Cave Canem
"Impressive," Nikolai Petrov murmured, then added, "We had heard of vampires with special abilities. The human potential itself holds much that we still don't understand, and the vampire venom, as a natural enhancement of humanity, is a catalyst that awakens the human potential that is limited by biology."
"Can you, Sir, tell me about the origin of vampires?" I asked him.
"Oh, those were my latest researches. Please, you can call me Doctor or Doc, don't address me as sir, it makes me feel too old. Returning to the topic, we actually don't know how or where the first vampire originated, as vampires themselves are very hostile toward their own kind, always killing each other. What we do know is that they have been among us since at least ancient Egypt."
"That means... around 3200 BC, approximately," I reflected aloud.
"Even earlier. In fact, many of the theories from our archaeologists could place them in the Neolithic at the very least. It's possible that many of the stories about ancient gods, even in the origins of polytheistic religions, have much to do with vampires."
"Still, I am intrigued by the issue of venom's origin," I added. "Is a vampire some strange mutation of a human?"
"Well, as I said, we don't know for certain their origins, just like with the rival species, the werewolves or also known as children of the moon. Both have the peculiarity that they can only reproduce by infecting someone."
"Wait..." I said astonished. "Werewolves exist too? Witches? Dragons? I don't know what to believe anymore..."
"Hahaha, no, dragons don't exist, and witches don't go beyond my mother-in-law. Returning to the topic, werewolves did exist, but being direct competition to vampires in terms of their prey, humans, they were hunted to extinction, as far as our knowledge goes."
If my perception of the world was already shaken enough since I became one, now I feel like I'm sinking into a hole of unknown depth.
"There are two theories we have about the origin of vampires. Our theory suggests that at some point in prehistory, a human or more than one came into contact with some exotic substance, probably from some unknown plant or species, and among all possible combinations, one of those individuals transformed. It is very likely that, if this theory is correct, it must have been something that only humans used, as the venom is lethal to the rest of the species."
"And what would be the second theory?" I asked, with an inner curiosity devouring me.
"Perhaps it's something that doesn't belong to this world..."
I was perplexed, barely able to conceal my expression of astonishment.
"Let's think about it. Vampires are the only species in this world that doesn't reproduce naturally like the rest of the species, and they are so perfect that nothing stands in their way."
"And what about werewolves?" I asked.
"It is very likely that werewolves are a response to vampires. According to our studies, the only known species that was immune to vampire venom was precisely the species of werewolves. It could be a kind of adaptation, a response from Mother Nature to the vampire species. But as far as we know, due to werewolves being too unstable, that gave the vampires a tactical advantage to win the race in the food chain."
As I thought about the distinctive traits of vampires, the great evolutionary disparity with the rest of the species, and their method of reproduction, a concern, an idea, came to my mind.
"If vampires only reproduce by 'infecting' their prey, doesn't it make them similar to...?" Before I could finish, Dr. Petrov responded.
"...to a virus," he stated with a smile. "Exactly. A virus needs a host to reproduce and is designed to destroy cells. Vampires are the macro-level equivalent of a virus. And the only thing humans have to fight them is our technology, as vampires, being so superior, don't feel the need or interest in science and, above all, technology."
"If vampires are so different from the rest of the species," I asked him, "which of your theories do you believe is the most likely?"
"I am fully convinced that vampires, or at least their main component, venom, do not come from this world. I don't think it's a coincidence that it affects the dominant species, humanity, differently from the rest of the species," Dr. Petrov stated confidently.
"Are you referring to something like a meteorite or something?" I asked.
"Hmm... it could be. I don't think extraterrestrials come from space just to leave something here without a purpose. Now, whether this substance flowing through your body was created artificially or naturally, that is beyond my knowledge," Dr. Petrov responded.
A sense of self-awareness began to flood my mind. I swallowed saliva, or rather, I swallowed my own venom, after such a revelation. Everything seemed to fit. It's like when an invasive species arrives in a new ecosystem, it quickly adapts and, with no natural predators, ascends the food chain to the top, at least until another species finds a way to confront it. Surely, Mother Nature created werewolves using the same components or something similar to balance the natural order, but vampires were smarter and more organized, managing to win.
"Tell me more about werewolves," I asked Dr. Petrov.
"Well, according to the few studies and samples we have, werewolves were a species that lived as humans during the day and, on full moon nights, transformed into a bipedal beast capable of ravaging everything. It seems that in their monstrous form, they were beings capable of facing or even killing a vampire," he explained.
