Puppet: The Beginning

1499, February 20th.

The creation was almost finished.

"She will be perfect," spoke Shaft. "Lord Dracula will be pleased."

Adding one final touch, "she" was complete. The creation was Dracula's daughter, the witch with a fabricated soul. Her silver eyes opened gently, noticing the dark priest.

"You're awake," said Shaft, releasing the girl from her captivity. "Your father will be happy to see you."

"Fath...er..." the creation spoke, taking very small steps, but eventually gained balance.

"What shall we call you, lady?" asked Shaft, the creation looking up to him.

"Mar...y..." she said. "My name is...Mary..."

"Very well, Mary," Shaft said, bowing respectfully. "I will call to your father."

Mary simply smiled.

"Father..." she whispered, holding her hands over her heart.

Shaft left in a dark mist, leaving Mary in the laboratory. Mary felt her hands clench into fists, then slowly letting go. A whoosh of bats raced past her ebony hair, slowly forming into a man. It was her father, Dracula, who looked to the girl with a small smile.

"Child," he spoke. "I am your father."

Mary smiled up at her father, her silver eyes gleaming in the light, her smile just as beautiful as the late wife, Lisa.

"Father," she spoke, reaching for his hand. "You're really here..."

"You've still got much to learn," Dracula said. "Come along, my child."