by Zac Zara
“$25! Quick cash for quick kills! Next!” Weldon and Luther came up with their kill.
“Hi there boys! Think about taking a shower before seeing me!” She said. “Well we figured that no one else does so why should we! Besides, we’re just going to get messy later.” Weldon said. “Here you go!”
“Oh my! The Burnt Father! Well I guess he won’t be giving any more sermons though I don’t he ever did!” The Receiver said. “$116!” She paid them their money. They both split the money.
“It’s your kill! You take the money!” Luther said. “Don’t be an ass Luther! You need it!” Weldon said. Luther reluctantly took the cash. “I don't’ like charity you know!” Luther said. The two of them walked off and out of the Hunting Lodge. They went back out to the village. They were walking when they were both stopped.
“So how did the hunt go?” The two turned to this large 40ish man with a leather jacket, long beard, and handsome looks. He brush his blond hair back while walking up to the two boys. The other wolves gave a quick bow to the man as he passed by.
“Hi dad! It went well!” Weldon said.
“Glad to hear! The receiver tells me you’re one of the best Crimson Hunters we got out there! You make me damn proud of you son.” Shane Crimson said. Shane rubbed Weldon’s hair playfully.
“I want to make you proud dad! But don’t rub my hair dad! I’m not a kid you know!” Weldon said.
“You are still to me boy!” Shane said. “But you are a wolf of the Crimson family. So I expected it!” “Of course he’s the best! He’s a wolf the the Crimson bloodline.” Then this 40 year old woman showed up behind Weldon. She looked like Adrienne Barbeau from the 80s in a plaid shirt and ripped jeans. She hugged Weldon.
“Come on mom! There are people around here.” Weldon said. “I can hug my boy anytime I want too.” Vesper said. “What are you guys doing out?” Weldon asked them.
“We're just going for a moonlit run and maybe some other things!” Shane said. The couple began to kiss with Weldon rolling his eyes.
“We’re also proud of you too Luther! Glad to have someone watch Weldon’s back.” Shane said.
“Thank you sir! It ain't easy looking after this punk! But that’s what family does!” Luther said. “I think it’s me who gets us out of bad situations!” “Caused by you no less!” Luther replied.
“We got to hold on to our own especially when we got those damn vmaps trying to move in and tell us how to live!” Vesper said.
“Hey! We’re at peace for now! Let’s just keep it at that! Let’s just worry about ourselves right now!” The two of them started to go off towards the edge of the village.
“Stay out of trouble while we're gone Weldon!” Shane said.
“No promises!” He replied. Shane and Vesper then transformed into their werewolf selves. Shane was a black furred werewolf while his mother wa a reddish one. Being that they were alpha werewolves, there were three times bigger than regular werewolves and a very terrifying sight if battling one. Not to mention, their strength and healing powers are also stronger. Both of them took off running down through the country. The ground shook as they ran. Both Weldon and Luther went off towards the lake. They both went to the pier and layed down to rest.
“You know what we need Weldon?” Luther said. “What’s that?” Weldon said.
“We need to get laid! I can use a hot night with a girl!” Luther said.
“Good luck with that! I’m good!” “Oh come on Weldon! I’m sure there’s a handsome guy here in the village! There’s plenty of wolves that would like to have you.” Luther said.
“Why does it have to be a wolf! Why not a human?” “Too fragile and weak! They break easy during sex. Well as long as it’s not a vamp. I’d bang a human before a vampire any day.”
“Why not?” Weldon said. “Don't’ let your dad and mom hear you say that! Vampires?” Luther said.
“Sure! If I ever find one that’s not a douche!” Weldon said.
“Good luck finding that!” The two guys looked up at the moon for a while just shooting the breeze. Then this greasy mechanic came running up to the two.
“Hey Weldon! You’re bike is down! You can take it out now!” The both of them stood up and got excited
“Finally! We can go out to the city and have a blast!” Luther said. “Got that right! But let’s just enjoy the night right now! We got plenty of time and I got nothing else to do!” Weldon said. “Come on! Let’s get something to eat! I’m starving to death!”
