The fields were lush and vast. They did not seem to have an end, no matter how fast two horses ran through them. They left behind a village, heading for the horizon. There was no real objective, no intention other than wandering.

Green, ochre and silver eyes stared at the sunset in the distance. Nerys pulled gently at the reins to make her black steed stop, while Lyssa held tight behind her. Bastian did not need to command his mare to halt, for she slowed down on her own.

They had reached a small lake near the edge of a forest. The view had called to them, for it was beautiful. They got down from their horses to walk there, without hurry. When Nerys dismounted, she turned around and outstretched a claw to help Lyssa down, but she quickly found out that she had already jumped off.

Lyssa was marching joyfully towards a big fallen log, to sit down by it. Nerys returned the knowing smile Bastian gave her, and then they grabbed what they had taken with them from the castle. She untied some bags from the saddle of her steed, while he procured a fishing rod. The three proceeded to rest silently near the water, wishing to spend a day out of the fortress. They did not want to worry about politics or their duties, not today.

Sadly, they could not truly avoid feeling uncertainty, even if it was faint. Perhaps they were enjoying the view and they were smiling, but there was worry in their minds, always there. Still, they tried to live with it.

“It is really peaceful here.”

Nerys closed her eyes, hearing Lyssa whisper with trust and love. She knew that she was not speaking of this lake and field, but about her land. No one was oppressed, and there was no conflict between their races. Vampires did not need to hunt, and due to it, humans could feel safe. The insurgence was far, and loners and outsiders were always dealt with.

There was peace, but it was singular and strange. Only she fomented it, wished for it. Outside, everything was tainted by blood. All lands were ruled with an iron fist, both human and vampiric.

“Maybe so, but it is far from perfect.”

Lyssa’s smile faltered slightly, because she noticed how Nerys was frowning now. Still, her next words were confident, heartfelt.

“It’s all you can do, Nerys. Your acts are admirable, even if not flawless. You should know that I’m proud of you.” She leaned back a little, to look at the clear sky with a nostalgic expression. “It never crossed my mind that something like this could happen. Years ago, I did fear that one of us could fall prey to this disease, but I could not have imagined we would endure it. I always pictured something much more… dreadful. When I lost you both, I was sure that I would spend the rest of my days alone; yet here we are.”

Bastian commented nearby, in jest.

“We’re hard to kill, I guess. Not even you could manage to get rid of these two vampires.”

Lyssa grinned and joked back, partially.

“Do you want to swim in the lake, Bastian?”

He shut up, knowing she would not doubt to throw him in if he taunted her back. And so, she sighed, shaking her head with a relaxed smile.

“It is a shame you don’t like water as much as I do. This lake is lovely.” She made herself comfortable against the log, feeling the soft grass and fresh breeze. “I could stay here forever.”

Nerys was not as joyful. There was a slight trace of sorrow in her eyes, even if she was smiling faintly. The words escaped her eventually, without much thought, even if she pondered them all the time.

“You won’t go back?”

Lyssa stopped smiling and frowned, seeing that Nerys was looking down at her, seriously. Her expression was hard to read, but she recognized her anxiousness and wonder. Due to it, she replied slowly, carefully.

“No, I will not return, Nerys. I won’t go anywhere, not without you. When I intruded in that throne room and saw you, I knew I would leave behind everything. I will not aid a cause that will try to end you. I’ll fight for what I treasure most.”

“Hollowgrave was our home. There are people there that need you. You must remember that vampires will always try to dominate humanity, Lyssa; I am an exception. You belong there.”

“We both should belong.” Nerys blinked, because Lyssa’s tone was now slightly reproachful. “I have Sergius with me, the only one I care for, other than you two. You on the other hand… You left your brother and niece behind.”

Bastian tensed, remembering how much he angered Nerys when he brought them up in a cell. He had kept an attentive focus on his fishing rod, yet now he could not avoid but look back slightly, as subtly as possible.

Indeed, Nerys had scowled, slightly unnerved by the reminder. She soon began to fidget uncomfortably, but she ended up looking away with a snarl, unable to deny those words.

“I had to leave them.”

Her brother could go on without her, she knew it. He had been able to leave their hometown without her. She was not needed.

Lyssa opened her mouth to retort, but it took her a minute to voice what she had wished to say a few days ago.

“Have you not thought about going back? Couldn’t you welcome them into your land?”

She did ponder, too many times. The same conclusion was always reached. She affirmed emotionlessly, invoking all her resolve to endure the pain that the words brought.

“I wish I could, Lyssa. My heart fears the notion far too much. Revealing myself to you was painful, even if you were understanding. Perhaps they could show the same compassion as you, but there is something that is out of my control, something that you know quite well.”

She was a vampire. He was the one to whisper the facts, for they were incapable of voicing them.

“Hollowgrave is a sanctuary, humanity’s last stand. It’s inhabitants rarely wish to leave, and we have no chance of venturing in it. Well, not without being pierced by stakes or getting burned.” He added, rather grimly. “They don’t treat deserters kindly either… One would need to reaffirm their loyalty if they were to return, or else.”

