by Brian Carmen
All Volstir were once human, however they became something much more. They would never die of old age and had super human strength and speed. Every Volstir was also given a gift that made them special even amongst their own kind. It was these abilities that had allowed the Volstir to evolve while hiding in plain sight amongst humans.
Gabriel’s cousins could allow a Volstir to walk in the sun without burning to death. His aunt was able to see into the future and the Volstir that turned him was able to know what anyone was thinking. His own ability allowed himself to survive for long periods without having to feed. This was useful since the Volstir survived by drinking the blood of humans. They were true creatures of mythology and legend that appeared in the human world.
Witches, Ghosts, Werewolves, and Vampires were all believed to be different supernatural creatures. The truth, was that they were all the same except for their individual abilities. The Volstir had been able to hide themselves well by creating a world of mystery and magic. Humans spent too much of their time looking for individual creatures that they failed to see the real creatures in front of them.
It helped that they didn’t walk around the night looking for victims to feed off of. There was no need since the Volstir decided to live underground inside their domed cities. There they were able to live side by side with a group of humans known as Sanguine. These were the select humans that willingly gave the Volstir their blood to drink. They were well compensated for their blood and only gave it of their own free will. It was this union that had provided a secret peace between the Volstir and the humans for over a thousand years.
Gabriel had a glass of blood in his hand as he watched the reporter talking on the television. He was in a place called Acresville, Indiana and was speaking with an older woman who was obviously grieving. On the bottom of the screen was a caption that explained what the story was about. An old resident by the name of Crystal Avanue had died in a car crash the night before. The death would’ve been ignored had the young woman not been famous. The Pharmaceutical Company that she had created was celebrated for its amazing results over the last few years.
The Crystal Inoculation had proven to be a true miracle for all people. It was relatively cheap to manufacture and had single handedly wiped out diseases that were once thought incurable. One shot helped create white blood cells that could fight off the deadliest of viruses with ease. Crystal Avanue was regarded as a true American hero for her creation, and was the envy of most in the scientific community. It was not surprising that the people of her home town would mourn her.
The reporter soon had two young women on the screen that claimed to have been Crystal’s best friends growing up. The two of them had swollen red faces as tears continued to stream down their faces. They didn’t talk about her contributions to society but instead spoke about the girl they grew up with. A happy girl who dreamed of changing the world and leaving Acresville forever. Slowly more people gathered around the reporter, some trying to express their sadness over the loss while others were trying to get their 15 minutes of fame by making goofy faces at the cameras.
None of them could ever know that Crystal Avanue work was not actually her own. The truth was that she had received help from the Volstir. Gabriel had little doubt that the residents of Acresville would be stunned to know that she was not dead. For the last two years, Crystal had secretly been living as human despite being a Volstir. It was difficult for her to lie to everyone and fake her death, but it was necessary due to the laws that were in place for the protection of both the humans and the Volstirs.
“She’s really going to be missed isn’t she?” a sarcastic voice said from behind as Gabriel turned to see his progeny wipe away fake tears.
Todd Gabriel was tall and slender with darker skin than his maker. He also lacked the muscular physic that Gabriel possessed. His long black hair was unrestrained as he allowed it to hang low behind his back. It was easy to see that he was Native American but his demeanor reflected none of old culture of the race he had when he was still human. Gabriel had known the young man for over a hundred years; he knew everything there was to know about him.
Todd came from a very poor family in the West; he found himself abandoned and ended up in a work house for stealing bread. If Gabriel had not found him, Todd would have perished. The young man owed Gabriel everything and would forever be grateful for the eternal gift he’d received. Gabriel had given Todd a new life to include finding the love of his life.
The door behind them opened as a young women with long black hair walked towards Todd and held his hand. Crystal Avanue kissed her husband briefly while keeping her gaze away from the television. Gabriel could see that she had not wanted to give up her human life so soon, but she didn’t have a choice. She would have to take comfort in knowing that the blood the three of them combined would forever change the world in a positive way. Before Gabriel opened his mouth, the perceptive protégé was already waving him away.
“The people I worked with were starting to notice that I wasn’t aging; it’s better to go out a hero instead of being revealed. I just feel bad for my mother; she’s taking it harder than I wanted her too, but I know she will be alright” Crystal said as she finally looked at the television.
Her mother had tears in her eyes as she talked about how much her daughter had wanted to help others. Crystal’s mother could only find comfort in the idea that had daughter had done something amazing before her death. Crystal would obviously never be forgotten by the humans she left behind, however her true life was only just beginning. Crystal was reborn as a Volstir which meant that now she would have to find the light of hope that all Volstir had.
The light was what pulled them back from death when they were turned; without it, they could not be Volstir. A human needs to have hope otherwise a Morte Lumo would occur. A ‘Dead Light’ would cause the human to be turned into a Volstir but without their humanity. They became Soulem; mindless creatures that only knew hunger while suffering inside.
