Dark Descendants: City of Domes

Chapter 10:The Revelation

Solem Zekiah Dutritz POV

The guardians and I walked through the Palace, battling every guard and warrior we get along the way. We were left without any choice but to hurt our comrades, just for the sake of all. Everyone now thinks we are set of traitors who turned our back against the Palace and the King, and we know they knew nothing about the real story.

In every comrade I hurt, I felt like my heart is being grinded into pieces. And I know my fellow guardians feel the same way too especially those who have been also part of the Legion for the very long time before we became guardians.

It pains me to do every strike to them, but it pains me more that we are left no choice since the apocalypse is now coming.

The ground shakes strongly, but that didn’t stop us from looking for Alexiese and Johann from all over the Palace. We entered every secret passages and dungeons, every room and office hoping we can eventually find them when a shout rang the hallways of the Palace. The shout was more of a cry, a scream, that involves too much pain. We guardians then looked at each other as we recognize the voice of whom the owner of that scream, and immediately made our way to another dungeon heavily guarded by the highest ranking Palace guards. They tried to stop us, but we are much powerful to take all of them down. They ended lying unconscious, but not dead. Just to give us enough time to sneak inside and get Alexiese and Johann out of that dungeon.

As soon as we entered the dungeon, everyone was surprised, even us. For we saw Alexiese and Johann chained up into a chair, blood-soaked with deep burns and wounds. Peter and Simon who was chained in the wall was crying, and we were immediately surrounded by warriors armed with obsidian swords and spears. We, the guardians, were froze to our position. Not because of the spears and swords pointing at us but to Alexiese and Johann’s condition. They are tortured. That’s the perfect word to describe how they looked.

“HOW DID YOU MANAGED TO GET OUT OF THAT PRISON CELL?!” The King shouted. “General Brick!” and the King immediately slashed my former commander using his own sword. His body dropped into the ground into two. While Commander Rusty, whom we knew to be so manly and with a solid stance, was now shaking, looking too horrified on what he saw as he looks to the sliced body of Commander Brick. The King was now wearing his bloodshot eyes through his golden mask, along with the fellow masked men sitting at his back. That was our cue, I summoned my power and that’s what the other guardians did. Engulf in my flames, I slammed the ground and the fight starts.

The obsidian spears and swords are definitely effective against us, and so we fought with all our might even though we only aim to disarm them and left them injured enough to not fight back. I aimed my attacks at the King, for my heart was filled with rage for what he did to Commander Brick.

“HE HAS TWO KIDS! HAS A FAMILY! HOW DARE YOU KILL HIM!” I shouted. As the King dodge every attack I made. Until a flame caught him. As I approach him, my fire grew stronger, it even turns into blue color now. I even don’t know how it happens. I became deaf on the surroundings, and all I want is to behead the person I locked my eyes on; The King. He was struggling now to kill the flames that starts to burn his majestic black coat and cape.

I stepped hard on the ground, summoning the Fire Ram. And as I continue to walk towards the fleeing King, the Ram bring downed everyone surrounding me. The clash of swords stopped, and every warrior of palace including the council is now lying on the floor. I brought out my sword that I get back from one of the guards, and was about to behead the King when Simon shouted.

“DUTRITZ! NOOOO!” I froze, “DON’T DO THAT! REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE A GUARDIAN!” but his shout seems not to loud for me to hear it clearly. My mind was clouded with the image of Alexiese, Johann and Commander Brick, my heart is filled with hatred and rage. My hand shaking with anger.

“HE DESERVE THIS!” I shouted as I swing my sword to behead the King, but Alexiese blocked and caught the attack. And to my surprise, he was armored with the Water Scorpion, and wasn’t been injured by the Attack. I lose grip on my sword and it fell on the ground.

“Please don’t… Solem…” he uttered though he still looks weak. The Water Scorpion was keeping him standing. He tries to reached out for my hand and lifts his head to look at me, and when I saw his bloodshot eyes I kept shaking my head to deny the real fact. He’s a vampire and he’s the Scorpio guardian… the real one.

