Di'Rex

It took all night for my face to grow back. Richard stayed by my side, telling me what was happening, though his voice did sound a little off. Mimi hadn't stayed long after healing the villagers, following the vampires back to their cave. They were definitely dead, or worse. The village on the other hand looked to Richard for guidance. He had those that were healed, eat. While the others were told to repair any damages to the wall. I was seated against a wall, holding my hatchets, just in case a vampire somehow made it back.

I wasn't sure when I fell asleep, but after waking up, I could blink again. A pebble hit my forehead, and I saw Jack with a meek smile. "Hey." I blinked, immediately noticing something was different. His eyes were no longer black, and he did a small bow while taking off his cap. The dent was gone! It was enough to make any warrior tear up.

The man even looked a decade younger. "W-what happened?" I barely managed to stutter out.

Jack shrugged, "I got fixed, that's what happened. I was told to tell you not to tell Richard about the 'accident.' Though, that miracle bug isn't the boss of me." He smirked, leaning on the wall next to me.

"Miracle bug?" I looked him over, incredibly confused.

Jack smirked and pointed to the statue at the center of town. "Take a guess." I looked back at him, "Spent a few years with it, kind of took me into her Hive to make sure I didn't die. Called it therapy or some shit. Pretty sure she wanted my talent." Jack shrugged.

I let out a soft laugh, "Probably, she is a monster after all. Have you talked to mom yet?"

Jack shook his head, "Nah, she'll probably be really pissed and excited. Figured the least I could do is wait until the bug herself is gone. No sense keeping that thing here. Trust me, we'll be safer when that monster leaves."

"Yeah, you're right." I got up, "We might as well get some chores done, and eat some breakfast. Did the bug tell you what it had planned Jack?"

He smirked, "You'll find out when the afternoon comes. Miracle bug is going to lay down the law."

I sighed, not quite able to get mad. This was so much more than I had hoped for. Not a single person I cared for had died. We came close, but something told me that was the point. I quietly did fieldwork, shoveling wheelbarrows full of tainted dirt to be dumped into the forest. Others were preparing the fields for the Fall planting.

This work used to piss me off. I was supposed to be a warrior, and yet I was doing the same work as farmers. Some of the villagers were even eying me warily, expecting an outburst. I just smiled and kept at it. The work I did here would feed the mouths that were saved last night. Someone had to do this work, otherwise, everyone would starve. The storehouse would only take us so far into winter. There was honor to be had in doing such mundane tasks. Perhaps even more than might be found on the fields of battle.

We worked and ate together. The more I worked, the more I felt I understood. It was easy to take, but it was so much harder to give. The afternoon came, as the church bell rang. The villagers stopped their work, carefully putting their tools on the wall. We all walked back behind the walls. A small gathering standing around the statue. Dixon had his head damn near buried in the ground as he prostrated himself before it. The others knelt, as the storehouse opened.

I wanted to remain standing but found my knees giving out as well. I refused to go as far as bowing, but I had been humbled. There would be no village without these two. Mimi was dressed in a gray sleeveless dress. Ruffles cascaded down it, while her wings were folded over the sides. They were gray much like the silk, her silk. She wore a ruffled headdress that flowed past her stingers, which made her look less imposing. Almost innocent, even as people clasped their hands in prayer. Jack was the only one moving, and he helped me off my knees.

"What are you doing?" He whispered.

I swallowed hard, seeing mom watching beside a building. Not everyone was following the others, and I quickly dusted off my knees. I walked back with Jack, joining Matthew and maybe five others. We didn't say a word, only watching in silence.

Mimi stood behind the stature, Richard right beside her. "Lift your heads, children." There was no harshness, no ridicule, only a simple command. Everyone stared up at her in awe. The fact that she had regrown limbs made her a more godly figure than before. Her eyes took in every face in the crowd, all of them awaiting her words. Jack made his way to the back, his arms crossed as he stared at her

Mom just sighed, probably hoping he didn't do something crazy. I could tell she didn't like this, but gratitude stayed her hand. Mimi continued, not letting the pause go on too long. Her upper arms rested on the statue, while the other two were hidden. She then used one of the lower ones to gesture to Dixon, "Dixon has told you about my coming. He has told you that I am a daughter of Bo'Chi. These are not lies, though it appears Dixon failed to learn the proper teachings."

The crowd glanced at the man, before looking back at her. Mimi continued once she had their attention again. Her voice came slowly, in a somber tone. Almost as if she were grieving. "My hand was forced, and I was made to fight off a horde of vampires. My herald had not been enough, and I needed to appear myself to save all of you. It has been, disappointing. To make it all worse, that fight was proclaimed to be a gift." Both of her lower hands were out, moving in an almost mesmerizing fashion.

