The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Chapter 9: The Deception



Ahhh welcome dear readers, so you have wandered this far along our journey. Are you ready for a journey to another new and fantastic world? A world of magic and mystique. Well come let us go there now shall we.



In the land of Yarena, high atop a mountain, was situated a temple dedicated to the Gods and Goddesses of the Yadena race, for aeons they had worshipped there.



In the temple there were currently two people praying, they were called Zara and Xavier, on a plinth in front of them was the statue of the Goddess Lionder, they offered their prayers to her for a good harvest, they both looked at each other holding hands, Xavier squeezed Zara’s hand gently as they stood up from the floor and left the temple heading down the winding mountain path back to their village.



A strange wind whipped through the temple that night as a brilliant white light surrounded the temple as a lone figure was thrown out of it skittering along the floor and hitting a column, her body was pale, but not as pale as her shocking pure white hair which reached down to past her knees, she had deep blue eyes, she has a slim body and is 5ft3.



She stood up slowly and shook her head thinking to herself “Oh great where the hell am I now? I’d better not be in some God forsaken hellhole!” She walked along the marble floor her bare feet feeling chilly as she walked along the cold marbled floor. She looked down and realised she was naked, she cursed at herself as he went to find something to cover herself up with.



Down in the village they saw the brilliant flash of light and started talking excitedly amongst themselves with whispers of “She has returned” and “She is back” the leader of the village grabbed his staff and headed up towards the temple. Meanwhile in the temple the young girl was still looking for something to wear and she saw a piece of cloth draped over a chair, she wrapped it around herself and looked around the temple seeing a statue and took a step back, it looked exactly like her.



She worked through things in her mind trying to think about how she can work this to her advantage, she turned around when she heard the sound of voices coming from the Temple entrance, she turned around quickly and sat down on the throne underneath the statue as a sly smile crossed her lips. The leader of the village, who was called Zafaria entered the temple and saw the girl and went over and knelt before her and said softly “Greetings to you Goddess Arielta. What brings you here to grace us with your presence?” The girl allowed herself a small smile as she looked towards Zafaria before saying “I thought I would come and see how my people were doing my child” she smiled at Zafaria.



The gathered villagers murmured to each other as Zafaria again spoke “Please allow me to show you to your chambers” Zafaria rose from the floor as he lead the young girl towards the chambers of Arielta, her long dress billowing out behind her on the floor as Zafaria opened up the heavy golden door and motioned for Arielta to go inside. As Arielta walked into the room she let out a small inaudible gasp as she took in the beauty of it, the walls were decorated in red and gold’s, the bedspread was a rich crimson colour made of the finest material.



Victoria….for that was her real name, turned around and looked at Zafaria and nodded her head saying softly “Thank you for your kindness, your crops will do well this year, you have pleased the Gods and Goddesses well, leave me now to rest” Zafaria nodded his head as he closed the door behind Arielta. Victoria let out a breath slowly as she examined the room she walked over to a crimson curtain, she pulled it back and gasped as she saw row after row of clothes behind it. The light was streaming into the room from several windows, she laid on the bed and closed her eyes a wave of tiredness sweeping over her as she fell into a deep sleep.



Down in the village the villagers were all waiting for Zafaria to come back down to so they could question him about the Goddess, Zafaria walked down towards the main village square his cane clacking against the stone path. Zafaria saw the gathered crowd and raised his hand slowly before speaking in his authoritative voice “Peace my friends. She means us no harm” the villagers looked at each other as one of them a young girl by the name of Athenla said softly “May I go and see her grandfather?” Zafaria smiled at his granddaughter and nodded his head slowly before replying in a kind voice “Yes my child you may….but later” Athenla’s eyes lit up as he hurried back home.



Victoria stirred from her sleep and yawned loudly as she swung her legs over the side of the bed standing up slowly as she walked over to the window and looked out of it and took in the beauty of the land she was in, the village she had found herself in was called Gretnada, she smiled to herself knowing she would be happy here, for at least a little while.



