Lia stopped in her tracks, holding up a hand to signal the others to stop. She, Rose, Mia, Chrys, and Camellia had struck out as a small team to apprehend the beast, and had been following the trail of recently-regrown trees from above. Yet…now that Lia was looking more closely, the trail of regrowth stopped further ahead, but she couldn’t see the monster.
What is it? Rose asked telepathically.
I smell blood. Lia replied. It’s very faint, but some sort of battle took place up ahead. I can’t see further, because of that stupid hill, but…given what we know about this thing, shouldn’t we be able to see it over that?
Yes. Camellia thought. While she couldn’t speak telepathically, if Lia focused hard enough, she could make out what was going on in any of the swarm members’ heads, at least if they weren’t actively trying to hide it from her. So, Lia was acting as a relay between the group, so they wouldn’t have to make unnecessary noise.
Camellia says yes. Lia relayed. I think something’s happened.
Mia silently gripped her sword. Let’s proceed with caution, then.
Lia relayed that to the others, and they carefully crested the hill, bringing the beast into full view.
Or its corpse, anyway. Sitting on top of its neck was what Lia could only assume was a vampire, sucking away at the creature’s blood.
Still, Lia only assumed it was a vampire because she had, briefly, seen Amelia take a similar form; it was hunched, deformed, and ugly, with each part of the body twisted to resemble that of a bat while still remaining somewhat humanoid. It was something vampires apparently didn’t like to show, a more primal part of themselves that they brought out only when they needed the boost of power it gave.
The creature snapped its head around, whirling to face the group. Its gaze was almost feral, and was filled with a profound malevolence that made Lia shiver involuntarily. It slowly stood up, an audible cracking accompanying the movement. And soon the vampire had returned to a more…civilized form.
But the eyes were the same. His clothing, though clearly once a fine uniform, had become ragged and torn, a single tarnished medal pinned to the lapel indicating that he had been in some military or other.
The vampire jumped, a smooth, almost languid motion that nevertheless propelled it the few hundred feet to land right in front of the group. “People. It has been…much too long.” His voice lacked emotion, but his eyes spoke only of raw hatred. “What country has sent you?”
Lia floundered, unsure how to respond. Did she attempt to just convert the man and ask questions later? He was obviously hostile, but hadn’t yet attacked, Lia wasn’t sure if her attempt would be met with immediate retaliation and almost certain death. Assuming he was the one that had killed the monster, that was.
But she didn’t have to, because Rose got there first. “I-Ira?” She croaked. “Is that you?”
The vampire frowned. “Do I know you?” He asked, looking Rose up and down. “No, I don’t believe I do. You weren’t one of my soldiers, were you?”
Ira…where had Lia heard that name before? It nagged away at the edge of her awareness, but she couldn’t quite figure it out, not in this situation. She had other things to be worrying about.
“I…so, you are Ira.” Rose said. “I…it’s me, Reuben, the Ruby Emperor. Check my Status, you’ll see.”
Ira’s gaze hardened “Excuse me?” He said, anger creeping into his tone. “I…” He trailed off, clearly examining Rose in detail. “Curious. It would appear you are.”
“Why are you out here, Ira?” Rose asked. “Did you kill that?”
“Yes, I killed that. I had been raising it for quite some time. Unfortunately, it appears to have been a failure. As for why I’m out here, I chose to be.”
And suddenly, Lia remembered. Ira had been one of the Ruby Emperor’s close aides, and after the assassination, had left society in disgust, headed towards the Spine. He had been presumed dead, but it appeared…it appeared he had survived.
“After the assassination, I had decided it was not worth living in a world without you.” He said. “I came here to die. And yet…yet I didn’t. I wanted to die in battle, having spent my all to defeat a foe, yet…each fight I found I emerged victorious. And, as the years proceeded and the fights became easier, I decided.
“I will bring ruin to the world that scorned you. I will grow in power, and at the moment of their triumph, I will descend and bring upon them the consequences of their actions. I will have vengeance.”
“I…I don’t want that, Ira.” Rose said quietly. “It is enough that you are alive.”
Ira’s gaze hardened. “You are not the man I once knew.” He said. “And not because of…this.” He gestured at Rose’s body dismissively.
“She fought to protect people, why would she ever want society ruined?” Lia asked. “Think about it!”
“I did not give you permission to speak.” Ira said. He stepped over to Lia and then, casually, thrust an open palm into her gut. There was a sharp pain as something bit into her, and then Ira withdrew his palm, as if nothing had happened. The lingering force of the blow sent Lia stumbling backwards, strength leaving her body. A sharp pain began to radiate from the site of the blow, and Lia could feel herself starting to lose consciousness.
Conqueror of Death has prevented a fatal blow!
