Chapter Text
The thing about being a vampire was that nearly all the myths and legends surrounding them were either false or exaggerated. It was something that everyone that was in the know quickly learned about when Eleven was growing up.
And it wasn't like his vampiric nature was obvious either, there were traits and instinctual habits that he developed that everyone brushed off easily enough. Cobblestone was a close knit community that had nearly zero contact to the outside world around them save for the merchants and rare travelers that would pass by. Eleven was well known for his quiet and reserved nature. He was also well known for his night owl tendencies and was always the last to rise when the day has long started.
Everyone had their quirks and no one complained seeing as he wholly made up his odd schedule with a good work ethic. The local guards appreciated it seeing as he also helped relieved patrol duties at night when he turned sixteen. A little more dangerous with how active and stronger the monsters seem in the darkness but nothing he couldn't handle.
And nobody would've been any wiser, not even Eleven. If that is, a certain incident with Gemma, her scarf, and a tree didn't happened. Clumsy Gemma tried her luck that day and ended up with a nasty cut on her shoulders after tumbling off the tree. It was messy and she wailed more out of panic and later confessed that the bumps and bruises hurt a lot more than the cut itself as it was one of those that just looked bad. But the blood that dripped and soaked into her little dress kept him frozen still as his mind warred violently before going blank.
Eleven honestly didn't know what else happened after that. Only that his grandad Chalky and his mum had to sit him down and talk about just what he was after coming back to his senses. That they both knew just exactly why what just happened happened and why his little odd habits were there.
It took a couple of days before Eleven and Gemma were out and about in the village again. They were children, resilient and naive, there were lots of stuff they couldn't fully grasp. Only settling on what was happening in the now than worrying about the implications of what could be. There should have been so many questions he should've asked, but he was the silent stubborn type that wanted to figure out stuff as he grew up. Like scaling the tree to get back Gemma's scarf so that the blood thing doesn't ever happen again.
Which leads to the blood thing, which was not a viable way to stave off hunger. He'd take his mother's daily cooking than do something that would make everyone suffer including him. There was always that lingering thirst that he's long used to, but it was easily quelled with animal's blood that the butcher's had on hand along with other animal scraps to used as a good pick me up for the gardens and fields.
He only needed it when his mouth felt a little too dry and those times came few and far between when under cooked meat could stave off the thirst as well. And though going to the butcher's did get a little expensive, Eleven was quick to pick up hunting for small game to relieve those expenses off his mum.
He loved his mum so much. That was the least he could do the moment he was safely allowed on his own with his sword.
So when this Luminary business side blinds him in a very real show of lightning, he couldn't help but think to himself of how big of a cosmic joke the world was playing on him. A vampire like him, a creature of the night, was the beacon of light and hope for whatever that was to come?
He likes to think he was a good vampire, nothing like the stories and myths surrounding his kind. There was also the fact that he was also pretty sure he wasn't a full vampire either, and that vampires in general were misjudged because of the vampiric monsters that did lurk about in Erdrea. But he couldn't deny he liked the night life and felt more at ease under the quiet moon compared to the too bright and too loud world under the sun.
Chalky always said it wasn't good to deny who they were and simply live as the best person that they could be. His mum also told him that being different wasn't bad either, just meant life was probably more interesting for everybody involved.
But regardless, Yggdrasil crossed some branches and twisted some leaves somewhere if it deemed a vampire suitable to wield her mark. In a weird sort of way, he felt that he should've predicted how south the whole Luminary business went the moment he laid eyes on the King of Heliodor. Ending in the castle's dungeons was not how he expected for his day to end and knocking over the couple of pots felt justified despite what his cell mate seems to think.
Destiny was becoming a very tiresome thing and he hasn't even figured out what it was.
-Line Break-
Erik didn't believe in fate, didn't really believe in much of anything spiritually quite honestly. But if he had to be honest, having the Luminary appear in the cell next to him does make him wonder.
“Don't look at me like that, I'm still trying to believe it.”
The Luminary's words were soft spoken, just above a whisper with that country bumpkin accent he was familiar with before he settled in Heliodor. The hint of irritation in the storm gray-blue eyes were the only indicators of his expression he could tell in the low light. There was also a glint of red in the eyes, but a shift of movement cast it away chalking it up to the light of the torch despite it being on the other end of the hallway. The rest of him was still somewhat hidden in the dark, but Erik could at least tell that the other was roughly the same age, maybe even younger.
“So what's this about a Darkspawn?”
There was a quiet huff. “The king and all the guards started calling me that after a spiel.” There was a low mutter that Erik couldn't hear.
