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Army of the Damned
VOLUME 4 Chapter 10

VOLUME 4 Chapter 10

Alana with her Longsword out looks at the tall voluptuous woman with long flowing straight blac hair next to her.

“How come you’re taller than me? What’s your height? I’m the same height as our Lord so are you like… two or three-”

“Shush bloodsucker, the thirsty one approaches!”

The woman was drenched in dark colors, she was wearing a Gothic dress and with a black veil covering her entire face, but her Golden eyes with pupils of a Lizard is visible. Her long black hair reaches the floor and the dark Crown she wears gleams as the rays from the Hallways light bounce off it.

The Vampire Queen shows herself, in her purple dress that exposes her navel and abdomen. She’s also boiling hot from the attempted burning of her, holding with her left hand is a Medical Icebox containing her heart. She looks at the hallway and encounters the two women guarding Paul’s room.

“May I ask who you are? Oh Maiden in black.”

“Thou’s Bahamut, the Dragon God of the Void oh one with a thirst that is of the abyss.”

“Indeed… Indeed! And I shall have fun drinking yours. I’ve never tasted the blood of a Dragon God. It must be extremely sweet!”

Back inside the room, Paul is having a nightmare. Remembering a time when he went to a derelict Cathedral in Dark World VR. Walking through the destroyed pews in full Eldritch Armor, with his Python revolver holstered on his right hip while his Longsword sheathed in the left. The clanking of his armor echoes through the destroyed relic. Going up to the second floor, the wooden steps crumble from the weight of his equipment. Upon entering the second floor, a woman is standing in front of a large stained class.

He immediately notices her Hunter’s Cap with a Hippogriff’s Feather. Her black leather long coat swayed from the air coming from the broken walls. Wanting to make himself heard, the Eldritch Knight takes a heavy step in the room, his armor clanking and catching the attention of the tall woman. She turns around with her tied hair slowly revealing a young beautiful woman with Silver Blonde hair and light blue eyes. Her sleeves had pure white frills and the cravat she wore perfectly showing the curves of her body.

“Oh my, oh my. What did I do now?” Her voice was cute and energetic, that of a teenager.

“Lady Mary, Demon Hunter of the Hunters Association.” Paul’s crass and manly voice in return was the opposite of hers.

“That’s Lady Mary of the Arendhal Family to you.”

“Really? Family names? Jesus you larpers really are something.”

“What? We’re in a second reality. Why not go all the way?”

“On the other hand, you know why I’m here. Or do you not?”

“I guess it's something about getting detected in one of your factories.”

“Exactly.”

“Heh. Didn’t know the Eldritch Knights of Eldwood are changing to the Modernists.” Just like that, her voice changed to a mature lady, deep and heavy.

“It’s for the sake of our future, technology will be the balancing force we’ll use to the overwhelming numbers of player Kingdoms.”

“Then what do you want to achieve from this?”

“Not gonna lie… I was just heading to the Capital to collect my Dragon God Companion. But Hashashin told me you were around the Deadlands Region, hence I am here now.”

“I see, and?”

“Well…” he starts walking closer to the girl, using his hands, he swings his black cape, revealing his Revolver and Sword. “I’m gonna have to kill you as a warning. Let us fight here, if I kill you, you won’t spill the beans about our factories. If you kill me, do whatever you want with the information.”

“Serious aren’t we?”

“Of course, with what’s on the line. I have to.”

Using his Index finger, he quickly unholsters his Python revolver, spinning it three times in a matter of two seconds. He opens the cylinder, revealing the six .357 rounds it held, he then turns the gun on its back, revealing to the lady the rounds. After showing the bullets, he quickly snaps the cylinder back in its place. He spins the gun like a cowboy and holsters it back.

In return, Mary unsheathes her Vampiric Rapier, slicing the air, showing her immense speed and then putting the blade infront her, revealing the ornate design and blood flowing through the metal. She then unholsters her Flintlock Pistol, firing it at two ropes above the ceiling.

This makes the Knight weary, after a second, he hears the one of the Bells falling from the tower, quickly dodging it, it fell right where he was. Now the way he came in is blocked by it. He looks back at the Hunter, she was already in front of him.

“Huh, a Vampire too.”

