— 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟔 —
𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚

The Mapuche tribe in South America was a journey, indeed. A tribe located in the rural areas of land in the regions of Chile and Argentina. Areas that had chosen not to conform to the modern ages and were stuck many centuries in the past: hundreds of miles away from big cities and populated areas.

Instead, they lived off the land and kept close relations with each other. Modern technology was sparse in such an area, and the spirits and energy of the land thrived.

It was why Cassandra loved the place: like all other places she had been to, it had a uniqueness of its own.

"The locals here do not always take kind to strangers—especially when they can easily discern as cold ones, make sure that you keep a low profile and do not instigate anything..." Sandy warmly explained as they finally stopped running after a few hours, all of them appearing at the cliff-side of a mountain that looked down to a village.

They had been running through the Amazon Rainforest and jungles for the past few hours: Jasper and Alice had to run slightly slower to allow Sandy to lead them. While fae were not much slower than vampires, the difference became apparent when they were running with each other for hours.

Because Sandy would become winded and get slower as time went on while the vampires would not. Sandy had considered doing the reversal spell on her wings and flying to allow them to move faster, but she could not bring herself to reveal them.

Even as old traditions had long since passed and Cassandra did not care as much who saw her wings—she still preferred to keep them hidden from most.

"They still believe in legends old?" Jasper questioned with a raised brow, gripping the straps of his backpack.

They all had backpacks with various tools inside. Sandy's things were currently sitting at a storage unit in Hawaii, she would have them shipped out to wherever she went next if they were able to find the proof they needed. If not, and Sandy had to go herself to assist the Cullens then her things were to be shipped to Nicholas' most recent location.

He would then divide her things between himself, Cassius, Zulon, and Noelle.

"Yep," Sandy nodded at Jasper's question. "So we need to be careful and make ourselves out as trustworthy otherwise risk their wrath. And trust me when I say that they may be mortal, but they are more than capable of lighting us all on fire..." Her words sent a chill down their spines.

While it was exceptionally rare, there were some mortals out there with enough knowledge of vampires and other supernatural creatures that they were capable of defending themselves against all.

Jasper and Alice slowly nodded.

"I'm sure we'll be able take them on if needed," Jasper spoke firmly, his voice reflective of the Major who once led missions of men into battle.

Sandy frowned at him, reminded of his past in the Confederate Army. While she truly tried her best not to hold it against him as he had long since seen the error of his ways and was entirely remorseful over it—there was still a small part of her that was slightly angry at him.

How could she not be?

She forgave him for his role in what happened long ago, but she would certainly never forget. Just as she would never forget her dear mortal friends who were entrapped in the chains of slavery alongside her.

"No harming them... if they attack then we leave, but we are the outsiders coming to them. We do not engage in a fight under any circumstances," Her voice was hard, something rare for her as she gave both her friends a warning glance before motioning them to follow.

With that, the supernatural beings flitted from the cliff-side and to the edges of the village.

Children played in the streets as people went about their everyday lives. Most wore traditional garments of their people: all equally as brown-skinned and long-haired.

Jasper and Alice were the only white-skinned people to be seen. Something immensely rare in many places around the globe these days.

Cassandra bit her lip, closing her eyes briefly before she opened them to reveal the true glowing kaleidoscope of greens, blues, and purples that her eyes were. Her ears had extended and pointed—the glimmer of her disguise gone.

The people of this village already knew about the existence of supernatural creatures. And one of the few creatures that they did not hold a grudge against or fear happened to be the fae. Rather, the few times over the past hundred years that Cassandra had been to this village, they always greeted her warmly and with open arms.

Praising her as the last of her kind: recognizing that she was a peaceful spirit of Mother Earth.

Alice had only seen Cassandra drop her cover a handful of times, and it had been many years since she had last seen it. So her eyes were glued to Sandy along with Jasper's as he had never seen a fae before.

There were no roads or sidewalks, only dirt and grassy land as they started into the village. Huts and other houses of various make were lined up—in an odd way it almost reminded Cassandra of the village her clan used to remain in.

