Markus-Underworld Reborn

I awoke from my drug induced sleep, seeing Markus. He was cleaned and looked his normal self. His eyes burned into me. The pain hit me hard, emotionally and physically. The power he pushed into his atmosphere never seized and when I felt his finger rub across my face, I thought I would die for the pain that I felt in my heart, which was greater than my body. The drugs were fazing me again and Markus’ face started to cloud as I fell asleep again. I dreamt of Markus in his creature form, fucking me. It seemed so different though. He said things to me that I don’t remember. I awoke, crying for him to stop but William was there and he calmed me, reminding that I had had a bad dream. His pain stricken face was sincere as he pulled me a little by my arm to lie back down.

“Ann, it’s alright” He spoke quietly, rubbing my soaked hair from my face. I was sweating and my cloths stuck to me like a second skin. My body ached but I couldn’t feel the pain I had felt in the forest. Tears ran from my eyes as I looked around in what looked like a hospital ward. I was grateful that it didn’t hurt to breath anymore. I reached at my neck where Markus fed from me, fearing that it would be stitched and ragged from such a harsh action but when I ran my fingers across it, it felt smooth as if it never happened. I wondered if it was just all a bad dream but I knew this wasn’t so, for I wouldn’t be in a hospital bed attached to machines and IV’s. I looked at William, groggy as I sat up, feeling really confused. He had sat in a chair beside me, watching out for me to make sure I was okay. I was glad for that but it hurt to look in his face for he was the spitting image of Markus. The doctor came in, sitting down at his lab like desk, placing large old books on it as William propped up pillows for me to lean on.

“I must go. If you need some answers, the doctor will assist you in that process.” William spoke, running his hands across my face, giving me a warm smile. I felt a bond between me and William. He had always been kind to me and his funny jokes and kind heart, helped to relieve a lot of the tensions I had. I considered him a friend, one I wished I had met a long time ago. I wiped my tears away as the doctor gave me a shot, telling me it was for the pain as William took his leave. I sat there a minute, feeling the drugs coursing through me, relieving the aches in my body then I spoke, feeling anger, hurt and confused all at once.

“I want to know what the fuck is going on.” I demanded as the doctor took his seat. The tears returned to me as the memory for all that happened came back. I felt sick, scared, hurt and alone.

“I have been given these books from Markus to help you understand but this is a complicated story and you need to rest for now.” He spoke calmly even in my anger.
“I have rested enough doctor, please tell me what happened and what is going on.” I asked again, crying hard. I felt angry at everyone in this. I felt betrayed. “Where is Markus? I think he owes me an explanation!” I spoke, calming myself.

“Lord Markus is away on business matters at this time. He left me in good graces to explain this to you.” He said. I felt upset that Markus would leave me, in my horrid pain and hurt but I didn’t say anything of it. The doctor could see the anger and confusion on my face as he took in a deep breath, pulling his seat closer to speak to me. I relaxed a little, not wanting to take my anger out on someone who never done me wrong.

“Well Ann, as you know, Markus and William are the oldest of immortals but far older than you know. Around the late 5th century A.D, a man named Alexander Corvinus lived as a Lord of his small domain in Hungary but a plague struck his village, killing many. The strain somehow mutated in him, making him the first Immortal. He bore three children with his wife Helena, two twin sons Markus and William and a daughter. William and Markus inherited this strain of immortality in an active state. The daughter lived as a human, but possessed the strain in a dormant stage. They lived pretty normal lives, living like humans except they were immortal, once hitting a certain age, which is unknown, they aged no more. Helena and the twin’s wives and children died due to the ravishing odd plague. Not like the plague of the 14th century but different. Markus was later bitten by a bat, making him the first Vampire and William was bitten by a Wolf, making him the first Lycan.

Markus was able to hold his strain well but William was a savage and unable to take human form again. He was a monster and killed off entire, small villages at a time. In hopes to contain his brother’s rampage, Markus went to a lord of some unknown land’s named Victor who was on his death bed. He offered him immortality in an exchange for Victor to turn his army into the first death dealers. Markus only wanted to contain his brother but Victor and Alexander had other plans. In the 12th century, William was captured and locked away in a prison, far from Markus. Victor wanted him alive in this prison because he wanted the lycans as slaves, for they could exist during the day when vampires could die from the sun.

