A Grimm Beginning: Chapter 1

200 years ago, a war broke out on Earth. The forgotten lore of ages past had lived in the shadows for long enough. Humans had been hurting the world long enough. Now, the world has been separated into 5 kingdoms. All territories the humans once held had been lost. The North American continent, and all of what once was Africa, was owned by Demons and creatures of the underworld. Their kingdom named New Hades. The South West Hemisphere was owned by the Fae and children of the wood. Their kingdom named Dawn. What was once called Europe and Oceania was now owned by Sirens and all creatures feared in European Mythology. Their kingdom named Dae. What once was Russia and Siberia was now owned by creatures of the night, Vampires and all their followers. Their kingdom named Night. What once was Asia (China, India, and Japan respectively), now belonged to beasts of Asian mythology, most notably Dragons. Their kingdom named Dusk.
Humans had become the minority, slaves to the world's new rulers. Most technology had been taken away, banishing its evolution in favor of a darker age. Without technology, the people had started to lose faith, accepting their roles as servants, as scum of the Earth.
Some humans lived in the harsh landscape of Siberia hoping to raise their status should they catch the eye of an agreeable vampire willing to turn them in exchange for a few years' service as a blood doll. Needless to say, most vampires did not keep their end of the bargain. Albeit the chances of being turned into a vampire in order to raise one's status was slim it was better to try than to eke out in the pitiful existence humans had been reduced to.
The braver humans inhabited the North American portion of New Hades. Because of what ruled the Kingdom, there were very few human residents of the large landmass. Only three hundred families at most. One of those families were the Madrid's. Chase Madrid led a very comfortable life compared to most of the human population on earth. This was because when Chase was a boy he had the enormous good fortune of tripping over a basket of apples, causing him to stumble into a wealthy Elven boy at the exact moment a horse was about to trample them both. The Elven boy's father thanked Chase a thousand times for "saving" his child then asked him to name his price. So Chase thought of the most ridiculous number he could, "Alright, I think five million dollars should make you and me fair and square, Mister."
The wealthy man didn't even blink at the number, writing out a check and handing it to Chase.
The rest is history. Chase grew up, met a gorgeous woman named Seanna, married her and had a beautiful daughter which they named Vienna. Of course in the interim Chase took up a new profession to stave off his insatiable lust for money. He became one of the world's most successful thieves by trade.  It was only another downside to taking up residence in New Hades. Every vice was magnified in the humans who lived under demon rule. For Chase it was greed. And so our story begins when Chase's misdeeds had finally caught up to him.

Seanna called from upstairs after shuffling about in her sewing room. She was somewhat distressed. "Honey?" She called trying to get her husband's attention to her. "Have you seen my sewing needles?"
Chase was currently lounging on the couch watching a movie made a century ago, the quality barely decent. His green eyes not once left the screen. "Uh... where you... left them?" He suggested.
He was a very handsome man. Back in the Golden Days, as some humans call it, he could've passed off as a famous womanizing spy. He ran a hand through his chocolate hair, letting out a soft breath as something rather exciting happened on screen.
Much to his chagrin his wife called back, "I already looked there. They were on my desk beside my machine, but I can't find them now. You didn't take them, did you?"
"What would I use them for?" Chase had to glance back at the stairs in mild annoyance.
"I don't know! But it's not here and I'm starting to get worried." Her voice was slightly rising, on the verge of squeaking from her distress. "Those needles are expensive and  I'm almost done with Vienna's dress."
Vienna finally had to intervene in this ridiculous escapade. "Mom. Look in your chair." She was in her room, reading one of her many books.
After a bit more shuffling, victory was declared, "Oh! I found them! Thank you!"
Grandma Lucille had to laugh softly at the entire scenario. Grandma couldn't quite remember her age, as her memory was going bad. She was down to remembering only old memories, and some memories the family was sure she either made up or read about in stories. She came up with ridiculous scenarios that everyone simply decided to ignored or pass off as fiction, allowing her to ramble on about the good ol' days. She was a kind woman, unable to raise her voice or have the mere capacity to be angry.
Lucille ran her hand over the Egyptian Mao that lay in her lap. Anubis had been with her since he was a kitten and he was almost always following the old woman around.
