Arnaud was accustomed to sleeping during the day, but after a restorative slumber of several centuries, his body refused to rest. As he waited, he crawled towards the deer carcass, his eyes scanning the remains in search of any usable morsels of flesh.
Arnaud's metabolism directly utilizes living tissue as a source of energy, but it only accepts cells with a collagen-based structure. Although he does not recognize that distinction in scientific terms, at least he knows he cannot consume insects, plants, or fungi.
Since most of his clothing did not survive the long hibernation, the vampire tried to salvage the skin to use as a replacement. Tearing and detaching the skin proved to be a laborious task without the proper tools. His cold, bony hands struggled against the stiffness of the dry fur. Nevertheless, he managed to obtain a piece of the supple leather, perhaps enough to cover a portion of his body.
He can move in the sunlight as long as his body is completely covered, and while dangerous, it is very useful in certain situations. Arnaud will only suffer burns when the sunlight that strikes him reaches a certain intensity.
After recovering a small usable piece of skin, he remained silent, patiently waiting for night to fall. In the meantime, his senses sharpened, perceiving subtle differences in the surrounding environment. The sounds, scents, and even the texture of the air seemed slightly distorted compared to what he remembered from his home in Gascony.
When the darkness finally covered the sky, Arnaud ventured out of his refuge. Slowly, he slid through the narrow opening, cautiously poking his head out into the exterior.
What he saw next left him perplexed. The forest surrounding him was different from any he had seen before. The trees, tall and robust in Gascony, here had thinner, more twisted trunks, with leaves of a more intense and vibrant green.
And the sounds... A concert of chirps, shrieks, and crackles filled the night air. Cautiously, Arnaud took a few steps, observing how many parts seemed familiar, yet distinct at the same time. There was something subtle but unsettling in the way the darkness seemed to come alive. Fortunately for him, the darkness did not imply impaired vision.
As he explored, he noticed unknown plants, with strange forms and textures, covering the ground and climbing the trees.
Arnaud paused, feeling overwhelmed by the strangeness of this new world. It bore little resemblance to what he remembered. It was as if he had been transported to a different place, perhaps far from Gascony.
The sounds of the forest, mostly unknown and disturbing, kept him constantly alert. Every creak, every whisper made him startle, fearing that some threat lurked in the darkness.
But despite his cautious movements during the night, he managed to find traces of some small animals. The scarcity of life in the surrounding area stressed him even more; the deer tissue would sustain him for a good while, but it would not last forever. If he were to fall back asleep due to lack of food, he might not wake up this time. Arnaud realized that the deer that had revived him was a rather fortunate encounter.
Defeated by the lack of prey and answers, he returned to his hideout before dawn.
Days later, he was able to find some small mammals that inhabited the trees, but they were more elusive than he had expected.
One of the main contrasts Arnaud has experienced is the difference in the abundance of large prey, such as deer and wild boars, between the two environments. In medieval Gascony, these animals were a constant presence and a vital source of food for Arnaud as a vampire.
Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.
Once accustomed to the abundance and familiarity of the Gascony fauna, he now finds himself in an environment where the scarcity of large animals and the presence of unknown, potentially dangerous life forms, leave him in a precarious situation.
Another notable contrast between the two ecosystems is the composition and appearance of the vegetation. While the forests of Gascony were dominated by robust and familiar tree species, such as oaks, chestnuts, and roses, the lush and strange flora of the new forest has bewildered and alarmed Arnaud.
While in his homeland, Arnaud moved with confidence and security, in this new environment, he finds himself overwhelmed by the scarcity of suitable prey, the strangeness of the vegetation, and the presence of completely unknown species. These contrasts accentuate his disorientation and vulnerability, and confront him with an unprecedented survival challenge.
When dawn finally arrived, the thirst for blood tormented him. The deer that had revitalized him was now in an advanced state of decomposition. He needed to feed again, but the mere idea of exposing himself to daylight filled him with visceral terror.
Finally, when night fell once more, Arnaud mustered the courage and ventured out of his hideout. He had to find a source of sustenance, no matter what.
With cautious steps, he delved back into that strange forest, his eyes alert to any movement or sign of danger. But again, the place seemed to harbor few creatures.
Frustrated, he continued exploring, venturing deeper into the thicket. The vegetation became denser and more tangled, hindering his progress. Some plants even seemed to try to cling to him, as if they were imbued with a will of their own.
Eventually, Arnaud reached a small stream, where he was finally able to drink some water, reducing one of his major problems.
He paused to contemplate his reflection in the dark waters. What he saw took his breath away. His face, normally pale and aristocratic, now looked haggard and sunken. His eyes, once vibrant, now reflected an intense hunger and a profound disorientation.
Passing a hand over his face, he sighed with frustration. He needed to find sustenance, and quickly, or he feared his weakness could be his undoing in this strange world.
Summoning his courage, Arnaud continued exploring the forest, in search of some prey that could nourish him. But as he advanced, the sense of being completely out of place became increasingly overwhelming.
Finally, Arnaud spotted a small squirrel in the distance, leaping from branch to branch. Without a second thought, he launched himself in pursuit, moving with agility through the trees. But the squirrel was nimble and elusive, easily evading each of his attempts to get closer.
Frustrated, Arnaud gathered some stones and began to throw them, trying to bring down the elusive prey. However, his shots kept missing, the squirrel dodging each projectile with graceful movements.
After several failed attempts, Arnaud stopped, panting. It was clear that this creature was much swifter and more agile than what he was accustomed to. In Gascony, he would have been able to catch a squirrel with his bow without much effort, but here he was outmatched by the dexterity of this small mammal.
Frustrated, Arnaud was about to return to his refuge when, suddenly, a movement in the darkness caught his attention. He narrowed his eyes, trying to discern it through the shadows, and then he saw it: a massive feline, with a gleaming gaze and tense muscles, stalking among the trees.
Holding his breath, Arnaud slowly retreated, aware that he had encountered something much more dangerous than a simple squirrel. That predator, with its slender yet powerful body, observed him with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine.
He knew he had to get away from there, but at the same time, part of him was fascinated by that creature. In Gascony, wolves and bears were the greatest predators he had faced, but this feline... This was a completely different animal, emanating a strength and grace that captivated him.
Backing away slowly, Arnaud kept his gaze fixed on the jaguar's glowing eyes, not daring to turn his back. Each step he took brought him closer to the safety of his hideout, but something in him longed to stay and observe this imposing predator more closely.
Finally, when he felt the trunk of a tree against his back, Arnaud knew he had gone as far as he could.