Kill, kill, and kill again. But no amount of slashes could cut away ill fate. Corpses dissipated into dust, and azure shards lay on the ground. He caught his breath as liquid oozed off his knives. How could a mere investigation result in this? Ugh, even his clothes were stained...There was a quick scan of the ruins. Perhaps, at one time, these withered, thatched roofs shielded families from the rain and provided small things like a home. Once the knives were cleaned and pieces of crystal collected, the vampire decided it was best to trek back to his headquarters. But as he headed toward the exit, soft movement caught his attention, and when he turned around, a little boy stood. Big, bulging eyes stared back. Nothing more than a pile of bones. After a moment of contemplation, Nevra knelt down, took a piece of food from his bag, and held it in front of him. The boy blinked, but he waddled step by step. Waddling turned into running; a loud shriek reverberated.
"Tch..."
He managed to dodge in time, yet there was a jagged scratch along his arm. Several knives pierced the air and managed to strike the child who, like the others, turned to dust. Another crystal shard fell to the ground. After brief first aid, Nevra collected his belongings and departed. Several days through marsh and glaring sunlight felt so irritating. He headed to the infirmary once he returned.
"I rarely see you here because of an injury."
The female elf bandaged his wound with ease.
"Well, everyone has to come here at some point. Thanks, Eweleïn."
And then there was the kitsune. At least the other boys were present. When she peered into the bag that held all the crystals, there was grumbling.
"How are all these getting into the hands of remote villages? Surely, it can't be coincidental that all of them happen to end up in the same place."
"Maybe. Or someone is gathering and dispensing them," Ezarel said.
"But we're still going nowhere. No hints of the identity, how it's being done..." Miiko sighed. "The fact we can't investigate further because those who ingested the crystal disappear...Something else is going on."
They speculated and discussed but only found themselves in circles. Out of frustration, the kitsune dismissed the boys. The trio separated to fulfill each his own agenda; Nevra headed to the library. Kero placed a book back on its shelf when the vampire closed the door behind him.
"So..."
"Help with the paperwork?"
"Please?"
"...Try to ask someone else next time."
And while he gathered the necessary documents, Nevra's attention was diverted elsewhere. A figure slept while surrounded by a pile of cushions. Familiar, enticing strands of gold splayed along the carpet, and if someone listened carefully, faint snoring was heard. He licked his lips and stepped in that direction; however, the clearing of someone's throat interrupted his thoughts. The vampire sighed and followed Kero to another part of the library, yet his amusement continued. Papers shuffled after the last question.
"That should be it."
"Thanks."
And so he left the library. During the last section of the report, he heard that person wake up and leave. Not what he planned, but of course adjustments were possible.