Thank you very much. I really appreciate your comment

dawno2008:


Weldone bro, you gave it your all and I appreciate your efforts, do well to take good care of yourself and return with another banger.

Good job @rapmike....

YoungBruzzy:
Awww ☺️ thanks a lot for this beautiful story
Kindly do well to tag me to your next project, thanks

Thank you for your reply and your time

This is the end of the story. I thank everyone that has been following the story. I passed through a lot during the time period I wrote the story that's why it took so long. I will take a break for now until next year.

EPILOGUE

"May they be judged fairly and brought to the doorsteps of their destination. Make the angels of life and death treat them well and guide them through the shadows to the bright lights that awaits the fallen in death."


"Amen!"

Jake chorused the prayer with them as Emperor Uche led the coven in prayers for those who died in the battle. The coven members which included his father and step-mother had their corpses burned. The flames stung him or so he told himself.

"May we see them some day."

"Amen!"

"May that day be joyful and glorious."

"Amen!"

"May we all meet in heaven." Really?

"Amen!"

The prayers ended with Emperor Uche kneeling down to the image of Lucifer. The whole coven bowed, Jake just following their lead. If lightning strikes now, all of us will die.

He looked at his left hand side and found Justin. Justin's eyes were moist too. He is probably missing his father too. Despite what Jake thought of Lord Glabach,he was Justin's father and Jake never failed to remember the sacrifice Justin made .

Once the prayers were done, Emperor Uche stood up and faced the coven.

"Today we stand here, alive and united. That is despite the best plans of our enemies and even those we call friends and family. As we mourn our fallen, we must remember what brought us to this state. The lies and the plots which did nothing but to divide and destroy us. We have all had to sacrifice a lot to keep this coven alive. Some have sacrificed more than others and the pains that they have endured will take long to heal."

"Some may ask if we will survive. If after all we have lost, if we will rise again. I say yes! Yes, we will rise again but that would need everyone of us to work together. So from today,as I take the sacred position of Emperor, I hereby repeal the decree that excludes Impervious vampires from our coven. From now on, all vampires irrespective of their origins will be accepted into our coven in the regular way. As we reform our coven,we will need to reorganize our ranks. So, as you go to your various stations,you will receive notice of the new order of things. Remember, we will rise again!"

Everyone clapped at the address as Emperor Uche walked away accompanied by Muyiwa and a few other vampires.

"Muyiwa is now on the high table. Most people will forget the job you did." Jake turned to find Austin on his left hand side.

"I don't really care. I am just relieved that it's over. Where is Justin? He was here not long ago."

They were walking towards the theater as they awaited Zachris, who had an important announcement to make.

"Really? I doubt it."

"What are you trying to say, Austin?"

Before he could reply, they were in the theater, where Zachris was standing on the podium.

"What's happening?"

Emperor Uche was on the podium as well as a few other vampires, including Muyiwa.

"Good evening, everyone!" He started. "I want to first thank you all for your various efforts during the last war we fought. As you know, we lost a lot of vampires in the war and as a result, we need to refill our ranks. Therefore, I have the pleasure of announcing those who will take positions in the coven, starting from our councillors."

Jake watched as Emperor Uche called out his councillors, which included Muyiwa. Zachris was made the physical combat trainer while Celeste was the new Oracle.

Zachris met them after the appointment.

"Well, this is the last time we will meet as a squad." He started. "As I now have the responsibility of training recruits, Justin will be the new leader of the team. Austin will soon leave the squad from what I hear. Don't worry, your ranks will be suitably filled up." He sighed. "I will miss you guys."

Jake looked uninspired. "Sir, is that your farewell speech?"

"Yes, it is." He patted him at the back. "You did very well, Jake. You all did well. Let me leave you to Justin." He walked away from them.

"Your wings must be soaring high now." Austin said. "Don't think you will push me around now, Justin!"

Justin gave a thin smile. "I will. Starting from today, we will do two hours training drills in physical and magical combat!" He squeezed his fists. "Hard training with one million push-ups and...."

"Come on!" Austin protested as Cleopatra joined them.

"Thought I would be drafted somewhere." She started. "Instead I was returned back to you for now."

"For now?"

"Yes. I have been told something big is about to happen and I will be involved. But for now, I am here." She faced Jake. "How are you doing?"

"I am fine." He said, facing Justin and Austin as they were arguing. "I am finally settled. I finally feel at home."

"What happened here?"

"War." Calypso said. She was sitting behind Muyiwa, her hands on his back. Justin could see her transfer magic into him.

"Is he hurt?"

"Not physically." Muyiwa replied. "I lost most of the humans here and I almost died in the hands of Kike, but Jake and my father came just in time." He stood up. "We need to talk."

"Here?"

"No. In the garden."

The garden of Ivy. Muyiwa rarely took anyone there, even though he took Jake in there. It was the last place they went before Jake was arrested wrongly.

Muyiwa left the royal chambers and moved to the blood farm, Justin following him. More bodies of werewolves and humans littered the area. Councillor Kike really went far with this. They climbed up and then entered the garden.

It was night outside. The garden's serenity was overwhelming Justin, especially as everywhere under it was in chaos. The flowers opened up their colors to the moon, which in turn blessed them with it's radiance. It was wonderful.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"What do you think of Jake, Justin?"

What a question! Justin hadn't given much thought about that. "Why ask me about him?"

"He is your teammate, for one." Muyiwa said. "You have had more time with him than most vampires in the coven. So your view of him will more balanced. Secondly, we are at a tipping point and both of us are what will determine where the coven falls into."

