The dying vampire finished his narration with yet another sigh, followed by a wet coughing that brought more dark blood out of his lips.
"Four hundred and fifty years…" he whispered tiredly, "Four hundred and fifty years sure are quite some time and still…all memories are as fresh to my head…as they were back then…"
An expression of wild triumph emerged to his face.
"One part of me was so glad she died! However the part of me, afraid of sinning, and the old love I used to have for her, got stronger inside me… I panicked and got trapped"
He leaned back with a self-pitiful smile on his lips.
"And that's all there is to it…the story and the death of Seto Kaiba, the Son of the Devil, the Vampire that has been sucking the blood of his people."
His breath was already heavy and was moving his chest up and down as if even breathing was taking him a great amount of effort now.
"For centuries I lived like this…clanged onto the cursed life I got, not wishing to die anymore…I sold my soul for it…but soon I realized…I realized how pointless that was…the great loneliness I had…feeling abandoned by God and Humans…the curse of not being able to walk in the sunlight anymore…not being able to feel sun's warmth on by body…not being able to taste warm food on my tongue…not being able to see my reflection in the mirror…not being able to feel…the heartbeat in my chest or the warmth on my skin…"
He stopped in order to regain his breath.
"…I was damned and I knew it…every passing moment of this long and pointless life… The powers I had seemed now so meaningless…so insignificant compared to the price I had to pay for them…deep inside I cursed myself every moment for my decision…"
He looked at the demonic creature that was growling above his head and smiled once more.
"When the Silver Order brought you to me…when they brought you to me I couldn't imagine I could be so lucky… I knew that it would be just a matter of time…before…you would come…to kill me…to give an end…to this miserable and damned life…"
He half-smiled once more as another wave of pain made him grit his teeth.
"I knew…it was a matter or time… I was just…hoping…that time would come soon…"
Speechless Tea and Joey were listening to the conversation along with Kisara.
"He was…expecting Yami to kill him…I still can't believe it"
"Emm…Tea…" Joey mumbled horrified, tugging onto Tea's sleeve.
Tea looked at him and saw he was pointing his finger towards the window. When she looked there too, her eyes widened in shock. The moon had started to get red and also a tiny bit of white light was moving there. It was the comet! It had started!
"Yami…!" she whispered terrified looking towards the part where Yami was
And then she screamed the warning:
"Yami the moon!"
The demonic creature looked up and his slit-pupil eyes widened in shock and suddenly…the demon cringed and growled in pain and the madness took over. The demon started to growl uncontrollably, grabbing his head as if trying desperately to keep part of his sanity inside, while falling with all his might against the wall, hitting himself against it. The sight was horrific and the desperate and at the same time berserk growling was piercing their eardrums. The claws of the demon were piercing the flesh and perhaps the bone! Tea clenched her grip onto the syringe determinedly.
"We must quickly give him the cure before-…"
She was interrupted when something unexpected happened. Kisara grabbed the cure from her hand and jumped from their watching spot running towards the demon!
"Kisara!" Tea screamed agonizingly extending her arm as if to prevent her from going, "Kisara!"
Kisara's feet were running as if on their own, her silver hair waving after her, and the syringe with the cure safely grabbed within her small, white fist as she was running towards the berserk demonic creature. All sounds around her had stopped for her and she could only hear Yami's words echoing in her mind, those words of comfort he had spoken to her:
"The true power is you…"
Everything that happened next seemed like in slow motion. Demonic Yami was growling and hitting himself against the wall, his claws tearing off his mere flesh of his chest and face, as if he was trying to repeat the bloody sealing ritual on his own body…the comet was moving slowly to reach the middle of the red moon within minutes…Tea was crying as if begging her to stop from her watching place…Joey was staring shocked…Kisara took the syringe's cover off with her teeth and held it up like a knife…her legs were moving…tears were falling from her eyes…she was afraid of him…she was scared to death but she didn't stop…she wouldn't…
"En Guard!" she screamed at the top of her lungs
The demonic creature snapped his head towards there…his coal-like eyes onto her, like they were piercing her…they were looking at her hungrily…mad and berserk… The demon dashed upon her and they both fell backwards. Kisara only managed to let a scream.
