HORIZON

by TrillionSchiffer

SEQUEL TO NEW ECLIPSE- Prepare... This is going to be epic! New Characters, New POV's and New Talents, and more realistic ramifications. There WILL be blood! ; ). Have courage and hold tight... this ride will be a bumpy one.

21. ARO part 1

HORIZON

****RECENTLY UPDATED 6/20/2018****

A/N: This chapter again was supposed to be short. But again, brilliance just hit me. :)

It's adult swim only kids, and it's going to be Olympic size pools from here on out. Your eye muscles are going to be well toned after these chapters. Lolol

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

SUNRISEWATCHER

RAMATU123

READICTED

Thank you for taking the time in the past few weeks to read and comment on both New Eclipse and Horizon. I very much appreciate it.

Also THANKS TO RDOSTER2012, for being a kickass BETA.

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***READ BELOW***

Now as per this chapter. Bear with me. We have lived with the Cullens thus far, and as you all know, they aren't exactly the authority on the supernatural world. Ask them what is going on with the human world, and they'll have a novel for you. But ask them what is going on in their own world, and you'll see nothing but floating question marks above their heads. (SMGDH) So… we're going into the mind of someone with some 'authority' about this matter.

The challenge here, is to bring you all up to speed with 'this' world, and push the plot along at the same time. And over the next two chapters I plan to do just that. Hence "part 1"

*DISCLAIMER: I don't own anything of SM and she doesn't own anything of mine. (Except the characters) I just happen to use a lot of names that she used once upon a time, and I happen to do so with great frequency. LOL. But everything those names say or do are original to me. *

*Crack knuckles* 'Okay, Here-we-go!'

***Previously on HORIZON:

The Cullen family was preparing for Bella's and Edward's Wedding and the agents' arrival. Federal Agents descended Forks due to everything that happened in Seattle. Edward and Esme find out about Watson. Edward and Carlisle go to investigate further. They learn of Denton's assignment to investigate them and the tribe. Carlisle and Edward Debate over the meaning of life and the lengths each are willing to go to protect the family. From there, Carlisle's moral squeeze begins.

They arrive home to learn that the Volturi members already occupy it. A few choice words were said that hit home for both Carlisle and Bella, for each in their own way. A secret revealed, and an ultimatum was given. Cullens had three days to fix all their problems or be 'fixed' themselves. Carlisle's moral squeeze continues as they investigate the tribe from the safety of the ocean. Next day they learn the agents are on their way to them, they put in a call to Emmett, and are interrogated by the agents only to find out that all information regarding them has been lost. Agents leave displeased, the family tricks Carlisle into doing the same as well, allowing them to finally make a decision.

Carlisle returns to find that the family decided without him, He then proceeds to silently guilt Edward in attempt to buy himself some time to carry out his private mission to save the lives and morality of 'everyone,' family and agents alike; but is instead brought into the woods by Esme to talk over everything that has happened.

Nobody gets time to do anything, because Alice has herself the vision to end all visions, and they are all made aware of the hell they were about to bring unto themselves if Carlisle had his way.

Bella finds all frozen in pain. Frees them using her ever-expanding gifts. Edward explains to Carlisle and Esme all that happened, then they learn that Carlisle was morally squeezed out, and wanted to do the 'right thing' so badly that he betrayed Edward, family and common sense to do it. Esme was beside herself when she learned that Carlisle turned all of Edwards faults against him to get his way. And knowing how quickly had harshly Edward was with himself, the realization of this was too much. It earned Carlisle two slaps for his ill-conceived plan.

Edward moves on the agents and brings the Volt trio with him. Rolle explains how he came to be, and the agents are taken out, stopping Jane's clock, which frees the Cullens. Life after that goes back to 'normal'.

Bella is awoken by Charlie, to find out that he would do nothing to stop an arrest if she associated herself with criminals. But not willing to make it her focus, makes plans with Edward to free themselves of from all forms of harassment. The family returns, to find their state under siege, and that Rose may potentially be hiding a gift. Bella wakes to find her power has grown, and later

tests her new powers on family, floating them about her room.

Bella and Edward's wedding takes place. Sue's original conviction crumbles, and now she is filled with regret and second thoughts. Esme talks her down from the ledge, and leaves her to make up her own mind about how to proceed from here on out. Bella finds herself a new GAI (lol) and the honeymoon takes off from there.

Carlisle has his own moment to reflect on his existence, and the discussion he and Edward had before Edward left. He sees that he has not been giving the vampiric side of himself 'equal' treatment, and has been indeed 'suppressing' that side from not only the sake of humans and secrecy but for himself as well. From there he decides to put away the human façade and decide to be the vampire he thinks all could be.

While that was going on, Rose makes to leave before things go south for her, but is

confronted by Esme and Alice. The Volturi trio returns and confronts the Cullen's; mainly Carlisle, about being the root of their own problems. Rose accidentally outs herself when she feels things getting too hot, and is attacked by Jane. Things cool down, and Rose is made to release the family from her mental hold on them, and all have been made aware of all their lost memories.

This release, however, causes a divide. The very same divide that happened to the family in the very vision they tried to avoid. Cooler heads prevail, but it is agreed that some distance may be good for now. Rose is re-accepted into the fold, but they are not in the clear. Emmett and Jasper learn of a meeting, forcing the Cullens to plan an ambush.

Jasper, Rosalie and Emmett see that Carlisle still carries doubts about Jasper and Rose, but decide to leave him be, while showing him he has no reason for it. The wolves were successfully ambushed on their way to the meeting with Charlie. Billy informs them he planned on telling Charlie everything because the Cullens had committed two murders (-Agents Denton and Monet-) and the tribe won't stomach any more. But before the tribe could do anything, they are quickly put under Roses mental lock and key; restoring the temporary peace. aka Ceasefire.

Off-screen, Sue was given an ultimatum to either side with her tribe and people or go with Charlie. She chose to side with Charlie. Seth and Leah had been X'd from the pack and are now on their own, much to Seth's dismay. The Cullen 'kids' meet up with a belligerent Seth in the woods and a 'fight' ensues between Emmett and Seth. Seth tries his best, but is overcome by Emmett's raw strength and near invulnerability.

Bella's instincts are now growing by leaps and bounds and are pushing her to act more vampiric by the day. She ends up cheating Edward out of his ability to protect her, by using her shield to hold Edward in place while she bites into him and drinks his blood. This scares Edward into making it clear that her behavior is unacceptable, and that they need to talk. But a slightly new and improved Bella emerges. But this is not without its cost… Bella's taste for human food had begun to dull.

Then Bella and Edward witness another vampire feeding in a very peculiar way. This leads to a discussion where Edward learned that Bella doesn't want or need to be 'babied' and hasn't needed to be since Volterra. The talk continues, and it becomes clear to them, that it is better for them to live proudly living with their own choices than live a 'pretending to be to grateful and

bound to the choices & wishes of others.***

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***TIMEFRAME:

On March 7th: A week after Gianna was turned. The Castle was visited by Randall and Marie. Famous adventurers of the vampiric and supernatural world. From them, all learn of vampires with beating hearts were somewhere in the South American Jungle near Peru.

March 19th: Aro and Caius meet with Madeline, a witch, her two 'sisters' along with their newest progeny. They are looking for asylum, but bring a warning for Aro.

March 20th: Preparations have finished, and the Castle has been emptied of all except the humans, Gianna, and three guards. All leave to see this wonder for themselves.

May 11th: Cullen's call for assistance. Darius replies to Carlisle that no one is available to assist at the time.

July 27th: The Volturi returned to Volterra. The same night the Cullens are having the meeting about the treaty with the Wolves. (See New Eclipse)

July 28th: Aro sends out scouts to gauge all that has been going on in their absence, emptying the castle once more, leaving only a handful of guards to watch over the family.

While that is going on, an accounting of the castle takes place. The brothers request a debriefing of Castle events from the humans. Where Aro and his brothers learned of the calls the Cullens and the Denali's made for assistance; as well as all that had went on in Seattle. Which was further confirmed by satellite television and internet news reports. But since no new deaths have been reported, they figure out for themselves that all has been dealt with, one way or the other.

-Aro and the guard also learn of Gianna's gift. See has the ability to link her senses to anyone she touches. A type of Astral projection. This make her special, because she is one of the few gifted vampires born directly of the Volturi line. Sulphicia takes her under her charge.

August 5th: Scouts return with news of some covens increasing their size.

-Elsewhere, Investigators arrive in Forks.

August 6th: 4 teams of ten, embedded with each the last remaining truth sayers, are sent out to inquire about the true intentions of the covens decision to increase in size.

-Also, Caius sends out twenty of his newly recruited mercenary retinue, to bring back more like themselves.

August 7th: Aro allows Athenodora to sends Jane, Haden, and reluctantly Rolle on a separate mission to investigate the Seattle incident and the Cullens.

August 8th: Jane, Haden, and Rolle make contact with the Cullens. Three-day ultimatum is given.

August 11th: Edward kills agents.

August 15: Edward and Bella, Marry.

August 16th. : Jane, Haden and Rolle, learn of Rosalie, then leave Washington: Bella and Edward are over New York.

August 17th: Jane, Haden, and Rolle have returned to Volterra and give their report.

August 20th: Today (Same day Edward and Bella fly over Dubai)

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CHAPTER 21: ARO

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ARO

*Click, click, click… … click, click… click, click, click, click, click, click… click, click, click, click.*

'Insufferable.'

*Click, click, click, click, click… click, click, click, click… Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click… click, click. Click, click, click*

'Even in without saying a spoken word from her thin lips, that woman is insufferable.'

I am who I am, yet I am powerless to do more than suffer in silence. For this poorly selected woman, was my dear sworn brother's, sworn mate; and that alone entitles her to keep her life.

The issue here was, she seems to believe that little detail also entitled her to a voice on my affairs as well. Making her position known on every decision I make. Speaking, even when Caius himself has chosen to remain silent. Always making sure that even under my leadership, her mates power is perceived to be equal to my own.

That one quality in her was met with a mixture of feelings. I felt, admiration and taxing frustration, all at once.

Admiration, because she was an example of how a mate should act toward her 'counterpart' and his position. Concentrating all her effort towards his continued elevation, and doing so tirelessly, with single-minded devotion.

So even though those very efforts to increase his standing and power, came at the price of destabilizing my own; I had to respect her efforts . Which led to my next feeling of taxing frustration.

For very those same actions caused her constantly and insistently, interfere with my every action .

Had it been anyone else maneuvering the way she maneuvered against me. They would have been dealt with long ago. For she was always standing at the ready to give her unsolicited and very unwelcomed, input.

And now it seems she believes the rest of the human world would value from her input as well. Which I wouldn't mind, IF she had taken to delivering that opinion out of ears reach.

*Click, click, click, click… click, click, click… click, click, click, click… Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click… click, click. Click, click, click*

'Who? Who was it? Who was it that gave her that infernal device?'

This new phone the humans are losing their senses over. Now she is 'texting' her opinions on human matters from wherever she happens to be at the moment, instead of privately sequestered from behind the closed door of the computer lab.

Now instead of her grating tone, I must suffer each letter of her opinions as she 'clicks' her thoughts away in response what ever calamity of government the human find themselves in. Clicking my senses and patience, into oblivion.

'Maddening. Truly maddening.'

