In every heart, there lies a battlefield unseen.
A Grumpy Vampire with Insomnia
You would not believe how easy it is to sneak into Crimson's room. I simply had to ask the guards to turn the other way. Crimson's room was painted black, or at least dark blue – it was so dark in the room that I couldn't really tell. The window and balcony were covered with a thick blackout curtain that didn't let in a single ray of sunlight.
I could make out the outlines of antique furniture everywhere, and Crimson was asleep in a canopy bed. The only source of light came from a small salt lamp on the bedside table. As I reached the bedside table, his eyes snapped open and he looked at me, ready to attack. Then his eyes became clearer and he yawned.
"Do you know what time it is, idiot?" he muttered sleepily.
"Hm, around 10 am?" I said thoughtfully, earning a murderous look.
"Get out of my room," he said, turning his back on me. "I want to sleep."
"I don't care," I told him. "I want to ask you something."
He became a little more interested and peeked back raising his eyebrows. I took the jar and put it in his hand. He seemed to recognize it with one look, but to be sure, he opened it and sniffed the blood-red paint.
"Where did you get that?" he gave me a suspicious look.
"A coronation present from a friend," I shrugged.
"Then your friend must be a very clever vampire," said Crimson.
"What's it for?" I asked.
"We use this balm in our birth ceremonies," he explained. "We use it to draw a symbol on the baby's forehead, a symbol of our wish for the future. It is difficult to brew and only the nobles know how. Let me guess, Aida's daughter gave it to you?"
"Yep," I nodded.
"A perfect gift," the vampire nodded. "It could also symbolize your rebirth as king."
"Hm."
With that, I stood up and headed for the door.
"What do you think you're doing now?" he asked as I glanced back over my shoulder. "I won't be able to go back to sleep, so you'll have to take responsibility!"
I grinned. Then, ignoring Crimson's anger, I waved him off carelessly and left the room.
I made my way back to the kitchen. This time, I was on a mission for two mugs of cocoa. As I entered, the maid looked up, her eyes widening slightly in recognition.
"Hello," I said casually. "I'd like two mugs of cocoa, please."
The maid hesitated, her confusion palpable. She seemed to be wrestling with how to address me properly. Finally, she settled on, "Of course, Lord Shaytan."
I smirked at the title, finding it amusing. "Thank you."
She busied herself preparing the cocoa while I leaned against the counter, watching her work. The aroma of the rich, chocolatey drink filled the kitchen, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of anticipation. Once the mugs were ready, she handed them to me, her expression still a mix of confusion and respect.
"Here you go, my Lord."
"Much appreciated," I said with a nod, taking the mugs from her. "Have a good day."
With the steaming mugs in hand, I made my way back to Crimson's room. Pushing open the door, I found him still sprawled on the bed, looking more annoyed than ever.
"I brought you something," I said, holding out one of the mugs.
He raised an eyebrow but accepted the mug. "Cocoa? Really?"
I shrugged. "Thought it might help. It always helps me."
Crimson took a sip, and for a moment, a look of genuine appreciation crossed his face before his usual scowl returned. "This won't help me. It's not that simple."
I settled into a chair near the bed, sipping my own cocoa. "Then tell me about it so I can understand."
Crimson's expression hardened. "It's not something I discuss with strangers."
"Fair enough," I said, leaning back in the chair. "But maybe I can offer some insight or assistance."
Crimson scoffed, his eyes dark and wary. "I can feel your bloodlust. You are yapping about helping me when you want to tear me apart?"
Oops. Ist it so obvious?
I grinned. "Well, that's how I react to strong people in general. You are not that special, Crimson."
He scoffed. "There are not so many who can be compared to me."
I shrugged. Well, there are plenty. You think too highly of yourself.
"So? Will you tell me?"
He scoffed again. "You think you can help me?"
"I won't know unless you tell me," I said, leaning forward slightly. "Look, I get it. Trusting someone isn't easy."
"Just hear me out," I continued. "I already know about the Eternal Reverie. I know it's a curse that affects your sleep."
Crimson's eyes flickered with surprise and then settled back into their guarded look. "You know more than you should. I should kill you here and now."
"Good luck with that," I said with a slight smile.
We were eyeing each other for a long moment not moving at all.
"You know, knowing isn't the same as understanding," I began shattering the silence between us. "Tell me, what's it really like? How do you cope?"
I thought he might not answer because he remained silent for a while. But when I was about to go he finally spoke up.
He sighed heavily, the weight of the curse evident in his eyes. "The Eternal Reverie curse is relentless. It traps me in a constant state of vivid, often disturbing dreams that sometimes even overlap with my waking life. It's like living in a nightmare I can't escape from."
I nodded, my curiosity piqued. "How do you manage it?"