"Kisara!" Tea screamed in agony
Joey took the golden spike out.
"God forgive me!" he mumbled and ran towards the demon.
He was about to stab him and give an end to his life and his madness when suddenly Yami snapped around roaring terribly and grabbing onto Joey's wrist at the same time…the same wrist that was holding the spike. Joey screamed in union with Yami's roar when he came face to face with that mouth full of sharp sabers.
However Yami suddenly stopped as if he calmed down and to everyone's surprise he pulled the syringe out of his stomach. Kisara had made it! She had given him the cure in time! However when Yami stepped aside, letting the empty syringe fall to the stone floor with a small "click", he revealed Kisara behind him, fallen to the floor and cringing in pain in a small pool of blood.
To everyone's horror, a large chunk of flesh was missing out of her left rib. It was as if Yami had bit down till her spleen! She was twitching in pain and bleeding badly as her hand was gripping onto her wound in a pathetic attempt to stop the bleeding. She wasn't going to make it…everyone knew it… The comet had long now passed the moon and the moon eclipse was over. The moon was silver again, and clean. However no one seemed to be happy now… Sorrow was everywhere.
And death…
Tea and Joey were staring in shock, as dying and fatally wounded Kisara was now crawling onto the floor…straight where Seto Kaiba lay. She reached him and crawled on top of him, nuzzling into his chest. Her red, live blood seemed to have merged with his almost black, dead one. A single ray of moonlight was showering them with a light, silver light that was making Kisara's white hair glow in the night…
"You…are…not…damned…" Kisara rasped out with Herculean effort, "You…suffered… No one…deserves…such…pain…"
Joey and Tea were watching (for all were close now…right above them). Tea was tearful, Joey's eyes were humid.
"I…have…long now…forgiven you…I…loved you… You…are not…damned…I know…God…will forgive you…He always…does…forgive us… We…all are…sinners after all…"
She cringed in pain. She was teary but smiling in her last moments…
"I'll…be…waiting…for you…"
Her eyes were closing slowly.
"…to…the…other…side…"
Her beautiful head leaned against Seto Kaiba's chest as she lay on top of him, and her crystal-blue eyes closed forever… Seto Kaiba's hand raised to caress her white head.
"She forgave you" Tea whispered, "She invited you"
Seto Kaiba's lips formed one last smile.
"I see…a human…forgave a devil…a vampire…and she offered a damned man a chance for Heaven…"
He caressed her once more and leaned his head back closing his eyes.
"Yes…I will see her again…whether in Heaven…or Hell…"
And his eyes remained closed…forever. His body turned into black ashes and disappeared. His long life had come to an end… They died together… Demonic Yami leaned over them (Kisara's body and the pile of ashes) and he softly leaned closer to Kisara before raising his head again and looking at Joey almost pleadingly as if begging him to tell him she would wake up. Joey took a step back, swallowing hard.
"She's dead…" he whispered shaking
Yami's demonic eyes grew sadder as he bent down to pick Kisara's body up, and as he was straightening his body once more, he leaned his head up and let out a mournful roar of absolute sadness. The roar slowly changed into a human cry as Yami's muscles were softly moving like water, changing back till he was a complete human, with the last remains of his ragged pants to cover his nudity and with Kisara in his arms.
