A Pair of Lost Souls

A Pair of Lost Souls

Three grueling months had passed since Nacht had embarked on his mission. He had traversed icy mountains and scorching deserts, depleting his supplies of water and food. Now, he found himself in the middle of an unknown, desolate landscape, with no sign of civilization. Yet, he pressed on. His target awaited, and with the man's demise, Nacht would inch closer to fulfilling his long-cherished wish. The scent of his quarry's blood grew stronger with every step, guiding him through the accursed forest.

What is this smell? An animal? No, it is human blood. I need to feed. 

Hidden behind thick foliage, a solitary wooden cabin emerged. From within, the tantalizing scent of human blood beckoned him like a fish to bait. Barely able to stand, Nacht leaned against the doorway and forced it open. Inside, darkness enveloped the room. Wooden planks sealed the windows, allowing only a sliver of light through a crack in the ceiling. The force of his entrance had splintered the door from its hinges and shattered the lock. The scent was stronger now, emanating from below the floorboards.

A fresh corpse?

Nacht knelt and punched through the wooden floor, revealing a hidden basement. Shining his flashlight into the darkness, he spotted a woman chained to a pillar. She looked young, around his age, perhaps in her late teens or early twenties.

Slavery still exists here, huh? he thought as he dropped through the hole he had made. His mouth watered, and he felt his canines sharpening.

With effort, he made his way toward the woman. She appeared unconscious, but as he approached, her eyes snapped open, startling him. "W-Who are you?" she stammered, her voice trembling as she looked at the cloaked figure before her. Nacht was clad in a torn black cloak, hood up, and a mask covering his face. Blood trickled from her arm, driving his bloodlust to a frenzied pitch. He moved closer, his mouth opening as he neared her neck.

Her screams filled the basement, and she struggled against her chains. Suddenly, the basement door flew open. A hulking man with a bushy beard stormed in, carrying a shotgun. "Who are you?!" he roared, his flashlight blinding Nacht's extra sensitive eyes.

I don't have time for this! I must feed! Annoyance boiled over as the man's light blazed into Nacht's eyes, intensifying his rage.

He shielded his eyes with his arm, peering towards the man who now aimed a gun his way. "I said, who are you!?" the man bellowed. 

Nacht lowered his hood and removed his mask. Strange, vein-like patterns crawled over his face and neck, his canines elongated into sharp points. His hair cascaded, turning a stark snow white. Eyes aglow with a sinister purple hue, he met the man's gaze directly. 

The man staggered back in horror at the sight of Nacht's menacing face, his heart pounding with fear. Reacting swiftly, he clenched the trigger of his gun, unleashing a bullet aimed at the looming figure before him. But Nacht was quicker, leaping to the basement wall with a graceful agility that defied human bounds. Dodging the projectile effortlessly, he landed soundlessly before the man, his predatory instincts fully aroused.

With a vicious swipe of his clawed hand, Nacht struck, plunging his razor-sharp claws into the man's abdomen. In a horrifying display, he tore the man's innards from his body, casting them onto the floor in a gruesome spill. The man collapsed to the ground, his agonized screams stifled by the intensity of his pain. Gasping for breath, he struggled to escape, but Nacht seized him with ease, pinning him to the ground.

With a feral snarl, Nacht delivered the final blow, sinking his teeth into the man's neck and ending his life with a swift, savage motion.

Meanwhile, the woman observed the scene unfolding before her, her eyes wide with a mix of horror and relief. The man, who had tormented her for weeks, now lay lifeless at Nacht's feet. Despite the gruesome violence that had just transpired, she felt a sense of liberation wash over her, a newfound freedom from her captor's torture. As she watched Nacht, standing in the eerie glow of the moonlight filtering through the ceiling, she couldn't help but feel a faint glimmer of hope stirring within her.

"My prince has finally come," she mused, tears clouding her vision. With a sigh of relief, she began to drift into unconsciousness, finally regaining the ability to simply rest.

