"Mirrors can't eat people!" exclaimed Victoria, her brows furrowed in disbelief as she stared at the mirror before her.
Susan, her longtime friend, sighed and shook her head. "Of course not. It's cursed, not alive. That's why we keep it up here in the attic so that no one else disappears."
Victoria crossed her arms, skepticism evident on her face. "I still don't believe it. More likely, she ran away from him. Your grandfather was notorious for beating his wives. What did he have? Five of them?"
Susan corrected her. "Four. Look, do you want to see it or not? If we're gone from the party any longer, our dates are going to tear the place up looking for us."
Victoria rolled her eyes, but curiosity got the better of her. "Sure. It's bound to be more interesting than Hector. That man couldn't hold a conversation if his life depended on it."
Guided by Susan, Victoria maneuvered through the cluttered attic, her eyes scanning the dusty surroundings until they settled on a mysterious, floor-length object. It was covered with a thick blanket, tucked between a grandfather clock and a mannequin.
Susan moved aside the old paisley sofa, revealing the hidden treasure. As she pulled the blanket, it caught on the corner of the grandfather clock, causing Victoria to quickly steady it, coughing as a cloud of dust filled the air.
With the blanket now on the floor, a breathtaking mirror stood before them. Its frame, crafted entirely in silver, boasted intricate carvings of mermaids, centaurs, dragons, and angels. The mirror exuded an aura of enchantment.
Victoria's gaze met her own reflection, and she noticed a peculiar glimmer right on the tip of her nose. Frowning, she spoke, "You didn't tell me there was glitter on my nose," her annoyance apparent, as she tried to cross her eyes to catch a glimpse of it.
Confused, Susan replied, "What are you talking about, Vivi?" She turned toward Victoria, only to find an empty space where her friend had stood moments ago. "Vivi? Vivi?" Susan called out, her voice echoing through the now-ominous attic.
A chilling silence lingered in the air before the voice responded, its tone colder and more menacing. "Welcome to Reflections of Fate, Victoria. You are no longer in your familiar realm."
Susan's voice trembled with fear and confusion. "What? Where am I? What did you do to me?"
The voice continued, undeterred by Susan's distress. "All will be explained in due time. Consider yourself fortunate, Victoria. You have been chosen to partake in the greatest game, one that could grant you ultimate control over this entire realm. Each contestant battles to obtain power, and in this treacherous game, anything goes. Every encounter is a fight for survival, for there can be only one winner. The first to reach level 100 shall claim victory."
Susan's defiance welled up within her. "Forget it. I don't want to play any games. Take me back this instant!"
The voice responded coolly, its words dripping with menace. "It doesn't work that way, my dear. However, if you refuse to participate, we can swiftly end your existence, ensuring a quick and painless death."
Anger flared within Susan as she dismissed the voice as a cruel prank. "I get it. This is some sick joke, isn't it? Not funny, Susan. You've gone too far this time. This ends now!"
However, there was no response from the darkness, leaving Victoria alone with her disbelief and growing apprehension. The gravity of her situation began to sink in, and she realized that this twisted game was far from a mere prank.
As the ominous ticking of the clock grew louder, Victoria felt a sense of urgency engulf her. Tick, Tick, Tick, TICK. The sound echoed through the darkness, amplifying the weight of the decision before her.
The voice spoke again, its tone filled with urgency. "If we don't attend to matters promptly, time will elapse, and with it, your role in this game, as well as your life."
Resigned, Victoria's voice carried a hint of defiance. "Fine. Whatever. I'll play along, but mark my words, I will find a way to get back at you."
The voice acknowledged her reluctant cooperation. "Very well. The first step is to choose your class."
Victoria's confusion surfaced once again. "Class? Like in Biology?"
The voice clarified, "No, not in that sense. In this context, a class refers to the way you will confront the perils of this world. Will you charge head-on as a fierce fighter, wielding weapons with deadly precision? Perhaps you yearn to harness arcane magics as a mage, manipulating the forces of the elements? Or maybe you prefer the stealthy path, lurking in the shadows, striking your enemies swiftly and silently as a rogue? The choice is yours, but time is of the essence. You only have a few minutes to make your selection. Remember, this is merely the first of many choices you'll face."
