(Every now and again I will put excerpts of writings I do, just a little something to keep things interesting. )
The piece I am putting in here is my beloved Vampire Scorpious looking for information on his bloodline.. In the heart of Romania during the 1700’s.
Characters: Scorpious (Vampire), Janos (Ghoul) Antagonist: Annabel (Vampire former nun)
The evening was the perfect time to ride in to Rasnov. It embodied the essence of innocent, very few people ventured out at night they feared the very thing that they have never seen. The church has scared them with tales of Vampires and other creatures of the night. Their superstition outweighed any sense of boldness in which they would normally flaunt. Rhythmic patterns of gallops stopped with a snuff from their fatigued snouts. I walked out seeing nothing but desolate streets with only a few meandering souls that tempted fate with nightly strolls. My eyes wandered, steps echoed throughout the misty dampness of the towns streets.
Janos stayed in the carriage he was focused on his research as a good servant should be. A young man no older than an adolescent stood on a corner staring at me.. “Aye you, wot you all doin here this night. The town never gets visitors after dark” I smiled at the boy, coming upon him wrapping my arm around his shoulder. “Can you point me in the direction of the church my young man?” I guided him into a deep dark corner of the alley he pointed me in the direction of the church. “Thank you my son” Not a moment the words left my lips that my fangs plunged deep into him not a squeal was left. My eyes closed feeling surge of energy fill me with vigor. I left the body sprawled out in the midst of the alley.
This example would only strengthen the superstitious horrors that the locals held so strongly. The carriage met me and we were off, the church was on top of the hill on the end of town. For a moment I thought how proud Vincent would be if he knew how horrifically displayed my prey had been laid in the cool wet road. The feeling was almost sickening and saddened but then again for some small reason I was compelled to ponder this. The church looked like a small medieval castle with Masonic architecture built with uneven limestone block. All churches in Romania were considered not only sacred but of great power.
These buildings of godly bliss were less enclined to believe in the myths and superstitions of the common Romanian people. Yet they used this to successfully manipulate the people and in turn attaining their full loyalty. It was a contradiction I found most devious and humorous as well. I walked up followed by Janos his face finally free from the hypnotic words that graced those diaries pages. It seemed as if even he was attracted to Vincent’s charm. The door opened to a stunning display of sculptures and paint. Angels and cherubs line the walls staring down at the would be worshippers with a serene wooden expression.
The pews were carved with intricate designs. The alter yes the alter was a sight fit for the damned to reveal their sins and repent for those things they have longed suffered through. The only thing that was missing within this house of sin and suffering were the people. This place seems to lay vacant for some time. Most houses of God especially those with the history and myth this one harbors would be amassed with people throughout the week atoning for sins they have not even committed. Janos looked about rather befuddled at the ominous silence.
“What is this master? Why are we here?” I rested my hand upon the alter, there was a certain spark of pride defiling religious hypocrisy. Yet my intuition was savagely clawing at my senses. “Janos, wait in back of the church, I have a feeling we are going to find all the answers were looking for.” Janos backing away cautiously didn’t hear the rustling that was going within the door aside the alter. “My sons, you must not fear, this church of God is here for you and will keep you safe from those retched lands.”
The angelic voice echoed through the church with soft tones that were relaxing to the ear. She emerged a young woman dressed in black, a hood covered everything but her face. Her body was dressed in Nuns garb, possibly once she did take those unbanishable vows of dedication but no more were they followed. Death cleanses all earthbound obligations librating those who rise providing them with a new canvas. She looked warm and inviting but we both knew what she was and why she was here. She came out walking with her hands loosely intertwined together as if in casual prayer. Sitting on the pew patting on the seat next to her .
“Tell me your confessions my son and I shall grant you forgiveness in the eyes of the lord”. I smiled, this one was young, I would have to be careful for she had no idea what I was. Such a perfect lair she had here,like lambs to the slaughter people come and meet their forgiveness in death.
