FAMILIAR FACES
Much to Abi's dismay, I still have not returned to my training. Clifford and Mac wanted to roam the southern plains alone, allowing me to focus on tidying my lair and feeding my sols and familiars for the rest of the night and into the early morning. At first, I was worried about leaving Clifford and Mac on their own, but they reminded me they had lived in those old ruins with Layondo for over four years.
After looking through the wagons stolen from Dagon City, I used five Warming Crystals and webbed them to stone pillars I formed in the Chamber around the pentagram. To my surprise, one of the larger wagons had a variety of furniture. I took them, adding a thin wooden bookshelf, a small cot, a brown cushioned chair, and a small table to my room.
As Abi continued to squirm within me, I took to the skies in search of food.
PAIN
I appreciate your concern, but I must also ensure my familiars have food.
I told him, as I floated above the south wilderness upon my Celestial: Wukong's Black Staff, that I had morphed into a thick, short cylinder.
ABIMELECH
Did you somehow forget they are animals and fiends by nature?
He floated beside, seemingly sitting cross-legged with his staff across his lap.
ABIMELECH
You should remain cautious about that airship.
He advised me sincerely. I was focused on my soratakas' search for giafullos. I restrained myself from hunting any more lagardientes less I make them go extinct. Besides, giafullos were beefy fiends with meat that could last months. Something I sorely needed as winter began to push canadeer and deer into well-hidden hibernation.
PAIN
Besides, why is it bothering you so much?
I asked as I commanded my staff toward a pack of giafullos east of the Iron Caves.
ABIMELECH
Truthfully, Young Master?
He asked nervously as I leaped off my staff and dove into the ground.
PAIN
Preferably, yes.
I responded.
The giafullos turned one by one to glare at me with their three pairs of eyes down their angled heads. I transformed the top half of my staff into a thin point.
ABIMELECH
Well, I currently desire to be brought back to life.
I gawked at him in shock, and in my distraction, a giafullo's gigantic green vine crashed into my face.
PAIN
But I tried to!
I said as I caught myself from flipping in the air.
ABIMELECH
No, it is... I have a particular want or rather a way I want to come back to the plains.
He whispered hopefully, his gaze up into the sky as he searched for the words. I landed and wiggled my face at the pain.
ABIMELECH
I yearn for it to work, and if it does, I prefer to not die moments after achieving it.
PAIN
Really? Is that it?
I flirted with a hand on my hip and posed. A lump of giafullo vines came crashing down on me.
ABIMELECH
Um, yes—absolutely—I am positive when it comes to my conviction.
He fumbled as I cut through the vines and Quickstepped to his side.
ABIMELECH
And then... what if I am incorrect? I am not confident I will retain my age. How may I come out... old? Young? A child?
I flared my eyebrows up and down at him and seductively repeated,
PAIN
A child?
ABIMELECH
Stop it. I am being serious.
PAIN
Imagine me being the father.
I teased as the ground shook from the charging giafullo.
PAIN
I will be calling you, young one.
I chuckled and threw my staff at the charging beast. My staff thinned out into a spear and weaved in and out the giafullo, piercing all three of its hearts. It collapsed mid-sprint and slid to a stop at our feet. At the sight of its instant death, the remaining giafullos turned tail and fled in a chorus of wails.
PAIN
Quite interesting—I wonder if you would age.
I continued to poke at his annoyed expression.
ABIMELECH
I beg of you, if it was possible, please—
PAIN
I am just pulling your chain,
I smiled, holding out my hand to call my staff.
I telepathically spun it clean of blood as a pack of shadinu sols and eloko riders; poorly armed elokos riding brumaires—arrived. Abi flared with annoyance at the site of the damaged wagons being pulled by the brumaires.
ABIMELECH
I warned you about this,
He stated sternly.
ABIMELECH
If you persist in dragging them about on this terrain, they will eventually succumb to deterioration.
I said nothing, eying him apologetically and tucking my lips.
He sighed and continued,
ABIMELECH
And why have you not searched for a means of agriculture? They are plants that sprout during the harshest of winter, such as winter wheat.
He interrogated, and I shrugged.
PAIN
I told you, I have no idea how it looks—
I stopped, focusing on the scent my blindinus were picking up in the woods a rough sixty miles west of the Vampire Ruins.
