Awakening
Chapter 1
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Chapter 1
K
A dream,
I think. My chest felt tight, my head
was spinning. I couldn’t breathe,
couldn’t see. Everything was dark,
cold. My eyes snapped open and I gasped
for breath. My head ached, my mouth,
dry. The bangs of my chin length white-blonde
hair stuck to my face, the perfect layers were gnarled with sleep.
ground. Brushing a hand through my hair
to get it out of my face, I looked around.
at the unfamiliar surroundings.
forest. The trees tapered out towards a
large mansion. Slowly I got to my feet,
attempting to discern my location.
Night was falling, the world would soon be basked in darkness and I had
no shelter from the elements.
walking towards the mansion.
lion’s head held the knocker in it’s mouth.
Slowly I raised my hand to grasp the heavy metal ring.
door swung open on well-oiled hinges. I
blinked hard and looked inside.
causing a shiver to run up my spine. I
didn’t want to go inside without an invitation, it wasn’t proper.
night. Hastily I stepped inside, the
door slammed shut behind me. I was
engulfed in darkness, blind. The room
was suddenly illuminated by the dim flickering light of a series of torches,
odd since technology was far more advanced than that.yes\"> The sound of creaking bones made me jump.
whirled and grab the door handle. I
pulled and pulled but the door didn’t budge.
The sound of bone against cloth sounded by my ear.
able to move again. I whirled back
around to see a young man standing there.
Black hair was tied away from his pale face.yes\"> A pair of glittering deep brown, almost black, eyes gazed at
me. He looked young, no more then
twenty but no less then seventeen.
There was something in his eyes that made me think he was older, far
older, then he appeared.
careful. I’m Seiyoku.” As he spoke I
felt a sudden wave of nausea slide over me.
I doubled over and fell to my knees.
With a groan I closed my eyes, “Hey!
Are you alright?” Seiyoku asked in alarm.
confined, lost. Where was I?
beside me. He had laid me on my back
and covered me with a thin blanket.
were dying, your pulse was almost gone.” He said calmly.
asked softly, I needed to know.
“That’s what this area is, Ankoku. I
have a question for you, what are you doing here?yes\"> It isn’t safe.”
said wa sia sigh, “Oh, by the way, I’m Koshi.” His eyes grew wide at the sound
of my name, “What’s wrong Seiyoku?”
Koshi, it’s nothing.”
are you…?” I started but he held a finger to my lips.
if he didn’t want to let me go, “Would you like to help me Koshi?”
curiosity won out, “With what?”
getting up?”
my feet, “Does that answer your question?”
we began to walk through the ancient halls.
the great wars, about seven hundred years ago.
Since then it has been home only to the undead.” He walked with a
purpose, seemed to know where he was going.
attempting to discern where he had heard my name.
to figure out why I reacted the way I did when I heard your name.”
get your answer.” He said cryptically.
and I let out a low groan, “What’s wrong with me?”
bit.” Seiyoku said calmly.
breaths. After a few minutes it
subsided and I stood up. We continued
on in silence. As we went up a flight
of marble stairs I was greeted with yet another bout of nausea.
softly, doubling over as the desire to hurl bubbled up from inside.
it’s alright.” He explained, “Just rest here, I’ll be right back.” With that he
continued on.
sitting on the stairs. What was wrong
with me? We had not run into anyone
either, no undead, nothing. It was odd,
just like my strange sickness. Finally
he returned.
down at me.
my feet.
an ancient door, “Come on Koshi.” He said, taking my arm and opening the door.
hurt. I let out a cry of pain and
collapsed against Seiyoku. He sat me
down in a large armchair. A strange
sensation came over me as I looked at him, I felt like I knew him, like I had
met him before. Gently he ran his
fingers through my hair.
stop.” I whimpered.
close to mine, “You’re changing, just relax.” He said, his voice soothing, then
realized he had let something slip.
soft kiss upon my lips. His touch sent
a chill through my body, a feeling of remembrance.yes\"> When he pulled away the pain subsided.1\'> “You’re not who you say you are, are you?” I asked softly.
am, I am Seiyoku.” He sighed, “You were in a lot of pain.” He shuddered
slightly.
pain?” He nodded, “How did you?”
keep going.” His words and tone left no room for protest.
keep going.”
throwing me over his shoulder, “We have to and don’t ask me to explain because
I won’t.” He said, carrying me through the room.
I asked, my head began to spin.
asking questions.” He ordered calmly.
me and I let out a scream. He flinched
but kept going. Images flowed through
my mind, painting pictures of times long forgotten.yes\"> Seiyoku was there, a comfort in all things, a constant.
image, a very familiar one. My parents,
well, adopted parents. How old was I
when they took me in? When was it?
the image of my adopted parents faded into the background.
