Episode 5

Eirian's eyes softened, his thumb gently tracing the curve of her cheek as he pulled back slightly to look into her eyes. "Astria," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "There's a story I've never told anyone. It's a part of me that I've kept hidden, even from myself."

He paused, his gaze dropping to the floor before meeting hers again. "I was once human, as you know. Born in Venice, in a time when the city was still young and full of life. I was just a boy, full of dreams and ambition, until a plague swept through the streets. My family, my friends, they all fell ill. One by one, they were taken from me, until I was left alone, with nothing but the echo of their laughter and the weight of their absence." His voice faltered, but he pressed on, his eyes never leaving hers.

"I was so consumed by grief that I made a deal with a Lord of the night. I offered my soul in exchange for immortality, for a chance to live on and never again feel that kind of pain. But with immortality came a curse. I became a vampire, a creature of darkness, bound to the night and the shadows. I've lived for centuries, but I've never truly known peace. Until now, until I met you." He reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "You make me feel alive, Astria. You make me want to believe that there's more to this existence than just surviving. I want to share my story with you because I want you to know that I understand your fear. I've been there, lost and alone, and I've found my way back. I want to be your anchor, Astria. I want to be the one who holds you down when the world tries to pull you apart."

Eirian's heart took him to the memory when he'd met Astria...

In the heart of the Pacific, where the sun painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, a tiny island emerged from the vast blue expanse. Eirian, a man of 200 years, stood on the shore, his tanned skin glistening with the remnants of the day's heat. The wind whispered through his brown hair, carrying with it the scent of salt and the faintest hint of jasmine from the distant flowers. His eyes, as green as the forest he once called home, scanned the horizon, searching for any sign of life. The island was a stark contrast to the vibrant streets of Venice, where he had spent centuries. Here, the silence was deafening, the only sound of the rhythmic crash of waves against the shore.

Astria, a woman of 24 summers, stepped out of the dense foliage, her black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of night. She held a worn book in her hands, the pages yellowed with age. Her brown eyes, as warm as the earth, met Eirian's gaze. She was a creature of chaos, her clothes as wild as her spirit. She had stumbled upon this island by chance, her curiosity drawing her to the mysterious shores. The scent of the ocean filled her nostrils, a stark reminder of the vast unknown that lay before her.

...To be continued...

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