by E. C. Fisher
“All right, now that that’s settled, let’s get this ritual thing over with.” Alex clapped his hands together eager to get started.
“It can’t be done here. We have to go to Headquarters.”
“Okay. And where is Headquarters?” Alex asked.
“It’s a secret. You’re not a Hunter, that’s something I can’t tell you,” Mordekai replied.
“All right, smartass, I’ve had it with the attitude. What happened to listening to orders from a Van Helsing or Maximillian?” Alex’s annoyance finally snapped.
“Okay. I apologize for my rudeness. Can you forgive a guy for trying to loosen his tongue after eighteen years of no one to talk to but himself? A one-sided conversation can only get you so far,” Mordekai defensively responded.
“I’m sorry. A lot of things have happened in the past few days and dealing with this on top of everything just pushed me over the edge.” Alex took a deep breath to calm down. “Mordekai, how can we get to Headquarters?”
“First, grab the sword. You’re going to need it.”
“I thought I shouldn’t touch it since I’m not a Hunter.”
“That sword was made for you. It’s from your parents.”
Alex admired the sword. Receiving a gift from my parents, a rite of passage into their world. He wasn’t able to express his emotions in words. He strolled over to the shelf the sword rested on and reached for the handle. He grasped it and took it off the rack; he found it surprisingly light.
When the sword was taken off the rack, a drawer slid out from the table. Alex found a sheath for the sword inside. It was a bawdrick with a silver buckle to adjust the straps to the wearer. He unbuckled the left bottom strap and put his right arm through the hole. He brought the loose strap around and buckled it. He took the sword and sheathed it.
“You look surprisingly good, Alex,” Vali commented as he worked the straps to have it properly fit.
“Was that meant as a compliment?” he asked as he finished and turned to face her.
“Who knows?” Vali replied as she turned away to hide her flushed face.
“Do you two flirt like this a lot?” Mordekai asked.
“How about you worry about getting us to Headquarters, Mordekai?” Alex snapped back.
“Fine, be that way. You both need to be holding onto me.” Alex and Vali stood there looking at each other puzzled by his remark. “Well, don’t just stand there, pick me up.”
“Let’s do as he says,” Alex suggested as he reached for and picked up the orb. He held it out for Vali. She nodded and placed her hand on top of the orb.
“You should hold your breath for this part,” Mordekai uttered.
“Why do we need—” Alex tried to speak before the room started to swirl and warp around them. He felt nauseous and dizzy as the space continued to distort.
Chapter Six
Meanwhile, Dracula was being chased by two Gargoyles. He headed toward the east; in the direction the sun would be rising in.
“We’d have to run into gargoyles while searching for the Key.” The wind and clouds raced past Vlad as he sped away in an attempt to avoid the gargoyles. The gargoyles were catching up to him slowly.
“If it wasn’t for the sun rising, I would take the opportunity to destroy them myself, but time isn’t on my side, and I wouldn’t be able to reach landfall.” Vlad took a chance to glimpse over his shoulder to track their progress.
His speed was a double-edged sword, if he tried to distance himself away from his pursuers, the closer the sun rose on the horizon. The clouds ahead were thick enough to provide a moment of cover for him to escape. The moment of visual contact lost with the gargoyles would provide him a moment of reprieve and mild protection from the sun.
“I didn’t think I would need the help of my old friend so soon. I planned on calling for him when the moment was right, but I’ve no other choice.” Vlad reached into his coat and pulled out a miniature dragon’s skull. It was pure white with sharp fangs, hollowed-out eye sockets, and nostrils. Two small horns sat on the top with tiny holes in them. The mouth of the skull was agape. My old friend, if ever there was a need to use the Dragon Whistle, now would be that time.
Sunlight started to shine through the cloud cover. Vlad didn’t have much time to consider the consequences. He brought the whistle to his lips and blew.