"Not a problem." Vienna called back to her mother.
"My wifey-poo sure is cute!" Chase chuckled, smiling to himself.
The sewing machine sounded. Seanna was back to work, doing the finishing touches. She often sewed Vienna new outfits at least once every two weeks. It was one of the only joys she had being cooped up in the house.
"Okay, Vienna, come on in here. I need you to try this on." Seanna stood, pushing her long blonde hair over her shoulder. The woman took after her mother. She, too, didn't have the capacity to grow angry at anything. It was a family trait that was passed down to Vienna.
Eventually, Vienna set aside her book and walked into the sewing room. She smiled and, despite her words, was impressed with what she saw, "Another dress? You shouldn't have." She took it, looking it over. "You've improved a lot. I don't see any mistakes."
The dress was white with yellow sunflowers printed in a tasteful pattern. It was sleeveless with only spaghetti straps. There was an elegant ruffle lining the top. The skirt flared out slightly and flowed with each step.
Seanna smiled, "Yes, well, this is cheaper than buying clothes. I got a good deal on this fabric." She annunciated her next words slowly to drive the point home. "Look. How. Cute. This. Is." She held it up, swishing it back and forth before handing it over to her daughter. "Go on, try it on."
Vienna let out a soft breath and went into the bathroom, quickly slipping it on before presenting herself. It fit like a glove. "Well?"
With a squeal of delight, Seanna hugged Vienna tightly. "It looks fabulous on you! You're so adorable!"
A streak of pink spread across Vienna's cheeks, "Thanks mom. I'll wear it today." The girl smiled.
Vienna was an attractive young lady. She had her father's hair, though it was curly like her mother's, the curls making perfect ringlets. The only other physical trait she shared with her father were her vibrant green eyes. Everything else was pretty much Seanna. Petite frame, attractive curves in all the right places, and her hips were wider than most girls her age. While other girls developed breasts quickly, Vienna developed hips quickly, though she was lacking a little in the chest area.
Receiving a kiss on the cheek and catching a whiff of her mother's flowery perfume, Vienna was sent downstairs with a quick, "Go show your father."
With a bounce in her step, the girl made her way downstairs and rounded the couch, showcasing herself before her father and grandmother. It took a throat clearing to gain Chase's attention.
"Oh!" Chase turned and grinned. "Your mother made you another dress! It looks pretty on you, honey. I'm gonna have to whack the boys away with a stick!"
Grandma Lucille made a squeal that was equal to Seanna's earlier noise. "Ooh! What a pretty dress! I remember when I had pretty dresses. All the boys would chase me around the fields and-"
"Mom, you're rambling again." Seanna had joined them downstairs.
Vienna laughed, "Oh, let her. She's not hurting anyone."
Chase groaned and covered his ears, lips in an attractive, yet childish pout, "She's hurting my ears. I've heard this story hundreds of times!"
"And then we all picked blueberries. That night, we had blueberry pie." Grandma continued. Her hearing was just as bad as her memory. Even so, it seemed like she tuned out the entire world when she started one of her stories.
"Just tune her out." Seanna let out a sigh and pinched the bridge of her noise, obviously taking her own advice to heart. "What do you all want for dinner?" Turning, the woman headed into the kitchen.
Vienna took a seat beside her father, eyes on the TV. The movie was nearing its climax. "I'm not picky."
Chase thought for a moment, "Noodles sound good. With white sauce!"
There was a giggle from the kitchen, then, "Alright. I'll get started."
"Would you like me to help dearie?" Surprisingly, it seemed Grandma had cut her story short.
Seanna answered, "No, mom, it's alright. You just relax. Anubis looks too comfy to move."
The cat, as if on cue, started purring. He was making his thoughts audible. The feline had no intention of moving or being moved.
Abandoning the movie, Vienna went into the kitchen to help her mother. She pulled out a large pot and held it in the sink, turning on the faucet to fill it with water. Seanna nuzzled the brunette's cheek lovingly, silently offering her thanks.
At that, Vienna could only smile, "Thanks for the dress, mom."
"I'm happy to do it, dear." Seanna replied warmly.
Just then, interrupting the family's time together, a knock sounded on the door. Everyone froze, looking towards the door. No one came over at this time of night unless it was important.
