Chapter 1 - Dream of Home

She dream of the day she would return home. The only thing she didn't expect is the changes.

Chapter 1 �" Dream of Home

 

From the shadows of the densely grown forest they ran like the wind on the soil where sunlight rarely set foot on. Finally after a few hours of running Lucinda finally found her oasis of light. She can’t help but jumps in excitement to feel the sun light on her skin while her companion Randal shrouded feeling wary of the sunlight.

Standing from afar Randal can’t help but to be captivated with Lucinda’s eyes that shines as light reflect off of them. Her dark hair seems to turn white as her skin blindingly pale as snow. Everything about Lucinda was always surprising to Randal.

Randal walk closer to the light his eyes glows a yellow hue. Despite being in the shadows Randal is cover from head to toe only exposing his eyes under the shadows of his hood. Wearing a dark long coat with a sword tied to his belt to his side. Engrave to the hilt of the sword is are the letters V and H in a beautiful calligraphy as the letters overlay one another. He worries for Lucinda and urges her to leave the exposure of the sun light.

Lucinda smiles as she turns her face away from the sun to look at Randal. “Don’t worry. I can’t be hurt by the sun like that. I’m even wondering if I could get a tan.”

“Tan?” Randal couldn’t stand the thought of standing in the sun for even a moment. “You’ll be burn alive before you gain enough tolerance to stand under the sunlight.”

“That might be true since after all these years after being free, I finally was given the time to see the sun.” Lucinda said feeling excited about the future. “Being lock away is not the life I wanted.”

“But you’re the princess.” As soon as he said it he regretted it. “I didn’t mean it that way.”

“I know. From my point of view I wasn’t raise as a princess so I am not comfortable being held up like a cage bird.” Lucinda said as she walks pass Randal not even giving him a second glance. “I was born and raised to be a warrior, like the kind people that you hated so much.”

Randal stares at both of his hands remembering a horrible time in the past. Now that he has bonded with Lucinda, just remembering it make him feel nothing but regret. “At that time-“

Before Randal could say more Lucinda interrupted him. “Sorry, don’t worry about it.” Pausing to see that Randal have recover she continues. “It is the untouchable past. Presently, you are a precious companion. If the past were to repeat again, then being around people who were raise like me then would be impossible. By then, it would be best for you and I go our separate ways.”

“No!” Randal shout in rebellion. “I can’t help how I feel but I will not let my feelings get between my ability to serve you Lucinda.”

“Servant or not. You will always be you in my eyes, my precious, irreplaceable, and dear friend Randal.” Lucinda said. “I can guarantee your safety with my decision choices.”

“I won’t be the only one in danger.” Randal knows all too well of the danger ahead of them.

“I can’t move on until I face my childhood home.” Determined Lucinda won’t be easily persuaded. “This is where my dreams were maid and born.”

“Don’t make me rush to rescue you.” Randal still want to insist an action that will prove to be safer than walking into a place that will potentially make people come hunt for them.

“Rescue?” Lucinda said in disbelief. “Who do you think I am? I’m no lady in waiting.”

Randal couldn’t answer her. After all, his job is to look after her.

Pausing for a response when nothing is said Lucinda continues, “I won’t abandon you and I promise I won’t stay too long. I just want to see how my old home is like compare to the where I live now.”

“Trouble will only ensue ahead of us.”

“Why do you doubt me so much?” Lucinda complains. “Am I that much of a trouble maker?”

“Yes and from experience that trouble is guarantee.”

A few days have pass and Lucinda was able to acquire a map to all the towns nearby from trading freshly caught fish and then traded a wild hog for another map of the town. Lucinda just realizes it is not a town but a kingdom called Babylon.

The news caught Randal by surprise as he chuckles at Lucinda mistake. She hits him in the shoulder to make him stop but he continues laughing anyways.

“That explains why they have so many merchant heading and leaving there.” Randal said. “How could you not remember?”

“I live an extremely sheltered life. Okay. Don’t judge me for not remembering how big or small my home town is.” Lucinda said feeling depress. “The shock is too much for me when I left my birth place.” Looking at Randal with a serious expression she said, “I’m heading out in the morning on foot.”

“I’ll go with you.” Randal said without hesitation. “If not, at least take this sword with you.”

