Chapter Text
I hate vampires. They are blood-drinking, soulless monsters. Corruption is part of them and they do not hesitate to kill humans with cold hands. So it's my role to kill them. I've been a vampire hunter for years now. In my guild, I am considered one of the best.
This guild, where I grew up and where I was able to perfect my art. Now I was considered an adept, the most powerful vampire hunters. But I can't say that this guild has a very healthy environment but it serves to pass the time and have an affiliation. Because without this guild it would be very complicated for me to approach the top of the vampire hierarchy. Vampires are a species with a very important hierarchy.
The infans in the category they have barely more power than us humans. The iuvenis, young vampires who are beginning to gain power. Normalizes the average power of vampires. Vampire dives with the power to destroy an entire neighborhood in a fraction of a second. And the nobilis, the most powerful of normal vampires. Usually the ones I fight.
Finally, no there is a last category, but it seems almost a myth. The Archons, considered the seven most powerful vampire gods of all time.
We know very little about them, most of it found in books, legends or when other vampires pray before dying.
I just know their names: Rex lapiz, Foçalors , La Rani Kusanali, La Raiden shogun, La Tsarine, Murata and Barbatos.
These gods who bless vampires and control the elements. They who created corruption.
I dream of killing them.
I was leaning against a wall, cigarette in my mouth, watching the apprentices train. I rarely smoke, usually right after I've had a hell of a fight with a vampire. It allows me to relax and settle down.
When I'm at the guild, I generally don't hang out in the heart of the action, preferring quieter places where combat reigns. I have very few friends, if any at all, since the death of my partners in the face of one of the most powerful nobilis I have seen in my life.
So powerful that it caused a jolt across the country.
Finally... it's in the past...
“Alatus!” We have work for you! One of the guild leaders shouted.
I muttered one last sentence before stubbing out my cigarette butt in the ashtray and heading towards the boss.
“Mister, did you call me?
-Yeah, you won't believe it but there's a new vampire and since it's a nobilis, beginners can't go there. But you do! Do you accept the mission then? My superior told me
-yes sir, what is the information regarding this vampire?
-It is quite powerful and dangerous. It is estimated that he killed nearly twenty humans in less than a week. »
My blood ran cold, twenty humans in a week and no one knew about it before?!...
“Otherwise… He’s quite big and he hangs out near the north of Beijing. According to the few opinions he wears red, he is a Pyro vampire.
-And in terms of his physical traits?
-brown, black eyes that turned purple due to corruption. Corruption level 70%
-Thank you mister
-Did a good job Alatus”
I bowed and walked towards my locker. I put on my boots, tightened my laces, put on my pads and put on my usual jacket. I loved this jacket and used it often during my vampire hunt. It was a simple jacket but a dark green that went really well with my hair dye.
I stuck a rubber band between my lips and tied my hair up.
And finally, I took my jade spear, putting it in pocket mode to put it around my belt.
I looked at myself in the mirror, then sighed.
I went out and headed towards the entrance to get the vials that could suppress vampire powers. Quite practical for keeping vampires, especially since from a certain dose it can be fatal for them.
When the subway doors opened to the northern district of Beijing, I immediately tensed, starting to look for any trace of the vampire.
I pulled out a small device that could detect corruption and was only half surprised when it detected corruption right away.
“it’ll be easy I say”
I walked through the streets, vendors trying to sell their last products before closing for the night and the perpetual rhythm of laughter and discussion.
But in the corner of a street, screams could be heard.
This is where he was.
This is where the fight begins.
With a deft gesture, I grab my jade spear on my hip, opening with a metallic sound its green anemo glow glowing softly.
I leaned against the wall and started walking slowly to avoid indicating my presence to the monster.
The screams grew louder and louder, and the sound of a fight echoed.
And I could see it, the monster above its dying victim.
A certain disgust invades me and with a quick movement I rush towards my target, she quickly dodges.
Through the eyes of the bloodsucker I could see the thirst, the thirst for blood, murder and power.
And I could sense from his aura that he was particularly powerful. I had to be careful, the pyro vampires were quite powerful.
After a short duel of glances, a new sequence of movements began, with rapid gestures, he blocked my spear.
Stepping back to catch our breath, the purple in his eyes intensified and with a simple gesture of the arm the fire burst forth.
I balanced on my left leg to avoid being burned. It was now a game of dodging that ensued.
I jumped forward and threw a spear. I had just hit the vampire in the upper torso. He screamed and bent over his wound.
“kid, you’re good…”
I stood up and adjusted my posture with confidence.
“prepare your last words dirty vampire”
He muttered a curse and summoned the Pyro power again.
