A/n: Thank you for reading my story!!! Hoping you like this book!

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A year had passed since Kousei's transformation and it was a year of his new-found innocence and exploration within the walls of the castle of Cair Luthien. His days were filled with wonder, his heart untainted by the darkness that had once consumed him but within the recesses of his mind, fragments of a past he could not recall remained locked away. His memories were removed from him, after all.

On a fateful day, as the forest whispered secrets beyond the castle walls, two figures emerged—Kaori and Ryota, both bearing the weight of their own grief and loss of a friend. They never believed Kousei was dead, after all.

Lost within the labyrinthine paths of the forest, their search for Kousei brought them face to face with a sight they could scarcely believe.

There, amidst the shadows, stood a figure who looked hauntingly familiar—a figure that bore the semblance of Kousei.

"Was that—?" Kaori couldn't totally believe it. "Arima Kousei?"

Ryota was also wide eyed. "It couldn't be! He's alive?"

Their blood was a fragrant scent that drifted upon the wind, a scent that stirred something deep within Kousei's core. He fought against his instincts, struggling to contain the hunger that clawed at his insides. But the scent of their blood unlocked a flood of memories, fragments of a past that he could barely grasp. Pain and confusion clouded Kousei's expression, his grip on his control faltering. Just as the darkness threatened to engulf him once more, Rowan and Hatoshii appeared at his side, their presence a grounding force.

"We have to get him out of here," Hatoshii told Rowan. "The boy will get out of control if we don't."

Without hesitation, they acted swiftly, guiding Kousei away from the scent that had reawakened memories he could not fully comprehend.

...

As they reached the safety of the castle's walls, Kousei's breathing was ragged, his crimson eyes filled with a mixture of fear and distress. The fragments of his past were like shards of glass, cutting through the fabric of his newfound innocence.

Rowan's voice was gentle as he spoke, his words meant to comfort and reassure. "It's okay, Kousei. We're here for you."

Hatoshii's gaze held a solemn understanding, his voice a steady presence amidst the turmoil. "Those memories are part of you, but they don't define who you are now."

Kousei's fingers trembled, his expression a reflection of the internal battle that raged within him. He looked at the two vampire hunters, his protectors and guides through this new existence.

"Scared..." Kousei's voice trembled, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.

Rowan's hand rested gently on Kousei's shoulder. "You're not alone in this, Kousei. We'll help you navigate through it all."

Hatoshii's gaze softened, his presence a steadfast anchor. "And remember, you have the power to shape your own destiny."

As Kousei looked into the eyes of his companions, their words offered a glimmer of hope. The memories that had been reawakened were a testament to the complexity of his journey—a journey that encompassed darkness and light, pain and joy.

With Rowan and Hatoshii at his side, Kousei faced the challenges ahead, ready to uncover the truth of his past and carve a path towards the future he had the power to shape.

...

Watari and Kaori ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, driven by a desperate hope to find any trace of their friend, Kousei. Their journey led them to a place that seemed both ethereal and haunting—a white castle that stood amidst the trees, its grandeur contrasting with the silence that surrounded it.

Curiosity and trepidation mingled within them as they approached the castle. Its walls seemed to whisper secrets of ages past, and yet, the air was thick with an eerie stillness. The sight of an abandoned castle should have been the end of their search, but something in their hearts told them otherwise.

As they stepped closer, the castle's entrance beckoned, a doorway into the unknown. With hesitation and determination in equal measure, they crossed the threshold, their eyes widening as they found themselves within the castle's walls. However, a strange phenomenon occurred. The interior shifted and blurred, the grand architecture becoming a maze of shadows and illusions. The castle's true structure eluded their perception, hidden by a spell that only those with the powers of vampire hunters could penetrate.

Watari's brow furrowed in confusion, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. "This place... it's like something out of a dream."

Kaori nodded, her voice soft and uncertain. "But where could Kousei be?"

The air felt thick with mystery, a puzzle they had stumbled upon without knowing the rules. The enchantment that cloaked the castle was imperceptible to them, their lack of magical insight rendering them blind to the truth.

They moved through the castle, their footsteps echoing through the corridors. Every turn seemed to lead them deeper into the labyrinthine design, the reality of the situation slipping through their grasp.

"There's no sign of anyone," Watari's voice was tinged with frustration, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any hint of life.

Kaori's gaze was thoughtful, her expression a mixture of concern and determination. "We have to keep looking, Watari. Kousei might be here somewhere."

As they continued their exploration, they remained oblivious to the world that existed just beyond their perception. The realm of the living dead remained hidden from their sight, and the spell's boundaries remained steadfast.

With each step they took, the boundaries between their world and the unseen world of vampires and hunters became more pronounced. The mystery deepened, their confusion growing with every passing moment.

Little did they know that their journey had brought them to the precipice of a reality they could not comprehend—a reality that held the key to Kousei's transformation, his journey of rebirth, and the intricate dance of shadows and light that surrounded him.

...

Outside the enigmatic castle, Watari and Kaori's confusion deepened as two figures materialized before them—Vampire Hunter Oscilliath and Vampire Hunter Akihiko. The unexpected appearance of the vampire hunters only added to their sense of bewilderment.

Oscilliath's gaze was somber as he held out a familiar piece of clothing—a dirty uniform that belonged to Kousei. "We know why you are here. Even so, I'm afraid the boy you were looking for is no longer among the living."

Kaori's heart sank at his words, a mixture of sorrow and disbelief in her eyes. "No longer...?"

Akihiko's voice was filled with a weight of experience as he spoke. "Kousei Arima lost his life some time ago. This uniform is all that remains of him."

Watari's gaze narrowed, a mixture of confusion and skepticism evident in his expression. "But how can that be? We saw him, he was here. In this castle."

Oscilliath's gaze softened, a note of sympathy in his eyes. "Sometimes, the world can play tricks on our perceptions. What you witnessed may have been an illusion, a mirage of what once was."

Kaori's voice quivered, her voice filled with disbelief. "No... it can't be."

Akihiko's expression remained stoic, his words a reflection of the truth they had chosen to withhold. "The boy you knew is gone, and all that remains are memories."

As the reality of their words sank in, Watari and Kaori were left with a profound sense of loss. The boy they had sought had slipped beyond their reach, his existence a phantom of the past.

But amidst the sorrow and the unspoken secrets, the vampire hunters held their knowledge close. The truth of Kousei's transformation into a vampire remained hidden, the delicate balance of coexistence and the complex tapestry of his rebirth a secret they chose to guard.

And so, amidst the shadows and the unseen boundaries, the truth remained shrouded, a testament to the mysteries that intertwined the worlds of humans, vampires, and the unknown. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the landscape, Watari and Kaori stood before the castle, their hearts heavy with a truth they could not fully comprehend.

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A/n: Thank you for reading this chapter! If you liked this book, don't forget to vote and comment! ✨️✨️✨️