Creeper's Captive

Chapter 24

/

"Dinarius? A day together? But where?" Alonus was pacing near the house with Solarus in her arms, her nephew had told her hastily what had happened shortly after the situation in the cave, and he was shaking his head with folded arms as he leaned against a tree.

"I...I don't know. Ami suggested this. I think Goliathus has gotten that poor woman obsessed with him. It was like Aelia, didn't you say? She became utterly lost in him too. And look what it got her. "

Alonus sighed. She might be beginning to lose her sense of reason, but I wouldn't call it mere obsession.

Auntie she is suffering from Stockholm, I am telling you...or does Goliathus maybe have some way to manipulate minds?

She paused and stared at him a for a good few moments. You truly believe this isn't love, don't you? You think Ami is being controlled and nothing more?

Dinarius put a hand to his chin and then shrugged. I can't figure Ami out. She was abducted ad he did so many horrid things to her. Just because a forced baby came along...I don't think...dammit I don't think her mind is ok. Ami needs to get away from him Auntie, even if for just a few months. Maybe by the end of that time she might feel she wants to go back to the human world again. Maybe her mind can heal. Goliathus is terrible for her, and he will offer her nothing but future misery and perhaps send her into insanity. He's ruined this precious woman if you ask me.

He looked up to her to notice that she was still staring at him. Precious woman...Dinarius. Listen to yourself.

What?

You want her for yourself. Let me ask you something would you be better for her? Do you think so?

Dinarius chuffed. Oh COME ON. First of all...that is not entirely true. I do like Ami a lot but...yeah, I would say I would be better for her if that were the case because first off she wouldn't be treated like a slave or kept like a captive!

Well of course, of course that would be true, dear nephew. However, stop lying to yourself, you are falling for this woman. But you must NOT. Do you hear me? Her facial expression had become very serious. Goliathus will RUIN you. He has claimed her whether you like it or not...and as much as you think otherwise...I know that Ami is truly in love with him. I know it because I have experienced it. I loved Barabas like no other human I had ever encountered. I know that look in her eyes, the way she looks at my son.

She continued. We need humans like Ami and Barabas...those very rare humans that are compatible with us. Without those like her, our race...the heradus, will simply never prosper. Some day I want to see lots of us with lots of human friends again...even if takes another thousand years.

Solarus was fast asleep in her arms during this conversation, and she nuzzled him.

It's also wonderful to hold another young child in my arms...and to know another is on the way... she frowned. That is if Trisha can make it through the whole pregnancy...

Part of you knows she won't, don't you Auntie?

They met eyes, and she turned away. There's always a glimmer of hope.

Yeah. A glimmer of hope that the baby will be born and THE she dies. To do our best to keep Trisha alive until that point. Because we know that's the only hope there is. Why else would Goliathus lie about the flu thing?

Tears welled in Alonus' eyes, and she didn't answer.

Yeah. I figured as much. I'm gonna go hunt now, getting mighty hungry. In the meantime I think I will send Puvo here to help watch over things...he's gonna find Ami to make sure she's safe. Dinarius gave his aunt a quick hug then took off into the air.

/

Alonus decided sleep was what she needed after being so emotionally drained. She set up a pile of blankets close to where Trisha still slumbered in Ami's bed and curled up tight, her head crest covering her face. Solarus tucked himself close to his grandmother's chest after waking briefly with a tiny yawn.

And when sleep came, she began to dream.

She walked down a long winding path to the cathedral, wind and dust blowing about everywhere, and almost immediately saw the white robes and glinting dagger coming towards her in the opposite direction.

Barabas... Alonus smiled, her golden eyes sparkling. You are still here.

Oh my love, I am...but not for much longer. I am sorry my dear, but to remain anymore is becoming nearly impossible.

Why must you go? Her tears were suddenly uncontrollable. Why can you not stay, and be with me always? Oh! My priest, I failed you...I should have done that blood exchange much sooner...and with me you would still be...I know it's selfish what I say, but I still...I still...

Barabas came closer and they held each other tight as the queen heradus cried her eyes out. She knew once he was gone, she would never, ever see him again. She was a creature of immortality, and her only connection to her lover of the ancient past was this ghost who now could only appear in dreams. He was truly fading away, and making it hard for Alonus to want to go on anymore without him. At times like this she wished she was human, so she could just die and be with him as a spirit.