As Nacht sated his thirst, his visage gradually returned to normal. Veins receded, canines retracted, hair reverted to its original shade. Concealing his face once more with his mask, he turned towards the slumped woman, still bound by chains. "I'm sorry," he muttered, a sense of clarity returning as he acknowledged the danger he posed to her. With a swift motion, he shattered the chains binding her. "Monsters like you are even stronger than the strongest humans," a voice from his past echoed in his mind. As the chains fell away, the woman collapsed.

"I must get her to safety. I owe her at least that much," Nacht resolved, hoisting her onto his back.

Before departing, Nacht cast a final glance at the drained, shriveled corpse before him. Devoid of blood, the man's skin sagged, not a single drop spilled despite the gaping hole in his stomach. Nacht sighed, overwhelmed by a mix of disgust and rejection. "Even this bastard's blood made me go feral, huh? Disgusting," he muttered before turning away from the scene.

Alice stirred, blinking against the morning light filtering through the trees. Nature enveloped her, the wind's whispers mingling with the nearby river's gentle flow. She sat up and looked around, still dazed from what had transpired. "Where am I?" she muttered, trying to piece together her memories. It all came rushing back: the ambush by bandits, the harrowing journey through the forest. They had seized her from a passing carriage, hoping to ransom her off for a fortune. "I'm sure you'll fetch us a hefty sum," one of them had sneered as they dragged her away.

The bitter truth settled in her mind. No one would come looking for her. She was nothing more than a pawn in their games of power. Her own father had offered her up to the Duke Sebastien despite knowing what kind of man he was, all in exchange for political favor. Alice knew she was disposable, especially now that her father had a new family with a daughter more favored than her, Mary. Since her mother's death, Alice had been relegated to little more than a servant in her own home.

"I suppose Mary did treat me fine, at least better than father and her mother," she mused silently. "She actually did care about me, I think. Even so, she wouldn't risk her life to come and rescue me." Tears welled up in her eyes, but she quickly wiped them away. "I must stay strong, like mother did," she thought, steeling herself for whatever lay ahead.

Nearby, a young man with ebony hair bathed in the river, his body stained with blood. He scrubbed vigorously, his expression twisted with disgust as he looked at himself. Despite the blood and scars marring his otherwise smooth skin, there was an undeniable beauty about him, almost feminine in nature. His pale complexion and captivating purple eyes held Alice's gaze, rendering her unable to look away. 

As the young man turned to acknowledge her presence, Alice made the decision to stand her ground instead of retreating. "Never learned your manners, did you?" he sighed, clearly irritated by her intrusion. "I apologize, I didn't know anyone was bathing here," Alice replied, her voice slightly shaky but determined.

Apologizing, Alice watched as he deftly caught fish from the river, her curiosity piqued. Before she could inquire further, he dressed himself and strode away, and she followed, settling beside the campfire.

While Nacht prepared their humble meal, Alice reflected on the mysterious savior who had intervened, offering a ray of hope in her otherwise bleak existence.

Alice's eyes widened as Nacht handed her the grilled fish. Hunger gnawed at her insides, a constant companion during her weeks of captivity. She seized the fish almost greedily, devouring it with haste. Her captor had shown her no mercy, treating her like a mere animal to be sustained with scraps and leftovers.

Once sated, Alice glanced at the campfire, noticing the absence of fish. "A-Aren't you going to eat?" she queried, a tinge of embarrassment coloring her tone as she realized she had consumed the entire meal herself. Nacht shook his head. "I already 'ate' last night," he remarked, referencing the blood he had consumed from the bearded man.

Understanding little of Nacht's cryptic words, Alice finished her meal quickly and rose to her feet. "Where are we?" she inquired, scanning their surroundings. Nacht joined her, gesturing towards the north. "A forest south from the city of Nira," he replied, indicating a distant cityscape. Alice glanced at him, gratitude flickering in her gaze. "Did you save me?" she asked, meeting his eyes. He nodded, then returned to the campfire, gathering his equipment.