The sound of metal footsteps upon the old stone floors made them both take a step back into the shadows. The slow saunter made Erik confidently step back up before a Heliodor solider came into view hold a plate full of over grounded mush.
“One plate of delicious gruel for the gentleman in the dun-”
He struck fast and precise, aiming for that break in the chest plate that allowed its wearer to breathe easier. The solider fell face first into the food that was just in hand and it was almost too easy to fish the keys off of him. As if freedom was meant for them.
The cell doors were swiftly unlocked and the unconscious body was hidden away, Erik approached his neighbor and took a better look at him with what little light that made it in there. The other was just a little taller than him and he can see the chin length hair falling in line as if being ruffled by the current situation was beneath it. And the soft spoken words matched the soft looking face despite how calm he looked.
Calm was his face, but curiosity and surprise was brimming in his eyes.
“So, you're serious about being the Luminary?”
The tilt of the other's head was almost cat-like. “You seem to believe it more than I do.”
Erik just grinned. “Would you believe me if I said a seer told me this would happen?” He could see the curiosity intensify and just waved it off. “Let's save the small talk for later, you up for a prison break?”
The small smile that lifted from the corners of his lips made Erik grin even wider. The Luminary wasn't much of a talker which he got after the first sentence he spoke but he had a feeling communication wouldn't be a problem. As if everything he's done so far was just for this moment.
Fate, destiny, whatever- He never thought he'd have his skepticism melt away as it did.
“Need me to do anything?”
Even if the guy didn't turn out to be the Luminary, Erik already liked him.
“Nah, just follow me.”
Erik easily took charge and quite surprisingly there was little resistance for the Luminary to just mimic his actions. His steps weren't quiet as his, but it didn't turn any of the guards' attention towards them. There was little need to talk out his intentions when a silent point of his finger got the message across.
Escaping would've been a breeze if their luck wasn't a weird mixture of shit and how did we survive that?
So, in a tangled mess of avoiding and dodging guards, falling off of faulty bridges and into the sewer systems before finally getting chased by a massive Black Dragon and more guards, Erik could even see that the Luminary was done with this place. So seeing the bright light to the outside world for it to be only a cliff edge brought forth a wave of irritation. He was tempted to keep running, but common sense was stopping him.
“Well, damn.” He cursed before turning around to face the oncoming horde of soldiers. “Well, I'd like to say that it was a great idea to trip one of the guards to slow the rest of them down.”
That drew a smile out of his partner in crime. “I just knocked some stuff over.”
“I should've thought of that!” Erik laughed before bringing his hood down revealing blue hair that spiked nearly all directions and extended his hand. “Name's Erik.”
“Eleven.” His own hand met Erik's.
“Seriously?” Erik raised an eyebrow.
“You can call me El.”
The casual way Eleven replied made him laugh. He always imagined the Luminary as someone more serious and bigger than life. He liked this version far more better than whatever storybook hero he kept imaging.
“We have you cornered, Darkspawn!”
The steady armored footsteps grew louder in the echoing tunnel. They both looked into it and saw the horde of gleaming soldiers making their way into the sun. Erik huffed out another laugh before turning back to Eleven still grinning.
“I can't say I had faith in much of anything, but I guess I can put my trust in the Luminary.” Erik firmed his grip around Eleven's hand.
He let go and they both turned around to face the cliff edge. It was beautiful to look over, the falls that roared just beside them, the landscape that stretched out like a painting, and the glittering shine from the misting water around them made it all the more brighter. It was almost fantastical despite them living in a world of swords and magic.
Running towards it made it even more surreal as well.
“H-hey! Don't-”
This was the feeling of freedom, as if the chains that they didn't know were on them were finally broken.
They relished it until they hit the water's surface below.
-Line Break-
The first thing he noticed about Eleven, now that he had better light to work with, was how pale he was. Not like Erik as Eleven had a tanned hue to his skin suggesting long hours under the sun but there was that undertone that the sickly would have. Only the sickly wouldn't be able to take down the guards as Eleven had. Plus, the steady calm and the unwavering determination to journey back to his village made it almost impossible to think that he was any sort of sick.
But as calm and collected the other was, the nervous tension that he had was completely obvious. But Erik didn't blame him when the fate of his village was up in the air and grim at best. Though it was an unfortunate way to find out that Eleven wasn't a near rock when it came to expressing emotions, it still gave a sort of relief in being able to find things to relate to in order to break the ice.