“No, I’ll take neither you nor the sword.” Lucinda means no harm with her words. “No ordinary girl will carry a sword or have an out of ordinary escort like you. Going alone also means I get to travel out in the daylight more.”

Randal could tell she was thrill to go on her trip and that she would face danger if he was to enter the town with her. One thing is sure enough, she’ll attract attention regardless of whether she wants to or not. “Wait.”

“Yeah.” Lucinda was surprise how close Randal got to her face as his place both his palm on her cheeks. “Is something wrong?”

His expression grew soft. “You really don’t have the same eyes as us. Can I assume you’ll be fine on your own?”

Lucinda pushes him away. “Don’t assume. I’ll be fine. Believe in me.” She couldn’t be help but be move by his devotion to her. Embarrass that she is still dependent on him despite always demanding independence. “I’m not a child.”

Randal can’t help but smile from hearing her words. Seventeen and already thinking she’s an adult. Even though we are only two years apart, I was assign to watch over her as her bodyguard by her father. I owe him so much and yet I could do so little to repay him.

“Don’t give me that stupid smile.” Lucinda said angrily and storms off. “I’ll go get us some food.”

In the morning Lucinda left as soon as the dawn broke. When she got closer to town she can’t help but feel the excitement rushing through her whole body. The scent of food, the sound of people in their everyday lives, and the home she have dream of seeing again since she was a young child.

She caught herself smiling too much and stopped herself. Lucinda covers her mouth as she looks around to make sure no one saw her smiling. Ah. It wouldn’t be good if they saw my teeth.

The first stop on Lucinda list of places to visit is the marketplace where she can find food she haven’t had for the longest time. Unknowingly she has attracted the attentions of a pair of unwanted eyes. Her long dark hair and her dark clothing against her snow white skin make her standout despite Lucinda wanting to avoid any unwanted attention. What she overlooks was how dark her clothing is with the contrast of her light skin.

_ _

 

“Did you see that?” Milton said with lustful eyes as he nudges Blake to grab his attention. Blake reacted as if Milton have spotted danger lurking somewhere in the vicinity. “Look at that beauty hiding her face under that hood.”

“Don’t surprise me like that Milton.” Blake said out of relief. “For a moment I thought it was time for us to do our job.”

“Every time with the same serious reaction too,” Milton laughs light heartedly. “When will you ever lighten up?”

“Don’t laugh.” Blake was embarrassed about the truth pointed out by Milton. With a serious expression he said, “You acted as if this is all we’ll ever do. I mean when does the real action start?”

“When I’m finish with this.” Milton said jokingly.

Both of them wear the standard style uniform that has been modified to fit their own personal taste. The standard uniform had dark fabric covering across the chest and shoulder from the armpit, and white from the chest below. On the left pocket is the acronym for the division they serve under the King. All appointed Knights must carry a weapon and the prefer weapon of choice are swords tide to their belt opposite of their dominate hands. A few would venture away from the norm and go with a different weapon. Milton have shoulder length hair, a long coat that reach just above his knees, long sleeves, and long collar. Blake wears a long sleeve shirt under his short sleeve coat, tall collar covering up to his nose, and the coat that stops five inches below the belt.

“Don’t forget about work.” Blake said annoyed as he stops Milton with one hand on his shoulders.

“Fine,” Milton said reluctantly. “Party pooper.”

“Besides that beauty, aren’t there more important things to think about?” Blake said expecting some insightful words from Milton.

His smile fades. “Nope can’t think of anything else.” He pretended not to know what Blake was expecting.

“I thought we already fulfilled all the requirements.” Blake complains.

Milton looks into the distance towards the gate entrance. “If you take a look at your own background you’ll understand why. They take everything seriously.” Looking back at Blake he said, “As a person train to become a Vampire Hunter, if your past is something that will keep you from reaching the best of your ability then our position during the day time is already a guarantee that we may never see a fight with those wretched vampires for the rest of our lives. If we are lucky we might see one on our job before we die of old age.”

“We are born into this. Our bloodline makes us stronger than the average human.”

“Bloodline plays a part. Are you sure there isn’t some weights in your heart that you should already let go of already?” The truth in Milton’s words was cold as ice.

