Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2018 21:42:31 GMT -5
The screeching of bats.
It was a sound that became so familiar to her, almost as much as the sweet taste of blood. Though the reason for it, wasn’t the same as when she had first encountered it. No, things had changed so long ago, and not because of time either, but because of her. She absolutely hated that woman.
That much was undeniable. How could someone who had been so young, someone who had been under her guidance, surpass her enough to be recognized as their queen. It wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. Anyone under her charge were meant to stay there, until she grew bored with them.
Centuries could pass before that would truly happen, and those who chose to leave, would begin the hunt that could end in their culling. Yet, that one leaving had happened anyway, and each growth in power, only brought back news of what was trying to be established. Their kind as the dominant race.
Even though such a goal was a slow process, perhaps even nothing more than a hopeless dream, she could still hear the conversations about it. How possible it would be. That things would change. Even the oldest of the Vampires that were around had faith in this belief, and it made her chuckle.
In what dim light this bunker carried with it, her eyes had glanced up at the ceiling where several bats hung upside down. A hand had reached out to any interested, prompting one to fly over and perch onto her hand. She stroked its head, gnawing at the air as she had played with the bat.
"Even as a bat, you’re still too cute you know? I could just eat you up.”
Her lips had easily formed into a smile, though her mind was far from feeling the same way. The others had sung so many praises that things would change, and look at where it had gotten them. Those who refused on a 100 year ceasefire of culling one of their own, were forced to live as bats.
Compulsion was such a strong ability, innate to only the Matriarchs and above, even she couldn’t resist obeying. This one in her hand was still able to talk telepathically, sure, but she mostly tuned out their voices. Treated them more as the pets they were. How else could she stay sane with this new rule?
There was so many do's and don't nowadays, the one question that so often came to light in her mind, was what was the point of being a Vampire, if she couldn't give into her impulses? Do what she wished with the strength she had chosen to sought out, after so many years of rejecting the offer to become one. What had been her choice, had practically been taken from her with this new reign, it would be foolish not to think it wouldn't persist.
Bored playing with her toy, she shooed away from the bat, who was only just getting comfortable in her hands. Her steps echoed as she continued walked through this underground bunker, the shadows dancing across her face, as the lights around, could only cover so much of those underneath it.
She still had some time before the usual had happened. Other Vampires had passed by her, wearing the same cloak as she did, the hood pulled down so she could see their faces. Even the ones who looked monstrous, she couldn't bear to allow them to walk so hidden, if they knew they might walk in her presence.
Her power wasn't suppressed, as there wasn't a need to. Everyone here had only access to Refined Control. To try and go above and beyond like their queen, wasn't going to sit well with her, even if that was more favorable to this new reign. They were never supposed to go and leave her guidance.
Parting smiles were given to those she passed, though none were faces she had actually meant to talk to. There was that one girl who had the freedom to move around as she pleased, but under the belief that she would continue to remain in this coven. That interest in the queen, already made her cautious.
From the feel of things, the girl hadn’t left the room they had made into a library down here. She had such a fondness for reading, and even that made her suspicious. She was likely the most informed of anyone down here, on how much the queen had progressed. The one others came to, asking for more.
Of course, she had properly directed them to her, where she was able to make them earn the information like they should. But it wasn’t anything she’d consider to be useful. Things like the Queen growing in power, or one of the Mothers warning them of what to prepare for, differed in the kind of danger.
She could still remember when the Saiyans had attacked with their overgrown tree, how afraid some of the others were. Those who chose to ignore remaining in the bunkers were on their own, was what they had been told. And of course, there were several covens who did, because they weren’t afraid.
But none of those on her own watch, would have been able to leave without her watchful eye. The ones who tried to leave under the guise of innocence were normally sent to die by her hand or one of the other leaders, though now they couldn’t do more than turning them into bats. There was no way around it.
Trying to would get them found out, as they no longer really had any secrecy. And that fact never failed to become apparent, each and everyday. Yet there were still those of their kind still in the Queen’s favor, like the blind fools they were. But she supposed not having a queen for so long, would do that.
They failed to remember how the last queen chose to pass on and retire from all of the nonsense the aliens that came to this planet could bring, and she only wished that hadn’t been so. Allowing the covens to fight each other as they should, was where things should be. Not this whole ceasefire business.
A sigh had escaped her, as she finally came into the study, opening the door to find the raven-haired girl burying herself in a pile of books. With her hood over her head, she seemed so much like any of the other Vampires here. But to obtain her interest, even if it was the slightest, actually created such a large gap. Most of their kind didn't just get to meet their queen. To do so required experience, if one wasn't just some heathen without importance.
The hood was lifted down as her footsteps echoed in the room, the two of them being the only ones currently present in the study, which wasn't unusual. Her own signature being here, would keep any others from disturbing them, as there would be so little time left before they were called away.
"Tell me, what have you've heard so far?"
"Nothing but hurried explanations. A lot of the things we were already warned of, will move forward."
Their eyes had met as she continued to stand, forcing the girl to look up at her, as she answered. There wasn't much detail to it, although there didn't need to be. The Queen was detailed, that was for sure, and hardly would skip over things, if it could be helped. This information must have came from one of the others. And from the sound of things, not only were they going to be working with the demons, but the plan to move to Bris might also come to fruition.
Which meant they would be compelled to hold this secrecy, when the call had happened. It was going to irate her, when she had the time for it, but at the moment, she had only nodded and smiled at the girl for the information. She knew the others would learn of everything fully later.