Victoria's mind raced as she weighed her options, realizing that her decision would shape her journey through this treacherous game. The sound of the ticking clock pressed upon her, fueling her sense of urgency. She knew she had to act swiftly, for the consequences of hesitation could be dire.
Victoria's gaze fixated on the list of classes displayed before her, the glowing letters hovering in front of her face as she pondered her options. The words shifted and adjusted, synchronized with her movements, creating an otherworldly display that left her both bewildered and intrigued. She recognized the names from her little brother's gaming obsession and felt a faint sense of familiarity.
Among the choices, two classes caught her attention: the rogue and the hunter. Victoria paused over the description of the rogue class as it materialized before her. The words beckoned her with promises of agility and cunning, offering a path that involved stealth, infiltration, and exploiting weaknesses. "Interesting," she mused, imagining herself as a shadowy figure, skilled in espionage and thievery. The allure of versatility appealed to her adventurous spirit.
Curiosity piqued, Victoria moved on to explore the hunter class. As the description unfolded, she envisioned a skilled tracker, navigating the wilderness and employing ranged weapons to dispatch foes from afar. The prospect of commanding powerful beasts as loyal allies heightened her interest. However, after careful consideration, she dismissed the hunter class, deeming it less intriguing than the rogue.
With two options remaining, Victoria's attention turned to the monk class. She absorbed the details, picturing disciplined warriors who harnessed their inner energy to execute lightning-fast strikes and exploit opponents' weaknesses. Although impressed by their formidable combat abilities, she concluded that the rogue class better aligned with her aspirations.
The final option, the psionic class, captivated Victoria's imagination. The description spoke of extraordinary mental abilities, psychic energy manipulation, and delving into the depths of the mind. It resonated with her thirst for uncovering mysteries and wielding formidable power. With conviction, she made her choice. "I choose Psionic," Victoria confidently declared, her voice resonating in the darkness.
The voice acknowledged her decision with a hint of admiration. "A very good choice, indeed. Your attributes align well with the psionic class. Now, onto the next step: selecting a race."
Once again, the options materialized before Victoria, beckoning her to choose her path in this crazy game.
Cambion:
Cambions are the children of unions between humans and incubi or succubi. Cambions are abandoned if they are not raised by their human parent. Cambions typically possess an otherworldly beauty, with pointed ears, fangs, or small horns. They have an innate affinity for dark magic and may possess limited shape-shifting or pyrokinesis abilities. Cambions have wings and can fly as easily as a bird.
Drow
Drow are elves that forsook the light to dwell in the depths of the underworld. They have obsidian skin, silver or black hair, and piercing red or violet eyes. Drow are highly skilled in the art of stealth and excel as assassins, mages, or elite warriors. They have a natural affinity for magic, particularly dark and elemental spells. Known for their chaos and anarchy, Drow sow destruction wherever they go.
Deep Gnome:
Deep Gnomes, also called Grimuvi, are a nether race known for their exceptional craftsmanship and affinity for earth and stone. They have gray or brown skin, large eyes adapted to darkness, and sturdy builds. Deep Gnomes are skilled miners, expert tunnelers, and adept at engineering new ways to kill others. They possess innate magical abilities related to earth and illusion. Living in secluded underground cities, Deep Gnomes are cautious and resourceful, often wary of outsiders. Beware of their diabolical traps.
Ogre:
Ogres are a hulking and brutish humanoid race known for their immense strength and intimidating size. What they lack in brains, they most certainly make up for in muscle. They typically have thick, leathery skin, large muscular bodies, and prominent tusks. Ogres excel in physical combat, wielding heavy weapons and displaying incredible resilience. As ogres mature, they sometimes grow a second head. This doesn’t help them think any better, but it improves their perception and coordination.
