IS THAT TOO MUCH TO ASK GOD?

Today was like any other in the city of Hafia, Armstrong stronghold and the heart of Fastronia Duchy.

The castle city's market was beaming with life, as always. Surroundings were filled with chatter and the haggling voices echoed.

Sparks were flying at the blacksmith's forge, a dwarf butcher haggled fiercely over griffin eggs. A witch's stall advertised,

'LOVE POTIONS: GUARANTEED',

(…Results May Vary. Side Effects Include: Butterflies, Temporary Invisibility, or Unplanned Amphibian Transformation.

No Refunds for Broken Hearts.).

Elijah's carriage passed through the busy streets as he observed the lively atmosphere.

A place selling magical artifacts entered into his vision. However, he was not in a mood to enjoy it all.

The violence was replaying in his thoughts.

A lot was going through his mind as he was now formally a guest of Duke, and his thoughts were filled with the aftermath of the incident.

He was there to investigate the captive vampire and gather more information.

Soon, the carriage left the bustling marketplace behind and entered the inner city.

Noisy streets were replaced with guarded lanes. Tall stone walls lined the path, topped with Duke's golden Hawk banner. Guards in heavy armour watched silently from gates and towers.

After going through several security checkpoints, where magical devices were placed in addition to guards. The carriage rolled through a final, massive gate into the Armstrong castle's courtyard.

A beautiful garden was built by the side having vibrant flowers. At the centre was standing an elegant marble fountain, it's tiered basins spilling crystalline water.

The cobblestone paved pathway led to an arched entrance.

Two guards in Livery stepped forward silently as soon as Elijah came out of his carriage.

A steward in dark velvet appeared at the top of a short flight of stairs. His bearing was formal but not unfriendly.

He gave a low bow and welcomed Elijah.

"Young master Elijah," the steward inclined his head, "welcome to Hafia. His Grace sends his regards and asks that you make yourself comfortable. He will receive you privately this evening."

Elijah nodded, his eyes lingering on the beautiful garden. Flowers which looked like Roses, deep red and pale cream, climbed along trellises and curved stone arches.

"If you'll follow me." Steward spoke turning towards the entrance.

Elijah followed him inside the palace.

Sebastian followed them.

After passing through a grand hall and arching corridors they stopped before a carved wooden door.

"Your chamber, young master," the steward finally spoke, "The Duke will send for you later, likely around twilight. Until then, the castle is at your disposal."

"Understood, thank you." Elijah gave a short nod.

"And if you need anything the page is just outside." The steward pointed towards a boy in his teen standing nearby. He was wearing a uniform bearing the Duke's crest.

_____________________

Elijah stood before the prison cell in the deepest parts of the castle's dungeon.

"Young master, are you sure about this ?" Sebastian spoke in a concerned voice.

"Yes, this is something the Duke personally requested from me." Elijah replied, while his mind was still unable to put together the missing pieces from that night.

I think meeting her would at least help me remember more about what happened that night.

Elijah entered the guarded prison cell along with Sebastian.

What awaited him inside was the sight of a severed head floating in mid-air. On the ground lay a glowing magic circle composed of arcane runes.

The stunning beauty that radiated from her was still present. Her long and flowing silver hairs were imprisoned within the barrier formed by the magic circle.

A smile appeared on her crimson lips as her hypnotic blue eyes stared at Elijah.

Elijah's body felt a jolt as he stared back her, the moment he flung his sword at her flashed before his eyes.

He paced forward and stood just before the magic circle,

"You finally came. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten about me." Carmilla's seductive voice echoed in the dark prison cell.

"Only you can grant me what I desire." Her voice sounded a little desperate.

"What you want is irrelevant. You butchered my guards. Explain. Quickly." Elijah's icy glare was filled with anger.

Carmilla's hollow laugh echoed through the cell.

"Oh dear, you flatter me. Do you truly believe I find joy in slaughtering mortals ? Their brief and flickering lives? How….. boring."

"Don't play games with me. Their bodies were left to stiffen at the roadside under that damned crimson moon. And. you. Did. That."

Elijah's anger was growing as he recalled his helplessness and her ruthless slaughter.

"They forced me."

Carmilla spoke while her eyes flashed with genuine rage cutting through the earlier mockery.

"What do you mean?" Elijah leaned closer, his voice as sharp as a blade.

"They did this. The ones who write contracts in shadow. The ones even the ancient things fear. They slither through your courts, your palaces, your dreams,wearing faces like masks.

And when they find power ... They claim it."

Carmilla stared in Elijah's eyes as her long silver hairs parted and the crimson energy flickered. She twisted violently against the barrier, which was keeping her still; baring the base of her neck where smooth skin ended in a nightmare.

A sigil burned there. Not on her throat but on the severed plane itself. Jagged lines of void-black thorns, pulsing with deep crimson light, etched into raw flesh. Veins around it were running with liquid shadow.

A semi destroyed sygil in the form of an archaic pentagram was present there having an ominous presence as it radiated with faint purple light.

Elijah subconsciously staggered back.

"Why do you have that?"

Sebastian stepped closer as he held Elijah's staggering body. His eyes were staring at that ominous sygil.

"Explain yourself." Sebastian commanded. He had already seen the symbol in battlefield. It was one of his major missions to investigate about the sygil in capital.

But the frail condition of Elijah had stayed his hands, preventing him from investigating her until now.

Carmilla kept her gaze on Elijah as she continued,

"It's their Mark. Seared into my soul. No ritual. No bargaining.

One moment I stood in my crypt... the next, this "thing" burned itself into my blood and now….

They own me."

"They own you ?" Elijah murmured in confusion.

"Yes, it seems you have already seen their mark."

Carmilla's eyes were filled with anger as she continued to speak,

"They slowly crushed my will. Even the Kings rip out their own eyes at Their whisper.

I am but a tool in a game you cannot fathom. However.."

Sebastian's eyes were burning with fury. However, his fury was soon replaced by something else, entirely.

"You are special. Your blood can cure me and remove this accursed mark." Her eyes turned desperate as the anger and mockery vanished.

She was looking at a new found hope.

"Your rage showed me hope, please save me."