☀︎ Circe ☾

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The heat of the sun thrummed through the salty air as the Daywalkers began the trek across the bay. The entrance to the tunnel waited on the other end, wide and taunting like a wolf's maw. Normally, you found walking along the glistening shores of Sunnyside calming, but the circumstances left a heavy atmosphere among the ranks.

Your father led the more experienced fighters from the front. Towards the rear, you and Nova had been chosen to lead the youth division. It would be your responsibility to handle any threats that snuck up from behind. Even from your group's distance, you could hear the Commander's voice ring out across the sand, ordering everyone to remain alert as you neared the tunnels.

As you continued walking, you saw something stumble across the sun-bleached dunes. You noticed dark clothing in a style foreign to the Daywalkers. 

A Vampire?  Your brows furrowed at the thought. How could a Vampire cross Sunnyside's border?

"Wait." You ordered. Nova came to the same conclusion and extended her arms to halt the group.

"Hello," the stranger called, waving at all of you. "Hi, I'm Zed. I was wondering if you guys had a mechanic I could use?"

His words were barely audible over the calls of him being a Vampire, the Daywalkers ready to jump into action.

Literally, as Nova began tumbling across the sand at him to gain momentum. Not being one to sit out, you took a running start for your flying kick, both of you making contact with the stranger's chest simultaneously.

He yelled in pain as he was thrown back, crumpling to the sandy ground. Now able to examine the stranger more closely, you were able to make out some strange details. He had phthalo green hair, the ashen skin of a corpse, and the face of a man who didn't know what was coming his way. Yet still, no fangs or red eyes.

Beside you, Nova placed her hands on her hips. "Okay, Vampire. Talk."

"Who sent you, spy? How did you get past the barrier?" You questioned, tone as sharp as your gaze.

"Vampire? Spy?" He looked at you in confusion. "What? No, no, I'm Zed. I'm a zombie."

"How did you get in here?" You asked once more, crossing your arms.

"I don't know!" His voice was high from the nerves. "I don't know. I was driving, and then my Z-band went crazy, and then all of the sudden-"

"You're the guest of honor at the Daywalker Barbeque." Ray cut off his rambles. He summons a flare, triggering a reaction from the others.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. WHAT-" Zed shrieks, trying to shield himself with his arms.

Before Ray can incinerate the zombie, Apolla grabs his wrist.

"Ray!" You step between them, "Stand down."

Your glare is enough for him to lower his flame reluctantly, Apolla releasing his wrist as he does. One look from you and the others quickly follow suit. As you turn to question Zed, you notice your father walking to the group, and sigh.

"Commander, how do we know this thing isn't a Vampire spy?" Ray asks, his face twisted in disgust.

"Y/n, I hope you have a good reason this intruder was not immediately destroyed." Your father ignores Ray entirely. His disappointed gaze caused Nova to shift closer to you.

For a moment, you fell into the body of your younger self. Fixed to the spot by a look that had already decided your fate and deemed you unworthy, your little sister quietly enveloped by the protection of your shadow. But no longer were you that small child begging for a semblance of recognition.

You took a deep breath and glanced over at Nova. She wore that same expression as back then, like she couldn't decide if keeping her mouth shut or speaking up was the right choice.

"Can you please make it a really good reason?" Zed whispered to you, Nova quickly shushing him.

"Sorry," Zed whispered again, looking at you with pleading eyes that made you think of the little firefox at the Flickerwood's.

"Dad," You started, "I don't think he's a Vampire."

Remembering the lack of fangs, you turned to Zed. "Zombie-guy, smile."

Despite being very confused, Zed's face breaks into a strained grin. His smile was charming, panicked, and distinctly fang-less.

"See," You said. "No fangs."

"Yeah. No fangs. No fangs. Does no fangs mean that I get a nice warm welcome and I can stop smiling?" Zed asked nervously.

With your father's face remaining indifferent, you piled on, "Dad, you always taught us that Vampires are evil and ruthless. But he's just green and clueless."

"Thank you! Yes- wait, no, that's mean. Okay." Zed's relieved smile melted into a frown at the realization. 

"We could use another recruit," Nova spoke up, choosing to have your back. "What do you think?"

The commander's gaze shifted purposefully between the three of you. His jaw was tense, and he assessed Zed as though he were solving a math problem the rest of you couldn't see.

