Hunger - Kaede

It's been a month since I've been living with Silas, still living in this rustic looking house. I didn't mind it though as it felt very comfortable, not having to deal with noise from the passing train like I used to in my old world. Silas also taught me how to use my magic beyond my instincts, however I kept that magic I used in that broken carriage a secret, as I stuck with only using what he called 'Light Magic'. Silas uses earth magic so he couldn't really teach me how to properly use my magic, however he did teach me how to convey what I wanted as I cast a protection barrier around us during our teaching outside.

Silas: "Very good! It's a little thin, but it should stop most attacks out here."

He was now teaching me how to cast my magic to protect others. It was weaker than when I casted it on just myself, but knowing that I can protect others brings a smile to my face. We continued to practice my protection barriers today. Apparently my light magic gives the most protection as it can block both magic and physical attacks, where as other elements can only block against magic based attacks. Dark magic however can break through it, being the only true counter towards one another.

Kaede: "Silas. Why is dark magic forbidden?"

Silas: "Dark magic in essence are descended from monsters such as demons. So a human who possess such magic would become a threat and would have to be dealt with, as the magic from the dark is very dangerous and destructive."

Kaede: "Demons?"

This was the first time I had heard of this. Demons?

Silas: "Yes, but not all demons could possess that magic. It was passed down through select families; royalty which us humans call 'Demon Lords'. They vary from appearance, like Giants, Dragons, Vampires, Chimeras, and many other werebeasts"

I felt myself grow cold at the thought of such creatures being in this world, even more so that I knew I have to keep that magic I used a secret.

Silas: "Ah, don't worry. You've been blessed with magic that can combat against that magic. I'll do my best to teach you what I know."

We continue to practice my magic before coming back inside the house. Silas lived alone out here, but it wasn't too far to the town in case he wanted to do shopping, it was very peaceful.

After coming inside, we sit down at the table to eat, lifting my body up onto a cushioned chair so that I could comfortably eat. There was no customary gesture before we eat as I watched Silas eat away at his steak. He tends to go out hunting for us as what we were eating was a boar he had killed yesterday. Looking at my plate I watch as the faint traces of blood coming from the steak when I slice into it makes my mouth water. It looked delicious. Hearing my stomach growl I bite into the slice I cut off, the taste of the juicy meat filled my mouth as I continued to eat away at my meal.

I feel lucky to have come across Silas, he didn't have to take me in and take care of me, it felt like I was only being a burden to him. I wonder if he didn't see me use that light magic before would he still would have taken me in? Light magic was similar to dark magic in the sense that mainly royalty were able to possess such magic, along with strong individuals; so perhaps seeing me use magic as esteemed as this, he wanted to help. However, if he knew that I possessed magic that I believe to be dark, I wonder what would happen.

After finishing our meal we get up from the table as we make our way to the nearby town. Silas thought I was ready to see more of the outside world as we make our way to the town called 'Azalea'. It was a remote town as it was away from any major cities, but it held its own with the fortifications and military personnel stationed on the walls, blocking any attacks that may come to harm the people inside.

As we approach the gates, a guard stopped Silas and I, making sure we were not a threat before letting us inside. I felt my stomach growl as I passed the guards through the gate, I must of not of eaten enough.

Kaede: "Hey, what is the plan for dinner?

Silas: "Mmm, we can pick something up from here"

We make our way to some stalls, they were selling all kinds of meat and produce as Silas approaches the woman at one of the stalls, noticing that she has strange wolf like ears. My eyes wander as I look around where we were, seeing all different kinds of shops and buildings whilst staying close to Silas, the wind blowing through my platinum hair where my eyes stop at a building that looked unique from the rest.

Kaede: "Silas, what's that"

Silas: "Ah, that's the guild. It's actually the place where I was contracted to look for that carriage you were in a month ago. Basically it's a kingdoms way of hiring people to tackle jobs for them without needing to deal with themselves, kind of like mercenaries."

Kaede: "I. See"

So that's how Silas had found me back then. "Guild." Silas finishes talking with the woman as he is now carrying bags of food as I stare out to the guild.

Silas: "You're a bit too young to be an adventurer haha. One day."

As we walk around the town, I notice a woman with long red hair coming out of a clothing store, almost exactly like Yui's. "Yui..." I could feel my chest tighten as my legs find themselves running from Silas' side towards the woman before stopping moments later. A man stepped out after her, her arm now rapped around his as they walked off together. That cant be her.

Silas: "Hey, where were you going? We came in this way"

Kaede: "Ah, sorry!"

My chest was still tight from seeing someone who resembled Yui, but that can't of been her... Unless she also changed and started liking guys? If that was her then there is no way she would remember me.

Walking back to our house, we make our way inside as Silas start making preparations for dinner, my stomach churning inside as I felt like I was starving before making my way to my room. "What is happening?" I think to myself as I clench onto the bed sheets holding onto my stomach, my body feeling frail as sweat starts streaming down my face. My breathing now becoming more rapid as I could feel my heart start to beat out of my chest. "I'm scared."

I don't know how long I was like that. My body still contorted as I struggle to even move my body, my stomach growling even louder when suddenly, I could sense the smell of food.

The pain of my stomach had gone as I find myself making my way out of the room towards the smell. Silas was making some kind of stew as the smell was delicious, but my eyes were not staring at the food, but...

Silas: "Ah Kaede, you feeling okay? Your face is-"

He turned around before stopping his sentence, looking straight at me; he looked quite afraid for some reason. Suddenly my body moved on its own as if driven my instinct, extending my arm up before seeing his body go limp as if he was paralyzed, falling to the ground as my body pounces on top of him.

"What am I doing?" I panic to myself, but my body continues to move on its own as I drive my teeth into his neck, the taste of blood filling my mouth as I drive my fingers through his shirt into his chest, blood now soaking his clothes. The taste of blood was far better than anything I had tasted before as I found myself unable to stop myself. Sucking away at his neck filling my mouth with more and more of his blood, gulping down every drop while his body remained motionless, not even letting out any sounds of pain with his eyes wide open in shock. It felt impossible to stop myself as I continued to suck his blood until his body was empty, taking out my fingers from within his chest.

Kaede: "W-what have a I done..."

Coming to my senses I look at Silas' body in front of me, blood was not coming out from him as I look at my fingers. My nails were pointed to a sharp point, covered in blood as I went to lick them clean, the taste of blood soothing my anxiety before realizing that my teethe felt. Strange.

Running to my room, I look in the mirror in a panicked state. My eyes were bright red, almost glowing as I go to open my mouth where I see the change. "I have fangs... Am I..." I look down at my fingers, my nails still sharp to a point. Suddenly after moments pass as I try to calm myself down, my nails return to normal, along with my teeth. I remember stories back home of people sucking blood, but I didn't want to believe it. I didn't want to believe I had become a monster... A Vampire.