Flying to the Airbase, Bahamut landed on the open tarmac and nonchalantly walked to the Air Traffic Control Tower even though the players were all buzzed by her sudden appearance. The base Colonel saluted the presence of the woman as she entered the top floor and stood at ease. “Goddess. How may I be of service to you?”
“Master wants his carriage back.” The man immediately walked to the phone and pressed one. “Of course, I’ll get Aviation in and have it delivered. We currently don’t have Mages with Teleport Circle expertise. Unless you want to do it yourself, Goddess.” Yawning, she sat down on his chair and crossed her legs. “How long would it take?”
“Two? Three days?” she shrugs and leaned her head forward. “I’ll do it then. I need some space and chalk made from the birch of an Elven tree.” the officer nods as he heads down with the Dragon in tail.
“Uh, Goddess. Would you also be interested in checking out a situation?”
“Hm? What? Does it involve food?”
“Eheheh… uhh… it involves a person from Earth. He… he did not teleport immediately and only came to Threa a few days ago. He also didn’t come in the form of his avatar but instead, his real Earth body.” This made her stop a bit and then walked forward again, this time walking at the same pace and level as him. “Bring me to him.”
Before they could reach the main lobby door of the ATC. The Colonel made a sharp turn to the left and into an elevator door. Pressing the call button, it took a good minute for it to reach them and as they went down to a small bunker section where its mostly doors with one way glasses on them. “I apologize for the place, Goddess Bahamut. It's only been recently built and it's meant for Prisoners of War.” he walks forward, the guards saluting him as the buff player in his fatigues leads her to a door near the hallway junction.
On the window, she sees a young teenage man with messy black hair and an unkempt turtleneck shirt. Pale and brown eyed, he looked beautiful as his build and frame was lanky and thin. “What info he has given us is that he is from Korea… and that the world has basically stopped after the mass disappearances of people. Man, hearing it from him makes me wanna jump back to Earth. Every month has a day of mourning for those who will never return.”
She ignores him as she observes the young man. Rubbing her chin, her eyes squinted as she followed trails and strings that’s beyond the Human eye. “They call us the Missing Millions… and the world economy is basically in shambles except for Africa and the Middle East since most Full Dive games are censored and banned there.” he shrugs and rubs his forehead. “I should’ve never used VPN to access the International Version of Dark World. I feel like a sucker now.” looking to his right, the Dragon was gone but the door was still locked.
“Eh?”
Looking inside, Bahamut was in it, sitting down on the metal chair and was having a conversation with the Earthling. This made the Colonel run to the observation room and could audibly hear the conversation.
“Do you know that there are connections to you right now that points back to the Gods of this world?”
“No.” His voice was light toned and calm. Unnerved even by the presence of the almighty Dragon. “I was just sleeping after a long day working at a convenience store. When I went out to grab a bite at night and a truck accidentally hit me and when I woke up. I was in a forest on this planet.”
“Unfortunate but at the same time, the Gods of this world are not one to shy away from messing with Earth. I do not think it was an accident.” This made the well off and good looking man raise his thin and long eyebrow. “What do you mean…?”
“Nonetheless, I think it’d be good if you were to avoid doing anything rash for now. I have a faint idea of what they plan to do with you. The next months will be harrowing and dangerous. Find a place to stay and keep safe.” Bahamut then looked at the one way mirror to the observation room and her eyes were locked into the Colonel. “Have this man transported to the Kingdom of James. Of all the continents, Dragovh is the safest thanks to the Dragons. He will live there.”
The speakers in the room then came to life. “Erm… He is actually slated for a flight to Iron Mountain where he will be given further briefing about the world and what’s happening. We believe he might be a tool for the Hero Party.” The Dragon crossed her arms and shrugged. “No, he is not. His strength is great or even greater than the Heroes. But it needs refinement. He will not unlock this power till a few decades at least. By then, the world had already long stabilized I presume.”
“A-ahhh… what proof do you have of this opinion, Goddess?” she just gave him a sharp look and he quickly melted. “I’ll go and suggest the thing you said, Goddess Bahamut. But why though? Some of the Scientists did say he might not be able to go through the Portal as his body held no Mana at all.”
“That is correct. As of right now, his Mana levels are the same as of a day old child. The Human body does not possess Mana as your world has no need for such power to control nature and manipulate it. He will need much training to catch up.”
The man then tilts his head at her sentence. “W-What do you mean by this, Miss? I won’t be able to return? The Colonel had told me the people from my planet here are already working towards that goal.” She turned to him and the air became heavy. “As it stands, no. But when you have reached the apex of your strength. Far beyond this era, you should be able to go back to Earth without the need of a portal and return to your normal life.”
“Listen to me and listen well. The bodies of the Chosen Ones are modified by the Cheating God of Tur. That thing turned their bodies into weapons. Yours is yet to even reach infancy. Walking to that portal will be more of a detriment than anything to take you home as Magic is foreign concept to your body.” She took a quick glance at the window and then to him. “Even using magic, defensive, offensive or of any types I would recommend against till a year of being here. But that’s just the minimum. After that, start with the smallest and miniscule of magics.”
Standing up, the woman goes to the door and turns around once again. “Rest, learn about the cultures of this planet. Whatever the Gods have for you, it's something of a contingency plan of sorts I believe. Just in case when this is all over and they lose. They have you to rest the last of their divine power on… either that or they want you to clean up after the mess of the victory." She phases through the door and the Colonel suddenly opens his.
This made her dodge the swing as the man put his hands together and was on the verge of crying. “I AM SO SORRY GODDESS! PLEASE SPARE ME!” she just had a blank expression as she walked back to the elevator. “The Gods had given and planned so much. I have an odd feeling that after this era, there will be nothing left for them to use in terms of influencing the world.”
She then stops as she presses the call button. “Get a tiny portion of the base empty. I’ll teleport Master’s carriage here… and do you have a Mage that specializes in Mana linking?” the Colonel scratches the back of his head as a few minutes later, she walks towards the formation of barracks behind the Hangars.
With a fence dividing the two, she walks past the busy road nearly getting hit by a tanker carrying jet fuel. The player driving couldn’t help but get out and raise his fist. “YO! What the fuck is your meltfunction? Are you crazy?!” She stops but then continues walking away.
The driver couldn’t help but feel something ominous which prompted him to rapidly get back into the cab and drive away.
Reaching the barracks, it’s flanked by a basketball court with an open air gym. There, the extremely ripped bodies of the mid to high level players were in full display as sweat ran down their abs that could grate cheese.
But the Dragon ignored this as she headed to the rows of first storey buildings and stopped at 104-A. Kicking the doors open, she looked around the double bunk beds. The soldiers there were mostly just resting. Watching videos on their phones or listening to loud music.
Some had their hands under the blanket, tinkering with their joystick. The appearance of the woman made their jaws drop.
“Hello Mages. I came here to collect Mister Taka.” one of the soldiers grabs his Staff and swirls it around, producing a large arrow at a man tucked away in the corner.
Going to him, she tilts her head at the fluffy tail that’s covering his face. “Hey Magic Man. I’ve come here to demand for your skills.” popping out of the blanket was a young looking Fox girl. “Ehhh? What do you want from my human?” With an angsty teenage voice, the Dragon just scoffed as she crossed her arms. “I need him to link some circles for me. I don’t want to exert myself too much today.”
The man then awakens, with a military style buzz cut and a beard, he was built and toned as he fetched his glasses. It shone as it made his eyes widen. “Ohhhh… you appraised me. So, what does my stats look like, Chosen One?”
“E-E-essss….”
“Yes. All S correct?”
“T-Triple S plus…”
“Yes. Now, wake up before I eat all the beef I am smelling in your lockers. Foxy lady, do not get in my way.” With long brown hair, she was lanky and petite compared to Bahamut who was thin but busty. She just stared at the Dragon’s chest. It was powerful enough that the Dragon shrugged her head.
“Don’t stare too much. I can feel every inch of it.'' The Fox girl did not listen, her ears all perked up and her fluffy tail slowly wagging. Looking down on herself, her hands rested on her chest and the girl’s cute face dims. “Waaaah… I look like a plank of wood compared to her… I thought I was cute…” the soldiers immediately stood up and shrugged. “No! Miss Guardian, you are very cute! Flat is justice!”
