

D R U G F U C K E R

An Amaris Laurent Fable

DRUGFUCKER

By

Amaris Laurent

Copyright

The Imperfect Society Forum

2019

Published

by

The Imperfect Society Forum

PROLOGUE: THE MIRANDA DYNASTY OF ALEXANDRIA

Once upon a time, space doctor and renowned surgeon Galen Miranda and his crew of scientists and space explorers traveled to a planet to discover if it was habitable to live since at this time, the Earth had become mostly a barren wasteland due to humans overlapping its resources and its constant warfare. Galen never thought in his wildest dreams that traveling to another planet under a scientific mission would change his life, the life of his family, and humankind for years to come.

In the year 2500 CE, the Mirandas became the premier family of the new planet that became known as Alexandria, named after the female version of the middle name of its first patriarch, who held the title as the first Medical Chief of Alexandria; a title that would be bestowed on future successors to honor them. Their innovations in the field of science, technology, and the like brought a new renaissance in the life of humans.

But one of their trades would be the one that put them on the universal map for all to see.

Drug-making.

At first, they made drugs to test out experimental theories to cure diseases and disorders that evolved over time as new secrets of the human body were exposed. They used native alien Alexandrians to test it out their theories. Like Earth's doctors did during the years of space travel to find inhabitable planets to make habitable to live on, the Mirandas of Alexandria used their talents to better their planetary home and the Alexandrians appreciated it in the best way by creating for the Mirandas their dream utopia. This brought more and more humans to Alexandria to live under the majesty of the drug-making clan.

From drug-making, the Mirandas became powerbrokers and for the next two centuries under their rule, peace reign and Alexandria thrived as the central planet to go for galactic foreigners.

Going into the 2700's CE, all of this changed when two Miranda siblings, surgeons Alexi and Lyser, fought against one another over the love of a female named Eudoxia, an elfish alien leader they tried to heal from a debilitating illness. Their rivalry produced no dividends as neither man possessed Eudoxia the way they wanted to, but their rivalry would become another trait the Miranda clan would become infamous for. Around the same time, both princes of medicine created their own synthetic drugs to gain allies by making them addicts.

After Alexi and Lyser, more Miranda clan rivalries occurred. The end result from the first Miranda rivalry was the birth of four Alexandrian drug cults: the Heroes, the Caines, the Amphes (Metas), and the Marijus. Alexi formed the Heroes and Lyser was responsible for the Caines. The latter two emerged from natural Alexandrians, becoming opponents against the Heroes and the Caines, thanks to the memory of Eudoxia.

For years, the four drug cults battle one another for supremacy as the land and several islands were split between them. The Heroes ruled the north, the Caines the south, the Amphes the east and the Marijus the west.

However, in the middle of the land laid the capital, Pergamon (named after another Miranda descendent), where the first hospital on the planet, Pergamon Hospital, was created. It became the official headquarters for the Miranda medical chiefs to establish policy. However, despite the battles, no one ruled Pergamon. There had been attempts to conquer it, but just as one cult got close to doing so, the other cults would stop them.

It would not be until the late 2700s and early 2800s CE arrived when the landscape would change once again when Emilia Miranda entered the picture, becoming the first female Medical Chief of Alexandria. She was one of the few Mirandas to bear nothing but daughters. With twelve in total, they would create a cult of their own; one that would dominate the new century.

The Cult of Ecstasy.

Emilia knew that if she wanted to last and not let any males, even ones from her own family, take the power from her; she had to make alliances. In this, she took the lead from her ancestors, the surgeon brothers Alexi and Lyser, by creating a new synthetic drug for Alexandrians to get addicted to.

This particular drug was different from those in the past, mostly from the way it was administered. Most of the drugs in the past were in pill or liquid form. This was the first of its kind taken specifically in red liquid form that could be administered in three inventive ways: sprayed in the mouth, dropped in the eyes, or if the addict was female, smeared on her vagina to create a sensual orgasm.

The drug was given a special nickname: the Red Bliss, or simply, the Bliss.

She went further by making alliances with the strong and fiery Cult of Caines. She sealed this deal by arranging a marriage between Zankuro Jyuban and her oldest daughter Alexis Miranda IV. Two more daughters would make unions with the Caines while three other daughters would marry soldiers from the Cult of Heroes.

With these unions, both cults were absorbed into the Cult of Ecstasy and became their personal armies. From there, the Cult of Ecstasy would end up using the Heroes and Caines to fight the Amphes and Marijus.

Emilia's granddaughter Ariel Miranda ended up inheriting the new disputes and making it bloodier than ever before.

She was given an interesting name: the Deadringer, due to her likeness to her grandmother Emilia in her youth.

The Deadringer would start her reign in bloody fashion when at sixteen years old, she went to war against her numerous aunts and cousins after the sudden death of her mother, Alexis IV. Half-elf, half-human that had an extra appendage, a penis due to a birth defect, she was always treated differently from the rest of the Miranda children. Alexis IV never thought her abnormal daughter would amount to anything, as she was abused verbally and later physically as a child to the point she carried a thirst for vengeance into her teenage and adult years.

Ariel's resentment built from there, but it did not stop her from bearing children. Thanks to her extra appendage, she did not need a male figure in her life. She sired 12 children in total; six boys and six girls from three different mistresses.

With her family secured and having control of the capital Pergamon, she continued her path until she achieved her goal: sole control of Alexandria, her family birthright...
PREPARATION

The day of her initiation dawned warm and sunny, but Moriana Percocet, or Molly for short, was both excited and nervous:

Will I perform well?

Will I satisfy my mistress?

Will I ever get the chance to secure a future?

She reflected back on the past two years and her grief at the reported loss of her new husband defending a nearby village from marauding bandits attacking an outpost belonging to the Cult of Ecstasy.

For years, she and her husband Codone Percocet, along with his brother Acetam, defended the Alexandrian Cult of Ecstasy from dark vampiric Amphes, or Metas for short. Codone led in the charge and died for his efforts. From there, Acetam took over the charge and avenge his brother by winning the battle his brother died for.

Luckily, she had the support of her best friend, the dark-skinned beauty Sarai Adid.

She remembered her initial shock when Sarai told her that despite the death, she had to think about the other matter in her life: fulfilling her vows in bringing an heir into the world. She never could because her husband had been gone to war for so long and the little time he did have, he spent it with his men conversing over battle tactics.

The Percocet brothers were a part of the Army of Caines, one of two major armies used to defend the nation from outsiders. Any female born or married into the family were going to become breeders of future Caine cultists.

Upon marrying Codone Percocet, Molly was designated as a breeder.

As time passed, Molly's curiosity grew and she begged Sarai for more details about the secrets of the Cult of Ecstasy. She was appalled when she first learned that study and practice of ancient arts was not all the cult did. An integral part of their practices included sex with male outsiders from other empires along with the exchange of information.

When all was settled, it usually ended in orgies in the only club on the planet:

The Library, where women would strip and sex their male conquests for the sake of bearing children to increase the power of their cult.

Over time, Molly's initial shock at even this wore off as her own biological needs grew. Having sampled semi-sex, however brief with her husband, she longed for more. She longed for the feeling of a lover embedded deep inside her. As time passed, she had become increasingly interested and had finally asked Sarai what she needed to do to fulfill her duties.

Sarai told her, "First, you have to be nominated and the members would make an initial determination."

Sarai nominated her and she was approved for the next stage: an interview before a hooded panel of cult members.

She had been accepted, and today was the big day.

Initiation day.

She was to be one of three new females initiated as nurses to the cult and all were to be present for the big event. The initiation ritual required that each woman perform an erotic strip in front of a select panel of the male visitors, and then one at a time, each woman would be sexed by one of the men in front of the cult.

After this initial sex, the "Alexandrian Battle" would begin.

As she thought about the upcoming events, Moriana, or Molly for short, felt a tingling between her legs in anticipation of the coming day. She had finished dressing in her sleekest and sluttiest dress and combing her long dark hair when Sarai would stand by her calling her name.

Before leaving her home in Sarai's car, Sarai coached Molly on several occasions on techniques to excite the males. As they headed out of town, driving fast down the road heading for the Library, Molly mentally reviewed her newfound knowledge of sexuality.

Before she knew it, they arrived at the castle, where it was starting to fill up with Alexandrian males and females standing in line waiting to enter. Tents were visible on the side with people wandering around in curiosity.

Evidently, most of the scantily-clad erotic dancers in the group arrived the day before and spent the night in the Library and made themselves stand out as people cheered them on for the chance to be picked for the Alexandrian Battle.

Sarai parked her car and both she and Molly got out. Sarai wrapped her arm around her as the nerves began.

This is it, she thought. "There's no going back."
THE LIBRARY OF ALEXANDRIA

The Library, the premier club of the nation of Alexandria created like it was a village itself located several miles east of Pergamon Hospital, had become the central place for anyone visiting the planetary nation. Local Alexandrians from other villages found out about the place beforehand and made it their mission to go to it before they left the capital and back to their mundane lives working the land.

However, the true reason why it was the place to go was for one thing: the "Alexandrian Battle." It was the only time all the cults could come together without bloodshed to explore the pleasures Alexandrians had to offer.

All the players were in place. The exotic dancers. The visitors. The different political cults. Most of all, the present hierarchy watching everyone with eager eyes.

The night started without a hitch. Everyone was where they were supposed to be with all the decorations and trappings in their proper place. When Alexandrians entered through the gates and onto the promenade heading straight into the Library, it was as if they entered a whole new world. Villagers only knew about the symbol of Alexandria through rumors and myths, but nothing beat seeing it in person.

There were three major levels in the Library. The first level was the dance floor and bar area, where most of the visitors end up before and during the Alexandrian Battle. The second level was the exclusive level, where if someone was on the list or paid the right price, he or she could have their own private party with anything and anyone they wanted.

The third level was off limits. This was strictly for one group and one group only: the Cult of Ecstasy council members.

It was also the level where three women stood before the cult hierarchy in a throne-room setting. One of them was Molly Percocet, who became the centerpiece of the group for the simple fact that they anticipated her taking the plunge. They knew of her husband Codone and his heroic exploits, but they also knew she had potential as well.

She stood, eyes staring forward with her hands behind her standing in her attentive stance with Sarai Adid standing behind her with her hand on her shoulder.

On her throne sat the Medical Chief of Alexandra herself, wearing an all-white suit. She crossed her legs and her arms. "I have been anticipating this for a long time. I always wondered when you would grace us with your presence. Now, here you are, Moriana Percocet."

She looked at the other two women with Molly. "You two leave! Enjoy yourselves downstairs."

The other two women obeyed, taking their final bow, and left the room.

Molly was alone. Immediately, the nerves began to appear and before her hands started to shake, Sarai stopped it by grabbing her hand gently.

The Doctor came close to her face, examining her eyes, her soft white cheeks, and flowing black hair. "Now, Mrs. Percocet, we can really have fun. On your knees!"

Nervously, Molly did as she was told, going on one knee, then the other.

"Sarai! Put the collar around her."

Sarai took a red collar from behind her back and put it around Molly's neck.

"This is your charge, Sarai. How much faith do you have in her?"

Sarai answered, "I have faith that she'll accomplish any challenge you put in front of her."

The Doctor smirked. "I'll hold you to that."

She made a wave to two other females. They stood at her side.

"These two women will...have their way with you," the Doctor said. "As much I would like to watch, I have other matters to take care of. But they will let me know if you're worthy enough."

****

Doctor Ariel Miranda went to her office, not even staying around to see Molly Percocet perform her initiation. As she went to her desk, she went on one knee suddenly and she grabbed locks of her hair, nearly pulling it out.

"Not again," she said as her other knee dropped to the floor as the pain in her head increased. She had been dealing with them for years, hiding it from everyone.

Then, she opened up her drawer and took out her lifesavers; special pink pills recommended by a shaman to manage it. However, the headaches remained and all she accomplished was developing an addiction that little by little was taking over her life.

She went to her seat and sat down. She closed her eyes and let her mind drift to somewhere else. Just as she was getting to that place, the last person she wanted to see entered her office.

"I need to talk to you!"

Alexis, her oldest daughter, helped herself to a seat.

"What do you want, Alexis?" Ariel asked as she rubbed her head.

"When are you going to tell them?" Alexis asked.

She opened her eyes, locked her fingers and turned to see her. Alexis was the spitting image of Ariel when she was younger. Everyone in Ariel's circle figured that with Ariel feeling unfit to rule that power would pass to Alexis. However, Ariel had other ideas and fought through many ailments that plagued her due to her genetic makeup.

"We talked about this," Ariel said.

"And I'm here to collect," Alexis responded.

"You're not ready for the responsibility," Ariel said.

"With the way things are going, I'll never be ready."

"I have a better question for you. When will you give me a grandson or granddaughter? Alina has a son. Your other sisters have children. When will you step up? You give me a grandchild, the seat is yours and I'll let everyone on the planet know. If you continue to want to live this cavalier lifestyle like some slut, then you might as well leave here because as long as I'm alive, you will NOT embarrass me or this family!"

Alexis put her head down. The minute Ariel said her last statement, it was all coming together why the delay. It was that there was no delay. She was never in the running to rule in her mother's place.

Feeling the anger building, Alexis stood up and headed for the door. "I guess it was always going to come to this. Don't worry, Mother! I'll never bring it up again."

Alexis left the office as Ariel laid back in her chair and closed her eyes.

****

Alexis Miranda, the fifth with the name in the Miranda Dynasty, went out to the main floor of the club as the party was getting heated and most people around were either completely naked or closed to it. None of that mattered for the warrior Alexis, who had one mission in mind for the night.

She turned her head to find Sarai and Molly watching the action and getting turned on by the experience.

Then, Sarai saw Alexis. "Hey Molly, come on! I want you to meet Alexis!"

Sarai took Molly's hand and guided her to her close friend Alexis Miranda. Sarai jumped on the taller Alexis' back and spun her around.

"Hey, bitch! Molly, this is Alexis. Alexis, this is Molly Percocet, the new member of the Cult of Ecstasy."

"Please to meet you," Molly said as she brought out her hand.

"Yeah, whatever!" Alexis said rudely as she turned her head.

"What's wrong with you?" Sarai asked. "Who are you looking out for?"

"Trouble," Alexis responded.

"What kind of-"

Then, Sarai noticed Alexis looked in a certain direction. That direction led to the office of Ariel Miranda.

"Oh no!" Sarai said. "Tell me you didn't go talk to her on this night of all nights."

Alexis said nothing, but her panting said more than anything else she would say.

Sarai looked around as well as Molly was stuck in confusion.

"I don't believe this shit!" Sarai said. "Well, tell me you at least patched things up."

Alexis just gave Sarai a glare.

"What did she say?" Sarai asked Alexis.

"What do you think?" Alexis answered. "The same thing she said the last few times."

"No grandchild, no title?"

"No grandchild, no title."

Molly got Sarai's attention. "What's going on?"

"Well, if Alexis did what I thought she did, then I think we're going to war," Sarai responded.

Suddenly, a knife came across the room and struck Alexis in the shoulder. Before she could do anything, someone came from behind her and slit her throat and like a banshee, she jumped all over her back and stabbed Alexis all over her face and breasts.

