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~Thinking about the past~



I looked at my hands searching for any traces of ashes. Bu I didn’t find any of those. My hands were white like bleached bones and with no scars or marks. Perfect! I could still feel the necks of the two guards breaking in my hands. And then, the stake that went straight through their hearts. That’s the problem with the immortals: When you become a vampire, you are indestructible. But when a wooden stake goes through your heart – Poof! You die and there is nothing you can do about it. I have had my fare share of years living as a vampire and I do not recall the time when I was human. Perhaps I was born this way.
However I still feel something different, strange when I feed on my victims. A feeling I do not wish to think that it is mine but it may be. The same feeling pushed me to turn Galahad into one of us: a vampire. His eternal suffering is suffocating. Not to mention that it is such a great amusement. I am over 800 years old. And, for immortals, power comes with age. The older you are, the stronger you’ll get. I smiled. Because of Galahad, I have not killed a single human in 300 years.
I heard some noises in the Woods to the East. I smiled again, then I started to run at full speed. Two and a half seconds later, I was standing next to Galahad, who was fighting three skeleton guards…again…
“Dear husband, what are you doing?”
“Leave me be, spawn of darkness! I have nothing to say to you!” he said with his voice trembling of anger and exhaustion.
“Your suicide mission won’t work, dear husband. You can’t die…You’re already dead!”
“And I have you to thank for, right? Stole my soul, trick me into marry you only to have me turned into this? I should stake right this instance!” he shouted.
“Don’t be stupid. You can’t possibly stake your maker! Even if you could… If you kill me, all the vampires that I have turned will die along with me. And it so happens that you are the only one that I have turned. That means you’ll die!”
“Better dead than this!”
“How you jest.” I laughed. “Let me help you… And then, you and I need to talk.” I said.

A few minutes later, Galahad destroyed the last skeleton, while I finished ripping mine. The first one ran away. I took the shield and a few arrows that I found lying on the ground.


“You said you wanted to talk. Talk!” he said angry.
I hesitated… I needed to find a way to make him help me. He was of no help if I forced him to help.  Of course…
“How would you feel if your precious humans would be in slavery for eternity?” I asked.
“You speak nonsense! “
“Not if my brother has his way. We must stop him!”
“WE, must do nothing! He is your brother, you deal with him!”
“Have you not heard what I just said? He is going to enslave humanity!”
“I don’t believe anything you say, Spawn of Darkness!” he shouted.
I thought “This is not taking us anywhere…”
“Come with me!” I said.
“Come with you where?” he asked cautious.
“I need you to believe me!” He tried to interrupt me but I lifted my right hand – something that humans do – and continued. “Now I know that you will not trust anything I say, so I’m going to prove it to you. Come with me to the Chapel. You will see there.”
I could already hear the vampires gathering. Fortunately for us, only Marcello knew that I was home… And he owed me. I mean, after all, I helped him find that witch that he is so in love with. We rushed to the chapel only to find it full with vampires and of course, my brother standing next to a pedestal covered by a white sheet . I trembled in anger when I heard his voice. I don’t know why he has this sort of effect on me… Maybe we were meant to hate each other for eternity.
“Fellow vampires!” he said. “The time has come to take over the World. Too long have we, one the most powerful creatures that have ever walked on this land, been ruled by some weak and vulnerable creatures: Mortals. Why have we not taken over them until now? Out of respect for mortals? They mean nothing to us, nor can they compare their powers with ours. They are merely food.”
“But Gyendal, they have the Sun and their stars to protect them. We are the weak ones in the Overworld.” said Vladimir.
“We will not have to worry for them for much longer. I have discovered a way to make the mortals bow at out feet. I have discovered a way to plunge the world into eternal darkness!” he said, obviously satisfied.
“How!” asked Vivienne.
“A few years ago, I discovered a journal of a human sorcerer named Mordred Darkthrop. He created two orbs : The Orb of Light and The Orb of Darkness, and put a spell on them so that only someone with Darkthrop blood could remove them from their resting place. Then years later, I discovered a trace of a human girl. Just a few days ago, I acquired The Orb of Darkness. The fool girl gave it to me!”
“You have killed her, then?” asked Vivienne again.
“Unfortunately something came up and she escaped. But not before she handed it over.”
Saying that, he turned to the pedestal and removed the sheet that was covering it. The Orb started to glow.
“What a pretty crystal. And what a deadly crystal…” I thought. The vampires started to whisper while they were looking at The Orb.
“What about the other Orb? The Orb of Light? What if the humans bring it here to destroy us?” asked Vladimire.
“I have discovered its location and killed it’s guardian. It is of no threat for us.” said Gyendal after a second of hesitation.
“We know enough. Let’s leave before someone sees us!” whispered Galahad in my left ear.
We sneaked outside the Chapel. I turned to Galahad.
“Now you believe me? Will you help me?”
“For the humans, I shall fight!”
“Come then…” I said while I started to run. He easily kept up.






