The Devil's Bride

BLOOD 15: Arm of God I

BEHIND THE immense, white and cotton-like clouds, a massive landmass was floating above the surface of the earth. It was surrounded by few floating islands that was also connected to the middle island itself which was also called Avalon.

Avalon was the territory of the Angelos and most often called as the Divine Intervenor. The outside of their place was filled with different kinds of flying creature. There were also large bubbles drifting in the midair. A waterfalls that tumbling down over the edge of the steep places.

Each side of the floating island has a cliff or a rock that extended the mainland and each of it has a large tower standing upright there. At the midmost was two great golden corinthian pillars serving as the entrance to the palace.

Inside was so much impressive. It was covered with luxurious golds and enermous columns that stood against the floor to its ceiling which giant people could exactly fit and walk straight inside. The environment was also a mingling of huge museum and a five-star deluxe hotel. Above was a glowing lights of mixed blue and violet that it looked like a version of aurora.

A lot of flying big lights were also seen in the air like traveling from different directions. There were also several iconic statue that could be witness. And the atmosphere were like kind of busy.

Isang palingon-lingon ang ginawa ni Vlad nang makarating siya sa loob ng palasyo. He roled his eyes heavenward as he thought this could be very tiresome again since the place was indeed wide.

"Vlad Alsh Harriet Lincoln of royalty vampire clan?" Vlad turned his head as soon as he heard a male voice. One of the lights soaring in the air came forward to Vlad and in an instant it became a winged-man. The winged man was wearing a greek-style clothes in gold and white hue.

"Yes," Vlad answered immediately.

"You are expected by Lord Aulus. On the 211th floor please," the winged man politely said as he was pointing his right hand to the direction which Vlad should go.

"Got it. Thanks," Walang lingon na sabat naman ni Vlad. In fact, he was pissed off to think that he should actually have to be in meetings and face the well-known cursing Aulus. Tinuringan pa namang Angelos at isa sa mga heaven counselors pero madalas naman itong mag-mura lalo na sa kanya.

Higit sa lahat ay ang pagpapabili nito ng kung anu-ano. Katulad na lamang ngayon na kinailangan niya pa magdala ng bag para sa binili niyang alak at sigarilyo. At kahit na inis siya ay hindi naman niya matanggihan si Aulus dahil ito ang tumulong sa kanya para ma-sealed ang sumpang tinatawag sa kanya maging ng kanyang sariling ama.

He clenched his jaw while remembering those memories. You'll pay me bigtime old man for disturbing my biting time! Huklubang matandang isip bata! Pagkakausap ni Vlad sa isip.

Narating niya ang elevator ng lugar at napatirik pa siya ng mata nang makita niya ang isang wall painting. The Creation of Adam.

Ano naman ang trip ng matandang 'yon sa pag vavandal ng pader na ito? Nagpailing-iling siya ng ulo at tinignan ito sandali. The character in the painting was pointing a button from the elevator.

So, ginaya niya pa ang masterpiece ni Michelangelo para lang sa bagay na ito? Tch. That golden ager.

He sighed and continue to walk through the elevator. He went inside and turned his face into deadpan. Sana lang walang kalokohan maisip ang matandang 'yon.

Nagsimula siyang magpindot ng button to 211th floor. Nonetheless, the enclosed compartment started its electronic buzz sound like it was alerting to something. And the room was flickering of red light. Nangunot naman ang noo ni Vlad.

This is so not happening.

Sandali pa ay naging rehas ang pintuan ng elevator which made Vlad to be alarmed.

"s**t! Is this some kind of prank? Hey! Hindi ako wanted phantoms!"

"Vladivostok has entered the trap." An operated electronic voice appeared while repeating the information.

"Dammit! Ilang beses ko ba sasabihin na hindi niyo pwede dagdagan ang pangalan ko! f**k. Vladivostok is a city of southeastern Russia and I'm a f*****g being here!"

"Ready for die out battling."

"What?! No! I didn't came here for that shitty thing. Get me the hell outta here!" Nagngingit-ngit ang mga ngipin ni Vlad. Sino ba naman kasi ang mag-aakala na ito ang masasalubong niya sa lugar na ito? He closed his eyes in anger. Alam na niya kung kanino galing ang trap na ito.

He abruptly thought to press the safest button he knew to halt the trap thing but to his surprise it didn't get what he was actually expecting.

"Battle Accepted."

Nanlaki ang mata ni Vlad. He looked up to the ceiling of the elevator and loudly cried. "NOOO! You f*****g old geezer!"

