Episode 27: Bloody Hell

Cameron Scott’s body reacted to the commotion around him. Only it wasn’t Cameron that was in control. Hearing anything at all for the first time in centuries a Darkness acknowledged its newfound senses. A delicious scent of blood was in the air, heartbeats pounding all around him. Battling wings like thunder rolled across the long-forgotten sky. Eyelids opening as if born again, sight was blurred in black and white. A deathly voice uttered through parched lips sought belief.

“How long has it been?”

“Forever, Beloved. Come! Rise as befits your stature.” Mother instructed without touching Cameron’s body, respecting this new persona. One who did the touching, never to be caressed without granting request. Angels were selfish that way.

War raged around them, overlooked yet expecting a slaughter. Mother’s children fought valiantly to contain the humans and a lone Immortal, giving their creators a moment alone.

“Where am I?”

“Lost in a land that risks our survival. Blood and flesh are awaiting you, Beloved. Far distant! I have chosen to stay far from those that might vie to kill off our kind. We feed sparingly.” Mother in Sabbath’s body squinted with uncertainty. “Why have you not taken your true form?”

Standing with an awkward balance Cameron Scott’s body complied to the darkness. Held prisoner within, Cameron was helpless. Lost to the outside world. Only his soul kept him from fading away. Something his new roommate had not felt in centuries. A soulless creature now feeding upon a newfound light held them both in check. A soul and a half even more confusing to the Lord and Master.

“Are you here, Sabbath?” Cam called out on a vibrational level.

“Yes! I am forever with you.”

“Sounds good! I’m glad you’re with me. Is there any way out of this?”

“I do not know. Mother’s hold over my own body prevents me from communicating with your friends. Now that Verago has consumed you, I cannot defile his lips with my words. At least we have each other.”

“Bad timing, I know, but I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since the night we met.”

“I know. Your pulse gave me a clue. I pray we can find a way to escape. I might just let you kiss me.”

“Oh, it’s on. Your lips are mine.”

“I am glad you are optimistic. Until then, I must divide my emotions. My sister will need help as well. I fear that once she and I reunite our souls will become one. She and I share the same soul only split in half.”

“I recall James Ian saying that. I wasn’t sure that was true.”

“It is. Mother has kept us prisoner for years, knowing this about us. She sent Sir Primross to bring us into the fold, turning us to keep us from escaping her. We were his. Yet, all of us were Mother’s.”

“And, they all became the Brady Bunch.” Cam chuckled amid the void.

“I do not understand.”

“Nothing! Can Mother hear us?”

“No. Her thoughts are forbidden to enter her Mate.”

“Can this Verago hear us?”

“Yes. Be wary of your thoughts. While he goes without concern over either of us he can still observe without warning. I believe your body keeps him from delving too deeply. He has not known a physical form in centuries.”

“God, I hope he doesn’t fuck that bitch with my dick.” He jested under pressure. “Wait! As long as she’s in your body I’m cool with that.”

“Do you ever take anything seriously?”

“Would you rather I curl up in a ball crying out Why Me?”

“I have done enough of that for the both of us. You should think of how to communicate with your friends.”

“On it.” He went quiet until he couldn’t. “I can’t stop thinking about kissing you.”

“I just drained a cow of its blood. Still want to kiss me?”

“Messy Bessy. Don’t remind me.”

“I thought not.”

Outside in the real world, close enough under the conditions. Verago surveyed the carnage, Mother behind him befitting her stature. In centuries past the female giving way to the male dominant.

“They shall fall soon enough, Verago. Come! Let us go home. My children. Our children shall finish them off and feed us.”

Verago’s gaze corrupted Cameron’s pupils with a milky blood. Although a host body this form was not as resilient as he had hoped. His true form was struggling to rip free of Cameron. Held prisoner for so very long he was out of sorts, the amulet’s magical effects draining him of potential.

“I sense God’s presence.” Verago growled!

