by Arantes
“You have to understand. No one blames you for what happened. Jarvis died a happy man, protecting the ones he loved. You have to find a way to forgive yourself, or all he did would be for nothing,” said his wife.
Her kind words made him feel less guilty, she was nice. He drank her famous lemonade that he so loved, and thanked her.
Viper sat there staring at him, but with admiration. “Now that my brother is dead, I guess it’s up to me to guide you young ones.”
Albedo could swear he was staring at master Jarvis. Both men looked so much alike. “It will be an honor, Viper, master, sir,” not knowing what to say.
“Nonsense young man, master was Jarvis name. You can call me council Man Viper or Master Viper, which ever you prefer.”
Albedo was curious, the man reminded him so much of Jarvis. After a long talk with the old man, Albedo bowed his head and left. He concluded that he liked him. He had not seen Natalia for a while, so he decided while he was out of bed to go say hi to her. She must be worried about him. She was aware of the horror he had gone through. He wondered if she would see him the same way.
Sitting in front of the house was her father, playing with his knife. Albedo always thought he was a strange man, he hardly said a word. Natalia had once told him that he used to be a member of the Special Humans’ Division, keeping his family safe from vampires. But he had witnessed his wife’s murder, since then his mind had collapsed. Albedo thought he was no different from himself; his mind also could not accept the truth. Unlike Natalia’s father, he had friends who helped him find his way back to reality. Natalia was his caretaker; the only treasure he possessed was her and that old house. A house he had built for his late wife, and now hoped to pass down to his daughter. She was truly his world, sacrificing her life to take good care of him. He was very happy when Axil was around. He took much of the burden off her shoulders and he made her smile. Although Natalia never mentioned to him that Axil and his friends were vampires, he knew somehow. The way the man moves furniture without even trying, no normal human could dare do. As much as he hated blood suckers, these ones were different, so there was no need to go get the guards and tell them there’s a vampire living in his house, and besides, if he tries to tell anyone, who would believe him? He was thought to be a crazy old man. His daughter’s happiness was all he wanted. He’d grown to like Axil and his friends; after all, they were kind.
Albedo walked closer to him. “Is Natalia home, may I see her?” said Albedo with a nervous face.
The old man met his gaze for a second, and said nothing; he continued to play with his knife, with a piece of wood in the other hand, sculpturing the image of his wife, rocking back and forth in his chair.
Axil opened the door, “Come on in, Albedo.”
As Natalia saw Albedo, she quickly hugged him. He was the first friend she’d ever had. With her father keeping her on her toes, she had no time for a social life. Try as she did, no one wanted to be her friend; she was “different.” It was that same “different” that drew her to Albedo. They had become friends very quickly, so much so that people thought they were in love once.
“I wanted to come and see you, the others told me to give you some time alone,” said Natalia.
Albedo saw the anguish on her face, she hugged him once more. As usually the house was clean spotless, smelled good as always. She baked them bread, cakes, and sat down to eat it.
“How are the others doing? I haven’t seen them for a while,” asked Albedo as he stuffed his face with more cake. It was good that he was eating like there was no tomorrow, this was a good indication that he was getting back to his old self.
Axil looked outside the window as he sat to check on the old man. “They’re doing ok; Sonia has been missing you a lot. As for Dante and Angelione, they were asked by King Victor to go to the border and make sure King Henry doesn’t do anything unexpected.” He wondered if Henry would eventually wage war against them. What to do, he thought. A war would eventually drag the humans in, and they would stand no chance.
“It’s good to see you, Albedo, we were scared we might never see you again!” said Natalia, this time her face looked joyous.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he answered. The breads she made were delicious.
They continued to chat for a couple more hours.
Albedo left to go see King Victor in one of the horse-carriage, as he yet to learn how to ride a horse. The King looked tenacious as always. Albedo admired how he brought order to his people. He thought about how hard it was for a King to rule with an iron fist and yet be loved by his people.
“Albedo my boy, it’s good to see you’re feeling better!” said King Victor.
His adviser Dory quickly left to give them privacy.
“I hear Angelione and Dante are protecting the border,” said Albedo.
The King offered him a seat and all the food he could eat. He wasted no time in going after the roasted pork. It had caught his eyes the minute he walked through the door. He could care less about the fruits and vegetables, he wanted the pig.
The King watched his eyes as he stared at the foods, “Go ahead have as much as you can.”
Albedo had no other thoughts in his head as he stuffs his mouth with the food.
“They wanted to get their mind off things, so I sent them there. As you know, they felt guilty for going against you.”
Albedo laughed, “Well at the end they did change their mind, but following their King is number one priority.” He wondered were Sonia was hiding, he wanted to see her.
“Albedo, I’m sorry for lying to you. I…”
Albedo shock his head gently, “I think it was for the best.” He had an understanding face, which eased the King a bit.
“If you’re looking for Sonia, she’s waiting for you in her favorite place.”
