Penelope groaned as she woke. Pain throbbing in her temples and aching limbs. Vampires were difficult to render unconscious, it usually meant a part of their brain was damaged and was healing. She could feel that she was covered in a hundred cuts and dozens of bruises. Being drug down a castle hall. About to be sentenced for her latest "crime". Just one of several dozen. The guards who managed to subdue her surely didn't fear reprisal from her family as they beat her down. They kicked and stomped, slashed and bashed her immortal body. But to be fair, she had warranted it considering what she did to their friends. What she would've done to them, they were irredeemable psychopaths. They didn't value life, so she hadn't valued theirs.
Most Vampires in her domain were sadistic, it's the trait most career paths rewarded. Penelope didn't take it to heart. The ruling class had become bored over years of immortality and their interests corrupted towards sick fetishes or games. It seemed like people who thought like her were the smallest minority. An intellectual and a vampire. Penelope decided long ago how she'd spend her immortality, it would be a waste to not further their understanding. She would change things, invent things, so she could at least have tea without hearing some human suddenly howl in terror down the hall. She even worked with a rebel organization; 'The Proletariat', which works to improve the living conditions humans had.
Whistles and jeers erupt from the cells they pass. The even marching of the soldiers who carried her echoing through the halls. "Give 'er to us! We'll teach her a lesson!" one prisoner says, laughing. There was various shouts describing what they would do to her. The prisoners were often vampires who tried to subvert the power structure. The soldiers stop at a wide heavy door with a barred window. Without anyone else in the hall, chains are pulled taught at the sides and a wheel is spun autonomously. The door slowly lifts, "Do you think they'll finally kill her and be done with it?" One guard says. "Tssk- Not now, no reason to antagonize a Dreadlord before they're sentenced. Very unwise Galileo.". As the heavy oak door closes behind them they enter a sloped empty hall that leads from the dungeons.
Through hushed whispers and coded language, Proletariat operators exchange information and plans. Humans were physically helpless to a vampire, but through the desperation and tyranny they were honed into clever and passive aggressive masterminds. The humans high in court didn't gain their success through luck. It's why they called their organization 'the proletariat', to demonstrate that the humans were the producing class.
Vampires couldn't survive without them, since they couldn't sustain themselves on the blood of beasts. And only grew powerful from drinking a vampires blood, it didn't do anything nutritionally. Thankfully, the organization hadn't trusted Penelope enough to entangle themselves with her operations, they operated at arms length with each other. Penelope wasn't nearly as good at remaining secretive. The vampires didn't control such large domains for thousands of years without being able to squash a rebellion or two.
Penelope's iron-strong yet pedicured toe nails were scrapping along the stone floor, she was being carried arm in arm by the pair of guards effortlessly. She had been gazing down at the floor in exhaustion as they dragged her along, no way to fight back. Watching the intricate pattern of stone pass beneath. Images of the fight from before flashing before her eyes just before everything had gone black. The guards wore regal clothing similar to suits. Velvet red with golden embroidery. Comfortable and form-fitting, it was armor enough.
These fledglings were sired by Penelope's brother. Gaining a portion of his powers. A vampire can gain power by drinking the blood of a more powerful vampire, and it was the typical method of ascension. Her brother- Aster- had abilities suited for upfront fighting and so his progeny had the privilege of acting as the royal guard. Those he turned were particularly cruel and powerful. Their grips felt like shackles on Penelope's wrists, even though she far-out classed them... On a good day. Damn their clumsy strength. Their eyes had a red sheen reminiscent of her brothers eyes glow that she grew to loath.
All vampires were powerful, compared to humans they were easily 10x's as powerful in every regard just by default. Even as fledglings. But Aster and his goons were stronger, faster, even as vampires. Penelope's abilities were more elegant, she could become transparent and direct that power of translucency around her a short 3m distance like an aura. She could teleport the same matter also, and send it to any location she has a spacial awareness of. It would be unfortunate to send something valuable to where she couldn't retrieve it, after all.
