Humanity

As I approached the gates of the boss room, my heart hammered in my chest, a mix of anticipation and dread flooding through me. The towering doors loomed ahead, bathed in an eerie, ominous glow. Just when I thought I was ready, I saw it—the abomination standing guard.

It was massive, and grotesque, its misshapen form glowing faintly in the dim light. Spines and claws jutted out from its body, casting menacing shadows across the chamber. My breath caught in my throat as its eyes locked onto mine, burning with an intensity that sent chills down my spine. The roar that followed reverberated through the dungeon, shaking the walls.

I could feel the fear bubbling up inside, threatening to paralyze me. But I couldn't let it. I forced myself to stand tall, gripping onto my determination like a lifeline. There was no turning back now. I had to face this thing, no matter how terrifying it was. With a deep breath, I summoned the rods of energy into my hands, the effort making my fingers tremble.

Before I could make my move, a sudden noise caught my attention. From the shadows, a figure emerged, moving with quick, calculated precision—Caedes. His short sword gleamed as he charged into the fray, already engaging the abomination. For a brief moment, I hesitated. Should I rush in to help, or stay back? Could I even make a difference?

Then I remembered my promise—to meet him at the gate of the boss room. I couldn't just stand by while he fought alone. With a shaky laugh, I tried to lighten the atmosphere, "Can this rich lady join you in battle?"

Caedes didn't take his eyes off the abomination, but a wild, almost crazed expression flickered across his face. "Sure," he replied, his voice teasing but with a warning edge. "Be aware though. I'll bite you if another one of those rods hits me."

I smiled, thinking he was joking, and without hesitation, I rushed forward, my energy rods blazing with a bright, green intensity. I hurled them at the creature, focusing on its vulnerable spots. The crackling energy illuminated the chamber as I moved with newfound grace, dodging the abomination's heavy swipes and striking with precision.

Meanwhile, Caedes danced around the creature, his sword flashing as he dodged its attacks effortlessly. I couldn't help but notice the fierce intensity in his movements, his determination to bring down this abomination.

As the battle wore on, something about Caedes felt... different. There was an edge to him, a hunger in his eyes that grew with every passing moment. He fought with unmatched skill, but I could sense the tension in his body, as if something primal lurked just beneath the surface. I didn't understand it, but I could feel it—something dark and dangerous.

I pushed aside the nagging feeling and focused on the fight. Each strike of my rods connected with more precision, each attack more deliberate. We worked together, an unspoken rhythm forming between us as we wore the creature down, blow by blow.

Just as the abomination stumbled, blood spraying from a deep wound Caedes had inflicted, I saw a strange look flash across his face. His jaw clenched, his eyes darkened, and for a brief moment, it was as if he was battling something unseen—something within himself.

And then, with one final strike, the abomination collapsed, its grotesque form crumpling to the ground. The room fell silent, save for the sound of our heavy breathing. I stared at the fallen creature, disbelief washing over me. We had done it.

I glanced at Caedes, expecting a smile of relief, but what I saw instead made my stomach twist. His expression was calm, almost too calm, but there was something simmering beneath the surface, something I couldn't quite place.

"Can I dig into her neck already?" His voice echoed in my head. I froze, confusion flooding my mind. Did he really think that, or was my mind playing tricks on me? I shook it off, telling myself it was nothing. After all, we were both exhausted. I must be imagining things.

He turned to me, his usual expression of calm in place, but I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Caedes than he let on. But for now, I forced a smile, pushing my doubts aside. We had won, and that was all that mattered.

For now.

***

Caedes' POV

The abomination roared, its claws sweeping at me, but I sidestepped with ease. My sword felt like an extension of my arm, slicing through the air as I slashed at its thick hide. Yet, no matter how deeply I cut, my attention wavered elsewhere—the steady pulse of Lilith's blood.

Damn. The hunger was back.

It started like it always did: a low ache, burning in my throat, intensifying with every drop of blood I smelled. The abomination's rancid blood was disgusting, but it stirred something in me anyway.

The thirst was always there, lurking just beneath the surface, but now it was getting harder to ignore. I swallowed back the urge. I couldn't afford to let Lilith see. She didn't know. And she couldn't know.

As the abomination lashed out again, I parried its strike, using the moment to regain focus. I felt Lilith beside me, her crimson rods of energy slicing through the air as she attacked the monster.

The crackle of her energy resonated through the chamber, lighting it up in bursts. She was getting better. Less clumsy, more controlled. I could see the determination in her every move—she didn't back down, even when she stumbled. I admired that, despite myself.

But I could also hear the rush of her blood, feel the pull of it. The urge to feed clawed at me, sharper than the abomination's strikes. I hated this. Hated how weak it made me feel. I wasn't supposed to rely on blood like this. I had my storage, but when my body entered this crazed state...only drinking it through my mouth would satisfy me.

I gritted my teeth, slashing deeper into the creature, trying to shake the thought. Focus, Caedes. This thing had to die first. Then...maybe I'd find a way to deal with the rest. My mind wandered to my family—my mom, dad, and Caera.

Would they even recognize me like this? Would Caera still be throwing tantrums in front of statues? I smiled at the thought of her, so human in her complaints about the gods, wanting nothing more than to awaken a bloodline. Even now, I missed that. That humanity.

The abomination screeched as my blade sank deeper, finally hitting something vital. It staggered, its massive form swaying. Lilith's rods pierced its chest at the same time, and together, we brought it down.

The beast fell with a sickening thud, its body hitting the cold stone floor as the last of its life drained from it.

I took a breath, the weight of the victory settling in. The hunger, momentarily forgotten, crept back. I felt my teeth ache, the sensation sharp, almost unbearable. I turned to Lilith, forcing a smile, trying to push down the primal urge that screamed in my head.

"Can I eat her already?" The thought slithered into my mouth before I could stop it, albeit differently. I clenched my fists, fighting it off. No. Not her. 

I saw her flinch, but the girl did not respond to that. Maybe she didn't hear it…Or maybe..She did?

"Good work," I said, keeping my voice steady, masking the darkness inside. Acting like I just did not talk about eating her–

But deep down, I knew this hunger wasn't going anywhere. And it scared me more than any dungeon monster ever could.

***