With Alexiese blocking my attack towards the King, He escaped immediately, and all that was left in the room was us guardians, Peter, Simon and unconscious bodies lying on the floor.

My knees weakened as my flames faded. I sat on the floor looking directly to his eyes.

“Noooo… You can’t be…” I murmured. “Y-You…” I continue uttering as Alexiese wounds slowly heals.

“I’m sorry if I kept it to you, Solem. I’m very sorry.” He apologizes. But everything is now late for him. Of all creatures, why Vampires?

“We need to get out of here!” one of the guardians shouted as the ground shakes again. The dungeon seems to be near collapsing. “Alpha Guardian!” Kylie called out but I can’t take my eyes off Alexiese. They now grabbed me, but my eyes were only fixated to Alexiese who’s still standing to where he was as we walked our way out of the dungeon. Peter is the one who commands the guardians on what to do and where to go now while Simon was left with Alexiese and Johann, but their voices seems not entering my ears. Until I smell something familiar and everything becomes black as I passed out.

I WOKE up in a familiar bed. I was back into our barracks. Looking around, I saw Alexiese’s head beside my arm and immediately moved far from him. My sudden movement woke him up.

“Solem please… listen first.” He plead. But I was deaf to what he will be supposed to be saying.

“No!” I shouted. “DON’T COME NEAR ME!”

“Hear me out first Solem please.” He pleads again.

“NO ALEXIESE! YOU LIED TO ME!” I shouted, emotions bursting out from inside me. “YOU F*CKING LIED TO ME ALEXIESE! YOU!” I pointed my finger at him. “YOU ARE A VAMPIRE! AND YOU ARE THE SCORPIO GUARDIAN! BUT YOU F*CKING HID THE TRUTH TO ME! YOU BROKED OUR OATH! HOW COULD I EVEN TRUST YOU FOR WHAT I KNEW!”

“Solem… I… I never wanted to be like this… But I can’t do anything…” he cried. “If I would be given a choice I’ll never choose to be the Prince… I would rather be a normal person—” I cut him off.

“Wh-what?!” I shouted. “And you… you are the Prince? You… you are the King’s son? And Heir?” my knees weakened again as another realization dawned at me. I laughed bitterly.

“Solem…” he called out, his voice full of agony. But my heart becomes deaf and turned into stone cold.

“No… don’t go nearer...” I plead. My eyes swell off tears now.

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

“Guardian Dutritz…” Simon’s voice interfered as the door of our barracks slowly opens. “Alexiese, let’s just give Solem some space. You were to stay for now with Johann. Please, leave for now.” Alexiese who seemed really hesitant on leaving me without explaining his side, was forced to oblige as he left our barracks.

I cried silently in the corner of my bed, as Simon approaches me. He sat on the other side of the bed while carefully looking at me.

“Guardian, is it okay if Guardian Kylie will be in here with you? Or you prefer to be alone?” he asked. My mind was flying far, not enough to entertain his question so I didn’t answer. I was drowned into my memories, memories that came flashing back, memories that I’ve been getting rid for a long time. But the memories seem to pain me more, it keeps on haunting me and I can’t escape.

Vampires… vampires…

Why? Why of all creature he was a vampire? Why of all creatures, it has to be the Kind that killed my mother?

“Mom… Mom!” I cried as a looked at my Mother who’s lying on the bed blood-soaked. Blood splatters on the wall, on the floor, and stains the bed covers. But my mom seems not to have any at all. I walked to her, her body cold and rigid, eyes open, lips dried out. Then my eyes caught something in her neck… a bite. Minutes later, Palace warriors came to our house. They drag me out of my mother’s room and had a woman talking to me. When I came back to our house, everything was now clean. The house didn’t seem to lost a member. It looks the same way I left it to attend my graduation.

When one of the Head warriors approach me to inform me about the report and what they find, only one word rang my mind; Vampires.

My mother was killed by a vampire, they didn’t know where it came from, only they knew that my mother was a victim of it. They promised to haunt the criminal, but years after I still didn’t hear about any progress on it. Then I decided to enter the Legion and watch on the progress of my mother’s case, but nothing seems to change since it was informed to me by the current Commander that time. From then I trained harder every day, and promised myself to haunt down whoever killed my mother, and clear out their species.

