As his first foray into manhood, Ivan travelled with his father and uncle into distant lands and harsh winters. He shot his first bear and skinned his first wolf. Fur trade was a dangerous business as it was lucrative. Further and further east they travelled, following the tracks of wild animals and piling high their pelts.
His father was a serious man that rarely smiled. He was strict in his teachings, but Ivan loved his father's large hands that was riddled with scars. He especially loved it when he did something right, and his father would pat him affectionately on the head. People say his father was a cold, unfeeling man, but when his father's ruffled his hair, Ivan felt the warmth from his hands.
Completely unlike his father, his uncle was a cheery man. It was sometimes hard to imagine they were brothers. Fur trapping was usually a solitary job, but his uncle liked company and sought it out often. His father long gave up convincing his younger brother to chat up strangers. It was not long that Ivan and his family found themselves travelling with a group of performers.
They travelled together only a week together, but it didn't take long for Ivan to notice how well his uncle fit in. His uncle was a natural storyteller. His tales played with the audiences senses, transporting them to faraway places, taking them on epic adventures.
One night, Ivan with a few of the performers gathered around the fire as his uncle began his nightly tale.
Children, ladies and gentlemen, gather around as I tell you a story about the forest in which we made camp.
Listen. Do you hear the stirrings of animals or even the chirpings of crickets? No, of course not. Dead silence is all you can hear in this godforsaken forest because this place is exactly God forsaken.
Long, long ago before a monster called this place home, it was brimming with life. The brook gurgled, the birds sang. Flowers bloomed and deer roamed freely.
But then, one day a monster so hideous and cruel settled deep in the forest. Slowly, everything died like their very life was sucked out of them. The trees turned black and the rivers ran dry.
Nearby villagers concerned about their welfare, ventured into the dying forest and was met with the devil himself. Tongues were torn out to prevent them from screaming
Wretched cries of dying women and men pierced through the night sky.
Their limbs were torn off one by one so they could not run away even if they wanted to
Trembling, Ivan hid beneath the wagon. He could hear people beg for their lives before he heard the wet sound of flesh ripping or the hard snap of bones. He curled up into a ball and covered his ears, drowning out the screams of his family and friends with his own terrified sobs.
Those who went into the forest only came back as bloody body parts.
Perhaps this is a story to scare the little kiddies from wandering away from home? Perhaps, but monsters are real so beware my friends and be cautious. Monsters live in this forest and we're in their territory...
The smell of blood ran thick and drenched the grass red. Ivan clasped a hand to his mouth to keep himself from hurling.
He was dreaming, he told himself. He will wake up from this nightmare. With every fiber of his being, he wished that monsters weren't real...
It has been a long time since humans wandered into his forest. He had almost forgotten the sickeningly sweet taste of their blood. He quickly had his fill with only one bite, but it has been awhile since his children had their fun. It would be poor sport of him to ruin their enjoyment. Finding a rock to sit on, Yao watched apathetically as his family made quick, but brutal work of the humans.
Behind him, he felt rather than heard the soundless footsteps. "Are you not joining your brothers and sisters, Kiku?" Yao asked carelessly without looking back.
The man named Kiku pressed his lips together in silent disapproval. "I don't like meaningless slaughter. You know this, Yao."
Yao laughed without humor, linking his hands over his knees. "This coming from a man who used to be a samurai? How ironic." He spared his second, but most stubborn child a glance. "I can tell you still want your vengeance after all these centuries. You don't even have a chance if you don't drink the blood I provide you."
At the reminder how pathetically weak he was compared to his sire, Kiku grounded his teeth in angry frustration. He turned away sharply and disappeared into the shadows of the forest without another word. Yao smiled in the direction where Kiku went before motioning to his youngest son.
"Yes, Father?" Hong walked over and said in his ever soft, unfeeling voice.
"Are you full?"
Hong cocked his head, a look akin to curiosity flickering across his face. "I don't know. Yong Soo and Linh are seeing if there any survivors."
"And Mei? What is that girl doing?"
Hong, his emotionally stunted son, faltered at his question. It was too brief to be called hesitation, but Yao could feel his reluctance to answer. "She followed Kiku when he left."
"Is that so?" Yao got up from his seat and dusted off his pants.
"Father?" An edge of what might be called worry entered Hong's voice.
He waved it off. "No worries. They're adults. They can do whatever they please. I'm more concerned with other matters."
