Chapter 14
Asher
Before the humans arrived on our planet, earth, which they now call home, there were two clans. Each of them had certain attributes that separated them from the other. These attributes were mainly shown after puberty but you could always tell the difference because of a tattoo that was given at birth, a symbol of their clan. Always placed upon the back of the neck this mark was seen by all before puberty was reached. Hair was kept short on males and on females it was kept up. The clans got along well for the most part but there were always times that everything went wrong and a fight would ensue. It was a wonderful place to live before they came. We fed from each other and the animals; we never killed, never had to, unless of course we fought with the other clan. Just as there were two clans of Ostilis there were two different kinds of humans. There were the ones who were like the current humans and the ones whose remains people find. It was the ones who people currently find, the Neanderthals, that were the cause of our destruction; the others kept their distance.
Back to our culture, before they came our society was deeply rooted in ritual. Because we’re essential immortal we always had structure. There were certain things that each of us did every day before we were allowed to do as we pleased. Each of us had certain jobs, everything from cleaning to feeding. Children were taught from sun down to sun up, they were taught everything they needed to know for their survival. I can still remember my lessons but they no longer apply. The year was shrouded in darkness for young Ostilis, no one knew what to expect upon that year, it was kept hidden from us. When the day arrived the child was taken and chained to the slab so that they could experience their death. Not everyone survived; in fact one out of six didn’t survive. When my year came I didn’t want to go, I didn’t want to go anywhere, I wanted to stay home. Of course that wasn’t my fate, I went, and I died.
Around my four hundredth year it was decided that the clans wished to stop warring. In order to do so they wished for an Ostilis named Aurelia and I to become mates, to marry. I refused, that’s when the humans made their move and removed us from the picture. I know that Aurelia still lives but I will never reveal my presence to her; she fell in love with me. Now, she has her brood and I mine. The clans have not died, they have been reborn, and in time this world shall once again be ours. I do not remember how we came into being but that doesn’t matter, if I want to know I can go to the many writings and paintings that I have saved and examine them.
I suppose that it would be possible to have born Ostilis but it would be risky because I refuse to mate with Aurelia, I will not have a half-breed child. Aurelia and the others of her clan were a mistake; they were a foul experiment gone awry, but they gained a will and mind of their own, thus their clan was created. They are Ostilis, there’s no doubt about that, but their existence was a mistake. We created them as a mindless food source. We never killed a single one of them while feeding, we never did anything to them except feed from them, and of course feed them, but somehow they gained free will. Once that happened they left, created their own tattoo, and began to breed. All of this happened before I was born but I have read the writings and have been unable to figure out how they gained a will of their own.
The existence of my clan angered Aurelia’s. She knew of the stories as well and was not pleased to see that we had not suffered for what we did to her people. She didn’t seem to understand that there was nothing I or anyone else could do about the past and she wouldn’t listen to reason. I only met her once and that was more than enough for me but it obviously wasn’t for her. She pursued me relentlessly, wanting me for her own. I suppose it could be called young love but the feeling wasn’t mutual. I hated her, her very presence sickened me, yet she still would not leave me be. If she knew that I was still alive I fear that she may attempt to find me. If she did, I would not be responsible for what happened to her.
There is nothing that can be done with the current state of the world to undo what the humans have done and return it to its rightful owners but I’m sure in time the state of the planet will be such that we can remedy the situation, be this world’s panacea as it were. A war would be a good diversion to remove the humans from a seat of power and restore peace to this land by subjugating the human masses. Time is important though and we have plenty of it. Wait until they all but destroy themselves with their foolish killing, allow a dictator to control the world, then remove him or her from their seat of power. It would be all too easy but even if that were done the world would still need a lot of help to be restored to its former glory.
Finishing my short account of history I looked over at Loki, who sat in rapt attention, “Do you have any questions?”
He bit his lip, “Did your clan have a name and can I see your tattoo?”
“Rennal.” I said softly, “You don’t have to see my tattoo, you can see your own.”
His eyes grew wide, “I don’t have a tattoo.”
“Yes you do. I tattooed you while you recovered from your first death.” I said with a smile.
“Where?” He asked softly, looking at his arms.
I chuckled, “I already told you where it was. Just ask yourself this, where did I tell you that mine was?”
I watched as he ran his hand over the back of his neck, “Here?”
I nodded, “Why don’t you go look? Each of you has one, you are my clan, you are my descendants.”
Slowly he got to his feet and made his way out of the room. I awaited his return by reading my book, a book on human history. They intrigued me although I hated them. I loathed their very existence upon my planet. As he walked back in I put my book down and waited for him to speak.
“I can’t believe that I had a tattoo and didn’t even know about it.” He said softly causing me to laugh, “Why didn’t I wake up while you were branding me?” He asked as he sat down.
“You were so young that when I did it during the day you didn’t awaken. It took me most of the day to complete though. You wouldn’t hold still.”
“Would it be possible for things to be the way they were before the humans came? Could you mate with someone?” He asked softly, “Someone other than Aurelia?”
I thought for a moment, “I suppose it would be possible but there is a chance that the female could die because I don’t know if someone who was once human would be able to handle it.”
“If there’s a chance then why don’t you take it? If you can restore what once was, why don’t you do it?” Loki asked softly, “Surely the human race can be subjugated and controlled.”
“Anything is possible Loki but not probable. I do not believe that at this time it would be in our best interest.” I said, attempting to calm him, “You must understand Loki, you can’t always have what you want. I realized that long ago and have never been able to forget it. Take my advice; be patient, you have all the time in the world. I may consider taking the chance but it would have to be with Sicily and I must have her permission, she must know the risks involved.”
