Higher Powers

Alina took in his long, dark coat and large hat that hid away most of his face. The man exuded a mysteriously domineering aura that sent chills down her spine, yet there was something else about him. Something different.

Her instincts told her to run but Alina was never one to pay heed to her instincts. She felt drawn to him in a way.

Alina stepped an inch closer to him. "Are you a traveler, sir?"

"Indeed, I am"

"Then, on the morrow, you should come with me to the fair at Sighisoara, which isn't too far from here. I heard of wondrous sights and strange machines to be found there. Oh, I cannot wait to witness these marvels with my own eyes"

Dragavei was unmoved "Aleena…" he started to say.

"Alina" she corrected curtly.

Dragavei paused for a moment. "Alina," he said again. "I believe there is nothing new that I haven't witnessed"

He scrutinized her. "You, however, seem a bit too overly elated about it"

"Why not? I'm not one to turn from places where new knowledge can be found. I like to collect things too. Ancient texts. Figurines. Artifacts"

She lowered her voice "I even heard one of the scrolls going to be on sale at the fair tomorrow is about a notorious bloodsucker"

Her eyes shone with enthusiasm "It states the story of how this 'dark lord' massacred his entire village and terrorized the human race for about a hundred years before going utterly silent. Rumors have it that he still walks the earth"

Dragavei smiled amusingly. The topic had piqued his interest.

The humans had yet again, something else to say about him.

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Oh, I cannot wait for the morrow to come!" Her face took on a dreamy look, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

Dragavei moved away from the last stall and ventured towards the streets, Alina followed him.

"I'd wager what you would find on the morrow would be nothing but a counterfeit of the actual truth, written by some covetous fool merely seeking your coin." He replied.

She frowned "Do not attempt to dissuade me. I will attend the fair"

"I care not to dissuade or encourage you. Only a survivor could narrate exactly what transpired that day, and I guarantee you, there were no survivors during the massacre" he stated confidently, then mused.

Well, except one.

"Besides, I possess more knowledge than a stupid scroll can provide you with. My wisdom is infinite"

Her face brightened again, her eyes shining in excitement "You're a scholar too?"

Dragavei frowned "Calling me a scholar would be rather... insulting"

"Oh, forgive me," she said quickly. "What are you then? A sage"

He smiled "My experiences cannot be quantified. What do you want to know about this creature of darkness and why are you so interested in him?"

Alina's shoulders lifted in uncertainty. "Everything. I believe... I have always believed we are not alone in this world"

"Why not? Is there a cause for this strong conviction?"

She shrugged again "Well, yes. It might not be a very logical one but it's simple..."

She looked up at him, almost straining her neck in the process. The man was huge.

"The world is just too big"

"Too big?" His brows arched in slight confusion.

"Yes, too big for the existence of merely the human species. I am aware of the existence of other creatures, but I believe there is something that exists beyond the realm of humanity"

Her eyes remained fixated on his face "What I refer to, is that of a celestial force. A power supreme"

"Ah, I see. A higher power" he smiled "Do you folks not believe in the Most High? The Almighty, God?"

"Yes, yes, but I intend beyond that!"

Alina groaned in frustration "I don't mean God or the devil, I mean a power of lesser supremacy. Let's say a less potent..."

"Force" he finished.

"Yes, good sir, yes" she clapped. "We are all aware God is the supreme being, but a lesser power, sir, a lesser power..."

Alina maneuvered around a flock of sheep and came to stand in front of him. "The nightwalker, Dragavei Dimitru. He who lurks in the darkness. A creature of remarkable strength and intelligence"

Dragavei stopped walking and stared down at her, a frown on his face. "Nightwalker? Do you believe this being, as powerful as you boast of him to be, is indeed condemned to the shadows?" He asked "I believe he walks among you, day and night"

"I intend on finding that out on the morrow" She glanced up at him "You know, I never quite caught your name"

A smirk hooked the corner of his lip. Something about this human intrigued him.

"There's no need for that" he replied.

"But if he does exist... the vampire... he could be the answer to everything, think about it"

Subconsciously, she touched his arm. "He never ages, obviously, he heals at an exceedingly fast rate. He has to, or maybe he doesn't even get hurt at all. Think of the knowledge he could share with the healers"

Alina's face took on a hopeful glow "The- the history he could teach us"

She toyed with the hand of her small bag and spoke thoughtfully "Majority of the villages around here have unsolved problems of marauders. He could be our protector. Evil acts would dwindle a great deal once they realize the people have a saviour... or someone they fear"

She released a sigh "There's just so much he could do for us"

Dragavei scoffed "A savior?" He gazed down at Alina "Being a hero to these folk is the least of this being's concerns. Has it perhaps left your memory that the scrolls state that his terror over them lasted for a century?"

"No, but..."

"Humans are unworthy of those things you did mention. They deserve every iota of suffering they encounter and even more"

She frowned "I am unaware of what could have heavily influenced your perspective about humans, but there is good among us"

Dragavei chuckled and continued walking. "Oh, Alina, If pigs could fly... If pigs could fly. I do stand with this creature of darkness you speak of. Humans are despicable, their hearts "desperately" evil. They deserve to be rid of."

"You speak as though you are not human yourself and could not be caught up in all this, should the Răsărit al întunericului (spawn of darkness) choose to continue his massacre"

His lips formed into a beguiling smile that caused a warmth to spread within Alina's chest.

By the gods, the man was beautiful. For a moment she remained still, staring after him, even after he continued walking, trying to gain control of her nerves.

On composing herself, she hurried to catch up with him, continuing the conversation. "No doubt your dealings with people have made you very cynical, but still, I refuse to believe all humans are deserving of such... harsh judgment. We are not the same"

Dragavei stopped and turned to face her, his face harder than before. "Alina you are young. And it is this naivety of yours, this... lack of experience that shapes your misguided views. Life is not a garden of peonies. People are not as kind as you perceive them to be. With time you will come to realize this"

She folded her arms, releasing a scoff. "No one is faultless, yes, I'm quite aware of that, but you cannot possibly be old enough to have beheld the worst of humanity for you to draw this conclusion. Even if you have to some extent, it doesn't mean there is no good left."

He sighed, a deep, almost tired sound but said nothing in response.

They walked in silence for a few moments, until Alina spoke again.

"I still believe this being, if he exists, could be something more than a monster. He was after all put on the earth with such powers for a reason. A reason that need not always involve destruction and bloodshed... Chaos. No, but a reason that involves the betterment of humanity. Peace, not the destruction of it"

Dragavei's brows raised. "Why this particular creature? Do you truly believe he's the only one of his kind? That there aren't others like him, hiding in the darkness? This superior species you seem to place so much faith in could be far more than one single being." His eyes were serious "Do you think one monster alone can bring your salvation?"

Alina shrugged, giving no reply, and Dragavei continued. "The world is vast, Alina. You'd be a fool to believe this one nightwalker is the only creature of his kind."

As they both drew closer to the main square, Alina turned fully to face Dragavei once more. "Speaking with you has been beyond enjoyable, and although I do not wish for it to end, it has to. Will you come to the fair with me on the morrow? I would surely appreciate your... 'infinite' wisdom."

Dragavei studied her for a long moment before finally nodding. He too, had enjoyed her company more than he had any human in a long while.

"Very well then. I will accompany you."

Her face lit up with excitement. "Wonderful! I shall meet you here at dawn. Till then, dear stranger"

Dragavei watched as she walked away happily, her enthusiasm unlike anything he had ever come across. Her parents had named her "Alina" for a reason.

He shook his head, a faint smile on his lips, before continuing his stroll.