Blood, my world became drenched in blood.yes\"> I shook my head, trying to find an escape, a safe harbor, there
was none.
Seiyoku. Slowly I complied, “Good,
here, drink this.” He ordered, holding a glass to my lips.
the liquid that touched my tongue had a faintly familiar taste to it.
was soft and soothing, driving all thoughts about figuring out what I was
drinking from my mind. When the glass
was empty he pulled it away, “Rest now, just rest, that’s what you need.” He
whispered, brushing a hand through my hair.
what that substance was, blood. I sat
up, finding myself in a warm bed, but that didn’t matter, I suddenly felt sick,
“No.” I let out a low groan.
won’t be happy, I’m trying to make you a little more comfortable.” He ordered,
pressing me back down.
make me drink that?”
remember? I thought you would have
remembered everything by now.” He shrugged, “It will take time then.”
back and trying to forget what I had drank.
know when you’re ready.” He smiled, “Patience Koshi, be patient.
understanding everything now, that isn’t what’s important, what’s important is
your health.”
made me drink blood.” I demanded and as that demand passed my lips a sharp
burst of pain shot through my head.
Koshi, be patient.” His tone had become slightly different, his
mannerisms. He didn’t behave as though
he was talking to someone he had just met, rather someone he had known for a
long time, “Drink.” He held another glass to my lips.
as I say, the old Koshi knows that even if you don’t yet.”
pain and I could no longer object to the cool liquid he held to my lips.
now. I knew why he was giving me blood,
I knew what had happened fifteen years before, and I knew what I was, and for
some reason, it didn’t scare me. That
knowledge was precious; I didn’t want to lose it again.
something else for me to drink, “I remember.”
happened and why I’m feeding you blood.”
especially what exactly happened fifteen years ago, but I remember.”
years ago a group of humans came here.
I was out and you were sick at the time.yes\"> They took you from me.
When I found out I went looking for them.yes\"> I fouothiothing. While I
was out our home had been taken over by a demon, some lower class undead
summoned him. It has not been an easy
fifteen years without my favorite pet.” He laughed.
anything about being a pet, “What?”
remember that, do you?” I shook my head, “You belong to me, I am the master of
this house. All undead here belong to
me and you, even though you and I are the same, are no exception.” He brushed a
hand over my che“You“You are mine Koshi, don’t forget that.”
said softly.
summoned you. I knew the humans
couldn’t keep your memory sealed forever and the minute it began to crack I
found you before they could figure out what was going on.
way you are, foolish mortals.”
stomach overcame me, “Seiyoku!” I cried, “Please.” My voice had become nothing
more then a whimper.
subside. In it’s wake I was left with a
feeling of emptiness. I let out a groan
as he pulled away, “Koshi, is that better?”
empty, so alone.” I sobbed.
his arms around me, that feeling dissipated as he gently held me, “You, my
little vampire, are a creature of sensation.
You’ve never liked being alone and after you met me you never wanted to
be without me.” He explained calmly.
it? Even before the great wars.” I
asked, feeling safe and warm in the comfort of his arms.
after, I did after all take it upon myself to make you what you are today.
battlefield my creatures had left while protecting my home.
only received one of those two things.” He sighed, “And to think, I never once
mistreated the humans nearby. War makes
people do the strangest things.” He paused, “You fought me at first but quickly
realized that it was better to be with me than against me.” uddeuddered,
remembering the punishment for disobedience, “You remember then?”
and my hands closed around his shoulders, would have grabbed cloth if there had
been cloth to grab.
I awakened but as I did I realized that he was half naked and I was fully
disrobed. I gasped and pulled away, the
modesty I had been taught living as a human was getting the better of me.
modest Koshi, you used to run around like this, especially in the summer.” He
grabbed the blanket and pulled it down to my waist before taking me back against
him, “You’ll get used to it again. Just
give it time.”
was ok with being naked in front of him or not, “Why did the door open for me
and why did that skeleton lay a hand on my shoulder?” I asked after a moment of
silence.
it to and the skeleton, well, he knew who you were.yes\"> A pity that he had to be destroyed, oh well, he can be rebuilt,
it’s not difficult.” Seiyoku hugged me tight and kissed the top of my
head. Suddenly he looked up, his eyes
narrowed to slits, “Damn.” He growled, “Why won’t mortals just go away?”
with me, I won’t leave you here by yourself.” I blushed, “What?
undressed you? You certainly didn’t do
it yourself.” He laughed, “Come on, I’ll get you something to cover up with.”
