This is a work of fiction involving the relationship of two young men (well, late teens to mid twenties), both physical and emotional. If you are made uncomfortable by such subjects as gay sex, magic and the supernatural, then please stop reading now. Likewise, if you are below the age of 18, please stop here as well.
This story uses elements from White Wolf's World of Darkness series of games. Mage: The Ascension, Verbena, Cult of Ecstasy, The Traditions, The Technocracy, and similar elements are copyrighted by White Wolf Game Studio. This work of fiction is not a challenge to existing copyrighted materials, and no profit is gained by it's publication.
Constructive criticism is highly appreciated; flamers and hate mail will be ignored. Write me at PaganGamer@yahoo.com with Awakening in the subject heading.
The Awakening By Liam Barnes
Prologue
September 20th, 2002 5:13 p.m. Hunter's Point Area, San Francisco
The metal door slammed open with a clang that echoed through the empty warehouse. Dust built up from years of disuse kicked up into the air which filled with the sound of stray pigeons taking flight. Two battered figures hobbled into the building, trailing a minute path of blood and dirty footprints.
Andrew shifted the weight of Marcus' body, eliciting a quiet moan form the black haired man. Biting his lower lip, he took survey of the room. Sunlight lit up sections of the huge space, coming in from rusted out holes in the roof and walls. The floor space was mostly empty, except for a few tables and chairs. Near what looked to be the office area was a sink and mirror.
"I'm going to set you down for a minute, Marcus. Please hold on." The other nodded, obviously in pain and near unconsciousness. The two moved to a concrete support column, where Andrew slowly set the other down. He placed a hand softly to Marcus' dirty face and smiled as best he could. "I'll be back real quick-like."
Marcus managed a roguish grin, which made even his blood and dirt smattered face light up. "Hurry?" was about all he managed to get out before he began coughing.
"Promise," the light-headed youth nodded. He then ran to the door, shut it as quietly as possible, and then ran to the office.
Once inside he began to rummage through the shelves and desk, only stopping when he found a large bucket. It's a bit dirty, he thought, but it will have to do. He grabbed a cup that he found on the desk as he dashed out of the room. He then went to the sink and tried it. Nothing came out, not that he really expected for whoever had used the building last to have left the water on, but he had hoped.
Looking over at Marcus' slouched form, Andrew knew he couldn't risk moving the young man any more, and a quick glance at his own disheveled clothing stated that he couldn't go out unnoticed. He shrugged his shoulders. Well, Marcus is always telling me to use what I've got, and don't waste time wanting more. Leaning over the sink he placed his hands on the faucet and closed his eyes.
"Spirits of the water, hear my plea. In supplication, I call out in great need."
Gathering all the willpower he could, he forced his quiet voice through the Gauntlet, the barrier that separates the spirit from the physical. He pulled out a small pocket knife, and placed it across the palm of his hand. Gritting his teeth, he ran it across his flesh. Bright red drops of blood shone through the dirt, and began to drip into the basin.
"Blood to Blood, Life to Life, Let my sacrifice bring forth your sacred light."
He released his will and felt it cross through the veil between the worlds. Nothing happened. He should have expected it, the Avatar Storm raging across the Gauntlet distorted any efforts to pierce the barrier, sometimes fatally so. Sighing, and near the verge of tears, he nearly yelped when he heard the loud groan come from the walls. Hissing noises issued from the faucet, and with a gurgle and sputter, dirty brown water began to stream into the sink. Slowly the water began to run clear.
Andrew gave a cry that was somewhere between a sob and laughter. He grabbed the bucket and started filling it up. "Thank you, spirits!" Once it was full, he filled the cup with water and placed it in the bucket. He was about to shut the faucet off, when a voice that sounded as though it came from deep in a well cried out, "DO NOT!"
Surprised, the youth held his hand motionless over the knob. "What?" He looked around the room, but no others where there.
"LET US BE FREE," the voice stated, coming from the faucet. "BLOCK THE SINK, AND LET US FLOW FREELY. THAT IS OUR PRICE FOR AID."
Still a bit in shock, Andrew pulled up on the switch to close the drain. He thanked the spirits of water again, and grabbed the bucket. Walking over to Marcus he took his shirt off and began to tear it into strips. He removed the cup from the water, trying to keep as much of the cool liquid in it, and held it up to Marcus' mouth.
"Come on, Marcus. Here's some water, you need to drink it."
The black haired man made no move to drink. Andrew leaned closer, his worry turning to fear. Marcus was breathing shallowly, and made a hollow rasping sound when he did. Taking his knife back out, he began cutting the bloody shirt away from the other's side and chest. He had to peel the stiff material from Marcus' pale skin.
Andrew let out a sympathetic hiss as he got a first hand look at the various weeping holes, at least five, that were scattered along the left side. Luckily enough, the wounds were cauterized almost immediately when they were made, so very little blood was actually lost, but from the placement, he knew something had to be damaged inside.
