Hearing the reverential tone in Agrip’s voice, Derek swallowed, knowing that his mentor wouldn’t employ that tone unless the ancients were really worthy of the title. He needed to hear more.
“Okay, Uncle. So, what else about them?” He asked, shifting in his seat. He saw Freya glare at him, and sniffed in sharply, turning away from her direction. He understood the girl’s distrust of him.
Agrip sighed, then began to speak again.
“The term “ancients” is a significant concept in history. In one of the history books, the ancients refer to a group of powerful and ancient beings who have lived for thousands of years. They possess exceptional supernatural abilities and are deeply connected to the earth and its elements. They are portrayed as the oldest and most powerful beings in existence. They are revered and feared by vampires, as well as by humans and other supernatural creatures. Their origins are shrouded in mystery, and they are believed to have been created by a higher power or divine force.”
Clem coughed suddenly, causing a sharp break in Agrip’s explanation, and a directing of the audience’s attention to him. He sputtered a weak apology, unable to understand why a cough had run out of his mouth, while wishing that the ground would open up and swallow him.
Agrip furrowed his eyebrows at the interruption, but continued nevertheless. “One defining characteristic of the ancients is their immense strength and physical prowess. They possess the ability to manipulate and control elements such as fire, water, earth, and air. This elemental control sets them apart from vampires and gives them an unparalleled advantage in battles and confrontations. Another notable aspect of the ancients is their connection to nature. They have a deep affinity for the earth and its creatures, and they can communicate with animals and plants. This connection allows them to draw strength and energy from the natural world, making them even more formidable opponents.
The ancients also have a unique ability to heal themselves and others. They possess advanced regenerative powers, allowing them to recover from injuries that would be fatal to ordinary vampires. This ability, combined with their elemental control, makes them nearly invincible in combat.”
Kane smiled, liking the fact that Agrip had done good research on them. He was aware too of Lucille staring at him, her thoughts mildly shielded from him. She was still a novice, and he could still detect that she was in awe and then fear of him, but of course he couldn’t let that spill. It was for the best that she thought that she had done a good job stopping him from accessing her mind.
“In history, the ancients are not portrayed as purely evil or malevolent beings. While they have a dark and dangerous side, they also possess a sense of honor and a desire to protect those they care about. They often act as guardians and mentors to younger ones, guiding them and imparting their wisdom. However, the ancients are not without their flaws and vulnerabilities. Despite their immense power, they can still be wounded and killed, although it takes a significant amount of force to do so. They are also susceptible to the same weaknesses as other vampires, such as sunlight and silver.” Agrip concluded, about to retire to his shell, when Derek asked him immediately the difference then, between vampires and ancients.
The group of seven looked on, wondering how the old man would answer this, if he knew so much about their kind.
Agrip took a moment to collect his thoughts, before he started speaking again.
“History features two distinct supernatural races, apart from the rest: Vampires and Ancients. While both share certain similarities, they also have several key differences that set them apart.
Firstly, Origin and Nature; Vampires are traditionally depicted as undead creatures that drink blood to sustain themselves. They are often portrayed as cursed or damned, with a predatory nature that requires them to prey on humans. They are typically associated with darkness and horror. They were ancients at first, but had given in to their dark side, the dark beast within them. You see, ancients feed on blood, but the rule is that they don’t succumb to the rush that comes with that, and kill off their prey. When they do that, when they give in to that temptation, they become vampires. The undead. I think this is the main difference. Ancients strive to maintain their humanity and nobility. It gets better and easier when they meet their lifemate.”
There was such a stir in the audience after Agrip’s first difference, that he had to pause and weigh his surroundings to know if it was okay to continue. And until Peter gave a command that everyone should hush up, he waited, saying nothing.
“Secondly, Vampires often represent a dark and predatory nature, feeding on humans against their will, and many times killing them. Their actions are typically morally ambiguous or outright evil. On the other hand, Ancients have a code of honor that prevents them from feeding on unwilling humans. They feed from willing donors or animals, maintaining a sense of responsibility and morality. This distinction underscores their noble and honorable nature.
Thirdly, Vampires do not share the concept of a lifemate bond like the ancients do. As a matter of fact their emotions are dead. For the ancients, the lifemate bond is a central theme. It is a deep psychic and emotional connection between a male and a female ancient, often resulting in a soul-deep partnership. This bond brings strength, companionship, and a heightened connection between lifemates.”
At this point, Julius winked at Ava who blushed beside her un-noticing father.
“Fourthly, vampires don’t struggle with inner darkness since they are already it; the darkness I mean. But for ancients, The internal struggle between light and darkness is a major theme among them. And as i mentioned before, if an ancient gives in to the darkness, they become a fearsome and malevolent force, a vampire. This battle against their own predatory instincts and the lure of darkness is a significant aspect of their life.”