Dark Days In The UnderWorld, page 7

Bear gifts before the King

Fellow vampires. We have been attacked and an attempt on my life has been thwarted. I am safe. However we have casualties. We will end the lives of any remaining intruders and will imitate lock down procedure 0. All personal please enter the compound as nobody will be able to leave or enter once the process is complete.

Skyler gave a smirk and walked off.

I am Toodles I said. Glad to finally meet my stalker. Too bad you missed out on the party. No worries, I will be explaining to Magnus just how I got your number.

I handed him one of the special guns and said You and your friend here might need these. Take whatever you feel you may need.

After the brief exchange with Toodles, Dieter picked up a UV gun and looked at it and placed it on the table with the other weapons scattered about. He thought about his initial observations of Toodles, and knew that he was one to be watch closely. Why would Magnus allow this upstart to walk around freely? He had to get to Magnus as soon as possible and get to the bottom of what transpired tonight. Dieter never like getting deeply involved in any assignment.

Reinhardt was still admiring the tech of the weapon's before him, and brought his head up to address his master and began to speak in German after Toodles and Skylar had left.

So that was Toodles, the guy we came to assist and get out of a jam, and all he could say, was, but, a few words? Maybe it’s to early for judgments? But I think he is one not to be taken lightly? Yes, Reinhardt, my sentiments, exactly. He is quite an insulant scum, but if Magnus has dealings with him, then my personal opinions have no bearing on the matter. Remember, Reinhardt, we are still loyal employees, and under contract! If Toodles, turns into a problem I will stake him myself!

Dieter's face shook violently and his personal appearance changed to his human form. He placed another weapon held in his hands softly on the table, with the rest of the arsenal.

Reinhardt, leave the weapons, order has been restored, and if we need anything we can always return. Now, for more pressing matters, we will have audience with Magnus and go from there. But first, we go below, and get our prisoner who is still locked in the van. He will be a gift to Magnus. No one goes before the king without bearing gifts. Very well, Master. as he put down whatever it was that captured his interest and turned around to follow his master who was now exiting the armory.

As they exited the armory, a guard hit a key-pad and the doors closed and locked behind them. The security presence on the second floor had now dissipated and the compound staff began to gather up the debris and bodies into wheel barrows. With the power on, the devastation was appalling. Limbs and heads scattered everywhere, blood over everything, in an arrangement of such melancholy, it looked as though Jackson Pollack was the interior decorator during the melee. Looking at the horror show before him, Dieter shook his head and shrugged. As they continued on their way to the parking level, Dieter thought: “How could there have been a breach of this magnitude, at a place that some vampires would consider as their Mecca or Vatican City? Someone is responsible for this desecration? I don’t care if it is a vampire or a werewolf or both, it’s of no matter. They must be dealt with by callousness and extreme prejudice. Magnus should have never let his guard down. The blood of these vampires are on his hands.”

Finally, in the parking garage, and standing at the rear of the van; a loud pounding could be heard coming from the contents inside. Reinhardt removed the keys from his pocket, and began to jimmy them into the lock. With the doors unlocked; he swung them open.

Looking at the two men now standing before him, the man began to speak in a thick cockney accent: Mate, I blacked out and found myself locked in my van. I don’t know who is responsible for this bloody b*ll**ks! Thanks for letting me out. Can you blokes take me to the filth (police)?”

Dieter, responded in his sharp German accent Sorry for any misfortune your present predicament might have caused, but it was a necessary evil for us. Please exit the vehicle now. You are a dinner guest for an old friend of mine. We are not going anywhere, and you are at your final destination. The man jumped out of the van and looked at the two standing before him, and with anger setting in: I don’t know what you w**k*rs are up to, but I need to see the bl**dy filth!

We aren’t the authorities and we offer you no assistance. You are meat for the beast. In an instant, Dieter’s face changed into a vampire and smiled with all fangs showing. In shock at the sight, the man hastily scrambled in the opposite direction, screaming for help and kicking car doors; thus sounding the alarms. The two just looked at each other for a moment as the man ran with car alarms going off around them. His cries echoed throughout the parking complex.

Don’t worry Reinhardt, I got him. He took flight and descended upon the man with unparalleled quickness. In an instant, the vampire was on the man with a knee dug deeply in his back, and a weight holding him down, which felt like a thousand pounds. With a knee in his back, he quickly grabbed both arms and held them up from behind. Reinhardt came from behind pulling a zip-tie from his pocket, and put them around the man’s wrists. With the prisoner under control, Dieter got up as Reinhardt forcefully brought the man to his feet. The three made their way to the stairwell with the man’s hands held firmly by Reinhardt.