The party stopped immediately as all witnessed the gruesome sight before them; that of Doctor Ariel Miranda stabbing her oldest daughter mercilessly on the dance floor as if she was just another adversary. She kept going and going until she stopped herself from exhaustion.

Everyone gathered around to see Ariel with blood and guts all over her face, hair, and suit. But Sarai and Alison could only see what remained of Alexis Miranda. Her face was a crimson mask. Her eyes were gone, flickered off when Ariel stabbed all over her face.

With her slick white suit completely blood-soaked, Ariel stared at the ceiling and stretched her arms and screamed, "I AM ALEXANDRIA! THERE'S NO FUTURE WITHOUT ME! DON'T EVER FORGET THAT!"

Her words proved true. She killed her daughter and based off the discouraged and sickened faces, no one was ever going to forget the name Ariel Miranda.

Sarai put her arm around a petrified Molly. "Welcome to the family!"

The words Sarai whispered in her ear echoed through the recesses of Molly's soul, while everyone's eyes were fixated on Ariel as she headed towards Molly and Sarai.

Molly was so traumatized by what had just happened that she stood in a motionless daze looking at the body of Alexis Miranda V and wondering how Ariel could do such a thing to her own child.

It was not until Ariel was standing in front of her that Molly snapped out of it.

For a brief moment, the sound of silence engulfed the room, as Ariel stood clinching the knife she had used to murder her daughter and staring intensely into the eyes of Molly.

Ariel raised her hand and without even thinking, made a deep incision in her palm. As the blood gushed out from Ariel's palm and dripped down to the palm of Molly's hand, Ariel took Molly's hand and slapped it to her face. Under Ariel's hand, Molly slowly licked her fingers without even thinking.

"No," said Sarai as she slowly shook her head.

With a mouth full of blood, Ariel took her finger and traced around her lips until her lips were covered in crimson. Everyone moved back from Ariel as she put the Cult of Ecstasy insignia on Molly's forehead using the blood from her hand and traced around Molly's lips.

Before Molly had a chance to do anything, Ariel grabbed the back of her head and kissed Molly passionately. Molly's insides began to burn as the blood she swallowed coursed through her veins.

When Ariel was done, she let Molly's hair go, dropped the knife and headed back to her private chambers. Ariel did not waste a moment with any type of remorse or guilt over what she had done.

Everyone's thoughts were soon interrupted by the footsteps of the Erasers, elite eunuch soldiers that had been breed from birth to serve the Cult of Ecstasy exclusively. Within minutes, they had managed to clean up the torn and mutilated body of Alexis Miranda V. No one noticed as they carried Alexis' body out of the room.

Everyone's eyes were watching Molly and her reactions to the minutes that played before her, eyes blinking as the stinging in her stomach started to calm down slightly.

"Sarai, what just happened?" said Molly as her eyes began to glow a spectrum of colors.

Sarai looked pathetically at Molly and then shook her head in despair.

"SARAI!"

"This is what I was afraid of. You've been marked," said Sarai as tears began to overwhelm her eyes.

"Marked? What are you talking about?" Molly asked.

Before Sarai had a chance to tell her what was happening, four of The Erasers escorted her away from the main party and Sarai's explanation to Ariel's office.

One of them brought her before Ariel standing near her desk and closed the door.

With her back turned to Molly, Ariel glared at the wall and imagined everything that had transpired. The thought of keeping control of her surroundings aroused her to say the least.

"What's happening to me?" said Molly as she fell to the ground and began trembling uncontrollably.

"It's simply beautiful when you think about it," Ariel said, not paying attention to Molly's suffering. "The vastness of space and everything that has not yet been conquered. The thought of worlds that have never been discovered and power that has yet to be seized."

"ANSWER ME!" said Molly. The sound of her voice boomed 100 different tones at the same time.

Ariel smiled. "This is quite unusual. Usually, it takes a day or so, but the process is occurring at an accelerated rate with you."

Molly tried to focus through the blurriness as she kept her eyes focused on Ariel.

Ariel shrugged. "For the next four hours, you're going to experience a pain that is so intense, your soul will depart from your body. During those hours, time will slow down for you and you'll die a million times. Each time your heart stops beating, you will feel it."

Ariel walked over to Molly and gazed down at her.

"But the next four hours that follows...."

Ariel smiled and sighed, almost wishing that she could experience what Molly was about to experience. "You will experience what we like to call the BLISS. Imagine having an orgasm so intense and pleasurable that it paralyzed you. Now imagine having a million of them one after another after another. Each more intense and erotic than the next. When you emerge, you won't fear death nor have any desire for anything but sex and power."

"Why are you doing this to me?" said Molly as she gasped harder and harder for air and struggled to breathe.

"If you will excuse me," said Ariel. "I have a party to attend to. Enjoy your ride."

Molly's reached for Ariel as she breathed her last breath and fell flat to the floor.
BLISS TRIP

When Molly awoke, Ariel was standing over her in the chamber which was pitch black. The only light that emanated from the room came from the light that radiated from Ariel's body.

"Arise, my daughter," said Ariel.

Molly rose to her feet, feeling a power that was unexplainable.

"What have you done to me?" said Molly.

"All of that will be revealed in due time. For now, I have a question," said Ariel. "Do you know how your Codone was killed?"

"He died in battle, defending Alexandria from the Amphes," Molly answered.

"And who told you that?" said Ariel. "Acetam?"

"I don't understand where this is going?" said Molly as she stared at Ariel desperate to know the truth of what really happened to her husband Codone.

"It's one thing to be deceived by the lips of men, for the interpretation of the truth is hinged on the virtue that lies in one's heart. But how can you be deceived by the reality that's in front of your eyes?" said Ariel.

Ariel grabbed Molly's hands and suddenly a blinding shroud of light penetrated the room.

Moments later Molly found herself in the past standing next to Ariel.

****

2871 C.E. During the Alexandrian Cult Wars.

"Promise you will come back to me," said Molly as Codone stood holding her in his arms.

"I would kill the gods of this kingdom and the old kingdom just to get back to you," said Codone as he kissed Molly on the lips.

Younger brother Acetam Percocet stood there pretending to sharpen his sword and glancing at Molly from the side of his eyes, wishing that she was in his arms.

Secretly, Acetam envied his older brother and wanted everything he had: his fame, his home, his army, his skill, and most of all, he wanted Molly. Since the first moment he laid his eyes on Molly, he had been secretly in love with her with a desire that burned so intensely that it exceeded obsession.

"Acetam," said Molly.

Acetam jumped, thinking Molly had seen him staring at her.

"Yes, Molly," said Acetam.

"Make sure you bring your pig head of a brother back to me," said Molly.

"I will, Anna."

Molly walked over and hugged, then kissed him on the cheek. "Make sure you come back safely to me also."

Acetam's heart began pounding through his chest as he held onto Molly. Even though it was for a brief second, Acetam savored each moment he held Molly in his arms; sniffing her hair and entertaining the thought of her being his forever. It took everything in his power to keep from getting an erection.

"HOLD ON! What do you mean make sure he brings me back safely?" said Codone jokingly. "Do you know how many times I've saved his life?"

Acetam smiled, but under his grin was pure hatred.

Molly hugged Codone once more and then left the house without saying goodbye.

It had been a long ritual that she and Codone had each time he would go into a battle. Molly never wanted to tell Codone goodbye because she did not want that to be the last time she would see him. So Molly just left the house and went to stay with her mother until Codone came back.

"You are a lucky man, brother," said Acetam.

Codone shook his head, "No, we're both lucky to have survived the Rohypon Disputes without being maimed or injured. How many of our friends can say that?"

Acetam thought for a second of all of his friends that had been injured and lost limbs and lives in the mixture of wars, starting with the Rohypon Disputes, which were the names of different periods of cult wars that had been a part of Alexandrian history since the first humans inhabited the planet.

"Just think! If all goes well, we're going to be legends. History will record our names in the Book of Infamy," said Acetam proudly.

"I'm not as concerned with having my name recorded in some book. I'm just concerned with returning home to Molly," said Codone.

"What are you saying?" said Acetam as he finished sharping his sword and slid it in its sheath.

"This is my last battle, brother," said Codone. "I'm tired of fighting these senseless wars."

"You're joking," said Acetam.

"No, I'm serious," said Codone. "I want you to promise me something if I don't return."

"What?"

"I want you to promise me that you'll take care of Molly," said Codone.

"You're talking crazy," said Acetam shaking his head.

"If I don't return, promise me that you'll take care of Molly for me," said Codone as he grabbed Acetam's arm firmly. "I know you care for her. Just promise me that if I fall in battle, you'll spend the rest of your days making her happy."

"I promise you, brother," said Acetam, as he looked Codone in the eyes.

****

"No!" said Molly. "Why would he tell Acetam that?"

"Because he knew that you were the only women whom Acetam ever loved," said Ariel.

"Why are you showing me this?" said Molly.

"Because you need to be liberated by the truth."

Before Molly could speak another word, both found themselves in the middle of an Alexandrian War battle, watching Codone battle against the psychopathic Amphes in a village.

****

Acetam watched as Codone fought the Amphes without fear or hesitation as if he were a madman driven by bloodlust.

Codone ran on the side of the wall, took out his sword and then decapitated two Amphes. Before their heads could hit the ground Codone flipped from the wall, took out his VY Canis Majoris pistol and fired a Roid clip into the crowd of Amphes.

"ACETAM!"

Acetam turned around and saw a sword coming directly at his head. Before Acetam had a chance to react, Codone's sword blocked the other sword as it was inches away from Acetam's face.

Instantly, Codone took out his other sword and turned to detach the torso of Marcilux, a captain of the Amphes army.

"Are you okay brother?" Codone asked.

Acetam nodded.

As Codone turned and walked away a sword went through his chest.

Codone turned only to see the face of Acetam staring back at him mercilessly.

"Why?" Codone asked as he dropped to his knees and began coughing up blood.

"I just want you to know, brother, that the only thing in the world that will be sweeter than plunging this sword through your heart, will be plunging myself into the depths of Molly's soul and fucking her until every last memory she has of you is forgotten."

Codone took out his knife and began walking towards Acetam. "You are going to pay for this."

While Acetam was talking to several members of the Army of Caine took out their guns and surrounded Codone in a circle.

Acetam stood back. "Don't worry, brother! Molly will know you died saving my life and history will remember you as a fallen hero in this war."

Codone looked at all the soldiers surrounding him and fell forward, lifeless on the ground.

Acetam walked over to Codone and took the sword from his back.

But knowing that Codone was dead was not enough. He had to see his face to quench the fire of jealousy and envy in his soul.

Acetam knelt down right beside Codone and rolled him over. The moment Codone was on his back, he took the knife he had in his hand and jabbed it deep within Acetam's scrotum and twisted it.

"Enjoy Molly, brother. You're going to need it!" Codone smiled as Acetam screamed with fury and envy.

Without even waiting for the command, Acetam stepped back quickly and the soldiers fired their guns and riddled Codone's body with bullets.

****

After the war, with the death of Codone, Acetam was promoted and given 100 of the most elite men to command as a reward for his bravery and for killing Marcilux, the Amphes captain that Codone killed. As a way of showing their devotion and loyalty to Acetam, The 100 whom he surnamed the HYDROS had themselves castrated, proving that they were willing to follow him to the depths of hell and nothing else mattered except the thrill of war.

Codone Percocet's body was left for the OPIOS to feed on; an array of tall, black elves in a deep hole put in specifically to gather or scourge dead bodies. It was where all dead Alexandrians eventually go as their flesh and bones, and according to the religious types, their souls were consumed in their shadowy bellies...

****

"NOOOOOO!" shouted Molly.

"There's no use! You can't do anything about what's already happened."

"So this...this is what happened?" said Molly. "My love was betrayed by his own brother. Why did you show me this?"

Ariel blinked and within a moment of time, they were back inside the chamber. "So you would no longer be deceived as to what happened to him. Codone was loved by many and whereas many betrayed his memory by lying to you. I told you the truth."

"How do I know you're not deceiving me?" said Molly. "Why would I trust the word of a woman that would kill her own child?"

Ariel grinned. "Believe it or not Molly, you and I are much alike. Like you, I know what it is like to be betrayed by the ones you loved and refuse to believe it because love has blinded you. And...I know what it is like to lose a child."

"How did you know?" said Molly as her eyes began to fill with tears.

Ariel smiled and then turned.

Before Molly knew her and Ariel was standing in another part of the past. Molly shook her head as she stood watching another event unfold before her, powerless to stop it.

****

"I'm so sorry about this," said Molly. "Hopefully, Dr. Miranda will be able to tell me what's wrong."

"Hopefully," said Acetam as he smiled and then grabbed the wet towel that was sitting on the nightstand and wiped Molly's brow.

Before Acetam could fully wipe the sweat from Molly's brow, she vomited all over him.

"Acetam, please forgive me," said Molly. "I'm so sorry."

"It's okay," said Acetam as he smiled and then grabbed the towel and began cleaning up the mess. Even though Acetam was unable to have sexual relations with Molly as a result of the injuries he sustained from his brother, Acetam truly loved Molly and just being with her was enough to satisfy him.

Doctor and scientist Lyser Miranda IV walked back in the room with the results on his theistic pad.

"Lyser, have you found out what is wrong with her?" said Acetam.

Lyser nodded. "Well, it would appear that congratulations are in order. Molly, you are going to be a mother."

"What?" said Molly as she sat up in the bed.

"You're three months pregnant."

Acetam pretended to smile as the hatred he had for Codone that once lied dormant in his soul awoke.

Molly shook her head, "Please, don't lie to me, Dr. Miranda."

Tears began to run down Molly's face as she entertained the thought a piece of Codone's love once again inside of her.

Lyser walked over to Molly, grabbed her hand and looked her in the eyes. "I ran the test multiple times to make sure I was correct and I assure you, Molly, you are with child. And in six more months, you're going to be the mother of a baby boy."

"Acetam, did you hear that!" said Molly ecstatically.

"Congratulations to you both," said Lyser as he shook Acetam's hand. "Looks like Acetam, you're going to be a father."

Lyser was so use at given exams that he spoke the words to Acetam before he even realized it.

"I'm sorry, Acetam... I mean, ahhh!"

"No, you're correct! Dr. Miranda. He's going to be a father." said Molly as she grabbed Acetam's hand. "There's no man in Alexandria that is more equipped to teach our son about the world and how great of a man their father Codone was better than Acetam."

Acetam smiled and nodded, trying to fight back his anger with every ounce of strength.

Lyser beamed. "Well, I need to be going I have some other patients that I need to attend to."

"Let me walk you out," said Acetam. "I have something that I want to discuss with you."

"Okay," said Lyser as he headed towards the door.

"Molly, I'll be just a moment."

But Molly did not pay Acetam any attention. When Acetam turned around, Molly was looking at a picture of Codone she carried in the locket around her neck and rubbing her stomach.

Acetam said nothing to her and followed Lyser outside the door to discuss the matter. For years Lyser Miranda and Acetam Percocet had been close friends, ever since Acetam had saved his life, which was why there was practically nothing that Lyser would not do for Acetam.

"Look Acetam I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say...."

"Never mind that." Interrupted Acetam. "I need a favor from you."

"Sure anything," said Lyser.