“Yes, but before we have fun, why not introduce yourself BUT, in a Knightly way.”

“Haaah, if you so wish.” He clears his throat.

“I am Eldritch Knight-General of the 7th Legion, Commander of the Undead Knights of Eldwood PilotMan, known as Paul the Undying Loner. The one who took on an Army, broke through the gates of the Kingdom of Light, and killed its King alone.”

“That’s more like it.”

Without a warning, she disappears and is already behind the Knight, in return he uses his gauntlet to block her Rapier. Unholstering his revolver with his free hand, he shoots her but using teleportation she dodges the bullet. Every time she’d appear, Paul would’ve already had his revolver pointed at her, when he spent all six bullets, he unsheathes his arming sword and blocks her attack with one hand.

He violently awakens back at the hospital, gasping for air and adrenaline running through his veins. Water was quickly given to him by a woman wearing white gloves that seemed to reach her elbow. He looks to his left and sees that the Vampire Queen, Bahamut in her Dragon form is on the desk next to his bed, intently looking at the tall woman. Alana is behind the Queen with her Ancient Vampiric Longsword inches from the woman’s neck.

“Uhhh… hello?”

Paul notices the Queen’s usually dominating and intimidating posture was submissive, as if she’s trying to reconcile after doing something bad.

“As you know, by Vampire Law, we’re to be under those who’ve defeated us. As much as I hate to admit this, you’ve defeated me thus I shall now serve under you.”

“Wow, guess three is the party size huh. Well… uhm… welcome?”

Curious about the outside, he looks at the blinds of the window to the hallway and notices that it’s jam packed with soldiers. The ones near the door are shaking and trembling while holding their assault rifles. Wanting to calm them down, he raises his hand and gestures a thumbs up. Relaxing the people, the two generals on the other hand enter the room. Curious about what just happened.

“What’re you doing here ma’am?”

“I came here to perform my vows.”

“Vows? You marrying the Eldwood General?”

“Something of that sort.”

Paul on the other hand is completely aloof, just waking up from a bad nightmare. But the Queen didn’t pay any heed to it. Kneeling down and holding his left hand, even though she was wearing long gloves that reached her elbow, the Knight General could feel her soft hand and her long slender fingers as it slipped into the top of his palm.

"Thy's immense courage to face thou with your compatriots has laid bare to its fruit. I, Elizabeth Marie Bartley, First of the Vampires, the Ancient Queen of my kin, have wedded thy soul, thy body, thy title and thy honor to you. For pain, for sorrows, for anger and hate. In weakness and in greatness, Till, thou's last and final breath, I shall be with thee. I pledge to you my undying faithfulness and eternal love."

The beautiful blonde woman then closes her eyes, her thin eyebrows and pretty eyelashes caught the man's eyes. Her beauty was on another level, one that is above that of the already extremely attractive Alana.

"Thou beseech thee to honor the Vampires most greatest virtue, to give one's service to a combatant whose bested them. I pledge thyself to you. This is my solemn vow and may the witnesses in this Room take this promise to heart. As this contract shalt not be broketh even upon the worst curses and perils."

"Then... Promise me one thing... you won't be afraid to show me the true you. I already fought you in your weakest state, I might as well help you through it all. Not as a Master or a Lord, but as a friend who is concerned for your well being."

Paul then smiles and pats the top of her head. Noting on how silky her hair is. The Queen on the other hand smiles, cementing her pledge and sealing their fates together.

“May I ask you ma’am, where did this entire tradition of defeated Vampires having to serve those who defeated them? And as much as I want to scream in terror, I feel like doing so would kill me.”

“It was my husband who thought of it. He knew what we Vampires were capable of, hence he made sure there’s somewhat of a way to control us. Thus was a Curse he made with the Demon King. In exchange, we’d offer our help to them.”

“Alright, well Alana. You heard her, sword down.”

She reluctantly followed his order. Still behind her and intently guarding her every move.

“If you are uncomfortable, we have a chair there. That stool seems to be way too small for your... very revealing outfit.”

“Oh no, I’m fine. Now, would you have any questions?”

“Yes, how exactly did you become the Vampire Queen and what’s up with the rumors you nearly enslaved all of humanity?”

“Ah.” The Blonde Queen elegantly fixes her posture, breathing in as if she’s about to tell a long lost tale.

