Chapter 19: Death

"Alright Dragons, we have a go on Firebird. Let's light up the sky."

"Are we really going to do this Solomon?"

"You know the orders Brand. Get in. Get out. We have to prevent the disease from spreading. No one is living there anyway. Just don't let it bother you."

Flying toward Los Angeles, the objecting pilot crossed himself. His conscience was not eased by his flight leader's remarks. How could we be doing this? These are Americans. This is American soil. "God forgive us," he spoke into the radio, "I don't see how anyone else can."

The first hours of the day were long and carried heavily with dread. Only those who had passed out got sleep. Everyone was exhausted and hungry. Rest was elusive and food was lacking.

Bodies cluttered the floor. Every bench was occupied. Many tables housed a form or two as well. With the number of people present in the room, it should have been louder. No one wanted to make noise out of respect to everyone else. Quiet as a tomb would be a poor yet fitting way to describe atmosphere.

The vampires all tried to sleep inside through the day. As tired as they were, none of them wanted to fight the sunlight. Most lay silently in the dim light rethinking the night's festivities.

A rotating watch had been set outside the dinning commons. Hunters had taken positions around the base. They were posted as a formality; none expected further activity from Kaan. An old Hunter creed is that 'to be caught off guard is no fault but your own.'

A somber silence billowed from Sinbad's corner. He hadn't moved since taking his seat. Zombies had more character than he displayed. To say that he was sad would be an understatement. To speak of the pain he experienced would be unexplainable. He sat there quietly, tears of blood running down his cheeks, staring at the blood puddling around his boots.

The tattoo which had rested on Sinbad's cheek had become stained with his tears. The green clover would remain; it would never again show the mark of Aaishar House. The clover had lost its luster. The brilliant green was now rusted red in color as if the leaves had died.

Drake and Chimera wandered the base. They had spent the first hours of sunlight in a room filled with vampires; a room of mourning and loss. Sinbad had ignored any attempt at communication. After Drake and Chimera had each tried to comfort him, they shared a mutual glance, silently communicating to meet outside. They now walked among the bodies, talking.

The smell of burning hair and cooked meat floated through the air as the sun and the Consensus burnt away the traces of the night's actions. Kazikaan almost universally ignite in the sunlight. Spilt blood covered the ground, sticky like fresh paint. The blood ran red, a mingling of demonic and human blood, smoke rising from the sea as the demonic blood reacted to the sunlight.

"So many lives lost, and for what?" Drake stepped over the body of a Hunter, a severed arm turning to ash across his chest.

"This is the price of our greed, our pride. Sage brought this down on us, his greed — his desire for recognition. All of this," Chimera gestured at the bodies strewn about the ground, "due to Sage's weakness." Chimera stopped at the torn out flag pole, "Sage opened the door that let Kaan back inside. Kaan feels entitled to rule. It is his right as... I don't know... as a vampire."

"You mean it's his right as an asshole? No one has the 'right' to rule. Some have a duty to lead. You gave me that duty. Aaisha had the same one. She died for her duty. Honestly, I don't think she could have died more nobly. She fulfilled her duty to the end. Kaan is looking for the same duty but I know if the time comes, he won't do as she did."

"I will miss her courage."

"As will I. I can barely fathom how Sinbad will miss her. We all will miss her in our own way." Drake picked up a dropped sword and flipped it blade down, driving it into the ground. "Sage was working with someone else. In his journal he said that he was approached about Kaan by someone. We have seen Kaan act in this war, but I have yet to see anything from the ones who started this. We should be cautious about a third party appearing."

"From what I have seen these other people are likely Kaan's minions left over from the last time he walked the world. They were working to bring their lord back from the dead that's all."

"You don't believe that do you?"

"No... I would like to... but no... I am not that foolish. Someone powerful enough to cloud Sage's mind and corrupt his morality is not a lackey. Even if these others, singular or plural, work for Kaan we should have seen them by now."

"I don't think there is anything we can do about them now. We certainly don't have time for a game of hide and go seek."

"Unfortunately you are correct. I fear that before this war is over we will know for certain whom it was that started all of this."

"My greater fear is that after this war is over, we will find out that it was only part one and something else will be thrown at us."

"Hehh... what more do they have to throw? They already summoned the vampire who betrayed The First."

"I don't think we want the answer to that Chimera."

"Hahh... you're right Drake. It's almost as bad as asking 'what else could go wr—'" Chimera's last word was cut off by four jets rocketing above. "This can't be good?"

Two of the jets peeled off and came back around.

"I think we better get everyone inside."

"You might just be right about that."

The two Hunters ran off in different directions, yelling for all those outside to gather in the main mess hall. As they ran they stretched out to the Consensus. They both felt a shimmer within the Consensus. I can't believe this is real. The thought echoed in the Consensus, carrying with it an image of buildings in flames. They both shuddered under the onslaught and yelled more forcibly for every to get under cover.

