“The Horde will do so,” The broken whispers of the Zombies tickled Aldrin’s ears.

Uncaring to who saw him, he bursted into bats, flying to a nearby rooftop. He felt for Pierre through the Servant bond they shared. It was muffled, almost like there was a blockage. He closed his eyes and pushed past the flimsy barrier that dared to obstruct him. There was a sense of direction returned, then he reformed into bats, headed for Pierre’s location.

Down below, he saw people scrambling towards the remains of the inn, trying their best to help. He had also seen some run in the opposite direction with complete fear in their eyes. He stamped down the Human part of him, letting the Vampire take the forefront. In doing so, his emotions for those who would not make it through the night dulled.

He arrived in the area where Pierre was presumed to be. It was in a rundown part of the Residential District that he hadn’t fully explored yet. The buildings needed a serious makeover, as most of them were boarded up and in disrepair. He wondered what Pierre was doing in a place like this.

The bond he shared went silent, giving him no other direction as to where to turn. Forgoing any restrictions he placed on himself since being here. He inhaled, taking in the scents of the city. Predatory instincts threatened to overwhelm his mind, but he was too angry, too focused to let it cloud his judgment. From what Aldrin could pick up on, there were people in this area and now all he had to do was find the ones he needed.

His sense of smell had heightened to a degree that he could pinpoint where clusters of people gathered either inside the buildings and a few streets away. Determined to find Pierre, he tugged on their bond again, receiving a pull to his right. He followed it as it led him to a ruined cottage house that was discreetly tucked away behind more abandoned houses. It was rundown like the rest of the area, dirty and dingy, and parts of it had begun to fall apart. Movement on the roof caught his attention, drawing his eyes to see more robed figures he believed to be the Homunculi. They dropped from the roof landing with a clank and disrobed themselves, revealing their porcelain featureless forms.

Name: Homunculus Drone

Level: 20

Snarling, he dashed forward with Shapechange appearing behind them. Grabbing them by the back of the neck, he squeezed, making them claw at his hands to break free. Their smooth heads popped off not soon after. He whipped around, drawing his sword, and marched up the steps to the rotting wooden door. The door shattered to pieces when Aldrin kicked it. The inside was dusty and old. More Homunculi jumped down from the rafters of the building, obstructing Aldrin from advancing. He made short work of them when he used Cleaving Strikes bisecting them at the waist.

His vision saw no white silhouettes in the building, making him wonder what brought him here. Taking his first step into the house, the floorboards creaked under his weight. He cautiously explored around the rundown house. He inhaled again, breathing in the stale air that had a tinge of something else, something familiar. Outside, he could faintly hear the alarm bells beginning to ring, increasing his sense of urgency to find his friends.

Going back outside, he went around to the back of the house, finding a latched cellar door. He ripped off the doors and entered the dark cellar. Blood and rotting meat assaulted his nose when he inhaled, which made his stomach groan and do a somersault at the same time. Coming down to the last step, the cellar was filled with large barrels that were used for brewing at one point.

The rotten smell emitted from the rows of barrels. Carefully and slowly, he opened the barrel, revealing a butcher shop of limbs; arms, legs, hands, feet, and torso were all thrown in regardless of who they were from. He closed it, the image of the mass of body parts seared in his mind. He had done worse lately, but he never dismembered them piece by piece, or at least not intentionally remembering the last guy he fed on when he took his arm. This act that filled the barrel was intentional and out of sheer curiosity. He clenched his fist, drawing blood as his claws punctured through his tough skin. He checked each barrel, which numbered six, and each of them had body parts or mutilated bodies, possibly from missing people.

He looked down to see a caked trail of dried blood lead behind a wall. He frowned, knowing he had no time to find a quiet approach to unlocking this. Balling up his fist, he struck the wall, making the foundation of the house shake and years of dust fell around him on impact. He pulled back, a small spider web of cracks centered around the indentation of his fist. Marveling and appreciating his new Strength, he looked down to his hand seeing that it was unblemished. He continued to strike at the wall until it crumpled, revealing a dark tunnel and the smell of fresh, spilt blood.

Vampiric instincts edged him towards a frenzy when the smell wafted in his nose. He fought for dominance against whatever mental entity raged at him. “Don’t let it win,” he told himself when he ventured forth into the dark tunnel. It was a windy path with only one way forward. A light began to shine dimly once he rounded the last bend of the tunnel, making him completely stop in shock.

