*Early Today*
In the early hours of the day, a sense of urgency gripped Lucius as he fled the confines of the company, his heart pounding within his chest. The chilling warning, scrawled in blood upon the wall, had sent a surge of alarm coursing through his veins. A storm of emotions swirled within him, threatening to breach the walls of his restraint.
As his eyes fell upon the gruesome message, a profound transformation overcame him. The unmistakable glint of his golden eyes gave way to an eerie crimson hue, a manifestation of the primal urges that stirred within his vampiric nature. The craving for blood, an age-old instinct that had been tamed through centuries of discipline, reared its head with an intensity that was both unsettling and potent.
Yet, even in the face of this visceral urge, Lucius held fast to his control. With a determined effort, he suppressed the primal call, his willpower prevailing over the darkness that sought to consume him. In a blur of motion, he darted out of the company, a fleeting figure that left a trail of purpose in his wake.
Isabella, with genuine intentions to greet him, found herself left in his wake as Lucius fled with an almost supernatural speed. Her voice went unheard, lost in the rush of his departure. She watched in a mix of surprise and concern as he vanished from sight, leaving her to wonder about the turmoil that had driven him to such haste.
Lucius's journey continued as he slid behind the wheel of his car, the engine's roar providing a temporary distraction from the whirlwind of emotions that churned within him. The drive to Harmony Height tower was swift, his mind a tempest of thoughts and reflections.
As his car came to a halt, Lucius stepped out onto the bustling streets of the city. With a decisive motion, he manipulated time itself, freezing the world around him in a momentary suspension. The ordinary flow of life ceased, and he was granted a respite from the chaotic pace that surrounded him.
With an almost ethereal grace, Lucius took flight, his form ascending into the heavens like a phantom. He soared above the cityscape, the wind carrying him to the pinnacle of Harmony Height tower. There, atop the world, he perched on a precipice, a lone figure against the canvas of the sky.
The cool breeze swept through his hair, the distant hum of the city a muted backdrop to the solitude that enveloped him. Lucius closed his eyes, allowing the weight of the day to lift from his shoulders. The tranquility of the moment was a balm to his restless spirit, a chance to gather his thoughts and find a fleeting respite from the darkness that had taken root.
In the solitude of that elevated sanctuary, Lucius found clarity amidst the chaos. The events of the day, the warning in blood, and the tumultuous emotions they had stirred were set against the backdrop of the city below. He allowed his mind to wander, his thoughts drifting like the currents of the wind, as he sought to unravel the enigma that had unfolded within the walls of his world.
*The Same Night*
As the figure finally stepped into the sliver of moonlight, a sense of recognition washed over Lucius. The features that had been shrouded in darkness now emerged into view – a face that he had encountered in moments both intense and contemplative. A quiet realization dawned upon him, a mingling of surprise and intrigue as he took in the sight before him.
"Butler Zo,"
Lucius called. He was surprised to see him, so he hugged him tightly.
"When did you arrive,"
Lucius asked still in his arms
"Just now. I haven't seen Mr Moon, I just come straight to your house, to surprise you, my child,"
Butler Zo said and hugged Lucius
"I missed you, Father,"
Lucius whispered into his ear
"I missed you more, my child,"
Butler Zo said and they disengaged.
"But, why are you looking trembled?"
Butler looked into Lucius's eyes.
"Huh... I'm not... Butler Zo,"
Lucius answered looking down.
"Of course, you are scared Lucius, we've been together for centuries, I knew everything about you,"
"You are not like your old self, the great Lucius, who fears nothing. Tell me, what happened, who planted this fear in your eyes?"
Butler Zo asked him while rubbing his white hair gently.
*INTRODUCTIONS*
*Butler Zo*
Butler Zo, a figure cloaked in time's embrace, stood as a steadfast guardian in Lucius's life. An elder with eyes that held the weight of countless years, he had transitioned from a life of darkness to one of purpose, channeling his wisdom and experience into a new path.
In his advanced age, Butler Zo possessed a countenance that bore the stories of a bygone era. His hair, a cascade of silver threads, whispered tales of ages long past, while his gaze held an ineffable depth that spoke of lessons learned and secrets kept.
