by Bree De'leon
“No, father I have not. He has been nothing but been kind, and a proper gentleman, only seeing me in the presence of others I assure you.” She spoke coldly, her eyes trailing the night sky. “Now, I must attend to my servants, making sure they have completed their chores for the evening.” She continued, turning away from her father only to be held down.
“They will be fine, you are needed with your grandmother and myself. There is something of importance that we must show you.” He quickly replied, his tone haunted. “Come now.” He continued, taking her by the arm and leading back to the palace, his fingers digging into her skin. Finally appearing before his mother; she looked up.
“Good, you made it just in time. Come now.” She said firmly, leading them down into the corridors.
Rena felt sick, they went deeper into the dungeons, and into the Oblivion, her stomach turning inside out as the air within the space closed in around her, suffocating her. “Breath Rena, you will be fine,” Anjou instructed, opening the large stone door with ease.
“Where are we?” She whispered, catching her breath as the smell of dust filled her nose.
“This is the Oblivion, an ancient dimensional prison for those of great darkness and evil,” Anjou informed, lighting the candles around. “There is an ancient evil that dwells here, you have read of him in your studies.”
“Nite?” She answered, the sweat beading down her face, the aroma in the room shifting, a man appeared from the shadows. His flesh covered in blood and vile. Anjou nodded, opening her palm in an instant the man was gone, dragged back into the Oblivion.
“Yes, we are the keepers of this beast; as of now, I pass this task to you. You will be his guardian and warden. He must never leave the Oblivion under any circumstances. There are those who wish to unleash this monster back into our realm of reality. And you must defend it with your life.” Her words were strong, fierce as she placed her hands-on Rena’s shoulders.
“What of father, he is stronger than me?” Rena protested, rejecting the thought of being a keeper of an ancient beast one she had read stories of, and studied only to pity the creature within. She backed away from her kin, holding her chest a sudden ache piercing her soul. A glimpse from a past she never knew and a man standing tall. “I can’t, I won’t. No.” She whimpered, unaware of the shadow forming behind her, his purple-yellow eyes peering over to Anjou.
“Rena, stand now and move away from the wall.” Anjou’s was stern, her fangs bared.
“Lilith, save me.” The shadow begged, wrapping his shadow arms around the princess. Anjou felt her anger burst, taking her granddaughter away from the shadow and stabbing it in a blink of an eye at the beast, his screams haunting the chains, Sebastian stepped back, his defense high, his arms outstretched guarding his daughter.
“She is not Lilith, you foul beast,” she sneered, guarding her granddaughter. “You see Rena, his only desire is to free himself and destroy us. Your father is unable to guard him.” She continued, calming down, and holding Rena’s cheeks in her hands. “His power is not yours; you are chosen and if I were to die, I must pass this torch to you.” She said, her eyes not leaving Rena’s. “You must also know, that you are not just of the Darkstorm bloodline, but of the Familiar blood as well. If not for Simon noticing, then we would have never known. But you are the only one, when I am gone who could control him.” The words sunk deep into Rena, the realm of her world shifting, not only was she a vampyre princess of the great Darkstorms, but that of the royals Familiar, ancient humans blessed with immortality. She looked up at Anjou, accepting her fate.
“Fine, I will do my best to watch him. I will want to know all the details of his crime before I truly agree to this.” Rena replied, her voice shaking, as she watched the creature in the walls watch her, his eyes hollow. Sebastian still guarded, analyzed the shadow. The resentment and tension between the beast and his mother. He turned towards her, watching her care for his daughter. Leading her out of the Oblivion in moments, he turned to his mother, a fierce look in his eye. In an instant they left Rena alone, her thoughts purely on figuring out her ancestor’s past.
12
DAWN APPROACHED, THE red and purple sky lighting the path as the men ran through the desert plains of Arisite. Drake desperate to avoid the sun pushed himself further, his eyes focusing on his destination, the swamplands of the black forest. He was the first to breach the entrance, the sun seizing his skin as it finally surfaced. He stood still watching the other nobles make their way into the swamplands, the challenge and trials just starting to begin.