“Something I’m holding onto?” Blake said unsure of how to react.

Milton changes his expression to a happy one to keep Blake from dwelling too deeply onto his words. “Never mind that, don’t worry. Your training will fill in the cap of your inexperience in a real fight.”

“But, if I don’t have any real battle experiences then how can I react when the real thing comes?” Blake presses on. “You’re my mentor, teach me something worthwhile.”

“When it comes, it will come naturally to you. After all the training wasn’t easy to begin with so don’t strain yourself thinking about it. The more worried you are, the more insecure you will become.” At the corner of his eyes he caught another glimpse of Lucinda. “Look at that slender build. She looks so delicate like an angel. Almost as if she would break the moment you touch her.”

It was then that Lucinda’s eyes caught Blake’s attention. “Clear blue eyes.” He couldn’t help but to be captivated by Lucinda. There’s something about her that feels so familiar. He kept his eyes on her as Milton left his side to approach Lucinda. There’s also an unfamiliar air about her, someone who’s from out of town. Blake walks away suspecting that this is just one of Milton’s failed attempts to get a girl who will never look at Milton in the same way.

Just as Milton got a few feet away from Lucinda he was separated from her with a crowd separating them. He wanted to call out to her but he have yet to obtain her name. For a moment the smile on Lucinda’s face fade as she senses a stranger following her. Lucinda was able to get away from Milton’s line of sight through the crowds.

When the crowd of people subsided Lucinda was nowhere in sight. Milton looks high and low for that dark hair girl. There at the gate, he finally spotted her at the gate to leave the Kingdom.

He ran as fast as he could to catch up to her, he leans on the tree to catch his breath.  Milton yells out to Lucinda as he caught up to her. “Mi-Miss.” He said in his haggard voice. “Miss I believe you dropped something.” Looking at Lucinda he’s expecting for a pleasant reaction.

Annoyed but Lucinda shows no trace of it to Milton. She turns and looks behind her to see this out of breath man doing his best not to show sign of weakness. “What did I drop?”

“You dropped my heart the moment you left my sight.” Milton said attempting to charm her.

That outfit, thought it may be different than the designs she remembers, he is a Vampire Hunter. Those two letters on his left pocket is of the letter ‘V’ and ‘H’ inside a shield. “I’m sorry I’m not interested.” Lucinda starts to walks off but Milton grabs her wrist.

“Please wait.” Milton pleads. “At least allow me to introduce myself and let me know your name.”

She pulls her hands away from Milton and said, “Go on.”

“Hi, I’m Milton and you are?”

With her index finger pressed against her lips Lucinda said, “I’m not interested.”

“Can I escort you to your destination?” Milton said eagerly as he walks besides.

“Sorry but I’m busy. I have places to go and work to do.”

It was then Milton could detect murderous rage in the vicinity. Even though it lasted for a moment he couldn’t shake it off of his mind. Lucinda could tell that Milton found their surrounding suspicious and acts accordingly as if she didn’t notice anything.

“Why don’t I show you to my place?” Milton said.

Lucinda was eager but don’t know if it would be safe for her to enter it. “I’m sorry, I haven’t given you my name and I am not interested in you.”

“Stay still.” He leans in to whisper to Lucinda. “I believe there is dangerous person in the vicinity.”

She raise her both hands in front of her to signal to Milton to stop. “Enough of your games. I told you already. I’m not interested.” With those words she could tell Milton was genuinely worried for her.

In the shadows Milton could spot yellow eyes moving in the tree tops. There no such animals in existence that would have eyes like that. Only vampires have such eyes. Lucinda spotted the eyes and watch Milton’s reaction. They are no longer visible to the gate guards even with the help binocular. The line of sight is blocks by trees. She follows.

“What did you see?” Lucinda asks knowing exactly what he saw.

“Don’t worry you’ll be safe with me.” Milton said as he turns his back to Lucinda wanting to protect her with all of his might.

“Milton.” Lucinda said sweetly to catch him off guard. Just as he turns to face her, before he was even given a chance to speak she grabs him by the throat dragging him to a deserted part of the forest surrounding the Kingdom. She releases him upon arrival.

His expression shows his disbelief in Lucinda’s action. “You-“

“I’m no ordinary girl.” Lucinda said coldly. “If I think about it, you already met me before, though you might not remember me.”

