Chapter 29: A Short Respite in Yekepa

“And I think I will stop with my story for now,” Xuanwu said in her human form as she turned her head to look at Lilith.

Xuanwu sat down perched on the side of the wall alongside Lilith. She finally noticed that Lilith was asleep and snoring away.

She chuckled a little bit. “My stories always knock her to sleep. Now there is something to always think about. Vampires that snore.”

They sat at the abandoned warehouse, still waiting for Thomas and Ayida-Weddo to return.

Xuanwu spoke quietly as if Lilith was still listening. “You know it seemed like yesterday of me and my husband, Feliks. We returned back to our nest, where it was untouched. Our baby was safe, and we stayed there till it hatched. Feliks was happy that he accomplished something and was ready to retire from the Russian army. Not many of the Russians would ever get that chance like he did. A part of me was selfish in taking him away from the army, but I wanted to make sure our child had a father.”

She turned her head to look at the snoring woman that was still in her human form. She continued to talk as if she was awake.

“A year later, our egg hatched. It was a boy, a tortoise that looked just like me. He was the size of a human baby born where Feliks was able to hold his son to the sky in joy. Unlike me, however, he had a light white-colored shell once we had him cleaned up. We named him ‘Baise De Wugui’ or the ‘White Tortoise’ in Chinese, but he usually prefers to be called ‘Baise Bambuk’ now to honor his father and bloodline. He grew up just like any human child. Tiresias’ prediction ultimately came true for us. I slept in the ground to find a descendant of a former friend. We became mates, had a child together, and eventually, when he grew up, he made himself a proud member of the Coalition of Deities. He played a role in finding the sixth shard with a team he was a part of.”

Her head looked down. “My mate and husband, Feliks Bambuk, would pass away on the island in 1768. Our son and I kept our word. We never left his side when it was his time. His bloodline was safe in Baise. He wanted no special treatment by the Coalition of Deities, but he lived far longer than most humans of the time period. He was genuinely happy, felt that he accomplished his lifelong goals, and felt ready to continue to wherever he is now. We placed a small stone with his name, time of birth, and passing where he was buried by the nest that birthed his son. Whenever I feel really lonely, I always think of Feliks, our son, or our time together. I love him and miss him.”

Lilith stirred awake as she turned her eyes to look at Xuanwu. “Still no sign of them yet?”

“Yeah, I was telling you my story when you fell asleep.”

Lilith showed no remorse. “Your story was boring me. I figure that I close my eyes and make time move along was the better choice.”

“You say that, but I know that you were ignoring me because it only reminded me how much you miss your son,” Xuanwu remarked as she grinned and looked at her. “It’s ok, my fanged friend.”

Xuanwu patted her on the shoulder as Lilith got agitated, grabbed her hand, and ran the sizeable human hand off her body.

“Come on, Lilith, I am just playing with you. I just wanted to give you some story of my life before we go back on the journey. Besides, I still have a little bit more to tell you of that story.”

Lilith simply showed a more devilish smile as she looked at Xuanwu. “My story is more entertaining than your lovey-dovey Russian romance.”

“Lilith, I know a little bit of your story already. It is quite sad.”

“Yeah, but the humans like Vampire dramas. I can tell...” Lilith said before she was interrupted by a teleportation flash.

Away from any human sight, Thomas and Ayida-Weddo, in her human form, appeared several feet away from them. Their hands were held together as Thomas got a bearing of his new location. His head looked at the warehouse as he saw Xuanwu and Lilith stand up to look at them. The hot sun was still on them as it was getting more and more later that afternoon.

“Finally...” Lilith remarked with agitation as she looked at the two that teleported in. “What were you two doing? Fucking? You know what? Nevermind.”

“Lilith, relax,” Xuanwu told her as her head looked at them.

“I don’t need to explain my actions Lilith,” Ayida-Weddo told her as she let go of Thomas’s hand. “I trust this human fully.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Xuanwu said with surprise. “To hear you admit that actually takes me by surprise.” She turned her head to look at the man. “Thomas? That’s your name, correct?”

Thomas nodded his head. “Yes ... Ayida-Weddo told me everything about who you are. You are the Chinese divine animal known as Xuanwu, the black tortoise. Ayida-Weddo is the African Goddess known as the rainbow serpent,” his gaze then reluctantly went to the black-dressed red-haired woman. “You ... I was told you were Lilith. I can’t believe it. You are Lilith from the bible. A vampire...”

