Nephilim- The Complete Series: Behind Blue Eyes Origins

By Anna Mocikat

Villains are made, not born.

Nephilim is a Guardian Angel, one of the cybernetically enhanced super-soldiers, created to protect and destroy. Protect the Olympias Conglomerate, the mega-corporation that owns them, and destroy its enemies– at any cost.

Nephilim is ruthless, sexy, and the best of these elite cyborgs–an unstoppable killing machine.

But like all of her kind, she wasn't born like that; she was made.

Nephilim is only a child when silent black-clad killers with neon-blue eyes invade the village she grew up in, murder her parents and abduct her and the other children.

With her memory wiped, Nephilim finds herself in a brutal program that turns the traumatized kids into the deadliest weapon in human history.

But unknown to anyone except Metatron, the High-Archangel, Nephilim is special, and like a puppetmaster in the shadows, he grooms her for something greater…

This is a completed series featuring three novellas. It tells the story of how Nephilim became the ultimate killing machine. The series is a prequel to the main series Behind Blue Eyes. It can be read as a standalone or an addition to the main story.

Join Nephilim on her journey of becoming a killer cyborg!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anna Mocikat
• Release date: Oct 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215596548

Book preview

Nephilim

A Behind Blue Eyes Origins Story

by

Anna Mocikat

Villains are made, not born.

PART ONE

We are the good guys

Chapter One

T he monsters come during the night. They lurk like black shadows, waiting until everyone is asleep. Then they strike. They kill everyone. And they have neon blue eyes.

All the children stared at Caleb with wide, terrified eyes. Ten years old, he was bigger than the rest of them. They looked up to him. No one ever questioned his authority and leadership.

That’s not true! Evelyn countered.

All heads turned toward her, staring at her with surprise. Usually no one contradicted Caleb or his brother, William. They were the undisputed authority among the children of the village. Well, at least among the prepubescent ones. The teenagers didn’t give a damn about what the little ones thought or did.

Like every afternoon, the children were hanging out on the riverbank close to the village. It was nice to plunge their feet into the cool water on a hot summer day. Sometimes they also ventured into the woods close by to play hide-and-seek. Although they didn’t go too deep, otherwise they got in serious trouble with their parents.

Evelyn liked the woods with their trees that were so tall that they seemed endless – at least compared to her six-year-old body. It was always humid and smelled of mushrooms there. But she liked the meadow between the village and the river even more. The tall grass was full of wildflowers, and they smelled so good. Sometimes Evelyn would pick some and take them to her mom. Her mom loved flowers.

Today the group of ten kids was sitting on the rocks close to the river, enjoying the warm afternoon sun. In the distance, they could hear the waterfall. They all knew that there was a cave hidden behind it. But they weren’t allowed to play there.

Caleb gave Evelyn a condescending look that unmistakably said: What do you know, little one?

"It is true, he said firmly. The blue-eyed monsters come during the night. They kill the grown-ups and take the children. My dad says so."

"My dad says it’s not true! Evelyn objected. He says monsters don’t exist."

Caleb snorted. What does your dad know? He doesn’t even have eyes!

Evelyn sucked in air furiously. Her father was blind, and she knew he couldn’t do everything other dads could. But to her, he was the most wonderful man on earth.

She jumped up, clenching her fists. You take that back! she yelled.

He sneered. Or what?

Caleb was much bigger and stronger than she was, and he knew it. But she didn’t care. She wanted to punch him anyway.

At that moment, the bell rang, indicating that it would be dusk soon. It echoed through the village all the way to the river and was the signal for all the children to go inside. No one was allowed to be outside during the night.

Evelyn stared at the older boy for a moment, then she lowered her fists as the others got up and walked toward the village.

Ask yourself why we all have to stay inside at night, Caleb said triumphantly behind her. It’s because of the monsters.

If there are monsters, I’ll fight them and kill them, said Daryl, who was walking next to Evelyn, a self-confident grin on his ebony face. Daryl was eight years old and a bit taller than her. And he was Evelyn’s best friend.

You don’t need to be scared, he added.

I’m not scared! she replied stubbornly.

In truth, she was very scared. The last time Caleb had talked about the blue-eyed monsters lurking in the dark, she’d had horrible nightmares. But when she told her dad about it, he said that monsters didn’t exist. And her father knew everything. If he said there was nothing to be afraid of, then she believed him.

