Seishiro was by nature not an impatient man. His entire life he stood in the shadows of Mahiru and, after his half-sister's death, Kureto. To others he might not look patient at all. Was he a bit too loud? A bit too brash? Certainly. Did he enjoy reminding others of their place under his feet? Certainly. He was a Hiiragi after all. He was better than the others, even if he wasn't the best.

Waiting had paid off. At first, Seishiro was dismayed to find out that he was put in charge of the JIDA's research and development department. Then he realized that any new technology had to be presented to him first and only Seishiro would decide whether to present it to the upper ranks. And that meant that Seishiro had the monopoly on new technology.

Waiting had paid off. When Kureto and Guren came back from their attack on Okayama and told everyone that they intended to fight without their Seraphs and that they let the Queen of the Japanese vampires escape and that they didn't even bother to capture Mikaela Hyakuya, who was not only progeny of the third progenitor but also a Michaela, Seishiro felt like strangling the two men. It felt like the height of insanity to throw away all these priceless sources of information. What would the R&D staff been able to invent if those morons had been a bit more forward thinking.

But Seishiro took a deep breath and swallowed all the words that laid on his tongue. And the day came that his patience paid off. Guren brought his little kids back with some valuable information about the emergence of vampire-kind and the JIDA had managed to invade Hiroshima and capture two high-ranking progenitors, one of which was the Queen herself. The new knowledge had allowed R&D to develop a new type of weapon and now they also had the samples to test them on.

Seishiro admired the stoicism with which the small vampire tolerated all experiments performed on her. His second in command only shook his head. "Instead of holding her head high she should try to escape."

Seishiro chuckled. "There are guards equipped with demon weapons on every floor, not to mention all the spells and enchantments. Not even a First Progenitor would be able to break out from here."

Kohaku sighted and gave the little Queen a pitiful look. "It is more honorable to die in battle than to be used like cattle."

"Who knows what's going on in her head anyway." The Hiiragi shrugged. "Maybe she thinks someone will come and save her."

"…" The scientist kept staring at the vampire. Then he tapped the glass three times. Krul's eyes fixed on him and she snarled.

"Did you make any progress on our new weapon?" Seishiro asked.

The other man looked at him quizzically, like an adult who had been asked if fire was hot. Seishiro hated it when people looked at him like that. Mahiru had done it, Kureto had done it, and literally everyone else had looked at him like he was completely clueless. "Yes and no. The formula is stable but we lack an appropriate test subject. Our prisoners are too weak and we can't test it on the Seraphs since they are human."

"What about the Queen?"

Kohaku shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I'm not sure. I'd hate to waste this specimen on a simple test like this." There was a brief silence. Then the scientist spoke again: "On a second note, the other noble should do."

"Berhane Alecto?"

The red-head nodded vigorously. "Yes, that one. I just need your permission."

"Fine. Go ahead."

Kohaku smiled, patted Seishiro's shoulder and skittered away like a child who was allowed to go out and play.

For a second the Hiiragi looked after him before hissing: "Who do you think you're getting familiar with, bastard?" Then he combed his mohawk with his hand.


Approaching Berhane Alecto's cell, the scientist slowed his steps and started humming. The two guards let him pass without a problem and even the rigorous security checks could not put a damper on his mood. Finally Kohaku waltzed into the actual cell. Luckily for him all of the magic seals and vigils also made to usage of surveillance tapes impossible.

"Well, well. If it isn't Elizabeth Bathory … or would you rather have me refer to you as Berhane Alecto, my love?"

The vampire chained to a metal chair was undeniably the most beautiful person in the whole universe. All high-ranking vampires had a charm about them that made them more appealing to humans. It was a magic that had allowed them to stay in power as gods or kings or charm their prey until the poor humans felt like giving their life to those creatures. Vampires of the Bathory Clan were especially good with this type of magic and as a second Progenitor Elizabeth Bathory, currently known under an alias, was able to bewitch all humans and even vampires with just one smile.

