Several centuries ago, when Elijah and Elias were still young boys, and Lilith was a mere three years old, a sharp pain lanced through Elias's head. He winced, his small hand flying up to his temple.
"Ouch," he gasped, his face contorting in discomfort.
"Is it hurting again?" Elijah asked, his voice laced with concern. He knelt beside his twin.
"Yeah, but it's fine," Elias replied, forcing a weak smile. He tried to shake it off, but his eyes still held a flicker of pain.
"Hold it in for now, okay? There's a village up ahead. We'll be able to get loads of rest there," Elijah assured him, placeing a comforting hand on Elias's shoulder, a gesture that always seemed to soothe his twin. Elias nodded, his expression softening slightly.
Elijah and Elias were twin brothers, Elijah emerging into the world a few minutes before Elias, granting him the mantle of older sibling. It was a role he embraced wholeheartedly, his instincts naturally driving him to protect his younger siblings. Elias, in turn, cherished Elijah's unwavering care, finding a sense of security in his brother's presence. Lilith, barely three, clung to Elias, drawn to his warmth and gentle nature. They had been on the run for weeks, seeking refuge wherever they could find it, currently taking shelter in a damp, shadowy cave.
Elijah walked up to his father and sat beside him, his gaze serious and questioning. Lenore, a silver-haired man with a face that radiated meekness and gentle kindness, sat with his back against the cave wall.
"Is it really true, that Mom was planning to kill us?" Elijah asked
Lenore sighed, his eyes clouding with a deep sadness. He looked at his curious son, his expression tender. He loved Elijah's maturity and his ability to understand complex situations. It made it easier to confide in him.
"Not your mom, Elijah," he said softly, his voice a low rumble. "The thing inside your mom is making her do all these things. Your mom would never want to hurt you. Never." He emphasized the last word, his eyes filled with conviction.
"Isn't there something we can do to help her get over it?"
Lenore's lips curved into a sad smile. He reached out and gently ruffled Elijah's black-streaked silver hair, his touch affectionate. "Don't worry, we'll bring her back," he promised, his voice filled with a quiet determination.
The next day, they continued their journey. As they approached the village, Lenore gathered his children close, his expression grave.
"Once we get to the village," he instructed, his voice firm, "ignore anything they say. Don't get involved in anything that doesn't concern us. Anything they say about us, don't talk back." His eyes swept over their faces, ensuring they understood the gravity of his words.
The kids nodded in unison, their expressions solemn. They trusted their father implicitly.
They finally reached the village, hoping to find a place to rest. But the eyes that met them were filled with fear, malice, and a distinct lack of welcome. The villagers' gazes were sharp and suspicious, their faces twisted in distaste.
People started locking their doors with a loud thud, the sound echoing through the otherwise quiet village. Mothers frantically pulled their children closer, shielding them from the sight of the newcomers.
"That pale skin," one villager whispered, his voice laced with disgust.
"Those eyes…" another muttered, his gaze filled with unease.
"Demons!" someone yelled, the word cutting through the air like a knife. "Leave our village, Vampires…" they started chanting, their voices rising in a chorus of hostility. "Blood-sucking pests… Have you come to devour us too?"
Lenore's face tightened with sorrow. He quickly and gently covered Lilith's ears with his large hands, shielding her from the hateful words. Elias, his small body trembling, instinctively hid behind Elijah, his tiny fingers gripping Elijah's clothes tightly, his eyes wide with fear and confusion.
"They are just children. They have not committed any sins worthy of these treatments." Lenore pleaded, his voice filled with a desperate sincerity.
"That's not the way to treat a guest." a commanding voice echoed throughout the village, cutting through the rising tide of hostility. The villagers paused, their angry murmurs dying down.
"Can't you see they're just kids? A human wouldn't be assisting them if they are of any harm." The village chief emerged from the crowd, his face stern but his eyes holding a hint of compassion.
"What if they've possessed him or are controlling him to act that way? We can't say!" the village chief's advisor argued. The others murmured in agreement, their faces still etched with doubt.
"Those aren't the looks of someone that's possessed or is being controlled," the chief countered, his voice firm. He stepped forward, his gaze unwavering. "Come on in, I'll give you a place to stay. You can't have me for dinner though. Haha..." The chief jested, but it carried a weight of kindness in the face of widespread animosity.
The villagers frowned, their disapproval clear. They exchanged uneasy glances, obviously not happy with their chief's decision to harbor what they perceived as dangerous creatures of the night.
A little boy, around the same age as the twins, peeked out from behind the crowd. He had bright, curious eyes and an infectious smile.
"Hello, my name is Adrian. I can show you around the village once you've settled," the young kid offered, his voice filled with genuine excitement at the sight of other children. He seemed oblivious to the tension in the air.
Elias's face lit up. He was particularly excited to see someone else his age. He stepped forward, a hopeful smile on his face, and stretched out his hand to shake Adrian's.
"I'm Elias. Nice to meet you. This is Elijah, my brother, and that's Lilith up on Lenore's back," he replied enthusiastically, his voice bubbling with eagerness.
Elijah grunted softly, a flicker of something akin to jealousy in his eyes.
"Hahaha, already making friends, eyy, Adrian?" the chief laughed, "That's my son. Forgive his assertiveness." He clapped Adrian on the back.
"Not at all… I should be apologizing for troubling you like this," Lenore said, his voice humble.
"Haha, don't sweat it," the chief replied, waving off Lenore's apology. But despite his cheerful words, it was clear
that the villagers were not as welcoming as their leader.