He said, getting to his feet and going to a large armoire.
embroidered with blood-red designs, “Here.” He said as I got out of bed.
soft against my skin, “Thank you.” I said softly.
look absolutely beautiful Koshi.” He said softly.yes\"> My blush deepened and he laughed, “Don’t be so modest Koshi,
come, let’s go.” He said, walking to the door.
what happens when you disobey was fresh in my mind, the memories of my initial
life with him were in the forefront. I
had to use the banister for support as we made our way downstairs.
main room greeted me. In my father’s
hand was a sword and the undead surrounded them, not attacking, merely keeping
them back.
Seiyokukeepkeep myself up, but that didn’t stop him from speaking, “Why have
you come back and how did you get here so quickly?” He spat, “Answer me human.”
vampire. Koshi, don’t believe a word he
says.” He shouted, looking at me.
to me?” I asked, looking at them, “What did you do?”
mean? We didn’t do anything Koshi.”
returned, at least to a certain extent.” I growled.
questions and nothing else.” Seiyoku said calmly, “Now tell me why you have
come here and how you got here so quickly.” He demanded.
mother said softly, “We knew and we began making our way here last week.
hoped that we could get here before you did anything to him.
him.”
but Seiyoku shook his head and I stayed back, “No, he is mine, just as he has
been since I created him. You are not
in your right mind if you think that I will give him to you.” He ran his
fingabseabsently through my hair, “I should kill you now.
make you like them, loyal.” He looked at me, “But I will not, this is your
final warning, leave. Should you refuse
I will destroy you.”
will kill you vampire and I will take Koshi back from you.”
spinning. I fell to my hands and knees,
“Seiyoku.”
wrist, “Drink.” He said softly, holding the gaping wound to my lips, “Drink
Koshi, you need it, take it.”
don’t.”
around the wrist offered to me. They
lunged towards us but the undead creatures surrounding them held them
back. My father cut into them, trying
to get through the mass of dead flesh. When
they were almost upon us Seiyoku held up a hand and a black blade
appeared. He blocked the downswing of
my father’s blade while I continued to drink.
taking his wrist away and getting to his feet, “I warned you human, leave.” He
brought his sword to bear, “I do not give second chances.”
them go.”
leave Koshi, if they do not I shall have no choice but to destroy them.”
with freshly drank blood.
do not then I will not be responsible for his actions.”
father spat, walking towards the door, my mother went with him.
Koshi, we won’t let him corrupt you.”
me to my feet, “You need rest Koshi, let’s get you back into bed.” Easily he
picked me up and carried me to the stairs, “Do not allow anyone to enter.” He
ordered to the undead that were still standing, “Also take the pieces below.”
softly.
right now you need rest.” He said, removing my robe as he walked upstairs.
hands away, “No, I want to look at you, see if there are any scars I need to
reopen so they can heal properly.” He laughed, “I also want to see what I get
to have once you feel better.” I blushed, “You’re cute when you do that.” I
leaned my head against his chest and crossed my arms.yes\"> We walked into the bedroom, the bed had already been made, and
was cleaned up, “They’re quite efficient, aren’t they?”
blankets. Placing me gently in bed he
covered me up, “Thank you Seiyoku.” I whispered.yes\"> He nodded and I was silent for a moment, a sudden and gnawing
hunger crept up on me, “Seiyoku, I’m hungry.”
years without your food of choice, I’m surprised the hunger didn’t come for you
sooner.” He smiled, “Do you remember what you used to call me?” He asked
softly, I nodded, “I suggest that you do so again, I do not mind you calling me
by my name in personal situations but you need to grow accustomed to calling me
what you used to. In intimate
situations you may call me by my name, just like before.”
heat of his blood pour into my mouth.
He had bit into his tongue, forming a wound for me to drink form.
just more blood but more of him. His
taste, his flavor, I wanted more, I had to have it.yes\"> He gently ran a hand down my face, my neck.
against my warm flesh.
whispered, “Koshi, you do realize that you are mine, don’t you?” I nodded,
“Good. Now, my sweet vampire, I must
leave you here for a little bit, I need to collect something to help refresh
your memory.” He said, walking towards the door, “I trust that you will remain
put, you must still rest for awhile, you are weak.”
softly, “I don’t want to.”
pleased.” I wasn’t exactly sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing, I had
a vague memory of him being pleased but I wasn’t very happy with it, “I’ll be
back.” He said before leaving the room.
“Thank you.” I whispered before the darkness took me.yes\"> I awoke to the feeling of something inside me.