Now that I saw someone with the Kind of my mother’s killer, could I preserve what I promised to myself? Could I kill Alexiese?

“Warrior Dutritz, meet Warrior Ce’ Vieze, He will be your Battle Partner from now on. So start to know each other for you will be together for a very long time.” Commander Brick introduced the man during our Annunciation, after months of training I finally became an official part of the Legion.

“Nice to meet you.” He greeted with a sheepish smile. Since then, we trained and fought together until five years pass fastly.

He was with me during the days I cried in the barracks because I miss my sister so much, he was with me in every wound I took in the battleground, he was with me as I became one of the elite warriors of Delta Force.

Alexiese Lied to me… Broke the Oath of Brotherhood we both promised with each other to fully fulfill… and he’s also a someone I would never wanted to get to be with

He was with me all along and he is a vampire…

Memories flashed back on my mind, memories I had with Alexiese, memories that hurts me now because the truth was now revealed. What am I going to do now?

*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*

“Alpha, there’s someone who wants to talk to you. Uhhmm, his whole pack is outside the barracks. And he says it’s important. He only wants to talk to you even though Simon tried to explain him your state.” Lexxus said upon entering. I turned to look at him, his eyes pleading and worried. I stood up from the bed and composed myself.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” I said and he left with a nod. I sighed deeply, tried to wash away all the heaviness I’m feeling right now. I have people to lead, I can’t waste time to be dreary and cry myself out here in the four corners of the room. I need to act; I need to face this. And with one last sigh I left my barracks to face whoever that man who wants to talk to me.

As soon as I walk my way to the gate of the barracks, Guardians eyes looked into my direction, with surprise and worry written on their faces. Luckily, I didn’t see Alexiese on my way.

They led me to the training ground, where a pack of wolves was waiting for me. As soon as my feet stepped outside, the whole pack steps backward while their Alpha walks toward me.

“I’m in no mood for long talk, please tell me want do you want.” I immediately said.

“I’m Vultair, the pack Alpha.” He started as he turns back to his human form while covering his body using a fur clothe. “We are here to offer an alliance with you, Guardians. The information was fastly spread out to every creature inside and outside the domes that the next apocalypse is coming. We are here to help.”

“How could I be certain that your species really want to help if I am actually to erase your species for the peace and safety of humanity?” I replied, relaying him the message that I’m no diplomat to such creatures like him and the others. And he seemed to get my message.

“It was said that the Guardians are the protector of humanity—” I cut him on that.

“Which certainly you’re not.” I said, which made him gasp for a moment.

“We are! We are still humans, Guardian! Yes, we evolve into something terrifying, but for the last decades every werewolf was trained to control their hunger, tolerance and discipline over normal humans. It was not our choice to be like this, Guardian. We never wanted to be monsters like this. But we weren’t given a choice when we were experimented from all of the humans.” He explained. “And now, the Order of United Pack had decided to allied with you on the upcoming apocalypse. We can certainly help with the use of the skills that we prowess. And we promise to protect humanity and our loyalty to you, Guardians.” He said, making my brows furrowed.

They are still humans… still… humans…

“You will be needing as much force that you can have, Solem.” Ariean whispered. “You will all be dealing with supernatural’s; demons, angels and monsters. You surely need their help.”

‘I don’t know if I can trust them with all my heart. I was born stitched with the thought that supernatural creatures are dangerous, they cause death and destruction.’ I replied.

“Is that really your reason Guardian? Or is this about Alexiese and his true identity?” she asked before vanishing.

“Fine. Allies then.” I answered after a long pause and silence to the waiting Alpha. And with that, his whole pack growl in triumph to their diplomatic offer.

“Thank you for accepting us, Alpha guardian. We will be telling the Order about this good news and we’ll immediately prepare. We’ll leave one of us here to exchange messages with you. As soon as the apocalypse started, expect us to be there fighting with you guardians.” He said before he returned to his giant wolf form and left with his pack. And one of them was left as he said, who was immediately given coveralls as soon as she came back to her human form.