The church looked as if it was constructed by the angels themselves the intricate detail of carvings and paintings made me feel a sense of godliness even with the contradiction of this divinely cursed form. A look back at Janos exposed a look of tranquility something I thought was most amusing given the circumstances. But then again even I could admire the sanctity of this place. The fledgling sat in her robed attire a woman cursed disguised as a woman of god how, ironic. Her voice angelically soft trying to lure me into her bed of lies. Yes this I have seen before, sad little child unknowing what she has before her, but I digress I will play her ploy and encourage the game she treads blindly into.
I took a seat the pew was hard and cool to the touch her hand fell calmly in her lap with a look of solemn innocence, her voice continued like a sirens song in the wind. “My son I am here for you and for you alone please tell me your confessions and I shall absolve you of any sins.” Taking a pensive moment to gather my thoughts and create the tension so undoubtedly needed in this house of god. I could feel the manipulative wheels begin to weave a deceptive thread “Dear sister my sins and misgivings are my own, these are things I must live with and only upon the sight of God will I seek redemption. “
She looked rather perplexed and a slight hint of confusion hit her as if she came face to face with a stone wall. “So my son why do you come here, what is it you seek?” I could see her hands fidget it seemed patience was not something she was accustomed too. “I am in search for the Church of Densu in Transylvania sister there and only there is the information I seek.” She smiled at me calmly I could finally see her eyes a pale shade of gray. “My son I can provide the information you……” She reached over and touched my hand, recoiling like she touched a vat of acid she jumped back. Her bonnet flying off stripping the coif along like a white flowing tail. Her fangs displayed full and erect, that angelic voice took a demonic turn like a slithering snake fighting for a meal.
“Who are you and why do you invade my place of rest” An interesting transformation, a solemn weakling into a writhing fledgling. “I have told you what I have come for young one; do you still not know how to spot kindred when they breech these walls? If you would be so kind to tell me what I am looking for I will show you.” Her head jerked from side to side, you could see the thoughts tumbling attempting to find some faint resolve. Her mind has not yet crossed the line to complete sanity. “North, go north until you reach Transylvania. The church you are looking for rests on the east side. Now tell me what am I looking for?” The scathing voice was driving into an impatient rage.
“Oh my dear I never did say I was going to tell you now, did I? I have to see the church with my own eyes, I shall not let a simpleton like you trick me like your current futile attempt.” With an angered growl she ran and leapt on me like a rabid animal. A tooth flaring, eyes scorching, screams like a tortured animal emanated from her voice. I was knocked against the wall Janos jumped up with a direct hand I stopped him, grabbing her throat I ripped her off. The effortless actions of throwing that ravenous young beast up against the wall caused an inherent laugh.
I pointed for Janos to go, leaning down grabbing her hair I pulled her head back to show me those white fangs and destroyed ego. “What is your name child?” Her lips quivered as my grip tightened. “Annabel my name is……Sister Annabel” I smiled deviously.. “I am Scorpious..” Her eyes shot open, such a glorious look of fear exposed from such strained conditions. “It is you? Why are you here? What are you doing?” I laughed and bent down ever so close to her ear. “Look at the eyes, they are the windows to a soulless husk” I let go of her and slowly walked down the aisle taking one more look around. “WHY ARE YOU HERE? WHAT ARE YOU DOING. YOU ARE NOT MEANT TO BE. LORD VINCENT SAYS SO!” That made me stop in mid step I turned my head to the side and paused. “Your, Lord Vincent will see me soon enough, I promise you” Taking the last few steps out of the church cries were heard echoing against the sanctified walls cursing holy relics and making this place seem lost and now desolate.
The trip north was quiet, Janos didn’t say much I believe that church and horrid vision he was exposed too had an effect on him. I realize now all the things that he had done in his lack of sanity was a mere blur he only remembers those moments when his body is in its most pure form. Finally I broke the silence and cursed the quiet contemplation. “Janos tell me what you know of this church.” He finally broke off his hypnotic stare into the moonlight he opened his book. “It is said that the church of Densu is unlike any church in Romania.