“I was… an Arch Priestess of a long lost religion, the main Church sent a great Knight with me in an expedition, a great Famine had spread across the land and thus we were sent to find a way to save everyone. After a long arduous journey, we reached a strange Cave with a fountain that was gleaming with magic. It was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in my life.”

Queen Elizabeth Marie Bartley

Though she was once a mere human, gifted with great divinity, making her an Arch Priest at a young age, she never was able to live a normal life. Throughout her human years, she spent studying at the Church’s libraries while tending to her duties as a Priestess. Then came one of the worst famines in the Ancient land of Dragovh, this forced the Church who was helping over the Kingdoms to send their own people in search of a long lost magical item that is said to be able to heal entire patches of land engulfed by war or disaster.

The man she was sent with, her future husband, was a Knight from one of the first Noble families to exist in the land. The two originally didn’t meet eye to eye, but as they fought, ate and felt pain together. They slowly fell in love while in search of the said item. No one expected that they’d find a corrupt Fountain of Life, mixed with the embers of Evil. Though they were attracted to its power and its beauty, little did they know this was a trap. To create the first ever Vampires of the land. It was shortly after this that the Wise King used it for war and to advance his army's power. Leading to the first appearances of the mixed human-animal hybrids of the land.

She started playing with her fingers, like someone deep in thought.

“We drank from it and that’s when it happened. We turned into the first Vampires, the immense thirst we had was not of water, as we drank it continually and our thirst did not waver, only then when I looked at him did I understand what we needed. The entire day, we spent drinking each other's blood like beasts in heat. Only the day after did we realize the monsters we’ve become.”

Even after gaining power, Elizabeth never did use it for Evil. She would only show a fraction of it to protect those who came under her and those who needed it. It was centuries after, when the Wise King turned into the first Demon Lord did their eternal Kingdom in Schon also change. Laying waste to the great lands and civilization of the continent, surrounded and alone. She and Charles had no choice but to stand up and join the corrupted King. With her talents and intellect, she gained notoriety immediately. Having ruthless and cunning tactics, while countless innocents were trampled under her Legions.

The Generals called the men to start writing this down, while the decorated five star general arrived to check on the situation, he remained silent in the hallway, listening to the Queen’s story.

“It was not long after we started thirsting for more… blood. The Knight I was with came from a noble family, and decided it was best for us to find shelter and be hidden for as long as we could. He had a warm family, reminding me of my life at the Village. They were rich and powerful yet treated a Holy Peasant like me as one of their own.”

Everyone stayed quiet, respecting Queen Elizabeth’s recalling.

“It was not long after the Knight revealed what happened to us, they first called a Wizard and a Sorceress but everyone was baffled. After that rumors came of two beings capable of drinking human blood, it didn’t take long for people to start spreading misinformation which led to Shamans and Hunters coming to the Estate to look and hunt us down.”

“So I guess this is when you guys started the Vampire Kingdom?” Paul asked.

“Indeed, we wanted to respect the families and their kindness and left, we then started to get attacked, hunted by Mercenaries and Knights looking for a worthy opponent to make their name known. Slowly but surely, our numbers rose. But with nowhere to go, we opt to start a Village in a remote part of what is now known as Dragovh.”

“Oh that continent! That’s where we’re actually based right now.”

“Yes but as more people came, we had to move. The Demon Lord offered us that, in his Continent. Back then, he was known as the Wise King and the rest is history.”

“Question, where did the entire enslavement of humankind happen?”

“I won’t make excuses for what I’ve done, the Vampire Kingdom became more powerful as it is ruthless, I… always wanted to have a child… but Vampire blood is so powerful, if a miracle even happens that a baby is born, it’d die shortly after. Not able to handle the power… so I worked hard and researched and experimented… With the help of my King we actually had a child. But it died a few months later.” The Queen's face was in shatters, she looked not only traumatized but also in deep regret and immense sadness. Though the tears didn’t suit her beautiful face, she instead looked like a village girl. Whose dreams of wanting to have a family, shattered.

