Chapter 46: The Journey West
As Bella raced through the forest on her way to Paris, her thoughts drifted back to the adventures that had defined the past three years of her life. Each memory was as vivid as if it had just unfolded—the breathtaking landscapes, the intriguing people, the trials that had tested her in ways she could never have imagined. Her first journey overseas had been truly amazing, and now, she was far from the wide-eyed young woman who had once naively set off to swim across the sea.
The dead of night wrapped around her like a familiar cloak, the wind slicing through the trees as she caught sight of the distant glow of the 'City of Lights' on the horizon. Her smile widened, a quiet thrill coursing through her as she realized she was nearing the final leg of her journey. No matter where she had gone or what she had done, a part of her mind had always been focused on this part of her trip. As the months turned into years, thoughts of Paris grew stronger, and now, she was finally here. Whatever lay ahead, she couldn't wait for this chapter of her life to begin.
After those intense few months in Japan training with Yoshi, Bella had very smartly returned to Tokyo to catch a flight to Beijing. What had possessed her not to travel like this from the get-go, she would never understand. Sitting in a wide first-class seat was heavenly. If only they could have offered her a nice warm bottle of blood instead of that damnable champagne. That thought hadn't lingered long, though, as she wet her whistle, so to speak, that first night—three times, in fact—and all had felt right with the world once again.
It wasn't long before she was walking the streets of Beijing, understanding Mandarin and feeling confident enough to speak it. Her ease at learning a new language still amazed her, and she wondered how many more she'd pick up before the novelty of it wore off completely. How many languages were there in the world?
As Bella's thoughts drifted to China... Now that country had been something else entirely. The sheer scale of it had struck her the moment she stepped out of the bustling airport, overwhelmed by its... everything. Being over 25 times the size of Japan, the difference was more than just a matter of geography. In Japan, she could easily run from one end to the other in a day, but China's vast landscapes stretched out endlessly before her, demanding both time and patience to uncover its secrets. The country's sheer size meant everything felt more expansive, especially outside the teeming cities where people were packed like sardines. The rural areas, with their sprawling fields and untouched wilderness, offered a stark contrast to the crowded streets of Beijing, a world away from the urban hustle.
Bella found herself thoroughly enjoying the exploration of China's many provinces. Each new place felt like unlocking a different piece of the country's storied history. She walked along the Great Wall, video chatting with her mom so she could share in the iconic view. The temples were another highlight—each one a masterpiece of architecture and history, standing tall against the test of time. Wandering through the dense jungles was equally captivating, the wild, untamed beauty of the land calling to her in a way that few places ever had. One day, while traveling through a truly remote area, she had even spotted a giant panda and its cub, calmly sitting by a tree, munching on bamboo shoots without a care in the world.
After her intense training with Yoshi, the few months Bella spent exploring China felt like a well-earned break. She allowed herself to unwind and recharge, fully immersing herself in the sights and sounds of the vast country, absorbing its rich history and culture before moving on to whatever new calling piqued her interest next.
One of Bella's most intriguing encounters during her travels was when she ventured to the remote mountain home of Yoshi's 'friend,' Huǒlóng. That meeting had certainly been an eye-opener. Huǒlóng, it turned out, was over 4,000 years old, having walked the earth long before the Volturi ever came into power. When Bella first laid eyes on her, she had to admit that the mental image she had crafted of Huǒlóng wasn't far off the mark. The ancient vampire didn't have the ability to control fire with her hands, as Bella had once whimsically imagined, but there was something undeniably unique about her presence.
Standing before Huǒlóng, Bella had felt an energy emanating from the short, beautiful vampire—an aura of wisdom and authority that couldn't be fully grasped without meeting her in person. There was a depth to her, a sense of having witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires, that made Bella keenly aware of just how young she was in comparison.
Huǒlóng remembered a world from a time so ancient that even the most comprehensive history books could only offer a few sparse details. Five hundred years of her early life might be condensed into a mere paragraph, a forgotten footnote in the annals of human history. Bella had found it particularly fascinating that Huǒlóng's family, or coven, had ruled over China for millennia, long before the Volturi rose to power in the West. Unlike the Volturi, Huǒlóng's coven didn't maintain a formal guard or present themselves as kings. Their governance was more akin to that of warlords, each overseeing their own territories and managing vampire affairs within their regions. Yet, it was Huǒlóng who stood at the top, the undisputed leader of this ancient structure.
Her home was grand and imposing, with an air of timelessness that made Bella feel as though she had stepped back into an era long past. The sprawling compound exuded an aura of quiet authority, its walls adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to whisper tales of centuries gone by. To Bella's eyes, those carvings could have been etched a century or a millennium ago—time had a way of blending into itself in a place so steeped in history. Huǒlóng's residence served as the central hub for her coven, a place where decisions were made, and power was quietly wielded.