Unlike magic, vampires natural abilities were intuitive and governed by forces outside themselves. Some believed it could be a gods blessing, some believe its up to luck and fate. Vampiric power manifested differently based on the potency. It was predictable to a certain degree, like Asters goons. He was a brute, and so were they. But vampires who ascend past their progenitors would have their powers mutate to something more unique to themselves. Penelope appreciated the powers she manifested. It was perfect for the kind of schemes she got into. Lifting a set of keys, distracting a guard, getting a magical item, honestly, it was mostly stealing things.
Her family were tiring of her antics. Noticeably. She was usually hard to attach to her crimes. They often pretended to be ignorant of them to save face. If it were up to just them Penelope liked to believe that they'd allow her some degree of control regarding the status of mortals in society. She desired to create her own domain free of prejudice between peoples, with things like freedom and liberty. Not power and oppression. Rather, clever policy and a healthy culture that supported good morals. That was her dream, only then could she live in a contented peace.
Her family, however, had a reputation to maintain. And didn't support such ventures. They weren't the only powerful vampires with a domain at their backs. Most vampires started as fledglings and used guile and cruelty to gain power beyond that. Penelope and her siblings started off as Dreadlord vampires, but most don't. They were powerful and sired by their elder parents. Automatically manifesting unique abilities from the get-go. Most used human blood as currency to achieve such power. They had to contest with the other royal domains for blood. Human blood wasn't equal, the potency was determined by a variety of factors. Strength, essence, age, whether they died or not from drinking.
Still, the world was vast and the highborn few, they monopolized their power and gave it out sparingly until it grew to what it was today. A handful of domains vying for power and angling to take one another down. It just didn't sit right with her, sure humans lived short lives, sure they were dramatic and emotionally volatile. But people with hard lives learn things that people with easy lives don't. And Penelope had learned to crave that hidden wisdom. She's learned things from them, fulfilling things that gave even an immortal life deep meaning.
To be honest- she's seen her fair share of stupid humans, but they weren't ever as arrogant as the least arrogant vampire. Every so often the guards carrying her passed ornate doors with heavy wooden panels. Leading to various pantries, tool closets, kitchens, to more hallways that led to meeting rooms or bedrooms. It meant she was far from the dungeons now. Penelope spent enough time walking through these blood built halls. A person could only fail so many times, her patience was wearing thin. A fatal flaw for an immortal being.
A long-lived immortal named Amaraya once told her that a vampire has more freedom than mortals besides the obvious reasons, like their invulnerability and strength. For they had all the time in the world. So much time, just to figure it all out. Unlike humans, who were forced to be contented with any scrapped foothold they could have in life and maintain it in the span of their brief lives. Even in servitude, vampires had far more options for a fulfilling life. It was hard to make willing servants out of fledglings if you didn't offer enticing compensation, or path to ascend. Allow them their pleasures. They could dig a hole in the ground and disappear otherwise. So vampires would often think on a broader scale, as was the their privilege. He had taught her that with enough patience and guile, a vampire could balance the scales of fate. And had a responsibility to. He was a kind of 'ethics' teacher for her.
Aramaya would visit her at banquets or turn up occasionally when she was alone. His station was lofty and he disguised his displeasure for their society well. They would have intriguing conversations that would clarify her goals. She was always at odds with her family early on, she didn't understand why their philosophies were so different at first. She felt moral obligation, and most vampires did not. She didn't feel the disconnect between herself and what she ate. Eating was an annoying problem for her, that being the case. It alienated her despite her royal bloodline, Penelope was an outsider to their court. Her voice existed as such a minority she represented only the poor or human. Voiceless.
Penelope had tried to be patient, to work slowly. Spending long nights studying at candle light. Sparring with her allies. Studying martial arts and war strategies. But it seems, it was not enough. Perhaps she was growing bold, she spent less time putting on her front of savagery her family often exhibited. They grew suspicious and must of had her followed. It was so difficult to balance her two lives when one side had such a powerful siren call.
Her cause was just so fulfilling to pursue. It made all the years feel richer. Even if it meant times like now, she had to worry- it was worth it. Lives were officially being lost on both sides, things were escalating. The Proletariat would stop supporting her completely, wisely. And she was going to be punished, that wouldn't be fun either.