Looking over at her now, as she sat contently in our study, sitting in Caius's high chair, smirking, undoubtedly at her own cleverness. For all the intelligence and sophistication I believed this woman possessed, she resembled in this moment, a human child; one pacified with a sucker. For if she really wanted something to comment over, she need look no further than her two nearly opaque hands. For that is the only place her concerns should warrant a visit.

*Click, click… click, click, click, click… Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, and click. Click, click, click*

'That damn tapping! … … Oh pray I never find the culprit. Pray that information never falls into my hands. Woe unto him. For he will be made to suffer as I am currently being made to suffer.'

Alas, another threat best saved for another time, for right now, I find myself in a precarious position. For it was Athenadora's team that claimed the only 'victory' in South America, with the capture of Joham. A victory she claimed was due to her mates' advice, thus choosing to elevate him higher than simply accept a boon for her service.

She was a shrewd one. Caius may have been a far more competent battlefield commander than I've ever been, but it seemed she was made for navigating the political seas of castle life. Something Caius never had any patience for, and wisely left to her.

Given the circumstances, that victory would have earned anyone else a boon. But in all the years we had been together, neither she nor Caius ever took one, no matter how great a victory they had earned for the Volturi name. For what she and I both were wise enough to realize since the first, was that if they ever took anything I 'handed down', that would be an open acknowledgment that my position was, in fact, superior to their own.

So instead they used their political capital from their triumphs, to move one free space along the board, in any direction they pleased. And with my less than spectacular results from the same endeavor, the pair has all the argument they needed to press for more power, to stand as true equals. It was only a matter of time before would they try to claim it.

So for now, I must suffer her quietly, pray for further strikes in my own win column, and find a stratagem to reclaim all I've lost.

I knew I had to do this and knew it instinctively. So in order to purchase time, within a day of our return to the castle, I sent out almost the entirety of the guard to make our presence known once more. Assigning some to specific missions, and others to simply be our eyes and ears, while leaving others, like Jane and those whom I knew to be loyal to me, behind.

It was a rushed stratagem. I trusted them well enough to know that neither would physically harm me, but if I were ever made to follow anyone's lead but my own, then they might as well strike Sulphica and I down and get it over with. For I won't have us be made 'second' in our own castle.

So I moved on the matter preemptively. The maneuver was petty, but many never stood where I stand. Because to keep this kind of power, one has to keep all others on their knees; and cut the legs off anyone trying to rise up. Even if that person is a friend or brother.

As part of a triumvirate, my power must be shared. What is mine, is of course theirs. But all should know, it was mine -first!

Click, click, click, click, click, click. ... Click, click, click, click, click...

The guard teams had returned one by one, but the results of their findings didn't seem to matter much anymore. The news they brought back was only of new frustrations. .

Somehow, between our altercation and our flight back to Volterra, dangerous rumors had been spread.

Word of our retreat had reached home before us. We had been spied. Reports on our movements and an exaggerated account of events spun tales of Volturi suffering losses. Of fleeing, of begging for our lives. And ultimately, admitting defeat.

The embarrassment was nearing the brim of tolerance. So close in fact, that I am of the mind to send all back out, and do away with all they had spoken to. But could we get to them all fast enough? That question held the order from leaving my lips.

But besides the pride of our name, there was another reason why I wished to move on this notion. The other part of the report stated that covens around the world had begun gathering in their respective regions. Their ranks have swollen with new creations and carefully selected nomads.

From the reports, many were unsure how much of the rumors were to be believed, but they prepared themselves for what they expected to come next regardless.

The action was clear. The main covens were making and gathering expendables.

Their numbers increased, but only so much. Some went from three to five. They were the uncertain ones. While others, who felt more certain, went from four to nine, Sven's coven.

Then there were the outright fools who went from six to sixteen, like the Madagascar coven. Those were the one's I deemed held a grudge and were ready to seize their long-awaited opportunity.

Many it seems were unhappy with our governance, and after centuries looked readying themselves to make a formal complaint.

But still, I quietly seethe. For they made me fear. They were rubbish, all of them worthless. But yet, made me afraid.

'Turn your back... and your very shadow will devour you.'

What this what the cryptic witch meant?

*Click, click, click, click, click… click, click, click, click… Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click… click, click. Click, click, click*

It was time I took a walk before my treasured sister-in-law found herself without fingers.

"If you all would excuse me a moment. I believe I'll go wait for Felix's team to return to the throne room." I said as respectfully as I could while staring tightly at that wretched device. But of course, some can't take the hint.

"Send word when he does. I would like to hear for myself what has delayed him for so long. We have preparations to make, and he has kept us from announcing them long enough." Athenodora practically commanded without looking up from her phone. Further inflaming my annoyance.

"Absolutely dear Dora. I will assuredly do that very thing." I said sweetly "Should I fetch you myself? Or would a loud bellow suffice? We have such great acoustics in these walls. We should make better use of them, don't you think?"

My sarcasm did not go unnoticed. But a quiet chuckle from Caius, somewhere in-between the bookshelves, was my only reward.

"Aro...Should we be worried?" Sulpicia intercepted, sensing my annoyance through our connection, and cooling it with her own concern towards the matter. "Other teams have returned and have been sent out again, yet nothing from him."

"No need for concern. For only hours ago, I had Gianna check in on him. She reported that he had entered the Mediterranean Sea. He should be here presently. Feel free to scold him for this tardiness."

'Ah yes, Gianna.' I thought as her name left my lips.

She had performed her human duties admirably. Her transformation took closer to four days than three, but her suffering was worth it; both for her, and for us.

Due to all the hygienic improvements of the last century, the once-wide gulf of beauty between human and supernatural had shrunken a great deal since my time. Back then it was unthinkable to even consider openly consorting with a human. Such a thing was reserved for the most savage, depraved and witless of us. And if a mate was ever discovered, and he or she was human, then he or she was bitten immediately so the venom could correct nature's failings, and the vampire may save face.

Now the appearance after the change only seemed intensified by a small margin. But that margin was enough to still show a vast difference. Not as vast, but still vast.

Gianna was a great beauty and was sought after by many of the unmated guards. After her change, she served incentive and example to the rest of the humans looking to be promoted and lived to see proof of our word. Showing all that good, loyal service does, in fact, receive a reward.

But more than any of that, she was of my line. Created and trained by my very own mate, Sulpicia. A fact that keeps her out of reach of her many admirers.

I on the other hand only cared about her gift. For with a single touch, we learned that she can link her senses to anyone she has touched before. She can see, hear, and smell through anyone one of them. And although she can store many links in her own mind, she is currently limited to viewing only one person and using one sense at a time.

The real benefit of this gift is, that she can do all of that without them knowing.

I had designs for her future. Her mind was truly fascinating to see. A fascination that continues to renew itself with every new acquisition she made. Now I need only wait out the last half of her newborn year, and for this calamity to be over, then I will assign her over to Hayden for further training. Becuase a spy, she most definitely will be.

Who better?

"Very well. But if you find he has been delayed by anything other than the task we assigned him. Then simply signal me. And I will have his flesh peeled off his back." My wife, ever the disciplinarian, confirmed with a slight darkening of her eyes.

"I will. If that is all. I shall be in the throne room." I said once more with a slight bow to the women, and nod in the direction of my brothers.

I made my way out the door and passed the two guards. But before I even reached the doorway, my faux jovialness was put aside and I was of mood once more.

Neither guard acknowledged my passing. All knew I had been of a mood since Jane's return, three days prior. A mood that had progressively worsened with new frustrations since. Which was clear enough to both guards; for it told them that it was better to just set aside formalities at the moment, and leave me be.

'Wise choice'

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As I made my way to the throne room, I ran my hands along the walls and through the air, trying to pick up any residual impressions of the minds that have passed through recently. A relatively recent evolution of my gift that only my Sulphica knew about.

Like scent, I discovered the mind leaves behind trails of its own. And by leaving my hands exposed to the air, hard surfaces, and or the touch of a personal item; I am able to pick up on the thoughts, and see what a person was thinking at the time.

Many had begun to fear my touch for one reason or another. And truthfully, I also disliked mixing their thoughts and insignificant lives with my own. For one, repetition diminishes pleasure. So like all things, my gift was exciting, in the beginning. I not only shared in their secrets but also their fears, pain and pleasures. Experiencing them, as if they had been my own.

In the beginning, I tolerated their pain and suffering but also experienced the pleasure of their sexual conquests. I had once found it especially pleasing to touch the mind of those thought to be off limits, those who were mated to exquisite counterparts.

That all lasted till I discovered my Sulpicia. Then, my gift was a gift no more. And from there, its power only seemed to worsen as time passed. Over the years my gift only got stronger. The depth in which I became involved in their thoughts, went deeper, filling me with even more realism. More pain, more fear, more, everything. Causing me to wince at the multiple betrayals I felt I committed against my mate with every touch.

But three hundred and seventeen two years ago, exactly, I found that that sensitivity had grown so profound that it no longer needed the touch of skin. I found that I was pulling memories out of the very air someone stood in previously. Sure it was only glimpses of their thoughts, and wasn't by any means an accurate reading, for most things I saw and heard in that manner, were out of context. But, it did let me know if I needed to pay more attention to certain people and the politics that surrounds me every day.

But what does the small-mindedness of castle politics matter now? When there was nothing to do, it was a means to pass the time. But now I find myself hamstrung by the political environment given what we face.

The world was advancing towards new wonders. Proposing intriguing questions and enigmatic riddles; and here I was, still plotting with fools; playing yesterday's game in order to keep what should've been mine, and mine alone.

Blemishes against our name. Growing coven sizes. Dissatisfied subjects… bah! Troubling and frightening, but all minuscule in comparison to the search for these answers. Tasks I would've delegated out by now if it weren't for my weak political standing within my own house. Which ironically, was caused by my very pursuits.

I was trapped at the head of my own table. I needed to do something to remind all of my wisdom and leadership. But what I really want, is for these problems to just disappear. For I need to be a scientist now, not a politician.

For days I've been under a deluge of distraction. So much so, that I still haven't decided whether or not the information I learned from Jane three days ago, was troubling or promising.

~HRZ~

Aug 17th – 3 days ago

The five of us were in the throne room. Jane had requested a private audience and dismissed the rest of the guard herself, leaving the five heads, and her three-man team alone. Once the door shut behind the last member, Jane made her way to me and offered her hand.

So after noting the serious manner in which she requested such an invasion of her mental faculties,

I took it without pause.

"Master?" Jane asked timidly after a minute, seeing my confounded state.

I let go of her hand, absentmindedly waved her back to her team and began to pace back and forth upon the dais reflecting on all I just witnessed. For it was too much. Even for me.

"Speak Aro. What did you see?" Caius exasperatedly interrogated.

I ignored them all and continued my methodical back and forth pacing in front of our chairs. Jane had to have known what she brought to me, for she spoke no more.

A sea of plots and rebels were roiling around us already, threatening to smash us. So what was one more issue?

Like a fool, I had made it no secret that I desired Alice and Edward for Volterra. Something I had thought would be pleasing given the alternative future the boy faced. But that immediately put the two on the defensive against any persuasion. After seeing that error for what it was, I did keep the desire for the rest of Carlisle's creations to myself. But now the boy had gone and done something I hadn't believed possible.

For if what I saw was accurate, then he was far more gifted than I ever believed conceivable.