No sound emitted from the whistle. Vlad thought that something must have gone wrong, but as the thought crossed his mind, a portal appeared fifty yards ahead of him. He glanced back to see silhouettes of the gargoyles in the cloud grow. The danger from both sides closed him in as he sped to the portal before the rays of the sun passed over.
The portal revealed the sunlight enveloping the gargoyles. He watched, with a smirk, as they turned to stone and plummeted into the ocean. He found inside a darkened abyss that even his astute vision couldn’t penetrate. The portal faded and with it the limited light. Vlad found himself in complete darkness, when spontaneously, two flames sprouted to life, hovering a couple of feet ahead.
Vladimir, what brings you to my home? This better be important. I was in the middle of a peaceful dream. A graveled voice spoke in his mind.
I wouldn’t have come otherwise. It’s Validina. I need your help, old friend. Vlad bowed.
Tell me more. A puff of smoke appeared from under the flames as the voice spoke.
Meanwhile, Alex, Vali, and Mordekai appeared in the courtyard of Hunter headquarters.
“Welcome to Hunter HQ. This is the command and training center for all past, present, and future Hunters,” Mordekai said as they appeared in the massive courtyard—he hovered between them.
They stood in a stone courtyard with high walls surrounding them. Behind them was a huge iron wooden gate, and on each side of the gate were two tall watchtowers. Ramparts ran along each side to another watchtower on the corners of the wall.
In the center of the courtyard was an unbelievable mansion. The walls were two stories high and reached a height as tall and wide as the courtyard. The mansion had six great windows that spanned each side of the main entrance and carried up to the second floor. The entrance had a grand stone staircase which led to two huge oak doors. On the left door was a large V and on the right door a large M, both made from iron.
“How is this place Hunter’s headquarters?” Alex was stunned by the sight of it.
“It’s in a separate pocket dimension—think of it as empty space,” Mordekai answered.
Alex peeled his eyes off the mansion and interior of the space to gaze at the sky above. He stumbled back from the strange view. There were no clouds, stars, or sun. A whirling vortex of purple and black drifted above.
“Vali—look up,” Alex gestured to the sky.
“And I thought I’d seen everything being part vampire. Guess this goes to show you how little we know about our universe,” Vali spoke, her eyes affixed on the vortex.
“You don’t know the half of it,” Mordekai quipped.
“If this is a separate dimension, what about time? Does it flow at the same rate?” Alex asked.
“Yes, however, there are specially designed rooms where time has been reduced. It’s used for training. The main gate behind us can be connected anywhere, it’s how the Hunters were able to stop attacks from creatures of the night around the globe,” Mordekai explained.
“How did the Hunters obtain this power?” Vali asked.
“They didn’t. I gave it to them when your parents agreed to the Accord. In my current form, I’ve gained knowledge that’s usually only meant for the Gods. Through the centuries, I’ve amassed a lot of knowledge and know-how. This was just one of the advantages I’ve given to the Hunters.”
“Unbelievable! So, where do we go to perform the ritual?” Alex enthusiastically asked.
“You don’t want a tour of HQ?”
“At another time, perhaps. We need to hurry so we can help my father,” Vali pleaded.
“Right. My apologies, Miss Dracula.” Mordekai sound
ed undeniably sincere.
“You can call me Vali, Mordekai.”
“Yes, Miss Vali.”
So, he’s nice to her.
Of course, she’s a woman, and I don’t very much appreciate how you’ve treated me, Mordekai answered.
Well, if you treated me a little nicer you might receive better treatment, Alex snapped back.
“Knock it off, the both of you. Geez. Acting like children. We don’t have time for this bickering. Can we move on so we can get the ritual started?” Vali pushed past them furious as she headed for the main entrance.
“Truce?” Alex said.
“Truce.”
Alex climbed the stairs after her and they approached the doors together. They each took a side and pushed hard against the slab. The door opened as a rush of air entered the gap. Alex and Vali pushed the door open as Mordekai floated inside. The interior air of the mansion was stale from decades of neglect. They followed after him when a flash of blinding light engulfed them. When they gained back their sight, they found themselves in a huge cavern.
