Blood Unforgiven

Chapter One

Chapter One

The turbulent winds haggled down below as marching armies of thousands flooded the countryside with swords neck to neck with their enemy holding the banner of serpent with blood and faceless demon with wings. The moon paraded high in the sky as the spectator to watch the hordes of bloodshed below. Iron to leather, leather to iron, blood splutter everywhere as the carving of flesh hilted the bloodied countryside with bitterness and scorn. The banner continued to stand tall. Corpses stained the hill sides like raindrops. The darkness raided the night as to move behind the clouds for safety as the light shadowed over the lands. Many soldiers fallen as swords pierced their flesh like butter. Hundreds of soldiers stood in formation as a lone leader stood on the mountain side with a silver helmet and sword hilted at their side. The banner stood mighty as some soldiers held onto it. Decked in leather, silver and chainmail the leader unsheathed their sword and pointed upward. The other soldiers hit their shields as the victory was claimed over the lands. The lone leader rode down and nodded its head to the rows of their deviate heroes.

One man cringed as the blood poured from his mouth. Dismembered from the legs, the man continued to crawl over his fallen comrades. The leader rode up to the man and hopped off the horse. The man looked back and tried to crawl faster.

“Please let me live,” the man begged.

The leader smiled and took off their helmet revealing long silver violet hair with shimmering sparkles under the moonlight. Lips blood as stained red, fangs to the bottom lip, a slender oval face, pale skin as moonlight dipped in alabaster seas. The leader took off their gloves to reveal claw-like fingernails with metal tips and bone fragmented into the nails.

The man looked up at the leader and frowned, “you’re a woman?”

The moon glistened over her face and she smiled evilly, “I am.”

She reached down in one swoop and picked the man up moving his head to the side and bite into his neck draining him of his blood. Shrills of screams filled the country side as others began to do what she did. After a few minutes, she threw the man’s body to ground. Her bloodshot snowy eyes stood out under the darkness as a waiting death. She looked at the battlefield and wiped her mouth of the blood dripping down her sides. A man with green helmet strolled up to her. She turned her head to see his bold golden silver eyes study her. He bowed to her as he approached her.

“Lady Lilian, the entire human army is no more. We have used our forces to destroy them,” the man in the olive helmet celebrated.

She licked her fingernails and smirked, “well done, General Gogu. We shall advance the men back to Bone Castle.”

Gogu kneeled his head further and stood up as she strode passed him. Her long hair danced in the moonlight as was free from its rain extending to her knees. Her horse rode beside her and Lilian jumped onto it. Her fangs whitened under the moonlight as she raced passed her vampire soldiers feeding on the last remaining humans trying to fight them off. She grinned as to her she was the queen to her people and household.

****

The moon moved higher in the sky as the rain ravaged the clouds twinkling in discord from its cloudy residence. A large castle decked in Gothic exteriors with framing towers of stone with faceless mouths. Large archways were positioned into the towers like the five-pointed star. The moonlight shadowed its light over the dark obsidian stone and bone carved into it. Deep rouges of reds marred the pavements walking up to the elegant stairway to the entrance. Gargoyles, ravens and demonic faces of demons with open mouthed centers flapped their wings over the over towering structures. Ravens flew over the landscapes as many attendants moved about to lay some bones into the pavement. In the center of the large garden, two twin trees woven together moved every once in a while, blood dripped from the center and an illusionist barrier stabbed against it. A dark haze permeated the lands in a shadowed haze of dead souls cried out. Other servants moved about holding new fragments of bodies and walked over placing dust of bones onto dead garden. Blacks and grays of plants were all over the gardens as it was perpetual night stinging into the flesh. Eyes of red and white sniffed one of the plants.

Lilian ambled out in a sheer dress like water barely covering her voluptuous figure underneath the gown that shimmered like the speckles of stars. She glanced down at the blood in the pond and dipped a finger into it then tasting it. A man with dark red hair and coffee doe eyes with a steel blade to his side walked over to her.

“Lady Lilian, why must you wage war against the mortals? We are at peace. Now they will come for us once more,” the man exhaled.

Lilian laughed haughtily. “Dear Ravres, we have to show mortals who is more willed with strength. If you look around I don’t waste good meat. I utilize it around in my castle and gardens.”

Ravres respired deeply, for it wasn’t called Bone Castle for anything. Some soldiers pulled the remains of humans into the gardens and others took them away disappearing. The dead was used in all aspects on Chilian territory. Ravres looked back at the haunting castle saw souls walking about then faded away. Some skulls looked as it was coming out of the castle.

