The Vampire King's Only Antidote

Raven black shoulder length hair....

Fierce eyes that give equal ferocity in gaze with baby blue orbs that darkens or exceptionally reddens, whenever he is angry - which he almost always is...

Thick brows not considered to be bushy...

Romania nose set in a pert form to the Creator's pattern..

Slightly thin lips that are rarely opened...

Sharp jawline that seems to be capable of opening a package and has spotted no beards or sometimes a stubble...

Broad shoulders that his shirts were always stuck with and many persons wished they could be his fabrics to be that close to his bronze like skin...

Tall and brooding...

Intimidating and territorial...

He is deemed beautiful in every way...

His beauty which isn't feminine in any way and would be rather demeaning to classify his chiseled masculine features as handsome was in every way...Ethereal

But...

Indeed there was a 'but'...

But, no one dared come close to this beauty of a man with god-like characteristics - because his features are the stark opposite of his acrid personality.

His name - Lord Ragnar Kamazotz.

Kamazotz meaning The Death Bat because people saw him as the one who brings death.

But that was all in the past - in ancient times - because presently, he is regarded as one of the most eligible and wealthiest bachelors in South Adabbon.

His empire spread in the land without strong restrictions and competition and like The Iron Army, he seemed unstoppable, breaching beyond the country and influencing other parts of the world.

These raised brows had brought about a lot of questions, praises and expected criticisms but no one dared stand up to him still. His enemies increased as swiftly as his riches did, but he was never bothered about that in the least.

He couldn't be...how could he, when he surpassed the whole lot of them by time and had been present when their bloodline began.

'Yapping little humans' He would comment in his heart.

He knew their plans and was very much aware of what they would think or say even before their brains formed the information.

'How pathetic!' He'd say again and with a sigh, he'd gulp on his red Alpine wine - the only wine that seemed to please him...sooth him even.

Today is the thirteenth day he has gone without resting his eyes.

His personal assistant - Norma Falkur - was beyond bothered and worried for his Lord, his boss, because this was the longest Lord Ragnar had gone without a nap but he could not bring himself to do anything because he knew the reason.

This time of the year was the time when he reminiscenced the most about her.

Her- his first and only love - Zeda Altair.

She has ceased to exist for more than seven centuries but he awaited her return and reincarnation.

Patiently sometimes and some other times wildly, by going on a rampage but none of his actions had brought her back to life and The Prophecy sometimes was doubted.

On the eighteenth day, Falkur could no longer sit still and watch his boss go through the pain he was going through because even though he was well aware that it would take more than half of the world to bring Kamaz down, he knew that his boss was weakening and dying inside.

Because of how he had neglected himself, his body system had obviously reacted and unknown to Kamaz, Falkur had seen when he had spurted blood from his mouth.

But quickly, he wiped it off and cleaned it from his lips and the corners of his mouth.

It would only be a matter of time before this would make him lose his human sanity and self to his vampire side and Falkur was beyond certain that the episode that would break out if that was to happen, would be uncontainable.

He feared for his boss because even as much as they were not supposed to reveal themselves because of their super abilities, the humans were not to be undermined because over the years, they have improved and improvised and have waxed stronger.

They would not like to know that such a creature lived among them and was even adored by them.

Humans are terrified of what they have no control over.

The Vampire therapists and Special Doctors have tried all they can to help him sleep and have his body rest but nothing was working.

Suppressant drugs no matter their route of administration was totally useless and all they could come up with was that he should be involved in whatever hobby that brings him comfort and pleasure - anything that drives stress far from him.

Falkur knew what it was, what could bring Kamaz' mind to rest and hopefully his body too.

It was The Cello playing.

In ancient times, what had kept Kamaz under control and had brought him peace was The Pipa and not just any Pipa, the sounds from The Pipa played by Zeda...Kamaz' Zeda.

Immediately, Falkur booked for all the Cello concerts that were going on for a whole month in South Adabbon.

He cleared all Kamaz' schedules and placed trustworthy persons over the diverse businesses for a whole month.