She washed herself in the bathroom and then went over to the walk in wardrobe and picked out a flowing red dress and brushed her hair, she let out a soft yawn as she went back into the bathroom to brush her teeth and looked into the mirror. She turned around when she heard a light tap at her door, she walked over to it and opened it and saw a young girl standing there, she was about 13 her hair was a light brown colour, her eyes sparkling green like jade, she was about 5ft1, she was wearing a light green dress which reached down to her knee’s. Victoria shook her head and spoke softly saying “Yes my dear what can I do for you?” the girls lilting voice replied “My grandfather said I could come and see you…I’ve never seen a real goddess before. I am Athenla granddaughter of Zafaria” Victoria smiled kindly at the girl before replying “Well I would be honoured to talk with you Athenla, shall we go for a walk?” Athenla nodded excitedly as Victoria slipped on some shoes.



Athenla led Victoria out of her room and outside into a large garden area that was outside the temple, Victoria took in a breath of clean fresh air thinking that this was better then where she has come from, a grimy dungeon, the air full of death and the smell of faeces that was overpowering.



She shook her head out of her reverie as she realised Athenla was talking to her, she turned towards Athenla and said softly “Sorry my dear I was lost in my thoughts there for a moment what were you saying?” Athenla smiled softly at Victoria before replying “I just wanted to know what it was like up in the kingdom of the God’s?” Victoria turned towards her and replied “Aye tis a beautiful place, all gold and it’s just amazing…I’ll take you there one day if you would like” Athenla giggled and clapped her hands together in excitement as she nodded her head vigorously.



Victoria walked over to a small pond and sat down beside it staring at the fishes and the other animals as she smelt the flowers, Athenla sat down beside her and smiled at her as she began to sing softly. The afternoon passed quickly with Victoria and Athenla talking about many things as the temple begun to be bathed in darkness Athenla stood up and brushed her dress off before saying “I must head back down to my village my Goddess” Victoria nodded her head saying softly “Well feel free to return tomorrow if you wish to Athenla” Athenla stood up and raced back down to the village.



Victoria let a small smile creep across her face as she laughed softly thinking to herself “These people are such idiots and so easy to fool” she turned around and headed back inside going to see if any food had been delivered for her to eat yet. She wandered through the halls and followed the smell of food as she sat down in the golden throne and began to tuck into the mouth-watering food.



Meanwhile down in the village Athenla ran over to her grandfather and hugged him tightly as Zafaria said “Did you have fun with Goddess Lionder my granddaugther?” Athenla nodded her head as she rested her head on her grandfathers arm before saying softly “Yes thank you grandfather I did, she said I could go back there tomorrow….Would that be alright?” Zafaria nodded his head and kissed the top of her head softly as they walked towards their home to have some food.



Victoria was brushing her hair in her room and looked into the mirror as she was thinking about her next move, she grabbed a glass of water and drank it slowly as she let out a laugh. Meanwhile in Athenla’s room she was reading a tattered old book by candle light, it was all about the Gods and Goddesses, she had enjoyed the time she had spent with Lionder, she snuggled down further into her blankets and rested her head on the pillows as she blew out the candle and drifted off to sleep.



During the night in a village not far from the peaceful village that Victoria had found herself in a strange wind blew, the leader of this village a stocky black man by the name of Lioga was sitting in the temple praying as he saw a strange mist swirling in front of the plinth. Lioga drew his sword from it’s scabbard as the mist spoke saying “Put the sword down my friend…I am Auferig” Lioga murmered “Auferig….the God of War, tis not possible” the mist roared in anger as it swirled around turning into the form of Auferig, which was in actual fact was Xander speaking from his castle hidden away high up in the mountains of another world. Auferig stepped towards Lioga and slammed him roughly against the wall his eyes blazing with fury as he roared “Do not tell me I do not exist BOY, I want you to go and attack the village of Asroma on the eve of the New Moon, which is 2 days from now” Lioga gasped in pain as he bowed his head nodding meekly.



