Chapter Eight - the devil's moon
By Richard LeBlanc
The Past - Eco has a greater history than most people could ever be aware of. This has nothing to do with politics - countries - or even the people that lived there or traveled there. For when the world was first created, a race of Daemons called Earth home. On this planet of molten rock and flames their dark empire began. For numerous centuries - the Earth belonged to them. But then a light shined down from the stars on this world. All of the daemons - all save one - perished. Only his dark hate kept him going. The Earth shrank and shrank. In the end it became the core of a new Earth - an Earth free of Daemon rule - but every hundred years or so the stars align and the old legacy has a chance to be returned. What has all this to with Eco you ask? Simple, this lavish city known as Eco is located right over where the last Daemon's temple used to be...
In the quarry, Bones stood up and smiled.
         "You fool. You have no idea of what is going on - do you?" Bones whispered. A cold wind blew through the quarry.
         "If you mean the hundreds of friends you have hidden in the shadows - I could hazard a guess." Axis replied. The answer made the anarch leader laugh. He fell back into his chair and sighed.
         "Nothing gets by good old Axis. But this time - my old friend - I guess is the first." Bones muttered in a cold calculating voice. He snapped his fingers. Just then, several anarchs stepped out of Obfuscate and aimed weapons at the prince and his friends. Two among them were Baali in the garb of the Anarch's Fist.
         "You think killing us will make the city yours?" Axis asked.
         "No - but just between you and me - highness - I really don't want it." The anarch muttered. The answer was clearly something that the prince was expecting.
         "You don't?" he asked in modest disbelief.
         "Okay - I do want it - but I don't. You see - as it is there is just too much clutter. Me - I like wide open spaces - and so does a good friend of mine." Bones stated calmly. He got up from the table and walked over to where Axis was.
         "I turn my back for a couple of days and it goes right to your head!" a voice shouted. All of the anarchs that were watching from the shadows looked to the top of the quarry. There stood Skamms and the Gangrel sheriff. Everyone expected this to unnerve Bones - but all he did was calmly chuckle.
         "Skamms - my old friend. I was worried that you weren't coming back." He mentioned rationally. Skamms grunted and made his way down the path. The sheriff walked a few paces behind.
         "I'm so sure - Shotgun!" he called out. From the shadows a gun was tossed to him. He caught it and checked it to see if it was loaded and armed it. He continued towards the stage.
"Another!" he added. This time an automatic shotgun was tossed to him from the shadows. He armed it and continued down the path. Any anarch that was remotely near the way the Malkavian was walking quickly stepped aside. Bones merely watched the bravado amused.
         "I take it you are displeased?" Bones asked curiously. Skamms picked up his pace and within moments he was on the stage away from Bones and the old leaders from the Anarch's Fist.
         "Displeased? I cleanse these bastards from our ranks - I come back and find them all buddy-buddy with you? Tell me why I would be angered?" Skamms suggested calmly. Bones looked at the look in the Malkavian's eye and smiled.
         "They made a mistake. They only wanted to help." Bones stated.
         "Bullshit. I saw what they wanted to help - and it ain't you." Skamms hissed in anger and disgust. Bones sighed and shook his head. He quickly drew a gun and shot the two Baali.
         "I'm sorry man. They were begging and pleading and throwing shit loads of money at me. What was I supposed to do?" Bones asked curiously. Skamms looked over at the unmoving Baali.
         "Do I look stupid? Do you think I can't tell when one of us is playing dead? You have ten seconds before you officially anger me and awaken the shotgun messiah." He warned. The wounded Baali slowly got up and dusted themselves off.
         "Boys - take the council to a safe place until this little matter is resolved." Bones ordered.
         "Anything that attempts to move will be unable to do so." Skamms retorted. The men watching the council members looked at the two leaders on the stage with sincere confusion.
         "Skamms - you are confusing them. I just wanted to sort this out - just you and me - for old time's sake. What do you say buddy?" Bones asked in a friendly manner. Skamms shook his head.
         "Tell me - when we first met back then. When I put my arm around you and had a little chat with you - do you remember what I said?" Skamms asked curiously. Bones smiled and shook his head.
         "Things have been - hectic - as of late. Why don't you refresh my memory?" Bones replied. Skamms twitched - he tensed up - and then he relaxed.
