Bab 19: Consuming Human Blood
Edmund, fueled by the insatiable need for blood, broke free from their attempts to restrain him.
He fled through the gates, moving with inhuman speed...
Fwwhoom~
His mind was consumed by a single thought: "Blood! Blood! Blood!"
The guards were unable to let a raving lunatic vampire wreak havoc outside the kingdom so they pursued him.
They knew the dangers of allowing such a frenzied vampire loose in the world. The vampires already had a bad reputation and they weren't looking to make it worse.
Their pursuit was relentless, but Edmund's desperation drove him forward, faster and more determined than ever.
As he ran through the forest outside the kingdom, the sounds of the guards chasing him grew fainter. His vision tunneled, and all he could focus on was the primal need for blood. Every beat of his heart felt like an eternity, the hunger gnawing at his very soul.
He didn't know how long he had been running but it was starting to come to fruition as fresh blood from veins of humans drifted into his nostrils.
From what he could tell, there were quite a number of them...
Saliva dripped from Edmund's mouth as his canines elongated, giving him a twisted inhumane, and crazed look.
His heart pounded like a drum, and every fiber of his being screamed for sustenance. His speed increased, becoming almost a blur as he moved with inhuman swiftness. The trees around him seemed to bend and twist in his wake as the leaves rustled with the force of his passage.
The presence of the humans was like a beacon, drawing him inexorably towards them. His bloodlust sharpened his senses, allowing him to pick out the scent of their blood even from afar.
Ahead, a group of human hunters was engaged in a fierce battle with a magical beast. The hunters were skilled, clad in sturdy armor, and wielding powerful weapons that gleamed in the dim light of the forest. The beast they fought was massive, its fur bristling with magical energy and its eyes glowing with a malevolent light.
As the hunters squared off against the Fireclaw Ravager, the air crackled with tension. The ground shook as it roared, displaying rows of its dagger-like teeth. Its dark, scaled body was a terrifying blend of power and elegance, with patches of crimson fur adding to its fearsome visage.
The Fireclaw Ravager paced around them, its metallic claws leaving smoldering marks on the ground as it prepared to strike yet again.
As Edmund approached their location, the hunters felt the disturbance of his intense bloodlust.
It spread through the forest like a wave... like an almost tangible presence that set their nerves on edge. The magical beast, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere, paused briefly. Its eyes flicked in the direction of the disturbance.
One of the hunters, a large man with a scar across his face, shouted to his comrades, "What is that? Another threat?"
"We're already struggling with this beast," another hunter replied, his voice shaking. "Should we retreat or fight both?"
Their hesitation was noticeable, but before they could make a decision, Edmund was upon them.
The air crackled with his presence, and the scent of their blood drove him into a frenzy.
Just as he was about to reach them, a figure emerged from the shadows and grabbed his arm, yanking him to the side with surprising strength.
"Your Highness..." the figure murmured with a tone of urgency.
Edmund snarled as his bloodlust overpowered his reason. He turned towards the figure with his eyes blazing red, and his elongated canines gleaming.
The figure who happened to be cloaked with their face obscured, held him in a firm embrace. Despite the danger, there was a sense of familiarity and care in the way they held him.
"Calm down," the figure whispered soothingly. "I'm here to help."
But Edmund could smell human blood which was intoxicating and irresistible. The human blood was pumping within the veins of this figure...
His instincts took over, and he sank his fangs into the figure's neck causing warm blood to fill his mouth. Instead of pushing him away, the figure held him closer as their hands rubbed his hair affectionately.
"That's it," the figure whispered with a soft and comforting voice. "Take what you need."
As Edmund drank, clarity began to return. The bloodlust that had clouded his mind started to recede, and his thoughts became clearer.
His glowing red eyes slowly turned back to their original golden color. He pulled back with ragged breathing and looked at the figure who had saved him.
"Who... who are you?" Edmund asked with a trembling tone. He couldn't see well and the figure happened to be quite obscured so making out their face was difficult.
The figure didn't answer immediately. Instead, they reached into their cloak and produced a syringe. Before Edmund could react, they stabbed it into his nape. He felt a sharp sting, followed by a spreading numbness.
His vision blurred, and the world around him started to fade.
"Rest now, Your Highness," the figure said softly as Edmund's consciousness slipped away.
As Edmund fell unconscious, the figure cradled him gently. The cloak obscured their features, but there was an unmistakable resemblance to a particular person that Edmund knew well enough.
Blood trickled from the wound on their neck, but they seemed unbothered by it. Carefully, they carried Edmund's limp body towards a small cart hidden among the trees.
The hunters, sensing the disappearance of the bloodlust, refocused on their original prey.
The magical beast roared, and the battle resumed with renewed intensity. Meanwhile, the cloaked figure placed Edmund among various supplies in the cart, ensuring he was well hidden.
The figure began to pull the cart towards the Darkblorne Kingdom. The forest around them was silent save for the distant sounds of the hunters' struggle. The path was uneven, but the figure moved with a steady, purposeful stride.
As they walked, the figure whispered softly. "Hold on, Your Highness. We'll get you back to safety."
The journey back to the kingdom was over thirty minutes long which depicted just how far Edmund had traveled.
The figure navigated through dense underbrush and rocky terrain as their cloak billowed in the wind. The sun had begun to rise, casting a pale light over the forest. The shadows lengthened, and the air grew cooler.
Eventually, they reached the outskirts of the kingdom. The massive gates could be spotted ahead, guarded by vigilant vampire sentries.
The figure approached the gates with slow strides. The guards seemed to recognize the cart but not the cloaked figure.
"Halt," one of the guards commanded. "State your business."
The figure kept its head bowed. "I have urgent matters to attend to. Please, let me pass."
The guards exchanged glances, their suspicion evident. "What's in the cart?"
The figure tensed slightly. "Supplies for the palace."
Before the guards could probe further, one of them noticed a glint of gold beneath the cloak—a signet ring bearing the royal crest. His eyes widened, and he quickly signaled to his comrades.
"Let them through," he said hurriedly. "They bear the royal seal."
The gates swung open, and the figure breathed a sigh of relief. They guided the cart through the gates, moving swiftly towards the direction of the palace grounds.
The streets of the kingdom were just beginning to stir with the first signs of morning activity, but the figure kept to the shadows, avoiding attention.
Once inside the palace grounds, the figure made their way to a secluded entrance used by staff and trusted servants. They navigated the familiar corridors with ease, finally reaching a private non-royal chamber.
Gently, they laid him on a plush bed. His face was still a little ashen but his breathing was steady. The figure removed their cloak, revealing a striking resemblance to Sasha—same dark hair, same graceful movements—but with an air of mystery that set them apart.
As she tended to the wound on her neck, the figure spoke softly with concern and affection. "You scared me, Edmund."
Edmund stirred slightly as his eyes fluttered open. He looked up at the figure, his vision still hazy. "Sasha...?"
She smiled back at him. "Rest now. You have nothing to worry about."
With those reassuring words, Edmund's eyes closed again, and he drifted back into a deep sleep.
Hadiah
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