Xander pulled away and snarled “Do NOT fail me, if you do I shall come back and raize your village to the ground and leave nobody alive” with that he disappeared in a plume of swirling black smoke as Lioga ran out of the temple and called his people to arms.

In the village of Asroma, Victoria spent lots of time with Athenla, getting to know her, she found herself for the first time being truly happy, even though she was lying. Victoria was lying on the grass in the temple garden enjoying the warm breeze that blew through her hair and onto her skin she heard the sweet melodic voice of Athenla in the temple, Victoria laughed softly as she stood up and headed inside.



Athenla smiled at Victoria and bowed to her saying “Greetings Lionder, I hope my coming here did not disturb you” Victoria shook her head before replying softly “Of course not my child, I enjoy your company very much” Athenla hugged Victoria as they walked outside into the garden.



Athenla sighed and turned towards Victoria before saying “Lionder, I cant help but think there is more outside this village then I know, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life here. I know to you that probably sounds silly, after all what interest could a Goddess have in a mortal girls life” Victoria shook her head slowly “Of course I have an interest in your life Athenla, you have been kind to me and spent time with me when all the others have shied away from me” Victoria kissed Athenla’s head softly as they watched the sun creep over the mountains neither of them knowing what was to become of them the next night.



Meanwhile in the village of Sacrya, Lioga was pacing the temple waiting for Auferig, Auferig appeared in a cloud of black smoke as he looked at the scared form of Lioga, Auferig spoke his booming voice echoing throughout the temple “How go the plans to attack the village of Asroma you squirming little worm?” Lioga knelt down before responding “Sire, the armys are ready, we will start our march tonight and reach the outskirts of the village tomorrow morning, we will then wait til the night and the appearance of the New Moon to appear” Auferig nodded his head and smiled “Excellent, and once you have killed every last villager, I wish you to bring the Lionder to me” Lioga nodded his head in fear as he turned and ran out of the temple.



Auferig muttered to himself as he changed back into Xander “I will get you back again Victoria, you escaped me once but I shall bring you back and lock you back up again and let my soldiers have their way with you for trying to make a new and happy life” Xander spat onto the ground as he disappeared from the temple.



Lioga sighed and grunted in a mixture of fear and annoyance as he muttered to himself “Why did I get myself involved in this, they are nice people” he shrugged his shoulders as he got his soldiers prepared for the march to Asroma. One of the soldiers came over to Lioga saying softly “We’re ready to move out whenever you are sire” Lioga nodded his head softly as his horse was brought over to him, he swung himself up into the saddle as his scabbard was handed to him.



Lioga and his army of 200 men rode out of the village and through the winding mountain pass heading towards the village of Asroma, Lioga turned his gaze towards the sky as he watched as the blackness of night wrapped itself around the mountains, Lioga shuddered from the cold as they carried on making their way along the path.



In her bedroom Victoria was lying in bed looking up at the ceiling, she glanced out of the window to see the beginnings of a new moon forming, she sighed and picked up a book and began to read it knowing that tomorrow evening a new moon would bring about a blood lust in her that would need to be taken care of.



Lioga and his men had reached the outskirts of the Asroma, they set up camp and made a small fire as they ate and discussed their plans of attack for the next evening. Lioga stabbed the fire with his sword making the embers crackle as he stood up and patted his horse and headed into his tent to bed down for the night.



The sun shone through Victoria’s window as she groaned and covered her head with the blanket and closed her eyes again settling back down to sleep for a few more minutes. She got woken up by a soft knocking at her door, she groaned again as she swung her legs out of the bed and said softly “Come in” the door opened as Athenla came in and smiled at Victoria.