Lia collapsed, and Rose rushed over. “Lia, are you alright?!” She asked, placing a hand over Lia’s abdomen. Her palm glowed red with magic, and a soothing feeling washed over Lia, pushing away the fog of unconsciousness and slowing the wound’s bleeding. But, as she worked, Rose’s face darkened.
“What was that for!?” Rose asked, glaring up at Ira. “She’s almost dead!”
“Curious.” Ira said. “I meant to kill her. She must be made of sterner stuff than I assumed.”
“That doesn’t answer my question, Ira!”
Conqueror of Death has prevented a fatal blow!
“She made a false assumption.” Ira said calmly. “One I cannot forgive. She did not know you like I did. Nobody knew you like I did. I was the only one who truly knew you, who truly loved you. And I will not stand for those who would besmirch your name.” Ira stretched out a hand. “Come with me, and we shall take this world back, together, like old times. It matters not that you are different, I can return you to the way you were before; I have grown much in our time apart, and such a thing is a trifling matter.”
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Conqueror of Death has prevented a fatal blow!
“No.” Rose said, finishing her work and climbing back up to her feet. “Ira, we set out to defeat the Lord of Monsters to save the world, not to rule it. Just because that’s what happened doesn’t mean I want to be in charge again. I like not being in charge!”
Ira snorted. “You truly aren’t yourself, it seems. Very well, then; I shall slaughter these fools, and bring you back with me. You will see reason once you see the disgraceful state of this world.”
Lia groaned, attempting to push herself off the ground. But her body refused to listen to her commands, opting to remain limp, instead. But…there had to be something she could do, some trick of her power, anything. She reached deep into herself, but everything was so…slippery. Her mind was fuzzy, but, even so…she could feel the swarm more acutely than ever before, feel the emotions of those around her, fear, anger, confusion, despair…
And Rose, too, felt that same anger and fear, but, as Lia probed, something…changed. Surprise flicked through Rose’s mind, followed by a sense of…calculation, before settling into determination. And underneath it all, so faint that Lia could hardly even detect it, was a single word. Lies.
The air around Rose shifted. She stood up straighter, looking Ira straight in the eyes. “It seems you leave me no choice.” She said coldly. “I had wished to maintain this façade for longer, but time is up.”
“Oh?” Ira said, arching a brow. “You’re sounding more like yourself again. Do tell.”
“This girl,” Rose said, motioning dismissively at Lia, “is my lifeline. She was the one who resurrected me, and without her, I cannot live.”
Ira frowned, then sniffed the air. “Yes. You share her…stink.”
“We are the beginning of a new race.” Rose said. “One that will, in time, rule the world. I have been biding my time, playing the role as an advisor and even as…” she paused, her lip curling up into distaste. “Even as a lover.” She spat. “But the rest of this motley band is loyal to her. So, as much as I wished to take control, I could not.
“However, while her attention was elsewhere, I have been practicing in secret, and at last I have learned her forbidden art. I can make new members of our race too, and add their power to my own, their loyalty to me only.” She held out her own hand. “But with you here, I need hide no longer. Allow me to make you one of us, and we can lock this girl away. We can usurp control, and the rest will be none the wiser.”
She stopped, giving the rest of the group a disinterested stare. “This invitation applies to the rest of you, as well. Weak though you may be, I can find use for you. Allow me to remake you, or perish. It matters not to me.”
She turned her gaze back to Ira. “So, will you join me once more? As general of my army?”
Ira faltered for a moment, eyes flicking towards Rose’s outstretched hand then back to her face. “You’ve grown soft.” He said. “Prove to me that you still have what it takes to lead, and I will join you once more. In two months’ time, I will bring the monsters I have raised here, and we will do battle. Should you prove you are still able to do the impossible, and succeed in defeating my morsels, I will join you once more. Farewell, Reuben.”
“Your morsels?” Rose said.
Ira, already turning to leave, stopped. “In my time here, I have come into my own, obtaining the Title of Gluttony.” He said. “A power I will wield for you, should you prove worthy. Do not disappoint me, Reuben.” He turned back, tensed, and then jumped, falling out of Lia’s sight. But, even so, she could see through Rose that he had landed on the beast and resumed his meal.
Rose turned her back to him, face morphing from disinterest to one of deep worry. “You lot, take the girl and bring her back to our base.” She said, not letting a hint of emotion into her tone. “We have much work to do.”
Mia nodded, then scooped Lia up into her arms. “You’ll be fine.” She whispered. “We’ll make it through this.”
“Only if you serve me.” Rose said sharply, though her face remained gentle. “Do not forget that.”
“I…yes, my queen.” Mia said. “I understand.”
“R-Rose?” Lia croaked. “What are you doing? I don’t…understand.” Lia was so…weak. Even with Rose’s magic still pulsing through her, she could feel herself slipping into unconsciousness as the adrenaline drained from her body.
Rose’s emotions were sent into another bout of turmoil, and the word underlying them changed. Sorry. She laid a gentle hand on Lia, and Lia’s drowsiness intensified.
