~~~TRAILER#2: The Secret Princess~~~
When the Vampire King gave them a second chance at life, the Mukami Brothers swore their unwavering loyalty and dedicated their lives to the "Adam & Eve Project". One night, Karlheinz came to their household with a slumbering young girl in his arms and a request to look after her temporarily. Caring for her was just a mere obligation, but could it have turned into something more?
There is a time when every human being stops at a certain point of their lifetime to ponder: what is life, the purpose of it, as well as what it means when it turns to death?
To answer, there are four unspoken rules that humanity must keep in mind.
Firstly, there is cycle. The old is destined to be overthrown by the new, such is the "Law of Change". There is no permanence in this world other than change.
Secondly, there is synthesis. There will be a certain reaction for every action and inaction, such is the "Law of Cause and Effect". Everything has an origin to look back at, but others are just less obvious than the rest.
Thirdly, there is symbiosis. Every being was built in pairs and were given a respective partner, such is the "Law of Opposites". Coexistence of two different beings enable the world to a state of transcendence through teamwork.
Lastly, there is balance. There will always be another that shall take the place of what was lost, such is the "Law of Equilibrium". To gain something of importance, one needs to lose something of equal value.
Now, humanity questions: what are the key factors or perhaps even proof of existence for these supposed laws of the universe?
As if to answer accordingly, four of them exist...
Desire, the compulsion to covet anything and everything that every single instinct roars for their state of being...
Time, the only true unit of measure that gives proof to the existence of matter and all sorts of being...
Will, the impulse that paves a path to fulfill each desire and determine whether it will be worth fighting for...
Inevitability, the result that has been laid down in response to all choices made in accordance to the will...
As the world rotates and revolves, it goes through an endless cycle of life and death due to choices spurned by every single desire. As time passes by, everything shall go through an everlasting change as it is the will of desire that directs humanity into movement. As long as there shall be a beginning, a time will come for an inevitable ending.
For there was creation, so there will be destruction. For there was nothing but darkness, so then it will breathed life. For there was nonexistence, so then there will be existence.
Once upon a time, there were four young boys whom stood as the undeniable proof of these truths...
Four human boys, scorned and abused by their own kind...
...only to be saved by the damned.
However, there may still be hope for whatever is left of their true selves.
A hope that comes in the form of a young girl...
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DECADES AGO IN THE MUKAMI MANOR
Another storm loomed over the Mukami Household.
That was all that has been happening in the general area of their estate for quite some time. More often than not, it was just a soft rain with varying moods from a little drizzle to hailing angry drops. The thunder and lightning usually come at night such as now, making the forest more ominous and the isolated manor more menacing. It was a good thing for its residents that they are well-provided in resources as well as the fact that there was a vegetable garden in their disposal.
However, the complaints cannot be avoided as the weather not only makes the atmosphere quite dreary...
...it makes them feel an abundant amount of unease as if it was some sort of bad omen.
The four boys, seeming to be around 12 to 14 years of age, sheltered by this residence know better than to ignore their instincts. It is what has kept them alive before they were adopted together by their savior, taking up a surname that united them officially as brothers.
"Mu", the Kanji meaning "negative" or "to be without"...
"Kami", the Kanji term most used to depict "God"...
Mukami...
Meaning "to be without God" or simply "godless"...
It was a rather fitting name for these four boys who have lost faith in such almighty reverence.
Even if there was a god, it held no importance to them anymore.
Because it was not God that saved them from suffering nor was He the one whom reached out a hand when they needed it the most...
No, it was a different kind of god.
It was the Vampire King, a creature of the damned.
His name...is Karlheinz.
Mukami Ruki, eldest amongst the four, was designated as the leader of the household and one whom would represent Karlheinz for any decisions that need to be made in their manor whenever he is absent. In order to be able to live up to such expectations, he was given the best education and upbringing—almost special treatment compared to his brothers—which prompted him to vowing undivided loyalty to the Vampire King. He was once an aristocrat, have been degraded to a mere orphaned filth in an abusive orphanage, and now reborn as a half-blooded vampire with an intellect beyond his young age.
