WBM

  Chapter Fourteen

  Ritual for the Cursed

  ~SV~

  Half Moon Bay, 3 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Sidonia is having a dream-vision while she sleeps in the Ferry. This event happened five hours earlier, at 10 pm, on the 28th. Xiko turns to the clan, “I am sorry. It is what Grigori and I feared might happen.” They wail at this loss. Xiko says, “Well, you heard him. We need to hurry with our packing so we can go, within an hour. I want to be in a new territory, so that we can all get some sleep before dawn. Once we have everything done, Trina, Sara-.”

  He groans, “-and I will do the rituals. We will bring Grigori’s and Trek’s bodies with.” They somberly nod, as he adds, “We will do the burials tomorrow.” Wirf asks, “Where are we going?” Xiko replies in a loud enough voice that all can hear, “High Lord King Anthony’s territory.” The clan grumbles, “The Vampires’ Leader?” Xiko nods, saying, “If I cannot get work for us with him, I hope he can tell me of another who needs us.” They swallow and nod.

  The clan rushes off to pack their things. Xiko says to Trina, “I am sorry.” Sighing, Trina says, “You are doing the right thing. I was hoping that was where you were planning to go. Are you thinking of my land for tonight?” Xiko says, “Yes, I feel it is best for now.” She smiles, “I have a Dark Door just outside of Nicolas’s property; he refused to let us create one on his land. My land is too small to remain on, yet adequate for now, and it has a barrier around it.”

  Putting his arm around her, Xiko nods, “I recall you had said that. Can you keep Kristopher out?” Trina nods, “I will look for some of Krist’s hair in his wagon to change the barrier so it will block the Warg.” Xiko exhales with relief, “Thank you.”

  ~*~

  Kolo’s Catacombs, 3 AM, 677, 29th, October

  Kolo fumes, “I would have opened that space a mere hundred feet or so from me! Instead, you tried to confuse me, and I was told that Lola was in her coffin.” Nepathi begs, “It was Samala who told you that, not me. I had no idea what the results were, nor where the dirt came from. You gave me that dirt.” Lola hisses, “And you never suspected?” Nepathi admits, “Only afterward, when you failed to appear in the Craftroom and Kolo was demanding where you were.”

  The Egyptian adds, “Still, I only began to guess your location after he left, when I realized the dirt might be important and a link to where you are. I had just woken from death and was not able to think quickly or clearly yet.” It is easier for Lola to believe her brother. Nepathi begs Kolo, “You brought me that bag of graveyard dirt. I have no idea what is in that area of the catacombs, you never took me down there. You forget I revived your sister for you!”

  Looking at them she pleads, “It worked! I sent her essence to her, so she can be strong and here for you.” They are unmoved by her reasoning. She continues to beg, “Lola, I helped you. Please tell him I did the spell correctly, you are nearly the same, right?” Lola just asks Kolo, “Now what, we have to listen to her whining as she starves to death? That is what her tomb is for. And why is there a pan under the base of this enormous waste of time and money?”

  Smirking, Kolo assures, “This device is much more vicious than you can even imagine.” Lola mocks, “Oh, I can think vicious!” Laughing darkly, Kolo admits to Lola, “Yes, you can!” In the Craftroom, the other two hear Nepathi’s desperate pleas. Darciana sighs, “She should never beg, it only makes it more fun for Kolo and Lola. It is what they want to hear.” Agreeing, Samala nods.

  ~*~

  Nicolas questions why he made such poor choices, ‘Does immortality keep me from worrying what others think of me? No. Clearly, I am still prideful or I would ask the Ramblers to stay. I have just stopped caring.’ He mocks himself, “I have no right to be angry with Leticia for this. If anything, my own behavior caused it.” He feels empty. He could have taught others, as he imagines Grigori did for his clan. Nicolas knows that he has done it all wrong.

  His own poor choices, arrogance, and thinking that he will have no consequences; his life is empty of meaning and only now he senses what he has ruined. Yet he cannot take any of it back and his pride will not let him go back to the Rambler Clan, apologize, nor beg them to stay. The Vampire cannot face seeing their hurt and disappointment. Nicolas needs to kill something. He flies out a large window, going over the forest looking for Kristopher the man.

  Nicolas had not waited to learn that he was a brown Warg Wolf. Krist saw Nicolas drop into camp. Guessing the Lord would come for him, Kristopher the Wolf is hidden in a small, dark hole, so Nicolas will not see nor find him. Yet within hearing of their camp.

