Chained like an animal, Alek found himself in the very cell he once threw prisoners. The irony was apparent, he now understood the isolation he visited upon the innocent. His hands were nailed to a wooden contraption, his wrists bound with unbreakable chains. He was stripped naked, revealing his pale dead flesh for all to see.
Only a few of the old crew that could stand, descended to torture him. Typical methods, punching, kicking, hot pokers. All methods he had seen from the more sadistic members of the crew. Most of the times it was interrogation. Still there were some more overzealous members, they thrived on inflicting pain.
Sara hadn't made an appearance; last he saw she was cuddling up to Elis. It was hard for him to find a betrayal in what she did. They were never allies to begin with. He only took her with him, because it would have been suspicious not to return from the dungeon absent a girl. He wondered what her game was, did she plan to become Elis woman. He doubted it, he had met those types and Sara wasn’t it.
Despite his own thoughts, reality was a harsh mistresses. Sara was with Elis and himself, a captive. Instead of pondering these events towards insanity, he simply waited for a new companion to arrive. None too soon did he wait, as the door slowly opened. Entering was none other then the very woman he pondered. Sara slinked into the cell; her appearance vastly different. Now she was wearing a black dress, some makeup and what appeared to be a jewelled necklace.
“You have moved up in the world, congratulations.” Alek commented.
“I have, Lord Elis is most generous.” She teased, smiling mischievously.
Approaching the bound man, Sara cast her disdainful gaze downwards. Appearing grander and more terrifying than he recalled.
“Do you know how long I have waited for such a moment?” She inquired, placing her hand on his shoulder.
“Probably a long time.”
“Correct, a long damn time sitting in that disgusting cell, fed something that could be barely seen as food and listening to the men violate the women in the next cell.” Her heart racing, her grip tightened.
“That sounds like hell.”
“No, hell is what happened to the other girls. I however watched you butcher my family and laugh as they died.” With her final word she backhanded Alek across the face.
Blow after blow she rained down every ounce of fury she had left. She pummelled Alek again and again, desperately staving off exhaustion so she could continue. No matter how hard she hit, no matter how much anger she put behind every blow. The act still felt hollow, the man she hated for so long was dead. His heart no longer beat like a normal man. He had become the monster she saw in her dreams.
But she didn’t want to kill a monster, she wanted the man. Her desire was to beat the man that murdered her parents to death. This thing before her was not what she expected. Still, she didn’t stop, her rage needed an outlet and here it was. Finally, she stopped, sweat stained her skin, her breath heavy. The fight was gone from her, she was too tired to pummel the man.
“Feel better?” He asked through bloody teeth.
“A little bit.” She answered.
“I understand, I killed them so beating me to a pulp is expected. What I don’t get, is why you're sucking up to Elis.”
“Well, he is quite handsome.”
Catching her breath, she turned to pick up a steel rod. They had been using it to beat and burn their prisoner. Brandishing the weapon, laying it upon his shoulder.
“But he ordered us to attack your village.” Alek stated.
“I know.” Is all she said in reply.
With a single strike to the head, Alek descended into darkness. For longer than he could recall, this darkness lingered. Alone and isolated amidst the blackness and nothingness. Within that nothingness, a voice could be heard.
“Don’t you die you bastard!” A familiar voice spoke angrily.
Casting a weary gaze, the sight of someone altogether familiar reached his eyes. It was the phantom, the figment of his imagination. The embodiment of the man he once was. It was Thomas, standing their, in the centre of the blackness.
“Get up and kill that bitch! Go, kill them all!”
“Be quiet, I'm trying to sleep.” Alek answered the angry apparition.
“No!” Thomas bellowed.
That single word echoed in my mind. The darkness that surrounded us, felt like an echo chamber. Alek felt lethargic, his energy draining away. Within this dream state, he could feel needles piercing flesh. Life or whatever kept him animated was draining away.
“You will not die, get up you bastard!”
“Why should I?” Alek replied, exhausted.
“Please, not again. I can't do it again.” Thomas said, now pleading.
Finding the shift in tone strange, Alek rose to meet his gaze. All he saw was a man truly frightened, gone was the disdainful sneer. The cocky brute of a man was trembling, a sight he found truly odd. Scanning his peripheries, the darkness was closing in.
“Death is not something I want to do again. It’s cold and dark, it's an abyss that holds nothing. Do not let us go through that again!”
“Perhaps that’s what we deserve.”