But now she looked frightened. Probably because she had believed that 'Kohaku' was dead and the R&D department of the JIDA was the last place a vampire would have looked, if they had held any hope that he might have survived.

"Oh dear, don't look at me like that." Kohaku softly caressed her cheek. "Rejoice! You can help me with a very important experiment. I can't do it without you."

Millennia years ago Elizabeth had been so eager to help. But now she stared at the scientist with anger and fear. How people change …


"Sounds like you're in some big trouble, huh?" Dima said. "Why is it that the rest of the world is peaceful and then there is Japan?"

"They had the strongest magic-using organizations," Luna replied.

The two were sitting at the table in Dima's flat.

"So you're leaving right now?"

"Yes. I'm sorry."

Dima raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

"For leaving so suddenly. I never wanted to." Luna looked at her hands and her entwined fingers. "I never wanted to leave. I don't want to go back there!" Her voice grew louder. "I don't want to fight again, to kill again! I like it here so why do I have to leave! I don't want to! I am happy here! This is where and who I want to be!"

"Hey," Dima said softly. He stood up and cupped his friend's face with his hands. "Hey. I think that you are great for doing this. Many people wish to help, but they wouldn't walk out and get their hands dirty. Now, get your sister, end this war and come back here. We'll be waiting."

"And what if the war takes a long time? Like a hundred years or so?"

"Then I'll find a way to extend our lives or put us in stasis or something. After all," the young man gloated. "I am the world's best magician and I have a contract with the First Tepes herself. There is nothing we can't do together."

Luna snorted and smiled.

"What? I'm right you know!"

"It's nothing. You just looked like my little brother for a second."

"Oh what a rare compliment! I am touched."

Luna swatted at Dima's head. "Stop it!"

The white haired man danced out of her reach. "But you're smiling again!"

The vampire grinned even wider, her fangs peeking out from her mouth. "Thank you for cheering me up."

"Hey, what are friends for?"


"Do you really have to go? Are there no other people that could deal with this problem?" Jiahao Wang asked.

Luna thought that her Dad had the expression of a sad puppy. A few years ago he had lost his wife and now his adoptive daughter would go to war and maybe never return. Such was the risk of battle. No father would approve of their child getting hurt.

"Yes. If there is a chance that I can save humans from dying, then I have to go. Also my little sister is responsible for this mess and I have to clean up after her and save her. Nothing I can't handle!"

The man just shook his head slowly. "I always forget that you are far older than me and that you have another life too."

Luna's eyes darkened for a second. "I wish I didn't. But I can't turn my back on my family. Besides," she grinned, "I am Luna Tepes, the greatest warrior of all times!"

Jiahao embraced her. "Please don't get hurt."

The vampire hugged him back. "I'll try my best. If everything goes according to plan, I'll be back for Christmas."

"Get me a souvenir. Something small. And write some cards. I'll be expecting one once a month."

"Hahaha …" Luna laughed. "Will do, but if they never reach you, it's the post office's fault. I swear it gets worse every decade."

Jiahao flicked her forehead. "Have fun and don't forget to dress warm, little girl."

Luna rolled her eyes. "Yes, dad. Right back at you." She took the bag containing all of her necessary belongings. "See you in a few months, dad!"


Ferid paced on the pier. Everything was going downhill after the JIDA broke the ceasefire agreement and now Luna Tepes was going to interfere. Of course it was preferable over wiping Japan from the map of this planet but the First was unpredictable. Ferid had known her predecessor well. He was ruthless but efficient. His decisions had never been clouded by emotions, but his daughter was a different matter. One day she decides to go into isolation and on the next she throws herself headfirst into a war. He did not like that at all.

"Can we go now?"

Ferid pivoted around. He had not heard her approaching. The older vampire put a smile on his face. "Certainly, Your Majesty. May I carry your bags?"

"No need."