The other contestants each making it into the swamps, entering deeper into the muddy lands, they traveled with caution; aware of the evil that dwells in this place. Cleander was the first to branch off, his pale skin sickly, he felt himself sink into bloodied soil. In the mists two small pair of eyes watched him, foaming from the mouth, they moved crookedly. Their long skeletal arms supporting their large skull shaped heads. Cleander felt his heart sink as he attempted to wiggled out of the trap, his legs burning to break free, the beasts crawled closer, their teeth razor sharp, they nipped at him. His screams carrying through the swamp. Swinging his sword wildly, the creatures pounced on him, its twisted mouth spreading wide enough to engulf his head, its claws sinking deeper into the vampyre. The smell of sour and decaying animals filled the air as the vampyres screams fell silent, his body limp beneath the monster.
The other vampyres began to shake, panicking to escape the dark forest. Alexander remained calm, his speed and strength destroying any foul creature that attempted to kill him, his focus unchanged he smirked. His mouth watering from excitement, the thrill of the hunt, and the lust for a soul, to fill his stomach. He crouched down, waiting for the opportune moment to strike, in a single instant, a vampyre fell into his grasps. The vampyre squirmed, pleading for the soulkeeper to release him.
“What is your name boy?” Alexander asked, his eyes watching his surroundings.
“I am Jacos of house Tassaly, please let me go.” He whimpered, the fear exciting Alexander even more, he reached his hand deep within the vampyres throat and yanking out his soul. The round piece of life struggled in his grasp as he opened his mouth ingesting it, a sudden warmth flowing with him.
“I will ensure your safety to the netherworld.” He licked his lips, returning back to the path and trial. One less enemy to face, his thoughts focusing on his survival of the games, knowing he could still fall victim to the creatures of the forest.
Hidden deep in the forest Kingsley took a deep breath, his clothes torn and his flesh bruised, the branches beneath his feet snapping, he went in circles attempting to find an escape. The sun was nowhere to be seen, only fog and mist, the swamp becoming infested with more creatures of Thanos. His heart began to race, the unnerving sense of being watched caused him to panic, listening intently, he heard a song a beautiful voice filling his ears as his eyes glossed over and he began to search for the person responsible for the song. Unaware of his surroundings he saw a woman with a fin, the scales black and purple with hints of green, she smiled at him, continuing her song. He approached her, his waist deep in the swamp waters, he felt a sharp pain in his leg, ignoring it, he continued, falling onto the rock to which she was perched. In an instant, he was dragged down into the swampy depths. The day was still young as the noble vampyre lords fought their way through the swamps, the sunlight as they escaped the swamps not affecting their vision. Alexander was the first to make it out, watching as each candidate emerged from the swamps. Only five left, ahead of them more forest, spreading across the lands, covering the land with darkness and chaos. Drake appeared before Alexander, his cloak covering his skin.
“Allergic to the sun, Drake?” Alexander laughed, slamming his hand on the nobles back.
“I can only handle so much before I am burned alive, soulkeeper.” He snapped, shoving passed the group venturing off on his own seeking shelter from the blazing sun. The forest twisted against the road, the remaining suitors feeling the
heat beat down upon their backs.
An earthquake began to shake the ground as a large beast emerged from the ground, its arms covered in mud and weeds as it snatched up the youngest noble—Sully was taken by the beast, its dull bones crushing the vampyres ribs, Alexander and Drake looked in horror as the boy cried out, the blood spraying down on them as the creature twisted him apart. Using his death as the distraction, the remaining men scattered out, Salazar II and Ptalmos remained together, killing off the beasts at each other’s backs.
__________
The armory was dark, the dust building as each day passed since Juda escaped, her heart was heavy remembering that night. The days only becoming darker since, only to become darker still since the death of the king. Amelia took a bundle of blood-stained sheets and tossed them into the pyre, the fire crackling and the sheets forming into ash. She placed a small item into her small chest, knowing that she must hide it where no one else would dare search—her prison hidden deep in the black forest of Kindred. She took advantage of the sleeping vampyres as the daylight still lit the city. She had assured her chores were completed before she left the palace. The dark forest more active since the death of Grygori.
