Chapter 10

No PoV.

Akrūra's head throbbed as he forced his eyes open. The cold bite of metal around his wrists sent a sharp discomfort through his arms, and it took him a moment to realize he was chained to a stone wall. The dim flickering light of torches barely illuminated the cramped, damp tent room around him.

To his left, Shigure and Tsukiko were also bound, their wrists shackled in heavy iron restraints.

Shigure was the first to notice him. Her blue eyes flickered toward him, unreadable. "Oh, you're awake," she muttered.

Tsukiko gave him a glance as well, her usual calm demeanor replaced by quiet unease.

Akrūra tugged at the chains experimentally, the metal clanking against the stone. His golden eyes sharpened as he turned toward Shigure.

"Why are we chained up?" he asked, his voice low but demanding.

Shigure exhaled, leaning her head back against the wall. "The guards said the three of us… destroyed Drachenheim and killed many people."

Akrūra's breath hitched.

For a moment, silence filled the room, thick and suffocating.

Destroyed Drachenheim? Killed many people?

His mind struggled to process those words.

Tsukiko's voice was barely above a whisper. "But… that doesn't make sense."

Akrūra's jaw tightened. His memories were hazy, but he knew one thing for certain—they hadn't done anything like that.

Something was wrong.

Terribly wrong.

Akrūra's thoughts spiraled as he tried to piece together the situation. His wrists ached against the cold iron chains, and the words "destroyed Drachenheim" echoed relentlessly in his mind.

How?

Why?

Before he could think any further, a voice suddenly echoed through the room—a woman's voice, smooth yet commanding, filled with an air of regality.

"I suppose it's time you knew the truth."

Akrūra stiffened. His eyes snapped toward Shigure, whose expression darkened as she exhaled sharply.

"You heard that too, right?" Shigure muttered.

Before either of them could respond, the voice spoke again—strong, unwavering.

"I am Mary. And yes, you are correct to be confused. The three of you did not destroy Drachenheim of your own will."

Akrūra's breath hitched. His fingers curled into fists. "Then who did?"

There was a brief silence.

Then, another voice—a second woman, this one softer, yet carrying an unmistakable weight.

"You already know the answer."

Tsukiko's eyes widened slightly. She inhaled sharply as if she had just been doused in ice-cold water. "That voice…" she whispered.

"I am Sefiros," the voice answered, calm yet absolute. "And we—Mary, Rudra, and I—are the ones responsible for what happened that night."

Akrūra's entire body tensed. A sharp chill ran down his spine.

Then—

A third voice emerged, this time filled with irritation. Unlike the other two, it was familiar.

"Tch. Took you long enough to realize."

Akrūra's eyes narrowed. "Rudra," he muttered under his breath.

"Yes, yes, I'm here," Rudra said, his voice carrying its usual arrogance. "You're welcome, by the way. It wasn't exactly easy taking control while you were all so… unconscious."

Shigure's expression darkened. "You took control?"

"That's right," Mary confirmed. "The three of us took over your bodies. And in doing so… we fought."

Silence fell.

Akrūra's breathing slowed as realization sank in.

The destruction of Drachenheim. The deaths. The chaos.

It hadn't been them.

It had been the ones inside them.

Inside all of them.

He clenched his fists, his golden eyes burning with questions. "Then tell me…" His voice was calm, yet laced with quiet fury.

"Why?"

Akrūra's golden eyes burned with questions, his mind still processing what Rudra, Mary, and Sefiros had revealed. His body remained restrained, the cold bite of the chains against his wrists serving as a stark reminder of their current predicament.

"We took control."

That one sentence echoed in his head, over and over.

With a sharp breath, he glared into the darkness of the prison. "Then tell me, Rudra," his voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge beneath it. "Why?"

For a moment, silence filled the room.

Then, Rudra's voice responded, laced with his usual arrogance, yet carrying a weight that hadn't been there before.

"Because it was necessary."

Akrūra's fingers twitched. "Necessary?" he repeated, his tone sharp. "Explain."

Rudra scoffed, though there was something hesitant in the way he spoke. "Tch. You wouldn't understand yet. But let me make one thing clear—we weren't rampaging for no reason."

Shigure, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke. "Then what was the reason?"

Mary's voice was softer than Rudra's, but it carried an authority that made it impossible to ignore. "A conflict… long buried in history."

Akrūra frowned. "A conflict? Against who?"

"That's not something we can explain in a single conversation," Sefiros interjected, her voice carrying a tone of wisdom. "But what you need to know is that your bodies… weren't strong enough to handle us properly. If they were, perhaps things would have been different."

