Chapter 6: Forest of Flowers (2)

As they spread across the forest of flowers, an unsettling quiet enveloped Elijah and his team. The luminescent purple blooms swayed gently in the night breeze, casting ethereal shadows under the moonlight. The forest seemed alive, its silence almost oppressive, as if holding its breath for the events about to unfold.

The group fanned out cautiously, maintaining visual contact with one another. Elijah's mind was a whirlwind, piecing together the mystery of Brigg's final moments. His sharp features were set in concentration, his green eyes scanning the ground for any clues.

Balmon moved with a hunter's precision through the underbrush, his senses attuned to any disturbance.

Sam, weapon ready, darted his gaze from shadow to shadow, ever vigilant. Nicolas, though visibly shaken, focused on the task, determined to aid the group's efforts.

"What is this flower?" Nicolas broke the silence, curiosity mingling with awe as he gazed at the vibrant blooms.

Elijah paused, recognizing the Purple Soul Flower—a potent ingredient for soul-related transcendent potions, rumored to originate from hell itself.

He chose to keep this knowledge to himself, a private reserve for the future.

Elijah lowered his hood, kneeling by Brigg's body.

The words 'it's coming,' etched in the dirt, sent a shiver down his spine. What had Brigg foreseen? What threat loomed close enough to drive a dying man to leave such a message?

As they continued their search, Elijah's thoughts returned to the black box in his pack. What secrets did it guard that warranted such a blood price? He sensed the answers lay hidden among the ancient trees and purple blooms.

In an instant, Elijah's perception caught a subtle movement. Instinctively, he drew his revolver, aiming at the disturbance.

Before he could act, a ripple in the air revealed a figure, clad in black protective gear, stepping forward with a mocking laugh, a gun pointed directly at Elijah...

'A stealth-related transcendent?' He thought with his eyes narrowed.

"Impressive," the stranger's voice, muffled by his mask, dripped with condescension. "Didn't expect such sharpness from your little group"

The group froze, weapons trained on the intruder.

"Judging by your hair, you must be from the family tasked with moving that black box to Shador City. Can't believe even that proved too much for you, but what's surprising is that, it appears the enemy was wiped out along with your little crew...", The stranger casually recounted the carnage he had witnessed at the original attack site—both sides annihilated. His voice, laced with derision, grated on their nerves.

Elijah stood silent, his gaze icy and unreadable, while his team exchanged uneasy glances.

The stranger, perhaps bored by Elijah's stoic demeanor, grew impatient. "Hand over the box. I'm sure you know there's no payment for making me fetch my item"

Elijah's silence was unnerving, and the stranger's impatience boiled over as he noticed Elijah's eyes looking elsewhere.

Yet before he could complain, Elijah interrupted, his voice calm and cutting, "For a first-order transcendent, how did you complete a week's journey in one night"

The stranger's eyes widened in confusion, his retort cut short as he coughed up blood, splattering the inside of his mask as it slowly flowed out his filters.

Horror etched across his face as he looked down to find an arm protruding from his chest, clutching his slow-beating heart.

He raised his gaze to meet Elijah's once more, seeing only cold indifference. "Fall back, head for the truck immediately!" Elijah commanded, urgency lacing his voice as he knew what would happen if the blood got mixed with the purple soul-flower, although it didn't take long for the others to find out as the stranger's blood hit the ground.

The Purple Soul Flower ignited upon contact with the transcendent's blood, flames racing across the blooms at the intruder's feet, engulfing him and the hidden threat behind him.

The forest lit with an eerie purple glow as the group sprinted for safety, adrenaline fueling their escape.

Cold sweat trickled down their backs as they glanced back, seeing the figure amid the flames—unmoving, unburned, watching them with chilling silence. The sight drove Elijah's anxiety to new heights. "Go, go, go!" he urged, urgency pushing them onward into the safety of the night.

Glancing back at the motionless figure, his heart felt cold, 'That means, whatever that is, is higher than a first-order transcendent.'

The forest rapidly faded into the background as Elijah and his team jumped into the truck, their hearts pounding in sync with the roar of the engine. Elijah's mind was a tempest of thoughts, piecing together the terrifying realization of what pursued them. The Bloodkin—an entity rumored to possess exaggerated healing abilities and blood-red eyes—was no longer a mere rumor whispered in the shadows.

It was here, and it was after them.

As the truck sped away, Elijah glanced over his shoulder, his eyes widening with disbelief as the purple flaming figure began to move toward them with an unnerving calmness.

The flames danced around the figure, illuminating the night with a ghastly glow. But as they watched, the flames flickered and died, revealing a naked female figure beneath, her skin mending rapidly, the wounds closing as if they had never been.

The group opened fire, bullets slicing through the air, but the figure blurred out of their sight, the purple flames extinguishing completely. The woman's long black hair flowed behind her, and her blood-red eyes sparkled with an unsettling excitement and faint blush, as though she were merely toying with them.

She moved with surreal agility, vanishing from one spot only to reappear at another angle, each time closing the distance with a predatory grace. It was a game to her, a chase laced with amusement and danger, her wide smile threatening to break into maniacal laughter.