Observing Nacht's gear, Alice puzzled over the incongruity of a modern-looking man wielding a sword. His attire, predominantly black, clashed with the antiquity of his weapon, gauntlets and boots. Besides the sword and attire, he also brandished a revolver and a few pouches.She eyed the leather pouches, curiosity piqued by their contents. Syringes filled with a strange looking liquid.

"Let's go," Nacht announced, prompting Alice to fall in step beside him. "What is your name?" she ventured, struggling to keep pace with his quick steps. "Nacht," came his curt reply. "I'm Alice." Though she tried to engage him, his attention remained fixed ahead, his responses terse.

As they walked, Nacht suddenly halted, pulling Alice to the ground with him. "Hush, quiet. Someone is up ahead," he cautioned, pointing towards a concealed group of armed individuals. Fear clenched Alice's heart as she recognized them as associates of her tormentor from the previous night. Tears welled in her eyes at the memory of their atrocities.

Nacht sighed, recognizing the despair on Alice's face. "I see," he muttered, rising to his feet.. "Wait here and cover your eyes," he instructed, unsheathing his blade. Handing her a pouch of syringes, he explained their purpose in rapid succession. "If I don't seem right after I come back, either run away or inject me with it," he instructed, his words laden with urgency.

Confused but compliant, Alice clutched the pouch tightly as Nacht strode towards the group, his determination palpable in the tension of his movements.

Nacht advanced upon the group, sword poised for battle. The bandits reacted swiftly, charging towards him with knives and clubs in hand. In a blur of motion, Nacht dispatched them, blood spilling from their bodies. He surveyed the scene, his gaze cold and unyielding, as the remaining few stared in horror.

One bandit drew a pistol, aiming it at Nacht, but before he could fire, he found himself immobilized, his vision spinning. Witnessing his own demise from an outsider's perspective, he watched in disbelief as Nacht swiftly severed his head. The others attempted to flee, but Nacht's revolver silenced them before they could escape.

Only one bandit remained, a woman, begging for mercy, pleading with Nacht not to kill her. "Please, don't kill me! They forced me into this, I had no choice," she implored. "I'm a woman, you wouldn't harm a defenseless woman, would you?"

Nacht's response was devoid of compassion. He met her gaze as he removed his mask, revealing the sinister black vein-like markings on his face. With a mocking smirk, he whispered to her, "You're a bandit as well, and the only good bandit is a dead one. But don't worry, I'll make it quick, especially for a 'woman' like you."

Tears welled in her eyes as she attempted to scream for help, but before a sound escaped her lips, Nacht drove his blade into her chest, ending her life in a swift and merciless strike.

Despite Nacht's warning to cover her eyes, Alice couldn't tear her gaze away from the confrontation between him and the bandits. Among them, she recognized the woman who had shown her some modicum of kindness, the one who had tried to keep her alive and had apologized for their actions. She had come to Alice several times, explaining her predicament.

"They're holding my family hostage," the woman had confided, fear etched in her voice. "If I don't comply with their demands, or if I attempt to escape, they'll kill them. I'm sorry, but I can't risk helping you escape."

Alice had pleaded with her to assist in their escape, but the woman had been too terrified for her family's safety to take any action.

Before Nacht could deliver the fatal blow to the female bandit, Alice dashed towards them, witnessing the woman's terror-stricken expression. Desperately, the woman reached out for Alice's hand, but before their fingers could touch, Nacht's blade pierced her chest. Tears welled up in Alice's eyes, and a cry escaped her lips.

Turning to face the distraught girl, Nacht's expression remained impassive. "I told you to stay back," he reminded her. Alice, trembling with emotion, rose to her feet and confronted him. "Why did you kill her?" she demanded, her voice trembling with anger.

"Why would I spare her?" he countered as he walked to one of the bandits and grabbed a pistol that laid on the ground.

Alice's voice rose with emotion as she defended the woman's actions. "She wasn't like them! She was forced into it. They had her family—threatened to kill them if she didn't comply!" Her words spilled out in a rush, her eyes pleading for understanding. "She had no choice!"

