The blood needles descended. At first, they were slow, but soon left a crimson trail. With earth magic I raised two thick rock walls to make a tent cover.

But then, through these solid walls, light spots appeared. I wanted to look down and see the damage, but the ghouls held me tight. I struggled, but their cold hands turned harder.

More blood needles pierced the rocks, and a cold sensation spread through my body. Desperate, I created a fireball and made it stand on a ghoul’s hands, but it did nothing. I increased the heat’s intensity, but again, I only managed to burn myself.

But I didn’t have a choice. I continued to let the fire burn and endured the heat. Soon my skin no longer felt hot, but cold…My magic dispersed. The rock cover crumbled and buried me under a layer of pebbles.

With each breath I took, my lungs were filled with all sorts of particles and my consciousness flickered.

#

Derick’s POV – Ten years ago

Three hundred years. Three hundred fucking years. I couldn’t believe it myself, but it happened. The oppressing power of that lich had dispersed.

I clenched my hands, my blood returned to the tips of my fingers, but fog still clouded my mind.

That didn't matter, I’d now seize what I wanted. But first I had to find my footing. I got up. The soil and air were moist; I was in a cave.

Outside, the moon was high. Cold air brushed through my hair which reached down to my waist. I passed my hand over my hair. My hair shrunk down to the level of my eyes.

I floated up into the air but soon floated back down. My body was stiff, tired, and heavy. My mouth was dry, burning, and soar. I closed my eyes and smelled the surroundings. There wasn’t anything. No blood.

Couldn’t I have woken up anywhere further from a village? I hobbled over to a tree and broke off a branch to use as a walking stick. I could fly but a nice walk would loosen up my body. Sleeping for a night was great, but three hundred years was a bit too much.

#

I wiped crimson off my lips. The blood of villagers didn’t taste too good, but it would do. They were just animals after all. I could only imagine the meals vampires could enjoy back on the continent.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

I took a small blade, drew it across my palm, and flung my blood in all directions. I hadn’t even seen a single beast on this continent. The lich must have done something. He was probably afraid of other beings awakening and challenging his rule. But how did he do so? And if that was the case, how did such a cautious being die after just three centuries?

Had Janal struck a separate deal with him? We hadn’t spoken of anything of the sorts on our way to the island, so I still didn’t know what her mission was for her to betray the imperial family.

But I did know mine. One thousand gods’ favours. With it, I could become a being myself.

#

People were too carefree on this island.

“You’re dressed quite well aren’t you,” I muttered while tightening the man’s restraints. “What’s your name if I may ask?”

While the man got his bearings, I looked through my robes and searched for any kind of poison or acid. My vials were all empty. Fucking hell, I must have used them all on the continent. I didn’t even know the fauna of these lands. I’d need to ask an apothecary.

The man continued to scream and mumble words.

“Answer me.” I pressed my blade on his neck. I removed the cloth from his mouth.

“I’m Duke William of Freed! If you think you’ll get away with this, you’re mad.” I stuffed his mouth back with the cloth.

People are so obstinate. That's why I always needed my potions. But… this guy was just an animal.

Did I need to torment him to gather information? I wasn’t trying to take him over. Well, I could spare one day to weaken his psyche a bit.

I passed my knife along his ear. Blood flowed down his neck. Each hour that passed, I passed my blade over his ear until it fell off.

I cleaned off the blood from the blade and cut my hand. I let my blood flow into his mouth and watched his ear grow back.

His tears stopped and the pain which tore at his face retreated.

“Now, will you answer me?”

He vehemently nodded. Struggling to breathe with a snot filled nose and a stuffed mouth.

“Then speak,” I implored.

He didn’t. He couldn’t. That would be too easy for the duke.

I passed my knife over his ear once again. Only after the fifth stroke did I take out the cloth from his mouth.

I repeated my actions.

“I’m sorry, on my title I swear to do anything you want.”

It seems he’d never been beset with difficulties for him to give up so quickly. I stuffed his mouth closed and carved out his ear once again. After giving him a bit more of my blood I went outside and sat down on a nicely carved bench I bought from a carver in the outer district of this man’s territory.

There were no clouds present to dim the moonshine.

I had searched all around, yet I hadn’t found any beast transforming crystals. This wasn’t normal, I needed them to make beasts. I needed ghouls to do my bidding and most important of all, I needed to transform one of Rosalia’s descendants into something worth my time.

I went back in and fed the duke another round of my blood. He didn’t resist it at all now. I pressed my hand on his stomach, leading the blood he’d ingested into the area, and pushed it into his brain. I disconnected from my body and entered his memories.