Chapter 1: Are we really related?

Ilyas stood on the side of his house, staring up at his balcony. Glimmers of moonlight snuck their way into his bedroom through its open sliding door. Drowned out by the intense white glow of the lightbulbs fixed into the ceiling. He leapt up, jumping to the balcony with a soft thud. He crept inside, trying to make sure his sneakers didn't squeak against the tiled floor. Ilyas sank into his rumpled blankets leaning against the bedrest. His silver hair was now slicked back, a few strands more irritating, hung loosely in front of him. Posters of Japanese mang were pasted across the rooms walls as if he had bounties to collect even there. His black tee shirt had a Pink sigil design on the left sleeve. Frayed books, crumpled sketches of ancient maps and minifigures with dice rested against a faded family photo. In that small space, memory danced, a harmony of nostalgia and whispered traditions.

He grabbed a pair of headphones on the side of his desk. His head bobbed while the bass and drums of his favorite tracks vibrated through them.He shut his eyes, getting lost in the rhythm. Tapping at his thighs as if he were making the song live. A melody mixing swirling synthesizers with hints of traditional rhythms soaked into him.

Then, a crisp voice sliced through the layered tracks: "Ilyas, you're home?" Erza's tone, warm yet insistent, resounded from behind the door.

He pulled the headphones off. "Yeah, I just got back. I'll come open now." he replied softly, his voice nearly lost amid the lingering notes. He set the headphones aside and stood, stretching limbs that rarely recalled the comfort of sleep. His room, cluttered with echoes of heritage and rebellious modernity, watched silently as he left. Baggy, black sweatpants billowed with each step.

As he opened the door, his older sister stood with her arms crossed as she looked at him. Despite being his full blooded sister, her hair was black and her eyes brown. Struggles of having a human dad, and a vampire mother. He chided in his head. She now frowned, looking at the antique clock against his wall. "Do you see how late it is? Why didn't you respond to my messages?"

He put his fists on his chin. "You see…about that. It was a bit more of a cat and mouse game today. I had no time, and then it started raining right, and I know my phone is waterproof but I don't really trust-"

"Oh whatever, at least you're home," she shook her head. "So what was it today?"

He sighed. "Just a ghoul. A slippery one."

"Well you should go eat something. I made burgers," she smiled.

He nodded. "Thanks I'll go in a bit. Are Kaleel and Amira asleep?"

She raised her brows. "They have school tomorrow, you tell me."

"I guess they are."

She looked at him with narrow eyes, not the kind that were angry, but sorrowful. "Ilyas. You know we'd be fine without all this right?"

His eyes widened. "Huh?"

"You put your rewards for the bounties in the family account. Yet we do fine off of what Karim brings in from the Ashen Sancti. Anyway, dad left behind so many caring people that we don't need to stress too much. You put your life in danger for no reason."

Ilyas went silent for a moment. Trying to force a facade. "Yeah I know that. I do it for the ease. It's more simple building a career off stray dark dwellers. Besides, someones gotta take care of the Ashen Sancti Watchers mess." She didn't reply. Not buying a word he said. He began to walk past her, not meeting her eyes. "I'm heading to the store. Want anything?"

She gave up her pursuit for answers. "If they have fresh enough pies you can bring me one. I've been craving those for a while."

"Got ya," he put his hands in his pocket as he began to walk towards the staircase. The walls of the corridor had some markings as he walked past. Names beside them signaling whose height each scratch corresponded with. Behind him he could hear Erza yell "Be safe!"

He closed the door behind him, looking over the lamp lit roads. The store wasn't far off, barely down the road. He enjoyed the somber breeze that followed him. There were rarely anyone out this time at night, truly a den for isolation. Yet he didn't mind it, it let him let go of all the fast paced movements, and stroll at a leisurely pace. He thought about what to get his younger siblings as he looked up at the sky. Maybe some mochi. They like mochi. He concluded. The blaring lights of the shop came into his view. As he reached it, he went through the electric sliding doors and went straight for the mochi. Grabbing two boxes before getting a bag of cakes for himself. The deli's pies looked decently fresh. He shrugged as he grabbed one with a pair of tongs at the side, shoving it into a paper bag. Laying them down near the till the man working behind the glass simply rang them up without a word. His balding hairline stared at Ilyas furiously. He pulled out his phone, paying for the items and thanking the man. He nodded and went back to leaning in his chair. Ilyas walked out with a bag in one hand.

