Walking through the forest, Elizabeth looks up to the red skies of her Kingdom as the dimming Star of the planet sinks in the horizon.
Now, this is a story I've longed to tell someone once again. Only a handful of people know this and I think this is a privilege you've earned for your services to me through the years. If I were you, do not think of this story as fact. I've lived a long life and my memory isn't what it used to be. More so when I was but a Human in a Kingdom that's now long forgotten and flattened by the Demons through multiple occasions and was then finished off by a bastardous plague.
Thus, do not ask me of how authentic it is nor its validity. This is from my heart and memories. Where shall I start? I guess it was after the Second Calamity before the Curates united the Tribes of the Elves under an Empire.
In a town tucked away by the trees and the bountiful forests of Geraldia lived a woman of great beauty. Waltzing around town freely as men and women, young to old, rich and poor, and even the animals all turned to look at her.
The long golden blonde hair that's smoother than the surfaces of a big mirror accompanied by her large bright and youthful emerald eyes and a long yet delicate neck. The Star that gave light on the planet was even smittened by her. As the daylight shone brighter as afternoon slowly came, her skin glowed even more. Picking up some fruits, the Guards of a town blushed as they watched her lean down. Her slender long legs to her thin high waist, she was a looker that one could identify clearly even far away.
Picking up a small Apple, her slender fingers were like pricks and she smiled at the vendor and with a nod, took a bite of the fruit. Her bright red lips seemed to sparkle as the woman showed an expression of approval with just her eyes alone able to speak paragraphs of content to the lowly man. Going to her pocket, the man behind the counter didn't bother. Offering it for free. Just for her presence alone as the other men of the town came buying from him. Many, just wanting to bask in an area that she's been before.
Soon after, word started to get out as the castle she lived in started to get visitors from various Suitors who wished to marry off their sons. Being of Noble birth, she had the elegance to match her mesmerizing charm. But it wasn't only those of the Higher Classes that came to her. People from many walks of life also visited the woman.
The first being a sculptor from the North, an Elf who couldn't believe what he had heard. That a Human, a mere Human was capable of beauty that could exceed their species. Yet when he came, the man didn't even think of anything else but to work. To sculpt her beauty before it fades.
Then came a man who wrote poems for the King. He had been sent on his behalf to make a short work of her beauty, as many say, only his skills with the pen could truly define the allure of the highborn woman and that the King may get an idea of her and if she's worthy of being painted and a portrait of her hanged in the halls of the castle of the King.
Soon then came the Jester. Wishing to make songs of her to tell the entire Court, so that even mere Knights to the most influential Dukes of their country may hear and know of her. In his mind, he won't return, nor waste away his time till he could properly convey her glamor to everyone and may it even be remembered in times far ahead of theirs.
But yet, after trying for almost two long years, wasting away at hundreds of sculptures, the Elf couldn't capture her beauty at all. The Poet wasted away all the ink he could afford and had to ask the Court to supply him with some till even those had been all used. The Jester sang and sang and yet, none of the words that he had thought up had ever satisfied him nor the Nobles he had tested his song upon.
Unbeknownst to them, the beautiful woman wasn't smiling. Though she had a bright disposition to her, in her mind. No one truly knew who she was from within. All these Artisans who came far and wide, from the highest of places to record her divine looks. Yet none ever asked about her.
She'd give no care to how she'd answer, treat, or respect anyone. Even Nobles whose ranks were twice above her own parents. Yet no one cared. Charmed by her, they didn't care if she was right or wrong, good or bad. As she grew, her beauty only multiplied even more and upon reaching the age of twenty, the sculptor just couldn't bear it anymore and was later found dead in the river.
The Jester soon gave up, impaling himself with a knife while the Poet jumped off the roof of the tower where he was staying. He only left one note behind. "I have found the perfect way to write about her and it's to die! No words can ever truly write about her and how she looks, thus I have done what I could. I will die happy knowing I've laid my eyes upon such beauty!"
