Awakening the Blood

Lucian studied Damian for a long moment, as if measuring his resolve. Then, without another word, he turned and walked deeper into the alley.

Damian hesitated only for a second before following.

The city's glow faded behind them, replaced by the eerie silence of the abandoned district. Crumbling buildings loomed on either side, their windows dark and hollow like watchful eyes.

Lucian moved with purpose, his steps silent against the cracked pavement. Damian struggled to match his pace, the night air thick with unspoken tension.

After what felt like forever, Lucian finally stopped in front of a rusted metal door.

He placed a hand against it. A whisper of movement. The door unlocked itself.

Damian stiffened.

"How did you—?"

Lucian glanced at him. "You'll learn soon enough."

Without waiting for a response, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Damian hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But he had made his choice.

With a deep breath, he followed Lucian into the darkness.

Inside, the air was thick with the scent of dust and something older. The room was dimly lit, lined with stone walls that looked centuries out of place.

Damian's eyes adjusted quickly, faster than they should have.

A part of him knew—it was beginning.

Lucian moved to the center of the room, where a single wooden table stood. He gestured for Damian to sit.

Damian did.

Lucian pulled a small silver blade from his coat and placed it on the table. The metal gleamed, reflecting the flickering candlelight.

"What is this?" Damian asked.

Lucian's expression was unreadable. "A test."

Damian frowned. "What kind of test?"

Lucian exhaled, leaning forward. "Your blood is awakening. But it is still chained. Right now, you are stuck between two worlds—human and vampire."

Damian swallowed hard. "And?"

Lucian tapped the blade. "To move forward, you must embrace what you are."

Something in his tone made Damian uneasy. "What do you mean?"

Lucian's gaze locked onto his.

"You must drink your own blood."

Silence.

Damian's breath caught in his throat. "You're kidding."

Lucian didn't blink. "I'm not."

Damian stared at the blade, unease twisting in his gut.

"This is insane," he muttered. "How is this supposed to help me?"

Lucian leaned back. "Because your transformation won't happen through words, Damian. Your instincts must be awakened."

His voice lowered.

"Once you taste your own blood… there is no turning back."

A chill ran through Damian's spine.

He didn't want this.

Didn't want to cross that line.

But he had already made his choice.

Run and die human… or fight and become something else.

His hands trembled as he reached for the blade.

The cold metal bit into his palm as he gripped it tight.

A deep breath.

Then—

He pressed the blade against his skin and sliced.

Pain flared.

Dark red welled up from the wound, pooling in his palm. The scent hit him instantly.

Rich. Heavy. All-consuming.

His pulse pounded. His throat went dry.

Lucian's voice was barely a whisper.

"Drink, Damian."

The hunger rose. Fierce. Unrelenting.

Damian's breath came in short gasps.

His body wanted it.

Fought against him for control.

His hand trembled as he brought it closer. The scent filled his nostrils, calling to something inside him.

Something ancient.

His lips parted.

Then—

He drank.

The moment his blood touched his tongue, the world exploded.

Heat surged through his veins, burning like fire and ice at the same time. His heartbeat slowed. His vision sharpened, every detail in the dim room suddenly crystal clear.

Then came the power.

A deep, primal awakening that tore through his very being.

His senses expanded. He could hear the flicker of candle flames, the shift of Lucian's breath, the distant hum of the city beyond the walls.

And beneath it all—

The hunger.

It roared inside him, no longer a whisper but a demand.

His fingers dug into the wooden table. His body ached with the need for more.

Lucian watched him carefully. "Good," he murmured. "You feel it now, don't you?"

Damian's head snapped up. His breath came in ragged gasps.

His teeth—aching, changing.

His entire body humming with new energy.

His vision flickered between light and dark.

Lucian's eyes gleamed.

"Welcome to the beginning, Damian."