Day Six: Monday Night
Kayen stood alone in his apartment, staring at a small wooden box on his table. Inside was a letter—written in ancient Thai script, yellowed with age.
He hadn't opened it in nine hundred years.
With trembling hands, he lifted the lid. The letter was still there, preserved by magic. Arthit's handwriting, the last thing he'd written before the hunters came.
*"My dearest Kayen,*
*If you are reading this, I am already gone. Do not blame yourself. Do not let grief consume you as the vampire curse once did.*
*I chose to love you. I chose to protect you. And I would choose it again in every lifetime.*
*Promise me something: if my soul returns, if we find each other again, do not let fear keep you from happiness. Do not hide. Do not run.*
*Live. Love. Even if it hurts. Even if you lose me again.*
*I will find you. In another life, another body. We are bound beyond death.*
*Wait for me.*
*Forever yours,
Arthit"*
Kayen's blood tears fell onto the ancient paper.
"I found you," he whispered. "And I'm going to lose you again. But this time, I'll make sure you live. Even if I don't."
A knock on the door. Jin entered without waiting for permission.
"You can't just die for him," Jin said bluntly. "That's not love—that's martyrdom."
"If I win, Arav goes free," Kayen said. "If I lose, at least Theron will keep him alive. He wants Arav's power, not his death. Either way, Arav survives."
"And you think he'll be okay? Watching you die?" Jin grabbed Kayen's shoulders. "That boy loves you. Your death will destroy him—bond or no bond."
"Then he'll heal. Eventually. He's young—"
"He's Arthit's soul!" Jin shouted. "You waited a thousand years for him to return, and now you're just going to abandon him again?"
Kayen pulled away. "I'm not strong enough to beat Theron. We both know it. But I can buy Arav's freedom with my death. It's the only way."
"There's always another way," a voice said from the doorway.
Mae Siri entered, her face grave.
"There's a spell," she said quietly. "Ancient. Forbidden. It could give you the strength to match Theron."
Kayen's eyes narrowed. "What spell?"
"Soul amplification. It would let you draw on Arav's convergence power—borrow his divine bloodline's strength temporarily. You'd be powerful enough to fight Theron equally."
"Absolutely not," Kayen said immediately. "I won't use Arav like that—"
"Listen to me," Mae Siri interrupted. "The spell requires his consent. His willing participation. And there's a cost—to both of you. It would accelerate the bond completion, force the transformation he's already undergoing. He'd have days, not months, before his human body fails. Unless—"
"Unless what?"
"Unless you complete the vampire bonding immediately after. Turn him. Make him fully vampire before the convergence magic tears him apart." Mae Siri's expression was pained. "It's risky. The timing has to be perfect. And he'd have to choose—mortality and certain death within days, or immortality as a vampire."
"You want me to take away his humanity?" Kayen's voice broke. "His warmth, his life, his choice to grow old naturally?"
"I want you both to survive," Mae Siri said firmly. "This is the only way I see that happening. You use his power to defeat Theron. Then you turn him, stabilize the transformation, complete the bond properly. He becomes vampire—but alive. With you."
Jin looked between them. "And if Arav refuses? If he doesn't want to become a vampire?"
"Then Kayen fights alone and probably dies," Mae Siri said bluntly. "And Arav stays with Theron, transforming slowly until his body gives out. Everyone loses."
Kayen sank into a chair, head in his hands. "How do I even ask him this? 'Hey, let me use your power to kill someone, then let me turn you into a monster'?"
"You tell him the truth," Mae Siri said. "All of it. The risks of bonding, the transformation happening in his body, everything Theron's probably already told him. And then you let him choose."
"Tomorrow night," Kayen said quietly. "Theron's giving us ten minutes before the challenge. That's all the time I have to explain a thousand years of consequences."
"Then make those ten minutes count," Jin said.
---
Day Seven: Tuesday—Arav's Prison
Arav hadn't eaten all day. His stomach churned with anxiety. Tonight. The challenge was tonight.
Dr. Siriporn visited in the afternoon for another examination.
"The transformation is accelerating," she said, concerned. "Your body temperature is down another degree. Your heartbeat is at forty beats per minute—half of normal human rate."
"What does that mean?" Arav asked, though he feared he knew.
"It means the bonding magic is taking over whether the ritual is complete or not. Your proximity to Theron—another ancient vampire—is triggering it. You have maybe a week before the transformation becomes irreversible and unstable." She hesitated. "There's one solution. If a vampire turns you—actual turning, not just bonding—before the convergence magic completes, it might stabilize everything. You'd become vampire, but alive and functional."
"Turning means dying first, doesn't it?" Arav asked quietly.
"Yes. Your human body dies. Then vampire venom rebuilds you. It's... not pleasant. Extremely painful. Takes three days. But you'd survive. As one of them."
After she left, Arav sat by the window, watching the sun set over Bangkok.