         "You - have made me - really-really angry." He answered. He quickly raised one shotgun and fired. The blast knocked the anarch leader off the stage. He was getting ready to shoot again when Bones raised his hand.
         "Hold - let's make this interesting." Bones began. He shedded his mask to reveal another Baali. The deception didn't wholly surprise the prankster.
         "What a surprise." Skamms muttered. He reloaded the gun and aimed it at the Baali.
         "Talk - even if you are some scum I stepped in while playing at the pound - I like to be interested." Skamms added sarcastically. The other two Baali helped the eldest Baali to his feet.
         "It has been years since I have tested myself. What say we fight - just you and me. Should you win - what could I offer? Oh yes! I know - the dirt that good old Bones had on the Prince?" the Baali asked. Skamms lowered the gun and looked over at the Prince.
         "You got my attention - where is Bones?" he asked seriously.
         "Him? Well, he had a fondness for money. He was a greedy bastard. He was a little hesitant at first - but when we plopped twenty million some odd dollars in front of him - he was willing to sell you to the highest bidder." The Baali answered.
         "Wait! If that's so - why the act?" Axis asked curiously.
         "Well - personally - I hate all Mooks. They pretend to be nuts but those crazy bastards can sometimes see things that they shouldn't. It was because of Mooks that our plans were undone over three hundreds years ago. Oh - and there was the drama bit. Everyone knows that Bones wasn't the steadiest person around." He answered. He then looked over at the Malkavian wielding the shotgun.
         "Where was I? Oh yes your traitorous friend. He is - safe. For the time being. Why? Do you want him too?" the Baali asked.
         "Oh yeah - I want him too." He answered.
         "Okay. Now - what will be in it for me?" he asked curiously. He then snapped his fingers.
         "I know - I get you." He answered.
         "Me?" Skamms asked in disgust.
         "Yes - what do you say? Shall we make this interesting?" the Baali asked. Skamms shrugged his shoulders. In a quick action he raised both shotguns and fired at his adversary. The shots carried the Baali off the stage. He was about to pursue when he noticed Nenia attempting to get his attention. He looked over at where his adversary fell and shook his head. He walked over to where the council members were.
         "I am sort of in the middle of something honey. Is this important?" he asked sarcastically. Nenia looked over at the others and closed her eyes. Skamms felt himself twitch.
         When you fought with that Caitiff Funny Bone - did he have a necklace? She asked telepathically. The question startled him at first. But then he noticed her concentrating and knew what was going on.
         "Yeah - why?" he replied.
         This is important - did you take it? She continued. He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. She opened her eyes and saw it. Seeing the golden necklace almost glowing in the moonlight almost made her freeze up.
         "This thing?" he asked.
         Yes! Please return it! She continued. He slowly moved it towards her - but in a quick action he jerked it away. She looked almost heartbroken by the action. The evil smile on the Malkavian's face was not reassuring.
         "It is so cute - tell me what it does first." He requested. The others watched as the Malkavian seemingly talked to himself. Nenia wanted to lie - but as his gaze locked onto hers - she knew she couldn't.
         It is called the Eye of Saulot. It was created before the Tremere clan was born so to speak. Once our line was founded - the Eye was imbued with the powers and secrets of our line. If properly applied it is said to bestow all of the abilities of our clan and the clan before our own. She answered truthfully. Skamms looked at the bobble in his hands. That was a lot of power he was holding in his hands - that and a lot of trouble.
         "Shity. You can - " he began. Just then, the Baali hopped onto the stage. Skamms quickly rolled away from Nenia and aimed the gun at the person that was getting ready for another round.
"Back so soon?" Skamms asked.
         "I wanted to give you some moments to make peace with your gods. It is time you learn now the folly of your ways you arrogant little leach!" The Baali hissed. Flames swirled around the vampire. Skamms raised his weapon and waited for the right moment. Just then, the flames between Skamms and the Baali turned blue - and within seconds turned pitch black. Everyone in the quarry heard a laughter that was clearly not of this world. Then - from the darkness extended a disfigured mutated hand. It was the equivalent size of a full-grown gorilla.