ABIMELECH
What is it?
He asked, studying my face. I shook my head,
PAIN
My blindinus smell blood—lots of blood.
I commanded a kagawk to go check it out. It immediately dove down into the woods and Shadow Phased into the shadows of the trees.
ABIMELECH
Winter wheat grows quickly and effortlessly. Surpassing summer wheat.
He continued the subject.
PAIN
I have never planted a seed in my life.
ABIMELECH
Do not despair—I will be here to instruct you.
PAIN
Well, I planted this.
I gestured to my staff with a grin, and he rolled his eyes at me.
By the phasing of the morning sun, Clifford, Mac, and I were eating the roasted game we caught within the safety of my room when the scouting kagawk peered out from the shadows. I stopped mid-bite to lay sight on a dispersed camp of daywalkers.
PAIN
Is that them?
I asked Mac and Clifford. It was easy and simple for me to connect with my sols from a distance, but Abi, Clifford, and Mac had to focus and close their eyes less they became disoriented. However, Abi typically refused to put in the effort and urged me to relay what I saw.
CLIFFORD
I think so!
He cheered.
I had told them about the scent of blood not over an hour ago, and Clifford mentioned it could either be Neorine or the remaining Redead daywalkers who fought against Neorine. Throughout the woods were small campsites made of tents, log seats, and campfires—three out of the twelve sites contained stone cabins at their center.
PAIN
What should we do?
I asked.
CLIFFORD & MAC
Go check it out? | Wait and see.
They eyed each other.
CLIFFORD
Why wait?
MAC
It looks like a three-day walk from here!
She garbled with a mouth full. I was impressed at how quickly she calculated the distance.
MAC
And to be camping so close... we have no idea who's leading them. What if Neorine have included daywalkers in their ranks?
Clifford rolled his eyes in defeat.
As I continued my training for the rest of the day, Mac and Clifford told me about the three Generals of Redead: a State Tactician, a Scout Tactician, and a War Tactician, all under one War Chief. They rarely met any of the Generals as they had Captains and Vice Captains to lead them.
PAIN
Beka, a fighter from Dagon City, mentioned Lich.
I told them as I floated in the Chamber, following Abi's commands to multicast random spells. Mac was moving about, air jabbing and kicking the air to test out the metal gauntlets she acquired from the Iron Cave.
MAC
What—Why?
She stopped to question.
CLIFFORD
Why would he know Lich?
I shrugged at Clifford, who sat and watched me train.
ABIMELECH
Fire Blades, but do not emit any heat.
He ordered, and I obeyed to the best of my abilities.
PAIN
He mentioned he was a Mage who could also use Willpower.
I continued, and they both nodded,
CLIFFORD
Yeah, that sounds like Lich, alright. Unlike other Vice Captain, he always sought power. Loved to train. After we stopped our little hunting in the Milehi Forest to train our vampor, he kind of disappeared.
Mac feigned a punch at Clifford.
MAC
Wrong, heard he became a pupil of one of the generals. He was strong, I'll give him that.
CLIFFORD
Rumors...
ABIMELECH
Rods of water,
He instructed, and I obeyed.
ABIMELECH
Orbit them around you.
He added, and I glanced at his stern expression.
PAIN
If the Neorine are all nightwalkers...?
I started, attempting to connect Beka's words. Mac paused for a moment and pressed her lips with a shake of her head.
MAC
Yea, he must be part of Neorine. So he came here.
I glanced at Clifford, a smile spread across his face.
CLIFFORD
Wait, Lich and the Neorine came to Dagon City?
He started laughing, and Mac, suddenly realizing, ginned along.
MAC
He completely overlooked our little camp in the woods. Idiot, he was never too good at navigating his way around. I vaguely remember his jealousy of our ability to walk in the sun. But... not to such a degree he would want to kill us for it. The uprising came so suddenly.
They explained how it happened.
They were on duty to guard a camp of kinans, ylguens, bains, and vampires, setting up an outpost near the eastern woods of the area. Each state sent two knights, allowing Mac and Clifford to be selected. They were meant to prevent the races from scuffling with each other, but Clifford complained that the ylguen knights from Evergreen were making it extremely difficult. The camp's primary goal was to increase trust among the states after rumors of an all-out war began to spread.