Athenla put down a plate of food as Victoria tucked into it and offered some of it to Athenla who eagerly tucked in with her. Victoria then looked at Athenla before saying “So whats on the agenda today Athen?” Athenla smiled at her before replying “Well I thought you might like to walk down to the village and meet some of the villagers, they are all anxious to meet you” Victoria nodded her head and smiled “Ok then sounds fine let me just have a wash and get dressed and I’ll be right with you” Athenla left the room as Victoria headed into the bathroom and washed her body and looked at a small bruise on her upper thigh and sighed softly.

She left the bathroom and found a white dress and slipped it on as she brushed her head before leaving the room and heading off to find Athenla who was waiting in the main foyer of the temple, Athenla smiled at Victoria and said “You look very pretty Lionder” Victoria smiled at her and kisses Athenla’s forehead softly replying “Thank you Athenla” they then locked arms as they headed down the steep slope into the village.



The awaiting crowd cheered as Victoria appeared, she let out a smile and waved to everyone as she weaved through the crowds shaking hands and blessing people, in the middle of the square were 4 or 5 tables joined together, they were laden with food and drink, Victoria smiled softly as she turned to the crowds and looked at everyone before speaking softly “Thank you all for your hospitality, you have all been very kind to this goddess and I have been very happy here, your crops will do well, as will everything else” the crowd cheered as a band began to play some music.



The party went on well until the night, Lioga and his men stood up and mounted their horses as they saw the moon begin to shine in the sky, Lioga spurred his horse towards the village, the time for battle had come.



Victoria was drinking some wine with Athenla as she stared up at the sky and saw the new moon, her eyes began to change into a blood red colour as she heard the sound of hoof beats coming towards the village she stood up quickly and turned to Athenla “Go quickly, evil people are coming” Athenla looked quizzically at her before a roar of pain echoed from one of the villagers as an arrow was lodged in his back, he fell forward as the rest of the villagers ran in panic.



Lioga spurred his horse into the middle of the village and roared “Where is the Goddess Lionder?” Victoria looked at Athenla and nodded her head comfortingly as she stepped forward and said “I am Lionder, what do you want of these people?” Lioga growled as he threw a dagger at Victoria, she dodged as the dagger buried itself into the wooden table. Victoria’s eyes flashed as she threw off her cloak, her skin blazing white and her eyes a blood red as her hair billowed out behind her in the wind.



Athenla ran to a corner and cowered as the sounds of death reverberated in the air, the villagers of Asroma were being slaughtered but some were fighting back, Zafaria was battling two of the intruders with his cane, for all his wizened looks he was brought up as a warrior and has lost nothing of his experience as he buried his axe deep into the brains of a soldier, the soldier cried out as his skull shattered and blood sprayed out, he fell jerking to the floor as Zafaria ran over to his granddaugther and spoke hurriedly “Athenla, quick hurry up to the temple, barricade yourself in there. Go quickly now!” Athenla looked at her with a look of worry in her eyes before she stood up and ran up to the temple as a hail of arrows followed her as she ran up the slope.



Meanwhile Lioga and Victoria were staring at each other as Lioga muttered “What kind of witch craft is this?” Victoria snarled as she lunged at Lioga and scratched his face with her claws as she kneed him in the groin before leaping off of him and sinking her fangs into the neck of another enemy soldier draining them of blood before breaking their neck and throwing them into the wall of a building.



Lioga winced in pain as he tried to get to his feet, he saw his soldiers being decimated by this strange Goddess, he got to his feet as he grabbed a bow from one of his fallen warrior and nocked an arrow into place as he fired it towards one of the villagers, the arrow met it’s mark as it impaled itself in their back, they fell lifeless to the floor as Lioga let out a barking laugh. Victoria was making her way through the enemy soldiers like a plague, killing and drinking from them, the moon made her shine brightly as her laugh filled the air, she saw Zafaria being attacked by two soldiers she ran over to him and grabbed the two soldiers and drove their skulls into each other making their skulls shatter with a sick crack.



