Jackson Vandal stood gap-mouthed, trying to formulate words but nothing would come out. The other Romans around him had no such problems.
The Laticlavius was yelling now, his face a deep shade of purple, 'Are you seriously trying to tell me that this...this uncouth barbarian is the saviour you've been talking about? The one that was supposed to save our Legion?'
'Not the Legion Laticlavius, but the Empire itself. Perhaps the world.'
The Laticlavius sputtered at this, his entourage wide-eyed and far too shocked to respond. Vandal staggered a little, now firmly convinced that he had died somewhere and was in hell. Only Glaceius managed to speak.
'Soothsayer, I must protest. Are you trying to say that Vandal is some sort of...I don't know what. A saviour of the Empire? Of the world?'
'Indeed. The gods have told me so. They told me to wait for their saviour to arrive and that you, Glaceius, Centurion of the Roman Army, would bring him to me,' he waved his arm, a happy smile on his face, 'and here you are!'
'At the cost of the entire Legion, Soothsayer! At the cost of the Legatus and hundreds of other men! Vandal survived because of the sacrifice of my best soldier, not because of any heroic effort on his part. I owe him my life but I will not believe that he is some Redeemer or Hero from on high.'
'The gods do not care what you believe in Glaceius, only that you do not try to deny your fate. Vandal knows the truth, don't you?' The Soothsayer turned his eyes towards the man, glinting in good humour and truths untold. Vandal could say nothing, too dumbfounded. Glaceius turned to the Laticlavius.
'Did you know anything about this nonsense? Did the Legatus?'
The Laticlavius sighed deeply, 'The Soothsayer told the Legatus that a great danger was on the land in the form of Aediphus. He had obtained some sort of dark power from the Pharaoh priests in the east and intended to use it against Rome. Supposedly there is some kind of artifact in the hills to the north that Aediphus needs to complete his 'transition'.'
'What does this have to do with Vandal?'
'The Soothsayer said that the gods visited him in a dream and told him that they would send a warrior to fight Aediphus, as there was no one here that could stop him.'
'And this dream, when was it?'
'The night before Vandal arrived in our camp,' the Soothsayer said.
The Laticlavius again began to yell in indignation, 'This slob is what the gods have sent? He reeked of booze and vomit when the Legatus found him. The gods did not send him, he fell off a wagon in a drunken stupor!'
'Hercules was a drunk, and he son of Zeus. Would you slur his name too?'
The Laticlavius screamed at the top of his lungs, his words echoing off the distant mountains, 'Are you seriously comparing this idiot to Hercules?'
'Enough talk. What I have to say is not for the ears of politicians such as yourself, Laticlavius. It is for the men of action who change the world, not those that would legislate it,' the Soothsayer held back the fold of the tent, 'Enter Glaceius. Enter Jackson Vandal. We would have words.'
Both entered, feeling the eyes of the Laticlavius and his men burning into their backs.
Vandal licked his lips, unsure of what to say, 'Your, um, superiors are pretty mad.'
'They are not my superiors anymore. They should thank the gods I did not kill them,' Glaceius responded.
The Soothsayer busied himself preparing some sweet-smelling tea. The tent was cool and spacious. A variety of benches with comfortable blankets tossed over them were arrayed around a small fire. The Soothsayer passed around the tea, some cheese and bread for the tired men. Once his guests were situated, he leaned back and spoke to Glaceius.
'I have been watching your career with some interest, Centurion. I am pleased.'
'We're the same age, Soothsayer. Knock it off. I remember you having your 'prediction of the future' fits for the travelers in the city square when we were young. How you managed to fool the Legatus for so long was beyond me.'
The Soothsayer laughed, 'Indeed. I would throw the bones, read the chicken entrails, that sort of thing. Say something ominous and the Legatus would fill my chest with coin. But then...then the gods came to me. That, I swear is not a lie. They came to me, Glaceius, and told me to await the saviour. Here he is.'
'Madness.'
'Is it? What do you think Vandal?'
Vandal felt ill, trying hard not to vomit. He had not felt this way since he first stepped on to ball field, another lifetime ago. 'Do you know how I got here, how I can get home?'
'And home, where is that?' The Soothsayer asked, smiling.
'He comes from some place called America. I have never heard of it and I know all the countries nearby. It does not exist,' Glaceius was angry, his patience at an end.
