The Pact: Bruno and the Crimson Veil

I was once again in Sitha's office. It was large and luxurious. A huge central desk was covered in documents, and next to it, something that resembled a cat toy — that's where her familiar resided.

I sat in front of the desk, on a wooden brown chair. On my shoulder rested Ignis.

Across from me, seated in her armchair, was Sitha. Two days had passed. Besides training and recovering, I had also been overseeing the training of the Seventeenth Battalion.

"Bruno," Sitha began, "your mission is simple: hunt and extermination. Your specialty."

She turned over a few papers and continued:

"To the northwest of the border, there's a race of Harudraks. Their leader is a second-degree beast. They've been attacking the border and raiding villages around the city.

We estimate their numbers to be between two and three hundred beasts. But you should handle it. Good luck."

As I left the office, she called me again:

"In five days, you must return to the castle to complete your registration."

I didn't respond. I simply walked away, two burning questions in my mind:

Why must I return to the castle?

And how exactly am I supposed to defeat around 250 beasts with a squad of recruits?

Walking slowly toward the squad's barracks, my eyes wandered around headquarters, somewhat irritated.

Besides facing hundreds of beasts… I'd also have to deal with a second-level one?

Of course, she did it on purpose.

Yesterday, Astrel came back to me. He wants to grow stronger.

After confirming his kind was safe, he followed my scent.

She should've sent a Warrior-level vampire… but she sent me.

A Quasi-Warrior.

Her intentions were clear: preserve the main forces and crush the strong by sacrificing the small.

Wretched witch.

I cursed inwardly, feeling hatred spread through my body.

I was never the calm type.

And I hate tricks.

I'd have to ask Tyler for help to organize the recruits and prepare them for battle.

Most likely… some would die.

The Apprentice rank is divided into two: Apprentice and Quasi-Warrior.

Only Tyler and I had reached the higher level.

Back at the barracks, I shouted:

— Line up!

Immediately, all 52 members formed into five rows.

The squad was still growing — four new members had joined over the last two days.

Tyler stood at my side. I took a deep breath and began:

— Our first mission has been decided. It's tomorrow.

We'll head northwest, toward the border, to hunt a race of Harudraks.

They're dark tree-type beasts… like Trents.

Pause. Eyes locked. I continued:

— Be prepared — mentally and physically.

Today, training ends at 14:00. I want everyone in top condition.

Sharpen your weapons.

Prepare everything you'll need.

We depart tomorrow, at 10:00, toward the village of Syborn.

Leaving the recruits, I went with Tyler to a room meant for captains — a space to manage the barracks. I never used it.

Sitting behind the desk, I unrolled a map and placed it between us.

— Got any ideas? — Tyler asked.

— Surround them — I replied.

— We'll hunt like they're trapped in the wolf's den.

We'll split into two groups of 24. The four archers will be positioned up high.

— And you?

— I plan to go straight after the second-level beast. That's why it's vital that you lead the rest of the formation.

— No problem. I know more about their tactics anyway… it's better if I take the lead.

He hesitated for a moment and asked:

— But… how many enemies are we talking?

— Between 200 and 300. And a second-degree beast.

— That's suicide! — Tyler exclaimed, shocked.

— Why did you accept this mission? They're clearly trying to get you killed.

My aura surged to the limit.

A black shadow cloaked me.

And within it… the echo of hundreds of beasts I had already slain.

— Don't worry, Tyler. Even if they send me to die…

I'll still win.

Beneath the black uniform, the snake tattoo — symbol of my chain's specialty — pulsed faintly.

My long silver hair flowed like a curtain of silence.

I looked like a true hunter.

And when I enter the field… I only bring death to my prey.

---

After wrapping things up with Tyler, I returned to my room.

Ignis and Astrel were still training — the little wyvern was determined.

As I entered the room, I sensed something different.

Someone was here.

Someone tried to hide — but forgot about my enhanced hearing.

I walked toward the bed as if to collapse onto it…

But suddenly opened my arms and grabbed the space beside it.

Just as I suspected — it was Selena.

Surprised, she appeared in my embrace.

Eyes full of tears, she hugged me, crying.

I hugged her back.

Selena was as beautiful as ever.

White hair tied in a bun. White pants, black hoodie, sneakers.

Simple… but stunning.

She cried only briefly.

I asked, restraining my emotions:

— Did something happen?

She pulled away slightly from my chest, still holding the embrace.

— You've changed… — she whispered. — You're colder. Distant.

— Maybe — I replied flatly.

— I thought you'd come back to us. But when you returned… you left again.

I thought you didn't want to see us anymore.

I sighed, devoid of emotion.

— I came back, Selena.

But not for you.

Not for any of you.

I came back alone. For me.

— Bruno… we wanted to go after you…

— Wanting… is not doing, Selena.

I wanted you to come after me.

But in the end… I came back alone.

— I don't need apologies.

I know what you chose.

And I respect it.

Maybe I would've done the same.

But… I can't come back.

I stepped away from her.

— Please leave.

— Bruno…

— Good luck on your mission — she said, then vanished.

She was gone.

Alone in that room…

Once again, my tears fell.

I hated this.

Each tear made it feel like it was my fault.

But it wasn't.

Ignis and Astrel were far — still training.

Only I remained.

I lay down, thoughtful…

And once more, I returned to that forest.

---

DREAM

I was fighting the fire horse in the middle of the forest.

My chain wrapped around it.

It kicked at me violently.

It wanted to kill me.

And I… wanted to live.

It thrashed through trees and rocks — our bodies breaking apart.

Then, it began running toward the cliff.

Its intent was clear: we would die together.

Desperate, I pulled on the chain.

As we neared the edge, I tossed my body to the side and yanked hard.

Too late.

We fell.

Down below, the chain caught on a tree.

It crushed my arm — the bone shattered completely.

My leg… impaled by a 30cm branch.

The pain was unbearable.

I blacked out. Came to. Blacked out again.

I waited for Flávia. I waited for Selena.

But they never came.

And there… with that damn horse…

We died at the bottom of the cliff.

---

— AAAAAAH!

I woke up gasping. Panting. Drenched in sweat.

Another dream about that forest.

Each time more vivid. More real.

It seems I left the forest…

But it never left me.

I marked it with the blood of my thirst.

And it marked me with fear, terror… and despair.

POV: ???

But Bruno, tormented by those nightmares, never realized that each one held something different.

The trees were watching.

Death hovered—present, even in moments of supposed victory.

The shadow stretched longer, malice creeping along his spine.

And beneath the dreams… something spun deep within him, begging to be freed.

There was no evil in it—only the primal instinct of becoming whole.

Yet unlike Bruno, unaware and weakened, a child identical to him watched that swirling mass in terror.

That was his ego.

Bruno had always stood ahead.

Tall, skilled in kickboxing, sharp-minded—he led any group he belonged to.

He bore no arrogance on the surface, but within… a quiet, unspoken pride had always existed.

And after countless intrusive thoughts and buried emotions, that silent force—his ego—had taken form.

It wasn't corrupted.

But it held hate, pride, defiance… and now, fear.

This was the part of him that had sustained him in the ribcage fall—when he questioned whether he had died.

It had carried 90% of his soul through the abyss.

Yet even that deepest version of himself—the one forged in silent victories and quiet storms—

could not stay silent in the face of what now emerged.

Something was spinning.

Something ancient.

Something wrong.

And from his lips, for the first time since that ego came to life, came one word:

— Shit… is that a Veil? Of blood?