Lilith was not impressed. She stood up as she stared at the human. “I don’t care if you are human or not. You know too much about us.”

“Stand down, Lilith. He is my mate,” Ayida-Weddo told her.

Lilith calmed down upon hearing her words. “So be it then ... you just keep a close eye on him, Ayida. If he is a member of Outreach, then...”

Ayida grabbed Thomas’s hand again as she looked at the man closely. “He won’t let anyone know about us. He is with me!”

“You already been told about us,” Xuanwu looked at him. “You agree to be a part of us. You cannot return to the United States. You cannot go to Outreach and tell them about us. We have been encountering them more and more, and if word gets out that the gods walk among you, then it could be disastrous. Are you well aware of this, Thomas?”

Thomas looked down. “Yes, I have.”

“You are getting away with this knowledge because of the fact that Ayida has taken you as her friend and mate. Do you agree to this?”

Thomas lifted his head to look at her and agreed. “Yes, I do. We had a history together, and I will remain by her side.”

Ayida-Weddo smiled at hearing his response.

Xuanwu shrugged and looked at Ayida-Weddo. “Alright then ... Thomas, welcome to our team.”

Lilith rolled her eyes. “If he tries to run from us or tries to go and confess about us, I will kill him.”

Thomas shook his head at her. “I would like to see you try.”

Lilith walked up to him and looked at him. “You have no idea of what I can do to you. I don’t care if you’re her plaything or not, but I will tell you this; one of your agents was given an opportunity like this, and he choose to escape and inform Outreach. He didn’t get the chance, I promise you that.”

“Of course, that is the only example,” Xuanwu added. “The other agents that found our teams simply joined us and continue to this day.”

Thomas’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Wait? You’re telling me that other members of Outreach did find you? That those other members are alive and well?”

Xuanwu nodded. “Yes. Three members of Outreach. My son spoke to one briefly. He was not happy at first being separated from his home to ensure our secret remained safe, but he ended up marrying Ammit.” Her gaze went to Ayida-Weddo. “How many times does that make Ammit a married woman now?”

“I think that is the fifth now,” Ayida-Weddo remarked and shook her head. “Knowing him, he is going to add to the onslaught of children she already has. Ammit is quite prolific in the baby-making department after Cataclysm.”

“Do we have to truly worry about another Cataclysm?” Thomas asked.

All the women looked at him, but Ayida spoke up. “I truly hope not. We lost almost one hundred thousand of us those years. Even people like Ammit or the Yuki family clan are all about ‘replacing the losses’ by having so many children to ultimately fill in the ranks of the Coalition of Deities.”

“How many humans work amongst you?”

“About in the hundreds. Usually, they are mated or married to one of us, but they usually attribute to more than just being there for the mythic in companionship. Some are actual agents that help us out. Of course, this is not including actual human mythics that are part of the Coalition anyway.”

Lilith turned around as she looked up at the warehouse.

“I was told that Simurgh has been reincarnating me.”

“Oh really?” Xuanwu said with surprise. “You are not the only one that has been reincarnated. We have some humans in our ranks that continue to reincarnate thanks to the Phoenix family.”

“There are more phoenixes than the one I supposedly encountered?” Thomas asked.

“Yes,” Ayida-Weddo answered. “The phoenix family consists of Fenghuang, the father of all birds, Simurgh, that is the mother of all birds, Bennu, Chol, Gandaberunda, Anqa, and more.”

“I recognized Chol from my biblical studies ... interesting.”

“I hate to stop your little conversation,” Lilith said as she turned around to look at the three talking together. “But we have a mission to complete. We have magic that we are picking up just north of here. We need to investigate it before it disappears.”

“Right,” Xuanwu added. She turned her head northward. “I am still picking it up right now.”

Ayida-Weddo turned to look at the north. She could see the trees in the far distance marked by the various houses not damaged or sacked during the Liberian Civil War.

“What mission are you currently on?” Thomas asked all of them.

“We are on a mission to investigate rogue mythics in the area that might be using the war as a smokescreen. You know? Doing things that are not permitted by the Coalition of Deities.” Xuanwu explained. “We need to go ahead and start checking it out. We are not getting anywhere by standing at this abandoned warehouse. I suggest we check it out now.”

“I agree,” Ayida-Weddo commented as she extended her hand and closed her eyes. “We are to split into two teams. I can feel the magic that is coming from a small village north of Yekepa, possibly New Bapa.”

She opened her eyes as she lowered her arm and looked at the team. “Lilith and I will teleport to this area and begin scouting the area. Xuanwu and Thomas will take that jeep you brought and drive northward to New Bapa to meet us there.”

