ã€ŠThe Necromancer Raids Againã€‹


 Prologue: Bloody Good Time

    Kevin yawned as the music blared, thumping uncomfortably in his chest. He watched the others, dancing and chatting. He¡¯d like to have joined in, but¡­he didn¡¯t really know anyone here, so just going up to a total stranger and striking up a conversation was the hardest thing he could imagine doing. Kevin looked over and saw Will talking to a pretty girl and shifted uneasily. Most of the guys here were on one team or another, and he would rather be at home pouring over his comic collection, so they had little in common there. And as for talking to a girl, Kevin could picture it now. He¡¯d stroll up, she¡¯d look at him, and that would be that. He couldn¡¯t for the life of him think about what to talk about with a girl. Somehow, he mused, they would be less than enthused that he had the complete run of Alan Moore¡¯s Swamp Thing.

    Sighing, he mumbled and weaved through the throng of people over to Will.

    ¡°Hey man.¡± he said dejectedly. Will stopped talking and looked back, doing a double-take at his downcast expression.

    ¡°Excuse me just a sec, gotta help out a friend.¡± He apologized to the girl and hustled Kevin over to the refreshment table.

    ¡°Dude, what¡¯s going on? You look like death warmed over. The hell?¡± he whispered furiously.

    ¡°It¡¯s, ahh¡­no, never mind.¡± Kevin sighed, shaking his head. Will felt a headache coming on.

    ¡°No, seriously, what is it?¡± Will pressed.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­¡± Kevin looked around the room helplessly, starting to turn red. ¡°Well, it¡¯s just that I don¡¯t belong here. This¡¯s more your speed Will, and¡­I¡¯m nobody. I¡¯m just a comic book geek. I hate to cut the fun short, but can you take me home? I¡¯ll make it up to you, I swear.¡± Kevin desperately assured as Will made a face.

    ¡°What, is my kindness not good enough for you? I invited you to this party after you helped me ace the test and you throw it back in my face?¡± Will asked, sounding hurt. Kevin¡¯s eyes went wide.

    ¡°No, no! That¡¯s not what I-¡± Will smirked and sighed, looking amused.

    ¡°Too easy.¡± he chuckled. ¡°Listen, this party will be good for you. We are young. It¡¯s nearly the weekend. We are at a party. Relax, loosen up, and meet people. Maybe a girl. There¡¯re some fine chicks here.¡± he said, glancing back over to the one he¡¯d been talking with.

    ¡°But I¡­don¡¯t really do the whole ¡®meeting people¡¯ thing. I¡¯m not like you, I can¡¯t just talk to complete strangers like I know ¡®em.¡± Kevin said. Will rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Oh man.¡± His eyes went back to the girl again, where she was being approached by a linebacker from the Craven Falls High football team. ¡°Look here.¡± He grabbed a cup, went over to the keg by the end of the table, filled it up and thrust it into Kevin¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Wh-hey! I don¡¯t want this, I¡¯m not old enough to drink!¡± he protested.

    ¡°Chill, chill.¡± Will said soothingly. ¡°Take as much as you want. I¡¯m driving, so I¡¯m not having any. This¡¯s just to help you loosen up, get those inhibitions lowered a bit. You gotta get out of your own head if you want anyone else to get in.¡±

    Kevin looked at the beer in his hand doubtfully, giving it a sniff and making a face. But, if Will said it could help, then it might.

    ¡°A-Are you sure?¡±

    ¡°Positive.¡± Will said, nodding sagely. ¡°Just don¡¯t go drinking a gallon of the stuff and you¡¯ll be fine. What¡¯ve you got to lose?¡± With that, Will departed, making a beeline to the girl he¡¯d left like a madman. Kevin regarded the drink again, Will¡¯s advice going through his head. He shrugged. He supposed one wouldn¡¯t hurt. He took a sip.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    ¡°Hmm. Not bad.¡± He said. He stayed near the wall, sipping his beer. Eventually the cup was empty, and he still hadn¡¯t spoken to anyone. He looked around him forlornly.

    ¡°Maybe after another one.¡± he said to himself. That second turned into a third, then a fourth, until after an hour he was nursing his seventh. He was feeling dizzy, a warmth in his chest, but still no closer to actually talking to someone.

    It was then that he felt it. Kevin turned to see dark, piercing eyes lock on his across the room. They belonged to a raven-tressed goddess, slender and so fair she was almost pale. She was taller and fuller than any other girl there. She had to be in college, at least. She glided across the room, seeming to encounter no obstacle despite the crowd. She wore an elegant red dress that hugged her figure to a scandalous degree, and wore a crimson lipstick that seemed to glow on her skin. Every eye with a Y chromosome was on her as she approached a gobsmacked Kevin. She took the cup from his unresisting fingers and brought it to her lips, imbibing.

    ¡°For me? Thank you. I appreciate it.¡± she purred seductively, and Kevin found it strange he had enough blood in his upper body to blush. ¡°Tell me, stranger. What¡¯s your name?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Whose?¡± he said, mind blank to everything that wasn¡¯t her. She chuckled.

    ¡°Yours, silly.¡± He remembered she was talking to him.

    ¡°K-K-Kevin!¡± he managed to squeak out, voice breaking, and he died a little inside. She chuckled again, and he found he didn¡¯t mind if she was the one laughing at him.

    ¡°I am Genevieve. Pleased to make your acquaintance.¡± she said, licking off some suds from the rim of the cup.

    ¡°Sure. I mean, same!¡± Kevin managed.

    ¡°My, such a handsome young lad. I wonder if you might be willing to do me a favor?¡± she suggested coyly.

    ¡°W-What do you n-need?¡± he stuttered. She wrapped an arm around his shoulder and hung off him, pleasantly heavy.

    ¡°Would you like to join me in the bedroom upstairs?¡± she whispered into his ear. Kevin¡¯s heart, which had been pounding in his ears, froze completely.

    ¡°Uh. O-O-Okay.¡± He could no more refuse than suddenly sprout wings and fly away.

    ¡°Hmm. Good boy.¡± she cooed. She took him by the hand, seeing as he was incapable of anything at the moment, and led him to the stairs. Bewildered stares followed him as they went, but Kevin only had eyes for her. They passed Will, who gaped at them open-mouthed, then tossed a thumbs-up at him.

    Once they entered the room upstairs, she sat him on the bed, then closed and locked the door.

    ¡°Uh¡­Genevieve? I, I¡¯ve never¡­y-you know, d-d-one this before. Not, y¡¯know, with anybody else¡­but you wouldn¡¯t want to hear about that, I suppose.¡± Kevin babbled, nervous and shaking. She just giggled.

    "Oh, don¡¯t worry about that, it comes with time and experience. All you need to do is relax. Just let me take care of everything. I find that the quality a young man like yourself has most in abundance, the quality I''m most interested in, is...vitality." Her gaze dropped lower as she spoke, and Kevin gulped. She crossed the room sinuously and ki8ssed him softly on the lips. "Just relax..." she said, kissing down his jaw and neck. He moaned. "And enjoy. I know I will."

    Her fangs slid out and sank deep into his jugular. He gasped as she drank quickly, deeply, greedily.

    He tried to struggle and resist, but her grip had turned to steel and he was rapidly weakening to the blood loss.

    "You...you''re a..." he moaned. She took her face from his neck, twin streams of blood running down her chin. Thankfully, the alcohol dulled the pain.

    "Yep." she giggled, messily wiping off her face. "A vampire. Surprise! Hic! Hee!" she said, swaying from side to side.

    "Didn''t think you were real." Kevin said, lightheaded and dizzy. He touched his neck. It was sore, but that was all, and only a small amount of blood flowed out. "''M not bleedin''."

    "That''s cause vampires have an anti...anti...our spit heals up wounds on humans. Keeps ya Ziploc fresh! Ha!" Genevieve laughed out loud and nearly slipping off the bed. She felt a pleasant warmth spread from her belly as his blood was circulated through her body. Her vision swam, and a goofy grin broke out on her face, and Kevin did too.

    "Cool." he said, falling back on the bed. She giggled and crawled over to him.

    "Hic! C''mere, you. Not gettin'' away from a fersome vampire. Hic." She giggled, and so did he. "Ow!" she cried as her fangs bit her lip as she laughed. "''Nyway." she clumsily grabbed his shoulder again. Kevin drowsily regarded her as she bit down once more. As his consciousness faded, he supposed there were worse ways to go.

 Chapter 1: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend?

    "''Ghouls, although traditionally classified among the ranks of undead, these strange creatures are actually alive, albeit only technically.''" Scott read aloud. Amber huffed and blew some hair out of her face in annoyance, while Leo was dutifully taking notes.

    "''Ghouls can come in many distinct shapes and sizes, due to a varied phenotype. Some are small, pale, skeletal individuals, some are bizarre, misshapen dog-men, while others are outwardly indistinguishable form humans, among others.''"

    "I see." Leo said, brow furrowed in concentration. "You learn something every day. Please, continue." Amber sighed and shook her head. Scott cleared his throat and settled back into the chair even more.

    "Alrighty.¡¯Despite whatever the ghoul may look like, they are all members of the same species, and can interbreed with one another freely. There are little outward signs of a ghoul save the extreme physical variance; however, they are all characterized by an insatiable, ravenous hunger. Typically, a ghoul will consume twice its'' own body weight when allowed.''"

    "Hang on, there hasn''t been any sign of that." Amber said, frowning.

    "I know. But think back to when the Necronomicon was written. Food was harder to come by for regular humans; the food supply for a ghoul would have been much scarcer. Nowadays the necessary nutrition is available in abundance." Scott said, looking up from the text. "''The type of meals that the ghoul favors are fresh, uncooked meat from any animal, although human meat is preferred. Along with carrion meat, the ghoul consumes any other food that has become rotten or spoiled.

    "''This is because of the ghoul''s curious biology. Though still technically alive, the ghoul and the ghoul alone lives yet is empowered by necrotic energy, rather than the life energy that flows through all organisms on the mortal plane. Therefore, fresh, healthy foods will render a ghoul sick just as rotten foods are poisonous to humans, while they draw strength from decay.''"

    "Fascinating." Leo said, scribbling away. Amber scowled and grunted.

    "''A ghoul''s behavior is determined by where it lives. Usually the ghouls underground, normally dog-like, are pack hunters, awaiting the time when the stars are right to rise up and invade the world of men. The guiding star is Betelgeuse, beware when it shines red and bright.

    "''Those ghouls who originate on the surface however, are typically solitary scavengers, creeping and skulking in old graveyards and abandoned mansions. While the ghoulish denizens belowground burrow up to devour fresh corpses, aboveground individuals often pose as humans and turn to grave robbing for their meal, selling any possessions to help keep suspicion away from their foul true nature.'' What? That''s what it says." Scott said defensively, noting the look Amber was giving him.

    "No need to translate that part." she said, steel in her voice.

    "Fine, fine. Where was I...ahh, ''though a ghoul may pass as human, they are pale and thin and cannot withstand sunlight for long periods..." He, along with Amber and Leo looked at the window, which was bathing the entire room in sunlight. "''Unless they are exceptionally healthy and filled with necrotic energy.''" he coughed. "''They most often come out at night or overcast and rainy days.

    "''Let not their disdain for the sun and cowardly temperament be mistaken for weakness, however. Indeed, ghouls are among the most dangerous of undead, boasting similar strength to the kings of undead, with none of their debilitating weaknesses. Driven by madness, hunger, and greed, a ghoul will attempt to attack anything and consume it, provided it does not establish itself dominant. And in the case of belowground types, one may have an entire nest descend upon them. Ghouls can also recover from debilitating injury extraordinarily quickly, though traditionally these undead harvest limbs and organs from other species and implant them within themselves to speed functionality. Therefore, should you find yourself facing a ghoul, it is best to reduce the creature to ashes, instead of execution by dismemberment. ''" Scott finished, snapping the book closed. ¡°There. Now you know just about everything we do about ghouls.¡±

    ¡°Mm-hmm. I see.¡± Leo mumbled, putting the finishing touches on his notes. ¡°Fascinating. Very educational. So, what happens now?¡±

    ¡°What do you mean?¡± Amber asked.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re a ghoul now.¡±

    ¡°Thanks to a certain someone¡¯s botched resurrection spell.¡± Amber muttered, looking at Scott.

    ¡°I said I was sorry! The instructions for raising a human and creating a ghoul are similar, anyone would have gotten it mixed up if the page sticks together.¡± Scott grumbled, going into the kitchen.

    ¡°Anyhow, what are you going to do next, Amber? Is there any way to turn you back into a human?¡± Leo asked. Amber sighed and shrugged.

    ¡°If there is, we haven¡¯t found it yet. I¡¯ve had him pour over that book for days now, and there¡¯s nothing that says anything about turning a ghoul into a human.¡± she said.

    ¡°That¡¯s because that¡¯s transformative magic, which isn¡¯t necromancy and about which I know very little. Unless you count turning someone into a corpse.¡± Scott said, popping a soda open and taking a swig. ¡°Of course, there¡¯s one easy solution, but miss too-ghoul-for-school over here doesn¡¯t wanna go for it.¡± At the mention of the ¡®easy solution¡¯, Amber began to shake.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°I told you before, I¡¯m not going through that again! Not for at least seventy more years!¡± Amber practically screeched, leaving Leo confused.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry? There¡¯s an easy solution? What is it?¡± Scott grinned while Amber snorted.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. All we have to do is off her again and I do the spell over. You got a nice shiny sword, feel like helping out?¡± he explained, and laughed at Amber¡¯s ¡°eep!¡± but Leo smiled uncomfortably and put his hand on his charm bracelet.

    Two inches long, the golden charm felt warm in his hand. It was given to him by Lagdinras, emissary of Zet-Mathaig, a god who had chosen Leo to uphold justice. It transformed into a magical sword nearly three feet long.

    ¡°Sorry, I don¡¯t believe that that¡¯s a good use for what I¡¯ve been entrusted with.¡± he said warmly, giving a winning, disarming smile. Scott shrugged.

    ¡°Fair enough. I can do it myself, or you can if you want, Amber.¡±

    I told you, I¡¯m not going back to being dead again. Not for a very long time, if I can help it.¡± she said, shuddering. Her month-long torture as a ghost had given her a new zeal for life. Or unlife, as it were, but at least this time she could breathe and touch things. ¡°And there¡¯s no guarantee I¡¯d end up as a ghost again anyway. You said yourself that you need both the body and the soul for a resurrection, and if I die again my soul might move on and that¡¯ll be that.¡± she pointed out. Scott tapped his finger on his chin.

    ¡°Meh. ¡®S a fair point, but personally I don¡¯t think you got anything to worry about. Your call, though. I owe you one free resurrection, so just let me know when you wanna do it.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re exploring other options first.¡± she said dryly, tossing back her blonde hair. Scott merely shrugged again.

    ¡°Whatever. It¡¯s not like wizards grow on trees around here. I know there should be a spell to do it somewhere, but who knows how long that¡¯ll take to find. Oh.¡± He got up and retrieved a plastic container from behind the radiator. ¡°Your spare lunch is ready. Want to have some now?¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Leo said, peering over.

    ¡°Spaghetti-Os that¡¯ve spent four days behind a radiator. It¡¯s got some green stuff growing on it, and getting pretty fuzzy. Want a taste?¡± He offered it to Leo, who reared back, and laughed. ¡°Here.¡± He gave it to Amber.

    ¡°You really eat that stuff?¡± Leo asked, horrified and fascinated at the same time.

    ¡°You heard the man, ghouls have to eat rotten food.¡± she said dejectedly, unable to stop licking her lips and a growl rumbling from her stomach. She turned red. ¡°The worst part is, it tastes fantastic. I¡¯m talking five-star quality here. The way the mold tastes¡­so fluffy and thick¡­and with some brown lettuce, the mere aroma of shriveled fruit¡­heavenly.¡± she sighed dreamily.

    ¡°But¡­you¡¯re the same otherwise, right?¡± Leo asked cautiously, remembering the ravenous hunger Scott had mentioned.

    ¡°Oh, yeah.¡± Amber dismissed with a wave of her hand. ¡°It¡¯s just my diet. I don¡¯t have to drink water now, either.¡±

    ¡°Or sweat. And don¡¯t forget your strength, the teacher¡¯s still puzzled about that broken desk.¡± Scott added. She blushed again.

    ¡°So, a little different.¡± Leo said dryly. Amber giggled nervously.

    ¡°How about things on your end?¡± she asked brightly, trying to draw attention away from the previous topic. ¡°Did that eyeball guy say anything about how to change me back?¡±

    ¡°Lagdinras, not eyeball guy. And apparently we¡¯re supposed to figure out most of the whole defender of justice thing on our own. Although he did manage to get someone to train me to fight. They¡¯re supposed to come tomorrow, but I haven¡¯t been told when, where, or who. I suppose he¡¯ll find me. So, I¡¯m sorry, but I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be much help either.¡± he said contritely, scratching his head.

    ¡°Ahh, it¡¯s alright. And it¡¯s good to hear you¡¯re getting a trainer.¡± Amber said, but couldn¡¯t help but feel a little crestfallen.

    ¡°Yes, yes, very stimulating. Well then,¡± Scott clapped his hands together and stood up. ¡°If that¡¯s all for today, everyone out of my house. Shoo, shoo.¡± He started urging them out, only pausing to grab their coats.

    ¡°Huh? Is there something wrong?¡± Leo said, confused again.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s cold out there!¡± Amber protested. ¡°And I¡¯m still hungry!¡±

    ¡°What? But I thought that¡¯s what the rotten Spaghetti-Os were for.¡± Leo said. Scott smacked his forehead.

    ¡°Duh, almost forgot. Here.¡± He placed a hand on her back and intoned, ¡°Sekh.¡± A pulse of toxic green necrotic energy shot into her, and she gave a jolt like being startled awake.

    ¡°Oh yeah!¡± she said, smiling. The energy from the spell tingled all over, refreshing her with its¡¯ familiar raspberry-lemonade sensation. ¡°That hit the spot.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Leo was very confused right now. On seeing his face, she chuckled.

    ¡°Ghouls have necrotic energy instead of the regular life. So if I don¡¯t feel like eating rotten food, which I don¡¯t, no matter how¡­delicious, all he has to do is use the spell that injects someone with necrojuice and presto! Instant 24-hour energy, no food required!¡±

    ¡°And she¡¯s been stopping by every day for a fill-up. It gets tiresome. But it¡¯s necessary, and I give her rotten food to keep as a backup in case I¡¯m not available. We don¡¯t want her going cannibal on anyone.¡± Scott said, zipping up his own coat, and Amber flinched. ¡°Now begone, all of you!¡± He pushed them out of the house and locked the door behind him. ¡°It¡¯ll be dark soon, and I must away to my secret lab!¡± he said dramatically, pointing into the air.

    ¡°You mean my dad¡¯s warehouse?¡± Amber deadpanned.

    ¡°Not your dad¡¯s warehouse, my secret lab! There¡¯s work to be done. I¡¯m experimenting with adding different parts to zombies and rearranging their internal structures, see how far I can push it before they collapse. Is anyone joining me?¡± In unison, both Leo and Amber stepped back.

    ¡°Uh¡­no thank you.¡± Leo said, shivering. He remembered all those zombies Scott had unleashed on Halloween two weeks ago. It had saved the town from the daemon army, sure, but it was still creepy. ¡°Besides, didn¡¯t Officer Cross make you promise not to dig up any more bodies from the cemetery?¡±

    ¡°She didn¡¯t say anything about the pet cemetery.¡± Scott said cheerfully. Amber sighed.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll pass too. I¡¯ve had enough of undead stuff for awhile. All I have to do is look in a mirror.¡± she said, slightly down.

    ¡°Alright.¡± Scott shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ll be there tonight and all day tomorrow if you need me. Wanna come over and be my lovely assistant tomorrow Amber? I could use an extra pair of hands.¡±

    ¡°I might stop by sometime tomorrow for a refill, but you¡¯re on your own for anything else.¡± she said.

    ¡°Oh. Leo, would you like to be my lovely assistant?¡± he asked the football captain.

    ¡°Forgive me, but I have a previous engagement, and I¡¯m supposed to meet my trainer at some point.¡± he said, quite relieved he already had plans.

    ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll just dig out Bones then. See you later.¡±

    ¡°Later.¡±

    ¡°Goodbye.¡± The trio broke up and went their separate ways, shivering in the late fall air, the sinking sun doing nothing to warm them.

 Chapter 2: Learning Curve

    Kevin groaned and shuffled away from the window, covering his head with a blanket. The sun was far too bright for¡­twelve-thirty in the afternoon!?

    He leapt out of bed and fumbled around his room for a shirt and pants, trying to immediately get ready for school. Then his brain caught up with his body, and he realized it was far too late already. He blinked, realizing he must be alone in the house. He got his phone and called his mom.

    ¡°Hi, sweetie. How are you feeling?¡± she answered after a minute.

    ¡°Hi mom. What¡­what happened?¡± Kevin said, trying to reorient himself. ¡°Will and I went to a party last night, but after that I don¡¯t really remember.¡±

    ¡°And we¡¯re going to have a long talk about that when I get home.¡± she promised sternly. ¡°But I decided to let you stay home today because you were so sick. Don¡¯t you remember? You were so clammy and pale I thought I might have to take you to the hospital.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± he said, trying to remember. ¡°Um, yeah. I¡¯m still drawing a blank. Sorry, I am feeling better now though.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good. I¡¯ll check in on you when I get home. Take it easy, and don¡¯t hesitate to call if you need it.¡±

    ¡°I will. Thanks, mom. Love you, bye.¡±

    ¡°Bye.¡± He hung up and shook his head. When he¡¯d first woken up, he was stiff and sore, but now that he was moving he felt good. Like, really good. He made his way over to the bathroom, but tripped over Chester, his mom¡¯s cat as it bolted out from underneath a table.

    ¡°Yahhh!¡± Kevin pinwheeled his arms and instinctively shut his eyes as the floor came closer. He felt his hand hit something. ¡°Huh?¡±

    His eyes widened in astonishment as he was performing a perfect one-handed pushup. He blinked again. His all-time record in gym class was five with both hands. He started raising and lowering himself experimentally, with no strain or effort whatsoever.

    ¡°Huh.¡± he muttered again. It was supremely easy to keep on balance as well. It felt like he was floating. He looked down and saw his legs straight in the air too, holding himself up with just one hand. ¡°Whoa!¡± He fell, startled. He slowly got to his feet, shaking, and resumed his trek to the bathroom. He flicked on the light and stood at the sink, staring into the mirror.

    The mirror was empty. There was nothing staring back at him. He looked at the mirror, then down at himself, then back in the mirror.

    Kevin screamed.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Will put the last of his books away and shut the locker door, revealing Kevin. Will jumped.

    ¡°Ahh! Jeez, don¡¯t do that! Nearly gave me a heart attack.¡± Will said, trying to compose himself. ¡°What¡¯s up? I thought you were out today, what gives?¡±

    ¡°Will, I¡¯m in trouble.¡± Kevin said nervously, glancing around. ¡°I need your help.¡± Will noted how serious he sounded.

    ¡°Okay. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Kevin looked at the students in the hallway, going to class.

    ¡°Not here. We need to go somewhere private¡­I know, let¡¯s go to my house.¡±

    ¡°Alriiiiiight.¡± Will said slowly, not comprehending. ¡°How¡¯d you get here, anyway?¡±

    ¡°I ran.¡± Kevin shrugged.

    ¡°Ran!?¡± Will boggled. Kevin lived at least ten miles away.

    ¡°Look, I promise I¡¯ll explain everything, just please let¡¯s go to your car. I¡¯ll tell you there.¡± Kevin begged. Will looked at the clock.

    ¡°Two o¡¯ clock on a Friday. Meh, history¡¯s boring anyway. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go.¡± With Will leading the way, they managed to evade the teachers and slip out a side door.

    ¡°I always thought an alarm would sound if those were opened.¡± Kevin said as they crossed the parking lot. ¡°That would require an alarm system, and thus more money. Not happening.¡± Will said smugly. Kevin glanced around nervously, and started to duck behind cars to avoid being seen. Will rolled his eyes. ¡°Chill, dude. If you wanna go somewhere you¡¯re not supposed to, you can¡¯t look nervous about it. Just act like you should be going there, and most people won¡¯t question it.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Kevin said, standing up.

    ¡°I guarantee.¡± They came to his Chevy and got in. ¡°Alright, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°First, don¡¯t freak out.¡± Kevin said solemnly. Will sighed, growing tired of this.

    ¡°Fine, what¡¯s wrong?¡± he said impatiently. Kevin stared him in the eyes.

    ¡°Okay. But first, what happened last night?¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Will huffed, annoyed. Kevin merely stared at him. ¡°Fine. We went to a party, where you clung to a wall even after I tried to get you loosened up. I wasn¡¯t keeping track, but I think you had a couple too many. Then a total babe comes up and takes you by the hand upstairs. So. How was it?¡± he said, grinning and leering. ¡°Is our little boy finally a man?¡± He elbowed Kevin, snickering.

    ¡°I admit, I thought it might have been a dream. But penetration did happen.¡± Kevin replied, straight-faced. Will raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°What¡¯s up? Didn¡¯t you use a condom? You didn¡¯t get her pregnant, did you? Or catch something?¡±

    ¡°You could say that.¡± Kevin said, reaching up to the rearview mirror and adjusting it. ¡°There. Could you look into this, please?¡± Will leaned over.

    ¡°Okay, I see me, and I¡¯m very handsome. So what?¡± He turned to see a very serious Kevin holding up bunny ears behind his head. He turned back to the mirror, where he saw only his reflection. His eyes bugged out.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°K-Kevin,¡± he said, voice shaking. ¡°T-Tell me I¡¯m not seeing what I¡¯m not seeing.¡±

    ¡°You are seeing what you¡¯re not seeing. That woman last night, she bit my neck and today I¡¯m pale and can¡¯t be seen in mirrors.¡± Kevin said. Will stared at him in disbelief.

    ¡°That means¡­you, you¡¯re a¡­¡±

    ¡°In a whole lot of trouble, a big, messy situation. Which is not helped by the fact we¡¯re in the school parking lot!¡± Kevin said quickly, his voice rising with each syllable. He looked around for anyone watching as Will started the car and drove them home.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Alright. Okay. Don¡¯t panic. The first thing to do is not panic.¡± Will said nervously, pacing Kevin¡¯s room. ¡°So. You¡¯re a vampire. It¡¯s crazy, and unreal, but you¡¯re a vampire. So, what do we know about vampires? Garlic wards them off, they can¡¯t take crosses or churches, they can only be killed by a stake through the heart or sunlight-!¡± He dove to close the curtain to the window.

    ¡°I, ah, don¡¯t think that¡¯s much of a problem.¡± Kevin said, knees curled up to his chest on his bed. ¡°I ran to school in broad daylight, remember? I don¡¯t think that¡¯s one of my weaknesses. And do you mind trying to find something else about vampires? Hearing all that¡¯s kiiiiinda making me twitch.¡±

    ¡°Sorry.¡± Will said, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s just, this¡¯s so¡­I don¡¯t know. Anyway, what else?¡±

    ¡°Well, the obvious part is the-¡± he shuddered ¡°-blood drinking. Gross. Other than that, I¡¯m not really sure.¡±

    ¡°Huh? You don¡¯t know? How could you not know!? I thought you were a nerd, that¡¯s why you help me pass my tests!¡± Will wailed.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know because there¡¯s not just ONE version of vampirism!¡± Kevin snapped. ¡°Do you know how many vampire traditions there ARR? Dozens! Hundreds! And that¡¯s just the Euro-American myths. There are tons more around the world, each weirder than the last! Some are walking corpses, some are demons, some are just plain out there. Australia has one that waits in fig trees and sucks blood through suckers on its fingers, and Mexico has the chupacabra, which might not count but since it drinks blood I¡¯m counting it anyway. It¡¯s a three-foot tall monster that only drinks the blood of goats and looks like a little green man had a kid with a porcupine.¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Will said incredulously. Kevin nodded.

    ¡°Yup. Its¡¯ name translates literally to ¡®goat-sucker¡¯. Shut up.¡± he said at Will¡¯s snickering.

    ¡°Okay, so it could be any one of those, barring the goat-sucker. Unless¡­?¡± Will looked at him, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°No. Definitely not.¡± Kevin deadpanned.

    ¡°Okay. So let¡¯s narrow it down then. You don¡¯t look too different, aside from the paleness. Do you have fangs?¡±

    ¡°Dunno. Can¡¯t see myself in the mirror.¡± Kevin shrugged.

    ¡°Well, open up.¡± Kevin opened his mouth as wide as it could go. Will shined a flashlight in.

    ¡°¡¯Ell? ¡®Ow ¡®oes iii ¡®ook?¡± Kevin asked.

    ¡°Hmm. Your canines are a little bit longer and more pointed, I guess. But it¡¯s hard to tell for sure, I¡¯m not a dentist.¡± Will said.

    ¡°Great. So either I don¡¯t have fangs, I don¡¯t have fangs yet, or they only grow longer when I¡¯m about to¡­feed.¡± Kevin complained, making a sour face.

    ¡°So¡­what are you going to do about that?¡± Will said, staring nervously at him. Kevin shook his head.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I just don¡¯t know. I¡¯ll think of something later, let¡¯s focus on this for now. Alright, I can¡¯t be seen in mirrors, I can stand sunlight, I kinda-sorta have fangs, and I¡¯m pale. Oh, and I¡¯m strong, too.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Watch this.¡± Kevin jumped off the bed into a one-handed handstand.

    ¡°Whoa!¡± Will exclaimed, jumping himself. ¡°Can you, like, lift up something heavier?¡± Kevin got to his feet, bent down, and picked up his entire bed with ease, like a forklift. ¡°Whoa! Freaking cool!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess.¡± Kevin said bashfully, setting the metal frame down gently.

    ¡°Listen, can you jump high too? Wanna join the basketball team? You¡¯ll be able to dunk no problem, you could go pro and get rich and famous!¡± Will said, his eyes gleaming.

    ¡°And never be seen in instant replay?¡± Kevin asked, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Oh yeah. Good point.¡± Will conceded. ¡°So, can you do anything else cool? Like, turn into a bat, fly around, or hypnotize people?¡±

    ¡°I¡­don¡¯t know.¡± Kevin said, scratching his head. ¡°I mean, I guess, maybe, in theory. Traditional vampires should be able to, I suppose, especially ones that¡¯re based off of¡­wait a minute.¡± He pulled out his phone and typed something in. A minute later, his eyes went wide and he grinned. ¡°Yeah! I thought so! Listen, in the original novel, Dracula wasn¡¯t destroyed by sunlight either!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Will said, leaning over to see.

    ¡°Yeah! Apparently, he can¡­wow, it¡¯s been awhile since I read it. He can turn into various kinds of animals and control them, and turn into a mist; he can teleport, control the weather, has telepathy, is ageless, has unnatural agility, hypnotize others, and the bite can influence them. He could create illusions, slip through any crack, and shapeshift during the day, though only at morning, noon or night, and possessed the strength of twenty strong men.¡± Will let out a low whistle.

    ¡°Wow. You can do all that?¡±

    ¡°Dunno. Dracula, though believed to have a historical counterpart in Vlad Tepes III, is fictional. The only thing I can say positively for sure is the strength, sunlight and feeding on blood, which I only know because that¡¯s what that woman did to me last night.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget no reflection. Honestly, you look like a mess.¡± Will coughed politely.

    ¡°Right. As if all this wasn¡¯t complicated enough.¡± Kevin groaned. ¡°Well, it kinda seems to fit, so¡­¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a dracula?¡± Will asked.

    ¡°I might be a dracula.¡± Kevin nodded.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Kevin sat on his bed, absently paging through a comic book and watching the sun go down through the window. His mother had made a fuss over him, and Will, looking thoroughly weirded out after the day, had gone home. Now he was alone with his thoughts.

    ¡°So, a vampire.¡± he mused. ¡°Well, I guess it¡¯s kinda like Batman.¡± He looked at the book in his hands, shook his head and tossed it away. ¡°What am I gonna do.¡± he murmured, curling into a ball. His mom had offered him dinner but he¡¯d turned it down. The smell of it was unappetizing. She¡¯d felt his forehead, and he was still clammy and cold. Worried, she¡¯d proclaimed if he showed no improvement by morning, they¡¯d be visiting the hospital, over his panicked protests that he was fine. His stomach started to growl.

    ¡°Great. Sixteen years old, and my life is over. Not that I had much of one to begin with.¡± he sighed. The sun sank lower in the sky. ¡°It¡¯s all that Genevieve¡¯s fault. She bit me then just disappeared. I oughtta stake her for that-that¡¯s it!¡± Kevin¡¯s eyes widened in realization. If it was the same as in Dracula, he reasoned, then all he had to do was find the vampire that bit him, stake ¡®em, and he¡¯d be cured. He furiously texted his plan to Will.

    Good idea, bro. Knew you¡¯d come up with something. I¡¯ll ask around, see if anyone knows her or saw where she went. In the meantime, sit back and try to relax. No sense in overdoing it. You¡¯re supposed to be sick, remember? And I guess you are, kind of. Just take it easy. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow.

    Kevin threw his phone on the bed, growling in frustration. Intellectually, he knew letting Will ask around was the better bet, but he came up with the idea and now it was rattling around his brain, impossible to ignore.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m in a very unusual state.¡± he reasoned aloud. ¡°I should stay in bed and relax. I¡¯m sick, and I won¡¯t be able to find her, and-¡±

    The sun went down.

    It was like a switch had been flipped. One second, he was beating himself up, trying to hold in his frustration, the next he was wide-eyed and bushy-tailed, unable to keep still.

    ¡°Yeah! Oh man! What-What¡¯s going on?¡± he said in amazement as he bounced in place, trying to burn off some of the extra energy. It felt like he never would. His eyes went to the window. A second later, he was opening it without consciously realizing what he was doing. He came to his senses and was about to close it when the smell hit. Earthy and clean, he could smell the wood in fireplaces burning brightly, the moisture in the air and the dirt absorbing it, the fragrance of molding leaves and grass. He could feel the sharp cold on his skin and in his lungs, ordinarily cold enough to make him shiver but he was burning red-hot, too wild to chill. The waxing moon hung high in the sky with thin wispy clouds, shining under the diamond-gleaming stars. His canines tingled, and he could not resist jumping out into the perfect night.

 Cahpter 3: Secret Origin

    Linda Moore was a girl who like to think of herself as smart. She was a capable young woman, who was perfectly happy and able to take care of herself. Though not physically large in the least, she was more than able to command the room when she wanted to, self-confident to the max. However, even she could admit that fighting with her boyfriend and breaking up with him, fiercely enough she¡¯d gotten out of the car to walk, through the bad side of town, dressed to the nines for a party and in heels, may not have been the best decision she¡¯d ever made. Especially when she found herself grabbed by four men.

    ¡°Let me go!¡± she cried, trying to dig her pointed heels into the man holding her arms back and fighting down her panic.

    ¡°Got her purse!¡± one of them cawed, wrestling it away.

    ¡°No! Give it back!¡± Even worse than her wallet gone, her phone was in there. The situation was getting worse by the second.

    ¡°Good.¡± WHAM! A blow was struck to the side of her head, making the world spin. ¡°Hold her down, no sense in letting a young girl like that going to waste.¡± Blearily, she tried to struggle, but one of the men grabbed her throat and grinned.

    Kevin had just been enjoying his night on the town. Literally. His newfound super strength and boundless energy allowed him to hop from roof to roof, like he¡¯d seen in countless comics and cartoons. Of course, being in the suburbs meant the roofs weren¡¯t that high in the first place, and crossing the whole street in one go was too hard at the moment. Every time he left a block, he had to scramble down and up the sides of buildings. Fortunately, now that he was getting into the city proper the buildings were getting higher and the gaps narrower. He¡¯d just been passing by, enjoying the feel of the air and moon on his skin, when he¡¯d happened to see the occurrence in the alley.

    ¡°Crap! Oh crap!¡± He felt in his pocket for his phone to call the cops, but cursed as he remembered he¡¯d left it on his bed. ¡°Crap!¡± One of them had hit her, and once they¡¯d gotten her purse they hadn¡¯t gone away. He looked around; there wasn¡¯t anyone else close. Kevin realized it was up to him. If he didn¡¯t do something, that poor woman...

    The moon shone bright as he looked into the sky, then back down at the scene before him. As Kevin contemplated his choices, he found he really had no choice at all.

    ¡°Damn it!¡± he cursed quietly, then crawled down the side of the building, his fingers strong enough to hold or make cracks to cling from. He dropped quietly to the ground.

    ¡°H-H-Hold it! L-Let her g-go!¡± he said, wincing at the stutter and the squeaking. Why, he lamented, why did his breath hitch in his chest so? Why did his legs tremble, his body feel like it was full of lead? No matter how he was feeling though, the four turned their attention to him. A moment of silence hung in the air.

    ¡°Make sure he won¡¯t talk.¡± one of them said, and the other three got up and approached threateningly. Kevin took a step back, shaking. The men sneered and chuckled.

    ¡°Some hero.¡± one said. ¡°Shaking like a leaf.¡±

    ¡°Just walk away and forget this. It¡¯s for your own good.¡± another warned. Kevin looked at them, then glanced at the woman. Not trusting his voice, he shook his head.

    ¡°Your funeral.¡± he shrugged, and swung at Kevin¡¯s face with his full might. The vampire flinched and closed his eyes.

    Bap. Bap-bap, b-bap.

    Kevin opened them. Each one of them was pounding on him as hard as they could, fists clumsily slugging into his face and body. Kevin blinked. They felt like toddlers trying to punch him. He straightened up.

    ¡°That won¡¯t work.¡± he said, half in awe, with growing confidence. He was a vampire. He was strong.

    ¡°Lousy little-!¡± One of them swung a metal pipe at his head, hard enough to dent it.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Kevin cried and rubbed his forehead irritably. It felt like he¡¯d opened a door on his face. ¡°Hey, that hurt you know. That¡¯s dangerous.¡± They gaped at him.  The one with the pipe looked at Kevin, at the pipe, then back at the teenager. He dropped it and ran, the other two joining him. ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡± Moving more rapidly than he¡¯d ever done before, Kevin grabbed their coats, lifted them up, and smacked them into each other. They stopped struggling, dazed. Kevin saw the one still trying to run, shrugged, and hurled the ammo in his hands at him. All three were tangled and collapsed in a heap, groaning and unmoving. He turned to the fourth and stepped forward.

    ¡°S-Stay away!¡± the man said, now trying to tunnel through the brick wall at his back with his shoulder blades.

    ¡°Like you stayed away from her?¡± he growled quietly. The woman on the ground seemed to be alright, recovering enough to sit up and watch in amazement.

    ¡°I-I mean it!¡± The man reached behind him, pulled out a pistol and fired.

    Kevin¡¯s eyes went wide as the bullet went past him. Not just because someone just pulled a gun on him, but because he could see the bullet as it sailed through the air. His nostrils flared as he saw the man¡¯s hands twitch, and skidded out of the way before the next shot hit true.

    ¡°Aaaaaaggghhh!¡± Linda shrieked as the bullet ricocheted off the ground and nearly grazed her. Kevin turned back to the man, eyes narrowed.

    ¡°That¡¯s it!¡± This one was too dangerous to simply let go. Moving almost as a blur, he was suddenly in front of the terrified man, pulling the gun away and crushing it in his hand like a can of soda. He glanced back at Linda. ¡°You should get out of here.¡± he said. She nodded, gaping at him, then scrambled to her feet and ran, scooping up her purse on the way. ¡°Now-¡± Kevin turned back to the man in front of him, but felt a hit in his stomach. He looked down to see a knife impaled in his torso, red and wet in the grinning man¡¯s hands.

    ¡°Now how ¡®bout that! You freak¡­of¡­¡± The man¡¯s triumphant cawing and face both faded away as Kevin looked up at him, face twisted with fury. His eyes were burning red. ¡°What¡­what are you¡­¡± The man started to slide away, but was seized by Kevin in an iron grip.

    ¡°You bastard! What is wrong with you?¡± he growled, voice much lower than anything he¡¯d managed before. The thug whimpered in terror. Kevin¡¯s nostrils flared; the smell of blood was driving him crazy, his guts were on fire, and his teeth sent sharp pangs through his mouth. He felt his gums loosen and his fangs slide down into place. His throat dry, stomach rumbling, he could only focus on the pulsating veins before him, filled with hot, mouth-watering life.

    ¡°You made me bleed. It¡¯s time to replace what you took.¡± he hissed, a maniacal light in his eye. He bent the man¡¯s head back and sank his fangs into his throat.

    Rich, warm, coppery heaven filled his mouth. Kevin sighed and drank deeply; if it tasted this good, if it felt this wonderful going down his throat, then no wonder that the woman drained him last night! It was too good to resist. More, he needed more! After he was done with this one, he would drain the other three, leaving nothing. He gulped down another mouthful as the man weakly moaned.

    Ahh! The taste! The smell! The feeling of biting down! Fantastic! There was no way Kevin could be satisfied with just one! His exertions had worked up an appetite, and he intended to gorge himself tonight. After he was done draining them, if he was still hungry (he doubted he would get his fill by that point) he would go hunt down that woman who ran earlier. It shouldn¡¯t be too difficult, she was on foot, her senses in the dark weren¡¯t nearly as good as his, and she still had that mark on her face from when she was struck¡­

    Kevin blinked, slowly pulling his head away from the gasping man. What was he doing!?

    ¡°Get a grip, c¡¯mon, get a grip.¡± he muttered, shaking his head. That woman¡­he¡¯d done this to save her, not hunt her down like a dog! He¡¯d tried to save her¡­what would a real superhero have done? All his life, he¡¯d looked up to the superheroes famed far and wide for years. What would Spider-Man say if he saw this, or Batman, or Superman or Flash or Iron Fist? No, he had to stop. He felt his fangs with his tongue, hard and sharp, covered in delicious ichor. ¡°Urrrgh. C¡¯mon.¡± He¡¯d nearly been overwhelmed by his instincts. Even now, the desire to bite down again was thrumming in his body. Kevin looked down at the man in his arms. ¡°H-Hey, are you okay?¡±This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    ¡°Ugh¡­weak¡­¡± the man said softly.

    ¡°Uh, yeah. B-But, are you gonna be alright? Can you stand?¡± The man nodded, and Kevin set him on his feet. The man just stood there, swaying and staring at him. ¡°You, uh, okay?¡±

    ¡°¡¯M okay.¡± the man said dully. Kevin¡¯s mind flashed back to what he¡¯d read of Dracula this afternoon. He sucked in a breath. He regarded the man, and the ones in a heap behind him.

    ¡°Vampire bites can influence the victim¡­okay. Listen to me very carefully. I want you to go to the police and confess everything you¡¯ve done tonight. Tell them everything they want to know. Oh! And forget everything about me. I wasn¡¯t here.¡± Kevin said, in a flash of insight.

    ¡°Yes. I will.¡± the man nodded and stumbled off, soon lost in the dark, but Kevin could still hear his footsteps, heading towards the police station.

    ¡°Whew.¡± Kevin wiped his forehead in relief and climbed up the building again, leaping away under the moon. He saw Linda as he passed by, frantically speaking into her phone, freaked out but otherwise fine. He smiled a toothy grin as he saw her, happy to know she was alright. He¡¯d done it. Despite that little surprise when he¡¯d first tasted blood, he¡¯d upheld the ideals that his favorite heroes stood for. He¡¯d saved her. He¡¯d made a difference. It felt good. Kevin looked up into the moon, then down at his hands. It wasn¡¯t quite what he¡¯d imagined, but a freak occurrence gave him powers and abilities far beyond mortal man. The thugs he¡¯d faced down were nothing, and his stab wound had already healed. Kevin took a deep breath to calm his nerves. Of course, he was going to find the vampire who¡¯d done this, see if it could be reversed. But until then¡­Kevin nodded solemnly.

    There was only one thing to do.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Scott hummed a tune as he uncovered the wheelbarrow, holding his breath to guard against the smell. He looked over his prize from the previous night''s work.

    "Hmm. Not as good as I first thought." he muttered. In the light of his office in the warehouse, a small enclosure with plaster cubicle walls, he could see the extent of the rot that he couldn''t last night in the dark. A bug crawled over the dog''s exposed rib. "Ahh well." He snapped the gloves on his hands. He didn''t intend on touching it himself, but always best to be prepared. He used to have to pick up and manipulate the corpses manually, but those days were over. He snapped his fingers, and from the locker in the corner emerged Bones, a zombie that was nothing more than a skeleton now. Not quite as strong or useful as a regular zombie, Bones was the only undead to survive intact after an encounter with a daemon on Halloween, so Scott decided to keep him, for luck.

    "Bones, lift this corpse up." The skeleton mindlessly obeyed, and Scott examined it from all angles. "Well, it''s not as good as I first thought, but everything I really need''s intact. Damn though, I wish there were more to him." he huffed in frustration. There were way less animals than humans in the cemetery. Few could afford to bury them in an actual pet cemetery, opting to just bury deceased pets in the backyard. "Don''t they realize what a waste of good raw materials that is?" Scott lamented.

    Bike tires screeched to a halt outside, followed by someone pounding on the door. Scott sighed.

    "Always when I''m trying to work. Bones, answer it please." he said, removing the gloves and washing his hands. The skeleton nodded and clanked over to the door, slowly pulling it open.

    "Thank goodness you''re here, there''s something that YAAAAAHHHHHH!" Amber screamed and jumped back. "Scott! I hate it when you do that!" His head peeked around a corner.

    "Oh, Amber. Didn''t expect you. Nice to see you, though after the last few times I would have thought you''d be used to him by now."

    "It doesn''t matter, it''s still creepy to have a skeleton open the door, don''t do it! Especially when he''s holding a...oh my god!" A putrefied organ plopped to the ground, and Amber turned green. Scott grinned.

    "The unfortunate animal you see before you is slated to be part of the next big project I''m working on. Please, show some respect to the dead." he said, mock-reproachingly. Amber glowered at him, then pushed her way inside, careful not to touch the corpse.

    "Ugh. Never mind that now. We''ve got bigger problems. Look." She held up the newspaper she''d gotten from her dad. The headline was, ''Mysterious Vigilante Hospitalizes Gang, Saves Innocent Woman!'' Scott raised an eyebrow.

    "What''s this?" He took the paper and began to read. Apparently, there had been a mugging last night in the rough part of town. That alone wouldn''t have been newsworthy, but the manner of how it''d been foiled was. "Hmm...''Linda Moore, 21, states that he dropped down from a building and though appeared nervous, he was resolute in defending her. He possessed almost unnatural strength, effortlessly tossing aside her assailants and seemed impervious to physical attack. The only thing that seemed to faze him was a gun an assailant, Jordan Wheeler, pulled out, but was dispatched as handily as the others. Said assaulter was found an hour later, anemic, walking into a police station to confess his crime. The vigilante seems to have injected him with an unknown substance that made him exceptionally pliable to suggestion.

    ¡®Though this mysterious man¡¯s actions can be lauded, it is not up for debate that private citizens that take the law into their own hands are acting against it. Furthermore, authorities are concerned regarding the chemical Mr. Wheeler was exposed to. Even if it was for a good cause, the actions taken by a person who uses such methods is cause for concern. Opinion on page 11.¡¯¡± he finished. He carefully folded the paper and placed it gently on the table. He took a nice, deep, calming breath. ¡°WHAT!?¡±

    ¡°And, here¡¯s the thing,¡± Amber said, fidgeting nervously. ¡°A little while ago I got a call from Pete, the coroner. Remember, Detective Cross¡¯s friend? Nobody died, the guy¡¯s still in the hospital, but he heard the guy who came in to confess had two puncture holes in his neck. The official story is that the vigilante used some new type of syringe to put drugs in his system. But honestly, guy comes in anemic with two holes in his neck?¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s obviously a vampire.¡± Scott said dismissively. ¡°That is¡­not good. Not good at all.¡± He began pacing in the cubicle. ¡°Vampires are the ultimate undead. Strength, speed, regeneration, superior senses, all are just the starting point. The older a vampire, the more blood they consume, the more they gain control of supernatural abilities. Even with their preternatural weaknesses, an experienced, determined vampire is practically unstoppable.¡± He stopped pacing and rubbed his head. ¡°Do you want to know what the worst part is, Amber?¡±

    ¡°W-What?¡± she asked with trepidation.

    ¡°They¡¯re fully willed undead, powered by necrotic energy. My go-to spells can¡¯t affect them, I would only make them stronger.¡±

    ¡°What!¡± she yelped. ¡°But¡­but you¡¯re a necromancer! Doesn¡¯t this fall under your purview? Can¡¯t you, like, put a whammy on them if you want?¡± she asked nervously, hoping. Sighing reluctantly, Scott shook his head.

    ¡°If only. Necromancers control undead, true, but that¡¯s only because we provide the necrotic energy. Vampires-let me see¡­¡± He pulled out the Necronomicon and flipped through the pages, scanning. ¡°Yeah. Vampires take in the best conduit of life energy, blood. Their bodies extract and convert it into necrotic energy. And since they take in life energy to convert, they¡¯re considered the closest undead to being alive.¡±

    ¡°Ahh, I see. Wait, what about me? What about ghouls?¡± Amber said, brow furrowed. Scott nodded.

    ¡°Ghouls area special case. They¡¯re technically alive, so are considered the closest beings to undeath.¡± Scott regarded the paper again, ruminating. ¡°But, this is interesting. This vampire didn¡¯t drain and kill the people who attacked him. It¡¯s my understanding that that¡¯s standard procedure for them, leave no witnesses. And this guy only drained one, then commanded him to go to the police. If I had to guess, this one was recently turned and hasn¡¯t learned how a vampire should work yet, or he¡¯s broadcasting a signal to something else.¡±

    ¡°Assuming you¡¯re right about all this, of course.¡± Amber said. He raised his eyebrow.

    ¡°Please, Amber. Of course I¡¯m right.¡± Scott tapped his chin, thinking it over, but there was really only one thing to do. ¡°We have to find him. A vampire running around loose invites all kinds of trouble. We have to get to him, see what can be done.¡± He stared at the paper again. ¡°He doesn¡¯t seem like a bad guy,¡± Scott said carefully. ¡°But we have to determine if he¡¯s a threat. If a vampire can¡¯t reign in its¡¯ instincts, the bloodlust will cause a bloodbath.¡±

    ¡°And if he, y¡¯know, does go nuts?¡± Amber asked, starting to tremble.

    ¡°That¡¯s where you come in. You¡¯ll have to beat some sense into him.¡± Scott said lightly. Amber blanched.

    ¡°What? B-But you said vampires were basically unstoppable! You want me to fight him!?¡±

    ¡°Believe me, I¡¯d rather take care of it myself if I could.¡± he groused. ¡°But my options are limited here. I guess I could always summon an archdaemon again-¡±

    ¡°NO! No, that¡¯s not happening.¡± she ordered, shivering at the memory. Scott shrugged.

    ¡°Alright then. Glad to have you aboard. Don¡¯t worry, I wouldn¡¯t even be considering this if you weren¡¯t up to it. I don¡¯t like it, but you¡¯re our ace in the hole. You¡¯re a physical match for him, and if you don¡¯t the people of this town will be drained dry.¡± Amber opened her mouth to argue, thought about it, and then huffed in frustration.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯m in. So what¡¯s our first step? How are we gonna find him?¡± she said. Scott grinned.

    ¡°Oh, that¡¯s easy.¡± He picked up the paper, his eyes glowing faintly green. ¡°Vampires usually kill, so there¡¯s no witnesses. We¡¯re gonna exploit his mistake.¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah, not killing a helpless girl. That¡¯s a real failing.¡± Amber deadpanned.

    ¡°It¡¯s a tactical failure, not a moral one! Just get ready to go.¡± Scott huffed, shaking his head.

 Chapter 4: Detective Comics

    ¡°Hi Mrs. Bachelder bye Mrs. Bachelder!¡± Will called out to Kevin¡¯s surprised mother as he barreled up the stairs. He threw open the door, holding his phone with the news story on it and started to go on a tirade.

    ¡°The hell are you doing man, just what the hell!? I¡¯m here worrying about you and you go off gallivanting around town attacking thugs-what are you doing?¡± He finally noticed what Kevin was holding in his hand. It was a black shirt that he was sewing something on to.

    "Oh, uh, h-hi, Will." Kevin stammered sheepishly. Will stomped over to him.

    "What. Are. You. Doing." he repeated, teeth clenched.

    "I''m...ah...heh heh." He held up the shirt. On it was a bright white crescent, shaped like a fang. "I''ve already got some black pants and boots, so as soon as I make the mask I''ll be good to go. Do you think a cape''s too much?"

    "And why are you going to make a mask." Will said dumbly, trying to make sense of the scene before him. He could see the pieces, but they weren¡¯t falling into the puzzle.

    "Well..." Kevin rubbed his neck, turning red in embarrassment. "I kinda figured...what with the super strength and everything, why not, y''know?" he grinned. "I mean, sure I don''t have a lot of training, but I can learn. It feels really good to help people, and I have a lot to offer society with my newfound...condition. After all, I find myself bestowed with powers far beyond that of mortal man. What else can I do?" Kevin shrugged helplessly.

    "You can keep your head down, that''s what else!" Will exploded, shoving the phone in his face. "What happened!? What were you thinking last night!?"

    "Err, I kinda wasn''t." Kevin admitted, having the decency to look ashamed. "When the sun went down last night, I felt good. Like, really good. I started bouncing off the walls, and I had to get out. I felt like a caged animal, and when I was out underneath the moonlight, I was free. Gloriously free." He sighed dreamily at the memory. "Every cell in my body felt truly alive. I was jumping on the rooftops-it''s not as easy as it looks on TV- and I came across that girl being attacked. I didn''t have my phone, so the only thing I could do was save her myself. And it was easy. It didn''t hurt when they hit me, and they weighed like next to nothing so all I had to do was toss ''em around. Even when I got stabbed-"

    "YOU WERE STA-"

    "Shhh!" Kevin was suddenly there, covering his mouth with a hand that felt like coiled steel, glancing fearfully at the door. ¡°Keep it down, I don''t want Mom to find out! It''s alright, I''m alright! Yeah, I was stabbed, but I healed up when I drank his blood, so everything''s ok." He let go, and Will stared at him.