The Soulem were regarded with a mixture of pity and horror; the only fate they could ever know was death. Until recently, it had been believed that the Morte Lumo only occurred at random, however a group of Volstir had managed to force it on humans that were being turned. They had created a small army that had almost destroyed the Volstir city of Loc Moines. Gabriel’s cousins along with the Volstir of Loc Moines had barely been able to repel the assault, however it had come with a great price.
Many had died, including Gabriel’s cousin Lauren. Her human lover had been turned into a Soulem and killed by Helaina. The young man had been her light and without him, she’d gone mad with grief. She was killed shortly before a second assault of Soulem began. It was during the middle of the Execution Royal that the center of the arena had opened with an army waiting to attack. The Volstirs fought the Soulem but were left in the end with nothing but questions. The residents of Loc Moines still knew very little about the ones responsible for the attack.
The idea of creating Soulem was so taboo that it was a complete shock to the Volstir community. This would not stop him and his progenies from their own plans. Crystal Avanue was dead, her new name was now Crystal Gabriel and she was the wife of Todd Gabriel. Both were turned and together they had helped Gabriel finally find his light. Together, they had helped Todd find his light and now they would continue and help Crystal find her light. The trio had broken new ground since typically searching for one’s light was a solo affair. Instead of being alone, the three of them would help each other find true happiness.
The light in the room flickered as Gabriel looked at a calendar that was hanging from one of the walls. He was unable to make out the date as the walls began crumbling before them. Crystal and Todd did not move as though the mansion wasn’t collapsing on itself. Quickly, Gabriel got to his feet, but it was too late. The roof caved in on him before he could do anything to help his progenies. Everything around him went dark.
Gabriel opened his eyes feeling the tears stre
am down his face. He was in his bed, having woken up from a dream that had haunted him for decades. The large room was dark as Gabriel moved from under the two naked women that were in his bed. He grabbed a robe as he looked at the calendar that was on the wall. He didn’t see the date that was on the calendar in his dream, and he didn’t need too. Gabriel knew it was the same exact day, except things were different from the dream.
Gabriel turned towards the window that showed the night sky inside the underground city of Haleo. Unlike, Loc Moines; Haleo’s inner dome was covered with screens that reflected the outside sky. The view was blocked however by a figure that was covered in blood. It was Todd Gabriel, it was easy to tell despite the darkness. There was no expression on his face; he didn’t need to say a word. His presence alone was a reminder that Gabriel had cost himself his own light, hope was forever lost to him.
The familiar pain inside his heart began to grow until he was able to feel it in his brain. Gabriel could feel the tears swelling inside his burning eyes. The terrible memories that had plagued him for so many years, threatened to tear him apart again. Todd was dead because Gabriel had been too shallow to see the boy when he was standing in front of him.
Gabriel shut his eyes tight while silently asking the silent figure for forgiveness, he felt his entire body tighten as though he were being turned to stone. Slowly he opened his eyes and saw that the vision of Todd was gone. Fearful that he would return Gabriel swiftly left the large room and headed downstairs. Staring at the ground he continued moving until he was at last inside the kitchen.
He pulled out a glass and a bottle of Bloodwine from the counter. Instead of pouring himself a glass, he popped the top off and began gulping down the bottle. He needed to cloud his mind so that he could forget his pain. Gabriel finished the bottle and began opening another one as the voices started to speak to him again.
“You want forgiveness but do not deserve it” Todd hissed as Gabriel winced in pain. “You only cared about yourself and you still only care about yourself. Why didn’t you just kill yourself when you found out that I was dead?” Todd asked from inside Gabriel’s head.
The pain was growing stronger as Gabriel tried reasoning with Todd to little avail. Gabriel tried apologizing again, but knew that it was pointless. Throughout the years, he’d apologies to Todd more times than there were stars in the sky. Todd would forever remind him that he did not deserve forgiveness or happiness. Gabriel could feel his mind slip as he thought about his cousin Lauren, she must’ve went through the same thing before she finally snapped.
“It seems the wall has finally broken” a familiar calm voice said from the kitchen doorway.
He was a young man with long black hair and light copper skin. He was known to many as the Glassmaker for his work on stain glass windows. These windows brought life to the churches they belonged too. More importantly, it gave the Volstir someone to believe in. the Volstir’s could gaze upon them and see the image of the first Volstir, Sabriel.
“Should I be surprised that you’re here, the night the wall breaks?” Gabriel spat at the Glassmaker as he continued to struggle with the pain inside his heart.
The Glassmaker was powerful and had given him a wall around his mind that had helped Gabriel keep his sanity. This was part of the Glassmaker’s ability, He could enter dreams and effect other people’s minds. Gabriel had heard of others who were able to build mental walls but none were as powerful as the Glassmaker’s.
“You really should build your own mental walls, many Volstirs have learned how to create them. It’s better when dealing with the loss of your light. I hear they don’t ever break unlike the ones I create” The Glassmaker said calmly as he walked passed Gabriel and sat down in a chair. “I have confidence that you could create a wall if only you tried” he added with a reassuring smile.
Gabriel shook his head violently as he struggled to ignore the voice that were now screaming inside his skull. “No, I can’t do it. I need you to build another wall, otherwise I’m going to go mad” Gabriel pleaded as he looked desperately at the Glassmaker.