As soon as they were on board some common vampires pulled in the gangway and loosened the ropes. Since this vessel had a motor they did not have to wait for ebb or fair winds. A lot of things had become easier in recent centuries, Ferid contemplated.

Ferid showed Luna her room, which was fitted with a desk and shelves instead of a bed. The shelves contained the most important information about Japan and the JIDA. While looking at the papers, the First had her back turned to Ferid and for a second he considered whether he could capture her like he did with Krul … even if he could (only thinking about raising a hand against her had his instincts throw up every kind of warning; even his stomach was twisting in fear) would it benefit him?

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Ferid asked.

"No. You may leave." Luna's response was curt.

"Well, then." Ferid bowed to the woman and left. Maybe it wasn't that bad after all. Faced with a superior enemy the JIDA would be struggling to cope and Saito would make a mistake. Ferid's lips curled into a smirk. People make mistakes when scared. And Ferid couldn't wait for his sire to slip up. 'Only once,' Ferid thought. 'One mistake and I'll dismantle all your plans.' He couldn't wait to sabotage his sire's machinations. That man's life work in shambles was the only thing that could satisfy Ferid's desire for revenge.


A little girl let herself fall on her butt. Finally they had found the people her father wanted her to meet. The sun was hot, the red sands were hot and the girl's feet hurt a lot, because it had taken her some time to understand where to best place her naked feet.

Her father was talking with a woman with black curly hair and skin almost as dark as her hair. The man looked out of place with his red hair and pale skin. The girl herself wouldn't fit in any better.

Then the two adults approached her and the woman squatted down to talk to her. Now the girl noticed that she was a vampire too. She did not understand the words that came out of the woman's mouth. The woman tried again, only in a different language. Then she said something to the white man and it sounded like she was scolding him. Her father only shrugged.

The woman knocked on her chest and said: "Yara-ma-yha-wo." Then she pointed at the girl, who had done this a few times already in different places. "Luna," she happily replied. Yara-ma-yha-wo blinked and talked with Luna's father again. The girl thought she had heard her name a few times and also the name her father called her with.

Then the woman called herself Yara-ma-yha-wo again and pointed at Luna saying: "Kiṉaṟa".

The girl shook her head and replied "Luna" with as much indignation as a little girl could muster.

The woman laughed and reached out to pat Luna's head but the little vampire dodged her hand. Yara drew a circle in the red sand and pointed up. "Kiṉaṟa. Luna."

"That word means 'moon', child," her father said and Luna hissed at him: "I understood that."

"I will leave you here." If the man felt anything at leaving his child behind, he didn't show it.

"What?"

"Yara-ma-yha-wo will teach you to control your powers. I will collect you after some time."

"No! I don't want that!" Her father might have not been as doting as the rest of her family, but he was the only person she knew. And now he was abandoning her in the middle of a wasteland. "You're abandoning me like the others! I don't need to control my powers! I won't ever use them! Don't leave me here! Please!"

Luna cried and clung to the vampire's leg until he flung her off and she landed a few meters away. The other grown-ups, who had seen this, gave the male a cold stare. He himself stared at his little daughter. "There will be no discussion. You will stay! Understood?"

It wasn't just the ice in his voice that made the girl duck. Her instincts screamed at her not to fight the big strong and scary vampire. "Yes," she whimpered.

Her father nodded, traded a glance with the black vampire and jogged off. Soon he disappeared behind the horizon.

Yara-ma-yha-who walked to the girl and cradled her in her arms. For the next few decades she would take care of this girl, whether she liked it or not.


"Kangkuṟu, why don't you sit with us?" A little girl asked the young vampire. It was night and all the people sat around three campfires, except for Luna.

Ever since she had come to this continent, she and Yara-ma-yha-who had been living with different people in different environments and learned their languages, their customs and, most importantly, their stories.

Still, at night she kept her distance from the people or rather the thing they tamed to warm them.

"I don't like the fire, little sister," the vampire said.

