Aunt Catherine!”
"My little girl, I'm so happy to meet you!"
I rushed down the stairs and hugged her. She returned the hug, then stepped back and looked at me with a serious expression and smiling eyes.
"Ah, you look so good!" If you get bigger, we will have to trim you. "
"Not funny!" I replied with a smile. "I am thirteen years old. When I am twenty, all of you will have to look up to me! I will even defeat my father!"
"Don't think about it!" was her answer. "Your appetite will bankrupt us all."
We laughed for a while until her expression turned serious. I felt extremely embarrassed as I was now convinced of the reason for her coming, especially because she had left my cousins at home.
"We need a goddaughter who can talk, a goddaughter who needs privacy. Shall we go back to your room?"
"very good."
I wanted to pout in protest, but I was a woman now and needed to show patience and restraint. I led her upstairs to my room and claimed the bed while she sat in the chair.
"I wish Diana could see you now, she would be so proud."
I felt sad immediately.
"I'm sorry, ma'am, I didn't mean to make you sad."
"It's okay, we all miss her."
"Yeah, it's worse. How I regret it, what I had to do..."
"Dear aunt, you are exaggerating. I know it is a bit delicate to discuss women's issues..."
"It's not that, it's this."
She wrapped her hands around my throat and pushed me onto the mattress. I couldn't breathe! I struggled, but she was much stronger than me.
My sharp nails dug into her arms, but to no avail. Red tears of remorse stained her cheeks, and her mouth opened wide, revealing jagged fangs.
Oh my god! I panicked even more, but darkness was creeping into my vision.
"I'm sorry, chim
ie, it's the only way!" Otherwise he'll take your soul! I'm sorry, honey. Sorry..."
I grew crazier in my struggles. She dug her fingers into my skin, drawing blood until my blood pressure was too high. The pain became unbearable and with a horrific popping sound, my cervical vertebrae shattered.
Something is wrong. Am I...what...who? I can't think straight and everything seems to be swelling and blurry. I wanted to stay there and wait, but I knew something was wrong.
Smells like fire.
I was frightened by the thought of fire, and a strong instinctive reaction forced me to stand.
I…
I do not know what to do.
No, mind you, this has happened before.
"My... name is... Ariana... I... am... my... own..."
Slowly, painfully, my mind was stitched back together, fraying at the edges. Holding my thoughts together was like holding sand, I knew I needed something. I need it very much.
Hunger hits me like a stone.
I bent forward and grabbed my stomach. God, it hurts, I need it. I need it. I need it.
I need it!
I want to find my master.
He promises...
Then we leave this abandoned place together.
Yes.
But first I had to find him right away.
I cheered up, walked to the door, and opened it carefully. The smell hit me first.
. gunpowder. Blood. excrement.
The corridor was empty except for two motionless figures. The first is a servant in a maid uniform. Her hands were clutching a deep wound on her chest. They were painted a red so she looked like she was wearing scarlet gloves. She died too. Tears fell from her half-closed eyes.
The other is a man wearing a black fur coat. His clothes were military uniform, but not a uniform I recognized. I saw no wounds on his body, but he was lying in a pool of his own blood and dead.
I feel nothing.
Deep inside I was screaming, this isn't right, I've seen dead bodies before, but never like this.
I do not care.
The man held a gun in his hand, a well-made pistol embroidered with silver. I looked closer and saw that it was discharged. A basic inspection revealed silver bullets and a powder horn, which I took. I reloaded and pulled the trigger.
The woman suffered a gunshot wound.
The people who attacked here didn't care about the defenseless woman. Instead of even showing mercy to her, they chose to subject her to brutal torture before she breathed her last. I won't have the same fate. I didn't come this far to fall into the clutches of some savage.
I want to escape this building. The smell of fire makes me uneasy. I was afraid to find Jimena because if I knew this woman, if she were still alive, she would be at the center of the fighting.
Luckily, I knew where to go. We are in a wing of the fortress, and the exit should be on the "ground" level of the wing, very close to the entrance to the dungeon.
I'm sure there must be hidden methods, given the builder's strange taste, but I don't want to look for them. I'd rather risk being blocked.
The hunger and thirst are killing me.
I walked down the next floor with all the patience I had and stopped when something special hit me. This was the floor I slept on for the first time and the door to my first room was broken. Only the door to one other room was forced open.
Are they hunting residents? If so, how do they know where I am?
