A vampire's Choice

The pain was evident in the scream as it kicked everyone into action. Vanessa slammed her body into the stone wall, breaking off a few small rocks, but it did not budge. "We need to get in there. They are in trouble,” Vanessa said frantically.

Nix agreed, for she quickly pushed Vanessa and Mark away from the door and behind her. "You are right. The time to hide is over." Palms out and up, Nix focused her power, knowing the blocks Deimos had installed must be strong. A golden sphere gathered, floating just above her skin. Focusing intensely, she watched as the power grew, the light illuminating the door and her. Satisfied with the sphere, Nix peeked over her shoulder at the group. "Step back and block your ears. It is going to get loud."

They shoveled back quickly, plugging their ears with their fingers. Nix took one step backward while looking at the wall and shot the power. As the light crashed into the stone, it exploded all over as it covered the entire dark rock before turning black. For a second, nothing happened, and Mark took it as a failure, dropping his hands from his face, but then a loud BANG tore through the small cave, blasting his eardrums. Dropping to his knees, Mark screamed as he covered his ears, blood seeping through his fingers. The blast blew out their torches, but the light from within the hidden room lit the way.

Vanessa turned to Mark with a victorious smile, only to find him on the ground, cradling his head. Dropping down, she wrapped her arms around him. "What is wrong?" she asks.

"The explosion," mumbled Mark. The pain is subduing with his healing, but it was too slow.

"What the—” the scene before Roland shook him to the core.

Everyone heard the duress in his voice as they followed his gaze, even Mark pushing the pain away to look up.

A whirlwind of orange and red flames shifted in the middle of the room as the heat caressed their skin. With caution, they slowly edged closer, but iron filled their noses.

"Is that blood?" Ruby spun towards Nix. "Are we too late?"

Hurrying to the front, Nix stepped over fallen boulders to climb through the hole her spell had made. Stepping into the room, the wind blew her hair and her dress in a mess. As the magical force field tried to blow her away, Nix pressed her back against the wall, cranking her neck to look at the others. "I need to stop it before it is too late." Turning forward, Nix allowed the magic to build in her palms before shooting it out. Her golden magic clashed with the fire, tearing a gap in the flames. As the wind picked up to fill the large hole in the wall, everyone managed to steal a flash at the scene happening inside. Roger is sitting on top of Lisa as blood dripped over the side of the slab. Just before the flames covered them, Nix made eye contact with Deimos, a smile on his face as he locked eyes with Nix.

"It is almost complete. We need to stop him. NOW,” shouted Nix over the turbulent noise.

Sarah fought the wind, holding her arms up to shield her face as she slowly got closer. Grabbing onto the side, she pulled herself in, the wind slamming her against the opposite wall of the entrance. Looking at Nix, the Goddess nodded to her as they both summoned their magic. Nix's golden ball of power regenerated as Sarah, her palms open and pointed out, whispered her own spell.

"On three," Sarah yelled over the bellowing winds and counted down. "One, two, three." The two witches shot their magic at the tornado with all their might, hitting it straight on. Their spell tore a more giant hole than before, but victory is short-lived as it deliberately sealed shut.

"AGAIN,” shouted Nix over the noise.

Without responding, Sarah cast the spell again, calling forth all of her magic. Nix felt the greatness of power emitting from the witch, so she doubles her own.

"NOW." Sarah let go of her spell, watching as it pushed into the fire field. Nix aimed for the same spot as she threw her power ball. Their combined efforts made an impact, for the wind suddenly died out as the fire vanquished, leaving the room in complete darkness.

"I can't see a thing," whispered Sarah, her hand trying to find Nix.

"Then let me help.” A deep voice spoke in the darkness, followed by a clap. The four torches in the room sparked back to life, enlightening the gruesome scene before inside.

"Lisa." Jumping up, Vanessa ran into the chamber, hell bend on helping her friend as she lay motionless on the table. Sarah grabbed Vanessa's body, pulling her against the wall, slamming the air from her lungs from the impact.

"Don't," Sarah whispered in her ear. Vanessa fought against Sarah's clutch but died down as she spots Deimos next to her friend, a smirk on his smug face.

