Heidi : echoes of ash

"Everyone is a hero or a villain in someone else’s story. What am I in yours?" - Heidi Evervale

23-year-old Heidi Evervale defines the impossible. As the only known half-human, half-vampire, her existence challenges ancient myths and captivates both skeptics and admirers alike. Nestled in the Pennine hills, her home, Pazuzu City, stands as a dynamic metropolis, one of the twelve NetherKind Cities forged as sanctuaries after the Ash Dawn—a series of cataclysmic events that nearly wiped out the vampire species and served as a chilling warning to other NetherKind. This beacon of culture and energy, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, merges bustling markets, vibrant music venues, and a blend of modern ambition with deep-rooted traditions.

Heidi’s sanctuary is The Pit, a record store and live music venue established by her uncle Ellis and his best friend Mijo. More than just a business, The Pit thrives as a vibrant cultural hub, hosting live music nightly and serving as a gathering place for a diverse music community. Here, heated musical debates fill the air, with Ellis, a retired drummer, often playfully on the losing end. Thrust into fatherhood after the death of his sister during childbirth, Ellis navigates the complexities of raising Heidi, whose unique nature brings both wondrous moments and daunting challenges. In The Pit, amidst the bonds of her unconventional family and the electrifying energy of live performances, Heidi finds her true self, powered by defiance and the vibrant pulse of Pazuzu City.

However, the fragile peace of Heidi’s existence shatters when she is implicated in a series of brutal murders that bear the hallmarks of vampire attacks, the first such incidents in centuries. These crimes draw the attention of the Neko No Sanshimai from New Hinode, a thriving NetherKind City in Japan. Comprising three warrior sisters, the Neko No Sanshimai are revered guardians tasked with maintaining the balance of the natural world. Their sudden interest in Heidi raises a perplexing question: why now, decades after her birth, do they perceive her as a potential threat to the natural order? This question perplexes not only Heidi but also the Sisters themselves, as they grapple with why her existence had eluded their vigilance until these murders.

With her family’s safety and future in jeopardy, Heidi is catapulted into the spotlight, contending with a society that has always viewed her with suspicion. Resolute and unyielding, Heidi refuses to be silenced or swept aside, asserting her voice and standing firm against those eager to define her. Accusations escalate, stoked by external political forces and individuals determined to reshape the world order, threatening not only Pazuzu City but also the tenuous peace between humans and NetherKind globally.

Under immense pressure, Heidi evaluates her obligation to a society that reluctantly accepted her. Confronting buried secrets about her heritage and the new dangers presented by the Neko No Sanshimai, Heidi must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice, aware that her decisions could irreversibly alter her life and the broader world.

"You see yourself as different, Heidi, but are we? Don't fool yourself. It's our choices that define us, not our nature. And circumstances dictate choices. If you had my choices... you'd be standing right here beside me." - Evelyn Shaw