The Hunt Begins: Strength and Shadows

Lucian stood in the middle of a dark, empty street. The cold wind brushed against his skin, but he didn't shiver. He didn't feel the chill the way humans did anymore. The hunger inside him had returned, a dull ache in his throat. He clenched his fists, trying to ignore it.

Viktor stood beside him, watching him with his golden eyes. "Tonight, you hunt."

Lucian swallowed hard. "I already fed once. Do I really have to do this again?"

Viktor smirked. "Yes. You are still weak. You need to feed regularly until your body stabilizes. Besides, you must learn how to hunt properly."

Lucian shifted uncomfortably. The memory of his first feeding still haunted him. The way the man's heartbeat had slowed, how powerless he had felt afterward. He didn't want to feel that again.

Viktor sighed. "You hesitate too much. If you don't learn to hunt, you will starve. And a starving vampire is a dangerous one."

Lucian clenched his jaw. "Fine. What do I do?"

Lesson One: Choosing a Target

Viktor gestured toward the street ahead. "The city is full of people. But you must be careful who you feed on. If someone important disappears, people ask questions. If you drain someone in public, someone might see. You must choose your target wisely."

Lucian's eyes scanned the area. A few people walked along the sidewalks—some heading home from work, others lost in their own worlds.

"Look for someone alone," Viktor instructed. "Someone who won't be missed right away."

Lucian's stomach twisted. "That sounds… wrong."

Viktor chuckled. "It is survival. Would you rather feed on an innocent child or an armed criminal?"

Lucian's fists tightened. "I'd rather not feed at all."

Viktor's smirk faded. "Then you will die."

Lucian exhaled slowly. He knew Viktor was right. Like it or not, he needed blood.

Lesson Two: The Approach

Lucian spotted a man walking alone in a side alley. He looked rough—dirty clothes, shaking hands, eyes darting around nervously. A drug addict, maybe.

Viktor followed Lucian's gaze. "Good. He is alone. He is weak. He will not fight back."

Lucian felt disgusted with himself, but he moved forward. His body felt lighter, faster. He reached the man in seconds.

The man looked up, startled. "Hey, what—"

Lucian grabbed his shoulder gently. His voice came out smooth, almost hypnotic. "It's okay. Just relax."

The man's eyes glazed over. His body slumped slightly. He wasn't fully aware anymore.

Viktor smirked. "Good. The power of suggestion. Some vampires have a gift for it. Looks like you do, too."

Lucian blinked. "I… I didn't even try."

"It's instinct," Viktor said. "Now, feed."

Lesson Three: Control

Lucian's fangs ached. The scent of blood filled his nose. He leaned in and bit down, his fangs piercing the man's neck. Warm blood rushed into his mouth, and the hunger inside him disappeared instantly.

He drank… but he was careful this time. He listened to Viktor's words. Do not kill. Take only what you need.

After a few seconds, Lucian forced himself to stop. He pulled back, breathing heavily. The man groaned softly before slumping against the wall, unconscious but alive.

Viktor nodded in approval. "Better. You did not let the hunger control you."

Lucian wiped his mouth, his hands shaking. "I feel… stronger."

"You will," Viktor said. "Blood is power for us."

Lucian looked down at his hands. He could feel the energy coursing through his body. It was terrifying… but also thrilling.

"Tomorrow," Viktor said, turning away, "we move on to the real training."

Lucian frowned. "This wasn't real?"

Viktor grinned. "No. Tonight was just the beginning. You have much more to learn… and much worse to face."

Lucian watched Viktor disappear into the night, his mind racing. He was

no longer human. He was a predator now.

And the hunt had only just begun.

STRENGTH AND SHADOWS

Lucian woke up in darkness.

For a moment, panic gripped him—his human instincts reacting to the absence of light. But then he remembered. He didn't need light. He could see perfectly in the dark. His new eyes adjusted quickly, revealing the old wooden walls of Viktor's safe house.

He sat up, feeling… different. Stronger. His body no longer ached with hunger. The blood he had taken last night still fueled him.