The latest plan had gone off without a hitch- slaves were freed under the noses of their masters during daylight hours. Then led to the border of the domain by nightfall. Until a patrol appeared. Nothing too uncommon, her followers dealt with them like usual. But battle is unpredictable, Penelope had to join the fight herself to compensate and revealed her own identity- when suddenly they were ambushed from all sides. Most of the humans they were with had time to escape. In the midst of the carnage, the sound of metal hitting metal, in a flurry of commands and war cries, everything had gone black. It was futile.
There was a stifled gasp as she passed by a group of the castles denizens. Thus the show had begun. As they rounded a corner leading from the less ornate section of castle Penelope could hear the hushed conversations of others. "Fool Penelope fraternizing with the cattle..." one particular voice had said. "I heard she killed for them this time." a regal women said, with her face scrunched tight into a sneer. Ironically that women was one of Penelope's most faithful sympathizers. Some servant humans toiled at work, cleaning or toiling away not paying attention. It helped keep them off the bottom rung of society. Diligent and loyal work. Being a slave was better than the alternative.
She had spent months building backroom allegiances. Offering progeny and other benefits to those who would help in the escape plan. Promising to increase their power. Though she disliked to offer her powers to others... It's hard to hide who sired a kindred, which was her main problem with it. Their eyes had a particular glint to them. Those with a magical sense, could see it as an aura as well. It'd be outright announcing who her allies were, she had a unique signature among her siblings. She could handle fledglings, it could be tough to know who sired them. But once or if they rose to Kindred rank their eyes and aura would give them away.
She thought about the 'patrol' they attacked, it was a clever misdirection. Wonder which of her family came up with that one, bait her out like this. Aster was too blunt for such trickery. It was probably Asmodeus. Cold and calculated in his wickedness. It also just happened to be on the very night she would finally leave. It was intentional as well, this parade. It was a stern warning to those who aided her cause. Dragged through the light brown stone halls.
Her hidden agents would be difficult to coerce from now on if at all. If they helped her it would only lead to their end. She would have to wait a years, maybe decades and try again, the most optimistic path forward. They were taking her to 'the crucible', an arena shaped room surrounded by a raised platform that housed many rows of pews. It was designed for judicial purposes but formal duels could also be observed here. There also was a massive statue of Mariva, believed by some to be the goddess which created the vampires. She was a morally ambiguous God. Her patrons often lived lives of debauchery, passion and obsession. Clouded windows lined the curved room.
The guards who carried her used their free hands to push open a set of large ornate doors. The doors hinges groaned under the weight. She saw the reflective glow of many different eyes in the shadowed pews, only her family sat inside. Which isn't entirely surprising, a few of her trials had been public before. But usually it was like this, especially early on. She supposed it could be seen as rather embarrassing. For them. From the pews she could see a constellation of eyes varying in color. They glowed softly in the shadows.
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
There she saw it, the statue that flashes in her mind every time she's caught. The stone Mariva had two pointed fangs that stretched barely into sight on her lips, her statuesque figure was voluptuous despite being covered in a robe. Her carved eyes had cat-like pupils. Vampires actually had many more than a couple of pointed teeth and didn't put them on display. Maybe Mariva did. She held an overflowing chalice in her outstretched hands, a fountain emptying into a set of grates in the center of the room below her. Divided into two streams by an indent in the bowl. She was positioned near it in her chains. Running water burned like acid to vampires, not fatal but at the very least annoying. Penelope's mother sat beside her father, their other older children of higher status stood further off to the side. In their own groups or political parties.
A mix of different stares cast down on her- mostly contemptuous. Her mother looked as though she saw through her. She was beautiful, Penelope hated to admit it, all of her family are. It's not like becoming a vampire guaranteed good looks, but it didn't hurt. Getting older, skin conditions, lots of things weren't a factor to vampires. Her mother has thick and wavy lavender hair that was jostled over her shoulders. Ivory white skin. Her eyes were a gold ember color same as Penelopes fathers. Their eyes were a perfect match, as Elders. The pinnacle of vampiric power.
They have a strong connection to the original curse. Passed through history so long ago it became difficult to record or remember the fine details. Elders all had similar golden eyes, but the nature of Penelope's rank however made her and her siblings look mostly unique to one another. A vampires eye or hair color, as well as anatomical features like ear shape were changeable based on their power. They came in many different shapes and kinds. Fledglings alone could easily pass for human.
