Underworld: End of an Era
(Hey everyone. This story came into mind a long time ago. The Underworld franchise was something that drew my intention with a, kinda, different presentation of werewolves and vampires. I'm not fond of how they're mostly portrayed and this franchise also has its flaws as well. It was something that I felt needed an ending that could also represent, possibly, the usual werewolf vs vampire story and how it's terribly tragic and not to mention the endless bloodshed of people, regardless of species. To those who read my other stories, yes I know this is another story, I'm sorry. Being in this writer's block I need to write whatever I can to get my mind back on track to do all my stories. Sorry for those who don't know me and my stories, it's just a mess with me. Regardless, I hope this is an interesting story that I hope might possibly present the end of the war within the franchise (despite it probably not going to happen, at least, probably not like this).)
Prologue
(Unknown location)
The room's walls are lined with carved white stones whilst candles brighten the room and the orangish-yellow light dances against the stones. On the walls are paintings of knights, some spearing beasts through their hearts, and holy men, looking over as people are tied and burnt at the stake. A table with several chairs along its length sit several individuals. Mostly men, but a few women as well. Along the perimeter of the room stand men and a few women, guarding the area. Some of those seated at the table talk while others argue.
"We need to make a policy of going door to door! As we did when they were first discovered! Rip them out root and stem!" One man proclaimed.
"What we need is to be strategic! Send out false communications of locations of safe houses! Set up traps where we can box them in and take them out!" One woman said.
Some of the people at the table sit in silence, eyes at the seat at the head of the table. The bickering voices continue to rise. Across the room from the chair two large doors open. A group of men walk towards the table. One is a lean built man of African descent with a cruel frown. Another is a tall, bald Caucasian man with an angry scowl with a hint of an arrogant smirk. At the head of the group is an old man, dressed in holy robes. The room quiets as they see the man approach. He smiles and shakes the hands of some of the people there, some kiss his hands as he stretches it out to them. Some of the people there scowl at the two significant men at his side, but don't say anything. The old man takes his seat at the head of the table, the two men standing behind him at either side.
"My friends, please forgive my late arrival. I was in prayer," the old man said.
"Of course, Father. We were just discussing plans," one of the men said.
"I know, my son. My friends, please, do not bicker with one another. Our righteous rage must be focused on those that infect this world. Our first attempts to cleanse this world went well for a time, but we did not succeed entirely," the old man proclaimed.
"The Purges slaughtered many...not as many as we thought," one woman stated.
"Somehow they managed to keep fighting each other in considerable numbers," another added.
"Why not let them continue to kill each other? And when both sides are at their most vulnerable, numbers depleted and their guards are down, we sweep in and kill those that remain," one man suggested.
"They're like cockroaches, they just keep managing to stay alive no matter how hard they're squashed," one person scoffed.
"They say evil is constant, that as long as there is good, so shall there be evil. But this is something I hope we can prove wrong. Gathered here are people who seek to destroy the corruption that gnaws at our world," the old man said, standing up and raising his hands to direct them at the people before him.
"We know, Father, but the start of the cleansing of this world wasn't born of righteousness. A small faction of the bestial monsters revealed the world to what goes bump in the night," one woman replied, her voice bitter.
Others nodded in response.
"Yes, that is true. The start of the cleansing was unfortunately a tactic by one of the monsters to gain power under the guise they were dead. But given our knowledge that they are dead and their unholy schemes are now but ash, we know that the world doesn't need to know the horrible truth. All they need to know is that our people uncovered the truth of what lurks in the dark and that we are finally going to finish them!" The old man proclaimed.
Those sitting at the table clapped and cheered. The old man smiled by brought his hands up and slowly lowered them.
"But, there is still work to be done. To end this war will not be easy. There are still a considerable number of both kinds of monsters left. And as all you know, a new army has to be prepared, trained, and armed to end this," the old man said.
Those seated nodded. One man, dressed in a military uniform with several badges and pendants on his coat, stands up.