~Spy vs. Spy~




Time passes when you’re having fun. Or so they say. The truth is that I had fun. For three moths I studied under Gray. Those were the best days of my life. I had to do several training missions and Professor Gray was very pleased with me. He said I was doing very well and that soon he will have an important mission for me.
Living at the Academy was very good. Being Gray’s student, I didn’t have to wear a uniform and since I used to be a thief, my clothes were perfect for spying. Inevitably, every day I had to see Edward. He pestered me for a few weeks before I agreed to befriend him. He was always in trouble and I had so much fun watching him as he tried to explain to Headmaster Ulaf his actions. Like the time he brought a couple of frogs inside the school because someone said that he’s not man enough to touch a frog. But it turned out to be poisonous frogs those that he brought and so he got all purple. His teacher took him to the temple to be healed. I got really worried although I didn’t tell him and when he asked me I said I was not concerned because I knew that he would be okay. I waited at the temple until he got better. It was a long hour. And I felt guilty because… well… I was the one who told him to grab the frogs…
At school it was forbidden for students to talk about rank. Most followed this rule but a few, especially Lydia Rupert made sure to remember us that they belonged to the noble families and that they were better than the rest of us. I hated Lydia from the first moment that I saw her, Or should I say, from the first moment that I didn’t saw her…
I was running late for school, as usual, when I bumped into a green haired girl. I mumbled “sorry” and kept running but she said:
“Eww, it touched me!”
I stopped and turned. Then I said:
“Excuse me?”
“Are you talking to me? Who gave you permission to talk to me commoner?”
“And you are…?” I said ignoring her stupid question.
“My name is Lydia Rupert. And I am of royal blood!”
“Like I care…”
Her face turned red. She waited a moment to calm down and then she said:
“You look like a ratty thing. Do yourself a favor and go away!”
“With pleasure your stupidity!”
Then I turned and walked away.
Later, I found out that Lydia made it her business to find out who everyone at school was and to categorize us into favorable and unfavorable groups. Fortunately for me, I was highly unfavorable to her.

But I wasn’t going to let Lydia, or anyone else for that matter, to mess with my life. I was way too happy for that.

In the morning I went to see Professor Gray. When I entered the Academy I saw Edward who was just cleaning his practice sword.
“Morning Edward!”
“Good morning Mel! You’d better hurry or you’ll be late again.” He said laughing.
“Gee, thanks for reminding me.” I said ironically and started to walk faster.
“Bye Mel!” he said amused.

