Chapter 1: I'm the Vampire King

The sun has set an hour ago.

The night has come and greeted the busy people of the cities. Yes, they were all busy, minding their own businesses. Be it with work or school, the train has never been empty. Students are on their way home, same goes for the adults who just got out of their offices.

Some were about to close their own stores and shops, as they safely sent out their employees. And one girl came out from the bakery she worked in. Her shift's finally over, now she can study her lessons at home. Being a working student is sure tough.

But it didn't matter, as long as she'll be able to sustain herself from her studies and she'll be able to graduate and have a good job someday. That's all that matters to her.

As she came across the dark alleys, she heard a strange sound lurking around. It seems like a voice, a growling voice, struggling and suffering. When she gazed near the trash bin, she saw a figure of a man hiding behind it. If she's not mistaken, this is where the voice comes from. As she walked closer, she saw how this man was trembling.

"U-uhm, excuse me? Are you... alright?" She gathered all her courage to ask.

And when the man turned around, she saw a pair of glowing red eyes glaring at her. Her knees started to shake as chills ran down her spine. The man growled as he drooled, reaching out his hand towards her. In such fright, the girl ran as fast as she could.

She couldn't shout nor ask for help. Aside for the fact that few people pass by this dark alley, she was too afraid that no voice came out of her mouth. All she can do for now is to run and cry, hoping she'll be able to escape this nightmare.

She kept on running and running, until her knees gave in and she tripped. She fell on the ground and when she turned around, the man transformed into a hideous giant monster bat. With its big pointed ears, dark furry skin, long sharp fangs, and big long limbs with claws.

Then, it jumped high and landed on top of her.

"N-no! Stop!" She was pushing its chest but she feels so powerless that it didn't do a thing.

The monster opened its jaw and was about to bite her when all of a sudden, they heard a voice.

"That's enough."

A young man came and stood face to face with the monster. After that, he flicked its forehead and suddenly, the monster flew and hit the brick walls so hard.

The girl saw it all and was shocked. She was panting due to the fear she's feeling.

"Are you alright?"

She gazed at her savior, a man with a long hair, tied up in a lower ponytail. His hair was red as blood but his eyes were blue and gentle. He has a small mole under his lips as he was smiling that made her calm down. He offered his hand and without second thoughts, she took it and nodded as a response to his question. Even he's also a stranger, she doesn't feel any dangerous intent with him. Most importantly, her heart skipped a beat just by staring at his handsome face.

"That's a relief," the young man replied.

But then, they heard the monster growled once again. Seems like the attack earlier wasn't enough to take it down.

"W-what are we going to do!?" The girl nervously asked.

"Don't worry, everything's going to be fine. Can you walk now?" The young man asked and she nodded instantly.

He smiled, "Good. Now here's what you're going to do..." Suddenly, the man's blue eyes turned bright red as he gazed at her.

"Forget everything you saw for tonight and go home safely."

The girl, staring at the his eyes, nodded without any complaints.

"Yes, I'll do that." She said like a robot and stood up, walking quickly as if nothing happened.

"Well then, it's time to deal with this..." The young man turned and went towards the monster bat. In a blink of an eye, he appeared before it, much to its surprise.

'Help... me...'

"I know, you've been struggling few days ago..."

But the monster went rampage again and was about to swing its claws at him when its arm suddenly froze. Even this monster tries to move its arm, it seems like he's been forcefully paralyzed as his veins throbbed painfully the more he struggles.

"I don't want to hurt you," the young man said, "But this is the only way for me not to hurt you any further." He walked closer and gazed into his eyes.

"There's only one way to end your suffering..." He raised his hand and bit his thumb. Then, he reached his arm in front of him, showing his wounded thumb.

"Drink my blood, and you'll feel less pain." He said with those sincere eyes.

Suddenly, the control over his body disappears. Now the monster can move its arms and legs.

Then, it gazed at the blood in front. Its scent alone is tempting enough as the monster slowly sucked the blood being offered. This monster can feel the heat rushing inside its body. It was as if there's something happening, something changing inside.

And when it opened its eyes and gasped for air, he saw the same young man staring at him.

