Testing

Vesper slowly awoke in his bed feeling more refreshed than ever, he sat up and noticed the figure that had put him to sleep leaning by his room door, with a sly smile that was up to no good. 

'Well at least one of us is in top form.' Cassius remarked. 'I don't believe we've been formally introduced I'm Cassius Crimson the founding member of the Crimson family.' He said as he leant off from the wall.

The disbelief in Vesper's face was evident as everyone in the Crimson family knew of the name Cassius Crimson, it was one of the first ancestors that were taught to them as children. Stories of him were passed down history as fables of the family's glorious past. What shocked Vesper more was how he summoned the strongest ancestor in his family, he was only a child and a defective member to add. 

'Come Vesper let us test your newfound strength, I also need a release.' Cassius ushered the boy over as he walked to the next room down.

Vesper was too busy fan boying over the fact that Cassius knew his name, that he only just realised his facial expression the whole time. Vesper leapt out of bed to follow Cassius who made his way to the testing room.

This was used by the Crimson family members after every ritual to test their newfound strength. Although upon entering it was apparent that this was used more as a daily training hall, the hard work that Estefan was referring to about Vesper was obvious in the equipment's wear and tear. As much as it was a great showcase of how much Vesper had achieved on his own, it was a sad reflection of the Crimson family's decline.

Cassius walked to the centre of the hall and turned to face Vesper 'Shall we start with endurance first?' He explained, noticing that Estefan had found his way to the side as a spectator.

'Endurance?' Vesper couldn't even finish his thought before a crushing wave of aura forced him flat to the ground. Any human caught up in this energy would have had their bones crushed, reduced to a pile of mincemeat. Estefan stayed standing composed thankful he had moved Esme far away.

Vesper struggled under the extreme weight, he forced his hands to push himself up in defiance. Through sheer will power he was able to position himself on one knee before his body gave in and fell to the ground once more.

'Use your aura to push me back boy!' Cassius shouted.

'I'm afraid the young lord has yet to master releasing his own aura Sire.' Estefan explained from the side-lines.

Cassius sighed brushing his hair back 'Have we become so weak that we don't even know how to release our aura? This is ridiculous WE ARE THE CRIMSON FAMILY!' He exclaimed increasing his energy, causing Vesper to cough out some blood.

Vesper let out a roar frustrated at his own failure, remembering how all his classmates had already mastered the use of aura. This was the case for most vampires his age, but Vesper seemed to always fall behind, and Estefan not being of Crimson blood was limited in how he could help him.

'Fight back boy! If you have no confidence in yourself, BELIEVE IN MY BLOOD YOU INGESTED! Cassius shouted.

Vesper continued to roar imploring every bone, every cell in his body to go above and beyond to push past his limit.

'REMEMBER THE FEELING OF POWER YOU WERE SO FULL OF BEFORE!' Cassius continued to motivate Vesper.

Estefan clenched his fist internally cheering for his young lord.

Vesper recalled the ecstatic high he felt when kicking Estefan the day before, he knew he dealt damage. Vespers eyes began to glow blood red, his fangs grew slightly, and nails hardened as he found himself advance to a crouched standing position. It was taking all of his strength to stay on his feet, but he was standing nevertheless.

Proud of himself Vesper smiled smugly at Cassius.

Estefan's face was pleasantly surprised not because Vesper was able to withstand Cassius' pressure but because he was emitting his own aura. Granted it was clearly not yet mastered, but in one session with someone of his own blood Vesper was able to conquer something holding him back for so long. He was indeed a genius, Vesper just hadn't realised it himself yet.

'Well done boy, you've just discovered your own aura.' Cassius gave him a small clap.

Vesper did feel stronger, but he didn't notice his own aura encompassing his body, it felt solid like he was wearing armour giving him a sense of security. Gaining confidence, he lunged towards Cassius throwing his right hand for a punch to the face.

'Seems like we are moving on to close combat.' Cassius commented while catching Vesper's fist head on. Using his momentum Vesper twisted his body mid-air to release himself throwing a kick to Cassius left side.

Bouncing off, he propelled himself using Cassius' block and threw his hardened nails towards Cassius' face.

Cassius leaned back ever so slightly tracking the boy's movement with his crimson eyes. 'You have very good control over your hardening, I can see Estefan has taught you well' he glances over in Estefan's direction to the right.

Noticing this Vesper used his diverted attention to lunge up focusing his strength on his left leg, which in turn subconsciously concentrated his aura, aiming for a kick to Cassius' blind side.

However, on impact this was halted by Cassius' right hand. 'I have no blind side, boy.' Cassius tilted his head as a warning and his nails began to grow to capture the boy, sensing this Vesper windmilled his other leg to escape and pull back.

'Good, you are already learning how to use your aura well.' He complimented 'Lets test your power, you get one chance. I will not move nor block your attempt, unleash your strongest self.'

Vesper trying to remember the same feeling as earlier when he concentrated his aura, focused and condensed it tighter gathering all his strength in his legs. The floor beneath him began to crack under the pressure.

'Aim for the second left rib cage just below where a human heart would be located.' Estefan interjected.

'Someone is holding a grudge I see…' Cassius smiles in Estefan's direction.

Vesper heard this and assumed it was an old wound that was incapable of healing and without giving Cassius a moment to finish his sentence he propelled himself forward using quick step to increase his explosiveness and finally managed to land a blow. The sound that erupted echoed throughout the entire mansion.

A slight pause. The entire room fell silent for a second that seemed to drag for much longer.

Vesper's hairs stood in fear and told him to retreat, listening to his instinct he took several steps all the way to the back of the hall.

Cassius flicked his head in Vesper's direction with an animalistic look and eyes wide full of pure adrenaline.

'EXCELLENT BOY! This one has much potential, now that we've warmed up…' Cassius laughed as he leapt towards Vesper decreasing the distance in mere seconds, and delivered a back handed slap that sent the young lord crashing into the wall.

'Estefan!' Cassius shouted.

Knowing exactly what his master wanted Estefan taunted Vesper. 'Yes he does however, if it wasn't for the young lord's small stature, he may have been able to last longer.' Estefan knew exactly what buttons to push.

'You're right Ha Ha! He doesn't look a day over a decade!' Cassius continued to press Vesper clasping his head from above one handed, and throwing him like a rag doll to the other side of the hall crashing into another wall. This time it crumbled, and the debris fell on top of him.

'Will the future Crimson family leader be mistaken for an Imp, rather than a Vampire?!' Cassius eagerly looked in Vesper's direction sensing he had finally pushed him over the edge.

Vesper exploded from the rubble in a state that Estefan had never seen on the young lord before, in a fit of rage Vesper had lost control and flung himself at Cassius slashing at every opportunity he had. His speed had increased and although Cassius was still dodging with ease, he noticed a release of pheromones similar to that of a berserker. As a final resort Vesper gathered all his might for a final blow and quick stepped with speed that was faster than even Estefan expected.

Surprised by this Estefan looked to Cassius who had the biggest grin on his face. 'Well done boy.' He said in a pleased tone before catching an exasperated Vesper who had used all his energy.

Although Vesper's stamina had depleted that final move was something fit for a future family head and Estefan grew excited at the prospects this would bring.