It took Serena mere minutes to adjust Serena's barrier, the faint hum of her magic dissipating as she opened her eyes.
"Instead of unravelling the barrier, I changed its target instead," she said. "Ms. Orien, you should be able to step through."
The air stilled, charged with anticipation. Even I found my breath hitched. How long has she lived here for? She said a couple of centuries so maybe before the Dominion stabilized? I couldn't even begin to fathom.
If she didn't tell us her story, then this scene wouldn't have made much sense to me. A Vampire, feared by many for their near immortal lives and mastery over mana, trembling as she readied herself to take a step. But I understood. Taking a step into a whole new realm was no easy task, scary even, and Celine wasn't immune to that.
However, she steeled herself, and finally she crossed the invisible threshold she had not breached in centuries.
Her bare feet touched the soft grass beyond the barrier's boundary. She froze, her crimson eyes wide, as if she feared the world would reject her return.
But it didn't.
Instead, a breeze stirred the forest, carrying the earthy scent of pine and the distant rustle of leaves as if to welcome her, wrapping around her like an old friend. For a moment, she just stood there, her gaze sweeping over the expanse of the forest—the trees swaying gently in the wind, the sky above painted in hues of gold and lavender.
"I had forgotten," she whispered, her voice trembling, "how vast the world is."
Serena and I hung back, giving her space to process the moment. She gripped her staff tightly, her expression softened by satisfaction.
"You're looking pleased with yourself," I teased.
"Why wouldn't I be?" she replied, a hint of pride in her voice. "In one day, I've outclassed some adventurers, reworked an ancient spell, and freed an immortal vampire. I'd say that's a solid performance."
"Alright, alright," I said, smirking. "Let's dial down the smugness before your head gets too big to fit through the gates."
Celine's hands pressed over her chest as she turned to us, her expression a mix of relief and lingering sorrow. "For so long, I believed I'd forgotten what freedom felt like." Her gaze drifted back to the hut, the place that had served as both her home and prison. "I'm free, my love. I think this is what you would have wanted for me. But... I'm afraid I might forget you."
I stepped forward, my eyes following hers to the weathered structure. "You sell yourself short, Ms. Orien," I said, pulling a small pendant from my pocket. It was a simple trinket I'd noticed earlier, glinting faintly when she had first ensnared me in the hut. I held it out to her. "Something tells me you'll carry his memory through the rest of your eternal years."
Celine took the pendant with trembling fingers, her lips curving into a faint smile as unshed tears sparkled in her eyes. "Perhaps you're right," she murmured.
Turning back to the hut, she raised a hand, her voice barely audible as she muttered an incantation. Soft, golden light wrapped around the structure, encasing it in a shimmering barrier of magic. "It will remain as it is," she said quietly. "A monument to what we shared. But I won't return."
It was a fitting goodbye for a well-lived home.
Afterwards, we set out for Nivara. A short journey through winding paths in the dense woods of the frontier. During the entire trek, Celine marveled at everything—the way the sunlight filtered through the leaves, the sound of birdsong, even the uneven dirt path beneath her feet.
I was glad she was enjoying everything. However, there is one thing that was bugging my mind.
"How are you not turning to dust? I thought Vampires couldn't handle sunlight?" I asked.
Celine chuckled softly, her fingers idly tracing the edges of her silken hood. "You've been reading too many children's tales, young Lysvalen. Greater Vampires like me don't fear the sun. We use mana to resist it. It was taxing when I was young, but after a few centuries, it's become as natural as breathing."
"That's fascinating," Serena said, her eyes lighting up. "I never imagined magic could be used like that. Does it feel strange?"
Celine glanced at her, a faintly mischievous glint in her crimson eyes. "Like balancing on the edge of exhaustion, perpetually aware of the weight. But my ancestors decided it was worth it—enduring a little strain to walk beneath the same sunlight as humans."
