Ravian lay fast asleep on his bed, his chiseled muscles exposed, a picture of masculine grace. His right hand was posed, running through his short, dark brown hair, and he was as still as a statue, not a breath or a snore escaping his lips. The room was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, the small rays of moonlight that passed through the blinders casting a gentle illumination on his form.
Suddenly, his golden eyes snapped open, a red tint flashing within them. He rose from his slumber, his body moving with a fluid, supernatural grace, his fangs bared. The room seemed to darken, the shadows deepening as a sense of foreboding filled the air.
Standing at the foot of his bed was a horrifying apparition, the forest god, whom the villagers called Wulfric. His smile was creepy, his eyes filled with a malevolent gleam. He emanated a powerful, choking psychic pressure, a force that had been awakening Ravian periodically throughout the night.
"This is the second time, Wulfric," Ravian growled, his voice filled with frustration. His fangs glinted in the moonlight, a clear indication of his anger. "What do you want from me?"
"I have come to see you, vampire," Wulfric said, his voice dripping with contempt. The word "vampire" hung in the air, a stark accusation that sent a jolt through Ravian. His golden eyes widened, and his body tensed, as if preparing for a fight. The term was one he hadn't heard in a long time, a secret part of his identity that he had been careful to conceal.
Ravian's face betrayed a flicker of panic, quickly masked by a look of defiance. The instinctive fear of being exposed wrestled with his confidence, a battle played out in the subtle shift of his expression. It had been a while since anyone had dared to call him by that name, and the sudden reminder of his true nature struck a deep and resonant chord within him.
"You think you can defy me in my own land?" Wulfric declared, his voice filled with authority and challenge.
Ravian's response was swift, his voice laced with thinly veiled aggression. "I have already shown you my power, Wulfric," he said, his tone cold and unyielding. "Do not test me further." His eyes met Wulfric's, a clear warning in their depths.
Ravian's eyes narrowed, his frustration giving way to a cold, calculating determination. "Leave me be," he said, his voice low and controlled. "Your games grow tiresome."
"This is the second time, Wulfric," Ravian huffed, his fangs still exposed in a clear sign of his irritation. "I understand that you are a god, but disturbing me at night constantly is cowardly." His voice was filled with frustration, and his well-defined body tensed, ready for a confrontation.
Wulfric's response was a taunt, his voice filled with arrogance. "Cowardly? I think not." With a wave of his hand, he blew the window open with a gust of wind, allowing more moonlight to flood the room. The light danced across Ravian's virile form, highlighting the strength and power that lay beneath his skin. "Perhaps you are the one who is afraid, vampire."
Ravian's eyes glinted with a sinister light, and he pointed a sharpened finger at the forest god. "Disturb me one more time, Wulfric, and you will regret it," he warned, his voice dripping with menace. His fangs were bared, a clear threat that he was not to be trifled with.
He laughed, a sound filled with disdain. "You think you can defy me?" he sneered, his voice filled with contempt.
In a flash, Ravian seemed to teleport, his body moving with supernatural speed. He punched Wulfric's apparition, his fist connecting with a force that sent the deity's form into oblivion. The immaterial form of the god was knocked out, and the room was filled with a sudden silence.
The immediate result of Ravian's confrontation with Wulfric was a withering of plants around the village, turning into thorny shrubs and vines. The landscape seemed to recoil from the clash of powers, a physical manifestation of the spiritual battle that had just taken place. A distant wolf's howl echoed through the night, adding to the eerie atmosphere.
A visible fog began to emerge outside in the village, a lingering effect of Wulfric's presence. Ravian silently grumbled in frustration, his fangs bared. His annoyance was clear, both at the forest god's intrusion and at the fact that he had just accelerated the effects of his magic on the landscape.
Ravian's eyes glinted violet, and he focused his energy, sending a wave of restoration through the village. The fog dissipated, and the plants returned to life, their vibrant colors restored. However, his magic was a bit too potent, causing some plants to grow larger or bloom flowers unnaturally. "Well, that's a bit much," he commented, a wry smile playing on his lips.