True, I saw the duality in his coloring and knew there was more to him than he wanted to know of himself. But I had no idea he possessed such potential.

How could I? For someone like him has never been before.

Jane's assessment of him was near but not entirely correct. But the boy didn't possess only three gifts… he possessed four!

Raghad's shortage … Manita's stupor … Ajla's death-touch, and his own version of mind reading. All nicely stacked on one another, and made to work seamlessly to act as if one. To be one thing. But in all truth, was really four. Four gifts, in one being. 'FOUR!'

He may see his own ability, as mind 'receiving', but it is a gift that still has its uses on its own. And given the fact that he could use all of them at a great distance, puts him well ahead of any of his predecessors.

And if that was not delicious enough. There was a new and equally unexpected development of Carlisle's other creation. Ms. Rosalie Hale.

A new enslaver has emerged. And from the little that I've seen, a powerful one. For I doubt, if not for the assistance of Haden, her family would've continued blissfully unaware of the coils she places upon them.

Yes, she must be powerful. How else could her gift endure so long, and go without notice? Especially in that talented household. I felt eager to graze her palm and see how she was able to accomplish such a feat.

'Powerful and brilliant. I would love to test her.' But that will have to wait. This situation must be given time play itself out. There were too many wrinkles right now. Plus this was an enslaver.

For those who know their true value, they were nothing to fear. They only needed to be given proper guidance. Personally, I would rather one enslaver of her caliber, than thirty well-trained fighters.

'Yes, So much could be accomplished indeed.' I thought covetously

"Master, is there something I can do?" Haden asked when he deemed I stayed quiet long enough.

I looked up at him, caught his eye, turned to the rest of them, before resting my eyes on Jane.

"Master?" She questioned softly, causing me to reminisce in that moment.

I had once thought to make Jane and Alec my heirs. Jane, more so than Alec. I had thought to do so for two reasons. For one, after twelve-hundred years of loyal service, they have earned every boon there was to offer, and there was nothing left to give either of them that would seem of any real value. So I thought I would name her daughter, and him son, and allow them to call me father, and my mate, mother. It would have cost me nothing, except the occasional irritation of hearing such ridiculous terms of endearment. Because I am their sire; I need not be anything beyond that. But if I have to be this to further ensure their loyalty to me then I thought the investment a prudent one.

Secondly, I thought to do it because it would have been the perfect play against any of Caius and Athenadora 'free' movements. Because the trick one needs to master here, and everywhere else is that, one should not strive to 'dodge' one's attacker. But instead, strive to make ones position so unassailable, that the thought of attacking you in the first place, would be an unthinkable thing.

And at the time, I thought who better to play that role for me, than the one's who have been playing that role for us all. They were to be the sword and shield for my crown. Because if either seat at my side moved against my power for whatever reason, they would in a very real sense, be moving against Jane and Alec's inheritance as well. A discouraging thought if there ever was one.

But the brilliance of this plan was equally matched by its defects, which made it utterly unfeasible. For almost immediately a major flaw with this plan, and now two more.

First, Alec himself was as observant as he was astute. He made no time for political maneuverings and even less for those trying to maneuver him. So he would surely see this for what it was.

He was not like Jane. He held no secret desire to embrace a surrogate parental figure, and preferred his isolation from what he calls, 'the noise.' The boy may have been loyal but he wasn't nearly as committed to the Volturi agenda as his sister. Very rarely could he be moved to trouble himself with a task outside the castle. Worse still, he couldn't be made to tolerate the rest of his companions anymore beyond his current level. Jane is why he is here, and why he remains. A fact proven with every deliverable threat to bring total oblivion to my entire castle if he ever sees a black thread worming its way around him or his sister.

Personally, I don't know how he planned to carry it out. But since it takes Chelsea a whole twenty-four hours to accomplish this, and since he was completely serious in his declaration about the matter; I deemed it was best to give in on that small concession, take him at his word, and leave well enough alone.

Nowadays his days were spent surrounded by his small staff of humans and vampires, locked away on the far side of the castle, behind an intangible wall of mist, that only his sister and staff are allowed to circumvent. They toil away their days writing code for some undisclosed clandestine future counter intelligent mission of their own making. And, with the code transmitted from Carlisle's boy Emmett, the day prior; they have all but shut down that entire section of the castle in order to 'play' with their new toy.

My new and second issue with that plan was, Rolle. After his first feeding, what looked like nothing more than passing glance between he and Jane; was held one second too long for my liking. I knew immediately, without question, something had to be done before either recognized for themselves what I had witnessed.

But now I was too late. Athenadora had edited this team, and my silent consent in the matter had all but created the very situation I wanted to avoid. But to speak against its formation, without a clear reason, would have given the situation away. So I stayed silent, hoped for the best, and this was the result.

I begrudged him his existence for what it took from me already. And I had no intention of letting him deprive me of anything else. But he had help and I was outmaneuvered on this matter.

Thou favored by both Caius and Athenodora, neither was ready to admit it openly. His indifference towards my authority seems to please them even though they try to hide it behind feather light reprimands.

But admittedly, the boy is fair in his criticism of authority and gives them their fair share of indifference as well.

He has almost always been in trouble around here, and almost always follows orders with questions. Frustrating us and Guard captains alike. But still, my siblings dote on him, granting him freedoms beyond his station and level of discipline. They see him as an unruly in his young twenty-five human years, but one who not only shares a cross between their two images but one in personality as well.

He's low-key, keeps to himself, yet moves brazenly. He's calculating, and doesn't trust easily, or at all for that matter; but at the same time, is genuine, direct and upfront with others despite his misgivings. He has never told a lie since he's been here. Our numerous types of truth-sayers have confirmed that, and they like to surround him for the occasional relief from the rest of us. And despite his truthful directness, he always seems to pull off the perfect bluff to make others fold their truths to him. His judgment of personalities seems on par with his immaculate aim, giving him the ability to make the right call when dealing with others every time. Very much like Caius himself when he uses what he knows of his enemy's personality to determine their stratagems to win his battles before they are fought. And like Athenodora, he carries himself with a grating devil may care attitude towards authority. So I know that if irritated enough, he'll be just as likely to kill me during a moment of anger, as I am likely to have him killed for the same.

Simply put, he was dangerous. A wild piece on the board, whose movements rarely abided by rules of the game. And now he has learned of his connection to Jane, and has been making thoughtless moves in order to force her to acknowledge it as well.

But the real issue here is control. With his link to Jane, we had none. No leash can tether him now. Chelsea was out of the question. As soon as he was aware of his bond, that method of control was gone. Disciplining him will be that much harder going forward, and killing him, nothing more than a wishful thought now.

Even though they never 'sealed' their bond, it was present nevertheless in both of them now. After a millennium our Jane had found her mate in the worse possible match. And there was nothing I or anyone else could do about that now. Because when it comes to mates; whatever you do unto one, you do to the other as well. Good or bad.

So as it stands. If I were to adopt her as my child and heir, that would mean bringing Alec and Rolle up to peerage as well.

But those were old concerns. A passing fancy, that I will never think to implement again. There was no need to do so any longer. For soon the world would discover what I already knew.

For an age, the parts of the vampiric world that was held under our thumb, had yet to figure out a way to best Jane and Alec, and because of it, we ruled unchallenged. But with technology, the once great distance between us and those who would challenge us, had shrunken. And we, in a very real sense, created the tool that would doom us.

Caius foolishly surmised that with this new weaponry, we in the guard can all be Jane. But what he neglected to realize in a rare moment of shortsightedness, is that he was in fact correct. We can all be Jane. All of us, and all of them as well. Everyone, can now be Jane.

I will not lie. Like Caius, I was excited about the prospect, initially. But that was only until I found myself sick with the thought of anyone outside the castle seeing a guard member utilizing modern day weaponry. I began to understand then just how big of a mistake we have made.

It would be bad enough for us if our own world makes this leap. But if the humans figure it out as well. We would truly be finished. All of us. Our entire race.

That thought alone was showed all the more reason we needed to seek out new and more powerful gifts.

Hence my third reason for not moving ahead with Jane's adoption.

Jane and Alec's time was nearly over. Our enemies have enough information on them now to plan a move against us. The results of our absence were proof positive, that they either no longer feared the twins power, or were ready to combat it head-on. Either way, their place at the top was at an end, and ours may have been as well. If we were to see another century at the head of own rule, we needed something that the world around us couldn't get around.

Human weaponry could be a nice transition holder, but we could not rely on them for long. And at best, they would only put us on equal terms with everyone else. But as Volturi, we must always be ahead of our subjects. We must stick to the tried and true. All armaments and advantages must belong to us and us alone. And soon my siblings will realize that as well. Then they'll come looking to me to sort it all out once more; and I'll need to have a response ready.

"Aro, if you have something to say, speak!" Caius snarled. Then growled louder as I ignored him and continued my contemplation.

"Fine. Jane, give us your report." Athenadora spoke up, causing Jane to look to me briefly before turning back to the others and followed orders.

She explained it all that happened. And just like I thought, they concerned themselves with all the wrong things. Worrying themselves over a few lies told, shifter propagation, secret agendas, the power of Cullens, and even imagined up a future where Carlisle makes some play for power.

'Bah!' Irrelevant, all of it. I ignored them and continued my pacing.

The Cullens weren't the problem we needed to concern ourselves with, it was the horde readying themselves to confront us. The Cullens were not the issue.

'But… if maneuvered right, they may prove the solution.' I thought, pausing momentarily.

For twelve hundred years, I waited for another arrow to soar as high and fly as far as Jane and Alec. A long-range offensive gift that could devastate all enemies, leaving the rest of us unnoticed and unharmed. Now one has emerged in young Edward, and with it comes with its own faction of gifted supporters.

But how to play this? They have already been pardoned of all wrongdoings. There was nothing to entrap them with, and force is out of the question. With so many mated pairs, they will have to come willingly or not at all.

From what I gathered from Jane, there was 'discord' between father and son. And there was a notable divide between Carlisle and his other creations as well; even his mate. Their plot behind Carlisle's back was proof of that. And the later discovered deceit of the Enslaver solidifies that proof even more. But was any of it enough?

Haden got the call Carlisle promised to make once he was released from his creations mental hold. But I doubted things were as well in hand as he told then again, Carlisle was always the peacemaker.

But was it even up to him this time? And if not...

'What did that mean for me? Do I have to do anything at all? Was this just a matter of patience? Just time before our errant coven members came home?'

They are all already of Volturi lineage, of my direct lineage in fact. And as acting head of my line, one must account for his creations. But I doubt Carlisle has informed them of this fact, yet. But the truth remains.

I sired four creations. Didyme, my Sulpicia, Jane, and Alec. In turn, Didyme sired four more. Makron, Tabetha, Alaric, and Evalisa. Out of those four, only Alaric survived the wars. But did so as a failed protector, who was cast out violently by Caius with what was left of Didyme's failed guard, in an attempt to give Marcus and me the illusion of something being done over our loss.

But words could never remove what was in his blood, and whatever that was made him family. He was an excellent confidant and friend to Didyme. But that was about the best he could offer. He had no gifts or aptitude for fighting despite being created during the centuries of our greatest conflict. And failing to succeed at that was the reason why he fell so easily to a cretin like James Cotylar, who was hundreds of years his inferior and whom should not have had sufficient enough skill to take on someone of Alaric's age.

