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Chapter 4
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/25/18:
Dear diary,
After we stopped in Trieste, a city in Italy, I have heard about the whereabouts of the Antonov Codex, the powerful spell book for vampires. I kept hearing a demonic whisper coming from the abandoned St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral. Drawings of the Codex are easy to find in attics and decade-old trunks. It was detailed to be a large, brown square book about 28 centimeters in height and width and about 5 centimeters in thickness. It also contained the front image of a serpent devouring a magical pearl. However, the pearl was removed and was later found in the hands of Uzbek jewelers. I personally think the serpent devouring a veiled reference to Cleopatra, since “Antonov” is derived from Antony, her husband. If my father found the Codex and brought it back to Russia, it could cause atrocious and unimaginable destruction and chaos for the world of mortals. It would also create a cataclysmic imbalance in the universe and annihilate all of reality.
Apocalyptic pessimism aside, I believe that getting the Codex from the abandoned cathedral is not gonna be easy. More importantly though, I also heard a special talisman is required to open the gate. I remembered that I have the lapis lazuli necklace my mother gave me. That may be the talisman for going to the cathedral in Trieste. To confirm that it is the real talisman I need to pull this off, I eyed a drawing of the talisman. It looked remarkably like the necklace I kept. I have purchased a very detailed map of the Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral and where the Codex will be. The Codex was supposed to be on the altar but I have an uneasy feeling that the book may be cursed as it is claimed to be. I’ve heard rumors of hordes of zombies and Geists patrolling the area. I guess the book itself made the people undead. I was thinking of lacing my bullets with holy water to deter the undead. In addition to the map, I also bought a carbon sword that I will lace with holy water as well.
As an added warning, I heard that the Antonov Codex may have a sentience. It can insult, harass or threaten me, but it won’t break my spirit. After I acquire the Codex, my first motivation is to throw it into a fire, preventing the Antonov family from gaining the power to destroy all mortals. Hopefully, it will also permanently disrupt Project Necropolis. Those crazy fundamentalists! You know, it would be a bit helpful to have people who are Roman Catholic. I’ll have to tell Maxim that I am leaving alone the steal the Codex from the cathedral. My brother will not like this: me going on my own for another fight.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
Czerski’s log 4/25/18:
The dhampirs have an Interpol agent with them from Zagreb. I have heard that they are now in Trieste to retrieve the Antonov Codex from the haunted St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral. That will be an excellent opportunity to prove my worthiness to Karl Kohl. If the vampires knew about this capture of the Codex, it could be a powerful tool for the Antonovs to gain control of the world. They may even take the chance to knight me. On the other hand, if I give them the Codex, they might discard me like yesterday’s compost as my usefulness would come to an end. That is why I defected to the side of Kohl. I am willing to take the chance of waiting for the right moment to strike.
I cannot retrieve the Antonov Codex from the cathedral myself because it is surrounded by a force field that can only be disrupted if someone of Antonov blood can enter. More importantly, though, a talisman is required to open the doors. I have no idea where the talisman is. It could be in the hands of the KGB but I am not entirely sure.
Speaking of the KGB, those agents were pursuing me and the dhampirs. I’ll have to catch them when I find evidence of corruption. I also want to catch that Zapruder when he exposes his plans to destroy me. The hairs on the back of my neck at standing up because of Zapruder and Swarovski, and when my hairs stand up on end, there is trouble brewing. All I have to do is wait for the female dhampir to complete her job. As soon as the Codex is retrieved, I shall also give the dhampirs over to the Leipzig Lich so that the benevolent will realize the futility of their actions. I will kill the Interpol agent before I can retrieve the dhampirs and Codex. I can assure you that there will be no failures this time.
Agent Czerski out.
A diary excerpt from Maxim Bogdanov 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
My half-sister Zoya will be going to the abandoned cathedral tonight. She claimed that she will collect the fabled Antonov Codex, a sentient book that is capable of bringing the world to its knees. To make matters worse, only those with Antonov blood can enter the abandoned St. Francis of Assisi cathedral. I lack the bravado and audacity to enter the cathedral with Zoya. Besides, I also lack the talisman that she has on her mother’s necklace. I wish her the best intentions and hopefully, when we get the Codex, we can finally be free from being part of the Antonov family forever.
