Orion walked through the streets of Paris with calm, steady steps. At his side, Chloe and Ellie followed in silence, taking in the city's nocturnal beauty. But nothing could have prepared them for what awaited just around the corner—Le Nocturne.
The bar was no ordinary establishment. It looked as though it had been pulled straight from a gothic tale, a hidden jewel tucked away in Paris's elegant alleys. Its discreet façade concealed unimaginable luxury. When Orion pushed open the carved wooden double doors, both women held their breath.
"My God…" Chloe whispered, her eyes wide as she took in every detail.
Soft lighting painted mysterious shadows across leather furniture and shelves lined with rare wines glimmering in golden racks. The air carried a delicate blend of spices, old wood, and the faint trace of fine wine. In the background, a melancholic jazz melody wrapped the place in atmosphere.
"I've never seen anything like this…" Ellie murmured, equal parts awed and unsettled.
Elegant figures filled the tables, their conversations hushed, as if the environment itself demanded reverence. But what drew attention was not the bar—it was Orion. Everywhere, whispers spread like a rising tide of astonishment.
"Who is that man…?" a gentleman muttered to his companion.
"No idea…" she replied, eyes fixed on the scene unfolding.
Upstairs, in the bar's private office, Vlad leaned over a pile of documents, a half-forgotten glass of wine beside him. The dimness of the room gave him a near-theatrical presence. And then—he froze.
A shiver coursed down his spine. A scent—familiar, impossibly familiar—filled the air. A scent he had not felt in centuries.
His eyes widened.
"It can't be…"
The paper slipped from his hand, falling onto the desk as he spun on his heel and rushed out the door. His dead heart seemed to pound in a frenzy long forgotten. Down the stairs he went, faster than anyone had ever seen him move. Patrons glanced at one another, bewildered. Vlad, the unshakable, refined Vlad… was running?
When he burst into the main hall and his eyes found Orion, time itself seemed to halt.
For a moment, Vlad stood frozen. Then, as though an unbearable weight had been lifted from his shoulders, he sank to his knees before the young master.
The entire bar fell silent.
"What…?" whispers echoed.
"Vlad… kneeled? That's never happened before."
The vampire's face was a mixture of relief and raw emotion. Eyes that had always reflected an impenetrable calm now shimmered with something almost human.
"Young master…" his voice was hoarse, steeped in unwavering respect and devotion. "You've returned."
Orion looked down at him, a small smile tugging at his lips.
"It's good to see you again, old friend. You've aged little."
A rare, genuine laugh escaped Vlad.
"Time is a strange thing for us… but yes, little has changed. I've been waiting for centuries. What happened to you?"
Orion exhaled, crossing his arms.
"Honestly? I don't know. I simply woke up… in a dungeon."
Vlad chuckled softly, shaking his head.
"That sounds just like you."
The bar remained cloaked in reverent silence. No one dared interrupt. Vlad—the legend, the relentless shadow of the night—was kneeling before someone. And that someone was Orion.
After a moment, Orion's gaze sharpened, his words deliberate.
"And Bjorn and Hilda? Where are they?"
Vlad's expression darkened faintly. He reached for a glass of wine nearby, taking a slow sip before answering.
"Bjorn and Hilda… they too were sent into the future, just as you were. When we crossed paths, I sent them forward, hoping they would find you. They've searched tirelessly across the world. But… I lost contact with them a few weeks ago."
A sharp pang struck Orion's chest, concern hardening his features.
"Where were they last seen?"
"Tokyo, Japan. They were investigating a major disturbance—something I couldn't quite understand. But after that, silence. I don't know what became of them. My instincts tell me things there are far worse than we imagined."
Orion closed his eyes briefly, weighing the information.
"I'll head there. But first… I need to settle some matters in England."
For a long moment, Vlad studied him. Then, a faint smile curved his lips.
"Allow me to go with you, young master."
Orion turned, surprised. He met his old friend's gaze and saw the gravity behind it—something unspoken, yet undeniable.
"Why?"
Vlad's smile softened, though a shadow lingered in his eyes.
"Because the path ahead of you will be more dangerous than we can imagine. And besides… if you're going to England, I cannot let you go alone. We have unfinished business, young master. And I know you won't rest until it's done. So, as your friend, I will stand by your side."
Orion regarded him in silence, then nodded. He was no longer alone. And if Vlad chose to follow, he wouldn't object. His old companion could prove invaluable—especially now, with the road ahead shrouded in uncertainty.
"Very well, Vlad. Come with me. But remember… things won't be easy."
Vlad inclined his head, eyes glinting with equal parts anticipation and unease.
"Nothing in our journey has ever been easy, young master. And that's exactly what drives me."
Orion smiled…
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