Vae Victis Chapter 35 (Patreon)

Heya, here is a short chapter. I've decided that this will be the end of the first book, so I'll just merge this chapter with the previous one once it is all gathered into a book.

A New Dawn

We found the cabin with relative ease. The leaves of the trees were beginning to turn a deep crimson here, and they crunched under our feet as we walked along the overgrown path leading from the estate. Tall weeds grew in waves in front of us, and when we pushed them aside, thick clusters of red berries appeared on spindly stalks. No one came this way often, even before the Grand Spell arrived. I could smell my sire's scent in the air—wild and old, like the scent of the mountains and incense mixed together.

The cabin peaked out from the foliage. The vines had grown over time, covering the walls and then wrapping around them to cover even more of the wooden structure. Overgrown bushes blocked the doors and windows, making it impossible to see what lay beyond them. There was no indication that anyone lived here anymore.

I walked up to the home, Saia trailing along side me. Memories of my time here came unbidden. This was the place where I had spent my first moments as a newly turned vampire. This was the place where I had known the first moments of peace and quiet in my life. The place where I had learned how to be a vampire.

Looking back on it, there was a lot that I had missed. Much that I wasn't taught. I didn't know the reasons for it, but my sire had always been somewhat distanced from me. Once, I had simply looked at him as a wise and old mentor that knew better than me. Now, I wondered.

Things stood out now in retrospect, inconsistencies with what I had learned about vampires in school. There was much that I had to get answers to.

I slid the panel door open and stepped into the home. I walked down the hallway to the main room. It was as I remembered it. A simple home, one with few commodities. A home that was a snapshot of an earlier time. I noticed a lantern on the floor, it had fallen from the ceiling where a branch had punched through the roof. Other than that, there was little signs of disarray here. I walked through it, not even knowing what I was searching for. I entered my sire's bedroom, noted the open closet and drawers. He had packed before leaving. It seemed like they had all decided to leave the estate. Whatever happened for them to make that decision had to have been significant. This place always felt important to my sire.

I was about to leave when something glinted in the corner of my eye, drawing me to one of the open drawers. I knelt down and peered inside. The backside of a rectangular frame caught my gaze, and I grabbed it with one hand and cautiously flipped it over. My eyes widened as I recognized the photo made by an old style camera.

For a moment, I stood frozen, gazing at a moment that I had forgotten. My eyes were drawn to the picture and my heart thumped as a rush of memories flooded back. I was wearing a deep blue kimono, embroidered with tiny cranes in flight. My sire wore a black kimono with simple lines and gold accents. There was a ritual involved, just before that picture was taken. We sat around a small table, steam rising from two delicate cups of tea resting between us. My sire had sat me down and served me tea, the first time he had done so. He had looked at me levelly and spoke slowly about our obligations: that we must seek progress above all else; that our longevity made us guardians of this world, tasked with watching over it and ensuring its welfare.

Those words had always stuck with me. They were partly why I wanted to try and save as much of the Earth as I could. I felt like it was my duty, the reason why I was gifted with as much power as I held.

My face looked the same as it did now, it was years since then, but I hadn't changed. No, I am different, I corrected myself as my fingers rose to touch my neck; there was no scar in the picture. And my eyes, those were different too. The Marianna in the picture had hazel eyes, ones that still looked human. Mine were now filled with emerald lines.

I looked at my sire, his dignified appearance, and I felt only anger. I remembered my sire standing as the Master gave the order for my execution. I remembered those emerald eyes looking at me with disappointment. It felt like a betrayal by a parent, something that I had some experience with. It was as if that was my life's story, to always be betrayed by those that were meant to protect me.

The picture was left behind. I meant nothing to him. I let the anger flow through me, it was righteous, it was my entire being telling me something. It was the fuel that granted me purpose. And right now, that purpose was to be better than they had been. I had an entire world to look after. I had no time to spare for myself.

"Query: Are you alright, Mari?"

I glanced at Saia, I had forgotten that she was even there.

"I am," I said, turning my eyes back to the photo. "It's just... memories."

I almost threw the picture back into the drawer, but then I hesitated. Before I could change my mind, I pulled the backpack from my shoulder and slid the photo in one of the pockets.

Then, I walked out, heading to the back part of the house. I entered the training room. The roof was broken, and the tatami was ruined from the elements. It had rained it seemed. The training weapons were still on the walls, most of them at least. I walked over and looked at them. Just like what I had found on the estate, anything with metal was corroded. But there were a few weapons that were made just out of wood. Training swords and staves. I debated taking some, but ultimately decided against it. I had the long spear, the dagger, and Saia, it was enough.

The sun rose above the horizon, even inside I could feel it. Weakness spread through me and I sighed, rolling my shoulders as an ache spread through my body. A ray of light pierced through the crack in the wall, and I approached. Slowly, I put my hand in its path; it didn't burn me. I had expected that, Earth's Sun no longer shone on these lands. But I had to check. I was weakened, and without my skills. I needed a place to stay, for a little while at least.

"Saia, can you use the field please. We'll stay here until nightfall."

Saia did as I asked, and a sphere of pale light surrounded us in a moment.

This place had never been my home, not really. But it was the closest thing I had to it. I realized that I had never truly belonged anywhere. I resolved myself to changing that, I wanted someplace that was my own. I wanted people that saw me as more than just a tool.

I had to rest, there was a big day ahead of me tomorrow. I didn't have a concrete plan, but the first thing I had to do was find survivors, and that meant settlements. I settled down on the floor, my weapons within reach, and allowed myself to close my eyes.

Tomorrow I would start exploring my new world.