“I never met you before.” Milton said as his affection for Lucinda melts away. “I don’t remember seeing anyone like you before.”

“Think farther back. You might remember then.”

One memory stood out as she said those words. She’s the girl from the burning house that killed my parents. “My parents died in that fire you escape.”

“Oh you mean the people who tried to kill me.”

“A traitor like you will know nothing.” He said coldly. “You came back after they brainwash you to betray us all.”

“Traitor?” Lucinda feels surprise. “I was a child that knew nothing about the politics that the Vampire Hunters families. I lost my childhood that day thanks to fools like you. It was you Hunters who betray me.”

“It would have been better if you died that day.” He said in rage.

“Really,” Lucinda said with a cold expression on her face. “Then allow me to charge you with the same deed as your parents.” She smiles baring her Vampire fangs. “My mother died protecting me and gave birth to me knowing I will be born a dampier. Don’t lecture me on life as if you own every living thing on Earth.”

“Serve you right. You betrayed us with your existence.” He laughs to mock Lucinda. “You shouldn’t have been born.”

Unknowingly Milton unlocks the darkness that has lain dormant in the corner of her heart. My existence is nothing you say. She charges at him with a killing intent. “I can’t have you escape after you learn about us.” With her bare hands she punch with her right fist but Milton was able to evade it. Lucinda’s fist landed strait through the tree behind Milton. It only took her a few second to get her hands unstuck from the tree.

Milton was unprepared but he remains unfazed by Lucinda’s strength. He draws out his sword and prepares to fight. He ran towards Lucinda preparing to strike her down and with ease Lucinda stop his strike with her bare left hand breaking the blade in two. With her right fist Lucinda sent Milton flying only to be stop by a tree.

Pain surges throughout his body as he mustered the strength to stand up. “A half creature like you can’t even be considered a vampire, let alone a human.”

“True. That’s why I can’t live peacefully no matter where I go.” With the swords Lucinda made a small cut to her right index finger to draw blood. “I’ll show you just how scary a vampire can be.”

Milton was prepared to fight until his last breath. He runs wildly at Lucinda with his dagger drawn. He lunges towards Lucinda who dodges his strikes with ease. His second swing scratch Lucinda’s face across her left cheek. Again Lucinda knocks him down with a single strike from her fist.

“You’re a hunter? Don’t make me laugh. You are only giving Vampire Hunters a bad name.” She leans in to whisper, “You are nothing but a weak watch dog that only knows how to bark. I’ll show you something amazing. Things that we were told that only exist in legends.”

Lucinda extends her hands in front of her and blood came pouring out from the cut she gave her index finger. As if there were an empty container in front of her to catch the blood, the blood began taking the shape of a sword.

Milton is shock when he saw it. Such technique is considered a myth among the Hunters. Stories were told to kids and were many times treated nothing more than a story. Legend said only the best Hunters are able to use such technique. I don’t know where this technique arrives from or how it is said to be obtained.

 “This is goodbye.” Lucinda said as she pierces through Milton’s chest purposely missing his heart.

There was nothing Milton could have done to doge Lucinda. Once she removes the sword, the wound Milton’s suffers was so painful he couldn’t hold up the weight of his body anymore. Milton started falling backward. In that instance Lucinda use her blood to keep Milton from falling backward as she slashes him across the chest. At that moment she draws the sword away from his body, she forcefully pulls out his blood with her sword. It causes a wave of blood to be force out of Milton’s body. He fell to the ground. Blood began to pool around Milton’s body and the feet of Lucinda. Her blood sword returns to their original state and is absorbed back into her body.

It wasn’t long before Blake realizes something was wrong. Milton didn’t return from his attempt to woo a girl of his liking. Somehow he was able to smell faint traces of human blood and an eerie thought came to mind. Blake rushes to find Milton. His tracks stop in an unusual place and he follow that faint human scent he picked up earlier. He arrives to a horrific view of Milton’s lifeless body and a girl with her back turns to Blake.

He couldn’t help but yell, “Milton!” His heart rate skyrocketed and his thoughts scattered. I have to stay calm. I’m too late to save him but at the very least I can avenge to him. But rushing against an unknown opponent can cost me my life. For the first time he saw the wrath of a Vampire. Observing his surrounding Blake couldn’t grasp how the scene in front of him took place. Who is she? What is she?

