Blood Dawn

Chapter 1

In a time of death and destruction, one must do what they can to live in this world of hate, and fear. The year is 1631 A.D. and I’m am in desperate search for my means for immortality. The nearby city known as Transylvania has reported site of the Enemy Army on its march towards the city. I have moved here in an attempt to search for the legendary Count Vladimir Dracula A.K.A Vlad the Impaler. So far my search has led me to not but whispers of ghosts, and ghouls… which is what I happen to be looking for.

I am growing desperate as everyday the invasion seems more imminent, and my death with it. Tonight I go to the castle up the hill. Castle Frankenstein, as the locals know it. But I know it as it’s true name, it was the home to Count Dracula, and I hope that I may find some truth to the legend of Immortality begotten by sin. I hear that it is truly a sin to take upon what many describe as a curse, but if I truly become immortal… I have nothing to fear.

Antonius Viorel Shut the page of his diary, and locked the small lock on it. Hiding it back beneath the floorboards, he hurried to the door, flung his cloak over his shoulders, and doused the candle that burnt on his small writing table. The night was dark, but using the glow of the full moon to see, Antonius walked briskly through the streets of the city, not worrying about being seen. He took a turn that hadn’t been taken in decades by anyone, and proceeded out of the city, and into the surrounding forest.

He continued into the forest, but the confidence he had earlier began to fade as he sensed the little precious light he did have diminished, defeated by the shadow of the trees, whose branched reached out, like hands of the devil attempting to snare him. He braved on however, fighting the unkempt path, snapping small branches that snagged his clothes, until the silence was broken.

The low growl made Antonius freeze in his tracks; he slowly turned his head, and looked over his shoulder. The wolf stood there, it’s eyes glowing red, and it’s fangs bared. Antonius took a sharp breath as the wolf let another growl, this one longer, fiercer. Antonius let out a whimper as he began to attempt to flee in vain, fighting with the branches snagging his close. Finally he threw it from his shoulders, but still he could hear the wolf gain upon him. He finally saw a break in the trees up ahead, and ran for it. He burst from the forest to the courtyard of the abandoned castle. Without stopping, he ran up the steps, the wolf closing in. half way up the staircase, he tripped, and flipped over as the wolf leapt at him. He quickly grabbed a chunk of the broken staircase, and flung it at the beast, hitting it in the head. The wolf landed right beside him, and let out a whimper. Antonius jumped to his feat, and ran up the top of the stair. Flinging the door open, he turned back to the stairs, and saw that the wolf was again on it’s feet, and running at him. He flung the door close behind him, and heard a thumb as the wolf collided with the door.

Antonius put his head against the door, finally getting a chance to catch his breath. He continued to lean against the door for only a moment however, as he felt the hand grasp his shoulder. He was flung around, and backed into the door, a hand shot up to his neck, grasping it roughly, but not cutting off his oxygen supply completely. The hand belonged to a man, maybe in his late 30s. Then man moved his face closer to Antonius, taking in his smell. Finally the man smiled.

“The prey invades my home” the man hissed in a gruff voice.

“S…sir” Antonius stammered. “ I had no idea that this place was still inhabited.”

“It is, now leave before I change my mind about letting you.”

“Sir, please… a wolf attacked me. I had to hit it with a rock just to escape.”

The fingers enclosed his throat instantly, Antonius couldn’t breath, his eyes began to bulge out, and his hands began to feebly fight the much stronger hand of his strangler.

“YOU DARE STRIKE MY CLEO!” the man yelled, no, roared. “You dare strike the my Cleo!”

If it wasn’t for the knock that came at the door, Antonius was sure that he would have been strangled to death. Instead he was flung across the room, and landed roughly in an old chair. The man opened the door, and the most beautiful girl Antonius had ever seen entered the room. She stared at the floor as the man stared at her, anger clearly in his eyes. Finally he reached out and forcefully raised her face with his hand. She had tears in her eyes.

“What have I told you Cleo?”

“That you would take care of all my needs.”

“If you?”

“Stayed in the castle.”

“Cleo, it is my job as your Sire to take care of you, you are my responsibility. That is why Vincent watches you… where is he?”

“I locked his coffin.” She said, letting out a giggle.

“Ok Cleo.” He started, now with a smile. “Go unlock him, and return here with him.”

“Yes Vladimir.” She said. Then Antonius thought she was bowing, but she didn’t come back up, she continued to go down, her arms and legs shrinking, and beginning to grow fur. Her face began to elongate, and it wasn’t long before Antonius realized that this Vixen that was just standing before him, was actually the beast that had chased him to the castle. Cleo ran towards the stairs, and disappeared up them. Finally Vlad turned back towards and began to approach him. Antonius stood up, and began stammering.

“P…p…please, Sir Dracula. I don’t want…”

“Sleep.” Vlad interrupted with a wave of his hand.

Antonius fell to the floor unconscious, as Vladimir heard footsteps on the stairs. He would figure out who the intruder was, and why he had come later. For now, he would feast. “Vincent, Cleo, take what you wish, but keep him alive, I wish to ask him why he has come later.”

“Vincent, do you remember what we talked about?” Cleo asked. Vincent nodded in response. “ I think now is the time.”

Vincent leapt through the air, and landed on Vladimir, who taken by surprise, fell to the floor. He felt the fangs sink into his neck, as he kicked his childe. He Leapt to his feet, and caught Vincent before I managed to get up with yet another kick. He had made a mistake though, and forgotten about Cleo, who had moved silently behind him, and once again, he felt fangs puncture his skin. Before he could react, Vincent was up again, and he too bit into his master. After Vladimir had weakened some, Vincent stopped, and Cleo continued the diablerie. Finally Vladimir let out a hiss, and fell to the floor, his skin greatly paled, and his eyes sunken into their sockets. Finally Cleo spoke

“Don’t worry, my sire. I won’t completely drain you… I’ve always wanted a pet.” And then she laughed. Meanwhile Vincent moved over to Vladimir and picked him up. Vladimir was taken to the dungeons.