The Zero-Sum Game

Simon Hart felt like a bucket of ice-cold water had been dumped on him. Such was the shock racing through his veins at the vampire's seemingly simple request.

"W-What did you say?" he stammered out, the words almost clogging his throat on the way out.

"I said," Malakai reiterated, leaning closer with narrowed eyes, "That you should stay away from my brother."

With grace, the golden-eyed vampire leaned back to give the human a generous amount of time and space to process this. The tailor may have been a mere mortal, who was unaccustomed to the vampire chain of command, but he seemed to know his place as one of the underclass. Therefore, there would be no winking at Simon's ignorance, here. Malakai had issued an order and expected it to be obeyed.

Like so many things in life, that should have been the end of it. Yet, in spite of Malakai's clear intimidation tactic, a spark of will lit up those spirited, green eyes. One that gave him an answer with no necessary words. It quite simply said, 'Go screw yourself'.

Suddenly, the older, supernatural entity understood what Alabaster saw in this man. Because he was rather striking like this, wasn't he? A human who knew that this was a zero-sum game, one he was destined to lose, but had decided to play anyways. There was a fire in him, wasn't there? A light; a beckon in the storm.

Alabaster would have undoubtedly seen hope in this development; a sign that there was a chance. But, to Malakai Stone, this was nothing more than a pesky slice of sunlight that he needed to snuff out.

"Simon, was it?"

The human eyed the vampire for a moment, surprised that he hadn't forgotten his name. Because of the gap between their statuses, that would typically be the case. Malakai usually wouldn't have spared a shred of headspace for this inferior being. They both knew it. But, there was a method to his madness; a method to his manipulation.

"Yes."

"Tell me what you know of the Crystal Vampire."

Simon thought back to everything he knew. Still, he was only able to come up with one source of knowledge on the subject: Mira.

"What I know isn't sufficient enough for this conversation," the tailor began with a sigh, "But, I've heard that the Crystal Vampire comes to Earth, again and again, because he is looking for something."

"Indeed. And do you know HOW he comes to Earth, again and again?"

Before the human could even get a word out of his mouth, the vampire closed the space between them. He gripped Simon's collar with brute force as he tugged the other man close enough to feel his breath. Eyes locked fiercely, leaving no wiggle room for misunderstanding.

"He DIES."

Simon coughed as he was released, gripping his neck as he tried to get his air back. Still, the accusation that were being tossed in his path couldn't be ignored. Not after everything he and the man laying prone on the bed had gone through together! Did that really mean nothing?!

"I'm not.. trying to kill.. Alabaster!"

"I know you're not. If that had been your aim, you would have taken my brother's life yesterday. Instead, you saved him. I'm thankful for that. But, your very presence has pushed him closer to the grave-"

Everyone had a boiling point; and suffice it to say that Simon Hart had finally reached his.

"Tell me!" the human shouted as he shot out of his chair, "Tell me why you believe that!"

Malakai stared with an unyielding gaze.

"..Because I've seen it happen before."

Simon gaped in shock before he slowly found his seat. Alabaster's brother had appeared to be only a pompous, cold, vampire noble. Now, Simon saw him in a new light; Malakai Stone was a pompous, cold, vampire noble who KNEW things. Who had the answers to the questions that kept him up late at night, no matter how much he might have denied it.

The vampire inwardly smirked, as he had the pleasure of seeing those fiery eyes dull when doubt crept in. It was the first crack in the human's armor. A few more and it would break open wide, yielding into his hands an unguarded heart. And to think that he wouldn't even have to lift a finger to destroy it. No; the truth would be more than capable of doing that on its own.

"You said that you don't believe in the gods, yes?"

"That's right," Simon said, after taking a shuttering breath to regain control, "I don't."

"Well, I do. They exist. And they have a cruel sense of humor."

____________________

"I can hardly believe it," Malakai breathed with a shake of his head as he held his younger brother in his arms for the first time, "Mother has given birth to the next Crystal Vampire."

"There never has been a next, my son. Only THE Crystal Vampire. And as his older brother, I will expect you to be responsible for him. Keep him alive for as long as possible."

Malakai froze, before turning to look back at his father, who was seated much too calmly, after making a statement as startling as that one.

"Alive? For as long as-" Alabaster made a soft cry, inspiring his older brother to bounce him gently in his arms, "What on Earth do you mean?"