Nacht listened, his expression cold and unreadable. "She was no innocent. She was coerced into their ranks, yes, but she made her choice. And in this world, choices have consequences."

Nacht's reply was calculated and unforgiving, his words dripping with harsh truth. 

"Remember what I tell you now, Alice. Every single choice you make has consequences, whether good or bad. Whether those consequences seem fair or not, you have to own up to them," he continued, wiping his blade against the corpse of one of the bandits.

As Nacht lectured, Alice's heart grew heavy with understanding. Every decision, no matter how difficult, carried weight and consequence. She absorbed his words, her gaze lingering on the pistol he retrieved from one of the dead bandits.

Nacht's demeanor softened momentarily as he imparted his wisdom, his face returning to normal as the black veins faded away. A fleeting glance towards the trees hinted at a hidden concern before his attention returned to the pistol he picked up.

An 1145 huh? Not too much recoil on it, she should be able to handle it. He thought as he opened the magazine and checked the bullets. 

"What about your choice to kill her? Does it have consequences too?" Alice's voice rang out, filled with fury. For the first time since their encounter, Nacht displayed a semblance of emotion—a sadness that flickered across his features. He sighed, a wistful smile tugging at his lips, revealing the weight of his experiences. "I'm sure it will," he acknowledged, approaching Alice and offering her the pistol. "You will need it. The city of Nira is still a few days away, and the roads are dangerous, especially at night." Alice shook her head resolutely, refusing the weapon as she knelt beside the fallen woman.

Nacht noticed Alice's sad gaze as she stared at the woman's body. He opted instead to cover the woman's body with a spare cloak before departing. Alice murmured an apology to the deceased, torn between the urge to stay and the necessity of following Nacht for safety.

As evening descended, they made camp, Alice visibly fatigued from their journey. Nacht, ever watchful, assured her safety before venturing into the wilderness to scavenge for food. Left alone, Alice tended to her weary feet, gazing up at the starry sky in contemplation.

Suddenly, rustling nearby shattered the tranquility of the night. Alice's heart raced as a figure emerged from the darkness, he had the same black veinlike things on his face as Nacht. His eyes were glowing in a green color and he was as pale as a corpse. Panic gripped her until Nacht suddenly appeared behind her and held her mouth shut.

"Don't make a sound. They can't see you, they only hear and smell. The campfire smoke is masking our scent for now. You make a sound and he knows where we are." he whispered in Alice's ear.

As they cautiously retreated, Nacht's dilemma became evident. He left his sword earlier at the campfire near the creature and couldn't retrieve it to kill it. Armed with only a revolver, he grappled with the risk of alerting more of the potential creatures lurking in the darkness. Their survival hinged on silence and evasion, a delicate dance amidst the encroaching threat.

With resolve etched on his face, Nacht weighed his options, acutely aware of the dire consequences of a single misstep. 

With practiced efficiency, Nacht retrieved a syringe from his pouch, silently instructing Alice to remain where she was. He stealthily approached the creature, injecting the syringe into its neck. As the creature convulsed and succumbed to the effects of the serum, Nacht observed its demise with a mixture of caution and disgust.

Nacht crouched to examine the corpse. "There are likely more of them nearby," he remarked, rummaging through the creature's bag. Alice regained her footing and joined him. "What... what is this thing?" she inquired, her voice still trembling with fear. Nacht sighed and straightened up, holding a ring adorned with a peculiar crest that he found in the bag. "This is no blood-servant. It's an 'infected'," he muttered to himself. "Infected?" Alice echoed, having overheard him. "You know I'm not a 'normal' human, right?" Nacht asked. His words triggered a memory of the night Nacht rescued her, and she nodded in confirmation.

"I and a very few others have a... 'problem' in our bodies that turn us into 'monsters'," Nacht elaborated, grabbing a torch and a vial of black liquid from his pouch. "If we're too weak to control ourselves, we go on a rampage and try to drain others of their blood." He paused, his expression somber. "We can transmit a virus to someone who drinks our blood or whom we drain. That person then becomes a blood servant. Another way is to extract a sample from one of us and create a separate virus, spreading it rapidly. In this case, we call them infected." Alice listened intently, absorbing the information. "Bloodservants are more resilient than infected, as they receive the virus directly from the host," Nacht added. "I see... Can you determine whether this person is infected or a blood servant?" Alice inquired. Nacht nodded, his gaze focused on the corpse before them.