    "You really did bite that guy, then." he stated. Kevin hung his head.

    "Yeah. I did. I was so pissed, and so hungry, and I could see the vein pulsing in his neck. I...there was no way I could stop myself. By the time I realized what I was doing, I''d bitten down." He closed his eyes and sighed, shivering. "Imagine you''ve been walking through the Arctic for weeks with no food. Then somebody shows up and holds out a bowl of piping hot soup and a thermos of hot chocolate, it''s just there. You wouldn''t hold back, would you? That''s the closest I can get to describing it."

    "I guess, I kinda see where you''re coming from." Will shifted uncomfortably, then sat down. "A man¡¯s gotta eat, after all. But you had enough self-control to stop before you killed him, so I don''t see what this costume-"

    "No." Kevin said, with such finality Will nearly jumped up. "I...I''d like to think I had enough self-control to stop before I drank him dry. But, the fact of the matter is...I-I''m not proud to admit this...I didn''t. The blood. It was so hot, so sweet..." Will leaned back as Kevin''s features twisted with pure, unadulterated lust. Kevin licked his lips. "You don''t know what it was like. The pure hunger and desire...it was overwhelming. I was going to drink him up and everyone else there." Kevin hung his head, breathing heavily. Will gathered his courage and worked to clear his throat.

    "Then. Then, why didn''t you?" he asked softly.

    "As I was imbibing, I could feel them." Kevin looked up and stared straight ahead, determinedly. There was a glint in his eye. "Superman. Spider-Man. Batman. Wolverine. Wonder Woman. The Thing. Captain America. Green Arrow, Flash, Ghost Rider, and so many more. I could feel them all, staring at me." He laughed at Will''s face. "Relax, I know it was just in my head. But, I''ve looked up to all of them for my whole life. Mom hasn¡¯t always been around, but my heroes have. And if they were there, if they were real, what would they say if they saw me literally drain a man''s blood to death?"

    "It''s not that I had the willpower to stop. It''s that I couldn''t face my heroes if I didn''t."

    Silence hung in the air between them. Kevin had poured his heart out to Will; it was the longest time he''d ever even heard him talk. Will wanted to break the tension, but it didn''t seem right to make light of his feelings.

    "So. Guess you''re...gonna be a superhero." Will said at last.

    "Yeah. I may have to stalk the night, but it won''t be the innocent who have to fear me." Kevin said, smiling in relief. Will shook his head.

    "This''s crazy. You''re crazy." He got up and started pacing back and forth. "So, what about finding the vamp that did this to you?"

    "Still a priority. This''s really more of a side gig. If we can find her, somehow change me back, great. But until then...I feel I have a duty to do what''s right." Kevin said quietly. Will looked away.

    "And the feeding on blood?" Will asked dubiously.

    "Easy, I''ll feed off of criminals." Will raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

    "And the cops?"

    "Won''t be able to catch me. I can run and jump faster and farther than their cars can keep up. Trust me, I''ve thought this over, and I''m doing it." Kevin resolved.

    "Unbelievable." Will muttered. "Alright then. Let''s hear it. What''s your hero name gonna be?" Kevin flashed a toothy grin.

    "Evil beware, for the fang of justice hunts the night. Behold, the vampiric hero Nightfang!" He stood straight and tall, a pose that would make both George and Christopher Reeves proud.

    "Nightfang?" Will said. "Lame."

    "Lame? How is it lame?" Kevin said, frowning. "I think it''s cool. What''s wrong with it?''

    "It just, um, seems like you''re trying too hard." Will said.

    "Well, do you have anything better?" Will thought for a moment.

    "Vamp-Man?" he offered.

    "Vamp-Man! That''s a terrible superhero name. It doesn''t roll off the tongue nearly as well as Nightfang." Kevin argued. "That''s way lamer than Nightfang."

    "Maybe, but Nightfang is still lame." Will deadpanned.

    "Well, if you''re not offering anything better, you don''t get a vote. Nightfang is the perfect name for a vampire superhero, so I''m Nightfang. Bwsha!" He threw out his arms and held the pose, eyes sparkling. Will just shook his head.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Oh man.¡± Linda cracked her back, then resumed putting her things away, yawning. It had been a spectacularly long night, being interviewed by the police and the paper, and she still hadn¡¯t gone to bed yet. She¡¯d just showered and put on her most comfortable fuzzy pajamas and was trying to munch on something to calm down before she got to sleep, when someone knocked on the door. ¡°Coming!¡±

    She opened it to find two teenagers, a boy and a girl.

    ¡°Hello there!¡± Scott said brightly. ¡°Am I correct in identifying you as Linda Moore?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I am.¡± she said warily, confused.

    ¡°Fantastic, just fantastic. Miss Moore, I¡¯m sorry to have to bother you, and I realize you¡¯ve been through a trying time, but we¡¯re here to hopefully talk to you about the mysterious vigilante you encountered last night.¡± Right, this was it; Scott had come prepared. He knew she¡¯d be hostile and tired, but he¡¯d been practicing and rehearsing with Amber on the way over. They¡¯d established their backstories as members of the school¡¯s newspaper, and had come to her about the story potentially featuring one of their classmates. He¡¯d come up with counterarguments to shoot down every conceivable reason she¡¯d refuse them. No, he was brimming with determination. There was no way he¡¯d fail!

    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re here to talk about that guy? Awesome! Come in, come in! I¡¯ll tell you everything!¡± she chirped brightly, heading inside and beckoning them in. Amber giggled at Scott¡¯s deflated face and followed her inside.

    The house was small and cramped, nearly no room to maneuver within the most spacious part of the den. Compounding the matter was the fact that the main armchair in front of the TV and oversized coffee table was enormous. Next to it, and the only piece of furniture that had space around it was a nearly comically undersized loveseat, obviously chosen to ensure there was a way through the room. Amber and Scott had to squeeze the five inches between the table and wall to sit uncomfortably close together on the loveseat, squashed.

    ¡°Sorry. Most of this stuff came from my dad, and he¡¯s huge. Plus I, eh, don¡¯t get that many visitors here.¡± Linda apologized, apparently being swallowed by the armchair.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s okay.¡± Amber said, finally settling in. ¡°So please, Miss Moore, tell us exactly what happened last night. We read the paper-move your leg-and it just seems too incredible to be true.¡± she said, trying to adjust so she and Scott were actually able to move and take notes.

    ¡°Oh, it was amazing!¡± Linda squeaked. ¡°I had just broken up with my jerk of a boyfriend, and was on my way home when those guys jumped me. They were holding me down when all of a sudden, out of nowhere comes this guy and shouts something at them, I didn¡¯t hear what. They go over and start beating on him, but he just laughs and shrugs it off, then just grabs ¡®em and tosses ¡®em in a pile! It was the most incredible thing I¡¯ve seen in my life, it was just like a movie!¡± she explained animatedly, flailing her hands around.

    ¡°I see. And what of the man holding you down?¡± Amber said, trying to keep calm but feeling horrified. This woman had been jumped by scum. It was amazing she was so cheerful.

    ¡°Oh, he got up during the scuffle. He pulls out a gun and starts shooting at the guy, but I swear he doesn¡¯t care! He just ducks and weaves around, then he strides forward and was at the guy, quicker than anything! He turns around and told me to leave, and you bet I did after all that. Then I hailed a passerby and went straight to the cops. And that¡¯s how my hero saved me. So dreamy.¡± she sighed, lost in memory. The teens glanced at each other.

    ¡°Err, yes. Uh, did you happen to-move your arm-know what he looked like?¡± Scott said, squirming to pull out a pen and notepad.

    ¡°How could I forget?¡± Linda smiled and gazed off into the distance. ¡°He had dark, curly hair and deep, bright eyes. I could swear I could see them shine. He was tall, if not six foot then close to it. He was thin, I thought he looked gangly at first but I think he was just wearing a loose t-shirt. He¡¯s a white guy, but very, very fair, nearly pasty. I don¡¯t think he gets very much sun.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

    ¡°That¡¯s the leading theory.¡± Scott deadpanned.

    ¡°Anyway, he seemed young, too; I think he might be around high school age, only about a freshman in college if not. I wonder how he feels about older women¡­¡± Linda trailed off, giggling and blushing. Scott palmed his face.

    ¡°Focus, please. Anything else?¡± Amber said sternly. Linda blinked and came back to reality.

    ¡°Oh, sorry. Uh, let¡¯s see¡­oh! He had a deep, gravelly voice, very commanding and manly.¡± She dissolved into giggles again.

    ¡°Did you happen to see his face?¡± Amber asked. Linda shook her head.

    ¡°The police asked me that too. Sorry, I only saw him for like a minute at most. It was dark, and it all happened so fast, I mainly got the outline of him. I didn¡¯t see his face too much, but I know he doesn¡¯t have any markings or scars or anything, I think. I do know he has very striking eyes though. They almost seemed to glow.¡± She sighed and leaned back into her chair, almost becoming engulfed.

    ¡°I see. Well, thank you for your time, but we need to get going. We¡¯re on his trail, and you¡¯ve been very helpful.¡± Scott said as he disentangled himself from Amber and the couch and stood up. ¡°We¡¯ll just see ourselves out.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Linda muttered, still thinking about her savior¡¯s¡­eyes. Yes, definitely eyes, and nowhere else. The two teens shuffled out, but were stopped by her call. ¡°Wait! If you see him, tell him I send my love.¡±

    ¡°Will do.¡± Scott pulled Amber out and shut the door quickly, muttering to himself. ¡°Eesh.¡±

    ¡°At least we have a description of the guy, even if it is a little vague.¡± Amber said, kicking a stone. It skipped down the street, outpacing a car going the same way.

    ¡°Yeah, not a hundred percent I trust that.¡± Scott deadpanned, opening the notepad. ¡°I¡¯m a little surprised she didn¡¯t describe his rippling muscles or heaving chest.¡±

    ¡°Tall, dark-haired guy, fairly skinny, pale, and around our age. It¡¯s not much, but that does narrow it down.¡± Amber said, looking over the facts. ¡°Do you think he goes to our school?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a definite possibility. I¡¯m not willing to take that bet just yet though.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Since you¡¯re corporeal again I don¡¯t feel like breaking in to see who was out recently, that can wait until Monday. Or he could be new and just moved here. Or we could be barking up the wrong tree entirely and he just started hunting here for food and decided to be a nice guy for once.¡± Scott groaned, rubbing his head. There were too many possibilities, and not enough information.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s let Leo know to be on the lookout. I¡¯d feel better if that sword of his was pointed at the vampire. You have his number, right?¡± Amber asked.

    ¡°No, why would I?¡± Scott said, eyebrow raised. Amber rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Two weeks ago, when you split up to find the daemon, remember?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah.¡± Scott pulled out his phone and looked at the contacts. ¡°Huh. Seems you¡¯re right. I forgot to delete it.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t delete your friends¡¯ phone numbers. Especially when you don¡¯t have that many to begin with.¡± she deadpanned.

    "Hey, I¡­¡± He glanced back at the number, only one of two that wasn¡¯t his family. ¡°Shut up.¡±

    ¡°My, such an eloquent response.¡± Amber laughed.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    This was it, Terry mused. There was no way he was getting past them. He eyed Eric and nodded. Eric grimaced and nodded back, accepting his role as the human sacrifice to that¡­monster.

    ¡°Now, go!¡± Terry shouted. His team scattered, Eric driving straight down the middle to intercept. There was no way he could stop him, of course, but he could slow him down long enough to give the others enough time to group up and take him down.

    Leo, smiling widely, shot forward and dribbled the ball around Eric with ease, almost passing through him like a ghost. The rest of the team were stupefied, and though they raced to catch up, it was all too late. It was up to their tired, soaked, dehydrated captain now. Leo hummed, perspiring lightly.

    ¡°Oh no you don¡¯t!¡± Terry sprang into action. Leo, perfect football captain Leo, wouldn¡¯t win this game, not just one against them all!

    Leo didn¡¯t bother with words. Instead he passed, and Terry blinked. There was no one for him to pass to. Leo seemed to vanish from his view, and he turned to see him catch the ball and dribble it all the way to the net. With a seemingly effortless leap, Leo slammed the ball into the net.

    ¡°Alright! Two points, right?¡± he said to the others. The entire basketball team groaned and collapsed, panting in exertion.

    ¡°That¡¯s just not fair. We work just as hard as the football team, how can you beat all of us just by yourself!?¡± Terry moaned. Leo smiled and reached down, helping him up.

    ¡°Just good genes and healthy living, I guess.¡± Leo chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve also been practicing with my dad as soon as I was old enough to walk. Fifteen years of practice builds you up.¡±

    ¡°Sheesh.¡± Terry shook his head and joined the others. Leo went over to his bag, toweled off and checked his phone. There was a message.

    Good game. Your physical condition is excellent. Meet me behind the football field.

    Leo looked up and saw the far end gym doors close, a swish of a dark cloak the only thing he could make out. He narrowed his eyes.

    "Oh man!" Terry said, dropping next to him. "You''re crazy, you know that?"

    "Huh? Ahh, nah. Just felt like a bit of exercise." Leo said humbly, scratching his golden-blonde locks.

    "Right. Playing nearly the entire basketball team. By yourself. Not crazy." Terry said, rolling his eyes.

    "But I won, didn''t I?" Leo said innocently. Terry grumbled, and Leo laughed. "Thanks for the game, it was fun. I''ve got to go and run, though. Just got a call."

    "Whatever. Get out of my sight." Terry mumbled good-naturedly.

    "You know, you''re always free to try a game against the football team if you wanted a workout." Leo offered. Terry had visions of the entire team charging, trying to tackle him all at once.

    "I''ll pass. I like living."

    "Suit yourself." Leo shrugged, then gathered up his gym bag and left. Ordinarily, he''d get a shower and change, but he suspected he wasn''t done sweating. He thumbed his sword-shaped charm bracelet.

    Making sure there was no one else around, he cautiously made his way to the football field. Stepping out onto the grass in the pale sunlight, he glanced about for his mysterious contact. There was only an empty field, surrounded by bleachers.

    "There you are." a rough, uneven voice said behind him. Leo jumped away and whirled, a hair''s breadth away from pulling out his sword. "Good reflexes. I like that."

    Leo stared at a man, only a few inches shorter than him, wearing a long, dark, concealing overcoat. He had black leather gloves and boots on, and Leo could see a short, scraggly beard underneath a black wide-brimmed hat. The rest of his face was completely obscured.

    "Forgive me sir, you have me at an advantage. Who might you be?" Leo said, frowning. He could see a grin form from the beard.

    "I see a reason to answer that. Then again, I also see a reason not to." the man said, voice filled with smoky gravel. Leo surreptitiously started to turn and shuffle around; this man seemed...off. And very dangerous. "What I will tell you is that we have, I''ll say a friend in common."

    "Do we now?" Leo said, glancing around to see if there was anyone else, and at the exits.

    "Indeed. I''m here at their request, in fact. I''ve heard through the vine of grapes that you''ve managed to chop up some out of town visitors with that shiny sword of yours." the man said, letting some grease into the words. Leo froze.

    "I see. And might you be related to those visitors?" he asked. The charm dangled on his wrist. The man''s head titled, still covering his face.

    "Could be, could be. What would you do if I am?"

    "Then I must please ask you to leave. This is a peaceful town, and I intend to keep it that way. One way, or another." Leo said calmly, staring straight ahead at him. The man considered the teen before him. There was no malice, no hatred in his declaration, only a description of what was going to happen.

    "Very regal. Very kingly." the man said, bobbing his head. "Truly desirable qualities. Unfortunately, thanks to the daemons that you killed, I am here. Face me now. Or you can face me later, when I have opportunity to steal away your lovely little girlfriend. I understand she also aided you in the fight, I am sure that many would like to see her dead." Leo''s eyes went wide, then he threw out his arm, the sword materializing in his hand. Without a word he charged, thrusting the tip of the blade at the man in black.

    The man slid to the side and slapped away the blade with his gloved hand. Leo felt the edge slice in, but not enough to do any sort of real harm. The man stared at his hand. There was no blood.

    "Excellent trick, turning the blade to a slash after thrust fails. But not good, no. Not good enough."

    "What exactly do you want from me?" Leo said, drawing back and bringing his sword to bear.

    "I want to judge for myself the blade of the man who tested Hastazemus." the man said. Leo narrowed his eyes. This man seemed to know everything that had gone down on Halloween. Why was he here? Was he in actuality a daemon, intent on revenge?

    "Tell me, who sent you? Why are you really here? If you merely wanted to test me, simply explaining would have gotten me to acquiesce." he said. The man gave a barking, disjointed laugh.

    "True. You are a reasonable person. But that would not suffice." The man lifted his head to stare at him. Presumably. Leo saw he was wearing large, opaque sunglasses that hid the whole top half of his face. "I need to discern what you are capable of. Yourself, the hero type, always responds more strongly to the threat to loved ones. Now come. If you do not, I shall hunt down and dispose of those you hold dear. I shall do what I need to in order to achieve the goal at hand." He reached into his coat and pulled out a brown leather whip, cracking it between them. Sparks flew from the cord.

    "I see. My response is clear, then." Leo said, gathering his courage and resolve. He returned his sword to bracelet form, and kneeled down before the man, bowing his head. "I surrender. Do with me as you will." The man blinked.

    "What is this?" he scowled. "Giving up without a fight? Others lives are depending on you!"

    "I don''t believe you. You are only here to test me. If you truly meant to do me or my friends harm, you would have gone after them first." Leo said evenly. The man cracked the whip in irritation.

    "Fool boy! I kill them after you, so you can''t defend them!"

    "Whatever you say." Leo smiled serenely. "I am defenseless. I cannot stop you."

    "Toss away your weapon. Then, I will believe this is not a trick." the man said, glaring behind his sunglasses. Leo wordlessly removed the bracelet and threw it away onto the field without hesitation. The man shook his head.

    "There. See?" Leo said, bowing his head again.

    "Unbelievable. I''m glad I''m here. You were too foolish to continue." He raised his arm up high, the whip crackling with energy to cut him in two. Leo grinned.

    "HIKE!" Leo drove off his bent leg, perfectly tackling his shoulder into the man''s hips, bringing him down. He crawled up to the surprised man''s head, ready to knock his lights out with a raised fist. "Do you surrender?"

    The man stared at him, gaping. Then he started chuckling, erupting into a full-bellied laugh, high and tinkling.

    "Good show! Good show! I''ve never seen a chosen of Zet-Mathaig throw their weapon away just to lure an enemy closer! Ha! But that really isn''t something you should make a habit of."

    "And you''re the person who''s supposed to train me, aren''t you?" Leo said genially, but still didn''t lower his fist. The man nodded with an approving eye.

    "You''re quick, with good instincts. I''ve never seen a new candidate grasp the subtleties of misdirection in combat so quickly before." the man said. "Isn''t that right, Lagdinras?"

    Indeed.

    Six balls of fire burst into existance, spiralling in a circle and carving a hole in reality for the enormous golden eye to appear through.

    "Aw, it was nothing. I just remembered a good example." Leo said, recalling Scott facing down Hastazemus.

    Among the green Recruits, Leo here Stands tall in regards to Potential. He is Worthy to be Chosen of the Holy Zet-Mathaig, He who Loves All and Protects All with His thousand eyes.

    The eye''s attention turned to Leo.

    This is your Trainer of the Chosen, a Chosen himself who has Served for nearly three eons. He has Much to teach you. Learn well. I must Away, so fare the both of you Well. Hail Zet-Mathaig, He of the Many Enlightened Tendrils!

    With that, the fire and the eye folded back into its'' normal dimension, leaving reality alone once again.

    "We should be started then. I am here for three of your months alone, our time together is limited. After that, there is much to do. During that time there is much to do, factually." the man said, getting up and stretching his neck.

    "''Of your months''? Where are you from?" Leo said, handing him back his hat, lost in the scuffle. The man grinned.

    "I suppose you should know." He looked around, making doubly sure there was no one else. He reached up and took off his sunglasses. Leo gasped and instinctively took a step back.

    His eyes were black, bulging and multifaceted like an insects, and each one had a glowing, turquoise slit pupil, like a jaguar.

    "I-I can see you''re not from around here." Leo gulped.

    "Indeed. I am Mielios Cvthst..." the rest of the name was drowned out in noises that Leo couldn''t make out. "But since human vocal chords cannot pronounce it, you may refer to me as Mielios." he said, returning the sunglasses to his face. "I am from the distant land of Kartg. This is not the first time I''ve visited this planet, but it is the first time I''ve conversed with a human for so long."

    "I...see." Leo said diplomatically. "Uh. Welcome to Earth? Wait, that means you are an extraterrestrial, right?"

    "I suppose, but you and your kind are much more strange and alien to me. Imagine, your skeletons are on the inside! Your organs are contained in there as well! It''s a wonder how you function, especially with hearing that has...little of a range as yours does. There are many wonderful vibrations you cannot perceive."

    "Um, I guess." Leo said, mind reeling. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in the bag. "Excuse me. Hello?" he said, picking it up. "Oh, hi Scott! Uh, yes, I''m actually a little busy...what? Uh-huh, uh-huh...I see. That''s...no, yeah. I''ll be there as soon as I can. Thanks, bye." Leo hung up and turned to Mielios, his face becoming stern. "It seems that there''s some trouble brewing. We most likely have a vampire in town. Do you mind accompanying me to meet up with my friends? They''d like my help with the investigation."

    "Ho hoo, on the job training. It so happens I am quite adept at hunting down and eliminating all kinds of vampires." Mielios replied, grinning. Leo frowned.

    "Wait, did Lagdinras know this was going to happen? Is that why he sent you?"

    "Perhaps." Mielios said, stroking his beard. "You must understand, he and Lord Zet-Mathaig are creatures far stranger than you to I, or I to you. They operate on a grander cosmic scale. I do not believe they perceive cause and effect the quite same way we do. All I know is Lagdinras has guided me here. You will find, should you survive long enough, Lagdinras does not always explain to your satisfaction. However, he often does not need to. He points us where we need to go, and it is up to us to do the rest. This is why we have been chosen."

    "Huh." Leo said, nodding. "Well, if it is up to us, we should get going."

    "That is the correct choice. Come, I shall instruct you in the finer points of vampire extermination along the way."

 Chapter 5: Confrontation

    ¡°So you really think this¡¯ll work?¡± Amber said, raising an eyebrow at Scott¡¯s little display.

    ¡°Of course it will, stop being so negative!¡± he chirped, frantically scribbling sigils on the warehouse floor around an old and crumpled map of the town. She stared at it doubtfully. It was older than she was. Scott had dug it out of his garage, as a necessary component for the spell.

    ¡°Now ordinarily, this magic can reveal any undead in the vicinity, but only within like ten or twenty feet or so. Unless we wanna spend all year carpeting the town, that¡¯s not happening. Luckily, I¡¯ve managed to modify it into a spell that will divine him for us. This one¡¯s gonna pinpoint any and all undead within the boundaries of the map. There¡¯s no way we can fail.¡± He said confidently, standing up and brushing the chalk from his jeans.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that I don¡¯t think the spell will fail, I¡¯m just worried about that map.¡± Amber said, frowning. ¡°Look, it has mold on it.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s just some old chocolate pudding.¡± Scott dismissed.

    ¡°That grew mold on it when it sat behind your water heater for twelve years. Didn¡¯t you say it burst at one point, and that¡¯s why the box had water damage?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Details, details.¡± Scott brushed off, waving his hand. ¡°I know it¡¯s not in the best condition, but it¡¯s the only one I could find. But it¡¯ll work, trust me. I saved the city by modifying a spell, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Amber said slowly, drawing it out.

    ¡°So believe me. I checked and double-checked the magical formulas. It¡¯ll work. I¡¯m pretty sure.¡±

    ¡°What was that?¡±

    ¡°I said I¡¯m absolutely sure.¡± Scott said innocently, drawing the final circle around the inscriptions on the array. ¡°Now then, let¡¯s begin. Absteros, thengos grim. Elstaninmos, tutla tutla tutla tula tutla etsghat y nam uub tenenitos! Absteros, thengos grim. Elstaninmos, tutla tutla tutla tula tutla etsghat y nam uub tenenitos! Absteros, thengos grim. Elstaninmos, tutla tutla tutla tula tutla etsghat y nam uub tenenitos!¡±

    The circle flashed with emerald light, reacting to the flow of power. Energy twisted and rippled, making the faded map in the center shake and tremble. With a low rumble, the magic waves coalesced onto the map, starting to shine in one spot¡­and shine, and shine, and shine until it was almost incandescent. The paper started to flap and levitate.

    ¡°Look out, she¡¯s gonna blow!¡± Scott called out wide-eyed, diving behind the desk, Amber joining a fraction of a second later. The aged paper shook and twisted, exploding with a boom into confetti. Scott and Amber peered up from behind the desk.

    ¡°¡¯Believe me, I checked and double-checked?¡¯¡± Amber said, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Perhaps I should have obtained a more solid map.¡± Scott admitted, then pulled out his notes. ¡°I don¡¯t understand though, everything else was working perfectly¡­hmmm¡­oh, I think I see. The runes concerning power output on inscription didn¡¯t take into account the fact it was so old and dilapidated.¡±

    ¡°So, it failed.¡± Amber said, grinning.

    ¡°It did not fail! The spell worked perfectly! There were just some¡­unforeseen complications concerning the durability of the subject of the magic.¡± he amended. ¡°Unless the entire town is literally swarming with undead. That could do it, too.¡± he added as an afterthought. Amber shuddered.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that, you¡¯ll jinx us.¡±

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s just superstitious nonsense.¡± Scott dismissed. Amber just tuned her head to him and stared. ¡°What?¡± he said uncomfortably. ¡°It¡¯s true. The gods generally don¡¯t care about humans, they usually give no blessings or curses. Unless you catch their eye.¡± he said ominously.

    ¡°Whatever.¡± Amber rolled her eyes and turned back to the floor, slightly blackened from the burst of necrotic power. ¡°What next? How are we gonna find the vampire now?¡±

    ¡°Depends. Do you have a map of the town?¡±

    ¡°Of course not.¡±

    ¡°Well then, we¡¯re stuck.¡± Scott said nonchalantly, leaning his elbow on the desk.

    ¡°Why not just use a cell phone? Heck, why didn¡¯t you just use a cell phone in the first place!?¡± Amber admonished.

    ¡°Do you have any idea how to integrate a spell into a phone¡¯s network so that it¡¯ll show up on an electronic display?¡± he asked.

    ¡°No?¡±

    ¡°Neither do I.¡± He rubbed his forehead and sighed. ¡°I could probably whip up a way to do it, but we¡¯re looking at weeks of work for that, more likely months. And I¡¯d have to actually study how a phone works, get connected to the internet with the spell...ugh.¡± There was a knock on the door.

    ¡°Scott? I¡¯m here. And I brought someone who should be able to help.¡± Leo called from outside.

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯ll have an idea. Bones-¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Amber commanded, and the necromancer shrugged.

    ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll get it then.¡± Scott got up and opened the door for Leo and Mielios. ¡°Hey. Glad you¡¯re here. We just-¡±

    Behind Leo, Melios¡¯s nostrils flared and his multifaceted eyes widened behind the sunglasses. Doom, death, and despair; the stench of metaphysical decay rolled off this boy like a putrid wave, befouling the world with his presence. It was a charnel odor Mielios was far too familiar with.

    ¡°Get back!¡± Mielios shouted, shoving Leo away and drawing his whip. ¡°Die!¡± The weapon lashed out. Scott managed to reflexively bring his arm up, but the ancient leather wrapped around, ensnaring him. His arm erupted in white-hot agony, making him scream.

    ¡°What¡¯s going-?¡± Leo got up to see Mielios rear back, dragging Scott into the dirt. The whip was twisted free and raised into the air, crackling with power, ready to be brought down and end Scott¡¯s existence.

    ¡°No!¡± Amber launched herself from the doorway, tackling him in the chest and knocking him off balance.

    ¡°Another one!¡± he exclaimed, wheeling on her and recovering.

    ¡°Rrraaaaaaaghhhh!¡± She swung a fist at him, as hard as she could. All of a sudden, he seemed to vanish. ¡°Huh?¡± She turned her head to where she saw him move and found him at her side. Wasting no words, the alien in black swung the handle of the whip into her temple, stunning her long enough to turn the whip to Scott again. However, he found Leo¡¯s blade in his face.

    ¡°Mr. Mielios, please stop assaulting my friends.¡± he said evenly, his voice letting only the barest hint of the storm inside through.

    ¡°Damnation it boy, that¡¯s a necromancer! A foul spellthrower who brings forth the dead for his own ends! There is no worse branch of magic, and no worse beings that practice it! He must be destroyed immediately, or the town could be engulfed in the walking dead like that one over there!¡± Mielios pointed accusingly at Amber.

    ¡°Hey!¡± she protested, rubbing her head. Being dead had its advantages, she supposed; once the shock had worn off, she realized she wasn¡¯t actually hurt. But still, she was worried. He had been so fast. She thought she could handle herself with her ghoulish strength, but the man in black had moved around her like water.

    Leo looked from Mielios to Scott and back. He lowered his sword but didn¡¯t retract it, planting it tip first in the ground as he stepped fully in front of Scott.

    ¡°Yes, he is a necromancer. However, if you¡¯re worried about him unleashing a horde of zombies on the town, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re too late.¡±

    ¡°Of course! The charnel human pupate has already started-¡±

    ¡°And had he not,¡± Leo said over Melios¡¯s outburst, ¡°The whole town would have been overrun with daemons.¡± At that the disguised alien paused, eyes narrowing behind the sunglasses. He watched Scott shake his head and curse as he made it to his feet.

    ¡°The god damn hell, man?¡± he muttered, holding his arm.

    ¡°¡­are you saying he. A necromancer. One of the worst troubles we chosen of Zet-Mathaig have to face. That have scoured entire worlds clean of life, ruling over a planetary kingdom of undead. Released an army of said undead upon your town, to save it. And actually disposed of them afterwards?¡± he asked incredulously. Leo and Amber both nodded.

    ¡°Did you not get the memo from Lagdinras?¡± Leo asked, tilting his head.

    ¡°Apparently not.¡± Mielios said dryly, then wound up his whip, but still kept it in hand, ready. ¡°Stand aside, thank you. I wish to question the necromancer himself.¡± Leo nodded and stepped away, but still well within striking distance.

    ¡°Yeah, come at me again, let¡¯s see how it goes this time.¡± Scott growled, his eyes glowing green and glaring. Necrotic power crackled in his palm.

    ¡°This accounts are¡­true? You really gave up a settlement-crushing amount of undead?¡± Mielios said, staring equally hard at him.

    ¡°Yeah. It was the only way I could think of to put down the daemons and their conspirators.¡± Scott fired off, preparing for a fight.

    ¡°Why?¡± the alien asked simply, and Scott blinked. ¡°Why would you give up what all other y¡¯sshk-gorrah¡­or necromancers¡­have all yearned and tried for? Why do you study your necromancy at all, if not to subjugate the living with the dead?¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa, whoa.¡± Scott said, holding his hands up. ¡°Who said anything about subjugating anybody? I don¡¯t wanna rule the world, screw that! Do you have any idea how much work that would be? I¡¯m too busy figuring out the necrotic arts to be concerned with anything like that. No, the reason I¡¯m a necromancer is simple.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna use it to start my own business, then undercut all the competition and get rich and live an easy, profitable life!¡± he declared proudly. Mielios stared at him, dumbfounded. Amber sighed and rolled her eyes. She knew exactly what was going through Mielios¡¯s mind right now.

    ¡°Are¡­are you sure?¡± the alien asked unsteadily. ¡°If you were world ruler, you¡¯d own everything and be richest by default.¡± he said without thinking. Scott snorted.

    ¡°Yeah right. I¡¯m not ass-retarded. That sounds like way too much work and effort. Why bother, when for just a little work I can get everything I want anyway and don¡¯t have to be pestered with anything else? I mean, if I play my cards right, I could retire in my twenties!¡± he exclaimed, animatedly waving his hands. ¡°Didn¡¯t you know? The essence of necromancy is to kick back while your undead minions do all the work for you.¡± The teenage necromancer folded his arms and nodded sagely at this profound truth. Mielios stared at him slack-jawed. Amber snickered at his face.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­I mean¡­is what he says truth?¡± he asked Leo and Amber helplessly.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Leo said.

    ¡°Yup.¡± Amber sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been around him for awhile now, and trust me, he¡¯s on the level about this. I¡¯m stuck with him until he can change me back to human.¡± she said pointedly, giving him a sly glance.

    ¡°I¡¯m working on it, I¡¯m working on it! This¡¯d be over in five minutes if you¡¯d-¡±

    ¡°Without killing me.¡± she said.

    Mielios watched them go back and forth silently, considering this information. While it was true that this one seemed like he was being honest, it could be a ruse, merely playing at being normal. He¡¯d met and dispatched dead-raisers who seemed helpful and pleasant on the surface before, but without exception they all harbored unhinged and diabolical ambitions. There was no way to tell until he struck, and by then it could be too late.

    He closed his eyes in silent prayer to Zet-Mathaig, pondering the best way forward. Lagdinras had chosen Leo, and if he really was Leo¡¯s friend¡­

    ¡°Very well.¡± he said at last, interrupting the flow of conversation. ¡°I have decided on my course. I shall give you training, Leo. Meet me at the bridge tomorrow near the river. We shall begin then.¡±

    ¡°And Scott?¡± Leo said, tightening his grip on the hilt.

    ¡°I shall stay my attack-for now.¡± Mielios stared hard at Scott, who merely returned it with a cool glance. ¡°I vow the y¡¯sshk-gorrah will remain unharmed from me, unless he does something to warrant such action.¡±

    ¡°So glad for your seal of approval.¡± Scott said, and Leo stepped between them again.

    ¡°Easy, Scott. An experienced warrior¡¯s help would be much appreciated and very useful. Thank you very much, Mielios. I¡¯ll see you tomorrow, then.¡± He gave the alien a winning smile.

    ¡°I shall look forward to it.¡± Mielios said and left. Amber and Scott both let out a sigh of relief, and Leo untensed.

    ¡°Guys, please try not to antagonize my new coach.¡± he said, looking at them with adorable, pleading eyes. Amber¡¯s heart melted instantly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look at me, I¡¯m not the one who started it.¡± Scott muttered, still rubbing his arm. The pain had mostly faded, but something about that whip had stung. It made him uneasy. He shook his head. ¡°Anyway, what are you doing tonight?¡±

    ¡°I was going to Skype with Evangeline, why?¡± Leo asked.

    ¡°You might wanna reschedule that for earlier. We¡¯re probably gonna be up all night, as I was going to explain before I was so rudely interrupted.¡± Scott grinned. ¡°We¡¯re gonna hunt us down a vampire.¡±

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the necromancer and company were making their preparations, the sun sank low in the sky, giving way to night. And they were not the only ones who were making preparations, nor were they the only ones on the hunt.

    ¡°Alright, alright. Yeah, uh-huh.¡± Charlie said into his phone, walking home with his food from the store dangling from a bag in his other hand. ¡°No, yeah. I¡¯ve finally saved up enough and found a place. Good-bye parents¡¯ attic, hello casa de Chuck!¡± Off in the distance, a dog barked.

    ¡°Yeah. Alright, I¡¯m heading in now. See you later.¡± He hung up and put the phone in his pocket, digging his key out as he approached his house. Passing an alley, he thought he saw something move. He stretched his head back, and saw an empty soup can roll on the pavement. Charlie squinted. Behind it was a box filled with trash, some old newspapers crumpled and blowing in the wind, and¡­something else. He moved to get a better look.

    There, nearly hidden in the garbage, almost the same color as the rest of the trash, was a human hand. Charlie gasped and immediately rushed to check. He stopped when he got there, struck by a horrible thought. What if it was one of the¡­leftovers from the Craven Falls Killer? It said on the news that they were behind bars, but what if all the victims weren¡¯t found? Or worse, someone who had recently collapsed? If so, they needed help.

    Gingerly, he poked at the hand. It was cold and initially unresponsive, but he saw it twitch and heard moaning coming from the larger pile of paper and bags.

    ¡°H-Help¡­¡±

    ¡°Hold on, I¡¯m here!¡± Charlie frantically removed the trash, quickly excavating a pale, thin homeless man.

    ¡°S-So cold¡­¡± he murmured.

    ¡°Jeez, you¡¯re freezing! How long have you been here? Hold on, I¡¯ll call an ambulance.¡± Charlie laid his coat over the man, who nodded gratefully. He pulled out his phone, but his wrist was grabbed feebly by the man.

    ¡°Thank you¡­kind sir¡­¡± he said weakly. Charlie smiled and patted his hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything¡¯s gonna be alright.¡± He turned back to the phone, and so missed the homeless man¡¯s eyes turn red, and the fangs sliding past his lips.

    ¡°Yes¡­thank you, kind sir!¡± the man snarled, his grip turning into a vice. Charlie shrieked as he was pulled closer, burning knives piercing his throat. He gurgled and struggled, but it was no use. Every last bit of strength, every last bit of blood was leaving his body. Soon he could no longer even gasp desperately for breath, held in an iron grip. The homeless man tossed Charlie¡¯s body aside and licked his lips, stained crimson.

    ¡°Soon.¡± he chuckled. ¡°Very soon.¡±

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "This...is so...awesome!" Kevin cried as he leapt from the side of a building to a lamppost, then up onto the roof of another, where Will was.

    "Yeah, yeah." Will said, searching around fearfully. The street was empty at this hour, but all it would take was one errant driver or pedestrian who looked up and Kevin was exposed. "Keep it down, we don''t wanna wake the neighborhood."

    "Sorry man. I just feel so good!" Kevin exclaimed, jumping and somersaulting fifteen feet in the air with ease. "I''m just like Spidey!"

    "And to think you complained of feeling weak and sluggish during the day, too." Will said, shaking his head.

    "Yeah. I''m pretty sure it has something to do with the night. I''m definitely a night owl now."

    "Well, I guess, but-car!" Will and Kevin both ducked low behind the lip of the edge.

    "Uh...Will? Why am I hiding? I''m in disguise, remember? To hide my secret identity." Kevin said, puzzled. Will sighed and rolled his eyes.

    "Moron, think about it. What do you think will happen if someone sees you running around doing all this impossible crap? Right now you''re just a weirdo running around in your underwear, if you go around picking up cars, you''ll be a target for everything from government labs to a media frenzy!"

    "Right. Why do you think I''m wearing the mask?" Kevin replied gamely. "It''s so I can use my powers without having to worry about that stuff too much." He stood up and stuck out his chest. Unfortunately, while his strength was immense his body was still undeniably scrawny. "I know the risks of being a superhero better than just about anyone. But I''ve made my decision, and there''s no turning back now. I have sworn to protect and defend the people of this fair town."

    Will sighed, but Kevin''s passion was too much to simply laugh off. At least he''d talked him out of a cape. They''d done their best, but the mask and shirt with the fang still looked painfully amateurish, and he was wearing simply black pants and shoes.

    "And defend them from what, oh mighty protector?" Will asked, drumming his fingers on the ledge. Kevin scratched his head sheepishly as a gust of wind blew down the empty street, dark and silent.

    "That''s why we''re on patrol. If we go somewhere else, I''m sure we''ll find something to do." Kevin crouched down, and Will moaned.

    "Seriously, again? It was embarrassing enough the first time."

    "Unless you want to take your chances climbing down a building in the rough part of town at night." Kevin stated.

    "Fine." Will said flatly, and wrapped his arms and legs around Kevin¡¯s'' shoulders and waist. "I hate this. I hate you. I hate stupid vampires."

    "Hold on!" Kevin said joyfully, taking a running start. While Will closed his eyes and muttered frantic prayers, Kevin smiled at the speed rushing through him and leapt off the roof, limbs flailing through the air to spike onto the brick wall of the neighboring building. He crawled up, Will hanging on for dear life, and they made their way across the roofs like that for another two blocks.

    "Isn''t this great?" Kevin asked, exhilarated from the exercise. His favorite part was the leap from building to building; the wind whistling past him made him feel like he was flying.

    "Pleaseohpleaselet me live through this!" Will wailed.

    "Aw, don''t be such a fraidy-cat. Look!" Kevin jumped as high as he could from the top of a roof. It wasn''t much, but they were in the sky, viewing the horizon and the tops of the town below them. They could see for miles.

    "Cool." Will said breathlessly. However, he was so enamored of the sight he forgot to hold on. "Wh-oh no! Sh-"

    "I gotcha!" Kevin spun and grabbed him in midair, landing on the roof with a heavy thud and cracking it. He felt the shock go through his legs, but grinned as his new muscles could handle it. "You okay?"

    "Could we not do that anymore!?" Will shouted at his friend. "Put me down!" They had landed with him in a bridal carry, and he was mortified.

    "Sure." Kevin set Will down gently on wobbling legs, trying to get over what just happened. "Easy now. I guess patrol will get easier when I get the Fangmobile." he joked. Will stared at him, worried.

    "Your birthday''s eight months away, and you don''t have any savings or a job. When were you going to get a car?"

    "Oh, eventually. Y''know, sooner or later." Kevin mumbled, shifting uncomfortably, hoping the conversation wasn''t headed in the direction he thought it was headed in.

    "And how long do you think it''ll take to track down the vampire that bit you?" Will demanded. Kevin looked away.

    "Uh, maybe a week? Tops? Hopefully?" he muttered in a small voice.

    "And how long do you think you''ll be a vampire, with those odds?" Will said coldly. Kevin shuffled his feet.

    "Look, can we not do this now?" he asked, trying to look as contrite as he could through a mask.

    "No, we do this now!" Will exploded, jabbing a finger at him. "Right now, you''re a vampire! A blood-sucking fiend! No matter how cool the perks are, you''re a monster designed to kill people! That''s what your strength is for, it''s to grab people and drink them until there''s nothing left! Don''t you get that? You''re a monster, pretending to be a high school student, playing at being a superhero like a kid! You''re a danger to everyone every second you spend like this, and you don''t seem to care!"

    "N-No, I...it''s not like that at all!" Kevin said, taking a step back and looking down. "I-I...it''s just..." He realized he was shaking. As much as he might want to, he couldn''t deny the truth of Will''s words. He remembered all too well the bloodlust that came upon him when he''d first tasted the crimson ambrosia. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Will was right.

    However...

    Will''s truth was not the only truth. Kevin reached up and touched the white crescent on his chest. Underneath the mask, his lips tugged up into a faint, sad smile.

    "That may be true. No, you''re completely right. I am a monster. But no matter how much I enjoy the perks, no matter if I go about it in a...less than usual way, I''m still out here, and I''m still gonna do something about it. So yeah, I am a monster. I know that better than anyone. But that doesn''t mean I have to act like one."

    He opened his eyes and looked at his friend. Will found he couldn''t keep eye contact, and looked away. Kevin''s gaze was as hard and unyielding as steel. Will couldn''t doubt him anymore.

    "So. How ''bout we find that vampire, and something for me to eat then?" Kevin asked, extending his hand.

    "You know, you''re kind of bad at being a terror of the night." Will muttered, taking it. Kevin smiled and they resumed their leaping.

    "So where do you think-huh? What the heck is that?" Kevin said, skidding to a stop and letting Will down.

    "Huh? What''s what?"

    "There." Kevin pointed into the sky, but all Will saw was blackness and some stars.

    "Not all of us have super vampire senses, you know." he deadpanned.

    "Sorry. Over there, it''s hard to make out, but it looks like...a bird?"

    "If you follow that up with ''a plane'' I swear I''ll drown you in holy water.

    "No, it looks like it''s more than one, and they''re...carrying something? Look out!" Kevin shoved Will away and jumped as a net dropped down where they were standing. They stared at it in shock. "We''re under attack!"

 Chapter 6: Red vs. Green-Heros Trial By Fire

    ¡°Damn! Missed!¡± Scott scowled, watching the two teens panic with his binoculars. ¡°Guess that means we go with plan B, then. Right Amber, Leo, you¡¯re up!¡± Amber groaned.

    ¡°D-Do we have to? I mean, I¡¯m all for protecting the city, but plan B is a little¡­¡±

    ¡°Amber!¡± Scott barked.

    ¡°Alright, alright!¡± she moaned, giving up. She knew that people¡¯s lives were at stake. But plan B was¡­difficult.

    ¡°Hey now, it¡¯ll be all right.¡± Leo reassured, giving her a smile that shone like a beacon in the night. ¡°Remember, it¡¯s all in your head. You¡¯ve got superpowers, you¡¯ll be fine no matter what.¡±

    ¡°Thanks, I guess.¡± she said glumly.

    ¡°Hurry up, they¡¯re getting away! Go! Now!¡± the necromancer urged, the zombified birds returning to his arm.

    ¡°Okay!¡± Amber and Leo ran across the street, and Amber knelt down. Leo hopped into her open hands, and she heaved with all her strength. The quarterback shot up in the air like a rocket, reaching to grab the edge of the roof and just barely making it.

    ¡°So glad I brought gloves.¡± he muttered as he vaulted over.

    Back down below, Amber nervously dithered, trying to put off the inevitable.

    ¡°Save the city, they said. Protect your loved ones from vampires, they said. This¡¯s worse than a vampire!¡± Sighing, she decided to get it over with. She crouched and leapt, hopping from a windowsill to climb onto the roof, squeaking with fright all the way. She¡¯d tried to shut her eyes, but that was even worse as she couldn¡¯t see handholds.

    ¡°Looks like she still hasn¡¯t gotten over her fear of heights.¡± Scott sighed, watching.

    On the roof, Leo helped Amber up, never taking his eyes from the oddly-dressed vampire and his companion, who quickly pulled his hood up. Leo tried to make his face as stony as possible, but it was a little difficult to resist the laughter at the vampire¡¯s outfit. Amber tried, but failed to suppress a giggle. The masked vampire stepped forward and raised his hands.

    ¡°Hold! Who are you, and why have you challenged me like a craven rat!?¡± Kevin said in his best deep, booming voice but actually squeaked three times. Leo and Amber shared a quick glance.

    ¡°Tell me: is the story going around town true? Are you really a vampire, feeding on blood?¡± Leo said, stepping forward as well. Will inhaled sharply as he recognized Leo Manning, captain of the football team. He looked nervously at Kevin, who didn¡¯t seem to recognize him.

    ¡°And what did you plan to do if I am?¡± Kevin challenged, an eyebrow raised beneath the mask. He was confident his newfound power would allow him to carry the day with minimal harm.

    ¡°Then I will take whatever measures are necessary.¡± Leo said, voice hard, and threw out his arm. The gleaming silver sword appeared in it and ignited into flame, burning from hilt to tip.

    Kevin and Will both stared at it wordlessly.

    ¡°Run!¡± Will screeched and jumped on Kevin¡¯s back. He didn¡¯t need to be told twice, flickering over the rooftops as fast as his legs could carry him.

    ¡°Hey, wait! Hold up!¡± Amber called after them, then turned a glare on the blinking quarterback. ¡°Nice going, genius! We might¡¯ve been able to talk to him if you hadn¡¯t pulled your sword!¡±

    ¡°Sorry. He sounded like a threat.¡± he mumbled, looking bashful. ¡°I thought the goal was to capture him anyway, Scott said so.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, but only to determine if he really is a danger! If we talk to him first, we could avoid that! Scott isn¡¯t always right, you know.¡± She scanned the city, not liking one bit what was to come next. She sighed and crouched down. ¡°Hop on.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Leo blinked.

    ¡°Hurry up and piggyback on me. You¡¯ll never make it, and they¡¯re getting away!¡±

    ¡°Uh, right.¡± Leo climbed on her back, and was astonished at the ease a girl that was nearly half his size could lift him, like an empty backpack.

    ¡°Now hold on tight and keep that sword of yours ready, just in case.¡± Amber gulped, eyeing the edge.

    ¡°Right. Uh¡­is there any way we could not mention this to Evangeline¡­? Whoa!¡± She was off like a bullet, staring straight ahead and not down as she leapt from roof to roof, resolutely focused on not thinking about the thirty-forty foot drop beneath them.

    ¡°Yikes! They¡¯re gaining on us!¡± Will said, looking back. ¡°Leo¡¯s riding that girl!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s obscene! But who are they?¡± Kevin grunted, risking a glance himself. He had to concentrate or they would go plunging off the side.

    ¡°Leo¡¯s the captain of our football team! Why¡¯s he chasing us, and why does he have a flaming sword?¡±

    ¡°Dunno! But here!¡± Kevin landed, skidding to a stop and kicking a length of railing, catching it with his foot and flipping it up to Will. ¡°I gotta run, use that if they get too close!¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah!¡± Will nodded as the vampire resumed running.

    Elsewhere, Scott had managed to make his way up an abandoned high-rise and was surveying the scene with his binoculars.

    ¡°What in the goddamn hell are they doing?¡± he wondered aloud, incredulous. He saw the chase unfold on the top of the town. Team Vampire was hopping about, trying to circle around and double back, but Team Ghoul kept up their determined pace. Occasionally, they would get too close and the riders on top (both oversized for their mounts) would try to engage. The one on the vampire swung his pipe, and Leo parried with his sword in the world¡¯s deadliest and most ridiculous chickenfight. The necromancer shook his head. ¡°Uggh. I told them to discreetly capture him, they fight it out above the town so everyone can see.¡± He checked his phone. 1:14. At least it was the middle of the night, but if they kept making a ruckus this wouldn¡¯t go unnoticed for much longer. ¡°Guys!¡± he barked to his bird zombies, and they cawed in response. ¡°Fly up and be ready to move. I have to do something about this.¡±

    ¡°Stay still damnit!¡± Amber snarled as she pursued her quarry.

    ¡°Make me!¡± Will tossed back, squeezing Kevin¡¯s ribs harder to make him go faster.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a horse you know!¡± he complained.

    ¡°Hush! Faster! Yah!¡± Will urged, leaning low to reduce wind resistance.

    ¡°Hold on, I think there¡¯s been a misunderstanding!¡± Leo called out, but the duo head weren¡¯t listening. ¡°Amber, what happened to trying to talk to them?¡±

    ¡°Shut it!¡± Amber growled, face red. ¡°They had their chance, now we catch ¡®em!¡± This entire¡­chase was, in a word, humiliating. She was a delicate teenage girl, not a racing mount! But it happened, she¡¯d made her bed, and now she was going to see this through all the way to the end. Otherwise, all this embarrassment was for nothing. ¡°Rrrrraaaahhhh!¡± She poured on speed, legs burning to catch up to them. ¡°This is so wrong! Why is this happening! You¡¯ll pay for this!¡± she howled, and both Kevin and Will gulped, making a hard turn and leaping off the edge, Amber and Leo following.

    They landed, one after the other, on the side of the high-rise they¡¯d left Scott outside of. Both undead teens clambered up the side of the building, Amber furious and reaching out to catch him before he got over the top.

    ¡°Almost¡­there¡­!¡± she grunted, throwing out her hand. There, she was close! She had him! Her hand was about to wrap around his ankle when¡­it disappeared.

    ¡°WHAT!?¡± she bellowed. A window? He had ducked into a window! ¡°Rrrraaaagggh!¡±

    ¡°Easy, girl, easy.¡± Leo tried to soothe calmingly, but Amber was having none of it. She burst into the building, watching them disappear up a flight of steps. Hot on their heels, she took the steps six at a time, ad found them in the hallway, frozen.

    ¡°Out of the way, please.¡± Kevin said, voice deep and harsh. His eyes were lit up a crimson red.

    ¡°Sorry, I¡¯m gonna need you to come with us. Won¡¯t take too long, I promise.¡± Scott said, his birds encircling him. His own eyes shone an emerald green from deep in his hood.

    ¡°This¡¯s so messed up, this¡¯s so messed up.¡± Will kept whispering nervously.

    ¡°Give it up. You¡¯re surrounded.¡± Scott said, stepping forward. Kevin took one step back.

    ¡°Stay back, all I want to do is leave.¡± he pleaded. Scott ignored him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re doing here, but I don¡¯t like it. You will be coming with us to the lab.¡±

    ¡°Lab!?¡± Kevin cried in alarm. Who were these people? ¡°W-Wait, just a minute! I don¡¯t wanna fight you, and I don¡¯t wanna hurt anyone. Please, just let me go in peace!¡± Scott came to a halt.

    ¡°Don¡¯t¡­want to hurt anyone?¡± he said, cocking his head. ¡°You are a vampire, right?¡± Kevin tensed, looking between the necromancer and the two behind him, mentally weighing his options.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess you could say that!¡± He kicked a piece of fallen plaster at the single opponent in front of him, and prepared to run ahead.

    ¡°Larry!¡± Scott shrieked, and one of the birds dived down to intercept the missile with its¡¯ own body. It cawed and fell, back broken. ¡°Crap! Attack!¡± The other two zombies swooped forward as Leo and Amber surged from behind.

    ¡°Hang on.¡± Kevin said to Will, and licked his lips, concentrating as hard as he could. He moved.

    Time seemed to slow as Kevin raced forward, out of the grasping reach of his pursuers. There was a large black bird on his right, coming in high. He ducked low and left, evading the strange assailant. However the second one, a blue jay, was zooming low straight at him, and he was crouched and leaning, unable to dodge again.

    ¡°Hhnnn!¡± Calling upon every last ounce of his vampiric reflexes, Kevin¡¯s left arm shot out to the ground, shoving him out of the path of the bird. He landed on the balls of his feet, and before the floorboards could creak he zoomed forward again.

    ¡°Holy-!¡± Scott saw the vampire coming at him, too fast to respond. Now, it was over.

    Kevin sprang to the side at the last second, avoiding him entirely. He looked back at the necromancer, red eyes meeting green. Then, he was gone.

    ¡°What?¡± Scott spun around, barely seeing the vampire and his passenger disappear up the stairs to the roof.

