Lyla

Bloodbound & Broken

The human watched after the offspring with a sense of protection echoing deep within her soul, the bond reminding her all too easily that a part of Ren lived on in Wysteria. Yet she felt confident enough that the young vampire would heed her advice—and call if she needed another net to land safely in. Somehow—perhaps because of the bond or simple empathy—she knew how difficult it was for a vampire to give thanks for something normally considered food. Regardless, the huntress was pleased that they had saved her, even if her priority had always been Ren herself the whole time.

The gentle force she felt on her hand brought her attention back to her taller companion, looking up with an affectionate smile. Seeing the light gleam off Ren's face brought a sense of awe to her heart, watching her black hair sway in the gentle wind accompanying them both. As she was tugged along to weave between twigs and branches, Lyselle could feel the heat of their connection sing happily, reminding her what it felt like to truly be seen by someone—especially someone as beautiful as the ancient.

Her gaze followed her lady for a moment before sliding back to the pair of wolves, still and surrounded by red. Lyselle didn't regret what she had done, but she wished there had been another way. The reality was that, even in spite of her own slow revelations, she knew the truth of the millennia-old conflict between them all and that it could never be healed so easily—her link to Ren was the only reason they walked hand-in-hand right now.

“You fought well,” Ren's voice interjected the hunter's silent thoughts. “You wield with confidence, accuracy… The Vigil has taught you well.” She couldn't help but beam softly at the praise, a blush crossing her cheeks as she offered a shy smile.

“I do wonder what this bond has planned for us, Lyselle. It’s embryonic in lifespan, I know, but it’s already so powerful. It almost has an entire mind of its own, its own agenda and wishes. I feel your emotions through it; both the ones you send intentionally and unintentionally—”
She too felt the connection pulse with warmth, her own heart seeming to sing softly as she felt the cool thumb stroke across her hand. She gave a gentle squeeze of her own in return.

“I think, when we return home, we should see if I’ve got any scripture about a bond like this… We can’t be the first and only ones, I’m sure.”

“I agree, M'lady...” she spoke softly at first, a note of admiration layered beneath her voice as brown eyes watched her vampiress.
“It brings a lot of questions to mind—like what it is, how it formed, why us... and seeing you...”

There was a pause, as if considering her next words, her gaze sliding across the landscape once more.
“The Vigil taught me my whole life that vampires were purely evil and only sought to destroy and manipulate. I… had always wondered how true that was, deep down, even though I never dared share those thoughts. But after seeing your offspring—not Wysteria, the other—the way he seemed to beg for death... I’m not sure I’ll forget that. Even more so... you care so deeply for my comfort and my feelings, I—”

Lyselle simply stopped then, her cheeks turning a deep scarlet, emotions of affection and happiness flooding their connection.

Then a phrase returned to her, something she still wasn’t sure how to process. “Lyselle, my love.”
Was this feeling truly love? How could it be in such a short timespan of only a single night? The cord that tied them together hummed once more, filling her heart with the warmest feeling she had ever felt, as if trying to answer her.

Bloodbound & Broken

A breath slowly escaped her lips as she watched Ren glide off of the werewolf's back, looking as graceful and beautiful as ever, giving her a sense of peace and comfort that the vampire was safe. The sight of the crimson liquid was hardly even on the mind of the young hunter—she had seen more than enough in her short lifespan, even more than most soldiers ever would. Out of habit, she stepped to the side, keeping her boots clean of the sticky pools that slithered across the wet ground.

Despite the battle they had just endured, even the small reassurance that shivered toward her was enough to let the huntress relax, sliding her weapons away with one fluid motion, extremely aware to keep them from touching the pair of undead. Their bond swelled with positive emotions before she watched the ancient quickly close the distance between them, feeling herself being pulled into a tight embrace. She could hardly help closing her eyes and returning the hug, feeling the warmth that their closeness brought melting beneath her skin once more. Lyselle gently nuzzled into Ren's chest happily as she soaked up the feeling of bringing pride to her lover—she had experienced this before, but never quite like this.

