Nights of Babylon | By : kruemel Category: 1 through F > Alexander Views: 12920 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0 |
Disclaimer: I do not own Alexander, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story. |
Disclaimer: Alexander's history, folks. He and his friends certainly don't belong to me, as doesn't the Oliver Stone movie.
Chaps 1-19 EDITED 07-10-2005, (I'm afraid there still are far too many spell errors.)
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Nights of Babylon
The night breeze cooly caressed Hephaistion's skin as he stood on the balcony next to his beloved Alexander, watching the sleeping city of Babylon stretching beneath them. Hephaistion still couldn't believe Alexander had achieved victory so quickly and was overwhelmed by the city's beauty, the hanging gardens a wonderful sight he would never forget.
Alexander had asked him to spend the night with him - and so he did. There was nothing Hephaistion wouldn't have given to his king, friend and lover. There was noone like Alexander, noone he ever would love but him. At least Hephaistion thought so. He couldn't foresee, he would be proved wrong soon.
There was much more to Babylon than beautiful gardens and palaces, much more than humans and animals inhabited this city. And nobody had warned the conquerors about the city's dark secrets sneaking through the night.
Hephaistion awoke snuggled to Alexander's broad and warm chest. Sun hadn't yet risen to his full glory but the morning breeze was already making promises about the day's heat. Alexander was still fast asleep and Hephaistion was content to listen to his lover's steady breath and his slow heartbeat. Sleepily he closed his eyes again, when suddenly a high pitched woman's scream startled him. Alexander only muffled in his sleep and turned to his side clutching the pillow in his arms.
The scream didn't stop. It echoed through the vast halls of the palace and soon other female voices were crying out in panic. Calls of alarm and fast footsteps of soldiers could be heard outside the doors to Alexander's chambers. Hephaistion was already out of bed and clothed when the doors burst open, causing Alexander to wake finally. His brow narrowed with anger when he saw Cleitus storming in, Hephaistion frozen in the middle of bending towards Alexander to tenderly wake him.
"How dare you to enter my chambers without permission?", Alexander growled, but his anger flowed away since he recognized the worried look on Cleitus's face and the distant cries of female voices.
"What has happened?", asked Hephaistion and Alexander at the same time.
Cleitus fumbled at the hilt of his sword, ignoring Hephaistion's presence in the king's chambers during such early hours. Alexander's likings were none of his business. "An assassin has entered the harem, my king. He must have sneaked in during the night and raped and killed five of the women." He paused and his face went paler when he went on. "He literally tore the poor things appart, Alexander. I have never seen anything like this before."
Alexander jumped out of bed, anger freshly rushing through his body. He reached for his clothes and began to dress quickly. "An attacker in my palace, daring to slaughter those whom I promised to protect? Have you caught the bastard? I want him hunted down and brought to justice!" The king yelled on top of his voice.
Hephaistion knew Alexander's temper, still it always startled him despite all those years he had known his friend. Cleitus instead wasn't impressed at all. "We have cornered the murderer", he said calmly. "But we cannot get him."
"What do you mean: You cannot get him?", Alexander snapped.
"He has hidden in the dome of the great hall."
"And how did he possibly get up there?"
Cleitus looked uneasy as if he didn't trust the words now leaving his mouth. It was just too weird. "He flew up there, my king?"
"Flew?" Alexander echoed flabbergasted.
"Aehm, flew like flying with wings?", Hephaistion asked making a weak flapping gesture with his arms, a poor imitation of a wing-stroke.
"Exactly", Cleitus nodded, a stern expression on his face.
"The guy who killed the women has wings like a bird?" Alexander didn't know wether he should laugh or shout at his general for the unbelievable news he brought. "How much have you drunk last night, Cleitus?" He got closer to his father's trusted friend and sniffed. But Cleitus's breath hold no smell of wine, a bit of garlic it was, but no wine for sure.
"More like a bat, my lord." Cleitus stayed calm, ignoring Alexander's suspicions. He himself had asked the same question when a timid soldier had brought the news to him.
