Leviathan: Rise of the Abyss

Lotan walked toward the head of security, his steps slow and deliberate. The tension in the air was palpable as he stopped just inches away.

"How dare you act prideful in front of my master?" Lotan's voice was calm yet laced with menace, his words cutting through the room like a blade.

The security head opened his mouth to explain, but before a single word could leave, Lotan's palm connected with his face in a thunderous slap. The force was so immense that the man crumpled to the ground, unconscious before he even hit the floor.

"Let's go up to the penthouse, Master. We can discuss there," Lotan said, his tone light as if the incident had never occurred. He turned on his heel and began walking toward the elevator, his posture composed and unaffected by the chaos he had just caused.

Leviathan followed, his expression unreadable. As they passed Martinez, Lotan shot him a cold glance. "Get him out of here," he instructed, gesturing toward the unconscious security head. Martinez hesitated but eventually nodded, pulling the limp man to the side.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and the two entered, ascending all the way to the thirty-first floor. The silence in the elevator was thick, broken only by the occasional hum of the machinery.

When they finally arrived at the penthouse, Lotan stepped out first and gestured for Leviathan to follow. "Please, have a seat, Master," Lotan said, motioning toward the plush couch in the living area.

"It's Leviathan," Leviathan corrected as he sat down, his gaze briefly scanning the luxurious surroundings.

"I know that," Lotan replied, pouring two glasses of an amber-colored liquid from a crystal decanter. "But I have to call you Master since, well, you are my master."

Leviathan frowned slightly as he accepted the drink. "First of all, I'm not really your master since I have no memory of creating you. Secondly, humans would find it odd if you called me that. So, just call me Leviathan."

Lotan paused, considering this for a moment, then nodded. "That makes sense," he said as he sat down across from Leviathan, taking a sip of his drink.

Leviathan leaned forward slightly, his tone growing more serious. "Now, explain to me how I created you."

Lotan set his glass down on the table and leaned back, his demeanor shifting as he prepared to recount the story. "Do you remember your battle with the Creator?"

Leviathan's eyes narrowed. "Of course I do. It was one of the most grueling battles I ever fought. Losing it was proof of how difficult it really was."

"Is that your polite way of saying you got defeated before you could even act?" Lotan teased, a sly grin playing on his lips.

Leviathan's cheeks flushed slightly, though he quickly masked it with a scowl. "Get to the point."

Lotan shrugged, his grin widening. "Fine. The Creator said you'd need help when you eventually broke free from your chains. So, he decided to take a section of your blood and power and use it to create me."

Leviathan froze, his grip tightening on the glass in his hand. "So, he knew I'd escape?"

"What did you expect? He's all-knowing," Lotan replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Leviathan downed the rest of his drink in one gulp, his mind racing. "So, you're supposed to be some sort of guide for me in this human world?"

"Yes, that's exactly what I am," Lotan said with a smile.

Leviathan's brow furrowed as another thought struck him. "Wait. How did he get my blood in the first place?"

Lotan chuckled. "How would I know? Maybe you should ask him if you ever see him again."

Leviathan glared at him, his expression a mix of frustration and suspicion. "What's with your attitude? You were all submissive earlier, and now you're acting like this."

Lotan leaned back, his demeanor casual. "You told me not to call you Master. That means I don't have to act like your servant anymore. Besides, I might even have to call you my twin brother when we're among mortals."

Leviathan sighed, shaking his head. "Is every being out there human?"

"No," Lotan replied simply, raising an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

Leviathan hesitated for a moment, his mind flashing back to Sophia on the beach. Her reaction to his gaze had been... unusual. "It's nothing," he said finally.

Lotan shrugged and stood up, stretching. "If you say so."

Leviathan followed him as he walked out onto the rooftop, where a pool sparkled under the evening sky. "I still have a question," Leviathan said, stopping near the edge of the pool.

"You can ask me anything," Lotan replied, slipping off his shoes and unbuttoning his shirt.

"What do you know about the beings out there?" Leviathan asked, his tone serious.

Lotan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he finished undressing and dove into the pool with a graceful arc. He surfaced moments later, wiping water from his face. "Hey, what are you doing?" Lotan called out as he saw Leviathan preparing to jump into the pool fully clothed.

"Same thing as you—enjoying the feeling of swimming in water," Leviathan replied, his expression a mix of confusion and defiance.

"Are you blind? Didn't you see me take off my clothes first?" Lotan said, pointing to the pile of clothes on the ground.

Leviathan rolled his eyes but began undressing. "It's hard to believe you're my servant when you keep talking to me like that."

"Well, until you adapt fully to human life, you'll have to deal with it," Lotan said, floating on his back. "Shouldn't you know more about humans already? I thought your spirit roamed the Earth for centuries."

"I only cared about major events," Leviathan said with a shrug. "Like when Hitler invaded Poland and started World War II."

Lotan raised an eyebrow. "Wait. Were you the one who whispered the invasion idea into Hitler's head?"

