When was the last time an Elder Vampire was struck with a punch powerful enough to devastate not only where it landed but also the next two buildings in every direction? The answer to that is, never. Then there’s the matter of being overwhelmed. It’s one thing taking that punch; it’s another to wake up alive seconds after. Once you’re awake there are a few things to consider. Do you stay and fight? Or do you run and live to fight another day? The average warrior thrives off of ego once they maintain a continuous victory in every battle. The idea of immortality dances about at the top of their minds, teasing them with future victories. Who would even dare to think they are anything lesser when they walk a world of mortals.
Today is the day the food chain shakes and trembles at the hand of a race thought to be only second to them. Today is the day they prove their worth, where assumptions are put to the test, theories are brought down and historians take up their pens and write about the Gods of tomorrow. The world is yet to witness two beings at their peak strength clash like titans upon a puny world. There are humans not yet born who are destined to see such a clash but it is not till many centuries come and go before this takes place.
It is only when Arcadeus marches towards Cain that the Elder Vampire realizes there is a flaw in the plan. It is just before the Demigod commences a second attack that the Vampire ponders the possibilities of failure in the grand scheme his Lord and Master had devised thousands of years ago. They had not yet checked if he was the one. But he had to be. It was either today or never the Forgotten Prophecy could come true. They had waited too long and they were in need. Juleus Mara had to be the one they were looking for. He had all the signs they were looking for.
Was there really doubt in his mind? Cain couldn’t control it. Arcadeus finally hit him with a left hook but Cain couldn’t feel the pain. What was it? What was it that bothered him? His head slammed against the wall and his hood fell down, revealing his short brown hair, broken nose, strong jawline and green eyes. Many would have believed him to be of Greek origin along with the dark skin tone he had. An Elder Vampire, a man unsure of his own age, pre-dating many of the recognized nations yet didn’t look a day older than fifty.
It was the sheer power that was used that caused doubt. He could almost feel the power vibrating through his body. They were all there watching when it first happened when Arcadeus was the first to bond with a second God Particle. They had talked about it for years. Argued over the possibilities of such an event happening and what it could mean if it ever did. If it ever did, was there a limit?
“I’m up thirty-six.” Arcadeus had said. That’s thirty-five more than they were expecting. Perhaps that’s why Cain couldn’t fight back, even when Arcadeus had now thrown him through multiple buildings, slammed him into the roads outside and sent him several meters below the surface with one mighty stomp. Dare he fight back?
Arcadeus reminded him of a man he dreaded since his very existence. A man his master dreaded as well. It was this kind of power that forced them against it. Endless power can corrupt any being, mortal or not. They always promise to keep it in check but those in power always strive for more. It is a boundless thirst. A thirst they promised to end. A thirst they tirelessly fight which makes the chances of their failure feel so grim. Should they fail this day, having brought the wrong Demigod to their Master, their fight against the thirst for power will be prolonged.
After two minutes of silence, Cain finally began to dig his way back to ground level. He spotted Arcadeus casually walking away as he made his way out. He knew the Demigod heard him come out but he continued to walk away. Was he taunting him? It didn’t matter. He no longer wanted to think about it as he clenched his fists. Arcadeus’s war was getting in the way of an ancient war, one that dated before Cain’s time.
He sprinted towards the Demigod and lashed out a series of punches on his back. Arcadeus turned around in fury with the back of his fist and thrust it around. He missed and was met with yet a dozen more punches in just a matter of seconds. Cain changed his focus and began to aim at Arcadeus’s head. Seeing the change in his eyes, Arcadeus countered with a simple yet powerful head thrust towards an incoming fist. The momentum and force shook Arcadeus off his feet and broke Cain’s arm, shattering his knuckles, forearm and shoulder. He yelled out in pain, buckling to the ground as he held his arm.
The Demigod stood up and walked over to the beaten Vampire. They locked eyes and led to Arcadeus pulling his hair back, forcing his superiority with a glare. “Where is my son? Where is Juleus?” Arcadeus snarled. “He is down there... somewhere.” Cain snickered. “There are one of two things that will happen tonight, Arcadeus.” “What is that?” “We will find out together. You see, we have been busy with matters of our own while you’ve been fighting the Humans. We’ve been seeking someone.” “That someone happens to be my boy?” “Curious, isn’t it? It really could have been anyone and out of all the people on this earth, the person we’re looking for is the son of a Demigod General.” “Sounds like a logical kidnapping. You could be working with the Humans.” Cain laughed at Arcadeus’s presumption. “We wouldn’t work with the Humans. We do not side with anyone but our own.” “What is it you seek then? What do you need Juleus for? To weaken me?” “You fail to understand yet again. Our destiny has nothing to do with you except a certain someone... someone with a specific genetic code.” Cain smiled. He was leaving out information on purpose and he could see the irritation it caused on Arcadeus. “The God Particle Juleus bonded with has a higher significance than the rest?” “We will find out.” “What good is a God Particle to a Vampire?” The question Arcadeus asked suddenly sent chills down his own spine. “Can you bond with it?” Cain laughed, mockingly, once again. “If only Arcadeus! If only!” said the Vampire with a demented tone. “But power must be controlled. One soul should never possess infinite power.” “What are you on about?” “Half an hour, Arcadeus, and we will find out.”
Arcadeus had enough with the toying. He grasped Cain’s other arm under his and forced it the wrong way. Cain’s elbow popped and shattered on the spot and the rest of his arm wobbled unsupported. A scream of agony followed but Arcadeus shut him up, grabbing him by the neck. “Where is Juleus!” he roared. “I want my son back!” “I told you! There are one of two things that will happen today!” wailed Cain. “One, we will have failed but you will never see your son again. “And what is the second!?” Arcadeus grabbed hold of the now jelly-like elbow. “AAAaaaarrrhhgg. OR! OR!” Cain laughed once more. “We win! We finally win! And you do get to see your son! But when you do.... hahahahaha... when you do!” “When I do!?” “YOU WILL NEED TO KILL HIM YOURSELF!” Cain suddenly pushed Arcadeus off of him with both his feet, sending the Demigod flying several meters up into the air. Once he crash-landed, Arcadeus took a good look at where they were. Cain was nowhere to be seen. He was gone.
Juleus was still chained in the dark and gloomy room. He could hear the sound of footsteps again, echoing in the hall. It was harder to see now. There was dust floating in the area. He had felt every earthquake in the last hour and feared for his life each time. The silhouette of a person was finally visible. Juleus squinted to get a better look. This wasn’t the same person he last encountered. The new figure was also hooded but removed it once they were face to face. Juleus was a straight man but was stunned by the handsome face that greeted him. A blond man, with almost similar traits to his, smiled at him.
“Who are you?” asked Juleus.
“Ssshhhhh...” His voice, even though he did not say a word, sounded angelic.
The man closed his eyes and began to speak in a foreign language. Juleus had never heard it before. The man opened his eyes once his verse was finished and smiled once more.
“Have you ever heard the prophecy... of the Anti-Christ?” he simply asked. Juleus stared at him. He no longer felt the need to find out more about this new race. “Who are you...” he asked. The man smiled and smiled. There was something off about him. His presence soothed him but also pained his heart. Juleus couldn’t breathe. “You.... aren’t...” “Ssssshhhhhh...”
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