I find myself in a small, pocket realm – my home, a dark place comprised of black earth and mountains, so distant they seem unreachable. The sky here bears a blood-red hue, and occasionally, a bright red moon graces us. The weather remains stagnant, unchanging, though sometimes, a red mist enshrouds these lands.
Our pocket realm is a slice of hell, torn from one of the 'good' gods to fashion a realm where their underlings, us, execute their bidding. However, the gods, occupied with their own pursuits, birthed lesser deities. These entities lack individual names, working as a unified collective, hence they were dubbed 'Ordo Noctis,' translating to 'Order of the Night.'
These lesser gods birthed us, the vampires, to fulfil their mandates. We are bound to them, following their rules and orders, yet we retain free will and independent thought. 'Balance is consciousness. Good and Evil intertwined. Free will is our identity, and our will is to restore equilibrium to the Earth realm.' That is the code imparted to us by the Ordo Noctis, a code we live by honourably. We employ our free will not only to balance our own triad of body, mind, and soul, but also to maintain balance within the Earth realm. Should any threat loom over the Earth's lifespan, be it a demon or the overpopulation of a specific species, we eliminate it, securing a lengthy and prosperous existence for that realm. Many humans brand us as monsters, even likening us to demons. Despite such perceptions, I take immense pride in our duty. This identity defines me, and I am proud to live or perish by it. All vampires share this pride and, thus far, since the Earth's infancy, we have not betrayed the fairness and judgement of the Ordo Noctis.
I stand before a colossal castle gate, the realm's security unparalleled. Its defences are layered, so intricate that I cannot recall them all even now. Even a demon overlord would struggle to breach this fortress. I stand among fellow vampires, all returned from their assassinations and prepared to report their triumphs. It's exceedingly rare for a vampire to lose a target due to an escape. Out of our 300, the record for successful assassinations extends to 153 years, a distinction belonging to the greatest among us, 'Aurelius Umbra,' meaning 'Golden Shadow' – a name fittingly bestowed. As for myself, I haven't yet lost a target, primarily because I am still among the youngest vampires, merely 23 years old. Unlike humans, we aren't birthed; we are 'made'... As we are now, so shall we die. If, for example, one was created with black hair, they would die with black hair. We never age.
"So... how did your contract fare, Morsus?" A familiar voice snaps me out of my reverie. I turn to face my trainer. "Hope it went well?" "Yes. No complications. The kill succeeded," I respond in a detached manner. "Oh, come on!" He nudges me lightly. "Loosen up! You can't fool me; I trained you! You're hiding the fact that you relished it. Furthermore, you're playing the cold, logical part. Not a bad tactic, mind you. It keeps your enemy off-kilter. They can't decipher you! Smart move. But listen, I've got a proposal... You know, what I'd rather do is... blah, blah, blah..." I dismiss Lucius Valerius, or 'Light of Strength,' a suitable name for a mentor. Yet, I'm next in line to submit my report and identity. "That's great, Lucius, but I must go. We can talk later." "Hey! Did you even listen to me!? You new vampires show no respect! I'll have you know, blah, blah, blah..."
The guards scan me, verifying my identity – a meticulous process, indeed, but it contributes to our realm's superior security. Nonetheless, it irks me occasionally. Post these proceedings, I enter the castle's main hall, a vast expanse leading to multiple chambers. The one I seek lies straight ahead. I traverse a lengthy, broad corridor adorned with codes and vows, reminding us of our purpose and battles. Occasionally, eye-like paintings show live Earth realm views, illustrating humans' actions. Ironically, besides occasional hell-spawns, humans themselves pose the greatest threat by harbouring hatred, plotting against each other, and waging brutal wars. Sometimes, their actions make them appear no different from demonic entities. The Ordo Noctis occasionally shares crucial human news to inform and prepare us for any assigned tasks. One painting shows a child robbing a man's purse, another depicts two inebriated men quarrelling over a whore, while yet another exhibits a farmer trampled by his bull. I sigh, pondering, 'What's the purpose of humans? Given the vast realm under their rule, they can't govern among themselves. They appear unbalanced and resemble wild creatures. It's pitiful, honestly...'
I stand before a colossal door, unsheathe my sword, and present it to the door. Our weapons hold unique identities bound to our souls – an effective means to discern friend from foe. After the door acknowledges my weapon, it parts, and I step in.
I find myself in the midst of a vast circle, gazing up at the gods who birthed us – the Ordo Noctis. Seven in total, each symbolizing an element, with seven representing balance. They embody:
- Light: Signifying illumination, purity, and guidance.
- Darkness: Representing obscurity, mystery, and the unseen.
- Fire: Symbolizing passion, transformation, and strength.
- Water: Associated with adaptability, fluidity, and cleansing.
- Earth: Symbolic of stability, growth, and nurturing.
- Air: Representing freedom, intellect, and communication.
- Spirit: Reflecting unity, transcendence, and the connection between life and death.
In this chamber, they judge us and bestow us with a 'credit score' based on successful assassinations. The higher the score, the better. By each Earth month's end, if insufficient credits accrue, the Ordo Noctis disintegrates one's body and soul, fashioning it into a new, hopefully improved, vampire. They repeat this process until achieving the 'perfect' being. Fortunately, they commend me often, possibly because I am closer to perfection compared to most other vampires. Nonetheless, they remain logical, just, and fair. "Morsus Frigus. Cold Bite. You swiftly dispatched a wendigo with remarkable ease, skill, and honour. Outstanding job. Impressive, indeed. You're evolving into a formidable vampire. Maintain this, and you'll live for many more years." "Thank you. Your words are too generous." "For this contract, you've earned 520 credits, totalling 456150 credits. Quite commendable for a 23-year-old vampire. You exhibit immense promise. Honour us and do not falter. Despite your high score, you could plummet at any moment. Do not waver; always strive for excellence. Farewell. Until next time, Morsus Frigus." I bow, "Thank you, Ordo Noctis. I pledge to maintain balance in the Earth realm." "Dismissed."
I exit, proceeding to the armoury to equip myself, inspect my spells and provisions, refresh, and then rest. I believe I've accrued sufficient credits to do so momentarily. A two-hour respite should suffice to prepare for my next contract.