Life in a new Kingdom

After a few days of travel, Caleb, Lukia, and Celia return to Saiana. The journey was mainly quiet and uneventful on the way back. The guards opened the gates and allowed them entry, shocked expressions as the battle-worn team stumbles past.

"What the hell happened?" The guard asks. Caleb turns his attention and responds.

"Completed the hunt; Lukia is going to cash in the request; I am going to find Julia. Is she at the training grounds?"

"Indeed, she went there this morning."

"Good, make sure you close the gates. Don't want anything to sneak in."

"Yes, my Lord." Following orders, they close the gates behind the three.

"Are you sure you want me to claim the reward?"

"Said it yourself, I owed you for injuring your party. Besides, I don't need the money. Pay those debts and earn your freedom."

"Thank you. I'll make sure I don't fail to meet your expectations."

"Same here. See you around, Lukia."

Celia follows and waves Lukia goodbye. After the fight with the Shadow Hunter, Celia is mainly silent. A storm of emotions riled her. Sweat dripping from her forehead, she lingers behind Caleb, pondering the taste of his blood. After tasting such rich and filling blood from a human, her master no less, her bloodlust was running wild.

*

Celia huddled herself away from everyone the night after killing the Shadow Hunter. Her mind is racing from the rush she was having. A high of extreme proportions swam inside her body and thoughts.

"You gave her your blood. That was something unexpected." Lukia discussed this with Caleb.

"It was the only way to get her back without any of us dying in the process. I might have done a better job, but this is our outcome."

"What exactly is going to happen to her?"

"Demons like her who have experienced the Blood Rite before have a tough time after consuming blood after a long time. It's been many years since for her. She drank a decent amount of my blood; seeing as I carry special blood, I don't know how she will react."

"Is that why your hair is white?"

"Yeah, do you know of the children of Nix?"

"Just what I heard from rumors and stories growing up."

"Then you should know that anyone with direct ties to Nix is born white of hair. I carry his blood, and she carries Shino's blood. Her affinity for fire directly connects to her ancestor being the first Demon Lord."

"Does that make you related?"

"Well, Nix and Shino were brothers. Both are drastically different. But with how long ago that was, we are just as related as anybody else, really. But our connection is special; she has been there for me as long as I can remember."

"Doesn't it make you worry what she is going through? You must feel something if anything could go wrong after drinking your blood."

"I know Celia; she is stronger than she presents herself. Whatever happens, I will be there for her."

"Then I will trust you."

"Celia told me the Blood Rite she had was with her late Husband. It granted her immeasurable power for a time. But she went into a frenzy because of his death. I'm alive to make sure she controls her urges and doesn't break into a frenzy like before."

Caleb sits next to Celia; she recoils and tries to distance herself. He places her hand on hers and stops her from moving away. Her eyes are bloodshot from the process she is fighting. Gripping his hand tightly, she took a deep breath.

"I promise I won't leave your side until you recover from this." Caleb smiles and consoles her warmly.

"My body won't stop burning...! My throat is dry... My entire body is shaking."

"I can see the strain; I know you can overcome this."

"I could smell your blood more than anything else these past few days. Something about it is alluring. When I finally tasted it, I... I was reminded how good it felt to taste such exquisite blood... The years I took of swearing off blood is making this much harder than it was back then."

"Is that so?"

"I was defeated and pinned in the dirt after all. My bloodlust was crushed after a couple of days. But being here with you, I am trying so hard... It is hard to hold back."

"What happens if we do get through this without incident?" Caleb looks at Celia to see how she responds. She pauses for a second, thinking about what having a human's blood is like and one that is much richer, too.

"Demons would need to feed every day on something to contain their hunger and blood lust. The Blood Rite initiates that... If you don't feed for days after, you begin to feel a withdrawal like no other. Feeding on every day to retain that power and strength limitlessly. The first reaction after so long is the worst; the intense pleasure that the blood provides is like a drug."

"Are you sure you can withstand it all?

"No, but maybe, with some help, I think I can find something suitable."

"Would animal blood be something to sustain you?"

"It would ease the pain."

"Then it is a start." Lukia barges in on the conversation.

"Lukia?" Caleb and Celia look toward her and tilt their heads.

"I'll track something and bring it back for you. Just you wait."

"No, I can't make you do that-"

"Shut up. Caleb, keep her company, don't do anything stupid, I'll be back." Wielding her bow and makeshift arrows, Lukia heads off without thought.

*

Celia had been dealing with the intense pain of her bloodlust while using any blood as a means to numb the pain. Deep down, the craving sensation for Caleb's blood alone is something she must fight off for a while until her body calms down and adjusts to the reawakened Demon blood in her veins.

"We are going to see Eckhart and Julia like this?" Celia interjects.

"I don't feel bothered to bathe; besides, I want to see the last part of the week she has done with my students. I hope she did a good job."

Continuing forward to the grounds, Caleb looks to the sky to reminisce on simpler times. Tilting his head in thought, Caleb pressed on and saw the distant figures of the students and instructors...