The forest was alive, even under the domain of the night. 

Leaves danced with the wind, Owls watched in silence, and small eyes peered between shrubs. The moonlight crossed the branches like silver daggers. Axiel was walking between the trees like an aimless spectrum. 

His strides made no noise. The body moved with a supernatural lightness. Still naked, the pale skin reflected the light of the moon as dead marble. His gaze was empty, predator. He didn't know who he was, but he knew what he needed. Blood. 

With each step, hunger grew. A deep, hungry hole was pulsed into his chest. It was not pain, it was urgency. 

And then he heard her. 

Heart. Batting fast. Human. 

He advanced, fast, hidden at night. In a small branch, a kneeling girl picked herbs. She was young, she wore simple rags, her hair tied, her dirty hands. A basket at the feet. A wooden necklace with the sun symbol hung around your neck. 

She didn't hear Axiel approach. When he felt him behind her, it was late. 

He grabbed her. The girl tried to scream, but his hand covered her mouth. Your body was paralyzed. 

Axiel felt the pulse of the blood in the jugular. The sweet, hot aroma. The instinct took over. The eyes contracted, the prey emerged ... 

And then, it stopped. 

She was shaking. A tear rolled through the girl's cheek. 

Axiel looked at her in the eye. It was pure fear. 

Something inside him - something forgotten, perhaps human - hesitated. 

Angry at himself, he pushed her away. 

- Go. Run. He murmured, his voice hoarse like a contained thunder. 

The girl fell to the ground, confused, and fled stumbling among the shrubs. Axiel fell to his knees, the claws digging the earth. The hunger wore. His eyes were burning. Why didn't you kill? Why did you feel sorry? 

He roared for the night. 

Suddenly a light blinked over his head. 

- Bravo. A monster with brake! Impressive. Said a feminine, sharp and mocking voice. 

Axiel looked up. 

A small figure hovered in the air, surrounded by silver shine. Butterfly wings traded in his delicate body. It had light blond hair, vibrant blue eyes and a short-shorted dress. It was a teenager ... or almost that. His smile was wide and sassy. 

- What are you? - He growled, still in conquers, ready made claws. 

- Magic fairy, cosmic messenger, spiritual counselor, interdimensional guide ... - she turned in the air - ... or just Loriel, for you. 

He got up slowly. 

- Are you following me? 

- Watching you a while ago. I like to see men lost in existential crisis, especially when they are beautiful and naked in a forest. 

Axiel looked at her without changing her expression. 

- Are you trying to die? 

"And are you trying to make anti-hero pose?" Because it's working! - She gave a light giggle. 

- Stay away from me. 

- Of course. Right after I give you that. 

With a snap of fingers, a liquid black mass appeared floating in the air. Dark drops came together, modeling a black, lively, writing as they breathed. The creature of black fabric fluctuated to Axiel and stopped before him. 

- A gift. - Said Loriel, crossing his arms in the air. 

- That's it... 

- A symbiotic costume. Protects from the sun, from silver, from losing your head ... literally. And it can still generate weapons and wings. And look, as a toast, it helps to hold on its uncontrollable thirst for maiden - she blinked - she tastes strange, but works. 

Axiel looked at the costume. 

- Why? Why help me? 

- Because you are special. Because the Creator wants. Because I had fun seeing you almost bite a peasant. And because I'm bored. Choose your favorite option. 

Axiel took the costume. By touching it, he wrapped his body in seconds, like a second skin, shaping his muscles and creating a dark cover behind his back. He flexed his hands, and black claws emerged as obsidian blades. 

- Combines with you. "Bad boy of burning eyes". A classic. 

"I'm still deciding if I kill you or ignore." Said Axiel, really. 

- I prefer the third option: You tolerate me, and I make sarcastic comments while we save the world or something. 

Axiel sighed, and started walking, ignoring her. 

- Ah, that was a yes. Loriel floated beside him, smiling. - Our journey starts! But before ... we have to find an inn. You smell to dead cat, and that's frustrating because you're kitten, he, he, he. 

He didn't answer. 

The forest swallowed them, and the first bond of the night between darkness and light - between hunger and irony - had been sealed. 

...