'Dhampir!' The lords's voice thundered through the hall. Despite my dislike for him, I was forced to admit that he was very regal in his speech.
At the seats of judgement, the other house lords began banging their goblets on their armrest.
Then all around the hall, the vampires joined in until the assembly hall boomed like a percussion hammer.
Then lord Henry rasied his palm in a gesture, and the place was silent.
'Several new brothers and sisters have joined us today!
As always, we will test their flames of power— their qualifications to join our ranks!'
Next to me, Hera squeezed my hand reassuringly. 'Its time now . . . Lets slowly make our way to the front…'
'Let the appraisal of power begin!' Renly bellowed.
Every Vampire within the hall turned their attention towards me and the other new comers.
—––––—
Fortunately when the order was decided, I was last, and It was a breath of relief through my chest.
Of course my relief didn't last long . . .
A host of chained Dhampir — beautiful even in captivity —carried a strange contraption through the masses to directly infront of the seats of judgement.
It was a dark crystal ball that somehow blended absolutely darkness and transparency into one law defying globe. Miniture stars swam within it belly like a pocket universe.
Hera sensed the question before it left my lips. 'The Vampires in chains are slaves —losers from wars against the other six clans.'
'As for the power of the Regis Orb . . .' She said as she met my gaze. 'It's best you allow your senses to tell you in my place.'
Then Renly called, 'Axon!'
A big dark-haired Vampire rose with his gaurdian. He was trying very hard to feign an aura calm —his trembling hands gave him away.
He was so nervous he nearly tripped over himself after his first step — with a Vampire's instinctive grace and balance, this was something very hard to do.
A wave of mockery and laughter exploded through the hall.
Renly smiled coldly before making a placating gesture. 'Brothers, let us observe in meeknes as our new brethren astounds us with his power.'
Axon slowly made his way to the Regis Orb. He gave his gaurdian an uncertain glance, before fearfully placing his palm on the crystal ball's surface.
The stars within the orb begun spin rapidly as if in a centrifuge, concentrating within the Orbs center into ball of sparking plasma.
Even a great distance away I could feel the pressure building; nearing the limits of the orbs containment.
Then it happend.
The ball of plasma turned a deep red and exploddled beyond the boundaries of the Regis Orb, painting our surroundings a bizzare scarlet.
The crimson glow of our surroundings intensified until it coalesced into a transcient, illusory scene —overlapping with the present reality.
Several dreary shadows formed themselves out of dark mist, each imposing and frightening in their own right.
But opposing them was a form i recognized, for it was the silhouette of Axon— older, stronger.
I saw an ash flame in his eyes, a hint of a myriad ghouls bubbling underneath his immortal form.
He tore through the silhouettes( vampire elites, jusding by how they fought) with his bare hands — in a manner not unlike a raging beast. Those he touched —even without killing, crumbled into dust like brittle sand.
Perhaps the flow of time was altered in this vision, because within mere moments he jad decimated an entire squadron. Not a single body left intact .
The silhouette's lips formed a cruel smile, the the scene collapsed, shadows dissolving, tunneling back into the Regis orb.
The assembly hall became a field of silence.
It was as though everyone a widespread stupor had been spread to every seated soul.
Renly turned to face Axon, and there were no longer any traces of disdain and disregard evident in his gaze. In a loud voice Renly declared:
"HE IS WORTHY!"
All around the assembly hall, Dhampir roared cheerfully.
"HE IS WORTHY!"
"HE IS WORTHY!"
"HE IS WORTHY!"
At the head council seats, the house lords nodded among themselves. Even Lars and Illiana —two feuding parties — were united in approval.
My supernatural ears heard more. An older vampire approached the council seats – Lord kastor? – and asked if they were ready to announce the Axon's 'Regis Truth'.
'Regis truth..' I repeated uncertainly.
Hera answered very softly, but loud enough that I could hear. 'In the old tongue Regis means 'truth seeker'.
The orb probes the depths of your potential before constructing a vision for all to see; a vision where you are at the aboslute pinnacle of your might.'
'So,' I whispered,'Is everyone's that impressive.'
