The bathhouse was a haven. As we entered, a sense of tranquility washed over me. The warm, inviting atmosphere enveloped me, and the soft sound of water trickling from ornate fountains filled the air. The walls were adorned with intricate mosaics of mythical creatures and ethereal landscapes, their colors muted by the gentle illumination of crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
It was an oasis of relaxation, a sanctuary where the burdens of the day melted away under the caress of warm, scented waters. The scent of lavender and rosemary infused the air, creating an ambiance of calm and well-being. Men of various ages soaked in marble pools, their eyes closed in bliss as they enjoyed the therapeutic effects of the mineral-rich waters.
Nikolai's tall figure stood out among the bathhouse staff, a cadre of impeccably dressed attendants with serene expressions. Their pristine white attire contrasted with the earthy tones of the bathhouse's interior. They moved gracefully, tending to the guests with practiced efficiency.
Despite the luxurious surroundings, Nikolai appeared somewhat uneasy, and I could see a flicker of discomfort in his piercing blue eyes. He was scanning the entire place as if he were expecting a wild animal to attack him, though his posture remained regal.
Before he could proceed further, I caught his arm and leaned in to whisper. "Nikolai," I murmured, my voice a soft undertone in the bathhouse's ambient hush, "Remember, we're among humans here. Keep your... otherworldly abilities discreet, all right? We don't want people to think that you're the son of the devil."
Nikolai chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "No need to worry about my devilish lineage—after all, I wouldn't want to tarnish the reputation of dear old Lucifer himself," he quipped before turning back to the bathhouse staff, his expression the very image of innocence.
As he turned to approach the bathhouse staff, they offered him a bathrobe with the utmost professionalism. A middle-aged attendant, his beard neatly trimmed, extended the garment. "Sir, please allow me to assist you," he offered politely.
Nikolai accepted the robe with a grateful nod. In the blink of an eye, he made his clothes disappear, leaving the staff momentarily bewildered. He casually slipped into the bathrobe as if he had performed the most ordinary feat.
A chorus of gasps rippled through the bathhouse as astonished eyes locked onto Nikolai's sudden state of undress. For a fleeting moment, he stood there, before hastily donning the proffered bathrobe, tying it securely around his waist.
One of the staff members, a middle-aged man with a thick mustache, blinked in astonishment. "Sir, where did your clothes go?"
Nikolai's expression was a picture of innocence as he replied nonchalantly, "Oh, I need to clean myself, so I took them off."
The staff seemed to believe him. The staff seemed to believe him, and I wondered if Nikolai had done something supernatural.
I couldn't help but suppress a shy giggle, and my cheeks flushed with a hint of embarrassment. Thankfully, the staff and other guests soon resumed their routines, the unexpected spectacle forgotten with polite smiles and knowing glances.
With a final look back, I stepped outside, leaving Nikolai in the bathhouse.
I entered my hotel room, closing the door behind me with a soft click. The room was bathed in the warm, gentle glow of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. A sense of tranquility washed over me as if the world outside had paused for a moment, allowing me to catch my breath.
I'd left Nikolai at the bathhouse, and although he'd appeared somewhat confident, I couldn't help but wonder how he was faring in this unfamiliar setting. As much as I trusted his abilities, my curiosity got the better of me. I needed to know if he was all right and if my newfound skills in astral projection were as effective as Nikolai had assured me they would be.
With a deep breath, I resolved to test my abilities. I decided to attempt astral projection once more. It was a skill Nikolai had been teaching me diligently, and though I was far from mastering it, I felt a growing sense of confidence.
I lowered myself onto the bed, closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. The rhythmic pattern became a mantra that carried me deeper into my own consciousness.
As I reached a state of profound relaxation, I could feel my body becoming weightless. It was as if an invisible hand gently lifted me from the physical realm. The room around me began to shift, colors blending and swirling, until I was suspended in a liminal space between the material world and the astral plane.