"I'll get it." Chase hesitated briefly, then made his way to the door. Turning the knob, he opened it, his expression twisting into one of fear. He faltered, putting on his best fake smile, " Y-Your highness!  To what do we owe the pleasure?" He laughed nervously but did not step aside.
Grandma looked up from her place on the couch and Seanna poked her head out of the kitchen. Chase's tone worried them both. Everyone cringed from the strong voice of the man Chase was blocking from view. "Business, Madrid. Step aside."
Chase reluctantly stepped out of the way glancing back apologetically to his wife.  Vienna didn't think much of it, stirring the contents of a pot over the stove.
Crowned Prince Derian Frionel was a massive man. He stood a couple inches over six feet tall, towering over Chase completely. His hair was long and wavy, the color of chestnut tied in a loose ponytail at the base of his neck. Parts of it slipped over his shoulder, somewhat softening his stern, handsome face. His eyes were as cold as ice, a brilliant Arctic blue. He regarded the house and its residents with distaste.
Seanna slowly made her way to her husband's side, touching his arm, keeping her voice low despite the panic swelling within her. "Honey... why is Prince Derian visiting us?"
Frowning, Chase patted Seanna's hand, "Business apparently..." He looked to Derian cautiously before giving his wife a sweet smile, "Go wait in the kitchen, my love."
The man standing behind Derian was even taller than the prince himself.  His eyes were golden and emotionless, his face was just as handsome as his charge's.  He held his hands behind his back while he scanned the living room of the house, his golden gaze occasionally stopping on items around the room.
Seanna didn't budge. Whether it was authority or fear she was frozen. Derian made a soft, confirming sound. "Just as I thought." He turned his icy gaze to Chase. "I had sensed there was a rat taking my things."
Chase cleared his throat and ran a hand through his rich chocolate colored hair. He had stolen from the Prince and he realized now that the "jig" was up. "Seanna. Wait, in the kitchen." The last thing he wanted was his wife find out about his misdeeds.
The men waited for Seanna to take herself and Grandma into the kitchen with Vienna. "Did you think you could get away with stealing from me, you filthy peasant?"
Chase didn't answer for a long moment trying to think of a lie before deciding against it and sighing, "Yeah...that was the plan." He gave the prince a nervous smile; needless to say the Prince's Bodyguard did not look amused at his cheeky answer.
Sniffing, the prince ignored the remark and carried on with business, "How do you hope to pay me back?"
Chase frowned, "I can...give you back what I've taken.  I have it all documented and I only sold a few things. But I have many other items of value that could easy take the place of the things I've sold." He offered without hesitation.  He had been expecting this for a long while, at least eight years.
Derian smiled. It was cruel, twisted. "That won't be good enough. I demand compensation. Your life, perhaps?"
At that, Seanna came back out, shielding her husband with her arms spread out wide. "Please leave our family alone! Take back what's yours and go!"
Chase stood there a bit stunned for a moment before grabbing his wife and sticking her behind him protectively.
Vienna heard the commotion and cautiously approached the hall, trying to hear the conversation more clearly without being seen.
The smile faded as if it had never even existed, Derian was now eying Seanna. "I suppose we could make an arrangement." He looked Chase dead in the eye. "Your wife for your life."
Vienna's eyes widened, she came out from her hiding place the panic and desperation clear in her eyes, "No!  T-take me!"
Chase once again looked surprised then terrified, "No, Vienna! Go back into the kitchen!"
Derian gave Vienna an amused look, "You have a daughter? Very well. I'll take her."
"NO!" Seanna cried out.
"No!  You can't!  She's my only daughter! Please! I beg of you!" Chase cried out desperately, but it was already too late.  The tall man with the golden eyes had grabbed the girl's wrist and was pulling her towards the door.
"Have a good evening." Derian turned to leave but was held back by Seanna grabbing onto his arm.
"Please! Have mercy! Don't take my baby!!" She pleaded.
Derian's eyes narrowed and he backhanded the woman, sending her back into her husband, staggering. He straightened his sleeve out before proceeding out the door and into the carriage.
Chase held his wife tightly now glowering at the prince as he watched his only daughter being escorted out the door.  He didn't know it then but that would be the last time he saw his daughter for a long while.