Numerous young children stood in front of a large gate waiting to have blood drawn. No one bothered to check if the children felt unwell or anxious. Their blood would be collected regardless.

One may believe that everyone had to contribute their blood equally, but that wasn't the case. At least not here.

Only in Moscow did such a regime existed. The creator of it was the second progenitor Lord Urd Geales.

In summary, it functions as such, there exist three distinct classes of cattle. In the third class were only common humans who lived only to offer their blood and received no benefits. The second-class people do chores that the vampires feel too superior for, such as cooking and cleaning. The advantages they gain are better food and living conditions and less blood is taken from them. If you want to be in the first class, you must be a gifted dancer, performer, or singer. This class is owned by Urd Geales and exists only for his own entertainment, which is why it is so high up in the hierarchy. The benefits are delicious food, a decent life, material desires are occasionally fulfilled, and their blood is rarely drained as it is the property of the 2nd progenitor.

Therefore, naturally, everyone strived to be at least in the second class. It was not easy, but the black-haired would give it a try. She was determined to make it to the second class.

Not for her own sake, but for her family. She wanted a better life for the little ones. They had been through so much, they deserved it.

After her blood was collected, she slowly trotted back home. How tiring this existence was...

"Hello everyone, am I the last one?" she questioned as she shut the door behind her, her eyes looking down at the small forms.

"Rose-nee, you're back!" a little girl called out and hugged her tightly, the rest joined in as well. Rose smirked, as she had something planned for the little one's today. The dark-haired girl planned to go to the opera, it was open to anyone who wanted to visit, but only when there were no performances or rehearsals.

"Follow me, I have something great scheduled for us today," she said while the others followed her. The small group quickly arrived at their destination.

"Wow, Nee-san, this is amazing. I've never been here before. Soo cool!" said one of the kids in amazement.

"True," she smiled. It wasn't her first time here, though. Since the day she first came here, the female would occasionally perform on her own. In fact, she would like to become a singer here, but that would most likely remain a dream. The criteria were too strict - she didn't fit in.

The dark-haired girl smiled bitterly and turned to look at her family. Rose was 13 when the apocalypse befell humanity, so she was the oldest in her family. Five years have passed since then. 

Rose was now 18 years old, the second oldest at 17 was named Charlie, then came Emily with 14, Ben with 10, Jordan with 9, and the last one Betty with 8 years.

Together they were not really a big family, but their bond was very deep, although they were not related by blood. Even if they didn't know it, the little ones were her saviors, her very sun, her reason to strive for happiness in the knowledge that she would never reach her destination.

"So, what do you want to show us here, Rose?" asked Charlie distractedly while he sat down. She glanced at him and without answering, she climbed up on the stage and turned to them.

"Just sit down and listen," she commanded before she began to sing.

🎶 High in the halls of the kings who are gone
Jenny would dance with her ghosts
The ones she had lost and the ones she had found
And the ones who had loved her the most

The ones who'd been gone for so very long
She couldn't remember their names
They spun her around on the damp old stones
Spun away all her sorrow and pain

And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave

They danced through the day
And into the night through the snow that swept through the hall
From winter to summer then winter again
'Til the walls did crumble and fall

And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave
And she never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave
Never wanted to leave, never wanted to leave

High in the halls of the kings who are gone
Jenny would dance with her ghosts
The ones she had lost and the ones she had found
And the ones
Who had loved her the most 🎶

The black-haired finished her performance and watched the reaction of everyone, who were still a bit stunned at first.

"That was amazing, Rose-nee!" exclaimed Ben while clapping.

"Yeah, it was really beautiful," Charlie praised with a slight nod, the others joining in the clapping with happy faces.

" Nee-san, why don't you become a singer here?" inquired Emily curiously. Rose watched her with sad eyes and feigned a smile.

"I would never pass the exam, I'm not that interested in operas and old styles of music. Actually, I really like musicals, for example. But the second progenitor isn't interested in such new styles, I guess." she sighed as she rested her head on her palm.

"Music-calls????" Ben tried to figure out the meaning of that word. Of course, he wouldn't know what it meant; he was too young when the apocalypse began. They talked some more until it started to get dark.

"Let's all go home now before it gets too late" Charlie suggested.

"Yes" On the way they met some people from the enemy's house. That's right enemy house. There was a lot of rivalry in the third-class families, but if you look at the history of mankind, you will find that they didn't get along very well in the first place. Here the children are literally fighting over the leftovers from the 2nd and 1st classes.

When they finally arrived home all fell fast asleep without a second thought.

-

'How could this happen?" wondered Rose as she knelt before the King of Russia.

Someone had dared to destroy parts of the opera house yesterday, and since they were the only ones the guards saw entering, they seemed guilty.

"Now confess already, you lowly human," one of Urd's subordinates demanded.

The future was uncertain. 

Lost.

-Chapter 1 END-

Next Chapter: Rising