Bastian had no intention of going back; he had no family. If he had ever wished to, it was because of Lyssa. Nerys was the one who suffered a greater loss due to her change, yet…

“It is better like this.” The two looked at her sadly when she smiled warmly, chuckling as she contemplated the distant sunset. “Hollowgrave will keep them safe from vampires. No clan will ever dare siege that immense bastion. If they are alright and I have you by my side, I don’t wish for anything else. I am blessed enough.”

Nerys huffed, because Lyssa hugged her fiercely, annoyed by her stubborn resignation. Bastian relaxed and smiled again, because he heard a timid mumble and a playful laugh.

While the three enjoyed the serenity of the landscape, a man watched distantly, leaning against a tree. His horse was eating grass nearby, while he observed them calmly. His gaze hinted no hate, only sorrow.

Sergius had seen as well that Nerys was no beast. It was true that he was still wary, but he would not condemn her nature. Sometimes, things could not be controlled.

He contemplated the distance, where a village stood past the hills and fields. It belonged to humans, who could roam freely and without fear, even if they lived in vampiric domain.

In his young days, the humans around him did not dispose of any autonomy. He could still remember his steps between ruins, following one. That monster was different from her, yet so similar at the same time. They shared the same disease.

That beast was much more arrogant and lethal, much more disgusting in his actions. The memory was haunting, so he closed his eyes, to then open them again. He looked at the three, focusing on their smiles.

They never sensed his presence, too focused on each other. He soon got onto his horse, to leave towards the castle. His vigilance ended right then, for it was unneeded.

————

He marched ahead slowly, nervously. His steps were calculated, because there was debris all around and he did not wish to brush it with his wings. It took him a while, but he finally reached the long corridor that led to the huge chamber. He walked past the human remains that laid everywhere, knowing he had to enter it.

Lochan took a deep breath, not feeling confident for once. It was not the pitch blackness what unnerved him, but what lurked in it, something that even a lord like him should fear. He shivered when a shadow finally moved, having been as still as a statue. Those sharp red eyes glinted, fixating on him like if he were mere prey.

Alaric crossed his arms below the sleeves of his tunic, finally stepping away from the corpse at his feet; it was not human, but vampiric. He had killed a loner who had the misfortune of crossing paths with him. There was a dried trail of blood on his cheek, for he had been waiting. His voice was poised, yet it still hinted danger.

“Is our kind faring well in these lands?”

Lochan was one of the oldest lords in these regions, yet he had never wandered the world as Alaric had. The ancient vampire rarely visited these domains, but now he did more frequently, for he was interested in something. He had an heir.

“A-all clans have been…” Lochan held one of his wings close, rightfully nervous under Alaric’s unblinking stare. “Things could be better, my lord.”

Alaric raised an eyebrow. Lochan shivered more when the tall vampire took another step closer, to question more directly.

“How is my fledgling doing? I trust that you did as told, child.”

That was what he was worried about, nothing else. He did not care that humans had dared to venture, or that they had managed to erase some clans from existence. He was interested in her, one that had managed to survive his gift. She was the second that endured his bite, and the only one who still lived. His first spawn had perished centuries ago. Before death, he did manage to share his bloodline, but none displayed his strength and power.

His remaining descendants were weak, lesser beings, yet he still checked on them sometimes. They were only a few, and too dispersed in the world for him to guide and lead as a clan. Time was not something he kept track of anymore. Nerys was making his monotonous existence much more entertaining, however, for there was potential in her. His bloodline could perhaps display might once more.

Lochan knew that Alaric was a loner, one unlike any other, worthy of respect. He could bend the will of any clan with his own, due to his ancient blood. It was uncommon for him to mingle with other vampires, for he considered them inferior. He also was a harsh sire, and that was why he forced him to keep an eye over his new fledgling.

“I have a-acted according to your edict.” Lochan could not help but stutter, even if he was strong and old compared to others. “I checked on her, as you asked. She is alive and well, keeping strict control over the land you instructed her to claim.”

Alaric leaned his head, with a faint frown.

“Then, what could possibly have gone better, as you say?”

“Well-“ He tried to explain, without going into much detail. “It seems that she… She killed another lord. It displeased many other clans, and of course, there were diplomatic disagreements. Then, humans considered that they could bring down her domain, and sent troops to end her. But worry not, my lord, for she fended them off. S-she is-“

“Ah, following the steps of her bringer, isn’t she?”

Lochan tensed, because Alaric rested his head against one of his huge claws with a dark chuckle. He had killed his own brothers long ago to rise in power. His long fangs showed as he whispered, with a suggestive tone.

“You have done well, Lochan.” The winged vampire relaxed somewhat, because his superior walked past him, to leave. “I’ll take it from here. She has survived long enough and proven she is worthy.”

He left the chamber, finally deciding to visit her domain. His next words were threatening, and Lochan heard them clearly.

“Although she has shown might, it seems that I might need to correct some faults of hers. Humans should not be allowed such mercy and delusive freedom. I shall teach her my ways.”

At last, he would find some amusement.