I’m starting to think that Astrid just wanted to scare the paladins. It’s been a month since she declared that she will escape and nothing happened. It’s the beginning of what I called March in my previous world and nothing is going on; I don’t like it when it’s quiet.

“Is there something wrong?” asked Astrid.

Since Astrid declared that she will escape I actually tried to work harder and learn the demon language. The good thing is that I was almost done with it. Things got surprisingly easy since I learnt how similar the demon language and English are. Once I learnt how to actually speak it things went smoothly. I learnt it well enough to use it in everyday conversations but I wanted to be at Astrid’s level in case I get the chance to talk to a demon who doesn’t want to kill me on our first meeting.

“I was thinking that I still don’t know how you got caught in the first place.”

“I see, I thought that you would bother me with trivial matters. Tell me, do you believe in angels?”

Yeah, I could probably say a pick-up line here but she looks a little too serious, I don’t want to die right now so I will respond truthfully.

“I don’t, that’s what I would like to say but I actually do.”

“Good, then listen well: The vampires aren’t like most demon and won’t attack people on sight. The first vampire was once a human that got its powers by using black magic. After numerous sacrifices he obtained immortality and tremendous powers but he got a thirst of blood as well. In the beginning he drank blood but in time he learnt that he could create more like him by giving them his blood. Many generations of vampires were born that way, every one of them possessing different levels of strength. It is said that a vampire possessing half of the creator’s power is enough to shift the balance between the races. To defeat such a foe the humans established contact with angels and the angels helped the humans in their quest to defeat the original vampire for good. Many angels perished in battle on that day. Is everything clear?”

“Yeah, I’m having trouble believing all this but somehow I can understand it.”

So now humans can use angels and shit. I’ve read some history books but angels weren’t mentioned in any books, history or fantasy. She used the term [angel] from the demon language, maybe that’s why I don’t remember reading about them.

“It looks like you have an idea but you are not sure. Hmm…In your language they are called [Valkyries].”

But…Valkyries are men in this world. There are a few exceptions where a woman becomes a Valkyrie… I thought that the term was different in this world. Oh well; there goes my hope of being wrong.

“I know about Walkyries.”

“Were you disappointed?”

“By what?”

“That now you know that not all angels are beautiful women.” said Astrid with a laugh.

“A little, but enough with this, continue your story.”

“Haaaa…Very well. After that battle some humans acquired the right to summon angels. There aren’t many humans who can summon angels but those who can are called when a demon attacks the kingdom. At full power I possess half the power the original vampire had but I do not engage in pointless fights.”

Astrid’s face became teary and her voice was full of regret.

“There are vampires who are powerless. Demons pray on demons to get stronger and so many young demons die an early death. On the outskirts of the demon realm I am housing a few of the powerless vampires. A few years ago a hunting party arrived in the demon realm. Those humans brought an angel summoner with them and attacked a demon tribe. One of the young vampires under my protection was staying there. I was supposed to pick her up, needless to say I failed.”

“What happened?”

“The humans killed every demon they saw. When I got there everything was burning: houses, demons, and tress. The only survivor was the vampire I was supposed to protect. Unfortunately she died right after I got her out of that fiery hell. The other demons where killed but not her, I could tell that she was tortured and raped. She was humiliated beyond limit only because she resembled a human, at least as a demon she would have died without feeling so much pain.”

Astrid tried to catch her breath but her sobbing stopped her from doing so. The right thing to do would be to stop her from continuing the story but I can’t and I’m sure that if I did that she would hate me from it.

“Their last mistake was leaving without burying her body. I followed the humans until I arrived in the human realm and took my revenge on them. Twenty humans and ten angels died that day. As a vampire daylight and holy weapons are my weaknesses but I wasn’t going to die before I avenged the girl’s death. I fought for a whole day in broad daylight against thirty humans and ten angels. I killed the twenty humans who were there that day but the cowards called from reinforcements. Ten angles and ten paladins came to stop me. I was weakened and I was losing so I used my powers using my soul as a catalyst. After I killed the angels I thought I was going to meet the same fate but I was taken as a prisoner instead.”

