The Chronicles of a Tyrant Iii: Destiny

By Sierra J. Ball

Leviathan has returned from Las Vegas a victorious new monster. The demise of Arch-Peteryx Feathervault has made him stronger. However, it has opened a new door for the albino tyrant. Despite the changes in his body and an increased appetite for blood and carnage, Leviathan cant help but think, as the first and last tyrant out of six, that his time on Earth will be ending soon. Will his chronicles be finished once and for all, or will his old age catch up to him before they can be shared with the world? What will Leviathan Golgohoths destiny be?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Dec 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781452564913

Sierra J. Ball

Sierra Ball’s previous two novels in the Leviathan Chronicles have been praised by many readers. At twenty-five, the young author is thankful to have a gift of writing, and loves to share it and encourage others to write as well. “Where do you get your ideas?” she is asked. She answers, “Dreams; anything’s possible in a dream. Turn your possibilities into reality.” Sierra stills lives in Louisiana but has since moved to another town with her beloved pet turtles, Tortuga and Danzig, and couldn’t be happier with her life.

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Copyright © 2012 Sierra J. Ball

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ISBN: 978-1-4525-6490-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4525-6491-3 (e)

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The author of this book does not dispense medical advice or prescribe the use of any technique as a form of treatment for physical, emotional, or medical problems without the advice of a physician, either directly or indirectly. The intent of the author is only to offer information of a general nature to help you in your quest for emotional and spiritual well-being. In the event you use any of the information in this book for yourself, which is your constitutional right, the author and the publisher assume no responsibility for your actions.

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Balboa Press rev. date: 12/18/2012

Contents

Arrival To Los Angeles

Elsa Behrendt, In Person

On The Road To Note Manor

Adjusting Back In

An Insult For An Unexpected Visitor

Suggestions Of The Reflection

Intuitions

Correction By Blood

Meeting The Mollis Twins

Human-Flavored Rice Cakes

Friday, Fish, Fiasco

The Big Question

It Can’t Be!

Revenge On The Pirate

Traveler Gaudio

Atrocious Ed

The Midnight Plan

Graveyard Heist

The Sunday Discovery

They Took Her

Sorrowful Guilt

Brotherly Visit

The German Invasion

The Bunny Confessions

Gaudio’s Choosing

Terminus Oceanus Deathicus

What’s Going On Here?

Anson Acquirement

The Channing Clues

To The Church

It Takes A Bully

Divinity

It’s Logan Terry

Anson Antagonized

Disclosure

Facing Gaudio

Cops And Chocolate

The Realization

Why, Marilyn?!

Bewildering Broadcast

False Alarm

I’m Not Me

Calling It A Night

Cannabis Combustion

Damaged Deceivers

The Black Death

The Death Of Phaize

Blackmail

Pig Hunt

Pig Polished Off

Peeling The Layers

Bickering Over Butter

Distant Histories

Mordecai’s Mishaps

Mortified Mordecai

Dogs In Dismay

Tokugawa

The Sugimotos

The Kabuki Drama

Lethal Luminosity

The Thirst

Cop Out 3: Police Brutality

Marlianne Kostopoulos

My Greatest Desire

The Breaking News

Brother Knows Best

The Same Person

Exploration

The Final And The Fix

The Departure

Brother’s Bond

How Could You!?!

Saving Mordecai

A Devious Plan

Casting The Baited Hook

Checking In

Dante’s Revenge

The Opium Union

An Assault On Our Target

Stairway To The Fires

Monitoring Mordecai

20th Century Tales

He Forgot About Me

Demolished Discovery

Shock Of The Night

No Accident

Bad Accident

Familiarity

A Familiar Face

Turning Back

Exposure

Refusal And Reprisal

Destiny

Remember Your Past

Confessional Experiment

Escape To Corinth

I Killed Them

Because Of You, My Brother

You Are Forgiven

Make Things Right

Wrangle The Rapist

Golgohoths Get Even

My Wife And I

The Distasteful Eulogy

The Final Fight

Alden And Tai

Leviathan’s Destiny

Preparation

Truths Of The Past

Gaudio’s Castle Again

Concentrate

The Suit Of Armor

The Dinner

Poison

Dark Imprisonment

Gaudio’s Sorcery

Fight It!

