Chapter 15

Vincent's paintings are inside! I could feel the waves of heat coming from the fire towards me. And yet…

Francis

"Kira?!" "Kira?!"

The moment I ran into the gallery, a fiery wind mercilessly enveloped my body. I know I shouldn't be doing this. I know it's reckless, but...!

Flashback

Theo

"This painting, Markus's music, Arthur's and Dezaki's

novels…" "art like that gives people strength and can heal their hearts. Like a miracle." "I think we should treasure artists right now--people who can give others

hope…" "like the geniuses who live in the mansion."

Flashback Ends

That painting is very important to Theo and Vincent… It's a symbol of hope for everyone! Iran into the raging flames and found the painting of the wheat fields hanging on the wall. The fire was closing in on it, but I grabbed it and hugged it against my chest protectively, breathing a sigh of relief.

Kira

"I'm so glad it's safe, I'm so glad!"

But this is no time to relax. I gotta get out of here as fast as I can! I started to run towards the exit, but all of a sudden I heard a thunderous noise. The fiery column right in front of me began collapsing. The force of the hot wind made me fall back onto the floor. I frantically looked up towards the exit. It was blocked by fire. What should I do? Is there anyway out? No.... And…When I fell, I must've twisted my ankle because it was throbbing. I'd inhaled so much smoke that I was starting to feel woozy. and my consciousness was beginning to fade. Someone…..help... Someone, please… As I felt myself passing out, someone's name slipped from my lips.

Kira

"Vlad... Please, save me..."

I coughed, struggling to breathe. Warm tears wet my cheeks. My vision grew hazy and I knew there was nothing more I could do…

Kira

"Vlad..."