“What happened? Where are we?” Alex shouted. His voice echoed and faded. When his voice faded the only sound came from the constant drip of water.
“Don’t panic. I’ve brought us to the ritual site,” Mordekai answered.
Alex took a few steps forward, but Vali grabbed him and pulled him back by his blazer.
“Watch it. That would be quite the tumble.” Vali let go of his sleeve.
“Thanks.” Alex nodded. He scooted to the edge of the ledge and peered down.
He found tiny islands in the pool of water that surrounded a pedestal in the center of the cavern. The water and islands formed a symbol around the pedestal. It was a pentagram. Alex found stairs on the far side of the cavern and informed the group.
“Let’s go. We need to get down there to complete the ritual,” Mordekai stated.
They followed the edge of the cavern to the beginning of the stairs which took them fifteen minutes to reach. After another five minutes down the stairs, they reached the bottom of the cavern. A pedestal sat on top of a raised platform in the very center of the symbol.
“You and I will go to the center of the platform. Once you’re ready, I’ll begin the ritual. Miss Vali, I suggest standing back against the cavern wall for safety,” Mordekai instructed.
“Okay. Be careful Alex.” She gave him a worried glance.
“Don’t worry. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“You could die,” Mordekai answered.
“What? I could die! And when were you going to mention that.” Alex snatched Mordekai out of the air and brought him up to his face.
“I didn’t mention that part. My bad. Yes, this ritual is a rite of passage, it’s not meant for everyone. You must be chosen. You know that the powers bestowed upon the Van Helsings and Maximillians come from Gods, right?” Mordekai forced himself free from Alex’s tight grip.
“Yes, I’ve heard of it. What does that matter?”
“It matters. The Gods choose who to bestow their power upon. If you don’t meet their requirement—well, it’s not a pretty end is all I’m saying.”
“And what’s the requirement?” Vali asked, her concern intensified.
“Hunters go through rigorous training since birth to prepare, not only their bodies but their minds. Even still, a lot of them don’t get chosen. Honestly Miss Vali, no one truly knows what the requirement is.,” Mordekai explained.
“So, regardless of the requirement or the training, the final decision is up to the God who bestows the power. I don’t see that I have much of a choice, Vali. We have to give it a try, even though there are risks. I’m willing to take them.”
“I understand.” Alex and Vali shared their concern for each other as they steeled their hearts and resolve. Vali nodded a moment later. “Mordekai, please watch him for me.”
“Will do, Miss Vali.”
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Alex added before he turned toward the stairs that led to the platform.
“You better,” Vali whispered.
“Mordekai, do you usually participate when someone goes through the ritual?” Alex asked as he climbed the stairs.
“I do. Why do you ask?” Mordekai answered as he floated beside him.
“In all that time you haven’t figured out what the requirement is?”
“I merely allow them access to the gods’ realm. I don’t go there. I’ve asked those who passed the ritual how they completed it. The only answer I got each time was ‘sacrifice’.
“Sacrifice—hmm.” They reached the top and moved toward the center of the platform. “Mordekai, I’m ready, you can begin,” Alex instructed after a few deep breaths.
Chapter Seven
Alex closed his eyes as he didn’t want to witness what would happen to him. He heard Mordekai chant an incantation in an unfamiliar language. He realized that Mordekai’s voice vanished as he felt a breeze caress his cheek. He could smell the spring air, the fragrance of flowers, and the scent of an afternoon rain shower. He opened his eyes to find himself in a field of sunflowers. The color of the sky was a light purple with orange clouds. Alex was staggered by the scenery.
“Where am I? Mordekai, can you hear me? Are you there? Vali?” Alex yelled out.
“Your friends are not here, young one.” The sound of a woman’s honey-dripped voice answered him from behind.
Alex whipped around to find a woman seated before him in a yellow flower petal. She was tall, with long auburn hair that drifted in the breeze. Alex thought of a flame dancing as she moved through the air. Her emerald eyes stayed locked on him as he gazed at her. She wore a tight green dress that wrapped around her body revealing her curves. The dress flowed to her feet and merged into the ground.
