Darian lay the rabbit with the others, blood dripping from his chin.
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Quest: Nightlord
Objective: Create fifty vampires. (42/50)
* Reward: 300 Race XP
* Reward: Nightlord’s Mail
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After the current batch, Nightlord would finally be complete, adding a new ability to his divine skill.
Things had progressed quickly once they discovered animals and birds could be turned. The satyr man, Theo, had been the only subject of the original batch to resist. Raphael had Darian attempt to turn a dryad and fairy next with the same result. Fey, for whatever reason, were immune and could not be made into vampires. Still. After today, not only will I gain a new ability, but my race level will increase.
“I will put them with the others,” Palintross said, his cane tapping along the stone floor.
Darian didn’t know what Palintross was doing with the vampiric bunnies, but that was something he would have to figure out later. Raphael had begun to make good on his promise to make Darian stronger, and tonight he would help Raphael in return. He was to meet the God in his palace once he was finished at the House of Innovation.
“Let me know if there are any complications,” Darian said, heading for the exit.
One of the maids was waiting for him, a towel in her hand. Darian took it and thanked her, the green haired “elf” bowing in return. While he wiped the blood off his face, Palintross crept up behind him.
“I must say, I am rather intrigued by your race,” the old elf said. “The weaknesses are many, but the increase in physical strength? It’s remarkable.”
Darian had spent much of the last two days at the House of Innovation, and he was growing rather tired of the elf. The man had a habit of roping Darian into work he would rather not be a part of.
“What do you want from me?”
“Oh come now, I was just making polite conversation.” Palintross moved to the maid’s side, the woman blushing as the scientist drew near. “But, I was curious if you would…assist me with an experiment.”
Darian groaned. He better not want help moving more equipment around. “What exactly are you needing?”
Palintross smiled. “Your blood. I need your blood.”
Darian handed the towel to the maid. “You’re going to have to tell me what it’s for.”
While Palintross did work for Raphael, he was technically beholden to the elders of the Society. Meaning all his work could potentially find its way back to the guild or be used for independent research. And the guy doesn’t exactly give off good vibes.
“I would rather not bore you with the details. But it’s nothing nefarious, I assure you.”
Darian looked into the elf’s eyes and activated his skill [Vampiric Charm]. “Please,” Darian said, a notification appearing to tell him the skill was successful. “We’re friends, right? So what do you need the blood for?”
Palintross nodded his head, his lips parting into a toothy grin. “To see if the conditions for creating vampires can be done without you present. If a subject is drained of blood, then given yours from a vial, will they turn? I wish to test this.”
“Hm.” Darian thought about it for a moment. “Who are you planning to test this on?”
“My maids of course. They are the subject of most of my experiments.”
Darian turned to the maid. “And you’re okay with this?”
“We are the master’s creations,” she said, her voice flat as an ironing board. “And we are grateful to assist him in any way we can.”
“See?” Palintross said. “Nothing to worry about.”
“I don’t know.” Darian stepped back.
“What if I were to pay you?”
Darian had no need for gold, but the elf probably had powerful artifacts stashed somewhere in his lab or maybe even the mansion itself. “I will give you my blood in exchange for a magic item. That’s fair, right?”
Palintross furiously nodded. “Yes, that will work splendidly. But what kind of item would you like?”
He had Sparkblade and soon he would have magic armor. He had two other magic items currently equipped but all they did was increase his Constitution attribute.
“A ring or necklace,” Darian eventually said. “Preferably something with a powerful passive enchantment.”
“I think I have just the thing for you.” the old elf snapped his fingers, another maid appearing from down the tunnel. “Lila, fetch the red case from my upstairs study. The one right beside my desk.” He waved for Darian to follow him. “Now, let’s get to extracting that divine blood of yours.”
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
***
Darian inspected the silver chained necklace again, his eyes drawn to the red jewel that shone in the fake sunlight.
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Stone of Regeneration
* Effect: Poison Immunity
* Effect: + 10 Constitution
* Effect: Adds passive skill [Minor Regeneration]
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The poison immunity was redundant, but the [Minor Regeneration] stacked with his upgraded [Intermediate Regeneration]. He even tested it by cutting his arm with a knife after Palintross finished sucking out some of his blood with a syringe. The wound healed quickly, far faster than it would have from [Intermediate Regeneration] alone. But maybe I should have asked for more? He wasn’t sure if it was just because of the skill he’d used on him, but Palintross seemed rather eager to please Darian. And eager for my fresh blood. He looked over his shoulder and down the long winding street. I’ll have to keep an eye on him from now on.
It wasn’t long before Darian reached the massive doors that led into Raphael’s sanctuary palace. Several guards were stationed around the street, with archers staring down at him from treetop platforms above.
“Welcome,” Lucia said. “The master has been expecting you.”
Darian eyed the satyr guards, noting they were sporting fresh bruises and cuts along their faces and arms. “What happened to them?”