I cried, unable to finish my sentence because of a sharp burst of pleasure.
had my head in his lap and my wrists were gripped tightly in one hand, “This
will help you.”
thing inside me shifted and I was given another jolt of pleasure.
whatever was within me from my body, but Seiyoku’s grip on my wrists prevented
me from doing so, “Be still Koshi, don’t speak.yes\"> If you continue to speak, the thing inside you will continue to
react that way. You don’t need to talk,
you need to remain silent.” He paused, “Soon it won’t feel good at all and I
want you to relax.”
attempting to relax against him. I
willed my muscles to go slack. The
fingers of his free hand ran through my hair and he murmured soothing words in
a language I didn’t understand.
Suddenly the thing inside me moved sharply and I screamed.
through my body. This pain sent a jolt
of memory through me, memories returned to me, long forgotten memories.
feel. I remembered when I got sick and
Seiyoku left to get me medicine. That
was when the humans came. That was when
they took me and stripped me of my memory and my life.
wounds when I got hurt and immediately being chastised for it.
the thing from inside me.
better now as well.” He said, hiding the object from view and running his
fingers through my hair.
better, “Thank you, I do feel better and I remember everything.”
down my neck, my shoulder, “Mmmm, Koshi, tomorrow will you allow me to enjoy
you?” He asked softly, nibbling at my ear.
correctly I have never had a say in it.”
you a say in it quite a bit and right now you have one.
choice in the matter.”
him, “I don’t know yet, I’m still not sure what to think.
the ones they gave me, and the ones that have been returned to me.
fifteen years has been good for me.”
“But you know better sweet one, you know everything you need to, you just need
to realize which set of memories you’re supposed to follow.”
below? I don’t remember that.” I asked,
changing the subject.
you feel up to getting up?”
so.” I laughed.
said, wrapping an arm around my bare shoulders, “Don’t bother getting dressed
either, I won’t let you.”
until he mentioned it, “You had to say something, didn’t you?”
through the halls. We passed no one,
the undead were apparently off doing whatever it was Seiyoku had them
doing. We walked down the stairs and
through the entry hall. I scowled as he
took me to an apparently solid wall.
Running a hand down the center of the wall it slid open and I raised an
eyebrow. He kissed my temple and led me
down a torch-lit stairwell. He took a
torch off the wall as we walked, I soon discovered why.
gone and the only light came from the one in Seiyoku’s hand.
feeling like I was going into a tomb.
are good for the undead, well, the undead that are not preserved like we
are. Especially zombies and the like.”
He explained.
stairs. The large room before us was
lit with torches so that whomever it was that worked here could do so.
spaced intervals. Some had skeletal
remains or pieces of flesh laid out on them.
A gaunt man stood by one of the tables.
He growled softly as he picked up a piece of flesh and tossed it over
his shoulder, obviously unhappy with the texture or feel of it, it landed only
a few feet away from us. Seiyoku put
the torch in an empty bracket.
piece?” Seiyoku asked, picking up the flesh that Shogai had thrown over his
shoulder.
down here master.” He growled, “I need better materials.”
there hasn’t been much to work with as of late.”
the past couple of days, why couldn’t I have them?”
from being alive.” He said, kissing my forehead.
hair falling into his face, “Then Koshi is like you and that must be Koshi.” He
said, looking at me, “I’ve never seen him before, when did you acquire him?”
thought I felt them before. Little
bastards, I didn’t get them then and I didn’t get them this time either.” He
didn’t sound very happy, “It’s a pleasure to meet you Koshi.”
Shogai.”
materials?” He asked, picking up a severed arm and looking it over, “You know,
you vampires re-grow things, maybe you could cut off a limb and give that to
me.”
not going to sever a limb or two just so you can have some fresh material to
work with.” He said with a laugh. Shogai
looked over at me, “No, I won’t sever one of his limbs either.” He stated with
a sigh.
thought. So why have you decided to
grace me with your presence? Did I do
something wrong? Were the undead not up
to your standards?” A flash of panic lit up his face but quickly faded when
Seiyoku laughed.
Koshi wanted to know what below was.”
don’t usually bring people down here.
It makes me wonder if you just keep me down here because I’m a creature
you didn’t have a hand in creating.”
that?” He asked, crossing his arms over his chest and surveying the work before
us.
some form or another. I know you can
create werewolves but you didn’t create me.”
found you near death and brought you here.
