Armageddon

The cool and collected sound of footsteps approached them with a certain skip about them. Chloe blinked, the first to recover, and looked up into the fiery gaze of another redhead. Completely Human in appearance, Kazimir regarded the blonde curiously, before offering her an encouraging smile. “You don’t belong here,” he said matter-of-factly. Recognizing the voice, Tiana jumped to her feet, yanking Chloe away from the Duke. Keeping her eyes closed she bared her teeth toward the ominous presence.

“That was a low trick,” she snarled.

The Duke’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he looked her over- just before he sighed and shrugged. “The idea of being torn to shreds by two large wolves is less than ideal. I didn’t kill them, I only stunned them.”

“So many Humans have been torn to shreds!”

“Yes, well. That was long overdue, trust me.” He began to circle them, watching Tiana as her head followed the sound of his footsteps. “Lady Tiana, I fear I have you at a disadvantage. I have known you for many years, I have been waiting for you to return to me. But here you are, betrothed to a foolish pup who doesn’t know a thing about you.”

“You’re insane if you thin-,”

“Silence girl, I’m speaking.” He spoke dangerously. She fluttered her eyelids open, keeping them slit just enough to watch his feet. “When I first met you, I was entranced by that red hair of yours, so much like mine. I hadn’t seen anyone else with such a vibrant color, I thought, I had to have you. That was, oh I can’t count all those years ago. Long ago when you Humans were a plague to the planet I suppose. Fire rained from the sky, we Fae feasted on you one by one, I get goosebumps thinking about those days.” He shuddered and laughed lightly as if reminiscing on a fond memory.

“Anyway, there you were, actually trying to fight a Troll off your husband and child, when I was able to snatch you away. I just couldn’t entertain the idea of having eaten by anyone else, so I took liberty like the Zombie that I am. I remember the feeling of my teeth sinking into your flesh,” he stopped, his gaze going distant. After a moment’s pause, he looked back toward the girl who now regarded him with a dangerous hatred.

“You’re speaking of a lifetime I no longer recall,” she growled through clenched teeth. Chloe remained behind her, pressed against her back. Kazimir faltered momentarily before he shook his head and continued to walk in a circle around them.

“That’s such a pity,” he sighed. “But I’m sure you remember the feeling this time,” he offered her a grin and tapped at his shoulder. The same shoulder where he had bitten her. “Anyway, back to my story. There I was, enjoying your screaming and fighting as I took my time savoring your blood and flesh when you accepted me. You. Accepted. Me. ―Your fate,” his gaze seemed feverish. “Don’t you understand, we’re meant to be! I am your fate!” He licked his lips, his gaze so far away. “But then…” His appearance grew dark. “You betrayed me, you vanished in my grasp! You left me,” he suddenly took a step towards her, his hand reaching out longingly. She refused to back down, making him hesitate. His fingers just inches away from her face. “Our mother whisked you away, and with that, we were granted a consciousness. The end of the world…ended.” He pulled his hand back and continued his circles with a sigh.

“So why now? After all this time?”

“Don’t you see?” He pleaded, going so far as to drop on his knees before her, clasping his hands together. “I only want you, ever since I tasted your blood. I nearly forgot; it’s been so long! Accept your fate, let me ravish you.” The darkness grabbed at Kazimir’s ankle and he instantly looked down, his face white and hollow as an unearthly shriek escaped his lungs.

Vladimir’s upper half had reformed from the shadows, though he seemed in pain as he glared at the Duke. “You will leave my bride alone,” he snarled, barely audible under the weight of his rage.

Kazimir jerked out of the King’s grasp and took a few steps away from him. “She’s mine! Not yours! Mine!” He turned his rotted away head back towards the girls and reached for them. Tiana reached for him in the next second, only to have him yank his hand away and hold it to his chest. As if seeing her for the first time, he regarded every part of her. His gaze violating her bit by bit, she slid into an attack formation. “What have you done?” He whispered.

“I have ascended, of course. You can never touch me. Never, ever, again.” She said each word slowly, deliberately.

“No!” He screeched, the unearthly sound piercing the air around them. One by one the surrounding Ghouls began to limp and trudge their way toward them. Tiana looked around wildly, her grip tightening on Chloe.

“I don’t understand what’s going on, but I think I get the stalker picture that’s happening here.” Chloe gasped, looking around as well. “I think I’ll rather just tell myself this is a nightmare, but it looks like we’re gonna have to fight our way out of here. I know they can’t touch you… but I hope you won’t let them eat me.” Tiana met the tearful gaze of the blonde and she swallowed nervously.

“You will survive if it’s the last thing that I do,” Tiana spoke truthfully, her will resonating through her words. Chloe nodded before they both turned back. They were outnumbered twenty to one. Kazimir stood amongst them, giving Tiana a haunting, longing look full of betrayal.

“I will kill everyone in the world, and only you will remain. And every day I will follow you, I will watch you. I will always be there, waiting for you to accept your fate.” He moaned, his voice even a bit sad, his hand sliding across his groin.

“Keep dreaming,” she dared.

“Vladimir!” A familiar, angry Orc’s voice shouted far above them. Everyone with a conscience looked up in surprise as a shadow fell from the buildings far above. One of the lights shattered as Jaya landed on it just before lunging off it and to the next.

In the next instant, everything moved. Kazimir ordered the Ghouls to lunge at the same time the lights went out. The wind howled like the rageful cries of a wolf as Tiana’s and Chloe’s hair was thrown up into the air. The sound of many Ghouls falling to their permanent death echoed about them as blood sprayed left and right.