Nacht's expression twisted with disgust. "This one is infected. The syringe wouldn't kill a blood servant, only temporarily neutralize it," he replied, pouring the black liquid over the body. "The question is, what sick bastard used the virus to infect people?" he mused, tossing a torch onto the corpse. Flames engulfed it, reducing it to ashes. "Why did you do that?" Alice asked, taken aback by the sudden blaze. Nacht regarded her with a serious look. "The body may be dead, but the virus inside is still active. If an animal comes by and takes a bite, it'll turn into an infected," he explained, swiftly extinguishing the campfire and gathering his gear. "Where are we going?" Alice inquired. Nacht displayed the ring he found. "This is the crest of a village. There must be one nearby. I need to see if there are more infected there," he explained, determination etched in his features.

As they embarked on their journey, Alice braced herself for the grim realities that awaited them, placing her trust in Nacht's guidance through the shadows that lurked ahead.

As they descended further down the mountain, a village emerged on the horizon, shrouded in an oppressive atmosphere. As they made their way closer to the village, the putrid odor of decay grew stronger, assaulting Alice's senses with its nauseating intensity. It was a stark reminder of the horrors they were about to face. Nacht, however, appeared unaffected, his expression resolute as he led the way.

Before stepping into the village, Nacht paused, his eyes locking onto Alice's with a seriousness that demanded her attention. He handed her the pistol once more, his grip firm and insistent. Alice hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but she couldn't ignore the gravity of Nacht's words or the urgency in his gaze. With a hesitant nod, she accepted the weapon, feeling its weight in her trembling hands.

"This isn't just about defense, Alice," Nacht explained, his voice low but unwavering. "It's about survival. They're not human anymore. They'll attack without hesitation. Take it."

Alice swallowed hard, her resolve strengthening as she gripped the pistol tightly. She knew Nacht was right. In this new, nightmarish world, she couldn't afford to be defenseless.

But Nacht wasn't done yet. He reached into his pouch and withdrew a dagger, its gleaming blade catching the dim light. He offered it to Alice, and she couldn't help but notice the intricate craftsmanship, a stark contrast to the gruesome purpose it served.

"The pistol has its limits—ammo that can run out when you need it most," Nacht explained, his tone measured but urgent. "But this dagger, it's special. Made from the same material as my sword. It's effective against the virus. Even a scratch from it will burn them, incapacitating them for a while. Remember, when you're in close quarters, this is your best friend. Also, try and hit them in the neck or heart to immediately end their lives. Those two spots are the only fatal spots for the infected."

Alice nodded, her determination solidifying with each word. She understood the gravity of the situation and the importance of being prepared for anything.

With the pistol in one hand and the dagger in the other, Alice steeled herself for the trials ahead. Together, she and Nacht entered the village, ready to face whatever horrors awaited them.

As the rain poured outside, Nacht and Alice cautiously navigated the dilapidated village. Suddenly, a menacing growl pierced the silence, emanating from a nearby house. Nacht swiftly positioned himself protectively in front of Alice, signaling her to stay alert as they investigated the source of the sound. 

Entering the house and drawing closer to the room, the sound emanated from, Nacht spotted two infected lurking within. With practiced stealth, he maneuvered behind the first creature, moving silently like a shadow. In a swift and calculated motion, he closed the distance and plunged his knife into the creature's throat, silencing it before it could even utter a sound. 

The second infected, disoriented by the sudden attack, lurched forward, prompting Nacht to act quickly. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled a knife towards the second creature, striking it squarely between the eyes. However, the blow wasn't lethal, and the infected continued to thrash about, posing a threat.

