268 War Of Serpentis VIII : Punishments 1

Looking beyond the setting sun on the horizon, and the smell of blood and death still hanging in the air, I made my way out of the command room in our camp.I wanted to catch the last few rays the sun had to offer, before it set once again. This whole place was different now, I mean how couldn't it be. An entire mountain had disappeared just so that the land below could be a part of the world above once again.

You would think that after staying in a place of perpetual darkness for close to two years, I would hunger for the light and relief the sun brought. That I should be sad to see it dip it's edges beyond the western horizon and have to wait another 18 hours to see it again. 18 whole hours as opposed to the 12 from earth, different, but the darkness-…no I should say the night wasn't so bad. Because on it's own it had qualities to it that even the day could not compare to.

I moved forwards a little bit, tracking the shadows of the sun as it completely disappeared, ushering in the darkness blessed night, and it's companion a full moon so bright and so big I could almost touch it. I felt close to the moon, though that would most probably be because my wife made it, so call me biased or something else, but the moon was beautiful and I loved it.

A stone platform had been previously effected the previous night to serve as a meeting place. The crest of a lion surrounded by four dragons almost seemed to blaze and glow with an otherworldly light under the light of the moon. But if anything, that crest proved who was in charge, it proved who held the initiative in the negotiations that's about to take place. Somehow, without me even realizing house For had risen to stand at the very top of the vampire food chain, heck should everything go according to plan, I wouldn't be ruling over vampires alone, which come to think of, I never did rule over vampires alone. The vampires were just a lot more than any other race.

I stepped on top of the platform, and stood at the middle. I heard multiple flaps and the displacement of air as Shao Tie and Bobo showed up behind me, with Siren trailing behind them. Soon enough Baeki showed up, and took her place beside me, Asha and Xaseah stood a little ways behind us, as the rest of the vampires showed up in full force, armored and armed to the teeth. A few seconds later, the sound of hisses, and loud crawling rang out, as the Nagas, made themselves available.

They weren't armed though, which was good since that would betray the reason for this whole get together. But that just accounted for one of the forces required to be here, but I didn't have to wait long before the purist vampires showed up. And this time they were being led by a vampire with snow white hair, extremely pale skin, red lips and eyes the deepest shade of red I've ever seen. There was just this aura of power around him that I've only felt once before, and from one person only. And that was Baeki.So without a shadow of a doubt, this guy was a Dracula, and most probably the head honcho of the purist vampire faction.

He was. Just. So. Damn. Beautiful! I felt like I was about to puke roses and sunshine. I saw Baeki furrow her eyebrows, but from what I could see, it was most probably not because she hated the guy or had history with him, it was because he was so fine, he put every woman here on the spot and made them feel self conscious. I wanted to laugh, but with Asha and Xaseah behind me, and the extreme feeling of jealousy I was feeling from them, I knew without a doubt those two would kick my ass if I should fuck up. I can't believe they're all jealous of a guy.

But either way, I guess it's time to get this show on the road. I had to address the current state of affairs, make a boat load of demands, dominate, conquer and subjugated all at once, though I feel most of those words probably mean t the same thing. Either way, it's time to talk.

"Welcome, I'm glad you all made it here on time and in one piece. This is a call out of sorts, or you could say a trial, for sins past and present, their repentance and the compromises and remissions needed to be made to make sure, that no one sins against us again in the future."

No one said anything, they just watched me as I gave them blank stares. There was a crackle of lightening in the distance, and soon enough the booming of thunder followed. The air began to get wet with moisture as the temperature dropped down a few degrees. Looks like it's going to rain, I was really looking forward to that, I've not seen rain in a while.

"The Naga race would be placed under ten years of indentured servitude. You would not be treated like slaves, and you're allowed continue developing a d growing as a race. But for the next ten years, you are going to be in charge of a lot of things, such as the expansion of the city, the building of towns, roads and a boat load of other facilities including mining. That's the only punishment I can give you without being a hypocrite and doing the same thing to you, that was done to us by the council of light."

The Nagas, looked reluctant. To be honest I didn't really blame them, because no matter what, nobody would like to serve another, much less people who were their enemies just three days ago. But I wasn't done yet, like I said I didn't want to be like the council of light, and I was trying to build a nation that could rival the power of the council of light. And while the vampires were very strong, it wasn't just enoughfor us to be alone. Not with the vision I had in mind.

I had to render the council of light redundant, and to do that, I had to create a council of my own that could rival theirs. But I rather not make it from just vampires, heck if it's possible for me to have even the humans, elves and dwarves on said council, then everything I'm aiming for would be complete. I had given up ambitions of ruling, because quite frankly at the time it seemed really childish and unrealistic. But my wife has asked me to make her queen, it would be beyond stupid if I don't make her wishes come true, and do it in the most extravagant way possible.