Another soldier picked up his M4A1 assault rifle and victoriously raised it. “YEAH! FLAT IS GREAT!” Mage Taka on the other hand starts donning his fatigues as his mates all supported the foxy girl. “I like my girls busty but there’s no problem with being flat! Most of us are all from Asia and I say flat is good! Don’t worry Miss Guardian! Your fluffiness is unmatched!”
“Fluff?” Mage Taka then rubs the foxy girl’s ears. “Kala has very fluffy ears and tail. Though her entire body is Human except for those and her fangs, her fluff fills a man's heart.” This made Bahamut lift her hand. “Does Master also want a fluffy pair of ears and a tail?” She then made her horns appear alongside her tail. The sharp spiky armored scales made the players wow in their seats.
Without notice, she touches Kala’s tail. “HRM!” The cold foreign touch made her two ears perk completely straight up as the Dragon slowly stroked her insanely fluffy tail. “Woah, that is indeed fluffy. A way better sensation than my pillow.”
Her own spiked tail then swings around her body and to her free left hand. Feeling the two, she nods at something. “Hm… do Humans prefer this more?” the soldiers all equally nodded. Taka himself giggled. “Of course, it's a much treasured thing.”
“Hmmmm… this is unfortunate as I was born with these black scales. I must talk to Master about this later.”
In the corner opposite of the Mage, a lone soldier on the bottom bunk was profusely drawing on his sketchpad. The sound of the pencil going up and down got her attention as the person was at total silence as he did it.
“Oh, Sergeant Tung has a thing for drawing. He actually gets paid extra to do nose paint and lettering on tanks!” The soldier on top of his bunk looked down and the man was completely engulfed by passion as he continued to stroke his pencil whilst occasionally looking up to Bahamut.
“Oyyyy, Tung. There’s a lady in the barracks.” He merely did an annoyed scoff, leaning his head to the side to get another look at Bahamut. “Dude, there’s literal ripped models of her out on the internet. Blender and SFM artists have been making her do poses for as long as I can remember.”
“Tsk. It's still nothing like the real thing. Fuck off Ngu.” Tung just shrugs as he returns to his top bunk and lifts his hands. “Yeah, just forgive him, Goddess Bahamut.”
“I’m more surprised that none of you have reacted harshly like usual.”
“Well, we have a Fox girl with divine powers with us in the barracks. We kinda got used to it.”
“I see. So, how long is this Human going to draw?”
“For as long as he wants. Even when we’re on patrol, he’d take out the pad and draw something.”
This made her walk next to their bunks, the soldiers all silent as she squatted with her legs tightly together. “Let me see it.” With the order, the player lifted the sketch pad and noticed the art of her has her veil gone and her face fully revealed. “Hmmm…” she then takes her crown off, taking with it the veil that hid her beauty and the man got a full front view of her face.
“Now, impress me Human. I wanna see how far Human art can reach.” the Artist immediately blushed but his hand was already going ham on the paper.
With Taka all ready, his Staff that’s made out of a polished alloy and a bright green orb on its top. He just sat on the chair in front of the heater as Bahamut watched the artist do his work.
“Just how long have you been drawing me?” The player stopped. Tung swallows his saliva and reveals on the first few pages of the sketch pad that it was actually her, in Dragon form and a scale measurement of her normal Human form. “I do Graphics Design for a company on Earth. I actually have made fan art of NPCs from the game. I think…” he then goes into his pillow.
“If only I had my tablet with me right now. I could draw you more precisely.” taking out a phone, he takes a few photos of her and goes back to sketching. “Hmmmm… can you do a few poses for me?” With a tilt of her head, Bahamut stood straight up as Tung went ahead and sat on a chair, in front of him a makeshift stand.
Taka on the other hand was just watching her alongside the entire room of soldiers as she did some poses for Tung. It ranged from ones she’d usually do, upfront and active to ones more mysterious with a mix of an allure.
“Do you have underwear with you right now? I’d like to draw your natural body.”
“Ohhhh, I do!” She then turned around and the soldiers all looked back to what they were doing. “Oy, leave.” They all collected their gear and subsequently left the barracks. Taka, standing outside to see the Colonel, was approaching them.
With a salute, the haggard soldiers were donning their gear outside, making the officer confused at what was happening. “Did you guys receive combat orders? What’re you people doing outside?” He opens the door and gets blasted by a fireball. Thanks to his instincts, he managed to prop up a barrier of magic.
Walking up to the Colonel, Taka salutes. “Sir, she wanted me to do something?” He slowly lifts his trembling hand. “Pad O-O-One… Make a tele-” he coughs smoke as he shakes his head. “Make a teleport circle for a carriage and horse. Leave it blank for her.” going to his pack, he brings out a specific chalk and walks to the Hangars.
“Ohhhhh… Taka, I’ve always wondered what your teleportation magic looks like!”
“It’s pretty basic. You just have to learn some symbols. Since this is a carriage, we’ll go into the book and get the most efficient measurement.” With a grimoire, he looks at the best sizes and the one marked with 5 Meters, with the stuff to teleport ranging from common household items to vehicles.
Making the circle, he makes another inside and then two smaller ones. Dividing it into six quadrants, he busily started doing some inscriptions, but left entire sections empty. Soon after, he dusted his hands and the circle was complete. “Kala, come here.” gesturing for the fox girl, she seamlessly tiptoes over the chalk and to him.
“This here is a circle. It is most commonly used for teleportation and summoning. Though there are other shapes, with the Star most commonly used for Offensive Magic. This is the most used of it all, as it's just the most useful for daily life.”
He then opens the grimoire and shows her the differing types of Magic Circle shapes and the sub variants you can use. “You see the Circle and Star? That’s the one the Major Guilds like the United Nations is using to summon its many skeleton soldiers.”
The fluffy tail of the foxy lady waggles even more as she reads through the instructions and cautions.
“But a golden magic circle with a Star and Spike is all of the shapes in one.” Taka and Kala instantly turned around, with the fox girl hiding behind the Sergeant as Bahamut kneels in front of the circle and with a touch, inscriptions filled the empty space. “You can also make Magic Circles through spells if one is skilled enough.” She then takes a step back. “Link it.”
Taka then touches it and the circle lights up. “Good. Go back to your barracks, Human." She then flicked her finger and Junior appeared with the lone black horse pulling their two carriages. “Hello Horsey. Let us go back home to our Master.” As she touched the mount, its thick rubbery skin felt cold. “I wonder what a horse tastes with gravy.”
Junior immediately reacted, making the Colonel fall on his back once again in his already burnt fatigues. “Woah!” Tung was behind him who had his phone. The artist just stood a few meters back from the Officer who had to get up again.
“Goddess Bahamut, please do not take off from the tarmac. Your wings, Dragon wings overall, are very powerful. They distort the wind, so it will create wake and turbulence everywhere in the airbase!” She sighs as the woman hopped into the driver seat of the lead carriage.
Bahamut pulls the reins and makes the dark horse go slowly forward, the magic circle disappearing as they reach Tung. He salutes her and shows her the drawing he made. “I apologize if it's not that great, but the Paint App on my phone is good for what it is.
image [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GLh72FdbgAAw-6X?format=jpg&name=large]
“Hm. Very good. Cuter than that fox lady, right?” Tung immediately nodded with the Colonel. The two not even thinking twice of leaving a second of silence. “Be sure to cherish that piece. My beauty is unmatchable even in the realm of the Dragons. Polished Black Scales is a true rarity, as rare as the Chromatic Dragons.”
She once again takes a good look at the artwork. Perfectly capturing the dark allure she held for so long. From the dark long hair, the straight bangs, and deathly eyes. “Very good. When are you going to paint this?” Tung rubs his chin and inspects the piece he made. “I believe it's better to leave it as black and white. I think it depicts you way better.”
The Colonel on the other hand points at the Air Traffic Control Tower. “General Jackson also has some updated Maps for him. Please stop by, a soldier will put it in his carriage.”
“Eh, I wanted my golden eyes to be the best part. But if such is your taste then so be it. Good luck to you, Humans. May you all find your way home.” She takes the carriage ATC tower where a bunch of maps was dropped inside the lead wagon.
With her cargo and vehicle secured, she made a beeline to the border wall of the Kingdom of Rose where in the open fields, she transformed into her Dragon form. Junior had to hop into the carriage that she has been pulling for years.
For the first time, being the one transported in it.