Carefully avoiding the pools of blood and mangled corpses, Yao made his way towards the burning camp fire. He turned his head towards Hong, his mouth smiling just so slightly. Do you not hear it?
Slowly, Hong blinked. I didn't notice it through all the screaming, but I hear it now that you mention it.
Do you want me to take of it? Linh's crystal bell voice floated through Yao's mind and he mentally shook his head at her. No. I'll handle this.
You sure, old man? Don't want your back breaking on us now, Yong Soo laughed, It'd suck big time if we had to carry you home. Not wait, let's do it. Could you imagine the look on Kiku's face? It would be hilarious!
Yong Soo
Yes, old Daddy of mine?
Be quiet before I decide you're too much trouble to keep alive.
Yong Soo's chuckle whispered amongst the wind, but he otherwise kept quiet.
Strong and resilient, the heartbeat Yao picked up on drummed in loudly in his ears. He flared his nostrils and could practically taste the sweat and fear. The sound of blood rushing through veins made his fangs extend. Licking his lips, he took a step towards a wagon toddling on freshly broken wheels. Gravel crunched beneath his feet and the closer he got, the faster the poor soul's heart raced.
Finally, standing right in front of the wagon, he could hear the frantic breathing of the human. Yao grinned. He flicked his wrist. Tumbling, flying, the wagon rolled into the trees and splintered into pieces.
Yao looked down and saw a trembling child huddled into the dirt. What sympathy or mercy he would've felt, died along with his human side. Dark, onyx like claws shot out of his finger tips. Yao raised it above his head and brought it down, intending to slice the human into two.
As if sensing his demise, the child looked up. For the first time since he turned, Yao felt his slow, lethargic heart lurch. He lost himself in eyes of sparkling amethyst of the purest kind. He blinked. Time no longer held any meaning to him, but still, he felt it electrify his skin as it slowed to a standstill.
Tears ran down the blood spattered face. From the smell, Yao could hazard a guess just how many days since the child took a bath. Despite all the unappetizing facts his nose and eyes picked up on, he couldn't look away. His mouth ran dry, but what he thirsted for, an ocean of blood could never quench. Yao looked at the boy with eyes that reminded of him wild orchids and smiled.
Retracting his claws, he cupped the boy's dirty face. A whimpered escaped the pink, rosy mouth, but Yao simply shushed him quiet. He brought the boy close, his hand patting the downy, soft hair. It was drenched with sweat, but with a little bath and a good night's rest, he would clean up nicely.
Fear of death was wrought by our instinct to live. Some things, though, were worse than dying. Ivan did not know what was planned for him, but he did not like the way he was being touched. It was similar to the pats on the head his father would give him, but...it was wrong. He couldn't explain why, but everything about it was wrong. More than his fear of dying, he was scared about what would happen to him if he lived.
Acting on pure instinct, Ivan grabbed the delicate hand grazing his cheeks and bit hard. Blood thick as molasses and dark as ebony flooded into his mouth. It was a mere taste that burned like acid, but he almost immediately found a hand wrapped around his neck in an iron grip.
Yong Soo was about to snap the child's neck when Yao held up his hand. "Wait. Don't kill him."
"Why?" Linh asked. "You know what happens to humans if they get infected. Isn't it our rule to show no mercy and spare nothing?" When Yao did not answer, she guessed his intentions. Her tones became harsh. "Do you plan to turn him then?"
Yao shrugged nonchalantly. "Something like that."
"He's young," she said mildly. When she spoke to Yao with her mind, it was apparent how upset she was with his decision. He's barely even out of the cradle. People call us monsters, but there are lines even we don't cross!
Yao glanced at her, all signs of joviality wiped off his face. Cold and harsh, his golden eyes gleamed against the pallid color of his skin. Do not question me child. Who lives and who dies, is my decision alone. If you have issues with it, I can drown you in that river again if you'd like.
Color drained from Linh's face. She bit her lips until it bled, but said nothing more. The tense awkward silence that followed was dispersed by Yong Soo's sharp laugh. He tossed the boy to Yao like yesterday's laundry. "Welcome to the family then, kid," he said with hollow humor.
Flung back to the first monster like a doll, Ivan struggled with his meager strength. He knew wasn't going to survive, but he was past the point of fear. Anger, loathing, and boiling rage beat against his ribcage.
He clawed and kicked against the monster that resembled a slender man to no avail. Amber honey eyes danced in amusement as he struggled. He cursed at them, hating how strong they were, how weak he was. Why? Why did this have to happen? Tears of frustration threatened to fall down from his eyes, but he refused to let them see him cry lest they think he was afraid. Yes, he still feared them, but he wanted them dead even more.