"I want you to kill Molly's baby."

Lyser looked at Acetam as if he had asked him to kill his own mother.

"You want me to do what?"

"I want you to terminate Molly's pregnancy and make it look as if it were a miscarriage."

"No! Do you know what you are asking goes against the sacred law of Alexandria? No harm to Alexandria! If anyone were to find out we would be killed."

"You'll repay the debt that you owe me," said Acetam.

Lyser hung his head, knowing he had no choice but to repay Acetam, the man in which he owed his life.

Lyser nodded.

"How soon will it be gone?" smiled Acetam.

"I can administer a shot that will instantly kill the baby. I'll tell her that it's an inoculation to protect her and the baby from any foreign diseases and within the three days she'll have a miscarriage."

Acetam smiled. "Do it!"

"Since you are making me break Alexandrian law, may I at least ask the reason why you're having me kill Molly and Codone's child?" said Lyser.

Acetam grabbed Lyser by the throat and pushed him up against the wall.

"Don't stand here and try to judge me as if you know me or my reasons. I gave you an order and you're going to follow it. Just remember the same man that's killing this child saved your life," said Acetam. "But to answer your question and give you some sort of clarity, it's the same reason why all evil, sin, and atrocities are committed. For love!"

The moment Acetam released Lyser, he fell to the ground and began gasping for air.

"Make sure it is done," said Acetam.

Lyser rubbed his throat as Acetam strolled away.

"Lyser, I can assure you of one thing," Acetam interjected. "In three days, either you or the child will be dead."

****

Acetam went outside of the Pergamon Hospital entrances and glared at the sky. "The one thing that I can say, brother, is that I will not only have the pleasure of killing you but also killing your son."

****

"So what is this that you're giving me?" Molly asked as Lyser returned with a couple of needles.

"It's a standard inoculation that we give to all breeders with children on Alexandria to ensure that both mother and child are healthy," said Lyser as he injected Molly with the cocktail. "With all of the new species coming to Alexandria, we have to ensure that both of you are protected from anything that would be detrimental to your health."

Molly nodded in agreement as Lyser's face turned stern at the ramifications of a few-second action he was performing.

****

"Can I ask your advice about something?" Molly asked.

"Certainly, Molly! You know you can ask me anything," said Acetam.

"As you know I'm going to name the baby Codone."

"Yes, I figured as much."

"Molly walked over to Acetam and gently touched his hand, "I was wondering if... I mean if you didn't mind if I give him your name as well."

"What do you mean?" frowned Acetam.

"I was thinking of naming him Codone Acetam Percocet, as a way to honor the man that birthed him and the man that shall raise him," said Molly. "Surely, a child with the name of two great warriors would be mighty."

Acetam smiled hating the idea. "I think that is an excellent idea, Molly."

"Thank you, Acetam," said Molly as she kissed Acetam on the cheek.

The moment Molly rose to her feet, she became light-headed and then fainted.

Acetam quickly rushed over, "Molly, are you alright."

"I don't know," said Molly as she tried to rise to her feet. "I just feel like--"

Before Molly could finish her sentence she blacked out.

****

When Molly awakened to Lyser looking over her and Acetam to the side of her, he gave her the dreaded news.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, but...the baby...didn't make it."

Molly let out a blood-curdling scream that made her physically break. Acetam comforted her as she rested her head on her shoulder while Acetam smirked at Lyser for a job well done.

****

"I remember him standing in front of me acting as though he were sorry at the fact that I had loss Codone's son," said Molly. "All along all of this time, it was Acetam that had murdered Codone and our son."

As the chamber returned to the present, Molly stood to stare at Ariel with her fists balled up and drops of blood dripped from her hand.

Ariel could sense as the pure unadulterated hatred for Acetam began to consume her being.

"Although I'm not able to bring Codone back I can give you the one gift that's almost better than resurrection."

"And that is?"

"Retribution!" Ariel answered as she walked up behind her and whispered in her ear. "I can give you retribution for Codone and your unborn child that was murdered."

"What is it that I have to do?" said Molly.

Ariel touched Molly on the forehead on the insignia that she had marked with her own blood. Ariel's eyes began to glow along with the mark.

"Molly," said Ariel in a soft tone.

Ariel's voice began to echo louder and louder until it became inaudible for a brief moment and then deafening...
THE MIRANDA LEGACY

"Molly!"

Molly awoke, gasping for air in her bed with Sarai Adid standing over her.

"Thank the gods you woke up," said Sarai.

Molly circled to the left and behind her. "What's going on? Where's Ariel?"

"You don't remember?" Sarai asked.

"Remember what?"

Sarai sat on the bed next to Molly. "You passed out at the party. At first, we thought it was the Bliss, but then you became unresponsive. So we rushed you to the hospital."

"What?" said Molly as she shook her head? "No! I remember talking to Ariel about Condone and Acetam."

"Anna, you've been unconscious for nearly a week," said Sarai. "You passed out right after Ariel killed Alexis."

Molly's hands began trembling uncontrollably as her voice began cracking. "WHAT IS GOING ON? WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?"

"DR. LYSER!" yelled the Alexandrian nurse, also in the room with Sarai trying to figure out the same thing, as Molly's nerves began to act up.

The moment Lyser Miranda entered the room, Molly leap from the bed and began clawing at his face with pure rage.

"MOLLY, NO!" Sarai screamed.

"YOU KILLED MY SON, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" yelled Molly as tears streamed from her eyes.

When the nurse in the room tried to run up and pull Molly off of Lyser, Molly quickly turned and kicked her in the stomach.

"MOLLY!" screamed Sarai to the top of her lungs.

Molly turned to stop for a second. The moment she did, Acetam Percocet hit her in the back of the neck and knocked her unconscious.

"What the hell is going on here?" Acetam asked Sarai.

"It was the Bliss," Sarai responded with her eyes overwhelmed with tears. "It has driven her mad."

Acetam looked at the flesh that had been peeled off of Lyser's face and then looked back at Juliana.

****

Acetam stood over Lyser's hospital bed in his room, waiting for him to gain consciousness. When he finally did, Acetam wasted no time probing him for questions.

"What the fuck happened?" said Acetam as he stood over a bandaged up Lyser.

"The only thing I remember is Molly attacking me the moment I entered her room and screaming 'you killed my son.' How does she know? How does she know what we did?"

Acetam shook his head in bewilderment.

****

"She did that? What the hell?"

Thirty-five-year-old Alina Miranda stared down at the grossly mutilated body of her older sister, Alexis Miranda V, in a crypt below her home in the Copelandia Province. Standing at her shoulder was her younger sister, thirty-year-old Alison.

"Why would she do this?" Alison asked, nearly grossed out as well.

Sarai Adid, watching both grieving Miranda sisters, knew the answer. "Everyone didn't know she would react to that. I told her to not go to her alone, but...you know Alexis. Always stubborn!"

Alina's stern eyes pierced through Sarai. Sarai discovered her blunder and bowed quickly.

"I'm sorry," Sarai said. "That was stupid to say."

Then, Molly Percocet, who went with Sarai for moral support after being checked out of the hospital for her episode, spoke up. "I was told Alexis declared war on Doctor Miranda! I think she told her that she wouldn't rule after her."

Sarai tugged her arm. "She doesn't know what she's saying!"

"I want to hear what she has to say," Alison said. "Why do you think this?"

"I don't know the whole story. Just the rumors," Molly answered. "I also heard that she's disowned all of her daughters."

This shocked Sarai. "Where did you heard that from?"

"Well...your friends have big mouths," Molly said. "I told you this."

Alison turned to Alina. "If this is true, then we're next."

Alina turned to Molly. "If you were in my position, what would you do?"

"It's not my place," Molly responded.

"No, it isn't," Sarai said.

Molly put her hands together. "But if I was my husband, I would say fight for your claim."

"Your husband?" Alison asked.

"He died defending your mother. He was a Caine."

"I see," Alina said. She looked back down at Alexis' body and rubbed her dead, fragile hair. "No decision will be made until after the funeral. I want you two to stay around. Perhaps we can talk strategy together."

Both Molly and Sarai nodded their heads.

"Should we get our other sisters involved?" Alison asked her sister.

"Not yet! We don't know who to trust and if it's true about what our mother wants, then we need to make sure we have the right people around us to trust. As of right now, only the four of us know what's going on, okay?"

Everyone nodded in agreement, as Molly stared at the Miranda sisters and thinking the worse.

"Molly, stay behind," Alina commanded. "I want to talk to you alone."

Both Alison and Sarai left as Molly stood before Alina nervously.

"Come with me!"

Molly went with Alina up another floor. They went through another door to find a dining room with a large bookshelf.

Alina went to a seat near the bookshelf and turned her attention to a shaky Molly, still trying to figure everything out.

"So...Sarai told me you've been having...visions of some sort," Alina said.

"Well, I don't know--"

"Are you sure they were visions?"

"I told her what happened to my husband. My brother-in-law killed him."

"And my mother was there showing you all of this?"

Molly turned to the left, then back at Alina. "I don't understand. Why are you asking me this?"

Then, Alina stood up and put her hands on Molly's shoulders. She glared deep into Molly's eyes, which at this point were coming back to normal after the redness that had formed from a mixture of no sleep and constant stress from waking up in panics.

"Just as I thought," Alina said. "My mother drugged you."

"What are you talking about?"

"We come from a family of drug makers. I don't find this surprising. This has always been one of my mother's greatest tricks."

"This didn't feel I was drugged. The images felt...real."

"Because you wanted it to be real. You missed your husband. He died defending Ariel. I don't find it strange she would bring you into the circle and use that as a means."

"And why would I trust you?" Molly asked. "For all I know, you could be playing games with me."

"Believe me or don't. That's on you! I don't even know you. But I know my mother and this is not the first time she's done something like this. I admit some of the visions could be real, but it's more about the emotions than the logic."

Then, Alina went to the bookshelf and took out a large book and presented it to Molly.

"You want to know about my mother? Do you want to know what you've gotten yourself into? Here you go. The Legacy of the Mirandas. The whole family. The whole story. You can make your own choice on whether you want to be around this or not."

Molly took the book with both hands.

"Now if you would excuse me. I have a funeral to prepare for. I hope to see you there. If not, I'll understand."

Alina exited the room and right away, Molly Percocet cracked the large book opened and began to find some answers; if not to her direct answers, at least answers about the family she ended up in bed with.

****

Pushing up against her latest sexual conquest, Doctor Ariel Miranda thrust a male eunuch's buttocks as if a demon was possessing her. Normally, she would have a time where she would be romantic with whoever she fancied for that night, male or female.

But there were times when the drugs took over and when she found someone sexy and filled all of the boxes physically, all Ariel wanted to do was fuck. No attachments. No romantic conversations. Just pure, primal sex.

Even this was different.

As the eunuch moaned for dear life, Ariel stared forward with one image on her mind:

The day her daughter Alexis left her office declaring war on her.

From there, the image changed from Alexis's hardened face to a crimson mask with no eyes, ears, or mouth.

This particular image made her stop and pushed herself away from her lover for the night. She went back to her seat and shut her eyes as the Eraser eunuch touched her legs, then her exposed penis; one he wished he had instead of her.

"Are you alright, Doctor?" He asked as she rubbed the head of her penis gently. "What can I do for you to make you feel better?"

Ariel smooshed his skinny face away from her. "Get the fuck out of my office!

The eunuch glared confusedly!

"NOW, BITCH!"

The eunuch lowered his head and left out the door quietly.

Then, going to her secret drawer, she reached for the one thing that gave her comfort nowadays and popped three of her "special" pills into her mouth.

As the last pill took effect, she started punching her forehead.

"Oh, ALEXIS!" she cried. "My baby girl! Why did I do that? Why did I do that?"

Ariel knew that killing Alexis was the worst move she could make. The fact she did it herself in front of people who saw her deteriorating mind was worse.

But that was not all that she thought about, as she saw herself in a similar predicament: being the matriarch dealing with multiple children possibly wanting control of the entire empire. And she was sure that she would meet her end by one of them.

****

In a private ceremony, Alina Miranda led in the funeral proceedings for her older half-sister Alexis V. As they all agreed, younger half-sister Alison Miranda, Sarai Adid and Molly Percocet stood by Alina as she spoke to her household about her sister.

Although they came from different mothers, with Alina sired by Maya and Alexis and Alison sired by Sima, they formed a bond with one another in the hope if it came to one of them being chosen to rule the nation, they would still support each other.

Speaking in front of her maids and servants standing in front of Alexis's body, not covering up the wounds, Alina pointed to the wounds.

"Our mother did this. She killed her own child and threw her away like trash. For NOTHING!"

Alison grabbed her arm to calm her down.

Alina continued, patting Alison's hands. "I'm sorry! This is supposed to be a celebration of life, not a definition of her death. So that's what we're going to do. We're going to celebrate because that's what Alexis would have wanted."

Alina went to her knees and whispered in Alexis's dead ear. "Every wound that she inflicted on you, I would inflict on her. For the both of us."

Then, Alina dismissed everyone, leaving just the family members and the outsider in the room.

"What now?" Sarai asked.

Alina turned to Molly. "That depends on her."

Then, Alison and Sarai fixed their eyes on Molly.

Molly scratched her head. "On me?"

"You read the book, I take it?" Alina asked. "So you know more than most of us will. You're a smart woman, so I'm going to assume that you not oblivious to everything around you."

"I'm never going to understand what's going on between you and your mother. But you don't have to worry about me."

Alina patted her on the shoulder, then gave her a deep hug. "I'll take that as your answer. For now! But know that things are going to start happening quickly and the last thing I need is someone second-guessing over something they don't understand. You take the time you need here to figure things out."

Then, she went to Molly's ear and whispered, "But if I were you, I'll make the decision fast."

****

"Welcome home, my son?"

Ariel hugged her oldest son, Galen Miranda VI, sired with Ariel's favorite concubine, Robin. Out of her main concubines, Robin and her children received the most attention while the children of the other two, Sima and Maya, were practically ignored. Four of her sons belonged to Robin and given top positions in her medical court.

Galen sat down and slouched slightly. "I got your message. What's this about?"

"I called you here because I need to send another message. I want this war we have finished. Call your brothers together and make sure that happens."

"What are you asking?" Galen asked. "You want something quiet or bloody?"

Ariel smirked. "Bloody! Very bloody! We need to finish the Metas and Marijus once and for all. Especially since..."

"Since what?"

Ariel took one deep breath. "I think your sisters may be trying to go to both groups to form their alliance against me."

Galen put his hands together. "Can you blame them if they did? You killed my sister. Not that I agree or disagree with it, but killing her in front of people could bring more problems than we want. Not just from my sisters."

"Let me worry about the rest of them. Right now, they're our biggest threat. Taking down the Marijus and Amphes would leave them with no options."

"And after that?"

Ariel went silent at Galen's question. She closed her eyes.

"I don't know, son. I don't know."

Galen got up and hugged his mother from behind the chair. "I won't let you down, Mother. You can count on me."

Ariel caressed his smooth-skinned arm. "I know! You're a good boy."

****

Three days after speaking to his mother, Galen VI brought two of his younger brothers, Lyser IV and Trebon II, into his home and having noodle balls with steamed cabbage for dinner prepared for them, they ate and discuss what Ariel told his oldest son.