He looked to be the calmest and most indifferent to the weather, even as the lightning struck and the thunder roared.
Mukami Kou, second eldest amongst the four, was once a sewer rat that was plucked out of the streets but only to get thrown into the same abusive orphanage. He had gone through a series of traumatizing torment due to his coveted beautiful countenance—one he was ironically told in being blessed to have—that eventually led him to a horrifying choice to gouge out his right eye. It was only upon his transformation in becoming a vampire that Karlheinz gifted him with a magical eye, one that can see through people's hearts, to replace the one he had lost.
He was torn between pouting and whining because of the depressing mood caused by the storm, or just smile to lift up everyone's spirits.
"Hmph," Kou mused, "the storm is really hitting hard tonight...well, harder than usual at least."
Ruki glanced at him before returning to his book.
"So it would seem." he replied casually, "It's not really much of a problem if you ask me."
Kou smiled cheekily but got interrupted by another voice before he could reply.
"Oh, yeah...?!" the new voice challenged, "Tell that to my vegetable garden!"
Ruki and Kou looked up at the one who spoke.
Mukami Yuma, third eldest amongst the four, was a boy whose first set of earliest memories were lost in a tragic village fire in which only he survived. He was a gangster brat together with the other street rats discriminated by other aristocrats, but became another sole survivor when the rest of his gang were killed by gunshots during a raid. Like the previous two, he was thrown into the same abusive orphanage but was one of the tough ones that managed to take the mistreatment and became more hardened in resolve. After becoming a vampire, his most notable trait is his strength and temper but one human thing that remained in him is his fondness over gardening.
Due to the insistent rain, he was left with the most complaints due to the lack of sunlight needed for his vegetable garden and how the overabundance of moisture is starting to decrease the quality of the crops.
"Every single one of them is getting drenched." Yuma proclaimed with a scowl, "Even the ones in the greenhouse are starting to get in poor condition because of the cold moisture. The storm better stop so the sun would come back soon, or else—"
"—or else what...? You'd beat them up~? I don't think that's possible, Yuma-kun." Kou teased.
Yuma sneered, "Why, you two-faced little...!"
It was then that another voice, more timid yet firm, interjected their conversation.
"Kou...Yuma...please stop fighting." the newcomer drawled.
Mukami Azusa, youngest amongst the four, is the faint-hearted yet sensible sibling in the small band of brothers. He speaks slowly mostly due to an implied speech impediment and the lack of sufficient knowledge in literacy when he was still developing in his younger years. He is considered quite problematic due to his masochistic tendencies spurned by his lack of self-worth when he was still wandering the streets wherein he was beaten repetitively by everyone he met. In the orphanage, he met Yuma whom was the first to show him true kindness and was then introduced to the other two. With his brothers, he tried to escape from the orphanage but they were almost killed by gunshots...until Karlheinz found them.
The Vampire King found him to be the most pitiful, especially for a human, yet Azusa possessed an innate strength dedicated to those he held dear.
"The storm...is already...dreary enough. Arguing...will only...make it...worse." he reasoned.
Ruki snapped his book shut and looked at all of them.
"Azusa is right." he stated, "The thunder is noisy and bothersome enough without you adding to it."
Kou pouted and then whined, "But, Ruki...! I am so bored!"
"Not my problem."
"You're so mean~"
"..."
Yuma clicked his tongue but stayed quiet, not wanting to get lectured.
Azusa smiled at them in the background, absent-mindedly stroking his bandaged arms.
At that moment, lightning struck once again and was almost in sync with the thunder that followed. Both were stronger than their predecessors a few seconds ago as if a warning of sorts to those who saw and heard respectively.
Quite a warning because it was then that the four brothers felt it...
