Hey guys, Mad Jester again, and here's a new Chapter! After reading Silvertongue's comment, I felt that I should get another chapter out as soon as possible. So, enjoy and please leave a comment, or better yet, a nice rating. I usually mention the people that leave informative comments or just ratings in my little Author preamble. With that note, thank you for all the support thus far. (Also, please give my new fiction, Splinter, a try!)

Abrum looked up at the sky turning to night. The dying sun in the west as it cast its feeble rays across the dark sky as night fell upon the land. He sat on Ugothir’s back and was riding through the forest at a frightening speed. Ugothir wasn’t the only male guardian for nothing. The strength of his legs could only be described as explosive.

One might think that Abrum would be extremely troubled at the dream. The overwhelming power that the mysterious shadow had displayed would make a B class party tremble and quake in their assorted shoe ware. However, Abrum had no fear.

Of course, his stats received an increase of 100% due to the half moon that hung in the sky. This made his stats, equivalent to a level 75 player, double. However, this was not the reason for his unwavering confidence. This stat boost would become rather insignificant since Vampires also receive stat boosts from the night. No, his confidence came from his newly acquired army.

Yes, as he raced through the woods on Ugothir’s back, he was surrounded by wolves. After awakening, Abrum had waited until all the wolves had awoken. Abrum appointed Ugothir as his method of transportation, who was very happy about the appointment. He charged the other 10 with commanding the wolves. Thus, there were ten units comprised of 20 wolves and 1 guardian. Abrum had split them up like this to make it easier to direct them.

This was something that his father had taught him. While his uncle was obsessed with fighting styles, Abrum’s father was extremely interested in military tactics from all ages. Both had taught him various things, so this is why there was a gleam of confidence in Abrum’s eyes.

Thus, Abrum rode through the woods accompanied by an army 211 strong. This may not seem like a lot, but he had 11 fluffy vassals.

“We’re approaching the tower.” Said Ugothir telepathically.

“I’m tired. And Hungry!! You promised us meals, so we want meals!”

“FOOOOD.”

“FEED US!”

“NOOOOOW.” cried out numerous guardians through telepathy.

“Fine fine. We’ll stop here.” Said Abrum dismounting Ugothir. “Gather around”

The 11 guardians gathered around while their subordinates sat at the edge of the clearing surrounding the tower.

“Each of you are a commander of a unit. Each of your units are responsible for procuring their own food. I’ll cook whatever you bring back.”

“”””””””””Okay”””””””””””” they all called out simultaneously as they bounded off into the forest. Without a word, their units followed them immediately Only Ugothir and Abrum were left in the clearing.

“They are amazing aren’t they? My sisters I mean. They command their units with such authority, and grace.”

“Are you saying that you can’t?” Asked Abrum curiously.

Ugothir looked down at his paws sheepishly as he sat.

“I’m so much younger than them. They’ve always been taking care of me… I just don’t know if I’ll ever reach them.” he said sadly.

Abrum saw the look in his eyes. He had seen that very same look in the mirror for so long. The inadequacy that the empty gaze portrayed. The anger at said inadequacy. The hopelessness in the face of inadequacy. Abrum simply smiled a knowing smile and leaned against Ugothir’s soft fur.

“There is no need to compare yourself to those around you. I believe the one above has a plan for all of us. So it is useless to compare ourselves to those around us. Sometimes it can be a good motivator to compare ourselves, but it is important not to lose sight of the bigger picture. God is a loving father. He loves us no matter what we do, no matter how inadequate we are, or how often we mess up. At least that’s what I think.” Abrum said telepathically while looking at the night sky thoughtfully.

Ugothir was a bit taken back by the little speech that Abrum gave. He smiled as well as a wolf can and lay down, leaning his body against Abrum.

“I do like your beliefs.”

“I like them too. On a different note, aren’t you hungry?”

“It’s okay, Orthir will probably bring back too much. Her eyes are bigger than her stomach most of the time. Ah, speak of the devil.”

“DON”T CALL ME A DEVIL” said Orthir as she came out of the forest followed by her subordinates.

“First one back. That was really quick.” Abrum commented as he watched her subordinates drag two deer along.

“We were lucky and found these close to the perimeter of the clearing. They were grazing, so we got them fairly easily.” Orthir commented as they dragged the deer to Abrum. “Cook for us!”

Abrum sighed and started a fire and began to cook the deer. Before he was done, more of the guardians returned with their units dragging their prey. After he cooked a portion, he would feed the units. Most of the wolves were happy with their portions, however, there were a few greedy ones that tried to take more than their respective portions. They were put in place by their unit commanders. Abrum smiled as Ugothir and the rest feasted upon the meat.

He sat back with them as they finished their meal.

“The menace to the forest is right in front of us. The one that killed the life in the forest, spread the madness that kept your mind in shackles. It manipulated you, caused you to do things that many of you would like to forget. In the words of Jula: ‘The past cannot be changed, forgotten, or erased. However, the lessons learned can prepare one for a brighter future.’” Abrum called out to the wolves.

Jula nodded with satisfaction as she was referenced.