With a sigh, he wrapped the blanket around himself like a cocoon of feathers. "Time to rest," he said, his voice softening as he prepared to sleep.
With a wave of his hand, he telekinetically closed the blinds, shutting out the moonlight. His body relaxed, and he lay down on the bed, his form quickly transforming into a corpse-like state as all vampires do when they sleep. His body became still and lifeless, a beautiful statue within a dark room where no light found its way within.
As he drifted into slumber, his mind replayed the events of the night. The encounter with Wulfric was annoying but it did provide valuable insight into how deities like him operated. Perhaps he could use Wulfric to suppress his magic, either through persuasion or force. But that's another day, he desires to sleep.
In the morning, Sigmund and Valerie sat down to breakfast, enjoying bread and the meat from Ravian's hunts. The wooden dining table was set with simple clay plates, and the aroma of the freshly cooked meat filled the room. "This meat is delicious," Sigmund remarked, taking a bite. "Ravian really outdid himself on the hunt," he continued, savoring the flavors.
Valerie nodded in agreement, carefully cutting the meat on her plate. "He certainly did," she replied, her eyes glancing towards Ravian's closed door. "I wonder why he isn't up yet, though," she mused, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It's unlike him to sleep in."
Sigmund took a sip of his drink, considering her words. "He might be tired from all the hunting," he suggested, his voice filled with understanding. "It was quite an eventful day yesterday," he added, recalling the excitement of the hunt. "He must be exhausted."
Valerie smiled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Or perhaps he's just enjoying a well-deserved rest," she added, agreeing with Sigmund's assessment. "He's earned it, after all," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "He was truly remarkable yesterday."
An hour later, while Sigmund helped Valerie tidy the house, he passed by Ravian's door. The silence from the room caught his attention, and he paused, curiosity piqued. "Should I knock?" he asked Valerie, his hand hovering near the door. "It's not like him to sleep this late," he added, concern creeping into his voice.
Without waiting for a response, he knocked gently and called out to Ravian. "Ravian? Are you awake?" he inquired, his voice filled with concern. The silence that followed only deepened his curiosity, and he exchanged a puzzled glance with Valerie. "I hope he's alright," he said, a note of worry in his voice.
Hearing no response at all, Sigmund turned to Valerie, his eyes filled with concern. "Valerie, do you think we should go in?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity. Valerie hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting to Ravian's door. "I'm not sure, but I can't help but wonder what's going on in there," she replied, her voice meek but filled with genuine intrigue. They exchanged a look, both aware that they were about to cross a boundary, but driven by a shared concern for their friend.
Finally, unable to contain her curiosity, Valerie reached for the door handle. "I'm sorry, Ravian," she muttered under her breath, and slowly opened the door to Ravian's dark room, bereft of sunlight. The door's opening was the only source of illumination, casting a pale glow on Ravian's corpse-like body in slumber. The sight was both beautiful and eerie, a peaceful figure bathed in shadows, the room filled with an otherworldly silence.
The two opened the door wider and walked closer to the bed, peeling back some of the blanket. Sigmund's eyes widened as he appraised Ravian's toned muscles. "I knew he was fit, but not this fit," he commented, his voice filled with awe. Valerie's eyes twinkled with agreement, and they both stood for a moment, caught in the unexpected revelation of their friend's physical prowess.
Valerie chuckled, her eyes also taking in Ravian's physique. Sigmund, feeling a bit self-conscious, rubbed his barely muscular belly and said, "Makes me feel like I need to hit the gym." They shared a brief, light-hearted moment, a welcome respite from the tension that had been building.
They both leaned over, trying to wake Ravian up gently. "Ravian? Can you hear us?" Valerie asked, her voice soft. But a lack of response and a cold touch sent them into panic. Their faces paled, and their hands trembled as they realized the gravity of the situation.