But a human cry destabilized me, I turned towards the victim and I could see her breathing. But the vampire didn't take advantage of my inattention to do anything to me. He brought me back to reality after a severe burn on my leg. I groan slightly, but quickly try to sit up. Another fire attack, this time grazing my arm, lightly burning my jacket. I had to catch up quickly otherwise I wasn't going to make it. I threw myself at him again with my spear piercing his arm.
Taking advantage of his destabilization, I take advantage of my uninjured leg to kick him.
Another Pyro attack hits me this time in the chest. I lean on my side and stifle a cry of pain. He really touched me...
Then I felt a foreign body propel me against a wall. Taken by surprise, my jade spear collapsed with a metallic noise. The monster blocks my arms and pins me so that I can't move. And before I could even make another move, I felt the vampire pull my collar.
Oh no…no…
I started to struggle but the vampire's teeth in my neck stopped me.
"No no…"
But the vampire didn't care, quickly I start to feel pain in my neck. Corruption... I had to take one of the vials in my pocket. I tried to move my arm, but the vampire leaned on me even more and dug in his fangs even more, paralyzing me even more.
it's stifling, unpleasant... It was too late... it's the end.. My vision is starting to get blurry.
And my legs start to shake.
But suddenly a soft music came to rock my last moments. It was soft... Similar to a flute walk. I was too lost to realize what happened except that after a while the flute stopped and the vampire retreated from my neck.
And collapsed into something warm.
"Hey"
"Hey.. "
"You hear me ? An unknown voice called to me
I groaned slightly. I felt tired...my head, neck and wounds hurt.
I was in pain, so I didn't die.
If?
Nope…
I tried to open my eyes but found myself dazzled by the light.
Instinctively I put my arm around my eyes.
"Ouch…
“Welcome among us, that sweet voice whispered again”
I moaned slightly again.
“Well, I’m glad you’re okay, that mysterious voice said again.”
I tried to regain consciousness but my exhausted, numb body didn't seem to want it.
Groaning one last time I tried to get up. I then saw this mysterious person through a very blurry shape. Black hair? A pale face I really had difficulty distinguishing the shapes.
“Well, you seem to be fine... I’ll leave you”
No, I didn't want him to have saved me, I wanted to at least know his name.
“Wait… at least tell me your name. My voice hurt, cracking slightly
-Don't worry, I think we'll see each other again soon."
Then I started to see the shape moving off into the distance.
I tried to rub my eyes, the pain and discomfort making me ache.
And then the realization of everything that had happened paralyzed me. I had been bitten by a corrupted vampire and I was still alive. No, it was impossible... I still had this violent pain in my neck which reminded me that no, it wasn't my imagination.
What has happened?
Who was this boy or is it a girl?
And this music?
“Hey, are you okay? A female voice startled me.”
I turned towards the voice and I could see yesterday's victim, no, that's impossible. She was supposed to be dead. No human can survive the bite of a corrupted vampire…. What the hell happened yesterday?
“Mister, are you okay?
-Yeah... I’m okay and you?
-a little shaken from yesterday but it's okay"
She showed a big smile.
“You know who that person was who saved us? I said trying to get information
-Ah uh no I only woke up some time before you. But this person is very tender, she took care of me and then of you with a certain tenderness.
-can you describe it to me?
-Ah uh, I would say he is brown with colored streaks. I couldn't see very well but it was on two strands in the front of his face. And his eyes... His eyes were a beautiful green, I think I had never seen a person with such beautiful eyes.
-Thank you for this information… and one last thing, do you know where the vampire went?
-Ah uh no I see I had to apologize sir but no I didn't see it.
-Don't worry…"
I got up but lost my balance slightly. I leaned against a wall and sighed. The wound on my leg and torso hurt a lot.
“Oh done, what’s your name? the girl asks me
-My name doesn't matter
-Of course he has one! My name is Marjorie
-And I Alatus grumbled
-Goodbye Alatus see you soon I hope”
I bend down to take the jade spear, and I get up with difficulty. It didn't seem damaged, I press the button to put it in pocket mode and I slip it into my belt.
Slowly, I started walking towards my apartment. Walking up the subway stairs with injuries wasn't the most pleasant thing. But I finally got there...
At the entrance to my apartment, I enter the keys and go straight to my room to collapse on my bed, fatigue taking over.
As I began to fall asleep, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket.
Groaning slightly, I grab it then lie on my back to answer ganyu's call.
“Xiao! Damn, you scared the hell out of me! You didn't respond yesterday!
-Yeah sorry I was fighting a vampire…
- Do you know what time it is?
-No I do not know
-It’s 12 p.m. Xiao! You went into battle almost a day ago
-Yes, sorry, I have to leave you, Ganyu.
And before she even continues her sentence, I hang up, too tired to hear her shout at me. But now awake I couldn't just lie there feeling the dirt and blood on me.