"But the adults watch over it." The girl tugged on the vampire's hands without avail. "You are so cold. You need to warm up."

Yara-ma-yha-who watched them with sorrow in her eyes. What had happened to Luna to make her fear fire that much? Her father had not gone into detail, only that she was afraid and she needed to overcome this fear. But nothing had changed even after so much time! This little girl's grandmother had called Luna 'Kangkuṟu', big sister, too and they had played in the grass together. And still the vampire was afraid of even the tiniest spark.


Luna held one child under each her arms. The two of them were wriggling around. "Stop this or I'll drop you!" The vampire hissed. Of course she wouldn't.

Not when wildfire was hot on their heels.

The three youngsters had seen the flames and walked there in the hope of finding a grilled kangaroo or similar. Then the wind turned and Luna had swept them up and run. There was no faster runner than Luna.

They finally caught up with the rest of their family. The flames were still going after them, but they had quite the lead. Still, the entire group fled to a place where the flames wouldn't reach.

"Luna!" Yara-ma-yha-who called out. "Carry them until we get there!" The older vampire also carried two children and a third sat on her shoulders.

The babies were crying. It wasn't the first time Luna ran from fire, not even the first time it happened on this continent. This time was different. It was the middle of summer and spring had been unusually dry. The grass and bushes were desiccated. And they were too far away from the next safe spot.

Luna felt her chest clenching in panic. "I can run ahead with them and come back to carry others!"

Yara-ma-yha-who looked at the small girl and then nodded.

The young vampire sped off. Soon they reached a cliff with a huge crack in it through which a river ran. Due to the heat the river was shallow. Luna splashed through the water, sat the kids down and assured them she would be back shortly. Then she raced towards the flames again. Unhindered by the weight of the children she was faster than before and reached the group in a short time.

She picked up an elderly man at the back of the group in her arms and ran back to the cliff. Back and forth, back and forth. Luna picked up the slowest members of the group. Due to her vampire blood she was able to carry people taller and heavier than her and still run faster than any of them. The fire steadily crept closer, like a relentless merciless predator. She started to feel the heat on her skin.

There were still sixteen humans running when the flames reached them. Yara-ma-yha-who shoved an infant into her arms. "Go," the elder urged. "Don't look back."

"No! You'll die!"

"The I guess it's time to return our bodies to the earth. That's not a bad thing, Luna."

"No! I won't have it! I can't lose again! Not to this! Not to this." She was crying now.

Yara-ma-yha-who was surprised. Vampires rarely cried. Was this because of the way she had been born? Her father had said that she was different.

"I refuse to let you die!" The small vampire shoved the baby back into Yara-ma-yha-who's arms. Then she stopped and faced the raging flames. It looked like a wall creeping over the plains, burning and killing everything in its path. Smoke billowed and covered the sky to suffocate anything that came near. Behind the inferno was a grey wasteland of ashes, corpses and smoldering ruins.

Luna pushed her chest out and declared with a loud and noticeable teary voice: "I am Luna Martina Tepes and this ends now! STOP!" On her last word the flames stopped in their tracks like she had ordered. "Die." And the flames did. The entire wall of fire left nothing more than smoking ashes.

Then she fell down on her knees, shivering. Her skin was itchy all over, but she felt elated. Her affinity for fire had taken her second home from her. But now it had saved her third. There was nothing to be afraid of anymore.

Once her father had called her the 'Queen of Fire'. Maybe she could live up to this title.


In this chapter I tried to use some words from the Pitjantjatjara language of the Indigenous Australians. I hope I used them correctly. If that is not the case, please leave a review or contact me by PM.

I don't know why Luna grew up in Australia. It sort of happened. During the last few years I've learned a lot about Australia in general and it grew on me. Also, every time I learn something new about the people living in America/Africa/Australia I feel the desperate need to build a time-machine. Not that I can, of course, but I hate how much knowledge was lost because some white people didn't care.

Chapter 17 will be up on 20.03.