I entered the base again, walk straight back to my barracks only to see Alexiese who’s now standing on the door waiting for me.

“Solem… please hear me out first.” He pleads again, but I answered him with a s***h of my sword stopping on his neck.

“Move… or else I’ll behead you.” I warned. But he didn’t give in so I was forced to summon my flames and wield it together with my obsidian sword. “Last warning Alexiese, move…” I warned him.

“Not until you hear me out, Solem.” He insisted. I turned my back, and with a swift move I struck my sword to pierce his left arm. He then let out a shout as he felt the burn and pain of the sword, which alarmed the other guardians and immediately came to us in aid. Bryan wields his water to kill the flames on Alexiese’s wound, while it slowly healed due to his vampire blood.

“SOLEM! THAT’S TOO MUCH!” Bryan exclaimed. The other guardians stayed silently observing us.

“Stop overreacting, his wounds will quickly heal.” I replied. My bluntness made them gasp. “Now move, or else—” he cuts me off.

“Or else what? Alpha? Are you gonna hurt me too?” he asked. “Using obsidian’s over vampires will truly hurt them, in case you know.

“If that is what it takes for the two of you to move out of my door. Your blocking my way inside.” I said.

“What’s happening to you Solem?” Alexiese worriedly asked, extending his arms to me but I stepped back. “If you truly had loved me, Solem, those truths shall never change your love for me because I never faked myself when I was with you since the Appointments of Battle Companions appointed me to you and you to me. I entered the Legion on my own decision of defending my sanctuary, the City of Domes, inside the Battlefields. Yes, I may have kept a secret from you, may lied at some time to keep that secret, but I never had lied when I told you that I was beginning to fall in love with you.”

“Don’t you dare lay your finger on me…” I warned again, pointing my sword at him that made him step back from me. “Move.” And this time, they oblige. I entered my barracks and all I hear was murmurs outside my door on what had just happened.

I got woken up midnight that day, whereas I found everyone’s still up and having a bonfire outside with the werewolf who’s still in her human form. She was pretty, the werewolf, but I don’t know if I can give her my trust easily. Especially now, everything seems to be rough on me. I sneaked out, careful not to be sensed by everyone, especially our friend wolf in here. I walked out of the base we were hiding in, and looked around me assuring that no one came after me. I put my cloak on to hid myself and walked where my feet will bring me.

I was far from the base when I someone grabbed by cloak. I was in immediate defense mode, but I put down my sword the moment I realized it was just a child.

“Warrior.” She murmured. I looked at her face longer, trying to remember where did I saw her familiar face.

“Have we seen before kid?” I asked.

“I was the girl you saved from dome 7.” She reminded me.

“Oh. Now, I remembered. What are you doing around here this late night? It’s dangerous to roam around especially if your alone.”

“Then why are you alone roaming here?” she retorted.

“I am a warrior and was already trained. You, you’re still young. You need to go back to your place now. It’s really late to walk around.” I explained again and decided to carry her in my arms. “Where had been you staying?” I asked her but she doesn’t answer. As when I walked about a minute after, I crossed path into a strange man. He was walking slowly while growling, which made me stop walking while holding the girl tighter. When the strange man lifted his head, I realized he was not human. His eyes don’t have pupils, it’s all black but I knew he was now looking in our direction. I brought the girl downed, holding her hand tight. And I whispered,

“Don’t shout or scream okay? Just be calm and don’t go far from me. Just stay behind my back okay? Tell me if you see other more.” I said before putting out my sword from its scabbard. Prepared to fight the approaching man. It rushes toward me to attack, then transformed into something I can’t describe. It growled once more before attacking me. As soon as he transformed, I decided that my sword won’t be enough to fight the creature, so I quickly summon my ability by kneeling to the ground while piercing my sword down heavily. Awakened my deity, the fire ram. It Stands beside me, waits for the perfect time to attack the creature. I calculated the distance he was running off to me, and when I knew it was the perfect distance wherein the child won’t be hurt in impact, Fire Ram quickly rush towards the running creature and attacks it using her horns. I enveloped myself in fire again, then touched the shoulder of the kid to protect her also using my flames.

