Crimson Campaign - Chapter 6

Dragging the monster was long and cumbersome. The mob had clearly done good. With the culprit behind the recent disappearances in tow, they could rid Răscruce of a great evil, and take some accomplishment in doing so. Teodosie seemed apprehensive, but it was no matter.

The vampire twitched, thrashed and snarled. The people in town who say it were horrified. Those that managed to see it when the sunlight grazed its face when subjected to hearing its awful shrieks and disintegrating face.

This would surely show the town that they were correct. Some members of the crowd were sent to inform the viscount and Father Gheorghe. They must see this thing to be certain of it themselves.

After traveling enough distance, and spending a lot of time shooing away the various onlookers and refugees that filled the streets, the mob had stopped. A cross and pyre were hastily constructed, as the enchained vampire was set to be hoisted upon it.

“I didn’t think we would be heroes today, huh Teodosie?”

“I suppose. I just want this thing gone.” The vampire’s blue eye glared at him. His blood ran cold, his fingers still primed to let an arrow loose for good measure. He dared not think if the other eye was just as bad.

“By the way,” Teodosie asked the mob member. “Where is that foreign guy, Raphael?”

“Oh him. Me and some of the guys tied him up and left him in the shack.”

Teodosie’s eyebrow raised. “Why the hell would you do that?”

“Maybe he was lying, maybe he was working with this thing. Couldn’t take any chances.”

Teodosie argued back. “If he was telling the truth, then he could at least tell us more later.” He furrowed his brow, novices always made things more difficult. “Well, at least get him back here in one piece soon, alright, I’m staying to watch this thing die.”

The mob member had a sheepish look. “Yeah, ‘bout that. We also figured since that house had the plague, and he was living there, and he was helping a fucking vampire. We, kinda, sorta, locked him in and set it on fire.”

Teodosie’s eyes widened. “What the hell were you thinking? We can’t go to Gheorghe or the viscount with a corpse and say ‘this is all we got’! If he was telling even the slightest bit of truth, then we should be prepared because of it. What were you thinking?!”

The yelling had not helped the poor man’s reevaluation of his deeds. Teodosie sighed. These people were stupid as shit. But the deed was done. He could spot smoke form where the abandoned house was. That man was left to a horrible fate. He didn’t seem wicked. But what could he do now to help him. He was only a man.

The crowd had nearly finished the pyre, with the vampire’s snarling still going strong. The sunset blasted it’s face with light; the clouds could no longer protect it. Now, only the forest offered some shade. The viscount and Gheorghe had fucking better get her soon or they would miss this.

Teodosie noted the cowardly man next to him with more on his person than before. Two large knives in holsters. They definitely weren’t there before.

“And where did you get those?”

“Uhh, umm. From the outsider.” It was clearly not willing transaction or lending. The idiots were set on killing that Raphael fellow from the outset. Sure, taking prizes is one thing, Teodosie championed that proudly. But doing so before finishing a hunt. Not at all.

He bit his tongue. That man was no hunt. Yet butchered all the same.

He took the knives off the man and checked them himself. Well-maintained, yet lots of signs of use. Bigger than ordinary daggers, these were instruments of an experienced hunter. Serrated edges for sawing or very serious injuries. Raphael was no ordinary man. Either the morons were right to kill him, or they just lost a very valuable asset against monsters.

The sunlight burned the vampire, yet it continued to live. It was quite persistent, but that ought to end soon. The viscount and Gheorghe hadn’t shown up yet. But letting this thing live any longer was a danger to all.

What to do. Teodosie was not used to these decisions. He was no leader. He told himself as such, so it must be.

He gave the order. “Burn it.” The pyre was lit, as the wood burned with the monster in tow. Soon, it should be over.

A wail echoed from across town. All present to witness the holocaust of the vampire turned in response, their victory no longer seeming assured. The shrieks of the vampire held for only a moment, dampened by the flames that surrounded it. Something was very, very wrong.

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Running, running, and more running. Catching one’s breath was difficult after inhaling more smoke than one could reasonably expect. But he ran all the same. He followed the trail of smoke in the sky, the gray vapors thankfully visible against a now much clearer orange sky.

He made his choice; it was best to see it through.

Screams and yelling could be heard as he approached the town. All too similar to Zori. All too similar, and it could only mean one thing. Well, two, perhaps.

Raphael ran towards the smoke. The whole town wasn’t on fire, so that was a start. But as he approached, he saw people panicking. A crowd that had formed, of Răscruce natives and refugees alike, had scattered or were in the process of scattering. Their object of celebration was a pyre in progress of completing its phlogiston. A familiar voice escaped the flames. Its owner was unfortunately needed now more than ever.

He approached, his attention caught off guard by something in his periphery. He swore he thought he saw something fly in the air across town, high up, before coming back down. Was that a person?

His dip in concentration obscured his scrutiny, as a member of the mob still present, saw him. “It’s him. That monster’s keeper is alive!” Many eyes were drawn elsewhere thanks to the sounds and commotion form across the town, but those that heard peered towards him. This would not be good.

“It’s more complicated than that!” Shrieks and people fleeing towards the pyre direction increased with each second. What would have been quite the spectacle was naught a point of conversation. One’s safety took precedence over entertainment.

A roar could be heard, echoing in the air and reverberating in one’s ears. Raphael’s fears were true.

He spotted the pyre. IT was going strong, but the vampire clearly continued to struggle. Its head was burnt black, the hair singed away. But it continued to move, and continued to scream. Placing his hopes in it was a terrible idea. Not that there was a better alternative.

Sounds of wind and a crack of thunder broke the contemplation. It was a clear day, yet it seemed the weather had grown frightful as well?

Now wasn’t the time. Raphael approached the pyre, as members of the crowd got in his way. “Move or help those who are fleeing. Now is not the time for this.”

He could see in their eyes. No thoughts, just emotional reaction. He was the pariah, the outcast, outsider, nothing to be trusted. To be shunned and interfered with. God forbid something exponentially worse be right behind them.

But he stood his ground all the same, and stepped closer. More sounds of strange phenomena occurred elsewhere, yet could be felt even here. A few people bottled, to what end was unknown. But a few remained stalwart in their stubbornness. Stubbornness was the kind way of putting it.

“Do you know what is going on?” Teodosie was there. He had his knives on him. At least they were accounted for.

“I don’t have a damn clue, otherwise you cannot hope to fight whatever is out there. Help me get this thing loose, or we all die.” Raphael cut to the chase. No hesitation would be had now. He glared at the hunter, whose eyes mixed fear with pragmatism.

“Sorry, I’m not letting this thing free.” Teodosie turned to head towards whatever catastrophe was unfolding.

Raphael yelled out, “Then give me back my knives!” Other members of the crowd got in his way.

But Teodosie just ran. Was he foolish or arrogant? Only God knew at this point. No point asking him.

Raphael pushed the people aside. One tried to grapple him, but Raphael struck him in the throat with his elbow. The man went down to catch his breath. A cathartic reciprocation indeed.

How to help the vampire was the question. And he had no time to spare.

Teodosie ran. His arrows were ready; he had stopped by his place for more supplies. He could handle whatever this is, at least enough to buy time.

People had fled more and more; others seemed to be hiding in buildings. What was going on out there?

He nearly turned a corner before stopping himself. Sounds were quieter here, as windows were shut in the buildings and no one was out in the once overcrowded streets. The silence was deafening. All aside from a crunching sound. It was crunchy, with hard cracks mixing with soft tearing of wet material. Teodosie knew the sounds of a predator eating its prey. Going through the bones as well though. That wasn’t normal at all.

He peeked his head over to glimpse what being would feast at a time like this. In the middle of the street were bodies strewn about, limbs bent and broken. Corpses haphazardly arranged, like rocks tossed by a kid over toys. A woman’s body could be seen dangling from a roof nearby. It fell to the ground, a wet sound emanating from the impact.

Teodosie put his hand over his mouth, so as to not make any noise. The thing that scared him most was the creature. That thing in the middle. It looked like it had human arms. But there were many of them. Multitudes, too many to ever be on a person. Some were bigger, some longer. Some extended to the ground, placing massive palms against the earth. He continued to observe. The arms connected to different points by a singular area, what looked to be the back of a torso. A torso belonging to a large humanoid shape. Legs dangled, barely clothed. The chest was covered in blood as more of the arms lifted up a corpse and brought it to the head of the creature. A gangly mouth opened and ate the carcass, the flesh bone and skin all being chewed. Pieces were spit out, as blood oozed from the maw. Its tongue licked the lips. It seemed to savor the blood. Much like the vampire. Its wild hair covered its face, whatever it had close to one. As the arms grabbed another body from meters away, and brought it closer.

Teodosie felt his heart drop. Was this a demon? Was Gheorghe’s bullshit actually on to something? What the hell should he do? What could he do?

Observe and decide. Whatever it was, that many limbs would certainly be a hindrance on its balance. It would have to be slow. His only weapon against it would be a long-range encounter. Would it give chase? Would it flee? Considering it entered town and killed these people; the second option did not seem likely.

He knew this town. He could hide, and come up with some kind of strategy. Better to take initiative. He stepped out from behind the cover, and let loose an arrow to its head.

The arrow struck true, not piercing the skull, but landing right in the creature’s neck. Blood spurted out, as the creature’s head turned towards him. Oh God, it had a human face. Like a human man’s but twisted and contorted, with like the skin was being pulled apart and the jaw extending past the limits of a human skull. Twisted and malignant, its maw wide, with sharp teeth visible. Yet it did not smile.

He fired more and more arrows, as fast as he could. One of its arms pulled out the arrow, while more of its hands were outstretched. They grasped when the arrows flew by. The creature slowly approached as its massive hands walked it forward.

Teodosie kept firing. The monster closed the distance very slowly. He was certain he could outrun it. He watched the hands clasp whenever an arrow shot past it. Some of the other hands made strange configurations with their positioning and fingers. He kept firing, more arrows piercing the torso. Yet it did not appear to slow. Blood trickled from the wounds, yet pain did not hinder it.

Teodosie had few arrows left. Best make them count. He fired, straight for the fucking thing’s face. The arrow flew straight, and never met its target. One of the hands held it before the creature’s face, and broke it. It flew to the floor, limp and useless.

He fired everything he had left. Each projectile claimed one by one, rendered useless without effort. The last arrow left his fingers, but did nothing all the same. Sweat drenched his head, and he felt a cold seep into his bones.

He turned; he could break line of sight. He could regroup with somebody. But his muscles froze. He could not move. His ankles were in the middle of twisting, and yet nothing happened beyond that. His vision faced away from the creature, towards the rest of town. He could see no one else. Suddenly, his field of view shifted, the earth close to his face. He felt cold. He could not feel his feet. He could not feel anything. His muscles barely responded, his breath slowed rapidly.

What was happening? What was going on? He could hear something pounded, something quickly approaching from behind. He did not know what it was. He heard a loud crack, like ice on a pond. But it wasn’t winter yet. He couldn’t feel his body. His eyes saw the town horizontal. But his head was lifted from the ground. Was someone helping him up?

The last thing he saw was the maw of the monster devouring the sunset in front of him.

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Burning. Flames. Light. Pain. Death.

Everything bombarded her all at once. And yet it never ended. The metal holding her in place glowed red, and her vision was filled in the orange glow of the inferno.

She pulled on the chains. They still tore at her neck with what little force she could muster. Her body being entombed in chains impeded any and all action.

Her screams were all that was left. The hunger commanded her, yet she could not move anymore.

Would she die here? Would the pain stop?

She did not know.

She tried thinking, like her human. He wasn’t here. But thinking hurt. But not as much as burning in flame and being destroyed by the light. The wicked sun’s rays of annihilation coated her face. But, the forest in the horizon offered some respite, if it set soon perhaps that would be enough to stop the light.

It would not stop the flames however.

Thinking still wasn’t helping. She was in pain. She was hungry. So very hungry.

The humans that had placed her here were running. Their twisted amusement was not worth it anymore. Some humans had screamed somewhere else, and that was enough to make them flee. She cared not for the reason.

But a scent caught her attention. The flames and the light had destroyed her face, her nose barely working anymore. It was blood. There was so much blood to be had. She smiled in the pain. If only she could be free.

Another scent hit her. Something different, yet hers all the same. Something to reclaim. Hers and hers alone.

Her grin widened, as she laughed. She would not die here. She pushed against the chains once more, damage to herself be damned.

Above the sounds, she thought she heard something. She tried to look and discern with broken eyes what was happening. A human was still present, not running like rest. It was moving about, grabbing objects of various kinds.

Different smells appeared and lingered. Dirty water, shit from humans or animals, wood being smashed or tumbled. The burning continued, as she felt no heat. Only pain. Always the pain. Always?

She swore she heard a voice. “Help me or give it to me!” What it meant, she did not know.

She then felt a shake. The post she was bound to shifted. Again, and again. The pain had lessened somewhat, and something covered her face.

“Heal yourself however you can. I’ll get you out soon.” She smiled. Her human had returned. He was useful after all.

The post shook more and more. Her face healed in the safety of the darkness. She felt the blood pool within her and ooze out, covering her and healing all it covered. She blinked, able to see fully once more.

A cloth or something was over her face. She was still burning, but the flames appeared to be lessened. Her vision shifted as she flew, the cloth falling off into the flames. She landed face first in the pyre, as she then found herself tumbling, being hit by the light for a moment before kissing the ground, and so on, and so on.

She pulled at the chains once more. They still would not budge. The light hit her face once more, as she could see her human run off quickly. She snarled, as he returned, standing between the sun and her. He dropped an axe in one hand and tossed water from a bucket onto the chains. The water seeped through and it scalded her skin. She barely felt it, but it would have to heal anyways.

Her human looked at her, as she glared at him.

She was hungry.

HuNGrY.

HUNGRY.

He touched the chains, as somehow through his human thinking, pulled and twisted them. She struggled against them, and suddenly, they gave way. Pieces of link broke off as she pushed against them. The rest fell off of her, as the human stared.

Without hesitation, she lunged, biting him and claimed her prize. She was so hungry. And yet he provided.

But he pushed her off. “You want your blood? Get up and get it.” He was right. He was always so very right. The hunger barely lessened. But it could wait. She could smell her piece elsewhere. It must be hers.

He grabbed her arm, and she snarled at him in return “Only eat the corpses. Okay. Do not attack anyone alive. You can eat from the dead, alright?” He was telling her what to do. She was hungry. She needed blood. NOW.

But blood was blood. She could always find the living later. The dead had fresh blood, but only if she was fast. Her human had so many good ideas.

She ran, straight towards what was hers to reclaim. She cared not for her human’s words behind her. But she felt something from his actions. What was this? It was strange. It wasn’t hunger. What was it? Didn’t matter. Food was forward, and forward she went.

And, it left him behind. Again. There had been considerable silence where he tried to free the vampire. But more screams had broken it now. Something was happening again.

There was no time to waste. He was weaponless, and Răscruce was now either deserted or in complete panic. He could only press forward, and not get cocky.

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Raphael ran like hell. The vampire had begun healing and likely went to feast on whatever poor souls that had perished already. If this was another blood-gem-created monster, then casualties were guaranteed. But he was weaponless and clueless. Neither brawns nor brawn would function like this. Not like he had much of the latter to begin with.

He followed the trail of carnage. It looked like bodies had fallen in wherever there was space. He looked up to see legs dangling from a roof. Likely the torso of a man was jammed into the ceiling of what was once the baker’s home.

How the hell that had happened was beyond him. The pig monster was brute strength that could send men hurling through the air, and the toad monster probably could have jumped and taken something with it. But he did not know enough.

He continued to run closer, a few people running past him after ducking out from an alley. They were as scared as him, but he made his choice.

Think. What has he seen? What was out of the ordinary? Sounds of thunder and wind, seeing lighting, bodies hurling through the air. As though the elemental forces of nature were wreaking havoc.

Unless Mother Earth had grown tired of man, this had to be either the monster’s doing or someone else. Given the chaos, likely the former.

He heard the main street stopped just at a corner. He heard a meaty crunch and held his breath. It was here. Unlikely previous engagements, this would have to be dealt with slowly. The vampire was likely feasting. It wouldn’t resist eating the blood gem, and with all the other people running, it wouldn’t try and give chase over a lesser priority. It was not comforting, but better than nothing.

Find Teodosie if he was alive, get some weapons, find anyone that could help, find the vampire, and observe the monster for traits and weaknesses. A solid plan though implementation trumped conjecture.

Raphael looked down, noting an unusual sight. His boot nearly crushed some ice beneath his feet. He quickly shifted his weight away, not making a sound. That was close. But how was there ice here? Sure, it was autumn, but this wasn’t natural. Then again, none of this was.

Focus. He looked to see the ice connected to what looked like boots on the ground, frozen in place. The ice had covered the outside of them but at the top were unfrozen stubs, with a familiar red liquid, and pieces of bone and flesh. Raphael had no words. Someone died, frozen in place and then broken to pieces. The fact the feet were frozen meant a particular area of effect happened for this unnatural phenomenon. Something to definitely avoid.