He began soaking some of the strips of his shirt in the cool water, and began to clean Marcus' chest and side. Before long, the pale smooth skin was cleaned, allowing Andrew a good look at where the actual damage was. He placed his hand on the firm muscles of the other's chest, and closed his eyes. "Gaea, give me the insight to find what ails this man."
His senses suddenly expanded. He could feel everything within Marcus as though it were his own body. He felt how faint the other's pulse was, and the throbbing in his side and legs from where the Hit Mark's gun fire hard riddled him as they had run from it. He could also feel the punctured lung and intestines.
Andrew drew his senses back, tears of frustration and fear welled up in his green eyes. He leaned close to Marcus, placing his arms around the young man and held him close. Forehead to forehead, Andrew tenderly placed his hand on other's cheek. "I can't heal you Marcus. You need to stay awake so that you can. Please," he whispered, tears flowing down his face, "please, my Jarilo."
"I'm too wiped, my little stragoi." His voice was barely a whisper. "I just need a little sleep first."
"No, your injuries are too bad. Please don't fall asleep on me." Andrew was fully crying at this point. "You are a part of me. Our souls are one, if you die, I wouldn't be able to live."
Marcus smiled sadly. "One less fragment for you to hunt down. I'll truly be apart of you again."
"Here," Andrew forced the cut in his hand to reopen, letting the blood flow freely. He took every bit of his willpower and magical ability and placed it into the blood. "Blood is the life, it is the power that drives us, and brings new life to the world."
He held his hand up to the dark headed man. "Drink this. It's free Quint, Marcus. Use it to heal yourself." He saw Marcus hesitate, and began to worry that the other would refuse. "Please," he pleaded. "I know you think it's gross and all but it's the only way I can think to do it."
Marcus gently grabbed the offered hand and gave his trademark roguish grin before he licked it as though it were the sexiest thing in the world to do. However, it wasn't long before he began to drink the enchanted blood in earnest. Within a few minutes he stopped, leaned back and sighed. He was fast asleep shortly after.
Andrew expanded his senses again, and saw that Marcus was healing himself. Relieved, he leaned back and laid his head on Marcus' shoulder. He stared off into the room, watching the moats of dust swirl in the sunlight. In the background he could hear the water splashing as it poured over the sink's edge. He was reminded of the first time he had met Marcus.
It had been four months (only four months?) since that life changing day; before he had been dragged into a secret war for reality, before the days of terror, chased by the shadowy minions of the Technocracy. Before his Awakening into true magick and the strange dreams. He let his mind drift back to that day, beneath the Eucalyptus and cypress in Golden Gate Park.
Chapter 1
May 18th, 2002 11:42 a.m. Golden Gate Park, San Francisco
Sunlight streamed through the Eucalyptus and cypress branches in patches, lighting up pollen and small insects flying through the air. Andrew took a deep breath and smiled. A small stream babbled nearby, creating a nice relaxing atmosphere. He was in Golden Gate Park for the weekly meeting of the San Francisco Wiccan and Pagan Association, which was just beginning.
Sandra, the Wiccan priestess that led the group meetings, was giving the usually meeting opening spiel, but his mind was a bit distracted. Graduation ceremonies were less than a week away, and he couldn't wait. His grades were high enough that he was excused from finals, so after the graduation he was free of school.
Andrew's thoughts were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a god, or as close to one as humans come. The young man looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, had short, wavy black hair and flawless pale skin. He wore a roguish grin that matched the mischievous glint in his bright blue eyes. Andrew figured that he must have been part of the local Goth scene, what with his tight fitting black jeans, leather boots, and blood-red silk shirt. He was decked out with various pieces of silver jewelry, including a few choice armor rings, and ear pieces. On someone else, the combination would have been tacky, but on him it came off as sort of sexy.
"Everyone," Sandra was saying, "Give a warm welcome to Marcus Uptmor, who is going to be joining us today."
Marcus had stuck his hands in his pockets, as everyone gave their welcomes. He nodded and walked towards Andrew giving a seemingly unconscious tug on his pants that caused Andrew's eyes to dart towards the other's suddenly emphasized crotch area. The blond youth wasn't sure what embarrassed him more; the fact that he had looked so quickly, or that he had look hard enough to notice that the other was going regimental. He quickly looked away, and right into Marcus' face, who happened to be looking right back at him. Andrew felt the heat rise in his face as he blushed.
The black headed youth sat on the lawn next to him, said hello and winked. Andrew blushed again, and stammered out a hello. There was something vaguely familiar about the teen that was both intriguing, and yet, disturbing as well. Throughout the meeting he found himself staring at the youth from the corner of his eyes.
When he wasn't glancing over at the new guy, Andrew tried to pay attention to what was going on in the meeting. It was fairly the same as usual; organizing Good Samaritan activities at the local shelters and helping out with picking up trash throughout the park. One of the other boys in the group, a portly college geek named Mackey, talked about starting a class on aural cleansing and the like. It was all he could do to keep from yawning.
It's not that he didn't share many of the others' feelings about spirituality, because he did. There was just something fake about all of their prattle. No, not fake, but slightly desperate and grasping. He knew deep inside that there was more to the world than what was taught in school, or that the Christian churches preached. He just didn't know quite what, or where to look for it.
