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~ In Outer Space ~

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"So what is it that you are running away from?" Keth asked Vengimi, his legs crossed as he sat comfortably in a chair. He was holding an elegant teacup by the handle, his other hand holding onto the small china plate it was resting on. He took a sip, inhaling the fragrant scent of green tea.

Vengimi was sitting across from Keth, his backpack on the floor near his feet. The sight of Keth in long black gothic getup, dark eyeliner and glinting gold earrings, calmly sipping tea, was a surprising sight for Vengimi. He noticed they were the only ones on the ship; there was no crew, no passengers, just the captain himself. The ship is big enough for an army, Vengimi thought, musing at the size of the spaceship.

Vengimi suddenly realized Keth asked a question. He cleared his throat, taking a careful sip of his tea before setting it down. "My wife," he said despondently, having been brought back to his present situation.

Keth slowly drank his tea, his dark eyes looking over the cup's rim at Vengimi. "I see," he said, setting his cup on the small china plate while still holding the handle. "I'm unmarried, so I can't relate to your situation in that respect, but I do understand the need to escape from a dire circumstance." He paused thoughtfully, frowning. "Well, my situation wasn't exactly dire, but I was bored and wanted adventure."

"This ship is really all yours? You man this entire ship with no crew?" Vengimi asked Keth in a tone of amazement, gesturing with his hand to indicate the ship they were in.

"A vampire gave it to me," Keth said in response, taking another appreciated sip of tea. "As you can see, I take very good care of my ship. Well, his ship. Technically mine now."

Vengimi's eyes widened. "A vampire?" he asked in disbelief.

"The vampire leader named Mallen Zaliċ," Keth said as he leaned back in his seat. "He was kind to give me one of his ships. One he materialized himself."

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It was on planet Magarra where Keth got his ship, days after the two most powerful vampires in the land had spoken with the Ileín, the most powerful alien entity in the galaxy. It was right before Christmas Eve.

Keth Vasileniy was originally from planet Verdamnt, the same planet vampires originated from. After one of the vampires stupidly unleashed a trio of dragons in the land, the human and vampire inhabitants were forced to evacuate the planet to avoid total annihilation. Dragons were the most dangerous creatures in the land, since they were able to kill both humans and vampires.

Most people settled on planets Voldvell and Mijoria, but Keth wanted to explore other planets. He ended up on planet Magarra, a safe haven for humans, but life was too peaceful and predictable for him there. After getting a taste of the many worlds outside of his home planet, Keth's curiosity deepened to where he sought space travel at his own leisure.

The vampires were talking amongst themselves when Keth confidently approached them. He raised his voice, saying, "I wish to speak with Mallen Zaliċ, the vampire leader."

Mallen turned to see who had spoken. He was the most attractive vampire with long dark raven black hair tied back in an olive green ribbon that matched his beautiful olive green eyes. His handsome body was dressed in stylish attire consisting of muted purple and olive green over navy blue pants and his infamous boots with gold embellishments. He always had a confident air about him, always looked in charge and in control of his surroundings.

Today he appeared unusually solemn, a foreboding air surrounding his usual demeanor. Keth had seen Mallen leave the ship with his wife. He watched him kiss her deeply before letting her leave for the Christmas party. Mallen was walking around, checking up on everything, before he would join the party, as if wanting to take care of business before allowing himself some fun. Keth sensed he sought distraction from whatever troubled thoughts plagued him.

Keth was a human from one of the other ships that arrived on planet Magarra before Mallen's ship arrived. He had already seen and experienced life on planet Magarra. Now that the vampire leader finally arrived, Keth wanted to request something of him, something only the vampire leader would be able to grant.

Keth felt Mallen's eyes study him, his eyes calm and insightful. Mallen's olive green eyes continued to peruse Keth, taking note of the handsome man with short black hair, dark brown eyes with dark eyeliner, pale light skin, a thin lean body, and a long knee-length black trench coat of gothic nature. His sure manner indicated he was not fearful in the slightest of being in the presence of the most powerful vampire in the land.

"Yes, I am Mallen," Mallen answered smoothly. He patiently waited to see what he wanted.

Keth took a step closer. "My name is Keth Vasileniy and I want to leave planet Magarra. The Ileín has already given me his consent and he approved of my wishes to leave the planet. He even wished me a safe journey, as if knowing my journey would be well. What I want to ask is, could I possibly keep one of your ships? The Ileín told me to ask you for one of your ships. An ordinary ship would do. I know this is a big ask."

Interesting. A human who wants to leave the Ileín's planet. He's not the only one wanting to leave. "How come you want to leave planet Magarra?" Mallen asked. His tone indicated he would be willing to consider Keth's request.

"I am happy here on planet Magarra, but alas, it cannot contain my love for adventure," Keth said in response. "I want to explore different planets and see the galaxy for myself. I wish to travel the stars and discover uncharted paths to new worlds."

A wonderful wish, Mallen thought. One worthy of granting. He nodded in approval of his request. "Very well. You may take one of my ships."

Keth made a short bow. "Thank you kindly, Mallen."

