━ ◦ ✤ 𝕱𝔞𝔫𝔤𝔰 & 𝕾𝔢𝔠𝔯𝔢𝔱𝔰 ✤ ◦ ━【тєиzαι & кιттєи】

[Kitten]

◁ ❚❚ ▷ ılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılıılıılıı|ıılıı|ıılı
ᴛʜɪs ɪs ɴᴏ ᴍɪsᴛᴀᴋᴇ
ɴᴏ ᴀᴄᴄɪᴅᴇɴᴛ
ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪɴᴀʟ ɴᴀɪʟ ɪs ɪɴ
ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴀɢᴀɪɴ
ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ʙᴇ sᴜʀᴘʀɪsᴇᴅ
ɪ ᴡɪʟʟ sᴛɪʟʟ ʀɪsᴇ
​

Life has always been shrouded in mystery for Twyla Bardot, known in her more familiar human guise as Alora Hart. Raised in a quiet, secluded village, her early years were marked by the tragic and enigmatic death of her parents, who were esteemed vampires. Orphaned at a tender age alongside her younger brother, Val, they were taken in by loving adoptive parents who embraced them with genuine affection, as though they were their own flesh and blood. Following the traumatic loss of her birth parents, Alora's memories of that time seemed to vanish, leaving her with only fragmented recollections of having parents and an unsettling void about their fate.

She was perpetually haunted by questions about her parents' disappearance, clinging to a faint hope that they might still be alive somewhere. Yet, a nagging sense deep within her told her otherwise. Despite this, she pressed on, holding onto the hope that one day she might reunite with them. Her brother, too young to remember their parents' faces - only an infant at the time - never experienced the full weight of their loss. In her quieter moments, she felt a pang of envy towards him, as his lack of memory spared him from the profound pain that she endured.

Unbeknownst to her adoptive parents, both Alora and Val, were pureblood vampires - a rare and remarkable lineage. How this news came to be is a tale of its own. Soon after taking them in, striking white hair that eventually replaced Alora and Val's chestnut locks, along with prominent canines and captivating purple eyes, marked them as something otherworldly. Most would have reacted with fear, seeking to rid themselves of such extraordinary beings, but their adoptive parents chose a different path. Embracing the challenge, they were determined to raise Alora and Val in the human world, confident that their unique nature would not hinder their place in society. They had to master the art of concealing their hair and eye color, maintaining these disguises for extended periods. Only when their parents were confident in their proficiency did they permit them to venture into the world and accompany them on outings. Another task was to get them to drink the blood of animals, frequently buying blood from butchers. They could eat human food, but it came with a price of stomach aches and pain that lasted all night.

As time passed, the old adage "time heals all wounds" proved true in Alora's life. With each passing year, she found herself increasingly at peace with the events of her past, even though the truth about her parents' fate remained elusive. As she matured into a young adult, Alora decided it was time to lay her parents' situation to rest. What was done was done, and nothing could bring them back. Despite her challenging past, she radiated positivity and vitality, with her striking locks and bright, vibrant eyes. Now in her fourth year of college, pursuing a degree in science, she decided to move out of her adoptive parents' home and live closer to the university on her own.Val couldn't imagine life without her and pleaded to move in with her if he could help cover the expenses. Even without the additional funds, Alora would have welcomed him with open arms.

Naturally, their departure came with a tearful goodbye from their adoptive parents, even though it was more of a "see you in a few days" than a final farewell. The prospect of having someone live with you for an extended period only to leave was a tough pill to swallow. Despite the emotional farewell, their parents managed to smile and embrace their children, reassuring them that they were just a phone call or text away if needed.

The most pressing concern was the rising threat of vampires. Despite Val and Alora's ability to fend for themselves, their status as purebloods made their blood particularly valuable and highly sought after by other vampires. Around five years ago, their numbers began to grow at an alarming rate. Though they weren't purebloods, they still posed a significant danger to society. These vampires possessed advantages far beyond those of ordinary humans, including superhuman strength, speed, and the ability to regenerate, making them nearly immortal. Contrary to popular belief, they weren't confined to the shadows; they moved freely in daylight, often using contacts to conceal their vibrant red eyes and blend in with the human population.

It was within Alora's power to exterminate any vampires she encountered on her own in private, driven by a profound sense of guilt that they existed at all due to her pureblood lineage despite not being involved in this herself. A vampire's creation was often a result of the generosity of a pureblood's blood, and while these vampires might not be as powerful as purebloods, they still posed a significant threat. They were bound to their "masters" by the blood they had received, which granted them increased strength. The more blood they consumed from a pureblood, the stronger and more dangerous they became. This also meant that there were more of her kind out there, and that alone piqued her interest.

The general public had grown weary of the vampire threat, leading to the enforcement of strict curfews to keep people indoors during the eerie hours of darkness. This measure was designed to protect citizens from being preyed upon, as vampires found it easier to capture their victims under the cover of night. Unfortunately, this also had a detrimental effect on the nightlife scene near the university. While safety was obviously more important than social activities, some still risked venturing out, only to find themselves on the losing end of that gamble. Ultimately, the rise in vampire numbers was so severe that a specialized police force was established in recent years, dedicated to exterminating them. Their mission was to control the vampire population and, ideally, find a permanent solution to rid the world of them once and for all.

Regardless, this situation had to end, and Alora was resolute in her determination to fight the battle, whether she faced it alone or with the support of others… However, Alora's secret made it much harder for her to seek assistance. Knowing the truth about her pureblood status and the potential consequences, she found it challenging to enlist help without revealing too much and jeopardizing her own safety.

The crunch of snow echoed beneath Alora’s footsteps as she walked down the sidewalk, the gray cement now hidden beneath a graceful blanket of white. A long scarf wrapped around her neck shielded her mouth and nose, while her hands were tucked comfortably inside her coat pockets. With her white AirPods nestled in her ears, she was immersed in her playlist, focused and unperturbed as she made her way to her morning class. Lost in thought as she mentally reviewed for an upcoming test, Alora’s concentration was abruptly shattered by a snowball hitting her back with pinpoint accuracy. The sound of boisterous laughter pierced through the music blaring in her AirPods. Whipping around with a raised eyebrow, her stern expression softened when she recognized the familiar face behind the playful attack.

“Mia, what the heck?!” Alora shouted, though her giggle immediately made it clear that she wasn’t truly angry. She quickly pulled her hands from her pockets, crouching down to scoop up a handful of snow. She packed it haphazardly into a lopsided ball and hurled it at her friend. Despite Mia’s swift attempt to dodge, the snowball landed squarely against her chest.

“Hey, I had to catch you off guard! There’s no way I’d win a snowball fight if you saw me coming!” Mia laughed, brushing the snow from her torso and wincing at the cold sting on her hands. She jogged to close the gap and fell into step beside Alora, slipping her hands into her pockets for warmth. “So, do you think you’re going to pass the exam?” Mia cut straight to the point, knowing it was weighing heavily on Alora’s mind.

With a long sigh and an exaggerated tilt of her head, Alora finally responded. “I’ve studied, but I’m still nervous. This exam counts for so much of our final grade.” Before the conversation could continue, they noticed yellow CAUTION tape being fastened around a building in the distance, a curious sight near their campus.

"Man, when are these attacks going to stop? This is what, the third one this month? And we’re not even halfway through." Mia shook her head in disgust, flabbergasted that things could take such a turn in such a short amount of time. Alora, grateful for the scarf wrapped around her face, hid the guilt that twisted her expression beneath the thick fabric. The truth was, before heading home last night, she had encountered a vampire about to prey on a student walking alone. Acting quickly, Alora feigned naivety, distracting the hungry predator until he realized too late that she was designed to eliminate him. She must’ve overdone it, leaving quite the mess for others to clean up. Fortunately, there were no security cameras where she led the fight, but the damage was done, leaving detectives with yet another puzzling case to unravel.

"Believe me, I know," Alora replied, her voice heavy with genuine sympathy. She wanted nothing more than for the vampires to disappear, but the guilt gnawed at her daily. She was grateful that she wasn’t like the dangerous ones, but that wouldn’t matter if she ever got caught.

The two friends walked past the group of detectives, their conversation falling silent as they headed to their respective building, each lost in their own thoughts.

 

[Tenzai]

ᴀɴᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʟᴏɴɢ ᴇɴᴏᴜɢʜ ɪɴᴛᴏ ᴀɴ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴀʙʏꜱꜱ ᴡɪʟʟ ɢᴀᴢᴇ ʙᴀᴄᴋ ɪɴᴛᴏ ʏᴏᴜ.
- ꜰʀɪᴇᴅʀɪᴄʜ ɴɪᴇᴛᴢꜱᴄʜᴇ

---

It was never supposed to be like this, Adelaide.

I'm sorry. I'm so terribly sorry.

ℕ𝕠𝕨 𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕪𝕚𝕟𝕘: 𝔸𝕤𝕔𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕞 | 𝕊𝕝𝕖𝕖𝕡 𝕋𝕠𝕜𝕖𝕟
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Well, I know what you want from me
You want someone to be
Your reflection, your bitter deception
Setting you free
So you take what you want and leave​

Ascension. That's what those monsters hidden underneath human facades had called his torture. For all deserving of God's blessing, they were to break all earthly ties. The first to go was his grip on his own humanity: His desire for life. Against his will, they bound him in chains, deprived him from his senses, and starved the poor man to near madness. Only then was his mind susceptible to their corrupting influence. Only on the brink was Archimedes willing to forego his own sense of self for his survival. Gone was the pride that was built up over years as a talented mathematical logistician. Gone was his sense of shame as his life teetered towards the edge of his sanity. He was willing to do anything to return to his family, even if it meant feeding the pride of those that captured him.

When begging for mercy from the dark angels, they rewarded his subservience with blood. At first, he rejected the crimson solution. 'It wasn't food nor drink. Just another one of their sick ploys.' His mind imagined in an attempt to defend itself. Yet, over time, their offer had grown more tempting. The absence of a drink to parch the thirst of his tongue for far too long had intensified his need to sate his drought to a maddening degree. Without any distractions to take away his focus, all he could do was suffer in silence while his mind grew wary until his own sense of logic could not fight it off any longer. He ached for respite. He yearned for salvation. Finally he pleaded and took their gift in open arms; His mouth voicing gratitude to his new god as their blood ran down his throat.

Won't you come and dance in the dark with me?
Show me what you are, I am desperate to know​

Though once he quenched his need, Arc didn't realize that he had finally succumbed to the sanguine curse. His soul had become one with their sinful taint, causing his eyes to glow and his body to go cold. He felt no hunger; His empty stomach ceasing in its call for food. Instead, what he felt was an overwhelming thirst and sensitivity to blood. He could smell when someone was bleeding in another room. His ears were sensitive to the heartbeats and breathing of those that surrounded him. When his blindfold had came loose, his eyes were clear despite the darkness. He became different. To his captors, Arc had begun his path towards ascension.

Arc's heart had turned cold and dark.

The radiant star had been eclipsed.

Diamonds in the trees, pentagrams in the night sky
You're gonna watch me ascend​

However, it was the next step that led Arc down the path of retribution which he pursued vehemently in the current day. He was forced to commit a sin against his own flesh and blood as a sign of his loyalty to his new life; A crime he could never forgive himself nor his captors for: The murder of his family. With his newfound uncontrollable thirst, the vampires that held him and his parents hostage had leveraged their control on his mind to turn him against his own. Despite his loving past with them, he couldn't recognize them. Not even their screams nor their pleads for mercy could reach him. It was only after the deed was done; After he consumed the very life that brought him into being where he realized the weight of his sin. They were dead and mutilated by his own hands.

Covered in their blood and forced to live with his new tragic reality, Arc swore to burn it all down. Upon gaining their trust and being set free to work in their god's name, he succeeded in earning a reputation as one of her favorite children. Cold yet efficient, he excelled in carrying out her missions while garnering information to dole out his revenge in full. His formulaic interpretation of his prey's behavioral patterns as well as his particular eye for analysis had made him stand out from the rest, causing their god herself to look upon him with favor. He was dangerous, not because of his strength in body nor affinity in magic, but rather the sharpness of his mind; A refined tool that was soon to be wielded against her.

Eventually, the moment came where he found his original captors alone and in a vulnerable state. As if, giving his family a proper send off, he killed them while they were resting from their wounds and burnt their building to the ground; His sacred pyre was made as offering in hopes that his parents would forgive him.

Reborn in the fury of flames for those that passed before him.

He hoped that through fire, he'd feel their warmth again.​

Yet, as he stood amidst the ash and cinder, watching as the building he was captured in was reduced to rubble; He felt nothing in their ruin. The death of his immediate enemy would not stop the tide of vampires from proceeding forth into the daylight to force others to succumb to a similar fate. Their death would not bring his parents back, nor did it did not return his life to normal. He was still a vampire; The same being he wished death upon. Worst of all, he could still feel the taint in his lips and the craving for mortal blood in his mouth. Without purpose, he drifted back into the obscurity of the dark, disappearing from vampiric eyes as he returned back home.

Once he came back however, he saw the teary face of his little sister as he opened the door. Before he could mutter another word, he felt her hug for the first time in years. Her words were bittersweet, but her warmth was real. Arc wasn't alone anymore. He still had someone. The semblance of returning to normal had nearly brought him to tears. Having someone there to take away the silence was a mercy, he previously believed was beyond him. It was then that he promised himself to protect her and not take her for granted. Where he failed with his own parents, he would do anything to prevent her from suffering a similar fate.

Over the next few weeks, they caught up and acted as a normal family again. He would cook her meals while he looked for jobs around to help pay off the rent. Sometimes they would watch movies or go out in the evening to break up the mundanity of the day to day. Regardless of the ordinary life they lived, through it all, he felt warmth in his soul. Her familial affection and connection to him acted as the anathema to his sanguinity. For the moment, he felt alive. She treated him as though none of his past sins had ever existed. However, reality was not so kind as to let him go from his fate. In time, his predators had stalked him, following clues of his whereabouts. Vampires had roamed the shadows around his hometown, seeking to return their god's prodigal son. It was then when his fate had finally sunk, once he found her speaking with someone he suspected to be a vampire. Arc was never meant to escape. The moment he drank their blood, he had given up his future.

Try as he might to run away. He could never escape.

Her crimson gaze extended to all that the moon touched.​

Quickly, he gathered what was easy or essential from their home and moved himself and Adelaide towards another, larger city entirely. He hoped that, given the density of the population, the vampires tracking him would have a harder time finding them amidst the crowds and bustle of the city. Unfortunately for their relationship, as Adelaide protested against moving away from all she knew and loved, he couldn't give her a genuine answer; Only telling her that he found a job that could take care of the both of them in another city to avoid worrying her. Forced to move with little explanation, their relationship grew cold. Still, he was resolved in protecting her whether she liked it or not. They weren't going to take her from him too.

To hold up his promise, Arc worked harder than ever in his search to appear as though there was substance to his reason. Thankfully, given his history working alongside vampires and his level of experience when it came to utilizing his degree, once he moved, he was able to find a job in the local police department. There, he swiftly rose in ranks, becoming one of their up and coming bests; Talented in all matters that related to vampires. Due to his vampiric blood as well, he was one step ahead of his peers physically too. Through his rise to prominence, he gained a following within his police cohort, eventually leading to his promotion as a head detective of a specific wing tasked with investigating vampire activities. It was here where he dedicated more of his time to keeping his sister safe, exchanging the warmth he grew to love for her protection.

It was a sacrifice he needed to make in order to protect her smile.

At least, so he thought.​

Watching her cry for the first time because of him had made Arc realize that he was no better than the same monsters he protected her against. He had forced her to go through pain, taking her away from all she knew for the reason of "safety." He smothered her with care and treated her like a defenseless child, taking away her independence in the hopes that she'd stay home while he took care of everything for her. Little did he know how much he robbed her of her autonomy and her life. It sickened him whenever he saw himself in the mirror, finding those same glowing red eyes he grew to fear in his reflection.

And I know what you want from me
You want the same as me
My redemption, eternal ascension
Setting me free
So I'll take what I want then leave

"𝕐𝕠𝕦'𝕧𝕖 𝕞𝕒𝕕𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕀 𝕔𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 𝕕𝕚𝕤𝕒𝕡𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣."

​

---

A wall of yellow to ward curious eyes.

A scene becoming too frequent for comfort in this city's streets.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴇᴇᴘ ᴄᴏᴠᴇʀ | ꜱᴜɴ ᴀʀᴀᴡ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"Arc... Arc? Can you hear me? Earth to Arc? Hello?" His partner, Vega, sighed. There were several times before when they were working a case together where he would find the lead detective spacing out. Upon hearing his partner's voice call for him, Arc's mind returned to the project at hand. "Oh... Sorry. Was just thinking about some things." Arc walked towards the scene, leaning underneath walls of yellow tape to reach where the supposed vampire murder took place. "What? Don't tell me you're going to retire now? Least you could do is give me a warning first so I could file for my promotion... Or... Are you second guessing your choice in career?" Vega gave a snide remark, following right beside him.