Heading inside and to the second floor to find him inside Alana’s office.
Back in his own corner, all of the stuff he had used was still there when he was still recovering. Scratching his head, he stands up making the Countess lean to him in shock.
“Uhhhh…. M’Lord?” he turned to her and immediately sighed. “I can’t take it out of my head what Bahamut said about Elizabeth. Gah, I’m going downstairs!”
As he took his jacket, the Countess just smiled and giggled. Going back to her job as she inked more paperwork.
Heading to the garden behind the Manor, the alluring sense of Elizabeth was calming and its effect immediately worked on him who was instantly smitten by her. With a clear mind, he opens the door and walks up behind the Queen who was silently drinking tea.
Her purple gown was even more vibrant amongst the sea of flowers and hedges that flanks the wide garden in front of them. The kiss of the star above made it even more scenic as Jackson had a smile to his face.
He slowly reaches out his hand and places it on her left cheek. The blonde woman did not recoil, in opposite, she pushed her head into his hands. Slowly shaking and letting him have a good rub of her supple cheeks.
“My Lord. How have you been?” Her voice did not hold the same vigor as before, though it was still sexy. It did not have the usual punch that’d come afterwards. “Good. Just finished up some paperwork. Can you believe it? The UN wants me to go and inspect more brand new tanks. Even right now, inventions are being made to counter magic effectively with addon armor.”
Taking a step closer behind her, the woman just solemnly sighs. “Is this payment for all the things I’ve done? I truly have no words for your love, My Lord.” walking next to her, he just stood by and watched the garden with the Queen.
“No. This is just a foreign species of Humans trying to find its hardest to survive. I get what Maltese want. It's efficient, fast, and a sure way to unite all of the nations as everywhere we go, your deeds long ago are one way or another mentioned or skimmed over. But…” he looked up to the skies and shrugged his head.
“Unlike before on Earth. I have power here, I am no longer some schmuck commanding tanks for his masters sitting behind the lines. I won’t let them use You, Bahamut or Alana… And hey, it worked didn’t it?” he looks down and to her, with a beaming expression on the man, she couldn’t help but turn red. “Woah! You blushed!”
The Queen frowns and puts her hands up her face, squishing and massaging it. “My Lord, you keeping us out of the UN’s hands was a work of art but at the same time, Maltese is not just some nobody. He is the overall Commander of the UN forces. What plan could we muster at this point with such a tight deadline?”
“This is where you Vampires fail. We Humans are geniuses in the art of making shit up along the way! Bwahahahaha! Don’t worry, just give me some time. I’ll cook up something again. Heck, even you might be able to think of something.”
“I’d need a lot more information though, My Lord. Currently, the problem between the Holy See and the Elven Empire is not one about Species alone. It concerns history, national security, and future dependency. What we did in Janishaire is merely uncovering one aspect to a very complex problem.”
“Pfft. Elizabeth! Don’t be so down!” He then starts stroking her head, the woman breathing out and seemingly on the verge of falling asleep. “Ahahaha, look. I think our best bet is to visit Elvennur. But Maltese mentioned something about the limit of Humans allowed there has been reached. So I’m still thinking of a way.”
“Hah… My Lord, if you have to. I am more than willing to reanimate my Knights. All they need is proof of my existence and blood.” he instantly reacted and shrugged his head. “No. I won’t allow that. Your Knights also deserve to rest from what they’ve done long ago. YOU also need to rest. You wake up and here you are being toyed and used by greater powers like me.”
“Hm. I do find it odd, I was usually the greater power in the bigger picture.”
“If you find it odd, remember. I lived in a world without magic and I had to meet some insane commanders with crazy orders. Generals who were smart, but Human still and made mistakes. I had to contend with that and survive. I changed crews multiple times since they kept dying and dying.” She then lifted both her hands to meet with his that was still on her cheek and held it tightly. “Things may seem dire at times, but if I know anything so far. We’re at our best when things are looking bad.”
Soon after, the carriage arrives at the Manor and the Dragon on the driver’s seat as she takes into the front yard. Bahamut did not waste time going to the second floor, but there, she only found Alana who was reading Manga in her leisure. With a plate of muffin and a glass of wine, she read through the Japanese text without tire.
“Oy, where did Master go?” she just pointed to the back of the Manor and the Dragon sighed as she turned around and headed back down.
Bahamut then appears behind them, the Dragon having her hands on her hips as she has a valiant pose. “Master! I’ve delivered your carriage and some maps as ordered!” This made him smile as he let go of the Queen and jogged to the front yard rubbing his forehead and chin.
The Queen was left baffled as he came back again and headed up the second floor dangling multiple maps in his hands as he had a big wide smile to him. “Well, I’ll go and eat. Master has those eyes in him again.” Elizabeth just politely nodded as the Dragon disappeared into the halls. Maids are already following her, ready for the orders she’ll demand as soon as she steps foot into the dinner hall.
In the office, he laid down multiple charts and maps while also taking a look at reports and reminders about the High Elves. Alana who was busy with herself would look every now and then, watching her Lord slouch down as he takes into account many variables into a paper.
He was energetic and cathartic the entire time, as if he was in a trance as he turned left and right, checking documents and harnessing whatever information he could muster with his eyes.
“Alana. Can you help me a bit here?” She immediately drops her quill and stands up. Walking to his back where she rests her arm on his shoulder, the woman couldn’t believe her eyes.
On his office table were detailed maps of the High Elf Empire and their various capitals and major settlements. Included in some of the charts were the terrain height and specific areas of interest.
“I can’t believe the Elves didn’t slack off in terms of defense.” He then swipes the top maps, revealing another one underneath. Showing the Thirty States under the Empire and each of them, having defensive works and at least two Standing Companies that’s with an Air Corps. Those with a river or lake had a Navy detachment. Not one region was left untouched and the players could clearly notice the funnels there creating with the defenses.
It was all hidden and the man shook his head. “So first things first, holy crap. The Elves are armed to the teeth, secondly. That means I can’t get in as a Human.” She tilts her head as she rests it on his shoulder, her lips closed and twisted in confusion. “M’Lord, what exactly do you plan to do?”
“Heh.” Jackson leans down forward to the tote bag in between his legs and picks up a potion. “This!”
“Eh?! But are you sure, M’Lord? Can you even do it for long?”
“We’ll see. But I’ve put in our time frame. One week max. One week, we have to solve this whole debacle about the Beast people’s status to the Church and put it to rest. With that, the continents should have at least two weeks to prepare. Maltese might be right about the time constraint, but I believe everything will pull through in the end.” Seeing him so giddy, Alana smiles as she wraps her arm around his neck. Giving him a barrage of smooches from the back and the top of his head. “Ah! M’Lord! You truly are a Knight! Then! When shall we set off?”
“I’ll see to it first that we get everything in line. I need another ID, one that’s me in my Vampire form. After that, get it printed and have me listed as part of the Military Diplomacy Contingent. The High Elves only restrict Humans, Elves, and Beast people. Vampires do not have any limits due to how small of a population they are in the UN. We can get in. I just need the paper and documents.”
“Hm. And after that?”
“After that, we’ll set off to Elvennur. To the Neutral Block where we can prepare for the debates and meetings. I’ll have to use Bahamut as a trump card. Since all species respect the Dragons, right? We might be able to say she’s a true God and get that rumored Admiral on our side.”
“Hm. Yes, M’Lord. The only species that doesn’t respect them I believe is a country of Humans. But that’s just due to an ancient disagreement. This Admiral you mention, it's the one that Bahamut said the Demented Crusaders were looking into maybe converting, correct?”
“Exacto! And Alana, do you have maybe a Ledger of your contacts there? The Elves are rich right? This Admiral should be a buyer too.” she nods. “Though, M’Lord. I don’t even show this information to my parents… but since the situation demands it.” The Countess then walks off the office, only coming back a few moments later with a leather book on her that’s wrapped on paper.
Opening it, it reveals all her buyers and contacts. Alongside what company or House they own and belong to. Turning to the Elves, he is shocked to see even the Emperor was there, and is her top buyer in the country. “Admiral, Admiral. Ah, I have many names though. M’Lord.” he takes a look at it and his eyes dims.