The Fall Of Gaudio’s Castle

Unwavering Alliance

Time To Go

Rewriting My History

The Death Of Leviathan

History Rewritten

Mordecai’s Bestseller

Acanthus’s Sorrowful Vision

Leviathan’s Brand New Life

The Greatest Treasure

Arrival To Los Angeles

W ell – here I am. I, Tyrant Leviathan Golgohoth, am on my way back to Los Angeles, California. I remain silent as I travel down Highway 15 from Las Vegas, Nevada.

I think to myself: Once I arrive in L.A., I’ll go straight to the police station and drop this thing off. Then, I need to go to the DeFranco residence and rescue Mordecai. Then, I’ll go straight to my mansion; I really feel like I need to.

I can feel my eyes getting tired. I think I see a long nap in my future.

Life sure feels different. I say.

It is different; Three of the six Eternal Ones have passed on, and they will not aid me for the rest of my days. Also, I don’t have to dwell on Arch-Peteryx Feathervault wanting revenge; he’s dead and gone, and he will not be coming after me anymore.

After driving for two straight hours, I arrive in Los Angeles; I drive over to the police station. Once I park, I turn off the humvee and get out.

That’s done. I say.

Before I can leave the police department’s parking lot, I am stopped by someone.

Where have you been this past week, Jonathan? I hear a familiar voice ask. I turn and see who it is.

Vacation. I say to the police chief, Sebastian Barnes.

I’m surprised to see you. he inspects me. What happened to your shirt?

It’s nothing.

I got in a fight with my worst enemy, and he sliced it up.

It had to be something. Barnes says. It looks serious; it looks like you’ve been bleeding……………and there’s a bruise on the side of your head.

It had to be from when Peteryx hit me in the head with the crowbar; no doubt, it’s from that.

I said it’s nothing. I tell him. Now, I would like to go back home; I’ve had quite a week.

Where did you go?

Vegas.

Did you kill anyone?

Huh? What kind of a question is that? I just went on vacation.

I’m sorry, Jonathan. The rumors.

Rumors?

I think about it: These rumors about me killing people are really true; killing’s in my nature. I’m a tyrant, and I kill to survive. It’s part of why I stopped being an oil tycoon for OPEC; it’s also why I quit my job at the AFL-CIO. I cannot associate with people that I long to destroy. Being around so many Humans, having to breathe in their natural scent, was torturous.

I’ve said it before, I say. Killing isn’t in my nature.

Of course, I lie. I need to kill, or at least wound, to get my supply of blood that I need to stay alive.

I believe you, Jonathan. Barnes says.

Okay then. Are my belongings safe at my mansion?

Yes.

What about the mansion itself?

It’s fine; there’s a lock on your door.

Yes, I know.

Splendid. I say. Now, I have to go. I’m very tired, and I need some rest. Good seeing you again, Lieutenant.

Yeah, Jonathan.

I go to walk to the curb to catch the next bus, and I turn around.

You won’t hear from me for a long while. I say.

I find that hard to believe. Lieutenant Barnes tells me.

Elsa Behrendt, In Person

I take a bus headed toward the direction of the DeFranco Foster Home. I put my hand on my right hip; that’s where my revolver is.

I need to call Marilyn and see if they made it back from San Francisco, I think. I need to get Anticlea and take her back home with me. Also, I get to meet Mordecai’s chat room buddy, if she’s there. I believe she won’t be there if Marilyn and Ned are home.

A few minutes later, I get off at my stop. When I arrive at the foster home, I run up to the front door and ring the doorbell.

Mordecai?! I shout. It’s Leviathan! Are you in there?!