Not that he was a rock with emotions. Especially not after when Eleven first discovered that he could set things on fire now. Frizz was his go to spell when a monster was being particularly annoying.
The second thing he noticed was the Luminary's preference to staying close to the shadows and how he seemed to perk up in the night on the first night together as they journeyed back to Heliodor. Erik didn't mind traversing the terrain during the night. If anything he welcomed it a little as it made him feel a little more secure trekking in the darkness unseen and to be asleep when monsters were least likely to attack them in broad daylight even with the statue's supposed protection that were at the camps. But it still came to a surprise that Eleven preferred to sleep until noon and end his day when the moon was high.
“If I didn't know any better, I would've thought that you were a thief too.”
Eleven just smile at that. “I've always been a night owl.”
“Really? But in all seriousness, I bet I could turn you into a real thief.” Erik smirked.
“I think I'll pass.”
Erik already knew that would be his answer, but it didn't make it any less fun to joke about. Even Eleven smiled under the his hood as they made their way through the crowds of downtown Heliodor. It certainly helped calm his own frayed feelings over the recent turn of events at the thought of Derk's betrayal.
It was easier to focus on Eleven, the Luminary, and his odd quirks. Watch him look around with the same burning curiosity that he first saw in the dungeons. It was almost child like with how much wonder he had. Definitely a country bumpkin like Erik thought. If he didn't keep his hand around Eleven's wrist, he's afraid that he'll wander off somewhere.
“Come on, we need to get that guard to leave.” Erik tugged. “Unless you have a better idea than running the kid's errand for her dog, we gotta move.”
Eleven just hummed before speaking. “Is there a way up top?”
Erik looked up to the precarious ledges and wooden planks that lined just below the top of the kingdom's tall walls. There were faulty ladders that lead up, but there was a reason why people don't go up there without a good reason or safety equipment. He even trailed to where Eleven was looking at and grimaced.
“There is, but unless you have the balance of a cat and willing to jump over a few feet of open air, I don't think you'd want to. I can, of course.”
There was a glint of red that flashed, probably from the fact that it was dusk now, and it was accompanied by something mischievous when he bragged out that last bit. As if Erik just challenged him. Which was stupid because-
“Let's go up.”
Erik narrowed his eyes. “Only if you can keep up.”
“Sure.”
He liked to think he knows the back alleys and shadows of Heliodor like the back of his hand. Every possible route for him to take and every little cranny that he could squeeze through with his lithe frame. He may only lived here for a few years but he learned fast to be acquainted with them or get caught. Heights and unsteady ledges included.
So it was a little boggling to see Eleven balance easily on a rope over too many feet of air and almost match his steps across wooden beams that seemingly go nowhere. Erik was still faster but Eleven matched his balance par for par and it was sort of gratifying oddly enough.
“Are you sure you're not a thief? Is there a reason that you're good in hopping like you did?”
“Trees have branches, you know.”
“And your balancing act?”
Eleven just shrugged. “I've always had good balance.”
Erik bit his tongue when he almost voiced out why would he need to even have those skills in a village that's not marked on a map. Cobblestone still being a sore subject that he was not going to bring up anytime soon. So he settled in just accepting the answers for now.
“You may not be a thief, but you can give a cat a run for its money that's for sure. Still not better than me though.” Eleven gave a soft laugh at Erik's words. “Still though, if you keep this up, I'll be obligated to corrupt you to the dark side.”
He's not serious, of course. But the jokes come too easily and the laughter that follows makes it seem they had years behind each other. Not even Derk was this easy to be with as the man was always reluctant about something. Eleven though, he rolled with the punches and even punched back.
“You're welcomed to try.”
The blue-haired thief really liked the Luminary as a person. He could already tell Eleven was a good person, he's the Luminary (duh), but the smart mouth comments and the quiet gestures and expressions attracted Erik like a moth to a flame. He so dearly wanted to keep that flame.
“Well, damn.” Erik laughed. “Now I have to try.”
That red glint was back in the storm gray-blue eyes, but it was still dusk and the sky was redder than ever and he disregarded it to listen to Eleven's quiet laughter again.
“Excuse me?” The man by their way into the main districts of Heliodor waved for their attention. “So are you, or are you not going to get my flint?”
Erik just smirked and elbowed Eleven lightly to his side. “You got the goods?”
Eleven just turned away to hide his silent laughter as he reached into his bag.
-Line Break-
Erik liked to compare Eleven to a cat and he was also wasn't shy in voicing that out. But Eleven likes to think that Erik was more of one than he was. The blue-haired thief was always on alert, woke at a moment's notice at the slightest sounds, and had the quietest footsteps Eleven has ever heard. Not to mention the amusing hypocritical nosiness and bristling awkwardness that he shows in the some of the Q and A's they had.
