Chapter 505: Sunfall (2/2)
”Yes, I'm fine,” putting the helmet, '-can't let him see me like this.' The visor dropped brusquely.
”Are you sure, Igna?”
”Yes, I'm sure,” a turn of the key, the engine roared followed by the wheels spinning until it faced the exit. The aggression created ruckus and left tire-tracks on asphalt. 'What's wrong with him?' thought Leko.
”Director, please, come this way,” said the assistant.
Plain to the sight, Igna rode farther and faster. Each beat had vision impaired, the thirst forced bestial instincts. ”Éclair, help me.”
”Don't worry,” said he, ”-turn right at the next junction. Darkness soon shrouded the land; the roads were scenic at day but haunting at night. A local map showed a singular caravan parked deep in a trailer park. Spots of forests were dotted about despite the sunnier climate. What followed next came straight from a horror movie. Igna dropped onto the couple in the middle of their loving bond. The craving for blood and the groans couldn't but enhance the appetite. The smell of humans, their sweat, their feelings, the tiny tinges of blood from the passionate lovemaking. Rather than the front door, he dropped from the top; breaking into the sleeping area. Not a second went to waste, *Blood-Arts: Extria,* the ability to control any living being's blood at a subjected distance. He reversed their blood-flow at such speeds their heart exploded. A painless death, the liquid levitated to form orbs. *Blood-Arts: Bloody Mary,* the bodies crushed and turned into dark-shiny apples. Although the powers of the Death-Reaper were dormant – even as the Death Element slept, being a nightwalker and paired to the memories unlocked strength acquired in the past life. By the end, like a child wiping the ketchup filled mouth against sleeves, Igna did the same.
”Two lives sacrificed for my hunger,” sat on the bed, ”-how different am I from the vampire Kul killed. He had to make means-ends, can't really blame him, I've done the same thing. Not the first time either. The more I eat, the more I drink, the stronger I feel the blood coursing within. Waking the Death Element at this stage isn't important. I don't have to walk the bloodied path I've trodden. Politics, ruling a country, making a name for myself, I've done it all. If push comes to shove, I can defend myself. What a bad joke, I still carry a sword in this day and age.”
”You going to reminisce all night, or are we making a move?” interrupted Éclair.
”You right,” he dusted the clothes, ”-who cares anyway. I feel guilty for killing, but not that much. This feeling is completely new, I can't help but shake,” exiting down the front door, the bike turned to automatically return at his side. ”What about the evidence?”
”Not to worry,” he accelerated, ”-I have a backup plan.” The blinking map showed a fast-approaching projectile. *BOOOM,* a flash accompanied by a shockwave, the suddenness nearly had him fall. The fiery explosion reflected off the visor. The immediate forest suffered no damage, what remained of the truck flamed vividly. Keeping still, the image felt pretty, as vile as it sounded, the beauty of burning trash soothed the prior shaking.
Date: Thursday 28th of January, the town of Sunfall rose prematurely. A single room in an inn on the outskirt of town. Looking from above, the layout of the town was a jagged half-moon facing the sea. Most of it came because of the slopes leading into a bridge that crossed into the 'beachier' side of Plaustan. By no means was Sunfall close to the sea. Maybe a three-hour drive using the roads or 2 hours per tram. A quick cold-shower had the mind refreshed.
”Thank you for your stay,” said the lady at the counter.
”Thank you for my nightly request.”
”Don't worry, sir, we have many more situations like these.”
”Glad to hear it,” a cheap room gave into dried-uncleaned dirt paths. One thing was certain, the vibrance of colors here was much more than the pupils were accustomed to. Coming to town was all but an escape. Deep down, even after slaying, the couple beat a nervousness of expectation. The interview dropped to overflow the cup. Putting the helmet, modest families walk to and fro in shorts and slippers. The flowery-style open buttoned shirt seemed to be a favorite. Time showed 09:30. '-A lonesome guy on a trip to god knows where. My bank account should have taken a hit by hiring Xenon. It still displays 10 million Exa.'
”The allowance is monthly. Lady Courtney is adamant about having your account stuck at ten-million. Clawing away at that fortune isn't going to do much for the ever-growing Phantom. We own about 4 Billion in assets, which are known to the public. Underneath the amount goes into double digits.”
”I said I didn't want to take part in the politics,” voiced he toggling the bike.
”Surely,” laughed Éclair, ”-it's not hard to see the interest. Master Staxius, you may fool the world – but you don't fool me. I've known it for the longest time, else, why would I, a spirit ordered by the God of Death, to serve a mere child.”
”Fine,” taking a right, they drove into town. The buildings were pretty standard; clean and out of budget for some but most common and affordable. The clothes were simple, not that good o' quality. A massive shopping complex arrived in stride. The name, Consu, was written onto a roundabout. Either one turns towards the complex or away and towards the bridge. Igna took the latter, why go into the complex, why, without none to bring gifts for, it would be pointless and borderline sad. Blocks of buildings emptied to a slope over which sprawled a vast land of green merging into the blue. The bridge came after multiple curves.
”On the topic of Phantom,” voiced Éclair, ”-Lady Elvira sure made good on her promise. She's enjoying the conform of being a noble-nightwalker. Serene came to welcome her into the Blood-kings faction a few years ago. Since then, business only grew profitable. We supply weapons, direct wars to favor our trade – smuggle drugs into other continents. Alphia hosts more of our customers.”
”There's no way to have you shut up, is there?” said he distantly.
”No, even if it doesn't directly affect you, it affects the world around. Might I add,” the tone felt inviting, ”-I have updates on the whole Cimier business, the unfinished task of Shadow.”