Virtue was determined. She knew she needed to grow stronger, earn more Kudos, and quickly if she had any chance of saving her sister, Faith. So, when a dangerous job appeared on her Paragon app, a rush delivery into the heart of Lambeth Marshes, she accepted it without hesitation. The Controller's voice had cautioned her that it wouldn't be easy, but Virtue didn't have the luxury of picking the easy jobs anymore.

Her first stop was Little Compton Street, a hidden thoroughfare devoted entirely to alchemists, enchanters, and witchcraft supplies. The street seemed to pulse with strange energies, the air heavy with the scents of dried herbs, candle wax, and odd spices. Shops lined either side of the narrow lane, their windows filled with jars of preserved animal parts, powders, and glowing crystals. Virtue dismounted the carriage and stepped into the apothecary shop, the sign above the door reading "The Verdant Phial."

Inside, the air was even thicker with the scent of herbs, and Virtue’s eyes adjusted to the dim, smoky interior. Shelves crammed with strange bottles and dusty tomes lined the walls. An elderly woman, hunched over with age, appeared from behind the counter, her eyes sharp and appraising. She handed Virtue a small box, wrapped in deep green velvet and tied with a shimmering silver thread.

“This is for Tamesis,” the woman said, her voice creaky like an old door hinge. “Deliver it safely, and you’ll be rewarded. But mind the Marshes, young one. They’re full of dangers.”

Virtue nodded, taking the package and tucking it securely inside her satchel. She felt a slight chill run down her spine, but she brushed it off, heading back outside to where Saveloy waited, snorting impatiently.

“Package secured?” Saveloy asked as Virtue climbed into the driver’s seat.

“Yeah. Let’s go,” Virtue replied, flicking the reins. They set off, the wheels of the carriage rattling over the cobblestones as they left Little Compton Street behind, heading towards the ominous expanse of the Lambeth Marshes.

The marshes were thick with fog, and the narrow path they traveled seemed to twist and turn of its own accord. Dark waters lay on either side of the raised trail, choked with reeds and strange, sickly-looking lilies. The air was heavy with moisture, the smell of decay mingling with the pungent scent of marsh plants. Virtue kept her eyes on the path, her knuckles white as she gripped the reins.

The first sign of trouble came in the form of flickering lights—small, bobbing orbs of pale blue and green that appeared on either side of the path, floating just above the surface of the murky water. Virtue narrowed her eyes. “Will-o'-the-wisps,” she muttered. “They’re trying to lead us off the path.”

The wisps began to move faster, swirling around the carriage in an eerie dance. They were joined by larger, more menacing jack-o'-lanterns—fiery orbs with sinister grins, their flames crackling as they whirled around Virtue and Saveloy, trying to force them off the narrow trail and into the swampy depths.

“Not today!” Virtue shouted, reaching for the blunderbuss. She aimed at the nearest wisp, her hands trembling slightly as she pulled the trigger. The blunderbuss roared, the shot blasting the wisp apart in a flash of light.

Saveloy whinnied, his hooves stamping nervously as the jack-o'-lanterns closed in, their grinning faces flickering with malice. Virtue fired again and again, each shot dispelling another of the glowing threats. Her heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline flooding her veins. She could hear the mournful wails of bog-wights below, their skeletal hands reaching up from the murky waters, desperate to drag her and the carriage down.

A message flashed in her vision—New Skill Unlocked: Sharpshooter. Increased accuracy with ranged weapons.

Virtue gritted her teeth, the skill seeming to settle into her muscles, guiding her aim. She fired once more, the shot striking a jack-o'-lantern dead center, shattering it in a burst of sparks. The remaining wisps and jack-o'-lanterns scattered, fading back into the mist.

Virtue let out a shaky breath, her hands relaxing slightly on the reins. “We did it, Saveloy,” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling through the reeds.

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“Barely,” Saveloy replied, his voice tight with tension. “Let’s get out of here before they decide to come back for round two.”

The castle of Tamesis loomed ahead, a dark silhouette against the misty sky. Its towers rose high, their stone surfaces covered in ivy, the windows glowing faintly with an eerie green light. Virtue guided the carriage to a stop outside the gate, dismounting and approaching the entrance. The heavy wooden doors creaked open on their own, revealing a shadowy interior.

A voice called out from within, smooth and commanding. “Enter, courier. I’ve been expecting you.”