No my beautiful midnight queen, you are heradus and I want to see your race succeed. Please. I know it is hard, and I too will miss you...but I swear Alonus I will never forget you. And in some ways I will always be within you, a part of your soul. He paused a long while , frowning suddenly, and at that moment she felt a terrible fear rising, before he even spoke his next thought in his reverant voice.

There is terrible news, which I loathe to have to relate to you. An ancient conscious has returned...awakened. He paused, frowning. It is your grandfather.

NO. NO! Alonus gasped, she staggered. Even here in the mental plane of Barabas, she felt her body grow weak, and she refused to believe it.

How he awoke is beyond me. An underground cavern...some place he slept from the curse with human bones piled all around him. SO many bones, Alonus...so many...he frightens even me. Our son...now I see our son will have a new purpose. He will have to deal with this new...Creeper. For Ramonus will be far worse than our son has ever been.

/

Somewhere far away, in an ancient cave, something began to stir under a huge pile of human bones. There was a clinking and clanking of the bones knocking together, disintegrating into dust, and tumbling everywhere. A big, skeletal hand with long and wicked claws burst forth followed by a mostly mummified body soon after, the maw open and moaning. It was a chilling sound, reverberating throughout the vast cavern but thankfully nothing living down here would hear it. The body went still for a moment, then wrenched itself further free from the pile. A great coughing, wheezing, and waves of utter agony. This body was ruined, in pain, and the hunger was beyond fierce.

Where am I? The mummy grabbed at bones, gnawing on them but they were just more dust and he choked. This would offer him nothing, it was like eating dirt.

Ramonus had never felt so weak in his existance. But what was this? Where was he? His memories were very fuzzy, and the damnable hunger coursing through his body was such agonizing pain he moaned again.

Feed, feed. Where the hell will I find humans...I am still in my cave...

He searched the memories but still nothing made sense. Except maybe the curse...had he slept maybe? How long? One hundred or more years? He ate so many humans the last time...whenever that was...he could remember that and mentally salivated at the thought. No matter. The only thing that DID matter in fact was the Hunger, and he needed to get this wrecked body back to normal. He smiled, stretching mummified lips in an eerie and disturbing way over his long, yellowed teeth. The curse was a ridiculous thing. He had cheated it in a sense...eat more humans, set it for a longer period of sleep yes, but then...stay awake for an equally longer amount of time.

Ha. Those stupid mages. Nothing was going to stop him...and if he was lucky enough to find a breeder than he could just stay awake for even longer...much longer. This time around...he was determined to find one and succeed. That is...if he somehow managed not to eat her first. The last two he had found had just smelled too delicious. He chided himself afterwards for basically ruining what could have been his last chance for all he knew, but ah well. Try and try again, as the saying goes.

Struggling to get his bearings Ramonus felt his way around to get out the cave. His eyes didn't work...they weren't even there; rotted out into nothing but holes. But he knew this underground cave, it was a favorite place and no one dared follow him down here anyway so no one else had discovered it. He moved painfully slow on hands and bony knees throughout the cave's trail which was narrow and cramped, and slowly wound its way in curving directions, slowly, ever slowly, to the one opening to the outside world. As he drew nearer purely by scent he stumbled right into a puddle of dirty rainwater that had collected near the entrance. He quickly put his head right into the puddle and sucked down water like a vacuum, marvelling at the coolness, the way it filled him and started to hydrate this body of pain...ah, it felt so amazingly wonderful. The pain then eased, but the hunger only grew worse and worse.

Lords but I am STARVING. Those poor little cattle. Those humans. They will be obliterated when I find them.

Ramonus pushed past the fairly deep puddle, soaking himself in the process and not caring, and took deep breaths of the clean, fresh air. His senses starting to awaken from the water he began to pick up a myriad of dizzying scents, everything from tiny mice, to fish in the nearby river, to large...deer...quite close nearby...

He grimaced. Ungh. Animal flesh. How I loathe it! Well I suppose for now it will have to do. There's always the next course later on.

Groaning he shakily got to his feet...feet which had huge and long coal black talons, and stumbled into the forest. The deer would be tricky to hunt due to his condition, but the creatures surely wouldn't have a clue what had hit them, or the very sight of him would at least paralyze them with fear.

/

In a cave hidden far away, Ami marvelled at the beautiful dagger that Goliathus had finally finished, and had surprised her when he handed it over to her. It was a dragon, wrapped around a stylized woman whom she thought looked much like her, and the muzzle of the dragon touched her face with reverance, or affection maybe? Perhaps a mixture of both. The woman also had a slight smile on her face with closed eyes, as the dragon wings lightly enveloped her. Ami frowned slightly though, when she noticed the obvious bone it was made out of.

