The Damascus Chronicles (28 page)

“Come in and rest,” said Julius as he poked at the burning wood with a steel poker. They all plopped on the sofa, exhausted and beaten.

“Alazar Desbode beat us, the Dark Force and his minions were just too much. I hope you’re happy. Though we did get the bio gun,” panted Michael.

“Have a drink, sit, and tell me what happened,” said Julius as he took out a bottle of red wine and poured glasses for everyone. He handed the glasses of wine for all to drink. Michael and Serena fed from a goblet that had an elixir given to him by Julius, and they were then healed.

After finishing the goblet Michael handed Julius the weapon to inspect, “Well done, Michael. You have passed the second trial. This bio weapon can be duplicated in our own weapons lab and we can harness its energy into new defense systems,” said Julius proudly, handing the rifle to a servant who then left the room, closing the doors.

“No more trials please; we have bigger worries. The creep in the black robe called some strange beast-like creatures up out of fire,” said Michael.

“Strange creatures?” questioned Julius.

“They were the most ugly son’s a bitches I have ever seen. He called them Tulina, Icolcus, and Gerwraith,” said Danny.

Disturbed, Julius dropped the bottle he held, shattering the glass on the floor. The telephone rang. Scarlet answer it. “Hello, yes. Father, it’s for you.” She handed her father the telephone.

“Yes, who is this? Takai? Why yes of course, I understand. Yes, immediately,” said Julius seriously as he hung up the phone, turning around with a worried look on his old decrepit face.

“The time has come. All of you must come with me; the prophecy is being fulfilled,” said Julius. They headed down the stairs into the cellar, where in the catacombs there was a shimmering pool of water that reflected the torches burning on the walls.

“What is this place?” asked Danny.

“Where the records of the Great Testament have been kept safe. The keepers have documented, over the centuries, the events of this war, including the scroll that speaks of the prophecy of its end. The end was foretold in a series of visions to an unknown monk who served the early church in Athens, after being visited by the Angel Gabriel who said “I have come from Jesus the Christ. Write down all that I tell you to prepare for a dark age that will come upon the earth. All of mankind will be persecuted. Now prepare.” The writings were kept secret and the scrolls were locked away, hidden in an old cemetery. Pagans who hated the Church burned down many cathedrals at the time.

After being discovered by a band of thieves, the scrolls were sold to a notary. Then the Church bought them and the Pope transferred the keeping of the scrolls to the cardinals. From there, the scrolls were entrusted to me,” Julius finished. “And here are the scrolls encased in glass, well preserved,” said Marianna.

“You mean, the story of you serving as a general for the church is true?” asked Michael.

“Where did you hear this?” asked Julius.

“Dominus,” said Michael.

“ I see,” said Julius.

“But if this prophecy is true, why didn’t the Church in Rome aid you?” said Michael.

“Fear can bring great confusion to men who are good. It was that fear and hatred that turned those we trusted against my legion and what I had become. The Sons of Judah believed I was cursed by God, so I was seen as a heretic and was driven out with my men by a private hired army, only to be captured by the Dark Society’s legions,” said Julius.

“What prophecy?” Michael pressed.

“The prophecy tells that through the ages a war between good and evil would be fought over the future of the world until heaven sends a fallen warrior to be redeemed and help defeat the Dark Society on earth. That is one aspect of the prophecy, but there is a second potential destiny. It is said that evil legions of men will seek a source of power, a book that if acquired will be used to resurrect the creatures of the damned to conquer the world of the living. The three creatures you spoke of are part of the prophecy also.”

“I think you’re hiding something else,” said Michael as he saw on the scroll a woodcut of Julius and his men slaughtering people: men, women, and children, along with a man with red hair and green eyes dressed in red and silver armor that bore a strange seal.

“So you have figured it out then,” said Julius noticing Michael’s perception.

“Figured out what?” asked Darius.

“Your family is cursed because of what your father did while he was in Rome’s service,” said Michael carefully, looking closely at the mural on the wall. They had not recognized the figure in the picture until now. They all saw the true blood thirst of their lord, he who had played the innocent saint.

“Father you knew about this, and you never told us.” Scarlet looked at her father with big sad eyes.

“Orders were orders. I was charged to wipe out the heathen influence at the Pope’s command. If I hadn’t, they would have brought destruction to everything we had accomplished in Rome. I had to do what was necessary to protect his Imminence from potential assassination,” said Julius looking fierce, his eyes burning in anger.

“More like following your political loyalty. Now I understand the game you played; you killed a band of innocent people and now the big man upstairs is making you pay,” said Michael.

“So that’s your Great Test. You lied to us, Father!” Darius was enraged.

“Why should we listen to you anymore?” said Serena.

“Redemption can set you free if you seek it, this is true even for our kind. I want us all to be restored,” said Julius.

“But that is what you want! Not me!” Darius was furious.

“Brother you shouldn’t!” interjected Scarlet.

“Shut up Scarlet!” said Darius abruptly.

“He’s right,” said Serena.

Julius frowned in disgust at his eldest son and smacking Darius across the face. “Don’t question my power Darius! If I could kill those pathetic humans – ” Pointing his finger at the mural, he grabbed his son by the collar and lifted him off the ground. “I won’t hesitate to kill you!” Julius threw Darius to the ground.

Darius sprang up with his eyes burning, then breathed in his anger and brushed himself off. “Our time has come father; vampires will eventually rule this world. You’re a fool to believe becoming human again will make up for our family’s past,” Darius spat.

Julius was ready to draw his sword against his son’s impertinence but Serena came between them, preventing the attack.