“Damn straight! Let’s see what old Sally is cooking up at the Crimson den! I could use some bacon cheeseburgers. I’ll check out Crimson Den and come back!”
Weldon nodded and laid back down on the pier. Weldon just relaxed as wolf howls filled the sky. It was music to Weldon’s ears.
Back in the city of St. Louis, the Nightworth Legion had finished up the Blood Fights and had moved on to the house dinner. It was midnight and it was afternoon for night creatures you know. The vampires had left the school for a more secure locations. They were all at the Nightworth Manor located on the Mississippi river and had a great view of the Arch in the city. It was a grand mansion with several acres and must have been over 100 years old.
The manor looked like it was right out of a victorian horror story with gargoyles and stone statues everywhere, even inside. It even had a massive garden in the back. When human residence walked by, they also wondered who lived there and if there was someone inside since it was so dead during the day but at night the place was as alive as the casinos on the river boats passing by.
“What an awful looking house! Who would buy such a thing?” ONe of the woman on the streets passing by said. “I think it is kind of neat!” The guy with her said. Inside, there was a banquet hall with over one hundred vampires dressed in high ned, fancy outfits and dresses and not all the dresses were worn by women! The hall was fancy as well with expensive paintings and art all over the place. In the middle of the room was this massive blood fountain that was flowing dark red blood ou the top like a geyser.
Candles covered the entire room to the point to where it seemed like a fire hazard. Ishmael and Helen were entertaining the guest with banter and common gosip about the immortal elite. Corbett was making small talk with everyone there, trying to stay tight with the high society vampires. One of the servants was playing the piano with at least seven vampires sitting on the piano, requesting songs.
Desmond was with the beautiful vampire ladies of the court. He was flirting with them and having a good time. He was telling them stories of his battles and hunts.
Desmond had a ton of stories to tell to the ladies there. He was telling some right now. "So we were patrolling the sewers deep within the city, looking for the horrible thing that was killing the homeless of St. Louis. It was just us and the four other recults who were with us at the time. The place was disgusting and vile. The rats the size of dogs. It was totally a god forsaken world down there. But that was nothing compared to what lived in the sewer water of the place. It was a massive sewer Dhole, a giant worm that was using the sewer tunnels as it's lair. The thing was the size of a semi truck and a mouth that could swallow a whale." Desmond said.
"Sounds scary!" One of the vampire ladies said. "What happened next?" They all were cheering Desmond on to finish the story. "Well, I lured the monster to this place in the sewers where flammable gas was all over the place. There, we set off the gas and burnt the bastard alive along with any other beast down in the sewers."
"You're so amazing Desmond."
"You sure are brave!"
Deacon heard that story before. It was true but it was getting real old. He wanted a story like that too. Then Deacon saw that one of the givers were coming up to him. They were humans who gave their blood willingly to other vampires. The Giver here was a former gay porn star that was clearly doing this for quick cash.
"Hello there! Do you desire blood my prince?" The guy said. Deacon wasn't in the mood. He already had a glass of blood
. "I'm good!" The vampire said. Deacon downed the blood quickly.Desmond was also a Obsidian knight as well as heir to the Nightworth family. Obsidian knights were warriors who dealt with serious threats to the city residence both vampire and human. They were the black combat armor soldiers from the Bloodfight. They are best of the best. When they are sent in, things are very serious and there’s lots of dead bodies. He had been one for three years and he had so many stories to tell. He wore his best suit to the party which means he borrowed it from his dad. But not everyone was having a good time.
The young prince Deacon was sitting on the guard rail of the second level of the banquet hall watching the other vampires enjoy their fancy get together. He was still wearing his normal casual clothes to the party. He hates dressing up. He saw Desmond having fun too. Deacon was a obsidian knight too but only for a few months and was still a rookie too. Deacon never really liked the fancy parties and the snobby nobles there. It just felt so fake and lame to him. He even hated the fancy art and paintings all over. He found it ugly and crap. His parents say they preserve the history of their immortal clan. But Deacon rolled his eyes at the whole thing. .
