by JN Moon
“I don’t ask for help for myself. I’ve managed in the main to not kill my prey. And Anthony, we do not eat humans, we do indeed feed on their blood, just as you do. A fact that even Lauren wasn’t aware of. It’s just our wild and brutal temperament with the transformation means most,” and here he lowered his voice, “most of our victims are mutilated. It has taken me many, many years to control this temperament and most cannot. Their primal hunger drives them to insanity and they never learn to master it. Some don’t even care, but there are none like that with me. I have a high respect for humans. I am tortured that I have to feast on them for life. But you know that feeling, those conflicted emotions, that self-loathing, Anthony, do you not? That’s in part what sets you apart from other vampires who never even question this. Except at first, when you were first made, but that’s to be expected if not ideal.”
“So you want me, my kin to help your...pack?” I always struggled to accept new paranormal species. I found this vaguely funny as I was also a figure of myth.
He nodded. “We’ll meet again soon.” And with that they left, fast, hand in hand.
With the help of the lycans, we would regain balance in our town. My biggest concern was what would happen to Marcus, and those of his kind who had crossed over to the darkness. My head told me Marcus wasn’t my responsibility, yet, I couldn’t help but hope for the best for him and his fallen brethren. We started to wander back to Acacius’ home to see the other nephilim when Nathanial and Darren crossed our path, both grinning like children with an edge of excitement that was infectious.
“We were inspired after hearing that some vampires had been infected by wraiths,” Darren explained, his voice high-pitched in exhilaration. “It seems they- the vampires- became so captivated by the wraiths when feasting on their human victims, that the wraiths consumed their dark vampire souls and became more physical! Well, it seems your angelic friend might well be right, if wraiths can consume the soul of a vampire, then do we not take the soul from our victims when drinking their blood?”
There it was again, the thing I didn’t want to be true. But did vampires even have souls? He continued, “I’d always thought of nephilim as righteous creatures, bestowing their judgement most harshly on vampires, but it seems there is some truth in their beliefs.”
Darren paused here to allow Marcus time to realise that he was in fact complimenting his kin, and then Nathaniel continued blurting out so fast I had a job following what he was saying. “Anyway, Darren and I were updating the app and we felt such enthusiasm to be ridding the world of the criminally insane. I don’t know. Anyhow, we’d been working on it for some time. You were away at this time, yes I heard about it. You entered a portal? I’ve never done that so I want to know about it...Anyhow, my point, we started to see them. At first we thought it was the effects of some polluted blood perhaps, after all you never know what these mortals put into their bodies.”
Darren interjected, “Tiny lights, orbs flashing, zooming around. Almost transparent, bright white or blue. We were stunned, I mean we vampires, the supposed evil, being visited by the elementals. I’d always accepted my dark fate, I had like many stuck to the rules to only drink from the wicked, the dispossessed, but I never thought of myself as good. Until now, now I feel like I can do something, be a part of something bigger than myself.”
“Did they speak to you?” Marcus added.
“No,” Nathaniel replied. “Though a few appeared to be almost tormenting us with their appearance. It’s fascinating; in all my years I had never experienced this, nor expected it. Anyway, as we walked through the city with our new found findings, feeling powerful and righteous, we saw those wraiths of man’s souls. We walked right up to the humans and whilst one of us engaged in conversation with the chosen human, the other stared right into the wraith and, it’s hard to describe because it was instinctual, channelled powerful sublime energy into the thing."
Darren interrupted, “It disappeared! I mean it just went. And the man we picked started to come back to himself, so Nathaniel then channelled this energy into him also whilst I distracted him with meaningless conversation. We tried a few more, and though some were harder to get rid of, it worked. Can you imagine the possibilities this has? And then we found you here.”
