Soul Eater - Harbinger

Mourning

“Child, you must leave” her mother grasped her shoulders tightly. Gasping for air.

Seren looked down to see a dagger in her mother’s stomach. “We need to get help” Seren muttered, panic setting in.

Her mother shook her head, “there’s no time, child. You need to leave!” She yelped, pushing Seren towards the forest.

As she stood with her mother, at the edge of the forest she could see the others running into the garden, trying to escape. She watched in horror as a group of vampires chased and tore them apart. Her father followed behind them.

She observed his skin had paled, and his eyes were glowing bright red, the colour of newly bitten vampires. She gasped as he turned in their direction.

“GO, NOW” her mother gasped, shoving her hard, and turning her back to Seren. Her mother began running towards her father, instantaneously he had ripped into her.

Present

Vlad -

Seren quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks, not wanting him to see. She sat upright, and straightened out the hoodie. Brushing off imaginary dust from her shorts and legs.

Vlad watched her intently, feeling her emotion from every part of her story. Seeing how red her eyes had become and how she was shielding herself from him. He had to apologise.

“Miss Nava, I-“ he began as she rose from the chair. She didn’t wait for him to finish before exiting the room. She didn’t say a word.

Vlad leant back in his chair, covering his face with his hands. “Goddess” he groaned, “what a mess”

Hours later -

Vlad decided to check on Seren, he had not heard from her or seen her around the house.

The hallways were filled with old portraits, ones of his family who had passed, and empty ones ready for the future. He looked over the landing rail, which he could view the downstairs living space. No sign of her there.

He noticed the chandelier was dusty and inhabited by little spiders, frowning at this and taking note for later on when he would see Helga.

As he walked toward her room, he could hear cries, it echoed down the small stretch of corridor that lead there. He sighed to himself, almost with remorse, he knew he had this reputation as death itself, but he still had a human side.

As he approached he listened, feeling her sadness and loneliness. He knew what it was like to lose people, and regretted how he’d acted.

Seren -

There was a small knock at the door, Seren was settled into bed, clutching her knees to her chest. She looked towards the wardrobe mirror, seeing her red and puffy eyes.

The knock came again, a little stronger and impatient this time.

“Come in” she sniffled, sitting herself upright.

The door slowly opened, Vlad standing with a concerned expression. He offered her a pity smile as he walked into the room. Sitting at the foot of the bed and turning to face her.

She watched as he did, puzzled by him. She pulled the blanket further onto her lap, unsure of how to act around him.

“I will investigate your home, and what happened to your family” he began, “you may stay here until you find something more permanent”

Seren was taken back by this gesture, this Soul Eater was human after all. She shook her head and frowned, “I need to come with you”

He shook his head in response, raising a hand as he did; “that won’t be necessary”

“No, it will be. I am coming with you” she insisted, her manner was demanding and she was standing her ground.

She watched as he raised an eyebrow, clearly not used to being told no, or someone not agreeing with him.

Once more, he stood and walked out of the room. He didn’t say a word, but walked off in a huff.

Home, Vlad -

Seren and Vlad wandered through the wrecked, nearly burnt down farm house. The door falling off of its hinges and collapsed as Vlad pushed it open, causing a massive crashing sound.

Vlad began to look around at the burnt photos on the walls, the shredded wallpaper that remained and the blood stains that were scattered around. On every surface a mixture of blood and dust coagulated.

Seren headed towards the staircase before turning to Vlad, “I need to collect my things” she explained, waiting for his approval. He could feel her anxiety as she asked, the tension was still great between them.

He nodded, taking the lead and slowly walked up the stairs, sniffing heavily for any signs of a vampire. He caught glimpses of family photos and treasured items displayed along the walls of the staircase, “clearly a close family” he thought to himself.

Seren was hesitant behind him, overwhelmed by the ruins of her home, but continued on. He could feel how deep this hurt her, a wound that wasn’t even close to healing.

“My room is this way” she whispered as they reached the landing area, directing him to a small room at the far end of the house. He ensured to search every area before they went ahead, noting the house was completely empty.

As she opened the door, she stood in horror at the upside down room. Her belongings had been strewn across either side, her mirror smashed, along with some little trinkets.

She picked up the pieces, sniffling as she did so. One was a music box, the wood was cracked and the swan which sat in the centre to play had been ripped off of the turntable.

Vlad watched for a moment as she looked into the mirror of the music box, catching tears rolling down her cheeks. He had an urge to comfort her, to share some reassurance in this tragic moment; but she didn’t delay on collecting her things. She pushed down the emotions and the words she wanted to say, even though he felt them in the deepest part of her.

She was truly heart broken.

As the investigation went on, the home was too damaged to leave evidence of whether this was a planned or random attack. However, while Vlad searched the downstairs before leaving, he found books which read on Broods and the vampire masters. Putting those into his satchel he moved along.