"I will kill you," the female vampire hissed, lunging towards Hazel.
"You can try," Hazel retorted, bracing himself. But in a flash, the male vampire reappeared behind him.
The coordinated assault trapped Hazel, making it difficult to defend against both simultaneous attacks. The male vampire's hand, sharpened like a blade, pierced Hazel's shoulder.
Hazel gasped, dropping to one knee as blood gushed from the deep wound. "Let me help," a voice whispered from his shadow.
"Alexa, go back immediately," Hazel said quietly, gritting his teeth.
"Oh, does a beauty wanna play?" the male vampire sneered.
Alexa emerged fully from the shadows, drawing her twin blades. "You will pay for what you have done to Master Hazel," she declared, her voice filled with cold fury.
While the vampires focused on Alexa, Shadow subtly brought healers through the shadows to begin treating Hazel's wound. Alexa intended to serve as a vital distraction. Although others could have joined the fight, only Alexa possessed the heightened senses and agility to potentially evade their attacks. Ashton knew his precognition wouldn't be enough if he couldn't outmaneuver them.
~The battle field
Hazel was receiving covert treatment, the shadow concealing the healers, as Alexa prepared to engage the vampires. She adjusted a mask that was part of her assassin's attire and unleashed her full aura.
"Oh, you wanna be feisty? I've got you covered," the male vampire taunted, vanishing in a burst of speed. Alexa remained unfazed, her senses on high alert.
The vampire reappeared suddenly in front of her, aiming a lethal strike at her head with his clawed hand. Alexa dodged with practiced ease. Just as she evaded his attack, the female vampire lunged from behind, aiming for Alexa's heart. But Hazel, his bleeding somewhat controlled though the wound remained, इंटरसेप्टेड, severing the female vampire's hand.
"Ahhh, my hand! It's not healing!" she shrieked in agony.
"What do you mean it's not healing?" the male vampire asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
"Let me introduce you to my weapon," Hazel said, his voice grim. "Anything it cuts dies permanently, and healing can't help."
"I will kill you!" the female vampire screamed, leaping to attack Hazel with renewed fury.
Hazel saw her clumsy attack coming and was about to decapitate her when she abruptly vanished.
Simultaneously, Alexa was expertly evading the male vampire's swift attacks. But then, the female vampire reappeared silently behind Alexa.
Hazel saw the impending danger and shouted, "Noooooo!"
Although Alexa sensed the vampire's presence behind her, it was too late to react. She had prioritized dodging the male vampire's immediate threat. Attempting to phase into the shadows was too risky, as they were too close and would likely follow instantly. Alexa was trapped. Hazel couldn't reach her in time.
Then, something unexpected happened. Instead of killing Alexa, the female vampire bit her neck.
"Ahhhhh! Ahhhhh!" Alexa screamed in excruciating pain, clutching her bitten neck. She collapsed, but Hazel caught her before she hit the ground.
"Alexa! Alexa! Come on, open your eyes, Alexa!" Hazel pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "Ahhhhhhhh! I will kill you!" he roared in anguish, his aura flaring as he entered his rainbow form.
Suddenly, Alexa, her eyes now crimson, bit Hazel's neck while he held her. Hazel reverted to his normal form, shock etched on his face.
What? Hazel thought in disbelief.
~System notification~
{You have been infected}
{You might undergo changes}
{Vampire Lord is trying to make you his subordinate}
{Your class prevents you from becoming another person's subordinate}
{The Vampire Lord has failed in making you his subordinate}
{The Vampire Lord is angry, his eyes are on you}
{You have become the Vampire Lord's target}
{You are now a vampire}
{Your system has been updated}
{Achievement obtained [Stray Vampire]}
~End of system notification~
Hazel, who had briefly lost consciousness, awoke. "Well, welcome to the group," the male vampire said with a smirk.
Hazel saw Alexa standing beside them, her clothes now a deep red, her eyes glowing with the same crimson light.
I am a vampire now, Hazel thought, a sense of disbelief washing over him. He touched his teeth, confirming the transformation – they were now sharp and pointed fangs.
"You bastard! I will kill you!" the female vampire shrieked at Hazel, still enraged about her severed hand.
"Calm down. He's one of us now," the male vampire said to her.
"Master, I'm so happy you could join us," Alexa said, her voice strangely devoid of her usual warmth.
Her mind must be polluted by the vampire lord, Hazel realized grimly.
Hazel rose to his feet and used his skill 'Soul Affliction'. "Alexa, I am your master. Hear me and come back to me immediately!" The skill was meant to inflict mental pain, breaking the vampire lord's influence. But it didn't work.
"What are you saying? We are now on the same side," the male vampire said to Hazel, a hint of confusion in his voice.
~System notification~
{Your subordinate is under the deep control of the Vampire Lord. Would you like to bring her back to you? [Warning: she will remain a vampire even if you bring her back]}
"Bring her back," Hazel commanded the system.
"Ahhh! Ahhh!" Alexa screamed, clutching her head in agony. The other vampires watched in bewilderment.
"Hey, what happened?" the male vampire asked her, concern in his voice.
Alexa gave no reply, still groaning in pain. Suddenly, the pain stopped, and her screams ceased.
"Alexa, are you back?" Hazel asked, his voice filled with hope.
"Master Hazel," Alexa said, her usual warmth returning as she ran and embraced him tightly.
"Good to see you are doing well," Hazel said, relief washing over him.
After the hug, Alexa looked up at Hazel's face, noticing his fangs. "You... you have become a vampire," she said, her eyes wide.
"Well, I can say the same to you," Hazel replied, a wry smile on his face.
"Uhn," Alexa murmured, touching her own mouth. "Whhhhaaaatttt?!" she shrieked, her eyes widening in horror.
"Yeah, we are both vampires now," Hazel confirmed. "But we are not subordinates of the vampire lord."
"Hey, what's going on?" the male vampire asked, utterly confused by the unfolding events.