I reach the ground and slow down. If the mysterious attackers are still around, this is where I'll find them. As I was finishing this thought, there were a few footsteps in the nearby corridor, and I heard a tail-sounding voice.
"...Incompetent, I will never agree!" How many people do you need..."
I breathed a sigh of relief and walked out of an alcove to see Ogedai appear. I carefully hid the pistol behind my back to prevent him from acting too nervous. A gravelly voice retorted, but I barely noticed until two of his companions came into view.
They both look strong. The older one had deep claw marks on one side of his face, his dark eyes barely visible. The second one was much younger, red-haired, and sharp-looking.
Both wore the black coats of the invaders, carried enough weapons to start a skirmish, and inexplicable silver crosses.
We froze when we saw each other.
I got it right away.
traitor.
I turned around to run, but Wo Kuotai also ran away.
There was no way I could make it in time.
This is good. A part of me I didn't recognize rose to the surface of my being. I barely had enough energy to direct it, but it was enough.
I can also move.
As his blade kissed my neck, I raised the gun and pulled the trigger.
Close range. The child never misses.
Wotai was surprised when he saw the muzzle of the gun, and I saw his mouth form an "O" shape momentarily before it was blown away.
I'm not done yet.
The two men immediately pulled out their guns and were shooting.
I grabbed Wotai's body and used it as a shield. Two dull thumps shook his chest as I thrust forward. I barely thought about it, something took over my mind and I let it run its course. I will Survive.
I will Survive.
So they must die.
Wotai's body flew in the air towards the old man who was trying to hide aside. A pointless effort. The warrior's body is too big and the corridor is too tight. He groaned and fell to the ground.
So thirsty.
I screamed, charging towards the redhead until a flash of silver made me move out of the way. Something flew over my shoulder. The tightness of the hallway was now working against me, and I moved to avoid the other.
My enemies were expecting it, and a third object stabbed into my arm, sending a blinding pain. A knife! ? I hissed, almost unbearably. He is very, very close!
Something glowed white and I was pushed backwards by an unstoppable force. I was swatted and bouncing on the floor like an insect. No! No, this is impossible. I'm so thirsty. I need it.
I need it!
I managed to stagger to my feet in time to see the young man pull another pistol from the groove in his vest and aim it at me.
When he fired, I threw my gun away. When he fired, the bullet struck him in the shoulder and opened a large hole in the wall next to me. I want to get closer, but I can’t! What should I do?
oh. sure.
I rushed forward again, and the man took out a small pistol from another pocket. How big was he? This time he waited calmly for me to approach.
When I was only a few feet away from him, I pulled the knife from my arm and threw it at him. I don't care about the pain. I only care about the salvation he gave me.
My clumsy throw caused the flat side of the blade to hit his nose, breaking his concentration. as he recoiled from the pain. I managed to get around him. I grabbed his neck with two fingers and pushed him down. At the same time, I pulled one of his arms back and bit him.
Ah, yes!
Or not.
This is so different from what I used to eat! This is simply not okay! I can't accept it. It has virtually no dull edges. I need more. I need him.
I want him to give it to me!
I...what? Everything is meaningless!
Someone was giggling like a mad woman.
I.
I stood up and grabbed a dagger. Ignoring everything else, I followed my nose and breathed in what felt like fresh air. The air is polluted with smoke, but this is the way out. I know.
I will Survive.
In a daze, I left the three corpses, walked past the corpses of servants and soldiers, and a pile of inexplicable ashes, and arrived at the battlefield.
A broken barricade was not ten meters away from a half-collapsed wall. I counted a dozen bodies scattered on the ground on both sides, including some women and various weapons.
It looked like the intruders had stormed in and left no one behind. As I passed the barricade, the reason for their anger was right in front of me.
The entrance to the fort's flanks was blown open, but parts of the walls collapsed, creating a chokepoint and the bodies of the invaders littered the ground.
Even in my groggy state, I was shocked by the extent of the devastation I witnessed. What kind of fanatic would throw away his life like this? What justification could there be for such determination, or such hatred?
I walked through the door and found traces of blood. recent. Someone dragged the wounded out.
So thirsty.
I stumbled forward and found myself in a cathedral-sized hall. The walls are natural. What kind of cave is this?
Another door faced me. The cave was to my left, but the wind was coming from my right. I walked in that direction.
The place was empty except for the dead. A few oil lamps would provide enough illumination to see clearly.
The hall is empty and its only purpose seems to be to instill a sense of majesty or fear. I have no idea.
I quickly reached a large set of stairs and two people came down the stairs. I didn't hear it at all!