Oni:
Oni are formidable and imposing humanoid creatures. They have lean, muscular builds, prominent horns and sharp fangs. Oni possess incredible physical strength and endurance, making them formidable warriors. They are often associated with dark magic and possess innate spellcasting abilities, particularly in elemental or destructive spells. Oni have the ability to levitate for short distances.
Rakshasa:
Rakshasas are cunning and manipulative humanoid creatures with a natural inclination for sorcery and illusion. They possess a feline appearance, with humanoid bodies, clawed hands, and sometimes heads resembling those of tigers, lions, or panthers. Rakshasas are known for their shapeshifting abilities, allowing them to blend seamlessly into society while pursuing their dark agendas. They are often associated with trickery, deception, and wielding powerful arcane magic.
Revenant:
Revenants are undead creatures that are partially incorporeal. They are often brought back to life by supernatural means or a powerful curse. Revenants have a semi-transparent, pallid or corpse-like appearance and are marked by a haunting aura. They possess enhanced physical abilities and may have limited control over elements of death, such as draining life force or instilling fear.
Vampire:
Vampires are immortal creatures that sustain themselves by feeding on the blood of the living. They possess enhanced strength, speed, and agility, as well as heightened senses. Vampires are typically charismatic, seductive, and possess mesmerizing charm. They have an aversion to sunlight and are often associated with immortality, dark magic, and regenerative abilities. Vampires may possess unique powers like shape-shifting, mind control, or the ability to transform into mist or bats.
Wyrmkin:
Wyrmkin are a race of humanoid creatures with dragon-like features. They possess scaled skin, clawed hands and feet, and may have small horns or ridges on their heads. Wyrmkin have a natural affinity for the elemental powers associated with their draconic ancestry. They may breathe fire, manipulate the weather, or have heightened resistance to elemental damage. Wyrmkin often have a deep connection to dragonkind. As such, they naturally feel superior to other forms of life. They demand respect and will turn violent if they feel slighted.
Victoria carefully studied the list of races, her gaze lingering on each name. "They all sound rather sinister," she remarked, a hint of skepticism in her voice.
The voice replied knowingly. "Well, my dear, I didn't suggest you take up knitting or gardening. We are in a game of champions, and killing is the name of the game. Each of these races possesses unique abilities that make them quite proficient in that regard."
Victoria's brows furrowed in contemplation. "It all feels a bit... dark, doesn't it? I mean, isn't there any other way to navigate this world?"
Victoria felt like the presence was smiling at her naivete. "Darkness is an intrinsic part of this realm, my dear. It mirrors the choices you must make to survive. It's either embrace the shadows or face a future shrouded in uncertainty."
As their conversation unfolded, Victoria's eyes fell upon the option of vampires, a spark of curiosity igniting within her. With a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she couldn't help but interject, "Ooh, vampires. I wonder if they sparkle in the sunlight, just like in those popular novels."
The voice’s chuckle filled the room, carrying a hint of amusement. "Ah, my dear, this is no tale of star-crossed love. Vampires are formidable creatures, masters of the night, and high-level vampire lords and ladies possess powers beyond mortal comprehension.”
The voice interjected swiftly, correcting her with a firm tone. " They absolutely do not sparkle in the sunlight. Quite the contrary, they burn. Sunlight is their ultimate enemy, sapping their strength and scorching their skin."
Victoria's disappointment was evident as she sighed softly. "Well, that would've been the best part, wouldn't it?" she remarked, a tinge of disappointment lingering in her voice as she thought of a movie she enjoyed. Despite her initial fascination with the idea of sparkling vampires, she quickly shrugged it off, realizing that there were far more important and intriguing aspects to consider in her choice.
With the vampire option momentarily set aside, Victoria focused on the remaining races. She swiftly eliminated the deep gnome, ogre, wyrmkin, and revenant, recognizing their unsuitability for her chosen psionic class. The rakshasa and drow intrigued her, but her attention shifted back to the vampire and the cambion.
Contemplating the options, Victoria's mind weighed the vampire's charisma, charm, and mind control against the cambion's intriguing possession of wings. She envisioned the advantages that flight could bring, allowing her to escape or change the dynamics of a situation.
