Aya's POV

( Present Day 2020 )

"This scroll is being written so you can understand me and my kind. The origins of what I am, as far back as it is remembered through my memories and those of my parents.

Should you wish to get straight to the story, open the next scroll now."

A Brief History Of My Kind

Long before recorded time, my ancestors, were at war with the humans that had just emerged from the forests. They were to be their new food source, you see.

My kind was primitive back then too, just as humans were, and we evolved alongside each other as well. We were of all of the different shapes, and sizes, though none looked quite human... yet. Our eyes were a constant crimson red showing an inner rage and constant thirst for blood. Except for the old ones. Their eyes were a deep garnet red, almost black. They had Quills that froze their victims when scratched that, ran along their legs, arms, and spines. Long Quills sprouted from their heads. Huge eyes, barely-there noses, but largemouths. Their fangs were very long and couldn't be retracted.

They were the first of our kind. True vampire demons. I shudder when I say that. The vampire demons were vicious in their day, cutting a bloody swath through the age.

The older they became, the more they could adapt, as evolution was providing. The very old were becoming able to shift their form into just about anything they wanted of the same weight. Equivalent exchange, you see. It was a survival mechanism given through the evolution of my species, that lasted about two generations.

As far as I am aware, they were the first of the shapeshifters. Part vampire, part shifter as they were referred to.

This is where evolution stepped in allowing us to become like humans in form. I know that some of the old ones that had mated with humans had sired shifters with no vampiric aspects. This I lived to see firsthand. The birth of another species.

Due to showing off their powers to dominate their new 'human' food source, they became the hunted.

There was in-fighting as well. Some came to love their humans, and some took the females humans by force to procreate. Over time, some vampire women gave birth to a new generation of vampires.

My Generation.

The first generation with a human form, no Quills, but with retractable fangs, and the vampire demon running amok in our blood, that would sometimes observe from behind our eyes. Cold, and calculating... Waiting to take over our minds.
My generation of vampire looks just as human as you do in modern times, though we fight the vampire demon side within us, to 'blend in'.

Doing so, allowed our minds to became strong. Thus, mind manipulation became a great part of us, also helping us to blend in with society by forcing those around us to not see us or not feel us as we drank from their necks. This also included the ability to mind-link over great distances, even continents. Give and take memories too. But what we work on the most is keeping our minds shielded from one another. Just in case the vampire we meet is no friend, but a fiend.

Those that didn't fight back against their vampire demons, allowing it to take control of them are the ones that became known as 'monster' to humans. They were made living testaments in books and films in later centuries.

The vampire demon within us is like a presence of sorts that can take over our mind and body at times of weakness. Times of fear, or when we are in a panic to survive. Letting go only when things calm down, the presence retreats into the back of our minds. Always watching, always waiting...

I only fought my demon when I was first born because my parents kept me on an animal blood only diet, to help weaken the vampire demon well enough that it could not take over my mind, and body. Weakening the vampire demon this way also allows for better control over one's ability to manipulate minds.

When my parents found out about the animal blood diet it was by accident. Devastation from the vampire/human wars left very few of us, first-generation vampires, alive.

Our island, later in the future to be called Japan, only had a smattering of humans to feed on. From where we lived in the mountains, it was thought better to just stay near the home considering my mother's pregnancy with me. So they went onto a steady diet of animal blood and found out by accident that it worked to keep their vampire demons under control. It can be very dangerous for everyone around us if we lose control. Very few, if any, survive.

Contrary to popular belief, daylight does not harm us. Though it will weaken our powers a bit, we can walk in the sun quite easily.

Wafers and holy relics do nothing, and we can walk on holy ground.

Silver can immobilize us if it goes through the heart or brain. To kill, the removal of the head and heart is best. Head only... Keep it separated from the body, a severed head can regenerate healing to the neck. A silver stake or silver dagger will do nicely. Heart only... Toss the heart away where hopefully none will find it. The best bet, destroy the head and heart completely so neither can be re-attached again.

As for stakes, wooden or otherwise? They would almost kill us. See instructions on the head and heart, above.

And no, we do not sparkle.

I must apologize for rambling, I should scratch this all out... I am not good at giving details like this, in writing.

However, this story of my journey through life will be told from different perspectives. Memories that were collected from the minds of others, with permission.

This is a testament to the wonderful souls I have known. That they are remembered. I smile as I think about them. Without them, I doubt that I would have survived this long. I owe them everything... And will give them...

You see, tomorrow I will be facing either life or my death. So time is precious.

Why scrolls and not regular paper or on a computer? Only because I am old, and parchment scrolls seem most comfortable and familiar to me. A strange habit I know.

So, shall I continue with the story part? Alright then, time for new parchment scroll.."

I am Aya, I am Lady Raptor, and this is my story...

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Author's Note: Please remember this is fantasy, so not all of the historical aspects will be perfect. ( I'll try! ) Remember the story moves at a slow pace. A 'slow-burn' book

I may be a bit slow with my updates, but please bear with me, cause I am not so young anymore! 😂😂😂

Grammar and punctuation will be bad at times. ( Long time since I was in a classroom! Hehe! )

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy it!

Please remember to VOTE, and leave COMMENTS, plus suggestions or ideas!

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Thank you!

Chloè Roissere

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