Chapter 8: Blood Everywhere
946 Words
Elena took a few deep breaths before getting out of bed. As she walked toward the door, she couldn't help but glance at her vanity mirror.
Blood-red words were scribbled across its surface:
"Second Vision: Future Seen."
"Sister, are you there? It's Alucard."
His voice came from outside.
"Yes, Alucard, I'm here," Elena called back. Just as she was about to open the door, she froze—she was still in her nightgown! In that first "future vision," wearing this had led to an awkward moment with Alucard.
"Please hold on for a sec; I need to change."
She quickly threw on her formal gown while bracing herself for those inevitable frog croaks.
But… nothing.
Not even one ribbit.
Wait... why is it quiet?
In that first vision, by now those frogs would have been driving her crazy!
What changed this time?
Then it clicked for her.
The only thing different was that last time she'd opened the door and met Alucard.
This time? She hadn't done that yet.
Was seeing Alucard what triggered this whole frog curse?
Or maybe just opening the door?
"Today is your coming-of-age ceremony," Alucard's cold voice came through again from behind the door. "As your brother, it's my job to escort you there. Please hurry—it's rude to keep everyone waiting."
Elena clenched her fists."
"No way.
I can't open it.
"Alucard, I'll head to the lounge myself. You can go now. When the ceremony starts, you can walk me there."
Silence.
Then—
"You're really making this hard for me, sis. Can I ask why?" His voice was icy.
"Because I don't want to see you," Elena replied coldly. "Just like you don't want to see me."
Another pause.
"…If that's how you feel, then fine by me. We'll catch up at the ceremony."
His footsteps echoed away down the hall.
Only when they were totally gone did Elena finally open her door.
No frog sounds.
No frog sounds!
She stepped carefully into the hallway, passing by pillars and staircases—still nothing.
So it's Alucard.
He's what set this off.
This has nothing to do with Mom's prophecy!
Was Dad lying?
If not… then what disaster was Mom talking about? That other version of herself she'd seen before "dying"?
Elena's head started pounding.
*BOOM!*
A loud clap of thunder shook the castle. Outside, dark clouds covered the sun, throwing everything into shadow.
Rain poured down like crazy, slamming against the windows—
Blood-red rain.
Elena's eyes went wide."
This didn't happen in the first vision.
Is this storm linked to the missing frogs?
She waited, feeling tense, but there were no croaks—not even with all that rain.
Mary's second rule: No frogs in the castle.
At least that one was still true.
But as she walked down the hall, a chill washed over her. At first, she blamed it on the storm—
Then she saw it.
Blood.
Dripping from the ceiling.
Oozing down the walls.
The metallic smell hit her hard in the nose.
Mary's third rule: Blood should only be in goblets!
Yet here it was—everywhere.
The Gothic windows framed a nightmare scene. The Bloodbloom lifted its head, eyes blinking awake.
"Good morning, my beautiful princess," it cooed softly. "How can I help you today?"
Elena paused for a moment, trying to keep her cool like royalty would do.
"And what can you actually do for me?"
Just looking at it made her teeth hurt; she'd love nothing more than to give this thing a "princess's flower burial" right then and there.
"Giggle giggle… Sorry if I'm being too forward, but you're stunning," said the flower with an almost dreamy tone."I could eat anyone for you! And what's my price? Just a tiny bite."
Eat anyone?
In her first vision, Elena had totally ignored this creature before now; but now she decided to use [World Perception] on it.
[Bloodbloom]
[Age]: Ancient
[Level]: ???
[Alignment]: Lawful Evil
[Abilities]: Devour
[Weakness]: Obsessed with tasty flesh
[Description]: A fancy terror hanging out in vampire castle—serves both as eye candy and deadly guard dog! Watch out—if intruders offer up some yummy meat, it might make other deals.
Elena felt herself changing her mind just slightly.
Maybe it's not so bad after all.
"Honestly though, princess," said Bloodbloom drooling away again,"you smell amazing! If you'd just let me have a little piece—"
"I'll give you an eyeball," Elena replied sweetly."And in return? You'll eat yourself."
[Bloodbloom's SAN -2]
"Tsk tsk... What a funny princess." The flower's eyes snapped shut and went back to being just another potted plant.
The blood on the walls got thicker as Elena walked into the portrait gallery.
Drip. Drip. Drip.
Her heels clicked on the stone floor—or was that just blood dripping?
She stopped in front of the third painting.
[Portrait: The Cunning Goblin]
She knew it had answers, but how could she get it to talk?
Lightning flashed outside, lighting up the hall for just a second—
And in that moment, her reflection shone way too clearly in the glass of the painting.
Her crimson eyes stared back at her, making even herself feel uneasy.
Thunder rumbled after a beat. The "goblin" in the portrait grinned at her.
"Good morning, Your Highness."
A maid curtsied as she walked by.
Elena nodded—then suddenly froze.
"Wait."
The maid turned around. "Yes, Princess?"
"Could I… borrow your lipstick?"
The maid smiled and said, "Of course!"
A few minutes later, Elena carefully put some red lipstick on while checking out her reflection in the painting's glass.
Then—
[The Delusional Mirror's SAN -0.1]
- Writer