I hear someone coming. Just then, the door opens. There stands Mordecai; he’s only in his boxers, so Bunny must be there.

Leviathan! Mordecai shouts, hugging me tightly. You’ve come back! You’re alive!!

Yes. I say. I did what I had to do.

Look, Leviathan – you’ve gotta help me. She’s in the house.

You mean –

Who’s there? I hear someone call out. I then see who it is; it’s Bunny. Wow – I see what Mordecai meant by not being able to think of Candice while screwing with this – girl. I see that she’s wearing a coral-pink robe; I imagine that she’s not wearing anything underneath it.

My heart begins to race. I really think she looks great. Even though she’s a coldhearted bitch, she sure is hot!

Ah, she says. You must be Tyrant Leviathan Golgohoth. She walks up to me and puts her arms around my neck. I’m Elsa Behrendt. So nice to meet you. She seems a bit confused. What’s that bruise there?

I’m unaware of that now. I say. I’m more interested in you.

Mordecai is standing close by with a look of shock on his face.

Mordecai told me that you’re an albino. She says. I see it now. And, are you really immortal? She touches my chest. You know, I love chest hair.

I push her away from me. She’s not getting on my good side – no way. Even though she’s very beautiful, I can still resist her.

Who the hell do you think you are?! I shout at her. I grab her and push her back inside the house. You’re screwing my best friend, and you plan to steal my story?! I slam her against a wall. You’ve got some nerve.

Wow, Bunny says. What a strong man you are.

Who do you think you’re messing with, huh? I ask, gripping her shoulders tightly. She begins to moan; not in pain, but in pleasure. Trust me, I know the difference between the two.

"You really are strong. Bunny says. I bet you’re excellent in bed, too. I know that Mordecai is. Why not give it a try? I bet I’ll love the way you’ll feel inside of me, too."

Listen to me, because I’m only going to say this once. You stay as far away from Mordecai as you possibly can, or I will kill you. Do you understand me?

"You? Kill me?"

Better it be me than Acanthus of Corinth.

Why do you want me to stay away? You and your brother seem like the kind who’d love a good threesome. Bunny brushes her fingers across my cheek. I slap her hand away.

I know that Mordecai didn’t rape you; he isn’t that type of person. He also has a girlfriend that he cares about – so, I suggest you stay away.

Or you’ll kill me?

Don’t let Acanthus find out about this.

You can’t kill me, tyrant; I’m too irresistible. Besides, Acanthus only kills when Arachne marks them.

Not true; not true one bit. The Trio does mark, torture and kill, and zombify by youth drainage……………however, if something is personal, they will not hesitate to act on their own accord, and not as a team. One memorable time they acted on their own was when Arachne and Acanthus’s daughter Lily Bell, my niece, was raped by a pack of Lichens (Werewolves, in Human form, who are followers of Werewolf Lord Romulus Fierce) over in Port-Au-Prince. Each Lichen was captured, one by one, by the Stalker and killed by the Deathbringer; however, the entire Trio came together, in the end, to destroy Finneas Torch, the ring leader of the group. I also heard that their attack on Lord Fierce’s home wasn’t too pleasant, either.

You honestly think Acanthus needs Arachne’s mark to kill someone? I ask. You’re sadly mistaken.

No. she says and smiles.

Oh really? Try him. He can resist you just as well as I can. I turn to Mordecai. Go upstairs and get your clothes. Put them back on because you’re coming with me.

Shall I get the keys to Marilyn’s car? Mordecai asks. It’s in the garage; they took Ned’s car to San Francisco.

Sure. Why not?

Mordecai runs back into the house to get his clothes and the keys to Marilyn’s car. I turn my attention back to Bunny.

If you don’t want to suffer greatly, I say to her. Leave town.

What are you talking about? she asks. I live here.

How come I’ve never seen you?

There’s plenty of people here that you’ve never seen.

Go stay in Torrance with your dad and brothers. Let them beat your ass some more.