CLIFFORD
The ylguen knights became the outcasts,
Clifford explained as he shadowed boxed with Mac.
CLIFFORD
The bains, kinans and us two couldn't deal with their petty insults.
MAC
We thought they were going to cause issues, but...
She shook her head, dodging two swings from Clifford and jabbing him twice in the chest.
CLIFFORD
Neorine struck at night, of course, catching us off guard. We were asleep. Our armor and weapons were not on us.
He continued to explain, attempting to best Mac.
CLIFFORD
Nightwalkers are great with magic. Only those who were Knights before transitioning could be good sword fighters. So, you could already imagine—fire and lightning burning through our novel shacks.
Clifford took another jab to the chest and slid a few meters back. Mac grinned at him, and he scowled in return.
CLIFFORD
But can you imagine what happened?
He faced me, giving up on sparring with Mac, and went back to his seat. I had a clue, but I allowed him to continue.
CLIFFORD
Complete chaos. Vampires against kinans against ylguens against bains.
He explained with his hands as Mac continued her jabbing faints to his head.
CLIFFORD
After a few days of fighting, we did find out who Neorine was, but it was too late. An all-out war was already on its way. We heard Redead had fallen, the War Chief was killed, and our Captains and Vice Captains were missing... so we fled with a few newly turned vampires—
Mac over reached and struck Clifford in the head.
CLIFFORD
Will you knock it off!?
He barked, but she stuck out her tongue and continued.
Past the stroke of midnight, on the 10th of 1st Winter, I was relaxing on the platform of the River Door when I saw the broodmother clinging to the side of the ravine with her back limbs. It was strange... I felt her approach, but the sight of her staring at me motionlessly as if to be a deer after being spotted unnerved me slightly.
A trickling chill crawled along my skin as she bathed me in her Lesser Alluring Aura. I stared up at her with desire, taking her sexual features as she smiled back down at me. It has been so long... She floated with her legs straight, a stiff erection and her chest projected, taunting me with a slow sway. I began picturing myself sliding my hands down her slim body and resting my head within her bosoms. I then noticed something was in her right hand—a dead rabbid sucked drain of its blood.
She suddenly pulled back her aura, ending my lustful desires immediately as we both spotted through the eyes of the kagawks two scouts departing from the camp and galloping toward Dagon City. The broodmother retracted her gaze, and for a brief moment, I felt a spark of deep emotion in her soul. Protection? Her ability to hide her emotions was not on par with Clifford and Mac. Still, I believe she was getting better at removing herself from my mind.
It was as if she acknowledged her failure and slowly skittered up the wall of the ravine. She gave me a smile of surety before crawling over the lip of the ravine, returning to whatever she was doing. I stood still for a minute. Protection, I thought to myself. Yes, I do need to protect them, not for them to protect me. I did not bring them back from the dead to die for my sake. I will not treat them that way, I promised myself as I strolled into my room.
Mac and Clifford slept around the kindling spit, their faces twitching softly in reaction to their dreams. I smiled warmly as I stepped past them to tend to revive a few animals since it made barely any noise at my current level.
By evening, my training led me to perfect my Stone and Fyre. I was training in the southern area, near the ruined watermill where Clifford and Mac found me. Abi chose this place because of the dead rocky patches of stone and soil. Abi paced around me with his hands behind his back and his mouth critiquing every little mistake I made.
ABIMELECH
Surely, you can move them faster!
He shouted as I orbited two boulders of solid stone above my head with hand magic. What did he mean by faster? I was nearly forming a miniature storm already. Meanwhile, Clifford and Mac gleamed at me from the safety of the watermill rooftop.
ABIMELECH
Your Fyre is losing shape!
He barked, and I took my concentration back to the three rods of Fyre I had formed to float at my back with mana zone. I learned that controlling magic out of view prevented any aid of sight magic and made it strenuous to control.
ABIMELECH
I can see the heat from your Fyre! Manipulate the heat and get rid of it!
I did my best to focus—
ABIMELECH
Three boulders now!
PAIN
What?
I gasped, beads of sweat dripping down past my eyes.
ABIMELECH
Mages tend to linger at the hind of an army.
