“Is she alive?” I hear a tiny voice squeak.

   “She is but barely,” another replies sardonically.

   “You said she hit the water really hard. Even if in another world, no human can survive that,” a feminine, Scottish voice adds in.

A sudden jolt forces my body to shoot up, coughing up water from my body. I take in large gulps of air, feeling my lungs burn with each intake and my heart stuttering back to life.

I begin shaking, feeling the cold bite at my skin and the tips of my fingers and toes.

So cold.

   “Oh dear, you poor thing. You’re shaking like a leaf,” the woman coos and rushes to get woollen blankets from near the fire. She wraps the warm blankets around me, rubbing my back to calm me.

   “Th-thank you,” I stutter, still struggling to stop the shaking.

   “What are you?” a little girl asks me and the woman scoffs at her.

   “Mitsy is that even the proper thing to say to a stranger?” she scowls the girl lowers her head.

   “Sorry Mama, I just wanted to know if she is a vampire,” the girl whimpers and her mother only sighs.

   “I-its ok. I-I’m not bothered,” I stutter.

The woman wasn’t having any of it and shoos her daughter away. She turns to the man sitting beside my bed and me.

“Hungry?” she asks.

I feel the hollow roar of my stomach, reminding me gently that I need food. When was the last I ate? I nod, still shivering.

   “It’s astonishing you survived,” the man begins. I look at him and notice his copper skin and the points of his ears.

   “You fell from such a high distance, you were lucky that I was fishing,” he chuckles. I give a shy smile, taking a few deep breaths. I feel my body relax and the shivering slows to a stop.

   “Here we are dear,” the woman gives me a bowl of warm soup. I accept graciously and take careful sips of the hot liquid.

   “But my daughter does have a point,” the man interjects. “You’re not entirely human, are you,” the elf asks with an intense stare, at and the woman growls at him.

   “Really now, Fenlen?” the woman barks. “Can you honestly say that when you're not even human yourself?” She glares, and the man shrinks under her gaze.

   “Now love you know how I feel ab-.”

   “About nothing. If you truly had a problem, you would have let her drown. Now out with you,” she cuts him off and kicking the elf out.

She takes a deep breath and turns to me. “I’m sorry about my husband, he’s always had a problem with vampires,” she murmurs. She walks over and sits on the seat, where her husband initially sat.

   “It’s ok. I know they’re not everyone's cup of tea,” I whisper, and she nods.

   “Aye, many are wary of them, but they are good people like the rest of the non-human people here,” she sighs.

   “Non-human?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

   “Well, I’m sure you noticed my husband earlier. Wood elves have always been wary of vampires, unlike their counterparts,” the woman giggles, giving me a warm smile. “High Elves seem to always be on good terms with them, while the dark elves find them to be an enjoyable challenge in raising their strength,” she then proceeded to laugh. This all seems too amusing for the woman. “Besides, the dwarfs and orcs are a better comparison for strength, the dark elves always seem to fall in comparison.” She finishes, taking in deep breaths and calming herself down.

I on the other hand just stare in slight horror, feeling as if I just missed the punchline.

   “I hate to ask, but where am I?” I ask her, and the woman’s easy-going nature washes merely away with a stern exterior.

   “This is the Aeonian Kingdom,” she replies. “Hidden up high in the mountains, outsiders do not know of its existence. People from other worlds know of this place, but they dare not to speak a word of it in their travels to the other kingdoms,” she continues.

   “Why?” I ask.

   “Many are not like ours. All the species are divided, but here, we are one and a king who is a vampire, not many would agree,” she merely puts.

“Another vampire king? Here, I thought one is more than enough.”

“Ah, don’t you worry, this one is just an ordinary vampire with no special powers. He was the first to be up here and helped the people adjust.”

   “This a lot to take in,” I murmur and quickly pay attention to my soup.

   “Understandable, you must be all new to this,” she humours, and I nod my head, taking a mouthful of the soup. “Well eat up, gotta get your strength back, if you want to get home,” she finishes, briskly getting up and brushing the lining of her dress from any kind of a mess.

   “Thank you,” I say again, and the woman smiles.

   “Don’t mention it,” she shrugs and the leaves, quietly closing the door behind her.

⋅•⋅─── ⊰⋆☽⋅☆⋅☾⋆⊱ ───⋅•⋅

It didn’t take long for me to recover my diving practice and regain warmth into my body.

I wonder if Ashlyn is ok? Did he escape? Did Jonah kill him? I sigh and wince, feeling the faint pain shoot up my body. I couldn’t keep up, no matter how well I fought, I wasn’t strong enough against a vampire. Even the vampiric side of me wasn’t enough . . . no. it could be, I was afraid. I don’t know what I would do if it had full control.

I feel the pressure in my head build, a dull throb only pulsates as I scramble to understand myself.

I get up, thank everyone for their hospitality and for saving my life. A dull pang in my chest forms, wishing I knew how to pay them back somehow.

Stepping out from the stone and copper building. My head throbs from the shouting and loud clopping from the townspeople and the horses and carriage.

“Oi, watch where you're standing!” I look down and find myself staring at an angry and very feminine dwarf.

His fiery red hair was braided with colourful flowers, all shapes and sizes. A long, dull green dress to complement the bright colours on top. His masculine features still showed through as his beard and his toned muscles flex as he carries a burly axe over his shoulder. The axe is still covered in fresh blood, dripping on the cobblestone ground.

