Moving silently through the dense foliage, Victoria and Leroy approached the outskirts of the small settlement hidden within the heart of the forest. Despite the late hour, the oni village buzzed with activity. Victoria's keen senses picked up the faint sound of footsteps and the murmur of voices carried on the night air.
As they neared the village, Victoria's eyes focused on the sentries positioned along the perimeter. These vigilant oni warriors patrolled their territory, their keen senses alert for any signs of danger. With calculated steps, Victoria and Leroy carefully maneuvered around the sentries, ensuring they remained undetected.
In the center of the settlement, a flickering fire cast an eerie glow upon three hunters gathered in conversation. The hunters, adorned in rugged attire made from the hides of their recent kills, exchanged tales of their prowess and shared the spoils of their hunting endeavors. The sight of the racks displaying the slain creatures served as a reminder of the oni's predatory nature and their strength as hunters.
Victoria and Leroy concealed themselves behind the thick undergrowth, observing the hunters from a safe distance. It was clear that engaging them directly would be a perilous undertaking. The oni hunters possessed the physical strength and combat prowess to defend their territory fiercely. Victoria's mind calculated her options, searching for a strategic approach that would allow her to satiate her hunger without arousing suspicion or inviting a deadly confrontation.
Victoria moved quietly through the dimly lit village, her vampire senses guiding her toward potential sources of sustenance. Her heightened senses allowed her to perceive the number of inhabitants within each dwelling, their rhythmic breathing a telltale sign of slumber.
As she approached a house with an open window, Victoria's stealthy movements enabled her to slip inside undetected. The interior of the dwelling was shrouded in darkness, save for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the window. Three figures lay peacefully in their slumber, unaware of the presence that had invaded their abode.
Silently, Victoria advanced toward the closest individual, her fangs bared in anticipation of the nourishment to come. With her hand delicately covering the unsuspecting individual's mouth, she sank her teeth into their exposed neck. The warmth of their lifeblood flowed into her mouth, providing the sustenance she craved while ensuring her victim remained oblivious to the feeding. The first oni's energy slowly diminished as Victoria drew from their life force, leaving them weakened but not completely drained.
Moving swiftly to the next oni, Victoria repeated the process, her hunger driving her to seek the sustenance necessary for her survival. As she drained the second oni, their life force waned, leaving them in a weakened state alongside the first.
Finally, Victoria approached the third oni, her eyes gleaming with a mix of hunger and curiosity. Releasing her hand from the oni's mouth, she offered a choice: death or the opportunity to become her thrall. The oni hesitated, contemplating the consequences of each decision.
With a solemn nod, the oni chose to embrace the path of servitude, desiring a different fate than outright death. Victoria pricked her finger, a small droplet of her own blood welling up. Extending her hand, she offered the oni the blood that would seal their pact, intertwining their destinies in a bond of loyalty and obedience.
As the oni consumed the offered blood, a transformation took place. The oni's features became more subdued, their once fierce countenance tempered by an acceptance of their new role. They would serve as Victoria's thrall, forever bound to her will.
With the pact sealed, Victoria acknowledged the oni's loyalty and directed them to stand by her side. They would become an ally, a source of protection and assistance as she ventured forth into the treacherous realm.
Victoria, still emanating with the energy she had absorbed from the first two drained oni, turned her attention to the remaining weakened figures in the room. With a mixture of authority and empathy in her voice, she extended the same offer she had presented to the third oni.
Realizing that their fate was sealed, the two remaining oni glanced at each other, their eyes reflecting a mix of desperation and resignation. Weary from their injuries and sensing the inevitability of their situation, they nodded their agreement. It was a choice born out of survival instinct, a gamble to secure a chance at life under Victoria's command.
Pricking her finger once more, Victoria offered them the crimson elixir that would solidify their pledge of loyalty. The two oni, with weakened bodies and diminishing vitality, consumed the offered blood, their features mirroring the transformation that had befallen the previous oni.
