Balance (Book 9 )

The smell of blood and the screams of death and the earth’s call woke me. I opened my eyes to see a large room, and I was lying comfortably on a large bed. The sweet smell of blood hungered me beyond anything I have ever felt. I left the room and went to the realm of the living.

Dark clouds of ash covered the sun and cooled the ground while the mortals screamed for mercy. Leaders of their government try to analyze what is happening and try to come up with battle tactics. It is all in vain. They will all reap their sins with their lives.

The earth’s power surged into my veins. I felt her warm grasp crawl through my entire body and into my mind. I felt what she felt. The connection is beautiful. I could feel the waters rolling about on my side, the living with their technology walked along my back. Her hunger became my own. She is in pain and starves for flesh. She is lonely and cries out for my touch.

“Feed me.”

“Patients, my friend. We must make the living bow to Ra, or you will not heal. Ra will make you whole if the living bow to him.”

“I am in pain, and I hunger.”

Death hummed in my hand, whispering of its hunger as well. Life was dull and did not shine like polished steel. It looked tarnished and unused. Screams of death came from Europe. I allowed it to feed me, giving me strength. The living will fall quickly once the earth is safe. I shall avenge my soul.

A lone man with chakram walked through a European city, calling for people to bow before Ra. I stayed my distance soaking in the fear and chaos that came. Blood fed the earth, but it was not enough. I continued watching the man. He was confident and strong and commanded a death knight that took souls who bowed. He stopped suddenly and broke the road where he stood and touched the earth. I could almost feel his hand on my back. He summoned power and commanded the earth to heat and take its fill on the living. I sent my power into the earth, allowing it to feed off me to take its vengeance.

Screams of pain and death excited me. My skin chilled from it. The heat from my core grew to a passion. The feel of burning flesh made my desire drip with need. The power from the man flowed from him and comforted me. His command made me feel safe and desired. I desired more.

I followed the veins of the earth and began feeding off the souls that burned. Their life force became my own. I pulsed power into the buildings, making them crumble. The surface liquefied consuming all the resources. I moaned in pleasure as I felt the release and tasted the flesh that was given to me.

Something blocked a section of the earth’s power. Fresh water flowed behind the power. No matter. Lakes, rivers, and any other body of water is natural.

The man’s presence left suddenly. Why did he leave? He abandoned the earth! Anger came forth like a tidal wave. The absence of his touch and his command left a void too big to fill. He denied us our ecstasy. He toyed with us then left! If ever see him again, I will kill him.

Rage attempted to blind me. Only duty drove me and took control of my rage. Otherwise, I would simply destroy everything and enjoy the warm blood bath.

I went to the next city and quickly killed everyone. No mercy. To the naked eye, I was a shadow or a burst of wind. Each person that stood fell to my feet. I pulsed power as my heart beat. The power was sharp and cut the living in half. Blood sprayed and washed my hair and soaked my clothing. I could see the individual blood droplets as they slowly fell. It looked like millions of rubies rained from the sky. I opened my mouth and tasted some as I went by. It was exhilarating.

Death over Life. My swords burst into flames, and I started several fires.

“My friend, feed. I am giving you your fill. Burn for me. Cleanse yourself of your burden.”

“Thank you.” She groaned.

As the ground began to heat, and the buildings began to burn, I continued hunting for living souls and consuming them. None will survive. All of Europe burned within hours. I sat and watched the beauty of the fires and the smell of cooked flesh.

I felt a tug within my chest.

’Master?’

“I need more.” The earth said, distracting me.

“You shall have more, my friend. Rest and heal. Allow the flesh to be digested first. I will give you more soon.”

The earth quieted with my promise and began to cool the surface.

‘Master?’

I turned to look behind me. Nothing was there. Life warmed in my hand. I could feel a tug in my chest. I will not be controlled. I brought forth Death’s power and let it consume me. Life dulled once again, and I traveled in the god’s realm to the next city.

It was a cold land, and its people were all warriors. Warriors do not taste as good, but they are fun to toy with. I will take my time here and enjoy the battle cries. The land is vast, and the cities have not entirely taken over. There was still open land and seas.

