In the kings hand the chalice became a link between himself and the life-giver. He felt a gentle but painful spark that lasted only a moment yet seemed eternal. As the last drop touched his lips his spirit tore away from his flesh and followed the dark being into the nether-realms and his limp body fell back on the bed.
The supporters mourned their kings unfortunate death. No one knew what had occurred that day when the figure went to his room and no one ever spoke of it until the king came back.
The year was 3328 A.D and the vampiric race had almost succeeded in conquering the humans. The invaders expected an easy victory but the war lasted for almost fifteen years. They had underestimated the humans, presuming them to be weak and incompetent. On the contrary, they found them to be a formidable enemy.
General John Benjamin Howe III despised fear, which was the only emotion he felt now. However, he did not show this to his men who looked up to him. Externally he emanated courage and valiance. He had to. He knew in his heart they were going to lose this battle but he still wanted to fight it to the bitter end.
John surveyed his brave men, each one of them ready to fight, and sensed their fear. Listen! he said. Every single man of all the one hundred and fifty thousand units remained silent, eager to hear their general. What do you hear? he continued, cupping his right ear. He turned to the open battlefield with his back to the army. Watch! Tell me what you see? In their hearts, they already knew the answer. Death! He spat. Do you all think that its death? If it were so, we would not be here now at the final battle, so close to victory. We are a tougher species than that!
Ill tell you what I hear, boomed the General. I hear the clamor of more than a hundred thousand vampiric blood-stained swords. I hear the battle cry of the human race, a cry that shall be written in the annals of history as the roar of a lion that vanquished its enemy. For I tell you, we will rise again out of the ashes. We will cry so loud that the entire universe will know that if they cross us theyll perish! The general waved his sword in the air. Let me hear that cry now!
The large army shouted in unison, clattered their swords against each other and stamped their feet. The ground trembled all the way to the vampiric army, two thousand meters away.
And, he went on in the same vein, Ill tell you what I see. I see the armies of Anaxagoras begging for mercy because they have been subjugated. For those who seek to conquer will be conquered. I see them crushed by our boots. I see them all destroyed by the sword and wrath of the human race! Again, there was a loud outburst of enthusiasm. Come, my brothers-in-arms: lets show them what were made of!
They marched on as deaths shadow towered over each one of them, ready to pounce and devour them.
General, said Nikolas to Varenkoff in the ancient vampiric language. Is everything ready? He stared into the eyes of the Rebel and sensed a great amount of apprehension in them. He wondered if his comrades eyes simply reflected his own emotions; for a moment he thought he saw fear personified as a cloaked and brooding figure in the crimson darkness.
Yes, Varenkoff said, The scouts we sent are posted midway between here and the human army. He whispered, Once we reach the area, our units will
be ready and well catch them by surprise. Nikolas noticed the fear and doubt in Varenkoffs tone.
General Nikolas Gareng was a member of the Rebels, and he had been careful not to let the Imperial Regime know this. Ever since the beginning of the Great Rebellion, he played the part of the heroic and loyal subject of the king. He was useful to the Rebels because he showed them the vampires most secret of plans. Now, at the final battle, he would reveal his true allegiance.
At the start, John Howe didnt trust him. He seemed too much of a loyalist to be a Rebel or to help the humans. But over the years the human general learned to trust him with his life and even became like a brother to him. There was a time when Nikolas disapproved of John and his ways. The human wanted to study the vampiric mythologies and ancient lore in order to learn their ways of energy manipulation. Nikolas felt that it was wrong for any human to even think of this. But as the years passed and the war magnified in scale, Nikolas knew he needed to be more forgiving and accepting. At his cousins behest he started to accept the humans and finally came to see what John really was: a loyal man to life itself and a man of honor. For that he respected him. Eventually, their friendship grew and was strengthened by their family ties.
Where is he? Nikolas asked as he thought of his cousin. We dont have much time. If the army senses were together, it will ruin the entire operation.
He should be here shortly. Varenkoff said.
At that instant a fiery dashing warrior appeared, flying through the dark red sky. Above him the thick black clouds looked like they were about to burst. A blue light encapsulated him, giving him the appearance of an avenging angel returning from the heavens to report on the battle with Satan. He flew towards them and gently landed on the ground with his feet.