I don't own twilight, and I have an author's note at the end.
Second Life
She figured she had gone to Hell. She had been beaten and raped for no apparent reason, and then when she thought that at least she would go to Heaven for her suffering she was thrown into Hell. The pain was completely unbearable, and it lasted forever. It was as if she would never again feel anything but this horrible gut wrenching pain.
Then as soon as it had come, it had stopped. She was no longer in pain, and once again she was Bella.
She arose and realized her second life. She could feel the power in her body. She knew the power in her mind, and now she realized with frightening clarity that this was her second life. Her mission, shape the race. She had to literally decide what it meant to be Vampire. The thought frightened her, but it also made her feel extremely powerful. This was her mission in life. She would alter and entire species because it was her destiny.
Bella realized she needed to do something. She had no idea where she was, and no form of shelter or anything. She also was in desperate need of a hunt. So she did the first instinctual thing that came to her mind. She ran.
Running, as a Vampire, was something Bella would never tire from. She would never physically tire, but more of that she would never get over the feeling of being able to run so fast a mere human couldn't see her. She loved the near emotional high that it caused in her.
She could not believe how beautiful running could be, but then she smelt it. Her nose picked up the smell, and her instincts changed her direction long before her brain realized what it was doing. She was intoxicated by the smell. She longed for it like she had never longed for something before, but she had longed for this before. She knew this smell. It was the smell of human blood. Instantly, Bella stopped. She was repulsed by herself, and she could not believe that human life meant nothing to her. She wished the human blood did not draw her as it did, but she knew she had to fight it. She ran in the opposite direction.
Her nose quickly picked up the scent of a deer. She drained it, then another, and another. It wasn't until she had had three deer and two mountain lions that she was satisfied. She felt satiated at that point, and she could finally think reasonably. It was difficult for her as a newborn to think of anything for too long, but with so much blood in her Bella realized she needed to get in contact with the other Vampires.
Other Vampires weren't too hard for Bella to find. She figured out that some tribes were plagued with bloodless deaths. The tales she heard reminded her of the Vampires she had created in her first life, the ruthless humanity stripped demons that felt only a need for blood and nothing else. She quickly set out for these distraught villages.
Bella found the scents of other Vampires quickly, but soon she figured out that these scents were not the scents of the six Vampires who had been created in her previous life. They were completely different. Bella realized that a great deal of time had passed since her first life. She didn't quite understand it, as she had been alive for a long time during her first life, but this time was much greater. She was baffled by it actually. She realized that most humans, and Vampires for that matter would never know two completely separate times. The languages were different, and that mannerisms of the people were different, but Bella found the similarities that most people would miss. She understood the archetypes that still existed even though the general way of life had changed completely. The people had begun to farm in a way people in Bella's previous life had never managed. They tribes were no longer hunter-gatherer groups, but that were beginning to understand how to grow food to feed themselves. They also kept a few animals around for food. The tribes, however, were still very communal. They relied on each other for support, and their religion was based in many of the same gods Bella had grown up with in her first life. However, the names of the Gods had changed slightly. Bella knew from her first life though that these Gods were not the decider of fate. Bella had a very personally relationship with her God simply because from her first birth she had been given a message, an imprint really. She knew even as a child her destiny. She could never tell anyone. She had learned to lie early. She needed to in order to survive, and God had given her many gifts. It was how Bella knew for certain that all Vampires had souls even if humans who came in contact with them believed other wise.
Bella sought out the other Vampires. They accepted her because she conformed to their ways. She drank human blood with them, and soon she rose in the ranks. It was clear there were other Vampires out there, but it was also clear that all of the Vampires here did not know of the original Bella. There seemed to be wars going on.