"There's also another choice offered to the Serpentis. After your ten years, you're free from any sort of obligation. And we will never bother each other again. Or we could just avoid all that bullshit entirely and extend an olive branch that would really help your people, but it will come at a cost." I said to the Naga king as I faced him.

"What is this olive branch you're offering, and what's this cost you mention."

The Naga king asked me with narrowed eyes. He was already quite wary of what I might say next. Ten years of servitude definitely left a bad taste in his mouth, but due to how long his race lives, with the minimum passing away at 500,ten years of servitude was not something to insane. They could handle serving the vampires for that much time, which was Infinitely better than putting their hopes of humans who left them here, as another contingent of guard dogs, against a vampire uprising. To bad the weapons they had given, was torn apart like it was nothing more than simple toys. Baeki took a step forward and answered.

"The Serpentis species can join Ethernalia Leonis. As their king you would be given a seat on a new council, and would be a part of the people overseeing the growth of the city and every single one of it's inhabitants. Which means, you can no longer think a out your people alone, but about every race living in the city, they all become your responsibility. The Serpentis will become a part of Ethernalia Leonis, and you will recognize and acknowledge Kael Cor as your lord and king. And serve him faithfully in every capacity you can muster."

Baeki said to him, eliciting shocks from all of the vampires and the Serpentis around. In a manner of speaking, this didn't seem fair. They came an attacked, killing, innocent vampires and tearing families apart like it was nothing and now it looks like they're being rewarded. There was no way the vampires would stand for such a decisions, and the Naga king knew it. Which was why he had to ask.

"And what's the price I have to pay for all of this benefits?"

"Well they're quite a few. First of all, a son of yours took a general of ours and raped her in front of her soldiers and her husband. You would hand that son of yours over, as he's going to be executed or something along that line. Also the son who was responsible for the war, that is the fool who first led the vanguard on the green district, you're going to hand him over to for a trial. And depending on how it goes, he's either going to be executed, or imprisoned for a very long ass time. Next the servitude stuff will still be in effect, but this time just for five years, and within that period no Serpentis is allowed to own a business, attack a vampire, or contact the humans. You break any of that rule, then the punishment would be swift and hard. Also you and your family are expected to swear and oath of loyalty to the house of Cor, we can guarantee that the seat of the Serpentis Council member will remain in your family, as long as you guys don't fuck things up. So what's your decision." Baeki asked him, as she picked her finger nails.

The Naga king looked like he had been placed in a very tight spot. On one hand, there was just ten years of servitude, of course those ten years won't be easy. The vampires would work them to the bone, and torture them in every possible way, and when everything is said and done, they might all be too drained to even survive as a race. Others might think it was the easiest way out, but he could see it for what it was, and that was the fact that serving Ethernalia Leonis for ten years was a death sentence.They said the Serpentis could keep on growing and developing themselves. But what sort of development can be done in ten years when you're servant. And he also knew that the vampires would not allow that growth, if they feel threatened, they would wipe the Serpentis out, no questions asked. Not everyone can be like me and raise an army, build a city, and grow stronger under the nose of their enemies.

The human race obviously underestimated what he was capable of, and they paid for it. He was very sure, that I will not make that same mistakes. And that I would not allow any threat to grow against my people.

"My lords, can I have some time to think about it?" he asked me and Baeki. I looked at him and answered.

"You could have some time, but it doesn't change the fact that I'm still going to come after those two individuals Baeki mentioned, unless of course they're the same person, then that's good. But once I do, once I take your son's life, Without you handing him over to me, then any other thing is off the table, and you would have to serve for ten years." The Naga king's body shook a bit, before he spoke.

"Please, temper justice with mercy. They're my sons, my children. You're a father too, please understand!" The Naga king said to me, as he bowed his head to the ground, looking really miserable. I walked over to him and raised his head up.

"it's because I understood that I asked for a trial. I could have just killed them, and let more hate fester between our people. Even with the options I've given you, it would be very hard for the bridges between the Naga and Serpentis to be mended. The primes culprits have to answer for their crimes, but apart from that, it would absolve your people of a little bit of sin. I know how cold this sounds like right now, I can't ever imagine myself in a position like this where I have to give up my son or daughter to punished or even killed. But you're in a position to understand a whole lot more than I am.

Once you're a leader, your blood is not your only family. You're people, each and everyone of them, becomes your children to. And you have to protect them, guide them, and seek justice for them. I rather not separate you from your children, because quite frankly you're a good king, not a good person, but a good king and you love your children. But consequences have to be paid, it's the only way to truly move forward, and I know nothing can ever make up for the loss of a child, but please do it so the rest of them can survive. Because one way or another, I'll have to seek justice for my own hurt children, and I will not hesitate to end you and everyone else who stands in my way. So please tell me Naga King, what would it be. What choice are you going to make?"

"...…."

And then he answered me, his voice barely above a whisper.

"You can have them!"