Buck had to return swiftly to rescue Lin from the two vampire marionettes who appeared to have overpowered her. As he approached the house, he witnessed Lin being hurled from the window as if she were weightless, and he swooped in to catch her. In midair, Lila, one of the vampire marionettes, lunged at them, knocking both from the sky. Amina, the other marionette, awaited them on the ground, seizing Lin from Buck's grasp and delivering a powerful kick to his face. Buck remained unfazed; instead, he grasped Amina by the neck and unleashed a searing flame that he conjured from thin air.
Lila, realizing that Buck's power had surged beyond their capabilities, swiftly ascended into the night sky, leaping from one rooftop to another in pursuit of the Vampire Lord, desperate for assistance as her life hung in the balance. Buck, in a moment of desperation, slashed his arm, allowing his blood to drip into Lin's unconscious mouth, compelling her to swallow. She inhaled deeply and awoke, feeling revitalized. Lin cautioned him that if he continued to wield his ultimate power, he would deplete his mana and become a liability, especially since she relied on his blood at that moment before they could confront the Vampire Lord and drink from him.
As the half-burned Amina lay on the ground, a low, eerie groan escaped her lips, echoing through the stillness of the night. Slowly, her body began to twitch, and the sound of cracking bones resonated like distant thunder, each pop signifying a grotesque rebirth. The once-charred remnants of her flesh shimmered with a faint, unnatural glow, as if the very essence of life was being rekindled within her.
Amidst this unsettling resurrection, an unexpected aroma wafted through the air—a tantalizing scent reminiscent of roast meat, mingling with the acrid smell of burnt flesh. It was as if the remnants of her body were being cooked by some dark magic, adding an almost surreal layer to the scene. The smell enveloped Buck and Lin, a reminder of the horror they were witnessing, yet oddly inviting in its warmth.
With a sudden jolt, Amina's eyes snapped open, revealing a predatory gleam that sent chills down Buck's spine. She rose, her movements fluid and deadly, as if the pain of her injuries had vanished. The flickering remnants of flames danced around her, illuminating the twisted smile that formed on her lips.
As they strategized, the half-burned Amina who had stirred back to life, delivered a punch to Buck's face. With mounting irritation, he concentrated an immensely powerful beam into a projectile that struck Amina, vaporizing her instantly. He then collapsed, having exhausted much of his mana and energy, and having given two pints of his blood to Lin in a single night. Lin carried him inside Amina's house, where he would need to rest for several hours before embarking on the hunt for the Vampire Lord and Lila, fully aware that Lin could not pursue them, as the Vampire Lord and Lila would mercilessly overpower her.
***********
Lila had finally caught up to the Vampire Lord, Ludwig, after tracking his intoxicating scent for what felt like an eternity. As she approached, she noticed him limping painfully, his wounds still fresh and raw. The horizon was painted with the hues of dawn, and dread filled her as she realized that the sun was about to rise. If she didn't act fast, it would vaporize her in an instant.
"Ludwig!" she called out, her voice a mixture of urgency and desperation. He turned at the sound of her voice, eyes narrowing as he recognized her. Despite his injuries, he was making his way toward a cave, a sanctuary from the unforgiving sun. Though he was the Vampire Lord, capable of traversing the daylight, it drained him, especially in his weakened state.
As Lila rushed forward, determination fueling her steps, a beam of sunlight suddenly broke through the trees, striking her leg. In an instant, she felt the searing pain as it vaporized her limb. Panic surged through her, but before she could fully comprehend the horror, Ludwig was at her side, his grip firm and protective. He scooped her up and dashed into the depths of the cave, far from the sun's reach.
Once inside, he held her gently in his arms, their breaths mingling in the dim light. As he watched her severed leg begin to regenerate, he leaned down and kissed her deeply, pouring his energy into her. Lila felt the warmth of his lips and the power coursing through her, and as they broke the kiss, she gazed into his sharp blue eyes, feeling entranced. Her fingers tangled in his silky blonde hair, a smile spreading across her face. In that moment, she knew she was lost in his hypnotic allure, willingly bound to him forever.
Lila leaned in for another kiss, feeling the intense connection between them. But in a swift motion, the Vampire Lord pierced her wrist with his claws. "I need your blood to survive; I'm low on blood," he said, his voice a mix of urgency and desire. Without hesitation, she let him have it, knowing she had more than enough and willing to do anything for her master. As he drank deeply, she felt a rush of warmth course through her, and she watched as his wounds began to heal even more rapidly. Their lips met again, mixing the blood with their saliva in a passionate embrace.
Lila was undeniably hooked, her desire for him overwhelming. She started to unbutton his blood-stained shirt, her eyes gleaming with lust. But Ludwig gently stopped her, saying, "We're not yet home; let's get there first." His soothing tone calmed her, and together they ventured deeper into the cave. They soon discovered an opening formed by a rock that led to an underground pool, the water warm and inviting. The hideout was minimalistic yet beautifully crafted, with a rock base bed layered with soft wood and a huge pillow made of silky fabric filled with feathers.
As she marveled at their secret sanctuary, she turned to find Ludwig already inside the pool, naked and sitting in the warm water, healing his wounds. "Care to join me?" he asked playfully. Lila felt a rush of excitement as she began to undress seductively, her silhouette revealed in the dim light. She walked into the water, the warmth enveloping her, and leaned down to kiss him lightly on the forehead, feeling the thrill of their connection deepen.