"No. I was thinking of someone I need to protect... What to cook for her when I get home. I'm sure you have people you care about too." While Vega might not have seen Arc with the same zeal that his coworkers had, he still held a level of respect, seeing Arc as someone who was able to match the heightened wits of vampires. By being beside him, he was able to catch the lead detective dissolving many schemes thought up by different covens of vampires. From bringing down traffickers in the red light district to discovering planned attacks against high ranking officials beforehand, it was clear to Vega and the rest of his department that Arc was capable; Dangerously so.

"I mean... I guess I do." He rolled his eyes at Arc's thoughtful answer, disregarding his statement before a crude smile grew over his face. "Finally find yourself a girlfriend to move in with you? About damn time. The guys and I have been placing bets on what the hell was wrong with you. I put my money on you being married to your job. So, which girl from the department is it? Was it Vex? Bet it is. Everyone in the department wants a piece of her." Arc shook his head. "No, not a girlfriend. Family. We'll just leave it at that. Please." His eyes had grown cold, thinking of her empty responses to his gestures of kindness. Ever since they had that fight, their relationship was never the same. He had stopped being seen as her brother; Just a stranger she shared an apartment with.

As they approached the scene, the nearby environment had held the stench of dried blood. The nearby structures made of stone were cracked, as though the powerful blows that were exchanged between them and their murderer had struck them. In the center of it all was the pulverized remains of a vampiric corpse. Their fangs were cracked as a result of heavy blunt force trauma to the skull. Their body was broken in several places; Limbs angled in wrong directions. Splayed out in a dried pool of blood, the vampire had breathed its last; A frozen fearful stare being the only recognizable feature remaining on its lifeless form. To have a vampire suffer from that much damage, it could only mean one thing: This was the result of a pureblood's doing.

Humans lacked the strength necessary to physically fight with the same intensity. Non-pureblood vampires have never seen each other as an object of fear. It was only those that well-surpassed them in strength that could cause a mess like this. "Looks like a fight between vampires. Not the most common sight, I'd say... But its starting to happen more often around here. No weapons seemed to be used so it could be just a fist fight... Though, this looks like something more. What do you think, Arc?"

Whenever the prodigious detective was in the presence of blood, his mind would shift to darker thoughts. It was during moments like these where he would pull out his flask to drink from. Disguised as a whiskey flask to hide its contents; Inside sat a pouch full of animal blood combined with medicine to control his urges; Mixed with blood thinners to avoid solidifying into a thick mass. While it was not a perfect alternative to human blood, it was more than enough to deter the call of his sanguine soul. "Really, a drink?... Right here?"

"Just something to calm the nerves, Vega. Only enough to help me concentrate." ​

Arc took a swig to hold off the dark tide; With his senses heightened, he looked around for clues. Given the fact that the body was showing rigor mortis all the way up to the limbs, he could imagine that the fighting took place roughly eight to twelve hours ago. Speckles of torn fabric were gripped around their fingers, revealing a patch of cloth matching the colors of the university nearby. "Hmm..."

"What is it?" Vega leaned back on a nearby concrete pillar. "Could be the work of a pureblood. Given the scale of the damage and the look on the body, it leaves little to the imagination. Time of death could be anywhere between eight to twelve hours; Its likely that the murderer could still be nearby." Arc placed his leather gloves on, approaching the corpse to separate the ripped cloth from his fingers. "Maybe even from the university. From the looks of it, they might be hurt too." He gave the piece of evidence a look of concern. With his sister now attending, it was hard to shake away the feeling of dread.

"Vega. We should send a few teams to scour the university. See if we could find any injured. Worst case scenario is that there's a vampire hidden among the students. One with bruised fingers if they managed to swing with this much power." While serving as an agent of god, Arc remembered that, while vampires healed from cuts extremely quickly, bruises took much longer to regenerate. Discoloration required fresh blood to fade quickly while the pain and swelling took time to remedy. It meant that they had a short window before their vampiric foe would disappear.

"Best case scenario is that a student got hurt and escaped before the fighting started. They could serve as a lead in helping us find out who did this." He placed the scrap into a bag before taking a few pictures of the crime scene. "Regardless, it wouldn't be wrong for us to investigate." Vega yawned. "Fine... Whatever you say. I'm counting it as overtime." The lead detective rolled his eyes. "Of course, Vega. Always."

---

She always liked snow.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʙᴇɴᴇᴀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍᴀꜱᴋ | ᴘᴇʀꜱᴏɴᴀ 5 ᴏꜱᴛ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

With the dawn of the new day, the two men had made their way to the university dressed in winter jackets and scarves to keep them warm. While other members of the vampire task force were responsible for interviewing injured college students from other exits and entrances, the two detectives had stood in front of the university just as it opened. The snow had an amber hue as the sun highlighted the clouds over the horizon. It was a beautiful sight, one he believed his little sister would have loved to share if it wasn't for all that went wrong between them.

It was times like these where he wondered how they would have been if it weren't for his capture on that fateful day. If the vampires had chosen another human to enthrall, would they be enjoying the snow together? Would they make hot cocoa before building snowmen? To see the contrast with who they once were and who they have become had made his heart ache in his chest. At this point, Arc didn't know what he was fighting for. What was the point of protecting all these people when he himself was a monster? The moment they would find out that their hero was one of the enemies they sought to destroy, it would devastate them. He was an enigma; A walking hypocrisy. Without the love of his family to guide him forward, he was running out of reasons to persist against his powerful enemy.

The snow didn't feel cold on his exposed skin. The frigid temperature lacked the same potency that it used to. It was an odd thought to miss the feeling of discomfort that came with the snow. Once excusing it as a nuisance, he found these old negative sensations as signs that he was normal like her. Though, before he gave himself more opportunity to spiral, Arc shook his head away from his freefall. While there were problems to address, none other than the main issue at hand had to be focused on right now. First and foremost, he needed to protect his remaining family. If he failed in his duty, the sacrifice of his relationship would have been for naught.

For the most part, their shift involved asking questions to nearby students about any suspicious whereabouts or injuries. However, before long, there was a pair of students that caught Arc's precise eyes. One among them had seemed to tense oddly as she tossed a snowball at her friend; Her arms were sore. As they approached, his sensitive ears had picked up on their, hearing them speak over an exam.

"Man, when are these attacks going to stop? This is what, the third one this month? And we're not even halfway through."

"Believe me, I know,"​

"Excuse me."​

Arc approached the girls, maintaining a respectful distance at first as he got in the way of their path. "I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind helping us in our investigation?" Vega walked to his side, stretching his arms as he left a couple of other students. "Arc, we're wasting time here. What makes you believe that the vampires are on campus anyways?" He attempted to shift the detective's focus. "Vega, not right now." Vega attempted to squeeze a word in to no avail. "But-"

"I said. Not now. Now if you would excuse us?" Arc lowered his voice, hinting at his level of seriousness. No matter what, he was going to ensure this campus was safe. Vega stood back. "Ugh, I hate it when you get stubborn like this. Fine. I'll be over there getting a coffee if you need me." He jeered, leaving the lead detective alone.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. My partner is usually a bit more cooperative." He gave them both a gentle nod, before introducing himself. "My name is Arc. Lead investigator for the local police department." He pulled out his badge, revealing his affiliation. "As a result of the attack nearby, I've had concerns that there could be a vampire on campus. If you both won't mind, I would appreciate it if you could answer a few questions for me. Anything would help in keeping this campus safe." As he spoke, he looked curiously at Twyla. Underneath his kind facade, he held suspicions over her involvement with the vampire.

"Follow me please. I promise to be quick. If it helps, I could also order you both a warm drink nearby too. On me, of course."​

---

The campus cafe.

A place of respite from the cold.​

Arc loosened his scarf and removed his gloves, placing them to the side before turning to his student counterparts with their drinks in hand. Here, inside the cafe, there was no need to be concerned over his lack of mist giving off his vampiric nature. The ambient heat was more than enough to mask the coolness of his skin. However, this invitation towards the cafe was not out of a mere sense of kindness nor respect; It also served to loosen up his interviewees. He did his research into the cafe beforehand, visiting alongside Vega before starting their shift. The side of the cafe he sat at specifically was close to the heater, warranting the removal of gloves and scarves.

"So, tell me about yourselves. Have either of you seen anything odd recently? Specifically around the last couple nights?" He started off with an innocent question. Something easy to begin their conversation without making them too nervous. "Do you know anyone who got hurt? Just in case something were to happen, I'd like to give them medical attention." Arc appeared to speak charitably. To interview anyone, it was a fine dance of words that required precision to bring the truth out. Too much force and the target would be susceptible to lying or shutting down. Too little and no information of worth could be extracted. Though, before he continued, he noticed the time on a clock nearby and drew his phone from his pocket. "Oh, apologies. I need to make a call."

"Your call has been forwarded to the voicemail for Adelaide."

"At the end of the tone, please record your message."​

He turned his head to his side, staring idly outside the cafe window while he called his little sister. After being sent to voicemail, he mumbled quietly into microphone. "Adelaide. My shift is ending soon. If you'd like, we could go out to a cafe sometime and I could get you some dinner." He paused, taking a moment to breathe just to remain in full control of his emotions. "The one I'm at right now offers your favorite snack. I've read the reviews online and saw that they could make it really well."

The vampire stared at the food he ordered for her to take home. He already knew the answer to his invitation long before asking. Still, he didn't think that it was wrong to try. It was these acts that helped him remain strong against his urges. His sister was among the last anchors that kept him human. Her forgiveness had acted a bastion against the darkness in his mind. "Call me back if you're interested, alright?... Stay safe. Love you. Bye."

He hung up after a couple minutes, turning back towards the two. His eyes had settled on the drink that stood in front of Twyla. "Is the drink not to your preference? I could always order you another one." The detective pulled out his flask, taking another swig of his drink before examining her gloves. "But if you're still cold, I'd recommend taking off your gloves and holding on the drink. I'm sure it'll warm you up faster. Then again, it is pretty hot here." He fanned himself, switching his attention towards her neck. If she was the injured student, Arc would assume that her neck would have been bruised. "How about you take off you scarf and relax a little? Take some time to think about what else you'd like to order. The cafe here apparently could make really good drinks."

"...And it would be a shame if you were left uncomfortable."​

Character Hex Codes

Archimedes - #B81F32
Vega - #fedcdd

 

[Kitten]

"Either way, we shouldn't let it bring us down. There are things in this world beyond our control, especially the actions of others." With a casual shrug, Mia appeared unbothered by the natural chaos that had become commonplace around campus. Alora, however, wished Mia would be more cautious instead of brushing off the situation so casually. Still, Mia wasn’t entirely wrong - no one can control another person's intentions, and sometimes, no matter how careful you are, bad things can still happen. The brunette shot her best friend a stern, unamused glare, but the way her nose scrunched up made it difficult to take her seriously. Instead, she resembled an adorable bunny trying her best to look upset.

“Don’t give me that mom glare.” As Mia burst into playful laughter, another sound completely captivated Alora's attention - slow, deliberate footsteps approaching. Her heightened sense of hearing allowed her to pick up on sounds that others might miss, making it difficult at times to feign ignorance or pretend she hadn’t heard something she wished she hadn’t. Although it was daylight, when attacks were less frequent, they weren’t unheard of. Turning her head just enough to glance over her shoulder, Alora spotted a tall man with an aristocratic aura. His stride was calculated, and each step on the snow beneath him produced a satisfying crunch. Despite his imposing presence, she didn’t sense any malicious intent emanating from him.

“Excuse me. I don't mean to be rude, but would you mind helping us in our investigation?”​

As his velvety voice sliced through the chilled air, Mia’s laughter abruptly stopped, and she pivoted on her heels to see the investigator who had quietly approached them. Alora also shifted to face him, her attention drawn not just to the investigator but also to another man who joined him, stepping up beside the almond-haired officer. Even without an introduction, it was clear that they were both with the police, their crisp uniforms standing in stark contrast to the casual attire of the students around them.

Alora was a useless liar, and it was transparent which crime scene the investigators were captivated in questioning them about. Her breath caught in her throat, and she could feel her mouth go dry as she tried to swallow the lump forming there. Alora had always avoided trouble and kept a safe distance from anything involving the law. Despite knowing she was innocent and had done nothing wrong, the overwhelming sense of guilt gnawed at her, making her feel as though she would fail any lie detector test on the spot.

"Arc, we're wasting time here. What makes you believe that the vampires are on campus anyways?"​

Yes, Arc. Take Vega’s opinion. Silently, Alora prayed as she gathered their names during the vehement conversation. The two girls watched the men before them awkwardly, their investigation momentarily paused as the two colleagues engaged in a mini quarrel. It seemed that Mia was having the same thoughts as Alora, and the two exchanged a wordless conversation through their expressions. Mia’s eyes widened in confusion, her brows furrowing, while Alora responded with a casual shrug and a lift of her eyebrows, signaling her own uncertainty.

"I'm sorry you had to see that. My partner is usually a bit more cooperative."​

“Don’t sweat it,” Mia said, taking the lead in responding with an air of unamusement, which spared Alora from having to speak for the moment. Their focus shifted to the glistening gold badge, momentarily dusted with tiny snowflakes before being tucked away with care. It was a no-brainer that this questioning would lead to the yellowed-taped crime scene right in front of them, but Alora still held onto the hope that it might concern a different incident that had ironically surfaced around the same time. As Arc’s gaze shifted respectfully between her and Mia, Alora couldn’t help but feel that he was looking at her in a different light. She couldn’t quite place it - whether it was concern or suspicion - but the unreadable thoughts swirling in his mind were starting to make her uneasy.

"Of course, anything we can do to help," Alora said, taking a deep breath and mustering the courage to speak through the scarf wrapped around her mouth. Hopefully, her eagerness to participate and assist with the case would make her appear less likely to be a suspect. Her golden eyes met Arc's with what she hoped were rays of warmth and sincerity as she tried to dispel any doubts that might be circling his mind. She knew that staying silent while Mia took the lead might make her appear guilty. Meanwhile, Mia's thoughts were on the potential for free caffeine, which had piqued her interest. She nodded in agreement, hoping her earlier unamused tone wouldn't cast her in a negative light.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tʀᴜsᴛ Mᴇ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:58
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The sound of metal chair legs scraping against the hard floor echoed as the trio settled at a table in the heart of the café. Their bookbags were positioned securely against their legs, a precaution born from old habits to keep their belongings safe. Mia quickly shed her coat and hat and hung them on the end of her chair, while Alora chose to keep hers on, only pulling down her scarf to reveal her roseate lips. The rich scent of ground coffee beans permeated the air, bringing a refreshing and invigorating energy. A cappuccino-like beverage was placed in front of Alora and Mia, the steam rising and swirling around, a clear sign of its intense heat.

"So, tell me about yourselves. Have either of you seen anything odd recently?"​

His eyes didn’t seem to focus on anyone in particular as he inquired, leaving the question open for anyone willing to respond. Mia, feeling chipper after sipping her warm beverage at no cost, happily spoke while cradling her mug. "I've only heard what happened after the fact; I never witnessed any-" She frowned as Arc, yet again, appeared distracted and sidetracked, having asked a question but failing to maintain the conversation after excusing himself for a moment. This was the second time he’d done so. "Okay, then..." She huffed an agitated breath before taking a careful sip of her hot drink. Alora couldn’t help but laugh at her irritated friend, who never failed to be herself - even in the presence of a police officer.

As Alora tried to appear absorbed in the café's ambiance, she couldn't help but eavesdrop on the conversation taking place. He was whispering into his phone, making it difficult to determine whether he was speaking to a lover, a family member, or a friend. Though it was truthfully none of her business, she found it hard to ignore his discourtesy - he seemed impatient, unable to wait until after the investigation he was so eager to conduct. "Hey, you have a bad habit of drifting off from the main topic." Mia crossed her arms, her foot tapping with irritation as she shot him an irked look.

"Mia!" Alora spoke through gritted teeth, giving Mia's leg a gentle nudge with her own foot in an attempt to silence her from speaking poorly to the investigator, even though he was the one being discourteous. She regretted speaking up as soon as Arc's attention shifted to her, directing the focus of the conversation her way. "O-oh, it's just a bit too hot for me to sip on right now. I hope I didn't offend you by not drinking it immediately." She shifted uncomfortably in her chair, trying to come up with more filler words to make her excuse sound more convincing. "I've burned my mouth plenty of times, and I really don't want to embarrass myself." The truth was that she couldn't digest human food or beverages easily. While she could consume them, it came with consequences after an hour or two - her digestive system wouldn't tolerate it, often forcing her to vomit up whatever she had ingested.

