Chapter 2: The Awakening
As Marcus opened his eyes to the darkness that enveloped him, he felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, electrifying every nerve in his body. The world around him seemed sharper, more vivid, as if he was seeing it through new eyes. He could hear the faintest rustle of leaves in the distant trees, the rhythmic beat of a heart echoing in the night.
With a newfound sense of clarity, Marcus realized the magnitude of the transformation he had undergone. He was no longer bound by the limitations of his mortal flesh; he was now a creature of the night, immortal and invincible. And yet, with this newfound power came a hunger unlike anything he had ever known.
The craving for blood burned within him, a primal urge that threatened to consume him from within. And as Marcus struggled to contain the beast that lurked within his soul, he knew that he would have to feed soon, or risk losing himself to the darkness forever.
But as he prowled through the shadows of the French Quarter, Marcus hesitated, his conscience warring with his newfound instincts. He could not bring himself to prey upon the innocent souls that wandered the streets, their lives as fragile as candle flames in the wind.
And so, with a heavy heart, Marcus turned his back on the city that had once been his home, and ventured forth into the unknown, seeking solace in the darkness that now defined him.