Nana explained that instead of randomly killing people and wiping them all out, Elena agreed to the deal. So, whenever Elena asked, the village chief would give out the sick or the old, claiming their lives were of no meaning.
However, this agreement only worked for a while before problems began to spring up. No one wanted to give up their loved ones for the sake of the village, and even after some time, there were no sick or old people left among them.
But lucky for them, Elena simply disappeared along with her sister and the remaining vampires under them. There were rumours that both sisters had a clash. And the villagers thought it was over. Only for her to appear five years later, and the tradition began again.
This time, the village chief created a rule that said each family, when it came to their turn, must pick a family member to offer to Elena. Whichever family refused this order would have their entire lineage sacrificed.
As Nana delved into the darker chapters of their village's history, Blake listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of their collective suffering. With every word, he could feel the palpable fear that gripped the village, a fear that permeated every aspect of their daily lives.
"People lived in perpetual dread," Nana recounted, her voice tinged with sadness. "Each passing day brought them closer to the inevitable moment when they would be forced to offer up one of their own to appease Elena's insatiable thirst for blood. It hung over us like a dark cloud casting a shadow of despair over every joyous occasion."
Blake imagined the anguish etched on the faces of the villagers as they went about their daily routines, their minds consumed by the looming specter of sacrifice. The air must have been thick with tension, every interaction tinged with the knowledge that their time could be running out.
"Families clung to each other with desperation, cherishing every moment they had together," Nana continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "But beneath the facade of unity, there was an undercurrent of mistrust and suspicion. Neighbors eyed each other warily, wondering who would be the next to offer up their loved ones to the vampire's thirst."
Blake could almost feel the weight of their collective burden pressing down on him, the fear and uncertainty that had become an ever-present companion to the villagers. It was a life lived on the edge, teetering on the brink of catastrophe with every passing day.
"And when the day finally came for a family to make their sacrifice..." Nana's voice trailed off, her gaze distant as she relived the memories. "It was as if the whole village held its breath, waiting with bated breath to see whose turn it would be. No one dared to speak out against the decree, for fear of bringing the vampire's wrath down upon them all."
As Nana spoke, Blake could feel the fear and anguish radiating from her words, the trauma that had scarred their village for generations.
However this didn't last as the people revolted and led by one man who now became their chief, they managed to pull off a daring riot.
"My people had endured enough," she continued, her eyes reflecting the weight of the past. "Led by a courageous soul, we rose against the tyranny of our village chief. It was a revolt fueled by desperation and fueled by the collective desire for freedom."
Blake listened intently, his expression mirroring the horror of the narrative unfolding before him. "But... what happened to the chief?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Nana's gaze grew somber, her words heavy with sorrow. "He met his fate at the hands of his own people," she confessed. "The very ones he had sworn to protect turned against him, driven by the realization that signing a deal with a devil was never the answer."
Blake's brows furrowed in understanding, a mixture of empathy and disbelief clouding his features. "So, they took matters into their own hands," he murmured, more to himself than to Nana.
Nana's smile held a hint of mystery as she continued, "Did you notice how each vampire was stabbed with a stake and made to face the sky?"
Blake nodded slowly, recalling the grisly scene of the vampire burial ground. "Yes," he replied cautiously, uncertain of where Nana was leading with her line of questioning.
"That's because vampires have only one weakness, the sun," Nana explained, her voice tinged with solemnity.
Blake nodded his head, somehow he felt he already knew that and it didn't come as a news to him. It was still a mess in his head but certain things he just ...knew. It was like a spark of recognition flickered in his mind, a distant memory stirring within him. It was as though a fragment of knowledge had been dormant, waiting to be unearthed.
"Well, we make them face our god, the sun god even in death," Nana concluded, her words resonating with an air of reverence.
Blake's eyes widened as he pieced together the significance of Nana's words. "So, the sun is their weakness," he murmured, his voice filled with realization.
Nana nodded, her gaze intense. "Yes, and our ritualistic burial of the vampires is a tribute to our god, a way of ensuring that even in death, they are powerless before the might of the sun."
As he processed Nana's revelation, a newfound sense of admiration welled within Blake. Despite the horrors they had endured, her people had persevered, guided by an unwavering faith in their god and an unyielding determination to protect their way of life.
"Are you in a hurry, Blake?" Nana asked, her tone gentle yet filled with a hint of mischief. "Because the story of how vampires began in our village is quite long."
Blake hesitated for a moment, weighing his options. Despite the urgency of their situation, he couldn't deny his curiosity. "No, I'm not in a hurry," he replied, his voice resolute. "I want to hear the whole story."
Nana's smile widened, a glint of excitement dancing in her eyes. "Very well then," she said, settling herself more comfortably against the trunk of the oak tree. "Let me take you back to a time then. It's story time,"
******************
*Author's note*
One of my favorite aspects of movies is a flashback.
Who is ready for one?
I'm so excited for this part. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoying writing.