Alexander finally had finished dressing. He grabbed his sword and marched towards the doors. "A guy with bat wings sitting in the dome of my hall? Now, I have to see that with my very own eyes!"
"Be careful, Alexander", Hephaistion warned falling into step next to his lover. "We don't know what we will have to face. It sounds too much like an ill joke of gods."
"Don't be foolish, Hephaistion", Alexander laughed, but Hephaistion could tell he was unsure.
The windowless hall was filled with soldiers all staring towards the shadowy dome, while servants replaced their useless swords by bows.
"We'll try to shoot him down", Cassander informed Alexander on entering the bizarre scene. "He's already hurt, still I don't think we should go easy on him. A beast from hell this is."
"Where is he?" Alexander and Hephaistion stared at the dome. High up abvove their heads they could make out a crouched humanoid figure partly hidden behind a column. Two big black wings were visible on his back, while his features were hidden in the shadows.
"Good gods, what kind of monster is this?" Hephaistion exclaimed.
"Get him down and we will know", Alexander growled. Whatever this creature was, nobody committed murder within his palace and got away with it. "Shoot him", he ordered and the arrows rose into the air with a whirring sound.
The creature howled in anger and leapt from his hiding place, his wings spread out he crossed the hall, tumbling as a few of the arrows hit his flesh and the leathery skin of his wings. He roared again, flapping the air frantically, but his wings didn't support him anymore and he crashed face forward full speed into the wall of the great hall. His body went limp sliding down the wall, soldiers jumping to both sides as the heavy body hit the floor. A moan of pain escaped the beast's chest as he tried to get up. Immediately the creature was surrounded by about twenty deadly spears pointing at him.
An ugly face stared at the weapons and the humans, hatred and disgust dancing in its cold grey eyes.
The humans mostly wore a shocked expression. Never before had they seen a creature like this, kneeling in front of them, clutching at the arrows that pierced his reddish and crumbled flesh. The head was bald, only a few blond strands clinging to the deformed skull. Nose and ears were mere stumps, the lips had shrunk away to reveal the sharp fangs, snarling at the surrounding humans. The creature's hands didn't show single fingers even though claws could be made out at the end of the lump of meat attached to his arms.
"I've never seen anything more ugly!" Cassander said with a shiver.
"He has met the fire", Hephaistion answered silently, not able to take his eyes from the burnt flesh of the captured beast, although he tried.
"Give way", the beast coughed. "Give way or reget it."
"You're not in the position to demand anything", Alexander answered, disgust dripping off his voice. "You killed those I have sworn to protect, now justice will be despensed."
"Justice?", the beast snarled. "Filthy weak human, how dare you. I'm the hunter, you're the prey. I feed on you as nature demands."
"You disgust me", Alexander spat out, his sword drawn. Anger was taking over. "You'll die of my sword!" The hall fell into dead silence when Alexander swung the blade above his head, ready to strike. A calm baritone voice stopped him.
"Spare him, king of humans, and my kind will never hunt in your palace again. Kill him and we will haunt your sleep."
Alexander and his comrades spun around trying to make out where the voice came from. A terrible grin formed around the beast's missing lips. "So Alexander is to meet Alexis", he giggled madly.
Hephaistion shuddered at the similarity of the names. Curiously he stared at the tall figure standing in the shadows of the doorway, his wings slightly spread out behind him.
Cleitus and Cassander drew their swords, stepping next to their king. "Let us kill those monsters", Cassander demanded. "Let us get rid of them."
"No", Hephaistion laid his hand on Alexander's arm. "Let him speak. Let's hear what he has to say."
Alexander smiled warmly at his lover. "Always the diplomatic kind, aren't you, Hephaistion? I will take your advice to heart." He turned to the dark figure. "You dare threaten me?"