On another note, I feel like Zoya and I were being watched wherever we go. Not by just Russian police but I have a premonition that a person of the Antonov family is pursuing us. Whoever it is, I feel that they want to collect the Antonov Codex and us. It is not just a hunch but it is something that we dhampirs have, something that connects those in the family to other members. I don’t know if Zoya will come back alive. Hopefully, she will come back.
Sincerely,
Maxim Sergeyevich Bogdanov.
A transcript of Stanislav and Vladislav 4/26/18:
Stanislav: Vladislav, where is the female defector Ivanova going to?
Vladislav: (looking in the binoculars) Looks to me that she is going to the closed St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
Stanislav: Why would she go there?
Vladislav: I read somewhere that the dead walk there and more so, I heard that a haunted codex, not the Bible, is in the Cathedral. Do you think it has something to do with this Project Necropolis phenomenon?
Stanislav: (reprimanding) Stop being an imbecile, Vladislav! There’s no such thing as undead creatures!
Vladislav: If she doesn’t come out, what should we do?
Stanislav: (certain that Zoya will survive) She is going to come out soon, you jumpy jackass! (conks him on the head)
Vladislav: (dazed, removing his binoculars) You are so right, Stanislav. (grabbing a Dragunov sniper rifle and inadvertently pointing it at Stanislav’s face) My Dragunov rifle will make sure that Interpol agent is going on the highway to…
Stanislav: (alarmed) For the love of God! Point that sniper away from me!
Vladislav: Don’t panic. The rifle has a safety setting. (The rifle abruptly fires a bullet into a portrait, splitting it in two)
Stanislav: (in a surprised fury) What in the name Christ are you trying to do, you birdbrained blockhead? (punches Vladislav in the gut, causing him to keel over)
Vladislav: (in a pained voice) Just doing my duty, sir.
Stanislav: (regaining himself) All right. As soon as Ivanova leaves the cathedral, we’ll catch her by surprise then force her to reveal the location of the other defector. We’ll see what ‘amnesty’ will be offered when we have them on a platter.
Vladislav: (trying to regain from the pain) Yes. Sounds like a plan. (he groans)
End of transcript.
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
I came to the abandoned cathedral at night, where I heard the sinister whisper originating from. I placed the lapis lazuli on a special seal on the door. The whisper said to me harshly “So, you have came here with the Holy Knights’ talisman that has been lost for centuries. I did not think you would succeed.” I hesitated at the front door, reluctant to enter. I knew about the evil emanating from the building. The gut feeling I had was that if I don’t make it alive, no one else will defeat this growing threat. It was overpowering, and made me shiver all over. I reminded myself that I had holy water on my side, as well as my patented bladed boots. A trio of zombies were rampant at the hall. Using my pistol, I fired three shots, one for each zombie. The noise attracted another undead monster. I noted a Geist arrived nearby. It was formerly a Catholic priest corrupted by the power of the Antonov Codex. I ducked behind one of the benches to avoid detection. The Geist was looking for me, standing rigidly and subserviently to the will of the Codex. I reloaded my pistol and stealthily unsheathed my carbon sword. I peered on the left, certain that the Geist cannot see me. In front of the altar is the Antonov Codex. It felt out of reach, but I can improvise. I stayed in the shadows, but if I run to the altar, the moonlight will expose my visibility and draw more of the undead slaves to challenge me. Besides, the Codex will possibly call for help from its undead servants. I fired about three rounds on the Geist, making it howl in agony then fall to the linoleum floor dead. With its protection temporarily gone, I grabbed the Antonov Codex from the altar. It whispered demonically “Well done, dhampir! You may have eluded my minions but now that you have attained your trophy, can you escape with your eggshell skin?” I answered the narcissistic book “I certainly…” However, just I was about to leave, the Codex used its powers to seal the front door. “I have sealed the front door yet again. I think that exit would be too easy.” I ran to the front door and grimly, I tried in vain to open the doors. “You will have to find another way out,” the Codex cackled. Frustrated, I said to myself “How the hell am I going to get out of here now?” As I paced furiously, I recalled I had the map of the cathedral. According to the map, the cloister had a derelict gate that could be a way out. As I followed my map, I saw the familiar pattern of a Denisov Eaglewing. It looked like it wanted to help me. The butterfly flew to a certain spot of the cloister. Willing to get out of there, I ran after it. I cried out to the insect “Wait! Come back!” Then it hit me: I was talking to a tiny insect. The Codex snickered “You were talking to a butterfly.” “Shut the hell up,” I yelled at the book. The Eaglewing landed on the cemetery gate when I followed it.