And the elevator immediately went down to the basement of the palace where Aulus trap was waiting for Vlad. At si Vlad naman ay hindi natapos sa pagmumura at pagsisigaw habang mabilis siyang dinadala ng elevator pababa. Halos dumikit na nga ang katawan niya sa ceiling ng elevator at parang nilipad na rin ang balat niya sa mukha.

Napabagsak na lang ang katawan ni Vlad sa baba nang huminto na ang sinsakyan niyang elevator. And the cell door opened automatically while Vlad was still trying to stand up and stroking the bridge of his nose.

"Crap. I almost broke my nose. Man, this old geezer can't get any worst huh." Papikit-pikit pa ang isa niyang mata habang kumakamot. He went out of the elevator and found himself in the most secluded part of the palace. It was obviously got a little old and dusty around.

Ang ipinagtataka lang niya ay sino naman ang lalabanan niya dito samantalang wala itong kalaman-laman. This was actually his first time on palace basement. Naglakad-lakad siya hanggang may maapakan siyang button. And everything glow with a blue light and it changed into clear and wide battlefield.

"Battlefield ready. Main player Vladivostok, affirmative." An electronic voice spoke once again.

"Gimme a break." Napahilamos si Vlad sa kanyang mukha.

"Direction: Lord Aulus has named the game "Come and get me baby". The main player must get Lord Aulus's one of his sunglasses collection that will be placed in the middle, protected by a tube glass fiber. Goal: The player must defeat the medieval warriors in 30 minutes and the remaining half minutes will be given in getting the item. Unable to play within the limited time will come into another consequences. Good luck!"

"C'mon this is---" Napatigil si Vlad nang biglang nagsibukasan ang pader ng lugar at nakahilera doon ang napakarami at nakatayong medieval warriors. Their heads were tilting down and pinned against their weapons which they were holding infront of them. They were fully armored in shinning silver steel. Vlad widen his eyes by the time the entities begun to move in synchronize and turned in one direction---to him.

Sabay-sabay itong sumusugod sa direksyon ni Vlad. They were blazing as their eyes inside of the helmet were beaming of red light in fierce. Swaying their weapons of long sword, morning star and axes. Vlad became stiff, gulped many times but brought back himself and decided to destroy everything including Aulus.

"TRUCTION SINITUR QUIESCERE RESTRICTIONE." And Vlad's clenching hands set on fire running to his arms. And an image of a large two-headed dragon appeared from Vlad's back, soaring in the midair.

"This might take a while but it'll be surely painless, dumbasses!" Binuka niya ang kanyang itim na pakpak at mabilis na sumugod sa mga mandirigma. He shouted furiously thinking to attack them all at once.

Sinuntok niya ang isang kalaban ngunit sinanggaan lang 'yon ng malapad na espada at nagkaroon ng mabigat na tensyon sa kanilang pagitan hanggang tumilapon si Vlad sa malayo. He remained his balance using his two wings and brought him to stand on the floor. He gave a smirking face but was surprise that blood was flowing out from his temple. It traveled down to the side of his face.

"Oh great! You made a first cut on me. Pambihira, nahihirapan na nga ako kumuha ng dugo kay Red tapos magkakaroon pa ako ng sugat. Tch."

The medieval fighters marched their feet towards Vlad. They were shouting their words of victory and death for their opponent.

"Nakakainsulto ang mga 'to ah. Anyways, you wished for it old agers. IGNIS FLATU!" Vlad throw a huge ball of fire to the warriors of middle-age. It made a loud crash and booming sound that the place had almost shaken by the impact.

The vast smoke covered the place but immediately cleared and Vlad was astound by the time he saw it. The scattered bodies of each warriors were moving on its own and returning to its original form again. They remained on their feet and was resuming their song of death.

"Unbelievable. Ano ba ang ginawa ng matandang 'yon dito sa mga amoy alikabok na 'to?" he annoyingly asked while still flapping his wings not to high.

And when Vlad was going to set and throw another fire ball, the medieval warriors halted and their body of armor were little by little detaching. Naghiwa-hiwalay ito hanggang sa bumuo ito sa isang higanteng mandirigma. It growled loudly and in an instant it disappeared from Vlad's vision.

Nanlaki na lang ang mga mata niya nang maramdaman niya ang presensya nito sa likod niya. It was too late to avoid it when the monstrous warrior had already got him from his back. It gave him a painful kick which made him to throw him downward just like a ball. At hindi pa siya nakakabagsak sa sahig ay agad ulit itong nagpakita sa harapan niya at sinikmura siya nito gamit ang tuhod.