"Not well," he admitted. "It's a struggle to distinguish what's real and what's not. Every day, every moment, I have to fight to stay awake. It's exhausting."
"Is there no way to break it?" I asked.
Crimson shook his head. "The mage who cast it is long dead, and her magical formula died with her. I've tried everything – every spell, every potion – but nothing works. I'm stuck with this curse for eternity."
I frowned. "That's rough. But you've managed to stay in control."
"More or less," he said bitterly. "But it takes its toll. I'm constantly on edge, fearing to sleep and always questioning what's real. It's no way to live."
We sat in silence for a moment, the gravity of his situation hanging heavy in the air. Finally, I spoke up.
"Maybe I can find a way to at least make it more bearable."
He laughed. But there was no hope or joy in that laughter. "You fool... no one can break this curse."
"You are the fool. Try to rest," I continued. "I am here now, so if you lose control I can always beat you to a pulp."
Crimson gave a faint smile, the tension in the room easing slightly. "So that's why you wanna 'help'. If you want to fight me you don't need to keep up a charade."
"Hehe," I grinned. "I know. I want to help because I want to spread my influence. Isn't it a great idea to make you my first debtor?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Now, drink your cocoa and try to relax."
He took another sip of the warm drink.
After a while, Crimson's eyes grew heavy, the warmth of the cocoa and the relative comfort of our conversation lulling him into a more relaxed state. I watched as he fought against the pull of sleep, but eventually, his exhaustion won out and he drifted off.
I quietly observed him, noting how even in sleep, his features were tense, as if bracing for an impending storm. Suddenly, a faint glow emanated from an object on his bedside table—a small, intricate artifact. Now, it seemed to be reacting to Crimson's slumber.
The artifact's glow grew stronger, pulsating softly. For a moment, Crimson's face relaxed, the lines of stress smoothing out. But then, as quickly as it started, his expression twisted in agony. His body tensed, and he let out a low, guttural groan, thrashing in his bed.
"No… No!" he muttered, his voice growing more frantic. "Stay away…"
I stood up, moving closer to his bed. "Crimson," I called softly, not wanting to startle him. "Wake up. It's just a dream."
But he didn't respond. His thrashing grew more violent, his eyes fluttering beneath closed lids as if battling unseen demons.
"Crimson!" I said more loudly, shaking his shoulder.
His eyes snapped open, but they were wild, unfocused. He wasn't seeing me—he was still trapped in his nightmare.
"Get away from me!" he shouted, pushing me back with surprising strength. His other hand lashed out, and I barely dodged a punch aimed squarely at my face.
He lunged at me, clearly thinking I was part of whatever horror his mind had conjured.
With no other option, I tackled him, pinning his arms to his sides. "Crimson, wake up!" I shouted, using all my strength to hold him down. He struggled fiercely, and it took all my effort to keep him restrained.
He looked around wildly, his breathing rapid and shallow. "No… this can't be real…" he whispered, eyes darting around the room as if expecting it to morph into something monstrous.
"Crimson, listen to me," I said, grabbing his shoulders firmly. "You're awake now. The nightmare is over."
He kicked me down from him. He caught me off guard, his strength immense. I had to summon every ounce of my own power to hold my ground. His fists flew in a flurry of blows, each one capable of shattering bone. I blocked as many as I could, but a few landed, sending jolts of pain through my body.
"Crimson, wake up!" I shouted, dodging another vicious strike. His eyes were unfocused, filled with the terror of whatever nightmare he was trapped in.
He grabbed me by the throat, lifting me off the ground effortlessly. I struggled, prying at his iron grip, but it was like trying to bend steel. I summoned all my strength, kicking hard against his chest. It was enough to make him stagger back, dropping me to the floor.
I coughed, gasping for air, but there was no time to recover. Crimson was already coming at me again, a blur of speed and fury. I rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding a kick that would have crushed my ribs.
He roared a sound of pure rage and fear and charged again. I braced myself, knowing I had only one chance. As he swung, I ducked under his arm and tackled him, using all my weight to bring him down. We crashed to the ground, and I struggled to pin him, but he was unbelievably strong.
His fists pounded into my sides, and I could feel the bruises forming instantly. "Wake up!" I shouted again, pinning his arms to the floor with all my might. "This isn't real!"
For a moment, his thrashing continued, but then something seemed to break through the haze. His eyes flickered, the wildness in them beginning to fade. He looked around in horror seeing the destroyed room. Then his eyes found me.
"Yes, it's me," I said, panting heavily. "Yes, you're awake now. The nightmare is over."
His body went limp beneath me, and I slowly released him, sitting back but staying close.
Crimson sat up, rubbing his face. "It's always like this but nights are the most terrible," he admitted, his voice filled with frustration and despair. "Every time I fall asleep, it's the same."