I was equally surprised to see the spirit of a priest. I assumed him to be a Geist but from the look of his bishop attire, he was not corrupted by the Antonov Codex. He was however, chained to the ground like Jacob Marley. He greeted in English with an Italian accent “Welcome to the majestic and splendid Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral. I am Bishop Calvino Carlini and I will be your spiritual guide to escape this desolate place.” I asked “You want to help me?” “Yes, I will help you on one condition: you must find a holy symbol, bless it with holy water and place it on my tombstone in the cemetery. In exchange, I shall give you the key to the gate on the east side.” I assumed it was a ghost trick, but seeing that I ran out of available options, accepted his offer. I acquiesced “It is a deal, Carlini.”
I looked at the basement library for a holy symbol, only to see nothing. I even tossed books aside in my search for that holy symbol. I tried the confession booth but the result was the same. I checked the wine cellar near the library but all I found a Geist instead. Before it could kill me, I reacted swiftly and impaled it with my holy water-doused carbon sword. On the verge of despairing and throwing away all hope, I lamented “At this rate, I’ll never get out of here!” That was when I realized something. The map told that there were several rooms in the Cathedral and it had three floors. There was one other floor I haven’t check yet: the haunted cathedral’s attic. I gingerly and silently came up the carpeted stairs, wanting to make little noise. I opened the door, expecting the worst. I saw two dead and emaciated monks protecting a holy symbol: a cross adorned with silver, gold and rubies. It was the perfect crucifix to bless with holy water. That was exactly what I did. My vampire senses told me that the Codex discreetly summoned its allies. It must have called the zombies when I was talking to Carlini. I slew the zombies that were in my way. At the cemetery, which was not far away from the southern part of the church, I had a difficult time finding the right tombstone. That is, until the one covered creeper vines appeared. I cut away the thick vines with my carbon sword and read the Italian marker “Here lies Bishop Calvino Caesar Carlini, Bishop of Trieste.” Suddenly, Bishop Carlini’s ghost became opaque. He advised “Place the holy symbol on my tombstone.” I place it on the left side of the tombstone. I heard a violent howl. I was not sure it was either the wind or the fact that I placed the holy symbol. The chains that held Carlini finally broke after years of imprisonment. The elated spirit sighed “At last! My prayers to the Lord have been answered. My dearest acolyte, I thank you for saving me from eternal unrest. In return, here is that key I promised. Also, I shall give you the holy symbol you just used. It may come in handy for the future.” He handed me the skeleton key I needed in order flee that evil place. In addition, he gave me the cross that he had held in life.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
A reading from Karl Kohl’s spell book 4/26/18:
I know I have misplaced the Antonov Codex but I have learned from my mistake. I have sensed that a dhampir of Antonov blood is in now in possession of the Antonov Codex. Not only will Mikhail have my burning head for this, but the Codex will inevitably be destroyed if they find out the secret is holy water. It is up to me to get it back. One of my agents informed me that two sources helped guide the half vampire’s unprecedented escape: one was a poisonous Denisov Eaglewing. The other source was a member of the Holy Knights of God’s Order. He freed the dhampir from the Cathedral. Little does she know that the Antonov Codex has a curse on it. Wherever she goes with it, it will bring bad luck. I do not wish to fight her, but I will have to if I want to get the Codex and claim the power of the entire world for myself and finally complete Project Necropolis. That clown of a vampire Mikhail is too spineless to take control of the universe. I had accepted Frederich Nietzsche’s ideology of nihilism to a great extent. The destruction of the world is the only course of action that has even the slightest meaning. The human race, like all living things, is doomed to inevitable extinction. We try to make things matter but no matter how much we try, we are just delaying the unavoidable cataclysm. With the Antonov Codex and the magic pearl ring that Major Niyazov gave me, my beloved Project Necropolis, a plan I have been working on for exactly a century, will become a reality.