I……..they’ve never harmed me.

Who are you trying to convince here? Me or you?

My condo is here, in Los Angeles. I must stay here.

Put it up for sale.

No.

Look, I run my fingers through my hair. If you don’t leave town, either me or Acanthus is going to deal with you.

Better you than Acanthus?

"I did say it."

Bunny brushes her strawberry-blonde bangs away from her ocean-blue eyes.

I’m not leaving Los Angeles. she says bluntly. You and your brother wouldn’t dare harm a child.

Be that, as it may………. I say. But I see no child. I smile. I doubt that you’re fourteen, as you’ve claimed.

Bunny seems a bit uncomfortable by my statement.

Okay, fine – stay here. I say. Just don’t come near Mordecai, or I will, most definitely, kill you.

Like I said, tyrant. You can’t kill me. I’m too –

I don’t care what you are; it’s not the outside that matters. It’s the inside. Sure – you may be beautiful on the outside, but you have a rotten core; you’re a disgusting maggot on the inside. If I had a reason to kill you, and I do, I would murder you and not break a sweat. I slam her against the wall again. I’ve killed many rebellious women throughout my life, and you’ll be another one on my list.

Or Acanthus’s list, but I need to be marked first.

Not for personal matters.

But,

No buts. Stay away from Mordecai; as far away as you possibly can, or else.

Fine, I will. I’ll leave that little Jew bit alone.

I shove Bunny against the wall once more.

Don’t you ever call my best friend that again! I demand. Do you understand me?! I’ll rip your heart out right this instant!!

Bunny’s face bears a look of fear. I back away from her.

Good girl. I say. And, if I ever see you around him, like fifteen feet or so, you’re buzzard feed. I walk out of the house. I then turn back around. That’s a promise.

Mordecai comes down in his clothes……..and Bunny’s clothes; he thrusts her clothing into her hands.

I had said that Bunny is not to go fifteen feet around him with me seeing, but Mordecai had to pass in front of her to get out of the house, so – I’ll let that one slide.

I don’t want that bitch here while I’m away. Mordecai tells me. Marilyn and Ned will be home later today, and they can’t see her.

I make sure of it. Before Mordecai and I go, I strictly tell Bunny that she is not to stay here.

So, before Bunny has time to dress, I yank her out of the house and Mordecai locks the front door.

What was that for?! she asks.

Go. I say to her. Go, and never return, or you’ll be sorry.

But I have to dress.

Dress and leave.

After Bunny pulls on her see-through blouse and skimpy little slutty skirt, she slowly walks down the sidewalk, away from the DeFranco residence. Mordecai and I go over to Marilyn’s car and get in it. I’m asked to drive, even though I drove from Las Vegas to Los Angeles, but I’m more than happy to do it.

On The Road To Note Manor

M ordecai and I strike up a conversation; it’s the least we can do, since we haven’t seen each other in a long while.

How’d your time in Vegas go? Mordecai asks.

Just great. I say, putting the key in the ignition. Acanthus destroyed the Anubis servants, and Peteryx lost his head. I start up the car. Everything went great.

That’s good. You have a bruise on your face, by the way.

Yeah, I know.

What was Edward and Rolfe Bentley like?

They were husbands, and they were both killed.

Leviathan, you didn’t………..

No, I didn’t kill them; it was the work of Peteryx and his servants.

I begin to drive down the highway.

I see. Mordecai replies. So, I talked to Acanthus before he went to find you. He said that any friend to you is a friend to him.

Too bad he can’t say the same about Jessica.

Huh?

I’ll tell you about it later. I promise. I look over at Mordecai. Is my story safe?

Oh yeah. He says. I saved it on a floppy disk; the whole thing. I have it with me right now. I made sure that it would be the number one thing I keep away from Bunny.

Good boy.

And, will you really kill her if she comes around me again?

Yes, I will.

What about Acanthus? He’s a master at torture; she needs it.

Well, we’ll think about it.

Did he come back with you from Vegas?

