Introduction

The year 1480, mid renaissance, mid Italy. Venezia to be precise in location. It was as dark as a wolf's howl. Hollow and cold. The fires around the city did not burn bright nor hot enough. The streets were wet with morning dew and previous night's rain. The walls dirty with filth, fungus and blood. The sun was soon to give us greet, when IT happened. A revolution between the Vatican and the Italian people sprung out of nowhere. Secrecy was all around and death was haunting us. Death and fear come in many shapes and sizes, never had we thought it might be vampires. Turns out the Vatican was holding a few of their kind hostage. Soon after, one of them escaped. Ravaging all around his path freeing his kin and turning a few others. And their numbers grew. Italy was overrun and death came knocking at our door.

NIGHT STALKER

CH. 1

Sister... Sister! Have you seen the raggazzo? – asked a nun to another, while turning every stone she found her way.

The other nun was sweeping the hard stone floor, spreading Sage's Mantle. A mixture of garlic, silver dust and sage, carefully and thorough throughout the floor.

No, I have not seen him. Don't tell me he is hiding again. When will that boy ever learn not to do that? – answered back the nun while spreading more Sage's Mantle.

I hate the smell of that thing, said the other nun while covering her nose with a pinch. Wouldn't you rather have a smelly surrounding than a vampiro biting you? Then again that might be exiting for you. Being a nun and all.

But, aren't you a nun as well dear sister? – said the other nun very sarcastically and biting her lower lip in order to hold her laughter back.

Oh Sister Olivia, you and your jokes, they make me smile on these harsh days. Replied the nun while washing her hands. Anyways I'll help you find the boy.

Thanks Sister Jess. – Said Sister Olivia opening the back door of the convent.

As soon as the door opened, a big green yard was in anyone's view. The lush green grass the tall trees and the gray pleasant shades. All this view could be seen from a far, but now a days the only things that could be seen from such a great distance were the fires and black smoke.

Dividing the yard were three enormous columns modified and equipped as watch towers. At the highest point of the towers were two guards on each, quipped with bows and swords made out of silver. Wearing a silver-infused leather armor, refined in Sage's Mantle, they could see as far as the horizon would let them.

The breeze in the yard was cold, not cold enough to be unpleasant. The monastery was located above a high peak, hidden from all.

Buon Giorno! Sister Olivia, Sister Jess – Shouted a guard while climbing down one of the towers.

The two sisters kept walking towards the tower's fire, to get warmth. They sat on some benches that were there for the guards to take a few minutes of rest. The guard arrived and greeted them again with a bow.

Buon Giorno, brother. Sorry to interrupt your watch, but we are looking for the boy. Have you seen him by any chance? – asked Sister Jess while placing her hands next to the fire and looking at the shivering Sister Olivia.

Honestly, no. I have not seen him since last night. – answered the soldier while looking around and pondering where he might hide if being searched for.

The convent was huge, acres and acres of land and stone. Towers were the only thing that could be clearly seen from afar due to their immense height. The soldier kept looking about, until he remembered something.

I know where he is – Said the soldier smiling down at them while sitting next to them on the ground. He told me about a certain place in the monastery grounds that made him felt different, sad and happy, weak and strong, all at the same time. Added the soldier.

The nuns looked at each other and then at him. Brother Onzo, what do you know? –asked Sister Olivia with shivers in her voice.

Onzo laughed and stared at the clouds. He talks to me, a few times a week, whenever we run to each other around here. He even climbs the tower like it was nothing. I'm out of breath when I am half way, sometimes I think he just jumps up and lands at the top. Anyways, he told me about a place where no one can get to. High enough to see the shadows and hear screams, a place where the scent of Sage's Mantle can't be smelled.

A high tower? The high tower? – asked Sister Jess standing up like a fiery nun of pure rage and anger. So much that even Onzo, one of the best soldiers or even the best in many eyes got startled at the sight of the nun.

Sister Jess, the high tower can be seen from here. So calm down, if he is there we can spot him from this side of the monastery. – Answered Onzo with certainty and some doubt.

Sister Olivia seemed like a frozen statue, she even stopped shivering. Her young age was weak and not properly developed for this type of living just yet. What is this high tower you both speak of? – Asked Sister Olivia.

The high tower. It's the highest tower of the monastery, if you hadn't figured it out by the name. But I'll explain. When the monastery was built there was a group of workers that were assigned to build a different tower. The tower was never finished due to its height, the workers died of it. – explained Onzo as he stood and walked around the fire staring at the shadows cast by the high tower.

It was also due to the cold and lack of oxygen, it's too high. – added Sister Jess while poking the fire so it wouldn't go out.

The fire was cracking and the wood burning hot, Onzo turned and stared at the orange flames. And he kept going with the story. The tower was never finished, due to its height, like I said. And what Sister Jess said is also true. Now you see what I see in the raggazzo? I makes no sense. And yet he goes to the tower without trouble and climbs until he reaches the top with little to no effort.

How do you know he is there now, Onzo? – asked Sister Jess while standing by his side.

Simple really, look at the tower at the distance, no one is there right now and yet a fire sits ablaze at the top. I am here, not many can make the climb besides me and well the boy. So he is there, I am sure of it. – replied Onzo while walking back to the fire and opening a bottle of wine.

The tower is far, we won't be able to make it Onzo, and you know that right? – said Sister Jess

I do, I will go and fetch the raggazzo for you, and it will be a pain in the ass, the climb I mean. Damn tower! – Said Onzo while pouring the wine down his throat.

Hush your tongue brother Onzo – Said Sister Olivia standing suddenly. This is a monastery, holy and sacred, free of curses. Old fool, she thought in her head.

Sorry – Replied Onzo while corking the wine. I'll set for the tower now. I'll bring him back before night fall.

Onzo left the fire and set his way to the tower. The tower was only a few miles away, all plains and green fields. He got to the tower, the walk was the easy part, but the climb was hours in order to reach the top.

Onzo cursed in his mind the builders of the tower. He stared at the top for a few seconds and started his ascend. The first step was taken and the gravity already started changing.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

This story is a little confusing at the beginning so let's take the first 5 chapters as a "Novella". The main story will take place 6 years after the first 5 chapters. The reason that I don't give too much information about these characters is because they will change at the ending. They will become someone else. I would love to hear your opinions, the story will get better with ideas and comments. So please read, enjoy and review!