Nikolas sat up from where he was but was instantly thrown across the way by Akio. The boy loomed over the vampire. His black orbs stared down at Nikolas through his masquerade mask. Akio's muscular build was revealed as his ripped clothing swayed in the nighttime breeze. Akio pulled his leg back and thrust it forward to kick the vampire, but Nikolas pulled on the leg he was standing on and caused him to collapse.
“Snap out of it, Akio!” Nikolas hollered as he used the tree to support himself.
Suddenly a wooden dagger pierced through Nikolas's palm, pinning his hand to the tree. Nikolas grunted in excruciating pain, unable to remove the weapon.
Zaros put his arm down with a smirk. He stood beside Akio who was getting off the ground.
“This is what you deserve.” Zaros deadpanned. He held Akio's chin and turned his face to his own.
Nikolas snarled, trying to pull the blade out. “Get your fucking hands off of him.”
Zaros tilted his head as he studied Akio's face. “What are you going to do? You can't do anything from there.” Zaros lifted Akio's left arm and dragged his fingernail across his skin, drawing a line from the middle of his forearm to his wrist. Thick red liquid oozed from the new wound.
Nikolas's scarlet eyes began glowing at the fresh scent of blood. He covered his mouth and nose with his free hand. This reaction made Zaros grimace. Zaros put his mouth near Akio's arm and lapped every drop of blood. After licking his lips, Zaros's eyes glowed violet, his hair shifting to black. He let out a sigh as all of the ailments on his body healed.
His maniacal laughter echoed in the forest. “What an amazing flavor.” The vampire pushed Akio away and made his way to Nikolas. Zaros wielded a wooden stake in his hand.
Kazu and Ryunosuke finally arrived at the battle, but Akio stood in their way. The wolf and wizard took their stances as Akio cracked his knuckles.
“If you can find a way to restrain Akio, I can undo whatever spell is cast over him.” Kazu nodded at the wizard’s instructions and went on all fours.
Suddenly the boy started to stagger, muttering words to himself. “Now get the hell out of me!” Akio cackled to himself, his voice changing pitch, saying, “It hasn’t been three minutes yet.”
Kazu and Ryunosuke looked at each other puzzled.
Akio grumbled. “I DON’T CARE! I NEED YOU TO LEAVE NOW!” Akio said in his normal tone. “MAKE ME ASSHOLE!” He replied to himself in a feminine voice.
A blue wisp of light started to leave Akio's mouth. The boy clutched onto his throat, keeping the spirit in his body. Kazu lunged from where he was and gripped Akio’s hands. Akio held on tightly as if he were trying to choke himself. Kazu growled and he managed to pry Akio’s hands from his throat. The spirit finally escaped from his throat and floated out of his body. The boy fell to his knees, gasping for air. Kazu ran to Akio’s aid while Ryunosuke glared at the ghost.
Ryunosuke lifted his wand, and declared “Nusoripu!”
The ghost screeched as she was being absorbed into Ryunosuke’s palm. The wizard clenched his fist and released his hand to reveal a tiny glass bottle.
Akio coughed hard and looked up at Kazu. “Where's Nikolas?”
Kazu turned to his left and gasped. Akio did the same.
Nikolas successfully pulled out the wooden dagger from his palm, but quickly Zaros pinned Nikolas to the tree, aiming the stake at the vampire's chest. Nikolas’s wounded hand held the dagger at Zaros’s heart while his uninjured hand held his enemy’s wrist. Nikolas ground his teeth through the pain. If he faltered, Zaros’s stake would kill him instantly.
“Kazu, take Akio. I’ll go help Nikolas.”
Kazu loyally followed Ryunosuke’s commands, but Akio refused. “Acchan, we need to get you back to safety!”
Akio shook his head and weakly lifted his left palm. He muttered words to himself as he aimed at Zaros’s back. A bright red beam was shot at Zaros’s spine, and he vampire fell onto the ground like dead weight. His body was frozen in place as if he was paralyzed.
Akio audibly gasped in horror. Is that what would've happened to Nik in the vision I had? He panicked to himself.
Nikolas held his side as he slid down the tree trunk in a heap.
“NIK!” Akio screamed while rushing to his side, leaving behind the shocked werewolf and wizard.
Nikolas glanced at Akio through squinted eyes. He feebly raised his wounded hand to Akio's face, brushing his cheek with his fingers.
Akio grabbed onto his wrist. “Nik, please, you can't die.”
Nikolas chuckled weakly. “I'm alright, I won't die.” He winced as he tried to push himself up, but Akio had to hold him to prevent him from falling.
Through watery eyes, Akio looked down at his arm and saw the blood trailing down his arm. His eyes widened. “Nik, drink my blood.”
Nikolas shook his head. “I swore I wouldn't do that again.”
Akio could hear Kazu and Ryunosuke shouting. “Headmaster Selena is coming!”
In a panic, Akio clenched onto Nikolas's shirt. “NIK YOU'RE NOT FINE! LOOK AT YOURSELF! YOU NEED TO DRINK MY BLOOD NOW!”
Akio raised his left arm in his face, but Nikolas turned his head slightly to the side. The vampire was adamant despite his physical condition.
“This time will be different. It won't have that effect on me, right?” Akio muttered.
Nikolas was staring down considering his offer. Finally, his eyes met Akio’s, and shook his head.
Akio watched as Nikolas tenderly held his arm, licking the fresh stains of blood clean off the boy’s skin while avoiding the open cut. Relieved, Akio felt tears of happiness falling down his face. He cupped Nikolas’s face with his hands while sobbing. The boy leaned his forehead onto the tired vampire’s.
Nikolas shut his eyes. “You know,” Nikolas mumbled, “You're a strong fighter.”
Akio furrowed his brows at the strange compliment. “I am?”
The shouting from his friends became louder. “Quickly, take Akio and run! I'll catch up with you.” Ryunosuke ordered Kazu.
The werewolf ran up to Akio grabbed him by the waist with one arm and zoomed deeper into the trees.
“Kazu hold on! Let me go!” he screamed, but Kazu wouldn't listen.
“I’m not hesitating this time!”
“What'll happen to Nikolas and Ryunosuke?”
“I don't know,” Kazu gulped. “but if Master Selena finds you, she'd kill you with no hesitation.”
ns 15.158.61.20da2