"Who do you trust around your friends?" Galen asked.

"I trust all of my friends," Lyser answered.

"I have a couple that I trust with my life," Trebon said. "Why?"

"Pick some from your groups for a special mission," Galen said.

"What's that?"

"We're going to finish the war with the Amphes and Marijus. We're killing them all. We're going to take the children of their main leaders and kill them."

"So they start to blame each other?" Trebon asked.

"That's only part of the plan. Our mother wants us..." Galen cleared his throat for the next part. "To bring our sisters out of hiding."

Trebon and Lyser turned to one another.

"Does she really want to do this?" Trebon asked.

"She's giving us the kingdom," Galen said. "All we have to do is this and it's all ours. It's what we always wanted. I mean...we still want this, right?"

Trebon smiled. "I want it, brother. More than ever."

Lyser said nothing. Then, he just gave a nod.

Galen raised his glass of wine. "Let's toast to that. Our time is coming."

Trebon raised his glass confidently while Lyser raised his nervously. They clinked them together and drank their wine simultaneously. Trebon got up to eat some more. Lyser was about to get up, but Galen grabbed his arm and sat him back down.

"What the fuck is going on with you?" Galen asked. "You've been mopey since you got here."

"I'm okay," Lyser said softly, trying to keep everything that had happened to him a secret. Neither of his brothers knew about his sudden attack by Molly Percocet, or the circumstances behind it.

"You're not okay. I know you had some episode at the hospital, but you never really told me what that was about."

"Believe me! It's embarrassing. All I want to do is get past this and move on."

Galen took a breath. "Fine! I guess you'll tell me when you tell me. However, until you tell me, you're staying here and managing the home front."

"What?"

"You heard me! I don't know what happened, but since you want to say nothing to me, then I'm not trusting you out there."

"Are you kidding me? What about the hospital?"

"They can do without you for a little while. You need the break. You've been going crazy since that damn scrimmage you ran off to fight."

Lyser slammed his hand on the table and stormed off, just as Trebon sat back down.

"What's wrong with him?" Trebon asked.

"I don't know, and I don't like it," Galen answered. Then, he went to Trebon's ear. "We need to watch him carefully. Have someone guard him and be discreet. I don't want him knowing."

"You got it, brother!" Trebon agreed.

****

At the Miranda Graveyard, Ariel staggered around drunkenly, observing all of the gravesites of Miranda ancestors trying to make sense of it all.

Advisors and businessman. Scientists and inventors. Doctors and medical chiefs. Most of all, the drug producers, their bread and butter. All titles and positions had been held at one point or another by Miranda family members. All used to conquer some part of Alexandria because they had the means to save beings from diseases and plagues.

Standing on a hill was the gravestone of the man that started the dynasty. She made a beeline straight to the hill, as the transcript of Doctor Galen Miranda's life was engraved.

"I'm sure you weren't thinking of me when you created all this, were you?" Ariel slurred. "If you were still alive, I would make you drop to your knees and suck this dick because I'm the reason you still matter. And I'm the reason your legacy is one step closer to ruling the universe."

She tried to climb up the hill but slipped and hit her face on the ground. Bleeding slightly from her forehead, she chuckled sinisterly, not even feeling pain.

Then, she laid back and glared at the stars in the sky and Alexandria's moon shining its greatest blue light.

"Don't worry! When I'm done with all my enemies, I'll make the Miranda name mean something again."

****

For days, Ariel stayed away from the Pergamon Hospital and anywhere else where she held court. Most of her time was spent at the Miranda Graveyard, looking through past names that once upon a time, meant something to the planet.

When it came time to go back to her office, she headed for the Library, which had closed after the Alexandrian Battle party. When she finally opened the doors, she walked in the dark. When she turned on the light, she found the last person she ever thought she would see sitting down on one of the barstools.

"Great! Just when I think things couldn't get worse, here you come."

Maya Adid, one of the three lovers of Ariel and mother of Alina Miranda and Sarai Adid, stood confidently in front of a distraught Ariel.

"What are you doing here, Maya? Didn't I tell you I didn't want you here anymore?"

Maya crept carefully to her former lover. "Yes, you did! Which was fine as long as my children are safe. However, when I have to hear that you kill Alexis and you're thinking about doing the same to my daughters, I figured I come to you to see if that was true."

Ariel approached her with menace in her eyes. "What if I was? What the hell are you doing about it?" She spread her arms. "You want me dead? Here's your chance! It won't be the first time."

"Please! I know better than to strike at you, especially since I know you could kill me without blinking," Maya said. "I didn't come here to fight or argue with you. I only came here to plead for my children. I want you to spare them."

"So they're rebelling against me?"

"They're just scared of you. Nothing more than that. If you tell me that you or your sons won't attack my children, then I'll make sure that they won't rebel against you. All they want is a place in your court. Alina wants to practice medicine again. She just wants to serve a purpose here."

Ariel put her head down slightly. Then, Maya put her hands on Ariel's shoulders.

"And I take it you want to come back as well?" Ariel asked.

Maya rubbed the scar on her forehead. "I'll continue to stay away if that's what you want."

A part of her wanted to slit her throat, but Ariel knew that she and Sima were the only lovers she still carried a torch for that were still alive. Her once great love, Robin Suarez, died years after having her last child, a set of twins. In Ariel's mind, both women betrayed her, ending in their exiles. While Sima remained intent on staying away, Maya tried to beg forgiveness every chance she got, usually ending in failure.

This time felt different, as Ariel was finding herself fighting for her health. The migraines got worse and her drug addiction did not help matters.

Maya came closer to Ariel and kissed her on the cheek. She kissed the other cheek as Ariel put her forehead on Maya's shoulder. Just when Maya thought she was going to receive a kiss, Ariel darted pass her and made her way to her office, leaving Maya disappointed and cautious once again.

Then, Ariel came back. "Are you coming or what?"

A smile beamed across Maya's face and they shared a kiss before going back into Ariel's office.
UNION

Zabdas, a leader of the Mariju cultists, walked with his entourage from the town of Velture and straight to the massive Bthesic Forest to meet with Aluxic, one of several sovereign leaders of the Amphes. Even though the Bthesic Forest was sacred ground and the only place in Alexandria where each party could meet without war due to a treaty made between the Alexandrian cults eons ago, both leaders brought their most elite warriors, not knowing what to expect from each other.

There was still some animosity between the Amphes and Marijus due to the Marijus staying away from the recent scrimmages the Amphes started. The Amphes and Caines had been infamous for their constant battles with one another. It did not help that both sides wanted the Marijus' help and the more laid-back cult chose to remain neutral from the madness.

However, some news that came to his attention changed matters.

"Do you want to tell me what's the meaning of this, Zabdas?" said Aluxic.

"One of my sources has informed me that both the Caines and Heroes are planning to eradicate both of us," said Zabdas. "Even as we speak, they're gathering their armies to go to war against both Amphes and Marijus. And our only hopes of surviving is...combining our forces."

"How do I know this is not some kind of trick?" Aluxic asked.

"I have no reason to lie," said Zabdas. "Have your sorceress search my mind to see if I'm telling the truth."

Aluxic nodded and Daisa, the pure white-skinned sorceress walked naked through Meta warriors. For years, Daisa had served Amphes cult kings by providing wisdom, counsel, and pleasure.

Daisa strolled in front of Zabdas and looked in his eyes and within seconds, she searched his soul for the truth.

"No," Daisa gasped.

"As I thought," said Aluxic as he squinted.

"NO, HE SPEAKS THE TRUTH! THEY'RE PLANNING TO DESTROY US. IF WE DO NOT JOIN FORCES WITHIN THE NEXT SOLSTICE, NEITHER AMPHES NOR MARIJUS WILL EXIST ON ALEXANDRIA!"

Aluxic walked towards Zabdas and stuck his sword down before him.

"You've killed many of my people staying away from this and not doing anything at the same time. But until the Caines and Heroes are no more, I declare a truce between our groups. You have my word as Lord of the Amphes that the blood of your people will no longer be spilled at the hands of my people."

Aluxic bit off a piece of his hand and grabbed the hilt of the sword he placed before Zabdas.

"You have my word as Lord of the Marijus that the blood of your people will no longer be spilled at the hands of my people," said Zabdas as he slit his hand and touched the hilt to the sword.

"Do you have a plan?"

"The first thing we're going to do is attack before the Caines and Heroes even get a chance. We're going to attack without mercy."

"That's not a bad idea, but what are we going to do about our numbers?" asked Vanthaus, general of the Amphes army. "The last couple of wars have decimated our numbers to where even if we join forces we still may not have enough soldiers to go to war with the Caines and Heroes. Do you have an answer to that?"

"Yes! We're going to use the same tactic the Cult of Ecstasy used to keep everyone in line. We're going to have our own Alexandrian Battle. We're going to fuck until our numbers surpass the Caines and Heroes. The Caines and Heroes will be no match for the new species of Amphes and Marijus." said Zabdas. "Until then, we are going to attack everything that's not a Meta or Mariju."

****

"What do you desire, darling?"

Sometimes for guidance, Ariel would go see her fortune-teller and friend, an elderly wild-haired male named Solis Hoasca, a former Mariju cult soldier that became a part of the Cult of Ecstasy after being ousted to practice the dark arts. Ariel started going to him when most of her children were born so that he could bless each one of them with his powers.

When they came together, sometimes it was all in fun. But this was not one of those times. Solis knew too well from the expression on her face and the signature trademark of kisses on the cheek Ariel gave to him.

Ariel sat down Indian-styled and started. "I had a dream. It was about one of my daughters. I had a dream that she took over my empire. I've been having this dream since...since someone came back into my life. I need to know if I have to worry about them."

"Risky!" Solis said. "Trying to decipher the past. You know that's something I have a problem with, baby!"

"This is important, Solis! Most of the time, I wouldn't ask this of you. Now, I need to know."

Solis took a breath. "You really must know this right away?"

"More than anything."

With a roaring fire between them and smoking a drag from his favorite pipe, Solis got down on his knees and started using his powers, which in his world was taboo and outlawed by the cults. Enhanced technology was taking over how anyone spoke of magic, which was why Solis went underground for his works.

When Solis was through, he said, "I see nothing."

"There has to be something."

"What did I tell you? I told you it was risky. Trying to predict the future will..."

Just when he said this, his brain started sparking. Solis held it as tight as he could. Ariel just watched and waited. It only lasted a few solitary seconds. Then, Solis bent back, still holding his head as Ariel went to check on him...

****

When both cult knights began to attack one another for a second try, it became an immediate slugfest. An even fight, both men traded their respected shots. Blood of different colors flew and spluttered nonstop.

Then, missing a slash, the Miranda prince fell over and the Meta fighter flipped him to the ground. Just as he was about to attack again, the fighter took a knife and slashed off his fingers. Then, he stabbed the Miranda prince swiftly in the chest before he could raise his head.

Frozen in time, he could see exactly who stabbed him. His shock was evident in his opponent's face.

"YOU? No! It can't be!"

The cult knight pushed him back and stepped over him, leaving the prince holding his chest as the battle continued. He could see that the Heroes and Caines kept their mission clear, ignoring their commander on the ground as his life was leaving his body...

****

"Are you alright?"

Solis opened his eyes to look at Ariel's face. Then, he saw another face.

It was...

"Galen!" he whispered.

It got Ariel's attention. "Galen? What about Galen? What about my son?"

Then, Solis said different names, all dealing with her children, using different voices.

Then, Solis uttered, "Prepare for the worst."

"Worst?"

Solis grabbed Ariel's arms, scaring the daylights out of her. Then, Solis went on to say, "It has begun. Whatever you do, you must change your will."

"What?"

"Who did you give your empire to?"

"What does it matter?"

Then, Solis changed his voice to something demonic. He grabbed her arms roughly. "Whatever wrongs you did to this point, you need to make right. Dark days are coming to your family and if you don't forgive yourself for your sins, then all will end for your family."

Ariel pushed Solis away and he hit his head hard on the ground, Solis returned to his normal self. Ariel got up and walked away, thinking of the blow she was just given.

She knew that killing Alexis was the reason why Solis came with his premonition. Then, she sent her sons out to finish the job by going after anyone else that had a problem with Alexis' death.

When she returned to Pergamon Hospital, she was greeted by her lover Maya, who had become a part of the household again after her exile. Maya gave her a hug and a kiss, but Ariel did not return it. She only moved forward into her office and lay on her chair.

Tears starting coming and the crying began. The last times she ever cried was when she tried to cut herself to numb the pain over killing her mother and when each child was born. She locked the door to make sure no one viewed her like this.

She had to be the leader for her followers. No matter what.

Never show weakness.

****

Alina and Alison Miranda tread carefully with every move they made. Keeping up with what was going on in the Miranda Circle, they went to the campus of Liga University, one of two schools created by the Miranda legacy to teach new generations about the latest innovations in science and technology.

Both sisters went down to Liga Laboratory to see the last person Alina thought she would see: the white-skinned Sima Yona, the third of Ariel's mistresses and the mother of the deceased Alexis V and Alison.

A former chemist, Sima was mixing chemicals in glass containers together when her daughter and her half-sister entered. She took up the trade again after being cast out by Ariel after she fell in love with another female, who turned out to be the younger Maya, Alina's mother.

"This is a surprise," Sima said. "I wasn't expecting you until later."

She gave Alison a hug and a kiss on the cheek while she ignored Alina. While her daughters got along with Maya's daughters, the two mistresses continued to be at odds over Ariel's affections.

"We need to discuss what we're going to do next," Alina stated. "Believe me, if I could avoid coming to you, I would."

"No disrespect to you, Alina," Sima said. "I know you're a pleasant girl and I'm pleased you and Alison are getting along, but your mother and I will never get along. Especially since SHE went back into her bed."

Alina blinked confusedly.

"Oh, this is news to you?" Sima expressed. "I don't see why you're surprised. Maya has been trying to get back with Ariel for as long as I could remember. All she's good for is that good head game she has."

Alina clinched her fists, but Alison held her hand.

"Be nice, Mother!" Alison said.

"Let's discuss what we came here to discuss," Alina said.

Sima put up the beakers and took off her gloves. "Word's going around that Ariel is going after the Amphes and Marijus. What worse, she thinks that you two had something to do with this. Of course, I don't think Alison had anything to do with this, but you on the other hand?"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Alina asked.

Sima placed her gloves on the desk and faced Alina. "Let's see! Ariel kills Alexis. Then, she brings Robin's sons back into the household. And all of a sudden, she invites Maya back into her bed? Do you see what she's trying to do, Alison? With Maya being there, all Ariel has to do is hold it over Alina's head. And guess what she's going to ask you to do next, Alina? FINISH THE JOB AND KILL YOU!"

"Mother!" Alison yelled.

"And if you had to make that choice, well...we both know who you would pick. I'll be damned if Ariel kills another daughter of mine like she did Alexis."

"MOTHER!" Alison repeated.

"Don't MOTHER me! I'm just looking out for you, darling, because Alina will turn on you just to save her slut of a mother."

Just as Alison was about to say something, Alina stopped her.

"Your mother has a point," Alina said. "With my mother being there, it puts us in a dilemma and I would have to choose. So how about this? What do you need from me, Sima?"