In the next moment, blue fire lit up the court, consuming the corpses all around them. A few moved, reaching towards the girls in a final attempt. Kazimir stood amongst the Ghouls, looking up at the two males glaring down at him. Jaya stood next to the girls, his arms around them protectively.

“Duke Kazimir, you have committed treason against the King. You are hereby sentenced to death,” Diaval spoke with a command Tiana had never heard.

Vladimir gripped the Duke by the throat and leaned in so that their faces were level. “You tried to control me and successfully murdered one of my own, even using him against me. You continued your treachery and plotted against the future Queen while murdering countless Humans who are endangered enough as it is.” Tiana stepped through Jaya’s outstretched arm, causing the Orc to jump in shock.

“You can’t kill me,” Kazimir choked, attempting a laugh. “They will continue to spread, even with me gone. They will consume anything that moves… without me… controlling them,”

“So, we’ll just remove your curse along with yourself,” Tiana spoke up, suddenly standing right before them. Kazimir’s hand shot out in an instant, going straight through her chest. Everyone seemed to jump until they realized she remained unharmed. He moved his hand through her, watching his fingers trying to grip at her. She reached up, grabbing his arm and giving him a look of victory. “Kazimir, I denounce my fate…”

Slowly her transparency spread onto him until he fell through Vladimir’s grip. He landed on the ground before her, watching as she turned solid. Her fingers fell through his arm, just as his arm became transparent. He continued to try and grab her, stepping towards her and cupping her face in his hands. She met his haunting gaze, one mournful and panicked. “You’re still out of my reach…” He whimpered, his fingers falling through her chin. His face inches from hers.

“As I will be, forever and for all of eternity. That is our fate, Kazimir. Taste me all you like; you can never have me.” His gaze widened, a look of realization hitting him before being consumed with despair.

“That can’t be…” His voice faded away. Everything that was Kazimir vanished with the next gust of wind.

Months passed after the incident with Kazimir. The Human realm was purged and cleaned, and all traces of Kazimir were wiped from memory. The peace treaties between races were launched with no resistance from the Humans. The border guard remained around the Human civilization, with the President’s approval, for their protection, and a roadway was paved to a halfway house between the two kingdoms. It was a large building meant to school the Humans along with the youth of different races they would encounter if they chose to venture out into the unknown world. It also served as an inn, where they could stay and eat enchanted food, to help wash away their scent - though Vlad had left that part out of his description.

Many Fae decided to build up shops and homes around the inn, deciding to stay in Human forms and live in harmony with the traveling Humans. President Ramsay decided, instead of sending the younger generation into the world, he would leave it open to those who decided to leave, though they would always have a home there, should they come back.

Chloe, of all people, was the very first Human to volunteer to make the transition. Tiana, against her better judgment, decided to help her classmate’s adjustment, and as she welcomed people at the inn and helped them adjust to the new world, the Fae kingdom began to call her the ‘Mother of the New World’ - something Vladimir secretly smiled about as he continued his duties as King, waiting for his fiancé to return home.

After several months, the first Humans arrived inside the Fae kingdom, a kingdom rich in life and lively in all possible ways. A few Humans went missing but were quickly found. After that, Jaya took the liberty of creating a task force for the sole purpose of Human protection. The tables turned quickly when, as they developed the inhuman strength Tiana had gained, a group of them tried to dive into Fae trafficking. But Vladimir assigned more guards to the task force, making it not only for Human protection, but also Fae, and the Peacekeepers of the New World did just that.

Vladimir drummed his fingers against the windowsill, an irritated look across his face. Alex looked up from his book, regarding him. “Is this about Lady Tiana again?” He asked, looking back down.

“How long does she plan on staying there?” Vladimir snapped, smacking a pile of books off his desk. “She said she’d be back with the first batch of Humans, but we’ve had five groups show up now and she’s still there. She missed Cloe’s ascension. She missed Jaya’s promotion. Hell, she’s going to miss our wedding!”

“Your majesty,” Alex said curtly. Vladimir regarded is retainer dangerously. “Perhaps she’s gotten cold feet,” with a bored look he gave Vladimir a nod and went back to his book.

“That’s not possible,” Vladimir dismissed him. He ambled to the center of the room when suddenly he realized Alexander could be right. He curled a finger around his chin, his gaze lowering as his thoughts took him far away.

“You’re mumbling about your escape plan,” Alex warned. Vladimir shot him an angry look.

“I do not mumble!”

“Nor do you escape,” he snapped the book shut and stood up, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword. “I will have Lady Tiana brought back here; you have too many responsibilities to see to.”

Vladimir eyed him coldly. “Do you even have a heart, beneath all that stone?”

“Very funny,”

Vladimir sighed and his shoulders slumped. He lifted his hands in surrender when suddenly his retainer had him by the back of the collar. He jumped and glared back at Alexander, who looked at him as if he was looking at something unpleasant.

Alex spoke in a cold tone, “I know all your signs, your Majesty. I know when you’re about to disappear before my very eyes. I will put a collar on you and keep your leash in my grasp.”

“Yea? Well, hate to spoil your fantasy of having me tied up, but I’m a lot more powerful since I became King.” Vladimir winked at him a second before turning into black smoke within Alex’s grasp. The Gargoyle’s cold expression turned to one of displeasure and he clenched his empty fist.

Several small lights danced around him in an instant. “Bring me Lady Tiana at all cost!” He demanded, and they vanished as quickly as they had come.