Raphael peeked his head out around the corner, a large mass present near some bodies. From this distance, it looked like human arms, multitudes of them conjoined with their bases at a singular point. Some entity was connected to all of them. Crunching could be heard, as corpses could be seen piled together. The thing was eating them. Pieces of bone and other flesh were scattered. It likely wanted the blood, much like the vampire.

Making the mental notes, Raphael scanned the area once more. This was prime opportunity to act undetected. There appeared to be bodies and objects scattered in all sorts of places, large black marks staining objects and buildings, with some of the bodies looking charred, the smoke still rising from them faintly. What looked like the ground itself, or rather large stone pillars were inserted into the ground in strange ways. But there was blood on them. Perhaps they rose from the ground itself?

Next to the corner beyond what he could see before was a man’s torso. It was also frozen in places, possibly belonging to whoever lost their feet. It had its insides exposed to the world, but drained of the blood within. The clothing was all too familiar, and Raphael saw a crushed skull with just enough of the face left to recognize.

He cursed under his breath. There went one option out the window. However, he spotted his knives still present on the torso. He inched closer, wrapping his cloak around them. But even so, they were frigid cold. He put the holster back on and looked back at the monster.

It was smaller than the other two, but considering the state of affairs here, not to be underestimated. The many arms and hands were in constant flux, sometimes twitching, sometimes idle, sometimes floating and drifting like submerged in water. The fingers and hands kept forming weird shapes and positions. It seemed obtuse, and yet there must be some significance or meaning behind it.

But no animal could do such a thing. A creeping feeling sunk in Raphael’s throat. One not considered, but one not impossible. Trying to formulate a plan went out the window, as he feared the worst possible explanation.

The creature seemed to stir, as it rose, the large hands beneath it lifting it off the ground. It turned, and Raphael bore witness to his foe. Enlarged and twisted, but still a mostly humanoid shape. Though the face was maligned and contorted, he recognized the missing man. Jan stood there in the ungodly glow of his transformation, the blood still fresh on his fangs.

Raphael’s stomach churned. Was it his fault this happened? What to tell Cezar? What would happen to Jan? Could he be saved at all?

Tears welled in his eyes, as he withheld his acid reflux. Pain would do nothing. Jan was a monster now. That was the fact. The bodies were proof enough as is.

The vampire’s power would be needed, though more observation was crucial. Baiting the now mutated Jan into revealing its abilities would be key. But revealing himself would be a massive risk, a non-refundable exchange. Surely, he could think of something.

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Raphael stayed low to the ground, sneaking away and looking for any place to hide or continue his observation. Fortunately, he stayed as silent as a windless day. Unfortunately, sounds of many footsteps seemed to be approaching the area. This would not be good.

He turned to see dozens of men approach, ranging from some members of the mob that had captured the vampire to men more well equipped and brandishing the same sigil as the viscount of the town. Even so, their chances were clearly slim.

The creature formerly known as Jan noted their arrival. The men in front of the crowd suddenly stopped and halted those behind them. The sight to behold in this massacre likely also debilitated the newcomers as it did Raphael. But they were observed, and their fates would soon be sealed.

Raphael tried to grab the attention of one of them, staying silent. But the focus of the whole crowd was purely on the monster before them. He instead snuck behind, grabbing one of them from behind, covering his mouth and pulling him into the alley. The man kicked and struggled as Raphael whispered “I’m trying to save you! None of us can fight that thing. Remain calm and listen.”

He loosened his grip, not letting the man go, but not securing him painfully. “Listen. That monster has abilities that only God knows what, and will not be enough for regular people to handle. So, either get as many people from your group to retreat or you just help evacuate the entire town. Nod if you understand.”

The man in his grasp nodded. The seriousness in Raphael’s tone finally seemed to do the trick. A crying shame it hadn’t worked days ago.

Raphael let him go. The man inhaled, and before he could speak, yells of battle broke out. He rushed out of the alley and turned the corner again.

Some of the men had charge towards the creature, as Jan’s myriads of hands slapped, punched, or tore apart those that dared engage in melee combat. It was brutal and random, but effective all the same. This would bode well for the vampire given it’s form of combat.

An older man in the crowd yelled “Maintain distance! Spread out!” He seemed somewhat competent. Though losing half a dozen men in less than half a minute would sober any blowhard fairly quickly. The remaining militia members encircled Jan. Their horror painted on their faces. Hunger effusing on Jan’s.

Arrows were fired at Jan. His many arms caught them all without issue swiftly and succinctly. Raphael could not believe his eyes. Neither could the militia. Both melee and ranged combat seemed ineffective.

No. Nothing is that simple. Observe and strategize. Jan could neutralize ranged attacks, but had none of his own. Maintaining distance was still a viable strategy for survival, though not victory.

How many hands did Jan have? 2, 4, 8, 16. Raphael lost count, it was too chaotic to try and keep track. Jan did not move, as the militia leader was at a loss. However, many of Jan’s hands began a strange series of movements and positions.

Raphael watched as some kind of glow occurred around Jan. In an instant, it appeared as though the air in the town square had grown violent. Many of the men were launched high into the air. Them, and even those who stayed firm on the ground, were cut countless times, as seen by the tearing of their clothing. Blood pooled from the tiny lacerations, as the wind was under Jan’s command.

This had gone from bad to worse. How was this possible. This was definitely supernatural, but certainly beyond what the pig and toad could do. Melee and ranged attacks were out of the question and large groups of people were no help.

His thinking was interrupted by the sound of falling bodies. The men that were sent soaring crashed back down to earth. The cracking and shattering of bones could be heard. Those that survived cried out in agony. Those did not stay silent forevermore.

The remaining men on the ground broke formation, and ran behind whatever cover they could find. One man tried to run, as Jan’s hands formed a new strange shape. Raphael observed the air around the man grow denser, as the moisture around the man grew visible, and the more was frozen in place. It had occurred so quickly. What happened to Teodosie was just one of many things Jan was now capable of.

HE looked to see Jan continue the strange shapes and accompanying glows. A crack of lighting struck from what few clouds remained here in dusk, striking just behind an overturned wagon. A hand fell just outside of it for Raphael to see. It was blackened with smoke rising from it.

The sheer unnatural power shocked him. Unable to think anymore, only to bear witness and despair. One remaining militia member had taken a wheel and ran it towards Jan. Jan’s many hands had formed yet another new shape, as just before the charge would connect, the earth beneath the man’s feet had risen rapidly like a geyser. A stone pillar emerged from below, sending the man up into the air and shattering the wheelbarrow. Within but a moment, more of Jan’s hands grabbed the main in mid-air, threw him onto the stone pillar in the middle of his back, and then ripped out his throat.

The pieces of the wheelbarrow fell towards Jan. The hands caught them all, from big to small, dangerous to insignificant. He was powerful, unable to be injured like this.

Raphael inhaled. Fear would not keep him alive if he remained a passive observer. He turned, not the man he saved had ran away. A smart choice given this situation.

What wasn’t smart was another group of militias, likely to share their fate. Worst of all, Raphael saw the familiar face of a father unaware of his son’s fate.

…….

Cezar was part of the militia, and they had been alerted to commotion in town. Refugees were screaming their heads off, saying that the devil had followed them. It was utter pandemonium. Supposedly some people had managed to capture a vampire, but that could not be confirmed.

The first wave of men was sent in, and the second would soon follow. He and all those with him were horrified by the sight of men hurling through the air and violently landing back to the earth. With sights of lightning striking and screams rattling their ears, everyone was tense. He certainly was, and he couldn’t think of anyone that wouldn’t be.

Even so, they would march forward, grab any survivors and bail. If whatever had caused other towns to fall was here and the first wave was useless, then what good were they?

He thought he swore he heard somebody’s voice. Someone familiar. He wasn’t sure where it came from. But moving into the town square, he saw a monstrosity. It defied what he could assume to be real, yet there it was. It was devouring the corpses of the first militia wave. It turned towards them, and Cezar felt his heart stop.

The beast bore a human face. So very much unlike what he knew, but it was one he had known for all of its life.

“Jan?” The words slipped out of his mouth. Emotion was never something he indulged in, but days of weariness and worry had broken his facade. The creature looked upon him, a visage twisted and malformed that replicated confusion and recognition.

It moved slowly, its large hands pressing against the earth. Cezar stepped forward slowly, keeping his distance. The men around him encircled what appeared to be his son.

“Is that you Jan?” He kept his voice calm. Cold, focused, effective. How he always had. He saved praise and pleasure for the home. This hell was home only to demons.

“......FaTHeR?” A voice gargled out of the creature’s maw, a viscous and meaty sound from the throat mixing with the flesh and blood still being chewed in the mouth.

“What happened to you?” He kept his distance and his cool. He did not wish to strike his son down. But whether this thing was still his son remained to be seen.

“POweR. HuNGRY.” Words fell out, like an infant trying to walk. Jan’s many hands clutched his head. Cezar noticed not the signs of someone hidden trying to warn him.

“No son of mine would be so foolish to do such a thing to himself. Who did this to you? How?” He asked, signaling to the militia to fire upon Jan should the need arise. They had but a few muskets, a large target should be hard to miss.

“RoCK. EaT. PoWEERRRR.” Cezar could not make sense of it. Yet, that foreign man’s words remained. Was this what he was trying to prevent?

“Then why attack the town? Why kill if you are hungry?” Cezar did not get closer. Those arms were long, and there was not telling how fast Jan could move now.

“BeCAusE. I. CAN.” A wicked smile formed on Jan’s face. Cezar had no time to react. A disgusting sound of flesh being torn erupted, as four more arms emerged from Jan’s back. Their length eclipsed all the arms before them, as they each took hold of Cezar’s limbs.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5WDvNsESiP
“I’M HUNGRY.” Within a span of a few seconds, the many hands pierced and disemboweled Cezar, organ by organ, piece by piece. Each pound of flesh inserted into Jan’s jaw as Cezar could barely scream before his neck was pierced as well.

The militia opened fire. The hands tried to catch them to no avail. They did damage as Jan winced in pain. But the beast’s father was no more, now only a torso devoid of its insides, and the outsides being chewed on rapidly.

Jan’s many hands began their strange casting, as more elemental evil was unleashed upon the unsuspecting men. Raphael snuck out of his hidey hole to grab those out of Jan’s sight and force them to run. Nothing could be done but mortal men at this point. Not as is anyways,

The town square was swiftly demolished further, the destruction barely lasting a minute. Jan continued to feast, and appeared to be talking to himself. “

“I am. I am…. I AM- RRRAAAAHHH!!” He angrily tossed a corpse into a wall. Both the accelerating object and immobile surface shattered, the sound certainly prevented the veil of silence from returning for a bit.

Raphael held his breath once more. What could he do? Jan could apparently grow new appendages. Such a power would be wonderful if not on a bloodthirsty monster. Speaking of, the vampire still hadn’t arrived. His estimations were falling apart by the second. But even so, there was no reason to stop now.

Jan’s power was in those hands. How to neutralize them. That is the key. It had to be.

But, rushing in blindly would be a foolish endeavor, seeing how well it went for all these men. He stopped himself. Those men were as scared as he was with even less foreknowledge. He should not blame them for trying. Especially Cezar. A right prick, but wanted the best for his town. And his son most of all. The tragedy was all too palpable

Raphael gritted his teeth and looked towards the men’s gear. It would have to still be useful somehow. He wouldn’t rush in; he would deal damage slowly and surely. Anyone dumb enough to try attacking Jan now would be completely imbecilic.

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Her mouth dripped with his crimson elixir. Truly a feast like no other. Plenty of bodies were left in the streets, though many in strange places. It mattered not. She drained them all for their blood. Since she didn’t kill them, her human would not be upset.

Her body had healed, the pain from being torched by the sun and fire merely an afterthought now. Her clothes were either charred or cinders left in the wind. It mattered not.

Her piece had been claimed by another. This would not stand. She crawled and climbed on top of a roof, as she was safe from the sun thanks to the tall buildings in front of her, and the sunset being consumed by the forest. She witnessed humans fleeing or fighting against some creature. It had a lot of arms. But she would kill it one way or another. The familiar scent of her human was present. He must be nearby to help her. But if this thing killed him, that would be bad.

She leapt from the rooftop, diving straight towards the many-armed malady. It took note of her, as its arms extended to grab her. They were fast. One grabbed her left arm, as she used her rip to rip the hand off. Bone crunched and flesh tore. She sucked on the blood while more of the hands tried grabbing her. All four limbs were contained, as the other hands prepared to strike.

She pulled his limbs back. Being restrained was a pain, and she was sick of it. Absolutely sick of it. The thing’s limbs were losing the tug-of-war. Its other hands inserted themselves into the ground, anchoring it. She was pulled closer and closer.

A dark grin etched itself on her lips. She let go of her resistance, launching towards the creature rapidly, and biting into its neck. A roar emerged from the throat, as well as the taste of dense blood. She had found the prize. She could grab it.

The thing’s other hands let go of her, and make weird formations. In an instant, she found herself being flung backwards. The wind appeared from nowhere, sending her careening into a wall.

A loud crash echoed in her ears. And across her body. This was nothing she hadn’t felt before. But it still hurt like hell.

She saw the thing changed by what was hers. It bore some resemblance to a human she had seen. It mattered not. She stood back up and charged, her fangs screaming for more blood.

The thing made more strange shapes with its many hands. She was pushed back again by the sudden winds. That was frustrating, but it would stop her. She got again and tried once more. But the same result happened once more. This was going nowhere as she snarled in fury.

The creature kept looking at her. From the corner of her eye, she saw her human, moving bodies and gearing things off of them. He mut have a plan or idea, he was good at those. What was it?

Was it more blood for her? It must be. If he saves the bodies for her, she ca eat more. She had picked a very good human indeed. She changed her approach, standing up and keeping her distance. She watched as the hands made weird shapes once more. She did not feel anything blow her away like before. She could feel the air around her stiffen.

She was frozen somehow. What was this feeling? She pulled and forced her body to respond. Nothing. She tore through, tearing flesh and blood, as her feet ripped off her legs. It mattered not. Blood poured out from the stumps and congealed into new limbs. The rest of her skin tore as she broke the ice from the inside. It hurt, but it would not stop her.

The creature continued to look at her and her alone. Drool could be seen dripping from its mouth. “I aM. I AAAAMMMM?!!!!!!!”

More configurations occurred. She moved like her human, stepping behind some debris. There was a strange smoky human on the ground. Before she knew it, pain struck her whole body and a loud sound cracked in her ears. Her skin charred as convulsions ran through her body. Thoughts faded yet accelerated all the same. That thing had hit her somehow even though she was behind a large object. Her humane as better at hiding than she was, apparently.

The pain continued, as she twitched. The sounds of the thing approaching could be heard. From a distance or up close, it hadn’t worked. Better use what always worked.

Shaking her limbs back awake, she leapt over the debris towards the creature. More configurations occurred, as though already in motion before she acted. A sudden pain and pressure crushed her abdomen. A large rock had appeared from nowhere, hitting her right in the guts. …….

Air escaped her throat and her innards were pushed in directions they shouldn’t. Her vision shifted rapidly as she was sent tumbling into the air. She stumbled and shrieked, as the pain persisted, and the remains of sunset disintegrated her exposed body once more. But the prey remained below, her meal not yet tasted. She oriented herself, as the many armed monster was still present below, waiting to be devoured.

She dived towards it, as more of the hands reached out to stop her. She moved too fast, as though the caught hold of her, she wrapped herself around the creature's back. She bit into it, draining the blood as fast as she could. It was so delicious, so dense. It had done well to offer itself to her, as her wounds healed quickly and her vigor revitalized even faster. The hands pulled, punched, and pierced her body. The pain was great, but the meal was greater. She tore off the hands one by one with her free hand, ripping them from the arms, or taking the arms off entirely.

The hands that did not attack made the strange formations once more. A piercing gale emerged suddenly once more, cutting and pushing against her. But she remained affixed atop her prey. Despite the amount she had acquired, it was merely the beginning of what she could claim.

The hands grabbed her once more attempted to push her off by force. She would not budge. Her fangs remained affixed, though the rest of her body was no longer perched on top of the creature. More hands grabbed debris and pelted it onto her, but this did nothing as well. The creature screamed in more pain, the roar sounding familiar, in more ways than one.

Sounds of breaking and reforming flesh occurred, as even more hands had emerged from the thing’s back. A brand-new set of configurations had occurred, as she wondered what might happen now.

A spark appeared in her vision for but a nanosecond, before a loud sound erupted in her ears, and a force propelled her off the creature. She went flying, soaring compared to the launch from before. The ground was so far away, the creature appeared like an ant. But it grew more and more distant, even as the ground appeared to be getting closer.

A loud burst occurred as Raphael watched the vampire get blown sky high by what seemed to be an explosion. The flame from the burst was quick, not catching Jan on fire. But it did damage him significantly, judging by the burns on his back and the many arms that were now torn to meat shreds.

