Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0)

by K. L. O Johnson

  “Yes. The life of your daughter for the life of our princess.” The empress was silent, “I’d have to say I’m not above harming children especially—when they cause the death of one of my finest warriors.”

  “You’re sick.” Zarlach seethed and I felt my whole body freeze in fear. What would he do to Kal? Kill her? Torture her? She’s but a hatchling . . .

  A recollection of memories surfaced in my mind of Kal up against that hunter troll. The blazing electricity and the energetic pressure that hailed impending disaster. Kal had killed that hunter to protect me and what was I going to do but stand and watch as the person I looked up to would potentially fade away? Because that’s what happened to outlanders all the time when they die—especially Resoncretalians—our power returned to the universe as does our energy leaving nothing for those left behind. “Fine.” I voiced and the room was filled with Beatrice’s shocked gasps and Kristian’s angry protests. The empress remained silent and Zarlach stared at me wide eyed, I ignored them and said, “I accept your proposal but you must promise me you’ll not harm Kal.”

  “Excellent, I’ll be more than happy to compromise.” he mused. “Sorry to be a bit of a pain but I need for you lot to remain still”—the clawing sound echoed around us and I was stunned at the army of vampieres and outlanders on approach—all of different size, shape, texture and build—”as my friends here ensure you don’t . . . you know . . . run away.” He was silent before adding, “Especially you, Cecelia.”

  The image disappeared and I realised the threat that befell us—we were surrounded and out of options. I stared at the sight around me, wondering how quickly my life turned around over an earth year and how quickly it swung by it must been four years later since I awakened from that pod and I was forced to face not a welcoming home party but a blood bath of death and destruction.

  As they shackled us, they directed us towards the exit and we obliged; Beatrice and Kristian continued to glare while I remained silent, aware of the enemies’ eyes were locked on me, it was something I didn’t expect but at the same time—it was something I would carry proudly on my shoulders. “Do we have a deal, Ivan?” I asked but didn’t move.

  “. . . Yes, alright already. Now hurry up.” the voice rang around us and I stepped forward and transition back into my idol form. I followed the demons as they led the way, glancing at the walls—taking in the corridors, the doors and maps as we passed. I knew I needed an escape route just in case.

  TWENTY

  Prador

  When we arrived. We entered the bridge, where the control centre of the ship sat. I glared at Ivan who merely smiled as he sat in the seat where Kal’s father once did. To help me cope with such a dangerous situation; I wondered what Kal would have done if she were here probably glare at them but considering that I have no luxury to do so, I remained expressionless. “Well, hello. Hello.” Ivan purred as he threw his legs up in the seat, sprawled on one side of the elegant chair.

  “How are you my little princess?” he asked and I felt the empress tense beside me. His eyes rested on her, “Empress.” he nodded his head and the empress did as was expected and held her head high.

  He hopped from his seat and almost skipped towards us like a carefree child. It sickened me and no doubt the others around me as well. He stopped before us and Zarlach was quick to stand between Ivan and I. He managed a fearsome glare. “Don’t. Touch. Her.” I’ve never in my life heard Zarlach so dangerous, it scared me. However, given the annoyed expression on Ivan’s face, I wasn’t going to risk Zarlach being harmed so I attempted to claw him away.

  “Zarlach, don’t I’ll be fine.” I managed and felt the empress’s concerned eyes rest upon me.

  “No.” he replied, he was stubborn. I grasped his cloak and managed a yank that caught his attention, he held my gaze for a moment and I nodded. He seemed to almost growl and stepped away but hovered closely. I was thankful for that and felt the empress also shift closer to me.

  “Good boy,” Ivan teased. He shook his finger before Zarlach, “You young ones are trouble.” I couldn’t fathom how old Ivan was but I knew it wasn’t age that made him stronger—more skilled yes—powerful potentially but stronger—no. Ivan may be able to move this ship a few hundred metres with his bare hands but I was aware Zarlach had the strength to carry it. “Always thinking you can carry the world,” he continued and I remained silent. It was almost on cue his eyes linger over to me, they were dark, heavy and emotionless. “Don’t you think, princess?” he addressed me with an expectant gaze and I played along.

