*Eldovian Era 1719, 9th day of the 9th month*

Nolan, poised and ready to finish his painting, sighed in disappointment before dropping his brush back into the water again. He turned to look over his shoulder at his anxiously pacing friend.

"Allyra-"

"Do you think they got the message?" asked Allyra, "I mean, it's been two days, but we can't be sure, right? We should send them another one".

"We should stop creating a draft, you'll dry my paint before I can blend it properly," Nolan huffed.

Allyra paused, looking at Nolan's disappointed expression. She looked away sheepishly, "Right, sorry. I'm intruding again aren't I? I'll just…"

Nolan rolled his eyes, "Allyra, it's not that you're not welcome, I just think you're worrying about this unnecessarily. Iah Moonshadow is always quite prompt with her replies, usually there is one within three days. As you said, it has only been two".

Allyra bit her lip, "So we should wait until tomorrow to send another letter?"

"How about the end of the week?" asked Nolan, "Give her the benefit of the doubt".

"That's three days away," said Allyra.

Nolan nodded, "Yes, so plenty of time for a reply to come and for you to re-enquire without seeming pushy".

Allyra sighed, "But it's too long".

"For the Gods' sake, Allyra, you've waited nearly three years, a couple more days won't hurt. Go and tend to the shop, it'll keep you busy," said Nolan.

Allyra pouted as she turned away, "I'm bothering you again, aren't I?"

Nolan chuckled in exasperation, "Believe me, if you were bothering me, I would have left by now. You're a friend, no, a sister who has something she dearly cares about. With that in mind, I'm trying to teach you patience".

"Is it working?" asked Allyra with a hopeful smile.

"It's better than what it was when you first showed up on my doorstep, though I can hardly take all the credit," said Nolan, "I think, from what you have achieved over the past couple of years, it's clear that your family was holding you back from your potential. Don't let this mystery man from Moonshadow do the same, yes?"

Allyra nodded, "Okay".

Nolan nodded back, watching as Allyra stood.

"Bring some of that Banana Nut Loaf if you have any leftover for breakfast tomorrow," said Nolan.

Allyra smiled, "I'll see what I can do".

***

Banana Nut Loaf. Layton had no idea what that was, but the sound of it was so…normal. It made him wonder if he'd gotten the wrong girl. Though, after another couple of hours of observing from a distance, he was pretty sure it was the same one. The mannerisms were too similar. And the scent…it suddenly made a whole lot of sense why she smelled and tasted so sweet.

Layton watched her for most of the day, until the sun had fallen and he sensed Ebony come to land behind him, her wings vanishing as she alighted on the rooftop.

"I take it from the brooding silence that you have yet to approach her?"

Layton huffed, "I'm not brooding".

"You are," said Ebony, "So much so that you didn't bother to stick around and see off Iah, Sel and Rassa".

Layton bit his lip ring in annoyance, "I've been assigned a task, I should do it".

Ebony nodded, "You should, yes. I'll be sending a letter to Nolan to invite him to my apartment for the portrait sitting".

"If you're going to tell him too, don't you think it'd be best to give him an escape route?" asked Layton.

"I doubted that you would be comfortable meeting in either his or Allyra's apartments," replied Ebony.

Layton sighed. She wasn't wrong.

"I'll send the letter now then and request to meet tomorrow afternoon. Plenty of time for you to brood," said Ebony.

Layton rolled his eyes as he turned away from Ebony, "Out of all those I could have gotten stuck with, why did it have to be you?"

Ebony scrunched up her nose, "If you think I relish this arrangement, you're insane".

***

*Eldovian Era 1719, 10th day of the 9th month*

The three hooded figures stood at the Northern Point of the Endless Lake, looking out at the vast nothingness beyond.

"You know, when you said you wanted to go north, I hoped you meant Northern Eldovia, not the Desolate Lands," Iah complained, "I haven't packed appropriately".

Rassa turned to her grinning, "Oh come on, you're not the least bit excited? With our abilities we could cross this thing easily and be back in a few days. Besides, you seemed plenty excited the last time we stood here".

"That was a moment of solidarity. I hadn't thought it would come so soon. Besides, how do you know we can cross it in a few days? No one has ever crossed it before," said Iah, "It could take weeks even with our abilities. Is that why you said this trip would take months?"

Rassa rolled his eyes, "Okay, so I'm not absolutely positive that we could traverse it within days, but I'd still call it a good feeling".

"Good feeling like, 'I just had a satisfying meal' or good feeling like 'I've got this business idea…'".

Sel turned his head to hide an amused smile. Rassa caught it as he turned back to face the desert, "The second one".

