The Vapor

by Nathan Parks

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  The room had cleared except for the leaders who had been attending the meeting, as well as Azrael. Hecate refused to have anyone come in to clear the body of her deceased pet. The animal’s body was in a heap upon the table where he had been slain. His blood dripped off the edges of the table, and his former master paced back and forth beside the corpse. She was seething with rage that filled every ounce of her body and existence. They were all going to pay. They may think they have the upper hand, but she would regain it.

  “So, Dear, how does it feel? How does it feel to be the one standing double-crossed?”

  She refused to respond to Mantus’ mocking question. She glared at him and then snarled but refused to respond.

  “Care to explain all of this, Mantus?” Elisheth asked.

  Azrael answered before Mantus could respond. “We are done. Everything that immortal and mortal have known has run its course. Mortal man has fallen so far from the truth and are so narcissistic in their thoughts and actions that they are like children without parents. We have become so shattered that there is only a shadow of our former glory and power that dances when the spotlight shines just right.

  “We have the chance to rise up. We have a chance, this very moment, to put down our differences, stop fighting each other, and become the masters for which mortal man is begging, even if they are not even aware it is us whom they desire.”

  “How?” Adramelech asked. “Look around you, Azrael! None of us trust each other. Even tonight we have shown that there is not a single one of us who believes another will not cut down our Houses without a second thought.” He looked over at Elisheth for confirmation of his statement. He was ignored.

  “Adramelech, we all are aware that all that exists is bound by a thread that, at times, seems to unravel; but when it does, it never does so all the way. It loosens to allow a new experience to come forth.

  “Mankind is more divided with hatred and self-inflicted wounds than ever before. They are longing for power and leadership, and most believe myths over truth already. If we are able to capitalize on that and become those myths exposed, we will be the gods they seek.”

  “I hear all that you are saying, Mantus, but I don’t see a solution. I don’t see the actions that can be taken to make this work.”

  Azrael sat down at the table and motioned for the rest to do the same. “Please, everyone, have a seat. Of course, don’t let the blood of this poor creature get all over your clothing.” He looked mockingly at Hecate and then shot an approving glance at Kadar.

  Everyone had a seat . . . everyone, that was, except for Hecate. She stood with her back against the wall, sulking.

  “As much as I don’t want to admit it, Hecate has some very valid points. Where she and the rest of us would part ways was that she has one desire: raise her House to the top of the pinnacle of power.

  “We can come together . . . but alone we will not only destroy our chance at this, but we will also divide ourselves in a way that we may never recover again. Trust me, if any of you know or believe history, you are aware that Mantus and I have no love lost between us. Neither of us really trust each other, but we have talked. We believe that there is a moment— call it prophecy or destiny or even both—that is upon us. If we do not seize on it, we may not survive it.” Azrael looked at Mantus. “Care to share more?”

  “There is no need to pull punches right now,” Mantus responded. “As much as we all may hate Hecate for what she did with the creation of Legion, her original plan of creating one from all may actually be our salvation. What will not work is for one House to claim the authority that comes from him . . . that will not work.”

  “What happens if we are able to restore him and he chooses to claim that authority himself?” Elisheth asked. “That could very well happen and understandably so. None of us have the power . . . and I mean NONE of us . . .” he said sternly, eyeing Hecate, “will be able to stand against him. Why, after all these years, would he not seek to gain the top seat?”

  “You are right, and we don’t know that. Therefore, Azrael and I offer an alternative.”

  “Oh, and what would that be, Dear?” Hecate spat.

  “We don’t release him.”

  Confusion buzzed all around the room. Everyone suspected they knew where this was going, but no one imagined that Mantus and Azrael would suggest leaving Legion in captivity.

  Kadar shook his head. “Then if that is your plan, why are we all here and how does that differ in any way, shape, or form from where we are today?”

  “Because we use what we have. Not all of Legion was captured and exiled. We all have seen what the segments of Legion have been able to do over the ages; yet each time, his mother, for her own hunger for power, attempted to manipulate the being that encased Legion.”

  “Yes, and every time, it did not end well.”

  “You are right, Arioch, but the one constant was Hecate and her desire to rule alone. I believe that if given the chance to join us as one of us, Legion would do so. He has no desire, from what I can see, to reign as supreme; yet, he also has no desire to be a puppet for anyone.”

  Elisheth leaned forward. “So, you are suggesting to find the part of Legion that is not held captive, forget about the broken wretch that is trapped within your realm, and negotiate a joining of all Houses?”

  “I propose we return to the old ways; and I believe in doing so we may even have the chance to overpower Scintillantes and return to what is rightfully ours,” Azrael stated calmly.

