The Vampiric Chronicles Part Twenty-One: The Sinister Witch Hunt

Spilling some of my memoirs once again - my, my, it has been a long time!

Panic ensued outside the bounds of the Manor and into the small town where John grew up as the local doctor was roused in the middle of the night by several commoners and taken to the house of the town mayor, where his young eight-year old daughter was tormented of a burning fever and constantly hallucinated, screaming with pure fear and hatred. Try as the wonders of early science might, he was unable to bring an end to the child's misery and several peasants had reached the conclusion that the child may be being tormented by a witch's curse.

It was fortunate for John, who happened to be walking around with his companions that evening, which took place days after they had returned to the Manor, to witness the event and to personally see to it when his friends wove their way through the crowd of eyewitnesses and had the luck to end up seeing the writhing, twisting child being held back by her parents while the doctor examined her. He immediately told Sandra about it when he returned to the Manor.

"Hah, the man's finally gotten what he's worth." Sandra replied stiffly, leaving the young Tom to his lessons while the two entered the kitchen to grab something to eat. "I presume it's Diane who did it."

"Diane?" John asked.

"Diane is a witch residing in the glades a bit north from the town area. From what I have last heard that infernal brat of the town mayor had apparently trodden on her precious garden along with her troublesome friends. Most of her herbs and plants were viciously picked and plucked and now she hasn't got anything much to continue her formulation of medicine for the sick."

"She helps the sick? I thought you witches were mistrusted because of your - well - things like what happened to the girl?"

"Well, we are, but Diane feels otherwise. She welcomes those sickly people who cannot be accommodated by the meager knowledge of that expert you call a doctor. However, she got into some trouble with the town mayor about her illicit actions and apparently the daughter solidified her hate with the old man, so now it's come to this."

"But won't that put her in the mayor's bad side deeper?"

"I'm not sure of Diane's intents this time, but I believe she wants the old man taught a lesson in respecting the assistance that witches offer. We're not just born here to curse people to death - we also help extend life as much as we can."

However, the succeeding events of the following days slowly took its turn for the worse of the witches, for the town mayor soon learned of the witch tormenting his child and had organized a small band of commoners and town guards to storm Diane's glade. Naturally Sandra rushed with John and Tom to see the matters firsthand.

"Come out of there you vile witch!" the angry town mayor cried, brandishing a burning torch towards the witch's shut cabin. "Or else we'll torch your house to the very ground with you in it!"

A woman peered out from one of the windows and lashed out at the town mayor.

"It's your own fault that has happened to your daughter, you wretched old croon! They ruined the ingredients I use to cure those who cannot be attended by your pathetic doctor and thus she will have to suffer the consequences!"

"Silence!" the mayor cried. "I will hear no more of your useless rambling! Your cures are nothing but useless!"

"Your pride overtakes you, old man. We shall see who gets to crack up first!"

The witch boarded her windows.

"Blast her!" the mayor cried angrily. "BURN HER HOUSE DOWN!"

This was practically spawned by a conflict between beliefs that I'm torn on where to place my side on - but my belief stands in what's right :P

The Vampiric Chronicles Part Twenty: Mark's Past

A little deviation from the current darkness as Mark is left in the Manor all by himself... *giggles*

A tempest had ensued from the storm that assailed the region and as dawn started to draw closer a messenger raven barely made it through the only open outlets of the Manor - the chimney - and landed on Mark's study table before collapsing in the heaviness of the rains. The raven bore a dampened note in its claws, which Mark read. The letter was a water-impervious-enchanted paper note written in Sandra's hand, stating that their stay in the abode of the Witch Kriselle would be extended due to the unforgiving nature of the tempest. Mark shrugged the letter off, now walking towards his bedroom.

Rain... how strongly the rains reminded Mark of his ordination to the Legion of Blood. He can remember it all to clearly as he viewed the storm-stricken windows, the panels almost giving way as the high winds punished it.

