As the clock struck midnight on the eve of Damien's Five hundredth birthday, a powerful and ancient curse befell him - known as 'the blood moon curse'. This malevolent enchantment plagued all those born of mixed lineage,the half vampires half human and just like Damien, bringing forth a dark and uncontrollable force they called 'the blood rage'.
Ever two month, on the eve of the last Saturday, the blood moon's ominous glow would cast its wicked influence upon Damien, transforming him into a ravenous and ferocious creature, akin to the legendary vampires of old. During these fits of bloodlust, he would unwittingly unleash his wrath upon any hapless souls who crossed his path, be they vampire or human.
In the early days of his affliction, back in the vibrant and tumultuous 1970s, he left a trail of death in his wild wake. And yet, amidst the haze of his blood-soaked rampage, Damien had no recollection of the faces or the stories behind those who fell victim to his wrath. The curse held his memories hostage, forever shrouded in the shadows of his tormented mind.
Desperate to protect the innocent and hinder the curse's deadly influence, Damien took measures to contain his monstrous alter ego. He sought the skills of Venessa, in crafting enchanted artifacts.
She crafted chains infused with vervain, a mystical herb known to weaken supernatural beings, and Damien securely bound himself each time the blood moon loomed. However, his newfound restraints proved futile, as the chains shattered effortlessly under the surge of his inner beast's might.
In a futile attempt to numb his powers and mitigate the threat he posed to others, Damien even resorted to consuming vervain, hoping its potent properties would suppress the blood rage within him. Regrettably, the herb's effects were rendered useless against the curse's overwhelming influence.
However, Damien tirelessly pursued a path of self-mastery and inner tranquility. He dedicated countless hours to the practice of meditation, honing his mind and willpower in an effort to subdue the tempestuous storm brewing within.
It was his solitary sanctuary in the underground basement he constructed beneath his home, a quiet refuge where he battled his inner demons. Safely locked away behind a formidable door made of reinforced steel, no longer did the blood moon's malevolence spill over into the unsuspecting world beyond.
Just like the arrival of every blood moon, the dimly lit room within Damien's underground sanctuary was stacked with hundreds of bloodbags.
Over fifty empty blood bags scattered haphazardly across the floor, a testament to his blood lust.
There, in the midst of this somber scene, Damien sat upon the cold and unforgiving ground, his bare body exposed to the ethereal glow of the lampstand.
His fangs and talons had elongated, viciously sharp and only destined to retract once the blood moon's grip on him relinquished its hold. Despite the disarray that cloaked him, his strikingly handsome features managed to transcend the dark energy that consumed him.
Whispering to himself in a hushed tone, as if invoking a prayer, Damien muttered, "Just a few more hours...". The weight of time seemed to hang heavily on his shoulders as he anxiously awaited the witching hour, eagerly longing for the blood moon's influence to wane and the calmness of dawn to break the suffocating chains of his foul curse.
Just beyond the entrance, Derek sat in a comfortable cross-legged position, savoring the rich taste of bourbon in his glass. His undivided focus remained on the medical journal clasped tightly in his hand. Beside him, Venessa perched gracefully with her laptop positioned delicately upon her lap, engrossed in her digital world. Meanwhile, Serafina sat with poise, carefully applying a coat of vibrant red nail polish to her perfectly manicured fingertips.
As they patiently awaited Damien, their vigilant gazes periodically shifted towards the door, steadfastly guarding against the looming threat of his blood rage.
They had formed a pact, determined to avert any possible catastrophe that might arise should Damien succumb to the frenzied torment of his curse. Their objective was clear: to ensure he remained restricted within the confines of his designated space, irrespective of the measures required.
Suddenly, Damon briskly entered the room, his countenance marked by a grave seriousness that immediately captured the attention of his companions.
"Ah, thank the goddess you're here, Damon. Why don't you stay with Damien while I take care of a few errands at the hospital?" Derek suggested, closing the medical journal and setting it aside.
Before Derek could execute his plans, Damon interjected with a sense of urgency in his voice.
"We have a problem," he declared, his words echoing through the room and raising the alarm among the others.
Venessa promptly interrupted her work on the laptop, placing it gently to the side, while Serafina ceased her meticulous nail painting. Both directed their undivided attention towards Damon, eagerly awaiting an explanation. "What's wrong?" Venessa inquired, apprehension tinged in her voice.
Damon's face betrayed a mix of anxiety and concern. With a heavy sigh, he shared the grave news. "It's Lauren. A group of vampires abducted her just a few hours ago," he revealed, the weight of the revelation hanging heavily in the air.
Derek, visibly startled by the shocking revelation, sprung up from his seated position. "What do you mean, they took her?" he questioned, a mixture of disbelief etched across his face.
Venessa's gaze darted towards the secured door, silently pleading with the unseen forces of fate that Damien had not overheard their discussion. If he had, she feared that no barrier in this realm could restrain his fury.
"Damon, Chloe reached out to me in distress, her voice heavy with tears as she relayed the horrifying news. Men had indeed taken Lauren against her will. I corroborated the information with a trusted contact in the police force, and it appears that the incident has even made its way into the news outlets," Damon explained wearily, his voice tinged with a profound sense of despair and anger.
Seeking respite in the familiar embrace of liquid , Damon swiftly poured himself a hefty measure of bourbon, hastily gulping it down in mere minutes. The room fell silent, enraptured by the weight of the unfolding circumstances.
"And you're suggesting these individuals were vampires?" Serafina inquired, seeking further clarification.
Damon nodded earnestly and tapped a few buttons on his phone, revealing a video capturing the unsettling events. "Yes, take a look. Alexander managed to obtain security footage of the incident. These were no ordinary vampires; their appearance and behavior were unlike anything I've encountered before."
Suddenly, a thunderous pounding reverberated through the room, causing their hearts to skip a beat. The sound was more pronounced than before, an unmistakable indication that Damien had indeed overheard their conversation. "I believe he has heard us," Venessa admitted with a resigned sigh, her fears manifesting before her eyes.
A deep, hoarse voice pierced through the air as Damien vehemently demanded, "Open this door, Derek!" Each strike upon the door amplified the urgency and determination raging within him.