“The mistake was letting this evil roam free, unrestrained. We now have the chance to make that mistake right. To correct the mistake so that it will no longer affect the future. Will you let the evil that destroyed the forest roam free, or will you put down this threat this day to protect your future and your children’s future? Let us put down the threat, this very night! To battle my friends!”

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All the wolves that sat around the clearing raised their heads and howled at the sky in response. This was their Begin the Hunt skill which raised critical hit rates and damage rates. Among the 200 wolves, only about 25% actually possessed the skill, however, the skills effects stacked up to a certain points. Abrum stood proud in front of the howling wolves, and his fluffy vassals.

“TO BATTLE!” Abrum said by raising his sheathed katana in the air.

A little message box appeared in front of his face and his face slightly blanched.

The vampire, Vlad the Ripper, has heard your cry of challenge. 20 seconds until he is down the stairs

Abrum backed up away from the door with Ugothir.

“All units forward. Guardians, stay back a bit and direct your troops while using Holy Beam as ranged attacks.”

Abrum said as he stood at the front of the wolves.

‘Might as well start this off with a bang…’ thought Abrum as he extended his six ethereal wings high.

Vlad has appeared

The door creaked opened and opened into deep blackness as a figure stepped out into the cold night.

“Moonlight Barrage!” Abrum called out.

All six of his wings detached from his body and flew to the sky. As they ascended, they dissipated into tiny particles of light. They spread across the night sky and disappeared among the stars. Abrum just stared up at the sky and awaited the big finisher. A little box appeared in front of him and his face blanched.

Time until the barrage is unleashed: 59 seconds.

“Fire ranged attacks.” Abrum ordered quickly. He wanted to gauge the strength of this “Mad vampire.” The name, the Ripper, was an extremely ominous one and Abrum wasn’t stupid or reckless enough to engage in a close combat fight with an unknown.

The 11 guardians gathered their own energy in their mouths and spat out a purging light at the shadowy figure. A few of the other wolves were able to fire off weaker versions of the skill called Holy Bolt. The light splashed over him in a wave as all the beams connected at once creating a large flash.

Abrum put his hands in front of his eyes to shield his eyes from the dazzling light. The light was gone just as quickly as it had appeared and Abrum looked to see the situation. He was surprised to see the figure still standing. He lowered his cloak, exposing his face and those cold red eyes that stared at the others. Abrum was taken aback when he realized that Vlad was the same, shivering man in his dream. The face he was making was completely unlike the one in the dream. The health bar that floated by Vlad’s health bar was only 25% depleted after that massive attack of over 50 wolves.

While he was still overcoming his shock, Vlad had already made his move. He had rushed forward and had grabbed one of the wolves. Then he did something extremely strange and gruesome: With a sickening ripping sound, Vlad used his hands to wrench the ribcage of the poor wolf apart. He was surrounded by spiraling red balls of light.

To Abrum’s horror, Vlad’s health bar began to fill again.

“Yula, Bula, Jula, fire off another volley, the rest of you, get your units back. We can’t have him regenerating his health.”

Responding quickly due to his Commander of Wolves skill, they complied and fired off another volley covering the retreat.

Jumping on Ugothir’s back he called out to the other guardians

“Lothir, Orthir, Bothir, you are with me. Hit and run tactics people. All the other guardians are on ranged duty. I want the wolves to secure a perimeter around the area. We don’t need any unneeded surprises.”

Again, due to his Commander of Wolves skill, all his orders were met with surprising efficiency. The guardians gave the orders to their respective units before running off to their positions. The wolves disappeared into the dead forest.

Riding upon Ugothir’s back, Abrum was rushed straight to Vlad the Ripper. Vlad turned his head and locked eyes with Abrum. They flashed red and Abrum found he couldn’t move from his position. Lothir attacked Vlad from behind with Purifying Paw as she ran past and the eye contact was broken for a split second.

Abrum found he could move his body again and jumped off of Ugothir and unsheathed and slashed his katana in the same motion. Vlad held up his forearm to block the slash and the vibrations from the strike went up Abrum’s arm. Abrum winced and used his strike to propel himself over the Ripper and land upon the back of Bothir who was passing after taking a swipe at the back of Vlad. Riding off, Lothir made her strike and rode off with the rest of the guardians. The rest of the guardians fired off their Holy Beams in quick succession, covering their retreat.

As they went, there was a little ding and Abrum smiled.

“Here comes the bang.” Muttered Abrum as the barrage began.

It was as if the heavens opened up and released their wrath.

The stars above seemed to rain down upon the poor vampire. The innumerable stars in the sky seemed to intensify in their brightness. The intensifying light rained down spears of light, piercing the vampire with their sharp points. Each piercing was accompanied by a flash of light and a dazzling explosion. They tore the earth around the vampire apart and pierced through the tower, an unstoppable destructive wave. As the smoke cleared, Abrum observed the nearly empty hp bar. Only a single sliver was left. However, the eyes that were supposed to hold defeat and despair only held joy.

“C-come closer… so I may tell you my story… and so the sacrifices of my people shall not be in vain…”

Thus Abrum approached the vampire to hear his story.