Bella trained herself. She knew that a battle, the largest battle yet, was coming. No one had to tell her, it was in the air. Four covens were going to battle to a man. All Bella wanted was to make sure that the good Vampires among them survived and the evils ones did not. Bella realized she could not possibly defeat all the Vampires herself, but she did a lot of spy work before the battle. There were a few gifted vampires. Bella could easily feel their powers. She had perfected her ability in her previous life. The abilities would help her immensely. Unfortunately she had to keep these Vampires alive. There were two Vampires Bella felt must live, they were in separate Covens, but she had noticed how they distanced themselves from their respective Covens. Bella knew they were good, she had seen it in her espionage. Their names were Etona and Skona.
Etona was a tall beautiful woman who could take the breath away from any man, but she had a softness too her that made everyone want to be friends with her, at least Bella guessed that in her human life that was one of her greatest qualities. Humans tend to not want to spend any amount of time with Vampires. Skona on the other hand was a man. Bella had not known that male Vampires could be good, as her only previous experience had ended miserably. Skona was beautiful in the Vampire way, but also, Bella could see in his eyes the intelligence that many of the others lacked. He seemed wise and calmer than the others. He was the strategist of his Coven. He did not wish to fight, but since he was doomed to it he decided he would make it so at least he came out of this alive. Skona had a shielding type of ability. When he used it he made anyone near him confused and unable to act. Skona used his ability sparsely though because he could not control whom his ability affected so it would disable his own Coven as well.
Skona and Etona had never met, but Bella watched them closely and saw that they would get along. Etona accepted everyone she met, and Skona would see the good in Etona. Skona was wise that way. Bella realized she would allow others to live if they survived the battle and she deemed them worthy enough, but she would do everything in her ability to secure the fates of these two.
The battle was looming even closer. The Covens were training harder. Bella watched and she saw that Etona and Skona were very skilled fighters, but she was the best. She had a good couple thousand years on any of the fighters here. They were all fairly young, in Vampire ages, only a couple hundred years at most. It seemed that the Vampires would had destroyed Bella had created a Vampire society that thrived on war and was constantly battling. Bella planned to change that.
Bella realized that trying to talk to either Etona or Skona would greatly endanger her chances of surviving the battle. While they had shown promise of being estranged from their groups they still had not seemed to be disloyal or conniving in any way. It was one of the reasons Bella had chosen them. They seemed open to her, it was their blessing and curse.
The day before the battle the tensions in Bella's coven were running high. She realized there were a few people here that she would miss if they died; she realized that she would try to keep them alive. They would be good Vampires outside of this horrible setting. Bella chose Trena as her favorite. Trena was changed when she was still very young. She had strong faith as Bella often caught her praying over a dead meal. It warmed Bella's heart. She would try and keep Trena alive if possible. Bella realized she had not given much thought to her own Coven in choosing people she wished to survive. It was sad there were many good Vampires who were stuck in this horrible situation.
The next day all four covens appeared at the field. They were far from ant civilization. Bella was thankful for this. The fighting seemed to be dignified even, all Covens appeared in the open, but Bella knew better. There was not a single Coven that did not have people hidden in the woods waiting for the call for attack. Bella, Trena, Skona, and Etona were all among the Vampires chosen to be the fronts for the Covens. All Covens stated their Coven's name: Illon, Hilio, Joles, and Merun. Bella was part of the Hilio Coven. It was odd to think about, but soon Bella hoped Coven names would go out of existence. She wished for nothing less than peace among Vampires.
The fighting began shortly after. There were rules, which had been agreed upon before Bella had been born. There was one main rule it was kill. There were not to be any severely injured Vampires left to heal themselves. If a limb was torn off they were to be thrown in the fire right away. It had already been started.
Once the rules were stated the fighting started almost instantly. Bella did not know what to do. There were more than twenty Vampires between the four covens. They were five gifted ones. Bella had practiced using their gifts in her espionage. Bella came near to Skona she realized he was killing many using his gift. Bella approached and took control of his ability. It made it much easier for her to kill as well. They were unstoppable. No one got anywhere near either of them, but Bella realized Etona was not doing well. Most of her coven was destroyed already, and she had no one to help her. Bella somehow got Skona to see Etona, and it was weird. Bella felt a shift in Skona. He realized he would not let her die. He rushed to her side and fought of all the others, but confused Etona in the process. He was winning for her though. Bella was happy. She knew they would both make it out alive Skona was going to win. His ability made it nearly impossible for any Vampire to get near him. Etona finally saw Skona and she knew as well. They were the first mates Bella had seen it was beautiful. They saw each other like there was no one else in the world, but soon they had to get back to fighting. Bella was still wielding Skona's ability it was very helpful, but some of the Vampires Bella had grown fond of were dying most of her Coven was gone, but surprisingly most of all the Covens were gone.