"Sir, given the nature of these creatures, the unknown exact numbers there are, and where they may be...it's going to be harder to hunt them down now. The first cleansing was effective, but they're going to be more careful now. Somehow they kept their war going and we only recently learned of this," one woman stated.
The old man nodded in agreement, rubbing his chin in contemplation.
"Yes...but we know of reports from citizens about strange yet familiar sounds in local areas that may lead to where their holes are," one man added.
"It is believed that there is at least one coven left for the parasites. For the beasts, we're not sure," a man stated.
"We will find them, my friends. For now, we have an idea where one of central ground for some of these demons are. If we can discover where it is, we will be that much closer to our world being cleansed," the old man proclaimed.
Most of those gathered clapped and cheered. A man in uniform walked into the room and to the old man's side. The bald man took a step back and the uniformed man knelt down and whispered something. The old man smiled and stood up.
"Now, I must attend to a matter. I shall return shortly, please continue, I will catch up when I'm back," the old man said.
"Yes, Father," those at the table said in unison.
He patted the informant's arm with a thankful smile then proceeded to leave; the two men that came in with him followed him along with the informant.
"Are you sure you need to do this, sir? I'd be more than happy to do it myself," the man with the sunglasses said.
"I must, but your candor is most appreciated," the old man said.
"Thank you...Father," the man replied.
The informant looked nervously at the two men. The Father, as he was called, saw this.
"Rest easy, my son. These two are not our enemies," the Father chuckled.
"A-As you say...I-I'm just-" the man tried to reply.
"I know, you may return to your duties. I know the way," the Father said as they came to a stop.
The informant knelt and kissed the Father's ring finger then left, looking back nervously at the two men before walking out of sight. The two younger men looked at one another, their faces with a mix of emotions. The Father turned to look at them.
"He means you no ill will," he said.
"He should," the black man replied.
"I didn't expect to be liked," the bald man added.
"They have yet to know both your true selves. In time they will," the Father replied.
"They already do, Father," the black man grumbled.
"They know part of you. The cursed part is all they know for now," the Father said.
"That's all we are: cursed, monsters," the black man replied.
The old man put a hand on his shoulder as they came up to a room, guarded by a few men in special forces gear. The guards saluted the old man, who nodded to them.
"When we succeed, you won't be," the Father said.
The Father led them into the room. The room was an interrogation room. The observation half of the room had two men in chairs, who both stood up to salute the Father. The old man smiled and motioned for them to sit and they did as he requested. He looked through the viewing screen, the room shined with almost blinding light...except for one corner. A see through fabric blocked that corner, which was cast in darkness. There was motion in the darkness.
"Has it talked anymore?" The Father asked.
"Just the usual, sir," one of the guards answered.
The Father nodded his head a little.
"I shall get answers," he said.
"Sir? It's very dangerous. Despite there mostly being light in the room, it can still grab you," one of the guards replied.
"I have protection," the Father said, nodding to the two men with him.
"S-Sir? A-Are you sure? I mean they're-" One of the guards tried to say.
"Needed allies, they seek what we seek. They will protect me," the Father said.
The guards looked hesitant at both men. They didn't return the look of the guards, but focused on the dark spot. But the guards nodded to the Father. The bald man opened the door, walking in first. The black man walked in next, then the Father.
"Freak!" The black man said.
There was motion in the dark corner.
"You have its attention, Father," the black man stated.
"Where are the rest of you?" The Father asked.
There was no answer.
"Answer him," the black man warned.
There was motion in the darkness, but no answer again. The black man frowned and shot forth with incredible speed. He grabbed something in the darkness. There were cries of panic and the man pulled out a young man. His eyes went wide and his flesh started to hiss as it started to burn.
"Ok! Ok!" He cried out.
The black man released him. The young man jumped back into the darkness.
"Talk now, parasite!" He demanded.
"I-I...I don't know the exact location...I'm not a part of any of the remaining covens," he said.
The black man took a menacing step forward.
"B-But I know that there's at least one in a city! But I've heard it's a fortress! It would be suicide to attack it!" The young man replied quickly, fear in his voice.
"Darkness will give way to light," the Father replied.