"Simple! Leave my daughter out of this until you fixed your mother. Until then, Alison's staying with me."

"Are you serious?" Alison asked.

Sima grabbed her arms. "I'm not losing another daughter. Let Alina deal with her mother. You can work with me until that happens. I need another hand here."

Alison took a breath, then turned to Alina.

Alina put her head down. "I don't want to see anything happen to you, either." She gave Alison a kiss on her forehead. "I'll deal with this for now. If I really need you, I'll let you know."

"No offense, Alina," Sima said. "You're a bright girl and I'm sure you mean well, but I have to make sure Alison is safe."

"None taken!"

Alina brought out her hand and Sima shook it. As much as she wanted Alison in her corner, she knew Sima made the right choice by keeping her close to her.

This meant she had to face Ariel alone.

****

Coming into the main floor of the Library a few nights later, Alina Miranda presented herself before the likes of Ariel and her Erasers. She gave no warning or inkling she was coming to see her. She just showed up and took a risk.

Standing on the dance floor where they held their Alexandrian Battle Orgy for new members of the Cult of Ecstasy, Alina spread her arms out wide as one of the Erasers patted her down to make sure she had no weapons on her. Ariel kept her eyes on Alina, the oldest child of Maya, as from a corner, Maya Adid watched with anticipation.

"You really must have balls coming her without an army," Ariel said. "Which means you're either here to surrender or you're here to make a deal. And I'm hoping for the former."

"I came here to surrender, but not in the way you want," Alina responded. "I came here to offer my services."

"What services?"

Alina cleared her throat. "I want to work at the Pergamon Hospital. I want to use the gift I studied and trained for. And from the looks of things, Pergamon Hospital needs a steady hand."

"You're saying my hands aren't enough?" Ariel asked.

"No disrespect, Mother, but you haven't cared about the hospital for a long time. I don't want what you have. I just want to treat our people. The people that count on us to heal them. You taught me how to use this gift and now I want to use it. So let me. I'll relinquish any shares in the Miranda fortune if that would make your decision easier."

Ariel stared down at her hands. "You think I'm not capable of tending to wounds?"

"I'm saying you don't have to. I'm offering my services to clean up the hospital and get it back into shape."

Ariel turned to see Maya coming out in the open. She dropped to her knees and said, "Please let my daughter do this. You know she's the best doctor and surgeon in Alexandria next to you. Besides, you have other pressing matters to deal with. Let Alina do this!"

Ariel fixed her eyes back on Alina. "How do I know this is not a plot just so you can save your mother?"

That was when Alina eyed her mother. "Because I learned long ago that I can't stop my mother from doing what she wants to do. She loves you! She never stopped loving you. I decided not to fight that love again. Whatever happens between you two is between you two. I will never interfere in your relationship again."

Ariel came to her and stood close to Alina. Then, in a surprise, Ariel brought her next oldest daughter before her and hugged her tight.

"I'll make this right," Ariel said. "I promise!" Then, she turned to her Eraser eunuchs. "Fix up the Chief of Medicine's villa. It's going to be Alina's new home. Congratulations!"

Alina's mouth widened. "Wait...Chief of Medicine?"

Ariel exited the room and headed straight to her office above the club. Maya followed closely behind. The minute Ariel entered the room, Maya badgered her.

"What the hell was that? You're making her Chief of Medicine?"

Ariel sat behind her desk. "You're not pleased. I gave your daughter what she wanted. I figured you would be jumping all over me with joy."

"What are you planning?"

"Planning?"

"Are you going to tell Galen to back off?"

Ariel stopped her actions. Then, she took out her electronic communicator and dialed a number.

"Galen! This is your mother. Lay off of Alina and the rest of her sisters. They're not involved...Oh yes! Continue the charge against the Amphes. They all must die." She put it in a drawer of her desk and spread her arms. "Happy now?"

Maya smirked. "For now."

Maya left the office satisfied. Then, Ariel took out documents from her desk. From her desk, she began shuffling through different pieces, until she came to a family map. She spread the map out and from there, began touching the paper in different directions.

Then, she got to the spot that bore her name, and all the extensions that had to do with her. She could see her success on the family map, which coincided with another piece of paper that showed all the shares of the Miranda for each family member.

****

Sima Yona stayed in the Liga Laboratory, always working on her latest chemical machinations. It had gotten to the point that it became her second home. If she was not at her other home and they needed to talk to her, they would find her in the laboratory.

Her visitor knew this fact very well.

Sima turned around to find him behind her. "Did anyone see you come here, Zabdas?"

Zabdas kissed Sima on the cheek. "Of course not! I know how to be secretive."

"What are you even doing here?"

"Just wanted to make sure you're okay. Especially since you don't go home."

Sima continued mixing chemicals. One of her contraptions ended up smoking. "Now we both know that's not the reason you came here. What trouble are you causing?"

"Well, for once, nothing. Yet!"

Sima stopped what she was doing to be attentive after the last word. "And what do you mean by that?"

"As of now, the Marijus will be working with the Amphes," Zabdas stated.

"Are you sure about this?" Sima asked. "You know we can't trust them."

"Just like we can't trust the Heroes, Caines, or the Cult of Ecstasy. This is about self-preservation now. We have to look out for each other or we're all dead."

Zabdas wrapped his arms around Sima. As Sima was getting comfortable, she asked, "How is he?"

Zabdas knew exactly who she was talking about. "My nephew is fine. He's looking to step up. He wants to do his part."

"I've already lost one child. I'm not trying to lose another one."

"Don't worry about Arron. No harm will come to him as long as I'm around him. But you do know that he would have to eventually take his place among us."

Sima nodded. "I know! I just got Alison back from Alina. I just want to make sure they're safe."

"We're so close, little sister," Zabdas pleaded. "So close I can taste it. Alexis will be avenged soon."

Sima closed her eyes at the thought. "Yes! For Alexis!"

****

Sondra Theer could not believe her eyes. All around her in the Bthesic Forest, white-skinned wild and tweaking Amphes were busy sexing a platoon of green-skinned female Marijus, capitalizing on a deal made by the two cults. All of the cool female Mariju base-heads were being sexually manhandled by the frantic hoard, as payment for the deal.

"NO! AHHH!" One of the Marijus screamed as a Meta stuffed her hole with his white penis that meshed with her skin tone.

Sondra watched as the Meta fucked the tall Mariju elf hard, ramming her hard and enjoying every piece of her, his grunts and the sound of his hips slapping against the very audible Mariju.

During ancient Alexandrian culture, sex was seen as more primal than productive. It was not just about preserving the culture as it was more than about staying active.

The Amphes tapped into these ancient sexual practices.

Mostly as the same thing was going around everywhere, Sondra turned her eyes to another direction. The Meta gave a grunt after a few more thrusts and slammed his length fully into the poor naked elf.

'TAKE IT, Mariju BITCH! TAKE MY CUM!"

The Mariju cried in despair as she felt his thick hot Meta cum spurt endlessly into her unprotected body with force. Her cries of helplessness echoed all over by many of her fellow Mariju elves as each shared a similar twist of fate by other Amphes. A mixture of howls and screams could be heard, making Sondra cover her ears in fear.

The Meta gave a final grunt and got off of her, pleased to be drained for the glory of their cult.

Sondra watched as the elf's vagina was spread by the Meta so he could see his accomplishment. All Sondra could do was watch in horror and secret fascination as this particular Meta's semen seeped out of her womb and streamed down her thigh. With all that thick semen, Sondra felt the Mariju was surely pregnant.

The Meta gave a satisfied grunt before once more placing his penis inside the Mariju elf, ignoring Sondra, and thrusting her hard and long. She may be pregnant but he had to be sure. This particular elf would suffer seven more helpings of his strong semen before he was satisfied.

In another area of the forest, another Mariju with red hair sucked extremely hard on a Meta penis. Its owner was slamming her lips on it, giving her no respite. The Mariju's green war paint ran down her face, making her look like a painted prostitute; though the Meta found this messy rearrangement on her cheeks even sexier.

"That's it! That's it! Suck! Make sure you get every part of it wet for me because this will go into you one way or another."

The Meta slammed his penis down her throat and began to spasm right in her mouth. His Meta sperm went down her throat to her stomach, feeding her. His grunts of pleasure showing his enjoyment as the Mariju had no choice but to swallow the rich semen.

The Meta gripped his cock at the base and removed it from her throat. "Open your mouth! I have a meal for you."

The elf opened her mouth, showing her beautiful teeth and perfect mouth. The Meta grunted and released his sperm into her mouth once more. Her gums, teeth, and tongue were filled with sperm to the point of overflow, but this time she was not allowed to swallow.

"Gargle my seed, Mariju whore. Taste it like fine wine before you swallow my superior seed."

She did as she was told.

The red-haired elf gargled his sperm, swishing it into her mouth before swallowing. His sperm was so thick that even that was difficult. And still, before her poor eyes, his penis hardened with pulsating veins ready to breed.

Sondra watched in sorrow, knowing there was no way out for these females due to the deal made by their leader Zabdas. They were doomed, and he was part of the reason why.

Suddenly, from out of nowhere, she was pulled by her dark brown hair by one of the Meta soldiers as he shoved his huge penis down her mouth.

"Mariju bitch! You're going to bear my children, you filthy seductress."

She bellowed. "You can't do this to me!"

It was no use. Upon the orders of Zabdas, they had to cater to the sexual whims of the Amphes to produce children of Amphes-Mariju blood; even if it meant extreme pain and roughness.

Then, his fat penis went deep in her mouth when she started sucking on it hard. She wanted him to finish quickly. The Meta speared her mouth with his hard dick, sending her face up and down his cock, his balls smacking her chin.

"Take it, whore. TAKE MY SEED!" he roared.

Sondra began swallowing his thick, creamy spunk in large gulps. The sludge was so thick it clung to her throat, going down slowly and smoothly. She continued to swallow but it seemed endless.

Fifteen minutes later and he was still streaming as if he had been holding it all just for this moment. He finally took his penis from her mouth and ordered her to keep it open.

Then, a strange thing happened Sondra never expected. The hypnotic power of his seed had taken effect. Laced with the Meta seed, the Mariju elven beauty would follow his commands. It was a secret weapon that made the Amphes a formidable opponent and stopped the other cults from entering their territory and having their way with them.

Sondra kept her mouth open as he masturbated in front of her and became aroused. Then, his bloated balls sent large quantities of sperm to Sondra's face and mouth.

"Swallow, whore," 'the soldier directed.

Sondra obeyed, swallowing his seed in a big gulp.

Before long, he pushed her on the floor and entered into her, his penis plundering her sacred womb. He groaned in pleasure at the feel of her burning Mariju vagina. He mauled her breasts, sucking on them furiously. Her body was strong enough to handle the bites and suckles.

He could not get enough of her. Not by a long shot.

He soon breached her cervix, going straight to her womb.

With a roar, he came quickly.

Take MY SEED, SLUT! Take my future dark children into you, whore!"

Sondra moaned loudly as she felt his sperm penetrate her womb and fill it. Due to how sensitive her soft but muscular body was, she felt every drop of sperm traveled through her.

"I can feel you," Sondra said, still hypnotized by the flow of Meta sperm, making her body tweak just like them. "My eggs are ready to bear your fruit!

Seeing her submission, the Meta soldier kissed her sloppily, sucking on her lips and tongue.

The Cult of Amphes had won the night.
A MASSACRE OF CAINES

Molly sat in her bedroom in the capital Pergamon looking at a picture of Codone in her locket, replaying over in her mind the last time they made love and the promise he made to her.

"I promise you I will never leave you. The stars will fall from the heavens, and the gods will die before I ever leave you."

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Molly jumped as the knocks on the door jolted her out of her daydream. The moment she opened the door, Sarai ran in. "Molly, we have to get out of here?"

Molly frowned. "What's going on?"

"All across Alexandria, the Amphes are slaughtering men, women and children. I think they may be some in the city right now."

"No, this can't be," said Molly as she shook her head in disbelief. "Why would the Amphes--"

Sarai interrupted, "LOOK, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO EXPLAIN! WE HAVE--"

Before Sarai could finish, the emergency sirens went off. She went to the window to see ambulances zooming by.

Sarai grabbed Molly firmly by the arm. "WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"

****

No sooner as he heard the sirens throughout the city, Acetam Percocet dispatched the Hydros and another squadron from the Cult of Heroes for backup.

The Hydros had become the most elite warriors from the Cult of Caines. Each man in Acetam's platoon had individually killed at least a hundred Amphes alone. The Hydros had been personally responsible for decimating a large majority of the Cult of Amphes. Being that they were deprived of forever feeling the pleasure of a woman, they got their sensation and pleasure from another source:

Killing.

Led by Marve Archion, Acetam's oldest and most loyal friend, there was nothing he would not do for Acetam. In fact, he was the one that began opening fire on Codone without the order.

The moment the sirens began blaring within the city, the Hydros mobilized at the heart of Pergamon and began slaughtering Amphes and Marijus running amuck in the city, who in turn was slaughtering innocents.

Within an hour, the first and second wave of Amphes had been killed.

****

Looking through a hologram that showed the action happening in Pergamon, Aluxic stood grinding his teeth as he witnessed hundreds of his army fall at the hands of the Hydros.

"Is this the best your army can do?" Zabdas asked. "How many more of my people shall be loss as a result of your plan?"

"Not another one of your people shall be lost," said Aluxic.

Zabdas turned to Daisa and nodded. Without saying a word, Daisa turned her eyes to the sky and raised her arms. Daisa's eyes turned the darkest shade of crimson and immediately the clouds began to swirl in a funnel.

Moments later, a dry, burning wind began howling in a thousand different voices chanting the word, "Ingiatia!"

As the wind blew harder, droplets of black blood began to rain up from the ground to the clouds until the grey cloud were bloodstained.

Even though the Amphes had fought against other clans, especially the Marijus, for eons; they never really saw their full power.

Petrified, Zabdas turned to Aluxic. "What's happening?"

Aluxic stayed silent. He just watched in awe as his sorceress Daisa cast the darkest of incantations. Daisa raised both hands and a bolt of red lightning shot into her hands. Instantly, all of the blood droplets froze in midair.

Daisa looked up at the sky and spoke the word, "Ingiatia".

Total darkness immediately covered the entire Bthesic Forest and the nearby town of Velture. When the darkness lifted standing before Zabdas and Aluxic were 50 warriors with blackened skin.

Daisa wasted no time, in choosing a leader for their army. She walked through the warriors until she felt a darkness and power that surpassed the incantation that was cast.

When Daisa found her dark knight, she stood before him in awe.

"You'll do perfectly." said Daisa as she rubbed the top of his head and gazed deep within his eyes and into the depths of his soul.

The moment Daisa gazed at his soul, she became frightened and began backing away from the man.

ARIDAM!"

"Daisa, what's wrong?" Aluxic asked.

Daisa walked over to Aluxic and Zabdas and shook her head. "Don't you feel it?"

Aluxic's eyes began to glow white as he glanced over at the warrior and smiled. "Yes, I feel it. What is that?"

Something spooked Daisa in the eyes of the one she called Aridam. "No! It can't be. How did this..." Then, she rushed into Aluxic's chest. "I'm begging you, Aluxic. Please don't do this. This man has a strange, roaring power in him. These men are the dead, but this one...this one is something different."

