Victoria

New Tokyo in the year 2128 AD had become a sprawling labyrinth of towering skyscrapers and flickering holographic billboards. Among the countless faces living in this dystopian maze was Moriya Kome herself.

Moriya's existence was mundane, a never-ending cycle of numbers, spreadsheets, and corporate bureaucracy. Her life was as dull and sterile as the bathroom clinic she found herself in this fateful evening. 

Black hair stopped at her shoulders framed a face worn down by the monotony of her existence. She wore her usual attire: a plain white turtleneck and a black pencil skirt that conformed to the stringent corporate dress code. 

Her only form of identity was the Company Holo-ID badge hanging around her neck, a stark reminder of her servitude.

The bathroom clinic's lights hummed, casting a cold, sterile glow that accentuated the misery in Moriya's eyes. 

She clutched her stomach, her pale fingers trembling. The constant stress and pressure of her job had taken a toll on her health, and she could feel her body betraying her.

With a grimace of pain, Moriya doubled over, her face turning ashen. 

She retched violently, spewing blood into the pristine, white sink. It splattered across the porcelain surface, contrasting starkly with the clinical surroundings.

After what felt like an eternity, the violent convulsions ceased. 

Moriya's trembling hands reached for the tap, and she rinsed her mouth, trying to wash away the metallic taste of blood. The bathroom mirror reflected back a hollow version of herself, a woman on the brink of collapse.

Summoning every ounce of strength left in her, Moriya stood up straight. She adjusted her turtleneck, ensuring it concealed the red stain on her collar.

Exiting the bathroom, she reminds herself to keep moving, keep surviving. Her body might betray her, but her determination has yet to be unbroken.

She found herself at the reception counter of the prescription area in the clinic. 

With trembling hands, she approached the counter, her eyes scanning the rows of pharmaceuticals on display. A grizzled, cybernetically enhanced pharmacist behind the counter acknowledged her with a disinterested glance. 

Moriya leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Two bottles of Ambo-Hexamine, please."

The pharmacist nodded, his augmented fingers clacking on the keyboard. He slid the bottles across the counter, and Moriya fumbled in her purse for the last of her Eurodollar Credchip, a pitiful amount that barely covered the cost.

As the transaction completed, Moriya clutched the bottles tightly. This medicine was her lifeline, a cocktail of chemicals that kept her functional in a world that demanded nothing less than perfection.

As she walked away from the pharmacy, the relentless city swallowed her once more, its neon embrace offering no respite.

The metro ride home was a monotonous journey through a city that never slept. Moriya swayed with the rhythmic motion of the train, her gaze fixed on the flickering advertisements that lined the tunnel walls. They promised escape, luxury, and an existence far removed from her own.

Her heart ached as a sleek, luxury AV (AeroVehicle) zoomed past the metro, its polished exterior gleaming in the neon lights. People inside it wore designer clothing and had smiles that seemed almost alien to Moriya. 

Envy gnawed at her, a bitter reminder of the gaping chasm between her life and the unattainable dreams parading before her.

Finally, she disembarked at her modest station. The shabby streets led her to a cramped apartment in a building. 

As she approached her building, the usual group of men lounging on a myriad of vending machines leered at her. They were the same men who catcalls her every night since she had moved into this neighborhood. 

"Hey there, sweetheart! Looking as lovely as ever" one of them jeered, his voice dripping with sleaze.

And another one of them, his voice laden with lewd intent. "You looking for some excitement tonight?"

Moriya ignored them, her gaze fixed straight ahead. She had learned to drown out their harassment over the years. The city was filled with predators and opportunists, and she had to navigate this urban jungle with caution.

As she entered her dimly lit, personal living space, Moriya's strength waned, and the burden of her existence pressed down upon her.

Exhausted, she trudged into the bathroom. Her reflection in the mirror told the tale of her suffering.

Pale, gaunt, and plagued by desperation. Moriya's black hair, once her pride, hung limp and lifeless. She doubled over once more, retching violently into the sink, but this time, there was no blood.

Instead, she expelled a mixture of bile and stomach acid. The pain in her belly was relentless, a constant reminder of the disease that had shackled her life, a Stomach disease.

Terminal for her.

The doctor's diagnosis had been devastating, informing her that she had only ten years left to live, at best. A stomach transplant was the only hope, but it was a distant dream, an unattainable luxury that existed only to the 1%.

As Moriya struggled to regain her composure, she gazed out of the grimy window. The view revealed the stark contrast of this world. 

On one side of the city, gleaming towers touched the heavens, a testament to opulence and power. But on the other side, the sprawling slums sprawled like a cancer. Moriya faced a grim choice, live a life of poverty and suffering or embrace the inevitable end.

Tears welled in her eyes.

Moriya broke down, her sobs echoing in the small bathroom. 

She contemplated the harsh choices ahead, torn between the desire for survival and the fear of a life marred by poverty.