As he made his way back up, arriving at his doorstep, he was startled when a figure emerged from the shadows. He took a step back, raising an arm defensively as he did. The figure was wrapped in a tattered cloak, and being under the streetlamp the shadows hid his face. Ilyas let his arm down, assuming he was just a vagabond. "You okay?" He received no response. "You hungry? Well you're in luck, got some burgers inside if you want." He began to turn the doorknob. "Gotta be quiet though, my siblings are asleep, don't need them waking up in the middle of the night. Oh I also have these." He pulled his cakes out the packet, turning with a smile. His eyes widened in horror as he did. His body moved on its own, dropping the packet and diving to the side. The sound of the packet crunching on the floor was quickly distorted by the shattering of wood. Ilyas turned to the door, a silver stake embedded in it. "What the hell!" His head whipped to the figure who's hood was now off, revealing a pair of red, narrow eyes and a fang engrossed smile. Another vampire. No way.

He began to laugh. "Lucky. Seems the blood of Erebus is weak."

Ilyas frowned. "Blood of what?"

He pulled out another weapon from his cloak. A rapier that glinted. He rushed forward, stabbing and slashing despite the distance between them. Ilyas sprung off his hands backwards, sidestepping to avoid the blade. He held his right hand out, palm open. A swoosh cut through the air as his greatsword materialised in his hand. He swung back, clashing with the thin rapier. Despite the difference in size, the rapier held strong, bending enough to keep a stalemate.

The mans smile became even more twisted. "Typical of you Erebus, all strength, no finesse!" He swivelled the blade, detaching it from Ilyas and slashing his thigh. Ilyas fell to his knee, the man swinging his leg up, sent Ilyas in the air with a forceful kick. As he landed he groaned at the pain in his leg. The wound healed fast enough, but the attacker was already on him, the rapier going for his throat. Ilyas lulled his head to the right, the rapier grazing the skin on his neck. As the attacker's momentum continued forward, Ilyas's left hand landed solid on his face, punching him backwards. He flew into the street pole, the metal bending to the shape of his body. Ilyas began to pant, grabbing his neck. Shit, this healing, it burns like acid, it's going to keep me distracted if he keeps getting in slashes like that, the burn is going to consume me

How the hell is he withstanding my sword with that flimsy needle, and with one hand? He rushed at the attacker, his greatsword held above his head. He slammed it down, but the attacker was quicker, sliding behind him and leaving multiple slices on the back of his legs. He once again fell, this time the rapier came with purpose. Ilyas was too slow, moving to the side it still pierced through his shoulder. He grabbed it and stood up, lifting the attacker in the air. He spun around, slamming him into the already bent lamp, causing its collapse. The attacker withdrew his sword as he fell, sending a sharp pain through Ilyas. The attacker rushed for him, but Ilyas pivoted, swinging his right shin into his arm. A crack sounded and he dropped the rapier. His smug smirk was gone now, replaced with a wince. Ilyas was the one smiling now. I have you! He grabbed the attacker by the nape, bringing his head down and slamming his knee into their gut. As he keeled over his knee, Ilyas began to rain elbows down on his back. He sent an uppercut that whipped their head back, following with a straight left. As the attacker stumbled back Ilyas began to bounce on his feet. Now I got you, you damned blood sucker.

"You didn't think I was just good with a sword, did you?"

They cracked their nose back in place. A nasty crunch following. "I was sent here to bring your corpse back, if I wasn't able to subdue you, it seems I will actually have to kill you. We can still use your body"

"Is that so?"

"It is."

"Ok this is getting kinda romantic, it's weird."

"Huh?"