Abi began to explain abruptly.
ABIMELECH
You are a Mage—a Necromancer at this point. Yet, I continue to see you fight up close.
He paced around me, looking for any mistake in my multi-casting.
ABIMELECH
A Mage's ability to cast devastating magic also depends on their ability to leave their companions unharmed while doing so.
MAC
What happens to the Mages who can't?
She quickly asked.
ABIMELECH
In the midst of battle? In war? They are positioned upfront with the rest,
He turned to face her.
ABIMELECH
And then they surely die.
Mac barked a laugh while Clifford flexed his neck at the blunt response.
CLIFFORD
Wow.
He snorted.
ABIMELECH
Three boulders, young master!
Abi cocked his head, and I reached deep into Elemental Control and commanded the ground.
ABIMELECH
Do not take from the ground, young one! It is a medium!
He bellowed as if I had forgotten. I was never to take from the ground when using Stone and Earth, only in desperate situations—it was Abi's rule, not mine. The rods of Fyre behind me flared with scorching heat as I began to lose control.
ABIMELECH
Gods forbid, if you lacked Recall Memory, this would be the trials facing you as you aim to control your familiars, albeit unbearably more difficult.
MAC
So, is this how you became so deadly?
She smirked from the rooftop.
ABIMELECH
Another question? Do you want to join in?
He retorted on my behalf.
ABIMELECH
Mind taking a run and working off that entire giafullo you ate last night?
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Clifford crackled with laughter,
CLIFFORD
He's calling you fat, you know.
ABIMELECH
You can join her.
Abi barked, and Clifford snapped his mouth shut.
ABIMELECH
You two sought revenge, right? Stop lounging and take a sprint.
MAC
Run to where?
She whined, and Abi pointed north.
ABIMELECH
To the lair and back.
MAC & CLIFFORD
What!
MAC
That's almost a whole day's walk.
ABIMELECH
Then you lot better get to it.
Mac and Clifford eyed me for support, but I ogled them with a strained grin.
Abi caught my smile,
ABIMELECH
Why are you slowing down?
I attempted to increase the speed of the boulders but blinked and saw that the scouts had finally learned about Dagon City's fate.
ABIMELECH
And why are you two still here!?
He spun on Clifford and Mac. They both hopped down from the Watermill and sprinted off, crackling like elokos. I released my control over my magic and slumped to my knees.
PAIN
Vampires,
I gasped and wiped my brow.
PAIN
Vampires to the west of the ruins. Their scouts recently arrived at Dagon City.
Abi shrugged, unimpressed.
ABIMELECH
Why did you just stop? On your feet, you must continue. Four boulders.
He urged, attempting to snap his fingers at me, but they made no noise.
PAIN
Four? Without my staff?
I argued, and he nodded urgently.
ABIMELECH
This will only make you stronger. Disregard your Fyre for now. Close your eyes, and relate to me everything the scouts are doing. Everything.
He clarified. I took a deep breath, stood, and began, thinking this would be easier—it was not.
The following day, in the early morning, the scouts returned to camp. Mac and Clifford recognized neither of the scouts nor the armor they wore. Since the daywalkers were feasting on any animal and fiend that strayed too close to camp, I was unable to send my kagawk further in for a better view.
The scouts galloped throughout the night with just one break. I relied on my flying circuses and soratakas to listen in.
PAIN
Interesting.
I uttered to Abi, Mac, and Clifford as I ate my morning meal of seared fish in my room.
ABIMELECH
Am I now?
He responded.
ABIMELECH
Oh, not referring to me, are you?
MAC
This is amazing!
She shouted into our heads.
CLIFFORD
Please don't scream like that, Mac.
Mac and Clifford were forced to run again this morning. I was able to test out my connection with them and saw that it was similar to that of my sols. I assumed it must have a shorter distance when it came to Mac, Clifford, and the broodmother after experiencing the shortening distance with the fiends and animals.
PAIN
Turns out those daywalkers were after Dagon City.
I filled them in.
PAIN
They were planning to attack it. And now, they are getting ready to head out.
MAC
Well, I guess that answers who they are with.
CLIFFORD
Neorine...
