Chapter V. Canaan Of Vampires.
As dawn approached, Pyro started to get nervous. A bit scared. So I decided to stop and discus…
– Do not be afraid, Empyrion. As long as you do not use your vampyric abilities, you are safe. Now my blood flows through your veins.
– I am aware of that. But, somehow I feel that I am still no match for your strength…
– Bold, are we?
– A little, but do not get me wrong…
– I will not. And I know what you think: All vampires are afraid of the sun but we do not need to be. We are the strongest.
– I am not.
– Yes, Empyrion, you are. But not yet. You must gain experience. It will come in time.
– I have question… – I praised Pyro for his curiosity. – How come Staticio is older looking than you… You are an Ancient, and partially so is he, but he aged. You did not. How come?
– You see, humans are careful about what they eat, vampires should also be. The blood is “healthy” but in some cases it is also more “nutritious”. I was drinking enormous amounts of blood, but each drop was noble. Nobles, philosophers, doctors and such are very… What is the word? Fruitful… They refresh your mind as well as your body
– I see…
– Staticio was known to drink the blood of whores, lowlifes and similar to those.
After a short period of time we carried on to “Vampiropolis”. The path was getting narrower and the presence of other vampires was getting stronger by the second. We were approaching the “Canaan of vampires”. Then, all of a sudden, I felt a strange presence. Pyro did too; I saw he tilted his head. Something old and evil. It was not getting stronger. It was like someone wanted me to know he or she was there. I did not recognize the presence, but it was very, very familiar.
Soon we came to our destination. An old desert near the ancient town of Babylon. In the middle of the desert there was a well. That is the entrance. That is the gate to the valley of blood. There is the greatest of all vampyric lairs. How they say it now: the mother load.
The well is a wide circle in the ground, with some illusions guarding it. A couple of snakes. It was a clever method to scare away people, but explorers did try to locate it. However, the Bookkeeper devised a plan in which they did not find passages to the city.
– I sense the presence of more than thousand of vampires… Oddly, I am not scared. – Pyro said.
– Why should you be? You are with the hero of vampires… – I added with a smirk.
– How do we get in? – he asked.
– Easy. Juuuuuuump. – I said as I was falling down.
The well is 3oo ft deep and at the bottom there is a tunnel. The tunnel leads to a poorly lighted room. I kept on feeling the presence of evil. As we continued to the room the presence started getting a bit stronger. The tunnel ended. Before we entered I remembered where I’ve felt that presence… As we continued my memory was proven to be good once more. The auras I’ve felt belonged to the Vampire Fiends. Monsters which are the embodiment of vanity, sin and the curse of vampirism stood in front of us. Because of this, their appearance was malformed. They stank of blaspheming and vain. Their faces were shaped like those of a dog. They have also been cursed with blindness. Serves them right! They have once turned against all of the children of night. Only two were left to live… And they have been sentenced by the High Council to be the slaves of Vampiropolis. They are bond by the blood magic of the Bookkeeper’s lineage.
– WHO ARE YOU?! – the demon asked.
– You do not remember me, foul creature. – I answered. – Do I have to take you down again to refresh your memory?
Yes… I was one of the “headhunters”
– I WONDERED WHEN YOU COME BACK!
– Still illiterate, I see.
– HM… YOU PASS…
– Why, thank you…
As I passed they stooped Empyrion.
– BUT FRIEND NOT… – They said and went for Empyrion. In a shock he took a few steps back and then, as the fiend grabbed Pyro’s hand, Pyro realized how strong he now was. Let’s just say they stopped at that…
The gates were in front of us. On those gates, the stories of Kritokeras and Asheara were cut in, just as a reminder to all what happens when vampires betray their own kin. The gates opened and we went in.
These vampires are also in touch with today’s technology. Vampiropolis is highly modernized. The buildings are all out of glass. It was bigger than I remembered. It has grown and the number of vampires in it. But, some things never change. The Bookkeeper, for example always rested in the center of Vampiropolis. He rested in the, so to say, trademark of Vampiropolis – its library.
We went in. As we entered we could hear someone yelling:
– Coming… – As the exclamation was finished The Bookkeeper appeared in front of us. – My dear, dear Arcanus. It has been so long. Five hundred and thirty seven years if I am not mistaken. And this is… Empyrion? How odd… You have extraordinary timing, young one.
New Times... New Requirements...
I've learned how to arrange the blog in html mode... So, I hope you like the new design.
I will finish the next chapter soon... I've done aproximately half of the chapter last night...
Looking forward to your comments...
ARCANUS a.k.a. KORAX
_______________________________________________
I WRITE SINS, NOT TRAGEDIES
Chapter IV. A surprise
A few days later, Pyro decided to visit his homeland… So, he gave me an idea. I should too visit my memories. My dearest memory… France. It was so long ago… My mansion in Bordeaux. I had decided to go there, just for a little while…So, I went…
It was the same old Goth mansion, with just a little more dust… As I walked through the house, memories came up. Banquets, massacres, plots… In fact, this was also the home of Blarr… Before he turned on me.