The only way Victor’s army would do what Markus wanted was for them to believe Victor was the first immortal and that Markus was but his fledging. Markus agreed to this, only wanting to save humanity from William’s rampage. Markus kept this deception alive and Victor alive only for the simple fact that only he knew where William’s cell was. Victor was a horrid ruler in his life and in immortality. He only wanted control but Markus warned Victor that if he murdered him or William, all in their bloodlines would follow them to the grave. Victor didn’t want to die or William because he wanted the lycans as his slaves. So Markus was kept alive at all cost.

Alexander abandoned his son’s because of this war between each other. The problem is, the war didn’t start till Victor’s young daughter, Sonja fell in love with a lycan named Lucien. They married in secret and Sonja became pregnant. Markus kept her secret safe, for he had no ill will against the lycans. Sonja was a direct descendant of the Corvinus blood line. Victor had married a human descendant of Markus’ sister, turning her and they bore Sonja. Markus’ had a son named Nikolas and Victor had arranged a marriage for Sonja to Nikolas but Sonja loved Lucien and Nikolas loved his human servants and a various variety of women and wanted little to do with this arranged marriage. Victor wanted this alliance for the sake of a true immortal with strong abilities. Nikolas was later killed due to his ignorance and stupidity in a fight with a lycan.

Victor soon found out about this marriage between his daughter and Lucien and immediately disapproved of it all. As a carrier of the rare strain, Sonja’s unborn child would become the first Hybrid, a mix in the species which would be half lycan and half vampire, stronger than both species. He feared this and soon made a chain order, that one elder would rule and two would slumber. The elders were Victor, Amelia and Markus. While in rule, Victor beat Lucien, a servant lycan in front of Sonja and then burned Sonja alive in the sunlight fearing the child in her womb. Lucien escaped but took the necklace that Sonja wore around her neck and he worked to free the lycans. This was the true start of the ravishing war. The necklace that Sonja wore was part of the key to William’s cell.

Victor feared that Lucien would release William or worse, tell Markus of the location of the cell or give him the key. Victor held the other half of the key in his chest cavity. Victor killed all the human’s who built William’s cell so that Lucien or Markus could not find the prison, all except for a young girl named Selene. He turned her and took her under his care, lying to her, telling her that lycans killed her family when it was really him. He gave her complete control over the death dealer clan to avenge the lycans which was his deception to control the rampage and freedom of the lycans.

During Amelia’s reign, Lucien worked to find a human Corvinus carrier of the strong strain that he knew would make a hybrid, in hopes to make an alliance with the vampires and end the war. A death dealer named Kraven, which happens to be Mickelle’s maker worked with Lucien in hopes to make a treaty when Markus was awoken and to look like a hero. Lucien found his carrier; a young man named Micheal Corvin and marked him a lycan. Selene wanted to know why he wanted him so badly when everyone was led to believe Lucien was dead at Kraven’s hand. She awoke Victor a century before he was supposed to reign to prove that Lucien was alive and Kraven was a traitor to the coven, two days before Markus was to be awoken. She proved her theory with a lycan scientist, which was killed by Victor in the resting chambers of the Elders.

Amelia was killed by lycans and Kraven did nothing to stop it knowing that Markus would understand because he knew through Lucien that Markus was the true, first Vampire. This information was given to him from a historian named Andres Tanis. Selene was instructed to kill Micheal but could not, for she had fallen in love with him in her quest to save him. Lucien convinced Selene to bite Micheal, making him the first hybrid. Selene found out the truth that Victor killed her family and Victor was the reason of the war. She killed him and fled with Micheal in hopes to awaken Markus to explain but there were other plans.