You’re alive because of me.” He looked thoughtful for a moment, “Have
you been eating? You still look
malnourished.” He walked over and brushed Shogai’s hair away from his face,
“Hmmm, you haven’t been eating enough.” He said, pulling the dead leg that
Shogai was looking at out of his hand and setting it back on the slab, “Enough
work for today, come on, let’s get you fed.
You smell too, I’ll have a bath prepared for you as well.” He said,
“Let’s go Shogai.” He said, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and pulling a
torch out of a holder.
the stairs. When we reached the empty
bracket where Seiyoku had taken the first torch from he placed the one he was
carrying in it. We made our way to a
large dinning hall in silence. Seiyoku
sat me down and motioned for Shogai to sit as well before leaving the room.
Shogai asked once Seiyoku was gone.
leaning forward and resting his elbows against the table.
“I don’t know what I want. My mind is
filled with conflicting thoughts. The
memories I have just gained tell me one thing while the memories I’ve had tell
me another. I don’tw whw which to
follow, which to believe.” I said softly.
I was just curious to know if you truly wanted this.
stopping you.”
interrupting him.
here right now, is he?” He said with a smile.
sure what I want.”
want to leave I’d do it quickly, he’ll be back soon.”
feet. I would leave and seek my own
answers. As I walked to the door I
heard Seiyoku’s voice, “Koshi, where do you think you’re going?” I froze but
said nothing, “Koshi, come here.” He ordered.
I swallowed hard but didn’t move.
I suddenly felt him wind his fingers through my hair and pull back.
in my ear. I felt his breath against my
throat, “Now behave as such. You will
do as I say and you will not attempt to leave, am I understood?”
understand.”
He asked, his voice soft in my ear.
hope to accomplish?”
do.”
“You should do what you used to do.” The flesh of my throat muffled his reply.
in. A burst of pleasure flowed through
me and I shuddered against him, “Ahhh.” I cried, “Master!
Don’t stop!”
to drink. I felt weak when he pulled
away, “Now, if you attempt to leave again you shall be bound and locked
away. Am I understood?”
understand.”
ordered. I returned to the table and
did as instructed. He looked at Shogai,
“Shogai, you’re the one who suggested it, are you not?”
was the time to do it.” He said with a sigh.
expected this at some point. You did me
a favor by speaking with him about it.” He sat down at the head of the table,
“Koshi, I shall give you something more later.”
what he was saying, “I don’t understand.” I whispered.
served to Shogai, “You will.” Shogai said before Seiyoku could reply, “Trust
me, you will.”
“Koshi, let’s leave Shogai to eat.” He looked at Shogai, “After you’ve finished
eating please bathe and get some rest.”
in.
one.” I stood and he wrapped his arm around my shoulder, “There’s still blood
here.” He whispered, running his tongue up my throat.
to have him feed from me. He took me to
the bedroom and threw me onto the bed, “What are you doing?” I asked, shielding
myself with the blanket.
hands, “Be silent Koshi.” He ordered, “I will do as I please.” Gently he
brushed his hands down my throat and shoulders, “You’re skin is soft young
one.” His fingertips trailed down my chest.
My breath came in short gasps, “Relax Koshi, you’ve felt this before.” I
grasped handfuls of the sheets in my hands as his fingers continued their dance
across my flesh. Gently he rolled my
nipples between his fingers, “Have you forgotten?” He asked softly, “Have you?”
I threw my head back as he lapped at my throat.yes\"> Slowly his hands traveled lower, running down my sides, “Answer
me Koshi.”
meaning to me, “Yes.” I hissep>
p>
more?” He asked, his hands running down my thighs.
upon my lips, “I will.” He whispered, “You don’t have to worry about that.
so.” He paused, “Now, my little vampire, I want something from you.”
will never leave, that you will never attempt to leave again.” He said softly,
his hands running up and down my thighs.
sure if I could do what he was asking, “I-I…” I trailed off, “I can’t.” I
whispered.
ceasing to touch me, “Very well Koshi, get up.” He ordered, getting to his
feet. Slowly I complied.
leather manacles, “Give me your hands.” I didn’t move, “I told you to give me
your hands.”
arm and wrapped one of the bands around my wrist before doing the same with the
other. He pulled my arms above my head
and attached them to a hook, high on the wall.
I hung there, open to his tinitinizing gaze.
grabbed my chin, “I expected more from you but I understand.” He said with a
smile, “I understand why you couldn’t promise me that.
promise me. I realize that it will take
time but until you feel comfortable with the situation I shall keep a close
watch on you, when I am not with you, you shall be chained to the wall, like
you are now. I will not risk losing you
again.” He said before walking to the door, “I shall return later.” He said
before leaving.
said softly, “I understand.”