Many people have been wondering about the novels I've written. Seemingly, they disappeared off the face of the earth. So, I'm giving those the pleasure of reading my rewrite. The older novels were written years ago, and have yet to be updated. Thus, I had begun rewriting them. The storyline has changed slightly, but the point remains true. As I continue to write, I will add more and more chapters to the novel. So if it isn't complete yet, please dont fret!
(The fully formated version can be found here.
http://www.freewebs.com/thelegendofarcon/ )
The Legend of Arcon
~(In the Beginning)~
Ah, the story of the vampire. Passed down from generation to generation, with so many illusions and tales, no one knows just where to start. So, they pick a person or a group of persons and begin telling. Tellers of Lore claim the vampire to be a demonic creature, full of hatred, seduction, and putrid feelings. Some even say they are not capable of love, only lust. But what if there was a pure vampire? What would he look like?
For eons these legends have been passed down, but as a scholar, I know of a specific breed of vampire that shall cast down all the other legends. It's a legend of strength, a legend of power, and legend of love. Of a vampire who faced the demons of his past and came forth to claim victory in the hearts of man. It is .. The Legend of Arcon.
Now, come and have a seat, and I shall tell the tale, the tale that no one has ever heard before. It all started one day in a land called Au'ur...
~(1)~
The Nightmare
656 A.D.
Where am I? asked the voice in his head. Am I dead? No, he wasn't dead. I can't see anything... Someone help me! called the voice within. But no one would answer.
Light began to illuminate the room where the young boy sat. This boy was a very special boy, unlike any other boy imaginable. But the boy did not know of his fate just yet. "Arcon," Called a deep, serious voice. "Arcon, get up off of the floor." Arcon, the boy, finally stood in the dim lit room, taking a moment to examine his surroundings.
He stood in the middle of a room with stone walls, complete with a cold, dusty cobble floor beneath his bare feet. A cot, which sat on the floor in the corner, was covered in his night beddings, strewn a mess by the tossing and turning within his slumber. Next to it sat a strange little table, one he had never seen before. Usually, Arcon would keep a lantern next to his bed, incase the nightmares returned and he had to ward them all off; like flame to the dark. This time, however, a thick, dusty book -- a tome as his people called it -- sat upon his newly acquired table.
The rest of the roomÂ’s features contained a barred window above the cot, but no doors. It was as if he was born into this room, and was forever sealed within it. Arcon attempted to take a step but found all the strength in his legs had given, and he began to collapse. His hand reached out and snatched the leg of the table, pulling it just as he hit the ground.
The table rocked once, twice, and once more, before it and the tome upon it toppled to the floor. The tome slid a crossed the cobblestone floor and hit the wall, where it had fallen open. He heard a gasp within the darkness of his dim room, but found his eyes falling upon no other person. No! cried a voice in his head, Close the book! I don't want to see them again!
Worried, Arcon began to drag himself a crossed the floor, finding his legs like jelly. Time seemed to slow down, as the wall -- and the book -- seemed to be growing further and further away. Arcon grasped at the cobblestones, pulling himself as hard as he could, but he seemed to be losing the fight. Please, Arcon! Please! continued the voice, sounding shaky and uneasy.
Arcon's hand stretched out and gripped the next cobblestone, but to his amazement, the stone slid loose, pulling right out of the floor. Within the hole was only darkness, and even his keen eyes could not pierce it. He threw the stone a crossed the room, where it shattered against the far wall, sending a loud crack into the air, followed by a hollow snarl behind him. He looked back to find two red, gleaming eyes staring at him from beneath his cot.
Arcon began to panic, as he gripped for more cobblestones, but they all began to slide up and away from the flooring. He used them as weapons, throwing them back at the eyes beneath his bed, attempting to ward it off. His gaze fell upon where the book once sat, but it had disappeared. In its place was his beloved corn oil lantern. He found himself desperately clawing at the cobblestones, attempting to gain footing, but his legs just wouldn't work.
Tears began to flood his eyes, as he screamed for his mother, his father, anyone who would come to this poor boys aid, anyone who would turn on the light and make the demons go away.
More of the cobblestones gave way, as he continued his violent clawing, pulling himself just inches closer. He wretched his head back, but found the eyes were now gone. He sighed in relief and closed his eyes just for a moment. He felt exhausted from all of the effort he put into trying to reach the lantern. He opened them once more, but all color bled from his face. This time, he was gazing into the hole where the cobblestones once were, and this time, many red eyes gazed back at him. He heard many whispers erupt into the room, so soft and quiet that he could only make out a few things they were saying;
Is it him?
He is th ...
Emerald ...
We must kill h ...
The book ...
Ka ... Wi ...
To his amazement, he found he could stand once more. He made a mad dash around the hole and dropped into a full-fledged sprint for the lantern on the floor. As he ran, the room stretched before him, turning into a very long hall. It appeared to be a prison of some sort, with many barred cells stationary against the corridor. He heard the floor crumbling beneath him, as he looked back to watch as the stones fell into the black abyss. The walls began to crack, as the room itself began to shift and change.
He ran by many barred cells, where creatures with unspeakable features reached out to him. Some caught his shoulders, scraping his flesh and tearing his nightshirt. He screamed and ran, blubbering and fearing all that was creeping up behind him.
The lantern grew closer now, as he felt his legs ache with fatigue. It was as if his blood was being pumped full of iron, making him feel weak all over. He gasped for air, finding it suddenly hard to breathe. He fell just a few feet from the lantern, gripping his chest and clawing at the walls, feeling himself growing light headed, fainting from the lack of oxygen. He went to cry out, but found he could not muster a voice.
His face began to turn red, his features claiming a purplish hue all over. Beads of sweat formed on his brow, falling like raindrops upon the floor. He felt the stone give way at the backs of his legs, knowing that doom was at hand. Mustering all the strength he could, he reached for the lantern, falling short by just a few inches.
