Bull Crown Jewel

“The Bull Crown Jewel necklace. A rare mix of Black Opal and Tanzanite. Two of the world’s most precious jewels known to man. It is said that the wearer would be blessed with immense omnipotent power and hold favour in the eyes of the omniscient gods.

“For millennia’s, its care has been in the hands of the Amber Bloodline, whose blood – which they said was the very colour of amber itself – centuries ago, was regularly given as tribute to the Bull Crown Necklace. It absorbed their power continually to please the gods. In exchange, the gods would bless the lands, cleansing it of the impurities of man.

“However great this jewel was, should it fall into the hands of those of dark and evil intent, it was said the gods would smite mankind and all life on Earth.”

The Arkteck Museum held most of the world’s most valuable, ancient, and so-called magical artifacts in each of its halls. Marium was the proud tour guide around each of these items.

A hand raised. “Um, miss? Do they still offer up their blood even now?”

“No, we are past such barbaric ways, don’t you agree? Plus, I’m sure the gods no longer need their blood the same way we no longer need the gods to bless our lands. Mankind has advanced so much since those times. Instead, perhaps the gods need to start worshipping us?” She laughed and continued the tour.

. . .

Exhausted from a long day in her most favourite place, Marium stretched inside the back office and laid her head down on the desk. “Mmm, just a couple minutes wouldn’t hurt…”

She let the relaxation seep into her body and sleep found her with perfect ease.

‘Marium… … … … Marium…’

Soft whispers filled her ears, airily speaking to her in an incoherent language.

She stirred but didn’t wake up.

‘Marium… … … Marium…’

The voices start getting more frantic and louder, invading her dreams and twisting them to images of a tanzanite black opal buried in a stone.

Marium fought to dig it out and held it mesmerized at its beauty. A man began shaping it, chipping away at the precious stone until it resembled the head of a bull. Another man took it and melted gold around the edges. Bright ruby beads hung through it as it was placed on the neck of a gorgeous woman dressed in the fur of her glorious kill. She raised her staff and shouted an incoherent language at her people below her.

A heaviness began weighing on Marium’s chest, the voices screamed in every corner of her mind!

She burst up frantically, the weight on her chest released too quickly, leaving her gasping for air in a cold sweat. “What…?”

Why would she dream of finding the Bull Crown Jewel?

A sudden panic stemmed deep inside her stomach and an urgency took place in her heart.

She stood and took off through the office door. She couldn’t explain it, but she knew with absolute certainty, that she had to see the jewel tonight!

The only sound was the tapping of her shoes on the marble floors as she ran through each hall and stopped in front the Jewel’s glass casing, covered over by a thick red cloth.

Taking a moment to catch her breath, Marium slid the cloth off and stumbled back in horror. It was gone!

“No, no, no, no, no!” She whispered frantically as she looked around inside the perfectly intact glass container. “Where is it?!”

“Don’t you move an inch.” A deep voice threatened her from behind, a sharp object pressed to her side. “Why are you here?”

Marium froze in place. An Intruder? “I-I came for the jewel.”

There was hesitation in the man’s voice. “You would openly admit to this?”

Marium knitted her brow in confusion. “Of course, why not?”

“Seems people are more bold in this era than I thought. You won’t be getting this jewel. That I can promise you. Good thing I came when I did.”

‘Wait… what?’

“Who are you? Did you come to steal the jewel?” Marium slightly turned her head.

“Excuse me? Don’t you dare put me in the same category as you. My family has protected this jewel for millennia’s!” He hissed, clearly offended as pushed slightly harder into her side with his possible blade.

Realization dawned on her. He thought she was a thief! “I said I came for the jewel, but only to ensure its safety. I have not come to steal it. This is hardly the attire for that kind of excursion, don’t you agree?”

She glanced down at her blouse, pencil skirt and black flats.

“You raise a good point. But why would you come here to seek its safety? What alerted you to it being in any kind of danger?” The man asked as he slightly released the pressure of his weapon.

Marium was by no means a fighter, but she did know how.

She spun around, grabbed the man’s wrist, and twisted it harshly, giving her enough time to snatch the knife. The man backed away holding his wrist as something glowed in his palm.