Suddenly, I noticed a piece of paper by the door. It was a letter, sealed with a wax stamp. The stamp was blurred so I couldn’t decipher it. Then I simply read it… It said:
Dear Arcanus,
I write to inform you that I recently got the collection you asked of me.
I would be pleased if come to get it soon… It will, of course, wait for you.
You reserved it first. You know where to find me…
I look forward to speaking to you once more…
The Bookkeeper
A.D. 1478
I was both pleased and uncomfortable with these old news. But, I knew that my old friend would understand this latency. An idea came up. I decided to bring along Pyro. He should meet the Bookkeeper… He is a good ally. Later that day I called Pyro. Through his dreams. I told him to go to Portugal and that he should wait for me there. I had a surprise for him in store...
TWO DAYS LATER
I met with Pyro in Lisbon. We were walking through its streets
– What is the surprise you had in store? – Pyro asked.
– It has three parts. The first is this… – I gave him a bottle of my blood. –You will need it… – I said.
– For what?
– The second part. You will accompany me on a visit to an old friend. He lives in Babylon, so, we will have to travel by day too. In order to be there as soon as possible.
– And what is the third part?
– You will see when we get to Turkey.
– Do we fly to Turkey? – asked Pyro.
– No. We travel by car… – I answered.
– What?! By an automobile? WE?!
– Yes. With that one. – I pointed at a Porsche 911 Coupe.
– But why?
– Because we can. And, it will be more amusing…
– If you say so.
And so we started our little adventure. Pyro drank the bottle as soon as we got in the car. He felt that his powers are growing. He felt that he was stronger and absorbed some of my memories. It is not easy to comprehend with ancient blood.
Seeing that Empyrion will not be awake when we reach the border, I had to wait a while. After a few hours, we went on our first journey. I was a bit excited. Out of nowhere, Pyro asked me:
– Arcanus, how are we going to cross the border? We do not have passports, do we?
– We do not, but these two will work. – I showed him two passports that were given to me under suspicious terms… In other words: they were stolen.
– Oh, I understand… You will create an illusion, right?
– Yes. All we have to do is memories the names…
An illusion is one of the ancient vampyric powers. It, somehow, rot throughout the centuries and only the ancients are able to use it. Also, the power to absorb vampire memories, knowledge, and ext. through its blood was banned so only the ancients use it. After the death of Kritokeras and Ashera, by the hand of vampires, some rules were put into action. Those rules had controlled the vampire life. Well, until Blarr and I came along. After Blarr turned on me and paid the price, a balance was made once more. I was forgiven, because I defeated Blarr… And because I was unbeatable. So many things tie me to Blarr… Memories. I knew it was a mistake. That boy was… Not very obedient.
The story of Blarr de Filo
During a stay in Russia, I have heard of a boy who wants to know everything about the demons that roam this village and drink the blood of their victims. I wanted to find this boy and find out what he finds so attractive in those demons… In us. And so I went into the village to find the young boy. The peasants did not like talking about the boy. They considered him a freak. A worshiper of the devil.
Suddenly, I heard a shout of some sort, which sounded something like:
– There is the freak!
So, I presumed that the boy I was looking for is the freak someone is referring to. I headed to the spot from where the sounds of a fight came. I saw a beaten boy lying on the ground. Covered with blood with pain in his tearful eyes he laid and did not produce a sound. I slowly came to the boy and started to whisper:
– No more blood shall you release… No blood shall flow from you. You will be a creature you love the most. – Still no word – They will be the freaks. They will do whatever you tell them to do. You shall be weak no more.
– Yes. – he finally answered.
I bit his neck and started drinking his blood. He was feeling the change. His body was dying. His body started to cramp. Every single muscle in his body defined a new definition of pain. I gave him my hand and said:
– If you want that to happen, drink… No need for heroism, only this monstrosity can save you now. Drink, boy…
He took my hand and started drinking. But something was different… I felt corruption,
deceit, hate… I felt evil in this boy. It was not long from then that I had realized: I found the wrong boy. The freak was the one who ran away when this boy fell down. However, I hoped this all happened for a good reason… Sadly, it did not… I made a mistake.
After a few days the little boy recuperated. He started to explore his new power. Then one night, while I was painting, he came to me:
– Are we evil? Are we what they say we?
– In a way… It is like religion. When a catholic couple has a child, that child is catholic. When the child is older it can chose if it wants to stay catholic. Right?
– Yes…
– But, if the child does change his or her religion, they disgrace their parents. It is identical with us. When we are “born” we are evil… We are demons. If we start to evolve the thing called conscience, we want to be “good”. But, when we do that other vampires consider us a disgrace and we must be destroyed. Do you understand?
