Kings and Aces
Chapter 9/?
The War: Part II
Levi Lex did know what it was like to lose a son. And though at that moment he was referring to Salem, he knew it was the death of his son Jasper that had caused his yearning to take control of the drunk young man that had eventually become Xavier Black. Lex knew that Black's loss of his own family had possibly been the motivation for taking Dominic as well; as it was certainly the reason Levi had found Salem in an alcoholic stupor one humid summer night.
But that was another story, as was their past that neither of them wanted to indulge in at the moment. That they could deal with that later. Now they had an even bigger problem. A problem Levi knew could very well be fatal. Not that he thought Camus would kill Nicky; the lord was much too controlling for that. Besides, the energy it took to kill a vampire wasn't worth Camus' effort. No, Lex was worried about his own…apprentice. He knew Black could not handle the pain of losing someone else.
And so saving Dominic was their top priority, which looked grim in the beginning. However as they, Black's army and Lex's army, stood facing the irate army of Camus, things didn't look quite so bad. Number wise, things were almost even. Power wise, Camus had only a slight advantage. Camus looked momentarily shocked at the support Black had before quickly returning to his confident façade.
"Gentlemen, so nice it is to see you," The lord smirked. "Black, you look a little tired. Have you been sleeping lately? You know I have a great concoction that'll remedy that for you." Mr. X's glare intensified and for a fleeting moment Camus thought he'd achieved his goal- to make the enemy strike first. But then, much to his disappointment, Lex's hand reached out to hold the man back.
"Levi Lex? It that really you? Coming to save your reckless heir are you? How's that brother of yours? I heard there was a little of a falling out between the three of you a while back," Isaac asked as realization dawned on him. He had known the hooded man had looked familiar.
"What do you really want Camus? What is this really over? Surely it isn't over a crush. A simple infatuation with a younger vampire?" Lex scoffed. Isaac visibly tensed and sharpened his glare. Behind him, his men poised ready to attack. But then Camus relaxed, smiled, and gave Xavier a menacing look.
"Call it a 'simple infatuation' if you want. But you should see the boy in bed. He's really quite…talented," Camus taunted. At this Mr. X could hold back no longer. His anger escaped and he attack the man in front of him. The men on both sides reacted like lighting. In an instant, the war was started.
--
Sweat poured from Dominic's face as he screamed in agony. Memories from long ago, from hundreds of years before hand, invaded his mind. Memories of the night when he became more than just Mr. X's ward. When he had became his. His vampire, his family, his son. A day he had neglected to think about since it happened so many years ago.
--
"A war?" The child asked, his innocence overthrown by his avid curiosity. Xavier smirked. What child, or person for that matter, was not interested in war?
"Yes. It is different from any other war because it does no involve human beings. It involves other beings. Beings much more dangerous," Mr. X explained. The blond boy visibly leaned forward, squinting at the man who had adopted him only a short time ago.
"You mean like…monsters?" The child inquired. Xavier smiled at the quiet voice the child had spoken in, as if the 'monsters' could hear him were he to speak too loudly.
"In a sense some can be considered monsters, yes. It's a war between many different…beings…who all want the power of being in control. Control and power are very dangerous things. Do you understand?" Mr. X asked. The boy nodded, though Mr. X didn't think he could possibly understand.
"But…I'm just a human. How can I help? And I'm not very big," Dominic answered. Xavier laugh loudly at the boy's innocence, causing the child to stare at him with a mixture of amusement and confusion.
"I can fix that My Son. Believe you me."
--
Camus' mind was the most threatening weapon the other side had and it was quickly being made evident. Little by little Black's army dwindled, each man and woman left a heaping, screaming, mess of agony. Levi was powerful enough to block out the man's energy, and Black was fine as well so long as he wasn't distracted. However the two of them could only take out two of Camus' men for every three he took of theirs.
Still, things weren't too unfair. Luckily for Black, Lex's men were much more qualified than Camus' men. Camus' mind was very powerful; his men though, weren't nearly as strong.
Levi stole a glance at the glazed over men he had brought to war. It was just into the battle and already most of them had suffered from Isaac's telepathic abilities. While some were able to withstand the power and get back up, many were seriously injured.
Lex knew he was fighting a loosing battle. Unless a miracle happened, his son's army would be defeated. Daring to look at Xavier, his knew the younger vampire knew that as well. The defeated look in Xavier's eyes was something Levi hated seeing. Something he had hoped he would never have to see again.
And then a miracle did happen. Something that had never happened before.
They showed up.
The Kings.
--
"Nicky…there are Kings and there are Aces.
Dominic gritted his teeth and tried not to scream. His throat hurt from all the yelling he had done. He just wanted to sleep. To forget.
The Kings are…who should be in power. The race in control of everything. The race the other races look to for guidance and leadership.
He twisted his hands and clenched his fists inside the metal-bound restraints. Why did war have to be so painful?
Then there are the Aces. The Kings worst nightmares. The ones that take control instead of earning it. The ones who refuse to be second in command. Second in anything.
The nightmares had started on his fifth year without aging. The year he had learned the truth about everything. The year he had begun fighting.
We, my son, are Aces."
But 'we' did not mean him. It didn't mean Emmanuel Domi'Nicolas Devore. The only son, illegitimate or no, of Josiah Perkins Lex- brother of Levi Lex. Uncle of Xavier Salem Black.
King of the Kings.
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I graduated from high school this Friday, so I'll have more time over the summer to get the updates in at least once a week. This story is coming to a close soon.