“I-I’m burning…” she was about to cry but as she realized she doesn’t felt any pain, she looked at me with astonishment. “This is cool.” She exclaimed.

“It will protect you against creatures that can hurt you.” I smiled and looked back to the fight between my ram and the stranger creature. But just in time I turn my head around, I felt a sword pierced to chest. Excruciating pain lingers to my body, my knees dropped to the ground. Then the sword was taken out, adding much intensity to the pain I’m already experiencing. I looked to who was the one that attacked me, and saw a man with black eyes with no pupils like the creature I saw earlier, smirking evilly to me while holding his bloodshot-colored sword.

“Hello guardian.” He greeted gleefully, stepping back lightly to observe my face. Pain made my vision blurry, I was left to put my hand on ground to remain my balance. The man kicked my sword far from me. “May I introduce myself to you, I’m Seth. Demon king of hell. I don’t want to be rude so let’s shake hands for it’s the very first time we’ll be meeting each other.” He knelt to level with me, and lend his hand towards me. I looked at him full of rage through the pain, and slapped his hand back to him. I coughed out blood now, diminishing my strength. But as soon as he stepped back, I heard another swish of sword. I closed my eyes to prepare for the blow, but I received nothing. I heard a loud howl that made my eyes open, and as soon as I lift my head I saw Alexiese using his sword to stop the blow Seth has to give to me. His eyes bloodshot red and skin paler than ever, revealing some black-colored nerves around his face that was avoiding to look at me.

“Are you still okay Solem?” he asked, pushing Seth’s sword so he’ll flung back. He stepped his right foot in ground as he summoned the water scorpion, and envelopes himself in using it as an armor. His sword now gleaming in blue. Then I hear thumps of paw getting nearer, and a roar that only belongs to a werewolf. It now stands beside me, to the other side was Alexiese and behind was the kid. I hold onto my wound and wiped the blood on my mouth, used my sword to stand up while slightly grimacing with every move. Seth, who stands infront of us with still smirk plastered in his face, lifts up his arm and summoning strange creatures. I read it once in the riddle books and it was called behemoths. It looks like a rhino with more horns and colored red, much of flesh like color of red. It was really big, as big as the werewolf beside me. Without further ado, the behemoth rush towards us to attack. The werewolf rushed to attack it.

I flamed up again, not minding if my energy diminishes more for using it, as I stand beside Alexiese who still tries to avoid looking at me although I can see worry written all over his face. He then vanished to attack Seth, armed with his obsidian sword and water scorpion as his armor. I stayed to protect the kid, one hand on my wound while the other holds the sword upright in defensive mode. It was not long when we heard another howl, in which the werewolf with us answered too while fighting the giant behemoth. Then a pack arrives, with the other guardians and Simon on their back. Then, the ground shakes and cracked open. From it, hands unravel from below, and demons climb up the ground to help their king.

The skies light up, burning creatures fall from above. The ground shakes one after another, as well as exploding sounds rang the whole land. Then light comes nearer to us, revealing Amethyst in her black wings with the other angels in white wings. Light comes from their wielded swords in hand, and elegant silver and golden armors. Only something was different from the angels with Amethyst, for their wings were scattered, damaged and almost feather less not until Amethyst’s. Then a realization struck my mind… they’re fallen angels. And this, this might be the rebellion Amethyst was talking about.

Bryan immediately comes to me to aid my wound. Using his palm, he managed to heal my wound to the point that it even doesn’t look like I had just been pierced using a sword a while ago. I looked at Bryan with astonishment. He smiled and a message was conveyed using our minds.

he boasted. I chuckled while shaking my head. He still managed to joke around in situations like this.

With the help of Bryan’s healing ability, I managed to get back my strength, and my flames turned blue once again. My heart full of rage and power surge’s to every part of my body. I summoned the Fire Ram once again and the other guardians summoned theirs too.

“Protect the Kid at all cost.” I commanded before the war finally started.

The fourth apocalypse has started…