Victoria turned to the voice, seeking guidance. However, the voice maintained a cryptic stance, refusing to offer any advice until after Victoria made her choice. Frustrated, Victoria conceded, realizing that she would have to make her decision on her own.
After considering the possibilities, Victoria declared, "I guess vampire."
The voice couldn't resist teasing her, mentioning that the oni had the ability to levitate. Victoria dismissed it, asserting that levitation was not the same as true flight, and the conversation swiftly moved forward.
Eager to progress, Victoria expressed her desire to conclude the supposed prank and move on. The voice, still shrouded in mystery, informed her that her next choice would involve selecting two boons. In response, a list materialized before her once again, presenting her with a range of options to choose from.
Strength of the Titans: Increase your physical strength, allowing for devastating melee attacks.
Arcane Mastery: Enhance your magical abilities, increasing spell damage and mana pool.
Fleet Footed: Gain enhanced speed and agility, allowing for swift movement and evasion.
Elemental Affinity: Attune yourself to a specific element, granting resistance and enhanced powers associated with that element.
Iron Will: Strengthen your mental fortitude, granting resistance against mind control and psychic attacks.
Lifesurge: Boost your natural regeneration, allowing for rapid healing over time.
Shadow Veil: Become cloaked in shadows, granting temporary invisibility and improved stealth abilities.
Artisan's Touch: Enhance your crafting abilities, allowing you to create powerful items and equipment.
Nature's Blessing: Gain the ability to commune with animals, gaining their aid in combat or exploration.
Arcane Shield: Create a protective barrier that absorbs incoming magical damage.
Precision Strikes: Improve your accuracy and critical hit chance, making your attacks more deadly.
Spiritwalker: Open a connection to the spirit realm, gaining insight, divination abilities, or the ability to summon spectral allies.
Guardian's Resilience: Boost your defenses, granting increased armor and resistance against physical attacks.
Time Manipulation: Gain control over time, allowing you to slow down or freeze enemies momentarily.
Pyromancer's Fury: Harness the power of fire, causing your attacks to inflict burning damage.
Illusionist's Grace: Master the art of illusions, gaining the ability to create decoys or confuse enemies.
Swift Shot: Improve your ranged combat skills, granting faster reload speed and increased accuracy with projectiles.
Blessing of the Ancients: Invoke the ancient spirits, gaining knowledge, wisdom, and guidance.
Cursed Blade: Sacrifice a portion of your health to infuse your weapon with dark energy, causing additional damage.
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Resurrection Pact: Cheat death by reviving yourself once when defeated, with reduced health and temporary power boost.
Thunderous Roar: Unleash a deafening roar, stunning and disorienting nearby enemies.
Luck's Favor: Increase your chances of finding rare loot and obtaining critical successes in various endeavors.
Aerial Mastery: Gain the ability to perform incredible aerial maneuvers, such as double jumps or mid-air dashes.
Soul Drain: Absorb the life force of defeated enemies to replenish your health and mana.
Master of Shadows: Merge with the shadows, granting temporary intangibility and the ability to pass through obstacles.
Victoria's eyes scanned the list of boons before her, contemplating the options and their potential benefits. Three particular choices caught her attention, each presenting a different advantage for her in this mysterious game.
Iron Will resonated with Victoria as she recognized the importance of mental fortitude for a psionic. Imagining herself as a powerful mind manipulator, she believed that a strong will would be essential in her journey. The combination of Iron Will with the vampire abilities she had chosen would create a formidable trifecta of mental advantages. Victoria quickly decided that Iron Will was the perfect fit for her.
As for the second boon, Victoria pondered between Spiritwalker and Master of Shadows. Spiritwalker intrigued her, offering the ability to summon helpers from the spirit realm. Since she lacked combat skills, having others fight for her would be advantageous. On the other hand, Master of Shadows aligned with her affinity for the rogue class and the allure of being invisible. The idea of evading danger through stealth appealed to her adventurous spirit.