'Correct, Glaceius. It does not exist. At least not yet.'
Glaceius choked on his tea, 'Not yet? Not yet? What, he comes from tomorrow or something?'
'Yes. From the far distant future. What is time to the gods? What are we but pawns in a game we cannot see or understand? Its rules are hidden from us. Aediphus has somehow worked magic that goes against the laws that govern us all. Why should the gods act any different? Vandal here has been sent to help us.'
'Vandal cannot fight. Even if he could, Aediphus is immune to any weapons we have. He is faster and stronger than any man I have seen on the field, and was run through uncounted times. He did not fall once! How could someone who can't fight or even hold a gladius properly possibly stop him?'
'He does not know these things because where he comes from, he does not need these things. The gods sent him to us, to you, to protect him. They have even allowed him to speak our language and understand what we say.'
'That explains some of the strange terms he uses...'
'Indeed. What say you Vandal?'
Vandal placed his head in his hands and cradled it, rubbing the temples, 'Why me? I don't understand...why me?'
'Why not you? It has to be someone. You do not give yourself enough credit, Vandal. And I am sure there is a reason why they have sent you. All of us have a destiny. Some choose to act on it, some do not. The rarity is those that have their fate forced on them.'
'If he does not know why he was sent here, how are we supposed to know?' Glaceius asked, 'We do not have time to find out. Vandal is useless to us! What can he do against the demon Aediphus?'
Vandal raised his head tiredly, reaching behind him and removing the broken shaft of Marcus's weapon. He had whittled it into a sharp point, the handle crafted to mimic the handle of his gladius. He stared at the point a moment longer. Then he spoke.
'I know how to kill Aediphus.'
Glaceius was dumb-founded, staring at the carved weapon, 'A piece of wood? How can a piece of wood do that demon any harm? He was stabbed with every weapon in the Legion and walked away!'
Vandal sighed, suddenly tired, 'I guess he's not a demon, Glaceius. And this piece of wood could kill him, if we drive it through his heart. Funny,' he though aloud, 'how much you can believe in when you open the door a crack. Just a few days ago, I was drinking in a bar wondering how I was going to pay the rent. Now here I am sitting in front of a fire with some Romans explaining how to kill a vampire.' He laughed then, the Romans looking at each other worryingly.
'It is a lot to take in, Jackson,' the Soothsayer said soothingly, 'Not all of us become tools of the gods.'
'No, just the lucky ones like me. Why, I managed to see a good man die yesterday.'
'If this continues, if Aediphus completes what he plans, then many more will die. And the world you know, the world you come from, will cease to be. You will truly have no home. We must talk more, alone. Glaceius, you are familiar with this area?'
'Yes. I've been posted here for some time. My family is from here as well.'
'Are you familiar with the Temple of Arnack?'
'That old place? It is a pagan temple - even the barbarians no longer go there. Is that where Aediphus goes?'
'Yes. I know you will not rest until Aediphus is stopped. Assemble your horses and whatever supplies you need. I must speak with Jackson.'
Glaceius nodded and left the tent, shooting a dark look at Vandal. The two men were silent a long moment. Then Vandal said, 'I could just tell him how to kill Aediphus. If anyone can do it, that guy could.'
'You had plenty of time to tell him. You even made a weapon without telling him what is for. Why is that?'
'Marcus,' Vandal said quietly, 'Marcus would have tried to stop him and he saved me. I owe him that.'
'True enough.'
'What do you know about Aediphus anyway? Why is he here? You know what he is after don't you?'
The Soothsayer nodded, 'Yes. We are different from them, you and I. We believe in things we cannot see. I because of my trade and you because circumstances forces you to think along a different track. Now, we shall speak of things the soldiers would only scoff at. They would die, you know, without you. They would trust in their sword arm to the last, thinking they would be different from the multitude of men Aediphus slew. But now, now the future has a chance to become the past...'
The Soothsayer's eyes faded, becoming distant as he told what he knew, 'Aediphus wanted power, as most men do. But he wanted it now, without rising through the ranks. He bought his way into the Senate but it was not enough. He wanted to rule, to become Caesar. But the others saw his madness and knew such a thing must not come to pass. They discovered his bribery. Not a grand crime by any means, most of the Senators did it but it gave them the chance they needed. They threw him from Rome and banished him to the desert to the East.
