The Mortal Burden
Book II
Chapter 4
Part XX: Revenge
“Lord Seth is in league with the enemies of humanity,” the Josephine, the Grand Matriarch testifies over the airwaves of the megalopolis, her voice filled with fire and spite.
“I have evidence that he and his men within the government knowingly had dealings with certain groups of the undead that reside within the old city. One of whom is Jacob Clayden, a so-called friend of humanity.”
Josephine’s eyes glare into the camera, anger within her righteous voice, “When Lord Seth engaged Necrem in that ancient battle ages ago, it must have taken control or twisted him to its will. There is no other explanation for Lord Seth’s actions. For the sake of humanity, he must be stopped; control must be taken away before it becomes too late and we find ourselves under control of that demon of destruction.”
She raises her arm and smashes it down upon the desk, anger bleeding from her eyes, blind righteousness belching forth from her mouth.
“Three weeks ago my agents tracked Commander Clayden under the control of one of the most powerful undead creatures, a vampire,” she pauses for dramatic effect.
“What I’m about to show you will be difficult at first to believe, but it is real, and you will see that the enemies of humanity are everywhere.”
The camera fades out and then a picture of two people walking in a dark alley appears. The man is wearing a pair of black jeans, a thick leather jacket, and a pair of rounded spectacles. The woman wore a gray leather jacket and a red dress. Her long black hair trailed down her back, while her bright blue eyes, slanted almost cat like, pierced into the man.
“Where are we going?”
“To a bar,” the woman replied, annoyed.
“What kind of bar?” He asked as the camera zooms in at May’s hand grasping Clayden’s arm tightly.
“The kind of place that humans die in, or even worse, become the retainer of one of my kind,” the woman pauses, licking her lips.
“I’m hungry,” she swivels her head towards the man, revealing one of her fangs. Forcefully she pushes him into the side of the alley, bricks crumble to the ground. The camera zooms to her as she walks toward him, threateningly baring her fangs.
“You owe Seth for continued life. Without him, you would have stayed dead. Now pay your debt!” Clayden replies quickly.
“How did you know?” She pushes herself into his chest, her fangs retreat.
“I know more things than you think,” the man says to her. “Your arrogance is blinding you.”
The camera zooms back at the vampire as she presses her body against the man’s, putting her mouth to his ear, “It is easy to become as arrogant as I if you have lived for nearly two hundred years,” then she whispers.
“Maybe you know more than I believe, but understand this, I am not your servant, and do not order me,” the camera zooms in as she presses against him even harder, glaring into his eyes. “I’ll help you in every way I can up to the time that we find where this Warmaster is hiding.”
Suddenly the camera cuts, and returns to the Maitriarch, “This is the same Warmaster that almost destroyed the whole of humanity. The vile demon-spawn enemy that almost brought the human race to its end. He is the greatest enemy of humanity, and Seth is his ally, planning the downfall of our right to be free from the control of Demons, Titans, and monsters. Our birthright is freedom, our cause is humanity, and our enemies shall fall before our self-given right to control our own destiny.”
Screams for revenge rise within the ranks of the army of Seth. For the betrayal by their most trusted lord cuts into their hearts. Seth has done the unforgivable: he has cavorted in the dark arts, slept with the undead enemies of humanity, and sought the downfall of humanity by searching for its doom, the Warmaster. A deadly creature of dark legend, said to be more mighty than a Titan, Demon, or God, a monster of contempt and malice. Only bent on its lust for the destruction of the human race.
Written ~ 1997. © Jacob A. Pickard 2025. All rights reserved. This work is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced, republished, excerpted, or used for academic, commercial, or derivative purposes without written permission.
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