Rose silently wandered in the vampire capital. It was nighttime already. She could see some children hush here and there but vampires were nowhere to be found. She decided to visit the opera. The house and position she yearned for all these years, only to be shattered by harsh reality. The black-haired slowly slandered trough the hall and climbed the stage.

She positioned herself in the middle and closed her lightless eyes.

🎶Where the north wind.... meets the sea... There's a river... full of memory... Sleep, my darling,... safe and sound... For in this river... all is found🎶

Rose could still recall the lullaby her mother sang to her. It did make her chest hurt. She knew that Urd was probably right and she was just pretending to not be able to feel. But why is her heart so cold then? Where was the joy and happiness she was supposed to feel? Her soul was one again... wasn't that a good thing? She didn't know.

Deep in thoughts, her mouth opened and she continued:

🎶In her waters... deep and true... Lie the answers... and a path for you... Dive down deep into her sound... But not too far or you'll be drowned🎶

Rose didn't notice that her words became chants. While she continued water formed itself.

🎶Yes, she will sing to those who'll hear... And in her song, all magic flows... But can you brave what you most fear?... Can you face what the river knows?🎶

Urd arrives at his usual watching spot when his eyes widen, observing how her magic unfolds itself. A ring of liquid forms as the inside almost appears like a mirror to another realm. 

Rose seems almost like in a trance. As she continues the circle freezes and grows smaller.

🎶Where the north wind... meets the sea... There's a mother... full of memory... Come, my darling, homeward bound... When all is lost... then all is found🎶

As the last word is spoken the circle glows in bright gold and falls to the ground. Rose didn't move when Urd came down. "Rose?" her eyes glanced at him. 

"Urd..." she replied as he picked the now golden ring up. The blonde jumped up to kneel in front of Rose, touching her hand. "..."

"I'm a vampire. I am not able to feel like humans do. I may not be able to meet your expectations but I desire you to stay here." at these words her eyes widen in sadness. He stood up pulling her into a hug. "You're emotionless and cold? You can believe what you want. I want you to stay by my side nevertheless." The black-haired gently pushed him away. "Rose..."

"I..." she glanced to the ground.

"You can decide what you want. It is your choice... here take this." he handed her the ring. 

"This... this is... from where did you get that?" 

"It seems you really didn't realize. You created this when you were singing. It fell to the ground so I picked it up." he explained calmly while putting the ring on her finger.

"Really, this belonged to my mother... I created it??" a small tear rolled down her cheek as she sank to the ground. "Thank you, mother... thank you for this beautiful gift," Rose expressed while she felt the ice around her heart melt. 

"Life is only a flicker of melted ice."

-Chapter 28 END-

Next Chapter: Old Friend