“Sire…” She heard the voice of the younger vampire crack nearby. Pulling her eyelids open, she looked over to see the woman bowing her head, and let a small smile creep across her own face. “Huntress…”

“I think the words you’re looking for, Wysteria, are ‘thank you.’” The chilled squeeze given was filled with affection, though she was somewhat disappointed at the short length of it. Still, she followed suit and let the embrace fall before her eyes looked between them both—her smile spreading just a bit at seeing Wysteria humble herself.

Clearly, though, Renaissance did not think this was good enough, grabbing her offspring's chin and forcing her to look at Lyselle straight on. It was clear that Wysteria struggled to thank her so directly and, honestly, she didn't blame her. The feud between vampires, humans, and hunters spanned at least a thousand years, if not more—though it did bring back an old question of hers; what started all this?

Especially seeing that vampires could have heart and emotion like this after being told time and time again they were nothing but evil. The picture was starting to become clearer for the sharp student, who now wondered if all this was similar to when two families would feud and eventually forget why they were fighting. Though it had always been human nature to fear and fight things they did not understand or that were dangerous—spiders came to mind at that, a creature once associated with witches.

“I don’t have the energy to force the appropriate thanks from you, Wysteria.” Her voice brought Lys back to reality. “And I won’t drag it from your tongue purely because Lys would disapprove. I’m sure she thinks you’ve been through quite enough this evening without me adding to your burdens—” Renaissance wasn't wrong, as the young woman thought just that.

“It’s time we made our way back home, Lys,” her tone shifting to a gentleness she did not spare for her offspring.
“It’s too light to fly. Shall we walk?” She coupled her suggestion with an extended hand, open and waiting for the huntress to take.
“Wysteria, say goodbye to your Huntress saviour.”

Her brown orbs made their way to Ren's own then as she nodded slightly, an indication that she was ready to leave.
“A nice walk would be lovely, M'lady,” her voice now softer and filled with a kindness Ren had begun to know.

Before the younger vampire could speak, Lyselle looked at her with genuine softness in her features—a stark contrast to her expressions while fighting. Reaching out to hold her darling's hand, she spoke first:
“Wysteria... take care of yourself, all right? Be careful. If you ever find yourself in a situation like this again...”
She glanced to Ren, a hopeful look in her eyes.
“I hope Lady Renaissance will let you call on us again.”

And with that, she offered a smile to Wysteria.

Bloodbound & Broken

Another rumble vibrated through the werewolf's chest—he nearly had her! The snake had slipped his grasp, and in the next moment she was on his back. He reached upward, hoping to tear her loose, but his brain registered two sharp, brutal stabs to the neck. A cry ripped from his maw, this one tinged with more humanity than beast, as his body sank toward the ground — kneeling, failing, as if the vampire had found some hidden switch inside him.

His burning gaze shot across the clearing just in time to see his sister being torn apart by the human. He couldn’t even process how fast the woman moved—only the searing pain of both body and heart.

Where had he gone wrong? Only an hour ago the pair had been slicing at the young undead, chasing her through the trees like a toy. But now everything was twisted… a human killing his sister, the sire riding his back, and their prey barely standing at all. As he heard the human’s name called across the battlefield, a weak groan escaped him. He tried to move one arm — failed.
'So this is where we die…' he thought, gaze softening as he used his final moments to mourn everything lost in mere minutes.

---

Across the clearing, the huntress watched Violet collapse, struggling to crawl or rise. Nothing worked. Lyselle heard the sickening gurgle of her breath as the she-wolf tried one last time before finally falling limp. A flicker of empathy crossed the Huntress’ features — soft eyes, softened heart — before her expression sharpened again, gaze snapping toward Ren and Victor.

The command was all she needed. Seeing Ren positioned precariously didn’t hurt, either. She pushed off the ground and sprinted, closing the distance within a few blinks.