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean. Your father and Jake are probably in a death match for the coven. Your father has everything to fight for and Jake is fighting for a coven that he is not even a year into." Muyiwa paused. "Isn't it funny? Both of us had thought we would one day be crucial to the survival of this coven but now we are relying on a newbie."

A powerful newbie. "We are still important to how it ends. That's why we are having this discussion, isn't it?"

"Yes. You more than anyone knows what your father plans after burning this coven to the ground."

"He plans to make the coven the most powerful in the world. He is not burning it down!"

"He is going to burn it down, Justin. In fact he has burned it down already. Win or lose, the coven will never be the same. With what you said, I should imagine that your father plans to use the coven as a tool to control the vampire world through conquest."

Justin turned to see if it was Muyiwa that was speaking. "What, how did you know?"

"I wasn't sure, but my father suspected and he told me. Your father may be the oldest and most cunning of all the vampires here, but my father wasn't going to assume that he was all good."

"Your father was ......."

".... emperor, but he is dead. The battle between Jake and your father will determine who becomes emperor."

"Jake can't be ......"

"Emperor? No, but if your father wins and Jake either dies or submits, your father will be emperor of this coven. How many vampires would have died for that to happen, Justin? Moreover, your father's ambitions will require more vampire lives. He would wage ceaseless wars against other covens and he would do it recklessly. Our cover will be broken and before we know it, we would be exposed to the humans. You know what will happen if that happens?"

Paranoia. Justin knew, the records in the library suggest as much. Humans would hunt them down. Vampire hunters will cut them down and suddenly they will have to fight against both humans and werewolves.

"There is a reason why we keep our existence and presence in this world and especially in Nigeria a secret. We know what will happen if we don't."

"True."

"Tell me, Justin. Do you think your father will be a good emperor. He would be the most powerful emperor since Herrick himself."

He will be. [/i]Justin told himself. Will he? He remembered what happened at the theater. His father didn't care if he was killed. He would probably not care if he died today.

"No."

"So what will you do? Help your father to become emperor or help Jake to defeat him?"

Defeating him will mean his death. Justin closed his eyes. [i]This isn't a decision between my father and Jake, it's a decision between my father and the coven.

Tears were running down his cheeks. He won't weep for you! He would rejoice if your death brought him victory.

"Let's help Jake."

Muyiwa smiled and brought out a knife. "You have your blade."

He brought out his. "Yes."

Muyiwa kept his blade and close his eyes, swirling his hands. A portal opened and Justin could see Jake and his father clash with their weapons, blowing off a mountain.

"How did you...?"

"I put a locator spell on Jake when he came here, on my father's wish. Now it's your time."

Justin watched Jake slowly stand up, with the broken pieces of the blade of Herrick on the floor. He took a breath and walked into the portal.

"I give it to you, Jake. You are the most powerful being I have fought in a long time." His father spoke, standing up and holding the handle of his hammer. The head was off.

"I will give you one more chance. Bend the knee and rise as the first of my warriors. I promise that I won't prosecute you at all. I will make sure that your potential is fulfilled completely. You will be emperor after me."

"What about your son?"

"He is weak." He didn't see me. Jake's eyes met Justin but he betrayed no emotions.

"You reject your son. Why? I have looked into his mind and all I see is his devotion to you. That's why I never trusted him."

His father walked towards Jake. "Yet you refused to kill him."

"I understood him. I had such devotion to my mother, not to the level he had for you, but I did. To kill him because of that will amount to foolishness. Besides, he never harmed me directly."

"Even when he knew about the trap you and your team were going to face?"

"He had no choice."

His father smirked. "Your heart is weak. That's why you won't submit to me."

Now. Justin moved towards them. His father heard his footsteps and turned around.

"Justin. I see you have reached here. Alone, as we planned. Kill him."

Justin walked towards Jake until he was a hair's breath from him. He raised the knife.

"Now!"

He turned to his father. "I am sorry, father." Justin threw the knife at him, forcing his father to deflect it."

"How dare you....." He stopped in the middle of his statement as he watched his blood flow out. "What is happening? How...."

His father fell on his knees as the knife sank slowly. Muyiwa moved forward and face him.

"Send my greetings to my father." He took the second blade and drove it into his brain, killing him

CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR

Justin walked towards the royal chambers slowly. His mind was very much occupied with the decision he had to make.

I will never kill my teammate. He was reluctant to kill Jake but that's was because he was finding it difficult to kill a teammate. His father on the other hand had to qualms about killing him or Jake. He could have been killed by his father, if Jake didn't interfere and get into an epic battle with his father. Yet he felt some sort of loyalty to his father. This is his father,after all.

He remembered his conversation with Celeste when he left the battle.
"Jake can't defeat your father,not without your help or Muyiwa. Both of you hold the key to defeating your father and ending this battle."

"He is my father." Justin protested, even though he felt it was weak. "I can't just go kill him like that."

"Nobody is asking you to kill him. All we need is the key to deliver the blow to kill him. Jake or Muyiwa can deliver that blow. Muyiwa has the blade, but he will need a distraction in order to end your father."

"My father....."

"Is going to destroy the coven as it stands." Celeste interrupted him. "He has allowed werewolves and the Deviants free access to the coven. How long before spiders and other creatures begin to gain entry into the coven?"

"Jake was supposed to be the danger, not my father."

"But your father is the danger now." She held his hand. "I know it's difficult,but you have to consider what could happen if you refuse to help us. Jake is clearly on our side but if he dies, no one else will be able to face your father."


