Feasting Hour

The sounds of running footsteps hitting the puddles surrounded the atmosphere. The sound of a whip moving through the air followed suit. Helios was in the middle of an intense battle with a girl and boy. A sibling duo. He jumped in the air and was quickly followed by the girl who was flung up by her male counterpart.

She took out a dagger and threw it at him.He dodged but she brought her hand forward and the dagger followed. Her body felt like it was dropping down and she prepared herself for a safe landing.

"To go after me. What a brave choice, Koko and Stephan." Helios spoke, his tone mocking. His crimson eyes twinkled with mischievous intent. "What's this now, your seventh pathetic attempt in killing me?" Stephan growled under his breath. Koko kissed her teeth.

The siblings readied themselves, but Helios didn't give them a single time of his day, and disappeared into the shadows.

"Fuck!" Stephan yelled, pushing his locs back. Koko looked up into the sky, tired from the tedious battle that had gone on. The moonlight illuminated her dark skin with a soft glow. Whilst her brother yelled, her mind racked through all their losses. How were they meant to prove they were capable vampire hunters if they kept losing?

The voice of their father's disapproval and mockery repeated in her brain like some broken record. It was unbearable. Her green eyes stared ahead in unadulterated anger. This time she and her brother were going to bring Helios's head to her father without fail. It was an oath she swore upon her mother's grave.

She would rid the world of Helios, once and for all. It was an oath that she would simply not break.

She was simply too tired to continue this.

_______________________

"Burgess, watch your step will ya." A hushed voice reprimanded. The crew simultaneously groaned and opened their eyes. They all felt like they had been hit by a truck and that the world had decided to crash land on top of them. In other words, they felt like they had been hit by a truck. Elvia was the first to slowly get up. Her eyes took time to adjust to her surroundings.

The first thing she noticed was the three different people staring at her and the rest of the crew with intrigued eyes. She shoved Mortale, who was only a tad bit conscious. She shoved him again, this time harder, and he quickly jolted up. His purple stared deeply into the young girl before him.

Her gold eyes looked everywhere but his face. "Hello there." His deep voice had her flustered for a second.

Elvia who was watching the whole ordeal tried to contain her laughter. Magnus and Thali who had just fully woken up were more than confused. "Hiya loves. It seems like all of you are awake now." The sweet-looking lady spoke. She was plump with a beige gown on. Her long blonde hair was tied into a braided ponytail. Her large brown eyes were complimented with a peachy eyeshadow.

The older man next to her was a tall, muscular man with a grand ginger beard, and an even better long ginger hair. His gold eyes scanned the crew, a small smile was in the beard somewhere. He wore a hunter's outfit, all browns and blues. Now the nervous girl, standing there and avoiding eye contact was beautiful. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulder, her curves peaked through the black long-sleeved bodycon she wore. She wore a blazer over the dress with a white raven insignia on the chest pocket. Her black loafers were complemented with white lace socks.

A large crescent moon chain dangled over the chest. "Do you know what happened to you lot? It was a bit odd finding you sprawled out on the ground like that." The woman continued. Memories of their ass being handed to them flashed through their mind. They all groaned in unison and the family knew not to push matters further. Thali looked out the window when she stood up. It was still night.

Were they knocked out for that short amount of time? "By the way, my name is Aten Raven. I am the matriarch of this family." Aten pointed to her husband and daughter. "This is Burgess Raven, his mute, so don't expect him to say anything." Burgess placed an arm over his wife's shoulder. "Last but not least, this is Malia Raven."

Mortale whispered 'beautiful name' under his breath and was glad when no one seemed to hear it. "It's always night here in Morte." Malia spoke up. She noticed the perplexed look on the navigator's face. Her voice was raspy and deep. "What do you mean?" Thali questioned, her mind still focused on the outside.

"It's been like that for five years. Count Helios changed one day." Magnus nodded his head, acting like he understood what was just said. "How does the change of a single man cause eternal night?"

"Our lord is a vampire, dear. The night is the best time for him to operate." Aten replied, a sympathetic look on her face. "I was acting oblivious to your situation but I can only assume you had a run-in with him." Elvia nodded her head, confirming Aten's statement. "My lord, it's a miracle you even survived! " The crew nodded their heads, surprised themselves.

"Does he come out randomly if he senses an enemy?" Magnus asked.

"Oh, you poor thing. It was his feasting hour. When the clock strikes twelve midnight, any poor unfortunate soul walking the streets will fall victim to his symphony and feasting."

A chill went through the crew's spine. Magnus eyed the clock on the door. It was nine o'clock in the 'morning'. They seemed to have a special clock to indicate what time of day it was.

What a sad life. "I've cooked some breakfast," Aten stated, a large grin plastered on her face.

The crew and the family got to the kitchen to enjoy a nice hearty meal.