Cecilion and Carmilla decided to head further north. They have been compromised in their current location. Who knows when they'll strike back? As they bid goodbye to Agatha, they quickly set off.

The main city of Moniyan wasn't too far away, but they'd have to get through forests before they could reach their destination. Cecilion held Carmilla tight. He promised himself that he'll never let her out of his sight again. She's still recovering from the attack and the damage has already been done.

"You okay?" he asked. She quietly nodded to acknowledge.

"You don't have to worry anymore, my love. I'll always be here." he added as he pulled her closer. "We'll be there soon. Hang in there, okay?"

—-

"Goddamn those two." Alice shrieked as clenched her fists tightly. "When I strike back again, I'll make sure they won't live to see another day."

Their last encounter was en route to Moniyan. Alice was forced to retreat due to the overwhelming situation. She wanted to punish Cecilion, the last one of the treacherous blood demons who escaped the Abyss. For years, she was unable to locate him. Not until he stomed away with his love..

"Ah love..." she sighed. "It could be the very thing that breaks you.."

—-
Cecilion was sure they were headed towards the right direction. Even though the forest seemed endless, he could feel the city lights just a few miles away now. He decided they should call it day before heading out again tomorrow.

"We should rest up. Let's continue tomorrow." he kissed her forehead lightly and sat down beside her.

"Thank you." she muttered softly.

"For what, love?" he asked, puzzled.

"For putting up with me. I mean, from the beginning..when I was revived by you. I only brought us—"

Carmilla was cut off when Cecilion placed his finger on her lips.

"That's enough." he smiled as he gently stroked her white locks. "It all doesn't matter anymore. As long as I have you by my side."

Cecilion was about to pull her in for an embrace, but was interrupted by a dagger that almost cut through him. He quickly placed Carmilla behind him. He swore that no one can ever hurt his lover without getting through him first.

The fog became thicker as their bonfire was their only source of light. The atmosphere was quite heavy. Cecilion could feel a presence, but he's unable to locate where they are.

"Come out. We know you're there. What do you want?" he shouted.

"Her."

Before he could reply, multiple daggers and arrows were flung towards the two. Good thing Cecilion's quick reflexes dodged them all.

"Show yourself." Cecilion gripped Carmilla tightly as she wrapped her arms around him.

Suddenly they were surrounded by hundreds of armed soldiers. They were trapped. Carmilla noticed the crest on the soldier's chest. They were the pursuers from Castle Aberleen.

"Hand her over, if you don't want this to be messy."

"You have to get through me first." Cecilion raised his blood staff.

"We were prepared for that."

Before Cecilion could fully unleash his blood demon powers, the pursuers from Castle Aberleen threw in multiple daggers towards Cecilion. Unfortunately, the precision and training these men have were impeccable. It was impossible for Cecilion to dodge all of them. It caught him completely off guard, but he swooped in front of Carmilla, shielding her from
all the damage.

"Cecilion!" Carmilla cried as he fell down with a heavy impact.

"Don't bother, princess." the soldier added. "It's a special concussion for demons. It'll drain away all their powers temporarily."

Cecilion was knocked out cold. It seems like all hope was lost until a flash of blue light illuminated the forest, causing the Castle Aberleen pursuers to retreat. Carmilla was unsure where it came from, but finally they were alone once again.

——

Cecilion slowly opened his eyes and the first thing he sees is Carmilla.

"What happened?" he asked weakly.

"Don't get up. You got hurt pretty bad." she said.

Cecilion sustained a few cuts on his upper body and a few on his cheeks. He was relieved to see his love unscathed. He gently stroked her face and her long white locks.

"Take off your coat. Let me heal you wounds." she said calmly.

"Are you sure that's the only thing you want to do?" he smirked.

"Shut up and do as your told." she retorted.

Cecilion slowly took off his coat and clothes exposing the cuts he sustained last night. Carmilla quickly placed her hands and used her crimson flowers to slowly ease the pain in Cecilion's body. It has been a while since she saw him bare. It was a fantastic sight to see his chiseled physique right before her.

"Where else does it hurt?" she asked.

"Here." Cecilion quickly pointed at his lips.

"Quit joking around." Carmilla pouted.

"I was only messing." he laughed. "But maybe I'm not."

Cecilion slowly sat upright with his face just inches away from Carmilla. He gently stroked her face and looked at her with his blood red eyes as he closed the gap between them with a kiss.