"小男孩, 你什么名字?" (Little boy, what is your name?)
Ivan growled deep in his throat and thrashed out. "If you're going to kill me, then kill me! You goddamn monster! I hope you all burn in hell!"
Laughing, the dark haired monster held him at arms length with no trouble at all. It was as if Ivan was not struggling with everything he had. "啊. 你听不懂。讓我解決這個問題." (Ah, you don't understand. Allow me to fix this problem.)
"Fuck you, asshole!"
Nails sharp as knives dug into his neck, making Ivan grunt from the unexpected pain. Blood trickled from his wound and the monster holding him grinned ever so mischievously. He licked blood off his finger, savoring it just a bit. Then, more surprised than revolted, Ivan gasped when soft lips found his. The monster's tongue slid into his mouth and Ivan gagged at the slimy feel of it. His limbs locked; his arms and legs suddenly paralyzed. A black haze entered his field of vision. All he could see was the pale, unearthly face he wanted to tear to shreds.
Just as the world dwindled into nothing, he felt rather than heard a voice in his head.
Ivan. So your name is Ivan...
It was late afternoon when Ivan stirred. At the feel of green grass tickling his skin, his eyes flew open. Carnage, lumps of flesh unrecognizable as people who sang and ate with him only hours before laid out before him.
Quickly, Ivan rolled onto his feet. Breathing hard, he scanned the field, but saw no signs of the demons that wrecked this destruction. He caught sight of his father's carcass laying out in the sun to dry and bitter bile rose in his throat.
Ah, my poor, little Ivan. Are you in pain?
"Who's there?!" Ivan yelled out, turning and looking all around him. "Come out and face me like a man!"
Someone laughed. But, I'm not a man. At least, not anymore.
Swallowing little, shallow breaths, Ivan twisted right and left, desperate to find the owner of the voice. "What do you want from me?"
Ivan's hand shot to his chest as a shot of excitement not his own made his heart race. There's so much I want from you, but that'll have to wait, I'm afraid. You should be asking what is it you want from me.
"I don't want anything from you!" Ivan spat
No? Not even vengeance for killing your father and uncle like pigs for slaughter?
Burning ice ran through Ivan's brain as he finally recognized the voice. "You." And then, another realization hit him. "What have you done to me? Get out of my head!"
Impossible. I'm a part of you now since you drank my blood. Your every movement, your every thought, I know them all.
"Is this why you let me live? To be...to be your...your toy?" Disgust close to the feeling of violation rolled through Ivan's body. "I'm going to find you and then I'm going to kill you. I swear it on my family's grave, I'll fucking kill you!"
An unperturbed and disturbingly happy voice answered his threat. I'll be looking forward to that day, little Ivan.
Read Author's Note for "To Be Continued" explanation
Happy (belated) Halloween! While browsing through Shizaya on tumblr, ran into a loooot of Priest!Shizuo x Vampire!Izaya. So this story came about.
This is a "never to be continued" oneshot. Sorry, this is as much as I'll write _. Consider this a Prologue to the Main (but unwritten) Story. However, this oneshot took longer than I expected to write because I unexpectedly planned out the entire fic. If you want to read the detailed summary, please continue reading.
I have no idea if it'll turn into a UST, angsty "love" story. Because Yao (being a pedophile) fell in love with Ivan at first sight and thus spared him, but nonetheless spied on him throughout Ivan's growth. Detachedly, Yao would some way or another, call it "love". He does admit he's fascinated by Ivan, though he does not understand it himself. Ivan is also obsessed with Yao, though not in a loving way. His entire life is devoted to bringing Yao down. In some ways, his want for vengeance is stronger than love because he has no room for anything else.
A little about the vampire mythology in this fic:
Every liquid of a vampire carries the vampiric disease, ranging from tears to blood. A vampire can drink from any source, be it human or rats.
Any living thing bitten by a vampire does not turn into a vampire. Instead, the virus takes over the host and victims turns into something resembling a mindless, rotting zombie. This is why, after feeding, Yao and his coven makes sure to kill all they exposed the virus to
To turn into a vampire, a specific ritual must be performed. The original vampire (in this case Yao), must drink the blood of the subject first. Within the original vampires body, the virus recognizes the subject's blood/DNA and transforms itself to suit, thus neutralizing the zombification process. The subject then drinks the original vampire's blood and expose themselves to the transformed virus to become a vampire.
