"In fact," said John, "Not even any of the vampires know, except for Anaxagoras."

"Okay, so we don't even know what we're fighting?" Alex said, walking around, trying to digest everything. "I'm guessing he's the originator of the vampire race, right?"

"You could say that, yes," said John. "I don't know his true ident.i.ty, but I've been researching it and I found stories of him amongst the ancient Sumerian scriptures and even from Genesis. He could be the serpent from Genesis."

"You're saying it's the Devil?" Alex smiled. "That's a little too esoteric for me."

"Alex, please be serious. I said I'm still researching. What I can tell you is that after the War of the Eight Kings, Anaxagoras was stronger than ever. But he had no heir and wanted to die. But a man came, whom your grandfather called the Red Serpent, and gave him new life through his own blood."

"I know he killed my father, but..." Alex sighed. "This sounds like something from Shakespeare or a Greek play. I hardly knew my father, and I don't understand why I have to kill my grandfather. For revenge?"

"Because the prophecy..."

"...because the prophecy says so," Alex finished. "But if he is my grandfather, there must be another way." He felt an anger rising up within him. "And why am I being used as propaganda for my father's rebellious beliefs? Why am I made this 'G.o.d' who's supposed to avenge everybody?"

Grandma Howe and John said nothing. They knew he was right. But what could be done about it? This was only the beginning.

John breathed in and smiled with a teary twinkle in his eyes. "Alex," he said, moving closer to his nephew, "You once told me that you would do anything to see the real Earth, to one day regain what we lost. That," he grabbed him by the arms, "is not nor ever was your destiny. Your destiny was written by your father and has been told to you by your mother. Nick told me that your father died in peace with a blissful smile on his face because he knew you would be the one to defeat Anaxagoras and save us all. Perhaps that's why his body never combusted. My theory is that the curse of the vampires never touched him. I truly believe that." He stretched out his arms and gestured towards the library. "You think you don't have any reason to kill your grandfather but, when you read these books, you will change your mind. And you may not know your father, but you will now." With a magnifying gla.s.s John deciphered what was written on the right side corner of the back cover of his book. Then he scribbled the number 11113328 on a piece of paper.

"What's this?" Alex asked as John handed it to him.

"Guess!" his uncle smiled at him, "you should know this number."

After examining it carefully, Alex realized what it was, "My birthday!" On the note, he placed two dots: 11.11.3328.

"Right." John smiled. "But this is just the code for that." He pointed at a gargoyle, which was on top of the fireplace. Alex still couldn't figure it out. "Mom, do you want to stay here?"

"I think I'll head back to the hall." When Grandma got up, she said, "Angel called. She said she had to meet you at the cafe near the Monolith for lunch."

He checked his watch. It was already 1:30. "d.a.m.n, I forgot."

"What happened?" asked John.

"Angel had something she wanted to tell me at the party last night and I totally forgot about it after seeing you guys."

"I hope everything's alright." said Grandma.

"I hope so too. Uncle John, I need to go to her."

John nodded. "But make sure you talk somewhere private."

"And in any case," said Alex, "I really need to go to the Monolith and just let it all out."

"Sure," John nodded and gave a comforting smile.

The Monolith of Faith was a nine hundred foot stone column that stood in the center of the mega city. It was a tribute to all the different religions, spiritual teachings, and mythologies of the ancient and modern world. People were free to worship in any way they pleased, as long as they were silent in the large inner courtyard. The structure of the complex was intricate: as the worshiper entered the main courtyard, a large door would open and lead him into a large hall. Here was the Great Library, where scrolls from Alexandria, Nalanda, Taxila, and various other ancient centers were preserved. The spiritual teachings of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam and their various respective branches of philosophies, sects and denomination would be available in books and on holodiscs.

After walking through the one thousand yard library, one entered the Worship Room where people of different religions practiced their faiths as they saw fit. Here the great monolith stood, engraved with the thousands of names for G.o.d taken from ancient and modern scripts. It was carved mainly out of silver and radiated magically in the night. It truly looked like an object brought down from heaven. This was one of the many places Alex loved to visit. Here, he could pray to his mother or to G.o.d and feel at peace. Sometimes he thought he felt his mother's presence and the divine spirit swirling in the room during his meditations.