Elijah's mind raced as he recognized her features.

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The realization hit him like a thunderclap. "Blood Hunter, Karina..." he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper.

She was a figure from his creation, a neutral character he had introduced briefly toward the end of his novel. Yet, here she was, alive and terrifyingly real.

Although he was aware of his transmigration into his novel, and he had assumed based on history and the surrounding information that it was already a century past the novel's timeline, this was the first time he has met any of the characters he created, especially one that was supposed to be dead.

His mind reeled, struggling to comprehend how she could exist beyond what he had penned. But there was no time for disbelief.

He needed to leverage this knowledge, to find a way to outmaneuver her and break the impending deadlock.

With each glance back, Elijah's resolve hardened.

He needed to think, to strategize. Karina's presence meant more than just danger; it was an opportunity.

If he could remember her motivations and her weaknesses, he might find a way to escape this nightmare.

The truck barreled forward, and Elijah's mind worked feverishly, searching for a plan. The forest was behind them, but the real battle lay ahead, with the Blood Hunter closing in, her laughter echoing in the night, a chilling promise of the chaos to come.

As the truck barreled down the isolated road, the air was thick with tension. Elijah's heart thudded in his chest, each beat a reminder of the high-stakes gamble he was about to undertake. He had chosen a path that few would dare—confronting and negotiating with a creature that seemed to blend myth and menace.

Karina, the Blood Hunter, now manifested into the world with a lethal allure and unpredictable nature.

The decision weighed heavily on him as he looked around at his team, their faces a canvas of anxiety and possibly, hope.

"Slow down," Elijah instructed, his voice carrying a calm authority that belied the turmoil within.

Sam, the driver, gave him a skeptical glance but obeyed, easing the truck to a more controlled speed.

The landscape around them blurred into a shadowy tapestry as Karina's lithe form grew larger in the rearview mirror, each stride of hers a testament to her uncanny speed and determination.

Elijah turned to his companions, his eyes meeting theirs with a mix of reassurance and urgency. "I'm going to try and talk to her. Be ready to move at any moment," he said, his voice steady. "Don't do anything stupid like trying to save me if anything goes awry."

Sam, his closest confidant, furrowed his brow, concern etched into every line of his face. "Boss, this is risky," he warned, his voice tinged with worry.

Elijah nodded, acknowledging the truth of Sam's words. "I know. But this is our best bet when it comes to... Never mind, just do as I say."

The truck gradually came to a halt on the side of the road, dust rising in swirling wisps around them as they settled into the eerie quiet of the night.

The moons hung high above, casting a purple-silver glow that bathed the scene in an otherworldly light. Elijah stepped out, the cool air brushing against his skin as he walked in Karina's direction, like a whispered reminder of the gravity of his choice.

Karina continued her approach, her movements fluid and confident, a predator in her element.

Her eyes, a striking shade of crimson, met his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine. Yet, there was something else there—curiosity, perhaps, mingling with the amusement that still lingered in her enigmatic smile, "Aha, the Smart one... That was a wonderful performance back there, didn't expect you to see me"

"Karina!" Elijah called out, his voice carrying over the distance, bringing her out of her musing. A sharp glint spread across her eyes as her figure blurred for a second and stopped a single step away from Elijah, she looked into his eyes intently as though searching for something.

"I know who you are, and I believe we can find common ground."He added, Karina's head tilting slightly in an almost feline gesture of consideration.

Her smile returned after a few more seconds, and her eyes softened, hinting at a deeper layer of thought.

"For a second, I thought you were a vessel for the Entity... You have my attention," she replied slowly, her voice a smooth, melodic cadence that belied the danger she posed as she circled around him. She seemed to hold no regard for her appearance or the eyes watching.

'The Entity? What is that? Won't she ask how I know her name?', He took a measured glance at the Blood Hunter, his gaze unwavering as he met her eyes. "Are you after the box?"

For a moment, Karina's features shifted, the amusement in her smile giving way to something more introspective. The air was taut with anticipation, the outcome hanging in the balance.

"So you weren't certain, that's quite disappointing, considering the devilish mind that runs in your lineage," she said in mock disappointment, but soon she spoke again, her tone laced with a hint of curiosity. "Right, what year is it?"

Elijah paused, he glanced at her and deduced that it hadn't been long since she woke up and that it was very likely that this was her first conversation since she awakened from her slumber, so he replied slowly while observing her facial expression, "Year 357, New Moon era".

Although she had no changes on her face, her eyes flashed briefly before the amused expression reappeared on her face, "You are very good, I almost don't want to kill you, but I am very hungry you see? You did watch my food burn."

Internally, Elijah had the urge to roll his eyes at her words, 'You were the one who let it burn due to your lack of knowledge, but this is a good sign... I hold her interest.'

So with that thought, he seized the moment, his mind racing to recall every nuance of the area that would most likely help her situation and help with the real reason he came out here in the first place, potion materials.