Victoria wavered between Spiritwalker and Master of Shadows, her mind caught between two compelling choices. However, as the voice issued a sudden warning of five seconds remaining, panic surged within her. With no time to spare, she blurted out her decision. "Iron Will and Spiritwalker!"
The voice acknowledged her choices, expressing a different preference but acknowledging the intrigue of her selection. "I would've taken Illusionist's Grace, but your choices are still intriguing. I'll be watching you. Good luck."
With those final words, Victoria braced herself for the unknown challenges that awaited her. Her path was set, her class and boons chosen. The game had begun, and she had stepped into the realm of Reflections of Fate.
As Victoria surveyed her surroundings, her eyes adjusted to the dimly lit room. Moonlight cascaded through a solitary window positioned high above, casting an ethereal glow across the space. Despite the absence of additional light sources, she could see clearly, adding to the surreal nature of her situation.
Doubt gnawed at the back of her mind as she grappled with the reality of her circumstances. It seemed unlikely that this experience was merely a drug-induced hallucination or an elaborate prank. Yet, the idea of it being real felt equally implausible. Victoria's mind grasped for a rational explanation, considering the possibility that she had been drugged and transported to an escape room scenario. After all, escape rooms often contained hidden clues to unravel their mysteries.
Just as Victoria entertained the notion, a whispered voice broke the silence. "Psst. Think character sheet," it urged, a familiar tone that resonated within her.
Instinctively, Victoria turned her thoughts inward, reflecting on her character sheet. To her surprise, a table materialized before her, displaying the details of her chosen class, boons, and any other relevant information that would aid her in this enigmatic game. The table stood as a reminder that she had embarked on a quest that transcended the boundaries of her prior reality.
With renewed determination, Victoria approached the table, studying the contents before her. The game had taken a tangible form, manifesting in the very room she now occupied. She understood that her character sheet held the key to unlocking the mysteries that lay ahead, and that she must embrace her chosen path to navigate the challenges awaiting her in this prison-like setting.
Name
Victoria Vanbelden
Race
Vampire
Level
1
Gender
Female
Class
Psionic
Height
5'9
Size
Medium
Weight
155
Alignment
0 (Neutral)
Fame
Armor
0
Speed
16.05/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
1.75%
Strength
5
Intelligence
18
Dexterity
7
Perception
15
Constitution
5
Luck
9
Charisma
17
Willpower
17
Skills
You have no skills. Lame.
Spell
School
Rank
Damage
Charm
Vampric
1
N/A
Telekinesis
Psionic
1
N/A
Read Surface Thoughts
Psionic
1
N/A
Mind Spike
Psionic
1
16
Dark Step
Vampric
1
N/A
Boons
Iron Will
Strengthen your mental fortitude, granting resistance against mind control and psychic attacks.
Spiritwalker
Open a connection to the spirit realm, gaining insight, divination abilities, or the ability to summon spectral allies.
Equipment
Ragged Clothes
No one would be caught dead in these. In fact, I think they were obtained from a corpse.
Summoning
Control Limit
3
Level Cap
1
List of summons
Name
Type
Level
Special
Unnamed
Wisp
1
Emits light
Victoria examined the numbers and attributes on her character sheet, attempting to make sense of their significance. While she couldn't fully comprehend their implications, she observed that her intelligence, willpower, perception, and charisma appeared to be notably high. In contrast, her physical stats seemed comparatively lower, although she lacked a frame of reference for comparison.
Acknowledging the peculiarity of her circumstances, Victoria recognized that she had entered an extraordinary and unfamiliar realm. It was indeed a bizarre trip beyond her wildest imagination.
As she perused her character sheet, Victoria's attention was drawn to the section detailing her spells. She pondered the possibility of summoning a helper, specifically a wisp, despite her lack of knowledge on the subject. With a hopeful thought, she desired the presence of a wisp to aid her.
Almost immediately, a message materialized before her eyes, responding to her wish. It spoke of a synergy detected between her class, race, and the Iron Will boon. The message informed her that the wisp had been upgraded to a blink cat, surpassing her initial expectations.