But even through it all, she was still a normal human deep inside. A mere village girl who had talent and gift, turned into a Vampire and unwittingly took the responsibility of safekeeping a new and more powerful species of humanoids. Forever young and beautiful. Her dreams on the other hand, never did change. She still wanted to have a family with the now King Charles, but after trying many times, and each death of a child causing her more and more grief till reaching her breaking point did her heart come to its darkside. Using the immense arousal they feel from drinking blood as an escape from the harsh truth. That she was never bound to have a child for all of eternity.

The soldiers and officers in the room slowly lowered their weapons, all looking at her with teary eyes, feeling her grief in her tone. Others while others gripped the handles of their guns. Still ready to shoot and fight, untrusting of the woman knowing her history as a villain. An enemy of all humans.

“I had an infinite amount of blood and my thirst for it became more and more as I tried to forget the entire ordeal, my Husband, the former Knight that was with me who was now King, tried to stop me, but I wanted more. The taste, the sweetness of it. I needed more… to forget.” Her hands reach out to the skies, as if to ask the Angels for help. “The Kingdom of Rose Cramoisie was already a powerful country, and I had access to anything a being would ever want. That’s when I started using our economic prowess and started preparing to take over the world. To maybe… find a way or take everyone with me.”

“So how come now, you’re all calm and collected and not crazy?”

“I now have a Lord, a new order and that is to serve thee. It… cleared my mind. Calmed my soul down.”

“Okay, but would your husband be alright with this? I would not want to fight a Vampire King.”

“He’s already dead… he died protecting me from the Saint. He knew all throughout the way that I was dooming us, but he kept his word from when we were still humans and protected… and loved me till the end.”

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Seeing such a beautiful woman cry, Paul couldn’t help himself but hug her. It wasn’t out of pity, but out of respect. Wanting to comfort the woman who’d been through so much for so long. Something a human soul should never experience. He knew that all he could give her was a brief moment of respite. Though small, the worn and tired Queen felt his sincerity, even after putting the man in a critical state, he was still willing to do such a thing.

“May I ask…”

“Ask away.”

“What’s your dream M’Lord?”

“My dream?” the Knight General had to take a second, as her scent was so overwhelming with rose. “It is to return home, marry a beautiful woman and have a family.”

“That is wonderful. Then, I shall make sure that this happens. If I were to ever fail, then I shall go down with you. Carrying with me the burden of your dream.”

“You Vampires are crazy.”

“No one who lives a life of eternity would stay normal.”

“Welcome to the club. You can ask Alana for the rules. Just don’t go overpower okay? I don’t want the attention.”

Suddenly, one of the Men of the Woods General collapses, the soldiers quickly bring him to a room, calling the nurses. Within the next few minutes, Paul also collapses and goes into sleep. The soldiers even with the Vampires panicked but when the Doctors came, they stated that their bodies are still under extreme duress from casting so many spells and receiving extreme damage. The next few days were dangerous as the three generals slipped in and out of coma. Paul and one of the Generals needed to be rushed to the ICU multiple times in the middle of the night. Finally, on the sixth day, he awakens, fully stabilized.

“Ahhhhhh… that was probably the best sleep I’ve had in a while.”

Wanting to stretch, he raises his arm and feels some weight on his left hand, opening his eyes he sees a sleeping Alana holding his hand. Knowing this is a once in a lifetime moment, he tightens his grip to feel her palm. Her long and slender fingers underneath the red thin gloves she always wore were soft and yet cold. Bringing it closer to his nose, he takes a smell of her scent and is taken away by the flowery feel of it.

“Dang, for someone so dangerous yet look so innocent.”

He lets go of the hand, trying to stand up to get to his uniform that was on a rack at his right.

“Ehhhhhhh… I can’t feel my legs.”

Looking down, he confirms they’re still attached and he can even move his toes.

A Doctor passing by sees the General trying to get up and rushes in, slamming the door open and awakening the Vampire.

“General Paul! You mustn’t move! Rest, your body is still under extreme duress!”

“Eh wha-!”

Alana using her Vampiric powers swiftly puts him back on the bed. Following the middle aged Doctor’s order.

“B-but, what about work Doc?”

“It’ll take months before the UNs plan will come to fruition. So rest, we must also check if you need to get to rehab.”

“Rehab!? How many days have I been out?”

“Almost a week.”

“Dang. No wonder I can’t feel my legs.”