"Even if I am so eager to help you,I can't do it, my father....."

"Put a curse on you. I know, Cleopatra explained. That's why we need Muyiwa."

Now I am going to meet him. Justin wondered what Muyiwa would think of helping Jake. They may be siblings, but none of the Empress children ever liked him that much.

The amount of dead werewolves near the entrance of the royal chambers stopped him on his tracks. Was he late? Justin didn't want to think that he went through all the stress of coming here just to meet a dead Muyiwa.

He quickly side-stepped the dead bodies, although he had to jump over two gigantic werewolves, still in their wolf form. A very serious battle happened here. He had just finished jumping past the second werewolf when he came face to face with a gun.

"Enemy or friend?"

The voice was coming from an iron door. Is this protection or an insult? In his weakened state, Justin would tear this easily.

"Why don't you come out of that barrier and let me show you?"

The gun was lowered. "It's Justin. I have been waiting for him." He heard Muyiwa's voice. The iron wall fell, revealing three humans, Calypso and Muyiwa.

"Sorry sir. We have had issues with the attack. We have managed to kill most of them but we can't do more than holding out."

He flew at Jake, swinging the hammer in multiple directions. Jake evaded the attacks,moving backwards and sideways,keeping him in distance.

"Come towards me!" Lord Glabach hit the ground, which broke the floor and forced out magma from the ground. Jake jumped to another side of the mountain, only to meet the hammer headlong.

Damn! The hammer connected completely, sending him sprawling to the ground , his left arm feeling crushed. Jake raised his sword quick enough to prevent the hammer from getting another hit on him.

"Herrick will be disappointed with that if he could see you." Lord Glabach leered at him. "It seems that you are not that special after all." He lifted the hammer to deliver the killing blow. Jake used his right hand and created a powerful forcefield, which deflected his attack, throwing Lord Glabach to the other side of the mountain.

That gave Jake some respite. He could hear his left arm healing, much to his surprise. The cloak, he remembered that the cloak had some healing abilities. Jake stood up and moved back as Lord Glabach attacked again. Jake quickly used his sword to make a downward strike. Lord Glabach dodged it, but it cut through his armor. Jake used his left hand to create a defensive shield, then moved headlong to attack Lord Glabach.
Lord Glabach attempted another attack as Jake went on the offence, causing their weapons to strike.
The power of the collision threw Jake backwards, leading him to one side of the mountain. Jake groaned as he stood up, feeling gingerly and a bit nauseous. He managed to see Lord Glabach at the other side of the mountain. He suddenly felt power cruising through his body. Jake flew towards him and delivered a heavy strike. Lord Glabach used his hammer to block it.

The attack destroyed part of the mountain, shattering it to bits. Jake and Lord Glabach were covered in debris.

Jake suddenly found himself with Cleopatra.

"My father....."

"Is gone. So is mine. But they left us with something. Jake, are you ready?"

Jake felt strength return to him. "Yes. Let's finish this!"

"Are you sure?" She looked at him with a bit of uncertainty.

"Yes."

She quickly waved her hands, dissolving whatever barrier that she hid them in.

Lord Glabach held Austin in his hands, blood gushing out of the open wounds in his teammate.

"So you're finally back!" He noticed his sword and armor. "You have recovered the sword of Herrick. I see. It's time to reveal my own weapon."

From his side, he brought out a huge war hammer. He lifted it up to catch the reflection of the moon.

Suddenly, everything apart from Jake froze. Jake touched Cleopatra, trying to feel her pulse.

"They are not dead." Lord Glabach faced him. "They are just suspended, unable to move but they can see and hear everything. Marvellous, isn't it? Now nobody will interfere with our battle." He ran towards Jake and held him.

They suddenly arrived at the top of a mountain. Jake looked at the surrounding area. This place is familiar. Jake couldn't place where it was, but he could feel the heat. It was an active mountain.

"Why here?" He looked at Lord Glabach.

"As I said, I don't want interference." He smiled. "Now, let's begin!"

"Where am I? Where is Lord Glabach?"Jake asked Cleopatra, his eyes burning.

"You are somewhere safe for now." She looked sad. "Zachris and our team are trying to hold Lord Glabach for now, though we don't have time. You are burning up."

Jake felt his brow. It was spiking hot.

"Our fathers are dead, Jake and there is no one that can really stand up to him apart from you. We need you at your best and you are not that for now."

"I can't. I am too weak to face Lord Glabach. I have been feeling it since we started to duel. I was almost dead......"


"Just like the day you were born and those days you had fever and during aidokai." She stopped him. "Jake, there is something your father wanted to pass to you." She touched his forehead.

Jake suddenly found himself in his room. His father sat on his bed.

"Father....."

"I am dead. What you see is my consciousness, which I implanted in Cleo's head before I died." He smiled as Jake opened his mouth in surprise. "Yes, I know you gave her a nickname. You seem to like her."

"This isn't the time for....."

"Yes, I know." He smiled. "Lord Glabach is the most powerful vampire there is in the clan and most likely in the world. He has everything- strength,skill, cunning, abilities, you name it. Yet he wasn't chosen as emperor and that burns him inward. No one can defeat him if he is at his best." He paused. "That's what I thought until I met you. Jake, the truth about your birth was that I loved your mother, but there is also part of me that wanted you- as a son and as a weapon. You have survived so much that would kill most vampires and I believe the Sword of Herrick didn't choose you by mistake."

"What do you mean?"

