Vampire Knight: Memories

On the vast and boundless prairie, a gentle breeze rustled the sprouting grass, making it ripple like waves on water. It was still an early, chilly spring—the remnants of winter’s snow had melted, and all things were awakening. The hearts of the young boys stirred along with the wind. In the distance, the crisp jingle of bells accompanied the sound of hooves. Two young boys rode side by side, their laughter mixing with the clatter of their horses. The two were brothers in name. The younger, not yet ten, had dark skin, a round face with a slightly pointed chin, an upturned nose, and narrow, squinting eyes that smiled easily. He was a carefree child. The older boy was at most fourteen, pale and thin, with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, exuding the distinct air of a mountain tribe. His hair was an unusual shade—silver-gray streaked with white, tousled like dry grass in the wind. Unlike most boys his age, his face bore none of childhood’s innocence. Instead, his brows carried a quiet, indescribable sorrow. Judging by their attire, they were from a nomadic tribe of the prairie. To the empire, all those beyond its borders were simply "barbarians," regardless of the vast mountains and seas beyond its domain. The empire never bothered to distinguish their different tribes; even calling them “people” was considered an act of imperial mercy. These so-called barbarians lived in clans, each with its language, traditions, and primitive symbols for identity. The two boys belonged to the same tribe—otherwise, they wouldn’t be so close. They wore traditional prairie attire: cross-collar robes with tightly fitted sleeves—perfect for archery on horseback. The pleated folds around their waists gave them a broad-shouldered, imposing look. Yet, their clothing revealed a stark contrast in status. The younger brother’s outfit was new—peacock-green brocade embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, a thick, bright yellow belt tied around his waist, standing out vividly against the green grass. He also carried a small dagger inlaid with red coral and turquoise. But for such a young child—why carry a weapon? Looking at his innocent, harmless face, it was clear he’d never drawn a blade against anyone. The older brother’s clothing, in contrast, was simple and even worn out. Its original color was unclear—perhaps ochre, perhaps bluish-gray—now faded and stained. The edges were patched with delicate stitches, clearly the work of skilled hands. The younger brother, playful and restless, rode recklessly, nearly tumbling from his horse. “Saji—be careful!” the older brother called out instinctively. “Hehe, it’s fine! Look, a grasshopper! Haha, I caught one!” The older brother smiled helplessly. Then, a thought surfaced in his mind, and he spoke again. “I won’t be able to call you by your childhood name much longer. You’re coming of age soon, and you’ll be the tribe’s future leader. I should call you by your full name—Prince Sajade.” “No way!” The younger boy shook his head fiercely. “I still want to hear you call me Saji. You’ve called me that since we were little.” “But you’re growing up, and soon you’ll even be married. Your status is different now.” “But you’re different! You’re my brother, my dearest A-ge—Garland, A-ge! I just want you to call me Saji forever!” They dropped the subject. Suddenly, Saji pointed ahead. “Look, a rabbit!” He drew his bow, nocking an arrow, and aimed. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to see anything from such a distance, but prairie children had eyes like eagles—they could spot a needle in the grass. Twang— The arrow shot through the air like a streak of light. The rabbit tumbled on the spot. “A-ge! "I hit it!” Saji spurred his horse forward excitedly. “Saji, wait for me!” Garland galloped after him. “Hehe!” The young prince laughed gleefully, circling his prize. “See? I’m a sharpshooter now!” “Yes, you’re improving quickly.” Garland dismounted and picked up the still-twitching rabbit. He pulled the arrow free, handing it back to Saji, then tied the rabbit to his saddle. His horse already bore a collection of rabbits and foxes—today’s hunt had been fruitful. The spring wind brushed gently against their faces. Saji rode ahead, shouting into the wind, overflowing with joy. Garland followed, chuckling along. “A-ge! When I become the great chief, I’ll make you the great general. We’ll be the strongest on the prairie—hahaha!” Garland smiled at his naive enthusiasm. Such a child—so full of dreams! To him, this endless stretch of grassland was enough to bring happiness. “A-ge!” Saji suddenly put on a serious face. “You have no idea how much I envy you.” Garland was taken aback. “Envy me?” “Yes! Your life!” Saji's eyes squinted in admiration. “You already live like an adult! No more parents bossing you around. And you have two cute sisters…” He made exaggerated kissing and hugging gestures. “Every day you go home—oh, left kiss, right hug, snuggle at night—so happy!” “Hahaha!” Garland burst into laughter. “You’re going to drive me crazy! What nonsense are you thinking?!” “You laughed, so you admit it!” Saji pointed at his brother’s face. “No denying it!” Garland sighed. “Saji, Rao and Jiao are like family to me. We rely on each other, but it’s not as rosy as you imagine. And besides…” “Besides what?” “Sigh…” Garland let out a long breath. “You don’t realize how lucky you are. I should be the one envying you.” Saji looked puzzled. “Saji,” Garland lowered his head and spoke earnestly, “when you go home, you have a father and mother waiting for you. That’s the greatest blessing in the world. I… my mother, the Grand Princess, passed away when I was very young. I barely remember her face. As for my father… I don’t even know his name. I have no parents. I only have my two sisters. We look after each other. That’s not a happy life.” “But without parents, you can do whatever you want! Isn’t that great?” “Saji, what you call ‘freedom’ often means being forced to make difficult choices to survive. It’s not as wonderful as you think.” “I don’t understand at all,” Saji admitted. His clear eyes flitted from his brother’s face to the endless sky, his thoughts drifting back to playfulness. It turned out Garland wasn’t Saji’s blood brother but his cousin. Of course—how could a prince have an elder brother? “A-ge, do you think the princess of the Qierdan tribe is pretty?” “She’s a princess. She won’t be ugly, I suppose.” “But the others always joke about Qierdan women, saying they’re dark and hairy like men.” “Don’t listen to them. They’re just jealous. Marrying a princess is a dream they’ll never achieve.” “Hehe…” Saji grinned. “I’m going to get married soon! Then I’ll have a wife to cuddle with every day—such a sweet life!” They continued chatting as they rode. Suddenly, Garland had an idea. “Hey, do you want to see what the Qierdan princess looks like? I can take you there.” “Really?!” Saji’s eyes lit up. “Mm.” Garland nodded. “Wow…” Saji beamed, already imagining her face. He clutched Garland’s arm. “You have to take me!” “I will. I want to see the Qierdan tribe myself. But not today. It’s in a different direction.” “What?” Saji’s excitement plummeted. “Fine… but no backing out. You promised.” Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the distance. “A-ge, look… someone’s there.” Garland’s expression turned serious. He saw figures moving at the edge of his vision. Instinctively, he nocked an arrow, aiming at the approaching shadows. They had been riding without care, not tracking their location. But now… they were dangerously close to the northern fortress—the stronghold of their sworn enemies.