But as he was sitting there, some other vampires came up to Deacon and they were all around his agae too. There was a blonde vampire in a sparkly black dress with a wicked smile and a male vampire with messy black hair and a messy button up white shirt and tie. This is Sonja and Mason and with them was a black vampire with dreadlocks and purple sunglasses anmed Slickman Joe. They were vampire teens from other vampires with in the Legion. Deacon grew up with them.
“Having fun our great monster slayer!” Sonja said as she leaped on the railing and sat next to Deacon.
“Just thrilled Sonja! Nice to see you too!” Deacon said. “Oh come on! Just joking! You were incredible out there. Truly impressed!” Sonja said.
“Quite the show too. Your brother may have to be careful now he has a rival!’ Mason said. “I don’t know! Seemed a bit over dramatic for my taste if you ask me! Too obvious!” Slickman commented. “But serious though, pretty cool you were out there!”
“Thanks! I just got tired of being treated like a kid to his older brother. They wouldn’t let me out there if it wasn’t for Corbett and Uthyxeth. I love fighting and battle. It’s real, more real than these stupid parties. Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I’m just well…..nevermind.” Deacon got up and off the railing.
“You guys want to ditch this party? I’ve had enough with all the suit waring creeps here!” Deacon said.
“God yes!” Sonja said.
“What did you have in mind Deacon?” Slickman asked him.
“I say we go out on a night on the town in the St. Charles area and have some fun.” Mason said.
“Sounds like fun! I’m in! But I have something I want to do something on my own there!” Deacon said.
“Oh I get it! You want to get some action there. Find a hot guy and all you know!” Slickman said.
“Maybe Deacon won’t be a virgin anymore after tonight!” Sonja said.
“Hey! I want to find the right one! Not some random guy off the street. I want to get to know him! Not just cheap sex!” “Sound like a night for me!” Mason said.
“Me too!” Slickman said. Then Uthyxeth came walking up to them with that serious look and tone to him. “St. Charles is a neutral zone that isn’t claimed by us or the Crimson Hounds. But that doesn't mean you won’t find any there.” Uthyxeth said.
“Why is that?” “Ishmael left it like that some that all supernatural beings can move and go there without issues to the treaty but it’s also a bed for undead mutants to spawn and for cultist to thrive. The knights are still cleaning out the city. If you go, be careful and stay away from all werewolves!” Uthyxeth said.
“Well do Uthyxeth!” Deacon said. The group took off down the stairs with Ishmael and Helen noticing.
“Where are they going?” Helen asked Uthyxeth as he came up to them.
“Out on the town it seems!” He said.
“Doesn't he know these events are important!” Ishmael said.
“To you maybe but he’s a kid! Let him have fun!” Corbett said.
“I guess so!” Ishmael said. “But he should still be careful! The wolves will be out tonight on a full moon.”
“The Crimson Hounds! I can smell them just hearing their name! Just what we need!” Helen said. “I doubt that kid has anything to worry about in this city! Even those Crimson whatever their name is. I wouldn’t worry! It’s not like there’s eldritch boogeyman lurking around to get him or anything like that! I don’t even think they’re real!” Corbett said. Then Ishmael put his fist right through the wall in rage.
“They are no myth! They are real! They are not a sight you forget!” Corbett was surprised by Ishmael’s rage. The party stopped for a second.
“He knows by experience!” Helen said.
“Sorry! I lost my composure there! I’m sorry Corbett!” Ishmael said. “No big deal sir! It’s my fault! I shouldn’t be such an ass with my words!” Corbett said. Deacon heard his father’s outburst as he was nearly out the door. He understood why. What his father said brought Deacon into a memory from his childhood. It was when he was 5 years old and his brother ws 10. They were both young vamps enjoying their childhood. They both were still sleeping in the same bedroom. They were getting ready for bed right before the sun was coming up. The fireplace was still lite and They were both jumping on the bed.
