A History Through Blood

Upon the completion of the Asr Salah*, the local Farai quietly cleared out the mosque using a combination of verbal suggestion and subtle displays of force. The numerous administrative members answering to the Imam offered little in the way of support, as they were preoccupied with zealously cleaning the primary hall. Imam Abubakar stood alongside the soldiers, using his charisma to help usher the last of the faithful masses from the temple's walls.

When the mosque had been cleared of all non-essential personal, the Farima emerged from the basement below flanked by the foreigner now re-adorned her avian garb. Trailing behind him was a combination of Farai and the pale-skinned priests, all carrying the large crate that contained what remained of the over-sized spider. The sealed box containing the soul of the dead god was personally carried by Bello, now only trusting a few choice people with its possession after the prior mistake.

The secured repository was placed atop a makeshift altar, created using well-made wooden tables and high-quality cloth purchased from merchants. Bello ordered his two most trusted sub-ordinates to stand watch while he finalized the preparation. The local spiritualists, who wanted to offer the soul to the natural gods of the land, openly shared their discontent about the chosen deity with Victoria and her translator. Most of the room ignored their presence, which was generally reciprocated by the outcast group as they remained in their adopted corner.

Upon the command of Bello, both religions began their respective attempts to summon a Malaikah or similar representatives of their holy deity. The more numerous Islamic adherents drowned out the surrounding noises with their heralding invocation, as the four remaining foreign priests had their heads bowed in an almost silent prayer. Although the sun was falling lower and lower, the atmosphere within the mosque only grew brighter. The various soldiers stationed around the church, regardless of their personal beliefs, all faltered when basked in this holy light.

It did not take long for a large masculine figure to manifest into the room**, its bright and colorful wings bathed in a near blinding light. By Bello's estimation the Malaikah would be the size of a large ostrich and it's wingspan doubly so. Its dazzling wings covered the waning sunset and covered the room in a rainbow of unimaginable colors as the last rays of sunlight filtered through its multicolored wings. It simply floated above the assembled masses, even humbling some of the non-adherents in the corner, watching on as the devotes gave thanks for its graceful appearance. The mere presence of the Malaikah instilled a sense of inferiority with-in some of the warriors. Not due to any magical presence, rather its masculine physique far surpassing even the strongest among their ranks.

“I have answered your summons in light of your noble accomplishments.” Announced the Malaikah, its voice breaking the awe-inspired silence with-in the room. “I am Maarij, servant of the almighty Allah, Peace be upon him.” Bello had noticed that Kahina had attempted to translate the Maarij's words into her mistress's foreign tongue, but a soft hand told her it was not required. On further observation, the Malaikah's mouth never moved but rather his words manifested in their minds, already conveyed in their native language.

“You have all done well in carrying out the will of Allah, cleansing the land of an ancient evil. I shall take the foul creatures delivered onto the sacred temple and reward those who aided in the swift resolution of the matter.” The two sources of corruption shimmered out of the human plane of existence in a flash of brilliant light, leaving only a few stains of sickly bodily fluid on the stone floor. Much of the room, having contributed in some manner, beamed in humbled excitement while the others stood unmoved from their respective position.

“First, to the followers of false gods, who borrowed their power to cleanse the lands and expedite the healing process; I grant you each one of my feathers. You may trade them for mortal wealth or offer them to your feral spirits, it matters not what you do.” From Maarij's wings a series of feathers floated down into the hands of the disapproving diviners. Each examined it and quietly pondered how best to use the minor boon gifted to them.

“Next, for the loyal guardians of the town and hired warriors who served as shields to the defenseless, you shall be granted our blessing of power.” As he said this a crescent moon shaped marking appeared on all of the attending soldier's right bicep. Each design, although a faint grey, had a feint light barely detectable to the human eye. Many stared at the symbol while the Malaikah explained their purpose, “These are marks of strength and valor, increasing your physique beyond your natural limits.” Bello briefly glanced at his own mark before returning his attention to the Maarij. His own magical tattoo was drawn with additional symbols as compared to his sub-ordinates, that likely granted additional prowess.

“To the doctors who accepted the wisdom of our teachings, although they many not currently be with-in your current presence, I shall grant them blessings of great fortune and luck.” The few doctors who accepted the invitation started patting down the chest, finding similar pale grey and moon-like marks on their chests. Around the hall imams and clerics silently waited, as Maarij built up each reward and accomplishment with each pronouncement. All selfishly waiting, to varying degrees, for their just reward from their god.

“To the deceased priest, I shall return him to his homeland with our blessing.” A surge of divine power was immediately felt by all present, flowing upward from the basement that formerly contained the fallen Randi. “As for his brothers in faith, as well as my loyal imams, you shall be granted our godly blessing which will greatly augment your innate power. The champion Arthur's blessing, for his heroic deed in slaying the wild beast, will also grant physical power akin to the warriors prior.” Each received yet another mark of varying design and location, many took little time manifesting their newfound power into divine auras which dimly glowed in contrast to the Malaikah floating effortlessly above them.