Seeing her cry in her adult form sends shivers down my spine. I’ve never thought that I will see the day she cried.

“Was…it wrong?”

Astrid caught me by my throat and pulled me to her. I was staying right in front of the cell and I know that there was magic that restricted her movement. She isn’t holding back, she actually tries to choke me!

“I didn’t do anything wrong…they did and yet…” said Astrid looking into my eyes.

I could only look down. What can I say…She isn’t in the wrong; in my previous world…it would actually be the same, she wouldn’t have gotten her revenge any other way. I couldn’t bring myself to say anything because there is no right answer for the question.

*cough* *cough* It looks like even with Black Blood activated Astrid’s grip is too strong for me.

“Ah…I’m sorry.”

When she realized that she was hurting me she regained her composure she let me go. It’s been some time since I felt pain like this. Rage, grief and maybe desperation; these three feelings can make a person do things they thought they were incapable of doing and most of them regret it. Her story must have triggered her memories and her urge to kill and I being right in front of her was the perfect target.

“It’s all right, I will be fine.” that’s what I said but I could still feel her fingers on my throat.

She was strong before but definitely not like this. If it weren’t for my Black Blood and my magic empowered body I would have died the moment she caught me.

Well, Astrid returned to normal and now she was worried about me. I can still feel the pain and my breathing shows no signs of returning to normal

“I apologize, I let my feelings get the better of me.”

“I don’t blame you. After what you’ve been through I expected something like this to happen.”

Who wouldn’t? I was a human, the same species as the ones who tortured that girl and in that state she snapped for a few seconds and she attacked me. Even if I remained without oxygen I wouldn’t have died but strangely enough the thought of running away never crossed my mind.

“I killed the ones responsible for the girl’s death and I was prepared to die but my arrival here saved me and for that I have to thank you; if you weren’t there I would have died but your blood allowed me to heal.” said Astrid with a smile on her face.

Somehow the memory cheered her up. Well, she sucked almost all my magic that day. Compared to most students here my magic reserves are bigger than theirs.

“So, I guess it’s about time, isn’t it?”

“My outburst earlier gave it away, didn’t it?”

“Yeah, I may not be good with details but my memory is perfect and I know that you shouldn’t be able to get near the bars. You broke that enchantment so this could only mean one thing: you will escape soon.”

“Yes, I shall leave soon.”

It looks like it’s time for me to go. The paladins thought that she was lying; they are in for a big surprise.

“I have to go but I will be there to see you off.”

“Very well.”

After leaving the basement I went to Liliana and Maria and told them that she will escape tonight. For some reason neither of them were surprised by the news.

“So I don’t forget, take this.”

This can be considered strange. For some reason Liliana gave me a red sundress. What am I supposed to do with this?

“Why did you give this to me?”

“If you hadn’t realized yet you will.”

This doesn’t make any sense. Oh well; I will just go with the flow for now. I took the sundress and put it in The Null.

If I’m right Astrid will make her move in a few hours and I have to be ready when that happens. I think that I should recover the magic I lost from keeping Black Blood active before going to keep watch.

It was eleven o’clock when I went to bed and slept.

*BOOM*

A sudden explosion woke me up. Okay, it’s already two in the morning’ it looks like my recovery took a little longer than I expected. Anyway, I have to get going.

After a few seconds Jaden woke up and Mir came inside; nice synchronization.

“You two stay here; don’t leave the room under any circumstances.”

After telling Jaden and Mir to stay put I jumped out of the window and ran towards the school building. I know I heard an explosion but there was no smoke, fire or anything else.

When I arrived at the school building I saw a hole where Astrid’s cage was. That part of the basement wasn’t directly below the school building so Liliana doesn’t have to worry about the damage but it is a really big hole.

