The Awakening of Blood

A tangled web

Lily had been an orphan for as long as she could remember. Her memories of her parents were fleeting, like fragments of a dream, but nothing could replace the emptiness that lingered inside. Elysia had been kind to her, offering support and protection, and Lily had come to trust her more than anyone else. That’s why, after weeks of observing Elysia, her otherworldly strength, and the strange bond between them, she had finally decided to ask.

"Teach me," Lily said, her voice unwavering as she sat on the couch in the dimly lit room. "I want to learn to defend myself. I know... I know I can’t be strong like you, but I need something. I need control."

Elysia raised an eyebrow, her sharp eyes studying Lily’s expression. The human girl had always seemed so innocent, fragile even. But there was something burning in her eyes now—a quiet determination that made Elysia pause.

"You do realize that martial arts won’t make you invincible, right?" Elysia’s tone was skeptical but not dismissive.

Lily nodded eagerly. "I know. But I need to be strong. Strong enough to protect myself, and maybe even the people I care about."

Elysia sighed. She had already noticed the way Lily seemed to attach herself to people, the way she trusted so easily, almost desperately. It wasn’t something Elysia could understand, but she could respect it. And perhaps, just perhaps, there was something to be said for Lily’s resilience.

"Alright," Elysia said. "I’ll teach you the basics. But don’t expect me to go easy on you."

Lily’s face lit up with gratitude. "I won’t."

For the next few hours, Elysia guided her through simple strikes and defensive moves. Lily had no formal training, but she was quick to learn, absorbing the information like a sponge. Elysia watched her with a mixture of approval and something else—something she hadn’t fully acknowledged. She was protective of Lily. It was foolish, she knew, but the girl reminded her of herself before she became the creature she was now, before the darkness and blood had consumed her soul.

But that fleeting thought was shattered when the door creaked open, and Kieran stepped inside. His eyes locked on Elysia with the intensity she had come to expect.

"We need to talk," Kieran said, his tone more serious than usual. His gaze flickered to Lily before returning to Elysia.

Elysia gave Lily an apologetic smile and gestured for her to leave. "We’ll continue later. Go get some rest."

Lily hesitated, but then nodded, sensing the tension in the air. She walked out of the room, leaving Elysia alone with Kieran.

The moment the door clicked shut, Kieran spoke again. "I’ve been thinking about the contract. About us."

Elysia raised an eyebrow. "It’s done. There’s no turning back now."

"But there’s so much I don’t know," Kieran said, pacing in frustration. "Well I do have only one weak point that can kill me and except that I'm immortal." Elysia dismissed his concern. "What! I mean, you’re a blood demon, and I get that, but... what if something goes wrong? What if your weak point is exposed, and we can’t protect you?"

Elysia’s expression hardened. "Only a stake to my weak point can kill me, but I don’t know where that is. It’s just part of being what I am. And I can protect myself."

Kieran’s worry deepened. "You’re so confident, but you have more weaknesses than you let on, don’t you?"

Elysia’s red eyes narrowed slightly, the faintest spark of irritation flickering in them. "I only have one. And it’s all I need to worry about."

Kieran’s gaze softened, but his words became more hesitant. "I’m just saying... the whole situation with Lily—"

At the mention of her name, Elysia’s eyes flared. The room seemed to grow colder, the air charged with an electric tension. Her voice was low, but the threat was clear. "Don’t. Lily is none of your concern."

Kieran took a cautious step back, but he wasn’t done. "She’s your biggest weakness, Elysia. That’s what will kill us all."

His words hung in the air like a dark omen, and Elysia felt a surge of anger flood her veins. Her eyes flashed a blood-red hue for a brief moment before she regained control, taking a deep breath to steady herself. She wasn’t about to let Kieran, or anyone else, dictate her life—or the people she chose to care about.

"I said, mind your business," Elysia replied coldly, her voice even, but carrying the weight of her fury. "Lily is a human. She’s a part of my life, and that’s the end of it."

Kieran’s gaze lingered on her for a moment, the concern written all over his face. "Elysia, you’re playing a dangerous game. The more you care about people, the more vulnerable you become."

But Elysia was done with the conversation. "I don’t need a lecture from you. I’ve made my choices. And you’ll learn to accept them."

Kieran sighed, shaking his head. "I can’t stop you, but I will keep an eye on her. If she becomes a threat, I’ll deal with it."

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, leaving Elysia alone in the dim light. She stood still for a moment, the weight of his words hanging heavily on her shoulders. Kieran’s concern was warranted—there was truth in what he said. But something deep inside Elysia stirred when it came to Lily. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. Not again.

But Kieran’s warning still echoed in her mind.

“That girl is your biggest weakness…”

She shook her head, trying to clear the thoughts. She had enough on her plate without worrying about human attachments. But as she turned to leave, her eyes lingered on the door, where Lily had exited only moments before.

For the first time, she questioned just how much of a risk Lily truly was to her, and to everyone around her.