Arcon struggled for air just as hard as he strained to reach that lantern. Just a few more inches and all he feared would go away. He broke into a feeble crawl, gaining inch by bloody inch in what seemed like minutes, hours, too slowly. He heard the screeches and cries of monsters behind him, as the cracks in the walls began to work their way into his vicinity. Cobblestones just beneath him began to fall within the abyss, as those eyes appeared all around him. Their shadowy forms made it hard for him to see, and he felt as though their hands were all on his neck, strangling him.
He felt like a small child just below the surface of the water, clawing at that line between life and death, wanting nothing more than just one last breath. "Your soul belongs to us, Arcon," many of the shadowy figures chanted, their eyes blazing brighter and brighter, making it hard for him to see. His fingertips braised the handle of his lantern, knocking it over. The glass of the lantern shattered, as the corn oil began to seep onto the stones.
He cried out at his failed attempt, as the demons closed in on him. He felt their appendages gripping his ankles, his arms, and anything else they could get their cold, grimy fingers on. He felt himself being lifted, as he watched the room around him begin to morph into something more sinister than he could imagine.
He screamed for mercy, as the room grew further away. In his last moments, Arcon was dragged into the black abyss...
And suddenly he could breathe again, as the blackness of his surroundings gave way to his real room. He gasped in several precious breaths of air, his arm grabbing the key of his lantern and turning it to full flame. The light flooded into his dark room, revealing the old features he grew to care for; his sand stain drawings on the wall, his table with many books piled high, the door which was always cracked during the night, so his parents could hear him if he needed.
His beddings were soaked in sweat, and something a little more fowl; most likely where his bladder let go from the fear. He crawled out of bed, finding it hard to stay standing, and made his way to the table. He pushed aside the books, where many of his clothes sat neatly folded upon the wooden surface. He stripped away the soiled clothing and dawned new crisp, cool cotton pants. Arcon put on his shirt, lifting his long black hair out of the collar and letting it fall around his shoulders.
His bright blue eyes took a few more looks around the room, before running out his door and down the hallway to join his parents in bed. His father grumbled and rolled over, but his mother lay still, her eyes opening to greet his own magnificent orbs. "Bad dreams again?" His mother asked in her warm, soothing voice. Arcon simply nodded his head, tears streaming down his face. He thought he had lost them, he thought he was done for. "It's okay, Angel Eyes. Want to tell mamma what you saw?"
For a boy of 5 years old, these nightmares were indescribable. But he remembered them as if they really happened, yet could never conjure the words to explain the hellish images. He simply said, each and every time, "I got pulled down into the dark pit."
He snuggled up between his parents, finding sleep came quickly even in his frightened state.
There were no more nightmares that night.
~(2)~
Emerald Forest
656 A.D.
The sun rose the next day, shedding light upon the forest village. A ray of light struck a crossed the boy's face, as he sat up in bed. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes and brushing back the stray strands of raven hair; he took a moment to survey his surroundings.
His parentÂ’s room was composed of the simplest of fineries. A night stand on either side of the large, Queen sized mattress held a piece of flint and rock to light each of their bee's wax candles incase of a late night wandering. His parents were no where to be seen, but the warmth on the blankets signaled they had left only moments before.
A pane glass mirror stood on the far wall, where his mother would often times groom him and herself, as well as where his father used his straight razor and pig's oil to shave. Arcon was too young to begin trimming facial hair, but he always dreamt of waking up one day with a full, furry face. He would run to his father and say, "Father! Father! I need to shave!"
He walked up to the small table, which stood just before the mirror, lifting his father's heavy razor and putting it to his cheek. He pretended to begin shaving, being careful not to knick his delicate flesh with the sharp blade.
"Arcon," His father started as he walked through the door. Arcon jumped in surprise, running the razor against his milky flesh. Arcon felt his cheeks becoming hot with embarrassment, but to his surprise, it seemed he had begun to sweat as well.
"Ar-... Arcon?" His father questioned, but a look of worry overcame his face, "Arcon! You're bleeding!" Arcon's face fixed itself on his image in the mirror, looking at his left cheek, where a long wound had opened itself. Blood trickled down to his chin, pooling itself into small beads and dripping down onto the sheep's wool rug his mother had woven herself.
Arcon's eyes fixed immediately to the wound, as he felt a sudden feeling of dread overtake him. His body felt as though it were enflamed, a hot, sticky sweat overtaking his body. Suddenly his muscles had begun to ache. "Arcon? Are you all right?" Questioned a distant, familiar voice.
Arcon found himself on a field, a field stained in blood. The scent of evisceration overtook his sensitive nostrils, filling him with utter dread. "No!" He screamed, but his voice was not his own. It sounded much deeper, much more mature than his original squeaky voice.
"Arcon? Arcon, what's wrong?" Stated a female voice this time, but Arcon could not tear his eyes away from the field. He heard cries in the distance, children's cries. No! Please! Help us! Mommy! Daddy! Where are you?! Arcon's eyes burned with tears, as he tried to look around, but found that his head could not move. Please! Someone! They're all dead!
"Arcon!" His mother yelled as she grabbed him shoulder by shoulder. "Arcon, what's the matter with you?" Arcon blinked a few times, finding that tears were now streaming down his face, burning in the wound on his left cheek. "Something isn't right," Said his father.
After his mother had sewn up his wound, Arcon was ready to play. He tried putting the fields of blood behind him, and ran out into the light of day. The sun shined in beams down through the tree canopy overhead, lighting the dirt path in large pools of luminosity.
The hustle and bustle of the day had already begun, as the town's village people made their way about their daily lives, tilling soil and heading with their earnings to the market. Many waved at Arcon as they passed, saying to their patrons how cute he looked in his new clothes. "Like a little angel," said a woman. Arcon beamed with pride, as he puffed out his chest and smiled brightly.
Many houses lined the path straight on down to the village gates, where a few guards made up watch there. This was a peaceful town, and the militia was very small indeed. No one wished to attack a town that had nothing to gain. Since the village itself was off away from the main path, there was no reason to make it an outpost of some battle as well, so Emerald Forest was left to thrive and prosper without fear of destruction.
