Crimson Knight: Crimson Reaper Saga

Chapter 3: Struggling Addiction

Chapter 3: Struggling Addiction

The 20 year old alchemist was furiously crushing a blue mixture in a mortar turning it Into powder. She peeled back her thick violet locks that escaped her misshapen bun as she continued diligently working. The room smelled of lavender, sweets and burned things. Montserrat followed behind her Grim Master slowly, rolling her eyes as she entered the room.

"Laura buenas tardes" Jasper said.

"You have to stop walking in like you own the place," Laura answered wiping some sweat from her brow with her right arm. The tips of her place fingers were tinged in blue.

"If I had bothered you would have never opened the door," Jasper said. Laura crossed her arms before huffing in defeat.

"Fine well why are you here? Where's your little apprentice?" Jasper stepped aside to reveal Monserrat who had been hiding behind him. She lifted up her chin attempting to be unbothered.

"Hello Alchemist."

"Reaper," Laura said with a nod.

"Now you see Bella here needs some more elixir-"

"She ran out a month ago," Laura interjected "I only gave her a months worth 2 months ago."

"Yes well she's been busy-"

"She can speak for herself," Monserrat said rather venomously "There's no need for you to speak for me Master."

"Still holding a grudge for what I said months ago," Laura said to Monserrat.

*"You should have let him die," Laura's voice echoed in Monserrat's mind.*

"I'm just here for Elixr. Can I just pay it and go?"

Laura flicked her bangs to the side and nodded. She disappeared into an open door and returned holding a wooden box. She opened it to show vials changing the color of the rainbow iridescent flashes instantly catching the eye. Monserrat suddenly felt hungry. Her fangs peeked over her lips and her fiery eyes burned. She looked away covering her mouth with her palm. Laura looked unfazed and simply closed the box and handed it to Jasper. Jasper pulled a vial out of the box and handed it to Monserrat. Monserrat pulled out 10 pure silver coins, one side imprinted with a torch in front of a scythe, the other a skull with droplets falling from its sockets.

"Ten silcks as always," Monserrat looked away and disgruntledly continued "Thank you."

Monserrat left them on the Alchemist outstretched hand and swiftly headed to the exit. Her hunger pangs were worsening by the minute. She felt her fangs slide out again and cut below her lips. She hurried her pace as she ran her tongue along the wounds relishing the taste of blood. The red haired girl shook her head in attempt to push at bay her craving. She looked back and could see Jasper at the threshold of the Alchemist's home.

"I'll be seeing you Laura," Jasper said. Laura grabbed hold of his coat roughly yanking him towards her.

"Hopefully very soon," Laura smiled.

Jasper narrowed his eyes and grabbed her wrist tugging her hand off him.

"No not that soon," He frowned. Giving the Alchemist no further chance he closed the door on his way out.

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Monserrat looked away taking the final steps outside. She looked up and down the street to see it deserted. She glanced at the vial in her hand, With a tug the cork popped off. Her fangs throbbed as she drowned the iridescent liquid. Her body felt frantic as it tried to suck every ounce of it into her. Monserrat was just about to run her tongue in the vial when she noticed Jasper appear on the street. She shamefully hid her face and threw the vial watching the glass shatter. The urge felt stronger now, the thirst was overwhelming her. Her throat felt as if it was beating with a second heart and her mouth watered. She forced herself to her knees and counted. 1...2...3.. Inhale. 1...2...3...exhale.

Jasper held the box in one hand and he placed a hand on Monserrat's shoulder. She was shaking, her irises blown as her ragged breathing was forced to obey the time she allowed herself to breath. Slowly her breathing began to come out calmer, her fangs began to slide back in all that remained were the puncture wounds underneath her lips and the trail of blood that ran down each one.

"Why?" Jasper said. Montserrat turned to look at Jasper. His lips set in a frown, his icy crystal eyes focused and lined with worry "Why did you not get elixir?"

Monserrat looked away eyes downcasted and fiery eyes, darkened. She clenched her fists into the ground feeling the gravel dig into her skin.

"Can't you see it," Monserrat replied darkly " It's been a year." She slammed her fist on the sidewalk. Tears began to well up in her eyes. "A year! I can't control the thirst still. If I have only a little it makes me want more. It's still an insatiable thirst for elixir and blood!"

"I hate it,"she continued " I hate it !" Monserrat dug her knuckles into the cement scraping the skin making it red. Jasper placed the box down and grabbed both of her hands and moved in front of her. Tears began to roll down Monserrat's cheeks. Jasper wrapped his palms over her knuckles, placing their hands onto his lap.

"The thirst doesn't control you. Damnit! I should have never turned you. I should have known not to be so reckless," Jasper tightened his grip momentarily on his hands that held hers "I-I-"

"-Don't! I wouldn't have saved my brother any other way. He would be dead. As long as I can give him another chance I can endure my...cravings," Monserrat stood up and took a deep breath.

" I'm sorry I'm fine now," Monserrat continued, standing up. With shaky legs she brushed herself off, steeling her nerves. She smiled at Jasper, one so empty Monserrat couldn't make herself believe it was real and walked down the street to the direction of her house.

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Jasper spent the night outside. He sat on the roof of the home across his silky skinned fiery eyed reaper. She sure is something. He mused to himself. He could see her if only barely through the thin curtains that fluttered over the unfastened window. Her form was moving, curling one way then to only roll and curl the other. Her hair spread out in red waves that looked just about they were beginning to frizz due to humidity.

"I find you here again? Do you not have better things to do with your time?" a heavy voice said. From a cloud of shifting shadows a man formed beside Jasper. His muscled arms looked barely held in by his white button up shirt, black suit coat and slacks.

"What are you doing here Edom," Jasper said with a sigh.

"Why admiring the view of course brother," Edom said. Jasper's head shot in his brothers direction. Edom grinned."I'm only joking. She's all yours though your relationship with your Reaper should be strictly business."

"Don't start with me on this again brother," Jasper gripped the edge of the roof.

"Humans bring only destruction with them-"

"Good thing she's not human anymore then," Jasper said rather bitterly.

"She was once human that fate does not escape her," Edom said infernal eyes starting at the sleeping Reapers form.

"Speaking of, have you seen uncle Fate recently."

Edom glared at Jasper.

"Stop switching the topic of conversation."

"I think I saw our dear Uncle Fate 5 years ago. I make it to visit him often."

"Your exhausting," Edom said.

"Why thank you. Will you leave now your getting on my nerves with your incessant yapping." Jasper's voice had taken a dark edge.

Edom chuckled and stood up.

"So be it brother. I'll see you in Solistice."

"I doubt it," Jasper replied. Edom snapped his fingers and was engulfed by shadows. They dissipated leaving no hint a man had stood there before. Jasper hunched forward cupping his face in his hands and silently watched.

I just adore Jasper don't you? Well here you guys go Chapter 3. What do you think of Monserrat's craving? I think I'll begin publishing the original Crimson Knight since I want to bring back some old Jasper and I feel like this one's not as lovable as the original to me. I want to have some more of that one. It'll be published soon probably so tell me which one you prefer! Vale et Valete Reapers!