Thread: "Bloodless Brother" (xeo-wizzard & Remnant_Of_Dreams)

Aden watched as Ama paced in font of him and asked him questions he was unsure how to answer. He was surprised that she seemed unfazed at the recent turn of events, but noticed she was reserved, holding back other feelings. When she spoke to him she saw glimmers of excitement and love, but also fear, it was apparent she had not fully recovered from her brush with danger. As Ama professed her love and support of him, regardless of the the changes he had been through he felt a knot of building worry release. He knew with Ama's support he could accomplish anything. She stood before him expectantly, waiting for him to answer her questions. He pulled a chair to the table and bade her to sit, then pulled up a chair for himself and sat beside her. He tried to comfort her, and assured her that he would fight the monstrous urges regardless of the cost if it meant she might come to harm. He then began to recount what he could remember. In the final months of the war his troop had been charged with the defense of an abandoned castle and to patrol the areas surrounding it. A few weeks passed and they had received no word from the main army, and supplies had been running low. They sent several men as messengers, but none would return. They struggled through many weeks of hardship, many men became sick and feverish from the constant rain, cold weather, and limited food. The defensive trenches had become half filled with muddy water, and the troop was forced to seek shelter in the old castle. Rotting tapestries and remnants of wooden furniture were scattered sparsely about the interior. The windows had fallen out of their wooden frames, the glass had returned to granules of sand. The place remained dark, even in midday, and the cold wind swept swiftly through the window frames. The men stayed wrapped in combat blankets, huddling in small groups for warmth. On a particularly bitter night Aden stood just outside the castle entrance and searched the pale landscape for signs of movement. He had been assigned as the sentry tonight, and the full moon made his job easier. He glimpsed a dark figure standing to his right, but when he turned his head it had vanished. His skin began to crawl, spooked, and he clutched his gun closer to his chest. He heard a weak scream from inside and immediately turned and ran into the castle. His eyes had not yet adjusted to the darkness, and he stumbled over something heavy. He heard more screams and his blood began to pump furiously, his eyes widened desperately searching the darkness for movement. He heard something turn and run towards him, claws scratching on the stone floor. He swung his gun around, pointing it into the darkness, bayonet fixed and ready. The creature pounced upon him, and screeched in pain. It bit and clawed at his arms and face and his blood began to flow freely from the wounds. It found purchase on his arm, and he felt it's sharp teeth pierce his skin, his energy drained, pulled into its greedy maw. He pushed the creature back with much effort, but it charged him again throwing him into a corner. He quickly began to search for something to defend himself, his bloodied hands fumbling in the darkness. He found something wooden, a broken flag pole, and held it up weakly. The creature charged at him again, slamming him into the wall. His head exploded in pain and he lie there helpless. The wooden pole was jerked from his hands and he heard the creature tossing about violently and screeching in pain. His open wounds continued to bleed profusely and he felt himself drift into unconsciousness. The darkness seemed to last forever, but he finally found himself opening his eyes. It was dark still, but he felt strangely stong, invigorated. As he looked around he felt a chill of fear and nearly screamed st the ghastly sight. Half of his troop lay scattered about the floor, gaunt and shriveled memories of their former selves. Laying in the center of the room he saw a bloated creature that at one time might have been a man. Its canine teeth had become sharp, needle-like fangs, Its face was fixed in a savage, animal snarl. It had a large gouge in its lower abdomen that looked like it had started to heal before it died. The broken flag pole pierced through its chest, and a large pool of blood surrounded it. Aden looked around for signs of life, but it appeared the rest of the soldiers had fled the horrific scene and left him for dead. He gathered his belongings and followed their trail, eager to leave the horrible place behind him. The sun beat down on him, and his head ached. He assumed the concussion had yet to wear off, but when he examined his arms he saw no signs that he had ever been hurt. On the road he was told by a local trader that the war had ended. During his trip his headaches increased with his sensitivity to sunlight. He had become gradually weaker, and felt the strange hunger build. Now that his thirst for blood had subsided he felt much stronger. Ama looked back at him wide-eyed. He ended his tale and waited for her response.