[Titan's shoulder]

Mori stood on the shoulder of the titan with Maya by his side, while Torryn and Aura were on the other one.

The titan was slowly walking forward, its step loud and heavy.

"What's your name? You never told us," said Maya.

"Mori."

"So, you're not from here, are you?" 

"No I'm not."

"Are you a necromancer?"

Her questions annoyed him, but her innocent tone was slightly soothing through the rage-filled sea he was navigating.

He sighed. "I'm the Cursed Sovereign. I can't bring the dead back, but I use their bodies to host those hexes I've gathered."

He looked her up and down. "I probably can do it with alive ones too."

Maya's shoulders slightly jumped as shivers ran down her spine. 

"Yeah, I'll pass, frankly."

He was staring at the horizon before him, in thought.

She broke the silence again. "Still. A sovereign. It's impressive, There's only a dozen of them. Even heroes would have a hard time against you, unless they're sovereigns themselves."

Mori was barely listening, but something came to his mind. "Why didn't the Ogre drop anything?"

"What do you mean?"

"He didn't drop precious stones, gold, that kind of stuff."

"Ah. That's what you mean. Monsters give exp and loot, but this one was named. Once you tame a monster or give it a name, it's not considered a monster anymore. The same goes for the big guy here," she said pointing at the titan.

Makes sense. Otherwise, summoners would be Exp factories. I'm still level 1. My Cursed Path is strong, but I'll need a higher level to handle higher-level cursed spells. 

"Are there any interesting dungeons in the area?" asked Mori.

She held her chin, grimacing while thinking.

"How can you be so relaxed? My cursed energy is strong. While I'm wearing those chains and this cloak it's toned down, but the titan's aura is still heavy."

She looked at him, surprised. 

"I guess you're right... It is strange. My brother and I are used to it. We were often sent to the deepest parts of the mines, and similar energy was accumulated there. Of course, on the days we couldn't afford two sets of equipment, I would go without it. He often says I've gone crazy because of that," she said, brightly smiling.

He patted her head. "You've been strong."

"Thanks, I tried, at least."

There was a turmoil in Mori's mind. As he patted her head, watching her smile, something horrible was rising inside him.

On the other shoulder, Aura was looking at the scene, concerned.

As the evening went by, the sun was about to set. Maya talked the whole time, but Mori learned to tune her out.

"My feet are sore, and my back hurts. How about we continue tomorrow?" she said.

"Alright."

The titan kneeled, raising both hands to his shoulders to offer a ride down to the ground. 

Once they were on the ground, the titan remained motionless, while they walked around the area.

They had found a small clearing large enough for all of them.

"I'll get some wood for a fire," said Torryn.

"I'll help you!" said Maya, happy to be moving around.

Aura slowly approached Mori as the other two left into the woods around.

"Aren't we going too fast?" she asked, concerned.

"Not fast enough. I should've only been gone a year. I've given them too much time."

"You think they're behind everything?"

"I know they are."

He sat on the ground, looking up as the sun set under the trees, shades of pink layered through the clouds in the sky.

Aura sat next to him, their shoulders slightly touching.

"Just do it," said Mori.

She looked at him, confused.

"I've seen how you look at me. You want some of my blood. Just take it."

Her pupils narrowed, brightly glowing purple as she looked at him. 

Without waiting any longer, she sat on his lap, facing him.

The chains loosened up, giving her more space as she slowly inched forward.

Her hands slowly approached his neck, she repeatedly looked into his eyes.

"It's not your first time. Just do it."

Nails sunk into his skin as she started grabbing it tighter. 

Her face approached his, her lips gently caressing his cheek while not quite touching it.

He could feel her labored breathing while her hands trembled. She was trying to stay in control.

She gently kissed his cheek, over and over while slowly going down. 

Reaching for his throat, she pushed him flat on the ground, laying on top of him.

She tightly grabbed his hair, licking his neck while her breathing steadily became faster.

Her nails kept sinking into his skin, she couldn't control it anymore. Her teeth pierced his skin splashing his blood around.

Gargling sounds mixed with her exhales right next to his ear, she was so close he could smell the same perfume he did in her room all that time ago.

One thing he noticed was how the blood splattering around wasn't as red as it used to be.

Maybe that's why her eyes and lips changed color.

"I think we're interrupting something..."

Maya's voice, accompanied by Torryn's.

"Let's give them space?"

"Yeah."

Mori grabbed Aura's shoulders, pushing her back. 

His mouth, however, froze open as he saw what she looked like. 

Teeth in a triangular shape, as if she were a shark or a feral dog snarling. 

Blood dripped from her mouth while it slowly regained its normal state. Her teeth changed form while her pupils dilated back to normal.

"It's fine. We're done," said Mori.

Aura, still on his lap, started fixing his wound while the siblings hesitantly came forward.

"Sooo..." started Maya, "Is she really a vampire? Looks like she was trying to eat your neck."

"She is."

Or was.

"We've got the wood, at least."

They dropped branches on the ground, making an awkward pile. 

Have they never made a fire before?

"Aura?"

"Yeah, I'll get more, it's starting to be cold."

"Was this not enough?" asked Maya.

"It's fine," smiled Aura.

Once Aura returned, they all sat around the fire, staring at it silently while it sputtered through the night. 

Maya and Torryn used sticks to prepare what looked like bread dough. It smelled good but Mori had no appetite.

He simply watched them as they alternated who would get the next piece, adding cheese that melted on top of it.

"Tomorrow, we'll reach Dustriver."

Maya and Torryn turned toward Mori.

"Already?"

"We were already close."

"I'm surprised you know the place so much while not being from here," said Maya.

"We'll continue by foot once we're close. I'll leave this titan in the outskirts."

"Did you change your mind about killing the humans in there?"

Mori's eyes met Maya's. 

She could feel the murderous intent in his gaze, making her drop the bread.

Her hands trembled as she quickly picked it up.

"They will remember that death comes for everyone."

"Then why are we leaving this thing on the outskirts?" asked Torryn.

"We'll find that person who'll help you cross the border first," said Mori.

Aura frowned while looking at him.

As if he could read her mind, he met her eyes.

"The plan didn't change. We'll just find that person first."