'However, Aediphus chanced on some dark priests who themselves were cast from Egypt. They had experimented in evil rites, rites that even the underworld gods forbade. They had been used to attempt to extend the lives of the Pharaohs, but only created monsters. The price of immortality is always high, more than likely one's humanity. But Aediphus was mad, and agreed to the priests casting their death spells on him. The priests wanted mastery over death and Aediphus saw it as a true opportunity to elevate himself to another plane.
That day was a dark one. Those of us felt the change in the natural law. Aediphus became something other, something beyond dead...'
'Undead,' Vandal said, 'We call them vampires. Although, they are supposed to be fictional.'
'As are the gods and time travel, yes?' The Soothsayer laughed, 'As you said, once you accept one belief you can be amazed at what you can accept as the truth.
'Yes, the spell cast hid Aediphus from the eyes of Anubis, the death god. But the spell was not complete. One piece was missing, one very important piece. The priests had hoped their spell would work without it, as they had some time to refine the dark magic. However, long ago the components of the spell had been wisely hidden away. The priests had found all of them but one, the most important one. The Stone of Ra.'
'Ra?'
'The sun god. The Stone of Ra was given to Isis when she raised her husband, Osiris. Although that story has changed over time and the Stone was conveniently left out. Without the stone, the resurrection spells do not work, as it is a binding agent. If Aediphus manages to obtain the Stone and complete the spell then the rays of Ra, the sun, will no longer harm him. He would be free to walk among the living in day or night.'
'You knew that Aediphus could not go into the sun and still let the Romans attack him at night?'
'No...I only figured it out later, when the Laticlavius told me about the battle and the power he possessed. I prayed that you would come. No one can stop him, Vandal. No one here knows how to kill him. That knowledge will not become known for some time.'
'These Romans, they aren't going to help Glaceius, are they?'
'No. There is only the two of you.'
Vandal nodded and looked at the shaft of wood, 'Tell me, is it my fate to stop Aediphus? Is that why I am here?'
'No, fate does not work that way. You are here only to try to stop him. Our fates are guided but not set in stone.'
'Great,' Vandal said wearily, 'Just great.'
Vandal and the Soothsayer emerged from the tent to find Glaceius reading fresh horses. A short distance away the Laticlavius sat on the ground, nursing a bloody nose as his entourage attended to him, hovering like flies. Vandal smiled at the Centurion. Glaceius merely shrugged.
'We need fresh mounts. The Laticlavius seemed against the loan of his steed. He changed his mind.'
'I see that,' Vandal said, laughing. He climbed on the other horse, taking the reins Glaceius held out for him.
'Are you sure about this, Vandal?' He asked.
'No,' he answered. He thanked the Soothsayer, taking the waterskin the older man handed to him. Glaceius said his goodbye and rode off, never looking back at his former officers. The Soothsayer did not wait for goodbyes, instead retiring to his tent. There was nothing more to say - the only thing left were the actions the men had to take. All three of them understood this.
The Laticlavius watched them, holding his scarf to his damaged nose. His anger had a palatable air around him.
'Ready our remaining horses and the ones that bastard left,' he ordered.
'Where are we headed for, Laticlavius?'
'Back to the fortress to the south,' he looked to one of his men, an older man, 'Your spies should be there by now, yes?'
'Yes sir. They were only a few days ride away.'
'Excellent,' his eyes narrowed shrewdly. The others gathered around, recognizing the look of the gears working in his head, 'We'll return to the fortress. Then, we'll send our spies out into the field. No word will be sent to Rome until I say so. If Glaceius and that fat fool return, they will never set foot on Rome. Is that understood? As for as anyone knows, they died out here. Once they are dead we will return to Rome and inform the Caesar that we managed to defeat Aediphus. If Aediphus is victorious, we will send word to the remaining Legions to stop him and return ourselves to the Emperor to inform him of the danger. He will, no doubt, hail us as heros in that event. Mark my words, men. No one is to know what happened out here. From this point on, Glaceius and the 12th Legion are lost.'
'But that only leaves...'
'Yes,' the Laticlavius said, drawing his gladius, 'the Soothsayer. I will deal with him. Then, we leave this damned place.'
'I know an old path for us to take. If the Soothsayer is right about the old Temple, it will take us to it.'
'All righty,' Vandal said. Both men knew that the path would probably add some time to their travel, but neither man was about to go through the field of battle again, especially after a day had passed. Glaceius had been torn up that the men were not given the proper funeral rites, but some concessions had to be made.