“All that remains is to reward the… woman who guided the combined efforts of those assembled.” For the first time Bello heard emotion in Maarij's voice, a disappointed contempt and disdain which coated any praise which should have been given. Ignorantly the imams assumed that his disapproval of Victoria stemmed solely from her gender, unaware of her true supernatural nature. “Unlike her slave who translated the... woman's instructions, there is no clear reward we can grant her significant contributions. Kahina shall be freed from her enslavement, however I must consult with her former mistress in private for... various reasons.”

-

Maarij was one of several angels who had been watching over the situation from the beginning. Both Maarij and his colleague, Waqas, were hoping for the situation to grow into such a situation where they were forced to intervene. Unfortunately, their zealous ambitions of smiting an ancient evil god and fostering faith among the masses quickly dissipated as the incident it was quietly resolved without their assistance. The intervention of the vampire was almost equally damaging to their collective egos, as she was everything the local doctrine was against; a feminine soul that was capable of wielding dark magics.

Joining them was an arch angel that normally watched solely over lands to the far northwest. Utultar's primary interest lay solely with the irritating adze, often sending one of their many heads to observe more of the general landscape than he could usually see through an unseen vantage point. Only through their direct intervention was that little annoyance spared any form of direct violence, as she was under the partial protection of the arch angel.

“So, you cunning rat, what is that you would want?” Maarij asked, contempt no longer hidden with-in their private telepathic conversation. “Vast riches? Divine power to add to your own paltry reserves? A station to allow you to feast indiscriminately? Name your reward, vermin.” Maarij demanded silently. Annoyingly she let the silence hang in the air, that deathly mask hiding what was likely similar contempt for him.

“I want two things:” Victoria thought, her emotionless voice remaining even in her thoughts. “First, you are to provide fair compensation for the property you just stole from me, under the guise of rewarding service. A bag of gold dust worth Kahina's value is acceptable, or something of similar size and value.” Of course, this scheming harlot would extort their generosity to increase her own wealth, under the guise of honest dealings. “That... is acceptable.” Maarij thought, annoyance growing with every second talking to her. “What is your actual desired reward.”

“The gift your superior gave me, was not entirely benign.” Only now did a hint of dissatisfaction show in her voice. “Although I am not able to fully understand its working, it is evident that it has intrusive designs on my soul and my independence. Either remove the more intrusive elements or give me an alternate proof of affirmation and take back your cursed mark.” Maarij, only sensing a faint presence from with-in her wrist, was taken aback by her statement. By all appearances, the divine gift was benign.

“You have exceeded our expectations young vampire.” Utultar's voice suddenly rang out through both their heads, echoing from some unknown location. “We thought you would have noticed in a century, but your experience with two familiars likely expedited the process.” Maarij physically dipped a bit from the shock of their superior's sudden intervention, soon rising to his previous station. From the damned creature's hand floated three small balls of light, rising to the heavens from the intricate tattoo seemingly created by the arch angel. Utultar's history with the vermin was evidently enough to intrude on his mission.

“The souls we had placed inside your binding have been released back to us.” Utultar remarked casually, “The empty vessel has left behind which can still be manipulated by your soul to channel holy energies. You will find the promised gold in a new pouch on your belt, we will continue to watch your activities with interest.” Maarij, surprised at his superior's partial endorsement of the adze, remained silent. Any opportunity to give his own input to her 'reward' was now stripped from him. Internally he sighed, his task being usurped by a higher power and resigning him to return his attention to the audience hall.

With the rewards distributed and Utultar removing himself from their conversation after protecting the damned creature's interests, Maarij's role was now complete. “You have all now received your gifts from the ever-merciful Allah. As I leave for his eternal kingdom, please remember that he is in all our hearts and will bring salvation to his followers. Peace be upon him.” With his parting words, Maarij returned to the realm of light to an awaiting Utultar.

Upon his arrival to his home realm, Maarij was greeted by expected: Utultar and Waqas. “Explain yourself Utultar!” he exclaimed, pointing an accusatory finger towards the full ring of amalgamated heads. “Why are showing favor to that corrupted woman? Her kind are just parasites that need to be removed before they cause further harm. We should be burning her from the heavens, not shielding them from our wrath.”

Utultar's holy aura suddenly grew, silencing the angel before he was able to establish any momentum. “We are not like those prophets or devout believers who you can spurn into action by impassioned speeches.” The arch angel's voice filling will annoyance at the insubordination. “If you had asked for our stance on the matter, we would have answered truthfully. That particular dark creature is an anomaly in many regards.”

“You may have noticed her requested rewards.” Utultar began, irritating Maarij to no end. “She, for the most part, wishes to remain unnoticed. Having large caches of gold, vast stores of magical energies or hundreds of humans under her supervision would go against her desires.” Maarij and Waqas could only hold their tongues while the far more powerful angel promoted the foul woman's virtues.

“Her involvement in this matter was likely forced by the circumstances, as the creature would likely see her a nutritious delicacy and would attack her as such.” As the abstract being spoke, it spun the mortal's box around while weaving in sealing wards. “Using that 'parasite's' words, my actions are an investment. You never know when you need the aid of a neutral party to resolve complicated matters.” Even Maarij could not argue with that, ultimately accepting that a disposable pawn was indeed a useful asset.