With a heavy heart and tear-streaked cheeks, Moriya clenched her fists, her determination to survive stronger than ever.

She couldn't afford a organ transplant, but she could afford to fight.

Her thoughts shifted to something a bit more comforting: Caramel Flan. 

It was an expensive indulgence, a sweet treat that offered a brief escape from her troubles. She made a mental note to save up enough Eurodollars for a small serving someday, a simple pleasure she rarely allowed herself.

With a sigh, she decided to change out of her work attire. She slipped into something casual, a faded T-shirt and a pair of comfortable shorts.

In her kitchen, she preheated a Synthetic-Chicken Burrito in a microwave. It wasn't gourmet, but it was food she could afford. As she settled on her couch, she turned on the TV, only to be greeted by the usual corporate politics.

The anchor's voice droned on, discussing the latest merger, scandal, and political intrigue within the mega-corporations. It was a world that Moriya was all too familiar with.

"...and in entertainment related news, Yggdrasill has just announced a major expansion by subscribing to their new Season 8 Battle Pass" the anchor continued.

Moriya's ears perked up at the mention of Yggdrasill. For a year and a half, she had immersed herself in Yggdrasill.

She got up from the couch and walked to her bedside table, where a Ybox XXIV console awaited. Carefully, she plugged it into the neuroport embedded in the nape of her neck, the connection seamless. 

She lay down on her side in bed, her fingers deftly navigating the holographic interface projected onto her retina.

In an instant, she was transported to the virtual world. 

Valaine's personal room in Nazarick looks like something a stereotypical vampire would stay.

Encased in heavy stone walls, the room has no windows, shielding its occupants from both the prying eyes of the outside world. 

At its center, a behemoth of a bed loomed, the double-queen sized monstrosity, draped in velvety crimson and adorned with intricate carvings. The mahogany desk adorned with quills, parchment, and scattered parchments bearing magical symbols.

Above, a silver chandelier hung, its polished facets gleaming with an eerie luminosity, casting strange and shifting patterns upon the room's tapestried walls. The flickering candles within sent their wavering glow in all directions.

In the chamber of her abode, Victoria stood as still as a statue. 

For seventeen long hours, she had maintained her vigilance, her form draped in a crimson gothic gown that flowed like a river of blood around her, a masterpiece of corsetry and lace that accentuated her beauty. 

But Victoria harbored no resentment for her servitude. She was thankful.

Valaine, as she was known among by the other Supreme Beings, was the catalyst for Victoria's transformation into a vampire. 

A woman of mystery and power, Valaine had plucked Victoria from the darkest recesses of her mortal existence, offering her a second chance at life, albeit in the form of eternal servitude.

Memories of her human life occasionally resurfaced in Victoria's mind. She had been cast into the orphanage, her parents mercilessly slaughtered. The trauma had festered within her, turning her into a defiant child.

The bullies and other orphans had felt the brunt of her wrath, and none of the orphanage's stern matrons had any patience for her violent outbursts. Discussions of expulsion from the only semblance of home she'd known were frequent.

Soon after, she had taken up the mantle of a mercenary warrior, her life reduced to a blur of battlefields and bloodshed.

Until that fateful day when death had claimed her as its own. It was then that Valaine had intervened, bringing her back from the abyss of the afterlife.

Childish thoughts flitted through her mind. Valaine, in her eternal wisdom and whimsy, often dressed Victoria in an array of exquisite garments, treating her like a precious doll. 

It was a gesture that filled Victoria with an odd sense of joy, and at times, she couldn't help but giggle, the sound echoing through the room like a haunting melody.

The heavy door creaked open, revealing the entrance of Victoria's mistress, Valaine. 

A striking figure, Valaine was as ethereal as the moonless night. Platinum hair cascaded like liquid silver down her shoulders, and her eyes burned a fiery red. 

In her presence, Victoria felt a mixture of reverence and pride, her unceasing loyalty to Valaine bubbling forth like a river of devotion.

Seeing her mistress enter the room filled Victoria with a joy that transcended the boundaries of her existence. 

Valaine stepped closer, her hand brushing gently the top of Victoria's head, it was as though she were caressing a beloved pet or a cherished child. 

This peculiar interaction filled Victoria's thoughts with wonder. 

What would it be today, she wondered? A resplendent ball gown? A sleek and alluring sheath dress? Or perhaps, something entirely unexpected, for the minds of Supreme Beings like Valaine remained complex to her.

Valaine's hand, soft and cool, continued to pat Victoria's head, and a curious thought flitted through her mind. 

She created Victoria Ceres as an NPC. Valaine couldn't help but wonder, if she was real, would Victoria Ceres see her as a mother? or a god?

Valaine, her crimson lips parting, came to a stop before Victoria. Her commanding presence enveloped the room, and her voice was soft, yet it bore an undeniable authority as she issued her directive. 