Tsukiko sighed, shaking her head slightly. "This doesn't answer the most important question," she said. "If you three were the ones in control, then how did we end up here? Chained up in a prison?"

A heavy silence followed her words.

Then, Sefiros finally answered. "Because someone stopped us."

Akrūra's breath hitched. "Who?"

"A warrior from Thalrithian Imperial Army ," Mary said calmly as she have search Shigure memories about the country where they live.

At that moment, Shigure's expression darkened slightly.

"He's strong," Sefiros admitted. "Perhaps not on our level, but strong enough to recognize that we were a threat."

Rudra clicked his tongue. "Tch. If this body weren't so weak, I would've crushed him."

"Then what happened?" Akrūra pressed.

"We fought," Mary answered. "And then… they subdued us."

Akrūra's mind flashed with images. A battlefield of destruction. Fires raging. The scent of blood thick in the air.

A lone figure stood amidst it all.

A tall, imposing warrior clad in black and silver, his golden eyes unwavering as he stared at them with quiet authority.

"Enough," As he had declared, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

The battle had been relentless, but ultimately, it had not been in their favor. The Elite Forces of the Thalrithian Empire, armed with sacred runes and sealing magic, had intervened.

Sacred chains, talismans inscribed with divine energy, had wrapped around their bodies. The moment those restraints touched them, their overwhelming power flickered—weakening them, rendering them unable to fight back.

Akrūra could still feel the phantom pressure of those bindings against his skin.

"They put us to sleep," Sefiros continued, her voice steady but quiet. "A powerful elven mage—I think—was the one who did it."

Tsukiko's expression remained unreadable, but she exhaled softly. "An elf, huh?"

Akrūra's mind was still reeling from the revelation, but there was one thing he understood clearly now.

They hadn't destroyed Drachenheim on their own will.

They had been used.

And now, the country see them as monsters.

His fingers curled into fists, restrained by the chains. He exhaled slowly, pushing down the frustration burning inside him.

For now, they were captured.

But this wasn't over.

Not by a long shot.

As they spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed from beyond the tent. Heavy, deliberate steps, accompanied by the faint clinking of armor.

Akrūra, Shigure, and Tsukiko all turned their attention toward the entrance.

The tent flaps parted, and a man stepped inside.

He was tall and imposing, his silver hair neatly tied back, strands of it catching the dim light of the lanterns. His golden eyes were sharp, calculating, carrying an air of quiet authority. His presence alone was suffocating, like a predator sizing up its prey.

Behind him, two armored soldiers stood at attention, their expressions unreadable beneath their helmets.

Akrūra immediately recognized the man.

The one who had stopped them. The one who had subdued them.

Felix's gaze swept across the three of them, lingering on their chains before finally settling on Akrūra. He didn't speak. He only observed, his golden eyes unreadable.

A moment of tense silence filled the space.

Then, Shigure shifted slightly, leaning toward Akrūra. Her voice was low, just above a whisper.

"Hey," she muttered, nudging him slightly. "This guy has the same hair and eye color as you."

Akrūra didn't react, still staring at Felix.

Shigure sighed dramatically before continuing, her tone edged with amusement. "Seriously, why are there so many people with silver hair and golden eyes?"

Akrūra finally turned his head slightly, giving her a deadpan look.

"How should I know?" he muttered back.

Shigure smirked at his response but said nothing more, her gaze flicking back toward Felix, who remained silent.

Then, finally, Felix spoke.

"You three…" His voice was steady, unwavering. "You're finally awake."

His tone carried neither hostility nor warmth—just calm observation, as if he was studying them.

Akrūra met his gaze without flinching.

There was no doubt about it.

This was the man who had defeated them.

And now… he was here to question them.

The air in the tent was heavy with tension. Felix stood before them, his golden eyes unreadable, his silver hair glinting under the dim lantern light. The two guards behind him remained still, their hands resting on the hilts of their weapons, ready for any sign of resistance.

Just as Felix was about to speak—

Akrūra felt a familiar cold sensation rush through his body.

His breath hitched, his pulse quickening.

Not now…

Before he could suppress it, his body trembled slightly, and then—

His silver hair began to shift, strands turning into a light blue hue, cascading like the color of a frozen lake. His golden eyes flickered, the irises darkening until they settled into a deep, violet shade.

A suffocating silence filled the room.

The guards immediately tensed, their grips tightening on their weapons. Even Felix's expression shifted, his brows furrowing slightly as he observed the sudden transformation.