Finally, he said, "He looks like he has a strong back that could harvest a lot of fruit."

"I will literally harvest your entire orchard if it means I won't get air-fried," Zed responds quickly. You try your best not to smile at that in front of your dad. This zombie guy was pretty funny.

With the decision to spare Zed made, your father stepped around him to you and Nova.

"Y/n, he is your responsibility. If anything goes wrong, you will be held accountable." You nodded in understanding. Hopefully, this wasn't a mistake.

"Nova," your father turned his attention to her, "you will be responsible for your sister."

"Okay," Nova said.

He turned back to the group at the front and loudly announced, "To the tunnels."

It was clear that Commander Bright did not fully support the idea of keeping Zed around. Regardless of his feelings, Nova turned to you with a bright smile as your group continued forward. She punched your shoulder with a small squeak of excitement. Your dad may not believe in your choice, but a win was a win.

Zed spun around in a circle before turning to you, "Do I just follow you now or...?"

You grabbed his arm with a small smile, pulling him behind you.

"Come on, Zed the zombie."

"Oh, okay. Please don't burn me!"

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With the entrance to the tunnel in sight at last, the Daywalkers had grown restless. Zed was now calm enough to walk alongside all of you without being herded and watched as members of the group did the occasional flip.

Of course, not everyone was comfortable with him so soon. Ray had attempted to scare the poor zombie with fire multiple times. Each time, leading to a swift smack on the head from Apolla and a reprimand from you.

You and Nova alternated leading the group and sticking close to Zed. Along the way, Zed had chosen to open up, filling the silence with any topic that came to mind. You chose to engage with him in good nature.  This was an excellent opportunity to learn about what was beyond your realm.

He explained to you what a zombie actually was and how his Z-band worked; it seemed to be the opposite of your fire gauntlet. He also told you about the other creatures from his town, werewolves and aliens. Mostly, he spoke of his girlfriend, Addison. Apparently, they had split up to find help after getting stranded in the woods.

It seemed to occur to Zed that you all had mentioned blood-sucking Vampires and that his girlfriend was alone and unaware of what hid on the mountain.

"Wow," Zed frowned, "the way y'all came for me, those Vampires must really have you spooked? huh."

"You don't know the half of it," you groaned as Nova scoffed in agreement.

"We're the Daywalkers. We got the power of the sun." You stop Zed in his tracks. While fanning yourself, you add, "Here it's way hotter, won't take no shade from anyone."

"Check the showstopper," Nova puts an arm on his shoulder, making him lean down, "We make a fire all our own."

You all crowd around him, and Nova's gauntlet lights as she creates a solar flare to show off while you continue. "Thanks to the Lightstone."

"Number one status, those sneaky Vamps are gonna learn." Ray moves Zed to the side as the Daywalkers do tricks, "Try to come at us, you're gonna go home with a burn."

"We're the real baddest," Apolla takes over, "With all our solar-powered flare."

You all make solar flares around him as you give him a sly smile and wink, "It's almost unfair."

"Lucky you," Apolla continued, as the group began to jump with Zed getting into the vibe. 

"For stumbling through." Ray finished pushing Zed through the group.

"Welcome to the light side, light side

It's better on the bright side, bright side

You know we're the most unforgettable You'll ever see (whoa) Want incredible? This is the place to be!

Na na na na na."

The other Daywalkers run toward the cave, leaving you where you stand. Alone on the sand, listening to the waves crash, you let yourself feel the sting of the salty air as the scent of brine fills your lungs. Lost in the moment, your gaze shifts from the dazzling horizon line to another vision of your dream boy.

"There's life beyond the old fears, a song my people don't hear." You confess to the depths. "I see a future they can't, does anybody understand?"

You could swear you heard a distant voice match your own, "Does anybody understand?"

"Y/n," Ray calls you over.

"Come on!" Nova shouts.

You run back over to the group, nearing the entrance to the tunnel.

"Welcome to the light side, light side

It's better on the bright side, bright side

You know we're the most unforgettable You'll ever see (whoa) Want incredible? This is the place to be!"

The entrance was framed by hanging moss that shifted as though it were breathing. Torchlight reflected off the cave walls, the stones bearing the yellow symbols of Daywalkers past.