         "Oh yuck..." Skamms muttered. He watched as the rest of the beast pulled itself out from the black flames. It stood nearly ten feet tall and had to weigh over four hundred pounds. Its face was a mutated cross between a pig and a wolf. It growled fiercely as it glared at the Malkavian.
         "This is one of my master's pets. After speaking with you at the temple - he has been dying to meet you. This herald as it were - shall bring what is left of you him." the Baali hissed.
         "When I am done - you will have to email his remains back." He retorted. He fired the gun at the beast and hit it square in the chest. The beast staggered back - stopped and then looked down at the oozing wound. It then grunted and ripped off the flesh that had been shot. The display shocked everyone that witnessed it - Skamms included.
         "This monster is more fucked up than I am." He commented.
         "He was picked especially for you. Now - play with the puny vampire - but remember - the master wants this one alive." The Baali instructed. The creature howled out and rushed towards his prey. Skamms fire shot after shot at the massive beast. Every blast seemed to take a chunk out - but it kept rushing forward.
         "Hey puppy!" Skamms shouted. The beast looked up at the vampire. Skamms raised his hand and pointed his index finger at the beast. His eyes locked on the beasts. It skidded to a halt a few meters away from the Malkavian. Just then, Skamms began to shake.
         "He is very strong against the powers of Domination. In fact - it has the ability as well. Albeit it doesn't know many commands - but the ones it does are sufficient." The Baali stated confidently.
Skamms felt his arm twitching. He could feel his arm moving the gun away from the beast and slowly moving towards his head.
         "I - will - not - let - you - win!" Skamms grunted out. The Baali watched as the arm began to shake more violently. The Baali stopped laughing when he saw that the deranged Malkavian was once again pointing the gun at the beast.
"This isn't possible - the creature was conditioned to be iron willed." The Baali muttered. Skamms screamed out and repeatedly fired the shotgun until it was empty. And even then he kept pulling the trigger. Everyone looked at the beast that had taken around eight shots to the head. Much to everyone's surprise - the beast was slowly beginning to heal.
         "It can heal much faster than you." The Baali mentioned. Skamms finally shook off the effect of the rage he was in. he stared at the ugly beast that was almost missing three quarters of its head.
         "Who said I wanted to heal? Does anyone have a chainsaw?" Skamms called out. He heard the sound of a small motor revving. He looked over and saw a young anarch. He tossed the idling saw onto the stage.
         "Hey big boy - you look sick - time to operate!" Skamms hissed. He rushed forward - dived over the saw - somersaulted and landed inches before the ugly creature. Before it could take any action. The psychotic Malkavian thrusted the weapon at the creature and began to cut. Skamms although enjoying the moment noticed that the beast's wounds were healing almost as fast as he was causing them now.
         "Away!" the creature growled. A powerful blow from the creature's ape-like arm sent the Malkavian sprawling across the stage without the saw. He slowly got up and noticed that the creature was now wielding the saw.
         "You are just to damn stubborn to know when you are dead. Yield now. We won't spare you any agonies but it will make this tired affair go so much quicker." The Baali suggested. He could almost feel victory in his grasp.
         "I ain't quitting loser." He retorted. It was then that he felt something warm in one of his pockets. He quickly reached in and felt the necklace. He remembered seeing what it could do for that pile of ash that was Funny Bone - he remembered what Nenia had told him about the toy. He smiled and somersaulted backwards. When he stood up he was wearing the Eye of Saulot.
         "And now for something completely different." Skamms taunted in a deranged voice. He gestured at the creature that was lumbering forward. All of a sudden - the beast stopped moving. Everyone watched as the beast slowly floated up and began to spin.
         "Burn!" Skamms hissed. A ball of fire engulfed the beast.
         "Idiot." A voice muttered out. He quickly looked around until he saw who it was that insulted him. When he saw the disgusted look on her face - he knew who - Nenia.
         "What's your beef?" he asked.
         "What are you fighting?" she retorted. Skamms stopped to think about the question. When he realized the answer he stopped the fire attack. Despite the intensity of the attack - the creature was unhurt.
         "Oh yeah - demon - fire - I get it. Silly me." He replied. Just then, everyone watched violent storm clouds rolling in. strong winds and rains began pound against the quarry.
