The live feeds from around the submarine displayed on the commander’s screen were blinded as a white light enveloped them.

She slightly twisted her hand above the orb, and the sub turned to her will.

“It has been too long,” she mouthed as they began to travel along the light.

The submarine began to shake but then anticlimactically stopped. A moment later, they had passed through the barrier surrounding the valley and were flying through space.

Abe’s jaw dropped as he watched the feeds. Stars dotted the horizon, and swirling clouds of purple, green, and red could be seen in all directions. It was the magnificent grandeur of the cosmos all at once.

He could see giant rocks, like floating islands, in the distance, some of which they passed, and he could have sworn he could see structures and even things flying above them.

“Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Incredible.”

“The Astral Vale. It connects everything. Out here, it is lawless, unlike my domain. Thankfully, we’re in a fairly quiet section. No one should dare attack a vessel with a vampire on board around here. But should you find yourself here alone, I warn you, take care.”

“I will,” Abe muttered, his voice barely carrying from his lips as he watched the spectacle.

A giant rock floated ahead with countless lights across it. Dots floated through the Vale above, below, and across the giant rock, and as they flew closer, he realized they were vessels of all kinds. From planes to boats, submarines, and almost everything else one could think of.

“Lantern. Nothing too special in the greater scheme of things. But decent enough trading post.”

As they flew closer to the surface, buildings took shape, and the streets they made up. Towers with saucered tops stood above the smaller buildings like steel mushrooms, overlooking the packed streets below. The roads and alleys were lined by red paper lanterns, filling the scene with warm light. And lush green permeated anywhere steel did not, melding machine and life together and providing the city with a natural vibrancy.

“It’s beautiful,” Abe mouthed.

“The toiling of dreamers,” Miss Nia said, directing the submarine down. “But we’ll be staying below until the auction.”

The lights of the surface continued down across the face of the rock, where roots and pavers took over.

The submarine dipped below the surface, passing columns, stone archways, gargoyles, and open walkways where the undead crowded.

The cemetery-like underground city is covered with concrete and stone, save the occasional length of black, gothic fencing.

Cross-sectioned streets and establishments of drinking, gambling, and debauchery could be seen as they continued down, their occupants unconcerned by the prospect of onlookers.

Finally, they began to slow, reaching a timber sign hung by one building. Floating boats, planes, and other buoyant vehicles were tied down to its facade. As with other establishments they had passed, rooms were cut in half, and patrons sat around on tables with cosmic views, some only inches from the abyssal darkness at the edge of the rock.

“The Necrotic Cauldron. You won’t find a trustworthy soul within. But it’s one of the nicer establishments if you ask me.”

“What’s happens if you-”

“Fall?”

He nodded, staring off into one of the display screens filled with darkness.

“If you can’t fly, you fall. For a very, very, very long time.”

“I thought so.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll catch you,” she smiled and turned toward the corridor. “Shall we?”

Ropes were thrown toward the tavern by ghoulish deckhands and then caught and tightened by a crew of skeletons manning the timber pier that ran along the floating rock.

“Ready?” Nia said as she tied back her silver hair.

“I am.”

“Good,” she said, walking past him and ducking through the bulkhead.

She was right about the heels. She walked with the grace of a cat despite the thin, six-inch stilettos at the ends of her feet and the hazardous walkway of the submarine.

Ducking through after her, Abe averted his gaze as she reached the ladder and began to climb the ladder.

“Something caught your eye?” She teased, and Abe’s eyes returned to her just in time to catch her swaying rear as she moved up the ladder.

Damn, I don’t know if she works out, but I’d sign up for her gym class in another life. But maybe that’s just natural for a vampire.

Taking the bar in his head, he trained his eyes forward and climbed.

Reaching the deck, Abe patted himself down and turned to watch as Miss Nia effortlessly jumped, or rather glided, across the gap between the submarine and the floating rock. Landing atop the pier with the same grace as she walked.

Passing the dead-eyed ghouls, he stopped at the ledge. He couldn’t help but look down into the endless dark abyss, with stars sparkling in the distance.

Swallowing, Abe looked up. He had faced death multiple times already, but there was something about that drop that made his hair stand on end.

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“Hurry along now,” Miss Nia waved and turned into the establishment, passing through a stone archway.

“C’mon, do it,” crackled a pair of hairy undead men sitting by the pier, drinking from flagons.

“Yeah, no worries,” he groaned. It’s only an endless fall.

Lowering himself, he pushed off and propelled himself through the air. It was too much momentum, and Abe flew across the gap and slammed straight into the tavern wall. Fear and unfamiliarity with his new strength cost him some pride.

The two drunken dead men cackled as Abe stumbled to his feet.

“Good one, boy,” one of them said, raising his flagon.

“Glad I could entertain.”

Abe turned and pushed through the stone archway. Inside, he scanned the room. Round stone tables were scattered about the room, with a fireplace alight with blue flames on one end. Skeletons stood aimlessly behind the bar, but they didn’t seem to have jobs as drinks were dispensed by metal tubes connected to cylindrical devices marked by intricate patterns attached to the ceiling—with little coin slots by their sides. Undead creatures, meat-covered like zombies and skeletal creatures, approached, placed a coin in the machine, and then took the hose and drank.

He glanced across tables where all kinds of undead sat. Beyond just the skeletons and zombies, he also noted grotesque, obese Frankenstein creations, ghosts, and shadowy, spectral monstrosities.

His eyes widened as he realized that their gazes were following Miss Nia, and he remembered Ricky’s explanation of the undead hierarchy.