  “Of course.” He lit up like a Christmas tree.

  “See! Someone here gets it!” he hollered over his shoulder and I saw the demon commander I ran into before and a familiar looking hunter troll, “He looks familiar, doesn’t he?” Ivan mused. He stepped away from us and moved swiftly over to the hunter troll, he stood erect behind him and placed his hands on his shoulders—“This dear princess, is the adoptive brother of the Minotaur you killed.” How wrong he was. I knew very well I had nothing to do with his physical death but not doing anything might as well label me a murder. “Though he played his part, in taking the Nefaliem Princess while she was pre-torpored.”

  “You did what?” the empress, growled.

  Ivan stepped away from the troll, “I simply got to Princess Kalverya before she entered her torpor condition. It protects us from the external environment, yes, and can for years but I found a way to counter that. Electrocution.”

  “I don’t follow.” I replied.

  Ivan seemed patient and continued, “I electrocuted the princess before she torpored and got my friend here”—he patted the shoulder of the troll and walked back towards us—“to bring her to me. Though there were some times when she’d got away that’s why Al decided to hunt her down.” He glanced around, “You’ll meet him when he comes—I hope.” I had a feeling, I had already.

  The empress went rigid. She must have known who Al was. I wondered how. Then again, given the United Council has been at war with the Dark Cartel for centuries, I honestly wouldn’t be all too surprised, if Al had a run in with the United Council every now and again. However, as I glanced upon the empress I learnt two things; one: she seemed sad and two: she seemed conflicted.

  That confused me. What was there for her to be conflicted and sad about? Her eyes were hard and I followed her gaze. There in the distance standing in silver cloaks were two hooded figures. The empress reached over to where her sword summoned on her back.

  “Don’t.” Ivan warned. “I would like for all of us to get along.”

  The empress expunged her power and the sword disappeared. “Who’s Al?” I asked and Ivan’s eyes rested upon me.

  “Who’s Al you ask?” he seemed to almost purr. He tilted his head to the side almost mockingly and I wondered if he was amused or intrigued or both. I didn’t know but at the same time I knew I didn’t care. There was this thick air between us all and I knew it was because of Al, whoever he was—he was no friend of mine. Especially, if he had part in Kal’s abduction, then as my mind flashed back as I recalled seeing a man with dark hair walking towards me.

  I realised then it wasn’t me that saw it but Kal. It was through Kal’s eyes I saw this scene unfold, I was higher and behind glass that glowed green, there were two men. They were unrecognisable but they spoke to each other before the dark haired one smiled and quit the room, leaving the brunette man looking down at a holographic screen. He was doing something and I stared back at the eyes that I knew never left me—Ivan smiled like a mere cat. “You know something . . . don’t you?”

  “Am I that obvious?” I asked attempting to keep my nerves under control.

  “Sadly, yes.” He turned away from us once again and glanced at the two cloaked beings that entered the room—silver cloaks concealed their ankles revealing their scaly heeled combat boots. Their features were concealed under silver hoods that revealed their sealed lips. “Oh, you two are back.” They bowed, “Excellent.”
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br />   “No.” the empress muttered. I glanced up at her and saw the crease in her brows, Zarlach mirrored her expression. Does anyone want to tell me what’s going on?

  Instead, everyone watched those two slink with undeniable elegance towards Ivan, they bowed with hands over their hearts and I noticed their blue scales—scales like the Nefaliem. “No way.” I muttered understanding the empress’s reaction.

  “Do you know them?” Zarlach asked.

  “No,” I replied.

  “I fear I may,” the empress retorted. “Traitors.”

  “Is that why you were quick to pull out your sword?” I whispered and I felt her nod. Ivan spun around and gestured towards us.

  “Why are you lot talking? This isn’t camp. No talking unless I say so. Okay?” He turned from us and focused on the two silver cloaked beings he held out his hand and in it one of them placed something. Whatever it was, it possessed undeniable power that led me to believe what they had wasn’t any ordinary object. “Simply, lovely.”