When Victor had slain the lycan scientist in the resting chambers, the blood of the lycan seeped into Markus’ resting tomb, awaking him and making him a hybrid as well. He killed Kraven for his misdeeds and searched for Selene, knowing she was the only survivor of the humans that built William’s cell. He killed his father and got both the keys of William’s cell and found the location in Selene’s blood in a battle with her on Alexander’s ship. Markus was killed by Selene who was given true immortal blood by Alexander because he couldn’t kill his son and William was slain by Micheal. The blood shed in the fight caused Markus to regain life and Markus revived his brother with lycan blood which was different. This allowed William to walk as a human for the first time in almost a millennium. They worked together here in Hungary to rid Victor’s and Lucien’s creatures. Selene and Micheal worked to find Markus to kill him but the hybrid strain made Micheal mad. Selene abandoned her mission and found Markus for support to rid of Micheal who was trying to kill her and Micheal’s family. Markus did this for her in exchange to help in the rid of the other immortals and to lie off him and William.

You and I are here for the fact of the twin’s softer sides. I was saved from death dealers of Victor’s old clan and so was Michelle but she had other plans. She wanted power and when you came, she told Markus you ran in dishonor and you were led to believe that Markus had sent you away for safety. You saw Markus’ hybrid side in the forest which resembles more of a bat for he was a vampire first. There is something different though for you. You now hold human blood from the Corvinus blood line, which helped you heal faster and you can hold a support for a hybrid transformation, if you chose to, that is.
I met Victor once. Markus saved you, for he saw what Mickelle done through your blood. Vampires and lycans find memories in blood and he wanted you to live, to pass judgement on Mickelle for her horrific deeds. So that is the story. I brought the books to explain this more.”

My mouth fell open at this story, finding it almost to hard to believe but the books that were given to me, showed all this story in writing. I was astounded at this story and found it amazing as all that I ever wanted to know, was given to me. I was later escorted to my room since I was able to walk but with a bit of soreness. It was hard to be in my room because it held such good and bad memories in it. Later that day, Markus returned but never came to see me. I felt hurt that he didn’t come to me, even though I needed him. I was hurt by him physically and emotionally but found that even through it all, I still needed him. I felt like I was missing a part of me.

I spent the day, enjoying the sunlight and reading the books that were given to me. Occasionally the doctor would come in and give me medication. He had explained that he saved me but could not rid me of the scars. I bypassed all the mirrors in the room and bathroom not wanting to see the scars. I napped a bit and was awoken by a light knock on my door. I grew frantic, wondering if it was Markus but William’s voice came through the other side. He came in and sat in the black velvet chair by my bed, speaking with me.

“Did you find all you needed in those books? We have more in the library and it is open to you if you want to look at anything else.” He spoke calmly

“Yes, I have found enough for one day, thank you. Why doesn’t Markus come to me?” I asked wanting to understand why he didn’t want to come and see me.

“I am surprised you even want to look at my brother. The reasons he does not come see you are obsolete to me. Are you able bodied yet or is there still some healing time?” William spoke with concern.

“I am still healing but I will be better and able to get about in a few days time. That is the news that the doctor gives me. He has also given me the news that I have new scars that I have to bear for the rest of my life.” I spoke, trying to hold my tears back. William gave me a loving smile, holding my hand before taking his leave. Once gone. I pulled the drapes closed, wanting to get some rest. A maid came in, bringing food. I thanked her and she smiled at me warmly and let me know that to just put the tray on the dresser when I was finished and she would retrieve it later.

I ate the food given to me, letting it fill my hunger and sat smoking a cigarette, thinking of that night in the forest. Putting the tray on the dresser, I still avoided my image in the mirror as well as the one in the bathroom. I took a hot shower, avoiding looking at myself because I didn’t want to see my permanent scars. Once dressing, I let sleep overcome me, longing that Markus was with me. I just needed some comfort and Markus, through his cruel actions on me, was still the man I cared for most. I couldn’t believe it but I loved him. I thought of how to deal with Mickelle but found that robbing me of my emotions. I cried hard at what I dealt with but found myself remembering my foreplay with Markus, creeping up in my mind. I remembered the way he looked at me and let that thought fill me and rock me to sleep.

The days passed so quickly and I found that I got better quickly. Three days had passed since Markus’ attack on me, but I still hadn’t seen him. I spent most of my time, having long conversations with William and all that I had learned. He explained it all in better detail. I guessed that was because he lived it. I knew Markus would help me with more but I didn’t ponder William with that thought. After eating my dinner the third night, I sat on the bed, propping up pillows to lean on, gazing in the fire when William entered my room, dressed in a lovely button down white shirt and black slacks. He took his usual seat in the chair and spoke with me.