They soon arrived at the village, and Evelyn said goodbye to the others and went home.

The houses here were made of wood and had almost none of the modern amenities people living in the city were used to. The village had no electricity, and any kind of machine was banned. During the night, all the windows had to be covered, and no lights were allowed outside. All these precautions were made to avoid detection.

Detection by blue-eyed monsters.

The truth was that Caleb was right, and Evelyn’s father was lying to her. Blue-eyed monsters existed. And they were out there, looking for them.

***

Evelyn’s eyes snapped open. Something had woken her, and she wasn’t sure what. But she was scared. Her little body was shaking as she sat up in her bed.

The monsters…

Then she shook her head, sending her long black hair flying around her.

No. There were no monsters.

Evelyn could see light coming through the door, which had been left ajar, and she heard muffled voices coming from the other side. Her parents. They seemed anxious about something.

She got up and walked to the door, peeking outside.

Her parents were in the living area of the small house. Mom always looked beautiful with her slim, graceful figure and silky black hair. But today her face was contorted in fear, and seeing her like that scared Evelyn.

Her father had no hair, empty sockets instead of eyes, and many scars on his face and head. Even though Caleb and the other children made fun of him, for Evelyn, he was the most amazing man in the world. Big and strong, he always knew what to do. Yet tonight, she saw an expression on his face she had never seen before. Fear. Terror.

"It’s him, isn’t it?" her mom whispered, voice trembling.

We don’t know that… her father replied, his voice firm and composed as always.

With shaky fingers, her mother was loading a rifle. Her father was also armed with a shotgun and a huge knife in his belt. Evelyn had seen the weapons before. Her parents kept them locked up in a cabinet and had said to her before that they were for hunting. What were they going to hunt in the middle of the night, she wondered.

"It is him! her mother continued. You knew he would find us eventually. You should have killed him when you had the chance!"

Yes, her father replied calmly. I should have. But it’s me he wants. You need to take Evie and run.

Her mother shook her head. He’ll be looking for me too. He’ll never stop. But he doesn’t know about Evie…

For a moment, Evelyn’s parents looked at each other in silence, their facial expressions changing from fear to determination.

Suddenly loud noises could be heard from outside. At first, Evelyn thought it was thunder, but deep down she knew it was gun shots. Then came the screams.

She shrieked.

Both her parents turned their heads toward her. Her father’s expression softened, while tears filled her mother’s eyes.

Sweetheart… you’re awake, her father said.

What’s going on, Daddy? she asked nervously. Seeing her parents like this scared her more than anything in her entire life.

Her parents exchanged a glance, then her mother nodded. Do it. It’s all we have left, and you know it.

More shots were fired.

Her mother peeked out of the window. Hurry! They’re almost here!

The monsters are coming! Evelyn cried, starting to sob.

Her father didn’t object but instead quickly approached her. Despite his blindness, he was able to move smoothly around any obstacle like a cat.

The screams were closer now, terrifying screams. Even at her young age, Evelyn understood what those screams meant. People were dying.

It’ll all be alright, her father said, taking her hand in his. His big hand was so warm and strong. And yet it trembled slightly. Evelyn could clearly feel it, and it horrified her more than the screams coming from outside.

Her father led her to a small window at the back of the house and crouched down next to her, softly stroking her hair.

Listen to me carefully, he said with a calm yet assertive voice. I’ll help you climb out the window. Once you’re outside, I want you to run as fast as you can. No matter what you see or hear, don’t stop. Never stop. Don’t look back. Run until you reach the waterfall. Hide in the cave behind it, and don’t come out until tomorrow. No matter what. Do you understand?

She nodded, her eyes welling up. I’m scared, Daddy! I want to stay with you!

No. He grabbed her shoulders firmly, his tone suddenly changed. "You’re not scared. You’re strong. You need to be strong now, Evelyn. Do you understand?"

Yes, Daddy, she said, sobbing.

He closed his arms around her, and she pressed her face against his shoulder, her tears wetting his shirt. She was terrified, her little heart fluttering in her chest like a trapped hummingbird.

I love you so much, sweetheart, he said, stroking her head tenderly.

I love you too.

She wished so much that she could just stay in his arms. There, nothing could happen to her. No blue-eyed monster could ever take him down.

But then he lifted her up and opened the window.

