James Levin, Adventurer. Well, mostly an adventurer, if there was adventures to go on. For now I just take whatever jobs I can get. Need to earn a living somehow you know.
Hmm... Well the day is almost over, should be able to fit one more quick job. TO THE GUILD!
Surprisingly, there is still people here. Many of them just finishing their day off with their party. Looks like fun... a party...
I make my way over to the only guild counter that seems open at the moment. It's manned by Albert, a well fit elder. To be honest, he looks like he would be some sort of butler, not a guild employee.
“AH! Master Levin!”
“Good afternoon, Albert. Please, just call me James. No need to be too formal.”
“Haha, very well. Master James it is! So how may I help you?”
The “Master” isn't really needed. I wonder if he used to be a butler or some kind?
“I was just wondering if there are any jobs left? I've got a bunch of free time. Might as well use it up.”
Albert shakes his head. Out of luck.
“My apologies, Master James. All jobs have been accepted or completed, so we have none left I'm afraid.”
“AH! Well it was worth a try, thanks anyway Albert. I'll see you tomorrow.”
I give Albert a little farewell wave and start to heading towards the exit, but then...
“Hmm? What's This? AH! MASTER JAMES!”
“Yeah?”
“Seems I missed a quest notice. It's a urgent delivery quest, I must of miss this. My apologies, Master James.”
“Urgent? So... a time limit?”
“Yes, but this does require going through Rainwell Forest at night due to the fact this letter must be delivered to Skar Manor before dawn.”
While it maybe at night... I smell an adventure!
“I'll take it!”
“You sure, Master James?”
“Don't worry I can handle it!”
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A few hours later || Somewhere inside Rainwell Forest || PoV change.
Today is the day, huh?
It took me so long to find you James. You don't need to be alone any more. I also made sure the people that made you leave are dealt with, though I'm not the same as I used to be.
My train of thought is lost by a knock on my door. Finally.
“My Lady, it is Albert.”
“Enter.”
Entering my room is my butler, Albert. Though he isn't just a butler, you could say is also like a mentor. He's helped me over the years understand and control my new powers that were given to me. He gives a quick bow.
“My Lady, Master James should by now be in Rainwell Forest. You was right saying that his adventurous nature would take over in accepting the “quest”.
“Ah, James, you never change.”
I get up from my seated position and do a little stretch.
“Well, time to get to work.”
Albert nods his head.
“I suppose I'll take a day or two days off then, My Lady. Perhaps I'll go visit Queen Valanis and let her know your progress.”
“Do as you wish Albert. Thank you for you assistance.”
Albert nods again and leaves.
Now then James, you'll return to me... won't you?
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Half an hour later || Inside Rainwell Forest || Pov: James Levin
I might of underestimated this forest at night by my lonesome. Welp, no backing out now. To make matters worst... I'm lost. Seems I forgot to pack my map, though I'm sure I didn't, strange.
A rustle in a nearby bush causes me to change direction. Great job James, make yourself even more lost.
I eventually come to a small clearing in the forest with a sole tree stump in the middle. It seems familiar...
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2 Years ago.
I messed up again. Someone died this time.
“YOU!”
I'm held against a wall by my throat by our party leader Eric. He's mad cause his loved one died due to my... aiming...
“Give me one good reason I should kill you where you stand. A-alice wasn't meant to die y-yet... You killed her!”
“I-it was an a-accident.”
“An accident? So because it was an accident, it means you'll be forgiven? Alice died. You killed someone!”
“Ack...”
It's getting harder to breathe.
“Knew something like this would happen. I told you Eric not to let this amateur into our party.”
The person talking at the moment is Liam. He's never liked me, mainly due to my inexperience with a party. Knew I should of stayed solo.
“C-can't brea-...”
“Good, you can die slow. You deserve it.”
Eric is probably right. I screwed up. I took someone's life. It doesn't matter if it's an accident or not. Suddenly a hand was placed on Eric's shoulder.
