The bearers of magic

Chapter 2 - The destroyer - An introduction

21, 21 next week!! Darius COULD NOT WAIT!!! It had been a difficult three years with just himself and his mum. His Dad and Grandpa had died just over three years ago in a bar fight and since then his mum had worked two jobs to keep them afloat and Darius in college part time. Now the time was nearly here.

From a young age Darius had known that his 21st birthday would be special. A 21st birthday is always special but he had been raised by two strong men who had told him that on that day his life would change. Yeah, Darius thought, I can legally have a drink.

He had grown up being 'trained' by his dad and Grandpa. He was told this was a family tradition of sorts. His dad and Grandpa were fit strong men who knew martial arts and weaponry, he didnt know anything different in life. He was highly skilled in using a number of weapons, although the small crossbow was his favourite. He had been taught many different martial arts and had excelled at most of them. His dad had told him he was born to do these things. Darius just assumed it was a family thing after all his dad and Grandpa could look after themselves.

Darius had never had many friends, he just never had time with all the training. His dad and Grandpa weren't cruel but they were tough and they made sure Darius knew that life was hard and rather than cry or shout that life isn't fair they taught him how to control his emotions and how to mentally overcome problems.

It was the night before Darius 21st birthday and his sleep was very disturbed. He kept seeing his dad and grandpa in a bar over and over again. He knew this is how they had come to die just before his eighteenth birthday. He had heard the police tell his mum it was a bar fight gone wrong. He knew that the official statement of death was that both his dad and grandpa had been stabbed then robbed. Not in his nightmare tonight, in his nightmare his dad and grandpa were surrounded by about 4 guys but they didn't have knives to kill them they looked like they were....... they were..... Chewing on their flesh?????

Darius woke, it had not been a great sleep, he was tired and upset at the images that had played in his head over and over again for most of the night. He made his way downstairs for some breakfast and was meet in the kitchen by his Mum.

'Happy birthday Darius'.

Darius looked at the envelope his mum held out to him, he had almost forgotten it was his birthday after the night he had.

There was no kiss, no cuddle, his mum almost looked sad today. Maybe it was just that mother thing where your children become adults and its sad, losing her baby and all that nonsense. Though his Dad and Grandpa had been strict his mum had always been the one to shower him with love. Kisses and cuddles where always available.

Darius took the money from the card and put it in his pocket. It was appreciated, his mum worked hard to scrape that together for him. Darius only had a part time job on a Sat and college three days a week so he knew he did not contribute much to the house, his mum worked like a demon to keep everything afloat and he loved her for it.

The rest of the morning went without much happening. After lunch his mum had appeared with a home made red velvet cake with 21 candles on it. She sang happy birthday while a stray tear rolled down her face. All Darius could think was that women and hormones were strange things. They watched a movie in the afternoon together on the couch and ate crisps and chocolate until Darius thought he was going to throw up. His mum had her hand on his arm the whole time as if she needed the contact with him. She really was acting strange today.

At 4 0 clock, as the afternoon was heading into evening and the dusk was settling outside there was a wrap at the door. Darius's mum made a noise in the back of her throat, what was with her today Darius thought and rose to answer the door. In front of him stood two men.

'Happy 21st Darius, May we Come in?'

Darius turned to look at his mum but she had taken a seat at the kitchen table and was looking at no one, she was solely focused on the floor. The men seen this as their opportunity to push past Darius and enter the kitchen.

' Hello Sarah, its been a while'.

The largest of the gentlemen placed a bag on the table, it looked like a doctors bag. Worn brown leather with a small lock. Darius stood tall at 6ft 2 but this gentlemen was slightly taller although not as well built as Darius.

'Darius, please come and sit down'. he said.

Darius was still standing, holding on to the open door.

'Darius, please come and sit down now.'

Darius hesitated but he slowly shut the door and sat down at the table beside his mother who was now quietly sobbing. What the f**k is going on! The two gentlemen took their sets across from Darius and his mum.

'Darius, tell us what you know regarding the training your father and Grandfather gave you.' The taller one asked, maybe he was in charge? Darius wondered why how he was raised had to do with anything? Were these men the police, some kind of authority?

' Emmmmm, well I know my Dad and Grandpa wanted me to be disciplined and prepared for anything, any situation. I know that's how my Grandpa was raised, how he raised my dad and how they both raised me. I guess it's kind of like a family tradtion'.

'Good Darius, good. Yes I guess you could say its like a family tradition for all families who are member of the D.O.B.O.M.'

Darius just looked at the man, was that meant to mean something to him???

'I am sorry that you lost your Father and Grandfather before your eighteenth birthday. From eighteen until twenty one your training really begins for preperation regarding your initiation into the D.O.B.O.M. Although Sarah knew what would happen she is not an official member and did not continue your training as required.'

Darius's head was spinning. His training had him remaining calm but what the hell was this guy talking about?? What was the D.O.B.O.M, what initiation and just what??

' I'm sorry, can you go back a bit. Firstly, who the hell are you, why are you in my kitchen and what the hell is D.O.B.O.M?'

'I swear to God you better answer me or I will show you just how well I have been trained.'

The tall man smiled, it was definetly not a warm and fuzzy smile, there was something creepy about him.

' Of course Darius, excuse my manners. I am Victor and I am head of the Destruction of bearers of magic. We have been around for centuries and are committed to wiping out the scourge of magical creatures that live amongst us while trying to hide their presence. I am sorry those vampires got to your Father and Grandfather before they could complete your training although this is only a small problem In your case'.

Vampires, did he just say vampires and magic. Darius looked at his mum, surely she will put an end to this madness but she hadn't moved throughout the whole ordeal. She just sat there with her tears dripping onto the kitchen table.

'Do you expect me to believe that vampires are real? That they killed my family? I was raised to be logical and this is not logical. And sorry, but what do you mean this is only a small problem for me, what are you talking about?'

Victor smiled that cold smile again.

' It is no problem as after we complete your initiation ceremony you will receive the knowledge of our ancestors, speed and strength that is able to match Bearers of magic for we have waited centuries for you Darius, you are our prophecy and destiny.... You are the destroyer. '