    ¡°Scott! You alright?¡± Amber gasped, coming up behind him.

    ¡°Y-Yeah. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go.¡± They raced up the stairs, praying they weren¡¯t too late. The trio emerged to see the other two standing at the far edge, about to climb down. Unfortunately, they were at the end of the black, and there was nowhere to run to. And while his vampiric body was fantastic, Kevin doubted he could survive a fall from this height. Will started cursing.

    ¡°Relax. I will get us out of this. I promise.¡± Kevin said quietly to his friend, who nodded.

    ¡°Right. Now that you¡¯re cornered-¡± Scott began, striding forward ¡°-you¡¯ll be able to give us some answ-¡±

    He was cut off by the sound of approaching sirens.

    As one, every teen on the roof froze and turned to the noise, eyes wide.

    ¡°Crap, we were too loud!¡± Amber wailed.

    ¡°No, those don¡¯t sound like just police sirens.¡± Leo said, brow furrowed. ¡°They sound more like-¡±

    ¡°Fire!¡± Kevin exclaimed, leaning over the edge. There, five blocks away, an apartment building was being consumed in an inferno. Now that the chase was over, the smell of smoke in the air was obvious. He squinted, his excellent night vision picking out the people on the ground outside. They all seemed to be safe, except one woman kept trying to go back into the blaze, being held back by others. ¡°What in the heck? Is she crazy?¡± He focused all his attention on the scene, and turned even paler when he heard a baby¡¯s cries coming from the building. ¡°H-Holy crap!¡±The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Will asked.

    ¡°T-There¡¯s a kid in that building! I can hear a baby!¡±

    ¡°Really? How can we believe that?¡± Amber asked cautiously, nervously flicking her eyes between the fire and the vampire.

    ¡°He¡¯s telling the truth. There¡¯s a woman trying to get back in.¡± Scott said, peering through his binoculars. ¡°Problem is, the fire¡¯s too intense. Not even the firefighters can get through.¡±

    ¡°Damn it!¡± Leo slammed his fists on the railing. And by the time we¡¯d get there, the building will collapse!¡±

    Kevin watched quietly for a moment, then turned to the others.

    ¡°Please. Let me go. I can make it if I move as fast as I can.¡± he said, putting Will down.

    ¡°What!?¡± Will shrieked.

    ¡°I can do it. I¡¯m faster than that girl, I can get over there in no time. Please, let me go and do this.¡± Kevin implored. Scott, Leo, and Amber stared at him, then shared a glance.

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Leo began, aware that this might be their only chance to catch the vampire.

    ¡°Why?¡± Scott cut in. ¡°Why do you wanna save ¡®em?¡± He stared hard at Kevin, his eyes glowing.

    ¡°Because. Above being a man, above being a vampire, I am a superhero. I want to help. Please, let me.¡± Kevin pleaded quietly. Scott met his gaze. He remembered the vampire charging straight at him, able to tear through him like wet tissue, and dodging instead. He nodded.

    ¡°Right. Go!¡± Kevin smiled gratefully and crouched down like a sprinter, then blurred. He was down the building in two seconds, unencumbered by a passenger. He streaked through the night, towards the flames.

    ¡°Are you sure this¡¯s a good idea?¡± Amber said without any heat. There wasn¡¯t any more doubt with her, but it still needed to be said.

    ¡°Yeah. We just wanted to catch him. Not have a baby die in the process, not if we can help it. ¡®Sides,¡± he grinned. ¡°If he tries to run off, we got his buddy here.¡± He gave a sidelong glance to Will, who squawked.

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Make it, make it.¡± Kevin muttered under his breath, running as fast as his legs would allow. The crowd appeared in front of him, but there was no time to turn or slow down to push his way through. ¡°Yaaaahhhhh!¡± He leapt with all the strength and momentum he could muster, pinwheeling his arms and legs above the heads of the crowd. He landed to the gasps of everyone around, and before anyone could stop him he barreled into the building.

    Inside was a close approximation of Hell. Black smoke choked the air, and Kevin learned the hard way vampires still needed oxygen. Coughing, he peered around, and despite the smoke stinging his eyes everything was still relatively clear, despite the walls being on fire. It had to have originated on an upper floor.

    ¡°Where (cough) are you?¡± he muttered, trying to hear the baby over the roar of the flames. There, he could make out a child¡¯s cry, but it was weak, and growing weaker by the second.  Where was it? The crackling of flames made it too hard to locate the kid. Suddenly, a black crow flew past. It was on fire, but didn¡¯t seem to mind. It flew up the staircase and cawed at him. Gritting his teeth, he leapt up the stairs, the wood crumbling beneath his feet. Resolving to worry about ta way out later, he used every ounce of speed he still possessed to carry though, dodging falling debris.

    ¡°Hang on, I¡¯m (cough) coming!¡± he tried to call as he made it to the fourth floor, where the crow had stopped and he could hear the cries clearly, noticeably slower than when he had entered. As he approached, he was limping and gasping for air, his body pushed to the limit. His stomach growled. It had been too long since he¡¯d last eaten.

    Wheezing, he focuses his senses trying to pinpoint the apartment where the baby was. The bird was stationed at the third door from the corner.

    That¡¯s when the cries stopped.

    His heart stopping too, he raced as fast as he could, patting out the small fires that had begun smoldering on his clothes as well. With a quick prayer to any god that might be listening, he charged at the door with his shoulder, bursting it open. Kevin entered the apartment¡­or rather, he tried. He lifted his foot, he placed it forward, he leaned his weight in, but no matter what his body would not step past the doorframe into the room.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on!? Why!?¡± he exploded. There was nothing physically stopping him from going in, the door was wide open! It was then he recalled a piece of vampire lore he¡¯d completely forgotten: vampires couldn¡¯t enter homes uninvited.

    ¡°Nooooo!¡± he wailed, looking from side to side for a solution. There was no one in the building save for the baby, and not for much longer if the fire kept burning like this. He growled in frustration, then in his frantic search spotted something. It was stupid and probably wouldn¡¯t work, but hey, it was worth a shot.

    He dashed four doors down and grabbed the burning rubber welcome mat from it¡¯s¡¯ place. He howled in agony as the flames licked his fingers and the rubber melted on his hands, but the faded letters were still visible. Slapping it down and hoping against hope, he took a step forward¡­into the apartment.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Kevin rushed back, searching the rooms until he saw a crib in a corner. The baby was unburned for now, but it lay still, only twitching occasionally.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, it¡¯s alright, I gotcha little¡­¡± The burning wallpaper was pink with bunnies on it. ¡°Girl. Yeah, it¡¯ll be alright.¡± He reached down to scoop her up. That¡¯s when he heard the creaking. He looked up in terror to see a flaming support beam break and plummet down at them. There was no time to think, only take one single action.

    WHAM!

    Kevin¡¯s breath came in quick gasps, unable to fill his lungs. The beam felt like a thousand tons as it lay on him, shielding the baby with his body. He was pressed at an angle, shoulders caught between the beam and the floor, and soon to burn himself. He moaned. The beam was too heavy. The fire was too hot. He was exhausted, injured and so very thirsty. He looked down at the unconscious child, and his eyes glowed red and his fangs lengthened.

    It was so small, but it was young and full of life. Like a slider or small sandwich, perfect for snacking, giving him the needed energy to escape. After all, there was no sense in them both going out here. His hand twitched, reaching towards her. In the back of his mind, he heard: Whoosh. Thwip-thwip.

    ¡°NO!¡± He slammed his hand into the beam, hissing in pain. ¡°I¡­am a¡­hero¡­¡± he grunted, pressing harder and harder. ¡°I¡­will¡­¡± He called upon all of his dark strength, mustering everything he had. His burned hands pressed into the smoldering beam, searing agony that he ignored. His guts and spine popped, waves of warm unpleasantness rolling through his body. He didn¡¯t care. He grit his teeth, fangs exposed. ¡°I will¡­I will¡­SAVE HER!¡±

    Kevin roared and lifted up with everything he had, hefting the entire burning beam into the air. Praying no one was stupid enough to be close, he hurled it at the window and scooped the baby up in an instant, following. The beam smashed through the window, taking the wall with it, and Kevin hugged close to it. The spectators cleared out as it fell to the street, Kevin landing on it not a second later, coughing and gasping.

    ¡°She¡¯s...not¡­breathing¡­¡± he managed to choke out, holding her up.

    ¡°Move!¡± An EMT pushed through the crowd and took her, quickly assessing the situation and giving her CPR. After a terrible minute, the girl coughed, sucked in air and started howling as loud as she could, her mother suddenly at her side. A respiration mask was fitted over her mouth and they were loaded onto an ambulance. Seeing that, Kevin sighed with relief and let his body finally give out, collapsing to a knee and half-sprawled onto the asphalt, shaking.

    The crowd moved in, surrounding the strange masked man dressed in black, who had run into a burning building to save a stranger¡¯s baby. He groaned, half his mask burnt away, his body still smoking and his formerly gloved palms red and black from the fire. The crowd murmured and cell phones flashed as police and medical personnel approached him.

    ¡°You okay, son?¡± an older officer said kindly, kneeling down. ¡°That was a stupid thing to do. Brave, but stupid. C¡¯mon, can you stand? Let¡¯s get you checked out.¡± He helped Kevin to his feet.

    ¡°No, no. Not necessary.¡± Kevin tried to wave him off, swaying on shaky legs.

    ¡°I insist. Besides, it¡¯d be real bad if the police let you go untreated after what you did. We can deal with the press and everything else afterwards. You should get some rest, you, uh, look a little wiped.¡± the officer said.

    ¡°Ahh, thank you.¡± Kevin said, regaining his balance. He was exhausted, covered in first-degree burns, and extremely thirsty. He couldn¡¯t stop smiling. ¡°But I¡¯ll be alright. It¡¯d also be bad for a superhero to have to visit the hospital after every little adventure, after all.¡± The officer tilted his head.

    ¡°Superhero?¡± Kevin nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Didn¡¯t you see the insignia?¡± He realized his shirt was nearly disintegrated, it was so burned. ¡°Oh. Guess not.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, excuse me!¡± a woman cried, barreling through the crowd like a train. ¡°Is this the brave young man who risked his life against the fire to save a little girl?¡± She was in a green blazer and miniskirt with frizzy red hair. Kevin¡¯s eyes widened as he realized he¡¯d seen her before. ¡°Tamara Nelson, Action 7 News. Am I speaking to the hero of the hour?¡± A camera was pointed in his face, and a microphone was suddenly before him.

    ¡°Err, yeah?¡± he mumbled.

    ¡°Great! Who are you, where are you from, why did you run in when it was too dangerous even for the firefighters?¡±

    ¡°Look lady, let¡¯s get him to the hospital before he gets the third degree, alright?¡± the officer said, but Kevin knew what to do. He placed his hand on the cop¡¯s shoulder. ¡°It¡¯s alright.¡± he said as disarmingly as he could, before turning to the reporter. ¡°Miss Nelson, right? Forgive me, but I¡¯ll have to keep it brief. I¡¯m very tired.¡±

    ¡°Not a problem. Just tell us what possessed you to run in there?¡± she said, putting the microphone forward again.

    ¡°It¡¯s kinda simple, really. It¡¯s my duty. It¡¯s what I do. I¡¯ve uh, kinda got some advantages over most people, and I¡¯ve decided to use ¡®em to help out when I can. I¡¯m not going to be everywhere at all times, but I¡¯ll be around. I¡¯m actually a superhero, you know.¡±

    ¡°A superhero?¡± she asked skeptically. Kevin grinned.

    ¡°Yup. I¡¯ve been given a chance of a lifetime, and have dedicated myself to truth and justice. Let the fang of justice shine in the night, seeking out evil¡¯s throat! Evildoers beware, for Nightfang stalks in the dark! Farewell!¡± With that, Kevin leapt above the crowd, all eyes on him and wide, as he dug his fingers into a building and started clawing his way up it, soon lost in the night.

    ¡°H-He just¡­he just¡­¡± Tamara said in wonder, then wheeled on her gaping cameraman. ¡°You got that, right? Please tell me you got that!¡± He nodded dumbly. ¡°There you have it, folks!¡± she said brightly, jumping in front of the camera. ¡°The day has been saved thanks to Nightfang, the mysterious real-life superhero of Craven Falls. Who is he? Where did he come from? All this reporter can tell you is she intends to find out.¡±

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Kevin huffed as he made his way back to where Will was, at a much slower pace over the rooftops. He finally got over and was astonished to see him alone.

    ¡°Hey man. Where¡¯d those guys go?¡±

    ¡°They bounced.¡± Will shrugged. ¡°The one guy said they were done here, and dragged Leo and the girl away.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Really?¡± Kevin rubbed his face, and discovered something. Half of his mask was burned off. It still covered his eyes and head, but a large section of the jawline running to the nose on the left side was gone. ¡°Will, is my mask burned enough that you can see my face?¡± he asked calmly, fighting down panic.

    ¡°Uh, a little? It¡¯s not enough to recognize you, I think. Not if they didn¡¯t know you.¡± Will answered.

    ¡°That¡¯s good, that¡¯s good. But is it enough to figure out if you compared it to a picture of me? Because I just had a million photos taken and gave an interview on TV.¡± Will¡¯s eyes enlarged.

    ¡°Dude! You were interviewed on TV? What happened?¡±

    ¡°Not really the point right now, Will!¡± Kevin said, less calm this time. His voice took on a high-pitched shriek.

    ¡°I dunno, maybe? It¡¯s hard to tell in the dark. We should get home for tonight. And you should get a shower-¡± He looked Kevin over. He smelled like a stove and was still smoking. ¡°-cause you look like you could use a cold one.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d love to, but I¡¯m thirsty more than anything.¡± Kevin groaned.

    ¡°Oh. Will said quietly. He looked at the half-burned comic nerd, panting from exhaustion. He nodded resolutely. ¡°Right.¡± He rolled up his sleeve and offered an arm. ¡°Here. Take what you need, just not too much, okay?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kevin said, trying to focus on Will¡¯s arm.

    ¡°Take some of my blood, dumbass. You need it more than I do right now, but I still need enough to live, alright?¡±

    ¡°Will¡­¡± Kevin said, as gratefully as he could. He took the proffered arm as Will shuddered and turned away, eyes firmly shut. The fangs slid out, then in.

    ¡°Yowch!¡± Will yelped.

    ¡°Sorry! Sorry! Did I bite too hard?¡± Kevin said frantically.

    ¡°The problem is you have to bite at all!¡± Will snapped, then shook his head and braced himself. ¡°C¡¯mon, let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± Kevin nodded, and Will squeezed his eyes shut as his friend bit in. It hurt, but after a minute the pain subsided. ¡°Huh.¡± he said, starting to get dizzy.

    The taste was divine, exquisite for Kevin¡¯s parched throat. He could feel the blood rejuvenating him, exhilarating him, making him whole again. This time though, he knew what to expect, and kept a steady eye on Will¡¯s vital signs. A little piece of him howled in agony when he drew his mouth back, but his resolve was as hard as Wolverine¡¯s adamantium skeleton. He was a real superhero now, and he felt the ones he¡¯d grown up with smiling down on him. He licked the last of the crimson ambrosia from his lips.

    ¡°Ahh. Thank you. I feel much better. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go home for tonight.¡± Will blearily nodded and hopped on his back, and they flitted off into the night.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    A smoldering black crow, formerly on fire, had enough feathers left to fly up and perch on the necromancer¡¯s stretched-out arm. It was unceremoniously dumped into his bag.

    ¡°Fried chicken, extra crispy.¡± Scott muttered.

    ¡°Are you sure it¡¯s alright to call off the hunt for tonight?¡± Leo asked as they watched the duo take off, soon lost in the darkness.

    ¡°Yeah. Pursuing him now, after what he just did and has been through, would be a real dick move.¡± He turned and started walking down the street, yawning. ¡°Besides, we¡¯ve completed the main objective anyway.¡±

    ¡°Which turns out is what? I thought you were so gung-ho about this ¡®cause you needed to catch him.¡± Amber said, putting her gloves on. It was chilly. ¡°Also, kinda hungry, I used up a lot of energy chasing him down.¡±

    ¡°Sekh.¡± Scott incanted, placing his hand on her shoulder. ¡°Yes, that is a secondary objective, which will be moving up to main mission status after tonight. However, now that we¡¯ve literally seen him run into a burning building to rescue a baby, I feel confident in saying he means no harm, and poses a much less significant threat.¡±

    ¡°So we¡¯re letting him go?¡± Amber asked skeptically.

    ¡°Oh good lord no. He may not want to hurt people, but a vampire¡¯s still a vampire. If he doesn¡¯t have a regular source of blood, he could snap and cause a bloodbath to sate his bloodlust. Get it?¡± He elbowed Amber, who rolled her eyes. ¡°In fact, if he doesn¡¯t want to drink blood that makes him even more dangerous, since if he restrains himself too much he¡¯ll be a ticking time bomb. Undead instincts are very powerful, and can easily override the morality of the deceased. Why do you think I¡¯m constantly giving you a refill?¡±

    ¡°Oh yeah.¡± Amber said in a small voice, walking a little slower. She knew he didn¡¯t mean anything by it, he was pretty casual about mortality, but even that reminded her that she was still not human. She could fool everyone else, and even herself, but it didn¡¯t change the fact that she was a dangerous monster as well.

    ¡°Well, I suppose we¡¯re not moving out tomorrow, since its Sunday and I have things to do,¡± Leo said, interrupting her dark thoughts. ¡°We¡¯ll have to suspend the search until Monday.¡±

    ¡°But¡­rrgh, you¡¯re right.¡± Scott growled. Two of his birds were broken and scorched; he¡¯d need to prepare more zombies for the hunt. And time to prepare different strategies. He scowled as he remembered the chickenfight, and the vampire¡¯s behavior with the press. This would not do at all. ¡°He can be left alone for now, but that doesn¡¯t change the fact we have to find him, and soon. Some of his mask was burnt off, did anybody recognize him? I couldn¡¯t make him out.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t see much. I feel like I¡¯ve seen his companion, though.¡± Leo said, arms folded and chin tilted in concentration. ¡°I just can¡¯t remember where.¡±

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Amber said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°I don¡¯t know who the vampire guy was, but the other one was Will Dupree. He¡¯s a junior on the basketball team.¡± The other two turned to stare at her. ¡°What? He and Carla used to date. I think he¡¯s kind of a tool, but she seemed to like him for whatever reason.¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Leo exclaimed, snapping his fingers. ¡°I thought that the basketball team said someone was out today.¡±

    ¡°The wonders of a large social circle.¡± Scott said dryly. ¡°But that¡¯s good, that makes things easier. All we have to do is stick by him, and he¡¯s bound to lead us to our quarry.¡±

    They chatted, making plans as they headed towards home. Though it was dark, they were easily tracked by a pair of baleful red eyes, skulking in the night.

    ¡°Hmm¡­interesting.¡±

 Chapter 7: Heart to Heart

    Leo groaned and cracked his neck, blinking in the harsh late morning sunlight. Last night''s debacle meant he got to bed around two in the morning, and while Scott was used to such hours, the blonde football captain definitely wasn''t.

    "I can see that you had a very busy late night last night." Mielios said disapprovingly, drawing water from the river. Leo squinted at him.

    "Yeah. Uh, this is your...residence, while you''re in town?" There was a cardboard box underneath the bridge, a grey blanket visible on the bottom. Mielios smiled wanly.

    "Indeed, though my true quarters are locationed elsewhere. This is sufficient for now. I have been to many worlds, and have slept in much worse conditions than this. You too shall, if you live long enough. Factually, this is more than what we have on my home world Kartg. We cling to the ceilings of caverns and rocky crevices to sleep."

    "Uh-huh." Leo said noncommittedly. Mielios snorted and threw the bucket of water into Leo''s face, making him cough and sputter. "Hey! What gives? That''s freezing!"

    "To wake you up." Mielios said simply, handing him a towel. "I have heard that you and the y''shhk-gorrah went after the vampire last night. What were you thinking, boy? Three human pupates against a vampire is asking for death. You''re very lucky that you''re alive right now." Mielios chastised. Leo dried his face and stood up straight.

    "With all due respect sir, I knew it could go badly. But I have been given a chance to help. I can''t refuse. The alternative would be to do nothing, and that would not be right." he said evenly.

    "Hrmph." the alien huffed, unable to do more. He¡¯d planned to give him a tongue-lashing, but Leo had a point, and Mielios remembered his early days too well to avoid being called a hypocrite. While ''stay out of it'' was usually the best advice for normal citizens, both he and Leo had a duty. He stared at the sky. Such a strange planet. The clouds could be light or heavy, and the sun shone for a mere twelve hours a day. The temperature changed up and down with the seasons. He wondered if it was such harsh conditions that made men like Leo strong here.

    "Very well," he said at last. "You argue your point irrefutably."

    "I was on the debate team in junior high." Leo smiled gently.

    "Hmmm. But still, no matter how much steel you have, that cannot replace knowledge. What do you know of vampires?" Mielios asked.

    "From firsthand evidence, they''re strong. Very strong." Leo said, frowning. "He seemed indefatigable as well. We chased him halfway across town and he still had the energy to run into an apartment complex that was on fire."

    "Oh? How desperate and unusual. Is that how the foul beast got away, I''m guessing." the alien said, tilting his head at an angle that was just slightly too far to be natural for a human.

    "Err, yeah." Leo grunted, not clarifying. Best to let sleeping dogs lie. "Anyway, he was also fast, I could barely see him move. Although now that I think about it, it was nighttime and he was wearing dark clothes, so that might''ve had something to do with it too." he admitted. Mielios nodded.

    "Correct. Now then, vampires can arise from any species on any world. They are not a natural life existence. It is believed they sprang forth millions of yearly cycles ago, as a result of an unknown pact with an ancient, sinister, otherworldly deity. Though specific details are differing, all vampires have unnatural power and strength, all do not age, and all suck the bloodlife of others to fuel their stomachs. They are dead come back, soulless reapers meant to take life for their own. And as they drink more, their weird grows as well. A truly strong vampire has many, many resources to call toward."

    "I see. And what of weaknesses? Are there any special things we can take advantage of?" Leo asked. Mielios chuckled.

    "To be sure. There are many vampire types, and as many weaknesses. However, some are abundant like sunlight, some are incredibly specific like compulsion of obsessiveness, while others have no true weaknesses at all. I best find that it''s better to focus on what works unfailingly-all vampires have to drink bloodlife, and this instinct can be used to draw them into dangerous traps. Over ninety out of one hundred percent of species cannot enter home residences uninvited. And at last, excluding the ones made of fire, they all burn the same.¡±

    "Made of fire?" Leo blinked, but Mielios paid no heed.

    "Remember, if you meet a vampire, it should be destroyed as soon as possible, though that can happen when you first meet it rarely. Killing them is not only our duty, but a service to them as well, releasing them into the cycle of life again, though they not know it. So you should kill them all and burn the remains. It''s the only way to be in safety." Mielios explained.

    "Okay..." Leo trialed off, unsure of how casually his teacher was in favor of genocide. But, he supposed, was it really genocide if the targets weren''t alive in the first place? "Anyway, that''s the goal. So how do we get there? You''re my combat instructor, let''s get down to some combat." Mielios nodded.

    "Hah!" His whip appeared in his hand and struck without warning, and Leo was forced to drop to the ground to avoid it. His eyes widened and he rolled as the whip was brought down again, rending the air. "While we will go over important combat administrations, such as footwork, my species'' methods of fighting and yours are almost completely different, biologically speaking. Not to mention, many of the normal martial ways are normally ineffective on opponents we can face. Have you ever wrestled with an entity of malice that could phase in and out of reality at will? I have. You must attain a pure combat instinct, which is honed enough that will carry you to victory. The sword can''t do all the work, you know. You must gain combat experience to be in readiness for combat. So, we fight until you do well. Now get up!" the alien screeched, flailing his whip and stomping at his head. Leo gulped and materialized his sword.

    "This is going to be painful." he muttered.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Amber sighed as she pulled up to her father''s warehouse, now Scott''s secret necromancy lab, and parked her bike next to the large pine tree. She knocked on the door with trepidation, trying to steel herself for yet another appearance by Scott''s skeletal servant. She was pleasantly astonished when Scott himself opened the door.

    "Yo."

    "Oh Scott, glad to see yYYYYYEEEAAAAHHHHHH!" She screamed when she saw he was carrying the corpse of a half-rotted cat by the tail, swinging it absentmindedly, and that he was wearing a leather apron covered in dark stains that smelled like blood. "What the hell, Scott!?"

    "Oh, this guy?" he said, holding up the feline corpse. "Just need to harvest a few things from-" He was cut off by a mad, unearthly howl behind him. He quickly turned around. "''Scuse me a sec." It was then she noticed the bloody hammer in his other hand as he dashed off. She nervously followed, as white as the vampire they''d pursued, and she found Bones holding down a fuzzy, misshapen, amalgamated thing with more heads and limbs than any creature should have. Scott raised the hammer and brought it down, again and again. "Bad test subject! Die!" he scolded, whacking each of the mutated heads until it fell still. He breathed a sigh at a job well done and wiped his forehead. "There. Stubborn thing, just got it out of cold storage too. So what brings you here, Amber?" he asked pleasantly.

    "I think I''m going to throw up." she said, turning green.

    "Impossible. You haven''t eaten any solid food in nearly two weeks." Scott said while pulling out, she shuddered to see, a scalpel and bone saw.

    "What...what are you doing?" she squeaked. "And why did you have to kill that poor thing!?"

    "Oh, that wasn''t alive in the first place." he dismissed, getting to work. "It''s part of a...whole other project of mine I''ve been working on. That one turned out to be a failure, but I had to dig it out ''cause I needed some of his parts for my next piece de resistance. I''ve got something to track down that idiot, revealing proof of the supernatural on live-no, no." he said, trying to calm down. "No, that''s okay, the cameras didn¡¯t pick him up, it''ll be okay. Right? Right." he nodded to Amber.

    "And-and the hammer?" she asked weakly, trying to fight down the nausea.

    "Mindless undead are better, but they can''t act on their own. I was trying to see whether I could infuse a substitute soul into an undead and have it obey me like a regular zombie, but alas. Oh well, failure is the mother of all scientific success." he said brightly. She stared at the horrible, mutated, stitched-together...creature.

    "A-And what in God''s name possessed you to sew cat, dog, mice and bird corpses together for this?"This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    "Nothing in God''s name, I assure you." he chuckled. "It''s actually part of another experiment I''m running concurrently. Fresh corpses are hard to come by, you know. Waste not, want not!" He hummed and got to work with the scalpel, to Amber¡¯s discomfort and slight terror. "Oh, don¡¯t look at me like that. You should have seen the ones I had to experiment and practice on before I learned how to resurrect you. Hoo boy, that was...yeah."

    Not sure of what else to do, Amber took a nice, deep calming breath before she lost it, forcing down her bile.

    "A-Anyway, I came to check and see what you were doing, see about any plans you''d made,"

    "See about a free lunch." Scott smirked.

    "You know me too well." Amber said smiling, sticking her tongue out. As the necromancer filled her with the energy of death, her eyes slid back to the mangled corpse of the conglomeration. Her dark thoughts resurfaced, but this time she wasn''t going to back down. "Scott...something''s been bugging me for awhile. Mind hearing me out?"

    "Sure." he said, eyebrow raised.

    "How do you see me?"

    "Huh?"

    "I mean it. What do you think of me? I know you''re giving me refills, but that''s like watering a plant. ''Cause, with everything that''s been going on, especially last night, I just...I don''t know, I just feel like one of your creations." Amber''s eyes were drawn back to the corpse, her cheeks red but resolute. "I just feel like another monster you made to be a minion, no different from that thing." She had to know, and she knew he was a terrible liar. "So answer me. What am I to you?"

    Scott took his hand off her shoulder and stared at her dumbly.

    "A-Amber...uh..." Of course she wasn''t a minion, but even with his limited contact and understanding of girls, his instincts were telling him he should choose his next words very carefully. He opened and closed his mouth like a fish, unable to come up with anything under her azure stare. He sighed, and started pacing.

    "Okay, let''s take a step back for a sec."

    "Why?'' she asked, a warning tone in her voice.

    "Just trust me on this, I gotta work the words through my brain right so you can understand, okay?" he placated. "Okay, so, let''s-let¡¯s look at me. Sure I''m smart, and devilishly handsome, a veritable genius-" She rolled her eyes, smirking "-but I''m a necromancer. I crawl around graveyards and perform...unique experiments that some people, who are wrong, would say are unethical at the least. I''m not very social, and quite frankly don''t care to be. Ever since I found the Necronomicon and began to pursue my passion, I''ve loved nothing else. There is nothing I''d rather do, that I love more than raising the dead and being a monster-maker."

    "Th-Then what-" Amber started, fearing her concerns were true. Scott cut her off.

    "Most people would be creeped out by that, by me. And you are too, I can see it. But you wanna stick around me anyway. Since I met you-your ghost-I, I dunno, it''s..." He swallowed, hard. Once he¡¯d begun to speak, it seemed like he couldn''t stop. And the more he said, the more he realized what he said was true. "It''s like I...have a place to belong, I guess. I''m happy as a pig in mud performing profane rituals and calling forth undead. I thought that was all I needed. But ever since you came along...uh, I-I''ve k-kinda enjoyed sharing what I do with someone else. It...It''s not so lonely, know what I mean?" He stopped pacing and folded his arms in a show of annoyance. His back was to her, because his face was red as a beet. "Amber, you wanted to be my friend. And you are. I think maybe you''re the first one I''ve ever really had." he said quietly. "So don''t ever think that you''re just an experiment or a monster, alright? Because no matter what your body is, you''re not. You''re...good to hang out with. It''s nice."

    "Scott..."Amber said, nearly overcome.

    "A-And I''d appreciate it if you didn''t have me say stuff like this again, okay? Jeez, talk about sappy..." He busied himself with cutting apart the monstrous corpse, and was trying to focus on it so much he missed her arms snake around him in a bone-crushing hug.

    "I¡¯m sorry, Scott. I-I guess I''m just having a hard time dealing with the situation sometimes." she said, wiping away a tear.

    "Y-Yeah. It''s my fault for turning you into a ghoul anyway, so sorry. And the only reason I throw you at difficult stuff is ''cause I know you can handle it. Honestly, you''ve got a body that can keep up with your spirit now, I think. Hold on." He ripped the feline skull from a cat''s head mounted to the shoulder of the abomination. "Don''t worry, I''ll turn you back no matter what. I promise."

    "That¡¯s good and all, buuuut...maybe next time, try to be reassuring without mutilating unnatural aberrations at the same time, ''kay?" she asked, worriedly, mildly horrified. He looked down at what he was holding.

    "I can see where you''re coming from. No promises.¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The bell rang, signaling to the students they had one minute left to get to homeroom. Kevin groggily crept through the door, taking his seat next to Will.

    ¡°Morn¡¯n.¡± he slurred.

    ¡°Jeez, what happened to you?¡± Will asked, concerned. He¡¯d never seen Kevin this pale and tired. He¡¯d assured him he was fine over the phone last night, what had happened? Kevin slumped on his desk.

    ¡°Mmm, it¡¯s nothing, really. I¡¯ve been like this during the day ever since, you know. I think it¡¯s cause I¡¯m nocturnal, I always feel more energetic when the sun goes down.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I get it. So. Uh. What happened yesterday? I didn¡¯t see you at all, what¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Oh. Yeah, I took it easy. I had a hell of a time scrubbing my clothes to get rid of the smell of smoke. And I spent like an hour in the shower trying to get cleaned up. I ache in places I didn¡¯t even know I had.¡± Kevin¡¯s forehead thudded onto the desk, where he wished he could keep going down into the basement. ¡°On top of that, my costume¡¯s ruined. I spent most of the day sewing. Again. Ugh. How does Batman do it?¡±

    ¡°He has a butler.¡± Will replied smartly. ¡°So, what¡¯d you do about¡­food?¡± he asked, lowering his voice.

    ¡°I hunted down some squirrels.¡± Kevin said, making a face. ¡°Tastes like a gas station hamburger, and about as healthy, but it really takes the edge off.¡±

    ¡°What about normal food? Can you still eat that?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve learned something this weekend. Vampires can eat normal food, they just can¡¯t digest it. And it moves fast through your system. Do not ask how I know this. Especially before lunch.¡± He said flatly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡± Will said, sticking out his tongue. ¡°But hey, at least something cool came out of it. You see the news?¡±

    ¡°No, I was busy sewing and recovering. Why?¡± Kevin asked, genuinely confused. Will looked at him like he¡¯d just stripped naked and started dancing the lambada on roller skates.

    ¡°What? Seriously? Dude, you¡¯re-Nightwing¡¯s famous!¡± He got out his phone and pulled up a news article. The headline read: Triumph From Tragedy! Wide eyed, he began to read.

    Spirits are still high from the wee hours of Sunday morning, where an as yet unidentified individual giving the name ¡®Nightfang¡¯ astounded Craven Falls with his daring rescue of the infant Jelena Rodriguez form a burning apartment complex. Though it seems too incredible to believe, the local hero leapt over the heads of the crowd to rush into the blaze, too intense even for firefighters to enter. While authorities feared the worst, the amazing young man recovered the girl with minimal injuries, apparently heaving a support beam through a window to escape.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t even see him run in at first,¡± says the baby¡¯s mother Cynthia Rodriguez, 32, ¡°I was trying to get back in, I¡¯d gone out to check what was happening and gotten swept away in the rush to get out. Then they were all holding me back, I couldn¡¯t move. I thought-I thought I¡¯d lost her. I¡¯d never get to see her grow up, and I was just crying, and my husband was crying too¡­it was all just so terrible. But then I heard this loud smashing sound, boom. I thought like a water heater or something exploded, and I thought to myself that this was it. Then that huge beam fell, and there he was, holding my precious little baby. We rushed to the hospital so I never got to meet him, but I¡¯ll always be grateful to him. He must have been an angel sent by the lord. Mr. Nightfang, thank you. Wherever you are, thank you.¡±

    The rest of the article speculated on who he was and how he was, how he could have such tremendous strength, and how he wasn¡¯t visible when recorded. However, Kevin barely skimmed it, reeling from the interview with the mother. He passed the phone back, feeling¡­he didn¡¯t know what he was feeling. Shocked, certainly. Happy, embarrassed, definitely nervous. He looked around the room and noticed for the first time Nightfang was all anyone seemed to be talking about.

    ¡°Well man? How¡¯s it feel to be the hero of the hour?¡± Will asked, beaming. Kevin slumped further in his seat.

    ¡°Man. I¡­didn¡¯t expect it to be this big. I just wanted to help out while I searched for the head vamp.¡± he said, slightly muffled. ¡°I always wanted to be a superhero, not a celebrity.¡±

    ¡°Should ¡®a thought of that before the baby left the building with the whole town watching.¡± Will said.

    ¡°Was kinda hell of a debut.¡± Kevin nodded absently, as the teacher entered the room.

    ¡°Alright everybody.¡± she announced, holding up a sheet of paper. ¡°I have a couple announcements regarding the town¡¯s newest celebrity. One, a reminder that vigilantism is still against the law, and so is harboring a vigilante.¡± Kevin and Will shared a smirk. ¡°So if any of you has any information regarding this matter, please come forward. Two, there shall be no attempting to imitate the actions of this Nightfang, wow that name is trying too hard, as we value the safety of our students. And three, there shall be no Nightfang paraphernalia displayed within the school grounds. That includes you too, Avery.¡± she said, staring at a teen who had a black shirt on with a white crescent on it, emblazoned with ¡®Nightfang¡¯ in block letters above. ¡°Sorry, but go to the nurse and ask for an extra shirt. If you¡¯re seen with one of those again, there¡¯ll be trouble, understood?¡± The guy stood up and pumped his fist in the air.

    ¡°Nightfang rules!¡± he declared to the cheers and howls of the rest of the class, and the teacher sighed as he walked proudly past. Kevin glanced and smiled at Will, who grinned back.

    ¡°I¡¯m on a t-shirt?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°You¡¯re on a t-shirt.¡± Will confirmed.

    And that would have been that, they would have attended class and no one would have been wiser, the day would have proceeded normally. Boring even, despite the buzz from the new hero. However, a certain teenaged ghoul had volunteered to fetch some printouts from the office, and she was passing by as the door opened and Avery exited. Her eyes were drawn by the movement, and she caught Will out of the corner of her eye. Startled, expecting to begin the search at lunch, she saw who he was chatting with. Though she didn¡¯t recognize the kid, there was something about him, almost like a scent, which was very familiar. After all, that was the smell that came from her, marking her as different. Plus, the unnatural paleness was kind of hard to miss. He turned in her direction. She yelped and ducked out of sight, to the confusion of Avery, walking to the nurse¡¯s office.

    ¡°Everything¡¯s fine. No need to be alarmed.¡± Amber said calmly from the floor. He gave her a funny look and went on his way. Red-faced, she got up and furiously typed a text in her phone.

    Scott felt his pocket vibrate. Surreptitiously pulling it out, he glanced at it below his desk, concealed in his lap. His eyes went wide, and he started grinning from ear to ear.

    ¡°Heh¡­heh heh heh¡­heh heh ha ha ha ha ha! Yes! At last!¡± he cackled manically, throwing his head back and arms raised in triumph.

    ¡°Is there something you¡¯d like to share with us, Mr. Havenbrook?¡± the teacher said sternly. The entire class was staring at him like he¡¯d, well, just became a supervillain in the middle of class.

    ¡°No, nothing, continue Mrs. Heller.¡± the necromancer said quickly, sitting down.

 Cahpter 8: Soul Music

    When the lunch bell rang, both Amber and Scott bolted out of their classrooms and met at the third floor bathroom to discuss strategy.

    ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯re really positive he was the guy?¡± Scott asked, hand on his chin and frowning in concentration.

    ¡°Well I can¡¯t be one hundred percent sure, he¡¯s not running around in black underwear. But he was talking closely with Will, he was about the right height and build, and he was paler than I was when I was dead.¡± Amber replied.

    ¡°Hmm. Sounds like our guy. Where¡¯s Leo?¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± the football captain said, turning the corner. ¡°Sorry, but we have to make this quick. I have class right now, I claimed to have to go to the bathroom.¡±

    ¡°Well, not technically untrue.¡± Scott said, eyeing the sign. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re in a crunch, so we gotta make this short and sweet. We go down there, nab ¡®em, and take him somewhere for questioning. Got it? Good.¡± He started walking off, and the two blondes had to catch up.

    ¡°Um, I have a question. How exactly do we nab him?¡± Amber asked, more than a little afraid of the answer. ¡°In case you forgot, were in public.¡±

    ¡°My dear Amber, I am always an advocate for the nonviolent solution.¡± Scott said, and the other two looked at him skeptically. ¡°It¡¯s true!¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh. Tell that to Stephanie and the daemon army.¡± Amber deadpanned.

    ¡°Anyway,¡± he continued curtly. ¡°Leo¡¯s our in. Since that other guy¡¯s on the basketball team, Leo can go over and ask him about basketball stuff, I don¡¯t know, maybe ask to join the team-¡±

    ¡°Hey, I love football.¡± Leo interjected.

    ¡°It¡¯s not for real! Improvise! Just get them out, and once they¡¯re isolated, we¡¯ll move in, confirm the vampirism, and we¡¯ll begin the questioning. Sound good?¡± Amber and Leo shared a glance.

    ¡°Sounds like an awful lot can go wrong, and an awful lot of winging it.¡± Amber put forth.

    ¡°No objections, perfect, just like I like to hear.¡± Scott said, and grinned. ¡°Operation start!¡±

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Ah, hello, Will wasn¡¯t it?¡± Leo said warmly, beaming at the bewildered Kevin and Will. As usual, the female population of the cafeteria were drooling into their mashed potatoes over him.

    ¡°Uh, yeah?¡± Will said uncertainly. Why was Leo, Mr. Perfect himself, talking to them? It had to be related to the other night. He was immediately suspicious.

    ¡°Excellent! I was recently having a friendly game with the team when we decided on it, but we noticed you weren¡¯t there. I don¡¯t know if anyone else went over it with you, but there¡¯s something that both the football teams and basketball teams have decided to work on, and-do you mind if we go somewhere else? You can bring your friend too, the more the merrier, and we could use all the help we can. It¡¯s a bit noisy in here, and we want it to be a surprise.¡± he said, sparing a glance to a table of giggling girls, who had to suppress a bout of delighted squealing.

    ¡°Sure.¡± Kevin said, standing up. Will frantically grabbed his hand.

    ¡°What are you doing!?¡± he whispered quickly to the vampire.

    ¡°Relax. He doesn¡¯t know who he was chasing, we were in disguise. It¡¯s probably just as he said. ¡®Sides, if push comes to shove, I¡¯m faster and stronger.¡± Kevin reassured.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Leo turned back, innocently and clueless.

    ¡°Oh nothing, we got a test later. Hope this doesn¡¯t interfere with that, I spent all weekend studying for it.¡± Will lied smoothly, frowning. He did not like where this was going.

    ¡°Ah, I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll take that long, today¡¯s just the meeting to plan for some stuff. Let¡¯s head to the gym, everyone¡¯s working on it already. It¡¯s kind of a surprise party.¡± Leo walked off, followed by the other two. Leo typed a message to Scott and led them to the gym.

    When they got there, it was empty.

    ¡°Huh? There¡¯s no one here, I thought the teams would be here already.¡± Will said, sounding confused, while he nudged Kevin¡¯s ribs. The vampire nodded, readying himself and looking around nervously.

    ¡°Nah, this¡¯s just to fill you two in, and hopefully we can ask you a couple things.¡± Leo said, pulling the door closed. Kevin saw that and felt his teeth tingle. This didn¡¯t smell right, and that was literal. An unusual, slightly foul odor hung in the air. This game had gone on long enough. He started to move when-

    ¡°Absteros, thengos grim. Elstamganos, tula etsghat nam uub tenentios.¡± There was a flash of toxic emerald light, and Kevin suddenly found himself illuminated, a soft green aura encasing his body.

    ¡°What the-!?¡±

    ¡°Yup, looks like we¡¯ve found our man.¡± Scott said, stepping out from behind the bleachers with a similarly glowing Amber. Kevin didn¡¯t recognize him, but there was no way he or Will had forgotten the girl who had chased them halfway across the city in the air. His stomach dropped.

    ¡°Y-You!? What are you doing here? Will, get behind me!¡± Kevin commanded, instinctually baring his fangs as Will complied. His gaze flipped from Leo to the other two. This was bad; he was still feeling tired and lethargic, his strength diminished. Leo was one thing, even with a sword. If the girl and Leo both attacked now, he wasn¡¯t sure he could fend them off. ¡°What do you want?¡± he snarled.

    ¡°Hah! Vamping out as soon as someone discovers you? Should¡¯a played that closer to the vest!¡± He grinned madly and necrotic power started to play across his hands. ¡°No, we¡¯re here to finally get some answers, and you will provide them peaceably! There won¡¯t be a repeat of last gurk!¡± Amber threw her arm around his neck and pulled him away.

    ¡°Sorry about that.¡± she said pleasantly, squeezing the struggling necromancer. ¡°What my friend here means is that we don¡¯t want to hurt you.¡± Leo stepped in.

    ¡°All we want is to ask you some questions, try to figure everything out. We¡¯re trying to make sure everyone comes out of this mess alright.¡± He held his hands up nonthreateningly. ¡°Will you help us?¡± Will and Kevin shared a glance.

    ¡°O-Only if you tell us who you are and what you want. That¡¯s fair, right?¡± Kevin said warily, ready to grab Will and make a run for it at any moment.

    ¡°That is fair. We agree.¡± Amber sighed in relief. It looked like there wouldn¡¯t have to be a fight after all. She suddenly noticed Scott was weakly tapping her arm, and she let the necromancer go, gasping for breath.

    ¡°Jeez, (huff, huff,) woman! Remember I still need oxygen! Gahh.¡± he muttered, while she giggled and smirked. Will raised his eyebrows at this unusual display. This¡­didn¡¯t seem like a trap, he was starting to turn blue.

    ¡°Good. Now if you¡¯ll excuse me, if everything¡¯s settled I have to get back to class. There¡¯s only so much irritable bowel syndrome can excuse.¡± Leo said, heading to the door.

    ¡°Thank you for that information and lovely mental image Leo, we¡¯ll see you later.¡± Scott said as Leo left, chuckling.

    ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s very nice to meet you. I¡¯m Amber, Amber Harris.¡± she said demurely, extending a hand. Kevin slowly reached out and timidly shook it.

    ¡°Nice t¡¯meetcha.¡± he muttered, his shyness coming back. Now there was no threat, he was keenly aware a pretty girl was talking to him. Will squinted at her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t I know you? And didn¡¯t we have a memorial service for you, couple months back?¡±

    ¡°Aha, yeah, funny story about that.¡± she tried to laugh off, blushing and looking away. ¡°You dated a friend of mine, Carla. I didn¡¯t stick too close, didn¡¯t wanna be a third wheel. Yeah, turns out, she kinda¡­joined a coven of witches led by my best friend and ripped my heart out to call forth an army of daemons on Halloween.¡± she said hastily.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, what?¡± Kevin said, wide-eyed. ¡°Could you run that by me again?¡±

    ¡°Uh, yeah. My friends found a magic book and decided to use it to rule the world. And they kind of killed me to sacrifice my heart to a daemon. Collectively, they were the Craven Falls Killer. But, we managed to stop them, so everything¡¯s alright now.¡±

    ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Kevin and Will both nodded. Will gave Kevin a look that said ¡®is this chick crazy?¡¯ and Kevin could only shrug. ¡°Wait. If you were dead, then how are you here now? I think I remember something about you just being injured¡­¡±

    ¡°That¡¯d be all thanks to me.¡± Scott piped up, grinning. ¡°See, Stephanie wasn¡¯t the only one who found a tome of forbidden knowledge. A few months back, I found the real Necronomicon. Changed my life. Now, you¡¯re looking at the world¡¯s best necromancer.¡± His eyes glowed green, and he conjured necrotic energy in his hand, the unearthly light leaving no doubt.

    ¡°N-Necromancer? Y-You raise the dead?¡± Kevin stammered nervously, taking a step back. Will stared at him blankly, not comprehending.

    ¡°Easy, easy. It¡¯s not what you think.¡± Amber tried to soothe. ¡°I mean, yes, he did raise an army of zombies, but it was for a good cause, I swear!¡± Will paled, Kevin turned paler, Scott laughed his ass off, while Amber grew more flustered. ¡°No, no, it was to fight the daemons! He got the zombies to fight the daemons, and then afterward put everything back the way it was, and everyone was fine.¡±If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Also totally slugged it out with an archdaemon in my giant Zombie Titan Mk. 1.¡± Scott tossed out. Amber glared at him, and he just grinned.

    ¡°¡­does that mean the rumors about the giant running around town were true?¡± Will asked in a small voice, feeling way out of his depth.

    ¡°A-Anyway, what do you want with us?¡± Kevin asked. Necromancers were usually bad news.

    ¡°First thing was to determine if you were a threat. ¡®Cause, y¡¯know, blood-sucking vampire. But your little display the other night convinced us of your good intentions, at least. Now, I kinda have a vested interest in any undead in this town, so I¡¯d like to know what you¡¯re doing here. Like, do you plan to turn anyone else?¡±  Scott said softly, a hint of menace in his voice. Kevin furiously shook his head.

    ¡°N-No! Far from it! I was the one who was bitten and turned into a vampire, last week!¡±

    ¡°Really?¡± Scott said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°So, there¡¯s another one¡­¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got a question. What do you do about blood? You know, to eat?¡± Amber asked, looking concerned.

    ¡°Um, I¡¯ve kinda been hunting squirrels and such. They taste nasty, but it keeps me fed so I don¡¯t go crazy.¡± he said apologetically. ¡°It¡¯s kinda hard. The first time I drank blood¡­it was difficult to stop. I was gonna go hunt down people for more, it was too much to resist.¡±

    ¡°Then, how did you?¡± Amber asked. AS someone who also had issues with sustenance, she had to know. All eyes were on the vampire. He chuckled and gave a small, helpless smile, shifting uncomfortably.

    ¡°It, uh, wasn¡¯t much, really. It was hard, still is, but I thought to myself, ¡®What would Spider-Man do?¡¯ Um. I¡¯ve, um, always been a big fan of superhero comics-of all kinds-and well¡­I, I just, I just always thought they¡¯re cool, and did the right thing, and¡­I¡¯ve always wanted to be like them.

    ¡°Look at me. I haven¡¯t changed much looks-wise, you can see how skinny I am. I¡¯ve always been a stringbean, and I never really had a lot of friends, I only met Will in high school. I¡¯ve always been shy and uncoordinated and kinda tongue-tied. I¡¯ve never really had any skills or hobbies beyond comic books. I¡¯ve always kinda been¡­a loser. I don¡¯t like to think that, but I have been. But, but now, I¡¯ve been transformed. I¡¯m fast, I¡¯m strong. My senses dwarf anyone else¡¯s. Moving my body is effortless. I know I have to find the vampire that did this to me to cure me, I know that. But, imagine yourself in my position. You¡¯re a geek who suddenly gained supernatural abilities.

    ¡°What would you do?¡±

    There was a moment of silence following Kevin¡¯s heartfelt speech, each present digesting it. Kevin looked down in embarrassment.

    ¡°I think,¡± Scott said at last. ¡°That we should go over everything, from the beginning.¡±

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°-so, I spent Sunday holed up in my rom sewing, and today, well, here we are.¡± Kevin finished.

    ¡°Hmm. Interesting.¡± Scott said, reclining on the bleachers and sharing a look with Amber. ¡°So, you wanna try to the vamp that bit you and see if killing her can reverse the process?¡±

    ¡°Yeah. But as long as I have the powers, I¡¯ve decided to do whatever good I can with them.¡±

    ¡°Huh. ¡®With great power¡­¡¯¡±

    ¡°¡¯Must come great responsibility.¡¯ Uncle Ben didn¡¯t even say it, it was in the narration of the first issue.¡± Kevin snorted. ¡°C¡¯mon, gimme a hard one.¡±

    ¡°Well, you know your stuff, better than I do probably.¡± Scott admitted.

    ¡°Hey Scott, you know how to raise people from the dead, right? So if he¡¯s technically dead, shouldn¡¯t you be able to just raise/cure him right now?¡± Amber piped up, after mulling it over. All eyes were on him, hopeful.

    ¡°Sorry to say, but nope, can¡¯t do it. If only it were so easy.¡± Scott said flatly.

    ¡°Figures. It never is.¡± Amber muttered bitterly under her breath.

    ¡°See, problem with that is I need both the body and the soul. Last time, we didn¡¯t have Amber¡¯s complete body. This time, we don¡¯t have your soul.¡±

    ¡°W-What?¡± Kevin said, getting another sinking feeling.

    ¡°I mean you¡¯re soulless. You have no soul. No ghost, no spirit, poof.¡± Scott said matter-of-factly, to the horror of everyone else.

    ¡°W-Well then, where is it? Heaven?¡± Will asked. Scott waved his hand up and down in a so-so gesture.

    ¡°Eh, the metaphysics on this are a bit weird. The soul isn¡¯t lost anywhere, per say, but more like¡­reprocessed along variable space-time points X, Y, Z, and ¨CA<sup>2</sup>, dissolving and redistributing along those points. Of course, the total energy is divided by roughly 13 trillion, fusing and coalescing among Yin Tang (EX-HN03) and Shao Yin. Unlike ghosts, vampires are, in a sense, supercorporial, and the vampirization process converts the anatomy into a veritable necrosis factory. But we can¡¯t forget about space-time axis point Z, which the process leaves uneffused. That leaves an opening for universal cosmic flow to fill, as everyone knows nature abhors a vacuum. The results are often chaotic and unpredictable at first, but careful manipulation can draw upon those energies that are effused, without the necessary other components for magic, namely sigils, arrays, and incantations. Of course, the human body is suboptimal and can only withstand so much stress, so while the guidance of the flow can be unlimited in theory, in practice the cells and psyche would deteriorate beyond hope of repair. The process is exponential, you¡¯d have to contain 10<sup>43 </sup>joules worth for every additional flow contained. Incidentally, that¡¯s why vampires can¡¯t be seen in mirrors. What?¡± he finished, perplexed. The other three were staring at him blankly.

    ¡°Can you repeat that? This time, in a way that we can follow?¡± Will said, looking a little dizzy.

    ¡°W-Where¡¯s my soul? Do I have one? Or, what am I?¡± Kevin said, looking aghast. Amber turned and glared at the necromancer, promising trouble if he didn¡¯t do something to fix it now. He sighed.

    ¡°Short answer is, no you don¡¯t have a soul. That¡¯s why you can¡¯t be seen in mirrors. Essentially, your soul¡¯s been pureed and absorbed by your body as necrotic energy. Downside, you die, that¡¯s it. Upside, you don¡¯t age and all your physical abilities increase. Dramatically. I wouldn¡¯t suggest trying to run into any more burning buildings, but eh, I¡¯m not your mom.¡±

    ¡°So¡­my soul¡¯s still in me, just¡­not where it¡¯s supposed to be?¡± Kevin asked, eyes glazed as he tried to work out an answer that didn¡¯t make him want to run away screaming like a madman. Scott glanced at Amber, still giving him a hard look.

    ¡°Err, yeah. Sure, let¡¯s go with that.¡±

    ¡°So, does that mean he can be cured? If we ill the vampire that bit him, Kevin will go back to normal?¡± Will asked, frowning.

    ¡°Huh? What? Where¡¯d you get that idea, that¡¯s the dumb-¡± Amber gave him a light tap on his ribs with an elbow. Scott was nearly bowled over, wheezing. ¡°I mean-the Necronomicon doesn¡¯t mention that. It talks of disposal of vampires sure, destroying the head or the heart, or setting them on fire. There¡¯s nothing about a cure-¡± his eyes flickered to Amber ¡°-but I wouldn¡¯t rule it out. Magic can be unpredictable, so there could be a way. I suggest we capture the other vampire first though, before we do anything drastic like offing her to see if that does it.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, that makes sense-wait, ¡®we?¡¯¡± Will said. The necromancer nodded.