“What do you think you're doing?”
“CLAIRE! Don't stop me...”
Eric looks at Claire, his expression immediately changed.
“E-eeeric...”
“Tch... fine.”
Eric instantly let's go of me causing to me fall to the ground.
“But he is out. I don't want to see him ever again!”
“...”
Claire remains silent.
“Come on you two, we're leaving. Don't show your face very again James, got that!?”
I look at him stunned and remain silent.
“Next time Eric, you should listen to me.”
“Probably... Claire! Let's go!”
Claire looks at me.
“Don't be hard on yourself. I'm sure we'll meet again... soon enough.”
Claire turns away from me and leaves with Eric and Liam.
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Present
I walk over to the nearby tree stump and take a seat. Looking around at my surrounding I see the tree Liam held me against. Who knew this place was so close.
I approach the tree but my attention is drawn to some disturbed grass mounds. These wasn't here before. Something on top of one of the mound shines by the moonlight. A necklace? On closer inspection... Liam's necklace. I drop it back on the ground and back away. These aren't just natural grass mounds more like graves.
A bush rustles behind me immediately catches my attention. Something jumps out and then... darkness.
I'm woken up by a small ray of light coming from a small open from a nearby curtain-covered window. Wait... window? I immediately sit up to find myself in a unfamiliar bed. The room I'm in is mostly dim candle-lit so I have no trouble seeing my surrounding. There's something quite fancy about this room.
Scanning the room, nothing really “off” about this room other then it being a bit fancy. My attention is drawn to a candle-lit desk where there is a girl with her feet up, casually reading away, like I'm not here. As cosy as this room looks, something is telling me I should remain too long here. Luckily for me the girl has yet to notice me waking up.
Suddenly a light breeze comes over my legs under the bed covers causing me to shiver slightly. Strange. I curiously look under the covers, that is when I noticed something missing.
Where are my bottoms? Actually, where are all my clothes?
I scan the room once more. Nothing. I stare at the only door leading in and out of this room. Should I just run for it?
I stare at the girl sitting once more, and still my instincts are telling me to run. Think I'd better trust my instincts on this one, regardless of the lack of clothes.
I slowly shift my way out of the bed, trying hard not to make a sound. Luckily the floor wasn't squeaky or anything so I could shuffle myself over to the door at a slightly faster pace then what you would normally do. I get to the door and immediately place my hand on the doorknob. That is when I realized, this was too easy. Too easy on purpose. So that means...
Spell: Hex Paralysis
Target: Arms & Legs
I-I can't move my arms or legs. This magic is new.
“It's been over 2 years and not even a greeting. Do you hate me so?” This voice...
“Claire?”
I hear some shuffling happening over at the desk behind me and then, darkness. What felt like a spit-second, I find myself back on the bed, but this time not under the covers and with my limbs tied to corner bed posts.
“C-Claire!?”
I feel my heartbeat rush as I start to get scared. I look around to notice I can't see my surroundings anymore. It's like the bed is sole focus of the room. Even the desk I saw Claire at is no where to be seen. I struggle a bit to test the restraints. Nothing, I'm trapped with no way of escaping. What the hell is going on!?
I close my eyes and take a few good deep breathes to calm my nerves. I can feel my heart-rate steady and open my eyes once again. I open my eyes to meet the glowing red eyes of my captor, I don't think Clair always had red eyes. Whilst I ponder about her eyes, she shows me a sinister smile revealing her perfect teeth but her canine's... are longer...
Oh no...
“V-vamp-” I'm immediately interrupted by a single finger placed against my lips.
“Shhh, shhh, shhh... I'll explain in due time, but first~”
She immediately nuzzles her face into my neck, softly rubbing and sniffing. I brace myself for some biting. It's something you kind of expect from vampires, but nothing. She just keep nuzzling against me.
“Claire...”