Yami raised Kisara to his face, with his large hand to the back of her head and, leaning her to the crook between his neck and shoulder, he cried…he cried mournfully like he hadn't cried for any other person in the world. For this pure creature had touched his heart…and without her…the world seemed darker now…
Near the sea, there was a pile of woods, carefully placed and on them was Kisara's body with her white hands crossed over her stomach, as if she was sleeping. Joey, as the apprentice friar, was reading prayers from a small book as Yami (fully dressed) and Tea were making the last preparations to the pyre. The light of dawn had painted the sky with all the colors of pink and yellow and the light breeze was cool and not frozen…
Yami was now holding a lit torch with his left hand and he did the sign of cross with the right one. The pyre was next set on fire by his hand. They were all standing there…watching her small body catch fire and slowly burn… Yami swallowed a big lump down his throat once more, to stop the possible tears from emerging. After looking at the pyre for a couple of seconds he turned his gaze towards the sea and took out a small, metal vase that contained Seto Kaiba's ashes. He emptied its content towards the salty water and the soft breeze took the ashes away. This would be what they both wanted, Yami had said; to be buried together to the clean air…now Seto Kaiba could finally see the light of the sun…
Yami remained still, with his eyes towards the sky where countless small clouds were traveling. For the first time in his life he had felt so much guilt of killing a person. He had felt guilt and remorse to his very core but now he REALLY regretted it as much as he hadn't regretted anything in his life. She was completely innocent. She was just a tormented soul and still he had killed her, even if he didn't mean to. His mourning thoughts were interrupted by an unexplainable phenomenon; while the rays of the sun were illuminating the clouds, he thought he saw Kisara's face among them, smiling kindly at them, more beautiful than ever. Not long after, Seto Kaiba's face joined hers and they were both smiling at them and being cheek to cheek with each other.
"The brighter side of death huh…?" Yami thought
And a tiny smile crept to his lips. For the first time in his life he felt the light of hope inside him, making his heart flatter like a newly born bird. For the first time in his life he felt he would see them again…
Back at the village's central square, the next day, everything was set for Yami's departure. His pitch-black stallion was saddled and ready, waiting to start the trip. All villagers were there. Joey was standing right next to Mai, now dressed in black pants and black, high boots, wearing a white shirt with large sleeves and a waistcoat. Yami smirked at him.
"Are you sure you won't come with me?"
"Nah!" Joey answered with a wave of his hand, "Brown was never my color and I don' think Vatican needs more like me. Besides I heard 'ere ask for a new healer"
Yami scoffed. Indeed Joey wasn't a monk-material. They gave each other a handshake and a manly hug.
"Be careful" Yami said, "And be well"
"Thanks, mate" Joey answered, "You too"
"I will be" Yami reassured, "I'll be waiting till the next full moon to check if the cure worked…and if it doesn't…"
And with those words he held up his wrist, it had a golden band on it and when he finished his phrase, a golden tiny blade emerged out of it and got back in. Joey nodded in understanding. Yami then turned to Mai.
"Well…" he said kind of awkwardly, "Thank you…for everything"
"No" she said, "I thank you"
And she hugged him. She really did and she did it tight. Yami was surprised but he returned the hug, causing a wave of cheers around, also encouraged by Mai when she broke from the embrace. Last but not least…Yami now turned to Tea. And it was the hardest thing he had done in his life. She was looking at him; her eyes almost watery and he couldn't help himself but feel a hand clench his heart.
"Do you really have to go…?" she asked in a weak voice.
Yami nodded.
"I must. I gave my vow to Vatican that I would offer them my service. I cannot escape that vow. However now my mind is at ease, for you showed me the light, Tea. You taught me that all souls can be saved…"
"Then I could come with you-…"
"You can't. You're needed here. Besides, I would never dare drag you into the world of blood I live in. I am also no less dangerous at the moment. Till I learn how to fully control my demonic side, that is"
"When will I see you again?"
"I don't know."
Tea bit her lip.
"At least, take this with you, to keep you safe!"
And before Yami could protest, Tea placed her silver cross around his neck, the cross she was always wearing around her neck.
"No, Tea, I can't! Not the cross of your mother"
"I want you to have it, so you will have a part of me with you. Also keep it as a promise, that perhaps one day, you'll come back to return it."
Yami looked at her.
"And if I don't?"
"I'll be waiting for you" she answered in steady voice, "If we Transylvanians always look at the brighter side of death, why not looking at the brighter side of separation as well? I'll be waiting and if we do not meet ever again, I will wait for you to the other side"
Yami smiled faintly.
"I might be late" he said
He knew the demonic nature he had, allowed him to live for more than 3000 years. Who knew if he ever died, or if he could die at all? However she simply smiled.
"I will still be waiting, no matter how long it takes. I'll be seeing you again"
And with those words the two of them embraced each other and their lips met in a soft and loving, yet passionate parting kiss. Their lips dancing with each other hands also restless, not caring to the very least of everyone around them. When they pulled back Yami climbed onto his horse, and remained there for a second, tall and lordly. He next softly hit the horse with his heel and the horse started walking slowly.
