I woke up to find lady Beatrice teaching Athena a child's game where they slapped their hands together in a rhythm getting faster and faster until one made a mistake. I also realised I must have been asleep for only a few hours since the pair were still in the same clothes as before and the sun has gotten warmer being more centre in the sky than before.

I watched the two on the floor beside my bed feeling a contented warmth in my chest at the sight of Athena cheering quietly when lady Beatrice made a mistake, on purpose, and all she gave was a quiet congratulations, which just made Athena's smile widen that much more.

A soft knock sounded from the door catching our attention. Lady Beatrice stood up and answered the door to find Anon standing casually behind it.

"Mercy's awake." He said getting to the point.

"So am I." I sat up saying. I stretched my limbs and rubbed my neck where I was bitten before remembering how lady Beatrice had healed me. I blushed at the reminder of her lips and tongue on my neck before all thoughts suddenly came back to the present when Athena basically tackled me back onto the bed.

"You're awake!" She exclaimed happily making me laugh as she sat on me.

"I am." I agreed before turning to the others who I found smiling at me. I blushed slightly at the sudden attention before shaking it off. "How is she?" I asked Anon sitting back up with Athena on my lap.

"She's... upset, and mad at herself for losing control like that." Anon answered his smile fading.

I hummed softly and decided to get up Athena now wrapped around my torso. "I can barely move if you keep clinging to me like this, Athena." I complained to the girl in a joking tone.

"Be careful." Athena suddenly muttered looking up at me. "Just in case."

"Of course. You should stay here with Anon and teach him that game you and Lady Beatrice were playing." I told her while she dropped her hold from around me.

"Okay!" She exclaimed happily and rushed to Anon grabbing his hand and pulling him to the bed. "I'll teach you how to play a game."

Anon chuckled lowly at the girl as he allowed himself to be dragged around. Walking pass me he brushed the back of his hand against my own hand, an affirmation that I was alright.

I smiled at him in assurance before heading out of the room along with lady Beatrice.

"How are you feeling?" Lady Beatrice asked softly as we walked towards Mercy's room.

"I feel fine now. I just lost a bit of blood." I shrugged. "The nap was good and I was happy when I woke up to see you."

I smiled at the sight of a blush tinting my lady's face. "I was trying to get Athena's mind off of you and everything else for a little so I taught her a game I learned when I was a child. She learnt it incredibly fast. She's a highly intelligent girl."

"She is, I'm glad you two get along. I think you should show her the library one day; I reckon she would appreciate it." I told her while we walked close enough together that sparks tingled through my arm from the slight brush of contact it had every time we touched.

"I think I will. I like Athena and I can see her becoming someone incredibly important one day." Lady Beatrice agreed making me happy.

We made it to Mercy's room and I sighed at the feeling of melancholy that seeped out of the room with the mana. I knocked on the door but heard no response but I could feel Mercy's mana behind the door. I knocked again while calling out. "I know you're in there Mercy, let me in."

"Why are you here? No... go away! I'm just going to hurt you again." Mercy called back making me sigh again.

"Please Mercy, let us in, we need to talk about it." Lady Beatrice said through the door.

"I don't want to talk about it!" Mercy shouted and I just felt her become more depressed.

"Too bad." I muttered not wanting my friend to be upset. So I kicked in her door without a second thought.

"Vaden!" Lady Beatrice cried out in disbelief.

I looked at her and shrugged. "What? She's upset and I can feel it. I don't want my friends to be upset." I told her sincerely.

"What are you doing Purple?" Mercy asked in surprise standing up from her bed. Her room was entirely shrouded in darkness besides for the light coming in from the hallway, but that didn't hinder my vision in the least.

"I'm here to place some sense into you." I told her matter-of-factly. "What happened to you wasn't your fault at all. You're a newly changed Nightwalker, of course you're going to get the blood haze some time because you're not use to having this sudden hunger that you can't satisfy as sufficiently as you would with normal hunger."