"Arcon, those are new linens! I expect you stay out of the mud!" Called his mother from behind him, but he was already on down the path, towards the ravine where his friends always came to play.
Many children were gathered around in a circle, as two of the young vampires enjoyed a game of stare-at-you. Arcon loved this game, because he could keep from blinking for long periods of time. One was a boy of about 7 years of age, with a full head of bright red hair. The other was a small ash brown haired girl who Arcon knew as Emily. She had just turned 6, and Arcon had attended her birthday celebration with his mother. The boy's eyes strained as he tried to keep from blinking, but soon found he could no longer hold out. His big blue eyes shut, and Emily squealed with delight. "I won!" She cried in triumph, skipping about the circle chanting over and over of her victory.
"Hi Arcon!" Pamu cried as a small, raven-haired girl sprinted from the group, hopping right into the path of the young vampire. "Hiya Pamu," Arcon said, smiling and blushing a little.
Ah yes, before I go on, let me share with you the ways of this vampire lineage. When a child is born, male or female, they are tied with the soonest opposite sex as before. In this case, Pamu and Arcon were born on the very same day, within two hours of each other. The Elders, who lead the small civilization of vampires, tie these two together spiritually, referring to them as "Blood-mates." This means they are destined for each other, for the Goddess, Audria, has blessed them with a kiss from Her Holy lips. Although they may not understand at this young of an age, I must tell you, in the future, they will be inseparable. The two will some day fall in love and become one as Arcon's mother and father did. Anyway, back to the story.
"I like your new clothes, Arcon," Pamu stated, giggling and hopping up and down. Her mother had also bought her a new sundress and shorts, which she elegantly wore with pride. "You look nice, too, Pamu."
"Come on, Arcon! It's your turn!" Challenged Emily, as she sat in the circle, waiting for Arcon to join in. Arcon sighed and joined the circle, finding himself a little uneasy about-facing Emily. She was known as the champion of stare-at-you. Arcon sat right before her and gazed into her eyes. As she did the same, she cried, "Go!"
The battle had begun, as Emily held her green eyes wide open, staring almost passed Arcon. He felt as though she was staring right into his soul sometimes, and found himself shivering.
Moments passed by, as Arcon felt his eyes beginning to burn. They teared up, as his natural reflexes beckoned him to blink, but he held on. Emily's hadn't even begun to tear up yet, but she continued staring pride fully, with a bit of a grin on her face. She flashed her fangs and hissed, trying to break Arcon's concentration, but he held fast.
Yet, as Arcon gazed into her eyes, he found himself seeing Pamu staring back at him. She was crying, and begging him to follow her. The circle of kids was suddenly gone, and the sky looked scorched and red. He followed her through the forest, where many of the once bustling streets looked deserted and empty.
She ran down the path towards the Eldest Tree. Arcon ran quickly behind, yet found that Pamu had disappeared. Instead, he found himself staring at a white haired man, gazing up at the Eldest Tree. He smelled a fowl stench then, a mixture of blood and bile, a scent of battle. He looked down to see pools of blood trickling down the dirt path, in small streams into the town. The man turned and looked down at Arcon. He looked strange yet so oddly familiar, Arcon found himself scared to death. The white haired man parted his lips and began to speak, but the boy could not hear anything he was saying. Then, the man pointed at the tree, where a black sword had been stabbed directly into the Eldest Tree's trunk. Take ... Must ... The curse ... Blood ... Leecher of ... Dead ... Arcon could only make out a few words the man was saying, the rest just seemed garbled into a language he could not understand.
Arcon suddenly found himself speeding back down the path, as if someone had grabbed him and dragged him quickly back to the circle where he had been playing stare-at-you. Emily was before him once more, and the laughing, cheering children were once again rooting them on.
Arcon's eyes blinked several times. "Emily wins!" Cried one of the children, yet instead of a chant of triumph from Emily, she looked terrified. As the children cheered with the victorious glee of their stare-at-you champion, Emily's eyes welled up in tears. She gasped as she stared horrifically at Arcon. She grabbed him by the shoulders, saying in a small, shaky voice, "Don't...Don't Arcon... Don't take the black sword..." Arcon blinked unnervingly, and shook his head as if in question. Emily began to pout and screamed at the top of her little lungs, "Don't take the sword, Arcon! Don't you dare touch that sword!"
The children all looked at her then, their cheers dying down as they witnessed this strange incident. "Please, don't... Don't take it..." Said Emily. She rose without brushing off the dirt from her knees, turned and burst from the group. She ran down the path and straight to her house, where she disappeared within.
Arcon simply stared, stupefied by her sudden outburst. "Huh?" Mumbled Pamu, as she plopped down beside Arcon. The group began to break up as they heard many of their parents shouting for their return. "Gotta go!" Some said, others mumbling curses under their breath. Many of the children hustled down the path, meeting up with their parents and heading around to begin their daily chores.
"Why was Emily so scared? What sword? I'm confused..." Said Pamu, but Arcon said nothing. His thoughts were not of the scorched skies or Pamu crying, but instead on that white haired man. He looked so familiar... But who was he?
~(3)~
The Chained Warrior
664 A.D.
Years had passed since the incident with stare-at-you. Emily refused to play the game since, and she even refused to make eye contact with Arcon. Flustered, Arcon tried to question the incident with Emily, but every time she said the same thing, "I don't want to see it again." What she didn't want to see was beyond him. The sword? Maybe even the man? Who knew, but in his dreams since then, the white haired man was there. At every nightmare, the white haired man warded off the demons. At every dream of angst, the white haired man was there to listen to him. Why Emily hated this man confused him, because the white haired man always helped him in his dreams.
"Arcon, today is a special day. I want you to wear your white robes, and don't you dare get them dirty!" Said his mother. Arcon was becoming quite the young sport. He was growing fast, just barely a few inches below six feet. Today was his 13th birthday, and he was quite excited indeed. Every boy that turned 13 was considered a young man, and gained the privilege of a small party in their honor.
Arcon made his way down to the ravine, where a basin of water collected from the current. It was here where the children bathed, because they weren't allowed up at the hot spring bathhouse where their parents went. "You'll know why when you're older," was all the explanation they ever gained.