Alex's grandmother had told him to meet Angel at the Cafe Flamingo. It was one of those regular places where Angel and Alex would go together as a couple to enjoy coffee and cake. Alex loved the espresso the cafe made and the Dutch Truffle chocolate cake, while Angel would usually order for a Mocha Cappuccino and a Hazelnut Brownie with chocolate ice cream and syrup.

Alex checked his watch as the limo driver stopped near the cafe. "Thanks, Bill." He said and hastily got out of the car. It was 2:15 and he was really late. Angel sat outside in the garden area with an impatient look on her face. Alex kissed her on the cheek and then pecked her on the lips. "Sorry I'm late. I didn't get your message until 1:30. I was a little tied up and I guess Grandma forgot about it."

"It's alright," she smiled one of those smiles that made Alex's heart melt. "I already ordered some food for us when I saw your limo coming by."

"What did you order?" He sat down.

"Ah, your favorite: Chicken Parmesan," she said, smiling and looking deep into his dark eyes.

"Great, what are you having?"

"A steak sandwich and an iced tea."

Alex looked at her skeptically. "Really? You never eat steak."

"Well I'm feeling very hungry today," she said with a wink.

"Okay," said Alex. "So, what's been happening?"

She looked apprehensive and sighed. "I really don't know how to say this to you."

"Just say it, Angel." Alex said. "I asked you last night as well and you didn't tell me anything."

"You walked away from me," she said.

"You weren't saying anything! You know you were like this a while back too."

"When?"

"Two weeks before the graduation. You had to say something about our life together while I was busy working on my speech."

"See! It's always about you. You never ask how I am or what's wrong with me."

"I'm asking you right now." Alex protested.

"You ask it as if you don't care."

"Oh! Should I say it like this?" He patronized her, "Oh, honey, what's the matter?" He scoffed, "I mean, really! You can at least tell me so I can help you out. But, no! Alexander Howe isn't the right type of guy for you, is he?" He raised his voice. The waiter who had just arrived at the table with their food turned a little pink.

"Alex, keep your voice down. People are looking at us," said Angel, feeling the spectators' funny looks on her.

"I don't care, Angel! I really don't care."

"What do you mean you don't care? Is this whole relationship just a joke for you?"

"Now you're talking like your parents. I hope you remember that I did publicly announce, almost in front of the entire population and on live television, that I want to get married to you. Wait..." Alex felt something click. "Is that what it is? You don't want to get married, do you?"

"I didn't say that."

"So then?" He dug his fork into the gooey cheese and shoved some into his mouth. "Eat your sandwich," he eyed her plate, "It's getting cold."

She took a fairly large bite out it, surprising him.

"You know," he said, "you really aren't yourself today."

"Oh," Angel muttered with her mouth full. "And what exactly is myself?"

"I really don't know anymore," he sighed, "You know, even I had something to tell you. But I don't know how to say it."

"So then we're in the same predicament, aren't we? What is all this, Alex? I mean I don't know why we've been fighting so much."

"Me neither," Alex said, sipping his iced tea. "Maybe your parents are right."

"No, they're not."

"Okay, look." He faced her eye-to-eye. "Just tell me what is it that you have to tell me."

"I'm pregnant."

For a second he thought he'd misheard. But then he saw how serious she was and realized she was speaking the truth. For a moment the world stopped. He should have been happy but his face didn't show it. He had no idea what to do and felt the heavy burden of sacrifice. "Well," he started slowly, forcing a smile, "this is wonderful!" His eyes welled up with tears and he held Angel's hand in his. "I'm really happy, darling."

"It doesn't look like it," she said.

"Are you kidding? This news is just what I needed. The last two days have really been something else but nothing compares to this." He laughed and let go of his fears. Now his mind and heart floated in the happiness of this news.

He took Angel into his arms and hugged her. Any sense of negativity vanished in that one embrace. He saw surprise in her face.