My circus nearly died in its attempt to linger around the stone hut the scouts entered. Their leader was furious about the news. He wondered if North Star betrayed the city or if the Fire Kingdom finally attacked.
Hmph, did the Fire Kingdom have angst with Dagon City? This news could be helpful, but I was unable to dwell upon it as Abi materialized at my side and urged me to train. I sighed, smiled, and got to my feet.
PAIN
I know I complain about your strict training. But I genuinely appreciate it.
ABIMELECH
I know.
Vampor Increase:
Basic Night Vision(3%), Basic En Vitality(3%), Basic Sound Vision(3%), Basic Blood Control(3%), Basic En Scent Detection(3%), Basic Danger Sense(5%) Basic En Reflexes(4%) Basic Quickstep(4%), Basic En Stamina(7%), Basic En Strength(7%), Basic En Hearing(8%), Basic En Sight(7%), Basic Heat Vision(5%), Basic Interference(9%), Basic Body Control(9%), Basic Mana Sense(10%), Basic Day Vision(7%)
Active Acquired:
Spell: Ice
Skills Acquired:
Lesser Inventory, Lesser Scan, Lesser Leap
Cancellation Effect:
Petty Fire Aversion
Passive Acquired:
Petty Fire Control, Petty Fire Manipulation, Petty Earth Control, Petty Earth Manipulation, Petty Agua Control, Petty Agua Manipulation, Petty Ice Control, Petty Ice Manipulation, Petty Aero Control, Petty Fyre Control, Petty Fyre Manipulation, Petty Mana Control, Petty Mana Manipulation, Petty Fire Resistance
Passive Increase:
Lesser En Fire Casting
Cook Passive Acquired:
Petty Nutri-Sense
With another day of training behind me, I awoke from a short nap to a generous boost in my elemental control.
PAIN
A new spell? Wait, why did I not acquire Petty Aero Manipulation?
I asked Abi.
ABIMELECH
Simple, though not known to many, Aero has been difficult to control and manipulate throughout the ages. It is the nature of Aero.
And as we continued my training, he was right. No matter my efforts, I could not solidify the air the way I solidified Fire and Water.
ABIMELECH
Regarding your new spell, you are an Elementalist.
He spontaneously informed me as I floated upon a slab of Earth in the Chamber while orbiting five rotating spheres of Fire around me.
PAIN
And classes increase our aptitude for certain spells and skills.
Abi nodded and pointed at one of the fiery spheres—its rotation had slowed, and I focused.
ABIMELECH
I came to believe it is your Recall Memory. A powerful skill indeed. As you should know, we Mages and Summoners require keen intellect to cast and summon. But having the skill to remember everything—truly the power of a god.
He paused in thought, shaking his head.
ABIMELECH
If my father, Jurabaal, had such an ability, he would be deemed as such. The amount of torture he suffered through to obtain a great status. Unlike you, we have to keep a record of any hidden knowledge. And we are forced to re-study and meditate on everything we already know to increase our aptitudes.
He took a breath and pointed at another sphere.
ABIMELECH
In addition, you have access to vampor and regeneration. I mean no insult, young one, but you are truly a monster.
He was repeating himself again. But his words made me giddy. I was not accustomed to being praised, and being praised by him made me smile uncontrollably.
ABIMELECH
Focus!
PAIN
Sorry.
I snickered.
I continued my training until noon while Mac and Clifford were allowed to rest and recover within the lair. But they were not in the lair. Instead, they had an argumentative conversion about my powers, their powers, revenge, and old frenemies they hoped were still alive.
Then, something interesting happened to the scouting kagawks spying on the daywalkers.
MAC
Um, Pain?
She telepathically mumbled to me, bringing me out of my training.
PAIN
What is it?
I asked, fascinated at how Mac was controlling my kagawk. She had it focused on an important-looking daywalker.
CLIFFORD
Yeah, what is it, Mac?
MAC
Clifford, look!
She barked, and he obeyed.
CLIFFORD
That's General Lorenzo!?
I studied General Lorenzo, the vampire leading the entire group.
PAIN
So, you know him?
MAC
No, not really.
CLIFFORD
We've seen pictures of him on a few occasions.
MAC
And the only thing we know about him is that he's Layondo's brother.
