Blood-Mage Hunters

Birch Lake

Reia, Lucius and Cyrus successfully brought the remaining humans to a nearby city, where they could safely rest, no longer fearing The Biter's vampires. The three vampires also remained in that quiet, peaceful city for a while, contemplating what they should do next. All of the information they found out about The Biter and his army was weighing heavily on their minds. They knew they had to find him as soon as possible and stop him from achieving his goals, but there were no other news about his whereabouts. It was as if he went into hiding, sensing that The Blood-Mage Hunters had found out about his plans. They also didn't get any new missions, so they quite literally had nothing else to do besides rest and try to come up with theories and plans.

"Maybe he's not acting anymore because he needs to recover. His mind control is also an ability, right? Just like Reia can't overuse his powers and he needs to rest, The Biter is probably the same," Lucius suggested, absentmindedly braiding Cyrus's hair while the other was working on some of his inventions -which mostly consisted of bombs and other explosives.

Reia was sitting on the window sill, looking outside with a cloudy look in his eyes, a lollipop in his mouth. "You're probably right," he told Lucius, but his voice seemed far away. Reia had been lost in his thoughts ever since they saved the humans from the city that had been taken over by The Biter, and Lucius and Cyrus couldn't help but worry about him.

The other two vampires had noticed that Reia's attitude towards The Biter was different ever since the beginning. Cyrus and Lucius were burning with the need to get revenge and they wanted to hunt The Biter down and kill him, but Reia always seemed a bit reluctant. Not because he didn't want to catch him, but because he was afraid. Of course, the other two were also afraid -The Biter was the one that completely changed their lives, so it was normal for them to be afraid- but it was even more noticeable in Reia. Every time The Biter was mentioned, a dark look entered his eyes and, even though he was trying to hide it, the fear crossing his features for a split second was evident.

Reia was the only one out of the three of them that had been bitten earlier. When Lucius and Cyrus were turned, Reia was the one that found them and took care of them, nursing them back to health and showing them how to use their powers, in order for the two of them not to turn into feral vampires. All they knew was that Reia met The Biter before them and that his experience with him was most definitely not good. He was terrified of him. And even though Cyrus and Lucius didn't want to stick their noses in his past, they knew for sure that Reia's desire to stop The Biter was just as big -if not even bigger- as theirs, because, behind all the fear that entered his eyes at the mention of his name, there was also an undeniable rage burning in his gaze.

"I think the fucker's afraid he'll get his brains blown by us," Cyrus suddenly chimed in, making Lucius softly laugh. "Are you done with my hair? You move as slow as an old lady," Cyrus complained.

Lucius rolled his eyes, pulling the other's hair, earning a yelp of pain from him. "It's not my fault you're as hairy as a gorilla," Lucius snapped back, tying the braid he had just finished, getting up from his seat. Despite his bickering tone, he had a gentle, slightly amused smile on his face.

"Fucker," Cyrus mumbled under his breath, but he was also smiling.

Watching the two of them, Reia couldn't help but laugh. He loved watching them act like two little kids, always bickering, fighting and joking around, just like brothers. Whenever he was feeling down, those two always seemed to sense it and try their best to make him feel better -somehow never failing to achieve just that. As he continued watching Cyrus and Lucius arguing like children, Reia's heart filled with warmth and his gaze softened, a gentle smile tugging the corners of his lips. They were his family.

"How about we go on a vacation?" Reia suddenly asked, making both of the other vampires stop and just stare at him. "Since we don't have any other missions and there are no other news about The Biter, I think we could go somewhere nice and quiet and just relax for a couple of days. It would be nice, wouldn't it?" he asked, cocking his head to the side, waiting for the other's opinions.

Cyrus's eyes lit up like a little kid's. "Vacation time!" he excitedly exclaimed, jumping up and down with his fists turned skywards, earning a roar of laughter from Reia and Lucius.

"You're right," Lucius agreed, plopping down on the window sill next to Reia. "A vacation really would be nice. We've earned it," he laughed, ruffling Reia's hair in a friendly manner. "Where do you wanna go?" he asked.

Reia seemed to think for a moment, moving the lollipop in his mouth from one side to the other. "How about Birch Lake City?" he suggested, taking out the candy from his mouth, glancing over at the still dancing Cyrus. "He's been complaining about wanting to go swimming. Plus, the city isn't that far," he added, not being able to stop himself from laughing when Cyrus began twirling around even more enthusiastically when he heard where they were going.

"That's a good idea. I think they're also going to hold their April Festival soon, so it would be great for us to be there during that time," Lucius agreed, also laughing at Cyrus.

*********

Two days later, the three vampires reached the secluded but breathtaking Birch Lake City. Just like the name suggested, the city had a big lake in the middle of it, surrounded by trees and modest -but extremely cozy- wooden houses. Just like Lucius predicted, the people living there were busily preparing for the April Festival, hanging fairy lights everywhere, putting up little stands with all different types of food, their aroma sifting through the air. On the lake, multiple boats were floating, filled with adults and kids, and, a little closer to the edge, teenagers were swimming and jumping in the water, their laughter bubbling all around them.

An older looking lady with a friendly smile and a soft look in her eyes approached Reia, Lucius and Cyrus, handing each one a small basket filled with homemade goods.

"It's an honor to have the three of you attend our Festival," she said, excitedly clasping her hands together in front of her. "When I got your letter humbly asking us to let you visit our city I almost couldn't believe it!" she laughed. "What could The Blood-Mage Hunters possibly want to do in our small, insignificant city?" the old woman gave them a welcoming smile. "Oh! Where are my manners! My name is Agatha Wilson," she said, holding out her hand and shaking each of the vampire's hands. "I am the president of this city," she introduced herself, her eyes filling with love and proudness for the city and the people living in it. "We prepared a cabin for you. We hope you'll enjoy your stay here!" she led them to a beautiful wooden cabin near the lake, opening the door for them.

"Can I go jump in the lake now?" Cyrus asked once they settled down in the cabin, his eyes shining witch mischief and excitement.

Both Reia and Lucius sighed, giving him an approving nod.

To be continued...

Hi! This chapter was more of a chill/soft one. I love my three babies so much :') THEY'RE LITERALLY SO CUTE AND ADORABLE OH MY GOD I WOULD DIE FOR THEM.

Ahem.

Anyways, the next chapter is going to have more action, but there will still be fluff<3

If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote it! :P