...the overpowering presence of their savior, the Vampire King.
"What the...?" Yuma sputtered.
Kou gulped, "Ruki...you didn't tell us he was going to visit."
Ruki frowned, "That's because he never informed me. No letter, no phone call, and no familiars came."
Azusa kept silent, speechlessly nervous and quite anxious like his elder brothers.
The Mukamis may respect the Vampire King and feel grateful for giving them second chances in life, but they are not fools to think that he did it out of the goodness of his unbeating heart. He is a vampire and the king of such demonic creatures. Not to mention, they are powerless ants in his presence and such helplessness does nothing more but to further remind them of their time in the orphanage...and also emphasizes that they are still not entirely free.
Lightning flashed and the thunder growled, snapping them out of their reverie.
Ruki made the first move as he gathered his composure and stood up from the armchair, his father's journal held by his right hand which was tucked to his side. He walked towards the door to exit the room while speaking to his brothers in a commanding tone:
"Come, we must not keep him waiting."
Without hesitation, the other three followed his example but made time to exchange a few unsure glances as they exited the room one by one. Kou placed his hands behind his head, tilting it up slightly to look at the ceiling before sighing inaudibly. Yuma raised his right hand to massage a nonexistent ache on his nape, a troubled frown on his face as he pondered silently. Azusa fiddled with his bandages as he trailed after his brothers almost shyly like a small shadow.
All of them did not voice it out but each of them had felt slight trepidation with this sudden visit.
It was just so unlike Karlheinz to come to their home without a single warning. The only times they could think of it ever happening spell nothing but trouble for them. However, they had no choice in the matter either way other than to welcome his arrival.
In a single blink, the four brothers used their teleportation powers to travel the rest of the way as they felt Karlheinz getting closer to the mansion.
When they did get to the Entrance Hall, it was only a few seconds after that when the front doors opened.
The four boys bowed accordingly in respect as they simultaneously greeted their royal guest.
"Welcome back, Your Majesty."
Karlheinz chuckled pleasantly with their manners.
"I'm back, boys." he smirked, "Be at ease. No need to be that formal."
There was a pregnant pause and the four boys looked up hesitantly before abruptly standing at attention as if they had just been slapped. The sight in front of them bewildered and shocked them to no end. As if on cue, lightning flashed once again as thunder snarled threateningly.
The dark atmosphere was emphasized as Karlheinz followed where their eyes drifted to, and he then released an overwhelming amount of power as he remembered the reason for his visit.
In the arms of the Vampire King, a young girl was wrapped in his black and red cloak as she slept peacefully.
The young lady slept so serenely and deeply that it was almost as if she was under a sleeping spell, especially when a raging storm practically pelted down on her and the man whom held her.
"Yes, I apologize for not informing you earlier on about this visit." Karlheinz began, "There has been...unforeseen events in my household and there was a slight change of plans. As you can see, I did not come alone."
The sheer regality of his tone and the accompanying demand within it snapped the four Mukamis back to reality as they looked back to smoldering golden eyes that were subtly lit with hidden annoyance and frustration. Cold sweat beaded down their faces as they tried to even out their breathing, thankful that they no longer necessarily have a heartbeat to skip out of anxiety.
When the Vampire Sire saw that he had their full attention, he smiled darkly as he continued.
"Let us speak in the living room. I do not wish for this child to get a cold."
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.
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His daughter...
The sole female child of Karlheinz...
A child born from neither of his three wives...
An illegitimate child—a mere bastard—yet one that is treasured more than her brothers—the legitimate heirs—could ever be...
That is the identity of the young maiden now left in their care.
Despite such allegations, her own brothers sought her out with love and affections of their own to offer for her...ones she has been said to reciprocate.
All feelings involved were familial, of course...at least, from her side of the exchange.
Needless to say, all four were left shell-shocked and utterly astonished by the news.