For now, she was relieved with her explanation, but her relief was short-lived as Arc swiftly shifted the topic to her attire, questioning why she continued to wear her winter clothes inside a cozy building. She flinched, not from a physical blow, but from his keen observation of the subtle things she did to feel more comfortable among humans. "Silly me, you're right," she said, forcing a laugh as she began to unravel the scarf wrapped around her neck. Fortunately, she wore a vintage button-down collared shirt that concealed the bruises on her porcelain skin against her neck. She unfastened her coat and draped it over the back of her chair before carefully removing her gloves. It was clear that her hands ached, as her movements were slow and deliberate while she peeled them off. Bruises were evident on her knuckles and fingers, revealing the fact that she had been in a tussle. Fortunately, she had prepared an alibi for just such a situation, hoping it would cover up the true cause of her injuries.

"Alora, you need to take it easy on your martial arts class!" Mia quickly gasped at the sight of Alora's hands and lifted them up to inspect them for herself. "I know you like to give it your all, but it's just an extracurricular class," she said, giving her friend a playful punch on the shoulder. "I'd hide my hands too if they looked like that." Alora wasn't sure whether to thank her friend for speaking up on her behalf or to wish she'd keep quiet, but she hoped Mia's genuine words would make Arc ease off and stop pressing on her about trivial matters.

Holding her cup with both hands, Alora cradled her warm drink as if waiting for it to cool down. "I actually had breakfast before coming to campus, but Mia would happily take you up on that offer," she said. Alora didn't need to speak for Mia, as her friend was already engrossed in the menu, eagerly scanning the delicacies available in this gem of a café. "Just as Mia mentioned, we only hear about these incidents after they've happened. We're usually either at home or in a different building on campus," Alora said, glancing down at her coffee, its dark color preventing her from seeing her reflection. "I understand you're just doing your job, but we genuinely have no idea about what might have happened."
It was a big, fat lie from Alora's end, though Mia was truly innocent. Alora felt a pang of sadness as she looked at her naive best friend sitting beside her, knowing that Mia remained unaware of her true nature as a pureblood. The thought weighed heavily on her heart every day, but the fear of what might happen if she learned that information scared her more.

Her mind couldn't help but drift back to the previous night, the memories still vivid and haunting in her thoughts.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴛᴏʀᴍʙʀɪɴɢᴇʀ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 5:45
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

The temperature had plummeted to nearly zero, and as the sun faded and the moon took over the sky, the streetlights flickered on, casting their glow in the frigid air. Alora walked along the paved sidewalk, AirPods nestled in her ears, immersed in her own world. She was heading into town toward her apartment, knowing that Val was probably already home, having finished classes much earlier than she did. Her throat vibrated with a hum as her elongated chestnut locks swayed, energized by her choice of music. It was a beautiful night, and she walked slower on purpose, savoring the lingering beauty of the evening. Ahead of her, nearly half a mile away, a lone college student was making her way home around the same time. With curfew set to begin in about an hour, their timely departure was evident. They were still on campus, but town wasn’t too far away.

In the corner of a darkened patch of buildings casting a deep shadow, piercing red eyes glowed as a male vampire emerged from his hiding spot. His pace quickened as he aimed to get close to his unsuspecting prey before anyone else came by and noticed. Alora’s brows furrowed with concern, reluctant to take any risks as they ventured deeper into the outskirts of campus. Thankfully, the girl made a sharp turn, disappearing from Alora’s and the fiend's sight. Seizing the moment, Alora decided to distract the vampire.

"Ugh!" she exclaimed loudly, purposefully tripping over her own feet to create a thud that would surely capture the man’s attention. Alora fell to the ground in a messy tumble, tiny pebbles embedding into her palms as she tried to catch herself. She aimed to appear weak and defenseless, making herself a more tempting target than the young adult who was merely trying to get home safely. She could sense the man tuning into her sounds, and before she knew it, he was right in front of her, as if he had appeared out of thin air. To an observer, it might have seemed like he had just left a nearby store and happened upon the commotion by chance. However, Alora knew that his heightened yet silent speed allowed him to mask his presence as a mere coincidence.

"Are you alright, ma'am?" the man asked, extending a hand to help her up. His red irises were gone, suggesting he had put in his contacts to conceal his true nature.

"Oh my goodness, thank you so much!" Alora exclaimed, taking his hand with delicate care. But her grip tightened abruptly, each finger curling solidly around the back of his hand. An audible CRUNCH filled the air as she crushed every bone in his hand with a single, forceful squeeze.

"AAAHH~" His screams were muffled as her other hand covered his mouth, silencing any cries. Her hair, once a rich chocolate hue, had turned as white as the snow around them. Her eyes, a stunning shade of lilac, shimmered beautifully in the moonlight.

"Shh... You wouldn’t want to cause a scene, now would you?" A devious smile crept across her lips, a stark contrast to the cheerful and bubbly girl who had been skipping along to her music just moments ago. Her fists and legs moved with swift, ruthless precision, not giving the poor creature any chance to fight back. She was relentless, determined to have her knuckles pierce every inch of his flesh to teach him a lethal lesson. This would be his only lesson, in fact. He tried to shield himself with his arms, but when he realized it was futile, he resorted to carving into her neck, chest, arms, and legs, gripping her tightly to leave his mark. Alora hated when they bruised her, and it seemed like they knew exactly how to inflict pain. She winced, letting out an agitated breath before she grew weary of his resistance.

In a swift and brutal motion, she snapped his limbs like twigs, her knuckles pounding against his face and skull until it caved in. With a surge of heated rage, she slammed his body against a nearby building, causing the ground to rumble with the impact. Once the smoke of the debris cleared, she gasped for air, realizing she was on the brink of losing control. Sweat glistened on her skin - a rare sight - as she stared with wide eyes at the lifeless vampire with crimson speckled around before her. With a few deep breaths to steady herself, she quickly grasped the severity of what she had done and fled the scene, leaving behind a torn piece of her university hoodie.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ &Rᴜɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:45
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

RING
RING
RING
1 Missed Call from Arc​

Adelaide shifted restlessly in her bed, her eyes shadowed with dark circles. She glanced at her phone as its screen briefly lit up before fading to black, shutting off to conserve battery life. Her eyes seemed vacant, as if she had lost interest in everything. She wasn't allowed much freedom, not even the chance to get a job. She had to beg him just to attend college, and even then, she was limited to only one class. His overprotectiveness was suffocating, and she resented being treated like a child when she was a capable young adult.

She regretted ever bringing up the idea of moving out to him. She yearned for independence, believing it was a vital step for her personal growth and happiness. While Arc saw it as a potential mistake, convinced she wasn't ready for the challenges it would bring, she was resolute in her conviction that it was the right path for her. This led to an intense shouting match between them, with both of them nearly screaming at each other. In the heat of the moment, Adelaide said some deeply hurtful things. Bringing up their parents, a topic that always struck a raw nerve, only made the argument more painful. She could still hear her own voice echoing those cutting words, regretting the pain they caused.

If mom and dad were still here, this wouldn't have happened!

Arc’s expression visibly shifted, his jaw clenching tightly as if he were struggling to contain either a harsh retort or the impulse to lash out physically. After a tense moment, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him with a force that left no doubt about his frustration.

As her phone buzzed back to life with a new notification, Adelaide glanced at the screen and saw a voicemail from Arc. Her fingers hovered over the delete button, unsure whether to listen to the message or not. She debated with herself, wondering if he might be in trouble or if he needed something important. "He can take care of himself, since he wants to so badly." She scoffed, decisively pressing her finger on the 'delete' option. With a sudden burst of frustration, she spun around and clutched her pillow tightly, burying her face in it as she sobbed uncontrollably.

The pillow, her only source of comfort, quickly grew damp with her tears.​

Character Hex Codes

Adelaide #8B295A
Alora/Twyla #9365B8
Mia #FBA026

 

[Tenzai]

"𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕞𝕦𝕤𝕥 𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕒 𝕝𝕚𝕗𝕖 𝕤𝕖𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕗𝕣𝕠𝕞 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕝𝕖, 𝕞𝕪 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕥 𝕃𝕦𝕔𝕚𝕗𝕖𝕣."

"𝕌𝕟𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕚𝕤𝕙 𝕥𝕠 𝕤𝕦𝕓𝕛𝕖𝕔𝕥 𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕒𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕒𝕥𝕖 𝕒𝕤 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕡𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤.."​

Learn to be beyond them. Learn to be better. Her words had always lingered on the deepest recesses of Arc's mind. They were spoken to him as gospel, taught to the young vampire while he was serving as one of her favorites. God's children, they were called. Taken from different swathes of life, the sanguine apostles all had different strengths that allowed them to serve their dark goddess in their own perfect ways. Arc was the weakest among them. Nicknamed Lucifer as a result of his pride and arrogance in wishing for a life more than what being one of her chosen offered, he was the target of countless rehabilitations.

To overcome his attachment to the living realm, he was forced to feed on the innocent. With every sacrificial lamb, they had hoped that drawing the blood of the pure would taint his soul beyond redemption; That by forcing him to commit atrocities on those that reminded him of his family, he would break through sin. Instead, it became the fuel for his undying fire, an unceasing desire to turn against the goddess herself and bring her empire to ruin. Quiet was his anger as he orchestrated a sabotage devastating enough to give him a window to escape. By turning her children against each other, her long, dark gaze had left him for a moment; Enough for him to commit his revenge against all who took his family away.

Arc was better than them. He didn't need them nor their dark powers to live a life he always wanted. Through flame, he cleansed himself of his sin, hoping to leave that life behind. Though no matter how far apart he could escape her, he was caught within her web. Her careful manipulations had left the poor man trapped within her influence. Her words had echoed in his mind whenever he was brought closer to insanity; The darkness that overwhelmed him had dwelled quietly in his soul, a predator stalking his conscience waiting for the perfect time to strike.

Her gospel were the nails on his cross

that left his soul suspended in limbo.​

---

Their argument had never left his dreams, taunting the poor brother with his mistakes up to the current day. Arc recalled the look of snow outside the window. The crunch of each step as he went up the stairs to their old apartment. There was a chill in the house then, an odd feeling given his lack of sensitivity to the cold. It was a feeling that usually accompanied dread, as though his sanguine curse could pick up on the essence of those around him. Something was amiss.

From the silence then came the shouting. She was furious at the lengths he would go to ensure her safety. Without being able to mention the true cause of their parent's tragedy, he was left with poor excuses to give her. Words that only served to intensify the rebellion that existed in her heart. With every sentence he spoke, she gave tens more of how wrong he was. It was unfair. He was subject to the misfortune of being forced to wear a mask to keep her safe, yet that same mask had caused their relationship to shatter. As the argument kept bubbling, her feelings had overflowed until she finally reached her limit.

"If mom and dad were still here, this wouldn't have happened!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʜᴏᴍᴇꜱɪᴄᴋ | ᴡᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ
↻◁ || ▷↺

In this cold place
Where the snow hasn't melted yet
Leaves that resemble, the cold a-growing,
My freezing breath, frozen memories​

Her outburst has shocked her brother. Their argument was drawing a dark side of him that he wished to bury alongside his past. Her high pitched tones, her frustrated demeanor, and the tears that broke from her eyes had summoned the worst of him. Try as he might to settle his heart, her sanguine corrupting influence had held a grip on his mind, making it so easy to speak the most regrettable words. Treating cattle as anything else would lead to problems. To hear her utter her truth had caused him to drop all semblance of hope for a kinder future. This was the home he came back to. That profaned goddess was right; This was to be his new reality. He had lost his right to happiness.

He became her Icarus.

Flying too close to the living for the sake of love.

Erase me from here and set me free
All I wanted was to fly high
I can't believe my wings are broken
And fell against the sky​

The same wings that made him fly above the clouds had grounded him. The same warmth he fought so hard for had left him frozen in place. The herculean effort he spent attempting to return to some semblance of normality beyond his past with the leftover remnants of his family had all gone for naught. Gone was the love that existed between two siblings that lost their parents. In its place came a hatred for himself and a coldness between them. He deprived her of a normal future. He was the reason why mom and dad were gone.

Her words had left his heart reeling, taking him back to the time he felt the blood of his loved ones drip from his fangs. The regret he held for himself, seeing the man in the mirror as a monster, had returned to haunt him. Arc wasn't human anymore. To act like one had hurt the person he loved the most. Finding no other way to remedy their shattered relationship, he turned and left her; The door slamming with vampiric strength on the way out, shattering the hinges that separated them. It was another reminder of what he lost when he took their blessing.

His sanguine gift had turned into a curse.

Closed doors did little to muffle her anguish.​

Even as Arc stood outside to take a break from the argument within, he heard her genuine thoughts about him: How he took away her freedom and autonomy, how he robbed her of all that made her happy, and how he stole her future, the same future that her parents had sacrificed so much for. Beyond the door that served as a wall between them, he slumped against it, crying as he slid towards the floor. It was his second time crying since his family perished, the only other time occurring when he found her again.

It didn't take long before he grew accustomed to this new reality. Her coldness had made it hard for him to wish to return home. The praises of his coworkers in regards to his work had felt empty in contrast. With his home life in shambles, he found solace in taking his frustrations out on the vampire menace that stole it all away. At least, when pouring his heart out into his investigations for the sake of public safety, he was still giving Adelaide his love in his own special way.

"I'm sorry, Addy." He glared at the piles upon piles of paperwork that needed to be done before every investigation. Red tape had made working through bureaucracy its own version of hell. Spelling out where local tax money was being put into had took much of his free time away. Though, if this was all for giving a life where he'd one day be able to grant her freedom without paranoia of what lies in the dark, perhaps this was his way of seeking her forgiveness. "I don't think I'll be able to come home tonight either." It was a pleasant thought that kept him going regardless of the administrative tar that got in his way; This sacrifice would mean something. One day, he hoped, his home would return back to normal.

Arc was homesick.

Since their argument, his home had ceased to exist.

A flightless feather, oh
My freezing breath, frozen memories
Fearless behavior
It doesn't exist in me anymore​

---

"They're dead, Arc."

"Harping on them isn't going to bring them back."​

Arc stood in front of a grave for two, giving his parents a silent prayer. With his heart begging for a divine call, he asked the gods above to treat their souls better than he did. He knew that it was likely they would never be answered. He deemed his own soul too tainted to be seen by the kami. Though, he held hubris in his persistence. Maybe one day, their family would know peace if he never gave up.

Vega held an umbrella over his head, keeping the lead detective dry while they were on their detour. 'So that's why he cares so damn much.' He thought to himself. 'Those dumbasses came after the wrong family.' The vampire had thought of all of Arc's successes in tearing down the works of his sanguine allies. While Arc himself may have been an adversary, he was given another task by the goddess that took priority over the detective's elimination: Find the prodigal son.

Before Arc finished, he left some white roses on their grave. It was a symbol of his parents' love to each other and their love for their family. "They've left us too soon, Vega." He lifted himself up, sweeping the dust away from the letters with his gloves. "Even the dead deserve respect. I hope that when I see them in the next life, they'll forgive me for failing them." The rain did well to mask the tears on his face. "Sorry mom. Sorry dad. You deserved a son that's better than me."

His voice had dropped to a whisper as the rains had pounded the ground around him.

"I promise to keep her safe... So please forgive me."​

"Better? What the fuck do you by better?" Vega glared at him, scoffing at his humility. "You're the lead detective of the police force. Fuck, your face is on magazines and on the internet for saving people, and your parents don't think your enough?!" His vampiric pride had revealed itself in an odd way that benefited Arc. He didn't want to see his rival put himself down. "Sounds like they were pieces of shit."

The detective turned towards his partner, showing a rare emotion that even Adelaide never got to see. "Vega..." His fingers had curled into a fist, glaring daggers in response to his words. "Don't you EVER fucking say that about them or any other member of my family again! Got it?!" He reached over to Vega's arm, clutching his shoulder until it bruised, his vampiric blood boiling behind his eyes. "F-fine. Relax, Arc. I'll shut it."

Arc's hands had trembled. "They were all I had... And those... Vampires... Had taken it all away. They were so good to me and I... I!" He bit his lip hard enough for it to bleed; The taste of his own flesh mixed with the pain of his self-inflicted punishment had sobered him up quickly before his rage had taken over. "... I failed them, Vega! Hurt them... Hurt my own sister too... Do as I like, you're right... They're not going to come back... But there's still more I could do for them. I still have someone else that I... I could change... Someone left that I could save." He turned away, looking back towards the direction they came. He was losing himself because of them. "Just... Forget you ever saw anything."

His family was his strength and his weakness.

His benediction and his anathema.

Erase me from here and set me free
All, all I wanted was to fly high
I can't believe my wings are broken
And fell against the sky
Oh, will you please take me home?​

---

"You're right. My apologies. I'm being a terrible host, aren't I?"

In response to their inconvenience, he gave them his full attention.​

Now that their emotions had been properly stirred, he was able to get a better reading of the two girls in front of him. They appeared to be best friends, or at least friends with great chemistry. One of them, Mia, was rude but honest. The other, Alora, was polite but shy and nervous. They were two sides of a coin, a duo that complemented each other well. While they spoke to each other, he took note of Alora's unconscious mannerisms. The uncomfortable shifts in her chair, the rapid tapping of her foot, and the inability to look the detective in his eyes had all given him clues that she was hiding something.

