BloodStar

Jarek, Michael, and Erika rode in a black SUV with deeply tinted windows as they rode towards Bella Domina to attend the funeral.

They were still miles away, yet Jarek couldn’t help but notice, “Great God. There must be over 100,000 people here today. They are huddled in every inch for miles and miles.”

Michael nodded, “Reports put the number of people who have gathered in person around the cathedral to be upwards of 250,000. A staggering one billion are expected to watch the ceremony via broadcast.”

Jarek whipped his head around in disbelief, “Was she that loved by people?”

Michael laughed, “She was indeed that loved by the people of this empire. However, of the masses tuning in to the live broadcast, they are made up of people from all camps. Hated, loved, curious, ambivalent… people are just entertained to see the death of the last powerful BloodStar. They are living in a time of great history.”

Erika mused, “If she was so loved, then an open casket will not be taken kindly by the people. They will see that her death was not an easy one.”

Jarek grumbled, “Whether they like it or not, it is non-negotiable. I am tired of BloodStars healing themselves from the brink of death to rise again. Not this time.”

The car came to a stop directly in front of the stairs leading up from the road to the plaza. An attendant opened the door for Erika to first step out to a red carpet leading up the stairs.

Erika, Jarek, and Michael alighted from the car and climbed the elaborate staircase to the plaza where a veritable sea of people turned to see them walk along the red carpet towards the cathedral.

A sea of boos could be heard as the people were not keen to welcome the very people who had killed their beloved Xenia BloodStar. As they began the long walk across the plaza people jeered and booed at them.

They made the trek across the enormous plaza arriving at the ever-intimidating gothic style cathedral, Bella Domina, and entered. As the door shut behind them, the rowdy crowd outside could hardly be heard as the cathedral embraced a silence and peace within.

The inner sanctum was filled with guests sitting at attention already, and an organ began to play as the three walked to the front to find their chairs.

The guests ranged from dignitaries and leaders from enemy, neutral, and ally nations to the BloodStar Empire. Whether they had come with the intent to show their respects mattered not, people had clambered over one another to obtain a seat at such a historic event.

Several steps up the altar, a woman in a beautiful crimson red dress walked out as the organ played. She stood at a podium waiting for the organ to cease playing.

With Xenia dead, many now considered the woman before them to be the most beautiful woman in the world, Constance Khan.

The organ quieted, and Constance began, “Thank you all for gathering on this dreadful day that has arrived centuries too soon. The illustrious Xenia Victoria BloodStar, heir to the BloodStar Empire and Warlord of the BloodStar armies, has fallen in battle.”

She looked around the room and continued, “Please take your time viewing our once great leader today. I would forewarn you all that her sight is not an easy one, and it reminds us that we are all, no matter how noble or virtuous, capable of great evil and violence.”

She shot a glance to Jarek and then finished by saying, “After today’s viewing, the cathedral will be shut off to the outside world out of respect for the last BloodStar heir. Heed my words, for the cathedral will also be guarded day and night by the last remaining remnant of the BloodStar Empire.”

She motioned with her hand to a man standing to the side shrouded in the shadows wearing a crimson red armor with a sword sheathed to his back. She then introduced him formally, “BloodStar Immortal Nero.”

A hushed whisper shimmered throughout the crowd in shock, and even Jarek mouthed to himself, “BloodStar Immortal?”

Jarek then sat to himself in further thought, “So this was all very calculated by Victoria. She planned to come to her death, but to what end? So, Nero has gone from a local warrior to BloodStar Immortal. He is by all means a living legend now in the BloodStar Empire. But does he carry the full meaning of the title? Does he have BloodStar abilities? Is he serving as King regent?”

He furrowed his brow, “No. I am certain Nero has no interest in laying claim to the BloodStar Empire although he would be well within his rights to do so. No. As a warrior and as a BloodStar Immortal, I expect him to live out his days protecting his fallen Empress.”

Constance gracefully exited the podium and then the altar platform leaving the guests to form a line to view Xenia’s casket in an orderly fashion.

The line of VIP’s donning their black attire formed and passed by Xenia as various members of the congregation gasped, cried, or prayed at her side.

Michael and Erika joined in the line; however, Jarek waited until the very last person had been through to bear witness to Xenia. After all was clear, and the cathedral began to empty, he stood from his seat and straightened his tuxedo jacket as he walked over to the casket.

