Washington, DC, United States of America, November 3, 2020, 22:50 local time
The vampire approached the podium decorated by American flags. In attendance, many of his kind were cheering while humans were bitten and their blood drained. The Cainite said:
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight… we won! Four years ago, when a reality TV show star was elected, people said that the end was near. It was close, I admit, but not quite the end. Now, look at us. No more division! No more fight for ideology, no more conservatives or liberals. No more tree huggers or Pepe-worshipping neckbeards with micropenises. They are united! We united them, brothers and sisters! They are now what they were supposed to be since the beginning of time: kine! A herd for us to feed upon it whenever we need!"
The vampires were cheering while several humans were crying. The new president continued:
"American society is ill, my friends! Ill! Look at a woman from a distance and she will sue you for everything you're worth. "He totally raped me," she would say. Well, ladies, I'm afraid you would crave to be raped by fellow kine after we're done with you, right, brothers?"
A maddening chorus replied:
"Yes!"
The president continued:
"Useless humans with no education who call themselves nationalists and conservatives and use terms as "right", "second amendment" or "tradition" without knowing their true meanings, well… I'm not sure how guns will save you from us, Mr. NRA-lover, 4chan-dweller, Trump-asskisser fuck!
Three vampires shot down a group of men in the crowd and then proceeded to feed on them.
"From this day forward, America will be for… vampires! All rights for humans are as of today null and void! And from now on, they will be referred to as cattle, to be harvested for our needs!"
Paris, France, present day
"No!"
Johann's cry made the vampires around him nervous. Malkav asked:
"What happened? What did you see?"
Nissiku replied:
"The End Time! That's what he saw! Look!"
The Methuselah turned on the TV and the battle between Vasilisa and Baba Yaga was there for all the world to see, devastating Moscow in the process. Malkav was livid.
"Mad woman, even madder than us."
"What are we going to do about it, father? I'm sure we can't serve her pie, right?"
"No, not pie. My daughter, take our precious boy and prepare him for travel. We go."
The woman took the boy out of the hotel room.
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, November 15, 1989, 19:36 local time
The funeral home was not full. Just a dozen of people. Among them, Gratiano de Veronese. He sat on a chair in front of the small coffin. Near the vampire sat an elderly woman, dressed in black. She said to him:
"Good evening, sir. Do I recognize you from somewhere?"
The Italian smiled. She lied. Of course, she did not recognize him but she was afraid of being considered impolite. Even an old woman like her would wonder what a man such as him could be doing at the viewing of her deceased granddaughter. He replied:
"I knew your daughter, Sandra. When she passed, I was… very hurt. Now, I found out her daughter, Cristina died too."
"Yes… Why is God so cruel, mister? In February, I buried my daughter. Now, Cristinita too… why are we cursed?"
Gratiano sighed and said:
"Such is life."
"I know but…"
"At least they are in a better place, reunited in Heaven."
He felt disgusting saying these things but he needed to appear somewhat human. His mission was too important for him to fail it because he appeared less of a human being. Gratiano then said again:
"Can I approach the coffin?"
"Of course, sir."
It took only three steps for him to be near the coffin. Inside, a small girl dressed in pink with a doll in her hands slept her eternal sleep. The Methuselah then took something from his pocket and slipped it in the coffin, making sure no one sees him. Then, he excused himself and left.
20:11 local time
He drove towards a mansion near the lagoon. Arriving there, a man welcomed him:
"Lord Gratiano, please, come in."
He entered. The luxury of the place delighted him but he didn't have time to enjoy it too much as he went straight for a room upstairs. Inside, a woman with long brown hair and brown eyes said:
"Did you do it?"
"I did. I put that damnable pendant in your daughter's coffin. I also met your mother."
She got sad:
"Mother… How was she?"
"Well, sucks to be her, honestly. Her granddaughter dead, her daughter… dead."
The woman snapped:
"I SHOULD HAVE BEEN WITH HER! WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?"
"I didn't do shit to you, Sandra! I hoped these months would help you cope with what you are but..."
"I AM A MONSTER! A DEMON FROM HELL!"