Zabdas smirked at Daisa and immediately, she shut her mouth. With no fear and thinking about nothing but revenge for his deceased niece, he marched in front of the stationary warrior shrouded in a cloak of darkness. "You'll lead this army and massacre the Caines...Aridam."

Aluxic stood speechless.

Zabdas turned to Aluxic. "I hope you are satisfied."

"What the hell have you done?" said Aluxic.

****

Pergamon Hospital's Chief of Medicine Alina Miranda scrambled to attend to as many patients as she could. All throughout the hospital, there were wounded patients that needed care insomuch that the hallways were already full of patients.

"Okay, what do you need me to do now?" said Nurse Ellington.

Before Alina could even answer the nurse's question, a mother came in scream holding her 7-year-old son in her hand. "HELP!"

Alina quickly ran to the mother to see what was going on. As Alina was caring for the boy, she looked out the window and could see a man standing in a black, hooded cloak with several men behind him in the street with their eyes staring at Pergamon Hospital.

"Dr. Alina, is he going to be okay?" said the boy's mother.

Alina nodded and looked back outside only to find the men gone. The moment she turned around to try and grab the syringe, a dark warrior shot her in the stomach five times.

Alina grabbed ahold of her stomach and then fell helpless to the floor.

While Alina laid on the floor paralyzed from the pain, she could here two others shots go off. Instantly, the mother fell to the floor and her son next to her.

All of a sudden, screams and gunshots began to fill up the hospital...

****

A soldier known as Aridam as well as his shadowy soldiers walked through the hospital and began killing everyone they found mercilessly.

For an hour, the killing went on until the Hydros were notified. Acetam commanded 30 of his men and a group mixed with Caines and Heroes to go in and finish off the Amphes since they did not know how many were in the hospital killing civilians.

The Hydros, the Caines and the Heroes rushed in and started searching from floor to floor and were not able to find either Aridam or his man.

"Captain Acetam, there's no sign of any Metas," said Peter, the squadron leader as he radioed in to Acetam.

"I want you to find them and destroy them; do you understand?"

Peter nodded, "Yes sir."

Peter walked toward the window and below he could see Aridam and his men standing outside the back entrance of the hospital.

"Son of a bitch."

Peter picked up his radio and called all of the soldiers, "All teams be aware that the culprits are downstairs, I repeat, they are not in the hospital, they are outside the back entrance."

Aridam lifted up his hand as Peter radioed in the call. When Peter saw the device in Aridam's hand, it had become clear what was going on. Aridam and his men had set them up.

"Shit!" said Peter as Aridam pushed the button.

Within seconds, most of Pergamon Hospital imploded. Aridam and his men had done something no Meta, Mariju, or any other cult had done in the history of Alexandria. Within a day, they had killed thousands of Caines, Heroes and civilians all at the same time.

****

"Looks like we have another wave of Metas coming." said Edgar, a sergeant of the Hydros. "Do you want us to handle it?"

Archion looked at the small handful of men coming. "No, send the other Caine soldiers. No need for us to have all the fun."

"Well, Lieutenant, you mind if I go with them to finish them off?" said Edgar.

Archion smiled. "Yeah, just try not to make them look too bad."

Edgar loaded his gun, "I can't promise, but I'll try. Any of you ladies want to tag along?"

"Nah, we're going to let you have at it," said Dexter, the weapons officer in a husky voice. "It's about time you finally got a chance to kill someone. Hopefully, you'll be able to do it in the presence of all those pussies."

Edgar extended his middle finger to Dexter.

"That's enough ladies." said Archion. "Edgar, hurry up and handle this so we can get back to the Capital."

Edgar nodded. Then, he turned to the other men in the Caine Army. "Look, I'm going to take care of this quickly and anyone that escapes or tries to run make sure you finish them, okay?"

Edgar took out his sword and led the charge against twenty soldiers sent by the Mariju chief Zabdas.

As fifty men from the Caine Army surrounded the Cult of Amphes' new dark soldiers, they took out the guns and prepared to shoot each one of them down like dogs. Before a finger could be pulled, the dark soldiers bowed to their knees instantly and Aridam pointed his sword at Edgar.

"WAIT!" yelled Edgar. "Put your arms down."

Jusic, the sergeant of the Caine Army looked at Edgar as if he were crazy. "Sergeant, we have our orders to exterminate any Metas."

Edgar took out his sword, "And you will! But first I'm going to teach this piece of shit that just challenged me a lesson."

****

"What in the hell is this dumb shit doing?" said Dexter as he looked through the telenoculars at Edgar.

Archion looked at the screen, "Looks like he's accepting a challenge."

"Let's just hope he doesn't get killed," said Dexter.

"Trust me, Edgar knows what he is doing."

Dexter turned back to see his friend in action.

The men lowered their weapons and Edgar walked toward Aridam who had on a hooded cloak.

Aridam took a couple of steps forward as Edgar stretched his neck from right and then to left. "Well friend, I hope you don't have any unrealistic expectations of walking away from this alive."

At the end of his sentence, Edgar charged at Aridam with his sword.

The moment their swords clashed Edgar's sword broke in half. Before Edgar had a chance to fully process what was going on, Aridam swung his sword across Edgar's torso and walked past him.

The attack was so fast that Edgar's torso hit the ground the same time Edgar's sword did.

"NOOOOOO!" Dexter yelled as he witnessed his longtime friend Edgar's torso hit the ground, catching Aridam's attention.

Dexter grabbed his guns and without hesitation headed to the battlefield to kill Aridam.

****

Archion observed in disbelief from a computer screen as the rest of the Caine Army drew their guns. For a second, his visual screen switched off and the remaining fifty Caine soldiers had met the same fate.

"WHAT THE FUCK!" said Archion as he stared at Aridam and his squad.

Archion could not afford the luxury of mourning for Edgar. He quickly loaded his gun as the insatiable thrill of facing a new opponent and the prospect of death gave him a sort of erotic thrill; that he had longed to experience since he was castrated.

Aridam stared through the screen as if he knew Archion were watching him. With his eyes glowing red, Aridam took off his hood.

Archion dropped his gun. "Codone? It can't be."

The last time Archion had saw this face was three years ago when he riddled his body with bullets.

Archion got up and marched with his gun aimed at Aridam. The minute he got close to him, Aridam vanished into a shadow once again. Archion ran to him, but before he could feel his flesh, Aridam managed to come from behind and grabbed him by the neck.

"Where Molly?" Aridam whispered.

"What?"

"WHERE MOLLY?"

Archion cursed at him. "Fuck you! You're dead! Molly will never love you now. You're dead!"

Not waiting for an answer, he snapped the neck of Archion with one hand.

Then, he stood still and glared at his hands. They were not the same hands he had in the past; the same hands that once upon a time fought for the glory of Alexandria and caressed his wife's body afterwards. That was when all was coming back to him...

****

"Don't worry brother. Molly will know you died saving my life and history will remember you as fallen hero in this war."

Codone looked at all the men surrounding him and fell forward, lifeless on the ground.

Acetam walked over to Codone and took the sword from his back.

But knowing that Codone was dead was not enough. He had to see his face to quench the fire of jealousy and envy in his soul.

Acetam knelt down right beside Codone and rolled him over.

The moment Codone was on his back, he took the knife he had in his hand and jabbed it deep within Acetam's scrotum and twisted it.

"Enjoy Molly, brother," smiled Codone as Acetam screamed in agony.

Without even waiting for the command Acetam's men fired their guns and riddled Codone's body with bullets.

Archion looked down at Codone and spat in his face as the sound of Acetam's screams filled the air.

"What do you want us to do with his body?" said Dexter.

"Leave it for the Opios to feed on." said Archion.

The other men looked at Archion, knowing they were condemning Codone's soul to hell, or in the world of Alexandria, to the hungry Opios, vampire-like wraiths who worked in reverse. Instead of consuming flesh and bone if they were hungry, they would suck off their blood and inject them with a toxin into their bloodstream.

Codone was a fighter unlike any of Alexandria had seen. Hours after the Caine Army had left, Codone laid on his back fighting death with every ounce of life he had left. Each time he inhaled and breathed, it felt as though someone was taking a knife and sticking it through his lung. This was contributed to the hallow point bullet that had ripped through his chest and pushed its way through his lung each time he breathed.

The pain was excruciating, yet Codone fought Death and his reapers with nothing but the undying love he had for his wife Molly. The only thing that kept entering his mind was him holding onto Molly once more and the promise he made her.

Over and over, Codone kept reciting, "I promise you I'll never leave you. The stars will fall from the heavens, and the gods will die before I ever leave you."

Once nightfall came, the Opios came out and began feeding on the body and souls of all of the fallen Caines, Heroes, Marijus and Amphes on the battlefield. As Codone laid there on the verge of death, Anaitis, Empress of the Opios, got on top of Codone and looked him in his eyes.

"Out of all of the warriors I have ever come across, I have never known one to fight Death with so much fury. You're nothing but a Caine. Neither Marijus nor Amphes could do it, so how is it that you're able to defy death?"

Anaitis looked deep into Codone's eyes and saw him holding Molly. "I promise you I'll never leave you. The stars...will fall from the heavens...and the gods will die before I ever leave you."

Anaitis began to cry as she heard Codone lay there reciting his promise to Molly. It became somewhat poetic to her, as if she wanted those words to be spoken to her.

She repeated Codone's words as if she was giving her own declaration to him. "I promise you I'll never leave you. The stars will fall from the heavens, and the gods will die before I ever leave you."

Anaitis rubbed the side of Codone's face as tears began to fall from her eyes, "Let's help you keep your promise, my love."

Anaitis kissed Codone and began to inject in him all of the poisons she consumed over the years into her body to make her own blood. All of the poisonous mixture entered Codone until his body began to glow a jet black and burned a black fire. The screams that came from Codone were worse than that of the sound Acetam made hours ago when Codone stabbed him in his scrotum with a knife and then twisted it until it broke off...

****

Ariel Miranda kept her eyes closed as she floated deep into the thick red water. As she floated further down as her muscles contracted, she thought about everything that had happened throughout her life.

Being a little child abused by her mother.

As she got older, killing her tyrannical mother.

Becoming a mother herself with children born to her.

Her many love affairs.

Battling everyone that came in and out of Alexandria to keep her position as the Doctor of Alexandria.

And central to all, killing her oldest child Alexis V.

After the death of her daughter, although she was still in control of her surroundings, she realized that she was losing her grip with everything and everyone. She managed to get away before the madness truly started and ended up in her underground spa, with a massive jacuzzi full of liquid red bliss.

After getting herself wet, she got out of the jacuzzi and took a deep breath. She could hear rumbles, but practically ignored the chaos. She had a new mission in her life, and she vowed nothing would stop her from accomplishing it.

****

A lone figure observed the damage done to Pergamon Hospital and as other loyal Alexandrians tended to the dead and wounded, one of them looked around for one specific person.

It was then that he entered a room to find three dead bodies. One was a mother and a child. He turned to another direction to find one of the doctors on the floor with five shots to her midsection. He went down to one knee and touched her neck.

He found a pulse. The female doctor was still alive.

Knowing he had a chance to take her out of the damage, he pushed some debris out of her way, picked her up and secretly ran away before anyone else could find out.
RETURN TO FORM

Alina Miranda opened her eyes to find three people staring back at her. All three were her relatives: her half-sister Sarai Adid, and in a surprise, her own half-brothers Galen VI and Lyser IV. She raised herself slightly, but Lyser grabbed her shoulders and put her back down gently.

"Take it easy," Lyser said. "You still need to recover."

"Where...am I?" Alina asked.

"You're in my home," Galen answered. ""I brought you here from the hospital."

"The hospital? I got to get back there. I have patients to tend to."

Once again, Lyser placed her back down on the bed as Alina struggled to get up. She held her stomach as she winced in pain.

"Besides, there's nothing you can do for them or the hospital. Because it's all gone."

"What do you mean 'all gone'?" Alina asked.

"The Metas destroyed it. They set up a majority of the Caines and killed everyone in there. Including the patients."

Alina closed her eyes and covered her head in a pillow.

"Let's give her some time alone," Lyser said. "Thank goodness she had that armor exoskeleton inside of her or this would have been worse."

Lyser and Sarai left the room as Galen went to a chair and sat down with his sword. At one point ordered to kill her, presently all he wanted to do was make sure she was safe.

****

Sima went back to her chemicals in the Liga Laboratory, trying to make sense of the damage done by the Mariju-Amphes union. When she received news about the destruction of Pergamon Hospital, she knew they went too far. It pissed her off so bad that she retreated further into her chemicals and kept Alison close throughout it all.

"So this is where you spend your time?"

Sima turned to find Ariel Miranda standing by the entrance. Sima nearly dropped one of the beakers she held in her hand. She kept a steady hand and head as Ariel got closer.

"What do you want?" Sima asked.

"I wanted to talk to you. Nothing more. It's been a while since we did that."

"I wonder why," Sima said sarcastically.

Ariel huffed. "I know that I haven't been the greatest partner or friend. I came to you because I'm bringing the family together. We need to be an united front in this."

Sima chuckled. "An united front? So let me see if I have this right! You cheated on me with some young whore while crying over some woman you put on a pedestal. You exiled me from even seeing my children, who you never cared about. Then, you killed my eldest daughter over God knows what. Maybe your fucking pill-popping. And now...you want...to bring the family together like I'm just supposed to forget all of this?"

Ariel got close to Sima; close enough to kiss her. Sima closed her eyes and felt the pheromones. Just as Sima was going to embrace her, she said, "Fuck...you...Ariel!"

This stopped Ariel in her tracks. There was a time all Ariel had to do was say sweet words, look into their eyes, or brush her skin to theirs and they would fall back in love or lust with Ariel.

This was different.

"If you think you're going to play those tricks with me, just know that I came prepared for you," Sima said. "I'll be damned if you go after anymore of my children. I'll kill you myself before I ever let you come back into her life."

Then, from the entrance, Alison Miranda entered the room to find her parents together.

"Mother! What's going on here?" Alison asked.

Ariel turned to see her daughter. "Well, I was just talking to your mother...about you actually. I was letting her know that I'm redoing my will. The family fortune will be split among all of you. You, Galen and Alina will be getting a good chunk of it. I'm going to take care of things. Afterwards, I hope you and your mother will reconsider my invitation."

Ariel walked to Alison, caressed her hand, and left the laboratory. Then, Alison turned to her mother. "What...what was that really about?"

Sima went back to her beakers of different chemicals, fuming inside that Ariel was here, and that despite her anger, the old feelings were still there.

****

Molly Percocet stared out the window of her home, letting life pass her by after all she had witnessed since being invited to the Library to become a part of the Cult of Ecstasy. Acetam never bothered to ask what was wrong. Most of the time, he let her have space. He would just kiss her on the cheek, tell her that he loved her and left their home villa.

Although she did not move around a lot, her mind was racing on and on thinking about Ariel; the images of Acetam killing Codone; Alina and Alison; and the Legacy of the Mirandas book that told the infamous history of Ariel's family.

Then, there was another scene that played in her head that recently became one that while it made her sick, a good thing came out of it.

