1,000 years ago…

Rainfall beats ferociously against the stone of the great citadel. The rivers rage as they course through the land. The winds howl and lighting propels itself out of the clouds followed by the loud boom of thunder.

On horseback ride six strangers, women, hidden beneath their cloaks. The horses whine at the loud boom of the thunderclaps.

They reach the gates of the citadel and greeted by heavily armored guards. One of them the six women comes down from her horse to meet with the guards. The heavy wind blows her cloak in every which way, prompting her to clench the cloak in her fist.

“Who goes there? What is your business here?”

“I am Ursula Hollowspirit of the Arcane Order of Exi, I am here on business with Mina Alucard Wiseblood.”

The two guards look at each other, “What business would she have with witches?”

“Spare us your ignorance, we are under no obligation to explain ourselves to the likes of you.” One of the cloaked women exclaims.

“You must excuse forgive her, as you can see, we’ve come a long way and this rain isn’t making it easier on any of us. If you must, you can confirm with Mina herself.”

“Let them pass.” A voice announces from behind the guards.

The two guards let them pass, the six women pass through and follow the voice into the citadel. Entering the citadel, they are met with an audience. Members of the five covenants.

“What is your business witch.” One of the members says bitterly.

“We are here because there have been reports on sightings. You are losing control over your people.”

“We are miles away from any human settlement. Every vampire in all covenants know the rules.” Says woman, her gentle voice echoes throughout the room. Her name is Merida Tepes, leader of the Tepes covenant.

“If you do not control your vermin, we will be forced to take matters into our own hands.” One of the other women announces, her name is Annis Noir. She was once known as Black Annis. A witch cursed with demon magic who was once responsible for the murder of over a hundred children.

“Remember where you are and you’re speaking to.” Mina interjects. “This is the citadel of Astraeus, our home, and you will show us some respect.”

“Mina, please, we mean no disrespect.” Ursula says humbly.

“Then explain these sightings further to me before I throw you all out.”

“Humans are fragile and superstitious beings; they do not know our world and our existence. And if you are to remain hidden in their world then these incidents must be rectified.”

“Ursula, you know me to be a person of honor and truth, don’t you think if I were aware of these sightings, I’d put a stop to them? I have no intention in exposing our existence to the humans.”

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“Yes, I do know you, which is why I came along to prove to them wrong.”

Black Annis scoffs, “These sentiments you have for these immortals will be your downfall.”

“I agree with Annis” Another of the six agree, her name is Pasiphae Crete. “Since Asha’s reign you have constantly protected them, given them the benefit of the doubt. They are a threat, and the balance must be kept.”

Ursula ignores Pasiphae, “Mina, all we ask is that you heed our words.”

“I have heard your words Ursula and I give you mine that this matter will be investigated and put to rest.”

“Thank you.” Ursula bows.

Annis growls, her voice becomes deep and monstrous, “Your time will come, Wiseblood. I didn’t fear Asha and I don’t fear you. Mark my words.”

In the blink of an eye Mina appears in front of Annis, her hand wrapped around her neck. Mina slowly lifts the Annis, tightening her grip. Mina’s eyes glow crimson red. “If you wish I can give you a reason to fear me. Remember who and what I am, witch. If I wish to do so I can kill you and send you straight to hell.”

Annis whimpers in pain from Mina’s tightening grip. Mina relishes seeing Annis squirm in her tight grip. She can smell the fear on her.

“Mina, stop.” Ursula commands.

Mina lets Annis go; she falls to the ground gasping for air. She rubs her sore neck and slither back to the others behind her.

“Go.” Mina commands. She looks at Annis, “Defy me again and I assure you, no one here will be able to stop me from tearing you into pieces, accursed filth.”

Mina turns her attention to her fellow coven leaders. They sit in their thrones spread across the large room. Merida Tepes has an expression of concern on her face.

Mina notices and frowns, “Something on your mind my dear friend?”

