Deep inside a great forest lies the Citadel—a fortress-like city built to secure the remains of an almost extinguished race. Hidden from prying eyes, the Citadel is known only to those who live behind its walls, which possess no gate, for no one is allowed entrance or exit. The last and ancient line of defense for the vampires of Nanihy. Within its walls, on the noble dominion of house Noire—one of the few lasting noble houses of the scrumbling race—a baby is about to be born, one that will shake the very balance of this world.
"Fetch the towels! Rush, rush!" The headmaid said with a demanding and anxious tone.
The noble house had never seen such a hurry before, and they had never seen their lady scream so fiercely—some maids would even go as far as to say Lady Maria couldn't be hurt. They have aided Lady Maria Noire in a variety of biths, never once as 'bloody' as this one. The people outside Maria's chambers were shocked to hear it, imagining the scene inside with worry and curiosity, but what takes place inside is not imaginable even for the maddest of people.
"IT HURTS! HURTS!" The lady couldn't understand the pain; she never once felt it in such a raw form.
Maria is lying on her bed, maids stand around her like flies, aiding in every move as their lady tries to push the baby out. The strength she is making in her clenched fists is so intense that one could even say she is ready to take a life with her bare hands intend of to deliver one.
"Be strong, my lady!" One of the maids said while looking inside Maria's crotch, but he reassurance is quick to disappear as she sees the boiling mess on Maria's stomach. Hands, feet appeared under her skin like a scene from a horror movie.
"IT'S TEARING ME APART," Maria yelled at the top of her lungs.
The baby was kicking and punching like it was fighting something inside Maria`s womb, fighting for its life, one would dare say. But suddenly, it stopped, and what would happen next completely shocked everyone.
"It...! It came out! Crawling!"
The little, feeble-looking baby crawled out of Maria's insides, completely drenched in blood and fluids. Maria collapsed into a deep slumber, the pain seemed too much to handle even for someone as powerful as the Lady of the Noire House. The baby, however, seems unbothered; maids could even spot a smirk on the girl's face while she lay on the bed on her fours. But only when the baby fully raised its head could they see it fully—her pale visage hidden under shades of her mother's blood, everything about her was white. The maids were shaking, lost in fear of this creature; however, they didn't dare to look away, not even to blink.
"Humans... what an unpleasant welcome," The baby spoke, her tone arrogant and disgusted. Some maids were about to scream, but were quick to put their hands above their mouths, fearing it would endanger their lives. These poor humans didn't know the reason for their fears, but deep within, every one of them knew this thing before them would kill without hesitation. Among the fear, curiosity rises as well—Maids were wondering about a lot of things, but mainly, why the baby refuses to open its eyes.
"Call for my Father," The baby mutters an order. The maids, however, were too stunned to abide.
Finally born, yet I'm greeted by pitiful slaves, but oh well, one can't have it all. And I indeed seem to have much already—gods, what a pleasure it is to be alive, this form, the power rushing through my veins... It's exhilarating. Poor mother, couldn't contain me for long—feeding on her fears was good while it lasted, but I'm thinking of a sweeter treat right now. These servants, their fear is palpable; a feast awaits my harvest.
My eyes open, dark red eyes that strike fear into any weak of mind, but not only because it's an odd sight—I can feel some kind of energy coursing through it, fear itself. My doubts are made true when, as soon as my sight lands upon the room, the atmosphere bends to one of pure despair. The maids bend to the ground, sobbing, screaming, and grabbing their own heads in a feeble attempt to escape from reality.
More! Scream! Despair! FEAR!
"I gave an order; do as I say!" Then I closed my eyes again, the pressure disappeared instantly, and the servant's mind returned to its usual place.
A man storms into the room, his expression filled with concern. The tall, blonde, and young-looking man landed upon the scene, dumbfounded by the servants still struggling to raise themselves from the ground. He scans the room further, and when I appear in his sight, he shouts.
"Lock down the manor! Now!" Under his firm tone, the maids quickly rushed out of the room, gladly to do as he said. His voice, I recognize it.
"Father, Marcellus. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, and as you can see, mother couldn't greet me," I told with a drop of mockery dripping from my tone.
Silence... Marcellus seems to be lost in thought as he scans my body. A few seconds had passed when he finally decided to speak.
