Chapter 8
Alejandro
I don’t remember my human life, at least not all of it. I have vague memories of the past, of the way things were before she came and took me away, but I can remember every little detail of my rebirth. I can see every fine line of the cave wall, the strange paintings, the unusual parchment with characters flowing across it. It frightened me, was strange, different. The time in which I was created had none of these things. There were only the cave paintings, the rough drawings of what we had done, preserved forever by the cold and solid walls of the places we went for shelter. This woman who had taken me never traveled, never left her series of caves that ran wherever she wanted to go. She took me because I was different from my brothers, my form more evolved, so much like her own and the present day humans. I had been good looking, intelligent, and very different. I don’t know what caused me to be this way and it weighs heavy on my mind. I can remember my lessons, learning her language. How strange it seemed to me then, that this intricate language was once spoken all over the land and that they kept a written account of everything. Aurelia taught me about the beginning. She was the teacher and I the hungry pupil. When she created Lucius, two hundred years after I had been, she taught him the language but never told him of the legends surrounding our past. It was a secret between Aurelia and I. I find it strange that although we consider her to be the first one there were others before her. She was the only one who survived the destruction of her race caused by the first humans. Stranger still is that before humanity came they were a peaceful people, feeding only from the blood of animals but never killing them. It was after the humans came that Aurelia developed a taste for their blood and for killing, at least that’s what she told me.
My life now is not all fun and games as I think it should be. I have lived for a long time and only created four others. Recently I have been looking for Lucius, I wish to speak with him, but have thus far been unable to find neither hide nor hair of my younger sibling. He eludes me, something that he has never been able to do but for some reason can do so now. Perhaps these recent events in my life have kept me from using my full potential out of fear. A few nights ago I saved a young one and her fledgling from most certain death. It was lucky that I found them before the sun rose. Returning them to their home was all I did, after, of course, making sure that their heads were securely reattached to their bodies. I don’t know who they were but it doesn’t really matter to me. I doubt they know where Lucius is or where I can find him. Not many of the young ones even know who he is. I doubt anyone even knows who I am even though they can sense my power upon my approach. There was a time when all that felt my presence immediately left the area in which I was traveling. They thought I would harm them; it was quite possible but highly unlikely. In more recent times the young have become rather bold, they flaunt their powers, and do not fear their elders, in fact I think they enjoy being rebellious. When I was first created I didn’t have to worry about those older than myself, there was only one, Aurelia, and I doubted that she would kill me. The same was almost true with Lucius, I was older than he but I would not destroy him. Recent events have forced me to seek him out, I don’t know the exact reason why, but I do know that he is in grave danger. I know about the one that kills our kind, I know what he is. It is sad, really, that he could sink to so low of levels but I almost expected it. I expected it because of Justus and his creator. They were so much alike; the three of them, except that two of them are dead, soon to be all three. I needed to find Lucius; I had to tell him everything that had happened to me. Since I couldn’t find Aurelia I figured that Lucius was the next best choice. There had been so many things that had happened to me as of late, so many dreadfully wonderful things. Too many things in fact to go into now, I’m running out of time.
Shaking my head I walked, I left the decrepit old mansion that I had explored in passing. There I had found signs of recent occupation, that and a young human girl. She was sleeping on one of the beds, resting as if from a difficult chore. I didn’t disturb her; she looked so peaceful with her golden locks framing her milky skin. Gently I covered her, being very careful not to awaken her. I don’t know why I did; there was no reason for me to. Something about her made me want her to be comfortable. What was even stranger was that she was dressed in expensive clothing but was in this old house. Shrugging I had walked through the house, finding a door down to, what appeared to be, a coffin room. There was only one coffin though. From what I saw there had been three more sitting next to this one. I left after that, not being able to learn anything about the previous inhabitants. Now as I walked the midnight streets I began to search for any feeling that might tell me where someone of my own kind was. Then it hit me, a young one but able to shield his mind to some degree, nothing I couldn’t break through. His thoughts told me that a three hundred year old had drained him and left him in the street because he had tried to do the same to her first. Raising an eyebrow I walked towards the presence. A young one with wounded pride sat on the street corner, looking down at the concrete. Slowly I approached him, as I neared he looked up, fear rich in his face.
“Are you here to drain me too? Last time I barely was able to seek shelter when the sun rose.” He said meekly.
I shook my head, “No, child, I am not here to feed, I merely seek answers.”
He blinked twice, “If I can answer what you ask I will, sir.” He said softly, his voice filled with respect.
“Where is your creator?” I asked softly, not knowing exactly why I was asking.
“He went in search of a meal and hasn’t come back yet. I don’t know what’s happened to him.” Sorrow spread across his features as tears began to well up in his eyes.
“Tell me, child, have you ever heard of one called Lucius?”
He shook his head, “No, but I have heard of someone named Cian. I don’t know who his creator is but he’s very old. I can’t remember exactly how old though. I don’t know where to find him but I do know of his child, Darius, who goes by Viktor now. He was supposed to reside in an old mansion on the outskirts of town. I don’t know if he’s still there. It’s always worth a look. He might know where to find Cian, perhaps that will lead you to the one you seek.” He said softly, “Now if you’ll excuse me I have to go find Vahn. I’m worried about him.”