"He's not waking up!" Sigmund exclaimed, his voice cracking with fear. "Do you think he's...?" he couldn't finish the sentence, the thought too terrifying to voice. Valerie's eyes widened, and they both began to move with urgency, their minds racing with the possibilities of what could have happened.
"We have to do something!" Valerie cried, her voice filled with desperation. They did whatever they could to try and awaken him, their actions frantic and filled with concern. The room was filled with their hurried movements and anxious voices, a stark contrast to the still corpse-like figure on the bed.
In the dimly lit room, Sigmund's eyes were drawn to the window blinds, their dull hue contrasting sharply with the room's mysterious ambiance. A sudden realization struck him, and with a determined stride, he approached the window. His hand reached for the blinds, a sense of purpose in his movements. As he pulled them aside, a flood of sunlight rushed in, illuminating the room with a golden brilliance, a stark intrusion into the room's shadowy serenity.
The rays fell upon Ravian's well-defined physique, accentuating the contours of his muscles, the grace of his form, and the otherworldly elegance that marked him as something extraordinary. A thin, ethereal mist began to emanate from Ravian's skin, filling the room with an enigmatic haze. The air around him became warm, almost hot to the touch, and the sudden transformation was as startling as a resurrection.
Ravian's golden eyes flickered open, and he quickly assessed the situation, his mind sharp and composed. The sunlight's irritating effect began to prickle his skin, a sensation akin to a thousand tiny needles, yet he caught sight of Sigmund and Valerie's astonished expressions before giving in to the urge to scratch. A sophisticated and charming smile quickly graced Ravian's face, his voice a blend of formality and warmth despite experiencing what was essentially a body wide rash, "I apologize for the surprise."
Suppressing the growing irritation on his skin, a sensation that threatened to overwhelm his composure, he continued, his voice smooth and controlled, "I hope I did not alarm you unduly." His golden eyes held their gaze, a hint of amusement dancing in their depths.
Sigmund's eyes widened, the surprise in his voice palpable as he exclaimed, "You looked as if you were dead!" His face was a picture of genuine concern, his words direct and filled with emotion.
Ravian merely brushed off Sigmund's concern, his voice maintaining its usual formal tone despite the nagging sensation on his skin. "I assure you, I am quite well," he said, his face lively and virile, the necrotic pallor from before replaced by a healthy glow as if it were never there.
With a graceful movement, Ravian brushed off some of his blanket, revealing more of his toned and chiseled abs. The sunlight intensified the prickling sensation, yet he smiled in amusement. Sigmund's eyes were drawn to Ravian's muscles, his mouth agape, a look of admiration and surprise on his face alongside a developing sense of self consciousness.
Valerie's cheeks flushed a soft pink, her eyes wide with appreciation, a smile tugging at her lips. "As you can see," Ravian said, his voice filled with playful confidence, his golden eyes twinkling with glints of amusement.
Valerie finally found her voice, her eyes still fixed on Ravian's chiseled form, her words filled with playful teasing, "Well, I must say, that's quite the sight to wake up to!" Her cheeks were flushed, and her smile was genuine, a mixture of admiration and friendly jest.
Sigmund nodded, his voice filled with genuine admiration, "Indeed, you certainly know how to make an impression."
Ravian's smile widened at their reactions, his golden eyes sparkling with amusement. He gracefully adjusted his position, the sunlight continuing to tease his skin with its prickling sensation as he pulled the blanket to cover himself more. Explaining himself, Ravian looked at them both and continued.
"I merely find myself in a deep slumber at times, I do not plan to be a corpse anytime soon." Ravian continued, the formal cadence of his voice and an amused chuckle undisturbed by the growing discomfort on his skin.
"Might I request that you allow me to continue my rest for the day?" The sensation on his skin continued to nag at him, yet he added, his voice tinged with a rare sense of fatigue, "I had quite the struggle acquiring sleep as of late." His face showed a hint of what appeared to be vulnerability.
Sigmund's response was immediate, his voice filled with understanding, "Ah, I apologize for disturbing you." His words were simple and to the point, reflecting his straightforward nature.