But his existence did bear fruit, for it was he who sired both Carlisle and little Mary Alice Brandon before he met his untimely, but overdue demise.

Now, look at the marvel that has become of my precious sister's line. Even after two millennia, she still finds a way to protect her family. And family must not harm family. Hence why Carlisle, nor his family can be touched. Not even by me. Another reason why I let his creations go, despite his impudence and disregard for the laws. He is Volturi, they all are. And I mean to make sure they understand exactly what that means.

I may have to take it unto myself to educate them on the matter. For I can't see Carlisle being able to orate to them something he never wanted to accept himself. And given what I have seen in Jane. He has them far too entrenched in his sanctimonious quest to perfect his humanity.

'The real shame there was, he was damaging them. Making them weak. Built all their lives on a shifting foundation, and he did not even know it.'

Like Carlilse, Alaric fought his 'so-called' demons constantly but remained caught in the miserable middle. He despised the taste of animals completely but cared too much for humanity to deprive one of their life at random. So he made a compromise. He fed on the dying or the recently deceased and the openly wicked. But that still left him drinking the cold putrid blood of the recently dead on occasion.

But it was Carlisle who took the firmest stance among them or anyone I have 'touched' to date. He went against his nature entirely. He was practically repulsed by it. With so much of his human memories, beliefs, training, and built-in fears of social judgment and ridicule remaining to him after his change, it wasn't hard to see why accepting such a diet as his mainstay came so easily. Feeding on humans in any way would be tantamount to cannibalism to his mind. A monstrous act, despite any instinctive compulsion to do so. So for the sake of his own sanity, he made the only logical choice he could. And made himself into a lion that chose to eat grass alongside the herd.

But what he never recognized or wanted to understand, was that for him, it was an easy choice to make. For one of his many mistakes was thinking his choice and ability to stick to such a diet was transmutable.

Sure, one could be taught the mechanics; but the desire. At best, they would only tolerate the lifestyle. They won't ever relish in the act of 'overcoming' their nature like he does. It will be a means to an end, no more. No joy will be taken from it whatsoever. And from what I've picked up from young Edward's thoughts, that is exactly what Carlisle had mistakenly believed he accomplished with them. That somehow he was able to transmit his desire into his creations as well. But all creations hate to disappoint their sires…

...in the beginning.

It won't last. Like newborn madness, the desire to please one's creator will fade over time; and will do so, with every failing the creator reveals about himself. Which is why it's best to selectively choose those closely resembling your own personality. Their loyalty to you will last centuries before they finally had enough. Much like my own relationship with Alec. I cared for him once, even preferred him to Jane once upon a time. But ultimately we were incompatible. And if two are completely incompatible, the bond will break that much faster.

And if you should ever do deliberate harm to your creation, then the bond will break immediately, no matter what history you share.

I've seen the thoughts of his family as clearly as young Edward had. I've seen the frustration with the purposeless they find in the lives they lead in order to support Carlisle's. So I know he doesn't have much longer at the head of his own house. For whether it's a few decades, a human generation, or a full century from now, this need to please him, will crumble to dust in all of them. But I suspect their tolerance for that blood will completely dissolve long before that if it hasn't ended already. I know from Edward, their bodies have already begun its rejection of the blood. Every animal drained has become more tasteless than the last. Even their so-called favorites, no matter what face each put on after their feeding. And soon, all will taste like nothing.

It's a process all animal drinkers go through. And one that has already completed itself in Carlisle from what Edward has observed. For he feeds now only to keep the burn at bay. It's nothing but a chore now. A tasteless tonic to his palate.

For Carlisle, the desire of wanting something to be, has always blinded him to what is. It's something that both endeared me to him, and vexes me about him. But he'll see the truth of it come a day. As one by one they all politely thank him for all he's done, then set off to find their own way when their will to continue that diet collapses.

For empires crumble, kingdoms shatter, and paths diverge. Happens all the time. But more so in covens who drink animal blood than any other. For the guilt of no longer being able to tolerate the tasteless concoction, pools with the desire to return to one's natural diet; which causes one to push themselves away, rather than be shunned for weakness or lack of conviction. Hence why I know he is the architect of his own families destruction.

For he believes that animal blood brings about stronger bonds between our kind, and allow us to be more than a coven. When in truth, the blood acts like acid upon the very bond itself.

Another mistaken belief on his part, is that human blood makes one more susceptible to violence than animal blood. Which is wrong. The original personality of vampire will have more to do with that than anything else. If a man was a savage, he will continue to be so, unless given enough time to change himself into something else. Like we all must strive to do as time progresses. The only time blood plays a factor in our emotion, is when one, who is not your mate, feeds to closely or interrupts a feeding. Blood and desire for it, and need to keep all for one's self during feeding makes one more susceptible to violence; whether it's human or animal blood. But I wouldn't be stunned if he is still pedaling his perspective, even though he should've seen enough evidence of the opposite for himself by now.

Like I said, his desire of wanting something to be, has always blinded him to what simply, is. Take mortals for example; or more to the point, who and what mortals really are.

On his arrival here, his mind was filled with so many hopes and naïve views on mortals, which skewed his views on their failings and all the harm they do to themselves, and left his with an earnest desire to still be one of them; and disturbingly considered himself only as a slightly enhanced version of them. Which in a sense, was not entirely wrong. But what he did get wrong was his easy dismissal of the acts of men as if he were a proud father dismissing his child's first trembling missteps and eventual collapse. Because time and time again, I tried to use my years to illuminate for him, that men were children that will never grow despite any advancement they may achieve. And they were on their hands and knees more often than they are on their feet. And the reason for that is, is because they walk forward with crisscrossing steps. So they are bound to stumble, because it is they who trip themselves. And that absurdity is nothing to be celebrated or respected.

But no illusion is more powerful, than the one you place on yourself. So, of course, my counsel was politely nodded at, then utterly ignored; then quickly replaced with more hopeful thoughts.

For he also believed any and every conversation that lessened the stance of men in his eyes, an attempt on my part to devalue them so that they may seem more appealing to his palate. But he overestimated my dedication to the matter, for I never saw the need to even bother to try. Why should I? If natural instinctive compulsion failed; what possible sequence of words could I have used that would've made him change his mind?

The most I contributed to his rehabilitation, was looking the other way when the guard sought to provoke him into fights in order to strengthen that area of weakness. He was poorly lacking in self-defense, and needed to know when an enemy was reaching for your throat; that 'talk' comes after the fight.

Having had my fill of that meeting. I turned to Haden and told him to bring whatever else he may have to Alec. Congratulated all three on a job well executed. Let them know that a boon was earned by all, much to Rolle's surprise, then took my leave while my siblings sniped and snarled at my back for my early departure.

They stated they were not done with me, and there was still matters about the Cullens that needed discussion. All of which I ignored, for I had a lot to ponder.

-HRZ-

-BACK TO PRESENT-

I suppose the question is, what do I do with the Cullens? Do I wait them out another generation and see what fruit falls into my hand freely? Or do I shake the tree and see what comes loose now?

We can ill afford another South America rumor to start circulating, especially rumors of discord between us and another powerful coven like the Cullens. But I need their members at my side. For I am almost certain that with Carlisle's creations, I would be successful should I ordain to try for siblings again.

I tried 'carrots' with them, but it didn't work. But with Edward and Rosalie, I see all the 'stick' I'll need to make them obey should they force the issue of joining us again.

But even as the thought passes through my mind, I doubt that plan would ever come to actual fruition. Not in a timely manner at any case. Given the upbringing they had… I doubt they will be as compliant as I wish them to be.

'Damn his good fortune!'

The longer their talents remain outside of my control, being influenced and infused with the idealistic falsehoods of this era, such freedom, and equality. The more problems I will have with them later.

The world is a hierarchy, layered in unfairness and is made more so with every birth and new creation. There is no such thing as equality, and there has never been. Never! How could anyone ever believe such preposterous notions when everything around them points to the opposite? How can there ever be equality, when no two were ever made equal?

Some will always be more exceptional than others. Some will be smarter, some faster, some stronger, some more creative, some more adaptive, some more alluring, and some, simply more privileged than others.

Inequality can be found everywhere you can think to look for it. The entire concept of the Volturi was built upon that simple principle. That in order for us to lead, we had to be made up of the best. So, in turn, we had to recruit the best and most unique of our kind, and do so in order for our small few can maintain control over the many. So to even think can be equal, simply marks you a fool.

All creatures, live happiest, when we live naturally. To deny either the existence of the natural order and or ones natural state, is to assign yourself to live a life of miscalculated steps, unmet expectations, and never-ending disappointment.

.

.

.

I entered the throne room and took my seat. But not before ordering everyone except Renata to clear out, and Renata to reset the seats to their original positions.

Another vexing habit of Athenadora's. She commands the guards to align all seats equally upon the elevated dais. That is usually till I arrive and order them to return my seat to the forefront.

But my mind was elsewhere, and has been for the past three days.

One of the problems that we needed to be solved was still South America, and the three we sought out. They showed to me that world was alive with wonder and mystery again. Some of it new to me, while others remained lingering wonders and mysteries from ages long passed. Mysteries that remained so because all who sought to solve them have long since perished before they were able to do so. And those who remained had diverted their attention to the business of remaining alive.

But here they were once more, laid bare in front of me. One of the few left who knew the significance and power that could be obtained if only one had a way of containing it.

'If we are to survive alongside them, and keep them in check, I must find a way to harness their strength and capabilities for the Volturi. But what are we compared to the likes of them?' I thought, looking down at my hands once more. 'Nothing. We – are - nothing!'

And will remain as such, if I don't discover an answer.

For it was all true. I was told of it then, but have put it aside. Now I am forced to face that truth once more, and this time I must either prove my own power equal to theirs or be destroyed.

None of us are equals. And there are those among us that far surpass what even the best of us are capable of.

My master and maker, Q'aal was the first of them I knew of. The Brothers turned out to be as well. The Snapdragon, another. And now Nahuel and his sisters, have joined their ranks. And given what I know now, I suspect that young Isabella will soon be among them.

-HRZ-

1476 B.C.

"You bring me the counsel of fools and miscreants, Aro." Master Q'aal stated bluntly. His deep but quiet and patient voice verberated in my ear. "They are master-less vagrants, and pretenders; you are looked after. It is not your place to want more than I offer. Your hand and mind are to be open to receive only what I allow, no more. Or do you no longer believe you need the lessons I bestow upon you?"

"Forgive me. I just thought you should be aware. All surrounding covens are on the move. The rumors are that the brothers will be passing through the north with only a small force. Many among here believe they can destroy them if they are able to catch them."

"Fools." He mockingly laughed off, not even bothering to lift his eyes off the metal he was currently engraving with a head of a feral cat. "Emperors aren't so without reason. But I suppose, they will learn that soon enough. For they may dislike the current rule and have found other fools who share their thoughts, but it is not their place to question it."

"No master it's not. But it is yours." I admitted timidly, seeing that my master stopped his engraving, to silently leer my way. "W-With you… their… our...our victory would be assured." I admitted timidly as I watched his eyes darken at the edges. "A-After their conflict with the Rocha and Mazeen forces, the brother's influence and empire have weakened."

"That is why they are fools! It is a scheme, Aro. One the brothers have used effectively before. They will engage with multiple foes. Extending their wars to feign 'struggle'. Then wait for their real enemies to come and strike them down when they believe their forces weak. You see, a ruse. The other fools who are about to attack the brothers weren't around the last time they deployed this maneuver, so they wouldn't know of the flames they are about to walk into, but I was."