You noticed Nova, stiff at the cave's entrance. Her eyes were fixed on the shadows coiling deeper into the tunnel, your father's expectations a visible weight on her shoulders.

Placing a hand on her shoulder, you send her a soft smile that she brightly returns. Knowing you would both face what lies ahead together was enough to chase off any lingering fears. 

Apolla doesn't hesitate to join your other side, taking your hand in hers. You take a deep breath, ready to venture outside of Sunnyside's protective barrier. Before you can take the first step, Ray comes from behind and drags Nova forward, consequently taking you and Apolla with him.

The four of you could do this.

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Vera was going to kill him.

Victor wanted to go into the woods and sketch for a bit, but quickly lost track of time. Not that it mattered much to him. Even though he knew he was already running late, he needed to finish the last few lines.

He was quite well known for ditching his combat training, as he had earlier. Everyone just assumes he's off causing trouble or wasting time when he disappears from his duties. It was the perfect cover for escaping the expectations of the others. Though Victor was quite sure that a certain Moontouched priest saw right through him.

The young Vampire heir liked to sit quietly amongst the tree branches and watch the wind. To learn from watching the original air source and let it inspire how he uses his own power, as his father taught him. Watching how the wind danced through the trees, how it formed storms across the sea, the ebb and flow of it through the fields. It was all much more educational than the combat forms they teach in training. Teaching him what stopped the wind, how it moved, how it could break through other things.

Learning how the wind moved naturally allowed him to know how to manipulate it in more ways than just flying or fighting against Daywalkers. Most people who saw his powers considered them too wild or too weak. The older Moontouched Vampires were the exception, but even they felt he skipped his lessons too often.

He was finishing up the shading of the bark on his sketch when his vision faded, the constant hum of the forest becoming dull to his ears.

Ah, another vision.

Victor had been having them for as long as he could remember. Every time he was lonely or sad or overwhelmed, he would have visions of the same girl, and things suddenly wouldn't seem so bad. He couldn't help the smile that grew on his face. She was always his favorite part of any day and any dream.

There she was, his dream girl. She was illuminated by bright golden light, her surroundings nothing but blurs of shadow. She was looking straight at him with those eyes that burned like molten gold, small golden flecks lighting her irises like starlight. She smiled brighter than the moon or the stars, like she was the only source of light in the galaxy. Her posture was regal and strong. And the light around her caused the gold in her hair to sparkle as though the Milky Way had been woven between the strands.

Looking at her made him feel like he was falling...wait a minute.

He snapped out of his vision just in time to send a burst of wind to halt his descent, before crashing right onto his face.

He groaned as he sat up and pulled a twig from his hair, "I've had worse landings."

Deciding this was a sign that it was time to head back to town, he grabbed his sketchbook and his pencil that had somehow survived the fall, and stuffed them into his coat. The same coat he hid the blood fruit he swiped earlier. Hopefully, it would be a valuable enough penance that Vera wouldn't stake him through the heart. Or worse, tell his Aunt.

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Noticing the unique architecture of the Shadyside town square - a mix of gothic, cyberpunk, and arcade - Victor began his descent.

Of course, as the slacker, he couldn't be caught dead making a proper landing. Raising people's expectations, gross. So with a little effort, he's able to fumble the landing.

He barely avoids crashing directly into his friends, popping up with a grin.

"One of my better landings!" he smiles.

"Victor!" Vera scolds.

"At your service," he goes to do his handshake with Vargas, who seems much happier to see him.

"The Vampire Eldress keeps asking about you. I thought you were supposed to be our next leader-"

Val decides to cut off Vera's rant, "dude, she isn't wrong. We're all going to get in trouble if we keep covering for you."

"Sorry," Victor said, pulling the blood fruit from his coat. "But I got you something to make up for it."

The excitement on his friends' faces made the difficulty of getting the fruit worth it. Before any of the guys could touch it, Vera snatched it out of Victor's hand.

"Aww, you got me a gift," she held it to her chest, "and my favorite color, blood red."

Val shook his head in amusement, "Do we even want to know where you got that?"

Victor just gave him a small shrug and a smirk before swiping the fruit from Vera, who was about to eat it herself.

"I got this for the four of us," he gestured around the group. "To celebrate finally making it out of this town."

His friends all shot him confused looks. 