Virtue stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. The interior of the castle was unlike anything she had imagined—lush tapestries hung from the walls, depicting scenes of rivers and forests, while strange trinkets and jars filled with glowing substances lined the shelves. In the center of the room, seated at a grand table, was Tamesis.

The witch was tall and regal, her hair dark as night and her eyes an unnatural shade of green that seemed to shimmer like the waters of the Thames. She wore a gown of deep blue, embroidered with silver thread that caught the light. She gestured for Virtue to approach, her lips curving into a slight smile.

“You have something for me, I presume?” Tamesis asked, her voice echoing slightly in the cavernous hall.

Virtue nodded, retrieving the velvet-wrapped package from her satchel and handing it to the witch. Tamesis took it, her long fingers brushing over the silver thread as she untied it. She opened the box, her eyes flickering with satisfaction as she examined its contents—though Virtue couldn’t see what lay inside.

“Thank you, dear,” Tamesis said, her gaze lifting to meet Virtue’s. “You’ve done well to make it here unscathed. Few do.”

Virtue swallowed, her voice hesitant. “I was wondering if... if you could help me. I’m looking for information about a group called Nosferum. Their leader, Keiros... I need to know where they are, what they’re planning.”

Tamesis regarded her for a long moment, her eyes narrowing slightly. Then she nodded, gesturing to a chair across from her. “Sit, child. I will tell you what I know, but first, you must have tea. It’s not often I receive visitors who aren’t trying to kill me.”

Virtue sat, her curiosity piqued as Tamesis poured tea from a delicate porcelain pot. The scent of herbs filled the air, and Virtue took the offered cup, sipping cautiously. The warmth spread through her, easing some of the tension that had settled in her bones during the journey.

“The Nosferum are a dangerous cult, driven by a hunger for power and blood,” Tamesis began, her voice low. “Keiros is their leader—a vampire of considerable age and strength. He’s cunning, ruthless, and he’s been building his forces for some time now. The Blood Moon is a powerful event, one that will allow them to perform a ritual of great significance.”

Virtue’s heart clenched at the mention of the Blood Moon. “A ritual? What kind of ritual?”

Tamesis’ eyes darkened, her expression grave. “A ritual to strengthen their power, to bring more of their kind through the veil between worlds. The girl they’ve taken—your sister, I assume—she is to be their sacrifice. They believe that by offering her life under the Blood Moon, they can open a gateway to bring forth an army.”

Virtue set her cup down, her hands trembling. “How do I stop them?”

Tamesis smiled, though there was no warmth in it. “You grow stronger, child. You gather allies, and you prepare for what lies ahead. The Nosferum are not to be underestimated, but they can be fought. You will need all the strength you can muster, and perhaps, a bit of luck as well.”

Virtue nodded, determination settling deep within her. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “I won’t let them succeed.”

Tamesis inclined her head. “Good. Now, take care on your way back. The Marshes are treacherous, and the path is not always kind to those who walk it.”

Tamesis reached into her robe and pulled out a small talisman, a silver pendant shaped like an intricate knot with a faintly glowing stone at its center. She handed it to Virtue, her eyes meeting the young woman's with a hint of seriousness.

"This talisman is powered by moonlight and the river Thames," Tamesis explained. "Tonight is a full moon. You must place it in the Thames to charge it. Only then will it give you protection against the Nosferum, those vile creatures of the night. But remember, its power will fade, and you will need to recharge it under the moonlight regularly."

Virtue looked down at the talisman, her fingers brushing over its intricate design. "Will it really protect me from them?"

Tamesis nodded, though her expression remained solemn. "It will give you some protection, yes. Enough to keep you safe for a time. But be wary—vampires are cunning, and their power is not easily thwarted. The talisman will not make you invincible."

Virtue paused, a question forming on her lips. "What about garlic? Crosses? Those sorts of things?"

Tamesis laughed, the sound echoing through the chamber, full of amusement. "Garlic? Crosses? Mere myths, I’m afraid. They hold no power here. The Nosferum laugh at such things. You will need real strength, real magic, and the will to fight if you want to stand a chance against them."

"Take the amulet," Tamesis said. "It will offer you some protection, a shield against the dark forces you will face. But remember, it is not invincible. Use it wisely."

Virtue took the talisman, feeling the cool metal against her palm. She nodded, gratitude in her eyes. "Thank you," she said quietly.

Virtue rose, bowing slightly before turning to leave.