  I heard the empress growl as well as Zarlach. “What is it?” I voiced, Ivan glanced at me with a risen brow.

  “You don’t know. How long have you re-awakened and you’ve never been told about the Codexes?” he asked his eyes lingered over the empress before they met my dark ones once again. I felt Zarlach and the empress stiffen. What were they hiding?

  “No.” I replied. “Never, why?”

  Ivan tsked and I was surprised at the amount of light in his eyes. He found this funny—I didn’t. I was often told it was never funny when one person didn’t enjoy it. “The Codex my dear is a holy relic—a powerful object accidently given to us by Gabriel. He carried the cubes of an ancient box that resembled a mere book to the eye, something which was lost a long time ago by a Nefaliem when she was first created for Hella’s single purpose of destroying the three worlds of heaven, hell and material plane. The material plane is the universe we all inhabit alien, outlander—human. We all live in it. Heaven and Hell you know but what you don’t know, is that Lilith had a sister—a twin sister to be exact—her name was Hella.”

  “When Lucifer gave up his title because God didn’t agree with his desire to force those in the material plane to follow him—Lucifer became fallen and then there was where he met Hella and Lilith.”

  “How did Lilith and Hella end up in hell?” I asked my eyes never leaving his.

  “They say they were cast from Heaven, long before Gabriel’s time, because they were accused of harbouring demons to heaven—helping them find redemption. However, God found out and sent them to Hell but casting a spell on their white wings which were tainted, as were their white scales turned black.”

  “How does this have anything to do with the Codex?”

  “Simple. The Codexes resembled a journal. Something which was sent between Heaven and Hell in ancient times and Gabriel was the messenger. He was shot down of course by the Nefaliem—Hell’s first children—her name was Nefalia. She was the first and the most powerful. I remember being told she was feared because she turned love into hatred, happiness; into sadness and anger, she turned even the purest to darkness.”

  He shrieked a blood curdling laugh and I glanced over at the Codex that now hovered in the centre of the room, it didn’t look like a parchment as I had hoped, instead it looked strangely like a cube something which glowed a golden hue. “The Nefaliem were created in a demon’s image whereas the Humans were created in God’s mortal image. Tell me what do you find so strange, that the Humans are so fragile or that they can die when in contact of a Codex or that they go insane whether through blood lust or pure insanity it all is because they were curious—their fault. After all, in the possession of humans, mysterious occurrences happen as do mysterious deaths.”

  “So then how were the Nefaliem created?” I asked as the pieces began to fit together.

  “The Nefaliem, were created by the flesh of Hella and the blood of God. It explains why they are able to wonder through Paranella with such a bright light. The fae, casters, lican, sirens and other Resoncretalian royal bloodlines are tinted with the flesh of Lilith instead and are all but descendants of demons—including the Vampieri—us.” Ivan glanced over his shoulder and asked, “How much longer?”

  “Another three thousand light years’ sir,” a goblin with feathering brown skin and golden sharp slit eyes replied.

  “Good, given that were headed at warp speed we should reach our destination soon.” Ivan replied as he moved over to the Codex and plucked it from where it hovered, he glanced at it with an insane gaze that caused my scales to rise in fear. I glanced out the long porthole and saw Earth was much bigger than when I last saw it and knew where we were headed.

  “What happens when we get to Earth?” I asked.

  “I’m going to irradiate the Human race—show God up.” Ivan replied and I felt like I was punched in the stomach. I remembered that time when I was punched by Kal, all the air escaped my lungs and I was stunned. Just like I was now.

  “But—”

  “Will you shut up!” Ivan disappeared from my sight and I felt something pierce my neck. I screamed, never in my life have I felt such excruciating pain. Zarlach and the empress were sent on either side of the room but I knew they weren’t injured but I also knew, black spots started to fade across my vision not before long I blacked out. The only thing that graced my mind was: I was bitten.

  I woke, to the cold steel floor. “Cecelia.” I heard Zarlach’s voice. I peeked over at him and felt my head hammer. “Thank god, you’re not dead.”