He knew exactly where she was, on top of the castle, where the view of the moon was beautiful to look at. After finishing eating he went up to see her.
“Hey,” he said.
Sonia turned around with the brightest smile he’d ever seen, and kissed him.
“It’s good to see you too!” said Albedo.
They sat on the roof all alone, he lay down, she lay on top of him, and the moon was just magnificent to look at. She fell asleep in his arms, they had long forgotten about what happened.
The next morning he asked her to stay with him in Inferno for a few days. She agreed and his parents saw marriage for the two. Albedo had asked her about her parents, she never once mentioned them to him. He wanted her to tell him when she was ready. Maybe her parents were like Axil? This was a mystery he was curious about.
Sonia and Dante had long been trying to make her talk about her parents. She never did give them any answer, only to tell them, “I don’t know! Now can you two idiots leave me alone?!” Dante had a theory that her parents had died. He had tried to get answers from Angelione, but he did not know either.
Albedo and Sonia had made plans to double date with Axil and Natalia. He was exited to go to the beach, another one of his favorite places to go and clear his mind. Not many people knew about the beach location, it was the perfect place to get away from the world.
“Don’t stay in the sun to long. I don’t want you to get sunburn,” said Cecelia.
“We won’t!” they answered simultaneously.
They left the house and planned to meet Axil. Albedo had his shorts on and Sonia wearing a white bikini that she looked good in. Natalia and Axil were waiting for them, with them was her father. She had long wanted him to get out of the house, to get some air, to stretch his legs. They thought it was a good idea; fresh air was good for everyone.
“Sonia, it’s nice to see you again!” said Natalia with a thrilling face.
They had become good friends, Natalia reminded her of Albedo somehow.
“Hey Albedo, let’s go for a dive,” said Axil.
Sonia helped Natalia with the food, while the boys went for a swim.
Th
e water felt good, warm. A perfect way to relax, Albedo closed his eyes under the water. His troubles magically disappeared. Axil’s troubles were still in his mind, he wondered how his family was doing back in Conalian, were they all right?
“What’s the matter, you seem to have something on your mind?” asked Albedo.
“It’s nothing, I’m just thinking of the others, wondering if they’re doing alright. It’s been a while now since I’ve seen them,” said Axil.
“Angelione and Dante saw them, they’re doing fine, and beside they left a couple Black Knights there to watch over them,” said Albedo.
“Yea I know, but I would like to see them for myself,” worried Axil.
“I’m sure they are doing fine, the chaos is gone now. You have to remember, they chose not take you, to protect you,” said Albedo.
He still wished he had known, maybe there had been something he could have done to help.
“If they had told you, you might have done something foolish,” said Albedo.
Sonia was helping Natalia arrange the food while her father stared at the ocean. How peacefully it moves with the wind, the birds flying above.
“I wonder what those two are talking about over there,” said Sonia.
“Probably us, you know how boys are!” answered Natalia with a smile, and soon they both laughed.
Sonia could see from afar that it was more than that.
“Boys, it’s time to eat!” yelled Natalia.
The food she prepared was delicious as always. Sonia wanted to ask Natalia to teach her
how to cook. She wanted to put that look on Albedo’s face, the one he got whenever Natalia or his mother cooked for him.
“Natalia, I was wondering if you can… teach me to cook?” asked Sonia.
Albedo stopped eating; he wondered if Sonia’s question was so that she could cook for him. In his heart he loved her whether she cooked or not.
“Of course I will!” answered Natalia with excitement in her voice. No one had ever asked her that question before. She was flattered, she admired Sonia. A female warrior who feared nothing, she had become her idol.
The following day, Natalia taught Sonia how to prepare a proper meal. Although her first attempts were terrifying, Natalia told her there was a chef in her. She also helped Albedo’s mother with breakfast, hoping to learn more. The bread and eggs she made were delicious, after hundreds of attempts of course. Albedo had the same look on his face when he ate his mother’s food, which made Sonia proud of herself, she was becoming a chef. He breads weren’t’ as good as his mother or Natalia’s yet, but it was coming alone though.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying it!” said Sonia with an excited face.
He could see how much she appreciated him eating it.
Chapter 36
Blood of the Immortals
Aleister has been chasing Dmitri consistently, giving him no chance to decelerate and catch his breath. It was daylight with a chill of evil in the air. Aleister had gone after Dmitri by himself. King Henry’s men could not get the job done; he was the only one capable of finding him. Aleister walked in the abandon mansion, to find Dmitri’s clones had been waiting for him. As he came closer, more clones showed up; this was the trap Dmitri had set for him. Aleister watched his tribe of clones waiting to attack him.
“Dmitri,” smiled Aleister as he called his name. “At last I caught up to you to deliver your death.” Aleister needed to clean up, if Dmitri is allowed to live it will cause him problems later on.
“Aleister, here I thought I gave away your weakness to the Kings. And yet they are all coming after me, why is that?” said one of his clones.
Aleister grimed, “It’s obvious, no one wants to hear what you have to say,” said Aleister.
