by Arantes
“Hey Sonia, tell me about your parents? I hardly know anything about you.” He truly was naïve sometimes. It wasn’t until a couple minutes ago he realized she’s been sleeping in his tree. She seemed like the type of person who loves comforting others, but when it comes to herself it’s a different story.
She turned to her stomach and said quietly but sternly, “Goodnight, Albedo.”
***
“I keep forgetting that vampires and Purebloods aren’t affected by the sun,” said Albedo as he sat on the sand beach. He and Sonia had decided to take a rest from training.
“It’s one of our many gifts Albedo. The red moon protects us from the sun’s wrath,” said Sonia. She watched the water washing the sand as the breeze whipped past them.
Albedo had gone to the market and brought bread and meat for a nice picnic, hoping to know her more.
Sonia took a bite of the bread and her eyes lit up. “Albedo, this is delicious.” Although I prefer if we had some sweets, it’s been so long since I’ve been to the castle for my sweets.
“Is it really? One of the people suggested to me,” said Albedo. He searched for the words to say---nothing. Was it nervousness? What was it about Sonia that made him blush extra hard? He stared at the sand while playing with a stick. Why can’t I talk to her? It’s been a month and I still can’t tell her.
“So how do you like living in Inferno,” asked Sonia.
Albedo looked up and thought about how much he disliked Inferno. It wasn’t hate that he felt for the place, he felt as if there was something more he was meant for. “It’s growing on me, I mean---it’s the only place that I know.”
“What do you mean growing on you? If you ask me it’s quite nice. The weather is perfect and the way Inferno is run is in perfect harmony, little fighting and low conflict. Any Pureblood would love to live in Inferno,” said Sonia. She looked the other way, remembering that vampires and Purebloods weren’t allowed to live among the humans. “What about your parents Albedo. Have you talked to them about what’s been going on?”
Albedo sighed and shrugged, “I don’t want to talk to them about it now. When the time comes I’ll confront them.” He looked back at her. He did wonder why his parents were allowed to stay in Inferno. It was against the law for Purebloods or vampires to live among the humans. He starts to say with a smile, “I do love the cherry blossoms, the mountain, our house. But Sonia, being a Black Reaper is so much better! You get to go out to different lands. Explore the world and see different people, different kingdoms. I dream of the day when I can see a castle with my own two eyes!” he said with much excitement on his face.
She sweeps her hair behind her ear with a slight smile. “It’s not all as fun as it sounds to be, Albedo. Every day I see new things, but you have to understand we’re putting our lives on the line.”
As the day passes by Sonia had told Albedo stories of the different missions she’s been on. Albedo looked happy to hear about her missions, how exited they sounded and fun.
“What about our king? What is he like?” asked Albedo.
She looked at him, “I guess I haven’t told you too much about him. Let me ask you Albedo, how many lands does this world have?”
Albedo had learned about geography from school, he knew this world had 57 lands. “I also know that we have 31 monarchs. So, only thirty-one out of those fifty-seven lands are in control by a kingdom.” Albedo wondered what she wanted to teach him.
“Yes Albedo that’s good. But do you know what distinguished those Monarchs?” asked Sonia.
He thought long and hard.
“You need to understand Albedo. Out of those 31 Monarchs there are 6 of them who are so powerful that they’re considered a High King,” explained Sonia.
“A High King, what’s a High King?” asked Albedo confusingly.
“High Kings are the most powerful kings in Nacune. King Victor is one of them, a High King, Albedo.”
Albedo had always thought of Victor as a powerful king, but never to this magnitude.
She continued, “To be considered a High King, one has to have military influence throughout the world. Let’s say a small kingdom needs our help, king Victor will send us to help, as part of the world’s alliance.”
“What about Victor’s castle, what’s it like?” asked Albedo.
“It’s beautiful, Albedo, at night times the lights light up the place, that’s when its beauty shows.”
Albedo wondered how many candles it would take to light up the kingdom. “You guys must be using a lot of candles.”
Sonia looked at him in confusion, “Candles?”
“Candles to light the castle up,” said Albedo.
Sonia started to laugh, “No, Albedo, we use electricity.”
Albedo now looked baffled, wondering how electricity lights the castle up.
“We use wires to transport the electricity to the light bulbs. When it reached the light bulbs it light up, even brighter than candles,” explained Sonia.
Something that lights up even more than a candle? Albedo had never heard of such a thing.
She felt bad for him; he was ignorant about the outside world. “Albedo, did you know that the majority of this world population is vampires.”
He wondered why that is.
“It’s much easier for vampires to have children than it is for us Purebloods, that is why,” said Sonia.
***
As Angelione sat at the library reading one of his books. It was black with silver starbursts. On the cover of the book was a double edge spiked dagger. The book cover read, “The Black Dagger” He gently licked his thumb and turned the page. He fixed his glasses that seemed to keep falling off his face and continued on reading. The room was quite, it was late and not many people in the castle went to the library that late at night. The candles had been burning for hours; small bugs started circling around its light. Angelione sat in a secluded area of the elaborate castle library; it’s a gloomy dank private study within the six story cathedral library. It requires much effort to look up and clearly see the details of the ceiling towering over you. He took a sip of water so his throat wouldn’t get dry; unaware that there was a young man behind him slowly approaching with a dagger in his hand.