No. I take it he and his servants are traveling together.

I notice that there’s something sitting on the dashboard. I reach out and grab the item, which is a brown envelope.

What is that? Mordecai asks.

It’s the last passages that I had written. I say. Colai must’ve retrieved it from the Bentleys’ house, before it burned.

It burned?

I didn’t see it burn, but on the way back from Vegas, I passed it, and it was a blackened shell. I hand the envelope to Mordecai. It had to have been Peteryx.

Or Specialist Matthew McDaniel, the last Anubis dog.

You can work on that at my mansion. I tell Mordecai. I’ll have one of my computers set up and everything.

Great. Mordecai replies. I’ll be happy to work on these. I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

Adjusting Back In

W e arrive at my mansion – the Note Manor. It’s been a whole solid week since I last saw it. I open the gates and drive through. I look over to my right, toward the Mollis residence; I see Poppy Seed Mollis playing outside with an unfamiliar person. He must be Syriacus, the servant Acanthus spoke of in Vegas.

I then look over to the left, toward the Channings’ home, and I see little Thaddeus Channing playing outside – with my Dobermans, Hulk and Duke, nonetheless. He sees me and waves.

I park the car in front of the mansion and get out. Tad is running over to see me. There’s a huge smile on his face. When he gets to me, he gives me a great big hug.

Jonathan!! he says. Where were you? I missed you!

I was just taking care of business in Vegas. I tell him. I just got finished, so I came back.

Are you here for good?

So far, yes – but I may have to go somewhere else. I’m not planning to go anywhere right now though.

Do you think you’ll have time to make me and my mom and dad another one of those casseroles?

I say nothing. I cannot tell the poor boy that it wasn’t me that made the meat pie, but rather my twin brother Acanthus……………and that he used Human flesh for the filling.

I’ll see. I tell him.

Okay. Thaddeus says. He glances a bit at me. What’s that mark by your eye?

He is the fourth person to ask. As soon as I can find a mirror, I have to see it for myself.

It’s from a tiny accident. I say. It’s nothing.

Oh. Tad says. He then lets me go and points toward the Dobermans. We took good care of them for you while you were away, Jonathan.

I see that. I say, smiling. They look happy. I guess I owe you and your parents a reward for your care and kindness.

No, sir. We did it out of the goodness of our hearts.

Well, I appreciate that. I notice a dark mark on the boy’s face; it looks a lot like a bruise. What’s that on your cheek?

Tad looks over at the Mollis residence.

That girl over there is so mean. He tells me. When I was waiting for the school bus one morning, she ran over to our yard and she beat me.

Did your mom and dad see?

No. They wondered what this bruise was, but I told them that I had fallen at school; that’s what that girl told me to say.

Yeah, I think I’m going to have a little talk with my brother about his daughter’s irrational behavior. However, since he’s not home yet, I may have to be the one to give her a piece of my mind.

I ruffle Tad’s hair.

Look, Tad, I say. I have to go and take a rest. Tell your parents that I’m back and I’ll try to find some time to go visit them.

Okay, Jonathan. Tad goes back to play with Hulk and Duke. I’ll see you later.

I wave to Tad. I then walk up to my door and see the padlock.

Who put this here again? I ask Mordecai.

Leviathan, Mordecai says. It was Acanthus; he told me.

Oh.

I grip the padlock and with extreme force, I rip it clean off the door. To make things worse, my front door is locked; I feel inside my pocket for my keys, but there’s nothing in either of my pockets.

No keys. I say.

I then think about the giant potted plant on the left side of the door. I look inside the pot and sure enough, there’s my house keys stuck in the soil; I grab them and unlock my door. Mordecai follows me inside.

Brother knows best. I hear Acanthus’s voice say to me.

Sure thing. I say.

I look around at my mansion; I cut the living room lights on. I see that everything is the way I left it.

Wow. I say, looking around. Everything looks good.

