Crimson Knight (Crimson Series Book 0)

by K. L. O Johnson

  “How’s that?” I asked.

  “They’re lucky in the sense that they get to find their one true love—marry that person and have children but they’re dependent on time. They may be with that person until death does them part. Whereas, we can live for an entire millennia and more.”

  “Isn’t that like being bound to that person for all eternity?” I asked.

  “In a way yes,” my mother unhelpfully announced. I stood up and sighed. “What wasn’t that helpful?”

  “Not really no.” I announced. I didn’t know what was going on, was it the nerves that were making me act out like this? I’ve always cared for Zarlach but it wasn’t the marriage I feared.

  “What’s wrong? You missed him didn’t you?” she asked.

  “Yes I did.” This was getting too close to home.

  “Then what’s the problem?” she asked.

  “I fear I might not be a good wife.” I announced realising my words were true. I didn’t know the first thing about being a wife—my mother tried to coach me every now and again but I spent more time socialising then I did listening.

  “You will, trust me. And the only thing a man like Zarlach will ask of you is to be by his side.” I wondered if she meant both physically and emotionally but I wasn’t going to ask. It wasn’t before long I found myself walking down the aisle of a small church we had on site. Everything was bathed in white and gold. At the end of the isle I spied Zarlach in golden traditional Vampieruz clothing.

  He stood tall and radiant as ever his hair was styled the way I saw it earlier today, trimmed and well-groomed. My father guided me down the aisle and the closer I got to the end the more and more nervous I became. I eventually made it to the end of the isle and my father slinked away to stand with the other men. A golden priest commenced the ceremony. We said our vows and instead of rings being exchanged it was golden metal headbands that wrapped around our heads with a ruby in the centre carve into a shape of a diamond.

  When the main ceremony finished. I was officially Zarlach’s wife. He was no longer Zarlach Sivortsova but instead Zarlach Rusakova. I smiled at everyone happy that they were happy for me. He held out his hand once we were in the ballroom, where it was time for the reception to begin. “Care to dance?” I eagerly nodded and placed my smaller hand in his not before long we swayed to the music.

  From that day forward I never had a reason to be frightened because what I wanted was something I knew I could forever have. Several months later, I found myself gazing out at the ocean our honeymoon was almost over, life never seemed more perfect. “Cecelia dear,” I heard Zarlach voice. “It’s time to go.” I nodded and put my journal away. My life was like the other royals—meaningful. Isn’t that all we really want’ to feel like we live for something, for someone? Even though my story’s over—I knew Kal’s was only just beginning.

  Alphonse Maklakov

  I watched as the life force of each child began to strengthen. Their energetic majic was being increased and soon I knew they’d be ready to hatch. I glanced over at Al, his black short spiky hair gleamed under the green light of the artificial Tylif. A small smile curled his lips and I turned my attention back to the young ones. “Dear lord, what is that smell?” a woman asked. Her smoky skin dissolved here and there as she flew towards us. Her black hair, lips and eyes rested on the infants as her hand covered her nose.

  “It’s just the formation process Drealia.” Al announced. His black armour shined under the pulsing light. I glanced at a presence beside me and saw a large thick troll—Amazu. He crossed his arms and silently watched.

  “Can it hurry up it’s been a good five-hundred years since we’ve taken them.” Drealia announced, given her Markonia Banshee heritage she seemed to be even more of a devil.

  “It’ll take as long as it needs to Drealia.” She pouted at the idea but remained silent nonetheless. Al turned from us and headed out of the dark nursery room. The sliding doors slid open and we followed after him. We entered into a shiny silver hall and I watched as he moved towards a monitor that controlled the nursery’s temperature. “Now, as you know the children need to be monitored—for any fluctuations in energetic majic. That and we need to ensure they’ll be ready as the last lot.” I walked over to the monitor and glanced over the railing down below were metal glass containers plugged into the central server, filled with rows and rows of adult Nefaliem.

  “I’m sure they’ll be fine.” I commented. “It’s not like anything happened before.”