"So…can I assume that your determination that there is something there is a whim brought about by the Ancient Ones?" asked Iah, "Because I'm positive you said you hadn't recognised any lands from their memories".

"I hadn't, but I think there's another reason for that," said Rassa, "I think Star Crash Coven, where they were all from, was not in our known world".

"So…it's in an unknown world?" asked Iah.

"In a manner of speaking. It could just be somewhere people haven't been able to map in a few thousand years," Rassa replied, "Like a land devoid of any life".

"It's the 'devoid of any life' part that concerns me, why doesn't it concern you?"

Rassa shrugged, "Because I think that that is the exciting part about this trip".

Iah sighed, accepting that there was no way that she could change Rassa's mind at this point. Not that she ever could change his mind.

"We should feed before we set out," said Iah, "If we run for six days and find nothing, we turn around and come back, agreed?"

Rassa nodded, "Agreed. Meet back here tomorrow evening".

***

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" asked Allyra, "I mean, we're both sure this is where we lost our memories in the first place. Why exactly are we back here? Why not request a public location, or-"

"Allyra, you've wanted this meeting for years," Nolan sighed, "You've wanted your answers. If this is how you're going to get them, you're going to have to go in. Are you coming or not?"

Nolan didn't wait for an answer as he stepped inside. A middle-aged woman stood off to the side, a pair of spectacles perched on her nose as she read the papers before her. She glanced up upon Nolan's entrance, Allyra trailing her friend.

"Hello," she stated, "This is a private residence, do you have an appointment with one of the residents?"

Nolan gave a warm smile. One he was adept at giving. He'd flash that smile to just about anyone and they'd do their best to help him.

"Good afternoon, my name is Nolan Reinhart. I'm here to meet with Lady Ebony Moonshadow for a Portrait sitting?" Nolan stated.

The woman glanced over his shoulder at Allyra.

"Ah, this is my friend, Allyra Cavahall," Nolan stated, "Her presence was requested as well".

The woman looked between them, then nodded, "Very well".

She pointed towards the staircase opposite the entrance, "Fourth Floor, Apartment three. She is waiting".

Nolan nodded, "Thank you".

He then proceeded towards the staircase with Allyra who fell into step beside him. If they were in here now, there was no point in being hesitant anymore.

"This place is so…"

"It's dripping with wealth and elegance," Nolan finished for her.

Allyra nodded in agreement, "No wonder the Moonshadow Apartments are so highly sought after".

The two of them climbed to the fourth floor, Allyra taking some of Nolan's painting equipment so that they could make it up.

Finally, they reached the top of the staircase. Unlike the other floors where they'd seen halls with at least four doors to the left and right of the staircase, on this floor there were only two doors. One to the left of the stairs and one to the right.

Above the left was the number three, and above the other the number four.

Allyra stepped forward and pointed at the door with the number three on it. Nolan nodded, and Allyra sighed before she knocked.

There was a beat of silence before the door opened to reveal Ebony Moonshadow.

Every other time Allyra had seen her, she'd been dressed impeccably in the highest fashion. Sometimes her outfits appeared somewhat scandalous, but thanks to both her and Iah Moonshadow, styles of dress for women that were easier to move around in had become more popular in high society circles at least in the Southern Isles. Allyra was sure that it was making it's rounds in Eldovia as well among the youth, but Eldovia had a lot of old noble families. Their influence was not to be underestimated.

This time though, in the safety of her own apartment, Ebony wore a simple dress that fell to her ankles, she didn't appear to be wearing shoes, as the dress was gathered on the floor around her feet. The bodice was simple as well, loose except for where it tied at her waist and around her neck, the sleeves short and revealing her pale arms. She smiled at them.

"Hello, so nice to see you again, Nolan, I apologise that it has been so long," Ebony stated.

Nolan smiled back a little awkwardly. After all, what she was wearing could be construed as nightwear. Still, Ebony didn't seem the least bit embarrassed or bothered, so Nolan could only clear his throat.

"I understand, with the way Moonshadow has been developing it would be difficult to submit to my small and unrelated requests," Nolan replied, "It's lovely to see you again as well, and still looking as beautiful as ever".

Ebony seemed amused as she turned to Allyra, "And you must be the friend, Allyra, yes?"

Allyra nodded, "Ah, yes, Lady Moonshadow".

Ebony chuckled, "Please, just call me Ebony. Come in, please".

She stepped out of the doorway and waited for the two to enter.

The apartment was just as lavish as the hallways outside.

