A future in sunlight

Lord Adrasiel Akasha was a very tall vampiric man. His long flowing cloak concealed a muscular figure that was still evident even under his old fashion suit. His dark black hair was as long as his cloak, flowing behind him. The man known as the Night Terror stood cross armed across where I was sitting. His eyes were redder than any other vampire I'd ever seen. Deep crimson, almost like blazing flames. Like hell itself lied within them.

“Father!” Akasha’s eyes softened instantly as Alisa lunged for him. He laughed, embracing her in a big hug.

“Ah, Morning Darling.” His voice was deep, filled with love. “It’s been too long.”

“Geez father. It’s only been two months.” She laughed.

“Much too long for me.” He chuckled.

“My lord.” Emma prostrated herself before him. “Forgive me. I was insufficient.”

“My daughter is alive. That is all that matters.” He said, gesturing for her to rise. “Besides, this wasn’t your blunder.”

The main island security forces had shown up to help clean up the Roa demons. A few vampires, dressed in black suits, helped as well; no doubt arriving with Lord Akasha.

“Vanderstark.” The vampire lord’s voice boomed as he summoned me over. “Your house head assured me you would keep her safe. Seems she was wrong.”

“This isn’t Ray’s fault, father.” Alisa protested. “He did his best. And he did protect me.”

Lord Akasha gave her soft look, before returning his smoldering gaze towards me.

“Truth of the matter, if you were a member of my court, I'd have you killed.” he took a step forward. I felt my heart drop.

A great sword suddenly slammed between it. It was the Dawn Breaker, the Vanderstark artifact. But why was it? Only a moment later, I found out why. My mother landed in front of me, dressed in a dark gray overcoat, the Vanderstark symbol embroiled on the back facing towards me. She turned her head towards me and winked.

“Julia Vanderstark.” Akasha said with a sense of expectation.

“Lord Akasha.” My mother greeted in return.

“Your boy has failed both of us, it seems.” He waved his hand.

“She’s alive, isn’t she?” mother pointed out. “Besides, didn’t this all happen because a member of your court turned against you?”

He growled. Mother crossed her arms.

“Wanna go?” She gestured with her thumb. “Been a while since I fought a vampire, with the treaty and all that. I might not be the same as pops, but I can give you a run for your money.”

“That man was the only one worthy of fighting me on equal footing. Not even you can match him.” Akasha replied. “But we will not be fighting today. This was an act of civil war. I have much work to do clearing out my court. Come along Alisa.” He gestured.

“Come along?” Alisa asked, confused. “But school…”

We all turned towards the building as a good portion of it suddenly collapsed.

“It doesn't matter. We are returning to the empire. Letting you come here was a mistake.” He said.

“What?” Alisa gasped in shock.

“You can’t do that. The treaty states…” Julia began.

“That treaty was for human benefit, not mine.” Akasha said.

“Wait, she’ll be back, right?” I protested, limping forward.

“No. She will not.” Akasha growled.

Alisa and I looked at each other. Was this really goodbye?

“Wait, this was my fault. You’re right. I’ve been slacking on my training and I let my guard down. It won’t happen again.” I stammered.

“No father. It was my fault. I’m a royal vampire, and I let myself get captured like that. It wasn’t…” Alisa protested.

“Silence!” His voice echoed across the sky. Even the distant security forces and vampires turned to look at us. “I am the Night. What I say is final.” He walked over grabbing Alisa’s arm and dragging her towards the dragon.

“No.” Alisa stopped.

“What?” He turned, shocked by the defiance.

“Im not leaving!” She broke his grip. “There’s something I have to do.”

“Right.” I strode forward, grabbing Alisa’s hand. “There’s something we have to do.”

“What is this?” Akasha shook his head in disbelief. “What have you… What have you done to my daughter?!”

“Huh?” I let out, confused.

“A blood oath, my lord.” Emma bowed.