Those turned by Elders were considered Dreadlords. The curse at it's various stages could be gifted, or even taken in some cases. Once a vampire reached Penelope's level- a Dreadlord- they would have a unique appearance and set of abilities, likely something to do with their psychological affinities. Losing whatever borrowed ability they had from their masters. And those Lords created Kindred, which themselves sired lowly Fledglings. The obvious signature of their masters power diluting which each level.
If Penelope turned someone, they would be Kindred level. Their aura would give away their allegiance. But her kindred could create the harder to detect fledglings, for example. Fledglings could turn mortals also, sort of. Ghouls, creatures more beastial than sapient, were considered another species than vampires. They couldn't grow their power no matter how much blood they consumed. Clumsy things only created more ghouls similar to themselves, which kept the decaying appearance they had in life, but with bloodred eyes. Eventually they would decay and die. Nearly mindless foot soldiers any self-respecting vampire would never make use of. It was considered lazy, and politically unwise.
The guards at her sides had shackled Penelope to the floor in the center of an elaborate sigil on the floor. A series of images were carved in wheel of sorts. The images detailed a battle. Victory scenes, and battle again in a loop. There were steel grates on two sides of the circle that the fountain flowed into. These thick gnarly chains would anchor mortal wrists, plenty enough to keep Penelope restrained in her current state. Inhibiting her natural abilities. Moon light hit a stained glass window which was resistant to the sun, and thus hardly penetrated at all.
The room had been mostly quiet, Penelope expected her mother to speak any moment. But her father, Elder Axi'dhal spoke first to her surprise; "My dearest Penelope, at this point we're all well aware of your delusions. Surely we can't pretend to have no understanding?" He said motioning his hand between Penelope and himself. Penelope swallows hard at her fathers words, it was true, the situation had acclimated to this point over the course of years. Any argument they could have had, has been had countless times. This was pointless.
They knew of her philosophies and she had learned theirs. "I wish to end the monotony. Please, attempt to keep an open mind. We know that you find solace in protecting the weak, but it's because of your own inadequacies you see yourself in them, Penelope. Understand? You believe that if you actually managed to salvage these beasts, then perhaps you could validate your insecurities as more than such.". Her older sister scoffs at his last line before saying; "So... Childish and base. Spoiled child." Penelope sneered at her in response. She was every bit as spoiled, though she was much older than Penelope. Her older sister only narrows smoky green eyes at Penelope and gives a condescending smile. She was the one who abandoned any sense of morality in exchange for power, shrugging off any limitation as unneeded. Dreadlords only wanted to become Elders themselves, and would kill anything and anyone to do so. As was the vampire way, to ascend their cut-throat society. Now THAT was base and childish. A crab mentality, a 'more is better' mentality.
Her father continued his analysis- "This misled empathy is the cause of your delusion. You could be so much... Better, Penelope. But how could you compete in our politics when you're distracted by such encumbering and trifling matters such as status of these beasts?". Penelope grew ever impatient, hearing words she already anticipated compounded her frustrations. They were at the same impasse they always arrived at.
A difference in values, just wait until he heard what she thought of actual animals and how she thought even humans treatment of them in the farms as wrong. How did Penelope have such a powerful and innate sense of justice they lacked? To not even question how to improve their status while preserving their own? Her fathers rambling speech faded into the background as a murmur and her thoughts swam through her head.
Amaraya told her not to compare herself to her family, and to not hate them for it either. He advised to carefully use their familial connection as a shield to build a coalition to then steal away to an unmarked land far from here. To smuggle small amounts of humans and sympathizers to start again. After all- it was the environment that molded her families domain to be this way, -the history. You can't use hate to defuse hateful individuals. They're ignorant and stuck in their ways, too wary of vengeance from humans to change. Too validated in that fear. Vampires had to conduct themselves in such a way to survive long ago and now that times were mostly peaceful, they had trouble changing.
He told her histories that Penelope had not heard about periods of time where humans were dominate. Where vampires hid in the dark sewers beneath their cities eating rats as if that could sustain their hunger. But beast blood was only a placebo for the real thing if that. Penelope was born earlier than most of her siblings, and kept from conflicts as it was. She hadn't seen how dangerous humans were. How numerous and lethal their campaigns were. They were pitiable only recently in the past few centuries. It was easy to say they deserved agency now, but when they actually have that agency is another matter entirely. And yet Penelope hoped for a kinder world, one that she could spend an eternity in.
