You weakly struggle under the woman’s grip, any semblance of strength nowhere to be found in your body.
[why do my arms and legs feel like lead!?]
Your desperate pleas sound foreign as they fall onto your ears.
“Wait! Please! JUST-“
You feel the dagger’s sharp edge ever so slightly prick your skin, slicing into your flesh with ease. The masked woman readjusts her grip as you flinch in pain, pulling your head back further. Tears run down your cheeks as you panic, feeling death’s touch slowly squeeze at your neck. Whatever hope you have left quickly starts to fade.
[Alcina…I’m sorry…]
All seems lost.
Until a long sword suddenly stabs through the woman’s neck.
The blade’s bloody edge just misses your face by a few inches. The woman’s grip loosens as she looks at the sword through her chest in horror. You instinctively begin squirming away, creating as much distance as you can. The dagger falls to the floor with a metal clang.
“How…ho-“ the assassin painfully gurgles as red liquid begins filling her mouth. Her blood quickly starts to drip down her chin, staining her all black ensemble. The woman’s hands shake as they move towards the blade, only for it to be violently pulled back. The assassin’s body ragdolls from the sheer amount of force use to pull the blade out. You shudder as her body collapses onto the floor. The assassin’s body now lays before you and a towering woman wielding the weapon that’s saved your life.
You silently look at the woman in shock, only for her to raise a thick eyebrow in response. The woman’s head is shorn on both sides, except for thick, jet black hair that covers the top, tied into a long braid. Your eyes travel over the large, diagonal scar that covers her freckled face. Her height and physique rival that of teacher’s, her build equally imposing and visibly muscular. The woman’s gaze is cold but so far, not threatening. You try to address her but then your eyes fall onto her sword.
You notice the blade has an inscription of some kind. You read the only part that isn’t hidden behind thick crimson.
(….In darkness your strength…)
It quickly dawns who stands before you, your voice cracks as you address her.
“ah! ZHERA!?”
Acknowledgment flashes over the woman’s eyes. She quickly unties your restrains and extends a large hand towards you.
Zhera’s voice is pleasantly low with a slight grit to it, “you must be her. Unfortunately, we don’t have time for pleasantries. We must go, now.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daniela grumbles under her breath, frustrated as she struggles to remember where she’s hidden her mother’s gift. The vampire ransacks the chest at the foot of her bed, weapons loudly hit the floor in response. The deeper the blonde searches, the less she finds.
“ARGH! WHERE DID I PUT!?” The vampire growls as she looks around the messy room, every inch covered in torture devices and deadly weapons. Daniela begins looking under her bed only to be interrupted by a roar in the distance.
“Mother?” Daniela immediately runs out of the space, only to find a pair of mysterious individuals at the end of her hallway. The vampire narrows her eyes as she takes in their presence. The “twins” are dressed in all black and wear wooden masks, both with an esoteric symbol carved into them. The men stand eerily still as their gaze falls onto the blonde.
Daniela’s look of annoyance quickly turns into stirred intrigue.
“Looks like a few pigs have broken out of the pen!” The blonde yells down the hallway, hoping to intimidate the men but their masks hide any reaction. Daniela cocks her head, accustomed to most cowering in her presence.
“No matter.” The vampire speaks under her breath, quickly lunging down the hallway.
The pair finally react, each quickly grabbing a crossbow that hangs off their belt. The young men begin releasing a slew of arrows, their movements fluid and steady. The assassins cover as much area as they can but their arrows are no match for Daniela. The vampire dodges with ease, going back and forth between her physical and swarm form.
One of the hunter’s yells in a foreign language to their comrade, “%$3@!**&^///%$!”
Their partner responds a brisk nod as they both give up on their crossbows, each instead pulling out fists full of needles. The assassins lunge the pins with expert precision. A few manage to graze Daniela’s body, the vampire hisses as her skin burns from the contact.
The pain slightly panics Daniela, the vampire decides last minute to gamble. The blonde changes direction and instead runs full speed against a nearby wall. Daniela ricochets herself off the wall, lunging herself at the ceiling. Before the assassins can react, the vampire pounces at them from overhead with inhuman speed.
“$%&6-“ One of the men yell as they push their partner out of the way at the last second. Daniela stabs through the remaining man with ease, impaling him with her hands alone. The assassin struggles to breathe as he weakly swipes at the vampire’s face.
“What’s that? Speak up pig, I can’t hear you” Daniela says facetiously as she points an ear towards the man, he answers with a painful wheeze. The assassin’s partner lifts his head at the scene, still struggling to get up.
