I found myself floating in pure darkness...

An endless void…

My senses were dulled almost as if I had just awoken from a long slumber.

Time seemed irrelevant…

Unable to even see my own body, my thoughts echoed out into the distance: “Am I dead? Is this pool of black the afterlife? It had to be… Why else do I feel so calm and… Safe? Like I am home.’’

As a stone that breaks the surface of still water, a familiar voice of ill intent broke the silence: "By the gift of my blood flowing through your veins, you keep what you kill."

As these words vibrated all around my body, two large eyes opened amidst the darkness and glared at me.

I knew this presence. The malice deep in my body was one and the same.

Suddenly I felt my body solidifying... The vast blackness faded away and then my senses overwhelmed me as they flooded back in.

Almost as if I was trapped in my own body, I began to break free. My heartbeat started to flutter inside my chest, my lungs expanded, my fingers twitched and then my eyes finally broke their lock. The blinding light bombarded my vision and my stomach felt empty. Where am I? The feeling of soft sheets ruffled over my body. Am I in a bed? I sat up propping myself against the pillows. My vision started to clear and I looked around to see Henry sitting on the far edge of the bed right next to my feet. The sunlight from the window against his back as he seemed to be asleep. How did I get here?

The last thing I remembered was fishing then... The khubaza... I suddenly panicked.

Did they see the mark on my chest? I grabbed my chest to find it had been bandaged. In fact, I could feel my entire body had been wrapped. Even the blood was washed off and new clothes were placed on me.

How long was I out?

Henry's voice carried through the room: "Don't worry I covered it up. No one else knows, you can relax.''

He knows!

My heart filled with despair as I kept silent.

Henry continued, his gaze locked to the wall: ''When I first met you at the lake, I could see you were a troubled young man. Your eyes struggled to meet mine. You seemed distant, nervous, and even a little bit afraid. I thought maybe the fact that I was a stranger unsettled you but, the more time I spent with you, the more I realized you were just a boy that bore the world on his shoulders. A feeling I know all too well… Always running from something. When you finally began to open up to me, I was happy that you decided not to carry the weight by yourself anymore.''

Henry became quiet and the room began to feel claustrophobic with all the silence that filled it.

Things were finally getting better, but now I’ve lost his trust! Something I will never get back. I was a fool to think I could blend in. Monsters and people are like fire and water. They were bound to learn my secret!

Henry broke the silence once again: ''When I saw that beast standing in front of me I knew I was going to die. I was so terrified… Never was I going to see Anna again, or make sure she was safe. Never was I going to see my friends. But worst of all never was I going to be able to fix the pain I created. These regrets clouded my mind as the khubaza launched itself at me becoming a blur. Any thoughts of me resisting were futile, but then I saw a secondary figure leaping from behind me. It tackled the beast out of the air and down the mountain. Did my eyes deceive me? I thought. As I looked behind me, you were gone. I thought you might have run away and I was too distracted to notice, nonetheless, I wanted to see what had happened to the creature and what had just saved my life. As I peered over the edge I saw a young boy with black hair lying in a pool of blood on the ground. If it wasn't for the clothes that Anna gave you, I would not have known it was you. I nearly had a heart attack! I ran down that mountain as fast as I could. No one could survive such a fall I kept thinking, yet as soon as I reached the bottom, I could see you were still moving. It's only then I noticed the dead Khubaza laying across from you. If only I had been more careful… Then you wouldn’t have had to pay for yet another one of my mistakes. My boy… I watched you take your last breath. Another life I take, I thought as I just stayed on my knees next to your body, sobbing. Then I heard your chest move. At first, I thought you had begun to breathe once again but as soon as I placed my ear against it, I realized that the bones were moving beneath your skin. Your wounds started to close so fast I could see the divided flesh become one. I removed your shirt to see what other damages were caused, then I saw it. The mark of the beast on your chest.”