“Hello sweet face.” the new nickname that William had given me, making me smile at his expression. “How are you?” He spoke, crossing one leg over the other, looking at me with his great expression.

“I am well now. I am able to walk again and I am no longer hurting. I’m a bit tense at times but I am pretty much, back to my normal self.” I spoke, smiling at him.

“Good. I am glad to hear that. My question is when are you going to face your scars?” He asked giving me a stern look of wonder. “I am not sure.” I spoke meekly. “I will eventually.”

“Well my dear, tonight may be a good time for you to do so. Markus wants you to meet him the main chamber. Tonight is the night for Mickelle to be punished, now that you’re better. The dress is formal and whenever you’re ready, that is when I can escort you to the main hall.” William spoke clearly.

“I don’t know if I am ready for that yet William.” I spoke feeling my fear rising in my heart. William leaned forward in his seat and spoke to me in a true tone, something I didn’t expect.

“You can’t hide from Markus forever. You two both know that three nights ago was a real fucked up misconception and that is something you two need to handle. You’re ready. I know you are. You’re strong and my brother is dying to see you. Markus cares for you and the way I saw you two in here, shows me there is more between you two then lust. I have lived too long to miss that. This house is in complete unrest because of what has happened and the only way to ease this horrid tension is for you to two to love each other past your pain. My brother may be ruthless in some of his manners but he is not the one to hurt someone he cares for. Ann, Markus was lied to and so were you. I know you hurt but you also need to realize that my brother hurts too.”

I looked at him, shocked and hurt. The tears came, like they always do. “Well if he cared so much, then why hasn’t he come to see me? Why does he avoid me? Why does he leave me all alone, when I need him the most?” I almost screamed my hidden pain at William, feeling upset at Markus and hurt that I felt that way and that I took it out on William. William left his seat and sat with me on the bed, holding my hand in his, comforting me with his simple gesture.

“Markus has not come to you because he wanted you to come to him, when you were ready. He didn’t want to push you into something, especially at this point in time. Believe me, my brother has fought his ass off not to come in here with you but he wanted that choice to be left up to you.” He spoke quietly to me.

I wiped my tears away, feeling my pain ease a bit. I respected that Markus had given me space if I needed it. I felt selfish in being as angry as I was. The night of our bad union in that forest was all because of lies and I allowed that to bring comfort that Markus wasn’t the enemy I thought of him as. I relaxed a bit as William looked upon my face, reading my thoughts that were clear on my face.

“I need some time to bath, dress and to also compose myself but I will come to this meeting arranged. Thank you for being there for me. I appreciate it more than words can explain. The doctor has told me he will be here in about an hour. I will send him to you when I am ready” I spoke, giving William a deep hug and a kiss on the cheek. He had done so much for me in the past few days and I was so grateful at that.

“You’re not the only one who has needed their own reassurance. You need not to thank me, sweet face. I spent 600 years in a cell. That has allowed me to become the kinder person I am today. I had plenty of time to think.” He joked a bit at his own misfortune but I understood and his smile helped me to relieve some hidden pain. He kissed my hand and took his leave. I sat on the bed a moment longer, thinking of all the wisdom that William and Markus had shared with me. They gave me a home here. I felt safe, even when all that shit happened. I let my tears flow a bit, releasing my hurt. I felt anger at Mickelle for her misdeeds and I knew I had to break this hate I felt by passing my judgment on her and I needed to see Markus. I just wanted to see him again. I would feel better, just giving myself that pleasure. I knew we needed to talk. I was still scared of him but I knew something had to be done. I had to face my pain and with that I stood in my dressing gown, preparing myself for the first step, looking at my scars.