“Who are you? Where am I?” Alex asked after regaining his composure.
“I am called Assadarsya, God of Nature. You’re inside my domain. There’s no human word for its true name, but the closest would be Sun Garden. You’ve come to be chosen as a Hunter?” Assadarsya spoke with elegance, her words sweet like honey.
“Yes. That’s why I’m here. What do I need to do so I may become a Hunter?”
“There’s no rush, young one. You have such promise and a future ahead of you. Why would you waste your life away to be a Hunter?” Alex felt the sting of her words. The sweet honey turned bitter from her lips.
“There’s someone I want to protect. I need the power of a Hunter to make that happen. Any future or promise I may have is of no concern to me.”
“You would give up a life of leisure for one thwarted with terror and despair just because of some girl.”
“Regardless of the reason, I’ve made my decision. Do you accept, Assadarsya, God of Nature?” Alex bit his lip as he answered her. Her words annoyed him, but he endured them. He took a knee before her and lowered his head.
“Oh, this young one has spirit, sister. Reminds me of Take when he came,” a male voice called out from behind him.
Alex glanced around his shoulder to find a man riding an orange cloud. He was as tall as Assadarsya, wearing a white silk toga over his right shoulder with a yellow silk toga over his left shoulder. A red-orange flame swirled across his stomach much like a belt. He carried a staff in his right hand with an orb affixed on top. Inside, was an orange-yellow-red glow that spun around in diverse directions. He had young facial features, with deep ocean blue eyes, and his golden blond hair draped over his shoulders.
“I’ve felt a bit of Eleanor in him as well, brother.”
“Who are you?” Alex furrowed his brow. He found he was at a loss to the scene unfolding around him.
“I’m Assadar, God of Light and Sun. I am the God who gave the power to the Van Helsing family line while Assadarsya is the one who gave it to the Maximillians. So, you’re Take and Eleanor’s son—Alexander.”
“Yes.”
“And you wish to complete the ritual. For what purpose?” Assadar asked. “Give only
your truest reason.”
“The true reason? If I had to say, it would be because I don’t like who I am. The person I was before I met Vali. I was just a passerby—a shadow to everyone around me, but now I’ve found a purpose—a reason to be needed. I don’t want to go back to who I was, so I need to be a Hunter to make that happen.”
“‘A reason to be needed.’ That’s the first time I’ve heard that. Assadarsya, what’s your opinion of the young one here?” Assadar asked.
“I believe him capable. He’s shown me his resolve,” Assadarsya answered.
“I agree. Young one, close your eyes, for when you open them again you will be the newest generation of Hunter.”
Alex didn’t hesitate as he followed his command and closed his eyes. After a moment, the warm spring air vanished and was replaced with the chill of a cavern. He opened his eyes to find himself lying on the floor of the platform.
“Alex, can you hear me? Wake up!” Vali shouted over him.
“My head’s killing me. What happened?” Alex groaned as he sat up.
“Mordekai was in the middle of the ritual when you collapsed. I rushed over when I saw it happen. You’ve only been out for a couple of minutes—what happened?”
“I passed,” Alex said with a wry smile.
“Idiot. I can’t believe I was worried over you.” Vali hit him in the chest which knocked the air out of his lungs. She showed no sign of caring as she strolled away.
“Sorry to make you worry.” Alex gasped as he tried to suck in some air. “Mordekai, was there anything else to the ritual—I don’t feel any different.” Alex rubbed his aching chest.
“Take a look at your left hand. There should be a mark there,” he answered.
He looked at the top of his left hand to find a mark embedded. In the center of his hand was a small circle the size of a nickel that had crescent-shaped rays extending out to form the image of the sun. Along the perimeter of the circle were three tribal knots with a circle between them the size of a silver dollar. Between each knot, there was a different symbol inside a circle; fire, wind, leaf, and water.