The young man moved slowly as not to alarm Angelione. The sweat on his face hit the floor and even a small bug could hear it. As he got closer to Angelione, he hesitated for a second. The perfect assassin has no time for hesitation, so why should he? He lunged at Angelione’s neck. Angelione quickly turned around and caught the dagger before it stabbed his neck. Angelione caught his hand and threw him across the table with his right hand. The young man crashed into the bookshelves and the books fell to the floor. Angelione’s movements were naked to his eyes; he thought to himself it was impossible to catch this man of guard. Angelione lifted his head up and gave him a malice smile.
“Dante, as soon as you entered this room, I could feel the fear in your movement. Hesitation to kill your prey will cost you your life,” said Angelione in a teaching tone.
Dante got up and wiped his clothes off. “Yes, master,” he said with a disappointed voice.
Throughout the whole process, Angelione’s left hand did not move, the book was still in the very exact same page.
Dante had short white hair, crystal blue eyes, a necklace around his neck, and a handsome stature that would make any lady fall to her knees for him. Angelione pushed the glasses back to his face; he was a man who only spoke when it was necessary. He left the room, leaving Dante to clean up his mess. Dante was disappointed in himself; if only he had not let Angelione’s presence intimidate him.
Chapter 5
The Hunt
Three months passed by in the blink of an eye. Albedo was no longer the weak, skinny boy Sonia once remembered. His body was more masculine. He had the strength equal to the average Pureblood. He was faster. His stamina was much more enduring. He and Sonia stood on top of a roof, Sonia with her black cloak on and her mask in her
hand. Sonia had asked him to meet her here. Albedo had decided not to go back to school that day. That morning he woke up and ate with his mother. He had eaten all that his stomach could consume. His father had left for work early as usual. Sonia had left early that morning and left him a note.
In the note it read, “Hey Albedo meet me on top of the old castle’s roof.”
Now Albedo stood next to her and wondered what Sonia wanted to tell him. He noticed she had her chains wrapped around her hands. For the first time, he noticed that the chains weren’t thick and bulky. They were very strong but thin and wiry better suited for the agility to snatch her prey. Don’t let its looks fool you.
“Albedo, there’s something I must do,” she said with an uneasy voice.
The look in her eyes told Albedo his training was over. Maybe King Victor needed her.
She was a Black Reaper after all.
“You have to leave,” he said with a sad face. He thought about how much he would miss her if she were gone.
“I should be back in a week or less, depends on the mission. The King needs me,” said Sonia. She had explained to him that the Black Reapers’ Division was for missions not training. As much as she wanted to stay also, she had no choice but to leave, she was being sent on a mission by King Victor. They had grown attached to each other; she was content with the progress he had made. His newfound strength was a reflection of his passion and hard work.
“Before I leave, let me show you something!” said Sonia.
Albedo wondered curiously what Sonia had planned to show to him. She raised her left hand to the sky and her hand erupted with flames like a lit torch.
“This is my ability, I can emit fire,” said Sonia. She lifted her hand again, this time like a pedestal as she pumped the palm of her hand towards the sky. This time the blaze of fire was larger coming from her hand.
Albedo looked astonished, thinking how completely unique her ability was. Much different than what Vincent had.
A smile crept onto his face, “That was incredible! Amazing! I didn’t know you could do that,” said Albedo.
“We already know you have the power of the Elder, Albedo. I can hardly wait to see your abilities,” said Sonia.
They both had a look of sadness on their face.
“Before I go I want you to try something. Try and use the power of the Elder to sense my presence, Albedo.”
He concentrated but nothing happened again.
“Just what I thought. We’ll work on that when I come back,” said Sonia.
He nodded with excitement.
Sonia wrapped her arms around Albedo and hugged him. She put the mask on her face.
“About your training gears, don’t ever take them off until I tell you too, is that clear?”
“I have to leave this thing on? What if I need to shower?”
“You’re a Pureblood Albedo; our bodies don’t produce bad odor. But if you’re discontent about not taking a shower, just go in the ocean. It washes really easy.”
Albedo nodded in understanding, he had to accept it.
“And one more thing,” she handed him a small box.
He opened it and inside was an old red mask and a black robe. The mask had a couple cracks on it; even the robe was so old that it started losing its color.
“Is that what I think it is!” said Albedo; he could have cared less how it looked.
“It doesn’t mean you’re a member of the Black Reapers yet; it means if something happen here in Inferno and King Victor’s men can’t reach here on time, you have to protect this place.” I don’t know why but the king insisted that I gave it to him. What are you hoping to gain from teaching him? It’s as if you’re preparing him for something that’s coming. “Oh, one more thing Albedo, you know how I refer to the Elder as a power.”