The tall boy plopped into the water, where he began the mundane task of washing. Why the adults always loved to go up to the bathhouse and bathe was beyond him. He found the task boring and meaningless, but sometimes the adults went up there several times a day. He sometimes wondered if they were even going to get clean, his parents sometimes went and they hadn't even worked a wink.
Once he was through, Arcon climbed out of the cool waters and put on his shorts. He would have to drip dry today, for the cloth towels were all hanging on the line. Today was an exceptionally nice day, without a cloud in the sky. He made his way back towards his house, hopping from sun pool to sun pool, pretending that the shadows would swallow him up if he landed in them.
Once he came inside, his mother immediately engulfed his head in a wool towel. He hated the wool ones; they always itched his nose and made him sniffle. She scrubbed his hair dry, as she said, "Today is your birthday, Arcon. You're becoming a young man now, so I expect you keep your robes clean and tidy." Arcon sighed and nodded, speaking a voice that had matured greatly over the years. "I know, mother, I won't even smudge them." His mother smiled with delight, gazing up at the handsome young man that her son had become. "You're beginning to look just like your father, so tall and handsome."
Arcon had grown a lot since the days had gone by. His boyish build was giving way to a more older, muscular frame. He had become quick as a deer and agile as a squirrel, and was becoming quite proud of his inherited strength.
Arcon dawned his new robes, so white and clean, made of pure cotton. Cotton was considered an expensive material to make clothes out of, so much of the more wealthy people of their village made their clothing of it. Arcon wasn't wealthy, but this occasion demanded the best of the best.
He made his way down the path with his mother and father, who wore similar robes as him. His hair had been tapered back with wool strings, and glinted in the sunlight. Arcon gained his fair hair from his mother, and it was the envy of many of the villagers.
They made their way down the path towards the Eldest Tree. Arcon couldn't help but feel a sense of Deja Vu, and looked up at the sky, half expecting to see the heavens scorched and scarred. A clear, ocean blue shown instead, matching Arcon's own magnificent eye color.
Many villagers referred to him as "Angel Eyes", because his mother had brown eyes and his father had green. His strangely blue hues astonished the elders, saying that Audria Herself had kissed each eye and blessed them with the color of the heavens.
This was an unusual ceremony indeed, for many of the 13th birthday's took place in the town square, not within the audience of the Eldest Tree. He was beaming with pride this day, for this occasion would mark itself in the history of their people.
As they arrived within view of the Eldest Tree, a line of fallen Elder branches stood erect along the path, their tips lit aflame to let their own personal incense fill the air, sweetening the smell of the forest with it's aroma. The Elders bowed before Arcon, and began to converse between themselves.
There were five elders in all. Two females, and three males. They all looked young, as did every adult Meshian. The elders were quite old indeed, and lived within the valley before the forest had ever grown here.
The towns people began to show up, all within their ceremonial white robes. They stood in a line from the Elder's alter in front of the Eldest Tree, all the way back to the opening in the trees. All of them were watching Arcon, and all of them had a look of awe at how magnificent he had looked.
The oldest Elder stepped forward, his name known as Avarion Furite. He spoke a voice that always seemed to sooth people, bringing them into a state of openness. He had once been a powerful sorcerer, but once he had become an Elder, he gave up his craft to insure that the land could grow at his hand.
"Today marks an occasion unlike any other," Started Avarion. Everyone was at attention, and all conversation had ceased. "Many of you know of what makes today so special, and for those who do not, I shall inform. When the land was young, and our forest had not existed, our people made their way into the deserted valley. It was here that we had founded this place 'Emerald Valley.'
"It was at the hand of a man, who now guards our sacred symbol, that planted the tree you stand before today. From a simple nut from the far eastern boarder of Arcania, this tree grew and grew and grew.
"It provided shade and life to this once empty valley. It's magical properties fed the grass you walk on, the waters which roar through our ravine and provide us with hydration. It was from this tree, that all the other trees within our fine forest have spawned from, from oak to aspen, from pine to cedar.
"This is why we look up at the Eldest Tree and honor the benevolence our forefathers I once traveled with, and the for the Guardian of the Emerald for providing us with such a mysterious and beautiful tree.
"Today marks a stone in the timeline of our history, for today our Goddess, Audria, has chosen one of our own as a Keeper of our sacred symbol." The audience grew still as Avarion unveiled a small jeweled box. He took a key from a mithril chain around his neck, sliding it into the keyhole and opening the mysterious box. Within, the sunlight bounced off of a beautiful gem, sending a soft green light to shimmer on the walls of the box.
Avarion lifted the mithril chain which hung the sacred emerald from a loop. It was quite large, cut like a perfect diamond, and about the size of our dimes today. It glimmered proudly in the sunlight, casting greenish tints on the front of Avarion's white robes.
"Today, my son," He now spoke directly to Arcon. His mother nudged him forward, as he nervously walked up to the alter, kneeling before his beloved Elder. "It is today that I announce our Emerald Keeper, Arcon Witheren, our prince!"
The crowd cheered as two female servants lifted Arcon's long raven locks. Avarion slipped the mithril chain over Arcon's neck. Arcon stood with Avarion, still holding the emerald. He let it fall against Arcon's chest, as he turned and faced his people. Cheers of glee rose up from the crowd, as they all chanted his name.
"But a Prince is nothing without his Princess." The crowd went quiet as Avarion spoke. He smiled and held yet another emerald necklace. "Would Arcon's blood-mate please step forward?"
With a flushed face, Pamu stepped forward. Arcon smiled brightly as the young girl, now becoming quite the beautiful woman, approached the alter. "Pamu Vauntine, Arcon's blood-mate, I present you with the second emerald of our people, and choose you as our Prince's Princess to walk beside him always."
He draped the mithril necklace over her neck, as she smiled and hugged Arcon tightly. "A celebration tonight, we shall have!" Cheered a man from the audience, following an uproar of cries of glee. Already the flutes and fiddles began to play, as the excited crowd began to dance and sing. "Silence!" Avarion quieted the crowd. "Now that Arcon is our Emerald Keeper, the Guardian of the Emerald will protect him forever. Kain Widehl, please step forward."
