Impending Doom

Billows Montgomery leapt thought the air. The cat’s feet landed with a thud on the hardwood floor. Thunder was crackling through the night sky and lightning was flashing periodically. Rain pelted the windows of the house, making it seem like rocks were being hurled at the glass. But the weather was not the reason for the cat’s leap. The fireplace, in the living room, had made an explosive sound and black smoke had risen in the room. Billows stood on the edge of the ceiling high bookshelf and waited. After a few moments, a figure rose from the billowing smoke. “Billows!” The voice rang. Then it was followed by thunderous coughs. After a few more moments, the figure spoke again. “Billows!” The cat dropped from the bookshelf and stood near the cloud of smoke. The clouds began to dissipate and there stood a tall figure wearing an emerald, green cape. “Why did you use the fireplace?” A glowing face with emerald, green eyes looked down at the cat, not at all surprised by the cat speaking. “It wasn’t my intention to use the fireplace, Billows.” There in the living room of this ancient home, was the Vampire Mugs Hillman. He was two hundred and fifty years old but looked no younger than thirty years old to a passerby. He had short curly hair and a slight beard. His teeth were pearly white, including his fangs that were especially white.

“Can we just go?” Billows closed his eyes, and black glitter filled the air. In a matter of seconds, Mugs Hillman and Billows Montgomery were now standing in the home’s lit dining room. A feast of food was before them on a long mahogany table. Candles were lit across the table and a chandelier was shining from the ceiling. Mugs took a seat at the head of the table and Billows sat in the chair next to him. The door behind them swung open and a man, dressed in a chef coat and black pants came barreling through. “Mugs! How are you? I have been anticipating your arrival. I hope your travel was pleasant.” Mugs looked at the man with narrowed eyes. “I traveled from Italy and landed in a fireplace.” “Why the fireplace,” the man asked. Mugs let out a big sigh. “Was not my intention.” The man nodded. “Well before you are a feast of your choosing. Steak, lasagna, potatoes…you name it. If you need anything else, do not hesitate to holler.” “Can I have a bowl of warm milk?” Billows spoke, causing the man to jump. “Ah yes, Billows, of course. I always forget your ability to speak. My apologies.” The man hurriedly left the room and returned a minute later with a bowl of warm milk. “Thank you for your service, Paul.” Mugs waved the man away.

“I don’t understand how the Council picks human servants but seriously…” Billows sipped his milk. Mugs piled his plate with steak and potatoes. “Billows, you were once a human.” The cat gave Mugs a disgusting glance. “A thing of the past.” Mugs laughed. The pair ate and silence fell above them. It was quite some time before anyone spoke. “What has brought you here?” Mugs pushed back his plate and took a sip from a golden encrusted goblet. “There are dangerous times ahead.” “I have heard word of this,” Billows responded. “Time has become essential. Honestly, time feels like an illusion.” The words hung in the air before Billows spoke again. “Sorcerer T controls such fear in this world.”

Sorcerer T was a mystical being with powers unlike any other being. He resided in a dark parallel between the human world and the one Mugs and Billows resided in. Vampires, witches, and other spiritual beings resided in many different countries with different governing factions. Mugs Hillman had been residing in London for ten years. He was part of a faction of vampires who believed in no harm towards humans and allowed them to live without fear of blood thirst. He spent most of his time educating younger vampires on how to conduct themselves. Billows Montogomery resided in London with a faction of witches. Billows were once in human form but was reborn through ancient magic and ceremony. His ability to still speak in human words was his gift from the witches who had rebirthed him. A group of elder witches had held a meeting some days before. They had spent centuries trying to rid the worlds of Sorcerer T and his beings, the Verlmin. They were soul sucking creatures who survived the pain and grief of the world. Sorcerer T did not believe in cohabiting with humans and believed his fellow magical beings were ignoring the righteous ways of the past. Vampires and witches were not supposed to be friendly but imposing their wills in his view. Unfortunately, vampires and witches did not necessarily collaborate on many matters. Choosing to use their own magic in their own ways but the resurgence of evil powers had changed that dynamic. Sorcerer T had been appearing in all worlds leading massacres and taking prisoners. His thirst for being the sole ruler was increasing.

“Are we nearing the end?” Billows’ question interrupted Mugs’ thoughts. “I believe if we don’t find the Resurrection; it will be.” Resurrection was a world that housed magic unlike any known. It was mostly spoken with reverence with the sacrifices needed to reach it were one of legend. It would take the unification of vampires and witches to reach its fountain.

 A loud bang came from the kitchen. Mugs stiffened and Billows’ hair sprouted upward. Paul peeked his head around the door. A splatter of brown sauce on his jacket. “Sorry! Trying to perfect a meatloaf and it went horribly wrong.”  Paul disappeared behind the door. “Humans,” Billows muttered. Billows then jumped from his chair and landed in a window seat across the room. Rain was pelting the windows at a steady pace still. “Fear will encompass this world.” Mugs stood from his chair and wrapped his cape around him. “A long time ago when vampires were more of a viscous being, there was an understanding that the only time we would ever work alongside any other being was if it could be the destruction of our worlds. It was thought that humans would be the biggest threat. We never guessed it would be betrayal of this magnitude.” Mugs closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “Sorcerer T was once a vampire. There is no longer any resemblance of that.” Billows watched the rain against the window. Suddenly, a loud boom permeated the building. The table shook and the candles all went out. The chandelier crashed to the ground. Billows Montgomery turned to Mugs. “It’s time to go.” Mugs nodded and pointed toward the window. Between their magic, the window swung open, and the pair went into the rainy night. A dark cloud surrounded the stone building, and a stench began to swell through the night sky. It was a smell Mugs and Billows both knew as death. Mugs put the hood of his cape over his head and Billows climbed to his shoulder. “It is time to go.” The pair vanished.