Chapter 1: Ominous Awakening
Hannibal lay sound asleep in bed with Selina lying beside him on her side facing him. She too rested in deep slumber pressed against his side with her arm draped across his chest while her leg lay across his leg and her head lying on his left shoulder. They’d fallen asleep the night before after their romantic private birthday party once retiring from the main party on the roof of the Red Tower the evening before. During the private party, Selina gifted Hannibal with some very personalized service that included allowing him to choose which intimate apparel she’d wear along with her giving him a deep sensual massage and a much needed chiropractic adjustment. In response to Selina’s intimate gifts, Hannibal discovered how to access the Lynxian purr, made possible by his reactivated Lynxian DNA, sharing it with her, bonding with her in a whole new and supremely gratifying manner without having to mate with her. In spite of the intensity of this romantic encounter and their intense desire to take that last intimate step of physical mating, they remembered their marriage vows and restrained themselves from violating those vows. In the end, Selina used her purr therapy in conjunction with the massage she gave Hannibal to completely relax and restore his battered body, actually falling asleep lying on him in the midst of her purr therapy.
Now four hours later, both of them lay dead asleep after the romantic interlude that was the culmination of both their birthdays the day before. They rested peacefully with Selina still purring as she remained deep asleep, her arm and leg draped over Hannibal as her head lay on his left shoulder. His left arm lay curled around her back and waist as he slept peacefully, something that didn’t happen too often for him. However, this peaceful slumber proved fleeting for as the daylight from outside the window slowly increased heralding the coming dawn, his slumbering face suddenly contorted in horror, fear, and anger as he suddenly snapped awake with a deep, panicked gasp. The sensation of an ominous shadow looming over him filled his mind and he bolted upright in the bed throwing Selina off him while looking around urgently, seeing nothing hazardous...just the sight of his quarters in the Red Tower. Yet his innate ability to sense danger had pegged off the scale as he scanned every corner of the room, again seeing no obvious danger. His abrupt awakening woke Selina as she rolled on her back when he sat up.
With a growling yawn, Selina stretch sensually, looking up dreamily at Hannibal. Instantly, she noticed his aggravation and fearful worried look. “What’s wrong, Hannibal,” she asked, sitting up and putting her arms around him in a concerned manner. “What’s happening? You’re terribly upset by something. Did you have another bad dream again?”
Just having Selina’s arms around Hannibal settled his spirit. A trembling sigh escaped his lips as he wrapped his left arm around her. “I’m not sure,” he admitted softly. “Something of incredible dark and ancient power hit me in my sleep without warning. It’s feels vaguely familiar and is coming here as I speak. This thing is looking for me. I know it, but I cannot figure out what it is right now or why it’s searching for me. I can also feel an incredible level of intense hostility and fury coming from it, but strangely, it doesn’t seem to be directed at me for some reason. Its fury is leveled directly at the Emperor. This thing wants to see the Emperor destroyed and the Black Prince defeated in the most humiliating and painful manner possible. This thing’s rage is nearly on par with mine when my Battle Rage goes nuclear. I sense a terrible purpose in this dark entity and for some reason I’m part of that purpose. Why, I have no idea.”
Selina started sensing the entity Hannibal spoke of through their link and frowned. “I can feel it too now,” she admitted grimly. “Its rage is almost intoxicating, as is its intelligence. It feels as old as the world itself with dark knowledge that seems to spans the universe. This thing feels like an Old One, but for some reason, I don’t think it is. It feels more like a draken to me, but unlike Argus, Aeolus, or even Cerrelius. I don’t know what it is. You need to be very careful, Hannibal. This thing, whether it is a draken or not, doesn’t reason the same way we do. I pray it doesn’t come here to cause trouble.”
“Me too,” Hannibal agreed soberly, “But I can feel its approach. It’s definitely coming for me. I’m sure of it. I need to see to this right now. If I don’t meet this threat head-on, we will regret it. I have to do this now, even if I don’t completely understand who or what I’m dealing with yet. I guess this is why the Lord put me here...to deal with unknowns like this so the people don’t have to.”
Selina looked Hannibal in the eye while turning his head to her with her hand, gently caressing his cheek. “Then we will face it together,” she said resolutely, “We’re a team and need to meet these challenges together.”
“No,” Hannibal retorted grimly, “I must face this threat alone. We can’t risk losing both of us to this unknown. The people will need you if this goes sour and I can’t stop it. It’s no different than when I first went to Srandi.”