Some of the other arms tore off those that were unusable. In their place, more arms emerged. Raphael gulped, this went to shit very fast. Observe. Think. Plan.

The vampire had the upper hand, no pun intended, in close combat. What’s more, Jan did everything in his power to get it off of him and keep it away. That would be the next best means to winning. Neutralize the hands for the vampire to kill it. If the vampire was still alive. Given it would crash somewhere and be exposed to light before it did, it would need more blood to recover.

Noting its tenacity and healing ability, he hoped, though did not wish for such a thing until now, that it would survive and return. But Jan was supposedly something similar to the vampire. Yet, his wounds were more impactful. Raphael could still see where he had been hit by the gunfire earlier, though the skin had healed over, it was discolored and painful looking. Compared to the vampire’s uncanny regeneration, Jan was far simpler to wound once the defenses were ignored.

This wasn’t impossible. Just difficult. Jan appeared to be looking around. There were no more corpses on the ground. The vampire made for a great distraction, as Raphael moved the bodies away into whatever unoccupied building he could find. Better the vampire to have their blood than Jan’s. That and he helped himself to some of their weaponry and gear, along with filling some of their waterskins with their own blood.

Raphael made note to thank the men whose posthumous aid he would make use of. If he survived this. He looked back towards Jan, who wandered slowly and aimlessly. Better now than later to sneak away. He would have to find the vampire and at least try to get it to agree to a plan.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVNZUxSAW78
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Head was spinning. And spinning. There was so much spinning. Her body was in pain, burned and crushed. The pain didn’t go away at all. She was getting hungry again. And angry. She was hungry and angry. Hangry?

Nothing made sense. How was she sent into the air? It made no sense. Questions arose. She hated the questions. Too many questions. Not enough blood. Hungry. Hungry.

Hung- “Are you in there?” A whispered voice interrupted the questions. She tried to move her head. It hurt. But she moved it. Sounds of cracking both inside and out of her body ringed in her ears.

“Human. Human?” Weight was on top of her. She struggled to place her arms on it. Once she did, she tossed it aside without issue. Pieces of wood and whatever buildings were made of fell aside. She sat up, with the sounds of her insides cracking, breaking and re-healing all too quickly.

Her vision was blurry, but it righted itself as she saw her human before her. She was hungry. So hungry. She bared her fangs and leapt towards him. A knife pierced her throat as she did so, stopping him going beyond a few centimeters.

“Do not eat me. Unless you wish to not get the blood gem.” The human was stern, but focused. A will in his eyes unlike the other humans. One of action and power. He was not like the rest.

“Have these instead. You help me kill him, alright? So, listen to me.” He held up some container; she had seen her human drink form something similar. But, the scent of delicious blood wafted from it. Her human was carrying a bag with more inside. Did he bring these just for her? He was a good human indeed.

She grabbed the thing from his hand, and drank. It wasn’t completely fresh, but fresh enough. She drank it all in but a few large gulps, before ravenously attempting to have more. Her human placed his blade in front of her face. “Listen while you drink.” He spoke in a quiet yet convincing tone.

She bared her fangs, but relented. She would have her fill either way, and he helped her with getting what was hers. She grabbed another bag of blood and drank as he spoke.

….. “Jan’s hands are his biggest strength. He uses them for everything, and he can grow them back quickly. Evidently, not as quickly as you. I want to try and find some method that will neutralize all of his hands so he can’t use them or grow new ones. Then you can finish him off quickly. Do you understand?” Her humane as looking at her, more serious than before. He was interrupting her meal, as she went for another blood pouch. Her wounds healed faster know, as she nodded. Surely her human would believe her.

“I don’t believe you listened. I will summarize. We stop his hands somehow, hurt him when he least expects it, and you kill him. Got that?” It was hard to eat while he glared at her. But it sounded smart.

She gulped before nodding. Her human sighed as his head hung low. What little light that peered into her from the sunset was soon to fade. Her human noted part of the light seemed to fade for but a moment, as he leapt towards her.

They fell back to the floor, as the wall behind the human had blasted open. Many hands crept through the hole, as the prey had returned once more.

She chugged the last blood bag, though her human shouted, “Are you full?!”

She replied, “I want more. Need more.” Her human looked at her body, and yelled, “Go find more, don’t kill anyone and come back!” She did not want to leave behind her prey, but her human couldn’t kill it on his own and he wouldn’t die easily. She leapt out of the hole in the roof, as her human bolted away inside.

Raphael ran as fast as he could, carrying the supplies he gathered. Jan’s many hands extended quickly as Raphael ran inside past a door. The gamble had not paid off; it was a small room. He had a bag of tricks, nowhere to go but out, and data that needed to be obtained. Testing would now commence.

He grabbed a musket, from what he saw, he was certain he could replicate the reloading method somewhat. He got to work immediately and set aside some of the powder. Think. Powder that blasted. He knew not the mechanism behind it, but what it could do. He also had heard of fine powders igniting in small spaces with enough flame. Such force could do damage to Jan, even if he was a monster now. But not while he was in such a space with him. Perhaps luring Jan into a trap would suffice.

Think, anything that might fit the criteria. Raphael tried to narrow done places that fir the bill. But the door was rapidly pulled off. Many hands of unnatural length and elongated fingers lurched through the doorway. The sight of the mutated Jan took away his breath. The twisted maw coated in his father’s own blood and countless others. A smile that seemed vacant yet all too aware.

“I AM………” It stared at him. Now or never. A loud *BANG* burst in the small space, wrecking Raphael’s ears. The recoil of the black powder’s explosion sent his arms back; it was greater than he expected. But the metal projectile struck true, right into Jan’s eye.

He screamed, the voice echoing something other than his own. Raphael did not waste time, tossing powder at Jans eyes. The hands tried to stop it, but they could not grasp such fine material. The other eye was now blinded was well. The hands struck randomly and violently at all things in proximity. The wall was torn to splinters in Jan’s confusion.

Raphael took the opportunity, dropping the gun and slipping past. The hands were only as good as the wielder. And said wielder had both his ears and eyes inflicted with distress.

Without hesitation, Raphael carried his supplies back out and began looking for a new hiding place. This would be a long game of cat and mouse. Jan was not invincible. Victory was not impossible. Just improbable. He needed to only last as long as the vampire would take to return.

The swarm of arms emerged from the wrecked building. Jan’s eye was recovering slowly, as Raphael had hypothesized it would. Still better to play it safe. Jan walked around, his hands making the strange shapes. A crack of thunder emerged as lightning struck a building away from Raphael. Jan was a monster, but not stupid apparently. If the town was razed to the ground, there would be nowhere to hide.

Raphael pulled out another musket. He was not confident in his accuracy. But he had to find out somehow. He waited for Jan to look elsewhere, and fired. The sound of the musket alerted Jan as Raphael dropped the weapon and fled elsewhere.

It looked like the shot had missed. Raphael noted a dent in some debris behind Jan, and made mental calculations for the next one. He was better with a bow in all fairness, but those would be ineffective in dealing damage.

But not completely useless. He pulled out one of the bows the militiamen had, aimed, and fired. Though Jan was looking away, a hand had caught it. Raphael’s suspicions were confirmed, as he bolted away.

Jan’s large hands beneath him launched him off the ground to the direction of where the arrow came from. Raphael had already fled, the alleys and paths in Răscruce were not second nature to him, but he knew how to flee when things looked bad. More than he cared to admit.

Homes and buildings were vacated by the looks of it. Raphael took solace in that he was the only one left here. The sounds of roaring and the pounding of large hands against the earth continued. Between how fast Jan was moving and how dark it was getting, a single mistake would end him.

Raphael heard a loud impact. He looked behind around to see Jan was not present. Cracking wood above him alerted him to what had occurred. Jan was above him on a nearby roof, as some of his hands began the strange configurations once more.

He pulled out another musket and aimed at Jan’s head. He fired, as Jan’s hands blocked his face. The bullet pierced the flesh of the hands but nothing more. Raphael dropped the weapon and continued running. A sudden gale blew behind him, sending him forwards. Jan’s attack had failed him. A draw so to speak.

Raphael kept running. Jan was aware of the weapons Raphael had. The sound of pained moaning continued. He side-stepped in random intervals, if he were to be caught by any of the other effects, he would certainly die. The lightning strike was no precise was an instant kill, the earth pillar was sudden but potentially avoidable, and the freezing effect would paralyze him. At best, he could use the wind to push himself away provided he positioned himself well.

What about that fire, whatever blast had knocked away the vampire? It hurt Jan as well. Given Jan’s state, though he wasn’t stupid, he might be able to be manipulated. Hands emerged from behind a building as they attempted to reach out for Raphael. He cut them with his knives, the blood spurting out rapidly. The damage was minimal, but the speed of the escaping liquid was noteworthy. Jan could bleed: He could be killed.

Raphael picked up the pace, turning as many corners as he could, he ducked into a house and hid behind the door. He made no sound, and listened. The rush of Jan’s hands continued, pounding away at dirt angrily. He listened and waiting. Jan might be doing the same. Whoever was heard first would lose.

He looked around. The small house had little to it. Small items here and there, nothing of note. Still, it would be something. Raphael grabbed whatever he could. And waited.

The sun had set now. Now he could not see outside aside from a crescent moon’s light. Not ideal in the slightest. If Jan’s vision was like the vampire’s now, then it was clear who held the advantage.

Keeping low, he crept out of the house and listened. He could not hear where Jan was. But perhaps he did not need to. Taking a wooden cup he acquired from the house, he chucked it out towards the road.

A sudden flash of light emerged, as lightning struck where the cup was thrown. Jan was responding with his own kind of firepower it seemed. The monstrous form then leapt from a building towards the impact site, and looked around. His mind was certainly diminished, with the darkness hindering him as well.

Raphael took out another musket; he only had two left after this one. He aimed, and looked towards Jan. He took his time, not wanting to miss. Jan had turned around, and caught a glimpse of the human. Jan moved his head rapidly to the side, startling Raphael and causing him to pull the trigger by mistake. The bullet went wide as Raphael fled again.

He knew not where he was going. But he was confident in his speed. Breath haggard even more than before, the weight upon him and threat approaching him heightened his heart’s burden. He would find another building and slip inside.

Was he safe? He did not know. He waited, breathing heavily but slowly. He needed the air, but needed to be quiet. The sweat pooled on his head. A moment passed, then another. And another.

It seemed he had gotten away again. This would do for now. He had only two muskets remaining, and he had no idea where the powder and ammunition had gone. He cursed himself for dropping them. He still had a bow with some arrows, and various small objects. This would have to do.

He looked in the corner, noting a pair of eyes on him. A small bed, with a feeble body within it. Soft wheezing could be heard as he approached. Beneath ragged covers was soft breathing, the fabric rising and falling.

Raphael stepped carefully and cautiously. One hand held the sheet while another remained free. He spoke softly, “Shhh. The monster won’t hear us in here.” The breathing continued, the fabric shook as small hands gripped in from underneath. This child would not be safe here, and yet was here regardless. Why?

He slowly pulled back the sheet. He received his answer. A young lad, no older than 10 years of age approximately shivered in place. Familiar blackened spots were on the child’s body. The weakness of the body that the plague brought from seemed to not take hold just yet, but the signs were already there. The poor child was resigned to his fate.

“Did your parents leave without you?” He asked, worried about whether Jan was still close. He did not let it show.

The boy nodded. There was a chance he may survive the plague. But certainly not against the mutated Jan.

The boy was a liability, that would be a hindrance. He was to be forgotten and left to rot by those that ought to be there for him. Raphael’s gripped fist drew blood behind his back.

The child would be useful to the both of them. “I’m going to help you get out of here. But can you do something for me?” He kept his tone soft, and looked the boy in the eyes. The fear and pain were familiar. He knew what to say to get the child to listen. “You’ll make it out of here. I can’t guarantee anything beyond that, but you can survive if you want to. Will you?” He extended his hand out to the boy.

The boy trembled, through either his body’s chill or the fear the permeated both of their bodies. But he took the stranger’s hand.

Raphael noted this, grabbing some pieces of food and other items of sue, and handing them to the boy. “Try and find other people if you can. Keep your distance so you do not scare them. Tell them the monster can be slain if they come back to town and help kill it. If you do that, we can beat the monster. You can handle that, I know you can.” Words that invigorated a dying soul echoed in his mind.

The boy nodded, and carefully followed him out of the house. Raphael knew Jan was looking for him. The plan to weaken him with guerilla warfare was postponed. Getting reinforcements for his other plans would be crucial.

Raphael listened. No sounds of groaning. Either Jan had left or learned to keep very quiet. Raphael figured it best to lure him out. If Jan was anything like the vampire now, the hunger must be driving him mad.

Taking some of the food he grabbed, he bit on some to fill his stomach, put some of his blood on it, and then tossed pieces into the town square and streets. He walked, leading the boy with him. Watching carefully and waiting, as soon enough, rats and other vermin found their way towards the free meals.

Raphael covered the boy’s mouth, as the sound of approached hunger broke the silence. The rats were all snatched up one by one, the many hands taking hold of the quick and easy prey. Jan devoured them quickly, as Raphael hurried the boy in the opposite direction. The boy could certainly survive to find aid.

Would anyone listen to the words of a plague victim? Maybe not. But desperate times called for desperate measures. And Raphael still had plenty of those to consider.

A sound alerted Raphael and his formerly unaware opponent. Raphael turned to see debris having fallen over. The boy had stumbled into something while trying to flee. Jan’s attention was alerted. Raphael recognized the lunge and inevitable pounce that would occur.

Without hesitation, he aimed the second to last musket at Jan’s head and pulled the trigger. The loud crack rang in his eardrums. But the bullet hit right in the back of Jan’s head. No hands deflected nor impeded its path. Jan’s screamed in pain, the ungodly roar frightening the poor boy.

“GO! I CAN HANDLE HIM!” A bold-faced lie if he ever spoke one, which was certainly not the first. The child ran as quickly as his feeble legs could. Raphael did the same, dropping the weapon and making way elsewhere. Jan’s pain seemed to keep his attention. Raphael had hope it would kill, but apparently not. Blood pulsed form the wound profusely, so at least that was something.

A new strategy occurred to him. He looked to see Jan’s pain no longer distracting him, and began climbing the nearest house. An awkward struggle given the darkness and the gear on his back, but nevertheless, he forced his arms to pull himself up.

Upon the roof, he saw Jan looking around frantically. Taking the various objects he had grabbed, he tossed them high into the sky, aiming for them to descend upon Jan in a few moments. He quickly equipped a bow into his hands and fires arrows at Jan. The goal wasn’t to kill, but to test.

Jan’s hands caught all of the arrows. He looked around to see where they had come from, as the items rained upon him. The hands caught them all, as Raphael confirmed his hypothesis. This would be the way to neutralize Jan for a finishing blow. He need only find more stuff and hopefully more help, most notably the vampires.

It had not yet returned. His worry grew despite his success. He was running out of tricks, and no idea what to do next.

A loud crashing sound could be heard and Raphael looked up at the street. Jan’s hands were aglow as the strange configurations continued to occur. Various elemental forces rampantly destroyed buildings. One by one they fell.

Raphael immediately got to descending the rooftop. Jan was eliminating all of the places where Raphael could run and hide. His one advantage would soon fade. Best to run and regroup elsewhere.

He landed back on the ground and turned to flee, but the earth beneath his feet shook. Stone pillars erupted into the houses next to him, and tore apart the loading bearing ability of said buildings. His balance faltered, and the roof of one building broke and slid down towards him. He saw the rafters beneath it and dived.

A loud crash was heard in the town. More unusual sounds and sights rocked the darkened square as the streets were quiet for the first time in many days. There was no sign of the meddling man. The monster could not find him. Adn was hungry once more. There must be blood elsewhere.

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Loud cracks shattered a sweet silence. She was hungry, but she could take her time. Her human could certainly handle whatever may happen.

She had found a large collection of bodies in one building, likely already having been feasted on. Given the taste, her human must have been here. She devoured without hesitation, gathering what little scraps she could.

Delicious. Filling. Calming and invigorating. She savored it all. Time passed as she nourished herself. Her hunger was sated, but she needed more. Her prey was persistent. It would not die easily. Her prey was annoying. She would kill it.

Leaving the building, she followed the scent of blood crawling atop a roof to pick up any scents on the slow wind. More bodies to be found, more to eat. She heard some sounds, and crept carefully. Away from the sounds of battle were human voices. She looked to see, in the far-off distance, there were specks of light. Moving in rhythm, far but inching closer. Humans carried torches to see. Humans were returning. She would kill them if they interfered.

Closer than those were more humans. A smaller female and a bigger male. Their blood would be fresh. But she had no time to waste, despite her relishing her meals. A corpse was near them; its blood was losing its freshness.