The walls were a mix of dark colours, painted with designs one could only see in the right angle of light. White painted columns partitioned the walls and windows, leading up to the white roof. The entrance hall passed by a kitchen that looked spectacularly clean, and a dining room that looked the same. They rounded a corner and came into a large open living area that opened onto a wide balcony. A door on the far side was closed off and must have been a bedroom of some kind.

Allyra however, found herself focused on the other figure in the room. He stood just in the shadow of the window, a hood up to cover his head and face. His clothing remarkably plain, just a leather jacket and pants and boots, all black with no designs to indicate a higher class. There, on the lapel of his jacket just catching the light, was the Evanine Moonshadow Badge she'd caught sight of a few days before.

As they entered he turned to face them, but Allyra could not quite see his features with the sunlight streaming in beside him and the hood up to cover his face. In fact, with his closed off stance, he seemed to be doing his utmost to blend into the wall behind him.

"You have a beautiful home," Nolan spoke.

Allyra realised that he hadn't seen the other individual in the room as he placed his easel and canvas down.

Ebony smiled, "Thank you, tea?"

"That would be lovely," Nolan replied.

Ebony turned to Allyra upon not getting an answer. Allyra turned her gaze from the man on the other side of the room, Ebony had clearly seen her staring, but made no move the introduce her other guest. Allyra nodded, "Thank you".

Ebony poured the tea, which seemed to wait ready on the table among the couches.

"Now, I'm under the impression that portrait sittings take some time, so perhaps you could tell me how you would like to set up first before we move to the other matters you wish to discuss," Ebony spoke.

Ebony had taken a seat on a lone couch in the shadows of the room, her feet in the light but her face not.

Nolan glanced at her a moment before he smiled, "You seem to look marvellous no matter where you are seated, Miss Ebony. Though I believe sitting in the light would better highlight your-"

The man to the side scoffed in amusement, and Nolan's head snapped to him, "Oh, I apologise, I didn't realise you had another gu-"

"Just get it over with, Ebony. The sooner they understand, the less awkward this will be," said the man as he took a step forward, though not into the light. His face was still in shadow, but Allyra could just make out the icy orbs from beneath the hood.

Ebony sighed, "We agreed to be tactful with this, Layton".

The man, Layton, seemed to be amused as he replied, "No, you said that it would be better that way, but I never agreed".

Ebony seemed to be genuinely annoyed as she rubbed the bridge of her nose then looked up at Allyra and Nolan, "It is your choice whether to sit down or not to hear this, though be aware that you may leave at any time without fear of retribution".

"Fear of retribution?" asked Nolan, turning to look at Allyra in confusion.

"Then, you were the ones that erased our memories?" asked Allyra, "Did we see or hear about something secret? How do you even have that ability?"

Ebony indicated to the couch, "It is quite a lot to take in. I do recommend you sit down".

Nolan did so reluctantly, and only then did Allyra follow suit, though they both sat far from Ebony and Layton.

"The ability that erased your memories," Ebony began, "We call it the Allure. It is quite simply, an ability that allows us access to the minds of others. We can erase memories, place suggestion, and in more complex cases, remake memories to suit our needs. It is quite difficult however, so most of the time we just put the memories concerning our true natures under a veil of darkness".

Allyra glanced at Nolan then back towards Layton, "True Nature?"

"Yes, we are what you would call Vampires," Ebony responded.

Both Allyra and Nolan frowned in confusion.

Ebony sighed, as she went to elaborate, "In this world, there are two types of power. The power that comes from Order and manifests in races such as Magicians, Elves, Dwarves, the Merfolk and various others. By nature, the power that drives these races is awakened and drawn from within. They unlock various parts of their soul in order to call upon vast amounts of power. In contrast, the other type is the power that is drawn from Chaos. For a long time, this power has been in the shadows, practically extinct thanks to a war that was fought many thousands of years ago which Order won. Chaos, by nature, builds and derives it's power by taking it from other sources. Vampires are one of the races of Chaos. We derive our power through the consumption of blood".

"B-Blood? As in…"

Layton took a step forward then seemed to instantly appear before Allyra, his mouth open and his upper lip curled back in a hiss as two fangs extended down from his eye teeth. His eyes burned a bloody red. Allyra jolted back, terrified by the sudden threat before her.

"Layton!"

Allyra's fear alleviated just as quickly as she continued to stare into those eyes. She knew in an instant that he had no desire to hurt her. In fact, those eyes…she remembered them. She remembered them well. She could picture them above her, pupils blown in ecstasy. The pleasure she'd felt as she'd clung to him overpowering any kind of fear she'd felt then-

The red gaze was ripped away from her and her eyes met Ebony's back.