"Well, we both know that mortal blood won't do much for you, I know a much better prey that hangs around here," Elijah spoke calmly with a disinterested face while pulling out a khaki-colored map despite the cold sweat running down his back, Karina's expression a canvas of thrill and excitement.

The night seemed to hold its breath, waiting for her response.

Elijah could feel the weight of his words hanging in the air, the possibility of an unexpected alliance shimmering on the horizon, and her present expression confirmed that.

Finally, she spoke, a blush on her face as she spoke sweetly.

"Perhaps there is truth in your words, don't tell me what it is yet, surprise me... Right, can I get some gear?"

Elijah nodded, a mixture of relief and caution coursing through him. The first hurdle has been crossed for now, it's also perfect for him that he can follow her. He thought about how to eventually explain how he knew her, for now, she was more focused on completely regaining her strength...

He casually passed his cloak to her while they walked back to the truck, "How long have you been without a mask?"

"Two days" She responds without much thought as she puts on the cloak.

'If she's saying the truth, that means she has less than a day to get a mask before being affected by aether pollution.', he glanced sideways at her as she climbed the back of the truck.

He ignored the expressions on his team's faces and walked to the front seat, subtly shaking his head to dissuade Sam from asking any questions for now. He pointed at a spot on the map and simply said, "We're heading to this location"

Sam glanced at it and his expression changed repeatedly before settling on a solemn expression, "You got it, boss" he replied, turning the key in the ignition.

As the truck rumbled back to life and began to move, Elijah felt the night's tension ease slightly, though the weight of what lay ahead pressed on his mind.

The road was uncertain, but for now, he had a plan—and a temporary ally in the enigmatic Karina. Now, He just needs to unlock this black box, the owner is dead anyway.

__________

In the heart of the bustling city of Novar, the sun rose reluctantly, it tried casting a pale light over the cobblestone streets but was cloaked by Novar City's cloudy weather, on the bright side, it was still able to wake the city to another day of its ceaseless rhythm.

The air was chilly but carried the scent of fresh bread from the nearby bakery and the faint aroma of coffee brewing in the cafes lining the street of Tower Avenue.

Inside the Little Rabbit, the dimly lit establishment known for its eclectic clientele, Charles sat in his office, nursing a mug of strong coffee with his bulky frame. After a few seconds of contemplation, he picked up a bottle of dark whiskey and poured a little bit of it into his coffee.

His eyes were ringed with shadows, a testament to the restless night he'd endured. The weight of his thoughts pressed heavily on him, each one a puzzle piece that refused to fit into the larger picture.

The office was a cozy, cluttered space, filled with the scent of new aged wood replacing the one from the previous day, and the faintest hint of tobacco smoke hung in the air.

Papers were strewn across his desk in organized chaos, and the walls were adorned with maps of the city, each one marked with notes and pins that told stories of past dealings and future plans.

Charles rubbed his temples, trying to ward off the lingering headache from the night before when the door creaked open, and Ruth, the barmaid, stepped in. Her presence was a breath of fresh air, her gentle smile a contrast to his brooding demeanor...

Although he frowned at the action of not knocking, Ruth was practically family at this point, so it didn't matter much.

"Morning, Charles, is everything okay?" she greeted, holding a letter delicately in her hand. "This came for you. Eli came in not too long ago and left it with me to pass on”

Charles arched an eyebrow, a flicker of confusion crossing his face. "Elijah? This morning? But he left last night," he murmured, his mind racing with questions.

Ruth glanced at the bottle of dark whiskey as she approached the table, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Isn't it a little early for drinking? You even added it to your coffee?"

Charles coughed to relieve some embarrassment as he set the drink aside, away from her vision.

“Why wouldn't he deliver it himself? “she mused without caring much about his actions, calmly setting the letter on his desk, she got ready to leave.

He picked up the envelope, feeling its weight in his hands before carefully breaking the seal. His eyes scanned the brief message inside, and as he read, a solemn expression settled over his features

"Don't worry about my appearance, I'll explain to you later. I think Bluemon might be watching us. Have Tom and Adam stay close till I come around..." the letter read, each word heavy with unspoken implications.

Charles leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the window. He watched as the morning unfolded outside, the city slowly coming to life.

People hurried along the streets, their breath visible in the chilly air, each one wrapped in layers against the cold. The world seemed to move at its own pace, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension that now coursed through the Little Rabbit.

He sighed, the sound a low rumble that echoed in the quiet room. His mind turned to Elijah, to the mystery of his presence—or lack thereof—in the city.

The thought of someone watching them sent a shiver down his spine, and he felt the familiar weight of responsibility settle on his shoulders.

"Ruth," he called, his voice steady but tinged with resolve.

She turned back to him, her expression attentive. "Yes, Charles?"

"Make sure Tom and Adam are on standby," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Ruth nodded with a little confusion at the sudden change in mood, "I'll let them know," she replied, her voice soft yet firm.

As she left the room, Charles remained by the window, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The city of Novar stretched out before him, a sprawling tapestry of possibilities and perils. He knew that whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on, with Elijah and the others by his side, unraveling the mystery that now enveloped them.

“Bluemon huh...”