Training the BloodVaelith's nights were never peaceful. Sleep rarely came to him in the same way it did for
others. His mind was always restless, grappling with the surge of power that came with
his bloodline. As the next Lord of House Noctis, it wasn't simply about training to
become stronger—it was about learning to control the wild nature of his blood. Every
night was another battle, a quiet war between mastery and surrender.
He stood in the training chamber, surrounded by flickering candlelight and the deep
shadows of the ancient stone walls. Before him, a series of wooden dummies, equipped
with steel-reinforced limbs, stood like silent witnesses to his next attempt.
Vaelith inhaled deeply, focusing on the heat in his veins. His ability to control his blood
was his greatest asset, but it came with a price. The blood didn't simply obey—it
resisted, as if it were alive, trying to break free and assert its dominance over him. In
moments of extreme emotion, the control slipped, and he feared what might happen if his
anger or fear overwhelmed him.
His blood surged again as his hand shot out, and the veins in his palm pulsed with dark
crimson energy. With a focused thought, Vaelith drew the energy into a thin, razor-sharp
stream of blood blades that sliced through the dummies with a precision that startled
even him. The cutting power of his blood wasn't just about speed; it was about energy
and intent, manipulating the life force within it to do his bidding.
But there was more.
Vaelith closed his eyes, gathering all the power he could muster. A low hum filled the air
as the blood beneath his skin began to move, stretching, swirling, and reforming itself
into something more than just liquid. He imagined his blood flowing into a web of
threads, weaving around him, creating a protective shield of red energy that could
absorb blows, turn away attacks, and regenerate his strength.
This was the true power of a Noctis vampire—one that only the most skilled could
command. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, his powers felt incomplete. The blood
responded, but it never fully obeyed. It was always trying to push beyond his control.
Darian: The Shadow and the Shield
Darian's role in Vaelith's life was never simple. They were more than just best
friends—they were brothers in a way that Vaelith couldn't quite articulate. Darian was his
anchor, his unwavering rock in a world that constantly shifted beneath their feet. But
Darian's loyalty wasn't a natural thing in this society. He was a commoner, born to
humble means, raised outside the polished walls of noble estates. His life was one of
survival and strength of will.
But somehow, he had earned a place beside Vaelith in House Noctis.How Darian Came to Stay
It all started when Vaelith was a child. The Noctis estate had once been a stark, isolated
place, meant for the exclusive few. But Vaelith, even from his youngest years, had always
been different. He was too curious, too eager to see what lay beyond the gilded gates of
his house.
One day, he ventured into the town nearby, his usual guards far behind. That was when
he met Darian—a boy no older than Vaelith, who was running from a gang of thugs.
Darian had barely survived his scrappy life in the slums, and that day, he fought with
everything he had to protect Vaelith from those who would harm him.
Vaelith, for all his privilege, had been unable to do much. But in that moment, Darian's
selflessness, his willingness to risk his life for Vaelith, had bonded them. Darian became
a protector, not because of blood ties, but because of a connection forged in loyalty and
sacrifice.
Upon returning to the Noctis estate, Vaelith had asked his father to take Darian in. The
request was met with disdain—commoners were not welcomed in the lavish halls of
House Noctis. But something in Vaelith's insistence won over his father's begrudging
approval. Darian had been allowed to stay as a servant, but that label had never felt right.
He was more than that—he was family. Vaelith's parents, though still uncomfortable with
the arrangement, respected the bond between their son and Darian. Darian became a
fixture in the Noctis household, and while he never fully fit the mold of a noble vampire,
his dedication to Vaelith earned him a place in the inner circle.
Vampire Society: The Struggle for Power
Life in House Noctis was ruled by a complex set of expectations. Vampires weren't just
immortal, they were bound by bloodlines, and each House held a title, a claim to power
that had been established long before Vaelith was born. The title of Lord was more than
just an inherited position—it was a symbol of strength and control.
House Noctis, in particular, was known for its profound connection to the blood arts. The
Lord of House Noctis held command over not just his people, but his family's power, the
ability to manipulate and control blood. This power was passed down through
generations, but only the most worthy could wield it without being consumed by it.
Vaelith's family expected nothing less than perfection. As the heir, he had no room for
weakness, no time for mistakes. Every day was another opportunity to refine his skills, to
hone the weapon of his bloodline. And while his relationship with Darian had alwaysbeen an anchor, his family's expectations were a constant pressure that weighed heavily
on him.
Selene: A Growing Tension
Selene's presence in Vaelith's life was as inevitable as it was dangerous. Her beauty was
more than skin-deep—her strength, intellect, and wit made her an asset in ways Vaelith
couldn't ignore. But there was also tension in their relationship—something unresolved,
something dangerous.
Vaelith had always admired her independence, the way she had carved out a place for
herself in a world that demanded conformity. But as he spent more time with her, he
began to feel the inexorable pull of something deeper.
But would he allow himself to feel that?
He knew the answer—he couldn't afford to.
Conclusion: A Silent Storm
The more Vaelith trained, the more the burden of his bloodline pressed upon him. His
blood wanted to be unleashed, wanted to run wild, but he kept it in check—for now. The
quiet struggle within him was just the beginning of a far larger storm, one that would
eventually come to consume him.
But he wasn't ready to face it. Not yet.
And Darian, ever loyal, ever protective, would stand by him. But even Darian didn't know
what was coming.