“This is interesting indeed.” Marcus laughed. “So, you suppose that you will do me out of a job, huh? Your species evolves and finds greater meaning than just the lust for blood. Whatever happens and however few of your kind learn this, it warms my soul that out of my mistake which has led to this awful state, I know others who are finding solutions. I’m happy for you. You will no doubt use this on your victims, maybe instilling them with good? It must be tried, I think?”
It sounded unlikely to me, but I didn’t want to spoil their revelation. I had the feeling there was something else at work here, something they weren’t aware of. Maybe the elementals were still with them and using their power to rid the human of the thing. It was exciting though, but the task was still mountainous as there were so many wraiths and demons. If the others could do this, that would be great and maybe more would join them. I knew from meeting with Darren and his friends that most vampires were alarmed at the situation. So much darkness breaking through the veil and some had even been enwrapped by these entities whilst feeding on their human victims. How that happened, my only idea was they became entranced by the wraiths, as I had done when I first encountered them. Luckily for me, Acacius had told me how to avoid becoming engaged with them, knowledge I’d relayed in passing. This knowledge needed to be spread amongst the community.
“We will meet with you gentlemen later. Now the elementals are here, that will help. They cannot be harmed in the process as they’re not physical like us, they are pure energy.” Marcus spoke softly, his voice echoing around the empty park and we made our way back to Acacius.
“Actually, I’m going home and I’ll meet with you and Acacius later,” I said in a weary voice. “So we have Darren and Nathaniel, maybe others, the fire crystal—whatever that’ll do—and the wolves.”
“You don’t look happy, considering we are growing a formidable force.”
“In my heart I don’t think it’s enough. And you, I’m worried for you. You keep...changing. That’s my fault. If I hadn’t gone to find her.”
“What’s done is done. I was never designed to take such tainted blood. I think drinking you with Emidius’s has sustained me longer. But enough of that for now, others may help, I feel it. I am sure they are coming. You also need to contact your old friends, Nicolas who you rescued? He may be helpful.”
I doubted that. I was protective over Nicolas simply because he was so meek, but maybe Marcus was right. Maybe he could help. And I would look at what others could do to help. We needed it. Walking back, the people looked like something from macabre art, grey, hunched, almost lifeless.
The phantoms were thick like smoke blocking out the moonlight, in the sunlight. News reporters made up fake news about the cause, and scientists scrambled for any theory that the establishment would believe. I wondered if the human authorities really knew, some of them at least, what was happening. But maybe they liked it, obedient humans, too sick to argue but alive enough to control. It was almost like a zombie film, and I hate zombies.
Secrets
Marcus
After Anthony left, I stole back into the park, calling out for Lauren and Sabian.
I hadn’t had the chance to meet up with Sabian since my encounter with Luke, the dragon shifter but I didn’t want to share this information with my vampire friend, knowing that shifters tend to be a secretive breed and it wasn’t my information to spill out anyway.
“I came across Luke, some weeks back,” I confessed as they walked towards me, Sabian’s face was full of intrigue, his eyes narrowed with interest. He nodded slightly.
“I saw him transform,” adding quickly, “I haven’t told a soul. I followed him leaving a club, he’d been staring at me, but there was something ab
out him, something different then watching him run- his gait was unusual. Will he fight with us?”
Sabian took a deep breath and looked at Lauren whose expression revealed nothing.
“Tell me, what did you see?” he asked.
I knew why he asked me this, he wanted to know if I was calling his bluff, we immortals are an untrusting lot. “He’s a dragon shifter. He would be a huge help in our fight, so will he join?”
“He wants to, but...” he paused. “I know he would be a great asset, but his kind, a dragon shifter is rare. I have advised him not to. Too many would become aware of his...abilities and he could be persecuted because of that. Your kin,” again Sabian shook his head, his face frowning with worry, “The nephilim who are untainted would make it their mission to hunt him down. And if they, or any other immortal kill him whilst he is transformed into the beast, they would use the blood of that beast- and no doubt the head for all kinds of weird magic. And to boast. Most don’t believe in dragons, for good reason. For Luke, and any other like him, I fear his existence depends upon discretion. That’s why I welcomed him into our pack, and every member swore a blood oath to keep his identity a secret. An oath which I now must insist you take.”