    ¡°Yup. As I said, I have a vested interest in any undead running around town. And honestly, from what I¡¯ve seen you¡¯re not the subtle type. It¡¯s only due to some luck and your physiology that people don¡¯t already know who you are.¡±

    ¡°What do you mean? That¡¯s why I made the costume, so no one will recognize me.¡± Kevin said defensively. He¡¯d worked hard on that mask! Scott merely pulled out his phone and pulled up a video.

    It was the interview Saturday night after he¡¯d escaped the burning building. Kevin¡¯s eyes went wide. The reporter was talking to someone, and held the microphone out. However, there was no one there. She was holding it out to empty air. No sound came from the spot she was interviewing, although there was plenty of background noise. The camera suddenly panned, up, towards a building. Kevin remembered scaling it, but there was nothing to see now.

    ¡°See? Vampires can¡¯t be captured in mirrors or on camera. It¡¯s because your mind-bodies¡¯ reflective properties are erased. You don¡¯t show up in photographs either. If you¡¯d seen the reports after the initial hubbub, there¡¯s people wondering how all this¡¯s done and whether or not it¡¯s an elaborate prank. If you scroll down to the comments, you¡¯ll see a bunch of ¡®em calling it fake.

    ¡°And thank goodness for that,¡± he spat, putting his phone away. ¡°You¡¯re far too visible as it is! The town¡¯s caught up in this ¡®Nightfang¡¯ craze and it¡¯s all because you¡¯re going around doing the impossible in front of their eyes!¡±

    ¡°I-I see.¡± Kevin said, starting to shake. He took a deep breath. This was rapidly spinning out of control, but he knew his purpose with crystal clarity. ¡°Be that as it may, I will not waver. No matter what happens, I am a superhero. As long as he is needed, Nightfang will seek justice.¡± he said evenly, staring Scott right in the eye.

    ¡°That¡¯s not the point, you dumbass!¡± the necromancer exploded, grabbing his shirt. ¡°I don¡¯t care what you do with your powers! Go kiss babies and save cats stuck in trees! But you¡¯re doing it openly-and if they find out you¡¯re a vampire, they could figure out I¡¯m a necromancer and all my plans are ruined!¡±

    A pin drop would echo in the silence that followed.

    ¡°Oops.¡± Scott said.

    ¡°Now we come to the actual reason you¡¯re so gung-ho about this.¡± Amber drawled, hand on her chin. Scott sighed.

    ¡°Kinda, yeah, kinda no. I mean, yeah it¡¯s bad if a bunch of people end up dying. It¡¯s also bad if they figure out proof of the supernatural!¡± He turned to Kevin. ¡°I can resurrect the dead. Do you have any idea how much trouble that would bring down on me if people knew? I mean, I like my anonymity, and no matter how much I would charge for my services I¡¯d never stop being hounded.¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Yeah, I get that. Good point.¡± Kevin admitted.

    ¡°And the same¡¯ll happen to you if people find out you¡¯re actually a vampire. That is, if the government doesn¡¯t kidnap us first and perform experiments to see how we tick and try to replicate them, and you¡¯re really durable but I¡¯m a normal human with a squishy body, and I really wouldn¡¯t like that.¡± he said, a mad look on his face. The others stared at him.

    ¡°You¡¯re kinda paranoid, aren¡¯t you? Will said after a moment.

    ¡°When you hold all the secrets to life, death, and beyond, yeah. You¡¯re only as safe as long as no one can trace it back to you. Which is why I¡¯m a little alarmed when I see a vampire playing superhero!¡± Scott said, his voice rising with every word.

    ¡°All right, all right.¡± Kevin said, palms up. ¡°I have to be careful. I know, I get it. So all I have to do is be more Batman than Hulk.¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± Scott exclaimed, pointing a finger at him. ¡°If you must, fine. But you must stalk the night unseen, hidden in the shadows.¡±

    ¡°Evildoers never sure if I¡¯m there or not, until the time comes to strike¡­¡± Kevin said, a grin creeping across his face, mirroring Scott¡¯s.

    ¡°A nightmare phantasm, gone so fast they wonder if you were ever truly there¡­¡±

    ¡°Striking fear into the hearts of all criminal scum, the ever-vigilant watchman of the night, Nightfang!¡± They high-fived, to the horror of both Amber and Will.

    ¡°Oh dear lord, what have we done.¡± she sighed under her breath, Will shaking his head.

    ¡°Okay. So, when did you want to hunt Genevieve down? I think we¡¯d find her after dark, but we¡¯re still out of leads.¡± Kevin said.

    ¡°I have stuff I need to prepare after school anyway. Don¡¯t worry about leads, I think I have something that¡¯ll be able to track her down.¡± Amber¡¯s head shot up, wide-eyed.

    ¡°Scott, don¡¯t tell me your plan with the map again-¡±

    ¡°No, no, nothing like that. Well, sorta. While I was repairing Larry, I got to thinking about alternate ways to use the spell, and I think you¡¯ll be pleasantly surprised.¡± He gave her a wink, and she remained stone-faced, shutting him down.

    ¡°Right. So, meet at the school around seven?¡± Will said, checking his watch.

    ¡°Sounds good. ¡°Amber said, shaking their hands. ¡°Glad to have you aboard, let¡¯s try to resolve this as quick and as painless as possible. C¡¯mon Scott, let¡¯s get back to lunch.¡±

    ¡°Right. See you then.¡± the sort-of dynamic duo nodded, and the necromancer and ghoul left the gym.

    ¡°Oh man, that¡¯s only three hours. I hope I have enough time to-whoa!¡± He jerked back just before running into a young man much taller than him in a suit.

    ¡°Scott, watch where you¡¯re going.¡± Amber scolded gently.

    ¡°Yeah, sorry man.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s no problem at all.¡± Scott and Amber strolled off chatting, while the young man watched them go. He smirked. ¡°Heh. Knew it. He didn¡¯t recognize me at all, the poor fool.¡± he murmured softly.

    ¡°Of course. You have had a complete transformation. There is no way one so limited as a y¡¯sshk-gorrah could see what you were, not as glorious as you are now.¡± a voice whispered to him in the empty hallway. The young man¡¯s smirk grew wider.

    ¡°When you¡¯re right you¡¯re right. I suppose I have grown up a bit. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s stroll down to the office. I gotta see what the official story is.¡±

    He turned and walked away, the sun from the glass windows making the shadows stand out in sharp relief. His shadow reared up and grinned, a mouth full of daggers, terrifying and white inside of the black.

 Chapter 9: Good Hunting with Will

    ¡°Bye mom, going to Amber¡¯s to study!¡± Scott called before the door shut. Rebeca Havenbrook nodded and waved from her chair.

    ¡°Bye sweetie, have fun.¡± she said back, returning to her magazine. ¡°He¡¯s off to Amber¡¯s again. That¡¯s nice.¡±

    ¡°Hmph. That girl¡¯s got him wrapped around her finger. He¡¯s out practically every night.¡± Daniel Havenbrook grunted from the couch, eyes never leaving the TV.

    ¡°Well, did you honestly think he¡¯s actually going over there to study?¡± she said wryly. They looked at each other and laughed.

    The teenaged necromancer, meanwhile, was sprinting down the street as fast as he could, lungs burning and cursing his lateness.

    ¡°Hey!¡± Amber said and beckoned, coming along on her bike. ¡°Good timing! Hop on, I¡¯ll give you a lift.¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± Without pausing, Scott jumped onto the rear wheel, making Amber yelp and fight to keep balanced.

    ¡°What the hell Scott!¡± she snapped.

    ¡°No time for recriminations now, we¡¯re running late! Tallyho!¡± Scott grinned, spirits undeterred as their breath fogged in the air, the sun sinking below the horizon and turning the sky a deep violet and indigo, punctuated by white stars.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Ahh, glad you made it.¡± Leo waved to Kevin and Will as they arrived behind the school. ¡°I¡¯m sorry about this afternoon and Saturday night, but we had to determine whether or not you were a threat to the peace-loving citizens here.¡±

    ¡°Uh, ¡®salright.¡± Kevin said, leaning back against the brick. ¡°I probably would¡¯ve done similar.¡±

    ¡°Still, my apologies.¡±

    ¡°Forget about it.¡± Will dismissed. Leo smiled and nodded, then returned to staring down the street waiting for the rest of the party. They all stood there awkwardly.

    ¡°Soooo¡­flaming sword, huh?¡± Will said after a moment, shifting about to keep warm.

    ¡°Yeah. Got it from a burning eye to uphold justice.¡± Leo answered.

    ¡°Huh. That¡¯s¡­huh.¡± Will said, desperately hoping the others would get there soon so the small talk would end.

    ¡°Par for the course as of late, though.¡± Leo continued. ¡°I must say I never quite expected my life to go in the direction it has. Still, it¡¯s an adventure, right?¡± he chirped.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess.¡± Kevin said noncommittedly. Tires and spokes squealed to a stop, and Scott and Amber peeled around the corner.

    ¡°Yo. Sorry we¡¯re late, had to get a couple things ready.¡± Scott said, patting his backpack.

    ¡°All right then. If everything¡¯s ready, then let¡¯s go.¡± Will said, starting off.

    ¡°Go? Go where?¡± Amber asked, making Will freeze and turn.

    ¡°That¡¯s a good question. Where are we going, anyway?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked.¡± Scott said, smirking. ¡°Behold, the latest and greatest necro-detection invention!¡± Out of the backpack cam a pendulum on a string and a broken plastic mop handle. Everyone stared blankly at him, unimpressed. ¡°Ehhh, everyone¡¯s a critic. But watch what happens when I say the magic word. Skovasta.¡± He held up the pendulum, and it lit up bright green and pointed straight at Kevin.

    ¡°W-Why¡¯s it pointing at me?¡± the vampire said, moving from side to side, the plastic jewel tracking him all the way.

    ¡°Because, my pulse-challenged friend, it is designed to detect any undead within the vicinity, basically the spell I used to suss you out, only I¡¯ve managed to modify it so we only need to say the word and it points the dead out, instead of lighting ¡®em up like a Christmas tree. Now how much would¡¯ja pay?¡± the necromancer said smugly, as the group re-evaluated the prop in a new light. ¡°But wait! There¡¯s more!

    ¡°My original plan was to mark the location of any undead on a map of the town. Unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t wrap my head around the formulas necessary to mark it on a cell phone, and the problems with finding a physical map¡­¡± Amber shuddered. ¡°Let¡¯s just say there were issues. And also unfortunately, I couldn¡¯t make the range of the pendulum more than fifty feet or so.¡±

    ¡°Fifty feet, that¡¯s not that much.¡± Leo said frowning, going over plans in his mind.

    ¡°What¡¯re we supposed to do, drive around twirling that thing and hope we get lucky? I do have to get to bed at some point.¡± Will said. Scott rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Which is why I have necro-detection invention sensation number two!¡± He held up the broken mop handle. ¡°Observe.¡± He set it on the ground, holding it up at the end. ¡°Etsghat!¡± He let go, and the stick wobbled and fell over. ¡°Bingo! Our quarry is¡­thataway!¡± he cried, pointing to the direction it fell.

    ¡°What? There¡¯s no way that¡¯s right!¡± Will said. He had nearly had it up to here with vampires, and magic, and anything else that kept him running around town on a cold November night. ¡°It¡¯s ridiculous! It just fell over, and you¡¯re trying to get us searching in a random direction! If it weren¡¯t for the light shows, I¡¯d say you were trying to put one over on us.¡±

    ¡°Oh, am I?¡± Scott said brightly, smiling wildly, veins pulsing below his skin. Amber¡¯s eyes went wide as she realized what Will had said.

    ¡°Scott¡­¡± she warned, remembering what happened the last time someone denied Scott¡¯s necromancy.

    ¡°No no, it¡¯s okay. Observe.¡± He took the stick, walked to another place, repeated the incantation and it fell again, in the same direction as last time. He repeated the process over and over, triangulating, and each time it pointed to the south side of Craven Falls. ¡°How about that? It slices, it dices, it makes Julian fries.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± Will muttered, conceding. ¡°So she¡¯s on the south side of town.¡±

    ¡°Presumably.¡± Scott said.

    ¡°So we should start the search there. We can triangulate as we get closer, but we should move while she¡¯s still there. Let¡¯s go.¡± They all started walking towards Will¡¯s Hyundai.

    ¡°Hey hey hey, hold up! We¡¯re taking my car?¡± he said, counting how many of them there were.

    ¡°Well, Amber and I are too young to drive,¡± Scott began.

    ¡°And my convertible¡¯s still in the shop after it was attacked by daemons a couple weeks ago.¡± Leo said sheepishly.

    ¡°So yeah, you¡¯re our only set of wheels right now.¡± Scott finished.

    ¡°Err¡­alright¡­but, it¡¯s not the biggest, so you guys¡¯ll have to squeeze in the back.¡±

    ¡°I call shotgun!¡± Scott cried and bolted around the car.

    ¡°Hey! Why do you get the front?¡± Kevin said. Usually that seat was his. Scott turned to him.

    ¡°Oh, then please explain how I¡¯ll have enough leg room in the back to have a mop handle constantly falling over, or enough room to easily see who the pendulum points to.¡± he said, far too innocently.

    ¡°¡­just get in the car.¡± Kevin griped, unable to refute the logic. Scott snapped his fingers.

    ¡°Oh yeah, nearly forgot. You drink any blood today?¡±

    ¡°No yet, no. Why?¡±

    The necromancer placed his hand on Kevin¡¯s shoulder and intoned ¡°Sekh.¡± Kevin gasped, feeling a heady rush of power surge through his body, making every cell tingle. The feeling was hard to describe. There was a sweetness to the sensation, with a tang similar to sourness as well. It felt more like a smoother lemony sensation than anything else.

    ¡°What was that? What did you do?¡± the vampire asked, feeling energized. A full meal and night¡¯s sleep couldn¡¯t have refreshed him more.

    ¡°I used a spell to fill you with necrotic energy,¡± Scott explained as Amber came over for her dose. ¡°You¡¯re dead, so the power of the dead gives you life. In a manner of speaking. As long as I top you up, you don¡¯t need to drink blood. It¡¯s fun, being the living battery charger.¡± he deadpanned.

    ¡°Really?¡± His tongue felt his teeth, elongating on their own. ¡°But I still feel thirsty.¡± he said, the parched feeling in his throat dulled, but unsated. Scott shrugged.

    ¡°Nothing I can do about the psychological part of it, I guess. Vampires need blood, but they also instinctually desire it above all else, probably helps to overcome the resistance to eating the members of their former species. Think of it like an IV drip. You gonna be alright with that?¡± he said, his tone clear he¡¯d better be.

    ¡°Yeah. I¡­I¡¯ll manage.¡± Kevin said, resolving to make good on his words. ¡°Let¡¯s get this show on the road.¡±

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The search had taken nearly an hour, but they were finally closing in. Scott had nearly made himself hoarse after using so many incantations, but now the pendulum was beginning to trigger when he used it as well.

    ¡°Alright. Skovasta.¡± The entire car watched as the pendulum quivered, then pointed nearly straight up to the right. ¡°Huh?¡± Scott said.

    ¡°Hah. Knew it, it¡¯s broken.¡± Will scoffed, and Scott smacked his shoulder.

    ¡°Never doubt the necro-detection invention.¡±

    ¡°You just like saying that, don¡¯t you.¡± Amber said flatly.

    ¡°Yup!¡±

    ¡°Whatever it¡¯s called, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s busted.¡± Leo said, peering out the window. ¡°Look.¡± He pointed up to a building, where a figure cloaked in shadow suddenly leapt from the third floor to the ground in an alleyway, and disappeared. It happened so fast if you weren¡¯t paying attention, it would appear as if nothing happened.

    ¡°Got ¡®em!¡± Scott exclaimed. ¡°C¡¯mon, she¡¯s turning onto Nostromo Boulevard, that¡¯s the only way that leads out of there.¡±

    ¡°Roger.¡± Will turned at the next right, Scott chanting the incantation again and again to keep the pendulum pointed at her. The others steeled themselves for battle. Leo thumbed his charm bracelet, Amber cracked her knuckles, and Kevin donned his mask.

    ¡°Alright. Kevin, I want you to ambush her, you¡¯ve got the best chance of that. Make enough of a distraction so that Amber can grab and hold her, at least until I can get my sword to her throat. Sound good?¡± Leo said commandingly. Both the ghoul and vampire nodded. ¡°All right, we have a plan of attack. Let¡¯s make sure everyone comes home in one piece, yeah?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve got heavy-duty suture thread, it¡¯ll be fine.¡± Scott said from the front seat.

    ¡°Let¡¯s make sure everyone comes home in one piece, yeah?¡± Leo repeated, a little more desperate.

    They followed the vampire for another twenty minutes, leaving Craven Falls proper and eventually coming to an old, abandoned, frequently vandalized mall near the highway.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    ¡°She¡¯s in there?¡± Kevin asked, looking the place over with trepidation. ¡°Where are we? I¡¯ve never heard of this place before.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the old Kruger outlet mall.¡± Scott answered, checking over his backpack. ¡°They built it soon after the highway, hoping to attract their business form there. Unfortunately, the place was too out of the way for locals and most out of towners come into Craven Falls on business outside of tourist season, and those generally don¡¯t wanna shop in a mall. When you add in the competition from the Voorhees mall and the decline of malls across the country means it folded in like six months. I did some skulking around here last summer, looking for ghosts.¡±

    ¡°Huh. Well, you¡¯ll have to be our guide then.¡± Kevin said.

    ¡°I should warn you now, the place¡¯s kinda dilapidated. It¡¯s got a couple holes in the roof, and it can be dangerous.¡±

    ¡°Not as dangerous as who else is in there, though.¡± Kevin said darkly. This was it, the woman who¡¯d turned him into a creature of the night was close at hand. Doing what, who knew; but this was their chance to finally cure him.

    Will pulled into the parking lot, into a space at the far end.

    ¡°So she won¡¯t know we¡¯re coming.¡± he explained. ¡°Plus, I came prepared.¡± He pulled out a clove of garlic, a wooden stake, and a hammer out of his backpack with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m ready.¡± Kevin made a face.

    ¡°That garlic¡¯ll alert her before we get close. Vampires can¡¯t stand garlic and other strong odors because their sense of smell is so extreme. Right?¡± Scott asked Kevin, who nodded, trying not to gag. ¡°Toss it.¡±

    ¡°Alright, alright.¡± Will threw it out the window before they all piled out, creeping their way to the glass doors as stealthily as they could.

    ¡°Kevin, go first.¡± Leo whispered softly, and Kevin nodded. He had the best chance of not being seen, and had the sharpest senses out of all of them. He was about to head through the door when Amber stopped him. She shook her head and pointed to the bottom half, which had been kicked in and had glass strewn about the floor. Kevin nodded and opened the other one. After ushering the rest of them inside, Kevin took the lead and practically disappeared. Scott was tempted to use his pendulum to find him.

    ¡°Stay close, and stay low. If you have any lights, don¡¯t use them yet. Turn them on when we strike, the more disoriented she is the better. Try to stay close to Amber, she can see better than us.¡± Leo whispered. Scott nodded and pulled out a flashlight, at the ready. Will raised his stake and hammer in shaking hands. What was he doing here? He was just an ordinary guy, not a vampire hunter. He wasn¡¯t any kind of vampire or ghoul, and he certainly didn¡¯t know any magic or have a flaming sword. He glanced at the others, squinting in the faint moonlight. They looked nervous, tense, but also determined. How could they be so calm? It finally hit him that he could die on this mission.

    They made their way past long dark stores and an empty fountain, tagged with all manner of graffiti. Amber shivered; it was very dark and very silent, like a tomb. She slowly stepped forward, and jumped immediately back suppressing a scream, as a rat ran over her foot. It stopped, turning back to them with glowing eyes, and chittered madly.

    ¡°Shoo.¡± Scott tossed a piece of broken plastic at it, and it bolted off. He frowned. The air had a heavy, warm, uncomfortable oppressiveness to it, different from the last time he¡¯d been here. Last time the place had been foreboding and creepy, and he¡¯d felt right at home. This time, the old Kruger mall felt¡­uneasy.

    Kevin melted out of the darkness, finger to his lips.

    ¡°I scouted ahead, but I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything here. I didn¡¯t see anything unusual, at least. But I think I heard sounds coming from the food court upstairs.¡± Scott¡¯s face hardened as he absorbed the information, pulling out the pendulum and huddling the others to hide the light.

    ¡°Skovasta.¡± The pendulum swung around in his hand, then shot straight up at the ceiling. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± he muttered, and they crept to the defunct escalator, the quiet atmosphere urging them to make as little noise as possible.

    Kevin was the first up the rubber steps, creeping as close to the ground as he could. The others saw him freeze at the top, glance around, and quickly crawl over behind an overturned table. He peered around the side, then beckoned them forward. When the rest of the group got closer, the shouting started.

    When all of them were safely behind the table, peering around they could see a beautiful dark ¨Chaired woman arguing with another group of people, all dressed in long coats with hoods.

    ¡°¡­please, Gregor! It¡¯s not too late! Please, just tell me what¡¯s happening here, so I can understand. I could even help you if you want!¡± The man she was speaking to, presumably Gregor, stood as still as a statue, his burly arms folded and glaring at her. He was the only one with his hood down.

    ¡°Go home, Genevieve.¡± he said in a polished but thick Eastern European accent. ¡°Go back to your peaceful days. This is a new country, it has nothing to do with you.¡±

    ¡°This is where I grew up, you dunce! And anything that has to do with the clan has to do with me! You¡­you¡¯re the one that taught me that, don¡¯t you remember? P-Please¡­I just want to know what¡¯s going on.¡± she begged, sniffling and tearing up. Gregor huffed and turned his back.

    ¡°Go away. This country is ours now. That fool Harvaste can stew in his old castle for the rest of time for all I care. He owns everything there, but now it is our turn to be the masters.¡±

    ¡°B-But Gregor!¡± she protested, unsure of what to do next.

    ¡°I think we might have stumbled upon some kind of international vampire territory dispute.¡± Scott whispered, as it was apparent the others were too engrossed in the argument to pay attention to them.

    ¡°Please, just come back. If you just explain what¡¯s going on, how you truly feel, I¡¯m sure Master Harvaste will-¡± She started to reach out to Gregor, but he growled, his eyes flaring red. He turned and smacked her across the face, knocking Genevieve down. When she tried to get up, he stomped his boot on her hand, making her whimper. The observers shifted uneasily, and Kevin grit his teeth.

    ¡°Never suggest to go back to that dictator again.¡± he spat, figuratively and literally. ¡°We have cut all ties with the European vampires. Now they, and you, are nothing but enemies, to be ground into dust before us.¡±

    ¡°Now now, let¡¯s not be hasty.¡± another vampire spoke up. ¡°I commend your zeal, Gregor, but to dismiss¡­her¡­¡± He licked his lips lecherously. ¡°¡­is to deny ourselves of a potentially valuable resource. Wouldn¡¯t it be better to, instead of being enemies, making her into a friend?¡± Gregor snorted.

    ¡°Very well. Bite her and be done with it. My loyalty is pure.¡± He turned back to Genevieve, writhing on the ground. ¡°Be thankful, bitch. We¡¯re giving you exactly what you wanted. Although, it would be easier if you were unconscious.¡± Her eyes widened as his boot rose to stomp on her face.

    ¡°Halt, villain!¡±

    All eyes turned to Nightfang, posing heroically on a table. ¡°No matter what she may have done, I cannot allow this to continue! Cease and back away at once, or face the hero of the night!¡± he commanded.

    ¡°No no no no no no¡­¡±Scott muttered, hand firmly planted on his forehead.

    ¡°What is this? Who are you?¡± Gregor demanded.

    ¡°It is I, the hero Nightfang! Let evil and injustice beware, for I stalk the night! My fangs of righteousness will pierce the neck of corruption!¡± he declared. Gregor, Genevieve, and the others blinked and paused. Gregor looked around for the hidden camera, then remembered he wouldn¡¯t show up on it.

    ¡°You¡­are a vampire?¡± he asked, eyebrow raised incredulously.

    ¡°Freshly bitten! And a superhero! Now let her go, or face my wrath!¡± Genevieve stared at him, not comprehending at first, but her eyes slowly widened in horror as she remembered last Thursday.

    ¡°Oh god, I thought that was a dream¡­¡± she muttered. Gregor threw back his head and laughed.

    ¡°I see, I see! A little runt, Genevieve? That is who you gift?¡± he said, guffawing.

    ¡°It¡­it was an accident.¡± she mumbled, face red.

    ¡°How amusing! Run along little bloodling, we have no use of you here. Unless¡­¡± he sniffed the air and listened hard. ¡°The others behind the table would like to come out and play as well?¡±

    ¡°Scatter!¡± Leo shouted, blood ice cold with fright. He had found them so easily. His sword sprang into his hand as they shot out, only to discover the rest of the vampire surrounding them. ¡°Stand aside!¡± Leo commanded, swinging his sword, the blade catching fire. The vampires¡¯ eyes went wide and they recoiled, breaking off to divide and conquer. Chaos reigned as the fight began.

    ¡°Nnnnnnggghhhhh!¡± Amber grunted as she wrestled with another one, each trying to knock the other over. ¡®Why is he so strong? I should be able to do more than this!¡¯ she wondered, slowly giving ground to her opponent¡¯s superior might. Kevin was having a hard time as well. He jumped and spun, flinging his legs out to catch vampires in the face and hands, trying to create a one-man barrier around Will, curled up in a ball and whimpering. The sight of the masked vampire desperately trying to protect his friend was so amusing, the ones surrounding him let it happen, toying with him, watching him grow more sluggish with each leap, yet no less determined.

    ¡°Guys, guys, we don¡¯t have to do this,¡± Scott said nervously, hands up and backing away from the two large vampires menacing him. ¡°C-Can¡¯t we just talk this out?¡±

    ¡°No. We cannot.¡± One said, cracking his knuckles with a grin.

    ¡°Vhy did such a cowvard come here in de first place?¡± the other sneered.

    ¡°Oh well.¡± Scott sighed. ¡°So much for talking it out. Rosencrantz! Guildenstern! Attack!¡± He flung his arms out at them, and from his sleeves flew two zombie rats, clinging to the vampire¡¯s faces chittering and biting. As they screamed in revulsion and tried to get them off, Scott slung his backpack down to the floor.

    ¡°Arrg! Pest!¡± One of them savagely ripped the rat off his face and crushed it, then helped get the other off his comrade. ¡°Now, boy-¡± They turned to face their quarry, only to find Scott kneeling over his backpack grinning.

    ¡°Awnos, todeths, calibos hun! Awnos, todeths, calibos hun! Awnos, todeths, calibos hun! Awnos, todeths, calibos hun!¡± he chanted, reaching into his bag.

    ¡°Get him!¡± The vampires sprang forward, and¡­BAM!

    The vampires were blasted back by a foul wind and everyone stared at the toxic emerald lightshow. Bolts of necrotic energy played up and down his body as bones slid out of the bag and crawled up his body. Ribs, shins, tibia, femurs, spines. His legs were encased in bone, then torso, and they shot down his arms, two dog skulls serving as pauldrons on his shoulders. The final piece ratcheted up his back, an animal skull like a tiger¡¯s to clamp down on his head. A ribbon of black fur trailed from the skull, its eye sockets brimming with an eerie green light. He was encased and protected by a suit of bone, armor made from both human and animal remains. Scott threw out his arms and leaned back to yell as loud as he could, then stepped forward to pose dramatically, grinning.

    ¡°Step forward if you want a taste of my Death Armor!¡± he growled, and the vampires he was facing both took a step back.

    ¡°Dude that¡¯s so wicked!¡± Kevin gushed, his fight momentarily paused. ¡°That was like the Iron Man suit!¡±

    ¡°Where do you think I got the idea?¡± Scott grinned.

    ¡°Focus, please!¡± Leo called out, trying to keep three more at bay. They were managing to hold their own for now, but the vampires were toying with them, and he was growing tired.

    ¡°Finish them you fools!¡± Gregor ordered, then unclipped a walkie-talkie from his belt and barked into it. Leo froze in horror as he heard the thudding of more boots up the stairs.

    ¡°Guys, we have to go, now!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let them-¡± Gregor felt a hand grab his ankle.

    ¡°P-Please.¡± Genevieve said weakly. ¡°Don¡¯t let this go any further than it already has.¡± She begged.

    ¡°You-!¡± He hauled her up by her throat, eyes burning with rage. ¡°You brought these intruders here! How many more are there? Who are you working with!?¡±

    ¡°Let her go!¡± Kevin said, but he was too far away to help. The armored necromancer however, wasn¡¯t.

    ¡°Gonna haveta ask you to put the lady down. Or else.¡± he said coldly. Gregor glanced at him, then at the crumpled vampires behind him.

    ¡°Pathetic fool, make me.¡± he sneered, confidant in his strength. Scott shrugged.

    ¡°Okay.¡± He flexed his arm and the razor-sharp bone claws popped out his forearm piece. He brought the blade down on the vampire¡¯s wrist, making him howl and let go.

    ¡°Wretch!¡± Gregor thrust a kick into Scott¡¯s chest. He tried to brace himself, but Scott was sent flying back into the far wall hard enough to crack it. He looked down, chest on fire, to see his bone chestplate broken.

    ¡°O-Oh¡­crap.¡± he mumbled. ¡°Ahhhkonasht.¡± It was a small spell, a diagnostic used to determine the state of bones, normally used to determine the condition of a corpse. However, he found it could be used on living bones as well. It seemed the ribs, though severely bruised and cracked, weren¡¯t broken. Yet.

    ¡°Scott!¡± Amber cried, managing to kick and throw her assailant off and rush to his side.

    ¡°Not good.¡± Leo muttered, as twenty more vampires emerged from the escalator, leaping and crawling on the walls, promising death.

    ¡°We¡¯re all gonna die!¡± Will wailed. Gregor stomped over to Scott, Amber interposing herself between them.

    ¡°Move, little girl.¡± he growled.

    ¡°Over my undead body.¡± she spat.

    ¡°Rrrah!¡± He brought his hand down to chop at her-and was surprised when the arm she raised to block wasn¡¯t smashed in half. ¡°Oh ho?¡± You¡¯re stronger than you look, little girl.¡±

    ¡°Stronger than you.¡± Amber hissed through gritted teeth, her arm throbbing in pain. She raised her hands to punch him.

    ¡°I think not.¡± Gregor backhanded her aside, crumpling her to the ground, and stood over Scott menacingly.

    ¡®How is he so strong? Even accounting for the size and experience difference, Amber¡¯s power should be on par with this guys¡¯. Something¡¯s not right.¡¯ his mind raced.

    ¡°You cut me. That was something that you should not have done.¡± Gregor said, raising his arms to smash Scott into the concrete. Scott, gasping desperately for breath, screwed his eyes shut and tried to think quickly. Gregor¡¯s fists came down.

    ¡°No!¡± Amber rose up and grabbed his wrists, the force from the blow making her buckle and cracking the floor under her feet, but she held. ¡°S-Scott! Help! Get up!¡±

    ¡°Right!¡± His eyes snapped open. ¡°This was going to hurt. ¡°Arise! Aaargh!¡± His armor, normally controlled by the movements of his body, was still an amalgamation of reanimated parts, and could still move under their own power, regardless of any passengers. Scott sat in the middle of it, ribs on fire as the armor moved his body like a puppet. ¡°Claws to face!¡± The bones responded, ready to spring at Gregor, still held by Amber.

    ¡°Impudent wench!¡± With a shrill, unearthly howl, Gregor¡¯s mouth elongated and stretched, writhing like a snake, moving to bite down on Amber¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°YAAAHHHHH!¡± she screamed.

    ¡°Jesus Christ!¡± Genevieve said, wide-eyed with terror and disbelief. With a burst of desperate strength, Amber managed to fling him away before his mouth, now every tooth a fang, struck home.

    ¡°Ggggggrrrrsssshhhhhhssss.¡± the creature, formerly Gregor hissed as the transformation commenced. His legs swelled up and grew, gaining an extra knee joint and settling into a low crouch. Thick, black, hooked spikes erupted form his shins and calves. He fell to all fours, or all sixes as he sprouted another pair of ten-fingered arms from his ribs. His back glistened as his torso widened and sickly, dark red scales emerged to cover it. His shoulders grew and nearly enveloped his neck as his nose flattened into his stretching mouth, hooting and jabbing the air like an obscene proboscis. He glared at them with baleful red eyes, still all too unchanged from how they were before.

    ¡°Holy hell.¡± Scott said breathlessly, making the suit take a step back.

    ¡°Uh, guys...¡± Leo whimpered. They looked away to see all the other vampires, including the reinforcements on the walls, transform into similar creatures and surround them. ¡°We¡¯re-¡± he gulped. ¡°-in trouble.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re all gonna dieeeee!¡± Will reiterated.

    ¡°Not necessarily.¡± The words, though spoken calmly and at normal volume, cut through the gibbering chaos like a knife. Instantly, the vampire creatures fell silent and unmoving, an eerie calm descending upon the abandoned mall. As one, they turned to a specific spot in the air and prostrated themselves, laying their faces upon the gringy floor.

    "W-What''s going on? W-What''s happening?" Kevin asked nervously, twitching back and forth.

    "Me." There was a shimmering white light in the air, and from it strode a tall, dark-haired young man in a sharp charcoal-grey suit, smiling confidently and hands in his pockets, standing on nothing. "I am happening."

 Chapter 10: Oh Crap

    "Who''re you?" Leo demanded, raising his sword. Amber tilted her head. He seemed familiar, but she couldn''t place him for the unlife of her.

    "Ahh. Of course, of course. I should have remembered my brilliance hasn''t extended much further than my little club yet." he said, chuckling. I may not be famous as of now, but a couple of you should know me. Yes, Amber? Scott? Any bells?"

    Amber squinted at him, trying to recall his face and failing. Scott meanwhile wore a frown. There was something too familiar about him; the looks he didn''t recognize, but the voice...it was changed, deeper. He quickly did some mental manipulations to the voice and face.  He didn''t like it, but the resemblance was there.

    "B-Brian?" he said, giving the newcomer another once-over.

    "Bingo! Got it in one!" Brian said, giving Scott a finger gun. "The one and only. But don''t feel bad about not knowing me. I''ve gone through some...changes." He smirked.

    "Brian!?" Amber gasped. Memories of Stephanie''s betrayal and murder of her came flooding back, especially that night in the graveyard where Scott''s friend revealed himself to be in league with the Craven Falls killers. But that short, dumpy, chubby kid looked nothing like the handsome and suave young man before them dressed in an immaculate suit. And the levitating, that was new too.

    "What happened to you? We haven''t seen you since that night in the graveyard." Scott ground out, mind racing.

    "Oh, it''s simple. You see, Stephanie was good on her word that I would join the coven. But since there was no time to actually learn any spells, she shoved the knowledge of the entire Libris Malefactorum Arcana into my brain." Scott froze, and his jaw dropped with horror as he realized just what exactly had happened to his former friend, and all the implications thereof. Brian chuckled at his face.

    "Geez, don''t burn your brain out man. Trust me, already went through it. Not very pleasant."

    "How-how are you still alive!?" Scott cried.

    "W-What''s going on?" Kevin whispered to Leo.

    "Not exactly sure myself." Leo answered.

    "It''s simple, really." Brian snapped his fingers. His shadow, laying still on the ground, suddenly started jumping and cavorting around, playing over the floor, tables, vampire creatures, and even them. Amber shivered; when the shadow touched her skin, it was unnaturally cold. Not that it wasn''t unnatural in the first place. The shadow ceased its dancing and reattached itself to Brian''s feet, mirroring his stance. The only difference was it was grinning with a wide mouth full of pearl-white, razor-fanged teeth.

    "What the hell is that!?" Will exclaimed.

    "That, dear boy, is my friend and patron. As my mind was spreading out, encircling the cosmos, my partner here found me and kept my body alive until I returned. Since I owed him one, I heard out his proposal, and well...here I am, poised to be master of the universe. I have the power, you know." he added with a sly grin. Scott stared at the shadow intently.

    "And what about Gregor? What have you done to Gregor, you bastard?" Genevieve said, getting up from the floor. Brian tilted his head.

    "Oh, that? Nothing major. Just a little project I''ve been working on to help my friend out. You see, by utilizing the mystic knowledge I''ve gained, it''s very possible to create these." He swept his arms out, and as one the strange creatures rose and bowed again, praying to him. Brian soaked it all in with a warm smile. Leo took the opportunity to nudge everyone closer together. "These aren''t vampires like you anymore, tired, old, predictable. No, I''ve made them better. Stronger, faster, able to hide in plain sight! And best of all, completely loyal. I could tell them to kill themselves, not that they''d have an easy time of it, and they would happily obey. Watch. Hey you!" He pointed to a random creature. "Punch yourself in the face!"

    "Sssrrreeeee!" it crooned joyously, and slammed its fist into its face, to the peals of Brian''s laughter. "Thank you, master!"

    "See? I love these guys." Brian said, wiping a tear from is eye. "But I hate that look in your eyes. Sleep." he commanded, and Genevieve fell to the floor, unconscious.

    "''Kay..." Amber said, trying not to sound as creeped out as she felt from that little display. "So, what do you want from us?"

    "That is the question, isn''t it?" Brian said, considering. "To be honest, I''ve been so busy building up my little club, I hadn''t gotten around to deciding that yet. At first, I thought I''d have you skinned alive and covered in salt and lighter fluid-" His face contorted into a terrible rictus. "-but upon further reflection, I think it would be a waste. Why kill you, when I could have you work for me instead? All it''ll take is one bite from my lovelies here, and you''ll be in the club too. C''mon, old pal, whadda ya say?"

    "I say..." Scott glanced furtively around. The vampire creatures were divesting themselves from worship and starting to plod around them. However, there was one path. Next to the handicapped elevator, there were only two or three enemies. He met Leo''s gaze, flicked his eyes that way, and Leo nodded. "...that while I appreciate the offer, I''m already contracted. You dick." He flipped Brian off.

    "Very well! It''s not like you actually have a choice anyway. Get them." Brian said, snickering.

    "Go!" The group rushed towards the elevator. The creatures reared up to attack, and Leo jumped forward.

    "Snick! Slash!

    Leo''s sword blazed as it finally met flesh, decapitating one and impaling the other, pinning it to the ground with peals of agony, its carapace bubbling where the fiery metal stabbed down. He glared at the remaining one, who flinched and backed away.

    "Hurry!" he called, pulling it out of the now-deceased creature and moving to act as rearguard. Will hurriedly pressed the button, while Amber and Kevin guarded the flanks. The creatures circled and hissed, searching for an opening, wary of the bright flame of the blade. All the while, Brian grinned oh-so-smugly. Did they really think he didn''t know his own lair?

    There was a ding, and the door was ripped open as two more creatures burst out. Will screamed as one landed on him, drooling a frothy lime substance. He stared at the mouth as it waved back and forth hypnotically in anticipation, then struck.

    "Urrg!" Scott shoved his arm forward, the bone absorbing the blow. "Gotta-"

    "Rrrreeeeee!" With a jerk and a twist, the mouth ripped the bone plating from his arm, and grasped it along with his other wrist. It stared at him with eyes filled with burning hatred, opening its mouth to bite off his face. Scott grinned.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    "Bite!" The dog skulls that made up his shoulder pauldrons slid down his arms, jaws wide, and bit into the creature''s flesh. It screeched and flung him away, Amber jumping to catch him. "Nice to see you again."

    "Save it, how do we get out?" she said nervously. Scott gulped.

    "I-I don''t think we-"

    CRASH!

    Glass rained down and littered the floor as the skylight shattered. Leather as old as the clouds stretched and wrapped around a pipe as Mielios swung down, kicking Brian from behind and landing in front of Leo, whip at the ready.

    "What did I tell you about trying to hunt vampires without backup, boy!" he snarled, then turned his attention to the creatures before him.

    "That you should kill them all and burn the remains?" Leo quipped, feeling greatly relieved now that the older chosen was here. Mielios paused.

    "That is a correct statement. Put it to use!" His whip flickered, unable to be seen as it lashed out again and again, rapid fire drawing blood and stunning the creatures, Leo slicing at the ones closest for as many kills as possible.

    "What the hell!? What just happened!?" Brian bellowed, standing up. "Get them you fools, get them!"

    "You''re talking like a clich¨¦!" Scott called as they piled into the elevator.

    "I''ve never seen this type of vampires before. Are they a new species?" Mielios said, flourishing his whip.

    "Hurry up, guys!" Amber said, mashing the close button. She was tapped on the shoulder, and Kevin pointed to the wrecked doors. She slapped her forehead and together they bent the doors back into a shape resembling whole.

    "Yeah, this is not happening." Brian muttered, then shook his hands out. He began waving them wildly, and the abandoned tables and chairs started flinging themselves at Mielios and Leo.

    ''What the hell, he doesn''t need incantations to cast spells!? It doesn''t make sense, even if he has the entire Arcana in his brain. But that''s cheating! How is he doing it? It has to be...'' Scott though upon observing him.

    "Grab them. Don''t let them go, no matter what happens to yourselves." Brian said coldly, and the creatures redoubled their efforts, throwing themselves at their prey with reckless abandon, ignoring any wound the duo managed to inflict upon the frenzied horde. Seeing this, Mielios made his decision.

    "Leo!¡±

    "Huh?" With a mighty push, Mielios sent Leo flying back into the open doors of the elevator, caught by his friends.

    "That didn''t feel good." Scott hissed, feeling his ribs. Leo paid him no heed as he stared at the alien in shock, openmouthed. Mielios smiled sadly.

    "It is a fate of those who the lord Zet-Mathaig chooses. We never die in our sleep." He dodged several jabbing mouths, then screeched at them, an inhuman sound that cracked the glass. His hands fell off, clattering to the ground, replaced with two lobster-like claws on each arm. He flung his coat and glasses off to unfold himself; a four-legged insectoid creature, his mandibles tearing through the prosthetic mask he wore. He cracked his whip, buzzing angrily.

    "Come, you sons of mothers that are bitches!" His whip and claws struck again and again, but there were too many, dogpiling onto him and sinking their fangs through his exoskeleton.

    "No." Leo said dumbly, reaching out while Amber closed the doors. There was a dull ringing in his ears as Kevin held him back, unaware he had moved. "No-I can save him...I...I have to save...everyone..."

    "Save yourself first!" Scott snapped, holding his side. "That''s what that guy wanted, that''s what we gotta do. Otherwise, it''ll have been for nothing." His jaw set. Damnit, he was the final arbiter of who lived and who died!

    "Okay, just what the hell was that guy!?" Will said hysterically, nearly laughing and crying at the same time. This was too much. "He burst through the ceiling and turned into a weird praying mantis-man!"

    "He was my combat teacher." Leo said, wiping his eyes, tying to rub the burning away. They weren¡¯t out of the woods yet; they were still being pursued in enemy territory. It would do no good to lose his head now. He tightened his grip on his sword resolutely.

    The elevator stopped, and the doors opened with a ding, revealing a smirking Brian.

    "Hi."

    "Aaaaaaahhhhhh!" Everyone screamed and Amber''s fist lashed out, smashing his face and rocketing him into the wall.

    "Ow! Dat was rude." he said, holding his face. He rubbed up and down, and the damage vanished.

    "That¡¯s not fair!" Scott cried as they piled out, ready to run. Brian grinned.

    "I know. How''s it feel, Scott? How''s it feel to finally have the shoe on the other foot? For years you''ve looked down on me. Now, I have the power. Now it''s my turn to look down on you." He started levitating, smiling darkly. "My magic is infinitely stronger than yours."

    "Yeah right. Why don¡¯t you come down here and we''ll prove it!" Scott challenged. If he could get close to him, it wouldn''t matter what defensed Brian had. Brian grinned wider.

    "Oh, Scott. Even after learning all you have, you still know so very little. There''s no point to a fight between us. For one, I''m far too powerful. It''d be like unloading a shotgun at an infant strapped to a car seat. For another, I''m afraid going mano-a-mano is no longer possible. The friend I met''s always with me, hiding in my shadow." Said shadow was grinning its fearsome white smile and doubled over laughing at them, pointing. "My associate Riepaimva has shown me so much, and loves to aid me whenever I get the mojo flowing." Scott''s heart stopped. Nothing else mattered right now.

    "W-What? W-W-What did you say?" Scott squeaked, trembling in his armor, voice shaking. Amber glanced at him worriedly; he was paler than Kevin.

    "Oh, didn''t you know? Something the great Scott doesn''t know? But how can that be? He''s so smart and well-read!" Brian smirked. "The being that found me, that became my patron. A little certain someone called Riepaimva, that-"

    There was no show of fear. There was no attempt at intimidation, there wasn''t any thought of a counterattack. Scott just silently turned and ran, as fast as his bone armor could take him. His chest was on fire, but the only thing that mattered was away.

    "H-Hey, wait up! Where are you going?" Will called after him, confused. Brian laughed as Scott fled in mortal terror, the rest of the group following.

    "You can''t get away that easily!" Brian taunted, flying after them with sparks glistening between his fingers. Amber grabbed Leo ad Kevin picked up Will as they made a break for it, the ghoul snatching up Scott as she passed him.

    "Hurry! Faster! Faster!" the necromancer urged, resolutely not looking back in fear.

    "The hell?" Amber said as they ran, wanting an explanation.

    "Hurry! Faster, please hurry! If he catches up, slit your own throats!" Scott cried desperately. Amber, though only having known him a short while, had grown very close to him and had seen his highest highs and lowest lows during the Craven Falls Killer incident. But she had never heard him plead as desperately and fearfully as he had just now.

    "Ha ha! Yes, run little ants! See if you can get away! Uh-oh!" Brian waved his arm and the doors slammed shut, the glass reforming out of nothing.

    "Keep going!" Scott yelled, then snapped his fingers. "Armor off!" The bone pieces burst off in a flash of emerald light, clattering to the floor as Amber and Kevin smashed through the glass. They cried out as their skin was shredded, but they were all alive. "Zentima, zentima, akhouls! Self-destruct!" Scott shouted, activating the contingency spell. Brian, floating over them, glanced down as the skeletal pieces glowed brighter and brighter, exploding into sharp bone fragments flying everywhere. He pulled back to create a shield for himself, and by the time the dust had settled, Scott''s little crew had disappeared.

    "Damn it!" he howled at the night, shaking in rage. Damn it, damn it, damn!" He dissolved into a string of barely-intelligible curses, the glass pieces shattering and the walls melting and warping into twisted new dimensions.

    "Calm yourself, Brian." his shadow said, the gnashing teeth not synching up with the words spoken, like a bad dub of a Godzilla movie. "Let them run while they can. They will merely die tired. We have everything we need yet. Once we repair the soldiers and create a few more elite units, our takeover can begin in earnest."

    "Rrr. You''re right." Brian huffed, stepping between dimensions to arrive back in the food court. "Cease." he told the frenzied rabble of vampires, and they all froze and backed away. "Bring him forward." Two vampires, resuming human form, dragged the mantis-like alien to their master. Mielios was beaten, bruised, bleeding, and unconscious. His breaths came in shallow gasps. Brian looked him over with an approving eye.

    "Hmm. A Cimterian, how unusual. What do you think, Riepaimva? He has been bitten, several times." His eyes briefly shone white. "I can see the fluid circulating through his body. It is only a matter of time before he joins us, whether he dies or not." His shadow reared up and licked its teeth.

    "I see much potential in this one." he said, ion a voice much like a snake''s slither. "He is a chosen of that accursed god. Now at last I have the perfect way to get back at him. We could leave him as-is and let him turn, yes. Or we could take advantage of his years of training and combat, not to mention his unique biological advantages. I dare say this opportunity will not come again on this planet. I say..."

    "I read you loud and clear." Brian said, his own face mirroring Riepaimva''s grin, too wide for his actual head. He turned to the vampires. "Take him to the basement.¡±

 Chapter 11: Sunk

    ¡°Okay. Okay. Okay. E-Everything¡¯s okay now.¡± Scott said, slamming the window shut. They had fled, faster than Will¡¯s abandoned car could take them, back to his house. The vampire and ghoul could easily scale the wall, and Scott had marked the windowsill with a hastily-scribbled sigil. Everyone collapsed onto the bed and floor, exhausted.

    ¡°That¡­could have gone better.¡± Will mumbled.

    ¡°Gee, you think?¡± Amber said, then turned to Scott. ¡°Okay now then. Scott, what the hell? I¡¯ve never seen you just cut and run like that. What¡¯s going-hey, what¡¯s up?¡± She had started out angry and frustrated, but now in the light where he was plainly visible, everyone could see something was wrong. Scott was pale, sweating, and shaking; he was shivering and trembling too much, rubbing his arms together. He sat on the bed and crawled under a blanket, looking like nothing more than a scared little child. He took several deep, calming breaths.

    ¡°O-Okay. I-It¡¯s fine now. He¡¯s gone, everything¡¯s fine for now.¡± he reassured himself, then addressed the room. ¡°S-So. Uh. We¡¯re in trouble. As you might have gathered. Like, big trouble.¡±

    ¡°Indeed, that Brian and his creations are a threat.¡± Leo said, sitting back against the wall, absently holding his sword to his shoulder. ¡°They-they got Mielios. That hurts. He was a good man, or bug, or bugman.¡± At that, Scott gave a hysterical little cackle.

    ¡°Haha! No, no, that¡¯s not what I mean at all. Losing Mielios? No problem. Mutated vampire horde? Yawnathon. My psychotic, traitorous, evil ex-best friend granted incredible cosmic power beyond the ken of man? I could take all of that and double it and still would be getting off far too lightly. I-It was the¡­being in Brian¡¯s shadow. Do you know w-what it was?¡±

    ¡°You mean Rie-¡± Will started, but Scott tackled him immediately, smothering his mouth with his blanket.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say that name! Don¡¯t say that name! Never say that name, not unless you want doom to befall you!¡± He climbed back onto the bed, the blanket still around his shoulders but providing no comfort. ¡°H-He can hear when his name is used. Never say it, ever. It can summon him.¡±

    ¡°In the Necronomicon, there are methods of raising the dead, but there¡¯s more.¡± he said, pulling the book out and flipping through it. ¡°There are also records of daemons, and how to summon them. But honestly they¡¯re what could be considered a subset. The worst ones a-are, what we would consider¡­gods.¡± He swallowed, shaking hands moving pages. ¡°When I say gods, I don¡¯t mean an almighty bearded Jehovah or any of the gods from the various mythologies around the world. They¡¯re just stories. I¡¯m talking about the true ones, vaster and more ancient than time itself. They are numerous and unknowable. Some beasts bigger than galaxies, swimming through an ocean of void between the stars. Some existing outside of time and space altogether, where form is a foreign concept. Some are mindless masses of pulsating flesh, while some can even look like you. There is a practically infinite amount of them, each stranger than the last. Most of them live in different dimensions, like the daemons do, or on the far side of the universe, or places just as weird as they are. There are many, and most of them don¡¯t really notice a little blue rock in the corner of the Milky Way. And that¡¯s how humanity has survived to this day: they don¡¯t notice us.¡±

    ¡°Oh sure, some human may occasionally do something to draw the eye of the smaller ones, but on the whole we¡¯re beneath notice. That¡¯s the way I¡¯d like it to stay. Few of them are benign, like Zet-Mathaig.¡± Scott said, nodding to Leo.

    ¡°And¡­the universe is filled with ¡®em?¡± Will asked in a small voice. This was¡­he didn¡¯t even know what this was. The necromancer nodded. ¡°Th-Then how have we not been noticed by these guys by now?¡±

    ¡°Think of it this way. When two dust particles collide in your attic, do you go investigate?¡± Everyone in the room looked uncomfortable, digesting this new perspective on reality. Scott shook his head. ¡°And unfortunately, we haven¡¯t always flown underneath the radar. I don¡¯t know when, I don¡¯t know how, but somewhere along the line the one who¡¯s name starts with an ¡®R¡¯ found out about Earth, and humans. That w-was¡­bad.¡± He sunk lower in his bed. ¡°The Necronomicon has a record of what happened. Upside of him discovering us, he doesn¡¯t possess the power to wipe us out instantly. Downside, that prolongs our suffering.¡±

    ¡°H-how bad could it be?¡± Amber asked, throat dry. Scott shivered again.

    ¡°Remember how Atlantis used to be an island and now it isn¡¯t?¡±

    ¡°Atlantis?¡± Both Amber and Will asked.

    ¡°An ancient civilization on a mysterious continent in the sea,¡± Kevin piped up. ¡°Along with Mu and Lemuria, it¡¯s a legendary country that was supposedly hyper-advanced, but collapsed eons before our current time. No records of such places have ever been found beyond hearsay, but if you¡¯re saying it I guess it must be true.¡±

    ¡°Smart man.¡± Scott said, trying to grin but it ended up a grimace instead. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly how, it only says ¡®with his divine beasts, he laid waste to the land, sinking the legend of Atlantis forever beneath the waves.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Wait-with his divine beasts?¡± Leo asked, putting the puzzle together. ¡°I don¡¯t know how divine they are, but those creatures in the mall were very beastly. That means-¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s planning to do it again, only here.¡± Scott finished, rocking back and forth. ¡°Not good, not good.¡±

    ¡°Why? Why¡¯s he doing this?¡± Amber said, feeling very small right now. She didn¡¯t think a ghoul¡¯s super strength would be of much help right now.