The blonde brings the man closer to her ear, mocking him as she acknowledges his dying breaths “Mhm. Are you sure? Well, if you insist.”
Daniela rips the man in half as she pulls her hands apart.
“@#$%#$$$$$%%#!!” The man on the floor yells in horror.
The vampire shakes slabs of flesh of her hands, unconcerned of where they land. Daniela wipes bits of guts and dark fluids off her hands as she addresses the man on the floor.
“What? He told me to.” She smirks at the assassin.
The man’s horror quickly turns into blinding rage as he runs at the vampire with a dagger, his yells fill the air.
Daniela’s eyes widen as she quickly dodges the man’s strikes. The two fall into a deadly dance as the vampire humours the man’s rage.
The hunter’s frustration grows as he finds it difficult to keep up with the vampire’s speed and stamina.
“I’ve grown tired of you.” The vampire snarls before seizing the man by the neck. Daniela flashes her victim an eerie smile.
“Any last words, pig?” The blonde tightens her grip.
The man painfully struggles as he’s lifted into the air.
“D-dddd-do not-“Daniela’s interest peaks when an accented stutter comes from the mask.
“undddd-dderstimate us.” The hunter finishes as he rips his mask off, he begins coughing, about to throw up. Daniela reacts with disgust as she crushes the man’s windpipe before he can get sick. The vampire relaxes once she feels the hunter’s body go slack.
She releases a sigh until she hears something hit the floor with a thud. Confusion covers the vampire’s face as looks down and sees a metal ball.
“What the-“ Daniela narrows her eyes at the mysterious sphere, hearing a small ticking sound as she gets closer to it.
Before she can react, small needles suddenly pierce from the sphere’s exterior, immediately exploding in every direction.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“That’s….that’s not my name.” Alessia whispers while vigorously shaking her head.
The man dressed in wealthy clothing simply chuckles in response. “But It’s the name I gave you. A pretty name for a pretty girl.”
The man starts to make his way towards the redhead.
“My name..is Alessia!” The vampire yells while attempting to strike the man, only for her hand to easily be caught. Her eyes widen in shock. (how is this possible?!)
“Now, now, Annabelle. What did I tell you? You’re much more appealing with I can see you and not hear you.” The man squeezes the vampire’s wrist with strength akin to her mother’s. Alessia winces in pain as she falls to her knees. Any struggle is futile under the man’s grip.
The redhead looks around in a panic, seeing if there’s anywhere, she can run, anywhere she can hide. But all that surrounds them is an endless white void. Alessia is living her worst nightmare; believing alone with Richard with nowhere to hide.
“Now, what will the children think if they see their mother misbehaving in such a way?”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Zhera lifts you off the floor with ease.
“Come, the castle has been infiltrated by the Masked Hunters. We must get you somewhere safe before I can go on.” Zhera warns while gently pulling you by the arm.
You immediately shrug off her grip, pointing a finger at her. “Look, you may be as muscley as Lena said-“
Zhera can’t help but be taken aback by the unusual statement, looking at her arms for a split second in confusion.
Your demeanor becomes feral like as you finish your sentence, almost raising your voice at the warrior.
“But that doesn’t mean I’m going to helplessly SIT BACK and let you take on these intruders alone.”
Zhera takes notice of the edge in your voice, staying calm as yellows eyes suddenly look back at her. (So, Lena wasn’t lying. The child truly harbours lycan blood.)
The woman releases a small sigh. She closes her eyes and crosses her arms as she ponders your request for a few seconds.
“Very well. But we must go now, the women of this castle are powerful, but the reputation of the Masked Hunters proceed them in more ways than one.” She answers while matching your gaze, voice steady.
“Right, let’s go” You respond with a nod as you flash the woman a toothy grin. Any air of anger instantly disappears, leaving only an earnest attitude behind.
Zhera acknowledges your sudden change in demeanor with the smallest twitch of her eye, choosing not to comment. (Hopefully she’s more stable than she seems…)
The warrior instead begins leading you down the narrow hallway.
You both quickly walk in silence until your curiosity gets the better of you.
“Not that I’m not happy to see you Zhera…but why are you here? Did you know this attack was going to happen?”
The woman’s expression darkens as she looks away, the slightest hint of a blush tinges her cheeks.
“O-of course not! I just…it’s not relevant. We need to focus on the mission right now.” The woman stumbles over her words, attempting to shut you down. You simply look back at her with an incredulous stare. The image of the foreboding warrior starts to crack at the seams.
