I was looking forward to what Alphonse was going to teach me the next night. It just felt odd to have an entire day to ourselves. Most of us were resting, though there were a few with goofy grins on their faces. I didn’t blame them, having discovered that taste of heaven myself.

“I don’t know what the old bastard is up to, but I’m getting sick of this. This makes a month and a half where he didn’t do shit!”

“Quiet!” One of the regular night apprentices hissed to his obviously new help. “You wouldn’t believe the hearing on him. And his punishments are borderline sadistic! He knows everyone’s worst fears, and preys on them.” I just shook my head and headed deeper into the library. I could have explained that Alphonse was wrapped up in training, but they should have been able to figure it out by now. Soon enough their lives would go back to normal. Unless Alphonse decided he liked teaching. He did seem to enjoy having the others in our squad showing an interest in what he could teach.

I made it to our normal meeting room, only to find it empty. Furrowing my brow, I quickly searched the library with my aura. Frowning, I headed deep into the bowels of the library, to a barren room. It held a small table, a battered chest and wardrobe, and a simple bed. Sitting in the chair was Alphonse, and he looked far paler and almost sickly as he held his head up with his hand. Next to him was the cup we used to drink the special wine.

“Ah, you’re here.” He said, his voice wispy and barely audible. Was, did I detect a rattle of something in his chest?

“Are you sick?” I asked, horrified. I didn’t know vampires could get sick.

“No, Brandon. Please, sit. An eternity of time at my fingertips, and still I find it fleeting.” He said, chuckling. I took my seat with trepidation, wondering what was going on. Even now, his aura, normally as stable as a castle foundation was fluctuating wildly.

“First, I must thank you. In all my long and selfish life, I never would have discovered the joy of passing on my knowledge without you. I hope you can forgive me for how I acted when you first came here.”

“It’s fine.” I waved off his apology. “You have done so much for me in so little time. Rest assured, I will be sending letters back to inform you of my exploits.”

He gave me a sad smile, then turned and pulled over the chest. “You graduate in less than a week. Not only from your physical training, but from magic and aura training as well. Congratulations, disciple. You have managed in six months to learn more than others I have trained for decades. I hope you will accept these gifts, and find them useful.”

The first thing he pulled out was a gladius. Its handle was worn and the scabbard was scarred, but intact. He slid it over and let me inspect it as he described it. “She’s called Fate’s End. My personal blade, and one I hope will guard your life as well as she guarded mine for all these centuries. She’ll never dull, never break, and not even direct sunlight will lessen her powers. She can cut through nigh anything, including spells.”

“Fate’s End?” I asked. The blade was beautiful, reflecting the slightest of red hues from the metal itself. Other than that, it looked exactly like any other normal blade.

“Indeed. It seemed appropriate. Legendary blades that slay monsters are all flash and no substance. This is a working blade. One that could be any found on a battlefield. Simple blades, that end so many fates.”

He reached into the chest again, and pulled out a small notebook. I recognized his handwriting on the cover, Curses. “We never went through curses, much to my dismay. You have such a talent for it too, but the Church will look down on it. They only know the darkest of curses. Seek them out, for you will need the ability to break curses as well as place them. But they are limited in their thinking, and blinded by prejudice. A curse, used wisely, can lead to changes even in the darkest of hearts. Myself included.”

I nodded as I took the book, though I was starting to feel a bit of fear. “Alphonse, any one of these would be more than enough for a gift. Why are you going this far?”

He gave me a sad smile. “Never lose that naiveté kid. It’s refreshing, and will keep your outlook towards the light. The truth is, this is more than just a graduation gift. This is also my last will and testament, and your inheritance.”

“Inheritance?” I asked, stunned. “What are you talking about? You’re a vampire! You can’t be dying!”

That set off a round of chuckles that ended in a cough. “Oh Brandon, you sweet summer child. I’ve been lying to you for months, though it was for your own good. You are an exceptional student, easily the best I ever had. And yet that still wouldn’t account for your rapid rise in magical power and control.”

“But the wine-“ I started, stopping as he raised a hand.

“Was never wine in the first place. Remember how I told you that a vampire could pass along a portion of his power through his blood? I had to dilute it quite a bit at first, but this entire time you have been slowly absorbing my power. Carefully, so that you were never overwhelmed. Long enough between samples that you could fully absorb the power and make it your own. Rest assured, the power is well and truly your own. And now that you know the truth, you need to know one more thing about vampires. Battling and introduction.”

“During a battle, when two high ranked vampires clash, they give their abridged history. This is done through the form of titles. You will earn your titles, in time, and others will know of them. Were I to enter battle once more, I would salute and say, ‘I am Alphonse Grim, The Devourer of Light, Kindler of Hatred, Harbinger of the Bloody Retribution, the Grim Blade.’ That would be more than enough to strike fear in the hearts and souls of many. For now, you will have but two simple titles. You are Brandon Clayson. Bearer of Fate’s End, Inheritor of the Grim Blade.”