"A trap?"

"Yes one I haven't seen used in a while, but one of theirs for sure." He said going back to his engraving. "You may gaze upon this conflict from afar to educate yourself if you would like, but no more. You will not involve us."

"Watch? Master… if you are certain, should we not warn them?"

"No. Leave them. It is their time. Let them meet death and bother us no more. They have wandered around aimlessly too long, and it has given them illusions of deserving power. It is time they passed on."

"But they are thousands, against two. How could they lose?" I argued back, unable to maintain my feelings on the matter.

"The brothers are never just two. A lesson all who war against them learn." He said easily, before pausing his engraving once more to look to me. "But what would that matter to you? You are an extent. A bitten. And in 'this' life, I've shown you favor for your splendor and desire for education, but that favor does not change what you are. You will always be a half-bred. Similar to me, but one that was born human. It is not any your places to rule, us! If chance should see the brothers defeated, then the rule will fall to another, but one of Natural-Birth. They will be the new authority. They make their edicts, and when they are near, you will act like you follow them. So in one respect, nothing for you will change." He chuckled at his own jibe.

My Master had always believed himself to be 'Natural born' and had dubbed us, his creations, 'Half-bred', 'Extent's', or 'Bitten'. Without proof then, I had no choice but to take him at his word, for nearly four hundred and fifty years, I saw no other master in our region except my own. Nor has he himself mated, or conceived a child to show me the proof I seeked.

The only thing that lent any credence to his claim was his superiority in almost every regard. He was stronger and faster than any other in our area. He proved that when he took on Malachi. Didyme's Moon Child lover. A feat that would normally require 5 or more of us, was accomplished single-handedly and easily by my master alone. Turning the once berserker into a pet of our castle in-between full moons.

With such a clear advantage, it was easy for him to keep us obedient. That and the fear of being devoured by him. For he fed on humans and vampire alike. For that to he claimed 'natural' for his kind.

The vampires he devoured was never one of his making, and the act was always carried out behind our walls, so no one not created by him knew of these practices; but seeing him enjoy cannibalism, in the same way we revel in the bliss and euphoria of human blood, always put the rest of us on guard.

A good thing, because the only thing that infuriated me more than his claims of natural birth, was the condescension in his tone when he spoke of it to us. As if we were some lesser creation.

.

"Then why not use them? Let some of us fight with them on your behalf. If what you say is true, the rule could fall to you, and it would be your voice we all follow. You have the strongest house." I proposed earnestly, ignoring my masters' certainty. "And I have used my blessing, so I know many would feel much more comfortable if you led them rather than the Felathrian, Caius."

"And why would they trust a man they only know of, over one they already know?" He asked shrewdly, eyes narrowing on me. "Aro, What have you done? What have you told them?!" He growled.

He was always sharp. He had already surmised I've broken his rule, and spoken of our house to outsiders and worse, spoken of him. I suppose I was too forward with my promises that I made on behalf of our house, and too eager to deliver upon them, that my desire finally gave me away. But there was no turning back now.

A meeting was called between the covens of our area to discuss news of the brother's victory and their journey back toward the east. A run through the northern expanses. Representatives from, Arretium, Tarchna, Perusia, Curtun, Volsinii, Felathri, Veii, Caisra, Clevsin, Vetuluna, Fufluna, Tarquinii, and Volterra were requested. Master Q'aal of course, denied them his audience, and was a breath away from devouring the messenger before I intervened.

I explained that after he let the messenger go; I listened further to the man, and saw merit in attending. I said that in his stead, I myself, Didyme, Evalisa, along with three of his strongest wall types, attended this meeting on his behalf. For in my mind, if this was a gathering for war, then leaders would need to be appointed. And if that was the case, I felt our house must be represented. So I proclaimed myself our representative, and spoke for him and his house.

I explained, during the meeting, the Felathrian, Caius made a strong case for attacking the brothers and destroying them before they raised another army. They were all convinced that now was the time, and all began pledging our forces to the cause. But I saw what I thought was an opportunity to bolster our house, and proposed that if he were to lend his warriors to this cause, victory would no longer be a guess, but a surety, and that more of us would live to see it. Which caused a few heads to turn my way.

I had their ear.

I then proposed that they could divide the brother's kingdom among themselves, but the entirety of this area must be turned over to us. And if these terms were acceptable, you will be sure to grant them a hundred 'blessed' warriors to the fight.

From what I recall, it was there I knew I got carried away, but with all eyes on me I felt the urge to cease the moment.

I went on to complete my explanation, telling my master, that they argued this proposal down to the bone, but eventually all were made to agree, but did so only after I explained how it was possible for him to deliver on such a promise.

My master didn't even bother to ask whether I did or not.

"You Fool! Are you just as dull of wit as when I found you crafting bowls from mud and goat shit?" He snarled lowly and dryly after my explanation. His deep gravel voice carrying throughout the room. "Did I not educate you better? They will never rule, for they will never win. Which means you have sold our secrets and house, for free!"

"No master, not for free. Without you, that maybe what happens. But with your help we…"

"I will not lend my name, blessing, nor creations to this cause! A master takes care of his created, and they are no brood of mine. They are nothing but residue. Leftovers. Imitations absent hard handed counsel to direct them. Wild creations that have been left free too long and have forgotten the order of the world and their place in it."

"I have ignored them in their aimless wanderings because their presence and numbers presented no threat to me or my creations. But now, thanks to you, that is no longer true."

"Master please reconsider. If we win, you would rule these lands. All of these lands. They would all go off to… "

"Imbecile. You still talk of rule? You, who were fooled and maneuvered. All who know you Aro, know you! This force of bitten, only wants me at its head, so that my strength and heritage could lend legitimacy to their cause. Without it, they remain master-less vagrants." My wise master Q'aal exasperatedly extrapolated, enlightening me to the extent of my folly. "So no… I will not disgrace my line and play in the dirt with them for you. I will not take from another a title they have no claim to. We are your creators! You can only be what we allow and no - more!"

"Y-Yes master. I forget myself master. My only intent was to serve our house." I said contritely while swallowing my bitterness at his condescension.

"Keeping your tongue behind your teeth would have sufficed in that regard!" He snarled. "The nerve of you boy! Who are you to presume for me?! If I wanted the rule over this area, I would have taken it long ago. For who here could have stopped me from doing so?!"

"No one Master. Forgive my impertinence." I quickly begged off. Placating him the best I could, while swallowing my sourness.

*Sigh* "I wish for no titles Aro." He said softly. His anger finished running its course. "My desire to war against the world was destroyed along with my father. That was our shared passion. One foully given to us, after we returned from another failed search for my mate, and found our house and my mother destroyed. After that, anger was all that was left to us. We raged for years, recklessly destroying all manner of life whether guilty of the crime or not. We kept killing till we found the culprit. A former lover of my mothers, whose crime against us was done to satisfy a natural instinct of our kind. Reason being, he had recently mated, and because of it, returned with his new mate to destroy all previous lovers. As we all would do under the same circumstances."

"But even victorious in revenge, the pain did not subside. At least not entirely for me, and not at all for my father. So… he kept on destroying, and I followed dutifully. But the world had had enough of us, and we found ourselves at war with it before long. Armies of bitten fought our battles for us. Millions of them over the years... thrown at one another due to our madness. But thanks to my blessing, our line prevailed no matter the resistance."

Still... so many of my making were lost Aro. So many unique creations. Due to my father's gift, I was numb to them. I could not love them then, as I love you all now, so when they perished, I felt next to nothing. Still... the sight of so many of mine dead... It is too much for me. Even after eons, the pain... it hits sharply as it should've back then. So no... I had all the war I could stand. But not my father. I came to understand then my father cared for nothing anymore. Not even his son, the last symbol of his mate. And equally without care, he would throw himself into the fray with great abandon. Inflicting as much of his pain on his enemies as possible in order to keep his own suffering at bay. But before long… he found himself surrounded by more enemies than his pain could handle, then he was gone. Destroyed by his foes. Both within and without." Master Q'aal explained, calming down even further, after finding sobriety in the explanation.

He sat quietly, slowly, absentmindedly fiddling with the metal jewelry he was crafting a moment ago. He looked to be recalling the very moment from memory. Then after a long enough pause, continued again.

"I sought no vengeance; for what was there to avenge? His real enemy was his pain and spent over six hundred years of terrorizing all before him. And in all that time, even knowing the loss of a mother, I could not match him or it. Both he his curse twisted me toward rage and numbed my mind. So in the end, his death was a mercy for the both of us. For it had released him; and released me as well. A terrible truth, but a truth all the same."

"When it was done, So was I. I had my fill of war, and it of me. So I disappeared from it quietly as one could vanish. I came back to my home, my father's father home. Volterra. One he spoke of in better times. One long forgotten to all but me. I came with the sole intention of letting the world flourish once again. My only goal, was wait for a suitable breeding partner. For my only desire, was not to be the last of my line. But who would have me, now? My savage time had cost so many of my kind so much, it surely had unknowable consequences on that very prospect. For why else have I not found her yet? … … But I suppose it may be for the best… For if the love of a mate is truly a product of all the gods above, then the loss of one is surely curse of all the ones below."

"I-I hear you, but I must still ask. What of us Master? Do you not consider any of us worthy of your line?" I asked tentatively "Should you fall before you are able to find a suitable breeding partner; what then?"

"That right there was the very weakness they preyed upon to lure you into betraying my secrets. You are far too concerned with advancement, Aro." Master Q'aal commented quietly, still looking deeply contemplative. "If you were not of my making, I would never trust one such as you."

His words hurt and offended me, but there was truth in them as well. I knew as a slave to my master, I had more prominence than most. And I spoke more freely than I should, knowing Q'aal would no more harm me than I could harm him. Him, out of will not to do so, and me out of rules and affection not to see him harmed. For as he decreed, one should not bring harm to one's creator; and a creator in turn, must protect his line in its entirety. At the time, those were the only rules of our world.

So I denied nothing. It was all true. I was a slave, but I endeavored to be more. So I didn't bother to protest this. Plus doing so would push him over the edge he was nearing despite his calm exterior. I've been with him long enough to know when that edge was coming and knew what happened to those who went over it. So I stayed silent and waited for him to speak on his own.

"Hmph… My father and I never set out to rule. But when it fell to us by default of our slaughter, we took to our subjects with almost unchecked savagery. Pointing them to battle after battle. And with my ability to bless any I've bitten with a blessing of their own, our forces reigned unchallenged for six hundred years. When I left that life behind, the brothers stepped in; but that was over three millennia ago. And compared to the savage land that my father and I left behind, things have calmed down. The brothers still have their wars, but time has taught them other lessons in our absence. They hold power much differently than we did. They are crafty and completely unpredictable, more so than any other before them. If you see a pattern with them, it's there only because they let you see it. Trust nothing those two freely offer. Nothing!"

Just listening to his words of warning, I felt the clues were mounting up right before me.

"Master… do you know them?" I tentatively interrupted, but he ignored me, and pressed on. He seemed determined now for me to understand him.

