"You don't belong here..." Those were the words of the mysterious figure. Cold and sharp words that cut through me like butter. "...Do you ?"

I had no choice but to answer.

I let the compass fall on the floor, my cold breathing now getting slower as the figure crouched in front of me, grabbing my cheeks between it's claw-like nailed fingers.

My vision cleared out as i stared the figure in the eyes. A vampire... A woman.

"I do not..." That is all i could say, but i was afraid that was not enough.

"You are a... Vampire." She said as her grip on my face loosened. "I'm sure you're looking for the town, yeah ?" Her voice suddenly went from menacing to joyous, welcoming even.

"I..." I obviously had no idea what she was talking about, so i decided to be half honest. "I do not know what i am looking for, really..."

She then got up, still looking towards me... Then gave me her hand, which i stared at - This scene seemed awfully familiar.

I was hesitant... Sure, she might have saved me, but was it from the goodness of her heart or for ulterior reasons ?

It was the second vampire i met and the first was... Well, to put it lightly "Horrible".

But i am an example of a vampire that does not actively hunt humans, so who says that she could not be the same ?

While i was having that inner conflict, she was still keeping her hand in front of me, patiently.

Perhaps she knew that it would be hard for me to trust her.

I let out a short and audible sigh, grabbing the compass from the floor first, then her sizeable hand - In comparison to mine... And so she helped me back up.

"I'll take it you're lost, so let me show you the way to a safe place." She then started walking...

Despite the fact that i still did not feel enough trust, i instinctually kept holding her hand.

I have not felt that in so long - I pretty much yearned for it at that point, so i could not let go.

Meanwhile, back into the woods we went. She knew exactly where to go, eventually arriving to a cut tree trunk.

I did have a faint memory of reading about a tree trunk in father's book, so it must be important... And it was.

The vampire put her hand at the bottom of the trunk and lifted it up, revealing a hole with a ladder leading down.

"Fancy secret entrance, i must say..." I commented with a complacent tone - Responses like those are a cope in stressful situations for me.

"Fancy cope, i gotta say." She was quick to respond, in a similar tone as mine.

"Are you able to read my thoughts ?"

"That is not my speciality, girl, but sure, let's say i can !"

After that brief conversation, i looked down at the entrance, then back at the woman, clearly signaling the fact that i am not going in first.

Of course, she caught on and... Without hesitation, jumped down into the hole, not even grasping the ladder, the trunk covering the entrance back.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

That would have been a very good chance to just run away, but i was sure that is the place i was looking for...

I tried imitating the action of lifting up the whole trunk... And to my surprise, i succeeded - It felt easy, like it almost had no weight.

Now... I did not want to jump down like the vampire woman did. It was scary to me - I had a fear of heights, i was almost too afraid to climb down on the ladder, but i felt like it would be rude to keep her waiting even more, so i kinda forced myself, staring at my shaky hands and attempting not to look down.

"I'll be down here to catch you if necessary, no worries !" The woman's voice echoed, sending a sense of relief through me.

Eventually, i felt my feet touching the floor, finally looking down and noticing the fact that i did it, being all safe and sound.

I looked at my shoulders, checking to see if the backpack's straps are fine - Which they were.

Followed by the short check up, i looked up to the woman, noticing she has a bottle in her hand, tilting my head and staring... A red liquid.

"Blood..." I whispered, but not quiet enough to not be heard.

"What ?" She then moved the bottle a bit, making the liquid inside move around too. "Nah, alcohol." I blinked a few times as she took a sip with her eyes closed. "Red wine." And then she took another sip, me still keeping that smile on, but squinting my eyes - A judgemental look. "Look, i'd give you a taste to prove it, but that would be irresponsible. Even if we don't really get affected by it."

The last sentence got my attention... But before i could have said anything, she started walking away through the pathway opposite to the ladder.

Normally, i quickly followed from behind and walked on her right.

"Miss..." I said, but she interrupted.

"Oh yeah, name's Glacias. You can call me that, no more of the 'miss' stuff."

"Right... I am called Krysta." I completely forgot about Escanor's warning about my real name... I did not say my family's, however...

"Pretty name. Sounds like 'Crystal'." She looked at me with a gentle smile while saying that...

"Thank you..." I replied, staying silent for a moment. "I know it is a lot to ask, especially after you have saved me, but i would appreciate it if you could tell me more about vampires..."

I was feeling calmer, opening to her and being honest. Perhaps it was a mistake to 'expose the cracks in my shield', but it shattered... The shield shattered instantly when we arrived in front of a door at the end of this path which revealed quite the sight behind it.

It was not a small room where i could have met my end, nor a safe place.

It was a whole town.

A bunch of houses in a vibrant cave, with glowing crystals all around in the crust of the walls, small rivers and even plant life.

"Oh yeah, sure." Glacias continued so casually, despite the incredible sight. It makes sense, however. I am sure she witnessed it countless times.

"How... Majestic." Was all i could say... As i felt Glacia's gaze now piercing me, snapping me out of that 'trance'.

"Wait... You don't know vampire stuff ?" She raised her now empty bottle with an expecting smile and... Smashed it on the floor. "Then you must be a bitten one !"

"I am not quite sure where this is going." I said, grabbing onto my left arm with my right hand.

"Don't worry. I'll just teach you all there is to know !"