Introduction: In The Beginning
Everybody thought that victory of humanity was at hand when the angels of heaven had driven away the demons down to earth. That there was balance between good and evil. Then that's it, the picture ends there. But that's where they're wrong. That was far from victory, hell far. What happened to the bad guys down there? Getting a tan? Hell no.
The power of evil intensified and the demons in hell needed a ruler to lead them. Consequently, two great powerful beings arose, both with the same intention of vengeance and control. One by the name of Satan and the other whom others feared to call as Vhempire. The two fought, using the strength of the powers they possessed, but only one remained standing. The demons of Satan triumphed when he stood up on the plinth of evil ready to rule over the world of the dead that we now call hell. You must think that the picture ends there now. But the answer is no.
Vhempire was killed, but not defeated. The book of Destiny has served its purpose well for him. What everybody didn't know was that he had left a legacy under his name, a legacy that would destroy the balance between good and evil that would someday redeem him back from his death, give birth to new humanity and change the path of destiny.
Satan and his demons retreated, victorious of their battle won, unaware of the lie that had initiated the beginning of the battle.
Half a world away, an angel was giving birth to a baby, and the demons of Vhempire slowly fled to worship their new king.
The chill-piercing wailing of the wolves echoed through the unspoken shadows of the woods while the trees stood still awaiting the desolate hour and the stars obediently marking their position afraid of getting in the way of what Destiny had in stored. The heavy waves were crashing against the heavy boulders below the cliff as if pleading to earn some pity, as if they knew what was happening right at the very moment. But the area bordered by the moonlight's glow and the sky's clouds remained lifeless and dull, looking as if they had truly accepted the fate that had befallen humanity.
On top of the cliff stood the old disconsolate castle, upright and innocent of its part in the tragic events that would soon be unfolding, thus, marking its place in history forever.
It was about quarter past nine when a scream as loud as no other emanated from the castle and penetrated the silence of the night that even the wolves hid ashamed of their entities. This was already the beginning, the beginning of the end. And exactly as the clock struck ten, the hour glass of destiny was upturned, counting; ticking. The baby's cries signaled the uprising of evil, the distortion of justice and the iniquity of humanity. While the angels of death kissed the baby, the torch bearers in heaven sat above the gray clouds looking helplessly.
Over 500,000 years ago, a new-born baby was laid in her mother's arms.
But with new life came a new curse; a new destiny. You could hear the trees whispering his name silently in the night among themselves. . "Ventula…" And the midnight breeze would quietly join in repeating the same name that someday every being on earth would dare not speak of. He wasn't but extraordinary, for this child wherein the blood of the curse runs through his veins held the key to the different portals of destiny that could either change the race of humanity or destroy it forever.
Chapter 1: The Task
Constantine stood inside a huge room full of roses reflected upon the light glow of the torches hanging against the wall. He could not explain how but red rose petals were falling gaudily from the roof missing the 13 candles that stood straight in a circle in the center of the room. He walked around it eyeing it suspiciously while the sweet stench of the roses entered his nostrils, something about it was uncanny but it felt so real that the sweet fragrance made him dizzy. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind entered the room and a pair of strong hands pinned him down on the wall. The candles and torches all went out leaving a faint glow of illumination through the window. He tried to struggle but the person who was holding him was stronger and so he tried to get a glimpse of who it was. But it was impossible to see his assailant through the dark. All he saw was blonde hair, glossy golden short hair covering his face. Then a loud growl escaped from his attacker and as two sharp fangs deeply penetrated his neck.
Constantine woke up with a start. He had been dreaming again about that room full of roses and the candles. But the mysterious aggressor almost scared the hell out of him. Hell, when was the last time he thought of that place? He never spoke about it since he was redeemed after he had made the ultimate sacrifice, and he never saw Angela either. He suddenly remembered her and felt a sudden gush of longing desire to see her. Constantine was oblivious of the beads of sweat trickling down his temples as he took quick gasps of air. The clock read 7:58pm, just in time for his meeting with Bob at the Alley Pub.
"Damn." He whispered under his breath. He jumped from his bed and threw on his jacket while pulling up his slacks. In a minute, he was running down the stairs his jacket swinging behind him.
The Alley Pub was as crowded as it has always been on Friday nights, wild dancing and drinking sessions, functioning as the Dark Angels' revelry-gathering place over the weekend. Constantine himself was no stranger to that place, even during the time when he was still trying to buy himself into heaven and Bob knew that.
"Hey angel boy, wanna dance?" A pretty woman in pink asked Constantine as he bumped into her. He merely shrugged and gave her a faint smile indicating that he was least interested in her. He walked through the crowd and was relieved when he saw Bob's office door just on the corner. He was glad that nobody was guarding the door specifically Big Bozo who gave him a few punches the last time he insisted on going inside. A few men on the bar were cheering loudly as a couple of women were taking off their shirt. Constantine shook his head in disgust. The bright lights were making his head spin.
