Vampire Reincarnation

Kai lowered his head, nodding slightly as he glanced at the twins lying on the floor, one a bloody pulp and the other…

“Pfft”

He let out an involuntary chuckle, noticing the man’s pants had turned dark around the crotch and a foul-smelling liquid seeped out from under him. Serves you right! With that thought, he turned toward the man, vigilantly holding the hilt of his sword, and said in a low voice.

“Yes, thank you, Mister.” Kai dusted off his clothes and thanked the tall man, cautiously turning around and heading toward the market.

Fritz let out a light sigh before parting his lips, saying in a haggard voice. “You can let go of that sword now.” Kai halted in his footsteps, his head snapping backward, and, dropping all pretenses, his muscles tensed up and he readied himself to draw the purple blade at a moment’s notice.

“Easy there kiddo, I don’t mean no harm.” The man assured Kai, raising his hands as he continued the conversation. “You don’t seem like the stupid type, why did you end up in this alley?”

“I…” Kai paused for a second, lightening the grip he had on the hilt as he tried to trace his steps, however, the only thing flashing in his mind was the blurry shape of the darkened road.

“What does it have to do with you?”

“Nothing,” Fritz replied while shaking his head “However I think ye were just ‘bout to become a statistic, aren’t I right?”

“I can take care of myself,” Kai spoke back, a slight chill present in his tone as he took a closer look at the man. Besides his large stature, nothing seemed out of the ordinary about him. He wore a simple brown tunic accompanied by a large apron and a pair of stained pants, as well as a belt that held the tunic and the leggings at the waist. His leather shoes were well-kept, with only a few scratches here or there. A small cap covered his bald head, and a thick mustache adorned his otherwise clean face.

Fritz let out a heavy sigh, smiling softly at Kai and sitting down, lowering himself to level. “Kiddo, I don’t know why ye’re so stubborn, but foolish children like you are a dime a dozen, and I seen even more than that go and never return.” His heavy, almost quivering voice rang in Kai’s ears, his pupils shrinking in surprise at the stranger’s words. Recalling the last sentence he said to the man, a small idea of what this man’s character began forming in his mind.

Glancing behind the man, he took another look at the twins, with the one that wet his pants trying to wake up his mangled brother. What’s with this strange man, I could take those two in a fight any day were it not for…were it not for…

“What do you care?” Kai replied coldly, trying to ignore the gap in his memory, slightly lowering his guard upon considering the situation the man put himself in to save him.

Fritz placed his right elbow on his knee, leaning his head on it while staring straight at Kai. “Lad, I reckon there’s no reason to care.” He replied, his voice filled with a strange mixture of wisdom and weariness. “But whether or not you wanna hear ‘em, life has a way of teaching you lessons, and these two over here, I doubt they were the first ones to attempt teaching you, seeing your stubborn nature.”

Kai furrowed his brows, a soft wave of warmth spreading throughout his entire body as the man’s words reached his ears. What he said does make some sense, he does seem trustworthy but I…

Seeing the boy stand in silence, a soft smile creased Fritz’s lips. Standing up, he slowly toward the alley’s exit and said while passing Kai, “Follow me to my bar, will ye? Get ya something to drink.”

Kai hesitated for a moment, torn between wariness and the strange warmth and trust he felt toward this stranger. Undeniably, Fritz had saved his life, which put him in Kai’s good books, but he couldn’t throw off the unease he felt due to the man’s caring nature. An ally gained is an enemy lost… I guess. Kai’s fingers grazed over the hilt one last time before he finally let go of it, giving Fritz a soft nod, he followed him out of the dark and damp alley toward the city bustling with life.

An awkward silence enveloped the two as they walked toward the bar, which was in the direction Kai had come from. Why can’t I remember walking past here? I… what’s going on with me? His heart raced as countless ideas popped up in his mind, one grimmer than the other, and he swallowed slightly as cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

“Say, lad,” Fritz broke the silence, at the same time awakening Kai from his daydreams. “What’s yer name? Mine’s Fritz, Fritz Jitu.”

“Huh, uhm, my name’s Kai… Kai no-family-name.” He replied, only just now realizing that he didn’t know his entire name.

“No family name huh? That’s quite rare ‘round these part, ye ain’t from here amirite?”

“Mhm,” Kai grunted softly and nodded, losing himself in his thoughts once again as he walked behind Fritz, his large back casting a huge shadow over him.

“Friendly advice, Kai,” Fritz said, smiling softly as he turned his head toward Kai. “Regardless of where you find yourself, best you keep your guard up but your heart open, after all, the east wind brings rain. You never know when you may find an unexpected ally.

