Chapter 13- What Is Your Choice?
Sucking a deep breath in, Elio looked at Fiona with a doubtful look. "Is this knowledge going to help me decide?"
"No," Fiona replied instantly, as if she didn't even need to think about it. "But, it will tell you what to expect. It will show you why we exist, why they exist, and why everything is happening the way it is happening now."
Her words were like a cold bucket of water poured on his hopeful look. It seemed this wasn't going to get any easier, so he nodded faintly. "I understand. I'm ready to learn. Then… I will make a decision."
What other choice did Elio have? None. He simply needed to learn and see what he could do.
Seeing the determined look on his face, Fiona nodded her head and then began. "Well, the history of it all is quite complicated, and there are too many things to mention in a few hours. So, this is everything overly simplified, and you could learn more later on. But, basically. Everything began billions of years ago. When the Earth and the solar system were forming, still. An event happened that was never mentioned to the public. An event called the 'Split'."
"The… split?"
"Yes. The split. When the earth was still merely a ball of fire, it actually split into two equal worlds. One of these worlds is the one we are on right now, the one we call Earth. Then, there is the other world… The one called Eternal Sirene. A world that is more or less the same size as Earth, shrouded beyond the naked eye, and there… Well, their life started just like here on Earth. Except, the life that started there is far different from the one you are familiar with."
Everything Fiona was saying was mind-blowing to say the least. A whole other planet? Near Earth? That was simply nonsense if taken purely scientifically. How could an entire planet not be seen when it split from Earth? Why didn't it affect Earth in any way?
A lot of questions filled Elio's mind. But he refrained from asking as he let Fiona continue the story.
"Since that world is in eternal darkness, and since gravity and the elements there are completely different from here… The life that evolved there was naturally… far more brutal and savage. Creatures that are way larger, way more dangerous, and far more aggressive and angry. It was a world of eternal struggle for the top of the food chain, and that was the case for billions of years. Until… A certain race appeared. One that didn't have the same traits as the savage monsters. One that had what we have…"
She said as she tapped her temple. "The mind. They were conscious creatures, capable of critical thinking and analysis. Ones that rivaled us and even exceeded us in intelligence. These creatures were the Vampires."
"Vampires…"
"Yes, the same one that attacked you yesterday. That was a vampire, a very weak and pathetic one, but very much one of them. These creatures had the ability to suck the blood of their victims not only to feed, but also to get stronger. The more victims they suck the blood from, the stronger they get."
"What…? They can just continue to get stronger by doing that?"
"Yes. After all, what they were drinking wasn't just the blood but also… The Blood Energy within. The reason Blood Energy exists is because of those billions of years of struggle and brutality, where everything killed each other. That savagery and anger evolved this power within their bodies. A power that gave them special abilities far beyond anything you can imagine."
"That world… sounds like hell."
"It very much is. However, for vampires, it was heaven. They had everything they desired there to get stronger, and in merely a few hundred years, they were able to completely take over Eternal Sirene and become the true lords of that world. Meanwhile, on Earth, we humans were still completely unaware of that world or anything related to it."
"..."
"That was until those same vampires discovered a way to link Eternal Sirene to Earth. To this day, nobody knows how they discovered that path, nor who discovered it, but… Before we even realized it, we were being attacked by these vampires, and a full invasion began."
"An invasion? What? But… That was never mentioned in history?"
"That is because when that invasion happened… Humans were still merely hunter-gatherers who had no clue what was happening. Naturally, faced with these relatively advanced creatures… Our race was almost wiped out. We had no way of facing them or even defending ourselves."
"Then, how did we survive?"
"During those chaotic times, a child was born. A child who will change this entire world. His blood carried what we have in our blood today… Blood Energy. The very first human to possess that power. He is called the Ancestral Progenitor. We do not know much about him aside from his existence and that his offspring went on to inherit that power. Gradually, that changed the tides of the invasion."
"Wow…"
"The Progenitor was extremely powerful. Said to be the strongest Vampire Hunter to ever exist. He led the humans against the vampires, and with his powers, we were able to push the vampires back and slowly banish them back to their world. However, even with his power, the progenitor couldn't really completely close the path created between the two worlds, and he could only partially seal it. That is why, to this day, vampires and other Eternal Sirene creatures can access Earth and enter our world."
"To this day? So… There are many vampires and monsters everywhere?"
"Yes. They lurk everywhere, pretending to be humans, trying to stay away from the eyes of the Vampire Hunters and find victims to feed on. However, we, the Vampire Hunters, have dedicated our lives to protecting this world and protecting its people. We carry the torch the Progenitor left behind, and we keep the peace here."
For a second, Fiona's eyes flashed with bright light. A fire that seemed to brim with endless determination. Her voice carried a deep strength that Elio couldn't even start to understand. In his eyes, Fiona appeared like a shining light. Like a true hero who saves people.
'So dazzling…'
"And that brings us to today and to you. Your talent, Elio, is perhaps something we haven't seen ever since the first progenitor was born. It is a weapon that, if put in the wrong hands… It could truly do immense harm. But, at the same time, not awakening it, and not using it for yourself and for this world… Is a huge waste. However, in the end, this is your choice to make."
She said as she put her hand on the table. "You could either choose to live your life normally, and I will guarantee you that you won't ever be approached by me or anyone else from the world I'm living in. Or… You could awaken, and your life will change forever. But you will gain powers beyond your imagination, and riches that will give your grandmother a life she could never dream of."
Each choice weighed heavily on Elio. He felt like everything was crashing down on him, and the weight of the question that she was about to ask next sank in slowly.
"So, what is your choice?"