His partner was a fun and interesting person overall.
“You sure that thing's cooked all the way?” Erik looked at Eleven's piece of skewered meat dubiously. “You should keep it in the fire a little longer.”
“It's fine.” Eleven easily consumed his meal without missing a beat.
“Don't blame me if you start throwing up in the bushes. I'm still surprised that you haven't.”
Eleven internally grimaced. He's been over cooking his meals more than he liked because of present company but he honestly didn't really care right now. It was dark and he was far away enough from Erik to where he wouldn't notice the dribble of blood that leaked from his meal every time he bit into it.
The smell of fire and ash still lingered in his nose, the sight of his razed village was permanently burned into his mind. The short moment he was able to have with his long dead grandad relieved little for Eleven. The two letters that he was able to dig up made his heart clench even harder.
The only thing that he was able to feel better about was that the letter his mother wrote, his biological mother who died saving him, was well aware of his vampirism. Which also explained how his mum and Chalky were able to prepare for his growing pains. The letter wasn't able to explain much beside acknowledge his heritage, because he was also a prince on top of that with being the Luminary too. It was written in haste and towards the end the ink looked frantic and rushed because there was a swarm of monsters at the time the letter was being written.
This Darkspawn thing Heliodor likes to throw at him was seemingly more accurate with each passing event being unfolded since the whole thing started. The only good thing that's happened so far was meeting Erik and Eleven's wondering now why the other was still sticking with him.
The blue eyed thief has his own agenda of course, and it was probably for the best that they do split up. Eleven was only thankful that his vampiric nature hasn't been a problem yet. His luck was probably all used up in meeting Erik because there was probably no other traveling companion he can imagine being this comfortable with.
“You're brooding, El.”
“I like brooding.”
That got a laugh from Erik. The other got up from where he was sitting and plop next to Eleven's side to rub shoulders. It was a kind gesture that Eleven appreciated a lot more than he was willing to admit. Any sort of contact that helped ground him was welcomed.
This time Erik shoved him. “Stop it. It's no good to keep those thoughts like you're doing. At least not here near Heliodor.”
Eleven just bowed his head on top of his knees. “I can't help it.” He paused before rounding on the first thought that was able to distract him successfully. “You're the cat by the way.”
“What?”
“You're the cat between us, not me.”
Eleven took a peek from his knees and saw Erik's bewildered face. It cracked a smile and even a quiet laugh that broke the other out of his stunned state.
“El, you look like one now.” Erik deadpanned with a wide grin. “Brooding as if Yggdrasil owes you and now you're making fun of me to make yourself feel better.”
“You get picky on where you sleep.”
“That should be the opposite!” Erik tried to hold in a laugh. “You can sleep anywhere!”
“You follow the sun like a sunflower.”
“Well, you probably groom yourself like one with how impossibly shiny and perfect your hair seems to fall in place!”
Now that got a reaction from both of them. Erik blushed and clammed up at his own words and Eleven responded the same only he was a little wide-eyed at the odd insult/compliment. It was nice and flattering and it was a glimpse on how Erik viewed him as a person.
“You could pass as a blue Sabrecat with yours.”
“Well, you're an alley cat.” Erik muttered still embarrassed. “With those eyes, you'd have people fighting to keep you.”
Eleven didn't know how Erik came to that conclusion seeing he was rather avoidant of people if he could help it. But thinking back to downtown Heliodor and the people there made it a little appealing. He wouldn't mind something like that.
The Luminary business was making it a very viable option if it was ever presented to him.
He just laughed to himself before turning his attention back to Erik. “Thanks. For doing this, and for being here.”
Erik sighed and leaned against him. “Just as long as you stop brooding and stop killing yourself with that under cooked meat of yours. I swear I'll shove all the herbs we have down your throat when you get sick.”
So he did see the blood earlier.
Eleven shook his head. “I'll be fine. Really.”
“We'll see about that when you're kneeled over the bushes.”
“I promise that won't happen.”
“I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.”
Erik had the protective instincts of a Sabrecat, but he'll keep that to himself.
-Line Break-
The scent of blood was long detected the moment they arrive at the bottom of the stairs that lead to Kingsbarrow. It was sickly sweet, almost dizzying, and the thirst crawled up Eleven's throat along with the bile. He can only be thankful that they took camp the night before or else he would've blanked out right then and there.