  ~*~

  In the Playroom, Kolo tells Lola, “It is better than starving. First, we lock the door in place.” He points to the side, Lola sees a lever, Kolo says “This is how it becomes a torture device, by pulling it down.” Lola is anxious to get started, as she responds to the Egyptian for herself and Kolo, “This is for not considering the kindest way to bring me back, and for poisoning my brother!” Lola slams the Maiden’s Torture shut, immediately paying for it.

  Lola’s transparent image fades into mist. She wails, “What is wrong with me?” Kolo tries to calm Lola, by distracting her, as he whistles her tune, limping around it, taunting the Egyptian, “Are you comfy in there.” In the Craftroom, Samala’s voice returns, “It does not matter how many times he has killed me; I still do not want him to do it again.” Not wanting Darciana to guess she had also begged for her life, Samala lies, “I have stopped pleading, it does no good.”

  The Mad Queen seethes, “Kolo has no mercy.” In the Playroom, Kolo locks the door and taps on the Iron Maiden taunting, “Ready for fun?” Looking at his sister, he knows closing the Iron Maiden has drained Lola’s powers, but he cannot undo it. Lola is so transparent Kolo can hardly see her expression, she groans, “Answer me!” Instead, he opens a window, which reveals a view of Nepathi’s eyes, “We can watch her torture through it.” Lola begs, “Tell me.”

  Her twin says with regret, “Now you understand what it is like for me. I am still slowly healing, as I come back from death. Any activity causes me to be weaker. I am sure you will heal with time.” She says, “The January Rejects taunted and clawed me.” He gasps, as she adds, “I believed I was in Nifl or Hell. Until the light gate came and the spirits near me were being pulled into their Death Doors.” He gasps at how near she came to leaving him.

  Lola finishes, “That is when I knew I was still in the Human Realm.” He asks, “How did you keep out of the light?” Lola replies, “I was too weak and unable to stop it, as it was pulling me even though I tried to resist it. I was sure it was too late, then I was pulled away.” Lola smiles at him, “The Death Door’s pull was not as strong as your call to me. You suddenly pulled me away from the gateway. By calling me to you, I was able to get away.” He is stunned.

  Kolo asks, “Why would that work?” She guesses, “I think, because I spend time in you.” Lola is not ready to tell him of the ominous dark gateway beneath her and the evil shadows that were coming for her. He muses, “When I called you it compelled you from the light and to me.” Kolo feels pride, “I saved you from entering Death’s Door!” Sternly, Lola says, “I am not ready to spend time in prison. I deserve to have a witch’s life first.”

  She thinks, ‘And to find love.’ Kolo groans, “I promise I will help you find that, as soon as we get the book.” Lola reminds him, “I want Sidonia’s body too!” He wants to refuse, but knows he needs to keep his word; she deserves to have her way. Kolo tells Lola, “Yes. I promised Sidonia to you. Help me get the book, and the defiantly, naughty Princess is yours.” Kolo hates that he cannot fix Lola.

  He adds, “Maybe the book can heal me too.” Lola runs her mist hand down his charred face, “I wish I saw you burn Donatello!” Kolo smiles as he puts his hand on the lever. He hesitantly invites Lola, “Would you care to join me? I think if we do it together, it will hurt us less, and this way you can also relish it with me.” She enters him. His face ripples with her presence, as she comes a bit forward of him, revealing her semi-transparent form over his left side only.

  Lola says, “I am sorry I used your body to hit you. Thank you for being so quick to forgive me.” She adds. “My outburst caused some of my weakness.” Wickedly, she remembers it was worth it and thinks, ‘He caused this to happen to me, because he does not listen, and his drug use made us both vulnerable!’

  ~*~

  11 pm, it took longer than Xiko hoped for the Lake Bled Ramblers to break camp. As they finish loading their wagons, Xiko looks around the camp and is satisfied that they have everything. He tells Trina, “I am sorry we need to perform the ritual right now. Grigori was of good temper, yet he was wrongfully murdered. The risk of becoming a Warg-.” Their dead leader’s wife, Trina cuts in relieving him of the guilt as she pats his hand, “We must do it.”

  She sighs, “Grigori would not have asked for an exception. The clan does not deserve to fear him rising either.” Trina steels herself, as the clan’s new leader, Xiko raises his sword and swiftly brings it down, removing Grigori’s head with a single blow. Wrapping Grigori’s head, he ties it to his saddle. Xiko cut open his dead leader’s chest and removes his heart. Trina sits, closing her eyes as she holds out her hand. Xiko sets a piece in her palm.