“The Roman. He is immortal. Beware his blade. While no effect upon myself, in your new body it could prove fatal. Once you achieve your original body his blade will be ineffective.”

“Will it? I sense souls within this shell. As long as they are ignited my body will be at their mercy.”

“I thought you might have liked the soul of the second born. Have I erred in my judgment?”

“As a fallen I had no soul, taken from me by my Maker. Only through life’s blood could I survive. As you well know, Blood Bride.”

“I have so missed you calling me by that name.”

“As I you. Let us take our leave. I will need time to be fully reborn.”

“Of course.” Before the loving couple could depart, they found themselves interrupted.

“So, you are the Fallen.”

Madigan Ridge drifted low to stare Verago in the face. Using Cameron’s hand he raised his arm to sift through her corporeal form, tilting his gaze, puzzled by her spirit.

“You are lost between life and death. Yet, you know who and what you are.”

“Beware, Beloved! I have seen her turn others ghostlike.”

“Let her try.” He intimidated! Madigan’s thoughts on attempting such a move faded away, fearful of hurting Cam if he was still in there. This was a whole new ball game.

Walking straight right through Madigan, Verago guided Cameron’s body through the mounds of vampire bodies. He was curious of those waging war against his kind. Stepping to Elle she stopped mid-slash with her light sword and peered at Cameron with horror on her face. His bloody eyes stared through her soul.

“You are more than human.” His gaze lowered to her diamond arm as her sword faded away.

“Cam?”

“Hardly!” He nudged past her without hurting her. Mother less convinced tossed her aside mentally, protecting Verago in his possible negligence.

Reaching Jack Ramse, Verago sized up his Host body’s once fearless leader. Jack pausing to lower his Ion rifle. If Cameron was in there, he certainly didn’t want to harm him.

“Easy now.” Jack took a step back! “How about we call this and go do tequila shots Cam?”

Verago tilted his head at the offer. Something in his mind sent a desire to accept. Shaking off Cameron’s persona Verago sneered! “You have cheated death recently. You should have perished.”

“I don’t go down that easily.” Jack sneered back in a battle of intimidation.

Sophia skulking in the background awaited her chance to pounce, the orb drones darting about to blanket her with safety in numbers. Vamps careening in and out of range were not even on Sophia’s radar anymore. Her target was Momma Vamp.

Elle returning to her feet became startled by her translator collar producing another hologram of James Ian.

“Elle? I have an idea. Move in with Sophia and tell her to light up with ultraviolet. I know your cells have to be depleted by now. Just support her. She isn’t wearing a collar for me to tell her myself. A massive flare up might take them all out.”

“Worth a shot, Punk. On my way.” Elle navigated through the carnage like a Quarterback whipping all about them. Stopping Sophia with waving hands she filled in the young girl on the theory. Nodding her approval Sophia consulted with her microscopic friends. They in turn flared up brightly in agreement, singing within in her thoughts.

The sudden burst lit up a 200-foot radius forcing dozens of Vamps to reduce to ash. Blinding everyone caught unaware, the group staggered about with only the drones to keep them safe in their predicament. Elle overlooked the brilliance as well filtering through the cascade to see shapes. Interestingly her diamond cells collected the light coming off of Sophia. She wondered if James had considered Sophia as her new fuel source. If not, she was one up on the genius.

Mother had been forced into the sky. Leaving Verago standing there alone. The light had no effect. As an Angel he was born of light. Though fallen, he did not need to seek the darkness, choosing only to create the myth behind the earliest of vampire lore. Unfortunately, those without souls were susceptible.

Mother within Sabbath’s body kept her from perishing. Yet in fear of her own possible defeat, she chose to evacuate. Reaching a great height Mother glared down at Verago with interest, her children whipping about all around her. Without sensing the worst in her distraction, she did not see what was coming for her.

“HIGH FIVE!”