I was paying attention, but I was stunned. He was slowly killing himself? And I had no idea! No wonder our bouts were getting closer, he was weakening himself! I stared at my reflection in the blade, fighting back the tears.

“There is also the introduction to be done in polite society. We are vainglorious, elitist, and obsessed narcissists. No more so than when it comes to bloodlines. The most elite of us can trace their bloodline back to the original Thirteen. The closer you are, the better of course. But even better is if you can claim inheritance. For that, your sire concentrates his power in his blood, and gives it to you. This is usually done on their deathbed, as it severely weakens the donor.”

“During the polite introduction, you will be different than most. Your main bloodline will be from Solaris himself, but because of what I’ve done you will have an adoptive bloodline. This merges the magics of both, and is incredibly rare.”

“What would happen if someone were to drain you now though? I thought you said you could drain the magic from another vampire through their blood.”

“Indeed, they could. But I could detonate my own power, depriving them of the majority of it. Which is why you can’t steal bloodlines. When you introduce yourself, you will be Brandon Clayson. Born of Solaris. Adoptive heir of Alphonse Grim, seventh child and inheritor of the Aural King, Orthos, Sixth of the Thirteen.”

“You keep mentioning the Thirteen, and I can sense the respect in that. Does that have anything to do with the blood ritual where thirteen men drained thousands, creating Sanguinis?” I asked, thinking back to that strange dream I had.

“You saw the origin?” He asked, eyes lighting up. “Oh, you will go far indeed if you managed to glean the blood memories of my sire. Yes, that actually happened. Thirteen gathered their masses, and –“ he cut himself off with another coughing fit, this one lasting far longer than the others. I had just gotten to his side when he managed to recover.

“It’s now or never, disciple. I’m sorry I can’t answer any more of your questions, but to delay risks the inheritance. I will concentrate my power into my blood, and you have the choice. Drink from the cup, or drink from my wrist. The cup will lose power, but you won’t be burdened with the feelings as my heart dies. The wrist will give you more power, and you will finally know the taste of death. Decide.”

I looked in his eyes, and knew this for his final test. All along he pushed me, striving to prepare me for a dangerous life. How could I go into that without knowing the taste of death. “Your wrist, master.” I said, drawing a smile from him.

“A last bit of advice.” He whispered as sweat started forming on his forehead. “This world will grind you down. Gather as much happiness around you as you can. It’s the only way. To. Fight. The darkness.” He said, eyes closing as I drank deeply from his wrist. As I drained the last of the power from him, tasting the electricity from that first glass of wine so long ago, I felt the pulsing in the liquid from his heart stutter to a stop. That last mouthful had the barest hint of ashes mixed in with it.

“Thank you, Alphonse.” I said as his body relaxed. “I, Brandon Clayson, last of the Sanguimancers, consider your vows fulfilled beyond all expectation. I know not the sins measured against you in your long life, but I believe in the mercy of Solaris. May this final act of sacrifice, given so freely and without expectation of reward, allow you entrance into his sanctuary. I swear to use the knowledge and gifts you gave me to the best of my abilities, and hope one day to meet you again at the end of a long life.”

I gently placed his hand on the table, drawing Fate’s End as I smoothly turned and faced the presence I felt in the room.

“A fine prayer, more than worthy of the disciple of such a man.” Standing there was a winged woman. Her black hair ended in slightly red tips, and her golden eyes bored into my own. “Hello Brandon. Long time no see.” She said with a beautiful smile.

“Who? Are you?” I asked, confused. She looked so familiar, and yet I know I had never seen her before.

“Mortal memories of the divine realms are often fuzzy, for your own sake. Let’s just say that without you, I wouldn’t be what I am today. I was sent to let you know that Solaris was moved by both your heartfelt prayer, and more importantly by the actions of Alphonse. He still has much to atone for, but he will have that chance to atone. It will be a long road, but he definitely has the willpower to walk it.” As she spoke, she stepped closer and looked at the book. “A fine set of gifts you have inherited, but this book is incomplete. One moment, Solaris wanted this fixed as well.”

She placed a calloused finger on the cover, and a golden light flowed out from it and sunk into the book. Instead of simply being called Curses, it was now titled Curses and Blessings, A Flipping Coin. “There we go, much better. Study that book well, it has been tailored to you. And fear not, only you will be able to read the pages, or those you give a specific blessing to. You’ll find it on the last page, and will only be able to perform it after fully comprehending everything within.” As I stared at the changed book, she gave me a quick kiss on the forehead and faded away, leaving behind a ghostly giggle. I looked around, and even the body of Alphonse was gone. Gently sliding the sword back into its sheath, I put it on the far side of the table with the book and lowered my head to cry.