Experienced Huntsman x Exorcist

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TW: Blood

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Under the moon whose light came crashing down, glinting like daggers, two clans faced each other on top of two opposite hills. Hostility wafted in the air like poisonous ivy creeping from the blood stained soil.

On one side, beings with the utmost elegance, shining silver hair and crimson eyes gleaming under the moonlit night with clothing of a red so deep that rumors said they were covered by this fake wine of their prey.

On the other side, letting out faint growls as a means for looking threatening, while their sharp claws seemed ready to skin the enemy, stood a whole pack of werewolves, the hairs on their arms bristling at the thought of shedding blood.

"Today, the last thing coming out of your mouth will be the scream of agony as I pierce you with my blade." said one of the vampires who wore a mask.

"Really? Here I was hoping I would finally be able to drag you under the sunlight!" barked the wolf facing him.

Another vampire stepped forward, sliding his slender fingers on the length of his sword while licking his lips like some kind of monster thirsty for massacre.

"Should we eradicate those filthy dogs tonight?" he cooed in a sing-song voice, as if their opponents were not even worth the trouble.

"More like getting rid of annoying bats!" yelled another wolf with a bluish skin.

The white-haired vampire hissed at the wolf and didn't wait for the order from his leader to plunge towards the other, lifting his blade above his head before dropping it with all his strength.

"Joseph-!" called out his comrade.

"Don't worry, it is only a matter of time before I can make this one beg beneath my feet... Ah ah... I didn't expect that such a lowly beast could counter my hit." 

Surprisingly, the wolf covered with a dark furry skin had just prevented the blow, which would surely have been fatal, with his bare hands only. A wide smile was drawn on his lips by the pride he felt at the time and then he released the blade pointed at his face by pushing it to the side, destabilizing the vampire who had to step back to rethink the approach he should take.

"You'd better not underestimate us."

The other wolf who had just spoken had not yet moved from his spot, his torso domed with confidence and a metal mask hiding his eyes preventing his enemies from being able to read his mind. The latter was none other than the leader of the pack and unlike the other two who were not afraid to jump into action blindly, the two leaders of the two species shared the common trait of having enough patience to better figure themselves out.

"How long are you planning on staying here, Eli...? It's no wonder they take us lightly if you don't even try..." the blue-skinned wolf grumbled.

"Ha ha... I'm not the only one though..." he let out a laugh as his purple eyes hidden under that mask stared at the scarlet-eyed vampire.

The vampire felt the pressure of his gaze on him and frowned slightly.

"I guess it's time..." he replied in a weak voice. 

The man wearing a mask with spikes took one step forward and then the other foot ahead into the void on the edge of the cliff. His body wobbled and he fell but never touched the ground. Being a vampire had its privileges and the wolf who knew this watched his figure vanish into a mass of bats. A hoarse laugh left his lips and he turned sharply to dodge a blow from behind.

"I see you bloodsuckers always like to act in a disloyal and underhanded manner."

"I would just like to wrap this up quickly."

"Today you will finally drop that dagger." the werewolf declared as he moved his claws towards the vampire's arm, to no avail.

Eli had to admit that his strength didn't reach the vampire's immortality and that was reflected in the fact that the latter was using a weapon instead of his real abilities. This masquerade was nothing more than a futile and aimless game. This war between the two sides had been going on for centuries, but few could remember why it had started, and to this day only the drive for adrenaline remained.

Their subordinates may have enjoyed it, but only torment weighed on the mind of the dark-haired male.

The night's battle remained fierce, and it ended when the silver-haired vampire made a deep cut in his opponent's stomach, forcing the werewolves to retreat since their leader was no longer in any condition to fight.

The red-eyed being watched the pack flee through the dark woods with mixed feelings as his right hand approached, wiping the blood off his sword with a silk handkerchief.

"Why let them go like this? We could easily get rid of them once and for all." complained Joseph.

Unfortunately, he received no response from his colleague who simply left the scene without a word.

The night after the bloody fight, a deadly silence reigned in the forest between the mountains. The atmosphere was so peaceful that one would even wonder if a fight had really taken place here. The bright moon gave off a sense of comfort that lulled the woodland animals and the hooting of an owl was like a lullaby. 

Breaking this peace, a familiar figure appeared under the shade of the pines. Concern could be felt in the rhythm of his steps, mixed with a certain enthusiasm. His red cloak fluttering behind him, the vampire stopped in the center of the forest, where he met his date for the evening.

"Sorry for the delay, it was hard enough not to arouse Joseph's suspicions."

"Don't worry, I'm glad to see you, Aesop."

A low chuckle escaped from the werewolf's mouth, who was not wearing his mask this time, and he welcomed the vampire by tugging on his arm with a delicacy that was unheard of even last night. The red-eyed one let himself be wrapped in the warmth of the man's arms while their lips collided for a deep and languorous kiss.

However, this one came to an unfortunate end due to a groan from the wolf and the vampire then noticed the thick bandage that covered his abdomen.

"Eli-!"

"Ha ha... Sorry... I think I need to sit down for a moment-"

Aesop put on a sad expression as he helped his lover to the foot of the tree.

"It's my fault..."

"It's only a scratch..."

"I wish I could give you my blood but I doubt it would be safe..."

"You worry too much, werewolves also have heightened regeneration, you know? It's just a little slower than you..."

Despite his grief, Aesop could do nothing but accept Eli's words. After all, this wasn't the first time this had happened. His scarlet eyes glanced at the area of skin revealed on his torso where multiple scars were scattered, proof that he had crossed the threshold of death a good number of times before but had always escaped safely.

"I'll be more careful next time."

"Ahhh, are you hearing yourself? What will happen if they find out the truth? Stop worrying, why not just enjoy the short time we have together?"

Eli sketched a warm smile at the vampire whose cheeks flushed. That was enough to convince him though and Aesop came to snuggle back into his arms, the musky scent he gave off relaxing him. It was indeed one of the few moments when the two of them could be together without having to pretend to hate each other and it would have been a shame to spend it on negative and depressive thoughts.

"I like your smell..."

"What's with you?" replied Eli with a chuckle. "But I feel the same way, you have this fresh floral and citrus smell."

"Really?"

"You said you spend quite a bit of time in the gardens of the mansion and often drink lemon tea, right? I can smell all those scents and it makes me imagine what being around you might be like."

"Eli..."

Aesop straightened a little from his original position, his body towering over the other and the red still on his face. However, he left his discomfort behind to share a chaste kiss with the wolf, his gray locks falling like silver threads. 

Eli placed his hands on his hips in response, bringing him closer than he already was and their tongues melting and mingling together.

Their union was something of a taboo but the magnitude of their feelings surpassed that limit by far. The road to peace between their respective sides was tumultuous and it was no doubt that these battles like the one the day before would not end anytime soon.

However, both men were still hopeful because the love that burned between them had managed to be born.

At last, one day, Eli could perhaps be able to follow Aesop to the gardens of roses.