Chapter 10 – Human Vampires

Raven did not return for two days. When she did, she was met by Mioko, outside as she explored the ruins of the city. Mioko greeted her, warmly, happy to see that the unprovoked attack from Azrael hadn't affected the girl, badly.

"Have you thought about what I said?" Raven asked, eagerly. Mioko sighed,

"Yes...but Azrael will not leave to live underground." Mioko felt even worse when she saw the human's face fall, "But!" she protested, "We need you! We cannot reach the empire, the elders made sure that the means they used to get here was destroyed so that others could not follow. All we want is to serve the vampires, to bring some meaning to our lives!" Mioko couldn't help but interrupt, "Meaning?" she demanded, "What kind of meaning is that, to live a life of servitude?" Raven glared at the vampire. She didn't understand. She didn't know what it was like to live in a wasteland, bored out of your mind with nothing to do but wonder about the higher form of life, a form that you would never get to see.

"Please," she murmured, "Please help us." Mioko shook her head. She had no problem with going to live amongst humans, it wouldn't bother her in the slightest, but Azrael was stubborn and she knew it was hopeless to argue with the elder. She couldn't understand why Azrael couldn't simply adapt to his new life, but then, she would find it easier to make the change. She had once been a human amongst vampires, she knew the pain of isolation only too well.

Raven was still looking at her, with imploring eyes. Mioko sighed and rested a hand on the girl's shoulder, "I'm sorry, but he will not come." Once again Raven attempted to change the mind of the vampire.

"But, we will serve you, we will devote our lives to you,"

"It's nothing to do with that!" Azrael interrupted, approaching from behind. Raven couldn't help but take a small step back, memories of their last meeting still fresh in her mind. Azrael moved to Mioko's side, "I cannot live underground in your mountain villages. I will not be made to feel like a prisoner." Mioko shook the elder's hand from her shoulder and looked up at him, "So, we stay here?" she asked. Azrael glanced over the city, "Yes, I will stay here, go if you will, but I will remain here." Mioko glared at him, "You know I won't leave you, I promised Raziel." Azrael smirked,

"Then I suppose we're staying here together." At this, Raven's eyes glazed over and she grinned suddenly, "You will both stay here?" she asked. Azrael nodded, slowly, unprepared for the girl's sudden enthusiasm. Raven smiled, broadly and after muttering a hasty farewell she ran off to the mountains, leaving behind the two bewildered vampires.

Mioko and Azrael exchanged confused looks, but didn't say anything, instead Mioko inquired as to how the vampires would feed themselves over the next eternity. "We will hunt in the villages," Azrael shrugged, walking away before she could point out the flaws in his plan. They didn't know the exact locations of the villages or what to expect. Mioko didn't bother following the elder vampire, instead she returned to the scavenger's hut which they had claimed for their own.

There she remained, contemplating the decision she had made to stay with the first born. She could understand his reluctance to live in the mountains, but it may be their only chance of survival. She was deep in thought when Azrael ran up the stairs and found her. "Mioko!" he panted, "You have to come, you have to see this!" he grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward the door, then down the stairs and through the city to the ruined gate.

There, over the wasteland, a crowd of people could be seen making their way to the city. Raven was at their head. As they neared the ruins, Raven broke away and made haste to the awed vampires. "I hope you don't mind," she gestured to the large crowd behind her, "We decided to come to you, instead."

TBC