Kaelith blinked, her brow furrowing with a hint of doubt.
"Are you sure? No other preparations?" she asked.
Lux's gaze was unwavering.
"We don't need any more," he replied, voice flat.
She sighed, conceding with a slight nod.
"Alright then. I'll show you to your room so you can rest. We'll need it."
She led him up then through the narrow hallway, her footsteps silent in the light. At the end of the hall, she stopped, gesturing toward a small door on the right.
"Get some sleep if you can. We move at dawn, then." With that, she nodded and disappeared back to her own room.
Lux watched the door close behind her before stepping into his assigned quarters. The room was small and plain with a single narrow bed and a small table in one corner.
Despite the stillness, he already knew sleep would be an impossible task tonight. He lay on the bed, staring at the cracked ceiling.
With a quiet sigh, he reached for a small vial at his belt, a tiny container filled with a dark red liquid. He rolled it between his fingers, watching the dim light catch on the edges of the vial.
The contents were powerful for him. It was Vampire blood that he had taken from the creature he had killed in the inn earlier. If he drank it, he'd temporarily gain the strength, speed, and abilities of a Vampire for about an hour.
A small mercy in the coming battle, but make him a dangerous one because they will not expecting that. Even when not using the power, Lux was still a powerful and skillful Hunter and he needs to kill them fast. Fortunately, there will be plenty more Vampire that will give their blood to him later.
Each time he'd used the blood, he felt as if his veins were on fire and he feels a searing pain that threatened to consume him from within. But with time, he had grown numb to the sensation. Pain had become an old friend that only served to remind him he was still alive and ready to kick again.
Lux tightened his grip on the vial, holding it to his face. The strength this he have was mysterious and sometime intoxicating, but he didn't know if there would be a price. He only hoped that price wouldn't claim him before he fulfilled his one purpose.
Somewhere out there was the Vampire who had killed his family, leaving him hollow and vengeful. He needed to live long enough to find that Vampire and end him.
With a final glance at the blood-red vial, he closed his eyes and let the quiet fill him.
Tomorrow would come soon enough.
---
Kaelith entered her own room, closing the door with a quiet click. She pulling the crescent moon pendant from her neck, holding it up to the light as its color shifted between deep blue and shadowy black.
Kneeling beside her bed, she closed her eyes and placed a hand gently on the mattress, steadying herself as she began a low, reverent chant.
"Goddess of the Veiled Moon, guardian of shadowed paths, bless me with your sight and shield me with your grace. May your shadow guide me through darkness and reveal what lies hidden. Be with me in this silent watch, oh veiled goddess."
When her prayer end, another presence stirred within her mind, a familiar voice.
"I think I've found him, Master," Kaelith immediately said in her mind. "He matches the description you gave me."
"Good. Then together with him, you'll kill Arthuros," the voice answered smoothly, with an edge of satisfaction. "When do you plan to strike?"
"Tomorrow, Kaelith replied, hesitating just a second before continuing. "But… I'm not sure, Master. He fits your description, yes. But he's so young, could be just another amateur hunter hoping to make a name for himself. He might only be looking for glory."
"Is he move alone?"
"Yes. And… he does feels cold. Dark. But confident too. Still…" she trailed off, uncertainty curling in her chest.
The voice paused as if considering, before responding, "I'm almost certain it's him. But if you're wrong, Kaelith, you know what to do. Don't get tangled in his fate. If you doubt him, let him fall and save yourself."
Kaelith's face hardened, her jaw setting as she nodded in silent acknowledgment. "Yes, Master."
The connection faded, leaving her alone with her thoughts. Then she stretched out on her bed and let herself fall into sleep. She find it easy to do that.
---
Dawn was still a suggestion on the horizon as Kaelith stirred, feeling the quiet energy that always came after a night's rest under the blessing of the Veiled Moon.
She rose from bed, stretching out muscles that felt refreshed and unburdened, a distinct privilege of being among the goddess's disciples. Though no sunlight had yet touched the city, she knew even when it did, the light would bring little warmth to these city.
After a moment, she made her way to the small washbasin, splashing her face with icy water to fully awaken. Just as she was toweling off, a firm knock echoed through the door.
Kaelith opened it, and there stood Lux, already dressed in his familiar dark attire: the wide-brimmed hat casting shadows over his sharp features and the long, black coat clinging to his frame like a shroud.
His eyes were as cold and unreadable as ever, an intensity in them that seemed both detached and focused, like a blade tempered in shadow.
He looked every bit as ready as she felt.
"Morning," she greeted simply, studying him with a trace of curiosity. His presence radiated a calm that she couldn't place, a lack of haste, but not hesitation.
"Let's get to work," Lux said.
Kaelith grimaced. The man likely hadn't slept at all. His relentless determination seemed admirable yet reckless and his hardened gaze made her frown.
"Wait a few minutes," she muttered.
"We don't have a few minutes," Lux replied.
Suppressing a sigh, Kaelith narrowed her eyes at him, annoyance flashing in her expression. "One minute, then. I need my weapons."
Lux nodded curtly and turned, striding away down the corridor without another word. As his shadow disappeared, Kaelith spun around, quickly gathering her equipment.
She weaering her trouser and shirt, strapped her three large daggers securely, letting their weight settle along her belt. Her whip coiled at her side, and her pistol sat snugly in its holster, also on her hip.
She tugged her cowl into place, slipping her hood low over her face, shrouding her features. Pausing, she crossed her palms over her face in silent prayer, murmuring one final invocation to the Goddess of the Veiled Moon. The cold touch of her goddess's blessing settled over her like armor, steeling her spirit.
Then, without a backward glance, she strode toward the door.
---