Vampire Nightlife

"…I obviously stand to be corrected." Philip's gaze swerved across the multiple trees with visible hesitance. "If we can find a way up to the mountain, then I suppose it's best to go there. I've always liked the idea of climbing up high as opposed to being stuck in a forest."

"Even with the sun?" Anthony raised a brow.

"Even with the sun." Philip said.

"Good, with that settled… here, take this with you." Lukas offered Philip his spare dagger. "You should be able to use it to defend yourself."

"I can't hire Matthew to act as my bodyguard, can't I?"

"I really don't think it can apply in this situation." Matthew apologetically smiled and shook his head. "There's too much danger involved at the moment."

"Of course, I just wanted to see my options." Philip accepted the dagger reluctantly and tightly grasped it before turning to his friend. "You want to switch weapons with me, Anthony?"

"I tried to make you get one of these but you refused my trade offer for it. So no thanks." Anthony shook his head. "We don't even know if this thing will work against Lukas' dear friend."

"You don't have to remind me of that." Philip muttered.

Even with a clear goal in mind, it didn't help that there was still danger on the prowl.

Lukas remembered Rhea and had to quietly ask. "What is she now?"

[Blood of Nightmares]

A being formerly existing as a Dream Eater, the introduction of blood into their system makes them into ravenous monsters in search of more energy to fuel their now more corporeal bodies. Without blood from their master, it is impossible to control such a being when they lose their mind and slowly fall into insanity.

Powerful beings can make them submit through various methods.

"This… this isn't the most comforting to read right now." Lukas muttered as he and the others walked down the road, keeping their best to stay away from trees and anything suspicious.

"What are you saying, Lukas?" Matthew asked.

"I was thinking that maybe there's actually a way to deal with Rhea. I told you guys that I made her into a Blood Servant didn't I? I haven't been able to control her, but if I'm given the chance to increase my strength—I think I'd be able to do just that."

"And how exactly do you increase your strength? I don't think this is something that you can learn in a few hours tops and then successfully be able to stop her as if you've done such a thing for your entire life." Philip said.

"That's quite true…" Lukas winced.

"But we also don't know how exactly good you are, so you might be able to make it work. Consciously, unconsciously—you're doing a great job at using your powers, right, Matthew?" Anthony said.

"Yes, I agree."

"What power?" Lukas raised a brow.

"The ability to suggest, command and things along those lines. You're almost as natural as a Carmilla House member, I think." Anthony said. "They're natural diplomats and able to get what they want from people and groups that they think have something to be gained from them… actually, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that one of the ladies there? The chances a Landel and a Carmilla lady gets married is actually quite fair."

Philip rubbed his forehead and shook his head. "Please don't blabber about Rowena Carmilla at a time like this, Anthony. We're practically at death's door and you're still somehow making time to think about someone who isn't even going to be your fiance."

"Hey, you don't know that!" Anthony said. "Us Landels are actually from a long line of merchants—you gotta respect the lineage."

"Well, you got to respect my foot if we make it out here in one piece, and I'll shove it up your ass." Philip grunted.

"For people who're afraid of dying, they do seem to be quite energetic aren't they?" Matthew whispered quietly to Lukas as they walked.

"Helps ease the nerves, I guess." Lukas said as he watched their surroundings every now and then. "But yes, I know it's seem impossible to be able to control—"

"A lot of things seem impossible unless we try right? Is there any way for us to help you get stronger in a short amount of time, Lukas?"

"Well, I guess it's important to start from a basic level first." Lukas muttered as he drew out Drusilla's dagger and slashed at his own hand, a thin sliver appearing as blood oozed out of his body.

"That's…" Matthew blanched slightly.

"Controlling blood is something I heard that Vampires can do." Lukas said. "I mean—we can do."

"Not everyone." Matthew said.

"Right…" Lukas remembered the time when he had been so obsessed on getting the Blood Arts grimoire, but now he was just fooling around and trying to see if he could make the same thing happen without the scholastic effort.

"What will you do?" Matthew eyed the blood skeptically.

"Mmm… move it." Lukas stared at the blood in his hand and tried to make it flow back into his open wound, unfortunately none of that happened and instead the cut sealed itself up.

"Not too successful."

"I know. I'd say we do it again until I get it right, but there's still some blood left." Lukas held out his palm and tried to imagine his blood rising and elevating itself.

Nothing happened and he resisted the urge to clench his fist, not wanting to waste anymore blood.

"It's shaking." Matthew said.

"My hand is kinda moving." Lukas said and made it still, but then stared at the blood in his hands as he remembered what it was like to be in Drusilla's blood world.

What kind of power did she hold to be able to control that much amount of blood? Drusilla was leagues above him, but that didn't mean that he couldn't copy her.

Lukas remembered her serene face as she stood atop the blood ocean, the look of comfort and being in her place—a large contrast from her usual haughty demeanor.

He tried to do the same.