AUTHOR NOTE: I have made some changes to how I write by adding Em dashes and Semicolons. Hope you like the change :)
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Moving gracefully through the woods, was a small group of 3 people, the leading figure was Hermann.
The other 2 people were the extra scouts he brought this time, albeit unnecessary and useless since they were going up against normal humans. But he still didn't feel quite — at ease.
He felt like he needed more than this, even with 10 more vampires he would probably not be at ease.
Which threw him off, making him seem dazed, and he was dazed, he thought back to how William had acted, the leader of their coven had always been a pretentious person, but they pretended they didn't notice, since he always delivered.
But — something was different this time, he saw genuine fear behind his eyes and considering his gift… that wasn't good.
"Are we there yet, I can't wait to get rid of these cultists; I don't know what they do to their believers but they taste like shit." One of the men following Hermann said.
The other one nodded his head and said, "They are taking up our food supply, we need to clean them up, what if the neighboring covens get to know we have tenants in our domain that aren't paying?"
The one who spoke first returned, "They will laugh at us and start to invade our territory since we are so "willing" to share."
Hermann, having enough of their whining said, "Shut up, can't you see we are fixing it now? We need to concentrate and complete the mission fast, so we can go back." He didn't want to be here one more second.
The slight feeling of unease didn't disappear — in fact, it got stronger the closer they got to the town.
He shook his head in denial — how could he be afraid of humans? He was a vampire — he had lived for hundreds of years. He had seen the rise and fall of a handful of empires. Humans, shapeshifters, even vampire powers: all the same — they fall, and he remains.
But then, why does he feel soo… uneasy?
They kept moving at superhuman speeds while still retaining their elegance; they didn't know they were being watched. As they got closer to the town the cults' scouts had noticed them – but chose not to act.
They wanted to lure them in and close the cage — so they couldn't escape. The husks that were scouting could stand completely still; their heartbeat could also be slowed. This led to the vampire's superhuman hearing not being able to catch them.
Thorn, who had received news that three creatures with no clear vital signs — no breathing, no heartbeat — had entered the scout area, was certain they were vampires.
He was excited; last time he met a vampire he didn't have the luxury of capturing it — but now he could — capture it and make it one of the lord's subjects.
How strong could a vampire with the lord's blessing be? Apostle-level? Herald-level? Could they compare to a Pillar-level figure?
Imagine what could be possible — he had to help the lord acquire such subjects. The lord deserves the best; he would help the lord get the best.
The lord must be happy with him — if he can help get such a rare subject.
The more he thought of the lord satisfied the more excited he became. He would surpass Loyd in favor; he didn't understand how Loyd could still be so favored by the lord. He was the one who helped convert so many people; Loyd only kept some of them alive — sure that was good for long term investment… but he was the one who made it possible for them to be investments to begin with.
Yes, he must be the best; he would show the lord he was the best by making a vampire his subject.
The vampires arrived in town; they looked around and were confused. Where are all the people? What are all these symbols? And are those — candles?
Hermann looked even more uneasy; it was all too coincidental — the cult knew they were coming. The question was: How could normal humans know they would be coming? They shouldn't be able to detect them, unless they are not normal humans.
Just then a clapping sound echoed; along with the noise came a flock of people dressed in hooded scarlet red velvet robes. They all also wore masks, the masks had different patterns and colors on them, matching the rope they all wore around their waist to tie the robes.
The vampires got into a defensive position. How could these people sneak up on them? They were on alert since they entered town. Just then the man leading the red robes spoke.
"Welcome, vampires. How are you enjoying our town so far?" Thorn said, gloating.
"You are from the cult?" Hermann asked even though he knew the answer. "You aren't normal humans." He continued.
Thorn raised his eyebrows and let out a chuckle and said, "Ohh — what gave it away?"
Hermann felt humiliated; but he could only blame himself.
Thorn jumped down from the roof of one of the nearby houses; then he started to walk at a leisurely pace towards the vampires.
The vampires upon seeing this took a few steps backward — they felt danger; it made them scared to feel danger — they were always apex predators even among other vampires.
Thorn felt anxious to start with the conversion of the vampires; he didn't want to keep talking to them, "You can either surrender or die." He said very dominantly.