I entered Gray’s office.
“You’re late… as usual…” he said.
“You know… there’s a good reason for my delay!” I tried to tell him.
“It doesn’t matter. I have a job for you, like I promised.”
“Okay… What?”
“Some time ago I received a rather disturbing tip. Someone is trying to sell military secrets. Worse, I believe it could be one of the nobles. Find out who is doing that and report back to me.”
“And how am I to do that?”
“There is going to be a ball tonight. It’s the perfect alibi.”
“So I should sneak it through a window and keep an eye from above?”
“No, I need you to blend in, ask question and look for anyone who is acting strange. You will go undercover as one of the guests.”
“What? What are you talking about? I am so not going dressed in a noble. I hate nobles and I’m not going to pretend to be one.” I shouted.
“A good spy does not pick his roles. He is good at all of them. Will you do it?”
“…Fine! I’ll do it although I’m not going to like this.”
“Very well! Here! Take this ticket and this note to Lia. Go and find a shop called <<The Thread and Needle>>. Tell her that I sent you. Go now! I believe you have some shopping to do!” he said amused.
“Yeah right…” I mumbled.

This was going to a long day. I was actually hoping that nobody would see me into that shop. It’s embarrassing.
But when I entered the shop SURPRISE!!! Lydia…

“I suppose this gown will do! Deliver it to my father’s estate. NOW!” she said. Or should I say she demanded.
“Right away milady!” said the shopkeeper who I guessed, was Lia.

Then Lydia noticed me.
“What are you doing here street rat?” she asked with an annoying voice.
“Mmm… just browsing.”
“Well don’t get too comfy. You couldn’t afford anything in here even if you wanted to.” she said and then she left.

I ignored her and asked the shopkeeper:
“Are you Lia? I have a note for you from Professor Gray.”
She took the note and then she said:
“Ah, I see.” then she went next to a red gown. She looked at me and said:
“This will do. Would you like to put it on now or should I send it to your house?”
“Um… Send it please!I live at Apartment 2B in the Lamplight District” I answered quickly.
“I will have someone deliver it today.”
“Thank you!” I said and then I left home.

Half an hour later someone came with the dress. It was pretty. Red. Too red…
“How in the name of the goddess am I supposed to wear this thing? It looks hideous.”
And to make thing worse I just received a pair of red, high heels shoes – compliments of Professor Gray.
I was so angry that I felt like hitting something. Maybe ripping Lydia’s head off…
I spend the afternoon thinking about ways of crushing Lydia. Then, at twilight I got dressed – it looked even more hideous on me – and then I went to the palace. The steward asked for my ticket and then I entered.



~ The discovery~



Lights… too many lights… Ugh… There must have been thousands of candles hanging everywhere.
In the entrance hall that leads to the throne room was sitting on a pedestal the King’s sword Excalibur. Next to it a maid asked me if I needed anything. I said no and kept walking.
Although I could hear the music, there were only a few people in there.
“I don’t get it… where is everybody?” I thought.
Another maid rushed towards me and said:
“Welcome Milady! May I accompany you to the ball room?”
“Umm… yeah! I mean, yes!” I said quickly.
“Very well. This way please!”
We entered another room through a huge door and there we were. It was so crowded. And, near the window in the other side of that chamber I saw the Queen who was talking to…Lydia.
“Great… I’d better get out of here before she sees me.”
I rushed out of the room. Then I went on the corridor until I saw some stairs; I climbed them and landed in another corridors. This place was huge. To my right I saw another pair of stairs but those were guarded. I suspected that those lead to the East Wing. Maybe treasures? Anyways, since the guards haven’t noticed me, I quickly entered a room in my left.


Well, this was a big one. Because of the huge bed that was standing right in the middle of the room this had to be the dorm.
I saw another small door tucked behind a curtain. I hoped it was the study. I entered.
Jackpot! Full of books. It has to be the study.
I walked slowly towards an open wall and reached for my knife.
And then, the discovery!
EDWARD!!!
“Step away from the king’s desk!” I said with a threatening voice.
“Mel? What are doing here?” he asked surprised.
“What am I doing here? What are you doing here? How long have you been a spy Edward?”
“A spy? I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m not a s…”
“Where did you get those clothes? Did you steal them?”
He was wearing a red robe with golden marks on it. And on his head, a small crown made of gold.
“Oh no… You can’t be…”