Serena's lips curved into an intrigued smile. I'd only known her a few weeks, but I could already see the gears turning in her mind. She was studying Celine, her curiosity sharpening at the mere mention of unique magic. Knowing her, she'd probably turn this into research. Maybe I could barter for a few scrolls the next time a traveling merchant passed through.
By the time we reached the city gates, the sky had darkened to a deep indigo, and the first stars shimmered faintly overhead. Nivara's sturdy walls loomed before us, a testament to our tireless efforts to rebuild and defend the frontier.
The guards stiffened at the sight of Celine, their hands instinctively drifting toward their weapons. The tension was palpable.
I raised a hand, my voice steady but firm. "Stand down, soldiers. She's an ally."
They hesitated, exchanging wary glances, but a direct order from their lord wasn't something they could ignore. With a barked command, the gates groaned as the heavy chains began to turn.
As we passed through, Celine's gaze swept over the bustling streets, her crimson eyes reflecting the warm glow of lanterns. The townsfolk paused in their tasks, their curious gazes following us. Some whispered, others merely stared, but Celine seemed unfazed, her expression unreadable.
"Charming little place," she said softly, her tone carrying a note of detached amusement.
"Isn't it?" I said with a proud smile, gesturing to the city stretched out before us. "Welcome to Nivara, Celine. I hope it treats you well."
The walk to the manor was quiet, the streets illuminated by the warm glow of lanterns. As we arrived, Garth, the architects, and the foremen were gathered, pouring over a set of plans on a sturdy oak table.
"Ah! Welcome back, milord!" Garth was the first to notice us, his booming voice echoing in the chamber. "And I see you managed to survive! We were just taking bets on whether you'd get yourself killed messing with a long-lived race."
I chuckled wryly, shaking my head. "Don't even joke about that."
"Well, he might've if I wasn't there with him," Serena added smoothly, a sly grin tugging at her lips.
"Not you too, Serena," I muttered, earning a few muffled laughs from the group.
While Garth's welcome was warm, not everyone shared his enthusiasm. The feline Beastfolk among the architects recoiled visibly at the sight of her. Whether it was instinct, prejudice, or simple unease, their reactions were telling—and a hindrance to the work.
I cleared my throat, softening my tone to ease the tension. "This is Celine Orien," I said, addressing the room. "She'll be assisting us with the aqueduct project. Please treat her with the same respect you'd show me or anyone else here."
Their skepticism was palpable. Introducing a vampire as a collaborator wasn't something that happened every day. But Celine stood unfazed, her composed demeanor absorbing the unease around her.
One of the younger architects hesitated, then found the courage to ask, "Why would a vampire want to help humans?"
Celine's response was delivered with calm precision, her voice carrying an almost motherly edge. "Because sometimes, little one, working with unexpected people is the only way to achieve what you want—even if they intimidate you."
Her words lingered, silencing further questions.
---
The city fell into a tranquil rhythm as night deepened. Later, I found Celine standing alone on the manor's balcony. She was perfectly still, her hands resting lightly on the stone railing, her gaze fixed on the horizon. The moon painted her silhouette in silver, softening her sharp edges and lending her an almost ethereal quality.
"Feeling overwhelmed?" I asked, stepping up beside her.
She didn't look at me but nodded, her voice low and distant. "I've forgotten so much. The colors, the sounds... the hope."
I leaned on the railing, letting my gaze follow hers. "You'll get used to it. The world isn't what it was centuries ago, but it's still worth seeing."
She turned to me then, her crimson eyes catching the moonlight, glowing like polished gemstones. "You're an odd one, Adrian Lysvalen. For someone without magic, you've built something remarkable."
I shrugged, keeping my tone light. "Just doing what needs to be done."
A faint smile touched her lips, a rare softness breaking through her composed exterior. "Perhaps that's what I admire most. You remind me of him."
I didn't ask who she meant. Whatever memory she was holding onto wasn't mine to tread upon. Instead, we stood in silence, side by side, watching as the city below flickered with life.
In that quiet moment, with the future stretching vast and uncertain before us, it didn't seem so daunting anymore.