She leapt from the roof, landing before the humans. The emotion known as fear emerged in their eyes. Below her feet was the body, an older human female. The eyes had lost their light and the mouth hung open. A piece of stone was on the floor amidst a collapsed building, and the woman’s head had quite a notable indentation on. No time to waste, as she bit into the neck.

“Mom! NO!” The younger female screamed. She paid her no mind, taking as much as she could.

The older male wrapped his arms around her, “We have to go. There’s nothing we can do.” He spoke the words while glaring at her. She was just enjoying a meal, what was the problem? She hadn’t killed anyone, humans hated when that happened.

The younger female had water appears from her eyes, as the male dragged her away. They ran away, as she finished her meal. Humans were great meals, but everything else was so confusing.

She sniffed the air again; there was more blood to be found. She needed every bit to kill her prey and reclaim what was hers.

Though, the sounds of a distant battle had stopped. Perhaps her human had won by himself? Probably not. Did he die? Probably not. He was her human; he would not die. Still, she had best hurry. She knew not what her prey was up to, she knew that much at least.

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It was all too quiet. Having smeared himself with dirt to cover his scent, he had no more movements and no more sounds. Nothing happened, as he crawled in the dark. He extended his hand as far as he could. Empty space. He crawled further, finding more of nothing. He soon found wood, and felt around a bit. He was likely in the rafters of the building that had collapsed. Or rather, the roof was on top of him.

Raphael thanked whatever lucky stars he had that he wasn’t crushed, avoiding injury entirely. But exhaustion was another thing. Still, he crawled and felt around. There was no light here. The darkness would drive him mad if he stayed. The thought of Jan moving unimpeded drove him further. He extended his hand up, finding the ceiling. The wood was not as damaged as he would have hoped. He kept crawling, feeling around for whatever he could find, he soon found what felt like stone. Those pillars that Jan had conjured had destroyed the base of the building, this one likely tore through the roof, with more force, he could help it finish the job.

Immediately, Raphael got to work, chipping away at the edges of the wood where it met the stone. His arms were sore and his breath felt like splinters were embedding into his lungs. But he persisted, his knives only doing so much. But he could see the faintest bit of moonlight creep through. That was enough to keep going. He chipped away further and further, but progress stalled. His arms couldn’t handle it, as they fell back to the ground.

Would this be it? Would this be his undoing? If not his death, then his greatest failure? A display of arrogance from trading his dream to let loose a monster?

He held his hand over his eyes. A sound entered his ears, as the light above him grew brighter.

“I think there’s someone in here!” More noise emerged, as footsteps were heard beyond the wood the entombed Raphael.

The wood began to crack and splinter. Raphael covered his face as the debris showered him. The sounds stopped, as he looked to see his rescuers, which were some men wielding torches and weapons. Given what transpired less than an hour ago, this did not bode well.

“Hey, you’re that crazy guy.” One of the men spoke. “That kid was telling the truth.”

Raphael noted his good deed going unpunished, and responded. “That does not matter now. I know how the monster can be killed. I ask that you aid me and cooperate.”

“You’re in no position to be making demands there.” The man spoke.

Raphael rebutted, “And no one is in a position to stop that creature as it stands. Help me and I shall help you all.” He spoke firmly. Despite the pain, despite the powerlessness, he made his case.

The men looked at one another. They quickly tore apart the roof, before pulling Raphael out. He breathed her fresh air, and immediately wobbled on his feet.

Without wasting time, he offered his words. “The monster is capable of conjuring the elements themselves, fire, lighting, wind. He cannot be dealt with at range aside from black powder weapons, he can and will catch any projectiles sent to him. And he will capture and kill any who get close to him.”

One member of the crowd spoke, “Him? Why call it a him?”

Raphael held his tongue for but a moment. “He is a cursed creature. He must be slain to be put to rest, or else God cannot purify his soul.” A load of malarkey mixed at the end to make the truth more palatable. Like sugar to lessen a bitter medicine, the method of delivery mattered as much as the material itself.

The men considered it; they were the God-fearing type. “You said you know how to kill it? Hurry up then.”

Raphael would have smiled if not for the urgency of it all. “I have two plans. The first is trapping him and harming him then. I learned something in my travels when walking through a mining town. If there is a lot of dust and powder in a small space and a flame is ignited, the dust explodes. And I know just the place.”

He turned to orient himself, pointing towards the food storage shack the town used. “Whatever powder material you have in town, flour, dust, anything you have, put all of it in there and take everything else.” He noted some additional flavoring the spice up the proposal. “I learned the creature has an appetite for flour and other materials, so the bait will also be his downfall.” Complete bullshit, but what else could he do.

“Are you mad, we need that for the winter!”

“And you will not live to see winter unless you do so.” Raphael stayed firm, not raising his voice to but affirming his stance. The man backed down.

“Once that’s finished, I will lure the monster in there and then escape, shut the door, and have it caught in the blast.” He inhaled, the excitement still not yet done pumping in his veins.

Some of the men thought him mad, it certainly shone through on their torchlit faces. “What about this other plan of yours there, huh?”

Raphael noted the caution; it was expected. “Should the first plan not work, then forcing the monster to catch whatever is thrown at him is key. If all of his hands are full, he can’t attack. From there, we whittle him down and kill him then. It will require as many hands as possible, so if you have more people, then please get them ready.”

He looked to see the men’s reactions. Sheer skepticism mixed with preconceptions.

Raphael thought, and knew how to sweeten the deal as it were. “I had asked Father Gheorghe for how to fight the creature, and told me the good people of Răscruce could see the Lord’s work through. Please, do not tell me a preacher of God was wrong?”

The words sickened him as her lingered on his tongue. But his lowered his head slightly and released the tension in his muscles. Feigned humility was his weapon her.

The men were silent. They clearly had no idea nor intention to listen to a pariah, once ousted by their Father once before. But the weight of lives soon to be lost, and the only guiding light in such a scenario outweighed all misgivings.

“Sure, stranger. We can get this done. But where in the world is the monster?”

Raphael stammered, “I, actually don’t know.” The thought had escaped him while he was trapped under the roof. In the dead of night, the hands of Jan were nowhere around to be seen.

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Hungry. Pain. So much pain. Blood oozed down the back of the neck.

A hand had pulled out a piece of metal, dropping it onto the ground.

He traveled slowly and surely. It was dark, he could only slightly see, even with the help of the crescent moon.

There was a scent carried downwind. Up a hill, there was a place. A boring place. An annoying place. A place that had people.

People?

No.

Food.

Hungry.

So very hungry.

He got closer and closer. Prints in the dirt. Lots of them. They were smaller than his hands. Sounds were heard from the hill. Food. So much food. So much to make the hunger go away.

“PLEASE! A DEMON IS IN THE TOWN! LET US IN!” Words like these continued, as he kept going.

He?

Who?

What?

What questions were these?

Whose thoughts were these?

“I aM…….” He grumbled and growled. A building came into view as he looked up. A large gate was around the building. And it was closed. Not wood. Metal. Why wood? What wood?

The building’s doors opened, as a human man spoke. “I must refrain that we don’t have any more room inside as it stands. I am truly sorry. This is my final word on the matter.” The humans in front of him pleading and begged.

It mattered. He continued to approach, as another human spotted him. A scream echoed, as all the humans turned to look. A quiet calm overtook all. He stepped just once, and the humans all forced their way into the building. The older human was pushed aside, as yells and voices could be heard from inside.

The food was packing itself.

How helpful.

It would make eating so much faster.

The voices continued, as the older human was pushed out. He had looked back to the crowd, and towards him. A look appeared on his face, one of fear.

But it straightened out somehow. He walked towards the gate, that which separated the two.

“Begone, demon. This is the Lord’s home, and no place for your vile ilk. May you repent or be smited by the hand of God!” This human was always annoying, always hiding. The old human drew closer, placing his hand of the gate. He seemed unsure of its durability.

This was no concern. Hands began forming the necessary configurations. The older human stared in confusion. A crack of light emerged from the mostly clear sky. Electric current followed from above, striking the metal gate. Voltage raced throughout the structure and the one foolish enough to have been holding it.

No sounds escaped the older human’s throat. Vaporized liquid merely rose from whatever exits could be found. The human was no more. Would not be as tasty.

The other humans at the door of the building stared, shocked by what they witnessed.

His hands formed more configurations, as the earth beneath the gate rose. Stone and dirt shattered metal and brick without issue, making his walk simpler. The large doors fell to the ground, as the humans screamed.

They ran out in various directions, none moving towards him. This was fine.

He conjured more attacks. Humans fell quickly as easily. The darkness made their attempts to escape feeble at best. The doors were left wide open, though it mattered not. He stayed outside and kept conjuring.

More and more bodies hit the ground. His hands grabbed them one by one and feed. The pain lessened more and more. He would reclaim what was hers soon enough.

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Raphael’s behind rested on the uncomfortable ground. Corpses were being gathered by the men while others tried to search for Jan. He would not be able to keep himself going for much longer. He was no soldier, and even they had to take breaks.

He was not certain his plans would work. But he must make them work. The townspeople that remained could be seen moving supplies in and out of the food shed. A makeshift hole was made in the back for an easy escape and sealing should the need arise. He wasn’t sure whose idea it was, but Raphael wished to thank them. It would take everyone’s effort to win this.

He inhaled slowly, the cool air calming his nerves somewhat. Surely, things could work out. Jan would not be able to recover as is.

A crack of thunder broke his rest. The other men present looked up towards the hill where the church was.

Raphael’s eyes grew wide as he had not considered the possibility. He shouted at the men, “Hurry it up! I’ll bring the monster back!” He ran, hoping to not be too late.

The hill was far and his exhaustion weighed on his legs. Screams could be heard as he approached. Only a scant few flashes of light could be seen, with the sounds of a massacre rattling in his ears. How many people were there? How many people have died? How many were needed for Jan to grow more powerful?

Raphael noted a few people running. The main gate of the church was destroyed, pieces of metal, brick and wood scattered everywhere. A blackened corpse littered the ground near it. Raphael recognized its former owner. A poetic end. Deserved perhaps, but not now.

The rest of the courtyard was filled with bodies. Pieces torn out of them, limbs broken and twisted form impacts, drained and consumed all the same. And the perpetrator stood on the massive hands that kept him aloft. Raphael watched in horror as more hands emerged from his back, and his flesh stretched and reformed. He was bigger, and whatever damage had been done was now non-existent.

His presence was not noticed, as Jan moved towards claiming whatever might be inside the halls of the once crowded church.

“Jan! Have you finished your snacks, or will you be getting back to work already?!” He spoke, deliberately imitating the voice of the monster’s former father. The creature turned, as Raphael regretted everything he’d ever done in this moment.

“WoRk. DOnE. HuNGry. MoRE.” He looked at Raphael, as though utterly baffled. More hands emerged. Jan was more arms than man by now.

“As if. You aren’t done when I say you’re done. You couldn’t finish a project without fucking something up, you shoddy novice. Always pissing people off and thinking your better than everyone else, you sad sack of shit.” Raphael released the foul language naturally yet practically. He held his standards high, but there was no use for those now.

Jan stared at him, some recognition of the words. A semblance of what was once a man snarled. “I. I-I-I, I mAKE. I, I maKe gOOd. I aM GoOD. YoU, yOU, YOU SHUT. SHUT., RAH!” Hands grasped onto his head. Raphael hit him right where it hurt.

“Yeah, right, Jan. Couldn’t help but fuck things up, and now you’re beyond helping. Just die quietly, you fucking loser.” The venom stung with utter vitriol. It was super effective, as Jan’s hands smashed the ground in frustration. The moment he was sure of its effectiveness, Raphael turned and bolted instantly. The hands behind him would give chase certainly.

And right he was. He heard the sounds of the hands, pounding against the ground like hooves in a stampede. Raphael noted they weren’t faster than him. By all things, a tiny miracle. He looked over his shoulder to spot the distance and gauge his next move.

He saw the hands that were still free were making the configurations again. Raphael immediately side stepped and moved. Where he had been heading had a stone pillar emerge from the ground. The earth beneath his feet felt the disruption, as he kept going. He had the superior speed, but not for long, and certainly not with obstacles emerging out of nowhere.

Looking back again, Raphael noted the shapes the hands were making. They seemed to only be able to do one effect as a time. He looked and noticed the shape was familiar. He immediately made a sharp turn right and leapt off the ground. He caught himself for tumbling as a lightning strike had hit the path he just exited. Jan was using everything to catch him. But his tricks were becoming predictable. Predictable tricks, however powerful were worthless.

Raphael laughed as he ran. Surely, he had gone mad after all. But he thought for a moment he could have a chance to win after all. He looked over his should once more, and saw the shapes for the earth pillar once more. He pivoted instinctively, but saw more hands already in motion for a different spell.

A burst of wind blew him to the right, slamming him into the earth pillar that just appeared. His arm and shoulder bore the brunt of the impact, as it threw his balance off. He fell, tumbling down the hill.

Vision spined violently as he rolled. He pushed himself to roll faster, trying not to become dizzy as he closed his eyes. The momentum stopped for a moment. He inhaled, wishing to enjoy some peace. But death approached rapidly. He stumbled to his feet and ran some more. Straight to the storage shed he went.

“RRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!” Jan’s horrid roars were not far behind. He found the shed. The roof looked ready to collapse thanks to Jan’s previous work and some trusty sabotage,

No one was nearby. He looked, spotting a man far away giving a thumbs up before hiding. This would be someone’s tomb, hopefully not his.

Raphael entered, leaving the door slightly ajar. The townspeople certainly could pack, that was certain. Barrels and bags of flour and other powders filled to the brim. He opened as many as he could. He spotted the hatch out, and grabbed whatever powder he could, just in case.

The door flew off of its hinges, as the myriads of hands blocked the light form outside. Only the glint of Jan’s eyes was present. His maw still caked in blood, as fury twisted his mouth into a demonic grin. Raphael gulped, his provocation working far better than he expected.

“mY WoRk. MY CREATION. MY SKILL. MINE! I AM BETTER! I AM BEST! I AM--- I AM!?” Hands clutched his head, the mind breaking beyond any repair.

Raphael stepped backward ever slowly. “I will say, this place might be some of your best work. Truly a great help to the town.”

“KiLl. YOU. YOU?! RAPHAELLLLLLL!!!!” The hands were fast as Raphael stepped back, tossing powder into Jan’s face again. He blocked the powder, as Raphael jumped back towards the hatch. He dived out, spotting some men holding ropes tied to the roof.

“NOW!” Raphael screamed, as the men pulled. The weakened structure broke swiftly, as the weight collapsed in on itself. If all went as expected, the next thing to happen would be far too dangerous to be close too.

“Move!” He ran off, as the men followed suit.

Debris fell atop Jan, as he tried summoning the wind once more. The objects did not budge, only blowing dust everywhere. Without thought, he conjured fire once more. Surely that would fix this problem.

A massive *BOOM* erupted behind Raphael. The shed’s content went sky high, and the shockwave knocked him to the ground. The air escaped his lungs before he hit the ground. The impact certainly did not help.

He stood up, the other men doing likewise. The shed had not ignited thankfully, but was decimated down to the foundation.

Raphael sighed, and simply said, “I did mean it” He sighed, figuring Jan would not hear him.

One of the men squinted, looking at the structure. He shook, spotting something within the wreckage. “It's still alive!”

Raphael held his breath, spotting the hands rise out from the blast. Slowly but surely, they pushed off the ground, raising Jan back into the air. HIs limbs were torn to shreds, the arms protected him as much as they could. But still, limbs broke and flew off from the damage and weight of Jan’s enormous body.

“He’s not dead yet! Get back and regroup, this is our only shot!” ……

The men ran with Raphael not far behind them. He knew to not keep too far away from Jan, lest he wander off again.

Where was the vampire? It surely couldn’t be taking its time now. Raphael had a thought, something to implement as soon as possible.

Raphael looked to see what few hands were left making more signs. Such tricks were getting stale, with Raphael’s weakened body able to narrowly dodge being frozen by a sudden plummet in temperature. He kept going, avoiding the elemental evils along the way before picking up the pace.

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The impromptu monster slayers arrived back to the town square as more people had arrived. Their excitement upon seeing their heroes return was short-lived, their smiles giving way to confusion as the men arrived.

“Monster. Demon. It, it ain’t dead!” The man caught his breath as he spoke, trying desperately to breathe.

“It’s not dead yet, we have it on the ropes.” Raphael countered. Keeping spirits high was vital.

“Listen, it’s coming, everyone hide and be ready to throw whatever you can at it, junk, objects, anything. So long as its hands are busy, it can’t attack.” He barked orders, not mentioning how he tried to play commander as a kid. Not like there was anyone else to play with.

He was getting loopy. He searched from material, finding a piece of cloth spattered with blood. Definitely Jan’s, given the thickness of the liquid and the bullet left on the ground. Raphael grabbed some of his blood, spraying it on the cloth, and found a young woman.

“Listen. I need you to quickly get to a high place and wave this around, try to get the scent in the air as much as possible.” The woman was frightened, of the monster or him, he did not know.

