Before the invasion
"Goddess, I'm so damn nervous..." Lennix muttered, perched on the edge of a slanted rooftop. His legs dangled over the side as his gaze stretched out toward the dark line of trees, the same woods that hid the portal. His fingers drummed anxiously against the tiles beneath him. "It's been four days since we found that place. Just when are they going to attack?"
A voice came from behind, smooth and casual. "Why are you even asking that? Them taking so long is a good thing."
Lennix flinched, spinning halfway around, his hand flying to his chest. "Oh, it's just you, Carver. But could you not sneak up on me like that? You're going to give me a heart attack."
Derek chuckled and dropped down beside him with a thump, stretching his legs out. "Can vampires even get heart attacks? Your heart needs to beat for that to happen, doesn't it?" His grin widened as he leaned back on his palms. "But seriously, why are you hoping they'll show up? What kind of logic is that?"
"I don't want them to show up," Lennix shot back quickly, shaking his head. His eyes flicked back toward the tree line, tension still tight in his posture. "I'm just nervous about why they're taking so long. We already saw how big their army was. If they're holding back, if they're waiting this long… how much bigger is it going to be when they finally come?"
Derek followed his line of sight, then nodded slowly. "Fair point. That's actually a good concern to have. Still—at least the black knight's had more time to train the guards. They're not exactly going to turn into demon-killing automatons, but at least now they won't die the second a battle starts."
Below them, the guards paced unevenly around the village perimeter, spears clutched tightly in their hands, nerves written across every stiff movement. Derek studied them for a moment, then frowned slightly as something crossed his mind. "By the way, do you know his name?"
Lennix turned to him, blinking. "Whose name?"
"The black knight's name," Derek clarified. "I just realized… everyone calls him 'the black knight.' Nobody's ever said his real name."
"Ohhh," Lennix muttered, scratching the back of his neck. "Well… no. Not really. Every time you ask him, he just gives you a different answer. And he forgets it too, by the way." He let out a short laugh at the memory. "First time I asked, he said his name was Damon. Then about an hour later, I called him that again—and I swear, even with the helmet on, you could see the confused look on his face."
Before Derek could even laugh, a voice rang up from below. "Hey! Are you guys talking about me?" Both Lennix and Derek leaned over the edge of the roof to see the black knight staring up at them from the street.
"I swear you get summoned whenever someone mentions your name," Lennix called down. "Yeah, we're talking about you!"
"Well stop doing that!" the black knight barked back. "I sent you up there to keep watch, not gossip! And Carver—why are you up there?"
Derek shrugged casually. "Just thought I'd make conversation, that's all."
The knight let out a heavy sigh, gauntleted hand scraping across the side of his helmet.
"How are the girls doing, by the way?" Lennix asked, changing the subject.
The black knight turned his head toward the tavern. "They're…fine. Clarissa—if the goddess herself appeared in front of her, I doubt she'd even blink. Mari's been keeping spirits high, the people adore her. And Karin…she's the same. Nothing's changed there."
Lennix nodded slowly. "Good," he muttered, remembering his promise to Mari. His eyes flicked back toward the knight. "And what about you?"
The knight tilted his head, caught off guard by the question. "I'm fine. Why are you asking?"
"Wow, I feel left out," Derek muttered beside Lennix with a smirk tugging at his lips.
"Oh, shut up. I was going to ask you next," Lennix chuckled.
That fleeting sense of ease broke the moment Derek stiffened, his gaze snapping toward the forest. A ripple of dread rolled through him. "Wait…" he muttered, eyes narrowing. Over the treeline, a mass of black clouds had gathered, swirling unnaturally. From them fell streaks of blood-red rain, a liquid that stained nothing, made no sound as it touched the earth.
"They're here," Derek said grimly.
The others followed his stare.
"Alright, everyone! Get ready, they're coming!" the black knight's voice cut through the village, hard and commanding. "People—into the shelter, now! Guards, move them quickly!"
The townsfolk, who only moments ago were trying to carry on their routines, dropped everything. Mothers grabbed their children, shopkeepers abandoned their stalls, and guards rushed to herd them underground toward the underground shelter.
The tavern doors burst open. Clarissa, Mari, and Karin stepped out into the growing chaos.
Lennix leapt down from the rooftop, landing with a solid thud before striding quickly toward them. Mari's wide, worried eyes met his. "Is it starting, Uncle Lennix?"
"Yes," he said, voice steady. He placed a reassuring hand on her head. "I need you to get to the shelter, quickly."
Mari nodded, though her worry didn't fade. Lennix's gaze shifted up to Clarissa. "I don't think I need to tell you to keep her safe."
"You do not, Master Lennix," Clarissa answered flatly. She placed a hand on Mari's shoulder and gently nudged her toward the path.
"Stay safe," Mari said softly before letting herself be guided away.
That left Karin. Lennix's expression sharpened into a glare. "Don't you dare make her life harder than it already is right now."
Karin scoffed, folding her arms. "You don't have to tell me. I understand the situation." With that, she turned and followed the others toward the shelter.
Lennix stood alone for a moment, drawing in a deep breath he didn't need. His eyes rose to the crimson rain bleeding from the clouds, his jaw tightening. *Time to keep that promise.*