With grim determination, Nacht drew his sword, his movements swift and purposeful. With a single decisive strike, he severed the creature's head from its body, ending its frenzied rampage. Alice, wide-eyed and breathless, watched in horror as the second infected fell to Nacht's deadly blade, the grisly sight leaving an indelible mark on her psyche.

After looking at the now slayed infected, he grabbed a vial filled with gasoline and poured it over their bodies.

"Can you check the other room?" Nacht's voice cut through the tense silence, his tone urgent yet controlled. "If there are infected, come back and I'll go take them out. If there aren't…" With a swift motion, he tossed her the vial, his instructions clear. "After you have done so, meet me in the living room." he continued.

Alice caught the vial with trembling hands, the weight of their situation pressing down on her like a suffocating blanket. She nodded silently, steeling herself for the task ahead as she made her way towards the unexplored room. Each step felt heavy with anticipation, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for whatever horrors awaited her within.

With cautious determination, Alice pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room, her senses on high alert as she scanned her surroundings for any sign of danger. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she breathed a tentative sigh of relief at the absence of infected lurking within.

Quickly assessing the situation, Alice wasted no time in dousing the room with gasoline, her movements swift and purposeful as she prepared to unleash the cleansing power of fire upon their unseen enemies. With trembling hands, she struck a match and ignited the volatile liquid, the flames casting eerie shadows against the walls as they danced hungrily across the floor.

With the room ablaze behind her, Alice hurried back to the safety of the living room, her heart racing with adrenaline as she awaited Nacht's return. Each passing moment felt like an eternity as she braced herself for the inevitable confrontation that awaited them outside.

Nacht swiftly joined Alice in the living room. After giving her a quick glance and nod, he kicked open the front door, grabbed her hand, and rushed towards cover near the house. "What are you doing?" Alice asked, taken aback by Nacht pulling her into cover nearby.

Curiosity mingled with apprehension on Alice's face as she found herself sheltered behind cover. "What's happening?" she inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty as she searched Nacht's eyes for answers.

With a confident smirk, Nacht retrieved three grenades from his pouch, his gaze fixed on the unfolding scene outside. "I'm making sure they never come back," he explained briskly, his tone filled with enthusiasm. It was as if he enjoyed every second of their encounter with the infected.

Observing the infected from the village heading toward the burning building, Alice couldn't stifle her surprise. "Why are they all heading there?" she questioned, her voice tinged with disbelief as the infected entered the burning building.

Nacht's smirk widened as he revealed his bloodied hand, the wound stark against his pale skin. "I lured them with my blood," he disclosed, his words carrying a weight of grim understanding. "They'll do anything to break free from their inability to control themselves and become blood servants."

Alice's breath caught in her throat as she witnessed their relentless advance into the building. "The fire isn't affecting them?" she gasped, her voice tinged with fear.

Nacht smirked, but he clearly didn't want to look at the scene in front of them. He made a grim revelation. "They feel it, believe me. They just don't care." 

"Why?" asked Alice with disbelief in her voice as she watched the infected being engulfed in the flames. Alarm flashed in Alice's eyes as she considered the implications. "But now you're bleeding. Won't they come after us?" she fretted, her concern palpable.

Nacht's chuckle was soft, almost rueful, as he displayed his hand once more, the wound miraculously vanished. "Not anymore," he reassured her, his voice a mix of resignation and steely resolve.

Before Alice could respond, Nacht swiftly removed the pins from the grenades, hurling them through the windows of the house. He quickly pushed Alice's head under the cover as he himself braced for the inevitable explosion that would follow.

As the explosions echoed through the night, wooden splinters scattered in all directions. Nacht cautiously peered over their cover, observing the collapsed building and the struggling infected attempting to free themselves from the rubble. 

With a determined stride, he unsheathed his blade and approached the survivors, some still engulfed in flames.

Alice's heart raced as she witnessed one infected sneaking up behind Nacht, but before she could warn him, he swiftly turned around, severing the creature's hands and slashing its neck. Blood sprayed, and the infected's desperate gurgles filled the air.