Lorenzo wore a black dust jacket over a plated chest armor and plated greaves. He held a long crimson sword—no... a katana in his right hand, and his gray face was patterned with darker shades of gray claw-like stripes. With piercing white eyes, his brow was twisted in a questionable fury that I nearly mistook him for a nightwalker.
I phased into the shadows and resurfaced through Clifford's shadow. We all decided to take a break and carefully watch the daywalkers make their way toward the city. Mac and Clifford were utterly baffled by why he was here and could only assume the war in the Western States had been resolved.
We continued to do nothing despite Abi's urge to mind our own business. Now that we knew they were not Neorine, he urged us to continue our training.
MAC
We're not too sure.
Mac pointed out.
MAC
He was a General of Redead, but what if he was bought?
Abi shrugged in annoyance and requested a book to read as we lounged on the hilltop. A gentle snow began to fall by the transitioning of the moonsun, and I had gone to retrieve giafullo meat for us to roast and eat.
PAIN
Do you think if you two were to go meet him, he would be friendly?
I asked as I returned. Mac and Clifford shook their heads.
MAC
He doesn't even know us... I think.
She glanced at Clifford as we prepared a spit.
MAC
He probably knows you.
CLIFFORD
What? Why me?
MAC
The gent who ran away from home to be a vampire?
She quoted.
MAC
Even I heard about you before meeting you. Not often do you hear about a kinan wanting to be a vampire that bad.
The daywalkers were focused entirely as they marched past the old vampire ruins by the 21st hour. We watched the vampires split into three groups as they headed toward the city. The north group consisted of fighters and range fighters, the middle group consisted of a mixture of Mages and lightly armored fighters, and the southern group consisted of archers and Mages.
PAIN
A familiar tactic in books...
I mumbled. My circus received annoying glares from the vampires in the central group, so I ordered it north.
Moments before I looked away, my jaw dropped, and I lurched upright.
ABIMELECH
What is it?
My circus doubled back slowly. It crept along the branches, eyeing an armored ylguen.
PAIN
Sakura!
I shouted in excitement.
MAC & CLIFFORD
Sakura?
The repeated.
ABIMELECH
Ah, one of the refugees you saved, correct?
He inquired, and I nodded eagerly.
MAC
Right, from a gent named Grugeir?
PAIN
Grungir.
I corrected as I studied Sakura. Clifford and Mac joined in to study her. She looked well and lively with a face of determination. I figured her complete set of metal armor was why I did not notice her sooner. I frowned at the young girl armored in padded leather armor leading Sakura's group—
PAIN
Who is that young girl?
I asked Mac and Clifford, but Clifford shrugged while Mac focused on the child. She had bright orange skin patterned with yellow leaf shapes flowing down her body. She wore a green cloak with its hood down, revealing her red hair, and she had a simple-looking dagger at her waist.
MAC
Hmm, she sounds familiar.
She mumbled.
MAC
She's not young. She's a vampire. I remember hearing of a "Tiny Captain." That must be her.
My circus flew about toward the northern group to search for the others. Kiefer and Belknap, both donned in heavy platted armor, were spotted near the front in a group led by a beefy black-haired bain with red ring patterns.
PAIN
Bains, I am spotting a few of them.
I told Mac.
MAC
Hmmm, I guess they may not be Neorine.
She finally admitted.
MAC
But still! Never hurts to be careful. Who knows, they could be hiding among them, ready to pounce the moment they get a chance.
I furled my face in disgust at the thought of Chance, but as I ordered my circus to study the south group, I caught sight of Ino and Hinata, but Chance was nowhere to be found. Both Ino and Hinata were donned in light leather armor with green cloaks similar to the other Archers and Mages.
Seeing it from the outside, a warm feeling bubbled within me. It was good to see that they saw conviction. It must have hit them hard to see family members slaughtered and for them to flee. Chance did not get it, and I hope they left his body to rot somewhere along the way.
Mac poked me in my cheek,
MAC
You're grinning too hard.
I attempted to relax, sending the circus to see if I could find the rest.
ABIMELECH
Careful,
Abi warned me.
ABIMELECH
Vampires will eat that bird.
I ignored him—my excitement and relief were too much to contain. Searching the centered group, my circus spotted two more female ylguen, leaving one unaccounted for.