Shigure sighed, leaning back against the wall with a tired look. "Tch. Lilinious again?"

Felix's gaze snapped to her. "Lilinious?" he repeated, his tone sharp.

Tsukiko, who had remained silent until now, spoke up, her voice calm but firm. "It's a disease Akrūra has," she explained, watching Felix's reaction carefully. "It causes his hair and eye color to change. This isn't something new."

Felix studied Akrūra for a moment longer before finally shifting his focus. "Hmph." He didn't seem entirely convinced, but he didn't press the matter further. Instead, he exhaled and folded his arms, his expression returning to its usual cold composure.

"Then let's get to the real question," Felix said. His golden eyes darkened, and the weight of his presence seemed to press down on the room.

"Why did you three destroyed Drachenheim?"

The accusation hung in the air like a blade, sharp and unforgiving.

Akrūra narrowed his now-violet eyes, but before he could speak, Tsukiko's voice cut through the silence.

"It wasn't us," she said plainly.

Felix's eyes flicked toward her. "Then explain," he demanded. "Who was responsible?"

Shigure glanced at Akrūra, then back at Felix. "It's complicated," she muttered.

Felix's gaze hardened. "Then make it simple."

The three of them remained silent, knowing full well that the truth wasn't something Felix would easily believe.

But one thing was clear.

They had to make him understand—or risk being treated as enemies of the empire.

A heavy silence filled the tent. Felix's golden eyes remained locked onto them, sharp and unyielding, waiting for an answer.

Akrūra clenched his jaw, his now light blue hair falling slightly over his violet eyes. He hated this situation—being forced to explain something they weren't even sure Felix would believe.

And then—

A familiar voice echoed in Tsukiko's mind, calm yet commanding.

"Lie to him."

Tsukiko's expression didn't change, but she immediately recognized the voice—Sefiros.

"Tell him it was a demon. A powerful one."

"What?" Tsukiko questioned internally.

"You heard me," Sefiros said, unfazed. "If you tell him the truth, he won't believe you. But a demon? That's something they'd expect. Use the name of the one from your past."

Tsukiko hesitated for only a second before she sighed and looked at Felix. "A demon controlled us," she said, her voice even. "That's why Drachenheim was destroyed."

Felix's expression remained unreadable. "A demon?" he repeated, his tone skeptical.

"Yes," Tsukiko continued. "We heard his name from Father Alfred when we were young. His name is Asmodai."

The moment she said the name, she could feel Shigure stiffen slightly beside her.

Meanwhile, Shigure sighed internally, shifting slightly against the tent wall.

Sorry, Mr. Demon, she thought to herself. We're throwing your name under the carriage for this one.

Akrūra didn't react visibly, but he immediately understood what Tsukiko was doing.

Felix, however, narrowed his eyes slightly. "Asmodai," he repeated, tasting the name like he was testing its weight.

The two guards behind him exchanged looks, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. It was clear that the name was known—or at the very least, it carried weight.

Felix studied them for a moment longer before speaking again. "You're claiming that a demon possessed you? And that's why you destroyed an entire town?"

Tsukiko met his gaze without hesitation. "Yes."

Felix exhaled slowly, his eyes flickering between the three of them. The tension in the tent grew heavier.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he spoke.

"If what you're saying is true… then you'll have to prove it."

Akrūra's fists tightened slightly. Prove it ?

Felix turned to the guards behind him. "Bring in Father Alfred."

The guards nodded before swiftly exiting the tent, leaving behind a suffocating silence.

Akrūra, Shigure, and Tsukiko exchanged glances.

Things were getting even more complicated.

And there was no turning back now.

The tent remained silent, save for the distant murmuring of soldiers outside. Akrūra, Tsukiko, and Shigure remained shackled against the cold stone wall, their minds racing.

Felix's golden eyes stayed locked onto them, scrutinizing every word, every movement. The tension in the air was suffocating.

Then, the tent flaps rustled, and the two guards returned.

Behind them, a man stepped forward—Father Alfred.

He looked exhausted, his light blonde hair slightly disheveled, and his silver eyes dulled from fatigue. His face bore fresh wounds, bandages wrapped tightly around his arm and across his temple. He moved carefully, his steps slow, but his expression remained composed.

Despite his injuries, there was no mistaking the relief that flickered in his gaze the moment he saw them.

"Akrūra… Tsukiko… Shigure," he murmured, his voice hoarse but gentle.

