Alaric's gaze, now fully consumed by darkness, zeroed in on a weak-looking hunter at the edge of the group. The man was trembling, fear etched across his face as Alaric's predatory instincts surged forward. With a wicked smile, he lunged, grabbing the hunter by the throat and effortlessly lifting him off the ground.
"*Ah, such a deliciously weak little thing,*" Alaric purred, savoring the sheer terror radiating from his prey. The hunter's eyes widened in horror as Alaric leaned in closer, his breath cool against the man's skin. "*You'll do nicely for a first course.*"
Without hesitation, Alaric sank his teeth into the hunter's neck, feeling the hot pulse beneath the skin. He bit down hard, tearing away a chunk of flesh, blood gushing forth as the man let out a throaty scream. The taste of warm blood flooded Alaric's mouth, rich and intoxicating, sending waves of pleasure through him.
"*Mmm,*" he sighed, his voice low and seductive as he feasted. "*So sweet… so warm. It's been far too long since I've tasted the essence of such a fierce living soul.*" The thrill of the hunt ignited a fire within him, and he relished the sensation of power coursing through his veins with every gulp he took.
The other hunters, horrified at the sight of their companion being ravaged, sprang into action, weapons drawn and hearts racing. They rushed at Alaric, determined to save their fallen comrade. But with each strike, Alaric's supernatural healing kicked in, knitting his wounds together almost instantly. The pain was fleeting, almost pleasurable, and he reveled in the chaos around him.
"*Is this really all you have?*" Alaric taunted, throwing the limp body aside like a broken doll. "*You must know by now that you cannot harm me.*" His voice dripped with condescension .
Each scream only made him crave more, and as the scent of fresh blood hung thick in the air, Alaric embraced his wickedness, knowing that this was only the beginning of his glorious return.Alaric's playful taunts filled the air as the remaining hunters, fueled by desperation, launched their attacks. One particularly brave hunter swung an axe, aiming for Alaric's neck. The blade struck true, lodging deep into his flesh.
For a fleeting moment, Alaric's expression shifted from delight to fury. He felt the cold steel bite into his skin, but rather than flinch, an enraged smile crept across his face. With a swift, powerful motion, he reached up, grasped the handle, and yanked the axe from his neck, blood spilling down his chest in dark rivulets.
The darkness in his eyes deepened, swirling with malevolence. "*You will regret that.*"
Alaric's grip tightened around the axe, and he turned to face the trembling hunter, fury radiating from him like heat. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the weapon aside, the sound of metal clattering against the stone floor echoing in the chaos.
"*You can not challenge me human. *" he hissed, advancing on the hunter with a predatory grace. "*I have lived for thousands of years, bathed in the blood of those who dared to stand against me.*"
With a sudden, fluid motion, he lunged forward, seizing the hunter by the collar and lifting him off the ground as if he weighed no more than a feather. Alaric leaned in closer, his sharp teeth glinting in the dim light.
Alaric's grip on the hunter tightened, pulling him close enough to feel the man's panicked breath. His lips curled into a playful smirk as he listened to the frantic heartbeat beneath his fingers. "Is your heart beating for me?" Alaric purred, voice dripping with mock affection as he leaned in like a lover.
The hunter whimpered, his eyes wide with terror. Alaric chuckled. "Don't be shy now," he teased, his eyes gleaming with dark mischief. "I do have that effect on people."
The hunter gasped, eyes wide with terror, but Alaric only smiled. With one swift motion, his hand plunged into the man's chest, a sickening crack echoing through the air as ribs gave way. Blood sprayed across Alaric's face, but he barely blinked. His fingers wrapped around the man's heart, still beating, and with a brutal yank, he pulled it free.
The hunter's scream died in his throat, his body going slack as Alaric held the organ aloft, watching it quiver in his hand. "Look at this," he murmured, his tone mockingly tender, turning the heart slowly in his palm. "Your life, reduced to this."
With mock slowness, Alaric brought the heart to his lips and licked it, dragging his tongue sensually across the still-warm flesh. His eyes closed in ecstasy, savoring the taste of fresh blood.
Then, without warning, he squeezed.
Blood burst from the heart, spraying across his face and soaking his clothes, dark rivulets running down his neck. Alaric tilted his head back and let the blood bathe him, a guttural laugh escaping his throat as the hunters watched in frozen horror. The gruesome display only seemed to fuel his frenzy, his eyes glinting with unholy pleasure.
"Ah, perfect," Alaric purred, licking the remnants of blood from his lips, his face streaked crimson. "Now, let's see if the rest of you taste as good."
He tossed the limp body aside and turned toward the remaining hunters, their faces pale and full of dread. As they fumbled for weapons, Alaric took a step forward, his voice a soft, chilling whisper. "You should run like the humans before from last night. It'll make this far more enjoyable."