Victoria's surprise mingled with curiosity as she considered the newfound companion she had acquired. With a sense of anticipation, she prepared herself for the arrival of the blink cat, ready to embrace its assistance in her upcoming challenges within this enigmatic realm.
As Victoria focused on summoning a helper, a semi-transparent cat materialized at her feet. The feline shot her an annoyed look before a voice resonated within her mind.
"You've got to be kidding me. Nine lives gone already. They went by so fast," the voice chided.
Victoria met the cat's gaze, realizing it could communicate telepathically. She responded, "That's what I was missing. A spirit guide for my high."
The cat scoffed at her remark, clearly unimpressed. "A vampire? Seriously? Did you drink some bad blood or are you just incredibly lonely in here? Get with it, chica. I'm assuming you summoned me to help get you out of this mess."
"Yeah, I don't think a dead cat is going to be much help," Victoria replied, slightly exasperated.
“I’m not just a cat,” the cat corrected her, “notice the extra word. Blink Cat. While you are trapped, I have freedom to move outside this cell.” Before Victoria could respond, the cat vanished, reappearing in the hallway beyond her prison.
Unwilling to let the cat go so easily, Victoria called out, "Hold on."
The cat stiffened at the command, caught off guard by her assertiveness. Curiosity sparked within Victoria, and she decided to test her hypothesis. "Bite your tail," she commanded.
With a muffled voice, the cat reluctantly complied, its words tinged with annoyance. Victoria observed the cat's reaction and confirmed her assumption. "I see. You have to obey me. Cat, I can't keep calling you cat. What's your name?"
The cat grumbled, struggling to recall. "Yea, that's stupid. My name is... I don't remember. Must be something that happened when I died that last time."
Victoria offered a suggestion. "I'll call you Leroy, then."
As if responding to her words, the cat's designation changed to 'Leroy,' solidifying its new identity. Victoria wasted no time, instructing Leroy to search for keys or a jailor that could aid in their escape.
Leroy eagerly accepted the task. "On it. How about I look for some clothes too? I may be a cat, but even I can see that what you're wearing is showing all the places it shouldn't."
Aware of her disheveled appearance, Victoria blushed and hastily adjusted her torn and dirty clothes, grateful for Leroy's observation.
"Yeah, make that the top priority. Saving my ass and my dignity. Hooray for you," she responded with a hint of sarcasm, a glimmer of hope kindling within her as she relied on Leroy to be her steadfast companion in this surreal adventure.
Victoria poked around the cell, searching for clues. She noticed a few loose stones in the walls but couldn't pry them loose. The stench from the cot made her hesitate to search it. She lifted the corner with her shoe, and hundreds of tiny insects crawled out, causing her to scream.
Grimacing from the pain in her foot, Victoria kicked the bars of her cell, hoping they would give way.
Leroy appeared on her shoulder, his claws digging into her shoulder. "Mistress, I found clothes and information. No key yet."
"Call me Vivi, Leroy. Tell me what you found," Victoria responded, wincing at the discomfort from his claws.
Leroy spoke urgently, "Down the hall, there are spare clothes, Vivi. Beyond that, there's a guard station. I overheard the guards talking. They know you're a vampire, but a priest has to verify it at sunrise. If your skin burns, they'll know and take you for beheading. The duke likes to watch, so they'll let you suffer until he arrives."
Victoria questioned Leroy, "Why didn't you take the keys from the guards? And what about the clothes?"
"Like it was that easy. Three guards against a dead blink cat," Leroy replied, his tone tinged with frustration.
Victoria persisted, "Can you at least try? And what about the clothes?"
Leroy shrugged, "Well, if I die, you can resummon me in an hour. I'll work on getting the keys. As for the clothes, you'll have to get them yourself. I'm a blink cat, and tiny claws aren't the best for handling clothing. Give me some time."
Concerned about the approaching sunrise, Victoria asked, "How long do we have before sunrise?"
"Three or four hours, I think," Leroy estimated.