'We should arrive in time,' Vandal said, more to himself than anyone else, 'Aediphus can't do it in the daylight. He can only travel at night. That doesn't leave much time for him. He didn't take any horses too, so he has to be on foot.'
'How do you know all this about Aediphus, Jackson? You do not strike me as a scholar.'
Vandal smiled. It did not escape him that it was the first time Glaceius called him by his first name, 'It's common knowledge where I come from. I used to be quite the fiction buff when I was a kid, used to eat up all that scary stuff. Vampires, werewolves, all sort of things. And to think my dad used to say it was a waste of time.'
'Learning never is. My nephew, he asks about everything. Why, why, why is all he seems to say.'
Any kids of your own?'
'No. The Legion is my family. As is Rome. Through serving her I serve her people. Through protecting her I protect my family.'
Vandal merely nodded, not really understanding the sentiment. They rode fast, in silence for awhile.
'So,' Glaceius ventured, 'You're from the future?
'Looks like it.'
'How far?'
'What?'
'How far ahead?'
Vandal thought a moment. He was a lousy at history, knowing very little. He figured asking Glaceius the date was useless. The Centurion was not about to answer with a date ending in Before Christ. Vandal snickered to himself, what the hell date did they use, anyway?
'Quite a few years ahead, Glaceius. Quite a few centuries even. Wonder if this makes me really old or really young?'
'What of Rome?' He asked, barely hiding his eagerness, 'Does it still stand? The Empire?'
Vandal answered with no hesitation, 'Rome still stands. Other countries, like mine, sprang up. But...' he paused, looking for the correct words that would ease Glaceius. Finding them, he said 'The Roman Empire is still a wonder. Unrivaled by those around her. Don't mention its name, people say, or she'll hear you and come knocking on your door.'
Glaceius could not hide his pleasure.
The rode until nightfall, the nearly full moon bursting into the sky. They set up camp and dined on cheese and bread. Glaceius looked into the sky, watching the moon.
'If Aediphus is going to complete some sort of spell, chances are he'll have to wait for the full moon. The Egyptians worship a moon god known as Thoth, and center their magic around him. He also judges the dead. I would imagine this spell will have to be cast when his eye is 'open', as it where.'
'Yeah. Most of these occult crap you hear about is always on the full moon. So we have a day. Can we make it to the Temple in time?'
'Barely. It will be nightfall for sure.'
'So then, no chance of catching Aediphus napping, huh?'
'No. The Temple is located on the top of a steep cliff. All that remains there is a stone altar, nothing more. I do not see how an artifact could have been left there all this time.'
Vandal shrugged. He was so tired he was having trouble seeing straight. Glaceius walked over and examined the wooden stake Vandal had carved, 'It is apt that you crafted this from Marcus's weapon. Very fitting.'
'Yup. A kind of divine irony. We'll have to drive that through his chest.'
'This will kill him?'
'Nah. Then we'll have to cut off his head and burn the head and body. Then we have to scatter the ashes in separate locations. At least, that's what I remember.'
'Promise me, Jackson, that at least one of us will kill the monster.'
'I'd prefer both, actually.'
Glaceius laughed, his amusement holding a trace of bitterness, 'Sleep, my friend. Tomorrow...is tomorrow.'
The sun rose without fanfare the next morning. The two men gathered their things and quickly rode off, speaking very little. Glaceius led them around the battlefield on a little used game trail, almost completely grown over. Vandal had been worried about hearing the sound of the carrion birds, expecting a deafening cacophony all the way to the mountain pass. What he found was far worse.
Silence. No bird calls, no screech of the vultures. Nothing. At first he was perplexed and almost asked Glaceius about it, then noticed the Roman's face. It was set as hard as stone, his jaw muscles clenched so tightly they seemed about to burst. Tears rolled down his face unchecked. Vandal understood. There was no reason for the vultures to emit their piercing cries; their feast had begun. Vandal tried to think about it no more.
The trail led them to the edge of the mountains. Glaceius told Vandal that the path would wind around the mountain and emerge near the top, connecting to the path Aediphus and his men took. Vandal gazed at it, noticed it was too narrow for the horses. He climbed down and began to sort his equipment, taking only what he needed. A small amount of food, waterskins, and his weapons - the gladius and the carved stake. So intent was he with his unpacking that he did not notice Glaceius having trouble dismounting or his limp.