After having dealt with the danger behind him, Nacht pressed on toward the burning wreckage. With precise strikes, he ended the suffering of the remaining stragglers, a faint smile playing on his lips. Alice tentatively approached him, confusion evident in her expression.

"What's happening? Why are you..." Alice's question trailed off as Nacht directed her gaze to one of the fallen infected he had dispatched.

"Do you see him? A farmer. He had a wife and two children. He killed them after turning. Begged me to end his life," Nacht explained, his tone heavy with sorrow. Gesturing to another smaller infected, he recounted the tragic fate of a screaming child and her mother.

"Infection doesn't erase their humanity. They're still aware, still feeling," Nacht continued, his smile fading into a somber expression. "They're trapped in bodies that betray them. The least we can do is offer them release."

As Nacht knelt beside the fallen, Alice followed suit, her mind grappling with the weight of their actions. "What are we doing?" she asked softly. She looked at Nacht who had closed his eyes and put his blade down on the ground. He held the hand of the infected child he ended mere seconds ago and displayed a smile on his face.

"We should see them off with a smile," Nacht replied, his voice a solemn whisper. "Now they can find peace beyond this torment."

With a heavy heart, Nacht rose from his crouched position, his gaze lingering on the fallen infected. "We should move on," he muttered, his voice filled with sadness and seeming guilt. "There may be more infected nearby."

Alice nodded, her eyes reflecting the sorrow and compassion she felt for the unfortunate souls that had turned. Together, they left the remnants of the burning building behind, stepping cautiously through the debris-strewn streets of the village. 

As they ventured deeper into the village, the stench of death and decay hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the horrors that had befallen a once peaceful community. Nacht led the way, his senses alert for any danger. 

Suddenly the sound of falling objects came from one of the buildings nearby. The door was closed shut and not a single ray of light came from the windows. Alice looked through them. It was a mess inside. She noticed something moving in the right corner of the shed but the darkness concealed what it was. Alice quickly signaled for Nacht to come and see. He nodded and joined her. He looked through the window, after seeing what was inside he sheathed his blade and walked towards the door. "What is it?" asked Alice curiously and with a hint of fear. Before answering, Nacht kicked the door in and shone his flashlight inside revealing the creature. "A girl." Said Nacht, answering Alice's question. Alice quickly walked inside and noticed a girl curled up in the corner of the shed. "She doesn't seem infected." she commented while kneeling next to the girl. "She isn't." confirmed Nacht. Alice slowly put her hand on the girl's shoulder to calm her down. Suddenly behind Nacht another infected appeared. It tried to grab onto him but Nacht grabbed its arms and threw it over his shoulders. The infected woman landed in front of Alice and the girl. It slowly tried to get up, but Nacht held it down with his foot while he unsheathed his blade. He aimed his blade tip towards the woman and was going for the stab but the girl suddenly stood up and pushed Nacht off of the infected woman. However Nacht didn't waver. He pushed the girl aside against Alice and tried to stab the infected woman again. "That is my mother!" screamed the girl. Nacht looked at the girl and closed his eyes for a moment. "I'm sorry." he muttered after a deep sigh, before he plunged the blade towards the infected woman's heart. The woman tried to protect herself but before Nacht could stab her, he felt a stingy pain in his neck. It was Alice who used the syringe he gave her earlier on him. "W-What are-" he tried before he collapsed unconscious on the ground.

Nacht gradually opened his eyes, finding himself beneath a roof in a bed. As he sat up, a persistent ringing throbbed in his head, causing him to wince. Gradually, his vision cleared, revealing a hazy figure seated in a chair nearby. "Alice?" he called out, his voice slightly groggy.

Alice hurried over to him, her expression filled with concern. "Are you alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "I'm sorry," she added, her tone apologetic.

"Why did you stop me?" Nacht inquired, his voice cold as he recalled her earlier action.

"It's that woman. Something's different about her. She's not like the other infected," Alice explained, her eyes reflecting her earnestness.

Nacht sighed, rising from the bed and reaching for his sword. "Where's my cloak?" he asked, scanning the room as he donned his mask, which obscured the lower half of his face.