Her blades caught the moonlight like something out of an action film as she swept forward. With quick, practiced efficiency, she slit the neck of her new foe. No hesitation, no flinch — even as Victor began to rise. Anyone else might have paused at the sight of such a towering creature, but not her. No wasted motion, like a true assassin, as the blessed silver hissed across his throat. A liquid-filled cry of agony tore from him.

It took only moments for the massive beast to fall, collapsing onto the forest floor with an outstretched hand pointed toward where Violet lay. His final thoughts were of her — how small and fierce she had always been, how proud he was of her, how deeply he loved her…

And just as quickly as the battle had begun, it was over, leaving two dead werewolves in its wake.

Lyselle’s chest rose and fell at a controlled, moderate pace — she wasn’t even sweating. Her attention immediately shifted to Ren.
“Your grace, are you all right?”

The first instinct that surged through her was to ensure her bonded companion’s safety. A slight fret trembled across their link as Lyselle stepped closer, eyes scanning Ren for any sign of injury.

Masks & Magic: The Awakening

@Vec - I love your post! Hope everyone else is doing okay?

Bloodbound & Broken

“Come,” he heard her hiss, twisting human undertones with the serpentine edge of a snake—how fitting.
“I’ll make this quick for you, dog. I can’t bear to hear a mutt whine for mercy.”

“Fucking body bag,” the male wolf barked, hate dripping from his muzzle as rows of jagged teeth flashed. Still, he circled her a moment longer, pacing like a shadow waiting for the exact heartbeat Ren might leave herself open. It wasn’t strategy so much as instinct—a wild creature reacting on pure predatory impulse.

In that instant, he caught sight of his sister. The scent of charred fur stung his nose. Horror flickered across his features—brief but unmistakable. He had to get back to her… and soon.

With a guttural roar, he lunged, arms sweeping wide in an attempt to close around the ancient vampire and crush inward—torso, neck, whatever he could catch. The sound he unleashed vibrated through the trees, primal and thunderous, a warning of just how much raw power he carried in his lupine frame. Ren would have to rely entirely on her speed and precision; in pure physical strength, they were almost equals, and the werewolf towered over her.

---

Their link jolted—subtle, sharp—with the nervous tension running down Ren’s spine. The sensation only caused Lyselle to anchor herself more firmly, her muscles tightening in reflexive readiness. She answered that tremor with a tap of reassurance through the bond: quiet confidence, wordlessly telling Ren focus on your fight; I have mine handled.

The huntress watched the she-wolf’s body go slack just long enough for Wysteria to crawl free, kicking up damp soil as she stumbled backwards.
“Alright, human. Now deal with that one!”

Lyselle shot her a quick glare—not hostility, but warning. She would not be ordered around by some half-feral vampire, fledgling or not. Yet the bond hummed faintly, recognition passing through it: something of Ren lingered in the young vampire. It softened Lyselle’s expression for only a breath.

Then the she-wolf moved.

Pain and rage twisted Violet’s features as she staggered to her feet, more animal now than before. But even at this heightened ferocity, Lyselle moved first. She was trained to fight monsters with nothing more than human limits; now, something pushed those limits further, sharpening her instincts to a razor edge.

She read the microexpressions, the twitch of muscle, the shift of weight—saw the attack before it fully formed. She pivoted back, sliding just outside Violet’s reach, then surged forward again with startling speed.

Both blades found flesh.

The short sword carved a deep line across Violet’s shoulder.
The dagger thrust upward, catching her eye—half-blinding her, staggering the already-wounded werewolf and sending another burst of hot blood splattering into the dirt.

Bloodbound & Broken

Victor whined at the blood-curdling scream as he landed, claws tearing into the damp earth. His whole body shuddered as the sound rattled through his skull, forcing his ears flat while a snarl twisted his muzzle. If not for that damned scream, he would already be tearing into flesh. Instead, he shook himself violently—like a dog flinging off water—trying to purge the ringing from his senses. His eyes then shot to Ren and eyed her cautiously, circling to his right as he measured up his foe.