Every single creature within the Demon Realm knows that the Vampire King only has sons, six sons—seven if the rumors are to be believed that he has an illegitimate son somewhere in hiding—from three wives, but not one word about a daughter. Not even those few people who are close enough to the Bat Clan and could gain such delicate information have indicated any implication that there may be a daughter within the Vampire Race's royal family, legitimate or otherwise.
Now, he comes to the doorstep of the four boys he adopted more for a scheme and definitely not out of whatever kindness that may or may not be in his unbeating heart...
...and he entrusts these boys he plucked randomly, out of a species that his own kind condemns as prey, the knowledge about something that may have never escaped his own household.
As the main doors of the Mukami Manor closed down permanently for the evening, all four brothers focused on the next order of business: get the supposed Young Miss settled in her new room.
Ruki led the way back to the special room, now designated as the girl's bedroom, one with no windows and no way of entrance or exit aside from one door warded with protection spells all over it. Kou, Yuma, and Azusa followed him silently as they all recalled their Sire's final words and instructions before his departure as he left his most precious treasure in their hands.
"You are expected to follow every rule I shall lay down in regards to Mikaela. Failure to do so would result to severe consequences that may be worse than death for you."
They recalled the sight of her as she peacefully slept with her head perched on her father's lap, the rest of her body taking over the couch she and Karlheinz resided on.
Mikaela, as His Majesty had said her name was, is a young girl not looking older than Azusa's own physical age group which was around 12-years-old. Due to her rather delicate and somewhat petite structure, she could pass off as someone who may be two years younger than that. A dark burgundy cloak, one that kept her from getting wet by the storm outside and gave her warmth even then, was snugly wrapped around her and allowed only a glimpse of her entire face which was also framed by her silky white locks. Peeks of another cloth, pastel-colored and much thinner than the cloak, imply that the young lass may not be wearing much under the thick covering aside from a long nightgown.
Her visage was extraordinarily beautiful, even for a Pureblood Vampire. Her albino white hair, something that she likely inherited from her father, seemed to glow alongside her alabaster skin. The light reflected a little to show some wet strands that may have been the work of some raindrops that managed to sneak past the cloak, which prompted them to stick to her soft flesh. Long eyelashes accentuated what can be imagined as doe-like innocent eyes and complimented by fair rosy cheeks, partnered by a pair of moist pink lips and button nose. Finishing all that with a heart shaped face and oddly darker yet dainty eyebrows, her entire countenance was practically enchanting and glowing as if she was a celestial fairy.
She is beauty and grace, an innocence that will inevitably come to waste.
For the boys who have lived through the hard truths of this world, they can see no other fate for her.
Perhaps, that is why her father kept her a secret...
"First Rule: no harm must come to her in any way."
They are no longer mere pawns on the board, but knights dedicated to become her protectors and warden.
To become her shelter from outside threats as well as her cage from wondrous attachments...
Their steps led them to a pair of isolated staircase at the heart of the mansion: one leading up and the other leading down. Both are restricted areas, even for them whom have become the legal inheritors of the estate, but one has recently opened...
...and so, they went there.
"Second Rule: she is to remain unbitten and her blood untouched...unless she willingly permits it."
Her blood is special, that is for certain.
With how fiercely protective Karlheinz is over it, it may even be more precious than that of Eve's or whoever shall become Eve...but it could just be his paternal bias that made him act like so. Then again, he also voiced a possible permission so long as the girl says it is alright to take her blood.
Karlheinz was rather hesitant to voice that out but he reasoned that each of her brothers had already taken a bite out of her at least once, and so he allows the Mukamis to do so as well.
In exchange, their blood is to be offered to her in copious amount whenever she needs it.
Another step for his plan, perhaps...?
One could only speculate.
"Third Rule: she is weak and defenseless against the sun so keep her sensitive skin away from any trace of it."
A vampire that is weak against sunlight...
A vampire with human characteristics apart from her slow aging, ethereal beauty, and need for blood...
