Sword of Vengeance (Bjorn and Zyro #2)[COMPLETED]

15: The Giants of Intramuros

The ancient walls of Intramuros loomed over Bjorn and Spike, casting long shadows in the moonlight. The cobblestone streets beneath their feet were worn smooth by centuries of history. Spanish-era buildings, with their heavy wooden doors and wrought-iron balconies, lined the streets. The walls of Fort Santiago were visible in the distance, towering over the area like a silent guardian. The soft flicker of old-fashioned street lamps barely illuminated the thick stone arches and narrow pathways.

Bjorn and Spike stood outside the imposing gates, the tension between them was palpable, almost electric. Behind them, Violet, Conrad, and Zyro had slipped away to investigate the clearing nearby, checking if any security guards patrolled the area. Their quiet murmurs faded into the night, leaving Bjorn and Spike in charged silence.

Spike leaned against one of the aged stone walls, his eyes tracing the outline of Bjorn's figure. His smirk was as sharp as the pointed spires of San Agustin Church in the distance. "You know," Spike began, his voice low, almost teasing, "there's a certain...charm to these old places. So much history, bloodshed. Makes you wonder what kind of ghosts still linger around here."

Bjorn shot him a sideways glance, his expression unreadable but his jaw clenched. "You think this is a good time for jokes?"

Spike shrugged, stepping closer, the sound of his boots on the cobblestones echoing softly. "It's not a joke. I'm just saying, maybe we should make some history of our own." His voice dropped into a suggestive tone, and he closed the gap between them, his breath warm against Bjorn's neck.

Bjorn's pulse quickened, the nearness of Spike stirring something unfamiliar and dangerous inside him. His body tensed, torn between pushing Spike away and giving in to the strange pull that had always been there, simmering just beneath the surface. Spike's playful grin faded, replaced by something darker, more serious.

"You're playing with fire," Bjorn muttered, his voice low and rough. He could feel the heat radiating from Spike, their bodies inches apart, yet the air between them was thick with unspoken tension.

"Maybe I like the burn," Spike replied, his voice just above a whisper, his fingers brushing lightly against Bjorn's arm. The contact sent a jolt through both of them, like static electricity but far more intense.

For a moment, time seemed to stop. The city around them was quiet, save for the occasional distant sound of traffic and the soft rustle of palm trees swaying in the gentle Manila breeze. They stood there, on the cusp of something neither of them had ever dared to confront, while the old walls of Intramuros watched like silent witnesses to their struggle.

But before anything more could happen, a distant whistle from the direction of the clearing broke the tension. Violet, Conrad, and Zyro had finished their search. Spike stepped back, his usual cocky grin returning as if nothing had happened, but his eyes lingered on Bjorn a little longer.

"We should catch up," Spike said casually, though his voice was a little tighter than before.

Bjorn exhaled, composing himself, but the tension between them remained, simmering, unresolved. "Yeah. Let's go," he replied, walking ahead, knowing they couldn't avoid what had just happened forever.

As they moved away from the grand old walls of Intramuros, the ancient city stood still, steeped in centuries of secrets and now, perhaps, one more.

The group had reached the farthest part of the walled city, standing before the ominous tunnel in Intramuros. The air was heavy with tension when, out of nowhere, giant demon-like vampires appeared, each wielding twin blades.

A low growl resonated from the darkness ahead. Suddenly, out of the shadows emerged giant, demon-like vampires. Their skin was mottled and rough, with massive wings folded against their broad, muscled frames. They carried twin blades that gleamed in the faint light of the tunnel, their eyes glowing red with malice.