Val looked at him like he had two heads. Sure, he knew Victor wanted to leave, but these were less than ideal circumstances. The Vampire's orchard was dying and could no longer grow the fruit they needed. And whatever was causing it was spreading beyond the orchard's magic. Of course, the Eldress had ordered the Moontouched to keep that quiet. The guys couldn't even tell Vera.

"Everyone's terrified." Vera gestured around her to the Vampires preparing in a hurry.

Vargas nodded, "Nobody wants to leave Shadyside."

"Well, I do," Victor said. When his friends fixed him with judgmental stares, he hurriedly explained himself.

"There's this whole world out there, and I want to see all of- any of it," He said. Val placed a hand on his shoulder, knowing that leaving wasn't exactly an option for Victor, who was next in line.

Vera and Vargas looked almost in disbelief at the confession.

"You can keep the world," Vera says, "If I'm not living the nightlife, I'm not living the right life."

"Don't worry. You'll be back and bored in no time. But for now," Victor held up the fruit, "Let's share this baby."

Vargas rubbed his hands together, and Val bounced in place at the prospect of having some blood fruit before the journey.

"You know, I hate sharing," Vera commented. To convince her, Val pulled out his patented baby bat eyes. "But I'm in."

Before the group could dig in, the Eldress addressed the Vampires scattered throughout the square.

"Vampires," her cold voice resonated throughout the crowd, "It is time to save Shadyside."

Her arms extended in victory as she announced, "The harvest is upon us!"

Cheers resounded throughout the gathered Vampires. Including the young group of friends, minus Val, who seemed to be in his own world.

Noticing his spaced-out friend, Victor took Val to the side. After calling his name a few times, the poor boy finally came back down to earth.

"You good man?" Victor asked, noticing Val's dazed expression.

"Yeah," his voice cracked. He shook his head a few times, like he was shaking his brain back into place. "Yeah, I'm totally cool."

Victor knew that wasn't true. Val had been having visions recently and had confided in Victor about them. In turn, Victor confessed his own visions, swearing Valentine to secrecy. Visions were an ability possessed by a select few Moontouched, and while typically celebrated, Victor didn't want to be pressured into telling his Aunt what he had seen.

Val had agreed to keep Victor's secret, knowing he needed someone he could trust with it. As much as they loved their other friends, Vera would do anything for the Eldress's approval, and Vargas was a coin toss. At times, their loyalty to the leader of the Vampires outweighed their loyalty to Victor. Luckily, a trait Val did not share.

However, he also didn't have Victor's aptitude for hiding his visions. The mentors within the Moon temple had taken notice of his ability and tried to guide him. But with so few of them left, and the blight on the orchard, resources were spread thin. Honestly, Victor had given better advice than anyone else when it came down to it.

This lack of covertness with his new power was probably why Vargas was glancing over at them so worriedly. He knew Val had trouble with his visions sometimes.

"Let's just finish getting ready," Val said, giving a weak smile. Victor sighed but didn't argue, leading them back to their friends.

Whatever happened next could change everything. And there was nothing Victor wanted more than for things to change. Well, maybe one thing, for the girl in his dreams to be real and standing next to him.

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Note: I wanted this chapter to do a few things. 1 showcase some similarities or differences in Victor and Y/n's situations. 2 give us a vision from Victor's POV which didn't really happen in the canon. And 3 introduce Val a bit, which is a bit more difficult than Apolla since most of the book is from the reader's perspective. Next up, meeting Zed.

….☾☀︎….

For as long as you could remember, there had been a boy who would show up in your head when you needed him. And Victor could not think of a time the girl as bright as the sun hadn't been waiting in his dreams. What happens when you finally meet, and that pull in the back of your minds can't be ignored? When the people you both wanted so desperately to be real are standing in front of you?

I do not own the Disney Zombies franchise. This is a fanfic. I do, however, own my original characters and plotlines

Masterlist:

Cast and Moodboards

Chapter 1: The Sun and the Moon

Chapter 2: Sunny Starting Line

Chapter 3: Shady Starting Line

Chapter 4: The Place to be

Wattpad Link:

Ao3 Link:

!Trigger Warnings!: (Updated as needed)

It's a musical, song jumpscares, use of Y/n (sue me), mature language, spicy scenes (not smut), neglect

Taglist (Open):

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Nova was going to kill you.

