Chapter 2:

CHAPTER 2 - Night of Red

Bloodline Stinger


“Where am I? It’s so dark? Why is it so ominous here?” Fawr was dishevelled and on high alert. He had just blacked out and awoken in what seemed to be an endless stretch of darkness. Surprisingly despite the chaotic situation, he kept his cool through some sort of unknown confidence stemming from his being.

—I was just in my room, right? Wait, I remember now.. there was that strange gem. It sucked me in. Is this a lucid dream? Ugh, none of this is making any sense to me. I feel aware and calm, but I can’t do anything. How do I break out?

“Fawr, is it? Interesting indeed," spoke a withered silhouette, seemingly in his last moments of life.

“Who are you? Where is this?” Shouted Fawr in a frantic tone, feeling more anxious. For whatever reason, his body or blood eased up at the site of the figure. Almost as if seeing an old friend. It was a novel feeling, easing up amid an unfamiliar sight.

—Who the fuck is this guy, my sleep paralysis demon?!

Fawr was internally in dismay. The situation before him was bizarre. The guy in his mind was rambling on like some loner who finally found another kindred spirit. Fawr thought his way of talking was old-fashioned and frankly cringed at it. Even anime cosplay fanatics were not this bad. He kept a distance glancing at the odd withered figure.

“Ha-ha! In my last efforts, who would have thought that the remaining half of the inheritance had found its other self? Is this the decree of the heavens, or rather the decree of hell? Boy, you have no idea how immensely your destiny has changed," blabbered on the withered stick.

“Quick, sign a contract with me before the legacy reconnects! Otherwise, anything foreign will be cleansed. I have much to teach you," said the man, bringing out a torn parchment that oozed a sense of ancient allure. Fawr was contemplative of the weird situation.

—Even though he gives a comforting feeling, I can’t be led astray. Nothing is making sense, and he has the initiative. I need to ask the questions!

“No, first explain why this is happening to me. Who are you, and what do you want from me?” questioned Fawr in a contemplative tone. Although the existence in his mind looked odd and somewhat eerie, he felt a cool confidence wash over him, keeping him from freaking out as one would expect.

“Easy now, child, there is quite a lot to explain. Let me begin with myself. I am Tian Tyrantis Draconis, one of the few surviving members of the Dark Scarlet Kingdom. Let me explain; the Dark Scarlet Kingdom is a kingdom of vampires, an ancient one," Explained Tian.

“Now, before you say anything, this relates to you in more ways than you can imagine. I think you can tell that this is an opportunity of a lifetime. Your ‘blood’ within you is screaming in joy. I know it is, but only I can help you control this power. You are, at the moment, just a lonely drop of blood in the boundless ocean known as the universe. I can guide you!”

Despite the explanation being seemingly iffy, Fawr can’t dismiss the fact that his body was oozing out confidence within him that he had never felt before. The blood in his veins rushed at high speeds, hastening his breathing and bodily functions. All sorts of bodily chemicals, such as adrenaline and dopamine, were soaking through his system. His bloodline was cheering him on earnestly and causing his mind to feel at ease.

“FUCK IT!”

With a quick snatch, Fawr analysed the document. Being a bookworm had caused him to scrutinise every small text he came across. The stimulant boost seemingly caused his eyes to zigzag at unimaginable speeds. This caused Tian to sweat as a foreboding feeling crept at him. Fawr was an outright penny pincher, resulting in him reading every fine detail of anything he ever signed. I must read everything. Who knows what hidden clauses are in this? If it weren’t for my blood going crazy, I wouldn’t have taken any of this seriously. Wait, this line seems odd. The pale man stood there in a panic as he noticed Fawr’s contemplative look. The pendant around the boy would not hold after some time, and he was there reading all the bloody fine print? You could practically see the bloodshot eyes bulging out of his skull.

“Hang on, here on line 134, it states that I can be regarded as a vessel that may open up in times of great danger. Doesn’t this make me susceptible to my body being possessed by you when I am injured? Could you explain the meaning of this? You thought you could hide this and pull a fast one on me, you old conniving bastard?” Spouted out Fawr, with full knowledge that he couldn’t lose after noticing the slight change in the man’s expression.

“I know a lot about this legacy! Let me amend the document. Just promise that you will seek vengeance for me. I have had my hardships, but this is my only chance to set things straight with those that have wronged me. Give me that small opportunity, and I will serve you in life and death for eternity. Just repeat the lines at the end to finalise the contract," The withered thing was fading as he changed the terms.

Tian snatched the document and amended it on the spot. Fawr was watching everything just in case this old fox was up to anything. After a short while, the parchment was thoroughly scrutinised. Fawr was content with the contract, and it didn’t seem like he would lose anything from it. Instead, it looked like Tian was gambling his life away to him, a seemingly weak student.

“Alright, let’s see um… I… as… the… Bloodline inheritor? Forever bind Tian Tyrantis Draconis to me and bestow him the right to serve the 471st Emperor of the Eternal Scarlet Empire of the Immortal Blood Moon. I, Fawr Vayce, shall take him as my mentor and guardian of the highest standing. He must swear his utmost loyalty while I pledge to fulfil his lifelong wish," As Fawr spoke, he couldn’t control himself completing the contract. He heaved a sigh of relief that he didn’t fall for this old man’s tricks.

Suddenly just as the contract was completed, the blood on Fawr’s face drained. The old man quickly assumed a sitting posture, cross-legged. He was recovering, and after a short while, that wrinkly face turned smooth and delicate like a gem. The face exuded a royal disposition. On the other hand, Fawr was squirming, his bloodline was changing and clashing, and the legacy of light and dark mingled and fought. Surprisingly the bloodline within Fawr did not give up; it held positive energy but seemingly from the same source as the dark presence. The bloodlines, although similar to twins, needed time to merge. The gems had finally merged, forming a small 3x3 cube, symbols on each square brimming with energy.

“How interesting, the legacy forever said to be split, found each other in these boys’ hands. Who would have thought a descendant of the Light Scarlet Dynasty would be out here in such a backwater place? My Dark Scarlet Kingdom’s fate will be to guide this lad. However, this is fortune from misfortune. The legacy that had split due to the demise of the Eternal Scarlet Empire will finally be whole again. I will finally witness its rise. I am eager to see how much stronger our legacies are together after being apart for over ten thousand years," thought Tian as he resigned to his fate. He was now a follower of Fawr in life and death, but he was not sad. He was ecstatic. His fate was almost at an end. Miraculously, fate had given him another chance, and with a smirk, he closed his eyes.

**Smack**

“Old man, wake up. You are not allowed to take a nice nap after almost killing me,” shouted Fawr with a stern expression that gave away a hint of his excitement.

“Don’t think of sleeping before you explain yourself. We have a unique connection now. I heard your thoughts, although they were slightly blurry. This gem is now connecting us. You can’t fool me anymore," With a smirk, he sat down in a similar posture as Tian and prepared to have a face-to-face. If it weren’t for the heavy atmosphere, you would think they were best friends having a lovely chat about their lives.

*Slump*

His body had other plans, and the whole process took a toll on his mind. The mental fatigue kicked in as his thoughts calmed down, and Fawr was knocked out cold. Tian snorted slightly but quickly stepped away, letting Fawr rest while he also got some sleep.