“Sure? What’s up?” Alex asked curiously.
“Their glands, their assimilation glands, they’re using them to infect other bats. I saw it Alex, I felt it. Somehow, they’re controlling other bats and infecting them. I saw hundreds of bats being infected Alex, hundreds. They’re making more infected bats.”
Before Alex could say a word, Xairin divulged. “I saw through her biosonar Alex, they’re in the ruins of New York City. They’ve nested in a skyscraper where there is a troop of scavs held up. There are kids there Alex, kids… They roosted there on purpose man, so these new bats had an easy meal. We need to do something.” Xairin was very passionate about it.
Alex seemed cold for a moment. He looked as if he didn’t know what to say. “Are you sure?”
“Yes Alex, I’m sure. I can feel it, I felt it, I saw it. I can still feel a lingering link to her. They are making more vampire bats Alex. They’re in New York City, the ruins. I can feel it man and there about to chow down on at least a few families held up in that building.”
Alex nodded. “Ok, I believe you. I will see what I can do.”
“Please do, I don’t think they have a lot of time.”
_____
The Society of Night, Council Chambers.
The room was large, subterranean, carved into the earth centuries ago. It was made to look like a throne room, circular, with dozens of stone seats. In recent weeks, computers had been added, along with surveillance equipment, and what looked like twenty feet tall glass tubes filled with blood at one end of the chamber that were attached to a large computer, controlling the creation of new blood cells from stem cell vats above the translucent containers. Artificial lighting had also been added. LED lights that mimicked torches lit up the room.
The center throne was large. It had cuneiform etchings along it's pointed back and down the arms. Sitting in it was a red headed model wearing a black lavish sparking evening gown. It was Ninlil. She was drinking from a golden chalice, filled with the cloned blood.
Beside her throne to the left was a rounded shaped one. The man sitting in it, was dressed in a business suit. He was blonde and had a thick beard. His eyes were yellow, like most werewolves were. Argosh was six feet six, and around 220 lbs. of pure thrope muscle. He looked as if he was thirty-five or less. He was running his fingers through his beard as he waited. He even growled a little.
Down one seat from Argosh was Rendel the Minotaur Grand Alpha. He was naturally Greek. His Dark hair was long, shoulder length. He had a build similar to Aaron, though he was a little taller. In his minotaur form, he had grey fur, with clawed hands, and hoven feet. His black horns curved upward, and his sharp razor teeth were curved. In his human form, he delighted in wearing casual clothing. Today was no different.
Heva was a different creature all together. She sat next to Ninlil on the right in a box shaped stone throne. She was black, with short, very short hair, near buzz cut length. She was slender, five nine, and had a silver tipped bladed staff with her. It retracted upon pressing the center golden button. The hilt itself was golden, tigers were etched into its sides. In her weretiger form, she was seven-foot-tall, and was almost white in her markings.
Beside Heva was the wererat Mohem. He was originally from Pakistan at the time he was attacked by a giant Rat almost a thousand years prior. One of the last of the original monstrous rats from the comet’s previous passing to be slain. Mohem was a warrior, who set out to slay the monster that fed on his tribe at night. The battle ended in victory, though at a cost. Mohem was short, 5’8, at around 160 lbs. He was wearing a tuxedo. In his thrope form, he would grow to 6’7 in height, not counting his long tail. Like all thropes he had sharp teeth, claws that could rip through steal, and being a rat, he was very agile.
A space was in between Mohem and the next immortal present. Erissa sat in the next stone seat. She was blonde, almost bleached it would have seemed. She was wearing an evening gown as well. She was taller than Ninlil, and in her gargoyle form, she was even larger. Her head would look like the blend of a bat, a human and an alligator, as did the rest of her body when she transformed. She could grow wings like a vampire but was covered in dark green scales. Today she was on her best behavior. Despite the way the reptiles behaved, she did want peace for her people and an end to wars among immortals.
There were dozens of other seats in the room. Many had occupants, but those of prominence were those handpicked by Ninlil. The next one of importance was Poseidon himself. He favored Aries in skin tone, build, and height. He had a beard, neatly trimmed. He didn't have a pitch fork, like one would expect. He had shown up in a hooded robe, a brown one, hiding his figure. In his Mer form, he looked like a great white shark and a man had been melded into one. He could tower at 9 feet in height in this form, and his thick hide made harming him difficult.
Greggor Vontelello was running late. The bald-headed man entered with style in his stride, wearing a tux that would have made even Trevor Graves envy him. He was cocky in the way he moved. He took up a seat beside Rendel. In his alternate form, he looked as if a man and a hawk had become one. He could grow wings like a vampire could and had talons far sharper than most immortals could muster as did most bird people. Greggor was the youngest of the birdmen, though they were nothing more than a type of thrope that had been deified in ancient times.
The room was buzzing with anticipation. Sixty-two immortals were present. With still plenty of room to add more among the empty stone thrones in the circular room. Ninlil was calm and collected. She continued sipping as she and those most loyal to her, watched the others carrying on.
She knew one was going to be late, selectively late, something that had been planned ahead of time. She decided to begin, as she knew his entrance would come right at a point she was anticipating.