The clones’ faces now looked fumed than ever.
Aleister wondered if his face was going to explode.
“I see you haven’t changed, Aleister, you killed the Queen and add my name to the blame list!”
“That’s right; every High King is looking for you.”
Dmitri’s clones laughed, “I’m not like those fools who chose to follow you!” His clone voice got louder and angrier; his clones attacked him at once.
Aleister quickly transformed and summoned his snake-dragon; Dmitri’s clones were blown and eaten away by his flame.
“How foolish, to think a mortal would challenge a God!” said Aleister.
More of Dmitri’s clones appeared, this time by the hundreds. Aleister’s snake-dragon wreaked havoc amongst them, burning their flesh. These weak clones were no match for him. His dragon stopped and circled around the room.
“You’re using the blood of the humans in hope to make yourself immortal is that it, Dmitri? Are you so desperate and lusting for power that you would sink so low to seek out the blood of the Immortals?”
“You never intended to share the power of the Reawakening with me, after I’ve been so loyal to you!” said Dmitri.
Aleister started to laugh. “I told you a long time ago, someone like you can never control the Reawakening, you’re just simply too weak! But let me ask you something, Dmitri. You intent to drink the blood of the humans, do you have any idea what it will do to you?”
The real Dmitri came out of the group with the bags of blood. “It will make me stronger, giving me the power of the Immortals.” He pierced the bags with his fang and drank the blood. Dmitri could feel a burst of energy rushing throughout his body and felt more powerful than ever. He felt stronger and much faster.
“I tried to warn you,” said Aleister calmly. “Do you know why the blood moon was created for us?”
Dmitri smiled in bafflement.
“Exactly, you don’t know.”
“Right now you’re not able to control your power to its fullest, Aleister. I have the upper hand. I’m stronger than you as of this moment,” said Dmitri.
“That maybe true,” smiled Aleister. “But you see, sometimes strength and power is not enough to win. Let me show you the differences between our intellectual capacities.”
Dmitri’s clones went for the attack against Aleister, but Aleister simply teleported on the ceiling, standing upside down. A few of Dmitri’s clones jumped up towards him. Aleister took out his sword and slice part of the roof off, allowing the sun to beam its bright light. He was now coming down towards the clones and the sunbeam shone on the clones.
When the sun hit the clones their bodies began to sizzle as they caught on fire, bursting into red ashes. Dmitri was startled after he witnessed what had just happen to his clones, never in his wildest dream has he seen anything like this. He had heard that the sun was the enemy of vampires, but that was a long time ago.
“What just… happened?” Asked Dmitri.
Aleister has never laughed this loud before, he tried to warn Dmitri but he would simply not listen to him. “You insolent fool! There’s a reason that the blood-moon was created for us, it is because when we drink the blood of the humans we become vulnerable to the Sun!” He continued to laugh. “When our flesh is exposed to it, it eats it away and kills us.”
“Damn you, Aleister!” I’ve read all I needed to know about the Immortals’ Blood, so why haven’t it mentioned anything about this weakness? Today was Dmitri’s worst day; the sun was beaming down hotter than ever.
“I never thought anyone was stupid enough to drink the blood of the humans, but I guess stupidly will never extinct. You’re seeking a power that no one has used in thousands of years.”
Aleister teleported once more to the ceiling and cut more parts of the roof off, allowing the sun to illuminate its brightness further.
“The blood-moon was created so we would be able to walk in the sun like the humans,” said Aleister. “But its artificial blood came with its price. We used to live forever, never needed to sleep, but the sun ate us away as soon as it touched our skins when we drank the humans’ blood. When the blood-rain came to be, it allowed us to walk in the sun and take over this world from
the humans. The blood-rain however, comes with its price also, we now need to sleep, and our life span is shortened. Sure it gives you its advantages, a burst of energy and made you stronger, but only for a time being, unlike the blood-rain that last longer.” Aleister came down now. “You’re using a power that you are ignorant about.”
“I’m going to kill you Aleister!”
Dmitri ran towards Aleister, but Aleister simply raised his right hand to the ceiling and fireballs shot from them, creating a massive explosion. Dmitri’s hand was caught by the sun’s light; it burst into ashes.
“It burns!” he screamed.
“Well of course it does, don’t you know the sun is the enemy of vampires?” Finally, I am
able to produce a fireball explosive; my Crimson Flame is becoming as strong as it once was. “Goodbye Dmitri, I can’t say it’s been fun.”
His fireballs completely destroyed the remains of the roof, exposing light on what’s left of Dmitri.
“Curse you Aleister!” his body burst into flames.
Aleister raised his head up and stared at the sun, its warmness felt good on his skin. The blood-rain protects us from the sun’s wrath. You’re a fool, Dmitri, I could have given you a seat on my throne, but instead you chose to be selfish and tried to go against my authority. He smirked. This is what happens when fools like you go against me. The next move is your Vincent, don’t disappoint me now. He gave a laugh.