It’ll be alright, he said. Remember, you’re strong, Evelyn. You’re my daughter.

Then he added something she didn’t understand.

I’m sorry I failed you.

Before she could say anything else, he had lifted her out of the window, and she fell softly to the ground. The grass felt cold and moist around her feet.

Run, Evie! he said urgently. Remember what I told you!

He closed the window behind her, and suddenly Evelyn found herself alone in the darkness.

Terror grabbed her heart. For a second, everything was illuminated by bluish lightning. Wind blew in her face, indicating that a storm was coming.

Despite her fear, Evelyn did what her father had told her. She ran as fast as her little feet allowed her. She clenched her teeth and desperately tried to ignore what was going on around her: gunshots, people screaming, children crying… and everywhere, fire and smoke.

Turning her head, she saw that several buildings were on fire. The black smoke was spreading quickly, burning in her lungs.

She kept running and soon left the village, her home, and everything and everyone she had ever known behind her.

More shots were fired, and the screams were closer now. She wanted to stop and turn around.

But she didn’t.

Never stop. Don’t turn back. You are strong!

Her father’s words echoed through her mind. If he said that she was strong, then she would be strong. For him.

Evelyn kept running, faster now. She reached the meadow with the nice-smelling flowers. The high grass tickled her naked feet and calves.

It should have been a dark night, but it wasn’t. She could clearly see the tree line, illuminated by the reddish light coming from the fires. The wind picked up and moved the grass around her. Leaves flew by, one hitting her face.

Suddenly another lightning bolt shot across the sky right in front of her, seemingly cutting the blackness in half and dazzling her. Only one second later, deafening thunder roared, so loud that it swallowed the horrific sounds coming from the village for a brief moment.

Evelyn shrieked and stopped running. She held her side, where she had a stitch, her breath coming out in painful huffs. Tears began welling in her eyes again.

Don’t stop.

Evelyn forced herself to keep moving. She reached the river and followed it upward until she could hear the waterfall. The shots and screams were far away now, more like an echo of a horrible dream than actual reality. Despite the darkness that had now descended, she could recognize the waterfall. Carefully, she slipped behind it. Once she was inside, the water swallowed all noises coming from the outside. All she could hear was the rushing and swooshing of the water falling down and hitting the river.

Darkness engulfed her, and she stumbled over rocks several times as she moved forward. Finally, she reached a huge rock formation and hid behind it. She sat down on the ground, shivering, trying to make herself as small as possible.

At that moment, she couldn’t hold the tears in any longer, and they began flowing down her face as she cried and whimpered. Never in her life had she been so frightened, so lost, so alone.

***

Evelyn opened her eyes. She hadn’t even realized that she’d fallen asleep, pressed against the rock she was hiding behind and rolled into a ball. For a moment, she felt disoriented, not understanding where she was or what she was doing here. All she could feel was a terrible cold that had stiffened her whole body.

Suddenly she knew what had woken her. Noises.

Muffled voices, footsteps coming closer.

Someone was here. Someone was coming for her!

For a moment, hope flooded through her. Maybe it was her parents looking for her? Maybe they had defeated the monsters that came in the night?

Carefully, she peeked around the rock and froze in horror. It wasn’t her parents coming to save her.

It was them.

The monsters with the glowing blue eyes.

And there were a lot of them. She could see their horrible eyes in the darkness of the cave. Like evil blue lightning bugs.

A soft shriek escaped her as she heard the footsteps coming closer. She tried in desperation to hide deeper behind the rock, making herself as small as possible, even though she knew it was pointless. The monsters had found her. They were coming for her.

She pressed her hands against her mouth and tried not to scream as she saw a figure coming around the corner. Slowly, like a predator closing in on its prey.

Then her eyes turned wide as she realized it wasn’t a monster approaching her. It was a man.

Slim, tall, and dressed all in black, he was hardly visible in the darkness of the cave. But his eyes. were. Glowing with a hue of blue she had never seen before as it didn’t exist in nature. Neon blue.

For a moment he just stood there, looking at her with those terrifying eyes. Her heart beat so hard it seemed as if it wanted to jump out of her chest as she stared back at him, hardly daring to breathe, her whole body shaking.

Then he moved closer. Slowly, carefully. He crouched down next to her, and now she could see his face better.