"I haven't seen you like this in a long time, Alex! And I...I like it!" She kissed him. After they finished their food, Alex left money for the bill and a large tip. They walked hand-in-hand together towards the Monolith. The waiter, who had served the two lovers for years, watched them walk away and smiled. He hadn't seen the couple so happy together since the beginning of their relationship.

"Angel, you really don't know how happy you've made me today. I'm sorry that I wasn't able to understand you before. Now I know nothing can separate us." I'm going to be a father! I'm going to be a father! But what would Uncle John say? What about the people? He shook his head and smiled. What did he care what the people thought? But what would Uncle John say? What about the people? He shook his head and smiled. What did he care what the people thought?

"Alex," she looked into his eyes, "I love you and could never even think of being with anybody else. I think now you can put this whole thing into perspective. My parents aren't against us being together. They're just a little upset because I'm pregnant before the marriage. They thought you knew and so after your speech they were surprised at the way you behaved. But don't worry, I spoke to them last night and explained everything to them. They're still happy for the both of us."

"Well, I'm glad about-"

A large chunk of gla.s.s came crashing down on top of him. Angel screamed in shock. People turned to see what had happened. Three men came running over and tried to help him up. "Hey pal," one of them said. "You alright? h.e.l.lo?" He snapped his fingers to get Alex's attention.

The others gazed up to see what had caused the destruction. High above, a large rocket had smashed through the gla.s.s casing of the Regnum.

Suddenly, the computers that handled the Regnum's climate conditions, solar and lunar cycles and seasons went haywire. For a second there was pitch-black all around. Frightened shouts of horror echoed throughout the station.

The lights turned back on and the computers were back on track. John, accompanied by security, appeared at the scene and ran towards Alex and Angel.

Alex's head felt heavy. A pulsating pain pounded continuously in his skull and everything seemed to swirl around him. In echoes, he heard his uncle say, "Are you alright, Alex?"

"Uh..." his head spinning, he said to John, "I think so." He touched the back of his head and felt liquid slowly trickle down from the wound. Blood. He smiled and fell flat on his face.

He heard a faint voice say, "Call an ambulance!" Everything turned black.

The reinforcements John had called for prior to his arrival hurried into their attack positions. The rocket flew towards them. As it got close and slowed to a halt just above the ground John could see Nikolas, accompanied by Imperial guards and Rebel comrades. "Hold your fire!" John commanded, recognizing his old friend.

Jarad ran to John and said, "John, what the h.e.l.l is going on here?"

"I have no idea," John said, "But I think it isn't going to be pretty."

"But-"

"Listen, Jarad, just get ready to fight if it comes to it."

John lifted Alex up and supported him on his shoulder. The boy was completely unconscious.

Nikolas and the vampires touched down on the ground. He walked towards John. "Give him to me," he said. John did as he was told. Nikolas laid Alex on the ground. He put his hands on Alex's head and closed his eyes. A blue flash of light flickered in his palm and it radiated outward, centering on Alex's forehead. All around them, the blue light shone brightly encompa.s.sing everything. Everyone around, vampire and human, looked at the healing in awe.

With tears in her eyes, Angel asked John, "Mr. Howe, what's he doing?"

John smiled, "It looks like Alex hasn't told you yet."

"What? What did he have to tell me?"

"I think it would be better if he told you himself,"

Alex stirred and moaned slightly. He opened his eyes and saw Nikolas. He bolted up. "What?"

"Easy...easy, Alexandros," said Nikolas.

"General Gareng?"

"That's right. I am General...well I was a general once. But I am still Nikolas, your father's old friend and cousin."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"I can sense his blood in you."

"What are you doing here?" Alex asked, getting slowly onto his feet.

"That's what I want to know, Nick." said John. He gave Alex a hand.

"I thought you'd know. I knew this day would come," Nikolas bared his fangs, "didn't you?"

"You mean..."

"Exactly. They've used us for this purpose."

Jarad gestured to his men, "Kill them!"

"No!" yelled John, but it was too late. The vampires opened fire on civilians. The human reinforcements returned their blasts with lasers and rocket launchers.

"What's the matter with you?" John yelled, running to the Egyptian councilman.