Author
JMD_009
jmd_009@yahoo.ca
Disclaimer
See Prologue
~~~~~
The first thing he noticed was the cold. A chill that went so deep it sent a shiver through his bones. The next thing to hit him was the smell. It was a strange mix of dust and grime, death and decay. There used to be a time where that would be enough to make him fight his stomach for control. Those times are long since past.
He was vaguely aware of his nakedness as he tried to push himself up. It was a struggle but he managed to get himself to his feet after a few tries. Albeit unsteadily on his feet.
Looking around he could the pitched black building with new eyes he identified it as an old run down church. There were dead pigeons all around him in various states of decay. Blood still spilled from some and the man unconsciously liked his lips at how inviting it seemed. Then he remembered what it was and felt sick.
"Good, you're finally awake Alexander." Spoke a deep voice that echoed through the old church.
For his part Xander managed to only have a slight waver in his voice when he spoke into the shadows. "Who are you?"
"Your protector. As it was predestined." The voice answered "The one who watch over you during your change. But that too was predestined."
Suddenly flame dance around the room and the scattered candles burned brightly. Spinning quickly he took in the black robed figure behind him. He had to be at least seven feet tall, probably closer to eight. The figure removed his hood to reveal long white hair and a grey face with that looked more like a primate than modern man. "You may call me Ekimus."
Xander took a step back involuntarily as he took in the massive creature before him. Slowly memory came back to him. Strange vampires attached him and his friends. This Ekimus was there, holding him as he died. Without realizing it Xander found himself asking the question that had plagued him since waking up.
"Am I a vampire aren't I?"
If Ekimus was shocked by the question he didn't show it simply responded. "Yes. But…"
"No!" Xander exclaimed as he lunged across the room, his worst fear confirmed. His hands found a broken piece of wood as he came to a stop. "I won't live like that! I won't harm people I care for or anyone else! I WON'T!"
Ekimus only sighed as and waved his hand in a passing gesture. The makeshift stake disappeared in flame and ash. That didn't stop Xander though as he took off again, this time towards the large wooded doors of the church. Somehow he just knew it was daytime.
Gripping each of the heavy double doors Xander through them open. Daylight poured through the doorway in an instant and the smell of burning flesh soon filled the air. Xander fell to the ground as a pain unlike anything he had ever experienced consumed him. A pain that only dulled as the doors were shut, blocking out the deadly rays.
"Just let me die." Xander croaked weakly as Ekimus loomed above him. "I won't be a soulless beast."
The robed figure only shook his head. "You believe you are something you are not. Would you be doing something as noble as ending you life to spare others if a demon ruled your soul?"
"But I thought…"
"Rest. We will speek once you regain some strength. That shouldn't take long." With that said he left Xander there and went into one of the back rooms of the church.
~~~~~
It was an hour later when Xander sought out the strange creature called Ekimus. He was still severely burnt but had regain enough strength to walk. Now clad in a white robe he found lying around he approached the door he saw Ekimus disappear into.
He stopped in the doorway and took in the room. There were ancient tomes and books piled floor to ceiling. The only furniture in the room were two chairs. Ekimus sat facing away from the door reading a heavy tome in the candlelight. Giles would be in heaven.
"Come in and sit Alexander." Ekimus said without looking up from his tome. Xander didn't hesitate to take the seat across from him.
Ekimus carefully put his tome down on one of the smaller piles near him before speaking. "I take it you have had past encounters with soulless vampires."
"One of my best friends is the Slayer, so yah."
"Ah, that explains things. You think you are like those the Watchers have their Slayers hunt? You are not." Ekimus' only response was a look of confusion on Xander's part. Sighing he realized more explanation was need.
"They are not true vampires Alexander. Closer to cousins in fact. Long ago a vampire named J'kan was sired by the first vampire herself. He grew restless over the millennia in her servitude and sought more power. He made a pack with a powerful demon from the pits of Hell and lost his very soul in his quest.
Ironically he grew weaker in many ways. New weaknesses were developed such as crosses, holy water and the invitation rite. J'kan was the first of a new breed of vampire and forsake his own name to become The Master."
Xander's eyes widened as a shiver went down his spine. "Met him."
Ekimus ignored his comment and continued on. "This sub-breed became know in vampire circles as the soulless. Many have come to believe them to be vampires such as the Watchers and even the soulless themselves. They are much greater in number than vampires in truth. Vampires tend to have a firm grim on population control."
As Ekimus finished Xander took in his words before speaking. "So I'm a vampire, but I still have my soul?"
"Yes. Everything that made you you is intact. You will, however, still need to drink blood as distasteful as that sounds. That part is true."
"Not a chance!" Xander exclaimed with as much conviction as he could muster.
"You already have. You saw the pigeons I fed you during your change. Blood is essential to your survival now."
Xander stood slowly and walked towards the door. Pausing in the doorway he spoke over his shoulder. "This is a lot to take in. I just need to go think for awhile."