  They all sat in silence for a moment, and then Adramelech spoke up. “This sounds rough, at best. I also don’t understand the benefit of any of this. Ok, sure, the Clans calling a truce . . . we all could win with that. I am not sure how strong it would hold because of the lack of trust. We all have done things to each other that has caused deep-seated hatred; and to believe that will just vanish overnight . . . well, I don’t think any of us are that naive, but why do all this other stuff? To what end?”

  “Look around you, Adramelech. What do you see? I don’t mean here in this room, but out there . . .” Azrael answered as he motioned outwardly, “an existence in chaos. Trust me, I have ensured the power of the Arch Council has been diminished. The Alliance . . . when was the last time they felt as if they were accomplishing anything? They are on the verge of fighting amongst themselves.

  “Mortals are weak. It was already stated how they believe they are superior in existence. Everyone in this room understands the ebb and flow of it all. We are very aware of the order and place in which each segment belongs, but we also are aware that we are not at the top of this food chain. We need to get back there.”

  Mantus leaned back and began to stroke his beard. His mind was going all over, but he was also very focused on the overall goal. They needed these leaders to buy in to what they were attempting to sell them.

  “So, the lowdown is this: if we can come together and bring Legion to the table, with Azrael’s connections within the Arch Council, we have the chance to launch an assault and take back what is ours, including authority over humanity. We must work together, though.” He paused and looked around the room. “We all must be in.”

  There was mumbling around the table for a bit, and then one-by-one they each nodded their head in agreement.

  “Hecate?”

  “Dear, you seem to leave me no other recourse; so I must be in to survive.”

  “Good!” he responded as he pounded the table. “We need to meet again soon and put together a plan.”

  “And Legion?”

  “Azrael thinks he may know where Legion is, and it will be up to him to bring him to the table.”

  “Why would Legion listen to him? Does Legion even know that Azrael is with us?”

  “Leave that to me,” Azrael answered. “We are just getting started. At the end of this, nothing will look like it was. Revenge will be sweet.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Tori, I wish there was an easy
road ahead of you,” Gene stated as they all sat in a circle inside his study. Leah, Chad, Zarius, and Serenity were all there. Each of them looked worn down, and each seemed to be deep within their own thought.

  “We have no idea of the power of Legion inside of you; but what we do know is that however much is within you, we can’t leave him there. He will destroy you and, in the process, most likely will destroy others.”

  She could feel her anxiety rising inside. “I guess living like this is not an option; then again, if not, is living an option?”

  “It isn’t easy, but I never said it is impossible. This is Eden; we are all about the impossible. I just want you to know that all of us are here for you, and we desire nothing more than to free you from this possession.”

  She looked around at all the assuring faces that were nodding in unison. “So, what do we do?”

  “It is going to take a powerful Eternal to bring him out and to take him on.”

  “Like you?” she asked, looking at Leah.

  Leah shook her head. “Even if I wasn’t a Vapor, in my strongest days I would be no match for Legion . . . even in his smallest existence.”

  “Then, who?”

  “Leah is kind of correct,” Zarius spoke up, “but not fully. It would take a member of the Arch Council or Jah himself; and since it seems that neither is an option, it is going to take two of us.”

  “No . . . there is no way, Zarius!” Leah shook her head. “You and I together would still be no match for him.”

  “Correct, but you and I . . . and then we have two others here at Eden who could join us. With their skill set and lineage, I think we could do it.”

  She jumped out of her seat. “No! They are too young; and we have no idea what they are capable of, not to mention their mother has been very clear about protecting them from who they are.”

  “Maybe it is time they find out!”

  Gene held up his hand for silence. “Leah, we all hear you and understand; but in the end, it will be their mother’s choice. You both are correct. Leah, we don’t know what they are capable of; but, Zarius, you are correct that we will need all the help we can get if we are going to go through with this.”

  Chad, Serenity, and Tori simply sat there. They all felt they were out of the loop on this.

  “You are talking about the twins, aren’t you?” Tori asked.

  Gene nodded, “We are.”

  “Wait . . . the twins are not mortal?” Serenity asked.

  “Half,” Leah whispered as she sat back down. She leaned forward and placed her face in her hands. She felt nauseated. This was not going to work. There were too many unknowns and too many “what ifs.”

  “Half?” Chad asked. “Come again?”

  Gene looked at Leah for the explanation.

  “Five years ago their mother was rescued and brought to Eden. When she was brought here, she was pregnant. We did not believe that the baby—because we had no idea she was pregnant with twins at the time—would survive. We also were not sure if their mom would even survive.”

  “You are talking about Ann?” Tori asked.

  Leah paused and then nodded. “Well, of course, all of them did survive . . . including an extra baby.”