It was clear that this one was much more experienced, having a trick specifically on hand to rattle a werewolf and hearing the fledgling say 'mother' confirmed his gut reaction - this was their prey's sire. Which likely meant she was more powerful - she certainly moved faster than the vampire pup. Still, his blood boiled at the thought of missing his chance to put her back into the ground, letting out another low rumble. Victor did not stay idle long though, pushing his massive body forward and darting to his left, claws open and ready to tear asunder flesh. He had a singular focus and that was making sure this bitch turned to dust for even daring to keep them from their prey.

However there was a flinch in his movement when he heard his sister cry out in pain, but despite the absolute urge to break away and protect his sister, he kept all his attention on Ren. If he had any hope of ending this quickly, it would have to be after the abomination was destroyed - he recognized power when he saw it.

---

“Lyselle!”

The huntress perked at the sound of her name and the warning crackling down their bond, raising her weapons with the intent of defending herself, though she was once again startled. Her perception had always been human; supernatural creatures existed as blurs and shadows at the edge of what she could track. So when she traced Violet’s movement with perfect clarity — not slowed, not blurred — her breath caught. That wasn’t the wolf going easy on them.

That was her moving like something she’d never been trained to be.

Then she watched the she-wolf pounce past her and straight to the young vampire, clicking her tongue in annoyance, turning to hear the werewolf address her, “Human!” The female wolf snarled at her, having pinned Wysteria down onto the ground, inches away from tearing into the weakened undead. “We can handle this! Either help us fight… Or be on your way!”

"Wrong." A single word was returned. Her expression hardened instantly. Something inside her clicked — not a decision, but a program waking. All fear dropped away like shed skin, leaving only precision, instinct, and purpose. The Huntress the Vigil had forged stepped forward.

Lyselle launched herself at Violet, blades angled outward before sweeping them across her body in a brutal crossing arc — a clean attempt to carve matching gashes along the werewolf’s ribs.

And again, she moved too fast. Faster than any mortal. Maybe even fast enough to meet a werewolf head-on.

She doubted Violet expected that. Hell, she hardly expected it herself.

Bloodbound & Broken

This would be the second time she had truly seen the animalistic side of Ren in particular. It was just as terrifying as when they first met and just as beautiful, her eyes drawn to the woman with a flash of awe painted across her face. It was amazing how fast her vampiress could switch on a dime like she did, almost like she was a whole other person, but in the undercurrents of their link she could still sense the woman behind the predator. Her eyes widened slightly at the drumming of the emanation that Ren gave off, sending electricity shooting down her spine, like a direct injection of energy.

The hiss drove her from the temporary amazement and she tightened her grip mere moments before watching the fledgling leap at her. The half-starved vampire was no real threat, she was slow from hunger and easy to predict, but something did catch Lyselle off guard. She only meant to defend herself, lifting her blades up as a warning, however her own movements were notably faster then she was used to. It caused her to flinch, pulling her blades away - enough to let the younger vampire clamp around her. Emotions of confusion and fear sparked her heart to beat faster as she watched Ren’s arm snapped out—a blur—and the fledgling was wrenched away. For a heartbeat she was then left frozen in a mess of thoughts, which mostly amounted to 'how did I move that fast?' For a heartbeat, her limbs had moved like they remembered something she didn’t.

”Wysteria you will not, I repeat NOT, touch a single hair on that humans head."

The ancient's voice warning Wysteria not to harm her human brought her back to the present, noting that she'd have to figure out the whys of it all later. Though there was this feeling of warmth that stirred, swelling inside her chest at seeing how protective Ren truly was. She looked to the sire with a discipled, but obvious gratefulness, sending the feeling of butterflies bouncing down their shared connection. Still she said nothing, letting Ren deal with it completely, paired with a sense of trust that the vampiress had been more than serious about keeping her safe.

“I’m going to very quickly disable you from doing so, for now, until I can trust you to control your urges…”

She never got the chance to really marvel at the use of blood magic, but hearing the incantations, much like her blessings being repeated thrice was certainly a treat for the young, curious mind. Especially seeing the effect it had, which was never anything the Vigil ever taught.