Lucia sighed. “The orc, Yazliar, he is…rough during training.”
If Darian had to guess, the surrounding guards weren’t very high level. Maybe a few levels lower than he was. But without the benefits of my high attributes.
“Does he need to train them so hard?” he said. “Or does he just like beating on people weaker than he is?”
“We are preparing for a potential war,” Lucia replied. “But his methods are sometimes extreme. Even with ample healing magic, our men are often still injured by the next training session.” She smiled. “But that is not your concern. Please, come with me. The master awaits.”
***
Raphael sat in a chair by the wide window, his walking staff against the wall beside him. He stared at the sanctuary below with a somber expression. When he turned a tired eye to Darian, he looked more like a man at the end of his rope than a God.
“Welcome,” he said, waving for Darian to take the seat on the other end of the window. “How goes things at the House of Innovation?”
“Well,” Darian replied, easing onto the rough wooden chair. “I will have my racial quest done within the next twenty-four hours.”
Raphael turned to stare back out the window. “Good. You will need all the power you can muster, and soon.”
“Did something happen?”
“I have scouting parties dispersed near each of my fey portals, but some of these have failed to return. I fear Atarax will find this place sooner rather than later.” Raphael absently rubbed a thick scar on his wrist. “We will not survive a direct attack.”
“Is there not a way to stop this?” Darian asked. “And the portals, could you not close them for the time being?”
“The portals are linked to specific places of powerful magic,” Raphael explained. “They can be closed, but one with enough power could force them back open. And all it takes is one of Atarax’s children to find us for the sanctuary to fall.” Raphael grabbed his staff and pulled himself to his feet. “But that is a problem for another day. For now, we must discuss your next move.”
Darian joined the God as he limped his way out of the room and down the hall. They stopped as they reached the stairs.
“If you are still willing to go along with my plans, I have discovered where you may start,” Raphael said. “The Aspirant of Fire is near the portal you took to get here. Only about a two-day journey, if my scouts are correct. And he resides in a place that has some personal significance to you.”
“The Lich Cult’s fortress?” Darian thought about Oliver and his blood began to quicken.
“Yes. The Aspirant lies somewhere inside, but he has not moved for some time. I believe he may be held prisoner there.” Raphael started down the stairs, Darian following close behind.
“Why would the Lich Cult keep an Aspirant prisoner?” Especially someone who commands fire. It seems rather dangerous, if you ask me.
The God of Season’s shrugged. “Their blood, perhaps? Though it lacks the divinity of a God, Aspirant blood has magical properties. But my guess is they are plotting something. They had a connection to the Grave Aspirant Victoria. A connection that I’m still attempting to fully uncover.” They reached the end of the stairs. Raphael wiped the sweat from his brow with his sleeve and continued toward a chamber near the front entrance.
He could have just met me downstairs, Darian thought as he watched the wounded God struggle his way forward. But the man clearly had some amount of pride left. And maybe he thinks this show will make me more sympathetic toward him and his mission? Letting his paranoia rest for now, Darian entered the dimply lit room.
A massive table took up the center of the chamber, the surface a scattered mess of maps and battle plans. Three satyrs bickered at one end of the table, a few fairies and dryads arguing nearby. They all fell silent when they noticed Raphael.
“My lord,” the tallest of the satyr’s said, the whole room bowing together in reverence.
Raphael raised a hand to calm them and turned to Darian. “While you were at the House of Innovation, they have been preparing battleplans.”
“Already planning our attack?” Darian asked.
“Your attack,” Raphael corrected. “My men will draw out the fortress’ defenders, but you and a small elite team will be the ones to infiltrate.”
Darian inspected the maps and figures, noting the enemy seemed to outnumber them. “This team, I take it you’ve already selected its members?”
“Not exactly. I have some suggestions, but that is why I called you here.” He turned as five sets of footsteps approached from outside. “It’s time you form a proper party. One who will swear their lives and allegiance to you.” He looked into Darian’s eyes. “Let the coming battle be their test. For the time of sitting idle is over. The time of battle and bloodshed has come. And we must pick our friends wisely.”
“I already have a companion,” Darian said, thinking about Fria. “And allies.” Even if Jorg has been avoiding me the last few days.
“Your companion is not with you,” Raphael replied. “And you need to select who will fill the remaining slots. They must level up, the same as you. And the longer you wait, the longer it will take for them to gain strength.”
Darian reluctantly nodded. Maybe it really was time for him to build a proper party. Because he could tell by the hum of nervous voices behind him that battle was close. And Raphael is right. I will need strong allies if I am to succeed. But he wouldn't add someone to his party without a proper trial. He'd added Fria before he knew the ramifications. The fact she turned out to be a good choice was a coincidence. But he would give the people Raphael brought a chance.
He stood proud and awaited them. With luck, at least one of them would prove to be a trustworthy ally.