Even if the humans opinion of vampires wouldn't change, that their hatred would still remain. They objectively would use their new found freedom in an assault against vampires in retaliation. Their leaders wouldn't be satisfied until they were immortal themselves, oppressing what was once their people. Amaraya tempered her views and told her to be wary of simple idealistic solutions, to look down on the passionate feelings of her youth. It took more than simply removing the shackles humans had. It would only reverse their roles in society. To make a better system, she would have to start somewhere new and have that philosophy and culture spread. That was the plan he had instilled on her before disappearing years ago. Her father had noticed the far off stare Penelope had and snapped his fingers a few times while learning into her stare.
"We can no longer turn a blind eye to your behavior, child. We have to react to this. You've killed many of our kindred- your brothers progeny. You're my daughter and that warrants special treatment... But you've gone too far. These humans spread knowledge our weaknesses to lands beyond." he said, disappointingly. Penelope's mother usually spoke often in these hearings, and her silence wasn't a good sign. Her eyes seemed as though she had steeled herself on a specific decision already. "Not to mention how you've acted out prior to this, it's building a rather unappealing image for our family. You made us look weak, this is becoming dangerous.".
Penelope clears her throat, confidently, stifling rage. She shakes her head, giving herself a moment to slow her breathing. "but you ARE weak." which causes a stir among her siblings. Many simply rolled their eyes. Some scoffed before telling her how easily they'd defeat her and others started to recant her charities as if they were shameful. Often times the simplest response can be the hardest hitting in a room full of people so long lived.
How could Penelope ever think she was anything but inferior to the royal beings literally positioned above her? Penelope speaks over her siblings rumblings; "You deserve no power, you have no control over your impulses like 'beasts'." Penelope calmly explains. Her father simply nodded along expectantly. "So you believe the beasts more capable?", "-Yes, I'd replace you with them in a heartbeat. For your own good as anyone elses. They understand loss, they understand sacrifice.".
The courts murmuring continues amongst themselves, some again scolded her from the pews. Telling her things like sacrifice is for the weak. Her father raises a hand to silence the room. "Let her speak, it's a rare occasion to hear your sister speak so frankly. So often she bores us with apologetic criticism...", he says. She might as well push them further and dig the hole deeper. Cut the chord and make her new relationship with her family official. She would bet on her relationships to salvage the situation and take this as a sign to set her plans into motion. There was no escaping, she realized, and the people that believed in her were capable. More importantly they were driven. Now, she only wanted to make her will known. Before a statue of her goddess to which she still had some sort of genuine belief in. "Please, daughter, what is your point? Do you truly believe the humans would be any different? Do you have any evidence of this?".
Penelope had experience, but no evidence. No historical examples of some benevolent human society. But human leaders arisen more naturally, they weren't simply gifted power by circumstance alone like Vampires are. They were closer to the natural world, and vampires gradually drained the life around them. At least one day humans would return that gift.
Memories of a lone wolf flashed through her mind, when he called his family they answered happily. As unintelligent as wolves are, he led well. Because his leadership had merit besides power alone. They would wag their tails happily as they greeted him. He cared for them genuinely and that had impact over time. Penelope desired a leader like that. She speaks partly through her teeth at times while scanning her family; "You live so arrogantly, exerting control over anything and everything because of your own fears. That's what it takes for YOU to feel safe, father. Who is the one with such a high opinion of humans? Me, or you."
"I control what I do because it's beneficial to everyone, not out of fear. Including the humans, you know how they reproduce. It's for their own good, they sap life from the woods and rivers otherwise. It's good that they have some use to us. Is a Shepard not responsible for his flock? It's not solely one-sided." he says dismissively. "Tell that to the humans you keep comparing to barn animals." Penelope says quick as a whip. Before her father could respond Penelope looks up with flaming violet eyes- "If you knew what was good for you... you'd end me now." she says seething, forcing herself to stand up. She tired of this conversation and now that her intents were stated. It was up to her people now. Maybe they'd create that society somewhere far away. Her brother Aster had cringed in annoyance. Likely insulted by the fact that Penelope took herself so seriously; "Ugh, yes please, just kill her father and be done with it.", Penelope's sibling had his blonde hair swept to one side like her fathers wearing red regal clothing with gold tassels. He was the one who led the royal guard, red eyes and cold apathetic stare. "She is so unsightly, to think we share an origin.".