"Who are you? That feeling... was it your doing?" He mutters suspiciously.
"You struggle to cope, but the truth is indeed what you see. I'm your daughter," My statement was met with silence once again. Is he disappointed? Or too shocked to see a baby like me? Dammit... well, I planned to fake being a normal baby, but that dammed umbilical cord almost choked me. I guess it doesn't really matter much; the results would lead to the same place anyway, although the start would have been easier, but less enjoyable.
"It should be impossible... how?" Marcellus mutters under his breath as he walks to the side of the bed, passing his hand over Maria's head to check her condition. "No wonder she was struggling this time, your kind requires too much energy."
"... My kind?"
"A progenitor, descendants of the first of our kind," Marcellus seemed calm, almost too calm. But I could feel his worry, his fear. I have learned a lot about our race within Maria's womb, including how politics work in the citadel. These snakes, I have barely been born, but I'm sure he is planning how to use me.
"I see. What exactly do these progenitors do?" I asked, maintaining my composure.
"Who knows? Nanihy hasn't seen any in millions of years. Legends tell about vampires with pale skin, eyes resembling blood pearls instead of the common orange known to all vampires, and snow-white hair. You, my daughter, seem to fit the bill quite well."
He hides something... snakes, all of them. He hides well, but as long as there is fear or worry, I can perceive it. In my time, hearing inside my mother's womb, I could grasp the situation of our race fairly easily. Struggles for power, politics, land, all leading to the same place, an empty throne left by the butchery of the previous royal family in the dark war. Marcellus is a mere lord; he wouldn't dare raise a hand against me for now, but his mind is already searching for ways to use me in favor of the Noire clan's rise.
"Well then, I reckon being a progenitor calls for some privileges around here? A proper chamber with a bathroom, a private maid perhaps?" I said with a mocking tone.
Upon hearing my mockery, Marcellus poke face falls for a slight moment as he stares daggers at me. His pride took a good blow, didn't it? Oh well, what can I do? I'm simply that much better. The lord's facade turns into a gentle one after the slip.
"Of course, my newest and beloved daughter deserves all the best our clan can offer,"
Beloved? Don't make me laugh. My brothers and sisters are babies made simply for being soldiers, just so our race escapes extinction, and likewise, I was to be no exception—I'm not serving as an incubator to make soldiers, no way in hell. Now, different from the rest, I'm a powerful asset; he will pamper me with fake love until it makes me dependent and harmless—unluckily for him, it didn't work even when I had a truly lovely family. I will allow him to indulge in this fantasy, the privileges are welcome for now.
"And, bring a skilled maid, for as you can see, my sight is being used to contain my powers," I add.
Marcellus reaches for his belt, pulling a little silver bell. Upon ringing it, a group of five servants rushed into the room, gloomy expressions on their faces like they were prisoners on the death row—understandable, I believe the whole manor felt my fear when I first opened my eyes, although some more powerful like Marcellus must have felt less.
"Pick one, each is skilled and educated enough to provide intellectual and physical chores."
Hmm, only one? Maids must be a rare luxury around the citadel; no vampire would settle for being a maid, leaving only humans, but they too will disappear soon, as no one is allowed entrance or exit, they will turn old and die. Still, only one? Whatever, it will have to do for now.
"Well? You know I can't see. So let's play a fun game, I'm a child after all, am I not?" I giggle maliciously as my words bring further dread into them. "The one who gets more votes from their peers will serve me, start now," I proceeded casually.
As expected, in seconds, the humans choose the most vulnerable and weak-minded woman among them to save themselves, the one who succumbs to pressure easily, one whom I can manipulate quickly. Goes by the name of Eleonore, so scared the poor little thing, I will toy with her until all she can think of is how to serve me better. I was led to believe she is small and fragile, the typical bully target, face structure seems fine enough, short black hair—a cute toy if I would say so myself.
"Now that is decided. Father, I need a name, don't I?" I smirk at him.
"Seraphine, Seraphine Noire," He mutters.
Eleonore carries me wrapped in a towel as she walks slowly through the manor hallways toward my new chambers. The whole place seems to have this royal gothic theme, precisely because it is made of some kind of blackish wood for the most part, no windows of course, vampires are not hurt by the sun, but it brings them discomfort—needless to say, the one describing these facts to me are none other than Eleonore. As for myself, well, only thinking of going out in the sunlight is enough to make me feel fear, which I take as a sign. Perhaps due to my direct link to the original lineage of vampires, weaknesses affect me more strongly, as it is my strength compared to my lesser kin.
