Astraea walked slowly through Shadow grove. The night was gloomy with no soul in sight. The clouds covered the sky in clusters hiding the brilliant moon from stargazers. It was a lovely night for more than just mischievous endeavors . The empty streets beckoned to be blunder and arsine.
How could a girl not stir up trouble in such a wonderful hemisphere. Being a decent person was really difficult for the mayhem queen herself.
Astraea wore a long leather bodysuit that wrapped around her like a second skin. The pineapple pink color highlighted her fiery red hair and added a girlish charm to her. With just her look along no one would be able to tell just how deep and dark her thoughts were.
The cottage style building stood in complete contrast to a large white building built in the city center. The building was built like a museum with marble sculptures and elegant paints plastered in their designated areas.
A small line of well dressed vampires stood in front of the main entrance as they awaited for the slave auction to open. Farther away was an exclusive blood bank that was set up like a tea house.
Seven vampires stood near the blood bank conversing in low whispers. From their eyes alone, one could tell they were of pure blood lineage. Astraea recognized the petite vampire with straight long brown hair and a faint dimple in her right cheek.
"Chelsea… this must be a member of your Kazoku." Astraea purred. Her brilliant emerald eyes shone in the darkness.
"Yes, these are my siblings…the last of her clan that we know of." Chelsea smiled.
Then one by one she introduced her family from eldest to youngest.
" Arusea, my eldest sister, Aspasea, my second sister, Bansea, my eldest cousin brother, Demmisea, my fourth brother, Hepsea, my 5th cousin sister and Tansea my sixth cousin brother."
From there features alone, Astraea could tell which set of siblings had the same parents. It was uncanny, how much they looked like it. They seem to be miniature clones of their parents.
"It's a pleasure, I'm sure. I'm sure Chelsea has spoken to you about my proposal?"
"Yes, as I understand. In order to go to your realm, we must procreate with your people." Hepsea spoke up. Her voice was naturally as soft as a whisper. She had short shiny blonde hair that twinkled in the night. It contrasted nicely with a medium size mold on her left cheek. Her presence felt both hidden and lingering at the same time.
"Yes" Astraea nodded. "I will take you to my realm and inseminate you with my kins essence. Do to our different species and I also grow the embryo faster so they can hatch slightly faster than usually; which for you guys would be 2 months instead of 3."
"How about this, I'll show you what my realm looks like first. You'll get a good idea if you want to see it."
"I would prefer to see what I am getting into." Bansea nodded his head in agreement. He made a head motion as he attempted to rearrange his bang out of his eyes.
"That's settled then" Astraea clapped her hands, looking back at the auction house. "We will go there later."
Instantly a violent violet portal appeared, sucking everyone in. On the other side they were all thrown towards the grown. Luckily, each one of them were sturdy and agile; landing on their feet.
Before them stood a vast and gloomy forest. A blood red sun hung in the sky with dark purple clouds hovering nearby. The trees were willowy and strange, twisting in odd angles as if at any moment they would uproot themselves and leave.
"Sorry about that. I didn't have a destination of mine before creating a portal; luckily we aren't that far away." Astraea smiled sheepishly. "Hope on; it'll be faster."
Before the others could speak, she jumped into the air. Astraea's humanoid form transformed into a large black dragon with iridescent wings and tail. Her fiery hair spikes along the column of her spine, making it easy for the vampire to sit and hold on to her comfortably.
Without a thought, Chelsea let her family on Astraea's back. They rode above the trees for nearly an hour. They watched in amazement as some trees really uprooted themselves and moved around. How some of the plants were dangerous and carnivorous, feasting on the unsuspecting animals. Most of all, the animals were different on Draconis. They had spiritual energy, a vital source of nutrients for dragons and any other magical creature that ate meat.
After bypassing that numerous wonders in the forest, they came upon a huge city wrapped in molten magma. There was only a single stone bridge that led from the city to the rest of the land mass. The magma boiled and churned as if it was waiting to dissolve intruders in an instant.
This city was Vesper, the capital of Draconis and the home of the royal family and their subordinate families. The city no longer looks like the tragic ending it used to be. The houses, stores and every other facility had been rebuilt in an even more glorious way. The statement of a comeback was clear to see.
Astraea landed in the middle of the city right next to a newly built hotel. The hotel had exactly 50 floors, reaching towards the sky. The first three floors held restaurants and amenities for all guests, such as gyms, pools etc. Mind you, all of these are big enough for the average dragon, which is pretty massive.
The vampires hopped down, taking in the splendid scenery. While Astraea changed back into her humanoid form.
"Welcome to Vesper, home of my royal family." Her voice was as prideful as any dragon could be. "It's not lively here yet but that will change soon.
The vampire's became quiet as Astraea took them on a four hour tour around the city. The more they saw the more their eyes lit up like Christmas lights.
"Now, it's time for the royal tour." Astraea giggled. Her emerald eyes glistened with anticipation. "This small city will be your domain. Since, your pure blood vampire. I will give you the status of Archbishops- there like governors of your world."
Astraea led them up a small hill that led to an elaborate archway. Beautiful peony flowers crawled over the archway, obscuring the entrance to a cave dwell.
"This is the only entrance to the royal castle; it's hidden within the castle." Astraea. Murmured as she moved the flowers away, letting the vampires move into the entrance ahead of her.