Darkness.
Endless darkness.
A bone-chilling cold spread from his fingertips to every inch of his body, as if his skin had been encased in ice. Adrian Dracul slowly opened his eyes, greeted by an abyss of black. His consciousness sharpened, and the faint sound of dripping water reached his ears, like the ticking of an ancient clock, reminding him of the passage of time.
"I… still live?" His voice was low and hoarse, as if emerging from the depths of the abyss.
He raised his hand, his fingertips brushing against the cold stone wall. This was his tomb, the place where he had chosen to slumber a millennium ago. Memories flooded back—the bloody battle, the fall of his family, the betrayal of humanity, and his final decision: to seal himself away, waiting for an unknown future.
"A thousand years…" he murmured, his voice tinged with weariness and scorn.
He rose to his feet, his black cloak cascading like the night itself, draping his tall, slender frame. His movements were graceful and deliberate, as if time had never touched him. His eyes, deep and crimson, radiated an ancient, mysterious power.
The stone door of the tomb creaked open before him, and blinding sunlight poured in. Adrian frowned slightly. Though the sunlight was not fatal, it still discomforted him. He raised his hand, and a swirl of black mist coalesced at his fingertips, shielding him from the sun's rays.
Stepping out of the tomb, he found himself in a desolate forest. In the distance, the roar of machinery echoed, and the air was thick with the scent of gasoline and dust.
"Where… is this?" he whispered, a note of confusion in his voice.
He strode forward, his cloak billowing gently in the wind. His gait was elegant and unhurried, like a nobleman strolling through a grand court. Yet, the scene before him was utterly foreign—towering buildings, endless streams of vehicles, and humans dressed in bizarre attire.
"The world of humans has become so… absurd," he sneered, a flicker of disdain in his eyes.
Just then, a truck pulled up in front of him. The door swung open, and a burly man jumped out, a cigarette dangling from his lips and an impatient expression on his face.
"Hey, new guy? Get in the truck. We're short on hands at the site!" the man barked gruffly.
Adrian's brow furrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He, the great Vampire Prince, was being addressed so rudely by a mere human?
"Are you… commanding me?" His voice was low and dangerous, as if he might tear the man apart at any moment.
The man paused, then burst into laughter.
"Ha! Got some attitude, huh? But I don't have time for your nonsense. Get in the truck, or I'll dock your pay!"
Adrian's gaze turned icy, his fingers twitching as black mist began to gather around him. Yet, just as he was about to act, a thought struck him—perhaps this was an opportunity to understand this new era.
Suppressing his anger, he curled his lips into a cold smile.
"Very well. I'll come with you."
The truck jolted and rattled as it drove toward the construction site on the outskirts of the city. Adrian sat in the back, his eyes coldly surveying the passing scenery. His fingers tapped lightly on his knee as he contemplated his next move.
When they arrived at the site, the man handed him a hard hat and a shovel.
"Here. Your job today is to move bricks."
Adrian looked down at the shovel in his hands, a flicker of absurdity crossing his eyes. He, the great Vampire Prince, was expected to… move bricks?
"Are you certain this is a suitable task for me?" His voice dripped with sarcasm.
The man waved his hand impatiently.
"Quit whining and get to work! Or get lost!"
Adrian smirked coldly and tossed the shovel aside. His gaze swept across the site, taking in the weary, lifeless expressions of the humans around him, as if their souls had been crushed by the weight of existence.
"Pathetic creatures," he muttered under his breath.
Just then, a clear voice called out from behind him.
"Hey, new guy. Need some help?"
He turned to see a young woman smiling at him. She wore a simple T-shirt and jeans, her face lit with a sunny smile. Her eyes were clear and bright, as if they could see through everything.
"Who are you?" he asked coldly.
"I'm Elena, an intern here," she said cheerfully. "You seem a bit out of place. Want me to show you the ropes?"
Adrian's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a flicker of interest in his eyes. Her aura was different from the others—pure and warm, like a ray of sunlight piercing through the darkness.