She snorted. 'Just like meta abilities vary in strength, so do the resulting Vampirirc traits. Some traits do not even get the orb to react, Axon is the fist Dhampir in a long time to impress the council to this extent.'
When the noise died finally died down, Renly continued. 'Grand elder, we are ready to recieve his Regis truth!'
Th old Vampire at the table nodded slighty before handing a scroll of parchement to Renly.
Renly took the scroll with anticipation, his eyes glowing as he infurled it.
'Robust physical attributes: High- end, strength, High- end durability, powerful senses and most impressive of all. . . .
Dhampir Trait: Ashborn..
The ability to reduce all tangible forms of matter to ash upon tactile contact with your five fingers.
A gem. . .A TRUE GEM!!' Renly roared, his voice overflowing with excitement.
His words meant nothing to me, but hundreds of Dhampir roared ed in admiration.
'Axon!' they cried. Then they started to chant, 'AXON, AXON, AXON, AXON!'
Axons gaurdian was smiling, which could'nt have creeped me out more.
After a while, the chanting subsided, all the house lords shot Axon approving gazes while his gaurdian led him back into his seat.
He was still in a daze when he sat— overwhelmed— his hands were trembling still, but now in excitement no doubt.
Helgi nodded. 'He traits align more with house Korinth.. .but he shall be assigned to house Noctis instead.
Reparations must be paid for the theft of the bloodlure. Lord Renly decided.'
A wide smile spread over Lady Illiana's face while Lord Lars let out a disdainful snort.
I murmured to Rea, 'All new Vampires are placed in houses?'
'Remember what I told you earlier.' Hera responded cooly. 'Vampires have a hard time reproducing. To keep mumbers up and to expand the shrinking gene pool. Fresh Vampires must be assimilated into houses.
House Korinths trait is decay, so he would have fit in the best with them.
His offsipring would also have the stronger trait if he ever mated with a Korinth spawn.'
The assembly continued. Next up was a blond vampire named Historia. Her trait was determined to be 'Search'. Her senses could extend beyond her body and find anyone within a few thousand miles. The only conditions were that shed have to have seen the perosn before, and the person was not actively trying to evade the reach of her mind.'
She was also applauded and placed in house Heb.
Each new Dhampir astounded the gathered masses with their talent.
The house lords were besides themselves with elation.
But they also looked as frightened as they were excited. Frightened that in a single night, so many gifted Vampires had been born.
But It all made sense to me. The universe would stop at nothing to make me look bad. So of course it would make my all my peers gifted freaks.
(Author's note: He is absolutely right!!
What's the fun in writing if you cant torment your characters. Poor Mason.....so, so much horrible shit is going to happen to you (^○^))
'Mason!' Renly bellowed. 'Rise and astound us with your power!'
—————
Readers if you're expecting some heroic scene where the Regis Orb paints a glorious picture of immense valor that causes all the dhampir to erupt in applause as I saunter through their ranks in pride, then don't turn the page.
No one was astounded.
Rea nodded encouragingly as I wove through the seated Dhampir at a moderate pace. Most gazes were curious — expectant. But lord Renly kept his mask of disdain as I approached the Regis Orb — as if he knew before any one else; how this would play out.
I softly placed my palm agains the Regis Orb. Strangely— while my pupils reflected the light of the minuture galaxies trapped in the crystal globe– my mind was a field of calm.
To my credit, i did cause something unexpected to happen. The stars glowed —brighter than they ever had. Red, purple, gold, blue; a great many hues superceeding the darkness of the globe.
Flames sputtered out as the winds surged within the hall. There were several alramed cries, even lord Renly took a cautious step backward.
The flaring lights glowed with greater intensity— they seemed to be roaring almost.
There was a wailing sound, almost as if the Regis orb was crying out.
Then all hell broke lose.
The orb shattered — expelling energy like the shock wave from a missile.
Tables broke. Candles went out. Goblets flew as blood splattered.
As quickly as it had been expelled, the wave of energy disspated. All around me, a few hundred Dhampir were frozen in shock.
Renly scarlet pupils trembled as he looked at me. 'Amazing.' He whispered in awe. 'A nigh indestructible artifact, and he shattered it with his worthlessness alone.'