  Trina whispers, “Forgive me my lover, my kindest friend; I eat thinking of your love for me, my dear husband.” Xiko eats too, then he and Wirf put Grigori in his coffin. Quickly, Xiko nails it shut and goes to Sara, doing the same for her father, Trek. Sara wails as Xiko removes her father’s head; again, he wraps it in a cloth and ties it to his saddle. Sara sobs loudly looking away as he cuts out Trek’s heart. Tossing it in the fire, he pulls it out and cuts it. He gives the piece to Sara, she chokes, gags, and throws up.

  Sobbing, Sara asks, “You did not put Grigori’s in the fire?” Xiko eats some of Trek’s heart before replying, “Trek was bitten and turned rabid.” Their leader Xiko and Wirf put Trek in his coffin. Xiko uses long nails, to impale Trek into the thick base of the coffin. Sara screams out in horror, “Why are you nailing him through?” Xiko groans and repeats, “He was bitten by the Warg.”

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  Sara cries as he nails her father’s neck, arms, and legs. Xiko explains, “Krist only stabbed Grigori. Kristopher bit your father, we saw Trek turn, he became a Warg Wolfman. Your father is a greater risk to us, as he is more likely to rise a Rogue Mullo if we do not do this. Trust me it is wise to take these precautions; you want the clan and yourself to be safe. It will help all to have less fear.” Reluctantly, Sara nods, she now sees that the clan is in the shadows, watching.

  Slowly Sara understands, they all need to be certain it is done, so they are safe. She wipes her tears away, eats the last bit of heart, and forces herself to keep it down. Sara now loudly says to Xiko, “Forgive me; you are wise and right. Thank you for doing the ‘Ritual for the Cursed’. We are all safer now.” She whispers, “I see that otherwise if anything goes badly it shall be taken as a bad omen and will be blamed on my father and me as well!”

  Xiko hates to think it is true, he nods recalling times when it had caused that. He has learned that their beliefs are both wise and cruel. Still, Xiko knows what some scoff at and call superstitions are based on sound truths and facts. The Ritual for the Cursed is one that he will not turn his back on, and Xiko does not regret doing what was required of him to keep these good men from rising as brutal monsters. He nails Trek’s coffin shut, and ties it to Sara’s wagon.

  They carry Grigori’s coffin, tying it on top of Trina’s wagon. Xiko reassures the clan, “We will burn their heads tomorrow night, at our new camp. I plan to finish their funerals then, as well as burying them there.” The clan says goodbye to Lake Bled, their former home. Men on horseback ride ahead with torches, lighting the dark road. At least they have traveled it often and kept it well maintained. It is an hour before they reach the end of Nicolas’s land.

  Krist risks coming to see the burial, and instead sees them breaking camp. Snickering, Krist guesses that Lord Nicolas has exiled them. Kristopher saw Xiko take their heads and heard him nailing Trek into his casket, knowing Xiko did their ritual, the Warg is furious. Krist hoped, in their haste to leave, it would keep them from doing the Ritual for the Cursed. The Warg wanted Grigori and Trek to rise to kill others in their clan, spreading his horror.

  He follows them in the dark shadows, easily keeping up with his clansmen. He feels their exile is justice, assuming the clan had agreed with his banishment. They all deserved to pay for his loneliness, no clan or home, and taking Leticia from him. Krist will get revenge. He will wait for the best opportunity to take what is precious to them, their women. He wants them to know how it feels.

  ~*~

  Warlock Camp, Witch-Fights, 677, 29th, October

  Nearing the time for the final match, Rorik walks down to where Crimson is getting ready. The Goth nods to him, as the Prince says, “I am glad I am not the one fighting.” Crimson chuckles, re-painting his skin, white and red; the prince sees the red is blood. The Goth cuts his forearm, using Blood Magic to mark an empty Spirit Bottle. Rorik gasps seeing he has an Evil Eye Talisman, which is a Rambler’s amulet, and it is not a charm associated with Goth’s.

  Crimson puts it around his neck, as Rorik grins. The Goth notices, smirking, “Mum insists that I wear it.” The Prince says, “I would say good luck, but it seems you do not need it.” Crimson replies, “I learned, never leave it to, luck.” The Ringmaster yells, “Final match of the night is Crimson, joined by Malevolent, versus Fury with Slaughter!” The crowd roars, the Fightmaster says, “Bets are closed, fighters to the ring, prepare and open your Spirit Jars!”

