[..] It felt like a game. They trained, and trained. Day after day, for years. I remember as it was yesterday. Never forget.

For some it was never enough, for most it was destiny fulfilled. Everyone grew, multiplied, became stronger, joined one another, and feasted on the world which they saw it was wider and wider, with each new territory claim.

Century after century the world grew smaller. Most become insatiable while only some stood by the Runes.

But the Runes command us. They always do.

The grand leaders of the largest clans could not be satisfied, even with the vastness of the seas and lands, nor the abundance of life and its regenerative powers. So they abandoned the ways of the Runes and continued to consume and grow.

It was the Rha’s and the Rhe’s who first broke the Runes’ command. Others followed. But the Runes held sway, guiding and commanding all who lived. And so it was that the terrible Curse of Xhi’Thea befell the world, affecting both the righteous and the wicked without mercy. All as one, some and most.

[..] The young suffered the most, and even the Pures were not immune. The longer the bloodline, the harder the Curse hit. Millions were affected, and the greatest creatures in all of mankind were frozen with fear.

But the Runes command us. They always do.

The Runes once again reminded all that weakness would not be tolerated, as they had always done. In a desperate act of protest, some took their youngest to the ancient city of Xhi’Thea, a place not meant for the inexperienced. It was the last known city of the Runes. It still is [..] deathly but also rewarding, after so many years. Still, maybe, one of the most dngerous place for

And in their wisdom, the Runes forged an artifact, releasing five mortal souls, so that the strongest immortal could prosper. Five for one.

It was a heart-wrenching sight, to see vampires lose their immortality and become human again, only to starve to death in the barren valleys of the Ancient City. Blood was spilled anew, as the remaining vampires were forced to feed.

But one of Rhe’s daughters, Th’Deea, showed great courage and led the surviving humans to safety in a nearby village called Pahreea Umpx. Despite being banned by her father and never allowed to join the clan again, Th’Deea’s bravery was renowned and tested to the extreme.

And so all came to understand the punishment meted out by the Runes, for with each sixth sired, the weakest five must be returned to humanity, so balance could be restored.

The artifact, the “Courage of Th’Deea,” forever honored her bravery, and her story shall one day be told in full.