Chapter Text
I would be lying if I said the never ending wars and burning hatred between Vampyres and Humans were just stupid little stories made up to entertain the children. They are told that these creatures are not real and only exist in their heads. With every year they get older, they start to make fun of actually believing these stories as kids and continue with their boring and ordinary life. Not having even a single clue what life really is and what actually lies behind the shadows of it. And if they walk beyond the fog, suddenly all their kids stories become their biggest nightmare....
And the little game of Hide and Seek begins...
~You can't hide from us~
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It's the 14th century. 1375 to be more accurate. England is plagued by unknown diseases. Especially little villages are affected, since they are poor and can't afford medicine. But it wouldn't even spare the noblemen in London. It would start with getting paler and weaker. Then you would cough up blood twice a day and your hair would slowly start to fall out. It would just get worser when a whole week was over. Everyone was trying their best to keep the affected patients alive but what nobody really noticed is that none of them survived, so it wasn't really worth trying. They should just aim, pull the trigger and redeem them from the pain. But one thing they did notice. The corpses had either deep bloody scratches on their bodies or deep bloody holes on their neck. No one could explain why. They call it the draining disease. Because when they died, the bodies were completely dry. No blood remaining.
Over the time, more and more people died helplessly. Hence many innocent women were accused of using black magic and were burned alive on the pyre. Maybe they would find the culprit. But little did they know, this was far from the end.
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You were a young girl at age 10. You had (h/l) (h/c) hair and sparkling (e/c) eyes. A curious girl that couldn't wait to grow up and discover what was behind the big forest outside the wooden house you were living in with your mother. Your father was killed years ago. The reason still remains unknown for now though. You never talked with your mother about it, too scared to hurt her. But even if you two weren't the richest people on earth, your father passed away and you were living outside a village, you had a good life.
"(Y/n) (L/n), if you don't show up at breakfast down here in 2 minutes, I will get out my wooden spoon!", your mother threatens. You open your eyes immediately.
"Coming!", you jump up from your bed, throw over your little brown and white dress you were known for over and run downstairs into the eating room. Your mother sits there, waiting for you. She giggles.
"Have you overslept or were you just too lazy to get up?", she asks and you pout.
"It's the fault of my bed, it was just too cozy."
"You own this filthy blanket for 6 years now. Don't you want me to buy you a new one at the market? Today the price will be only half the pounds I would normally pay.", she raises an eyebrow. You dramatically put your hand on your chest, acting hurt.
"Mother, please, this blanket is my only one." She laughs.
"Wait 7 years and try telling me the same then.", your mother says and winks at you.
"Pssh.", you both laugh and start eating your breakfast at last.
----Time Skip----
After you washed the dishes, you grab a jug and walk outside to get some water at the river. The river lies some minutes away from your lodge and right in front of the forest, where you're not allowed to go in. You remember your mother's words.
"Just go to the river."
"Don't talk to strangers."
"Don't walk into the forest."
"Get water and return to the lodge immediately."
You always followed those simple rules, until today. As you filled the jug with water, you hear a slight whimper. Or at least you think so.
You raise up your head to see where it came from. Then you hear it again. It comes from the forest.
"Curiosity killed the cat, (y/n).", you think to yourself but to be honest, you couldn't care less. You stand up, go some steps backwards, run and jump over the blue river. You land successfully on your feet and slowly walk towards the sound. Your breathing becomes unsteadier as you move closer, now unsure if it was a good idea. You shake it off and enter the forest. You look around until you hear the voice again. And then you see it, or better him, leaning against a tree. A boy, or so you think, since he's wearing a black cape. You walk over and kneel down in front of him.
"Hey, are you okay?", you cautiously ask him. He looks up at you. You widen your eyes.
"I-Is that blood..?", you stutter as he turns his look away. You frown and grab the cape and pull it off his head. He seems a bit startled by your action.
"Don't worry, I just wanted to see your face, so I can help you.", you say as you examine his face. He is around your age, maybe just a year older or two. He has short blonde hair, beautiful green eyes and big eyebrows, which you find rather funny. He is covered in blood and dirt.
"What happened to you?"
"Why should I tell you. It's none of your concern...", he says quietly, clearly not wanting any attention right now.
"Yes it is! I can't just leave you here! Now tell me what happened... Please.", you reduce the volume of your voice at the word 'please'. He looks back at you with stunned eyes.
"You... You really care about me? A weird stranger?", he asks, his voice softening. You giggle.
"Of course, idiot. And you're not strange, you seem like a nice guy actually.", you grin at him. He blushes slightly and smiles as well.