I walked away before he got to his feet. As I walked I thought about where Lucius might possibly be. From what I could recall he liked the desert. He enjoyed being there. Perhaps he had made is home in one of the great deserts of the world, it was worth a try. The largest desert that I knew of was in Africa, going there might prove fruitful. At least the sun no longer mattered. With the gifts of Aurelia’s blood I would have no trouble getting there within a few hours.
As I traveled, my thoughts wandered back to my beginnings, learning. Aurelia would sit behind the intricate wooden desk as she began my instruction. It would be silent for what seemed like an eternity. Then she would rise and stand behind me. The small brush would be placed in my hand, parchment before me on the desk.
“Now write.” She said softly in that wonderful language of hers.
Slowly I would begin. She expected everything to be perfect and would accept nothing less. If one small line was out of place she would snatch the piece of parchment out from in front of me and crumple it into a small ball before throwing it over her shoulder. Another piece would appear before me and I would set to, once again, write. Once I had achieved the perfection she desired I would begin my lessons in speaking. It was years before I could speak and write to her satisfaction. A few hundred years later she brought Lucius into the fold. I was happy to have someone else learning with me. I was no longer alone; I had someone closer to my own age now, someone who had once been human. Together we set to our learning. He caught up with my skill quickly and soon he had become my equal. I don’t know if Aurelia was proud of us, she never showed us how she felt, never told us, but I have a feeling that she was. She was usually strangely silent around us, kept herself at a distance except during our lessons. When she was teaching us she was warm, caring, concerned only with our progress. I doubt that I will ever understand Aurelia, at times I wish I could so that I would know why she made me.
Shaking my head as I arrived I looked around at the desert city before me. Closing my eyes I focused hard, searching for one of my own kind. I found three of them; one of them had enough power to possibly be Lucius. Smiling inwardly I walked quickly towards them, towards their presence. My heart jumped in my chest as I saw them, Lucius was standing behind the youngest of them with his arms crossed. Slowly he looked over at me, a smile spread across his face.
“Alejandro.” He whispered as the young one splashed the water over his face.
I smiled and strolled over to stand before Lucius. The other one with them looked at me carefully. Scrutinizing my appearance, curious about my purpose and presence. I looked right back at him, admiring him. I didn’t delve into his mind, didn’t look into what he was thinking, I wasn’t interested in him; I was here to talk to Lucius.
“Lucius.” I said softly, “I’ve been looking for you.”
He raised an eyebrow as the young one stood up, “Why is that?”
“You have more power than I thought you did, much more. I guess it doesn’t really matter now but I wanted to tell you what I saw. How foolish the young ones have become.”
“I know.” He said, “They have.” He smiled, “Let me introduce you to my only two children.” He motioned towards the young one, “This is Sven and Cian.”
I nodded, “It is a pleasure to meet you, I am Alejandro.”
Cian nodded, “You are quite powerful, older than Lucius.”
“Yes. Aurelia created me first.” I replied, “I was worried about you.” I said, turning to Lucius, “I was afraid that the young one who has been killing got to you.”
He chuckled, “Don’t be foolish, Remy cannot kill me. I know him too well, he will do no such thing, he cannot, he does not have the power. Trust me Alejandro, he is too weak. Now, if you will excuse us, we are going to dispose of him, as soon as Sven finishes adjusting.”
I sighed, “I’m going to see if I can find Aurelia, if what you say is true then you can deal with this problem. It is good to see you again; I hope that this will not be the last time. Perhaps we shall see each other when this is over.”
“I hope so.” Lucius said softly, “Send my love to Aurelia if you find her.”
“I shall.” I replied before turning to leave.
“Alejandro.” The young one said as I began to walk.
“Yes Sven.” I said, stopping and closing my eyes.
“Tell me something. If you knew magic in life is there any way to get it back in death?” He asked softly.
My eyes snapped open as I spun around, “You turned a sorcerer?” I spat.
Lucius nodded once, “Yes. He was going to die and I would not have it.” He said with a smile, “Will you answer his question because I do not have the answer he seeks.”
“I do not know. No sorcerer or sorceress has ever been created. There have been no records of such things happening. Perhaps Aurelia would know, she knows much more than she ever told either of us.” I said, shaking my head, “I will see you at a later date. I do not approve of your choice Lucius.”
“I did it because he has served me well for many years and he was about to die. I had kept him alive with my blood as long as I possibly could.” He said softly.
I sighed, “I see your reasoning. I shall see you again.” I said before walking away.
Lucius had done something that I had thought wrong. No one had ever told me that it was but I respected those who had the natural ability to use magic. Ever since I had first met a sorcerer I was in awe with his abilities. I had never even thought of doing such a thing as placing my powers into one of them, never thought of taking their power and replacing it. I would never do such a thing, never. I did not think that Lucius would do such a thing either, he proved me wrong. Many times he was just as confusing to me as Aurelia. I wondered if he could gain his magic back, I was curious to find out. I would have to find Aurelia before I would have the answer to Sven’s question.