Allyra felt her cheeks warm at what she'd just been imagining, then she peeked around Ebony to find Layton on the far side of the room.

"You're such an asshole," Ebony scoffed.

Layton glanced at her, his fangs retreating slowly, and his red eyes seeming to fade and give way to icy blue once more. He scoffed and turned away from her gaze, "Don't know why you expected this to go any differently".

Allyra frowned, "You took our blood that night, didn't you?"

Ebony turned to face her, stepping back from her to give her some space, "Yes, we require roughly a cup a day in order to remain healthy. The Allure is what we use to erase the small moments where we feed".

Nolan gulped from beside Allyra, "Did I…did we…?"

Ebony's eyes widened, "Oh, no, that's not required to feed. I had no desire to do that. Well…okay, that's a lie. I set out with the intention of taking a man to bed, but by the time we got back here I…we didn't sleep together, no. I was just a little too forceful and you…well, you fell asleep".

"I…fell asleep?"

"When we feed, we can influence the feelings of our prey," Layton explained, "We can take away the pain, or give you far more of it if you deserve it-"

"-We can also," Ebony interrupted as she frowned at Layton, a clear signal for him to shut up, "Make one feel calm…I pushed a little too much of that your way and you fell asleep from it".

Ebony looked awkward in that moment. Not the blood-sucking monster that Layton had appeared to be an instant before. Ebony was clearly trying to avoid being seen as that.

"Your speed and…and your allure, is that the only abilities you have?" asked Nolan, "Or are the Charms a part of your abilities as well?"

Allyra turned to look at Nolan. He made a good point. If the Charms were a Vampire's ability, it was no wonder that nobody had been capable of replicating the process of making them.

"No, the Charms are not a Vampiric ability, anyone who can see the Mist is capable of creating them given the right tools and knowledge," Ebony admitted.

Allyra's eyes widened in surprise. It was…strange that she was being so forthcoming about Moonshadow's long-kept secret, "Why are you telling us that?"

Ebony shrugged, "The two of you are the first to openly connect the missing parts of your memory to us, it is only a matter of time before others do the same. We are a small Coven. We, at first, feared retribution from the Holy Order who were the ones to wipe our predecessors out. But we cannot stay in the shadows forever. We have enough capital now to make a home for ourselves out of the Holy Order's reach. And our products are so ingrained and life-changing that even if the Holy Order tries to eradicate them, there will be those who still desire the Charms. We cannot be erased easily, but with that comes the need to begin being transparent about what we are. Besides, we only have a few more years before our lack of aging becomes more apparent".

"Lack of aging?" asked Nolan, "You…I thought you looked remarkably similar, but…"

"No, it is a Vampiric ability. We are immortal. We will not die of old age," said Ebony, "And our other abilities, including a rapid regeneration and healing, mean it's very hard for us to die in other ways as well".

"Such a being…" Nolan stated, "It defies everything we've ever known".

Ebony nodded, "Yes, but the world was not always as you've known it, and will not always be as you've known it, change is inevitable, and a key component of that change is Chaos. It is why this world has been stagnant for so long. With no Chaos, and only Order to rule, there is no change. No development".

Nolan sat back, looking genuinely baffled. Allyra felt the same way, but looking at Layton who continued to look back at her, though there was no anger or arrogance there anymore, more a look of confusion.

There was a long beat of silence before he spoke, "You don't fear me? Us? What we can do?"

Allyra tilted her head to the side, "The possibilities of what you can cause I admit, are terrifying. But you? You have no intention of hurting me. I can see it in your eyes, whether they are red or blue".

Layton appeared genuinely shocked at her words before his gaze seemed to shut down all at once. He turned to Ebony, "No need for anything else then, yes?"

Ebony opened her mouth to respond, but he was already gone, vanished in a breeze that led out of the window and out onto the balcony.

Ebony sighed, turning to glance at Allyra, "I apologise for Layton. He's…well, he's a complete and utter asshole".

Allyra said nothing. Ebony turned back to Nolan, "I understand if you're feeling uncomfortable, I-"

"No, not uncomfortable," said Nolan, "Curious. Intrigued. Perhaps a little scared but…I think I'd still like to paint your portrait if I could, though I have an idea that you may be uncomfortable with".

"That I may be uncomfortable with?" asked Ebony with a raised eyebrow, "I will not be posing bare-"

"Oh, no!" said Nolan quickly, "Rest assured, you can keep your clothes on".

"Then," Ebony said with a small smile, "What would you like to paint, Nolan?"