When Bella arrived, she was met by four vampires whose suspicious gazes made it clear that uninvited guests were a rarity. Their defensive stances conveyed that they were ready to act at a moment's notice as they demanded to know her business. It was evident that few vampires sought an audience with Huǒlóng without a summons. However, the moment Huǒlóng heard Yoshitaka's name, the atmosphere shifted. Emerging from the grand entrance, Huǒlóng herself came to greet Bella, her curiosity piqued. She was surprised to learn that Yoshi had chosen to train Bella, especially since she had been asking him for centuries to train some of the newer members of her coven.
But any reservations Huǒlóng might have had quickly dissipated. After a brief exchange, she invited Bella inside for a private meeting, eager to speak with the young vampire who had not only earned Yoshitaka's trust but also his tutelage. Bella followed her into the heart of the compound, already sensing that this encounter would be unlike any other she had experienced.
Listening to Huǒlóng explain how her coven functioned was a revelation for Bella. Until that moment, she had always believed that the Volturi ruled over the entire globe with an iron grip. But Huǒlóng had merely smiled, a hint of amusement in her eyes, revealing that this was precisely what the Volturi wanted everyone to believe. She explained how her coven had no interest in expanding their influence beyond China's borders. As long as the Volturi kept to their own affairs, they would do the same—and that delicate balance of power had endured for thousands of years.
During their conversation, Huǒlóng disclosed that she did possess an ability, though it had nothing to do with fire. Nevertheless, it was quite extraordinary. Huǒlóng could enter the dreams of humans if she touched them while they slept. Although her power had no effect on vampires, it was fascinating to hear her describe how a human's dreams appeared to an outsider—vivid landscapes of the mind, with complexities so deep that humans could only scratch the surface of what they remembered upon waking.
Bella couldn't help but wonder what Huǒlóng might have seen if she had been able to enter her dreams back when she was human. Her dreams had often felt off in some way, leaving her unsettled, yet they were always frustratingly elusive, slipping away as soon as she awoke. These dreams had come more frequently toward the end of her human life. Many nights, she had awoken with a sense of unease, a cold sweat clinging to her skin as if she had glimpsed something...
But those days were far behind her now, never to return. Looking back, her brief time with Huǒlóng had been truly enriching, and as Bella left the ancient vampire's mountain home, she carried with her the comforting knowledge that she had made a new and valuable acquaintance.
Bella had planned to cap off her time in China with a visit to Hong Kong, but instead, it was in the neighboring region of Macao that her next big undertaking unexpectedly began. Macao, often dubbed China's answer to Las Vegas, was a city brimming with energy, neon lights, and the allure of high-stakes gambling. She had been enjoying a little poker at one of the city's lavish casinos when a friendly side bet took an unforeseen turn.
She wasn't entirely sure how she'd lost the bet, but lost she had, and her penalty was to sing a song of the winner's choosing. Bella couldn't help but laugh when she heard the selection, but she rose from her chair, embracing the consequences with her usual mix of good humor and confidence. In a performance no one at the table had probably expected, Bella slowly moved around the table, singing "You Don't Own Me" with a mischievous glint in her eye, fully aware of the effect she was having on the men around the table. Many sat spellbound by her cheeky performance, which, when finished, earned loud applause from the entire casino floor.
To her surprise, she must have done a better job than she expected because, after her impromptu performance, she was approached by one of the casino's bigwigs. He had heard her sing and was so impressed that he offered her a job headlining a show in one of the casino's many opulent showrooms.
Bella had enjoyed her time on stage back in Florida, so the prospect of performing in front of an audience again, this time as a singer, felt like an exciting new opportunity. The idea of stepping into the spotlight, not just as an actress but as the star of a show, was too tempting to pass up. So she signed a four-month contract to headline a nightly show. The deal included room and board at the casino—a place so lavish it made even the most luxurious Las Vegas establishments she and her mom had visited seem modest in comparison.
The show itself was a vibrant spectacle, each night featuring a theme that centered around songs from different eras, spanning various decades and genres. Bella found herself thoroughly enjoying the experience, especially when it came to performing songs she had never heard before. There was something about the music from past decades that resonated deeply with her—those melodies had a raw, authentic quality that stood in stark contrast to the synthesized beats of modern hits. The older songs showcased the true power and emotion behind a singer's voice, something Bella relished as she belted out the classics.
The show quickly became a resounding success, with word spreading, and it didn't take long before the casino decided to move the show to a larger venue, one that could accommodate the growing demand. Every night, the room was packed to the brim, the air buzzing with anticipation as audiences eagerly awaited the moment she would step onto the stage.
Performing as a singer felt different from her time acting on stage back in Florida. Here, she wasn't playing a character; she was herself, standing in the spotlight. It was a thrilling experience, one that filled her with a deep sense of satisfaction. The production quality of the show was top-notch, with a full professional band backing her up, their music complementing her voice perfectly. Each night felt fresh and exciting, as no two performances were the same. Bella was grateful for the opportunity, knowing it was so different from anything she had ever seen herself doing.
