ɴɪɢʜᴛꜱʜᴀᴅᴇ | 𝖂𝖔𝖔𝖘𝖆𝖓

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 1: "𝕸𝖔𝖔𝖓𝖑𝖎𝖙 𝕱𝖔𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖙"

𓊈𒆜𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎 𝕾𝖆𝖓𒆜𓊉

+-----✤-----✤-----✤-----✤-----+

As I glide through the forest under the cloak of night, the world around me whispers secrets only I can hear. Each shadow, each rustle of the ancient trees is familiar yet uniquely captivating. Centuries have passed, yet the night never ceases to enchant me, binding me to its dark heart with a symphony of silent power.

The air tonight is crisp, infused with the earthy scents of pine and distant sea, enhancing my senses that catch even the subtlest movements: the cautious steps of a deer, the silent flutter of an owl's wings, the quick scurry of a forest mouse. These quiet hours before dawn are my sanctuary, a reprieve from the endless complexities of my dominion over the hidden vampire world.

I find myself on a hill overlooking a moonlit clearing where the trees part to reveal a carpet of grass shimmering with dew. Closing my eyes, I let the night breeze caress my face, allowing myself a rare moment of peace amidst the tumult of my eternal existence.

But even in solitude, my mind cannot escape the darker corners of my life—the lurking enemies, the relentless power struggles. Each decision I make is a deliberate step in a ceaseless dance with shadows, where every move is weighed and calculated.

The slight rustle of leaves snaps me back to reality. A fox, its coat a glossy testament to the forest's care, darts across the clearing. It stops, sensing my presence, offers a subtle bow—a recognition of my rule in this nocturnal kingdom—before continuing on. I smile, a rare, genuine expression. This gesture, though small, affirms that I am never truly alone here.

As the first hints of dawn threaten the horizon, I retreat deeper into the shadows, back to the heart of my darkened realm. The day will bring its own challenges, its own decisions. But for now, in the quiet of the night, I remain the undisputed master of this world, blurring the lines between predator and protector under the watchful gaze of the moon.

I navigated through the forest, stepping over fallen branches with a calm, practiced ease, the grand silhouette of the Blood Royale mansion emerged through the trees ahead—my ancestral home, a sanctuary built from the labors of vampires long past. Those who once commanded these halls had entrusted their legacy to me, a responsibility I upheld with ease, flanked by my loyal companions Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Yeosang, Jongho, and others.

While lost in thought about the weight of my duties, the serene silence was suddenly shattered by the whoosh of Seonghwa darting past me, his presence as swift as the wind. His laughter, light and mischievous, broke the night's stillness.

"Try to keep up, San!" Seonghwa called back, his voice carrying the thrill of our eternal youth.

Moments later, Hongjoong followed, his own speed hardly less impressive as he leaped over a large log, landing smoothly on the other side. He turned to shout back with a grin, "You're getting slow in your old age!"

Their banter and brisk energy were a stark reminder of the life and vibrancy that thrived under my rule, despite the shadows we dwelled in. These moments of levity were rare but cherished, showcasing the deep bonds that tied us together.

As I continued my walk, a smile tugged at my lips. "I may be old, but I can still show you both a thing or two," I replied, my voice raised enough to carry through the trees.

I called back to Seonghwa and Hongjoong with a playful threat, I hastened my stride, the familiar pull of leadership and duty drawing me inexorably towards the grand edifice of the Blood Royale mansion. The night air around me was cool and crisp, infused with the scent of ancient timber and a hint of the salty sea breeze from the nearby coast—a sensory tapestry that spoke of the mansion's enduring saga through the centuries.