In aeternum

Chapter 24

This was it.

Seonghwa took a deep breath as he stood at his waiting spot, wearing a cloak over his clothes so as to not get as easily spotted when the finals began. He had seen the competition only one other time in his lifetime but he hadn't stayed for long, afraid that he would get exposed if someone had seen him then but he knew how this went. The 10 remaining participants would have to find their way through the maze and fight to the death. Or at least that was what it used to be until Seonghwa heard Yeosang's announcement and felt his heart drop. Human? The only human Seonghwa knew that was here was San. It couldn't be, right? But anyone who drank from San would die. Seonghwa wondered if the Overseer had overlooked that or was that another plot to his ultimate goal of crowning Wooyoung as vampire lord? No, Wooyoung would die if he drank San's blood. So what was going on?

Seonghwa didn't have more time to mull over it as the horn echoed through the tunnel he was in and he started moving swiftly. He adjusted the rings on his fingers and decided to take it slow first. Let the competition whittle themselves down. He also had to execute the plan and that means he had to get to the open platform where the others would be able to see him. It didn't take too long before he heard a crash. He headed in that direction and slowed down when he saw a body flying into his sight. Of course, it was a vampire and the other was already bleeding out faster than he was healing. Seonghwa was certain the enemy was definitely not one easy to deal with so he took a few steps back into the dark.

He wondered if Yeosang even had any plans on how to deal with these kinds of vampires in order for Wooyoung to win. They were out for the kill and definitely won't hold anything back in order to be the vampire lord. It was a position of ultimate power after all. The vampire leaped onto his prey and tore through his throat, grinning from ear to ear as the other disintegrated. He spat the blood out before running to find his next competitor. Seonghwa decided to trail the vampire for now while keeping an eye out for any potential ambushes. He also needed to find Wooyoung so fighting now wasn't his first priority.

Another few minutes in and Seonghwa heard another scream echo through the tunnel. Another dead presumably. He turned the corner and noticed branching paths before deciding to go the opposite direction from the vampire he had been tailing since he felt like they were going in circles. He felt a small current and decided to continue heading down that way until he saw the exit. He slowed down and peered out of it, eyes widening as he saw San who still couldn't get away from the spot he was chained to. He would run there and save his son right away but he knew what was at stake here so he held onto his emotions tightly.

Another scream echoed from another opening, causing San to freeze and gulp before trying to break free again. A vampire stepped out from one of the entrances and it was none other than Wooyoung, hands and lips stained blood red. San gasped and couldn't help but to stare at the state his best friend was in. He didn't know what to say but when he saw the look in Wooyoung's eyes, he could tell something was wrong. His friend wasn't his friend. There was something else. Wooyoung, however, started to run to San who fell back as his hand stretched out to grab him.

"Wooyoung, it's me!" San yelled while trying to dodge his friend's attacks. Seonghwa twitched as he thought about protecting San but that also meant hurting Wooyoung. He was in a dilemma despite having Wooyoung where he wanted him to be. He lifted his hand and gritted his teeth. "Snap out of it!"

Wooyoung turned around to look at him and San panted. He dashed forward to attack again and this time, Seonghwa had to step in. He snapped his fingers, swapping San and Wooyoung's positions. San was free and Wooyoung stumbled forward.

"Appa?" San whispered as he looked around to find Seonghwa but only saw Wooyoung spinning around to tackle him again. San hopped out of the way and started to run instead.