My head sank down as if an invisible weight hung upon it. I couldn't even bare to look at Henry's face. The guilt overflowing, I felt like running away, just as I did that night.

Seeing my reaction Henry continued: “I ripped off my sleeve and covered the mark then carried you back here, where Anna treated the rest. I made sure she didn't see it. When I picked you up, you looked like a boy torn to shreds. What Anna saw looked like scrapes. How could anyone heal that fast? How could anyone survive an entire night without a single breath? Lad, you were dead up until now. How did you even get such a dark power?''

Still, I remained silent, as I couldn't bare to tell him what led me to attain it.

Henry Looked disappointed then said:'' I understand everyone has their reasons. All that matters is that you are a good kid. One that would risk his own life to save another."

I looked up and in a very earnest tone said: “I am planning to go to the capital to find a healer that can remove this curse.”

Henry stared deeply into my eyes and said: “A healer? As far as I understand those who can wield life magic are scarce and even then, someone powerful enough to remove a curse of this magnitude would be even rarer. I could see why you would want to go to the capital considering the most powerful clerics stay there."

I felt lost: “What do you mean those that can wield healing magic? I thought all heroes could wield it, just some to a better degree than others."

Henry shook his head then said: “You are right to some extent but, what do you know about the great spirits lad?"

With an uncertain tone, I replied: “They are the beings that created all living things. They even watch over mankind, protecting us from the tyranny of the Demon Lords. They also grant the power heroes use to defeat abbysal.''

Henry broke his gaze from me then leaned forward as if he was thinking and in a serious tone said “Again, only half-truths. It's true they created everything we see before us but they are not one. There are nine known spirits, each one governing a sphere of reality itself and they bless individuals with the ability to control that specific element. Very few heroes have been blessed by more than one spirit. The council that represents the heroes has always kept their hierarchy and its workings a secret but, from what I was able to dig up, not all blessings from the spirits are equal. Each spirit has its own reason for giving a blessing and some are more reluctant to do so. Like the power over life or as you refer to as healing is one of the scarcest. Why do you think I was able to capitalize on a miracle cure?”

I felt like such an Idiot. My whole plan revolved around finding someone to remove my curse. I didn’t even consider my lack of knowledge concerning magic.

Seeing my despair Henry said: ”Don't let this get you down. Follow your heart my boy, but I say this because I care. Trust no one. This world is a cruel place and many would crucify you on the spot for bearing that mark. Keep it hidden. Also, the demon lords wouldn’t have given you this power if it didn't serve a purpose. They are evil and cunning, this power will come at a price and it will be more than any man is willing to pay. What I am trying to say Alucard is, please be safe.''

I felt such joy knowing Henry cared. For most of my life, I struggled to fit in and most people treated me as if I was a burden.

''Thank you.'' I said under my breath keeping my face low.

''No need for that, my boy. I merely did what any decent person would.'' Henry replied.

A decent person... A commodity that seems to be all but extinct.

Henry got up off of the bed: '' Now enough doom and gloom, let me get Anna to bring you some food. She will be happy to see that you're awake.''

I tried to get out of bed to walk with him, but Henry stopped me: ''My boy, I know by now your wounds would have healed but stay in bed for a few days. I might know the truth but, to the rest, you are still a boy.''

I reluctantly put my head back onto the pillow as he walked to the door.

Henry grabbed the door handle and without looking at me said: “ Also as far as anyone is concerned, you are the son of a famous hero and you are on your rite of passage traveling and seeing the world. I know I could have said you fell and hurt yourself, but everyone here needs some good news, and not needing to worry about coming up with excuses for any future miracles is an added bonus.”

He then left the room which signaled me to climb out of the bed to see what had happened to my body. I could feel it had changed somehow as if it was no longer my own. I removed the bandages to see large scares embedded in my torso, made by the khubaza’s claws. They were fully healed as if the attack had happened years ago. I also noticed my muscle tone had increased to an unachievable figure. My body was so light I felt like I could leap to the heavens. Those accursed words passed through my mind once again: “You keep what you kill.”