Dim lighting from torches that were dying out showed at least eight other people that were hanging on hooks. Each of the hooks was embedded in their shoulders as they hung from the ceiling of the tunnel. Their toes dragged as they swayed, causing each of them to squirm in pain at the discomfort as black sacks Aldrin was familiar with covered their faces. He stepped into the room, wary of anything that deigned to jump out at him. The lighting was barely visible, but to Aldrin it wouldn’t matter. Passing in between the hanging people, careful not to touch them, he made it to the other side of the area. Whoever this was knew they would never get caught from the brazen display of his living victims, which made Aldrin clench his teeth in anger.

Gleeful humming echoed further down the tunnel behind a walled off section. Looking back at the people, the dripping blood from their wounds worked tirelessly to tempt Aldrin into giving in. Unveiling one of them, he came face to face with a beaten Evie.

“Evie?” He worked on the hook in her shoulder. Her face was bloodied and swollen enough that it forced both of her eyes shut.

“‘I’m going to get you out of here.”

She groaned in response as Aldrin finally got the hook out of her. She tried to hold in her scream through gritted teeth, making the gleeful humming stop. Looking up towards the section of the walled off area of the tunnel, Aldrin watched the door warily then blended into the dark spaces using Shapechange. The door opened, revealing a short, gaunt looking dwarf that hid his features underneath a skull mask. His stature wasn’t as surly or beefed up like other dwarves, but he was more lean and a little slimmer, which Aldrin noted for later.

Name: Unknown

Class: Puppeteer of Flesh(T4 Mage)

Profession: Butcher

Level: 51

“Fuck me. . .” Aldrin thought once he used Inspect.

Still, whatever resided inside him rose to the challenge with malice and ambition. The Vampire demanded blood, and Aldrin wasn’t going to needlessly throw his life away over some whim. Fighting the urge to attack, he waited and watched the Dwarf as he came scurrying towards Evie, rubbing his hands together.

“What’s this? You got loose?” The dwarf’s jovial voice ringed, coming up to Evie and placing her against the wall.

“I needed a new body, anyway. That one in there is going through the finishing touches!” He clapped to himself and began humming again.

Continental Alert!

Lor-Vold is under siege!

Aldrin read the alert before a sudden explosion and earthquake followed suit.

“What in all Abyss!” the dwarf said before scurrying back into the back room. Aldrin took the chance to move into the shadow above the door. Who knew that the age old saying of people not looking up would become his best friend during these times. He watched the dwarf run out of the room, followed by three robed figures Aldrin assumed to be where the Homunculi came from.

Waiting until he could no longer hear the footsteps of the four, he dismissed Shapechange, dropping back onto the ground in a crouch. He checked on Evie before he ventured into the back room of the tunnel. The room was filled with tubes leading into an enclosed metal chamber that looked more like a coffin than anything. Bloodied tools were strewn about, as were the strapped chairs that used to keep the unwilling occupants from running. A few of those black silk sacks were hung along the walls, giving the impression that whoever this was had ties with the Research District.

“Tanyth.” Aldrin growled once he saw the sacks.

He dreaded opening the metal chamber as the tubes hissed from the releasing pressure. Unlocking it, Aldrin slowly opened it up as steam clouded his vision. He waved it away and recoiled at the sight of what used to be the Bugbear, Khudar. Half of him was converted into the featureless form of a Homunculus while the other part of him remained disfigured and dissected.

The dwarf had keenly butchered him, giving ground for whatever transformation process had begun. Aldrin breathed in trying to see if the Bugbear still held on to whatever little life was left but all he smelled were the chemicals and mixtures. He removed the Bugbear that was strapped with needles meant for whatever injections were taking place. Gently laying him on the floor, Aldrin offered a quick prayer and promised that the dwarf would not get away with this no matter how long it would take him.

Quest Earned!

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Vow of Vengeance: You have sworn justice for those affected by mad experimentation! Right the wrongs so that they may find peace, young Vampire!

Reward: ???

“The more I think I know the System, the more it surprises me by letting me know how much I actually don’t know,” Aldrin said once he finished reading it.

Another explosion from above rocked the ground beneath him as it nearly threw him off his feet this time. He hurried back to Evie, who still sat against the wall, heavily leaning to one side as she struggled to get her bearings.

“Hey,” he gently said, placing a hand on her that made her flinch away.

“Evie,” He gently tried again and was met with another flinch.

“I need you to take a Health Potion if you have one, okay? I don’t have one on me.” He cursed himself for being unprepared, something his whole family would have reprimanded him for.