“Lyselle, my love.” The words meant to get her attention - which they very much did. “How long do we have until the werewolves are upon us?” As much as her mind screamed at her to try and analyze the use of the word 'love', she simply didn't have the time to do so.

"Seconds," Lyselle had replied, lowering her voice somewhat, clearly an indicator that the wolves were rapidly approaching. "One behind you - one the opposite way." At that, with utmost confidence that she could defend herself and that Ren would watch her, she turned her back to the pairing and lifted her blades up - eyeing where the female wolf had been silently stalking them.

---

As Victor drew closer, he could hear muffled conversation, narrowing his eyes to peer through the darkness - everything painted in silver and black and where light seemed to shine bright to the werewolf eyes. Close enough now to hear normal conversation, just past some bushes, getting low and ready to pounce. Victor had to train especially hard in ambushing and sneaking given his taller form, but by this time he had been one of the best hunters - even if not thee best. Which is why when he was just about to make himself known at full speed, he paused, eyeing the human opposite of his own prey.

Was she wielding silver weapons? A huntress - with a vampire? It certainly gave him pause as questions raced in his mind, of what this meant, and a ping of fear for his sister. They were ready to fight two vampires with one being weak, but never expected the third to be a hunter. Then it dawned - she must be dominated. There was hope then, if he could swallow the vampire's attention, the human might break free of the enchantment and might even turn sides. A very low sigh huffed through his maw before readying himself once more, turning his full attention on the woman protecting their prey, mission cemented in his mind.

Tensing his muscles, he launched himself forward at full speed towards the newcomer, letting out a wild and intimidating roar that seemed to shake the very trees - birds flocking upwards in fear as the quiet broke throughout the forest. He wasted absolutely no time, pouncing towards Ren with claws opened and teeth showing, ready to sink into dead flesh.

Bloodbound & Broken

As they sailed the winds, Lyselle carefully slipped the dagger back into place, acutely aware not to accidentally nick her newfound lover and simply watched the landscape blur on by with quiet wonder. Silently she smiled to herself, finding Ren's nod to her given - even if temporary - title to be exciting and heart-warming, like butterflies swimming underneath her skin. Eventually she heard, “We’re close,” over the whipping whines of wind. Her brown gaze found Ren once more as she nodded again but this time instead of moving her focus elsewhere, she took these last few moments to stare into those ancient eyes, the link seemed to sigh in contentment, a quiet warmth rippling across her skin.

“I need you to be strong.” The wire that connected them hummed with encouragement that seemed to fill her with a feeling of confidence, as if this age-old vampiress had a genuine confidence in her ability, bringing a light smile to her face. “Stay with me, listen to me… But be strong, in yourself.”

"Yes ma'am." Something in the way that Ren had trust in her abilities and yet seemed to act like a leader sent another surge through the young huntress, filling her with trust and courage, quieting any fears of being held by a blood-drinker even further - though the echoes of doubts still lingered in her mind - just easier to ignore. The world shifted once again as they took a hard turn, gliding quickly towards the ground where Lyselle felt the impact of Ren's feet touching the ground.

As the huntress was lowered onto the ground, she slipped gracefully to plant herself onto the earth below and looked around for a few moments to get her bearing, but quickly following her guardian's lead. The gentle glow of being held still flickered in-between her heartbeats, even as her training snapped into place, handing finding the hilts of her blades. Her hunter sense was always 'on' but it was now alert - sharper and more focused as the energy of battle settled within her.

She could already sense another presence and knew instantly that it was the other vampire as they both of them began to walk forward. Their aura was weak, which was to be expected, and there were leagues of difference in the presence of their being compared to Renaissance's own which marked them as significantly younger. This afforded her the first time to realize that the younger vampire would be sorely tempted to gun for her - feeding gave them a chance to heal and regain their power and here was a human walking in like a snack. A slight click of her tongue as she tensed, she was almost certain the fledgling would interpret her presence as a gift — a living vessel to heal from, which meant she may have to genuinely defend herself against the very person they were trying to help. 'Can't be avoided,' she thought to herself. She wouldn't take it personally, but her silver weapons unsheathed none-the-less, though she noted the tug of something in their link - she would be sure not to hurt the offspring permanently or even temporarily if she could help it.