He approached a black casket fully open with a body lying upon a bed of soft black feathers. Although Xenia’s body had been tended to, it was clear to Jarek that the injuries she bore were identical to the ones he and his team had inflicted during their battle, or rather slaughter, of Xenia. There was no hiding such massive and critical injuries.

He inspected the body taking note of her entirely missing head, massive hole through her chest, and gaping wound of her abdomen. He nodded in satisfaction but was caught off guard by an unexpected voice.

“Are you content with your handiwork, Master Heraklinos?” Jarek snapped his head up to see Nero standing on the other side of the casket. Jarek couldn’t help but think, “How did he arrive so quietly and undetected?”

Jarek cleared his throat, “Nero. BloodStar Immortal Nero, I should say.”

Nero gave Jarek a stern look, “I asked you a question, Master Heraklinos.”

Jarek slowly nodded his head, “I am content to rid the world of evil, yes. And should you decide to carry on her legacy of violence, I will meet you in battle as well.”

“As well? You did not meet Xenia in battle, Master Heraklinos. I think you will find that I am quite capable of fighting back. As a proud warrior, I yearn for such a challenge. However, my duties now lie here in protecting the last creation of my Warlord, Bella Domina.”

Jarek nodded, “If you are meant to protect only the cathedral, then you will not find my next request to be blasphemous.”

Nero looked at him with silence, and Jarek continued, “I ask that you allow me to take Warlord BloodStar’s body for indefinite observation in the Heraklinos Empire. Not as a trophy, but as a means to ensure she does not miraculously revive as BloodStars have such a tendency to do throughout history.”

Nero smirked, “Your request is an anticipated one considering the events following the Houston battle. I will agree on one condition.”

Jarek was surprised at Nero’s willingness to cede the body of his beloved leader, “I suppose such a request cannot be without sizable consolations. What is it you would ask in return?”

“I want all of the Allied Forces to recognize Bella Domina as an independent nation state. Allow me to spend the rest of my days here uninvolved and uninterrupted by the world you will lead from henceforth.” Nero finished and awaited Jarek’s response.

He nodded and replied, “A peaceful resolution and a reasonable proposition. As such, I immediately agree to it.”

Jarek outstretched his hand, and the two enormously muscular men shook on it as their hands met over Xenia’s dead body. Nero furrowed his brow and looked around, “Has Lord Jacek Heraklinos not been afforded the opportunity to pay his respects today? As a fellow warrior, I would think he would be here at any cost to honor the fallen.”

Jarek answered untruthfully, “He has elected not to come, Nero. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“I see. In that case, make it very clear to Jacek that he is not welcome here under any circumstances. His presence will be met with the specter of death.” Nero then shot a glare towards Jarek catching his eyes.

Jarek replied, “God willing, I will be the last Heraklinos to ever set foot in this cathedral of yours.” The two men shared a harrowing stare before Jarek finally broke it off and said, “Now. I will direct my men to remove this casket for transport, and we will be on our way.”

Nero nodded, “Make haste. And be gone.” He then turned and retreated into the depths of the massive cathedral leaving Jarek and his men to their work.

Several floors up in the shadows of an overlook, a woman clad in all-black stood near a pillar. She wore a black dress that hovered at the level of her ankles, black gloves, black boots, and a formal black hat with a black veil that covered her face.

The woman had a frailness to her movements, and thought to herself, “So the great Jacek Heraklinos has the strength to kill a surrendered foe but not the courage to pay respects. He is a coward. So be it. Then I shall show him the same horrors he has shown me.” She retreated into the shadows of the upper levels, and Jarek shot a look above him at the shadows.

One of his men noted his concerned look, “Master Heraklinos, what did you see?”

He answered with an uneasy tone, “Nothing. I just… felt something.” He shook his head, “It’s nothing. Let’s carry on and go home men!”

Atop the upper levels, in the darkest of shadows, Nero quietly raced towards the weak woman who stumbled and collapsed into his arms as he arrived.

He looked down as he held her, “My Empress. You must heal! You have barely the energy to stand much less defend yourself from these vile people should they discover you.”

She reached out with her hand to caress his face, “That’s why I have you, Nero.”

She smiled up at him before fainting in his arms. Nero stood and carried the woman back to her chambers within the depths of the massive cathedral.

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