Raphael spoke slower and smoother. “Please, I beg of you, this may be our last hope, as much I don’t want it”. Sweet words mixed with humility did the trick. The woman sprinted off, as Raphael saw to the men and women of Răscruce preparing the ambush.

Certainly, this would work, it had to.

He saw the form of Jan, broken, bruised and blackened, down the long street. Surely, he would find peace soon.

“Are you done yet? I suggest you take a break. Unless you need help from me.” He had already made himself bait several times tonight, surely one more wouldn’t kill him.

Jan growled, the hands pushing him forward. Another configuration occurred, as Raphael jumped away from a lightning strike. It crashed into the ground, illuminating the dark street once more, and startling the townspeople in hiding.

The creature formerly known as Jan looked around. Raphael hoped this would not be immediate, but it was too late for that. “NOW!!!”

The people emerged like fiends from the shadows, throwing everything and anything they could get their hands on. Pelting Jan in the body all around, the hands caught each and every piece of frustration without fail. Raphael smiled watching the citizens go. Things could work out after all.

Arrows flew through the air into Jan’s body; the flesh being pierced over and over. The hands slowed as the body fell onto its knees. Raphael knees shook. It was over.

“RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!!!!” A scream bellowed, as though trying to reach the moon. Everyone covered their ears as Jan’s body convulsed violently. More and more hands emerged form the back, countless, endless, swarming like tendrils. They lifted the body off the ground and enveloped over him like a dome.

More hands emerged as the people threw whatever they had left. The hands caught them all, as more appeared, bloody and broken, but never ending. The hands could keep up with any and all projectiles. Raphael could see the numbers weren’t in the human’s favor. The hands were rapidly exceeding the output of the whatever the townspeople could muster. The hands started merging longer, reach towards whoever they could find. A man was grabbed by the ankle as another severed the limb with a shovel.

The limbs were weak but numerous. The townspeople backed away or fled. There appeared to be no end to them.

“I. AM!?!?!?!?!” Jan screamed at the top of his lungs. It appeared some people had begun to recognize him now, as Raphael tried to move. His legs were exhausted. This was all he had left.

Within a moment’s notice, he saw the hands rocket forward towards a man next to him. Without the last of his strength, he tackled the man away. But his shoulder was grabbed. Then his other, then his legs, and a hand gripped his neck.

He was lifted off the ground, as the hands shook violently all around Jan. The eyes glared at Raphael, a blood red marred with hunger and fury.

Raphael yelled, “Is that all you can do? Break everything when things down work out like you want?” His fate was certain; he would die by the hands of a monster. Surely, he could at least have dignity, but this was not the case.

The hands tightened around him, his muscles screaming and his bone ready to crack. He stared in return. He would not die here.

Amidst the pain, he swore he heard something. A screech, familiar yet all the more terrifying because of it.

Her prey was there to claim. IT had grown larger, weirder, but still killable. It was weak, thrashing about. There were humans everywhere, but her prize was paramount. The creature had a hold of her human. This would not stand.

She kicked off the ground, blasting forward. Charging like a beast, she ran towards her prey. It’s many hands were sporadic, but weak. And its attention was completely elsewhere. She pulled back her arm and get within range of the thing from behind.

With a swift motion, she thrust her arm right into the creature’s back. Delicious blood oozed onto her arm, skinning straight through her skin. Her prey’s grip weakened, as her human fell to the ground.

She pulled her forearm up, grabbing onto the prey’s jaw. Her other arm grabbed onto its head, pulling the two pieces apart. With an audible *CRACK*, the jaw came undone.

“I! AM!!!!!!!” It screamed weakly, the tongue flopping around lazily. She pulled out her arm, leapt over it and then thrust both hands into its neck. Her fingers curled around the solid mass within. Her foot pushed against its torso as she kicked it away. The gem ripped from its throat, as it shone in the dim moonlight.

“I! AMMMMMMMMmmmm!!!!” The flesh dangling onto the gem, twisted and convulsed, as the thing’s body slowly shrunk and condensed, bit by bit, it swiftly diminished before being pulled into the gem itself.

Her prize, hers to reclaim, hers to remember.

“Wait-” Her human spoke, but she heeded no mind, biting into the gem, and consuming the whole thing swiftly, as its pieces siphoned into her, and her mind wandered once more.

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A thrill filled her body. A hunt was always about the feasting, but never fun. She made sure to have fun. The humans ran through the darkened forest. This was too easy. They were fast, but she knew how to handle that.

She found a nearby tree, not too thick for her liking and just short enough. She punched it, the wood shattered under the weight of the blow. Ripping it off from the stump, she hoisted it over her shoulder and ran faster.

The humans were looking over their shoulders. She pulled back before, chucking the tree. The human’s path was suddenly blocked by the surprise timber crashing before them. They pivoted, taking a detour.

Catching up was simple, as she sprinted and tackled one away from the group. The male tried to fight back, but she thrust her hand into his neck and bit the side. She drained him swiftly; the delicious aroma was intoxicating.

Without issue, she found the group yet again. She leapt from a tree, crashing onto another male, pressing her fist in through his head. It shattered, the blood and bone smattered over her. She drank once more, and returned to the chase.

They stood no chance, they never did. So weak, so easy. Nothing before her.

She heard a voice while she grabbed another.

“Who are you?!”

There was only a single female. The last male died by her hand, his blood graciously appeasing her hunger.

She smiled; her wet fangs savored the suffering. Within an instant, she closed the distance and thrust her hand through the female’s heart. Her despair was wonderful, such creatures deserved such a fate.

She whispered in her ear, just to add one last piece to the delightful pain.

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“I am Minodora.”

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Only horror and amazement filled his eyes. The vampire had eaten the gem, consumed it within his sight like the last. And the transformation that ensued was unlike the rest.

Gangly, dying hair straightened, lengthened and darkened. Skin was pulled tight and looked fresh aside from the pale coloration. Nails grew sharper, the posture grew taller. Her outline grew rounder, the ragged clothes barely concealing the curvature of a young woman.

The voice that emerged was smoother, not worn by damage or decay. A hint of the local accent mixed with something else crept into his ear.

Before Raphael stood a beautiful woman, a creature of the night, and his unwanted burden. And she spoke, more clearly than ever before, as though in a trance.

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“I am Minodora.”

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She turned, looking at him. His heart beat, but his muscles remained still. Pain coursed through him; he had nothing left. But even so, she mustn’t attack the townspeople. He saw them all in awe and terror like him, but he knew far more than he wished.

He pressed his hands against the ground, pushing off the earth slowly and painfully. No hangover felt this bad, being ill was comparable. He walked to her, and spoke.

“*cough* Thank you, *cough for saving me. You haven’t forgotten the deal?” He said, noting her appearance. She was more than just a monster. He held his tongue’ she saved his life this time. He noted she was half a head shorter, yet he felt as though he was gazing up the entire time.

She looked at him, the single blue eye contrasting the pale skin and ebony hair. “I haven’t. I am not hungry now.”

Raphael breathed a sigh of relief. Certainly not great, but at least no one would be hurt by her, least not without provocation.

“You damn bloody maniac. You brought monsters into our town. You conspire with them?!” A man from the crowd spoke up. Raphael recognized him from the mob that had captured him. Such an encounter now would not bode well.

The other townspeople were confused and scared. Rightfully so. But he spoke none the less. “I had nothing to do with that creature. For her, I can explain *cough*.” He did not want to. The comfort of sleep called to him, growing sweeter and sweeter.

The man angrily approached Raphael, brandishing an axe. The man was a fool indeed. Before Raphael could act, the man’s gut went concave for but a moment. He was sent hurtling back towards the crowd, slamming into other people.

Minodora had punched him swiftly and succinctly in the gut. Raphael watches the man convulse on the ground, clutching his gut while puking blood. She appeared to lick her lips as she watched, with her teeth growing in number and size.

“Don’t touch my human.” She spoke, the glare in her eyes spoke more than the words. Some of the moron’s friend tried to rush at Minodora, obviously unaware of the difference in ability, still arrogant form capturing her earlier. She grinned, ready to strike with glee.

But Raphael stepped in the way, his knee about to buckle. “Stop. That’s enough. Enough people have died today.” He told the battle-ready fools before turning to the incensed woman, “And you aren't hungry, correct? There’s no need to eat now.” He told his monstrous ally.

His words were weak but sound, funny coming from a man about to collapse. “If there are any bodies left, you can drink form those and nothing more. Understood?”

Minodora looked at him. Without the hunger, and the rows of fangs ready to bite, she appeared almost reasonable. But the teeth slowly dulled, her face reverting back to that of an irregular woman.

“Fine.” She walks off, moving past the imbeciles, and ignoring the crowd entirely. They all step aside as she paid them no mind. She sniffed the air, the scent of fear was thrilling. But she wouldn’t miss out on free meals still left to claim.

Those that watched her held their breath in fear. An instinct awoken without even needing to see the monster’s power and brutality. A primal desire to avoid, flee, or destroy. The latter would never happen, the gap was too great, the difference in stature insurmountable. Fear held their tongues, as the townspeople of Răscruce did not impede her path.

The vampiress left his view, as Raphael’s legs gave way again. His buttocks fell straight to the ground where Jan once stood. What had he gotten himself into? Perhaps only God knew. He had just chosen a darker path; he would be alone even longer now. Was this right? He certainly didn’t want this. Would he last? He certainly couldn’t tell. How would things go from here? Not a damn clue.

He tried thinking about it more, the dark sky about growing fuzzier somehow. He remembered nothing else as his head hit the dirt.

Minodora walked around the town. Minodora. A name. Her name. This is who she was. It was good. It felt right. Right?

She was not hungry. Her human was correct. Eating a blood gem suppressed the hunger for a time. But what to do till then?

She did not know. But still.

She stopped. Her senses still seemed dulled somehow. She remembered them being much sharper than before. Some disconnect, some phantom sensation. It irked her. Though not as much as the obvious humans trailing her.

She heard them shortly after she left. She would get her blood one way or another. Without hesitation, she turned, gazing at a human that failed to hide in time.

“Quit following me or I kill you.” The man froze in place. She was not kidding; she was getting annoyed now. Annoyed. A new feeling. Or an old one she forgot.

She had forgotten a lot more. She knew that she knew nothing. Her human was onto something; he was quite smart.

Speaking of, an idea formed in her mind. This would be fun. She walked, approaching the terrified man. “I have a better idea. Have the rest of you humans gather any bodies you find and bring them to me, and I don’t kill you all.”

No room was present for negotiations. It was crude and the threat of violence was not veiled in any way. But the directness and power she demonstrated did the job for her. The human meekly retreated, with others following suit from their hidey holes.

This ought to be good.

In due time, bodies were gathered in the streets. Many were already dry thanks to the time that had passed and the injuries that killed them. Pitiful. This was all that could be gathered?

She looked, seeing the humans scared and obeying through fear. It was right after all. She knelt down, biting into the first corpse. The blood was dull, but it would do. An okay meal was better than letting it go to waste.

How did she know that? She did not know. She needed to know more. There was something to reclaim. To return. Return to herself. She needed to find more of the gems. She remembered things when she ate them. Grew more powerful. She needed it.

Why? Minodora did not know. But, she felt wrong otherwise. What was there to return to? She did not know. She knew not what else to do, other than appease the hunger.

She drained scores of bodies at this point. It was all so very dull, but she drank the blood all the same.

The people watched the vampire feast upon their compatriots, their fellow citizens, friends, family, and those unfortunate enough to have met their maker on this day. The monster tore into flesh, not unlike a hungry beast, with no regard and almost disdain for the human form. It was a demonic banquet, meant only for the unholy. All in witness shared a common desire, to cease the desecration. None dared speak. None dared move. No sane person stood a chance or bore a means to defy the devilish creature.

Unbeknownst to all, was a single man from the viscount’s employ, sadly quite late to the occasion by protecting the viscount in his home. He knew not what had occurred, but witnessed a fiend in the form of a woman feasting upon the bodies of the former people of Răscruce.

He drew an arrow and released it, striking true at the creature, surely this would do something.

Minodora felt a pain in her shoulder. An arrow struck through it. Compared to the ones that pierced her earlier today, this was nothing. She turned to see a man hiding away. In a swift motion, she grabbed the head of a corpse she had finished drinking from, and chucked the entire thing towards the man. It went wide, missing and crashing into a nearby wall. The wall, and subsequently the body, were wrecked by the impact.

She glared at the man, who took off running. The other humans stepped back hands up or clasped together. This was a pain, as she ripped the arrow out, and the wound healed immediately.10Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7YEVJpKo8
Still, what to do now? She had no idea. Her human had all of the good ideas. She would ask him. Where was he?

Minodora returned to where she last saw him. His scent was still present. As was he, slumped onto the ground. He was asleep. That would not do, there were things to be done.

She lightly kicked him in the gut, saying “Human, wake up. You have things to do.” But nothing happened.

She kicked again harder, saying once more, “Human, wake up.” But he did not awaken.

Was he dead? That would not be good. He had the good ideas. He did save her. And she saved him. They had a deal. Why would he not awaken? Humans would wake up over anything without enough sound or force.

She crouched down and listened. His breathing was still there, but slower when he normally slept. His heart was slowing. This was confusing. She looked at him, checking his skin. It had discolorations and bruises.

Think. It hurt. It was not right. No, she needed to think. Her human ran a lot, fought a lot. She thought he did anyway. Humans get tired, they sleep. Humans get hurt; they sleep. If they get hurt and tired. He would sleep or die.

No. He would not die here. He was hers.

Minodora grabbed her human by the coat’s shoulder and turned to find another nearby human. A female was present, trying to search through the rubble around them.

“Can you fix this human?” Minodora presented her human. The female stammered, placing her fingers at her forehead, center of her chest and then her sides before speaking. Humans were so weird.

“Uhhhhh, no. I cannot.” Was this human telling the truth? Minodora did not know. How could she know? How could she know if she could know? The questions were irritating her further.

“What humans can then?” She asked. The female’s eyes darted, was she slow or something?

“The church! The church has people that could help.” The female stumbled over the words as she pointed towards a hill far away. Sweat pooled from her head. Minodora looked her over. She had no way of knowing either way.

She dragged her sleeping human up towards the church, the building made of stone up the hill. Mere moments of travel with her vigor restored, as her human’s head bobbed with each step.

She arrived, and looked around. Bodies and parts of them were scattered everywhere around them. But they were clearly already dry. Whatever took her meal would pay. But for now, she pressed on.

Minodora reached the front doors without issue. They looked damaged, but they were closed. Such a place seemed different from the other buildings and such. How? Why?

Too many questions. She gritted her fangs, frustration boiling as she lifted her leg up.

Clara heard only the whimpers around her. Everyone was afraid for their lives. She witnessed a monstrosity appear outside the church’s gates, and lightning strike Father Gheorghe. Had God abandoned them? Had a demon come to take them all to Hell?

She did not know. She and those who did not flee hid in the back rooms of the church. It was cramped, crowded, utterly miserable with only their thoughts to torment them. Prayers could be heard frequently, but the screams of those outside still echoed.

Her thoughts went to Raphael. He was trying to fight a monster, and another arrived in the town she thought would be a refuge. God’s will surely did not intend for this? Would he not deliver an angel to his faithful, to guide and protect them?

The cries and fears around her saddened and shattered her heart. She prayed to Archangel Michael for courage. She knew she could not slay a monster, but to at least slay her own fear.

But silence had overcome the church. The evil could no longer be heard. She, and everyone else, heard it roar, but the sound faded. Was it gone? Was it destroyed? No one knew, but no one had the heart to check.

Time passed further. The quiet hell gnawed at everyone’s minds. No one dared break the silence. No one dared invite the evil in. Surely it would not be like this forever. But time marched on regardless.

Suddenly, a loud crash shattered the silence. Something large broke down, and the stone shook around and beneath them. Everyone present could feel their hearts stop for but a moment, before racing faster and faster. The evil had returned.

Clara prayed faster than ever before. Surely, surely, she would be heard. A savior would be present, to keep them all safe from the evil.

“ARE THERE ANY HUMANS HERE?” A woman’s voice boomed from somewhere in the church. A strong accent, unlike anything Clara had heard before.

“THIS HUMAN NEEDS HELP. SO HELP HIM ALREADY.” Clara knew not what to do. But, all those around her were the same. She clutched her rosary. If God were testing her, she must show faith. Only those who follow the Lord shall be saved.

She stepped up, tiptoeing as the others quietly tried to dissuade her. She pressed her finger against her mouth to show silence, and gave a smile. It was truly for her sake, but they need not know that.

Clara stepped out of the room, and quietly moved to the nave. She turned the corner, and spotted from behind what appeared to be a woman, long black hair, pale skin, clothes that looked ragged and almost completely burnt. The woman was near naked, had she no decency? But there were no signs of the demon.