As I walked through part of the city, a human yelled at me. My skin pulsed a glow at the threat. I turned to look at him. He stood several yards away from me with a gun in this hand.

“Bow before Ra, or I will feed on you.”

The earth shook at my voice, and the man fired his gun at me. I quickly moved past the slow bullet and stopped behind the man. I took his neck in my hand.

“Wrong Choice! Your soul will feed me, and your body will feed the earth!”

He began yelling and tried to fight me. I laughed at him and allowed his fear to fill me. I bit into his neck and drained him of his blood and began taking his soul.

“The soul is not yours to take Anput.”

“It isn’t the god’s either.” I replied and took my fill.

The voice did not come from the earth. I looked around and into the god’s realm and saw no one. I bent down and touched the earth and sent my power into it.

“Horace’s judgment has come. Ra shows mercy to those who bow to him. Bow or die!”

The vast land glowed blue as my voice rang out. The buildings shook with my voice. The people ran out into the streets. Most of them armed with some type of weapon.

Black shadows darted among the buildings collecting the living. I waited a few minutes then began bathing in blood. I pulsed my power outward and allowed Death to take its fill.

Anger and frustration of the insolence of the people clouded my mind. They would fight to continue feeding off the earth. Their disrespect has gone on for far too long. Time slowed, making killing every living soul an easy task. The black streaks were solid black skeletons in full black plate armor. I ignored them for the time being. They helped the earth. I traveled for two days going from street to street and building to building slicing everything with my power and sword.

I felt a tug deep down in my chest. It felt like a hand grasped me and tried to bring me to a place. I shoved it away and continued.

‘Anput, hear me!’

‘Master, I hear you.’

I looked around and could find no one. Dismembered bodies lay in their own blood, and buildings fueled the fire raging around me. The human’s transportation littered the streets as the living fled from me.

“Who is saying that!” I yelled out.

No answer. The voices quieted, and I continued on to my task.

I brought the earth into my being and commanded it to burn the surface.

“Take your fill, my friend. I have prepared a feast.”

“Thank you.”

The land began to burn, and a shadow stepped in front of me. I looked up to see a man with piercing green eyes look down at me unafraid. He was not human or vampire.

I stood before him and glared. “Kneel before Ra or answer to Horace’s judgment.”

His answer was clear. He closed the gap and took my neck in his hand.

“Good. I desire a fight! I will taste your blood!”

He bit into his wrist with vampire fangs and presented the wounded wrist to me. Curious, I accepted it. He was sweet and tasted of honey. I fed off him hungrily. There was such power in his veins. I would have it all. His hand loosened its grasp from my neck. I could hear his heart pound in his chest as it tried to compensate for the blood loss.

The being struggled to free himself in vain. He was mine. I would take his life and the soul.

“Anput, let go.” I heard him say. His voice was deep and relaxed. Strange for one who was going to die. I drank more eagerly, and a spear came into my vision, threatening to pierce my eyes. I looked up at him and laughed. His eyes seemed to glow red, and his skin looked pale. Circles formed under his eyes. He was close to death. It made my heart race to know he would be mine soon. I resisted the urge to finish.

“Do you submit to Ra?”

He did not answer. Anger that matched my own seemed to consume him. I breathed in deep, taking in the scent.

“Perhaps I will play with you. You smell divine!”

His spear rose for an attack. I was ready and willed the earth to continue burning the city around me.

‘Master, no!’

He hesitated just enough for me to strike with Death. He was quick, but not quick enough. My killing strike was blocked, and Death slid along the shaft of his spear and pierced his shoulder. I quickly ran the blade through to the hilt and grabbed his neck.

A tug in my chest caught my breath. I felt as though my heart tried to break. My grip relaxed enough for the male to flee. He disappeared into nothing. I had a god in my grasp! They betrayed me!

Ra and Horace send me to cleanse the earth, and now they send one of their own to stop me. Once the earth is free, I will feast on them!