Legendary Vampire in the Apocalypse
Chapter 37: The Nature of My ’Reincarnation’

Chapter 37: The Nature of My ’Reincarnation’

’It was only half of what actually happened.’

He had looked into it himself one afternoon while studying in his high school library.

"Officially, Pontheugh was made neutral land because of a war three hundred and forty years ago, but the full truth is that there was a plague in that area called Busolla which killed so many forces on both sides that everyone was forced into making peace. With it being closed so long, perhaps they might think it could still spread, but even with that, we have to make it through."

Thereupon, Anastasia’s response had been so assured and sharp that he could not help the slight smile that came to him.

"Then our course is already decided," Anastasia said without hesitation. "Whether Pontheugh is inhabited by busolla, monsters or both is ultimately irrelevant. Your family awaits us beyond it."

"..."

"...You should practise saying my name. I’d like to hear it."

Anastasia’s lips parted once more, and for that instant, his expectation was far more nerve inducing than pledging herself against death, dismemberment, torment and catastrophe and all other horrors.

"Dio...nysus."

The wider his smile grew, the more threatening it became, and he said, "You will need to say it without looking like you are suffering."

Dion enjoyed the miraculous sight of her very slightly seeming indignant, her expression nearly teetering towards a sulk.

"It is not the name causing me discomfort; it is the privilege you have placed upon me so suddenly, without allowing me time to prepare."

Dion only faintly laughed at that as he turned once more, heading towards the sink, where he pulled a knife along with him.

’You’re one of the last I would think needed time to prepare for many things.’

"Could you make enough ice for me to stir two drinks?" he asked as he placed the orange aside. "Several smaller pieces for the jug, and make one large, clear cube for each glass. The purer the better."

"Of course, my—"

She had already raised one of her palms while he had been speaking his request.

And by the time that she had nearly let those words escape, cold mist had already begun gathering over it, where it stirred unevenly at her hesitation.

"Of course... Dionysus."

Anastasia continued with creating the ice. The cold mist gathered into a dozen small, perfectly round forms.

Dion had not specified that he wanted these ones pure, however, she ensured that they had been perfect as well, and they, having been formed within only a few moments, floated to clatter at the bottom of the jug.

"There is something else that you should know."

Dion began as he poured the bourbon first. Without anything for measurements and not bothering to search he simply eyeballed it from experience.

Anastasia’s attention had been on the first ice block that he had asked for, for the glasses. Because he had specified that he wanted these ones as pure as possible, she did one at a time, her entire attention on it.

It was to the point where one could perfectly see through the ice.

"Whatever happened when I reincarnated, I did not come back to life with everything. I’ve lost many memories."

The sharp crack of ice resounded, and the once perfect cube, was damaged.

It had remained perfectly square, cutting within it were hundreds of cracks. And then a moment later, those cracks broke apart the cube, and all of the many pieces remained however over her palm.

"...This destitute world brought imperfections to your renascence?"

Her voice chilled through the room, releasing a cold mist from her mouth, and strands of darkness began to draw towards her pupils from the edges of her sclera. Lines of blue began to flicker into appearance down her eyes, pulsing, as did the blue of her eyes.

Dion had continued to pour the Campari, maintaining an even expression as much as he could, stomaching his shock and worry that she might freeze over the entire room.

Lies demanded composure!

Be that as it may, he understood a part of what his vagueness might have made her think.

"None of my memories about our time have been lost. I remember everything about you and the others, as well as about Babylon."

The darkness in her eyes stopped spreading, and the harshness in her expression eased somewhat.

"It is the practical side of everything that has holes in it. I don’t understand what some of the Chronicle’s categories represent. I know nothing about controlling mana or its deeper uses," Dion set the Campari, taking then the Sweet Vermouth, "and the same is true for my Ascent. I can’t tell you what the concept of an Ascent is, or what the deeper implications of mine truly are. All I have is some understanding that it belongs and the ability it has given me feels somewhat natural to use thanks to that."

Anastasia released the faintest breath that eased her shoulders.

Then she brought the shattered pieces of ice back together, fusing them until it had returned to perfection, and she lowered it into the waiting glass.

The sound of it landing came, and at the same time Dion had sealed the bottles, and he walked back over to the sink to pick up the longest spoon, then stirred everything together.

"I am telling you because I will be asking questions that I should already know the answers to, and need you to teach me about all these things I am now ignorant to."

The second ice cube fell into the last glass by that point, and Anastasia had regained all of her former poise.

"I assure you... Dionysus, this is then only a minor inconvenience for you. Even without my teaching, I am certain you would have soon figured everything out."

’I’m not so sure about that...’ Dion silently thought to himself, keeping his wry laugh internal.

"My first questions, then, are what exactly happened to this world? You called it destitute, and while I understand the meaning of the word, what does it mean for Gaia, and everything that has happened here? Is this world’s awakening only the beginning of something far more dangerous? And what is the Akashic Records?"