Nightfall: Last Call

Chapter 8 - Mind Over Body

01:00 AM April 20th - Underground Chamber, The Howler

Across from him, Darius stood in perfect stillness, his eyes sharp and unreadable. He watched Ren like a hawk, his posture relaxed yet commanding.

"Again," Darius said calmly, his voice a quiet but firm command.

Ren swallowed, gripping the dagger tighter in his hand. He shifted his stance, his feet finding balance on the cool stone floor, and lunged forward with everything he had. The blade flashed as he swung, aiming for Darius's chest.

But Darius moved too quickly. In a blink, the vampire sidestepped, catching Ren's wrist in a vice-like grip. Ren felt the air leave his lungs as Darius twisted, spinning him around and forcing the dagger from his hand. It clattered to the floor, the sound echoing in the silence.

The old vampire released Ren and stepped back, his expression calm but intense. "You're using too much force," he said, his voice steady. "You're relying on strength when you should be using speed and precision."

A frustrated breath left Ren's mouth, rubbing his wrist where Darius had grabbed him. "I'm trying," he muttered, shaking off the pain. "You move so fast, it's like I don't even see it coming."

Darius crossed his arms, his eyes locked on Ren. "A vampire will always be faster and stronger than you, Ren. If you try to match them with brute force, you'll lose every time."

Still catching his breath, Ren nodded, but frustration gnawed at him. "So what's the point of this? How do I win if I can't even keep up?"

The yellow gleaming gaze softened, just slightly, as Darius stepped closer. "It's not about winning, Ren. It's about surviving. You need to understand that. When you face Valen, your goal won't be to overpower him. It will be to outthink him. To endure."

Ren frowned, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Endure? What does that even mean against someone like Valen?"

Darius regarded him for a moment, then slowly crouched down, picking up the dagger Ren had dropped. He twirled it between his fingers with effortless grace, the blade catching the light as he spoke. "Vampires like Valen rely on their power, their speed, terror, their centuries of experience. They are used to breaking their enemies quickly. But what they don't expect is resilience." Darius's eyes met Ren's, his voice steady but intense. "Humans have something vampires often forget—endurance. The ability to withstand pain, to push through when they should fall. You need to learn to use that to your advantage."

Ren listened carefully, trying to make sense of Darius's words. "So... I just need to survive long enough to find an opening?"

Darius nodded. "Exactly. Surviving long enough in a fight will wear down your enemy. Vampires are overconfident—they expect to win easily. If you can outlast them, even for a few moments, you'll have a chance to strike. That's where your mind comes in." 

He tossed the dagger to Ren, who caught it awkwardly, the weight of it feeling more significant than before.

"Show me," Darius said, his voice quieter now. "Focus not on defeating me, but on surviving."

Ren took a deep breath, shifting his stance again, this time more centered. He held the dagger close, his eyes fixed on Darius's movements. There was no way he could match Darius's speed, but maybe he didn't have to. Maybe he just needed to read his movements, anticipate the strike, and endure. Remember Seraphine, remember Viktor. 

Reading your enemy's eyes can make you see five steps ahead. Vampires are arrogant, overconfident, they don't expect you to see anything but fear when you look at them. So stand your ground, read them, it will tell you everything you need. You can win the fight before it even begins... 

If you get hit, don't acknowledge any signs of defeat. If the enemy sees you shaking it off, you won a battle in the war to come. Keep winning those battles...

Darius's eyes flickered, and in an instant, he moved.

Ren barely had time to react, but this time, he didn't aim to block the blow head-on. He stepped aside, feeling the rush of air as Darius's hand cut through the space where he had just been standing. Ren stumbled but didn't fall, pivoting to keep his balance.

"Good," Darius said, circling him slowly. "Again."

Ren readjusted his grip on the dagger, his mind clearer now. He knew Darius could overpower him in a heartbeat, but that wasn't the point. He focused on his breathing, calming his nerves, and read the vampires eyes. 

In the silence, Ren's eyes wide and brimming with focus, stared down the vampire. His mind, body and soul calmer than it has ever been. 

Now.

Darius lunged again. Ren dodged, sidestepping and rolling out of reach, keeping his distance. His muscles burned, but he pushed through the pain, staying light on his feet.

"Don't let the pain slow you down," Darius said, his voice sharp. "Embrace it. It's part of the fight."

Ren gritted his teeth, feeling the strain in his arms and legs, but he kept moving. Darius attacked again, this time faster, a blur of motion. Ren barely managed to duck in time, feeling the rush of air as Darius's hand passed over his head.

For a brief moment, Ren saw an opening. He didn't hesitate. He swung the dagger in a quick arc, aiming for Darius's side. But before the blade could connect, Darius caught Ren's wrist again, stopping the strike just inches from his body.

Ren's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as Darius held his wrist firmly. They stood frozen for a moment, the dagger trembling in Ren's hand.

The vampire's gaze softened again, his grip loosening. "Better," he said quietly. "But you're still thinking like a human. You're still thinking in terms of attack and defense. You need to think like a survivor." He released Ren's wrist and stepped back, letting the tension between them ease. "You have the instincts," Darius continued, his voice calm. "But instincts won't be enough against someone like Valen. He will test you—push you to your limits. Your mind needs to be just as sharp as your blade."

Still trying to catch his breath, Ren nodded. He felt the weight of Darius's words settling over him, the realization that this fight wasn't just about learning how to swing a weapon. It was so much more.

Darius stepped closer, placing a hand on Ren's shoulder, a rare gesture of warmth from the usually stoic vampire. "You're stronger than you realize, Ren. And you're learning. But the fight that's coming... it's going to push you further than anything you've faced. You need to be ready for that."

He met Darius's gaze, the weight of his mentor's words sinking in. "I will be."

The old vampire gave a small, approving nod, then stepped back. "Good. Then we'll continue tomorrow. Rest for now—you'll need it."

Ren let out a slow breath, the tension in his muscles finally easing. He glanced down at the dagger in his hand, feeling its weight differently now. Darius's lessons were more than just physical—they were reshaping his mind.

As he left the underground chamber, Ren couldn't shake the feeling that the real test was just beginning. And when Valen came for him, he would need more than just strength to survive.