Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 2

Namjoon awoke from the sound of a scream. He nearly fell off of the couch. He stumbled to get up and tried to find Aera. He activated his vision ability and looked for the girl's heat signature.

"Doll face what happened?" He shouted. He found himself at the door to the bathroom. He knocked a couple of times but he heard the girl's whimpers. "Kim Aera!"

"What's going on here?" A middle aged man asked. The man was Aera's father. Namjoon turned and saluted to his seniors in the Hunter faction. "At ease."

"Sir, Aera screamed and I was awoken. She has yet to open the door." Namjoon reported.

"I said at ease Joon. We're not at work." Aera's father assured. Namjoon loosened up and nervously laughed. "Aera, open the door." The door slowly opened and Aera's head poked out. A look of panic was on her face.

"What's wrong?" Namjoon asked. She opened the door and showed her collarbone.

There was no mark.

"Dad, what's this supposed to mean?" Aera asked. "Why is there no mark?" Her father examined her and frowned.

"This is not normal." Aera's father sighed. "I'll ask the council if there is a problem. For now, go get ready for the day." He left, leaving the worried girl.

"Am I defect?" Aera asked.

"Come on doll face lighten up. It's your birthday. I've heard of cases where they show up late." Namjoon comforted. "Go get ready. I'll use the bathroom downstairs." Namjoon turned to walk away.

"Thanks I guess." Aera mumbled. "And deactivate your ability you perv." Namjoon smirked as his eyes changed from purple and back to its normal color.

Aera sighed and entered the bathroom once more. She stared at her blank collarbone in worry. She thought deeply about why it could be delayed. Was it because of that thing?

She pulled herself away from her thoughts and got ready. After a quick shower, she got dressed and joined her parents and Namjoon in the dining room. She took a seat beside her friend who was happily munching the pancakes.

"Good morning sweetheart." Her mother greeted.

"Morning mom." Aera greeted back. Despite her lack of appetite, she still ate. She didn't want the pancakes to go to waste.

"So I have talked to the council and it looks like there is a problem with your mark. Until it is settled, you will act as a Hunter and join us on missions." Aera's father announced. The girl nearly choked on her food.

"Dad, I don't think I'd survive the battlefield!" Aera argued. "I don't have the Hunter's mark meaning I don't have the abilities or the Telum!"

When Hunters are given their marks, they are also given a set of abilities to aid them against the Nightwalkers. Namjoon's set of abilities were thermal sight, enhanced speed, and enhanced strength. Her parents, as S-Ranked hunters, had many more abilities. Compared to them, walking into the battlefield is a death wish for her.

"It won't be that bad doll— Aera. After all I will be your partner." Namjoon reassured. "We'll go after C-Class Nightwalkers."

"We'll accompany you for your first mission if it helps." Aera's father added. The girl nodded, giving in. "Cheer up buttercup. It's still your birthday after all."

Aera nodded, giving in. She was still worried but it's better than nothing. After breakfast, Aera helped her mother clean up.

"We have a mission call." Aera's father said. "C-Class Nightwalkers were spotted near the tomb of the fourth king."

"That should be easy. It's a great opportunity for Aera." Aera's mother said. "She can use my spare set of equipment. They're in the cabinet in the living room." Aera nodded reluctantly and made her way to the cabinet. The equipment seemed heavy, but she couldn't believe how light they were on her body.

"You need help with that?" Namjoon asked, entering the household once more. He wore his equipment and had his Telum sealed. Aera was surprised at how fast he changed.

"I think I can handle this." Aera mumbled. She fumbled with the zipper of the neck protector not knowing how to maneuver it. Namjoon sighed and took it from her small hands.

"You can't unzip it straight. You need to press this button then unzip it." He explained. He demonstrated it and helped Aera put it on.

"Thanks Joon." Aera said.

"You'll do great today doll face." Namjoon reassured. Aera's parents entered the living room, fully equipped. Namjoon saluted. "Hunter Kim Namjoon, B-Rank."

"At ease." Aera's father said. "Namjoon you do some briefing with Aera on our way to the location."

They boarded the car and began the hour long drive. Namjoon told Aera what to expect with C-Class Nightwalkers. They are easy to deal with since they are usually not skilled in battles.

"How do you know what class they are?" Aera asked.

"Usually Hunters have a common special ability which is to identify what class they are." Namjoon explained. "But for non-Hunters I guess you should look at their eyes. Usually the C-Class have yellow eyes, B-Class with orange, A-class with red-orange, and S- Class with red."

"What about the R-Class Nightwalkers?" Aera asked.

"I don't know, I've never run into one before." Namjoon answered. "But honestly, I never want to run into one." Aera nodded. She knew they were dangerous, but the other reason behind that is that his parents were killed by R-Class Nightwalkers.

"I trust you will do your best out there, Aera." Her father said, eyes not leaving the road.

"Yes, father." Aera answered. She leaned back into the seat, admiring the view. She placed her earphones in her ears and blasted whatever song was on her playlist.

She wondered what kind of place the Tomb of the Fourth King was like. In their Vampire History class it was said that the Fourth King was executed for breaking the law. There was only one law that the royals did not have immunity to.

The law that forbids vampires and humans to have any romantic relationship.

Aera found herself dozing off and sooner or later, she fell asleep. She needed the rest anyway.

"Namjoon." Aera's father softly said. "Promise me if something goes wrong, you will protect her with all your life."

"Yes sir. That goes unsaid." Namjoon answered. The boy looked at the sleeping girl and smiled. He gently brushed her hair out of her face. "Sleep well, doll face." He placed the hair tie on her lap before falling asleep too.