It is the bones of deer... Came the prickling words in her mind. That is the truth.

Once again Goliathus had grabbed her thoughts, but Ami couldn't help the slight sigh of relief and leaned heavily into his side.

Thank you. This is beautiful. Truly you have a gift with art, and making things.

It occupies my mind. Any distraction from the Hunger, is a good thing.

With a smirk, Ami wrapped her arms, and legs, around him. Let me distract you some more.

Yes, that rumbling purr started up, just as she knew it might. It vibrated from him through her own body and he clutched her tightly and began sniffing her feverishly. This didn't serve to frighten Ami at all in fact it only caused every nerve in her body to light up in erotic fire.

He had her on her back now in this dusty, small cave that no one knew about. No one would find them here either. (Except for a certain bat, which neither of them noticed hiding near the entrance in a small crack.) Long claws caressed down her sides and were slightly pricking the skin, sending tiny rivulets of blood to well up and trickle down, but Ami either didn't notice or was too trapped in the moment to care. She wrapped her legs invitingly around his hips as he lie on her, licking her lazily all over her breasts. Moaning at these sensations she could only pant and beg for more...and as he promised he obliged, but for once Ami was happy not to have to use words. She didn't even bother with mental ones...just used her feelings to tell him what she wanted, and he picked up on it easily. His tongue eventually found its way to her ticklish bellybutton and then between her legs. For whatever reason she felt the need to stifle her noises of approval but Goliathus pushed her arm down.

Silly humans...do not resist, go with the primal instincts. You may shame each other, but you have nothing to be ashamed about with me.

Well that was an intriguing comment that made her think...and in all respects, he was right. She had to let go of some of her inhibitions, and maybe for once, she could truly enjoy herself. This went far beyond this sexual, intimate moment however...and Ami could only marvel again at his incredible perception of things. She stopped whatever mindless resisting her subconscious was doing, spreading her legs wider and nearly wanting to scream from the pleasure as he relished her flavor and did all he could to coax more out of her.

And at that moment, a predatorial instinct came roaring to the surface as he caught the scent of her coppery blood browning on her sides, and reached to taste the shallow wounds. He knew immediately this was a stupid mistake, and forced himself away with a snort, trying to ignore the overwhelming desire to take more of it...to bite her side, to sink his teeth into her tender flesh and truly get the blood flowing.

Meanwhile, in the distant forest, Ramonus suddenly picked up an odd, stray thought...was this...another heradus? He lifted his head from his third deer carcass, blood and sinew dripping everywhere as he licked his chops, and gazed off unfocused...concentrating.

A desire for blood. Human blood.

Mmmmm, yes yes indeed. Human blood. If it is there, you must take it. Let me have even the memory, so great is this desire. Who are you? I am not sure we ever met.

There wasn't an answer, but he was sure whomever this was, he had heard the question, but perhaps was too occupied to pay it any real attention. Ramonus grinned coldly and tried harder. He KNEW he was a powerful telepath, and his renewed strength was flowing through his recovering body.

Who are you, fellow heradus? ANSWER ME.

Goliathus stopped dead cold in his act of lovemaking and snarled, turning his head left and right but already knowing the source of this chilling and deep voice was not in this cave. Ami frowned and sat up slowly; she put her arms around his neck and tried to be reassuring even though she had no idea what was going on.

Are you okay?

He didn't answer her, but stared at the cave's entrance. Ami saw that nothing was there, but his behavior was odd and frightening. She didn't like it at all.

Excuse me, but I am talking to you. I know you are there. Who are you?

A defiant snort and welling anger flowed through Ramonus from this other mind, but he only grinned further. Go on. Introduce yourself.

I am Goliathus. And I have a feeling I know who you are.

THAT caused Ramonus to pause, and his eyes widened.

FATHER? You are awake as well?

Goliathus immediately understood this mistake of identity but he was now very certain who this was, and it was a great shock to him. He kept those emotions tucked away as much as possible, attempting to remain stoic. No. A few generations later, great grandfather. You must be Ramonus. How have you...connected to me?

OH! Why lookie at that, a great grandson is it? Ramonus laughed, and the loud sound was sent through Goliathus' mind painfully. Hmmm, that would mean. Let me think a minute. Ah yes. Alonus. Dear, dear little granddaughter. She managed to have a child? How interesting. Well...Goliathus the second, I think you and I will get along just fine. The words were spoken with icy, malicous glee. I found you...connected as you say...because you eat the humans, and so do I. Tasty and decedant, aren't they? How long is your curse for I wonder, hmm? I can't even remember mine, so many humans I have eaten! He laughed again, and it was quite obvious this one was utterly and completely gone to madness.