"How are you feeling?" He asked with a gentle smile.

"I... I..." He gazed at his hands, his claws are no more. His skin is no longer black and furry. He touched his face, he can't feel his sharp fangs anymore.

"I-I'm... back?" The man mumbled as tears of joy welled up his eyes.

"Thank you! Oh thank you so much!"

"Please don't thank me. What I did to you was just temporary. You won't be able to feel the bloodlust for now, so you have to be careful not to trigger it." The young man said.

"B-but... in that case, why did you still save me? I can't live my life being a monster forever!" The man cried, "Why didn't you just kill me!?"

The young man flashed a painful expression, "Please, don't say that! Death isn't the end of everything but just another beginning. You could still live your life and start all over again."

"How!? I don't have any family! I'm jobless and a useless citizen! I'm such a failure. I don't have anyone to turn to. Do you really think someone would still welcome a monster like me?! I have... nowhere to go back to..." The man sobbed bitterly and this young man can truly feel his pain.

He reached his hand and placed it on the man's shoulders.

"Don't lose hope. I know a place where you can stay..."

"Where..?" The man slowly looked at him.

He smiled, "Follow me."

And then, the young man stood up and stretched out his hand. His bracelet suddenly glowed and before them, a circular doorway appeared. Then, he gazed at the man and offered his hand.

"Come."

Slowly, he took his hand as they entered, going to another world. When he opened his eyes, a huge wasteland lies before him. With its dark gray skies, dry land and sand, and the windy atmosphere. But from all the wastelands, there are trees all around the area, same goes with crops and weeds.

"Welcome to Bleak Grave Hollow, this is the world of vampires." The young man said.

"Vam... pires..?" The man echoed.

"Yes, that's what humans call us." Then, he gazed at him, "Would you like to have a detour?"

It seems like he can't just simply refuse this young man's offer having that warm smile.

And with that, they walked and headed towards the huge palace before them. From above, there's a flag swaying proudly as it shows its symbol.

"This is the Van Helsing manor, everyone who live inside and outside the castle are vampires under this family." He said as they walked on the garden.

The man looked around, each worker are working and there are smiles on their faces. Children running around were playing cheerfully.

"Seems like they're all living comfortably. Does this place contain a leader or something?" The man asked.

"Yes, there's someone leading them in the best way he can. He's called 'King'."

The young man was about so say more when someone came and greeted him.

"Rae! You came!"

"Dad!" The man called Rae smiled and excused himself before he hugged his father.

While waiting for him, the man walked around and saw how the harvest was well and plenty.

"Hey, you there! Are you new?" Asked one of the farmers, they have pointed ears, pale skin, and red eyes--just like the actual vampires.

"Uhh... you could say that..." The man furrowed his eye brows and scratched the back of his head.

"That's great! Welcome, my friend!" They smiled and offered their hands. The man shook all of it.

"Thank you. You've got some nice and fresh crops in there."

"Oh, you noticed! The King helped us with it. I'll make sure to give him some of these when I see him!"

"Uhh, may I ask, you're all vampires but... is it really alright for you to eat vegetables and fruits? How about drinking blood and all?"

"It's true that blood sustains us differently." Said one of them.

"But ever since the King helped us and gave us his blood, we managed to control our transformation and hunger." Said the other.

"The King helped us to live differently, to control our bloodlust so that we won't be able to hurt any humans."

"Is that... really possible?" The man asked in disbelief.

But the vampire farmers nodded eagerly, "It is! Without the King, we wouldn't be able to live comfortably like this."

"No vampire from the house of Van Helsing suffers from hunger. Each of us have jobs and we're happy we came here."

The man blinked fast, now he's more curious to meet this 'king' they're talking about.

Just then, the young man from earlier came towards them.

"There you are! I would like to introduce you to my father." He pointed at the vampire before him.

He has this indigo blue hair, pale white skin, pointed ears, red eyes, and two small moles on the right side of his face.

"A pleasure to meet you, you can call me Stephen." He smiled warmly and reached his hand.

'Woah! His charismatic aura tells me he's the King they're all talking about!' He thought.