"T-Thank you... Ok. I'll tell you what happened.", he began to speak. "It happened yesterday. It was a very late evening. Almost night. I was tired but I just couldn't sleep, so I sneaked out of the house into the village's streets. I didn't even think about what to do next, so I just continued my walk. Since I was wearing this black cape, I thought no one would spot me. But I thought wrong. After I got some fresh air, I started heading home but I had the feeling that someone was watching me. I tried to shake it off but it didn't go away. Then there was this shadowy figure standing in the distance. My whole body froze as it moved closer. It smirked devilishly and chuckled. When I got back my certainty, I dashed out of the village. I ran for my life with my remaining energy. But the creature just laughed and chased after me like I was a prey to a hungry animal. When I got into the forest, I tripped over a branch. Then the creature looked deep into my eyes and it felt like I was hypnotized. Then I passed out... When I woke up, I couldn't remember anything at first. Suddenly, immense pain shot through me but I was too exhausted to let out a scream, so I crawled with one arm to the nearest tree here and rested. I was sitting here the whole night and morning... Until you came here."
"Can you remember what the creature did when it got you?... Besides the hypnotizing?"
"Unfortunately no...", he sighs deeply. "And it's okay if you don't believe me..." You shake your head, protesting.
"No. I believe you."
"And you are not lying..?" You shake your head again.
"And even then, it doesn't matter. As long as you are fine now.", you hold out your hand. "My name is (Y/n) (L/n)."
The boy is surprised for a moment, but then he smiles and puts his hand in yours.
"I am Arthur Kirkland. It's nice to meet you."
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2 weeks have passed since you found Arthur injured in the forest. After he had told you the story behind it, you were shocked and afraid. No one knew what attacked him. Nevertheless, he got better and a great friendship between Arthur and you was created. He had visited you the day after the acquaintanceship. And the days after that, you would always meet up with him at the river.
-- You sit in your room bored as something hits your window. You open it and in that moment a stone flies next to you in your room. That was a close one... You again look outside to find Arthur standing there with an embarrassed expression.
"Bloody hell... I am so sorry, (y/n)! I didn't think you would open the window so fast.", he shouts up to you, but not too loud.
"It's ok. But why are you here?", you ask confused.
"I want you to meet up with me at the river again. Be there at 6pm." You raise an eyebrow.
"But we meet there every day?"
"I know but this time it is very important. So, no matter what is, make sure you come! Promise?"
You think for a minute before replying with a smile.
"Promise."
"Super! Until then.", he waves as he runs off. You stare at the sky.
"What could possibly be so important?", you shrug as you go downstairs to help your mother.
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When the sundial hits 6pm, you make yourself ready and start your way to the meeting point. After some minutes of walking through the fresh smelling grass, the river appears slowly in the distance, along with him. Arthur Kirkland. You admit to yourself that you had started developing some feelings for him. They were small... But they were there.
(Arthur's P.O.V.)
"I have to see her again. At least one last time...", I say to myself and start coughing badly. I've been feeling weakened for 5 days now and it's only getting worse.
It's not the flue, I can assure. I think, I slowly start to understand what is going on... I shake my head, putting these thoughts aside for now. I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around and see her. (Y/n) (L/n). I smile and run over to her, embracing her tightly with my slightly shaking arms. I let go and look at her. She seems to be taken aback a bit by my action. I then realize what I just did and blush.
"I a-am s-sorry..!", I wave my hands in front of her. She just laughs softly and smiles. Her laugh is like music to my ears... Wait, what the bloody hell am I thinking?? It's not like I'm...
"It's ok. We're friends after all, right?", she says with a sweet tone in her voice. I nod.
"So, what is the important thing you wanted to tell me?" Oh yeah right, I forgot that this was the main reason of the meeting. I sigh and sit down at the edge of the river, the remaining sunbeams making the water glittering. She joins me. I keep staring at the water.
"(Y/n)... Do you trust me?", I ask quietly. By the looks, she notices that something is off because she seems to be concerned.
"What kind of questions is that?... Of course I trust you."
"Good because now... I need you to fully trust me, okay?" She stares at me.
"Arthur... Is everything alright-"
"SAY YOU DO!", I suddenly shout. She slides a bit away from me, kind of terrified.
"A-Arthur..." I mentally slap myself for shouting out of nowhere.
"N-no please, I d-didn't want to shout at you...", I stutter with a guilty look on my face. The sides of my eyes start to fill up with little tears and I let some fall. Her scared face changes into a sad one. She comes closer to me and puts her hand on my shoulder.
"H-hey, you don't have to cry just because of that..." I shake my head.
"No... It's not that..."
"Then tell me what is..."
"I... ", I hesitate. She tightens her grip and more tears start to fall down as I cough again. But this time I coughed up blood.