She gave time for those words to sink in even more. "The doctrine of Bo'Chi explains that monsters are guided by their instincts. That our culture is built from such just as humans seek comfort in others. My instincts told me to let your village perish. Another doctrine is that ignorance should be forgiven. I understood that not all of you were aware of Dixon's plan, which made you ignorant. Saving you this once, was that forgiveness. It shall not happen again."

Mimi crushed the head of her statue, the explosion making everyone shift uncomfortably. She gestured to Dixon, "I have taken his vision and replaced it with the darkness. Dixon can no longer see the future." A few people gasped audibly, as Dixon hung his head low.

"It is true, all I see is darkness. I thought we were going to die last night." His voice cracked, even as he clasped his hands in prayer. "Thank you! Thank you for your forgiveness!" He looked at Mimi with tears in his eyes.

Mimi gave the chief a curt nod, "Do not thank me, thank Bo'Chi. All statues in my image shall be converted to his. When you sleep tonight, you shall see the future once more. Seek those statues out, and have them carved, the darkness shall return after. You are not to utter a word about the future, or anything else you have seen."

"Thank you!" Dixon exclaimed with all his heart, bowing repeatedly. He stopped when she held up a hand.

"Enough, Bo'Chi teaches forgiveness and acceptance. This is the first step on your path to truly be forgiven. As the one that used his words to bring about this mess, you are the one who shall bear the future trials alone. Should you fail, you will likely die. Let your faith guide you, and sort your way through the lies I shall send your way. Walk the path of truth. This is the only guidance I shall give you."

"Thank..." Dixon stopped when Mimi raised her brow. "Er... I mean, praise Bo'Chi! Thank Bo'Chi!"

"Very good," Mimi looked past Dixon, to the others. "You are all aware I can restore limbs that have been recently taken off. I applaud you for not begging me to heal those of you left crippled. I shall be watching, even though I will not be here. Offerings of food are to be made once a month after the statue is made. This food is to be burned around the statue. Bo'Chi is not picky and accepts moldy goods. As for my protection, you will offer food to the storehouse weekly. Those that offer blood, should only do so if they are brave enough to enter the storehouse."

The crowd looked nervous, but most of them nodded. "Those of you that appear devoted to me, shall be ignored. You must serve my father, Bo'Chi. Those that can follow such, shall be rewarded with protection. Do know, I do not protect fools that think themselves important. If you do something stupid, I shall watch you die. Should you prove yourself, I may repair any physical impairment. Do not ask me for anything, pray to Bo'Chi then move to the storehouse."

The crowd nodded slowly, as Mimi looked up to the sun, eyes closed. The silk caught the light, glittering as she took a step back. "Bo'Chi is a young god, and cannot hear his followers. Do not pray in silence, but speak them loudly. If you dare to ask anything, then you should allow others to hear of your plight as well. Bo'Chi will not answer the vain. Bo'Chi wants you to work together as a community. Ask yourselves, what might you overcome together? What truly needs to be prayed for? Miracles may happen, but only for those that put in the work."

She walked back into the shade from the roof over the statue. Dixon swallowed thickly, "Who shall lead us? Who have you deemed worthy to guide this village?"

Stolen novel; please report.

Mimi looked down at the man, before gesturing to Jack, who continued to stand there. "Him."

Eyes went wide, as others stared in confusion. Jack huffed, while Dixon turned a few shades of red. He shook his head, looking back at Mimi. "S-surely you jest? The man is... he's not sound of mind!"

Mimi tilted her head, "You doubt my decision? He is the only one that chose to stand before me. He knows better than to pray to me."

Jack laughed, "Also think I am a bit smarter than you Dixon. Even before she fixed me."

The crowd was shocked into silence. The revelation washing over them. Jack removed his cap, and I saw mom tear up. She glared at me, hitting me in the shoulder, "Why didn' ya tell me!?"

I smiled, as Jack gave an overexaggerated bow. "Wasn't my place to tell ya, ma."

Jack cracked his neck when he was done. "Anyone still have problems with me leading? I'd like to hear it, go ahead ask questions! Miracle bug here," he gestured to Mimi, "She hates being worshipped."

Jim the baker spoke up, "What do you know about leading?"

Jack shrugged, "Miracle bug taught me a few things. I spent years with her because she chose me. Yeah, that's right, years. She can stretch one night into countless more."