In the pause, Ilyas picked up a stone, crushing it into dust. He dashed it in their eyes. As they clawed at their vision with one hand, Ilyas ran up to their extended arm, He grabbed the wrist, pulling it and napping the elbow with his other hand. He followed along the arm, chopping his neck with a flat palm. He kicked his leg up, swinging it across their head. As their vision recovered, they went for their rapier again. No shot, I'm dead if he grabs that damn needle! He intercepted him, tackling him through a fence wall. They had their foot on his chest however, kicking him off. They got to the rapier, slicing through the air with glee. Ilyas stood on the defensive now, waiting for their attack. He glanced behind the attacker, his own blade was too far. The assault began. They started slicing at Ilyas, he held his arms up, tanking most of the slashed. His blood began to pour onto the streets. The attacker drew the blade back, thrusting it forward he pierced Ilyas's stomach. Ilyas grabbed onto his wrist with his left hand, crushing it and keeping him frozen in place. A wicked grin now marked Ilyas. "Game over." he drew his hand back, pointing his fingers forward. The attackers eyes widened as they realised they were caught. Ilyas speared the hand through the left side of his chest. Their body went limp. Ilyas released his grip and drew back his hand. House lights began to turn on, awakened by the duel. He grabbed the corpse, leaping into the shadows of his own house. He slumped back against the wall outside, clutching the fresh wound in his stomach, and panting. The burn increased. That guy, if he had his sword for a bit longer I'd probably be dead. Ilyas admitted to himself, glancing at the rapier still strewn across the street. He had never faced anyone so skillful. Was I lucky? Or was I better? He leaned more towards luck, not wanting to admit his lack of swordsmanship.

He pulled his phone out, ignoring a ring from Erza, instead, dialing a number under "Hugo". Ilyas huffed into the speaker. "Hey."

A muffled voice responded. 'What is it? You know ghouls don't-"

"Nah, nah I'm not calling about that," he snickered. "I got something real interesting for you. And it's fresh."

"I'm still around."

"Perfect."

Ilyas took a breather, waiting for all the damage to be mitigated. As much as the healing was a blessing, the pain it brought was terrible. With it, came another facet. Hunger. His eyes glowed brighter and his fangs produced more. He grit his teeth, struggling to breathe as a thirst he never quenched began to grip him. It felt as if barbed wire was encapsulating his throat, scraping and clawing as he denied his body the one thing it continually craved. Blood. As his neighbours began to step out the door, he could feel a sweat building up as he fought the urges. He bit down on his own hand, gnawing at it in an attempt to stall the cravings. I need to get to the guild.

Ilyas had travelled from rooftop to rooftop, the vampire's corpse over his shoulder. Feeling much more at ease away from humans. He found himself in an area that looked dingy. Graffiti covered the walls and houses had missing windows, or were boarded up completely. Even during this late time, their residents hung outside in groups, with hoods masking their appearances. Ilyas finally came down, arriving at what looked like a water tower. Underneath it stood a small hut with a door guarded by a large man. He opened up as he saw Ilyas, who waved at him in return. A steep staircase was ahead of him. At the bottom, an array of lights. He traversed them, one by one. Each step he took clicking and echoing off the narrow, empty space. As he got to a flat floor, a corridor stretched to the point of bending in his vision. Each door had a small light above them, a different color from the next. He continued to walk, past a bright yellow one, and then a red one, and then a blue one, finally stopping under a purple one. He pressed a few keys on the padlock. The metal gate released steam as it unlocked. He pushed the door open. Inside it was a simple room. If anything it was a cell, one that held a table and two chairs. Occupying one of those seats sat an old man with a stern expression. His eyes widened as he saw the body on Ilyas's shoulders.

'Well, that looks heavy," he chimed, leaning against the table.

Ilyas placed him down, his fangs showing.

The mans eyes widened. "Is it my lucky day or what?"

"That's for you to decide Hugo," Ilyas crossed his arms. "Pristine conditioned vampire. He has a little hole in his chest, but that was necessary. Better than the headless ones."

Hugo stroked his white beard. "Impressive. I never knew a vampire could make it past the borders. I had thought you were the only one around."

"Oh whatever," he denied. "But I'm also curious. How did he get so deep in the city?"

