The short dagger was only ordinary steel and of little threat to Sol even before his transformation. Now, wielded against him by his best friend, it was laughable in a tragic way.

“Wait, Alaric. If you want to kill me. You can. But first, please hear me out,” Sol said, straightening upright, maintaining one hand across his eyes and holding his other hand out in a placating gesture.

Alaric hesitated before reluctantly lowering his dagger. He kept the mirror aimed at Sol’s eyes.

“What is it? It had better be something good, or I’ll kill you right now and give my friend the final rest he deserves,” Alaric replied, his voice breaking with grief.

“Sigh, we can kill them all, Alaric. The full-blood clans that killed our families. Every single blood-cursed member of the death squads that did the deed. I killed the thin-blood vampire that turned me with ease after I changed. Its blood allowed me to walk in the sun and hold silver. All I need is a chance to prove I can control the thirst,” Sol attempted to persuade his friend.

“Alright, you want a chance to prove yourself? Here it is,” Alaric retorted, suddenly slashing the dagger across his palm. He grunted in pain as the blade cut deep into the flesh.

Alaric dropped the dagger clattering to the floor before passing the mirror into his uninjured hand. He held his bleeding fist up in front of Sol, squeezing tightly. Sol became mesmerised by a blood droplet forming at the base of the fist. He was entirely focused on the drop as it fell to the floor in slow motion. Sol felt himself begin to move instinctively toward it. After a half-step forward, he successfully suppressed the urge and became motionless, trembling in place.

“Look at yourself. I can’t trust you not to murder every person in the building if I don’t put you down myself. All I can see is a monster,” Alaric said, his voice heavy with emotion.

Alaric adjusted the mirror so Sol could see his reflection without the light in his eyes. There was an obvious change to Sol’s visage. Tendrils of black veins writhed disconcertingly beneath the skin of his cheeks under the blindfold, toward his eye-sockets. The tendrils were visible on both layers of his reflection. Sol involuntarily stepped away while turning his gaze away.

Is that me? I truly have become a monster. Alaric might be right. I could lose control and kill everyone here. They’re the only family I have left. Maybe it’s best that I avenge my father alone.

“I will do this by myself. You will never see me again, I swear,” Sol said, straightening to match gazes with Alaric.

Sol’s expression became firm with unwavering determination, darting toward the open window. Alaric gasped in shock at the speed he moved. When Sol reached the window, he was interrupted from leaving by a cry.

“Sol, wait!” Alaric called out, rushing after him with an outstretched hand, the slash on his palm forgotten.

“What is it?” Sol replied while braced against the wooden frame. He diverted his eyes away from the blood dripping out of the deep wound.

“I accept,” Alaric said with resolve.

“Huh?” Sol asked in surprise.

“I accept. We will work together to get revenge for our families. On one condition. You have to promise that we keep Seda out of this. She’ll be devastated if she learns you’ve been tainted. She should believe you died. It’ll hurt her, but it’s best for everyone this way. Do we have an agreement?” Alaric stated his terms.

As much I hate it, what Alaric said makes sense. Seda hates vampires more than we do. She was forced by the full-bloods to watch them drain her parents for their amusement. She would have been next, but a messenger interrupted to announce that someone from the resistance was slaughtering their thralls. They forgot about an inconsequential child to chase after my father. No mortal thrall could survive an encounter before he disappeared into hiding again.

All of the death squads from across the city were ordered to hunt him down. Father's actions are the only reason the resistance wasn’t completely wiped out that night. He's also the reason Seda idolises me. If she learns that I’ve become a blood-sucker, it’ll break her.

“Deal. Long live the resistance,” Sol solemnly said. He spat into his palm and held his hand out, staring into Alaric’s eyes. Alaric spat into his uninjured hand and clasped hands with Sol, also meeting Sol’s gaze.

“Deal. Long live the resistance,” Alaric responded. The pair made a pact, just like they did as children playing at being members of the resistance.

“I will meet you outside the window to your room. Open the window when you get there to let me inside,” Sol instructed, climbing out the window.

“Okay. Don’t be seen. The sun hasn’t gone down yet. If someone sees you, they’ll think you’re a thief,” Alaric replied.

“Haha, don’t worry. I’ll be there before you,” Sol said in amusement, quickly scaling the side of the building with supernatural ease.

Sol arrived outside Alaric’s shuttered window on the top floor in a matter of moments. He found a deep shadow below the eaves of the building to hide. As he waited, his skin began to burn with discomfort, returning to a red colour. The imperceptible amount of smoke thankfully remained the same. Sol took the opportunity to enjoy the view.

I always loved the view from up here while the sun is up and the market is filled with people. I don’t know what I’d do if this is the last time I get to see it. I better enjoy the moment.

Their housing complex dwarfed the nearby structures in all directions, allowing an unimpeded view of the city. Most of the city was built with gothic-style architecture. All visible windows had timber shutters. Only the nobility could afford to have glass windows due to being under the protection of the full-blood clans. The humans in this part of the city weren’t so fortunate.

Looking around, Sol was able to see a few shutters destroyed. Some of them likely harboured thin-blood lairs, similar to the one belonging to the vampire that turned him.

Sol’s attention was drawn to the only building in the area defiantly sporting large glass windows. It was a simple, single-story building built of stone. The windows along its sides were screened with timber like all the surrounding dwellings. But on the side facing the morning sun, there was an enormous window made with mosaic cut glass in the form of a sunburst. It was the local church of the Lord. It offered protection from the night to all of those who seek sanctuary. The last resistance of humanity.