Lucinda tilts her heads to the left to get a glance of who’s behind her. The rage in her heart still burns hot as she said in a murderous tone, “And you are a Hunter as well?”

“Back away from the body!” Blake drew his sword. It was then he realize this was the girl Milton was talking about earlier. How can it be possible? I never heard of a vampire walking in broad daylight, especially a vampire with that eye color. They usually have yellow to reddish eye color, never shade of any other color.

Lucinda turns her face to Blake and was surprise when she saw his face. Her earlier glance only allowed her to see his uniform. That face of Blake melted all of her rage as she slips into nostalgia. That face. I’ve seen it before, a long time ago. It was then that Lucinda detected someone’s intent to kill, someone who isn’t in their range of sight. “Stop!” Lucinda yells and startles Blake at the same time. “He’s my prey.”

Just as Blake start backing away from Lucinda, it was then he realizes the presence of a vampire behind him. Blake quickly swings his sword at the vampire who easily stopped him with his halfway unsheathed sword. It was Randal hiding in the shadows watching Lucinda.

“Where did you get that sword?” Blake asks furiously. He saw the engraving of the letters ‘V’ and ‘H’ on the hilt of the sword.

Pushing Black back before Randal slowly backs away and retreated back into the shadows.

“Wait.” Blake yells.

Before Blake could chase after Randal Lucinda blocks him. “It shouldn’t matter who the sword belongs to.” I’m sorry but I can’t let you go alive. That’s the rule I have to abide by if I want to survive.

“It matters to the Hunters’ who the sword belongs to.” Blake said in an authoritarian tone.

“If you really need to know then I’ll tell you who the owner of that sword is.” With a short pause Lucinda continue. “I am the original owner of that sword.”

The moment Lucinda finished her sentence she momentarily lose strength and almost fell to her knee. Her body posture is weak and her eyes are drawn towards the floor. Blake took the chance to strike her intending to make Lucinda loose her head in the process. Lucinda came to her senses and evaded Blake’s strike knocking away the sword from his hands.

“Being afraid will cost you your life.” Lucinda said. “If you can’t even keep your sword in your grasp then you it’ll be just as easy to take your life.”

“How can you move so fast?”

“I was born this way. This is a curse and a blessing. I can’t belong in both worlds.”

“Dampier.” Blake said in disbelief.

“In the distance past you and I were allies. Now everything is just a fragment of that distance past.” With those words Blake realize who Lucinda really is. During Blake’s realization Lucinda pierces through his left shoulder and let her blood sword seep into his body like a parasite. Deep in thought Lucinda couldn’t help but feel the weighted by her own action. Forget about me. Even if you don’t remember me at this moment it’s fine. You’ll have to forget everything you ever knew about me. Those memories of me will become nothing more than an unnecessary burden to your life.

Forcing her blood into Blake’s veins causes him to scream out in pain as he feels foreign blood rushing inside of him. He wasn’t given any time to react to Lucinda’s action. She seal his open wound with blood as she pulls out the excess blood out of his shoulder. Loosing strength in every inch of Blake’s body he collapses. Lucinda caught him and left him leaning against a tree.

“Good bye Blake. I guess this will be the last time we will meet in this lifetime.” Lucinda said doing her best to hide her sadness from her expression but she couldn’t hide it from her body gesture.

Blake stares into the distance to see two figures walking away from him. His vision became hazy. Is that you Lucinda? Why did we have to meet like this, like strangers who only meet to go their own way?

Lucinda set off a flare gun that Blake had and they left him alone. They walk into the distance. The sky was painted red orange by the setting sun and Lucinda continues to walk aimlessly in one direction not caring where it may lead her. They arrive at a small stream and Randal suggested they freshen up before making their next move.

Feeling frustrated Randal said, “Why didn’t you just kill him?” He stood up. “I should head back to finish the job while you rest.”

Grabbing the sleeve of Randal’s coat, Lucinda stops him. “Don’t worry about him. My blood doesn’t smell of Vampires. They won’t find out.” With a worn out smile Lucinda continues, “The only thing that resemble a Vampire are my teeth. All is well. I got my filled on the food I haven’t had for the longest time.”