I nodded, feeling a deep sense of sympathy for him. "I saw the artifact activate when you fell asleep. It tried to help, but the curse is too strong."
Crimson glanced at the glowing artifact, now dimming again. "It's supposed to weaken me," he said bitterly. "But it can only do so much."
"For a while, I think I need to stay awake. I can't handle another nightmare like that."
"Understandable," I said, "But I will need you to sleep one more time before that."
"What?" Crimson's eyes narrowed, his guard immediately going up again.
"I want someone to see you dreaming first," I explained. "There's someone who might be able to help, but they need to see the curse in action."
Crimson stared at me, suspicion and reluctance warring in his gaze. "Who?"
"My trusted ally," I assured him. "Someone who understands magic more than anyone else in the world."
He shook his head. "I barely trust you, Shay, and now you want me to trust a stranger? To witness my most vulnerable moments?"
I held up my hands in a placating gesture. "I understand your hesitation. But if there's even a chance this person can help, isn't it worth the risk?"
He looked away, his jaw tightening. "I don't like it. I don't like being seen like that."
"I get it," I said softly.
Crimson's eyes met mine again, and I could see the struggle within him. Finally, he exhaled a long breath. "Fine. But if this backfires, if this person tries anything, I will hold you responsible."
"Fair enough," I nodded. "We will do it after my coronation. You have time until that to prepare mentally."
(...)
Everyone looked quite dismayed when the Behemoth members arrived. It was indeed a strange sight as if the local mafia had paid their respects at the home of the ruler of the vampires. There were perhaps as many as thirty of them, though Rada had invited only his most trusted men.
Some were big, bald men with tattoos, while others were scrawny punks with hair dyed different colors. The only thing they had in common was the deviant aura that surrounded them. Although they were all dressed in their best tuxedos, they didn't give up their piercings, studs, and guns.
Much to my surprise, they stood in the lobby quite disciplined. It was only when their beloved boss appeared that chaos erupted. Rada had expected it and sighed deeply. Meanwhile, the deviants surrounded him and chattered excitedly. Among them, I spotted the very fidgety Ruben, who seemed to prefer to be anywhere else. I smiled at his alarm.
"I can't believe we were invited to such an event! You're amazing, boss!"
"I can't wait for the ceremony, I'm so curious about this Fifth King!"
"So the Behemoth is now under the Fifth King, boss?"
"Calm down," Rada warned his subordinates, and they almost jumped to attention. "I present to you the future Fifth King," he added, grinning and pointing at me.
"Hello," I raised my hand in a wave.
I could read shock, astonishment, and disbelief on their faces. Those who knew me just nodded.
"My name is Shaytan. Nice to meet you."
"So that's why we had to bring the vixen lady with us..." someone sighed.
"Who's the vixen, shithead?" came a voice that sounded all too familiar.
The deviants almost jumped away from Hajnal, who seemed to have instilled in them some respect for herself during the trip here... or fear, I didn't know. She grinned and stepped forward to hug me, while Ervin just nodded with a polite smile.
"I'm proud of you, kiddo," Hajnal said, patting my cheek with her gloved hand.
"I'm glad you could come," I said.
"What are you talking about? I wouldn't miss it!" she grinned, then gave a dark look at the Mafia guys. "Next time find me better company, though."
"Yeah-yeah," I smirked.
Shortly afterward, George Willingham arrived, bringing the paladins with him. I wasn't at all sure what he would decide in the end. On the one hand, I thought he might reject my invitation, but I also knew he was aware of the possibilities of an alliance and how tempting the idea of greater power might be for him.
We stared at each other for a moment, then he silently stepped forward and offered me his hand. I pulled my lips into a half smile and shook his hand.
"I'm glad you came," I said the most insincere thing possible, but manners demanded it.
He nodded. "It is an honor."
Hah, I imagine so.
The arrival of the various factions created a palpable buzz. The air crackled with anticipation as everyone awaited the commencement of the coronation. Each group, from the Behemoth members to the paladins, kept to their own corners, exchanging wary glances and murmuring amongst themselves.
Every faction present held its own stakes in this new era, and the energy reflected that.
As the guests settled into their respective places and the anticipation for the coronation reached a fever pitch, Rolo and Alex made their way over to me. They approached with a mix of urgency and curiosity, clearly eager to discuss the latest developments.
"Shay," Alex said hesitantly, glancing around, "I noticed you didn't show up for lunch, so I brought something for you."
I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the gesture. "Thanks, mate."
I could have asked the kitchen staff to cook me anything, though.
As I took the lunch from Alex, Rolo spoke up.
"Shay," he began, his face reflecting a mix of excitement and unease, "I've just received another message from the Sorcerer Lord."
