Chapter 5: A vampire friend

“Blang, Cyrus, shouldn't you two be welcoming me, instead of thinking of fighting me? Because right now, it looks like you want to attack your enemy.” The Stranger said, and moved closer to Blang and Cyrus.

While Blang rushed to hug him, happiness filled her heart and also covered an exciting expression on her face.

“Hey! How did you know where we are?” Blang asked the stranger.

“When I got to the cave, I was told you and Cyrus were banished from there, so I know since you're with Cyrus, you must be in this forest.”

The stranger replied Blang, then looked at Cyrus where he was standing and just looked at both of them.

“Cyrus, are you not happy to see me? Because it shows that it is only Blang that welcomes me”. The stranger takes a few steps closer to Cyrus.

[Stuttering] “Ala-aaar-ick, co-me o-n, I'm thrilled to see you after many years”, Cyrus hugged Alarick.

Alarick told Cyrus that it was okay. Blang asked them to let's go in and sit. After the sunset, Cyrus was already asleep while Blang was sitting beside a burning fire outside their hut, spacing the air.

Alarick came out of the hut and sat beside Blang, then asked her why she was not sleeping? Because it is late already. Blang told him that nothing, but Alarick insisted that something was bothering Blang. This was not her normal self.

“Fine, you caught me Alarick,” Blang looked at him and smiled.

“Okay, tell me what is bothering you? You know you can tell me anything, right?”

“Sure,” Blang replied.

“So tell me.”

“Did you notice something about Cyrus?” Blank looks at Alarick when asking this question.

“I don't, but what did you notice?” Alarick was a bit tense.

“Ever since you showed up, he has not been himself. I think something is wrong with him. Tell me Alarick, before you and your family left the cave, did you have any issue with Cyrus? Because I remember then that we used to be friends.”

[Inhale and Exhale] “We never, for once, fought when we were kids, so what makes you think we could fight when my family and I left?”

“That's not a straight answer, Alarick, but it's fine. I guess maybe something else is bothering him. So, tell me where your family is? I mean your father, mother, and little sister?” Blang asked with a friendly voice.

[Sign, soft tone] “They're no more,” Sadness clouded Alarick's face.

[Inhale sharply] “Goodness! I apologize for that, Alarick, but how did it happen?” Blang feels so concerned.

“On the day the blood moon is supposed to appear in the sky, you know if that blood moon did not appear, both vampires and werewolves, some of them would die. So, they all died that day.” Tears rolled down from Alarick's eyes to his cheek.

Blang was surprised to see him sheared tears, and she asked if maybe his heart was breathing? With a serious shock on her face and her mouth wide open.

“It never stopped…” Alarick replied to Blang as he quickly wiped off his tears.

Water dropped from Blang's eyes, and she dragged Alarick closer and then hugged him. Blang asked what he could do for his heart to stop breathing because if his heart continued to breathe and the day expected for the blood moon showed without his heart being stopped, he might die.

“Don't worry Blang, the last expected date for the blood moon I did not die, so I'm sure I will survive this also.”

"No you can't, Alarick, remember your heart must not breathe too long, else you will be weak!”

“But I'm still strong, don't worry about me.” Alarick holds Blang closer to himself, while Cyrus is already awake.

He stands at the front of the hut looking at Blang and Alarick, but they did not see him because they were backing him. Cyrus looked sad, then went back inside and slept.

The next morning, Cyrus came out of the hut and while Alarick followed him, he told Cyrus that he went to sleep early last night.

Cyrus said yes because he was tired, and that night was the first time to rest properly. Alarick asked if Cyrus still trusts him? And Cyrus asked why?

“I know it will be years before we see each other, but I will understand if you find it difficult to trust me as your childhood friend again.”

“Do you think I shouldn't trust you?” Cyrus asked Alarick as he looked into his eyes.

Alarick laughs and says it to him, but he has nothing to hide and is still the little boy Cyrus loves so much and sees as his best friend.

“But why did you and your parents leave without telling anyone?” Cyrus asked Alarick.

“I don't know Cyrus. You know I and my sister were young back then, and we could only follow our parent's instructions so guess that is it.”

“But you should have to say goodbye to me and Blang!” Cyrus shouted at Alarick with a serious expression on his face.

“I can't, Cyrus, and you know I can't!” Alarick's voice started trembling.

“I still don't know why you can't, so I guess maybe you should explain.”

[Exhale slowly] “Because my heart was breathing, and you know that back there in the cave, not everyone is a good person! They're bad and good vampires as well as werewolves. My parents had to leave because of me. You know what it means if they find out that my heart is breathing, they will kill me, so try to get me, Cyrus!”

Cyrus drags Alarick closer and hugs him, apologizing for not trusting his return. Then Cyrus tells Alarick that his heart has to stop breathing before the next blood moon is expected.

“You know if the moon did not come out bloody you would die, your heart has been breathing for too long, and it makes you weaker” Cyrus tells Alarick.

“I know, but there's nothing I could do to stop it!”