Kamaz knew Falkur was highly concerned for him and since he also wanted to get some calm in his mind that was working non stop every second, thinking of her, he agreed to go on the Cello tour and he hoped the artists would be skilled enough to calm his raging inner beast.

He sure had been craving to see some red on green.

Red - blood- splashed on a green field, sounded like a delectable idea to him but he wondered whose blood it would be.

Their luggages was packed, excess security dropped, tickets ready and they started the journey in search of what truly made more sense than drilling the heartless minds of businessmen.

Tears rolled down her eyes as she listened to the voicemail they had sent her.

They wanted her to either kill herself or give her body up, accepting their sex slave community and becoming their sex toy.

Llike raping her and inflicting her with a trauma that no one might be capable of curing wasn't enough.

She knew she was beyond saving...she felt it deep within her.

She shivers whenever she is in close proximity with a man and all she wants to do is flee.

She can no longer hold properly the bow of her cello and that was enough to end it all.

The cello was her life and it was either she does their bidding or they kill her students - those she has taught how to play the cello.

For every day she has hesitated, one child has been killed and it has been three days already.

It meant three children were dead already because of her...

She had watched the videos they had sent her and she felt sick because of how they had killed the children.

The bruises on their bodies were a different story but the hole in the middle of their heads was consistent for the three of them.

She wanted to destroy the whole lot of them, wanted to be their end and be the one to drag them to the fiery larva of hell, but she didn't want her students involved.

This was not negotiable and never an option.

Having no power to do anything bit in her mind and her spirit was weakened and her soul caved within her..

They want her to walk into their snare willingly...how sickening!

Just because they had sponsored her wellbeing and education almost all her life didn't mean they own her life a hundred percent.

She had not begged to be saved from the fire that petrified and ate up her parents just to jump into another fire - a fire that was gradual and continuous.

She saw them as her saviours and liberators but in reality, they were ghouls who just had the covering of flesh.

Mind sucking and controlling bastards.

Some would have said that she should involve the authorities and get the police to arrest the whole lot of them.

But that wasn't possible...

It wasn't, when they were the authority themselves and they have someone, persons like them in the highest authority, in whatever facet of life.

Life seemed meaningless and ugly because they were like gods on earth and controlled everything.

She picked up the bow to her cello and the cello and stood before the full length mirror - the most valuable thing she possessed after her cello, as she regularly loved seeing herself play before it.

She had let her jet black hair that seemed to turn dark brown whenever in the sun, down.

Her big doey eyes stared back at her and she noticed the bags under her eyes had gotten bigger.

The purple orbs in her eyes like those of Yennefer of Vengerberg, which used to be her most outstanding feature had lost the light in them and looked extremely dull.

They looked almost lifeless already.

There is a quote that says 'The eyes lose the life in them before any other part of the body' and Zelda totally believed it at the moment.

Her nose was red because of how hard she had been crying at the injustice in the world, that had been directed solely at her.

Her bow shaped lips were charred and she saw no use in making use of her chapstick when she was going to die anyway.

It would be a waste of gloss and effect!

Her brown floral patterned dress hung on her body that had become slimmer over the stress of the past few days and her cheeks looked sunken.

Her hands tightly held her cello and the bow strongly, like someone was threatening to snatch it from her and her knuckles turned white - losing all the blood in its circuit.

"The only way is always the hard way and this way, is to end it all" Zelda said before putting her instrument in its bag and with one look at the small room that had sheltered her for the past three years, she left for the church cathedral.

There she hoped to pour her heart to GOD.

To pray for the children whom she was about to commit this disdainful act for and for her spirit to be accepted when she died, despite her crime.

************************

As Zelda got to the cathedral, she sat at the last pew in the church and there she made her prayers with a heavy heart, tear filled closed eyes and shaky lips but no word could be heard from her.

The groanings took place within her.

When she was done, she wiped her eyes, picked her cello and marched out of the church to the famous Topaz Tower with determined steps.

She had three more hours before another child would be killed and she needed to act fast.

As Zelda left the church, following the left, Falkur and Kamaz entered the church through the right.

