Vampire Reincarnation

The morning sun sneakily made its way into the inn room, its soft rays caressing Onyx’s ears, which twitched back and forth as he began waking up. His eyes opened slowly, scanning the room whilst still half asleep, noticing that Kai had finally returned, and used his body as a pillow once again.

He immediately began licking Kai’s face, the smell of raw meat emanating from his snout causing Kai to frown slightly before his eyes snapped open, jumping up and coughing as a splitting headache caused him to groan in pain.

“Glah, sit, boy. I’m awake! I’m awake!” Onyx gave Kai a few more licks before obeying, sitting in front of him with a wagging tail and exposed tongue, looking at Kai with a content expression.

“Waof!”

“Argh… what happened last night?” Kai held his head as the pain started to subside, doing his best to remember why he woke up feeling like shit. I need to drink something…

After chugging a few cups of water and changing into clean clothes, he scoured his cloak, picking up the mask hidden within and looking at it with gleeful interest. It looks nice, plus I can hide my eyes with it, and my face. As for the hair… well, silver hair isn’t that much of a trait, and from what I’ve read in the book my parents left me it’s rare in both species so I should be fine… hopefully.

Leaving the robe on the bed, he put on the fox mask and stumbled out the door, Onyx following closely behind, curiously watching Kai’s unusual behavior. I should not have drunk so much… social pressure be damned! Orphelia must already be waiting for me outside…

Carefully and slowly making his way down the stairs, Kai gave the receptionist, the red-haired man, a small nod in greeting as he made his way toward the grand doors.

“Good morning dear custo-” The receptionist’s voice got stuck in his throat upon seeing Onyx appear from behind the corner, freezing in terror with his mouth halfway open. Kai ignored the man and swung the doors open, stepping outside where a smaller but still just as fancy carriage waited for him.

Its exterior was decorated with a dark blue texture, while its small and compact wheels made for easy travel through Nivero’s busy streets, and the small windows on each side allowed for just enough light to be filtered through the white curtains.

A pair of small auburn ears peeked through the opening before immediately retreating into the carriage. “Come on in.” Orphelia’s mesmerizing, melodious voice left the carriage, and a soft smile creased Kai’s lips as made his way to the door, with Onyx following close behind.

“The wolf needs to stay behind… I’m afraid his presence would scare everyone, sorry for that.”

Onyx’s head lowered in disappointment upon hearing that and pushed Kai with his snout as if to say to let him come as well. “I’m sorry boy, go back inside, it won’t be long. I promise.” Kai let out a light sigh and pet the Obborik’s fur, beckoning him to go inside the inn before he stepped inside the carriage.

The two girls looked at him with widened eyes, surprise covering their faces upon noticing Kai’s new outfit. “Looks like someone had fun last night?” Orphelia inquired in a joking tone.

“Uhm, we can say that.” He vaguely replied, too ashamed to say he almost got mugged by two nobodies and then got drunk.

“What a beautiful blade. I didn’t get to see it up close until now.” She remarked upon noticing the purple sword, that he now placed on his lap. Its beautiful handle hung out of the makeshift sheath his grandpa had given him. “Even from this far it looks like a piece of art, I can’t even determine its quality. Where did you get it from?”

“It’s a… family heirloom.” He answered in a melancholic tone, lowering his gaze toward the blade before gently rubbing it.

Orphelia fell silent, prompted to look away and biting her lower lip, seemingly regretting her question.

Ysne’s ears perked up, her nose twitching rapidly as she looked at Kai with curious eyes.

“What… what is it?” He asked upon feeling her burning gaze scan his body.

“Why are you so keen on covering your face?”

“Huh?...”

“Ysne!” Orphelia grabbed the mouse girl’s small ears, softly pulling on them while scolding her. “You shouldn’t ask people that!”

“Ow, ow, ow. Sorry my Lady, forgive me!” Ysne cried out in pain, her face reddening as tears sprouted from her eyes.

“It’s fine, it’s fine, no worries. I just want to keep my identity hidden…” Orphelia let go of Ysne’s ear upon hearing Kai’s words and looked at him with an amused expression.

“Pfft…”

“Wha- what is it?” Kai asked, feeling slightly flustered after noticing Orphelia’s gaze.

“Nothing… it’s just, you want to lay low but walk around with a giant wolf. And with that mask or cloak, if I didn’t know you I’d think you were a wanted criminal or something. I just find the irony funny.”