  “No need to bring his grace into this.” the empress cooed before she glanced at me, “Are you alright dear?” I moved to sit but my body burned a searing pain and I screamed. I was in my idol form I knew and it hurt it felt as though I was used as a boxing bag. I felt the empress and Zarlach shift closer to me but the transparent walls lit up blue blotches around their hands as if an invisible walls stopped them from doing anything.

  “Cecelia! Try not to move!” Zarlach warned. That, I could do. So I laid face down on the ground, my heart raced and I panted.

  “If it weren’t for their numbers I would have taken them.” the empress spoke.

  “You and me both,” Zarlach replied and I realised what they meant and what they really wanted to say. They didn’t act—out of fear for my safety. I groaned not because of the pain but because of how unfair they were. There may have been a lot but I felt their power levels—something which I knew they suppressed. “Now were prisoners.”

  “Please don’t remind me,” the empress humoured, “It’s one thing being prisoners of war isn’t another to have your hands in a bind.”

  “True.” I watched as Zarlach moved from the transparent barrier wall and leaning against a steel wall, he regarded me with a hard gaze before turning away and staring at the wall across us. I didn’t know how long I was forced into that position but it must have been a while because by the time my muscles ceased to ache Ivan strutted into the room.

  If in the darkness I found light. Then in the darkness I found God. What will you do if I give you such a generous gift? How can you tell what’s real and what’s false? My mind wondered on a tangent of its own. It was in this clean sterile cell that I knew the true meaning of fear. ‘Fear is what controls us. Fear is what compels us.’ a voice purred.

  I felt my head hammer. I groaned, “Stop!”

  “Cecelia!” Zarlach and the empress’s voices were distant.

  “How much longer do you think we have?” Zarlach asked as he leaned against the far wall. Given that we were in an area cemented on either side of us, I knew that those walls had barrier coatings, so no amount of punching will get us out of here.

  “Not much longer,” the empress replied. I remained silent as all I felt was trapped. I knew there was a way out but knew what laid on the other side of the transparent cell wall was destruction basking in every ray of light. Something big was happening and I wanted to know what.

  I glanced at the compa
rtment—the single slit of space we had high up—the only light we’d get from any sun would remain fastened there. I didn’t know what how the crime Ivan was going to commit would occur. However, there was nothing I knew I could say or do to gaunter his reasons or his intentions. “I wonder how many lives will be lost.” Zarlach deliberated.

  The empress answered anyway, “Millions.” The two were silent until I realised it was perfect time to declare the part of my plan, I had mildly formulated.

  “Not if we stop him first.” I retorted.

  Both heads turned to me and their eyes were dark and unreadable. “How do you propose we do that, child?” the empress quizzed. “You do realise we’re trapped on our battle cruiser right, in our prison holdings?”

  “Yes, I’m aware.” I heard Zarlach shift around as his eyes graced mine.

  “What do you propose we do?” he asked, his words out of date with the current time of the twenty first century something I knew he tended to do every now and again.

  “How about we try and take back the ship?” I asked and their eyes were deadly—I continued, “There’s got to be a security system right?” The empress’s eyes lit up.

  “I see.” she wisely remarked.

  “I don’t,” Zarlach managed as he tilted his head to the side.

  “Tylif, well its sister.” I smiled, she did get it. “If we reboot the system, the automated security systems should reconfigure.”

  “That’s if we do it right.” Zarlach smartly replied.

  “We will, I have faith in us.” Several moments later after the plan was announced a man entered through the silver automatic doors like all the doors on this ship. “Meal time.”

  The voice of a man bounded—he looked human but I sensed he wasn’t. I glanced at Zarlach through the tresses my hair as I hunched over my knees.

  “Here’s your blood.”

  As the man mindlessly wandered near Zarlach who acted accordingly; with his head bent as his kneeled with his arms before him—the shackles gleamed like diamonds under the white overhead lights. He dropped a bowl of blood with I believe raw meat before Zarlach and turned his heel. That was the same instance; Zarlach leaped and wrapped the energetic chain of the shackles around the man’s neck. His hands were we twisted around the man’s neck like a snake. The man fell to the ground and Zarlach stood and exited the cell. What person walks into a cell? I thought.