The Yoruba Demons

In the land of Bougreve, believed to be the only territory where humans resided, there existed three surrounding realms-Rivelle, Borreve, and Poetwyth-lands known to harbor the night creatures. Witches lived in all four lands. Some lived among the humans in disguise, taking on human forms, while the more rebellious ones remained in the night creature territories. These witches hid their true identities, for if discovered, they would be burned alive. This threat had long pushed them to seek the unbinding of dark magic-a force that, if unleashed, could help them rule over all four lands.

But unbinding it came at a price: it required a series of massacres.

Each of the four lands was ruled by a Lord. Bougreve was governed by Lord Jeffrey, a human. Rivelle belonged to Lord Xyle, Borreve to Lord Xavier, and Poetwyth to Lord Zirreve-all vampires. Among them, Xavier was the most feared. Rumors claimed he was no ordinary vampire but a demon. While vampires could tear bodies apart with their bare hands, Lord Xavier could do far worse-setting people ablaze with just a look. Perhaps he was one of the First Generation vampires... or the demon they all whispered about.

Back in Bougreve lived a girl named Hazel. Her father had gone missing during the last "riot" involving Poetwyth. Yes, you heard right-riot. These weren't your ordinary skirmishes; they were blood raids. Vampires would come to abduct humans-some for slaves, some as pets, and others for their blood. Her father had been taken in one of them. Ever since Hazel was little, her family would flee into the forests whenever such attacks began, returning only after the vampires left.

There was a rule-though not always honored-that vampires were not to abduct elite humans: those in powerful or wealthy positions. But even then, the elites were still at the mercy of the night creatures.

"Take Hazel with you and run into the forest. The others are already there," Lionel said.

"But where will you go?" Vivian asked.

"I'll try to grab what I can."

"They could abduct you!"

"They won't."

"How can you be sure?"

"I promise. I'll be back." He turned to Hazel, his now-grown daughter. "Daddy will be back."

"I know," Hazel said, hugging him tightly.

"Wait for me." He kissed his wife, then ran off as Hazel and Vivian fled into the woods.

After the riot ended, Hazel, Vivian, and the others returned. They searched and waited for days, but Lionel never came back. Eventually, they accepted the heartbreaking truth-he had been taken. All they could now do was pray that another raid wouldn't come anytime soon. They tried reporting it to Lord Jeffrey, but his reply never changed:

"We are at their mercy. They are vampires... and we are only human."

Vivian and Hazel struggled to survive. Everything they once owned had been burned in the last raid. Vivian turned to selling wool in the marketplace to make ends meet.

"Hazel," Vivian called one evening after dinner.

"Yes, Mum?"

"You should start looking for a suitor, you know."

"..."

"You're already eighteen. Girls your age are married by now."

"I haven't found the right one."

"Seriously? With all the men who come around?"