Yet no one cared about why they died. Everyone merely carried on with their lives, fawning over her once again while a Painter from the King came after the deaths of the well known Artisans. But unlike them, he didn't dare to have her beauty overwhelm his spirit and his brush moved as the open sea and soon after, a Portrait of her was made and brought to the King who immediately asked the Painter to paint a thousand more.
To his dismay, the paintings of those he had tasked to help him couldn't even capture a bit of her exquisite looks and the burden all came to him. Without long, he also died from exhaustion but not before painting the last five hundred in which many more were copied and spread out to even foreign Kingdoms from far reaching Continents.
Then came calamity, as an old ancient curse was lifted by rookie adventurers. A Plague came to the continent and soon everyone was dying. But rather than protecting themselves, they all made sure that she was first safe. Since food was scarce and medicine, just as rare. The townsfolk all gave what they could to their already well stocked castle. Accepting that they'd rather all perish than the beautiful woman to starve away as the Plague approached their town.
A hellish view it was, piles and piles of dead bodies littered the streets as foreigners from the continent named Dragovh came to investigate this deadly ailment that targeted anyone and everyone, regardless of age and gender. Wearing their white gowns and gold tinted holy vestment, the unknown religion the Kingdom believed upon was left with no answer nor cure. Even the best healers they had couldn't do anything nor did the Witches they freed from the Dungeons could even make up a smidge of what made this natural horror.
And yet, upon it all, the survivors of the town would gather every now and then to the castle wall. A section of which where the beautiful woman would be and in a shocking turn of events, they saw her praying. As it was quiet with the trees all fixed and the wind not blowing and the birds all busy eating the corpses of their relatives and loved ones, they heard her prayer.
"Oh Gods above, may you bless the people of this town. They've treated me well, far too well. Such an Evil curse shouldn't befall upon them. Let it be that we, the Nobles, hold the aire of such an illness. But not those who wish to live a quiet life with those they love."
One of the townsfolk immediately turned around with a big huge smile on his face and went back home and soon, the rest followed with contended expressions as if this is all they needed to accept what was coming. It was the last time the town was ever seen populated as the Nuns and Priests of the unknown religion outnumbered the survivors.
Now wearing enchanted masks full of herbs, not even the most Veteran of their Doctors could withstand the horrific sights inside the town. "By the Gods, even the city hasn't been stricken with this variant, yet." looking inside, the people of the town had died in their beds and chairs, all with smiles on what remained of their mouth and cheeks' skin.
Soon after, a foreign Knight came to the town. Wearing silver armor and a large blue cape, he had bright golden hair, and eyes that's as bright as the blue sky. Tall and built, the Noble didn't have a troupe of Squires and Grunts with him. All he bought was the saddle with a tent and his trusty steed. A brown warhorse that flew the banner of a Kingdom from the North.
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Stopping at the center of the town where the bodies piled high as the Priests casted fire magic to burn the corpses, he donned his helmet to look away at the ghastly sight. Not even the children were saved from the Plague, yet they were all smiling to his surprise. But this soon turned into the creeps as he rode to the castle where it had been turned into a makeshift laboratory for the doctors and scientists of the Church to conduct their business.
Alongside them, one Priestess caught his eyes. A woman with extreme beauty, her presence alone could make everyone drop what they were doing just to look at her. Even he blushed upon first seeing her but after shaking his head and gripping the icon of the Moon that's attached to his necklace, he went to her. With a bow from a Noble of his stature, she returned it with the same level of elegance.
"I am Charles the Magnificent, Knight of Carthegra. I've come to find a cure to his plague."
"Pleased to be of your acquaintance." Her voice surprised him. She spoke so lightly and with so much respect that it seemed as if angels were singing to his ears. "Lady of the House of-" before he could continue, a high ranking Priest comes to him. Bowing his head as Doctors carrying apparatus and special glasses flanked the man.