"Arthur! What is happening??", she screams as she starts to cry as well. I stand up with my hands on my mouth and stomach.
"Farewell... (y/n)...", I manage to say as I turn around and run away, leaving a crying (Y/n) behind.
I will never forget you... (Y/n) (L/n)...
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You don't know how long you had been sitting there, staring in the direction Arthur had run off. You didn't understand this. You didn't understand this at all. After something what felt like an whole eternity, you stood up and headed home. You didn't tell your mother what had happened, you just went to your room and cried yourself slowly to sleep.
As the days pass by, you start to get more and more depressed. You worried too much about Arthur and you wanted answers. All this destroys you from the inside. Just what in god's name was with him. He was clearly sick, but there was far more than just this.
--You're standing in the kitchen, washing the dishes once again. Still, he didn't get out of your head.
"(Y/n), can you do me a favor? When you're done washing the dishes, can you please-", your mother notices your emotionless expression. "(Y/n)?" She waves her hand in front of your face, trying to bring you back to reality. "(Y/n), are you- HEY!", she shouts after you as you storm out of the house.
"I need answers, NOW!", you think while running straight into the village. Then you stop. The problem is that you don't know where Arthur lives. You sigh at your own stupidity. Time to get social and ask people.
"Excuse me- Hello- I have a question- Hey- Someone- Anyone-..." It's hopeless. Everyone is in a rush and doesn't have time to care about you nor your question. Until a man approached you.
"Hey little kid, what are you doing here? You'll be trampled to death by the crowd!", he says in a deep and loud voice. He pulls you to the side of the street, away from the mess.
"I apologize for making you any trouble, sir." You look him guilty in the eye. He chuckles softly.
"No need to apologize. So, what is bothering you, little girl?" He asks in a very kind voice. He has short brown hair, a little beard on his chin and he wears glasses.
"I would like to know where Arthur Kirkland lives." Suddenly, his kind smile turns into a big frown.
"Why... Why would you want to know...?"
"I am a close friend. I haven't heard of him for days and it is starting to concern me." You look confused at his frowning expression. He takes in a deep breath before slowly beginning.
"I... Girl, listen. I am very sorry for you... But the Kirkland Household is suffering from the draining disease currently..." You laugh nervously.
"But Arthur is definitely fine... I bet it has caught another family member. The disease isn't infectious!" You try to assure him... But mainly yourself. He looks down and shakes his head.
"No... This can't be... It can't be him!!" you scream, tears building up. The man kneels down to your height, hugging you slightly and petting your head.
"Shh... I know, it must be hard... But you have to go through it now...", he whispers as you clench the end of his shirt.
"Can... Can I at least... see him? Please!", you manage to say between sobs. He wants to refuse but nods. He stands up, takes your little hand in his and walks through the streets. Some minutes later, you arrive at the big Kirkland mansion. You have to admit, it's not like they are poor.
The man knocks on the door and a middle aged woman with beautiful long blonde hair and green eyes opens the door. She lets the door a bit closed so you really can only see her face. Her eyes are red and swollen from crying and she looks pale and tired. You can clearly see her cheekbones. You guess, it's his mother.
"Yes?...", her voice is rather quiet. The man puts his left hand your right shoulder.
"The little Miss here wants to visit Arthur..." This doesn't light up her mood at all. Her sad expression worsens as she speaks up:
"Are you (y/n)?..." You nod slowly. She opens the door fully and gestures to come inside. You step inside, along with the man.
Arthur's mother leads you through the wooden hallway. It's dark and cold paintings are hanging from the walls. You shudder as you walk by. Then at the end of the hallway, there is a big black wooden door that leads to the living room. You three enter and you look around. The living room is big and different people stand around a black box-like thing with engraved designs on the sides. You walk over to the box and realize... It's not a box... It's a coffin... Your knees start to shake.
Calm down, (y/n)... Maybe it's someone else...
You reach the coffin as you feel the different people staring at you with sad looks. They probably know who you are. You inhale and gulp before slowly pointing your eyes to the certain person lying inside.
You stop breathing.
You don't move a muscle.
Your blood is frozen.
Your heart feels dead inside.
You can't stand anymore and slowly fall down on your knees, not letting out a single sound. You stare at the ground with colorless eyes.
"Why didn't you at least tell me... I thought we were friends... I thought we were...", you don't finish your sentence, press your teeth together and stand up, facing the corpse one last time before you leave the house without any other words.
It is over.
What we had is done.
He is gone.
Arthur Kirkland is dead.
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9 years later, we write the year 1384. Now, you are at the age of 19. You changed much. Your long (h/c) hair has shortened. You have got pale skin and little eye bags. And an icy stare that kills.