I don’t think anyone came and messed with anything while you were away. Mordecai says. The padlock kept them out.

I’ll have to thank my brother, when he gets back.

Do you think he and his servants are in California now?

As far as I know; he may be back here now, but I don’t know. I’m going to go freshen up.

I’m gonna start on your chronicles, Leviathan. Mordecai tells me.

Good deal.

An Insult For An Unexpected Visitor

I lead Mordecai to the room where a computer is; he gets comfortable and starts setting everything up.

Thanks for saving me from that psychopath, Leviathan. he says. I think we’ll get this book done quickly and easily without her around.

We will. I say.

It’s not over, I think. She’ll be back for my story, and when she does return, I’ll be there to stop her, once and for all.

Mordecai sets up Microsoft Word and starts typing away. I begin to feel a little stressed out; I know it’s from three of my closest friends dying. I’m sure going to miss those guys.

I walk out of the room and I am seized by a strong power; my body becomes rigid and my head pounds with a throbbing pain.

I am a part of you, an all too familiar voice says to me. We are one; your blood is my blood; my mind is your mind. You, almighty albino tyrant, are strong with the ancient powers……….my powers. You cannot escape me; I am you.

I am released from the power when I hear the patrol monitor come on. I wonder who’s there; whoever it is obviously knows I’m home. Maybe it’s one of the Channings……………or it may be Acanthus and his servants back from Vegas.

I rush down the stairs and press the red button on the monitor.

Who is it? I ask.

It’s Syriacus, Leviathan. says a young voice. I’m an acanthus servant. Can you open the door? It’s important.

Syriacus, born Oniwaka Luchesse, is the acanthus servant that cared for Poppy while Acanthus was in Las Vegas with me. What does he want?

I open the door and see him standing there; he appears to be a bit stocky, but chubby. He has a young face, dark-brown hair, and dark-brown eyes; one long green vine travels horizontally from his wrists to the crooks of his arms.

Can I help you? I ask.

Master Acanthus wanted me to summon you from your humble abode. Syriacus says to me. He, Balcanicus, and Spinosus made it back from Vegas, and are recovering in the greenhouse. He draws a little closer to me. What happened out there?

Nothing.

It had to have been something; it couldn’t have been nothing.

I said everything went fine.

But Acanthus takes the form of a child.

Huh?

I walk outside and shut the door behind me. I look over at Acanthus’s yard and see that he has walked out of the greenhouse; like Syriacus said, he still takes the form of the twelve-year-old Levetin Golgohoth of the past.

Levetin? I ask. How are you still………….

Young in appearance? he asks. It’s simple, dear brother, I have not acquired a taste of Human blood yet. He looks over at Syriacus. We’re done here.

Syriacus nods and goes back into the greenhouse.

You’re not planning to kill anyone for blood, are you? I ask.

Are you high? Acanthus asks.

I should know this by now. My brother, Acanthus of Corinth, is the Deathbringer; of course he’ll kill for blood.

"I think that’s what you need to start doing a little more, Leviathan." Acanthus tells me.

I just stare at him for a few moments. A flood of joy comes over me as I see the brother I once knew speaking to me.

Does it hurt for you to stay the way you are? I ask him.

Physically, yes. he says. Mentally, yes. Emotionally……………yes.

I see.

You have a bruise near your temple.

I know; I got whacked with a crowbar in Vegas. So, how is Spinosus holding up?

How do you know about what happened to Spinosus?

The same way I know about what you endured at the Guard unit explosion; it was told to me.

He’ll live; I’ll live. He looks over toward my gates. Are you serious?

I look over and see what Acanthus speaks of; there is a black sports car parked out by my gates, waiting. I watch as a young girl gets out of the passenger’s seat and walks up the driveway.

Jessica? I ask.

Leviathan, she says as she arrives next to me. I just wanted to give these back to you.

She has, in her hand, the emerald earrings and bracelet that I had bought for her about a week ago at the mall.

I bought those for you. I tell her.