– I think so…
– Are you feeling guilty for the people you killed on your first night?
– No.
– Then you have nothing to worry about.
– Were you good?
– No… And I never will be. I am a monster and proud of it. As long as you are under my keep, no one can do you harm…
– So, you one of strongest?
– Yes. Perhaps, even the strongest vampire.
– Really?
– Yes.
Something told me this was not so smart to tell him.
The boy, named Nikolai, chose to change his name. He wanted something strange so he was Blarr de Filo. Blarr was supposed to mean blood and de Filo… Connect them. But poor Nikolai was illiterate so instead of Defiled Blood he was Blarr de Filo.
Blarr started to reap villages… Everything was alright, until he started to acquire his mansions. He wanted to be independent. During that time Pyro was created. But this did not last long. One night, he came home different. Something told me that he had broken one rule that was never to be broken. And then he told me:
– I have killed vampire and I drank blood…
– What?!
– And it so good.
– You imbecile! Do you realize what you’ve done?! You broke the most sacred rule! No one can kill a vampire! It is forbidden.
– But, you kill… – he said with an evil smirk.
– That was different. It was before the rules were set. – I have killed my makers. It was decided by the council of vampires. They were killing everyone… They started to kill just for pleasure. They are responsible for the death of over 1000 vampires. It was unforgivable. And the strangest thing is… The council is made of the first children of Kritokeras. The corruption came from Asheara. My old teacher… I had to kill them. It was the decision.
– You know as well as me. It the same thing. You kill vampire, I kill vampire. I am you. You are me. We one.
– No!
– You strongest vampire! Everyone scared of Arcanus! Blood tell me!
– Whose blood? – I asked.
– Follow.
And there it was… The reason I did not kill Blarr. A council member! Blarr killed a council member! That triggered my vanity… I turned into a monster. I wanted the power! We destroyed the council… Well, I did. It was clean of blood. Soon enough Blarr started to become jealous. I was stronger… Even sleeping, I could control Blarr. But one night, Blarr devised a trap. He had hurt my feelings with that. Of course, the trap did not work. Blarr’s stupidity was overcome only by his strength and his corrupt mind. I sealed his arms and legs into a mountain, leaving him for the sun to feast. My last words to Blarr were: “You were right, I am the strongest!” As I walked away Blarr yelled: “I get revenge!!”
No matter what, I still cared for that boy… But a traitor is a traitor and there must be a punishment. After him, I cooled off as they would say. Then Evelyn came along… Things were perfect for a while. The whole world knew that I was the strongest of the vampires, I had someone who loves me, a son and it was to be forever. Perfect, for a while. No happiness, nor luck just this accursed eternity…
AT THE TURKEY BORDER
– Empyrion, wake up… We are at the Turkey border.
– Why is Turkey so important? You did not wake me up when we were at the other borders… Why wake me here?
– Here we change our vehicle… So as soon as we go through, we leave this beautiful car…
– Why?
– Let us just say, the other vehicle is even more fun…
As soon as we came through… We pushed the pedal to the metal. And headed to a mansion close by. The mansion was huge, covered in bloody red with Goth music coming out of it. We got out of the car and rang the doorbell. A young girl with long black hair and a couple of pierces opened the door.
– Tell Staticio Arcanus is here. – I said to the lady in black.
– Very well. – she responded with a Russian accent. – Come in.
We followed the Goth Russian girl to the corridor.
– Arcanus! My ancient fried… How are you? Who is your friend? – said a man in a long black cape.
– Staticio! I can not complain… I want you to meet Empyrion. Pyro, this is my old friend Staticio. – I responded.
– A friend of Arcanus is a friend of mine. – Pyro said.
– Like ways…Let us hope you changed since the last time I saw you – Staticio responded.
– When?
– While you were Blarr’s apprentice. Remember?
– I was not his apprentice, I was Blarr’s slave. Now I have a real teacher… Arcanus.
– You have the best there is. Let us hope what you tell is the truth. Arcanus, you probably want your…
– Is it ready? – I interrupted.
– It will be complete in a few hours… In the meantime, Tasha will show you to the dining room. – apparently the Russian girl is named Tasha. – And you, Empyrion, you may go to the library to see what you have done. You have a chapter about yourself in “The book of Fangs”… Read it if you want.
– I shall dine a little. What about you Pyro?
– I will read… I had a huge meal before we went…
With that Pyro went to the mansion library with Staticio and I followed the black Russian girl. I noticed a tattoo on the girls back… It said: MORS CERTA EST, VITA NON. Meaning: Death is certain, life is not. She is obviously very loyal to Staticio. That was his favorite saying. As I sat at the table, Tasha asked:
– Are you really the strongest vampire?
– I hope so.
– Is it true you killed the first two?
– I had to… It was above my power then.
– Why did Blarr turn on you?
– Jealousy… What is it with all these questions?