Once a leader amongst the wicked vampires, Butler Zo had chosen a different road, renouncing the dark inclinations of his past in favor of a more compassionate existence, immediately Mr Moon gave him Lucius as a baby to rise. He was no longer a creature driven solely by a thirst for power and dominance, he now embraced a life that sought harmony and redemption.
The role he played in Lucius's life was one of profound significance. From the moment Lucius entered this world, Butler Zo had assumed the mantle of caregiver, mentor, and protector. He was a presence that had nurtured Lucius from infancy, his touch a blend of both tenderness and guidance.
Like a father and mother rolled into one, Butler Zo had devoted himself entirely to Lucius's upbringing. He held him in the cradle of his arms, guiding his first uncertain steps and soothing his childhood fears. His selfless dedication knew no bounds, a testament to the bond that had grown between them over the years.
Butler Zo's transformation extended beyond his dietary preferences, as he ventured into the realm of human experiences. He partook in human food, a symbolic departure from the bloodlust that had once defined him. His evolution was an embodiment of change and growth, a journey that mirrored the path Lucius himself was navigating.
Yet, amidst the love and care he showered upon Lucius, Butler Zo held a secret. A puzzle piece that had been carefully shielded from the young vampire, a piece of his origin that remained concealed. The enigma of Lucius's birth held threads that even Butler Zo had yet to unravel, a truth that remained veiled in the shadows of their shared history.
Butler Zo's presence was a pillar of strength in Lucius's life, a beacon of guidance that illuminated the path ahead. With each passing day, his presence served as a reminder that change was possible, that redemption could be found even in the darkest corners of existence. As Lucius's journey unfolded, Butler Zo stood as a testament to the enduring power of transformation and the unwavering bond between a mentor and his protégé.
Lucius told Butler Zo everything, from his first day in work to date. Butler laughed at first when he heard how Isabella almost poured hot coffee Lucius, but later silent and made a deep sigh, when he heard about the scene that happened at work early.
Butler Zo calmed him down, he lay Lucius on his lap and started caressing his hair.
"I'm not a little boy anymore, father,"
Lucius said
"You are still a baby to me, no matter how old you are,"
Butler Zo said and both laughed.
Butler Zo is the most important person to Lucius, he loved him more than his own father. Lucius had been living alone for the past 10 years when Butler Zo went to Village to do some inevitable work. Both Lucius and Butler Zo had hard times, missing each other because they haven't left each other before.
Lucius fell asleep on Butler Zo lap, Butler Zo smiled and lay him on his bed.
"Good night, my child,"
Butler Zo kissed Lucius's forehead.
Butler Zo recalled how Lucius ended with him.
On the day Lucius was born within the confines of the ominous Abyssal Veil cave, the heavens wept in a display of emotion that mirrored the mysteries that lay hidden within its depths. The rain fell relentlessly, each droplet a testament to the weight of destiny that hung in the air. The sky rumbled with a symphony of thunder, a grand crescendo that seemed to shake the very earth beneath.
Thick clouds converged overhead, casting a shroud of darkness that cloaked the cave in an eerie, almost otherworldly, glow. The raindrops, heavy and unrelenting, splintered upon impact with the ground, echoing like a chorus of whispers that seemed to carry ancient secrets. The air was charged with an electric energy, an omen of the extraordinary events that were about to unfold.
As the thunder resonated, its deep rumble seemed to crumble the very walls of reality. The vibrations reverberated through the cavern, sending tremors that seemed to ripple through time itself. The sound was a reminder of the cosmic forces at play, a reminder that the birth of Lucius was no ordinary occurrence.
Meanwhile, Butler Zo had embarked on a routine hunt, his instincts guiding him through the wilderness. Unbeknownst to him, a force beyond his understanding pulled at the threads of fate, directing his steps towards the enigmatic Abyssal Veil. A compulsion he couldn't ignore led him to this fateful location, drawing him closer to the nexus of destiny.
There, amidst the shadows and the rain-soaked earth, a heart-wrenching cry pierced the air. A chorus of newborn wails echoed through the cave, carrying a haunting melody that seemed to bridge the gap between the ethereal and the corporeal. Butler Zo's steps quickened, driven by an instinct that defied reason.