Zafaria looked at Victoria and gave her a nod of thanks as he saw an arrow flying towards Victoria, he pulled her out of the way as a volley of arrows impaled itself into his chest, blood spurted out of his mouth as he fell back with a look of surprise on his face, Victoria roared in anger as she saw Zafaria lying dead on the floor, she stood up slowly, her energy flooding off of her as her fangs glinted in the moonlight, she snarled savagely as she ran through the village towards the archers and growled as she broke their necks and threw their bodies into a bonfire that was burning in the village.



Lioga spurred his horse into the main square of the village as Victoria stood up from her crouching position and turned around the face Lioga, Lioga spoke his voice almost deranged “You….WILL come with me you little bitch, I don’t care if I do have to drag you. Auferig wants dead or brought to him and I will deliver you” Victoria snarled savagely as she sent a dagger into the horses chest making it whinny in protest as it collapsed crushing Lioga underneath.

Victoria stalked towards Lioga and put her foot on his windpipe crushing the air out of him, she spat into his face before saying “You, you do not deserve to live. You have killed many good people here today” Lioga grabbed Victoria’s foot and twisted it, a sick crack broke through the air as Victoria roared in pain releasing her hold on Lioga’s throat. Lioga managed to struggle out from under his horse and drew his sword and struck Victoria in the side of her head with the butt of his sword.



Blood poured from the side of Victoria’s face as Lioga kicked her in the chest, Victoria felt the wind explode out of her as she groaned in pain. Lioga let out a snort of laughter as he stood over Victoria with a look of pure loathing and hatred in his eyes as he said “Fine, I will take you back to Auferig dead you bitch” Victoria growled as she brought up her unbroken ankle and kicked Lioga in the groin again, she staggered to her feet as she winced in pain from the blazing pain in her ankle.



Victoria’s vision swam as she shook her head trying 2 clear it, she saw Lioga and growled as she hobbled over to him and grabbed him around the throat as she picked him up and slammed him against a wall before saying savagely “You will pay for the crimes that you have commited you vile bastard” Victoria tossed Lioga threw the air making him crash through one of the wooden tables that had been set up, the wood shattered all around him as he howled in pain.



Victoria hobbled over to him as she grabbed a shard of broken glass and drove it into Lioga’s right arm severing an artery as blood spurted out, the night was beginning to give way to the day as the village burned from fire that had been started. Lioga looked up at Victoria with pleading eyes as he said softly trying to keep his voice level “I…I’m sorry, I didn’t want to come here, I was just told to. I didn’t mean to cause anyone harm” Victoria let out a snort of laugther before she decided to finally end Lioga’s life as she sunk her fangs into his neck drinking hungrily from him before snapping his neck.



Athenla was shaking as she hid in the temple, she heard the main temple door open as she heard the voice of Victoria shout out “Athenla, are you in here?” Athenla slid out from her hiding place and made her way towards the sound of Victoria’s voice. Victoria turned towards the door as she heard it open, she smiled softly at Athenla before collapsing to the temple floor, Athenla ran over to her and saw all her cuts and saw the blood on her face and looked down and saw Victoria’s broken leg.



Victoria woke up a few hours later, she was lying naked in her bed, she looked down and saw her ankle was in a splint as she groaned softly to herself as Athenla walked into the room “Ahhh good your awake Victoria” Victoria was suddenly fully awake as she looked at Athenla “What…..what did you call me?” Athenla let out a short laugh replying with a hint of coldness in her voice “You told me your real name when you were delirious with the pain, YOU lied to me and the villagers. Now look where we have ended up, but….you did look after me and that’s why I am looking after you now” Victoria looked at Athenla with a look of thanks as Athenla handed her a mug of water.



Athenla and Victoria spoke at length, and then Victoria finally broke the ice and said “So, would you like to come with me? I mean I don’t know where I’m going to be going next but I would be happy for you to come along for the ride” Athenla mused about this for a moment before replying softly “I shall think about it Victoria” with that she stood up from the chair she was sitting on and left the room, Victoria laid in bed listening to the sounds of the birds outside her window as she sighed softly and ran a hand through her hair.