The young man didn't reply to this.
"What else?" The black man shouted.
"T-There are new elders...three...perhaps more powerful than the originals...at least two of them might be,"the young man stammered, managing to answer coherently.
"They're growing stronger," the bald man grunted.
"Like cancer," the black man grumbled, something in his mouth caught the young man's eye.
"Y-You? B-But how are you not b-" the young man started to ask.
The blakc man lunged forward and grabbed him.
"I'M NOT ONE OF YOU!" He screamed.
He had pulled the young man into the light. He cried out in pain as his flesh started to smoke. The Father put a hand on the black man's shoulder, who grumbled as he released his grip. The young man whimpered and gasped, trying to hide in the darkness.
"What else?" The Father asked.
"There...There's an armistice between the species," the young man answered.
"That gives them a chance to replenish their strength," the bald man grumbled.
"Just more to kill," the black man scoffed.
"W-Why are you doing this?! Y-You're one of us!" The young man said.
The black man reached for something in his coat, pulling out a large dagger. The serrated edges shined brightly. A beam of light reflected from it and hit the young man's face. He hissed in pain as his face burned. He put his arms in front of his face, blocking the light.
"How many of you are there left?" The Father asked.
"I-I don't know!" The young man screamed.
"You're lying!" The black man shouted.
He reflected the light onto the young man again, who screamed in pain.
"Where are they?!" The black man yelled.
"I don't know! All I know is that it's in Eastern Europe!" The young man cried out.
"Not good enough," the bald man grunted.
He walked forward and grabbed the young man in the shadows, pulling him out with one hand. The young man screamed as his skin burned, four fangs visible in his mouth.
"I heard they might be in the Czech Republic! Stop! Please!" The vampire screamed.
The bald man frowned at him, but released his grip. The Father rubbed his chin, contemplating.
"This narrows the search some. At least we have a large group of the demons in a specific area," the Father said.
"I-I told you...everything I know...please...please let me go," the vampire begged.
"How about I send you on your way to hell?" The black man said, a cruel smile on his face.
"Why?! Why are you doing this?! You're one of us!" The young man screamed.
"No I'm not!" The black man spat.
"You walk in the light...but you're still one of us...why?" The vampire asked.
"I'm tainted because of you freaks!" The black man spat.
"Y-You're immortal? How are you tainted? Free of disease and aging," the vampire stammered.
"I am diseased! But having a common disease is better than this virus!" The black man berated.
The vampire tried to crawl back into the darkness, to hide away, but it was for not.
"I-I had cancer...terminal...but I was lucky to find one of us who pitied me...I was free of the disease...but the Purges started...and I was on the run," the vampire said.
"You just gave up one cancer for another," the bald man scoffed.
"I've never been more alive! P-Please! I-I don't want to die," the vampire pleaded.
"Is there nothing more to reveal?" The Father demanded.
"N-No...please...I'm begging you!" The vampire cried out.
The Father nodded to the black man, who smirked.
"No!" The vampire cried out.
He lunged out, trying to grab the old man. But the bald man and black man grabbed him, each taking hold of an arm. They held him in the light. The vampire thrashed as he screamed in horror and pain, his skin burning as he caught fire. The Father didn't flinch, he just watched as the vampire became a charred corpse. The two men released the body as it soon enough became ash.
"Well done. We have some information to continue the Purge," the Father complimented.
"We'll find the nest of parasites. Once they're gone, the rest will be easy to kill," the black man said.
"What about the others? The animals are still out there," the bald man said, his voice full of hatred.
"As far as we know they don't have a leader, but they'll fall as well," the black man added.
"As I said: darkness will give way to light," the Father said.
"Yes, Father," the two men stated.
The old man smiled.
To be continued…
(I hope this prologue was a good start to the story. Had it in mind for a while now. Parts of it anyways and yes, there's obviously a 'reference' to a certain fictional vampire that I deeply hate. Underworld has been/is a memorable franchise. I don't like everything done/shown in it, which I shall express in this story. Regardless, I hope this is a good story you all will enjoy.)