Under Victoria's command, her thralls set out on their assigned mission with silent determination. One by one, they approached the unsuspecting oni within the village, weaving tales and enthralling them with fabricated stories that lured them to a designated meeting point. The dark secrets and hidden desires of the oni were exploited, manipulated by the persuasive words of Victoria's thralls.
As the unsuspecting oni arrived, they were greeted by Victoria, who concealed her true nature beneath a veneer of charm and intrigue. Each encounter was swift and calculated, as Victoria swiftly drank from their life essence, offering the same choice of death or servitude as she had done before.
Some of the oni chose to embrace the release of death, their life force seeping into Victoria, adding a small fraction of their stat points to her own. The decision to relinquish their existence was met with a mix of resignation and acceptance, their fates sealed within the grasp of the vampire's hunger.
Others, driven by a desperate desire for survival or enticed by the promises of power and purpose, opted to become thralls. Victoria, true to her word, pricked her finger and presented the blood that would bind their destinies together. The newly formed thralls joined Victoria's growing legion of followers. Each she sent back to their homes, instructing them to rest until they felt her call.
The village became a canvas of shifting shadows, echoes of whispered enticements and the silent passing of life. Victoria, her hunger sated and her power augmented, stood amidst the gathering darkness, her thralls obediently at her side.
Victoria felt the surge of power coursing through her veins as she claimed yet another life. The oni, defiant and unyielding, had chosen to reject her offer and face his demise instead. As the life force ebbed away from the fallen creature, Victoria's senses heightened, and a familiar notification appeared before her eyes, telling her that she’d reached level 3.
Victoria's heart quickened with anticipation. Taking a moment to assess her current situation, Victoria closed her eyes as she reviewed her character sheet to determine where to place her three stat points.
Victoria's eyes widened with excitement as she perused her character sheet, taking in the newfound developments. A sense of anticipation filled the air, fueling her desire to explore the depths of her abilities. She finally saw a tangible benefit from those she drained. Her strength, dexterity, and perception each increased by 1.
Name
Victoria Vanbelden
Race
Vampire
Level
3
Gender
Female
Class
Psionic
Height
5'9
Size
Medium
Weight
155
Alignment
Evil
Fame
Armor
15
Speed
16.5/sec.
Health
50
Health Regen
1/sec.
Mana
180
Man Regen
9/sec.
Stamina
50
Stamina Regen
2.5/sec.
Carrying Capacity
115 lbs.
Evasion
2.50%
Strength
6
Intelligence
18
Dexterity
11
Perception
16
Constitution
5
Luck
9
Charisma
17
Willpower
17
Skills
Deception (6)
Stealth (5)
Sanguine Sight (1)
Tumbling (1)
Backstab (1)
Spell
School
Rank
Damage
Charm
Vampiric
1
N/A
Telekinesis
Psionic
2
N/A
Read Surface Thoughts
Psionic
1
N/A
Mind Spike
Psionic
3
16
Temporary Psychosis
Psionic
1
N/A
Dark Step
Vampiric
3
N/A
Boons
Iron Will
Strengthen your mental fortitude, granting resistance against mind control and psionic attacks.
Spiritwalker
Open a connection to the spirit realm, gaining insight, divination abilities, or the ability to summon spectral allies.
Create Thrall
This is a potent ability unique to vampires, enabling the user to bind a sentient creature in a bond of absolute loyalty and obedience. The thrall must willingly accept the vampire's blood for the bond to take effect. Once bound, the thrall will unconditionally follow the vampire's orders, their free will all but extinguished.
This bond also establishes a one-way telepathic link. The vampire can issue commands or instructions telepathically, ensuring swift and silent coordination. However, the thrall is unable to communicate back via this link, their thoughts and emotions remaining their own.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
An additional perk of the Create Thrall ability is a sensory tether, stretching up to five miles. This allows the vampire to pinpoint the location of each thrall within this range. Furthermore, the vampire gains a keen awareness of the thrall's physical and emotional state, detecting when they suffer injury or experience intense emotions. This provides an added layer of control and insight, ensuring that the vampire is always a step ahead and can protect their assets effectively.