"Finally! I never knew Carthegra would be willing enough to send the Son of a Duke to aid us! Bless the Divines from Out and Within! We shall be saved! Now, where are your Squires and soldiers? I shall open up a section of the Castle for them to stay in."
"I apologize, but I am the only one."
Their smiles all disappeared. To which they circumvented by looking at the beautiful woman in which their happy expressions immediately returned. "I-Is that so?"
"Yes. I am actually doing this against my Father's wishes. The Third Duke of Cartheg. But I've seen and talked firsthand with the refugees that came from your country. I truly wish the Gods blessings on all of you." His stoic expression caught her attention. He didn't once turn to look at her and for the first time, she met someone who didn't smile at her presence. He remained calm and told the Priests and Doctors what he was entailed to do.
"Since this is all out of charity, I do not wish to be compensated at all. Rather than to lock your entire country, I instead thought of finishing this once and for all. I know of a Witch who had lived since the First Demon King. But I need a Healer who is capable enough to fight off her curses." They all then turned to one another and then to the high ranking Priest himself.
"I apologize, but not even my soul is that pure. A Witch who has lived that long is sure to be stronger than the Leader of our Religion."
"Then, I shall embark on this journey alon-"
"I shall accompany you!" They then turned their heads to the blonde woman. With fire in her eyes, the handsome Knight nods. "Alright. But are you fine with living in the forest? Are you trained at all in survival?"
"No! But I shall try my best!" The Knight just facepalms but he couldn't help but notice the vigor in her body. Her staunch pose and expression, the man's bright blue eyes twinkled for a moment as he lifted his hand and gestured for her to come. "Fine. But I don't want any complaints." but to the Priests and Doctors, this news made them panic. "Don't worry about me please. I shall return safe and sound." Hearing her reassuring tone, it was enough to put the room back into order.
Before long, an entire carriage full of supplies was prepared for her. Even her own parents are unable to say no to such an absurd request as the glee in her eyes only brightened. The Knight on the other hand didn't bother with the heavy wagon and instead just took her upon her hand and the two rode on out of town without any formalities.
Going on a journey, for the first time in her life did she feel that she could breath. The dashing Knight with her on the other hand, had weight on his shoulder which is now doubled with such an elegant Healer that he'd collected and wisp away from her town without notice and before long, after a tumultuous start, the two began to get along with one another. The Priestess' more outward nature and outrageous self and the Knights' more reserved but objective stained viewpoint in everything made synthesis and a powerful duo was born.
Upon finding the Witch in her cottage multiple regions away from there start. The young woman first tested the two before she'd speak of the cure. "Ah yes, the Plague. Indeed was there when it first came to this world. May I tell you, this is something truly Foreign, not of this world, even." and the test began which exposed the true selves of these two would be Heroes. "I've long left the Demon King's control and wish to be of help. But the secrets I know, must only be given to the most purest of hearts, those not even the Outer Gods can corrupt."
And in the last test, which made the two expose what was inside their heart, the Knight with a burning fire inside him that couldn't be put out even by the strongest of liquids and the Priestess... what was inside her heart made the Witch feint. It was the most greatest form of beauty, something only the Gods could go against.
In her final breath, the Witch told the story of how a flower that only blooms in a primordial lake could heal the plague. Before the radiance of the Priestess' inner beauty made her kill herself. The Knight on the other hand, his soul only burned a brighter fire with the final goal now in sight. They both mourned the Ancient Witch but proceeded on their journey where they soon crossed over to Cartheg, home of the brave Knight where the Plague had reached its outer rims.
His hope was diminished, but it wasn't enough to make his soul waver and he continued onwards to the labyrinth of the Archaois Vampire. Long lost to time, a place where the first ever created Vampire perished after being struck by the God of Man for betraying Humanity, and becoming the Predator of Mankind.
