"Hey, Sylvie," Peter called out suddenly, breaking the silence that had settled between them. His tone was casual, but the words carried a weight that Sylvie couldn't ignore.
She glanced at him, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly, Sylvie, who had been lost in her own thoughts, turned her attention to him fully, as she replied, "What is it?"
"You said there are no vampires in this world, right?" Elena had said the same thing but Peter wanted to hear if this Ancient Family young miss knew something Elena didn't.
"Yes, I did. Why?" Her tone was calm but tinged with curiosity, her brow arched slightly, a mix of curiosity and amusement in her expression.
Peter hesitated, running a hand through his messy hair before replying, "What if they're just… hiding? Somewhere no one can track them down? Isn't that possible?"
He hoped it was the case. Just knowing they existed but were hidden would give him hope, although tracking them down would be difficult but worth it.
He was hoping against what Elena had said.
Sylvie tilted her head, considering the question. It was a fair question though one she didn't think would lead to the answer he wanted. "You're not wrong to think that," she admitted after a pause.
"Back then, when humans became obsessed with power, many races chose to retreat, cutting themselves off from the world entirely. So yes, it's possible that vampires too went into hiding. But Peter…"
She sighed, her expression softening. "Vampires don't exist here. I'm confident in that."
Peter frowned, clearly unconvinced. "How can you be so sure?"
Sylvie leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees as she began to explain. "Let me tell you something. Sometimes back before all this happened—the awakening "thing", many races thrived openly in this world—giants, fae, Witches, Phoenixes, and more. But later as the hunger for power grew among humans, things changed. Those races saw the writing on the wall.
"To distance themselves from the humanity's greed, they created what we called 'closed realms'—hidden places where they could exist away from human greed. In these realms, each race organized themselves into ruling families. These families either claimed absolute control over each race or shared power among themselves with the powerful families in that race.
"They were known as the Ancient Families/Clans."
Peter leaned in, his crimson eyes glowing faintly with curiosity and interest.
"These families later explored every corner of the world, seeking out other races or remnants of extinct races to join together as one. They did find some races believed to be extinct. But do you know what they found about vampires? Nothing. No trace of vampires—no living traces, anyway. Just ancient scripts, myths, and scrolls about their existence.
"It's clear they once existed. How else would there be so many stories, so much literature about them? But that's all there is now: stories. Vampires are long gone, Peter. Except you…" She trailed off, watching his expression closely.
Peter swallowed hard. "So, they did exist?"
"Oh, absolutely. How else would there be so much literature and so many stories about them? But now? They're gone, Peter. And I mean completely gone. Except…" Her voice trailed off, watching him carefully.
A flicker of hope ignited in Peter's chest.
"Except for you," she finished. "You're the only one, Pete. So, stay hidden."
Peter blinked, his expression unreadable. For a moment, he said nothing, but then the question spilled out. "Why should I hide? Wouldn't it be… great for the world to see a new race? A unique one?"
He was testing the waters to know how dangerous the world outside was for his kind. After all, he had just entered into this world, a world of powers—unlike what he was used to.
Not that he was ignorant as his words, he had already decided to stay hidden that's the reason for the earlier oath.
But Sylvie seemed like she knew something and she wanted him to know it too.
Sylvie's gaze hardened, "Stupid Vampire... Do you think all those races back then were searching for vampires relentlessly out of love for some "Joint Racial come together?" She scoffed, her voice dripping with disdain. "Don't be naive, Peter. Their motives were anything but pure."
Peter frowned, her words unsettling him.
"If even a hint of your existence gets out, they'll come for you," she warned. "They'd hunt you down and tear you apart. Not because they fear you, not because you pose a threat to them, but because they want your power. And they'll stop at nothing to get it. That's why I'm telling you—don't use your Blood ability openly. It's too distinct. It's too… vampire."
Peter's breath hitched. Her warning carried a gravity that was impossible to ignore.
But even then, a nagging doubt lingered. "What if I slip up?" he asked quietly. "I'm not perfect. And even if I manage to stay hidden for now… I can't survive on my own forever. What then?"
Sylvie nodded slowly, acknowledging his point. Elena's voice whispered in his mind, her words eerily synchronized with Sylvie's: ["You'll need allies. Allies powerful enough to shake the world."]
Peter rolled his eyes. "Sure. Because making powerful allies is so easy, right? Just walk up to someone strong and say, 'Hey, want to be friends?'" He snorted. "I'm weak, Sylvie. Who in their right mind would ally with me?"
Not to mention a weakling like him, which person would ally with him with the possibility of going against the Ancient Families.
Sylvie's lips curved into a faint smile. "Start with what you have. Accept my support."
Peter raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "You? Sylvie, you're strong, no doubt about that. But you're one person. What can the two of us possibly do?"
Her smile didn't waver. "Remember when I mentioned the Ancient Families?"
Peter nodded cautiously. "Yeah… what about them?"
"Well," Sylvie said, leaning back with a smug look, "I'm part of one. An Ancient Family's youngest princess, to be exact."
Peter froze, his brain struggling to process what she'd just said.
"You're serious?" he asked after a long pause, his voice laced with disbelief.
Sylvie chuckled softly. "Stop looking at me like that. I'm still the same Sylvie, your beautiful savior. That hasn't changed."
Peter quickly composed himself, though his thoughts were racing. Out of all the people he could've met, how had he ended up with an Ancient Family princess?
"It does explain how you know so much," he muttered, more to himself than her.
Sylvie raised an eyebrow, her expression amused. "So? Do you still think I'm not enough to rely on?"
Peter hesitated, then shook his head. "It's still not enough," he admitted. "Even if you're from an Ancient Family, that doesn't mean your whole family would back me. I doubt they'd care about some random vampire just because their 'Young Miss' is helping him."
Sylvie's smile faded slightly, her expression turning thoughtful. "You're not wrong," she said after a moment. "My family wouldn't support you. In fact…" She trailed off, her gaze sharpening.
"They might force you to stand against me, to get my powers," Peter finished for her.
Sylvie nodded grimly. "Exactly. That's why we have to be smart. Stay hidden. Build strength. And when the time comes…"
Peter smirked faintly, a newfound confidence creeping into his voice. "We'll be ready."
Sylvie returned his smile, though a flicker of doubt lingered in her eyes. The world was dangerous, and the stakes were higher than ever. But for now, they had each other—and that was enough.
[Hey Pete, I think you two are getting carried away so easily and fast. I admit there will be time when they want your powers but that time is far from now. Don't put them into your equations, not now. For now the support you have from Sylvie, use it well to ground yourself in this new reality. Don't overthink and stay low-key as you always do. Everything will be fine!]
*****
Guys lemme know if you spot any mistakes or anything you don't understand—I'm happy to be of help you know...