Disclaimer: "If we shadows have offended, think but this and all is mended,
That you did but slumber'd here while these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme is no more yielding then a dream."
-Midsummer's Night Dream
"Jesus answered and said to him,
"Most assuredly I say to you,
unless one is born again,
he cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus said to Him,
How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a second time into his mother's
womb and be born?"
- John 3: 3-4
"And as it is appointed for men to die once,
but after this, the judgment."
- Hebrews 9: 27
Awake, Dry Bones
By: Lady Erised
Chapter One: Lazarus, Come Forth
"This is the last time I get stuck with you, I swear to God."
"Which one?"
"Hush you!" Jeremy Woodrow turned to gaze at his partner, knowing full well his anger would evaporate once he caught sight of her. And true to form, catching Rani in the fading sunlight was enough to make him smile. The Hindi nurse was smiling tauntingly at him from behind the edge of her blue Sari, and Jeremy knew he wasn't going to win this argument anytime soon. Rani was Brahmin priest and because of her station in life, she was always Jeremy's superior in every way. She was meek, innocent and wise beyond her years but when it came to arguments with her Knight Jeremy, Rani always displayed a quiet iron discipline that put him firmly in his place.
And made the gulf between them a little more painful. Jeremy sighed, mainly to ignore the feelings that he knew would always come with staring at his guide too long, and focused on the road ahead.
They were traveling a well-worn trade route up from Africa to Rome: desirable now because usually during this time of year, the route was deserted and Jeremy could recuperate from his wounds with relative privacy, and not have to explain where or how he had gotten them.
Not that he could explain, even if he wanted to. He was fairly certain no one had ever encountered the monster he had before. Rani had claimed it was a residue effect lead from one of Vishnu's incarnations. Apparently, something had traveled back from wherever the God went to be reborn, and instead of dealing with his own mess- Vishnu had left it to the Knights of the Holy Order. Enter Jeremy and Rani. Rani had been able to lure the creature to him- Brahmin made delicious snacks, she explained and Jeremy had done the legwork: a wonderfully thought out plan of beating the monster till it didn't move anymore.
After interring the monster in holy ground (and burning its heads, Jeremy liked making sure) the pair could finally return home.
Home. Not that there was any welcome to be found back at Rome, Jeremy still liked the familiarity of Rome. He liked being around other Knights of the Holy Order and knowing that in some small way, he was not alone. He liked knowing that there were others who fought against creatures not made in Heaven, but on earth and knowing- deep in his core- that he and his kind were the only defense.
He thought briefly of the Order's most famous Knight: Gabriel Van Helsing and muttered a prayer for his mentor knowing full well Gabriel would curse him for doing so. It didn't matter though; Gabriel rarely was around for long enough to know that Jeremy or anyone else gave him thought. Van Helsing seemed to like solace, and solitude. It was as if he gained some penance from being separate from the rest of the world. Rumors gave Gabriel a sad past, and grim future- even despite the fact he was the oldest, most-respect and some said the most powerful of all the Knights.
They said this power came partially from the fact one of the leaders of the Knights was Friar Karl, who had been Gabriel's aide and strongest advocate. And while it was true Karl and Gabriel were deep friends, Karl wouldn't have used that friendship as a means to support favoritism…
Hopefully.
Rani's horse reared nervously, causing Jeremy to break from his thoughts and study their surroundings. The horse jumped again, causing Rani to yelp with surprise. "What is it, Jeremy?" She asked. "I thought you said the creature was killed."
Jeremy's hand fell to his sword, gingerly. "It was."
"Then why is Kadesh jerking?"
"I'm going to find out." He told her, reaching up behind him to pat the horse's neck lovingly. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He jumped slightly when he felt Rani's hand cover his. Turning back, he was met with Rani leaning forward and kissing him deeply. When she pulled away, she met his eyes with a strange look in her wise, reborn eyes.
"I'm coming with you."
"It's not safe."