Nagtalsikan ang dugo ni Vlad mula sa bibig niya at pakiramdam niya ay meron isang malaking butas sa tiyan niya. "Sh-s**t. Thi-This is real p-pain in the ass."

Bumagsak si Vlad sa pader ng lugar at bumuo iyon ng isang malaking crack at nahulog siya sa sahig.

"I'm starting to ask myself of why and how did I get a son like you. So, weak, lacking of strengths and skills and most of all could easily defeated." A familiar voice spoke. It was exactly the same voice and the same words that was given to Vlad before. That voice which always made him down and felt alone. That very voice which he always defy and which made him mad on.

Vlad gritted his teeth and his veins from his temple were tighten and become detectible. He was forcing himself to get up on feet. He received few bruises, blood from the edge of his lips and temples. Hinahabol din niya ang sariling hininga.

"You're still a kiddo. Still has this milk from your mouth. And how could you ever be like me? Ah, wrong. I don't have any son of weaklings!" The voice kept on speaking which was taken from Vlad's memories.

It was luring Vlad and it was actually his opponent who was opening it.Binubu kasi ang katawan ng higanteng medieval warrior ng isang majika na siyang kayang pasukin ang memorya ng kanyang kalaban. And so, Vlad wasn't aware with it.

Nang nakatayo na si Vlad ay agad naman ulit siyang sinugod ng kalaban. He was able to block the attack by crossing his arms and because of the great force he prevented, it made him pushed away with immense power. It made a long and huge fault line in the floor.

Tumawa ang kalaban niya na umalingaw-ngaw sa buong lugar. "Stupid! It'll never protect you forever! Because you are a fruit from curse!"

"N-No..." Nakayuko na si Vlad na tila naguguluhan na sa naririnig niyang mga salita. Siya naman ang umatake sa higanteng medieval warrio. He tried to blow him several times with his fists on fire and even creating a group of fire balls but none of it made the opponet weak neither of small cuts.

"You live with curse and you'll never live up to my expectation!" The medieval warrior was just dodging all the fire while Vlad was feebling and hardly breathing. The opponent give Vlad another round of kick and even cuts from his huge sword.

Sumuka si Vlad ng dugo at napaatras siya habang iniinda ang sakit at sugat na natamo niya. Too much wounds could not bear by his body to heal in an instant thus he need a much blood to regain his strength and power.

"S-Stop..." sagot niya sa kalaban kahit nahihirapan na siya. Those words were still rumbling inside his head.

"You're just like your mother. So frail and easily lied. And like her you'll ending up dying!"

"NOO!" Vlad lifted his head up with so much hatred. Wala na siyang ibang nasa-isip ngayon kundi ang patayin ang nasa harapan niya. At ang tingin niya ngayon sa kanyang kalaban ay ama niya. The man whom he look up for but also the man he wanted to break into pieces.

"What now son? Are you gonna call again your mom? But mommy was already gone. She's dead."

"H-How could you say that so lightly. Y-You---AHH!" Before Vlad could finish his talk, an incalculable power had run through his body. It created a great beam of light from him. And Vlad was shouting in pain that it was like piercing him to death.

His eyes widen in emotional distress like it was gonna fall out from his socket. Nagkabiak-biak ang sahig na kinatatayuan ni Vlad. From his superb power, it created a huge crater and the pieces of the floor were randomly thrown by the thick and enermous wind surroundding Vlad.

Big veins were popping out from his left arm and it started to became bulge. Dumaloy doon ang kakaibang kapangyarihan hanggang masakop nito ang kalahating katawan ni Vlad. His left arm turned black and giant and his veins became red and run through his left eye too. Maging ang kanyang kaliwang mata ay naging itim din ito at maliit na pula ang nasa-gitna. Big claws developed also on his left hand.

On the contrary, the giant medieval warrior was just laughing to his entertainment.

"Show it to me, son. Show me your curse, the Arm of God!"

As soon as Vlad fully-developed his other part, he was also immediately turned into monster. Hindi na niya kontrol ang kanyang sarili at wala na rin sa kanyang isip. He replied back a much loud and ridicule laugh like he was just having a scornful fun of someone.

"I'll kill you, Barnabas Lazarus Lincoln," Vlad said while he was licking his mouth showing his long pointed fangs, making a hungry devil and terrfying face.