Lunation of Fate

The sun was about to rise.

As a bloodhunt, it was the bane of Maxill.

Though he was highly tolerant of sunlight, in the back of his mind, he seemed to regret the decision to join them as he was at risk of exposure.

He knew he was half-blood, but he was aware that he wasn’t immune. Getting near the big ball of fire would be detrimental to his health.

He was quite annoyed at this fact. He felt it was very restricting for his lifestyle of wandering alone. He cannot shapeshift and fly at midday.

Thankfully, Juste and Chastine decided to travel through the woods. The thickets can serve as cover for his skin.

Still, the excursion was posing such a challenge for Maxill. Rays have passed through the holes of the foliage over them.

Maxill was wearing a black long-sleeved cloak, the typical go-to color of bloodhunts. It looked medieval, but it fitted his features.

Adjusting his cloak, he half-joked to Chastine, “D*mn, I should have gotten a mask at least before we left the village.”

Chastine noticed Maxill’s annoyance towards every ray that was hitting his body. She then offered her newly acquired scarf before they left off of that town.

“Here, I hope this’ll do.” Chastine reached for his neck and started to wrap the red scarf around Maxill’s neck.

Maxill had grown a liking to Chastine; he saw something special in her amongst other witborns.

“Thank you, Chas,” were Maxill’s words to her.

Juste saw Chastine’s kind gesture towards Maxill. A fit of anger suddenly rushed through Juste’s veins, with bitter bile rising from his stomach.

“Hey bloodhunt, stay away from her. And it’s Chastine, not Chas.”

“Your boyfriend’s jealous.” Maxill sneered.

Juste and Chastine blurted out in unison, “we’re not a couple!” Their faces flushed hot and red.

“Easy,” Maxill retorted.

Juste’s tummy then began to grumble, to which he felt even more embarrassed.

He should’ve eaten his meal back at the village, he said to himself.

Chastine and Maxill stared at each other and held their laughter in, but Juste was aware of it. He felt it.

Saving face, he then declared. “I’ll go hunt for our meal,” with emphasis on the word ‘our’.

It took him a couple of hours before Juste got back with his game. He caught two wild rabbits down a burrow.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“Chastine, I caught some-” he stopped mid-sentence. He saw them feasting on a roasted deer that Maxill caught!

“Juste, you’re back. Would you believe Maxill’s mind control also works on animals? We saw a doe and he did his thingamajig to it. Cool, huh?” Chastine was chewing down the little doe’s leg as she explained what happened when he was gone.

Juste was growing irritated at Maxill. As a fellhound, his pride was hurt that a bloodhunt outplayed him to a sport they were very good at.

He clenched his fist so tightly that the spine of one rabbit snapped into two. Poor rabbit.

—

Juste used his flintstone to make fire that night. He tried and tried but it didn’t make a single spark.

It was because Chastine accidentally dropped the stones on a small stream. It got soaked, and by the time they needed fire, it was still damp.

Realizing Juste would take a longer time to light a fire, Maxill showed his way of making fire.

He merely snapped his finger and out came fire on the tip of his finger. He then lit up their makeshift tinder and placed it inside a bunch of firewood.

“Wow, Max! Amazing!” Chastine was now calling Maximillian Vikander as Max.

Juste just gritted his teeth in annoyance.

—

Few days went by and they were off foraging for food.

Chastine saw some dark-colored berries, sniffed it, then decided to pop some into her mouth. She was really hungry.

“Chastine, stop!” Juste ceased her hand and toppled the berries off her hand. She just looked at Juste with a surprised expression.

“What? They don’t smell poisonous.” Her brows began to furrow.

“Idiot, that’s not the only way to test if those berries are poisonous.” He was miffed at Chastine’s careless move.

“But I’m hungry!”

Maxill then chimed in into their conversation, “wait, let me check.” He crushed one berry and rubbed it on his skin and waited for a few minutes, examining the form and shape of the berry bush while at it.

Nothing happened to Maxill’s sensitive skin.

“Chastine, I think it’s from the berryweed family. That means it’s edible for you and me.”

“Really? That’s good then!” She grabbed more dark berries and popped a handful into her mouth.

“Thanks Max! But what about Juste?” Chastine became curious and concerned about Juste.

Juste then suddenly removed his jacket and started to scratch the surface of his hands and arms. He itched all over; the berry was to blame.

His skin began to get irritated but he was more irritated at Maxill’s reliable prowess.

—

When his itch died down, he talked to Maxill about what he thought he was doing.

“Maxill, I’ve enough of your antics!” cried Juste.

He was both surprised and confused at his reaction. “What? And what did I do? What are you on about, Juste?”

“You’re not part of this plan, you insufferable bloodhunt! You’ve done your part. Chastine doesn’t need you anymore. Leave us!”

Juste couldn’t admit to himself that he had become jealous of Maxill, not only for his admirable skills but also for his closeness towards Chastine.

Maxill, on the other hand, was connecting the dots. He then realized the reason behind Juste’s sudden blow off of steam.

“My, my, Juste. Tsk, tsk, you don’t have to call me insufferable. I know what you’re thinking, y’know.” He then grinned at Juste.

“Oh yeah?” He was challenging Maxill.

“Don’t be jealous of me and Chastine. I know you have a huge crush on her, and she on you too. I’m not dumb to such things.”

Chastine’s mouth opened wide. Her eyes also exhibited an expression of shock. She clasped her hands on her gaping hole.

Maxill then amusingly smirked.

“Am I a hindrance to your make outs? Or do you guys need a little push? I don’t mind being third wheel.”

Juste couldn’t believe what he just heard from Maxill’s mouth. To feign embarrassment, he asked the bloodhunt about his feelings for Chastine.

“What about you? Do you think I’m dumb? You were intentionally impressing her and making me feel bad in front of her.”

By this time Maxill blurted out a lively laugh.

“Ahahaha! Yes, Juste, I think you’re an ignoramus. Quite right.” Maxill didn’t hold back on his words. “Didn’t you notice she’s making you feel jealous? And you were responding nicely to her secret whims.”

“Max!” Chastine protested at his words, but she knew he was right. How Maxill knew was one of Chastine’s million coin questions.

“Guys, I think it’s about time I tell you about me…”

He readied himself to reveal something to them, “I’m gay. Yes, yes I am. I prefer b*tts*x over normal intercourse.”

WHAT. THE. F*CK?!

Chastine and Juste could only cuss in bewilderment.