RURAL ROMANIA, 1378
Andreas told them everything, about Alexander Corvinus, about the legends of William and Marcus and the terrible beasts that roam the countryside. Of Lycans and Vampires. Sebastian looked at Andreas. He always felt that there was something unique or special about them. Now he knows. Andrei look at his father, "Are you saying that we are monsters too, Father?" Helena looked away. She always hated to be associated with the monsters. In contrast, a look of hatred came over Katharina's face. "I married a monster! I raised a monster! I should have known!" Andreas could not contain himself. "Shut up! Just shut up! Have you been listening? Did you ever listen to what I had to say? I said we are descendents of the Mortal brother." Miklos got up to hug his wife. "It is all right, my love. I married you for better or for worse. At least I understand my son better." Andreas moved to Andrei. "We are not monsters, but whatever or whoever is out there, are. We need to be ready." At least Sebastian got up, "Lets get moving. We can sort this out, if we survive this night."
They spent most of the night fortifying the house, only the six of them. Katharina was not that helpful. Milkos made a point of reaffirming his love to his wife. Helena cried. She wanted to spend every moment with him, but he also needed to speak to Sebastian. "I will have to talk to him," he told Helena. "He needs to understand that he has to hold on to his humanity."
Sebastian saw his father coming towards him. He looked to where Andrei and his father were busy. They always got along well. It was not that he and his did not; it was just that his father was a simple man with simple pleasures. Miklos sat next to Sebastian. "Son, I am not going to pretend that I know what is going through your mind." Sebastian did not respond. Miklos continued, "All I want you to know is that you are still my son, and I still love you. I just want you to promise me that whatever happens, do not let the monsters control your mind. Don't be motivated by revenge, all right?" With that, he gave Sebastian a hug.
Andreas got up when he saw lights approaching the house. A group of men on horseback was making their way to the holding. Their leader was dressed in fine leathers and velvet. He looked like some important nobleman. His bodyguard wore dark chainmail and was stony-faced. They got off their horses, and walked towards the door and knocked. "They do not look like monsters." Miklos whispered in Andreas' ear. "I still have this bad feeling," Andreas responded. "I will open up, and hear what they have to say."
Kraven and Soren walked towards the door. There were only six humans. This was going to be too easy. Kraven nodded and Soren understood. Kraven will pretend he was some rich, but totally lost nobleman. A ploy worked every single time. He marvelled at how stupid and gullible these humans were. He sent one of his guards to knock on the old wooden door. The door opened. "Hi, I am Miklos," he heard the man say. The guard was explaining how his master got lost while travelling to Pest. The man named Miklos said, "Sure come in". Famous Hungarian hospitality. Sebastian looked at the nobleman as he walked in, too oily, too smug he noted. Then he looked at his personal guard. The stoney-faced man looked around as if checking all the exits. He got this feeling inside him. They did not look like monsters, but it was the same feeling he got when he was in the field. "Uncle Andreas," he called, but Andreas was turning towards the guests. Sebastian should have known something was wrong when the nobleman, took a step backwards to let his guards through. The next few moments Sebastian will never forget.
Blood spurted from Miklos' neck as the dagger sliced through his jugular vein. Helena screamed. Soren's whip flashed, cutting deep into Helena's flesh. She screamed as she collapsed. Again and again the whip flashed, each time cutting deeper into her body. The bloody woven fabric torn from her delicate flesh.
Sebastian pulled Andrei behind him. He was trying to get to Andreas when, with a glint of silver, a knife buried itself within Andreas' left eye socket. He collapsed and fell over, spilling his precious blood over the wooden floor. "You will die at the hands of a Corvinus, Lord Kraven." Andrei said in an icy tone. "Maybe I will, maybe I won't. But by the time I am through, there won't be any Corvinus left."