"You may take the MI-9 and rename it as you like." Mallen indicated the ship parked beside his own ship, the MI-11. Keth knew the MI stood for Mallen and , the second most powerful vampire in the land. The man who was like a brother to Mallen.

Mallen turned his attention back to Keth, saying, "The best of luck to you, Keth. May you have a safe, fulfilling journey."

Keth detected a note of wistfulness in his voice, as though Mallen wished the same for himself. Mallen smiled, feeling happy for Keth, but as he left, his smile waned, returning to worry. Keth thought about asking what was troubling him, but he didn't want to intrude. He assumed it was more than the typical stresses of being a leader over the entire vampire population.

Since Mallen had gone off somewhere after their conversation, Keth turned and went to gather his belongings. He too sensed something bad was about to happen and he wanted to get off the planet as quickly as possible.

Keth left just hours before the Ileín passed judgment, resulting in the death of Mallen's wife and the creation of the Csa race. He hadn't heard from Mallen nor any of the vampires since he left planet Magarra. He hoped Mallen found peace from his worry, hoped that he had recovered from whatever was troubling him, unaware of the tragedy that had befallen.

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Keth sighed as he took another sip of green tea. "Perhaps it is time I contacted Mallen. It's been ten years," he said, placing his teacup on the table and rising from his seat. "I wonder how he's doing."

Vengimi followed Keth, his mind whirling with all he had learned. Distant planets. Vampires. Dragons. A mysterious powerful alien being called the Ileín, someone the vampire leader was cautious of. This is way confound, too fantastical for me, Vengimi thought as he walked on the smooth floor of the ship. Yet here I am inside an alien ship, headed for another planet.

Vengimi watched Keth as he reached for a communication device in the ship's cockpit. Keth dialed in the communication system for contacting Mallen's ship.

Keth waited a moment, then he said, "Hey, this is Keth Vasileniy from the Silent Whisper. Wanting to speak with Mallen, please." He waited for a response, becoming concerned when he didn't hear one. "Mallen? Iérti? Anyone? This is Keth Vasileniy from the Silent Whisper. Mallen granted me this ship. Hello? Is anyone – "

A crackling noise interrupted, distorting the feed for a moment, before a man's voice finally answered, saying in a firm voice, "This is Iérti Keresi."

"Iérti!" Keth said in relief. "Thank goodness! Is Mallen there? I wish to speak with him."

"He's away at the moment," Iérti told him, using his personal phone to answer incoming ship calls, since Mallen's ship was hidden away via invisibility cloaking technology and in a secret location. Another former vampire, quick and adept to modern technology, had shown Iérti how to link the ship's incoming calls to his phone. It was also linked to Mallen's phone. Since Mallen didn't answer, Iérti answered in his stead.

Iérti was seated at his desk, wearing a stylish burgundy maroon coat over a black long sleeve shirt and pants. His black hair was slicked back and styled in neat fashion. His dark brown eyes perused over some papers of customer orders. "Is it urgent?"

"No, not urgent," said Keth. "I just wanted to see how he was doing. He gave me the MI-9 and I renamed it the Silent Whisper. How's he been? How are things on planet Magarra?"

Iérti's voice instantly became solemn. "We are no longer on planet Magarra," he said gravely. "We are on planet Earth."

"Are you serious?!" Keth exclaimed. "I just left planet Earth!" He put the ship on standby, making it halt in space. "Would it be alright if I came to see you and Mallen?"

Iérti sighed sadly at the thought of the man he called brother. "Truth be told, Mallen isn't doing well. He lost his wife and the Ileín turned us into the Csa. We are no longer vampires; we are a new kind of immortal being called Csa."

Vengimi watched as Keth froze in astonishment. "Oh no....I am so sorry to hear that. Mallen was right to be wary of the Ileín. He must be so devastated...."

"He wanted to remain a vampire. I wanted to become a human. But the Ileín had other plans for us." Iérti sounded defeated, tired almost. "Earth is a great distraction, a very recommendable planet, and things are good here, but I know Mallen is still in pain; I can see it in his eyes. He was very adamant about co-owning a clothing store. It's most of all he does now, is just work, drinking tea, going for walks, reading books, and making clothes for customers."

"At least he's not drinking alcohol," Keth murmured. "Like you guys would even be able to get drunk anyway."

"No matter how devastated, Mallen is never one for bad habits. Our clothing store keeps him busy. Earth is just as beautiful as Verdamnt was. It reminds me so much of home. They even have a replica of Mallen's castle, though it has become a tourist site."

"I should like to see that," said Keth, glancing at Vengimi.

"You are welcome to come visit," said Iérti. "I'll forward you our apartment address. Do you have a phone?"

"I'm sorry, a what?" Keth looked confused, but Vengimi reached into his backpack and held up a Samsung Galaxy phone. "I have a phone," Vengimi said, handing it to Keth.

Keth looked at the phone, unsure what it was. He handed it back to Vengimi, saying, "I have no idea what that strange-looking device is."

"A phone is a communication device people use on planet Earth," Iérti explained. "If you'll give me your number, I'll forward you my apartment address."

"A what now?" Keth asked, feeling completely out of the loop.