  The Goth enters the ring, setting his bag down, Crimson removes an ampule containing a red liquid. Rorik sees the Evil Eye on the bottle and assumes it is a blood mixture, likely an enhancing potion. As Crimson drinks it, dark blue veins rise around Crimson’s heart, they continue to darken under the white paint, going up his neck onto his face. It heals his arm; the Goth’s eyes go dark. Rorik has only heard of it, as he gasps, “Demons of the Dark Realm!”

  Shaking his head, the Prince groans, ‘The crazy Goth just drank a vampire’s blood!’ The effect of his potion, gives Crimson a shiver. When the Goth’s jitters stop, he removes more from his bag.

  ~*~

  Midnight. Once off their former master’s land, the Ramblers stop and Trina wakes, coming out of her wagon. She thanks Wink, “I appreciate you driving it for me.” He sighs, “Bert is old enough to drive ours and it might keep him out of trouble, for a while.” The clan is gathering near with worried expressions, Trina assures them, “I have family land. Decades ago, locals sought to push us out, so mum Hexed it to keep the greedy ones from moving in.”

  Trina adds, “Her Hex has the locals calling it ‘the Devil’s Woods’. The clan nods with approval, as she tells them, “It is in an area northwest of Blackstone Castle, where we will be safe until we can find a larger area. It is too small for our clan’s settlement; not large enough for crops and herds. However, it will do until we find a permanent location that suits us.” Satisfied, the clan checks their wagons. Trina asks Xiko, “Will you come with me?”

  She gives him a weary smile, “Just long enough for me to change the Hex?” Xiko nods and asks, “Can your Dark Door be made large enough and held open for us to all get through?” Trina sighs, “I have a larger stone I can use, I will need our women’s help, to keep it open.” As they near her Dark Door, Trina tells Xiko, “I worked out a spell to adjust the Hex on my land so it will be friendly to Ramblers. I added a bit to be certain it will keep the Warg out.”

  Xiko grins, “Good. I want all of you to be safe while I speak to Anthony, and then hunt Kristopher.” Trina adds, “I was young when the locals poisoned my cousin.” She stops at a petrified tree by the road, “Mum saved her; regrettably, it was safer to leave. I doubt any are alive who will recall it. It will be wise to still be cautious of those in that area.” Xiko nods, Trina says, “I am sorry that I need you to come with as it will hurt you until I do the spell.”

  He nods, Trina opens her Door, and he supports her as they go. Xiko gasps, “This is the longest Dark Door I have ever entered.” Trina explains, “The depth is always relative to the distance.” He nods. Stepping out of the dark door, Xiko immediately groans with pain, dropping to his knees due to the Hex on it. His voice deepens to a rasp, gasping, “Oh no!” He looks up at the Wolf Blood Moon, his yellow mist comes in the shape of a wolf. Trina gasps in fear.

  Trina quickly changes the Hex, it instantly relieves Xiko’s pain, then she adds the spell to keep Krist out. Xiko keeps control of his shift and his mist recedes so does his urge to change. Darkly, Xiko chuckles, “First time I have forgotten! Luckily it has been a decade, so I have more control.” Trina gives a grim laugh, “I could have asked Wink or Wirf if I recalled the moon. It is our sorrow.” He puts an arm around her, “I hope I did not frighten you too much.”

  She smiles, “I am glad you were able to stall it.” Exiting out, Trina closes the Dark Door, rushing to sit on a large rock. Xiko sees how weary the elderly leader is, and offers, “I will go get the women to help with your Dark Door.” Trina nods, “Thank you. I must rest here, before I get the larger stone.” Xiko calls out, “It is official we are the Devil’s Woods Rambler Clan.” The clan nods their approval. As he brings the women, there are screams, he looks for danger.

  It is their former Lord. Nicolas flies in a circle above them. Xiko watches and waits, until Nicolas, the Vampire Leader of House Voltear, lands before them. Xiko goes forward in front of his clan, wondering why their former lord is here, stating, “Lord Nicolas we have done as you asked, is there something else?” Nicolas nods, “Tell me where Kristopher is, are you hiding him?” This anger’s Xiko, and the clan is answering, as many shout, “No!” “Never!”

  Outraged, Xiko says, “Krist is no longer one of us. Grigori gave him a choice, as what he was doing affected all in our clan. Kristopher chose his fate, and Grigori banished him. As Grigori left, Krist stabbed him in the back. We will never hide that coward and our leader’s murderer!” Nicolas wants them back; his pride stops him. He only huffs, “Then why was I unable to find the bloody coward? Where is Kristopher?” Xiko smirks, “In your woods-.”