         "I saw one of you warlocks do this stunt once." Skamms stated madly. He arched his arm back and slowly motioned his hand at the suspended creature. Just then, a lightning bolt shot down from the heavens and hit the creature. It howled out in pain until the effect ended. Skamms looked up and saw that the beast was still twitching.
         "Again!" he called out mockingly. Everyone watched in disbelief as another lighting bolt hit the beast - and another - and another - and another. Each time they heard the beast howl out. Each time the beast looked worse and worse. Each time brought a sick and twisted smile to the Malkavian's face. He tried to zap it again - but nothing seemed to work. He was about to complain when he looked up and saw the charred remains of what was left of the beast.
         "That was kind of refreshing." He said madly.
         "Wasn't that a little excessive?" a voice called out. He let out a sigh.
          "What now?" he asked intolerantly.
         "Were twenty six bolts really necessary?" Nenia asked in disgust. Skamms released the beast and skipped over to where it was. It stunk of the burnt meat of a dead skunk. He lightly kicked the creature. It wasn't moving. He then bent over and poked it with his finger a few times.
         "It ain't moving - I presume it is done - hungry?" Skamms asked madly. He looked up at the twitching Baali.
         "There is no way - " he muttered. He watched as the beast burst into flames and vanished. He then looked up at the Malkavian that had defeated the creature he had called.
         "I shall cast a curse on you - you vile creature!" the Baali shouted out. In anger and frustration he began to conjure. Skamms pretended to look scared. The Baali stopped what he was doing. Just then Skamms tensed up. He began to violently spasm. He then fell to the stage unmoving. Everyone looked at the unmoving vampire. The Baali shook his head.
         "That isn't funny." He stated. Everyone watched as Skamms hopped back up to his feet. Apparently the effects of the curse wasn't as effective as he would have desired it to be.
         "I beg to differ - I thought it was hilarious." He retorted. Just then, the violent storm around them began to worsen. Skamms then concentrated. Just then - a weapon appeared in his hands. It was a rifle identical to the ones that were in the possession of the Baali that were there when Skamms took over.
         "Conjuring - what a trip." He stated. He fired the altered shotgun. The Baali's shoulder exploded. He screamed out in pain as his severed arm fell to the stage. The Baali concentrated. A thin trickle of blood oozed from his shoulder and touched the severed arm. Everyone watched as the arm was slowly pulled up and reattached to the body.
         "That - really hurt." He strained. Skamms threw the gun aside in disgust.
         "You are getting on my nerves! What does it take to get you to stay dead?" he exclaimed. The Baali laughed madly.
         "Oh - the master is going to have such fun with you." He ranted. Just then his head jerked to the right.
         "You fool!" he growled out. His head jerked to the left.
         "I am trying my best." He continued. His head jerked right.
         "You incompetent oaf!" he growled. His head jerked left. Everyone watched the display for the better part of ten minutes. Just then - several lightning bolts struck the tormented Baali. Everyone turned away and looked into the crowd. There stood several Tremere that were Nenia's elders.
         "Nenia - you said that you found the talisman?" the Regent asked. Before anyone could answer - a charred Baali rose up and laughed madly. Everyone watched as the withered vampire slowly regenerated back to perfect health.
         "Fools - all you have done is make my domination of this vessel easier." A demonic voice echoed. Everyone watched as the Baali doubled in size. Mutated - gigantic wings grew out from his back. The face twisted and contorted until it resembled the face that was carved in the stone. Skamms and Claws tensed up as the transformation finally completed.
         "What - the hell is that thing?" Axis asked hesitantly.
         "I am the rightful owner of this pathetic little orb. You pathetic insects are trespassing!" he echoed. Everyone could feel the ground tremor. The Regent stepped over to where the Prince was.
         "Prince - that thing - it can't be their lord and master. They haven't done the sacrifices and the change happened too quick." The Regent stated seriously. The prince looked at the Tremere as though he had grown a second head.
         "Cut to the chase - what is that thing and how do we kill it?" Axis retorted. The Regent studied the creature and shook his head.
         "A part of him is still kindred - the rest is not of our world. If I had to guess I would say that the is body is being used as an avatar. If we can hurt the body enough - it may be enough to break the link." He answered.