“I heard there's these big lizard monsters that roamed the earth called the dinosaurs. There’s this one called a T-Rex that looks so cool!” Deacon said. “I wonder if there any of them left around here!”
“I heard that there's a shark down in the ocean that’s bigger than a great white shark. They call it Megalodon.” Desmond replied. “Dad said he fought one too!”
“No way!” “Yes way!” Then they heard footsteps coming up to their room. They both quickly got under the covers. Deacon’s bed was across the room from Desmond. Then Ishmael came in, waring his finest suit even to checking his boys into bed. He also did the smallest of things in style. He looked just like he does now, handsome and intimidating.
“You know! It’s easier to sleep when you’re not jumping on the bed!”
“No we weren't!” Desmond said. “Right!” Ishmael said going over to the vinyl player. He placed on a record for some music. The player was old, maybe even over 100. But Ishmael kept it clean and working.
“Why do you keep that old thing?” Deacon asked Ishmael. “You know I’m old too! Old things can still have value, even more value the older they get!” Then this old tune started to play.
“This was one of your grandfather’s favorite tunes. He was blown away by it the first time he saw something like this. 1000 years old and amazed by some toy he saw at a state fair. I remember him showing it to be! You could tell it was a sign l times were changing.” Ishmael said. “That’s the thing about human’s they keep going forward while the supernatural world stays in the past. That’s what Grandpa and I wanted to change with the Legion.”
“Where is grandpa now?” Desmond asked him. “He’s gone!” Ishmael replied.
“Gone where?”
“I’m still not sure! I’m sure a better place!” Ishmael went over to Desmond with Deacon coming over to his bed. “Why do we have to share a room? We have a big house you know?” Deacon said.
“Yeah! Deacon snores in his sleep!”
“Do not!” “True but brothers should stick together especially when their young! You should cherish your time together because you never know when that ends! I sure wish I did with my brother!”
“You mean Uncle Liam, Corbett’s father! What happened to him? Is he gone like grandpa?” “Yes! But he didn’t go for nothing or at least I hope!” Ishmael said. “Let me tell you a ghost story about something you both should know! The story of the Old Ones!”
“What’s the Old Ones?” “Well, they say that there are other worlds out there beyond our own. Som
e of them are beyond the stars while others are somewhere else entirely. But on these worlds there are things older than mankind, older than us vampires!”
“Older than you and grandpa?”
“Oh yes! These monsters come in different looks and some of them are not pleasant to look at in any way shape or form.” So they’re aliens?” “I guess you can call them that! They call them the Old Ones! Except they are not very nice and don’t really care about us.”
“What do they want?” “It’s hard to say! Some say these beings are gods with minds that go beyond ours. But whatever it is, it’s not friendly! Sometimes some of these beings slip into our world and they do not play nice. They’re the monsters you find under your bed, the kind that take children and adults without thought or reason.”
“Ddi they hurt uncle Liam?” Desmond asked his father. “Yes they did but he don't go out without a heroic fight! Me, your grandfather, and your uncle fought back these beings and sent them back to their hole that they crawled out of and kept everyone safe!” Ishmael told them.
“So They're gone now?” “They are but sometimes they leave behind horrible monsters. They also have humans and creatures that worship them and serve them even when they are gone. They’re called cultist, insane fanatics who will kill and die for these monsters. But it’s my job to keep you safe from them and get rid of the bad monsters so that you two and your mother are safe!”
“When I grow up, I want to slay all those bad monsters and teach them a lesson!” Desmond said. “ When I become an Obsidian Knight, I'll kill all of them for uncle Liam! I’ll make them all pay!”
“Oh I am sure you will Desmond!”
“Me too! I want to kill evil alien freaks too! Just like you dad!” Deacon said. “You both will get your chance but now it’s time for bed!” Ishmael said. He kissed the two and sent them off. He left their room with Helen waiting outside. She seemed concerned!
“Did you have to tell them those horrible stories.” “Those horrible stories are true Helen. They need to hear them so they know what is out there! Vampires are not the not of the food china as the moves make it out to seem you know!” Ishmael told Helen.