"T-the pleasure is mine, my king! C-call me Noel!"

Stephen blinked fast, "K-king?"

The vampire farmers laughed, "My friend, you got it all wrong."

"Master Stephen isn't the king, but rather, he's the father of the King."

Noel blinked fast, "Father of the king..? Y-you mean--!" He turned to Rae who's scratching the back of his head while laughing awkwardly.

"Y-you are... You're--!"

Rae smiled gently, "That's right. I'm the Vampire King."

When he said those words, it seems like there's this invisible power and authority that would make anyone respect and take him seriously. He may look young and innocent, but Noel can feel how serious he is when he said those words.

"Well, technically, I'm more like a candidate for the position of the king." He chuckled.

And with that, Noel came into a decision.

'I wanted to follow this man...'

And with that, he fell on his knees.

"Forgive me! I've committed a mistake! But please, allow me to serve you just like the other vampires here!"

Rae was surprised and blinked fast.

"I-it's alright... Please get up, Mr. Noel, you're making me embarrassed!" He blushed, "And don't worry, I've already invited you since the time I've opened the portal. And now that you have accepted it... Welcome to the family of Van Helsing, Mr. Noel." He smiled warmly.

***

It was already midnight when Rae came back from the human world. He came back home and was welcomed by these two vampires.

"Young master! Welcome back!" Rin greeted.

"You're later than usual." Damien said watching him marched inside.

"I've managed to take another level E to the Bleak Grave Hollow." He smiled.

"That's great news, young master! We should celebrate!" Rin was about to prepare some snacks when they saw Rae suddenly stumbled.

"Rae!" Damien quickly rushed towards him to support his weight, "Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine... I must've overworked myself this time." He forced a smile.

"You don't look so well, if you ask me." Damien raised an eye brow.

"Is it because you haven't drink any human blood for five years?" Rin worriedly said.

The thought alone made Rae's heart throbbed. He doesn't want to accept it, but it's still a possibility.

"What are we going to do? Miss Yana isn't around anymore. It's not like we could ask any human out there to--ahck!" Damien was cut off when Rin suddenly hit his tummy with her elbow.

When he glared at her, Rin glared back, giving him a meaningful look as if threatening him not to say any single word about it.

"Alright, alright. My bad..." Damien whispered and they glanced at Rae.

"Don't worry," he said, "I won't suck any blood from the mortals." He may be smiling, but his eyes clearly show loneliness.

Is it because of the fact he's getting weaker without a human blood? Or is it because they have mentioned her name?

"But young master, your health--"

He suddenly stretched out his arms and yawned, "Oh man! I'm beat! I shall go and take a rest now. You two should prepare. Isn't it your day-off tomorrow?" He smiled.

"Well, it is but--"

"We can't just leave you here, young master!"

Rae sighed, "Rin, I'm fine. I can take care of myself."

Damien and Rin exchange glances, "Are you sure?"

"Yep. Absolutely sure. And please don't forget to send my greetings to Ran and Trevor." He smiled before he went to his room.

"Will he be okay?" Rin furrowed her eye brows as she stared upstairs where Rae's room can be located.

"He'll be fine. We both know how strong he is and he has become." Damien gently patted her shoulder.

"Yeah. You're right." She smiled and took a deep breath.

Soon as he closed the door, Rae heaved a heavy sigh. He himself can feel how he's getting weaker day by day without a drink from a human's blood. Sure, he's now getting used with the taste of animal blood. But the effect of human's blood is far different than the other. And he can't deny that.

He's been giving his blood as a remedy to the other vampires. But what could he do to sustain himself for that?

Also, he suddenly felt this loneliness inside his heart. A specific kind of loneliness solely for that certain person.

Rae walked towards the window as he gazed at the empty house in front. The lights were out and no sign of a single soul inside. There's also a sign beside it that says "APARTMENT FOR RENT".

With that, the lad heaved a sigh, "I missed you, Yana... But I know better than anyone, wherever you are, you're already happy. And as long as you are, I'll do my best to stay happy as well."

He mumbled before slumping himself to bed and slowly drifting his eyes to sleep.

'You're someone, who'll always have a special place... in my heart...'