…

The chattering of the crowd drowned their footsteps as they gradually made their way toward the tavern, the sound of drunken mumbling swiftly entering their ears and the bitter taste of ale and beer inundating their nostrils.

“C’mon lad, I’ll show you inside.” Fritz walked past the muttering crowd, his tall stature in huge contrast to Kai’s, not to mention his comically large blue robe that was a dead giveaway he wasn’t from here.

“Hey… isn’t that the kid the Uchafu Twins were after?” A man whispered to another while putting down his pint, an idea of what happened forming in his mind.

“Poor bastards, shoulda known better than to target kids on Fritz’s turf.” The one accompanying him said before drinking some ale, the burning sensation flowing down his throat.

“Yeah, I heard he has zero tolerance after-” The man stopped mid-sentence as his body shivered, and, looking up, he saw Fritz glare at him slightly before turning around and entering the bar.

…

“Here, lad.” Fritz served Kai a small glass of beer as he took a seat at the relatively empty bar. Taking a look around, Kai could only see a dozen or so clients, one more scary-looking than the other. Some mean-looking people… I wonder if they’re travelers as well…

“So, what brings a young’un like yeself to this city?”

Kai took a sip from the beer, albeit hesitatingly, and almost instantly a bitter burning sensation flooded his mouth before blazing down his throat. Grimacing, he put the glass down and thought for a second, looking at his reflection through the yellowish liquid.

His fingers tapped lightly on the dark wood countertop, and bit down on his pale lips before saying in a low voice, “It’s just a stop, I have somewhere else to go.”

“Hoh?” Fritz paused briefly, the cloth he used to clean a pint stopping mid-motion before immediately finishing it. “What about yer parents then?”

Kai’s face tightened at Fritz’s question, and he stared into the depths of his half-empty glass. Memories of that horrifying night flood back into his mind, images of his parents getting slaughtered by Haniard’s cold hand, and his hands shaking ever so slightly as a sharp pain spread throughout his head.

“Agh” He let out a low grunt as he brought his hand to his forehead, a sudden feeling of dizziness hit him, and his vision became blurry for a brief moment.

“Woah there lad, you alright?” Fritz reached for Kai’s shoulders, trying to stabilize his body after noticing his slight wobbliness.

Kai flinched back almost instinctively, barely avoiding the man’s grasp, who paused mid-air before pulling back. “Sorry kid, didn’t mean to startle ye.”

“It’s alright, Mr. Fritz I… I didn’t mean to react like that.” Kai apologized, feeling guilty about his subconscious reaction.

“It’s alright lad, by that reaction I’m guessing your parents… they’re…’

“They’re gone.” Kai’s quivering voice broke as the phrase left his mouth, his entire body trembling as he continued.

“They’re gone Mr. Fritz, and… and it’s… it’s all because of… me.” Tears streamed down his face, dampening the large cloak that couldn’t conceal the soft sobbing sounds reverberating in the bar.

Fritz paused, and put everything aside before sitting down next to Kai, his dark brown eyes looking at the young boy with pity. Letting out a heavy sigh, he placed his large hand on the countertop and leaned slightly closer before his lips parted, a soft and tender voice escaping his mouth.

“Lad, I don’t know what happened, but I reckon it wasn’t your fault. Sometimes life deals us a bad hand, but that doesn’t mean you’re to blame. You’re still but a child now, and you were a child when it happened. How could you be to blame?”

“I COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING!”

Kai's voice cracked with anguish as he shouted, his tears flowing freely now. The pain he had bottled up for so long burst forth like a dam breaking. He pounded the dark wood countertop with his trembling fists, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip.

Fritz didn’t flinch, instead choosing to watch Kai with a deep, compassionate understanding. He carefully placed his hands on the boy’s shoulder and spoke in a gentle tone. “I understand why you feel that way, Kai, however, you must understand that you were just a child, what could you have possibly done? You couldn’t have known what would happen, and I understand this burden is hard to bear, however, it is not your fault.”

Kai looked up at Fritz, his teary crimson pupils quivering as his shoulders shook with each sob. “I miss them so, so much Mr. Fritz. I am the one who caused their death… I just… I hadn’t realized that until now… if it weren’t for me they would have… they would be…”

Tightening his grip on Kai’s shoulder, Fritz shook the boy as he said in a voice filled with warmth and reassurance. “You didn't cause their death. You couldn't have known what would happen, and it's not your fault. No one blames you for this, lad.”