You were supposed to be helping lead drills before the Daywalker army's new mission. But no, you had to check on the baby firefox Ray had found! And now you had to run because your little sister was going to kill you.

It wasn't your fault, honestly. Ray and you had found the poor thing out in the woods not too long ago, its spark almost entirely snuffed. Instead of strong flames coating its body like a full-grown firefox or the soft, warm blaze of young kits, the little critter was shivering and dim. 

It wasn't just the blood fruit dying in Sunnyside; the energy that flowed through the land was waning. If the problem was ignored for much longer, more of the life in your realm would cease. But no one ever listens, it doesn't matter that you're the next leader. Sunbearer abilities are outlawed. And nothing screams Sunbearer like ranting about the energy of the land and safeguarding all the sacred creatures of solar magic.

Of course, Ray and Nova listened to you. Ray being a Sunbearer himself and the son of an illustrious Solar Knight. And Nova had recently come into her own Sunbearer abilities from your mother's bloodline. Abilities that had to be kept secret, or your Father would start treating her like he treats you.

Your best friend, Apolla, was also a good listener. She unlocked her own abilities a few months ago and needed the guidance, not coming from a direct bloodline herself. You're the only Sunbearer around with any potential knowledge to pass down. Problem was most of it was self-taught.

With no living seniors for the Sunbearers to train with and anything to do with them being outlawed, learning was a challenge. Especially the advanced abilities like healing. None of you knew where to start with that poor kit. The best you all could do was bring it to Mrs. Flickerwood and take turns keeping it cozy with your fire to lessen the energy it needed to expend.

You could tell it broke Ray's heart not being able to do more. He practically broke down when you had to explain that most mystic creatures also needed the blood fruit and that the Daywalkers would never share. 

That's why you had taken the detour, you wanted to share a bit more energy with the firefox before this mission. And maybe sneak it some blood fruit, but that's between the two of you. Who knew how long the harvest would take, and Mrs. Flickerwood's fire wasn't as effective for this type of thing.

You could make out the Daywalkers training on the beach, and just before you could speed up, the sides of your vision began to blur.

"Seriously," You huffed, "right now."

You had been having visions your whole life, more clear and frequent in recent years. In nearly every dream, every vision, you saw the same boy. If he hadn't grown and changed alongside you, if these visions hadn't gone on for so long, you would have thought him a figment of your lonely imagination.

But these were indeed visions, and it seemed your attention was being demanded by them once again.

It was the same mystery boy as always. This time, the setting was nothing but dark storm clouds that seemed to suit him far more than they should. He removed his hood to reveal his hair, red and black like blood swirled with ink, tanned skin, and dark eyes flecked with red like the dying embers of a fire. Eyes you always swore could see straight to your soul. The storm continued to churn around him, but he stood poised and calm, as if he belonged to the chaos and lightning. Shadows danced around him, but his gaze remained fixed on the distance, like he was waiting for something, with a small smile gracing his lips.

You jumped back to reality at the feeling of a hand on your shoulder. The bright sun quickly replaced the storm clouds in your vision.

"Hey girl, you okay?" It was Apolla who had shaken you out of your head. "Did you see cute dream boy again?"

"Yes," You sighed. "But we can unpack all of that later. Right now, we need to get to training before Nova incinerates us."

Apolla snorted in response before adding, "or your dad."

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A few hours later, you were still on the beach training alongside the younger Daywalkers. With the bulk of the army and the most promising of the youth divisions' warriors going on the mission to retrieve the blood fruit, it was decided that those who were too young to go would engage in basic training. It was partially to put them at ease with the whole situation and to offer the youth division their first mentoring opportunity.

You watched a group of Daywalkers practice aiming their solar flares through shimmering gold hoops carefully. It was important to have a more experienced fighter nearby when practicing with fire. Unlike the Sunbearers, the average Daywalker was not fireproof, but they did have the instinctual level of control to prevent flames from causing them harm.

"Everybody freeze," You ordered your group. Their every move had been precise, controlled, fierce...and wrong.

They all stopped tossing solar flares and stood at attention to face you.

"All of you are channeling your power wrong; that's why your flames are weak." You said. "Power comes from the breath, not your muscles."

You moved to position yourself in front of one of the rings as you continued to explain. 