The new reign was supposed to emphasize how the higher hierarchies were supposed to be shared titles, which would have normally diminish any advantage she could try to impose around here, if not for sending this girl to the queen's mansion, and knowing for sure that she would always come back.
"Unfortunate, but thank you. I suppose we should have the others prepare then."
As much as she despised the current reign, and knew the queen wasn't the type for it, she still wanted to believe the woman could be kissed up to. Preparing beforehand would surely do just that, sooner or later, as it was a thing that was noticeable and couldn't be ignored, that this coven would be the one that stood out from the others. She could always see it in the queen's eyes, and that was something she knew wouldn't be taken away from her.
There only came a nod from the girl, who got up from her seat and gave a slight bow, before 'blinking' away. The piles of books on the table were gone far before the time it took to look away, and the girl's ki signature, grew distant. Nothing unusual, knowing she hadn't even tried to look at the girl.
Anyone above the power of those here, would have likely had no trouble seeing her, but that was the way it was supposed to be. The girl's task assigned, she was left wondering just who was going to give out today's call, as she walked out of the study. Three Matriarchs in existence, out of the five that were allowed to be, and the queen herself, as the Antediluvian. Anyone who tried to even come close to their power, were likely to die without their approval.
They were supposed to all be an exemplary bunch, and yet not. The queen never failed to warn of how much a Vampire had started to change, when they had become a Matriarch. That the blood magic they were made out of, would start to make them hate humanity more and more, as they grew in power.
It was meant to be seen as a punishment, supposedly, and of course she had people actually buy the idea. Which meant what? That they'd have to stay at Refined Control forever, without one of their approval? It was ridiculous to believe such a thing would last. If these so called burdens were true, than they were worth pursuing, knowing the power that came with becoming a Matriarch. Of course, she wouldn't strive for it herself. It wasn't time yet.
Her turning into a Vampire hadn't been that long, and she preferred becoming one of the ancients before going for such power. Nothing else was stopping her from trying to surpass the queen herself. It was a moment before time had ran out, and she felt the call reach her, distinguished from any other feeling, as she felt her thoughts slip away. Any anger or doubt she might have had, easily started to slip away from her, before she found a voice speak.
"By my order, mother commands you all to gather towards the skies of South City. Turn into bats and remain cautious of those potentially hostile."
She recognized it as belonging to the silver-haired Matriarch, who had referred to herself as 'mother' since becoming one. The other two were similarly referred to such nicknames in their own tastes. 'Mom' belonging to the young brunette, and 'Mommy' for the more lavender-haired Matriarch.
A tugging feeling had followed, and she knew if she had been strong enough, she'd be able to resist the call. But she found herself transforming into what was supposed to be just her little pets, the compulsion strong enough to make her follow the order. There would be some who would be able to resist, and they were likely to be called by the queen herself, if there was time for it. Though a Grand Order being called, meant there wouldn't be toleration.
She supposed the Queen wanted them to keep believing this was more fortunate, being herded like cattle just to all be talked to at the same time. Lights that were overhead shined on her form, making shadows danced across it, as she went pass one after another. She was calm, and still able to think for herself, but her body was practically moving on its own. This rule wasn't some kind of utopia or peace, like the others kept buying into.
Their numbers were accounted for like this each and everyday, calling out any possible traitors once they had gotten to the location, and making them come out. Those who were, would be forced to live as bats with one of the Matriarch's orders, with only Vampires like her, and several others being spared.
All of the screeching around her, she swore made her so irritable when this process was all done and over, but what ire that could and kept coming with all of this, just kept slipping away. Like she was some kind of simpleton. A number to be used, rather than the kind of individual she really was.
But that was what that queen must have wanted, didn't she? For someone to oppose her, only to be struck? This ceasefire business didn't mean much if it couldn't be helped. That was what they were already told. So why wasn't she one of the ones who had to give up her human form? In that woman's eyes, she highly doubted she was the exception she thought of herself as. She hated not being able to read the situation. It wasn't how things were supposed to be.
Her internal cries were practically shut down, as numerous amounts of other bats, gathered together like they were supposed to, in the destroyed South City. 'Mother' she could see standing below them, eyes shut from the looks of things, likely trying to detect any incoming non Vampire beings.
"Welcome, my children. By my order, mother wants those of you with doubts of our future, to separate yourselves."
Out of everyone that was here, she had always thought and hoped that each and everyday, she would be one of the ones who came out of their swarm. But her body was unmoving, and it infuriated her, knowing it must have been due to the compulsion. That only those strong enough, would be able to step forward.
There were a portion of numerous bats that had answered the order, flying down to mother, where she began to speak to them telepathically. The other Matriarchs had different approaches, and she despised this one the most, having to just wait here, watching and wondering just what was going on.
They wouldn't be allowed to take human shape for a good while. Time had always passed by before she even realized it, which she too, had also hated. None of this was of her own accord. She shouldn't have been up here with the rest of these Vampires. She was better than them, and likely even much older.
That constant screeching that sounded like nothing more than chatter, seemed so much louder. The others were speaking to each other telepathically, the best they could while they had waited, but their voices were ones she tuned out. She didn't want to be here, and she knew she couldn't have been the only one.
But no matter how much she tried to struggle, the screeching continued to taunt her failed attempts.
WC: 2,613