I can no longer accept them. she tells me, handing them to me.

Leviathan bought those for you, Acanthus tells her. I think you should hang on to them.

Jessica turns her attention to the mini Deathbringer.

Who asked for your opinion, kid? she asks him.

I’d be really careful how you speak to me. he says to her. Unless you want a knife sliding across your throat.

Who are you?

You know damn well who I am.

One of Acanthus of Corinth’s children.

"I am Acanthus of Corinth."

Jessica chuckles. Not a good thing to do to someone who’s known for heinous methods of torture and murder.

What’s so damn funny?! Acanthus shouts.

You, kid. Jessica says. You’re not Acanthus of Corinth.

So, you’ve read that the boy, who became Acanthus of Corinth, was twelve when he got murdered. When weakened, I take the form of my former self. He pulls up the sleeves of his long-sleeved black shirt and shows her his wrists; the vines that snake up them. He also turns around, pulls his shirt up, and shows her the vertical scars on his back; his kill wounds. The black Triquetra brand is also visible. What would you call this?

They may be vines, they may be scars. You may possess the Trio’s brand, but you are not the Deathbringer.

Oh, so now you’re labeling me a liar?? Young Acanthus pulls his shirt back down. Gonna spread rumors about me next? Well, at least now you’ve found a new hobby…………spreading something other than your legs.

Jessica says nothing. She begins to struggle for words.

Uh? she says. Why aren’t you in school?

What kind of a question is that? my brother asks. "I don’t go to school. Besides, it’s after five o’clock in the p.m. What are you up to? Too busy sleeping around? Breaking my brother’s heart?"

Levetin…. I whisper.

No, Leviathan. Acanthus says. She’s no good; I know all about this bitch, and what she does.

Who are you calling a bitch?! Jessica asks in anger.

You, bitch. Acanthus says bluntly. Same bitch that can’t keep your damn legs closed for anyone.

Jessica stammers a bit, but continues to speak.

Why don’t you try washing your mouth out with lye? Jessica says. It’s a great way to cleanse swearing.

Acanthus doesn’t crack a smile; he remains stoned-faced, just like the grown Deathbringer mostly does.

If I wanted a joke, he starts. I’d follow you home and watch you have sex with your dad.

Jessica says nothing; she seems to be shocked by what my brother has said to her. I watch as a big grin grows on his face, showing his slightly jagged teeth.

I know you do that. he says. Daddy loves it, does he not??

Jessica bursts into tears and runs back down the driveway toward the black sports car; she gets in and the car takes off down the road.

I turn my attention to my brother.

Wow, Levetin, I say. That was a little below the belt.

The bitch deserved it. Acanthus tells me.

What has she ever done to you?

Really, Leviathan? Are you listening to yourself right now? I thought that someone like you would spot a liar and a cheat coming from a million miles away. I guess the California life has really done you in.

I look down at the emerald earrings and bracelet that Jessica returned to me. I then stretch my hand out to Acanthus.

Take these, please. I say.

Are you sure? He asks, stretching out his arm; his tiny hand grasps the jewelry. Because if I take them, they’re going to wind up back in her possession…………..far up her ass.

Just take them for a while. I’m sure Poppy will love them.

I don’t think Poppy would really like skank jewelry too much. She’d look much better wearing aquamarines.

Just tell her they’re from Uncle Leviathan, okay?

I walk back toward my front door.

Are you coming back outside? Acanthus calls to me.

Not for a while. I tell him. I need to rest; I’m still a bit shaken up from fighting Peteryx.

You think you’re shaken up? I have to find my growth serum.

I have to go get Anticlea when Marilyn and Ned come back.

Yeah, you do that. I’ll just be chilling out, by your fountain.

Okay, you enjoy yourself.

I will.

As I walk to my front door, I see that young Acanthus crosses the fence into my yard and sits down next to my water fountain; he splashes some of the clear water on his face.

Have fun. I say. I have to rest.