It took her three hours to make it through the borders of Kindred, finding her way to her old cell. The forest brisker in these lands, orcs traveled close, these were the training grounds to become guards of royal status. Ignoring the mutters and creature’s taunts, she brushed the dead leaves from the top of her broken bars, leading down into the well. Amelia secured a rope, lowering herself down with the chest in her arms, remembering the haunting hollowness she felt for so many years trapped in this hell. The markings still etched on the wall, the smell of her old unpleasant life. She kneeled, lifting up the blanket now frozen, her hands felt for the loose stone in the ground, finally finding it she placed the chest in securing the stone once more, and laying the blanket down. There, no one will know it is here. Amelia thought, her lavender eyes watching the room a small drop of rain hitting her face as she stared up, the metal bars broken and bent. A smile crossed her lips.
Lifting herself up, she heard guards circling around the well; she hid herself amongst the trees, listening sharply, they bullied one another.
“When do you think the king will be back?” One asked.
“Who knows, maybe he’s killing those filthy vampyres himself.” Another laughed.
Amelia felt her eyes go dark, the anger building up. Those filthy pigs, how dare they speak that way of Arisite, her thoughts filling with ways to kill them where they stood.
“Remember, our king has wanted this peace treaty more than anyone. Do not go spreading rumors of such disrespectful distastes.” The third interrupted, his tone serious. The other groaned, not challenging what could be the captain.
“Understood Gustov.” The first voice acknowledged, their footsteps heading deeper into the forest. She let her head fall against the tree, still listening until it was safe to run.
The sun was setting, Sebastian frustrated with the memories from his mother’s past, a hollowness loomed over him as he waited for her to finish her readings. Closing her book, she glanced up at her son, the worry beginning to creep upon her.
“What is it my son?” she asked finally, motioning for him to sit down, to calm her nerves as well as his own.
“When I was in Isadora, I found something. Tell me true mother, what happened in Isadora that you are hiding from us?” His words pierced her heart, he watched his mother squirm in her seat, adjusting herself as if ready to perish. “I saw this locket, with your picture in it, there was queen Aya and this woman, she looked—”
“That was Lilith Familiar, a friend I held dear.” She interrupted, standing from her seat, and turning her back to her son.
“Why does she look exactly like Morena?” Sebastian asked, still confused.
“As I said in the Oblivion entrance, Rena has Familiar blood. It could very well be that your lover, Sonja was related to the Familiars in some way.” Anjou continued, her thoughts filling with memories she yearned to forget.
Sebastian took this in for a moment, remembering Sonja, how she refused to give her family origin, claiming that they had died long ago. Her fear of the humans that roamed the docks from the aisles of Fleurs. “Another thing, a spirit of a woman told me to give you a message from her.” He continued, remembering the lost expression in the ghost’s face, her smile warm. “I forgive you.” The words shook Anjou to the core, her body frozen in place as she fought back tears, the gold pendant beneath her grip cracking, a burden being lifted from her condemned soul.
__________
Jacque continued to investigate the murder of Grygori, his body slowly beginning to decay, the smell of his corpse rotting. Turning his nose, the orange eyed vampyre, cleared his thoughts, remembering all the surroundings and suspects, anyone with motive to assassinate the king. His lab door opened, Sebastian entered, his face pale and the dark circles under his eyes more potent.
“Your Highness, what brings you here?” Jacque cooed, removing his glasses from his face to clean them.
“Have you found any clues, since last we spoke?” He asked, ignoring the vampyres approaches. He pouted, offended that Sebastian would not amuse him.