“Forget the past and focus on the present. What about the creatures? If we don’t stop them there may not be a world left at all,” said Danny.

“What are they?” asked Serena.

“The Shirakai Guardians. Each is a key to unlock the power of a source of darkness, a book called The Yomi Tengu, which is translated as, “The Book of Darkness,” said Marko who had entered the room and overheard the conversation.

“What is this book, and what exactly are these guardians?” asked Danny.

“The Shirakai are a demonic race and dark spiritual beings, descendents of the tribes of Babalnite elders; the old ones, elder gods that were created by the legendary dark god Sagamu, the Japanese god of Jinguko, otherwise known as hell,” said Julius.

“It’s just a myth,” said Rocko skeptically.

“No myth, I assure to you it’s true,” said Julius ominously.

“No offense, but I thought you believed in one God,” said Michael.

“I do, but I’ve always been open to the idea of many things existing. Anyway, that is what we have learned from reading different records,” said Julius. “Tulina, Icolcus, and Gerwraith are actually the keepers of the portals that the book can unlock. Each of them is not to be underestimated; they are very dangerous and powerful.”

“I live for danger,” said Michael boldly.

“You are brave but foolish. They would trigger your fear before you could land a clear shot at them. They feed off the essence of emotions, such as fear and anger,” said Julius.

“What are their powers?” asked Serena.

“They share similar abilities. For instance, all Shirakais have the power to shape shift into forms of beautiful or grim beings. They can bring pestilence and death by screaming, and are workers of sorcery,” said Julius.

“Anything else on the weirdo-meter we haven’t heard yet dude?” asked Rocko.

“Each of them has a special gift. Tulina is a former witch of the cult of a demon goddess. She is able to control all forms of heat and fire. Icolcus has the power to create massive thunder and lightning storms, and Gerwraith is able to harness destructive winds and blizzards,” said Julius.

“How do you know so much about them?” asked Serena.

“You were not born in the centuries when the rest of the ancients and elders clans were lords ruling over the world. During those times, the Shirakai race had formed armies to attack our vampire clans, as well as the other creatures of the supernatural realm we were allied with, so we did what any people would do,” said Julius.

“Fight,” nodded Danny. “Can they be killed?”

“Yes, but not all of them. Only Lao Takai knows all of their secrets. He has lived longer than I have,” replied Julius.

“What exactly can this book do?” asked Danny. “We don’t know actually; the records we did have from Takai were destroyed in a fire many years ago. After that, Takai disappeared. The Coven did not hear from him again until three months ago,” Marianna spoke.

“Old fool should have stayed in the same place, makes our damn job a lot easier,” replied Darius annoyed.

“I believe it; after seeing all that I’ve seen I’m ready to believe anything. But who is this warrior who was foretold?” Michael sighed.

“You,” replied Julius.

“You have to be kidding me. I kill people for a living,” said Michael.

It was then Michael saw an angel before him, shaped as a man and dressed in a white robe with a hood, holding a book in one hand. No one else could see the angel or hear the words he spoke to Michael. “I am Gabriel, sent from the Christ. You have been chosen Michael.”

“You got the wrong guy,” thought Michael.

“You must face your destiny; the order of light demands it.”

Michael listened and Gabriel opened a book that he held in his hands; Michael’s name appeared in it. Then the angel vanished.

Michael was astounded by the angelic visitation. He now believed that God was trying to reach him and his faith was restored. But he still hated Phillips; he still could not let go of his desire for revenge.

Michael came out of it, and was asked by the others what had happened to him. He bypassed their questions, saying it was nothing but fatigue. “Who called on the phone earlier?” asked Michael.

“My old teacher Takai. He has been robbed. You and the others must help him to retrieve a special relic that was taken. It’s a jade dragon statue. Please understand that this relic is a part of the puzzle. This is your final test. Now go to this address and help him,” ordered

Julius handing Michael a note with the written address on it.

”Real cute!” retorted Michael.

“Look at me. Go, now! Or this sword will cut your head off!” said Julius, annoyed and drawing his sword to Michael’s neck. Feeling the sharp point at his neck, Michael knew that Julius meant business.

“When this is over my ass is out of here!” said Michael under his breath. The vampires and their comrades left quickly.

Alone again, Julius saw a woodcut of the relic on one of the scrolls he was reading through. He was nervous. “It’s time.”

Among the pagoda rooftops and decaying buildings perched majestic stone dragons layered in granite and marble. Below the mystical beauty of these guardians hung glowing lanterns that glistened brightly among the starry night, high above the masses of people celebrating in the streets. The center of the Oriental district was a wondrous place for festive spectacles.

It was the festival season and a grand parade was taking place at the heart of Chinatown. Fireworks lit up the night sky and firecrackers popped off in the distance. The Damascus crew and the Coven teleported to Chinatown, the group proceeded to the streets to locate Takai’s shop. The streets were crowded with dancers in the center of the parade and Chinese dragons roamed up and down. Among the chaos came Darius’s words, “How are we going to find Takai in this?”

“Be patient, we’ll find him,” replied Marianna. Scarlet looked at her portable computer tracker, typing in the address 1620 Shimoto Street. Serena looked at the computer tracker and asked, “How far are we?”

”Just a few blocks up, come on,” replied Scarlet. The group continued to the upper part of the Oriental district, where the scene was quieter. Away from the crowds, they approached a very old Chinese temple. Its stone walls looked ancient and its pillars were darkened by dust. The sky had grown very dark and a windstorm was beginning to brew; black clouds formed and white-hot lighting alternated with blasts of thunder. Rocko began to feel a strange and evil presence, like they were being watched. “I don’t like this guys, we shouldn’t be here,” he said.