The First Vampire Beast Tamer

"Chief, I think you should see this," Captain's voice cut through the calm evening air.

I lazily opened one eye, peeking at the scene. It was Captain speaking to Chief about something that seemed important.

Before I could make sense of what was happening, Chief scooped me up again, as effortlessly as if I were a feather. At least this time, they didn't drop me face-first on the ground. Instead, they gently placed me on a large wooden plank—crafted for me, maybe?

Chief offered a quick apology. "Sorry for the disturbance, my lord. We just need to check on something. Please enjoy yourself here for the time being."

I waved at him dismissively. "Yeah, go on. It's not like I'm gonna participate in whatever you guys are dealing with. Nope, now's my resting time."

Chief and Captain left, heading toward the forest with urgency, while I simply leaned back, enjoying the bonfire. Ah, peaceful...

.

.

.

Deeper in the forest, Chief Eryndor's expression grew grim as he spoke to Captain. "Is it true, Kael?"

"Yes," Captain confirmed, his tone heavy. "Our scouts just returned. It's been verified—it's Isolyn."

The Chief's face darkened. "What was she doing there? Didn't she know how dangerous that area is?" His voice boiled with anger as his pace quickened.

Captain, keeping stride, explained. "She was with the girl we found alongside the Lord. I think she was playing with her."

Chief didn't waste another word. "Let's hurry," he growled. "We need to reach them before something happens."

After rushing through the dark forest, they reached a clearing near a roaring waterfall. The sound of rushing water filled the air, but it was quickly overshadowed by a voice crying out desperately:

"Father! Father! We're here! Help us!"

A sharp slap silenced the girl's voice as one of the lackeys punched her across the face.

Chief froze, his eyes burning crimson as rage consumed him. His fangs lengthened and sharpened as he let out a ferocious roar that echoed across the forest. "Don't… you… dare touch her, Morvex! Or I will tear you apart limb by limb and make you regret being born!"

"Oh my, oh my!" a mocking voice replied. Morvex, a black-furred wolf with a sly, scheming grin, stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "How scary! The mighty Chief Eryndor of the Ashmane Tribe has graced us with his presence. Look, boys, look! Should we tremble in fear?"

Captain growled, his muscles tensed with fury. "Chief, let me tear him apart and bring back the young lady!"

Eryndor didn't take his eyes off Morvex. "Wait," he commanded, his voice steady despite the rage boiling beneath. "Something's not right. Morvex is a weasel—a coward. He would never face someone stronger than him unless he has a plan. Stay vigilant."

"As you say, Chief," Captain replied, restraining himself.

Eryndor took a step forward, his gaze fixed on Morvex. "What do you want, Morvex? We all know you're too much of a coward to confront me without a reason. So just spit it out—what's your demand for releasing my daughter?"

Morvex's grin widened, his eyes glinting with malice as he leaned forward. "Oh, Eryndor… you always make things so interesting."

Morvex let out a low chuckle, his grin widening as if the entire situation was a delightful game to him. "Ahh, what do we do, what do we do…" he mused, pacing in a circle with exaggerated flair. "Hmm… why don't we just talk for a moment, Eryndor? It's been ages since we had a good, heart-to-heart chat, hasn't it?"

His sly grin stretched further, his amusement plain as day.

Chief Eryndor's claws flexed as he began pacing as well, matching Morvex's circular movements. His voice was low and dangerous. "What are you plotting, Morvex? And you'd better have a damn good plan if you think you're walking out of here alive."

"Oh, I will," Morvex said, unfazed. "And when I do, I'll walk right past you with a smile. You wouldn't even know what hit you."

Eryndor's crimson eyes glowed brighter as he pressed forward. "Where is Nocturnis? What is your leader scheming? Does he even know what you're doing?"

The grin on Morvex's face didn't falter. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "Oh, my dear Eryndor… it was Nocturnis himself who ordered me to take your little lass in the first place! Hahaha!"

Eryndor's pupils dilated, his instincts flaring. His voice was sharp and commanding. "Kael! It's a trap! He's buying time—now!"

Captain Kael, ever the warrior, didn't need to be told twice. In a heartbeat, he leaped high into the air, his powerful claws slicing through the lackeys holding Eryndor's daughter captive. Blood splattered as the lackeys were sent tumbling into the rushing waterfall, their screams drowned by the thunderous cascade.

Before Morvex could react, Eryndor was upon him. The Chief's sharp claws slammed the scheming wolf into the ground, pinning him effortlessly. Morvex didn't even struggle, as if he had no intention of fighting back.

Eryndor pressed a heavy paw against Morvex's face, grinding him into the dirt. His voice was a snarl of fury. "Tell me! What are you plotting, Morvex? What is your endgame? Speak now, or I'll make sure you regret every second of your pathetic existence!"