'Take off you armour, Jackson.'
'Why?'
'We need to move fast and as quietly as we can. In the pass the armour can be heard for miles,' he placed his belt around his shoulders so that his gladius sat high on his side, away from his legs. Then he wrapped his cloak around him tightly. Turning, he began the ascent. Vandal watched him go, his movement's stiff and measured. Glaceius was piling all his grief and rage solely onto Aediphus, the monster becoming the sole star that he steered towards. Vandal shuddered. He would not want to be the object of this man's rage, undead or not.
They climbed quick and sure, breathing heavy in the thinning air. The path, although narrow, was easy to climb. The walls of the mountain kept the sun away from them and cooled them off. They stopped infrequently, only resting because their strength would be needed when they reached the top. When they faced Aediphus.
It was at one of these stops, the sun beginning to descend into the horizon, that Vandal noticed a few drops of blood on the stone path. Looking up, he realized the straps of Glaceius's boot were painted red. His cloak had managed to hide it until then.
'Glaceius, your leg.'
'I know, Vandal. Do not let it slow you down. The path will meet up with the main one around this bend.'
'How bad is it?'
'Bad. But not so bad that I will let it stop me.'
Vandal was about to say more when they emerged on to the main path to the Temple. The sun slipped below the horizon, the stars beginning to bloom in the night sky. The tip of the full moon could be seen. There, on the path scattered about like broken toys, were the remains of Aediphus's officers.
Glaceius shook his head, 'Such is the reward for your loyalty, officers of the Legion of the Damned. Tell me, was it worth it?'
Vandal did not look away, amazed at how quickly he had become accustomed to the face of death. However, these men were different somehow. He examined them more closely. Their throats had been slashed, but no blood pooled from the wounds. They are bone dry, Vandal thought humorlessly. Glaceius hobbled over, his leg giving him much trouble.
'That one is Dragus. He was the Emperor's right hand man. Now look at him.'
'Aediphus killed them, but why?'
'The moon rises. We must hurry,' Glaceius turned and moved up the path, talking to Vandal over his shoulder, 'He must have needed them for some reason to bring them this far.'
'Blood,' Vandal said, the realization dawning on him, 'He must have needed a source of blood before he completed the spell. He brought them up here then killed them, sucking them dry. Then he waited for the night of the full moon.'
'He drinks blood? Truly he is a monster like no other.'
'Not for much longer,' Vandal whispered grimly. Strangely, he found that he was not afraid. Nervous and tense, yes, but he had no fear. He only wanted the night to be done.
Without warning, they found themselves before the Temple entrance.
Glaceius ducked behind the rocks, followed swiftly by Vandal. He gave a quick intake of breath, his leg buckling under him. He slapped his fist against it in a burst of anger, cursing. Vandal peeked around the rock and looked into the Temple.
The Temple was such in name only. All that remained was rough-hewn altar made of stone. A few steps led up to it. The entrance was nothing more than a passage between the mountain walls. On the other end of the small altar was a sheer drop. The echoing of the wind gave an indication of the height. Far below, the sound of crashing waves could be heard.
'This was a Temple to some water god, long forgotten. The drop is at least a thousand feet,' Glaceius whispered.
'Putting the Stone in an abandoned temple to a long lost god. Pretty clever.'
'Not clever enough.' The moon caught Glaceius's eyes. Both men stared at it for a long moment. A hint of red began to crawl across it.
'Lunar eclipse. If this gets any more dramatic, I'm gonna go friggin' nuts.'
Within the Temple, the sound of chanting could be heard. The men ventured another glimpse and saw Aediphus, still cloaked in his torn black robes. He seemed swollen somehow, like an overfed tick. His voice continued to rise in a spidery chant. In front of him was a simple stone, appearing no less different than the others scattered about the ground.
'He is about to cast his spell. Now is our chance,' Glaceius swung around and faced Vandal. 'I cannot move fast, Vandal. My leg is worse than I thought. You'll have to distract him long enough for me to get close.'
'Yeah, I should be able too. He's distracted,' Vandal reached around and began to draw the stake.
'Not yet. You do not stand a chance if you don't kill him in the first strike. If he sees us before we get close and discovers your weapon, we will never be able to use it. He may be immune to our swords, but it still will slow him down. I can hold him off and you stake him.'