*****

It had been several generations already, Mark thought, and quite a long time it had been for him to be walking the darkness of the night, slaying or converting countless victims to his charge. He had made quite a handful of vampires himself, although none as close and as interesting as his friend and apprentice vampire John. Perhaps the event of John's ordination to the Legion was a strong reminder of the similar fate he suffered in the hands of his own maker.

He lived the life of a nobleman himself, the very Manor where he lives a living testament of his family's wealth and fortune, amassed from riches that his family had plundered from countless conquests during the Middle Ages. Truly their fortune was unsurpassed that his family held high influence in the small society of the town.

During one particular ball organized by a friend, Mark had the opportunity to meet up with a gentleman of equal upbringing as he is, that in itself being mysterious already, since there are a few nobilities in their town. The name of the man was Matthew.

Mystified as Mark was by his new friend's identity, nevertheless the two forged a friendship that was perhaps stronger than what he and John had forged by themselves. Although Matthew only favored meeting up for balls or celebrations in the evenings, Mark never had suspicions - until the night of his conversion.

It was a tempestuous evening, much like what he had experienced during his serious chat with Count Arcanum and Countess Cassandra, and he and his friend Matthew were walking towards his Manor, having offered his friend a place to stay, when his friend suddenly pulled him towards a tree and pinned him in place, a queer gaze locking their eyes in place.

Wild thoughts raced across Mark's mind at his friend's actions, and his eyes widened with horror as his friend revealed its true identity - it was a vampire, and one of the First Generation Vampires at that, those descending from the tainted bloodlines that even surpass Count Arcanum's (since the current Great Count of the Legion descends at a bloodline several generations after Matthew's, the older Great Counts having died off). Without another word, Matthew plunged into Mark's neck and gave his friend a loving bite that settled in five seconds of pain for Mark, followed by five seconds of bliss, then a darker five seconds of settling bloodlust - also known as the Vampire's First Fifteen.

Overwhelmed by insane bloodlust, as his maker was a First Generation Vampire (in concept these vampires bring forth serious starts to their new apprentices), he and his friend stormed their Manor and killed off his own parents and sisters, lost in his hunger for blood.

*****

Now, as Mark recalls everything, all this began with what his friend had brought him, and as he contemplates on it, hate once again boils deep inside him, hence he retained a vow he made when he made John a part of the Legion: never to go by his older friend's brutality.

And now that the Prophecy settles itself on their house as well, everything seems so surreal to him... thus he retired to bed, his head spinning with his thoughts.

The Vampiric Chronicles Part Nineteen: The Underworld's Prophecy

Continuing from where we left off... XD

"You are aware, perhaps, of the interesting relationship that has taken root within the very halls of this Manor, are you not?" Arcanum asked Mark, the conversation now taking a more serious turn.

"Of my little vampire and his witch friend?" Mark said curiously. "I am aware of their relationship and I've thought better not to intervene."

"Good, at least you are aware and they are not hiding it from the rest of the world. Now, you do realize that what they are doing is in fact, well against both sides from whence they originate, yes?"

"Is love of another denizen in the underworld forbidden for the witches as well?"

"Why of course, darling." Cassandra said, stroking her cat calmly, her piercing eyes on Mark. "But of course, there had been exceptions - quite unnatural and shall we say - much-needed exceptions."

"Exceptions?"

"You are perhaps unaware of the Underworld's Prophecy." Arcanum said. "For the sake of your knowledge, as you have undoubtedly fallen into this circle already, as with your companions, let me state the contents of this prophecy."

Arcanum drew out a thick book from his traveling suitcase and opened it on a bookmark. The pages appeared to have been written in blood.

"The Underworld's Prophecy is an ancient foresight conceived by the best Seers of the First Age of Sorcery and Witchcraft, the time when our kind roamed the lands without fear of anything, not even the doctrines and weapons of the Church. Now that age has long past and we have succumbed to retreating in the darkness. As it is, here are the contents of the prophecy."