Nix dropped to her knees, the knowledge of their failed quest hitting home. "What did you do?"

"I am reborn, and you get to watch history being made." Deimos lifted his arms out, gloating in his victory.

"Not if I can stop you."

Silver flashed in the air before sinking into Deimos's chest. Looking down, he saw an angry Roger holding the hilt which stuck out from his chest. "Enjoy hell,” spat Roger before yanking the blade out, blood dripping off the edge.

"Thank you for releasing me." Deimos crumbled to the ground.

"What have you done?" Nix shrieked as she threw her body onto Roger, knocking the dagger from his hold.

"I killed him." Roger shuffled out of Nix's hold, who let him go, as she watched open-mouthed at Deimos's dead body.

"He is not dead." Nix spun to face the group. "His temporary mortal body is gone, making a place for his proper form.

Roger pointed at the unmoving form, "I don't hear a beat from his heart."

In her anger, Nix grabbed Roger's face, pulling him to hers. "He is a God with unimaginable powers who had fulfilled his own prophecy. A mere dagger won't kill him." Turning towards the empty space above Deimos's body, Nix whispered. "Nothing can."

"Lisa." Pushing Sarah's hold from her, Vanessa sprinted forward towards her friend. Leaning over her, Vanessa brushes blood-soaked hair from her face as her eyes stare lifelessly at nothing. "She's gone."

"And I killed her," confessed Roger, dropping to his knees as he cried into his hands. Pain grabs his heart as losing his second mate breaks their bond. The agony becomes overwhelming, and he lets out a roar before dropping to the ground, crying harder.

Mark steps into the room, seeing Vanessa is with Lisa, he moves to help Roger instead. Patting his shoulder, Mark says, "You did not kill her. He made you."

Through the tears and his hands, Roger murmured, "I saw the life flee her eyes."

"We need to leave, now." Nix froze as she watched Lisa's blood shift and move. It gathered together before moving away from them. The wall blocked its path, so it climbed up, leaving red streaks behind it.

The others ignored Nix as they comforted each other, but the pitch in her voice forced them to turn and stare. "We need to go."

"Is that blood?" Vanessa asks, stepping away from Lisa to join the group.

"Yes," replied Nix.

"Why?"

Nix froze as the blood formed a rectangle on the wall, seeping into the stones. A dark glow began emitting from the blood, forcing Nix to step back. "He is coming."

Suddenly, the blood turned solid as a soft click came from behind the now dark brown texture. As the sound from a key turning vibrated around the room, another blinding light washed over them. Softly the blood creaked as it opened like a door. The light casts a shadow over the figure emerging from inside as it steps out. With its entire body free, the door slammed shut, and the lack of light revealed his features.

"Hello, wife," spoke Deimos.

No one dared move as they observed the man who just walked through a door of blood. A dark aura surrounded his form as a feeling of dread crashed into everyone, and they gasped from the pure, raw power emitting from him. With the surrounding light, his features became visible as he stepped closer. Deimos is immense as he stood over six feet, broad shoulders covered by dark material, clinging to his sculpted chest. Dark hair cascade down his face and over his shoulders. A smirk formed over his pale red lips, emphasizing a fuller bottom lip with white teeth barely visible between the cracks. Pitch black eyes gazed over the group, sending chills down spines as he made eye contact with each and everyone before stopping on Nix.

"Did you miss me?” His deep voice sounded charming as it enthralled anyone who heard it.

"Deimos," Nix said, the shock of seeing her husband in the flesh overriding her senses. Previous emotions returned as she gazed at his towering form. The love they had shared burned brighter, pulling up the memories she wanted gone, but also the hate she felt after she had learned about his actions. And the countless lives he had taken in the name of revenge.

"You don't look happy to see me."

"How can I be,” spat Nix, "Especially after you killed friends of mine."

Deimos waved his hand. “Details, details. But I am here now."

"To kill, that is."

A throaty chuckle escaped his chest. "Only the ones who would oppose me."

Nix skirted back as Deimos took another step forward, her hands flying up and a small ball of energy forming in her palms. "Stay away."

Deimos's head turned slightly as if confused, but the smile remained. "You would hurt me? Your husband."

"You are no husband of mine,” Nix countered.