"But you never went into a blood haze." Mercy frowned while lady Beatrice walked into the room beside me and we all sat on Mercy's bed.

"I haven't, but maybe that's because my circumstance isn't exactly... normal." I drawled. "I mean, for four hundred years I was half turned without even knowing it and luckily I didn't have the blood hunger as a fully changed Nightwalker does, like what I have now. And I think it's also because I'm use to being starved, use to having to ignore and suppress my hunger. I'm not exactly the best example to use for something like this. My lady, how did you learn to supress the blood haze?"

Lady Beatrice frowned in thought. "After... well, after my blood haze I placed myself in isolation from guilt and regret. I wouldn't even speak to Aviva no matter how many times she tried. But then she managed to get me out of my shell and we found a village. I'd stay on the outskirts getting use to the scent of humans and if I ever went into the blood haze again Aviva would tie me down till I passed out. Slowly I got use to it and was able to control myself. I guess it helped when I stopped using my senses at their maximum efficiency as well."

I frowned at her and realised that's not how I want Mercy to control herself. "How did you supress your hunger Purple when you were on the streets?" Mercy asked cutting me from my thoughts.

"I would make myself sit behind a baker's shop as they were making their breads or I would sit in the centre of a food market where the smell of fresh fruits would assault me." I shrugged. "I made myself sit there day in and day out until my stomach stopped hurting at any of the smells. I was then able to go around normally begging for money so that I could buy something to eat."

"That sounds like torture." Lady Beatrice breathed.

"I didn't want to steal because those who stole would have their hands or fingers cut off by the stall owner if caught." I shrugged again. "I like my fingers and hands. I don't want to part with them. So basically it's an endurance test." I thought about ways to stop the hunger in an easier way. "Well we can try it." I muttered to myself in thought.

"Try what?" Mercy asked looking antsy.

I turned to her and felt the mana inside her. The mana inside her had a distinct feeling of myself, which I think came from the both times I placed mana inside her to help her. The first time while she was changing and the second time to get the dark mana out of her.

"I can feel other people's mana along with pure mana, right?" I asked and they both nodded. "Inside you Mercy I can feel your mana, majority of your mana has... a scent, a feel, call it what you want, but I can differentiate it from everything else. When I helped with your change I had to pull out your mana then place it back into you because it was destroying you from the inside out. When I did that, I must have placed my own distinct feel, or scent, inside you because I can feel you on another level that for some reason my lady cannot even though she was the one who changed you. I think my mana inside you has increased when I calmed you down from the blood haze and it helped that you also took in some of my blood."

"Where are you going with this Vaden?" Lady Beatrice asked with a confused frown.

"I think we should take Mercy near a human to get use to the scent and if she goes into the blood haze I can, maybe, knock her out with the mana I placed inside her." I answered in a suggesting tone because I don't know how they might take it.

"Wait! Are you able to control me because of this mana inside me?" Mercy asked looking worried. I would be worried too if someone but myself could somehow control me without knowing it.

I shrugged before breathing in and feeling out the mana inside her. I found the mana with my 'feel' to it and tried to move it. It didn't work, which I'm slightly glad about. But... when I tried to influence it to feel something (example: calmness) I felt Mercy's mana start to become calm and I watched as Mercy's body became relaxed.

"I can't control it, but it seems I can influence your emotions slightly." I answered her. "Which means, I can probably keep you calm while we go around humans."

"But does that mean you'll have to be around her all the time when she's around humans?" Lady Beatrice asked.

"I don't know, I don't have all the answers my lady. But this might be the start to helping it. I mean, I'm not exactly controlling your emotions, just slightly influencing it." I shrugged. "There's only one way to find out. Are you up for some experimenting Mercy?"

The calmness I helped Mercy feel quickly dissipated and worry filled her. "I'm not sure that's a good idea... what if it doesn't work and I go back into a blood haze and hurt someone, the human or even you again?" She asked sounding scared.

