help.” Loki looked at me as he asked.

  “Yes, we know. The ones standing here are the only ones who know. We weren’t sure how Ghost would react. That’s why he is just now finding out as well.” I looked over at Ghost who broke his thoughts long enough give me a go to hell stare.

  “Do you need to drink from me?” Vlad asked nervously.

  “No, but thank you Vlad. Hercules has the same gift as you. I was already stronger than either of you to begin with.”

  “Explain that.” Ghost interjected. Loki had the same thought but Ghost beat him to the question.

  “Well, Trog explained his reasoning and it explains it better than anything else I’ve thought of. When she turned me, I drank from Arria. I was able to take some of her strength and speed but not all of it. My gift was still forming and wasn’t able to give me her full abilities yet. If I drank from her now, I would have her full strength and speed as well as her gift.” I told them. My words reminded me of what I had seen in Arria’s mind but I put the thought away before it could be seen by Trog and Penny.

  “What was that? I couldn’t tell what that was.” Trog was digging in my mind for the images from Arria. I kept them hidden out of loyalty to Arria.