  He smiled, “No, you’re right. But that was because I was monitoring them. Even the slightest change can dramatically kill the child.” I nodded—that was the same with the Vampieruz. Our young were cultivated the same way—bred differently than humans.

  When I was back in Mortem Academy—a university for Vampieruz—I knew of Al’s plan. He was always full of surprises. Even though, I was the first one he’d confide in, I knew there was more plans to rid the United Council and their bloodlines from existence. It was the only way for our plan to work. “True.” I pointed and wandered around the room glancing up at the ceiling. It was black outside and I knew that was because we were not on a barren moon or on any planet, we were in space. On our way to Valaricana—the home of the Vampieruz. “What are we doing with those who are ready to fight?”

  “We keep them incubated until the time is right.” Al said as he punched in the numbers on the massive computer keyboard. The silent clicks of the large keys danced a haunting melody as I watched the monitor profile categorise each incubated Nefaliem.

  I felt horrible about what I said and did. I knew lying to my friends was beyond bad but I had no other choice. It was necessary. I gazed upon Al he was the real reason why I was here and the main reason why I lasted this long. There was no doubt in my mind that he knew I was betraying him or rather would betray him. I knew what was bound to occur after the moment he got me to bomb the school to lure Cecelia out but that didn’t work; Bella and the others were quick to protect her. It made sense—she was a purebreed—a descendent of a purely powerful linage that had made her stronger, faster and deadlier than the above average Vampieruz by a long shot. “You sure are nosy.” Drealia announced appearing in front of me.

  I didn’t move an inch. I wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction seeing my internal reaction. I glared, fearing she’d found me out. “And you’re not?” I held her threatening gaze, her black lips curled into a snarl as her black hair flowed behind her, before expunging into the air. Her whole body appeared to be made of just that—gas. So I guess that would explain why she managed to win all fights. She had no physical body. How, I didn’t know but apparently she descended from the Mukati people—the planet Muka in a galaxy not too far from the planet Sparta.

  “That’s enough you two.” Al smoothly spoke. “Save your fighting for later. We have company.” I glanced at the large screen overhead and saw he was right. Silver Knights—PASA’s Silver Knights in oxygen masks and suits floated towards the entrance of the ship. In the centre, I saw someone very familiar. “Deal with them.” Al ordered.

  “But there are Silver Knights with them.” the troll said—Akamin was his name. I thought I heard fear lace his abysmal voice.

  “You will stand your ground.” Al turned from us, facing the monitor and mumbled, “They’re nothing but insects anyway.” I could only imagine his face and knew that he wasn’t going to look back at us anytime soon. I nodded and left with the others following closely behind. We had to be careful from now on. The sibyls would be watching—there’s no doubt about that. They watched everyone and everything—they were the eyes and ears of the United Council. They were also videos distributed to Centrax, a tower, that controlled the vmvs that were on air—most of the time it was used as a reminder to our fallen heroes that way no one ever forgot them.

  After we were a few minutes away Drealia mumbled, “Geez, Al can be a real jerk sometimes.”

  “It doesn’t matter. Either way we’re getting paid aren’t we?
” I retorted.

  “Touché.” she smiled. “Vampieruz.”

  “Can you two keep it down. The Sibyls could get this. Then Al will have our butts.” Akamin grumbled.

  I smiled and mocked, “Scared big boy?”

  He glared down at me.

  He stopped and so did I, he answered, “I’m not afraid, especially not of him.” There was a brief pause, followed by our sharp eyes briefly meeting each other’s. I turned away from him aware that our next battle was going to be up against Dante and his team of Silver Knights. How we were going to win—I didn’t know but I knew I’d have to find a way. Those soon to be hatchlings couldn’t be taken, not now. Not when we were so close.

  As we ran down the corridor, I knew that there was going to be trouble. Those Nefaliem Silver Knights would without a doubt cause trouble. We rounded several corners before heading towards the ejection room. “Alright everyone, suit up.” I ordered.

  “I don’t take orders from you.” Akamin growled. I glared, grabbing a suit from the hook nearby.

