A Cold Night

The wounded Secessus nearly chokes on his own blood. Already in a weakened state, he's been betrayed by some human mercenaries. The wounds would be fatal for any human, however, the shade demon's regenerative capabilities are all but human. His tiredness makes it work slower, the wounds and the pain sticking around for longer than usual.

The shade demon recovering from his wounds feels different. This is unlike losing a battle. This wasn't how he felt losing to Anima. No, this is more shameful, 5 mere humans had the audacity to betray him! Instead of tiredness and confusion, two new prevalent emotions take over the shade demon. Anger and sadness.

This was meant to be the ideal world. The new world. A place without backstabbing, an accepting world. The place where "home" could be. So why was he betrayed in this world and not in the other? Why did humans betray him and not literal devils? Who has truly been worse?

'Besides whom the fuck are they to dare to decide they can just simply kill me? Arrogant swine, I'll make them beg for it. Those low lives scum.' The thoughts of the shade demon are as harsh as his strengthened hands crushing into the stone cavern floor. Still slowly regeneration, the dark bloody aura filled with bloodlust spreads through the caves again.

***

Cornelius walks around through the late-night alleys. The mercenaries rush around as the sound of their armor clanking and drawn swords fill the street. Many mercenaries are moving toward the catcombs. More of "The SIlver Sons,"The beggar's Coin Pouch" but also mercenaries carrying the crest of a boat sailing over a silver sea. Urgency in their steps as tonight is the night that these senseless murders finally come to a halt.

Some mercenaries fidget around with their blade whilst others are more steadfast and stern. Experience and bravery are being tested at the moment whilst their captains watch. Looking at the promising prospects.

Ignoring the hassle and the beggars, Cornelius continues to walk. The essence of his being stirring like a sea before the storm's end. He walks around slowly before losing his balance. Falling to the ground, his cane next to him.

A mercenary that was rushing by stops and helps him up. Also giving him the cane he dropped. Cornelius nods as a thank you and the mercenary continues on again. Cornelius takes out a summoned tissue and begins to clean his cane and himself. His eyes glare at all the onlookers, desperate for a show in these late hours.

Cornelius continues to sit there, a pain in his left upper chest. His legs shaking. Rain still fills the night, the raindrops acting like the tears he cannot spill.

"It's cold here spirit." The familiar old woman called Yasha says as she stands next to Cornelius. Her awful posture makes them on eye level even though one is sitting down.

"I don't feel cold." The spirit replies, the rain still pouring down on the being.

"Well, are you certain? You don't look too well." Yasha says acting like a concerned grandmother, quite the shift from the active teasing before. Cornelius doesn't reply, simply continuing to sit outside during this wet night.

"You can at least sulk somewhere dry right? I've still got plenty of tea in the store." Yasha doesn't wait for a response as she grabs the spirit by his ear and pulls him toward the shop.

***

The catacombs have been successfully cleared. Reinforcements arrived soon after the death of the two mercenaries in the expedition group. With these new numbers cutting through the vampires wasn't hard. However, the catacombs were in an abysmal state and have multiple connections with cavern systems. Many of the vampiric kin probably fled to those systems. Opting to flee to live another day. This includes the vampire called Yri, the more intelligent vampire that they encountered. And most importantly of all, the party was still missing their temporary member.

Aryien and the party stand outside the catacombs in the graveyard. The other mercenaries took charge of the exploration of the cavern systems. It was decided since they had to check for possible infections. Luckily the party was deemed safe and didn't have any grievous injuries.

Cristal is pacing around whilst the others are also doing something to keep themselves busy. Gunnir is the first one to stand up and move toward the small house in the graveyard as a familiar face approaches.

Lhedo and his four companions have returned. They were the first to arrive and explore the caves.

"Have you seen him?" Gunnir asks as his large frame now stands close to Lhedo. Almost blocking the sole door of the building.

"I have." Lhedo says mournfully. "It isn't good news." The party faces drop hearing the tragic voice of Lhedo and his words. "We found his corpse, he was killed by the vampire it seems. The vampire remains on the loose."

"Where's the body?" Cristal moves in and injects herself into the conversation.

"What?"

"Where's the body? It's the least you could have done. Bring back the body." Cristal takes a commanding tone as the voice of the group shows her displeasure.

"There wasn't much of a body left. Please understand." The leader of the 5 mercenaries responds. Now the leaders of their respective groups face each other. Both have their hands on their weapons.

"I understand you all are angry. But please no more violence. There has been enough death today." Lhedo comes between the two leaders as he looks down to the ground. Tears or raindrops fall from his cheeks. "Let's go drink something. Stop the nerves and pass these sad times." Lhedo's gaze shifts toward his leader. The leader simply nods in response before leaving with the three other members leaving Lhedo behind with the party. Lhedo moves to the standing still Gunnir, his eyes fixated on the door. "Again… Another one." The large man mutters, his eyes not leaving the door.

"Come on big man. Let's go drink." Lhedo grabs Gunnir's hand pulling him as the party follows. Going to the closest taverns to drown their sorrows.