Vandal nodded and drew his gladius. He knew from experience that it would not harm Aediphus but the vampire was still a physical presence in the world. The heavy sword buried into the top of his skull would more than likely slow him down. He crept out, his eyes never leaving the back of Aediphus.
Vandal used the rock fall for covering, moving swiftly and more silently than he thought possible. Aediphus continued the strange spell, his hands roaming over the Stone before him. He stole a quick glance and saw a carving on the Stone, a strange hieroglyph. It blended in with the cracks on the Stone perfectly. Above the drama unfolding, the moon slowly turned blood red.
Vandal crept up the steps, mindful of the loose rock and the noise it would create. The smell from Aediphus was atrocious, the smell of decay and death and filth. His black hair hung down, matted with the blood of his enemies. Vandal aimed for the part in the center and raised the weapon. For Marcus, he thought.
Without missing a word in his chant, Aediphus spun and struck Vandal square in the chest, sending the man flying. He flew clear over Glaceius's head, the Roman watching in dismay. Vandal landed on the stone ground, the crack of several ribs breaking audible. He groaned and remained still.
'I smell blood,' Aediphus said. His voice sounded as though it had been ground through gravel before emerging from his mouth. His eyes were pools of night; his canines long and pure white. Glaceius felt the droplets of blood down his leg and cursed.
'You would have had me if not for that wound, Roman. But I am afraid your fat friend is at a loss for now.'
Glaceius drew his weapon and stared at the vampire. His face betrayed no emotion.
'From the looks of you, I would say you are a Centurion. Yes, a veteran at that. Perhaps it is none other than the great Glaceius I see before me?'
Glaceius did not blink. Merely stood, holding his blade.
'Yes, Glaceius, greatest Centurion in the entire Roman Army. Come to avenge the loss of his fellows. I am glad it is someone with such a fine reputation. You will make a fine prophet for me.'
Glaceius eye moved a little at that, a mocking gesture.
'You, Centurion Glaceius,' Aediphus yelled, his spittle red and covering his chin in a fine web, 'will take word of my ascendance to the ears of the gods! The mortals in this world will worship me as their Emperor and as their new god! I will bring in a new age onto the land. My word will be law, my will be their fate!'
Glaceius sighed, gesturing with his weapon in a 'come here' fashion, 'You talk instead of fight. We're none of us getting any younger.'
Aediphus erupted in a blood-curdling scream of rage, grabbing his own gladius resting against the altar and hurled himself at Glaceius. Glaceius had almost no time to react to the quick move, barely knocking aside a blow that would have taken his head off. Wake up, Vandal he thought. I shall not last long.
The two warriors clashed in the temple, Glaceius the more skilled swordsman. He parried the attacks easily, slashing back with his weapon but to no avail. Whenever he struck, Aediphus would take the hit and return the favour. The vampire had no worries about injuries - the metal blade may as well have been made from air. Glaceius began to stagger, his badly injured leg slowly giving out. He fell against the stairs, desperately blocking strike after strike. His hand became numb from the repeated blows; Aediphus being far stronger than any opponent he had ever faced. Aediphus began to laugh when the Roman kicked out with his good leg and connected with the vampire's groin, sending him off balance. Glaceius turned and ran up the stairs to the top of the altar.
Vandal.
Vandal. Wake up.
VANDAL! WAKE UP!
Vandal jerked back to consciousness, coughing up blood. His side hurt badly, the sound of the clashing weapons ringing in his ears.
Glaceius crashed against the small altar, bracing himself against it and swinging his blade, deflecting another blow aimed for his head. Aediphus was wild now, swinging madly. Glaceius bottled his emotions, relying on instinct. Aediphus lashed out with his weapon, aiming for the Roman's heart. Glaceius again blocked it, reversing his move and driving the hilt into the vampire's stomach. Aediphus grunted, more from surprise more than anything else. Glaceius then raised the blade above is head and drove the hilt into the back of Aediphus's head, forcing him to his knees. Placing one of his hands on the altar, he drove his good knee into Aediphus jaw and sent him tumbling back down the stairs.
'Monster or not,' Glaceius said gasping, 'You still can't fight worth a shit.'
'You will pay for your insolence, Roman. I will...'