Zhera raises an arched eyebrow at you, her expression intimidating. But her intimidation is compromised by her obvious blush. You instead raise both of your eyebrows in response.
The towering woman finally gives in with a heavy sigh.
“I….sometimes after celebrations Lena will invite me to..stay the night afterwards. I have snuck into the castle on various occasions.”
You immediately widen your eyes at the warrior as you process her confession. Zhera narrows her eyes in response, daring you to comment further and you simply look away, fighting back a smile. […thank the gods for Lena’s libido.]
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daniela gasps as she attempts to guard her face from the deadly needles, her arms the primary barrier. Unfortunately, metal pierces her skin at every angle.
The vampire hisses in pain, spitting profanities as she looks over her body, feeling like a pin cushion.
“Fucking pigs..” The blonde grumbles as she slams the assassin’s body against the floor.
Almost instantly, the vampire’s body starts to feel weaker. Feeling she has little time; she begins making her way towards her mother’s yell.
The vampire winces as she pulls out a needle lodged under her right eye, feeling a sting in the aftermath.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Phillips silently studies Alcina.
The matriarch starts to tear up, genuinely upset by her imaginary conversation. Alcina begins repeatedly muttering “I’m sorry”.
The hunter watches the vampire with an incredulous look, confused by how quickly she wiped out most his squad, only to now be reduced to a sobbing mess in a manner of minutes.
The vampire’s changed demeanor is reflected in the surrounding space.
The once stunning foyer now looks like a no man’s land. Broken furniture and chunks of marble cover the area. A fresh coat of blood paints the room as limbs and discarded bodies litter the floor in every corner the eye could see.
Some of the remaining hunters watch Alcina, prepared to strike if the vampire somehow escapes her delusion. Others instead attempt to nurse their now fallen squad mates, the few that have an inkling of surviving their gruesome injuries.
The hunters’ pause as they hear Phillips’ voice echo across the room.
“As happy as I would be to allow you to wallow in your own personal hell, I think it’s time I finally ended this.” The hunter heavily breathes as he takes the dagger off his belt.
A few eyes narrow while others widen as Phillips cuts a symbol into his hand with the blade. The blood that drips from the man’s hand instantly turns black and becomes acid like as it burns through the floor.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
“These hunters are not to be underestimated. They hunt those with a supernatural disposition for profit. Using ancient knowledge and arcane weaponry to kill their targets.”
Zhera explains as you both maneuver through the castle.
“Forgive me for asking, but do you not hunt supernatural creatures for profit?”
The woman shows no offence to your question, only slightly shaking her head. “We only share a thin line of connection. I am first and foremost a mercenary. My clients livelihood and safety are often threatened by a supernatural creature. The Masked Hunters instead do business with collectors of exotic trade and the esoteric black market. The price for Alcina alone could easily fund several armies.”
You nod as you try to process the weight of your situation, trying to stay calm.
“There are blacksmiths that specialize in making weapons from the material of supernatural creatures. A set of vampire fangs could easily be crafted into a near indestructible blade, perfect for hunting.”
You feel comfortable enough to continue asking questions, “do you have a weapon like that?”
“No. Even before meeting Lena, I never felt comfortable with the idea. My blade is made from anointed steel. It’s metal that can disable a supernatural creature’s strengths or abilities.”
You immediately perk up at the comment.
“That woman’s bolas! I wonder if they were made from the same steel. I felt incredibly weak, and I couldn’t hear my inner…wolf?” You wait for Zhera’s reaction, unsure if you’ll need to explain further.
The mercenary acknowledges your statement with nod, “most likely yes. I have no doubt the Masked Hunters came prepared with weapons made of anointed steel. Luckily, the effects are reversed once the metal is taken from the body.”
“Phew, that’s good to hear.”
An awkward silence starts to set in once the conversation ends. Zhera seems to have no issue with it as she scopes out the areas ahead.
You begin fidgeting with your fingers as you try to fill the quiet.
“So….”
The mercenary looks down at you.
“…..Lena huh.” You flash the woman a playful wink.
“We are not discussing my relationship with her.”
“Understood.”
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Daniela finally makes her way to a balcony overseeing the foyer.
The vampire’s body feels sluggish and heavy. Daniela feels her supernatural strength fleeting as she holds on to a nearby pillar to support her weight.
“Great….were those needles poisoned or something?” She frowns as she looks over the balcony.
