Chapter 1: A child

NOTE: sl(EE)p (O)pen (NOS)feratu = Oionos 

(POV Priscilla Rich) 

Childbirth, a prospect I'd never considered. Me? Have a child? Never. That was my mindset for most of my life. Yet, fate often had other plans. The Court needed a win, and thanks to my efforts we'd likely have one. 

The plan was far from simple, and yet by the grace of...me, had been executed perfectly. Walter Steele, a stoic and loyal fellow had managed to secure himself a position as Robert Queen's right-hand man. The queens were a well-known powerful family, and their wealth being generations old made them a prospect for the Court. 

Sadly, Robert as well as his father before him had made the mistake of outright ignoring and rejecting our offers. While we could have killed him, that wouldn't benefit us in the long run. As a result, their disrespect went unpunished, that is until I entered the picture. 

It was in front of our faces the whole time, and yet I was the first one to think of it. Truly, luck was on my side. A young, naive, pure, and innocent young woman who needed a caring and compassionate man to show her the beauty of life. Truly a dope, Mr. Steele fell hook line, and sinker for my act. 

It didn't take long to woo the young bachelor and get him into my bed. From there, things worked themselves out. Thus, leading me to my current predicament, screaming in pain as I pushed this godforsaken child out of my body. 

After decades of servitude, this was the only time I'd questioned our cause. I was beginning to regret my big mouth and this ridiculous plan as well. For my sake as well as his own, this child had better not disappoint, or I'd kill him myself. 

To make matters worse, Walters's lovestruck and concerned voice was rambling nonstop at my side, as he held my hand. Glaring daggers at him, I grit my teeth and released a final scream that seemed to deafen the room...literally. 

It was immensely strange, as though I was dreaming. My primal roar of pain and indignation seemed to evaporate into thin air, along with Walters and the Doctor's comforting words. Time seemed to slow as I watched those in attendance blink their eyes rapidly in confusion whilst glancing about. 

Slowly, and visibly uncomfortable, the obstetrician raised her arms, revealing a blood-covered ball of flesh...my son. The infant was silent, deathly so, much like the room in which we resided. Surely, he wasn't de- Before I could finish my thought, I saw his body begin to wiggle about as he looked around the room. 

Seeing this, a maddening smile spread across my face as I reached out and snatched him from the doctor's arms. Mere seconds had passed and by now all sounds had returned to the surroundings as though they'd never vanished in the first place. Albeit strange, the phenomenon was ignored and tossed to the back of everyone's minds as they focused on the infant. Well, everyone's except my own. 

Looking down into his eyes I couldn't help but mutter to myself, 

"You're special, I can feel it. I wonder, just what surprises do you have in store for us?" 

I could feel it in my bones, this was an omen. Things were going to change, whether for the better...that remained to be seen. Pulling me from my thoughts was the incessant lip flapping of both the doctor and Walter. 

"What is it?!" Losing a bit of my composure, I snapped at them in irritation. 

"Ma'am, what is the child's name?" The doctor asked hesitantly. 

Oh, that's right, Walter and I had already agreed on a name previously. While I had just been looking to satisfy his constant badgering and at the time didn't care, I now found myself regretting that decision. Whatever, it didn't matter what his birth certificate said, his true name was already decided. 

"Gray, Gray Steele," I said whilst glancing in Walter's direction. 

Seeing his face light up made me want to vomit until a soft cooing returned my attention to the child in my arms. Instantly, I felt the disgust within me disappear. Oh, my dear Omen...my dear Oionós. 

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Not long after giving birth to Oionós, I devised a plan in which Walter was drugged and caught 'cheating' on me with another woman. Suffice to say, I deserved an award for my performance. 

By happenstance, I unceremoniously stumbled upon the father of my child in the most compromising of positions. Bawling my eyes out and shouting profanities I declared our relationship over, though not before threatening to publicize his indecency's if he tried to stop me from taking Gray with me. 

"Even if I'm to forgive you...I need time and space. Don't try to contact me." Recalling the bullshit I'd been forced to spew, nearly made me gag. Funnily enough, I did, however, find myself feeling the slightest bit of regret. Walter truly was a kind man, a shame his type didn't last long in a world like ours. 

Anyways, just like that five years passed in the blink of an eye, and while they had been rather uneventful, things were about to change. Why? You may ask. Well, because the Court had deemed Oionos of age. His training was set to begin, on the day he turned five. 

To say certain members were rather confused and doubtful of his potential would be an understatement. Whilst I hadn't detailed the exact scene that had unfolded upon his birth, that shouldn't have mattered. Clearly, they were doubting not only my child but me as well. Not that it mattered, because they'd all see soon enough. 

A sudden movement in my peripheral nearly caused me to shout in fright until I realized it was none other than Oionós. Fucking hell. This happened more than I'd like to admit. One of the first things I'd taken note of was the lack of sound he made. Whether it was his breath, footsteps, or when he came in contact with things. It was as if he wasn't really there. 

Hell, I would doubt it myself if I couldn't see him with my own eyes. This was one of the reasons I felt so confident, in my time raising him I'd found that unless he wanted, he'd emit no sound. Truly, a natural-born Talon. 

Within the next few moments, we were before an immense doorway. On the other side lay members of the court who'd gauge his potential, and act accordingly. 

"Oionós, do you understand what's through this door?" 

"My future." He stated, with a small smile. 