"Breath becomes energy within your body, that energy travels through you and becomes-" You pause to take a deep breath and plant your feet, then spring your arm forward with a sweltering blast. "Fire!"

You saw the eyes of the youngest students widen in awe at the display. While the older among the group wore serious faces, clearly taking note of your advice. 

To the side, you noticed your sister sparring with a member of her group. Her pale blonde hair flashed in the golden sun as she ducked and weaved between her opponent. Nova had been chosen to instruct hand-to-hand combat today.

"Let's all take a break," You shout. The group you were instructing all seemed to slump in relief at the idea. After reminding them once more about your advice, you decided to see if Nova could use a hand.

Noticing your approach, Nova quickly ended her match.

"Alright, good job everybody!" Nova calls to her group in a firm voice.

"Remember," She continues, punching the air in a perfect combo, "put your whole body into it. Right in the fangs!"

It almost startles you how much she sounds like your father with that last bit. Same tone of voice, same intensity. You watch as the group imitates her punches, the sound of their fists cutting through the air.

"We've gotta be prepared, right?" Nova says seriously. "Our blood fruit is dying, and we have to find more if we're gonna survive."

"So," She clapped with a fake smile on her face. "Back to it."

You joined your sister's side as the training resumed, offering a small smile. A little girl no older than seven or eight approached Nova. She wanted to know why she had to train if she wasn't going on the mission.

Nova gave her a warm smile, "So you can protect the town while we're gone, silly."

"And so one day you can be the strongest and protect your friends." You told her, crouching down beside them while tousling her hair.

She gave a shy smile at that and threw her arms around Nova. 

Nova quickly hugged back, but you noticed her eyes drift out of focus. She was having a vision out in the open. Not great.

Having visions was a uniquely Sunbearer trait, and as previously mentioned, those with the blessing of Sun were outlawed. So far, only you and Nova have even had visions. She almost burned down the house her first time, just a few months ago. She spaced out and saw a boy she had never met as though he stood before her.

Still kneeling beside her, you shook her shoulder. Grounding her back into the present world of sun and sand. Just in the nick of time, as you saw your father, Commander Cyrus Bright, walking towards the two of you.

You both snapped to attention at the stern call of your names.

"Girls, I asked you to run the recruits through training maneuvers, and I find you doing what exactly?" He asks, his tone harsh as the sand littering the beach.

The two of you share a glance, straightening your spines, knowing you couldn't tell the truth.

"A little self-reflection?" Nova says with an awkward smile. You nod slowly, trying to hide your laugh.

Seeming to believe her, he sighed and said, "Come on, we need to talk."

On the way into the town, the three of you pass the other training groups. Catching sight of Apolla leading her group through drills, you send her a 'meet up later' look. She sends back a casual nod.

You had tried to tell your father about your visions, hoping he could offer advice. While he was not a Sunbearer, he had been married to one. But you should have known better than to think he would care.

"We do not have time for Y/n's visions. If our orchards are dying, then the Vampires may be too," he scolds you two as though he isn't a broken record. "They'll destroy us to get that last fruit."

You sigh and share a look with Nova. She believed all the stories she was told growing up, but had always been willing to entertain your ideas of a different world. More so after you told her you had gotten the idea from your mother. Selenia Bright had been the head Valkyrie of the Sunbearers and was the person you looked up to the most.

But while Nova had an open mind, openly questioning your father was not something she could afford. Unlike you, if he was going to prefer her anyway, then he should at least have a reason. This had always been your mindset.

"Dad, how much longer can we live in fear of people we've never even seen?" You turned to him questioningly. From the corner of your eye, Nova tensed, choosing to stay quiet. 

It was true that no Daywalker had come across a Vampire in generations. Not even the orders within the Sunbearers that had been integrated into the military. The Valkyries and Solar Knights would often cross the barrier to fight monsters and assess human developments. But your mother had admitted that even beyond the barrier, Vampires had remained elusive.

"As long as I'm in charge, I know what it takes to keep our people safe. And if you want to lead one day, you'll follow my lead." He says, his gaze like steel. You can only sigh in response.

"Y/n," he says, "can I count on you?"

Nova loops her arm into yours and nudges your shoulder, "Of course you can!"

"Right," You nod, "You can, Dad. I promise."