    ¡°No one knows. There¡¯s no rhyme or reason to any of these primordial gods. Even if there is, their ways are too strange and alien to make sense of. Egypt used to be the superpower civilization on Earth, but now it¡¯s not. The ¡®R¡¯ guy was there.¡±

    ¡°This is getting ridiculous!¡± Will suddenly burst out, annoyed and angry. ¡°We can¡¯t keep calling him the ¡®R¡¯ guy, this¡¯s way too serious for such a stupid-sounding name.¡±

    ¡°Well, he¡¯s been referred to by many pseudonyms over the centuries.¡± Scott said. ¡°He¡¯s also known as the Calumnious Rumination, the Serpent, the Last Temptation or the Tempter, the Abhorrent Reptile, the Man of Many Faces, and the Poisonous Thoughts, just to name a few. A-And he knows about us. T-The Calamitous Ruination knows about us, specifically. He¡¯s seen us. We managed to get away, but he knows about us. H-He¡¯s gonna hunt us down and extract our souls, and he¡¯s gonna do horrible, monstrous things to them, and he¡¯s gonna laugh, and it¡¯s gonna be a nightmare, and it¡¯s not gonna end, it¡¯s not gonna end, it¡¯s not gonna end, never, never end, ever end, never end, never end, n-never-¡± His eyes were wide, and he couldn¡¯t stop rocking back and forth. The previous calm that came from trying to explain had led him back to the fact that Riepaimva had seen them. There would be no rest, no escape. They were all doomed. Amber, watching him tremble, finally had it. She walked up to him.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°ENOUGH!¡± She gently slapped his face with a finger, back and forth. His head rocketed from one side to the other. She grabbed the sides of his face, cheeks red, and forced him to stare up at her, straight in the eye. ¡°Look at me. We are going to get through this. I don¡¯t know how. But we will. We¡¯ll figure something out. You will figure something out. You are better than this. You saved me from death. You stopped the daemons. You can do this. I know you can. I believe in you. You are the toughest¡­no. You are the smartest, the biggest, the baddest necromancer ever. Right?¡±

    ¡°R-Right.¡± Scott said, calming down. He stared at her, then looked away. He couldn¡¯t believe himself. It was just like the time he¡¯d ran away before. He stole another glance at he still nervous, but now smiling girl he¡¯d once abandoned.

    ¡®Never again.¡¯ he thought. ¡®I will never run again.¡¯

    ¡°At least you¡¯re feeling better. But this is just fantastic.¡± Leo said, rubbing his head. ¡°Sounds like Satan on steroids, and he has a burning hatred of humanity. I¡¯ll admit, this doesn¡¯t look good. But there¡¯s another thing that¡¯s bugging me: why involve the vampires? They didn¡¯t seem to be local, and if he is as powerful as you say, he shouldn¡¯t need any vampires for help.¡±

    Kevin glanced around the room, then cleared his throat.

    ¡°Uh, guys? Maybe she can answer that.¡± he said. He pointed to the bed. All eyes were drawn to it, and Scott jumped when he realized he was sharing his bed with an unconscious Genevieve, half-hidden beneath the pillows and blankets.

    ¡°Ahh! Holy crap! Kevin, what the hell man!?¡± Will cried, trying to keep his voice down. Kevin shrugged helplessly.

    ¡°W-Well, she got beat up, and that¡¯s no good, p-plus she seemed to know those guys, and I needed to find the one who bit me anyway, and¡­¡± He gazed down at her, the bruise on her face fading but still vivid. He nodded. ¡°I couldn¡¯t leave her there. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on, but Nightfang can not allow such violence. Especially against a woman who wasn¡¯t even fighting back.¡±

    ¡°Ugh.¡± Will buried his face in his hands, wishing it would all go away. Kevin was crazy. There was no other way to parse it.

    ¡°No, actually this¡¯s really good. She can answer some of our questions.¡± Leo said, standing up. His blade was still at the ready. ¡°Can you wake her up?¡± he asked Scott.

    ¡°Yeah, hold on.¡± He placed his hand on her shoulder. ¡°Everybody get ready if she¡¯s¡­less than cooperative.¡± Everyone tensed up. ¡°Sekh.¡±

    ¡°Waah!¡± Genevieve gasped, startled awake with a rush of energy. ¡°Huh? Gregor-what?¡± She blinked and fearfully looked at the teens surrounding her, the largest one holding a sword. ¡°H-Huh? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Good evening. Genevieve, I presume?¡± Leo said easily, congenially. The woman nodded slowly, one eye never straying from the silver blade. ¡°Good. I¡¯m sorry about all this, but it appears as if we¡¯re in a tight spot right now, and we¡¯d really appreciate your help. I understand it¡¯s been a trying night, but do you think you could tell us about those vampires you were with earlier?¡± Panic flashed across her face before she tried to school her features into a neutral expression. Charitable parties would say she succeeded.

    ¡°Vampires? Pshaw, what vampires? Everyone knows there¡¯s no such thing as vampires. Yeah right.¡± she said unconvincingly with a dismissive wave of her hand, desperate to try and get control of the conversation. The group was nonplussed.

    ¡°Miss, please. We know you¡¯re a vampire.¡± Leo deadpanned. Genevieve plastered a fake smile on her face and her eye started twitching.

    ¡°M-Me? A vampire? How ridiculous! A-Anyway, where are we? What are you kids doing here, what¡¯s going on? I¡¯ll scream if you don¡¯t fess up!¡± she tried to threaten nervously.

    ¡°Yeah right, no such thing as vampires. That¡¯s a total load of crap, and I know it!¡± Kevin barked, pulling off his mask. ¡°Remember me?¡± Her eyes went wide.

    ¡°Oh God.¡± She hung her head, unable to look at anyone. ¡°It¡¯s you.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me. Why the hell did you bite me and turn me into a vampire!?¡± Kevin demanded.

    ¡°Uuuh. I am so sorry about this. I never meant to, honest.¡± Genevieve shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve found it¡¯s the easiest way for me to get a meal. I find a guy, usually late high-school or college, I flash some leg or cleavage, then it¡¯s easy to take him to a dark, secluded place. I get fed and they usually wake up with a headache thinking they got lucky. I never turn anyone! That¡¯s the last thing I wanna do! But it¡¯s all your fault!¡± she wailed, pointing a finger at him.

    ¡°My fault? How is it my fault!?¡± he sputtered.

    ¡°You! Your blood alcohol level! It was waaaay higher than it should¡¯ve been, you looked like you had two, not twelve! When I bit you I had an empty stomach, it got me as drunk as you! The next day I figured I bit my lip after I went to sleep, I didn¡¯t mean to mix our blood!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s how vampires make others of their kind.¡± Scott elucidated helpfully. She gave him a dirty look.

    ¡°Well, you did. Now.¡± Kevin drew himself up, trying to be as intimidating as he could. The glowing red eyes were a nice touch, but it looked like she was being menaced by a stick insect. ¡°Tell me how we can reverse it.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Tell me how we can change me back.¡± he said, his voice dropping an octave. Genevieve¡¯s eyes shot nervously from side to side.

    ¡°W-Well, I, ah¡­uh¡­¡±

    ¡°Tell me!¡± he growled, slamming his fist into a bookcase.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! There isn¡¯t!¡± she said, tears in the corners of her eyes, flailing her hands wildly. ¡°That¡¯s why vampires never turn people without good reason! It¡¯s permanent! I-I¡¯m sorry, but there isn¡¯t a way to go back to being human. If there is, I don¡¯t know it.¡± she said, downcast.

    Kevin felt like he¡¯d taken a sledgehammer to his chest. He grit his teeth against the ache, eyes pricking and hot. Sure, the powers were fun, but he did hope to go back to normal. It felt like he was on vacation, only to find he¡¯d accidentally moved. His head fell and he sagged against the bookcase.

    ¡°Hey, you okay, man?¡± Will asked worriedly.

    ¡°Y-Yeah.¡± No. No he wasn¡¯t. ¡°J-Just¡­just a lot to t-take in, that¡¯s all.¡± he said. He felt a pressure in his chest, and didn¡¯t know whether it would come out as laughter or tears. He shuffled to a corner, trying to get a grip, breathing deeply.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± Leo said diplomatically, putting a comforting hand on his shoulder and giving him a sympathetic look. Amber gave him a hug. Kevin nodded, and waved her away.

    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­be okay. I will. Just¡­I¡¯ll be okay.¡± he promised. Leo nodded, satisfied.

    ¡°But what about the other vampires? The ones who you were talking to before they¡­transformed.¡± he said.

    ¡°Gregor, Ilya, Galina, the others are-or were, my friends. We, uh¡­c-can you keep a secret?¡±

    ¡°I think the fact that you¡¯re not in a government lab right now should prove it.¡± Amber deadpanned. Genevieve¡¯s pale cheeks tinged pink.

    ¡°Ahh, right. Well, I¡¯m not saying anything specific, but we¡¯re part of a clan of vampires in Eastern Europe. About two weeks ago, nearly half the clan suddenly left, just up and vanished. The head of our clan was furious, he nearly destroyed the castle in his rage.¡± she explained, trembling at the memory. ¡°He took a small task force abroad to try and track them down. I finagled my way onto the expedition, and, here I am. The clan, they¡¯re¡­my family. I-I don¡¯t have anyone else. So when they left, even though I¡¯m the youngest vampire there¡­¡±

    ¡°You had to see if there was anything you could do.¡± Leo finished, and she nodded. ¡°I understand. By the by, you have a very good American accent.¡±

    ¡°Dat is because she ist from Amerika.¡± a deep voice came from the window, making everyone jump. Deep red eyes, darker silver hair, and a lined, patrician face was upside-down outside of the glass.

    ¡°M-M-Master Harvaste!¡± Genevieve squeaked. He gave her a stern glare.

 Chapter 12: Cross Planning

    ¡°Chust so. I am her marster. I intent no harm to you. Vill you let me in so I may reclaim mine lost, stupid, vayvart pupil?¡± Scott and Leo¡¯s eyes met, and Leo¡¯s grip on his sword tightened. ¡°I tink it best if ve compare notes. She hast found mine clan, und I vish to hear da full story.¡± Leo nodded.

    ¡°Alright, hold on.¡± Scott opened the window and erased the chalk sigil with his sleeve. ¡°Okay. You can come in.¡± The vampire crawled into the room, his broad shoulders barely fitting through. He was dressed in an expensive black suit and a long overcoat. He unfolded himself to tower over them, nearly seven feet tall.

    ¡°Salutations. I am Lord Augustus Borya Nicholai Harvaste, marster of Medv¨§d Castle and Head of Clan Harvaste.¡±

    ¡°Uh, hi. I¡¯m Scott Havenbrook, master necromancer and lord of¡­this room.¡± Scott said, on the backfoot. Harvaste sniffed disdainfully, and Genevieve tried to shrink behind Kevin. He looked the new vampire up and down.

    ¡°Dis ist who you haf changed, Genevieve?¡± he asked, raising an eyebrow. She jumped.

    ¡°y-Yes, Lord Harvaste.¡± she said, trembling. ¡°A-Although I didn¡¯t really mean to.¡±

    ¡°Humph. So I haf overhert. Very vell.¡± he dismissed with a swish of his long coat. ¡°Ve shalt attent to dis matter later. Vhat haf you discovert of our clan?¡± She sat straight up on the bed.

    ¡°Yessir. I managed to spot Gregor on patrol over the town, and followed him to an old, abandoned mall on the outskirts of town. I-I know I should have reported back right away, but I had to know what had happened to Gregor. It-It wasn¡¯t good. He and the others have been¡­transformed, into these horrible, frightening monsters that have strength beyond ours. And they¡¯re now hideously loyal to some kid, Brian I think it was. He was floating around and he had a bone to pick with¡­Scott?¡± she said hesitantly, squinting at him.

    ¡°Yeah. I introduced myself.¡± he growled, annoyed, and turned to the vampire lord. ¡°I know him, he used to be a friend of mine. At least until he fell in with the wrong crowd and got an entire book of magic shoved into his head. Now he wants revenge, or something. I never really did anything to him, but he¡¯s not exactly stable right now.¡±

    ¡°I see.¡± Harvaste said, mulling things over. He looked at the group, out of the window, then stared off into space. ¡°I tink, perhaps it ist best to lie low vor a bit. Tonight hast been eventvul. I vill search da mall on mine own lator. Vor now, you all shoult rest.¡±

    ¡°Hey now, we-¡± Scott started, but was cut off with an outstretched arm and a red glare.

    ¡°You vill do as I say. Ordinarily, none ov you vould be rememberink anyting, tanks to mine powers und bite.¡± He bared his teeth. ¡°However, da situashun has become woaltile. I vill allow nosink to be done to inflame tinks vurther, not until I haff a clear picture of vhat ist goink on und da best move to counter it. Unterstand?¡± He seemed to fill the room with his presence, looking at Scott but each of them felt like his full attention was on them, like a snake before a mouse.

    ¡°Perfectly.¡± Scott said in an icily-clipped voice, looking away. Amber winced; she¡¯d never known him to just back down like that. Then again, she¡¯d never known him to just flee in abject terror before, either.

    ¡°Gut.¡± Harvaste strode to the window, then paused and turned to Kevin. He flinched. ¡°Boy. Dough you vere not intented, you haff been sired by a member of mine clan, und dus mines responsibility. Ve haff tings to do vor now, but ve shalt be discussink your vuture bevore we leaf. I vould like you to know you vill alvays have a place vis us. Come, Genevieve. Da night avaits, und ve haff much to do.¡±

    ¡°Right, so¡­thanks for everything,¡± she said awkwardly, trying to cover up her rattled nerves with cheer. ¡°It¡¯s been great, gotta go.¡±

    ¡°Inteed. Ve shalt be in touch. In da meantime, take no action.¡± With that, they leapt out if the window, shapes blurring and molding into enormous bats silhouetted against the moon. Scott slammed his window shut.

    ¡°Good riddance.¡± he muttered, and turned to the group. ¡°So, how we gonna take on Brian, the vampires, and an Elder God?¡± The all stared at him incredulously.

    ¡°Did-didn¡¯t he just say not to do anything? And didn¡¯t you say this serpent guy was way beyond anything we could touch?¡± Amber said, rubbing her forehead. He turned to her, a manic gleam in his eye.

    ¡°My dear Amber, if there¡¯s anything you should have learned by now, it¡¯s that I hate being told what to do! There are no limits except for what you decide, especially when it comes to necromancy! It is the greatest magical art there is, and I will prove it once again!¡±

    ¡°So how do you beat a god with necromancy?¡± Leo wondered. Scott winced.

    ¡°Yeah¡­there¡¯s a way, I¡¯m sure of it, but¡­it¡¯s¡­probably gonna take some doing.¡± he admitted, downcast. ¡°Hmm. Usually the Poisonous Thoughts can¡¯t affect things on a large-scale basis, so running¡¯s the best option. Super vampires to convert everyone they come across, I was gonna hit the road, but if it¡¯s a fight, hmm¡­¡± He began pacing, muttering to himself. Leo shook his head.

    ¡°Anyway, it¡¯s been a long night. A long night.¡± He closed his eyes, unable to get Mielios¡¯s last moment out of his head. ¡°We should get some downtime after everything that¡¯s happened. Tomorrow we can all meet up at school and come up with some ideas. I would like to wait for Harvaste, but I also don¡¯t like just sitting around.¡±

    ¡°Right? Right!?¡± Scott said, emerging from his manic mumbling. Amber sighed and hefted Leo up.

    ¡°Hey-!¡±

    ¡°Okay, everyone meet up tomorrow. Get to bed as soon as you can.¡± She was about to descend from the window, when she uneasily turned to Scott and tugged his sleeve to get his attention. ¡°Everyone, okay Scott?¡± He looked confused, then gave her a warm smile.

    ¡°Yeah. I gotcha. This one¡¯s worse than before, but¡­¡± He remembered the woods, how dead he¡¯d felt inside. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I learned my lesson. This time, I won¡¯t run away.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± She smiled in relief, and jumped out the window. ¡°See you tomorrow!¡±

    ¡°Ow!¡± Leo said as they landed.

    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s wrong?¡± Amber asked.

    ¡°Nothing, my keys just stabbed my leg.¡± They were off into the night.

    ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow then, I guess.¡± Kevin said absently, letting Will climb aboard.

    ¡°H-Hey man, it¡¯ll be alright.¡± Will tried to reassure, but sounded more uncertain than anyone else. Kevin silently nodded and headed to the window.

    ¡°It¡¯s not all bad, you know.¡± Scott said when his foot touched the windowsill. Kevin paused.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°Your condition. Trust me, I know a lot about undead. You could have it so very much worse. But you¡¯re still here, you¡¯re possessed of all your facilities, and you got kickass powers to boot. Yeah, you can¡¯t live a normal life anymore, but normal¡¯s overrated. You shouldn¡¯t be feeling sorry for yourself anyway. The battle for truth and justice is never-ending. I think it would help you to remember. ¡®In brightest day, in blackest night¡­¡¯¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    ¡°¡¯No evil shall escape my sight.¡¯¡± Kevin recited without thinking, and the necromancer nodded.

    ¡°¡¯Let those who worship evil¡¯s might¡­¡¯¡±

    ¡°¡¯Beware my power, Green¡¯¡­no, Nightfang¡¯s might!¡± Kevin finished, a small smile on his face. Scott grinned.

    ¡°Rayner forever.¡±

    ¡°No, John Stewart.¡± Kevin replied, frowning.

    ¡°Hey, I think I know that guy. Isn¡¯t the Green Lantern Hal Jordan?¡± Will said. Both of them stared at him, then sighed. ¡°What? What?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll see you later.¡± Kevin and Will left. Scott resumed pacing.

    ¡°No, that won¡¯t work. If only I had a Lantern ring. Ring? Ring¡­ring¡­ring!¡± That was it! He was a genius! He frantically poured through the Necronomicon, refreshing his memory of the spell. There it was! Writ in blood, he tapped his finger on the diagram illustrating the magical arrays needed. ¡°That¡¯ll work¡­that¡¯ll definitely work, at least for a little while¡­¡± he mumbled, going over the half-formed plan in his head. He started pacing again.

    ¡°I mean, it won¡¯t be permanent¡­still need to stop Brian¡­rrgh, how we gonna do that¡­¡± Scott tilted his head, weighing his options. ¡°Then again, all we really have to do is kill the army¡­maybe¡­¡± His gaze fell upon his latest notes, detailing the project the dogs had been necessary for. ¡°Oh!¡± He snapped his fingers as a wonderful, wicked idea blossomed in his head. ¡°Yes, that might work, that might work! After all, the mind and body are connected! Ha ha! I¡¯m a genius! Now¡­¡± The necromancer retrieved his notes, brain spinning with wild ideas of how to put his plan into motion, absently sketching designs of the sigils needed to repurpose for his needs, eyes starting to glow a toxic emerald green. ¡°Hmmm...yup, gonna have to give her a call, no two ways about it.¡± He pulled out his phone, then paused. ¡°But then where do I get the fish tanks?¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The phone on her desk rang. There was a sigh, and a report was irritably tossed aside. She picked up her cell and held it to her ear.

    ¡°What is it?¡± Detective Cross growled, tapping a pen on her desk.

    ¡°Oh good, you are up. How many empty fish tanks can you get your hands on?¡± For a moment she froze, then groaned and put her head in her hand, slumping on her desk.

    ¡°Oh not you again.¡±

    ¡°Come now, detective. I would have thought you would have loved to hear from your favorite necromancer once more.¡± Scott said cheekily.

    ¡°You¡¯re lucky you¡¯re not here in person.¡± Cross said sternly, grabbing a doughnut form the box on her desk. ¡°What do you want?¡±

    ¡°I need a police barricade around the entirety of Craven Falls in, hmm, two days max, and as many fish tanks and bananas you can obtain in that time frame.¡± She sighed and rubbed her forehead. It was not a sensation she was unfamiliar with.

    ¡°Spit it out. What¡¯s going on? I told you never to call me unless something like Halloween happened again.¡±

    ¡°And thus I appear. Tell me detective, have there been any upswings in missing persons cases in Nahaumville? Homeless disappearing, blood vanishing from hospitals, bodies found with puncture marks in the neck?¡± Scott asked.

    ¡°How do you know about that?¡± Cross said suspiciously, turning her chair around. The other cops didn¡¯t need to hear this conversation, not if it was going the way she thought it would. ¡°Half the goddamn force thinks it¡¯s a case of goddamn vampire wannabes. Please, please tell me it¡¯s crazy people.¡± she said, desperately hoping.

    ¡°Would I be calling if it was?¡±

    ¡°Damn it. So, I¡¯m presuming actual vampires?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Ehh, kinda. If you count magically-enhanced, multi-limbed, deformed super mutant vampires to be real vampires.¡±

    There was a moment as Cross processed that.

    ¡°What.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, turns out Brian-you remember Brian? Friend of mine ¡®til he joined the coven? Abducted some vampires form Europe and transformed them into monstrous slaves to continue Stephanie¡¯s work. Now he wants to convert the town, and presumably the world into them.¡±

    ¡°What-¡±

    ¡°And also bound his soul to an abominable god, unknown to benevolence, time, or reason.¡±

    Cross was silent for a moment, then let out a sigh and hung her head in her hand.

    ¡°By god I¡¯m assuming you mean an actual, fire-and-brimstone, my will be done god.¡± she said, the headache building already.

    ¡°Mmm, kinda, more like a supremely powerful interdimensional existence who understands so much more about how the universe actually works it¡¯s like comparing a human¡¯s wisdom to an ant¡¯s. Spoiler: we¡¯re the ants. Also, he has a total hateboner for human life, and seeks to wipe us all out.¡± Scott explained.

    ¡°So how do we kill it?¡± Cross growled.

    ¡°Dunno. No one¡¯s ever managed it. But I¡¯m working on something that should buy us some time, perhaps maybe even give us a chance of survival.¡±

    ¡°Hence the fish tanks and bananas.¡± Cross said, mentally checking her resources. ¡°But why do you need the town barricaded off?¡±

    ¡°Oh detective, that¡¯s merely step one of my master plan!¡± he said. She could feel his grin over the phone. ¡°It will be a whole lot better if no one from outside comes into town, at least for a little while. And-¡± His voice turned somber and more serious. ¡°I would like a little bit of insurance, in case things don¡¯t go well. If you guys are blocking the roads, you can try and kill everything that tries to come out.¡± Cross drew herself up and sat very still.

    ¡°How bad is it?¡± she asked quietly.

    ¡°Pretty bad.¡± Scott said, all traces of joviality gone. ¡°Think what happened on Halloween and the coven¡¯s plan, but this time I can¡¯t use a zombie army to stop them.¡± Cross hesitated, then licked her lips, not believing what she had to say next.

    ¡°I-I can get the guys to get some chalk again¡­¡± she began, but the necromancer cut her off.

    ¡°All that wouldn¡¯t even slow them down. These things are vampires to vampires. If they want to, they could slaughter the whole town in less than a night. And their numbers would only grow from there.¡± He shook his head. ¡°The pawns are too strong to fight. The only chance we have is going after the king-and he¡¯s backed by a psychotic god.¡± He sighed. ¡°If we fail, don¡¯t let anything out. Kill everything, if you can. Set anything that moves on fire, and dump the remains in acid. I¡¯ve seen what this vampirization process does to people. If we try to approach you, kill us.¡± She stiffened.

    ¡°I hope you realize what you¡¯re asking.¡± Cross warned.

    ¡°Then you¡¯ll help?¡± She swallowed, hard. Promising to kill children was not something she wanted to do today. But there was a duty to be fulfilled.

    ¡°I will.¡± she said, tendons as hard as steel.

    ¡°Good. And trust me, Detective Cross. I know what I¡¯m asking of you.¡± He hung up, and stared at the phone in his hand. ¡°More than you know.¡±

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Here you go.¡± Kevin whispered, clinging to the side of the house like a fly, giving Will a boost into his window.

    ¡°Oof!¡± Will grunted as his shoulder thumped against the floor, stinging. He held still for a moment, straining to hear any movement. Nothing. He let out a sigh of relief; his parents were in bed yet. He got up and Kevin climbed noiselessly in behind him, took off his mask, then fell onto the bed with a soft groan.

    ¡°My life is over.¡± he said into the blanket.

    ¡°Hey, cheer up man. I thought you liked being a vampire.¡± Will said.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean I wanna spend the rest of eternity as one. Oh god, I¡¯m gonna live forever. I¡¯m going to outlive everyone I care about.¡± he said, realizing what he was in for.

    ¡°Unless you kick the bucket first.¡± Will tried to joke, but at Kevin¡¯s stricken expression backed down. ¡°Sorry. Still though, never dying¡¯s kind of a pretty sweet deal. I know people¡¯ve killed for less.¡±

    ¡°I guess. I mean, I guess there are some good points. It¡¯s just, I thought I could go back to being human. Now though, now I¡¯m disconnected pretty much forever.¡± He shifted uncomfortably. ¡°What if I don¡¯t age? I¡¯m gonna be stuck at sixteen for all time.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, being stuck in the prime of your youth¡¯s real bad.¡± Will deadpanned. Kevin decided arguing wasn¡¯t worth the effort. He didn¡¯t feel hungry, but it had been a long day.

    ¡°Humph. Tomorrow¡¯s gonna be a long haul. I¡¯m going home, getting some rest while I can sounds good.¡± He launched himself to the window and gave a two-finger salute. ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± With that, he was gone.

    ¡°Hey, wait!¡± Will called after him, but the vampire had already melded into the night. ¡°Crap.¡± He held up Kevin¡¯s mask, having forgotten it. He stared at the cloth in his hands; his eyes went to the closet mirror. He started to raise it.

    ¡°Nah, no way.¡± he said, tossing it into a corner. What had come over him? He¡¯d return it tomorrow, when they¡¯d meet up and¡­plan how to take down a god and his minions. What was he even doing? How could he contribute? How did they even expect him to contribute?

    He laid on his bed, trying to sleep, but it was useless. Too many thoughts were running through his head. He tossed and turned, and found himself staring at the mask again. ¡°What do you want?¡± He could swear the empty eye holes were staring back at him. Judging him. He thought of what nerdy little Kevin had become, and the strange, amazing people he had met. He turned to the wall, but it was no use. He knew what his heart desired. ¡°Fine. Fine! Let¡¯s do this!¡± He threw off the covers and got dressed. Making sure his parents were asleep, he snuck out of the house.

 Chapter 13: School Days

    "Morning." Scott said, meeting Amber by her locker.

    "Morn-oh jeez, you look like crap." she said. His hair was disheveled, he was paler than normal, and the slight dark circles he usually had under his eyes were solid black. She frowned. "What time did you go to bed last night?" He yawned.

    "Dunno. Passed out somewhere between three and four a.m. last night. Barely made it here today, thanks mom." he grumbled.

    "You know that''s not healthy."

    "Couldn''t be helped. I needed to make some calls, make some arrangements, redesign spells conceived millions of years before I was born, the usual." he said, gulping down the largest coffee the shop had. He gave a sigh of relief as it slid down his esophagus. "Ahh. Sweet, life-giving caffeine. But the good news is I have...nearly everything I need to throw a wrench into their plans."

    "I hope so. If Brian and that thing''s really as dangerous as you say, I really hope so." Amber said worriedly. She was absently sticking books into her bag, and started to tear it.

    "Easy now." Scott gestured to it. She examined the holes and huffed.

    "Damn. Wasn''t even paying attention." The bell rang for class, and they went their separate ways. A couple hours passed, but Leo, Scott, Amber, Kevin, and Will were all distracted, their minds on what they¡¯d discovered and done last night.

    As the day went on, the sky grew cloudy. Not the normal light grey, but dark, ominous clouds rumbled overhead, threatening thunder. Far from the morning mist dispersing, it grew foggier out, the temperature dropping to freezing. The air hummed with extra static. Unbeknownst to the group, a dull white van pulled into the parking lot. Three figures, dressed in dark, concealing coats and hats, emerged and scanned the school. Without a word, in unison they strode forward.

    "And General Custer got the table from the Appotomax Courthouse, the same one that the treaty was signed on." the teacher said, clicking to the next PowerPoint slide. Leo, bored, looked out the window, having already thoroughly reviewed the material on Sunday after Mielios''s instruction. He noted the three figures absently, probably here on business. That was, until he recognized the coat and gait of the leading man. His heart panged, and he was aghast, He knew, instantly, what must have happened. There was no other explanation. He shot up out of his desk.

    "Excuse me Mr. Morton, I have to go to the bathroom right now! Sorry!" He dashed out of the bewildered room, not even waiting for a response. He flew through the halls, pulling out his phone and frantically pushing a number.

    Scott felt his phone vibrate in his pocket, a call, not a text. Discreetly checking the screen, he saw it was Leo. Puzzled, he pushed his notes aside and lowered his head to his desk, not an unusual position for him. He''d been catnapping all day so far.

    "Hello?" he whispered, keeping an eye on the teacher. Luck was with him; she was looking away at the moment. When Leo explained, his eyes shot wide open. "WHAT!?" he erupted, standing up. "But it''s too soon, we¡¯re not ready! No, yeah, I get it, let''s go!" Ignoring the teacher''s admonishments, he rushed out the door.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    "Mmm, it smells so good!" Joy said, inhaling the steam from the macaroni and cheese she''d just made. Amber smiled pleasantly, checking her own over. She tried not to gag. Ever since the ghoulification, even the scent of anything fresh and not garbage turned her stomach.

    "And now the best part. We can dig in!" Joy said happily, brandishing a fork. "What''s the matter?" she asked at Amber''s hesitation. "Not hungry?"

    "Yeah. I don''t know how you can eat right now. I just finished breakfast a little while ago. Want mine?" she said, offering the bowl.

    "Don''t mind if I-" BANG!

    The door slammed open and Scott and Leo burst into the home-ec room.

    "Amber! I need you!" Scott cried, and dragged her away despite her protests, leaving Joy and the teacher both blinking in confusion.

    "I didn''t know she had such a...passionate boyfriend." Joy said.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Having grabbed Kevin and Will on the way, they convened in the bathroom by the cafeteria, not far from the main entrance.

    "Okay, what''s going on? Why''re we meeting here?" Will asked, grouchy. At Amber''s shrug, Leo spoke.

    "I...I saw some people enter the school." he explained, peering around the corner. ¡°I didn¡¯t recognize the other two with him, but the one in the lead was definitely Mielios.¡±

    ¡°Your trainer?¡± Kevin asked. His lethargy slowed more than his body; his mind felt sluggish as well. Leo rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Yes, but he gave his life for us. And now he¡¯s on the move with people I don¡¯t recognize. That¡¯s a little suspicious, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Where is he now?¡± Scott said, cursing his lack of forethought. He¡¯d been up way too late, and he¡¯d forgotten the pendulum. He peeked out the door as well. He¡¯d never thought Brian would send his minions out in broad daylight! Now they were here!

    The trio had entered the office, plainly visible from the plexiglass window. Mielios took the in the sights, an everyday work desk leading to the different offices of administration.

    ¡°Hello, may I help you gentlemen with something?¡± the plump, older secretary asked, giving them the once-over and not liking what she saw. Who were these people, and why were they dressed like the FBI? One of them turned to Mielios and tilted his head. Mielios nodded. The man closed his eyes, Mielios addressing the secretary.

    ¡°Good morning, ma¡¯am. I¡¯m agent Smith with the Department of Justice.¡± He handed her an official ID. ¡°I hate to interrupt your busy schedule with such grim news, but I need to get ahold of one Bachelder, Kevin Bachelder. It is to our understanding that he has been witness to a very serious crime. We would like to interview him. Could you bring to the office, please?¡±

    ¡°Oh my, that does sound serious!¡± the secretary gasped. She glanced around; her coworker had taken an early lunch. ¡°Just a moment, please.¡± She pulled up a microphone and flipped the switch. ¡°Would Kevin Bachelder come to the office, Kevin Bachelder to the office. There, he should be along in a minute. ¡°

    Listening from the bathroom door, Kevin¡¯s blood chilled as the announcement went out. His ears picked up the conversation, and he turned to the others with a worried face.

    ¡°What do I do?¡±

    ¡°Stay put for now. They¡¯re trying to remove you discreetly, let¡¯s try to avoid that.¡± Leo said, fingering his sword bracelet.

    ¡°Uh, guys?¡± Amber piped up, holding her cell phone. The screen was black. ¡°My cell phone just cut out.¡±

    ¡°Weird, mine too.¡± Leo said, checking his. Realization hit Scott as he pulled out his, dead as the others.

    ¡°No, this isn¡¯t a simple abduction!¡±

    ¡°Can I help you gentlemen with anything else? The principal will be notified as soon as she gets back.¡± The secretary said, leaning on the table. ¡°A witness to a crime. How horrible. What was it, may I ask?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid all information is classified at this time.¡± Mielios said with a disarming smile. ¡°However, there is another way you could help us.¡± He nodded to his companion.

    The secretary felt fingers like a steel vice clamp around her throat, and she was hoisted into the air, gasping for breath. The other man laughed madly.

    ¡°Hah! Lookit her face, it¡¯s such a lovely red! Ooh, I could pop that tomato and lap it up!¡±

    ¡°You will restrain yourself. Master put me in charge, and I value discretion on a mission.¡± Mielios warned.

    ¡°Tch! You¡¯re no fun.¡± the other man complained. The silent one still had the hapless secretary by the throat.

    BAM!

    The office door flew open as Kevin and Leo charged in, Kevin flying high to plant his foot in the psychotic one¡¯s face, Leo slicing down and cutting off the arm holding the secretary. Kevin landed and vanished, snatching the woman up and tucking her away into the principal¡¯s office. Leo raised his sword at Mielios.

    ¡°You¡¯re a vampire now.¡± he stated, no emotion in hi stone. Mielios nodded.

    ¡°I have been educated in what I have been lacking since the day I hatched. I am so much more complete now. If possible, I would show you where your loyalty should lie.¡± he said. Leo scowled.Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

    ¡°I would die before that happened.¡± Mielios nodded.

    ¡°So be it. Sxarxas?¡± The silent vampire picked up his severed arm. It, and the elbow it came from, were both sparking with electricity.

    ¡°Is¡­is he a robot?¡± Leo wondered aloud.

    ¡°Something similar.¡± Mielios answered. Sxarxas held his limb to his stump, and Leo watched in astonishment as liquid metal ran like hot glue to fuse the two together again. Sxarxas stared at him impassively. ¡°Kill him and his friends, but remember the necromancer is our target.¡±

    ¡°Not mine!¡± the other one exclaimed, jumping up and holding his face. ¡°Where¡¯s that little runt? I¡¯ll rip him to shreds in my gullet!¡±

    ¡°Your goal is different, Gulm.¡± Mielios chastised. ¡°Start sinking the school. We want no one to escape.¡± Leo¡¯s eyes widened in horror.

    ¡°You would destroy an entire building filled with children, on your new master¡¯s command?¡± he asked quietly. In his hands the sword began to vibrate, almost imperceptivity.

    ¡°With pleasure.¡± Mielios sighed, shivering in ecstasy. How could Leo understand? How could he know the pure joy, the sheer rightness of abandoning Zet-Mathaig for Brian? He resolved then and there to bite his former pupil, if circumstances allowed. Then he too would see what it meant to lay at Brian¡¯s feet. But until then, they had a mission to carry out. ¡°Gulm, drop it as soon as possible. Do it before they can get away.¡±

    ¡°Rrrg...right!¡± Gulm¡¯s mouth widened, and widened, and widened until it was the same diameter as his shoulders, filled with serrated teeth. His body swelled and bulged grotesquely, limbs shrinking away to nothing as he revealed the form Brian had bestowed upon him, a hideous, glistening, magenta worm covered in green eyes. He screeched and dove to the ground, burrowing through the concrete like it was water.

    ¡°Sxarxas, find the others and eliminate them. But leave this one to me!¡± Mielios commanded. Sxarxas nodded and flexed. His skin shredded and tore off. His bizarre body resembled nothing more than a steel electrical tower, twisted into the vague shape of a man. Large sparks of electricity crackled where his head and hands should have been.

    ¡°Oh come on! How can any of you be real vampires?¡± Leo protested.

    ¡°They¡¯re not.¡±

    Claaaaannnnnnnngggggggg!

    They looked over to see Kevin clinging to a wall, his hand on the fire alarm. Mielios grimaced while Kevin smirked. ¡°Not proper ones, anyway. Either way, I won¡¯t let you lay a finger on anyone in this school!¡±

    ¡°You!¡± Gulm burst from the floor, trying to bite at him. Kevin scampered up the wall more. ¡°You kicked my face! No one messes with my face! I¡¯ll devour you for your cheek!¡±

    ¡°Come and get me then, ugly!¡± Kevin grinned as students and teaches ran out the doors, trying to avoid the office. Sxarxas¡¯s sparks made it look like it was in flames.

    ¡°Ugly? You-!¡± Gulm slammed into the ground, burrowing up into the wall. Kevin scurried away, flowed by a bugle in the wall.

    ¡°No, moronic imbecile! Arg. Sxarxas, find the others and eliminate them NOW!¡± The metal monster launched itself out of the window, and started walking up the side of the building. Mielios sighed and moved to follow, but a shining blade blocked his path.

    ¡°No. The others will be fine, I believe in them. We finish things between us now.¡± Leo said with finality, glaring.

    ¡°I suppose. Very well, Leo!¡± Mielios howled and threw off his prosthetics, exposing his mantis-like body. However, he had changed, and Leo was honestly terrified. His legs were covered in thick black hair, and he had gained an additional pair of double-clawed arms. His eyes however, were gone. In the sockets erupted a mass of writhing maggot-white tentacles, each ending in a snapping mouth. ¡°I will be your end!¡± they chorused. Leo grit his teeth and sunk lower in his stance.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Mielioooos!¡±

    ¡°Leoooooo!¡± The alien monster and young man charged at each other, each determined to be the victor.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Ooh, that ain¡¯t good.¡± Scott said, watching Leo and Mielios¡¯s exchange from the bathroom.

    ¡°C¡¯mon, we have to help him!¡± Amber started forward, but Scott caught her wrist. And nearly had his own ripped off trying to halt her momentum, dragging on the ground. ¡°Huh? What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    ¡°Forget Leo right now,¡± he said, regaining his balance. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear him? They¡¯re here to destroy the school, probably to eliminate any witnesses. Kevin¡¯s dealing with one, and we can¡¯t help Leo with his.¡±

    ¡°So we shouldn¡¯t even try!?¡± Amber cried, eyes blazing. Scott shook his head.

    ¡°No. I mean we couldn¡¯t touch him when he took us on, and Leo¡¯s technically the only one who comes close to winning. I hate to split the party, but it appears we¡¯re dividing and conquering.¡±

    ¡°Rrg.¡± She stamped her foot in frustration, but she saw the logic. She glanced back. Leo and Mielios had moved out of the office, Leo parrying blows struck by the claws. ¡°I hate this. Where¡¯s the other one?¡±

    ¡°He climbed out the window, so-¡±

    CRASH!

    Amber and Scott both screamed as the wall exploded inward. The strange vampire buzzed and crackled. It brought both its hand-sparks together. Not liking where this was going, Amber grabbed Scott and jumped out of the way, a massive shot of electricity incinerating the floor where they¡¯d been.

    ¡°Holy hell, that thing shoots lightning!¡± Amber exclaimed.

    ¡°Run!¡± They took off down the hall, the voiceless abomination in hot pursuit. It buzzed again, and Amber smelled a buildup of ozone. She forced Scott down as lightning arced overhead, the sparks on the creature now weaker, but growing brighter by the second. They rounded a corner and ducked into an empty classroom, panting hard. Sxarxas paused, swaying back and forth searching for them. It plodded down the hall, examining every window into the rooms, on the prowl for blood. They pressed up against the door, as low to the ground as they could. It glanced into their room, but left. Apparently, he didn¡¯t see them. One heartbeat. Two. Ten. After a full minute, they let out a sigh of relief, Amber cautiously poking her head up to check. There were flashes of light around the corner. It had moved on.

    ¡°Good for now. But what do we do? That thing was made out of metal, like an erector set from Hell powered by electricity. How do we even fight that?¡± Amber said.

    ¡°It seems Brian¡¯s not satisfied with his army of regular super-vampires.¡± Scott grunted, shaking his head. ¡°It was like this whenever we played any game. He always had to have the coolest, flashiest, strongest characters no matter what, story or logic be damned. ¡°I¡¯m guessing these are his hero units, or trump cards, the shock troops to take enemy territory while the regular ones hold it.¡± He frowned. Brian loved attacking with the highest-stated characters, overwhelming the opposition with pure power. It seemed that habit hadn¡¯t changed. How Scott usually managed to win was with superior strategy, trying to block and outlast Brian.  Of course, that just meant Brian usually smashed his way through traps and whatever obstacles Scott placed in his way, and loved breaking his guard in fighting games. He flashed back to Brian summoning the strongest monster his deck could produce with the dumbest grin on his face whenever they played.

    ¡°Take this! The great, the ultimate, the most perfect monster there ever was! It¡¯s completely invincible! Even IF you kill it, it just shuffles back into the deck, and then I¡¯ll-¡±

    ¡°I counter it.¡± he had said, revealing the appropriate card from his hand.

    ¡°Damn it, you bastard!¡± Brian always turned an interesting shade of red whenever that happened. Scott grinned at the memory. It was time to remind him why Scott had the better win ratio.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to come back soon. We can¡¯t hide here forever, what are we gonna do?¡± Amber asked, peering out the door.

    ¡°Will you help me? I have a plan, but it¡¯ll be hard on you, and likely not pleasant for me either. Upside is, since you¡¯re kinda dead already, it won¡¯t kill you.¡± Scott said. Amber gave him a strange look, but nodded.

    ¡°Okay¡­what do we do?¡± she asked, nervous now. Scott rummaged in his pocket and pulled out a piece of chalk.

    ¡°If he comes close, distract him. I¡¯ll need a bit of time to complete the array. Necromancy isn¡¯t as limited as some might think.¡±

    Sxarxas crackled angrily as it rounded the halls, searching for its prey. The metal clanked on cement, the four rods it balanced on for feet leaving gouges where its sharp metal dug into the floor. There, movement. It burst into the room, sensing an unusual electrical aura. However, upon closer inspection, the electromagnetic signature appeared to be coming from a spider, weaving its web in the corner. Sxarxas watched impassively as the arachnid spun and threaded. Something was strange. The web appeared to be forming some kind of strange design, one for the life of it Sxarxas could not distinguish what. The web seemed to warp and shift as Sxarxas looked at it, changing depending on the angle. There was some kind of strange¡­sigil embedded in spider silk?

    ¡°Hey ugly!¡± It turned to the source of the noise, to find Amber swinging a desk as hard as she could into it. They impacted with a mighty crash, the desk splintering into pieces and Sxarxas¡¯ metal body dented. It thrust an appendage at her, and she nimbly dodged.

    ¡®Huh.¡¯ she thought as she whirled through the air. ¡®It¡¯s got a needle in the arm, probably to drain blood. So that¡¯s how it feeds.¡¯ It brought its sparks together again, and sent another bolt of lightning her way.

    ¡°YAAAAAIIIIEEEE!¡± When the electricity dispersed, Amber was frozen stock-still, stretching her abdomen as far as she could to the left, blinking the spots away from her vision. She grimaced; that had been way too close, her side was singed. She sighed at what she had to do next. ¡°C-Come on! Missed me, ha!¡± Sxarxas buzzed, picking up desks and hurling them at her. Great, she now had its full attention.

    ¡°Whoops! Missed!¡± she cried, evading them all the way to the door. ¡°Gonna have to-ow!¡± It nailed her square in the face with a chair, knocking her into the wall. ¡°O-Ow. That hurt, you bastard.¡± she muttered, checking her nose. ¡°Uh-oh.¡± It was charging her. Amber turned and ran, the strange vampire sparking behind her, rushing as fast as she could. The corner at the end of the hall never seemed so far away.

    ¡°Scooooot!¡± she wailed.

    ¡°Ready!¡± She poured on the speed, ignoring the burning h=in her lungs as she skidded and leapt around the corner. Sxarxas pursued, only to have her reach out and grab its steel appendages. It perceived the flow of magical energy funneling into the circle it had unknowingly just stepped in.

    ¡°Now!¡± she cried. Scott slammed his hands down on the circle.

    ¡°Kieholnos abbzguulll nie ntomgarheth sekhnan ninm atf huglyt!¡± The magic circle blazed a toxic emerald green as Scott grunted, filling Amber with power. Sxarxas touched her with its sparks, the electricity surging and coursing through her body.

    She screamed, her body feeling like fire was trying to tear her apart. But she grit her teeth and bore it, channeling the pain into anger, grabbing Sxarxas¡¯s metal and ripping away. It buzzed and threw more current through her, but Amber didn¡¯t stop, no matter the amps. The circle infused her with greater amounts of necrotic energy than never before. She was electrocuted and burned, but the dark magic healed her as she was damaged, an infinite loop that let her move freely.

    ¡°Go!¡± Scott shouted, sweating. He¡¯d never channeled this much necrotic energy before; too much couldn¡¯t be good for either of them. He groaned under the strain, but saw Amber fighting through her burden. He grit his teeth and pushed through his. Sxarxas, tired of this, decided to forgo restraint. Its sparks exploded into miniature suns as it unleashed all of its power, flooding the corridor with electric currant. Amber howled in agony as she threw herself in front of Scott. ¡°Stop him!¡± Scott yelled.

    ¡°Rrrrrrrrraaaaaaggghhhhhh!¡± With burning, shaking hands, she grabbed the steel rods holding Sxarxas together. Amber gave a titanic twist and heave, tearing it apart. Sxarxas buzzed and crackled, but the sparks died out as she furiously tore it to pieces. When it was fully disassembled, she stood there, smoking and panting, but fully healed.

    ¡°Are-are you all right?¡± Scott asked, releasing the circle and shaking out his hands. That had been way to close for comfort.

    ¡°I¡¯ll¡­I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Amber replied, shaking her head. Smoke was wafting off her body. She took in the hallway, scorched black by lightning. ¡°Just need a sec before we do anything like that again.¡± she admitted. Scott gave a snort of laughter.

    ¡°¡¯Kay, but I hope you can recover on the run. Kevin¡¯s got the worm guy after him, so-¡± There was a loud crash, followed by the entire building shaking. ¡°-we should hurry.¡±

 Chapter 14: Goodnight, Sweet Prince

    ¡°Stay still damn you!¡± Gulm shrieked as he burst from the third-story floor. Once again, Kevin leapt nimbly out of the way. ¡°Damn it, not again!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not very smart, are you.¡± he said to the worm, balanced on a desk. ¡°Why would I stand still and let you eat me?¡±

    ¡°Hrgg¡­hrgg¡­haahhh!¡± Gulm¡¯s mouth opened wider than his whole body. He started convulsing, then vomited up a mass of slimy red sucker-tipped tentacles that shot after Kevin.

    ¡°Yipe!¡± The vampire ducked and the tentacles dug into the whiteboard behind him, gouging holes in the plaster and plastic. ¡°What the he-uuuh?¡± Gulm reared back and slurped up the tentacles like spaghetti, with a horrible hurking noise. His drool splattered everywhere as he did.

    ¡°Plastic. I hate eating plastic. And the drywall¡¯s so stale!¡± Gulm complained, narrowing the eyes on the left side of his head.

    ¡°That¡¯s¡­that was your stomach?¡± Kevin asked, feeling queasy.

    ¡°Of course it was. And it¡¯ll be your funeral parlor!¡± He dove back into the concrete, heading towards the door. ¡°Heh heh¡­let¡¯s see how you get out when the exit¡¯s blocked!¡± he chuckled to himself. He reached out with his hearing, trying to find the vibrations his prey was emitting. However, he could detect no movement in the room. ¡°Huh?¡± Popping out of the floor, he found Kevin gone and the window open. ¡°Damn it!¡±

    ¡°That thing is gross and stupid. Why did I have to antagonize this one?¡± Kevin muttered, crawling slowly up the side of the building. His head was swimming; the sun was far too bright and hot for his tastes, despite being overcast. Every handhold dug into the wall was a struggle. The worm burst out of the classroom, biting and snarling.

    ¡°You little-ow!¡± Gulm swung back and forth, trying to shake off the burning sensation. ¡°Aargh! It¡¯s the daylight! I hate sunlight undisguised!¡± He roared, smashing into the side of the school. The worm was blinded, half in the air, and nearly mad with pain. Kevin supposed he wouldn¡¯t get a better chance. He let go of the brick.

    ¡°Yaaahhhh!¡± He landed on Gulm¡¯s neck and squeezed, trying to cut off the blood flow to his brain.

    ¡°Eh?¡± Gulm tried to look up at him, but it was futile. He started shaking with rage. ¡°You¡­you! Argh! Fine! If you think this¡¯s a rodeo, better hold on, cowboy Yee-hah!¡± Gulm started bucking and writhing, trying to throw Kevin off. He hung on for dear unlife, slamming into the walls. He grit his teeth as masonry and glass showered down on his back. Wait, teeth?

    ¡°I¡¯m an idiot.¡± Kevin mumbled, shaking his head. He was a vampire, on a creature¡¯s neck.

    He tried to bite through the tough, rubbery flesh, but to no avail. It was meant to burrow through the ground; his piddly jaw muscles weren¡¯t going to be enough. He looked around for a solution. ¡°Hey, Gulm! Watch it! You¡¯ll fall if you swing around to the left!¡± There was a jagged piece of metal hanging that way, part of the frame. Kevin hoped he was reading his enemy right, and the worm did not disappoint.

    ¡°Die, bastard!¡± Kevin ducked low as Gulm smacked into the wall, his own muscle driving the steel into his flesh. ¡°Ow! Are you dead yet?¡±

    ¡°No, but you are!¡± He ripped and tore down into the flesh, further than he¡¯d ever had to bite into anything before. After five agonizingly long seconds, he came to the sweet, sweet ambrosia he¡¯d been craving. ¡°Blecch.¡± It still tasted the same as others he¡¯d drank, but there was a greasy, slimy, sour wrongness to the texture and flavor that made it feel like he was sucking down motor oil. Still, as this was the only plan he came up with, and he was hungry anyway, he drank deeply. Gulm shrieked and redoubled his efforts to throw him off. Kevin latched on tighter; there was no way he¡¯d let go now.

    ¡°N-No!¡± Gulm bellowed. ¡°I must destroy the school!¡±

    ¡®And, for that, Nightfang judges you guilty.¡¯ Kevin thought, gulping down as much of the slimy blood as he could. ¡®There is no jail that can hold you. You cannot go back to being a human. It¡¯s not your fault, Brian¡¯s the one controlling you. Unfortunately, you won¡¯t stop. Which means I only have one recourse. I¡¯m sorry, Gulm. I wish there were another way. Forgive me, but I can¡¯t let you kill innocent people.¡¯

    The worm¡¯s struggles became weaker and weaker as Kevin¡¯s stomach grew fuller, gorging as much as he could. Finally, unable to drink any more, Kevin twisted his head, severing the vein. Blood leaked out, not in a spray or gush, he didn¡¯t have enough left in him for that. Gulm, turning pale, lost consciousness and slipped from the hole, hitting his head on concrete from three stories up.

    ¡°Hyah!¡± Kevin leapt off for all he was worth, reaching for the roof, the window, anything. All that blood made him bloated and heavy. He could feel it dragging him down. His hand, stretched as far as it could go, fell short¡­ and was grabbed by Will.

    ¡°Will!?¡± Kevin exclaimed, smacking into the building. It hurt, but he¡¯d take it over hitting the ground any day. ¡°Am I ever glad to see you!¡±

    ¡°Hold on!¡± Will grunted, bracing himself. ¡°I¡­you gotta haul yourself up, you¡¯re too heavy!¡± Kevin gratefully climbed back into the classroom, exhausted. He wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep until the world stopped spinning.

    ¡°Good thing you were here. Thanks.¡± he said, panting.

    ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Just couldn¡¯t let you go splat like that.¡± Will said, flopping down beside him. ¡°How¡¯s it feel to save the student body, man?¡±

    ¡°Okay, I guess.¡± Kevin shrugged, looking out the hole. The students and faculty were gathered far out on the lawn, around the side. They¡¯d been shouting and pointing at the worm and the holes. This time, he wasn¡¯t concerned with his identity; they were too far away for either human eyes or camera lens. He smiled softly and huffed. His eyes could barely make out details, there was no way the others could see him. He looked them over, satisfied. The teens were starting to spill out into the parking lot, were¡­Will¡¯s car was?

    ¡°Hey Will, is that-¡±

    Will¡¯s mouth stretched and bit down into Kevin¡¯s shoulder, eyes blazing red. Kevin screamed and wrenched it away, leaving a trail of blood and a chunk of flesh. It felt like it was on fire.

    ¡°W-Will!?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right.¡± Will hissed, circling Kevin.

    ¡°N-No!  When did they get you!?¡± he cried, aghast. Will chuckled, his transformation beginning slowly as his legs expanded, the thick spikey metallic hairs tearing through his jeans.

    ¡°They didn¡¯t.¡± Will¡¯s mouth said, waving back and forth over his head. ¡°Last night I went back and volunteered to join the club. And all it took was the school, grade, and class that we went to, to set up an ambush. You had no chance. We can be anybody, anywhere. There is no escape.¡±

    Kevin went numb. There was a faint ringing in his ears. He stared at Will, hips widening to crouch down, in disbelief. He felt all the strength and tension sink out of his body, along with his heart.

    ¡°My master understands the value of a traitor, reee.¡± Will continued, making a pleased sound as Kevin collapsed to his knees in front of him. ¡°The psychological trauma is immense, and they are in the perfect position for maximum impact. I will never betray him, so my loyalty is secured as well.¡±

    Kevin stared at him dumbly, unable to feel the tears running down his face. Numb. He was numb. He coughed, but managed to choke out a single word.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    Will threw back his head and roared with laughter, holding his sides with his new pair of arms.

    ¡°Why?¡± He suddenly tackled Kevin, forcing him onto his back. ¡°You ask me whyyyy!?¡± he screeched in his face. Kevin trembled at the look of fury Will sported. Will stared at him, eyes narrowed.

