Fangs in the Dark

Fangs in the Dark

The alley was drenched in silence, broken only by the faint crackle of wind scraping against broken brick walls. Lucian stood in the midst of carnage, his breath heavy, the sting of fresh wounds still clinging to his flesh. Blood—human and his own—smeared his torn clothes.

The serpent tattoo on his arm pulsed with a faint crimson glow, like embers waiting to ignite. His senses were sharper than ever, but they came with a price. A deep, gnawing hunger roared within him, primal and insatiable. The taste of blood still lingered on his tongue, and the beast inside demanded more.

He fought the urge, gritting his teeth.

The vampire who had dragged him into this cursed existence leaned casually against the alley wall, a bemused smile curling his lips. His dark coat fluttered in the wind, crimson eyes gleaming like polished rubies.

"You made a mess," the vampire said, his voice smooth and cold. "But I suppose that's expected for your first night."

Lucian's gaze flicked to the bodies of the witchers sprawled across the alley floor. Their blood pooled in dark, shimmering puddles. The memory of his own hands breaking bones and ending lives clung to him like a second skin.

"I didn't ask for this," Lucian spat, his voice rough.

The vampire shrugged. "Doesn't matter. You're here now, fledgling." He stepped closer, his presence radiating an oppressive aura. "And the world is going to try to rip you apart for it."

Lucian's fists clenched. "Then I'll tear it apart first."

The vampire's smile widened. "Good. You might actually survive after all."

[New Quest Available]

Objective: Return to the Coven's Sanctuary

Reward: Bloodbound Skill Upgrade

Lucian blinked as the translucent screen flickered in his vision. His instinct was to ignore it, but the system's cold logic was impossible to shake off.

"Sanctuary?" he asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

The vampire's expression darkened. "It's a safe haven, for now. But that word is relative these days." He turned on his heel, beckoning Lucian to follow. "Come. We need to move before more witchers show up."

Lucian hesitated. The hunger gnawed at him, whispering dark temptations. He clenched his jaw, forcing the desire down. Control—he needed to maintain control.

"Fine," he muttered, falling in step behind the vampire. "But I'm not your pet."

The vampire chuckled. "You keep telling yourself that.

They moved through the twisting back alleys of the city, shadows clinging to their steps. The scent of smoke and decay filled the air, mingling with the faint pulse of distant life. Lucian's enhanced senses picked up everything—the faint scuffle of rats in the gutters, the heartbeat of a stray cat perched on a rusted fire escape, the murmur of distant conversations.

And the blood.

It was everywhere. Beneath the concrete, behind closed doors, coursing through fragile veins. His fangs ached, the beast inside him clawing to be freed.

"Focus," the vampire said without looking back. "If you lose control now, you won't make it to sanctuary."

Lucian exhaled sharply, forcing the hunger down. "You make it sound like I'm on a leash."

"You are," the vampire said flatly. "Until you learn how to tame yourself."

Lucian bit back a retort, his pride stinging. But deep down, he knew the vampire was right. He was a fledgling—barely more than a corpse walking on borrowed time.

They turned a corner, and the city seemed to fall away. The buildings grew taller, their windows dark and lifeless. A heavy fog clung to the ground, obscuring the cracked pavement.

The vampire stopped abruptly, his eyes narrowing.

Lucian tensed. "What is it?"

"We're not alone."

The fog shifted, revealing figures emerging from the shadows. Their silhouettes were lean and deadly, clad in black armor that gleamed faintly under the flickering streetlights. Witchers. Their weapons were drawn, silver blades glinting with lethal intent.

Lucian's pulse quickened. "How many?"

"Enough to make this interesting," the vampire said with a grin.

Lucian's instincts screamed at him to run, but something colder and sharper took hold. He wasn't the same weakling who had stumbled into this nightmare. The system's words echoed in his mind: Survive the Night.

"Ready?" the vampire asked, his voice edged with anticipation.

Lucian's lips curled into a savage smile. "Always."

The witchers charged.

Lucian moved without thinking, his body a blur of motion. The first hunter swung a gleaming blade at his neck, but Lucian ducked under the arc and drove his fist into the man's gut. The impact sent the witcher flying backward, his armor buckling under the force.

[Predator's Step Activated]

Lucian surged forward, his movements fluid and precise. He ducked, weaved, and struck with lethal efficiency. Blood sprayed into the air as his claws tore through flesh and armor alike.

A spear thrust toward his chest, but Lucian caught the shaft and snapped it in half. He drove the jagged end into the witcher's throat, silencing his scream.

The vampire fought beside him, a whirlwind of death and shadows. His movements were elegant and brutal, each strike calculated to kill.

"Not bad, fledgling," the vampire called over the chaos. "But you're still too slow."

Lucian snarled, his pride flaring. "Watch me."

He moved faster, his body adapting to the rhythm of the fight. The serpent tattoo on his arm blazed with crimson light, feeding him strength.

[Bloodbound Skill Progression: 50%]

The last witcher faltered, his confidence shattered. Lucian closed the distance in a heartbeat, his claws slicing through the man's armor. Blood sprayed across the pavement as the witcher crumpled to the ground.

Lucian stood over the carnage, his breath ragged. The hunger roared in triumph, but he forced it down. Control—it was a fragile thing, but he would not let it slip.

The vampire clapped him on the shoulder. "You're learning."

Lucian glared at him. "Next time, I lead."

The vampire's grin widened. "Looking forward to it."

As they continued through the fog-shrouded streets, Lucian's thoughts churned. The system had awakened something inside him, and it demanded more—more blood, more power, more control.

The road to becoming the King of Vampires was long and treacherous. But Lucian was no longer afraid.

He would rise. And nothing would stand in his way.

The night was far from over.