If it is not done in this specific order, the virus will deteriorate the subject's body and then later reanimate it. In case people start wondering, the virus cannot spread in a dead body because there is no circulation and the blood coagulates. Without active, oxygen rich cells, the virus cannot multiple. It needs a live body as a host first. After completely saturating the host's body with the virus, pseudo life after death is achieved.
Ivan did this the wrong order. He is, in fact, slowly becoming a zombie. Yao drinking a drop of Ivan's blood later and then kissing him (thus exposing Ivan to his saliva), was only to slow down the zombification process.
Your sire's order (aka person that turned you), is almost absolute. His blood that runs through your veins, makes it almost impossible to disobey. Almost. The only exception is when you become more powerful than your sire. There are a couple of ways to attain this. 1) Experience. The older a vampire, the more power and harder to kill they become. 2) Your master dies. 3) Accumulating experience/power from those you drink from. 4) Creating offsprings of your own and leech off them. Or 5) You've been 'released' from your sire.
Characters:
Yao: Thousands of years old. He was turned into a vampire during the late Bronze Age. He is one of the few that was turned by the Original Vampire. There are some speculations among Yao's coven that it was during his time as the Original Vampire's "toy" that his psyche broke. Afterwards, legend says Yao snapped and finally killed the monster that spread vampirism. Aimless and lost, Yao wandered Asia like a ghost. It is during his journey that he met and turned the other Asians. Through decades of spending time with his coven, Yao slowly built up a jovial mask to cover up the scars. Despite his powers and reverence, Yao is still the scared little boy that Original Vampire played with.
Ivan: A bitter, cold, hard hunter. After what Yao put him through, Ivan was determined to bring him down, no matter the cost. His mother and sister are still living, but to save them from what's he's become, he spares them the truth. He only occasionally goes home, but he often sends them money. A lot of the guild members consider Ivan ruthless with the way he dispatches the monsters, but Ivan is fiercely loyal to those he trust and protective of those he considers under his charge. But the things that drives him, everything he does is to kill Yao. Nothing will get in his way.
Yong Soo: A dying pirate that laughed in the face of death. He is the first one Yao turned into a vampire. While wondering Korea, Yao ran into Yong Soo who was dying from dehydration and starvation. When asked if he was afraid, Yong Soo only laughed. He told Yao, he was afraid of dying everyday, but when death finally came knocking, he only found it funny. His outlook on life sparked an interest the emotionally scarred Yao and so Yao decided to turn him. As he first turned vampire, Yong Soo and Yao share more of a brotherly relationship rather than father-son. He has a very cheerful attitude. Despite this, deep down, he fears Yao.
Kiku: A samurai that was trying to protect his princess. After leaving Korea, Yao and Yong Soo traveled to Japan and ran into Kiku and the princess he was in charge of to protect. The princess and Kiku's caravan had been overtaken by bandits. Kiku was tied and in the midst of dying as the bandits were about to have their way with the princess. Disturbed by the sight, Yong Soo made scarred the bandits away. The princess begged Yao to Kiku so that he may live. She even bargained her life in exchange. Unable to understand why she was willing to sacrifice herself, Yao turned them both. At first, everything was fine. Perhaps more than fine. Now that they were both vampires and mortal rules no longer applied to them, the princess and Kiku's love for each other blossomed quietly. However, the princess soon discovered that she could not abide drinking blood. Without blood to keep the virus in check, her body was soon deteriorating. Unable to stand it anymore, she exposed herself to sunlight and turned to ash. (Sunlight only affects newly turned or very weak vampires). Kiku wanted to follow suit and Yao, having a slight understanding of love now, taunts Kiku to live. Kiku takes the bait and blames Yao for her death. Yao told him if he grows strong enough, he is more than welcome to kill him. Kiku harbors thoughts of revenge and that's what's keeping him from killing himself.
Mei: She was from an influential family and was going to be sent to be the concubine to the emperor. She refuses and so throws herself off the cliff. Yao finds her mangled body and turns her. Kiku thinks of her as a replacement for his princess and looks out for her. She is the closest to Kiku, but she also shares a very sisterly relationship with Linh. Like her other siblings, she also harbors a sense of fear for Yao, but over all, she pities and looks at him with disgust.