When was the last time you truly laughed or smiled? You don't know. The world around you darkened, it surrounded you with shadow. Arthur's death had shattered you into million pieces. With the time, you had learned how to forget. But does this make you happy? No. Now let me tell you what all had happened after you left Arthur behind. The draining disease turned out to be caused by human-like creatures. They look like us. But they are much different. They have got inhuman strength and reflexes. They can break your bones by just grabbing the certain body part. They react faster than normal humans. And they live from us. And that is also how they kill. They bore their dirty little fangs into the neck and suck all blood outside until the victim is nothing but remaining muscle and skin. But sometimes they would leave the victim alive, for now. The said victim would get weaker within a week until the symptoms of the draining disease occurred. And when the creatures injected their own blood into the human's veins, they would experience the same and die at the end. But they would come back. As one of them. Doctors studied them because no matter how horrible they are, their nature is fascinating. The Doctors call them Strigoi, from the Romanian Mythology. But we would call them Vampyres. Now all humans are divided into three sections.
The ones who fear them.
The ones who study them.
The ones who kill them.
That's right, there are humans who decided against living in fear of the Vampyres and trained to fight them.
The Strigoi Hunters.
Or Vampyre Hunters in normal vocabulary.
And you, dear (y/n), you became one of them. Time learnt you that you would never live a happy life. Burning rage and hatred built up inside you. And you had to take it out on something... or someone.
When you were 15, you killed your first real Vampyre. That evening, you were sitting in a pub and watched a certain man staring at a pretty girl your age. As she went outside, he followed her. And you followed behind as well, taking your self carved wooden stake with you. The girl was walking through the dark streets before she was pulled into an alley by a unknown hand. The man, you supposed. He muffled her screams with his hand, slowly getting closer to her neck before ramming his sharp fangs into her soft and innocent skin. He was too busy draining all blood out of the girl, he didn't notice you creeping up behind him and ramming your stake through his back, right into his heart. He gasped loudly and fell to the ground, immediately letting go of the poor girl. His eyes were wide open, blood was dipping down the chin and his hands twitching slightly. Then, his body started to fall apart before he fully turned into black ash. You kneeled down to the girl, feeling her not-existing pulse. No chance, she was already gone.
"Hm, shame about the girl. She had a pretty face. But life isn't fair. I had to learn it the hard way as well. Only...", you closed the eyes of the corpse as you smiled creepily.
"... that I am still alive."
That was the story of your very first kill. You had to admit, it felt good. You felt strong. And you wanted to continue.
Not long after this incident, you left your house and your mother to go out into the world, getting rid of all Vampyres. You simply left your old life behind. You also joined a small group of Hunters. Within the following 4 years, you killed more and more of them. And you were feared. By Vampyres and humans. And you loved the feeling.
I won't die.
Not before
I have wiped out any Vampyre
on this rotten earth.
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You lean against a tree deep in the forest. Blood and guts are spilled over the whole scene. You grin and wipe away some blood on your lips with your clenched fist.
"Ha, this was a tough one. Interesting fight. But no matter how hard you tried. I still won and now you are burning in the fiery depths of hell.", you laugh. Your sanity being drained from your mind a little bit more. You pant quietly as you stand up, trying to get all your things together.
You start to head back to your village where you are currently living in. With every step you take through the forest, branches and leaves crunch under your feet. You step further, sometimes pushing hanging branches from above out of your way.
"Forest walks are always so calming...", you think to yourself as you take your surroundings in, breathing in the fresh air.
You continue your way, being glad that you were alone for once.
But little did you know
that something was following you.
Watching your every movement.
You walk calmly until you sense a presence behind you. You shake it off for now, but you feel the stare of eyes boring into your back.
"It's getting closer...", you think as you speed up your walking pace. And so does the presence. Your heart starts to beat faster but not because you are afraid, it is because the presence sends out a known aura. You breathe in before turning around in a swift move, running towards the presence and attacking it with your stake. It dodges as if your attack was nothing. You try and hit it again and again but it always steps aside in the right time. You can't identify the person either because they are wearing a black cape, hiding the whole face. The unidentified person lets out a dark chuckle before raising their foot and kicking you in the abdomen, sending you flying against a large tree. As you hit the tree with your back, you instantly cough up blood. You growl at the person, holding your stomach with your right hand.
"Who are... you...", you manage to ask between coughs. You can only see the big grin under the cape, as the person steps out of the shadows, walking towards you.
"Have you really forgotten me?", the person asks in a very British accent. You throw your eyes wide open.
This voice...
I...
"A-Arthur..?!", your stutter. This is the first time you are in this vulnerable state.
"It's been a long time... (Y/n)."