“It’s always don’t worry this and don’t worry that. Do you think so little of me that I’m nothing more than a servant to you?” Randal’s voice filled with anger. “Handling everything on your own, why can’t you lean on me even a little? Do you know how much your presence means to me?” Sleep has already captured Lucinda’s consciousness and Randal words went unheard. He sighs out of relief knowing that he won’t be making Lucinda feels awkward. “Is your body alright after ingesting all that blood?” He stares at her sleepy face with a worried expression. Despite your inability to take into take in blood as food, you keep using it knowing how it will only bring you harm. Do you hate your fate that much?

Night fell and Lucinda slept in a makeshift shelter sleeping comfortably as Randal watch over their surroundings. He could hear Lucinda squirmy and gasping for air. She had drunk too much blood and is now paying with aching pain all over her body. He came into her shelter only to see Lucinda grasping her throat with both hands like she was drowning in water. He held her in his arms and piercing her neck with his fang. The pain of Randal’s teeth on her neck woke her up. She could feel foreign blood rushing out of her, melting her pain away.

 “Randal.” Lucinda said as she taps him on the shoulder. “Some self restraints please.”

Randal continues to indulge in Lucinda’s blood with passion.

“Is my blood that intoxicating?” Lucinda said. In anger she continues, “Or, are you still carrying anger towards the human race?”

Finally Randal snaps out of it and stop drinking Lucinda’s blood. Realizing his choice of action he had made him too ashamed to answer back. “I… I… I didn’t mean to-“

“Shhhs.” Lucinda said, “I know.” She sat up beside Randal and caresses Randal’s face gently. With her fingers she fixing his long bangs to reveal his eyes and wipes the blood off his lips with her sleeve. “I’m alright. Sorry for causing you so much trouble. I’m more dependent on you than I realize.”

So she’s still leaning on me like a friend. The knowledge disappoints him.

“Are you unsatisfied with my apology?” With no answer from Randal, Lucinda added, “Are you angry I left someone alive?”

“I want to know what’s so special about your hometown that you are willing to risk your life for it.” Randal said.

Lucinda’s eyes widen with excitement. “It felt unbelievable. For the first time in a long time I felt a level of excitement I haven’t felt for a long time. It’s just incredible to see how much time has changed while I was gone. Time changes people and places.”

“People change because of circumstances and it is not the passage of time that changes them.” Randal remember the first time he met Lucinda. He remembers those ice cold eyes and a personality like she has lost everything important in her life.

“Are you angry that I left him alive?”

“No, why do you ask?”

Pointing at her neck Lucinda said, “You were drinking more than you needed. Were you driven by anger over my actions?”

“So letting him live was the right choice?”

“In a way, yes.” Lucinda said almost tearing up saying it. “It’s more like I wanted to relive the life I had as a kid. The life I had before I became like this.” Looking at her hands in disbelief, thinking about all the horrible things she had seen and done with her own to hands. “Sometimes I wish I was a child again, living in a place where I don’t have to kill to survive. No matter where I go, everything remains the same.”

“What is he to you? This Blake you left alive.”

“Are you jealous?” Lucinda said as she looks strait into Randal’s eyes.

“It seems you don’t understand the situation you are putting yourself into.” Randal said to avoid answering her question. “You don’t understand. You are just making yourself an extra part of the problem when you don’t need to take part in it.”

“He’s a dear childhood friend. Sorry I can’t associate him with my life anymore.” Lucinda said in anger. “It’s too late not to associate me with him when I am already a prominent person in his past. Maybe that’s why he’ll be nothing more than a watchdog for the Vampire Hunters.”

“Why do you always give me headaches days on end. When will your nonsense stop?” Rand said in anger. “How much longer will you crave the past you can no longer have?” It is too late to retract his words. The choices of words he uses are the words Lucinda never wants to hear.

“Don’t worry. I won’t give you anymore headache.” Lucinda got up and left Randal. “I’ll deal with my own life so just keep out of it.” Anger rage in her heart as she storms off.

Randal couldn’t think of what to say to mend Lucinda’s heart. Hurting Lucinda was the last thing he wants to do.

 

Author's Note

Should I continue the story?