Time froze before him with the first screams in the night. Before, they had only fed on those unfortunate enough to venture out past the city lines. There was begging from helpless men and women, panicked young ones, and others fighting. Pitchforks aimed for the soul attacker, and torches used as projectiles. Malakai hid his own brother, going out into the bloody mess before him, and helping those he could reach; it was a nightmare. Torches thrown aside, flames licking up houses, and blazing in the night. He tried to get back inside with his family, only to be nearly run over by his father, "Malakai! Get back under cover with your mother and brother!" He'd been a man for some years now, but due to his training, lived with his family, still. He froze when his father shouted above the chaos.
"Yes, father! ... Be safe!" Malakai's father had been the blacksmith of the town; he was talented, and strong, and when he commanded something be done, you did it without question. He was the only man Malakai responded to with so much respect. Quickly, he ran around him, racing back into their home. It was dark in there, compared to the burning fires outside, all of the candles blown out. Families that tried to hide, he thought to himself, would die in those fires, if his father didn't get to them fast enough. What had they done to anger those monsters? They couldn't leave, and now staying was just as much a danger... He really ought to be out there, beside his father, but... "Mother? Kaleb?" His eyes moved all around the dark, and he took a few steps in, only to be pushed down with such force, he'd barely seen it coming, "Ah! No!"
Before those fangs could be buried into his skin, he pushed his arm against the creature's face, and used his legs, kicking him across the room. He couldn't see, and that thing could; he was at a certain disadvantage, and he knew it well. Malakai took a shaky breath, reaching beneath his robes and grabbing his crucifix, "Coward! Show yourself!" The front door flew open suddenly, and the creature swooped out from the blackness, disappearing through the flames. Screams echoed through our small home, and he called to his family once more, hearing nothing. It caused worry to boil just under his skin, his ears ringing with each heartbeat, "Kaleb! Answer me, now!"
He better have stayed in the closet like he's been told...
It all started with the scent of blood on the air; he wasn't very old, and had such little self-control, you see. When that delicious smell caught his attention, carried from one of the villagers on the edge of town, Darcelle licked his lips. that was when the end began.
He crept from his master, having skillfully distracted him with something else, and quickly made his way into the town, first attacking the man whose blood smelled so sweet. The warm red lifeblood flowed over his tongue, sweet and satisfying. When he'd partially drained him, a hunger in the bottom of his very being burned in him, and sent him into a frenzy; children were easy targets, until their parents caught on, and with blood over his face, and a crazed look in his eyes, Darcelle scattered half-drained bodies all over the village, fires starting from those trying to protect themselves while others hid. When the flames were felt on his skin, the new vampire ducked into a home, and from place to place he slaughtered until before him stood a woman. She was standing before him, a stake in hand. She seemed prepared, but was no match, nonetheless, when Darcelle jumped at her, ripping out her throat with his fangs.
A hiss left his lips when the door swung open, revealing another man, older, and stronger. His blood would be tasty.. Darcelle lunged at the continued sound of his voice, wanting more. More blood. His voice, screaming in agony. Wanted it all. Quickly, though, he was hit in the face, and tossed aside. When goaded on, he bared his fangs menacingly. He wished the human could see; he would cower, and beg for his life if only he could see this blood-stained expression, but better than any human, Darcelle could hear. It was a calm voice among the screams... His name. With a last look at the human, he bolted out the door, and made his way to his master, as a dog with his tail between his legs might, "...Claude."
For only a moment had he turned his attention away from the youngling, only to regret it so strongly that he actually paused in astonishment, and...admiration at the level of damage his young pet could cause in such little time. With a shake of his head, Claude made his way after young Darcelle, eyes looking over the scorched bodies; the burning buildings, the bloodied dirt.. He hadn't seen this level of damage since his own youth, and it brought him back to a far simpler time. Back then, if they'd only been faster..
His eyes opened again, reading the thoughts of his pet, and shooting his glare right at the front of the house he could feel him occupy, "Darcelle.." Even over the chaos, their mental link would provide the youngling enough warning. If he was smart, at least. He was proud, in some way, but angry, and somewhat...ashamed. His bright-haired monstrosity made his way back out of the house, and into the now empty streets, surrounded by flame-eaten buildings, "...what have you done?" Fire dances in Claude's eyes, and Darcelle only looked back up at him with pleading eyes. Before he could speak, Claude struck him across the face, "Get back to the castle. Clean yourself up, and prepare for your punishment. Go!" Glancing to the flames only once more, Claude swept up his pet, and guided him away back to their keep, high in the mountains.
