Time frame: Years after "From Dead to Worse"
This is a companion piece following "Family", "Bowling for Vampires" and "Leather Underwear" Please read the end of Family or you will be extremely confused.
Disclaimer: I don't have any claim on any characters in the Sookie Universe. Please don't sue me. The other characters are my own creation and just wanted to play with them for a while.
A/N: The following mythology is one of my own creation. Time frame and geographical reference have been taken from true historical legend to add a feel of authenticity. I haven't dipped into research geek mode lately and thought that now was as good a time as any.
You know me- any reason to hit the books...
Enjoy!
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Chapter 24
Carmarthen, Wales- 1040 AD
The aging wizard walked with steady strides in the blanket of night his dark heavy robes whipping against him.
He was anxious, a feeling that hadn't trespassed into his being in centuries- it was oddly thrilling.
When the Lady in the Lake called to him, he felt honored. Honored and leery. The Lady never summoned without purpose, and the tasks that were required were never without an element of the unknown thrown in to complicate things.
Arthur Pendragon was one of those unknowns. A truly noble spirit, but foolhardy when it came to matters of the heart. Still, he would have succeeded and England would have remained prosperous under his sage and steady rule. Had it not been for his damned queen, Gwenevere, and his half sister, the novice witch, Morgan, Camelot would have been truly something. Now it was merely a legend, a huddled whisper amongst the peasants as famine and plague swept the kingdom.
It only goes to prove that a bad woman could ruin everything.
He heaved a weary sigh. He was getting too old for this. He welcomed the moment when all of this would end. No more manipulation, no more coercion, no more outlandish spells that reeked havoc to his very essence. One day soon, he would meet the dragon's eye head on and rejoice.
Alas, today was not that day. Gathering his resolve, he stood by the edge of the water and raised his staff.
You are late, Merlin.
He bowed. "My apologies, oh revered one."
Hmmph. Your silver tongue has always been my undoing...
"And your beauty has always been mine." He smiled.
The vessel has been revealed. The Illuminati will no longer end with you, old friend.
"I thought the Illuminati have all been extinguished. How could this be?"
You should know better than most that not everything is as it appears.
"Indeed, I do." he said grimly.
You must seek out the vessel. You must ensure his descendants' survival.
"Why his descendants, why not him?"
He merely carries the seed. A male child of his line will be able to invoke the Words of Making. Then you can finally rest.
"How will I recognize the child?"
He will wield the Spark.
"Do you realize what is required for someone to use the Spark?"
I do.
Merlin sighed. "Who is the vessel?"
Aurick Compton.
He nodded and set on his way, his heart heavy. The task that lay before him was daunting. What's more, it was futile.
Wielders of the Spark are impossibly rare. As powerful as he was, even he could never hope to have that power.
Could it be that after all of this time, the Lady was wrong?
Never. He must trust in her vision. He had to.
As he entered the small village he couldn't help but wonder.
How will a mere human ever win the love of a goddess?
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Bon Temps- Yesterday
Why was he still here? What was the point? William Compton was the last survivor of the true Compton line and he wasn't even human. True, the Bellefleurs are part of his line as well, but he shuddered to think that the hope of the Illuminati could rest with them. Pity though. He had shown promise.
He had shown up too late to stop it. Bill had stumbled upon her looking for respite. He was weary from battle and let down his guard. That was when she did it. That was when she took his life in exchange for another one.
Lorena.
Once again proving the bad woman theory. It had truly ruined everything.
Over the centuries, he has donned on many different personas, but this was the best one yet. Humans judged others by their outward appearance and as the over the top Miles he was mostly thought of as either a nuisance or as amusing but harmless company. He carved a fairly lucrative business for himself and was resigned to living out the remaining millennium in this fashion.
He was not without pupils though. Ally had the potential to be one of his best yet. She was powerful but not power hungry. Her only goal was to help those she loved. He smiled. Yes, she was definitely someone to be proud of. He could essentially pass his knowledge on to her. At least all would not be lost. Why wait for something that will never come?
What if the Lady had been wrong?
Then he saw it.
He had been watching Ally carefully, taking note of her movements in order to refine her fighting technique. He had not thought to watch her partner until they connected. The fiery glow of the Spark is unmistakable.
Bill Compton was the one.
Why hadn't he seen it? The mystic glow, the earthy aura. Had it been with him all along?
No. After all of these centuries of looking he knew he wouldn't have missed that.
He crouched in front of Bill and looked at him like he'd never seen him before. As he felt Ally's eyes on him, it all fell into place. She loved him.
The ever stoic Bill Compton had won the love of a goddess. As he was able to enhance her abilities, she was able to bring his destiny to the fore.
He almost laughed at the perfection of this discovery. They will both be his students. They will pass on his teachings. He will find peace at last.
He told them to meet him the following evening knowing that they will oblige him without question.
Entering his bed chamber he stepped through the standing mirror.
"He is here."
I told you he would surface soon enough.
"800 years is not what I would consider to be soon."
Merely a wrinkle in time...
"How do I bring him over?"
You must bring him over the way you had been brought. The way all of the Illuminati have been brought. You must use the Titan's Eye.
"There is a slight problem with that."
Explain.
"He is a vampire."
What?
"He is a vampire and has been for a couple hundred years. I cannot bring him over to the immortal realm. He is already there."
The purpose of the ritual is not to bring one to the immortal realm although it is a beneficial side effect. It wakens the true nature of the life force within. The Titan's Eye will know what to do. Trust in it to guide your strike.
"I will. I promise."
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He took advantage of their distracted giddy state to strike. The dagger struck true. As the energy began to flow through the young vampire, the great wizard smiled. Destiny had finally shown its face.
"Rise Illuminati, your time has come..."
TBC- Didn't I tell y'all to trust me? More fun coming up.