“This feels real cultish,” Jared smirked, standing a few feet away from Evie to his left and Eddock to his right.

“I don’t know how conversions work! This is my first time doing something like this!” Aldrin said, standing in the center of the circle with the two docile horses. He reached out to one of the Horses, gaining a prompt in return.

Do you wish to convert this Tier 1 Horse into a Tier 3 Vampiric Steed?

Aldrin confirmed for it to do so. He felt a pull from the depths of his very soul being dragged to the surface. A black inky substance oozed from the pores of his open hand onto the ground, slithering its way to the hoof of the horse. The horse attempted to back away, but Aldrin calmed it down with his Charming Gaze. The inky substance oscillated, looking up at the horse, then launched itself onto it, attaching to it at the base of its neck. Fear danced in the eyes of the other horse as it watched its brethren be subjected to the transformation.

The substance seeped into the horse's skin, causing its eyes to widen and roll back. It dropped like a puppet with its strings cut, making it spasm violently, kicking out in every direction before finally going still. The black spot that was on its neck spread outwards, claiming every inch of the horse, turning its brown coat into a coat as black as the night. Its mane transformed into a deep crimson that swayed gently with an ethereal breeze.

Nature’s symphony died down, holding its breath, when the horse opened its eyes, revealing them to be glowing red. It picked itself off the ground, standing on its new silver hooves that shone with the color of the moon. It reared onto its hind legs, belting out a cry that turned into a hoarse roar signaling its birth upon the world. The molars that once decorated its mouth popped out as new, sharpened, serrated fangs replaced them that were perfect for tearing flesh.

Coming back down, it stood taller and stronger than it did before. It neared Aldrin, who still had his hand out in shock. It nuzzled its head into his open palm that instantly bridged a connection between them. He felt the newly transformed horse within himself, much like he did with Jared and Pierre. He petted the horse, feeling the brimming strength beneath its surface, bubbling to be set free.

Congratulations!

Due to your Progenitor status, the Tier 3 Vampiric Steed has been elevated to a Tier 4 Vampiric Warhorse!

Vampiric Warhorse(Tier 4): Unlike the Vampiric Steeds, the Vampires often use as a means of travel; the Vampiric Warhorses are only reserved for the Lords and Ladies of the Great Houses. Better fitted for combat and terror, these Warhorses signified status and power among Vampires. They are predators that feed on the living much like their riders that changed them.

Vampiric Warhorse Abilities: Infinite Stamina, Shadow Run, Bloodfire Mane, Minor Regeneration, Armor Proficiency: Medium Barding

Trait Gained: Daystrider: Your Daywalker ability has benefitted your mounts! The Sun no longer gives them penalties!

Do you wish to convert the other horse?

Aldrin confirmed again, watching the process happen again with the other. Not a moment later, the other horse was transformed just the same.

Jared whistled, admiring the two beauties that stood in front of Aldrin. “Well holy hot damn! Nothing will stop us now!” he began to cackle. Evie gently smiled at the display, then looked at the two Warhorses that proudly flanked Aldrin. Pierre, Eddock, and Cannor still looked on a bit warily at them.

Aldrin stroked along their necks, both of them enjoying the attention he was giving them. “They are strong and ready to go. They will obey. . . only my servants and myself?” Aldrin puzzled out the new sensations emanating from them both.

“No time to waste then! To Folos!” Jared cheered, walking up to the warhorses without fear. The warhorses switched their attention to Jared, making him pause. They walked to him, meeting him halfway. They started to sniff him and nibble on his hair before they blew in his face. One of them bent his head down to nudge Jared’s hand onto its head. Jared took that as a good sign, letting a small chuckle escape him as he petted them.

“We are going to be great friends,” he hummed to them to which they snorted in response.

“What do they eat?” Jared asked no one in particular.

“I don’t know exactly. Just said that they eat the living much like their rider?” Aldrin directed it to Evie.

She shrugged her shoulders, “My only expertise is second and third-hand at best,” she answered. “I could tell you that Vampiric Steeds were still able to eat regular things and flesh, but Warhorses are not well known. At least not to my clan.”

Aldrin thought for a moment, “We will have to see then.”

“Is that wise? They are Vampire Horses! Keyword, Vampire!” Cannor exclaimed, “And you want to wait and see when there are five fleshy beings here!?”

“Three,” Pierre corrected, making Cannor do a double take, looking at him.

“What do you mean three?! What the fuck are you?!” Cannor asked.

Pierre rolled his eyes, “Aldrin said they would only obey him and his Servants who happen to be me and Jared.”

The color in Cannor’s face drained as the warhorses looked at him hungrily, “H-How do I become a Servant?” he quickly asked.

“Don’t know. Just kinda happened.” Jared shrugged and chuckled again. “He’s not food,” he whispered to the warhorses that whined in protest.

Cannor pleading looked at Evie, who shook her head. “You don’t know either…?”

She smiled, “I do, but it has to be earned and not because you just want to live,” she teased.

“But I’ll be dead before that even happens!” he whimpered.

“Come brother. Only time will reveal it to us. They are no threat to us unless any of those three allow it.” Eddock attempted to placate Cannor.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

“But-”

“No. Besides, we agreed to journey with them to Folos.” Eddock firmly replied, making Cannor put his head down.

“I want to see what they can do,” Jared said, leading them back to the carriage they had left on the side of the road within eyesight. He hitched them to the carriage, feeling them anticipate the coming freedom that would soon grace their hooves.

“Oh, they are excited! I can feel it!” Jared gleefully told them. “This is so much better than those veterinary classes I was taking before we got zapped here!”

