Speaker 1: You return to dark tails uncovered, and just in time,
because the end is near and darkness is at its deepest.
Season four has taken us through the alleyways of secrets,
into hidden societies, and down a path soaked in blood
and shadows. Bloodline Urban Shadows has followed me as journey
from curious journalists to something other and the Crimson Call.
She heard the voice that she's been waiting for all along.
Now in chapter eight Bloodlines and Bargains, Mia stands at
the heart of it all. The truth about about Crimson,
the ancient power behind it, and her place within this
world are finally within reach. But knowledge always comes at
a cost, and in this world the currency is blood.
All debts must be paid, all else must be honored,
and Mia must choose her path to forge her own
bloodline or become a pawn in someone else's internal game.
The deals, the final deals are struck in silence. The
last bargains are written in blood. This is Bloodlines and Bargains.
Chapter eight, Bloodlines and Bargains. The safehouse became a hive
of planning. As Caleb scribbled on an old maps spread
out on the table, Mia paced behind him, her fingers
tapping nervously against her leg. Her phone sat on the table,
the dark, the screen dark, but its presence was suffocating.
She could feel it like an old, unblinking eye in
the room. We just can't walk back in there, Caleb said,
tracing a line on the map with a piece of chalk.
Crimson will have reinforced the area hounds, maybe worse. We
need a diversion. A diversion won't safe, even Mia snapped.
We need to hit them where it hurts, make them
desperate enough to let him go. Caleb shook his head.
If we go straight for the nexus, you're gambling everything
on one shot. Even if we succeed, there's no guarantee
Ethan will survive. What do you suggest, then, Mia demanded.
Caleb leaned back, rubbing his temples. There's another way to
fight them. A weapon. What kind of weapon one they fear,
Caleb said, his voice lowering. It's old, older than Crimson,
something they can't control. But it's dangerous and it will
cost us me across our arms. How dangerous are we talking,
Caleb hesitated. It's not just dangerous, it's alive. Caleb led
her down a narrow staircase in the corner of the
safe house, the air growing colder with every step. At
the bottom, they entered a small stone walls rooms lit
by a single flickering bulb. In the center of the
room was a wooden chest bound with iron chains. What's
in there, Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Something that hates Crimson even more than we do, Caleb said.
He knept beside the chest, his hands trembling as he
began to unlock the chains. But it's not our ally
It'll turn on us the moment we let our guard down.
Me a step closer, her curiosity outweighing her caution.
Speaker 2: Is it?
Speaker 1: Caleb looked up at her, his expression grim A blood revenant,
a creature borne from betrayal and bound to vengeance. Crimson
fears it because it was once one of theirs, until
they destroyed everything it cared about. He pulled the chip
final chain free, and the lid of the chest creaked open.
The air in the room seemed to shift, growing heavier
and colder. A faint red glow emanated from the chest,
illuminating the big The gaunt figure inside it was humanoid,
but barely so, its skin pale and stretched, torn over
sharp bones, its eyes glowing Crimson. The creature stirred, its gaze,
snapping into Caleb more than mere. When it spoke, its
voice was a guttural rasp.
Speaker 2: Who dares disturb my rest.
Speaker 1: Me have felt her blood wrung cold, but she stepped forward.
We need your hope, We need your help. We're fighting Crimson.
The Revenant's lips twisted into a cruel smile.
Speaker 2: Fighting Crimson. How quaint? And what makes you think I
care for your little rebellion?
Speaker 1: They fear you, Caleb said, his voice steady despite the
tremor in his hands. You're the only thing they can't control.
Help us and you'll get revenge. You've been waiting for
the remnant. The revenant tilted its head, its glowing eyes narrowing,
and what will you give me in return? Mia hesitated,
but Caleb spoke before she could.
Speaker 2: Freedom.
Speaker 1: Once Crimson is destroyed, were released you from your bindings?
The creature laughed, a hollow, chilling sound.
Speaker 2: You expect me to believe the words of a mortal No,
I require something more more tangible.
Speaker 1: It turned its gaze to Mia. It's smile widening you girl.
Speaker 2: You carry their mark, Their power offer me a taste,
and I will consider your plea. MIA's heart pounded. A taste.
Speaker 1: What does that mean? Your blood, the revenant said, A
single drop infused with their tainte. It will strengthen me
for what is to come. Caleb grabbed her arm. MEA don't,
it's too dangerous. If it gets hold of your blood,
there's no telling what it could do. Me A look
to Caleb and the relevant and the revenant. Weighing her options.
They needed this creature's help if they were going to
stand a chance against Crimson, but the risk was undeniable.
She clinched her fists, her resolve hardening fine. One drop,
the revenant grin and barring, bearing jagged teeth. Wise choice,
Miah took a small knife from her bag and made
a shallow cut on her palm. The revenant leaned forward,
its eyes growing blighter brighter as it's watched the blood
bead on her skin. It extended a crawd hand, catching
the drop before it could fall. The moment the blood
touched its hand, the revenant shuddered, its body convulsing as
the as a deep guttural growl escaped its throat, the
glow around it intensified and for a moment, the room
seemed to quake. When the Revenant looked up again, it's formed.
It changed. It stood taller, its features sharper, more defined,
The air around it crackled with energy. I have bound
to your cause, it said, its voice deeper, more resonant.
Speaker 2: But know this, when Crimson falls, my debt is pained.
Do not seek to control me. Mia nodded, her hand
throbbing from the cup. Understood, Now let's take them down.
As they climbed back to the surface, Mia felt the
weight of the Revenant's presence behind her. It was both
a weapon and a liability. She knew Caleb was right
to be wary, but she didn't have the luxury of caution.
Even's life and her own depended on what came next.
Where do we start, Caleb asked. As they stepped into
the night, were looked towards the city.
Speaker 1: The jaws set. We hit Crimson where it hurts. We
don't stop until they're gone. The Revenant laughed softly, a
sound that she sent chills down her spine. Oh, this
will be entertaining. Mia tightened her grip on her knife,
the weight of her choices pressing down on her whatever
was coming, there was no turning back.
Speaker 2: Now sides the