"O-oh, it's just a bit too hot for me to sip on right now. I hope I didn't offend you by not drinking it immediately. I've burned my mouth plenty of times, and I really don't want to embarrass myself." The detective smiled kindly. "Don't apologize for it, Alora. There's nothing wrong with waiting a bit for the drink to cool." He pulled a notebook from inside his jacket, clicking a pen to jot a few notes about the interviewees in cursive. "Take your time. No rush."

Soon their attention was turned towards her attire. His eyebrow raised at the sight of her neck, before following her arms down to her hands. Once she loosened her gloves, his eyes were quick to note the bruises. "Oh?"

"Alora, you need to take it easy on your martial arts class!" Mia interrupted her, grabbing her hands gingerly as she inspected them. "I know you like to give it your all, but it's just an extracurricular class, I'd hide my hands too if they looked like that." Her best friend pinched her shoulder, causing her muscle to tense from the soreness.

"Martial arts. Smart. Given all that's happening nearby, I could imagine many of you students would take safety in your own hands." Her words had put the detective at ease. While he held his reservations about Alora, Mia had spoken her truth throughout, causing Arc to lower his inhibitions. 'Martials arts is most likely the source of her bruises.' He noted. 'Remind the others to remove the combat art practitioners and those related to sports/heavy physical activities from the list.' Once he finished writing, he lifted her hand gingerly. "Don't be ashamed of your wounds, Alora. Each bruise you take for the sake of yourself and the people you care about are marks you should be proud of."

Arc looked at her with sympathy before lifting his own sleeve, revealing a bandage that covered a nasty bruise from a prior vampire attack. "I received this when saving a child from a vampire the other week." He grazed his fingers across it, wincing once he placed enough pressure. "Some may call it ugly, but I? Its history. A memory of what we do for the people we wish to protect." He smiled, rolling down his sleeve before turning back towards her. "Just be sure to try and avoid vampires if you could help it. Martial arts could only do so much to something that could punch through steel."

Arc waved his hand back towards the menu. "Apologies for the tangent but my offer still stands. Feel free to order anything from the menu. Consider it a thank you for both of your cooperation."

"I actually had breakfast before coming to campus, but Mia would happily take you up on that offer, just as Mia mentioned, we only hear about these incidents after they've happened. We're usually either at home or in a different building on campus, I understand you're just doing your job, but we genuinely have no idea about what might have happened."

"That's fine if you don't know, Alora. I never asked assuming you had all the answers." His crimson orbs had given off her reflection, hiding his true thoughts behind a cloudy veil. "It's why you'll see others in uniform like me on campus. We have to make sure we do our best job to avoid something like what happened last night from occurring again." He flipped to another page on his notebook, reaching inside his jacket with his other free hand to pull out a bag that held a familiar piece of clothing.

" There is one final thing though."

"One more question and we're done."​

"Do any of you recognize this?" Unlike the other uniforms on campus, Arc had access to physical evidence of the night before. "It was found clutched in the hand of a dead vampire." Arc peered curiously, noticing an odd change in Alora's behavior. Her eyes didn't appear lost when seeing it, as though she knew something more. "It looks like it belongs to a student here, hence why I'm conducting my investigation."

He leaned closer, letting the two examine the patch's details in full. "Usually, this would be held under lock and key but..." The idea that there was a vampire in Adelaide's midst had bothered him. Arc had believed once that he escaped the clutches of the vampires by fleeing their home. To have his veil uncovered only to reveal just how close they've managed to come had drawn a sense of urgency. Following rules and procedures was not going to cut it if his sister was on the line.

"Something tells me, it would be perfect in finding people who know about it... Alora, do you know something?" The detective began to apply pressure. "Please, if you do. I would gladly appreciate it. There's students on the line... People that you and I can't lose are at risk. If I could help it, I'd do anything I can to avoid someone else ending up like that vampire."

He placed the bag in her hands, his eyes finally revealing his suspicions. She must have been a witness, or at least, known a witness. "We have concerns that a pureblood had made it on campus. Any information, no matter how big or small, can help us in catching them. Please." His heart had ached, steeling his resolve in keeping his end of the promise to his parents. He reached for her wrists, pleading for her help.

"I can't do this without you."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Tᴇʟʟ Mᴇ Nᴏᴡ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:18
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Tʜᴇ ɪᴍᴘᴀᴄᴛ ᴏғ ᴏɴᴇ ᴄʜᴏɪᴄᴇ ɪs sᴏ ᴇɴᴅʟᴇss
Cᴀɴ'ᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴛʜɪɴᴋ ᴏғ ʜᴏᴡ ɪᴛ ᴘʟᴀʏs ᴏᴜᴛ ɪɴ ᴛɪᴍᴇ​

“Can you blame the girl for wanting to protect herself, and heck, maybe even me?” Mia chuckled, imagining Alora bracing herself to defend them. Alora responded with a shy laugh, her gaze shifting away as if to shield herself from the truth she was so desperately trying to conceal within her veil. She wondered if she was truly any better than a villain for keeping her identity hidden from her best friend. If it came down to it, she’d stand in the line of fire for those she loved without hesitation. For now, though, she could only pray that those dear to her would remain untouched by danger, never having to face the ominous crimson eyes she feared might one day reveal her true self.

“Don't be ashamed of your wounds, Alora. Each bruise you take for the sake of yourself and the people you care about are marks you should be proud of."​

A small sparkle seemed to glimmer in her golden eyes, as if his words had unlocked a truth she hadn’t fully grasped until now. A soft pink hue flushed her porcelain skin, making her appear as if she was truly being seen and heard for the first time in a long time. It felt like he understood her pain and frustration, though she suspected he might be trying to soothe her over her weary hands.

“T-thank you,” she murmured, her gaze falling to her drink as it began to cool. You’re going to have to take a sip soon, Twyla, she chided herself inwardly, realizing she needed to prove her own humanity and vulnerability in front of him, she felt the pressure to avoid seeming out of the ordinary. She wanted to show that despite everything, she was just like anyone else.

“Oh my goodness! That must’ve hurt!” Mia gasped at the sight of Arc's wound, her own face wincing as if she could feel the phantom pain of the bruise. She shuddered at the thought of how much it must have hurt to sustain such a horrendous mark. Alora's eyes widened in response, her gaze reflecting the gravity of his responsibility. It was as if his body had become a canvas, the bruise a vivid smear of the weight he carried in his duty to protect those in need. The visible mark told a story of sacrifice and burden, etched into his very being.

“That is so commendable, thank you for your service, Arc.” She expressed her praise, hoping he could sense her genuine admiration for the daily sacrifices and challenges he faced. “I’m sure whoever you were on the phone with comes to mind every time you risk your life. It sounds like someone you really cherish,” she said, acknowledging his earlier conversation. She wanted him to know she had been listening and deeply sympathized with him on a personal level. “I have a younger brother at home who I wish to protect - he’s everything to me,” she added. Although her brother was more than capable of protecting himself, she felt a profound sense of sibling duty. Unbeknownst to her, her words struck a deep chord with him, resonating far beyond what she could have anticipated in that moment.

“Ah, shit, here she goes talking about Val again,” Mia muttered, rolling her eyes as if she’d heard it a hundred times before. Alora shot her a stern look that clearly conveyed two messages: to keep her comments respectful in front of the officer and to refrain from making light of her adoration for her brother. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that…” Mia quickly backtracked, a guilty expression crossing her face as she offered a sheepish smile.

Finally, Alora raised her hands, cupping her beverage tightly to make sure it wouldn’t slip from her grasp, her fingers trembling slightly - whether from nerves or fear was uncertain. With a determined pursing of her lips, she closed her eyes and took a sip. The slurping sound seemed to resonate, as if drawing the attention of everyone around her. The liquid was slightly warmer than she expected, and she flinched, unaccustomed to the bitter taste of coffee and taken aback by it. She masked her discomfort, pretending the drink was simply too hot. “My, that is still too hot,” she remarked while swallowing hard, struggling to suppress the urge to vomit.

"There is one final thing though. One more question and we're done. Do any of you recognize this?"
​

As Arc spread the tattered pieces of clothing on the table for both to see, Alora instantly froze, her complexion paling further, revealing her unease. Mia, however, appeared unfazed as she examined the fabric with a thoughtful expression, her thumb and index finger resting on her chin. "This looks like a piece of a university jersey. It almost matches yours, Alora. Since they don't make it anymore, you should bring it in for Arc to compare." Foolishly, her friend offered a helping hand, putting Alora on the spot immediately without intending to. If only she knew the truth, she might have realized she was unwittingly digging a grave for her best friend. Alora was visibly uncomfortable, her eyes fixed on the tattered piece of clothing as if she were caught in a trance, unable to move. Even Mia noticed her unease, her brow furrowing in curiosity as she wondered what had caused such a reaction.

"Alora, do you know something?"​

Mia glanced between Arc and Alora, sensing the tension thickening in the air like a dense fog. "Alora... is everything okay?" Her voice carried a note of concern, her eyes filled with worry as she looked at her friend, who was avoiding eye contact with everyone. If only they were aware of the internal battle she was facing, the millions of voices screaming in her head, pulling her in countless directions and leaving her paralyzed with indecision.

Tell them the truth! You're caught no matter what! A voice screamed inside her, daring her to surrender everything she had worked so hard to achieve. Run away! Run as fast as you can and don't EVER look back! Another voice rose above the rest, urging her to set aside her fears and take a different course of action. If you tell them then that mean Val will also be in danger! Another voice warned her, bringing her most cherished person into focus, forcing her to weigh what was truly worth fighting for more than ever before.

"I... I..." She began to speak, but the words caught in her throat, and she stumbled over her own speech, struggling to find the right things to say. There was no turning back now as she trembled uncontrollably, her hands quivering as she pulled them away from her cup of coffee and tangled them in her hair. The fear consumed her so profoundly that she wondered if she might lose control or pass out. Reassuringly Arc grabbed at her petite wrists, as if attempting to help calm her, but it almost made her more terrified.

"I was so scared, Mia... I didn't want to worry you..." Her voice shook with genuine fear, raw and unfiltered, not a hint of pretense or fabrication for effect. "Yes.... those are the pieces to my jersey... a v-vampire was about to k-kill me..." She wasn't lying; it was the truth. That was indeed a remnant of her jersey, and she was genuinely entangled in a struggle with a vampire. Nothing about her story was fabricated. "U-until a p-pureblood c-came and s-saved m-m-me..." This was where the situation became fabricated. She was the pureblood, not an innocent bystander. The rest of the story was something she had to invent on the fly, and the fear of being exposed for her deception consumed her more than anything else.

"They were covered in a hood and wearing a mask. They knew exactly what they were doing, but their pure white hair gave them away. B-but they didn't attack me... instead, they helped me..." She struggled to fabricate her story, trying to mix in some truth. She revealed how she had assisted an innocent woman by dealing a fatal blow to a monster, whose intentions were nothing but fatal. "Before I could thank them, they vanished. I didn't think anyone would believe me with how rare purebloods are..." She silently begged the deities above, hoping they would persuade Arc and Mia to listen to her trembling words and believe her story, knowing that some parts of it were indeed the truth.

Mia was struck silent, her eyes widening as her best friend revealed something so traumatic. For a brief moment, Alora saw a flicker of pain in Mia's eyes, a hint of regret for not being told sooner. But that pain was quickly overshadowed by a deep concern for Alora's safety and well-being, taking precedence over the hurt of being left in the dark. "Alora... why didn't you say something sooner? You could've been hurt... no... you could've been killed!" Mia's voice rose slightly in surprise, but she quickly caught herself, biting her lower lip to prevent her anger from overshadowing her deep worry. "This isn't something you hide, why did you?"

"Because I didn't want the pureblood to get killed because of me. They aided me. They were different."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Eᴄʜᴏ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 4:20
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I'ᴍ ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ᴛʜᴇɴ I'ᴍ ᴡʜɪᴛᴇ
ɴᴏ
Sᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪsɴ'ᴛ ʀɪɢʜᴛ
Mʏ ᴇɴᴇᴍʏ's ɪɴᴠɪsɪʙʟᴇ
I ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ ᴋɴᴏᴡ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ғɪɢʜᴛ
Tʜᴇ ᴛʀᴇᴍʙʟɪɴɢ ғᴇᴀʀ
Is ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴛʜᴀɴ I ᴄᴀɴ ᴛᴀᴋᴇ
Wʜᴇɴ I'ᴍ ᴜᴘ ᴀɢᴀɪɴsᴛ
Tʜᴇ ᴇᴄʜᴏ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪʀʀᴏʀ​

 

[Tenzai]

"A pureblood... Came and save you?"

When we met, I could see dark signs. Alarm bells in her eyes.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴅᴀʀᴋ ꜱɪɢɴꜱ | ꜱʟᴇᴇᴘ ᴛᴏᴋᴇɴ
↻◁ || ▷↺

And where we met, there must have been dark signs
Omens in your skies​

'Are there other vampires out there.... Like me?' The pen Arc wrote his notes with had dropped onto its page. His mind struggled to process together why another vampire would turn against their own kind, let alone a pureblood. When fighting against the vampires as one of them, betraying the goddess he had sworn fealty to in the process, he had always assumed he was fighting a lone war. The man was an isolated candle that flickered quietly against the night, warding off the darkness yet drawing the ire of creeping, abyssal tendrils forth the more that he consumed his own humanity. Arc understood he was fighting a losing battle, but he persisted in hopes that he could keep the people he loved safe just a little longer.

Stuck on an island surrounded by an endless crimson ocean from all sides, he believed himself to be the only one of their kind that was willing to strike back against the sanguine tides. Try as humanity must to hold the monsters at bay, there was only so much they could do when the gap in power was monumental. Without a unionized effort to focus on the vampiric menace with some among the higher ups believing that the vampire attacks were merely a government ploy to redirect funding; Even with the help of his own police department, there was only so much he could do. Unfortunately for the lead detective, they had the wealth and know-how to navigate pr. One among her apostles must have infiltrated even the most influential rungs of power. Those monsters knew how to divide and conquer.

Though, not all hope was lost in the vampiric detective. Seeing Alora's genuine concern for her own flesh and blood had reminded him of why he chose to resist so hard in the first place. Even if he was hated by all else, he wouldn't stop loving his family. Even if she knew how much of a monster he truly was, he would never cease in his purpose of protecting her until he knew for a guarantee that she was safe. Adelaide was all Arc had left.

Their care for their own family was the link that bonded the two vampires. Through his innate understanding of her emotional compulsion to keep her sibling safe, Arc was able to read that Alora wasn't lying. Her nervousness was leading him to believe she wasn't expressing her complete truth, however the purity mixed in with her words and the character she had portrayed herself to be had given Arc a clue. Alora had a reason to mask the explicit details. Whomever that pureblood was must have given her a reason to do so.

With this knowledge in mind, Arc had a lead...

... And Alora was the key.​

If it meant that he wouldn't be alone in his fight any longer, that there was another like him that he could learn to trust to be by his side when it came down to it, it was worth taking the risk. There was too much he needed to handle on his own. As a result of his observations on his talented, powerful, and resourceful enemy, he understood that the only way to muster up a reasonable defense against them was to utilize every advantage he could. While his particular ability might have given him an edge when it came to planning and scheming, it did very little when the actual fighting occurred. He needed help to compensate for his weaknesses, less his soul should fall victim to one of their dark goddess' schemes.

However, Arc needed to navigate this carefully. To show too much interest would garner him suspicion from the two students in front of him as well as the coworkers he worked alongside. He had his own doubts over the level of sanguine influence in his own department too. Despite the exhaustive measures he put in place to screen out potential vampires from the pool of recruits, he knew he wasn't perfect. There was always another window of which a smart vampire could intrude. All they needed was time before they could piece apart his plans. Arc was just a few steps ahead of them; With every day, he was losing his lead inch by inch. He was running out of time.

"Alora," He picked up his pen, scratching out his past plan as he spoke. "This pureblood. You said they defended you against another vampire right? Do you have any idea as to why they chose to protect you?" Arc placed his pen to the side, flipping through past pages of scrawled notes to revisit past cases. While it was more common to see human corpses whenever vampires were involved, there have been few occasions in the city where they stumbled upon the corpse of a vampire instead. Originally written off as a murder caused by an insult to their pride, to hear a potential motive being the protection of another had given him some new insight. Perhaps the lead detective wasn't the only one of his rebellious kind.

A ray of hope in the darkness.

A potential ally.​

"Admittedly... Wasn't the first time I've stumbled upon a scene like this." Arc had turned his notebook towards, showing several sketches of scenes she defended others in the past. Though interestingly enough, there were also other scenes sketched where she was never present. "Some of them were very similar to the scene that just happened off campus. Cracks in concrete. Dents in metal. And the bodies... It's as if someone repeatedly struck the vampires with their fists." Her reaction to his words had bled more of her truth. She knew more than she was letting on.