Arcanum cleared his throat, and began to read:

"As the sunsets wane once every ten years, at the critical point of the rise of the Witch's Moon, there will be love - love blossoming like a dark rose at the wastelands of the underworld - and those who share in it become the Chosen... those who become captivated by it shall serve a purpose greater than what their Existence had decreed for them..."

"Chosen?" Mark asked.

"Be quiet, it is not yet complete!" Cassandra hissed at Mark. Arcanum continued:

"During this critical point, it is they who shall bring the Great Darkness once again - a darkness and unholiness so vast, no servant of the heavens in the land would manage to resist - and in this time the underworld shall rise and initiate the Sinister Purge."

Mark dropped his wine glass.

"So this is the very event that spawns the Great Darkness and the Sinister Purge, decades and decades back!" Mark said with awe. "I have heard of the Darkness and the Purge approaching at this time of the decade, but I have never expected it to start at my very Manor!"

"Now you appreciate the situation." Arcanum said. "We shall not become burdens to your hospitality, for we have a small residence set up in the town area. Be mindful of everything else, Mark, and await our further commands. For now, keep a close watch on those two."

"I will."

With that, Count Arcanum and Countess Cassandra bid farewell, mounting the sinister carriage and trudging out of the Manor.

"You believe this couple would be like the countless ones before them?" Cassandra asked curiously. "Like us?"

Arcanum held her hand.

"My love, our moment of darkness has already manifested nearly centuries back and since then, tradition has never faltered. It would be regrettable for this new couple if they are to break it..."

The story turns ever so darker... :D

The Vampiric Chronicles Part Eighteen: Illustrious Guests

I just saw an interesting anime on the TV before I went to work today and it struck me with an interesting batch of ideas now embroidered within this Chronicle~

It was a stormy midnight in the Manor when a sinister carriage pulled by four skeletally thin black horses stopped in front of the doors and sounded a sinister bell ring from within it. At once Mark was shaken from his nervous seat in his armchair and immediately hastened to open the door, a black cloak in hand. He was the only one at the Manor, for John and Paul accompanied Sandra and Tom to visit the witch Krystelle.

As Mark opened the doors and awaited in front of the carriage doors, his heart beat with extreme nervousness and fear - only twice had his illustrious guest visited his Manor. The carriage still bore the similar emblem he saw decades back - a human heart impaled by a shining silver dagger and shrouded by burning fire - the Dark Legion of Blood.

The vampire coachman brushed in front of Mark and opened the carriage doors, and two persons stepped out of it - Count Arcanum, head of the Dark Legion of Blood, the Unholy Order of Vampires. With him was an aristocratic-looking witch wearing long black silk robes and a fine ebony witch's hat. She caressed a devious-looking black cat in her hands as she shielded it from the tempest.

"Good Evening, Count Arcanum." Mark said, bowing before the regal-looking vampire. The title 'Count' is a position held with high esteem among the ranks of the vampires, as it signifies veterancy and age within the Legion.

"Good Eve, Sir Mark." Count Arcanum said, acknowledging the vampire with a curt nod and a flick of his hat. "Before you take us in your hospitality for a few hours of serious talk, I would like to introduce to you, Countess Cassandra, Grand Witch of the Occult Order of Witches."

"It is my pleasure to meet you, madame." Mark said, taking the witch's free hand and kissing it gently.

"Charming vampire." the witch said, her aristocratic figure breached by a sudden tinge of a girlish giggle. "Shall we get inside? My cat is starting to feel drafty."

"But of course."

Mark led the two towards the guest chambers of the Manor, where they seated themselves comfortably by a burning fireplace, the servant bringing them refreshments.

"It is quite an honor to have you in my humble Manor, your Grace, but pray might I ask why at so short a notice? I barely had time to prepare the accommodations."