There, a bed of flowers surrounded a fountain and the two, parched from their arduous trek down below the soil, drank from it. Becoming Ancient Vampires themselves, unlike those afraid of the light and unable to see themselves in the mirror. They were One Hundred Percent Pure. But the changes to their bodies and soul didn't stop them from picking up the flowers and returning to Cartheg where they were immediately attacked by every Guard and Townsfolk they encountered. "VAMPIRES! RING THE BELL! VAMPIRE ATTACK!" ringed from every region, village, town, and settlement they came across.
Now shunned by society, the two instead sought out to return to the now destroyed Nation as the Plague took over everything, down to the very Nobles at the top of their Castles. There, a Doctor found a bouquet of the flowers and soon, the cure was found and the effects of the Plague slowed down till it was fully stopped.
But then came the news of a new type of Vampire, one that could walk in daylight. This then led to Knights and Noble Houses dispatching their Sons with whatever Grunt they could scrounge up from the villages and towns in their territory to find and kill them before they could bite others and spread this new type of Vampirism.
Sadly, none of these parties came back. The grieving Nobles then soon turned to the Dukes who then turned to the King who sent out entire Armies to find and kill the new Vampires. In one event, inside a dilapidated Castle, the blonde woman walked out of the front gate, revealing her beauty to the oncoming army. Her radiance washed away all their Evil and content filled their faces, and soon after, one by one. The soldiers of the Knights all killed themselves. Filling the green open plains with the corpses of warriors.
The Knight could barely look at them as he'd recognized the crests and banners of the Nobles that came to kill him, and so did the blonde woman. Who after the event tried to kill herself multiple times, to even scratch her face, her beauty. Yet it all regrew back to its normal state. Soon after, the word spread like wildfire of a dangerous new bloodsucker that can now roam the morning light and a new type of enemy came by, wearing blue and white, their army of Holy Men adorned with gleaming plate armor and chainmail.
With a Bishop in the middle of the Holy Army, in his back, a huge Sword Cross. "Oh Holy Men of the Holy See, Upon the eyes of Deus Vrax, shall we slay these heathens! Blasphemers of Man, Beastkin and Elf! Wanderers of the Night, now Morning! We shall stop their spread like the Plague that struck this land fifty years ago!"
It ended the same with the previous army that came by. With their corpses all littered with their own self harm. With not much else left to do, and nowhere else to run. The two Vampires ran to the closed Continent in the North of Threa. Schon as it is named, no other creature roamed it than those who are cursed. There, a new Kingdom rose and the new Vampires became more and more as they multiplied in great numbers.
No one was safe as every Crusade attempt only gave the Kingdom new citizens, every ship meant to colonize the land all turned and the ships stolen. Forever to be lost to the many curving rivers of Schon. Before long, this Kingdom, a Kingdom that took its symbol from the Rose that once saved mankind from the Plague became stronger and stronger. The birth of its first Nobles, then the first towns and villages. Before long, the eternal King and Queen with there everlasting citizens became settled as a grand Castle with
"Elizabeth... we may never go back to our previous lives. We are no longer Human, we must forever stay here, in this cursed Continent with our subjects. We must live alone and distance ourselves from Mankind who we love so much we sacrificed everything to preserve."
"Tell me, My King. Did you ever regret saving Humanity?"
"No. If need be, I'll do it all over again. Our journey together was already more than worth it. Saving Humanity was a bonus."
"Then, to our Eternal Kingdom and Eternal Solitude."
It was already dark and the Queen turned around to a Maid. With long smooth black hair and straight and leveled bangs, she bowed with her hands wrapped together. "That's my story. I address this to you not as a Vampire, but one Queen to another." She then turns to the horizon, the Armies of Humanity attacking the walls of the city. "Gareth will slip out of our hands tonight, but my King has a plan up his sleeve. Prepare my Knights.'' She then stood up from the tree stump and only the glimmer of the Magic being shot at the walls remained in sight as the two disappeared into the darkness of the night.