– You are the hero of all vampires. But, some vampires follow the path of Blarr…
– Thank you… But how can they follow a path of someone that does not exist?
– He exists for them. They look for him. Some say he still lives.
– Impossible. But enough about Blarr, how about pouring me a glass of my favorite liquid.
– As you wish…
Several hours later Staticio came back with Pyro and said:
– They are done!
– May I know what is done? – Empyrion asked
– Yes… – we went to the garage. In front of us were two Honda motorcycles. –That. They were customized for you and me… As you can see yours has an “E” With some effects. These bikes can push a little over 330km/h… Here is your driving license and your driver. – I answered.
– What do I need a driver for… Oh, right… So, I could… Right. – and so Pyro bit the bikers neck and we were almost set to go.
– And this is your third surprise. Of course, you also get this… – I gave him an identical leather coat as mine. – Now, we can go. So long. Staticio… Thank you for everything.
– You are welcome. So long, dear friend. Good bye to you too, Empyrion.
– Good bye… – Pyro responded.
And so our real quest started. We got on our new vehicles, started the motor and went to the city of champions, Babylon. Actually, its underground – The biggest vampire lair. It is a city of some sort. It is a city of vampires. And their mayor is the only living ancient… Well, not counting me, of course. He is the keeper of the world’s largest library. Over seven million books. From fairy tails to vampire diaries. The old Bookkeeper. Soon we will meet once more…
Chapter III - The Achilles heel
The next night I meet with Pyro again… He told me that he remembered something that confused him… He said it felt like love.
– You see, our curse is bigger than you think. A vampire falls in love just once, and he falls for a mortal. She doesn’t want to become a child of the night, so one day she dies. Or sometimes, when your love says no, you turn her anyway and then she kills herself… Steps out in the sun, puts a stake through her heart or jumps into a burning house... We love and we are loved, but not for long. There is no such thing as a happy ever after for us, Pyro.
– So we suffer for all eternity?
– I’m afraid so… You just have to accept it.
– Have you ever loved someone? – he asked.
– Yes… I loved her and I was loved by her. I cared and I was cared for. But, she is no more. I still see her sometimes… Fell her presence. She was my “Achilles heel”.
– I remember my love. You can say she was my “Achilles heel”. Her name was Rahel. I met her in Israel. We were so in love, but then her townspeople stoned her. They accused her for demon worshiping. They all yelled: “Devil whore!” as they threw the rocks. They stoned her at noon so there was no way I could know. I remember when I first saw her… The year was 890. A.C. I was feasting in a closed street. Suddenly, I heard someone screaming. I put my cloak on and ran to the place from which the noise came. There stood a beautiful young girl, with eyes as blue as the deep sees. The girl was being robbed by two bandits, so for some strange reason, I attacked them. I did not bother about deciding to kill them, I killed before. With a swift move I broke their necks. The girl was trembling in a corner. I saved a mortal… I was following her to keep her safe, not to drink her blood. I helped her because I felt something. I felt…
– Love. – I interrupted.
– Yes… Days have passed and she became very fond of me. I didn’t tell my secret. I think that she knew it from the very beginning, but she wanted me to tell her. I was confused, but I enjoyed it. I couldn’t understand how I could fell this modified lust. However, there was no reason to end it, I liked it and so did she. But everything good doesn’t last long. The week before she died, I told her my secret. She just looked at me with her eyes so blue and grabbed my hand. She said: “Nothing could turn me against you… You are my heart, if I would turn on you I would die.” I thought it will last forever. The following few days she didn’t come to our meeting spot. I was worried. The last day I found a letter. It said: “My love, I must go. The people here are very small-minded. I must leave. I am accused of being a witch. I will always love you… Rahel” I had to find her, when I came to her house I was struck by lightning. I saw her lying lifeless on a bed. Her whole family was crying. Their tears fell on her bruised body. Her head was covered with blood. Something wild woke up in me. I became Empyrion. My name was describing the flames of rage and anger driven by Blarr and the death of my beloved Rahel. I butchered her whole village that night. From that night I killed in rage, I didn’t kill just to feed… I killed “for fun”. It didn’t stop. I was a monster for centuries. No vampire hunter returned from a quest to slave me… I was a beast made for killing. That was my “Achilles hell”. After that I had neither allies nor enemies. I just had victims. Soon, darkness came over me and then I fell asleep in hope to stop the pain I slowly started to feel. Then, when I woke up I found you, Arcanus.
– I know how you feel. My story is however a little more complicated. It is a painful tale to tell… But, I think you need to know this…
The Story of Evelyn
During the 2nd crusade I was revisiting France… Feasting and killing each and everyone who dared to approach me. I went to a small town near Lyon. There I felt different, strange. When the night fell I went out… Not to feed, but to find out: why do I feel this way? After passing a small meadow I saw a grand mansion, in its garden there sat a girl. I heard that she was crying, so I went to talk with girl. When I saw her from up close, I almost collapsed. She was beautiful. Eyes of emerald green, such perfect locks of hair, skin so frail… She was perfection. She was so beautiful that even Venus would envy her. I went insane of her beauty.