Another pulse crackled through the hair just then as Lyselle looked to the sides, letting out a slight huff. "Werewolves," she said, warning the ancient sire of who had come to join the fun. "Two of them... trying to flank us." Even among seasoned hunters, her ability to decipher supernatural beings was among one of her chief abilities and one of the reasons she was hailed as a prodigy in the Vigil. Between that and her close-combat effectiveness, it set her up to seem far more experienced than she actually was.

---

As the pair drew closer and closer, Victor began to slow, careful to stay beyond the edge of a vampire’s hearing. As much as his blood flared and growled for him to jet forth, he knew better and lifted a slight hand for Violet to stop, before letting out a huff of frustration escape his nostrils. "Smell that, sis?" he asked in a low, whispered tone. "Looks like she called for help and..." The large wolf-man groaned in disgust. "They brought a human for her - we need to do this fast. I'll go around the other side and attack first and go after the 'help'... you go for the wounded one after me and... try to keep the girl from her - kill her if you have to." Most werewolves weren't innately hostile towards humans like the undead were, but neither did they hold much of a soft spot for them - if anything, they were often taught humans were just food for the abominations and so killing them was always preferred to letting a vampire get ahold of them.

Nodding once to his sister, he darted to circle the pair of vampires, careful to be quiet but quick. He knew he couldn't afford the wounded undead to heal and thankfully despite his size and shape, werewolves were known to be sometimes even more quiet than some vampires - one of the very few advantages they seized every time they could. It wasn't long before he was on the other side and started to creep forward, sniffing the air to keep tabs on his prey, tearing his focus from the stronger scent to lock onto the healthy vampire.

Bloodbound & Broken

The alpha of the pair looked back with a look of satisfaction and approval - he adored her support throughout the years and loved her dearly, even if he wasn't the alpha of the pack, but he was okay with that. Not every lupine was meant to be leader and guide and everyone had a role, which Victor clearly enjoyed as a hunter and provider. His sister was so attached to him that she would train right alongside him and become huntress herself, something that was uncommon, but not unheard of.

Taking in one last long inhale of the rotting blood, he shifted into a full sprint, having full faith in his siblings ability to keep up. If everyone had a strength they could lean into, then tracking was probably one of their best traits, and even though the smell was disgusting he and his sister could push through the gut wrenching and focus on their prey. Trees and bushes whizzing past him, pumping those massively legs to propel him forward, he could tell the scent was getting stronger - that meant they were gaining on the vampire.

He barked a laugh, "she probably wore herself out!"

---

Lyselle had been completely locked into her task, like turning on a light switch, and there was little room in her mind for fear or worry. So when the wave of comfort rippled across their bond, she was a little shocked to feel it, but swung her head around to give Ren a genuine smile.

”Great idea, Lys.” A glow of relief illuminated her from within, causing her grin to widen. She always loved the praise of course, as it validated that she was doing well, something she always felt the pressure of doing, but hearing it from the vampire was something wholly new and yet strangely familiar. Only a brief pause existed inbetween this and what Renaissance said next, but she basked in its glow none-the-less.

“If I’d have known one of my idiot offspring would beg for deliverance, I would’ve made time for some Blood Magic. But for the enchantment to have a strong hold, I’d need time-” the ancient vampire hissed air through her teeth. “And that, as we know, is not a commodity we possess in this moment. So I’ll have to mostly fight in the good old-fashioned way.”

It wasn't difficult to tell that her vampiress was still on edge by the suddenness of the change, but in an effort to reassure her guardian, she interjected lightly with, "and I can't cast many Scripts, but I can write them quickly if we get in a tight spot... Though in truth, Lyselle was no stranger to fighting in close-combat, her reflexes so fine they came as natural as breathing to her - though she still had more to learn. It helped her feel confidence, letting it surge across their connection, but she wasn't making sure not to overestimate her abilities.