Not many people know about this but I shall tell you. Long ago, I was formerly a corporal in the German armed forces during World War I. I was loyal to the Kaiser and him alone. I was military friends with a sergeant in during the war who wanted to be a painter but his aspirations sprouted wings and left him. He was a potential art student for Vienna but instead, he got assigned in the howitzers like I was. I was one of his loyal corporals. That is right; I was military friends with the Fuhrer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler. While he was trying to take over Europe in the 1940’s, I had taken necromancy after World War I. However, my newfound powers were not the Aryan way. When the Nazis saw me as a potential competitor, I fled into exile from Hitler’s grasp. Ever since then, I was reluctant to go back to Germany. “We are the Master Race,” Hitler claimed. That is certified, grade “A” horse shit. He dreamed of immortality and a Thousand Year Reich but that failed miserably. This confirmed my belief why dreams and aspirations are less than meaningless. However, when East Germany was made, my home city of Leipzig became the capital. I went back to Leipzig, where I met the Russian vampire Mikhail Antonov. He hired me to be his necromancer and that is the position I have today. Ever since then, people have feared me and called me the Leipzig Lich. I wanted to strike terror into the hearts of mortals everywhere, but I will never get my rightful glory from Mikhail Antonov. They only desire control. I don’t want to order, dictate or control. I just want to show the rulers of the world how pathetic and futile their attempts really are to me. It is not about control, it is about sending a message: everything dies.
Regards,
Karl Kohl, the Leipzig Lich.
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
I was walking silently back to the hotel, when a gunshot was fired. The bullet just hit the ground, not me. There were two men when I turned around. One had a thin mustache and a striped tie. the other one had a big nose, a pair of glasses and a sniper rifle. The tall one with the thin mustache claimed in a Russian accent “Going somewhere, Miss Ivanova?” Thunderstruck, I asked him “How do you know my name?” The short one with the glasses said in a Russian accent while aiming his gun “We wiretapped your phone and now, you will come with us back to Moscow where you will be tried for treason.” Resisting them, I kicked the rifle with my bladed boot, severing it in half. I aimed at the men with my Smith and Wesson. “Don’t think you’ll escape! We want that flash drive and your book. I think you have the infamous Antonov Codex,” the rotund one said. The tall man angrily chided “For the final time, stop being an imbecile!” The fat one snapped “Alright, I have had enough of your insults and humiliation!”
“You are just a common thug while I have the brains of this duo! If you don’t shape up, I swear I will make your life miserable.”
“You already do, Mr. ‘I am a misogynist who hates fat people’! What do I have to lose?”
While the two were arguing, I rolled my eyes and made a clean getaway by jumping over a stone wall. I came back to my hotel, exhausted from running out of fear from the pursuers. My half-brother Maxim was surprised to see me like this. He asked me “What happened, Zoya? You looked like you saw a ghost.” I answered out of sheer honesty “You aren’t far wrong. I helped the ghost of a bishop from eternal unrest at the Cathedral. I also encountered two Russian agents who were going to bring us back. Luckily, they were more focused on bickering rather than me so I evaded capture.”
“All right, we’ll have to tell Herman the Russians are pursuing us. Did you get the Codex?”
“Right here, brother!”
The Antonov Codex whispered “Now that have your precious pale hide, what do hope to do with me?” I answered the Codex “We’re going to destroy you once and for all!” That is, if the cursed book is not indestructible.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
Czerski’s Log 4/27/18:
The dhampirs have found and obtained the Codex. I must send this information to the Antonovs and the Leipzig Lich. My superiors will probably be forgiving when they hear about this. I have detected the Russian Agents who were pursing the half vampires. They almost took the Codex, until the female used her boot to slice the fat one’s sniper rifle. I, personally, was amazed someone who is descended from the Antonov Family could do something like that. Nonetheless, the agents were more conflicted with each other than I thought before. The tall one called his subordinate an imbecile for believing in the supernatural. The female dhampir managed to get away while they were arguing. I tried chasing after her but she vanished into the shadows. I have never seen anyone, not even other dhampirs, move that fast in my life. I bet right now, the agents probably want her dead like Kohl does.
An idea just came to me. When the dhampirs and the agents go on the train to Prague, I will find and kill the KGB agents and then the Interpol agent. I see him as a tool for my master, and I don’t mean those misguided Antonov vampires. The sooner this mission is over with, the better.
Agent Czerski out.