"We are here, my lady," I hear Eleonore speak politely as a door opens. Finally, in my room. Eleonore does as she is told, quickly getting me bathed and dressed before putting me to lie on my new bed.
"Now, bring me some books, ones that contain knowledge of the land, you will read them for me," I order, and my new pet bows respectfully before leaving the room to abide my command.
What a life, marvelous. A new powerful body, a new beautiful name, and a world filled with fear for me to harvest. However, I still have a long road ahead of me in this snake layer. Any halfwit could snatch my neck as I am right now. Marcellus and Maria are powers I can't even come close to yet, but vampires grow quickly, and I'm a vampire 2.0—growth must be much faster for me than my lesser kin, paired with my own unique powers, and I won't have a problem against them in a few years. In the meantime, they won't dare to touch me anyway, not without permission.
It is favorable for me, but how pitiful I find my kin. Struggling and fighting over useless power, none of them understands—thrones will rust and crumble, but might... might stands unchanged. Before true power, titles hold no meaning, armies lose their use, and threats hold no truth—fear consumes all of it.
Wandering in my thoughts, I hear the door open; however, two sets of footsteps seem to make their way inside, which tells me that unknown guests approached without permission. Wonderful... right when Eleonore isn't here to aid me, can't be helped.
"See, Ophelia? It is just a baby, everyone is making a big fuss over nothing." I recognize this prick voice, Marcus, if I recall correctly. Alongside Ophelia, as always. They are the twins, prince and princess, children of the headmaster.
My eyes open, and an aura of pure terror and despair sets over the scene, even on the horizon, I could hear screams of servants around the manor. It serves only to frighten the duo, my current powers are not enough to carve madness into their minds. However, it is enough to make them feel in danger, and an opportunity for me to view my room and scan their appearance—my room is quite luxurious, royal, I would dare say. And, my two little misbehaved, scared guests are quite tall for their age, but I was told that vampires are taller if compared to the average human. 'Vampires' are more like glorified blood-drinking giants.
"I can excuse the trespass, however, calling me nothing?" I said casually, continuing after my facial expression turned into one of cold anger, "I can pardon the ignorance, once. Next time, I will tear a limb from each, so you two can still match afterwards." My tone was slow and menacing, said firmly and coldly, leaving no room for doubt. They remain stunned under my gaze, eyes wide open, barely capable of staying on their feet.
As soon as I close my eyes, Marcus grabs Ophelia's arm and sprints away, desperate to leave my sight. Hopefully, this will leave a very deep trauma engraved on them, I could use it in the future, but if thats not the case, I still have a lot of time to try.
I turn my head to the open door, barely capable of containing the malicious smile forming on my face. "Eleonore, what are you waiting for? An invite?" Once my voice hits her, the maid holding a few books quickly stops hiding on the corner and appears at the door, but trembling in fear, with cold sweat running down her forehead as she holds her head down, too afraid to see me. If you fear me, then it is impossible to hide, a useful trick.
Eleonore drops down to her knees desperately, "Forgive me, forgive me, Lady Seraphine..." And she kept on giving excuses and begging. Basically, she was afraid. Of course, I knew she arrived there a little after the twins' incident, she is too fearful of me, so I can perceive her presence anytime. Anyhow, I just love to see her weep and beg at my feet, so I allowed her to keep going for a while longer.
"Stop talking and raise yourself. If someone needs to be forgiven, then it's me. I used my powers unreposibly, I should have known you would get caught in the crossfire. I'm very sorry, forgive me." I put my best impression of the gentlest soul in the world. Eleonore's eyes widen for a slight moment, seemingly surprised by my gentleness.
"N- No... You have nothing to be sorry about, Lady Seraphine. I'm but a servant." Her voice still trembling as she spoke.
"Let's not delve into it. You can begin the reading, and oh, if you feel tired or hungry, feel free to tell, we can pause; there is no need to rush." After my soothing words, the pitiful servant sat beside me, calmly read, and patiently explained whenever I had any doubts.