Vampires and Slaves (Enter This Realm To Die)

Fidelis

I almost wished his father didn't ask me that, but I had to say something before he found out I was lying. "I found out that his previous captors were discovered by some others and I had the feeling they would come after him, so I had to take him and fake his death to further protect him. I know now that I caused you and your wife pain by faking your son's death, but it was either that or the both of us would've suffered a horrible death. As I told you before, I offer my deepest apologies to you." I kept myself still, not letting any part of my body give me away.

Allan

They study him and I look away, not liking the looks in their eyes.

"Why wasn't this told to us?" My mother asks, crossing her arms.

Fidelis

I knew that question was coming. "I live my life in secrecy for the sake of my own protection, as a promise I made to my father. My father was a gypsy soul in his life, living in the shadows so no one would know his face but the family. Like him, I've lived in the shadows so no one would know my face. I live that way because the family name was known as a family of thieves. My family never steals from anyone. Not even after I was named after an ancestor who acted out of kindness. I could tell you such a story, but it might be a waste of your time, so I'll save myself the effort."

Allan

I look at Fidelis, knowing what he's getting to and knowing that my parents would prod for the story anyway. As if on cue, my mother asks. They sit opposite of us in wait of the tale.

Fidelis

I took a moment to recall my experience. "According to family legend, my ancestor- whose name was Fidelis- was traveling on his own for such a long time, he was starving from his journey. A set of twins found him and took him into their stead so he could recuporate from his long journey. One of the twins wooed him, trying to convince him to stay with her and her brother. She gave Fidelis many gifts in attempt to win his heart, even offered him a slave woman who was with child. Fidelis refused every gift and freed the pregnant slave woman- whose name was Celeste- out of the kindness of his heart. Celeste's master kicked Fidelis out of the house for refusing his sister and freeing his slave. Although Fidelis was fully recovered from his journey that he resumed, he kept on traveling with pride because he gave Celeste her freedom and saved her child from being raised a slave. To this day, the story was passed down from generation to generation as tradition. I was named Fidelis to honor his act of kindness and courage. My family often told me that I look like him, another reason why I was named after him." I waited for a reaction from Allan's father or mother. I already spoke the story and had nothing more to say.

Allan

My father's jaw tightens at the story, studying Fidelis, and I assume he's heard it before. He doesn't like who's telling it though.

"I've heard a similar story," He says, "but the ancestor of mine that told it was deemed insane after the birth of her child. It's myth to me."

Fidelis

I knew I was on the right track, but pretended to be curious. "A similar story? I never knew there was another version of the story. Since you mentioned it, I'd like to hear it. I'm quite known to hear both versions of the same story before judging it. Please, tell me the story the way your ancestor told it. I won't laugh or anything, I swear it."

Allan

My father sits back, crossing his legs and setting both his hands on one knee, and sighs.

"It's mainly the same," He says, "with the exception of the point of view. She told us the horrors of being in such a place, yet having someone who wouldn't dare harm her. She told us of the man who helped her escape and then went on to tell us that our family would be forever grateful and indebted to him."

Fidelis

Deep down, I was overjoyed. Celeste remembered me. She told her descendants about me in hopes of returning the favor for saving her child. I kept my tone calm. "It seems to me that both our family legends are intertwined with each other, myth or otherwise. When you speak of horrors that your ancestor mentioned, did you mean something specific? Don't take me as someone to pry. I'm just curious, that's all."

Allan

My father seems to think about it for a while before shaking his head.

"No, I cannot remember the specifics," He says, "My own father would have a better recollection."

Fidelis

I didn't push my luck or Allan's father. I was already walking a rather thin wire as it is. If I pushed him, I might cause suspicions that I didn't want to cause. "That's understandable. If you can't remember the specifics, then you don't have to try."
Silver ran in and pulled me to her bathroom by the arm.
After she shut the door, I hissed snake-like at her. "What's the big idea with you, Silver? I thought you said you weren't getting involved."
Silver struggled to catch her breath. "The Bloodlust Twins are here. They're still after Allan, but this time they're not gonna take no for an answer. I overheard them say that they'll take Allan from you even if they have to kill you first."
I gasped. Kill me? They weren't called the Bloodlust Twins for nothing. "What am I going to do? They know where I live and where you live. Where am I going to hide now?"
Silver sighed. "They don't know where Allan lives, but I think that's suicide on account of you being a vampire."
I sighed myself. "But I don't have much of a choice in the matter, do I? If I stay here, the Bloodlust Twins will kill me in front of Allan. I have to escape with him and his parents. It's either that or I'm six feet under the ground." I returned to the kitchen. "Silver just told me that there's trouble upstairs and I'm afraid it might involve me."