Perhaps that's why she always found herself visiting this place randomly. Never for long, never living here for months to years at a time as she typically did, but visiting for a few days. Sometimes a few weeks.

Immediately as they started through the village, Alice and Jasper looked uncomfortable at the sun hitting them—it caused their skin to shine and sparkle as though they were made of a million diamonds. While it was not painful, it was weird for them to be walking in the sun so openly in front of so many humans.

It was something that neither of them had ever done in their years of immortality.

Especially when people started gasping and rushing into various buildings to hide. Kids who had been playing in the streets let out terrified screams, racing away—some of their parents coming and sweeping them up.

Jasper and Alice winced, there was a reason they were vegetarian vampires. They did not exactly enjoy mortals being terrified of them.

In seconds, everyone was hiding away and the previously booming little village was empty.

Sandy sighed, realizing this might be a bit harder with the presence of the vampires behind her. Especially when she noticed catapults hidden in trees ready to shoot flaming balls at them. Jasper and Alice, of course, noticed this and they tensed.

Before anything could be shot at them and they were forced to retreat—Sandy spoke, her voice bellowing as she yelled to no one in particular but making sure all around could hear.

"My name is Cassandra of the Roseanine: I come looking for Nahuel and Huilen!"

The language she spoke was a very old dialect of Spanish, but this version of it had a mixture of Portuguese thrown in as well. It was far off from modern Spanish, but Jasper and Alice who both were fluent in Spanish understood most of what she said.

As Cassandra's voice echoed through the village, the atmosphere grew tense. The villagers stayed hidden, their fear of the vampires evident. Alice and Jasper stood by Cassandra, their presence adding to the unease. Alice's eyes were vigilant, while Jasper remained alert, ready for anything.

There was silence for a very long time, nobody moved.

Until... someone did.

And not just someone.

From the shadows of the trees, a man emerged with silent grace. His long, black hair hung loosely around his shoulders, and his skin, a deep copper, glistened faintly in the muted light. His dark eyes scanned the area, but they softened slightly when they met Cassandra's. "Cassandra," he greeted, his voice warm yet cautious. "It has been a long time. Fifty years, I believe..."

Cassandra offered a small, reassuring smile. "Yes, Nahuel. It's good to see you again. We've come a long way, but not to bring harm."

Nahuel nodded but didn't relax entirely. His gaze shifted to Alice and Jasper, his posture tense. "You travel with vampires. That alone is enough to make me wary. Why are they here, and what do you want from me?"

Jasper and Alice could clearly hear the man's hummingbird heart, and how fast it thumped. They could see the flush of blood in his body, the small but nearly unnoticeable shimmer of his skin in the sun. He was like Renesmee: half-mortal, half-immortal.

He was the proof they needed.

Alice stepped forward, her voice calm and measured. "We need your help, Nahuel. The Volturi are coming to destroy a child, our niece who they believe to be an immortal child. But she's not; she's a hybrid, like you. We need you to testify on her behalf, to prove she is not a threat. That she will not grow to be violent."

Nahuel's expression darkened at the mention of the Volturi, and he crossed his arms, his eyes narrowing. "The Volturi? Their concern is power, not truth. I have been lucky for my past 150 years of existence to not have a run-in with them, to avoid their detection. Why should I compromise myself, my people, to help you?" His gaze lingered on Alice and Jasper, the distrust clear in his eyes.

Cassandra took a step closer, her voice gentle but firm. "Nahuel, you know I would not bring outsiders here if there was any other choice. I hold our friendship in high regard, but this is about doing what's right. You are proof that hybrids can live peacefully, without causing harm. You are proof that my brother is the only exception—that his way of violence is based on circumstances alone. We need you to help us save an innocent life."

Nahuel looked conflicted, his eyes shifting between Sandy and the vampires accompanying her. He trusted Cassandra, but Alice and Jasper's presence made him hesitate. They were outsiders, nothing more than untrustworthy vampires.

No better than his horrible father.

After a long pause, Nahuel sighed, his gaze returning to Cassandra. "I'll hear you out, Sandy, but know this—my first priority is to protect my people. I won't take any action that might endanger them."

