Unspoken Shadows

Awakening in the Darkness

4,000 Years Later...Lavi sighed deeply as he sat in the garden, the once vibrant flora now seemed dull in his eyes, overshadowed by a profound sadness and loneliness. He had witnessed the world change around him—empires rose and fell, technology advanced, cultures evolved. Though he found some enjoyment in observing these transformations, it was always tainted by the bitter reality that he had to endure them alone. His heart ached for companionship, a longing that centuries of solitude had only amplified.

"Why did it have to be just me to survive?" he muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper, lost in the stillness of the night.Meanwhile, Kanda grumbled as he arrived at the small, quaint hotel in the middle of an unfamiliar country. His adoptive father had sent him on this trip to gather material for his thesis paper on ancient civilizations. Though he should have felt grateful for the opportunity to escape his mundane life and the classmates he detested, he couldn't shake off the resentment of being thrust into this unwanted adventure. With a huff, he grabbed his suitcase and Mugen from the taxi, trudging inside the hotel.

The woman at the front desk looked up as he approached, her smile warm and welcoming. "Welcome. How may I help you?" she greeted."Room for Kanda," he replied curtly."One moment, please," she said, checking the computer. "Yes, room 304 on the third floor," she said, handing him the key. Kanda took it without a word and walked to the elevators. As he pressed the up button, he sighed in relief when the doors opened quickly. Stepping in, he selected his floor and scowled at the tinny elevator music. The ride felt interminable, but as soon as the doors opened, he stomped out.

Kanda soon found himself in his room, the small space feeling even more confining with the weight of his reluctance. He sat on the bed, rummaging through his bag for something to occupy his mind. After a few minutes of digging, he settled on his camera, hoping to capture some interesting shots for his thesis. Looking out the window, he saw the sky darkening."Tch. Great. Now I have to wait till tomorrow..." he grumbled, flopping back on the bed. Deciding there was nothing else to do, he let sleep claim him, hoping tomorrow would bring a change in his sour mood.

As the sun set, Lavi walked outside, the cool night air a small comfort. Though he could walk in daylight, he preferred the night. There was something calming about the darkness, something that matched the shadows in his heart. As he walked towards the town, he pondered aloud, "I wonder who the poor soul I'll drain tonight." He sighed, stopping abruptly as a strange sensation washed over him.

"There's someone new here..." he muttered, closing his eye to let his senses take over. When he opened it again, he found himself inside a modest hotel room. Curiosity piqued, he moved closer to the sleeping figure on the bed. He didn't realize how close he had gotten until they stirred in their sleep. Startled, he stumbled backwards, tripping over a bag and falling with a thud.Kanda's eyes snapped open at the sound. Instantly alert, he unsheathed Mugen and pointed it at the intruder. He threw off the covers and got out of bed, turning on the lamp. The sudden light revealed a startled young man, sitting awkwardly on the floor."How'd you get in here?" Kanda growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. Lavi, still shocked at being caught, froze. Kanda pressed his sword against Lavi's neck. "How did you get in here?" he demanded again.

"I...Um...Climbed up the wall and came through the window?" Lavi mentally slapped himself for such a stupid answer. Kanda glanced up at the window."The window has a screen on it. It's not cut and the window isn't open. So how did you get in?""Would you believe I'm a vampire?" Lavi asked sheepishly, a weak attempt at humor. Kanda looked at him with disbelief."Are you an idiot?" Kanda asked sarcastically, his grip on Mugen unwavering. Lavi slowly stood up, noting how the sword stayed level with his neck."So I take that as a no." Kanda rolled his eyes. It was clear he didn't believe in vampires. Sighing, Lavi grinned wickedly.

"Fine. Don't believe me. But you will after this," Lavi said with a smirk. Kanda was about to ask what he meant when Lavi disappeared in a cloud of mist. Kanda's jaw dropped. He blinked a few times before shaking his head, trying to make sense of what he had just seen."Impossible. That's impossible..." Kanda muttered, his mind reeling.

Lavi reappeared in his bedroom, pacing around in frustration. "How could I do that? I should have killed him," he whined, flopping face-first onto the bed. He rolled onto his back and sighed, feeling a strange mix of regret and curiosity."I didn't even do what I meant to do in town..." he complained to no one. "I'll track him down tomorrow and get rid of him," Lavi resolved, rolling onto his side and wiggling under the covers, trying to push the encounter from his mind. As he drifted off to sleep, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement. For the first time in centuries, something—someone—had stirred his interest.