“I knew I saw you downstairs!” said Lydia. “Has she harmed you Prince Edward? Shall I call the guards?”
“No. It’s okay. Leave us Lydia!”
“But Milord…”
“Leave Lydia! Now!”
“Yes M’lord!”
Lydia left and I dropped my knive!
“Prince!? You’re a prince?! I don’t believe this! How could I have been so stupid?”
“Please Mel, let me explain!”
“What? Explain!” I shouted.
“Not here! Come with me? Please!”
“NO!!! I’m not going anywhere with you! I don’t get it… No one mentioned in school who you were.”
“If you remember, it’s forbidden to talk about rank.”
“But Lydia…”
“Lydia and her cronies don’t care about the rules. Unfortunately, nothing changed outside of school.”
“I don’t care… We are no longer friends, Edward.”
I tried to leave but he grabbed my hand.
“What do you think you’re doing? Let me go!”
“Please? Come with me!”
“Fine…”




He took me to a balcony. It was peaceful there but my rage wasn’t going away.
“There, I came with you! Explain!”
“What is there to explain? I liked you. You didn’t know who I was. It was refreshing.”
“Please…” I said ironically. “You’re life can’t be that bad!”
“Isn’t it?” he sighed.
I waited… He sighed again and then he said:
“In one year I’m graduating… I’ll be forced to live in the castle without being able to leave it unless there’s a war or something. And I’ll have to marry a foreign princess I’ve never me. I wish I had your life…”
“You don’t want to have my life… trust me! But I haven’t thought about it like that… I’ll tell you what… when you become king I’ll do something to start a war. That way you’ll be able to leave the castle. Maybe on you’re wedding day so you don’t have to marry a foreign princess.” I said smiling.
“And then I would take you and run away somewhere far away from Thais.”
I blushed…
“Oh, come on… I mean… Marrying a princess should be a good thing. Who knows… maybe she’s pretty.”
“Yeah... about that… My mother doesn’t want to tell me, but I think this princess may be from the Orc Kingdom.” He said. His face was so sad that I couldn’t help it.
I started to laugh like crazy. It was too funny.

In that second I was a shooting star. It was the brightest one that I have ever seen.
“Look!” said Edward. “It landed near the ruins! Let’s go check it out!”
“Yeah… you wish… I’m not going anywhere in this hideous dress and I still have to find the spy at your father’s ball.”
“Then, I’ll see you in the morning?”
“Yeah… sure!”
“Oh, by the way… You look pretty!” he said and then he left.
A few seconds later I shouted.
“Edward, don’t you dare to come early!” I’m sure he heard me because I heard him laughing…
I smiled and followed him out of the room. I entered through another door from the dorm and I heard someone mumbling. I recognized him. Then I rushed downstairs and went towards the exit.

Later that night I entered Professor Gray’s office.
“I found the spy! It’s Lord Wallas Rupert.”
“Thank you child. You’ve done well. You may go home and rest!”
“What should I do about the dress?”
“I’ll have someone come over in the morning to collect it.”
“Well then, good night Professor!”
“Sleep well child. Oh, and… Mel?”
“Yes?”
“Lovely outfit!” he said amused.
“Why, thank you!” I said angry.
“You may keep the shoes!” he laughed.
I tried to remain silent and walked out of the school, more like a tornado!
I got home and, after I’ve changed my clothes I went to sleep.
That night I had the weirdest dream…