To them, she was essentially royalty. But a thought occurred to him. Did all these undead have masters like Miss Nia? Or might some of them be independent?

The well in Miss Nia’s domain was meant to be about as weak as they came; he wondered what of the stronger wells? Might some of them support vast empires and send their undead minions away to places like this?

Energy flowed freely across this place; he could see it, and he didn’t need anyone to explain that it was somehow linked to these walking corpses.

The orb that powered the submarine also stored deathly energy, so he knew there were other means to gaining power beyond just the well.

Abe turned as he walked, taking in the sights. Windows ran the length of the establishment, and he could see the crowds outside going about their business in the busy underground corridors.

Nia’s domain might make her a noble, but he quickly realized there was much more to life beyond the material than he had realized.

Mistress Nia led them through the main dining halls and into a corridor, then ran to the building’s rear. A hole sat alone in the wall, marked by an oil lantern hanging beside it, glowing cool blue.

She stopped beside it and tapped the stone bench that sat at its bottom. “Got my keys?”

“Yes, Baroness Evgenia,” a voice came from within, and a fat, pale white hand extended out of the both and dropped keys into her hand. “Seventh floor. Room four, one of a lord’s suites. Please, enjoy your stay, Baroness.”

Miss Nia smiled briefly and turned for the stairs.

Following her, Abe glanced into the booth and grimaced at seeing the bulbous, bald man covered in greasy folds sitting within. He smiled broadly, his black and yellow teeth on display as oversized flies buzzed around him.

How do insects even live in this place? I guess there are trees up on the surface, and of course, we’d get the insects.

Following Nia up the stairs, Abe did his best to avert his gaze again, much to her obvious enjoyment, as she slowed, emphasizing her deliberate steps. Her athletic shape twisted and perked with every step. The denim wrapped tightly around her lower half, climbing up to where it narrowed at her waist, and the belt contained her sheathed daggers. The jacket she wore over her black corset hung open, as it always did, inviting Abe’s thoughts to wander.

Even without his memories, he was fairly certain he had never met nor seen a woman that carried herself with such grace, not that it was surprising. She wasn’t a human, after all.

Following the dark timber railing and green carpet of the stairs, they reached the seventh floor. The entire level was reserved for lord-tier customers, an uncommon occurrence in Lantern and even more so in its catacombs.

Some kind of spectral creature was minding the entrance to the seventh floor. Behind its black robes, a white skull was translucent and flickering.

Miss Nia did not need to explain herself or show her key; the specter seemed well aware of her station when it saw her moving out of the way with a puff of black smoke. Nia passed without pause.

Nearing the door, the key rose from her palm and hovered toward the lock, inserting itself at her will. A click sounded, and the door swung open.

“To the right is the servants' quarter; make yourself at home,” she turned her head, passing Abe a sideways smile. “I’ll fetch you when I’m ready.”

He nodded and passed into the smaller room.

It might have been designed for the servant of a lord but would have put most hotels to shame.

Hardwood cupboards with glass doors lined the walls, and a double bed covered in fine satin sheets lay at the center. Beyond the glass doors, all kinds of crystalware and golden cutlery lay.

“A bit fancy,” he grunted, running an appreciative hand across the silky sheets. He might not need rest like he had as a human, but luxuries were still pleasant. And if he was going to lay somewhere, he might as well enjoy it.

Sat waiting on the bed, he wondered what else he was supposed to do since he wasn’t tired. Luckily, Miss Nia’s delicate knock on the door saved him from his own, often intrusive thoughts.

“Coming,” he said, jumping to his feet.

Opening the door, he stood frozen momentarily, his eyes meeting her pale chest. It was firmly pressed together and perched atop her black corset. She had tightened it.

Coughing, Abe cleared his throat, “Sorry.”

“Don’t be,” her lips curled into a grin. “Shall we go?”

He nodded and stepped out of the room, almost jumping when she looped her arm through his.

“W-where are we going,” Abe swallowed.

“To enroll you.”

“Enroll me?”

“Yes, I lied a little,” she said with a mischievous snicker.

“We’re not going to an auction house?”

“Oh, we are. But that isn’t for a couple of days. Do you remember the slayers that attacked my manor? They were mercenaries hired by Dreamers and mortals. The Slayers Organization hires mercenaries and provides them to paying customers—usually only for dreamer lords and dreamer organizations. How they came to aid my sister is still a bit of a mystery, but it's not overly important for the moment. But there is another side to this, Reavers. Reavers are the mercenaries of the undead. Recruited from fouled mortals and the undead, Reavers provide an important service in the Deathscape. And more importantly, it’s a good way for you to get some experience. That is why I plan to enroll you.”

“You want to make me a mercenary?”

“Only temporarily while you learn how to fight properly. By the time you return, I’ll have your weapon crafted, and hopefully, you will have evolved into a wight. Between that and the experience you gain fighting alongside real warriors, you should be worthy of becoming my captain. Who knows, you might even learn some special tricks.”

“If it pleases you.”

“Well, I can’t say I won’t miss you. But it is necessary.”

“And my hunger?” Abe said, a tinge of desperation seeping into his words and coloring his face.

“I have suitable stocks aboard the submarine for you. They will be unloaded and provided to you when you are ready to leave. Don’t worry; I will make sure to have you employed on a contract that doesn’t take you too far away from me for too long.”

Abe nodded, but the uncertainty hadn’t left his eyes.

“Sorry, that’s the best I can do, Abraham. If you want to suck the blood from my flesh again, you will need to earn that privilege,” she pressed a finger to his nose. “It would so disappointed me if you didn’t. I long for that touch as much as you.”