Shigure glanced at him, and for a moment, something almost like guilt flickered in her eyes. Did I do that to him…?

Felix turned his attention to Father Alfred, his expression unreadable. "You know them."

Father Alfred nodded. "I was one of the people who took care of them at the orphanage," he confirmed. His voice was steady, but his injuries made his exhaustion evident.

Felix's gaze sharpened. "Then tell me, Father Alfred. Is what they claim true? Were they controlled by a demon named Asmodai?"

A heavy silence filled the tent.

Akrūra, Tsukiko, and Shigure all remained still, waiting for the priest's answer.

Father Alfred took a slow breath.

Then, without hesitation—

"Yes," he said, his voice unwavering. "It's true."

Felix's expression didn't change, but his eyes flickered with something unreadable. "You say that so confidently. But do you have any proof?"

Father Alfred hesitated, only for a brief second. "The demons attack the orphanage when they were newborns… The demon Asmodai was there that night. He marked them, left something behind within them." His voice remained calm, believable. "That corruption must have taken hold recently, and they lost control."

Akrūra exhaled slowly, keeping his face neutral. He's good at this.

Felix studied the priest carefully, as if searching for any signs of dishonesty.

After what felt like an eternity, Felix exhaled, running a hand through his silver hair. "Tch. This is a mess," he muttered.

Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze toward Shigure, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

"Is she a vampire?"

The question caught everyone off guard.

Felix gestured toward Shigure's ears—which, at some point, had become slightly pointed. A telltale trait of her vampiric nature.

Akrūra and Tsukiko instinctively turned to Shigure, who blinked in mild surprise.

"Eh?" Shigure tilted her head slightly, reaching up to feel her ears.

Felix's gaze remained firm. "I know what I'm looking at," he said flatly. "Her ears changed shape. That only happens with certain races—vampires being one of them."

Akrūra fought the urge to sigh. Great. Another problem.

Shigure, however, merely grinned, unbothered by the accusation. "And if I am?" she asked, her crimson eye glinting slightly.

Felix didn't react. "Then that raises even more questions."

Father Alfred immediately stepped in. "Shigure has always been different," he said quickly. "But she has never been a threat. You can see for yourself that she hasn't harmed anyone outside of… this incident."

Felix narrowed his eyes slightly, but he didn't press further. Instead, he turned away slightly, arms crossed. "This is more complicated than I thought," he admitted. "You three will remain under watch until we decide what to do with you."

Akrūra's fingers curled slightly against the chains. They had bought time… but the situation was still far from over.

Felix remained silent for a moment, deep in thought. His golden eyes lingered on Father Alfred before shifting back to the three of them, still chained against the wall.

Then, just as he turned to leave—

Grrrgle.

A loud, unmistakable rumbling sound filled the tent.

Felix paused.

The two guards behind him exchanged glances.

Akrūra's violet eyes widened slightly as he realized the sound had come from his own stomach.

Before he could process the utter humiliation, another grumble echoed from beside him.

Tsukiko.

And then—

Grrrgle.

Shigure, too.

A suffocating silence followed.

Felix slowly turned his head back toward them, an eyebrow slightly raised. "...Are you three serious?"

Shigure sighed dramatically, leaning against the wall with a tired expression. "Well, we have been chained up all day," she muttered. "Not exactly easy to grab a meal like this."

Akrūra said nothing, keeping his expression blank despite the betrayal of his own stomach.

Tsukiko simply exhaled. "...How troublesome."

Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly done with the situation. He muttered something under his breath before gesturing to one of the guards.

"Get them something to eat," he ordered.

The guard hesitated. "Sir, are you sure—?"

Felix shot him a glare.

The guard immediately straightened. "Understood, sir!" He quickly exited the tent, the second guard following close behind.

Felix exhaled, rubbing his temple as though he had lost years of his life dealing with them. Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the tent.

The moment he was gone, Shigure smirked. "Well, that went better than expected."

Akrūra gave her a blank stare. "...We just embarrassed ourselves in front of a high-ranking officer."

Shigure shrugged. "At least we're getting food."

Tsukiko sighed. "This is the first time I've been chained up and starving at the same time."

Akrūra simply closed his eyes.

This was not how he imagined his day would go.

At the Tent with Their Friends

The dim glow of lanterns flickered softly inside the large tent where the rest of their friends were gathered. The air was warm, filled with the scent of freshly cooked stew and bread. Despite the recent chaos, the tent carried an odd sense of normalcy, as if for a moment, things were just as they used to be.

