Kyuuketsuki

I draw the first breath I have taken in centuries. The air feels cold and stale but not altogether unpleasant. As my eyes shoot open, I see a huge vaulting ceiling and hundreds of biers identical to the one I am lying on. I flex my hands to double check that my body is once again as it used to be. My spirit had wandered about in this crypt for the last thousand years, and I am relieved yet confused as to why it has returned to my body. My kind has always been banished or our souls locked away, but this time... it will be diffent.

I can hear my brethren rising around me, groaning or blinking bewilderedly. The bonds upon the Crypt of Kyuuketsuki have finally been broken by the events of the world’s end, for indeed we were to be frozen in sleep until the end of time. The end of our seemingly eternal immurement has at last come. With our number of the raised, we could easily begin our conquest of humanity and take our rightful place as the Saisho no Kodomo-tachi. With this in mind, I leap from the bier, knocking over the ceremonial candles. I scoff at this. Stupid humans and their pathetic attempts at control. How could they have thought their time free of us was permanent? They should have learned by now, after all, everyone here knows what happens to the humans performing a binding.

But humans in their arrogance will never change, and I’m more than ready to teach them their lesson in full. I call to a nearby friend who was bound about seventy-five years before me.

“Aikawa. AIKAWA!”

He rolls over and raises his head to look at me, his brow creased. His silvery hair falls into his eyes like a waterfall.

“What is it, Takao?”

“What is it? Are you joking? It’s time to get revenge one the cursed ones of our binding. Their Armageddon has come.”

To my surprise, Aikawa doesn’t seem to react. He just sits up slowly and appears to be mulling my statement over.

“You know, Takao, as much as I’d like to see humanity get what it deserves, this is no time to be mindlessly charging out into the sunlight. We’ve only just awoken. Many of our elders need more time to replenish their energy. If we are to launch an attack, we need their experience. There are likely Binders and Slavers still out there.”

“Oh, come on. We can still win by force of numbers and eradicate what is left of humanity.”

“And risk any deaths? We’ve lost many brothers and sisters already. Why should we lose any more?”

“For the sake of the rest of vampirekind!” Takao lowered his voice to a whisper. “Even if a few of us are vanquished, it will be for the good and safety for all the rest. A noble death, if I may say so.”

“How could you say that? Lives are not dispensable means to an end! Have patience!”

“I’VE BEEN TRAPPED HERE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS! I AM DONE WITH PATIENCE!”

“Goodness. Just awakened and already fighting. Takao, you very well know that expending yours and others’ energy now would be immensely dangerous. Aikawa, dwell not in the past but look forward to the future.”

Both of us whip around.

“High Lord Kamiyama!” I gasp, adjusting myself to face the noble.

“I apologize for my unfitting behaviour, my lord,” murmurs Aikawa, offering a deep bow.

High Lord Kamiyama smiles, his perfectly white teeth flashing.

“Apology accepted, young one. These years have been difficult on us, as have the years when we were often active. And worry not, Takao. Our time will come again. We will return from the shadows when we have gathered our former strength, perhaps utilize more. This is not the only crypt of once-trapped vampires.”

“I’m not worrying,” I mutter under my breath.

“Takao! You musn’t disrespect the High Lord!” admonishes Aikawa.

The High Lord sighs.“His attitude and behaviour are understandable, for indeed, we have been suspended in an immaterial state for far too long.” A distant, almost wistful look enters his crimson eyes. As quickly as the expression forms, it vanishes. He draws himself up and announces, “I will speak to the rest of our brothers and sisters presently. Rest to revive your energy and take heart, for we shall overcome.” With that, the High Lord vanishes into the sea of arising vampires.

Aikawa and I look at each other.

I am practically bursting with excitement. Aikawa shakes his head and sighs.

“Did you hear what Kamiyama said? He thinks that we will overcome! If there is anyone who would know, it’s him. We can get started anytime!”

“Dummy! Did you not hear the rest of what he said? He said, ‘when we have gathered our former strength’ and ‘rest to revive your energy’.”

“That’s secondary information! What’s important is that we take action as soon as possible. For the good of all vampires!”

I break into a run, eager and out for blood.

“You idiot!” Aikawa calls after me. “You’ll get yourself killed!”

But his words fall on deaf ears. My desire for revenge is the only thing occupying my mind. I race down the dark halls of the crypt, messy black hair whipping behind me, protective coat flapping from my sheer speed.

At last I arrive at the entrance of the Crypt of Kyuuketsuki. It is night in the outside world, and the only light comes from the stars glittering billions of miles away. Cautiously, I set one foot into the grass outside. When nothing happens, I place the other foot as well. Sure now that the bindings are completely broken, I revel in my freedom. Soon all of the Kyuuketsuki will enjoy the crisp, fresh air under the night sky. A devious grin spreads across my face.

“We are the flame from the afterlife.”