In Spain long long ago, there was a boy. His mother died when he was born, leaving him to be raised by his father who later died in a war. The boy lived the streets, stealing and doing what he could to get by. Often times he was seen as a plague, some diseased thing. He wasn’t sick, just poor. He grew up knowing no one was going to do anything for him, no one was looking out for him. He had deep rooted trust issues, so when he was embraced it was a whole other world. He come to even settle with the two vampires, he was untrusting at first and lashed out alot. His temper was one that rival most, along with his stubbornness. However in time he learn to trust them, he grew to care for them as they he.

One was a priest or well was once one type of priest and now a different one. Though the man never knew what type the other ever was. He like them though, they were very philosophical and full of wonder. They open his mind to so many things and so he grew to love the conversations they had. The other was more warrior, he like that. They taught him how to better fight and survive, teaching him their strategies and how they run things. This made him feel so important, his name was Rafael. He had come to care so deeply for the two, even loved them. He felt they loved him as well, he enjoyed what they had and was grateful.

He come so far from the poor wretch trying to survive by any means, to getting educated and living with out fear. While he cared for the two, he always loved the sea. Anytime they move about by ship he felt right at home, it called to him, but he ignored it. He didn’t want to leave what he had. His heart felt at home with the two, so he was ok to ignore the sea calling. The only time he felt unsure was when the other two fought, he had gathered they had differences of views. Michael was on the council, trying to work his way to the head of it. Stefan was upset with this as he distrusted the council greatly. Rafael didn’t know how he felt, he trusted them both, but he started more and more leaning towards Michael. Stefan never fault him and always still ever so sweet to him, but gave him warnings.

As the years went by Rafael had taken on jobs, the head of the council Alaric, who was a very old vampire had employed Rafael. He given him many jobs over the years, though Alaric had ask him to be discreet, that in time he would please the one he so hopeless tried to impress….Michael. Rafael felt like Michael often look down at him, while he was sure Michael loved him, he felt since he was leaning toward him, that he wasn’t good enough. He so badly wanted Michael acceptance, to make him proud.

This new job was to be top secret, but Alaric assured Rafael it make Michael very proud. So he accepted. He had to find a relic, so he went forth looking. It was not easy to find this relic, he heard rumors, followed every lead he could and he even thought it was impossible. Till he got wind of something and followed it, it lead to old ruins. They were said to be cursed and no one travel there, so it was perfect. He go there and grabbed it, easy right. He took a team, one of which was Michael right hand guy. They walked into the ruins, as it seem the curse was indeed something. They ended up fighting a lich of some sort, Michael right hand died and Rafael was injured and the only one to get out alive. He hurried back with the relic.

When he returned with the relic was when it got strange, he arrived where Alaric always had him meet. “Ah you return. I was worried, but you did not fail. You did not fail right?” he ask.

Rafael nods to him and held the relic out to him “I was the only one to make it out. Everyone else is dead.” he told him.

Alaric took the urn looking relic, he looked it over. He grins “You are such a good boy….such great loyalty deserves a reward. Do you know what is in this urn?” he ask.

Rafael shook his head “No…I do not know.”

“It is the blood of the oldest Vampire. Said to give powers and such…..rumors of this blood.” Alaric grins. ” You may drink of it.” he held it out to him

Rafael blinks but shook his head “It is an honor but I retrieved for you.” he told him

“There is plenty for me, drink. It is my gift to you, for being so loyal.” Alaric was very persuasive with his words. It was rumor he could make anyone believe or do as he said.

Rafael would nod to him and took the urn, he drank it. As the blood course through him, he felt a change, like he was burning alive. He give a scream, falling to the ground and then everything went black. Did Alaric use him to see if it was poisoned, by the time he gather his consciousness, he heard shouting “SEIZE HIM!” that voice was so familiar, he was grabbed and dragged over. Rafael tried to get his baring’s. He saw bodies, the ones he left at the ruins. Which was odd, because they were mutilated and thats not how they were when he left the ruins. The urn was smashed, the old blood everywhere.

“How dare you.” hissed that voice, Rafael looked up slowly only to have his head jerked up by his chin. “YOU DRANK IT! YOU REALLY DID IT!” seeing the red hues that now Rafael dawned.

“What happen?” he asked, but Michael sneered ” You are going to pretend you didn’t kill everyone for greed. You drank blood not meant for you. No one is suppose to touch it and you drank it. You ungrateful child.” he shook his head “I had been guarding that urn for centuries and you…..you…I should have known that is why you been so interested.”

Rafael blinks so confused now “What no…Alaric…he told me to get it…to drink…”

“Oh yes see he blames others.” came Alaric “I told you not to trust him, he’s been working against us. He’s a plague. Look at him, he is tainted. He drank the blood….” he point ” His eyes do not lie.”

Michael shook his head “I can’t believe this, I trusted you….Stefan trusted you.”

“WHAT ALARIC LYING…I DIDN’T……IF I KNOWN….Michael please….I didn’t know.” Rafael pleaded.

“Yes blame your elders, see Michael this is what I warn you about. Punish him.” Alaric say.

Michael stood there staring at Rafael, who was still pleading ” Michael…you know me…I love you,…. I would never betray you please….believe me.”

“Death is a merciful way to go……though there is always banishment….no vampire to help him….he’ll be on his own.” Alaric said.

“banishment it is then.” Michael said, turning his back to Rafael.

They took him away and he screamed ” MICHAEL NO…HE’S LYING…..I WOULD NEVER…PLEASE….I LOVED YOU…..PLEASE!!!” as they dragged him away, to be branded on his flesh so all Vampires knew to stay away from him. They brand him right as the base of the back of his neck with the symbol.

Michael never truly feeling right, but the evidence was there. “You did the right thing, I always knew I could count on you. It is why you will take my spot in a few years.” Alaric told him.

“You are leaving?” Michael ask confused.

“I want to do other things, after a while it gets boring herding children around, you will see.”Alaric told him. “I am going to roam about, watch this world change.”

Michael went home after his talk with Alaric, he was to take the head of the council, what he always wanted. His hard work had paid off, but at what price. He was soon confronted with Stefan who was very angry “WHAT DID YOU DO?” he shouted.

“Stefan you need to calm down, don’t need you having another moment. I don’t know what you speak of.” he move past him.

” You banished Rafael?Why would you do that?” Stefan ask.

“He betrayed me…..he went after the relic. He drank it…..it was that or death I think I was rather merciful.” he told him, not really wanting this fight.

“MERCIFUL? Do you even understand what you did?” he ask

“How do you know this? Is he here now?” Michael growled and went to look.

“He was but he is gone…..I can’t believe you…..you are not the same man I loved. You have changed, you let them change you.” Stefan said broken hearted.

“I HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT WHAT I NEED TO, TO PROTECT US!” he shouted.

Stefan shook his head “I can’t be with you anymore. I can not follow you, you are too far blind……you are not doing this for me…but for you…your lust for control…..i’m sorry….I hope you find peace.”Stefan then turn and left.

Michael stood there confused and filled with rage.