Massive hands clapped together around Sabbath’s body as if capturing a mosquito, Malcolm Brand crushing Sabbath beneath his colliding palms. He knew after seeing her busted limbs reform that Sabbath was resilient. This would only be a temporary defeat. Mangled by his impacting hands she dropped from the sky. Her children gliding in to kept her from a grueling slam to the Earth below as much as Sophia’s lightshow.

Verago turned in step to face Sophia even as her light continued to blind. Without stress he marched toward the girl reaching her for a deadly eye to eye.

“Intriguing! My host finds a lustful fondness for you.” Verago offered!

Sophia cocked an eyebrow while in thought over his revelation. “Now that’s a lie. Cameron hates me.” She then opened up to speak. “Who doesn’t love this sexy ass body? My tits are playful. My ass is perfect. Don’t get me started on my juicy pussy. I might have to masturbate.”

“You may subside your heavenly light. I have flown amongst brighter. The Creator’s armada was born of such.”

“Aww! Cam always liked my candlelight dinners.”

Verago turned his gaze skyward to his fallen bride. In her crushing blow Mother had temporarily lost control over Sabbath’s body allowing her soul to reclaim her thoughts for the moment. In her reconstructing bones and organs Sabbath managed a dry vocal cry.

“Remove the amulet.”

Verago reacted just as Sophia leaped forward to grip the chain about his neck, assuming her friends would both protect her and not harm Cameron in the process. To her surprise her tiny friends panicked in his clutches, spreading out to other parts of her body to share space with their brethren. Verago gripped Sophia by her throat and left forearm. Her temporary golden flesh parted as if the Red Sea to reveal her true flesh beneath.

“Holy shit!” Sophia shrieked, Madigan storming to her side with a terrified look. “My friends are afraid of him. Mom? Help.”

Madigan in her worry took time to concentrate returning her body to normal. Once fleshly she reached out to touch both Verago and Sophia. Shock after shock, Verago began to turn ethereal while Madigan felt Sophia’s friends switching bodies. The microscopic parasites abandoned Sophia in favor of Madigan as a new host.

Sophia passed out under the unexpected switch. Her body fell to the ground reverting back to normal. Losing control over her thoughts seeing her daughter collapse, Madigan sensed her ghostly body shift back. In the process the microbes were forced over into Verago’s body, creating a golden sheath around Cameron Scott as they had Sophia since inhabiting their goddess. Madigan stood speechless at her grievous error. Had she killed her daughter in the process?

“How invigorating.” Verago looked upon his new shell, the microbes in flux all around him. They were in a panic over their loss of Sophia. They had grown attached in more than a physical need.

Jack and Antonaeus Gaicazar stared at one another as their worst fear had come to a head. They were losing two of their members this day. Sophia lifeless as her mother fretfully tried to return to normal again. This time her concentration had no luck. She was stuck as a ghost.

Elle raced to Sophia’s side touching her with her healing hand while everyone held their breath to see if Sophia could be revived. “Let’s give you some light back, Baby.” Shared, it was quite brilliant.

Only Antonaeus chose to look past the possible fatality as he raged toward Cameron with his sword prepared to cleave Cameron’s head from its shoulders. With a deathblow imminent Gaicazar attempted fulfillment even with Jack behind him begging him not to kill Cameron. Sword impacting on Cameron’s golden neckline Gaicazar discovered a new nightmare. Again, his sword is splintered upon impact. His pupil’s glowing cross began fading with departure.

Cameron twisted with blinding speed to reach out and grab the Roman by his throat, Gaicazar offering a glint of fear.

“I will take that.” Verago spoke! Utilizing the microscopic parasites to feed off of Gaicazar’s immortality, the 6’4 Roman began to groan. His body altering in color to a deathly grey, it seemed that his life was fleeting.

“FUCK IT!” Jack Ramse snapped behind them. Priming his Ion gun upon Cameron he unleashed a powerful shot directly at Cam’s chest. Although protected by the parasites the gun’s discharge pounded Verago hard enough to release his grip over Gaicazar. His immediate loss dropped the Roman to his knees, color slowly coming back. Jack had just saved his life.