I got up from my bed and grabbing some clothes on the way I headed towards the bathroom. I started to undress and taking advantage of seeing myself naked I looked at my wounds. On my neck I had a bandage probably put by the other boy. My other injuries had one as well.
Slowly, I remove the bandage on my neck. The vampire's fang mark was indeed there, but it had been disinfected and cleaned. But something intrigued me about my arm. A mark, as if someone had injected me with some sort of substance.
What if... This person had injected us with a substance that cured us of the vampire bite?
No it's impossible..
And then this story starts to give me a headache.
I groaned and then put on another bandage before heading to the shower. I needed a hot shower to clear my mind. I slipped under the water and was able to finally relax after this sick day.
I took my shower, put on my pajamas and jumped into bed this time deciding to sleep.
“Xiao!” Xiao! Xiiiiiiaaaaoooo says Bosacius to me
-What !
-We're going to be late, Bonasus tells me.
Taken by surprise, I stand up and quickly begin to get ready.
“YOU COULD NOT HAVE WAKE UP ME EARLIER!”
-we tried, tells me Indarias
-But you seemed to be in a very deep dream, said Menogias this time.
I put on my green jacket and put my jade spear on my belt.
“So, Xiao, what were you dreaming of? Mouse very suspiciously Bonasus
-Ah uh nothing special…
-I say he dreamed of a beautiful young girl! Laughs Indarias
-What n-no! I say while blushing
-Oh come on Xiao you can tell us everything you were mumbling things in your sleep said Menogias
-I told you I dreamed of no one!
-Oh you know Xiao between brothers we say everything Bonacius teased me
“Damn it, leave me!”
I started walking faster.
“Xiao be careful! Menogias shouted to me
As we were walking, a vampire appeared out of nowhere and lunged at me.
Indarias pushed him back and the fight became fierce.
With his cryo powers, I saw the vampire kill Bonasus. Then I saw him bite Indarias. Seized with madness, she killed Menogias.
To finally see Bonacius protecting me from yet another attack by the monster.
“I’ll pass the baton to you, little brother.”
I screamed…
Scream in agony
Scream until you lose your voice.
Corruption began to invade my memories. Everything was becoming blurry, black purple...
I was alone in the face of death.
The ground started to crack and he collapsed. I began to fall, falling until I lost my son. Slowly soft music flooded my senses. That same music from when the vampire bit me.
And just as I was about to hit the ground, the wind caught me.
I was then able to see this same boy but this time in forms that seemed clearer to me.
Then I woke up with a start. The incomprehension and shortness of breath still give me a headache. I look around, I'm still in my room. But strangely the window is wide open allowing the wind to freely enter the room. Some papers had flown across the apartment. Still without really understanding I get up and close the window.
To calm this migraine, I decide to take medication against it. I finally start watching a movie on television.
But somehow I can't forget yesterday's event. So quickly, I grab my laptop and search for keywords.
I go to the sort of Google for vampires, quite easy to access by the way.
And I search for “Vampire Bite Survivors”.
And I come across articles. So I wasn't the only one with the girl. The survivors are particularly located in Germany and more recently in China. What if, this boy had indeed found a substance.
I looked and looked for hours trying to find as much information as possible. And finally around 6 p.m. I receive a message from my guild.
“Hey Alatus! Don't forget to come and receive your bonus »
Ah yes, I had forgotten with all these events. But was the vampire really dead in the end?
Well... I had no choice, I had to go to the guild before he started spamming me.
I got up and dressed again and headed towards the guide. Arriving in front of the chief I received his congratulations and the sum of money, a little uneasy because I did not know if the vampire had really disappeared.
Taking advantage of being at the guild, I ask if I can access the large library.
They tell me yes, and quickly I move towards it. So I spend the evening trying to find information about this mysterious savior. I'm trying to find any information about him.
“Xiao!” When I was told you were at the guild I looked everywhere for you!
“Well, I’m here.”
Ganyu lunged at me and turned me around to face him. She took her analytical look and looked at me.
“Are you okay, aren’t you hurt?
-No, finally...
-What happened, are you hurt?
-Yesterday something strange happened to me”
Out of the corner of my eye I can see her looking at the mess I put on the table.
“Yesterday...I was bitten by a corrupted vampire...
-What wait, no, it’s impossible, Xiao! You would have died
-I know but there was another victim who also survived. When I woke up I was greeted by a strange boy. He probably saved my life and I think he cooked up a substance that could cure vampire bites.
-No, Xiao, I don't think so... Are you sure you've been bitten?
-Sure and some look..”
I pull at my collar to show my bandage on my neck. And through the girl's eyes I can see fear and horror.
"How it is possible ?..
-I don't have the slightest idea. But I want to know"
I see Ganyu moving some documents before sighing.
“Xiao I think we’re going to have to work as a team to find this man.
-What no..
-If Xiao we have no choice..”