Seated in a circle, Yuuka, Noah, Beatrice, Karna, Marie, Estelle, Anneliese, Luciana, and Mirai were eating together, joined by Sister Helene, Amelia, Irene, and the youngest among them—Angelika, the five-year-old girl who had grown attached to them all.

As Yuuka took another bite of her meal, a thought seemed to cross her mind.

She glanced at the others and said casually, "You know, do you think Shigure will ever drink blood in future?"

A short silence followed her question before Beatrice let out a dramatic sigh. "Really? We're talking about this while eating?"

Karna smirked. "I mean, it is a fair question. She's a vampire, after all."

Yuuka, who also happened to be a vampire, rolled her eyes. "So am I. You don't see me going around biting people."

"Yet," Marie muttered under her breath, earning a glare from Yuuka.

Angelika, the youngest of them all, tilted her head in confusion. "Big Sister Shigure drinks blood?"

"Probably not," Estelle reassured her quickly. "At least, not our blood."

Luciana chuckled. "That we know of."

Noah, who had remained quiet until now, sighed. "You guys are just making her sound more suspicious."

Mirai, who had been eating quietly, finally joined in. She took a slow sip of her tea, then set it down. "Honestly," she said, brushing a strand of silver-blue hair behind her ear, "Shigure wouldn't drink from any of us. It'd be too much of a hassle."

"That," Yuuka agreed, "and she's way too picky."

"Hey," Anneliese interrupted, her blue eyes narrowing slightly. "Shouldn't we be more concerned that Akrūra, Tsukiko, and Shigure are literally chained up in another tent right now?"

The group fell silent for a moment.

"...That's true," Noah admitted, his fox ears twitching slightly.

"Yeah," Karna muttered. "But what can we do? We're being watched."

The mood grew heavier, and for a moment, no one spoke.

Then, suddenly—

Achoo!

The loud sneeze echoed from somewhere far away.

The group blinked in confusion.

"...Was that Shigure?" Beatrice asked.

Yuuka laughed. "Probably."

Meanwhile, in the Prison Tent.

The sound of clinking chains echoed faintly in the dimly lit tent.

Shigure, Akrūra, and Tsukiko were finally eating their first proper meal since being captured.

The warmth of the stew was a welcome comfort, and despite the restraints around their wrists, they had managed to adjust enough to eat.

As Shigure swallowed another bite, her nose twitched slightly—

And then—

"Achoo!"

She sneezed suddenly, making herself flinch.

Akrūra glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "What, someone talking about you?"

Shigure wiped her nose with an annoyed expression. "Tch. Maybe."

Just then, a voice echoed in her mind.

"Of course someone's talking about you."

Shigure internally sighed.

You again.

Mary's voice was smooth as ever, her tone almost playful. "Naturally," she mused. "I do wonder what they're saying about you. Perhaps discussing your 'vampiric tendencies'?"

Shigure rolled her eyes mentally. Great. Just what I needed.

As if on cue, Akrūra smirked as he casually continued eating.

"You know," he said offhandedly, "if you ever do drink blood, just don't take mine."

Shigure slowly turned her head to look at him, setting her spoon down.

Her blue eyes gleamed slightly, an amused yet dangerous smile forming.

"I might actually kill you and drink your blood in future," she said smoothly.

Akrūra didn't even flinch. He simply stared at her, completely unbothered.

"You won't," he stated confidently.

Shigure held his gaze for a moment before shrugging and taking another bite of her food.

"Maybe," she said, her tone teasing.

At that moment, Tsukiko laughed, breaking the tension.

"Honestly," she said, leaning back slightly, "I'd pay to see that fight. But not while we're eating."

Akrūra sighed, shaking his head. "Of course you'd say that."

Shigure smirked. "At least I'd win."

For a moment, despite the chains around their wrists, despite everything that had happened—

They felt almost normal again.

Almost.

Back at the tent.

Far away, inside the tent where their friends were gathered, none of them had heard Shigure sneeze.

Instead, their conversation continued, completely unaware of what was happening in the prison tent.

Angelika, sitting beside Yuuka, looked up at her with wide eyes. "Big Sister Shigure and Big Sister Yuuka are both vampires?"

Yuuka smiled, gently patting Angelika's head. "That's right, but don't worry—we're not scary."

Angelika beamed happily, nodding. "Mhm! Big brothers and sisters are all strong!"

The others chuckled at her innocence.

But somewhere in the back of their minds, they all knew—

Shigure, Akrūra, and Tsukiko were in another tent, chained up like prisoners.

And none of them knew what would happen next.

Continue.