Chereads / shadows in the world / Chapter 8 - siblings at war. 8.

Chapter 8 - siblings at war. 8.

"Bloodlines of Betrayal": Henry never believed his sister, Deborah, would turn into the monster they always feared. What started as a shared struggle against their cursed vampiric fate quickly became a vicious rift that would harm not only their family but the entire globe. Small changes began in Deborah. She became distant and colder, constantly keeping to herself in the dark nooks of their home. Henry, attempting to keep the bond they had, assumed she was only adjusting to the weird new reality of their vampiric lives. After all, being a vampire was more of a curse than a blessing. Their desire for blood and isolation from the human world was enough to drive anyone mad. But as time went on, Deborah began to view things differently. One evening, Henry came to the house after a hard night of hunting, his head confused with tiredness. He observed something unusual. The male servants were dressed in nice suits, costly and tailored as if they were prepared for a night out. They usually dressed plainly, operating in the shadows. Henry watched as they drove off in one of his cars, but before he could question them, he saw them return later, this time with young women. Each one, evidently entranced by the attractiveness of the males, was taken straight to Deborah's chambers. At first, Henry ignored it, dismissing it as Deborah having guests. But the women never left. Days passed, and Henry started seeing unusual faces of the estate men and women who appeared out of place, moving about the mansion as though they belonged there. It wasn't until one night that the whole horror of what was happening struck Henry. After watching yet another woman being carried into Deborah's room, Henry could no longer hold back his suspicions. He stormed down the hall, his feet heavy with rage. He accosted Deborah in the hallway as she headed towards her room, but she brushed by him without a word. Deborah! What's going on? Who are all these people? Henry's words echoed out in the lonely corridor. Deborah didn't stop. It's nothing for you to worry about, brother, she remarked dismissively, her voice frigid. As she neared the door, Henry noticed a stench of some unmistakable blood. Fresh blood. And suddenly, he noticed thick, red liquid slowly trickling from below her door. Deborah. Henry's voice quivered, his heart hammering. What have you done? She smirked but didn't answer, simply turning the handle to enter the room. Henry's rage boiled over. He brushed Deborah aside and burst through the door, his breath seizing in his throat at the scene. Sight before him. On the pale floor, a human woman lay pale and lifeless, her body drained of every last drop of blood. Around her, many vampire men and women sat calmly as if nothing was out of the ordinary. They were smiling, wiping blood from their lips, their eyes sparkling with a predatory glitter. Henry's hands curled into fists. You. You've turned this house into a slaughterhouse! Deborah strode into the room behind him, apparently unconcerned by the situation. We need to increase our numbers, Henry, she remarked calmly, as if talking about the weather. This is how it's going to be from then on. Henry whipped around, his eyes flashing with wrath. You're insane! This is not power, Deborah! This is murder! Deborah's smile never faltered. Power and survival are the same thing, brother. You're either dominant or you're dead. We can't live in the shadows forever. She came closer, her voice falling to a lethal whisper. This world belongs to us now. Henry's vision darkened with wrath, and before he could stop himself, he sprang at Deborah and grabbed her by the throat. I won't let you do that! They fought with incredible strength, crashing into the walls and furniture, their conflict shaking the very foundation of the mansion. Henry, fueled by hatred, gained the upper hand by pinning Deborah against the wall. You've lost your path, Deborah! You're out of control! But even as Deborah tried, a nasty smile formed across her lips. Do you think you can stop me? Before Henry could react, the other vampires in the room, Deborah's new followers, rose to their feet. Their eyes flashed with hatred as they descended upon Henry, fighting him to protect their queen. Henry beat them off as best he could, but there were too many. Their strength combined was tremendous, and for the first time, Henry felt completely powerless. Realizing he couldn't win, Henry did the only thing he could. He bolted out. He hurried from the house, his heart heavy with the realization that his sister was beyond saving. Deborah's goal for the future was clear: she would turn the world into a kingdom of vampires, and anybody who stood in her way, even her blood, would be destroyed. As Henry escaped into the night, a horrible notion struck his mind that Deborah was not only raising an army. She was declaring war on humanity. Now, standing outside the house, breathing in the cool night air, Henry knew it was over. He had to leave. Turning his back on the only home he had known, he disappeared into the shadows, his destination clear: Somalia Island. If there was any chance to understand the nature of his curse and the origins of his kind, it would be there. Henry's journey to Somalia Island was long and perilous, but he pushed through, his mind set on his mission. When he finally arrived, the island greeted him with dense forests and an eerie silence. He ventured deep into the woods, his senses heightened, but nothing could have prepared him for what awaited. In the heart of the forest, he encountered a massive snake, its scales dark as night, eyes glowing with an unnatural light. It slithered toward him with an elegance that spoke of ancient power, and though its presence would have been terrifying, Henry felt no fear. The snake, like him, was a creature of the vampire in its own right. "You are not prey," the snake hissed, its voice echoing in Henry's mind. What brings you here, young one? Henry straightened, meeting the creature's gaze. I seek knowledge. I need to understand who I am. What we are. The snake's eyes narrowed, assessing him, and then it nodded. Follow me. It led him through the dense forest to a hidden tunnel between towering rocks. The air grew colder as they descended deeper into the earth, the weight of centuries pressing in on him. At the end of the tunnel, they arrive at an ancient chamber. Where the walls seemed to pulse with a dark, mystical energy. Shadows danced across the stone as if alive, and at the center of the chamber sat the ancient vampire wizard. His form was frail but imposing, with eyes that glowed like embers beneath his hood. His presence filled the room with an aura of immense power and age that seemed to stretch beyond time itself. Henry approached cautiously, his heart beating in his chest despite his vampiric nature. This was no ordinary being. This was someone who had seen ages pass and who held knowledge far beyond his comprehension. I know why you've come. The ancient vampire wizard spoke, his voice deep and resonant, echoing off the chamber walls. You seek the truth of your existence. The truth of your kind. Henry kneeled before him, humbled. Yes, I need to understand. How did this curse come to be? What can I do to control it? The wizard chuckled, a sound both eerie and knowing. You call it a curse. Yet, it is also a gift if you learn to wield it properly. But be warned, knowledge comes at a price. Your old self will never return once you start this path. Henry swallowed hard. He had already crossed that threshold the moment Deborah turned their family into creatures of the night. There was no going back, not for him. "I'm ready," he said firmly. The wizard's glowing eyes fixed on him, searching for any sign of doubt. Finding none, he nodded slowly. Then come. I will teach you the magic of our kind, the ancient powers that were forgotten by most. But know this: this knowledge may consume you. Only those with true strength survive. Henry nodded, determination burning in his chest. He knew the risks, but the thirst for understanding and for power drove him forward. With the ancient vampire wizard as his guide, Henry began his journey into the dark arts, learning spells that could bend shadows to his will, control the elements, and delve into the minds of others. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Henry honed his skills in the hidden depths of Somalia Island. Each lesson brought him closer to the truth of his kind, unraveling the mysteries of vampiric magic. He was no longer the same Henry who had left his home. He was becoming something far more dangerous, an entity of both knowledge and power, ready to reclaim his place in a world that had turned its back on him. The ancient vampire wizard watched his progress closely, a knowing glint in his eyes. Henry was ready for what lay ahead. But the real question was, would the world be ready for him when he returned?