The Bloodhound

The night air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and dying embers.

Viole sat near the campfire, staring into the flames, his fingers curled loosely around the hilt of a borrowed sword. His katana was still broken. His body still ached. But more than anything, his mind felt wrong.

Like something inside him was pulling away.

Like something wasn't fully his anymore.

Ha-eun sat across from him, watching him carefully. "You still look like hell."

Kairos, leaning against a tree, smirked. "He always looks like hell."

Viole barely heard them. His chest felt tight, his heartbeat off-rhythm.

Something was coming.

Something inside him.

Azael spoke first. "You feel it, don't you?"

Viole's fingers tensed. "Feel what?"

"Separation."*

And then—

Pain.

A sharp, twisting sensation tore through Viole's body, like something ripping away from his very soul. He gasped, doubling over, his vision blurring.

Then—

The shadows around him twisted.

A shape emerged from the darkness, solidifying, growing larger.

It landed on all fours.

A low, guttural growl filled the air.

The creature's fur was pitch-black, its red eyes burning like embers. Its fangs gleamed under the firelight, saliva dripping from its maw.

A Bloodhound.

Noctis had taken form.

Ha-eun shot up, hand on her blade. "What the hell—?"

Kairos went rigid. "Viole… tell me that's not what I think it is."

But Viole was just as shocked as they were.

Noctis—his own shadow, his own other half—stood before him in a body of muscle and claws.

Azael's eyes darkened. "He's manifesting."*

Viole swallowed hard, pushing himself up. "Noctis…"

The Bloodhound turned to face him, eyes glowing brighter.

Then, without warning, Noctis lunged.

Not at them.

At Viole.

The force of the impact sent Viole crashing onto his back, Noctis towering over him, fangs bared—

But he didn't bite.

He just… stared.

The red in Noctis' eyes swirled, his mouth opening as if to speak—

But only a low, guttural snarl came out.

Ha-eun took a step forward. "Viole—"

"Wait."

Viole's breathing was uneven, his heartbeat racing, but—

He understood.

Noctis was trying to speak.

But in this form—he couldn't.

"You can't talk like this, can you?" Viole murmured.

Noctis's ears twitched. His claws dug into the ground. But he gave a slow, deliberate nod.

Azael observed with keen interest. "Fascinating. He's no longer just a part of you. He's independent. Physical."*

Kairos exhaled. "Great. Just what we needed. Another monster."*

Ha-eun ignored him. "What does this mean?"

Viole slowly reached up, resting a hand against Noctis' head.

For the first time—Noctis felt real.

Not a shadow. Not an echo.

Real.

"It means," Viole whispered, "we're changing."*

Noctis huffed, stepping off Viole, his massive form shifting in the flickering light. His presence was heavy, his movements too silent for something his size.

Ha-eun frowned. "Can he stay like this forever?"

Noctis shook his head once.

"So… it's temporary."*

Azael nodded. "For now. But I imagine he will become stronger."

Kairos sighed. "Perfect. A vampire wolf. Just what we needed."*

Viole stood, his gaze still locked onto Noctis.

For the first time in days, his mind felt clear.

His instincts weren't just pulling at him anymore.

They were speaking.

And for the first time—he was listening.