"The sword chooses the strong, no doubt but it's not only strength that determines why it chooses it's holders. Can you get what determines it?"

"No."

"Truth. Honesty. Righteousness. It chooses those who wouldn't taint it. It was made that way by Herrick. Herrick was a good human before he was bitten by a vampire. He knows what it means to be righteous and good and to care for other beings, vampire or not. He implanted that thought in his sword and cloak."

"Glabach was once righteous, I guess but he lost that path because of power. That's why the sword rejected him. I wielded the sword during the Deviant uprising but after that it never allowed me to use it. You are the only one apart from Lord Glabach who the sword chose. I am sure it was for this reason."

"But I am weak and the sword and the cloak....."

"Are here." He handed the sword to Jake. The cloak rested on his back. " I took the liberty of hiding the sword and the cloak after it chose you so that you would not be analyzed thoroughly. This is the only play I have against Lord Glabach. As for you been weak...." He brought out a vial with a yellow liquid. Jake's eyes lifted up at once.

"I saw this with the Oracle. She....."

"You know what it is then. Drink." Jake drank the vial. "It should give you the strength for this battle. I have to go."

He started to dissolve. "One last thing, Jake. No matter what happens, know this: I love you. I always loved you. I loved you from the moment you opened those eyes to the world. I have been watching you and if I was human, I would have been with you. Goodbye."

Hello

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

Jake moved sideways, dodging another lightning bolt from Lord Glabach while replying with his own.I can feel power streaming in my body! He kept at it, killing any being that came to interfere. They mostly stayed away.

"Ignore him. Face the others!"

Jake adjusted his position and quickly turned his head sideways, noticing the arrival of Zachris with other vampires. Finally! He couldn't celebrate however, as Lord Glabach suddenly lunged at him and knocked him away, smashing his body through the wall and landing him in the velodrome.

This is where it began. Jake felt a bit nostalgic as he remembers his fight with Remus. I hope this also has a happy ending. He had no time to think however, as Lord Glabach fired two strong energy beams, forcing Jake to form a defensive barrier to protect himself.

"I am the oldest vampire to live in this coven. Do you think that I will fall to the likes of you?" He challenged Jake as the intensity of the energy beams ate into his barrier.

I can't hold it much longer. Summoning strength from the inside, he powered up his barrier and then lunged at Lord Glabach, forcing him to stop his attack and dodge him.

That gave Jake a respite. He had just enough time to throw up another barrier as Lord Glabach attacked again, using lightning bolts on this occasion. The lightning bolts were far thicker and stronger than anyone he had faced or created.This is in another level.

"You may be gifted,Jake but you had no chance against me." He said, walking towards him and intensifying his attack. "Surrender and I will spare your life. I will teach you the mysteries of the powers locked in your blood and together we can do great things, turn this coven to be the most powerful in the country and in the world. We can conquer and rule together. Just you and me." He was almost in his face. Jake's barrier was almost destroyed.

"Surrender!"

Jake couldn't even think as he felt the heat. However, he had his answer.

"I will not surrender."

"Then die."

Lord Glabach super charged his lightning bolt. Jake had just enough strength to stand up and was expecting to be burned. Instead he found himself in another room.

Cleopatra was with him.

Celeste fired a lightning spell at the incoming werewolves, sending them scattering to different directions. She then placed a barrier spell over them.

"What are you doing?" Justin asked in fury. "We are losing the initiative."

"I am following Zachris orders." She then opened a portal,allowing other vampires to come through, with Cleopatra leading them. Zachris then faced Justin.

"We can end this battle now. The only problem is your father. We need anything, any information that can defeat him."

Justin was in a flux with his emotions. He is not the man I thought he was, but he is my father. Will it count as a betrayal if I speak about the blade?

Cleopatra met them as Celeste released the barrier spell.

"Justin speak up........"

"He can't. His father has used a familus spell on him." She smiled as she said so. "I can see it running in your veins, Justin."

"Okay. That means that we can't trust your judgment in this battle. You will need to go back."

Justin was about to protest when Cleopatra held his hand. "Go Justin." She picked the knife and handed it over to him. "Go and meet Muyiwa. You have a lot to discuss with him."

He followed Jake hesitantly, his words lingering in this head. Arrogant prick! How dare he judged him!

They got to the theater. Lord Glabach stood with two huge werewolves and many smallers ones.

"Finally you have arrived, Justin." He said with a knowing growl. "You know what to do."

Sweat filled his hands. I have prepared all my life for this. We have discussed this. If I did this, it will be over and Father will be Emperor. It will be all right.

Will it? His mind couldn't decide. As he fidgeted, he suddenly got struck by lightning. Unable to move, he watched as Jake walked towards his stretched hand and took the blade.

"You are so evil that you can even use your son to do your dirty deeds. Why can't you do it yourself?"

His father smiled. "I expected him to fail. That's why I am prepared for anything!" He flew towards Jake, knocking him away with a punch. He then moved towards Justin.

"You are weak, very weak! Your feeble mind and kind heart is one I can't deal with." He picked the knife. "Now you die!" As he lifted his hand to stab Justin, Jake appeared from nowhere and attacked him, forcing Lord Glabach back.

"You will kill your son?" Jake looked incredulous. "Your own blood!"

"And so? Is that your problem? Or maybe you want to kill him for yourself? Do it, I won't stop you. After all, he is the meanest of your teammates and there is no one to witness his death."

Jake picked the knife and faced Justin. Don't kill me, please. The lightning spell still held him bound.