He left her there to focus on regaining at least a portion of herself, since there was no telling what she had been through when they last saw each other earlier. He worked on the other victims, taking them off the hooks that were embedded in their shoulders. A firm hand soon gripped his shoulder. Evie stood, looking down on him, letting the swollenness of her face rapidly recede.

They briefly glanced at each other, at least as much as Evie could glance at him due to the low light. Sharing an understanding, they got to work on treating the victims as the explosions up above began to become a frequent occurrence.

“We have to hurry. Zombies assault the city,” Aldrin informed Evie, who stopped suddenly, then proceeded to hurry by dripping a Health Potion along the backs of the victims to heal them.

“How did you find us? I thought we were going to die here,” she finally asked, her voice not as bright and airy as it used to be.

“I was looking for my friends,” Aldrin said.

That seemed to appease her curiosity somewhat. He pulled the sacks off the rest of them, breathing a sigh of relief since none of the people were Pierre. The relief also made his stress levels skyrocket with the thoughts of what if’s because neither of them were here. Sadly, that was also true for Evie because none of the people she came here with were under the sacks, meaning only one of two things. The robed figures that left were Evie’s party mates, or they were traded to Tanyth for his experiments. Both options left a sour taste in Aldrin’s mouth.

“All this power and I’m still powerless,” Aldrin whispered to himself, guiding the rest of the victims back through the tunnel and out of the abandoned house.

Finally free, the victims hugged and rejoiced with one another as fresh air filled their lungs. Evie was the only one who chose not to celebrate as she stared at Aldrin.

“How many?” She sidled up next to Aldrin, away from the others.

“Thousands with more inside the city and I’m going to free them.” Aldrin stated, allowing crimson glowing eyes to dilute his green ones.

Evie’s mouth pressed into a firm line, then she kneeled on one knee with her head tilted down.

“What do you ask of me, Vyncari?” She resolutely said.

“You know you are the second one to bow to me and offer services I did not ask for,” Aldrin said.

“My tribe was once devout followers of the Vyncari, and to see one here so far from your homeland is an honor.” Evie stated, not bothering to look up.

“If we make it out of this, you and I are going to have a long discussion about what I am.”

“Yes my Vyncari.” She rose, her head still tilted down.

“You can stop. I really don’t know anything about Vampires. I’m still fairly new at this still.” Aldrin admitted.

Evie’s head snapped up with wide eyes. “You are a new Vyncari? That would make sense. . .” She frowned.

“Perhaps you can help me understand better?” he asked.

“It would be my greatest honor and pleasure,” she deeply bowed again.

A distant roar interrupted their conversation, making Aldrin tug on the strand that was linked to the Zombies outside. “City is infiltrated. Multiple Openings. The Horde rushes forth Midnight Lord.” Aldrin heard them speak in his mind, unnerved again by how cohesive it was.

“We must hurry. Your best bet is to get out of the city and find Jared if you can. Explain to them what happened and they will take care of the rest.” He closed his eyes, finding the strand of Pierre’s link in his mind.

“And if I can’t?” she asked.

“Head to Folos. That is our next destination.”

“Thank you for trusting me with your nature and for saving me.” She bowed once more and turned to help the people they rescued.

“Now Pierre, where are you really?” Aldrin searched for the tug, still telling him he was in the area.

Opening his eyes, he looked at the people Evie led away, who spared him one last grateful look. He nodded to her and jumped up to the roof of the building they recently came out of. He surprised himself more that he could clear it to get to the roof, almost as if it was second nature to him. From his perch, Aldrin viewed the city that was beginning to catch fire in areas close to the entrance wall as alarm bells rang through the city to muster a defense. Along the wall, multiple breaches were opened and, from what Aldrin’s eyesight could see, streams of Zombies poured in. High Guards and Adventurers met the oncoming tide, but from what he could see, it was a futile effort.

“How in the fuck did they get so many so fast?” Aldrin stared in disbelief as the Horde seemed to be nonstop.

It was a losing battle nonetheless, as the Zombies relentlessly charged forth from the breaches. He hadn’t seen any of the Giant Zombies yet, and he worried how the city would fare once they arrived. A bright white light soon materialized in front of Aldrin, that shocked him out of the carnage he could see.

System Alert!

Servant gained!

Curiously, he felt the new connection that was beginning to blossom. “Safe outside the walls. Find me when you can.” Aldrin was relieved that it came from Jared.