    ¡°I wanted it.¡± he said, pulling him off the ground, strength too much for Kevin to resist even had he been in a mind to.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°I said, I wanted it.¡± Will stood up and turned his back, pacing. ¡°I saw what you had and wanted it. I¡¯ve been on the basketball team since middle school. But in one night, you surpassed anything a pro could do, let alone me. No training, no countless hours of practice, no effort. I¡¯d always been stronger, faster, better than you. I...I was jealous, I admit it. And then you decided to be a superhero, and the town loved you for it. And then you met these new guys who can do all these special things that I couldn¡¯t. It made my head spin. I tried to keep you grounded, but you wouldn¡¯t listen. You just kept pushing ahead, damn the consequences. So I tried to be happy for you, I really did.

    ¡°But deep inside I saw what you had, and I wanted it.¡± He turned to Kevin, eyes blazing redder than any Kevin had seen. ¡°You have no idea how powerless I felt, how helpless, especially against these creatures.¡± He swept an arm up and down his body. ¡°But now?¡± Now, things are different. I went to Brian and Riepaimva, and they gladly made me into one of their soldiers. Now, I¡¯m better than any one of you could ever be. I feel the power surging through my veins. And I won¡¯t be destroyed when the master remakes the world. I¡¯ll happily help him tear it down. Oh, nearly forgot.¡± He dug in his shredded pants pocket, and flung a piece of black cloth at Kevin. He unfolded it to see his mask. ¡°Can¡¯t forget that, hero. Then again, if you were a real hero, you¡¯d be able to stop me, instead of bawling your eyes out.¡± Will reared up, preparing to strike down his former friend. Kevin stared helplessly at his mask, entranced. ¡°You¡¯re no hero. You¡¯re just a deluded little kid in his underwear playing pretend.¡± He raised his arm, and brought it down.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.

    ¡°GET BENT!¡± WHAM! A piece of rubble collided with his face, and Will turned back to see a furious, red-faced Amber with tears in her eyes and a scowling Scott at the door. ¡°How the goddamn hell can you dare, DARE to say that, after everything he¡¯s done! He¡¯s risked his life at least three times this week trying to help other people, including you! He¡¯s one of the bravest guys I¡¯ve ever seen!¡± Amber spat, jumping between them still smoking and fizzy-haired.

    ¡°Save your breath, Amber. It¡¯s not something a wretch like him could understand anyway.¡± Scott said coldly, pulling a piece of chalk out.

    ¡°What do you know about what I went through? How I feel!?¡± Will bellowed. ¡°You¡¯ve had powers since the beginning! Yu don¡¯t know how helpless I felt, how overwhelmed I was! But now I have the ability to do something about it!¡±

    ¡°And the only way you could get that power was by giving in to Brian¡¯s machinations. And even worse, you sold out your friend to do it. And worst of all, you have absolutely no intention of doing anything actually useful with that power, like fighting back.¡± Scott said, crouching down. Amber hefted another piece of concrete, hating herself for it but seeing no other choice. Damn it, why were there so many traitors around her!?

    Will hissed, crouching on all sixes. He started to leap forward, but fell as his leg was caught on something. He looked back to see Kevin holding on with an iron grip.

    ¡°W-Will¡­I¡­I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry you felt that way, I¡¯m sorry we put you in that position. But-¡± His grip grew tighter, and Will grimaced in pain. ¡°That doesn¡¯t change what you¡¯ve done. Y-You¡­you know what I have to do. I¡­¡± He swallowed, hard. ¡°I can¡¯t let you hurt my friends, or anyone else. P-Prepare¡­prepare to face the wrath of Nightwing.¡±

    ¡°Ha! You think I¡¯m scared of some pathetic little-¡±

    Kevin¡¯s body bulged, muscles swelling to a Liefeldian degree as his body digested the blood from Gulm, reacting to his anger. Will¡¯s sinuous mouth was agape as Kevin heaved him up with one arm, then slammed him down into the floor hard enough to make it burst. But once was not enough. Will screeched and tried to bite at him, but the vampire blood coursing through Kevin¡¯s body cried out in rage. He threw him around again and again, the super-resistant body and hard shell Brian designed being put to the test. Scott and Amber stared in shock as Kevin silently manhandled a screaming Will.

    ¡°Stop it! Stop it!¡± Will shrieked, pissed beyond belief and more than a little unnerved. He was supposed to be stronger than any normal vampire, as much as vampires were to humans! The blows, while he could tell they wouldn¡¯t do any lasting damage, rang his bell more than they were supposed to.

    ¡°Puny vampire.¡± Kevin muttered, smacking him into a wall. He stood there, panting. Though he didn¡¯t say anything, he was biting the inside of his cheek. There was something wrong with the blood he¡¯d drunk form the worm; it had a strange, tingly burning sensation. The nearest he could figure, his body was working overtime to force it out of his system, like food poisoning.

    ¡°You freak! What¡¯s going on!? Stop it!¡± Will howled.

    As if in answer to his prayers, the roof collapsed, forcing Kevin to let go and escape. Will managed to scuttle out of the way as well.

    Leo descended on top of Mielios, grappling him and doing his damnedest to saw off the alien¡¯s head. Mielios was grasping a piece of rubble the flaming sword was embedded in, trapping it, his maggoty eye-tendrils snapping at Leo. Both were bruised, sweating, and exhausted, though neither would yield.

    ¡°Leo!¡± Amber cried, but the combatants paid her no heed.

    ¡°Your¡­grrg¡­sword is useless, boy.¡± Mielios spat, struggling to keep the hot flames away from him.

    ¡°I am¡­ (huff) more than¡­ (huff) mere¡­metal.¡± Leo boasted tiredly, holding another claw down and keeping an eye on the other two. They had been going at it full-blast for nearly ten minutes; Leo was weakening, kept alive only because of his quick wits and quicker reflexes, while Mielios¡¯s wounds closed after a short while. It was obvious who would win the prolonged fight, and the only reason Leo had lasted as long as he had was Mielios¡¯s previous training. He had learned much, but by now he had a grasp of how Mielios moved and attacked. He should, he supposed; he¡¯d been trying to imitate him since the week began. But even knowing his patterns could only stave off the inevitable for so long.

    ¡°Boy!¡± Mielios snapped as Will. ¡°Kill the ghoul and necromancer quickly, then help me subdue this one!¡± Leo¡¯s blood ran cold. He could not allow his friends to die!

    Will growled and started to move, tapping his fingers on the ground. He gazed at the targets before him, easy enough to slaughter. Suddenly, he felt a twinge of fear slice through him. For some reason, Mielios¡¯s order sent chills through him, when he faced his opposition.

    ¡®Flee.¡¯ became his only thought. Unfortunately, there were people in the vicinity, and he felt as if he drew attention to himself, he¡¯d die for sure. Unbeknownst to everyone there, his shadow¡¯s head moved around on its own.

    Leo snarled and with a burst of strength he didn¡¯t know he had twisted the sword out of the concrete block. However, it also freed up Mielios¡¯s arm. The alien took a swipe at him, but Leo saw it coming and ducked. He wrapped his legs around Mielios¡¯s waist, ignoring the bites the tendrils gave him. There was only one way he could win, and it wasn¡¯t going to be pretty. He could feel his sword vibrating in his hand, as if responding to his desire and will.

    ¡°HUT!¡± With a burst of air and a tensing of muscles, Leo used his position to flip Mielios over, and used that momentum to flip again, rolling towards the hole in the broken wall.

    ¡°What are you doing!?¡± Mielios screeched, trying to shake loose. Leo had him a death grip, the others moving in to help. But the quarterback knew full well just how dangerous Mielios was, and the others, no matter how strong they were, couldn¡¯t be in a better position than he was right now to finish the alien off.

    ¡°Shall we fly, coach?¡± He smiled and rolled out, plummeting to the ground. He let go of the sword and it rocketed down faster than them, embedding itself in the ground hilt-first. He scowled trying to fight the floating sensation and the inexorable pull of the Earth¡¯s gravity. If he could time it right, he could disengage and¡­

    ¡°Yrarayah!¡± Mielios screamed and thrashed, all traces of the noble warrior he¡¯d been long gone. His flailing limbs knocked and disoriented Leo, until-

    SHUNK.

    Leo¡¯s body felt hot and clammy, but there was a pervading numbness that was spreading through his body.

    ¡°What¡­what have you done?¡± Mielios asked weakly, trying to regain control of his limbs. Leo looked down. The blade had stuck as he wanted, but the shafft was sticking up through both of them. He watched as the red started spreading, staining his shirt.

    ¡°Heh heh.¡± Leo chuckled, drooling blood. ¡°Meant to jump away, prob¡¯ly get s¡¯m broken bones. ¡®Snot good.¡±

    ¡°Fool.¡± Mielios hissed, mustering the strength to move his arms and legs. It felt like hell, but he could push himself off the sword, where his regeneration would fix the damage. He sneered at the suicidal teenager slumped on his chest with contempt. Leo smiled ruefully as he saw him push up, unable to actually feel anything below his neck anymore.

    ¡°Sorry, Mielios. It¡¯s not¡­that easy. The chosen of Zet-Mathaig¡­don¡¯t get to¡­die in their sleep.¡± He drew as much breath as his clogged lungs could. ¡°Burn.¡±

    The sword, for the final time, caught aflame, immolating them both. The creature that had once been Mielios screamed and thrashed in pain, but Leo only smiled as the blade burned them from the inside out. He was too numb to feel it.

    ¡®Sorry, everyone¡­I couldn¡¯t make it. I hope at least Scott and Amber can stop the vampires¡­goodbye, Mom, Dad, Madison¡­Scott¡­Am¡­ber¡­Ev¡­a¡­¡¯

    The flames whooshed out, extinguished with the life of their master. The sword had vanished, leaving only ashes and the barest blackened remains of two creatures, twisted and entangled in each other. There was nothing left as Kevin and Amber landed on the ground, rushing over.

    ¡°Oh God¡­oh God¡­¡± Amber kept muttering, stricken.

    ¡°N-No! N-Not another one! Arrg!¡± Kevin hit his fist on the ground. ¡°Why! Just a little faster¡­just a little faster and I could have saved him¡­¡± He turned back to the school. Will had long since vanished. He let out a cry and sobbed into the grass.

    ¡°Yikes, this¡¯s a mess. Amber, could you get a tarp from the gym shed? Thanks.¡± Scott said, wincing at the charred bodies. Fire was a hard way to go.

    ¡°Right¡­¡± she said absently, jogging off with a dazed look on her face.

    ¡°And hurry up! The fire department will be here shortly!¡± Scott called after her. He turned back and let out a low whistle. ¡°Crap, man.¡±

    ¡°What is wrong with you!?¡± Kevin exploded, shooting up and picking him up by his hoodie. His body had gone back to normal, but after what just had happened he felt like breaking something. ¡°Don¡¯t you realize what just happened here? A friend is gone! He sacrificed himself to take Mielios out, to save us!¡±

    ¡°Humph. That doesn¡¯t matter to me.¡± Scott dismissed, and never had Kevin wanted to punch someone so badly in his life. His hand twitched to do just that, but Scott continued. ¡°Have you forgotten who you¡¯re talking to? Leo¡¯s dead. But remember, I¡¯m a necromancer.¡± His eyes shone with a toxic emerald light. ¡°I am the one who passes final judgement on who lives and who dies. And I say Leo¡¯s gonna be coming back. Heh heh.¡± He licked his lips and grinned. ¡°I will not allow anything to befall those who do not deserve it. This is my specialty.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Kevin said, letting him down. ¡°Uh. Sorry. That¡­seems¡­a little like cheating, in a way.¡±

    ¡°Of course it is!¡± Scott declared joyfully, throwing his hands in the air. ¡°That¡¯s the beauty of it! Magic allows you to reject the natural order, to break all the rules! There¡¯s nothing better than deciding for yourself what should be. The universe doesn¡¯t care about us, I say screw it, we¡¯ll impose our own order in its place! Reject the path in front of you for a better tomorrow, guided by your own hand! Necromancy is the ultimate art, allowing one to give the finger to the laws of causality, and fatality! Death has no consequences! All we need is Leo¡¯s spirit, and I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be able to find that too! Necromancy foreverrrr!¡±

    Amber returned and they shoved the ashes and carcasses into the plastic as the sirens drew closer.

    ¡°Crap, we gotta run! If I¡¯m caught, death will have very severe consequences! Hurry!¡± Scott said, Kevin giving him a withering look as Amber hefted the cargo and the necromancer. They ran into the small copse of trees near the school, managing to escape the notice of the teachers and fire department, but the police quickly formed a ring around the perimeter. Amber frowned. They looked way too suspicious as it was, and if they were caught with Leo¡¯s remains¡­she winced at the possibilities. But stashing his corpse here until later didn¡¯t feel right, either.

    ¡°Should we make a break for it?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t see much else we can do.¡± Kevin replied glumly. Scott sighed, nodding agreement. They waited until there was no one looking in their direction, then dashed onto the street. A car with lights flashing in the back pulled out in front of them. ¡°Oh come on!¡± Kevin complained.

    ¡°No, this¡¯s good.¡± Scott said as the window rolled down.

    ¡°Get in. The official story is I¡¯m taking witnesses in for questioning.¡± Cross growled, veins bulging in her forehead. ¡°And store the tarp in the trunk, it smells like a barbecue.¡±

 Chapter 15: Paint it Black

    ¡°-and then the school kinda was destroyed a little bit.¡± Amber said meekly. Cross sighed and rubbed her forehead.

    ¡°So, we have a supernatural terrorist attack on a high school, Leo perishing in the process, and that¡¯s on top of the army of mutant vampires led by the insane magician at the abandoned mall.¡± She glared at Scott. ¡°Last night. You called me last night.¡±

    ¡°Hey, we just found out about all this too, it¡¯s been a hectic week.¡±  Scott said cheerfully, downing yet another coffee. They had relocated to his secret lab, where Leo¡¯s tarp laid on the operation table, attended to by Bones. Cross eyes the skeleton warily.

    They had been even more unnerved by the two dozen other zombies initially filling the warehouse, but Scott assured them that they were completely necessary for the next step, and to deprive him of the tireless labor would endanger the plan. Not knowing what the plan was, but trusting the teen that had saved the town once already, Cross had let it slide.

    ¡°I don¡¯t get paid enough to deal with this.¡± she muttered, then leaned against the locker. Amber decided not to mention that was where Bones was usually stored, and who knew what else was in there now. She had heard growling and rattling before Cross came in.

    ¡°Did you get the fish tanks? How about the bananas? Did you get the-¡± Scott asked eagerly, to Amber¡¯s confusion, but Cross cut him off, trying to stave off a massive headache.

    ¡°I called up the boys who helped us with the cult. They¡¯re bringing all they can, I got a text form Pete saying they would be here in about ten minutes. I presume they¡¯re part of your mysterious plan?¡± she asked, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Indeed!¡± Scott cackled. ¡°Yes yes, oh what a plan it is.¡± He rubbed his hands together.

    ¡°Does it involve us dying horribly?¡± Amber deadpanned.

    ¡°It¡­could. But that¡¯s something that hopefully won¡¯t happen.¡±

    ¡°Right.¡± Cross interrupted. ¡°And are you sure it was a good idea to drop off that¡­ugh, vampire home? I hate to have another one of them running around, but we could use all the help we can get. Even if he didn¡¯t look like he could.¡± she said, recalling his rail-thin frame.

    ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t worry about him. He¡¯s definitely one of the good guys, he¡¯s Nightfang.¡± Scott said. Cross bolted upright.

    ¡°He¡¯s the vigilante!?¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s dealing with some personal issues right now, it¡¯s best he gets some time to relax and process everything,¡± Scott continued, as if he hadn¡¯t heard her. ¡°Besides, with his¡­convictions, he wouldn¡¯t go for the next part of the plan anyway. I understand you two might have some reservations of your own, but please try to keep in mind it¡¯s a temporary situation, and we¡¯re all doomed if we don¡¯t anyway. Remember, we¡¯ve done stuff like this before, and it¡¯s the best way I could think of on such short notice to protect everyone, and indeed keep people from realizing what¡¯s going on. The less people who have knowledge of the supernatural, the better for all of us.¡±

    ¡°Scott, what¡¯s the plan?¡± Amber said with mounting alarm. Scott snapped his fingers, and Bones brought out a couple of boxes. ¡°What¡¯re these?¡± She opened one, and unfolded a uniform shirt, pair of pants, boots, gloves, a hat, and a mask. They were all black, the only color being a skull design on the front of the low-cut shirt. Cross opened hers to find a similar outfit roughly her size. She frowned.

    ¡°What¡¯s the meaning of this?¡± she snapped as Scott took an identical package from under the table.

    ¡°Well, it was a rush job and I didn¡¯t know your measurements, but these won¡¯t be under too much direct scrutiny. I¡¯m just glad black hides the imperfect seams. A few of my helpers have been working on these all night.¡± he said, taking off his shirt and putting on a solid black one. He held out his arms, and Bones slid an equally-dark overcoat around his shoulders. ¡°This is but merely step one of my master plan. But, that¡¯s¡­not all.¡± He stood up straight, turning away from them. He was silent for a moment, trying to work up to something. ¡°I¡­you know, I¡¯ve realized something recently. I¡­I¡¯ve been trying to be nice.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± He shook his head at her quizzical look.

    ¡°Do you get it? I¡¯ve been trying to be nice. Thinking things over more, making sure I do the correct thing first off, trying not to act on my instincts. Less graverobbing, more relying on my friends, trying to have everyone work together,  y¡¯know, the whole, ¡®lovable anime protagonist¡¯ kinda thing. But¡­normal people don¡¯t have to try to be nice like that.¡± Amber opened her mouth to speak, but Scott raised a hand to cut her off. ¡°No. I been thinking about this for awhile. Please, let me get it out.¡± He began pacing nervously back and forth.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to be a bit nicer, a bit more sociable. May not have always succeeded, but I¡¯ve tried. I-I guess you could say I¡¯ve been trying to do what Kevin does, in kinda my own way. And let¡¯s be fair, it¡¯s worked before. But Brian, and the Serpent¡­they¡¯re gearing up for big, big things. And¡­and I just can¡¯t think of a nice way to make it through this.¡± He turned back to her and smiled, and Amber had never seen him look so sad.

    ¡°Kevin was meant to do this, you know. He was meant to be a superhero. You can see it in his eyes. There¡¯s nothing but conviction. He¡¯s the kind of pure good that you don¡¯t see everyday, the kind of light that can¡¯t be corrupted, stained, or snuffed out. He¡¯s got the right stuff, even if he¡¯s going through a hard time. Me, though? I¡¯ve realized something watching him. Him and Leo, you know how freaking amazing he is too. Watching them, I realized I¡¯ve only been playing at being a hero. I don¡¯t got what they got. My first reflex, my instincts, my methods¡­they¡¯re quite a bit¡­darker, than what a hero¡¯s should be. I¡­no matter what I want, I-I don¡¯t think I can change that. But¡­but that¡¯s okay.¡± He nodded to himself. ¡°I¡¯ve decided¡­that I can accept that. So I¡¯m going to do what I must, how I must. I¡¯m never going to be Luke Skywalker, or Frodo. Steve Roger¡¯s right out. If we¡¯re talking Sauron, though¡­¡± He pulled up the black hood, as Bones started darkening around his eyes with makeup. He took a deep breath and faced Amber and Cross, trembling slightly but forcing himself to stay still.

    Amber had tears running down her cheeks. The weary, depressed sadness in his voice nearly broke her heart. This¡­self-depreciation. He was her savior, the teen who had stood up to the devils and had laughed and carried the day with his brains and his guts. To hear him say he was no good¡­was unacceptable. But¡­her own voice died in her throat. Cross shifted uncomfortably, way out of her element. It was clear to both of them this was an issue that had been festering for some time. There would be no quick fix, and Amber couldn¡¯t think of anything to say to make him feel better.

    ¡°I¡¯ve seen, I know what a superhero is. I¡¯m not one of them, I know. But, but I¡¯m still set on having this town standing at the end of this. I¡¯ve failed to keep things under wraps a bit, so the only thing left to do is go big. So, if the super heroes aren¡¯t up for the job¡­¡± A grin broke across his face, wide and white. His heart started racing as his mind cleared, and his nerves started to fray in anticipation at what lied ahead. He felt like laughing, elated as there was no longer anything holding him back. He grinned to tell the world the biggest, baddest necromancer who ever lived was here. He picked up a skull mask and placed it on his face. The eyes were entirely black, save for two unnatural glowing toxic emerald green pupils. ¡°Let¡¯s show ¡®em what a super villain can do!¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Kevin opened his door and stumbled inside, hungry and worn out. It wasn¡¯t even eleven in the morning yet, and already the day had been too long. The greasy blood from Gulm had already been digested, his little show throwing Will around requiring far too many¡­calories? He supposed the blood was still converted into calories, to heal from. He rubbed his shoulder; Kevin suspected even vampires didn¡¯t make it a habit of pulling stunts with their bodies like that. Of course, he¡¯d only realized what he¡¯d done halfway through hoisting him up. It had been so easy to get angry and hulk out like that. Lost in his thoughts, he absently entered his kitchen.

    ¡°Kevin!¡± He suddenly found himself embraced in a hug and showered with kisses. ¡°Oh my God! Are you okay? What happened? Are you alright?¡± his mother frantically asked.

    ¡°Whoa, whoa, slow down.¡± he said, peeling her off of him. ¡°Mom? What¡¯re you doing here? Don¡¯t you have work?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be a moron.¡± she said, lightly swatting his head and kissing him again. ¡°It¡¯s all over the news, the school¡¯s been destroyed! I hurried right home to wait for your call, if you weren¡¯t home in five minutes I was gonna tear across town to get you! You had me so worried, what happened?¡± She peppered him with questions as they moved into the living room.

    ¡°Err, the school¡¯s not destroyed, mom.¡± he said, rubbing the back of his neck. He considered. ¡°Well, maybe a few of the rooms¡­¡±

    ¡°Holy¡­¡± she huffed, collapsing onto the couch. ¡°Oh my God. Was anyone hurt? Are you all right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah mom, I¡¯m fine. Uh, not too sure what happened, but apparently there was a, gas leak? I don¡¯t know, but they evacuated everyone before anything happened, so no one got hurt. I don¡¯t think class¡¯s happening any time soon though.¡± She hugged him again, holding him close with everything she had. He smiled softly and hugged her back, resting his cheek on her hair.

    ¡°Oh, Kevin¡­Kevin, Kevin. I¡¯m so glad you¡¯re alright. I-I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do if I lost you.¡±

    ¡°Shh¡­it¡¯s okay, mom. I¡¯m fine.¡± He looked down at the woman in his arms, her tears starting to stain his shirt. He swallowed. He¡¯d never really considered what would happen if he got hurt trying to bring evildoers to justice. He was all she had. And¡­now Will was gone. He nodded resolutely. She deserved to know.This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

    ¡°Hey, mom? Uh, th-there¡¯s, um, something I-I gotta tell you¡­¡± he nearly whimpered. His tongue felt entirely too dry for this.

    ¡°Oh! Right!¡± she exclaimed, suddenly breaking free. ¡°You must be exhausted. I¡¯ll go get us a pizza, how ¡®bout that? Sound good?¡±

    ¡°That¡­sounds great, mom.¡± he said, unable to deny her. This¡­this wasn¡¯t the right time to tell her he was a vampire. He sighed internally; looked like another fun night on the toilet. She grabbed her keys and grabbed him to kiss the top of his head.

    ¡°You just relax, sweetie. I¡¯ll take care of the rest for today. Just watch some TV for now and try to relax.¡±

    ¡°Can do, mom.¡± Kevin said, flopping on the couch. He turned the TV on, but paused as his mother entered the room again.

    ¡°Forgot something.¡± she said, embarrassed.

    ¡°Figured.¡± he grinned. ¡°What was it?¡±

    ¡°This.¡± Her mouth stretched and bit down into his arm, sending a searing wave of pain through his whole body. He started to scream, but she whipped her head around, her newly-strengthened neck muscles tossing him like a ragdoll and smashing him into the floor. The only good part, if it could be called that, was the impact tore the flesh in her mouth from his arm, making him shriek in agony. She hissed and flexed, her extra arms springing from her sides.

    ¡°M-Mom!?¡± Kevin cried, holding his arm. He couldn¡¯t believe it. He shook his head, eyes never leaving her, tears streaming down his face. Her glowing red eyes regarded him, narrow and hard.

    ¡°Hssssshhhh. What¡¯s wrong, sweetie? I thought you wanted to be a vampire.¡± she said, sending chills down his spine. He had to look away. Without the hissing, she sounded exactly the same.

    ¡°N-No, mom¡­m-mom¡­why you?¡± he sniffed. ¡°W-Why y-you, mom? How?¡±

    ¡°Will was very thorough in explaining everything to Master.¡± she said, her lime-drooling mouth waving back and forth. Kevin¡¯s blood ran cold as he recalled Will¡¯s words: ¡®You had no chance. We can be anybody, anywhere. There is no escape.¡¯

    ¡°Don¡¯t be shocked. I know you¡¯re scared, I was too. At first. But you¡¯ll love it after the process is complete. I can¡¯t tell you how great it is to serve the Master.¡± She sighed, shuddering in pleasure. ¡°It is an ecstasy far beyond anything I have ever experienced. Far greater than having you, even. But, even though you¡¯ve been bad, trying to fight against Master, He is magnanimous and willing to give you a chance. He has ordered me to convert you. Isn¡¯t it great? My baby boy, serving under Master.¡±

    Kevin shook his tear-stained head. This couldn¡¯t be real, this was not happening!

    ¡°N-No, mom! C-Can¡¯t you see, he¡¯s b-brainwashed you? Th-This isn¡¯t right! I-I¡¯d never join Brian! He¡¯s evil!¡± he gasped, holding his arm. The wound throbbed, and he felt a burning sensation spreading out from it. His mother narrowed her eyes in wicked glee.

    ¡°Oh, I know what he¡¯s done. And I¡¯m very grateful. I never realized just what was missing from my life. I never realized how dull everything was before. But now, I¡¯m truly alive. And you shall l know the joy of serving as well, Kevin. It¡¯s your destiny. It¡¯s already begun.¡± He looked from her fang-filled mouth to his wound in abject horror.

    ¡°N-NO!¡±

    ¡°Yes!¡± she cackled, clapping a set of hands. ¡°My oh my, what fun we shall have! Trust me, a mother knows best, after all.¡±

    ¡°M-Mom¡­¡± he sobbed, unable to find anything else to say. No. That wasn¡¯t quite true. He sniffed, knowing what had to happen next. He¡¯d never imagined this could ever happen. Even Superman would be daunted and hesitate.

    But he still wouldn¡¯t let it keep him from doing the right thing.

    ¡°I-I¡¯m sorry, mom. I-I never thought this would, this could happen. But I know deep inside you hate this, or you would if you were in your right mind. Brian is scum, and I will kill myself before I allow this venom to turn me into anything like you are. But before that happens, I will stop him and his twisted plans.¡±

    ¡°You¡­you¡­ungrateful brat!¡± she snarled, her features contorting in rage. She shook, her nails making shreds of the floorboards. ¡°I generously extend this invitation to you, and you¡­REFUSE!? How¡­how DARE you! If you won¡¯t see how glorious the Master is, I have no need of you, you bastard!¡± She screeched and charged. Kevin put up his arms but the wounds, exhaustion, and reluctance to hurt her meant she pushed him through the wall. ¡°Die, you pig!¡± She picked him up and threw him into the coffee table. He coughed, feeling pain explode in his lungs. ¡°Rrrragh!¡± She hoisted him up and hurled him through the ceiling like a javelin. ¡°I¡¯ll kill you!¡±

    Up on the second floor, Kevin groaned and rolled over. This was it, he was too injured; he could see her shadow coming up the stairs like a spider. What could he do now?

    ¡°Got you¡­¡± she hissed softly, salivating, rubbing two of her hands together like an insect.

    ¡°M-Mom¡­p-please, no¡­¡± he whimpered, sobbing. She opened her mouth wide enough to bite off his head. There was no mercy in what she¡¯d become.

    ¡°May I come in?¡± someone called from the window.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kevin¡¯s mother started.

    ¡°Yes!?¡±Kevin cried. The glass shattered and a dark blur shot into the hall. His mother bit at it, but her lips were severed in a spray of blood and drool, and she was kicked down the stairs. Genevieve was there, holding a short, curved blade.

    ¡°I¡¯m just in time.¡± She said, kneeling over him and examining his wound. ¡°How long ago were you bit?¡±

    ¡°Like a minute?¡± Kevin replied, fuzzy-headed. What was she doing here?

    Genevieve grimaced and sunk a hypodermic needle into his wound, eliciting a howl.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be such a girl, you¡¯ll live. Err, if you were alive. Master Harvaste developed this serum to counteract their venom.¡± She explained, the plunger sending a bright blue liquid into his body. He sighed as the burning sensation dulled and lifted, but she wasn¡¯t done yet. From a leg holster she drew another syringe, and gave him an injection of blood. ¡°Right now, your body¡¯s fighting to keep its shape. We¡¯re lucky I got here when I did, this venom acts fast. The blood will help, but you should take it easy-¡± There was a horrid screech from downstairs, and they both glanced down the steps. Mrs. Bachelder was nowhere to be seen. ¡°Ah crap. Hey! What do you think you¡¯re doing?¡± she said as Kevin pushed himself to his feet.

    ¡°Gotta-gotta finish this.¡± he said unsteadily, swaying back and forth. The serum and blood had helped, but he was lightheaded and woozy. ¡°I¡­I¡­th-that¡¯s my mom down there. I-I have to be the one to e-end this.¡±

    ¡°No, you don¡¯t. Stand down and let me handle this.¡± Genevieve commanded. She glanced down at her blade, which seemed far too small to take on something that big. But Lord Harvaste had entrusted this mission to her. She gripped it tighter. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of this. You shouldn¡¯t have to do this.¡± she said gently. She started down, when her wrist was caught in a surprisingly strong grip.

    ¡°No,¡± he said hoarsely, wiping his eyes. ¡°I¡­s-she¡¯s my mom. My dad split before I was born. W-Will¡¯s gone over to their side. A-And now¡­she was all I had left. Now even she¡¯s been taken from me. Please, I have to do this.¡± he begged. Genevieve could feel his tremors in her arm. She was uncomfortably reminded of a cold spring night over forty years ago, when Lord Harvaste had come across a young girl in a similar state. She looked down the stairs again, then sighed and cursed.

    ¡°Damn it. Fine. Here.¡± She pulled down her collar and offered her neck. Drink, it¡¯ll help you. But only a little. Lord Harvaste would kill me if he knew about this.¡±

    ¡°Th-Thank you¡­I¡­¡±

    ¡°Hurry up, she¡¯s still after us!¡± Genevieve snapped. Kevin slid his fangs out and bit into her jugular to her hiss of pain.

    His eyes immediately shot open. This was nothing like what he¡¯d experienced before. If blood were the sweetest food of the gods, then the blood of a vampire was ambrosia liquor, refined and aged to perfection. It quenched, it burned, it soothed; sliding down his throat into his belly, it sated like nothing ever before. And yet, and yet! Her blood was beyond divine! There was nothing he desired more than another sip. Nothing would stand in his way to get it.

    ¡°Easy now, e-easy.¡± Genevieve said, trying to keep calm. She recalled the horror stories Gregor had told her of the vampires who had tasted other vampires¡¯ blood, turning into addicted monsters, feral and ferocious. And the blood they consumed only gave them more strength to take more, and more, and more. She¡¯d had faith in the boy¡¯s conviction, but now she was flagging. ¡°Ah!¡±

    He heard her. He stopped sucking, every cell in his body screaming in protest. Robotically, he uncurled his hands and leaned away, breathing hard and fast through his nose.

    ¡°Ow. H-Hey, you okay?¡± she said, seeing him stand stock-still.

    ¡°I¡­will¡­be.¡± he said, grinding his jaws together. The urge to grab her and drink again was almost overpowering. Almost, for anyone who wasn¡¯t¡­a superhero. He reached slowly into his pocket.

    Genevieve felt a tremor run through the hall, and raised her blade. The floor exploded, and a hand grabbed her ankle and pulled her through the wood.

    ¡°Gotcha!¡± his mother crowed, hanging from the ceiling and hurling Genevieve into the rubble below. Kevin pulled his mask out.

    ¡°Rrahh!¡± Genevieve jumped up, bruised, and started climbing the wall herself. Mrs. Bachelder hissed and leapt, flying towards her like a truck. Kevin stared at it, then slipped the mask on.

    ¡°Dieeee!¡± Mrs. Bachelder assaulted the other vampire, rearing up and throwing all four hands. Genevieve slashed and parried best she could, but the hands kept slapping and punching, outnumbering her and healing nearly as fast as she could cut them.

    Nightfang descended from the hole.

    ¡°Mother.¡± he said, his deep voice carrying over the chaos. She stopped attacking and turned.

    ¡°Ahh, yes. Your little outfit. It was cute when you were four, but you¡¯re a little old to be running around with your underwear on the outside, don¡¯t you-¡±

    Without appearing to move, he was there. She blinked in surprise, his hands encircling her head, tears darkening the mask.

    ¡°I will set you free.¡± With all of his dark might, he wrenched his hands as hard as he could, spinning her head around like a car tire, a sickening snapping accompanying it. Her body fell to the floor.

    ¡°Holy¡­¡± Genevieve said, wide-eyed. ¡°You got her.¡±

    ¡°Not yet.¡± he said gruffly, adjusting his grip. ¡°These things can survive nearly anything if the head¡¯s not completely destroyed. I will not allow my mom to remain like this.¡± He recalled, with all too perfect clarity, how Scott explained that vampires didn¡¯t have souls, and that death meant oblivion. ¡°She would want it this way.¡±

    With a roar, Nightfang twisted and pulled, her limbs thrashing and flailing, her mouth biting and screaming curses at him. With a powerful, unforgiving jerk, the abused neck finally gave out and his mother¡¯s head separated from her shoulders. He stared down into her red eyes as the light left them, blood and venom dripping from her neck. Trembling, he cradled her head and sobbed.

    Wordlessly, Genevieve went over and wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Nightfang leaned into her and cried.

    ¡°You did the right thing.¡± she murmured softly, keeping an eye out. On the very edge of her hearing, a police siren wailed closer. She hated to do this, but it had to happen. ¡°Listen, I know you don¡¯t wanna hear this right now, but we have to move. The police will be here shortly. I¡¯d rather let you mourn, but we can¡¯t be found here.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s alright.¡± Nightfang said, gently placing the head on the ground. ¡°She died earlier. This was just a monster wearing her skin.¡± He went to the kitchen and dug out some lighter fluid from under the sink. He began splashing it around the room and the body. ¡°She keeps-she kept a lighter for the cigarettes I wasn¡¯t supposed to know about in her dresser. Could you-?¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± Genevieve retrieved the lighter as he finished, picking up a piece of paper as kindling. ¡°How¡­how are you holding up?¡± she asked gingerly.

    ¡°A lot better when we bring the monsters who did this to her to justice.¡±

    ¡°Ahh.¡± There was nothing really more to say.

    ¡°Where¡¯s Harvaste?¡±

    ¡°Um, I¡¯m not really sure. He said something about gathering allies and he¡¯ll meet me later, and went off on his own like he always does.¡± she said with a helpless shrug.

    ¡°Allies?¡± Nightfang asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m in the dark too. He hasn¡¯t been in this country for over forty years, and barely talks to anyone, us included.¡± The sirens grew closer. ¡°We should go.¡±

    ¡°Yeah.¡± He turned to his house, his mother. He thought he¡¯d just cried all the tears he had, but he felt his eyes sting once again. ¡°Goodbye¡­mom. Let¡¯s go.¡± He turned away and hurried out the door. Genevieve lit the paper and tossed it, igniting the room. Flames quickly licked and consumed the couch and rug, soon building to an inferno.

    She directed him to her motorcycle, and with a revved engine they left his house behind, soon to be conflagrated into ash.

 Chapter 16: Breaking Super Bad

    ¡°Damn, this had to happen today.¡± Mayor Whipstaff muttered, going over the initial report about the freaking terrorist attack on a high school. In his constituency! He had the good bourbon out, eschewing a glass for pulls directly from the bottle. He needed it, too. ¡°Christ, at least this didn¡¯t happen mid-reelection.¡± His intercom buzzed.

    ¡°Sir? There are some, uh, people here to see you¡­¡± his receptionist said uncertainly.

    ¡°Do they have a f#*&$%&!# appointment?¡± he barked, rubbing his head. All he wanted to do was take some Valium and crawl into bed with the bottle. Let someone else handle all this.

    ¡°No¡­¡±

    ¡°Then screw ¡®em, I don¡¯t care. I¡¯m dealing with the school issue right now, they can wait ¡®til the press conference later tonight.¡± Angrily releasing the button, he muttered darkly at the report. Someone was going to pay dearly for this.

    Out at the front desk, the receptionist looked nervously at the costumed people standing in front of her. She slowly edged closer to the lip of the desk, trying to surreptitiously hit the security button. It wasn¡¯t easy with the black-haired woman glaring down at her. But she¡¯d take that over the skull-masked freak any day. His entire countenance was giving her the creeps.

    ¡°W-Well, you h-heard him. Th-The mayor will not be seeing anyone t-today.¡± she said, biting her lip. This wasn¡¯t fair, she¡¯d gotten this cushy job with a push-up bra!

    ¡°That¡¯s okay.¡± The skull-masked figure shrugged. ¡°We don¡¯t need an appointment anyway, we¡¯re here to take the mayor hostage. Corpse Corps Minion B?¡±

    Minion B, the extremely tall woman, drew a Glock and fired into the intercom, then into the desk to hit the emergency button.

    ¡°Don¡¯t call me that, ki-boss.¡± she growled, red-faced and livid. How in the goddamned world did he talk her into this!?

    ¡°Oh? But I already have Minion A, we have twenty-four more to go before we have to reorganize the naming scheme.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not your minion!¡± she yelled, slamming a fist on the terrified receptionists¡¯ desk.

    ¡°Then why are you in full Corpse Corps uniform, Minion B?¡± he asked, far too innocently for her liking. She growled and gnashed her teeth, but she had a clear enough head to refrain from chewing him out right there and then. That, she promised herself darkly, would happen later.

    ¡°Guys, we really shouldn¡¯t be wasting any time here.¡± Minion A said nervously, heart thudding in her chest. This was going in an extreme direction. The only reason she¡¯d ever consider doing this was because Scott assured them it was necessary for the plan.

    ¡°Indeed, A! Let us hurry!¡± The skull boss ran off, the women in his wake, as the receptionist quietly slipped into the coatroom, fearing the noisy chaos that was sure to come.

    ¡°You¡¯re gonna pay for this, kid.¡± Cross whispered fiercely at him as they raced down the hall.

    ¡°A price I gladly accept. Later though!¡± Scott replied with glee. ¡°Remember, it¡¯s we do this or everyone dies!¡± Cross¡¯s eyebrow twitched, twitched dangerously, but she just grumbled as they rounded the corner.

    ¡°Stop!¡± a security guard said, pulling out a Taser.

    ¡°A! You¡¯re on!¡± Scott said, ducking behind her. She turned her head to follow his movement, and in that instant the guard fired. Amber felt the two needles hit her chest, then 10,000 volts surge through her body.

    ¡°Ahhh! That hurts!¡± she growled, shrugging off the pain, not even the worst electric shock she¡¯d received today. She barreled towards the wide-eyed guard, staring at her in amazement. She wasn¡¯t wearing any body armor, she was just a slender young girl, how could she just take a Taser like that!?

    She grabbed him and lifted him up, tossing him down the hallway like a bowling ball, tumbling to a stop only when he smacked into the far wall with his shoulder. ¡°Are you okay?¡± she called back at him. Dazed, he nodded. ¡°Good! Take care of yourself!¡± She tossed him a thumbs-up and hurried to join the others.

    Two more security guards approached, guns drawn after seeing one of them tank a Taser like nothing.

    ¡°Freeze! Down on the ground! Now!¡± The two assailants stopped, the tall one drawing a bead on them. Both guns went to her, seeing as how the skull masked one complied immediately. They never heard him whisper ¡°Go, Tarantulas!¡±

    Out from his backpack slipped Scotts¡¯ latest, greatest creation, after seeing what his zombie rats were capable of. Finding all the spiders was the easy part; it was designing the rest to be capable of what he wanted, while still being light enough was the difficulty.

    ¡°Stand down!¡± a guard ordered, his finger on the trigger.

    ¡°Make me.¡± Cross replied gruffly. He grit his teeth, trying to think of a way to not shoot her, when he saw something zooming on the ground out of the corner of his eye. Pain suddenly blossomed on his shin. His companion screamed and he looked down in horror to see a rat¡¯s head, connected by a stretched-out exposed spinal column to a mass of flesh and bone and covered in other rat¡¯s heads, supported on eight legs of bone like a spider, with feet comprised of countless other tiny arachnid legs. The rat heads not biting him looked up at him and screeched.

    ¡°YAAAHHHHHHH!¡± he howled, trying to kick it off and point his gun at it at the same time. ¡°Get it off! Get it off!¡±

    ¡°Hold still!¡± His partner tried to kick at it, but only succeeded in whacking his ankle. Scott grinned as he got up.

    ¡°What is this thing!?¡± the guard cried, finally flinging it away, taking a chunk of his own flesh with it. It chittered madly and scurried up the wall. He tracked it with a gun in shaking hands, only to find the skull mask in front of him.

    ¡°Sekh.¡± Scott said, touching him with a finger. He screamed and collapsed, unmoving. The other one swung his pistol around only to receive a chop to the back of the neck from Cross, crumpling him.

    ¡°Good Tarantulas, good boy.¡± Scott cooed as the¡­creature jumped into his arms like a cat. Cross eyed him warily as Amber caught up, much slower now that his pet was out.

    ¡°You¡¯re kinda creepy, you know that?¡± the detective said.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± he replied modestly, slipping the undead abomination into his backpack. ¡°A proper necromancer should be able to unnerve anyone.¡±

    ¡°Are-are we sure we¡¯re the good guys here?¡± Amber asked worriedly.

    ¡°Good, bad, I¡¯m the guy with the zombies.¡± Scott said, an unseen grin matching the mask he wore. ¡°Let¡¯s see the mayor.¡±

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Whipstaff was pouring over the notes, trying to think up a way to come out ahead of this mess. There was some commotion going on outside, but he decided to ignore it.

    ¡°It is a dark¡­no, grave peril we have¡­no, it¡¯s more like a¡­trial? It¡¯s more like something¡­¡±

    The doors burst open and three people in black strode in, two women flanking a skull-masked man.

    ¡°What the hell! Who are you people? I demand an-¡± He froze when the tall woman drew a gun and pointed it right between his eyes.

    ¡°Good afternoon, Mayor Whipstaff. I believe there are matters of pressing urgency we must discuss.¡± the man said pleasantly. Whipstaff was paralyzed, a nervous bead of sweat making its way down his back.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°W-W-Who are you people?¡± he said nervously, eyes flickering between the gun and the skull.

    ¡°I believe the destruction of the local school should clarify my mission statement for you.¡± Scott said, clasping his hands behind his back. Whipstaff gaped at him. ¡°Nevertheless, that was merely a prelude to what I have in store. Unless, of course, you cooperate nice and-¡±

    ¡°Yes! You have it! Whatever you want, you can have it, it¡¯s yours! Just please, please spare me!¡± Whipstaff begged, falling to his knees. Scott raised an eyebrow beneath his mask. He hadn¡¯t expected the ¡°much beloved¡± mayor to capulate so quickly.

    ¡°Oooookayyyyy¡­very well, then!¡± he cried, rallying. He grabbed the mayor¡¯s shirt and pulled him to his face. ¡°The first thing you¡¯re gonna do is, you¡¯re gonna call an immediate press conference, right here. After all-¡± He grinned again. This was too much fun. ¡°-I must announce to the world the brilliance and might of Necrysis, master of villainy!¡±

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Within ten minutes, every TV and radio station in town had been overwritten with the mayor¡¯s emergency broadcast. Dozens of reporters swarmed the steps of city hall, clamoring to be closest to the podium.

    ¡°Do you really think the mayor has a good response to this?¡± the cameraman asked Tamara Nelson, former rising star reporter of Channel 7. She turned to stare at him with a manic gleam in her eye.

    ¡°Don¡¯t know, don¡¯t care. But you weren¡¯t there when we got the call, he was super spooked. There¡¯s more going on here than just the incident at the school, I just know it!¡± She clenched the mic in her fist. She had never been so humiliated in all her life. An interview with a hero? Hah! More like delusion! She grimaced as she thought of it. The only reason she still had a job was because everyone else backed her up that there actually was someone there, there was just no evidence of it. She ground her teeth almost to dust when she was forced to apologize for the ¡®prank¡¯, making her the laughingstock of journalism in the northeast. But now she would finally avenge herself! ¡°Get ready, something¡¯s happening!¡±

    That something turned out to be an aide wheeling out a laptop on a cart, hooking it up to the stereo system. The aide turned it on, and several minutes went by while they fiddled with it until everything was ready to go. The mayor appeared on screen, sitting straight upright and pale as a sheet.

    ¡°G-Greetings to all of you in Craven Falls,¡± he began, reading stiffly from a piece of paper. ¡°I, Mayor Whipstaff, will now address concerns regarding today¡¯s recent disaster. This message is currently being broadcast throughout the town, and available twenty-four hours on the local governance website. It is vital that no one panic, as we have requested additional police support from Nahumville to aid in the investigation of the alleged bombing of the school.¡±

    ¡°In the event of a terrorist attack however, I am personally declaring martial law for the next twelve hours.¡± he said, eyebrow and mustache twitching. This response was tantamount to political suicide. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. ¡°For this duration, all citizens shall henceforth be confined to their homes. Anyone who is found on the streets will be escorted to their place of residence at once. Please, return to your homes effective immediately. In case you are unable to take shelter in a private residence, I am hereby declaring¡­¡± He squinted at the paper. ¡°All public spaces to be temporary private residences for the duration, and urge all citizens, including local police forces, to remain inside. Thank you, that will be all.¡± The feed cut out as the crowd exploded, overwhelming the guards as they swept towards the podium.

    FWASH!

    There was a boom, and a cloud of smoke erupted from the podium. Once it cleared, it revealed a man wearing a skull mask accompanied by a woman in a low-cut uniform, also masked. The citizens and reporters stopped at this sudden development.

    ¡°People of¡­oh, great. It cut out along with the feed.¡± he said, trying to fix the mic attached to his collar. Amber rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Here.¡± she said, helping him. The crowd stood in confused silence as they reconnected his mic.

    ¡°Got it-oh.¡± Scott said as his voice came from the speakers, and Amber returned to his side, blushing red as a tomato. She supposed even supervillains had to contend with technical difficulties. ¡°People of Craven Falls, welcome to my Horrorween Extravaganza! Where I, Necroman, the supervillain du jour, treat you all to my show of grotesquerie and slaughter! Even now, my minions are abducting your mayor, fool that he is! He thought he could warn you and spare your lives, but NO! My minions shall lay waste to your fair city! Won¡¯t it be just the grandest spectacle you¡¯ve ever seen?¡± Scott declared, throwing his head back and gesturing wildly as he spoke.

    ¡°B-But it¡¯s not Halloween¡­¡± someone from the crowd called out.

    ¡°What? So what!¡± Scott proclaimed, waving his hand dismissively. ¡°Halloween is when I say it is! It has nothing to do with the actual calendar date! Besides, I¡¯m in the mood for some trick or treating! So bow down before me, mortals! Bow before your new lord and master, for I command the secrets of the universe! The primal forces of creation, the pinnacle of all technologies mine to control! My power and foresight greater than you could imagine, far beyond the ken of mortal realms! You may curse your fate, but know that it is I who the winds of destiny now kneel to! There is no greater-¡±

    ¡°You might wanna hurry it up.¡± Amber muttered, eyeing the police cars pulling up and the officers pouring out, guns drawn.

    ¡°Indeed.¡± he whispered back soberly. ¡°For you shall find yourselves quite without hope for the eternity to come! Behold, the first of my many creations!¡± He held up his hand and snapped his fingers.

    From behind city hall, a dark shape rose and lumbered into view. The assembled crowd screamed, and guns fired at the colossal mass blotting out the cloud-filled sky. The Zombie Titan Mk. 1 let out a moan from its bone countenance, half-hidden behind the building. Scott laughed madly as bullets whizzed by, protected by Amber, and they dashed back inside, the necromancer commanding his creation to return to the woods via the underground tunnel it had been digging all night. The Titan groaned and went back into the earth, acting on previous orders shoring up and filling in the tunnel as it went. Scott¡¯s grin couldn¡¯t get any wider as he watched the crowd panic and flail, attempting to seek refuge wherever they could.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Back in the mayor¡¯s office, Cross had been coolly holding Whipstaff at gunpoint in silence. They heard the commotion, and Whipstaff licked dry lips.

    ¡°Y-You won¡¯t get away with this, you know.¡± he said, voice cracking. He stared at the barrel nervously. ¡°I don¡¯t know what that guy promised you, but whatever he¡¯s paying you I can double, easily. Triple, even.¡± His bargain was met with stony silence. ¡°W-Well, they say money isn¡¯t everything. I mean, cash is all well and good, but a secure future-well, that can be a little more inviting to some. Tell you what.¡± He eyed her up and down, the black uniform snug and flattering, though not as low-cut as Amber¡¯s. He leaned back and gave her his best lustful wink and smile, the one that hadn¡¯t failed to lead many a mayor¡¯s ¡®aide¡¯ to his bed yet. ¡°With a full pardon, too. How would you like to work ¡®under¡¯ the mayor?¡±

    That got a reaction, at least. If not the one he was hoping for. She coughed and sputtered, taken aback. She had to swallow hard, as she felt bile rise up her throat.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you married?¡± she said at last, her forehead vein bulging and her gun arm always steady.

    ¡°Yeah? What¡¯s that matter between¡­us?¡± he said (what he thought) seductively. Cross snorted and rolled her eyes. Whipstaff took that instant to pocket a letter opener.

    ¡°Dream on, sleazebag.¡± Cross said sternly, wishing, wishing oh so very very hard, that she could pull the trigger.

    He relief was palpable when Scott and Amber came back, running for dear life.

    ¡°Finally,¡± Cross growled, ¡°can we get this show on the road?¡±

    ¡°Yes, as fast as you can would be good.¡± Scott said, shaking. His entire body felt wound up and on edge, understandable when one has just committed domestic terrorism. ¡°I hope, mayor, that you will always remember the day Lord Mortem came and graced your pathetic life!¡±

    ¡°¡­but I thought your name was Necrysis?¡± Whipstaff asked in confusion. Scott blinked.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, I say whatever my name is and I¡¯m that! I¡¯m testing things out, trying to build a brand here! Got it!?¡± he bellowed, pointing a gloved finger at him. ¡°Corpse Corps, let¡¯s go.¡± Cross holstered her gun and they moved to leave. It was then Whipstaff decided to make his move. He jumped up and took Cross¡¯s back, grabbing around her shoulders and pointing the letter opener at her neck. `

    ¡°Not so fast!¡± he cried, grinning in victory. ¡°I didn¡¯t get where I am by playing squeaky clean, and I will not be crossed! You¡¯re all gonna sit here and wait for the cops to show, nice and gentile. Isn¡¯t that right, sweetheart?¡± he said into Cross¡¯s ear.

    Scott and Amber¡¯s eyes both widened and they took a step back in unison, afraid for their comrade¡¯s life, or so Whipstaff thought. In reality, they now felt the icy grip of terror strike their hearts because Cross was smiling. Not happily, either; her savage grin far eclipsed Scott¡¯s when he was ranting about necromancy.

    ¡°Thank you.¡± she said, and Whipstaff felt a burning fire erupt in his abdomen as Cross drove her elbow into it. She grabbed his arm, flipping him instantly into the ground, and grabbed him by the shirt.

    ¡°Ahh! M-Mercy?¡± he pleaded.

    ¡°No.¡± Cross raised her hand and pummeled him, her fist a blur as her punches machine gunned his face. She let him drop, his face red and misshapen, and rubbed her split knuckles.

    ¡°Damn, that felt good.¡± she said, wrapping a cloth around her hand, satisfied. ¡°Don¡¯t forget, this doesn¡¯t absolve you of OUR little ¡®talk¡¯ later.¡± she tossed at Scott.

    ¡°N-No ma¡¯am!¡± he said, straightening up and saluting. ¡°Jeez, talk about ora ora¡­¡±

    ¡°What was that?¡± she snapped.

    ¡°Nothing, ma¡¯am!¡±

    ¡°C-C¡¯mon guys, we should go before anyone else shows up.¡± Amber said, casting concerned looks at the unconscious, drooling mayor. ¡°Um. What was the next step of the plan?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked, Minion A!¡± Scott said dramatically, whirling on her with a flourish. ¡°The next step is¡­we rob a jewelry store!¡±

    Silence greeted the necromancers¡¯ proclamation, punctuated by Cross cracking the knuckles of her other hand. Cold sweat started running down his hidden face.

    ¡°Are¡­are we sure we¡¯re still actually the good guys?¡± Amber asked, desperate.

 Cahpter 17: Im a Soul Man

    The group of vampires approached nervously, chittering among themselves nervously. They had a laptop, with the broadcast playing on loop. After a quick, fierce debate, the unluckiest one among them stepped forward, shaking in his boots.

    ¡°U-Uh, M-M-Master¡­?¡± he began.

    ¡°Yeah? ¡®Sup?¡± Brian said. He was floating in the air in the lab, playing a videogame on a 3DS. Without looking, he said ¡°Everything going alright? We turned the kid¡¯s mom, yeah?¡±

    ¡°Uh, y-yes, my lord.¡±

    ¡°Perfect. It sucks that we lost Mielios at the school, but eh. At least that place¡¯s gone, even if we didn¡¯t get any new material. I hated that place. Glad it¡¯s gone. Thank Gulm for me, will you?¡±

    ¡°Err, yes, Master. B-But, it¡¯s actually related to that¡­I, I¡¯m afraid that that accursed necromancer has made a move¡­¡±

    ¡°What? How? Show me.¡± Brain said, tossing the game away. It vanished before it hit the floor. Seeing his lord turn to business, he turned the laptop and let him watch. Brian¡¯s face grew stony. ¡°M-My lord, the necromancer, for it can be no one else, has for some reason declared his intent to destroy the town, taking the mayor hostage. Th-The mayor has declared him the one who has destroyed the school. I don¡¯t know his objective, but he seems to have something planned, s-so we should¡­¡± Those were the last words he ever spoke. Without even meaning to, and caring even less, Brian had turned him to ash instantly, crumbling to nothing.