There’s no need to be afraid, little one, he said softly, smiling.

She looked up at him in surprise. Tears were running down her face. He wasn’t here to kill her?

We’re here to save you. We are the good guys.

His voice was soothing and soft, yet strong at the same time. Something about him reminded Evelyn of her father, but she couldn’t say what.

He meant no harm to her. She could tell that for sure. His posture, his voice gave her a feeling of safety.

Carefully he stretched a black-gloved hand toward her, his blue eyes shining at her.

Come with me, Evelyn. I’m going to show you a new world. I will give you a better life.

Slowly, her little fingers reached out toward his hand. But then she hesitated.

Where are my parents?

If this man had come to save her, maybe he had also saved her parents.

Yet Evelyn couldn’t know that this man who was smiling at her in such a friendly way had killed her parents only an hour ago. Her father’s blood was still on his hands, although it was invisible to her on the black fabric of the gloves and in the darkness of the cave.

They’re gone, Evelyn, he said. They went away and left you behind.

No! she cried out.

It couldn’t be! Why would her parents do that? The thought made her little heart almost burst with despair.

Yes. It’s true, he said softly, tilting his head. They left you, Evelyn. But don’t worry. I’ll take care of you now. I will always protect you, always watch over you.

Sobbing, she stretched out her fingers further until they reached his black-gloved hand.

He took her hand in his, and she instantly felt stronger. It was almost as if her father was close by.

His smile broadened, appearing affectionate but also triumphant as he slowly rose, pulling her after him.

Walking by his side, she saw that there were more blue-eyed, black-dressed people in the cave. They had stayed a few feet behind and now stepped aside respectfully to let Evelyn and the man pass.

She looked up at his face. He must be special, a leader, if everyone respected him so much.

He led her around all the obstacles in the cave as smoothly as if it were bright daylight.

Outside it was still night. Moisture hung in the air. It must have been raining. It smelled of burned wood and barbecued meat. A thick cloud of smoke hung where the village had been.

More black-clad people were waiting outside, armed with pistols and rifles. But other than them, Evelyn couldn’t see anyone. Where had all the people from the village gone?

Medic! the man holding Evelyn’s hand said.

A woman approached them quickly. She too was dressed in black and had the same eerie eyes.

Yes, High-Archangel?

Give her tranquilizers and take her to the others. Make sure nothing happens to her, understood?

Certainly, High-Archangel, the woman replied, then she stretched out her hand toward Evelyn. Come with me!

Suddenly, she was scared again.

I want to stay with you! she said pleadingly, looking up at the man and clenching his hand.

She couldn’t say why, but she felt safe around him. His calm assertiveness reminded her so much of her father.

He smirked, his eyes gleaming. Don’t worry. I won’t be far. Ever.

He let go of her hand and walked away, approaching more of his people. Evelyn instantly felt lost again.

The young woman reached into the bag she wore on her hip and produced a small tube, not much longer than Evelyn’s index finger. Before she could even wonder what it was, the woman pressed it against her arm and Evelyn felt like she had been stung by a wasp.

Ouch!

The woman’s facial expression didn’t change, her pretty features remaining as cold as a mask.

It’ll make you feel better, she said without any emotion in her voice. Now, come with me.

She took Evelyn’s hand and pulled her after her.

Smoke and fog were hanging over the meadow as they crossed it. Evelyn’s head started to feel dizzy, and the feeling began spreading through her body, making it difficult for her to walk. Suddenly she felt terribly tired and wished she could simply lie down and sleep.

A black shape gradually became visible in the fog, and her eyes turned wide as she realized that there was something huge in the meadow. Something that hadn’t been there earlier. A massive structure made of black metal.

What is this? she gasped.

A VTOL, the woman replied, her voice sounding bored.

Evelyn didn’t know what a VTOL was, but she didn’t dare ask. They walked around it and toward an open hatch with a metal ramp leading up. The inside was illuminated by dim, reddish light.

Evelyn didn’t want to go up there. But the woman didn’t leave her any other choice. Besides, her eyelids were as heavy as lead, and she could hardly take one step after another anymore. All she wanted was to sleep.

The inside was also made of black metal. The light was so dim that Evelyn could hardly see anything. But she did notice long rows of seats and people strapped to them.

Evie! a familiar voice called out.