"Alright, Leroy. Thanks. I'll be waiting," Victoria acknowledged, steeling herself for the challenges ahead and keeping a close eye on the time.
Victoria sighed, feeling a sense of time dragging on in the cell. Without a clock, it was hard to gauge how much time had passed. She anxiously looked for any signs of sunlight but found none yet.
Suddenly, a meow caught her attention, and Leroy returned, carrying a set of keys in his mouth. Victoria's face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Great job, Leroy!" she exclaimed, taking the keys from him and swiftly unlocking her cell. "Can you lead me to the clothes? And tell me, how did you manage to get the keys?"
"Sure. Follow me," Leroy responded, guiding her down the hallway, past rows of empty cells. Curiosity burning within her, Victoria eagerly awaited his explanation.
Leroy began to share his daring feat. "I watched and waited until one of the guards left for the privy. When he dropped his pants to do his business, I sneaked up and cut the loop from his belt, then blinked away with the keys in my mouth. I returned as quickly as possible."
Impressed by Leroy's resourcefulness, Victoria couldn't help but admire his cunning and stealth. As they turned a corner, she gasped at the sight that unfolded before her eyes. A basket filled with severed heads stood in the center of the room, while the lifeless bodies lay on the other side. The grisly means of their separation, a guillotine, loomed ominously in the middle.
Leroy, oblivious to Victoria's initial shock, spoke up. "Here are the clothes, mistress."
Perplexed, Victoria scanned the area, unable to locate any clothes. "Where? I don't see any," she replied, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.
Leroy pointed toward the bodies. "Right there, on those bodies."
Victoria recoiled, her stomach churning at the thought of taking clothes from the deceased. "I can't take those. It's... disgusting."
Leroy countered her hesitation. "Why not? They can't use them anymore, and you can't walk around in those rags."
Though his practicality made sense, Victoria couldn't bring herself to strip the dead. Overcoming her repulsion, she took a few hesitant steps closer, averting her gaze from the grisly scene. Among the bodies, two women wore stereotypical vampire outfits, as if they had just come from a costume store. One dress was crimson, while the other was black and red.
Victoria grimaced at the sight and the overwhelming smell, torn between the need for suitable clothing and her moral discomfort.
Summoning her courage, Victoria took a deep breath and muttered, "I can't believe I'm doing this." She approached the crimson-dressed corpse, its surface stained with blood. She knew the crimson dress would conceal the stains better.
Struggling with the task at hand, Victoria found it far more difficult than she had anticipated. Her fingers fumbled with the laces, and the rigid limbs made it challenging to remove the dress. She exerted effort, grunting and groaning until she finally managed to free the garment from the stiff arms. Exhausted from the ordeal, she tore off a coat from another lifeless body and attempted to clean off the congealed blood as much as possible. Retrieving the corpse's undergarments, she resolved to make do with what she had.
Turning to Leroy, Victoria instructed him to face away as she swiftly changed her clothes, grateful for his presence and understanding. The shoes of the deceased women proved to be ill-fitting, so she opted to wear a pair of boots taken from one of the men instead. Adorned in her makeshift attire, she was as presentable as circumstances allowed.
With Leroy as her guide, Victoria made her way toward the entrance, mentally preparing herself for whatever awaited beyond the prison walls.
Victoria glanced around, hoping for an alternative escape route. Leroy's response was clear and straightforward.
"No, it's a prison. The fewer entrances there are, the easier they are to guard," Leroy explained, leading her through a few more halls. "We're almost there, but be aware that once you enter the final hall, they will see you."
Realizing the need for a diversion, Victoria proposed a plan. "Okay. I'll need a distraction. Think you can manage that?"
Leroy nodded confidently. "Yeah. Wait until you hear a commotion."
With their strategy in place, Leroy blinked across the hall and peered through the bars of the entrance gate. He waited for his blink ability to cool down, then blinked again to a ledge on the other side of the entrance, positioning himself behind the guards. After a brief pause, Leroy pounced, his claws scratching one of the guards' faces. The guard reacted by attempting to remove him, but Leroy swiftly blinked away.