To Arcon's direct surprise, like the materials which constructed his dreams, a white haired man stepped forward on the path. His eyes were closed, but his steps were sure, as if he memorized the very path he walked upon. Draped over his shoulder was a large blade made of a material Arcon did not recognize. Each step was met with the light clanking and jingling of many chains which hung delicately from the chain mail he wore on his chest. A cloak hung beneath the silver mail, covering all but his head. Many of the loose chains were spiraled down his arms, hanging just a few inches passed his long, slender fingers. His lips were pale, his skin an ivory tint. Each strand of his pallid hair seemed to float in an absent wind about his beautiful facial features. If there ever was a more angelic form, this was definitely it.
Coming just a few feet from Arcon, the man's eyes opened, pressing forth a green with such shimmering clarity, it quite literally matched the pigments in Arcon's emerald. They pierced Arcon's own, as if he were gazing directly into his soul, depicting and judging Arcon before the young vampire could ever introduce himself.
"Arcon Witheren, it is an honor to meet you," Said Kain, as he smiled slightly. His ivory fangs poked out from the tops of his lips, seeming so white and perfect, Arcon found himself almost looking into a still image of a vampiric angel. "Such a magnificent creature, I shall enjoy joining you in your every day life as a Guardian."
Kain gave Arcon a gentle bow, before looking at Pamu. Pamu gave him a slight nod, before continuing to cling to her Prince. "Such a pity, this one, if she were ever to be lost," Said Kain. "What do you mean?" Asked Arcon, but Kain had already turned and begun walking down the path, exiting the Eldest Tree's perimeters.
"Now, we shall celebrate!" Cried Avarion, as the crowd shouted in glee and began to sing and dance.
Arcon made his way down the path, searching left and right for the whereabouts of Kain. It seemed as though he had vanished. He made his way towards the ravine, where he had bathed only hours before. Many greeted him on the path as they passed, heading up to the Eldest Tree to join in on the singing and dancing. Tonight was a joyous time indeed.
As Arcon walked, he couldn't help but look down at the emerald around his neck, examining his finery and twirling it between two fingers. It shown and shimmered in the setting sun, glinting colors of green and reflections of the orange sky on his white robe.
"Quite a beautiful cutlery, if I do say so myself," Said a voice from behind. Arcon whirled about and met the gaze of Kain. He was quite a tall figure indeed, about 6'5" to be exact. "It was said to have been crafted by the finest gemologist in the land."
"It is beautiful," Said Arcon, as he looked back down at the emerald. He couldn't help but meet Kain's gaze once more, making comparison to the white haired man's eyes. "Your eyes look just like the emerald."
"Many say it does," Responded Kain, "Enjoy yourself, Arcon, but do not meddle in the mead too much, for tomorrow you start your training."
"What training?" Arcon asked, but Kain had already started walking, heading passed Arcon and down to the ravine. It was there where he stood, staring out over the waters. "Strange man," Said Pamu, as she made her way down the path to join Arcon. "He makes me a little uneasy." "Mm'hmm," Replied Arcon, as he watched Kain's motionless pondering.
Pamu hesitantly slipped her hand within his own. Their gaze met, and the night was then theirs at last. Arcon did not remember how they had ended up at the hot spring house, but before long, he was making passionate love to her.
The morning greeted them quickly.
~(4)~
The Fighter Within
664 A.D.
Arcon awoke at daybreak. He was lying within the hot spring, gazing up at the ceiling; his mind recollecting the night before. Pamu had already gone back to her home, but Arcon hadn't awoken until now. They say that at his current youth, he shouldn't have been dabbling in such activities as sex, but truly, as the night lay before him, it was well worth the trouble.
The hot spring house itself seemed to be a place where the adults went to ... Enjoy each other's company. A table with several strange objects sat on the far wall, and the flooring itself was covered in sand-cement tiling, finely decorated with all sorts of designs. The walls themselves were made of straw and wood reinforcement. Many paintings hung all around, of erotic nature and exotic sights.
This was a side of his people he had never witnessed, but deep inside, he felt the same seductive, lustful tendencies that made him a vampire. No wonder the children weren't permitted within these walls.
Arcon slipped out of the hot spring, shaking himself dry as fast as possible; he did not want to be caught up here. He dawned his robes once more, which were now lightly soiled in dirt and pine needles; the nightly wind had picked up as Pamu came to this place, he remembered that.
He parted the door only a crack, peeking out to see if the coast was clear. Finding himself alone, he quickly exited the house and made his way down the hill, towards his own.
All were still within their abodes when Arcon arrived at his home, sneaking in as quietly as he could. "Arcon," Said his father. Arcon jumped a mile, as he turned to see his father sitting at the living space table. "You didn't come home last night."
This was it, Arcon thought, he knows. Yet, instead of an angry look on his face, his father wore a grin. "You went up to the house last night, didn't you?" "I..." Struggled Arcon, swallowing what felt like a giant lump in his throat, "No, I ... I went to -"
"It's okay, Arcon," His father interrupted, "We knew that you would find your sanctuary sooner or later. Pamu is quite the lady, and she is yours as you are hers. It's okay to experience the more intimate things that make us vampires."
Arcon let out a long, long sigh, but still found the heat in his cheeks. It was embarrassing to have this talk with his parents, especially so soon. The young vampire crept from the living space and made his way to his room. He stripped himself of his robes, and began to pick out his more comfortable attire.
He heard a rustling then, as he turned quickly, hands in stance.
When he hit the floor, and the blackness shrouded him, he never even knew what hit him.
His eyes slowly opened, clearing themselves of the blur that had overtaken him. He heard a breeze rustling through what sounded like tall grass. As he slowly came to, he noticed that he was lying within a surrounding of wheat.