“I can’t read.” The Countess cutely giggles as she ruffles his hair. “Ah, don’t worry. But M’Lord, since this is an Admiral who can afford my wine. There could only be a handful of people.” nodding, he rubs his chin as he looks at the ledger. “Though M’Lord, we need to figure out if he is an Air Admiral or Naval Admiral. The Empire of the Elves has the Navy-Air Force under one place unlike in your system where they are separate military service.”
“Eh? How does that work? Either way, are these all of the Admirals?”
“There could be a handful, M’Lord not here. As some prefer their own products.”
“Hmmmm… interesting. Can you write down the names while I see how we’re gonna do this. I might need Elizabeth’s help in tactics.'' As he goes to his paper, he writes down a possible timeline. Though rough estimates, it gave him a general idea of the flow. “After this, we’ll advise everyone to prepare. I’ll pull whatever strings I could to get everyone in Threa to arm up and get ready. After this, it's time to dance with fate.”
“A dance with fate. Hmph, I’ve gotten accustomed to it after traveling with you, M’Lord.”
“This one’s different. This one involves everybody, from you, me, and the Heroes. We must do this to the tee and finish it to the tee.”
“And the Heroes, M’Lord?”
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Jackson then swipes over some maps and brings in a newer one. One that’s marked only a week ago with circles and markers on it showing the locations of the Heroes. The one thing he puts an emphasis on with having multiple arrows leading to it and notes are the fact that the Sword Saint and the Grand Prince of Humanity alongside that of the Elven Hero had all united in one powerful party. Even in the marking, the Party is marked with SSS+ and is to be avoided at all cost, retreat and do not engage were written as a reminder.
The note under it reminds anyone of the grave consequences of this action and that the UN will not be liable for any permanent deaths. Aside from that, it also shows the fact that they originated from multiple locations. With the Elven Hero coming from the North section of the special autonomous zone of the Wood Elves, the Sword Saint on the other hand coming from Dragovh, appearing on the Holy Cathedral of Deus Vrax in the Capital alongside the Hero of Humanity.
With big question marks, the other Hero, that of the Beast men is still not found. Of all of the known ones, Elizadeath is one marked with the most caution.
“They're all located in the great plains right now. Looks like that player who went loose as a great lich has garnered everyone’s attention even to this day. I believe they are gaining strength and power as we speak. They are fast on the Hero's Journey.” He clicks his tongue and leans on the map. “If back then, we could get the Grand Prince off his feet with an artillery shell. I wonder if we could still do the same.”
“I don’t believe so, M’Lord. You saw him in Zavalda. That man is beyond even us Vampires alongside the Sword Saint.”
“I guessed as much. But he is a cool dude. I thought he’d be more of an asshole, not gonna lie. But even when we captured him back then, he was all kind and respectful.” With a sigh, he sat down and leaned into the table. “His first concern was his friends at his party. What a guy. No wonder even Bahamut respects him to a degree. But look at all these warnings on him.”
Showing his profile, though his danger level was near to zero. The possibility of when an attack from him occurs has all sorts of labels on it. “I see, M’Lord. But for him to be titled with such letters, and grave warnings. It seems that the Grand Prince is the strongest of them all?”
“Not the strongest in terms of overall firepower though.” Jackson then gets to another file. This one, coming from the Internal Bureau. “Sigured has all of the traits of the other Heroes but at a cost. He isn't as good as they are. But even then, with that level of skill on all fronts, he is a Generalist at heart. It's Elizadeath that packs the most punch of them all.”
“That woman again, M’Lord?”
“Hm. A Sword Saint without restrictions is basically a Demigod amongst the people. One that can spam Ancient Magic left and right. You remember how she almost killed me right?” Jackson points to his stomach where it once hit. “That magic needed a very specific bow with a very specific magical focus to perform. She isn’t that, she’s a Paladin. Hence why she’s marked as the one most strongest in terms of punching power. You’ve seen it before right? Magic of Tur.” Alana immediately flashes back to the insane battle with Bahamut and the Hyper Demons in Zavalda.
The strength of her magic, capable of ripping time space itself and mend the ripple it created to transport her true form and releasing the starmetal swords whose ages were before that of entire mountain ranges. “Ah, and it is indeed scary.”
“Hm. While the Wood Elf with them is noted to be a sniper of epic proportions.” Jackson then swipes it a few pages till he lands at Sir Brown. “He might not look at that much, but look at this.” In an underlined sentence, the Countess reads it out loud. “Upon finding themselves trapped against a crumbling mountain top, Sir Brown fired his enchanted bow that landed two hundred and fifty kilometers away. Teleporting them into the Great Plains within an instant.” This made her eyes sparkle at the thought of such a shot.
“Amazing, right? Here it even says he sniped a dude fifty kilometers away. Citing, he might’ve used the sights of the animals nearby for the shot.” He then goes to the last one. Without a known document, the one meant to represent the various Beast people is left with a big question mark and all the pages there were full of theories and conspiracies on where and who this person might be.
With the conclusion being “Since the Heroes are selected as the strongest and peak of their species, we believe the last Hero could be of the species same as the Rogue or the original species of Beast people that has escaped to Meridia.” tilting her head, the Countess then picks it up and looks down at the notes below.
“M’Lord, this is actually something very unique.”
“What?”
“One of the Heroes still hasn’t found their way to the party of saviors.”
“Party of Saviours?”
“Hm. That’s their historical name. But I cannot technically call them that yet as one Hero is still missing.”
“Is that bad? How bad is that?”
“Very bad, M’Lord. Each of these Heroes represent something from what the original Gods made the people of this planet off. Sir Sigured, Faith and Courage, Elizadeath, Strength and the Unknown, Sir Brown, Distant and Valourous.”
“So Humanity represents faith and courage? Hmmmm… not that I disagree with that.”
“Hm. The last one missing is the enchanting and divine.”
“And Elizadeath, how come she presents the Unknown?”
“There’s always that outlier every now and then on this planet. That one person out of his world coming to aid and save many who are in peril. Some say it might be due to the collective will of the people that they wish for a Hero not of this world to come in and swoop them from the Evils that inflict them. The Gods hear this collective cry and summons a great soul to come and aid them.”
“I see… a lot of cries must’ve happened if a portion of a planet’s population was summoned and teleported here.”
“It is kinda interesting, M’Lord. How your world seems to be of no cosmic problem. It's just Human problems and no one else.”
“Yeah. There’s so many Human problems when a caveman finds out you can bash a rock onto someone’s head to kill them. Interesting how it ends up with a caveman sitting in a command center five thousand miles away firing intercontinental missiles at cities.” Jackson closes the document and he stretches his arms and legs. “It’s not fun, you know? When a mushroom cloud hangs over your dreams and future. You can pray all you want, but when you're on that edge, all you can cling to is to yourself and whatever God you believe.”
“A mushroom cloud, M’Lord?”
“Nukes, Alana. Nukes. To this day, I thank the Lord above that I wasn't on the landings in Italy. One hundred and fifty thousand dead in an instant with over three hundred thousand civilians. Including one of our largest carriers from PLAN and six Destroyers. Maltese told me he watched it happen. He said he’ll never fall for the folly of our commanders on Earth yet look at him now.” he giggles as he massages his eyebrows profusely. “Atleast our leaders weren’t dumb enough to break the Treaty of Nuclear War in the beginning. The rule was, no nukes to be shot on foreign soil. It did not include your own though.”
“The more you try to change, the more you stay the same?”
“Yeah… yeah… tomorrow. I’ll drink that potion and turn into a Vampire temporarily. I am gonna need your help though.”
“Heh! Don’t worry about it, M’Lord! Me and Her Majesty shall teach you.”
“Good, now bring me Elizabeth. I need her to tell me a thing or two about the Elves and how she managed to collapse this society. Pride and Prejudice.”
As the darkened night passes and a new day comes. With the birds chirping, the cold wind of the Northern continent blowing past the now newly leaf trees and bushes coming along with it were the ones that fell in winter. The General and the Vampires didn’t sleep through the night and kept awake. Elizabeth was bringing ancient Vampire Books about her exploits and how she toppled the Elves without firing a single shot.
Though the outside world seemed so inviting, its warmth billowing him tunes of happiness and relaxation, his eyes were but bloodshot and his hair haggard and messed. Alana and Elizabeth who was with him the entire ordeal still had their calm and Noble demeanor. Not even a strand of loose hair was on them as they looked as rejuvenated as yesterday.