Valerie added with a warm smile, her voice filled with affection, "No problem at all! We're thankful for all the help you've given so far."
Ravian's tired eyes glinted violet with magic. He looked at Sigmund and Valerie, his voice filled with a barely held urge to scratch himself, the discomfort momentarily breaking through his usually composed demeanor.
"Would you mind closing the blinds?" he asked politely, his accent adding a touch of sophistication despite his somewhat disheveled appearance. His words were accompanied by a faint mist of burning smoke emanating from his body.
Sigmund responded quickly, his voice gentle and understanding, a contrast to his usually assertive tone. "Of course, Ravian. Rest well," he said, his eyes reflecting his concern.
Valerie added with a warm smile, her voice filled with affection and a hint of playfulness, "We'll see you later. Take all the time you need." Her words were a gentle reminder of the camaraderie they shared.
With a nod of gratitude, Ravian settled back into his bed, his body relaxing as the golden eyes closed, the violet glint fading into peaceful slumber. The two then left the room, closing the door behind them, the soft click echoing in the silence like a final farewell. As they walked away, their minds were filled with curiosities, questions lingering like unspoken thoughts, but they were content to let their friend rest. The hallway was quiet, the soft patter of their footsteps a gentle accompaniment to their shared reflection.
The room returned to darkness, the sunlight no longer revealing the secrets it had briefly uncovered, leaving behind a serene stillness that settled like a soft blanket. The golden rays retreated, their warmth replaced by the cool embrace of shadows.
Outside the room, Sigmund and Valerie continued with their daily chores, the rhythmic sounds of their work filling the air. Yet, their minds were abuzz with speculation about Ravian, questions and observations swirling in their thoughts. Sigmund glanced at Valerie, his eyes narrowing as he pondered the clues he'd seen so far: superhuman strength, speed, sensitivity to sunlight.
"He's certainly not ordinary," he muttered to himself, the word 'vampire' lingering on the tip of his tongue, but he kept it from Valerie.
Valerie, lost in her own thoughts, hummed in agreement. "Strange and powerful, like a wizard," she mused aloud, her mind conjuring images of spell dust and magical artifacts.
Her voice was filled with wonder, a touch of excitement in her eyes. "Perhaps the sunlight creates some sort of magical reaction with him." It is natural it seems, for one magic user to be interested in all magical phenomena.
Soon, the time came for Valerie to leave for the market. She gathered her basket, her movements graceful and efficient. "I'll be back soon, Sigmund," she called, her voice cheerful. Sigmund walked to the door, his hand on the handle, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Take care, Valerie," he replied, his voice gentle, the door closing with a soft thud.
Left alone, Sigmund took a seat by the window, his eyes drawn to the world outside. The village was alive with activity, yet his mind drifted to his own lack of purpose in this new world. He recalled his home back in the UK, the familiar streets and faces, a pang of longing in his heart despite being an orphan.
"I wonder if anyone's noticed I'm gone," he whispered, his voice tinged with sadness. But it doesn't seem as if he could just return in a few months and being free from the fetters of city life seemed to be somewhat therapeutic to himself as a whole. Perhaps it is time to leave the world behind and look forward into this new home.
A newfound determination welled within him, a resolve to be more than just a bystander. He looked out at the village, his eyes filled with determination. "I will get stronger," he promised himself, his voice firm. "I will be of use to others, not just myself." The words were a vow, a commitment to a path he was ready to walk.
His sky blue eyes fell on a flier on the wooden living room table, the bold letters announcing the Adventurer's Guild and a mission to investigate recent monster attacks. He picked it up, his fingers tracing the words, a spark of excitement in his eyes. "This could be a start," he said, his voice filled with resolve, the paper a tangible symbol of his newfound purpose.
The room was filled with a sense of anticipation, the air charged with potential. Sigmund's gaze returned to the window, the village now a place of opportunity, a world waiting to be explored. The golden rays of the sun shone through the glass, casting a warm glow on his face, a gentle encouragement for the journey ahead.