In an effort to put an end to immortal bickering, or at least dampen it for now, she had invited four other immortals. Two from the Conclave, and two from the Tribunal.
As she surmised, Mary Ann Heart, came strolling in wearing a pink flowing gown that was scantily covering her body. Her blonde curls were unphased by the brisk pace as she entered. You could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra, given the way her dress was made, thankfully her bust wasn’t over the top or else her dress would have malfunctioned. Following behind her was thirty-seven other immortals, guards dressed in silvery kevlar uniforms. Each had silver blades at their sides. Ninil expected Aphrodite to have guards, but this was a little over the top. Either way Ninlil’s guards had let them through, giving her guest a feeling of power for now. Mary Ann had arrived with her royal guard, and the Aeonian Hermes. Her latest consort. Hermes was a slender man, now going by David Herms. His form led one to think he was an Olympic swimmer. He kept his brown hair short, and as for his attire, he was sensually dressed to fit his consort’s tastes.
“Mary Ann Heart… Heart… So original.” Ninlil said playfully. She then looked at Hermes. “And David Herms… Again, originality… I guess after so many thousands of years, such things become more difficult.”
Mary Ann wasn’t as amused and approached without bowing. “And Lillian is the best you could come up with?” As for David he stayed back with the guards.
Lillian smiled. “In all fairness, I didn’t pick the name this time.” She stood up and crossed her arms. “I’m glad you agreed to my invitation.”
“What do you want Ninlil?” Mary inquired while getting to the point bluntly.
Ninlil dropped her hands to her sides, while placing her hands on her hips. “To the point then. I am here to negotiate new terms, a new… Covenant if you will.”
Mary Ann shook her head while rolling her brown eyes. “I figured as much.”
Mary Ann had a stern posture as she too crossed her arms. “And what would these new terms be exactly?”
Before Ninlil would answer, the vampire queen only smiled. The next to arrive had walked in. The Titaness Themis. Her dark hair gave way in the breeze in the room as she walked in, wearing her own
kevlar suit, solid black. In the old days she was known for law and order, and had grown tired of the Olympian Tribunal, defecting to the Conclave when Jaxalon died. The raven-haired beauty kept her distance from Mary Ann. She also was accompanied by guards, similarly dressed, twenty-two of them surrounded her side. The other immortal of importance was Ophion. He at least had taken a more original name. Barry Vest. The silver haired man looked like a teenager with silver dyed hair. He smiled as he stood beside Themis. He too was dressed in dark kevlar. “Ninlil…” Barry said with a demanding voice.”
Ninlil smiled. “Well, now that everyone is here, all except one, but I can bring him up to speed later, we can finally get started.”
Ninlil stepped forward while those sitting beside her seemed to be ready for anything, given the body language they were exhibiting. “I have brought your two factions here under good faith that we can come to an accord on a few issues plaguing all immortals.” She emphasized her next set of words. “Once and for all.”
She looked at Barry. “As I was telling Aphrodite, I am here to negotiate a new covenant. The details are simple. The human world knows about us now, so living in secret is no more. And secondly, waring among immortals must come to an end for all our sakes. They know our weaknesses, all of them. They know our biology, and furthermore I am pledging my order to aid them should any immortal fall out of line.”
Barry rolled his eyes, as did Mary Ann. Barry was quick to inquire. “And what makes you the new queen of the Aeonians and Immortium? What makes you the one to dictate divine law? You are simply a monster, we are the gods!”
Lillian broke out laughing, almost hysterically. “Oh... Really? You and your counter parts, like myself and those within my order, are nothing more than oddities of nature, nothing more, all in part, due to a galactic pathogen. So, drop the god routine, it's not working on us anymore.”
The vampire paced. “We have lived under the scrutiny of Divine law for far too long. Telling us what to do, and in my case, killing my children. Today, that little tid bit stops in this very room. Thanks to the comet, thousands of new immortals are coming into their own worldwide. New factions will rise up faster than weeds overtaking a garden kept by a lazy gardener, thinking the world best left to chance. Your old laws are obsolete, as are your orders directives. “She looked at Mary Ann. “You Aphrodite, the Olympian Tribunal was to protect mankind from monsters, and themselves... And just how well has your order been carrying out that directive given by your father?”
Mary Ann was insulted and rebuked. “HOW DARE YOU, MONSTER, QUESTION THE TRIBUNAL!”
Lillian couldn’t help but jest. She looked at the blonde woman glaring at her with a furry in her eyes. “Monster you say? You’re calling me a monster? Tell me Aphrodite, did you even know what would happen when you tossed Medusa to those serpents in that pit? Or did you just toss that poor woman into that pit out of a jealous rage? I mean seriously Aphrodite, instead of blaming the man who cheated on you, you took it out on a mortal that had no way of shielding herself from his influences. In so doing, you created single handedly one of the worst monsters that any of us have faced.”
That caused Mary Ann to look at the ground and huff.