Following the haunting beauty that was the vampire, she drew in a slow inhale of breath as the fresh air, closing her eyes lightly. A brief moment past before she took mental note that dawn was coming soon. It was an understated talent of hers that while any human probably could tell generally what time it was, even without the stars, moon, or sun to guide her, she could feel the weight of time on her skin. Early morning had a particular glow to it, like she could imagine the birds just beginning to wake up, crickets finding shelters for the day, and the switch from moths to butterflies. This was a good thing... usually, as Lyselle could fight effectively at anytime of the day (though she only told a select few that she preferred the night, especially during storms), but it also meant the strength of her companion would wane somewhat - though she had no doubt she could fight her own battles regardless.

Her world seemed to tilt then, feeling arms hook under her form and lift her, drawing an amusingly cute squeak from the young woman. She had never actually been carried like this before and blinked, looking up to find Ren's eyes, quickly biting at her lower lip. The view of watching the vampiress wings spring forth was even more amazing close up and as their fated thread hummed in delight, it forced a rosey color to spread across her cheeks.

“Hold on tight please, m’lady.” The playful take on giving Lyselle a title only made the blush flare moreso, though she rolled her eyes a little with a small grin lined across her mouth. “This is your Captain speaking. Welcome aboard Vamp Airlines. Our flight time today is estimated to be circa 20 minutes. Our cabin crew will now begin your safety announcements which include keeping your hands and feet inside the vehicle at all times. Please enjoy the view as we fly at altitude to an ominous forest filled with unknown danger and potential death. Once again, thank you for choosing to fly Vamp Airlines. Wishing you a wonderful flight.”

The whole thing made her giggle and instinctively wiggle in an attempt to get closer to Ren or at least as a show of affection, even being so bold as to place a shy kiss at the edge of the vampire's jawline. As the pair jolted off towards the clouds, she gasped softly, noting that actually feeling the wind in her hair was much different than having experienced it in her sleep. She had to admit her honed reactions were trying to kick in - screaming that she was in danger, being held captive by the enemy, but she chose to be brave. Emotionally, she turned inward along their cord for reassurance, soaking in it like it was a hot spring, letting it melt away her worries. Afterall, she needed to be present and focused, not distracted by voices echoing in her ears.

After an adjustment period, she turned to remove the silver dagger in her possession and closed her eyes, murmuring a prayer she had said many times over.

“Goddess of a thousand names,
She who wears the faces of warrior, mother, huntress, and storm —
Bless this silver by your light.
Let it hold the memory of moonfire,
The clarity of truth,
And the strength to cut through shadow.
Guide my hand to protect the living,
And temper my heart,
That I strike only where I must.
By your many forms, watch me.”

As she said her prayer, the silver dagger would begin shining a dull blue, like a pond lit by moonlight. Of course such a thing was dangerous to her if Lyselle would to suddenly drive it in, but despite that, the blessing seemed to wash around the vampiress and left her completely untouched - was it the chain that shackled them together or simply Lyselle's intent to kept Ren from harm? As they traveled, the huntress was able to say it three times before reopening her eyes, giving the ancient room to speak once more.

“Let’s establish some ground rules before we head into battle,” Ren said loudly above the sound of beating wings and whipping winds. “First and foremost, you mustn’t die. Seriously. I want you to be careful. Put yourself first, always. If you are overpowered at any moment or you come close to lethal harm, you let me handle it. If they harm a single hair on your head, I will eradicate them immediately.”

The hunter's face swirled with pleasant surprise before simply nodding obediently, feeling the thrum of her vampire's protective nature over her, even though her default nature was to charge into battle.

“We are to stay together. Close. Do not go idle, do not leave my sight. I want you within my reach until we establish what we’re up against… Okay?”

Another small nod was offered as Lys replied with a simple, "yes, your grace..." The urge to give this winged creature a title was a strange and new one for Lyselle, but it also was part of her nature on some level, having always referred to her mentors as 'master' followed by their name. She enjoyed the protocol of it and especially in moments like this, where even in her confidence she could feel submissive, it felt more strange not to properly respect Renaissance - though now wasn't really the time to be searching for what that title should or would be.