I was only halfway aware of the fact that I said his name. And then I lost consciousness.

~~~~~

Vlad ran through the city, holding the invitation in one hand and a pure white bouquet of casablancas in the other.

Townsperson

"Hey, Monsieur!"

Vlad

"Hm?"

Townsperson

"Be careful if you're going that way! A gallery's on fire!"

Vlad

"A gallery...on fire? No, it can't be."

Vlad narrowed his eyes and then dropped the bouquet.

Townsperson

"Hey, you dropped your flowers! Hey!"

He sprinted towards the address on the invitation and saw that the gallery was engulfed in flames. He scanned the scene for a moment, his crimson eyes darting back and forth. He was searching through the crowd of onlookers for Kira.

Vlad

"Kira, where are you?"

The moment he said her name, he heard someone yelling.

Theo

"Hey! Hondie! Hondje!"

Constable

"Huh? Is your dog inside? Listen, I know pets are important, but you can't go in there!"

Vincent

"Kira isn't a dog! She's our friend! Please, let us go help her!"

Vlad saw two men with similar eyes frantically trying to go inside, but were held back by the police.

Vlad

"...That face."

Flashback

Sander

"My lord Vlad. Here is a list of all the residents of the mansion."

Vlad

"…Nicholas Brooks. Vincent Vaclavik. And his younger brother Theodorus…"

Sanders

"They are all flowers that have once wilted. I do hope they shall win your favor, my lord.

Vlad

"Vincent Vaclavik and Theodorus Vaclavik." "Why did they say Kira's name?"

He heard Vincent and Theo's screams cutting through his bewilderment.

Theo

"Kira! Please, let us through!"

Vincent

"Kira, Kira! Let go of me! Please let go of me!"

Vlad turned his gaze away and silently began walking. He approached the sea of flames without hesitation.

Constable

"Hey, you! What are you doing? You can't go in th--Waah!"

The constable reached out to grab his arm, but he knocked him to the ground.

Vlad

"I apologize for being rough. But there's no need for you to worry. Because..." "I am an immortal vampire who shall never die."

Flames shot out towards Vlad as he entered the gallery. The paintings were burnt to a crisp, and it was an ocean of fire. He looked around, and just as he was about to call Kira's name, he thought he heard his own name being called.

Vlad

"...Kira?"

He ran through the fire and saw Kira lying at the foot of a spiral staircase, hugging a painting in her arms.

Vlad

"Kira!"

He grabbed her shoulders and looked into her face, but her head hung limply to the side. He pressed a hand to her neck and then breathed a sigh of relief.

Vlad

"She's breathing... Kira, I'm going to get you out of—"

All of a sudden her arms wrapped tightly around him. She was still unconscious, but the strength and warmth of her arms wrapping around him surprised him.

Flashback

???

"-What's wrong? No one found you, either? Everything will be all right. Don't cry."

Tears wet her cheeks as she reached out trembling arms to hug him. And then…

???

"-I'm going to say something a little strange. Will you listen?"

Vlad

"…!"

Vlad stared at Kira's face as he held her in his arms. He didn't even pay attention to the heat of the flames. It was only for perhaps three seconds, but it felt like a very long time.

Vlad

"You…"

He gently stroked her cheek as if he were touching something fragile.

Vlad

"I knew it. You…"

He whispered softly as another flaming column began to fall towards them. He stared at it calmly and slipped an arm behind her knees.

Constable

"Hurry up and put out the fire! There are still people inside!"

Firefighters ran towards the gallery as the crowd grew even larger. It was mass chaos.

Townsperson

"I heard there's a young girl inside! Poor thing. There's no way anyone could survive that fire…"

All the strength left Theo's arms as the police held him back. His face was filled with anguish. Vincent stood there frozen, looking absolutely crestfallen. Seeing their reactions, the police quietly let go of them and walked away. Vincent slowly lifted his gaze…

Vincent

"...Kira."

Theo

"…?"

Vincent

"Theo, it's Kira! Look, over there!"

Vincent pointed frantically. A man wearing a black shirt suddenly emerged from the exit and began making his way through the crowd. He was carrying Kira in his arms. The two of them pushed through the onlookers towards them.

Theo

"Hey, Kira! Kira!"

Vincent

"Kira…"

Vlad

"There's no need to panic. She's just unconscious."

The man holding her had crimson eyes...and not a scratch on him. He had an indescribable, strange aura about him.

Vlad

"Vincent and Theo." "You are part of le Comte's family. Kira has talked about how much she cares for you." "You are the flowers he has revived." "It seems we are all connected by a very strange twist of fate."

Vincent

"..How do you know our names? And that we were revived?"

Theodorus stepped in front of his brother protectively, his ocean blue eyes staring at the man.

Theo

"Thank you for saving Kira. But...who are you?"

Vlad

"I don't have time to give you my name."

Theo

"Hey! Where are you taking-"

Vlad's hand swooped down in an elegant gesture to cover Theodorus's eyes.

Vlad

"…..Sleep. Sleep on the edge of dreams."

Vincent

"Theo?! Hey! What did you do to Theo?!"

Vlad

"Vincent Vaclavik. You should sleep, too."

The light disappeared from their eyes, as if they were dreaming.

Vlad

"Listen to me. You will completely forget about my existence. Kira's ankle is injured." "I will be taking care of her until it is healed. You'll make sure none of the other residents suspect anything, won't you?"

The brothers both nodded in unison like marionettes. A beautiful smile curved on Vlad's lips. He gently pried the painting of the wheat fields from her hands and gave it to Theodorus.

Vlad

"Kira risked her life to save this painting. Take good care of it." "...Kira. Shall we go?"

And with that, Vlad started walking away from the chaotic scene of the fire.

~~~~~

???

"She's not waking up, Docteur. I bet she's got really pretty eyes, too. Look how beautiful she is just when she's asleep!"

???

"Your face is too close, Carlos. You know this is Lord Vlad's woman."

???

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But can't all four of us get along?"

I hear voices…It felt like I was on the bottom of the ocean, but I slowly began to float up towards the surface…Where am I...?