In his pajamas, it's full of wrinkles and unflattened cloth yet the Countess’ nightgown was as straight as ever. Unblemished and ruined, it stayed true to form the entire night till morning. “It’s done…” With that, the man plops his head down into the desk and slips in a slumber without warning. The woman only chuckled as she opened the window of her office, letting in the air to circulate around the tightly packed place. Breathing in, she could feel the cold stream enter her lungs, as if it cleanses all the impurities left within it.
Elizabeth on the other hand bought more books, these ones thicker than the ones before. “Though, My Lord. The entire point of this plan of yours hinges on this lone Admiral and if he could sway the Military to favoring the Human Pope. The Elves are non confrontational in all of their internal conflicts. This person with such a place in the military could easily topple everyone to follow in.”
“Exactly, and with Bahamut. We can surely do this.”
“Hm. But, My Lord. I do warn you, the Elves are not to shy away from more heinous deeds if need be.”
He breathes a long sigh. “I hope not. We’re inside their society by that time. They’d be stupid to pull anything. The Emperor’s stance on this is quite apparent already. With all the news about him leaving tradition and even changing the Toga he is supposed to wear to that of a more modern uniform.”
“Rest, My Lord. As of tomorrow, you’ll drink it, correct?” Jackson’s eyes open and close multiple times. Unable to grasp the face Elizabeth is making. “El… Elizabeth. It’s not like I’m going to die.” she shrugs as the woman’s face was full of worry. “Still, what if the potion completely changes your nature, My Lord? Agh… if only I had access to my lab like back then.”
“It won’t change me. We already tested it right? I’m sure it's not that bad.”
After a long hard nap, Jackson walks to the front courtyard and opens the gate of his carriage. Still in his messy striped pajamas. He starts rummaging through the crates inside it, ending up with a small one meant for potions.
He proceeds to take the purple shaped flask labeled with “TURNS YOU INTO A VAMPIRE FOR A MONTH! DO NOT DRINK!” with the ones that turn you into an Elf and another into a Werewolf. He makes a long sigh and brings it back into the Manor. The Elven and Human servants all bowed down to him as he walked through the main lobby and into the back where Elizabeth was silently drinking tea to herself.
With a rapid and chaotic entrance, he plops down the potion on the marble table and sits on the extra chair opposite of hers. His sudden intrusion caught her off guard as she looked at the magical liquid with the duct tape label on it. “You're really gonna go through this, My Lord?” swallowing his saliva. The man nods. “I don’t have a choice, Maltese really made sure I was bang out of luck with this one. But I am not one to shy away from a challenge.” After sipping a bit more of her tea, the woman then takes the bottle and closely observes it.
“What ingredients are these usually made out of, anyways, My Lord?”
“Transformation stuff has any part of a creature with its DNA, some thyme, corn, these divine wood saplings, and some other rare things like Dragon burnt birch wood.”
“That’s… oddly random.”
“I can tell you a five part lore in each of those ingredients but I think it’d bore you more than anything.”
“Uhhhhmmm… yes. Indeed it would, My Lord. But you are aware of what realm you are about to step into, correct?”
“I know. That’s why I am all like this. I don’t even know how to act like one, let alone the diet of a Vampire! I am Human still… drinking blood would make me vomit, I feel like.”
“Pfft. You are wrong, My Lord.” standing up, the woman puts the potion high up above her, the morning star reflecting it as she observes the gasoline like texture of it. “You’d actually wish you had more.” Seeing her have such a serious expression on her face, the man crosses his legs and puts his hands together. “The first thing you must do is to learn to control your desire, My Lord. Though I believe you’ll be able to go through this one without much hassle.”
“Wh-what does it feel like?”
“Hm?”
“To not drink blood… when you want it.”
“How do I do this in Human terms… ahm… oh! It’s as if you were stuck in a desert full of water. Water you cannot drink as you need this specific one.” She tilts her head as three of her long slender fingers hold up the flask. “Even though you are in an ocean, it feels like it's a desert. It’s so painful that you’d wish you’d be dead… but you can’t die as your lustful desire for blood drives you forward.” She then turns her face to him, lowering the potion back to the marble table. “Uhhhh… uhhhh… I don’t wanna drink Human blood though…”
“Well, you can certainly try to drink mine or the Countess’. But I believe it's better for you to train in controlling that desire first.”
“Elizabeth, I don’t exactly have fifty years to home in that skillset.”
“Do not worry, My Lord! Me who has two hundred years of training in that field can help you.” Jackson then puts both of his hands up his forehead. It lifts his bangs up and ruins his hair even more. “Do you remember what it felt like? The transformation?” She then sits down and goes back to her tea cup. Her pinky and index finger are not touching the handle and coupled with such an elegant stature, she seemed like she still owns the entire Kingdom. “Hmmm…” with her eyes looking up at the blue skies with scattered clouds, the woman then turns to him.
“Hmmmm…” settling down the teacup, she put her hands together and looked up to the sky. “It oddly felt like I was walking down the deeper depths of the Underworld.”
“Huh?”
“The only thing I could truly remember was that feeling that I was no longer Human. I am now something Humans feared. It was sudden, quick, and painless. My body… it felt lighter, faster, stronger and my eyes. My vision could even reach the microbial spec on the dark cave where that Fountain was.”
“That’s… that’s good. At least.”
“Well, My Lord. It varies for some. I’ve seen my Court forcefully turn those Humans who had proven themselves to be worthy to become a New Vampire burst into flames first, some writhing in pain even I cannot fully translate into words.” Jackson once again swallowed his saliva as his hands gripped each other. “Ohhhh…”
“But don’t worry, My Lord. It's not as if you were those gallant Knights who’d rather face death than become an eternally beautiful creature now, aren’t you? Though I still hold reservations with this decision, it is the best we could conjure up.”
“Errrrrrr… there’s a reason why I am a Human of all the species, you know?”
“Heh. Worry not, My Lord. It's only three weeks. One week is all you need to put up the charade of a Noble Vampire.”
“Ugh… I can barely do it and now, I have no choice but to put it up for an entire week… or even more if things don’t go our way.” Seeing him struggle, the Queen stood up and rested both of her hands on his shoulders. Massaging it slowly, she smiles behind him. Her fangs and sharp ears bare for the world to see. “Way down we go, My Lord.” her right hand then loosens as her arm locks with his neck. The man just lifted his right hand to pat her elbow. “Haaaaah… this is complete insanity.” lowering her face next to his ear, the woman spoke in such a low and slow voice that it could be enough to put anyone to sleep. “But I do thank you, My Lord. No amount of gifts and love can convey the feelings I hold for you now. Truly, you are a great man.”
Jackson’s eyes blinks and then widens. Though still stoic at first, a grin appears at his face as the man pats her elbow once again. “Heh. I just did what a man should do.” she then lets go of him and sits back down at her lawn chair. “What does it feel like? To be called a great man by a Vampire, My Lord?” he just chuckles and laughs a bit and proceeds to take the potion. “Yeah… a great man…” as if his reflection changed to when he was back on Earth, in the heat of battle, fire behind him as tracers flew into the night sky. He just scoffs and smiles. “I guess this is my redemption for all the things I’ve done. To lose my humanity, even for a bit of time, might be the greatest saddest thing I've ever done in my life.” Unscrewing the cork, Jackson drinks the potion whole in one go.
Elizabeth just blinked and the man she knew has completely changed. Now standing a bit taller than her, in a body that’s built like a brick wall and a face so beautiful that not even she could not look away from him. His striped pajamas looked so out of place for a Vampire of such stature and looks and the Queen briefly stood up and bowed. Lifting her skirt lightly as if to meet a new person.
“Uhhhh… this feels SUPER odd…” his voice had completely changed, and came with it this high and mighty deep tone. “Odd? Why did I say odd?” Jackson looked at his hands, they were as cold as ice and devoid of any warmth at all. “So… this is what it feels like to be a Vampire in Dark World… I get it now when they said you need to be a bit insane to play this species.” he then takes his first step and his eyes widen. The weightlessness caught him off guard.
Unlike back in his Human form, his new self seemed to look more sadder and solemn. “Woah… is this how light it feels to be one of your kind, Elizabeth?” His voice was also crisper and clearer. Like he has trained since birthed by the best orators in the land. The blemishes and the imperfections of his speech are all gone, his kind and caring tone all but disappeared and exchanged in its place is a cold hearted tone of a person who was once a man.