Equipment
Basic Drow Armor (Modified)
This leather armor is an imposing vision in all black, crafted from the supple yet resilient hide of subterranean beasts, a signature of Drow craftsmanship. The design is inherently masculine, featuring a sculpted chest piece and layers of interwoven leather providing both protection and mobility. However, the armor has been crudely modified to accommodate a feminine form, resulting in a loss in some protection. Armor value: 15
Indignant Pendant
A pendant that protects from a single attack. Once used, it must absorb moonlight for a full night to recover its power.
Belt of the Boundless Vault
Woven from threads spun by ethereal silk moths, this belt is as stylish as it is functional. With a brass buckle shaped like a moon, it's an exquisite piece of craftsmanship. When the buckle is turned in a clockwise direction, it opens an invisible dimensional space, like a pocket in reality, capable of storing up to 250 items. However, to prevent its misuse, the belt is enchanted to only accept non-living matter. Tucked away within its magical folds, the items remain weightless and undetectable, ready to be retrieved when the need arises.
Bracelet of the Hidden Hoard
This intricate silver bracelet is adorned with tiny scriptwork that grants access to a dimensional pocket. When the wearer taps a gemstone, items can be stored or retrieved from the dimensional strorage simply through an act of the user's will. Small but impressively deep, this spaces can hold up to 100 items, providing a surprising amount of storage. Its enchantment ensures that the weight of the stored items doesn't affect the bracelet or the wearer, making it a convenient accessory for anyone needing a secret stash within arm's reach.
Unidentified ring (x5)
These items are magical in nature, but their abilities are yet unknown until they are identified by a skilled professional or the appropriate spell.
Unidentified potion (x3)
These items are magical in nature, but their abilities are yet unknown until they are identified by a skilled professional or the appropriate spell.
Unidentified wand (x2)
These items are magical in nature, but their abilities are yet unknown until they are identified by a skilled professional or the appropriate spell.
Unidentified stone
This item is magical in nature, but its abilities are yet unknown until they are identified by a skilled professional or the appropriate spell.
Unidentified weapons/equipment (x5)
These items are magical in nature, but their abilities are yet unknown until they are identified by a skilled professional or the appropriate spell.
Inventory (Not equipped items)
Currency
18 gold, 53 silver, and 12 copper coins
Fancy Dress
A beautiful gown that one belonged to an aristocratic, but sycophantic woman. Offers no bonuses, but looks great at parties.
Gold watch
This charming timepiece is encased in a smooth, polished gold exterior that gleams invitingly, attached to a sturdy gold chain. Its face is protected by a hinged cover, etched with intricate, curling vine patterns.
Whip (x3)
A basic, no-frills whip fashioned from sturdy, weathered leather. Its hilt is wrapped in worn hide for a more comfortable grip, and it extends to approximately ten feet in length. This whip has seen its share of use, as evident by the well-worn strips, but it remains a practical tool for inducing pain or controlling animals.
Dagger (x8)
A common, unadorned dagger with a double-edged, steel blade that's approximately six inches long. Its handle, made from roughly hewn oak, provides a firm grip. The dagger is kept in a simple leather sheath that can be easily attached to a belt. Despite its simplicity, this dagger could be deadly in the right hands.
Skinning knife
This utilitarian knife features a thin, curved blade, ideal for the intricate work of skinning. The handle, carved from bone, is slightly curved to fit comfortably in hand, allowing for precision during use. It's a plain, efficient tool, showing the signs of many a hunted game skinned, but it is still sharp and reliable.
Assorted jewelry
An eclectic assortment of stolen baubles and trinkets, gleaming with the residual smugness of their previous owners.
47 books
A veritable library condensed into a stack of 47 various books, each brimming with knowledge spanning diverse disciplines. The collection encompasses an eclectic mix of history volumes, replete with the echoes of civilizations past, to economic treatises, delving into the complex machinations of market forces and financial theory. The majority of these books are in 'like new' condition.