"Justin had treated me badly as a person and a teammate. It's true that I would have been hurt if he had died or I killed him." He raised the knife. "But I will not kill my teammate!" Suddenly turning, he hurled the knife at Lord Glabach. His father deflected it easily but had to block Jake's lightning attack. Jake flew towards him, throwing fire ball after fire ball, forcing him back. Werewolves attacked him but found themselves turn to dust at a look.

Jake is burning up! Justin felt his leg move. Slowly he started to walk. Father would have killed me! He had hoped that the animosity that he felt from his father would have been wiped out if he killed Jake. Now he was not sure.

Your father is power drunk! He remembered someone tell him that. Cleopatra or Celeste? He didn't remember.

Jake had cornered his father,sending a huge ball of fire. His father walked out of it unscathed and sent a powerful lightning bolt towards Jake. He dodged it and killed two more werewolves with his eyes.

"Ignore him. Face the others."

Others? Justin turned back and found Zachris appearing with Celeste and a few other vampires. Backup!

Justin suddenly found Jake by his side.

"We need to stop. I can't just go in there without a plan."

Justin looked at him critically. Jake looked worn out and weak physically, yet he could sense a powerful aura around him. He wondered if it was enough. His father is a beast.

Maybe Jake thinks the same.[/i]He hoped that he will not have to choose between Jake and his father.

"What do you have in mind?"

"I don't know, you are the one with the experience."

"I never fought my father."

"But you should know something. That was the point of bringing you with me."

Justin could read his mind. "You don't trust me?"

"Obviously. If Zachris didn't order this, I won't be here with you. But since that's the case, we need to work together."

"My father is the oldest vampire in this coven. I doubt you will be able to defeat him, even in full strength and you are not up to full strength. We need a special weapon to defeat him."

"Both of us can defeat him together!"

"With no weapons? No!" [i] Does he know what Lord Glabach is?

"Fine. So what can we do?"

"Fight. That's all we can do. Maybe we can exhaust him."

Jake eyes spoke volumes. "You are hiding something from me." He turned and moved forward. " Don't interfere in my battle with your father. Just make sure no one else does."

"Fine." Arrogant prick!

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO

What am I doing here?

Justin's mind was a messy flux as he ran with Jake towards his father. As the only living son of Lord Glabach, he should be killing Jake. That was the plan that his father hitched up once he knew about the presence of Jake. However he couldn't bring himself to kill Jake.

"Justin, you have to assist Jake to handle his father while Austin takes her to a safe location. I will rally the remaining vampires and end this battle." Zachris spoke with his usual confidence.

"Why him?" Jake asked. "This is his father we are going to face here. Are you asking him to kill his father? Won't he rather kill me?"

"He has a point, Zachris. Justin should assist me while Austin follows Jake."

"No. Justin knows his father better than any of us. He can give Jake any useful intel on how to kill the old man."

"Let him drop it here!"

"What's the problem,Jake?"

"Isn't it obvious? I don't trust him." Jake said. "His father is the one that is fighting to destroy the coven."

"He doesn't want to destroy it,he wants to recreate the coven."

"You knew about this right? When did you know? For how long"

"For a long time. Even before you were brought to the coven."

The silence that followed last for a few seconds but to Justin, it could be an eternity.

"We will deal with this later. Jake, trust me. Go with Justin."

And here we are now.

He watched Calypso summon two swords and attack the werewolf. The other werewolves suddenly changed into their human form and started to fire lightning bolts at the barrier. Werewolves using magic? He never thought that was possible. The barrier seemed to get weaker as their assault intensified.

Jake stood up and checked his body. It had healed of its wounds. Was there a healing spell woven into the barrier? He didn't have the time to answer his question as the barrier gave way. Quickly he fired a huge ball of fire, sending them running to different directions. Jake felt his blood pumping as he attacked them one after the other,chopping their heads off as he pleased. I am back to full strength! As more werewolves rushed towards him,Jake raced at them, killing them with a vengeance and rescuing a few vampires.

He heard a huge groan and turned to see the werewolf who had challenged Calypso on the floor.

"Better wolves had tried and they have failed." She said, injuries all over her body. She fell on one knee, completely exhausted.

"But I will succeed." The werewolf stood up and lifted his hammer,aiming a direct hit at her.

Jake created an arcane spear and thrust it towards the werewolf, killing him. He then rushed to Calypso.

"Thank you."

Jake made her to sit up. He heard footsteps and found Zachris, Justin and Austin behind him.

"What took you so long? Where is Cleopatra?" Calypso asked.

"Muyiwa said he had to get a secret weapon but it was at the vaults. We had to cut through many werewolves and other vampires. Cleopatra went to aid the Emperor." He looked at Jake. "Your father is dead, Jake. I am sorry."

"This isn't the time for this, Zachris!" Calypso charged at him. Jake didn't know how to process the news.

"If nobody challenges Lord Glabach,he will become Emperor." He turned to Jake. "You have to challenge him. Challenge him and defeat him, Jake. You are the only hope we have."

Another werewolf attacked him as he faced the huge one. Jake fell flat on the floor with the werewolf biting hard on his shoulder. He had lost a lot of blood already and felt too weak to resist. This is the end for me. He could feel himself leaving his body.


All of a suddenly,he heard lightning bolts fall in like a thunderstorm. The werewolf on his back was limp. Jake dragged himself up and found Calypso in front of him.

"Rest a bit Jake." She cast a barrier spell around him. "Rest and heal. Allow me deal with him. Your teammates will arrive soon."