"Damn cat! It almost took my eye. You'll pay for that!" the guard exclaimed, giving chase to Leroy.
The other guard spoke up. "I gotta see this. Can you mind the entrance for a sec, Barney?"
Barney nodded, agreeing to keep watch as his companion pursued Leroy.
Taking advantage of the commotion, Victoria confidently walked down the hall, using her charm spell on the remaining guard. She approached him, turning on her charisma.
"Hey, how'd you get out?" Barney asked, seemingly perplexed.
Victoria flashed a charming smile. "The door wasn't locked. I just woke up, and I'm very thirsty. Could you please get me a glass of water?"
Barney seemed taken aback. "Water? Vamps don't drink water."
With a twinkle in her eyes, Victoria responded, "But I'm not a vampire. You'll know the truth at dawn. Please, get me a glass of water. I'll be sure to return the favor once I'm cleared of the charges."
The guard hesitated, seemingly intrigued by her words. He weighed his options and eventually agreed, leaving momentarily to fetch the requested water.
As the guard turned to walk down the hall, Victoria seized the opportunity and swiftly tried the keys in the lock of the gate. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, she finally found the right key, and with a satisfying click, the lock opened. Closing and locking the door behind her, Victoria pocketed the keys just as the guard returned, holding a wooden cup filled with water. Seeing her outside the prison seemed to break the charm's hold on him. Reacting quickly, he drew his sword and lunged at her.
In a moment of fear and instinct, Victoria let out a shriek, evading the guard's attack by jumping out of harm's way. As he passed by, she instinctively leapt onto his back, sinking her teeth into his vulnerable neck and beginning to drink.
The taste overwhelmed her senses. It was an intoxicating sweetness she had never experienced before. More satisfying than the finest wine, more nourishing than a hearty meal, and sweeter than any confectionery delight.
The guard attempted to dislodge her from his back, but Victoria held on tightly, reveling in the consumption of the life-giving fluid. Moments later, the guard's strength waned, and he collapsed under her weight. She continued to drink until her fangs could take no more, her thirst quenched. To her surprise, the system announced that she had absorbed some of the guard's abilities, with her strength increasing by 1/8th and constitution by 2/8ths.
Reality set in, and Victoria was appalled at her actions. She realized that this was not a mere prank but a genuine game, as the voice had described. To cope with the guilt and confusion, she repeated to herself, "It's a game. It's a game," hoping that the repetition would somehow ease her conscience.
Realizing that time was of the essence, Victoria quickly searched the guard's body, hastily taking his coin purse and a ring from his finger before making her escape. She knew she couldn't afford to linger, so she fled from the prison, running along the wall that bordered the castle and the cliffside. As she turned a corner, Leroy materialized in front of her, the shouts of the pursuing guards growing closer.
"This place will be crawling with guards soon. Follow me," Leroy urged.
Without hesitation, Victoria ran alongside Leroy as they made their way down the wall toward a wooden door. "In here," Leroy directed, his voice filled with urgency.
Victoria flung the door open, the guards hot on their heels. She swiftly threw the bolt, securing the door, and dashed down a hallway. She deduced that they were now inside the castle walls. Following Leroy's lead, they arrived at a room that reeked of feces. Confused, Victoria looked around and spotted two familiar bowls. "A bathroom? Why did you bring me here?"
"It's the only way out. Just jump down the hole," Leroy explained, his tone resolute.
Victoria peered down into the toilet, realizing that the seat was positioned above a deep hole that descended at least forty feet. Apprehension filled her, fearing she would break her legs upon impact.
"I'll break my legs if I jump down there," Victoria protested, her voice laced with concern.
Leroy countered, "The waste will cushion your fall to some extent. If you do break something, your vampire healing will take care of it quickly. I can see you're already replenished with blood. Just do it. There's no time to waste."
“Was that a joke? If so, it was horrible.”
Victoria took a deep breath, her mind racing as guards stormed through the nearby hall, frantically searching for her. Time was running out, and she needed to make a decision quickly.