Heart of a Hero: Somehow I've become the Vampire Queen?!

Chapter 9 - Undead Trails

The sun had begun its descent beyond the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the landscape. Ambra and Ollie had ventured a short distance away from their fortress, finding a picturesque clearing nestled among the trees. An old and torn, checkered blanket from the fortress' storage was spread on the ground, adorned with an array of simple but delightful treats—cooked wild animal food that Ambra had prepared for Ollie.

There were tender pieces of bird and rabbit meat, carefully cooked to perfection, alongside a handful of plump, juicy berries. The forest around them was alive with the soft symphony of evening insects, and the air was tinged with the scent of pine.

Ambra sat cross-legged on the blanket, her silver hair catching the dying light as she arranged the meal. Ollie paced around, his forest-hound nose twitching with anticipation. His tail wagged in excitement as he sniffed at the delectable offerings, occasionally letting out an excited bark."Alright, Ollie," Ambra chuckled, offering him a piece of cooked bird meat. "Dig in, my friend."

Ollie needed no further encouragement. He eagerly gobbled up the meat, his tail wagging even more fervently as he savored the flavorful treat. Ambra watched him with amusement, her heart warming at his enjoyment.

As Ollie devoured the meat, Ambra's gaze drifted to the fading hues of the evening sky. She took a sip from a wooden flask, savoring the taste of cool water on her lips. Her own meal lay untouched on the blanket, a collection of cooked wild animal food that she had prepared for Ollie's sake.

The last rays of sunlight painted the sky in hues of pink and orange, creating a serene backdrop for their evening reprieve. Ambra leaned back, her eyes half-lidded as she gazed at the shifting colors above. Ollie continued to enjoy his meal, blissfully unaware of his companion's unfulfilled craving.

As the evening colors deepened into twilight, Ambra couldn't help but wish she could join Ollie in his feast. Her vampire physiology had drastically altered her dietary needs, making it impossible for her to consume anything except blood. And to her dismay, craving it and even needing it.

Ollie finished his meal, his contentment was evident as he licked his chops and looked up at Ambra with an expectant expression. Ambra smiled at him, though a touch of low-spiritedness lingered in her gaze. "You really love those, don't you, Ollie?"

Ollie barked in response, his tail wagging as if in agreement. Ambra's smile widened, and she reached over to give his fur a gentle ruffle. "Well, I'm glad someone's enjoying our little picnic." Ollie lay down beside her, his belly full from his share of the treats.

Their peaceful moment, however, was shattered by a sudden rustling from the trees. Ollie's ears perked up, his head turning towards the source of the noise. He let out a low growl, his forest hound instincts alerting him to something amiss.

Ambra's gaze snapped to attention, her crimson eyes narrowing as she scanned the trees. Her hand instinctively moved towards the hilt of her chipped holy platinum sword, the blade that had served her faithfully even in its weakened state.

From the shadows emerged a figure—an animated skeleton, its bones clattering as it moved. In its bony fingers, it held a dull chipped sword, the metal barely gleaming in the fading light. Its empty eye sockets seemed to fixate on Ambra and Ollie, its intent unclear but undoubtedly hostile.