Blood Bank

A w a k e n i n g - 3

Aera stirred slightly as the road had gotten bumpy. She opened her eyes and saw that they were somewhere in the forest. They followed a dirt road that was really narrow. She removed the earphones and placed her things in the bag.

"Morning Doll Face." Namjoon greeted. He was seated the same way before Aera had fallen asleep and had a map in his hands.

"Where are we?" Aera asked.

"We're nearing the Tomb of the Fourth King." Her mother answered. Aera nodded, anxiety building up in her. She knew that one wrong move could ruin everything. One wrong move and she could get everyone killed. Namjoon noticed her worry and passed her a lollipop.

"Everything will be fine, okay? It's just C-Class Nightwalkers." He comforted. Aera gladly took the sweet. She relaxed at the cotton candy flavor and savored it.

"After apprehending the Nightwalkers we need to check the Tomb in case something was broken." Aera's mother instructed. "We're here."

The car pulled up a couple of meters before an old building. Aera's parents carefully exited the car first to scout the area, leaving the two behind. Aera put her hair into a bun to prevent it from getting in the way.

"Here." Namjoon mumbled. He held out a gun in her direction. "It's loaded with 4 silver bullets. Pull the trigger when needed, okay? If we're separated and you shoot I'll immediately find you okay?"

"Thank you, Joon. But what about you?" Aera asked, taking the gun. She placed it in the empty holster on her hip.

"I still have my Telum remember?" Namjoon reminded. "Worry about yourself, Doll Face." The walkie-talkie on the car made a static sound before voices came out.

"Namjoon and Aera, report to the east side of the building. We have confirmed the presence of 10 Nightwalkers." Aera's mother's voice made the girl's stomach turn. There were so many just for a first mission.

The two exited the car and quietly moved behind the bushes. They reached her parents' location and crouched with them. Aera looked forward and was ready to throw up whatever she had for breakfast.

The Nightwalkers played with the corpse of the caretaker. It had already been drained of blood, but it seemed that it wasn't enough. They twisted his arms and head, creating a crunching sound until it broke of his body. Aera grimaced as Namjoon covered her eyes.

"Permission to attack Sir?" Namjoon whispered. His sharp eyes scanned each Nightwalker, finding his first hit.

"Permission granted." Aera's father said. In a split second, Aera's parents and Namjoon were in the open. Namjoon released his Telum, which were two silver butterfly swords. She knew that he had another Telum hiding on him, which was a silver gun.

Aera watched in awe as two of them were already taken down. They slowly disintegrated and were lost with the wind. She looked around and saw that another two were missing. She felt something lift her off the ground by the neck. Although she was wearing the neck protector, the grip was strong enough to squeeze her neck. She tried to reach for the silver gun but the Nightwalker knocked it out of her hand.

"Aera!" Namjoon shouted. He ran up to them, forcing anyone who was in his path to move. A bullet grazed his cheek as he skidded to a stop. He watched as the Nightwalker holding Aera dissolve into nothing. Aera fell forward, gasping for air.

"You should have a strong grip on the gun if you want to use it." A short boy said. He held the gun in his gloved hand and cocked it. He looked up at where Namjoon and the others were. The Nightwalkers immediately bowed in his direction, quivering in fear.