“One of the Generals also passed away from the stress, but he’s respawned. If you want, that could be another way.”

“What? Heck no. I’d rather struggle here than respawn. Which Church?”

“The one near the middle of the city.”

“When?”

“Two days ago, he flatlined at night.”

“I see…”

He looks around and notices Bahamut sleeping comfortably on a chair with a cushion, but he knows her danger. Being a Dragon God, he cannot die in front of her, knowing the trauma would be too much for the little thing.

“Uhhhh… where’s the Queen?”

“Don’t worry, Five Star General Carter called for her. Something about spies.”

“Okay, well if you can Doc, tell them to bring her in after. We don’t want such a powerful being out on the loose, and she needs company.”

“Of course. But please keep resting. Miss Alana, I’m counting on you.”

The Countess merely smiles and nods. “I’ll suck his blood if he dares do anything.”

“That’s not funny!”

Underneath Technocity, a massive underground complex meant for Scientific exploration and testing is now a Bunker. On a steel hallway, the Vampire Queen was in her Purple Gothic Dress, full of frills, General Carter couldn’t help but notice how ornate it was and her large breasts. Entering an Elevator, they’re taken to even lower levels. Hundreds of feet below the surface.

Exiting, they’re met with a Prison complete with interrogation rooms. Room #3 was heavily guarded. They salute the General with withering white hair, though looking older than everyone, the man seemed to only be in his thirties.

“Is one of the enemy spies here?”

“Yes sir, Vampire with the name Fenneli Ardus.”

“And his colleagues?”

“The female is currently in solitary confinement after attacking one of the Officers, the other two males are currently locked in specialized Cells.”

“Good. I want you to call the interrogators here, we bought the big guns.”

The soldier looks behind the decorated General and sees the elegant tall 6’2 blonde woman with immense power enaminating out of her. She had her hands together, standing up right like a true noble.

“Y-yes sir.”

The General then turns around, tilting his head up to meet the eyes of the Vampire. Even though he was a fully grown man, the Queen was a centimeter taller than him.

“Okay ma’am, behind this door is an assailant suspected of Espionage and Murder. He won’t talk, no matter how much we hurt the guy, he just regenerates. Hence why I borrowed you, the big heads running Techno City don't know anything about war, just nerds geeking out. Hence why they’ve only found out about this now. We’d like you to pry them open. Here.”

Pulling out his jacket is a brown Envelope with a string marked with “EVIDENCE”. She turns the string around, opening it. After taking some seconds to look at the photos, she smirks.

“Found out something?”

“Ah. These fools are part of an old ancient team I formed to spy on the Kingdoms thousands of years ago. These markings on their Daggers. I’ve personally oversaw its making and designing.”

“This is better news than I thought.”

Rattling of shoes are heard, the Vampires ears twitch.

“Ah, General Carter, how’s the Men of the Woods?”

“Good, my Captain told me you’ve been having a hard time prying information out of these people.”

“What do you expect? We aren’t trained Cops, let alone certified interrogators.”

“At least try to act the part, Agent.”

The Agent then notices the beautiful mature lady behind the General. Even though only seeing the side of her face, her red lipstick and eyeliner caught him out of the blue, immediately attracted to the woman. She strokes her hair back, revealing her ear, though it was the same size as a humans, it was pointed and sharp. To her dismay, the Officer didn’t budge and continually stared at her, completely enamored. “What’s wrong with these humans? Have Vampires become that weak in this age?” was all she could think, unfamiliar to the mortals reacting so nonchalant around the presence of her kind.

“Oh my, and who is this pretty white flower? Is she available tonight?”

“If you can handle her, ask her yourself. But I doubt a kid like you can. She’ll eat you in and out.”

Carter steps aside, letting the Agent meet the woman. The other men with him also got closer to take a look at her.

“Oh my, aren’t we a brave one.” Her smile was so intense it could give a man enough love to last for a few weeks.

“H-heh. Wow… May I ask for your name ma’am.”

“You sure you won’t regret it love?”

“Why would a man like me regret knowing the name of such a perfect specimen. By all means, you are the perfect woman.”

She then bows, lifting her skirt and properly introducing herself like a Noble.