Jake watched the huge werewolf move towards them.

"You are the main witch of this coven." He said. " I will tear you to pieces once I blow this horn."

Calypso's eyes could have killed him on the spot. "Better wolves have tried and failed. You will not use that horn ever again. Lordus Illuminus!"

A huge blast of light descended on the area, knocking the brute to the floor and shattering the horn. Calypso staggered a bit, reeling from the effect of the spell she just cast.

"Impressive! Seems I will just have to kill you without it!" Other werewolves circled her.

"Leave her alone! Leave her to me! Go after the boy!"

They obeyed,running past Calypso as the huge werewolf summoned a huge hammer and ran towards her.

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

Jake ran towards the blast of the horn, ignoring the battles around him. If I can stop that horn,maybe we will stand a chance of keeping the coven intact. He had no illusions about the consequences of leaving the horn in the hands of the enemy.

The horn was blown again. Vampires fell on the floor,writhing in pain. Jake could see Thomrod among the slain. The werewolves we're already feasting on him. You will all pay for that! He flew towards them,sending them scattering. As they positioned themselves to attack him, Jake used his eyes to send the roof down, pinning them to the ground. He turned and heard the horn again.I have to stop that person! Jake flew forward, avoiding a lot of bodies before landing in space.

The horn of Pandora was in front of him, a cream horn with red lines which shone like blood. My Blood! A werewolf, bigger than anything he had seen held it.

"So you are the one." His teeth were glistening with blood. Other werewolves we're encircling him.

"Attack!"

They sprang at him, aiming to kill him in one attack.Fools! Jake closed his eyes and summoned a huge electric shock wave. The attack took all of them by surprise, sending them flying into different directions. Jake fell down awkwardly.This spell packs a punch! He quickly reminded himself that he was no where close to full strength. As he rose up, a werewolf attempted a bite at his head. Jake jumped back and avoided it. As the werewolf landed, Jake fired a fireball towards it, burning it to death. Another one landed on his shoulder and a third on his knee. Jake knew he was in trouble. I am too weak and in my cockiness I didn't wait for others. He landed a strike on the one on his knee, cloaking his hand with electricity. That drilled a hole into the werewolf. Another one attacked him, but Jake managed to lift the werewolf on his shoulder and threw it in that one.

"Incompetent fools!" The huge one with the horn growled. "Must I do everything?" Jake braced up for his attack.

Gerald rose up, his eyes spinning. He looked at his fingers with Glabach's blood on it. He smiled and attempted to savor the victory but he suddenly realized that he was pinned to the floor.

"You created an illusion." Gerald's eyes glinted and suddenly he found Glabach smiling at him.

"You see, you are too weak." He smiled. "Now it's time for you to die." He moved towards Gerald in order to stab him but suddenly jumped away as Cleopatra fired an energy beam towards him. Gerald found her standing in between them.

"Stand down, child. This isn't your fight!"
"Cleopatra,go help Jake. I can still fight."

She looked at him. "You are too weak,sir. I have a duty to serve you as the Emperor."

Glabach growled. "If that's the case, then prepare to die." He ran towards her, firing shots of fire and lighting towards them. Cleopatra created a force field to protect them but it was fast breaking.

Gerald managed to stand up. "Go, Cleopatra. You have done your best." He quietly touched her, slowly teleporting her away.

"Sir,please......." As she vanished from his view, Glabach's attack fell on Gerald.


That was the last view he saw: balls of fire and flashes of lightning.

I am in a tough spot at the moment but I hope to get at least three books published in the next five years.

"So the Emperor finally shows himself." Lord Glabach said, his golden eyes gleaming with hate.

"Why? Why betray the coven, Glabach?"

"It's Emperor Glabach!" His eyes glinted, sending Calypso rolling on the floor. Gerald found the remaining vampires fighting a losing battle against the werewolves. He raced towards them, but Glabach kicked him away. Gerald recovered just in time to absorb a fireball thrown at him by Lord Glabach. Lord Glabach then blew the horn but Gerald kicked it off his hands.

"It's seems like you are immune to the horn. I guess you took Jake's blood. I will have to finish you myself!"

Lord Glabach opened his mouth and a huge stream of fire flowed out of it and rushed towards Gerald. Gerald quickly muttered some words and flew away, landing on the other side of the theater. The fire followed him, burning everything on it's path. Gerald then flexed his fingers and drew out a huge wave of water from nowhere, killing the fire.

He had no respite though, as bolts of lightening attacked him, pinning him to the ground. Before he could attempt to stand, Glabach stood on him.

"You are too weak to be Emperor! Too weak! I should have been the Emperor!" He drove his fingers towards Gerald, only for Lord Glabach to be knocked sideways. Gerald stood up and found Cleopatra and Jake in front of him.

"Leave here and help the others!" He screamed at them. " I will face Glabach alone!"

"Zachris and the others are helping them. We need to help you." Jake said. Cleopatra nodded her head. "Your powers are dwindling, my Emperor. You are too weak to fight him alone."

The horn was blown again, making Gerald and Cleopatra fall down. Jake listened to the horn and raced towards where it was blown. Gerald rose up and followed him but he was stopped by Lord Glabach.

"Why are you destroying the coven now? Why now? If you hated me, why not just kill me instead of betraying the coven."

"The coven should have been destroyed years ago. You know it, Gerald. You knew how weak the coven was, making alliances with werewolves and even humans. We should have ruled them, instead of bowing to their demands."

"What are you saying?"