Glaceius threw his weapon, smashing it squarely into the vampire's face. A cry of rage and surprise burst from him as he fell once more to the ground. Aediphus rose, beginning to laugh realizing his opponent was now weaponless. Then he saw the Roman had the Stone in his hand.
'You should not have let me get close to this, Aediphus.'
Aediphus reply was to leap at the Roman, his speed frightening. But not so fast to prevent the Centurion from hurling the Stone out over the precipice. It flashed in the red moonlight, then disappeared from view. Gone.
Aediphus scream was inarticulate, anger not a powerful enough word for the emotion it contained. The very walls of the Temple shook with the awful power that poured out of him. Aediphus continued to speak without forming true words, just frothing in a stream of nonsensical madness. Glaceius staggered against the altar, his leg finally giving out. Aediphus stared at his enemy as though his very gaze would consume the helpless man. Then he drove his sword into the Roman's back with all the strength he could muster.
Glaceius was lifted back to his feet from the blow, his hands gripping the blade that burst through his chest. He could feel the hilt against his spine.
'I will burn your precious Rome for this Glaceius! Do you hear me! I will destroy it!'
Glaceius turned to the vampire, his eyes matching the anger he saw. His breath bubbled with blood but his rage carried him on. Stepping forward, he lunged at Aediphus, embracing the vampire and driving the sword point into his belly, pinning the two enemies together. Aediphus struggled and fought but could not free himself from the sword and Glaceius's deathgrip.
'Fool! What do you hope to accomplish by this?'
'This,' Vandal said behind him, and drove the stake into Aediphus's heart.
Aediphus stiffened from the blow, feeling his power drain immediately from him. On the other planes where only he could see, Death turned towards him and smiled.
'No.' he whispered, his face slowly fading away. He swayed, bumping against the altar and pitching over it. Vandal made a quick grab, catching only torn robes.
'Glaceius!' he yelled. He caught a fleeting glimpse of the Roman soldier as the two fell over the cliff. They fell to the surf, a thousand feet below.
For a long time Vandal sat by the altar, feeling nothing. Emptiness. Loss. A complete vacuum. Why? He thought. Why?
You have served us well, Jackson Vandal.
Vandal looked around. The voice was the same that woke him. It seemed to be everywhere, in his head, the air, the very rocks around him. He tried to rise but collapsed, his injured ribs not to eager to support him.
'What the hell was all this about? I deserve that much? Is it like the Soothsayer said? A damn game?'
The twilight of the gods is upon us, Jackson. We have guided mankind as far as we can. Now comes the time of the true Gods. Consider this to be a final act of thanks.
'Thanks? How many people had to die?' Vandal yelled, his eyes blurring with grief, 'Marcus, Glaceius...all dead. All those soldiers, for what? FOR WHAT?'
Indeed. For what? Had Aediphus been allowed to complete his transition, what do you suppose would have happened?
Vandal said nothing, too tired and broken.
Those men would have died anyway, and many, many more. Aediphus would have been immortal. He would have claimed the throne of the Empire and expanded it to encompass the known world. He had the time to do it, the arcane knowledge to complete it, and the ability to create entire armies of his ilk.
'There must have been another way to do this...'
Mankind cannot be forced into actions, Jackson Vandal. Merely guided. By bringing you here, we...hedged our bets, you could say. The knowledge on how to kill Aediphus would not be known for almost three thousand more years. We had no choice but to bring you here.
'Why me?'
The past is already written, the fact that you are here shows you would succeed. We needed someone who had the ability, knowledge, and did not matter a great deal in the grand scheme of things.
'Gee, thanks.'
You succeed, Jackson. Does that not show why we choose you?
'I still don't understand all this saviour crap. Save the world and stuff.'
Jackson, did you not listen to what we are trying to tell you? If Aediphus would have succeeded, becoming the Roman leader and spreading his influence on to the land, what would have happened?
'I don't know my history, sorry...'
He would have recognized the signs of the coming of the true Gods, Vandal. And moved to prevent it. He would have succeeded in this, too.
Vandal looked around him, then up at the brightening sky, 'What are you saying...'
We have said enough. There is plenty of time for you to dwell on what we have told you. Now, there is only home.
'Home?'
Yes. Goodbye, Vandal. You will understand all of this one day. Till then, remember all that has happened. You may find it useful after a time. You have our thanks.
Vandal closed his eyes, as the world around him faded away.
END