“You were learning to become a vet?” Aldrin asked, surprise laced in his voice.

“What’s a vet?” Evie confusedly asked.

“Oh! Yeah! I love animals! And a vet is someone who takes care and mends animals that have injuries, sickness, and diseases.” Jared answered, giddily hopping up onto the driver’s seat.

“Truthfully, I’ve been on the hunt for a Beastmaster. I would have taken the Class but the Arcane Orb we found back at Gyt’s camp will let my Tier 3 Class grant me a choice of an Arcane Archer. Mix that with a Beastmaster Profession and, more than likely, I will get something to do with magical beasts and animals as my Tier 4 Class. If I live that long at least,” Jared happily answered.

“An Alchemist, Beastmaster, and a Lore Seeker,” Evie thoughtfully stated, appraising each of the men.

“Aldrin, a moment, please?” She asked.

Aldrin turned to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

“I wish to formally join your group. I know I ingratiated myself without asking, but I am asking you now.” She said, taking off an indistinguishable wooden ring around her finger. She placed it in her palm, holding it up to Aldrin. “Inspect it,” she said.

Ring of Falsehood

Effect 1: +5 Charisma

Effect 2: Hide Status

“What are you-” Aldrin started before inspecting her.

Name: Evieanda Ynnlein

Race: Mountain Giant

Class: Totemic Mystic Level: 54

Tier: 4

Profession: Transmuter

Before he could say anything, she knelt in front of him, “I, Evieanda Ynnlein, daughter of High Mystic Krofumm Ynnlein and Chieftess Heifr Ynnlein, pledge myself to you, my Vyncari, Aldrin Ravindra. Let the Moon Goddess Phaeyara and her children be my witness.”

Notice!

Evieanda Ynnlein wishes to become a Servant of yours,

Do you accept it?

“You’re a princess?” Aldrin asked in disbelief.

“Was. I left that life long ago because I am so far down the succession line between my other brothers and sisters I would never even see the inside of where the throne sits.” she answered with her head bowed low still.

Aldrin looked at everyone who also wore the same expressions of disbelief. “His hidden luck stat must be insanely high,” he heard Jared whisper.

“Or he is insanely unlucky,” Pierre whispered back.

Evie looked up into Aldrin’s eyes. A brief flicker of hope and determination flitted between them. Aldrin felt something primal take hold of him, “Show me your true self,” he ordered, his Vampiric nature showing itself in return, “as I have shown you what you will truly serve.”

Evie took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly, her Giantese runic tattoos receding into her skin. She grew in size and mass, the earth beneath her buckling under her growing size until she towered over them all. She stood to her full height, showing Aldrin that he only came up just shy below her shin.

They appraised each other as understanding bloomed in their eyes, “I accept,” Aldrin said.

Congratulations!

You have gained a new Servant!

Evieanda Ynnlein has come into your service and has accepted you just as you accepted her.

“She’s almost as tall as those small skyscrapers back home,” Jared blurted out, looking up at her as Pierre nodded in agreement.

Evie inhaled deeply, the Giantese runic tattoos reforming over her skin like chains, reducing her size until she was only an inch taller than Aldrin. “Giants grow alongside their levels,” she informed. “My parents are taller than I am when they grow to their full size,” she winked at Jared.

“I thank you for accepting me and putting your trust in me,” She looked Aldrin in the eye as he let his nature recede too.

“You have been nothing but helpful since you came. It is my honor to have you among us.” Aldrin bowed this time. “Did I do it right?” he asked when he came back up.

“Needs work before we see my clan, but it worked well enough for me,” she lightly laughed.

Cannor and Eddock stood silently off to the side, watching the exchange between them. Cannor looked at Eddock, who shook his head no. His shoulders slumped, then looked on with envy and hope.

After it was done and over, they piled into the carriage with Jared at the reins, giddy with excitement like a kid about to play with his new toys. “Jared, if you would do the honors, please?” Aldrin asked through the slit.

“With the greatest of pleasures, my dark overlord!” He madly cackled. “Onwards, my noble steeds!” He cracked the reins. The warhorses reared first, then took off in a dead sprint down the road. The weight of the carriage was meaningless to them as they ate up the road before them, finally free to run. Jared screamed and laughed in joy at the rush as everyone in the back of the carriage held on for dear life at the speed they were going.

The initial excitement the warhorses felt about running simmered down as they paced themselves into a comfortable sprint. Aldrin looked out the carriage window, seeing the rocky and desolate landscape whirl by.

“Almost feels like a car,” Pierre said, earning a nod from Aldrin but confused looks from the rest of the group. Pierre then began to explain to the others their methods of transportation from Earth.

“We should enchant the carriage when we get to Folos! I know someone who can help!” Evie suggested, after listening to Pierre. Everyone then offered their suggestions on what kind of enchantments would mostly benefit the carriage.

Aldrin droned them out and thought for a moment about what he would look for gear-wise when they got to Folos. They had enough money to splurge if necessary, including enchanting pieces of armor and weapons. A part of him wanted to raid another bandit camp like Gyt’s so they could plunder whatever riches it held. Still, there was also a small kernel of doubt in the back of his mind about what exactly would entail once they got to Folos. He hoped it wouldn’t be another Lor-Vold incident. The ramifications of the city had yet to be felt, but it was only a matter of time before it happened. With that thought in mind, he sank deeper into his seat when he thought of the Queen and what her next move would be.

Nonetheless, he would be better prepared for whatever Folos was going to throw at him, either in the Dungeons or the city itself. He would have to hurry to grow in power more before he even attempted going back to the capital city of Dremetica.