He quickly stood and surveyed his surroundings; he stood within the fields just outside of his home. This was a place he had never been before, but it seemed so oddly familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place his finger on it. The fields were long and plentiful, breaking to the horizon on a long stretch of hills. A large cliff side stood on his direct left, about a mile out as he judged. To his right was yet another cliff face, breaking way in his mind that his entire village was sitting in a canyon.
He could only see about two miles ahead of him, before the horizon met with the earth. This field ... Was it th - "Arcon," Stated a voice from behind. This time, he was able to break away from the fields and turn around, meeting Kain's emerald stare. "You failed miserably at your first test, Arcon. You lack the reflexes and alertness of a true warrior. If you ever plan to live within this world and some day leave your home, you must learn to fight."
"Why must I fight? Our city is peaceful, we don't even have any enemies!" Cried Arcon, becoming angry with Kain for even stating such. "And what if the city were to fall? What would you do, Arcon, die with the rest of your kin?" Kain retorted, hitting him with such a verbal blow, Arcon felt himself fall back a step. "How dare you utter curses for our beloved city!" Cried Arcon, as he charged Kain head-on.
Arcon thrust a tight fist directly at Kain, but felt himself brazing nothing but air. Kain had easily sidestepped Arcon, and sent a downward chop directly into the back of the young vampire's neck. As Arcon felt his consciousness fading away, he heard Kain's voice, "You've failed your second test."
He was out for about an hour, but rose quickly and readied himself for another one of Kain's assaults. "You lack the ability to defend yourself, Arcon," Said Kain. Arcon turned to meet his gaze, finding that Kain was now sitting before a large book. Was he reading while Arcon was unconscious? This angered Arcon further.
"Lesson one, never underestimate your enemies; you assaulted me without ever considering my ability. You must size up the competition before you strike." Kain stood, closing the book and tucking it under his arm, as he grinned and pointed to the ground, where a steel short sword lay. "This is your new weapon, I want you to get used to it and treat it like your best friend."
Arcon sighed, knowing he could not win a battle against Kain, and accepted the man's gesture. He grabbed the hilt of the blade and slid it easily from the ground. The sword shimmered in the light, bouncing the sun's rays directly into Arcon's eyes. Although his species was resistant to the sunlight itself, the bright light could snow-blind even the most experienced of Meshian.
Arcon's eyes closed tightly on reflex, as they began to tear up to stop the burning sensation. "You mustn't let your environment be a threat to you, Arcon. It is your key to survival, and letting it dominate you will only ensure your failure," Said Kain, "First, we must strip you of these townsmen clothes. Here, Arcon, I have with me a leather apparel I want you to begin wearing when we come to these fields." Kain tossed before Arcon a pair of leather boots, a leather cuirass, and dark gray cloak to wear beneath. The man also presented him with a scabbard for his weapon, made of fine boiled cowhide.
Arcon removed his town shoes and dawned his new boots, as well as pull the cloak over his form. It was hooded, but today Arcon did not wear it. He saw no point in veiling his face from the world. After all, everyone adored Arcon.
"Do you think you can put on that armor on your own?" Asked Kain, with a slight taunt in his voice. "Of course I can, fool," Arcon snapped back, but in all reality, he wasn't so sure he even knew right-side-up. He pulled the leather armor over his head, luckily finding the neck outlet. Once it was over his head and sitting comfortably on his shoulders, he grinned up at his new teacher.
Kain grinned and shook his head, as a slight wind picked up. His cloak ruffled and sent his new armor flapping up into his face. Arcon's cheeks became hot with embarrassment, as Kain burst out laughing, having trouble containing this sight. "You must tie the twine, Arcon," Kain said between bellows of laughter.
Arcon growled and found the twine, fastening it on either side. The leather armor felt tighter now, but he found that he could move easily within it. The armor itself seemed to fit perfectly, and was blackened to blend with the shadows. "Arcon, get used to wearing light armor. You will not wear anything heavier than chain, and even then, I must press that you try to learn to avoid attacks, so that you may fight with as little armor as possible. The faster you are, the deadlier you are."
The young vampire quirked a brow and thought for a few moments. In his books, they showed warriors wearing heavy plate armor and wielding large swords and shields. "But -" Arcon began, but was quickly cut off by Kain, "You are not training to become a warrior or knight, Arcon. A vampire cannot join the imperial legion. You must train to be a rogue, a thief ... An assassin."
Arcon's eyes widened a bit, as he thought of what he was hearing. Assassins killed people for money, and were thought of as evil creatures associated with dark gods and sinister prophets. "But Kain, I'm not evil," Arcon pleaded, but Kain shook his head. "Assassins are not all evil, Arcon. It's based around the fighting techniques you use that decide your class. Whether or not you're evil is up to you."
Somewhat comforted, the young vampire sighed and nodded. "Now, use your sword and try to hit me. I want you to practice offense for now," Kain stated.
Arcon thought for a few moments, taking Kain's advice in sizing up the matter, before he selected his first attack. Arcon made a direct thrust at Kain's midsection, but found that his attack had been slapped away by a chained hand. Arcon thought for another moment on his next attack, before Kain sighed and shook his head.
"No, no, no! You mustn't decide each attack. On the battle field there are no turns or rules. You must learn to assault your target without thinking about it. Live on instinct, let your body guide your sword, not your mind," Kain stated, "Let your speed be your weapon. The faster you attack, the faster the enemy has to defend, giving you the opportunity to put it all into offense. After all, how can you attack if I'm hitting you left and right with a swing and a jab?"
Kain's words were true, and Arcon knew now that by following his advice and watching Kain's techniques that he would soon become an assassin like him. It was then Arcon had discovered his affection for Kain. Although Kain was not family, he felt as though the white haired man was a father to him. He knew now that he would forever look up to Kain as a hero, the man who taught him to fight. Arcon never even suspected that Kain would some day be the key to his own survival.
Hours went by as Kain showed Arcon the techniques that he had mastered, and began to teach Arcon the ways of the vampire; the truth of his dark heritage. Arcon learned that the blood that courses through his veins was much different than all other creatures, and that by ingesting the blood of others can unlock more of his strength.