~Mirror to Past~



A huge, dark tower was lying before me surrounded by forest.
“Where am I? I must be dreaming. This place looks somewhat familiar…”
I heard some noise from the top so I entered it. I followed the stairs towards the top and there, right in the middle of the tower was standing an old man, dressed in black with purple markings on his coat. I somehow had the nagging feeling like I was missing something… Like someone was missing. He was completely ignoring me…it was like he didn’t even notice that I was there. Duh! It was a dream…but it felt so real… Then I heard him talking…
“Just a bit and it’ll be all over. He has no idea what I’ve planned, does he, my precious pet?!”
Then a few seconds later he said
“Awake my pet, awake!”
A big lighting bolt hit the pedestal that was standing right in front of him. At the same time I heard someone talking a downstairs. I moved closer to the edge of the tower and looked down. There, were standing a man and a woman. The man had dark hair and brown eyes. He was tall and well built wearing a thin golden crown on his head. The women, on the other hand, had some beautiful golden hair with bright blue eyes. She had pretty much the same height as me but she was far more beautiful. I never considered myself as pretty…
She, on the other hand had some elegant features.
“Rayina, I must stop him. If he completes the orb, it’s all lost.” said the man.
“Orb?” I thought. “What orb?”
I turned and saw the old man holding a glowing ball in his hand.
“Is that… the Orb of Darkness?” I said… of course… no answer.

“Tunsten, I will not let you die!” said Raiyna.

I froze. Not because I recognized that man. Not even because I realized that the old man was Mordred Darkthrop. I froze because I just heard my voice and it was not coming from my mouth. It was coming from hers .
I couldn’t believe it. It wasn’t possible… She had the same eyes as mine and she had the same worried face that I get when something bothers me. Like the time I found out the truth about my parents who…

“You must understand Rayina. I have to stop him. He must not be allowed to complete that orb.” continued Tunsten.
“Wait…” she said but Tunsten hurried towards Mordred.

“This must stop, father!”
“Tunsten, what are doing out here? Go back inside!”
“You will stop this! Or I will stop you!”
“With what magic? You have none!”
“Good bye father!” said Tunsten while raising his right hand. In that moment a small tornado hit Mordred and he fell.

“How?” he said with a faint voice.
“It appears that I had an affinity for magic after all father. You wouldn’t teach me but I watched…and learnt.”
“I could have ruled the world. Are you taking it for yourself?”
“I don’t want to rule the world, father. You never understood that.”
“Don’t be fool boy. One day a Darkthrop will rule the world. If it’s not you, then it will be one of your children.” “
“No father! I am the last of our line. Ours is a curse. It will end tonight. Your prophecy will be void.” He then turned to Rayina and said: “Rayina, go to the village and tell them that the Darkthrop lineage is over.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I am the last of my line.”
“But what if…”
“Yes?”
“What if you weren’t…the last of your line?”
“What are talking about? We have born no children wife.”
“Oh!” I said. “She’s pregnant… Tunsten, can’t you see she’s pregnant” I yelled. For a second, I thought they heard me because Tunsten suddenly looked at me. But then he turned again to Rayina and told her:
“Tonight I break the curse on our family. The Darkthrop Prophecy dies tonight!”

Rayina nodded.
“Very well! I will go… I love you Tunsten Darkthrop! You are a better person than I am. Remember that… I love you!”

Meantime, Mordred got up and whispered something that sounded like an enchantment. At the same time, a red light appeared and the orb was gone. Tunsten then raised again his right hand and started a long enchantment. Rayina left and I felt compelled to follow her. We passed through a maze of corridors and eventually we got outside. She was crying… I was feeling so sad… I did not know why…
Then, a few moments later she wanted to turn back but there was a massive explosion and the tower came crashing down… Tunsten was dead.
Rayina fell on her knees and screamed. I woke up the next second.
“Nooooooo!”

“Mel? Mel?! Mel, open up! Mel!”
“Edward?” I asked faint. “Oh… Oh! It’s just a dream… it was just a dream.”
But deep down I knew it was true… Tunsten did die and Mordred was killed by the hand of his son.
“Mel! Come on Mel. Open the door!”
I slowly went to the door and opened up. Edward was freaking out.
“Are you okay? I was just going to knock when I heard you screaming… Mel!?” he said when he saw that I wasn’t listening.
“I’m fine… Just a bad dream.”
“Good… are you sure you’re all right?”
“Yes Edward! I’m fine. Just give me a second to dress up."


He looked at me and blushed; then he turned away. I closed the door and went to my closet.