Lillian smiled. “Let’s talk about duty to humanity, shall we? It was written by your father, that should the tribunal fail at protecting humanity, then the tribunal itself must end…” Lillian began talking with her hands in a pious manner. “World War 1, 2, 3 and 4, several plagues, and the near destruction of mankind itself, which your order was sworn to protect, and you did nothing to prevent these atrocities. Given the fact that this nasty little virus called Mellitus-32 came about, a virus that reduced the human population to next to nothing by comparison which I will add, kills thralls and half breeds, but has no effect on immortals, I find curious. Why, I can only conclude it was designed by an immortal in the beginning, to pave the way for a world of immortal beings, and your order did nothing.” Lillian would look at Barry with that last line.
Lillian flicked her wrist as she spoke. “I challenge the decree in which the Tribunal declares as dogmatic law. Should the Order fail to protect man, then the order itself must fall.”
Lillian then looked at Themis. “Law and order, you’re just as guilty. And to defect to the conclave, my, what loyalty you really have. Where were you to enact your godly stations?” She looked around the room. “All of you?”
She watched as each looked at each other. Lillian smirked. “I knew that each of your great Orders would bicker back and forth, debating on laws and codes, whether or not you should break your covenant of keeping the immortal world secret, despite the comet revealing you’re nothing more than oddities of nature. I knew that you would still cling to thinking yourselves gods and titans and whatever the hell else you think you were, meanwhile, I didn’t debate, I simply chose to act. I approached the human world. The covenant of secrecy was already broken thanks in part to the comet itself now that thousands of new immortals have been created. The humans of this Global Alliance have allied with the Society, we are working together to bring about real change. So here it is, you can either join me, or at least follow my set of rules for a change, or we can continue this immortal bickering until the sun goes supernova.”
Aphrodite looked at her uncle sitting there glaring at her. “Poseidon how dare you defy your brother’s rule and side with this monster.”
The man pulled at his neatly kept beard and spoke with a deep commanding voice. “How dare you Aphrodite, how dare you fail to protect the humans. Ninlil is right, the covenant that my brother demanded is over. The covenant of secrecy is no more, and the covenant of protecting mortals, you have failed to perform. And as for myself, you and yours cast me aside because of the form I took. I am a creature of the seas, not some mountain hopping hippie barking orders!”
Aphrodite looked at her guards. She then looked at Ninlil. “The humans might accept you for now, but once your monsters get out of line, it will be the end of you. I killed Hera, and I will kill you!”
Ninlil smiled as her eyes grew black, and her fangs elongated. Her claws emerged quickly, and her skin paled a bit. “You will try.”
Ninlil looked at both factions. “See, I know both of your factions are working together now. I know you went to the Conclave to seek peace with them first. While the leader of the Conclave has yet to reveal themselves, I knew whom to invite. You both think you can reclaim your place among man. There are far too many immortals on this earth now to think that even possible. Only unity can allow for lasting peace.”
Themis looked around and scoffed. “Oh, there will be peace.” He continued looking at each face in the room sitting in their seats. “A room full of council members, with no guards. This is too easy.”
Aphrodite shook her head, she looked around. “NOW!”
Ninlil knew this would happen. She expected it. She knew the Aeonians would attack in an effort to reclaim their glory. She watched as the protective details of both sides pulled silver edged blades and prepared to pounce. The ones the four brought were younger immortals, a few centuries at best in age. Ninlil knew the heavy hitters would stay hidden. They had lived far too long to chance a real death. She also knew the four that had arrived were a bit arrogant and would also allow younger immortals to fight their battle for them, hoping to wear down the council members present.
“I AM QUEEN OF THE NIGHT!” Ninlil yelled.
Within a fraction of a second. Ninlil’s beauty vanished as she became the horrific nosferatu creature that she was in the cavern upon her awakening. Her mighty leathery wings flapped, allowing her to get off the ground. She flung both hands forward. She knew they would expect a telekinetic wave, and prepared to resist it, their body language assured her thinking. What they didn’t count on was something else, a new power Ninlil had been keeping to herself. Ninlil used her telekinetic power to evolve a little differently in her attack. She pulled at them instead, but not at their bodies, but at their blood flowing within the
m.
Each of the guards that prepared to pounce became stunned. Their blood gushed from their noses, eyes and ears like water faucets after the valve had been opened fully. Their blood flew into the air where each cell erupted, being pulled apart individually, rendering them harmless and reduced to horrific red vapors that swirled around Ninlil like ethereal snakes. Her skin absorbed the proteins to continually replenish herself while performing this feat until she had turned each of the Tribunal and Conclave warriors into nothing but dehydrated husks.
The evaporated bodies fell over leaving Mary Ann, her consort, and Themis and Barry to only offer wide eyed expressions. It was now the four of them, verses 63 immortals counting Ninlil.
Ninlil regained her beauty and landed as her wings rescinded into her shoulder slits. “You brought immortals far too young to know what bad things I can do to them.”
She watched as the four mustered together looking around the room as the council began standing. Ninlil continued her taunts. “A true Queen needs no guards to protect herself or her council.”
Mary Ann looked over at Barry. Both of them were experiencing the mental grasp of true death for the first time in centuries.
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