"It's in the room next door," Alice replied, her hand stopping him from proceeding further. "Wait. Don't draw your sword, alright?" she urged, positioning herself in front of him as if to prevent him from doing so.

Respecting her wishes, Nacht followed Alice into the adjacent room where the woman and her daughter sat at the table. Alice approached them and introduced Nacht. "This is Nacht. He's the one who knows a lot about the infection," she explained to the mother and daughter.

"A woman?" the girl questioned, her curiosity evident as she regarded Nacht.

"I am no woman," Nacht replied, removing his mask. 

The girl raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. "You still look like one," she remarked. "I don't know why you removed that mask as if you were trying to make a point. Hmm, I suppose the lack of a 'chest' does confirm that you are not... I guess," she added, her tone thoughtful.

Nacht sighed, annoyed by the girl, and shifted his attention to the older woman, Orianna. She wore a worried expression, her fatigue palpable, as if she could collapse at any moment. Throbbing black vein-like marks lined the sides of her face. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Nacht," Orianna said with a tinge of hope. "My name is Orianna, and this is my daughter, Lillith. Please forgive her for what she said." Nacht's expression remained cold as he approached Orianna, inspecting her closely. "You haven't turned yet, huh? Meaning the infection got a hold of you recently," he stated bluntly, ignoring Orianna's attempts at polite conversation. "Do you know anything about it?" she asked, her voice hopeful. Once again, Nacht brushed off her question and took a seat at the table. "If you're hoping for a cure, well, I'm the bearer of bad news. There is no way to cure it. In a few hours, perhaps days, you will turn into the same creatures as the ones outside," he explained callously, lacking any empathy. "Shut up! How would you know! Mother isn't going to become like them!" Lillith shouted defiantly. "Is that so?" Nacht questioned. He retrieved his dagger and sliced his palm, allowing blood to drip onto the table. "Let us see then," he said calmly. Suddenly, Orianna grabbed Nacht's hand and attempted to bring it towards her mouth, but he quickly healed the wound. Before Orianna could lick the blood, it evaporated from the table. "There is your answer," Nacht stated, unsurprised by the outcome. Orianna collapsed to her knees. "What happened to me? I couldn't control my body when I saw your blood. I didn't feel that way when I saw the other blood on the ground. How come only yours…?" she asked, confusion evident in her voice. "It is the instinct of the infected to reclaim their bodies by becoming blood servants. Infected can't control their bodies, but blood servants can. They have full control over their bodies; the only thing holding them back is their master's command. If you have a 'kind' master, he may consider not giving you any command and letting you live your life in peace. Not that there are many 'masters' anyways," Nacht explained. "That is why our blood is so highly sought after," he added. He stood up and glanced at Orianna, who remained kneeling on the floor, despair written across her face. Lilith tried to comfort her mother, but it was futile. Alice placed her hand on Nacht's shoulder, a pleading look in her eyes. "You are one of the 'masters.' Can't you give her your blood to turn her into a blood servant? You are kind, and you can let her go even if she has your blood, right?" she implored. Nacht shrugged off Alice's hand and grabbed his cloak before walking toward the door to leave. "Out of the question! I will not give my blood to anyone!" he declared angrily before storming out.

Alice knelt next to Lillith and her mother, Orianna. Lilith looked at Alice with newfound hope in her eyes. "He can cure Mother with his blood?" she asked, her desperation tinged with relief at the possibility. Alice didn't disclose Nacht's true nature to them, but it seemed inconsequential as long as Orianna could be cured. Alice nodded reassuringly. "He should be able to. I just don't understand why he refused," she mused aloud. With determination, Lilith quickly stood up, grabbed her rifle and dashed outside, following Nacht. "Wait!" shouted Alice, but before she could follow Lilith, Orianna collapsed, her condition worsening. The black vein-like markings extended to her neck, throbbing at an alarming rate, as if she had a second heartbeat. 

The infection is getting worse. It all depends on his decision now.