“Hurry.” Rose said to the others. “We have precious little time. If you wish to survive, then we will have to –”
But try as she might to stay awake, Lia drifted off into sleep, unable to hear the rest of what Rose was saying.
----------------------------------------
Lia groaned, opening her eyes to find Rose sleeping in a chair next to the bed Lia was in. Lia still felt awful, and there was a terrible taste in her mouth, but…she was alive. She took a moment to shift out of her fox form and back into her “normal” form, grimacing as the action brought small flashes of pain throughout her body.
Rose’s eyes flew open, and her face broke into relief as she saw Lia. “I am so, so sorry.” She said. “I panicked, and that was the only thing I could think of.”
“I…I don’t remember it super well.” Lia said. “I remember getting hit, and then I only really remember…well, after a few seconds it’s like I was just…an observer. Just watching the swarm. I could feel you, and you…thought words, but not?” Lia frowned, trying to recall more exactly. “Lies, and sorry, I think.”
Rose let out a sigh of relief. “So, you did get those, I was worried you hadn’t. I had felt you in my mind, so I was trying to tell you that I was lying. Fortunately, it seemed like everyone else picked up on it, or else that could have gotten ugly.”
“Well, you got us out of that situation, so…good job. You…don’t mean any of that, right?”
Rose shook her head vigorously. “It’s about as far from the truth as can be!” She said. “I’m happier than ever, now, and I’d rather die than let things go his way.”
“Then all is forgiven. How long have I been asleep?” Lia asked, wincing as she propped herself up.
“Two days.” Rose said. “I…hope you don’t mind, but I took charge while you were asleep. I’ve had everyone train as much as possible, if…if we want to live through these next couple of months, then we’re going to need to be as strong as we can get. I have some ideas, so I don’t think we actually need to beat whatever he has, just…hold on long enough.”
“Right.” Lia said. “There was some…challenge or something?”
“Yes. I tried to pretend to be my old self, so I could trick him into letting me cocoon him, but I don’t think he bought it, not fully. So, if we can beat whatever monsters he sends our way in two months, I can finish this.”
“He does seem like a useful asset.” Lia admitted.
“Asset?” Rose said. “No. Once he’s safely cocooned, I’m going to kill him. He’s too much of an unknown, and if he realizes he’s been duped and breaks free of the conditioning Amelia put in, then everyone here will be in grave danger.”
Lia frowned. “Can you even kill something that’s been cocooned?” She asked. “It sort of puts the body in stasis, from what I’ve seen.”
Rose nodded gravely. “I’ve consulted with Analysis, and I think if I make the right evolution choices, I can get an ability to let me mess with cocoons that are evolving. And I think, if I overload it enough, I can cause the process to fail catastrophically and kill whatever’s inside. But…I need to get that evolution, and test that theory before we put it into practice. Worst case scenario we just…cocoon him and put him into your dimensional storage as a stopgap until we figure out a way to deal with him.”
“Right, so…you mentioned getting stronger? What’s the plan?”
“I’ve been having everyone but Lily and your siblings train in the Spine.” Rose said grimly. “And, occasionally, we’ve been feeding you kills.”
Lia frowned. “How did you do that?”
“We, um, opened your mouth and basically pressed nearly-dead bodies into your fangs until they died.”
“That explains the nasty taste in my mouth.” Lia said. “Sorry to ask you this when you just woke up, but could you go get me some food? I’m famished, and I don’t think I’m in much of a state to walk.”
Rose sighed. “Sorry about that.” She said. “As it turns out, we have a dangerous lack of healing. My magic has some healing spells, but none that can fully heal internal damage. I was hoping you would level up and shed all those injuries, but it seems we weren’t able to get you there.”
Lia briefly checked her levels, then frowned. “No, you did.” She said. “It just…didn’t work. Or, rather, my HP is full, but the total’s been halved. Same with my other stats. It looks like I can evolve, though, so maybe that’ll fix it?”
“Must be a Gluttony thing, then.” Rose said. “Frustrating.”
“Gluttony?”
“It’s…have you heard of the Sin and Virtue Titles?”
“No. What’re those?”
“They’re a series of Titles awarded to individuals who exemplify certain traits. They provide powerful effects that are tailored to the user, but often require extreme measures to obtain. We kept a tight grip on information about them in my time, so people didn’t do something stupid to try and get them, and it seems like it’s the same in your generation. Ira seems to have one, and I’m afraid I’m not fully sure what his version of Gluttony does, but I imagine he’s stolen some of your stats.”
“I…see.” Lia said. “Um…before I evolve, though, will you share a meal with me? I know I’ll just be hungry again after I evolve, but…you look like you could use the company.”
Rose gave her a guilty smile. “I really could.” She said. “I’ll go get some food, you just sit tight, okay?” She stood up, walking out of the room and leaving Lia alone with her thoughts.