And very evil.

Then Ami was suddenly shaking him, and Goliathus forced himself from the mental coversation, doing all he could to block the foreign voice. This at first caused confusion, then anger, as Ramonus roared at being suddenly ignored, but thankfully the sound began to fade as he used pure and raw willpower to block it. He started to pant and growl regardless however, as the massive and cursed Hunger began to take over.

What is going on?

It had in fact grown so severe, that Goliathus quickly scrambled about, urging her to get dressed quickly.

I am sorry Ami, but we must go, and NOW.

Something, something bad I knew it! I felt it! Where is it coming from?

It? No...a WHO. But that is not the pressing issue. I must quickly get you out of here, and away from me.

Ami paled in fear at this, but she also became crestfallen. Oh Goliathus no...please...no...

He looked at her with solemn apology, but grabbed her without further delay and headed out of the cave, making haste back towards the old brick house.

Ami was crying openly now, and he could only feel miserable loathing of himself welling within as they flew as fast as possible.

I am trying. I truly am, and for no one else than you. But this one has made it worse. I would rather kill ten other humans than harm you.

Goliathus what are you talking about though? What is going on? Who has made what worse? Ami hiccuped, furiously wiping tears away as she tried to compose herself. And why can't you just go feast on the deer? Or cows? Horses? Any of those? She was almost screaming this into his mind.

He sighed. I had a taste of your blood back there...a rather stupid thing to do. This hunger is a curse. It is pure and raw pain. Pain which will not go away until the human flesh dulls it. The House of Pain had many meanings...not just torture of human victims.

Ami went silent. But her whole body trembled as she fought the tears. Her utter disappointment and sadness for him as well as a tsunami of other emotions were starting to make her body shake.

Ami it is all right. Please. Forgive me.

He didn't know what else to say to her, and found himself in awe of his own sincere apology.

/

Master. Our leader found Ami. The man-eater. He flies back here, in haste.

Dinarius blinked at Kistune, running a claw through the furry mane. Well...that doesn't sound right...why in such a hurry?

He asked the question to no one in particular and scanned the perimeter of the big open field, but they weren't visible yet. He sat and waited then, crouched on a boulder, until at last little Puvo returned to him, squeaking about what Kitsune had already told him.

I guess we have no choice but to wait and see what happens here...

He did just that, waiting, and scanning the sky with narrowed eyes. Not too much later Goliathus appeared speeding like a bullet, and landed way too fast near them, causing poor Ami to get knocked onto the ground. She got up quickly, wiping dirt off her legs as Goliathus was growling loud and pacing.

Dinarius, watch her please. I must go!

He snarled, getting much closer. Oh yeah? Go where? To massacre some humans? I think not...I can tell what's happening here. Man you gotta fight this thing when it strikes, not just sucuumb to it every time!

Goliathus only growled back and his eyes were full of malice, ready to strike, but the smaller heradus did not want a fight again. He was trying his best to dissuade him, and somehow Goliathus did not leave yet, he just kept pacing and holding his head.

This is PAIN. PAIN! You do not understand! He was salivating all over the place, and the wicked growling did not cease. Ami had not stuck around, she went into the house to find her child.

Yeah...I know pal. Addiction and withdrawals...it's gotta suck. But I cannot let you go out there and just kill some helpess humans who deserve none of this. Dinarius looked over his shoulder behind him. AUNTIE I could use your help right now!

At his urging Alonus surged out of the house on her outstretched wings and landed directly in front of her son who had practically gone feral. Over there... she pointed beyond the mountains to their right and he followed her anxious gaze. There are many, many deer over there in those fields...and further beyond some cows.

Mother...it will not work... he snarled at her and flexed his claws. Deperately he fought not to attack her either, even as she kept following his pacing and staying in front of his face, blocking him from leaving at every turn.

Go feed on the deer!

It will NOT HELP!

DO IT ANYWAY! She shrieked an ear-piercing scream and Goliathus covered his ears from the sound, roaring back at her.

Dinarius...hold him here! I will be right back! She leapt into the air, and called the wolves, who followed on the ground immediately, the entire pack bursting into a sprint.

Oh YEAH. Thanks Auntie...that will be easy, no problem! He shook his head and looked at Goliathus albeit a bit nervously, he was not a pretty creature when like this but he had no choice as he actually grabbed his arms and tried to hold him there.