“I am happy to take the oath Sabian. I swear, too, that I haven’t told anyone.” I looked out towards the park, the normality of the place looked peaceful, but what it held- ancient secrets, strange creatures. I wondered what it must be like to be born human and to never know of this other world that coexisted in secret.
Sabian drew out a dagger from under his coat and handed it to me.
Bone handle, my hand tingled as I held it, a talisman of power. Light-headedness suddenly sent me stepping back, that strange sensation of merging into nothing and everything, but I tightened my grip around the dagger and cut clean across my right palm.
His eyes narrowed as he watched, looking from me to Lauren and I quickly handed him the knife.
“What has happened to you? Is this the result of drinking vampire blood?” His voice raised in alarm.
“Maybe. But there are other things, take the knife- my blood should not harm you.” His expression did not look convinced, so I continued as the blood spilled from my palm.
“I followed Anthony into a portal, he was looking for his lover.” Breathing deeply and tensing my legs to steady myself, “I am the first nephilim to enter a portal. Or drink vampire blood. Everything is catching up. Don’t be alarmed, look I am willing to take your blood oath. But my strength is leaving me- I feel it.”
“His blood may harm yours Sabian? Nephilim blood scorches the insides of vampires!” Lauren added alarmed.
“It may do,” he spoke calmly. “But honour and trust are worth dying for, what kind of a leader am I to refuse to do what I asked him to do?”
Slicing his palm, blood trickling, we locked hands letting the blood lines fuse together. A rush of wild energy surged through me, primal and strong. Watching him, his eyes widened, mouth open as my tainted blood mixed into his.
“I hope my blood brings you some power, Marcus. You’re unlike any nephilim I’ve ever come across. Know that you are always welcome in my pack. I’m all too aware that most lycans are vicious and brutal, mine are not.”
As I spoke, “Thank You,” he acknowledged my thanks with a smile and left swiftly holding hands with his human, Lauren.
Death of the Fallen
Anthony
Marcus looked awful. I was at his rented apartment. He was curled up in a ball on his bed and so fragile. His form was solid, then for a flash transparent. Gone was that beautiful face, high cheek bones, wide grin and full lips with shining dark eyes. He was crumpled and contorted in pain.
I bent over him and stroked his forehead. Bloody sweat covered him and he seemed barley aware of my presence. Groaning and crying, he was in a fever so deep that I knew in my heart his life was fading.
The others looked on. Acacius ever the nurturer hadn’t left his side, after I had left Marcus in the park his health had taken a sudden downturn within hours. Fortunately, they had rushed to his side, and within a day here I was watching my friend dying.
Acacius placed a damp cloth to his friend’s face. No one wanted to speak, no one wanted to face the reality of living without this radical, charismatic and passionate being. Couldn’t the fire crystal help? After all it was to get rid of evil.
Acacius, hearing my thoughts, smiled at me and touched my arm in compassion. Quietly he spoke, “No, Anthony. It would indeed take away the impurity. However, it is so deeply ingrained within him that it would take him as well. And much as I love my brother, that is for a bigger cause. There is nothing we can do here except be with him. The only reason he managed to survive so long was, I think, thanks to you.”
“Marcus, always reckless, always the rebel. Why did he have to be such a fool?” Halina mumbled shaking her head. She sounded angry and she was. She was angry at having to lose her friend and angry at him for doing this and for leaving them. I understood. She stood rigid, arms folded, trying to contain no expression on her face, but there were tears in her eyes. They had all known each other for perhaps centuries and that bond is hard to lose, especially in a world of the short-lived mortals whose lifetime was just a flicker to the nephilim.