"Oh, please, it is no bother, my lad." Count Arcanum said, leaning on a silver cane with a heart-shaped grip. "We have serious business to discuss... you are alone?"

"As of the moment. My friend vampire and my little vampire have accompanied their friend witch and warlock on a woodland not far from here. I daresay they might be back tomorrow given the weather."

"Ah... the cast of this thickening plot." the witch said prophetically, her eyes on her cat, which she lovingly stroked, the cat purring contentedly. "Perfect, Arcanum. Simply perfect."

"In which case..." Arcanum said. "Let me begin."

And we will cut the story there to avoid a lengthy statement! XD

The Vampiric Chronicles Part Seventeen: Support and Encouragement

I've just come from a really late Yahoo! Messenger Conference with my close friends and companions in the Online Gaming Realm and I can't help but smile at what they had given me in exchange for my listening at their tales and them listening to mine. I transcribe it into this Chronicle~

It was one particularly fine morning when John, endowed once again with the mystical medicine that granted him the ability to walk under the sun's glare without fear, went out of the Manor to have a nice long walk and contemplate on his life. He had left Sandra in the Manor as she started to teach young Tom in the more intricate arts of Dark Magic, one which required more intensive concentration and attention. Thus the young vampire went into town, dressed in the rather usual fashion he adopted during his nobility days.

He chanced across the Town Square, where the old bookstore stood. It had been his habit with his friends to pay a visit to the bookstore before and have a good read of books that are worth purchasing. Retracting his fangs, John took a deep breath and pushed open the aging bookstore door, the doorway bell clinking gently as he did.

"John?!"

John was partly blinded by the sunlight's glare that he failed to recognize the thunderstruck figures that were inside the bookstore. As his vision adjusted, though, he noticed that it was his old friends and companions, still idling by at the bookstore.

"Hey, it's been a long time! Where have you been?" Matt, his old next-door neighbor, said, pulling John towards him with his arm and ruffling his hair. "We've been calling in your mansion for weeks but your parents said you've gone on a trip!"

"You didn't even tell us, man." Anthony, another noble neighbor of his, said, slapping John's shoulder playfully with a thick book. "It was like you just disappeared!"

"Hey, sorry everyone, I got held up - er - overseas." John said apologetically, smiling weakly. "Anyway, I'm back, so what's up?"

"You gotta tell us everything about it, then!" Jason, the oldest of them all and one they all look upon to, said. "Come on, let's have some lunch at my house."

They went over to Jason's estate and had a scrumptious lunch outside. As they dined in, John told them of "travels" that he has had, but kept to himself the fact that he had been turned into a vampire. The horror and discrimination that his friends might show were not exactly what he had been aiming to discover at such a fine day.

"So," Anthony said, breaking the silence. "You met some interesting ladies overseas?"

John took a wild stab.

"Well, there was one whom I had loved during my short travel, and she confesses that she loves me too." John said, clearly alluding to him and Lady Sandra. "We're still feeling our way to one another, though."

"Cool, man." Jason said, slapping John's back and almost making him choke. "I didn't know you had it in you!"

"Yeah, well it surprised me too."

"I'll have one advice to give you regarding that."

"What is it?"

"Return there regularly and take her out."

"Well, we have been going out for a bit with some friends during my visit, and - "

"No, not like that. I mean take her out, just the two of you, and have a chat, or some dinner or something!"

"Well, I..."

"Trust us, especially Jason, man." Matt said, waving a fork playfully at John. "It'll take your relationship to a deeper level."

And as John contemplated about it when they all separated to return to their homes, John trudging his way beyond their eyesight and back to the Manor, he slowly contemplates on the short but meaningful bit of advice - "Take her out".

But he had several intents to accomplish before that, for he already has the plan in mind, but due to certain delays he has faced with some people, he is forced to, in turn, delay it a bit further. But just a few days, he suppose.

Just a few more days...

*sigh* Thanks to them, now I've opened up further in my relationship. I love you, sweet *hugs*