“This cannot be our end.” Thomas whispered as the darkness descended.
Soon after they were bathed in the pure absence of light. Alek lingered in that quiet space for what felt like eternity. HIs eyes closing, heavy and weary. Before he could descend, a child's whimper pulled him back. Thomas was gone, now replaced with a familiar child, clothed in rags.
“Mother.” The child pleaded, tears streaking his eyes.
Alek found his bonds removed, now free he approached. Standing before the child, the world shifted. A new situation manifested to his right. The same child, crying in a shabby looking mattress. A woman without a face, carefully stroking his back and whispering.
“It’s okay Thomas, it’s not the end of the world. It’s just another day.” She spoke with such warmth, for a moment the pain was gone.
Even though he could not see her face, he knew who she was. That indistinct figure was his mother, the woman that both loved and abandoned him. The vision quickly faded, leaving only the crying child. Kneeling down to eye level, Alek smiled. Even though this was an apparition, provoked by whatever horror awaited in the waking world. The child within him was sad and in need of comfort.
Sitting down next to the boy, the scene shifted to the cobble stone steps of a chapel. He didn’t recognise the location, the world around was too vague. The boy seated to his left was plain as day. Tears continue to stream, along with several whimpers. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he tried to vainly comfort the poor lad.
“Their, their young lad, it will all be alright.” He said, trying to channel his limited knowledge of children.
“She isn't coming back?” The boy sobbed, holding his face in his hands.
Understanding dawned on Alek, this was the moment that put Thomas on his path. He remembered, his mother had left him in front of a chapel and told him to wait for her to return. Young Thomas waited for an entire day, resisting the ache in his stomach and the thirst in his throat. So devoted to the idea that his mother loved him and would return. Her absence broke him, on a fundamental level it broke him.
“It broke me, broke us.” Alek whispered, dawning on him the truth of his past.
He was not always a monster and though he was a monster in form. He needn't be at his heart. Taking the boy in his arms, embracing him as a loving parent should. He whispered the words he wished his mother had said at least once more.
“It’s not the end of the world, it's just another day.” Those simple words, seemed to reach the young man.
Raising his tear-streaked face, the two gazed at one another. The child he once was and the man he is now. They didn’t recognise one another, the gulf was too wide and their natures unfamiliar. But in that moment, they trusted each other and accepted those words. The child embraced Alek and the two for a moment found peace.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
The moment didn’t last as another figure appeared in the distance. Several figures, prone on the ground. They resonated with his bestial self and without words he understood who they were.
“Awaken.” Alek said ominously.
In the waking world, outside of the castle. Several figures surrounded a wooden bonfire, stacks of bodies were strewn upon it. Two figures were leaning over, lit torches in each hand.
“I don’t know, it still doesn’t feel right to burn them. I mean we went on our first raid together.” The dark-haired bandit said, his head face dropping.
“Yeah, first raids are special. But what can you do, the boss man wants them torched.” The pile of muscle replied.
“I know, but maybe we should say something over them.”
“You mean like a prayer?” He asked, getting a nod from his counterpart.
“Do we look religious?”
“No, in fact I have killed a priest, which probably puts me in the bad books of the water bitch.” He shrugged with a smirk.
“Oh yeah, the raid on that pious village. They had some good virgins. Not so much once we were done with them.”
The two chuckled, recalling the grotesque history fondly. The two hadn't noticed the subtle movement of the two supposedly dead bodies. Before they knew it, the eyes opened and fangs descended. The last thing they heard was their own screams and the sound of tearing flesh.
Back in the cell, the sudden jolt brought Alek out of his dream state. Waking up he noticed the wizard, wrapped in the typical cloak they usually wore. He was desperately collecting several jugs filled with red liquid. The situation was obvious, the wizard had been collecting Alek’s blood.
The two locked eyes and the wizard shrugged before scuttling away. Alek would need to kill that man, unfortunately he felt weak and barely held on. Despite that weakness dragging him down, he could still sense something. Focusing, he found a tether reaching out towards two figures. Suddenly it became three and now four.
Soon understanding dawned on him, they were his children. Transformed and made vampire. He could feel them, their rage and hunger. They were multiplying, attacking any living being nearby. Some they drained to dust, while others they left alive to turn. They cut a swath through the castle like a plague upon a village.
