After 15 years of fruitless searching, he found her. She was a gorgeous elf by the name of Ielenia Siannodel, Her hair was as dark as the night and her eyes a glimmering green. That night, he followed her home and stole her from her bed as she slept. She awoke many hours later in the unfamiliar keep. Confused and scared she lept from the bed and ran toward the door.
She clutched the handle of the door and began to open it when she heard footsteps in the hall. She decided it would be best to go back to the bed and act asleep. The Lord entered the room as silently as the night and leaned over her, stroking the hair from her face. "Soon, you shall bear me a son." He whispered into her ear "Soon, my wait shall be over."
The following day he entered the room once more, this time she was sitting on the bed. He approached her, seemingly floating across the floor, and made a proposition. Her life for a son, Her freedom for a son. Reluctantly she agreed to his terms. For six months they tried to no avail, he had all but lost hope when he heard the news, she was with child, his child. After only 6 months, she went into labor. After 3 days of excruciating labor, a son was born. Her body was unable to cope with the stress of child birth. She was barely able to see her child when her vision went black, and she died. Elated at the birth of his son the lord smiled for the first time since entering this night forsaken realm. "I shall call you Matthias!" He proclaimed "Matthias Von Lichtenstein!".
For the next 35 years he taught the boy. He collected books from across the land to ensure the child would learn everything he could teach, everything but the true nature of what he was. He taught the boy languages, history, culture, and lore. Until it was time for the next Lord to rise. He had prepared two chambers, one for Matthias and one for himself. Matthias hugged his father one last time before lying down for his 250 year slumber.
2 days later Matthias awoke. He went to the throne room to see that it was empty. He scoured the keep until finally he stopped at his father's chamber. He entered the room to see his father still sleeping. He tried to awaken his father for several hours before assuming the worst. In a fit of rage Matthias fled from the keep, from his home, for the first time. He began his journey out into the world. He appeared to be a boy of no more than 12. After two weeks of wandering through the scorching deserts and frozen mountains he came across a small village. Relieved to finally find other people he headed into town. He found an inn and decided to rest, upon entering he immediately felt all eyes land on him. He slowly approached the counter and asked politely "Do you happen to have any lodging for the night?". The innkeeper turned toward him, the fear visible in his deep brown eyes, "We don't serve vile creatures like you here." he said in a callous tone. Confused, Matthias asked "Children?". "No" The innkeeper replied "Filthy bloodsuckers.". "Bloodsuckers?" Matthias thought. He had never heard the term before and had no idea what it meant. Matthias replied "I've absolutely no idea what you're talking about, What do you mean bloodsuckers?". "I have no desire to explain myself to the likes of you!" The innkeeper yelled "Get out of my inn or I'll put you to the stake!". Frightened, Matthias ran, He ran as fast and as far away as he could. Eventually he found himself in a forest, surrounded by unfamiliar shapes and sounds. Confused, he wandered the forest for a number of days before coming across a small elven settlement deep within the forest. Cautiously, he entered the encampment, wary of his surroundings. A middle aged elven man walked up to him, "Could it be?" He mumbled under his breath. "I don't believe my eyes, whats a child doing out here?" He asked. "Running." Matthias replied as the man walked closer. "From what?" The man asked. "I'm not quite sure, to be honest." Matthias stated quietly. "Well." The man said, "We elven folk have to stick together, you're more than welcome to stay with us." Relieved, Matthias graciously accepted his offer. "Eleven folk?" He thought. "Are these the bloodsuckers the innkeeper referred to?"
For 10 years Matthias remained with the remote clan of elves, learning how to use a bow, how to hunt, and how to commune with nature. He had not aged much in his time with the elves, even less than the other elven children, and the elders grew suspicious, Until one fateful night. He was out on a hunt with the other elves, chasing a buck. He had the buck in his sights when he released the tension from his bow, the arrow flew fast and true, narrowly missing it's target. frustrated Matthias began to chase the beast. He was fast, too fast for an elf and was upon the buck within seconds. It was then that the elves realized that he was not one of them, he was the enemy. That night they came upon his home like a murder of crows. The door shattered and Matthias jumped out of his bed. They were intent on killing him, two elves entered the home. The largest of them was wielding a sword in either hand, the smallest a bow. They lunged at him, without thinking Matthias reacted. Before he knew what was going on he looked down to see a sword through the stomach of one of the elves. The other stood in the doorway, his eyes revealing the fear he sought to hide. He drew back his bowstring and released an arrow. Just as it was about to strike, Matthias flipped forward, dodging the arrow as it sunk itself deep into the headboard. Matthias did not want to kill anyone, but they left him no choice. He leapt forward, faster than he knew he could and tore open the elf's neck using only his nails. Intrigued by this newly discovered ability and fearful for his life Matthias ran.
After 4 days of running He came across another village, he tried to avoid it, but along the road he ran into a traveler. Hurriedly he tore scraps from his cloak and wrapped it around his face, for fear of being recognized. As the traveler passed he stopped, watching Matthias as he walked along. "What happened to your face, boy?" The traveler asked. "I was burnt in a fire." Matthias replied, glad that he could think of a reason fast enough. The traveler stood there for a moment, thinking and then said "I'm sorry you've been through so much at such a young age." Relieved that he was believed, Matthias decided to head into town.
He stayed in the town for the next 25 years, Wearing a face-wrap whenever he left his house, careful not to reveal his prowess. He had built a life, a home in this town. One night, he awoke to the sounds of screaming. He hurriedly leapt out of bed and ran outside. The village was under siege, The market was aflame and there were bodies strewn across the ground. Furious he did the only thing he could, He released his anger and slaughtered the attackers. The remaining villagers cowered at the sight of him standing over the bodies of no less than 50 raiders, his hand dripping with blood. He was no longer welcome here, he was no longer welcome anywhere, he would change his name, change his life, and start anew. From this point on he was a drifter, a loner. From this point on, he was Von.
Over the next 15 years the story of the brutal Vampire who tore apart the small village had all but faded into myth, Nobody knew who he was, or what he was. But he had discovered what he wanted, respect. He had decided that nobody would ever respect a monster by choice, so he would have to take it by force, so he formulated a plan. He would kill the vampire lords, He would take over the land, and he would rule with an Iron fist. He was no longer the innocent child that wandered out of the keep 85 years ago. The world had hardened him, turned him into the monster they feared, He would not stand idly by as a bystander anymore. He would bring the fight to them, but not in the way they would expect. He would help them in order to rule them.
At the end of his 5 year journey, he appeared to be a boy of no more than 16.
Here is an image Made by Silentdreamer)