Linh: A sacrifice to the river god, she was swept away by the raging waters. Yao finds her body by the riverside and takes her in. While she gets along with the rest of her siblings, she is the closest to Hong and Mei. Unlike Mei, she is a well behaved child and is grateful for Yao for saving her. Due to her people sacrificing her, she lost all hope in humanity. While she is sweet and kind to her family, she is ruthless to those she considers outsiders.
HK: After settling down, Yao finds HK in his woods, dying. His family had abandoned him to die. Yao takes him in. In a turn of whimsy, Yao decides to try to raise him like a human father would and let's him grow a bit older. After a few years with them, Yao let's him decide if he wants to leave the forest and live his life as a human or turn into a vampire and live with them. HK says yes and so Yao turns his siblings, Yao and Hong have the most father-son relationship. Due to being raised mostly by Yao, Hong is emotionally stunted because Yao does not know how to love. While Yao is not cruel, he is negligent. Yao is kind, but his kindness only extends to when he wants to be, not when Hong needs it. Despite this, Hong respects and, in his own way, loves and cares for his family.
Other characters?: Arthur, Alfred = fellow hunters.
What happened after the Prologue:
Ivan devotes himself to hunt down Yao and all his kind. He finds himself a hunter's guild and convinces one of the members to take him in as a disciple. Ivan grows up ruthless and relentless. As he gather strength, training, and experience, he also gathers information. He learns Yao is notorious. His coven, though small, is centuries if not thousands of years old. It is ridiculously strong. Many have tried to hunt them down to only return as body bags. In the supernatural world, Yao is practically revered and feared. He rarely ventures out of his forest, but ever since he ran into Ivan, he disappeared. It was like he vanished into thin air.
Ivan is pressed for time to find him. The drop of blood isn't enough to turn Ivan into a vampire since it requires Yao to intake Ivan's blood as well. However, because Yao did not drink his blood, Ivan is slowly being overtaken by the virus. Instead of turning into a fully conscious and intelligent vampire, he'll be more of soulless, mindless zombie. Yao's blood is almost a separate entity in Ivan's body. At times, he can hear Yao's taunting voice in his head. If he concentrates hard enough, he can also eke out memories. (This is also works vice versa btw. Every "child" Yao has shared his blood with, he can share their memories and thoughts. He can also speak to them. When he's bored, he often peeks into Ivan's mind). The blood that's poisoning Ivan, is also helping him track down Yao. It begins to heat up whenever he's within Yao's vicinity.
After traveling far and wide, Ivan has learned that a tear from a vampire would cure him or so he's been told. Now, he had more reason to find Yao.
Kiku for centuries has been gaining power. Although he's not strong enough to kill Yao himself, he is strong enough to block Yao from tracking and reading his thoughts. He was finally strong enough to break free from Yao's coven.
Along the way, Ivan runs into Kiku and they fight for awhile. Through their fight, Yao can see through Ivan's eyes, Kiku. At Yao's anguished surprise, Ivan is caught off guard and was almost beheaded by Kiku. Blah Blah Blah, they somehow come to an agreement grudgingly that together they might come up with a way to kill Yao. Kiku informs Ivan that because he has Yao's blood in him, Yao knows what he knows and see's what he see's. He tells Ivan that he must find a way to block Yao from his thoughts or everything they do will fail. Kiku absentmindedly also tells Ivan Yao has a sick obsession with him.
The ending, two versions:
Alt end 1) Yao bites Ivan and forces Ivan to drink his blood. He turns him into part of his coven. As a newly turned vampire, Ivan cannot disobey his Master. Ivan tries to kill himself, but Yao orders him not to. Ivan swears when he gains enough strength he'll kill Yao. Yao simply smiles and says he can't wait until that day. Yao leans in and slashes Ivan clothes off.
Yao: In the mean time, I've waited a long, long time, my dear child. I think it's time I take you to bed like I should've done all those years ago.
Alt end 2)
Ivan stabs Yao in the heart. He glares into Yao's dismayed, wide eyes, but to his shock, Yao smiles. He stabs a little deeper and Yao chokes up blood. He demands what Yao finds so funny. He laughs, blood dripping down his lips. He strokes Ivan's cheek with a bloody hand and tells him, "I've lived a long, long time, Ivan. I've grown tired of living…I knew there was a reason why I was fond of you. You were the one to bring me peace. How utterly perfect." For Ivan's sake, Yao sheds two tears onto his shoulder. And then with that, Yao turns to ash (without Ivan ever finding out that Yao fancied him). Ivan is left confused and a little shaken by Yao's almost confession.