He could hear the screams and clash of battle. Someone sounded a horn, likely some sort of alarm. Concentrating, he guided his children towards his cell. Four vampires made their way down the stairs and to the dungeons. Crowding outside the cell door, they savaged the entrance. Tearing and smashing their way through.
With sheer ferocity and strength, they bashed down the door and made their way in. Their figures came into view and to any civilised person, they would be grotesque. Malformed and sharp facial features, caked in fresh blood. Fangs on display and claws at the ready. These four pale monstrosities had one goal. To kill and feed, it seemed default and ingrained.
Despite that impulse, they obeyed the strange force pressing upon their mind. It directed them to their progenitor. With a few slashes of their claws, Alek was freed. With another burst of thought, he commanded them to bring him blood. One complied and left the cell, returning with a screaming bandit.
Alek didn’t bother to recall his name. Instead. He sank in is fangs and drank him dry. The blood rejuvenated and brought him back to a clear mind. With his faculties returned, he dropped the corpse and rose to meet his children. They waited silently, eager to act on his every thought. Despite the horror that was occurring, Alek found his children, adorable in a way.
Realising that the bloodshed would continue without his intervention. He commanded the four to follow him. Sensing the formerly captive women, still hiding in the secret room. He sent the vampires upstairs and to the great hall. Bodies were strewn about haphazardly. Most of the had faint whiffs of the dark energy. It wouldn’t be long before they rose from the grave.
Before following along, he turned back to the secret room. Entering, he found the group of women, all wielding improvised weapons. A frying pan, a chair and a wooden bar, likely pulled from a wardrobe. Their weapons didn’t drop even when their saviour arrived.
“What's happening?” One of them said.
“Your escape is close at hand.” Alek stated, pushing past them.
Entering the concealed corner, he ignored the gasps from the women. The resolve bursting in his un-beating heart was too much to ignore. Approaching the blood red armour, he went to remove it from its perch. The moment his hand touch metal, the armour morphed around his fingers. It felt like dipping his hand into a lake.
The armour twisted and turned, wrapping around his palm. Shocked for only a moment, he strangely felt an understanding. Allowing the amorphous blob to crawl across his skin and solidify. In a matter of moments his body was now covered in thick armour. It felt light despite its appearance, he could feel a strange sensation, radiating off the metal.
Sparing no more time, he pulled the broadsword from its perch. Inspecting the blade and finding it a marvel to look at. His reverie was short-lived, he had a job to do and lingering was not an option. He left the confines of the concealed space. Giving a few thoughts to how that worked and just came to the conclusion of magic.
The women gasped at the sight of a towering demon in blood red armour, wielding a broadsword. He hadn't intended to scare them, but that’s just how it went down.
“Me and my fellows will carve a path for you all to escape. You can wait for my signal or you can vacate at your leisure.” Delivering that ultimatum, he promptly left the dumbfounded group.
Reaching the great hall, he found his vampires in a bloody melee with the last remaining bandits. They were being overwhelmed in a accompany of claws and swords. Entering the hall, the scent of fresh blood was overwhelming. Yet it was another smell that shifted his attention. The scent of smoke and burnt flesh.
Looking up towards the raised platform, he spotted the figure of Elis. The man was outfitted in the priestly battle robes of Pyrus. Next to him was of course, Sara. She clung to him like a maiden in love with a handsome knight. Elis was not noble at all, in fact the sadistic gleam in his eyes did not bode well.
Energy pulsed from the glass container on his belt. The container now bright and luminous, like a sun contained within a small space. The energy pulsed, rising up his side and towards his raised palm. Thrusting his hand forward, a gout of flame bathed the hall in fire. Monsters and men screamed alike, as in that moment, it did not matter what they were. Fire did not discriminate and the remaining bandits were burnt to cinders.
As for Alek’s children, they were not spared. He felt many of them die, struck so early in their unlife. He couldn’t bare it; anger fuelled his next move. Barrelling forward with reckless abandoned. He foolishly met the flame head on. Not understanding why, he did something so idiotic.
Charging forward, the fire consumed him. The flames were intense, but no pain could be felt. The armour he had taken, protected him from the heat. It was a wise chose to don this ancient relic. Leaping atop the platform, broadsword in hand. He struck down upon his foe. The attack was countered by an invisible barrier, surrounding the pair. Likely the wizards work, yet the arcane individual was nowhere to be seen.
“I like the armour, I will claim it as a prize. Slaying demons is its own reward. But I cannot deny the luxuries from a good kill.” Elis said smugly, guiding his flames around him.