  “Doesn’t explain the ‘half’ part,” Chad commented.

  “Their father was a Fallen.”

  “Wait . . . so, Ann is a Familiar?” Serenity was so confused. “I am not following this at all.”

  “We can’t share everything, because the fewer people who know the full story, the better it is for her and her children.”

  Zarius leaned forward as he cut in, “Ann and her kids are here for their safety and the chance at a different life. Ann wasn’t really a true Familiar but was dragged into a world that she was not ready for and, in that, became entangled in it beyond her control. Certain circumstances allowed her to be rescued. Her existence is not known by many, and even fewer are aware of the existence of the children.”

  “So, in a way, she was a lot like me?” Tori asked.

  “Yes,” Leah explained, “very much like you. The reality is that the twins are not fully mortal. If you want to get technical, they would be like Eve; but due to the fact their lineage is not traced back to the Nephelium, they really are not Nephelium, either.”

  “How about Vapors?” Chad asked. “Wouldn’t they be like you?”

  “No, Vapors are immortals who have chosen the life of a mortal. These twins have neither a Nephelium lineage or have reached an age to choose; and with that, we are not even sure if they have carried forward any powers of their father. They have also not reached the age of understanding. They are young and innocent and have not been put in the place to make the choice as to whether they will follow the Fallen or stand for right.” Leah looked at Gene. “That is why I am very worried about going through with making them a part of this exorcism.”

  “Your concerns are noted and legitimate, Leah, but I am afraid we have no other choice. It has been pointed out that we have no Arch Council member that would be a part of this, and you and Zarius do not have enough strength between you.”

  She hated this. Her prayer, since the birth of the twins, was to help them and their mother steer as far away as possible from the darkness that always danced upon their doorstep. Why was it that it seemed darkness always won?

  “Have we asked their mother yet?”

  “Yes, and I don’t have an answer yet.” It was Ann. She walked in as they had been speaking and was standing just inside the doorway. “I thought my days dealing with all of this was long gone, but then I also can’t bear the thought that I could help Tori experience freedom from the shadows that threaten her mind. I was given that chance, and what if it was for this moment here? What if my children were brought into this world for this reason? Who am I to hold them back from what they were created for?”

  Tori felt tears, yet again, come down her face. For so long she wanted to belong, feel as if she was loved, and feel as if there was someone out there who would give everything for her. Now, it wasn’t just one person but a group of strangers who were willing to risk so much—including everything—for her. It was overwhelming.

  “What if we don’t do this?” she asked. “What if we just let whatever is inside of me stay. You can put me in a cell or restrain me on a bed . . . do something that would make sure I didn’t hurt anyone.”

  “We could do that,” Zarius said, “but there is not even one of us that is ok with that option. We are all here for specific reasons, Tori. We were given a mission when mortal man was created. I wish I could say that I have lived up to that mission, but I betrayed it years ago. Since becoming a Vapor, I promised that I would do everything to make that right, even if it meant giving up everything.”

  She looked at his wedding band. “Even your wife?”

  He looked down at his hand and twisted the band around on his finger. Tanisha was always very present in his thoughts and heart. Who knew what all of this would bring? Even she knew that each has a calling; and unless they follow that calling through to the end, they only live half their life.

  “Yes, everything. It is a part of me; and for her to love me, she must love all of me. We both understand that.”

  “And you, Ann?” Tori continued. “You would take the chance that the lives of your children will forever be altered? For what? For me? You don’t even know me!”

  Ann sat on the arm of the chair in which Tori sat. She looked into Tori’s eyes as she held back tears of her own. “As a mother, my world is my children, but if we are unable to look beyond ourselves . . . our own fears . . . we may lose the very world we hope to protect. Life is a gift that is given to us so that we can live it to the very best possible. When we become so focused on ourselves, our wants, our own desires, we fail to truly live. Life is only truly worth living when we understand that it is the investment in others that makes it priceless. It is what we invest into others that will move on long after we are no longer here.

  �
�It has taken me forever to understand that. For too long I lived my life simply for myself; and if I can help my children, even at a young age, learn that lesson now . . . well, it would be worth it.”

  “Tori, if you are willing, we will get things moving along tomorrow. You will need a lot of rest, and I want to make sure you get that tonight,” Gene stated in his grandfatherly voice.

  She nodded, and they all realized that this meeting was over. Tomorrow . . . and maybe even the next few days . . . was going to be something that would take every ounce of mental and physical fortitude that they all could muster.

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  Mantus and Azrael stood outside Hecate’s estate. The rest of the Overlords and members had gone, and Hecate had made it her personal mission to walk both of her former lovers out the door . . . and with flare, she locked the door behind them.