The small town, Herville, was engulfed in darkness. An unnatural darkness loomed like a dense fog. Faint cries and growls could be heard if one cared to listen well.
Outside the town a group of armoured soldiers wearing stern expressions stood, armed to the teeth.
"Situations report..." A large man with one-handed great sword swung over his shoulder.
"The communication bracelet is silent, sir. I think this weird black mist is interrupting the connection, considering our last interaction with our personnel here was cut abruptly."
"That's possible," the man nodded. "We will be moving in blind then. Prepare to engage!"
"Yes, Captain!"
-----
[Unknown location]
"Ugh!" A black haired boy groaned as he stared on the cold hard floor.
"Where am I?" He muttered weakly. His vision was hazy and blurred, but it gradually returned to normal.
It was a bit dark. But he could still make out his surroundings.
A stone ceiling. Stone walls encroached by mosses. The longer he looked, the stranger the scene became.
Cold metal bars, strange drawings on the floor that looked very precise and detailed like a fine work of art, then...
Wait a minute, metal bars?
'What...?'
Ren immediately stood up, almost causing him to fall face first due to the dizziness. He hastily looked around. He squinted his eyes, and he was able to notice more things.
'I am not the only one here.'
Directly opposite the cage was another cage. Inside, there were figures huddled together. They were three in there, huddled together.
"Brad, Thomas, Kate." Ren gasped faintly. He knew them from Oasis.
"This..." Ren drew in a cold breath. Event preceding to his loss of consciousness resurfaced.
'Don't tell me...'
His gaze travelled downward. Rows and rows of cage lined up.
***
In the Human Empire, there was a reason vampires were widely known and referred to as 'Honored Guests of the Devil.'
In folklores, it was widely believed that the Devil only accepted and recognized the truly evil. Only they could hope to be accepted as a guest and have a feast with the Devil himself.
In the folklores, not only were the vampires accepted as guests by the Devil, but they were recognized as 'Honored' guests.
Beings with no heart, empathy, or positive feeling. Manipulative, sadistic evil with no moral compass. For humans, they were the worst form of evil.
This fear was weaved into stories and children song.
All to give one warning only.
Pray you never meet a Vampire.
***
"Ren?" Ren was startled to hear a frail voice calling him. He turned to see who it was.
"Lyra!" Ren exclaimed in a surprised voice. "Are you alright?" He rushed to check if she was okay.
"It's alright I am fine. How..." She was cut off as Ren hurriedly came close.
"What happened to your arm?" She tried to hide it but Ren could still perceive the scent of dried blood. Her clothes were also slightly stained with dark blood.
"No that..." She slightly bit her lips when Ren tried to lift her hand. A long gash, extending from her shoulder to her wrist.
-----
[Lyra's POV]
After hanging out with my friends in the orphanage, I went home as Ren was sent on our errand by the volunteer cook, Mr. Brown. I swear if I get hold of Ren.
Mr. Brown took a better part of the afternoon explaining that the new nickname was cute. Twig? Really?
I will save my comments until I see Ren tomorrow. I will go home for now.
I have been hanging out in the orphanage quite often. And people have been butting their ugly nose about it. They can't seem to mind their business.
'Is that Peter's daughter?'
'Why always hang around those brats who just grow to be pickpockets and thieves'
'Always hanging around Oasis orphanage. Did Peter adopt her?'
'She was adopted?'
'Oh! She was adopted. She must be a be brat and a pickpocket just like others.'
Rumors became wilder the more they spread. Of course, I didn't mind those gossipers that only have wide mouths and melted brains.
I don't get why they are all so worked up about it, even aunt. Can't I visit a friend in peace. Talking about friends. I didn't see that rascal, Liam, today. He must be off annoying a lot of people, isn't it.
I had dinner with Dad. Mom wasn't with us. She died a few years back. The doctor said it was pneumonia, so now it's just the both of us — I had no other siblings. Dad is worried that I was lonely, so he asked if I wanted a step-mom. But Lyra said it was okay. I wasn't lonely. I have good friends.
Also, although, Dad is a busy man. He squeezed some time for me. I'm grateful for that.
After dinner, Dad tucked me in and proceeded to read a bedtime story for me. I protested that he didn't need to do that that I'm was no longer a little girl. But he just smiled and continued. I think he is spoiling me a little too much.
Despite my thought, a smile spread through my face. It wasn't a bad feeling.
I was suddenly woken up by a noise. It was like something was scratching my window. I slowly walked towards the window cautiously, a wooden stick in hand. I wasn't scared. Dad said I was 'too brave'. He was worried I might get into trouble one day.
But so far I've been careful.
Yes, I did, one time kill a 'small' snake – which I later learnt was a viper – but did he really expect me to leave it and run away. Wasting time to call for help?
Dad was a bit mad after that. That happened around two years ago, I think.
When I reached a certain distance from the door, the noise stopped. I felt a chill. It was an unfamiliar feeling that I didn't feel so often.
Why was my hand shaking. Sweat dripped from my back.
Why won't my hands just stop shaking?
The darkness beside the window moved.
Something came at me at a tremendous speed. I felt a sense of crisis, and I instinctively swung the wooden club I held.
A crashing sound was heard as the 'thing' rose from the ground. I saw it - a grotesque abomination.
I have never seen anything more horrifying. It stood with a hunched back. A bulging red eyes that made its face look oval. Only two holes where it's nose were supposed to be. And perhaps the most noteworthy thing was it's canines. They were long and dripped of blood. It's arm was long, ending in blood red claws. It skin was darker than night. And was covered by goey substance.
"Sweetie, what was that?"
I heard Dad's voice. The creature did too as it turned it's head towards the door.
"Are you okay?"
Grrrgh!
'No don't come in here!'
The door's handle twisted. The creature lunged towards it.