Was this what was meant? I somehow took the khubaza’s power?

Suddenly I heard Anna's voice carrying through the building: ''What!? And you didn't call me immediately?'' She sounded genuinely relieved and somewhat excited.

I re-rapped my bandages and jumped into bed. Then I heard what sounded like cutlery clinking against a plate as footsteps made their way closer to my room. The door flung open making a large creek as it did so. It was Anna holding a plate filled with food. Her big warm smile almost made me forget how hungry I was.

Without sparing a moment she walked in and placed the food on my small side table. She then sat down on the edge of the bed and hugged me. I was so shocked. I could feel how careful she was as to not put pressure on my wounds.

Her mouth right against my ear, she softly said: '' My father told me what happened. I don't know what I would have done had you not saved him.''

She then let go, slowly allowing me to lay back once again. I must have been truly embarrassed due to how red my face felt.

Almost overcome with emotion she said: '' I… We owe you a great debt. Our village would not have survived if not for Henry.''

A grin had crept onto my face. Anna then picked up the plate and placed it onto my lap and without saying another word, ruffled my hair and left the room.

Would I ever get used to this?

I looked down at the plate to find It was a generous portion of fish and vegetables just as I have had before. I didn't hesitate to breathe it into my stomach leaving me overly satisfied. I put the empty plate onto the small side table then fell back into a comfortable position.

A thought invaded my mind. Henry was right, this power is dangerous and I should not forget my original goal. Remove this curse! I knew that these peaceful moments would be fleeting as I would soon have to get back on the road. I decided to close my eyes and soak up every bit of softness from this bed, it wasn't long before I fell asleep.

The next morning I remained in bed. Anna had told me Henry went out to go fish, something that made me truly jealous. She also kept checking up on me to make sure I was still comfortable. She even bought me lunch in the form of fruits and a handful of pecan nuts, a taste that I still couldn't confirm due to my newfound diet. The day was pleasant, even be it was a bit boring.

Eventually, the sun had gone down and Henry came into my room: ''Good evening my boy. How was it being absolutely lazy?''

I gave a small chuckle and replied:'' Not as fun as battling the fish.''

Henry laughed at my attempt at humor then sat down on my bed beside me to give me an in-depth tale of what I had missed. He carried on for some time but, all I could think of was the fact that I would soon have to leave. So much so that I interrupted him.

''Mr. Henry, I am thinking of returning on my journey tomorrow.''

Henry's cheerful demeanor changed to a more serious one.''I understand.'' He said followed by a sigh.

He then stretched out to grab my shoulder: ''This path you are on will be a hard one but don't forget who you are.''

Henry got up and with his back facing me said:'' We are going to miss you, my dear boy, know you are always welcome here.''

He then began to walk to the closed door.

As soon as he touched the handle, with haste I said: ''Mr. Henry, I have another favor to ask. I know I am supposed to stay here but could I enjoy my last night with everyone?''

Henry turned around and looked at me the same way as he does Anna:'' How am I supposed to say no to that? Come on, everyone will be excited to see you are feeling better.''

I smiled and ripped the sheet off of myself, then got up and followed him upstairs. Everyone was indeed happy to see me, as they gave me small trinkets as gratitude and even called me the great khubaza slayer. It felt good.

The rest of the evening was amazing as I ate my fill and listened to Henry entertain everyone with his singing. He was truly exceptional at his craft, something I didn't notice the last time he sang to me.

After the wonderful evening came to an end, I went to bed. My head was racing, I've never felt this good in my life!

Being appreciated...

How was I going to say goodbye tomorrow? After such a wonderful evening, how would I tell them I am leaving? I won't. I will get up before the sun rises and slip out. I know it might seem rude but, I would be coming back here soon. Next time not needing to be so fearful of the evil that resides in me.

Forcing my eyes closed, I banished the thought and fell into a deep sleep.