    ¡°WHAT!¡± he bellowed, shaking. A computer screen appeared in midair, and he started going over it again. ¡°How DARE HE! No, NO NO NO NO NO! He-He took credit for what I did! That little bastard! He¡¯s trying to cover it up! He¡¯s trying to reduce me to nothing, AGAIN! NO! He-He won¡¯t steal my thunder! I won¡¯t allow this!¡± He turned his attention to the two terrified vampire mutants, huddled together. All eyes in the lab were on him. ¡°You! Mobilize the vampires!¡±

    ¡°Y-Yes, my lord. Which s-squads d-do you-¡± she began.

    ¡°No. That¡¯s not enough. I¡¯m gonna crush him once and for all.¡± Brian stated, fury bubbling beneath his veneer of calm.

    ¡°M-Master? Then¡­?¡±

    ¡°Call everyone together.¡± He slicked back his hair and rose higher above. ¡°No, this¡¯s gone on long enough. We¡¯re enacting the final stage. I want everyone ready and mobilized in twenty minutes.¡±

    ¡°B-But which squads-¡±

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you listen? I said everyone! We¡¯re gonna paint the town red literally!¡± He smiled fiercely, imagining his revenge. ¡°And Scott¡¯s the first to go!¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°We¡¯re going to jail for this, we¡¯re going to jail for this, we¡¯re going to jail for this¡­¡± Amber muttered over and over, a haunted look in her eyes, staring ahead unable to get the sight of the terrified clerks out of her mind when they¡¯d driven through the door of the jewelry place.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen!¡± Scott had proclaimed immediately, standing on the hood, firing a gun he¡¯d snagged from the security officers into the air. ¡°You have been graced with the presence of the great Deadzone! Do not resist, and you shall be spared! I demand all the gemstones you have-diamonds, rubies, emeralds, pearls, the works! Please see my lovely assistants to hand over the goods, thank you! No!¡± he cried, pointing to a shaking clerk who had tried to comply, handing over a necklace to a sour-faced Detective Cross. ¡°That won¡¯t do at all!¡±

    ¡°Wh-What?¡± the clerk had said, white-faced.

    ¡°That necklace is pure gold! I need gems-every size, cut, and color! It doesn¡¯t matter about the quality, just give us all the gems you have!¡±

    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t worry about it.¡± Scott piped up, reclining in the back seat next to a huge sack of precious stones. ¡°If we are to succeed it was a necessary step, the second to last phase in the plan to protect the town. It¡¯s for a good cause, really. I just hope we have enough.¡± he muttered darkly, going over the minerals.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to jail for this.¡± Amber reiterated.

    ¡°In a rational world, we would.¡± Cross snorted, focusing very hard on driving right now. Her knuckles were white on the wheel.

    ¡°Fortunately, we don¡¯t live in a rational world, no?¡± Scott said, grinning.

    ¡°I¡¯m gonna get you for this, kid.¡± she growled, her every vein standing out. ¡°What exactly is the final step in the plan, exactly?¡±

    ¡°All will be explained when we get to the bluff overlooking the town. It¡¯ll be easier to explain to everyone at once. You texted Kevin to meet us there, right?¡± he asked Amber. She nodded dumbly. ¡°Perfect.¡± He rubbed his hands together.

    After ten more minutes, they pulled off the road, a small cliff giving away to a fantastic view of the entirety of Craven Falls next to it. Nightfang and Genevieve were already there, her bike leaning on tree. If it weren¡¯t so cold and dreary, Genevieve thought it would be a lovely spot for a picnic.

    ¡°Excellent. It hasn¡¯t started raining yet.¡± Scott said, hauling the sack out. ¡°How are you guys holding up?¡±

    ¡°Well¡­¡± Genevieve started, but Nightfang answered immediately.

    ¡°Brian turned my mother into one of his beasts. I had to remove her head to put her down and burn my house to cover our tracks. She no longer exists. I don¡¯t want to talk about it.¡± he said flatly.

    ¡°WOW. Uh. Yeah. S-Sorry ¡®bout that. Um. I¡¯m gonna go over here now.¡± Scott said, shaking his head. This was¡­way out of his league. Amber was going over to comfort him, she was much better at that stuff than he was, so he decided to start the ritual. Grabbing a stick, he knelt and began to draw strange sigils around a circle in the dirt. Nightfang blinked and rubbed his eyes; he could swear Scott was drawing some of them in 3-D.

    ¡°So, uh, we heard about the commotion in town.¡± Genevieve said. ¡°What¡¯s going on? We got the message to meet here and¡­what is he doing?¡± she trailed off, watching Scott inscribe a double layer of sigils, muttering strange words in an alien tongue. He pulled out a vial of sickly-sweet smelling liquid and began splashing it over the circle.

    ¡°Not exactly sure, and judging by the rest of the plan that worries me.¡± Cross growled, folding her arms and leaning against the tree. She¡¯d taken the ridiculous mask off, and had donned her overcoat. ¡°Amber, go see what he¡¯s up to. He¡¯s never spent this much time drawing things before.¡± Indeed, Scott finished up the third layer of sigils with a practiced, steady hand, and began adding a fourth. He kept checking the sky, and started waving the stick over the design. Sparks of green light flashed.

    ¡°Me?¡± Amber squeaked. Scott had never looked so intense casting a spell before, as he poured the bag of jewels into the circle¡¯s center. There was a low buzz emanating from it now. ¡°Um¡­he looks kinda busy, I¡¯d hate to be a bother¡­¡± She really didn¡¯t want to approach that circle. Even if she was a ghoul and empowered by necrotic energy, it made her skin crawl to stand even this close. Nightfang and Genevieve shifted uncomfortably as well.

    ¡°Listen, the kid said he needed those jewels and the highest point in town in order to carry out his plan. But he hasn¡¯t told us what the plan is, and while I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll end up bad for the city, I¡¯d like to know what¡¯s going on. Call it professional curiosity.¡± she sniffed. She was starting to feel uneasy as well, and it had nothing to do with the lack of information. Whatever the kid was brewing up, it was something fierce.

    ¡°W-Why me, though?¡± Amber said with a sinking feeling. Damn it, why did the hard jobs always fall to her? Cross snorted.

    ¡°If I go over there, it¡¯ll be a fight, and you know it. I can¡¯t allow much more of this¡­chaos. The kid and I, we¡¯re too different. We won¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡± she said levelly, as thunder started to rumble overhead. The lightning started to flash, emerald bolts illuminating the dark sky. The vampires turned up to it warily.

    ¡°Too alike in some ways, though.¡± Amber muttered under her breath.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Cross perked up.

    ¡°Nothing!¡±

    ¡°Anyway,¡± she said with narrowed eyes. ¡°You¡¯re the one he opens up most to. So get over there and open him up. Though I really shouldn¡¯t be saying this, if you just bend over in that uniform a kid his age is gonna spill his guts real quick.¡±

    ¡°H-Hey, I think that¡¯s g-going a bit far, don¡¯t you think?¡± Amber said, face furiously blushing, covering her chest.

    ¡°Then why are you wearing it, instead of having it refitted like mine?¡± Cross asked pointedly, the vampires looking on this exchange in fascination.

    ¡°W-Well¡­¡± Amber¡¯s eyes travelled to Scott, still chanting. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­go talk to him.¡± she slunk off, redder than an apple.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Good girl.¡± Cross nodded.

    ¡°Wait, I¡¯m still confused. What is he doing? Because you¡­forgive me, you made it seem like he was casting a spell.¡± Genevieve said. Nightfang and Cross nodded.

    ¡°He¡¯s a necromancer, ¡®glorious master of dark magic¡¯, or so he claims.¡± Cross said. Genevieve¡¯s eyes bugged out.

    ¡°He uses magic? Magic is real!?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a vampire and you don¡¯t know that?¡± Cross asked.

    Back at the edge of the cliff, Amber padded over to Scott, still chanting strange and terrible syllables. They made her teeth rattle.

    ¡°So, uh¡­hey, buddy. What¡¯cha up to?¡± she asked slowly. He spared her a glance out of the corner of his eye.

    ¡°Hey Amber. Did Cross send you over here?¡± He took her wince as a yes and grinned.

    ¡°N-Not just her. We¡¯re all a little worried.¡± she continued, rallying her thoughts. A foul, pungent smell filled the air above the circle, like rotting eggs mixed with old meat. Such a combination should have made her ghoulish stomach rumble, but all it did was make her eyes water. ¡°Jeez, how can you stand this? This odor, it¡¯s so¡­unnatural.¡±

    ¡°Gee, I didn¡¯t realize.¡± he deadpanned, clasping his hands together and checking a passage in the Necronomicon, open at his feet.

    ¡°Anyway, we were wondering¡­well, we¡¯ve done all this for the plan, and we trust you, and I¡¯m sure it¡¯s a great plan¡­but what is it?¡± Amber asked, nervously drumming her fingers on her knee. He continued chanting for a moment, then turned to her. He had the same sad smile as he did earlier.

    ¡°It¡¯s a part of necromancy I don¡¯t dive into very often. It¡¯s pretty difficult, and for something this big I need like five times the preparations and sigils, plus it¡¯s really draining. And honestly¡­¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t like messing with it too much. It feels like I¡¯m trespassing on something I shouldn¡¯t. I know if it were me, I¡¯d hate it. But desperate times call for desperate measures. And I will not let Brian take the town. I will be a villain if that¡¯s what it takes. Although, I should¡¯ve let you in on the plan. I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s nearly done anyway. It¡¯s just been so hectic, I¡¯ve had a lot on my mind. And I have to hope the zombies I made are doing their jobs properly, it¡¯s hard not to be there to supervise. I¡¯m sorry. Forgive me?¡±

    ¡°Maybe.¡± she replied dryly. He shook his head, making a complex finger motion.

    ¡°Anyhow, they¡¯re coming. Brian¡¯s army, they¡¯re on their way into the town, don¡¯t exactly know when. You¡¯ve seen how bad those things are, I don¡¯t want their numbers spreading. I also don¡¯t want to put the town in danger, no matter what it may look like. So, I got to thinking, how can I ensure people¡¯s safety while denying Brian¡¯s growth scheme? And as an added bonus, no one will be around to see any supernatural shenanigans that might ensue. Hey, Detective!¡± he suddenly yelled out to Cross. ¡°All your men out of the town, right?¡±

    ¡°Should be.¡± she called back. She was not getting close to that circle. In unspoken agreement, the trio even took a step back away.

    ¡°Good! If not, oh well!¡± Scott turned his attention back to the circle. ¡°Alstagh nagotos elium manm ahh, Clieedos nAgbs¡¯a, ctlthzmgbtasmphztigm anangh hool ahh.¡± Amber blinked, hearing him pronounce the strange words with such precision. ¡°C¡¯ore, kture, al¡¯mnaw¡¯vtvulmda voumka. C¡¯ore, kture. Think of it like this: everyone just goes to sleep for a little bit, no fuss, no muss. And, should the worst come to pass, at least the people won¡¯t turn into vampires.¡± He stood up, the wind whipping his coat, the clouds above a thunderous vortex centered over the necromancer. He closed his eyes. He breathed slowly, deeply, feeling the pulse of the necrotic energy, balancing on the paper-thin edge of life and death. He could feel the power around him, the bright beating of the life forces around him, the familiar comfort of the necrotic forces filling Genevieve, Kevin, and Amber beside him. And, far off in the distance, the forces of the mutant horde, stampeding towards town. He opened his eyes, shining with toxic emerald brilliance. Amber looked around nervously, the jewelry in the center beginning to rise and glow as well. ¡°This definitely wasn¡¯t my first choice. G¡¯anhanlaghst gnas¡¯hta gunann. But like I said, I¡¯m the villain. Bastholth erebio hign.¡± Green energy crackled around him. He raised his arms. ¡°Tulsth rthjknm srdi uimano ka¡¯thull tib-suugith!¡± He turned to Amber and grinned. ¡°I¡¯m going to steal the souls of everyone in town.¡±

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Dan, be careful, okay?¡± Rebecca Havenbrook said nervously, kissing her husband goodbye before he opened the door.

    ¡°I know. I will.¡±

    ¡°Y¡¯know, I could go if you wanted me to.¡± Clay offered. The geek hadn¡¯t been answering his phone, and with all the insanity happening his dad decided to try and find Scott.

    ¡°No.¡± Dan replied sternly. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna risk you too. Nobody¡¯s out, and I¡¯d rather be here as well. But Scott¡¯s still out there, and I have to find him. We¡¯re not going through this with you, too.¡±

    ¡°Probably holed up in a dark corner somewhere.¡± Clay muttered under his breath.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll find him, and I¡¯ll bring us both back safe.¡± Dan reassured his family. After a quick hug from Clay, he laid his hand on the doorknob. At that moment, Scott¡¯s spell went off.

    There was a flash of green, and Daniel Havenbrook collapsed to the floor, along with his wife and other son.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. McLaren. I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s¡­inoperable.¡± the doctor said softly to the devastated father. His wife sobbed. Connor of course, didn¡¯t notice, as he was too absorbed in his videogame. They watched him through the glass of the hospital door. ¡°The tumor¡¯s rooted too deep into his brain. Even if we could get in there, I¡¯m afraid removing it would be just as bad as having it grow.¡±

    ¡°How long?¡± Mrs. McLaren asked quietly. She needed to know how much time she had with her baby boy. The doctor shook his head sadly.

    ¡°I know he¡¯s been complaining of headaches for a while now, so taking the first report into account, plus the obvious time it¡¯s been there without a problem, it¡¯s hard to say. I¡¯d guess¡­up to a month. This is a very aggressive strain of cancer. Unfortunately, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he didn¡¯t last the night.¡± They stared at his small, bald head. Chemo had done nothing but make him weaker.

    ¡°Oh God.¡± Mr. McLaren said, nearly collapsing.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. If there was anything I could do¡­¡±

    In the room, Connor couldn¡¯t hear them. But then again, he didn¡¯t need to. He could feel the pressure in his head, and knew he didn¡¯t have long left. He pressed buttons in silence, not even paying attention. He just wished it was all over.

    There was a flash of green, and his body was no longer a concern.

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°D-Do you think Amber¡¯s all right? We haven¡¯t heard from her since the school collapsed.¡± Jenny Harris said. Amber¡¯s father sighed and shrugged, pulling his keys out.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty certain she¡¯s still alive.¡± he said as they entered the warehouse. Lisa had said there had been unusual activity from Scott¡¯s cordoned-off office. Amber had told them about the vampires, and how she was working with Scott to stop them. ¡°Or whatever she is right now. We¡¯re just going to have to trust her, I suppose. I¡¯d trade places with her in an instant, but you saw how strong she is now.¡± He had a flashback of Amber vacuuming the rug, absentmindedly humming while holding the entire couch up with one hand. He shook his head. ¡°I¡¯d rather not her get mixed up in all this, but she¡¯s the only one who can deal with all this crazy crap. I have to have hope that I raised her to be able to make it through this, and you should too.¡±

    ¡°I guess.¡± she said glumly. ¡°But what if-¡± They opened the door to Scott¡¯s lab. Two dozen zombies were there, carefully monitoring and adjusting several large fish tanks, while others were steadily inscribing strange sigils on the walls and floor with chalk. They moved rotely, doing exactly nothing else but what they had been instructed to. As some finished their jobs, they went over to a corner and stood there, blank and mindless. Some finished and left out the back door, disappearing into the increasing fog. It seemed to Michael Harris as nothing more or less than an organic assembly line.

    ¡°What the-¡± he started, then collapsed as his soul was sucked from his body.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    All across town, thousands of lights sparkled, a multicolored rainbow hodgepodge swirling and flying through the air. They were inexorably drawn to the magic circle Scott had constructed, each soul zooming and sinking into one of the glowing gems. Amber watched in both horror and wonder as in less than five minutes the population of the entire town had been absorbed by the various diamonds, rubies, sapphires, opals, emeralds, and more.

    ¡°Holy hell,¡± she said breathlessly as the lightshow wound down. The gems fell to the ground, a small wail or cry coming from each of them as the souls packed in. ¡°Scott, why-¡± Thud.

    Amber turned to see Scott lying motionless on the ground, his chest still. ¡°Scott!¡± The others clustered around him as she put her fingers on his neck. He was so cold. There. She breathed a sigh of relief; it was weak, very weak, but he still had a pulse. She listened to his chest to hear his incredibly faint heartbeat. He still wasn¡¯t breathing.

    ¡°Move.¡± Cross ordered, checking him herself. Without hesitation, she pinched his nose and huffed into his mouth, beginning CPR. Compress, one, two. Repeat. After ten long seconds, Scott coughed and sputtered, his eye cracking open.

    ¡°Ouch.¡± he said weakly.

    ¡°Scott! Thank God.¡± Amber sighed, an immense weight off her chest. ¡°Now, what exactly happened there? What do you mean, ¡®steal the souls of everyone in town¡¯?¡± All eyes turned to Scott, and Cross raised her fist, still holding him.

    ¡°Spill it, kid.¡± she warned.

    ¡°Ah, yeah (cough). Well, y¡¯see¡­¡± He reached over to his pack, and a rat head extended out a pack of bagels and trail mix to him. He began ravenously munching down, pausing only to speak. ¡°The plan was simple. Kevin, what do you have to lose to become a vampire?¡±

    ¡°Your soul.¡± Nightfang replied, realization dawning on him. Scott nodded.

    ¡°Exactly. So therefore, if no one has a soul, no matter how many times they get bit they won¡¯t turn, even into a mutant like Brians''. It¡¯s simply impossible. It¡¯s not exactly a step I was eager to take, but there¡¯s no safer option right now. What works, works.¡± He turned to the gems, each containing an incredible number of souls, and bursting with necrotic energy. He could feel the power pulse in them, ready to shape it as he desired. ¡°And since I sealed the souls, I can use my magic to manipulate them.¡±

    ¡°How?¡± Cross asked, gritting her teeth. She lowered her hand, but only to subtly reach for her Glock. If the kid didn¡¯t have a very good answer, he¡¯d officially gone too far for her tastes. Scott blinked.

    ¡°To make them forget about all this trouble, duh.¡± he said, eyebrow raised. ¡°Why? What did you think I was gonna do?¡±

    ¡°Never mind.¡± Cross sighed, rubbing her head. She was the precincts best in interrogation, and the kid was a terrible liar face-to-face. His body language was clean. ¡®How can this kid be so smart, and so dumb at the same time? Ugh. Teenagers.¡¯

    ¡°Wait, then why did we need to take the mayor hostage, if all we needed to do was steal the jewels?¡± Amber asked, brow furrowed. Nightfang turned to her stiffly.

    ¡°Took the who hostage after stealing the what now?¡± he asked incredulously.

    ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t hear the broadcast? We had to legally, at least legally enough, declare every structure a private residence, and make sure people had reason to stay inside. I think a crazed villain on the loose makes a good reason, yeah?¡±

    ¡°You sneaky bastard.¡± Genevieve said, reeling at the thought while the necromancer stuffed his face. She looked over at the town below.

    ¡°Now no vampire can enter or access any building in Craven Falls. Everyone¡¯s safe inside. Sure, they could work together to demolish a building and drag any survivors out, but that¡¯s such a poor and inefficient waste of time for literally nothing. Craven Falls cannot be vampirized." Scott said proudly. ¡°But-¡±

    His next suggestion was to move quickly, get away from the circle that was still radiating magical energy. The reason why appeared as the air shimmered, and Brian stepped forth.

    ¡°What. Did. You. DO.¡± he said ominously. Scott grinned like a maniac.

    ¡°Hey there, ol¡¯ pal. How ya been?¡±

 Chapter 18: Not Fooling Around

    He spoke genially, trying not to show off what a nervous wreck he was on the inside. With shaking fingers, he frantically motioned behind his back for the vampires to gather the soul gems. Genevieve nodded, and slowly slunk to the side.

    ¡°What did you DO!?¡± Brian screamed, the rock the circle was drawn on splitting down the middle. Genevieve quickly scrambled to catch the gems and placed them in the bag at lightning speed. Speaking of which, she heard a rumbling. Peering over the edge, she gasped as the entire horde of vampire mutants, numbering roughly a thousand, ran up the path to the cliff.

    ¡°G-Guys¡­¡± she stuttered. However, all eyes were on Brian and Scott.

    ¡°Weren¡¯t you the one claiming to be the smarter of us? I thought you should know. I just prevented you from vamping anyone in town.¡±

    ¡°And nearly died in the process, fool.¡± Brian hissed, his eyes shining a solid white.

    ¡°Yup. Damn well nearly killed myself. But so what? You ain¡¯t getting anything here, I¡¯ll tell you that right now.¡± he said with a confidence he didn¡¯t feel. He couldn¡¯t take Brian on at full strength, let alone half-dead like he was now.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what I¡¯m getting. Your head!¡± Brian raised his hand, but suddenly Nightfang soared up in front of his face.

    ¡°You will kill no one else.¡± A kick lashed out across Brian¡¯s face, and Nightfang grabbed his arm as he fell, dragging the sorcerer down with him. ¡°You killed my mother! You will face justice!¡± Nightfang rained blow after blow on Brian¡¯s entire body, each with steel-splitting intensity. ¡°But I will not kill you.¡± he said to the beaten and broken Brian. ¡°I will not stoop to your level. I am going to have Cross arrest you, where you will be held to a trial, judged, and most likely executed for your crimes against nature and humanity. Nice and proper. And justice will truly be served.¡± Brian made to rise, but Nightfang threw a punch at his head, not hard enough to kill, but more than enough to knock a human body out. ¡°Goodnight.¡± His fist met Brian¡¯s head.

    To his astonishment, Brian¡¯s face shattered like a truck went through it. Nightfang watched in horror as the grotesque debris froze in midair, then liquefied and flowed around his body. He nearly gagged at the sensation. ¡°What the-?¡±

    ¡°Cgggyyyooouu think you can bring me to ¡®justice¡¯¡±? Brian said, reforming his head on a stretch of sinew away from the red remains of his shoulder. ¡°You think you are in any way qualified to judge me? To take me on?¡± He watched in terror as Brian¡¯s body liquefied and pulled itself together, not a thread on his suit out of place. Be began levitating again, looking down on them all, and Nightfang felt his heart skip a beat in abject fear. ¡°You think I can be bound in any way by you pathetic mortals!?¡± His vampire army started to crest the hill, shrieking to rend them all to shreds. ¡°No!¡± Brian snapped angrily at them. ¡°I will show them just exactly what they have wrought!¡±

    ¡°C-C-Crap.¡± Scott said, trembling. He glanced at the gems in Genevieve¡¯s hand. As long as the souls were in there, Brian couldn¡¯t do much to affect them. ¡°Run!¡± he shouted, then turned to Amber. ¡°It was nice knowing you. Thanks for helping me out. It was fun.¡± The necromancer pushed himself to unsteady feet. ¡°Everyone, get away!¡±

    ¡°There will be no escape.¡± Brain said. Columns of fire erupted form the ground with a sweep of his hands. The others recoiled and grouped together, ducking as some of the fire leapt into his hand and he lazily tossed it over their heads. It exploded, down raining brimstone.

    ¡°D-Damn.¡± Scott muttered, feeling his knees buckle. Suddenly, he stopped falling. He turned to see Ambler¡¯s smiling face.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let you fall. Whatever happens, happens to all of us.¡± Cross took out her gun and started firing, while Nightfang hurled rocks and stones as Genevieve tested the fiery barriers for weaknesses.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan for this!?¡± Cross roared over the fire.

    ¡°Heh. There isn¡¯t one! Our only chance was to move, this isn¡¯t part of the plan!¡± Scott called back. ¡°Admittedly, I could¡¯a planned better. Will you help me, once more?¡± he asked Amber.

    ¡°Anytime.¡± She squeezed his hand, then picked him up and bent down for a mighty leap to attack their adversary.

    ¡°Boring.¡± Brian stuck out a finger and white lightning shot from the tip, arcing to each of them. They all screamed, their insides heating and beginning to boil. ¡°Not even a challenge, Scott.¡± he muttered, turning away.

    ¡°C-C¡¯mon!¡± Amber huffed, hauling an unconscious Scott and Cross up. The vampires groaned, trying to stay on their feet. ¡°Oh, still alive? You¡¯re tougher than I thought.¡± He raised his arms to telekinetically remove their heads. He smiled cruelly as he finished them off for good.

    ¡°Wait, Brian.¡± a crawling voice said from his shadow. He glanced down to see Riepaimva lean up. ¡°Do not kill them.¡±

    ¡°WHAT!?¡± he cried. ¡°Okay, time out!¡± He placed his palm on his fingers, and the world faded to grey. The desperate struggle below froze, time having ceased its flow. ¡°What the hell, Riepaimva! Why shouldn¡¯t I kill them? They¡¯re at our mercy right now! We should kill them all and end this trouble!¡±

    ¡°But trouble is exactly what you invite if you eliminate them.¡± Riepaimva replied cryptically. The creature examined them in eighty-five dimensions, going over Scott¡¯s form with eighteen carefully-opened eyes. ¡°Yes, this one is difficult. Have you forgotten what he is?¡± he said, floating around them. ¡°Kill them, separate their souls from their bodies, this would ordinarily be the end of a mortal. Our knowledge would allow us to do as we pleased with their souls afterward. However, this boy has studied the arts of c¡¯shjocmt¡¯ha, and quite well. We cannot afford to underestimate that fact.¡± Brian¡¯s eyes narrowed a glare on Scott¡¯s unconscious body.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying if I kill him now, he¡¯ll still be a threat?¡±

    ¡°Hmmm. Perhaps. I know of more than a single y¡¯shhk-gorrah whose death was not the end. In fact, perhaps you could say things only got worse for his slayers¡­regardless. I believe his death may not result in the final victory I desire.¡± The shadow turned his head, seven burning eyes opening on the face. ¡°And with that in mind, killing the others would serve little purpose, as he could potentially revive them as more powerful servants, like this one.¡± He nudged Amber with a shadowy foot.

    ¡°What do you recommend, then?¡± Brian said, hand on his chin. He wanted to kill Scott, oh so very badly. The bastard would pay for looking down on him. After years of humiliation and resentment, especially after attempting to thwart his and Riepaimva¡¯s masterful plan. But his patron seemed worried about offing him, and that was enough to make him wary as well.

    ¡°An impossible prison.¡± the god answered, grinning and cavorting, dark limbs flailing. ¡°His power is death, and giving it. In a room with nothing in it, too strong to break, how can he escape? Besides, why should we kill the others when you could put that devious little brain of yours to work and see what you could turn them into?¡±

    ¡°Hmm.¡± Brian needed to think. With a small step he was flying through the solar system, Saturn¡¯s rings spinning below him. Another step, he gazed imassionately as a star went supernova, engulfing an entire planet of sentient species next to it. He beheld the civilization of the Adhg, miraculous silver towers spiraling wider the higher they went. His shoes were splashed with liquid ammonia as he walked by a cloudy ocean, beyond the Milky Way. He considered Scott¡¯s life and death, and the benefits of both as a hundred million times Earth¡¯s gravity futilely encompassed him, on the faraway space station grown by the peoples of OOgnihyjk. He sighed; Riepaimva was right. He had eternity, and so much to see yet. So much to rule. He watched a primitive group begin to manipulate the steel trees around them with their stony tendrils. He could be their god. Why jeopardize that with a petty grudge? Besides, it wasn¡¯t like Scott could stop him. He took another step and returned to Earth.

    ¡°I think seeing all his friends converted into monsters and cursing his name for all time could be pretty cool too.¡± Brian looked down at Scott, white lightning staring to crackle in his hand.

    ¡°Brian¡­¡± Riepaimva said slowly. He shook the sparks from his hand.

    ¡°I know, I know.¡± he said as color returned to the world and he made them all fall asleep with a thought. ¡°I don¡¯t like pulling this Bond-villain crap, but if he¡¯s more powerful if I strike him down than I could imagine I guess it can¡¯t be helped. You.¡± He pointed to a vampire mutant. ¡°Carry him back into town. I have some bank vaults to acquire. Let¡¯s set up shop in the biggest skyscraper around, shall we?¡± Brian grinned.

    As they departed, the earth in the empty field moved. A mound of dirt shook, and a long, boney finger popped out. It retracted, and was replaced by a yellowed, bloodshot eye.

 Chapter 19: It Maybe Is, a Little

    Cold water splashed onto his face. Shocked awake, Scott coughed and sputtered, the harsh lights making him blink furiously in the gringy room.

    ¡°Huh? What?¡± He examined his surroundings. The walls and floor were bare, once white but now faded almost to yellow. There were no furnishings, making a 15x15 blank space. There was however a door, larger than he was, a wheel lock he¡¯d only seen on back vaults, and it was sealed tight.

    ¡°Geez you sleep a long time. Everyone else woke up already.¡± Brian said, materializing in the air. Scott frantically rushed to the door and tried to open it, to no avail. Brian laughed, and Scott realized he was only in his underwear.

    ¡°What the absolute hell!?¡± he shouted, trying very hard to not consider the possible reasons he¡¯d been stripped, and not hyperventilate.

    ¡°I know you. There¡¯ll be no hidden tricks. You can¡¯t have anything up your sleeve if you don¡¯t have sleeves in the first place, huh? No pockets to pull crap out of, nothing to help you, no one coming for you, no hope at all.¡± Brian dismissed, grinning. ¡°Plus, seeing you run around in nothing but your underwear is quite the revenge, wouldn¡¯t you say? You¡¯re ridiculous.¡±

    ¡°Bastard, where are the others?¡± Scott demanded, trying to look tough and failing. Even he could see he was shaking, and it¡¯s impossible to look intimidating in underwear.

    ¡°In similar cells as you. But don¡¯t worry, they won¡¯t be there for long. I must say, you¡¯ve done quite a number on the town and my army, congrats. I¡¯m most displeased. Ordinarily, I would kill you for such an insult, but I thought it¡¯d be more¡­fitting, shall we say, to see all your new little friends do the honors for me. After all, it¡¯s only fair. You turned on me long ago, I¡¯ll have the ones you replaced me with do the same.¡± He smiled cruelly down as Scott was aghast.

    ¡°You bastard!¡± he snarled. With nothing left, he charged and jumped, trying to reach his adversary. Brian laughed uproariously seeing his desperate flailing.

    ¡°Yes, yes! This is how I pictured it! A little naked money, trying so hard to reach up to his betters! Don¡¯t you get it? There is no hope! There¡¯s only blackness and despair everlasting for you, for the rest of your days and beyond! Scream and flail, and know that your new god has passed judgement on you!¡±

    ¡°Try not to cut yourself on that edge.¡± Scott growled, panting, seeing that his jumping around was pointless. There had to be a way out of this, there just had to. But how?

    Brian gestured like cracking a whip, and Scott yelped as he felt a strike, a string of fire across his back.

    ¡°Little worm. You never learn.¡± Brian whipped him again.

    ¡°OW! Stop it!¡± The hell was Brian¡¯s deal!? Scott could hardly think if Brian was¡­waaaaitaminute, what the heck was he worried for? This was Brian!

    ¡°Ow! Ow! Cut it out! I would¡¯a thought you knew by now, I¡¯m not gay!¡± Brain was about to strike him again, but froze.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, kinda gay here. I mean, I just wanted to save the town, you¡¯re the one who wanted to see me in my underwear.¡±

    ¡°I. Am. Not. Gay.¡± Brian said through gritted teeth. It was suddenly middle school all over again. He clenched his fists, to keep from trembling.

    ¡°Look, its cool if you are. It¡¯s the 21<sup>st</sup> century, no one cares.¡± Scott said, rubbing his shoulder. ¡°And let¡¯s be honest, I am a rather attractive individual. But, uh, I don¡¯t swing that way, sorry.¡± He shrugged nonchalantly.

    ¡°Wha? The hell are you on about!? I¡¯d never go for your scrawny ass even if I was gay, which I¡¯m not! That¡¯s disgusting!¡± Brain thundered.

    ¡°Then why did you kidnap me and put me in a sex dungeon?¡± Scott accused.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t a sex dungeon!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re locked in a room naked, I¡¯m isolated form my friends, all to yourself and at your mercy, you haven¡¯t killed me yet and you¡¯re whipping me, what part of this isn¡¯t a sex dungeon!?¡± Scott cried, flailing his arms exasperatedly. Brian glared down in apoplectic rage, his face blotching red.

    ¡°You¡­¡± He took a deep breath. ¡°Perhaps some time to reflect on your idiocy will finally instill some respect for me in you.¡±

    ¡°Again, sounds like you¡¯re trying to get your rocks off!¡± Scott said. Brian flipped him off and disappeared. The necromancer collapsed to the floor, heart hammering in his chest. He¡¯d been playing a dangerous game, and his nerves were shot. But he grinned. He¡¯d gambled and managed to send Brian away, probably wasn¡¯t even watching now. Now he had some time to plan.

    ¡°Thank god for teenage insecurities.¡± he muttered, laying on all fours trying to calm down and think of a way out. After a moment, he shook his head and sat down. ¡°Crap. This is not good. But I¡¯m still alive. I still know all my dark rituals, even if there¡¯s nothing here.¡± He looked at the door, solid steel. He put his hands together, thinking deeply. ¡°There must be a way out somehow. I have everything I need. I merely need to think of it.¡± He closed his eyes and mentally reviewed the spells he knew. Bizarre, eldritch designs of magic circles and arrays drifted behind his eyelids.  ¡°There¡¯s nothing here but concrete, steel, and me. I could¡­hmm, that could work. But then again, that¡¯s merely a method. There¡¯s nothing here to affect. I could try and pump necrotic force into the whole building all day, it¡¯d make no difference to inorganics. Rrg, if only Amber or Leo or Kevin were here. There¡¯s only me. There¡¯s only¡­¡±

    His eyes snapped open. He¡¯d have to get it right first thing off the bat, otherwise it¡¯d all be over. He grinned. It wouldn¡¯t be easy, and it wouldn¡¯t be pretty. He had to visualize the necessary sigils and designs in his mind, and alter and combine the different elements of them, all in his head. It would be nearly impossible. But Scott had said it before, he would say it again.

    ¡°I am a necromancer. Fear my genius. Whelp, no time like the present.¡± Hesitantly, he raised his index finger to his mouth. He stoically bit down hard enough to draw blood, inscribing the magic circle with his own ichor like a badass. Or tried to.

    ¡°Owww!¡± he complained, shaking his hand in pain. ¡°How do those guys in movies do this kinda thing?¡±

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    Meanwhile, in a dimly-lit cell that was an exact copy, though its occupant was fully dressed, Kevin hung his head in his hands. This was it, the end of the road. There was nothing left. Everything had been taken from him; his friends, his family, his home, and now even his revenge. His mask dangled from his fingers uselessly.

    He wasn¡¯t crying. He¡¯d have to have something left in him to cry out.

    ¡°Useless.¡± he muttered, without passion. That¡¯s all he was. Even if he didn¡¯t like the method, Scott had managed to keep the town safe from Brian¡¯s foul clutches. What could he do that even came close?

    His failed assault on Brain replayed over and over in his mind. He¡¯d hit him with everything he had. It had been completely useless. Worst of all, it wasn¡¯t something Kevin suspected he could fix. He didn¡¯t even know what happened really, let alone how to stop it. The malign magician had liquefied and flowed around his fists like water, forming again no worse for the wear. How could you fight something like that?

    And of course, Brian hit them all for an instant K.O. at the same time on his first spell. Kevin sighed. This¡­this was beyond anything he could imagine. It was all so draining. He was so tired. Everything was so¡­

    ¡°Useless.¡± The mask slipped form Kevin¡¯s fingers as he curled up in a ball.

    ¡°Do you really believe that?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kevin, empty-eyed, looked up, only to see no one there. He rubbed his eyes. ¡°Must be imagining things¡­aah!¡± He started as his mask bumped up into his hand.

    ¡°Huh. Amber was right. This is kind of cool, but I¡¯d much rather be breathing again.¡± With silent footsteps, the ghost of Leo Manning walked in through the wall. He was frowning in concentration as he focused on telekinetically lifting Kevin¡¯s mask.

    Kevin blinked in astonishment. Scott, had he been there, would have explained that each soul had a color to it, an aura corresponding with any magic they might wield; Scott¡¯s was green, Amber¡¯s was gold, Stephanie¡¯s had been purple, Brian¡¯s was white, and Bess¡¯s was orange. What Kevin saw now put all of them to shame. Leo hadn¡¯t one, or even two colors to his soul. His was an incandescent, resplendent rainbow, each color shifting and pulsing softly, lighting up the dim room like an invincible candle standing tall and proud against the crushing darkness.

    ¡°What? Something on my face?¡± Leo said, cocking his head. Kevin stared at him, openmouthed. He was literally speechless. ¡°Anyway, I think we¡¯re in a tough spot here. This place seems to be linked up to bank vaults, I¡¯m not sure how that happened. One second I was in an office building, the next I¡¯m in my bank, it¡¯s weird. There¡¯s no easy way through.¡± He glanced at the ceiling, remembering how easily he¡¯d gotten in. ¡°Well, I suppose unless you¡¯re incorporeal.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re glowing.¡± Kevin said dumbly. Leo chuckled.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve noticed. It¡¯s a bit embarrassing, but I think it brings out my eyes.¡±

    ¡°But¡­I saw you die.¡±

    ¡°Indeed you did.¡± he said, folding his arms and nodding. ¡°That part wasn¡¯t fun. I remember burning, then it was dark, very dark. It felt like I was¡­moving? That¡¯s the best way I can describe the sensation. I was moving somewhere, then all of a sudden I felt this big, big, thing appear.¡± Leo shook his head. Mere words couldn¡¯t describe the sheer vastness of whatever had come forth. ¡°I didn¡¯t see what it looked like, only that it¡­pushed is the best word I can come up with. It pushed me back. I¡¯ve been floating around for the last couple of hours, trying to remember what Amber said she could do when she was a ghost, and replicating that.¡±

    ¡°Huh.¡± Kevin said. This was the most unexpected conversation he¡¯d ever had.

    ¡°Yes, it¡¯s very strange. But well, life has been a bit unusual lately. Speaking of which,¡± Leo sat down on the floor in front of him. He frowned as he phased through, then lifted up to compensate. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? I got the general idea of what happened earlier, but you look more dead than I am.¡±

    ¡°Oh. You know what happened with Will and¡­my mom?¡± Leo nodded solemnly. ¡°Do you know what happened when Brian caught up with us?¡±

    ¡°You got captured. I only caught up with you guys when the vampires were carrying you off.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. I fought him. Brian. I dragged that monster down to earth, laid into him with everything I had. He melted and healed like it was nothing. All my strength, all my vampiric power, and I can¡¯t even scratch him. I¡­I can¡¯t avenge anyone¡­I can¡¯t stop him¡­I, I can¡¯t do anything. Everyone is going got die, and there¡¯s nothing I can do about it. I tried. I tried my best. But I¡¯m still¡­useless.¡±

    There was a moment of silence. Leo could practically feel the despair radiating off of the vampire. The air was stale and thick, muffling both sound and hope. Leo scowled.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    ¡°Is that really it, then?¡± he asked. Kevin nodded, not looking up. ¡°Tell me, then. If this had happened in a comic, which hero would give up?¡±

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t matter. This is real life. Things don¡¯t work out the way you want them to.¡± Kevin replied dully. Leo shook his head.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question. Which superhero, any worth the name, would just sit down and die?¡±

    ¡°None of them, I guess. But it still doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m not a real superhero. I¡¯m just a crummy vampire running around in a shoddy mask.¡± Hearing that, seeing the lifelessness in his eyes, Leo lost his temper. He smacked Kevin¡¯s head as hard as his ghostly hand would allow. ¡°Ow!¡±

    ¡°Listen to me.¡± Leo commanded, Kevin staring at him in wide-eyed shock. ¡°Who was the one that saved that girl last week when she was being mugged?¡± Kevin looked down, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°Answer me.¡± he said in a tone that brook no argument.

    ¡°I did.¡± the vampire muttered.

    ¡°And who managed to keep the three of us at bay while we tried to catch you?¡±

    ¡°I did.¡±

    ¡°And who saved that child from that burning apartment?¡±

    ¡°I guess it was me.¡±

    ¡°Who helped us hunt down Genevieve? Who was it that saved everyone in the school by pulling the fire alarm? Who prevented the total destruction of the building via mutant vampire worm? Who unflinchingly fought his best friend when he betrayed humanity? Who saved his mother from a cruel fate as a monstrous slave?¡±

    ¡°I-I did.¡± Kevin said, curling up tighter. His chest began throbbing, and it wasn¡¯t from sorrow. Leo nodded.

    ¡°And who never gave up?¡± he asked simply.

    ¡°I did¡­hey, wait, you tricked me.¡± Kevin frowned, uncurling. Leo grinned.

    ¡°Maybe. Or maybe there¡¯s something you need to admit to yourself. After all, the second you found yourself an undead monster, your first instinct was to don a mask and take up the mantle of a superhero. Would the you from a week ago give up? How about the you of tomorrow?¡± Leo levitated the mask again. With a sigh a shake of the head, but a small smile, Kevin grabbed the mask. He stared at it for a moment, reflecting on all he¡¯d seen and done, in such a small period. He slipped it on, and Nightfang stood up, looking at the ghost.

    ¡°I get your point. Now, how do we get out of here?¡± he said confidently. He breathed in the stale air. His chest was lighter than it had been.

    ¡°I think I may be able to help with that. I¡¯ve been practicing moving things a bit, and Amber managed to figure it out, so I probably can too. The locks are heavy, but I might be able to jigger the mechanisms to unlock it. I need you to help open the door.¡±

    ¡°Roger.¡± Nightfang grabbed the wheel and braced, preparing. Leo faded into the door. Five minutes, ten minutes passed; Nightfang¡¯s sensitive hearing picked up the faint clicks of the lock. ¡°Once to the left¡­no, three to the right. Little more, little more¡­¡± With Nightfang¡¯s guidance, there was a click. The vampire pried open the door and quietly slipped outside.

    ¡°Okay, now we gotta rescue everyone else.¡± he said.

    ¡°Before that, I suggest we open the vault door over there.¡± Leo said, pointing to one down the hall.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°Because it¡¯s where I saw a vampire put everyone¡¯s stuff, including the bag of jewels with the souls in them. I think it¡¯s best to make sure that¡¯s not in Brian¡¯s hands any longer than necessary.¡± Leo said, wincing at the implications. Nightfang shivered.

    ¡°Right. You can go into solid objects, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°When we make our way out, go into my mask or something. If I can see you, I¡¯m betting they can see you, and you¡¯re kinda¡­noticeable.¡± Nightfang put delicately. Leo noticed his aura, brimming brightly with vibrant color.

    ¡°Indeed, on a stealth mission¡­I gotcha. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s bust this door open.¡±

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Let me go! Rrggh! Haah!¡± Amber pulled this way and that, but it was useless. There was nothing to struggle against; Brian had her floating in midair. All she managed to do was turn herself upside-down.

    ¡°Oh, no way that¡¯s happening.¡± Brian said as he waved his hands at the far wall. He could feel the spatial coordinates in his mind, it was child¡¯s play to connect them. Amber watched in amazement as the wall¡­shifted, melting like snow and folding back, merging into nothing away to reveal a grand laboratory.

    Huge tanks filled with turquoise liquid sat in the corner, a vampire floating in one of them with his eyes closed, occasionally, he twitched and his skin rippled, like something was burrowing underneath it. On the far table, strangely-colored fluids bubbled and sloshed inside perfectly still beakers. The opposite wall was pure white¡­at first glance. When Amber examined it more vigorously, she saw it was actually covered in mysterious, ever-changing sigils, like she¡¯d seen Scott make before. A group of small, darkly-robed figures stood around a circle in the corner, muttering in an incomprehensible language. When she stared at them, they turned and disappeared, but not before she caught a glimpse of chitinous skin and antennae. She rubbed her eyes. The room was a square, but she had counted at least three corners on one wall.

    ¡°Ahh, the philosophers of Neptune. Their researching abilities have come in very handy.¡± Brian said, drifting them into the room. She looked down in horror to see dried, splotchy bloodstains on the floor. They hovered over the tanks. ¡°Now then, for you my lovely, a rank-and-file grunt won¡¯t do. Let¡¯s see¡­¡± He flicked his wrist and several pages of notes whipped up from the table to float in front of him. ¡°I combined the vampires with modified flea DNA. It was easy, ¡®cause they both already fed on blood, and it gave them incredible jumping power and resilience. The added muscle power was a bonus, can¡¯t tell you how hard it was to mix that in. ¡®Cause it wasn¡¯t, not for me! Ha!¡±

    ¡°You made them into monsters!¡± Amber denounced, righting herself after a struggle. She was incredibly glad she¡¯d chosen jeans over a skirt.

    ¡°Please, they were already predatory monsters before I approached them.¡± Brian snorted, moving pages like a touchscreen.

    ¡°You made them worse!¡±

    ¡°Hmm. Can¡¯t really deny that.¡± he shrugged. ¡°To be perfectly honest, though I¡¯m happy with the results, they kinda freak me out a little. I mean, have you seen their faces? Did not expect their mouths to stretch like that. If anything, I thought they¡¯d grow proboscises or something. Then again, you¡¯ve got nigh-indestructible, super-strong minions who can spread the vampire infection like a virus. Speaking of which¡­¡± He drifted down and adjusted some knobs on the console of an empty tank. Amber watched helplessly as tank hummed, the fluid began to bubble and light up, turning a luminescent lime green. Cold realization dawned on her.

    ¡°That¡­that¡¯s the vampires¡¯ spit!¡±

    ¡°Indeed it is, my dear Amber, indeed it is. The fluid circulating through them in addition to their blood, at least. Vampires need only inject their blood to turn others. The superior breed needs a little more.¡± Brian chuckled. Amber flailed and thrashed, trying to get away, screaming. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so melodramatic. After you¡¯re dipped, you¡¯ll take a little nap and wake up refreshed, with an upgrade to a superior undead body. Scott could never give you something like this. And you¡¯ll thank me for it.¡±

    ¡°No! No! Let me go! No! Scott! Detective Cross! Kevin! Anybody, help me! Please, no! Noooo!¡± Amber shook as the top of the tank slid open, frightful tears dripping in the corrupting salve. Brian grinned and motioned to drop her in.

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    Scott slowly traced the remaining third circle with his finger, completely focused on the task at hand. It wasn¡¯t easy, as his new dark ritual circle was over ten feet in diameter, not counting the various runes and inscriptions he¡¯d had to incorporate into the design. The end result was that he was feeling quite lightheaded, but paid no heed to his weakening body as he walked around the circle, muttering to himself, almost in a trance.

    He kept going over it again and again, as one misstep would be oblivion. The knowledge the Necronomicon had given him always seemed to rest heavy in his mind, retaining details and whole pages far more easily than any schoolwork, or even any other memory he had. But this...he had to simultaneously recall the information that he needed, and then pluck the appropriate bits to combine all mentally. He licked his lips. Oh, what he wouldn¡¯t give to do this in controlled conditions, with the book there to double-check every sigil he made.

    ¡°But no, I have to live-fire test this.¡± he sighed. This was literally the only thing he could think of to work. There was nothing dead to animate in here. Necrotic energy insertion was useless. There were no ghosts to aid him, nor could he use the collected power of the town¡¯s souls to blast down the door. He was utterly alone. He sat down in the middle of the circle, surrounded by his own blood. He clapped his hands together and began to chant.

    ¡°Allleb kath, Allleb kathe. Zu etsu spirituous ebnin senkh zow¡¯thu¡¯glu aBne¡¯orn fltatmzgm moh hingh uthelbtom noe heiz. I?! I?! Spiritous! Allleb kath, Allleb kathe. Zu etsu spirituous ebnin senkh zow¡¯thu¡¯glu aBne¡¯orn fltatmzgm moh hingh uthelbtom noe heiz. I?! I?! Spiritous! Allleb kath, Allleb kathe. Zu etsu spirituous ebnin senkh zow¡¯thu¡¯glu aBne¡¯orn fltatmzgm moh hingh uthelbtom noe heiz. I?! I?! Spiritous!¡±

    The blood circle lit up red, the sigils beginning to waver. Scott glanced from side to side worriedly, but kept chanting. The air began to hum and take on a violet hue. ¡°I?! I?! Spiritous!¡± Though he couldn¡¯t see it, his eyes were glowing a solid toxic emerald green, shining like headlights. It felt like the words were leaving his mouth of their own volition. The sigils left the ground to circle around him. ¡°I?! I?! I?! I?! I?! Spiritous!¡± He felt a tug, not in any particular place on his body. He grinned.

    Necromancy was an unparalleled art. However, it absolutely required the use of outside materials, unlike the other magic philosophies. There were no bodies to affect, no souls to manipulate. That only left him with his own.

    ¡°SPIRITOUS!¡± he roared. His veins bulged and pulsed with emerald light, as he began to channel his own soul into his body. ¡°Hrrrrnnnnggg-!¡± It was simple, really. After all, that was basically what happened with vampires. Of course, they died before the process happened, so the effect on a living being was unknown. However, Scott was desperate and willing to gamble on his half-mad theory. ¡°Ahh-aaaaahhhhhhh!¡±

    The necromancer stood. His heart was jackhammering in his chest, his blood racing magma-hot through his body, yet he had never felt so calm and clearheaded as now. He looked down at his hands, then turned his head in marvel. He could see each mote of dust floating in the air. He turned to the door, the light of his soul crackling along his body, and drew his fist back.

    CLANG!

    The metal bent and crumpled around his bare fist. He threw a kick at the door, bare foot meeting solid steel. The steel gave way on impact. He grinned.

    Before Brian could drop her, the buckling of metal drowned out all other sounds in the combined room. He gasped and Amber yelped as the vault door flew off its hinges and embedded itself in the far wall, making a large hole through the bookcase. All eyes were on the necromancer as he strode through, the marble floor cracking under each step.

    ¡°Let her go.¡± he said, an odd reverb in his voice.

    ¡°S-Scott!?¡± Brian said. ¡°What have you done to yourself!?¡± Ignoring him, Scott leapt, grabbing Amber and landing feet-first on the wall, backflipping onto the ground with ease. He had never felt so light, so strong, so controlled, so invincible as he did now.

    ¡°H-He¡¯s right. What did you do, Scott?¡± Amber asked in astonishment as he set her down. Scott glared at Brian, and raised his fist.

    ¡°We¡¯ll settle this n¡­ohcrap.¡± The glow faded as the spell ran out and he felt his soul recede into its proper metaphysical place. It had only been roughly a minute. His body however, immediately responded to the massive strain he had put it under and collapsed to the ground. ¡°A¡­Amber. If you would be so kind to facilitate our escape, I would be very grateful. I seem to be unable to move, and am in a great amount of pain.¡± he said calmly, unable to properly express the storm his muscles were raging upon him. Every cell had been taxed for energy, and it was all his body could do to keep itself alive.

    ¡°Some rescue!¡± Amber shrieked, scooping him up. ¡°Why are you naked?¡±

    ¡°You will not get away!¡± Brian snapped, aiming two of his fingers at them. Screw Riepaimva¡¯s warning! Scott had crossed him for the last time! His fingertips warmed, plasma forming on them, and he smiled viciously as they tried to flee. Amber jumped, zigged and zagged, but the deadly glow tracked their every move. Brian fired.

    ¡°No!¡± At the last second, Nightfang came flying onto the scene, jumpkicking Brian¡¯s arm to the side. The plasma hit through the wall in a massive explosion, knocking everyone away and erasing the concrete in a huge hole. Amber perked up.

    ¡°C¡¯mon! Let¡¯s go!¡± she cried, filled with hope at long last. Brian, closest to the blast, was spinning in the air trying to reorient himself, and the other vampires dared not to get close to Brian when he was fighting. It was now or never.

    ¡°Right!¡± Nightfang agreed, leaping out from a pile of rubble to dive out.

    ¡°What?¡± Scott said loudly, only able to hear a ringing noise. The explosion had been loud, and he didn¡¯t have undead durability. Amber and Nightfang soared out the hole¡­and immediately started plummeting to the ground, thirty stories up.

    ¡°YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!¡± Amber screamed, paralyzed with fear. This was not happening, why was this happening! Why were they so high up!?

    ¡°Not good!¡± Nightfang¡¯s head spun around, looking for something, anything that would get them out of this predicament. And it had to be fast, the pavement was coming up quickly.

    ¡°Holy crap! Why did we jump out of the building!?¡± Scott said, unable to really hear the wind whipping past him.

    ¡°B¡¯achn!¡± A long, thin red line arced over them, separating into three strings that hooked around them, and they were pulled back like fish on a reel.

    ¡°Waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!¡± Amber was still screaming and she wouldn¡¯t stop until her feet were on the ground. The lines lowered them gently to the sidewalk, then zipped back from whence it came.

    ¡°G-Guys? What was that about?¡± Scott stated, unmoving. The last twenty minutes had been very hectic. Suddenly, the pavement shook underneath their feet. ¡°Wha-yah!¡± They fell into the sinkhole opening beneath them, and the hole was covered by a car, pulled by more of the mysterious red strings.

    Just in time, as Brian soared overhead, cursing up a storm and casting futilely about for his wayward captives.

    ¡°H-How!¡± he boomed, the windows of the business district rattling in their frames. ¡°They should have gone splat! Where are you!? I¡¯ll kill you! Scooooooott!¡±

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Back in the vaults, Cross folded her arms irritably, huffing. There was no way out. There was some commotion outside, but the walls were too thick to make out anything other than some far-off thudding. Without warning, the floor cracked and she gasped as she was grabbed and pulled into the crevice. A vault over, Genevieve screamed as she found herself yoinked just as quickly.