"It won't be long… no… they won't wait long now." He went on to explain, ignoring me entirely, looking lost in his own thoughts, and then turning back to me. "If they haven't taken notice of this area yet, then they will after they are finished with everyone else, and I will be the 'assumed' master. Because thanks to your boasting, these fools will have secrets of me that only one I created should know. I am strong, but so are they. And when all are defeated, they will come here, and we would be alone."

He paused to consider that for a moment.

"We must make ourselves ready to face them just in case. And if we must fight, I will do so on my terms. You are my guard, but my creation's first. And I must protect you all now. Still... Every one of you have been blessed with gifts, more so than any other of your level. So I hold no fear for you in that regard. But the brothers, they are above you, and they are clever. You must never forget that, Aro. Never!" He advised sternly, to which I nodded anxiously.

His ramblings were coming closer and closer to a decision. One at first that I thought I wanted, but the more and more he went on, the more it sounded like warnings. And with his next sentence, he all but confirmed my fears, and elicited my anger at the same time.

"If the worse should happen, and I should fall. Volterra will go to the eldest of you. As it was passed down to my father to me, I in-turn, shall pass it down to Maria."

"Maria?" I squawked belligerently, losing control of my tongue. "Why? When was she here last?" I challenged. "Three… Four hundred years ago? You would still place her before me?"

"I place nothing. She is before you! She has a millennium on your time, and for that matter, so does most of the guard. All the more reason you should stop your foolishness and accept your position; which is to serve me and this house! Or has sharing my bed fooled you into believing you share my rule as well?" he asked, causing me to immediately bite my lip despite my aggravation.

"The title of this or any house, cannot fall to a bitten. So regardless of age, my choice would have been Maria. For I choose her, even though she is not all she could have been. But that was my failing, not hers."

"She was already dying when I found her, and would not have lived long enough to complete a proper ascension. I had to turn her immediately, but in doing so, I stunted her development. Cutting all that could have been of her power and strength, by half. Making her no stronger than one of you. Something to this day she remains bitter about. But I have no more time to indulge her tantrum. She is my creation and this is her home. And you will bring her back to me, pulling her by her hair if you have to. Because despite her hatred of me, she is still the eldest and greatest creation remaining to me." He grounded in, for my personal understanding. But my expression left him with the need to repeat himself once more.

"There is an order to be obeyed in our world, Aro. And I will not have your desire for power upset it. A human half breed, may not be allowed to rule, much less, lead a household. I will not have that sacrilege associated with this house or my name."

"But you would allow Maria to..."

"As I explained already. Maria is not like the rest of you. She was never human, at least not in the sense you believed her to be. She is blood atavism. A true descendant of vampiric lineage. Whose line and head household had fallen, and whose children were left unattended to sour and decay long ago. Because although she was born human like, she the carried the atavism. Her blood still carries the last marker of her true heritage in its sweet scent. So you see, she is no half breed, she is a vampire reborned. One gifted back her birthright. So therefore, my rule will fall to her."

"My early years in my chrysalis state has made me strong. But I can still be destroyed. Maria however, cannot. She will be our champion. That is my decree."

At the time, I couldn't make sense of any of it. And knew better to argue heritage with him. So I made my arguments about something else.

"After all I've done… All we've shared. Tell me… Do you believe her 'ahead' of me in that regard as well?"

She may get the rule and respect, but my pride wouldn't allow me to walk away from this empty handed. It was petty and small, but I was not about to surrender all. I hoped to gain this at the very least.

"Your difficulties in recognizing and accepting your betters leaves much to be desired at times Aro, and will serve you ill if another is to rule this house. Learn your lesson and place now, or I fear Maria will do to you what I never could." He preached, but seeing that I was not distracted by his sermon or warning, he continued on.

*Sigh* "You have served me loyally in much the same capacity as she. But one experience cannot be compared to the other. Each of you were in your own way special. But given our mutual sex, my experiences with you were different, and have been most… enlightening. So you can be proud of that accomplishment."

Feeling pacified I bowed my head slightly, allowing him to press on.

"Good. Then I'll need you to get ready to leave this place immediately."

"Master?"

"I will have Jah see to the preparations here, and summon the rest of our guard." He ignored my confusion and pressed on. His way of telling me to catch up on my own. "I want you to go and wrench Didyme away from her moon-child lover. Inform her of the possible threat to our household, and then both of you go in search of Maria. Take Kufuor, Trahmel, and Moi. Kufuor, will find anything you want, if you desire it enough. Trahmel, will act as your sensor, you would be able to avoid large movements as far as a horizon away. And Moi will let you know of all the dangers you do not see, if Didyme's sensation of bliss does not suppress some would be assailants desire to kill you all. As for you; make your inquiries quietly, and do so in the way only you can. Maria has made quite the name for herself in the last half century. Her blessings of true immortality are well known even in the Far East. So even a fool would be suspicious if you openly inquire about the whereabouts of the immortal."

"Understood." I said comprehending his point.

"Then go now. Should they see us as a threat, we'll need all our strength. And if the worst comes, she may very well be all that survives this. But as long as she does, so does Volterra."

-HRZ-

That was the last time I would see my Master. It took a full year to find Maria, and another three months of doing what she wanted before we could convince her to return to the halls that had surrounded her for the entirety of her first millennium of existence.

On our return, Didyme met the dashing longhaired Marcus at the head of the remnant forces of Mazeen. They were set on a quest to avenge their fallen masters and have been trailing the brothers, picking off their stray creations, while looking for larger opportunities to strike back at the brothers directly. It was from them we learned, we had no home to return to. That within a month of our departure to find Maria all had been lost. The Volterra that had been once upon a time, had been razed to the ground.

Master Q'aal was right. The Brothers were no fools and were far more cunning than any of their foes. Their steps were so far ahead, they were no longer in sight of our eyes. Because it was only later that I learned it was all a feint. The dual wars with the Rocha and Mazeen, was a lure, but one made to not only draw their enemies toward them but also the forces in our area away from there. For Master Q'aal was their target all along.

It would be sometime later before I learned Q'aal figured that out, and as a last act of love, sent us away. Because once the brothers saw the majority of defectors had left our area to go fight, the brothers abandoned their position at the head of their prop army, and secretly made their way to Volterra, taking only a handful of men with them. Master Q'aal was a strong fighter and was blessed with the ability to awaken gifts in others, but they cared nothing for the blessing he could've given their army. They had maintained their power without it, and planned to continue on doing so long after the threat of these blessings were removed.

So cleverly, they had their men enter the surrounding villages and towns that have been abandoned by the others due to their initial ruse, and began turning the humans. And whilst that was taking place, they had some of the guard they came with pretend to be learned men. Men who they sent to Volterra looking for shelter under the pretense of being left behind to protect the accumulated knowledge of their cities and travels from faraway lands. Selling the ruse with sacks and chests of trinkets and scrolls, showing proof of all that accumulated knowledge.

It was an enticement no learned vampire who thirsted for knowledge, like my master did, would ever refuse to protect. So that ruse was bought as well. But it was a precaution on the brother's part to see if my master had anyone particularly dangerous at his side. For the brothers were as prudent as they were shrewd. And by the end of the week, they had discerned all they needed to know of our defenses and numbers, and then moved ahead with their plans.

The word was given at dusk on the eighth day, and Volterra was invaded for the first time in its history.

The brother's creations easily swarmed over the walls. They had puffed-up their ranks from their initial handful to over five thousand. The guard numbered in a few hundred, but all were gifted in some way. But in hours, despite the arsenal of blessings they had received from our great sire, they all fell, and the brothers were able to just walk into my master's house unmolested.

They found Master Q'aal and Didyme's Moonchild, Malachi, both damaged but fighting savagely in the walled yard of Volterra against a horde that just kept coming. Each dispatched vampire after vampire, occasionally earning a scar or two from a strike they were too distracted to see coming. But each so magnificently feral in their own way, put up an effort that no ten vampires coming at them at time could handle. And that was a good thing. Because despite being completely surrounded, the laws of physics remained unchanged and on their side. As any fighter could tell you, at best, only four fighters could try to fight you at time and still be effective. And even then they would have to take turns, two at a time from opposite sides. This horde didn't have that type of coordination. They were all rushing in at once, leaving no real room for the other, preventing any true offense. Settling for minor injuries here or there. And with the skill they were up against, they might as well have been handing over their new lives. Which they were already doing, by the handful.

The yard roared with thunder and growls. Each swing of Malachi's and Q'aal arms were so fast, so hard, and so powerful, that it either crippled their attacker for an extended time or utterly destroyed them upon passing through their heads. They were monsters, and made an exhibition of their accumulated skills. One the brothers gladly sat back and watched with great interest; perched on the roof of the castle with their original handful of men.

Master fought his way to a low hanging torch, then set a mound of broken bodies on fire. But only he had sense enough to make use of it, as he skillfully punched, backhanded, kicked and flung vampire after vampire into the ten foot blaze; whether they were broken or whole.

Malachi on the other hand, stood two to four heads over anyone else in the yard, standing nine feet tall on bent two legs, in his hulking Werewolf form. Like all moon children, the dying of the sun on each night of a full moon, slowly deprived him of his ability to reason. And once his transformation was complete, all reason was lost to him. Turning him into an uncontrollable rage filled berserker, who raked claws and teeth across anything that neared him. Which was exactly the kind of partner master Q'aal needed for this night.

But as the fight raged on, the accumulated damage finally began to take its toll on the fighters. And worse, dawn was nearing, and with it came the knowledge they would be down a fighter one way or the other.

Knowing this, I watch from the memories I stole from the brothers centuries later, how my Master fought his way toward Malachi, timing his approach to the rising sun so carefully, so that when he reached out to Malachi, Malachi's mind would be 'reachable'.

I watched him instruct Malachi, telling him that the battle was lost and the castle was as good as fallen. To leave now. Then I watch as he turned and bit Malachi savagely in the center of his back, leaving himself open to be savagely bitten by the horde in return.

"My final blessing will go with you. Now leave this condemned place. Run!" He ordered while beating off his assailants, then threw Malachi over the wall, watching as dozens leaped over the wall after him.

The approaching dawn had all but turned the werewolf back to human form. He still bore the visage of a moon child, but had shrunken down to something closer to his human height. He fought his assailants of three four at a time, killing eleven before breaking into the tree line and out of sight.

With him gone, the brothers' attention quickly turned back to the courtyard. I watched as my master broke free of the dogpile he was just under, to continue savagely battling the horde. Watching as they in turn ineptly tried to bring my master down.

My master was the strongest in our area. He had strength far beyond what he should've been able to produce. He was almost twice as swift as any vampire; and he had the guile enough to make excellent use of all his experience.

He fought like a warrior possessed, hitting his foes with lethal force and flawless strikes. Thousands of years of skill displayed against an army of vampires with only a single night of existence. Hundreds had already fallen, and with every thunderous crack, another was added. But each broken foe wasn't without cost. For the next hour, I watched as the horde and my master battled, each making the other pay for any advancement or loss.

My master had proven the worth of his title, with a prowess that slaughtered over three hundred of our kind in a single night. But in the end, numbers prevailed.

Flesh had been removed from both sides of his face; leaving the teeth and jaw visible. Large portions of scalp were missing, leaving him with only patches of hair, here and there. The covering of his nose was gone, as was his top lip, and half his bottom one. He was covered by nasty gouged out gashes over the majority of his person, and stood upon a single leg, and left with arms missing so many portions, they were barely workable.