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/25/18:
Dear diary,
After we stopped in Trieste, a city in Italy, I have heard about the whereabouts of the Antonov Codex, the powerful spell book for vampires. I kept hearing a demonic whisper coming from the abandoned St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral. Drawings of the Codex are easy to find in attics and decade-old trunks. It was detailed to be a large, brown square book about 28 centimeters in height and width and about 5 centimeters in thickness. It also contained the front image of a serpent devouring a magical pearl. However, the pearl was removed and was later found in the hands of Uzbek jewelers. I personally think the serpent devouring a veiled reference to Cleopatra, since “Antonov” is derived from Antony, her husband. If my father found the Codex and brought it back to Russia, it could cause atrocious and unimaginable destruction and chaos for the world of mortals. It would also create a cataclysmic imbalance in the universe and annihilate all of reality.
Apocalyptic pessimism aside, I believe that getting the Codex from the abandoned cathedral is not gonna be easy. More importantly though, I also heard a special talisman is required to open the gate. I remembered that I have the lapis lazuli necklace my mother gave me. That may be the talisman for going to the cathedral in Trieste. To confirm that it is the real talisman I need to pull this off, I eyed a drawing of the talisman. It looked remarkably like the necklace I kept. I have purchased a very detailed map of the Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral and where the Codex will be. The Codex was supposed to be on the altar but I have an uneasy feeling that the book may be cursed as it is claimed to be. I’ve heard rumors of hordes of zombies and Geists patrolling the area. I guess the book itself made the people undead. I was thinking of lacing my bullets with holy water to deter the undead. In addition to the map, I also bought a carbon sword that I will lace with holy water as well.
As an added warning, I heard that the Antonov Codex may have a sentience. It can insult, harass or threaten me, but it won’t break my spirit. After I acquire the Codex, my first motivation is to throw it into a fire, preventing the Antonov family from gaining the power to destroy all mortals. Hopefully, it will also permanently disrupt Project Necropolis. Those crazy fundamentalists! You know, it would be a bit helpful to have people who are Roman Catholic. I’ll have to tell Maxim that I am leaving alone the steal the Codex from the cathedral. My brother will not like this: me going on my own for another fight.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
Czerski’s log 4/25/18:
The dhampirs have an Interpol agent with them from Zagreb. I have heard that they are now in Trieste to retrieve the Antonov Codex from the haunted St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral. That will be an excellent opportunity to prove my worthiness to Karl Kohl. If the vampires knew about this capture of the Codex, it could be a powerful tool for the Antonovs to gain control of the world. They may even take the chance to knight me. On the other hand, if I give them the Codex, they might discard me like yesterday’s compost as my usefulness would come to an end. That is why I defected to the side of Kohl. I am willing to take the chance of waiting for the right moment to strike.
I cannot retrieve the Antonov Codex from the cathedral myself because it is surrounded by a force field that can only be disrupted if someone of Antonov blood can enter. More importantly, though, a talisman is required to open the doors. I have no idea where the talisman is. It could be in the hands of the KGB but I am not entirely sure.
Speaking of the KGB, those agents were pursuing me and the dhampirs. I’ll have to catch them when I find evidence of corruption. I also want to catch that Zapruder when he exposes his plans to destroy me. The hairs on the back of my neck at standing up because of Zapruder and Swarovski, and when my hairs stand up on end, there is trouble brewing. All I have to do is wait for the female dhampir to complete her job. As soon as the Codex is retrieved, I shall also give the dhampirs over to the Leipzig Lich so that the benevolent will realize the futility of their actions. I will kill the Interpol agent before I can retrieve the dhampirs and Codex. I can assure you that there will be no failures this time.
Agent Czerski out.
A diary excerpt from Maxim Bogdanov 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
My half-sister Zoya will be going to the abandoned cathedral tonight. She claimed that she will collect the fabled Antonov Codex, a sentient book that is capable of bringing the world to its knees. To make matters worse, only those with Antonov blood can enter the abandoned St. Francis of Assisi cathedral. I lack the bravado and audacity to enter the cathedral with Zoya. Besides, I also lack the talisman that she has on her mother’s necklace. I wish her the best intentions and hopefully, when we get the Codex, we can finally be free from being part of the Antonov family forever.