"Samples," I repeated astonished. "Do you have samples here?"
"Yes. We had samples of hair and a fang that, when analyzing their genetic material, matched an unknown species. By reorganizing their genome, we obtained some results that allowed us to infer certain things. We were even considering the possibility of cloning..."
"Cloning! My goodness! What if something goes wrong and the creature escapes? How can you contain it?" I exclaimed, amazed.
"The Blood Moon had many plans: acquiring immortality, studying the singing humans, the immortal children, and the hybrids... even the project we called 'Project Frankenstein'," Dr. Petrov revealed.
"Children what? Hybrids?" I had heard about the singers. "I don't even know where to start..." I expressed, confused.
"Hahaha, young man... we are only scratching the surface. There is a whole underworld beneath our noses that even I, despite everything, don't fully understand. The puzzle pieces are many," Dr. Petrov replied, enjoying my astonishment.
"Let's start with what we know about the immortal children. According to some rumors and manuscripts, the immortal children were simply vampires turned during their infancy. According to what is known about the vampire society, the immortal children were the most dangerous version of vampires, as they were unable to be disciplined due to being small and unable to grow, capable of destroying entire villages. Furthermore, their childlike appearance and charm attracted people, making them even deadlier," Dr. Petrov explained.
"And what did The Blood Moon cult know about the singers...?"
"The singers, according to our internal sources, were humans with a special fragrance for a particular vampire. Then, through the studies we conducted, we realized that there were certain humans who possessed a unique combination of components in their blood, making them more attractive to vampires. The cult had a list of potential candidates, obtaining samples from hospitals to analyze and share with other vampires. Last year, we had a special operation planned, which we called 'Operation Persephone,' where we intended to kidnap 25 people in exchange for obtaining information about vampire venom. But you arrived here just in time, and the Volturi pursued the rest of us around the world," Dr. Petrov revealed.
Of course, last year, with the information I obtained from Commissioner Klein, I had to enter here and try to arrive before the Volturi to prevent them from getting the list.
"Speaking of special operations, what was Project Frankenstein?" I asked intrigued.
"Well, the project consisted of several branches, but the main goal was to create a worthy adversary for vampires. That was my project, creating a new species using the knowledge we had about the samples from all supernatural species. Alternatively, giving certain modifications to the human species to level the playing field. I was never interested in immortality; that was for the aristocrats. I was concerned about the existential threat that vampires pose to humanity and the world in general. Humanity must level the playing field, whether through genetics or technology. And you, dear young man, are exactly what we needed, what humanity needs," Dr. Petrov declared.
"Me?" I replied and laughed a bit. "I don't even know where to go or what to do. I want to help people, but I'm a vampire, and I'm not even sure if I can control myself. Yes, I created something to confront my own kind, but I did it more out of a need to defend myself than for a grand plan. I still don't know what to do or where to go."
Haha! Boy, nature always finds a way. Destiny, providence, conspired for us to meet and work together. Your ability is not a coincidence. Think! The greatest weapon and hope humanity has against vampires is precisely technology. And you, being a vampire who can manipulate and work with humanity's weapon, are the link between both worlds. I tried to defy nature by creating my own monster, but it turns out that nature itself has brought me something much better."
"What do you plan to do with me, Doctor?" I asked, this time more serious, unsure if I could trust his intentions. After all, he had worked with the cult.
"We will leverage your ability, and with the resources we have here, we will enhance what you already possess. You will become a vampire killer machine," Dr. Petrov affirmed.
"Ah, I understand... that's what you meant," I responded, now calmer but still wary. "Do you know how to create weapons?"
"More or less. I can give you some advice and provide you with technology, but considering what you have created so far, I imagine you won't have major issues," Dr. Petrov replied.
"I'm not sure if I want to become a serial killer," I murmured.
"Son, do you think you can send a vampire to jail? You must be clear about that. Sooner or later, humanity will discover the existence of vampires, and when that happens, it could mean the end of humanity as we know it. Your power will only grow stronger as time progresses and technology advances, and that will make you a target for your peers, especially the Volturi. Sooner or later, you will have to face your destiny," Dr. Petrov asserted.
Deep down, I somehow knew it. Hiding was not a viable option, and my experiments with the dagger had yielded positive results. Rescuing that girl had made me reflect even more. If destiny, God, or whatever it may be, has something prepared for me, I better be ready when the time comes.