Kamaz had desired to do something he always did that somehow brought a level of peace to him and this, is to just sit in the church - the atmosphere had a way of comforting him.

Contrary to the tales that surrounded vampires, vampires do not bleed or shriek when they see the cross, at least not Lord Kamazotz as he is the first ever of his kind.

Kamaz stopped as he got to the last pew of the church were Zelda had sat some seconds ago and where her scent centred... and he inhaled deeply.

When he opened his eyes, he looked around the church but he could see no one that could seem like her.

He thought he was beginning to hallucinate and think too deeply of her and so he sat on that pew and did what he came there for.

He just sat, looked around and reminisced hurtful memories.

After twenty minutes, Falkur came to tap him on his shoulder although he was very wary of his actions and when Kamaz opened his eyes,his eyes were bloodshot.

Quickly Falkur bowed, "Pardon me my Lord, but...we must move now"

If it was any other day, Falkur would have regarded Kamaz as 'Sir' but he knew this day that Kamaz' beast was so close to the surface and anything out of order could lead to even his death, even as little as using the right title.

As Kamaz stood up, Falkur immediately stretched forth the hat.

"Your hat my Lord" Falkur said.

The hat would cover his eyes a little and hopefully no body would be able to take notice of the man with the red eyes.

Falkur began to feel bad for bringing Kamaz all the way and as they walked out of the church, he prayed that this storm that was just gradually steaming in his Lord, would be that same way till they get to The Ragnar Manor.

It was the last day of the month already and none of the Cello players had been able to bring the serenity and tranquility that Kamaz sought for in the tune of the cello.

They were just coming from the last Cello concert and that one had been fair as Kamaz' mind had been cast off shedding blood for some few minutes.

As Falkur started their car, they heard the heavens suddenly rumble. The skies were bright just some seconds ago and the sudden change in weather was a mystery.

"We must hurry my Lord. Pardon me but this ride might be a little bumpy" Falkur said before he pressed his foot on the gas and began to drive away.

As they drove, the darkness in the heavens began to spread deeper and everywhere seemed like it was nighttime already.

The sound of the Cello playing began to cut through the night as people dispersed but some others didn't as they were captivated by the beautiful melody from the Cello that played at the top of the Tower.

They wondered how the lady whose face they couldn't see had gotten there but it didn't occur to anyone what her true intentions could be after playing.

Some even brought out their phones and began to make videos of the lady who played the cello at the top of the Topaz Tower.

"Stop the car!" Kamaz' voice echoed in the car from behind.

Falkur was shocked and had not expected Kamaz to speak as he had not heard him speak for more than two weeks and had only relayed information by the mild shaking of his head or completely ignoring whatever it was.

Falkur looked at Kamaz from the mirror in the car but couldn't see the eyes of the King properly yet as he continued to drive.

"Pardon me my Lord but we need to..."

"Stop.The.Car!" Kamaz boomed and the heavens roared, thundering in back up of his command and the heavens released the rain it had been holding for so long.

Falkur stopped the car with shaky fingers as he was met with Kamaz' eyes in the mirror.

'That isn't good...' Falkur said in his heart as the car screeched to a halt.

Those that were formerly watching and listening to Zelda play began to also seek shelter as the rain descended on them, but Zelda did not stop playing and instead she increased the intensity and the sound of her bow on the cello was sharper than ever and cut through the sound of the rain.

As others ran away, a certain someone ran towards.

He recognized that tune...how could he not?

This was the tune his Zeda had played before he could get to her, to save her...

This was it...

He looked up to the tower and he saw her clearly as the tune was ringing in his heart just like it had done seven hundred years ago.

"Zeda..." Kamazotz said.

Her name rolled off his tongue perfectly and was like a prayer...a beautiful prayer with a deep longing.

ZELDA'S POV

I managed to climb to the top of the Tower, despite the difficulty and when no one was watching.

For once I felt powerful and confident and all those other qualities that could be associated with me before were gone.

Low self esteem, timidity, extreme cautiousness...those were all gone as I closed my eyes, positioned my fingers and began to play my Cello.

I had no tune in mind but once my bow and cello made contact, harmony and something indescribable began to flow out of me.