Summoning
Control Limit
4
Level Cap
2
List of summons
Name
Type
Level
Special
Leroy
Blink Cat
2
Teleports
Wraith Neophyte
Stunning touch
"Look, Leroy," she exclaimed, a grin spreading across her face. "I've gained another summoning slot! I can now control up to four summons at once."
Leroy's tail flicked in acknowledgment, a glimmer of pride in his feline eyes. He had also grown stronger, his own level ascending to level 2. His level was capped at one-half Victoria’s level, rounded up, so, now that she was at level 3, he increased to level 2. He still needed to gain the experience for the level gains, but any extra experience was banked when he reached the level cap.
"Let's see who my new summon is," Victoria murmured, her focus shifting toward the knowledge waiting to be unlocked. With a deep breath, she concentrated her thoughts on the summon, delving into the depths of her arcane understanding.
Wraith Neophyte: Harness the essence of a fallen enemy to create a Wraith Neophyte, a spectral being bound to the summoner’s will. This summon embodies the essence of death and darkness, possessing unique capabilities that make it a valuable ally in battle.
The Wraith Neophyte is born from the soul of a recently deceased being, captured by the summoner at the moment of their demise. This spirit is then bound to serve her as a loyal and obedient companion. As a wraith, the Neophyte possesses ethereal properties, allowing it to pass through solid objects and move with an eerie grace. Its presence alone sends a chill down the spines of those who witness it.
One of the Wraith Neophyte's key abilities is the Stunning Touch. With a mere touch, it can send waves of paralyzing energy through its target, rendering them temporarily incapacitated.
However, the Wraith Neophyte is not without its limitations. It is significantly weakened when exposed to sunlight, which drains its ethereal energy and hampers its effectiveness. Additionally, it cannot pass through holy boundaries, as they repel its spectral form. While resistant to physical damage, the Neophyte is vulnerable to magical attacks.
Frustrated at the number of unidentified items in her inventory, Victoria turned to the oni thrall beside her, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Tell me, is there among our ranks someone with the knowledge to identify these mysterious items?" she inquired, her voice filled with curiosity.
The oni thrall nodded and gestured towards a young oni woman standing nearby. "Lum, she is an apprentice mage," they explained. "She possesses some knowledge of magical items and may be able to assist you in identifying them."
“Bring her to me at once,” she ordered.
Her sharp mind calculated the possibilities, weighing the advantages of increasing her charisma and intelligence. As a practitioner of psionic spells, both stats played a crucial role in harnessing and channeling her psionic abilities. A higher charisma would enhance her charm and persuasive skills, while increased intelligence would sharpen her mental prowess and spellcasting proficiency.
After careful consideration, Victoria made her decision. Two stat points were assigned to charisma, elevating it to a remarkable 19. Her innate magnetism and ability to captivate others would be further enhanced, granting her greater influence over those she encountered. She recognized the power of persuasion and the potential it held in her quest.
With one remaining stat point, Victoria turned her focus to intelligence. Recognizing the importance of intellectual acuity and strategic thinking in her battles, she allocated the point to intelligence, raising it to an impressive 19. This bolstered her mental acumen, allowing her to delve deeper into her psionic powers and wield them with even greater precision and control.
Victoria's gaze shifted to Lum, who stood with quiet confidence. Excitement bubbled within her as she realized the potential wealth of information that Lum could provide. With a hopeful smile, Victoria approached the young mage.
"Lum, I have some items in need of identification," Victoria began, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Can you lend your expertise and shed some light on their mysteries?"
Lum's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she examined the items in Victoria's outstretched hands. She nodded, her expression turning focused and determined. "I will do my best, mistress," she replied, her voice filled with a mixture of curiosity and the eagerness of a learner. Lum touched each item and Victoria could feel her magic flow into them, searching out their intricate details. As Lum shared her findings, Victoria's excitement grew.
Sapling's Wand: This short wand, as green as fresh sprouts in the spring, is born from a seedling of the Great Oak of Eldertree Forest. It contains a minor nature enchantment that, when activated, can make small plants grow a bit faster or heal minor damage in wooden objects. As a weapon, it's nearly useless, but its subtle magic might help a clever adventurer solve puzzles, cross overgrowth-riddled paths, or simply enjoy a homemade salad on the go! With time and experience, one can only imagine how this sapling might grow in power, much like the mighty oak it originated from.