The first one was a blond man with a beard, light gray eyes, and wearing a blue coat. He frowned when he saw me. The second question made me gasp in surprise.
I met many slaves and free people from Haiti or the African continent. They always have something in front of many white people.
Sometimes it's fear, sometimes it's respect, and more often it's contempt, but one thing they all have in common is that they never let down their guard.
Not this person.
He's wearing a beige leather jacket, is clearly armed, and has a sarcastic smirk on his face that shows he's not afraid of anyone.
The bar owner and my father, who was also the tallest man I'd ever met.
Behind the two newcomers are a pair of brown-haired male twins and a black female.
They all exuded the same air of cruelty that I now consider to be torture, the first two being on par with Mrs. Moore and Lord Salem.
I want to go up.
I need a breakthrough.
No. They are stronger and I can't leave.
The blond man walked towards me, and before I could react, he was running faster than me, and my vision suddenly turned white.
"ah!"
One moment I was looking forward, and the next moment I was pressed against my stomach by five sharp objects. The pain was unbearable and my mind finally gave way.
This is too much.
I stayed there, motionless. I don't need to struggle. I don't need to breathe. Moving just means more pain. Better to stay and wait. Concentrate on fighting the fog. This was my last bit of consciousness. If I let go, it's over. I know it from the bottom of my heart.
As I slowly moved in and out, I could hear snippets of their conversation.
"...Clearly! Someone has betrayed us, and we know it can't be a cow!"
"...a gibbering idiot. She's only been with us four days and this raid has been in preparation for weeks."
"...Can't trust his descendants!" I know this is a mistake..."
"Bring her back or we'll never know. She's full and still regressing; she's gone too far."
Regardless, we are on the rise. We arrived at another grand entrance, this one made of wood. We walked through the charred shell of a building. We walked through a garden. We are outside.
Finally, something woke me from my slumber, and I let out a weak cry.
This is him! My salvation!
His mere presence sewn me tighter. Enough to keep track of what's going on.
The blond man pushed me to the ground. I curled up into a ball. I struggled with the pain. There is nothing I can do.
I will Survive.
Give me a few more minutes and Master will save me. Wait a little longer...
"Come back so soon?"
"Stop being coy, Lord Nirari, I know your plan!"
"I really doubt that little Gaspard, you can't even count on your fingers."
"You! So you admit that you did it?!"
"What is it?"
"Attack on us!" You've been here less than a week and we're attacked?! You think I'm going to believe this is a coincidence?!"
"It could also be because of the long-awaited secret meeting. Gaspard, I wanted to explain Occam's razor and confirmation bias to you, but I don't have the patience or the pen."
"oh!"
"That's enough, Lord Gaspard. If we want to know more, let's ask the lady. My Lord
a
i?"
"I admit I'm curious too."
Master grabbed my neck. I didn’t need to meet him to know. His touch makes my body relax. Even pain and longing subside.
I found myself looking at his face.
Ah, those handsome features! The presence of the king! His noble beard! His eight teeth.
"Ariana".
Oh, my name is on his lips! I'm done. I found myself smiling like an ignorant girl. I love him so much!
"answer me."
As my body completely relaxes, the world fades away. The world faded away, and at the same time, I regained complete clarity.
I have never been more focused since I woke up in this dark cell.
"What do I want from you when we first meet?"
"Don't speak unless I tell you to, call you master, behave appropriately, and listen to Ximena in everything."
"Did you speak without permission?"
"No, Master."
"Besides master, have you ever called me another name?"
"No, Master."
"Have you listened to everything Ximena said?"
"Yes Master."
"Are you following the rules?"
"I...I guess so?" Yes, Master. "
"We'll see. Master Iken, if you have any questions, just ask and I will tell her."
His attention turned to others. No! Look at me! He turned to me. Yes!
"When did you wake up?"
"I don't know, maybe fifteen minutes ago?"
"That's at sunset." Do you know about the attack on our fortress?"
"Yes."
"Did you at any time help the attacker in any way?"
"No."
There was some commotion outside, and after a while, he asked me again.
"Little Gaspard thinks we've been betrayed. What do you think, little one?"
"I agree."
Another commotion. Master looked surprised.
"Oh? Why do you think so?"
"I saw Wotai walking with two invaders. They were talking."
This time the commotion was quite big.
"Tell us about it."
When I told the owner about the encounter, his smile grew brighter and more vicious until he burst into laughter. The ominous sound made my stomach flutter.
