UNDERWORLD: GATHERING
PROLOGUE
An ancient city, nestled in the heart of one of the biggest metropolis on Earth, The City of London guards many secrets. Rising out of the serpent like Thames, The City has seen countless flock there to seek their fortune, today two shadowy figures seek something else. As they walk among the living enigma of a city, its towers of glass and iron side by side with cobble streets and buildings centuries old, the two figures near their destination. Watched over by the stone dragons that adorn the streets of the City two women turn off of Fleet Street. One, no more than a child, her raven black hair a distinct contrast to the pale skin of her face, large dark eyes stare apprehensively into the night. Wrapped in a thick white coat with fur hood, this small frightened child is a contrast to the woman she walks with. Tall and statuesque the night does not bother her, her dark hair and pale skin are similar to the girl she walks with, but there is something more to her. Dressed in black from head to toe, her figure hugging outfit covered with a full length leather trench coat. Her eyes flash an eerie shade of blue... just for a moment, before returning to a warm brown. They were here.
Nestled by the ancient River Thames, a round monolith that has stood for the better part of a millennium stood before them. Called many things throughout its history it is now known simply as The Temple Church. Ancient and formidable it has been the home to Knights and priests, Kings and nobles. But tonight the woman in black hoped to find something else. She needed to find something else. "Are you sure about this?" The girl asks, almost in a whisper.
"Stay close to me Eve." The woman replies, her voice is steady, to the point. But there is a warmth to it.
The two approach the great oak doors and the woman becomes aware she is being watched. Mounted to the ancient stone facade tiny red lights blink in the night as they direct the cameras they are attached to follow every step of the two visitors. The woman comes to a halt, gently resting a protective hand on the girls shoulder, guiding her behind her. The great oak doors begin to creek open. Forms appear in the shadows.
Four men, all pale skin and blue eyes emerge. They stand in a line shoulder to shoulder, all dressed the same. Smart black rain coats and black trousers, red shirts and black ties. All with a crimson pin attached to their lapel. The woman did not care about the pins, her attention was drawn to the weapons they carried. Cold black gun metal, the MP5's do not move, they are not pointed at them, but she knows the fingers hovering by the triggers are ready to bring them to life with a fiery anger. "Vampires." The girl half whispers, more a worried statement than a question. The woman nodded slightly. The girl eyed the four men, they were not the undisciplined vampires who had fought desperately for their lives she had seen before. She could tell they were organized, they were trained. "Are they... Death Dealers?" She asks nervously.
"No." The woman replies coldly. "They're not Death Dealers."
She stands in silence for a moment, as do the four men in front of her. Then another set of foot steps, much lighter sound as a fifth form emerges from the doorway. The two men at the centre part allowing the form to come into view. Stood between the intimidating site of the four large men, stands a child, barely thirteen. A pretty girl, her chocolate brown locks fall about her elfin face, she wears a large grey fur coat that seems to envelope the whole of her tiny frame. Beneath the curls of her hair, the porcelain face of the child is illuminated by a pair of glowing sapphire eyes, her mouth curled into a slight smirk as her ivory fangs become visible, her lips painted with a blood red lipstick that did not suit her young appearance. She eyed the two visitors with a subtle fascination. The night remained silent.
"Hello Selene." The child finally spoke, her accent soft and refined.
"Felicity." Selene replies coldly
"You have a friend." Felicity nodded towards Eve, who was still slightly behind her mother.
"I'm here to see The Templar." Selene's voice was firm, unwavering.
"We've been expecting you." Felicity nodded, an insincere smile on her face. "It's been a long time."
"I'm here to see The Templar." Selene repeated herself, her eyes now their electric shade of blue locked on to Felicity's.
The child, Felicity returned Selene's stare, her young featured contorted into a scowl for the briefest of moments as she clenched a fist. Only for a moment though, the girls face was again adorned with her insincere smile. "But of course." She said politely. "This way."
Felicity turned and with perfect poise made her way back through the arched doorway into the church, flanked by two of the armed men. Selene followed instantly, her stride confident, closing the gap between them within seconds, Eve rushed to keep stride with her mother. When Selene and Eve and crossed the threshold the final two guards followed. The round chamber of the church was well lit for the time of night, Selene was impressed as the door closed automatically behind them, she noticed the same red blinking lights as more cameras continued to watch their every move. This place had certainly been modified for a more modern era.
Eve looked around nervously at the effigies of Knights carved into the floor surrounded them. Felicity came to a stop next to one of these frozen knights.
"Where is he." Selene asked as she looked around the otherwise empty church "I'm not playing games Felicity, I want to see The Templar."
"And you shall." Felicity said coldly before nodding to one of the guards. The man knelt down next to the effigy of the Knight. He pulled the hilt of the sword towards him, a mechanism whirled into life as the tomb slid six feet to the left. Eve jumped back behind Selene slightly. The tomb had been concealing a gold lattice disk, Selene was very familiar with them, at the centre of the disk a stylised A, symbolising this was created during the reign of Amelia. Felicity crouched down next to the disk, she twisted the A, and stood back. There was another whir of motion as chains and pulleys came to life, the disk disappeared into the floor, revealing a narrow and spiralling stone stair case that lead deep beneath the church. There was a dim illumination from the void, lighting the way. Felicity eyed her guests. "Come Selene." She spoke coldly as she began to descend into the gloom closely followed by one of the guards. "The Templar awaits you."
Selene watched as Felicity disappeared into the darkness below, she cast a glance to Eve, and then to the three guards that remained with her. She followed, as did Eve, and then the guards. As the five immortals made their way into the darkness the last guard pulls a lever, once again an ancient mechanism comes to life as the lattice disk again covers the entrance to the stairway, the tomb once again slides back into place, covering the disk. Its frozen Knight guarding the entrance to this Underworld. All was as it had been. On the surface at least.