Don’t bother calling out for help or escaping, because you are but a lamb walking into the wolf’s den. You will see what I am talking about very shortly. To hell with you! Responded the man, in utter defiance of the now unknown fate before him. Their prisoner looked around the corridor leading to the lobby, and gasped at the house of horrors around them of mutilated vampires.

They were now entering the lobby, and at an instant, the vampires stopped what they were doing, like a shark does when blood is in the water. It captivated the vampires as though they could smell the blood of a human in the air. The man shrieked in fear as the vampires descended around them from all directions. Dieter looked at the vampires who were now in the process of encircling them like a pack of wolves around an injured bison on the open field.

This is not for you, but for the master. Go about your business or your blood will blanket these walls, like from before. I have no problem dispatching any one of you. Plus, I think Magnus’s wrath will be far worse than mine. When they heard Magnus’s name, they scattered like roaches when the light comes on and continued with clean-up.

They made their way up the stairs, pass the second floor with the armory. As the prisoner walked up the the stairs with his captors, he thought: "After being descended upon by demons in lobby and seeing what appeared like hell, he had succumbed to whatever fate Dieter and Reinhardt had in store for him."

There was nothing he could do. They finally reached Magnus’s chambers on the top floor. Looking around, it appeared like a battle of epic proportions took place and the damage was quite extensive. There was an entourage standing around near the entrance, some security and others must have been advisers or assistants.

A woman stopped talking after noticing Dieter, and came over: You must be Dieter? I’m Mariah, we have been expecting you. As you can see we have been rocked to the core. Cut the crap, I need to see Magnus immediately! So get out of my way!

The three made their way pass Mariah in haste and into the large chambers. Before them, all that could be seen, was a figure, dimly lit, sitting at a desk, hands over the face in an appearance of bewilderment, and looking down at something. This was not the confident man he remembered seeing before, this was a defeated and shaken man.

Dieter took the man from Reinhardt and pushed him forward so that he was between them and the desk. The man stood up and looked ahead at the darkened man sitting before him.

Let me begin, no one goes before the king without presenting gifts. My gift is before you now. However, your reign seems a little erratic at the moment and that concerns me, greatly! Why was Toodles given free reigns to come and go as he pleases? Why did he contact me and not you? I told you to keep my involvement quite, but now everyone knows I am involved? I met Toodles, but only briefly, while in the armory; and I can tell you one thing, watch him at the very least. I have my reservations about his candor. My gut tells me that he can’t be trusted and will stab anyone in the back to meet his own ends. Perhaps, you should look into compound 3 a little further as well? Now with the recent chain of events, your problems have become mine, and my neck is on the line as well as yours. I don’t like being used as a pawn in your grand chess game, that will make me angry. You haven’t had the privilege of seeing me angry, and I hope you never do. With that in mind, don’t test me! Now tell me everything, since I am now knee-deep in your affairs.

After finishing his monologue, he stared intently at Magnus awaiting a response . . .

[edit on 3-10-2009 by Jakes51]

The Royal Treatment

Listening to Magnus’s response, he was at ease for the first time during their exchange. He had earned the old man’s trust and that filled his dead heart with joy. Then Magnus went to his desk and removed an amulet of sorts from behind the wall.

This is a keepsake of our bloodline. A sign of royalty and power. I present it to you as a gift for your services thus far. With this you will be able to come and go as you please in any vampire establishment or Lycan establishment.

No creature will dare thwart any of your efforts if presented with this mark of your lineage. It also holds the power to keep any elder mind control at bay

He took the pendant from Magnus’s hand and placed it around his neck. In thought about the unexpected gift, “This trinket, would come in handy down the road. Now I have the official seal of the Lilith clan and the muscle behind me to carry out my efforts.”

After handing over the pendant, Magnus looked at the monitor on his desk with great interest. Moments later, his aide, Mariah, arrived.

Magnus excused himself from the conversation for a moment to listen to Mariah. The woman began to speak:

Sire, I have received word from Toodles, the transmission was mostly garbage but I did pull a single sentence. He said Werewolf Elders, does that mean anything to you?

After Mariah’s report, Magnus looked disturbed and at general unease. The burden of command was like the weight of the world on your shoulders, he thought. He remembered it well, when he was in the SS, and in charge of an infantry unit back in the war which seemed like a thousand centuries ago, now. He remembered insubordination, making split second decision which usually cost lives before assessment, dueling egos of his men, and more. Command and cohesion was paramount, and thus far, Magnus had shown the willingness to lead.

