Chapter Text
The beating of hooves resonated through the forest. Great beast-like horses moved with a speed afforded only to the undead, unhindered by flesh. Their riders had unnatural humanoid shapes, with wings sprouting for their backs that glistened in the moonlight. They weren't bringing the horses for themselves, but for their cargo.
As they sped by, a young girl washed dishes. She lived in a cabin just outside the village, and carried on with her chores despite the commotion. Such invasions had become routine, with vampires raiding the village every few months for prey. She didn't know where they were bringing them, but decided there was no point speculating.
There was a time when she was also a target, but the invaders avoided her now. The last time she faced them was when she'd only just left the village. She'd been chased out due to her peculiarities and the ignorance of her peers.
Growing up she was for the most part unremarkable. Her hair was kept a short brown, and she lived a simple life. Going to school and caring for her mother were all that occupied her time. As she grew, her hair turned silver, and she experienced strange episodes that couldn't be explained through natural means.
It was infrequent at first, no more than once a week. The world around her would freeze, allowing only her to move. It was only for a few seconds at a time, but the way she suddenly jumped was off-putting to the others. She tried to ignore their jeers, not wanting her mother to worry about her. She continued her simple life, pretending not to be bothered as it wore her down.
The stutters in time grew stronger, as did the cruelty of those around her. Accusations that she was an omen or a curse were thrown at her. She clung to her way of life, though her pain grew worse by the day. Though she still felt them, her emotions no longer showed on her face. Only an apathetic stare could be seen now, hiding her anger and sadness from the world.
On the night she left, the ground rumbled softly. A moment later, a storm of skeletal hooves and leathery wings blew through the gates. Vampires, previously only a legend, tore through her village. They captured those who were caught outside, then as quick as they came, they were gone.
Her instincts told her what would follow, and so she fled. She told her mother what happened and gathered their belongings to leave before the villagers could blame them. Her mother was too weak, so she was sent off alone. A pillar of smoke rose from behind her as she left the walls of the town.
She shook her head, pushing down the anger that was welling up within her.
Enough reminiscing.
She resumed her chores, trying to ignore the clattering of hooves and the tragedy that would follow. The rumble grew closer, and she raised her head. It stopped outside her door, and a gentle knock followed.
Was that not the vampires trampling through? I didn't take them for the type to knock.
She peeked out the window and saw that a legion of undead horses were indeed standing outside her home. The darkness only made their armor more striking as the moonlight reflected off of it. She shivered, then quickly suppressed the feeling. She took a deep breath and forced herself to think rationally.
Seeing as they didn't immediately break in and ransack the place, this might not end in my death after all.
The knock came again, only louder. She slipped a kitchen knife into her sleeve as she made her way to the door. She opened it slowly. A lady in purple awaited her.
"Good evening. I am Patchouli Knowledge, servant of Remilia Scarlet, whose land you reside on."
She was hit with a multitude of names she didn't recognize. She wasn't aware this land was owned by anyone.
"Remilia Scarlet?"
She didn't know Remilia, but the name "Scarlet" inspired dread. The magician nodded.
"In her kindness, she has permitted you to have an audience with her. Follow me, if you would."
This feels less like 'permitted an audience,' and more like 'being taken hostage.'
She looked around at the vampire cavaliers and their weaponry, and felt a pit in her stomach.
No choice…
She followed Patchouli and the two sat in a carriage drawn by two undead horses. As soon as they sat, the cart was in motion. She closed her eyes and tried to calm down to no avail. She reached into her pocket and searched until her hand settled on a small metal trinket. A silver pocket watch that belonged to her mother. She'd given it to her to sell and pay for passage to someplace far away, but she couldn't bear to get rid of it. Now it was her greatest comfort.
The cart came to a stop and the two stepped out. An enormous mansion stood before them, one she was certain wasn't there a few years prior.
"How…"
"My lady willed it to be here, and so it was. I transported it here, and the Scarlet bloodline now lays claim upon this land. Come, she doesn't like to be kept waiting."
The two entered the mansion, walking across a beautifully decorated foyer and into a throne room. A young girl sat on the throne, leaning to the side with her head resting on her hand.
They approached Remilia and Patchouli bowed before her. Remilia watched the newcomer closely.
The pressure of Remilia's glare was greater than the entire legion that waited outside.
This is unmistakably her. The one who commands the vampire horde.
She bowed to Remilia as well.
"So this is the one you spoke of. She seems weaker than you suggested."
"With time, she will become a powerful servant," Patchouli replied without looking up.
Servant? They want me to serve her?
She was sweating bullets. Remilia's glare felt as if it was burning through her. She thought of the fear she felt on that day years ago. She remembered how scared her mother was that she may have been taken, and the way they hugged when she ran in the door. She thought of those whose children never returned.
I can never serve one who allowed that to happen.
She swallowed hard, suppressed her fear, and stood.
"I would cut my own throat before I serve you."
Remilia's expression didn't change, as if she expected that response. The girl felt herself pushed to the ground by an unseen force. She turned and saw that Patchouli was forcing her to bow with magic.
"I thought you'd say that, and that's why I want to make a deal with you. I've only recently settled here and am in need of servants. I trust Patchouli's judgment, and am willing to make a sacrifice in exchange for your servitude."
As she processed those words, she felt a change in the air. It grew thin around her, and her breath quickened. She felt strangely unstable. The sensation was familiar; she'd experienced it many times before.
Perfect timing. She'll regret having brought me here.
Time froze. Capitalizing on the chance, she slipped the knife out of her sleeve and threw it at Remilia's forehead. Just after doing so, the air grew heavy again and time resumed.
Remilia caught the knife between her fingers and laughed.
"At least hear my proposal before you make an attempt on my life!"
"There is nothing you can offer me," she snapped back, visibly shaken by Remilia's effortless deflection.
"Did you know that vampires don't need human blood to survive?"
The girl froze. She looked up to see Remilia smiling.
"Really?"
The vampire queen was the embodiment of confidence and villainy at once. With that line, she knew she'd already won the negotiation, and the rest was just a formality.
"Indeed. It's a luxury for us, but not necessary. Like chocolate, or wine, or like petting a cute cat. It's natural to enjoy it, but we could do without it."
So all those raids were just for sport? Human life means so little to her that she'd kill dozens just because she likes the taste?!
The girl felt anger beyond what she'd felt in years. She wanted to lunge forward, but desperately suppressed her impulses. Controlling her emotions had become her greatest skill over the years.
"Are you saying you'll stop capturing humans in exchange for my service? As if I'd really believe that?"
Remilia tapped her fingernails on the side of her throne.
"You can confirm if you like. You will be free to roam when you're not working, and you can check on the human villages. If even a single resident has been harmed by us, you will be released from my service."
Isn't this an incredible stroke of luck? Then why do I feel so uneasy about this…
She met Remilia's eyes. The predator was gone, and now she only saw a disinterested girl.
She might be lying, but if she's not, I'd be making a terrible mistake if I refuse. And besides…
She remembered how effortlessly Remilia caught the knife.
I don't think I'm in a position to refuse even if I want to.
"I accept your offer."
The vampire grinned.
"Then from this day forth, until I release you or you meet your end, you are bound to me in servitude. Your name will be Sakuya Izayoi, and you will carry out my will."
Patchouli stood up and gestured for Sakuya to follow. The two left the throne room at once, and Sakuya saw her old life go up in flames once again.