Loki bowed his head; “I’m going to bed now. I need some sleep. I’ll see you when night falls.” He said as he got to his feet.
I closed my eyes as he walked out of my sitting room. He was a good boy but was still young. I was pleased with the change his death brought; he now thought things through, which pleased me to no end. I would speak with Sicily about mating with her. The survival of our species could depend on it. Although we can create, it would be better if we could be born again. I suppose it would be beneficial to speak with her before the others awakened, that way if she refused I would still have time to speak with Rashell, my third eldest child. Slowly I got to my feet and made my way towards Sicily’s room, now was as good a time to speak with her as any. Softly I knocked on the door.
It cracked open, “What is it Asher? Is there something I can do for you?”
“Actually there is something you can do for me.” I said, pressing my palm against her door. I desired her, I wanted her, with my free hand I ran my fingertips across her cheek, “Let me into you.” I said, bringing my face closer to hers.
She looked worried, “What’s gotten into you?” She asked as I slowly began to apply pressure to the door, forcing it open.
I shook my head and pulled back, “I’m sorry Sicily, I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I was going to ask you first, explain it to you, but I became a little over zealous. I guess my body got ahead of my better judgment. It has been a very long time since I felt the touch of a woman, someone of my own kind.”
“I think you should start explaining.” She said, opening the door for me to walk in. With head bowed I stepped inside. She motioned for me to sit in a chair before sitting across the room on her bed, “Start talking Asher.”
I sighed, “It may be possible to have a born Ostilis.” I said softly.
She scowled, “Explain.”
I closed my eyes, “By mating it may be possible. My original intent was to wait and see if you were willing. I did that wrong when I began to seduce you at the door. I apologize Sicily.”
She nodded, “Accepted. Now then, how do we do this and why me?”
“There are some things that can only be experienced and not explained. I chose you because you are my eldest and I’m sure I would have the most success with you, the highest survival rate. You see, it’s possible that you could die or the child. That is why you have to make the final decision. I’m not going to force you into it.” I said softly, “If you accept I shall explain to you how we mate, although similar, it is not like human mating practices, but I shall only explain it to you if you accept my proposal.”
Sicily sighed, “Let me think about it. I shall inform you of my decision before sunrise. That should give you ample time to calm down and for me to think.” She said softly, “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I wish to get a little more sleep before morning comes.” She said, pointing towards the door.
I stood, “Good day milady.” I said with a small bow before walking out.
I made my way to my room so that I could get an hour or two of sleep before nightfall. Getting into bed I closed my eyes and immediately fell asleep. It never surprised me how easy it was to get to sleep during the day but I knew that when night fell I would instantly be awakened no matter how little I had slept. I awakened when the desire to mate with Sicily had grown too great for me to deny. Pushing my desires away I got to my feet. I would investigate this occurrence; I would read the old texts, research, just so that I wouldn’t force Sicily into something that she may not wish to do. Slowly I walked through the halls, taking my time in getting to my downstairs to my private library where none of my children were allowed. Ancient pieces of parchment were laid out on tables and placed in scroll cases. Leather bound books sat in bookcases that lined the walls. Rummaging through the parchment on the tables I found what I was looking for, my father’s journal.
“The desire to mate grows stronger with each passing moment. I have refused to mate, wanting to see how much longer I could hold out. To my knowledge I have lasted the longest of all those who have tried. Nearly a millennia has passed and I still resist. I fear that I must soon mate or go mad with desire.”
I stopped reading and returned the parchment to its proper place. I would have to mate soon, even if I had to force someone into it. Hopefully Sicily would agree to mate with me, other wise I would be forced to take her against her will. When I was finished I went upstairs to see how everyone was doing. Minerva was the first one I saw. She was seated in the drawing room, watching Bast paint. Bast’s brush flowed across the canvas, painting the pyramids she once knew, the life giving river, and the temples of the gods she once worshiped. I stood in the doorway watching, admiring her work. She brought the lives of the people she was once a part of to life with a single flick of her brush. Minerva sat with her eyes half closed, listening to Bast as she sang quietly and painted. After a few minutes I left them, all without them ever knowing that I was there. Once I had left them I heard singing, it wasn’t Bast, the words were in Ancient Greek, it had to be either Athena, Persephone, or Diana, they were the only ones who knew the language that had that sweet of a voice. Following it I made my way towards the sound of that voice. Athena was standing upon one of the balconies singing to the moon. I stood watching her, listening to her. The moon filtered through her golden locks as she sang. I only spent a few minutes listening to her before continuing to wander. I found Odin sitting in the computer room furiously hitting keys. The picture on the screen told me that he was playing one of those first person shooters. Persephone was in front of another computer, a look of triumph upon her face. Thor stood behind Odin.
“No, don’t do that!” Thor said, reaching over Odin’s shoulder.
“Don’t touch anything Thor. I’ll bite you if you press a single key.” Odin growled, “If you’re so adamant about playing, get on another computer.” He said as he pressed a button. Persephone’s smile faded, “See, I go where you tell me not to and she died, just wasn’t fast enough. Sorry Pers.”
I shook my head and walked out. I knew I wouldn’t see Andre because he was must likely out with Ares or someone else. There was something that I had to do as well. I had been toying with a young human girl and it was near time for her to be brought here. She wouldn’t be allowed to leave as long as she was human but that couldn’t be helped. Without looking in on the others I left to collect the youthful human.