She stepped further. What caught her eye was the doors to the church. They were wrecked, one barely dangling from the hinges and the other fallen onto the floor. It looked like something had impacted the handles with tremendous force. How could that have happened? That and a single glimpse of the bodies outside flipped her stomach upside down. She held in her fluids as best she could, but it was not a simple task.

Trying to pay it no mind, Clara sheepishly approached. She saw in the woman’s hand a man. Asleep, worse for wear, very familiar. Raphael was slumped over, being dragged by this strange woman. Clara was at first glad to see him, but worried over his state. What had happened? Was the demon still out there?

She spoke to catch the woman’s attention. “Umm, hello there. Does he need help?”

The woman turned. Clara felt an instinctual fear overtake her. The face was beautiful, captivating in a natural sense, if not for the air of frustration the stranger exuded. But her heart went cold as she gazed into the one visible eye. A blue unlike any other, the other eye hidden behind a wall of hair. It was impossible, it did not make reason in the Lord’s domain.

But she knew the monster, despite its rejuvenated appearance. The vampire. It was here. And it held Raphael’s life in its hands.

“Another human told me you can fix him. So do it.” The vampire spoke. Clara’s fear overtook her, as she had no will to flee. But the words confused her. The vampire’s, relatively, calm expression bamboozled her.

“What?” Clara was at a loss, uttering the words out of instinct.

The vampire stamped her foot, the stone beneath her feet shattering. The sound startled Clara, surely the others would have heard it as well.

“DO. IT.” She shook the unconscious Raphael. He was in no state to be casually jostled like a doll.

Clara swallowed enough to pull a muscle, before saying. “I cannot help him unless you let him go gently. He is clearly hurt.” This abominable creature would not listen to reason. But, if she could save Raphael from her, then she would try anything she could, dangers be damned.

“Ugh. Fine.” The vampire dropped Raphael on the floor, his head avoided smacking into the stone by chance. Clara blinked in confusion. That was remarkably simple. Not exactly cooperative, but she listened. Was this really the same monster?

The creature leaned close to Clara, sniffing her over. Clara held her breath, as the vampire spoke, “There are others present. Will they fix him?” Clara's eyes went wide, realizing the jig was up. But the vampire showed no immediate hostility. Just a question.

“Maybe. So long as they aren’t hurt, then the Lord’s children will offer aid.” The vampire seemed confused, but accepted the answer.

“Hurry up then.” The blue eye glared at her, as Clara sheepishly tried to pick up Raphael’s body. The vampire seemed impatient, grabbing him by the arm. Clara went to the side room where she was staying. Given the other sisters that were no longer with them, there were plenty of vacancies.

She pointed to a bed, as the vampire dropped Raphael onto it without any semblance of delicacy. It was better than nothing.

Clara thanked Archangel Raphael for her learning even a slight bit of caregiving. Surely such knowledge would aid his namesake in such dire times. She got to work, taking off his clothes. His limbs were swollen, likely having run himself ragged; the fatigue made them stiff. There was bruising all around, nothing life-threatening by the looks of it.

She went ahead and undid his shirt, and clasped her hands over her mouth. She saw scars, blackened and numerous over his chest. They did not seem to be recent, far from it. This man had been stricken by the plague.

Yet he lived, traveling across Europe by himself. He had survived. Was he blessed? Given his kind nature, perhaps he truly was. She recalled his words, perhaps his kindness and fearlessness came from what he survived, and what he understood more than most.

She cried. Such a good man should not have to suffer the wrath of a monster.

Yet, the vampire wanted him alive. Why was that? Marks along his neck and arms only slightly exposed themselves to her, numerous, and paired. Bites, likely his toll to his captor. Such a creature was vile indeed.

And what of the other monster?

Clara worked, diligent despite the evil over her shoulder. The silence did not calm her nerves. There was too much she did not know.

“Where is that demon that attacked here?”

“Demon?” The vampire replied confusedly. “What’s a demon?”

Clara incredulously asked, “Are you not a demon? A bloodthirsty beast who attacked my home?” The sight of the vampire tearing apart her fellow sisters and friends still haunted her mind.

“I am a vampire. And you….” The vampire stared at her. “I do remember. I remember you.”

Clara’s hands shook over Raphael’s body. “Why, why are you still alive? How are you here? Are you in league with that other demon?”

The vampire stared at her, as though looking down at a child. “Because I keep eating. He gives me his blood, and I keep living. He feeds me, I feed him.”

Such words must be blasphemous. Raphael would surely not be in league with such a monster. But, his tired gaze, the somber expression he held. If that was true, then he was not a partner to this creature, merely a pawn.

“Then why did you not chase me back then?” She asked, seeking resolution.

“He offered the deal to me. I took it.” The vampire spoke. She had no reason to lie. Not just a pawn. Raphael was a sacrifice of his own volition.

Clara kept going, finding what little bandages, food and water the church had left. Raphael would need rest for a while. For how long, that she was uncertain of.

“Will you eat me once I am done?”

“I’m not hungry right now.” The vampire spoke matter-of-factly. Unusual, but perhaps a good omen.

“You still have not answered my question. What of the other monster?” The vampire stared, as though confused. “The one with the arms?”

A moment of recognition plastered over the vampire’s face. “Oh, that. I killed it.”

Clara’s confusion only grew deeper. “What? Are you not kin?”

The vampire crossed her arms, as though trying to think. “Kin? Kin. No, not that. It had what I wanted, so I killed it. It was going to kill my human, and I killed it.”

This turn of events was beyond what Clara could conceive. But the vampire had no reason to lie, nor the tells of one who would. Perhaps the truth was stranger than fiction.

Still, the vampire was here in the church, unbothered, or perhaps, oblivious to the sanctimony of the Lord’s house. Clara only questioned more, what did she know, what did she not? Would the Lord reveal truths to her, when this creature held no falsehood as far as she could tell?

Clara looked over Raphael. He would certainly survive, but would need constant care for the foreseeable future. The vampire loomed behind her, as she spoke. “He-He will be fine for now. But he will need someone to take care of him until he is ready.” Surely this would buy her time, to do something, anything to protect the church.

The vampire grunted, letting out an angry sigh, “Fine.” before stomping off out of the room. Clara went out, watching the vampire sit in the pews with a bored expression on her face.

She immediately tiptoed away, keeping an eye over her shoulder as she returned to the back room. The faces of worry on the other side asked the questions silently.

“The monster is dead from what I know.” Joy filled their hearts swiftly, but Clara was swift to amend her statement. “But a new problem has arisen. There is, a creature of sorts in the nave. Please, quietly escape through the main door while I try and distract it.”

Those present had no words. Certainly, discomfort and anxiety, but nothing to alleviate it. Slowly but surely, those present stood up and followed Clara out. She returned to the nave to try and lead the vampire elsewhere. But she found her laid out on the pew, eyes closed. The vampire showed no signs of breathing. Was she dead? Clara was not certain, but it was better than nothing. She whispered and motioned towards those that followed to flee, as one by one they all left through the main entrance. Many clearly covered their eyes as they walked past the carnage.

Clara sat on the pew near the vampire. To be powerless against such a creature, with absurd demands and no means to contest. Raphael was suffering greatly. She prayed silently, surely the Lord would render aid, someway, somehow.

Her prayer was interrupted in due time by the arrival of voices from outside the church. She finished and approached. Men wielding all sorts of objects and armaments were present, with one approaching and asking “Are you safe, Sister?”

Clara responded, “I am for now. What of the town?”

The men’s heads held low. “Many, many were killed. I dare not share details beyond what you have already seen. Are there any others with you?”

“Yes, there are, but they have left here. It is, occupied at the moment.”

“Occupied? By what?”

Clara spoke in hushed tones, “A vampire is staying here, for how long I do not know. Everyone else has left, I am the only one left to care for someone else.”

The men held somber looks. Were they aware of the vampire? Were they worn from the destruction, or from the other creature that attacked the busy town? The night was still long, and none wished to be out and about in the dark.

“Is this, vampire you speak of, a woman?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then, we may try and kill it while we have the chance.”

Clara interjected, “Please, do not provoke it. It is currently, err, docile. I think. None of us would survive its wrath.” The sight of her home painted with blood lingered enough in her dreams.

“You would let a monster roam free, Sister?” The man asked, the fear in his eyes spoke true of his intentions.

“I, I would not. It is not my place to speak on such matters. But, all our lives could be snuffed out by it. I know it can be reasoned with if things work out.”

“And how would they?”

Clara held her tongue. “It listens to a single man, who is resting inside. If he lives, so do we.”

The men murmured. Clara heard whispers, discerning that some of them witnessed Raphael speak casually with the creature, and place himself between it and them. His deeds spoke for themselves. But he paid too greatly for it, for everyone.

The man sighed and said, “I will report back to Viscount Costea. The rest of you, find as many people left in town you can. The viscount will have a fit when he sees everything, so hop to it.” The others under his command, or rather unwilling enlistment in trying times, all groaned. The night was still young, the darkness weighing on body and soul.

Clara returned to the dark church. She quietly inspected the vampire, eyes still closed. Or rather, the one eye she could see. She seemed peaceful almost. How was this thing the same one that attacked her before?

She walked away, to check on Raphael. Her vision blurred, as she approached her savior, and she fell asleep in the gentle darkness.

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Pain. Fear. Disgust. A mission for one’s self. Power. Ego. Terrible, terrible choices. Swirling in recollection, striking in unison.

Raphael awoke, exhaustion creeping into his muscles. Parched, hungry and sore. What happened? His thoughts swam in a murky mind. To catch a single one took more experience than a what wiseman, let alone him, could handle.

Feed. Relieve. Find out where he was. He got up, and looked around. A sunny day. He noticed windows in a stone room. There were crosses and rosaries on a nearby table, and a bowl and cups near his bed. A church perhaps? The Răscruce church?

His clothes were placed elsewhere on another bed. Given the bandages over some of his wounds and abrasions, someone took care of him. Fortune smiled on him once more, apparently.

Raphael exited the room, confirming his location. Light was pouring in through the windows. He was not certain of the time, or even the day. Where was the vampire? Where was Minodora?

He walked out into the nave, finding the doors of the church broken down. His worry rose, but the lack of blood or bodies indicated nothing of the sort took place. There was no one else present, as he sat in a pew.

Everything he had was gone. No thanks to the utter imbeciles in this town. Were they all dead? He did not know their names. And he certainly couldn’t be asked to find them to be certain.

Minodora would still be out there. She could not be left alone. He got up, the exhaustion lessening as he wandered.

The light of day shone above, seemed to be later in the afternoon. Walking around, he saw piles of bodies laid in the graveyard. Certainly not enough people to bury them all. Definitely not enough for a proper funeral.

Raphael returned to Răscruce, and his fears were realized. The town was barren of people, compared to the busy streets of before. Men were present, either trying to clean out the wreckage, or pilfer what was left for themselves. Both seemed preferably right now, as Raphael kept walking. Some gazed upon him, others were too focused on themselves.

He passed by the Nemes’ house. Bodies of women were laid out in front, bearing resemblance to Jan, the faces frozen in terror. Nothing unusual given everything else.

The walking continued, as he returned to the abandoned house. Only a pile of burnt timber remained where it once stood. He stepped past the broken wood, looking around. The remains of the bed were but ash, with the satchel burnt black but intact. He scoured through it, finding pieces of metal and gray ash.

He could not keep himself upright anymore, as he fell to his knees. His arms lost their strength, as he sighed.

This was all that was left, some coin and faded chances.

Raphael stood back up. The bag was heavier than before. He took it back to town. There was nothing left here for anyone. If at least someone survived, then that should be good enough.

Minodora sat in the dark room. She had slept when the sun arose, and blocked the windows. There was nothing else to do, her human had not awoken yet. She had taken wood from town, since it could burn, and burning helped humans see and help them eat.

This would do, she thought. But until then she slept. She slept for a long while, but she was bored. Her human took too long. That was certain. Now, or when saving her. But he did save her, that was certain. A truly good human, if annoying.

She scratched her head. Without much else, she checked the windows, carefully moving the cloth she had but in front of it. The light was beginning to lessen.

Perfect. Minodora exited the room, and headed into the big room. The light from the sun barely crept through the windows here. This place was better for now.

Still. That female human sucked. She couldn’t make her human finish recovering faster. She wasn’t good for much.

Whatever. Not her problem right now.

She got up, checking around the things again. Chairs. Long chairs. A table. Candles. All sorts of stuff. What was it for? She did not know.

She approached the table. Behind it was a piece of wood, in the shape of a cross. What did it mean, what was it used for?

She did not know.

Minodora did know that it pissed her off. Why did it? She did not know. She grabbed it, smashing it into the stone floor until both cracked, and hurled through the window. The glass shattered easily from the force, and she felt better.

Did that do good? She did not know? But she felt powerful, that was what mattered.

A scream made her mad once more, as Minodora turned to see the female having returned from elsewhere.

“How? How could you do that?!” The female screeched. Minodora smelled the fear holding back anger. This female at least knew her place.

“It pissed me off, so I broke it.”

“Why?” The female spoke. “You truly are a demon, to scorn the Lord.”

Minodora was still confused, what did that even mean? Lord however, meant someone important, at least she thought so. “Who is that?”

The female looked with confusion, matching Minodora’s own. “You do not know?”

“Don’t know what?” The female was starting to piss her off too.

“The Lord is God the Almighty. He watches all and is with everyone, even those who sin. But you, you would curse him so?”

Minodora’s bewilderment had spiked. Almighty, like mighty, like powerful. “He is here? He is powerful?”

“Yes, always.”

Minodora looked around, speaking simply. “But, I am the only one here.”

The female’s expression was hard to read. Would she run, try and fail to fight, speak further? Minodora couldn’t tell, and it was aggravating her.

The female turned and walked off, as Minodora stood in the broken glass. What was her problem?

A familiar smell perked her nose. Finally, he was back.

Raphael stumbled into the church. He looked to see Minodora approach, the dimming light being carefully avoided in her steps. A large hole was seen in the window in the back, and the cross was now missing. That would explain the sound he heard on the way up the hill.

“Human. You took too long to wake up.” She spoke indignantly. His sorrow overwhelmed his urge to snap back.

“I cannot recover as quickly as you. How unfamiliar with humans are you?” He asked in kind. She seemed to consider the question to some degree.

“I know I eat your blood, and you feed me. I give you food, and you eat.” He said before adding, “Humans don’t like it when I kill them, but it’s fun.”

Raphael stared at her. “Fun. It’s fun to you?”

“Yes. What else is there to do?”

He held his tongue and revulsion, before speaking once more. “I don’t know about you. I suppose you have no concerns other than food or sunlight.” He noted her damaged clothes; there was almost nothing but string left covering her. She truly did almost look human. That and he never saw her engage in other basic human activities like waste removal to say the least. Despite himself, he was fascinated.

Minodora asked him, “Why do humans wear clothes?”

Raphael offered an incredulous stare and a curt response. “So we do not get too dirty and do not get cold.”

The vampiress stared in return and posited a simple question. “What is cold?”

Raphael blinked. “What, what do you mean by that? Do you not understand the word?”

Minodora retorted. “I heard the word. What does it mean? What is cold?”

This unusual response sparked questions in his mind. He noted candles it the nave, and stood up, beckoning her to follow him. He approached it and asked, “Please, place your finger on the flame.”

She did so, a look of curiosity on her face mirroring his own. She began to wince, as she said. “It hurts. It is hurting me, I do not know how fire does that.”

“Aside from the pain, do you feel nothing else?”

“No, it hurts. What is with the questions?” Her fangs sharpened a bit.

“A few more. Place your hand near the flame, you do not have to touch it.” She did so, looking at him all the while.

He asked her, “Do you feel anything different?”

Minodora plainly stated. “No, I don’t. I don’t like the questions.”

Raphael posited. “Unfortunately, I have more. Surely you can handle them.” He pushed his luck, as she growled, but relented. He held his breath and noted her lack of response. Temperature was a foreign, if non-existent concept to her. Such a thing, universal and true, to not be felt by another creature. It was an alien paradigm, fitting an alien creature.

“Is that supposed to be cold?”

Trying to propose the right words, Raphael clarified. “Umm, no. It’s supposed to be hot. Hot and cold are opposites, or rather places on a scale, some things are hotter than others, and vice versa. Like when it’s dark or when it’s bright out.”

Minodora seemed to nod in basic understanding, or rather going along with it. Raphael was certainly not expecting to give an impromptu lecture today.

“So, humans don’t want the cold, as I do not want the light.” She thought about it. “More cold means killing is easier. How do I get more cold?” She asked him, a seemingly honest question for her to give to him.

Stumbling over his words, he said “Umm, well, you cannot obtain cold, at best you could find something that is cold and give it to someone.”

Minodora seemed to think, as a look of realization dawned on her. “I cannot feel this ‘cold’”, before a new revelation came to her. “But you can. If I find something cold, you can tell me.”