In the midst of his search, he stumbled upon a scene that would forever alter the course of his existence. A fragile form lay abandoned upon the ground, cocooned in a ragged cloth. The cries of an infant filled the air, a raw testament to the vulnerability of life in its earliest moments.
As his gaze settled upon the newborn, a surge of recognition coursed through Butler Zo's veins. An inexplicable connection formed, an understanding that this child was no ordinary being. The very air seemed to crackle with a newfound awareness, a shared realization that the child before him was destined for greatness.
Without hesitation, Butler Zo gathered the abandoned infant into his arms, cradling him with a tenderness that belied the storm that raged around them. The weight of destiny rested upon his shoulders as he carried the child to his master, Mr Moon.
In the presence of the enigmatic Mr Moon, a sense of reverence hung in the air. The newborn, swaddled in the fabric of fate, was presented to him. With a profound understanding, Mr Moon embraced the child, a gesture that transcended mere physical touch. In that moment, a bond was forged, a connection that spanned generations and realms.
Lucius, a name chosen to honor his fallen brother, the real father of the newborn baby and to signify a new beginning, was bestowed upon the infant. The echoes of history intertwined with the promise of the future, as Mr Moon recognized the significance of this new life.
In the wake of this momentous encounter, Butler Zo's role in Lucius's life was forever solidified. The request to raise the child was made, a commitment borne of both duty and devotion. Mr Moon's acceptance of this proposal sealed the fate of both mentor and protégé, intertwining their lives in a tapestry woven from threads of destiny, mystery, and a love that transcended the boundaries of blood.
And so, as the rain continued to fall in the Abyssal Veil cave, a chapter of history was written in the tears of the heavens. The cries of a newborn mingled with the thunderous symphony of the storm, echoing through time as a harbinger of the extraordinary tale that was about to unfold.
*Deadly Forest*
Through the depths of the shadowy forest, Lucius raced, a figure of determination amidst the tangled undergrowth. Clad in a simple white singlet that stood out starkly against the obsidian night, his black trousers billowed with each frenzied step. The darkness clung to his form, an ally that concealed his movements from prying eyes.
A chorus of haunting whispers trailed behind him, the ominous symphony of pursuit. From the depths of the trees emerged a group of nightmarish creatures, grotesque forms that seemed to be conjured from the very essence of the forest itself. Their twisted features were etched with malevolence, a stark contrast to the ethereal beauty that radiated from Lucius.
Among them, a creature with an air of authority, its voice like a blade that cut through the stillness. Its words, thick and cold, hung in the air like an icy mist.
"I told you to be careful," it hissed, the words dripping with a sinister intent that sent shivers down the spine.
Lucius's heart pounded within his chest, his breaths ragged and labored as he sprinted through the uneven terrain. The forest seemed to close in around him, its branches and roots like phantom hands that reached out to ensnare him. The ground beneath his feet was unforgiving, but he pressed on, his determination unwavering.
Barefooted and vulnerable, Lucius's strides carried him deeper into the heart of the forest, his senses attuned to the menacing presence that pursued him. The monsters closed in, their distorted forms moving with an eerie fluidity, as if the very fabric of reality warped to accommodate their malevolent intent.
With a sudden and jarring halt, the creatures cornered him, their forms encircling him like a predatory pack. Lucius's chest heaved as he tried to catch his breath, his chestnut hair clinging to his forehead with sweat. The air was thick with tension, an unspoken confrontation that hung between them.
A surge of pain rippled through Lucius's body as their grip tightened, a collective force that left him gasping for air. His voice rose in a primal scream, a guttural howl that echoed through the forest like a battle cry.
"Arhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah," he bellowed, a defiance that reverberated through the night.
The forest seemed to respond, the very elements vibrating in resonance with his anguish. Leaves rustled in agitation, the wind itself seemed to carry his cries into the void. And yet, despite the ferocity of his outburst, the monsters held firm, their grip unyielding.
To be continued.....
What do you think happen to Lucius?
Who are the monsters?
What do they want from Lucius?
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