"That won't be necessary," he replied coolly. "I require no one's assistance."
Elena shrugged, her smile unwavering.
"Alright. If you change your mind, let me know."
She turned and walked away, and Adrian's eyes followed her retreating figure, a strange emotion stirring within him.
"An intriguing human," he murmured.
As night fell, the workers at the site began to disperse. Adrian stood atop a high building, overlooking the unfamiliar city. His cloak fluttered gently in the night breeze, his eyes shimmering with complex emotions.
"A thousand years have passed, and the world of humans has become so… chaotic," he murmured.
Just then, the soft sound of footsteps reached his ears. He turned to see Elena standing a short distance away, holding a bottle of water.
"I knew I'd find you here," she said with a smile. "I could tell you weren't ordinary."
Adrian's brow furrowed slightly, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
"What are you doing here?"
"Bringing you water," she said, handing him the bottle. "You might not look like you need it, but I thought you might be thirsty."
He took the bottle, his gaze lingering on her face.
"Why do you care?"
Elena shrugged, her smile still radiant.
"Because I think you might need a friend."
Adrian was silent for a moment, then a faint smile touched his lips.
"A friend? Perhaps."
His gaze drifted into the distance, lost in deep thought. The city lights glittered beneath the night sky, yet they could not dispel the shadows in his heart. Memories surged like a tide, pulling him back to that distant night—the night that changed his fate forever.
The moonlight cast a silvery glow over the ancient castle. Adrian stood on the balcony, overlooking his domain. Beside him stood his closest friend and most trusted ally—Victor Lane.
"Adrian, are you truly decided?" Victor's voice was low and calm, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of something unspoken.
"Yes," Adrian replied, his tone steady and resolute. "The war between humans and vampires has lasted too long. It's time to end it. I will negotiate peace with the Church."
Victor fell silent for a moment, then sighed softly.
"You've always been an idealist, my friend. But humans… they are not worthy of your trust."
Adrian turned to look at Victor, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Perhaps. But I am willing to try, for the sake of our future."
Victor said nothing more, only nodded before turning and leaving the balcony.
Days later, Adrian arrived at the church as promised. He came alone, without guards, as a gesture of goodwill. Yet the moment he stepped inside, he sensed something was wrong.
The church was empty, save for the flickering candlelight that cast eerie shadows. The air was thick with the acrid scent of holy water.
"Victor?" Adrian called softly, his voice echoing in the vast, hollow space.
Suddenly, the church doors slammed shut, and dozens of knights emerged from the shadows, armed with silver weapons and crosses. Behind them stood Victor.
"Adrian," Victor's voice was cold and unfamiliar. "You've always been too naive."
Adrian's gaze froze, his heart gripped by an invisible hand.
"Why?" His voice was low and hoarse, filled with disbelief and pain.
"Because of power," Victor replied coldly. "You are too strong, Adrian. Your existence threatens everyone—including me."
Before Adrian could react, the knights charged. Adrian moved like a shadow, swiftly taking down several enemies. But the burning of holy water and the oppressive power of the crosses began to overwhelm him.
"Give up, Adrian," Victor's voice rang out from the distance. "There's no escape."
Adrian clenched his teeth, his eyes flashing with determination. With a roar, he lunged toward the church window. The sound of shattering glass accompanied his escape as he vanished into the night.
Adrian stood atop a high building, his fingers unconsciously brushing over his chest. The wound from the cross had long since healed, but the pain seemed etched into his very soul.
"Victor…" he murmured, his voice filled with endless hatred and a trace of sorrow.
That night, he lost his most trusted friend and the last shred of faith in humanity. He chose to sleep, sealing himself in darkness, waiting for an unknown future.
Now, a thousand years had passed, and the world had changed beyond recognition. Yet the pain of betrayal lingered, an eternal shadow.
Adrian withdrew his gaze, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
"Humans… they are never to be trusted."
He turned and disappeared into the night, leaving only the whisper of the wind, as if recounting the tale of his eternal pain.