The Queen quickly ran in front of him and her hands ran from his thigh up to his shoulders. Feeling him up. “My Lord… what does it feel like? Truly?”
“Odd. Tsk, weird! Why do I keep pronouncing such word-” he lifts both his hands up his mouth. “My, my speech has changed. Why would one talk in such an olden way?!”
Elizabeth smiles. “Phew… at least you're still there, My Lord.” She then puts both of her hands on his now slender cheeks. All its fluff and redness gone and replaced with a white deathly color. She then forcefully drags his forehead to meet with hers. “My Lord, please remember this. DO NOT lose yourself. Within the few days you are to be one of my kin. Please never forget your humanity… Bahamut… oh Bahamut would be so sad if you were to do so.” She then pushes his forehead away and looks straight at his red eyes.
“Tell me, My Lord. What is your favorite dish?” He didn’t answer. Only staring back at her emerald eyes, her expression is one of that of a person who seems to be in great pain. “Steak with gravy and mashed potatoes.” She then breathes a long sigh of relief as a flap of wings could be heard and a dashing landing behind them, Bahamut arrives and her head immediately tilts at the sight of her Master, now a Vampire.
“Oh Master… your kindness even moved you to sacrificing your humanity just to help a bunch of non humans. Haaah… just what am I going to do with you?" She then changes into her Dragon form and lands on his now extra broad shoulders.
Without talking anymore, the Dragon walks up and down his pajamas sniffing every inch of his neck. Not caring at all if it meant ruining its already wrinkled surface. The Dragon continues to sniff and check his new body and upon the final smell, Bahamut runs back to his shoulder and licks his neck where she just sits down right after doing so.
“What is it, Dragon? Did the potion do its job?”
“Bloodsucker… you better do good. For Master to go this far…” She then turns her face to the Queen, the Dragon didn’t look angry or disappointed. But just empty. “Haaaaah… Good thing I changed to this form. I cannot cry as a Dragon. I can control that urge.” She then turns to her Master, with a stylish buzz cut and no bangs, he seemed infinitely more handsome and presentable now, gone were the little imperfections of his human body and replaced with the absolute perfection of a Vampires. But Bahamut didn’t seem happy nor even curious. Just stoic and steel.
“If I were to stay in my Human form… I do not know how long I’d cry. The warmth of the man that hugged me when I first came back to Threa is now all gone.” she tries to rest on his shoulder like before, but couldn’t seemingly find the right spot. “Even the imperfections of his bone structure after all the battles he's been through are all gone… the smile of Master is also changed… Ahhhhh… is this some form torture?” Elizabeth then gently grabs the Dragon and slowly patted her belly and back. “I apologize greatly, Bahamut. If need be, I will build you a hundred thousand statues and make sure this Kingdom will forever be indebted to you and our Lord. Even I am in pain, to know that even after all these centuries, my mere presence can still give pain to the ones I love and cherish. I truly apologize.”
“I wouldn’t have protested if Our Lord ordered me to be used. If it meant my name, out there once again. Then so be it. But can you see his kindness, Bahamut?” The crackle of her voice made the Dragon shiver as she looked to her Master, now an entirely different person. “Humans… for all your hubris and foolishness. This might be the one aspect I can never forgive. Master, for the sake of me and our relationship. Don’t lose yourself.”
She then lifts the small Bahamut up to the level of her face and lets her sharp nose touch the Dragon's snout. She didn’t turn away and merely accepted it. “Thank you, truly.” She then turns to her Master, the sparkle that’d usually come whenever she’d see him, the unfailing light of love she has for him is replaced with one that’s dimmer.
As if the man she’d give up the entire abyss for just died in front of her. But then, Jackson’s hand reaches for her and just like before, scratches that special spot on her chin. “Do not worry, Bahamut. This is just for the time being. I know how hard this must be for you, but it has to be done.”
“This is my chance to make things different. I am not some nobody here, I have the power to change things. Thus, shall be my eloquent song to fate that’s been relented to me.” She just nods and flies back to his shoulder. Though not posed the same way as before, the Dragon's back was straight and laced, unlike her usual lazier posture. “Even the way you talk has changed, Master.”
Knocking on the door to the backyard garden, Jackson turns around to see Alana leaning on the frame. “My… M’Lord, I nearly took you for an intruder there.” Breathing a long sigh, the General just opens his arms. “Well, what do you think? Can it work?” She then gestures for him to spin around more and after doing it five times, she orders him to stop. “Hm. It can. Those Crimson red eyes though… that’s a very special eye color meant for the Old Vampires, M’Lord.”
“So… what first?”
“Well, you have that armor already right, M’Lord?”
“Hm.”
“Then, it's getting you multiple outfits for set times. One for when you are to go to sleep, another for meeting people of equal or higher status, another one for your daily strolls, and another-”
“Alana, it's just temporary. Ahahahaha. Just get me the stuff I’d need the most.”
“That's the second one. A proper Vampire Noble ensemble for foreign duties. Your Majesty, what do you think? Would an Elizabethan style suit him? Or would he be more of a New Wave type?”
“Hmmmm…” She then observes the man and then turns to Alana. “I feel like an Elizabethan one would suit him better. Our Lord’s Vampire form is more akin to the olden Vampires’ I’d see in my court. Unlike the newer ones who wish to stay in their younger and slender frame, Our Lord has a stocky and tall one instead.” Nodding in agreement, the Countess then walks right up to his chest and feels its hardness. “Wow… but… hmmm.. I still do prefer the flesh of a living Human.” she then makes him spin around for his back to face her. “Though a cape would suit him, no?” Elizabeth then peeks from his arm and nods to Alana. “Of course, Countess. Ah! Be sure to give him a brooch and rings for his fingers.”
“Uhm… Isn’t this going a bit too over the top?”
The two Vampires look at one another and then to him. “Pfft. M’Lord, I am very happy to know that you are still yourself. Please, never change.” She then makes him turn around to face her, the Countess now only reaching his neck.
Looking up, his eyes meet hers and Alana couldn’t help but visibly blush upon seeing his pretty face. Though his jawline was still wide, it is now met with a sharper chin. She quickly puts her hand up his face, making him look away.
“Okay, okay. First things first, M’Lord. Do not look at another Vampire’s eyes for more than a second. Only do that if you either want to take them to bed or fight them, alright?” with her hand forcefully pushing against his cheeks, the man could only reply in a gagged tone. “Yesh mam.” retracting her arm, she then turns to look at him once again just for their eyes to intercept. “M’Lord!” He then instead focuses on her chest, looking at her plump mounds thinly hidden by her nightgown. “Okay! I think I got it down!” Elizabeth and Alana just facepalms while Bahamut grins.
The Dragon on his shoulder suddenly got more animated once again. “Yup. That’s Master alright.” before he could do more damage. The Countess grabs his hand and brings him inside where she leads him to the ballroom. Immediately turning around, the woman grabs both of his arms and the two start their dance.
To her surprise, he was a natural now. She didn’t need to slow down or compensate at all as he was able to catch up with her in no time. Looking at him, his face seemed so radiant, as if it was to glisten with pure beauty and handsomeness. She had to turn her face away as Jackson got her more than excited.
Not only was she now dancing with another Vampire, but a man who she sees in an entirely different light. Getting in the mood, her Butler appears out of nowhere and starts playing the piano in the room and after a few minutes, she stops and the woman nods while putting her hands up her face.
“Uhhhh… Alana?”
“No. I am fine. I’m… I’m not used to something like this.”
“Did I uhhh… do good?”
“Yes. You actually did perfectly, M’Lord. What I taught you perfectly translated into your Vampire form. Seems to be the only thing missing now is to check your elegance and if it's up to par. Her Majesty will be the one best to judge you there.”
On the sidelines, the Queen just had her arms crossed as she walked to the corridor. Bahamut on the other hand flew up to the upper floors as Elizabeth waved her hand at some of the Maids and they started to follow her. “I want a full tea set prepared at the Dining table alongside some meals. Make it vary from Soups to Meat and Vegetables. Also, put the most intricate glassware and utensils you can find." One by one, the Elven and Human Maids started peeling off from her, as if they all knew what task one each had to do upon the mere uttering of the orders.