He took a large drink from his waterskin to help quell his drying mouth and hope it also help settle his stomach.
“Hey, you okay?”
Eleven nodded trying to maintain his composure but Erik could see his face pale a few shades lighter. That red glint that he often sees in Eleven's eyes even flashed boldly before he closed them to take his drink. It made Erik wonder if it was more than his imagination now.
“You sure?”
“Just... I have a bad feeling.”
The thief was inclined to agree with him too. Maybe it was some secret Luminary sensing powers that he wasn't aware of but even he knows a place like this would be difficult to sneak in to.
“I wouldn't be surprised if there's a ton of guards crawling through the place.” Erik started slowly. “But at the same time, majority of them are probably scattered near Heliodor trying to find us.”
Eleven simply nodded but Erik felt like the guards isn't what worrying him. Like Erik was missing something with how shaken Eleven looked.
But that bad feeling Eleven had turned out to be much worse.
Bodies laid scattered, pools of blood were beneath them and some even sprayed against the walls as well. Nearly all of them were foot soldiers as well going by their uniform, probably only been in the kingdom's army for only a couple of years so they all probably died young. Not that Erik was willing to confirm that.
“Whatever did this wasn't human.” Erik said quietly as he observed the gashes in one body. “Whatever monster that did this is probably still here too.” He didn't get a response and turned to see what was up with his partner and immediately noticed Eleven being another shade paler. “Hey, are you sure that you're okay?”
The startled reaction that he got when he reached and touched Eleven's shoulder was concerning. The other always had the lazy awareness of a cat from what he's seen so far. Picking and choosing the things that interested him and leaving everything else on a back burner. It made him worry even more when Eleven wouldn't even look at him.
“Sorry.” Eleven said it quieter than usual. “Just- just overwhelmed.”
It reminded Erik very quickly that normal people probably don't ever see a dead body in their lives let alone the massacre before them. Even though Eleven was the Luminary, Erik knew the other spent all his life innocent to these kinds of things. Unlike him.
“Let's make our business and get out of here in a flash.” Erik quickly tugged on Eleven's arm. “Stick close.”
Eleven just nodded still not looking at him, keeping his eyes trained towards the floor as they moved on. Thankfully exiting the room only lead to a couple of bodies that looked as though they've fallen in the stairwell and the hallway that it lead to was empty. He could still smell the heavy metallic scent, but it was easier to ignore it with the equally heavy scent of the stale air of being underground. The mustiness that lingered here for years without any ventilation was thankfully the stronger of the two.
His stomach still twisted at the scent of the blood though. Half way nauseated that threaten to spill his own guts but at least he wasn't at the verge of blanking out anymore. He hated the fact that this was something he probably had to get used to from now on. He hated that he was getting used to it.
But even then, he wouldn't dare to look up to meet Erik's eyes. Not until they were far, far away from here.
So the sight of monster populating the area in front of them was a breath of relief and the farther they went in, the better Eleven was able to get a grip on himself. Even Erik looked a little relieved in that he was doing okay now. He felt really guilty that he couldn't explain what happened when Erik gave him a questioning look.
Eleven felt even more guilty knowing Erik wouldn't push the subject.
“It's like taking candy from a baby!”
“Hey, you overgrown feather dusters! That's our orb!”
Eleven blinked before steadying his sword. The trek towards the final room seemed short but they made good time before the Grim Gryphons were able to get to the Red Orb.
His sword swung smoother than before when one of the feathered monsters charged at him. The constant battles he's been in since starting his journey rapidly improved his swordsmanship. Talons failing to meet their marks as Eleven gave all of his attention to it in blocking and attacking. The few times that the bird did get him were swiftly healed with his magic.
It wasn't until he heard Erik's pained cry that he did became more aware of his surroundings again. The thief held his arm tightly as his tussled Gryphon loomed over menacingly.
“You should pay attention for yourself, puny human!”
Eleven shoved an angry Frizz down the Gryphon's throat before charging another spell to the other. With one crumpling to the floor dead and the other stunned and crying out covering its eyes, Erik took the opportunity to viciously aim for the neck as his revenge. All this fighting only lasted for a short while, but they both were out of breath.
“Thanks for the save, El. Thought I was a goner there.”
And as Erik approached closer, something pleasant entered his nose. The mixture of the sea like the shores just outside and the snow that would come in the winter made itself known before the very familiar metallic tang brought back his thirst. He stared down the arm that the thief clutched despite the fact there was no visible blood bleeding through his shirt.
It was then Erik fully witnessed the red in Eleven's eyes overtake his irises completely.