Instincts

[An Unwritten Event is happening.]

Arin had anticipated this, so he ignored the notification, continuing forward with a calm, unreadable expression hidden behind his mask.

Tessa remained silent, her gaze fixed on Chaos. Her mind was in turmoil. One moment, Chaos seemed aligned with the Vampires, the next, he was clearly not. She could only stand by, waiting to see how events would unfold.

Seraphine narrowed her crimson eyes as Arin approached her. 'Why is he walking towards me?' she wondered. But before she could act on her suspicion, something unexpected happened.

"Huh?" she muttered, glancing over her shoulder at the four other Vampires. They were retreating, their eyes wide with shock. It was as if they had just encountered something far beyond their comprehension.

Seraphine felt an uneasy familiarity. 'Don't tell me... No, it can't be...'

Among the special traits that Vampires had, there was one that was among the most important to them.

Their Instincts!

Vampires were very dependent on their instincts, and most of the time, they follow them. It was the same for Seraphine, and the other four Vampires.

Though, the instincts of the four Vampires were saying a single sentence....

'This man is dangerous.....!'

Realizing this, the four Vampires began to retreat. But before they could flee, Seraphine raised her hand, halting them. Even if their instincts urged them to escape, they dared not disobey the Second Princess of the Vampires, for to do so would be courting death itself.

Seraphine focused on Arin as he continued to close the distance. 'There's something off about him,' she thought, her unease growing. 'How does he know my name? My position among the Vampires?'

The fact that her subordinates were on the verge of fleeing made Arin, or "Chaos," even more of an enigma.

Arin finally stopped a few steps away from Seraphine, his cloak fluttering lightly in the wind.

A tense silence settled over the forest, thick with anticipation. The other Vampires, who had moments ago been growling, now stood silent, awaiting Seraphine's command.

Tessa gripped her sword tightly, her knuckles white with tension. "What the hell is going on...?"

After a few moments, Seraphine sighed, her posture relaxing slightly. "It seems you have something important to discuss with me," she said, folding her arms. "Given that you know certain things about me, I assume you're here specifically for me."

Her voice was low, almost a whisper, but it carried clearly to Arin and Tessa.

'I have to agree,' Tessa thought. 'He clearly came here knowing they'd be here.'

Since their first encounter in the forest, Chaos had consistently defied expectations, always knowing more than he let on and moving with an air of mystery.

Arin's gaze met Seraphine's, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. "Discuss?"

Seraphine tilted her head, a playful smile forming. "And will you explain how you know my name and that I'm the Second Princess of the Vampires?"

"That's not why I'm here," Arin replied sharply, catching Seraphine off guard. His eyes locked onto hers, and her smile faltered, replaced by a cautious frown.

Regaining her composure, Seraphine crossed her arms again. "Then why are you here?"

Immediately she asked that question, Arin raised his right hand, but in that same instant, Seraphine's expression changed to that of a frown, and her ears suddenly twitched.

Suddenly, her instincts reacted, and then...

*WHOOSH*

In less than a second, Seraphine's claws elongated, transforming into sharp blades as she slashed toward Arin with lightning speed.

*WHOOSH*

Her claws sliced through the air, aiming directly for Arin's head.

Arin smirked, ready to unleash his plan, but before he could act, something unexpected occurred.

At that exact moment, as Seraphine's claws closed in on Arin...

*BOOM*

A loud explosion echoed through the forest, followed by a sudden gust of wind.

*WHOOSH*

Tessa appeared in front of Arin, her speed astonishing.

*CLANG*

A sharp metallic sound rang out as Tessa's sword intercepted Seraphine's claws, sparks flying from the impact.

Arin was momentarily stunned. He had a plan in mind, but he hadn't anticipated Tessa intervening. She had created a loud noise, absorbed the sound, and channeled it to her feet, allowing her to block Seraphine's attack just in time.

But Arin didn't have time to dwell on that. Without hesitation, he moved behind Seraphine, whose claws were still locked against Tessa's sword.

*WHOOSH*

A Water Spike materialized in Arin's right hand, and he swiftly drove it into the head of one of the stunned Vampires. The strike was lethal, killing it instantly.

The other three Vampires quickly recovered, the second one swinging its claws at Arin with fierce speed.

*CLANG*

Arin deflected the attack with his Water Spike. Before the Vampire could react, another Water Spike appeared in Arin's left hand, which he drove into the Vampire's head, ending its life instantly.

Arin's eyes darted to Tessa, who was still holding Seraphine at bay.

A satisfied smile spread across Arin's face. "Nice…"

The third Vampire charged at him, claws outstretched.

*CLANG*

Another clash rang out as Arin deflected the attack. Before the Vampire could recover...

*BAM*

Arin's kick landed squarely on its chest, sending the Vampire crashing into a tree with a painful grunt. "Ugh…"

*WHOOSH*

Arin ducked under the final Vampire's claws and plunged his Water Spike into its abdomen. The Vampire stumbled back, but before it could regain its footing, Arin stabbed its forehead, killing it instantly.

Arin scanned the surroundings. "Now, where's that last one...?"

He quickly spotted the Vampire he had kicked, who was now on its feet. Before it could think of fleeing, Arin closed the distance and plunged his Water Spike into its head, ending the fight.

"Now that's done," Arin muttered, turning his attention back to Tessa and Seraphine.

Seraphine was frowning deeply, her claws still clashing with Tessa's sword.

Tessa was breathing heavily, her stamina waning. Despite her strength, Seraphine was a formidable opponent.

"Tessa..." Arin called out, drawing the attention of both women.

His cloak billowed as he approached. "You've done well... You can rest now..."

"Huh?" Tessa murmured, struggling to understand Chaos's words.

Seraphine scanned the forest, realizing that the other four Vampires were gone. Her playful smile returned. "Oh, I see… You killed them, didn't you?"

Arin didn't reply, his thoughts focused on the reason he was in the forest. He wouldn't leave until he had achieved his goal.

For that, he would need...

"An Extra's Stand..."

Suddenly...

"Wait... What... What is happening...? What is this feeling?!"

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[A/N]

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