Only now did she recognize the people strapped to the seats. They were her friends! The other children of the village! Most of them seemed to be asleep or unconscious, but one who had called out was awake.

Daryl… she whispered as happiness flooded through her. It was so good to see Daryl and the others!

My God, I’m so happy you’re here! Daryl said. I thought you were… they had…

He was interrupted by the woman who had brought Evelyn to this place, who was now pointing at the seat next to Daryl.

Sit down, she commanded.

Evelyn did as asked and instantly felt even sleepier. Daryl, too, appeared barely awake.

What happened? she asked her friend while the woman strapped her to the seat.

Daryl’s eyes widened. You don’t know?

Evelyn shook her head, her eyes closing.

Suddenly the whole structure began vibrating.

Prepare for take-off, a disembodied voice said.

Evelyn didn’t hear the muffled engine noises as the aircraft took off. She had already fallen asleep.

Chapter Two

She dreamed of shots being fired in the darkness. People screaming. Fire. Lightning.

Your parents are gone. They left you behind.

Blue-eyed monsters killing everyone.

Evelyn opened her eyes, breathing heavily, panicking.

For a moment, she was completely disoriented. Where was she? What was this place?

She was lying in a bed. It was soft and comfortable. Much more comfortable than her bed at home had been. The sheets were snow white, and their scent was pleasant yet unfamiliar.

Looking around, she saw the room was small, with white walls and bright light.

After a while, she recognized where she was. She also remembered everything that had happened.

Tears began running down her cheeks. She wanted to go home. To her parents. For her father to close his strong arms around her.

You’re not scared. You’re strong.

She heard her father’s words echo in her head.

You’re my daughter.

She would be strong. She would make him proud.

Evelyn wiped the tears off her face with the back of her hand and sat up.

She had been here for five days, or maybe longer. She wasn’t sure. They were giving her this medication to make her feel better, but instead it made her dizzy which was why she slept a lot.

Evelyn only vaguely remembered how she got here. She remembered seeing Daryl and the others in this black thing the woman had called a VTOL. The next thing she remembered was waking up in this room.

But she remembered him only too well. The man who had found her. Where was he? He had promised to take care of her when they left the cave together. He had been kind and attentive while everyone else here was as cold as a winterly gust.

We’re here to save you. We’re the good guys.

Those had been his words, and despite all the terrors that had happened that night, Evelyn had believed him. She was only six years old and had just lost everything. All she had were those words, and she wanted to believe them. She wanted to trust the man who reminded her of her father so much.

Several people came and went as the days passed. Some of them wore overalls, some white coats. They smiled, but Evelyn could sense that they didn’t feel it. And none of them had the eerie blue eyes of the people who had taken her. They looked normal, like the grown-ups in the village. They stuck needles in her and took her to examination rooms, where they used scary-looking machines on her.

Having grown up in a village with no electricity, everything was strange and alien to Evelyn. For someone who had never even seen a TV before, having a brain scan performed was a terrifying experience.

You’re strong.

The door opened, and a woman dressed in white overalls entered. She was a nurse, Evelyn had learned, whereas the people with the white coats were the doctors. They’d had a doctor in the village, too. But he had been a kind older man who never wore a white coat.

Good morning, Evelyn, the nurse said in a friendly voice. It’s time for your mental examination. Please come with me.

Evelyn didn’t want to, but she had learned that she didn’t have much choice other than to obey. They would stab her with a needle and give her something to make her feel better if she didn’t. So it was better simply to follow the nurse and hope that whatever a mental examination might be wasn’t painful.

She climbed out of bed and followed the woman. Evelyn, too, was dressed all in white in a long-sleeved shirt and loose pants. The fabric was much softer than anything she had ever worn and felt good on her skin.

Can I see my friends today? she asked stubbornly as she followed the woman through the endless corridors that seemed like a maze. Sometimes she saw other people dressed in white, but never any of the other children.

But that didn’t keep her from asking to see them every day.

Later, the woman said. Once the procedure is done, you will be reunited with them. But first, we must finish all your tests.

What about the man who found me in the cave? Evelyn asked. He promised to take care of me!

The nurse wrinkled her forehead as she looked down at Evelyn. What man?

He had those… eyes, she whispered.

Ah! the woman said, smiling. One of the Angels.

Evelyn’s eyes widened. He’s an angel?

Even though Evelyn’s parents weren’t religious,