Now, with one less thing to worry about, he put more effort into focusing exactly where Pierre was at. If Pierre could use the connection to follow along to Aldrin, then should be able to do the same in reverse. Of course, his first try landed him in the general area, which proved to be fortuitous, but not exactly what he was after.

On the other hand, it gave him some peace of mind that he might be able to figure out what makes him different from other Vampires and if there were more out there somewhere. He tuned out distractions and simply focused on Pierre. It was slippery in his mind and he had to try a few times to grasp it, but when he finally did, he almost leapt for joy.

Jumping back down onto the street he followed it leading him to a rundown dilapidated church that had a few onlookers sitting on the ground in front of it. They sized him up but whatever they saw on Aldrin immediately dashed their thoughts of easy pickings.

“I’m looking for a man named Pierre. Is he here?” Aldrin calmly asked.

None of them answered and looked anywhere but at him.

“You guys were about to rob me about a second ago. What changed?” he almost chuckled.

They shuffled closer together and continued to ignore him. Shrugging his shoulders, he moved past them and headed into the church. It was wooden all around, unlike the stone and concrete he had been used to in the city. Three rows of pews on each side sat facing a shrine of a marbled statue of a veiled woman holding, balancing scales in one hand and a sword in the other.

“Welcome to the shrine of Dremetica. How may this humble worshiper help you? A priest in dirty, graying robes asked from his left.

“I’m looking for a man named Pierre. Is he here?” Aldrin repeated the same question.

The priest’s eyes alighted with joy, “Is he your friend? He’s been quite helpful lately!”

“Yes, I need to speak with him. It’s urgent,”

“Aldrin? What are you doing here?” Pierre asked, coming out from an enclosed room that smelled of death making Aldrin’s nose crinkle.

“Pierre! We have to talk.” Aldrin raised his eyebrows, hoping he would get it.

“About what?” Pierre confusedly asked.

“It’s urgent.” Aldrin flatly said.

He nodded, and they walked back outside and a few feet away from anyone that could hear them. “What’s going on?” Pierre asked once they were a decent deal away.

“I started the Zombie outbreak,” Aldrin admitted.

“How? Why? Wait, what about the plan?” Pierre fired off.

“It changed when whoever decided to blow up the inn with the people inside.”

Pierre took a minute to process that, “You are the only one who survived?”

“I am and in my anger, I started the Zombie outbreak. Right now, they have spilled into the first part of the city and will soon overwhelm the defenders at the breaches. Also, the Giantess, Evie, knows what I am.”

“Can she be trusted?”

“She claimed her people and mine used to have a working relationship, so to speak.”

Pierre grunted in displeasure. “Still, if she is around us, then we have to keep an eye on her until we know she’s good.”

“I am assuming you are also going to the Research District now?”

“To put a stop to the Queen’s experiments, yes.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“No, get out of the city and meet with Jared. He is safe outside the walls somewhere.”

“But-”

“I’m sorry, Pierre, but I have to go alone. I have already doomed this city. You guys have been trying to redeem yourselves and I don't want to drag you down. Get out of the city and meet with Jared. I will find you both when I can.” Aldrin bursted into bats before Pierre could argue more.

Flying above and looking at the destruction by the main gate, he saw the defenders losing ground as more and more Zombies poured in. A few of said Zombies had maneuvered into storming atop the walls, subduing the Archers present there. Another skin crawling moment was seeing some of the Zombies full on sprint and dive into the defenders with reckless abandon from above at portions of the wall.

Loud thumping accompanied not soon after as a Giant Zombie shoulder charged into a section of the wall, bringing it down altogether. It rose from the rubble, letting out a terror inducing roar that whipped the other Zombies into a frenzy. To make matters more dire, the shop, Hexes and Jinxes, where the slavers had their drop point, began to add more numbers to the Zombies as they flooded into the city.

Spells from the Mages lighted the pockets of darkness the flames had yet to illuminate as the Adventurer groups banded together to stem the tide. It was no use, however, as a second and third Giant Zombie came through the hole the first made. That seemed to break morale when one of the Giant Zombies grabbed a handful of screaming people and popped them in its mouth like popcorn.

Doubts began to fill Aldrin’s mind at the atrocity that he had a hand in committing. He knew if Lor-Vold survived, it would be a miracle and he had yet to see if the Zombies had begun sprouting from the ground underneath the Research District. When that would happen, plus whatever horrible experiments were locked away, were also unleashed, it would only be a matter of time before the city became overrun.