All the while, Jackson walks up to the upper floors. Still shocked at how light he feels. The man then notices the door to his room was open even though he was not even within its line of sight. Silent and not even disturbing the noise pollution in the surroundings, the now Vampiric man peeks inside his room where Bahamut was in her Human form. She had his old jet black Eldwood General Leather Greatcoat up her face and was sniffing the area around the collar. “Ahhhhhh… nothing beats this.'' She then comes back to smelling the old Master she knew till the Dragon hears the door squeak.
“Hm?” turning to it, she notices the handsome Jackson peering in. “Ah, it's just you Master. Hmph. I need to acclimate myself to the fact that you are now far more silent than before.” caught, he stands up and walks inside his room. Sitting down on the King sized bed. “I guess you really prefer that old smell huh? Why not use it?” her eyes lit up as the Dragon was suddenly in front of him. “REALLY MASTER?! I CAN KEEP IT?!” He just nods and she couldn’t be happier. Twirling around, the ancient reptile in Human form sniffed it. “If you can, when we arrive at the borders of Elvennur, have your horns and tail appear. We technically can’t have a Human in the group.”
She merely glances at him and then goes back to sniffing his Greatcoat. “Yeah yeah yeah Master. Don’t worry.” he chuckles and stands up with a smile on his face. “Also, you should wear something more modern since that is based on a British and Germanic design. Your outfit is more uhhhh… Gothic?”
“Hm? Master, since when did you care for looks? You’d literally wear a ragged and smelly commoner's outfit if it provided more armor than your Death Knight set.”
“Well, after reading and seeing all the documentation from the Elves, they really are into these things… and I don’t know. I have a sudden urge to dress up more properly now.”
“Is that so? Ehhhhhh… I’ll see what I have.” The Dragon then happily brings his leather greatcoat away as she returns to her own room and Jackson was left with himself. He looks at his hands, now slender and pale and then to his body, stocky, tall, yet not too much. He pokes at his own body and it's rock hard. “Sheesh.” standing up, he tries to do some stretches and he did it all without even a hint of tire nor limitation of his joints.
He then looks up to the frame of his King size bed that held the curtains. He grabs it and then lifts his entire body with one hand alone and his eyes just widen at the fact that he wasn’t even having a hard time at all. He then becomes more bold, using only three fingers and still, there was not a hint of tire nor stress. Now using only his pinky finger, his entire body dangled by a small grip it had.
Yet he felt like he could do this for years. Nodding, he drops back down and then walks to the balcony where the star’s shine can hit his skin. “Seems that as a Level Two Hundred, I turned into a Count rather than a Peon Vampire.”
Walking back out the hallway and then down the stairs. A cart almost hits him as a maid hurriedly rushed in the dining room where he then steps foot in. But his senses detected the potential crash a good minute ahead, making him stop at the stairs.
Walking to the dinner hall. Elizabeth was in there, checking all the placements of the utensils and glassware. With extreme attentiveness, even the microbial level of difference in their alignment made her adjust them. “Ah, My Lord. You should also train yourself in slowing your breathing. I detected you a mile away. A good Vampire knows to limit their breathing in any situation unless you're by yourself.”
Nodding to herself, she then sits down on the opposite chair as she gestures for him to take a seat on the other side. He quietly does as ordered and takes a look at the massive line of utensils and varying sizes of glasses. “Now, My Lord. Do you remember what to do? Where to begin and start? Let’s see if you can pass as one of us. You already have some of it, but the small things need to be checked fully. Now, shall we begin?”
With a head tilt and a pretty smile, the Vampire man swallows his saliva and he first checks for appetizers.
All the while, inside his room, the Dragon has once again infiltrated his wardrobe. Brazenly entering his premise without any hint of worry as she nonchalantly opened the cabinet for his jackets. The assortment of military uniforms held no point to her eyes as her nose made the choice. Sniffing from left to right, she then stops and takes the olden black leather Eldwood General greatcoat and puts it up to his brown one which is made out of a special wool. Inscribed onto it were his last name and first name. With a smell test, she sways away and closes the door rudely.
“Mhm! This is better!” She then proceeds to walk out of his room. Closing the door on her way out as the woman encounters Alana having her servants bring out the paperwork she had done the night. “Ah, Bahamut. I see that you’ve taken our Lord’s coat for yourself.” she nods whilst making a left turn just by the staircase to the lobby where her own personal room was. Curious, the Countess followed her inside as the Dragon messily opened her luggage. The modern case was powerless as she threw all her Human clothing into her behind. “Bahamut! You should know to not be messy! Our Lord will scold you again if you dare do that!”
She was then thrusted into the position of catching all the gowns and modern clothing the Dragon has. To her surprise, a lot of it were shirts with images of cooked meat dishes on it. One even just had a large print of a white and black cow with a pair of wings and a text underneath it saying “The Steaks are High!” in full English. Seeing the Outworlder language, it took her a few seconds to think about what the entire sentence meant with the odd winged cow and she just gives the Black Dragon a dejected stare.
“What exactly do you have in mind? Your fashion tastes aren’t exactly existent…”
“Master said something modern… so why not one of those things he calls Office Ladies.”
“Office Ladies?” Harking back to her days inside the modern cities of the players, she remembers seeing many women in suits. “Ah, those. Do you even have clothing like that?”
“I do! Mars gave me a lot of pointers on how to dress as a Human. She even recommended this thing called Pencil Skirt!”
TIlting her head, the Countess keeps catching the articles of clothing the Dragon had built up over time. With one of them falling over her face and blocking her view completely. “Ah-hah! Found it!” moving the shirt blocking her view, she sees that Bahamut has found a long pencil skirt with a cut to its side, not sacrificing the movement for style. Going to another case, she then takes her belt with the chrome buckle and the white shirt blouse Languini made for her suit and mixes it up to create her own rendition of an office lady.
After changing in front of Alana who was also folding her clothes, the Vampire was impressed by her presentation. With the long cut of the V neck of her shirt and the collar coming down to meet at the tip alongside the long pencil skirt she wore with a loose belt, the Countess nods in approval. “Hm. You're getting better at this, it seems." But before she could call it, the Dragon took the Emerald Brooch she laid down on the bed and started massaging her forehead. “Hmmmm… though how am I gonna incorporate this?” with now an entire different ensemble, Alana noticed how her demeanor’s entire message has changed. With her motherly voice and her face and hair fully exposed whilst wearing such a modern outfit, she seems more delicate and fragile than ever before.
She then stops admiring the Dragon and flicks her fingers. “Ah! I know!” The Countess disappears and reappears after a few seconds and throws at the Dragon in front of the large mirror a Black Choker Necklace with an empty locking pin for a Brooch. Catching it with one hand, she observes it first and then proceeds to lock her Emerald Jewelry in. To her surprise, it’s a perfect fit. Though wobbly at first, after some adjusting, it was locked in place. Putting it on, the Black Dragon now looked like an Executive for a Conglomerate or a Major Corporate Group, with her on the helm. Even Alana was shocked at her transformation, from the scary and sad Funeral Gown to looking like a celebrity.
As a final touch, the Countess puts Jacksons’ Black leather greatcoat over her shoulders, finalizing her look. With a soft smile and a glow to her golden eyes, the Dragon nods. “Hm! I’ll be keeping this then. Now for the shoes…”
Meanwhile downstairs, Jackson had gone through the entire large table of food. With Elizabeth observing him the entire time with her arms and legs crossed and serious expression on her pretty face. In the end, she just nods. “What is it with your new form, My Lord? Are you sure you weren’t a Vampire before?” he shrugs, just lifting his hands up with the palms open with his head tilted in confusion. “What do you mean? I am just doing as you’ve instructed me.”
“Nay, nay, nay. But… how come you did it with such refinement all of the sudden, My Lord? Your soul should still be that of a Human, right. How can a Human soul pilot a Vampire’s body with such precision and expertise? As if you’ve been living as one for as long as I have.”
“I have no answer for that, My Lady.” She blushed and turned beet red by the spoken words. “My Lord! Just say Dunno! That uncultured speech suits you more!”
“I might actually force it a bit. That was the first reply that came to my mind. It’s odd and scary that my head is thinking differently even in my speech.”