At eight in the morning Tim stopped his pacing. He had watched as Drake and Chimera tried to comfort Sinbad. The vampire had ignored their attempts and they soon gave up and left the room. The room was quiet and it was starting to grate on him. In the years he had spent with the Ioshari Tim had seen a few remembrances. Though great hunters, the Ioshari hunted powerful prey. If there is no challenge in the chase what is the point of the pursuit. Lives have been lost in the hunt and a remembrance is held for the fallen warrior. No one had taken the initiative for any form of remembrance for Aaisha.

Tim climbed on top of the nearest table. He was quite a sight. His clothes were torn and still stained with blood. He had made no attempt to rid himself of the dirt from the battle. The Ioshari's wings spread out as he stood on the table, waiting a moment for everyone to notice him.

Looking at the ceiling for a full minute Tim focused on his memories of Aaisha. The words he was looking for came easily to him. He just knew what needed to be said. He began softly, not that it mattered — the tiniest sounds echoed to every ear present. "She was not my Empress. She was not my mother. She wasn't my purpose, or my lover, or my role model. She was my friend. When I needed to talk she was there to listen."

Tim's wings came back to his body, framing him on a black canvas. His voice picked up, rising in volume and speed. "In moments like these there is little to be said. Each and every one of us has been tied to her life. We all share her loss though some more than others." Though he didn't look directly at Sinbad, everyone present knew who he was talking about, "We are all better for having known her. Sinbad, it is to you I owe gratitude. February 10^th, 2006, the day High Empress Aaisha passed on. Today we mourn the loss of our dear friend. I am thankful that I will not remember today with the same pleasure I will remember tomorrow — the day I kill Kaan, The Betrayer. Today is for memories. Today we remember an empress."

Tim raised his arms skyward, his wings spreading out again. A single tear rolled down his right cheek, "Her name was Aaisha. That name shall forever rest with her. Let it be that no one be given her name. Forever on, let the name of Aaisha belong to the empress who gave up her life for the honor of her duty, her people." Tim started pacing along the table he stood on, his wings again wrapped across his back. "Her name must never be forgotten. Teach it to every child of the blood. Pass her honor on down the line. Let every living demon know the power of Aaisha's sacrifice."

The Ioshari jumped off the end of the table and walked to the corner where Sinbad sat. Tim reached his arm down, offering it to Sinbad. "Let us stand together and give thanks to the woman who gave us so much. Let us remember the glory of her life. February 10^th, the day Aaisha gave to us to remember our most important duty, our duty to each other."

Sinbad took Tim's arm and the two stood up together. The trails of his tears were apparent. A hole had been carved out from the inside of the vampire's soul. He would forever miss Aaisha. "Thank you, Ioshari. Your words honor Aaisha. She gladly died. We must remember her sacrifice."

The vampire squared his shoulders and faced the gathered army. His heart was not mended; it would take a long time for it to heal. He had found something to keep going on, revenge. "Aaisha died for us, let us now die for what's right. FOR AAISHA, WE FIGHT! FOR OUR FUTURE, WE REMEMBER!"

The room reverberated as every demon and human present yelled out. "FOR AAISHA; FOR THE FUTURE!"

The doors to the hall were thrown open as Drake, Chimera and many of the lookouts ran inside. The few vampires close enough to the opening doors jumped out of the light. "We have a problem." Drake began. His announcement followed by an explosion.

The winged demon landed on the roof of the apartment complex loudly. The night was otherwise quiet. Most nights lately had been quiet. Even after a month of killings some people lived in the high-rise. They hadn't gotten out when the quarantine was called. They were under a form of house arrest. It wasn't that they were told not to leave their homes. Those that left didn't come back. They didn't understand that the threshold of their homes was capable of hindering outsiders from gaining access.

Kaan tore the door leading down into the building off its hinges. He stumbled down the uncovered flight of stairs, weakened from exertion. The door slid off to the side, forgotten.

The dark hallways were littered with clutter. Refuse in all states of decomposition set the mood for the apartment. A broken light bulb rested in its socket. The electricity had been out in the neighborhood for the last week. It was obvious the bulb had been dead longer than that.

The vampire swept his gaze around the floor, his eyes searching for any changes in heat. Two doors to his right hid a woman. She cowered in a corner praying that she wouldn't be found. She knew her prayers went unheeded as the door to her apartment was knocked down.

The hall filled with a scream which was quickly silenced. The vampire drained the energy from the woman's body to replace what he had spent in the last few hours. A moment later the lifeless body slumped to the floor.

Kaan felt the new life surging through him, a trickle of life in his almost empty store. Going door to door like a bible salesman the vampire hunted down those that hadn't been able to get out and sucked the life from them. After ten tenants died the vampire felt mostly restored. He left the building and took flight.

"Target One is in sight Dragons. We'll give them a fly over. Take a good look. We owe them one last salute. Brand, you and Caesar circle back and take out the target."

"I still can't believe we are going to do this Solomon."

"Just remember, this is going to save millions of lives. Their sacrifice today will not be wasted. You know your orders. You know the mission. We get this done; we get home safely; the beers are on me."

"They'd better be giving you a bonus then - I'm going to need a sea of alcohol to drown my guilt."