"So pure white hair, yet they're covering their identity... Hmm..." It was an odd sight for a vampire. Typical purebloods were never seen with strands of pure white. They were too prideful as well to hide their identity. 'Dye perhaps?' He shook his head at the thought. There was a reason why the vampires had avoided that color specifically, though the reason escaped him. Closing his eyes, he looked through his past memories trying to identify the cause as to why the color was deemed so malignant. At first, he found nothing. It wasn't an ordinary fear that most vampires even knew of. However, the further he searched into his soul, the closer he got until finally, he heard his goddess' words.

"𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕡𝕦𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕪 𝕠𝕗 𝕤𝕟𝕠𝕨 𝕓𝕖𝕘𝕖𝕥𝕤 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕒𝕟𝕘𝕖𝕝 𝕠𝕗 𝕕𝕖𝕒𝕥𝕙."

A white-haired myth she spoke of as though it were real.​

There were few threats that the goddess had deemed worthy enough to bring to her favored children's attention. Though, above them all was this so-called angel of death. Whoever they were was the bane of her existence; An abomination that sought to bring her empire to ruin. The other apostles had mocked the idea, finding the mere concept of single being capable of tearing all they built asunder as insanity. Few among them had found weight in her words but all that existed underneath her dark gaze had taken white hair to be a sign of damnation.

While the contrast in power between the vampires and their human prey was vast, the difference in strength between them and the angel of death was unfathomable. As such, their goddess had ingrained in her apostles caution towards any human that had white hair in general. Having someone that dangerous around Adelaide had put forth fear in the detective's heart; Though it was that same fear that drew him towards the being. If there was anyone he needed to be in the good graces of, it was them.

Unlike the minds of the others in his department, Arc had shown no hatred towards the pureblood. However, as much as the detective had wished to continue the interview, Alora was visibly shaken. If he was going to work with her, there was little use in turning this interview into an interrogation; Especially if Alora herself was innocent. Arc gave her a gentle nod and a polite bow. "Actually... You don't have to answer my questions if you're not ready. It was rude of me to ask for your help so soon after you went through that traumatic experience." He was genuinely sorry. Seeing her shaken had reminded him of his sister back home. His selfishness had caused their relationship to turn cold. He wasn't going to do that again to another if he could help it, especially someone as essential as Alora.

"Here. In the case you're ever ready to share." Arc scribbled his number and his office address on a napkin. "I won't force you to help me... But if you really care about who you're protecting here," His eyes glanced over her bruised fingers. "I would like to speak with you in a place where you could feel safe. Only when you're ready of course." He gave an apologetic bow towards Mia as well. "I'm happy you've found a friend that could care about you so much. Treasure them. Reasons to fight for only come once in a lifetime. Don't be like me and waste your opportunity to spend time with the people you love most. Nothing is worth the heartache."

A smile adorned his face.

But his eyes had given off nothing but pain.​

"Thank you for your time." Finally, he stood up, walking over to the register to pay off their tab before leaving the cafe. "So, get anything useful out of them?" Vega leaned on the wall outside, smoking a cig and blowing the fumes in the detective's face. "No. Nothing you need to concern yourself over." The pink haired vampire looked at his partner curiously for a moment before leaving beside him. "Oh? So you just went on a date with a couple college girls?" He gave him a playful nudge. "On company time too? Damn Arc~ So scandalous. Vex is gonna be so pissed that it isn't her." Arc rolled his eyes, returning back to a casual demeanor. "Like you have anything to say about having a normal relationship, tell me. How long has your longest relationship last? Three days?... Three.... Hours?"

"Oh, shut the fuck up. Let's just get a bite before someone catches us. I'm starving."​

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Vɪʟʟɪᴀɴ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:31
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Tʜɪs ɪs ᴡʜᴀᴛ I ɢᴇᴛ
Uɴᴊᴜsᴛɪғɪᴀʙʟᴇ ᴘᴜɴɪsʜᴍᴇɴᴛ
I ɢᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴍʏ ʜᴀɴᴅ, ʏᴏᴜ ʙʀᴏᴋᴇ ᴍʏ ᴡʀɪsᴛ
Aɴᴅ sᴄᴏʀᴄʜᴇᴅ ᴍʏ sᴋɪɴ
Hᴏᴡ ᴄᴏᴜʟᴅ I ʟᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ɪɴ
I ᴄᴀɴ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ғᴏʀɢᴇᴛ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴛʀᴀɴsɢʀᴇssɪᴏɴs
Yᴏᴜ ᴡᴏɴ'ᴛ ʟᴇᴛ ᴜᴘ ᴛɪʟʟ I'ᴍ ɪɴ ᴀ ᴄᴏғғɪɴ​

A weight settled in her chest as Adelaide sniffled through the lingering remnants of her tears. She shifted, rolling onto her side, her fingers untangling from the pillow still damp with sorrow. Letting her legs dangle over the edge of the bed, she blinked against the dimming light, the early setting sun a reminder of winter’s grip. With a deep breath, she pressed her palms into the mattress and stood, her feet heavy, dragging her toward the kitchen as she left her room.

At the end of the hallway stood Arc's bedroom, a door she couldn’t avoid glancing at every time she left her own room. She halted mid-step, her eyes lingering on the closed door, amplifying the emptiness of the apartment as she was the only one inside its quiet walls. Go inside. Why not? A voice teased in her mind, tempting her with a thought she hadn’t fully entertained before. You’re curious, aren’t you? You hardly know him anymore. She shook her head, trying to push away the intrusive thoughts, but the more she resisted, the louder they became.

Though she was alone in the apartment, the voices in her head swelled, overlapping and urging her to open the door. Her gut churned with an uneasy feeling, like an alarm ringing deep inside, hinting that there was something behind the door - something that might help her, somehow. “No. It’s wrong,” she whispered to herself, squeezing her eyes shut, desperate to block out the rising chaos in her mind. But the chant only intensified. Do it. Do it. The pressure grew unbearable, until her body acted on its own, her feet turning her toward the door. Her trembling right hand reached out, fingers wrapping around the cold knob, and with a hesitant breath, she began to turn it…

Locked.​

“...W-why?” Adelaide asked the question aloud, though she knew no answer would come. The silence lingered, amplifying her confusion. Why did he lock his door when it was just the two of them? Her curiosity spiked, stronger than her earlier resolve, and she pushed aside her better judgment, determined to find a way in. Rushing into the kitchen, she yanked open a drawer, nearly pulling it off its track in her haste. Her fingers wrapped around a butter knife, and with a loud thud, she slammed the drawer shut, legs carrying her swiftly back to his door.

Gripping the doorknob with her left hand, she guided the knife with her right, slipping the blade into the slim crack between the door and the frame. With careful precision, she worked the knife, feeling the resistance give way until she heard the soft, satisfying click of the lock releasing. Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs, a drumbeat of anxiety as she stood on the verge of crossing a line she couldn't uncross. Now, with the door unlocked, hesitation gripped her. She bit her lower lip, fingers tightening around the knob until her knuckles turned white. With a deep breath, she squeezed her eyes shut and turned the handle, the door creaking open with an eerie groan, granting her entry.

As she opened her eyes, the disarray of Arc's room immediately hit her. Empty wine bottles littered the floor, scattered carelessly across the room. Her gaze shifted to his desk, where unmarked pill bottles lay among crumpled papers, their contents a mystery. She stepped forward, her eyes scanning every corner, committing the chaotic scene to memory. She crouched down, picking up a wine bottle, turning it over in her hand with a puzzled frown. Arc never drank, at least not that she remembered. By his bed, a corkboard displayed photos of their family, a collection of moments frozen in time, meant to serve as a reminder of what mattered most to him. She spotted her own face in several of them, but scoffed, her heart unmoved by his apparent affection for her.

As she paced the room, something with a subtle glint caught her eye from the corner of her vision, drawing her attention toward his desk. Her entire body shifted instinctively. "Was that... no. It can't be... can it?" Her gaze locked onto a shimmering object buried beneath scattered papers. With growing unease, she stepped forward and gently brushed the papers aside. Her heart sank as her eyes widened in disbelief. There, lying exposed on the desk, was her mother's necklace - the one she had cherished since their father gifted it to her on an anniversary. But now, it was stained with dried, crimson remnants.

"H-how?" she whispered, her voice trembling as she delicately picked up the necklace, her fingers shaking. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared down at the piece, now filled with painful questions.

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pᴏᴘᴜʟᴀʀ Mᴏɴsᴛᴇʀ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 2:31
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I'ᴍ ᴀ ʟɪᴀʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ᴄʜᴇᴀᴛᴇʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ɴᴏɴʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇʀ
I'ᴍ ᴀ ᴘᴏᴘᴜʟᴀʀ M҈O҈N҈S҈T҈E҈R҈​

"Alora."​

She flinched, instinctively recoiling as if she were about to be scolded, though she’d done nothing wrong. Wiping away the tear streaks that escaped her lashes, she sniffled, lifting her head to meet Arc’s gaze, forcing herself to focus on him despite the breakdown she’d just had in front of him and Mia.

“I-I don’t know why they helped me... they didn’t have to. They could’ve let me die, but instead, they stepped in and saved me.”

Alora knew the truth behind why she saved others. It wasn't out of obligation or duty; it was a deep, gnawing guilt that haunted her - guilt for the suffering of humans, disgust at how her own kind sought to control the world. What she craved more than anything was to restore balance, to bring back the order that had been lost. She needed to restore that peace.

Mia remained quiet as Alora continued, resisting the urge to interrupt. She shifted in her seat, her own emotions stirring. Though it hurt that Alora hadn't confided in her sooner, Mia understood why she had kept it hidden. She swallowed the sting of betrayal, reminding herself that now, at least, she was being included. Better late than never, she thought, doing her best to keep her feelings from clouding the moment.

As Arc presented the confidential evidence, her eyes moved quickly over the documents, recognizing some while others seemed unfamiliar. She made an effort to mask her reactions, but her furrowed brows betrayed her, revealing curiosity - or perhaps something else entirely. She hoped he wouldn’t delve deeper into her reactions, and fortunately, despite his probing questions, he chose not to interrogate her further. "I wasn't involved in any of the others, but I've heard talk of the others." While it was mostly true, she couldn't shake the awareness that some scenes she had assisted other students with had been captured as well. Did anyone else recount the same story? Had they seen her, or were there no witnesses? She hoped fervently that no one had mentioned her. Her curiosity was almost overwhelming, tempting her to ask about it, but she kept her lips sealed, determined not to invite further scrutiny.

"Actually... You don't have to answer my questions if you're not ready. It was rude of me to ask for your help so soon after you went through that traumatic experience."​

Silently, she thanked whatever deity had granted her mercy. The investigator, taking her trauma into account, chose not to press her further, likely hoping to avoid reopening wounds she had worked so hard to close - at least, that was what he believed. She could fight those damned vampires endlessly, but Alora was nothing like Twylya, and she refused to let her double life be exposed, not even to her best friend. "I-I'm so sorry... I'm just so shaken up by it..." Her trembling voice was genuine, reflecting the real terror of almost being caught.

"Please, if you don't mind excusing us." Mia pushed her chair back and stood up, choosing not to get anything to eat and instead finishing her free beverage. She waited for Alora to rise from her seat as well, then gently wrapped her arm around her in a comforting gesture, feeling the tremor of her body beneath her touch. "We have a lot to unpack."

Alora glanced between her friend and Arc, accepting his business card as he explained himself. She studied the card briefly, knowing that despite his offer for her to speak when she was ready, he would inevitably seek a story from her - he was relentless, whether she liked it or not. "Here, I'll text you now so you have my number." She pulled out her iPhone and created a new contact, entering his phone number before sending him a simple message stating who it was. "There, now you have my number. I'll try to get back to you tomorrow. I understand this is a serious case, and I'm eager to help end this madness, but..." She trailed off, looking away. "Please, don't harm the pureblood who helped me. I believe they're trying to protect this world." She tried to brush it off as if she couldn't fully explain it, but deep down, she felt that they were genuinely trying to help the world.

The two girls bowed formally before Arc and left the café, quickly disappearing from his view. Mia chose to remain silent, honoring Alora's privacy, but Alora knew she had to explain more about the situation. As they walked, she elaborated on the details, weaving more fabrications despite the guilt that weighed on her. She aimed to keep her friend informed while concealing the truth. Even though Mia now knew about the "attack," she held Alora close and pleaded with her to share any future incidents, promising unwavering support and concern.

They still had a test and more classes to get through, but the encounter with Arc haunted her for the rest of the evening, his face lingering in the depths of her mind. Alora struggled to focus throughout the day, her distraction only fading when it was time to head home.

"Val, I'm home!" she called out as she burst through the door, fully expecting her brother to be tucked away in his room, perhaps working on a project or engrossed in his own activities. "We need to talk, unless you already saw it?" She shut the door behind her and locked it, allowing her true self to emerge. Her usual chestnut hair gave way to her snowy white tresses, and her eyes shifted to a deep purple, revealing her natural features.

"I'm scared, Val... I have a terrible feeling about this..."​

 

[Tenzai]

"Is this the place?"

"You'd think that bastard would live somewhere nicer."

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ᴛɪʟʟ ɪ ᴅɪᴇ | 1ɴᴏɴʟʏ & ꜱxᴍᴘʀᴀ
↻◁ || ▷↺

Walk up out the door, left a note up on my dresser
They tell me everyday that life is on its way to better
But I can't seem to shake the fact that I've been getting fed up
That's why my mind is drifting to the thought of a Beretta​

While Arc was out with Vega, a couple vampires had staked out his home from a nearby car. Even if the lead detective had yet to be outed as the prodigal vampire himself, he as a human was known for getting in the way of the local covens' schemes. By doing all he could to prevent the innocent from sharing his fate, he had provoked the ire of other vampires, turning their hostilities against him. "The fucking nerve, that human would need to have to think he could live in peace after killing one of our own. I can't wait to sink my fangs into his corpse." One of them spoke, puffing smoke against their window. To them, Twyla had yet to be known. As a result, it was easier to put the blame towards the face responsible for protecting the cattle. To these vampires, heroes like Arc needed to be made an example of. He stood in the way of their rule, potentially inspiring others to do the same.

"Boss said to make the hit as dirty as possible. Leave a mess if we could help it." His partner responded. "Gotta make sure his murder makes it on the front page of the news so no one follows in his footsteps." As they examined the front of his property, they realized he had yet to arrive. His car wasn't in the driveway and with the tracks faded as they were from the falling snow, it appeared he hadn't been home in a while either. "Shit, no point in breaking in too soon. Can't have someone calling the cops before he even comes." The vampire sighed, leaning back his seat as he rested. Though, before he was able to fully relax, his partner had brought up an interesting observation.

"Hey T, look at that." He pointed out towards the front of the frosted glass doorway. On the other side appeared to be a pair of boots, suggesting a woman was living with him. A fanged smirk had grown over his face. "Looks like the detective has a girl living with him. Think it's a wife? A girlfriend? A daughter or sister?" The other vampire had rolled his eyes. "What? Why are you looking at me like that? Can't we have a little fun? If they're both going to die anyway, the least we could do is enjoy them while they're screaming."

"Job first before pleasure, X. I don't want you fucking this up for us..." One of the vampires had held a strict personality in contrast to his partner's. It helped them keep control over his partner's particular tendencies when it came to torture. "... Afterwards though. The girl is yours. Just make sure not to bring her back, got it? The last thing I want is the boss to complain about us leaving witnesses." A crooked smile cracked over the torturer, displaying his delight in his partner's words. "Of course. I'll make sure to leave her in pieces. Don't worry you pretty little face~ After I had my fun of course!"

---

Substances could never mask his thirst.

Nor did it ever hide his history. High, drunk, or sober, Arc was still a monster.
​

Inside of Arc's room was a mess made up of empty wine and pill bottles. Alongside them were non-descript pills and powders meant to distract the poor man from his reality. Yet in spite of their intense effects, he always found himself returning back to his sober mind as a result of his vampiric regeneration. Even his vices could do little to help him escape from his goddess' supposed blessing. Among the pictures of various crime scenes as well as evidence of vampiric influence in various organizations, Adelaide was able to find letters that were addressed to her spanning as far back as the day they first moved in.

Each sealed envelope had her name and a date ascribed atop, the contents within holding pieces of her brother's fragmented heart. Beside them were pictures of their past life; Smiles that were the result of their combined efforts as well as memories frozen in time of their achievements. These were what kept him going regardless of his fate. These were what kept him human. Underneath the pile of envelopes sat an empty pistol with a single silver round laying beside it. A note was written next to it which read:

'In case I ever lose myself.'

'I'm sorry, Adelaide. I hope you could one day forgive me for the thing I've become.'​

Above the mountain of paperwork and strewn files stood his mother's memento. Still stained in the blood of the murder scene, Arc refused to clean it to remind himself of what sin he committed during that day. He hoped one day, he would be able to see the necklace and feel as though his acts were able to earn him his redemption in their eyes. Unfortunately though, that day never came. His sin was too much of a burden for the man he became to move on from. The memory of his parents was an anchor to his past, keeping him hooked onto the dark goddess' clutches regardless of how much he struggled to break free. Arc was the reason why Adelaide suffered. Unconsciously, he didn't want to forget who caused the torment of her solitude to transpire. While it may have been the goddess' fault over all things, he couldn't shake off the cruel fact that...

