Starlit Bonds

XVIII

Chapter 18: War Of Crestwood Heights
Karina's perspective: ⚕

Giselle's entrance commanded attention, and as my eyes met hers, I was captivated by her sheer beauty. The way she looked at me conveyed a sense of insignificance, like I was a mere speck in her otherworldly presence. Winter, usually composed and in control, gripped my hand with an uncharacteristic fear. It was a stark departure from her usual amusement or the strategic composure she exhibited in most situations. This time, it seemed she was holding onto me as if her life depended on it.

Giselle's gaze swept across the cafeteria, and she expressed awe at Earth's beauty. "Gazing upon this Earth, one can't help but marvel at its beauty," Giselle remarked with a sense of wonder. "A magnificent testament to the wonders of the cosmos. Diverse ecosystems, from lush forests to sprawling deserts, harbor an extraordinary array of life forms. Yet... we're not allowed." Her expression shifted into a frown. "I miss it here," she confessed, capturing the attention of everyone present.

"But a little birdy, or feline, told me that there's a budding dispute, and that you don't agree with our lifestyle," Giselle declared, her eyes scanning the room. "So, what's the issue? Do tell." Her tone was firm, demanding a response. Silence engulfed the cafeteria, a collective hesitation to speak up in the face of this formidable vampire. Winter, in a rare moment of vulnerability, uttered a plea, "Giselle, please." However, Giselle dismissed her with a simple command, referring to her by the name Min-jeong. Winter, visibly shaken by the use of her true name, seethed with resentment. The dynamics in the room shifted, and an unspoken tension hung in the air as Giselle awaited an explanation from those present.

As I mustered the courage to speak, I offered an earnest plea, "We're not trying to have a war." Giselle's gaze turned toward me, a spark of intrigue in her crimson eyes. Speaking on behalf of all of us, I continued, "We're just scared." However, my attempt to convey vulnerability seemed to fall short. Giselle scoffed at the notion of fear, dismissing it with a derisive tone.

"Scared? Were your kind not the ones who killed millions of us, who were just trying to live in peace," she remarked, her words cutting through the air. I pursed my lips, grappling with the weight of her accusations. Giselle chuckled, a sound that echoed with a mix of amusement and scorn.

"God, I really do miss it here. Humans are the strangest, aren't they, Min-jeong?" Giselle's address to Winter froze her in place. Despite Winter's evident discomfort, Giselle pressed on. "First, you plagiarize, then you genocide, and now you're victims. How do you put up with it all?" Her laughter resonated, a haunting melody that lingered in the room.

I tried to interject, insisting that she doesn't take this any further, but Giselle swiftly turned her attention back to me. The way she smiled sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't a comforting smile; it was a predatory expression, a prelude to something ominous. "If you want war, you'll get it," she declared, her voice a sharp bark that made me flinch. The tension in the room escalated, and the specter of an impending conflict loomed ominously.

In that surreal moment, the atmosphere resembled an animal farm, each of us held captive in the tense gaze of Giselle. My attempts to speak felt futile, as if I were a mere spectator in a play of higher beings. Desperation clung to me as I sought Winter's eyes, pleading for a connection, for reassurance.

"I'll give you a warning, humans," Giselle's voice cut through the uneasy silence, sending a shiver down my spine. Her words held a chilling certainty. "You will lose. It doesn't matter how much magic you harbor; I'll simply drink it out of you." The threat hung heavy in the air, leaving an unsettling feeling lingering.

Giselle continued with a proclamation that sent a wave of dread through the room. "I've invited some friends. Try and seek them out, or maybe you'll find solace in hiding. Either way, I'm going to settle this once and for all." With that, she spun around and walked away, leaving behind an ominous aura.