Rain fell softly over the fields. A figure marched alone through a road, tugging at her robes strongly to keep herself warm.

Lyssa tried to summon some heat on her hands, but the water prevented her from doing so. There was a farm in the distance, and she could find shelter in it if she headed west. However, she refused, for she was firm in the path she was following. She had a long way to go, because she had barely left Hollowgrave behind. Even if she had been walking for two days and her feet were tired, she was not faltering.

No one roamed like her, for people rarely left the shelter of the underground fortress or their towns. Vampire attacks were common, because many desperate loners crept, not bound to any clan. She had a dagger on her belt, however, hidden below her robes. No beast would lurk under the rain, and she could invoke fire if the sun shined. Her backpack was full of food as well, all that she needed for the journey. She would be fine.

It was very rare to see anyone wander, so she was surprised when she heard a horse behind her, approaching fast. She proceeded to step to a side, to let whoever came to go past her. Her surprise turned into shock, because a horse passed her by indeed, but only to make a sharp turn and slam its hooves down in front of her.

“H-hey!” She was going to scream at the horseman, until said man pushed off the hood he wore. “W-wha-“

She took a step back, because those old eyes glared at her intensely, with pure anger.

“Where do you think you are going?”

She took a minute to answer, for there was fear in her heart, something she rarely felt. When she replied, she did so with a timid whisper, unnerved by the look he was giving her.

“I told you already.”

His gaze pierced her even more, and if it was not raining, perhaps his hands would have smoked. She flinched when he hit the reins and forced the horse to step real close to her, to allow his next command to be even more demanding.

“Climb on. You are not going anywhere.”

She shuddered, for he used a tone that he only reserved for individuals he scorned.

“Do you intend to bring me back to accuse me of treason?”

He snarled and leaned his head, not doubting to say the next words.

“Traitors are put to death, hanged publicly.” She felt relief when his glare softened, to hint his reluctance. “I won’t reveal your betrayal, but only if you turn back, now. Don’t be foolish, Lyssa… You will end up becoming cattle.”

That invoked her anger. She grabbed her backpack tighter and took a defensive stance.

“I won’t be cattle or anyone’s slave.”

He laughed without doing so. She could see the hate in his eyes, even if the rain was intensifying around them.

“You wish to live under vampiric rule, don’t you? I assure you, you will be nothing more than a plaything. I have lived under their tyranny, and I know what they can do. No, I will not let you surrender yourself so blindly! Do not believe he has a heart, for he is bound to the whims of his lord, who will not doubt to make you bleed if hunger calls!”

“Bastian is not heartless!” He was taken aback, because she yelled in anger, outraged by his words. “Nerys would never-!”

She slammed her hands onto her mouth, but the truth had already escaped her in a wounded outburst. At first, his eyes looked at her in shock, but then they hinted understanding.

“So that’s why…” She lowered her hands, to give him the same cold stare he was giving her. “You were not trying to save him, but her as well. She is alive.”

She nodded firmly without averting her gaze, and that made him feel horror.

“She has been alive all this time.” He growled, and his next words tangled with disgust. “Not only did she become a vampire, but the ruler of a despicable den! She has spawned many of those vile creatures! You did not lead us away to spare a simple fledgling, but a damn warlord! Lyssa, you have betrayed us!”

“Y-yes, I have! And I don’t regret it!” She screamed back at him, ready to unsheathe her dagger. “I did go into that castle, and I saw that it was no den! Let me pass!”

She walked past his horse and marched ahead. He kicked his steed and followed, yelling at her furiously.

“Stop, right now!”

“Make me!”

“H-how dare you-“ He was losing his patience and composure. “Do not force my hand! I am offering you a chance to keep your honour! I’ve hidden your letters in my chambers, so you can still return without being seen as a deserter! Anyone that abandons the insurgence is incarcerated or exiled!”

“Exile is a good punishment for my wrongdoings! You don’t need to shield me!”

He truly did not wish to bring her harm, not even indirectly. Due to it, he tried to reason, with a softer plea.

“Lyssa, I beg you, don’t go. They have changed.”

“Yes, but not how you believe.”

“You have fallen prey to your sentimentality. Even if they show a faint trace of their humanity, the disease is uncontrollable. They have turned into beasts, driven by instinct over all else.”

“I know well what vampires are capable of.”

“Then why are you leaving?! I thought you understood our cause!”

She halted and looked back, because he had gotten down his horse. Now he was staring at her dreadfully, lost and hurt. He had stopped chasing, knowing he could not stop her. She whispered, giving him a sad regretful smile.

“Go back to Hollowgrave, please. I’ll be alright. They would never harm me.”

“But I can’t let you-”

She turned around and approached him, slowly. Her next question was calculated and piercing.

“What would you do if I became a vampire?”

He did not answer, but the hesitation was obvious in his eyes. That was enough for her.

“Go back.” She hugged him briefly, to then keep walking ahead. “I need to go.”

She marched strongly, without looking back. Until she heard it.

“W-wait.”

She glanced over her shoulder and saw that he had gotten onto his horse again, to approach her. Once at her side, he whispered, deadly serious.

“I can’t let you go like this.”

She frowned, but she did not yell due to his caring glare.

“I must-”

He clarified, before she could decide to run off.

“I can’t let you go alone.”

She blinked, for his gaze did not only hint worry, but resignation.

“You hate vampires, Sergius.”

He snarled and nodded strongly, wishing he could express how much he loathed them.

“I do, more than anything in the world. Those creatures should burn in hell, where they belong. You have fallen prey to madness, and I know I won’t manage to cure you of it, so I must go with you.”

She looked at the horizon subtly, worriedly.

“How do I know that you won’t try to pierce them with a stake as soon as we arrive?”

“I have no reason to trust them. If I am presented with one, I will reconsider slaying them.”

They stared at each other for a minute. In the end, they ended up reaching a silent agreement, speaking at once.

“The journey is long; we have time to argue…”

He sighed, while she nodded ahead. Once she got on the horse, he hit the reins, to advance towards the distance. He loathed vampires… but his hatred was not as strong as the care he felt for her.