Tyrants can’t rest for long, Leviathan. my brother replies. They need to hunt and feed ever so often…………especially now, since you drank the blood of Peteryx.

How did he know that I consumed Peteryx’s blood after I killed him??

Because I know you better than you realize, Leviathan. Says my brother, in his twelve-year-old voice.

I sigh. I then shut the front door.

Suggestions Of The Reflection

I sit next to the fountain and watch the ripples make waves; they splash on the sides of the marble structure.

I’ll show that girl who’s boss. I say. Why aren’t you in school, she said! You should wash your mouth out with lye, she said!! I’ll gut that whore like cattle!

I stuff the emerald jewelry into my pocket. I then scoop up some more of the clear water; I take a sip of it and feel my foliages awakening and becoming livelier.

That is really good. I say.

I decide to lean in and drink directly from the pool of the fountain, but before my mouth can reach the water’s surface, a reflection of me appears.

It isn’t just any reflection………………..it’s grown me!!

Acanthus, he says and smiles.

What the? I ask myself, staring into the familiar dark-green eyes. Who……..who are you?

It’s simple. I’m you.

Me?

You are not you; you are me.

I stare at the reflection of the mighty Deathbringer; I feel confusion cross my own face.

Yeah, no bull. I say.

You are me. he says. And I am you.

Okay?

And you are not you.

You said that already. What do you want?

I want you.

"I am you."

But I am not little.

I sigh disgustedly and turn away from the fountain. I get what my reflection’s saying, but he’s putting it in tough terms.

I turn back to the water in the fountain.

I need to become you again. I say.

You are me. the reflection says.

Just not the Deathbringer.

"You are the Deathbringer."

You know what I meant!! Bottom line…………..I need to acquire blood, so that we can become one.

Swell. And, tell me…………how much does it take to become the mighty Phoenix Mantrap again?

Just one drop.

Indeed, it does. Too bad Syriacus isn’t Oniwaka Luchesse anymore.

I wouldn’t attack Oniwaka for anything. Besides, he’s been Syriacus for over a hundred years; I never stole his blood from him when he was a Human.

Shame on you.

"Shame on me? Shame on you, pal!!"

I slap my hand across the reflection. After a few moments of ripples, Acanthus of Corinth’s face, my face, returns.

Are you done with your little drama? he asks.

Screw you. I say.

I have a suggestion for you. For me. He smiles. Why don’t you make yourself useful and find some of that sweet Human blood we crave so much?

Yeah, smartass. I was getting to that.

You and I both know, very well, a handful of people who deserve to die. Why don’t you make Leviathan happy again?

I get what he, or me rather, is saying; as the fraternal twin brother of the 6,000-year-old albino tyrant, I need to ensure that he’s happy and perky, not down and out. I need to clear all of the obstructions that are blocking Leviathan to his right spot.

I nod in agreement.

I get you. I reply. Thanks, me. We’re awesome.

Go, now………. he says. While the timing’s good.

I leave the fountain and cross the fence back into my yard. I then go to my greenhouse and change out my used torture tools for fresh ones; I include an ice pick and scalpels.

Someone’s going to return me to my true state. I say. And someone else is going to pay for what they’ve done to my brother.

Intuitions

A fter leaving my brother to splash around in my fountain, I begin to think: What the hell is happening to me? I’m not as evil and disgusting as I used to be. Before , I was more than ready to kill someone at will, now……………I hardly want to do it. I drank Peteryx’s blood, so…………why do I not have the passion of wanting to kill?

I look at my silver wedding band on my left ring finger. What I would give to see my precious Tigris again.

I decide to go check on Mordecai and talk to him for a little while, but before I can, I am gripped again by the power; my head hurts worse than before.

Kill, Leviathan, kill. It says. You are me, and I am you………..my blood is your blood, your mind is my mind.

I snap back into reality; my breathing is quick and shallow. I taste blood in my mouth; my own blood.

Peteryx, I whisper.

I gather myself up and walk to the room