She met his glowing hazel eyes but got distracted by the substance dripping from his hand. Liquid amber? She looked at the two ended blades in her hands. Its edge was coated in the amber blood…

“Calm down woman, I am no threat to you. Seems I was misinformed.”

Marium dropped the blade and stepped back in disbelief. “You’re… part of the Amber Bloodline?!”

The man stood straighter. “I am. And you, are coming with me.” He started toward her.

The loud crash of the glass ceiling being smashed in caught both of their attention. A woman glided down with a rope and landed away from them, the moon light making a spotlight around her.

“Malachiah.” She cooed as her voice clicked a curious way, wild black hair swung around down to her waist. “I knew they’d send you.”

“Kiera.” The man sneered.

“So, it was true. This girl does bring luck!” Kiera lunged at the man, cougar-like claw protruding from her gloved fingers.

Malachiah raised his arms, his forearm cladded in steel silver gauntlets – he blocked her insistent clawed attacks. Sparks flew at every contact of steel on steel.

Marium scooted back away from the flying attacks from the duo, hiding behind the Bull Crown’s stand. Why weren’t the alarms going off? Should she call the police?

She felt around her skirt. Ah, she left her phone in the office!

“Where’s the jewel Malachiah?!” Kiera shouted maniacally.

Malachiah ducked under the woman’s next attack and landed a solid punch in her abdomen. He got around her and elbowed her in the spine between her shoulder blades, sprawling her out on the floor.

He stepped on her back and pulled her head up by her hair. “Tell your master, he failed. Again.”

She let out a choked laugh. “Don’t be so sure of yourself.”

Dozens of red dots shine all over Malachiah’s body.

“Just had to get you distracted.” The crazy woman laughed. “Now release me.”

Malachiah grit his teeth and slowly stood up, his hands in the air.

“You’re getting sloppy handsome.” Kiera taunted him as she brushed herself of and wiped the blood from her busted lip. “Give me the jewel.”

“Never!” He sneered.

A shot through the leg. Amber streamed out of the wound as he staggered forward.

“Want to rephase that answer sweetie?” Kiera grinned wickedly.

“I said never…!” Another shot to the leg. He falls to his knees, groaning in pain.

“My patience is wearing thin,” Kiera stalked closer to him. “Where did you put it?”

Malachiah sneered at her. “Up your…”

Multiple bodies started falling from the ceiling all of them armed and unconscious. The dots start disappearing rapidly and Kiera’s face contorted into a nasty scowl.

The man started chuckling menacingly. “Thought I’d come alone?” He reached inside the jacket he wore with his wounded hand and pulled out the ruby-beaded Bull Crown Jewel.

His amber blood dripped down the necklace igniting an ethereal glow in the necklace.

Marium stood, mesmerized.

It’s beautiful; it was only meant to be some legend.

Of her body’s own accord, she advanced slowly toward the jewel.

This is so surreal.

Malachiah looked over at Marium and his eyes widened in confusion.

It’s like it’s calling to me.

Kiera followed his gaze and eventually her expression mirror his.

Marium’s eyes glowed an unnatural shade of cobalt blue, an independent wind spun around her in a white illuminated sphere as she reached out a hand towards the jewel.

“What… is she?” Kiera stepped back. She eyed all her troops laid out all over the museum floor and quickly dashed away, knowing she’d only be in danger here.

Malachiah stood still, two parts curious, one part stunned as the Bull Crown Jewel began floating up towards the tour guide.

He snapped out of it and moved the jewel closer to his chest and put up a hand to stop her.

But she just slipped her fingers between his and kept advancing. The contact sent a deep electric shock through his system and suddenly he felt his consciousness step back, moving on auto pilot.

Incoherent whispers began swirling and echoing inside the museum and the world seemed to fade away. All he could see was her; her and the immense power seeping through her.

Abruptly everything snapped back to normal, he blinked a few times before it registered that Marium had fallen to the floor unconscious.

He looked up to see the culprit holding his arm up. His commander. “I don’t know who or what this woman is, but she has now become a threat. She’s coming with us.” He started to leave but looked back at Malachiah. “Job well done. We caught Kiera.”

To Be Continued…