Days went by, as Kain continued to press Arcon on his techniques and abilities. They had ventured far out into the fields, towards another forest Arcon did not know. It was here that Kain began teaching Arcon the ways of the land and how to find food and shelter when all odds were against him.
One day, however, Arcon awoke to find that Kain was not around. Arcon's stomach rumbled with hunger, and he knew that if Kain did not return soon, he would surely starve. Hours went by, as Arcon waited at camp, but found no sign of the man. He began to remember his training and looked around his vicinity, scouting for bushes to forage, or animals to slay. He picked up a rustling in the bushes just south of his position, and began to creep up on the unsuspecting creature.
He held his sword ready, just as a rabbit darted out from within it's den. Arcon swung his sword but just barely nicked the creatures tail, cutting free a few strands of hair and nothing more. He then threw the sword, but it's design was not meant for long ranged tosses, and it fell short, bouncing off the ground and rolling down a hill. "da*nit!" Arcon cried, and sat upon the ground, hungry and exhausted.
"Where are you, Kain?" He asked himself. Kain did the hunting while they were out, and even showed Arcon how to use the strange weapon that the man called a "bow and arrow." It was then Arcon decided he would fashion his own bow. He began to walk around, looking for one of three trees Kain had pointed out; iron wood, cedar or oak.
Luckily, Arcon found himself standing before a tall oak tree. He hand selected a sturdy branch that had fallen just recently, using a dagger Kain had given him to strip away the bark, leaving a clean, tan shaft. Arcon began to ponder what he would use for a bow string, but found himself slapping a hand over his forehead. He unlaced twine from his boot, and strung his newly made bow as tight as he could, giving it maximum bounce. Now, he just needed to fashion an arrow or two.
This one, Kain said, would require one of three trees; cedar, pine, or iron wood. He was surrounded by pine trees, and found that his fletchings wouldn't cause him much fret. Once he had stripped several branches and cut them down to size, he began to sharpen flat river stones into points, slipping them into the heads of his arrow shafts.
As for his fletching, he had no feathers. So instead, he used a trick Kain had taught him, and stripped bark from a pine, widdling them to a fine grain and using them to direct the path of his arrows. He stood and picked a cedar tree to test his new creation. He knocked an arrow and drew it back to his cheek, letting his arrow fly true.
He heard it whist through the air, imbedding itself into the tree's trunk. For a mediocre creation, his bow was not too bad.
An hour passed and no game was found, but soon, he found himself stalking the trail of an elk. He found footprints, leavings of fur and dung, and even a bedding place still warm from an early nap. Little did he know, just around the bend, a wandering black bear was forging for food.
Arcon heard the rustling, and quickly whipped around the bend, arrow drawn back and ready. Yet, to his horror, the ear splitting roar of the bear sent a jolt down his spine and to his legs, telling him to run. Yet, as Kain taught him, he must hold his ground against any enemy, and exploit their weaknesses, no matter how few they may be. A bear was large, quick on it's feet, but it's girth made it's own strikes slow and predictable.
Arcon decided that the elk was not the game he wanted; he was going to take down this bear. Little did he know, Kain was perched atop a tree far up in the canopy, witnessing his student's actions. A grin had played a crossed his face, finding that his student was learning well. The bear had been lured by a piece of fish Kain had caught, and decided this would be Arcon's last survival test. He left early that morning in hopes that Arcon could take care of himself. By the looks of things, he was quite proud of Arcon for doing what he had.
The young vampire let his first arrow fly, imbedding itself within the bear's shoulder. By Kain's idea, Arcon had missed, but in Arcon's mind, he had hit the bear right where he wanted. The bear belted in pain, coming down on all fours, ready for charge. Arcon had knocked his next arrow and fired, this time imbedding itself within the opposite arm of the giant beast.
Just as the black bear began to charge, it's wounded appendages gave way. It came crashing upon the ground, in a direct slide towards Arcon. His limber legs thrust him into the air, as the bear just barely missed a bone crushing ankle bite. Arcon landed upon the creature's back, drawing his dagger and ramming the blade directly into the bear's spine. The vampire dragged the blade down the bear's spine, insuring he had landed a direct fatal blow. The bear let out just a few more cries, before it found paralysis setting in.
It lay helpless on the ground as Arcon beheaded it, rolling the giant creature over onto it's back and exposing it's plump stomach. Arcon tore into the creature, stripping away large chunks of meat. He would feast tonight.
Kain decided it was time to ascend. He dropped from the tree, landing just a few yards away from Arcon, with a large smile on his face. "Good work, Arcon. You passed your survival test with flying colors." Arcon turned to look at Kain and found himself rather proud of his kill. "Now, I shall teach you to skin this creature for warmth."
Night came their way, as Arcon happily dawned a new cloak made of animal fur, protecting him from the bite of the cold night. That evening, they ate a large feast of bear meat, and Kain informed Arcon of the ways of the assassin.
And so they would rest this eve.
Morning came quickly, as rays of sunlight gave way through the tree canopy, pooling upon ArconÂ’s brow. He awoke to the sounds of bird-life chirping and singing within the trees. The sounds of a nearby muskrat giving chase to a wandering rabbit. He rose and stretched, letting out a long yawn.
To his surprise, Kain was here this time, having perched a branch upon a nearby cedar. “Dawn at last,” Stated Kain, watching from his post high above Arcon. Today, Arcon was to learn the skills of an assassin, and quite eager was he to learn.
“Arcon, get your sword, it’s time we played a game,” Kain said, dropping from the tree and landing in a crouched position. “You have ten minutes. Begin running, now. If I catch you, I will attack you. Utilize your terrain and show me how stealthy you can be.”
This surprised Arcon, as he hesitated. “Go! Now!” Yelled Kain, causing Arcon to tense and turn. And so the vampire ran. He ran down to a creek, where he crossed a nearby fallen rock, approaching the far cliff side before him. He knew that Kain would find him here, so he made an arc to the left.