“I blame myself,” Kai said in a quivering voice, tightening his fists as his teeth ground against each other. “They were all I had, and they’re gone. Blaming their killer… what use is there when I’m not even strong enough to fight him? All I can do is blame myself. Blame me and… continue forward.”

A heavy sigh escaped the bartender’s mouth, shaking his head before flicking Kai on the forehead.

“Ouch! What was that for?”

“Lad, I get it… Grief is a heavy burden, and everyone manifests it differently. However, heed my words: When you feel like you’re all alone, when everyone’s backs are turned to you, and are about to fall into darkness, remember, you’re not alone. I am here, and…” Fritz gently moved his finger, pointing toward Kai’s chest as he continued. “So are your parents. Never forget that.”

Kai lowered his head, and a shiver ran down his spine as Fritz’s words rang in his ears like a church bell when the sun was at its highest. His breathing stopped for a brief moment, and a last tear streamed down his blazing cheeks before he wiped it away.

“You’re right, Mr. Fritz, I… *sniff* I’ll do my best… and…allow them to rest in peace.” His almost invisible crimson eyes stared right into the man’s eyes as he said in a quivering voice filled with determination, the double meaning in his second sentence flying right past Fritz’s head as a friendly smile creased his lips.

“Good, that’s good! Find closure for yeself and for ye parents. Later though, now, let’s drink!” He roared in laughter as he gave Kai another glass of beer, and he himself took out a large pint before downing it in a few seconds.

“Aargh, that hit a spot. C’mon lad, bottoms up!”

Kai looked at the joyous man with a strange expression, as if this was the first time meeting him.

“Looks like old Fritz is finally back, hehe.”

“Yeah, been a while since I seen ‘im so serious.”

“Hey Fritz, another drink for the lad! It’s on me!”

“Cheers!”

The few people resting inside the bar burst out in healthy laughter as they murmured among themselves, and the cold, depressing atmosphere quickly turned jolly as the smell of freshly poured ale inundated Kai’s nostrils.

His face suddenly turned red, and as Fritz and the people in the bar cheered for him, he couldn't bring himself to refuse the offers. Bringing the chilly glass to his blazing lips, he quickly downed the bitter-sweet mixture a few rapid gulps at a time. Slamming the glass onto the countertop, he let out a few exhausted pants as his face turned an unnatural shade of pink.

“Ohoooooy!” The entire bar roared, tables shaking under the bombardment of sound, and it wasn’t long before Kai took another glass and slowly downed it as well, then a third, and then…

…

“Aaah… I’m dead…” Kai moaned in a drunken mumble as the doors to the inn slammed open, and he wobbly walked toward the receptionist, a middle-aged man with flaming red hair and a beard to match his sharp jawline. His expression immediately changed to one of disgust as his dark yellow eyes landed on Kai’s drunken self, however, he had a job to fulfill.

Finally arriving at the front desk, Kai almost passed it as he walked toward his room, however, a loud grunt of annoyance followed by a deep voice made him halt his footsteps.

“How may I help you tonight, sir?”

“Ha…? I’m just going… going to my room.” Kai replied lazily, his low yet raspy voice causing the receptionist to frown.

“May I see your key then, sir?”

What’s with this guy… Kai annoyedly looked through his cloak, finally stumbling upon a metal object with a tag attached to it. “Here’s the damn key, can I go now?” He said, showing it to the man before turning away, stepping and stumbling on the mage’s robe as he mumbled.

The red-haired man’s pupils widened immediately upon seeing the tag, and his disgusted expression quickly turned to one of panic as he caught up with Kai.

“Sir, I’m sorry to not have recognized someone important such as you, my apologies. Here, let me assist you.” He said with a completely changed demeanor, rubbing his hands together like a fly ready to eat from a sweet fruit.

“Mghnm,” Kai grunted, refusing to speak to the man any further, doing his best to focus as a splitting headache made him wish for nothing more than sleep.

After taking a few turns, Kai had finally arrived in front of his door, and immediately inserted the key, turning the knob and slamming it open. The followed suit, however, his expression turned to one of terror upon laying eyes in the living room. Right in the middle of the floor lay a huge tuff of white fur, moving up and down as the occasional snore escaped its snout.

“Ah, monster!” The receptionist yelled, causing Kai’s head to snap toward him and say in a half-serious tone. “Dash not a monsthar, thatsh Onyx. Close the door behind you when you leave, I wanna sleep.”

The red-haired man didn’t stand on occasion and immediately rushed outside, the room shaking as he slammed the door behind him.

“Hmph.” Kai scoffed, taking off his cloak and looking at the sleeping Onyx before he quietly made his way onto his fur, letting out a long yawn before sinking into the snoring canine.