  “No you don’t, you take orders from Al. Last time I checked, we have to go out there and fight Silver Knights. And to do that, we need to suit up.”—I held his gaze—“Or can you breathe where there’s no oxygen?” His blue lips were pulled into a thin line. His stole the suit from within my grasp and stormed away. I smiled. Too easy.

  By the time I was suited up and ready to go, everyone hoped into our individual ejection pods and waited for the AI’s count down. Three, two, one. The ground magnetised my metal soles to the floor. Not before long, the ground shifted beneath me moved and I watched as the walls around me slid at high speeds towards the roof. Before I knew it, I was shot into space. The circular metal floor I stood on, demagnetised and floated away. Using my energy, I catapulted towards the enemy.

  They spotted us and I noticed they were quick to use their warp majic. I glared. I felt a familiar presence behind me. I was quick to turn around, my helmet analysed my opponent and like that we entered into a fight. Using my energy, my movements were as quick as they were on earth. But as I threw a punch, my helmet was elbowed and I felt my head hit the back of the helmet. The enemy locked me in a head lock with one hand on my helmet and the other over my jaw. I heard static gather. This person was hacking into my communication channel. “If you continue to resist I will kill you.” that familiar voice boomed and I realised instantly who it was.

  Dante.

  I remained still, not exactly wanting to die by him just yet. I remained silent and he continued. “What is on that ship?” When I didn’t say anything. He tightened his arm around my neck and twisted my head a little. “I won’t ask again.”

  I was quick whisper, “Activate voice modulation.” The same AI from the ship popped up onto my screen and announced.

  “Voice modulation activated.” The face disappeared and I spoke aware my voice sound not like my own.

  “That is something I cannot tell you.”

  “Why?” he asked, control lacing his tone.

  “Simple. It’s not my place to tell. And furthermore, what happened to that princess of yours . . . hmm?”—I knew I was being cruel but I knew without a doubt Al watched us from where he was in the control room. I had to be convincing enough. I also, had to help Dante, in the only way I knew how—“Rumour has it, she disappeared.”

  I felt Dante’s hold tighten. “What do you know?” He didn’t ask a question; it was more rhetorical.

  But I answered anyway, “I know. That the United Council is in a bit of a frenzy. I know that your young that was on board that ship that crashed on earth several earth cycles’ ago is missing and I know that it wasn’t the only ship that has lost it’s young.”

  “How do you know all that?” he growled.

  “The better question is . . . where do you find her majesty? Hasn’t it ever occurred to you that she may know?” It was his turn to remain silent. I smiled, this was cruel I know but I had to manipulate him. I knew he was the only one who could not just find Kalverya but the hatchlings too and save the United Council. “I’ll let you in on a little secret. She’s currently in the one place you haven’t looked.” I felt him sharply inhale and I forced a laugh. “And you call yourself a Knight. Pathetic.”

  I summoned a hunting knife and stabbed him in the thigh, making sure that knife was laced with my energy. He released me, I spun around and sent a round house to his helmet, before sending a spinning kick to the same side. He was sent further away from me. It pained me. I didn’t want to hurt him but incidentally I was given no choice. Al was watching and I knew he’d want me to finish him off. Until I received a buzz along the communication channel, a familiar buzz that reminded me of an incoming transmission. “Return to base.” I briefly glanced at the ship, noticing everyone retreat. Taking one last glance at Dante, I headed to the ship.

  I sensed the distortion field activate and I was within its parameters. I knew what was to come, I placed my hand on the ship and knew everyone did the same. We didn’t have time to board the ship. I felt the hum of the field and knew that within a few seconds we’d vanish and reappear someplace else. I noticed the Knights we left behind were unconscious and their ship wasn’t too far behind, but there were reinforcements this time instead of swords they carried battle rifles. It was too late, they became distorted before disappearing, it happened almost instantly. We reappeared in front of a different planet and I wondered why it was here of all places.

  We warped to Nefelia—the home of the Nefaliem.