If he died then. She could have lived a normal life.

Perhaps if he died now, she could be cut free from his tragic fate.​

But the idea of seeing his parents too soon, only for them to show him the same disdain that his sister did by failing in his promise to protect her; It was a fate worse than hell. He was forced into this fate against his will, struggling to maintain the balance of keeping his sister safe and keeping her happy. The more he would give in to one end, the more he suffered because of the other.

In their past life, he focused on her happiness. Arc had wished to give her a life worth living in spite of her parent's absence. As a result, he found no time better in his life than then. With the added zeal that came from nearly losing his own, he made the most of their time together. Though that dream unfortunately had come to an end too soon. Seeing those fanged beasts speaking with her at her old school, using their unnatural charisma to tempt her to somewhere alone, had put a new fear in him. 'At least, even if she is unhappy, she would be safe.' He thought.

By locking the door, he hoped she would never find that other side of him. He was afraid that she would see him differently if she saw how bad his life had truly gotten and the reasons for it. From how bad their relationship had deteriorated after their first argument, her brother had wished to hide the truth away to avoid their bond from getting any worse. It didn't matter how much struggle he would be put through; Arc couldn't afford to lose her, even if it cost himself in the process. Unfortunately for her sister, she could hear the sound of his car pulling into the driveway.

For one of the few rare times this year,

Arc arrived home early. ​

Arc reached for his keys, unlocking the door to reveal a quiet house. The lights were dark though his eyes had seen his surroundings as though it were day. "I'm home... Adelaide." The vampire took off his shoes as if everything was normal. He was already used to not hearing any response back. Usually, whenever he was around, she had locked herself in her room to avoid speaking with him. It was only during times where they would eat together where he would see her in person. Quiet and stoic, he typically kept quiet to avoid disturbing her peace any further.

However, something was wrong. His room at the end of the hall was open. 'Weird, I could have sworn I closed that last night.' As he approached, he found his sister hunched over his desk; A familiar glimmer had sparkled from his desk light. She was holding on to his father's gift: His mother's beloved necklace. "Adelaide..." Arc was stunned at the sight. To think she would break into his room and find what he hid for so long, it was a nightmare to behold. His fear had come true: Finally, the day arrived where he had to explain himself.

"It's not what it looks like." His voice struggled to voice the same practiced motions he trained to speak with at his workplace. Seeing her tears had wrought ruin onto his composure. "I could explain." His mind found it difficult to determine the best course of action. What was he to do when faced with voicing his truth? Would this ruin his relationship if she were to know what actually happened? Would it be worse to lie to her? His heart had sunk his chest, hoping to see any response to gauge the best course of action. However, he received nothing. A quiet had passed over the room. It was a stillness that lasted for an eternity.

Silence before the storm.

The lull that came before calamity.​

Just as he was able to silently muster the strength to approach her and bridge the pause, the desk light had turned off. The fan above had slowed to a halt as though the power was cut. Arc's eyes were clear, aiding him in walking towards his sister before his precise hearing had caught onto the sounds of others outside. They weren't alone. Realizing something dreadfully wrong, he charged towards Adelaide, pulling her into his arms.

"I cut the power, T." X closed their power box, tossing the lock that once protected it to the side. They were already used to the motions of contract hits, finding this as ordinary procedure. "Good, no point in keeping them waiting now." T handed his partner a mask before donning his own. "Come on, let's go and collect our paycheck." Loading their weapons, they aimed their barrels towards the wooden walls that separated the two siblings from the outside.

"Let God handle what comes next."

A flurry of lead had pierced the boundary, disturbing the peace of their new home.

'Til I die, bitch, I'm riding for the gang
Tell 'em "Fuck the money", and I tell 'em "Fuck the fame"
Stayin' on the low, bitch, they stayin' on my case
Every day, I wake up, put a mask upon my face​

To build more chaos for the residents within and to take full advantage of the advantage of surprise, one among them had used their vampiric magic to enhance their fire rate to ridiculous levels: Tempo Royale, a magic that increased or decreased the speed of a localized space. By applying it to their hand and weapon, they were able to fire a storm of rounds in a fraction of the time. With X's extended magazine to help keep up with his rapidity, Arc was forced to brace without cover, shielding Adelaide from the inaccurate attacks of the outside.

His blood had spilled onto her body as he clutched her. His regenerative healing reduced the lethality of each attack, though the pain was surging. Through his adrenaline, he was able to bear the brunt of whatever lucky rounds landed into his body. Heaving once the storm had passed, he looked down at Adelaide. "You... Alright, Addy?" Arc called her by her nickname, focusing first on her instead of himself. He didn't care much for his own wellbeing, though from the look of fear on her face, he knew that things would change. They weren't going to be the same if they managed to get out of this.

"Stay in here, okay?" Arc lifted his blood-stained body, drawing his own weapon from inside his suit jacket. His voice was dropped to a polite tone, easing the tension as much as he could for her. Adelaide wasn't a fighter in his eyes. Just a girl that was exposed to violent circumstances against her will. The danger he did his best to keep away from her had finally found them, forcing his hand.

"Keep your head down and hide inside my closet. If someone comes in and they don't knock, don't reveal yourself. ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖." He gave her head a gentle rub, trying to instill confidence and trust in his sister despite their poor relationship. The situation was dire enough to demand it, forcing him to breach the boundary they once held prior. "Leave this to me. I promise, you'll make it out safely." While he spoke, little did he realize that his eyes were glowing red as his ability manifested. To keep her safe, Arc beckoned her soul to follow his commands. If he had to be a monster to keep her safe, he would.

No one was going to get away from hurting his family...

... Alive.​

Once Arc left, Adelaide could hear the sounds of crashing glass and a burst of physical blows just outside the door. The sounds of it had suggested that it wasn't a one sided struggle, though before long, another pistol different from the ones that fired first had been discharged... Again and again. In mere minutes, the chaos that erupted had finally come down to a standstill as the sounds of a car driving off had signaled the end of the conflict. As soon as it began, it ended.

The vampire had walked back towards his office as a trail of his own blood had pooled behind him. With a couple knocks that revealed his identity, Arc calmly walked over to the closet to open it with bandages in hand. A weak smile had adorned his face, finding that she was still breathing once the fighting was said and done. He was able to protect his sister again for now. Releasing her from his control, he hugged her tightly; Tears spilling down her shoulder as he held her close. "I know you might be angry at me... Or scared... I won't blame you if you're one or the other but... Right now. Please act like you like me enough to listen." His voice was dropped to a whisper, signaling the extent of his damage.

Bruises had covered his knuckles and face. Cuts had appeared over his legs, arms, neck, and cheek. His suit was in ruins, though the armor he wore underneath had protected his vitals. He was still breathing, but it looked as though consciousness was nearly evading him. "I'm sorry, Addy. I'm sorry for trying to protect you so much. From this." He clung onto her tightly, his wounds bleeding further as he did. "I thought, if I devoted myself to my work. To keeping you safe, you'd be able to live without fear of losing your life... Like I do."

His blood was growing cold as the adrenaline had left his system. "But I see I was wrong. I was so very wrong. I'm sorry for being selfish. I'm sorry for... Coming back to you." His mind had returned back to their argument all those years ago. "You don't have to forgive me... And you're right. If mom and dad were still here... And I wasn't. None of this would be happening to you." Arc reached towards his wallet and keys tiredly, placing both in her hands. "Here. Keys to the car and a couple cards you could use. Find a hotel to hide in until the coast is clear. Maybe if I'm not around to bother you any longer, you'll be able to live as you like again. To do as you want without fear of... Of being hurt because of me. So please."

"Do yourself a favor and leave me. Leave me and never look back.
I don't think I'm enough to protect you anymore."

"There's nothing for you here other than death."​

---

"Val, I'm home!"

"Welcome back Twy! I missed you!"​

Val put away his paintbrush, wiping the sweat off his brow as he greeted his beloved sister. In front of him stood another one of his paintings that he wished to sell at the local market. While Twyla was away studying her major, her brother had put his mind to work to help finance her schooling. His major wasn't as intensive as hers, allowing him the freedom to create and make money to pay for the books and other supplies necessary for her to succeed. "Is something wrong? You don't look like yourself..." His face was covered in different shades of paint, revealing how much work and focus he placed into his art. "We need to talk, unless you already saw it?"

"Saw what?" Once she turned after locking her door, he walked over to her with a gentle smile on his face. In contrast however, his eyes had given her a look of concern. "I'm scared, Val... I have a terrible feeling about this..." He placed his hands at his hips. "Well, how about we talk it over some animal blood! I tried infusing it with tea to give it a bit of flavor, but there's only so much I could do to well... Make it actually taste appetizing." Her brother gestured her over to the table, avoiding stepping on the various empty tubes of paint as he carefully navigated his way to the kitchen.

"So, what got you nervous?"

"OH! Did Mia set you up with another date again?"​

He placed his fist in his hand, thinking he figured out what his sister was nervous about. "Please tell me he's not as bad as the last one. Least she could do is set you up with someone compatible. A fucking chef? Really?" He rolled his eyes playfully, trying to ease the tension. "... Aw, don't tell me she's asking you to be her wingman again. Double dates are NOT the way to go!"

Character Hex Codes

Val - #9d694e

 

[Kitten]

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Sᴀғᴇ ᴀɴᴅ Sᴏᴜɴᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺
I'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴅ ɴᴇᴡs Aʟʟ ɴɪɢʜᴛ
Sᴡɪᴍᴍɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴀ sᴀғᴇ ᴘʟᴀᴄᴇ Tʜᴀᴛ's ʀᴜɴ ᴅʀʏ
Yᴏᴜ'ʟʟ ɴᴇᴠᴇʀ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄʜᴀɴᴄᴇ ᴛᴏ Rᴇᴡɪɴᴅ
Yᴏᴜ sᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ, ʙᴜᴛ ᴅᴏɴ'ᴛ I ɴᴇᴇᴅ ᴀɴ ᴀɴᴛɪᴅᴏᴛᴇ
Wʜᴇɴ sᴀғᴇ ᴀɴᴅ sᴏᴜɴᴅ Cᴏᴍᴇs ʙᴜʀɴɪɴɢ ᴅᴏᴡɴ
I'ʟʟ ʙᴇ ɢᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʙᴀᴅ ɴᴇᴡs Aʟʟ ɴɪɢʜᴛ
Lᴇᴛᴛɪɴɢ ɢᴏ ᴏғ ʜɪɢʜ ʜᴏᴘᴇs Tʜᴀᴛ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅɪᴇᴅ
Dɪᴇ.
​

In her palm, the diamonds gleamed with a fierce brilliance, but the once-elegant necklace bore remnants of its tragic history. Deep, dark stains of dried blood clung to its worn ridges, the faint scent of iron lingering in the air. She couldn’t tell if the metallic smell came from rust or the traces of blood long since dried. "Has it really been almost three years, Mom?" she whispered. The memories surged back, overwhelming her like a crashing wave. The pain of losing her parents resurfaced, as sharp and raw as the day she learned of their murder, threatening to pull her under.

Her grip tightened around the necklace as her eyes swept over his desk, taking in the scattered papers from his latest cases - the same cases that had kept him working late into the night, often at the expense of their time together. She couldn’t deny she missed Arc, though admitting it felt like betraying her own pride. Making amends with him seemed impossible when his vision for her life felt more like a cage than freedom, trapping her like some storybook princess. As her fingers brushed over a stack of binders, two in particular stood out, drawing her attention.

She picked up the thin binder, her heart skipping a beat as she read the title: ‘Vampire Caught Murdering Her Roommate.’ Flipping it open, her breath caught in her throat. There, staring back at her, was a mugshot of her childhood friend, Carla Evans. Her name printed beneath the photo made the reality hit harder. The document laid out the grisly details of the crime. Witnesses had reported hearing blood-curdling screams, soon replaced by sickening gurgles, as if the victim was drowning. When police finally broke down the door, they found the victim choking on her own blood, while Carla, with her elongated fangs buried in the woman's flesh, remained indifferent to their presence, continuing to feast as the life drained from her roommate’s body.

Addy shuddered, a wave of goosebumps rippling across her skin. She couldn’t reconcile the image of sweet, innocent Carla with the monstrous act described in the file. The thought of her childhood friend enduring such torment, spiraling into this darkness, made her frown. As she turned the page, her eyes widened in disbelief - an interview with Carla revealed the chilling truth. She had admitted to wanting to be turned into a vampire, driven by years of bullying, and the desire to wield enough power to destroy anyone who had ever tormented her. Addy’s heart ached with guilt. If only she had reached out more, maybe she could have understood Carla’s pain, steered her toward a different path. Scanning down to the final lines of the document, the words "sentenced to death" leapt off the page, and tears welled up in her eyes, blurring the text.

She set the document down, unable to look at it any longer. Wiping her tears with the back of her hand, she smeared the wet droplets against her skin, trying to pull herself together. Her eyes then drifted to the second binder, much thicker than the first - as if someone had poured endless hours into this case. The title read: "Married Couple Slaughtered by Vampire, Their Bodies Unrecognizable."

Don’t look at this, her conscience pleaded, urging her not to give in to the gnawing curiosity. But it was too late. She had already surrendered her better judgment, drawn in too deep to turn back. With trembling hands, she flipped the cover open, and a wave of nausea immediately washed over her. The first images showed her parents, alive and smiling. But just below those, her breath caught in her throat as the gruesome crime scene was laid bare - what remained of their bodies barely resembled humans anymore. Torn apart, they were nothing more than grotesque fragments of flesh, unidentifiable and nightmarish.

​

Why did Arc have these gut-wrenching photos and their case? Was he still hunting for their killer after all these years? Was he unable to let go, clinging to the only remnants he had left - the case file? Questions flooded her mind, each more agonizing than the last, as she tightened her grip around her mother’s necklace. The dried blood crumbled under her fingers, flaking into dust. She cursed her curiosity, wishing she had trusted her instincts and left the binder untouched.

Her body rebelled against the horror, her stomach churning violently. She rushed to the small trash can by his bed, retching as the bitter stench of stomach acid filled the air. Gasping for breath, she tried to steady herself, the weight of everything crashing down on her like a tidal wave. The room spun around her, and she grasped for something - anything - to pull herself back to reality. All she wanted was for things to go back to how they used to be. Back to family dinners filled with laughter and warmth, sharing stories of their accomplishments with her parents, who always listened with pride. But now, they would never see her grow up. They wouldn't be there to walk her down the aisle or watch her find someone who would cherish her like a princess. They'd never get to hold her future children, or become the loving grandparents they should have been.

The sense of loss overwhelmed her, sharp and unforgiving. She felt so deeply cheated, but more than that, her parents were cheated the most - robbed of the life they deserved, the memories they should have been a part of. It wasn't fair. It wasn't right.

In the corner of her tear-blurred vision, an array of carefully wrapped presents caught her attention. They sat on another table in Arc's room, each one wrapped with care, adorned with colorful ribbons and thoughtful touches. Forcing herself to stand, she wiped the bitter remnants of bile from her lips, the sour taste still lingering on her tongue. Her fingers pinched a card tied to one of the ribbons, the familiar handwriting on it stopping her in her tracks - To: Addy, it read. The wrapping paper was Christmas-themed, and as she scanned the rest of the pile, confusion settled in. There was a decent stack of gifts, more than she remembered receiving from him in recent years. Were these for this Christmas? Or had they been collecting dust, forgotten from the ones he hadn't managed to give her in years past? The thought tugged at her heart, adding another layer of confusion to the storm of emotions swirling inside her.

Her grip tightened around the necklace, a grounding connection she couldn't bring herself to release. Her gaze drifted back to the table cluttered with documents and case files, a place where Arc had seemingly buried parts of himself along with his work. A storm of emotions churned within her - curiosity, dread, anger - pulling her in conflicting directions. Should she keep digging? Uncover whatever else he might be hiding? The thought gnawed at her, tempting her to find the answers to the questions swirling in her mind. But the weight of what she had already seen made her hesitate. Was she ready to face even more heartache? Or would knowing everything help her finally understand him - and the ghosts of their shared past?

"Adelaide..."​

Arc's voice hit her like a bullet to the chest, leaving Addy stunned. How did I not hear him come into the apartment? A wave of shame washed over her, realizing how easily she had been caught off guard in her own home. What terrified her most wasn't just the surprise - it was the unsettling fact that she hadn't heard the door unlock, open, or even the faintest echo of his footsteps. But as the initial shock subsided, a new fear took its place - he had caught her red-handed in his room, a room that was supposed to be locked.