I could not remember writing the tune I was playing, like never...

It was strange and yet sounded so familiar.

My head swayed to the melancholic tune as I allowed the tune to flow from within me aimlessly but beautifully.

I really didn't know what I was doing except that after this, I am meant to die.

That was certain!

I am sure I looked like a maniac to the persons on the streets and it was a wonder why they had not involved the authorities on the dangerous pIace I was currently on.

I heard the heavens rumble from above me but I couldn't be dismayed. I shouldn't be.

Even when the drops of rain began to drop on my head, I didn't look up to watch my surroundings or understand anything because surely no one was watching, the rain would drive them all away.

I was going to die...alone!

I increased the intensity with which I was playing, not allowing the pattering of rain to overwhelm the sound of my cello, the sound from my heart.

I decided to look at the world around me one last time as I was coming to a close with the tune, I could feel it. And then, I noticed someone standing below and was watching me intently.

It was definitely a man, with his tall figure and broad shoulders, clad in an all black outfit.

Is that even a human? His eyes are...his eyes are Red!

It is either I am getting delusional or my eyes are playing tricks on me.

It must be the Grim Reaper who had come to take me away. So they truly existed?

The rain still continued pouring, drenching me and freezing my pour soul.

The tune finally came to an end and it was finally the moment I have been waiting for.

My hands released my bow and its cello and just before I could hear the sound of my beloved instrument shatter below me, I gave myself to the air.

I wasn't upheld and instead gravity acted and I continued to go down and down.

The air I was going against was whooshing in my ears and tears gathered at the rim of my eyes.

This was it..

Just when I thought I would feel that short fleeting pain of my skull being cracked open and body twisting, I felt hands that wrapped around me.

I opened my eyes and I was met with the face of an angelic being.

"Angel_" I said slowly and then all around me became non existent and my eyes slowly surrendered to unconsciousness.

KAMAZOTZ' POV

Someone was playing that tune...her tune...my Zeda's tune.

I had never heard anyone play it before and my inner self became antsy and aggressive.

"Stop the car now" I said to Falkur.

I was in no mood to entertain him try to care for me and when he would not obey my command and was trying to think up words to make me see reasoning with his actions, I thundered.

"Stop.The.Car"

My voice sounded deeper and different but that couldn't concern me at the moment.

I swung the door of the car open and it fell off.

"Stupid weak materials created by humans" I muttered.

I was so antsy and edgy.

I began to walk towards the Topaz Tower as I throng through the crowd that was trying to push past me to get to their shelter. They couldn't move me out of the way and they only seemed to find how to walk around me.

My eyes were on the Topaz Tower and when I got close enough, I looked up and saw...and saw her.

She was drenched in the rain and her cloth hugged her body like a second skin.

I couldn't be mistaken.

If I could make mistake about any other thing in life, it was definitely not with Zeda. If my eyes were to be gouged, I would never still mistake another for her.

Just like the last time I had seen her, she was playing that same tune and the only difference was that then she played the tune using a Pipa but now she was using a Cello.

The music was about to come to an end and she finally opened her eyes...purple eyes looked down at me and I smiled but she had a wary expression on her face as she looked at me but then she closed her eyes again, disposing me of the opportunity to see those appealing eyes of hers.

The music finally came to an end and the next thing she did had me shocked. She released her cello from her hands and spread her hands in the air and dived after it.

It took a moment for me to realise what was going on.

She was just about to commit suicide!

She was about to leave. Not when I just found her. Not in this life, not in the next.

I leapt in the air and caught her some distance from the earth.

I looked at her face and a lone tear slid down her eyes before her eyes fluttered open. She must be wondering why or how she was still alive.

"Angel_" She said in a very small voice.

Hearing her voice calmed me instantly and I could feel my pulse follow its rightful rhythm.

The next moment, she went limp in my hands and became unconscious.

I removed the wet hair on her face as I revelled in the bolts of electricity that caressed through me at our skin contact.

Seven centuries without her was like hell and this time around, I had no plan of letting her go...not now, not ever!

"Mine!"