I stood in front of the mirror for a while looking upon my face. The robe hid everything, even my neck wound. I took a deep breath before I untied the robe. I closed my eyes and let it fall to the floor, feeling my nakedness. I opened my eyes and saw the deep lacerations in my neck, puncture wounds in my hips and when I turned around, the long scars on my back. I cried seeing the purple, underlining scars. I let my anger pass from Markus with those tears and now onto Mickelle. I took a deep breath, feeling relieved that I had faced my scars, now I had to face Markus and pass judgment on Mickelle. I ran a bath, preparing for tonight’s event. The bath soothed my pain. I washed away my pain in that bubbled water and felt relieved once I had stepped out, no longer fearing my scars even though the memory of that night, burned in my head.

I took my time dressing. I chose a simple black, spaghetti strap dress and a white scarf. Though everyone knew I had those scars, didn’t mean that I had to pride them to everyone. I allowed my thoughts to clear as I done this; it helped to give me a stronger mind. I had finished my hair and put on a bit of makeup as the doctor came in the room. He had given me two white pills, saying it was for my pain and nerves. I didn’t have much pain left. I had sent the doctor to retrieve William as I took the last step in clearing my thoughts. William arrived and we sat, composing my thoughts, allowing those pills to take their toll before leaving to this meeting Markus had convened.

Taking William’s offered arm, he escorted me to the main chamber. The house was full of people. I knew many lived in the home but I had also learned that many stayed away on business or wasn’t working in the evening. Some of the gatherers that had convened in the hallways, bowed to William and me. I felt strange at how these unknown people knew me. I supposed that word traveled fast in this home. A few steps from the main chamber I stopped short feeling that my legs would give out on me. I could see main chamber full of people. My heart skipped beats for I could feel Markus’ power already. William looked at me, concerned but I motioned him to continue as I composed my thoughts. I was working with my breathing and my tears. Once retrieving the full amount of my abilities, I stepped in the main chamber.

Amongst the gatherers I could see a few familiar faces. The doctor and the guards I had met less than a week ago were together, sitting in chairs and at tables. The first one I saw besides the many that I lived with was Mickelle. My attention grew towards her feeble form, chained to the floor. I felt no sympathy for her situation. She deserved to be embarrassed in front of all these people. I felt my anger rising, deep within. I had to work to contain myself as I felt Markus looking at me. I never let my gaze fall from her. Once I had stepped within a few feet from her, she looked at me then bowed with the others in the chamber. I could feel myself shaking in my anger. I turned my attention away from hers and looked upon Markus’ face for the first time in days. It was stern as usual. He looked highly irritated but he looked at me with great concern. He was dressed in something similar to William. William stood close to Markus, leaning a bit on the back of his seat. It was strange looking at both of them, so close together. Their striking resemblance was breath taking.

I bowed in my respect. I felt it was my duty. I could feel him in my thoughts, telling me to stand and when I looked at him, he looked almost hurt that I had bowed in the first place. I thought to myself that it was respect but I was responded to, that I had given enough respect by Markus’ voice in my mind, cutting me off a bit. It hit me then that we could speak to each other, through our minds. I thought this was only through fledgings and elders but guessed that we could do it too. It helped on keeping our conversation quite to everyone else and most likely some unneeded embarrassment. Markus was calling me to him, mentally. I followed his words, noticing an empty chair, assuming that it was William’s.

Markus never took his view from mine, his features and the depth of his bright eyes, seemed to have their way with me. I couldn’t stop the tears from flowing on my face. I remained quite and was glad that the on lookers weren’t close enough to see them. When I was close enough, Markus took my hand, sitting me in his lap. I sat like a lady and he didn’t do anything but I had to focus on something else, so not to lose my composure. I could feel his strength and warmth coursing through me like fire. Looking around a bit, I noticed a few women looking at me like I had just demeaned God. It made me laugh a bit. I told Markus mentally that he had a few women, jealous of me in his presence. William laughed at this, surprising me that he was in on this conversation. Markus informed me that his power hungry followers were part of his job description, making me and William laugh. Markus remained stern in his appearance, despite the humor in his remark. People looked at us strange, unaware of the silent conversation. My attention was pulled away when Markus was in my head again, apologizing for his angry actions. I looked at him a bit shocked at this. I told him I could forgive but could not forget, mentally, as he surveyed me making me nervous as my scars burned.

“You look stunning.” Markus finally spoke physically, breaking the silence in his great hall. “Thank you.” I spoke quietly.