Preys and Predator Part II; the monster and witches' Chapter 14

 

14.

Nephilim, a group of mysterious beings or people of unusually large size and strength who lived once among us, the mankind here. The reference was translated as “giants” or “the fallen ones,” but it was never affirmed. They were said to be sons of God with the daughters of humans, who bore children to them. The “fallen mighty men” in Ezekiel 32:27 may be referenced to the giants. Since then, there have been several interpretations about the relationship between the “sons of God” and the Nephilim.

Some said the sons of God to be fallen angels, and the Nephilim are the offspring they produced with human women, as mentioned in the First Book of Enoch, calling them giants, or a huge person. The apparent gigantism of the Nephilim was linked to a supernatural origin.

A less supernatural view holds that the Nephilim may be men who fell away from righteousness or, in the book, descendants of Seth, the righteous son of Adam, and that the Nephilim were members of his bloodline who rejected God. This view, known as the Sethian view, was held by St. Augustine and other Church Fathers as well as by many Jewish theologians. The Sethian view is sometimes elaborated with the assertion that the “daughters of men” were the ungodly women of the bloodline of Cain, Adam’s murderous son. With the Nephilim as mere humans, their “great size” is variously taken literally or metaphorically, though they were undoubtedly considered great warriors.

“It was the view of many but unproven.” Doctor Mitchell placed in his biblical view while his knees were before the Lord, alongside the guest.

“Perhaps it was, but the disappearance of the girls was linked to it. They are the selected ones to birth a new line of Nephilim.” Spielsdorf spoke of his findings. “I have the records of twenty such girls.”

“If that is true, God forgive us here. We are to do God’s works.” Doctor Mitchell called out. “We must stop them. The world has seen so many calamities, and we do not need one more to happen.”

“Let me relate to you a tale, Doctor. We need to be up from our knees. I am sure the Lord will forgive us there. Mine does hurt.” Spielsdorf pushed himself up and sat on the bench. He was followed by the doctor.

“The body betrays us even before the Lord.” The doctor sighed.

“The body is a vessel for our soul.” Spielsdorf smiled. “What I am about to tell you happened a long time ago.”

“My regiment was sent to this village to check on some news of rebellion. I was a Major then, and my Общий ... pardon me, he was my General. He was leading the selected two hundred men. It was his last task before he retired. We rode for days past the desolate lands; the serfs there have moved on. The wars have ravaged their lives, and there were the rumors that vampires were there.”

“Vampires?”

“Yes, vampires. We have vampires there with the myth of Dracula. The spread of the tale reached out far and wide. Anyway, we were there to check the battlegrounds. Among us were the priests and some slayers. The latter was the product of the myth. Along the way, we heard of one named Countess Mircalla Karnstein. I was past listening to the myths and focused on the task. When we were approaching the area, the men grew restless, and the priests did their prayers around the camp. Even the slayers were nervous.”

“On our march, we were confronted with huge crosses that were lined along the road; there were traces of blood, but no bodies were seen. We saw the crows and, at night, the bats.”

“Some of the men deserted and were not seen. We relented and marched to what was to be a mansion. We camped outside the mansion, and with the General, I rode up to the mansion. We were greeted by a lovely lady who called herself the countess. She lived alone and had no fear of any travelers. She welcomes them.”

“We introduced ourselves and took her offer to camp outside the mansion, but no one except the general and myself. The mansion was lavishly furnished, and at the corners were the tall mirrors. At the dining hall, we were offered meals, a spread across the table, and to my query, she said she was a cook herself. We had our meals but were offered only red wine, dark burgundy. It was fine then. She offered me the rooms to stay there. The general wanted to decline, for his spine hurt from the rides, but he accepted it if I was to stay there.”

“We did, and often at breakfast, we were the only ones eating with the huge spread. The countess only joined us in the evening.”

“The men were sent out on patrols and yielded nothing. I was to tell the general that we need to leave. I went to his chamber and walked in. The door was unlocked.”

“I apologize, General.” The general had his shirt unbuttoned and was seated on the chair. The countess was leaning behind towards his left shoulder.

“It is okay, Major. The countess was massaging my spine. It feels good.” The countess excused herself and left the chamber.

“I am not a lewd person. I was just having a rub.”

“My apologies, General. I should have knocked.”

“If you do that every time, I may be dead, killed by an assassin before you arrive.” The general smiled. “Are we to move on?”

It was arranged, but two of the priests wanted to stay on. They claimed to have their work to be done there. It was agreed, and the march went on. The countess was unhappy, but she did not stop the priests, who were performing prayers to the dead. Two days later, the general decided to ride back. He said he left something behind. I offered to ride with him and three riders escort while the others marched on.”

“It was dusk when we arrived there and saw the ghastly scene. The priests are still there, covered in blood, and speaking in tongues. The general confronted them, and one of them, with some clarity, told him that the countess was the devil.