“Haha,” An awkward laugh escaped Kai’s lips, surprised by Orphelia’s blunt statement. But… she’s not wrong… Oh well, as long as they don’t figure out I’m a vampire I should be fine…

“So, where are we headed? I assume you have a reason to pick me up so early?” He asked, quickly changing the topic to avoid more embarrassment.

“You’ll see when we get there, it’s not that far.” Orphelia’s ambiguous answer left Kai with even more questions, but he didn’t think about it further, instead choosing to direct his attention toward the window.

Nivero’s early morning stood in huge contrast to its nightlife, with most food stalls, pubs, and bars closed down safe for a few that also began tidying things up. The lights decorating the streets disappeared, and so did the busy atmosphere, now replaced with an air of tranquility as the citizens woke up to go to work, school, or church.

The tall marble building stood like a beacon in the middle of the city, a holy and calm aura emanating from every inch of its surface, with the most abundant source being the statue depicting the Goddess.

And that was precisely where the carriage was headed. Kai’s heart began to race upon realizing that, and cold sweat ran down his blazing body. He clenched his trembling hands and looked at Orphelia with a hint of surprise.

Feeling his burning gaze, Orhpelia looked out the window and let out a light sigh as her eyes closed, and said with quivering lips. “I’ll need to go prepare for the Solstice, which is in 7 days. I’ll go to the academy to celebrate it with my brother, so… this will probably be the last time we meet.” Her shaky voice held a hint of hesitation, and Ysne’s ears lowered in disappointment upon hearing her words.

“I’m sure we’ll meet again someday…” Kai replied in a similar voice, leaning on his hand while looking out the window. Anticipation, fear, anger… a cacophony of emotions flooded his mind.

The short ride ended quietly, stopping in front of a tall, pedestal-like structure, on top of which stood the Goddess’ large statue. Kai and Orphelia silently got out, his eyes widening upon landing on the statue. It’s even bigger up close…

From that distance, her intricately sculpted details became even more evident, and with the constant holy aura emanating from her body, she almost looked alive.

Orhpelia’s hands joined in prayer, bowing slightly while closing her eyes, a short murmur escaping her lips. Looking up at the statue, shivers ran down Kai’s spine, prompting his head to lower back down, almost as if one wasn’t allowed to stare too much.

“Follow me,” Orphelia said, walking toward the pedestal-like structure, and cautiously looking around before placing her hands on its surface. Its walls shuddered briefly before a flash of light covered it in its entirety, and a small door-sized hole carved itself into existence right before Kai’s very eyes.

“Wha- what did you do?” He asked, bewilderment and shock evident on his face.

“Uhm… nothing, don’t worry about it. Quickly, get in.” Orphelia grabbed his arm and threw him through the door, which immediately closed up before he could even look behind him.

A cold shiver ran down his spine as he scanned the interior, pitch-black darkness filling his field of vision.

“H-hey!” His cry for help echoed inside the seemingly empty structure, and his heart threatened to jump out of his chest despite his best attempts at remaining calm. Orphelia wouldn’t hurt me… would she? What reason could she have? Did she figure out I’m a vampire already? What does it have to do with the church then? Could she- No way-

As countless thoughts raced inside his brain, a bright flash of light manifested before him, and he instinctively shut his eyes while falling backward. What the?! An attack? Immediately reaching for his sword, a sharp, metallic sound rang in the area as he unsheathed it, and its purple surface reflected the light, which immediately softened up before Kai opened his eyes. Stepping back, he brandished his blade toward the unknown attacker.

The light gradually took the shape of a woman with an almost perfect hourglass figure, a pearly white dress decorated her voluptuous body, with locks of blue hair falling down her back and chest. A pair of angelic wings manifested behind her, creating gusts of wind as they flapped gently, and a bright halo of pure yellow light floated above. Her eyes snapped open, revealing a sparkling, holy golden hue that lit up the entire room.

Kai looked around in confusion, briefly scanning the empty structure, clutching the hilt even tighter as the sound of his racing heart escaped his body. Staring at the woman before him with widened eyes, blood rushed through his veins as a rush of adrenaline and cortisol coursed through his muscles.

Heavy panting accompanied by soft mumbles resounded in the air, bouncing off the soundproof walls right inside the woman’s ears.

“Greetings, soul.” Her melodious voice pierced his eardrums like a lightning bolt, causing his entire body to shudder, and the soft clang of his sword falling got drowned out by the divine echo of her heavenly voice.

“You-...”