A slight mental itch nagged at his perceptions, causing him to look over at the handsome youth, Marcus. His face flushed harshly when he saw that the other was staring quite openly at him. Marcus flashed a very disarming smile of impossibly perfect teeth at him, and the young pagan felt a deep desire to kiss him. Tearing himself from the other's lurid gaze, Andrew tried to stare forward. Christ on a crouton! He thought, what is with him? Is he macing on me, or just messing with my head? Unconsciously, he began to bite his lower lip.
Sandra gave the standard closing speech and everyone began to break into their small circles of friends. Andrew barely knew anyone there, he himself being relatively new to the group. He stood up and dusted the seat of his jean shorts off, preparing to head on to Clement Street for some Chinese. Turning to go, he came face to face with Marcus.
"SHIT!" Andrew practically squealed.
"You all right?" the other asked, his voice purring like a content cat's.
"You startled me," squeaked the blond teen.
Marcus looked over at him, almost as though he were sizing Andrew up. His eyes narrowed and the roguish grin appeared again. "You seem a bit anxious. My name's Marcus. And you are?"
Andrew was a bit flustered, partially due to the fact he wasn't sure how to react, and partially because his body did. His face flushed once again as he tried unsuccessfully to keep from getting hard. "I, um . . ."
Marcus raised an eyebrow, apparently amused at the other's self-conscious behavior.
"I'm Andrew." He thrust his hand out towards Marcus.
The pale skinned youth tugged on his pants, again emphasizing his crotch. He pulled a hand out a pocket and grasped Andrew's. "See, a simple exchange of names, and we're no longer strangers."
Andrew felt a thrill race through his arm that went straight to his groin. He shifted his weight, trying to avoid being obvious in adjusting his hardened prick. He couldn't figure this guy out. It was as though he knew just what signals and motions to make just to get him to react. Or as if he was projecting some kind of presence. A part of his mind told him to resist, and with a bit of mental fighting, he began to regain control. Then Marcus did something that destroyed all of his defenses.
In a graceful rush, Marcus had his arms around Andrew and was thoroughly kissing him. Andrew immediately melted. If he had felt a thrill from just shaking hands, he could only describe this new sensation as total ecstasy. He had never kissed a guy before, no matter how much he had desired to. Oh, he had kissed a few girls he "dated" in school, but they didn't compare to this. There was no controlling his body now, either; it was freely reacting. Then, it was over.
Andrew stood there for a moment, his eyes closed and mouth still half open as though still in the process of kissing. He heard his voice being called, as though from a long distance away. He hmmed and began to slowly opened his eyes.
"Andrew?"
"Yes?" he answered with a huge grin.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm great," he sighed, his eyes still slightly out of focus. Blood was pounding thunderously through his erect cock, which he felt was pressed against the other's.
"Maybe you need some time alone?"
He was shocked out of his reverie as he felt Marcus move away. "What! Huh?"
There was a musical laugh, and he heard Marcus state, "That was fairly articulate."
"I'm sorry," he apologized, feeling flustered and more than a bit embarrassed once again. What came over me?
"No problem. Look, not to kiss and run, but I have to meet someone. What are you doing Wednesday evening?"
"Uh, I have graduation that night, then the after party . . ." Andrew trailed off, still confused.
"Great," Marcus interjected. "How about skipping the party, and meeting me for a private party?"
"Sure . . ." Uncertainty colored his reply.
"Meet me at Iggy's Headshop after you get out of the ceremonies. Do you have a car?" Marcus asked as he pulled something out from his pocket. It was a silver (go figure) necklace with a pendant in the shape of a lily blossom.
"Uh . . . no?" The confusion he felt helped to get his raging hard on under control. Well, that is, until he felt Marcus' fingertips brush his tanned neck while placing the necklace over his head. Everything seemed to be blurring by at a hundred miles an hour.
"Well, take a cab there, I'll be waiting." He began to hurry off, stopped, and then ran back. He grabbed a hold of a very bewildered Andrew and kissed him thoroughly again. Then, he was gone.
Andrew fell to the ground, too stunned to really do anything. For several minutes he sat there, his head spinning with disconnected thoughts. I have a date . . . I think. "I have a date, with a guy."
"Oh, shit!" he shouted as he leapt to his feet. "I have a date, with a guy!"
It was about then that he fully realized what had happened. I don't even know who he is. Why did he come so strongly onto me? How did he know I was even gay, for Christ's sake? And why the hell did I react so strongly? He held the shiny, silver pendant up to look at. As he glanced at it, all he could think about was Marcus' roguish looks, the passionate kiss, and the strange, familiar feelings he had inspired when Andrew had first seen him.
<Chapter 2 to follow soon. I realize this part was a bit slow, but I needed to set things up. And yes, there was lots of teasing and no sex, but what can I say, I like to blue ball guys. ^ _^ . I appreciate any creative critiquing, as well as comments. As stated before, Flamers will be ignored. Write to pagangamer@yahoo.com .>