Human Arav was dying anyway—slowly, painfully, his organs failing one by one.
Vampire Arav would live forever. With Kayen.
If Kayen survived tonight.
*But what if he doesn't?* a voice whispered in his mind. *What if you become a vampire and Kayen dies? You'd be immortal and alone. Forever.*
Theron entered at sunset.
"Time to go," he said. "The challenge begins in three hours. We need to reach the temple ruins."
He removed Arav's magical bindings. "You'll behave, won't you? No running. You're too weak anyway—the transformation is taking your strength."
He was right. Arav could barely stand without help.
They rode in a luxury car, Theron's guards surrounding them. Through the windows, Arav watched Bangkok pass by—maybe for the last time as a human.
The temple ruins were an hour north of the city. Ancient stone structures reclaimed by jungle, crumbling walls covered in vines. In the center, a large courtyard lit by torches.
Supernatural beings filled the space—hundreds of them. Vampires, witches, shape-shifters, all come to witness the Old Law challenge.
Theron led Arav to a raised platform with a throne-like chair. "Sit. Watch. This is all for you."
Arav's eyes scanned the crowd desperately. Where was Kayen?
Then he saw him.
Kayen stood at the far end of the courtyard, surrounded by Jin, Preeda, Som, Ploy, and Mae Siri. He wore all black, his expression set and determined.
Their eyes met across the distance.
Even through the suppression magic, Arav felt it—a surge of love so powerful it brought tears to his eyes.
*I'm here,* Kayen's eyes seemed to say. *I'm here and I'll fight for you.*
"Romantic, isn't it?" Theron said beside him. "A vampire willing to die for love. Almost makes me feel guilty. Almost."
An elder vampire stepped forward—the master of ceremonies for the Old Law. His voice boomed across the courtyard.
"We are gathered to witness a challenge! Kayen of Thailand has invoked the Old Law, claiming Arav as his bonded mate and demanding trial by combat for his freedom. Theron Castellane has accepted. The rules are ancient and binding: combat to the death, no interference, no mercy. The victor claims the prize—Arav's bond and freedom. Does the challenger stand ready?"
"I do," Kayen's voice rang out.
"Does the challenged stand ready?"
"I do," Theron said, standing and descending from the platform.
"Then by the Old Law, you have ten minutes for final words with the prize. Speak now, for blood will speak louder soon."
Kayen walked toward the platform. The crowd parted for him.
He climbed the steps and stood before Arav, who immediately threw himself into Kayen's arms.
"You idiot," Arav sobbed into his chest. "You can't die for me. You can't—"
"Shh," Kayen held him tightly. "Listen. We don't have much time. There's so much I need to tell you."
He pulled back, cupping Arav's face in his cold hands.
"First, the truth about the bonding. Mae Siri was right—the convergence of two ancient magics in your human body is dangerous. You're already transforming. Dr. Siriporn told you, didn't she?"
Arav nodded, tears streaming.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I was afraid—afraid you'd choose to leave rather than risk it. Selfish of me." Kayen's thumb wiped away a tear. "But there's a way to save you. To save us both."
"How?"
"There's a spell that lets me borrow your convergence power for the fight. It would make me strong enough to beat Theron. But Arav, it would accelerate your transformation—you'd have days, not weeks. The only way to stabilize it would be for me to turn you. Fully. Make you vampire."
Arav's breath caught. "Turn me? You mean—"
"Kill your human body, yes. Then rebuild you with vampire venom. You'd die and be reborn as one of us. Immortal. Cold. Needing blood to survive." Kayen's voice cracked. "I'm asking you to give up your humanity, your warmth, your chance at a normal life. I'm asking you to become a monster like me."
"You're not a monster," Arav whispered.
"But I'm asking you to become one. And if you refuse—if you say no—I'll still fight for you. I'll probably die, but at least you'd be free of me, free to—"
Arav pressed his fingers to Kayen's lips, stopping him.
"Do you remember what Arthit wrote in his letter?" Arav asked softly.
Kayen's eyes widened. "How do you—"
"I remember. Not everything, but pieces. Enough." Arav smiled through his tears. "He told you not to let fear keep you from happiness. Not to hide or run. To live and love even if it hurts."
"Arav—"
"I choose you," Arav said firmly. "I choose us. Use my power. Win this fight. And then yes—turn me. Make me vampire. I don't want to be human without you. I want forever with you, in whatever form that takes."
Kayen's blood tears fell freely now. "You're sure? Once it's done, there's no going back—"
"I've never been more sure of anything," Arav said. "Across lifetimes, we keep finding each other. Maybe this is how we finally break the cycle—both of us surviving, both of us together, for eternity."
Kayen kissed him desperately, pouring a thousand years of longing into it.
Mae Siri appeared beside them, moving quickly.
