Deep in the forests of Kristanlia…..
Zed groaned as the human resisted, he put up quite a fight that none of his previous victims had. The struggle drew out longer than expected, the man's strength only seemed to fuel Zed's rage. His vision blurred, and his breathing grew harsh, he was hungry.
He seized the man by the throat tightly to ensure he would not escape, then his claws dug deep into flesh until the man's scream cut through the night like a blade. Blood sprayed across Zed's face, and his lengthy tongue stretched out and swept across his cheek and face savoring the taste of blood.
"Zed?" Pharian's voice suddenly called.
Zed's eyes shut as he slumped on the man's blood oozing from his neck without any intention to stop. He sucked greedily until the man's body went limp and blood stopped flowing. He pulled his mouth away with a deep sigh l until there was nothing left to take. Only then did Pharian step closer, sword already in hand.
"That's enough. Go home." Pharian ordered with narrowed eyes.
Zed dropped the man's body in his hands and slowly opened his eyes, his deep crimson eyes stare at his brother with a certain anger in them. Before Pharian could discern what was happening, Zed was in front of him and grabbed him in a choke hold, and lifted him in the air.
"Do not tell me what to do!" Zed shouted, his voice layered like many people speaking at once.
Pharian gauged his brother with worry in his eyes, his brother's powers came with a lot of darkness attached.
"Skye will be worried," Pharian reasoned, unbothered by the chokehold he was in. He was an undead so Zed could not kill him; he would only feel the pain.
"Then let her worry. I have no care for what she thinks."
Zed's grip tightened, where he barely looked in control. Pharian's hand gradually reached his side, and he drew his sword from its sheath and sliced through Zed's arm in one swift motion. Blood splattered across the ground and on Pharian, as the severed limb fell with a thud.
Pharian rubbed his neck as his feet landed on the ground and turned to his brother.
Zed roared, stumbling back, the sound echoing through the hollow forest. His eyes blazed in anger as he glared at Pharian who immediately disappeared from there. He knew if he stayed there any longer, Zed would have found a way to kill him whether he was immortal or not.
Zed groaned in pain, clutching his severed arm to his chest, by now it would have grown back but his arm wasn't regenerating. His breathing faltered and the world suddenly seemed to be spinning.
His throat felt dry and blood dripped from his mouth. He could gradually feel himself weaken and a bitter taste in his mouth, death.
There was a sudden gust of wind and he sensed a familiar presence and slowly turned around.
"My lord!" The voice screeched on seeing his state, it was Audrey. One of the demons of the undead.
"Revert back to your original form. Your body cannot heal like this." came Audrey's worried voice
Zed complied, shifting into his true form. His hand had reappeared and the feeling in his mouth slowly melted. He returned to his human form once again and the pain instantly ceased, where his hand had returned.
Audrey smiled before bowing a little. "I shall leave now, my lord," Audrey murmured before vanishing. She had always been loyal to him, clever, composed, and wiser than most. He thought of making her his wife. He needed a demon at his side, and she already served as his mistress.
***
Skye noticed the candles dim and a person's presence suddenly arrived.
"Where have you been?" Skye stood waiting, her cheeks streaked with tears, her eyes swollen from crying.
Zed froze. "Why are you crying?"
"Are you hurt?" she asked quickly, stepping closer as she noticed the blood on his clothes.
"No," he replied stiffly. "You need not worry about me."
"I need to worry, you left at dawn and returned at dusk, and you said nothing." She clenched her fist together as she watched her husband.
"I am a very busy man," he muttered with a frown, turning away.
"At least tell me where you were," she pressed, hurt flickering in her voice.
"It should not concern you. It is late, you should sleep." Zed stated taking off his coat.
"It should, I am your wife but you don't tell me anything" she said sadly and Zed felt irritated.
Zed's jaw clenched. "I refuse to tell you. Go to sleep, Skye."
"Okay." She whispered, wiping the tears that ran down her cheeks and turned towards the door.
"Skye, where are you going?" Zed called, but she didn't stop walking and she left the room slamming the door behind her.
He sighed, letting her go.
Skye's feet padded across the corridor until she arrived at her room.
Helen hummed as she arranged the last bit of their belongings when the door opened and she found her lady entering the room.
"You haven't come back since last night," Helen teased Skye with a knowing smile.
"Yes," Skye whispered, her tone distant. "I was waiting for him."
"Waiting for him? I don't understand."
Skye looked away, exhaustion evident in her voice. "Helen… I am tired. I just need sleep."
Helen frowned, noticing her Princess was sad but decided not to push. "As you wish, your Highness."
Skye lay on her bed and once she heard Helen leave, tears slowly quietly down her cheeks. She had waited all day, up until night. She had been worried and he came back so late without even bothering to give her an explanation.
When he did not return by noon she started getting seriously worried and Pharian also did not come to meet her like he normally would.
She wondered if Zed would ever tell her anything about himself, or continue to leave her in the dark.
***
Zed awoke in the middle of the night with a pounding headache. His body ached in ways it never had before. Sitting upright, he reached for a cup of water, but the pain only worsened. He grabbed the edge of the bed, willing the pain to stop.
What was happening? He thought to himself and staggered to his feet in the dark room.
He clutched the wall, his nails scraping against the stone as he fought to stay upright. His body felt hot, his vision blurred, and he felt his knees weaken.
"Stop," he hissed, pulling at his hair in frustration and using his other hand to grab the table trying to steady himself with a groan as his face twisted in pain.
In a flash, he disappeared, reappearing in the wine cellar below, bottles shattering as he stumbled against a shelf. Grabbing two bottles, he opened them and poured the wine down his throat, hoping the feeling would stop.
But it didn't help, he poured more alcohol down his throat and threw the bottle against the wall. He felt incredibly hot, his shirt now clinging to his body from sweat. He undid his buttons, gasping for air.
He shut his eyes tightly and when opened them there were dark crimson and they hurt.
He forced himself to teleport again, back into his chambers and leaning against the wall. His hand trembled as he reached for the bedpost, his chest rising and falling rapidly.
His veins burned red under his skin.
Something was wrong.
Very wrong.