Arcana city; the universally proclaimed city of the dead. Over-the-top, Las Vegas style signs cheaply illuminate the rat-infested streets. Housing, shops and local amenities tower above; a deserted, broken-down and ransacked reminder from a previously hopeful past. The full moon's rays sparkle in mesmeric fashion as it pierces through the wind-swept raindrops, yet ultimately failing to penetrate into the heart of the city, the eternally dark alleyways harbouring unfathomable evil.
In general, navigating the silent streets of Arcana city after sundown would be a guaranteed death wish and yet somehow on a shitty night like tonight, I find myself slap-bang within the belly of the insatiable beast. Cursing my pointlessly thin hoodie and torn jeans for failing to provide adequate protection against the elements, yet mindfully thankful as my recently traded boots hold true to the "waterproof" label scribbled along the edges.
What am I doing here? And who exactly is this curious narrator you ask? All understandable questions and yet I humbly ask for some patience in your honourable quest for knowledge, for any lapse in concentration whilst navigating these streets will inevitably cut this story of ours unnecessarily short. However, as pleasantries upon introduction are required, I shall cater to the social etiquettes; my name is Blaze Hayama, a relatively young man in my late 20's whose origins lay mixed within the social opposites Japan and the good old US of A. In this year 2300 I'm considered a survivor within a human population trimmed down from above 14 billion to new estimates of possibly only 10 million (give or take). Trimmed down by what exactly? These fiends have been referred to by many names over the centuries: Blood suckers, demons, le-chupacabra, the undead, creatures of the night, or as I like to call them, vampires.
Silently stood below the shadowed canopy courtesy of the "Ram-her-Right," store, (forgive me for not contemplating what products were sold once upon a time in said seedy establishment); allowing my gaze to flitter in all directions whilst anxiously listening out for any sound of life, (or lack thereof). My right fist remaining tightly clenched whilst the fingers of my left hand brushed nervously across the hilt of the silver-coated dagger at my waist. As Rey would always say, the split-second delay in reaching for your weapon is the difference between life and death when faced with these demons of the night.
Roughly 5 minutes passed without incidence, the splashing of raindrops coalescing into puddles coupled with the occasional blustery gales, the only audible sounds breaking the silence. Performing some mental reconnaissance to determine my next move, I allowed my breathing to normalise in order to stem the flow of adrenaline currently exploding through my veins. Exhaling a small tuft of air before taking a step towards my current destination, my mistake at relaxing ever so slightly meant I never saw the glint of the blade flying directly towards my throat before it was too late…..
"You never listen do you Blaze? No matter how many times I tell you to check your blind spot before shifting you never fucking do. And what's the result? If it was anyone other than the gorgeous specimen stood behind you, right now your headless body would be lying in a pool of blood on the fucking ground!!"
"You… You made your point Rei…. Now maybe put your sword away and calm down…"
Grunting in apparent disgust; Rei reluctantly sheathed her sword before stepping out directly into my line of sight. Rei Lopez, who I'd affectionately labelled "The Portugese Firefly," is an uncompromising (and occasionally terrifying), highly trained warrior wholly deserving of the name. Rei's white hooded jacket with a red samurai emblazoned across the back hugged her curvaceous and toned figure, whilst her typically short black skirt served to only accentuate her meticulously built thighs and picturesque glutes. Carefully surveying her surroundings whilst the rain continued its relentless assault; I couldn't help but appreciate how such a small girl could cut such an imposing figure.
"Let's go Rey, I couldn't find what I was looking for anyway." Rey turned in my direction, her facial expressions wrought with curiosity and annoyance.
"And what would that happen to be Blaze?? Care to tell me what the fuck you were doing here in the first place?"
"I was… Looking for an old friend." The hesitation in my voice was telling; Rey knew I was lying the moment I opened my mouth, unfortunately even she knew the perilousness of our current situation. Stifling a laugh; Rey's hips swayed in rhythmic fashion as she sauntered past me in the direction of the underground. Her unwillingness to pass a sarcastic quip or berate me (as was her usual method), a telling sign of her abject disappointment.
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Well, well, well, is that THE Blaze Hayama, I've heard so much about?? And with the vicious Rey Lopez along for the ride, how fantastic!! I guess there really is something to that "fate" bullshit humans' blather about during their drunken stupors. At first glance the girl appears to be the alpha of the 2, confident, powerful and uncompromising…. And yet… My intuition is telling me that only a fool would right Blaze off. Not that either of them would prove a challenge to myself… But that's another story.
Cruelly pursing his lips into a smile bereft of any warmth or compassion, revealed several long and razor-sharp teeth, glinting within the light of a lone street lamp.
Consider today your lucky day my friends, as young, succulent human meat appears to be off the menu until further notice. For tonight I pursue far more…. Pressing matters.