On another note, I feel like Zoya and I were being watched wherever we go. Not by just Russian police but I have a premonition that a person of the Antonov family is pursuing us. Whoever it is, I feel that they want to collect the Antonov Codex and us. It is not just a hunch but it is something that we dhampirs have, something that connects those in the family to other members. I don’t know if Zoya will come back alive. Hopefully, she will come back.
Sincerely,
Maxim Sergeyevich Bogdanov.
A transcript of Stanislav and Vladislav 4/26/18:
Stanislav: Vladislav, where is the female defector Ivanova going to?
Vladislav: (looking in the binoculars) Looks to me that she is going to the closed St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral.
Stanislav: Why would she go there?
Vladislav: I read somewhere that the dead walk there and more so, I heard that a haunted codex, not the Bible, is in the Cathedral. Do you think it has something to do with this Project Necropolis phenomenon?
Stanislav: (reprimanding) Stop being an imbecile, Vladislav! There’s no such thing as undead creatures!
Vladislav: If she doesn’t come out, what should we do?
Stanislav: (certain that Zoya will survive) She is going to come out soon, you jumpy jackass! (conks him on the head)
Vladislav: (dazed, removing his binoculars) You are so right, Stanislav. (grabbing a Dragunov sniper rifle and inadvertently pointing it at Stanislav’s face) My Dragunov rifle will make sure that Interpol agent is going on the highway to…
Stanislav: (alarmed) For the love of God! Point that sniper away from me!
Vladislav: Don’t panic. The rifle has a safety setting. (The rifle abruptly fires a bullet into a portrait, splitting it in two)
Stanislav: (in a surprised fury) What in the name Christ are you trying to do, you birdbrained blockhead? (punches Vladislav in the gut, causing him to keel over)
Vladislav: (in a pained voice) Just doing my duty, sir.
Stanislav: (regaining himself) All right. As soon as Ivanova leaves the cathedral, we’ll catch her by surprise then force her to reveal the location of the other defector. We’ll see what ‘amnesty’ will be offered when we have them on a platter.
Vladislav: (trying to regain from the pain) Yes. Sounds like a plan. (he groans)
End of transcript.
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
I came to the abandoned cathedral at night, where I heard the sinister whisper originating from. I placed the lapis lazuli on a special seal on the door. The whisper said to me harshly “So, you have came here with the Holy Knights’ talisman that has been lost for centuries. I did not think you would succeed.” I hesitated at the front door, reluctant to enter. I knew about the evil emanating from the building. The gut feeling I had was that if I don’t make it alive, no one else will defeat this growing threat. It was overpowering, and made me shiver all over. I reminded myself that I had holy water on my side, as well as my patented bladed boots. A trio of zombies were rampant at the hall. Using my pistol, I fired three shots, one for each zombie. The noise attracted another undead monster. I noted a Geist arrived nearby. It was formerly a Catholic priest corrupted by the power of the Antonov Codex. I ducked behind one of the benches to avoid detection. The Geist was looking for me, standing rigidly and subserviently to the will of the Codex. I reloaded my pistol and stealthily unsheathed my carbon sword. I peered on the left, certain that the Geist cannot see me. In front of the altar is the Antonov Codex. It felt out of reach, but I can improvise. I stayed in the shadows, but if I run to the altar, the moonlight will expose my visibility and draw more of the undead slaves to challenge me. Besides, the Codex will possibly call for help from its undead servants. I fired about three rounds on the Geist, making it howl in agony then fall to the linoleum floor dead. With its protection temporarily gone, I grabbed the Antonov Codex from the altar. It whispered demonically “Well done, dhampir! You may have eluded my minions but now that you have attained your trophy, can you escape with your eggshell skin?” I answered the narcissistic book “I certainly…” However, just I was about to leave, the Codex used its powers to seal the front door. “I have sealed the front door yet again. I think that exit would be too easy.” I ran to the front door and grimly, I tried in vain to open the doors. “You will have to find another way out,” the Codex cackled. Frustrated, I said to myself “How the hell am I going to get out of here now?” As I paced furiously, I recalled I had the map of the cathedral. According to the map, the cloister had a derelict gate that could be a way out. As I followed my map, I saw the familiar pattern of a Denisov Eaglewing. It looked like it wanted to help me. The butterfly flew to a certain spot of the cloister. Willing to get out of there, I ran after it. I cried out to the insect “Wait! Come back!” Then it hit me: I was talking to a tiny insect. The Codex snickered “You were talking to a butterfly.” “Shut the hell up,” I yelled at the book. The Eaglewing landed on the cemetery gate when I followed it.
