Their forms marched into the long night, night of the vampires. Through the forest, they all followed the same invisible lane.
The daughter walked in the front, escorted by the protective forms of her servants. As her steps brought her closer to the ancient landscape, the crowd bowed to her presence.
Behind her a parade of humans and vampires, all dressed in great formality, supported her raise in power.
Her father, Erebus, the Mort patriarch and current leader of their tribe, awaited her arrival, he had organized it himself, in all means to reflect the significance of that event; the world they had finally manage to restore.
The purebloods anticipated her coming as well and they twisted their heads as she entered the ancient monument. Her silhouette with the simple white dress that fall to her ankles, appeared captivating under the moonlight and her long silver hair shined under the night's cover.
The torches against the ancient rocks formed a circle and an unbreakable alliance.
In her eyes only determination existed, as she ascended the stairs to take her final position at the highest peak of the rock next to her father.
Tonight they celebrated a victory.
Erebus initiated his speech.
"After thousand of years of refraining from this realm, finally in the last ten years we managed to take back what it is ours; immortality. For we are vampires, and not humans. The last members of the institution that brought our race to the borders of elimination, finally stopped their poisons and were dealt accordingly. Their fatal cures were confiscated and their factories shut. I am proud to say to all of you today, humans and vampires that want to share immortality, that we are safe once again. And nothing shall threaten our existence. As long as I, Erebus Mort am alive to guard our tribe against the traitors. Astris, my air and successor to the throne, symbolizes the new generation, the future, where we shall remain eternal. "
The crowd applauded with ecstasy to the victorious words of their leader. Astris stepped next to her father, ready to announce the continuation.
"Dear vampires and humans, tonight we shall share bonds of liaisons and brotherhood as all the purebloods among you, will honorably share their blood with you, to …to….ensure…etern…"
She stopped, for the man that appeared to walk slowly from the entrance had stolen now the attention of the crowd. The vampires looked at each other, some of them bowed in fear and some remained completely silent, as the form of the ancestor walked among them. Erebus eyes shined with concern and hate, as he pushed Astris behind him and the league of the purebloods gathered at a circle around him, facing him now as equals.
"It's you…isn't it? The great ancestor of our times. The one that planted death among purebloods and wished to wipe us all from the face of earth…", the Hanadagi daughter said.
"A traitor…", Hio's wife would never forget.
"A killing machine", Touma added.
"A heartless beast..."
"What do you want?", the pureblood leader spoke boldly.
Kaname's eyes scanned the crowd that had gathered here. They all wanted immortality, common vampires but also humans. So many humans!
"Perhaps you should sacrifice yourself once more, but this time no human neither vampire shall follow you…"
He heard the whispers, whispers of concerns and fears, all against him.
All of these people were believing in their promises. He slowly marched, meeting Erebus at the circle at the top of the rock.
"It seems I am late... ", Kaname said with politeness facing now, Erebu's cold and hard stare.
"Stay away from our path ancestor or join us", Erebus stated with determination.
Astris made a step backwards but Erebu's hand prevented her, on the contrary, he, her father and destiny now seemed to push her at this so-called beast; the enemy of purebloods.
" This travel must have been real exhausting. Before you give yourself into madness, take her. She will soothe your long thirst. Perhaps it's not...that late."
Astris faced the most cruel side of her father. Still that was her destiny, a pureblood daughter always submitted to her lord's will or so it had to appear…
Kaname looked again at the crowd and then at the young daughter that seemed not to object.
If he accepted her that would seal the alliance between the two clans.
He was tired and the hunger inside him could any time soon surrender him to the bloodshed, how to sustain his damned nature in this world which knew no change, only despair and fire… Once more…
His hand extended to the young girl's arm and pulled her closer, what she would think of him was a different story.
With his fangs he pierced her white neck and as her blood stained the white dress, Erebus smiled sarcastically.
As a father and a pureblood that had promised to lead vampires to a new era of existence, he was proud, he had managed to tame that beast in a crucial hour. In front of his supporters. At least for now.
The crowd applauded and the vampires bowed, welcoming to their ranks the one who had found his path to redemption, even with a delay of ten thousand years.
The rest of the purebloods though remained untouched. Touma had his eyes fixed on that animal.
Yuu fearlessly watching the gathering through the eyes of her familiar placed her hand on her belly. What would they become?