"It's not what it looks like. I could explain."​

It was ironic how he was the one to bring it up, not her, especially when she was clearly the one in the wrong. What could he possibly have to apologize for? She was the one intruding, meddling in his business, violating his personal space. She should have been the one scrambling to explain herself, not him… yet the look on his face told a story far more complicated than what Addy could see at first glance. She was too naïve to piece together why he had those documents, or the significance of the necklace. But seeing him so shaken by her presence in his room stirred a deeper worry in her - something far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

"No, Arc, let me explain, I—" Her words were abruptly swallowed by the stillness that filled the room, a silence so heavy it was almost deafening. The air felt thick, and the only sounds were the ragged breaths they both took, accompanied by the frantic pounding of her heart in her ears. Suddenly, everything around them plunged into complete darkness, as if the world had been swallowed by the void. Addy's voice trembled as she broke the silence. "Did we forget to pay the light bill?" she asked, her eyes straining to make sense of the endless blackness that surrounded them, as vast as the emptiness of space itself.

Nothing made sense as she felt Arc's strong arms coil around her, pulling her close, shielding her trembling body from something she couldn't fully comprehend. "Arc, what's gotten into—"

BANG BANG BANG​

A barrage of gunfire erupted, tearing through the air with brutal intensity. The relentless speed of the rounds seemed unreal, like something out of a Hollywood movie, but the sharp whip of bullets cutting through the space around her told a different story. They should have hit her - should have pierced through flesh. She screamed, her voice an involuntary response to the sheer terror that gripped her, struggling to believe something straight out of a film could unfold before her eyes. This had to be a nightmare. It couldn't be real. Yet she could feel Arc's body pressed against hers, his arms a human shield, willing to absorb every shot if it meant she would stay safe.

The overwhelming scent of iron filled her senses, thick and suffocating. She felt something warm and wet seep against her skin, trickling down her body. Flecks of liquid splattered her face, leaving a trail of crimson freckles. The metallic tang grew stronger, and as her mind slowed just enough to piece it together, dread crashed over her like a tidal wave. Arc had taken the bullets - every one of them. A blood-curdling scream tore from her throat, raw and desperate, as the horrifying realization hit her. Her lungs burned with the effort, aching from the force of her cry. "ARC!!! NO! NO! NO!!!" she wailed, her voice breaking, unable to grasp the nightmare unfolding in front of her.

"You... Alright, Addy?"​

"You're the one that got shot, not me!" she shrieked, her voice raw with disbelief. How could he even ask such a stupid question? She was drenched in blood, yes, but it wasn't her own - it was Arc's. Her brother's. The shock and horror of it all twisted inside her, making it nearly impossible to comprehend.

"Stay in here, okay? Keep your head down and hide inside my closet. If someone comes in and they don't knock, don't reveal yourself. ℙ𝕝𝕖𝕒𝕤𝕖. Leave this to me. I promise, you'll make it out safely."​

His eyes glowed a deep, menacing crimson, and in that instant, the truth hit her like a freight train. Arc was a vampire. The endless news coverage flashed through her mind - reports about their hidden world, the chilling details on how to spot one in a crowd. And those cerise eyes were a dead giveaway. Fear clamped down on her chest like a tightening noose, suffocating her, but even as panic flooded her thoughts, her body moved on its own, obeying his unspoken command without resistance. He's a vampire! Oh my god! Her mind raced wildly. What is he doing? Can he really make me do whatever he wants? Her thoughts spiraled, recalling articles she had obsessively read about vampires and their unique abilities, each one gifted with powers that set them apart. Ironically, her fascination with them had always been a sore spot with Arc, who constantly tried to warn her about their dangers. But now, knowing he was one of them? It was unbelievable, incomprehensible. Yet here she was, trapped in the terrifying reality.

Huddled in the depths of Arc's closet, she held her breath, pressing her trembling palms over her mouth and nose in a desperate attempt to stifle any sound. Her body shook uncontrollably, as if she'd been left to freeze in the biting cold. The chaotic symphony of shattering glass, gunfire, and brutal hand-to-hand combat filled the air, making her squeeze her eyes shut, tears slipping down her face as she silently wept. She was terrified, completely unaware of what was unfolding just beyond the door.

Is Arc okay? Her mind spun wildly. He's a vampire, so he'll survive… right? I need to help him, but how?! Her breaths came in rapid, uneven bursts, the sound dangerously loud in the deafening quiet of the closet. It felt as though her heart might burst from her chest, the sheer intensity of the situation making her feel like she was on the brink of a heart attack.

And then, suddenly - nothing. No sound. No struggle. Just pure, unsettling silence.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK​

Her legs wobbled beneath her as she scrambled to her feet, nearly collapsing from the shock and adrenaline coursing through her as she heard his signal. She pushed the closet door open and rushed to Arc, her heart breaking at the sight of him. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him, and together they wept, their shared grief palpable as they held onto each other. Even without getting a clear look at him, she knew - felt - that he was far worse off than she'd expected. The scent of blood clung to him, and the rough, torn fabric of his clothes brushed against her arms, tattered and soaked with evidence of the violence he had endured.

How is he even still alive? The thought echoed in her mind, filled with disbelief. "Arc, please… shh, don't talk," she whispered, her voice trembling as she realized how weak he had become. His body grew heavier against her, teetering on the edge of collapse. She held him tighter, pleading softly, "Shhh, please..." But despite her desperation, his lips kept moving, as though there were things he needed to say - things he couldn't hold back, even if it was taking everything out of him to stay conscious.

"I get it now, Arc, I really do," she sobbed, her voice breaking under the weight of her guilt. "So please... don't apologize... please." Tears streamed down her face as she clung to him, the realization crashing over her - she had never understood how deep the darkness ran, how much he had sacrificed to shield her from the horrors of his world. And despite his best efforts, she had still found herself caught in the middle of it all.

"I didn't know how bad it was..." Her cries intensified, her heart heavy with remorse. Arc had dedicated his entire life to keeping her safe, from a nightmare she never fully grasped. And now, here they were - both of them entangled in that very nightmare. "You did protect me, Arc... I'm safe... Please, just heal..." she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. The weight of all the arguments she'd started, the hurtful words she'd thrown at him in frustration, haunted her now. She wished with everything in her that she could take them back. If she had known how fragile this moment would be, she would have never uttered those harsh words. "Arc, you're the only family I have left. I can't lose you," she sobbed harder, clutching him as if she could keep him alive through sheer force of will. His blood soaked into her clothes, a constant reminder of the life trying to slip away from him as guilt consumed her. Both of them remembered those arguments, the unspoken apologies hanging in the air, overshadowed by the crimson tide pooling between them.

. "Here. Keys to the car and a couple cards you could use. Find a hotel to hide in until the coast is clear. Maybe if I'm not around to bother you any longer, you'll be able to live as you like again. To do as you want without fear of... Of being hurt because of me. So please."​

"No!" She shouted, her voice raw with emotion, shaking her head so violently she feared it might snap. "I'm not going to leave you, Arc!" Her arms tightened around him as she clung to his battered body, planting her feet firmly on the ground as if she could physically keep him from slipping away. It didn't matter that he was a vampire or that she stood no chance of fighting whatever dangers lurked. What mattered was that she wasn't going to abandon him - not now, not ever.

"I know what you are now, Arc," she continued, her voice cracking but determined. "And I know you're one of the good ones... you would've killed me already if you weren't." Her chest tightened as she spoke, trying to calm the storm raging inside both of them. "I don't know how long you've been a vampire, but the love you've shown me tells me everything I need to know." Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall. She wasn't going to lose him - not like this. Not after realizing the depth of his sacrifice. He was all she had left in this world, and she wouldn't give up on him ever again.

"You're my family, Arc. I'm not giving up on you. Not ever."

ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Pʟᴀʏɪɴɢ Gᴏᴅ
0:00 ㅇ──────── 3:23
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"So, what got you nervous? OH! Did Mia set you up with another date again?"​

Oh, if only it were that simple, Val, she thought to herself. As she listened to him recount his story, he could already piece together what had likely happened, drawing from past experiences. Still, she let him continue, her lips curling into a soft smile. His energy was infectious, his enthusiasm for her life so genuine that it made her heart swell. For a moment, as he spoke, it was as though all her worries melted away, dissolving like snow under the warmth of the sun.

“You’re always so creative, not only in your art but also the way you enhance the blood.” Twyla gave him a laugh as she reached for a portion of his concoction. Taking a sip she’d roll it on her tongue, wanting to taste the light hints and how they contrasted again each other. “It’s a hit! I like it! Did you?” She asked, wondering how he felt about his “cooking” skills. The conversation could only be so sweet until she had to enlighten him with the truth.

"I wish it was something like that." Twyla admitted it, but the subtle shift in her expression - a flicker of doubt and worry - quickly wiped away the small smile that had graced her lips moments before. Her eyes wandered over to the beautiful canvas he had painted, hoping it would sell for a good price. She could tell how much effort he had poured into it; it was one of his best works yet. But then again, everything he created was remarkable. Several of his pieces already adorned the walls of their apartment, and they never failed to bring her joy each time she glanced at them.

"Please don't get mad but... I think I went overboard." Leaving the air thick with tension, she took a moment to study Val's expression, searching for any hint of how he might react. Finally, she broke the silence. "I... I went a bit crazy on a vampire on campus last night," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "And now, I'm being investigated by a cop. I think he's onto me." Nervous energy surged through her, and she instinctively brought her hands to her lips, nibbling at her nails as her mind raced to find a way to soften the blow. She didn't want to alarm Val, but the weight of the situation was heavy, and she wasn't sure how to put him at ease with such unsettling news.

"I told him I got caught in the crossfire of a vampire attack," Twyla explained, her voice low and careful. "But then I said a pureblood came and rescued me. By the look on his face, I think he believed it, but... he still wants me to talk to him eventually, once my 'trauma' from the event wears off." She raised her hands and mimicked air quotes around the word trauma, her nervousness seeping into every gesture. "I'm at a loss, Val. I always want to help, you know that, but now that I'm in the middle of this, risking our secret... it's terrifying." She cupped her face in her palms, trying to steady herself, her breath catching in her throat as if she was on the verge of tears. But deep down, she was just desperately trying to keep calm. The fear gnawed at her, but she couldn't let it take control. Not now. Not when so much was at stake.

Despite being younger, Val always seemed to have the answers, or at least a way to make everything feel better with his reassuring words. But this time was different. This was the first time they were in a situation that could truly jeopardize their safety, and guilt weighed heavy on her shoulders - it was her actions that had caused this mess. She knew it was up to her to fix it. "Should I call Mom and Dad and ask for their help?" Twyla asked, her voice hesitant. "I don't want them to worry, though, it's not like they could do anything to help honestly.." The thought of their faces flashed vividly in her mind, the protectiveness she felt for them overwhelming. She didn't want to drag them into this, didn't want to risk their safety too. But at the same time, she felt lost, and their guidance might be the only thing that could get them out of this.

 

[Tenzai]

"No! I'm not going to leave you, Arc!" Arc's sister had wrapped her arms around him as the heat had left his body. It was the first time in years since he felt her warmth again. Why? Why now? "I know what you are now, Arc, and I know you're one of the good ones... you would've killed me already if you weren't." Her gaze was coated in tears ready to fall, her eyes shaky as her brother wandered towards the edge of his own mortality. She must be scared. That's it. There's no way she'd change her mind about me. Not for a failed brother who couldn't even make time for her.

"You're my family, Arc. I'm not giving up on you. Not ever."​

Addy's words had become no less than a blur to her bleeding brother. Dying in her arms, he struggled to understand the weight of her love. In an instant, his day had veered towards the worst. The gift he once held in his hand when entering their home, one of her favorite snacks, was now scattered in pieces across the floor, bathed in his blood. His eyes were losing its fire. His consciousness was deprived of its vampiric strength.

Despite his ability to regenerate, when enough blood was lost, not even a vampire's blessing could be enough to repair the damage. Death had finally come to deliver him from this hell; To bring forth the end to his suffering and fruitless fight. It was a shame that he didn't have a chance to make his goddess pay for her sins. A shame that he would be forced to greet his parents again with nothing to show for his sacrifice. His eyes had closed for the final time, his arms going limp as his mind had returned to a hibernating state in hopes to keep his heart pumping for just a few more minutes longer. "I'm sorry... Addy. I'm sorry I wasn't better."

---

ᴛʜᴇ ᴇᴀʀᴛʜ ɪꜱ ʟɪᴛᴛᴇʀᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ʀᴜɪɴꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴇᴍᴘɪʀᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ʙᴇʟɪᴇᴠᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇʏ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴇᴛᴇʀɴᴀʟ.
- ᴄᴀᴍɪʟʟᴇ ᴘᴀɢʟɪᴀ​

---

An eye for an eye.

You took my family away. My future. Its only just to do the same to you.

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ʟɪᴋᴇ ᴀ ᴠɪʟʟᴀɪɴ | ʙᴀᴅ ᴏᴍᴇɴꜱ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺

Look into my face, then look again
We are not the same, we're different

To tell your tales and fables, you couldn't wait
You need a new clean slate without the dents

A place to put your pain, your consequence
When you look into the mirror, are you even there?​

As Arc's mind drifted away from his body, his conscience had returned to the many wasted years spent away from Adelaide over the sake of petty revenge. The flames of an empire were the light behind his glowing eyes; His family's sacrifice was the fire that scorched his blood. His goddess had declared war on his world, taking away the peace he once took for granted. To be her perfect child for the sake of her destruction was a poetic thought made literal through his carefully planned schemes. By befriending those who orbited within her inner circles, persuading them and contorting the bonds held between her pawns, he was able to inflict wounds that no other human with a death wish would even dream of attempting. Though in spite of his success against the darkness, he couldn't help but feel his time was wasted for nothing.

What good was revenge when it brought no fulfillment? Arc may have stood for the good of humanity and for the protection of his only loved one, but no matter how much effort he put forth, it always seemed as though his vampiric enemy was two steps ahead. For every scheme he put down, they succeeded in two more. For every vampire he captured, another five would rise in their absence. They were persistent, growing smarter and bolder, and increasing in strength and number with the passing of the days. It made him question whether there would even be a future where Adelaide would find peace. Despite being surrounded by people that supported his cause, he couldn't feel any more alone. No one but one had known of his curse; And no one but the woman who couldn't bear to greet him at home could ever understand his pain.

No matter how many times he would find himself standing at a blistering pyre, he couldn't forgive himself for his sins against his family. Every day spent eating with Adelaide in dead silence was another where he had to fight to maintain his sanity; His humanity. He was constantly losing time and skipping opportunities, fearing that one day, his time with Adelaide would be cut short. He already suffered the loss of his parents once. To lose her would be to lose everything else that mattered.

Arc was drowning in despair.

His dreams for a kinder future were slipping out of reach.​

What good is family if all they do if they're never there when you need them most? His vampiric thoughts had always found a way to attack his mind as he sunk further into his darkness. His soul was afflicted with her taint, being reminded each night that the man he appeared as was no more. Arc had died the day he drank the blood. In his place came forth a vampire with his face. The dreams of living a simple life where he could take care of his sister while she pursued her interests and make his parents proud in the process was no more.

He took both of their futures away, robbing his parents of a long life and his sister of her dreams. The monster that inhabited Arc's body was no different than the monsters he fought against on a daily basis. His semblance was growing eerily similar to his enemy: Elongated fangs that disturbed his smile whenever he was thirsty, a glowing of eyes when he felt intensely towards anything, the coolness of his skin and his lack of hunger, and most of all, his attraction for the blood of the living had all kept him aware of how different he was.

He wasn't Adelaide's brother anymore. Unlike Arc, he didn't know how to treat her right. It was hard for him to feel as though her confinement was akin to treating her as his treasured cattle. Even as they "ate" together, hiding the fact that he would expel whatever he swallowed immediately after to still enjoy the opportunity to spend time with her, he couldn't help but hold passing thoughts of biting her; Of wondering how her flesh would taste. Whenever he was thirsty, he could hear the flow of delicious blood running through her veins. It was these things working in tandem that always acted as constant reminders that their past was never a time they could return to. He became the monster he had feared.

In becoming a monster to the monsters;

Arc had succumbed to the same very darkness he fought so hard to resist.​

Revenge born of redemption had become his obsession. To be forgiven by his loved ones, both living and past, had been his goal all along. If not for the cruel endings of terrible fates he was exposed to on a regular basis, it would have been an honest pursuit. However, it was these bloody scenes that he protected from his sister, the crimes committed out of cruel ambitions being made reality, that steadily chipped away at his last reserves of hope. To adapt to this agonizing lifestyle, he did all he could to try and act normal. From therapy and meditation to hard substance abuse and addictive vices, it felt as though nothing could stray him away from the barrel of his own gun for too long; At least, if it wasn't for his printed memories.

If not for old pictures to remind him of a kinder past, he would have had doubts those times had ever existed. On the blood stained wall covered in bullet holes sat cracked frames of photographs that depicted better times. Behind every picture sat a story, from trips spent together as a family to celebrations of different achievements across his and Adelaide's life; That wall was what reminded him of what he fought for. The times he wished to return to were always lingering in his mind whenever he dedicated himself to his work. It was only these memories that made him chase this ambitious dream of a peaceful future without pause. The hope that one day, he could be the reason why his sister could smile again, pushed him when his feet could no longer stand.