I was equally surprised to see the spirit of a priest. I assumed him to be a Geist but from the look of his bishop attire, he was not corrupted by the Antonov Codex. He was however, chained to the ground like Jacob Marley. He greeted in English with an Italian accent “Welcome to the majestic and splendid Saint Francis of Assisi Cathedral. I am Bishop Calvino Carlini and I will be your spiritual guide to escape this desolate place.” I asked “You want to help me?” “Yes, I will help you on one condition: you must find a holy symbol, bless it with holy water and place it on my tombstone in the cemetery. In exchange, I shall give you the key to the gate on the east side.” I assumed it was a ghost trick, but seeing that I ran out of available options, accepted his offer. I acquiesced “It is a deal, Carlini.”
I looked at the basement library for a holy symbol, only to see nothing. I even tossed books aside in my search for that holy symbol. I tried the confession booth but the result was the same. I checked the wine cellar near the library but all I found a Geist instead. Before it could kill me, I reacted swiftly and impaled it with my holy water-doused carbon sword. On the verge of despairing and throwing away all hope, I lamented “At this rate, I’ll never get out of here!” That was when I realized something. The map told that there were several rooms in the Cathedral and it had three floors. There was one other floor I haven’t check yet: the haunted cathedral’s attic. I gingerly and silently came up the carpeted stairs, wanting to make little noise. I opened the door, expecting the worst. I saw two dead and emaciated monks protecting a holy symbol: a cross adorned with silver, gold and rubies. It was the perfect crucifix to bless with holy water. That was exactly what I did. My vampire senses told me that the Codex discreetly summoned its allies. It must have called the zombies when I was talking to Carlini. I slew the zombies that were in my way. At the cemetery, which was not far away from the southern part of the church, I had a difficult time finding the right tombstone. That is, until the one covered creeper vines appeared. I cut away the thick vines with my carbon sword and read the Italian marker “Here lies Bishop Calvino Caesar Carlini, Bishop of Trieste.” Suddenly, Bishop Carlini’s ghost became opaque. He advised “Place the holy symbol on my tombstone.” I place it on the left side of the tombstone. I heard a violent howl. I was not sure it was either the wind or the fact that I placed the holy symbol. The chains that held Carlini finally broke after years of imprisonment. The elated spirit sighed “At last! My prayers to the Lord have been answered. My dearest acolyte, I thank you for saving me from eternal unrest. In return, here is that key I promised. Also, I shall give you the holy symbol you just used. It may come in handy for the future.” He handed me the skeleton key I needed in order flee that evil place. In addition, he gave me the cross that he had held in life.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
A reading from Karl Kohl’s spell book 4/26/18:
I know I have misplaced the Antonov Codex but I have learned from my mistake. I have sensed that a dhampir of Antonov blood is in now in possession of the Antonov Codex. Not only will Mikhail have my burning head for this, but the Codex will inevitably be destroyed if they find out the secret is holy water. It is up to me to get it back. One of my agents informed me that two sources helped guide the half vampire’s unprecedented escape: one was a poisonous Denisov Eaglewing. The other source was a member of the Holy Knights of God’s Order. He freed the dhampir from the Cathedral. Little does she know that the Antonov Codex has a curse on it. Wherever she goes with it, it will bring bad luck. I do not wish to fight her, but I will have to if I want to get the Codex and claim the power of the entire world for myself and finally complete Project Necropolis. That clown of a vampire Mikhail is too spineless to take control of the universe. I had accepted Frederich Nietzsche’s ideology of nihilism to a great extent. The destruction of the world is the only course of action that has even the slightest meaning. The human race, like all living things, is doomed to inevitable extinction. We try to make things matter but no matter how much we try, we are just delaying the unavoidable cataclysm. With the Antonov Codex and the magic pearl ring that Major Niyazov gave me, my beloved Project Necropolis, a plan I have been working on for exactly a century, will become a reality.
