Chapter 286: Long time no see
"Long time no see." Damon casually waved at his two followers as he happily swam around in the poisonous lake, which was more like a pool at this point. A huge portion of the lake was visibly missing.
Ellora blinked, dumbfounded. Her mouth opened, closed, and then opened again as if trying to find the right words. "You... you’re alive? And swimming? In that?" she finally blurted out, pointing at the now half-empty lake that still radiated a deadly aura strong enough to melt most beings into goo.
Damon grinned and did a lazy backstroke through the viscous, glowing liquid. "Alive, upgraded, and having the time of my life," he said, as the water gently hissed against his skin like a purring beast tamed. "Seriously, you two should try it. Best detox treatment in the multiverse."
Kaelthorn stared, jaw slack. "What in the blood-dripping hell are you?" he muttered, almost to himself. He hadn’t meant it to be a question, but something in Damon’s eyes answered anyway, something old, primal, and horrifyingly not human.
Damon shrugged, still floating lazily. "You know how it is. Standard vampire stuff. Oh, and thanks for the concern by the way," he added, flashing Kaelthorn a sharp smile. "I especially appreciated all the kind words you shouted across the dungeon. Really lifted my spirits."
Kaelthorn swallowed nervously.
Damon stopped and poked his right ear with his finger, casually cleaning it out. "This stuff gets everywhere. Oh, right, where was I? You were saying something about me being dead?"
Kaelthorn took an involuntary step back. "...You’ve got to be shitting me."
Damon laughed. But he did not say anything after that. He thought he could somehow gain the trust of this guy, or maybe there was something hidden here but it looks like he only invited unnecessary trouble for himself.
There was no need to complicate things. He could simply return to the blood hall after this and dismiss him.
As for Kaelthorn attacking him right now...
Damon grinned. That was fine too. His body was bursting with power, and he did not mind a worthy opponent to test it out. He smiled, daring the guy to challenge him, but Kaelthorn took another step backwards and stood dumbly with his head bowed down, deep in thought.