"If we're doing this, we do it now," she said. She pulled out a small knife. "Arav, I need your blood. Just a few drops."
Arav held out his hand without hesitation. Mae Siri pricked his finger, collecting blood in a small vial.
She began chanting in the old tongue, mixing herbs with the blood. The mixture glowed gold—divine bloodline magic activating.
"Drink this," she told Kayen. "It will bind his power to yours for one hour. Use it wisely."
Kayen took the vial, looking at Arav one more time. "I love you. In this life and every one before it."
"I love you too," Arav whispered. "Now go win."
Kayen drank the potion.
The effect was immediate. His eyes blazed red, power radiating from his body in visible waves. The crowd gasped. Even Theron looked momentarily uncertain.
"TIME!" the elder vampire called. "Let the challenge begin!"
Kayen descended from the platform, rolling his shoulders. He felt it—strength beyond anything he'd known in a millennium. Divine power flowing through vampire veins. Convergence magic amplifying his own.
Theron stepped into the center of the courtyard, a confident smile on his face. But his eyes betrayed worry.
"So the little hybrid is sharing his power," Theron said. "Clever. But borrowed strength won't save you, Kayen."
"We'll see," Kayen said quietly.
The elder vampire raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Theron moved first—vampire speed, nearly invisible. He appeared behind Kayen, claws extended to tear through his spine.
But Kayen was faster.
He spun, catching Theron's wrist, and threw him across the courtyard. Theron crashed through an ancient stone pillar.
The crowd roared.
Theron emerged from the rubble, blood on his mouth, his silver hair wild. "Lucky hit."
They clashed again—a blur of supernatural speed and strength. Punches that would shatter concrete. Kicks that cracked stone. Each impact sent shockwaves through the air.
From the platform, Arav watched, his heart in his throat. He could feel it—his power flowing through Kayen, sustaining him, making him stronger.
But he could also feel the cost. His body temperature dropping further. His heartbeat slowing. The transformation accelerating with each minute that passed.
*Just a little longer,* he prayed. *Stay strong, Kayen. End this.*
Theron was good—fifteen hundred years of experience showed. He fought with precision, with strategy, exploiting every opening.
But Kayen fought with something Theron didn't have: desperation. Love. The absolute certainty that losing meant losing everything.
They broke apart, both breathing hard (though vampires didn't need to breathe—a remnant of human habit).
"You're better than I expected," Theron admitted, wiping blood from his lips. "But this ends now."
He moved with blinding speed, appearing directly in front of Kayen. His hand plunged toward Kayen's chest, aiming for his heart—
Kayen caught his wrist an inch from his chest.
"No," Kayen growled. "This ends MY way."
He twisted, breaking Theron's arm with a sickening crack. Theron screamed.
Kayen didn't stop. He moved behind Theron, one arm around his throat, the other grabbing his head.
"I'm sorry," Kayen whispered, and meant it. "But I won't let you have him."
He twisted.
The sound of Theron's neck snapping echoed across the silent courtyard.
Theron's body went limp.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then Theron's body began to crumble—ash spreading from his broken neck, consuming his entire form. Within seconds, there was nothing left but dust scattering in the wind.
The Old Law was fulfilled.
The crowd erupted in shock and awe.
Kayen stood alone in the center of the courtyard, covered in blood and dust, the divine power still glowing in his eyes.
He looked up at the platform.
At Arav, who was slumped in the throne, barely conscious.
Kayen was beside him in an instant.
"Arav! Arav, stay with me—"
Arav's eyes fluttered open. His skin was ice cold. His lips were blue.
"You... won," he whispered, smiling weakly.
"Mae Siri!" Kayen shouted. "Now! We have to do it now!"
Mae Siri rushed forward with Jin and Preeda.
"His human body is shutting down," she said urgently. "The spell took too much. You need to turn him immediately or he'll die."
Kayen looked at Arav. "Last chance. You can still say no—"
"Do it," Arav whispered. "Make me yours. Forever."
Kayen's fangs extended—longer and sharper than usual, ancient vampire teeth designed to turn, not just feed.
"This is going to hurt," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry."
"I trust you," Arav said.
Kayen bit down on Arav's neck.
Arav screamed.
Vampire venom flooded his system—liquid fire burning through every vein. His body convulsed. His human heart began to fail, slowing, stopping.
Kayen held him through it, tears streaming down his face, whispering apologies and promises and love.
After thirty seconds, Arav went completely still.
Dead.
The crowd watched in silence as Kayen lifted Arav's lifeless body, cradling him like something precious and broken.
"How long?" Kayen asked Mae Siri, his voice hollow.
"Three days," she said softly. "Three days for the transformation. If it works, he'll wake up vampire. If it doesn't..."
She didn't need to finish.
Kayen looked down at Arav's peaceful, dead face.
"Don't leave me," he whispered. "Not again. Please, come back to me."
**To be continued...**