If anything, she was more like a Dhampir: half-human and half-vampire.
Even then, she showed too many oddities to be completely categorized into one specific species including hybrid ones like dhampirs. A witch is too tainted for such innocence, a priestess too pure for the act of bloodlust, and others are too contradicting to the vampire species in order to actually procreate a stable offspring.
"Of course, the last and most important rule: do not ever let her out of the house, not even her room."
A princess locked in a golden cage that is placed within an ivory tower.
That pretty much sums up her situation.
They almost felt pity for her if not for the fact that their hearts are too hardened to feel any more sympathy for others excluding one another, and for the fact they know that the princess herself is not as displeased with the arrangement. Karlheinz himself had assured them that she makes no trouble for her wardens to keep her in the room, as long as they make sure that they would never leave her lonely for too long. She is obedient and kind, a true angel amongst a den of monsters, but her hidden resilience and resolve are forces not to be underestimated. If she really wants to, she can escape anyone's notice at any time which is something that may happen if she is left neglected for too long.
In other words, she was spoiled; but since she had to be confined to one room for most likely her whole lifetime without a chance of seeing the outside world, it is quite a fair reason to be spoiled and have her needs be attended by the entire family. She cannot do it herself if she is to be kept hidden.
It was not a hard feat to accomplish when she has three maternal figures to look after her necessities and six older brothers to keep her entertained, making her a reasonably polite and caring young girl with an occasional clingy side that may or may not have a tendency to be bratty when pushed too hard.
The question is: can these four brothers live up to the same expectations?
Now they gaze upon the Vampire Princess tucked carefully in a luxurious canopy bed as she embraced a satin body pillow to her chest like a childhood stuffed toy, tightly yet tenderly.
Ruki took the chair beside the bed as Yuma stood by him. Across from them on the other side of the bed which the girl's back was facing, Kou sat idly by the bedside and was close enough to touch. Azusa was not that far away from him as the youngest Mukami sat nearer by the foot of the bed and where the girl's legs rested, thick blankets and comforters keeping said limbs warm from the cold storm.
Each of them had varying thoughts regarding this turn of events.
Azusa was one of the most excited, perhaps only second to Kou. He is still a little hesitant about their new addition, no matter how temporary, and feels quite timid on how to approach the subject. However, he also feels a thrilling excitement at the prospect of having a new friend and a younger sibling—a sister, to be specific—to now look after like how the others do for him more often than not. He does not know if his eccentric ways, as his brothers described it, would be able to make the girl feel welcome or if she would even feel comfortable about it. All he knows is that if she ends up not liking pain as a receiver, then he hopes she is gracious enough to be a giver.
Yuma was one of the apprehensive ones, but is also quite casual about it. Amongst his brothers, he was the least trustful of Karlheinz but equally as grateful too. However, he was the one who had more of an anchor to his humanity...the one who had some unfinished businesses that he cannot completely let go. When the prospect of a new life came along as a transitioning to a vampire, he felt indebted yet spiteful and it is even more emphasized when his savior is of nobility in their new society. Therefore, as he welcomes a new resident housemate whom may be his Vampire Sire's little princess alongside his brothers, his own prejudice against nobility makes him wary of the young girl yet accepting enough as her father's subordinate.
Kou was undoubtedly the most excited and anticipating of the new presence. A new face, one that belongs to a female, is a refreshing change in the household that he can appreciate. Looking at her now, he envisions her as a little kitty all tucked into warm covers. While Karlheinz forbade them to harm her in any way which refers to mentally and emotionally as well, that does not mean Kou still cannot have his fun. He can have his way with her as much as he wishes so long as he does not leave traces of it for either her or the Vampire King to find out, with all the rules still being followed. That, and he can just wrap her around his finger so she will never want to tattle. Through the masterful charm tricks that he learned back in the orphanage, it will only be a matter of time for this innocent wee thing to be dancing in his palms.