"Ah, young Ariana, you have brought me something I never expected in this abandoned corner: entertainment. Jimena, is my child well behaved?"
A pause.
"Well then, I declare that you have kept your promise. I am pleasantly surprised by the result! Not every decade someone makes me so happy. As I said, you can absorb my essence. May everything be as it is You wish.”
He slowly dragged me to the crook of his neck. I didn't understand what he wanted until he pressed my mouth to his soft skin. Instinctively I opened my mouth and he let me touch him.
I felt a thick syrup flow from my parted lips.
Time stops.
Even if one day I forget my name, even if I live for a thousand years, even if I lose my last shred of sanity, I will never forget the moment I tasted this essence.
I will continue to live my life, blessed by my experiences and cursed by my knowledge, nothing can compare to it.
I'm speechless.
I died a thousand times happy. Waves of pain and happiness burned through me again and again, lasting both moments and eternities, and I followed it helplessly.
After a while, visions appeared before my eyes like a fleeting dream.
I was sitting in a chariot drawn by two horses. I released an arrow, and it flew so fast that it went straight into a man's throat. My first kill, and many more.
A foreign princess prostrated herself before me, her brother's blood still on her clothes. I said a few words. With tears of humiliation on her face, she opened her robe. It fell smoothly from her golden shoulders. I stood up.
An old woman sits in the center of a complex garden. Her beauty and intelligence are legendary. She was writing a complex spell on a piece of tanned human skin. When she heard me speak, she looked up and smiled.
I lay on a bed stained with blood and sweat. My hands grasped the hole in my belly. The stench was nauseating. The same woman, leaning against me with a sad smile. She gently brushed my hair back. Her other hand brought a vial of black liquid to my lips, and I swallowed it.
I pulled away with a gasp, and then a burning power burned me from within. My worn soul was reforged at the sharpest and coldest time. This force shot through me, invading every organ in my body. I sucked it like a woman dying of thirst.
I remember.
My name is Ariana Lucille Beatrice Reno. I have a father and an older brother. Family, friends, hopes and dreams. My best friend and I came to New Orleans for a quick stopover. I planned to chat with an acquaintance at the dance, and met the master here. he……
No.
No.
No no no no
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
"What did you do to me, you! You!"
The monster smiled, he was filled with joy! No! This is impossible, this is a nightmare! No. I reject……
No. This is……
"What did you do? What was I? Why?"
"So angry, little one, do you hate me? What about you?"
How can I hate him when I love him so much, I hate him so much, love him so much and...
"No, Master..."
"No? Are you happy then?"
"HAAAAAGH"
"Tears? How precious! No? Isn't this your wish?"
"How! How dare you! You violated me, killed me, and turned me into this!"
His hands slid from my neck to my throat.
"Well! !"
"Tsk, tsk, I don't want to hear it from you, little one. I've done so much for you."
He smiled calmly.
"You are so cute, a little country girl, that you dare to approach me as if we were equals. You even greeted me first and introduced yourself without restraint. Because of your arrogance, I want to tear you to pieces, But you started talking.
So many projects, so many dreams. I am very touched by this motivation and this passion. You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago. Like you, she rose above her station, and yet, she succeeded. Her deeds inspired an entire civilization. You are very similar to her. You want it all, you even want me! You asked me if I was married. So arrogant, so arrogant. I have to stay the course.
So here you are, little one, a vampire like me. Free from the constraints of this barely civilized corner. You can live forever. Time will not wither your beauty nor dull your wisdom. You can have everything, you can even have me. Show me what you're capable of, little Ariana. Tell me I'm not wasting my blood and seed on yet another failure. "
"You can't escape, ah...!"
"God? You want to say God? We only have one God left. Check."
Despite my best efforts, I kept looking up at the sky.
so beautiful.
The sky of light and darkness. On the canvas some divine artist casts light and dark colors in some unfathomable pattern. I never knew the sky could be so awe-inspiring, and I would have stared in wonder had a new celestial body not appeared.
Twisting clouds and terrifying purple roots, embedded with an eye with black sclera and a slit red pupil. It's absolutely huge. It's even smaller than the moon.
There is a huge eye in the sky. Demonic cat eyes wearing a purple crown.
I stared, speechless.
It stared at me.
I wanted to close my eyes, but I couldn't because Master told me to look. My mind was filled with fear. It is alive. I felt the presence.
"Welcome to your black and red journey, little one," said the Master. "May everything go as you wish."
