Emvita had no shortage of monsters that took after the image of humans.
Succubus species, Feral Verdanians, the rare humanoid Mycelli, Witches to an extent, and even those who were touched by the Curse of the Descent, be it through the Timeless Ruins or the Maw of the World – they were all considered monsters even if some were originally human.
Among these humanoid monsters were the Vampires.
They feasted on human blood to satisfy their unending thirst. Their crimson eyes and red strands of hair were a signifier of their standing within a vampire household. The darker, deeper and brighter the color, the higher their Blood Purity.
These vampires with higher Blood Purity were far more civilized than those with lower Blood Purity. The higher it was the less intense the hunger became.
However, satisfying that hunger was not done through traditional methods. Biting, draining, bloodletting – they were all considered ineffective compared to those who preferred to bathe in the blood of their prey, or to hunt them as sport.
Indeed. For those with higher Blood Purity, it was not merely about gaining blood.
But what did this mean for an Honored One like Snow?
“Progenitors. First Generation vampires are born from Honored Ones.” Snow confessed, her face contorting with disgust. “I’m a walking parody of a Healer. Honored Ones use blood. They don’t drink it from what’s known about them. But I… have to replenish what I’ve lost. Otherwise…”
Snow knelt and fitted an object on top of a dirt mound.
A black rose. It was made from the thin shavings of brambles, tied together to create a rose. With no stones in sight, there was no alternative for a headstone.
A blue-eyed Snow mourned the Huntsman who she fondly remembered like a father.
“… When I first met Theron… I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to die here.’ What would you have done if someone suddenly came up to you with a loaded crossbow pointed at your skull?”
“I’d kill them before they can kill me.” Red nodded to herself, already envisioning how the battle would play out.
Snow smiled.
That smile carried a painful blend of humor and misery of a time she wished she could forget.
“I thought it was my time to go.” Snow gently brushed the coarse petals of the false rose. “A Healer that can hurt people isn’t meant for this world. Healing is in my blood. But my blood is a medium. I couldn’t do anything to save Theron with my magic. I had to rely on my Blood Manipulation. I’d call myself an abomination… but Theron… and the people of Hearth… saw me for who I am.”
Tears drizzled over the Huntsman’s resting place. The way they were absorbed into the soil reminded her of how her tears would dampen his shirt.
“You abandoned your mission to spare me. The Corrupted… made you relive that. I don’t believe you ever regretted it. Because if you did…”
She clasped at her heart and tried to fight her parting tears away. But the tears would not stop.
“… then you never would have greeted me with a smile… every day…”
Her parting words with Theron were of regret. The memories of a time that can never return weighed over her as she crumpled over the mound, weeping her heart out.
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
Red tried to put herself in her position.
Would she be sad if Rockie died?
She didn’t know.
A small, disturbing pain ached in her heart at the mere thought.
She didn’t like it one bit.
* * *
It took nearly a day for Snow to recover. Envious Thorns and Bitter Thorns that wandered in their area were slain and used as food. The bramble-parts of The Huntsman were also on the menu for Red.
< ACTIVE SKILLS >
(O) Huntress’ Slash II [9/10]
(O) Punch I [2/10]
(S) Friends! I [5/10]
(E) Appraise Object [8/10]
Red had gotten accustomed to the taste now, whereas Snow munched at them like they were the ones responsible for killing the Huntsman.
Her voracity could only be displayed on the corpses of their enemies. As a Healer, she couldn’t translate that brewing wrath into anything but the fallen.
During this time, Red asked her a curious question.
“You buried Mister Huntsman. How come? As a Corrupted, I’ve never seen people bury each other. At best, I’ve watched them shoot through their friends to try to kill me.”
“Seriously… just what kind of life did you live?” Snow patted her head. “… It’s a human custom. Well, not just humans, haha. Lots and lots of races and cultures around our world bury the dead.”
“But why? Couldn’t you use them for better things? Like fertilizer? Or hollow out their femurs for weapon barrels?”
“Red, you’re so… ahaha… so funny. No. We don’t see everything for the sake of utility. I think it’s important to understand the value of a life. That’s why we bury people. So they can rest in peace. Some people believe that their Soul departs and becomes a part of the world. Lots more will tell you that if they’re a bad person, then they’ll go to a place called hell. If they were good, then they’ll go up there.”
She pointed up at the infinite blackness.
Past the canopies was nothing but the same darkness behind their eyelids.
And yet, Snow looked up with closure as she gazed into the unknown.
“Where?” Red asked.
“The Celestial Heaven. The Nexus. I don’t think it’s true. Blessed can enter the Nexus. But I like to think that if I were to one day reach the Nex Megalopolis, and then the Nexus…”
Her gaze returned to Theron’s grave.
“… then maybe we can see each other again.”
“Is the Nexus a bright place?”
“With how shiny it is, I’d be surprised if it wasn’t.”
Red’s smile dropped.
Then why was I in the void every time I died? If good people go to the Nexus, then where did I go? Unless it’s not that simple.
Snow took Red into her large arms, finding comfort in holding her.
“Let’s go. I’ve rested enough. Are you good?”
“Never been better! Or is that not a good thing to say right now?”
“Ahaha… I hope you never change.” Snow giggled.
< Friends! I Has Gained a Level >
< Friendship with Snow has increased! >
< Companion >
< Snow | Lvl: 25 >
< Rockie Grey | Lvl: 20 >
< Fellowship >
< Three Paw | Lvl: 10 >
14 Chapters ahead over on the
Discord! We have cute Vengeful Red emotes!
