Into the Abyss

The night had thickened, becoming something heavier, darker. Viole couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. It was like the very city had come alive—its cobbled streets, its crumbling walls, the distant echoes of something far more dangerous than any vampire. The warning from the strange vampire echoed in his mind: Hunger never stops.

The words lingered, sharpening the unease gnawing at him. The city seemed to pulse with something beneath its surface, something ancient, and that feeling of being hunted was growing. He didn't need to look at Ha-eun to know she felt it too.

They moved cautiously now, their steps measured and quiet. The shadowy figure had disappeared too quickly, leaving behind only its cryptic words. The silence had returned, but it wasn't a comforting silence. It was a silence before a storm.

Viole glanced at Ha-eun. She was quiet, her eyes focused ahead, alert. She hadn't said much since their encounter. But she didn't need to. They both understood the weight of what was happening. Vampires weren't their only concern anymore.

"We need to find Azael," Viole said finally, breaking the silence. "They know something we don't. They've been holding back."

Ha-eun gave a sharp nod, her fingers lightly brushing the hilt of her sword. "I agree. But Azael's a wildcard. Whatever they're hiding… it could be worse than anything we've seen."

Viole clenched his fist, feeling the sting of his broken katana. It wasn't just the weapon—it was the loss of his confidence, the feeling of being unprepared. He was used to facing threats head-on, but now the stakes were too high. They weren't just fighting for survival anymore. They were fighting to uncover a truth that could shatter everything.

"Do you think this is a trap?" Viole asked, his voice lower now. "We're walking straight into something… and I can't shake the feeling that we're meant to."

Ha-eun's brow furrowed, but she said nothing for a long moment. "I don't know," she replied finally. "But I do know one thing—we don't have a choice. Whatever's coming, it's already here. And if we don't find the answers, we'll be the ones caught in its wake."

Before Viole could respond, a sound broke through the air—a low, guttural growl.

He turned sharply, reaching instinctively for his katana, but it was too late. A figure dropped from above, landing silently between them.

A vampire. This one was different—taller, broader, with an aura that made the hairs on Viole's neck stand on end. The vampire's skin was as pale as marble, eyes glowing with a sickly red light. Its fangs were longer than any Viole had seen before, but it didn't move immediately. It just stood there, watching them with an unnerving patience.

Ha-eun's hand was already on her sword, but she didn't draw it. Not yet.

Viole stepped forward, trying to mask the uncertainty creeping into his chest. "Who are you?"

The vampire smiled slowly, showing its sharp teeth. "I am the one who watches," it said, its voice cold and smooth. "The hunger is coming. And you will be its first meal."

The words sent a jolt of fear through Viole, but he held his ground. He couldn't let it show. He could feel the weight of the situation pressing in. This wasn't just an encounter—it was a message.

"You're a part of them, aren't you?" Ha-eun spoke up, her voice calm but sharp. "A part of whatever's pulling the strings in this city."

The vampire didn't answer right away. Instead, it tilted its head, considering her words. Then, it spoke again, its voice laced with amusement. "You think you know what's happening here? You don't. The hunger is a force beyond you. You are ants before the storm."

Viole could feel the tension mounting. This wasn't just about fighting—it was about survival.

"What's coming?" Viole demanded, his voice steady despite the urgency creeping through him. "What is this all for?"

The vampire's smile widened, a predatory gleam in its eyes. "It's already too late. The children are awakening. And when they do, the city will burn. You think Azael can stop it? They cannot. None of you can."

Ha-eun's sword flashed out, faster than Viole could react, slashing at the vampire with precise accuracy. But the vampire dodged easily, its movement blurring as it sidestepped the strike.

Viole moved in a blur, aiming for the vampire's side, but it was gone before he could land a blow. The vampire appeared behind them, its voice mocking.

"You cannot fight what you do not understand."

Viole whirled, trying to catch the vampire's movements, but the creature was a blur of motion—too fast, too unpredictable. It was like trying to fight a shadow.

"Then explain it to me," Viole growled, tightening his grip on the broken katana. He was done with cryptic answers. If this thing wanted a fight, it was going to get one.

The vampire chuckled, its voice rich with dark amusement. "There is no explanation for you. Only the aftermath."

And then it lunged.

Viole barely had time to react. The vampire's claws slashed at his chest, and though he tried to deflect the strike, it was too fast. The pain burned, but Viole gritted his teeth and spun, throwing his elbow into the vampire's ribs.

The creature hissed but didn't retreat. It pressed forward, relentless.

In a blur, Ha-eun was there, her sword a shining arc in the dark, and the vampire recoiled, the force of her blow finally pushing it back. It landed several feet away, a snarl escaping its lips.

"You'll regret that," the vampire hissed, its form shifting as it slinked back into the shadows.

Viole took a step forward, his breath heavy. "Next time, you won't have the chance to vanish."

Ha-eun's eyes flicked to him, but she said nothing. The tension in the air was thick, palpable.

The vampire's figure disappeared into the darkness, but its voice lingered in the silence.

"The hunger is coming. And you are not ready."

Viole stood tall, eyes narrowing as the darkness closed in around them.

"Then we'll make ourselves ready."