Vengimi decided to speak up, saying, "I'm Vengimi Carven. I am a passenger aboard Keth's ship. The only passenger, actually," he added. "I don't usually give my number out to people I don't know. I only met Keth for a few hours, and he seems to trust you. Your voice indicates you are indeed a trustworthy person.

"Keth told me Mallen was kind to give him a ship. We don't even have personal spaceships on planet Earth, so I consider it the equivalent of giving someone a car. Because you two have been so kind to Keth, who in turn showed kindness towards me, I will trust you as well." Vengimi turned to Keth, facing him directly. "Since you're planning to return to Earth, I only have one request: we pick up my son."

"Agreed," said Keth, shaking Vengimi's hand. "Your son would be most welcome aboard my ship. And don't worry, we'll steer clear of your wife."

"Thank you," Vengimi said gratefully. "I would be content to go wherever you wish to go, as long as my son comes with me."

"I will hold to your wishes," Keth said in promise. "We will pick up your son first, then we will visit Mallen and Iérti, then we will leave planet Earth and go elsewhere."

"I would really appreciate that," said Vengimi, looking forward to seeing his son again. Now that Keth was his savior from a discouraging life, Vengimi felt his son would enjoy traveling the galaxy with him. Vengimi felt truly thankful for Keth, who had unexpectedly showed up in his life and literally took him away from desolation and despair.

Having established his wishes with Keth, Vengimi gave Iérti his phone number and received a text message shortly after. Keth entered it in the ship's system and set course back to planet Earth. He thanked Iérti and disconnected the call, straightening his back and stretching his arms.

"I'm gonna go take a shower. We should be back on planet Earth in about an hour," Keth told Vengimi. "Feel free to make yourself at home."

"Thank you, Keth, for everything," Vengimi told him appreciatively.

Keth smiled, happy to have changed his life for the better. He went to take a shower, leaving Vengimi to wander the ship.

A puzzled look came over his face when Vengimi remembered Keth telling him Mallen had materialized it himself. Materialized? What did he mean by that? Did he imply that he just magically made this ship appear out of thin air? That's impossible. Even a vampire can't do that.

When Vengimi voiced his doubts to Keth, the space traveler simply wrung a towel over his wet, tousled hair and said, "Yeah, he used a fairy wand in a secret library to materialize an entire fleet of ships for everyone to evacuate the planet. Vampires obviously can't do magic; it's a matter of science, really."

"A fairy wand?" Now Vengimi didn't believe at all. "That's ridiculous. Fairies aren't – "

"Real?" Keth interrupted, looking directly at Vengimi. "You think they only exist in so-called fairytales? Well, they actually existed on my origin planet Verdamnt. They moved elsewhere before the vampires arrived. There was a mystical water source in the land that brought fictional characters to life, turning fantasy into reality. That's how vampires became real."

"And you lived with those vampires?" Vengimi asked in astonishment.

"Yes, in a human settlement near the vampire settlement, sometime after the four fortresses were destroyed," Keth clarified. "Each settlement had a human and a vampire overlord. But Mallen and Iérti ruled over both humans and vampires."

While Vengimi pondered over all this, Keth walked towards the part of the ship that held sleeping areas, making Vengimi follow him. "Pick any room you like. You are welcome to stay for as long as you want. Let me know if you wish to stop at a certain planet."

"How many planets are there? With humans on them," Vengimi inquired, curious to know. "Are there truly so many planets with humans on them?"

"Indeed," Keth said with a smile. "I can show you all of them."

"I didn't even know there was another planet with humans," Vengimi mused, looking out the window at the vast blackness of space sparkled with stars.

Keth gave him a funny look. "You mean to say you thought Earth was the only planet with humans? Even when I was on planet Verdamnt, I felt there was no way we were alone in the universe."

Vengimi sighed heavily. "This is all too much for me," he admitted.

"Just a grander perspective, is all," Keth said encouragingly. He went to make more tea, taking the tea kettle with him. He loved tea.

Vengimi thought for a moment, astounded by all he learned in just a short amount of time. When Keth returned, he handed Vengimi a long knee-length purplish burgundy trench coat to wear.

Vengimi took the trench coat, his second gift from Keth. The first had been sparing him from his unhappy life.

The trench coat had a satiny interior and a sleek, leather like exterior. It was a flexible material with an iridescent purplish red sheen. There was a signature stitched on the back, one that surprised Vengimi.

"Mallen made this trench coat?" Vengimi asked Keth.

"Yes," Keth replied with a smile. "He made clothes for most of the people in the land, including me. I have nine custom-made trench coats. Luckily, you and I seem to be the same size. Figured you would want a trench coat to wear for your space travels."

"Thank you, Keth. It feels like it's been made for me," Vengimi said, putting on the trench coat. "I will treasure this always."

Keth smiled and patted him on the shoulder, directing Vengimi to a tall mirror so he could see how he looked in it.

As Vengimi looked at himself in the mirror, he felt he had just entered a new chapter in his life, one of a given second chance, of adventure ahead, with a charming brother-like friend that was happy to guide him towards a better life, one he had always wanted.

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Music:

"Illusions"
by Roosevelt

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How I picture Keth to look like

And how I picture Vengimi to look like