The afternoon was already well advanced when Aiden and Ethan decided to go out and have some fun. The spring sun bathed the Elysium campus in a soft light, inviting strolling and relaxation. The two friends walked at a leisurely pace, discussing everything they were experiencing.
But as they crossed the main park, their attention was drawn to a troubling scene. A little further on, near a grove of trees, an older student had cornered a young boy against a trunk. His posture was menacing, his fists clenched and his face twisted with anger.
"I told you to be careful with your powers!" he growled, his voice carried by the wind. "You almost hurt me during training!"
The younger one, his eyes wide with fear, stammered apologies. "I... I'm sorry! I didn't do it on purpose, I swear! I don't have good control yet..."
But the elder didn't seem to be in the mood to listen. He grabbed the boy by the collar, almost lifting him off the ground.
"I'll teach you to control it!" he threatened, raising his free fist.
Aiden, who had observed the scene with growing rage, couldn't take it anymore. Ignoring Ethan's surprise, he rushed towards the two students, his feet pounding the ground with superhuman speed.
"This might get interesting," Ethan smiled, seeing Aiden charge forward.
"Hey!" Aiden shouted, his voice cracking like a whip, while grabbing the arm and stopping the blow before the student could finish it. "Let him go right now!"
The elder, surprised by this sudden interruption, his arm stopped by the sheer force of another individual, turned his head. His eyes narrowed when he saw Aiden.
"Mind your own business," he spat. "This is between him and me."
But Aiden was not in the mood to negotiate. Anger boiled inside him, fueled by the thirst for blood pulsing at his temples. He felt his control slipping away, his darkest instincts taking over.
"I won't repeat myself," he growled, and his voice had taken on a guttural, almost animal tone. "Let him go, or I swear you'll regret it."
Something in his attitude, in the wild glint in his eyes, or the increase in the force of his grip, must have alerted the elder. He released his hold on the young boy, who collapsed to the ground, and took a step back as he broke free from Aiden's grip, suddenly less sure of himself.
But Aiden, carried away by his fury, was not finished. He stepped forward, his fists clenched, a dark and menacing aura emanating from him. His canines began to elongate, piercing his gums, and his nails turned into sharp claws.
It was at this moment that Ethan, who had been observing the scene, decided to intervene, realizing that something was wrong. He rushed towards his friend, grabbing his arm to restrain him.
"Aiden, stop!" he breathed, urgency and fear mingled in his voice. "You need to calm down, you're losing control!"
But Aiden didn't seem to hear him, entirely focused on his prey. His eyes were beginning to turn blood red.
Ethan, realizing that the situation could degenerate at any moment, made a decision. Gathering all his strength, he pulled Aiden back, away from the elder.
Ethan addressed the elder, taking on a deeply threatening and dark tone, a murderous intent in his eyes.
"A piece of advice, don't cross our path again, or I'll make sure you can't hurt anyone else."
"Come on, let's go!" he ordered Aiden.
Aiden resisted for a moment, his gaze fixed on the object of his anger. But Ethan's grip was firm, unyielding. Finally, after a final growl, he allowed himself to be led away, not without casting a final murderous glance at the elder.
Ethan took him aside, to a secluded corner of the park. There, away from prying eyes, he finally released him. Aiden stumbled, suddenly drained of all energy. He fell to his knees in the grass, panting and trembling all over.
"What the hell got into you?" Ethan exclaimed, torn between worry and anger. "You could have seriously hurt him, or worse!"
Aiden didn't answer right away, struggling to regain control of his breathing and emotions. When he finally looked up at his friend, his gaze was haunted, filled with a despair so deep that it took Ethan's breath away.
"I... I can't do it anymore, Ethan," he breathed, and his voice was that of a man at the end of his rope. "I can't keep fighting, pretending. This thirst, this hunger... It's eating away at me, day after day. I feel like I'm going crazy."
Ethan knelt beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"What are you talking about, Aiden? What thirst?"
Aiden closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. When he opened them again, there was a new resolution in his gaze, mixed with fear and relief.
"I don't just have more developed physical senses, the awakening transformed me into a dhampir," he revealed in a breath. "And since this Awakening, my thirst for blood has only grown, consuming me."
There was a long silence, broken only by the rustling of leaves in the trees. Then, slowly, Ethan nodded, looking grave but understanding.
"I... I kind of suspected it," he admitted softly. "In any case, it explains a lot of things."
Ethan squeezed his shoulder, his gaze locked with Aiden's.
"You're not alone, Aiden. I'm here, and I'll help you. We'll find a solution, together. You don't have to face this alone." He added, laughing, "And if we need to hit a few people to get some blood, don't worry, I'll take care of it."
Aiden, smiling again, replied, "If we both do it, it'll be more fun."
And for the first time in a long time, as he dove into his friend's sincere and determined eyes, Aiden felt a spark of hope ignite within him. Maybe, with Ethan by his side, he could find a way to tame the beast inside him.