One day I might experience this with others, but I had already felt a strong bond forming between my immortal friends, especially Marcus, my first nephilim friend. Immortality makes you feel like you’re living on an alien planet with the short-lived. A great chasm builds as you can no longer relate to them, their petty squabbles and anger when they don’t realize just how fleeting their lives are. In a heartbeat their lives will be at the end. Although I had only been immortal a short while, I understood this, I felt it in my core.
But then my mind was rambling, anything to divert it from the reality facing me. Marcus, I had tasted your Divine blood and I have loved you as a brother.
Tears ran down my face and I needed to be near that once larger than life man. I felt ashamed then, that when I first met him I was intimidated by him and suspicious of his intent towards Rachel. I think I found it all too much, losing Rachel and now Marcus. Soon Acacius and his friends would be gone if we could rid the humans of their demented ghouls. Nathaniel was with his friends he’d known for half a century. I would be alone for the first time in my life. Alone without friend's, immortal and empty.
At that moment all my hope, my strength left me. I clung to the fire crystal as I watched him, my fingers tight around it, it didn’t just represent an end to the Hell breaking through, but something deeper to me. Something personal. My memory of the adventure we had shared in that frozen place, that portal that only he and I experienced. And knowing I would have to give it up, knowing that all I would have left were fading memories, my eyes welled, my mouth became parched and the emptiness in my stomach grew.
The others fell silent as he stopped moving, ceased all sound. The room darkened and a chill swept through, the cold of death. Involuntarily I gasped as a flash of blue white light burned harsh and fast, then the darkness lifted and he was gone. And I knew in my heart he had indeed been damned.
The flash of fire, the darkness, and then complete emptiness. No one could speak. Aaron stood looking out of the window with Halina, his arm wrapped around her.
They were bracing themselves against their emotions and Acacius and I couldn’t look at each other, it was too much, but we slumped down beside the bed together and all sat in silence for hours. I was glad I had known him, and them. In time, serenity settled in place of the doom, and the rain turned to sunlight, hot through the window. Our minds fell into philosophical daydreams, as happens at the death of a loved one.
Without a word, Acacius got up quietly and offered me a hand. I took it and we walked silently out into the new day, a new beginning to see what would come at us next.
After a week, we started to find other nephilim suffering the same fate as Marcus, only things became worse. The mortals were distin
ctly more zombie-like, and some seemed barely conscious enough to keep themselves alive. It was as if they were just living out their existence, going through the motions, so to speak with little awareness, lifeless. Their pallor was grey, eyes bleak, and the streets were virtually empty. A lot of the shops were closed, and as I read the papers, the authorities insisted that it was due to a mystery virus to hide the truth. As far as I could tell, it was at least localised at present and hadn’t spread too far outside the city.
I guessed some at the top knew what was really happening, but were clueless on how to stop this.
It was creepy walking through the tiny city. Not that long ago I thought we were the creepy ones, but now the mortals looked like the phantoms that leeched from them, draining their life force.
I hoped that with the help of others we could stop this, send them back and close the veil, but there were not many of us and loads of mortals. Like fighting a zombie army that you don’t want to kill, and with only a dozen of you.
Melancholy fell heavy on us. It was hard to concentrate, hard to care, and an emptiness made me feel hollow inside. I was on autopilot. I know the others felt this, too, by their actions, by how we were talking to each other. Without emotion, stiff, holding in our feelings.
As I walked through the city in this dejected manner, the wraiths were immediately attracted to me, and to be honest I didn’t give a fuck about them and their petty evils. Had they been solid I would have drained every last one of them in anger.
We needed a ploy though, a way to gather as many drained mortals as possible to one place and I still had little idea how the fire crystal would work. I hoped Acacius and Halina had figured that out, otherwise I’d just be a twat holding an unusual crystal amongst chaos and evil!
When I arrived at Acacius’s home it was full of other nephilim, but not nephilim like him, Aaron, and Halina, but pure nephilim. As Acacius led me in, introducing me to the others, it was clear that most of them were not pleased to see me.