"Evacuate! His Highness has really lost it this time!" a knight shouted, panic lacing his voice.
The town of Nocturnis Veil—home to the vampire nobility—was in chaos. Screams echoed through the air as flames devoured rooftops.
Inside the towering castle, the Vampire King sat stiffly on his throne, swirling a goblet of bloodwine in his hand.
"That monster of a crowned prince…" he growled.
"Get everyone out. He's going to burn the entire town to ash."
The king stood, tossing the goblet aside.
"I'll slay that cursed dragon myself."
'Who are these people? Whose memory am I seeing?'
Townspeople fled through smoke-choked streets. Somewhere in the chaos, a familiar small voice cried out—
"Ciel, we have to go! Just leave Karl!"
A woman—Ciel's mother—pulled at his arm, her eyes wide with fear.
"No!! He can't die here!"
"Ciel!"
The boy broke away, shifting into his bat form and darting after a yelping puppy… but when he returned, the streets were empty.
"Mother…?"
Flames licked the sky. Everything was ash and ruin.
In the distance stood a blond boy who was still young. His face was still blurred, but the power around him was unmistakable. Even as a child, he stood untouched by the flames.
Ciel collapsed, clutching Karl in his arms. Tears streamed down his face as the firelight danced in his eyes.
'What's the point of these visions if I can't even see his face?'
'He was just a child… but so powerful. Uncontrolled. Dangerous. And this—this history—it'll repeat itself again.'
I clenched my fists. If I can reach that town… maybe someone still remembers. Maybe they know who the blond boy really is.
—
I jolted awake, sputtering as a bucket of water drenched my face.
"Hngh—what the—?!"
"Master!! You're awake!!" Ciel sobbed, hugging the now-empty bucket to his chest like it was his last lifeline.
We're in public, you damn bat.
I looked around. Everyone in the shop had turned to stare. A few people were whispering, others were straight-up gawking. My face burned.
I bit my lip. "Ciel…"
"You wouldn't wake up! I thought—I thought maybe you were dead or something, so I begged the store owner for a bucket and—" he sniffled dramatically, "I just— I had no choice, Master!"
"You… threw a full bucket of water on me?"
"And it worked! See? You're alive!!" He beamed through tears.
I groaned and wiped my soaked bangs out of my face. I'm never showing my face in this bakery again.
"Why do I feel worse whenever I'm with you… Let's just go home. I can't stand the stares any longer…"
"Aye, aye, Master!"
"Just—keep your mouth shut."
—
We made it back home. I was still dripping wet, my boots squishing on the floor.
"Hmph… That idiot. Still, I guess I should thank him. I have a lead now. But…" I sighed and flopped onto the bed.
"How exactly am I supposed to get there?"
After a long night of tossing, turning, and overthinking, I finally drifted off.
—
"Everie… Everie!!!"
A voice echoed—loud, high-pitched, and way too enthusiastic.
I opened my eyes to… nothing. Just an endless white void.
Standing not far from me was a girl, her expression wide with joy. Her hair was dusty purple, her eyes violet, and her dress black.
"It's really you! There's no mistaking those midnight eyes!"
"…Who are you?"
Her smile faltered into a pout.
"So you really lost your memory… My heart is breaking right now." She placed a dramatic hand over her chest.
"Think of me as your guardian angel!"
"What nonsense are you—mmph!"
She stuffed something into my mouth. It was small. Round. Glowy. A weird… orb?
"You talk too much," she huffed.
"I peeked into your memories, and saw you're planning a trip, huh? Let me help~ For a price, of course." Her eyes sparkled.
"And maybe… I can help you get your memories back too. If you're brave enough to take the deal."
She yanked the orb out of my mouth, finally letting me breathe. I gave her nothing but a cold glare and a scoff.
"What did you expect? You ignore my question, shove an orb down my throat, and expect me to say yes? I'm not buying your 'guardian angel' crap. I can handle this on my own."
The girl puffed her cheeks and crossed her arms, thinking.
"Hm~ But weren't you just wondering how to get there? I know the way. Just say the word—"
"No." I narrowed my eyes.
"I don't even know who you are or why you're in my head, but I can feel it… You're not just here to help."
She blinked, then sighed dramatically.
"Even with your memories gone, you're still as stubborn as a rock. Fine! I'll keep pestering you. One day, you'll be begging for my help!"
Her voice faded as she slowly disappeared into the white.
"That day won't ever come!" I shouted after her.