Behind him are three more dwarfs, one on horseback, and the other two stands beside the large trailer, carried along by the horse.

The stench of animal blood and rotting flesh musk the air, I gag and move out of the way, praying they hurry.

“Sorry,” I mutter, trying to keep much air in as possible.

The dwarf nods in acknowledgement, picks up the hem of his dress and keeps walking, the others follow suit.

The bazaar is peaceful but noisy, with shopkeepers yelling out their exceptional products, people stopping midway from browsing the products. Children playing around the ancient tree standing tall and firm in the centre of the bazaar, its branches stretch far out, reaching all corners and providing shade for all the shoppers.

I notice elves sitting on the grass nearby.

I felt strangely out of place. Everyone was dressed in warm attire. I are wearing a singlet and long jeans. No one gawked at my appearance. They all seem to be used to otherworldly outsiders. It puts me at ease, knowing I am accepted here.

I leave the bazaar and explore the city's outskirts. Fascinated by the mixed cultures and races, all living in harmony.

The smell of delicious foods and sweets. I could only imagine what kind of unique dishes and delicacies each race has. Musicians playing on the side streets, some solo, others together, banded. Coming together in a weird, beautiful mix of folk and classical.

Magiqs live here freely, not worried about prosecution, orcs and dwarves help each other dig deep into the mountainside. Elves guide and teach all the children. These are the roles that most choose to do but are not limited. Everyone decides what they want to do in life.

Wondering about the city has helped me understand what life is like here.

The Knights of the kingdom have a selected few who can tame and ride dragons. Given the highest honour and trust of the king.

I fall in love with it every second, wanting to understand more of this world’s lore.

But of course, the pleasantries of my stay are only cut short. Shrieks and screams echo amongst the city, loud roars of ferocious creatures quickly follow suit.

The loud stomping shakes the cobblestone ground beneath us. I only dread it to be the same one I have dealt with before.

Boulder like hands smash through the huts, its stone feet shake the ground with every step.

   “Rock golem!” A female Dwarf shrieks. Everyone turns and runs away from the golem. It slowly takes one giant step at a time. For its size, it moves slowly and more clumsily.

I follow everyone's example and start running myself. It roars, and the steps move more swiftly. Quicker than it was before, but not fast enough to catch up. Or so I believe.

Its boulder-like hand looms over me, its shadow growing, coming closer, reminding me of my impending doom.

I try to focus, letting the vampiric side of me take over but to no avail. I panic, feeling my heart pick up, my feet stumbling over each over and I fall.

The enormous boulder looms upon me, in the last attempt, I put my arms forward, just wishing I can stop it with my bare hands.

The cold rock firmly presses against my palms, I can feel the weight of the golem, using all of its strength to crush me.

Always at the last minute!

   “Hold on, lass!” I hear the familiar gruff voice call out.

I dare not to look away, as I believe the second I do, I will be crushed.

I hear pained noises from the creature, it loses its footing, as it fails to take a step back. The weight has been lifted, and I slump to the ground. I take deep breaths, my heart pounds, my body shakes with adrenaline.

Reinforcements came, all tying the golem down with rope, witches and warlocks use their magic to strengthen them. They aim for the eyes blinding the creature. It lets out a horrifying screech, causing the ground to vibrate.

With all the force the knights give, they break the rock like the neck, severing it from its head. The body crumbles apart, rocks boulders fall and roll around. A magic force that once held the stone together no longer exists.

   “You all right?” I look up, and I am face to face with a dark elf

A brawn woman, body tone with muscles, fiery red hair, and an eye patch covering her right eye. Prominent scars are seen on her face, leading from the eye patch. she gives me a broad smile and waves over to the dwarf, I recognise the dress and the axe in hand.

   “Harlow, this the traveller you were mentioning,” she calls out. Harlow nods and puts the axe on his back.

   “Good to see your alive, lass. You held back the beast mighty fine,” he laughs.

   “Impressive indeed, no wonder vampires are classed as the strongest beings,” the dark elf declares, beaming down with pride.

   “I – 'm not a vampire,” I mutter. I feel the heat rise in my cheeks, embarrassed to say that aloud.

   “Oh, I gather that, but you’re the one who plummeted into the lake and survived,” Harlow adds, and I nod.

   “No human could hold off a golem either,” The dark elf puts in, and I nod again.

   “It’s complicated,” I murmur, and they both laugh at me.

   “Look who you’re talking to you,” she laughs. “I’m sure we can understand,” Harlow encourages, and I nod.

   “I’m – a hybrid,” I say slowly. “Half vampire,” I emphasise, and they both went silent.

   “Makes sense,” Harlow shrugs and leaves it at that.

   “You're not weirded out?” I ask, and Harlow laughs louder. Everyone couldn’t help but look over.

   “Not in the slightest,” he shouts. “You’re a bloody miracle, that’s what you are.” I shrink under the compliment. I’m not used to these situations.

   “Now Harlow look at what you have done. Gotten the poor girl all embarrassed.” The dark elf coos.

   “Come now, Millicent. You can’t deny how amazing she is,” Harlow squawks.

   “I understand, but this poor girl needs help,” Millicent says slowly. Harlow seems to get the hint and pulls himself together.

   “Understood,” he replies gruffly.