Since he was born, he and his aunt—Huilen—had been the guardians of this village and their people. After the death of his mother due to a vampire, he would not allow any more harm to befall on this village.

Their people accepted Nahuel and Heilun, they were their greatest kept secret. They did not engage with them much, only knowing they watched from the shadows of the jungle. It was rare for one of them to be spotted so openly. But then again, they only ever revealed themselves when a threat was present.

Cassandra nodded in understanding. "We wouldn't ask you to. We're here because you're the only one who can make a difference. The choice is yours, Nahuel."

Nahuel remained silent, his thoughts clearly torn, but the sincerity in Cassandra's voice seemed to reach him. Though still uncertain, he gestured for them to follow. "Follow me, we will talk somewhere private," he said finally, "but I make no promises."

————————

Nahuel's father was a vampire named Joham.

Joham mainly focused on the study of vampire abilities until he was drawn to the idea of creating vampire-human hybrids.

To test this possibility, he had to mate with a human female; this took several years and caused many casualties, mainly due to his lack of control, until, after sixty years, his first success was Serena. She was the only one he monitored from conception until maturity. His second child was Maysun, who was born in Algeria. By the time of her birth, Joham's curiosity about hybrid growth had been satisfied and he had Serena raise her.

Around the time of Maysun's and Nahuel's births, Joham conceived three more children, but the mothers died before the children reached full term and died along.

Nahuel was his most difficult challenge since his mother, Pire, was his blood-singer. Joham was working on the idea that women with better-smelling blood might conceive faster.

After learning that she was pregnant, he left her. Once Pire gave birth, Joham sent Serena to pick up the child. But when she was about to get him, she found baby Nahuel with a newborn vampire protecting him. She assumed the vampire was the child's mother and didn't approach her for fear of her reaction. Several years later, Joham contacted his daughter about the child. She informed him of what she had seen, and he was disappointed that another vampire had interfered. However, he was thrilled to learn he had a son, and that he was capable of transforming humans into full vampires when his daughters couldn't.

Joham was unprepared to face the anger of Huilen, for what he did to her sister. He was also unprepared for Nahuel's reaction when he spoke of his dead mother insensitively. He didn't think Huilen and Nahuel would be so sensitive towards human lives. Joham decided not to alienate his son further by killing his aunt, but Nahuel still remains on bad terms with him.

Joham tried to convince other vampires to take part in his hybrid experiments, so his children could have mates of their own kind. A couple were taken by the idea but gave up after finding they didn't have the self-discipline to control themselves. Joham was careful not to let the Volturi know, and so kept his experiments secretive.

His newest daughter was Jennifer who was born in Ohio, in 1991. She was raised mainly by Serena with involvement from Joham to avoid a situation like Nahuel's.

He would occasionally send his daughters to visit Nahuel in hopes that they could soften his son to him.

But Nahuel was stubborn and refused to believe his father was anything but a wicked soul. Nahuel nor his sisters were anything like Thespian, the first known vampire-human hybrid in existence.

"We will go," Nahuel finally decided after Alice and Jasper had explained what happened to both him and his aunt Huilen.

They lived in the middle of a forest, their home being an underground cave that had been turned into a full home. It was the safest place for them to make permanent residence without fear of humans or animals stumbling upon them.

Huilen and Nahuel were especially curious when they learned of the Cullens diet. Both of them respected humanity, and it killed Huilen that she was forced to hunt people to survive. Nahuel only ever chose to eat human food to avoid hurting anyone.

However, upon learning that one could train and survive on animal blood, Huilen was determined to do just that. But that was not what her complete focus was on—she would do that as soon as they returned from the Volturi confrontation.

Perhaps they might even stay with the Cullens for a bit to learn and train in their ways.

Sandy had been wandering around curiously, her big eyes taking in everything and her pointed ears twitching at every sound.

They had spent over a week with Huilen and Nahuel. Sandy caught up with them as the last time she visited had been over fifty years ago.