Pressing himself and his point forward, Raphael said, “Though I could possibly do so, to what ends would that serve? All you seem to want is more blood and to kill humans. Truly, is there anything else you desire, or need?” A foolish question, she was a monster. But the need to try and dissuade was too great to ignore, even if futile.

“Uhhhhhhhhhh.” Minodora tried to think, not coming up with anything. She had no idea it seemed. Raphael could only watch as her mind failed to come up with much. She seemed broken. Incomplete.

The next inquiry made sense to him. “Then what about the blood gems? How are they connected to you? Are you responsible for them appearing?”

Minodora tried to think. “I-I-” She sat down, clutching her head. She did not seem to be in pain, but some mental fatigue emerged.

“To survive. I was running. Break myself, to not be found. I was strong. Stronger. Must, reclaim.” An almost monotonous recollection emerged from her lips. She was genuinely trying. Like placing bricks back to what was once a house, broken memories alone would not make a full picture.

This creature knew little and understood less. Not just her inhumanity, but being fragmented as well. Perhaps she could learn. She agreed to not harm others, despite her hunger. Perhaps something could be done.

“I, do not know.” She said with an exasperated look on her face.

Raphael posited. “Well, then whatever we have now will have to do.” He sighed, the exhaustion still seeping in. He needed food soon at this point.

“You took off running to find the toad. Do you know where the gems are?”

Minodora thought about it, before replying. “I can tell where they are if I can smell them.” A vague answer. No, it was more clear than that. She could not tell, unless within a certain proximity. That would have to do.

“No way to find them other than searching and asking.” He muttered tiredly. Minodora had no concept of the dangers she unleashed, let alone pertaining any sense of responsibility. Would she have if she regained her memories? A total unknown, which Raphael was not fond of.

Though she was all well, he thought to himself. A dangerous being like her, weakened and fragmented now, how powerful was she before? And how come no one seemed to have heard of her? Or perhaps there was some obfuscation, intentional or otherwise.

More and more questions filled his head, but were interrupted by Minodora once more. “You will help me find them? You are good at talking to other humans.”

He noted her statement, as he realized his slip of the tongue. “That was not a tacit agreement.” He stretched before continuing, “But, I am not sure right now.”

The vampiress stared in confusion. “I feed you, you feed me.” The words haunted him. His complicitness bore down on him. Was this his cross to bear? If so, could he change it?

“I do not know right now, I am sorry.” Eyes grew weary, as Minodora looked upset.

“You are my human. You are tired and not happy. Tired and unhappy humans do not give good blood.” She glared at him, her fangs visible once more.

“How do I fix that?” The intensity of the leer belied her question. Innocuous and curious. Raphael sighed, and showed his bag. Reaching his hands in, he pulled out pieces of dust and ash that fell back down from his fingers.

“To save you, and stop Jan, I gave up my dream.” His voice grew more tired. “I guess you do not know what those are either.”

“Your stuff burned and you are not happy. You had something important in there.” Raphael figured she might have snuck a glance at some point.

“Yes. Yes, I did.”

“Well, it is better that you saved me. I could not kill that ‘Jan’ otherwise.” Raphael clenched his fingers, but released them painfully. It would do no good, and her arrogance spoke to the truth. No one would have survived had he not done so. She was not wrong there, just ignorant all the same.

Her instincts were sharp, much like her tongue. But even so, her cognition had changed, she held conversation now, albeit awkwardly. Was that a good idea? It did not matter. The die was cast, and he needed the rest.

Raphael sheepishly got up. “Good night then, uh, Minodora.” Pleasantries seemed unlikely to matter to her, but even so.

“Minodora. Minodora.” She spoke to herself, still seeming to be unaccustomed to it. Her eye lit up as she grabbed his arm and asked, “Humans have names. What is yours?”

Raphael noted the change. Before, she would not have asked. Could not, would not, and he certainly did not bother to offer his own.

“I am Raphael.” Minodora seemed to stare.

“Important humans have two names. You are important. What is your second name?” She asked. Her reasoning was far from logical, but she wasn’t wrong.

“Bohan. My name is Raphael Bohan.” He knew not why he told her. It had been so long since he had uttered it.

Minodora seemed to smirk with her hunch being confirmed correct. “Then sleep, human. You will give me blood when you are ready.” Her selfishness was unparalleled, but at this point, expected.

Raphael left the nave and found a bed, collapsing onto it without a second thought or a second to ponder.

Her human was a lucky find indeed. Minodora’s fortune was looking up. She had more memories, a name, more power, and a loyal minion. This was a good day indeed. She was bored though, as she sat in the darkness and recounted those memories. Hunting, eating, playing with her food. It was fun, it was right, she was driven to do so.

Why? Why do so beyond the hunger? Why did venom course her motionless veins? There was a feeling there that seemed wrong? Unusual? Alien? She did not understand it. Was it something called hatred?

She did not know. She had more pieces, but it did not make sense.

Thinking about it hurt her head, and she returned to the dark room and slept like the humans do. The hunger could be delayed; she wouldn’t waste time until her human was ready once more.

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A painful awakening awaited poor Raphael, as his limbs were still sore. Blood still pulsed through his veins, so all must have been well. The morning sun showered him with light, poking at his eyes and making respite no longer feasible.

Exiting the communal chambers, he looked around to find Minodora asleep in a storage room. Better for her to be asleep than bored, the vampiress’ attitude was still an impeccable obstacle to navigate.

He scoured the church for more food, and ate in silence. Thoughts still muddy, and words yet unsaid still waited to be sorted. He chewed stale bread slowly as his mind could only stumble forward, like wading through mud.

His meal concluded with a familiar sight. Sister Clara had entered the room, and explained, “Hello again, Raphael. Viscount Costea had wished for my word about what had happened yesterday, and I, I was too scared to return here at night.”

Sympathy welled alongside understanding. “I speak from experience, you are not alone in that regard. But she is thankfully still asleep, and she won’t be hungry again for some time.”

The young nun sighed in relief, as she sat down. Raphael felt heavier, words needed release eventually.

“I do apologize for lying to you. I had wished to not drag anyone else into hell with me, and tried to offer myself in place for all others.” Truth presented itself from his words, however much it barbed inside his throat.

Without hesitation, she replied to his confession. “I understand, it's not my place to forgive you. Only the Lord can do so, and say whether your choice was right.”

She sighed, “But without you, and that monster, no one would have survived.” Smiling softly, she amended “At least the Lord shall guide those left on Earth to do what they must.”

He laughed weakly. The ashes still felt fresh on his fingers. The letter he lost, no, sacrificed, its lack weighed heavier than all. A dream discarded, for people he did not know. For a monster he did not understand. And for what? A supposed purpose, destiny? A plan by something he’s never seen, that would let evil exist in this world?

Was this all part of that plan? Who was to say? Gritting his teeth, he responded, “I highly doubt that. It is up to us to live our own lives, with everything that entails.”

The faintest hint of venom slipped through his voice. He wanted to pull back his tongue. Such words were not meant towards her.

“I suppose you are right.” A recollection sparked upon her face as she added “I’m sorry, I forgot to mention, the viscount did wish to speak with you. As soon as possible I might add.”

Such summons, especially after both a bad first impression, and a literal massacre, were a poor omen indeed. But even so, the wealthiest and most powerful man in town would have resources and hopefully coin to spare. Not a likely chance of success though, considering the fate of the other two local leaders. The images of their bodies still haunted his memory.

It was worth the risk. He could always run if things went poorly. After what he just survived, a normal man seemed trivial.

“I shall see to him then. Thank you for letting me know.”

He arose from his restful chair and asked, “What about you then? Given the state of the church and the town, I do not think there would be much for you here.” The broken door and stained glass were indicative of that; it was getting quite chilly inside because of it.

A look of long consideration and deliberation appeared on her face. “My home in Zori is gone. The church here is now deserted and there isn’t much of a congregation left in town. Not to mention, I am certainly not qualified to lead a mass. But even so, everyone needs God and someone to help them speak with him. Whether here or elsewhere, I’ll be there to help.”

Her words were either flimsy or stubborn, discerning which was the case was difficult.

“Well, I wish you the best of luck there.”

As he walked to head out, she stopped him by asking, “And what about you, Raphael? What will you do?”

He did not speak. His dream was a longshot, his own faith hinging on someone else’s favor. But the goal remained the same, to do good. Was this perhaps a different path towards the same end?

“I do not know. But, thank you for asking.” He headed out, exiting the cold church steps. Painful steps still tore at his feet. But they would get him where he needed to go.

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An estate like this would normally not be so hectic. Raphael knew that quite well, even if the viscount’s home was on the much smaller side. Still, the autumn air nipped at him as the sunlight still kept him safe for now. Best to not waste time.

He knocked on the wooden door. Time seemed to have worn it down, but by how much, that was harder to grasp. Still, the building appeared well-maintained. A bastion away from the wreckage of Răscruce. Such opulence, or even the smallest facsimile of it, was a far cry from the farms, inns and wilderness that Raphael had traveled these last few years. Not unfamiliar, just something he never thought he would step in on his path. Or rather, what had thought was his path.

The door opened, revealing a woman, likely in her early 40s, that appeared incredibly stressed. She was likely a servant of some kind; no doubt she had her work cut out for her. Speaking candidly, he introduced himself, “Hello there, my name is Raphael, I was informed that the viscount wished to speak with me?”

The woman sighed, likely his arrival was just another thing to handle. “Yes, come in.” She hurried him along inside, and he entered the home. Signs of many bootprints were evident outside, with some being seen here as well. The viscount’s home appeared to be a hub of recent activity. Given the affairs of other towns and villages and the monsters that destroyed them, it was no wonder.

The servant woman led him quickly; it was likely that this was to be addressed immediately. He narrowly avoided bumping into other servants who were carrying trays of food. He, along with the servant woman and a few others, approached a closed chamber door as the woman knocked.

“Raphael is here, sir.” She spoke succinctly.

A tired voice replied, “Then let him in and go.” The woman opened the door, showing what appeared to a small room with a large wooden table. Papers covered the surface of the furniture, as though making an impromptu doily. The same meek man he had met only days ago now was disheveled, from his hair to the bags under his eyes. If not for Jan’s monstrous metamorphosis prior, this transformation would certainly have been quite the fright.

A scent of tea wafted from the room, as Raphael stepped inside. The door shut swiftly behind him. Aristocratic etiquette was not a priority here as of the moment.

“Raphael, you, yes, right.” Viscount Costea lifted a cup and inhaled the contents, swiftly and without the hint of savoring any of it. Tea was by no means a stimulant, at least not one to deal with whatever emergency that racked the noble’s brain.

“Please sit. Or stand. Whatever works.” He kept standing, if he sat, he might pass out again. Legs were still sore from running for his life, the food in the church was mostly gone. He was running on fumes as well. It seemed he was better at hiding it.

“To what do I owe this summons? I offer whatever is within my power.” Cordial words flowed from his mouth naturally. All too familiar. All too perfunctory. All too sickening.

“Please. From what I have been told by, frankly barely anyone left in town, you helped kill that monster in town. And stopped another one. I’m not much of a religious man myself, I would never tell Gheorghe that, but he’s dead now, so what does it matter? So, what the fuck happened?!” The viscount rambled. He was at his wits’ end, and the conversation had only just begun. This would be difficult indeed.

“Well, as I alluded to in our previous conversation. The culprit of this incident was an unfortunate soul stricken by the cursed objects I spoke up. I only know them as ‘blood gems’, given their strange nature.” The viscount stared. The foreign man’s words were calm despite the utter shitshow. If he said ‘I told you so’, he would be personally thrown out a window.

“So, some fucker became some demonic thing, and killed everyone? If not for the bodies littering the streets and on fucking roofs, I would not believe you.”

“I concur.” He spoke, realizing he shouldn’t have. But the viscount continued.

“So, do you have any idea, who it was? Or does it not matter?”

The question stung, the words piercing through with sharpened recklessness. “It, it was Jan Nemes, sir. He was cursed.”

The viscount slumped onto the table. Given his relationship with Jan’s father, and the man’s gruesome end, it was not hard to imagine the horror from when he was killed. Hard to stomach most certainly, but the pieces fit too well to think of anything else. He tried to speak, before holding back an acid reflux.

The papers that covered the large table were an assortment of documents, with many being blank, likely to make response letters. There were letters asking for aid from other towns, tales of demons and horrific creatures being spotted, maps of local areas and even some across Wallachia.

They were scattered but easily readable. Raphael quickly scoured the contents from his standing position as Costea collected himself. There were names of places and detailed routes, places that required aid, and those with which all contact was lost. Those beyond saving, and those that may yet be saved.

After drinking even more tea, the conversation continued. “And, Jan was killed, by the sounds of it. Put to rest?”

The sight of Jan’s mutated form alone meant he would receive no rest. Especially not after being absorbed into the gem itself and then eaten by Minodora.

“Yes. He is in a better place now.” The lie seemed necessary, the soothing words granted some level of comfort to the viscount. But even so, his dour mood persisted.

“And this, vampire, I have been told. Dozens of witnesses say you talked with the thing, telling it to stand down. Are you in league with such a thing?” The glare was not uncommon, but did not sting any less.

“I made a deal with my life, sir. She will feed from only the dead and myself, so long as she remains sated.” The harrowed man clearly was skeptical. Raphael slowly loosened his coat, revealing the bandages on his neck and collar bone. With a shrug of his shoulders, he readjusted his posture, hiding them once more.

“Dear God. I do not suppose whatever other, things, I don’t know what they are, are razing other towns to the ground could also be bargained with? I have enough people to deal with as it is!” Rambling with increasing frequency, the viscount let his thoughts run free. The meek man from before was certainly gone now.

“I am certain that however bad it is, there can be some level of recovery.” Platitudes were not his forte. Healing through knowledge and application was the way to go, he only had partial understanding of the intricacies of governance.

Turning his head towards his guest, the viscount took him by the shoulder, swiftly moving him over to a window. Outside was a small courtyard housed within the viscount’s estate. But unlike a place of leisure, it was packed from end to end with people. The same tired and afraid faces that littered the town before the attack were present here.

“They all came in last fucking night, while most of the town just left. Everyone is looking to go somewhere else, not knowing that we have our problems and theirs as well. I certainly did not sign up for this; I DEFINITELY can’t handle all this. Who the fuck can?”

A sinking feeling sunk in; the familiarity was palpable. Away from home, lost and afraid, seeking salvation wherever it may be. He knew all too well. The problem could have been avoided before, he need not focus on it.

He only needed to focus on himself. He could have run. He should have run. The ultimatum was to save the town or his dream of becoming a doctor, and not staying as some backwater apprentice.

But these people would be lambs to the slaughter for the monster Jan had become. And what of the other towns? Those that were nearby? Would they be death traps for other refugees or travelers seeking shelter? Would those monsters made by the blood gems wander, destroying all in their path?

He cursed himself for failing to notice this. For trying not to. Such utter arrogance.

“I do not know, sir.” He told the viscount, answering the question. The older man sighed, sitting back down on the table. The metal pitcher of tea sloshed audibly as he took hold of it.

Costea began chugging the tea, raising his head back more and more to swallow it all. The gulps were audible and impressive in their own right. So much so that Raphael easily slipped blank paper away from the table and into his satchel, then subtly shifted the rest of the papers so that the table lacked any unoccupied space.

Names of towns, imagery of the maps, descriptions of any monsters, all were memorized and mentally recorded. These may only be for the immediate area, but since there was no way to tell how far the blight of the cursed objects spread, it would have to do for now.

The continuous gulping sound stopped. The metal pitcher was shaken, only drops were left from it. “I wish I could drink right about now.”

He looked back towards his guest, noting the intensity of his furrowed brow.

“Well, since you so graciously tried to warn us before, I suppose you want to take credit for saving the town? Or is it thanks to the vampire?” Minodora did not seem to be interested in credit nor acknowledgment. Her loss was his gain. …..

“I would say that it would be presumptuous of me to receive any accolades. Nor do I require any. If I may be so bold however, I could use some money, if not other forms of bounty.”

The viscount weakly laughed, burping halfway through, the scent of tea emanating from him. “Are you mad? With all the shit going on, YOU ask for money? I’m busy trying to make up for most of a town disappearing from the face of the earth and a load of refugees almost every day now, what makes you think I have anything to spare?”

With a calm approach, he retorted, “Because I have also been ousted thanks to these monsters. And last I checked, there is another one in town.”

He leaned in to make his pointer clearer. “One that does not acquiesce to anyone but myself. With some funds to feed myself with, I ensure she does not feed on anyone else.”

The viscount stared. It did not sound like a threat, merely stated as fact. One he had not considered, the stress of it all making it slip his mind.

..... “Very well. I’ll have a lump sum ready for you.” The viscount shook the pitcher, “right after the get more tea.” He opened the door, searching for a servant. He stepped out of the room, leaving enough of a window for further inspection and review of the documentation scattered across the desk.

Names, locations, details, all flooding Raphael’s mind as he burned it in to be sure. The closest town was Valea Mirajului. Not destroyed. But supposedly some disappearances and deaths. It would have to do, only a few days travel on foot.

