My Own Personal Beethoven

Chapter Sixteen

The light glared on the water that sat within the cobblestone. The rain had stopped, the blood intermixing with the liquid, creating a crimson hue amongst the copper lights. He watched carefully, waiting. A war had just finished, two clans who had despised each other were now gone. And to make matters worse, one of the existing clans that took a hard blow was the Xiba. They had lost one hundred people.

“We must ask them to attack at nightfall…”

“Father, is that how we are now? A ruling hand of vengeance, set out to do the dirty work of another clan? We should be the ones there to resolve the conflict amongst these two, not the one making their blood drip into the ground, intermixing with nature and her purity. I understand that one day we must fight but must we fight because of others?”

“Isn’t that how war works, my young son?”

Sebastian stood and watched the people attack themselves. He watched them kill each other, one by one. An innocence of his land was lost, Bucharest not even beautiful as it once was. It was his favorite place to go as a child, Jennifer with him. He was 19; he needed to join them just as his father had. He pulled his sword out and pointed forward, leading his own army.

They had won but the meaning of some certain things would certainly be different for Sebastian Giovanni.

“What are we? The hands of vengeance choke you, Helena. We should be the ones there to resolve the conflict amongst our people, not the one making their blood drip into the ground, intermixing with nature and her purity purely for own personal gain. I understand that one day we must fight but must we fight in such a fashion?” Antoinette asked

“Isn’t that how war works?”

They looked at Sebastian.

“We all have our own personal motive, our own personal reasoning. We exist with this reasoning, going on to destroy any purity left in the wake of the destruction. Some are aware of the goal, other’s minds are clouded. When the moment comes for it, we will see who is left and who was ready.” He said before standing from the chair that used to belong to his Uncle.

He motioned for them to leave the study. Helen and Antoinette, both in respectable ways, left him to his thoughts. He opened the letter Jennifer opened him once again. He would probably love again since he had a long life ahead of him but until then, he would have to work on getting over this one for she was no longer there. He would always love her; she was his fiancé and his best friend. But Jennifer wasn’t a vampire and he was going to change her on their wedding night. For now, he had to push such thoughts away as he began looking at a map of the forest. A hand landed on his shoulder, making him quiver. He turned and saw Sylia.

“Sorry to startle you, your highness. We’re ready when you are ready.” Sylia said.

He gave a nod and watched her leave before he continued looking at the map.

This was going to take a while…

~ ~ ~

“So, how have you been?” Alison asked.

“I’ve been a lot of things lately. You?”

She smiled at that response.

“I’ve been okay. I’m concerned for the others, however, as this won’t be easy.”

“There comes a time when you must choose between what is right and what is easy.” Hannah said.

“I’ve missed having you around, Hannah.” Alison smiled.

“Ditto, AllyCat.”

“He’s almost ready.” Sylia said as she entered the room.

Each had a weapon, waiting for their call to arms.

A silence fell on them.

~ ~ ~

“One day, I will no longer be here…what are you to do then? You must learn the ways, the ways to fight, to salvage blood. You must become a man in the line of vampires. A human male simply grows up to become a businessman, his masculinity confirmed by wearing suit and tie. We are much more different, although I often wish I could simply put on a suit and a tie and have that be enough. You are to rule after me, Sebastian. When the time comes, where will you be? What will you be doing? I’ve been poisoned; I will die sooner than later. So, without further argument…continue. Keep going until you learn your weapon well. It will become an extension of your arm, the chance you have between life and death. You must not only protect yourself but you must protect those you care about. So, go on. Attack.”

Sebastian was reluctant but did so anyways, taking a jab at his father. In a few simple moves, he had his father pinned down with the sword to his throat He smiled, a set of fanged whites showing. Sebastian pulled away and helped his father up.

“I’m proud of you…”

“That makes one of us.”

“Sebastian…”

“I don’t want this lifestyle. I do not wish to fight!”

“You do not know what you truly have until it is gone…”

He burned the letter and went out to them.

“The sun is falling…let’s move out.”