Now I had to meet her…
Now I had to meet her…
– Miss, why are you crying? Has someone done you wrong? – I asked.
– Yes, kind sir. My father wishes of me to become a madamme. I am only 19, but father says that it is more than enough.
– And to whom you are to be wed? – I asked.
– Some old Spanish count… Gular de Riquelme.
– But, you shall be a countess…
– I would rather be in love than a countess. – she answered.
– Do not consider me rude for asking you one more question… What does your mother say to all of this?
– My mother passed away when I was three years old.
– Please, excuse me. I did not mean to be unpleasant. – I said partially embarrassed.
– Who are you, kind sir? Why are you trying to make this little girl feel better? – she asked.
– I am just a slave to your beauty.
– Are you courting me?
– No. I am doing what men in love do. I am afraid to blink, because I will miss a millisecond of your beauty. Would you be happier if the duke was dead?
– I do not know… - she answered a bit confused. – I would be free, but father will just start to drink more… I really don’t know.
– If you had to make a wish right now, what would it be? – I asked.
– I would wish a kiss, but not just any kiss. I would wish for a kiss from love. One last kiss… Do you really love me?
– Oh yes… I am as honest as the day is to the sun and the night is to the moon.
– Then, kiss me.
– How strange… That was what I hoped your wish would be…
I slowly came to her and touched her cheek…
– Why is your hand so cold? – she asked me.
– Because I am dead… – I just told her my secret without any hesitation and it didn’t even bother me – I am a child of the night. My body is dead, but my soul is eternal.
– Are you a vampire?
– Yes… I am afraid I am.
– Are you going to drink my blood?
– Never. I would not hurt you even if my life depended on it. – came closer with my lips.
– I believe you… – she whispered and we kissed.
I did not know why or how is this possible. It was like she had put a spell on me. But,
no spell could do this. No magic can make a dead man feel. This is love. Our kiss lasted for hours… And then I felt the sun was coming up soon so I had to go.
– I will not let you go. The count will not be interested in marriage after tomorrow. Do not worry about your father either. I will give him enough money so he can live three more lives. Just be here again tomorrow night. – I said
– I will…
– Until tomorrow, my love.
– Until tomorrow…
I did what I told my beloved. Her father was pleased with my “gift”. And the count…
Well, let us just say he had a change of heart… Literary. Nothing could now ruin these wonderful moments, so I thought. After a year she asked me to take her away. I did as she wished. We went to India, France, Jerusalem, wherever she wanted to go. Then she wanted to go to Italy. There we did something I will never forget. We made love… It was beautiful. Her warm skin embraced my ice cold and melted me. Her life filled my dead body. And then something perfect happened. I felt it and so did she. I was to become a father. But the curse still remained. I should never be happy. After the child was born, Evelyn wanted to become a vampire so she would never leave our child. My boy… Gladius. He is a half vampire and so he is immortal. Evelyn was furious. She said if I do not turn her, she will leave forever. She did not leave me a lot of choices. I had to do it. Even do I knew about the curse, nothing happened. Did it skip me? Have I broken the curse? It was too good to last forever.
An old vampire hunter was sent to kill me. He was not the first nor last, but he was different. He was a priest with no mercy. He went by the name of f. Purificio. He formed an order whose work is to clean the world of vampires, witches and werewolves. The order was named after him… The so called “Order of Purification”.
One night I had to go visit an old friend. When I got back Evelyn was gone and so was Gladius. Somehow I knew the curse would come and destroy everything I loved. I tried to locate them for a century. Non stop. Always searching. I did not have a moment of piece. I felt a mixture of both anger and grief. I wanted revenge and in the same time I wanted to stop being me. After a hundred years I went to sleep… But the dreams were too painful. Memories of my beloved and my little Gladius hurt me more than any weapon. So, I sealed my emotions. As a machine I still hope to see my immortal love… My Evelyn.
New chapter...
Chapter II.
The creation of Arcanus
955. B.C.
It was a cold summer night and I decided to stay in my garden for a while. I liked to feel things; coldness, warmth, anger, everything. I loved feeling. I sat my self on our old marble bench it the garden and beyond our property I saw a man standing on a cliff. It looked as he was gazing at the dunes of Egypt. Suddenly, a woman joined him… And then the strangest thing happened; it seemed as though they saw me too. I did not know why but I ran into the house. I was terrified…
– Arhant, is that you? – my mother asked.
– Yes… Where is father? – I asked.
– He will be back soon. He has some work to do… Go to bed. It is far too late…
– Mother, how do you get to the cliffs beyond our garden?
– You do not! There live monstrous creatures. That is the home of demons. You may never go there. Do not mention that thing to your father.