Alice and Jasper, on the other hand, spent the time learning about Nahuel and Huilen and slowly gained their trust. Despite it taking so long and them pushing it close with time, in the end, they ended up agreeing to go.

After learning about Cassandra's unfortunate situation with the Volturi leaders: they agreed that Sandy should not come.

No matter how much Sandy said that she did not mind witnessing, Alice was convinced that Nahuel was proof enough. Not to mention, after the Volturi inevitably learned about Joham and then proceeded to have yet another problem on their hands, they all suspected that with how busy the coven would be—it would be even harder to track down Cassandra.

And it was something that Sandy had to take advantage of while it lasted.

Everything in Cassandra felt wrong: she knew that it was selfish to leave her friends and once again ditch them. All for the sake of trying to dodge fate.

But she wanted to be selfish.

If Nahuel was indeed all the proof that they needed as Alice said, then was it worth Sandy being caught?

Then again, Sandy also wanted to see Bella and Rosalie, she even wanted to see Jacob Black again. Not to mention, she wanted to meet Edward and Bella's daughter. There was also still Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Edward who she had never met.

She would meet them one day, but December 31st was not going to be that day.

It was already mid-day, December 30th. They had to start moving now, the Volturi would be closing in on the forest meadows of Forks the very next morning. Time was already against them, it was now a race against the clock.

Nahuel, Huilen, Alice, and Jasper would be running to the nearest airport, which would take them approximately two hours. And then they would jump on the first flight to an international airport, hopefully, they would get lucky and not need to take many connecting flights to get to Seattle.

Once they arrived in Seattle, it was just a race through the forests to make it to the confrontation before a battle could commence.

Cassandra, on the other hand, would be running to Brazil, catching a flight from there to take her to a place of her choosing. Thankfully, with the blockade spell running through her, Alice was still as unable to read her future.

Therefore, she was already able to choose her next destination.

And if Sandy was being honest, it was about high time that she visited one of her siblings to catch up. She missed them all dearly, after all. Even Abigail, Thespian, and Adam: the three who still remained with their father.

She had not seen any of those three; however, since her escape.

"I wish you all the best, please stay safe. But according to Alice, it seems like tragedy should be avoided so long as you all arrive in time. Perhaps a good luck charm is necessary..." Sandy mumbled at the end, silently casting the strongest one she could on all four.

"I hate that the last two times I've seen we've had to say such uneasy goodbyes at the end," Alice hugged her tightly. "Please stay safe, and reach out soon. Give it a few years and I'm sure the Volturi will not be watching our living area like hawks," She joked lightly at the end.

"Of course, my dear friend. Jasper, it was a pleasure to meet you," Sandy said, and Jasper gave a firm nod back.

"The honor was mine. I hope to see more of you in the next few years—we may be close family friends, but you still have the rest of the family to meet. I, for one, know that Carlisle, Esme, and Emmett are ready to meet you. And Bella had retold many of the stories you told her to little Renesmee: that little girl thinks of you as famous..." He was amused at the end.

Sandy blushed at that, a big smile on her lips. She wished she could safely go back with Alice and Jasper without running the risk of being forced back to Volterra. Unfortunately, if she wanted her freedom—all of Washington was a no-go for the next few years.

"Well, you tell that little girl that her Aunt Sandy loves her and can't wait to meet her," Sandy told her two friends before turning to her older friends.

Nahuel and Huilen nodded warmly to her.

"Thank you both very much—I promise that I will never forget the risk you have taken to protect my friends..."

Nahuel stepped forward. "You spoke true, Cassandra, it all comes down to doing the right thing. And I know that this is the right thing. I have never had the honor of meeting another hybrid apart from those sired by my father—Joham. Knowing that Bella Cullen lived through birth gives me peace about my own mother, and knowing that it was not me who killed her, but my father for not caring to try and save her..."

Huilen nodded her head. "This is what my sister would have wanted," She nodded firmly. "And I made a promise to her to protect her son. It also allows me to learn how to feed in a way that does not harm humanity."

"Thank, my dear friends—all of you..." Sandy nodded. "I will see you all again. May the spirits, fate, and nature be on your side."