The vampires who heard these arrogant words couldn't help but feel angry; one of the vampires with the worst temper took a couple of steps forward and said, "You bastard, who are you to tell us what to do? We should be the ones to tell y…", before he could finish his sentence he started to groan in pain.
Thorn looked bored; he wanted to be civil — but this one didn't know what was best for him. He also hadn't used his powers in a while, but he had gotten a lot of tithes from converting townspeople — which should have made his powers significantly increase in strength.
He was right; they were even stronger than he could've guessed. He lifted the vampire while putting strain on its limbs. The parts where his limbs and neck were attached to his body — started to crack.
Before the vampire could even beg for mercy his head and limbs disconnected with a sound resembling cracking marble.
As the vampire's body fell it caught on fire; another trick Thorn had learned recently.
The sound of crackling fire and a burnt smell spread through the air.
Hermann who saw this scene started to think back to his uneasy feeling; this was what his instincts were telling him — William must've also felt it.
Then out of the corner of his eye; he saw his subordinate turn around and run — but before he could get far, a dussin red robed individuals swarmed all over him — he was torn apart limb to limb.
He felt even more scared, could he not even escape? He wanted to curse his willingness to come here and participate in the mission; he wasn't even asked to begin with.
Was there a way to survive? He was flexible; he could work as a slave if it meant being able to live. He looked up at Thorn and made a decision — he knelt down, "Please don't kill me; I want to live; I will do anything." He was decisive in his actions — showed no hesitation to betray his previous coven if it meant to live.
Thorn looked confused — were all these vampires this fickle? If that was the case; he would have an easy job converting them.
"Would you do anything?" Thorn asked for confirmation.
"Yes." This was no occasion to show hesitation, Hermann thought.
Thorn flipped his hand — and a piece of paper appeared in his hand. "You are going to become a subject of the lord; drop blood here and press your finger." He said as he reached out the parchment.
Hermann looked confused, was that all? He then felt relieved — his ass was fine for another day.
He reached out and was about to drip blood on the parchment; then he realized he didn't have blood. He looked up and met Thorns eyes, "Sir, I don't have blood."
Thorn realized; he was right, they don't do they? Would their venom be good enough?
"Try with your venom," Thorn said.
Hermann nodded and squeezed out some venom from his fangs and dripped on the paper; he then raised his hand without much hesitation — he pressed his finger into the venom making a clear finger print.
He didn't believe this was binding; he simply thought it was all formality — for show.
But then he felt it; the heat — it spread through all of his body. The heat gathered in his center and then he felt it; the blind devotion to the lord, he wanted the lords best — at all times.
He no longer felt disdain towards the other cult members; he no longer blamed them for being a fanatic — he understood them, he was like them.
Thorn looked confused, it worked? He thought it wouldn't work. Then he thought about it; the vampire was willing — even if he was ignorant of the true meaning of signing the contract; he wasn't forced.
Thorn then though, it might also have to do with the strength of the contractor; he was very strong now.
Thorn felt like his world got a little brighter; it was this easy to make vampire subjects.
On the other side, William, the leader of Hermann's previous coven — was looking through some reports of his territory, when he felt it.
The connection he had with Hermann was lost; he used to be able to slightly feel the situation of another member of his coven — but he could no longer feel Hermann or the two scouts who went with him.
He felt his body become stiff; if Hermann was killed — one of their strongest, what did this mean for them? What did it mean for this cult? How were they that strong as normal humans? Unless — they weren't normal humans.
What should he do now? Should he keep sending scouts or should he back off, the question is: Will the cult let them go after this attack? Did the cult think they could win? Could they win?
He was going to strengthen security and plan his next moves; hopefully that would be enough.
He felt the difficulties of leading a coven.
While William was contemplating his life choices, Thorn was studying Hermann's vampire physiology.
Their biology was simply… supernatural.
"How much stronger have you become now — compared to before?" Thorn asked.
Hermann showed a thoughtful expression, "About twice as strong or so..."
Thorn showed a thoughtful expression, Hermann was about as strong as a Herald; and that is without getting any tithes of souls.
Impressive.
CHAPTER END.