Bloodbound & Broken

“Oh-!” She was quick to return the tight hug, but it caught her off guard, sporting a soft blush even from such an innocent act. A happy sigh passed her lips before she tucked her hair behind her ear and once again focused.

“We’ll need weapons,” Ren spoke to her, smirking as her eyes lit with an urgent excitement. “I don’t know exactly what we’ll be facing, but I’m certain our wits and magic won’t suffice.”

The huntress blinked once, watching the vampiress spin and march over to her cloak—a flash of when they met crossed her mind, bringing a light smile to her lips. Still, she watched Ren with no small level of amusement. For the past two decades at least, Lys had lived and breathed hunting and fighting, so she was already preparing before the vampiress even spoke. Perhaps, she reasoned, it was simply Ren’s way—after all, even a creature of the night must have lived a life utterly unlike her own.

Still, the offer of more weapons did not go unappreciated. She walked over, eyeing the unique armaments thoughtfully.

A mental inventory flickered through her mind of what she already carried: her silver shortsword, wolfsbane, silver dust, holy water, and her hallowed throwing knives. She’d have to restock those herself from now on… but now wasn’t the time to reflect on her future. She only needed to protect her companion.

Seeing as they weren’t sure what awaited them, she reached for another of Ren’s silver daggers—less ornate, but Lyselle didn’t care, so long as it worked. In the background, she heard the vampiress pacing, no doubt troubled for her wounded fledgling.

“It’s a 20 minute flight away—roughly. We’ve got to fly, okay? You’ll have to either mount my back or let me carry you. Is that going to bother you? Now would be a fine time to grow a pair of wings from that human back of yours…”

A click of her tongue escaped her as she turned, offering Renaissance a lighthearted smile, brown orbs sparkling.

“Oh, of course—you know us humans are famous for having wings,” she joked, rolling her eyes playfully.
“No—I have no problem being carried. Gives me time to place at least a temporary blessing on this dagger of yours. Pairs nicely with my sword.”

As she slid the dagger into her belt, she considered putting both weapons to true, simultaneous use. She had never been known for dual-wielding among the Vigil—they insisted on mastering one weapon above all else. But that never stopped her from learning things in secret… just like her forbidden Scripts.

---

On any normal day, a vampire outclassed a werewolf in a straight fight—if both were at their strongest. But today was far from normal for the young vampire. She was interrupted mid-feed, bleeding, disoriented, and had two werewolves driving her deeper into the woods. Without that desperate cry for help, she would already be dead… or at least, something very close to it.

At least she’d bought some distance—almost twenty minutes’ worth.

And it didn’t help that the pair chasing her were siblings—natural born werewolves trained since childhood to stalk prey with uncanny synergy. Natural borns had the unique advantage of controlling their monstrous form far better than the cursed. They were more wild than rabid, and infinitely more dangerous because of it.

Hunters theorized endlessly while werewolf tribes told their own myths, but no one truly knew why natural borns couldn’t pass their condition to others. The tribes claimed it was a sacred gift from the Great Mother. Hunters liked to believe that the human spirit diluted the curse.

Either way, natural borns were far more cunning.

“Over here, sis,” growled the larger of the two, his voice an eerie mixture of human speech and lupine snarls. He would have towered over the young vampire earlier—nearly six feet even without standing fully upright, fur barely concealing the primal muscle layered beneath. Victor pointed to a tree with broken branches and the faintest smear of blood—easy enough to track, given that vampire blood smelled like rotting flowers.

And if werewolves hated anything more than hunters, it was vampires. On rare occasions, the two species even formed uneasy alliances to take down especially powerful undead.

Victor sniffed the air—once, twice, then several more times—before glancing toward his sister. Her lupine maw curved into something cruelly close to a grin as he nodded northward.

“Probably got ahead,” he grunted.
“But it won’t be long now…”