Prologue

As he entered the sacred temple, the sight of its grand entrance still managed to take the Dark Prince's breath away. It was one of the oldest temples on the planet; it's location only known to those who worked there along with a select few members of the vampire council. Security was strict and kept that way because the fewer people who know about the sacred resting place of vampire royalty, the better in his opinion. The Dark Prince had always been the unofficial defender of the temple as he was usually the most powerful vampire that was not resting, or about to rest that day. On this particular day, the Dark Prince was wearing his formal black suit that included his traditional red sash. He usually didn't like to dress so formally, but he did so today as the day's events did not occur that often, so it was the least he could do to be respectful. This was the only man on Earth he'd make this effort for, especially since this might be the last time he would see him for centuries, maybe even a millennium. His old man was about to take a very long power nap, and he wanted to be there to send him off with a fond farewell.

As Cornelius strolled into the crypt it was pretty much how he remembered it, as the place was old, dark, and smelt that way too. He could never imagine himself laying down to rest for a long time in such a place. To be fair, there was no other location he would trust more to safely rest considering how long vampires could sleep. There would always be other vampires watching the crypt for hundreds of years at a time, rotating with other guards who were taking shorter rests. It was considered an honor to rest with vampire nobility, as it elevated the status of the guards themselves. This was how future council members were often selected for the guards that managed to complete their duties without any issue or incident. Guarding royalty as they rested was the easiest way for a vampire to earn the trust of the nobility, which would expediate their ascension into the higher levels within their ranks.

The older a vampire was, the longer they would usually slumber, so the Dark Prince made sure he was present so that he could say goodnight to someone who was old enough to sleep for a very, very long time. The big vampire never liked goodbye, but he was aware that this was only temporary and for the two of them, a few thousand year can pass by rather quickly considering how old they both already were. Cornelius was not only going to be there when this Vampire went down, but with a little luck he would be there when the old man woke up as well. The Dark Prince scoffed at the thought, aware that he didn't need luck and was going to live for a very, very long time. This wasn't him being cocky, but rather confident in himself and his epic and very advanced abilities. He had so many enhanced abilities that he often kept a few of them a secret, and that gave him an enormous advantage over the other monsters on this planet. Especially over his fellow vampires.

As Cornelius strolled through the main chamber of the massive crypt, some of the vampires in the room had immediately dropped to their knees to show their respects to the Dark Prince. All he did in response was grunt and motion them all to get back to their feet.

"I thank you for your manners," Cornelius said to them, "But it's not necessary."

"Let them be, my son." A voice called out from deep within the tomb. "It's not everyday they get to practice such decorum and are eager to show their respect."

Cornelius didn't mind the backtalk, as he knew exactly where it was coming from as he walked deeper into the crypt to see the man that he had come all that way to speak with. The very man that was going to start his long slumber.

"Father," Cornelius said, as he walked up and gave the old man a gentle hug.

"Hello, my Dark Prince," the old man said, giving him a wry smile. He loved the nic-name his eldest son had inherited, almost as if he had started it himself. Yet it was their subjects that had given it to him, which made the old man like it even more.

"How long do you think you'll be in there?" Cornelius inquired.

"At while," the old man cryptically answered, "At least a thousand years."

"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Cornelius said, almost objecting. "There are new lands being discovered beyond the ocean, new peoples to conquer and impale. You could miss a great deal if you start your slumber now."

"Tempting," the old man said, smiling back. "But I'm sure about this."

"How can you be that sure?" his son asked.

"You know why, Cornelius." His father answered, "I have seen plenty and am sure this is the right time for me to sleep. I am confident in your abilities to keep the council in check and our subjects safe while I am under."

The old man looked around, hoping to see someone else with his son.

"Where is your brother?" he calm asked, almost hoping he was just outside.

"I'm sorry about Gabriel," Cornelius added, "I asked him to come along, and he strongly refused. I should have knocked his ass out and dragged him here myself."

"That isn't necessary," the old man replied, almost chucking at the thought "I did speak with your brother a short time ago and am going to bed on good grounds with both of my beloved sons."

"Is that so?" Cornelius said, surprised to hear it. "I was unaware of that."

"All will be well, my dark prince," his father reassured him, "But what happens to your brother now falls upon you to handle in my stead. Are you sure you are ready to watch out for him as well as your other brothers and sisters?"

"Do I really have to watch out for all of them?" Cornelius asked, as he clearly liked some of his siblings more than the others.

"You know who I mean," his father said, giving his arm a playful slap. "Make an effort to watch out for them all but take extra special care of the children you know that I truly consider part of my immediate family, especially Gabriel."

"It shall be done, father," Cornelius assured him, "You can count on me."

"I am aware," The old man said, as he started to walk towards the tomb that would house his body for at least a thousand years. The large casket that he was going to be placed within looked rather comfortable, with pillows and a blanket that would keep him nestled in like a bird in a nest, as he was eager to sleep for a long while. The last thing the old man wanted was to awaken too soon because his foot was out of place, or his neck was bothering him. There were people specifically there to make him as comfortable as possible before closing him in the casket for rest. Cornelius watched as his father stepped into the large casket and slowly laid down inside it. After moving things around and fluffing the area for about ten minutes, Cornelius walked over to have a final moment with his old man.

"Good night, father," The Dark Prince said, "I shall miss you, but promise to come here from wherever I am when you eventually wake up."

"I appreciate that," his father said, confident in the promise just made.

"Is there anything else, father?" Cornelius asked.

"Yes, there's one thing I must tell you before I sleep." The old man confessed, as he then gestured to the workers around them. "This will take a few moments, so please give us some privacy."

The other vampires helping the old man into the casket looked confused for a moment, and then eventually backed away to give the Prince time to speak privately with his father.

"What is it, father?" Cornelius asked.

"There is one secret we must keep together," the old man replied, "Something quite important that I need you to remember concerning a distant future. A task that I need you and you alone to complete."

"Anything, Father," Cornelius said, "Say it and thy will be done."

"Thank you," the old man said, "This is about Alyssa."

"Alyssa?" Cornelius repeated, looking quite confused. "Who is she?"

The old man smiled, as he clearly knew something his son did not.

"She is someone who is very important to your brother," the old man replied, "And one day both she and Gabriel are going to need your help."

"This is a rather odd, and specific request," Cornelius admitted, "And what does she have to do with Gabriel?"

"I shall tell you everything you need to know," the old man said, reaching up to grab his shoulder. "Come closer and listen carefully, my son. When the time comes, you are going to be the only one who can save her…"