"But I can be again.” Reaching out his hand, Deimos offered, "Come with me, and I can restore your previous form, your powers, and we will rule this plain together."

A slight shuffle caught Nix's attention, and she peeked over her shoulder, catching the terrified looks of the others. Sweeping over them, she focused on Ruby as she hid behind Roland while cradling her bump. "No.” She slowly turned to look at Deimos. "I was made to be a protector, and that is what I will do."

"Then you will die for it."

Standing straight, Nix lifted her head. "Then so be it."

Deimos pondered her response for a second, dropping his invited hand to his side. "Fine. But this was your last chance. Next time I see you, I will be the last thing you see before I kill you."

With a snap of his fingers, Deimos disappeared. Nix leaned against the marble slab as she hyperventilates. Seeing him again was too much as her knees felt weak. For all the power she possesses, they were useless against the one being they had to stop. And now he has returned. Not a sliver of smoke or a ball of electricity, but in his true form with all the powers he had lost.

"Nix, are you okay?” Strong arms reached underneath her arms, lifting her up. Dropping her head against the warm, solid chest, she let out a moan before tears began, and she let go. As she cried, the person brushed her golden hair, their soft agreement to let it out edging her one.

Roland held her tight as Nix broke down, unable to comprehend a Goddess in this state. From what he gathered, Deimos was her husband, but what had happened between them? And where did he come from? After five minutes, Nix dried up as her mentality returned, stronger than before. She never had time to grieve for their loss, but she came in a new direction with the closure. They might have failed more than once, but now is the actual test of strength.

Pushing away from Roland, Nix gathered herself before turning towards the group, all eyes already on her. "We have failed today, but we will not again. Deimos might have returned, but we will ensure his reign of terror is short-lived."

Sarah stepped forward. “The witches will stand with you."

Roland agreed, "And the wolves are with you."

Nix smiled at the unity unfolding before her eyes. Never in history has the species come together, and it only took the end of the world to make it happen.

"I am with you," murmured Roger, looking up from the cradle in his arms. "I cannot promise the vampires, but I am with you. He will die for what he did."

Nix went to Roger, dropping down beside him. Placing a soft kiss on his forehead, she whispered, "Please know I am sorry for your loss, but remember, death is not always the end."

With bloodshot eyes, Roger glanced up at Nix, and she gasped. "Your eyes."

"What is it?" fearing the worst, Roger sprang up, twisting as he looked at his body. Before their eyes, Roger gradually changed. Starting at his head, the usual pale hair gained color as it changed to a dark brown. While traveling lower, his milk-white skin shifted to an olive skin tone brushed with a golden hue. Roger looked surprised at his arms as it ran down his arms, and he looked at Nix. "What is happening?"

"I...I don't know. It must be the spell I placed on you. It is gone."

Touching his chest as he looked down, Roger kneads his flesh as warmth returned. The bloodlust also left as the usual unscratchable itch in his throat vanished and in its place the normal hunger. With shocked eyes, he stared back at Nix, eliciting shocked gasps from the room.

"Your eyes,” Vanessa pointed out as she grasps his face, pulling him closer to observe. "There are two colors."

"I need to see," Roger demanded.

Mark pulled out his phone from his back pocket and opened the camera, offering it to Roger. Seizing it, Roger breathed deep as he tried to calm down. After all this time, he can see his own eyes again, but it sounded like something was wrong. Counting to three, he held up the phone, ignoring his other features to focus on his eyes. The new look warmed his heart at the same time it killed him. Before the curse, he had dark green eyes, a trade his mother had passed on, but now it was gone. Instead, he looked back at his left eye, a light green, while the right was blue, the shining blue of Lisa's flame.

"It looks like—” began Vanessa.

"Lisa's." finished Roger, fresh tears spring up.

"They are beautiful, old friend." Vanessa offered a hug, and Roger accepted. As little as it seems, the comfort she brought was better than the hollowness she felt.

"We need to go," spoke Nix.

As they nodded, Roger mentally kicked himself for forgetting about Lisa. "We need to give her a proper burial.” Her unmoving body was a stark reminder of his actions, but he had to be a man and face them.

"I will help," said Nix.