Freedom Jumper-Chapter 171: Stalkers of The Night

Unusually, Elijah found himself waking up many times throughout the night. His head was aching from many different points, and would soon receive a bruise from all of the 'clutching' Elijah did.

This brought him back to memories in Astraea. The moments just after Elijah realized he had been brought into a new life.

Throwing the bedsheets off his body, he unbuttoned the tent drapes and walked outside.

Many orange lamps that were staked into the ground were dimly glowing, while a few campfires in the area acted as a second light source.

One peaceful aspect of the time was how few people were in the area. Sure, there were a few stragglers still awake as it was required — especially on the watchtowers.

Barely anyone without a purpose was still awake, sleeping within the confines of chaos.

Elijah paused, intently looking at his surroundings. "I wonder what would happen if I just flew up into the air..."

"Oh well, any place close to the forest is going to be heavily guarded. I wonder what Alista is up to..." Elijah lifted off into the air at a steady speed. While ascending, he could only help but cover his mouth and laugh.

"Ouch! My eyes!"

Not paying attention, Elijah's hair pricked his eyeballs. ƒrēenovelkiss.com

The night was filled with silence other than the cold winds blowing his hair he desperately needed to cut. Yes, Elijah did enjoy having ear-length hair, but in a world like this, he much preferred to not have his hair cover his eyes...

"Hmm... I wonder if the dragon is still where it used to be..."

Elijah set off for the mana geyser that created a floating island. What he noticed was how the height had significantly changed. At the moment, it was much higher in the sky, even reaching the clouds!

Perhaps the imagination was not able to comprehend the reason. However, the stronger winds gave Elijah an idea as to why.

Thankfully, the dragon still continued its rest in the exact same position. It was as if the dragon was in an eternal sleep, or a self-induced hibernation state. Questions about what the huge dragon could do in relation to its attacks popped into Elijah's mind.

To the west was of course the vast hilly pine tree forest, but beyond that was the turbulent ocean shimmering in the moonlight. Only the horizon line of the deep coloured water was visible as the ocean was still a hefty distance away. Nonetheless, it still caused Elijah's heart to yearn for an ocean sunset.

A promise was made this very night. "When I return, I will visit the ocean. I will stick my hands into the deep mysterious waters, and even dive into the depths of the cool water. I will spend an entire day chilling in a place that will allow me to witness the incredible view of an ocean sunset..."

"I will do it... I will do it... Even if it is far more dangerous than I can imagine..."

Once Elijah had returned to above the outpost, he felt how much mana he had left, and was displeased.

"The difference is astound—" Just as Elijah was spreading his arms into the air — floating on his stomach, he saw movement within the burnt part of the forest.

Whoosh!

The wind rustled against Elijah's black long sleeve shirt and pants, and approached the area within a matter of ten seconds.

Munching, gnawing, and indescribable slobbering sounds were heard — bringing him back to the memory of the kyrat cavern in the Catacombs.

Only this time, humanoid hairy figures that looked similar to oversized monkey's were hopping from beast to beast, effortlessly ripping apart their flesh and bones.

Elijah was nearing them, just inching into the height of where the treeline would have existed.

"OI!" Elijah blurted out a sound to get a better view of their faces. What he was looking for were their menacing glowing purple eyes, which would signify them as a void beast.

Contrary to what he had expected, the eyes were bright red, dripping with a gruesome aura that shivered Elijah's vertebrae.

Standing and sitting on the bodies of the dead, they stared silently into a figure floating in the sky – unmoving as if waiting for the right moment.

Unfortunately for the beasts, Elijah only decided to back away as he was not stupid enough to get into a brawl with an unknown beast. Deep down, he knew these beasts did not wield the affinity of fire. Instead, he knew their bright red eyes came from a horrifying power related to blood...

Perhaps... A vampire power?

This was more or less confirmed as he ascended higher into the sky. The beasts returned to their choking, ripping flesh and bone apart like it was butter.

Elijah, returned to the outpost – waiting for the right opportunity to descend.

"Those beasts you saw... are infected with the desire for blood."

Behind Elijah, was a familiar figure dressed in yet another scandalous robe – except for the color being pitch black.

"I can't say I am surprised that you were checking up on me..." Elijah responded while walking to his tent. With each passing second, a different array of orange lights dimly lit his face.

Alista floated into the air above Elijah, spiraling her body in the air. "Hahaha! I fully expected you to at least piss yourself! You really are not simple..."

"Since you know of those beasts, what are they called and what are their abilities?" Elijah asked.

It took a few moments of walking, but eventually Elista responded as if collecting herself. "The disease itself is called, Vamperia. Which turns any person or beast into a creature of the night. This is alongside the sun being poisonous to them, and blood being their only source of hydration and satiation..."

Once Elijah had heard the words "Vamperia", he had an immediate idea of what was happening. However, Alista described it as a disease. Does this mean it is spread by contact?

Elijah did not ask of its origins as he did not want to sound too smart with a question related to its origins, but also too stupid for this woman to think anything of him. "Thank you for telling me. I am glad I didn't engage with those beasts."

"You are welcome." Alista returned to the ground after her partially see-through body was finished observing the distance. "I suggest you get some sleep. There could be some troubles for you on the way back to Tavenas tomorrow."

'Does this woman care for me??'

Elijah smiled before walking into his tent. Although, after what he had just seen, he knew it would be hard to sleep. "Absolutely, I am very tired and will be falling asleep soon. Have a goodnight of rest!"

Alista bade him farewell, and disappeared slowly into thin air. Likely, returning to whatever she had going on in her room...

Once inside the tent, Elijah noticed how every single person was soundlessly asleep. The rhythm of their long breaths, small movements of their chest, and the sense of peace they gave to the air was something Elijah had longed for.

It seemed Elijah was returning to the 'him' before arriving at the outpost.

The 'Elijah' who struggled to fall asleep.

Sometimes out of fear, and other times from mental trauma that had yet to be confronted.