"Why on Earth would I do that? I can't interfere with humans. I was a spectator, nothing more."

"Hmm," Lotan said, his tone skeptical. "If you say so."

"Enough about me," Leviathan said as he relaxed in the water. "Tell me what you know about the other beings out there."

Lotan sighed. "What exactly do you want to know?"

"Everything."

Lotan rubbed his forehead. "Okay. Let me think about where to start."

"How about the beginning?" Leviathan suggested.

"There are countless creatures out there, each with a different beginning," Lotan replied, a hint of frustration in his voice.

"Then just tell me about the important ones," Leviathan said impatiently.

"Fine. Let's start with vampires," Lotan said. "They were created by an ancient spell involving a human sacrifice to Lucifer in exchange for immortality. The first vampires enjoyed their newfound power, but eventually, the witches cursed them."

Leviathan tilted his head. "Witches? Why didn't you start with them if they came first?"

"Can you let me finish?" Lotan snapped.

Leviathan mimed zipping his lips shut.

"Witches weren't created. They were born with the ability to bend the Earth to their will through words and sacrifices. And, by the way, witches, vampires, and werewolves are constantly at each other's throats. We avoid their conflicts whenever possible."

"Why? Are they a threat to us?" Leviathan asked.

Lotan hesitated before answering. "Not exactly, but they're a nuisance. Speaking of nuisances, there's one thing you should know."

"What's that?" Leviathan asked.

"You can't travel through realms anymore."

Leviathan's anger flared as he stared at Lotan, his voice distorted and vibrating with suppressed rage. "What did you do to me?"

Lotan raised his hands defensively, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger. I didn't do anything to you. The Creator stripped that ability from you when he sealed you. Didn't think it was worth mentioning earlier, but now you know."

Leviathan took a step forward, the air around him rippling with his frustration. "You mean to tell me the Creator left me here—chained to this mortal realm—without the ability to move freely?"

Lotan nodded, his expression calm but his body tensed, ready for whatever Leviathan might do. "Exactly. You're stuck here like the rest of us, at least until you regain your full power. And even then…"

Leviathan's gaze sharpened. "Even then, what?"

Lotan hesitated, looking away briefly before meeting Leviathan's intense stare. "Even then, it might not be enough. The Creator was… thorough. You're not just bound physically. You're bound spiritually. Your connection to other realms is severed entirely. The only way you're getting it back is if—"

Before Lotan could finish, a loud, echoing knock reverberated through the penthouse. Both men froze, their gazes darting to the door.

"Are you expecting anyone?" Leviathan asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Lotan shook his head slowly, his usually confident demeanor replaced by unease. "No one knows we're here. At least… no one should."

The knock came again, louder this time, almost a thunderous boom that rattled the walls.

Leviathan's lips curled into a snarl. "Stay here."

Ignoring the command, Lotan followed Leviathan toward the door, his eyes scanning the room for any sign of danger. "You're not exactly in a position to give orders, Leviathan. If this is what I think it is, you'll need me."

Leviathan paused, glancing back at Lotan with a mixture of irritation and grudging acceptance. "Fine. But stay out of my way."

He reached for the door, his hand hovering over the handle for a moment before he swung it open. The hallway beyond was empty, eerily silent. But something was wrong. The air felt heavy, oppressive, as if the space itself was watching them.

Leviathan stepped forward cautiously, his senses heightened. "Whoever's out here, show yourself," he demanded, his voice echoing down the corridor.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, faintly, a voice whispered from the shadows. "You can't run from what you are, Leviathan."

Leviathan's eyes narrowed as he scanned the hallway, his fists clenching. "Who's there? Speak!"

The whisper grew louder, surrounding them, coming from every direction. "You may have forgotten, but they haven't. And they're coming."

Lotan grabbed Leviathan's arm, pulling him back into the penthouse. "Close the door. Now."

Leviathan resisted for a moment, glaring at Lotan. "What's going on? Who's out there?"

Lotan's expression was grim, his usual cockiness replaced by genuine fear. "It's not someone. It's something."

Before Leviathan could respond, the oppressive air thickened, and the room was plunged into darkness. The only light came from the faint glow of Leviathan's eyes, which now burned brighter with determination.

"Lotan," Leviathan growled, his voice cutting through the darkness. "What aren't you telling me?"

Lotan took a step back, his own power flaring as he prepared for the worst. "I thought we had more time… but it seems the hunters are already here."

The room shook violently, a low growl reverberating through the walls as the shadows themselves began to move.

Leviathan turned to face the shifting darkness, his fists crackling with energy. "Hunters? What hunters?"

Lotan's voice was barely a whisper. "The ones who are here to kill you, And trust me, Master, they won't ask nicely."

A deafening roar filled the room, and from the shadows, glowing red eyes emerged. Leviathan's lips curled into a smirk, his anger replaced by exhilaration.

"Good," he said, his voice a low rumble. "Let them come."

To be continued

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