"I know I can," he smiles and pulls you both into a tight hug that almost makes you forget how much you disappoint him.

In the distance, you hear Ray making his way towards the three of you.

"Great, Ray," Nova says, clearly trying not to cringe.

The two of you loved Ray, really, you did. But he was constantly trying to get your father's approval.

You understood his perspective. It was your father who outlawed the Sunbearers and any mention of them. Ray was the son of the late Helia Flickerwood, who had been the head of the Solar Knights. He wanted more than anything to become a Solar Knight that his father could be proud of. And he misguidedly believes that if he proves his worth to the Commander, then maybe the Sunbearer orders could be reinstated.

"I heard we're short recruits to pick blood fruit. Wanted to make sure that I'm up front where the action is. Any Vampires mess with us, and they'll be toast, courtesy of Ray." He says, saluting. Nova nods her head in amusement.

"Ray, you will follow my orders. Understood?" Your father's voice was that of a stern Commander once more.

"Absolutely, Commander Bright," Ray nodded. And hesitantly, as though nearly backing out, Ray clapped the Commander's shoulder, "Good thinking."

You couldn't hold back a wince at the sight. Despite his eagerness, Ray had never successfully won over anyone in power. Well, other than you and Nova, but that didn't exactly count. 

Your father took a moment to stare at the place Ray had touched him before turning to the two of you. "You girls want the honors?"

You both share a smile before Nova grabs your hand and drags you into the centre of the town square.

"Daywalkers," You begin, your strong voice carrying across the crowd. "Today we venture to restore our blood fruit and safeguard the future of our people!"

"Our journey begins." Nova declared fiercely.

Cheers erupt all around from the gathered Daywalkers. Determination and excitement hummed through the air. It was time to face destiny. Either the blood fruit would be secured along with your people's lives, or you would fail spectacularly and doom your entire species. No pressure.

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Note: I might do a short chapter of the opening Shadyside scene. Still debating if I want to put in the work for it. Let me know what you think of the extended lore so far. I'm trying to inform you of my vision without info-dumping you into oblivion. Obviously, more will come as we continue.

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Many years ago, a mystical stone fell to earth, crashing into Mount Rayburn. It split the sky and land around it into two halves of one whole. One side would be perpetually day, always shining bright. The other an eternal night, cloaking the mountainside in darkness and moonlight.

This great split also created two new species, mirroring the land's divide. Daywalkers who would be bound by the power of the sun. And vampires who would be forever tied to the gleaming moon. 

Both creatures needed the blood fruit grown from the same energy as them to survive. It became the main food source for both peoples. One that was happily shared between them. Despite the differences between these monsters, they lived in peace with one another.

So joyous was the existence of these new beings that the Sun and Moon themselves took notice. Coming to join in the merriment of life among these clans.

The sun and moon took on new forms, those of the creatures they were so inextricably bound to. Alongside their people, they grew and bestowed resplendent knowledge and powers.

The blessing of the sun created the first Sunbearers. The moon's kiss crafted the Moontouched. 

Those within both species whose lifelight was purer and capable of manipulating magic to a wondrous degree.

One day, though no one can truly say when, the sun and moon drifted from one another.

The sun, always quick to rise with anger, left. And the moon, oh the moon, waited with bated breath for the return of light.

But it never came.

What pieces remained of the moon had no choice but to leave as well. The two halves separated into isolation. Their people walked beside them, abandoning the harmony they once knew.

As time went on, the sun and moon disappeared. No longer would they light the path. No more could they champion the balance.

It was up to the people now, but generations passed with no reconciliation. The differences that once brought them together now fostered fear and suspicion. Unease twisted itself into hatred, and hatred led to war.

The two sides fought over land, resources, and the blood fruit they all depended on. The desire for power and territory nearly destroyed them all. Before such a thing could occur, the two sides broke from each other permanently. They erected mystic barriers, becoming two separate societies.

It remained this way for centuries. Newer generations overtook the old. Histories were forgotten, and as these new worlds grew, so did the rift that divided them.

No one knows why the sun and moon left. How could they simply turn their backs on those who lived by their light?

The Daywalkers believe the sun did not need the moon. It shone bright enough alone. After all, the moon was weak, unable to yield its own light.

This is what the stories say, so it must be the truth... right?

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