My father was a well known architect in Egypt. We had a grand house with a large garden. The garden was my favorite place in the whole world. The garden was like a friend which always understood me. Whenever I felt lonely, sad, happy or ill the garden always reflected me. There was not a day I did not visit my garden. Yes, it was mine. It was even named after me: Arhant’s Soul. It was a gift from my father.
Somehow, I could not get that couple out of my head. So, I decided to visit the Blood Cliffs… The next night I sat again at the same place and observed the cliff where he stood. No one showed up, so I went over there to figure out what they were watching. It was not an easy journey but I managed to come to the very same cliff. Finally, I stood at the edge at gazed at the endless dunes. I was not sure but it felt like there was someone above me. There was…
– Hello. What is your name, brave boy? – it was the man I saw for the night before.
– Why do you think I am brave? – I asked boldly while my knees shivered.
– Because you came alone in the Blood Cliffs… You did not answer… What is your name?
– My name is Arhant. I am the son of Gritoh, the best architect in the world.
– Oh, really? How do you know he is the best there is? Have you traveled the world?
– I have been to Greece. I have seen half of it…
– That is not even the quarter of the world…
– How do you know? – I asked a bit arrogant.
– I have seen the whole world.
– Tell me, is the world like the say it is? – I did not know why but I believed him.
– You would not believe how different it is… Would you like to know more? Tell me what is your greatest desire?
– I wish I could be like nature; always beautiful and never old. To be eternal… That is my desire. But, we are all allowed to dream. – I could not tell why, but I revealed my deepest thoughts to a stranger. Suddenly, I thought of the woman that was with him last night and asked. – Where is your wife?
– She went to eat something… She will join us soon. How do you know of her? Were you spying on us? Are you the boy that observed me and my wife last night? Yes… It is you. I never forget eyes like yours.
– It was me… But how did you see the color of my eyes? It was night…
– You are a bright boy… Beautiful too, if I may add. – he said. – You see, I had ideals that were not accepted by my father. So, I ran away… When I came back, my father admitted that he was wrong. You see parents are not always right. Sometimes, they only hold back their children.
– What are you saying? – I was confused and I did not understand what he was saying.
– He is saying do not believe your parents when they say that we are monsters… We are different. – said his wife. – Do not be afraid.
– What is going on?! – Now I was completely confused.
– I can make your wish come true. You can be eternal… – said the man.
I knew what he meant… A part of me did not want anything to do with them, but a part of me wanted to completely follow them in all ways. Somehow, the man read my thoughts… I want it… I wanted to be like them, like nature.
– I understand… But we are not nature. Do you still want it? – The man asked and he looked at me in a strange, lustful way.
– Yes… – I answered.
They both approached me… The woman moved my hair, standing behind me as if she was waiting for a sign of some sort. Suddenly, the man approached, took my arm and bit me just beneath my wrist. At the same moment the woman bit my neck. It was amazing. If felt both life and death at the same moment. A part of my mind wanted to travel back in time so I never came to this place, but the other part wanted more… That part barely waited what was going to happen next. I fell asleep.
I felt both sorrow and happiness. I did not know why I wanted this life, because of the power or it was my silly wish. Then I heard a strange sound in my mind, as if someone was whispering to me: Wake up, Arhant… Wake up!
– Where am I? – I asked
– You are home… – the woman I saw earlier answered. – Now you are eternal.
– Why am I in such pain? Everything in my body feels like it is dieing… Why?
– Because it is… – said the man. – Your body is dieing, but your spirit is made immortal. Now, bite my arm and drink some blood.
Suddenly, everything in my body stopped. I felt something similar to hunger, but I did not want food… I wanted to consume life. More and more and more with no ending in sight… Then he stopped me:
– Enough! If you drink to much you will fall in a type of rage… You will want limitless amounts of blood.
After a while I “normalized”… Well, as normal as a vampire can get…
– Can I now know your names?
– All right… My name is Kritokeras and this is my wife, Ashera.
– Your names… They are not familiar to me. Who were your parents? What do your names mean?
– Our parents did not give us these names, we did. They mean what we want them to… If you do not like your name, you can change it
.
– Yes… From now on, I shall be known as Arcanus.
– If that is what you wish… Now rest. You have a big day tomorrow.
Those were the last words I remember. I was carried in a dark room under the ground. That was my living space for a few centuries. The day after I thought about what I am…
– What am I? Am I what I wished or am I a monster? – I asked my creators.
– No. You are not a monster. The mortals want you to be a monster… Let me put it this way: humans are superior to animals, right?
– Yes… – I answered.
– Because they evolved their brain. So, they became the hunters. Then we came, vampires. We are the evolved race… Since we exist the humans are not the hunters, they are the hunted. They fear us because they are now the pray… You must know that no matter how hard you try, they will always consider us as monsters.
