Author's Note: This isn't quite a VHD fanfic, but it certainly does fall under "bluntly inspired by/homage to".I wasn't too sure if this should be under fanfic or not, but hey, we'll see.Also, for the original format coding, and title graphics to the story, go to to the current homepage link in my profile. Oh, and this is book 1 of 6 planned. That said, on with the story.

Dhampir(Dam-peer) 1: Half-damned; the child of a human and a cursed supernatural. Most often used in reference to the children of humans and vampires. 2: Low born child of a supernatural union; filthy blood. Considered to be the most offensive of insults.

Dunpeal(Doon-peel) 1: Half-dead; specific term referring to the child of a human and a vanpyr. Most often have near endless life spans, incredible strength, and known to have incredible unearthly beauty. Also known to have many serious ailments, such as anemia, photodermatosis, insanity, bloodlust, and heat syndrome. Notable weaknesses include iron.

From the Ingrid New World English Dictionary, 2275 edition

Nightwalkers. Kindred. Kuei-Jin. Nosferatu. The Undead. All these names refer to the same race of beings. A species which feeds on blood and cannot die by age or mortal means. They are eternal in their lifespans, embracing darkness and shunning light. Yet despite all the names, in the end, they are all known to be a creature with only one word to describe them.

Vampires.

For countless centuries after the end of the Dark Ages, vampires hid themselves, for humanity had learned to fight back and almost destroyed the vampire race. They survived, grew again in secret numbers, and when the Great War broke out at the end of the twentieth century, they found their chance. Humanity was falling back into the dark ages, allowing the vampires to emerge once more and place themselves as the ruling species of Earth.

Rebellion and the overthrow of the vampire regime led to a revival of the human civilization. Mankind retook its place at the top, while the vampires, now driven back to the fringes of the world with their own engineered monstronsities, found that they were now fighting for survival and dominance.

After a century in exile, the vampires returned, working to retake their reign bit by bit. The nobles once more took up rule in small villages at first, but when they tried to reach out again, they discovered that the humans had formed a special caste which was dedicated to preventing such a tyranny from happening again; the Hunters. Werewolf Hunters, Wraith Hunters, Dragon Hunters, and the greatest class of all; the Vampire Hunters. These special soldiers knew the secrets of the vampires, able to fight them and kill the undead.

Yet, the humans could not have discovered these secrets on their own. Someone, or something, had helped them...
The rumbling thunder echoed through the night air while terrible winds blew and lightning flashed. It was a horrible night to be out, but even so, at least one person braved the storm in search of someone.

"Katie!"

A cold chill was in the air as the young man ran through the fields. A rifle was in his hands, brown hair blowing in the wind while he shifted his flashlight about in search of his younger sister. "Katie!" he cried out again. Only the howling winds answered him, and then a flash of lightning lit up the sky to reveal a shadowy figure standing in the distance. The young man turned his head toward that figure, now seeing two red points of light that vanished an instant later.

He ran over, dropping to the ground as he found a young girl lying on the ground. Two small puncture wounds were in the right side of her neck. She was still alive, breathing and with a pulse. The young man growled, slipped the strap of his rifle around his chest, then grunted while picking his sister up. "Hold on, Katie," he whispered as he ran toward the direction of their home. It didn't take much to figure out what had happened.

From in the distance, watching the young man flee, the owner of two glowing red eyes flashed a grin that revealed his elongated canines which were stained red. He raised a hand and wiped a bit of blood from on his chin. "Try to help her," he intoned sadistically while turning to depart. "The girl will belong to me, boy, and nothing can change that."