Alexis took a few steps towards the waiting soldiers, every move full of graceful danger. Hephaistion knew by instinct that they were facing a born predator. He knew Alexander should give in and accept the creature's offer. It would only be made once. Fear crept to his heart, mixed with a curious fascination. "This is madness", he thought, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"I do not threaten you, king of men. I simply state a fact." The deep silky voice stayed calm, still it had a special seductive quality that sent shivers down Hephaistion's spine. He took a quick glance at Cleitus and Cassander. The uneasy look on their faces showed him they felt it, too.
The creature continued as Alexander didn't respond. "You have heard what I have to offer. Your palace and all those who inhabit it will be save form harm."
"No!", the captured beast howled. "My revenge isn't fullfilled yet. I have to destroy everything ever dear to Darius! It's because of him I lost my grace! It's because of him I lost my beauty!"
"It's because of your own stupidity!", Alexis snapped, finally stepping out of the shadows.
Hephaistion's jaw dropped open at the sight of the beautiful and nearly naked creature moving amongst them. His body was like the perfect marble creation of a genius sculptor, every muscle perfectly outlined under smooth tanned skin. He held his noble head high, his striking features of a dark beauty capturing Hephaistion's gaze. Almond eyes the colour of molten gold narrowed on the miserable beast kneeling at his feet. Only then did Hephaistion notice that the whole group of soldiers including Alexander and his friends had made way for the divine creature.
Only then did Hephaistion notice how close the deadly beauty was. Without really knowing what he did, he reached out to touch the silky curtain of black hair that framed the beautiful face of the predator. Alexis shifted his head slowly, not at all surprised it seemed. A seductive smile danced upon his soft lips, revealing the pearly white pair of fangs. Hephaistion drew his hand back quickly as if he had burnt his skin and lowered his gaze. His heart was thundering against his ripcage. Fear and a naughty desire overwhelmed him.
Alexis turned back to the kneeling beast. "Babylon is a horny whore that feeds us willingly", he explained softly. "There is no need for us to hunt those in power. This only brings pain and grief to our kind. You have been captured before and you have experienced the rage of men, Tessos. You draw far to much attention on those who lurk in the shadows. Your mother is our leader, that's what saved you then and will save you now. But don't go too far. Ellestias's power gets questioned lately and she loses controll quicker than she can regain it. This is part of your fault." His voice had gotten icier with every word spoken.
"We are superior to mankind", Tessos shrieked. "We do not back away, we do not hide, we do show no mercy. Someone has to pay for the crime done to me. I have the right of revenge!"
"Do you?" Alexis asked sharply. "Every time you get near the castle, you get yourself into trouble. I'm sick and tired of babysitting an arrogant fool like you!"
"I am of noble birth. You cannot expect me to feed from the filth roaming the streets. My delicate palate calls for more suitable prey." His cold eyes narrowed as he spat his next words out like venom. "But I do not expect a sheep-lover like you to understand my needs."
A deep growl rose from Alexis's chest, his hands tightly clenched to fists. "Give me a reason to leave you back here, Tesso, and I will not hesitate to do so", he hissed. Then he spun around facing Alexander again. "Decide", he demanded hardly controlling his anger.
To Hephaistion's relief Alexander accepted the offer. Everybody could feel the danger radiating from the two winged creatures. And there were more of them in the city. Nobody could tell how many and what they were up to. A contract of peace would give them time to learn more about the new threat and how to fight it. "Take the murderer with you", Alexander said sharply. "If he ever crosses my way again, he will die."
"Are you threatening me?", Alexis asked.
"This is not meant as a threat", Alexander shot back. "I simply state a fact." Hephaistion could hear Cleitus and Cassander holding their breath, never taking an eye from the winged predator only a few steps away from their king. He held the breath himself until a broad grin spread over Alexis's face.
"You have a dangerous sense of humour, man", he chuckled. "Don't try this on any other of our kind. They might not be amused."
The predator and his miserable companion left in silence, before he vanished through the door, Alexis glanced back once more and Hephaistion felt his burning gaze meeting his own.
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