Wand of Ember's Whisper: This thin, slightly charred wand is carved from the heartwood of an ancient pyrewood tree, famously known for surviving a devastating forest fire that consumed its surroundings. Infused with the subtle essence of fire magic, this wand allows its wielder to cast a flaming bolt of fire roughly the size of an acorn. The bolt hits with penetrating power.
Flamelet Dagger: This small blade flickers with a tiny flame at its tip. It can ignite small items or singe enemies, but the flame's weak intensity means its damage is rather modest. It's more useful for lighting dark corridors than combating formidable foes.
Pebble of Echoes: A smooth, ordinary-looking stone that emits a soft magical resonance when thrown. It can distract enemies or trigger simple traps from a distance, but its feeble power makes it more of a strategic tool than an actual weapon.
Sprout Bow: A light, underwhelming bow made from young vine tendrils. Its arrows can travel a fair distance but lack significant force. However, its soft, organic make allows it to blend in naturally with woodland surroundings, offering a bonus to stealth.
Aqua Orb: This small glass orb filled with enchanted water can create a splash on impact, dousing small fires or temporarily blinding opponents. However, its fragile nature makes it a one-time-use weapon, and its effect is rather minimal.
Breeze Shield: A small, round shield imbued with the essence of air. It can deflect minor attacks and can generate a light gust when struck, potentially pushing back small enemies. Still, its protective capabilities are limited and it often struggles against more substantial attacks.
Mantle of the Shadow Meld: Crafted from the silky strands of twilight spiders, this ephemeral, dark-hued cloak shimmers in an almost hypnotic dance of purples and blacks. It boasts the unique ability to blend seamlessly with shadows. When worn, the Mantle grants the wearer the ability to better hide, rendering them nearly invisible in low-light conditions. This enchantment, although rather limited in power, provides a meager 2 level bonus to stealth.
She equipped the mantle, ember wand, and flamelet dagger. None of them were particularly powerful, but the dagger was better than the plain ones she was using. The rings were mostly underwhelming.
Ring of Minor Healing: A simple bronze band set with a small, polished rose quartz. When activated, the ring emits a warm glow, healing the wearer of minor scrapes and bruises. Its magic is limited, only able to be used a few times before requiring a recharge.
Featherweight Ring: This light, delicate ring made from fine strands of silver wire gives the wearer a mild decrease in falling speed, simulating the effect of a feather's descent. It doesn't eliminate fall damage completely but might reduce it somewhat, depending on the height.
Ring of Ember Spark: A ring crafted from red-tinted copper, with a small fire opal set into its band. Once per day, the wearer can summon a small spark from the ring, enough to ignite a torch or small campfire. However, the flame cannot be used as a weapon and quickly extinguishes if used to attack.
Ring of Gentle Breeze: An azure-tinted silver ring embedded with a tiny shard of sky-blue topaz. When activated, the ring can generate a faint, cooling breeze around the wearer. While its power is too weak to have any substantial impact on the environment, it can help ease the effects of heat and provide a semblance of comfort in uncomfortable climates.
Ring of Simple Illusion: This is a plain-looking brass ring embedded with a small, iridescent moonstone. It possesses the ability to cast minor, non-complex illusions. At its basic level, it can create visual effects like faint lights, small static images, or minor color changes, providing a useful tool for minor distractions or embellishments.
Victoria only equipped two rings, the featherweight and gentle breeze rings. She still remembered the fall down the chute and was not looking to repeat that. She also imagined herself dropping from buildings light as a feather, thus making no sound. The gentle breeze ring would likely be replaced with something better later on, but for now, she might as well improve her comfort. She gave the healing and simple illusion rings to Lum, saving the rest to distribute to other thralls. Two of the potions were healing potions and one a mana potion.