By the time the production's four-month run ended, she had already been approached by several music labels, each promising to turn her into the next big star, complete with music videos and the whole shebang, but she politely declined their offers. While she had thoroughly enjoyed her time on stage, the idea of immortalizing herself on video, which could be seen through the years… well, that just sounded like asking for trouble. After all, the only stipulation she had insisted on before agreeing to perform was that they didn't film her or use her face or real name in any of the promotional materials.
After leaving China, Bella's journey took her through the rugged terrains of Tibet and Nepal. The towering peaks of the Himalayas and the ancient monasteries were a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour she had left behind. The serenity of the region was something she enjoyed as she made her way through, but she soon felt the pull to keep moving, her curiosity leading her onward.
In India, Bella found the cities overwhelming—far too crowded for her liking. The relentless press of humanity and the chaotic energy that permeated the streets didn't sit well with her heightened senses. However, the jungles provided a brief reprieve. Their wild, untamed beauty was something she appreciated, though it wasn't enough to keep her there for long. India was an experience, but it wasn't where she felt she belonged.
Skipping the Middle Eastern countries, Bella ventured north into Russia. The vast, icy expanses and the cold, stark beauty of the land resonated with her, but it was in the sprawling cities, with their decaying grandeur, that she found a new purpose. Russia's urban centers were riddled with crime, and seeing the suffering of the people, Bella couldn't stand idly by. She focused her efforts on removing the worst of the worst, those who seemed to conduct their criminal enterprises with near impunity. As she watched and listened, it was unlike anything she had seen in America. Murders, trafficking in people—mostly young women—there was so much suffering that Bella took on the task of taking out the trash beyond the prospect of just finding a meal. Humans, even in numbers, stood no chance against a vampire, and anyone and everyone she set her sights on fell to a force they couldn't comprehend.
Bella wasn't looking for recognition; she was simply doing what felt right, eliminating those who preyed on the innocent. But as she continued, whispers began to spread. The criminal underworld started to take notice, murmuring about the mysterious disappearances of their associates. They called her 'The Shadow,' a name that Bella found both ironic and unsettling. She hadn't sought a name or a reputation, but it seemed one had found her nonetheless.
Realizing that her actions were beginning to draw more attention than she was comfortable with, Bella decided it was time to move on. She had made a difference, even if only for a short time, but she knew there would always be more criminals, and she was only one person who couldn't fix the issue simply by killing. It was the government, culture, and society that needed to tackle the problem, and right now, that just wasn't in the cards. Leaving Russia behind, she was satisfied that she had made some difference and was glad to help those that she had.
From Russia, Bella decided it was time to start exploring the continent of Europe, so she headed south, passing through Ukraine and into Romania. The idea of tracing the legend of Dracula amused her, and she couldn't resist the urge to see if there were any Transylvanian vampires lurking around, waiting to share their ancient secrets.
While her search for actual vampires came up empty, she made the most of her time by visiting the old castles that dotted the countryside. The tour groups she joined all seemed to play up the vampire mythos, knowing what their audiences wanted. Little did they know, an actual vampire was right there among them, joining in with their oohs and ahhs, marveling at the ancient halls with the same wide-eyed wonder. Even without any other vampires present, Bella let her imagination run wild, picturing how these crumbling structures might have once housed Dracula himself, the figure synonymous with the legend.
For over a year, Bella journeyed across Europe, deliberately skipping over Italy for obvious reasons. Her time spent living in various countries and engaging with people from all walks of life had expanded her knowledge and understanding of world affairs in profound ways. Each conversation, each experience, added a new layer to her perspective, making her feel truly worldly for the first time in her life.
Now, as her three-year sojourn drew to a close, her thoughts turned to France, where her long-awaited reunion with her mom was just around the corner. The anticipation built with every mile she covered, knowing that soon she would be in her mother's presence again. They had kept in touch often over the phone, but those conversations, as comforting as they were, could never replace the warmth of being together in person. The idea of seeing her mom again filled her with a sense of joy, and what better place to do it than in Paris, the city her mom had dreamed of visiting her entire life.
I hope you enjoyed hearing about the rest of Bella's travels. Now, we can move on to the next arc of the story: Bella and Renée's time in Paris. As one might guess, things do not go as expected.
Comments are always appreciated. I love hearing anything you guys have to say. If you have any questions about past chapters or if something is confusing, please post them, and I'll answer promptly. It's a long story, and I can imagine that things that happened many chapters ago might be hard to remember for those who have only read the story once.
What did you guys think of Huǒlóng and her coven? I thought it was an interesting idea that the Volturi might not be the be-all and end-all of vampire power in the world. And it definitely felt like something they would do—to claim that they are.