Alex, standing beside him, looked equally concerned. "We need to discuss this before we need to face him at dinner. What's the best way to handle it?"
I nodded, guiding them to a quieter corner away from the bustling crowd. "Let's hear the details first."
Rolo pulled out his phone and showed me the new messages from Livius.
The Sorcerer Lord: [Rolo, I trust you've had time to consider my previous offer? The benefits of visiting our court are unparalleled. A position of great influence awaits you.]
The Sorcerer Lord: [I can assure you, the power and resources available to you here will exceed anything you've encountered. Don't let this opportunity slip by.]
The Sorcerer Lord: [I eagerly await your reply. This is a chance to cement your place among the elite of the magical community.]
The Sorcerer Lord: [?]
I read through the messages, then turned to Rolo. "Livius is trying to sweeten the deal with promises of influence and power. It's clear he's eager to have you on his side."
Rolo's eyes narrowed. "I hadn't expected him to push so hard."
He looked back at me, clearly overwhelmed. "How am I supposed to handle this?"
I took a deep breath and hoped for the best. "You'll get an artifact from Talambér soon."
Rolo's eyes widened in confusion. "Pardon?"
"Yep, Talambér will return from the mines around dinner. I'm sure he'll want to meet you, and if you're clever about it, you can persuade him to give you one of his artifacts. Wait until then. Livius will offer much more after that development."
Rolo's face fell. "What? How? When?"
"Is that important?" I asked, trying to deflect his anxiety.
Rolo hesitated. "You are right. What's more important is how should I handle the dwarf king? I didn't sign up for this!"
"Shay, isn't this a bit too much?" asked Alex, looking a bit worried.
Rolo's eyes darted between Alex and me, reflecting a blend of disbelief and tentative hope. The corners of his mouth tightened as he struggled to mask his worry, and his hands fidgeted nervously at his sides, betraying his inner turmoil.
"He'll manage," I declared.
As I spoke, Rolo's face gradually shifted from a look of sheer panic to one of surprise. Maybe he was surprised I had so much faith in him. His eyes then narrowed with focused resolve. His breathing steadied as he squared his shoulders, trying to project a façade of confidence. Despite his best efforts, his knuckles were still white from gripping his phone tightly, and his gaze remained intense, locked onto me with a mix of fear and determination.
"I need more specifics on how to approach Talambér." Rolo said, his voice now steadier.
I held up a finger. "First, you establish a business relationship with Talambér."
I held up a second finger. "Secondly, you establish connections with Livius."
I held up a third finger. "And thirdly, after the coronation, we'll make Crimson our debtor. This will be your debut, Rolo."
"Debut?" he echoed, puzzled.
"Yes, debut as the most talented mage of this era," I affirmed. "After this, no one will ever underestimate you again."
Rolo stood there, visibly stunned. His eyes widened even further, and his mouth fell slightly open as he absorbed the weight of my words. The shock slowly gave way to a profound mix of disbelief and emotion. He blinked rapidly, as if trying to clear the fog of astonishment from his mind, and his face flushed a deep red.
The rigid posture of his shoulders softened, and his breath came in short, uneven gasps. I could see the tremor in his hands as he tried to steady himself, and his eyes glistened with unshed tears. It was as though the enormity of what I had just said had struck him with a force he hadn't anticipated.
Rolo took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort of containing his emotions. His voice, when he finally spoke, was barely above a whisper, laden with awe and a hint of vulnerability. "I… I never thought..."
He looked at me with a mixture of gratitude and wonder, the realization dawning on him. It was a moment of raw, unfiltered emotion, and for the first time, I saw a glimmer of true belief in his eyes — the belief that he made the right choice back then.
"This three days is not only about my coronation," I said with a firm smile, "It's about making connections and debuting. It has to be memorable. And now Alex, it's your turn."
Alex looked up, confusion flickering in his eyes. "What?"
"Yep, I have plans for you too," I confirmed.
Alex's eyes darted between me and Rolo, clearly perplexed and a bit anxious. The hint of a smile on my face did little to reassure him. He shifted his weight from one foot to the other.
"Plans?" Alex asked, his voice edged with curiosity and apprehension. "What kind of plans?"
"You'll be the Diplomatic Liaison," I explained. "Your job is to subtly make connections and charm our guests. You're great at being likable, and now you'll use that skill to build relationships and create favorable impressions."
Alex's eyes widened slightly, reflecting a mixture of surprise and realization.
"You'll be the face of our hospitality and ensure that influential guests leave with a positive impression of us. This role is crucial for forging alliances and ensuring that our court makes the right connections."
A thoughtful look crossed Alex's face as he processed the responsibility. "Got it. I'll make sure to create genuine connections that will benefit us in the long run."
I nodded approvingly. "Good. Now, let me eat my lunch."