He stood up, placing his hand on the wall behind him. "Come, we must talk." The wall began to spread open, revealing a hidden office. Ilyas followed. "This is strange." He sat behind a polished desk. The entire office looked like a secret library. Rows of shelves lined with books sat ahead. And his desk area had floating and moving trinkets. An eye, a globe, a mini plane even. To the side of his desk stood a woman in a black suit. Her glasses were oval shaped, and her face was like a robot, emotionless. "Natalie, please clean him up. He looks…more disheveled than usual."

Ilyas stared down at his ripped up and bloodied clothes. "Hey I'm not so bad." As he finished his sentence the woman shot a white orb that encapsulated him, removing the blood and fixing the clothes. Ilyas gave a wink. "See."

Hugo shook his head. "Look Ilyas. This will fetch a high price."

"Just what I was hoping to hear,"

"But its not good news."

Ilyas frowned. "How so?'

"You think it got here through the border?"

"No shot. Those Ashen Sancti knights would have incinerated him"

Hugo sat up straight. "So what do you propose?"

"He either has some really good illusion magic, and snuck in, or he teleported."

"Precisely." Hugo stroked his beard again. He looked back to the cell, staring at the body with intrigue. "Your kind aren't capable of wielding magic like that. Your abilities extend towards Illusion, that is it. And in rare cases, elemental. But teleportation is out of the scope."

Ilyas narrowed his eyes. "So you're suggesting there is a coalition out there?"

"The Ardonian continent is full of all sorts of beings. Vampires, Werewolves, Ghouls, and even elf and human witches and wizards. There is no way it teleported here without a magician. I also highlight doubt that it had the illusive capabilities of a master, did it use any on you?"

"Uhh…no, I don't think so,"

"Then it had help from a magician." Hugo sighed. "This could be signs of a war boy."

Ilyas shook his head. "I doubt it. They've been there for centuries, they can't change that now."

"Maybe that's why they can…" He sighed, looking once more at the body. "Anyway. I will transfer you a bounty. I think fifty thousand Keridium should cover it?"

Ilyas's eyes lit up. "Really? Sounds good to me."

"I'll send it over immediately."

"Thanks old man,"

"Wait," Ilyas turned to his voice. "Be careful. I don't think it's a coincidence he ran into you and only you."

He smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be safe." He took off with a wave. As he re entered the cold embrace of the night, he looked at his phone as a notification went off. He looked down at his phone. His heart sank as he saw it. Under the money transfer there was Erza, her messages in all Caps. "WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? WHAT IS THAT MESS OUTSIDE? WHY IS THERE BLOOD? WHY AREN'T YOU PICKING UP MY CALLS!" He took in a deep breath as he realised it wasn't the vampire who was his real threat, but his pseudo mother at home that was probably waiting to scold him. He double paced it, hitting a sprint to get home. When he eventually got to the house, he noticed the stake was gone from the door. He swallowed hard as he opened it, wondering what horrors awaited him. The door creaked open, to his surprise, he saw no one. Suddenly it shut behind him and a pan was brought over his head with so much force it bent. He jumped, rubbing the top of his head.

"You idiot!" Erza barked. "What was happening out there? All I heard was crashes and then you were gone." She pulled out the stake. "And what is this? A stake? Were vampire hunters after you?"

He scratched the back of his head. "Actually, another vampire."

"Seriously?" Her arms dropped. "I need to tell Karim, what the hell are the Watchers doing if other vampires are making it this far. You idiot, you don't just leave after all of that."

"I know, I'm sorry-"

She wrapped him in a tight hug. "I was worried." her voice went away.

His hands shot up in surprise, confused how to comfort her. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again." His gaze softened as he realised he should have told her first, not the guild. A sense of guilt washed over him.

She let go, smacking him again with the pan. "Better not be lying."

He rubbed the side of his head. He could feel it already swelling. "Ok, ok."

She held her hands on her hips before turning. "I'll message Karim, we can talk about this more in the morning. Goodnight."

"Goodnight." As she walked off to her room he sat down against the wall, still holding the hits. "What a day."