O. Tale of The Thousand Year Twins

This is a story told through generations. A tale told by grandparents as their grandchild circles around earnestly waiting for it to be spoken. About twins who were bred in darkness, made to be apocalypse incarnate. A story of hope and despair, of trust and betrayal. A tale of a maiden who turned against flesh and blood for humanity she never had.

Our story begins a long time ago, when the country, Cirilla, was still divided by two. This was when elves, dwarves, humans, and other walks of life struggled to find balance. When all was at conflict either amongst each other or their own. There was however, one tribe united within, the creatures of darkness. Demons, vampires, and other unearthly creatures. They were led by a vampiric dark lord, Kluas the Irradicator, legends said that he was the vilest amongst his kind possessing powers none could rival.

It was said that Klaus the Irradicator dreamt of a world of which he ruled will be at peace. Creatures he deemed below his own are to be bred properly or culled if see fit. It was a plan of a madman but for him it was necessary. He wasn't the only one in this grand conquest with him are his generals, selected from his personal army and some to other species who were blinded by his cause. Fellow demons, beastman, orcs, and others with corrupted souls. But among all of them, only two were fully trusted, his children.

Klaus' dhampiric children he had with a mortal. Edith, his wife bore her twins a male, Klaus Klausson and a female, Elizabetha Klausdottir. The children grew close to each other, playing the same games, learning the same lesson taught by tutors. They were inseparable as kids, yet being their father's children they grew faster than normal. As they mature their parents found their favorite.

Klaus took his son, joining him in war rooms and battlefield. He trained his son to be the perfect soldier, a worthy successor. At times Klaus would go as far as to indoctrinate his son into thinking that all those who oppose them are narrow minded fools. He taught him to use fear, violence, and pain. Things learned only by those who bask in darkness.

While the brother was soaked in the wisdom of warfare imparted by their father, Elizabetha was different. Edith cherished the young lady teaching her humanity. She made her feel how to be human. She taught courage, compassion, and grace. Lessons that will come to save us in the days to come.

As the twins grew old their power grew as well and so did their father's. The tales and myths about Klaus the Irradicator were used to put misbehaving children to rest. Despite all the rumors of a day that his army will rise and conquer the world, the irradicator did no such things due to the request and arguments laid by his wife and daughter. Yet being the most powerful invites challengers, few dared to challenge Klaus. None of them could even best him at his weakest, that is to those who managed to beat his select generals. This display of power was proved too strong for brute strength.

He seemed to be shown having no weakness, being the most powerful there is. There were others however who wanted to destroy the irradicator. Not by brute force by the breaking of will. A small band of alchemists consulted oracles about Klaus. There they discovered everything about him; his might, his army, his fortress, his family, and importantly his wife. They knew she was mortal. So as mortals themselves they did what mortals know best, murdering their own kind. They poisoned her with a dangerous and potent poison. Klaus' advisers could not devise a cure, it was only a matter of time before she is long for this world. The couple were living on borrowed time.

Months passed, Edith was barely clinging onto life. She requested her family be summoned before her.

"My beloved. I am going to meet my creator now. Or maybe I won't because I loved you. But still if I were to live again I will love you in that life" Her wife spoke softly to him.

"Please my love, save your strength." He assured her as he stroked her hair and kissed her forehead.

Edith smiled in pain, not of the poison but of the fact that she will not see her family any more. She motioned her son to come forth. "My beautiful boy, I love you so much. Do make your father proud"

At the end of the room her daughter was afraid to come close. She was holding back the tears. Tears of fear, anger, and denial. Emotions humans feel when put in the same situation.

"Elizabetha, please. Mommy wants to see you dear" Edith said as a whisper.

Elizabetha wiped her eyes and took courage to step. "Yes mother."

Edith smiled, wiping her daughter's eye. "I have taught you everything on how it is to be human… when I go I want you to never let go of it." Edith slid her hand near her daughter's chest. "I will always be here." She gazed at her family one last time. Uttered six words that affected everyone differently. "I will always love you all"

Grief entered the house of Klaus. Elizabetha mourned for days. But Klaus the Irradicator had no time to grief. He left and isolated himself in his study. He was searching for ways to bring back her wife or at least join her. Klaus II, being a warrior, plotted revenge. He called out magicians under his command to identify his mother's death. They did quick work as they reported it was done by human alchemists.

Klaus II without disturbing his father, he assembled his army. He was burning with furry, fueled by revenge. As he stood in his chambers contemplating on how to eradicate humanity his sister walked in,with one purpose to reason with his brother.

"Brother please. Do not release your anger upon humanity." She pleaded.

"Sister forgive me but I must" He replied without looking back.

"Then find the one responisble. The sins of one cannot be paid by thousands."

"This is what father would have done" He turned to his sister.

"That is not what our father's doing. He is finding ways to bring her back, least join her."

"Grief made her mad!" He shouted. His fangs protruded and so did his claws.

"Then grief with him!" Elizabetha shouted yet restrained her fangs.

"And be mad like him?" Enraged he swooped in grabbing his sister by the neck. His claws on the verge of cutting her down.

Elizabetha's anger entered. She unleashed her fangs and claws. Grabbed her brother's hand, removing his grip and choking him. Klaus II let loose and gave a few good hits on his sister. The siblings battled with both holding their own against each other. But this is where the training came in. Klaus II made quick work of her sister, knocking her down. Normally Klaus II would kill those he has bested. He showed restrained as he placed a spell that bound his sister.

Elizabetha knelt down with her hand and feet were tied behind her back. Klaus II also sealed her mouth to prevent his sister from uttering spells. As he was about to leave the room, Elizabetha's eyes glowed red. Then the room began to shake and everything floated. She was doing this as his brother floats to do nothing but watch her sister perform her silent spell. And in a snap a burst of red energy permeated within a portion of their fortress.

Slowly the walls crumbled down, as did the floor. Kluas II dashed through the door but could not leave. He began to find a way to escape but there was none. Without any other choice he cast a spell similar to the one he gave his sister. As they were both bound a coffin encapsulated them both and the part of the fortress was buried to the ground.

This story was passed amongst the creatures of the night. To then was heard by monster hunters. Then narrated to taverns. A legend originated from darkness to tell a story of light. And so because a dhampir who learned of human compassion was able to prevent a war and save humanity.