章節 1: Prologue
In a world of sea and stone, where the ocean met the land, a young couple fell in love. They were from two different worlds—one a vampire, the other a mermaid. But their love was stronger than any obstacle, and they vowed to be together forever. They soon had a daughter, and they knew they had to protect her at all costs. So they made the heartbreaking decision to leave her with humans and hope for the best.
"Syrena," a man called. He stood by the shore, his hand clenched into a fist. The moonlight illuminated part of his features while the rest remained hidden in darkness.
Just as he had called, the bodies of water upon which his gaze was fixed began to move. A woman emerged from beneath, water cascading down her features. Only half of her body could be seen, and in her arms, she held an infant, who was wrapped in a piece of clothing adorned with pearls and shells.
"It's time," the dark figure standing above them said in his deep voice. Syrena let out a deep sigh, and she took one more look at her child. She wasn't ready to let go, but she knew she had no choice.
Her finger caressed the tiny cheek and slid to the nose. She then leaned forward and planted a kiss on her daughter's head before handing her carefully to the man.
He held her like a fragile egg, afraid that once he let go, she would break. His silvery-gray eyes stared back at the infant who was still sound asleep.
"Thanatos," the woman called, her voice as gentle as the ocean's caress. He shifted his gaze from his daughter to the woman and watched as she took off the necklace around her neck. "Here," she handed it to him, and even without saying more, he understood what she meant. "Take her, Thanatos. Keep her safe. Protect her from the hatred that surrounds our kind." She implored.
Her eyes, once bright as the sun-dappled waves, now welled with tears that transformed into glistening pearls, each one bearing the weight of her heartache.
Thanatos stepped into the water, the waves lapping at his feet as he cupped her chin. Their eyes met, and he knew they had to say goodbye. He wiped away a tear that was about to slip from the corner of her eye with his thumb. He leaned in, pressing his lips to hers, feeling the warmth of her breath. The kiss was slow and tender, like a gentle farewell.
He held her close, knowing that this was the last time, and with a heavy heart, he pulled away from the kiss and started walking away. With each step, he felt like he was leaving a part of himself behind. He could feel the woman's eyes on him, but he didn't look back. He couldn't bear to see the look of pain and loss on her face.
Thanatos walked through a thick forest, pushing down branches as he held his daughter close to his chest. Finally, the path slowly cleared, and he came to stand in front of a small house. This house was owned by two lovely humans, both in their forties, who had longed for a child of their own, as they couldn't conceive.
Thanatos knew this; he knew the couple. They had helped him in the past, and he knew they were perfect humans to raise his daughter.
His ears suddenly twitched, and his gaze shifted when he heard the sound of rustling in the bushes. He knew someone was there; he had sensed their presence following him since he left Syrena, so he acknowledged it. "Azrael," his voice was calm yet carried a commanding tone.
Azrael emerged from the darkness, like a shadow given life, dressed all in black. The only things that stood out were his fiery red hair, a blazing contrast to the night, and his eyes, golden orbs that glowed like priceless jewels in the obsidian.
He gestured gracefully, extending his hand with a bow, his right leg elegantly touching the ground while his gaze fixed downward. "Yes, my lord," he said.
"You have served me well," Thanatos commended, his gaze not leaving his daughter.
"I swore to serve you until the end, my lord."
Thanatos hummed, deep in thought. "The end is soon to come." Azrael's hands folded into a fist upon hearing his master's words, but he still had his gaze fixed as he stared down at his feet.
The whole forest was quiet, and this house was located far from the main village, making it a good spot. No one would suspect how they got a child. Thanatos's hand brushed the cheek of the little infant. This was one of the hardest decisions he ever had to make since his existence, but he had no choice. "I would like to ask you one last favor, not as your master but as a friend," he added and gently placed the moon-shaped necklace around his daughter's neck before planting a kiss on her forehead.
"Anything for you, my lord," Azrael replied hurriedly. His head inched closer to the ground, and his breathing became tense. His eyes forced shut.
"Keep an eye on my daughter, there would be times she need answers. I need someone I can trust to be her guide. Can you do that for me Azrael?" He asked.
Azrael nodded in response. "It will be my honor to guide your daughter," Azrael said, his voice full of sincerity. "I will do my utmost to help her find the answers she seeks."
"Thank you,you have my gratitude." He said taking in a deep breath. "Nice knowing you, Azrael. Until we meet again!" Those words trailed off, and as Azrael looked back up, his master had vanished, leaving a baby on the doorstep.
He gulped down nothing, walked over to the infant, and stared down at her. With a deep sigh, he banged on the door, loud enough to wake whoever lived there. Just as he sensed movement, he hid behind a tree and watched as a woman creaked open the door.
The woman had a look of surprise written all over her face when she noticed the baby wrapped in wet clothes. Panic surged through her, and she rushed in, only to come back out with a man assumed to be her husband. The man stared in disbelief. Their gazes scanned their surroundings, causing Azrael to move further into the darkness to avoid being seen.
When they found no one, the woman picked up the child, and they both walked inside their home, shutting the door behind them.
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