“She makes us her slaves. She took our blood.”

The general and I stormed into the mansion and saw the countess seated there at the table. The spread at the table was aplenty, but it was dead rodents and bats with some hares. All decayed, and the countess was smiling.

“You are early. I have not prepared the spread. Please be seated.” The countess indicated to the table. “I have another guest today.”

“Do join us, Count Dracula.” The countess called out. “The more, the merrier.”

Count Dracula was known in the myths, but he was never met by the two gentlemen.

“I have no such need.” The voice was from the dark corner of the hall. The figure was perched on the wall like the creature of the dark. It was a man dressed in dark shades, and to his side were two ladies dressed in satin red gowns.

“Please be seated there. It is without the menacing mirrors over it.” The countess smiled. “I knew of your vanity to see your reflection there.”

“I have not forgiven you for the death of my bride, Aleera.” Count Dracula dropped head down from the wall and landed on his feet. The two ladies shrieked out in fear.

“She would not hurt me, my dears.” Count Dracula looked at the two ladies perched there. “She is one of mine.”

“Do not be nice, Vlad. You had three brides, and now two are left. I am lonely, but I doubt I will be your new bride.” The countess laughed. “I am not their sister.”

Vlad ‘Dracula’ Tepes is the name claimed to be his. He has a brother named Radu.

“No, Master. She killed Aleera. Our sister.” The lady on the right screamed out. “We will have her blood for ourselves.”

“Behave, my dearies. If there is any blood to shed, it will be those two men.” Count Dracula looked to the two men. “They hold fresh blood.”

“Monster! Major. Ready your gun.” Spielsdorf was told.

“Not needed, Общий. We are not your threat. We are here for the countess.” Count Dracula sat by the middle section of the table. “The countess is a miscreant among my creations. She devoured my bats too. Lovely pets and guards my home.”

“Vlad, you were selfish to leave me out. It was never me but one of your ... brides. You brought the bats and vampires that devoured my land of its subject. They were my subjects, and I made my meals. You are left with no choice but to fight back. I killed Aleera because she was here, and more to it, she was a bitch.”

“Bitch!’ The other sisters cried out. “She was our youngest.”

“Incestuous exist in all of you.” The countess shouted. “All of you. Vlad, did you share them with Radu too?”

“Enough! I am here to avenge my bride. You will pay for her demise.” Count Dracula called out.

“I am the undead. What are you to do? Make me dead again, or alive perhaps.” The countess screeched. “I can be made alive? There will be reckoning.”

“I …” The count was at a loss for words.

“Vlad, you knew of me before I was your ……. Lover. I am a different being to them. I wield power, and I gave them up for you, but you are selfish. You wanted me and them too.”

“Blasphemy to yourself. You will die like Aleera.” Count Dracula hissed at the other. “I will have you roam the land like a mortal, yet undead. You will be for years till the day you will be restored. By then, I would be the king.”

“I dare you, Vlad.” The countess challenged the other. “If ever I am defeated today, I will return to do the same to you then. I shall not be dead forever.”

Count Dracula held out his right hand, and the fingers spread like the wings. He curled it towards him, and the countess was in pain.

“I am drawing on your blood towards me.” The sight of blood droplets was seen leaving the countess and heading towards the Count’s hand. “You will be drained of it and will desire to get blood till the day of your demise. You will be a vampire but of a different breed. One that is mortal and will be dead one day without blood.”

“No!” The countess screamed while the brides there screeched in merriment. The countess slumped to the table while her eyes glared at the Count.

“I will have my vengeance, Vlad.” The countess screamed and with her last will of strength, she called on the standing mirror towards her.

“No!” The Count called out, but the countess was gone. Her soul had escaped into the mirror and was away. The Count collapsed back on the seat while the droplets of blood flowed to the mirror. Vlad, with an effort, grabbed a droplet near him and held it hard. He gripped it till his hands became bloodied. He opened his palm, and a dark blood-red jewel rolled out.

“Общий Frankenstein, behold the piece of the essence to the countess. She may need that to resurrect once more. When she does, she will kill all of you and for myself, be damned to a pit of flame. I will not die but will burn there forever. Such is the fury of a woman scorned.” Count Dracula said.

“Let it be known that from now on, I will retire to rest till I am fully recovered. The countess had weakened me more than any other foe. She hurt me not only at my heart but also my soul.”

The other brides shrieked in pain.

“Silent, brides. The countess was mine, but we were never meant. With her now gone, I will leave. The blood now is yours to hold. When the time comes, you know what to do with it. I bid you farewell.” With that, Count Dracula soared and left by the window opening, followed by the brides.

Spielsdorf coughed out the contents of his stomach then, but the Общий was silent. He picked up the jewel and walked out.