Hundreds had fallen, but too many still remained and more still were finding their way in. So with a deafening roar to the heavens, as the first beam of light shined off his being, my master leapt into the fray… … … then he was no more.

… … … ...

'Untold millenniums of existence… gone.' I reflected upon. 'If it could happen to one as powerful as he, then what contest am I?'

.

.

.

It would be nearly a full millennium after that incident before I would get close enough to the brothers to learn the truth of that night and of them as well. For the brothers each had powerful gift of their own. One's that I couldn't even fathom were possible.

For their strength lied not within their mind like it did with all of, but within their venom, like with master. But with them, it acted as a contagion in their creations. One that infected the mind and 'will' of the host body, giving the brothers a built in system of control over everyone they turned. It was the reason they needed no castle. Their castles were everywhere they were. It was the reason why they never ran with legions. Their legions were already there. And it was the reason they knew when and how to strike their enemies. They had loyal informants in the very room their enemies did their planning.

Their creations were made to follow, and made to do so whether they were bitten by the brothers directly or not. Because if any member of their legion created another, then the same venomized virus would spread to them, creating a new supplicant; loyal to the one that bitten him, and by extension loyal to the head of their venom line, the brothers. Because anyone that is turned by them, or one of their creation, joins a sort of collective, part of a hive mind that possess its own built in hierarchy, making those who were bitten, permanently subordinate to the ones that bit them; with the brothers ultimately at the top.

Thousands of them, living as individuals, but able to tap into a community consciousness that connects them to the minds of everyone that shares their venom line. Creating their very own community within our own. They were a living kingdom. And in that kingdom, the brothers ruled all.

Admittedly when I learned of this, I was envious. How could I not have been? After my masters demise, Didyme's newly forged bond with Marcus, aligned our cause to their own. But our numbers were not enough. It still had taken my family and our last remaining guard that were sent out with us, nearly eight decades to convince any remaining warlords to join us in a crusade against the brothers, after their own defeats. More were concerned with the low hanging fruit of ruling the small patch of villages in front of them to even look further.

And for those who had grander designs, took us decades of political maneuvering to get them all to remove their clawed hands from each other's throats and eyes off each other's humans, so that they could reach out and see the larger prize that lied behind the brothers defeat. Our little group had to maneuver to make alliances. And at times fight their petty skirmishes with them to earn their support. We promised favors, begged, and in some cases, outright submitted our leadership roles to them. And with every defeat, and there were many, we would have to begin the shameful process anew.

We had to plead for the world to give our great cause the unified response it deserved. Begged for them to look past their meager territories, to see that the destruction of the brothers was necessary for all our long term survival. To see that calling themselves immortal would be a lie, as long as the brothers existed and held the ability to claim their lives anytime they wished, without cause.

No, they never had to suffer that humiliation. They were a two-man realm unto themselves. They were aware of every subject they had, every desire; and if any flames of rebellion or betrayal rose up, they were dowsed out with a thought. They had men everywhere, even within our forces at times. Nothing was secret from them. And when they were ready, they moved their legions as easily as they moved themselves.

How could I not envy their power? It was everything I desired for myself.

They were free. Truly free. They didn't have to barricade themselves anywhere, or live constantly probing their ranks for dissention or subterfuge. They didn't have to make allegiances, or tolerate insufferable companions. They could secure entire areas long before they arrive; and never needed more than a few random guards at time as they made their way to anywhere. Because their world literally revolved around their desires.

Their endowments were something I knew I could never possess. And were something every man in my position envied.

The wise thing to do would have been to make that power subordinate to my own somehow, but that was impossible. I wouldn't meet Chelsea for another seven hundred years. Then that scenario was made further impossible when both met their fate at the hands of the 'snap-dragon.'

'The fools…' What insanity possessed their thoughts to return and challenge her again?

.

.

.

-HRZ-

404 B.C.

After nine hundred and forty two years of shifting battle lines, back and forth assaults, raids, sabotages, and betrayals, all mixed between a few quarter to half century long pauses dedicated to regrouping, rebuilding, and training new forces; fate had finally delivered to us a sign that a favorable end was near.

During the last 'real' conflict between us, the brothers had lost 'the' decisive battle that tilted victory in our favor once and for all. When they realized their error, they immediately fled the battle and were on the run.

This was it. This was what we've been waiting for. This was why we debased ourselves and groveled to a higher power and hoped a hopeless hope. It was the end. It was here, and we meant to seize it!

The order was shouted by every commander without delay, and the chase begun.

They dumped entire companies, numbering a hundred at a time, at us in order to slow us down. And after repeated attempts, they were successful, but only for the briefest of moments.

The brothers were able to make it to the Adriatic Sea. But we pursued regardless of consequence. We found their scent on the other side, then chased them to and across the Black sea, then chase them to the Caspian Sea, and kept chasing them. For they were only a few hundred now. And after centuries of dealing with multiple factions, spies, betrayals, constant rallying and recruiting, constant war, everything we wanted all seemed within our grasp. It was nearly finished. So no, we were not about to let them get away. Not this time.

When we caught up with them after a five-day long chase, we engaged the brothers with our entire force. But when I finally got my hands on Stefan for the first time, and learnt his actual name; I learnt everything else as well.

I knew everything he knew, and when I did, I pulled my hand away and leapt back as if he were a man dipped in molten iron, leaving him looking at me as confused as I was shocked. Stefan had confirmed for me what I had thought impossible. He had confirmed that, like my master, he and his brother were also 'natural born.' He had confirmed it with the memories of his life. Memories that I was never able to get from my master, given that none of those blessed by him, weren't able to use those blessings against him. A natural built in precaution to protect him against us. So it was from the brothers I learned the truth of us, and saw the world of 'before'.

I saw them in their womb. Listened to their mother's words comfort me as it did them. I experienced the first sight of their vampire mother and father as they did; and in doing so, realized that their sight was even better than our own. From them I learned that Naturals could combine their sight with their other senses, such as hearing and smell. Giving them a sonar like vision that allowed them to see past exteriors and look straight through objects around them, and the ability to focus on and actually see the distinctive coloring of a scents vapor trail once they have identified it. Not to mention better-magnified vision, the ability to see heat, and distortions in the air and around the body gifts produce, like shield-types, despite not being classified as one themselves.

I experienced their childhood or what they called their chrysalis stage; with them. Saw the world as it once was; eleven thousand years before my time. Where the supernatural was just the natural. Where witches and mages, were just the cleaner, wiser, green eyed, six fingered, cousins of humans. A time when the children of the moon were frowned on due to their berserker tendencies and threat to one's human stock, but were allowed to be free and untethered by concern or threats of being hunted. A time where shifters only phased out of body and took no other shape, but were seen as a welcomed addition to the 'natural' world, despite their reluctance to associate themselves to it. A saw a time where the only humans were either 'farm grown' humans or wild humans. It was a world where each of us was the maker and keeper of his or her own laws, but community, fellowship and intellectual discovery were the ideals they strived for. A world where quest to further one's knowledge and know how, while traversing the natural dangers of the world, were the only adventure to be had. A fascinating world with few strife's, with all living openly and naturally as they were meant to; with human beings the weakest and most unlearned, and barely a thought in their minds.

So as I watched life through him, I listened to the rapid internal beating of his hearts as they heard it then. I watched how they fed from their parents' wrist, for the first several years of life, till reaching their full heights of six two. Making them proverbial giants given that the average height was around five-four for human men and vampire alike. I watched them learn how to hunt wild humans for themselves, and capture, Master-less half breeds.

Saw their home; a maze of spectacularly designed caves, being carved out from inside of a mountain, by their captured labor force. And watched as they drained the wild master less half breeds and humans from vein and bone, for strength, as their father and mother stressed to them the importance of getting as strong as possible before their bodies harden.

From them, I felt an unconditional love, obedience, even reverence for their parents. Watched their parents make a new host of Bittens in a single day, to act as guards for their valley and a buffer between them and their enemies.

I observed their parents herd and discipline their new horde of near a hundred newborns, with nothing more than their superior strength and speed over them. Never once using their inbred talents; instead choosing to use their natural sire bonds to keep them loyal instead of fear.

I watched them learn how to read and write the spoken word, alongside their bitten. I watched how they trained, ran, laughed, as well as fought with their bitten guards, almost every day, in order to get as strong and fast as possible, before they hardened.

I saw how their broken bodies healed no matter the trauma. And watched their father make demonstrations of the effects of flames on their bodies compared to that of a Bitten. Showing them that they are not as susceptible to fire as we were. For even in their hardened state, they would burn no faster than a human would. Which was far from the almost instantaneous combustion that we would suffer.

I saw that when they turned fifty, their father took them to a gathering of other naturals to find a mate, but also to hear loose talk, and secure an intelligent human, in hopes of making a gifted half breed, to oversee his other bitten. And it was from that same gathering, the brothers learned of my master and his father, whose rage had just begun to spread over into other lands. But given it was so far away, none at the gathering gave it any credence.

I relearned about singers and gained even further insight. I learned that they were nothing more than orphaned children of fallen natural borns who were defeated in battle, and whose children were left alive to carry the shame of their families' loss further, as they were left to degenerate into a genetic atavisms. Learning that without blood and venom, they would slowly regress into a being physically resembling and socially ranked just above a human, if their parent death took place during their chrysalis.

I learned that they were shunned by others naturals, out of respect for the victor. Their punishment allowed to be carried out continue on. Leaving them with no hope of fulfilling obtaining their birthright.

And learned that once they have devolved enough, their only option were either to accept their fate, and mate with a misshapen unwashed human, or willingly let their line die out, completing their sentence.

My lessons continued as I watched Stefan and his Vladimir traverse their chrysalis years, their bodies hardening more and more, as their strength grew, up until they hit their century mark, where their physical growth halted, and bodies completely hardened over, signaling an end to their chrysalis stage.

I watched how their parents finally took them out into the world, and brought them to faraway lands. I saw when they returned almost two millennia later to see the valley and nearly all the naturals they knew destroyed and burnt by in large, due to my masters and his father's wrath.

I saw their father decide for the family to befriend my master and his father, and submit to their power, rather than challenge it. I watched as they fought alongside them, and watched their mother die only a few decades' later, when she was overpowered by two other naturals, and burned in five separate fires. I saw how the viciousness of her death, finally made the war their own.

Over millenniums, I watched as they fought with words and fists with my master over his lack of interest. I watched as Master Q'aal's father perished as the brothers and their father fought like mad men trying to get to him in time. I saw when their father came to them to tell them that Q'aal forfeited his role to him and left. I watched a few months later, as their brother waited after the last battle, just to hear news that their father's forces were ambushed and destroyed by a new, more powerful group. A group they believed Q'aal made an enemy of and knew was coming, when he retreated.

I saw when they realized that numbers weren't going to get them the revenge they sought with this new group, and saw when it all turned around for them, and when they began thinking strategically. I saw how desperation made them truly see how to properly use their gifts. Showing them that it could do more than just create calm newborns with never-ending loyalty despite their abuse. I saw how they began to create their hierarchy of infiltrators and spies, and watched how the victories came in regularly, because of it.

I watched them on the day they learned how a bite from one of them or their creations, can take the loyalties and control, from someone who was already a vampire. I watched how they lived in and through the minds of their hive. And how they manipulate their lives; moving it towards a set purpose, no matter their own desire or distance apart. I watched them win their wars, and watched empty emotional aftermath of victory. Of having to rule a dull and fearful kingdom; sitting still for centuries as they had everything brought to them. Living without a single spark of life within themselves.