Costea returned, holding a refilled pitcher and with the same servant woman form before behind him. He poured himself another cup while the women handed Raphael the money. She exited as swiftly as she arrived.

The pouch felt light, but beggars could not be choosers. This was only a step away from extortion: asking for more would make him merely a criminal.

“I thank you humbly, Viscount Costea.” Raphael gave a slight bow, habitually offering politeness.

The viscount in turn finished his cup, with a loud thud of the cup landing back on the table. He walked towards his guest, and placed his hands on the man’s shoulders. The weariness of his eyes bore through his skull.

“If I ever could ask one thing from you, you strange, strange man. I am certain there is far more to you than anyone could know here but I do not care.” The words flowed out, with flimsy attempts at calm and persuasion.

“I ask that you take yourself and that vampire, and go off to wherever you are planning to. And never return here. Does that sound fair?” The implication was as subtle as a bear trying to hide behind a sprout.

“I do believe it does. I shall do so posthaste.” Raphael bowed as he offered his answer. He spotted from the window view food being disturbed amongst the refugees. It would not last for long however. But such things were beyond him as he was. He could do what he must.

Turning, he exited the room, leaving the withering man to his own agonies. The still air of the estate held no sound aside from footsteps coming and going. HIs followed suit, carrying him out of the building, making way back to Răscruce proper. The sky was still clear; there would be plenty to do before evening.

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The sense of boredom crept in further and further. She had awoken from her slumber in the daylight still confining her to the dark room. With some effort, she wrapped cloth around her arms. Carefully removing a piece of debris covering the window, she stuck her hand out slowly into the light. Though the light touched, it did not pierce the protective veil.

Minodora smiled. She may yet have new means of evading the dastardly sun. Still, the cloth around here was cumbersome to keep track of. It would be difficult to move all wrapped up in cloth.

How did her human do it? It was hard to tell. The males and females tended to wear different clothing by the looks of it. She did not like the female ones. They were limiting to her. Yet having protection against the sun would be most effective.

She pondered, skulking in her room in the church. Surely having more clothes would be better then. Hers were burnt tatters, the fire that failed to kill her destroyed them almost completely.

Perhaps she could have her human get more for her. He would know how to do so.

Speaking of, where was he this time? It was boring waiting for him. Her hunger had not returned. The taste of blood was always welcome, but not necessary currently.

Without much else, she tried wrapping herself in cloth once more. Fabric wrapped and intertwined around her. It was not enough, as she grabbed more and more. Soon enough, every bit of her body was covered, her form now a textile jumble.

She had to protect her eyes, lest she not be able to see. But this reasoning did not account for the obstruction of her vision. With the cloth all around her, she stumbled around, lost in the dark prison she placed herself in.

…..

Clara tried cleaning the mess that Minodora had made. Of all the things the nun would have expected, sweeping broken glass and hauling a large cross launched outside a church by an erratic vampire weren’t one of them. Let alone a vampire that seemed slightly, if barely, subdued. Compared to the monster she encountered when they first met, this was an improvement, but not by much.

Still, what would happen next? To her, or to this town? So many people gone, so many dead. Autumn was here, winter would come soon enough. With refugees from other places also seeking shelter and aid, no one could readily offer bread and beds.

But, perhaps trying times were the proof of the Lord’s wisdom, to offer aid to any who needed it, for all were God’s children. Raphael seemed defensive on the matter there, his words seemed innocuous at first, but some restrained emotion seemed to bleed through his words. Surely, he was saved by a miracle of the Lord, how else could he have survived the plague? If not, was it the mentor he spoke so fondly of, was there something that caused him to doubt the word of God?

She stopped her sweeping, the pondering distracting her. She was almost done. Staying at the church in the winter would be fruitless, given the damage to the windows and door. Things would have to change, and have to be done by human hands.

The sound of a thud caught her attention. She turned her head towards where it had come from, apparently from inside the church. The only thing left in here was the vampire.

Shuddering from both the autumn chill and the dread that pervaded her, she approached anyway. The storage room where she once hid for her life, now housed only a monster that awaited the darkness of night. That would feed on all in her path. That a poor soul made a deal with, to offer his life for the sake of all others. A devil walking the earth, let confounding nonetheless. Changing, ever different than before.

The sounds of thuds and impacts continued, but were muffled, soft even. Fingers twitched, arms shivered, as she offered a silent prayer. She yanked open the door, and found twitching on the floor a wriggling cocoon of cloth. The vampire was nowhere else to be seen, as a muffled voice emerged from the insulated oddity.

“Female! I know you are there. I will get myself free soon!” Clara bit her tongue and curled in her lips. A fearsome monster, helpless and debilitated in such a manner, was too much for her to handle. The shock of it all was getting to her, trying not to laugh.

“I do not need your help!” Minodora exclaimed from under the wrappings. There was no doubt she had somehow done this to herself. Such an abomination reduced to a child playing in bedsheets. Such absurdity must surely be a gift from God, indeed.

Walking over, she could tell where the cloth had become tangled, an accidental knot having been formed. With a few tugs, the knot was undone, and the vampire pushed and pulled her way out of her self-imposed prison.

“Bah! I did need your help, human.” The words were said while she spat out some lint. The nun merely smiled. This creature, without hunger commanding her, seemed naive, almost innocuous. Almost.

“Perhaps. But I don’t think it would have done much good either way.” She saw the vampire get up. The ragged clothes barely covered her body, private areas exposed without a care or even notice. She was definitely inhuman. That or completely oblivious. How was she not cold?

A question did cross her mind however. “What will you do now?” She asked the vampire. “Certainly, you won’t stay here, you desire blood and the deaths of others.”

The response was quick. “I do like blood. Killing humans is fun, but blood is better.” The reasoning was utterly simple-minded. But, without enmity or hostility. Arrogance definitely, but nothing beyond that. She resembled a child. A bloodthirsty one, but still. A question arose in her

“If given the chance, where you could have all the blood you wanted, but not hurt anyone again, would you take it?” The hypothetical proposed to the vampire seemed to fly over her pale head. Not entirely though, her face showing a miniscule few gears turning in said head.

“Blood is better. I choose blood.” The answer was curt but resound. It seemed imbecilic, but the simplicity left no room for no obscurities or prejudice. She seemed to ponder further, not coaxed, but of her own volition. “Stay with my human, keep feeding and finding.”

She seemed to come to her own conclusion, whatever that may be. She wrestled away the sheets and cloth, and returned back to her sleep.

Clara watched the monster with her fear mitigated. Now, all that was left was confusion, curiosity, and a hint of pity. Such things should not be shared, for both her manners and for her life. She shut the door, keeping light away, and awaited the return of the church’s other guest.

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Dreary atmospheres pervaded the town of Răscruce as Raphael walked through it. With the sheer number of buildings destroyed, those that remained in town were either the residents trying to prepare for winter, or refugees who dared not risk returning to the forest paths.

Most of the corpses had been cleaned out, though their impact still painted the town. Literally and figuratively. Where bodies had crashed into walls and had their insides splattered across the ground were cleaned of the corpses, but nothing else. Time was of the essence; there certainly weren’t enough people to handle anything frivolous.

Still, what places remained with people left to run them kept the doors open. In some cases, there weren't any doors left. Structure was now a commodity compared to the expected framework of the once crowded town. Jan’s attack certainly would scar this place for a long time. Would he have wanted it? Given his state of mind in his final moments, no one would ever know.

Walking further, the traveler noted a few sales of goods. Some things rummaged from destroyed buildings, for the lowest possible prices given the sounds of the desperate sellers. A few candles and other traveling goods would help. He purchased whatever he could, the savings made up for the bleak, sunny day.

The sun was beginning to move into its afternoon descent. Best to not waste time, he told himself. Moving along, he found some empty homes. The Nemes family home was likely cleared out, seeing a trio of teenagers exiting the place with bags in hand. They noticed his gaze before bolting to parts unknown.

Everyone for themselves. A sad truth of the world. But not one to submit to. Accept, and choose regardless. Still, he was no better. He found some other buildings, roofs collapsed in on themselves. It would be hard, if not impossible to enter, but he would manage. Slinking inside, he found the remains of the house, and of its inhabitants. An older couple lay in bed for their final time. Were they awake when it happened? Judging by the expressions and the state of their pupils, probably not. At least they had some mercy.

Either way, their valuables would have to be parted with. Crawling through rafters and debris, he found some coin, utensils, stored meats and bread, and other miscellaneous items. They would have to do, as one by one, he ferried them out.

He looked back to the bodies. No obligation tied to him. But a choice to make nonetheless. He returned, slowly but surely pulling them through the wreckage. Muscles already burning from the exertion before screamed for him to cease. But he pulled, more and more, at first the wife, then the husband was removed from the premises. With a final push, the corpses found sunlight for the first time since death.

Emerging from the destroyed abode, he lifted his head. The sun’s movements had only proceeded slightly. There would be plenty of time before nightfall. Hopefully he could convince Minodora to assist him once he returned. He laid out the bodies, letting them rest together once more, as he continued his scrounging.

Sunset rays beamed onto Raphael’s back, sadly not soothing the pain he had put it through. Traversing within the destroyed buildings was clearly the less enviable option for any scavenging, but not less profitable. He had quite a haul of fortune and goods to his name, using large sacks he had acquired in the process. Such bounties would have been nice, but not at the cost of other’s lives and livelihoods. But needs must in trying times.

Carefully and painfully, he brought his newfound cargo to the church. Surely with her inhuman strength, Minodora could help carry some of this. Stepping up the hill, tired legs managed to cobble their way towards the house of God, as he finally dropped the bags and relaxed.

He sat on a pew, the broken window letting the faintest hints of light wash over him. A noise could be heard from inside the church, a darkened hallway echoing footsteps towards him, as the familiar voice asked, “Where have you been?”

He responded in between labored breaths, “Scavenging, getting what I can.” He pointed to the sacks, anything and everything expensive he could find was in there.

“Why?” The vampire’s voice continued with her questions. The concepts behind his actions still seemed foreign to her, from what he gathered.

“Some humans will want these, and give large sums of money to do so. With more money, there is food for me, there is more blood to offer you and I stay alive.” He gave the explanation as simply as he could, finer intricacies would be lost on her. Though compared to their first encounter, she was a better listener and more cognizant now. Would her intelligence grow if she consumed more of the blood gems? Could she change from being just a monster?

The setting sun slowly faded its light from his chest. The chill of night soon approached. Minodora spoke once more. “You are tired. Will you survive?” He could tell the curiosity was not laced with compassion. Definitely concern, but clearly self-centered.

“I would prefer if you help me carry these to the next town, you are clearly stronger than I am.” With an honest assessment of her abilities, he swore he saw her smirk in the dark corridor.

“Next town?” She asked.

“Yes. We had made a deal, did we not?” The light from the window now left his body, though the sun had not yet set, he had no protection left. Step by step, the vampiress approached, the long black hair, still ebony and alluring, her fangs still poised to strike at a moment’s notice.

“Yes. You feed me, I feed you.” She repeated the words she recalled, the agreement born of desperation for both parties.

He nodded and added. “I know you want to reclaim the blood gems. I do not wish for them to curse anyone else and take any more lives. As absurd as it is, perhaps you may not be just a mindless monster.” He extended out his hand. “So, to be certain from here on out. I offer myself to you, and you to me and no one else. We are partners from this point forward. Agreed?”

She stared at him; it was clear she did not understand much. But she mimicked him, placing out her hand, clasping onto his. Her brutal strength was clearly not something she practiced restraint on, but even so, her cold hand took his. Paths intertwined by both circumstance and volition.

“Sure, human.” She said, though her brow furrowed. “Where to next?”

Raphael revealed the many pieces of parchment he had taken in the day, grabbing whatever inks he could find. With rapid motions, he wrote on all of them, every detail he had managed to memorize from his visit at the viscount’s home. His new partner watched in confusion and wonder.

His small supply of ink ran out, but there was so much more to scribe. He reached into his satchel, grabbing hold of the ashes left inside. The remains of his teacher’s letter would have to do, as he used his saliva to spread it with his fingers, marking a new path forward as he copied out the maps he saw.

“The next closest town to here is Valea Mirajului. There have been recorded instances of strange deaths occurring there. Given recent developments, there may be a blood gem responsible for them. If not, we can move past it and keep searching. You did say that you could only sense them if they were close, correct?”

Minodora watched in amazement. The strange scribbles on the sheets made no sense to her, but her human had a plan, the skills to make sense of it all, and the drive and ability to act. He was a good human indeed. He was a great human. Her human. Partners. This was good indeed.

“Yeah, I said that.” She recalled. “If I find one, you help me kill it. Do not slow me down.” She told her human honestly. He seemed nervous, but nothing outside of what she had seen before.

“I understand.” He opened one of the bags peering inside and sticking his hands in. “While I am at it, I do recommend some better clothes for you. If we are to travel, subtlety and digression are paramount.” He pulled himself out of the bag, holding clothes that looked less worn that what she had used prior. “These ought to be better than burnt rags, or burning at the stake a second time.”

She had no concern for clothes, sure what little cloth was left on her did not cover her much if at all. But they were burnt and she had no others. Nor did she care for clothes, in the slightest. But her human was smart. If it would prevent other humans from trying to kill her, so be it.

He offered her some clothes. They looked different, yet similar to the previous set. What difference was there? He did not know, nor care. Awkwardly putting them on with her human’s help, she was dressed like a human, moreso a male than a female. Her human offered female clothing, but like before, they would only impede her in a fight.

She was adorned with some hard boots, comfortable pants and a shirt and jacket combination. They looked cleaner than what she had before. Her human did say he grabbed more valuable things; these must also be better than what he found before. Her assessment of his ability improved once again.

“And not to forget this,” He secured a cloak around her, with a hood attached to it. “To make it harder for people to get scared of it. So long as you do not attack anyone.” He gave her a knowing look. She did not know when the hunger would return, but it would be best to keep it in mind. At least, whatever helped her achieved the goal in the end.

“Hmmph.” She grunted, before stating. “You humans make no sense to me. I do not feel this ‘cold’ that you mentioned before. I will be fine.” She lifted her arms, noting the fabric sliding against her skin.

Her human pulled the hood over her head and said, “Even so, it is better to be safe than sorry. Err, I suppose you might not be aware with that phrase. Then again, you do not remember much.” He seemed to ponder before noticing the sun had set fully now.

“Well, Minodora. I suppose now is the time to go, unless you would like to walk in the sunlight.” She shook at the thought, as he offered her the bags. Without effort or hesitation, she hoisted them over her shoulders. These were nothing to her, and made her resemble a human working. The thought seemed absurd, if debasing, but so long as they would help get her more blood to drink, it mattered not.

Raphael led the vampire outside. Surely, they could make considerable time and distance in the night. It would be a slow journey, considering only being able to move during night or cloudy days. But even so, it would have to do. Perhaps a carriage or wagon might help? Questions filled his mind, as he walked outside.

A gaze from Sister Clara caught his attention. It was certainly an absurd scene, a wannabe apprentice doctor traveling with an amnesiac vampire currently being used as a pack animal. But the last few weeks have made absurdity more common, though not less terrifying.

“Will you be safe out there?” She asked, eyes firmly fixed on the town’s savior, and traveling potential threat.

“Truthfully, I have no idea. Nevertheless, I ought to do something about it.” He said with trepidation.

The nun clasped her hands around her rosary, offering a prayer. The tapping of a boot against the earth could be heard behind him.

“I pray Saint Michael will protect you on your path. And I thank you for all that you’ve done. Hopefully we met again in better circumstances.”

Her eyes showed her grief. Words could not form quick enough in his mind, as a loud slam against the dirt behind him caught his attention. Minodora had stomped her foot into the dirt, making a small crater in the process. She did not say more, only holding the bags and glaring profusely.

With a more rapid approach, he replied, “To you as well. Well then, have a good night.” He walked, the vampire following suit, and the broken church and its remaining inhabitant growing smaller in the view of the moonlit night.

Their steps and the jostling of junk were the only sounds in the once bustling town. Despite the weight she carried, his newfound traveling companion kept pace with him at his side.

“So, we follow this way?” She asked, a hint of boredom already in her voice.

“Indeed, we do. I cannot guarantee how long I can last during the night, so we will set up camp wherever we can and take it slow. I brought supplies if you can find food.”

She grinned, the fangs gleefully reflecting the moonlight. “Of course I can.” She was certainly livelier than before. How much did the blood gems change her? How many more were there, and what would those do to her? So many questions, all as numerous as stars in the sky, yet as unknown as what lurked in the dim forest.

His pondering ceased for but a moment. His feet were once again at the crossroads. The path to Bucharest was at his feet. He need only take it now.

Raphael sighed, his head placed in his hands. He could not walk this way, not anymore. He turned, facing towards the darkened path. With uncertainty clouding his direction, he walked towards it nonetheless.

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