The air grew heavy with tension as Eryndor's growl echoed through the clearing, his fangs bared and ready for blood.

-------------------------------------------------

I think I need more of these fruits—they're so good!

Getting up from my throne-like wooden plank, I set my sights on the fruit basket sitting just across the bonfire, calling to me like a siren. Oh, the temptation. I had to save them from their loneliness.

"Hmm, I'm coming, my tasty treasures. Let me rescue youuuuu!"

As I approached the basket, my mood soared, and my tiny feet carried me forward while humming to myself.

"'Cause I still want that, your savage love~ Savage love~ Did somebody, did somebody break your heart~'"

My little journey of a thousand steps finally ended as I reached the basket. "Goodbye, folks! My quest is over! Now, let me feast on some tasty, tasty fruits!"

Rubbing my hands together gleefully, I began picking out the fruits one by one, my tiny hands shaking with anticipation. "One… two… thre—"

And then I saw it.

Something moved.

My entire body froze as my eyes locked on the intruder. A scream ripped from my throat, a sound so high-pitched it could've shattered glass.

"YAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

It was the scream of a man whose soul had just vacated his body—and possibly left through his nipples.

Well, to be fair, it wasn't a cockroach. But for me? It was worse.

It was a cat.

And not just any cat—it was him.

"YOUUUUUUU! What the hell do you think you're doing, huh?!" I barked, my tiny fists trembling with fury.

Paws, of course, didn't even flinch. He lay sprawled atop the fruits like a king on his throne, his smugness radiating like the sun.

"What's the problem, human? Nya! Can't you see I'm resting here, nya? Don't disturb my peace. Sho sho, nya."

He waved his paw dismissively, like I was some beggar interrupting his royal nap.

My nerves twitched. This insolent furball just waved me off like I was some street dog!

"Alright," I muttered to myself, cracking my knuckles. "He's not gonna come to his senses like this. Let's educate him the hard way."

Now, folks, let me give you a friendly disclaimer: DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS AT HOME. Your cat may bite back—or worse, you might actually kill it.

With a grin that would make a demon blush, I grabbed his tail, ignoring his startled yelp.

"THUD."

I slammed him into the ground.

"THUD."

Then the other side.

"LEFT! AND RIGHT! LEFT! AND RIGHT!"

Just like Loki, I gave this cat the Hulk treatment.

"How dare you eat MY FRUITS!" I yelled, my voice trembling with righteous fury.

Paws screeched like a banshee. "HYYYYYYY! YOUUUUUU! STOP IT, NYA! LET ME GOOOOOOOO!"

"THUD!"

"ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX!"

I counted each slam with glee, my anger fueling every swing.

Finally, when my rage was quenched and my heart content, I let go of him.

Paws flopped onto the ground, his fur ruffled and his pride in tatters. He muttered, "Stupid… human… nya… I'll… remember this… nya…"

And just as I began to revel in my victory, a loud, echoing howl filled the clearing.

Not one.

Not two.

But many.

I froze, my stomach sinking.

"What… was… that?"

Chaos erupted around me as the once-celebratory bonfire scene turned into a whirlwind of panic. Wolves sprinted in every direction, their voices echoing in frantic shouts.

"Fire! FIRE! The woods are on fire! Quickly, hurry! Take the kids and run!" someone screamed.

"It's NOCTURNIS!!!!"

I froze, my tiny baby brain struggling to process the name. "Nocturnis?" I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper as my eyes darted toward the commotion.

Someone else yelled in sheer panic, "What?! Nocturnis—the leader of the DarkMane Tribe?!"

My heart dropped. "The leader?"

Another shout followed, "Run! RUN! He's here—the ruthless one!"

"Ruthless… one?" I gulped, sweat already forming on my forehead. 

A voice wailed from the chaos, "What's he doing here?! He burns his prisoners alive before eating them!"

"Burning alive?! Eating?!" I squeaked, my voice rising in terror.

"He skins his victims and wears their pelts as trophies!"

"Skins?! TROPHIES?!".

"And I heard he devours the hearts of his enemies while they're still beating!"

"DEVOURS?! HEARTS?! WHILE THEY'RE STILL BEATING?!" My vision blurred.

The horrifying descriptions bombarded me faster than my baby body could handle. Sweat poured from my face as I swung my head in all directions, desperately trying to make sense of the chaos.

Dark shadows emerged, one after another, wolves with gleaming eyes and fur as black as night slipping through the trees. Their predatory gazes burned into my soul as they surrounded the camp.

I turned my head slowly, slowwwly to my left and looked at Paws.

He was also looking at me, our eyes locking.

In perfect unison, looking at each other, we screamed:

"LET'S RUN!"