“The only clue I have found, is the Urai that escaped from his stomach, nothing else really. The man was a drunk of a king, he had made multiple enemies at court over the centuries, and nearly everyone had cause to have him killed. My only concern is that if the Urai have made it into the palace, then our guards have become lax in their duties.” He informed the prince, his serious tone haunting. “So, I have concluded that it is due to laziness, and contempt that our dear king was killed by such a small insect.”
“You don’t say. Very well write up the report, and have it to me by the night’s end.” Sebastian acknowledged, his instructions clear. He stormed out of the room, insulted at the fact that his blood could be killed by an Urai slug. The fool of a man could not even properly defend himself of the bug; and it ate his heart no less. His thoughts were raging, the fire burning in his eyes.
__________
Alone in the ballroom, the moon high in the sky, Anjou stepped onto the marble floor. Her bare feet unaffected by the chill of the marble, she began to sway, closing her eyes as she felt the tears stream down her cheeks. Her moves elegant, she danced with the ghosts of her past. Her images of her past self, fading into the darkness of her mind—She was lonely once more, another love, dead. She continued slowly in this empty room, visualizing Grygori leading her in a waltz his shadow figure haunting her thoughts, before she spun away from the ghost and took the lead of a ghost she had not seen in centuries. Lilith. She stood tall, still holding tight onto the ghostly image of the girl, leading her slowly in circles, her blue eyes still filled with tears as she felt herself gracefully bow, the moonlight her only company in her dark castle. Her white hair falling in front of her face as she fell to the ground, the stars and moon the only witness to her silent sobs. Her fingers reaching out for Lilith, slipping away once again, her form changing from the smiling innocent girl to the haunting image of her death; the hole in her chest spilling blood, her smile fading away as she gazed one last time at her failed knight. I forgive you, Anjou. Her voice echoed in her head. I failed you my love, I swore to protect you and I let you die. Anjou cried, the despair and hauntings of her past surrounding her. She opened her locket, gazing at the painting inside. Lilith’s smile wide, and filled with warmth—a warmth she longed to feel again.
In the shadows, Dymitri lurked. Listening and watching each movement in the palace, each plot against another he soon learned. And seeing his grandmother so vulnerable, sent a chill down his spine. He slunk back into the shadows unseen and unheard.
__________
The moon lit the way towards Aiuelle, the four remaining contestants exhausted as they entered the gates of the city. Unaware of the fortress they were entering into. The guard stood tall, his crooked teeth blackene
d by coal, his reptilian eyes glistened watching the suitors arrive for their second test.
13
THE WARDEN OF THE TOWN met the men at the gates, holding a handkerchief to his nose to avoid the stench of their sweat-stained shirts and britches. His long body like a praying mantis as he escorted them into the dark halls of the fortress. Entering into a banquet hall, the room was dull, the black wood table seated for the remaining four survivors, their meals prepared for them as they sat down, a glass of wine in hand. The fireplace, their only source of light, they cautiously watched each other.
“Only four of you? I was expecting less. Either way, a toast to those who have survived the turmoil swamps of the cursed lands.” A shrill voice came from the door. The warden like a shadow, appeared between each contestant, his serpent eyes menacing. “Now, whatever shall we do with the survivors I wonder? And look, the royals have sent me a most wanted face among these lands. Drake Trinity, whatever could you have done to have fallen from favor?” He chuckled.
“I have not fallen from favor warden, just here to win the trials and marry the princess.” Drake hissed, his fangs sharp.
“Oh my, in that case, come with me. I have a special gift from me.” He chuckled, leading the councilman out of the dining hall, and into a dark secluded section of the tower house. His sharp teeth, like piranhas rotting at the gums, he handed a small black diamond to Drake.
“Consider it assurance for the years to come.” He warned, the black drool escaping his lips.
“Thank you, warden,” Drake replied, holding his breath. The small jewel crushing in his grasp, he entered the dining room swiftly, undetected, he watched the room with caution, each contestant busy recouping their energy. Alexander stood, stretching his arms watching the warden make his way in and out of the room disappearing from sight. In that moment Drake drizzled some of the crushed diamond into the king’s drink, poisoning him.