On the ground floor, she immediately notices her mother’s transformed state, The blonde’s gaze narrows as she takes in the bloody space and the bodies that cover it.
(The fools never stood a chance against her…but Mother, why aren’t you moving?)
Daniela grimaces as her head pounds. She slowly pulls another needle from her scalp, instantly feeling less pressure. She gently rubs the spot, trying to relieve the sting.
The vampire’s eyes widen as she catches another familiar face.
(It’s that hunter! The one the human shot with an arrow..)
Daniela’s heart instantly drops to her stomach.
“Oh gods….they’re back for revenge…”
She feels a chill down her spine as realization dawns on her.
(This is all my fault….)
The blonde immediately blames herself, well aware her blood lust attracted the attention of the original attack. She hits the pillar with a closed fist, too weak to even create a crack in it.
(Oh gods, where are Lena and Alessia? What about the human? I need to go find them.)
“I can’t let them die because of my mistake” She whispers to herself.
Unfortunately, the vampire feels far too weak to go any further. Daniela instead slides down the pillar and rests against it, watching the scene below as she attempts to pull out more needles from her body.
“I’m sorry everyone……….this is all …my fault.”
Daniela closes her eyes as she starts to feel nauseous.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Phillips’ hand tremors as his bones starts to crack and reshape themselves. The hunter simply starts to laugh as his once blackened hand begins to instantly rot. The remaining squad members can only watch in horror as Phillips laugh slowly becomes louder and more maniacal.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Zhera’s ears immediately perk up at the echoing laugh. She begins pulling you in the direction of the sound. You allow yourself to be led as you both quicken your pace.
Anxiety starts fills you as the sound gets louder and louder the closer you get to it. What once sounded human starts to morph into a low almost nightmarish guffaw.
(Gods..what could make such a sound?)
You and your companion soon find yourself on top of the large staircase overlooking the castle’s foyer. Your eyes widen as you take in the gruesome scene before you.
The space below is filled to brim with death and destruction. Stacks of bodies litter the floor while bodily fluids cover the walls. The once ornate space is covered in debris and sections of the floor are completely demolished, only craters left behind.
On a balcony up above, Daniela notices you and the mercenary as she forces an eye open.
“…Zhera? Human?”
Near the castle’s entrance you notice a large bat? Harpy? creature whimpering. You’ve never seen such a beast before, you should feel fear at its sight and yet, you feel pity for it. The monster seems to be crying as it’s answers thin air. Its melancholic sobs are drowned out by the thundering laugh. You also notice the absurd number of arrows sticking out of the harpy’s body.
“…gods”
Zhera looks at you as you whisper in horror. But you quickly realize the horrors are only beginning as your eyes falls on a “familiar” face. The distorted chuckle is coming from the very hunter you shot in the shoulder.
Down below, the hunter continues to desperately laugh as his anatomy begins to transform. The human’s natural skin tone changes into soured flesh. But what is most terrifying is how his limbs violently shudder as his body stretches in size. Disturbing crunches fill the air as the hunter’s bones break and realign themselves. The transformation leaves you in shock as the man is now replaced with a beast closer in size to the bat creature. The humanoid beast looks like a giant brough back from the dead, flesh rotten with protruding veins.
The terrifying scene panics Daniela enough to start pulling more needles from her body. The vampire worries her human companions won’t be able to fight off such a creature if it spots them. (Damn these needles! You idiots better stay put!)
Zhera simply narrows her eyes, unfamiliar with the nature of the rotted beast down below. A few members of the Masked Hunters remain nearby, some immediately flee the scene while others stay in place, too stunned to move.
The humanoid smiles at his monstrous hands, his voice incredibly deep and distorted.
“Finally, a form worthy of me.”
The air is completely silent as everyone watches the monster.
The humanoid turns his attention to the harpy, flashing it a large toothy grin.
“Now stop your crying, Lady Dimitrescu. I haven’t forgotten about you.”
You feel your heart stop.
“Alcina?!” You gasp in shock.
“I wasn’t aware Alcina could change forms…” Zhera says but her voice is immediately drowned out by your inner one.
[“I FEEL IT, YOU WANT TO KILL- LET ME HELP YOU!”]
[DO IT!]
[“EHEHE FINALLY! FREEDOM!!!”]
A pulse runs through your body as the world around you disappears. Your vision goes dark as you feel energy unlike anything before start to flow through you. Every nerve ending in your body is awakened to an extreme. You finally relax as you allow the other entity deep within take control.