With the leveling and item identification complete, Victoria returned to her task, instructing the thralls to continue bringing her victims. With each encounter, Victoria's influence grew, and the village teetered on the precipice of change. The once-independent oni now found themselves united under the banner of their new mistress, their individuality consumed by the shared purpose that bound them.
As the weight of urgency pressed upon Victoria, her senses wandered across the small settlement nestled within the heart of the forest. With each passing moment, the encroaching dawn threatened to expose her to the lethal rays of sunlight. She knew that time was slipping away, and she needed to complete her mission swiftly.
Turning to the recently-converted oni thralls, Victoria's voice was filled with determination. "You three," she said, pointing to a trio of oni standing nearby. "Return to our camp and inform Carl and Rosella of our situation. Tell them to prepare for our arrival and to secure the camp from any unwanted visitors. My blink cat, Leroy, will guide you."
The oni nodded in acknowledgment.
Turning to Leroy, Victoria gave him a nod. “I leave them in your care.”
Leroy pawed forward, looking up at her to meet her eyes. "I will guide them past the sentries and ensure their safe passage back to the camp," he declared, his voice carrying a hint of determination. "I will do my utmost to ensure they reach the others unharmed."
Victoria met his gaze, gratitude shimmering in her eyes. "Thank you, Leroy," she said, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "I trust in your abilities to keep them safe."
With a final nod, the trio of oni thralls, led by Leroy, disappeared into the shadows, their figures blending seamlessly with the darkness of the forest. Victoria watched their departure, a mix of relief and anticipation washing over her.
In the heart of the village, Victoria's attention turned back to her mission. Victoria spoke in a hushed tone, ensuring that her words carried only to their ears. "Quietly now," she whispered, her voice laced with a sense of urgency. "Fill in all the windows and block any other avenues for light. We cannot risk the sun's eventual deadly touch on my skin. Move swiftly but silently so as not to arouse suspicion from the other residents."
With a collective understanding, the oni thralls nodded, their expressions a mix of determination and compliance. They dispersed through the village, their movements purposeful and measured to gather the necessary implements. Returning to the house where Victoria worked, each window was sealed, every crack blocked, as they worked in unison to shield Victoria from the sun's unforgiving rays.
In the darkness of the village, the muffled sounds of their movements echoed faintly. Victoria's vampire senses heightened, attuned to the subtle shifts and whispers of activity around her. It was a delicate dance, a choreography of stealth and efficiency, as the oni thralls diligently carried out their tasks.
As the final window was secured, Victoria's vampire senses swept across the village. The once-vibrant settlement had almost completely become her thralls. She couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction at the efficiency and effectiveness of her plan.
Victoria turned her focus to the next phase of her mission. The oni thralls, bound by their shared purpose and loyalty, stood ready to aid her further. The night had been one of challenges and sacrifices, but the fruits of their efforts would soon be revealed.
Silently, Victoria beckoned the oni thralls to her side. "Now, let us proceed," she said, her voice carrying a quiet resolve. "Our work is not yet done. Others must be brought into our fold. Hurry to collect more."
With a collective nod, the oni thralls moved from the hut. They moved through the village, their presence shrouded in shadows, their intent clear. Together, they would navigate the challenges ahead, forging a path toward their ultimate goal.
As the first rays of sunlight illuminated the horizon, painting the sky in a vibrant palette of gold, Victoria pressed on with her relentless mission of creating thralls. Her oni companions dutifully scoured the village, bringing forth potential candidates for conversion. With each successful turning, her forces grew, and the web of her influence spread wider.
The air was charged with a mix of anticipation and fear as the oni thralls carried out their mistress's instructions. Victoria's commanding voice rang out, resonating with authority, as she gave explicit orders to spare those who willingly submitted to her will and to eliminate any who dared to resist. The echoes of her words reverberated through the village, both audible and silently conveyed to her loyal thralls through their telepathic connection.
Inside her modified hut, a sanctuary amidst the chaos, Victoria could hear the distant screams and commotion as her oni thralls carried out her commands. It was a cacophony of terror and submission, a symphony of power and dominance. The village was consumed by the swift and ruthless execution of her will.