"I am talking of our existence, child!" He raised his hand up, making Gerald float in the air. Gerald suddenly found himself unable to move.

"Jake's blood is powerful, powerful enough to activate the horn of Pandora but it can't saved you from me."

"You killed the Empress mother in order to use Jake's blood, didn't you?"

"I brought Jake here for that purpose. I brought him in order to destroy the coven like it should have been when the Impervious revolted."

"You stopped the revolt....."

"..... When I realized that we were losing. Yes, I started the revolt. I convinced the Impervious of their superiority and they rose with me. The coven was to be reborn as a superior coven, with the plans to dominate all beings."

"But you lost and now you want your revenge." Gerald managed to move his head upwards. Noticing that part of the ceiling above Glabach was weak, he focused his eyes on them. The ceiling broke, sending boulders down on Glabach. Glabach left Gerald and attempted to stop them. As he broke them to pieces, Gerald flew in and drove his hand into Lord Glabach.

Thirty

Gerald ran to the royal quarters, his mind focused on the horn of Pandora. This is likely the end of me. He told himself. As he moved to the treasure vault, he remembered how he became Emperor.

It was forty years ago. The Impervious uprising had just ended, but it's casualties were enormous. The Emperor and many of the Council were dead, most of the senior vampires had to pay with their lives to end the uprising. At the end, there were only a few senior vampires left and a new Emperor had to be chosen.

Simi was already in line to be the Empress, as she was the daughter of the last Emperor and her mother had left the coven. Everyone had expected Lord Glabach to be the next Emperor: He was the oldest living vampire, he was extremely smart and knowledgeable. He was well spoken of and respected throughout the vampire world. Most of the other older vampires had chosen him. But Simi overlooked him and chose Gerald.

This led to aidokai, as the other vampires (who formed the Council later on), disagreed with her. He and Glabach fought in the arena and he barely won, becoming the Emperor.

Now I may have to fight again and this time, I may die. He didn't kid himself, for Lord Glabach was more powerful than him and he knew the secrets of vampirehood. There were a few objects that could stop him and only one was in the coven. Hidden away in the treasure vault. If I can find it ....

The sight of Ore's corpse stopped him on his tracks. No, not you. Gerald walked slowly, barely keeping his emotions in check as he took a look at his daughter. Who ever did this will pay! His fury was fanned the more when he saw Simi's dead body. For all their fights, he never hated her. Lord Glabach did this!

He raced out of the treasure vault and came to the arena.

The arena was littered with corpses of both vampires and werewolves. He found some vampires fighting a desperate battle to survive. Quickly,he flew to the place and ripped the werewolves that assaulted them into pieces. His presence lifted their spirits and together, he led a counterattack, saving Calypso and Thomrod along the way. He was about to start another charge with the vampires when the horn was blown again, sending everyone reeling to the floor.

Gerald, who had taken a bit of Jake's blood, was able to resist the horn. He turned around and found Lord Glabach holding the horn and grinning.

"I am sorry that I never had time for you, to explain anything to you. You have had to endure a lot of hate and suffering and it was all my fault. I thought I was protecting you by staying away but I was wrong."

Jake looked confused. "It's okay, sir. There is no time for this. We have to stop whoever is attacking the coven."

The horn sounded again, this time for a longer period of time. When it died down, the Emperor faced the two boys. " I have to stop the person blowing that horn. You guys have to save as many vamps as possible." He left.

Muyiwa turned and faced Jake. "Are we doing this alone?"

"No, my team is in the blood farm with the humans. They are the only help we have."

Muyiwa started to walk to the blood farm. "We have to start going then. It's you and I, Jake. We versus the darkness.

"Are you alright?"
Muyiwa looked at his father and Jake with bewilderment. Cleopatra and Zachris were at their back.

"My head, it hurts badly......" He suddenly remembered what had happened. "Father, Ore has gone to meet Mom. Werewolves have been attacking....."

"I am aware, Muyiwa." Emperor Gerald spoke. "We have been betrayed and it seems like the Horn of Pandora has been activated."

"What?"How? Muyiwa knew that it was big trouble. "Father, we have to do something! If the Horn is blown repeatedly......"

"The whole coven may be destroyed. I will go and face whoever is blowing that horn. You and Jake have to go back and save as many vamps as possible. The blood you drank should sustain you."

Muyiwa looked at what he took for the first time. "Whose blood is this?"

"Jake's. As an Impervious, he will be immune to the effects of that horn. So are you right now." The horn was blown again, forcing the Emperor to wince in pain.

"You need my blood, sir." Jake offered. "You can't face whoever that person is like this."

"Thanks for the offer but no. Your blood has been drained well below your survival levels.... That's my fault."

"The Council's fault, not yours."

He turned to his sons. "I never had time for any of you. Muyiwa, if I or your mother had made you look inferior, then forgive us. Jake." He paused, his face strained. "I am sorry."

Muyiwa looked at his sister with wonder. "Councilor Kike?" The bang on the door was getting louder and the door started to crack.

"How do we get out of here?" Ore asked. "We need to get to mother and warn her."

"You go." Muyiwa decided. "I will wait here and face her." I am getting mad! How do I face her?"/i]

"Alone?" Ore was certainly not sure. "You can't face here, Muyiwa. Two of us can't. The best chance we have is with mother."

Oscar moved forward. "We can hold her here, sir. We can do it. You need to get help from a stronger person, either the Empress or the Emperor."

"No, Ore. I will stand up to her. I will not abandon the humans to be eaten by werewolves. It's my duty and responsibility to them. Now, go!"