Viktor stood near the door, watching him. "Good. You are awake."

Lucian frowned. "Do vampires even need sleep?"

"Not like humans," Viktor replied. "We rest to regain energy, but we do not dream. And we do not need as much sleep as before."

Lucian stretched his arms. His body felt light, fast. "So… what's next?"

Viktor smirked. "Now, we test your strength."

Lesson One: The Power Within

Viktor led Lucian to an abandoned warehouse at the edge of the city. The building was empty, filled with broken furniture and rusted metal beams. Moonlight streamed through shattered windows.

"Last night, you learned how to hunt," Viktor said. "Now, you learn what your body can truly do."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "What does that mean?"

Viktor pointed at a large, rusted metal door on the far side of the warehouse. "Go open that door."

Lucian frowned but walked toward it. He gripped the handle and pulled. The door barely moved. He tried again, using more force. It creaked, but it was still too heavy.

Viktor sighed. "You are still thinking like a human."

Lucian turned to him. "Then how am I supposed to do it?"

Viktor appeared beside him in a blink, moving faster than Lucian's eyes could track. "Your strength is not in your muscles. It is in your nature. Do not try to lift the door. Command it to move."

Lucian took a deep breath, placed both hands on the door, and stopped thinking. He let his body act on its own.

CRASH!

The door ripped from its hinges, slamming onto the ground with a deafening bang. Dust filled the air.

Lucian staggered back, shocked. "I… I didn't even try that hard."

Viktor smirked. "Exactly. You are strong. But strength is only useful if you can control it."

Lesson Two: Speed and Shadows

Viktor stepped away, his golden eyes gleaming. "Now, let's see how fast you are."

Lucian tensed. "What do you mean?"

Viktor's smirk widened. "Catch me."

Before Lucian could react, Viktor was gone—a blur of movement. Lucian's eyes darted around the warehouse, trying to track him. He could hear the faintest footsteps, feel the air shift slightly as Viktor moved.

Trust your instincts.

Lucian took off, his body moving faster than ever before. The world blurred around him. He weaved between old crates, leaping over broken furniture with ease.

Then—he saw it. A flicker of motion to his right.

He turned sharply, reaching out—

But his hands grasped nothing but air. Viktor appeared behind him, chuckling. "Close, but not close enough."

Lucian growled. "You're cheating."

Viktor laughed. "No. I am simply better."

Lucian clenched his fists. He focused. This time, he didn't just look for Viktor—he listened. He felt. The air shifted again, a faint whisper of movement behind him.

Lucian spun—fast. His hand shot out—

And this time, he caught Viktor's wrist.

Viktor raised an eyebrow. "Impressive."

Lucian grinned. "Told you."

Viktor pulled his arm free and stepped back. "You are learning. But speed is not just about running. It is about knowing when to move… and when to disappear."

Lucian frowned. "Disappear?"

Viktor gestured to the shadows in the corner of the warehouse. "Step into the darkness."

Lucian hesitated but did as he was told. The shadows wrapped around him, cool and silent.

"Now," Viktor said, "think about becoming part of them. Feel the darkness. Let it take you."

Lucian closed his eyes. He focused. He imagined himself melting into the shadows.

And then… something changed.

When he opened his eyes, everything felt different. The air was still. His body felt weightless. Viktor was looking around, his expression amused.

"Good," Viktor said. "You are hiding."

Lucian blinked. "I… what?"

Viktor chuckled. "You blended into the shadows. That is one of our gifts. The ability to disappear when needed."

Lucian stepped forward, and suddenly, he was visible again. His mind raced. "That… that was incredible."

Viktor nodded. "Now you see. Strength and speed mean nothing if you cannot also become the night itself."

Lucian looked at his hands. Just days ago, he had been a normal man. Now, he was something else. Something more.

Viktor smirked. "Tomorrow, we begin the real tests."

Lucian raised an eyebrow. "You keep saying that. What's next?"

Viktor's eyes gleamed in the darkness. "Combat."

Lucian exhaled. He had a feeling tomorrow was going to hurt.

To be continued…