The church is settled in the middle of what looks like a small city state surrounded with walls and defenses like its own condensed kingdom. There are not obvious guards but there are monks who patrol the grounds constantly. The information you are looking for is locked up in the catacombs under the church where the founders are buried. Now don’t be fooled it is rumored that there are books and text that cover the majority of the church. You are looking at over a thousand years of Romanian history confined into one place. This Church receives visitors every day at all times so it should not be hard to get in. I have heard that some do know what too look for to spot any kindred but I believe that to be a myth. Remember do not do anything to attract attention.”
The carriage bumped along the road settling on a street not far from where the church sits. The driver parked a mere block away from the gated community of god. I looked around the corner and Janos and I made way slowly to take a look at what I was up against. What stood before me made me awestruck I have seen palaces in my time that didn’t even compare to this monumental structure of religious debauchery. “Janos stay with the carriage as soon as I come out of this place we will need to move fast to get away. I cant imagine it will take them long to find their information missing. Listen Janos when I finish this your obligation is complete you may then go where you please. You have served me well, contemplate your options while I take care of this.”
Not a moment later I was out of site hidden in the shadows spying intently on what activity was going on beyond this gate. Two monks every ten minutes passed by, they scoured the grounds like mindless corpses faces hidden within their scarlet robes stepping in unison like soldiers instead of men of god. After a mere fifteen minutes I straightened my jacket awaiting the next pair of monks to go by and then started off for the vestibule of the church. The doors I could see from a distance were large and laboriously solid. I followed a couple whom as I got closer they veered away almost as if my aura was giving off an invisible poisonous cloud.
The door was a mere few yards away, the inlay on the door was one of god and men, the shining light of the heavens bestowed on all mankind. Two monks passed by and one stopped he turned with a curious eye and looked at me and in a moment of utter mindlessness I looked back. His eyes opened wide and a look of horror spread across his face. “Strigoi, close the gate there is a Strigoi among us!!” He yelled with fervor I ran through the door in haste. A monk jumped on top of me, quickly shaking him hitting him knocking him unconscious. I ran through the halls looking for this lower entrance into the catacombs.
Two of them came after me one slicing my arm with his dagger and the other grabbed be around the throat. Grabbing the knife from the man’s hand a quick stab in the head released the grip from my neck and with smooth unfettered motion the cool thin steel slit through the others throat. I quickly indulged in that small burst of blood flowing thorough the severed flesh. I continued my search, monks were flooding into the building searching every hall way suddenly I hit a dead end. I looked around left to right heating voices I could feel slight panic starting to rise. A window off to the side gave way to knaves alter. I thought I have finally found safety. The church was dark barely able to see anything I started to feel my way around.
When all of a sudden one by one a candle started to light, my body froze the soft ambient glow exposed at least a hundred monks standing around the pews slowly creeping their way forward. They all lunged forward dozens of hands grabbed me, my fists met flesh, claws scraped into skin hearing cries scream out. I was overwhelmed panic became stronger my mind brimming with insanity. I was held tight by many and carried down long dark corridors I could barely see being led down, only rough stone walls moving past me. The hallway opened up into a dark room colored in the shade of red and violet. A meeting place it looked with chairs and what looked like an alter in the shape of a cross.
Before I knew it I saw a man in black come forth the crowed parted like the preverbal red sea. With a mallot in one hand and a stake in the other, I writhed against the massive pressure the monks were putting on me. Fangs biting in panic hands grabbed my hair and held my head down. “He told us you would come, he counted on it.” With one motion he placed the stake over my heart and slammed the mallet into it. Then there was nothing, nothing, nothing but darkness.
There was a quiet hum in the room the monks started to back away all but five of them. Hammer and spikes were brought in, the cross shaped alter was not an alter at all. It was a cross of crucifixion the body of Scorpious with the large finely carved stake impaled into his heart was lifted and placed on the cross. Nails were put in his hands and feet, he was hung behind the alter. The man in black looked at him and smiled.
“Don’t worry little demon, you only sleep until he deems you are to be released. But you are mine until then, and a trophy you will be for me. Hung for three days members watched in awe a curiosity as the symbolic third day passed the cross was taken down Scorpious with it and was placed in the dungeon with the rest of the scourge and tainted.