“With a VANDERSTARK?!” He reeled, bucking at the knees.

“What did I do?” I turned towards Alisa. Her face was deep red.

“A vampiric blood oath…” My mother began to explain, walking towards us. “Is a very special thing for a vampire, especially a royal vampire.” She put her arm on my shoulder. “Ray you dog. You really are my son.”

“Seriously what did I do?” I asked again.

“We’re going to make the world a better place! The two of us!” Alisa yelled, ignoring my confusion.

Akasha nearly fell over, only for Emma to catch her.

“Seriously, can someone explain what I did?! I just gave her some blood to power her up, why is everyone freaking out?!” I waved.

“It means you two are basically married.” My mother laughed. “Congratulations.”

“Huh?” I gasped.

Alisa had split off from me and was talking to her father. He seemed hysterical. I sat on the edge of a broken pillar, my mother leaning against it, cross armed.

“What happens now?” I asked her.

“Well, this is already one hell of an international incident, but we should be able to resolve this peacefully.” Mother explained. “Regardless of what happens, the little princess over there is key to it.”

“I see.” I nodded.

“What did she mean back there, about changing the world?” Mother asked.

“Oh. I agreed to go to college with her, and help her build a more peaceful world between demi-humans and humans.” I explained.

“Oh really? That’s all? Going to end world hunger too?” She teased.

I shot her a look. She laughed at me.

“No, I'm just kidding. I’m glad. I was a little worried about you, you know. You were kinda just drifting through life. I kinda forced this assignment on you to hopefully get you moving, and it looks like it worked.” She said.

“Don’t act like a mother now. You had no idea it would work out like this.” I explained.

Alisa still seemed to be arguing with her father. Dawn was coming soon, the faintest glows of orange teasing the edge of the horizon.

“I’m sorry Ray.” Mother apologized, with just the faintest hint of sorrow behind her words.

“I…” I stuttered. There was nothing I really could say. It was an issue for another day.

Alisa and Akasha walked towards us, Emma trailing behind.

“Worked it out?” Mother asked.

“I have conditions.” Akasha said. He turned to me and gave me a hateful look. I waved my hand in apology.

“Go on.” Mother waved.

“Most of them I will take up with the International Council.” He explained, “but here are the pressing ones. Boy.” He turned to me. “I won’t forgive you for establishing a blood oath with my daughter, but she spoke highly of you.”

“Father…” Alisa blushed, punching his arm.

“You must return to the Vanderstark household in full and complete your training.” He ordered. “I need you to support her through her goals as a stalwart champion.”

“I…” I looked to my mother, and then Alisa. “Very well.” I nodded.

“Julia Vanderstark. My daughter will remain here, as the treaty dictates.” He explained. “The matter of the blood oath we must discuss later. It is paramount to the peace of this world that no one knows of it.” He turned to me again.

“Right.” I nodded.

“The Akasha Empire will pay for the school repairs. I will be returning there shortly.” He said, turning away.

“Thank you father.” Alisa hugged him from behind.

“Come on lord. Let’s discuss some of the finer details.” Mother said, walking away with him, leaving Emma and Alisa with me.

We looked at each other, both collectively let out a breath after the whole ordeal. And then we laughed.

“So um, about the blood oath…” I chuckled.

“Yeah…” She nodded. “Uh, don’t worry about it too much. It’s more of a traditionalist mindset to care about that kind of stuff anyway… Like I'm not saying I'm the type of girl to make blood oaths with any guy I meet…”

“That’s not possible.” Emma interrupted. “The blood oath is love written in blood.”

“Ahem. thank you Emma.” Alisa coughed,turning beet red, before taking a step closer to me. “Will you keep serving me, Ray?”

“Of course.” I smiled. “We’re in this for the long run. I’ll support your dream, no matter what.”

We watched the sun rise on the horizon. Our future was looking rough, but at least we had each other moving forward. I embraced her hand in mine, as we looked forward to facing it together.