She shook her head. "Come with me, brother. You can't....."

"I can!" The door cracked open and a werewolf eye poked out. A silver arrow took it out, causing the beast to scream. "Go, Ore, Go!"

Ore shook her head again and moved away. Muyiwa then faced Oscar.

"How prepared are you?"

"We have two quiver full of arrows. That can take care of the werewolves. Councilor Kike though will need something more powerful. We have UV bullets but there are a limited amount and it will only slow her."

"Focus on the werewolves. I will stop her." Muyiwa said as the door broke open with a huge werewolf screaming at them. He charged at Muyiwa, taking three arrow shots. Behind him were two werewolves and behind them was Kike."

"Muyiwa, why didn't you run to mother? It would have been easier for you."

"I would abandon them. They are my responsibility!" [i]I am certainly mad!

Kike shook her head, unimpressed. "Well then." She looked at the werewolves. "Kill him!"

The giant raced towards him, screaming at him as arrows flew towards him. Muyiwa flexed his hands and slowly used his magic to feel the pulse of the werewolf, feeling his rage, his anger, his weight. Then he flung the beast, sending him out through the door he came. The other werewolves were already dead but they were replaced with ever increasing number of werewolves.

Then Kike descended on him, thrusting her fingers and whip at him. Muyiwa dodged her attacks and mind probed her, distracting her for a minute as he went behind her. Then he used his finger to send magic shot into her, causing her to stumble. Kike stumbled and fell. He saw his chance to kill her, but a werewolf jumped at him, forcing him to fling the beast away. Then he felt a force hit him and pin him to the wall. Muyiwa had hardly recovered from that when he was thrown to another part of the room.

The humans retreated as the werewolves attacking with overwhelming ferocity. Muyiwa saw the giant werewolf bit off the heads of two humans. He stood up and flew on the top of the beast. Then concentrating his magic, he sent a huge magic ball down the beast, bringing him down finally.

I did it! He felt relief and joy, only for an arrow to hit him from behind. Kike was on him, a broken arrow behind her.

"How dare you kill him! He was supposed to be my husband! How dare you!" She screamed. She held sent a fire ball at him. Muyiwa was helpless as the fire descended on him, only for him to be dragged away. Motionless, he watched as humans barred Kike from reaching him. She killed about eight of him, Oscar been the last one to die. She looked at him and gave a wicked smile.

"Despite it all, this is where you die!" She smiled as she created another fireball....

Only for it to be extinguished and his father to lean towards him. Muyiwa barely heard and saw anything but he soon became stronger, taking in blood.

When his sight returned, he found Jake and his father looking at him.

drewsman:
I swear I'm stopping following this story. You take so long to update, and when you do it will just be a few lines that isn't worthy of my time.


Thanks for the wonderful story by the way.

Please are you paying for the service?


To all those following this story:

I know the pace of update is frustrating but that is my situation at the moment. When I started this story, I had my Android phone and I could do much work within a few days. I rarely failed to update, even though each update was not as lengthy as some other writers; apologies for that because I don't know how to write lengthy updates on phones. Now my Android phone has spoiled beyond repair and I don't have any money for a new one. I have to borrow other people's phone to update this story, so please try and understand if this story is moving slowly. I am continuing with it because I don't want to leave the story abandoned.

Thanks for your understanding.

P. S. This is the last time I will address this.

He didn't believe that his father would listen to any request concerning Jake at the moment, especially from him. His father's love for his half-brother was a bit over the top, but Muyiwa had no qualms with that. With the coven in so much danger, however, he wanted to make sure that his father was in the right place.

He was at the entrance of the blood farm when Ore caught up with him.

"Brother,guess you heard about grandma." Her eyes searched around for any expression.

"I heard she is dead. If you have come to bother me about Jake....."

"Yes. Lord Glabach has imprisoned him in the blood room."

"Blood room?" That was very strange and wrong. The Blood room was a place where the vilest and most powerful vampires were imprisoned so as to harvest their blood until they die. For Jake to be imprisoned there when judgement has not been made was very bad.


"Yes, he is finally going to die...."

"Who gave the judgement?" He held her tightly. "Who? Where is Father?"

"I don't know...... I don't know! Stop squeezing me that hard, Muyiwa!" She struggled to get free of him.

"Mother did this, didn't she? How can she be so hateful and careless?"

"Let me go!" She pushed him and almost fell down. "She is your grandmother, you know and Jake...."

"May not be the killer." Muyiwa looked at her.

"And so what? What if he does?"

"What if he dies?" Muyiwa fumed. "Are you thinking at all? His blood is been harvested and you are asking such a question! What if the blood is used to unlock a dangerous weapon against ....."

A horn blew from the deep. Suddenly Muyiwa found himself and his sister wringing on the floor, holding their ears.

"What is happening, brother? What is this pain?"

The pain! Muyiwa felt his blood boil and his body burn. His joints spasmed recklessly and he couldn't move. His eyes were blood shot and they hurt so bad that he could rip them off.....

...then he found himself and his sister in the blood farm, sitting down and taking in nectar served by the humans in the farm.

"Oscar, what happened?"

Oscar, a human bowed low in front of him. "We saw both of you on the floor, rolling. We had to drag both of you into the blood farm but some of us were attacked by werewolves."

"Werewolves?" Both Muyiwa and Ore were surprised.

"Yes, Werewolves. We barred the door and activated your barrier spells but I don't think it will last long. Councilor Kike is fighting on their side."