She paced back and forth in her tent, with a haunted gaze. The battle was over, yet she was now fighting to not break down. Her heart was beating fast, afraid. She could hear her troops outside, roaming in the camp, arranging their next assault. They counted on her guidance,…

Each day, he looked at the horizon from the summit of the towers. Eventually, smoke rose in the distance, faint yet undeniable. And after every dawn and dusk, it flowed higher into the sky, creeping closer. It was a matter of time until it happened, yet the moment was still…

He marched ahead, past the huge banners that hung on the stony walls. Even if the corridors were dark and grim, he moved surely towards the throne room. His pensive frown matched the dejected expressions of the vampires he crossed, for all the court was troubled. Bastian looked up sadly.…

His claws sunk into the tree trunk, and they allowed him to climb easily. He pulled himself up, with no hesitation. Soon, he stood on a branch, from which he scouted his surroundings. His sharp eyes glinted as he contemplated the distance, which only the moonlight revealed. The night was…

She read the documents once more, as she marched surely through the huge corridors of her castle. Her second in command walked close behind, answering firmly all her inquiries. “How many?” “Enough to pose a threat, sire. Some towns have suffered a few attacks. The insurgents have noticed our… diplomatic…

Another day… Like in many others, she halted in front of the door, to then take a deep breath. Her claw pushed slowly, and she invited herself in. She had expected to see Bastian moping again, perhaps near the desk, or in a dark corner between furniture. Much like his…

There was another wheezed growl. And again, it was followed by a faint knock and an appeal. “Please…” There was no answer, once more. But his intent was clear, he would not get out. I won’t. There was no light inside the crypt, not a trace. Yet, if he opened…

The coldness was unbearable. But that, he still could not recognize. He could not perceive the screaming, the fervent arguing, or the echo of a grief-stricken voice that roared to be left alone. He did not feel the strong hold of the arms that carried him, nor how they let…

The smoke and ruin tainted his vision. He raised his hand over his lidded eyes, having trouble discerning his own fingers. All he could see was black and red. The sun was setting, and not even the gleams of the fire could pierce the thick shadows around him. He could…

He really loathed hiding all day and night. It was an oppressive feeling, one that he considered underserved and unjust. Bastian sighed and looked over his shoulder, still a little paranoid. His mare let out a huff as he pulled at the reins to make her halt, in order for…