But they didn't move. Paralyzed by the grotesque spectacle before them, they stood frozen as Alaric stalked closer, his blood-soaked hands flexing in anticipation.When no one fled ,his smile widened---twisted and cruel.
"Suit yourselves ." He smiled with dark hunger."I'll take my time."
Alaric couldn't help but glance over at the witch as if now remembering her existence. Her eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, fierce and determined, casting a radiant aura.
The witch's heart raced as she neared the final verse of her spell, but doubt gnawed at her. The power she wielded was ancient, yes, but so was Alaric—and his cruelty knew no bounds. His eyes found hers again, and in them, she saw a hunger that went far beyond mere bloodlust. It was deeper, more demonic.... He enjoyed the suffering.
Realizing her intentions, Alaric felt a flicker of unease within him but he still approached, prepared to savor the sweet taste of victory.
Then, with a sudden, terrifying intensity, the air around them cracked. The spell, nearing completion, surged with energy. The witch's fingers trembled as she uttered the last syllable, her voice ringing with power. The shimmering liquid in her vial exploded in a burst of light, the force of the spell rushing toward Alaric like a tidal wave.
Suddenly, an invisible force slammed into him, halting his advance. Alaric's eyes widened with fury, the hunger inside him roaring to life as he struggled against the magical bind.
An animalistic raw ripped through Alaric .He fought against the spell, muscles straining, teeth bared, his fangs glistening in the low light. Memories of confinement clawed at his mind, igniting an anger that surged through him. With a deep roar, he summoned every ounce of his strength, fighting against the oppressive magic that sought to restrain him.
The hunters, sensing the shift in the air, immediately fell into formation, brandishing their weapons with a mix of fear and determination. They surrounded Alaric, their faces pale but resolute, ready to defend their witch against the unleashed terror before them.
"*Stand firm!*"Elias shouted, gripping a sword tightly, sweat beading on his brow. "*We can't let him break free!*"
Alaric glared at the witch, fury igniting within him as he felt the magical bonds begin to tighten. "*You cannot cage me again, witch!*" he spat, his voice dripping with disdain.
The witch's glowing eyes narrowed, focusing intently on him. "*You may have escaped once, but this time, you will not be so fortunate,*" she declared, her voice steady despite the chaos.
Alaric's anger only intensified, and he fought against the spell with everything he had, determined to free himself from the witch's grasp, even as the hunters prepared for what they knew was about to unfold.
As the binding spell tightened around him, Alaric's fury drained away, leaving behind an almost haunting clarity. The glow of the witch's magic bathed him in soft, ethereal light, making his features appear delicate and angelic. His rage, once burning so fiercely, faded from his eyes, replaced by a deep, shimmering vulnerability.
"Please..." His voice, usually smooth and seductive, now trembled, barely above a whisper. There was no trace of the predator he had once been. Instead, his expression softened into something heartbreakingly innocent, a vision of fragile beauty that tugged at the very souls of those who watched. "You don't have to do this. I can be different... Just give me another chance."
The hunters, who had been so sure of their mission, now hesitated. Alaric, this creature they had feared and hunted, stood before them looking almost... human. His wide, tear-brimmed eyes sparkled in the fading light, and the delicate curve of his lips quivered, making it impossible to look at him without feeling an ache of sympathy. He was beautiful, disarmingly so, in a way that made their weapons feel heavy in their hands.
One of the younger hunters stepped back, his grip on his weapon slackening. "Is he... really begging for mercy?" he whispered, his voice uncertain, as though the sight of Alaric's pleading had shaken him to his core.
"Don't let his beauty fool you," an older hunter warned, though his voice wavered with doubt. "He's a monster."
But Alaric, sensing the cracks in their resolve, let a single tear slide down his perfect cheek. It caught the light and sparkled like a drop of purest crystal, as if the very earth mourned his sadness. The sight of him crying was mesmerizing, heartbreakingly beautiful, and it filled the air with an aching melancholy.
"I've lived for so long..." Alaric whispered, his voice choked with emotion, as more tears, impossibly delicate, traced their way down his face. "Always trapped by this hunger, these chains of the past. But I can change... I will change. Let me help you. I don't want to be your enemy."
The witch, though still firm, felt a tremor of hesitation. Her glowing eyes flickered, with anger. "You will pay for all the sins you have committed against my coven."
Alaric's tears flowed more freely now, his entire body trembling as he pleaded. "Look at me... I'm not the monster you think I am. I can be your friend. Please... just believe me."
The hunters exchanged looks, unsure of what to do. The vision before them was so pure, so achingly beautiful, they couldn't reconcile it with the creature they had come to ensnare. Alaric's soft sobs filled the silence, each one more perfect than the last, and as he stood there, bathed in light, he was no longer the villain in their eyes but a broken, desperate soul that they were too afraid to crush.
He was, in that moment, the most beautiful thing they had ever seen.