The crowd quickly looked back towards Mimi, "He knows better than to lie. I shall be taking my leave, my herald shall stay in this village and prepare for his own journey. He doubted me, and he has a punishment to endure." Richard nodded, before following Mimi back to the storehouse. Others quickly approached Jack, to ask him too many questions. Even mom and Matthew joined the crowd to talk to him.

I smiled to myself, heading towards the storehouse. I opened the doors, closing them behind me. Four vampires were holding torches, with Richard and Mimi standing between them. Mimi was holding Richard, his limbs gone, while he slept. They were regrowing, even as she fed him. Her glowing eyes glanced at me, still in her dress. "What?"

I knelt, bowing my head. "Thank you."

She rolled her eyes when I looked back up at her. "Don't thank me, thank Bo'Chi." Two of the vampires moved to keep the door closed.

"We both know some random god had nothing to do with what you did." I smiled at her.

She wrapped Richard in her wings, to more discreetly feed the man. "Why are you here? Shouldn't you be out there celebrating a new chief or something?"

"I will, in time. I just know you're going to leave sooner, rather than later. I want to know your plans, I want to help you both." I looked up at her, "Please, let me."

Mimi sighed, "If this is about your debt, I don't care. You know what? No, I don't even care what you have to say. Di'Rex, I attacked the vampires the night before they came. I trained them to attack this village. Your people are celebrating the fact that I made them think they were going to die. I could have killed them, but the best part is that no one will believe you."

I stared at her, but couldn't hold back the laugh. I held my gut, laughing harder and harder. I could see her raise her brow, but it was hilarious. It took minutes before I settled down, "You mean *heh* you mean to tell me, that you were in control of the vampires?" She seemed very confused, even as I felt even more relief. No one had been in any real danger.

"I trained them, so they would attack a certain way. Aren't you going to call me a monster, and dedicate your life to ending me?" She was trying to coax something out of me.

I slammed my fist into the ground, doing it a few more times as I just barely kept from chuckling again. "Which is more terrifying? A hundred vampires that relentlessly move towards their goal or thousands? The fact that they were special makes the world less dangerous. I won't have to worry about more hordes attacking this village. I don't have to fear walking into one of their camps and being torn apart."

"Why aren't you angry with me? I feel like I'm missing something." She tilted her head towards me.

"How could I be angry?" I looked at her as if she asked the stupidest question possible. "No one died, someone finally made Dixon shut the fuck up, and Jack is better than he's ever been! If you weren't a monster, I'd try to claim you as my wife!"

She gave me a disgusted look, "I have Richard, I don't need you to make any attempts. I suppose you are welcome since it seems I solved all your problems."

I nodded, getting back on my feet. "And then some, you monster. I don't even know what else to call you." I felt happier than I ever had in a long time. "You really don't have any idea how much it means to hear that it was all just a prank in a way."

"Yes, I get it, telling you this backfired terribly." She was looking down at Richard.

I chuckled, "The debt I owe you both is so vast. I don't even know where to begin repaying it. I mean, do you even want me to? I shouldn't force it on you, but I need to do something!"

Mimi rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Give that debt to Richard, I don't need you. It'll be his choice, and I hope you can respect that."

I crossed my arms, "It is done, I'll help him become a fine warrior. If, that is what he wants."

"Good, maybe get someone to make a coffin so you can carry Red?" She pointed at the red dreaded vampire that emerged from the darkness.

Red sighed, "I'm basically a copy of Mimi here, telling her everything you idiots do. Red is just easier to go by, and will lead to less confusion."

"Sure thing," I said, "I think having someone Richard can keep up with will help a lot. Not to mention you'll only be useful during the night."

Red scowled at me, "Don't make me fuck your mom."

I blinked, "What?"

Mimi grinned, "That's one of the reasons she's going with you two. Your mom makes her feel weird, and we both don't like it."

Red put her hands on her hips, "So, if you push me too much, I'll see if Richard is interested in a proper 'reward' from the local smith. Then the three of us will play together."

I slapped my hand over my forehead, letting out a loud groan. "Please don't. One brother is enough." Mom might actually let the guy do it too, but only if he beat her in a spar. I shook my head, before going deeper down that rabbit hole. "Just don't, I'll go ask Matthew to make a coffin for you." I turned and quickly left while the two giggled.

There were a few small cheers, as Jack led a group of people in throwing rocks at Dixon's recently fixed window. Jeremy was just scowling off to the side, knowing he'd have to repair it again. I barely had time to get there before they got bored and went to finish today's chores. Jack leading them to the fields himself to work with them. I found Matthew, telling him about the coffin. He promised to get to work, after realizing I was going to carry it. The idea seemed to amuse him.