It was soon that Bella would have to stop however there was one Vampire she worried about. Stefan. He was a dangerous looking Vampire. He had single handedly destroyed many Vampires, and Bella was worried that he would only wreak more havoc if he lived. She wished more than anything that someone would take him out, but no one seemed able he was stronger and faster than any other Vampire, and he had the reddest eyes, but he wasn't a newborn. I couldn't figure it out; it was like his newborn bloodlust had never left him.
Soon everyone recognized that Stefan was the only one left of his coven. He was still out for blood though. The rest were willing to just stop enough of us had been killed. Stefan ran, and nobody bothered to go after him. He would not attack the reamaining alone. The group was so much stronger than he, and after Stefan left the fighting died down, fast.
Then the mourning started, and people began to realize just how much they had come to care about those Vampires around them, it was clear that Skona and Etona had fallen in love somehow, by that mysterious Vampire pull they had found a mate in each other. It was blindingly obvious, and almost painful to know that she would most likely never have that. She had a destiny and did not think her God had made room for love.
There were only a handful of others five max. They were not the best fighters in their covens; no they were the most peaceful. They were the people who had tried not to fight, and had made it out alive because of it. Bella was so happy. Trena had not been so fortunate. She was one of the many lost, and Bella wished she could cry, Trena had been a good friend, a sister even.
Bella realized something needed to happen no one was going to leave this field until someone spoke so Bella went about speaking. She was skeptical about what to say, how did she go about "shaping" a Vampire race, she had no idea, so she searched her heart, and realized she just needed to explain a few things.
"We all came here today because we wanted to end the fighting amongst the Vampires. We wanted peace, which was impossible with so many Covens. I am here because I want peace as well. I look around at the survivors and I see the peaceful ones. I don't see the people who went for every kill, but I see the people who wished the killing didn't have to happen even if the end result was what everyone wanted. I came here today simply wishing to find a group to survive. I hoped to be part of that group. I am happy with the faces of who survived even though I do weep for those we lost. I would try and explain who I am and what this fighting has done to my spirit, but none of you would believe me. I am not here to rule, I only wish to lead us in a better direction. I wish for peace, a lasting peace. I hope we can find that amongst ourselves." I think I had gotten across what I needed to say. My eyes showed I was a newborn however my coherency and rationality should have shown them that I was no ordinary Vampire.
Etona was first to speak. "I know not your name, but I agree with your sentiment. I have found peace here, in more ways than one. I am happy now, and I wish the fighting to stop as well." Etona glanced at Skona, and Skona quickly agreed, he was a man of few words; a "yes" with a decisive nod of his head was all that the group got.
I realized quickly that everyone was agreeing it was going perfectly, and soon we started introducing ourselves.
"I realize that many of us do not know each others names. I am Bella. I am a newborn, but I am also much, much more. I wish to be friends with each and every one of you."
"My name is Etona. I have been a Vampire for almost 10 years. I have been unhappy for most of it. I have found my mate though. I am complete." She smiled up at Skona.
"I am Skona. I love Etona with all my being."
A quieter man from across the meadow spoke up. "I am Igor. I have been a Vampire for 33 years and 74 days. I miss my family still."
"I am Pireen. I have been a Vampire for almost 25 years I think. I don't understand why we fought so much. I want peace more than you can know." This was a young woman, almost a girl, and she was fierce even though she was small.