Clouds began to well up within the sky as Arcon continued to slip through the bushes, stepping on twigs and yanking branches from his vision. Little did he know, he was leaving a trail for Kain. As Arcon made his way out of the shrubbery, he slipped over a hillside and began to fall.
He rolled down the hill, trying desperately to grasp anything around him. As he fell, he cried out, attempting to find his footing. Before he even knew what hit him, he had racked his skull against a tree stump. Stars shot and fluttered in his vision, before he blacked out.
Kain counted down, 600 seconds exactly. “Time to play, Arcon,” Kain whispered to himself, grinning as he began to walk in the direction Arcon had ran. At first, he was impressed at Arcon’s winding path, leaving little indication that he had taken off into this direction.
However, as he came upon cliff side, he noticed many footprints passed a nearby ravine, muddy steps and wet trails. The leaves were lightly damp as well all the way towards the shrubbery where he may have slipped and fallen.
The vampire spotted the broken twigs and branches, knowing well that he was directly on his trail. Kain made his way cautiously to the edge of the cliff which Arcon had slipped from. A foot long boot print played back the unfortunate situation in KainÂ’s head, as he could almost see Arcon falling down the hill.
Kain fixed his eyes on the stump far below him, noting a patch of blood where Arcon had hit his head; but where was the boy?
“Clever work, Arcon,” He said simply, making his way down the hillside to examine the stump. There was a new set of tracks this time, small footprints which yielded very little of a trail at all. “A girl, and a very stealthy one at that.” He murmured. She had almost cleared the trail completely, leaving only small notations behind. And so Kain began to stalk the new trail, where he expected to find Arcon ... Soon.
The girl dragged Arcon as far as she could, before she set him down by a waterfall, splashing some of the cold water onto his face. Arcon grunted and began to stir, opening one blue eye to meet those of brown. “Huh? Who are you?” Asked Arcon.
The girl rose before him, smiling somewhat and pointing down at him, “Vampire?” She asked, canting her head off to the side. Arcon simply nodded, as the young girl squealed with delight. “Vampire! Vampire, vampire!” She chanted, prancing about the water’s edge.
The girl was small, probably about 11. She wore travel worn pants, draped by a shirt that was way too long for her. The long sleeves hid her hands from view, and her entire back was shrouded by dark brown hair. She seemed very happy with her discovery, before she trained her attention back to the boy on the ground. “I’m Garnet!”
“Arcon,” The vampire spoke simply, rubbing the back of his head. He felt dried blood, matted to his thick black hair. He knew he would have to bathe soon, or the scent of blood would lead Kain straight to him. “You’re a vampire!” She cried, cheerfully giggling.
Arcon had never seen a human before, but he was certainly sure by now that this was one. He had heard about this race before, knowing them to be barbaric and dangerous, yet this tiny girl looked as though she couldnÂ’t even hurt a fly. Before he could speak, another figure approached, this one large and scruffy.
The man was fat, very fat, and his face was matted with a large, furry beard. His cheeks looked like someone had stuffed them with acorns, and his eyes were a bright hazel color. “Garnet, what in the blazes ‘re you doing out ‘ere?” The man called after her, laying eyes on Arcon. “’D hell is this?” He asked, looking the boy over curiously.
“It’s a vampire, daddy!” She cried with glee, hopping around Arcon merrily. “My daddy hunts vampires!” With that, Arcon’s eyes widened with surprise. The man quickly reached for his cross-blade, as he cried, “Demon! Let light shed upon this fowl wretch!” The man seemed battle ready, as he held up a cross in one hand, as if he were attempting to ward off Arcon with the strange symbol.
Being of a day walker, Arcon knew nothing of crosses. The night stalkers were affected by these symbols, but Arcon was neither damned nor tainted, and the man quickly learned that Arcon was immune. “Greater demon, he is! Garnet, git away from there!”
Garnet screamed and ran behind her father, as the man yanked a crossbow out of a pouch behind him, pointing the tip at Arcon and pulling the trigger. ArconÂ’s eyes widened with horror as a bolt was dispatched, flying quickly towards his chest.
Yet, in a flash, the bolt was cut from the air, falling in two pieces into the water just inches away. The man grunted and swung his blade at the shrouded figure, but his sword was quickly slashed in half by Kain’s great chain-blade. “Back,” ordered Kain to the human, “Or I’ll be forced to gut you like a tuna.” The man fell backwards over his own daughter, and in his attempt to keep from squishing her, he veered right into the icy water.
“Gah! Garnet! Help me, I can’t swim!” The little girl cried as her dad began to submerge in the water, bubbles rising up to the surface. Kain simply stood there, watching as the man helplessly began to drown, his arms lashing at the surface. “Looks like you should have learned,” Mocked the white haired vampire.
But his amusement was short lived, for he watched as Arcon dove into the pool of water, grabbing the man by his stomach and lurching him up to the top. He dragged him upon the surface, beginning to press onto the manÂ’s chest, trying to get him to cough up the water. With a spit and a sputter, the man choked up all the water he could muster, before rolling onto his side, coughing and gasping for air.
The little girl just about tackled her father, hugging him tightly and crying with hysterical emotion. “You... You saved me,” The man said to Arcon, his eyes staring up at the vampire as if he were some fowl omen gone good. Kain simply began to walk back to the stump where Arcon hit his head, sitting down and watching as the drama unfolded.
The little girl helped her father to his feet, as they both made their way away from the two vampires. “You saved the human,” Kain stated simply as Arcon approached, “The creatures are disgustingly lazy, all obese and fed by their own obscurities. They’re all prejudice bastards towards any creature that isn’t human. Even the elves find themselves taken aback by the foolish ignorance of the creatures.” But Arcon simply shook his head, looking after the little girl, “Not all of them seem lazy and obese.” Kain simply chuckled and shook his head.
Notes and Reviews
Here, readers of my story may choose to leave reviews or notes, as well as ideas and suggestions for the story. Feel free to write what you wish here, and then save the document. PLEASE do not alter the story itself in any way, shape or form. I took a lot of time in writing the first few chapters, and plan to dedicate myself to finishing the novel as soon as possible. Thank you.
-Brandon
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