9 Chapter 9

Alexander P.O.V

The Great Devil Scripture had various benefits to a cultivator's body and mind. After breaking through to Foundation-Establishment I only required an hour's worth of sleep every few nights.

Boundless energy flowed in my blood. I could run without end or go without breathing for several hours.

The Foundation-Establishment realm was divided into ten stages, just like the ten stages of Qi-Refinement.

Under the stimulation of Edward's bloodlust I had broken through to the second stage a few nights ago.

So far I had never the opportunity to test my strength against a living opponent. In terms of physical power I believed myself to be slightly weaker than an ordinary vampire. Naturally I couldn't compare to the tyrannical strength of a newborn.

'There's more to a cultivator then big muscles.' I thought to myself.

The plot had been progressing steadily.

Bella's suspicions of Edward were growing constantly. At the beach Jacob had told her the legends of the conflict between the Quileutes and the Cold ones. If things continued at their current pace it wouldn't be long until Edward exposed his darker, more bloodthirsty side to her.

Currently another major piece of the plot was taking place.

'With a slight adjustment.'

Bella and I had hung out several times outside of school. She was quick-witted and curious, her jokes could be awkward and sometimes her naivety stunned me. Regardless I thought of her as a good friend.

Due to my...unique circumstances I didn't exactly have many friends. I could tell it concerned my parents but after trying and failing to improve my social life, they gave up.

My grades were top of the class, I smiled every morning at breakfast; other than my lack of friends I was a model student and excellent son.

If things followed their semi-destined course, right now Bella was supposed to be being harassed in an alleyway by the bunch of creeps.

In the movies however Bella didn't have a powerful cultivator watching her back.

Controlling the minds of a few mortals took only a single spell. The second the low-lives tried to harass Bella they collapsed without warning.

Edward tire's squealed to announce his arrival. His headlights cut through the darkness and lit up the scene.

"Bella are you ok? I could tell what-" He paused.

Despite my interference the events afterwards still, mostly, followed their scripted course.

I wasn't interested in listening in on their conversations at the restaurant but I assumed Edward was telling her his ability to read minds.

The characters of this world looked, walked and talked like their movie counterparts but outside of the plot they behaved just like ordinary people. Or ordinary vampires.

I checked my phone. The time was 9:37, meaningless on any other day. But for one man and his boat, it was more important that anytning else.

Waylon was sleeping, in a way at least. It would no doubt surprise his wife to find him snoring noisily on their doorstep in the morning.

However to an onlooker he had just cast his line into the murky waters of the swamp.

'All this mind-control isn't good for me.' I lamented.

The swamp was an excellent place to hide. A person could disappear for weeks in its foggy depths.

It was also an excellent place for a vampire to find an easy meal.

Thud!

Waylon's boat rocked dangerously. Foul smelling water splashed on his skin.

An uninvited guest crouched at the stern of the boat. Her delicate pale skin and long red hair gave off a dark yet irresistible charm.

"Hello." Waylon greeted her.

The guest frowned slightly at his calm tone. Humans had a variety of reactions to her. Calmness was very rarely one.

Dismissing the thought the gorgeous red-haired woman crouched silently as she waited for her companions to arrive.

It had been too long since she last fed. She was beginning to become paranoid to the emotions of a worthless human.

"Nice jacket."

Waylon turned his head at the sound of a new voice. A shirtless male stood grinning on the tail of his boat. His bright red eyes stared at Waylon hungrily. His gaze was like a wolf stalking its prey.

"Who are you?" Waylon demanded in a raised voice.

The shirtless male sighed disinterestedly, "It's always the same inane questions. Who are you?"

"Why are you doing this?" The red-haired woman added in a drawling tone.

Sadistic joy shone in the man's blood-coloured eyes, "What do you want?"

A tired male voice interrupted the pair's game, "James, let's not play with our food."

The casualness behind in his words made it seem as if he wasn't discussing ending a human life.

Nodding eagerly the figure of the red-haired woman blurred and appeared next to Waylon. Like a whip her leg kicked towards his waist. No human could survive the blow.

Waylon's blue eyes had been strangely dull since the start. They lacked the luster of a living thing.

The red-haired woman's kick should've been to fast for his vision to follow. The surface of the lake rippled from the wind generated by her monstrous strength.

Yet Waylon's blue eyes calmly tracked the path of her kick.

The realisation finally dawned on the third guest. Centuries of arrogance had clouded their judgement and now-

"Something's wrong!"

His warning came too late.

'Got you!'

Strength poured into my limbs. Several spells stacked at once, amplifying my power to the limits of what I could bear.

The sound was awful.

A horrible ripping and tearing noise that would curdle the blood of a grown man.

Blood splashed onto my face. It was icy cold.

The red-haired woman's mouth was open wide. Disbelief was plastered across her face.

A piece of meat, an ordinary idiotic insignificant worm...had hurt her?

The thrill of battle rushed to my head. I couldn't suppress the grin that pulled the corners of my lips upwards.

I held the torn-off leg in my hands, "Missing something?"

With a bestial roar the shirtless man launched himself towards me. His hand was clenched in a claw like shape and aiming at the centre of my chest.

My instincts screamed at me to avoid the blow. Not even a Golden-Core cultivator could survive with a crushed heart.

Summoning a gale to enhance my speed I met his claw with a violent kick to the wrist.

The unrecognisable snap of bone echoed through the swamp.

The element of surprise had practically gifted me the leg of the red-haired woman. I had stored it in an artifact at my waist to look at later.

Now in just the first blow I had dealt considerable damage to my second opponent.

I had paid a small price to inflict such damage. In several places my muscles were torn or damaged and a few blood vessels had burst in my hands from the force behind the red-haired woman's kick.

The wounds were inconsequential. My injuries would heal in just a few hours.

"Stop!" The third guest shouted.

He was different to his companions. Human life still held no value to him but he was not dominated by his bloodlust like the others.

"I am Laurent, these are my companions Victoria and James. We did not know you were living here my friend. Please, excuse our rudeness."

In the show Laurent had delivered a warning to the Cullen's. His good deed did not go unpunished and shortly after he was torn to shreds by a pack of giant wolves.

The blame for his death unfortunately landed on Bella's fragile human shoulders.

There were three of them and one of me. With my current strength it was impossible to kill all of them. It was much more likely I would end up caught off guard and severely injured.

I had prepared several places to hide and recover. I didn't want to use them now.

"Leave now."

Laurent lowered his head in gratitude, "Thank you friend. We will not bother you again."

Acting quickly he lifted the badly injured Victoria into his arms and left without looking back.

I had no doubt he harboured thoughts of revenge but for the moment he was focused on preserving his life. For vampires, revenge could always wait.

James' face was distorted with rage as he stared at me with a murderous gaze.

I stared back at him unflinching.

Killing a group of vampires held countless risks and would require me to pay a heavy price. A lone vampire, even one as skilled as James, posed me no threat.

If he attacked I would gladly accept his challenge.

I couldn't help but feel slightly dissapointed as he retreated into the swamp.

'Till next time.'