Wait. One minute. Just WAIT.

Let GO. Goliathus was shaking from the raging bloodlust, and fast losing his ability to hold back. He still hadn't taken off, but his wings were half-open and he was jerking his arms, trying to get away. Dinarius wasn't as strong as him but regardless, he held fast.

Please. Just hang on a moment.

You had better take those claws off me... he was snarling and the head-crest was rising, but just as this was happening Ami stepped just outside of the door, holding their son. Goliathus...I think he wants to say something to you.

Solarus was reaching out towards his father, as if begging to be picked up. Daddy. No go. Stay here.

He met eyes with Solarus. Anything he was going to say died in his mind...his son's pleading had stilled him.

Daddy listen to grandmumma. She help you!

The pain... he managed, sinking to the ground, but unfortunately, this was a bit much for Solarus, who only started to wail at his father's misery.

Where did she go, Dinarius? Ami asked, taking only a few hesitant steps closer; she just wasn't sure what to do in this moment.

To get food I'm sure but I hope she gets back fast...

No sooner had he said so when the wolves were heard barking and howling, and as they flowed around the mountain path and returned, they each carried big pieces of deer carcass. And Alonus came back carrying a fairly large buck in her arms. She was exhausted, but she unceramoniously dumped it in front of her son and the wolves followed suit. All except Kitsune, who was snarling around his mouthful.

Eat this. Eat it now. Alonus said, still heaving from her hurried efforts.

Goliathus rose to his full height and stared at her hard. What did I tell you about demanding things of me?

Dinarius bristled but Alonus quickly put her hand up towards him, her solid gaze not leaving her son's.

We do NOT have time for this! Her claw came across his face. I don't care if you don't like it, do as I say, and spare us all more misery and shame. If you choose to fight with me again then so be it. We'll sit here and fight, tear each other up, and you will continue to be a foul monster! This CREEPER, as you go and hunt more humans! Now... EAT THE DAMN DEER!

He gave a characteristic snort, scuffed the ground, and then tore into the animals with a terrifying savagery.

Ami couldn't even watch, she went back into the house to sit near Trisha...whom she noticed with some alarm was still sleeping.

Some very tense minutes later, most of the deer were gone. Goliathus had blood and guts all over him but didn't seem to care at all. He also had calmed down considerably, and was crouched down on the ground.

It helped you, didn't it?

I feel as if I might heave it all up.

Don't you dare...this is a psychological thing. And you know it. I see it now more clearly than ever my son, these struggles...you are fighting two sides of yourself. The part of you which hungers for humans and the part of you that hungers for healing. She knelt down and tried to hug him. Despite a half-hearted snarl he allowed this. For whatever reason Goliathus could still not show much affection to his mother...but he did tolerate hers.

Mother at the cave with Ami...

What? What is it?

I heard from great grandfather...I had tasted Ami's blood purely by impulse and suddenly he was there...in my mind...encouraging me. His eyes widenened. I have never felt such a powerful mind. And yet...it feels familiar. Shrugging helplessly with a sigh he stood again and gazed at Ami, his expression completely softening. She is pregnant again now, as well...

This revelation seemed to go over Alonus' head, as she was looking horrified about his statement regarding Ramonus.

Oh... Barabas was right, he is back... her wings hung limp, and the wolves whined and came all around her.

Mother...he is influencing me. He said with a low tone, looking around wildly. I told Ami this felt familiar. Is it possible to pass this curse onto other generations?

Alonus was floored by that theory. She gazed at him, but shrugged helplessly. What a horrid thought...but what do you mean he influences you?

The feeling he gave me...that overwhelming hunger and pain, was like it came from himself. He asked that I indulge...or more like commanded...that I taste the blood and even eat Ami. For him, as if desperately wanting to share the experience. This must mean we are connected in some way. He snarled to himself.

Ami thought maybe a demon was controlling me. He went silent for a few minutes, then slowly looked down at the ground.

There is no demon mother...there is only Ramonus.

/

Author's notes- I've changed this chapter a bit and edited some parts from the first upload. Wasn't happy with it but I think it's at least a little better now.

I have to correct a little boo-boo I made in Chapter 15 with the family lineage, Goliathus was named after his great,great grandfather, not his great grandfather. So Ramonus is grandfather to Alonus, and great-grandfather to Goliathus. But the great-great grandfather is the first Goliathus. (I don't think that name was used before that.) LOL Hope I cleared that up.

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