         "The problem is - the longer we wait - the harder that will become." Nenia added. The prince looked over at the anarch that was spellbound by the display he was seeing. Axis effortlessly took the gun away and shot at the demonic entity until it ran out of bullets. He tensed up as he noticed that all that did was get the monster's attention.
         "I take it you wanted my attention first?" it growled.
         "No! I do!" a voice shouted. The beast looked over at Skamms. It remembered the insolent vampire well. He was looking forward to meeting this one again.
         "You? Oh - I was hoping I would see you." It growled. Skamms was about to reply - but he couldn't. Just then Skamms yelped out. He tensed up as a white aura surrounded him. Everyone watched as his body slowly shifted until it looked taller and thinner. His hair had grown longer and had changed color from brown to silver and his eyes were a deep blue - all three of them.
         "What are you?" the beast demanded. The being that stood in Skamms place smiled peacefully. The stormy weather began to quickly fade. The beast looked around frantically.
         "This is not your time or place - let me heal your tortured soul." A hypnotic voice whispered. Everyone watched as the person slowly walked towards the beast. In anger - the beast lunged at the stranger that was approaching him. The Regent grabbed Nenia - The Assimites grabbed the Prince. Everyone else dived down as the two beings touched. A bright flash of light engulfed the stage. A violent explosion shook the area. When the smoke slowly began to clear, Skamms was panting heavily on the stage. The Baali host on the other hand was a charred corpse. He slowly got up and looked around - the other Baali that were there seemed to book when the getting was bad. It was then that he noticed something. In the inside pocket of a discarded jacket was a videocassette.
         "Must be my present." He slurred. He looked over his shoulder and saw everyone slowly getting up. The prince's council and the majority of the anarchs seemed to be okay.
         "Skamms! The talisman! Return it now!" a voice demanded. He shook his head in disgust. First, he finds himself hooked up in this chaotic mess. Second, in his absence his so-called friend almost toasted the world. Third, some whatever specter possessed his body. And now, after all that - some ignorant blow hard was ordering him around. He turned around and got ready to verbally spar with the Regent when he saw Nenia.
         "Skamms - please?" she requested sincerely. He snorted at her in disgust. He stormed passed her and stood between her and the Regent.
         "I - have been having a bitch of a day. Do not raise your ignorant - squeaky ass voice at me." He hissed. The Regent got ready to cast a spell at the arrogant Malkavian when he pointed at him.
         "Ask yourself this blowhard! You have seen what I was able to pull with the trinket today - if not - ask around. I've grown rather used to it. So ask yourself a scholarly question. If - and this is a far stretched if - I was able to do what I did today - what possible chance could you and your pets have at prying it from my cold dead hands?" Skamms asked. The Regent glared at the Malkavian. He didn't want to admit it - but he knew that he was right.
          "I can not let the Eye remain in your possession." He stated strongly.
         "You don't have a choice." Skamms retorted. There was a quiet moment of tension between the two kindred. The two glared at each other for what felt like hours.
         "I go - for now. But you have not heard the end of this issue. Brothers - with me!" The Regent called out. In the blink of an eye, the Tremere vanished from the quarry. Skamms smirked and turned around. There he saw the council of the Prince glaring at him. All of them had their weapons aimed at him.
         "Don't push us." Axis warned. Skamms whistled. All of the anarchs that were hiding in the shadows stood up and aimed their weapons at them. Skamms looked around and then found himself giggling.
         "You could try it - but I wouldn't recommend it. Anarchs! Take off! I want to talk to our neighbors in private!" Skamms called out. The Prince and the rest watched as the hundreds of anarchs slowly filtered out of the quarry. Within moments - it was just the council and the leader of the anarchs.
         "Now - take your boys and go. By the way here's a quick trick prince - poof!" he said dramatically. Everyone looked around - nothing happened.
         "Check your inside pocket - highness." Skamms suggested. With a forced sense of reluctance he moved a hand into the pocket. His eyes widened when he felt an object there. He quickly removed it. It was a tape from a home camera that had a label on it that said insurance policy.