"I can keep you still, like I did when we were fighting. By the way, we should start training you sometime soon." I said thoughtfully.

"I don't know about this Purple..." Mercy continued to argue.

I pursed my lips in thought before I controlled the mana around Mercy to keep her still. She let out a 'oof!' from the sudden weight and I saw her try to move. "Try and fight against it Mercy." I told her while whispering "kathqoyi chaf. (weighted air/wind)" which made the air pressure in the room become heavier for everyone but myself.

I watched as Mercy tried to use all her strength to move but she wasn't even budging a millimetre. "Bloody hell." I heard lady Beatrice gasp as she too tried to fight against it but couldn't move either.

"So I don't think we have a problem if you go into a blood haze. I can keep you still like this and do what I did before and push out any dark mana that makes the blood haze." I told them while releasing the pressure.

They let out a breath of relief. "That's scary power." Mercy mumbled before smiling and I found myself back with the excited and energetic woman she was before. "You have to teach me that."

I laughed at that. "Of course."

"That's if you have the aptitude for it." Lady Beatrice cut in. "Unlike Vaden here who can somehow use all natures of mana, individuals like us can only use one or two types of mana."

"Oh... that slightly sucks." Mercy frowns before it was easily replaced with a small smile. "I think I want to learn to control the blood haze before I learn something like that first though."

"Then, I'll ask Anon to ask Athena if she would mind helping us." I told them.

"Oh no... that poor girl. I must have given her a heart attack for what I did. She must be terrified of me." Mercy sighed once again looking upset.

"She's not. Don't worry about it. I already made sure she doesn't blame you for what happened and she called you a friend as well." I assured her while placing my hand on her shoulder.

Anon, can you ask Athena if she minded coming to Mercy's room for a bit of an experiment. She doesn't have to worry because I've already proven that I can stop Mercy if she goes into another blood haze. I asked him through our bond.

Sure, just a sec, I keep lose in this god damn game! I laughed at that making the other two look at me strangely.

"Anon keeps losing to Athena in that game you taught her." I smiled at lady Beatrice who smiled too.

Yeah, she says she doesn't mind, she wants to tell Mercy herself that she's forgiven anyway. Anon suddenly said making me breathe out a sigh.

Thank you Anon. Can you tell me when you're in the hallway please?

No problem.

"They're on their way." I told the other two women. I grabbed Mercy's hand when she started to shake in nervousness. "Don't worry Mercy, I won't allow you to hurt anyone, I promise."

"Thank you." Mercy squeezed my hand while she looked at me thankfully.

"Any time." I assured her while exchanging smiles with lady Beatrice.

We're nearly there. Anon informed me.

"They're nearly here, ready?" I asked Mercy still holding her hand. Her squeeze turned into a grip but she nodded anyway. "Good." With a single thought Mercy could no longer move.

I felt her bulk as the scent of a human became obvious as they came closer to the room. I leant towards Mercy and wrapped my spare arm around her shoulders squeezing her to my side. "Breathe Mercy, remember who you are, who she is and just keep calm." I whispered to her. "We'll give you blood at dinner alright, so just hold on."

Mercy nodded her head and I watched her closely as she breathed in and out slowly. I could feel the dark mana trying to take over Mercy's but I easily negated it by keeping her mana as calm as possible and slowly easing pure mana into her to push out the dark one.

"Mercy?" Athena asked once they were at the door. She looked hesitant and I could feel her slight fear as well.

"Athena..." Mercy nervously said looking at the young girl. She winced and I hissed at the fact that the dark mana was really putting pressure on our combined mana.

"Breathe Mercy, keep calm and breathe. Don't let it win." I whispered into her ear tightening my grip around her as I tried to push back the dark mana while keeping Mercy still. If I hadn't placed weighted mana onto her I knew she would be trembling with the effort right now.

"I'm sorry... if I scared you." Mercy apologised after taking in deep breaths, trying to relax.