“ There should be something, and we will find it out!” Cyrus assures Alarick.

“We can't, Cyrus.” Alarick faced down.

“Why Alarick? Did you do something we don't?”

“Yes Cyrus, My Dad told me if I want my heart to stop beating again I have to drink human blood and make sure I kill many people with no sympathy. But you know me, Cyrus, I wouldn't do that, so I told my dad I don't care if my heart continues beating because I can't hurt anyone.”

“I'm happy, Alarick, because you have not changed the good boy I and Blang used to know, but you know what? Come with me, let me show you something.”

Cyrus took Alarick inside and showed him the throne and crown he built with wood. Alarick asked him what this was all about? Cyrus explained to Alarick that it was Blang's father's idea, and the throne needed to be worshiped for it to develop mystery power.

“So?”

“Yes, if it develops a mysterious power before the day expected for the blood moon, we can ask it to help us bring a blood moon instead of the normal moon that will kill most of us again.”

“Seriously, I don't know what to say, but if you and Blang believe in it, then I will join you guys. Let me ask you something, Cyrus.”

“What's that, Alarick?”

“Who will sit on the throne if it grants your wish?”

“For now, I and Blang never thought of that, we focus our attention on making it to bring us. Maybe after that, we can decide.” Cyrus smiled as he moved closer and touched the throne.

“You should sit on Cyrus,” Alarick said, standing at the back of Cyrus.

“What?!" Cyrus turned back to him.

“Yes Cyrus, I'm sure you built it and this is a great job, so you deserve the seated man.” Alarick holds Cyrus on his shoulder.

“Don't you think Blang deserves it more? Her father brings the idea.”

“But made the idea come through, so common Cyrus, you deserve it. I'm sure Blang would say the same thing.”

“Ooh okay, Alarick, but trust me, I wasn't thinking about that for now. I just believe this brings the blood moon out so that I won't lose my friend twice.” Cyrus smiled at Alarick.

But with Alarick's appearance, it shows he is hiding something, and he wouldn't share it with Cyrus or Blang.

Blang woke up, and she was happy seeing Cyrus and Alarick talking to each other. She stood up and moved closer to them. Blang asks Alarick. Maybe he should be staying with them now, since he has no one in the cave to go back to.

Alarick was quiet for a while. Cyrus noticed this, and he told Alarick it was fine if he wanted to avoid staying with them. But Alarick said no, he would stay with them.

Blang and Cyrus were happy, as the three of them hugged each other. Years passed, and they still live in the hut. Alarick will attack and kill any wild animal he sees just to feed on its blood. At times, Alarick will go for hours without Blang and Cyrus knows where he went.

But once he comes back, he will tell Blang and Cyrus that he only went hunting for blood from animals. They live simple lives for nine years and a year before the moon comes out, Blang and Cyrus have already had feelings for each other.

And they also made a promise to wait until after the moon appeared before they could seal their relationship as real couples. Alarick has always been jealous of Cyrus and Blang's relationship because he loved Blang so much.

He wouldn't admit or come out clean with his feelings for Blang. Just a year before the moon will appear. That day the sun was already set and everywhere was dark.

Alarick came to meet with Blang and Cyrus. They were sitting in front of the hut. He asked maybe Blang could come with him for hunting this time around.

But Cyrus found it odd, and he asked Alarick, at this time of the day? Come on, Guy is dark already.

“Wooh Cyrus, don't tell me you're scared? Commonly, we were born in this forest, and forget about the cave. It is the same as the forest, so what is new? Or you're not cool seeing Blang with me? Besides, I can't hunt when there's sun in the sky because of my skin.”

“No, Alarick, why would you even think of that? I'm just concerned about both of you? Okay, to clear your doubts, let me ask Blang. Maybe she's cool with it.”

Cyrus faced Blang and asked her perhaps she was cool going on hunting with Alarick, and she said it was nothing, she would go. Cyrus asked them to go, but came back on time. He said this without any bad intentions or thinking towards Alarick.

Blang and Alarick went deep into the forest and it was dark everywhere, as Blang told Alarick, but Alarick sounded like he was not bothered by how dark it was.

“Are you even listening to me? It's dark here, let's go back, or can you find any animals yet?” Blang asked, as she was looking around. Possibly she would see any animal for Alarick.

“Don't tell me you're scared. We both know you are the strongest among the werewolves. I'm certain that is the reason Cyrus brought you along with him after being banned from the cave.”

“What did you mean, Alarick? Don't get me wrong, I followed Cyrus because nobody wanted me in the cave. You know that, before leaving your family, I was not the strongest. There're still other werewolves who are stronger than me.”

“No Blang, no werewolves are stronger than you! In fact, for the past two hundred thousand years, no werewolf has been born with the same power you have,” Alarick said to Blang slowly.

“What did you mean by that?” Blang becomes agitated and confused.

“Blang, I hide some truth from you and Cyrus both. I hope you wait and listen to me, then you will see or understand the reasons why I had to do that, please.”