PAIN
I was able to save them, and I am just glad to see that they are still safe.
Of course, I had questions. How did they reach Lorenzo and this group of vampires? Was there a safe passage to the western states southwest of here? Those questions were for another time. Their involvement with Dagon City was about to unfold.
PAIN
The ones left at the camp seemed to be cooks, healers, and hunters. I can only assume that Lorenzo is looking for revenge. Which is good—bastards need punishing—
A vampire fired a bolt through the wing of my circus with his crossbow, causing Mac, Clifford, and I to recoil.
ABIMELECH
What?
He asked at our sudden irked expression.
ABIMELECH
Did something happen to your bird?
The vampire's comrades berated him for doing such a childish thing.
ABIMELECH
I did warn you.
*****
I marched up the road, the cold wind beating at my face. I wiped off the crystalized tears and continued to march. I couldn't believe I had killed another person. The sound—the blood—the expression of pain on his face. I couldn't get those thoughts out of my mind.
I now understand why Beka was so cold. The number of vampires, bandits, and outlaws he had killed in his lifetime and the death of our last Captain of the Guards, Solomon, must've iced his heart.
But I wanted to be free, and if those who stood in my way refused to move, I must not hesitate to cut them down.
DONATELLO
But I'm not a warrior.
I continued to mumble to myself.
I braced, clinging to the extra layers of clothing I took from the fisher. It wasn't as if he needed it. God damned bastard, why didn't he just leave with me!? Why didn't he just help me!? Gods be damned!
The sudden sound of a wolf's howl iced my mind and hastened my heartbeat. I materialized my three-prong dagger—my eyes darted through the wind of snow, looking for any sort of threat. I just have to see these creatures before they see me. My teeth began to chatter, and my eyes began to water. I was scared. I was tired. I had only walked for about three hours, and all I wanted to do was give up. My legs were weak, and my hands were nearly frozen.
Is this what traders do every day? Walking? How in damnation can someone walk for so long? The road continued to slope upward, and my tears chilled against my cheeks. But I marched on. I sought happiness. I focused on the wealth I envisioned.
I must keep moving to secure my grand vision—my dream! The vision was clear in my mind—I could see it. A luxurious bath and dining area. I will have servants cooking me steaming meals daily. Never again will I bathe myself—beautiful young ladies will clean my back. Never again will I feed myself—gorgeous ladies of each race will provide for me!
DONATELLO
I will not be a servant to the people,
I growled through my chilled and chapped lips.
DONATELLO
The people will serve me!
I stumbled—the slope had evened out but became deep. I squinted in the distance—a shadow? I wiped away my tears. My heart beating at my throat, I took one careful step after another. My eyes were glued to the shadow approaching in the distance.
The legs of the shadow began to form. It was creeping toward me, and with every step, it grew. Fear took hold, and I froze. Should I flee? Where should I hide? But these fiends had a great sense of smell. I didn't want to fight, but my legs were aching. If I were to run, I'd just flail about and give away my position.
I grimaced and took another step forward,
DONATELLO
Whatever doesn't kill me will only make me stronger.
Tears formed in my eyes to spite me as I stood tall and awaited the beast. I just have to focus on my dagger. But it was so difficult to control. Fear began to quiver my bottom lip as a sudden breeze sapped away my conviction. I was scared. I was truly scared. Was I going to die to this beast?
VOICE
Someone, you say?
I heard something, and my fear began to fall away. A voice was rumbling from out of the shadow. I then wiped my eyes once more and took a good look—a carriage! It was a full wooden wagon!
I laughed and exhaled in relief. Those weren't legs—those were, in fact, guards riding upon black armored steeds alongside the elegant silver-trimmed carriage. My worry came back as I made out the North Star emblem welded on the head of the carriage.
And those guards weren't random bodies—they were soldiers. Fully armored with enough enchanted armor, a simple glance made my head spin. I need to say something before they attack. I clenched my jaws to stop my chattering and took a deep breath.
DONATELLO
I am Donatello, Treasury Keeper of Dagon City!
I shouted.
DONATELLO
Dagon City has been destroyed!