"It was scary, but I'm okay now. I know you can't control it all the time. I'm use to seeing new Nightwalker's going into the blood haze. I know it wasn't you." Athena smiled at Mercy sweetly as she stepped into the room. "I forgive you."

I growled low along with Mercy as the dark mana kept building up against the wall of pure mana I was placing around Mercy's personal mana, it was slowly getting through but Mercy still had her mind. I was shocked at the feel of the dark mana almost crawling along the pure mana that was leading back to me but I knew I couldn't release my hold of it or Mercy would completely get taken over.

"Fight it Mercy." I growled at her as I flinched. A smelt blood, like it was out in the open and it was assaulting the beast within me, but I knew what I could smell was Athena's blood that was still in her veins.

I felt the dark mana start to concentrate on me, which surprised me thoroughly. How does it know I'm here? How is it doing this?

I was confused and surprised as I felt it filling me fighting against the pure mana inside me and no longer bothered with Mercy. I quickly let go of Mercy and stood up trembling looking at my hands.

"Vaden? Vaden what's wrong?" Someone was asking me but I didn't look up. I felt my eyes glow and my fangs lengthen as the dark mana teased my beast inside me making it crave for blood but... nothing was exactly happening to me. I could feel the hunger for blood and I could feel the beast try to take over along with the dark mana but for some reason it's just not happening, I'm still me.

"Vaden!" Someone shouted and I looked up to see lady Beatrice standing in front of me her hands on either side of my face.

"I'm still me." I assured her looking over her face unable to keep my eyes from looking over her features. "I feel the dark mana inside me... but it's not doing anything but riling up the beast inside me."

"How?" She asked frowning and my eyes went to the soft wrinkles the action made. I thought they were cute but I didn't want them there.

"I don't know, please stop frowning." I felt in a daze and didn't realise what I was saying until I said it. "You're too beautiful to be frowning."

I was happy when she blushed but I frowned when her hands dropped from my face. "Are you okay Vaden?" She asked looking nervous.

I thought about it and felt inside me. Usually I feel pure mana making a barely perspectival buzz inside me but the dark mana was making me feel disgusted, much like being in Enrique's castle made me feel.

"I feel dirty, on the inside. The dark mana is trying to make the beast take over my mind, which would cause a blood haze, but it's... just not happening." I told her before groaning, I was suddenly feeling heavy and full of just a really yucky feeling. "I need to go outside." I grumbled while frowning.

I looked towards the door where Athena and Anon was watching me in concern. I smiled at them though I felt gross. I then looked to the bed where Mercy was holding a hand to her chest a look of surprise on her face.

"Are you okay Mercy?" I asked her for a second forgetting my predicament.

"Huh?" She asked look up at me. "Oh yes... I feel fine, for some reason. I feel almost weightless actually and really really calm."

I smiled at her remembering that feeling. "It's the pure mana. I placed more into you to fight off the dark mana and maybe it's staying in you because I wanted it to protect you."

"Then what's protecting you?" Mercy asked making us both frown.

"I don't know, but I'm still me, though my stomach is killing me and I'm really hungry. It reminds me of that time when I sat behind the baker's place." I touched my stomach as it tightened painfully and if my beast was an actual creature that wasn't a part of me. I think it would start yowling at me for blood since it can't take over my mind. "I need to get rid of this yucky feeling though, so I need to go outside."

"I'll come with you." Lady Beatrice said before turning to everyone else. "We will see you all at dinner, alright?"

"Yes my lady." They all agreed and I smiled at the respect they were giving her, it felt nice knowing that she was treated nicely by them and that she treated them just as nice.

I smiled and waved at them feeling incredibly slow as I walked with lady Beatrice at my side towards, well, somewhere outside. I grimaced as the dark mana inside me started hitting up against whatever was protecting me. It was very uncomfortable.

At least I'm alone with lady Beatrice again though.

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