Magnus left Mariah with instructions and slammed his fist on his desk in infuriated rage.

Another problem arises Dieter. I think I have found a mission for you.

It seems Lilith is also attempting to raise the Werewolf Elders from their tombs as well. I do not know much about them, it is one of the most closely guarded secrets of their kind. I need you to find out more. I only know of one such Elder, but the location of his tomb is vague at best.

Still soaking in Magnus’s words, he was taken aback at what he was hearing. This old folklore had Magnus really upset and alarmed. He was unfamiliar with the Elders, but knew they had existed at one time, and the only one’s he knew for sure, was the one standing before him, and his elusive Master Albius. He would have to track down Albius, and gain a second opinion. It would be as the mortals do when discovering they have a date with death as a result of cancer. But that was for another time, and now Magnus needs whatever assistance I could offer.

He then observed Magnus rummage through the debris scattered across his desk and picked up a worn book. Holding the manuscript in his hand, he began to look on it intently, obviously looking for a caption of interest for the occasion. After he found what he was looking for, he began to read out loud. As the elder began to read, he took another sip of his scotch which had been nursed throughout their exchange.

March 26, 1654

My travels had taken me across the ocean and into the new world. The people here are strange, yet I respect them. They are of nature. They not only take from the land, but nurture it as well, making sure there are resources for the next generation.

A people like this will make a fine addition to my army. If only Magnus were here. He had always been better with words.

The Lycans seem to have gotten here first however. The stories of a savage beast eating villagers whole cannot be attributed to a bear or mountain lion, something far more deadly is here among the ranks.

I doubt it a regular Lycan either. It seems this one is attacking in broad daylight. My only guess is that it is one of the ancients, such as me, come to make a new life for themselves. I have tracked the origins of the myth to small village south of the great lakes.

This is my next destination, I need strong souls for my plan of....[ilegeble]..to come to frution.

After Magnus finished reading, he was shocked at what he heard and the folk connotations associated with it. “This was just legend and nothing more, or maybe more?” he thought.

So you Dieter, it would be important for us to gain more information about this place and the series of events that led Lilith to their door. What do you think?

After Magnus had finished, Dieter took the last swig of his brandy and abruptly cleared his throat in anticipation of his response to the Elder.

Master thanks for the gift and I will wear it in your honor. Hopefully, it will help through thick and thin as you have said? I overheard your conversation with Mariah. So Toodles may be at it again? The only advice I can give you about him is to keep him very close, and maybe he can be used as a buffer of sorts for your enemies. Put him out there with relative hegemony, and if he should screw up, the blow-back will go to him before it comes to you. Give him free reign to do as wishes with subtly inklings of your true intentions. Let him put his neck out there for you. You’re the king, and with that, you have pawns, and use Toodles as such. Now, about the story you just read. Well, I find it interesting in a folkloric sense, but I don’t see any substance to it. I work in the here and now, and I am no archaeologist or historian. What I gathered from the read, is that Lilith was en-route to an Indian village in the New World, because to my knowledge, the only Europeans in that region were French explorers or maybe even some British, but no immediate outposts at that time in history. By now, the tribe is long gone, and fully integrated into modern American culture, either through disease, conquest, or relocation to a reservation.

However, the next step would be tracking down a tribal elder of a tribe that may be out of existence in the present. Native Americans didn’t keep records and most of their history is passed down from word of mouth to each consecutive generation, and if we are lucky, we can find some corroborating information in relation to Lilith’s account. I am familiar to a degree with Native American folklore which I have acquired from research in my spare time. The subject fascinates me, and I think what is referred to in the text, is that of the Wendigo, the Native American version of our Werewolf. According to Native American folklore, a Wendigo, is s a malevolent cannibalistic spirit into which humans could transform, or which could possess humans. It comes from Algonquin legend.

Now, it said, south of the Great Lakes, which one, Lake Michigan, Huron, Erie, Superior? That area spans for some thousands of miles, so I would need a definitive name of the general location to start with. I will take the mission, because it is of importance to you, but I can’t guarantee much of anything will come of it, because it just too vague. If you can come up with more information surrounding the subject, I can follow-up on that . . .

Dieter brought his glass up for a drink, and forgot that he had drank it all before speaking and gently placed it on the desk in front of him. He, now, awaited a response to his suggestions.

[edit on 11-10-2009 by Jakes51]