“Mortals know not to wage war against me, yet every once in while they don’t remember what I can do. The last lord did that over three hundred years ago and became my decorated canvas over my lands.” Lilian giggled casually. “Humans, demons, and vampires know not against me.”

Ravres turned to leave; nonetheless, Lilian’s voice caught him by surprise, “do you know why I went to that Ravres?”

He turned around and studied his mistress before him, “why?”

She promenaded over to him and touched his chest moving in too close and placed her lips against his flesh, “they had something of mine.”

Ravres shut his eyes as Lilian caressed his chest and flesh. He groaned as her touch heated under his flesh. Dark leaves surrounding her and she disappeared into the shadows. He stood there then opened his eyes turning around to see nothing there.

****

A large portrait of a woman dressed in a light pale blue gown and long fangs rimmed her lips. Her bloodshot snowy eyes matched her silver gray starlight hair. Lilian touched the portrait with her hand.

“Mother, I will make you proud of Chilian House, your passing, legacy and power is within me now,” Lilian touched her face and blood tears flowed down.

Two large doors opened up with a woman with silver gray eyes, tanned skin, pale fiery flaming hair, small petite frame and breasts walked in a covered black bodice dress. She peeked at Lilian and glowered.

“Lilian, creating a war against the mortals is never a good sign and being a diplomat to these lands,” the woman stated.

Lilian moved over to the other woman in a flash and placed a finger under her chin. “My baby sister, Galina, I am Queen of the Chilian House. I am Lady as since mother passed not too long ago, I have kept her traditions and made excellent decisions.”

Galina sneered at Lilian for her nail was digging into her skin drawing some blood, “Lilian, we didn’t have to attack them.”

Lilian glided away from her sister and back to the portrait. “I did because they held this item and they stole it from mother’s vault. Mother had precious treasures and this was one of them.”

A small box with a bone face on it appeared on it. Lilian held it within the palm of her hand. Galina gasped at seeing it. Her hands moved to touch it but Lilian took it away from her sight.

“You are not even allowed to see this precious treasure. I am guardian of it and have taken it.” Lilian tapped her finger under her chin, “my question was to how it slipped out of the vault?”

Galina scowled and put her hands behind her back, “Lilian, it’s still a mystery but now that you have it back what will you do.”

Lilian grimaced at her sister and sauntered passed her, “I will protect it, but this was only shifted out of the vault after mother died.”

Galina looked up at the portrait, “I miss her too, Lilian.” She turned around and looked at Lilian with miserable eyes, “we’re half-sisters but do you do think we can be a little closer?”

Lilian arched an eyebrow and sighed worryingly, “we can try but I will look into who did this to insult to me.”

Lilian treaded out of the doors and waved her hands behind her shutting the doors. Galina looked up at the portrait and sneered for a split second.

****

The darkness clouded over the castle for in the distant the flames of the skulls could be seen from the hills surrounding the countryside. A haze descended and Lilian stood on one of the ledges looking outward seeing the bats fly about. Ravens flew around and she raised her hand looking at one that flew to her to perch on her hand. Her hair whipped around her in the winds raging over the castle.

“Grayson, my loyalist friend, my mother has given me the foresight and something will come to the House of Tepees, Dracula in the future. Go there and protect it. Be my eyes and speak to the one who will become the guardian of Grays Castle.” The bird nodded as she petted him, “do come back and check on every once in a while.”

“I shall, Lady Lilian. I will report to you when the time comes, but I know what pact will become when you have sent me to do this,” Grayson nuzzled in her touch.

“I will require something from Vlad’s house soon. Tell him of my vision and that it will be what I desire. I will come collect from Nora,” Lilian decreed.

Grayson nodded then flew from her hand. She stood up to see the bird fly away into the darkness of her lands. Black angel wings appeared from her back and her long hair shimmered with black strands and her eyes turned white with traces of crimson and amber that sparkled. Her aura glowed brightly of white light. She held up her hand and darkness flew from her hand.

****

A man with long light cerulean hair and emerald eyes paced across the floor as he tapped his fingers against his body. He looked outward to see the haze around Bone Castle baring a magical barrier of blood and death. He snarled as he couldn’t take from what he had desired. Another man with soft short shimmering dark navy hair and emerald eyes with a hard-pressed face looking at the other man with shoulder length hair. His own hair was to his ears. Both men had fangs to their bottom lips. Both men were taller but one had lines across his face.

The older man stopped pacing and leaned against the railings, “Victor, tell me any news of Lilian Chilian? I need information about what they possess.”

Victor glared then shifted his stance and turned the other direction staring at another man entering in the large doors with a woman decked in black. “My Lord Ioane, things have changed over there.”