I lowered myself onto the bed, closing my eyes and focusing on my breathing. Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale. The rhythmic pattern became a mantra that carried me deeper into my own consciousness.
As I reached a state of profound relaxation, I could feel my body becoming weightless. It was as if an invisible hand gently lifted me from the physical realm. The room around me began to shift, colors blending and swirling, until I was suspended in a liminal space between the material world and the astral plane.
Opening my eyes—or at least, the astral equivalent—I was astonished to find that I could see my room, even though my physical eyes were undoubtedly closed. The room appeared both familiar and otherworldly, with the mundane transformed into something wondrous.
I hovered above the floor, feeling both liberated and unnerved. There was a sense of detachment from my own body, a strange but not unpleasant sensation. I gazed at my physical form lying on the bed, still and peaceful in slumber.
However, I noticed subtle differences in the astral realm. Objects seemed to emit a soft, ethereal light, and colors were more vibrant, as if they possessed a life of their own. It was a realm of heightened senses and awareness.
With a sense of wonder, I decided to explore further. Floating toward the window, I looked out and saw the city bathed in the soft, silvery light of dusk. The view was breathtaking, and I marveled at the ethereal beauty of the world outside.
But then a thought occurred to me. I had learned to navigate the astral realm, but could I also interact with it? Could I visit other places and other people in this ethereal state? The possibilities were both thrilling and daunting.
I thought of Nikolai in the bathhouse, and the desire to check on him grew stronger. It was a test of my abilities, a way to ensure his safety, and perhaps a way to bridge the gap between our worlds. With a determined focus, I set my intention and began my journey toward the bathhouse, eager to see what Nikolai might be doing.
I focused my thoughts on the bathhouse, my desire to see Nikolai urging me forward. In an instant, I traversed the distance between my hotel room and the bathhouse, feeling the pull of the astral realm guiding me. As I materialized within the bathhouse, I took in my surroundings with a sense of awe.
The bathhouse looked the same, except for the lights that appeared to be more intense, giving the place an otherworldly glow. Men moved about, their faces relaxed in the midst of conversation, some immersed in the warm pools, while others lounged on comfortable benches.
Amidst them, I saw Nikolai, though he appeared vastly different from the man I had seen here earlier. He stood apart from the others, a figure of imposing grace as if a king watching his servants. Instead of the simple bathrobe he had worn, he was now garbed in regal dark robes that flowed around him. His skin seemed unnaturally pale, contrasting with the rich fabric of his attire. But the most striking change was in his eyes, which had transformed from their light blue hue to a mesmerizing shade of crimson.
Startled by the sight, I couldn't help but gasp softly. Nikolai's gaze locked onto mine, staring at me for several seconds as if he had seen a ghost or a demon. I took a hesitant step closer, my voice quivering as I spoke, "Nikolai, can you see me?"
I did not hear my voice. It was as if I had spoken mentally and I felt Nikolai could perceive my presence.
His response was punctuated with dry humor, a characteristic he never seemed to lose, no matter the circumstance. "Well, my dear Masha, it appears that the tables have turned. Now, you are the astral one."
I couldn't help but let out a nervous giggle at his jest, despite the eerie changes I had witnessed.
In the astral realm, I could feel the weight of Nikolai's emotions as if they were my own. His delight radiated from him like a tangible energy, infusing the space around us with a sense of hope and anticipation.
Nikolai's eyes, which had been cool and composed moments ago, now sparkled with an almost childlike excitement. His usual air of mystery and detachment was momentarily forgotten, replaced by radiant enthusiasm.
"You've done it, Masha," he exclaimed, his voice filled with a joy that was both infectious and heartwarming. "You've successfully done astral projection. This opens up so many possibilities for us."
His words hung in the air, making me pause for some moments.
I couldn't help but share in his enthusiasm, my astral form practically glowing with the warmth of our shared achievement. With a gentle smile, I responded, "Well, this is something I would not learn quickly from the lodge, I guess."