Allan

Silver comes out of nowhere and sweeps Fidelis out of the room. I sit up, wondering what the fuss is about, but stay put. I don't dare look at my parents, afraid they might try and talk with me.

Fidelis returns after a while, solemn looking.

"Silver just told me that there's trouble upstairs and I'm afraid it might involve me." He says.

I have the slightest idea of what it might be..

"So what are you saying?" My father asks, "You wish us to leave?"

Fidelis

I shook my head. "Not exactly. I'm in some kind of trouble that threatens the lives of others around me, which might be difficult to explain without being too involved."
Sheila's voice was heard from the ceiling. "Where is he?! Where is he?! The Pharaoh can't hide that boy forever!"
Carlos' voice boomed more than Sheila's. "He can't get too far! Vampires everywhere knows his face! He's got nowhere to hide!"
I clenched my fists. "That cracks it. If they won't leave me alone by order of the Queen, then I'm forced to take matters into my own hands." I turned around. "Silver, report to the Queen and tell her I accept her offer. On the condition that I stay in the residence of my choosing and take care of some old business while it's still boiling over."
Silver swallowed. "Have you lost your mind? They'll stake you in a heartbeat."
I took a couple skewers from the cupboard. "Not if I stake them first. I'm not putting three people into big trouble on my account. It's time to finish what I started. They're mad at me because of my act of humanity. It's time I do what I should've done long ago." I went out the door, shut the door, and broke the knob so none of them would get in the line of fire. "I'm sorry, Allan. Look after him for me, Silver." Without another word, I went to battle.

Allan

The twins shout from outside and Fidelis takes action, grabbing a few stakes and heading to the door. He grips the doorknob and looks back at me.

"I'm sorry, Allan. Look after him for me, Silver." He says, before rushing out and shutting the door behind him, something happening to the other side of the door as he does.

I stand there, frozen, and try to process everything. He's going to be King... He's gonna kill himself out there! I can't bring myself to walk to the door like I want, knowing already there's no hope in trying to open it, and end up having to sit back down. Swallowing, I close my eyes and try to clear my mind, my heart racing.

Fidelis

I went to my apartment and saw the Bloodlust Twins in the living room. I clutched the skewers tightly. "This ends here and now, leeches. I started this fight, yes, but I had a good reason to do it."
Carlos growled deeply. "That woman with child was my slave. You had no right to free her."
I growled in return. "Don't think I don't know what you do to infants. I saw you kill a newborn in front of his parents. I didn't want Celeste to lose her baby the same way, so I had to free her from losing her baby the minute it was born. Because of my act of humanity and kindness, I saved not just Celeste's baby, but also her descendants. Her family owes me their lives and this is where I protect the family I saved." I launched at Carlos and staked him with the skewer, killing him instantly. Sheila slashed at me with her nails, but I stopped her from finishing me. "I never liked you, not one bit even after I saw you murder such an innocent life. A baby is the most greatest embodiment of innocence. Kill a baby, you're killing a long line of descendants. I gave Celeste a chance to live free and she took it. By the gods, I'm proud enough to say that I saved a family from never being born at all."
Sheila snarled. "You'll never win, Pharaoh! It ends with you!"
I hissed snake-like. "It ends with you, Sheila! For the mortal and her descendants that I saved!" With a grunt, I staked Sheila and watched both her and Carlos become ashes. I checked my own wounds. Claw-like slashes on my arms and four more on my back, but none were fatal. I managed back to Silver's door and painfully pushed the door off its hinges. The battle between me and the Bloodlust Twins was over. I suffered some wounds, but won with pride.