“I’m off,” Kyle waved at Aoris before riding away.
His conversation with Cacophus hadn’t become any more fruitful after he asked the Lich to be blunt. Instead, Cacophus had become more reserved, and asked for some time to ponder. He’d talk to him later, the Lich had promised, and he’d be blunt, he’d given his word.Kyle let out a sigh. Droigheann’s suggestion slowly began to seem like it was more trouble than it was worth. But then again, there was no way to know that, was there? If Cacophus knew about the Necronomicon, what would he do? That was the question both Kyle and the Demon of the Nightbloom were worried about.“Where are we going, Summoner?” Irena asked. She’d decided to accompany Kyle when he declared he was going hunting.“Apparently there are a bunch of wild beasts lurking around between the plateau and Igna’s fortress.” Kyle explained, retelling what the elven scouts“Vis?” Kyle called out to the young woman. He had immediately recognised her from her blood red hair, and white dress. Why was she in these woods though? And why hadn’t she said anything? “Vis?” He called out, louder, as he followed her into the woods.The leafy canopy of the forest ruffled as he followed her. Bats, startled by Kyle’s fast paced footsteps, flew off the branches they were hanging from.Kyle covered his face with his arm as he hurried after the young woman. He shooed the bats away when they came too close, and hastened his footsteps, trying not to lose her amongst the trees and the bushes.“Vis!” He shouted, louder.His voice startled not only the bats and local wildlife, but also the young woman. She flinched, and looked over her shoulder, only for her red eyes to widen as she spotted Kyle.“Oh,” She softly said as Kyle quickly closed the distance between them. “I didn’t
“I don’t know of any villages that would have noble blood,” The brunette muttered. “I am sorry mister, I can’t hep you further.”Kyle gulped. This was not what he expected. “You are sure?” He asked. “She even had a butler named Keynes.” He insisted. There had to be a hint somewhere!The brunette girl shook her head. “I don’t know of anyone named Keynes either, mister.” She tilted her head. “Perhaps you could try asking in nearby villages, though I doubt you’ll find anyone with red hair.” She turned her gaze back at the lamb, which had woken up by their voices.“You said something about noble blood.” Kyle said with a lower voice. “What’s that about?”The brunette gently stroked the lamb’s head. “Oh, right. You’re a stranger, so you wouldn’t know.” She absentmindedly muttered. “The royal bloodline of
The wind started to pick up as Kyle stepped on the ancient stone tiles. The ruins were old, much older than he first thought they were. Old enough that there wasn’t much left of them anymore. He could see no intact buildings, just partly broken walls, standing alone amongst the tall grass.The wind whistled as it blew past the old walls, passing through the cracks between the large stone blocks. Kyle shuddered, the eerie atmosphere wasn’t doing him any favours.He scowled, and shook his head. He needed to focus, and find some answers before it was time to leave. If this place was the lair of a vampire, then there had to be at least somewhere with an intact roof, or something that cast enough of a shadow for the vampire to hide throughout the day.As he walked amongst the ruins, he couldn’t help but feel amazed. While not much was recognisable anymore, he could clearly see how well constructed some of the surviving columns were. While most of the carv
“I would ask you the same.” A voice sounded from behind Kyle, startling him. “What the hell are you doing here?”Kyle’s eyes shot wide open as he turned around to see the owner of the voice.“Vis!” He hissed as she stepped into the room, and closed the door behind her. “I always thought you to be a gentleman, Kyle.” The disappointed tone in her voice was immense, and she saw no need to hide it. “Snooping around in a lady’s room, coming to her home uninvited… It is very much not what I expected of you.”Kyle clenched his fists. “And I didn’t expect-“ He paused. “Wait.” A Lady’s room? This was her room? Was she the vampire? His voice died down as he tried to justify how she couldn’t be the vampire. He’d seen her in sunlight before, she didn’t seem wary of the sun! She couldn’t be the vampire, it was impossible!&ldqu
“Hell no!” Kyle hissed as soon as he realised what she intended. “Droigheann!” He shouted as Vis grabbed his arm, and threw him across the room. Kyle hit the tapestry covered wall, and then fell down with a thud.“You won’t be calling your allies,” Vis’ sharp voice startled him. His eyes widened, Droigheann had indeed not showed up yet.How, he wanted to ask, but he knew he didn’t have time. He pointed down, towards her feet. “Sunburst!” He shouted. A drop of light appeared on the ground between them, then radiated with waves of bright sunlight.Vis leapt back as a crimson mist covered her body. “You’re pushing your luck!” She hissed from behind the mist as she waited for his spell to end. Kyle gulped, and pointed at her. “Bolt of Light,” he whispered, only to see his bright golden bolt to hit the crimson mist, and dissipate.Clearly, she was fast enough to easil
It was the creak of the sturdy wooden door that woke him up from his slumber. His eyes shot wide open as he noticed Vis step inside the room, with a faint smile on her lips as her gaze lingered on him.“How nice to see you’re awake, Kyle.” She cheerfully said as she sat down besides him and crossed her legs. The golden chain she’d used to tie his hands earlier was wrapped around her wrist. “Did you sleep well?” She asked, as if everything was perfectly normal.Kyle clenched his fists. “What the hell do you want from me?” He hissed.Vis clicked her tongue. “Hmmm….” She tilted her head. “Your blood.” She smirked. “But I guess that’s mine already. Oh,” She tapped on his forehead. “Don’t waste your time or energy trying to cast spells – you can’t.”Kyle gritted his teeth. He’d noticed that already. “Why are you doing this?”
With nothing to do but wait for Aoris’ rescue, Kyle soon fell into a shallow, uneasy slumber again. He was waking up often as the ropes cut into his skin, or as he heard the muffled footsteps of Vis walking inside her little underground home.“Wake up!” She cheerfully declared as she opened the door and stepped inside, with a plate in her hand that smelled of cooked meat. Kyle felt his mouth water, and his stomach gurgled in response, prompting Vis to chuckle.The vampire shut the door behind her, then placed the platter in front of him. “I don’t think I need to remind you,” She said as she untied his hands. “You can’t cast magic, and I’m fast and powerful. Don’t try and run – you won’t make it.”Kyle begrudgingly nodded. “I know, I know.” He had no chance of escape while she was watching him. It was better to eat, regain some strength, and wait for an opportunity.T
Kyle drew a sharp breath. Vis chuckled upon seeing his shocked expression. “I told you, these lands belong to me. Those villagers, they are mine. They should ave shown me respect, and offered themselves to me. Instead, they chased me away with torches and pitchforks.” She let out a sigh, and shook her head. “Quite rude if you ask me.” Kyle ignored her whining. There it was again, that phrase. ‘An empire lost to time’. Was it lost to time the same way Necron was? “What does that mean?” He piped up. “What?” Vis shot him an odd look. “I’m their rightful ruler is what that means!” She exclaimed. “Haven’t you been listening at all?” “No, not really.” He admitted. “That’s not what I meant. You said the empire was ‘lost to time’. What does that mean?” Vis’ smile shattered. “It was lot to time, Kyle.” She coldly replied. “What else could that mean? It exists no more.” She raised her chin, and coldly watched Kyle as he finished his breakfast. “