– I understand… Can a vampire feel?
– Yes… But only feelings of lust and sometimes love. It depends…
– Depends on what?
– On what he loves more: life or power.
– Is life power?
– It also depends… How do you use life? As a necessity or as a satisfaction for your needs.
And then, all of a sudden, I felt it again. I could not think straight any more. I needed life.
– You are ready… Go and feed. – Kritokeras said.
I went to a town… I did not know how, but I came to a Greek polis in a matter of seconds. At that moment I did not care how, I just wanted life… I wanted to consume the energy that man had. I wanted to consume souls. Not caring who, I began the quest for my first victim.
A few moments later I found her. The first thing I sensed was her heartbeat and then the blood that went trough her veins… I was in complete ecstasy, meaning I didn’t act rationally… I acted on instinct. I was not human any more, I became an animal. I had no idea what reason was… I acted on instinct, just like a hungry beast would. So, I bit her throat and drank the sweet blood of that young girl. For some strange reason, I still wanted to eat. That is when I realized… I was in a bloodlust. All I could think about was blood flowing through the veins of a living person.
The night passed, the day and so came the second night of Arcanus. I did not remember what happened during the day. Even if someone told me, I would not have believed him.
I was like this for centuries. Feasting, reaping, cleaning villagers, townsman, and bums of their blood. Not respecting life itself. Until, I met her. She was beautiful… Evelyn.
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Arcanus
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I WRITE SINS, NOT TRAGEDIES
I Poglavlje - Susret Odabranih
Bila je noć kao i svaka druga… Gledao sam smrtnike polako ispijajući čašu vina. Odjednom, dječak† mi se približio, sjeo pored mene i rekao:
– Pogledaj ih. I oni vladaju ovim svijetom!? Sjede i lažu si kako bi bili više privlačni. Oni bi trebali biti naši robovi… Naša stoka. Ali što mi činimo? Ništa…
– Zašto to meni govoriš, dječače? Mi smo ljudi… Poput njih – odgovorio sam.
– Ne moraš lagati. Osjećam tvoju tamu. Ti si isto što i ja. Mi smo besmrtnici.
Dječak je vampir… Vampir koji je uzeo tijelo dječaka. Poput mene.
– Pridružiš mi se u jednoj šetnji? – upitao sam.
– Vrlo rado. – odgovorio je.
– Odlično.
Kad smo se udaljili od kafića, upitao sam ga:
– Kako si osjetio moju prisutnost?
– Vrlo lako. Tražio sam biće noći. Najlakše je bilo osjetiti tvoj tamu. – odgovorio je. – Tvoju tamu mogu čak osjetiti i neki smrtnici… Tko si ti? Što si ti?
– Zovi me kako te volja. Zadnje mi je ime bilo Arcanus. Ja nisam vampir… Ja sam utjelovljenje tame…
– Izvrsno. Tada ću Vas zvati gospodar, a vi me nazivajte slugom.
– Ne… Sluga je inferiorno biće. Tvoj je duh star. Kako se zoveš?
– Ja… Ja se ne sjećam. Kako sam preuzeo ovo tijelo poznata mi je samo njegova prošlost. Moja je prošlost još neotkrivena…
– Razreži svoj dlan..
– Zašto? – upitao me.
– Učini što ti kažem…
– U redu. – reče mladi vampir i učini to. – Što sad?
– Pusti svoju krv na moj dlan…
Okusio sam mu krv kako bi mu otkrio prošlost. Time mu otkrivši prvu od mnogih tajni…
– Onečistio si krv ovom dječaku. Pravo ti je ime Giovanni. No, nakon što si postao dijete noći promijenio si ga u… Empyrion. Pyro prijateljima. Ha, ha. Stvorio te… Vampirom te učinio drevni. Ime mu je Blarr de Filo.
– Znači stvoren sam, ne rođen kao vampir… Dobro. Hvala ti, Arcanuse. Ali, kako ja mogu saznati te stvari? – upitao je Pyro.
– Postoji način… Stupi u kontakt sa svojim duhom. On će ti reći sve što trebaš znati..
– Nemoj misliti da sam nezahvalan, ali zašto mi pomažeš? Tek si me upoznao i rekao mi više no itko prije. Zašto?
– Zato… Zato što me podsjećaš na mene. Imamo sličnu povijest, sutra ćemo pričati više. Sada moram poći… Jelo čeka.
– Smijem li se pridružiti?
– Ne. Pokušaj stupiti u kontakt sa svojim duhom. Mjesec je pun, što znači da su tvoje moći večeras na vrhuncu. Iskoristi to…
– Da, gospodaru…
– Ne nazivaj me gospodarom. Zovi me Arcanus.
– Kako želiš, Arcanus. Ugodan objed…
– Hvala ti.