  The Vampire cuts in with a hiss, “I checked. No man is in my woods. You have spoken the truth so far, do not disappoint me by lying now!” Xiko looks him in the eyes replying, “If you let me finish. Killing Grigori caused the Rambler Blood Curse to Hex Kristopher, forcing him to transform.” Nicolas groans, “Hex? What did he become?” Xiko says, “He is a brown colored wolf. He has Grigori’s green mist B on his left cheek.” The Vampire is shocked.

  ~*~

  Crimson picks up his Spirit Jar and wipes it clean. Doing his Blood Magic, Crimson carves rune marks into his left arm, with his knife; then presses his Malevolent’s Spirit Bottle against it transferring the runes onto his jar. He brings out another larger ampule; removing the lead lid of the Spirit Bottle, he pours the vial of potion into it. The vial is different from his ampule; it is a blue vapor that flows into the jar and mixes with Malevolent’s Shade.

  It causes the Shade’s blue mist to darken and increase in size. Crimson says his Blood Magic spell to bring the Shade, Malevolent out of the bottle and into himself,

  “Hear me call your chosen name

  Malevolent

  I beckon you from this jar

  Malevolent

  I accept you and want your help

  Malevolent

  Be part and one with me

  Malevolent

  Agree to fight this match with me

  Malevolent.”

  His Shade’s mist flows from the jar into his wounds on Crimson’s left arm; it emerges from the Goths body to be around him, encasing all of Crimson. The potion gives his Shade an increased size, and dark look, the same way the Goth’s drink made Crimson appear more demonic. Crimson is an average sized male, but his Spirit Malevolent is very big. The Shade comes twelve inches above and around Crimson’s body as the Spirit envelopes the Goth.

  He even appears to be a half-foot larger in stature than the Warlock’s Shade, Slaughter. Malevolent has red rune marks painted on his body, and blood coming from his eyes. It is unsettling to Rorik even though it is typical for Goths to do Blood Magic. The Rambler does not care for the idea of taking a dagger to his own flesh either. Crimson and Malevolent face their fans, flexing and waving to the crowd that has come to watch them fight.

  Prince Rorik turns to watch the Goth’s opponent, Fury as he uses a flint and stone to light some wood. Rorik is interested in the Warlock’s Fire Magic. Fury puts a hip bone into the flames, then he tosses minerals into his fire. This causes bright flashes of blue and green colors in the flames. Fury says his Fire Spell,

  “Great fire, accept my offering,

  And reveal my path in this fight.”

  The Warlock uses shorter metal tongs to pull the bone from the fire, and lifts it to study it. Part of the bone has become more translucent around the denser parts, revealing a silhouetted image, which Fury now interprets. Rorik sees Fury’s face go dark, as though the Warlock does not like what he sees. Fury tosses sand on the fire, removes his boots, and walks on the hot embers.

  Fury calls to his fire god,

  “Give me your strength, to burn,

  devour, and destroy my enemy,

  like your glorious fires.”

  The Warlock puts his boots on, and opens Slaughter’s Spirit Bottle, holding it to his mouth as he calls his Shade out,

  “Hear me Slaughter, I am your master.

  Obey and come into me, I command you.

  You are to protect me, as your master.

  You will fight as I command you.

  So I, your master, will conquer and win again.”

  Yet, the mist struggles to stay in the bottle. It seems that Slaughter is sulking and unwilling to fight. Fury yells, “I command you to come!” Nothing happens. Fury turns his back to Crimson as he goes further away and seems to be trying to coax Slaughter into coming out for the fight. The Ringmaster calls to the Warlock, “We will give you one more try, to call out your Shade.” The crowd roars angrily, and the Ringmaster quiets them with a whistle.

  The Fightmaster urges Fury, “One more attempt, then you may try one of our Spirits. If you cannot get a Shade to accept the deal, you forfeit the match due to not having command of your Shade.” Crimson yells a taunt to the crowd, “I think Slaughter might be afraid.” This brings a roar of laughter. It angers the Warlock, Fury yells, “He just wants to hear his fans welcome him.” Setting the jar down, he turns to wave to the crowd, “Tell Slaughter he is wanted.” The Goth says, “The poor Shade has hurt feelings.” The crowd laughs; but those with bets on Fury are getting very mad.

  ~WBM~