I worked and toiled in the fields again, feeling content. I didn't know how long we'd be here, but it just felt right to make the most of it. We'd probably take off once the coffin was finished. Matthew would have it done in a couple days. It didn't really matter to me though, I just needed to make sure Richard wanted to have me. I'll ask him about it tonight.

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Richard Adams

Ever since I smoked the blue haze, everything was a blur. I kind of remembered cutting through some limbs, standing next to Mimi's statue, but the details were fuzzy at best. I just remember waking up on the wagon's seat, with Mimi's vampire body holding some stew in a bowl for me to eat. I didn't turn it down since her healing stingers always left people famished.

She explained a few things while I ate, mainly about how and why she wanted to be called Red. She also talked about me taking Rex's ax to the smith, and asking her to put a few enchantments on it so I could use it. I tried to tell her that I didn't want to keep the ax, but she wasn't having it. I couldn't give it back to the guy unless his 'debt' was repaid. It felt like most of the talking she did was about how she wanted Rex to stick around.

It took me an hour before I got out of the storehouse, not all of it was spent talking since Red wanted to 'experiment' with her body. I made my way to the smithy, knocking on the door. Lana answered the door, looking up, before slowly looking down at me. "Was'na expectin' lil' ol' you. Wa brings ye 'ere?" She crossed her arms.

The lady was intimidating, but she seemed friendly enough. If a little strange, I saw some madness in her eyes. I held up Rex's ax, "You're his mom, right? Could I give this to you, and you give it back to him? I... it's important, and I don't want to keep it."

She slapped me in the face, glaring down at me, "Na! If'n 'e gave it to ya, then ye better keep it! Reximus is a gud orc, and a fine man now. Why r you 'here, really?" She squinted.

I rubbed my cheek, the sting made worse by the withering glare she was giving me now. I coughed, "Can you put some runes on it, knowing I'll give it back to him eventually?" She squinted harder, "W-when his debt is repaid?"

Her glare softened, as she looked at the ax. "Ya, ah'll 'chant it. Yer a kind boy, ye know that? 'ould use some backbone, but I saw ye fight. It'll take'a week."

I nodded, holding out the ax as she snatched it from me, "How much will it cost?"

She admired the head, before bringing the blade close to my neck, "It'z free, on me 'onor. Jus make yerself useful, an' 'elp around the place. Ye dun wanna piss me off."

I swallowed hard, taking a step back. She slammed the door shut, while I rubbed my neck. Okay, maybe she had more than some 'madness' in her. I saw a guy named Jeremy fixing Dixon's window and decided not to ask. This village was still weird, but it was growing on me. I made it a few steps before Lana hit me in the back of the head with a sack of metal dust. I damn near fell over, but it didn't hurt as much as it surprised me. The door slammed before I could even glare back at the mad smith.

I grabbed the sack, deciding to just go test some explosives in the storeroom with Red. I'll come back out at night and help with some cooking or something. Now probably wasn't the best time to walk around and help tend the fields. Mimi marked me as a herald to these people, and I kind of didn't want any of that attention.

Making it back to the storehouse, I saw a mildly disgruntled Dixon leaving. He paused when he saw me and bowed before going towards his house. I closed the doors behind me and got a quick rundown from Red. He was only supposed to tell her what he saw, and she would tell him what to tell the others. We mixed some explosives and did a few small-scale tests. The most promising stuff was tested more until I came up with three different explosions.

I made a gas bomb that emitted a lot of smoke, and the fumes would choke a lot of people. The best part was how easy it was to just lift it from the ground so I didn't have to kill people with it. It'd only knock them out and hide whoever was inside. Then there was the firebomb, which would explode and make sticky flames that couldn't be put out with water. Even after it exploded, the second I took off my magic it caught on fire again. The flames were toxic, but I could control the fumes to spare people. Besides the fires were enough to deal with. Finally, my favorite bomb was dubbed the popper.

The popper was a mix of silver, gold, and iron dust. The explosion would make a loud bang, almost on par with thunder. Then stars would spark in the air itself. These stars were incredibly bright and would blind anyone for a few minutes. The least deadly, and probably the most effective. I couldn't imagine a lot of people not being scared off by stars suddenly coming into existence right in front of them, with the sound of thunder backing it up.

I was kind of worried that Mimi, I mean Red, would be disappointed they weren't 'deadly' enough. She just smiled and accepted it, calling it my answer. She let me know I didn't have to fight and kill, that she and Rex would handle that part if it comes to it. I almost cried, just hugging her, when Rex came in. He said his debt had grown, and that he'd join me on my journey if I would have him. I might have cried a little from the support, and told him we were more than happy to have him.