Not many people know about this but I shall tell you. Long ago, I was formerly a corporal in the German armed forces during World War I. I was loyal to the Kaiser and him alone. I was military friends with a sergeant in during the war who wanted to be a painter but his aspirations sprouted wings and left him. He was a potential art student for Vienna but instead, he got assigned in the howitzers like I was. I was one of his loyal corporals. That is right; I was military friends with the Fuhrer of Nazi Germany, Adolf Hitler. While he was trying to take over Europe in the 1940’s, I had taken necromancy after World War I. However, my newfound powers were not the Aryan way. When the Nazis saw me as a potential competitor, I fled into exile from Hitler’s grasp. Ever since then, I was reluctant to go back to Germany. “We are the Master Race,” Hitler claimed. That is certified, grade “A” horse shit. He dreamed of immortality and a Thousand Year Reich but that failed miserably. This confirmed my belief why dreams and aspirations are less than meaningless. However, when East Germany was made, my home city of Leipzig became the capital. I went back to Leipzig, where I met the Russian vampire Mikhail Antonov. He hired me to be his necromancer and that is the position I have today. Ever since then, people have feared me and called me the Leipzig Lich. I wanted to strike terror into the hearts of mortals everywhere, but I will never get my rightful glory from Mikhail Antonov. They only desire control. I don’t want to order, dictate or control. I just want to show the rulers of the world how pathetic and futile their attempts really are to me. It is not about control, it is about sending a message: everything dies.
Regards,
Karl Kohl, the Leipzig Lich.
A diary excerpt from Zoya Ivanova 4/26/18:
Dear Diary,
I was walking silently back to the hotel, when a gunshot was fired. The bullet just hit the ground, not me. There were two men when I turned around. One had a thin mustache and a striped tie. the other one had a big nose, a pair of glasses and a sniper rifle. The tall one with the thin mustache claimed in a Russian accent “Going somewhere, Miss Ivanova?” Thunderstruck, I asked him “How do you know my name?” The short one with the glasses said in a Russian accent while aiming his gun “We wiretapped your phone and now, you will come with us back to Moscow where you will be tried for treason.” Resisting them, I kicked the rifle with my bladed boot, severing it in half. I aimed at the men with my Smith and Wesson. “Don’t think you’ll escape! We want that flash drive and your book. I think you have the infamous Antonov Codex,” the rotund one said. The tall man angrily chided “For the final time, stop being an imbecile!” The fat one snapped “Alright, I have had enough of your insults and humiliation!”
“You are just a common thug while I have the brains of this duo! If you don’t shape up, I swear I will make your life miserable.”
“You already do, Mr. ‘I am a misogynist who hates fat people’! What do I have to lose?”
While the two were arguing, I rolled my eyes and made a clean getaway by jumping over a stone wall. I came back to my hotel, exhausted from running out of fear from the pursuers. My half-brother Maxim was surprised to see me like this. He asked me “What happened, Zoya? You looked like you saw a ghost.” I answered out of sheer honesty “You aren’t far wrong. I helped the ghost of a bishop from eternal unrest at the Cathedral. I also encountered two Russian agents who were going to bring us back. Luckily, they were more focused on bickering rather than me so I evaded capture.”
“All right, we’ll have to tell Herman the Russians are pursuing us. Did you get the Codex?”
“Right here, brother!”
The Antonov Codex whispered “Now that have your precious pale hide, what do hope to do with me?” I answered the Codex “We’re going to destroy you once and for all!” That is, if the cursed book is not indestructible.
Sincerely,
Zoya Ivanova.
Czerski’s Log 4/27/18:
The dhampirs have found and obtained the Codex. I must send this information to the Antonovs and the Leipzig Lich. My superiors will probably be forgiving when they hear about this. I have detected the Russian Agents who were pursing the half vampires. They almost took the Codex, until the female used her boot to slice the fat one’s sniper rifle. I, personally, was amazed someone who is descended from the Antonov Family could do something like that. Nonetheless, the agents were more conflicted with each other than I thought before. The tall one called his subordinate an imbecile for believing in the supernatural. The female dhampir managed to get away while they were arguing. I tried chasing after her but she vanished into the shadows. I have never seen anyone, not even other dhampirs, move that fast in my life. I bet right now, the agents probably want her dead like Kohl does.
An idea just came to me. When the dhampirs and the agents go on the train to Prague, I will find and kill the KGB agents and then the Interpol agent. I see him as a tool for my master, and I don’t mean those misguided Antonov vampires. The sooner this mission is over with, the better.
Agent Czerski out.
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