The Glassmaker looked disappointed with Gabriel before finally relenting. His own hands were placed on Gabriel’s temples as he began using his ability to work with Gabriel’s mind. Gabriel instantly felt a cooling sensation inside his head. The Volstir had a part of the brain that humans did not use. It was believed that when a Volstir first received their light, it would reside in that part of the brain.
Losing their light, would cause extreme electrical waves that would eventually corrupt the Volstir’s brain, causing insanity. Little was known about the light’s connection with the brain. The only thing that could keep a Volstir from going mad, was a wall. Gabriel could feel the Glassmaker inside his head as a new wall was created. Images of Todd and Crystal passed inside Gabriel’s head as the Glassmaker chuckled.
“What’s so funny about my lost light?” Gabriel scolded through gritted teeth. He was not amused that the Glassmaker would find something to laugh at when he was in such deep pain.
“That girl Crystal; I find it interesting that your cousin Nia ran into her a couple months ago. Doesn’t that seem like quite the coincidence since she was meant to be one of your progenies” The Glassmaker explained as though he were telling Gabriel the time of day.
“Nia saw Crystal?” Gabriel asked as he thought about the second progeny he was supposed to have created. After Todd had died, he had never even tried to find Crystal. She was now a regular human instead of the Volstir she was supposed to be.
“Yes, she apparently witnessed her feeding from her newest progeny, Victor” The Glassmaker said casually while adding that Crystal Avanue was apparently quite a curious young woman. “It’s not too late for you to find her, she could still become an excellent Volstir” the Glassmaker suggested casually.
The pain was gone as the two men separated, Gabriel looked at the man who looked amused. “Perhaps you might be able to change your light instead of building pointless walls” The Glassmaker suggested.
“It can’t be done” Gabriel retorted before trying to contemplate the idea of his light being changed. He had never heard of such a thing from anyone throughout his existence. The light was given during the turning of a human into a Volstir. It was impossible to recreate such a thing once a Volstir had been made.
The Glassmaker however shook his head as though he were privy to secretes that everyone should just know. “It can be done, nobody knows this, but Sabriel could do more than just change humans without difficulties. She also had the power to change the light of her children and I know for a fact that someone else can do the same thing. They don’t know how and they definitely don’t know why but it remains one of their gifts nonetheless”.
Gabriel pursed his lips, however he did not say a word. The Glassmaker knew many things about the world that no other Volstir knew about. It made Gabriel wonder, not for the first time, how old the Glassmaker was. He had asked the man once but had only received a vague response about the dangers of revealing your true age in a world of immortals.
“Everything has a purpose and it’s not to suffer” The Glassmaker said before talking about the troubles of Loc Moines. “Solbid will likely lose his seat on the council, perhaps you should retire from Stratosphere and take it for yourself. You are popular after all, and the council will need someone that can provide a good distraction” The Glassmaker said with a chuckle.
“I don’t like politics, I don’t need to change my light. I know I’ve lost it; I don’t need to go chasing after fairytales and I don’t want to be anyone’s distraction” Gabriel snapped.
The Glassmaker frowned in defeat upon hearing Gabriel’s words. “Just like before, this wall won’t last forever. You’ll need to contact me as soon as it starts to break so we can place another one” The Glassmaker explained as Gabriel nodded.
“You act like all I have to do is call your phone to get in touch with you” Gabriel mocked as he felt his mind finally relax again. “Don
’t worry though, I’ll take the time to get in touch with you; when the wall breaks again”
“That’s good to hear, now on to payment. I’m assuming you did what I asked you to do?” The Glassmaker asked again, Gabriel nodded.
Gabriel walked out of the kitchen and the large living room “I’ve acquired the weapons and have hidden them in caches throughout the city” Gabriel said with a grim expression on his face. “If the council ever found out, I’d be labeled a traitor and executed”.
“I understand, however my contact has informed me that it will be necessarily to have the weapons, I’m sure none of us want what happened to Loc Moines to happen here. Haleo is a larger city, It will soon be a new home for many of the Volstirs that lost their homes because of the Soulem attacks” The Glassmaker explained as the two of them looked out the window.
Haleo was indeed a larger city than Loc Moines, it easily had a dozen more shops in addition to the large Council building that was located in the back. Gabriel’s own house was larger than the Council building that was in Loc Moines. It had taken him more than a decade to get the permit to build it, but it had been worth it. He could look out and see the lights from large stadium where he was a god.
Looking out, Gabriel saw something that seemed odd, a light was flickering in the distance. Both of the men looked closer at the flickering light, until they were able to see exactly what it was. A building in the distance was on fire as Gabriel watched the ant like people try and put the flames out. Gabriel was surprised since fires inside the lost cities were extremely rare.
Suddenly, Gabriel heard a loud boom as a building closer to his house was engulfed in flames. There were several more booming noise at three other buildings were suddenly on fire. Gabriel’s heart sunk as he slowly realized, the city was already under attack.