Elias lay on the cold, damp floor of the cell, his gaze fixed on Lila's lifeless eyes, burned into his memory. His chest ached, not just from the wounds he had sustained, but from the unbearable weight of his failure. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms as he stared out the small, barred window.
The moon hung high in the sky, full and luminous. Its silvery glow seeped into the cell, illuminating his broken form. He stared at it, his body trembling with grief and rage.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the corridor. The vampires returned, their cold hands grabbing him and dragging him from the floor.
"Lock him up," the leader ordered.
Elias didn't resist. His body was too weak, his mind too shattered to fight back. They threw him into a dark cell, slamming the door shut with a metallic clang.
Time passed in a haze of pain and despair. Elias sat hunched against the wall, his thoughts spiraling. He was in another world, a place where vampires roamed freely, and he had no knowledge of its rules or history. Everything he cared about was gone.
His chest burned with an unbearable heat. He tore at his shirt, clawing at his skin as the pain intensified. A guttural roar escaped his lips, echoing through the halls.
The vampires outside paused, some exchanging uneasy glances.
"What's happening to him?" one asked nervously.
The leader dismissed their fears with a wave of his hand. "He's nothing. A poisoned human, nothing more. Let him howl."
The vampires obeyed, though the unease lingered.
Later that night, the mansion was filled with movement as the leader called a meeting. Vampires from the surrounding area gathered in the grand hall, their faces smeared with blood from their recent massacre. Cups filled with fresh blood were passed around as they discussed their plans.
"We've caused quite a mess," the leader admitted, his tone laced with annoyance. "That village we destroyed will draw attention. We need to decide what to do next."
As they debated, a knock at the door silenced the room. The vampires exchanged wary glances before one of them cautiously opened the door.
Standing outside was a man they didn't recognize. He was tall, with shoulder-length blonde hair and piercing blue eyes that seemed to glow faintly in the dim light.
"Who are you?" the vampire asked, suspicion in his voice.
The stranger smiled faintly. "A traveler. I heard of your gathering and thought I might join."
The vampires hesitated, but the leader stepped forward. "We don't trust strangers."
The man's smile didn't waver. "We're all vampires here, aren't we? Or are you afraid of one more?"
After a tense moment, the leader nodded. "Fine. Come in."
The meeting resumed, the stranger blending in seamlessly. He accepted a cup of blood offered to him but made no move to drink it. Instead, he held it idly, his gaze wandering.
One vampire, unable to contain his curiosity, leaned in. "Not thirsty?"
The stranger's smile widened slightly. "I prefer a different vintage."
The vampire frowned but said nothing, though the remark seemed to unsettle him.
Eventually, the stranger expressed interest in seeing the mansion. One of the vampires volunteered to show him around, eager to keep an eye on the newcomer.
They walked through the dimly lit corridors, eventually reaching the lower levels where Elias was held.
The stranger stopped, his eyes narrowing as he caught sight of the cell. "Why lock up a human?"
The vampire explained, recounting Elias's strange abilities and the damage he had done. The stranger listened intently, his expression unreadable.
Inside the cell, Elias stirred. His vision was blurry, but he could make out the figures outside. One of them was the vampire who had locked him up. The other was unfamiliar—a middle-aged man with long blonde hair and an aura of quiet menace.
Elias's head throbbed, his body heavy with exhaustion and the strange sensation growing within him. He closed his eyes, trying to focus, but his thoughts were muddled.
When he opened them again, the cell door was ajar.
On the ground lay the corpse of the vampire who had locked him up, his neck torn open and blood pooling beneath him.
The stranger stood over the body, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief. He glanced at Elias, his blue eyes glinting in the dim light.
Elias didn't care who the man was or why he had killed the vampire. He only knew one thing: he had to get out.