Heart of Darkness

Constantine finished the cup of blood he was served every evening. He healed very fast and even felt much stronger than he did before. He was now the false leader of the shades but truly he was a slave. Every step he took was being watched. He couldn’t see who watched him, but he felt it.

Everything was so perfectly under control. But not under his control. It felt as if the strange demon was a shadow himself, present in every step. Perhaps it was just him being paranoid but what was he supposed to feel? His whole existence turned out to be something else.

Tonight he might finally get some answers. Since the day he met the strange demon, he hadn’t seen him. The demon had only sent his men to deliver blood and messages and now they came with an invitation to have dinner with him. How romantic.

Dinner with his creator? He still had a hard time believing that. How did a demon create them and whose blood was he feeding him?

Constantine just wanted answers so he could know who this bastard was and kill him. Because he was being watched all the time, he couldn’t even leave to find out on his own. His two bald servants came to take him to the demon once the time arrived.

An imprisoned leader. Perfect. How funny that shades hated demons but it had always been one leading them. The two bald men took him to a dining room and motioned for him to sit down at the table.

Servants were lined up against the wall, standing still like dolls. The two baldheads left the hall and he sat there waiting, realizing what a useless life he was living. Chasing to kill one after the other.

He remembered Ramona. Her fiery hair, blue eyes, and bright smile. He remembered her sweet scent and soft lips. He would never get to see that again. He would never get to hold her again. What kind of life was he living? So empty and cold.

“We finally meet again,” A voice drawled, pulling him out of his memories.

Swiftly he teleported and was suddenly seated at the table with him. His bright green eyes fell on him. “How have you been?” He asked with his smooth voice.

“I could be better,” Constantine replied. “I like my freedom.”

The demon nodded. “You are free to do whatever you can do and what you can’t, you can ask for my help.” He gave the servants a nod and they began to serve dinner.

“I would like not to be watched and followed everywhere.” Constantine made it clear since this demon wanted to beat around the bush.

The demon tilted his head and frowned. “No one is watching you.”

Was he going to lie right to his face? He even looked convincing. But he wasn’t going to let this man make him believe he was crazy.

“What is your name?”

“Nathaniel.”

“Your real name?”

“It is my real name.”

“Why did you create us?” Constantine asked.

“I wanted something of my own.” He leaned forward placing his arm on the table. “After being cast out from my world, I was alone here. So I created you.”

“Who cast you out?”

“Well,” he leaned back in his chair. “Envious demons who saw me as a threat because I had a different opinion.”

After one servant put the plate of food in front of him, he poured some wine into his glass. Nathaniel motioned for him to go ahead to eat and drink but Constantine was more interested in him. He wanted to know everything.

“How did you create us,” he said picking up his cutlery. He began to cut through the meat.

Nathaniel did the same. “You will see soon when I create more of you.”

Constantine stiffened. “More of us?”  Why? They could reproduce.

“Yes. But it will be a little different this time.” He looked up from his plate. “I will create you to be more powerful. Are you ready to see?” He asked with a strangely disturbing smile.

“Yes,” Constantine replied trying to hide his discomfort. He would have to see what sickness this man was hiding. “But why do you need to create more of us.”

“I have enemies. It will be safer if we are many and stronger. If the demons find out about me being involved with you, none of us will be safe unless we are strong.”

Why did Constantine not believe a word, except for the fact that he just didn’t like the man?

“You probably think I am keeping some things a secret.” He suddenly said.

“Yes.”

“That will only be until I learn that I can trust you. Right now, you don’t like me yet.”

What did that mean? As if he would ever like him.

“What did you do with the prophetess’s blood?”

Nathaniel contemplated his answer. “You were created with prophet and demon blood.”

Constantine froze. No…

No! It couldn’t be.

“What do you mean?”

“Y0u will see.

“Do you have prophet blood?”

“No. I have something better now.”

“What is that?”Constantine asked.

The demon smirked. “That will be a surprise.”

Constantine didn’t have a good feeling about this but who did he have to be worried about? He would wait and see what would happen.

After dinner, Nathaniel allowed him to look around the house. It was built like a cathedral with a divine and devilish interior. A mix of light and dark in a strange way.

There were lots of paintings, depicting hell, torture, strange and terrifying creatures, blood, and sacrifices.

“This is the God Hedous.” Nathaniel said pointing at the big frightening monster in the painting. “It is said that he is a seed holder and whatever you sacrifice to him, he will produce such seeds to plant a new creation.”

Constantine nodded, understanding it all now. “You will make sacrifices for him?”

The demon smirked. “Everything great requires a sacrifice.”