“But you ended up needing me there, if you haven’t forgotten,” Selina countered bluntly. “I was meant to be there for it took both of us working together to open and secure Srandi. Remember, it’s together that we are the Last Caverias. Separated, we are weak and easy prey for the enemy. Together, we are strong and indomitable. If this entity is as powerful and dark as we suspect, you’ll need my backup. I’m going; end of discussion.”
Hannibal smiled wryly and shook his head solemnly, knowing she’d made up her mind and that she was right. He would need her as backup. “Very well,” he answered grimly, “I know it’s impossible to get you to back down when you’re like this, so this is what I’d like you to do. When we face this thing, I want you to stay back while I make initial contact with it, and only advance if I need your help. Can you do that?”
“I sure can,” Selina replied with a sultry, flirty smile. “I’ll let you do your thing, while I make sure it doesn’t spring a fast one on you. After all, two sets of eyes are better than one.”
“That’s my girl,” Hannibal replied, now feeling a bit better about confronting this new incoming dark unknown. “I’m sure we won’t be alone if this thing does show up in a physical manifestation.”
“I’d just soon it didn’t,” Selina admitted, “But when have we ever gotten what we truly wanted? I hope it isn’t anything like those Shiargoriath or Tsasthoagguah abominations. They weren’t meant to be seen by any sane mind.”
Hannibal got a far look as he started sensing more about the incoming entity as it closed in on Antilla. “No,” he replied slowly, “I don’t think this thing is like those abominations. It’s not a creature of another universe or dimension like Tsasthoagguah and Shiargoriath were. I’m sensing a physical form that’s of our reality, unlike those Dark Titans. However, it is completely alien to anything we know, though it does feel reptilian, even drakenish in a way as you said, which does make it a danger to us. Until we know for sure what it is, we must proceed on the assumption it is hostile. Come on, princess. Let’s get up and find out what’s happening.”
“Okay,” Selina purred, kissing Hannibal briefly on the lips before letting go of him. “Shall we arm ourselves?”
“Absolutely,” Hannibal stated bluntly, “I know this thing has a dark malicious intent and intellect, though its maliciousness doesn’t seem focused on us for now. Therefore, I’m not taking any chances. Maybe if we confront it with a united show of power, it may think twice before messing with us or the people.”
“That’s a very good idea,” Selina chimed. “Let’s get this done so we can finish moving the people to Srandi. We don’t need this distraction so close to the Rising. The closer the Rising gets, the antsier I get. It’s as if something is messing with every nerve ending in my body and it’s not a pleasant sensation.”
“I hear you,” Hannibal stated, rising and heading to the bathroom. “I’m feeling something similar. It may be the chaos in the magnetic fields that causing it. They’d be able to affect the nerves in such a manner. That’s one more reason to get everyone to Srandi and under cover. Come on. Let’s get ready and then see if this thing has been seen yet.”
“Right behind you, my prince,” Selina purred, following him. Within ten minutes, they left their quarters, fully armed and armored heading for the kitchen. Hannibal armed himself with the Caverias Sword slung across his back with the Shadizar Kahn’s scepter, the Hellion tucked into his belt on the left hip with his favorite dagger on his right side. The Draken Gauntlets lay on his wrists in their vambrace form while the Caverias Seal and the Griffin Seal of Khitia hung about his neck in plain sight over the same armor he used when initially exploring Srandi. Over the armor, he wore his long worn leather trench coat with the tattered leather fedora-style hat that he wore initially into the caverns.
On the other hand, Selina wore the same sensual tan leather bodysuit, leggings, and boot outfit she wore when Hannibal made contact with Tiamat. In addition to the sensual warrior’s outfit, Selina wore a sleeveless small-link electronium chainmail dress that reached to her thighs, electronium vambraces and long leather boots lined with the shimmering fine-weave electronium mail and fur for extra protection. A three-inch leather belt with a draken buckle lay fastened around her waist, from which hung her dagger strapped to her right leg and her ancient katana-style blade tucked in the belt on the left side. Over the chainmail dress, she wore her short leather coat, leaving it open in front for comfort. Her hair lay pulled back in a semi-loose ponytail tied with several hairbands. The entire look gave her a sensual, but dangerous look that told the viewer to beware this powerful but beautiful feline Valkyrie. Once she and Hannibal had dressed and armed themselves, they headed out.
Hannibal paused outside their quarters as Selina followed him out, closing the door behind her. “Looking good, princess,” he chimed soberly, “I think our attire should tell this thing not to underestimate us.”
“I hope so,” Selina replied. “Come on. Let’s get this done.”
Hannibal nodded with a grunt and led the way to the kitchen to get some breakfast since he noticed the clock read 8:25 AM when they left their quarters.
