Of Gods and Monsters

Justice and Evil

"Through me you pass into the city of woe: Through me you pass into eternal pain: Through me among the people lost for aye. Justice the founder of my fabric moved: To rear me was the task of power divine, Supremest wisdom, and primeval love. Before me things create were none, save things Eternal, and eternal I shall endure. All hope abandon, ye who enter here."

- Dante Alighieri

Ambrus had been ecstatic when he had realized Elek's new found power. He'd professed he'd never heard of anyone such as them having any sort of ability that rivaled Elek's own. The only emotion Elek had had, was relief. The first man he had read was an absolute monster. He'd killed before, enjoyed it. Raped women, a lot of them, and slaughtered them all after. He was vile, his very thoughts induced one to vomit.

The only upside to this was the fact that Elek now had a very real out from his guilt. He didn't have to murder, no. He could simply carry out some form of twisted justice. He could keep the humans safe, by preying on the truly evil among them.

Elek had destroyed the man without a shred of remorse, without an ounce of pity. Ambrus watched, a proud look crossing his face. Loath to admit, it made Elek feel better that he approved. He'd gotten tired of being looked at like a puppy who'd been kicked. When they were both done with him, they simply left his body to be collected. In the carnage that they left, perhaps they'd think a dog had gotten to him. It mattered not, since no one would more than likely care.

When they returned, Ambrus clasped his hands around Elek's form in an affectionate hug, a smile gracing his features.

"Ah, that's the spirit. It seems you've recovered from your depression, my friend."

Elek sank into it, feeling somewhat satisfied by the gesture. He'd never remembered any men he knew hugging. In fact, he couldn't recall ever being hugged at all. Even his mother hadn't been so affectionate. Embarrassingly, he was enjoying the attention.

"It's only because he was so vile."

He mumbled, sounding like a child. Ambrus chuckled, the vibrations making its way into Elek's ear, which rested against his companion's chest. Ambrus was a staggering six foot three, whereas Elek measured at about five foot ten on a good day.

His form was also simply larger than Elek's, muscle definition here and there. Despite this, it retained its elegance, but it wasn't nearly as spindly as his own. Elek lacked any definition, his body all bone and skin. They juxtaposed each other perfectly.

"Most humans are quite vile."

He confessed, finally letting go of Elek, brushing a few strands of his messy hair from his face absentmindedly. Elek felt embarrassed again by the attention, swatting his hand away forcefully.

"Emilia wasn't."

Silence followed the statement and irritation crossed Ambrus's face.

"A fluke, I assure you. I've walked this earth long enough to know. Most, are vile."

Elek laid against the couch in the downstairs portion of their home, where they hid from the sun by day. This perhaps, was one of the few things true about vampire's that Elek had learned. Vampires did not sleep in coffins, shy away from crosses. Neither did garlic repulse them, or holy water harm them. They did not sleep by day, for they never slept at all. There was no need. Instead Elek and Ambrus held up together, reading, playing music, or just generally conversing, until the sun had set completely over the horizon. This morning, Elek found himself in a talkative mood.

"Ambrus, how old are you exactly?"

The annoyance that had been written over his face dispersed immediately as the words were uttered, replaced by a small smile. Elek had found Ambrus enjoyed talking about himself.

"I roamed this earth during the time of the Roman Empire. They ruled west of the Danube river, then. I lived here in Budapest, or Aquincum, as it was called then. A great city, much like it is now. I was made during this time."

Elek leaned forward in astonishment, a bit more than stunned at just how old Ambrus was. He hadn't even thought about the possibility that he was, for lack of a better word, ancient. A question popped into his mind.

"Made? There was another?"

Ambrus's face soured.

"Yes, there was another. He was a brute, an idiot. He killed with no regard, and eventually got himself killed. When the staking, silver, and holy water didn't work they simply left him in the sun to burn to death. I didn't mourn him."

Elek ignored his bitterness and pressed on.

"So, there's more creatures, like us?"

He asked hesitantly, afraid it would further sour Ambrus's mood. However, it didn't.

"Of course. Did you think we were the only ones? I'll warn you though, not all of us are as—intellectual—as you and I. There are some who let the beast inside them ravage their minds, complete monsters who don't discern between human or vampire. They'll drain you as sure as they will a mortal."

Elek shivered at his words. So did this mean that perhaps Elek and Ambrus were an exception? A special case scenario. Ambrus smiled then, sensing Elek's distress. He sat then, next to his friend, his hand resting on his forearm.

"Perhaps I should take you, to see others like us. Would you like that?"

Elek's eyes rapidly lifted to meet Ambrus's gaze.

"I would."

He answered, still feeling the coldness of Ambrus's digits lingering on his person. Ambrus gave a small chuckle, pleasantness glinting in his eyes. His most animated feature, Elek had come to find.

"You'll especially like them, too. Come, we leave tonight for Magyar Theatre."