“Why not just go together?” Thomas asked.

“Simple, we might be heading into a hot zone, but at the same time, we might be heading into nothing and may accidentally bypass it. No offense, my love, but I feel safer with you by Xuanwu. She is a walking shield and can protect you from anything. We would only be separated for so long anyway. If the area is clear, then we can rejoin together.”

“Right,” Xuanwu remarked.

“I don’t need protection, Ayida. I can still fight against whatever is thrown at me.”

“Oh...” Ayida told him as she focused her attention on him. “You couldn’t stop me when I jumped you at the beach.”

“Not to mention he is no match against me anyway,” Lilith added.

“Thomas,” Xuanwu said with a sigh. “You are no match against us. With the right weapons or magic, yes, you could, but you hold nothing in your arsenal that could fight mythics like us. Some things are so powerful out there you would have no chance against it.”

“Fine...” he said.

Ayida walked up and put her hand to his face. She made a quick kiss to him on the mouth as she backed away from him. “I know, my mate. I am scared of losing you again like I did. I am taking a risk bringing you to an area that could get you killed. Xuanwu is a good protector, I promise you that. Give us an hour, then we will tell you if the area is safe.”

“You got it,” Xuanwu told her. “Thomas stay with her, alright?”

Thomas nodded.

Ayida-Weddo and Lilith looked at each other for a short bit away from Xuanwu and Thomas. Before they walked away, Thomas looked at Lilith in her human form.

“How come the light does not hurt you, Lilith?” Thomas asked her, breaking her conversation with Ayida. “Aren’t you a vampire?”

She reacted with agitation but kept her composure. “Of course human ... Thomas. That is a common misconception, at least for me. I am a pure vampire constructed to be what I am, a killing machine that can go most places easily. Not all vampires are the same, though. Some can walk in the daylight with simple ease, but those cursed to turn into a vampire are not the pure-blooded version. Sunlight can be rather damaging,” Lilith looked up to the sun. “It isn’t like it still hurts me, though. I do get sunburned after being in the sun for hours and hours at a time. The longer and longer you are with the Coalition of Deities, though, the more and more you will get a chance to learn about the various different vampires there are alone. I am just one of the many.” She then looked at Ayida-Weddo. “Let’s go. We have been standing here long enough as it is!”

“Let’s go,” Ayida-Weddo reacted to her words. They turned to look at the north as they began to walk away from Thomas and Xuanwu.

With that, Ayida-Weddo and Lilith went to the other side of the warehouse to ensure there were no onlookers. Thomas watched as Ayida-Weddo held up her hand. She began to channel the same magic she used to teleport herself. This time she was focused on teleporting to New Bapa. It was not far from where they were. She lifted up her hand yelled “teleport!” as the light grew and tossed the energy downward, enveloping both her and Lilith. Both of them disappeared in a flash of light to their new destination.

“Let’s head to your jeep,” Xuanwu told Thomas. “I can help provide questions for you while they scout ahead.”

“Sure,” he replied.

They turned and walked away from the warehouse and began to walk to their jeep. Like before, there was not a soul in sight. Their feet went through the long grass as they traversed to the vehicle.

“Let me ask you, Thomas,” Xuanwu asked him. “You have wishes to be with Ayida-Weddo. Do you love her?”

Thomas looked at the grass, watching as bugs flew away from where they stepped. “I feel an attraction to her. She told me that I had a previous life with her and that I managed to finally find her. It is a lot to contemplate, but my feelings toward her cannot be ignored. Is it weird to fall in love with somebody that isn’t precisely human?”

“Ayida is a smart woman, Thomas. Whether she is human or the rainbow serpent, that itself isn’t weird. I asked myself that once or twice with my former husband long ago if it was weird, but you know what? It was just us trying to survive the many events in human history. I love him to this day, and we ended up having a son together.”

“Really?”

The giant woman nodded as they were about halfway to the jeep. “Yep, it felt like it was months ago, even it was hundreds of years ago. I love my son, and I love my husband even if he has been buried in the soil long ago. I would not have traded that time for anything in this world. If anything, humans finding a mythic like us to marry or be with is simply an expression of your love toward the divine. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“I guess in the end, I do love her then.”

Xuanwu smiled. “If you guess it is, then yes, you love her.”

“I got a big question to ask then since we have the time here anyway.”

“What is it, Thomas?”

“What is with Lilith anyway? She is such a bitch.”