The final few were dragged in and held down for her to feast. Each was offered the same choice. Victoria felt the weight of her growing influence. The silence that enveloped the village spoke volumes, a testament to the complete surrender of its inhabitants to their mistress's dark power. She relished in the power dynamics, knowing that she held the fate of each individual in her hands.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, bathing the world in its warm radiance, Victoria stood as a shadowy figure amidst the newly minted thralls. Their eyes held a calm reverence, their bodies poised to carry out her every command. She surveyed her assembled subjects, a mix of former enemies and those who had submitted under duress to her vampiric dominion.
Victoria, embracing her vampiric identity, commanded, "Bring me the finest coffin you can find. "Ensure it exudes the grandeur and power befitting my stature and legacy." Her piercing gaze met the eyes of her oni thralls, conveying the gravity of their task.
The thralls swiftly set to work, finding an ideal coffin, their strong hands deftly attached sturdy hoops to it. The coffin’s craftsmanship was exceptional, the wood polished to a deep, lustrous sheen. The poles, carefully prepared to fit seamlessly into the hoops, were a testament to the oni's meticulous attention to detail.
With a sense of reverence, the thralls presented the completed coffin to Victoria. Its presence alone evoked an aura of solemnity and ancient wisdom. Stepping forward, Victoria felt a strange and intimate connection with the coffin, as if it were an extension of her very essence.
"Prepare yourselves," Victoria commanded her thralls, her voice laced with authority. "Arm yourselves with the weapons at hand and gather whatever valuables you can carry. All gold shall be brought to me."
Her words sparked a flurry of activity among the oni thralls. With purposeful determination, they swiftly armed themselves, selecting weapons throughout the village. The clinking of metal against metal resonated through the air as their ranks became a formidable force, ready to defend their mistress and their newfound cause.
The thralls scoured their surroundings, their keen eyes retrieving any items of value that could be easily carried. Their hands moved deftly, collecting trinkets, jewels, and other precious objects that caught their discerning gaze. Each item became a piece of the growing wealth that they brought to their mistress.
Gracefully, she entered the coffin, the smooth interior cradling her form with a comforting familiarity. As the lid closed above her, darkness enveloped her senses, amplifying her connection to the world around her. A serene calm settled upon her as she embraced her role as a mistress of the night.
Victoria's sanguine sight reached out into the surroundings, seeking the familiar presence of Leroy. In the distance, she sensed his approach, his lithe form navigating the darkness with feline grace. A sense of relief washed over her as she knew he was drawing near.
Amidst the bustling activity of the thralls within the village, a sudden and chilling wail pierced the air, disrupting the otherwise harmonious atmosphere. The thralls froze in their tracks, their expressions shifting from determination to surprise and fear.
"Ancestor?" one of the thralls exclaimed, their voice trembling with a mix of awe and uncertainty. The recent connection that Victoria had forged with her thralls ago began to fade as if a veil had been cast between them.
Through her heightened senses, Victoria perceived a disturbance at the center of the village. A powerful wave of spectral force emanated from that focal point, enveloping the thralls in its ethereal grasp. She witnessed them falling to the ground simultaneously, their bodies trembling under the weight of an invisible power.
As the dust settled, a towering spirit materialized before them, radiating an aura of wrath and vengeance. The spirit's voice boomed, echoing through the village and resounding within Victoria's mind as if it pierced through the physical and spiritual realms simultaneously.
"What have you done to my children, demon of the night?" the spirit's voice thundered, carrying with it the weight of centuries. Each word struck Victoria's consciousness like a relentless hammer, amplifying the spirit's fury and determination.
“Know me, vampire. I am the forefather, Ramu Bejari, founder of this village you have defiled.” His words were laden with the anguish of a parent witnessing the harm befall their beloved offspring. In his voice echoed centuries of history, loyalty, and protectiveness. “For taking my children, I will tear your spirit from your vile body and feast on it for a thousand years as you beg for release from your agony.”