"If God can only see what had become of his angles here on Earth…" He said as the Bob's face greeted him through the door.
"Jon! You son of a gun, where have you been? We've been expecting you all afternoon!.." Bob said cheerfully his silver bling-bling dangling on his neck. His good-natured face outlined a faint grin that everybody would think he was hiding a smile. Bob was the Head Boss of the Dark Angels wandering down here on Earth to at least help maintain balance and sovereignty. Constantine often wondered why they call them black angels and Bob replied: "We cannot reveal our true identities; that's why we have to conceal ourselves up into this fabric of black so as not to displease the people." His answer was complicated but he just pushed it out of his mind.
"We?" Constantine asked raising a brow.
"Uh, yes we. Actually, I have a very familiar face down here with me. Come, you might wanna see 'em yourself." Bob stepped back a little as he entreated. On the table sat the Keeper of Keys in heaven, the gorgeous St. Michael with his deep blue eyes sparkling craftily at him as she greeted him.
"Hey now, Constantine. How have you been?" Michael still looked the awful lot same, only that her hair was now longer the last time he saw her.
"Fine. I see you've pretty much changed sides now, huh?" Constantine said airily taking off his jacket showing his easiness to the place where he'd been into a thousand times.
"Well then, I guess there's no need for introductions now, eh. Jon, come in. We need a word with you." Bob said taking a seat on the sofa as Michael followed.
"You see, we need your help about some very serious matters, and don't you dare show that grin on your face. What do you think about vampires?" Bob started while Michael stirred in her seat perturbed at Constantine's cold greeting.
"Vampires? Hmm… Bunch of blood-sucking perverts who make lots of money in the movies..." Constantine grabbed a glass on the table with green liquid and drank it.
"No really, Jon. Don' shit with me. Vampires do exist."
"Oh, they do? Hmm this stuff is great where'd you get it?"
"Cigarette butts. Yes, and we want you to kill them." Constantine stopped drinking and looked at him unbelievably. Cigarette and vampires… Just exactly what he needed.
"I'm dying of Bronchitis. I really appreciate it, Bob. Why not let her do it?" Constantine said looking at Michael who looked reluctant to see him after what happened a few months ago.
"Well yes, we might need her help and her comrades but you see Jon, we need someone as pure and new as you are. You're the only strong person I know who can handle the job, at least. You've proven yourself worthy when you have redeemed yourself into heaven; we need someone of pure blood and heart."
"I smoke a lot ya' know. I swear you don't wanna consider me as pure blood."
Bob laughed.
"My old man, come on. This is serious business. This is worse than demons. This is destiny and evil all combined together. It was written in the stars that a new salvation shall rise, and he will be stronger and more powerful than any being on Earth. And it is about to happen. We just need you to destroy it..."
"Destroy what?"
"The Life of Destiny…"
"The what?"
"You heard me Jon... this is not good. – Bob's facial expression changed into a contour of fear and dread. Then his voice suddenly changes into a low growl and his eyeballs rolled back into their sockets. – The life of Destiny. It was written in the book of stars that a new king will rise again and destroy the balance between good and evil. He will rule over the good and give birth to new evil. He will change the race of humanity into horrid creatures that would dominate over the world in the whole of mankind. And a redeemer will be sent, the weight of the world will be on his back and the path of destiny will depend upon his submission and victory, and he will free the whole of humanity." Another loud growl escaped Bob's mouth and his eyes rolled back to normal. Constantine, who looked as if he was not hearing right issued a feigned laugh as if waiting for Bob to say he was kidding. But he wasn't and he continued to stare at him alongside with Michael who seemed to resume his composure. Silence had befallen the room and Constantine felt it was his time to speak.
"B-Bob come on. I'm not... You don't mean-…"
"You are the redeemer, Jon. You are the chosen one."
"Okay, I'm outta' here." Constantine started to stand up to the door but it shut closed. The light flickered and the ground shook. "Woah...okay, okay. I'll stay."
"Jon, come on! This is no joke. This isn't another pack of cigarettes you can smoke all day. The whole world is depending on you. We are depending on you. You're risking your life." Michael pleaded standing up.
"Hey, hey, hey.. who said I was going to die for the world? God damnit' Michael I'm not going through that whole lotta' shit again. Bob, you hearing me?" Constantine asked glaring at Bob who didn't seem to be taking him seriously.
"Jon, this is your fate. You're the chosen one, man. You were redeemed for a reason; you must understand that, brother. Vampires, they do exist. And they're regaining power again, if we can't do anything about it then no one can. You're the only hope now Constantine...right Jon?" Bob offered his hand while he looked reluctantly at it.
"God, I can't believe I'm doing this for you. What do you want?" Bob gave him a brotherly hug and the three of them sat on the table ready to talk about the risk one of them would have to go through.