Shadow Moon continued into the forest in search of a vampire. The forest around them was dense, its trees shrouded in mist and dripping from the steady rain. The sun, now a molten orange sliver on the horizon, cast long, skeletal shadows that seemed to stretch for miles.
"So what actually is our plan here? Are we gonna hunt down a vampire and attack?" Aki asked, voice cut through the muffled sounds of the forest, his breath visible in the cool air.
"Of course not!" Luna answered straight away.
"Forget about the blood for now. While we're here, I say we try and get some intel first," Echo advised.
"I agree. Their intel could be far more beneficial then the aura concealers anyway. Perhaps we won't need to go to the angel world at all," Yukine hoped.
"Eh, I doubt that part, but we should still prioritise finding out more. Maybe we'll find some answers here..." Echo considered.
"Hey, we said we'd warn the angels before snooping around like that. We should find the blood and go," Aki opposed.
"But shouldn't we at least take an opportunity? We may as well try and learn more about this place," Echo returned.
"Infinity, any luck finding a trail?" Luna asked.
Infinity paused, his wolf eyes scanning the horizon with a practised intensity. He shook his head, droplets flying from his wet fur.
"I'm afraid not. Without magic, vampires' auras aren't as strong. I can't sense anything but a town of humans up ahead," he revealed.
A collective sigh of disappointment rippled through the group. Aki's eyes darted sideways, catching everyone's fallen expressions. The rain seemed to match their dampened spirits.
"Well, I guess we should try going through the town," Echo squared her shoulders.
"I still don't see why Kakashi couldn't just take us there..." Luna mumbled as she shifted uncomfortably, wrapping her arms around herself for warmth.
"To be fair, getting Kakashi involved would risk him being seen as a traitor. It was our choice to go on this mission; we're the only ones who should hold the risk," Echo said, her voice steady but with a trace of frustration.
Luna's gaze dropped to the muddy ground, apart of her seeing her point, but the other half couldn't help but wonder... why was he so against her? Kakashi's the first 'good vampire' Luna had met. He wants to protect people. So why... why was he so against her when they're on the same side? They are on the same side... right?
As they descended the forested path, the trees thinned, and the first signs of civilisation appeared.
The town sprawled before them, nestled in a hollow between low hills. It looked like a place trapped in another era—wooden and stone structures with steep, slate roofs and darkened windows. Rusted lanterns swayed in the breeze, their dim light casting pools of yellow on cobblestone streets. The few figures that roamed were clad in heavy cloaks and simple garments as if they had never glimpsed the outside world.
"This place is..." Luna whispered, her voice trailing off as she struggled for the right word.
"Anicent," Yurio finished, eyes narrowing as he scanned the unfamiliar scene.
"I guess if they've never left, the vampires basically control their development," Yukines eyes sharply scanned the details of the village as they walked with caution.
Shadow Moon's modern clothes and bright hair made them stick out like a shore thumb. People were beginning to turn and stare as they walked by...
"And purposely keep them in the dark ages just to make their hunting easier?" Echo's lips curled in disgust.
YOU ARE READING
The Demons of Shadow Moon
Fantasy*Hiatus until August* Awake. But the nightmare has not ended. It's simply been forgotten. With her memories wiped, Luna wakes up on an island all alone. Scared and fragile, she clings to the kindness offered to her by two demons. They take her in...