"On that, we agree. You are a monster, just as I am, but no, Sandrita, we are not demons. The demons were those who killed your daughter! No Cainite did that to her."
"You SWORE you would destroy them!"
"And I will, provided you tell me what I need to know. I played the part of errand boy for you tonight, now speak."
"Alright. After Geraldo… made me a monster, I escaped one night from the mansion. I went to see Cristina. Then, Diogo, my husband… well, former husband, he saw me. He started to scream… I felt an immense hunger so I ran. I couldn't hurt him. When I returned to the mansion, Geraldo threatened he would kill my daughter slowly and painfully with the ritual he devised if I run away again."
"So it's a ritual. Did you see any symbols or any books? Something strange?"
"It was a book… pages were covered in these strange patterns. He had a man coming to the mansion every night for like three months and he would try to translate that book. I think he managed to do it."
"Have you seen the translation?"
"No. He was very secretive about it. I only saw some pages from the book. There were weird triangles and patterns of stars I think on them."
"Good. It's a beginning."
"Gratiano, someone called the mansion. A doctor. He wanted to see you at the Espirito Santo Hospital tonight."
"I will call him. Have you fed tonight?"
"Not yet…"
"Go out and find yourself some nice politician. They are all the rage these days with this election today. A, that reminded me, did you vote today? Oh, sorry, I forgot… you are legally AND physically dead."
"Stop being cruel, Gratiano. You are better than that."
"I am a fucking saint, right? If you don't want to go outside, drink from the juicebag. I want you well fed, do you understand?"
"Yes, I do."
"Good. I bid you farewell."
Downstairs, Gratiano called the hospital.
"Espirito Santo Hospital. How can I help you?"
"I need to speak with Dr. Sousa. Tell him is his Italian friend. He'll understand."
"Immediately."
A few moments later, a man spoke to the vampire:
"Mr. de Veronese, the woman came here. She will give birth in a few hours, I reckon."
"Shit. What the hell happened? She wasn't supposed to give birth now but in December."
"She is in pain and has elevated blood pressure. We gave her meds and as soon as her BP drops, we'll be performing a C-section."
"Good, I'll come by midnight."
"Thank you. I'll wait for you."
Gratiano left the mansion and drove towards Corcovado. Reaching the mountain, he then fed on a passerby and then he climbed the steps until he reached the statue.
He sat there for an hour or so. The Lasombra stood there, at the feet of the grand statue of Jesus Christ on top of the Corcovado. He was smoking a cigarette and was looking at the city. Near him, a young man with dark skin and dreadlocks was listening to a radio he carried. Gratiano approached the boy and said:
"So, who won the election?"
"Collor. I'm telling you, man, that guy is a fucking crook."
Gratiano de Veronese smiled. Of course he knew the good people of Brazil would elect a crook. He made sure of that. The Methuselah then smiled, saying to the man:
"Smoke?"
"Ah, man… I shouldn't do this but… fuck, give it here."
The Italian vampire passed a cigarette to the boy and then lit it for him.
"Thanks, man."
"No problem. But, why shouldn't you do this? You've got cancer or something? If so, it's too late to quit now, I tell you."
"No, man, God forbid that shit. You know, we're here, smoking near Jesus. It's… fucked up."
Gratiano looked at the statue. Its arms were spread as if Jesus would embrace the entire city. He smiled and said:
"Jesus tolerates a lot of bad stuff. Believe me, if he suffered Adolf, Stalin and Uruguay winning the World Cup in '50, he wouldn't mind two guys just… enjoying a smoke at his feet."
"You're right, man. Hey, what's your name?"
"I'm Gratiano."
"I'm Tiago. Weird name. Is it Spanish?"
"No, Italian."
"Ah, Italian, cool. I have some relatives in Rome. One is even a priest."
"A priest. How interesting."
"Yeah. He studies under a very important bishop."
"Ah, really? What's his name?"
"He's called Matteo Sianna."
