Michael quickly stood in front of Felix and Alexander and held out his arms to the sides in an attempt to shield them and block the stranger. The man paused for a second and then swung at Michael but the latter was only barely moved. The stranger took another swing and sent Michael slamming against the blackboard. Felix ran over to Michael in a panic while the man reached down and picked up Alexander by the neck.

“What do you want?” Alexander asked while gasping for air, he grabbed onto the man’s wrist and stared into his blood red eyes.

“Your fucking family took everything from us in that raid, now we were finally able to get our revenge.” the man said.

“Were you the one who killed them.” Alexander said.

“I can’t take all the credit, we had to gang them just to take down one.” The man replied, “Your old man put up one hell of a fight but he died like the white clad dog he was.”

“DON’T TALK ABOUT MY FATHER LIKE THAT!” Alexander screamed and started to punch the man’s face.

“I will talk however I please, in the end he really died just so that bitch and boy could run away.” the man said unfazed while having his blood tendrils heading towards everyone clustered at the door, “But don’t worry, you’ll be joining him soon, along with every other snack here.”

 “STOP!” Alexander shouted to catch the man’s attention and stop his action, “Let them go and you can do anything to me without resistance, kill me if you want, just allow them all to leave.”

“Protecting weaklings, like father like son I suppose.” The man said, “YOU HEARD THE KID NOW SCRAM BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!”

Some at the door rushed to help those that were flung to the back and they all left the classroom, everyone except for Felix and Michael. Alexander watched as Felix’s eyes slowly started to shine with a faint red shimmer and he knew what the latter was thinking of doing. Was he really about to reveal his secret in a place like this? Alexander couldn’t have that happen and so he shook his head at Felix to try and get him to stop. His family was the only one that needed to be at risk today, Felix doesn’t need to endanger his own over him.

“Let’s go Felix.” Michael groaned while holding his side and looked at Alexander as he had seen his reaction.

“But we can’t leave him there alone Michael.” Felix said as Michael pulled him down.

“Do not attack, Alexander is looking out for you so listen to him and don’t.” Michael whispered, “Link’s faith.”

Felix was reluctant but eventually nodded and gave into what the two were telling him to do. He brought Michael under his arm and carried him outside of the room. With the classroom now empty the man flung Alexander to the back of the room. He drove his tendrils into both Alexander’s shoulders and pulled him up against the wall then unleased a series of punches into Alexander’s chest.

All Alexander could do was scream loudly from the pain and hoped that it ended soon. He didn’t want to do anything that looked like resistance and then have everyone else be subject to this torment. Let him be the only victim to die here. His body was treated like a rag doll being thrown around while impaled and even as blood ran down his forehead he was given no mercy. He did everything he could to remain conscious despite the torment.

Seeing how truthful Alexander was in his lack of resistance the man broke out into a mad laugh.

“You really are not going to fight back!” the man laughed on the verge of tears, “Guess you Cromwells have some sick death wish when it comes to others!”

“It is s-something…a m-monster like you would n-never understand.” Alexander panted.

“Your family killed countless of my kind, but since you have such a big mouth, let’s see how they like having to kill one of their own.” The man said with a slowly chuckle and showed his fangs.

“WHAT!?” Alexander shouted, “I thought you just wanted to kill me, what would be the point!”

“Because it would be more fulfilling to use my kin control and force you to kill your mother and brother or have them kill you.” the man said and leaned in to bite Alexander.

“YOU CAN’T DO THIS!” Alexander shouted and tried to fight back but it was in vain, he just wasn’t strong enough, and he felt the man’s fangs sink into his flesh.

The feeling was far different from the time Felix had tried to bite him. Back then, though the tips were the only things that went in, he could feel a warmth coming from them. However, this time it felt cold and stinging. Alexander felt a cold warmth swelling inside his chest as the venom rushed through his veins. His vision became blurry and his heartbeat became more pronounced. He thought to himself, so this is really happening, he was really losing his humanity? He could do nothing more than laugh.

When it felt as though the venom had finally reached his heart he felt an instant rush of power as if something had awakened inside of it. He heard a single toll of a bell and then silence. His laughter soon became one filled with a strange madness, causing the man to pause. Alexander dung his nails into the man’s neck, drawing blood, and pulled the man’s head out of his neck. 

“How did you do that?” the man asked as he pulled Alexander’s arm out of his neck.

The only answer he was given was that of a slight chuckle. The man was left speechless at this sudden change, the contrast in behavior was perplexing. Scared a moment ago and now mad the next. When he asked what was so funny and got the same response he flung Alexander against the blackboard at full force. Alexander grabbed onto the tendrils the moment the man tried to attack him again with them and he yanked the man towards him. Delivering a kick that sent him flying into the wall adjacent to the destroyed windows.

“How did you do that, you shouldn’t have changed that fast.” the man said as Alexander approached him, “I command you to stop right there!”

“You command me? First you defiled my body with your foul venom, then you try to command me, disgusting.” Alexander said in an expressionless tone and kept walking, “But I suppose I should thank you, your filthy venom has finally allowed me to look upon this world again with new eyes.”

“What the hell are you?” the man asked while staring up at Alexander.

“I don’t see why that is any of your concern.” Alexander replied, “Now stand!”