“Eh…? Is that so? Uhm…” she then rubs her chin and starts poking her cheek with her index finger. “Hm. Keep forcing that, My Lord. Only don’t when we're in the presence of others. I much prefer the cultured swine speech you usually have.” He just had a dejected look on him. “Is this an actual preference or are you airing something out about how I talk?” He then nods as two pairs of heeled shoes could be heard walking towards the dining room. He turns his head to the entrance and his eyes open wide at the view before him.
Bahamut has taken his advice to the tee and her new appearance made him stand up and approach her. He rubbed his now sharper chin and nodded over and over again. “Wow Bahamut. You look like the villain in a Korean Soap Opera.” Elizabeth, who was right behind him nods as he compliments the Dragon. “Indeed! My Lord, even her demeanor reminds me of one! Oh how exciting! I am now reminded of the time I spent alone in that high rise apartment!” Jackson then just turns his head towards her and shrugs. “With Government money, by the way.” She then just had a grin up her face as the woman crossed her arms. “Tsk tsk tsk. My Lord, my contribution to the cause is worth more than the mere money spent on my desires.”
He just blinks and turns back to Bahamut. “Very nice work Bahamut! You look like a billion dollars!” though at first, the Dragon just kept her stoic face, she soon had a small grin to her face. “Heh-heh-heh. Alana helped me out too, Master.” he then turns to her and gives the woman a thumbs up which she returns with her own thumbs up. Though facing the wrong way and instead is looking sideways.
“So Master, why do you want me to wear this?”
“You need to blend in. Technically speaking, you are a Dragon but people might take it the wrong way and lump you in as an illegal extra. You are part of the delegation, so be sure to wear something professional. As is such, I will also uphold-” Even though he wasn’t looking at her, he felt Elizabeth’s stare and changed his speech pattern once again. “Just wear something cool and be yourself.”
Nodding, the Dragon then crossed her arms, mimicking Elizabeth’s hearty posture. “And Master?” Jackson and Elizabeth both then turned to one another and blinked at each other repeatedly then returned to her. “It’s just that I’ll be adding you to the roster of Diplomats. You’ll be in the front seat with the Outworlders in the Elven Congress. From the documents given to me, she seems to be a hard worker alongside the Elven Player with her. So don’t go over the top and give them a hard time, alright?”
“Yes, Master.”
“Nice touch with the Brooch. You really love that, huh?”
Her long slender fingers gently land on the smooth and clear surface of her Emerald. “Of course… this is after all, my most treasured belonging.” Jackson just stood frozen and soon looked at the mirror and noticed he wasn't blushing at all. “Huh… so this is how you Vampires view love…” touching his cheeks, all he could feel was the cold of his hands while Elizabeth poked his chin.
“My Lord, maybe now, you can see this thing you call Love through our eyes. Can you understand it now?”
“Mhm. It feels… more like a stalker-ish with a hint of self obsession than actually love though…”
“Hm. That is just our natural desire to pursue the beautiful… and there’s nothing more beautiful than us and those we deem compatible, well, we must go after them with the same vigor as a predator to a prey.”
“I see… I think? Like for Human me, this is weird. If I was in my Human body, I’d be rock hard right now after seeing Bahamut in a corporate executive attire… yet my body didn’t respond like that…”
“Because it's missing something, My Lord.” The Queen then placed her hand gently on the side of his face and pulled it closer to her neck and instantly, the man felt his entire body get energized, like all the adrenaline he had produced in his entire life had come rushing through all the veins in his new body and without even noticing it, his fangs were bare and ready to dig into her long neck without mercy.
He immediately reclined himself and put his hands on his face, confused and dazzled by what he just did.
But Elizabeth didn’t change the expression on her face and with one hand on her hip, walked towards the stricken man. “U-Uhm…! D-don’t get close! This is worse than anything I’ve ever felt in my life! I-Is this what it feels like to be an addict?!” she then stops only hairs away from his face.
“That, My Lord, is the missing thing.” Alana then comes to him with some Wine and the man dunks it all down his throat, finishing an entire bottle in mere seconds. But he suddenly got a hold of his body, though panting heavily. “W-wow! Just what is inside this?”
“It’s just a high concentration of our Wine. Pretty good, isn’t it, M’Lord?”
“Uh huh. That’s a miracle drink. Phew, to think it calmed me down.”
“Heh-heh. Now you see why our drink is so popular and sought after, M’Lord. But it's still a substitute for the ones with Blood.”
“But it worked! Hah! I just need to bring some of these then!”
“Though, M’Lord.” Just as he was about to leave, he stopped and turned around. “Do not fear the need to drink. If need be, you can drink our blood. Me and her Majesty are more than willing. Just say the word, nay. Just assault us if you wish and we’ll gladly give our body to you.” Seeing her serious face, the man just laughs and rests his hands on her shoulders.
“Don’t worry. I’m just getting a hang of things right now. Like… a tutorial stage of sorts. And wouldn’t drinking the blood of another Vampire count as cannibalism?”
“M’Lord, we Vampires can still grow strong if we drink the blood of a stronger Vampire.”
“But doing it normally though? Wouldn’t that be weird?”
“No, M’Lord. It wouldn’t be weird.” She then takes the empty wine bottle from his hands and starts walking to the lobby. “If we were to enjoy each other's company at night, M’Lord. It’d be normal to start it by drinking one of another’s blood, it is said that is the best pleasure a Vampire could have and the best way to show your love. To give your much cherished blood to another.” he scratches his hair upon hearing this.
“So… what? Before you bang each other’s head out, you… drink each other's blood first?”
“Yes, M’Lord. That is how it's supposed to be actually and then even when you're inside of me or her Majesty, it's best to keep drinking blood for the feeling is said to only be beaten by the lust of the kill.” As if a sudden gush of acid came up his stomach, the Vampire immediately covered his mouth. “Urgh…” Elizabeth and Bahamut quickly got to his aid as the man seemed like he was about to throw up. “S-Sorry… just imagining it made me wanna recoil… ugh… that would be a bloody mess though.”
“Not if you were sucking so hard, My Lord. The Countess is indeed correct. That is how we pleasure one another in bed, My Lord. As gruesome as it sounds to you, this is something you must remember.”
“E-Eh? Why?”
“You’ll never know. You are a Vampire now, and being the Male and Our Lord. You have a duty to share your blood with us.”
“H…Huh?”
“It’s sort of a reward. Sharing blood is like sharing one's very essence to one another, My Lord. We Vampires live through the blood inside our body, to let another drink it is but the highest level of pleasure and reward you could give to another.”
Jackson just blinked many times as the two women felt his shiver go up and down his body twice. “No. No doing it. Nope, nope, nope.” as he collected himself, the man didn’t stop shrugging his head. “Yeah, no. Nuh uh.”
“Pfft. My Lord, I’m sure it wouldn’t be as bad as you think it is.”
“I am pretty sure it's as bad as I am thinking it is… And what about Bahamut? Her form is Human. She’d be the last normal one in the party?!”
“What? That doesn’t mean she still couldn’t join us.”
“N-No. I meant…” he just starts massaging his forehead then cheeks then chin. “You know what? Nevermind.”
“What is it, My Lord? You’ve gotten me curious already.”
“Forget it. Just… make sure I don’t do anything to Bahamut.” The Queen just had a broad smile. “Ohhhh… it’s that huh. Well, I never did try drinking her blood when we all share a night together like usual.” the Dragon immediately turned to her and shrugged. “Don’t even think about it. Only Master can drink my blood!”
“You’ll never know, Bahamut… Our Lord might restrain himself, but I am of a different story when blood starts getting drunk.”
“Try it and I will be sure you will spend the rest of the night licking your own body instead of the Countess, Masters’ or Mine.”
“Ohhhh… a threat. Heh.” She then starts walking to the lobby. “I was merely jesting. I know how precious Our Lord is to you. He is also precious to us. Do not worry, we’ve lasted this long not breaking the oath or contract. This will just be another chapter in our short adventure.”
Now left alone with Bahamut, Jackson just skimmed the back of his head with a single hand. “What is it with these Vampires and sex? Sheesh.” He sighs as he sat back down. “Now you see why I don’t interact with those weirdos in Dark World, Bahamut. Just complete insanity.”
“C’mon, Master. We still have to prepare.” he gruntled and stood up instantly. The speed was so fast even Bahamut had to wink a few times to make sure what she saw was correct. “Oh right. You got your stuff ready?”
“It’s all over the floor but I think the Bloodsucker is already on it.”
“All over the floor…?”