“I don’t have much as to witness about what the Chilian house. Their lively hood is not well known to the ancients but they are favored under house Tepees. I do know father that Lady Lilian rules as the queen of the house. Her mother passed into the great night over a year ago. The power has shifted through the lands.” Victor cited.

Ioane turned around as his eyes met the woman and Victor. “I will have to consult Alexander, Yleniai, Nicolai, Lucian and other sub houses. House Chilian is weak since the passing of Dorena. She was so beautiful and wanted of the ancient’s. Dorena was unstoppable and could only contest to house Tepees but the two were only aligned. Not much is known of them but I cannot be directly involved.”

“House Vladimir can’t be involved as to have any ancients against an ancient is treason. But, we can move other pieces on the table,” Ioane said then moseyed toward them smiling. “It is forbidden to go against them, but there could be a power struggle in Chilian household. I suggest we stir up things. Dorena left many valuable things behind and it could spell great power.”

Victor blinked his eyes looking at his crafty father. “How will be able to obtain this? We have no claim over the house as Lilian is the firstborn of the house and holds great power. I have heard her tales of defending Bone Castle. She is ruthless and beautiful.”

Ioane scorned at his son. “Don’t forget Lilian is only woman and we need to stand united under the other houses in order to take from her. I’ve always wanted what Dorena had. Her house is prideful and powerful. She held too many secrets and achieved what no ancient could do.”

Ioane turned to the woman and grimaced, “Viviana, I want you to find out what you can do and converse with the other ladies of the court to seek out any information about Lady Lilian.”

She bowed her head and walked out the doors closing them behind her.

Ioane turned to his son. “I have other things in play to take on the Chilian house. Lilian holds the same secrets as Dorena once did. There are ways to get to her but one must get through the cracks.”

Victor bowed his head and strolled out the room. He groaned as he closed the doors behind himself. He knew of what his father truly wanted. He was the second born and heir apparent, for his older brother was exiled centuries ago. The only other one underneath him was his younger brother Jan. Victor now had to play a part in getting what secrets he could from the house of Chilian.

****

The moon enthused behind the clouds emitting a rough light against the graves of bones against the countryside. Galina ambled bare foot against the paved stones. She looked up at the sky then turned her eyes to the black and red pools of blood in the gardens. Her eyes turned around to see the black leaves fall. She breathed a sigh looking at the black fires hoisted far above and dead ghosts flying through the walls. The winds wavered and caught her hair in the mix. She sat down by one of the benches. She had lived at Bone Castle all her life and apart of herself wanted out. She descended from a mighty line but compared to her sister, she was a lowborn. They were half-sisters and completely different. Her father was a low born vampire lord and didn’t have much magical inheritance. Her mother had favored Lilian, for she had the breed and power. Galina heaved a sigh as she would never be able to outpower Lilian or outsmart her. Galina knew that Dorena only had her to have another heir in the house. Dorena had often joked that two is better than one.

The second born princess felt she was a leftover cause to fulfill her mother’s wish. She glanced down at the ripples of the waters and wished she would be anything else than a Chilian. She peered at her reflection and smashed her hand down in the water. Galina got up and strolled to the twin trees. She turned to touch it but a tall man with long midnight hair, nude lips, pale skin and short wavy hair stopped her hand.

“Arc?” Galina called out confused.

His golden eyes with red glowed at her, “you aren’t meant to touch this gateway, Galina. Even you are forbidden as you are not the lady of the house nor given the birthright.”

He pushed her away and she stumbled back frowning at him, “am I always forbidden to touch things in this house?”

His form towered over her like the night. He wore a black cloak. Arc crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes at her, “Lady Dorena has said so, for only the heir is to such secrets.”

“One day, my sister shall share with me as mother doesn’t only have one child but another” Galina yelled.

“Lady Dorena has made this a natural law and only the heir blood can do this which was set by the king and queen themselves. You are not that.” Arc christened out then shimmered into the darkness.

Galina stepped back and looked up at the roof to see a white light and a sparkling shade of violet hair flowing into the wind. Galina scowled as not even she had access to such secrets. Jealously bridled deep inside of herself as felt betrayed that even in death her mother had abandoned her to become servant to her own sister. Galina twirled around and turned into a black swarm of bats flying into a different direction.

Lilian glimpsed down to see Galina shift into bats and fly over the countryside. Her eyes returned to normal and she shifted back to sit back down on the ledge studying the crescent moon in the distance. Something was coming since from the death of her mother. Lilian was sure that enemies were going to come her way but who could she trust? The air tensed as she some feathers fell from her back. In the distance upon a hill, a man with curved blade, wearing a cloak hiding his face watched the haze of the castle.