“Yes, why is that?” He was always curious about that.
“It’s because a power is something that you gain and ability is something that you are born it. They’re two different things in a way.”
Albedo seemed a bit confused. “I think I get it.”
“Good, now it’s time for me to take my leave.”
Albedo watched her leave after a sad goodbye.
***
It was early in the morning and the servant walked in the dark hallway of King Victor’s castle to reach the throne room. She walked in the throne room and set the table with fine china and gorgeous silverware. She then began to place the delicious food for breakfast. She looked a bit nervous walking in the presence of Sonia. She had admired Sonia for how she always sat with her legs crossed very lady-like. How beautiful she was.
Sonia sat there drinking her tea, looking bored as always. She missed Albedo already, she miss training with him, talking to him. Today she had on a blue dress with a matching boots that covered her ankles. She took a piece of bread and dipped it delicately in her tea, just soaking the bread a bit. She hates when her bread gets too wet, then it’d surely be dumped in the trash.
“Would you like more tea Ms---Sonia?” said the servant with extreme nervousness.
Sonia slowly lifted her head more and looked into her eyes for the first time. She saw the nervousness they had, how her cheeks were red and her body trembling. “Yes, please.”
Sonia held up her cup and the servant poured more tea for her, her clumsy hand started shaking even more. She had never been this close to Sonia before; unaware that she was pouring the tea on Sonia’s beautiful blue dress.
“Oh Ms. Sonia, forgive me. I’m not worthy to be in your presence!” said the servant with embarrassment. She quickly grabbed a rag and gave it to Sonia, bowing her head in shame.
“You must be more careful next time, you almost gave me a second degree burn,” said Sonia with a relaxing tone.
The servant broke down and started crying. Sonia quickly touched her shoulder.
“What’s the matter? Why are you nervous around me?” asked Sonia.
“It’s because I love you Ms Sonia, your beauty is unparalleled by anyone. You’re a Pureblood and I am a mere vampire. A mere servant and nothing more, I live to serve you and I honor you for that, Ms Sonia.” It wasn’t that she was in love with Sonia, she admire her very much.
Sonia was a bit surprised, “What your name, you must be new?”
The servant wiped the tears off her face. “My name?” asked the servant.
“Yes I want to know your name,” said Sonia with a warm smile.
“It’s… Magi, milady,” she now looked more content.
“What a beautiful name, Magi. How about you and I become friends? I know how hard it is to be new around here.”
She started to cry again. This time it was a happy cry.
***
The throne’s door opened and Angelione walked in. He looked across the room to find Sonia comforting a servant, which he did not care for. He sat on the opposite side of the table and opened his book. He looked to his right to see Sonia walking towards the table and the servant leaving the room. Sonia sat there and stared at the cover of his book, the same book with the “Black Dagger” on it.
“Well good morning to you,” said Sonia.
Angelione poured himself a small amount of juice and asked, “What was that all about?”
Sonia smiled, “It was nothing, just making a new friend.”
Angelione had long white pants and a white shirt, a red jacket and a matching red scarf around his neck.
“Aren’t you going to ask me about Albedo?” asked Sonia.
Angelione took his eyes off his book. “You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
“Well aren’t you no fun.” She briefed him on Albedo’s progress. “So tell me Angelione, how’s your pupil coming along?” asked Sonia as she stuffed cake in her mouth. It was not proper etiquette for her to eat this much amount of cake, but she did not care. She missed her sweets! The cake tasted good, it had strawberry around the edges. Sonia had always wanted to learn how to make sweets like that,
but she was just too busy.
“They’re coming along just fine, but they still have much to learn. They need to stop being so hasty and have patience,” said Angelione.
“I wonder, where do you think the King is sending us this time?”
Angelione himself had wondered that. “Not where, but after whom is he sending us this time. Sonia, Vincent broke into Inferno just to be defeated. No humans were bitten; in fact it’s as if nothing happened. I just can’t help but wonder why?”
Sonia stretched her legs. “It’s no secret that both Aleister and the Numeral Society are getting more active. Those two are considered the biggest threat to the Six High Kings, Angelione,” she leaned forward. “If we can bring Vincent to his knees, we can do the same to Aleister.”
A man walked in the room and told them the king was on his way.
The King walked in and without hesitation Sonia and Angelione bowed to him. The King had a presence about him that commands attention, fear and respect. Those were the qualities a King needed to be great in the eyes of his people.
“Good, you’re both here,” said King Victor. He sat with his cheek rested on his fist as he sat on his throne.
“May we ask…what is the mission.” inquired Angelione hesitantly. He was more curious about the mission and wanted to know what it was.
Sonia however had Albedo on her mind, she wondered how he will do without her; he’s completely useless by himself.
King Victor showed them a picture of one of the most wanted Purebloods in Nacune, with a bounty of a billion gold.
“But, that’s…” Sonia was now keener about the mission than about thinking of Albedo. She and Angelione looked at the picture carefully.