Another one of her siblings, one of the very few with a sympathetic look reacted by looking between Penelope and Aster. A mix of worry and anger. Out of dozens, Persephone, with her cyan colored eyes, she was one of the minority of dozens that had a genuine concern for Penelope. Penelope looked at her sternly, and tried to communicate what she could with her eyes. She told Persephone before behind closed doors that it would be better to not try and aid her in situations like these. To help her would be to preserve her cause.
When she is caught, Penelope likes to push her allies far away from her by any means. She had a degree of diplomatic immunity unlike her human allies. Which wouldn't benefit Persephone, but her image wasn't as tarnished as Penelopes. She still operated in the shadows, she didn't even know the word 'Proletariat'. So she would be safe with her family. She chose to be ignorant on many subjects and Penelope didn't try to convince her to be otherwise. Persephone found a careful balance to maintain with the family, and was likely a net good for the humans in their care. Unlike Penelope who routinely found herself in this situation for her passions. Still, Persephone seemed like she may try something reckless which was unlike her.
Her father ponders for a moment, likely considering her punishment. Penelope was going to speak again, try to dig her hole a bit deeper but he manages to speak first. "No, killing a Dreadlord defeats the purpose of our promise. How could our progeny delight in immortality when it's so circumstantial? It would lighten the weight of our gift. Besides, we love our dear Penelope." He puts a hand on his wives which sat on her armrest. "But...." He considers for a moment longer. Then Penelopes' mother leans and whispers in his ear for awhile. So softly even vampire ears couldn't pick it up from a distance. His face goes grave and he looks back at her for a moment, but Penelope's mother only nods. He narrows his golden eyes with cat like slits and speaks; "My daughter, please accept your punishment as the loving act that it is. Someday you will recall this moment fondly, when your father helped you see reason. Penelope, you're to be confined to a sepulcher until further notice." he says finally, closing his eyes.
Persephone's eyes go wide and she looks towards her father. "Father... Please- Be merciful, leave her to my charge, I can-" But Penelope interrupts her; "No! Kill me- fool!" Penelope shouts but her father simply waves gently towards the door. Guards eventually appear marching confidently into the room, carrying a open coffin with chains emerging from holes inside. Penelope's eyes start to burn; "Fucking sycophants! If they do this to me they can do it to any of you!" As the guards begin to undo one of her shackles Penelope grabs them by the bottom of the chin, and a violet sphere appears for a moment around his head like a helmet, he reaches up towards it but then the purplish sphere disappears and reappears across the room. As it fades, it drops a dismembered head onto the ground. The room erupts into furious shouts. Some light applause. Aster laughs, slapping his belly and leaning over. Then he quickly appears beside her and chops her across the face- in a very casual manor. A disgusting crunch followed by Penelope going limp in her chains. Bone visible and blood dripping from her face, they shackle the ragdoll vampire into the coffin and the chains begin to glow gold. The healing flesh over her nose seems to slow.
Her slack limbs are dragged as the chains recede into a hidden compartment of the coffin. Persephone stands up as her eyes flair brighter and the room begins to warp. About to attack Aster no doubt. Her father raises a palm towards her. "Calm yourself! Or perhaps you wish to keep her company..?" Penelope's stirs drunkenly, pleadingly towards Persephone one last time with teary eyes beneath strands of her blood matted hair. Almost as if she could send a message telepathically. Persephone eyes welled with tears but she slowly lowered her arms. Penelope hoped she understood, what she wanted. Persephone would understand. Her torso was heaving rapidly as the guards lift a heavy iron lid inches thick and places it over the coffin. Chains emerge from the sides and wrap tightly before a lock appears in the center.
Her father- Elder Axi'dhal says; "Now, onto the matter of blood distribution in the lower courts-" as her coffin is lifted from the room. Persephone storms out with a couple others following close behind.