Morning comes, and Dracs wakes. He’s off his bed to stretch his body. The sun is bright, and sun rays peek through his curtains. Drac walks to the bathing room to clean his teeth.

Finally awake.

“AAHH!” Drac drops his toothbrush.

Forgot about me?

Hood, like a ghost, lingers in Drac’s mind. You idiot, you did!

“No, I just haven't gotten used to the idea of a copy of myself talking back to me in my mind.”

Excuses, excuses.

Drac picks up the toothbrush from the floor and continues brushing. Nasty.

“Hood, where did you go when I slept?"

I guess I slept just like you. I feel tired when you tire. But something strange occurred. Farmboy, clean up first, then sit on the floor in your living area. I want you to show something surprising.

“Who is being nasty now?”

Once Dracs finished with his teeth and showering his body, he went to the living room. Books are everywhere. Each is filled with bookmarks and notes. Reading lamps shine on two chairs. On the wooden floor lays a colourful carpet of intricate patterns in the Southern style.

Sit cross-legged. We are going to meditate. Meditation is a way in which you train control over mana or ki.

“Do you know you quite the”

Sit and close your eyes.

Drac sits cross-legged. He closed his eyes.

Relax with deep breaths.

“Deep… Breaths…”

Open.

Drac opens his eyes. Only darkness surrounds him.

Over here. Drac looks to his left. A corner of a room emerges from the dark. Drac walks towards it. As Drac walks towards it, the room grows. Features are more visible. Hundreds upon thousands of books are placed on towering bookshelves. A chandelier of glass and gold hangs from the top. The gorgeous red carpet covers oak floors. Magnificent chairs are made from fine wood and leather. A man is black. sitting and reading a book.

This was a previous target’s library. I fell in love at first sight. Sadly, I had to kill him within a week. I would've loved to have spent more time there.

Drac raises his eyebrow.

Why does that look? The noble bastard was a child killer but had great taste in decor.

"So." Drac grabs a chair to sit on. “This is my mind?”

Yes. I arrived here as you did, in the dark. Unsure of where to go, I was stuck in the darkness for a good while. Then I remembered the practice of Shaanti and meditated as you did. And so I gained the ability to conjure this room. Hood gestures around.

“You are too brilliant to be my copy." Drac smiles

I know. Hood says it frankly. But you are capable of learning this too. Because I. Hood points to himself and then to Drac. You.

Drac considers this. He considers it his calling. To join up with his other copies. Is each one as talented, skilled, and amazing as Hood? What kind of man will he become? It's very exciting.

Drac, full of glee and a big smile, asks, “When do we leave?”

Today.

Hood clicks his fingers, and Drac is back to reality.

But first, let's say our goodbyes.

***************************************

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

Drac knocks on a door.

"Wait, wait, I’m coming!” A girl shouts from inside the house.

The door opens with Bree carrying a toddler on her. “Drac! Come in, come in. The pie is just about done. Bree put the child down. The baby looked at Drac with inquisitive eyes.

"You have never seen me before, have you? I must have been born after I left town."

“Come on, Drac, it’s fresh and hot from the oven.” Bree and the toddler guided Drac to the dinner table, where the rest of Bree’s family sat. The father and mother are at the top, with the kids below. Drac finds a chair at the very end and sets about finishing Bree's delicious pie. The last pie of hers he may eat.

Time passes. Apple pie was devoured, and hunger was satisfied. Chatter begins among the kids. Not so secretly, they talk amongst each other while peeking at Drac.

“Got something you want to ask?"

They freeze. The oldest boy speaks. “Is it true?”

“What is true?”

“That… you were the one to kill Cal.”

“John!” Bree’s mother shouts.

"Yes, and some help from a friend,” Drac answers.

Some?

“I told you, George! Bree wouldn't lie like that.”

“She has. You just believe too easily.”

Laughter erupts. Drac joins. It has been years since Drac stepped into this house. It's like a puzzle fitting. He hasn't felt this merry in a while.

Time passes once more, and Drac is at the door to leave. “Wait, son.” The father calls on Drac.

Bree’s mother, Sarah, talks first. “We wanted to say... we are so sorry. So sorry for the years we left you alone on that farm.

Jack chimes in. “We should have protected you and given you a home.”

“Yes. We have disappointed our departed old friend by letting things be this way.” with a shameful look on his face Drac feels they are sincere.

“You helped me. Who gave me food every week? Who gave me clothes every year? Who let me still be Bree’s friend? It's OK.”

Sarah bawls with her husband's arm around her to console her.

“And son, thank you.” Jack says, “Thank you for saving my daughter.”

Drac nods to them. He leaves through the door with Bree to escort him.

“Did you hear that the church will be coming to town to sort this mess out?”

“I heard. The Church is very strict about dealing with demons. Hopefully, the captives will get help from them that they urgently need.”

Bree and Drac walk in silence.

“So,”

“So…” Bree repeated

Drac stops abruptly.

“I am going to leave town.”

"Oh, nice. How long? Because the spring festival is coming up, and I want you to come along with us.”

“...I am leaving. For good.”

A moment of quiet. Bree looks perturbed by what she hears.

“Wait, leave for good? You just became our town's hero. You can't just up and leave!”

“It's not my town. Not anymore. I was shunned one day and praised the next. It's confusing. I will always wonder when they will turn their backs on me again. Just being in the town makes me sweat because of stress." Drac looks at Bree, regretful. “I cannot stay.”

Another moment of silence.

“I understand. Someone like you cannot stay chained to this stupid town of Plyton.” Bree smiles; eyes look forlorn. “Go out there. Be great.” One last hug between the two The two know their friendship won't break from this. They both release it with smiles. Bree walks back to her family's cottage, leaving Drac alone on the path.

To the hideout. We have to pack.

Underground, A man in black picks among his things.

We need to travel fast and light.

On a table are Drac’s new sword, his bow, and a quiver. A dagger, a bag filled with throwing knives, and Hood’s tricks

Don’t forget the money. There, in the chest.

Drac locates the chest. left the lid to reveal a beaming gold coil. More gold a village will see in a year.

Drac grins, “Now we are rich!”

Always been.

With weapons, equipment, and essentials packed, Drac leaves the hideout. A bright and sunny day is the kind of weather for a man clad in a long black hooded jacket to stand out. Hence, Drac walks down the main road. Passersby stare; some call his name. He ignores them, hiking the road down to the town's exit. At the exit, Bree meets Drac with his grey-coated Steed.

“How did I know?" Drac asks.

“You know how it is, small town, and I know you too well.” Bree giggles. "I just wanted to bring some things.” New bags are strapped to Drac’s horse.

“Pies. I don't want you getting hungry and missing them, so I made plenty for the road.”

Drac takes the reins from his friend. “Thank you, Bree, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Drac mounts his horse. pats its neck.

“Goodbye, for now.” Drac turns his horse, whips the reins, and leaves, galloping across the hill.

With the wind blowing at his face, Drac pulls up the mask and lifts the hood over his head.

“Now. Where do we go?”

We are due east. Onward to the town next over. I will show you the way.

ARC 1 END

To be continued