Gifts of Affection

Vaen’s footsteps echoed through the eerily still darkness, his boot crushing the crumbling stone rubble. The light form the lantern swayed with each step, illuminating the broken stones and torn carpeting. He had served on the isle for years after the conflict, but he had only ventured into the abandoned Terrace a handful of times. To speak of it was anathema, and to wander inside was warranted under only the most dire of circumstances.



His eyes darted to and fro, scanning the shadows. He couldn’t quite place the sensation he felt… it was a feeling he had never experienced before. His hair wanted to stand on end as he slowly walked through the ruins. He paused.



He lifted the lantern high, swinging it to his left, peering into the depths of the darkness. Nothing. He swung it to his right, focusing through the swirling mists. It felt like… he could feel the shivers running down his spine. It felt like he was being hunted.



Vaen silently drew his blade from its sheathe, his posture wary as he strode into the blackness, leading the way with the lantern. The white light gleamed against the polished steel of his blade, the tip still stained with a speck of red blood. Vaen could see his reflection in the shaft of the sword, a mirror showing him the uncertainty in his eyes. He glanced away.



“I know you’re there…” He spoke into the shadows. It comforted him to hear his own voice ringing through the eerie silence. “Show yourself.”



He braced himself for any sudden movements, readying himself to leap to action if the need arose. “Whoever, or whatever you are…” Vaen’s heart skipped a beat as he thought he saw something flicker in the periphery of his vision. “Don’t slink in the shadows…”



Vaen paused. He stood there for what seemed like an eternity as he forced every muscle to stay still, concentrating on the bleak quietness. A fine mist was beginning to obfuscate the Terrace, growing thicker by the minute. He needed no training in the Art to feel it. He was not alone.



With a sudden movement, Vaen whipped around, slashing his sword through the blinding fog. His blade met no resistance as it sang through the air, the force from the movement swirling the mist around his weapon.



“Damn…” He muttered. Though he could not see or hear it, he could taste it on his lips like a sailor can feel the storm approach. An otherworldly sense pervaded the room. Vaen couldn’t shake the feeling that whoever or whatever it was… it was smiling at him. No, not smiling. Grinning.



“Show yourself!” He shouted through the smoke. “I’ve no time for cowards!” Vaen hoped it was a demon. No, prayed it was. An agent of the Legion would be the last of his worries right now. Sword can cut through scale and hide, but…



Vaen tightened his grip on the hilt, gulping. He didn’t even want to think of the other possibility.



He slowly began walking forward again, the unnatural light from the lantern giving shape and color to the swirls of fog. His bones felt a chill seeping inside. Vaen made his way down the long corridors, keeping the lantern low to the ground. He didn’t want to risk revealing anything more than broken arrowheads or other hazards on the ground. Every time he turned his head to look around, it felt like something was behind him, as if there were an invisible familiar clinging to his back, taunting him.



The ground rumbled. The stiffening silence was shattered as it seemed like the floor was being torn asunder, the loose stones rumbling around against each other. Vaen steadied himself, bracing himself on a marble pillar. He waved the lantern around as the ground shook, long unmoved rubble and weapons shifting around, creating a deafening din.



The rumbling stopped as soon as it started. A small metallic targe toppled on its side, filling the chamber with a loud clang as it slowly settled. Confused, Vaen lifted the lantern high towards the direction he had been going. His eyes widened as his jaw fell slack.



The massive gate was shut. Sealed. Years of dust permeated the air… the immovable gate had been moved.



“This is…” He was lost for words. “Bad.”



An ear-splitting shriek filled the air, resonating through the sealed chamber. Vaen whipped around, breaking into a sprint…



======



She leapt backwards, her hands behind her back, crawling away from the red eyes. The crimson eyes were low to the ground as they drew closer and closer, unblinking as they neared her.



“Stay back!” She cried, her hands reaching for a small stone on the ground. She grasped the rock tightly in her palm, feeling the jagged edges digging into her skin. “Back!”



She heard a whimper.



Startled, her eyes focused on the eyes. As they drew closer, they seemed like small furnaces, illuminating its face. It was a small creature, the flames brightening and dimming like breaths.



“…A felhound…” She gawked at it in amazement as its paws crawled onto her lap. She arched her neck away from it as its slimy tendrils came in contact with her sensitive skin. She could feel her goosebumps rising.



The felhound whimpered again. It was small, juvenile felhound, its soft furry hide not yet matured into the tough, spiky hide.



“Easy there, fella… you’re just scared too, aren’t you?” She cracked a smile in the side of her mouth as the felhound whined. “You frightened me!” The felhound licked her hand. The saliva was warm. Almost hot against her skin.



“You must’ve been following us from the outside, huh?” The blood elf breathed a sigh of relief. Luckily this one was just a pup. If it had been a fully grown felhound… she quickly dispelled the thought. The felhound crawled into her lap, beginning to lap at her skin.



“H-Hey, hey now…” She watched in amazement as the pup began licking up the side of her arm, up to her neck. She felt light-headed as the hot saliva trailed over her skin. It was sapping her magical energy. The felhound began climbing on top of her as if she were a stepping stool, its mouth beginning to slobber to the back of her neck, where Vaen’s sword had bit her.



“Hey! No!” She grabbed the felhound around the waist, pulling it back down into her lap. “No blood for you, pup. That’s off limits, you hear?”



The felhound whined, its eyes pleading. She couldn’t resist smiling.



“Maybe if you’re good. I’m just glad not to be alone here…” she eyed the felhound. “You must be lost too, huh?”



Her hands stroked the felhound’s fur. It nuzzled up against her as she pet the small, furry demon, her eyes softening as it purred.



“What’s this here?”



She reached down around the felhound’s neck, a small necklace tied around its collar. A small red stone carving hung on the string, sculpted to look like a fearsome demon. She twisted it around in her hands, feeling the smooth, flawless carving in her palm.



“A demonic figurine, huh? Looks like you were abandoned too…” She hugged the felhound tight against her chest. She could hear it whining. “Aww… things will be alright.” She beamed a smile at its eyes.



She heard footsteps in the far distance. She turned her head, the felhound following suit as its paws straightened in her lap. She could see the familiar white light of her small lantern. Her heart lifted and fluttered in joy. Never had she thought she could possibly be so glad to see him again, the promise of light swaying in his hands.



“Get away!” Vaen shouted to her. “Get away from that thing!” The light gleamed against the cold steel in his hands.



She froze. Seeing the blade brandished brought back a flood of memories. She clutched onto the felhound tightly as it whimpered, the creature cowering in her lap, nuzzling into her breast as if it could hide behind her.



“This is no time for play! It’s not safe here.” He strode slowly to her, his weapon poised above his head, an intense expression on his face. He looked different, his demeanor changed.



“Don’t get in my way, girl…” His tone was grave. “It’s my duty to exterminate demons…”