"I am Liren. I have been in this cold body for many years. I do not know how many, and I have been trying to work as a liaison between the Covens for years. I think now I can try to find peace, and if any stray Vampire is found I believe I can help work to assimilate him or help him in any way if that is alright." There were nods all around. The older looking man looked as if he was relieved that we were all as peaceful as we claimed.
There was only one more Vampire, and she looked scared. Pireen was next to her, and nudged her to speak. "I am Clara. I have only been a Vampire a few years now I think. It has all been a blur of attack and retreat. I was made to be a killing machine by the one who got away, Stefan, and I don't know if I can change." I ran to give her a hug. The others had my intentions confused, and everyone was way too tense. As soon as they realized I meant her no harm the tension lessened.
"Clara you are who you want to be, you can change if you want. I will help you if I can."
The others looked at me in amazement. I was still a newborn in their eyes I could see it. I needed to change this view, but I was afraid that right now we could not get anything done. "We need to build places to live. I would like to have a home. I think we could all do well to live together as a family." The nods around were vigorous except for Etona and Skona.
"Bella…? Right? …We were planning to make our own home. We wouldn't want to always be disturbing you with, well you know."
It hit Bella right then that they wanted to be able to have sex out of earshot. "Of course, but stay close enough that you will at least visit from time to time. Please?"
"We will make our home a few miles away only so you cannot hear our sounds." Bella was certain Etona would have been blushing at this point.
The Vampires went about building their home the way normal humans did at this point. They found their materials and built it by hand. The house was large, and had enough room to fit many people. It was beautiful in its own way, but in no way was it elegant or anything of the sort.
Bella grew to love Clara like a daughter. They were so close, and one day Clara asked a question that seemed innocent enough, and made sense. "Bella as a newborn why are you so old seeming?"
Bella stumbled a bit, but eventually decided that truth was the way to go. "I-I… well you see, I guess… well here goes. Clara I have been a Vampire before, in another life." Bella watched Clara's face closely.
"So you have been reborn?" She seemed confused.
"Yes, only once that I can remember."
"Tell me about your first life, who changed you before?"
This was the question Bella had been dreading she didn't know if she could explain that she was the first again the truth seemed like the only option. "I wasn't changed by anybody I was the first Vampire."
The shock on Clara's face gave Bella no indication of whether this was a good or bad thing. On the other hand, the smile that soon appeared gave Bella all the answer she needed.
Their lives easily melded together. Bella was a natural leader, and the rest were glad to follow. Etona and Skona visited all the time, and even though they had built their own house sometimes they did not get all the way home before their lust overtook them. It wasn't disgusting to anyone's ears, it made Bella envious, but she knew her plan, and it did not involve that kind of love.
They lived peacefully for a long time. They took up the arts to keep them occupied, and everybody was living happily ever after. Bella had even taught them how to feed off animals to keep themselves sustained. Everything was completely perfect.
Then one-day years later Stefan returned. Stefan had not found peace with himself and the other Covens; no Stefan was out for blood. He still had that blood crazed look. Etona and Skona had been killed already he made sure we knew that. He brought an army, I never got a head count, but they were many. They were trained for war. Clara recognized the look well she had been trained that way too.
The Coven stuck together. They fought until the end, but we were overpowered. We had no natural talents, and without Skona I could not grab hold of anyone else's none of Stefan's army had any discernible talents. They took us by brute force. They were the epitome of everything that was wrong with Vampires, and they were now all that was left of them. As I lost consciousness I realized I had unintentionally destroyed the race I had created I shaped it incorrectly, but I guess that was why I had four lives.
AN: Well this was a really hard chapter to write, and I am sorry if you have lost interest because I had massive writer's block. I had a lot of stuff going on in my life. My granddad died. School started, my roommate got sick and now can't take her finals. Now it is thanksgiving weekend, I finally have time to relax. I finally have time to do something, and the first thing I do is try to finish this chapter. It has literally been haunting me since summer. I hope it is alright the timing may feel weird, but I really just wanted to get you guys something since I have just been awful. Please forgive me, and maybe if you are feeling really generous you could leave a review. I Love all you guys, thanks for making my day.