"I mean that it's only a matter of time before this little one finds his strength. And once he starts using it, like sand flowing through an hourglass, his time will run out."

____________________

Coming out of his memories, the vampire glanced at the human who was now giving him his full attention. Malakai resisted the urge to shake his head and smile. The way Simon was leaning forward in his seat reminded him so much of when Alabaster was a boy, asking him for yet another tale. It was a bittersweet memory, knowing that he would not have his brother, always. But, he would honor his pledge. He would keep him safe and protect him from anything and everything that could possibly take him away; whether he liked it or not.

"The Crystal Vampire was once normal. Like most of his kind, he was expected to live for hundreds of thousands of years, watching the ages go by. But, one day, something changed."

"What was it?"

"Ha. Something lost, ironically, to time, itself. But, we do know this. He died at the tragic age of one hundred. The rest of his kin thought that it was over and done with. Just another soul passing into the ether. Until one day, a vampire was born that was unlike any seen before him. One with sky-blue eyes and silver locks of platinum hair. One who spoke of his past life and most important of all.. a vampire who could bend reality to his will."

Simon thought back and came to the realization that the old saying rang true; seeing was believing.

"Alright. I would have been hard-pressed to believe you before last night. But, even a hardened skeptic like myself can not deny Alabaster's magic powers. Still, you said something before about the gods and their cruel sense of humor. What do they have to do with any of this?"

"I asked Alabaster the same thing, one day. And he told me that he cut a deal with them in the afterlife."

Simon could hardly believe it. But, this was not the time to think about the existence of the spirits that he usually blamed for everything on a daily basis.

"As you know," Malakai continued, "He comes to Earth again and again, trying to find whatever he lost. He has unbelievable powers to help him with this task. But, it all comes at a terrible cost. Like wood used to fuel a flame, he burns through pieces of his own lifespan each time he uses his powers; everything has its price."

Simon's eyes widened in shock. He rose slowly from his chair as he connected the dots.

"He's.. He's killing himself."

"No," Malakai hissed venomously, "YOU'RE killing him!"

The vampire stood up soon afterwards, locking gazes with the other man, as he refused to let him escape the blame.

"How many years of his life evaporated, when he used his magic to cover for YOUR weakness!? When he used his powers to save your life?! Five?! Ten?! Fifty?!-"

"I don't know!"

At the human's emotional outburst, a groan sounded from below. Green eyes widened as he heard his name called weakly from the bed.

"Si..mon."

His knees hit the floor, faster than any sinner's.

"I'm here, Alabaster. I'm here."

The Crystal Vampire smiled as the other man's face came into view.

"My.. dear tailor. M' so glad. Glad.. that you're.. alright."

"Yes, I'm-"

Just then, a pale hand found its way to a more tanned cheek. Maybe it was everything crashing down on him at once. But, the second that thumb started gently caressing Simon, tears slipped down his face.

"I-I'm fine," Simon tried again, his voice croaking as he put a hand over Alabaster's, "A-And I'm glad that you're fine, too."

Malakai stood back in relative silence as the scene unfolded. He didn't need to say a word more. Because it didn't take someone who had seen the rise and fall of the Crystal Vampire, again and again, to predict what was coming; just someone who had a little experience with body language and a lot of experience with guilt.

"Y-You need to go back to sleep now, alright?"

"Mm," Alabaster agreed softly, "I'll see you.. when I wake up."

Simon didn't trust his voice enough to answer by that point. He also didn't want to tell the man who had saved his life such a cruel lie. So, he stayed there with him, until those beautiful eyes finally shut and his breathing grew soft and deep. The tailor gently returned Alabaster's hand to the mattress, before rising to his feet and staring down at his companion in thought. Malakai slowly stepped up behind him, waiting for the human's answer.

"..I'll do it. I'll leave."

"Very good, little human," the elder vampire whispered in his ear with a devious smile, "I'm glad that you were able to see reason. Thank you for putting Alabaster first."

The vampire nodded to himself as he watched the human walk out of sight. He had done it; Malakai Stone had successfully manipulated all of his guilt onto Simon Hart's shoulders and driven him away. It was cruel of him.

But, perhaps crueler still was the fact that he hadn't been lying. The human would always have his gratitude for this. For helping to protect Alabaster; especially from himself. The light had finally gone out.