She caressed her belly, then turned over the bottom of her shirt to feel her belly button. She could see stress marks on her and a tear came down her eye. Knowing she cannot take not knowing any answers, she only knew of one person that could possibly give her some.

****

Ariel strolled around the Bthesic Forest confidently, as the leaves were turning yellow as the seasons were changing.

"Okay! I know you're around. Come on out, Aluxic!"

Then, as if on cue, Aluxic, along with Daisa and a mix of male and female Metas, came out from above and around the trees. But Ariel did not budge. Instead, she put her hands around her back as Aluxic marched towards her.

"You have some nerve coming here," Aluxic said. "And with no army? You really have a death wish."

"That's because I only came here to talk," Ariel responded. "If I really wanted to, I could blow you all away to kingdom come with the push of a button. But I'm only here to negotiate. Nothing more!"

Aluxic turned one of his eyes to Daisa and she began to slightly raise her fingers.

"Grai--"

Before she could finish, her neck snapped suddenly and she dropped to the ground dead. Aluxic jumped back after seeing this as Ariel chuckled. "Did you really think I didn't come prepare for that? I know about your little sorceress. That's why I came with my own. Now, can we talk or are you going to keep trying to make me mad?"

The Cult of Amphes were ready to pounce, but Aluxic waved them off. Not wanting to disobey his order, they backed away.

"Do you know anything about your predecessor?" Ariel asked. "His name was Torix. He and my mother used to war back in the day. He thought he could attack all of Alexandria and that was going to make my mother surrender to him and his cult. But he made one mistake with that. He didn't know my mother very well. You see, if my mother was still alive, she would see the planet burn before she let anyone defeat her. I like to think I'm a little different than that. You went after a hospital because of an order I gave. I understand the response and you made your point. I shouldn't have ordered your deaths. I should have been smarter about that. But you have a chance to change that outcome. Whatever decision you make among your cult will determine where I go from here."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm going to be doing some splitting of property. I'm going to bring all the leaders together and we're going to bring all our problems to the table. Anything you want to iron out would be discussed there. But the attacks have got to stop now. Any more attacks after this and I'm going to forget this conversation. Trust me! You don't want me coming back here a second time. That would not be good!"

Ariel turned around and walked away. "Think about my proposal."

Watching Ariel Miranda sashayed away from the forest and seeing his sorceress dead on the ground, he realized that he accomplished the impossible. He got Ariel out of hiding.

****

Zabdas went back to the Liga Laboratory, where she could see Sima packing things up preparing to leave herself.

"What are you doing? What happened?" Zabdas asked.

"She was here," Sima responded.

"What? Who?"

"Ariel! That bitch! She came here. That means she knows. And worse, she knows my daughter is here as well. We have to get the fuck out of here!"

Zabdas stopped her from moving. "Does she know about...the other thing?"

"You better hope and pray she doesn't know about the other thing. You need to stay away from the Metas for a while and make sure my son is safe. Hide him away from the city. I don't want him anywhere near this." Then, she slapped his chest. "Why the hell would you make him do that?"

"He wanted to prove himself. What was I supposed to do? Tell him no?"

"YES! That's exactly what you should have done. He don't need to be involved, but since he is, you better make sure he survives. If not, then you better pray Ariel or Aluxic kills you before I do."

"Don't worry, sister! Arron will be protected. I'll make sure of that."

After the tension, brother and sister hugged one another. Then, they both whispered, "On high until we die!"

The motto of the Cult of Marijus...

****

Frequenting the village of Velture near the Bthesic Forest, Aluxic allowed his cult to have their fun. It became another wild orgy just like in the Bthesic Forest, except this was more of a celebration than a desperate attempt to salvage what was left of the cult.

While his attack on the city of Pergamon was a success for the most part, he knew that it was only going to get harder thanks to the appearance of Ariel Miranda the Deadringer and he needed the extra soldiers.

With some of the Mariju females and other Alexandrians he captured, he ordered his cult to make more babies. Amphes, or Metas as they are called on the streets, could make and bear babies more than the average human. Upon its birth, most of the babies began to age rapidly to the point that either within several weeks to a few months, they were already full-fledged adults.

Months went by quickly since the attacks and the Cult of Amphes and the Cult of Caines continued to trade shots against one another with most of the action taking place in the capital, the last place any of the cults would fight. The Amphes changed that scenario upon bombing the Pergamon Hospital. Ordinary Alexandrians who never wanted to be a part of a cult had to choose sides.

Nothing happening in Pergamon mattered to Sondra Theer.

She had just two goals as a Meta slave: prepare sexual celebrations for the Cult of Amphes, and lately, she tended to her master Aluxic.

As he was preparing to become a master of ceremonies in their celebration in his respected home in the village, Sondra sucked on his cock and his bloated, seed-filled balls, as she watched from the corner of her eye of a baby, his baby, in his crib sleeping.

He grunted in pleasure at ministrations, enjoying her actions.

"Lay on your back, slave!"

Regardless of her delirious state, Aluxic lay on top of her and began to thrust her vagina hard. He came forcefully and withdrew his penis in seconds. He pointed his cock at her face and came more, plastering her cheeks with his semen, showing once again the propensity to unleash high levels of semen due to their sensitive penises. Her hair was slicked with it and her face almost painted in seed. He pushed into her mouth and began releasing more, filling her up, wishing and hoping for the day that he could put Ariel Miranda in this position.

Sondra opened her mouth and let a majority of it leak out before swallowing the rest. She smiled in contentment.

Then, Aluxic brought Sondra out into the open, where the party was in full swing. He threw her out into the crowd.

"Do as you please with her!"

All did as they were told and once again as before in the Bthesic Forest with the mixture of female Alexandrians servicing the cult, it did not take long before the sex in the air spread all over the audience and everyone got trapped in the throes of occult pleasure.
GENOCIDAL RETRIBUTION

Word got back to Acetam about the Caine massacre at Pergamon Hospital. All over Alexandria, the loss of civilian lives and the soldiers from the Cult of Caines had been reported.

Gregory, Acetam's chief advisor, walked into the wardroom of Acetam's home, dreading the news he was about to give to his captain.

"We have word about what has happened with the Caines as well as the Hydros you dispatched in the city," he said.

Gregory watched for Acetam to give a response, hoping that a word from him would cut the silent tension in the room. With his head down looking at the wooden table carved with names and faces, he did not know what Acetam was feeling.

"We have found them on the edge of the city," said Gregory.

"How many are still alive?" Acetam asked.

Gregory shook his head, "They're all gone."

Acetam raised his head slowly. "What do you mean they're all dead?"

Gregory took a huge gulp, hoping that his next words would not infuriate Acetam. "The Metas and Marijus killed all of the Caines and the group of Hydros you sent out."

Acetam stood silent for a second and then in a fit of rage, grabbed the gold chalice next to him and flung it across the room.

"What happened?" Acetam bellowed.

Gregory struggled to gather his thoughts and gave Acetam all the information he had. "We're unsure. The only thing that we know is that a scout team found them massacred. The scout team is still trying to assess the scene."

"Take me to where they fell," said Acetam as he grabbed his gun and his sword.

****

Within an hours' time, Acetam strolled through what was left of two different massacres.

Around and outside of Pergamon Hospital, body parts of cultists and civilians were scattered across the streets, getting cleaned up by hospital nurses and the city street sweepers.

Then, he went out to another field to find more limbs of his own men. The moment Acetam came to Archion, Acetam knelt down beside him as a wave of emotions began to overtake him.

"I promise you I'll make them all pay, Archion," said Acetam. "I swear by the gods of Alexandria that I'll make whoever did this, pay a thousand fold."

Archion's body looked as if a plasma grenade had struck it. Had it not been for the patch Archion had over his eye, he would have never been able to recognize him.

Gregory walked over to Acetam, trying to gauge the right time to give him the news. "Captain, we have found the information that you wanted."

Acetam rose and wiped away the tears streaming down his face. Then, he followed Gregory to the base that Archion and the rest of the Hydros had been fortifying.

"Apparently, there was a small group of Metas that had did this."

The moment the telenocular recording began to play, Acetam stood watching as a sort of admiration filled his heart as he witnessed Aridam slaughter effortlessly Dexter and then fifty Caine cultists as if they were nothing. A slight grin appeared on his face until Aridam pulled off his hood and his eyes began to glow red.

Time stood still as Acetam looked upon the face of the brother he had slain and betrayed.

"Who else has seen this?" said Acetam.

"No one but us three, Captain Acetam." said Gregory.

Acetam turned to see the scout behind him. Then, he pulled out his sword and quickly spun around decapitating the scout troop. Gregory's mouth dropped open, as he stood there motionless fearing for his life.

"See that no one else knows about Codone being alive," Acetam commanded.

Acetam balled up his fist and struggled to gather his thoughts. "Send an order for the soldiers."

"How many?" Gregory asked.

"All of them! In three days' time, no one will know that the Metas or Marijus ever existed."

"But what about Ariel? Aren't you going to notify her what you're going to do with her army?"

"FUCK ARIEL! We go to war...now!"

****

Looking through the hologram presented to him by Daisa from the Cult of Amphes, recovering from a snap neck done by a mysterious force, a possible sorceress from Ariel's Cult of Ecstasy; Aluxic could see what was coming for him.

In ten hours, a fleet of Caines, Heroes and the remaining Hydros had begun mobilizing miles away from the Bthesic Forest and the town of Velture.

Aluxic stood on the hills of Greoslic and looked at the massive army that had surrounded the Metas and Marijus on every side.

"I told you that the bitch could not be trusted," Daisa said, rubbing her neck.

"So it would seem." said Aluxic. "Tell Zabdas to prepare for battle."

****

Spending time in the family homestead, Zabdas brought out his sword and felt the texture of the blade to make sure it was sharp enough. Just as he was preparing for one of the greatest battles of his life, his sister Sima walked in and interrupted him.

"They're waiting for you," Sima said.

Zabdas took a breath and headed for the door, but Sima stopped him and hugged him tight. Zabdas reciprocated.

"Be careful out there, brother. Don't be a hero! Just survive."

"Always!" Zabdas said.

Then, Sima gave him a pouch of potions. "Take these and put it on your sword and armor. Anyone that strikes you will feel the pain no matter what."

As brother and sister have one more embrace, Alison entered the room. Zabdas brought out his hand and Alison went to embrace him with a deep hug. She had tears in her eyes, thinking that this might be the last time she sees her uncle alive.

****

As the tension mounted after the devastating attack in Pergamon from the Cult of Amphes, two women came together away from the madness occurring around the Bthesic Forest.

One was chosen as the supreme leader of Alexandria. The other was just a chosen speaker for one of the cults.

Ariel Miranda came out in her red cloak while another woman came to her draped in a black cloak with a hood around her face.

"You can take the hood off," Ariel said. "No one knows you're here."

The stranger took off her hood to find that it was Daisa Benet, the soothsayer of the Cult of Amphes.

She started rubbing her neck. "Did your guy have to snap my neck that hard?"

"I had to make it believable."

"Any good that did. Aluxic's going to war and Acetam is meeting him halfway."

"I know. Acetam Percocet has always been uncontrollable. But he's always been reliable."

"It's because of his brother."

"Codone?"

"I brought him back for Aluxic to give him an edge. Now I don't know where he is or where his mind might go. How are we going to stop this?"

With the new aspects presented, Ariel smirked. "We're not going to stop them. We're going to let this play out. In fact, if it works the way I think, this may work out well for you."

"What are you talking about?"

"Aluxic dies, you can become the first female Emperor of the Cult of Amphes. You can finally break those chains you've been bound by for so long. Especially once being a part of the Opios."

Ariel knew that a majority of the Alexandrian witches, most a part of the Opios, were kidnapped by the Cult of Amphes to be made slaves. Daisa had a special gift Aluxic and his predecessor knew could work out well for them. Out of fear for her flock, she did whatever Aluxic told her and she became his Grand Hecate.

"There's no guarantee Aluxic would die from this war. Or Acetam or Codone!"

Ariel put her mind at ease. "There's another player in this. If all else fails, I will play her. Regardless of what happens, you're going to get your revenge at long last."

****

The sides took their positions around or among the Bthesic Forest. On one side, the union of the Cult of Amphes and the Cult of Marijus. On the other side was the combine forces of the Cult of Heroes and Cult of Caines.

Both sides were fighting for the main prize they always fought for since their inceptions.

Sole control of Alexandria.

The Amphes were amped up as usual, screaming and salivating at the chance to charge with all sorts of sharp objects. The Heroes and Caines kept their cool and just stood at attention, waiting for the order.

Their de-facto leader, Acetam Percocet, stood around, viewing his army mixed with the best weaponry, the finest technology, and the hardest soldiers. Looking at his men at the ready, wearing different uniforms from past times, he was amazed he could bring them together for the same cause. A part of the reason for the union was revenge for a slight embarrassment.

The Pergamon Hospital Massacre was the first true loss on his dossier. Whenever he fought with his brother, they made it their mission to fight and win every battle they fought. Since carrying the battle alone, he had formed the Hydros, a section of the Cult of Caines, and began a string of wins up until the attack of Pergamon Hospital.

The Cult of Heroes did not want to fight Acetam's battle, knowing that all he cared about was himself. The two cults had a falling out for other unknown reasons, but all Acetam did for this was promise them they could chop off as many heads as they want. The bloodlust proved greater than their personal hatred and just for this occasion, they would join the Cult of Caines.

Acetam joined the rest of his combined army and observed the vampiric Metas. He knew that just having the tech at his disposal from tanks to planes, was not going to be enough to take them down, especially when they had their allies in small cults they absorbed into their circle.

Acetam embraced his leadership role to the point no one bothered to ask about disobeying Ariel Miranda or the Cult of Ecstasy. All the efforts from everyone culminated into a showdown, hoping this would be the end of the matter for good.

With everything in place ready to go, after all the planning and setup, Acetam jumped on one of the tanks and raised his hand. The minute he dropped it, he gave the command to attack.

One of the captains on the ground let out the battle cry and their tanks moved out firing their cannons, except for the one Acetam was on. More firepower rain down from the missiles on the planes. Still, the armored Amphes and Marijus yelled at them.

The battle of the Bthesic Forest had begun.

Just as both forces charged at one another, it began to rain; drizzled at first, but suddenly it became a downpour. The dark clouds were there at the beginning, but it decided instead to make their presence known. The drops of Alexandria's tears clouded the vision on both sides. It did not help that each side attacked one another with such ferocity. Heavy losses could be felt on both ends.

However, thanks to their rage, the Amphes and Marijus gained the upper hand gradually.

The Amphes were never ones to have the best state-of-the-art technology, but they still prove dangerous because of their fighting abilities. Under normal circumstances, this would deter the advances of any opponent. This time, however, with the Heroes and Caines combining their efforts, they continue to move forward, each soldier using their skill in honor of their respective cult.

Despite cannons and missiles doing their job in shrinking their ranks, the Cult of Caines could not resist the normal hand-to-hand combat. After a while, Acetam got into the fight and began to chop off Meta hands and heads attacking him.

Then, just as he was getting a rhythm, he ran into the one he had been anticipating since finding out about him.

The one that was called Aridam, but Acetam knew him as...

"Codone!"

He bounced back to see what or who he was truly facing.