With a thought Alek commanded all his children to retreat. He had lost to many from the first barrage of heat.
“Scurrying away from the fire, typical beasts.”
“You're not so clean Elis, I wonder what the order would say about you.” Alek struck back.
His insult hit the mark and the pyromancer directed his seething gaze at Alek.
“Those fools didn’t understand the power we had. Serving the spirits instead of harnessing them. I am liberated form their chains.” He announced proudly.
Keeping him talking, Alek directed some of his vampires around the raised platform. Using their claws to scale the walls, they ascended quickly. Alek leapt forward, striking the barrier several times, before narrowly dodging a gout of flame.
Every strike he could feel the barrier give. The pulsating energy it emitted was naked to his sight. The barrier was not perfect, energy did not flow all around it. The flow coalesced at the major area of impact. He could see the energy drain from other vantages, to take up a front position. Not knowing how much damage his armour could take. He resolved to beat the barrier into submission.
“More foolish actions, I don’t understand him. Perhaps he has truly been taken by the bestial nature.” Elis stated, shifting his gaze to Sara.
“He is certainly ferocious, like a rabid dog.” She remarked.
With that brief distraction, Alek rendered his final attack. Lunging into the barrier, finally the sword penetrated. The blade stabbed deeply; half its length entered. He could feel the barrier pushing back against the attack. The proximity of the deadly weapon startled Elis.
Raising his palm to blast us with fire. The two vampires descended from the roof. Landing on the barriers dome like ceiling, they clawed and pummelled its surface. With attacks from multiple directions, the barrier couldn’t hold.
The vampire’s descended within striking range. In panic, Elis unleashed a storm of heat. The fire blazed up from the ground to surround him. Blasting everyone within his radius. His two vampires were vaporised and Alek himself was blasted back. Dazed and confused, he quickly ascended to his feet.
What he found was a tired Elis, fireball in hand and ready to strike. The pyromancer looked weak and weary, yet he still wielded enough power to finish a downed vampire. The armour was damaged, the previous blast had managed to break through. Despite the scorching, Alek could notice the armour repairing itself.
He didn’t have time to gawk at such a magical armour. His death was imminent, the fireball gleaming in his enemy's hand would seal his fate. Before he struck down his final blow. Sara, clinging to the man’s side, sported a wide grin. Before either of them could react, she grabs the bright jar from his belt and smashed it on the floor.
The glass broke and unleashed a deafening screech. Bright light soon followed along with intense heat. Alek quickly raced away from the blast zone, just as the screams started. Elis was now engulfed in flames, his flesh melting off the bone. The fire seemed alive, snaking over his form, trying to inflict as much damage as possible. The fire didn’t discriminate, not even Sara was spared from the blaze.
By the time he got to his feet, it was all over. Elis was nothing but a charred stain on the ground. A fitting end to a man that delighted in burning others. It was Sara’s charred form that drew his attention. Moving to her side, he listened for a heartbeat. Silence was the only response and death was the answer.
Cradling the body, his fellow vampires surrounded him. They weren't coming to give him comfort. They slobbered over the fresh meat. With his fangs bare, he growled them away from the body. They shrunk back like frightened children.
He knew that saving her was not in the cards. In fact, she likely hoped he would die in the explosion. With her body cradled in his arms, he walked towards the platform. Laying her down gently, he gave her one last look, before settling down on the throne. Weary in mind rather in body. He tried to rationalise all that happened.
These events didn’t go as planned and many people died. Others had been raised as monsters. Perhaps he could be happy with the others he saved. He wondered, seated on the throne, if that would clear his ledger of deaths. He doubted it, but hoped it helped some.
Sighing and dipping his head. He mentally called his vampires to the great hall. As they gathered, he sat, gloomily. Wondering if he should just sit and wait for his father to arrive. He sensed the captive women fleeing the castle, hopefully they would reach their families. Some had remained, he could hear them debating. Noone was left for them, so nowhere to go.
At his lowest moment, he noticed a slight twitch in Sara’s corpse. Suddenly his body erupted in bright light. It was blinding and emitted enough heat to be felt. In the span of a moment, the light faded, and Alek’s magical vision showed him a glorious sight.
He wasn’t sure, but he could see the life and vitality of a spirit, dwelling within her. She rose to a seating position, turned to him and asked the obvious question.
“How am I not dead?”
The query perplexed everyone, leaving the assembled cadre of monsters stunned.