Gratiano almost giggled. Matteo Sianna is the current name that a fifth generation Lasombra called Lysandros the Spartan, an ancient and powerful Cainite, uses. If Thiago's relative studies under the Spartan, he would be a prime candidate for the Embrace as the Greek Cainite prefer to take a… let's call it kinder approach to siring childer than the rest of the Clan. Instead of ruining his desired childe's life, Lysandros instead trains them, teaches them and tests them, taking the mantle of a compassionate mentor rather than a monstrous murderer. The Methuselah's line of thought was interrupted by Thiago:
"Hey man, thanks for the smoke. You're really cool."
Gratiano smiled and put his fedora on, then saying:
"Think nothing of it. I have to go. Have a good night."
"Good night to you, Gratiano."
The Italian Cainite then left the statue and Corcovado behind. After he distanced himself from people, he used his Celerity to return to his car. The city was full with people celebrating the new president. Downtown Rio was decorated with yellow and blue balloons, something that made Gratiano chuckle. After an hour's drive, he stopped in the parking lot of a hospital. Soon, a doctor approached his vehicle, saying:
"Mr. de Veronese. Welcome.
"Thanks. How is she?"
"Well she was brought in at 7 or so, I think. Contractions, pain, all of that."
"And now?"
"We're waiting. Her blood pressure has lowered a bit but we need more time. When it's safe, we'll take the baby out."
"I see."
"Anytime you want, you can come in."
"I'll do it now."
Gratiano left his car and entered the hospital. From rich people to favela inhabitants, a lot of people sat in the waiting room. On a TV, the aftermath of the election was broadcasted. The Italian asked the doctor:
"Tough night, eh?"
"Yes, an accident. A bus was hit by a truck at 9. Even now, we get victims."
"That sucks."
In the elevator, the doctor said:
"After you see the woman, please… I want it."
"You'll get it, don't worry. I will not leave without meeting you."
"Good, good."
Arriving at the fifth floor, Gratiano entered Room 3B. Inside, four pregnant women slept in four beds. The Lasombra approached the nearest bed on the right and took off his hat and his coat, putting them on a table nearby. He then sat on a chair and said:
"Gloria. Are you awake?"
A beautiful blond woman opened her eyes and said:
"Wh… ah… you… Mr. Gratiano…"
"I came here as soon as I heard."
"How did they let you in?"
"I told the doctor I fathered your child. He let me in."
"What? Hah…"
"I'm joking. I don't seem like the fatherly type."
"Ah… nonsense. You are a good man."
Gratiano chuckled at the girl's naiveté. He then said:
"The doctor told me that your blood pressure is a bit high. I thought you were taking your medicine."
"I… I did not have money. I did not take them these last few weeks."
The Italian frowned and said:
"I told you to call me if you have need of anything. And the money I gave you last month would have been enough for your every need. What happened? And please, don't lie."
After a few moments of silence, she replied:
"In the favela, there is a man… he… he sells drugs. He has other men with him. They take money from the people."
"What's his name?"
"Please, Mr. Gratiano…"
"The name."
"Didu… We know him as Didu. Please, don't hurt him… it would only be worse for the neighborhood."
"You know I can't make promises I don't intend to keep. Besides, you will not be living in the favela anymore. After you give birth, you will move to one of my villas outside town. Do not worry; it's going to be fine!"
She smiled. Gratiano kissed her hand with his cold lips and then got dressed:
"After the baby is born, I'll visit you again tomorrow night."
"Thank you…"
Gratiano de Veronese left the room. He saw the doctor on the corridor and winked at him. The man followed the Lasombra in a disused room and said:
"I was waiting so long for this…"
The Italian used his sharp fingernail to open his wrist and the doctor drank deep. After a while, he stopped.
"Good boy. You needed this shit, right? These night shifts are so long, aren't they? Now, take care of her and make sure she and the child are safe."
"Yes, of course."
The vampire left the hospital and entered his car. He noticed that the clock was 00:29. He had plenty of time until dawn. He started the engine and drove away. On the radio, Tom Jobim sang a dreamy bossa nova song, making Gratiano sing along in a cheerful manner. Twenty minutes later, he reached a rundown part of town, full of the myriad houses that made the favela. He then stopped the car and left it near a tree, continuing on foot. Gratiano then started to smoke again. After a while, he found a group of youngsters playing football while many other people watched them. The Italian continued to walk and, after a few minutes, several young men stopped him:
"Hey, rich boy, what are you doing here?"