Ruki was the most conflicted, torn by his devoted loyalty to the Vampire King and his utter distrust of females. This young girl was entrusted to them, specifically to care for and protect. That would mean actually making an effort to get close. Ever since his mother's abandonment, he had vowed to never trust females again. However, Karlheinz is their savior and the one whom gave them everything they have now. His word is law and his proclamations absolute decrees. He would have to face the facts that this girl must be treated as his prioritized responsibility now despite his personal feelings practically fuming at the thought. He only needs to take care of the girl's living necessities and tend to anything else she may want, but he will never be able to invest his own emotions upon it. He will protect her from a distance and will act out of obligation, no more and no less.
As the thoughts of the four brothers come together in a single resolve, Mikaela starts to stir as she squeezes the pillow in her arms with a grimace on her face. She mutters quietly, but the sound was not soft enough to escape the sharp hearing of the other occupants.
"O-Onii...sama..."
A single tear sparkled at the corner of her eye.
It streamed down, sensually slow in its descent, as the Mukami brothers focused their gaze upon it as if entranced.
Their trance was snapped when they saw the tear make contact with the sheets...only for it to turn into a mild frost that resemble the unique patterns of a snowflake.
The brothers exchanged bewildered glances, as if to confirm that what they had born witness to was not an illusion.
Like a looming reminder, the parting words of the Vampire King resounded within their minds in synchronicity.
"Let me make this clear: Mikaela is not Eve."
If that is the case, then who is she really? In fact, what is she? What importance does she have despite her status as an illegitimate child of the Vampire King?
Why was Karlheinz so obsessed with her?
"She holds a vital role to the plan...but she may unravel an even deeper secret to demonkind's salvation."
Salvation, huh...?
As the brothers heard the thunder beyond the walls of the mansion alongside the pitter-patter of rain, they spared another calculative gaze towards the slumbering girl.
"Adam shall sire the new race of demonkind, and Eve shall bear the fruit that will surpass even my power. However, Mikaela..."
Mikaela started whimpering, signs of a nightmare haunting her former peace.
In an effort to actually console her, the brothers went closer to make physical contact. Half of them do so out of duty to respect the orders given to them as the girl's caretaker, while the other half are just curious to do so.
Ruki rests his cooling palm on her forehead, checking for a fever.
Kou reaches out from behind her, caressing her cheek in a soothing gesture.
Yuma kneels by the bed and carefully grasps her delicate hand, freeing it from the death grip it held on the pillow.
Azusa scoots over to pat her gently on the back, as if settling down a fussing infant.
Like magic, she relaxed and settled completely with a content smile.
Without noticing, all four boys subconsciously returned the innocent action with a tender expression.
"...Mikaela shall become the true Messiah of all realms."
It was the night that changed them in the best and worst of ways.
God...perhaps he does exist...
Not the benevolent and gracious kind that humans believe in...
"For that reason, you must never let her escape. Never allow her to have a moment to ponder what the outside world has to offer. Never let her be lonely enough to desire what lies beyond her room. Her purity must not be tainted."
However, the Mukamis can attest that a particular God is real.
He is ruthless and anything but kind, though his power and the years he had lived through his immortal lifetime made him worthy of such title.
Karlheinz can perhaps be called their God...
...and that God bestowed upon them a certain gift.
"Her world is now her room, and you are now her keepers. Never let the Serpent enter the garden and corrupt her as it did to Eve."
As is normal, they would not realize the significance of such gift on them...but someday...
Someday, they will realize it.
Someday, they will cherish her beyond they can ever imagine.
Someday, she will deliver them all to their destined paths.
Whether it is a path towards destruction or salvation...remains to be seen.
The fate of the Demon Realm is now in the hands of this innocent young girl.
In turn, she is now in the hands of the Forsaken Ones.
"I now hand her over to you. Do not fail me."
TAGS:
#VampireIncest
#SGEden