Decidedly, Verago had made up his mind. It was time to go. Mother in Sabbath’s body once more fluttered above on wings erupting out of Sabbath’s back. Her mental call begging Verago to join her, he agreed.

Before their eyes Cameron’s body distorted, wings ripping through his flesh from his shoulder blades as if long hidden. Golden in hue Verago manipulated the parasites. For some reason the microbes could not eat either Verago or Cameron. He was now fueled by two souls. The beast was evolving. Sorcery most likely!

Flight toward the East left the survivors licking their wounds, the battalion of vamps redirected to follow their reborn Master.

“Sophia? Please wake up, Sweetheart.” Madigan hovered! Elle had done her best. A heartbeat rose within the girl’s chest. A beautiful sight to behold.

Groggy, Sophia opened her eyelids and looked around with confusion. Turning her profile, she witnessed the vampires fade into the night sky.

Gaicazar crawled over to join the gathering as Sophia turned her gaze toward the Roman. With a growl Sophia ushered her thoughts quite loudly, almost manly. “I hope those wings you said I’d be getting aren’t those.” A look of confusion made Sophia narrow her eyes and glare out over her body, clutching her breasts as she sat up on her own. “Wait! If that’s ... YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!” Jack narrowed his eyes and spoke for everyone.

“Cam?”

“I have tits.” Cameron Scott whined! Somehow, his persona was now trapped within Sophia’s body in the maddening transfer. Madigan covered her mouth as further loss dawned on her.

“Where is Sophia?”

Behind them Elle discovered something left behind. Using the tip of one of her hydraulic spears she snagged and suspended the left behind amulet on its chain. Within the amulets ruby peered back a weeping Sophia Ridge. She had been trapped within.

“A little help here guys.”

As if they could hear her.

As dawn lit up the horizon Jack and his band entered the Ganthorian Hilton to lick their wounds. Met by Ruby Goddard, Greta Winston, and James Ian Pryce the group attempted to soothe each other’s nerves. Noting Sophia Ridge trudging up the ramp like a guy Ruby was taken back.

“What the heck happened out there? Sophia looks normal.”

“I’m not normal, Dammit! Somebody please, find me a shirt already.”

Ruby flared her eyes over her/ his outburst. “Was that Cam’s voice?”

Jack eased Ruby aside before taking his shirt off and tossing it at Sophia, Cameron catching it to put it on in a hurry.

“Recall the time when Elle, Sophia, and I all touched Maddy in her grave?” Jack cleared his throat.

“Yeah?”

“Well, that transfer just happened again. Cam’s body was taken over by Verago. Sophia attacked but her cuddly little friends freaked out and got sucked over into Verago. Now, Cam’s body is invulnerable. Only shared with the demon.”

“Whoa!” James stood shocked. “I did NOT see that coming.”

“Maddy tried to turn Verago all ghost and the amulet Verago had been trapped in fell from his body. It’s in our possession now.”

“Again.” Elle shivered knowing its power. Jack understood her worry.

James walked around everyone to face Cameron in Sophia’s body, studying her with a circling pace. “Kid? If you pinch my ass, I’ll break your hand.” Cam snapped! “Sophia’s ass that is.”

Chuckling under pressure James replied. “I’ll pass. I’m just wondering something. If you’re here, where is Sophia?”

“Good question. I want my body back. We are going after me ... this Verago freak, aren’t we?” Cam grew excited. In the process feeling Sophia’s boobs jiggle. Grimacing, he clutched her breasts and rolled his eyes. “God, I miss my balls swinging. How the heck do you gals deal with these milk sacks?”

Ruby switched her gaze at his comment. If she was indeed pregnant her own body would be building up for an eventual birth. The breast-feeding process made her close her eyes.

“Seriously! We need to figure out where Sophia went. Was she trapped in this Verago too?” Elle interrupted holding the amulet in her diamond encrusted arm for safety.