“Vampire Queen Elizabeth Marie Bartley of House Voltaire. Second only to the Vampire King Sir Charles the Fourth. Founding member of the Council of Blood and of the High Society. Known throughout the land as the one with insatiable desire for blood. I greet thee.”

The Agents tremble after knowing her true nature and name. But she’s unfazed by the mortal men’s reaction. Even patting the head of the Agent, causing him to faint from the mixture of lust and fear.

“General, may I?”

“Of course Miss Bartley.”

“Oh please, call me by my first name, Elizabeth. Or Beth if you wanted it shortened.”

“Of course Miss Beth. Never knew Vampires shorten their names.”

“We don’t. But I found it cute after overhearing some of your men call each other by their nicknames.”

“O-oh. You pick things up fast huh.”

“As a Leader of a Mighty Eternal Kingdom, one needs to be updated by the times.”

“Though I think Carmilla would suit you more. Don’t want to cause panic to the natives.”

The General then knocks on the door. But before heading in, the fainted Agent regains some of his consciousness and raises his index finger.

“P-please don’t kill him. It’s our nu-mmber one rule ‘ere. Ahhhh…” He faints once again, getting dragged by the other Agents to the Elevator while General smiles. “Heh, Virgins.” he puts his cap on. Fixing his jacket and medals.

“I better go and explain things to him, don’t worry, the glass inside that is a one way one. The Captain is in there watching over you.”

“Thank you General Carter.”

“Please, call me Carl. I better go now. Elevator’s about to go up.”

The General jogs to the elevator, waving goodbye to the Queen.

“If only the Nobility grew up like that I wouldn’t have to make such a wild culture. Ugh, I must prepare.” She materializes her Red and Gold Crown, full of Crimson Red Rubies and Emerald Stones that’re the same color as her eyes. The door on her right opens, a man wearing Multicams and in full combat gear with a clipboard greets her.

“Miss Bartley, if anything goes to shit. You can call us by the button underneath your side of the desk. The assailant is named Fenneli Ardus, Six foot three tall, extremely well built, Caucasian, sharp jawline, messy brown hair, with red eyes. The agent has some notes saying…” He flips the paper on his clipboard.

“Snarky motherfucker, known to have slept with over thirty women in the city” He quickly stops, realizing all the stupid things the Agent wrote down. “Uhhh… I apologize…” he flips the paper once again.

“Wanted for Murder of ten natives of the land, stealing classified documents from the Space Center and also being an annoying-womanizing-charismatic-fuck, teaching me how to talk to chicks like he knows it all. As noted.”

“You mortals seem different from others, you all have a sense of humor. The Vampire Kingdom could use people like you in the Council, not taking things way too seriously.”

“Well, we didn’t come from this world. Good luck.”

The soldier bows and closes the door. The Queen's eyes widen, but her train of thought is disrupted by the ringing of the Bell, the door unlocks and she gracefully enters the tight 4X4 Room, soundproofed and armored. She’s greeted by a handsome man slumping down. With his head facing the iron table and his hands cuffed to a railing in the middle.

“Are you sure about this sir?”

“Don’t worry Corporal. One look at her and I now know why. If what they say is true, the others would be powerless against her.”

“But Captain, isn’t this too much? The rumors say she almost enslaved humanity.”

“Well, she’s defeated and under our Military now. I say we trust our higher ups.”

“I don’t know sir.”

“It’s better than nothing. We haven’t even found the other players with Dragon God pets.”

“The world hasn’t ended yet, so I guess we can rest easy for now.”

“Sit back and watch the show Corporal. This is going to be interesting.”

The Captain removes his Beret. Opening the Fan even though the A/C was on. He grabs a pack of cigarettes on his top left pouch. Lighting it with fire magic. He then takes the metal chair, placing it in front of the window. He sits down slouching with his face trained on the beautiful lady.

“And here starts the circus.”

Inside the room, she casually moves her dress and sits down elegantly.

“What’s with this metal chair? For people with such advanced machines, they should’ve given me something more comfy.”

Her deep and mature voice captures the attention of the spy. Slowly lifting his head to meet the lady.

“Oh finally, Agent Dean finally got me a female interrogator. Do a good job and you might-” His jaw drops open and his eyes stare at the Queen. In total shock, the man looks down once again. Hiding his face, full of fear. Intimidated by their Ancient Leader.