         "You might be asking yourself - why would an enemy like Skamms give me such a valuable present? Simple - I am here to stay - I am the voice of anarchy in your city - and despite how you back stabbed me oh prince, that isn't how I want you served up. That is just too impersonal for my likes. Just remember ?highness' you now owe me - big. And I still owe you for what you tried to do to me." Skamms stated in a voice that was all to serious.
         "You chose your path." Axis began.
         "You paved the way." He retorted. Again there was a cold moment of silence in the quarry. Axis shook his head and gestured to his people that they were leaving.
         "Oh - one more thing - Nenia - come here." He motioned for her to come. Just then she felt herself being lifted up and flung towards the madman. Before she could do anything, he quickly embraced her in his arms and kissed the startled Tremere. Everyone stopped in amazement until the Malkavian stepped away from the Tremere.
         "Have an interesting journey home princess." He concluded. She was still in a mild state of shock from what he had done to her. She was about to shout out at the pig that did that to her when she noticed something. She slowly moved her hand to her neck. With a sense of hesitation she unbuttoned the top few buttons of her blouse - the Eye of Saulot was around her neck.
         He - he gave it to me? She thought. On it was a little sticky note.
         "Call me anytime princess - you got my number - and I hope I got yours. XOXO - Skamms." she read to herself. She quickly looked over to where Skamms had gone - but he had vanished.
         "Are you okay Nenia?" Axis asked. She quickly buttoned up her blouse and regained her composure.
         "Sure thing. He just caught me by surprise." She replied.
         "So it would seem. Come on people. Let's go home." Axis replied calmly.
***
The next day - Warzone.
Several anarchs that were leaders of lesser sects were sitting with Skamms. Amidst the chaos and confusion that had happened as of late - it had become clear that a special type of order had to be established in the Warzone. Everyone was talking amongst themselves until Skamms stepped onto the table and whistled. Everyone stopped yammering and looked up at the Malkavian.
         "You know - as of late - I've had some issues bugging me. One of them is here today. Throw the bastard in!" Skamms shouted. Just then, the beaten remains of a barely existing Bones was tossed before the group.
         "This - boys, is what sold all of you - all of your childer - and all of your city out - for money. I had to fight some lunatic demon to get this pathetic wretch back - just so we could - convince him as to the error of his ways." The sect leaders looked at the trembling former sect leader.
         "A clear - decisive message has to be sent out to all sects - to all anarchs - that this sort of thing - is a bad idea." Skamms stated. He hopped from the table and sat down in his chair.
         "You said that there was another issue you wanted to address." A voice asked. Skamms smiled and let out a relaxing sigh.
         "I'm glad you reminded me. Running this place all by myself is fun and all - but the responsibility - who needs it? Anyway, before I step down I divided the Warzone into somewhat even parts. Each of you gets a piece of the pie to play with." He answered. The sect leaders looked at the map and were getting ready to protest. When he cleared his throat.
         "I would of course like to point out that while there was one leader - you were all easily manipulated - why risk such a thing again. Think of the bigger picture. As separate entities you can cause more trouble for the prince." He pointed out.
         "What are you going to be doing while we are doing this?" one of the others asked. Skamms leaned forward and circled the area that was the rest of Eco.
         "This is where I'll be. Who knows? Maybe if you boys are lucky - I'll come back and we can play again. Until then - ta-ta." He concluded. He hopped over the table and walked by where Bones was lying. He slowly crouched down and looked at his former friend. Just by the weak look in his eyes Skamms could tell that the treacherous bastard just wanted to die.
         "Before you do anything to this friend of mine - " Skamms said compassionately. He sighed as he ran his fingers through the fallen sect leader's hair.
         "Out of his countless years as an anarch - don't kill him." Skamms requested. He then grabbed a fistful of hair and glared at the battered anarch.
         "Death is too good for a back stabber like him. Keep him alive for about a year - make him wish he was dead. After that - he's all yours." He said to the other sect leaders. Then Skamms leaned forward so that his face was inches away from his old friend.
         "Aren't you glad you got me really-really angry?" Skamms asked with a maniacal laugh. The others watched as the lunatic left the room. Once he was gone - all eyes were on the defenseless anarch.
         "Time for you to pay for your crimes Bones." A Gangrel hissed as he extended his wolf claws. Bones stuttered and trembled but could make no move or sound as those he betrayed slowly advanced on him.
End?
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