"Unbelievable!" Acetam said. "I see this, but I can't believe it. Not even death can stop you, can it?" He brought out his new blade he called "the Lehder." "I guess I have to bring the point home once and for all."

Aridam brought out his shadow blade full of dark magic. He licked his lips and charged after Acetam. When both cult knights began to attack one another, it became an immediate slugfest. An even fight, both men traded their respected shots. Blood of different colors flew and spluttered nonstop.

Then, Aridam began to run. Acetam chased after him. Before long, they went inside the Bthesic Forest, where some of the action was going on. Acetam did not care about the battle at this point. He cared only about stamping the point home about who was the better warrior.

****

On a hill overlooking the Bthesic Forest, Ariel Miranda observed the fierce battle being played out before her eyes. Her Eraser bodyguards were behind her making sure no one attacked.

Then, coming to stand next to her was Molly Percocet, watching the battle with a different perspective. While Ariel watched with inner excitement, Molly wanted to vomit at the close combat. Even from a distance, she could see that the battle was bloody and ruthless with every clash and slash.

"Do you see your husband out there?" Ariel asked.

Ariel took out her telenoculars and viewed the battle close up. She gave the telenoculars to Molly.

"Take a look!"

Molly took the telenoculars and played the clash between Acetam and a shadowy figure, matching him blow for blow. Then, she stopped the play and found a face.

"It can't be! Tell me that's not--"

She let it play and could see that Acetam and his opponent were running at warp speed, dodging everyone and heading deep into the Bthesic Forest.

Then, she threw the telenoculars back to Ariel. She went to one of the black chichorses without a rider, jumped on its back, and rode out.

Ariel smiled. One of her guards went to her. "Should we go after her?"

"No!" Ariel commented. "This is something she has to figure out for herself."

****

Throughout the battle in and around the Bthesic Forest, Zabdas observed from a distance what some of the Cult of Marijus were getting themselves into on his majestic yellow chichorse in his green-purple armor.

They realized that despite their best efforts, even in a close battle, the Caines and Heroes were the superior union. He took out his telenoculars and got a closer look at the likes of Aluxic. While his cult felt bogged down, Aluxic did not present the appearance of a defeated man.

One of his men came to him and whispered in his ear. This put Zabdas's heart on pause.

"Why, why, why?" He whispered, clinching his fists.

He raised his sword in the air, ready to lead the charge. Then, he could hear the words of his sister ringing in his ear:

"Don't be a hero! Just survive!"

From out of nowhere, he gave an order to his men. "This is it! We're done! This battle is over for us. Let Aluxic handle his own mess. Let's go!"

And with that, he turned the chichorse around and left. The rest of his army followed closely behind, leaving the Cult of Amphes to once again deal with two cults at once.

****

"You think bringing me to the tress is going to help your chances?" Acetam yelled as both he and Aridam ran parallel to each other on opposite sides of the forest.

When they came together, Acetam tried to slash him with composite swings, but Aridam disappeared. When Acetam turned around, he could see Codone shedding some of the Aridam shadow. This time, his face became clear to Acetam.

"Where's Molly?" Codone asked.

Acetam laughed sadistically. "Get the fuck out of here? That's all you have to say to me? You asked me about her? Well, you only prove to me that killing you and that bastard child was the best choice I could have ever made."

In hearing the death of his child, Codone's eyes widened.

"OH! You didn't know, did you? She was pregnant with your child and I had it killed. You want to know something else? Guess who I had used to kill? One of that demon bitch's sons. That's right! That same bitch and her family that we defended our whole lives. Ariel Miranda! The fuckin' Queen of Alexandria! I never liked that bitch from the beginning, but you just wouldn't stop defending her. And now, I think she got her hooks in Molly."

Hearing all of this, Codone stopped being tensed. A part of him wanted to kill his brother from there, but upon hearing about Molly and Ariel's new relationship, he took some steps back.

"Don't worry, brother! Like I always have done before, I'll make sure that bitch never gets her hands on her. Then, I'll remind her who she really loves."

Codone took more steps back and his body became engulfed in the shadows of Aridam. "Molly's no longer your concern. Thank you for looking out for her."

Then, Acetam brought out his Lehder blade. He took three steps to attack before all of a sudden, a sting came to his mind that made him drop his Lehder and brought him to his knees. He held his head, making his ears bleed.

That was when he saw it. Codone disappeared and Opios began to come out from the trees.

"What the fuck? What is this? CODONE!"

Then, Anaitis appeared before Acetam. "Thank you for being a worthy sacrifice!"

"Sacrifice?" Acetam stressed. "Fuck your sacrifice!"

He swung at Anaitis, but then, the irritating ringing sound came back and made Acetam cover his ears again. Seeing their chosen prey defenseless, the Opios crowded behind Acetam.

"CODONE! CODONE!"

His screams were overshadowed by the magic of the Opios and the ongoing battle between all the Alexandrian cults.

Codone continued to move forward as Acetam was taken away by the Opios. Then, he noticed a chichorse rider coming his way. From there, the Aridam liquid armor appeared along with his sword. When the chichorse got closer, he slashed one of its flightless wings and made the rider fall to the ground.

Aridam turned to the rider as she was trying to recover from a crazy fall. He let out a scream and the rider turned her face.

"Don't kill me!" She screamed.

Just as Aridam was about to strike, he stopped midway. Then, he shed some of the Aridam helmet and presented the Codone facemask again.

"Molly?" He whispered. "Is it really you?"

Molly could not help but to look into his eyes and fainted upon a closer look.

Then, as he picked Molly up slightly, in strolled two Metas. They were about to attack, but stopped upon knowing it was Aridam.

"Lord Aridam!" They both said and bowed before him.

Then, one of them said, "We're losing the battle. We need your help."

He placed Molly on the ground gently. Then, he turned his attention back to the Metas. In a split second, a black sword appeared in his arm. When the two Metas raised themselves from their feet, Aridam/Codone stabbed one and decapitated the other.

He circled back around to an unconscious Molly. He picked her back up and like he did on their wedding day years before, carried her over the threshold of the Bthesic Forest as other Metas began to fall back trying to defend themselves from some Caine soldiers. His shadow clouded over them to ensure no one touched them.

Codone Percocet accomplished what he said he would do years ago. He fought everything and everyone, even death itself to get back to the love of his life.

****

The battle was lost to the Cult of Amphes.

The cults of the Caines and Heroes continued their assault on the Bthesic Forest. Aluxic, who fought as hard as he could against insurmountable odds, realized that he lost and the only chance he had was to go to Velture and regroup.

However, just as he was heading to his own home, he found more dead Metas. This time, it was not the Caines he had to fear.

In a state of vicious ecstasy, the crowd of females looked on at the carnage in front of them. One of the women, a fellow Mariju, turned to Aluxic and the squad of Metas he brought with him. Then, with fiery vengeful blood running into her veins, she moved forward to a Meta still alive begging for mercy and slit his throat with one swipe. This propelled Aluxic's squad to attack, but before they could, the array of former female slaves attacked the squad with relentless bloodlust and tore them limb from limb with their own blades.

All sort of colors of blood spilled on the ground as Aluxic ran for his life. His viciousness that used to be able to keep his cult in line was gone. All he could hope for was salvage what was left.

When he entered his home, he looked for his child born to one of his slaves. He went to his room to find the child still in his bed.

"Ah! My son! You're still alive. We have to get out of here."

He wrapped his hands about his midsection as he slept. Suddenly, someone came from behind and stabbed him in the neck twice, one on each side. Bleeding profusely from both sides, Aluxic turned to see his murderer.

It was Sondra Theer, his personal slave he made his sexual mistress.

Aluxic stumbled to the floor as Sondra went straight to the bed of his child. She watched him sleeping soundly with blood all over her face. Memories of her time with the Marijus, her sudden servitude with the Cult of Amphes, and the constant sex to embarrass and impregnate her.

All accumulated to one baby Meta.

"No Meta lives tonight!" she whispered to herself. "No Meta lives tonight!"

She raised her sword and with one downward thrust, she came close to the neck of the child, the first of Amphes-Mariju blood. Seeing the baby touching the sword without knowing what it was, she slowly took the sword away and dropped it on the floor. Then, she cradled the baby in her arms and rocked it back and forth.

Although she let the baby live, as far as she was concerned, she could never go back to her original cult, nor was she a part of the cult that enslaved her.

Her life as she knew it was over.

But she did have room for one thing in her life: a bloodlust for killing all full-bloodied Metas.
EPILOGUE: THE DECREE

Codone Percocet went to his knees and said a silent prayer to the gods. He thought about everything that had transpired since he came back from his turmoil in the hands of his brother.

Just as he was collecting all of his thoughts together, Anaitis entered his room of her palace known as the Samos Armory, admiring the soldier who determination to live mesmerized her.

Then, Codone jumped and went into defense, but Anaitis did not flinch an inch.

"Sorry to disturb you," she said. "Just wanted to see if you're well."

"I'm fine. I'm just figuring out where Molly and I will go."

"Go? As in leaving here? Why would you want to leave?"

"I have what I need."

Anaitis strolled closer. "The better question is where do you think you're going?"

This struck Codone's nerves. "What are you talking about?"

Anaitis chuckled. "You think that you're just going to leave here and all is going to be right with everything? Does she even know who you are...or WHAT you are?"

Codone's anger began to boil. "If you think you're going to stop me from leaving here, then you don't know what I can do."

"Of course I know what you can do, which won't make any sense to do to me because I'm already dead. No, I'm more worried about your little lady love."

Condone was still determined.

"Let me make it clear to you," Anaitis continued. "If you even attempt to kiss her, you'll kill her. In fact, any kind of contact can kill her because your body is purely poison. The more you used what you have, the more it takes over you until even your soul becomes nothing more than poison personified. Anything you do could possibly kill her."

"What...am I?" Codone asked shakily.

"You're one of us. You're an Opio now. Now you can leave here and take Molly with you, but once you do, you put her at risk. I would hate for someone you worked so hard defying death for...get taken from you by death."

Then, Anaitis stepped to the side. "But I can't stop you, nor will I."

Codone took a couple of steps before his right hand began to shake. He could see the black poison coursing through his veins. Anaitis caressed his arm.

"You and Molly will always have a home here, Codone Percocet!"

Upon those words, Codone came to the realization that even after everything he had to go through just to get the love of his life back, there were several more mountains he had to climb.

****

After calming Codone's nerves, Anaitis went through another chamber of the Samos Armory that took her three floors down to an underground cellar. From there, she stood in front of a steel door. Using both hands, she pried the doors open and waltzed her way inside, where she found a young woman sound asleep and another woman watching intently for any movement or changes in behavior.

"How she's doing, Nia?" Anaitis asked.

"Sleeping soundly," Nia answered. "I'll give her another dose in another hour."

"Not too much. We don't want her being erratic, but we also don't want to kill her."

"Yes, Empress!"

Then, both Opios stared at the new wonder that was Molly Percocet, the object of affection Codone fought Death itself to come back to.

"What about Codone?" Nia asked. "He's not going to stop thinking about taking her away from here."

"Don't worry about Codone," Anaitis responded. "He's going to be occupied real soon. I put some things in his head that's going to focus his rage on someone else."

"The Deadringer?"

Anaitis smirked.

"But you know Ariel Miranda will probably kill him."

"Ariel won't be facing the same person that had protected her precious cult. And even if she does find a way to beat him, all we need is some time to figure out what's so special about this girl. The Deadringer wants to bring her into her cult and Codone fought everything to include a torn penis just to get to her."

"What are you saying?" Nia asked.

"Well, it means one thing for sure. This is not some ordinary woman."

Then, she bent down to Molly's ear. "I don't think even she knows what she is." She pointed to her forehead with her dark nails. "But it's trapped right in here. So who...or WHAT are you, Moriana Percocet? Best believe I'm going to find out soon enough. Then, with the secrets you keep, you're going to help me take down the Deadringer once and for all. And with that, the Mirandas will cease to exist."

****

"This is the will of Doctor Ariel Miranda, daughter of Alexis Miranda, granddaughter of Emilia Miranda..."

As she spoke, a scribe wrote everything she said down sitting in her office chair in the Library, her other grand sanctuary after the demolished Pergamon Hospital and her private underground spa.

"...All of my children will hold a percentage of the fortune. Three of my children will hold the higher stakes: my son Galen and my daughters Alina and Alison. The rest will be dealt accordingly..."

Then, she told the scribe that the family will also hold control over three stables in Alexandria: the Library, which would be the responsibility of Sima's children; the future Pergamon Hospital, the responsibility of Maya's children; and the new project, the Bthesic Forest, the responsibility of Robin's children.

Months went by since the Battle of the Bthesic Forest, which ended in a victory for the Cult of Ecstasy thanks to the likes of the Heroes and Caines. Ariel knew that if there was a chance of stopping another disaster like the Cult of Amphes' attack on Pergamon, she had to control the forest. The Caines made sure of that, and she made sure that on top of their children, she would give stakes to the two cults.

Then, she added a stipulation that she was sure would shake up all of Alexandria.

"The Cult of Marijus and the Cult of Amphes will receive new leadership. For now on, both cults will be controlled by a leader of my choosing. Anyone that joins the two cults trying to achieve power without my permission will face swift execution by any Alexandrian. Caine, Hero, or otherwise!"

The scribe's writing hand shook a little in the last sentence, but she managed to finish the statement.

When all was finished, Ariel double-checked everything the scribe wrote to make sure that she did not miss anything. She gave a nod and commanded the scribe, "Make sure this get out to all corners of the nation and to my children."

The scribe took a bow and left. Ariel took a deep breath and faced the corner where someone else was sitting quietly as she was conversing with her scribe, giving her a weird, distraught scare.

Her soothsayer Solis Hoasca.

"What is that look?" Ariel asked.

Solis shook her head. "Sounds like you know what you're doing."

"Do you agree with what I wrote?"

"It doesn't matter what I think. You're the Doctor of Alexandria and you have the Cult of Ecstasy. You're back in control now."

Solis gave a small salute and walked to the door.

"Solis! Thank you for keeping my secrets!"

"Always, Doctor! Always!"

After Solis left, Ariel went back to her private seat of power. She got her family under control for the moment. The cults were back marching to the beat of the drum of the Cult of Ecstasy. And she won another chance to control Alexandria completely.

She turned her arm to see it glowing bright red, pleased that she controlled the most crucial thing of all in her life.

The Red Mist inside of her.

The Red Mist that got her far in life since her birth.

She had become its true master.

Then, she heard a loud bang, then some happy screams. She knew that noise clearly. That was when she left her office and went downstairs to the main floor, where she could see in all of its glory.

The Library, once a place all Alexandrians could come through and enjoy a drink, dance or flirt, was reopened for business. She could see among the immense floor all sorts of characters from the main cults of the planet; Hero, Caine, Mariju and the like. There were even a couple of Amphes there, but they did not cause trouble. They gave a silent toast to the Deadringer and Ariel gave her nod of acknowledgement.

Then, she looked down at the floor. Although that particular spot was clean, her eyes saw the blood where her oldest daughter once laid. She gripped her hands as everyone continued to enjoy each other's company, ignoring the rising anxiety coming from the presently undisputed ruler of all Alexandria...