"Whatever's out there, Jeremy." She began dismounting. He bit back a bittersweet smile as he watched her trembling dark hand reach for her axe. "We'll face together." She smiled nervously. "Like we should have always been."
Jeremy laughed, gently and turned to take the lead.
That was the last time they were know to be alive. Bedouin traders found their corpses three days later.
"How many does this make, Karl?"
Karl looked up from the slab that had become the temporary resting places of Jeremy and Rani. He had been on a few field missions, and had seen death in various stages but that never dulled the surprise and morbid fear gathered around him when faced with the savage finality of death. The two lovers laid together in their disfigured sleep; Jeremy having suffered the worst of two fates- probably because he had tried to save Rani. There was a soft kill wound at Rani's neck; Jeremy's doing. He must have known they were doom, the Healers said, and had attempted to save the Hindi from torture.
A morbid last gift to the woman he could never have in life.
"This is seventh team, your Eminence." Karl muttered, numbly. "21 total, including the civilians that had been traveling with Hassan and Jacob."
The Cardinal's worn face darkened as he crossed the table, resting one of his red-gloved hands over what remained of Jeremy's face. It took him many moments to speak and even then, his voice broke with emotion. "And were certain of the cause."
This time Karl did not answer, but the figure that lurked near the shadows. The man stepped into the light and flinched, as if unaccustomed to brightness. Karl knew this entirely possible too. The man's kind was rarely invoked, and when they were, it was best to keep them firmly under lock and key.
"You know who the cause is." The man voiced, in a scratchy, inky voice that made Karl's skin crawl. "Lazarus has been freed."
The Cardinal looked up and glared at the figure. "You sound pleased by this."
"Why wouldn't I be?" The man rejoined. "Our kind has suffered long enough under your tyranny. Now our strongest comes, with vengeance on his mind. It promises to be quite a show."
Karl shifted, and whispered to the Cardinal. "I thought you said he could be trusted."
"He can. Despite his talk, Malik doesn't want Lazarus empowered any more then we do." The elder assured him. Then, he smiled gently and leaned down. "And he can hear you."
Karl jumped and the stranger, Malik, laughed. He grinned at Karl, revealing polished white fangs and a blood red tongue, which lapped hungrily over the corners of his dark mouth. He made a sharp movement, as if to challenge Karl but was pushed back as a collar glowed from around his neck, making Malik howl in pain.
"What are you?" Karl murmured.
Malik turned his eyes towards Karl with a wary gaze and to his dismay, Karl realized instead of traditional pupils, Malik's eyes composed of pure fire. Now exposed to the light as he was, Karl could also see thick scar tissue caused by heat crawling up the creature's arms. Malik noticed him staring and hissed, retreating back into the darkness. "I am your humble servant." Malik cooed, bowing deeply. "Here to assist you in any means I am capable of."
"Then you do your duty." The Cardinal interjected. "Tell us what this Lazarus wants."
"Revenge. Against him who imprisoned Lazarus those years ago. He has been freed from the prison that held him, but is still weak…and must feed." Malik pointed to the remains. "He will continue to seek out your Knights and Holy Ones until he is strong enough. Then, he will come after you, and this great kingdom you have."
"How can we stop him?"
"You cannot. Only him who defeated Lazarus once before can." Malik looked up, and began to laugh- a thick coarse sound that was filled with mirth and malice.
Karl swallowed. He knew innately he did not want the answer to the question he would ask now but the situation was becoming more desperate. He knew the Cardinal was pressed. People were dying; innocents had already been added to that number. There was nothing left to do and even though his Eminence had not yet spoken his plan, Karl knew the course of action. He would call Gabriel Van Helsing to combat this evil. But even Karl knew Gabriel would need help.
And Karl was ready.
"Who will you send, Eminence?" Karl asked, mentally preparing himself for assignment. "Who defeated this monster before?"
"Your hope," Malik purred, affording another bow. "Lies in the grave with one Count Vladislaus Dracula."