I saw them instigate conflict, just to have something to do. Making fake wars. At first to fill the void of empty time, then more smartly, as a stratagem.

I saw the day they learned of my master Q'aals whereabouts, and how it sparked something within them to do. And saw that in their minds, that they believed master Q'aal and his father responsible for both their parents' deaths. An action they got their retribution for, as they set Volterra ablaze. Something they didn't seek out, but when the opportunity presented itself, they took it, and thought no more of it.

.

.

Their concentration was upon winning whatever engagement they were in. Just like they were about to win this one. Because it was also from Stefan's memories, that I fully realized the trap he and his brother had lead us into.

It was all planned perfectly, with every loss previously accounted long before they even engaged with us. Our campaign against the brothers over that past millennium was most entertaining to the brothers. When we lost in the early years, they left us alone to rebuild and try again, so that their games with our lives could continue. And they were glad they did, for when they suffered their first actual lost in millenniums, despite all they had going for them, it was completely and truly unexpected, and filled them with a rush of fear they had not felt in nearly three millenniums. Caius, Marcus, and I were now the prime warlords, after our supposed 'betters', had been destroyed in one battle or another. Once the roles fell to us, we changed our strategies immediately. And almost overnight, changed the ratios between our victories and defeats, drastically. And to their minds, we had been deemed their greatest adversaries. But now a winner had to be decided, and they had decided, it was going to be them.

We had suffered heavy losses before the great chase, but they suffered more. They lost over seventy percent of their forces, but now I knew they did so purposely. They literally pushed the ones they didn't want any more to move forward, then left their minds and bodies alone to defend itself against and enemy they did not make. And once the exact number of people they wanted to lose were met and accounted for, they fled, as planned. And with so few numbers, we had no choice but to follow in hopes that we will be able to deliver the final blow.

But that was the trap. For they had already sent small groups ahead to the neighboring villa's, villages and cities along their escape route, and had them turn as many as possible.

It was all a ruse. They never played by any rules and were completely unpredictable. Because now that our army was held up here, thinking they were about to claim victory, the brothers freshly forged forces, with the strength of a newborn but minds of a centurion vampire, were now thundering through the valley opening, numbering eight times our numbers.

Our group was talented, but half-starved, and those with talents, mentally exhausted from repeated use.

They already had the advantage with numbers, but with their hive mind, they were able to coordinate with one another far better than we were able to yell out instructions in hope everyone did as told, despite their panic.

It was a scramble. Pure chaos. Due to my ability to absorb any fighting technique created through touch, I knew I was the best shot between Marcus, Caius and I had of getting out of there. But we were getting pummeled. All three of us were sent crashing to the through the dirt by Stefan alone. Worse still, he didn't even look like he was trying. And after living his life, I knew he wasn't.

Natural born's were as far above us, as we were above humans. Hence the vernacular, half breed.

But all too soon, the gods sought to flip everything on its head, and gave both sides new concerns.

It seems during our long chase and melee, our two groups had found ourselves near the border of another's territory. Though neither of us knew it then, it would be a mistake that would cost us both, dearly.

The new horde came over the Everest mountain tops, bringing the patchwork of skirmishes we were engaged in the valley below, to a grinding halt, as each adversary backed away from the other to assess the new threat.

Thousands showed themselves, covering the mountains, moving far too rapidly, even for vampires to block all escape but one. And from that alone, I knew that every-single-one-of them were Natural Born.

My thoughts at the time were, we had somehow just made the very last mistake of our existences.

Once they were settled, only one moved forward. Wearing a strange garment I've never before seen, or have seen since. Looking more fitted for a dinner party, she dryly announces our trespass, and before either side could entreat her favor in any way; she raised her arm, positioned her fingers and with a loud snap, set the closest bundle of fighters ablaze. Her fire ending rapidly as her snap, quickly defused in a miniature whirlwind, that burning hundreds to cinder, in an instant.

She gave us no moment for thought, talk, or theatre. Nor did she show the slightest interest in our continued existence. She was utterly merciless. And for the second time, I was in awe and filled with envy of another's gift.

Enraged, Maria's group rushed her with a madness that I haven't seen in her since the discovery of our masters' death. I would learn later that it was because, Trahmel, the last of our masters' guard, and close companion since the beginning of this conflict, had been among the first to perish in those flames. But before Maria and her group got within leaping distance, the woman raised her hand, and with another thick snap of her fingers, they were ignited as well.

It was time to leave. Orders be damned, our forces began to flee toward the lone exit. But the brothers, who were not willing to quit the field due to an ill timed interruption by an anonymous interloper, pushed their forces on her. But did so only to realize she had two hands, and could snap them both at will.

The doubling of her snap, had increased its output.

They lost thousands in an instant.

It was a humbling sight. Thousands so called 'immortal', the strongest of all creatures in existence, finished off, with a single snap of a finger.

After seeing that, the brother's faces showed me that they were ready to admit defeat today, but would undoubtedly be contesting this infraction in the future. And as if she sensed that very thing, her snaps began to ring out constantly, every five seconds. Indiscriminately destroying everything not belonging to her region.

In the end, we had lost fifty-one-hundred of the remaining sixty-three hundred we started the chase with. And the brothers, much, much more. But among the losses of so many prized friends and allies, we had lost Didyme, and had thought to have lost Maria as well. Those were a crippling blow to the moral of our leadership, and army. For both had grew to be an excellent field commanders; and Didyme's aura of 'bliss' accounted for much of our ability to retain our number throughout the centuries.

Our campaign seemed to be at an end. Many thoughts leaned towards defeat, for what was the use of defeating one seeming unstoppable force, if only to contend against an even worse evil right after. It was one of the few times I did not have any reply. Not even a quick quip to help adjust their perspective. For even to my mind it seemed like folly to continue.

We were outclassed by a wide margin no matter how one chose to gaze upon it. It took us near a thousand years to get that close to defeating the brothers' army; and did so, just to find out they weren't an army at all. Just extensions of the brother's most fortunate gift. A gift that placed them in a class of power all their own. And then we learned, that even in their class, there are those more gifted still.

Within days, we went into hiding and stayed there. But a within a few months after that, word had reached us that the brothers had indeed done the unthinkable, and challenged the aptly named snap-dragon once more; standing at the head of their newly formed army. Their largest formation by all accounting. Eighty thousand newly recruited to serve their cause.

The word told that the two forces met in a battle that started at the rise of the sun, and lasted till the rise of moon. Unlike with us, the brothers held nothing back. This war was for all or nothing.

Their battle included chanting witches and mages on both sides, whose abilities were use blocking the use of mental gifts, and rapidly put up barriers preventing damage from physical ones. Extending what was still the quickest war in our history.

In such a fight, the brothers held the upper hand. So naturally, some adjustments were made.

With a desperate gamble and despite being out numbered nearly fifteen to one, the snap dragon's forces pushed through, allowing a few to make their way to the brothers witches. Beating their barrier down, with rapid cycling between mental and physical brute force. Making them fear for their own defenses and leaving the brothers army open to assault.

And when enough of them were distracted, or fled, the snap dragon, looking disheveled and battle worn, bearing a slightly cracked face, courtesy of Vladimir himself, slammed her hands together with thunderous clap, igniting the entire expanse of the valley, and all who weren't protected, in a ball of fire that plumed and billowed high into the clouds, like the rising of a second sun.

The aftermath showed her mages were much more battle hardened than the brothers. Their barriers had protected a greater majority of her army, than the brothers did of their own. Most likely because they were used to the incredible force of her gift possessed.

Tens of thousands were charred black, sharply reducing the brothers' advantage in numbers, but it was an advantage they still possessed. But not one that would last much longer.

Though still heavily outnumbering their opponent, without the majority of their witches and mages, the brothers' lost their advantage. Their force of bitten, were exposed to overwhelming strength and speed, as well as every incredible mental and physical talent their opposition possessed.

Against so many abilities, there was nothing they could do. The battled had turned with a thunderclap, and a victor was decided.

Within an hours of the blast, the last remnant of the brothers' forces and the brothers themselves were added one of the many on-going pyres that turned the billowing clouds, violet. And that was that.

We heard story after story like that in the coming weeks. But we didn't believe it. Couldn't believe it. Not without proof. But in time I was finally able to get my hands on one of the many witnesses that trailed their large army, and who had watched the skirmish, safely, high in the mountains.

I confirmed it all as if I was there. It was all true. The brothers were dead and the snap dragon had retreated back to her lands. Our war was over.

Needless to say, the rule fell to us as their former challengers. And also needless to say, all stayed clear of that woman's region.

In the end, we did not get the whole world, but what we had was plenty.

END CHAPTER

Don't worry folks. The next chapter is not going to be a lifetime away. Promise.

A/N: In my mind if Aro and the others had fought the 'Romanian Brothers for centuries' as depicted in the books, then there had to be a reason, right? The SM version seemed to 'tame', and I don't see that battle lasting past a decade, let alone centuries. To me, if you won the world in a struggle, then the struggle to get it needed to be something much more than what was depicted.

Also her reason to bring the Volturi on the Cullens was weak as well. ( Which I know had nothing to do with this.) At the time we appreciated it, but… looking back after reading so many different reasons, I had to say it was soft.

Hear me out. Aro's ridiculous arguments "After" he announced Reneesmee was not an immortal child, was just pure lunacy. If he wanted to paint the Cullens as criminals, why not expose them for what they told Charlie? (Aka his 'need to know basis') Because it could be easily argue that giving someone 90% of the clues was enough for them to make the final leap. Especially if the person is a chief of police. Because to me, if they took away 'righteous cause' aspect of the argument away from the Cullens, then they would've been nothing but criminals trying to get away with a crime. But nooooo, that was too obvious. So it was never mentioned in order to reach H.E.A faster. SMGDH.

I also believe that if you going to have a confrontation for the ages, let it not be between your group of forty, versus my group of twenty-seven. *lame* If you're going to have a confrontation of the ages, let it be one of such magnitude, that it threatens to shatters the very age itself. MUwhahaahahaha.

I won't give more than that. But you have plenty of clues already. This won't be small stakes people. We're going for it all here. Trust me, I'll make it work. Just give me the time, and I promise, I'll make it work.

Second A/N: This and the next chapter are mainly a catch up chapter.

"Catch up to what?" you ask. Catch up to what is going on with the rest of the world. You know, the supernatural world. The world Cullens, thanks mainly to Carlisle's 'humans are great' blinders, don't really pay attention to. So I had to point out A LOT of things here. Hence the other reason for its great length.

Okay. Now onto the questions… *cheese*

QUESTIONS:

Sooooo, was it worth the wait?

What are your thoughts regarding 'natural born vampires?'

Any thoughts on the concept of Aro not having a free ride in his rule?

What do you think about the effects of animal blood? What do you believe it could mean for the Cullens?

What do you think of the origins of singers? :)

Thoughts on Athenadora quest to keep everything even?

Question on the fact that Maria was supposed to be the one to lead next?

Question on Master Q'aal and his 'relationship' with Aro?'

Thoughts on the revised Stefan and Vladimir? Better?

Thoughts on Aro reflection of Jane's report.

Holla at me folks. Let me know what is on your mind. TILL NEXT TIME!