Raising an eyebrow, I looked down at him. 

"Hm? If you disappoint them...or me, you'll be punished. Aren't you afraid?" 

"Are you?" Glancing at me from the corner of his eye, he returned my question with one of his own. 

Hmph. Scoffing, I placed my hand on the doors and slowly pushed them open. Instantly I felt a multitude of eyes lock onto our forms, as silhouettes of various shapes and sizes entered our vision. Burning braziers lit up the chamber, illuminating what lay within. 

Dozens of men and women dressed in black suits and dresses adorned with a white mask closely resembling an owl stood in attendance in what could best be described as a throne room. The main difference was, that instead of a single throne, there were five, one of which was currently empty. 

Leaving Oionós's side, I walked ahead ascending the throne and taking my place in its empty seat. Once I'd sat down, our grandmaster waved his hand and new guests arrived. Talons. 

Black body suits with gold trimming and owl-like features, skilled in the arts of assassination, combat, and following orders...the Talons were without a doubt the cornerstone of our organization. 

Oionós unique as he was had been granted the opportunity to not only be considered for this honor but prove he was above it. I had no doubt he could be more than a simple attack dog and hoped he'd prove me right. Placing a golden mask on my face, I allowed a small smile to form on my lips. If things went according to plan, I'd be a shoo-in for the next grandmaster. 

(POV Sebastian Clark) 

"We're gathered here today to test the mettle of one of our own, Priscilla Rich's child. Her plan of gaining Walter Steele's favor worked flawlessly. Should things continue to do so, once Gray is of age, Robert Queen can unexpectedly have an 'accident' and allow Walter to become CEO. After which Gray can return to his father with open arms and secure us Queen Consolidated and its assets." Eyes scanning the masses, I paused on Priscilla giving her a nod of recognition. 

"Oionós, not Gray." She curtly whispered to me. 

Hm? I'd heard she had proclaimed her child the second coming or some nonsense, even bestowing him with the name Omen or Oionós. Whatever, today we'd see if he was actually worth investing in further or to merely serve his purpose and shut up. 

Without sparing the boy a glance, I turned to my Talons kneeling before me. Namely, Calvin Rose, William Cobb, Uriah Boone, Alton Carver, and Felix Harmon. Each a success and the utter pinnacle of creation. Servants, weapons of an untold caliber, and the prime standard. 

My vision eventually settled upon Calvin, the greenhorn. Despite his few years of service, he was still lacking in certain aspects. Feeling my gaze, Calvin slowly rose to his feet before turning to the motionless child. 

Before he could react, and quicker than most in attendance to follow, he'd launched himself forward and delivered a devastating blow to the child's midsection. A loud thump echoed throughout the chamber, followed by painful and guttural dry heaving. 

Curling himself into a ball, the boy began to vomit blood, spit, food...hell, all contents of his stomach onto the floor. I couldn't help but sigh, things were only going to get worse from here, and so they did. Without giving the child, a moment to catch his breath Calvin was upon him once more, this time lifting him to his feet before delivering a toe-curling punch once more to his midsection. 

Whatever air was left in his body, was immediately and swiftly stolen. Silent gasps of pain escaped the child's lips as his eyes threatened to roll back into his head. Seemingly unable to understand or deal with the sensations racking his body, he haphazardly clutched and pulled at his chest and throat as though attempting to make the pain go away. 

Boredom, disappointment, and amusement at Priscilla's embarrassment spread through those in attendance. I for one wasn't disappointed due to my expectations being nonexistent to begin with. 

What followed was to be expected, though admittedly gruesome. Blood flew, and bones snapped as Calvin utterly ravaged the child's body. What started as a martial art-filled onslaught with carefully planned and placed attacks, soon became a brute effortlessly manhandling Oionos. 

Holding the boy up by his arm as his mangled form lifelessly dangled, Calvin reeled his arm back before tossing him like a ragdoll toward the throne room's doors. Watching the heap of flesh lying motionless, he glanced toward me to which I nodded, giving him the go-ahead. This farse was over. 

With slow steps, he began heading back to his kneeling compatriots. From the crowd whispers, scoffs, and giggles began to fill the air. Side-eyeing Priscilla, I found her shaking uncontrollably, whether it was out of embarrassment or concern for her child...was debatable. 

Just then Calvin halted his steps and turned back toward the boy's curled up form. Following his gaze, I found the boy was moving, albeit minuscule. From what I could tell, it was just his mouth. 

"Hhhhhh" A muffled sound escaped his lips, resembling nothing more than a moan of pain. 

While I was prepared to ignore it, I found not only Calvin but the Talons kneeling at my feet had also turned to the boy. Once more his lips moved, the noise much louder this time. 

"Hhhuuuhhhh" 

Some of those in attendance still whispering and giggling amongst one another paused for a moment before continuing their discussions. Still gazing upon his crumpled form, I soon spotted an eye under the bloodied and broken mess, the brazier's light reflecting off it his seething rage. 

The boy's already broken face, was further contorted as he opened his mouth once more. 

"HUSH!" 

A single word...no, a command escaped his lips. Flooding the surroundings and instantly drowning out the existence of all else. The crackling of the fires, the dripping of his blood, the whispers in the crowd, the voice in our heads...all seemed to vanish.

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Recently binge watched Dexter, Star Wars shit, some Arrow, a few Marvel movies, and now here I am. I've been inspired.