Katharina threw everything she could get her hands at the guards. A broken cup, hit Kraven against the temple. A small trickle of blood came running down his cheek. "Bitch!" he screamed. "Soren, spare that one for now. I will have to teach her a lesson. Kill the rest." Sebastian and Andrei stood back to back in the small front room. Soren flashed his whip once again. Sebastian caught the leaden tip in mid-air. It bit into his flesh, but he held on. Soren pulled, but Andrei cut it with his grandfather's sword. "I knew this old thing will come in handy one day," he said behind Sebastian. Soren fell as he pulled back. Furiously, he stood up. "Just get it over with!" Kraven said.
Sebastian looked at the fallen bodies of his mother, his father and uncle. Katharina was screaming and cursing everyone. He looked at Andrei; his face was glazed over. In battle, his Corvinus blood took over. Together they worked their way through the guards. Enough is enough." Kraven screamed. "Stop now or she is dead!" Sebastian took a step forward. Then someone touched his arm. "She is still my mother." Andrei said in little more than a whisper.
"Drop your weapons!" Kraven screamed. "You are a coward, Lord Kraven." Kraven laughed. "I have called that before, but it is not courage that is the mark of great men. It is rather the ability to seize the opportunity. Adapt or die; Now outside." Soren let your men tie them up in the clearing. I have something special planned for these three." Soren nodded.
Soon the three was tied by their ankles in the middle of the clearing. Katharina was still screaming curses. Soren looked at Kraven; he nodded. Again the whip flashed. Once again, Katharina screamed, but this time in pain. Andrei strained against the tight rope. Kraven stood before them. "You have given me more trouble than you worth. I thought there would be more of you. What a waste!" He turned to wards the guards. "Bite them."
Shocked at the Kraven's request, they did not move. "I said B-I-T-E T-H-E-M!!" Soren walked towards Kraven. He shook his head. That was in direct contradiction with Viktor's instruction. The veins in Kraven's neck nearly. "Tell your men to do it now!" With the flick of his head, they obeyed. Elongated incisors tore into tender flesh. Fire blasted through Sebastian's body. His own screams merged with those of Katharina and Andrei. "Let's go. The sun will burn the flesh off their miserable bodies! We have to leave before the sun catches up with us." Kraven said as he, Soren and the rest of the Deathdealer Guards left them to die.
Sebastian, dazed and disorientated, was filled with a strange thirst burning like an inferno inside him. Looking around, he saw Andrei and Katharina lying at his feet, tied up, blood trickling down their necks. The bright red liquid mesmerized him, until it was the only thing in existence. Then the sun's rays hit them, his body and mind set ablaze. As the skin started to burn off his face and arms, his muscles grew taut and dry, making each movement difficult, if not near impossible. His consciousness screamed at him for survival telling him to drink, no, forcing him to drink. Their bodies smoked and burned; shrivelling under the sun's rays. The smell of burnt human flesh filled his nostrils, the pain searing through his consciousness. He crawled towards them, each move more painful than the one before.
With the greatest of efforts, he reached them, his teeth sinking deep into Andrei's flesh, drinking greedily. It was like nothing he ever tasted before. Then the burning and pain stop. Each drop of precious blood was cooling his mind and body; soothing him, giving him a sense of calmness; clarity of mind and spirit. The thirst subsided as the sun's rays bathed them in crimson dawn. Sebastian looked at himself. A ruddy, olive complexion with grey undertones and and fiery red eyes. Thick, black claws with sturdy, leathery membranes underneath his arms.
Andrei stirred, "Sebastian, save my mother, please." Sebastian hissed in return. "Please, Sebastian?" then he fell into a dreamless sleep. With blazing red orbs peering from pitch-black sockets, Sebastian looked at the body of his aunt which was covered by the son she so despised. He bent over and gave her the roughest of bites, only sucking enough to transmit the virus. Taking not too much of her vile blood; sick at the thought of saving her miserable life.
And so the third member of "Vampiriucus Ambulator Solis" was turned. Sun-Walking Vampires.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW
Any comments and ideas on the story, plot characters etc. will be highly appreciated. Any constructive criticismare most welcome.