"Follow." she commanded.

Without hesitation, Victoria obeyed. It was her duty and her privilege.

As they traversed through the Great Tomb of Nazarick, Victoria's senses guided her unerringly toward their destination, the frozen level of the tomb. 

This particular chamber was shrouded to her in mystery. Guarded by none other than Cocytus.

Victoria couldn't help but wonder about the purpose of their journey. Was there a prisoner that Valaine sought to liberate? 

Her thoughts raced like shadows across her mind.

As they entered the frost-choked chamber, Valaine's presence remained as stoic as ever, her motives concealed within the depths of her crimson eyes. 

With a step, Valaine approached Cocytus, the guardian of this frigid domain. Her command was simple but carried with it an air of challenge and authority. 

"Spar with me." she commanded.

Victoria's eyes widened with a mix of awe and anticipation. 

To witness her mistress' might in person was a rare and cherished gift. It was a moment that Victoria had yearned for, a glimpse into the true extent of a Supreme Being's power.

The battle between Valaine and Cocytus unfolded with a swiftness that left Victoria's vampiric eyes struggling to keep pace. 

Ten minutes passed in a blur of motion and clashes, each second bringing the guardian closer to defeat. 

Valaine's power, her speed, and her unyielding determination were awe-inspiring, as she inflicted wounds upon Cocytus that would have brought any mortal to their knees.

Finally, with a grace that seemed effortless, Valaine ceased her onslaught. Her crimson eyes bore a glint of satisfaction, and she issued a single command. 

"That's enough." her voice echoing with authority.

As the echoes of their battle faded, Valaine turned her attention to Victoria. 

The anticipation that had filled her heart was matched only by the relief that washed over her as her mistress approached. Victoria awaited her next command.

Valaine's instructions were clear and unambiguous. 

She commanded Victoria to heal Cocytus. 

Without hesitation, Victoria stepped forward, her hands glowing with a soft, ethereal light. Her cleric abilities allowed her to manipulate the forces of life and death, to mend wounds and soothe pain. 

She was the instrument of her mistress' will, and she embraced her role with a sense of purpose and reverence.

With each gentle touch, she channeled her restorative powers into Cocytus, mending the wounds inflicted during their intense sparring match.

Victoria's thoughts lingered on the recent battle, a whirlwind display of her mistress's merciful yet awe-inspiring power. 

It was as expected of a Supreme Being, a deity among vampires, and Victoria couldn't help but regard Valaine with starry-eyed admiration.

Her gaze fixed on Valaine, Victoria stood there, as if waiting for a word of praise, a gesture of acknowledgment for her role in this exchange, even though her primary duty had been to heal rather than to battle. 

Valaine, noticed the adoration in Victoria's eyes. Somewhat surprised, because NPCs don't usually act like this with emotion. Did she perhaps miss a new AI update? Her NPC looks alive.

A gentle smile graced her lips, and she extended a hand to pat Victoria on the head, a simple yet meaningful gesture. 

"Good job" she said, her voice carrying with it warmth and approval.

The words were like a soothing melody to Victoria's ears.

Two weeks had passed in a surreal blend of moments for Victoria, alternating between being dressed up like a cherished doll by Valaine and accompanying her mistress as she sparred with Cocytus. 

"Open" Valaine whispered, her voice as soft as silk.

Victoria's lips parted, and Valaine gently placed a piece of sweet pastry into her mouth using a fork. The taste was like nothing Victoria had ever experienced, a symphony of sweetness and warmth that tingled across her vampiric senses.

Valaine hand-fed Victoria something called "Caramel Fan" a delicacy that was foreign to her.

But Valaine's offerings didn't stop there. She proceeded to feed Victoria other pastries, small, exquisite creations that were as much a work of art as they were a delight to eat. 

Each bite was an exploration of flavors, a journey into a world of culinary pleasure.

In those moments, Victoria felt more than just a servant, she felt like a cherished companion.

Victoria would often hear Valaine's soft voice, saying something like, "My body may not be able to digest food easily due to my disease, but I hope you can enjoy it, Victoria."

The words held a cryptic meaning that stirred curiosity within Victoria's soul. What disease could affect a Supreme Being? Surely her mistress was joking!

Questions swirled in Victoria's mind, but she dared not voice them. The Supreme Being's "Otherworld" was a mystery, but she remained a humble servant.

Occasionally, Victoria was treated to a rare spectacle that transcended her understanding. 

She bore witness to the awe-inspiring might of two Supreme Beings, Valaine and Touch-me. Locking horns in a practice that seemed to be in preparation for some world festival or grand event.

Though she couldn't fathom the full purpose or significance of such displays, Victoria held a genuine wish for her success.

She watched in respectful silence, knowing that their actions were part of a grander design. In those moments, she offered her silent prayers for the well-being of her beloved master.

A prayer that Valaine will need.