Nikolai nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Now it means you can find the talisman I have been searching for centuries." A dark glint appeared in his eyes as he smiled.
Moments passed, and I watched as some of the men began to depart, their laughter and camaraderie filling the air as they left the bathhouse. Very few remained behind, including one man in his forties. His appearance was strange, to say the least. His skin seemed pallid and dry, and the way he moved was oddly mechanical as if he were a marionette controlled by invisible strings.
But what truly shocked me was the manifestation that accompanied this peculiar man. A dark tendril of smoke swirled and coiled next to him, gradually taking on a humanoid form. It transformed into a tall figure with dark reptilian skin, a dragon's head with sharp horns, and piercing yellow eyes that seemed to bore into my very soul. The aura surrounding this entity was heavy and dark, distinct from the vampires I had encountered. I had never encountered such a dark creature before. It was a force that felt ancient, powerful, and malevolent.
The sudden appearance of this entity sent shock waves through me, and I watched in stunned silence as Nikolai observed the entity with intense focus. The bathhouse now felt like a battleground of unseen forces, and I could only wonder at the significance of this unexpected encounter.
I turned my focus to Nikolai, my astral form poised in midair.
"Nikolai," I began, "can you see that... thing?"
His response was a cool affirmation, laced with the gravity of his words. "Indeed, Masha. That is a draconian creature you can find in lower dimensions. They are entities of immense power and are often unpredictable, a race with which my kind has had... complicated relations."
Together, Nikolai and I observed the draconian's peculiar behavior, like being scornful of both humanity and the very planet it inhabited. Its words were a harsh reflection of its disdain for the world and its inhabitants. It regarded us with yellow, serpent-like eyes that glinted with a cruel intelligence.
The draconian's voice cut through the bathhouse's ambient sounds, its insults sharp and strange. "You fragile beings, so lost in your petty existence. Humanity, a race with a dark wish, dancing on the precipice of destruction," it hissed, its words heavy with contempt.
Nikolai, though visibly annoyed, remained composed. "Your disdain for humanity is quite evident, draconian. But what brings you here?"
The creature's reptilian lips curled into a sinister smile, revealing elongated teeth that glistened with malevolence. "Ah, the puppeteer seeks to know the puppet's purpose. How amusing."
I shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of the draconian's gaze upon me. It turned its full attention to Nikolai, its serpentine eyes narrowing.
"You, bloodsucker, with your insatiable thirst for power and your puppet strings wrapped around this pitiful creature." It gestured toward the man it was attached to, who had been observing us for some time, a curious glint in his eyes.
Nikolai's patience was waning. "Enough of your nonsense, Draconian. What are you doing here in this place?"
The draconian responded with an enigmatic remark. "Ah, I'm supposed to ask that of you."
Nikolai clenched his fists, his patience dwindling. "I won't ask again. Leave now."
But the draconian remained unyielding, continuing to taunt and belittle, offering cryptic hints about the talisman but never revealing its true location or its current owner. Its words were laced with discouragement, as if it aimed to sap our determination and resolve.
"You seek the talisman, do you not?" it hissed. "A futile endeavor, I assure you. It is hidden where you would never think to look, in the hands of one you would never suspect."
Nikolai's expression darkened. "Enough of your riddles. Tell us where it is."
But the draconian only laughed, a sinister sound that echoed through the astral space. "You will never find it, vampire. Your quest is destined to fail. I know the owner, and I am one of its allies. You will never know!"
With that ominous declaration, it turned and dissolved into a dark tendril of smoke, merging seamlessly with the man it had been attached to. The man, who had been watching our exchange with an eerie smile, suddenly left the bathhouse, bidding farewell to the other patrons as if nothing unusual had occurred.
Nikolai and I were left standing in the bathhouse, our thoughts weighed down by the cryptic messages of the draconian and the unsettling encounter with the man who hosted the entity.