Gratiano smirked. He then said with a whispery voice:
"Fuck you, assholes."
The men were incensed and grabbed Gratiano, taking him on a dark alley. There, they tried to beat him but the Italian killed most of them using a knife. He only left one guy alive, who was in shock. The Archbishop said:
"Where is Didu?"
"Wh… who?"
"If you start with this who shit, I will kill you just as I killed your friends. I might do it slower, however."
"Please… I… I'll tell you everything."
"I'm listening."
"The red house on the hill… the one near the post office. You will find him there… please…"
Gratiano killed that man too, almost beheading him with one strike of his knife, his vampire strength tearing the thug's neck. Gratiano noticed that his coat was bloody and sighed. Using Celerity, he reached the post office. Near it, he saw the red house his victim talked of. The Sabbat leader decided that what was about to happen need to become a lesson for the other thugs in the favela. Undressing of his coat and suit, remaining only in his white shirt, red tie and black pants and shoes, Gratiano kicked the door with a force that only a supernatural being like him could produce. Inside, several young people attacked him with guns and blades but using Celerity, Gratiano disarmed them with ease, cutting their hands and feet. He asked one of them:
"Point me to Didu… ah, sorry. You have no fingers left. Tell me which one of you is Didu!"
The man was in shock, so he couldn't speak. He then proceeded to eviscerate each man he found in the house. Using their blood, he wrote "I see you!" on the wall. A bit cliché but he needed to send a message. The Italian then dressed himself back and returned to his car. He saw people running up the hill and smiled.
It seems they found my surprise already…
November 20, 1985, 21:03
"Mr. Gratiano, this house is amazing."
"It's not just a house, dearest Gloria. It's a villa. And a luxurious one, I might add. I made sure of that."
A woman dressed in black with a white apron on her approached. Gratiano said:
"Gloria, this is Marcia. She will take care of your every need."
"Hello, Marcia."
"Mrs. Gloria."
"Please, no need to be so formal."
Gratiano replied:
"She's not your equal. You are very important. Come on, Marcia, take Gloria upstairs and make her something good to eat. And healthy."
"Yes, sir. This way, Mrs. Gloria."
Gloria said:
"Mr. Gratiano, the baby?"
"I'll bring him in a moment."
After the two women left, Gratiano looked at the newborn child and said:
"Sleep now, little one. An amazing life awaits you."
The Cainite pricked his finger on his fang and touched the baby's chest with the bloody tip.
Vienna, Austria, present day
The city was in an uproar. Every TV in shops, bars and restaurants broadcasted the "vampiric creatures" that battle in Moscow. The darkness scared everyone in the City of Music. Everyone, except Gratiano. The Italian then took out his phone and after calling his pilot, he said to him:
"Are you at the airport?"
"I am. But we can't fly. Not with this darkness."
"Well, the cat is out of the bag now, so no point in hiding anymore. Go to Brazil and bring the boy to Moscow. Sharpish!"
"As you wish. What about you?"
"I'll have some more stops on my way. Do it."
Moscow, Russia
Atop Saint Basil's Cathedral, the two ancient vampires battled, one another and the military forces trying to kill them. Baba Yaga's horde of mindless minions were engaging the armed forces while the Methuselah was focusing on Vasilisa:
"You are a slave! You are nothing but a slave! Slave to blood, slave to a master who will discard you the moment his objectives are accomplished. Oh, you know nothing! Nothing!"
Vasilisa didn't listen. His attack destroyed one of the onion-shaped domes. Baba Yaga continued her tirade:
"Only if you'd listen to me… But I'll make you!"
The more experienced Nosferatu Methuselah vanished out of sight and then reappeared behind Vasilisa who for the first time since their battle began, was caught off guard. Baba Yaga extended a monstrous arm and grab her enemy from behind. She then said:
"Look at my suffering!"
What the Nictuku saw, changed him forever…"