The bombers had two targets, the first being Vandenberg Air Force Base; the second, a place in Los Angeles known as The Hole. Each of the four F-18 Hornets carried six napalm bombs each. The bombs would be used to incinerate the targets. They would cleanse the heavily infected areas with fire, purifying the air, and burning out the virus — or so the public would hear.

"Uhhh... Drake. Care to explain," the Ioshari took over. All eyes were focused on the two Hunters at the door.

"Bombs... We are getting bombed by the humans."As if to backup his statement the building shook as it was struck. The sounds from the explosion echoed down inside. Dust poured in through cracks in the roof. The building shook again from another strike.

A large section of the ceiling caved in. Fire and sunlight poured through the hole, incinerating most under it. Screams were heard above the sounds of crackling fire and collapsing buildings. Everyone dove for cover. Demons and humans alike fled out of the way of the falling fire and stone. For the second time since coming to this world rained fire around Tiro. More explosions rocked the base as fire and destruction was spread around.

The room was thick with smoke and ash. The fire flowed like a liquid, oozing over everything and anything. From clothing to bodies, there was no shortage of fuel for the raging fire.

Tiro dropped to his knees. His wings came together above his head in a reflex to the collapse of the ceiling. More screams echoed through the room. Fire and melted waste poured down Tiro's wings, slowly dripping down his back. His skin burned down his neck. The Ioshari focused on healing his injuries. His skin burned as fast as it regenerated; fresh, raw skin burning before it even fully healed.

Something very large and heavy slammed into Tiro's shielding wings. He barely noticed his right wing breaking under the force. With every burn he healed and every wound he closed, the Ioshari's life energy drained out of him.

The room was filled with raw life force. Hunters and vampires died under the weight of the collapse. More of them died every second in the flames. Every life lost was released into the room where it slowly dissipated. Those that wished to live had to cling to life.

Tiro felt his strength begin to wane under the immense strain. As the remnant energy of those already dead flooded the room. A fog of primal origins, visible only to those who control and shape life force, slowly drifted around the dancing flames.

"Don't do it!" The voice came from nowhere and everywhere. Tiro felt himself fall inside. He hadn't moved, yet his consciousness was now deep within. Iosage spoke to him, "You do not want the life that their energy will bring."

"It would be so easy for me to... I can just reach out..."

"No. You are no longer a child. You must take responsibility for yourself. This life is already corrupt with death. To take it in would mean to accept their deaths as part of yourself... don't do it."

"But the power..."

"No, Tiro'lar. Control yourself." As if his naming held power Tiro became more aware of his surroundings. He watched life energy fading in the room like fog fleeing the sun. All he needed to do was open himself to the energy and it would flood him. Tiro was conflicted. He was draining his own life to heal and needed to restore his energy. He was being warned not to take any of the life around him by the memories of the Iosage.

The building rocked again as the structure broke apart. The walls collapsed, taking with them the rest of the ceiling. Tiro was struck again, rubble breaking bones, driving him to his knees. His decision was made irrelevant as he slipped into the darkness.

The Ioshari disappeared from sight under a pile of blocks. Vandenberg Air Force Base lay in ruins marking his burial. The crackling of flames and shattering of rocks were the only sounds left after the four jets rocketed away.

Kaan didn't wait to hear any of the demon's excuses. Towering over the five foot kazikaan, he reached out with his right hand, grasping the creature's hair and lifted her up so they met eye to eye. She held back her pain and fear, knowing that showing either would mean certain death.

Kaan's left pointer finger stabbed her chest, between her breasts. The hand pulled down slowly, drawing a line of blood. The demon finally grimaced in pain when the blood was freely flowing.

"You are weak... weak and useless."

Kaan's left arm plunged fully into the demon's chest and drew out her heart. He dropped her corpse ignoring the sounds it made as it flopped down the pyramid. The Emperor swallowed the heart looking at those gathered. "She was supposed to watch my slaves. She was given powerful demons to do it. Last night four of my slaves disappeared, including my head mistress. I can always get more slaves. It was her incompetence that was intolerable."

The monstrous vampire swept his gaze back and forth on his minions. The news of his defeat and the losses he had sustained hadn't affected the numbers. The most dangerous asset of the kazikaan is their feeding; every meal creates another mouth to feed. If allowed off their leashes, the kazikaan are capable of replenishing their numbers within days. Considering that the first nightfall after being bitten by a kazikaan the victim turns, they need to be watched closely or they will completely drain the food supply.

Kaan turned and headed back inside his palace. He licked the blood off his hand enjoying the taste of the fear.

"High Emperor, I give you congratulations on your metamorphosis, may you be mighty. I have an idea on what can be done about the Ioshari and his Hunters."

"I knew you would show up soon Slunra, you conniving bastard."

"Thank you, Milord." The demon started walking with Kaan. He wore a long black robe which covered all of his distinguishing features. The demon had never unmasked for anyone, not that he specifically wore a mask. Underneath his hood a web of shadows covered everything the robe didn't. Slunra had a tendency to show up suddenly and leave just as quickly.