'One day, we'll be able to celebrate your birthday like we did before. That day, I intend on spoiling you to make up for every year we spent apart, Addy.'

I don't wanna know all your secrets 'cause I'll tell
It's hard enough being alone with myself

I don't know how long I'll be holding on
I know you tried your hardest, I know that you meant well

But you pushed me to the edge and I slipped, and then I fell
I don't know how long I'll be holding on​

---

While floating towards the afterlife

his fading soul held gravity.​

The further he drifted along in consciousness, the more his mind had explored memories left untapped. As if, comforting him during his last moments, even the positive memories had resurfaced to lessen the pain of his passing. The more he thought about it, he realized; This wasn't the first time he got hurt when protecting her. The scent of his blood combined with her tears wasn't new to him. Their parents had assigned him to keep her safe no matter what. While she might have shielded him from emotional threats, he had protected her from all that her parents could not.

"Get away from her."​

Hidden away in the forest, the two had ventured in search of a place where they could escape from the heat. There was word from the other children over a giant tree in the middle of the forest that offered shade like no other. To find this mythical place, the two had followed a trail only to be cut off by a pair of small, rabid dogs. Arc had smiled, hearing his familiar, brave words escape his mouth as he watched a younger version of himself grab a stick to fend them off. Even as young as ten, he did his best to keep her safe, despite his lack of formal training.

The dogs had marched towards him, uncaring of the added length of his wingspan. As if, smelling the fear of the girl behind him, they mounted their attack. One had bit his arm while the other was smacked away with the tree branch during the charge. In spite of the pain however, he remained standing against them. "If you want her, you have to go through me." The boy shouted adamantly; His adrenaline doing away with the pain that ached in his arm. Respecting his resolve, the two had left them alone.

"You alright, Addy?" His voice had returned to softer tones, his eyes growing wide as she reached towards his hand. "Hey- I'll be alrigh- Tch." He winced when her hands had touched his bubbling wound. Though, as a result of being much more prepared than he, Adelaide had pulled out a bandage to seal his wounds. She was always the smarter of the two at the time. It was this behavior of being always prepared that modeled who Arc came to be. "...Thanks. D-don't mention that I got hurt to mom or dad, please-" He looked away embarrassed.

The two were a team. One could not be seen without the other. Once the duo headed home, after the tongue lashing his parents had dealt to them for running off alone, their parents had voiced how proud they were of both of them. They had a way of compensating where each other lacked. Adelaide was his anchor that kept him grounded. The one that usually held him back from getting hurt chasing his own ambitions. Archimedes was the gas that pushed them forward. The one that acted with bravery in order to bring about the best outcome.

In protecting Adelaide

His fights weren't limited to the physical realm.​

The end of a horror movie had usually lended itself to her asking for help when it came to battling the fears of the dark. Threats both physical and immaterial lay within the void's depths beckoning the two kids to march where their sense of sight had abandoned them. However, with each and every time, Arc had took the vanguard against the shadowy forces. His body would venture forth, holding her hand to remind her that he was there as he searched for the light switch in the dark. Their phone's flashlight had became their weapon; Their trust in each other had steeled their resolve. No darkness nor occlusion would remain as a barrier for this duo, not if young Arc had any say in it.

Sometimes, he would hear her being hard on herself whenever she'd fail at a task. Through an understanding of how she was and how she saw herself, he was able to tell when she would be fighting an emotional battle with her demons. It was then that he switched his strategy. Utilizing a mix of kindness, distraction, and gifts that came in the form of drinks or snacks, he would take away the sting of failure. While he wasn't perfect himself, to see her go through a similar conflict had drawn a side of Arc out that he never knew existed at the time; A compassionate side that held a focus on simply being there anyway he could.

Other times, he would catch someone picking on his little sister; A bully or a jealous friend. The mere thought of someone picking on another just because they couldn't fight back or due to something as mediocre of a motivation as jealousy had always infuriated the boy. Wherever she would be teased, he would stand up for her. No one was allowed to tease her other than him. 'What did they know about her when they didn't live with her? How could they act like they're perfect themselves?' He thought, standing up against her bullies. Not even the monsters of the emotional realm could stand a chance against her guardian.

Even when forced to stand against his own fears,

Arc had let nothing stand in the way of fulfilling his promise to his sister and his parents.​

From slaughtering bugs with three too many pairs of legs that crept into her room to speaking in front of audiences that knew nothing about him, he acted brave in spite of it all. His knees would tremble yet stand. His voice would grow weary but still speak. His muscles may have shook, but they still held the conviction to do what must be done. All of what he did in the past had trained him to be the guardian angel he came to be in the present day. This training had built up a level of mental resilience unknown to most vampires. Combined with an inextinguishable fire for revenge and the dream of a future where he and his sister could return to peace, the vampiric taint could do little to shake him.

It was the combination of all the factors that stood against him, of the goddess that wished him to return to her through any means, the hatred of the other vampiric factions whose schemes he ruined, the lack of assistance of a bureaucracy rife with corruption and sanguine taint, the death and destruction he was regularly witnessing, and finally, the disdain of the only one who mattered to him that broke his heart apart. No level of pride nor strength given by his sanguine blessing could prepare him for the culmination of factors that led to his ruin. He was a shattered soul finally given an end.

Perhaps, if given a second chance; A second life. Arc would seek to make things right.​

---

​

December 1st. Present day.​

Snow had piled up on the hospital window, illuminating his room in a cloud-covered moonlit bath. "Good. His vital signs appear to have stabilized. The blood transfusion has been a success." Familiar words had riled the vampire up from his slumber, slowly opening his eyes to his unconscious sister, asleep on his lap while a familiar face had run his diagnostics. "Ah, would you look at that? Your vampiric healing has kicked in and you're finally awake. Good evening, Arc. Be grateful that you were sent to my office rather than anyone else. Otherwise, they would have dissected you by now." The doctor had lit a cig.

"Poor girl tried to stay awake during the entire procedure. It didn't take a while of course, just a few hours, but after all you two have been through today, I could imagine that her exhaustion must have hit like a truck." He looked down at her, puffing above her head to avoid disturbing her slumber. "She knows who... Or rather... What you are now, Arc. No need to lie when she wakes up. As for what you owe me for this favor, I'll be out in the hallway whenever you're ready. Until then, talk to her. The last thing I need is for you two to come back here arguing about what's true and what's not. And we can't have that, now can we? Take your time, no rush." He left the two behind, walking outside into the hallway.

As Arc examined his surroundings, he noticed the familiar smell of medicines meant to keep a vampire's thirst at bay. It was what he used often when it came to his drinks; An anchor for his bloodlust that allowed him to function as normal around Adelaide. Slowly, he motioned his tired arms towards her head, stroking her hair to wake her up. "Adelaide." He gave her a gentle squeeze, noticing the bandages that shrouded his body. Whatever damage he sustained in that attack must have been severe enough to warrant the covering of most of his body. "... Addy, I'm... I'm here."

With all the strength he could wield, he pulled her towards his chest in a hug. The tears that stained his blanket were now dry, though he could tell how much she cried when he couldn't see her. "No need to put on a brave face. I'm... Alive for now. You are too. From the looks of it, you weren't hurt. Thank God." Arc smiled, greeting her opening eyes with his own happiness. "There you are. I'm... Sorry, that I had to reveal that side of me to you... Like this. I should have been honest earlier but... I didn't know how you'd respond to finding out that I'm a monster."

"You never deserved any of that. The time I spent apart. The time I was forced to lie to you to keep acting like we were normal. For all of that, I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry, Addy." His tears were painful, stretching his water deprived muscles. Though in spite of his typical thirst, whatever blood he transfused the vampire with must have been mixed with the same medicine he was prescribed. Otherwise, he couldn't imagine how the voices that spoke whenever his sister was in his proximity could be so quiet. "... I guess you must have seen the pictures, haven't you? The binder that I held on my desk about our parents. It was open when I came in."

"I'm tired of hiding who or what I am anymore from you. You deserve to know the truth."

"I'm the vampire that killed our parents."

Like a villain, I couldn't be
I didn't need it, it needed me​

Arc's eyes glowed a gentle ember as he revealed the monster he became. It was a fate he had accepted long ago. A sin he was forced to commit and to bear for the rest of his eternal life. "I was captured. Forced to drink the blood of a vampire that... Turned me into what you see now... But they weren't done. Those sick fucks were never done." The vampire's teeth were bore in front of her, showing just how much he changed as a result of his actions. "Then they wanted me to let go of my past life. My family came first. I was starved until I couldn't think. Until the brother you saw was no more... And then they came."

He recalled the looks on his parents' faces, seeing how far their beloved son had fallen. "I could barely recognize their faces. Their voices. None of it had rung a bell for me." Arc's eyes had dimmed, as though the fire within him was starting to go out. "Even as they screamed my name. Yelling for me to stop, I couldn't. I can't... My body just kept on acting on its own. Every damn time I blinked my eyes, more damage would appear on their bodies... The only time I realized what I've done, it was all over. My parents... Our parents... Were no more. Just a pool of blood, the remains of corpses, and that damn necklace."

Arc's fists have tightened, forcing pain up his body. Yet, this pain had felt welcoming, as though it was punishment for his selfish desire to live. "Ever since, I swore revenge. I swore to give you a life worth living in the hopes that I could be forgiven for what I've done... But look what happened to me. Ever since I saw your childhood friend try tempting you to a place where she could feed, I couldn't forgive myself for exposing you to that danger."

"This fate is only something I should face alone. NOT you. NEVER you. This was something we never asked for... And its something I never want you to ever go through." His arms clung tighter, unwilling to let go. He was afraid that this would be the last time he would see her, though he would put no blame if she did. He was not the brother she loved anymore. The quiet mornings that passed since they moved, the anger she held during their last and final argument, and the coldness of the eyes she would stare at him with are all signs of that. "But even now, as you see. I couldn't even do that much."

"I couldn't even keep you safe in your own home."​

His mind had returned to their home earlier that day. He remembered the shock he felt when he saw her in his room; The sinking feeling of finding that binder open with their mother's necklace in her hands. Then, in addition to all that, the surprise attack caused by his meddling in the affairs of other vampires. He should have been better about double checking his back to see whether others were trailing him, though with all he was dealing with at home already, his mind had forgotten the necessary nuances to keeping himself and her safe.

Tears had begun to rain down on her head from above. After all this time, his dam had burst, letting his feelings overflow as they manifested as tears. "I'm sorry mom... I'm sorry dad. I'm sorry I failed you both again. I wasn't good enough to protect Addy." He held her in silence, still in grief over the passing of their parents. Though eventually, he let go. Adelaide was still alive, unlike him. She still had a world of opportunity to escape and run off to. She wasn't forced to be with the walking corpse of her brother.

Finally, he was forced to admit the words he was so afraid of telling her. If he had one day deemed himself as not enough to protect her as her guardian angel, he would give her a chance to leave this all behind. The vampires and their allies were only after him, not her. "Adelaide... What I told you back home. I meant it. I can't promise you that they won't attack again. Nor can I promise you that I'd be around for much longer."

He grit his teeth at his own words, wondering how he ended up in this mess in the first place. It was that goddess' fault that he was stuck here, struggling between choosing a life where his sister could hate him in person or a life where he would die alone. Both had sounded like terrible fates, yet he knew he needed to choose. As long as that goddess existed, there would be no happy ending for Archimedes.

"Please. Listen to your sense of reason." His eyes were full of emotion, similar to how her brother would speak to her when checking if she was okay in times long past. While he might have had the ability to command her to leave, he refused to use it against her. Arc wanted her to choose her own fate for herself. "Your brother had died the moment he drank their blood. The moment I became... This thing, I struggled to remain the same person you've grown up to love. Do yourself a favor and leave, Addy. Take all I have left with you. At least, that would mean I've done something right in the past few years."

A shift in his tone had sounded his death toll.

With nothing left to live for, Arc wouldn't be scared of death any longer.​

"... At least, with me gone, I won't be an issue for you anymore, right?" Arc's mind had still lingered over the hurtful words spoken during that argument. All the words that questioned his own worth to her, about how much of a monster he became, had haunted him. "You'll get the freedom to do everything you always wanted to... And you won't ever have to worry about a control freak like me ever again."

Finally, Arc let her go, freeing her from his heart. As painful as it was, to keep Adelaide caged without reason would scar him even more. "Isn't that what you wanted? Freedom? I don't want to deny you your dreams to keep you safe. Its not like doing so had worked anyways." He gave a cracked smile, shedding the mask he wore to keep up the status quo. The mirage of a happy family had been torn asunder by the truth. This was who they were now, a vampire with an obsession over revenge and a caged girl finally given an honest glimpse of the world outside her confines.

"If mom and dad were still here, you wouldn't have to deal with me or any of this."
His vocal muscles had strained, recalling the final line of their argument.
"None of this would have happened."

"I should've died then. You would have been happier that way."

I don't wanna know all your secrets 'cause I'll tell
It's hard enough being alone with myself

I don't know how long I'll be holding on
I know you tried your hardest, I know that you meant well

But you pushed me to the edge and I slipped, and then I fell
I don't know how long I'll be holding on​

---

"You're always so creative, not only in your art but also the way you enhance the blood."

"Well, its thanks to you, Twyla!"

ɴᴏᴡ ᴘʟᴀʏɪɴɢ: ꜱᴇᴇɪɴɢ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɴᴀᴍᴇ ᴍᴀᴋᴇꜱ ᴍᴇ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ | ʙᴜʀʙᴀɴᴋ
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺​

"If not for your kind words and the faith you put in me to create, I doubt I'd be even half as good!" Her brother had chimed, noticing the oddity in her eyes. The sparkle she always gave him when talking about her day wasn't there. Something must have happened that was influencing her mood. "It's a hit! I like it! Did you?" However, seeing her pleasant reaction to his sugary drink had caused him to brighten up. "I did! Thought you would like some so I made another glass just for you! I think this way, at least, we'd be able to enjoy little treats in our drinks without it tasting weird! But... Assuming from your eyes. Bad date?"

"I wish it was something like that." Immediately, her smile vanished as did the joy of her tone. Realizing how serious she was, he pulled himself away from his work to sit across from her and give his undivided attention. "Then tell me what happened? Don't worry, I don't think I'd judge. Nothing could be worse than dealing with a drunk Mia puking in our toilet again."

"Please don't get mad but... I think I went overboard." She went silent for a moment, causing Val to wonder whether she was finding the right words to say before she broke the silence again. "I... I went a bit crazy on a vampire on campus last night, and now, I'm being investigated by a cop. I think he's onto me." He gave her a look of concern. "How much does he know? There's been cops on campus recently asking the same thing of everyone. I don't think its anything to worry about really. Simple procedures and all that cop stuff! Like the true crime shows we binged last week but more boring! I think-"

As Twyla's voice dropped to a whisper, Val leaned closer to listen. "I told him I got caught in the crossfire of a vampire attack, but then I said a pureblood came and rescued me. By the look on his face, I think he believed it, but... he still wants me to talk to him eventually, once my 'trauma' from the event wears off. I'm at a loss, Val. I always want to help, you know that, but now that I'm in the middle of this, risking our secret... it's terrifying."

"It'll be alright. We've made it through worse before."​

Val stood up, grabbing his chair to sit beside Twyla instead of in front of her. Drawing his coat open, he pulled her into his arms to give her a reassuring hug. His other hand had stroked the back of her head, using his height and extended wingspan to its fullest advantage. "Take a deep breath and relax, okay? Its not like he knows the truth and everything. And hey! He gave you a choice to come by with more information. It doesn't mean that you're a suspect. Maybe... Just a victim! You did mention trauma, so I could imagine that he thinks you're innocent."

"Should I call Mom and Dad and ask for their help? Don't want them to worry, though, it's not like they could do anything to help honestly..." The vampire brother had closed his eyes, resting his chin on her own as he thought of a solution. "... How about we play it by ear. Maybe pin the blame on some other pure blood or say that you weren't in the right mind. Like uh... Hypnotized! Yeah! Hypnotized. If he's gullible enough to believe a pureblood is willing to help a human, I'm sure he'd be gullible enough to believe that any vampire could be the culprit right? I mean, a vampire hero? Other than you? Ha, nonsense! No one could be as cool as you!"

Val had given her a bright smile, confident in his belief. "So don't worry yourself okay? I don't want you getting stressed out just because some rando detective managed to get a little luckier than usual. This city is a big place, you know? Lots of faces to go around too. And besides! What are the chances you're ever going to see him again? My thoughts? If there's a detective hunting vampires? Most likely, he's going to disappear. Not that I'm saying that he should die or anything but... There's a reason why they don't tend to last long, Twyla. So don't feel too scared."

Val reached for a bottle that held more of his special concoction, refilling their glasses with more of the sweet sanguine liquid. "How about you and I watch a crappy horror flick over drinks? Yeah? Maybe play a couple games too. I'd rather us worry about exams than this." He held his glass out, clinking hers.

"Cheers~" With one long gulp, he downed his glass.

"Ah!~ Now that's what I call a drink worthy of a pureblood!"​