I studied them as they approached. The glares of the soldiers trickled up and down my body. The two that led the caravan had their hands on the hilt of their swords. Even the wagoneers were heavily armored, but my eyes were quickly drawn to the only gent not wearing any armor. Instead, he was dressed in a rich (Space Affinity) Unicorn Hair White Fleece, Return.
Underneath his enchanted fleece was a blue dress tunic with golden trim. He sat in the center of the seat behind the waggoneers, slouching back against the carriage's fore with a foot up against the waggoneers' seat. His entirely black eyes and sclera sent a chill down my spine.
He was a chubby gent; his skin was pale white as the snow with black patterns on his face, resembling a devilish jester. I could only imagine the amount of torment he went through as a child with such features, especially in a nation of religious zealots.
Yet, he sat there with an aura of power and wealth. The carriage finally stopped, and his black eyes seemed to look down at me. A smile sliced his face, revealing snow-white teeth. Suddenly, his name came to mind, along with a flurry of annoying memories, as he opened his mouth to speak.
DIPAOLA
Atello!?
He shouted with disgust as he stood and leaned over his knee to get a look at me.
A swathe of memories stung me. Indeed, he was tortured as a child for his looks by no one other than me. Shit... Of all the official couriers North Star had to send, Don Dipaola was the worst one they could've sent. I knew him from my childhood and younger gent days as we studied trade and bookkeeping in Sera of Sante June.
DIPAOLA
Atello! I can't believe my tainted black eyes! What happened?
He laughed.
DONATELLO
Dipaola! Great to see you again!
I lied, and he tilted his head.
DIPAOLA
Is it?
DONATELLO
I have not yet taken the Maiden's hand like you have.
One of the soldiers tightened his grip upon his hilt as Dipaola leaped down.
DONATELLO
Care to guide my hand, Don Dipaola?
DIPAOLA
Absolutely!
He exclaimed as he pushed aside his soldiers.
DIPAOLA
It is so great to see that you've come to your senses!
He nearly took me out as he wrapped his burly arm around my shoulders, pulling me down a foot and turning me away from the soldiers. He then brandished his gloved fist in my face, and upon his knuckles were lumps—enchanted rings were hidden under his black gloves.
DIPAOLA
My good friend! How are you!? Say one word about my irreligion, and I will drag you to Limbo with me.
His voice echoed in my head, and I quickly caught on.
DONATELLO
Dipaola, you don't understand how glad I am to see you. Let us save our friendly competition for when we're safely behind the walls of North Star. I am well—I am well.
He squinted at me.
DIPAOLA
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
Before I could respond, he removed his arm and strolled back toward his guards.
DIPAOLA
The City is destroyed, you say?
I turned and nodded,
DONATELLO
The Fire Kingdom.
He raised a brow at me in disbelief.
DIPAOLA
Would they dare?
I materialized the bounty of Ire.
DONATELLO
With a fake bounty, yes.
But he showed little interest in the bounty or the Fire Kingdom as he backed away from me.
DIPAOLA
Well, you do know we came to collect an Artifact, and if the Artifact is lost—
I materialized the Artifact, and a brief moment of surprise painted his face. The soldiers at his back flinched, but Dipaola raised a hand and smiled suspiciously at me.
DONATELLO
Will I personally receive the reward?
DIPAOLA
Of course!
He exclaimed.
DIPAOLA
Know that I'll be taking half because you lost our bet. We of the sons will use our power to rid the plains of evil.
DONATELLO
Will I be given a safe passage to North Star? Or we can attempt to sell it together to Sante June.
DIPAOLA
As long as you are willing to open your hand to Astrea's blessing. Don't push it. None of that double-dealing or sabotaging—
DONATELLO
That wasn't me. Corsa was the one who attempted to get me killed.
DIPAOLA
He tried to get you sick.
DONATELLO
Exactly, you knew about it. I only sought to return the favor. The burning of your invested farm was a serious blunder on my part.
DIPAOLA
You said that before.
DONATELLO
It was the truth then and the truth now.
DIPAOLA
Until someone dies.
SOLDIER
Um, Don Dipaola?
He interrupted, and Dipaola nodded.
DIPAOLA
So, welcome Astrea's blessing, and your path to North Star shall be unobstructed.
He smiled at me.
DIPAOLA
You wouldn't mind riding in the back now, would you?