Merida sighs, “Are you sure that was wise?”

“You just can’t learn to be subtle, can’t you?” remarks Annika Hellcard. “Such arrogance.” She scoffs.

Mina scowls at Annika’s remark. “I suppose I should’ve let you handle it?”

“No, but I expect Asha’s successor to handle these situations a little more professionally.”

The silence becomes deafening with tensions high. Mina doesn’t like to be told what she should or should not have done. It’s her pride as a leader and as a true vampire. It infuriates Mina that in any time any of them could’ve stepped in but instead they sat in silence. The one to raise her voice was Ursula. Mina didn’t release Annis from her grip because of Ursula’s command rather because Mina respects Ursula.

In the mind of a leader, respect is highest priority. Another thing that infuriates Mina is that of all people, Annika Hellcard is right. She could have handled the situation a little more professionally. But Mina can’t stand to be threatened, not by a mere witch who in her heyday was nothing but a twisted child killer.

The true threat wasn’t Black Annis, it was the one called Pasiphae Crete. Ursula Hollowspirit is wise and reasonable, having been deemed trustworthy by Asha Alucard Wiseblood herself. But is merely a druid descended from a long line of druids. Pasiphae Crete is a demigod, claiming to be the daughter of the sun god, Helios.

Her magic is based around fire. Ursula is constantly weary of her due to her contempt for vampires. Contempt she is more than willing to express to the vampires themselves. Pasiphae Crete is not a force to be reckon with, her claims may be questionable but it’s her inquisitive nature that makes her truly dangerous.

“If these sightings are true, what would you have us do?” asks Lucian Morrow. “I think those wretched women were lying. They seemed a bit too suspicious.”

“If what they say is correct then we properly punish those who disobeyed the rules set by Asha herself. The rules are ironclad, not even we are exempt from them.”

“Remind me why we keep them around?”

“We are immortals whose existence depends on the blood of humans; our existence overrides the natural order. Don’t you think it’s only natural we are kept in check?”

“But why them? At any moment they can expose us. Why should we keep trusting them?”

“It’s not a matter of trust Lucian, it’s a matter of principle. We keep ourselves separate from the rest of the world and they act as a barrier. Of course, I’m not opposed to using force against them if the occasion arose.”

Lucian silently contemplates. He doesn’t agree with Mina’s way of leadership. Lucian is a conspiracist and paranoid. He doesn’t trust anyone, especially the witches. Humans are merely food in his eyes. He followed Asha because she gave him hope and security. He doesn’t sense the same in Mina.

In her he sees arrogance, recklessness, and hubris.

……

“Foolish, impudent woman. She will pay.” Annis says in rage. “Those immortals are nothing but a plague on this world.”

“Calm down. You act as if the world has been set ablaze.” Says Ursula, annoyed by Annis’s incessant whining.

“You.” Annis points at Ursula, “If it wasn’t for that godforsaken Treaty of Snakes, I’d rip your head from the rest of your body.”

Ursula scowls, she clenches her fist. The Treaty of Snakes is a contract between the six of them, it prevents them from using violence on one another or betraying one another. Ursula while obedient to the treaty, breaking it would also be a sweet release. Whatever would get her away from this pompous group of women.

“Save your breathe Annis, this is all merely temporary.” Her eyes tell Annis a different message. Annis calms herself. “Remember we didn’t come together because we like each other. We came together to make sure the immortals don’t turn to the world in a river of blood.” Interjects Pasiphae Crete.

“Kono sekai ni wa eien ni sonzai suru mono wa arimasen.” (Nothing is forever in this world) Speaks one of the other women, one set apart from the rest. A Japanese woman, Tsunade. “These Kyūketsuki will one day reap what they sow.”

A mischievous grin spread across the face of one of the other women, Marzanna Atropa. “And so, they shall.” She says beneath her breathe.

“We must go.” A soft voice says behind Marzanna, the voice of Medea Idyia, distant relative to Pasiphae Crete.