As he was passing by, villagers were from either side of the road and…they were all applauding him. It was as if a hero was marching through them, and Yami was constantly looking around in pure shock and emotion, seeing for the first time not angry faces, but grateful ones, hearing not curses but applauding and thanking words. He had to look straightforward and swallow hard to stop himself from crying.
He was now outside the village in an open meadow, Yami stopped and saw. The road was open to him, showered in sunlight, as he stood there alone. He drew a deep breath, taking in the fresh air of the Carpathian Mountains, feeling so tiny comparing to God's creations! He took out the small flask he used to drink alcohol from, to drawn himself from all bad memories, all bad words, all past regrets and all nightmares.
His fingers clenched around it and with a determined move he threw it away, not even caring to learn where it ended up landing to. No more running away, no more hiding from reality! He was a new person now and he knew it. Once more he turned his gaze towards the sky, to see the sunrays pierce through the clouds as though they were spears made of light and they were taking away the darkness of this once damned place, terrorized by a vampire. And Yami too, felt an unexplainable peace inside his heart and soul, a peace he had never felt before. He remembered Tea's words about the souls that can be saved, he remembered his momentary vision with Kisara and Seto Kaiba in the clouds…And then, for the very first time in his long and restless life, he raised his hand and crossed himself as he whispered softly.
"God, please forgive Your lost sheep!"
And it felt as if the Heavens were responding. Yami felt his heart light like a feather. He felt he could actually do anything! His redeemed smile turned into a determined smirk as he raised his head once more, and he hit his horse with his heels, making it go faster and march through the meadow. The black stallion was moving its strong legs making its rider feel the breeze onto his face.
For the briefest moment Yami stopped and turned his stallion around so he could look back at the large mountain that hosted the village of the people he had got to know so little and yet they were all in his heart now with both their good and bad moments. The mountain should be around a kilometer away from him now, so higher from the spot he was now, piercing the sky with its magnificent height… And there, to the top of a hill, of a rough rock, with his superhuman sight he spotted her… It was Tea standing there, seeing him leaving. And without knowing why, Yami forced his stallion to its back, strong legs and holding the reins with one hand he raised his other fist to the air into a last goodbye. THIS was the parting he liked! Not mourning one, but a triumphant one! It was a parting of joy and dynamism and not a crying one. And Tea's arms flew above her head, constantly waving like crazy, with a huge smile to her beautiful lips
And Yami commanded his stallion back down and once its two front feet touched the ground, the stallion galloped through the meadow with its all majestic speed, and Tea was now left behind to her distant rock, looking where Yami was parting towards the rising sun, with a smile on her lips and with wet eyes.
Yami the Executioner was on the move once more…towards his next battle!
Finally this story of mine has also come to an end!
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. Van Helsing is one of my favorite movies and Dracula one of my favorite books so understand me that this story means a lot to me...
I started it long ago and the first chapters moved fast. With all the work I had the past years it was hard for me to keep up as
fast as I would want to, however this too apparently has come to its end. I hope that you enjoyed traveling along with Yami to Transylvania and that you enjoyed adventure, horror, humour and drama but also romance.
I thank sincerely all of my readers for this story
Now for the story, the scene of Kisara running to Yami was inspired by this music (X-Ray Dog: Here Comes the King) You can imagine it playing during the scene.
As for the last scene from Yami's mourning cry to the end, of course I was inspired by this: (Van Helsing OST 12 Reunited)
[moment 2:59 Yami climbs on the horse, 3:09 villagers say goodbye with applauding, 3:47 Yami smirks and gallops away]
The last scene with Yami's horse standing to its back legs to say goodbye to Tea was inspired by Zorro, when Zorro does this with the horse.
At the last scene also we see Yami say his first actual pray for himself (and of course right away the music becomes dynamic and Yami gallops away after saying goodbye to Tea)
If I planned a sequel in the future, could you be interetsed to read it?
The next one to be finished will be "Kaibaman" and after it "Bluebird's Illusions" and stay on guard cause the others will be updated too and new ones will come! Thank you all!
Bye!