Liliana, Maria and some other teachers were already at the scene but there was nothing they could do. The only things that caught my eye were the remains of the two paladin guards that were supposed to stop Astrid if she tried to escape. They have been blown to bits.

“Is anyone hurt?” I asked.

“No, the only ones that died were the guards.” answered Liliana.

“So where is she?”

“We don’t know yet, nobody saw her after the explosion.”

OK, let’s assess the situation: Astrid escaped and was not seen since the explosion occurred, only the paladins guarding were hurt and the school wasn’t damaged. Now I only need to find Astrid. Hmm…Oh! What if I use Oculus?

“Maybe I can find her using Oculus.”

“It’s worth a try; do it!”

Using my Black Blood as ink I drew the rune and activated Oculus. It only took me about ten seconds to activate it; I’m definitely getting better at drawing the rune.

OK…She doesn’t seem to be in the premises. There is the road, the only way out; the rest of it is just a huge forest. I don’t see anything out of the ordinary.

Wait, I got it! There was a clearing in the forest, it was in the west…Well shit, I can’t see that area in detail, my control isn’t that good, however something was different, some trees are missing and there is something on the ground. This is my only lead so I’m going there.

“I got something, I don’t know what it is but something’s there.”

“Where is it?”

“The clearing in the forest, the one in the west.”

“I don’t believe it.”

“I agree. Even if he used black magic, he couldn’t see that far ahead.”

The teachers started arguing with me. I know that they have to capture Astrid and I’m trying to help and yet that’s how they treat me. Fuck it! I will go alone.

“ENOUGH! Alex, go ahead, I will catch up with you.”

Somehow Maria was able to stop the other teachers and she actually believes in what I saw…Now that I got her hopes up I should at least go and investigate.

“Got it.”

I dashed towards where the clearing was. In my previous world I wasn’t that good with directions but once I had a map everything was a piece of cake and thanks to my powers I have a bird’s eye map.

After a few minutes of running I reached the clearing. As I thought, Astrid was in the middle of it taking a break and she was naked. I guess that the blast also ripped her rags.

“I didn’t expect to see you here so early.” said Astrid with a smile.

“I may not look like it but I can use a little black magic, enough to find you at least.”

“Are you here to try and stop me then?”

“I am not going to go all suicidal on you; I’m too weak for that.”

“Ha ha, a wise decision.”

Weakened or not she wasn’t an enemy I could face.

“Well, you sure did a number on the school there.”

“I kept my promise, no student or teacher was hurt or killed and I minimized the damage I did to the building.”

“I know and I want to thank you for that.”

“Is there anything else you wish to ask?”

“How are you going to go back?”

“I will fly. High level demons have the ability to grow wings and fly.”

“I see.”

Well, she’s made up her mind and I can’t feel Maria or the other teachers nearby.

For some reason I don’t like the idea of her being naked and......So that’s what that dress was for! Liliana said that once the situation presents itself I will know what to do with it. Only the lower half of the back area could be covered by the dress which makes it perfect for someone like her.

“If you want to leave at least accept this gift.” I took the dress from The Null and gave it to Astrid.

“A dress; very well, I will accept it.”

She put on the dress. Well, she looked sexy in that dress, almost too much to handle.

“I suppose I have to give you something too.”

Astrid embraced and kissed me. The kiss was long and passionate but there was more than that, it felt like a vampire kiss. I was inexperienced in when it comes to kisses so I just tried to mimic her moves.

“I hope to see you again.”

After parting lips my body started feeling numb and I fell on the ground. I was paralyzed by her kiss. I was lying on my back powerless.

Astrid grew wings and flew away. I couldn’t see them clearly because of the state I was in but they looked like bat wings, dark red bat wings on her back. It's a pity that I can't move, I really wanted to look at the wings before she left but that is impossible now.

"...See...you...again."

And with that I watched her disappear in the night sky