I tako nam se putovi razdvojiše do sutra… Dok sam hodao razmišljao sam o svojoj prošlosti. Sjetio sam se kako sam stvoren. Pyro i ja imamo mnogo sličnosti. Kao što rekoh, njegova je prošlost vrlo slična mojoj. Jadnik je morao ubiti svoju obitelj, jer mu je Blarr zaprijetio. Dao je svojoj obitelji tri izbora: otići i praktički prestati postojati, pridružiti se njegovoj kletvi ili “teži način”. Bili su tvrdoglavi katolici, pa je normalno da su ga odbili… Morao ih je ubiti, da ih nije, Blarr bi. Blarr je bio moj učenik, ali ne baš najbolji, imao je pre-bizarnu svijest; vjerojatno bi pretvorio cijelu Pyrovu obitelj u ghoule kako bi njegova bol u bijes bili cijelo vrijeme u porastu. Pyro se bojao Blarra. Upravo zbog tog straha je Pyro spalio svoju kuću kako Blarr ne bi više doznao o njegovoj povijesti. Sakrio je jako puno stvari, poput mene. Ja sam imao 19 godina kada su me prokleli. Moja je sreća što je bio „dobar“ učitelj. Zvao se Kritokeras, vampir iz Grčke.
A word from Arcanus...
Drago mi je da Vam se svidja nasa pricica...
Planiramo izvest nesto novo... Bilingvalno objavljivat... (na dva jezika).
Hr i eng... Recite sto mislite...
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I WRITE SINS, NOT TRAGEDIES...
The Beginning
Evo, otvaramo naš blog. To zapravo nće biti kao blog već kao E-book na kojem će te moći čitati naša djela. Započinjemo sa prvim poglavljem naše knjige BROTHERS BY FANG čija je svrha pokazati ljudima da vampiri nisu čudovišta već su oni nadjačali ljude. Svaki ćemo tjedan uploadirati jedno poglavlje da ga možete pročitati.
Sincerely Empyrion AkA. Pokupa...
Chapter I - Meting of the Chosen
It was a night like any other… I gazed at the mortals drinking my vine. Suddenly, a boy † approaches me. Sits by me and tells:
– Look at them. They rule this realm!? Sitting and lying to each other so they would be more appealing. They should be our slaves… Our cattle. But what do we do? Nothing…
– Why are you telling this, boy? We are humans… Just like them. – I answered.
– You do not need to lie. I feel your darkness. You are like me. We are the immortal ones.
The boy is a vampire… A vampire occupying a human body. Just like me.
– Would you like to join me for a walk? – I asked.
– Gladly. – He answered.
– Good.
We walked a few meters away from the café bar. Then I asked him:
– How did you sense my presence?
– It was easy. I searched for a being of the night. Your darkness was the easiest to sense. – he answered. – The darkness around you can be sensed even by some mortals… Who are you? What are you?
– You may call me as you wish. My last name was Arcanus. I am not a vampire… I am darkness itself.
– Marvelous. Then I will call you Master and you may call me slave.
– No… A slave is an inferior being. Your spirit is old… What is your name?
– I… I do not remember. I took control of this body and know only its past. My past is not yet known…
– Cut your palm. – I said.
– Why?
– Just do it…
– All right. – said the young vampire and cut his palm. – What now?
– Spill the blood onto my hand…
I tasted the blood so I could tell him his past. Therefore revealing his first of many mysteries...
– Your spirit defiled this boys blood… Your real name was Giovanni. But after becoming a child of the night, you changed it into… Empyrion. Pyro to your friends. Ha, ha. You were created by an elder. His name was Blarr de Filo.
– So, I was created not born as a vampire… Good. Thank you, Arcanus. But, how can I know these things? – Pyro asked.
– There is a way… Try to come in touch with your spirit. It will tell you all you need to know.
– I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but why are you helping me? I just met you and you told me more than anyone. Why?
– Because… You remind me of myself. You and I had a similar history. We will talk tomorrow more. I have to go now… Lunch awaits.
– Can I come?
– No. You must get in touch with your spirit. The moon is full, which means that your powers are stronger tonight. Use it…
– Yes, Master…
– Do not call me Master. Call me Arcanus.
– As you wish, Arcanus. Have a nice meal…
– Thank you.
And so our ways parted until tomorrow… As I walked away I thought about my history. I remember my creation. Pyro and I had so much in common. As I said, his history was similar to mine. He killed his family because he was threatened by Blarr. He gave his family three choices: to leave and practically to seize to exist, to join his curse or “the hard way”. His family was pure catholic so they refused all options… He had to kill them, if he hadn’t Blarr would. Blarr was ruthless; he would probably make them into ghouls so his anger and pain could grow. Pyro was afraid of Blarr. Because of Pyro’s fear, he burned down his own home, so Blarr wouldn’t know his history. He has hidden a lot of things, just like me. I was only 19 when I was cursed. My “luck” was that he was a great teacher. His name was Kritokeras, a Greek vampire.