 Chapter 20: The Underground Scene

    ¡°G-G-Guys?¡± Amber said nervously. It was pitch black, she couldn¡¯t see a thing. She remembered falling, then being dropped underground, then something had grabbed her and carried her at a fast pace through the darkness, until it had finally dumped her here, wherever here was.

    ¡°Amber? Where are you?¡± Scott said, cleaning his ear. It stank in here, but at least his hearing was coming back. It had only been maybe a few minutes, but he could tell they had moved far. He could finally hear something, and he didn¡¯t like it.

    ¡°Hold on.¡± Nightfang, getting up from where they¡¯d been unceremoniously dropped, pulled out his mom¡¯s lighter, the last memento of his old life. He flicked it on.

    Amber and Scott were plainly visible now. Also plainly visible between them, was a two-and-a-half foot doglike snout panting between them. Amber and Scott turned slowly to see a humanoid head covered in pinkish-brown skin with long, floppy ears. Its grey eyes looked at each of them in turn, and they were exactly like a humans¡¯.

    ¡°Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh!¡± they screamed.

    ¡°Yaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!¡± it screeched back. A fist came from behind it and smacked it on its head. ¡°Ahh!¡± it cried, holding disproportionally large hands with long, claw-hooked fingers to its head. It scampered away from the other creature behind it. If they weren¡¯t crouched, Scott estimated them to be eight or nine feet tall, resembling dirty, muscular humans wearing loincloths.

    ¡°Akcha-k! Know better than that!¡± the second one barked, stepping into the light and frowning at the first.

    ¡°See-zee! Thun is sorry!¡± The first creature turned to the shocked teenagers and bowed its head low. ¡°Thun is sorry, yes. G¡¯tak, zg¡¯urk. Thun mean no harm.¡± They glanced at one another.

    ¡°Uh¡­apology accepted.¡± Amber said uncertainly. Thun leapt up and clapped his hands.

    ¡°Cuz not mad! Good, th-sss-kkk, that very good!¡±

    ¡°Ng¡¯rth. Thousand pardons for Thun. He¡­special.¡± the second one said, then bowed low, his spine curving unnaturally. ¡°Me Gh¡¯mat, sent to get cuz, iscnass¡¯m, and vimtah away from nasty iscnass¡¯m. He bad, very fuulnmb, bad. We douth-sorry, we smell. If he go around, no more meats.¡±

    ¡°No meats veeeerrryyy bad.¡± Thun nodded sagely. Nightfang nodded, then leaned over to Scott.

    ¡°What the hell are these things, and what are they talking about?¡±

    ¡°Their English is mostly just broken, but they said they were sent to get cuz, the magic-user, and the longtooth away from the bad magic-user.¡± Both Nightfang and Scott turned to stare at Amber. ¡°What?¡± she said, shifting under their attention. ¡°It¡¯s what Blackclaw said.¡±

    ¡°Blackclaw? He said his name was Gh¡¯mat.¡± Nightfang said, and Amber nodded.

    ¡°Right, Blackclaw. He¡¯s not exactly quiet.¡± she said, watching Gh¡¯mat berate an inattentive Thun. It clicked in Scott¡¯s mind.

    ¡°That¡¯s it! Oh my god, I never thought I¡¯d actually meet one!¡± he exclaimed.

    ¡°What?¡± Nightfang said.

    ¡°They¡¯re, I can¡¯t believe this, they¡¯re the subterranean species of ghoul!¡± They watched as Thun and Gh¡¯mat started fighting, clearly not serious yet an errant swipe of a hand rent deep gouges in the stone around them. Amber stared at them, agape.

    ¡°Holy-wait a minute. If you¡¯re the magic-user, and he¡¯s the longtooth...I thought, but, c-cuz¡­I¡¯m cousin!?¡±

    ¡°Y¡¯mmn-k! Welcome home, sun-cuz!¡± Thun said happily, effortlessly tossing Gh¡¯mat behind him. The other ghoul growled and pounced on his back.

    ¡°¡­that¡¯s short for surface-cousin.¡± she said faintly. Scott struggled to his feet and pulled her away from the wrestling pair, as she looked like she was in shock.

    ¡°Fascinating. I never thought there were any underground ghouls around here. Usually they make their tunnels beneath older, more populated cites or far out into the countryside.¡± Scott said. He clapped his hands, and at his command Tarantulas scuttled over, the Necronomicon on his back. Scott took it and leafed through it, rereading the information on ghouls. ¡°As a rule, ghouls aren¡¯t that sociable with other species. I wonder why they went out of their way to save us?¡± he said, putting the tome away.

    ¡°Dat ist an easy vun.¡± The ghouls stopped nipping at each other, and bowed low to the tunnel up ahead. Out of the darkness came Harvaste, the lighter¡¯s flame sputtering and dimming at his approach. They saw his arm was bleeding, but the blood actually was flowing in reverse of gravity, being sucked back into his arm. He glared down at them imperiously. ¡°I see you haff elected to ignore mines varning.¡±

    ¡°Look dude, it¡¯s been a really long day, and I am not wearing pants. Could we do the whole, ¡®you should have listened to me, despite the situation¡¯ spiel later?¡± Scott said. Nightfang coughed and handed him his backpack and clothes. ¡°Thanks.¡±

    ¡°Intdeed.¡± Harvaste said, raising an eyebrow. ¡°Vell, come. Dis vay ist da exit.¡±

    He ushered them, after Scott had put his clothes on, into an enormous cavern. There was light, electric mining lamps giving off pale white light, dozens of them rigged to a portable generator and strung up along the walls. Dozens, if not hundreds of ghouls scurried and milled about, digging into the ground, making new burrows. Stones flew and tons of fights broke out and were either resolved quickly, or escalated as more joined in. Amber ducked as a smaller ghoul, one of their children, sailed over her head, giggling. It landed on a pile of rocks, and got up to waddle over to jump in again. She saw another having a snack, absently munching on an old, rotten human arm. She shuddered, but not with revulsion, and that made her scared.

    ¡°What¡­what is this place?¡± she asked, trying to focus on something else.

    ¡°Dis ist da underground, a burrow dey haff made to conseal demselfs from da sun und prying eyes. Such a cavern ist nothing to dese creatures, und can be qvickly made und collapsed upon need. Now dat I haff answered you, perhaps you shallt ansver me: verefer ist mines student und your detecife?¡± The trio froze, realizing that in their haste they had forgotten to free Cross and Genevieve from Brian¡¯s clutches.

    ¡°¡­we hadda go back anyway.¡± Scott said in a small voice.

    ¡°I um shure.¡± Harvaste said dryly. ¡°Vortunately, you vere qvite da distractshun.¡± He gestured behind him, two more ghouls approached, carrying the women. Genevieve was livid.

    ¡°What¡¯s the big idea, leaving us behind like that!? If it weren¡¯t for Lord Harvaste, we would¡¯a been goners by now!¡± she shouted, her voice slipping briefly into a Midwestern accent rather than the careful, precise pronunciation she¡¯d been conversing with.

    ¡°Simmer down, girl. I don¡¯t like it either, I really don¡¯t like it, but I¡¯m afraid they made the right call.¡± Cross said, folding her arms. She turned to glare at the ghoul carrying her, and he abashedly set her down. ¡°Getting out to launch a counterattack is better than staying behind and risking capture again.¡±

    ¡°What about no man left behind!?¡± Genevieve rounded on her.

    ¡°Admirable, but too risky in the situation to stick to. If it¡¯s between leaving me and no one getting out, I¡¯ll take the former, thank you. Besides, we have our foreign friend here to thank for our freedom, so it all worked out in the end. Isn¡¯t that right?¡± she said to a red-faced Genevieve, and shot a wry smile at Harvaste. ¡°Thanks for that, by the way. Even if your friends area little rough.¡±

    ¡°It vas nosing, Madame. I hat employed diese ghuls to rescue all ov you, but plans change.¡±

    ¡°Speaking of which, how the heck did you get these guys?¡± Scott said, zipping up his hoodie. He sighed in relief; it was very cold out.

    ¡°I haff mine vays.¡± Harvaste said mysteriously with a cruel smile. Unfortunately, Thun tumbled out of the tunnel and perked up.

    ¡°Oh, gaadnk! Dis guy great! Dis vimtah strong, prove in lach¡¯malachagza, stronger than Hhplinth! We zz-gh! All pile on, da big vimtah hit back with his big iscnassa! Fresh blood! Thun never have fresh blood before!¡±

    ¡°Quiet, you kt¡¯lachnat!¡± Gh¡¯mat picked Thun up and threw him head-first into the ground, to the braying of the other ghouls. Thun dug his way out, and the two were fighting again, the others joining. The group shuffled around them and started going back down the tunnel.

    ¡°They said Harvaste proved himself stronger than their chief and the rest of the tribe in¡­ritual combat¡¯s the best way to describe it.¡± Amber translated, the knowledge she never realized she had always known since the resurrection bubbling up inside of her. ¡°And apparently he used some kind of magic to do it.¡± Scott stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the elder vampire.

    ¡°Whoa. Magic? What arts do you know?¡± he asked, eyes wide. He had never met another wizard who wasn¡¯t trying to kill him.

    ¡°I see dat mines secrets vill not remain secrets vor wery long vis you people.¡± Harvaste growled. ¡°Howefer, it vould seen dat ve vill be vorking togedder vor da time being. Wery vell. Mark vell mines generosity, young human.¡± Genevieve gulped. This¡­this was major. Unprecedented. Lord Harvaste shared his secrets with no one, not even members of his own clan. She gave Scott a subtle glance; what was it about this kid that warranted this treatment, when even his own clan didn¡¯t? However, she wasn¡¯t foolish enough to say that out loud. Harvaste merely gave a small snort when he saw her face. She was as easy to read as a book. Speaking of which¡­The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    He reached into a very special leather case strapped to his back, like a knife might be for a quick draw from concealment. Scott¡¯s eyes got even wider as he pulled out a supremely ancient battered black book. Though the binding was thin and faded, the ruby-red letters of the title stood out as thick and bright as the day they were inscribed.

    ¡°Beholt. A scripture I haff come across a wery, wery long time ago. The Recordum Et Mors Sanguis.¡±

    Scott went very still. He suddenly felt very cold, and had to push down the compulsion to grab the Necronomicon and pull it out for¡­some reason. Harvaste frowned himself, thick brow furrowed.

    ¡°Dis ist a secret I haff kept to mineself vor a wery long time. You vill tell no vun about dis. Espeshully da clan, right, Genevieve?¡± he said, turning to her. She nodded vigorously, eyes wide. It was a well-known fact that Lord Harvaste was the most powerful vampire in the clan, perhaps the entire world; was this tome the key to his strength? ¡°I am not efen sure vhy I show you dis,¡± he said, putting it away. ¡°But I sink dat ve must put our cards on da table, oddervise dat accursed child shall haff his vay vit da town, mine clan, und more. Dis vill not happen, I vill not permit it. Do you understand? Und I vill haff mine revenge vor using mine clan in dis manner.¡±

    ¡°We all owe him one.¡± Nightfang said quietly.

    ¡°Yeah, not touching that. But anyway, I also happen to be in possession of an old, rare volume. It¡¯s what I learned my necromancy from.¡± Scott explained, mulling things over. Once was chance, twice was coincidence, three times was¡­a conspiracy? How did it go? Anyway, the existence of one ultra-rare, literally one-of-a-kind text of magical knowledge dating back to single-digit centuries, in any single spot on the planet was astronomical. Stephanie had acquired the Libris Arcana Malefactorum within city limits as well. And now looky here, someone waltzes up with yet another grimoire. He narrowed his eyes. Something was rotten in the town of Craven Falls.

    ¡°Intdeed. I haff learnt ov your¡­exploits vrom mine new companions here.¡±

    ¡°Yeah! He mzz-uk, get all meats to beat cv¡¯vgngh biggest time! He put back, good, and when we get meats they very good! Even more tastier! Gvv-ap!¡± Thun piped up, plodding down the tunnel and flopping on the ground. The sounds of violence could still be heard from behind him.

    ¡°Uh, Thun? They seem to be fighting a lot. Is¡­is everything okay?¡± Amber asked the ghoul nervously. Thun gave a high-pitched bark of laughter.

    ¡°Cuz no worry, no worry! We gdumvph ghouls, we tough, we strong!¡± He reached out and grabbed a handful of dirt and squeezed it. He dropped it into her hands, and she was astonished to find it packed tighter than if a steamroller had run over it, nearly a rock. ¡°We like fight, all gdumvph ghouls do! We fights all day, we digs all day, we eats meats all day! You sun-cuz, you wimp. But Thun save! We save sun-cuz and nekky-man who get meats more tastier!¡± he said with the widest smile she¡¯d ever seen.

    ¡°Thank¡­you?¡± she said uncertainly, casting about for help. Scott was coughing over being referred to as ¡®nekky-man¡¯.

    ¡°Da ghuls here underground are da strongest dere ist. He means you no insult, mistress Amber, but dey are not wery, ciwilized, shalt ve say.¡± Harvaste explained. ¡°Thun, go und alert da odders. Ve musht make haste, wampires become stronger during da night. I veel mineself gaining strength, so I vear dey vill be ready soon. Ve do not haff much time to prepare. I shalt lead da ghuls against da wampires. It pains me, but dey are no longer part ov mine clan. Howewer, all vill be vor not unless dat thrice-accursed magician can be brought to heel.¡± he said with a scowl.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like this. I really don¡¯t like this. There¡¯re too many variables.¡± Cross said, holding a hand to her chin. ¡°First of all, how will they strike? At what? Us? The town? I can¡¯t really get a read on that kid, I don¡¯t know what his next move will be. One moment, a tactician would laugh at his flailing, the next he stumbles onto something scarily effective.¡± She shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s pointless to lead an army where your opponent isn¡¯t. And from what I¡¯ve seen, he¡¯s nigh-omnipotent. I¡­don¡¯t think a gun¡¯s enough to stop him.¡± she said doubtfully, checking hers over.

    ¡°Intdeed. Dough I vould like to ewicerate him, slice him to ribbons, und cause da remaining blood to boil, I am avraid it vill be ov little use. I haff heard of his regenerashun.¡± Harvaste said, a red aura briefly flickering around him.

    ¡°Actually, I¡¯ve been working on something for that.¡± Scott piped up, pulling out his phone. After a moment, he got a signal and the videochat connected. There was a zombie on screen, stringy-haired with the skull poking through its browned, shrunken flesh.

    ¡°Uuuuugggghhh.¡± it moaned.

    ¡°Ahh, excellent! Put the screen close to the tanks and designs, I want to check on their status.¡±

    ¡°Muuugh.¡± The screen was clumsily shuffled around, and the phone was awkwardly carried over to the bubbling fish tanks, filled with some kind of sludge-like substance. It lurched over to the magic circle the other zombies were working on, nearly complete.

    ¡°Scan the whole thing.¡± Scott commanded, and as the phone went over it he started cackling. ¡°Heh heh heh ha ha! Yes, yes! Good, very good! Soon the plan will be complete, and it is I who shall be victorious!¡±

    ¡°Is¡­does he always talk like a supervillain?¡± Nightfang whispered to Amber nervously.

    ¡°You have no idea.¡± she replied, rolling her eyes.

    ¡°How are the raw materials coming along?¡± Scott said, and the group crowded around the phone in morbid fascination, at least until it showed the pile of¡­

    ¡°Aaugh!¡±

    ¡°Why!?¡±

    ¡°Nooo!¡± The whole group save Scott and Thun recoiled in horror, Genevieve dry heaving in a corner.

    ¡°Why?¡± she pleaded. ¡°W-Why do you have s-so many dead puppies?¡±

    ¡°I think I might be sick.¡± Nightfang said. He recalled footage he¡¯d seen of the Holocaust, mounds of bodies being thrown into a pit. There were far too many similarities for comfort.

    ¡°I-I think there was a pile of kitties, too.¡± Amber said, nearly in tears.

    ¡°I should haff your head vor dis!¡± Harvaste declared. He¡¯d had several hundred canine companions over the centuries, and each one was buried with love and honor on the castle grounds.

    ¡°Ah! Good meats!¡± Thun said, and every wide eye turned on him.

    ¡°Thun, go get da resht ov da ghuls.¡± Harvaste said.

    ¡°Okie-dokie!¡± Thun slammed his hand into his head as a salute, and loped off.

    ¡°What are you guys complaining about? This¡¯s a necessary part of necromancy, no matter the spell.¡± Scott said, trying to defend himself. ¡°I mean, yeah, it¡¯s not the most pleasant of options-¡±

    ¡°Understatement of the year.¡± Amber said dryly, and he stuck his tongue out at her.

    ¡°But this one¡¯s on a bigger scale than normal. Trust me, you¡¯ll thank me for it later. I got inspired by the filk song.¡±

    ¡°Song? There¡¯s a song?¡± Nightfang asked without thinking.

    ¡°Yeah, the Ogden Edsl song.¡± The necromancer cleared his throat. ¡°Deeeeaaad puppies, (dead dead dead) dead puppies¡­My puppy died, late last fall, he¡¯s still rotting in the hall, dea-mmph.¡± Amber had mercifully put her hand on his mouth.

    ¡°No. Just no.¡± she said, shaking her head. ¡°Dear child, you have much to learn, and the first thing is no.¡±

    ¡°Mmph mmhm.¡±

    ¡°Good boy.¡± She uncovered his mouth and sighed. She was torn between laugh-crying at the song, or being horrified he took it literally.

    ¡°Ugh. Anyway, we should get out of here. We¡¯ve got a lot to do, so we should get prepared. Kid, you good to go?¡± Cross said.

    ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine.¡± Scott answered. This did nothing to reassure Cross. He was swaying back and forth, blinking slowly and moving stiffly, like an old man. She sighed to herself; they were all getting old before their time.

    ¡°Really? To my understanding, you got no sleep last night and nearly killed yourself with sucking the souls out of the town.¡±

    ¡°I got some rest when I was knocked out, don¡¯t worry.¡± he said with a grin. Cross didn¡¯t need to be a detective to know he was lying, and her frown deepened. ¡°Trust me detective, I¡¯ll be able to handle it. It¡¯s not going to be pleasant, but I¡¯ll manage. We don¡¯t have the time to be concerned with my health right now, and I will be okay.¡± If he said it often enough, he would believe it.

    ¡°Is that a fact?¡± Leo said, making himself known. ¡°You are one of the lynchpins of the operation. You need to be in tip-top shape.¡± The others gasped in amazement at his appearance. Scott snickered at his aura.

    ¡°Yo, good to see ya. Don¡¯t worry ¡®bout it, I¡¯ll live. Probably,¡± he amended worriedly, ¡°if we, y¡¯know, live through this.¡±

    ¡°I suppose that¡¯s the best we can hope for. Unfortunately, I seem to have become deceased before we could consolidate on a plan. Is there a plan?¡± he asked, and the necromancer grinned and rubbed his hands together.

    ¡°Boy oh boy oh boy, is there ever. And if we got a tribe of ghouls to help us out-¡± he nodded at Harvaste ¡°-then we don¡¯t even have to hit up the zoo.¡± More silence followed his proclamation.

    ¡°¡­do I even wanna know?¡± Cross said tiredly.

    ¡°No. You do not. Anyway, let¡¯s break for now. We can use the ghoul tunnels to move around, so let¡¯s reconvene at my secret lab around¡­He checked his phone. ¡°Seven sounds good, right?¡±

    ¡°Wery vell. Iv you giff me da address, I can haff da ghuls dig to anyvhere in da city. I shalt retreat vis Genevieve to mine hotel und make preperashuns. Dis ist acceptable?¡± Harvaste said with a raised brow.

    ¡°Perfect. I wanna go home first, as my lab is stocked with many things, but a refrigerator is not one of them.¡± Scott said, then considered. ¡°I should get a mini-fridge.¡± he muttered.

    ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll see you then.¡± Cross shook the vampire¡¯s hand, and motioned for the teenagers to follow her. ¡°Alright people! He have less than three hours before we meet up and move out. If you have anything you need to do before then, get it done as quick as possible. I¡¯m going to have a stiff drink and pray to God we make it through this.¡±

    ¡°Just make sure you get the right god.¡± Amber said gloomily, considering their foe.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. It¡¯s a hero¡¯s duty to save the world, no matter form what. We¡¯ll win. I believe it.¡± Nightfang reassured her, gently pumping his fist.

    A troop of ghouls soon came up and escorted them through the tunnels, digging a new route with their bare hands with alarming acceleration, laughing and smacking each other jovially. In no time at all, Cross¡¯s group emerged from the ground in Scott¡¯s backyard, hustling to the door casting fearful glances at the sky. Once they were in, they breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Hey, if someone¡¯s who¡¯s got super strength could move my family into like the living room or something, that¡¯d be great.¡± Scott said, filling up the undead members of the group with necrotic energy. ¡°It¡¯s okay if you wanna leave my brother there though.¡± Amber rolled her eyes and took his family to their beds upstairs. It was a little strange; except for the slight motion of their chests, she would believe they were dead.

    Once she¡¯d put them away and looked around at the rooms she was once again intruding in, only this time tangible, she made her way down to the living room, where Scott had detailed the rough plan to defeat Brian. Leo was looking troubled, Cross¡¯s mouth was hanging open, but she couldn¡¯t be sure about Nightfang with that mask of his.

    ¡°So that¡¯s what the fish tanks were for.¡± Cross muttered, crossing her arms worriedly.

    ¡°Are-are you sure this¡¯ll work? I mean, this¡­wow, that¡¯s nasty. I¡¯m pretty sure it violates some international laws.¡± the vampire said. Amber sighed. Scott had already filled her in. The plan was radical, but at this point she expected nothing less from him.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be concerned about breaking the rules of the law when I¡¯m concerned about the rules of reality.¡± Scott shrugged off, downing his third cup of coffee. He was struggling to stay awake, the caffeine had replaced his blood at some point. He opened a pack of Pop-tarts and devoured both in two bites.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s extreme. Make sure you don¡¯t mess it up.¡± Cross said, giving him a hard look.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Scott said dryly, and stood up to stretch. ¡°Okay, since everything¡¯s gonna start up later, I¡¯m catching a nap. Get me up an hour before we meet up with Lord Stuffyfangs, I¡¯ll need to make some adjustments to the sigils.¡±

    ¡°¡®Lord Stuffyfangs¡¯?¡±Amber said in amusement, eyebrow raised. Scott waved her off.

    ¡°I¡¯m tired, you don¡¯t get my A material.¡± He stumbled up the stairs.

    Once in his room, he tossed his backpack on the bed and yawned.  He shook his head. Every muscle ached.

    ¡°Tarantulas, put my bag in the closet.¡± he said, never more grateful for minions than now. The rat-headed monstrosity crawled out and pulled the pack off the bed, retreating through the closet door. The Necronomicon slipped out though, plopping on the bed. Scott rubbed his face.

    ¡°Get what you pay for, I guess.¡± It was easier just to put it away himself. When he reached for it, the lights flickered, a cold wind rushing through the room to flip the pages with a dark rustling. Scott sighed. ¡°Look, it was scary the first time, unsettling the second, but by the fiftieth time it gets old.¡± he groused, picking it up and looking at the page it obviously wanted him to read.

    He wasn¡¯t prepared for the tentacles that sprung forth from the tome, engulfing his head. Pain blossomed as they pierced his eyes and ruptured his eardrums, the wriggling tendrils forcing themselves up his nose. He opened his mouth to scream, but another one shoved its way into his throat, and he knew no more.

 Chapter 21: Tripping and Gearing Up

    Darkness. Colors. SCENES. Light, fLashes went by aNd buy, never holding long enough tooo focus on, snatches of conversation rushing by too quick to catch, terrible, terrible whispers by mystery-us robed figures, his ancestors, his predecessors, his descendants, his fuTurE. His FatE.

    The void. The universe. He saw them all.

    In his tWisted glory, he laughed, seeing all, knowing NUTHING. Strange sigiLs slipped by, chanted by learned wise women without wishes, DOOMed forever to recant the number of Stars.

    Many-fingered beasts opened their many-colored eyes, and he smiled with teeth, and they smiled with teeth and he smiled because They smiled and He because they and he opened his mouth to devour them as they opened their mouths to devour him and all was the same and nothing all at once.

    Stars flew past as the universe grew to Nothing and rings grew around galaxies like PLANETS, space folding and unfolding in aNd out upon itseLf, his entirety heating and cooling, forged by Big Bangs aeons apart but what seeemed like seconds to him, forging a soul that could not BE Divided unlike the rest of the Divided and he cried as he witnessed pale shapeless giants hammer down their hearts and crunmble again to nothing, MiNdleSS and hEArTless once more, and He wept in joy and sorrow and there was no distinction.

    Millions upon billions upon trillions fell, death decaydoomdespairdeny the reality and the urge, the POWER to live against the void, no more strength to throw off it like a blanket, the foul crushing darkness at the beginning and the end, without end, eyes always open never seeing. He wept in despair as Gods cried and Gods died and the hope of rebirth was oblivion, intertwined with destiny. The sYstem needed crash, NEedEd crash, and he was the only one to see how Small and Alone the entirety of  everything  was. NO heart, no MinD, no poWer, a chaotic cacophony that rhyme nor reason mattered to, the universe was madness drumming without purpose, drumming a beat of endless dancers to an aWEsome and terrible, damnedable flute, he wailed as his spirit soared as the bard was write, full of sound and fury signifying NOTHING!

    The VoidoomdespairdeathdespairdoomVoid pressing in, rending his eyes, rending his mind wide open to the possibilities of stars burning coldly in their Heaven, creatures shrinking and retreating from the <u>light</u> into the fading <u>night</u> that offered no <u>respite</u>. He Saw, and a wailing and gnashing of teeth was to be had as tears of blood reigned freely, the light of brighteousness gone, snuffed out never there at all, only an illusion in the face of cold Nothing that all feared and cried out for.

    Spheres, pathways of energies, veins, closed and gone as Uni became Verse and became Cursed to Know without flinching. All the souls of all the planets were dEAd, rotting meat even dark CarriOn birds could not feast from, deader than doornails and empty oceans and sleep and forever. All death, all void closing in, all falling down no hope to be had, infinite <u>zero</u> everything passing start in reverse.

    Everything.

    He saw everything collapse into nothing, the doom pressing down. There was despair without end, deaddest despair and he grinned, grinned as the ancient secrets whispered in his mind, that darkness pressing in he grabbed aroundhimself, so cloaked he could SEE, and grinnnned as flesh faded and melted leaving only bones bones bones white and pure, pure green flame in his eyes and ribs, chanting words to hold the world together, fire-chant and skeleton-grin, as everything turned topsy up turvy down, and the despair was hope filling bones and filling fires and lungs as the green reached out, sickly mocking life reversing the reverse. Spheres, the pathways his energy ignited, holes in space-time as and time in hole-space as the Stars trembled at his laughter, I?! I?! A Thousand mothers with one Young never conceived of the cold poison drunk with relish, glee filling dark hearts beating again!, that which sleeps may forever lie and strange aeons had come! The dead must rise! Millions of graveyards on uncountable planets shifted as their occupants rose, yet again! I?! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise! The dead must rise!   The dead must rise! The dead¡­

    ¡°¡­¡¯msst rise.¡± Scott mumbled.

    ¡°Scott!¡±

    ¡°Th¡¯ ded¡­huh? Muuh?¡± He opened his eyes and sat up, laying on his bed with Amber standing over him. ¡°Huh? A-Amber?¡± She rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Yeesh, finally. I¡¯ve been calling you for five minutes now, you slept like the dead.¡± She slapped her hand to her head as she realized the pun, realizing she was descending to his level. ¡°Anyway, everyone¡¯s ready to go, we¡¯ve been waiting on you. How do you feel? Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Uuhh¡­¡± Scott rubbed his eyes and stretched, flexing his hands. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m fine. Good, even.¡± he said, realizing it was true. The aches and tiredness of his body had vanished. He looked over on the bed, the Necronomicon sitting innocently on top. He started to reach for it, but pulled back hesitantly. ¡°Umm¡­th-this may sound weird, but¡­I, I¡¯ve been here the whole time, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I guess. You came up here two hours ago, we didn¡¯t disturb you ¡®til now.¡± Amber blinked, creasing her brow with worry. ¡°Why? Is something wrong? What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°No, nothing¡­just, just a bad dream, I guess.¡± Scott said, standing up and picking up the ancient book. He shook his head, which felt strange. There was a tingling in his brain, like it felt¡­heavier? No-fuller. He frowned in concentration, but nothing else seemed to be off. He looked down at the book in his hands, and for the first time since he¡¯d read it he shivered. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t have time to worry ¡®bout it. Let¡¯s go.¡± He put it in his bag, slung it over his shoulder, and walked out.

    ¡°Ooookay?¡± Amber followed, very confused.

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Hurry up, Hurry up! The Master is waiting, we don¡¯t have time to lose!¡± Gregor snapped, directing the others. The driver hissed at him, and he screeched back, louder and more fearsome. Cowed, the vampire obediently backed the truck down the ramp into the mall¡¯s basement.

    Brian had returned furious. He¡¯d taken one look at the newly-emptied cells and with a shout melted them. After that he¡¯d ordered every single one of his vampires, all 1,487 of them, to move out.

    ¡°We have dallied here growing our numbers too long, and we have grown complacent for it. We need to keep going, going and converting as many humans as possible. The special elite series ended up being useless anyway; now we swarm the world with our numbers. Unfortunately, I can only connect two points in space as a fixed location, and we need to move faster than that. We¡¯re going to grab some trucks and launch a convoy that will cover the world!¡± His declaration had been met with resounding cheers, and the first stop on the tour: Nahumville. The first actual city would provide plenty of new recruits, as well as the means to move east towards the ocean, and from there their avenues for infestation increased dramatically.

    ¡°Move it, you louts! Stop standing around gabbing, load up into that truck! Pack it full, more than standing room, you won¡¯t die if it flips over! Give me that!¡± Gregor snatched up a vial for one of the vampires mixing chemicals at the lab¡¯s table. ¡°The Master has commanded ALL of us into the trucks to join the attack. If you¡¯ve got fangs, use them. Not wasting time playing scientist!¡±

    ¡°Ssss! The Master has ordered me to complete this serum before we move out, it¡¯s an agent to help suppress the hunger! We could be on the road for weeks, do you want to suffer between each raid?¡± the balding, horse-faced vampire challenged.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    ¡°Pah! My faith in my lord sustains me, sweeter than any blood. As should yours. So are you contradicting my orders?¡± Gregor said, baring his fangs. The other hissed and crouched low, and Gregor raised his hands. Suddenly, a new vampire interjected.

    ¡°Guys, guys! There¡¯s no need to fight, we¡¯re all vampires here, we¡¯re all gonna serve to the best of our ability, everything¡¯s cool.¡± Will said, sliding between them. ¡°Look, everyone¡¯s joining in, just have him pile in last after he¡¯s done, what do you say?¡± he attempted to pacify Gregor. The other vampire snatched up the vial and scampered off. Gregor paid him no mind, his attention on a bigger target. He scowled.

    ¡°Ugh. You. Listen, boy,¡± he hissed and poked Will¡¯s chest, leaning into his face. ¡°I don¡¯t care that the Master favors you. You will not undermine my authority, especially in front of the others again. Understood?¡± Gregor said softly, his voice full of menace and his eyes glowing red. Will gulped.

    ¡°Y-Yeah, but it was by our Master¡¯s orders that he was doing what he was doing too.¡± he defended, too shakily for comfort. Gregor narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Master has also given me authority to oversee us. I do not need help from any pathetic upstarts who had to betray their friends in order to win a place in the Masters¡¯ good graces. I do not like you, and you will not order me around. Do you have a problem with that?¡± Will was keenly aware that he was staring at a centuries-old vampire even before their mutation, a creature very used to killing people.

    ¡°N-No.¡± Will said, holding his hands up. ¡°But I do have a problem with anyone trying to subvert Master¡¯s orders for their own purposes. I don¡¯t think he¡¯d like that, do you?¡±

    There was a moment of silence, Gregor trying to bore a hole a hole through Will¡¯s head with his eyes alone.

    ¡°See to it everyone, and I mean everyone, is in the truck in three hours.¡± Gregor warned and stalked off, shoving Will with his shoulder. Will rubbed it and cast a dark look at the elder vampire¡¯s retreating back.

    He sighed and picked up a blood pack, making a hole with a fang and sticking a straw inside. He sat down out of the way of everyone else. He watched the hustle and bustle of the other vampires as he sighed and drank his lunch.

    He¡¯d never thought it¡¯d be like this. Brian had declared him one of their top agents for the information he¡¯d brought, the only price entry to the vampire club. But as it turned out, the other vampires despised him, from jealousy over special treatment for no effort, do distrust, because even with the vampirization how could they trust and rely on a comrade who had proven willing to throw literally everyone he cared for away?

    Will slurped down the last of the blood and rolled it into a ball. And then there was the thirst. An aching, pounding, constant need to feed. Enough wasn¡¯t enough; he wanted more, and more, and more! It was only by Brian¡¯s command that he held himself back. He shook his head and wondered how Kevin could stand it.

    He crushed the package in his hand as he thought of his former best friend. It was all his fault; Kevin didn¡¯t warn him about how bad the thirst was, Kevin kept showing off his new abilities, it was Kevin who kept getting fame and the love of the town! How dare he! Will stood up, fuming. How dare Kevin start all this! How dare he leave-

    Will blinked, letting the crumpled package fall to the floor. He sighed. How dare Kevin leave him behind.

    But it was too late for regrets now, no matter how much he had. Will wiped his mouth and set off to get a mission, to help prepare, to do anything so he wouldn¡¯t have to feel like this any more. He turned and bumped into Brian.

    ¡°Ahh, how fortunate. I was wondering if you¡¯d like to help me with a little ¡®project¡¯ I¡¯ve got in the works?¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°¡­jslatmon ha!¡± FWOOSH!

    The mountain of deceased canines rumbled and folded together like clay, bone and muscle merging and forming anew into a massive mound of decayed flesh. Toxic emerald magical energy played over the fur, bristling into a dark coat. The group was stunned, taken aback by this marvelous display of magic. Scott grinned and stood proud, his preparations almost complete. Amber peeked out form behind a stack of boxes.

    ¡°I-Is it over? Did you cast the spell?¡± she asked nervously, her eyes darting to the covered ceiling.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s over? Why are you hiding?¡± Nightfang asked, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Well the last time Scott tried this spell, the roof exploded.¡± she explained, eyeing the amalgamated zombie warily.

    ¡°What!¡± Cross wheeled on him, and he held his palms up.

    ¡°Hey, easy! That¡¯s not¡­exactly what happened.¡± he protested. ¡°I mean, yes, the sigils for the Zombie Titan Mk. 1 were a little¡­overdrawn, I admit that. But half the problem was a human shape was too tall for the building, and when you combine that with the¡­overenthusiastic formation, that¡¯s what spelled trouble. Get it? ¡®Spelled?¡¯¡± He wagged his eyebrows, and Amber threatened to hit him with a refrigerator. ¡°Ah-hm. Anyhoo, after the necro-surge amplifiers had been dampened, it¡¯s simplicity itself to inscribe ¡®tah¡¯, ¡®cuh¡¯, and ¡®th¡¯uulinsh¡¯ into the circle, thus redirecting the cosmic flow for a much smoother fusion. Look, you can hardly tell the bones are made from smaller ones!¡± he said, thumping the beast.

    ¡°Okay¡­¡± Cross said, trying to follow his jargon. ¡°So the thing was too big and you used too much mojo at once, so that¡¯s why the roof¡¯s patched up?¡±

    ¡°Precisely, detective!¡± Scott said, strapping on goggles and hefting a chainsaw. ¡°Even if I am a genius, real progress takes time and effort. Fortunately, I learn from my mistakes. Zombie minions 1-15, prep the tanks! 16-20, start opening those boxes, this¡¯s what we¡¯ve prepped for! 21-30, aid me! We gotta carve this sucker up, he¡¯s our main offense! If anyone wants to help, please use the scalpels next to Larry, Moe, and Curly.¡±

    The three birds flapped over to the assembled defenders, offering gleaming scalpels with their beaks to Amber and Genevieve.

    ¡°Err, no thanks.¡± Amber said, politely waving Larry off. Genevieve hesitantly took one, and Curly flopped on its back, offering its belly. She stared at it, then started whimpering.

    ¡°Why am I the only normal one?¡± she wondered aloud.

    ¡°Vhat do you mean? Ve must all take part in da devense of dis place. I vor vun am feeling nostalgic, I haff not been to var in at least two centuries.¡± Harvaste said, using a coagulated blood blade to slice an incision in the bird¡¯s stomach. Genevieve stared at the vampire lord cutting open a bird, the feminine ghoul politely declining another, the masked vampire superhero, the hovering rainbow ghost, and the necromancer, gleefully ripping open a giant zombie. She sidled up to Cross, the last bastion of normality and sanity.

    ¡°Help me.¡± she whispered, begging with her eyes. Cross turned to her with a weathered, knowing face.

    ¡°Here. It¡¯ll help.¡± She reached into her overcoat and handed her a flask.

    ¡°I¡­can¡¯t drink this.¡± Genevieve muttered forlornly.

    ¡°So, why exactly did you make¡­this thing?¡± Nightfang said, handing Scott a towel.

    ¡°What inspired my last titanic creation: anime.¡± Scott said with a flourish, digging around in the beast¡¯s chest. ¡°That and classical mythology. Have you ever been three stories tall? I have. I-hnngg-connected my body to the Mk. 1, so I could control it directly. But there was a problem. See this?¡± He rolled up his sleeve and proffered his wrist. Nightfang saw a large circular scar, angry and red.

    ¡°Eeesh.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, turns out dead tissue being hooked up to living? Not a great idea.¡± Scott said, resuming his work.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s your own fault.¡± Leo pointed out. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I stopped the necrosis from happening, it¡¯s just got a while to heal. During fall and winter it¡¯ll be alright with long sleeves, but I dunno how I¡¯m gonna hide it in the summer.¡±

    ¡°Wristbands, maybe?¡± Nightfang said.

    ¡°I thought¡¯a that, but they¡¯re not really my style.¡± Scott said, scooping out a mass of torn flesh and goop, absently placing it in the vampire¡¯s hand. Nightfang looked at it, glanced around, stared at Leo who could only shrug, and tossed it to the floor with a disgusted expression. ¡°But anyway, this¡¯s more of an assault vehicle than a mech. ¡®Sides, I¡¯ve already done a humanoid giant zombie, It¡¯s boring to just repeat the same thing over and over. I must tax my imagination to create!¡± the necromancer happily chirped, finally done with hollowing out the chest cavity. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re good to go here. Pass me that steel plate, would you?¡±

    ¡°Are you sure this¡¯s all right? I mean, that was a part for an auto company, you just took it from Amber¡¯s dad.¡± Leo said as Nightfang handed him the piece. They all looked towards the office, where her parents were being tended to by Bones while their souls were gone.

    ¡°It¡¯s to save the town, I don¡¯t think they¡¯ll mind.¡± Scott said sheepishly.

    ¡°And that makes how many laws broken now?¡± Nightfang asked wryly.

    ¡°More than you want to know!¡± Scott said cheerfully, hammering the plate in.

    ¡°You know, with all the modifications you¡¯re making to it, it seems a little more like a cyborg, than a zombie.¡± Leo said.

    ¡°Oh my GOD I would LOVE to make a proper cyborg zombie!¡± Scott gushed, his undead assistants wheeling up the pump and lifting it for him. ¡°Yeah, with the Mk. 2¡¯s special enhancements it is a cyborg, technically. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t make the mods I¡¯d like to right now, if I could that¡¯d be so cool!¡± He looked at the pump in the beast. "Heh, cyborg zombies. Cool.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, a cyborg zombie is pretty rad.¡± Nightfang agreed, looking the giant over approvingly. ¡°But uh, you said the first one made a hole in the roof ¡®cause it was too big?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, it was a pain. Good thing Mr. Harris knows fast contractors.¡±

    ¡°Then, uh, how did you plan on getting the thing outside?¡± They all looked up to the roof, which the beast¡¯s head was already halfway to laying down.

    ¡°Through the¡­¡± Scott trailed off, realizing his miscalculation. ¡°Damnit!¡±

 Chapter 22: Highway to Hell

    The waning crescent moon shone high in the sky as the stars twinkled in the cold air, shining bright. Scott looked up at them, trying to discern any patterns that might favor either side, but the stars had no love for anything under the sky this night. He sighed at their neutrality.

    ¡°Something wrong?¡± Amber asked, strapping her seatbelt on. She was concerned, as there wasn¡¯t an actual seat, the belt was merely hammered into the hide.

    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s nothing. Just trying to see what luck we might have tonight.¡±

    ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t superstitious?¡± she teased, poking him in the side. He was imminently regretful he couldn¡¯t make another set of bone armor.

    ¡°I¡¯m not. However, the stars actually do have mystical significance, and the planetary radiation can affect what goes down on the surface here. They can foretell what is to come.¡± he said, rubbing his side.

    ¡°And?¡± Amber probed. Scott shrugged.

    ¡°Nothing, as far as I can see. I don¡¯t think I made any mistakes in calculating¡­the stars are silent. It¡¯s almost like, I don¡¯t know, they¡¯re waiting on the outcome too.¡± He squinted at the heavens, trying to see if the end of days was today, his breath streaming into the night. Amber stared at the new hole in the roof, mildly peeved.

    ¡°Y¡¯know, Dad was pissed that the roof had to be repaired, and now we had to make another hole in it when the contractors were almost done.¡± she said, watching a piece of plaster crumble. Scott snickered. ¡°Stop laughing. It¡¯s not funny.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a little funny. You¡¯re smiling.¡± Her grin grew wider.

    ¡°Okay, it¡¯s a little funny. But, ah, let¡¯s try not to destroy anything else, okay?¡±

    ¡°I make no promises.¡± he said, pulling his hood up to ward against the November chill. His eyes shone green in the shadow. Alright, listen up!¡± he bellowed, clapping his hands to get everyone¡¯s attention. The crowd looked up at him, and a thrill of nervousness ran through him.

    ¡®Good thing I¡¯ve never been afraid of public speaking.¡¯ he thought.

    ¡°Right, sound off! Detective, you ready?¡±

    ¡°As I¡¯ll ever be.¡± Cross said, standing outside of her car and pumping a shotgun.

    ¡°Right! Harvaste, you ready?¡±

    ¡°Lord Harvaste to you, boy.¡± the vampire sneered, readying himself in black combat fatigues. He had a bandolier full of vials of blood at the ready.

    ¡°Right! Genevieve, you and the ghoul squad ready?¡± A loud cheer erupted from the entire tribe, formerly lazing about. But now the fight was almost on, and they were hopping, clapping, laughing, looking about ready to explode. Genevieve blanched.

    ¡°Why am I in charge of these guys?¡±

    ¡°Sounds good to me!¡± Scott ignored her.

    ¡°Nightfang, are you ready?¡±

    From the top of the roof, a black streak descended. It bounced off of the beast, somersaulted over Scott and Amber¡¯s heads, and landed fluidly on the ground, a midnight silk cape pooling around him. Nightfang¡¯s red eyes were burning coals in a pitch-black cowl. He threw his cape back, exposing the only slash of color, the white fang on his chest to contrast the black jumpsuit and dark grey boots and gloves. The necromancer mentally cursed, his entrance would never be so cool.

    ¡°I am ready. This new costume is spectacular, I give my thanks.¡± Nightfang said, stretching. It was loads better than the ramshackle costume he¡¯d been able to put together before. ¡°It moves so well with me, and it looks professionally made. How¡¯d you get it on such short notice?¡±

    ¡°Zombies can work fast when you want them to, and you can supervise. Plus they don¡¯t care if they stick their fingers with needles!¡± Scott said cheerfully. Nightfang felt his skin crawl.

    ¡°That¡¯s just fantastic.¡± he muttered.

    ¡°And my bodyghoul?¡± Scott asked Amber, hugging low to the zombie, fingers in a deathgrip around the fur. He supposed he couldn¡¯t blame her; they were over twelve feet from the ground on the beast¡¯s shoulders.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t a clever pun. And yes, I¡¯m ready.¡±

    ¡°Even if we have to pull a code¡­¡± he asked quietly, and she cut him off with a nod.

    ¡°Yeah. J-Just¡­just take care of me, okay? And¡­let¡¯s try not to have that happen.¡±

    ¡°Yeah. Don¡¯t worry, I promise. That¡¯s our last-resort trump card. I don¡¯t pull those out of the deck unless I have to.¡± She gave him a nervous smile, and he tried to give, what he hoped at least, a reassuring smile back. ¡°¡¯Kay!¡± he roared. ¡°Everyone know their objectives?¡± The crowd of ghouls and assorted allies shouted their affirmation. ¡°Great! Necronomicon, check!¡± He felt the weight in his bag. ¡°Animal zombies, check!¡± The birds cawed and Tarantulas hissed form his backpack. ¡°Seatbelts, check! Necromancer, check! Zombie Titan Mk. 2, check! Let¡¯s go! Cerberus!¡±

    The colossal beast rose to its feet, lifeless eyes gleaming in the moonlight. All three heads snarled and roared, a titanic challenge to any who threatened its master. It started to lumber forward, directed by Scott, steering with a pair of motorcycle handlebars welded to its back. The army began to move out, tunneling into the earth.

    ¡°Alright! Ha ha! C¡¯mon c¡¯mon c¡¯mon! It¡¯s time, vampires! It¡¯s time, Brian! Let¡¯s go! Ask me what it¡¯s time for.¡± he tossed back to Amber. She sighed and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°What is it time for.¡± she deadpanned.

    ¡°Glad you asked!¡± Scott said, eyes glittering emerald. He pointed his finger forward. ¡°It¡¯s time for a raid!¡±

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°So what¡¯re you gonna do when Master rules the world?¡± Randolph asked Carter. The vampire driving paused for a moment, considering.

    ¡°Hmm. Dunno, probably feast on the blood of the innocent until the end of time.¡± he shrugged. Randolph snickered.

    ¡°And that¡¯s why you¡¯re a dumbass. Listen genius, how¡¯re you gonna feast if there¡¯s nobody left? If we gorge ourselves, we¡¯ll go hungry eventually, and I¡¯m not looking forward to an eternity of starvation.¡± Carter turned to him irritably.

    ¡°I never said I was gonna eat until there was nothing left, that¡¯s something your lardass would do.¡±

    ¡°So what would you do?¡±

    ¡°I dunno, like put ¡®em in pens or something. Y¡¯know, like a farmer.¡± He rolled through a stop sign. There wasn¡¯t any other traffic to worry about, after all. All he had to do was follow the truck ahead of him to Nahumville, and the bloodletting would start. ¡°Think about it. Free-range, organic, non GMO blood, right from the tap whenever I want it. Sounds good, right?¡± Carter said.

    ¡°So your plan is to make humans cattle.¡± Randolph said dubiously.

    ¡°Yeah, I guess. Why? What¡¯s wrong with my idea?¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°Nothing, ¡®cept its stupid.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re both stupid!¡± a voice came through the vent in the back.

    ¡°Shut up!¡± the other two said in unison, Randolph thumping the cab hard enough to dent it.

    ¡°Jeez, can¡¯t even have a simple conversation.¡± Carter said as they turned, nearly at the ramp to the highway. ¡°Anyway, what¡¯re you gonna do?¡±

    ¡°Definitely not play Farmer Brown, that¡¯s for damn sure.¡± Randolph said, gazing out the window. The mirror caught his eye. ¡°Huh?¡± He rubbed his eyes. Behind the truck and gaining speed, bounded a giant three-headed dog, a police car in pursuit. ¡°What the¡­what is that?¡± Carter looked in the mirror, and his eyes became saucers.

    ¡°Call the boss, call the boss right now, call the boss!¡± As the dog reached them, he could make out a hooded figure laughing his head off, a girl behind him crouched low with her eyes squeezed shut.

    ¡°Cerberus, attack!¡± Scott commanded, and one of its heads slammed into the truck, tilting and denting it, Carter furiously turning the wheel to keep control. Slobber rained on the window.

    ¡°What is going on here!?¡± Randolph wailed. The dog slammed into the truck again, nearly flipping it over.

    ¡°It¡¯s the necromancer!¡± Carter screamed, shouting into a radio. The door of the cab opened, and vampires started pouring out, crawling on the truck.

    ¡°Yes! The necromancer is here! Fear me!¡± Scott howled, grinning and laughing like a maniac as Cerberus bit down on the cab, its hyper-compact jaws ripping the steel frame like nothing. The remaining two growled at the window, and Carter whimpered.

    ¡°Here they come!¡± Amber shouted, the transformed vampires leaping onto the giant dog.

    ¡°Let ¡®em! That¡¯s why she¡¯s here!¡±

    Tires screeched as Cross accelerated, speeding up to reach the zombie. She leaned out the window to take aim with her shotgun in one hand.

    ¡°Steady¡­steady¡­¡± she muttered, and fired. The recoil nearly tore the gun out of her grip, and she was forced to swerve violently to keep control of the car. ¡°God damnit!¡± she cursed. The shot had gone wild from her aim, but luckily hit another mid-jump. ¡°Can¡¯t get lucky all the time.¡± she growled, then turned to her passenger. ¡°Take the wheel!¡± The ghoul looked at her incredulously.

    ¡°Ebble no know human g¡¯cannen! Ebble no drive!¡±

    ¡°Learn!¡± Cross snapped and leaned half her body out the window, forcing Ebble to take the wheel. Now more steady, she started picking them off, until the gun clicked empty.

    ¡°Reload!¡± she said, coming in and tossing the gun to the ghoul. He fumbled with it.

    ¡°E-Ebble forget what do!¡±

    ¡°Just like I showed you earlier-damnit!¡± There were more crawling up the zombie. She whipped out her Glock and took potshots at the vampires.

    ¡°What¡¯s she doing, that caliber won¡¯t knock ¡®em off us.¡± Scott frowned. ¡°Amber, can you¡­?¡± She stared at him, then sighed.

    ¡°No¡­fine, it¡¯s fine. Sure, it¡¯s fine.¡± she said, unbuckling and crawling back. ¡°Oh no, perfectly fine. All I have to do is kick mutant vampires off the top of a speeding dog!¡± She marveled at her sentence. ¡°When did my life become so strange?¡±

    ¡°Die, bitch!¡± a vampire hissed at her, crawling forward and waving her mouth like a cobra.

    ¡°What did you call me!?¡± Amber, pissed off, grabbed her mouth and yanked, sending her tumbling to the ground. ¡°I am a proper young woman, skank! Uh-oh.¡± She blanched as three more advanced, their four arms providing much more purchase on the zombie¡¯s hide. There was a boom, and a vampire jerked as his head was hit by a shotgun shell and he fell off. Cross gave Amber a thumbs-up, and she saw the car was being driven by a desperate, frightened ghoul. She blinked. ¡°Why is my life so weird?¡±

    ¡°The first truck¡¯s pulling ahead!¡± Scott yelled into his cellphone. ¡°You¡¯re on!¡±

    The drivers of the truck in the lead, Charlie and Dexter, felt they had no choice but to pull ahead and let the others fend for themselves. They had a mission to complete, after all. Suddenly, a dark shape dropped down onto the window, splattering blood everywhere. Charlie screamed and tried to wipe it away, but the blood was too thick and sticky. Dexter watched in shock as a large bat flew past the passenger window to kamikaze onto the windshield, its entire form exploding into red goop.

    Harvaste, crimson wings constructed of enspelled blood and stronger than iron, swept down and ripped the passenger door off. He tossed the wide-eyed vampire out of his seat and crawled in beside the driver.

    ¡°Move.¡± he said simply. Charlie screamed for help, and the back of the cab burst, vampires clawing through the metal at him. Harvaste removed a glass bottle from his bandolier. ¡°H¡¯gthna Atavaashjk.¡±

    He tossed it at the back, and the glass exploded, a net of blood sticking to the sides, sturdy enough to prevent entry for now. Charlie desperately tried to bite him, but the elder vampire sneered, grabbing his lips and severing them with a knife.

    ¡°Humph.¡± He kicked Charlie out the door, and glanced at the blood pooling on the seat. ¡°Lonathseanna-gna, boltinatghth f¡¯wrstingtchth. Lonathseanna-gna, boltinatghth f¡¯wrstingtchth. Lonathseanna-gna, boltinatghth f¡¯wrstingtchth. Lonathseanna-gna, boltinatghth f¡¯wrstingtchth!¡±

    The blood, reacting slower to his magic than usual, bubbled and coalesced, creating a gremlin-like creature with beady eyes. ¡°Turn und drive back to da abandoned mall two miles down da street.¡± he commanded, then took wing from the seat. The gremlin skittered in malicious glee and took the wheel, to the horror of the vampires in the back. ¡°Genevieve?¡± Harvaste signaled on his radio. ¡°Da truck hast been owercome, headed to da mall. Prepare to spring da trap.¡±

    Back on the dog, Amber caught a leaping vampire in midair and heaved, throwing it back onto the truck. It screeched and crawled back in.

    ¡°How much longer do we have to do this?¡± she said, panting. Even with undead strength, this was hard and tiring. Scott grinned at the text he¡¯d received.

    ¡°Almost done. Harvaste got the truck under control. Cerberus! Force the truck off the exit!¡± The three-headed beast gave a booming bark and rammed its shoulder into the truck, forcing Carter to follow the gremlin-driven vehicle. Scott looked in the sky worriedly. Where was Brian? He had to notice something by now. Scott was super glad he prepared for this.

    The trucks made the short round trip in record time, screeching onto the asphalt at top speed. The gremlin chittered madly, accelerating at the south wall. The vampires screamed and abandoned the hold as the gremlin laughed, slamming head-on into the concrete and exploding. Cerberus rolled the second truck over, sending it tumbling across the parking lot. The zombie trotted to a stop.

    ¡°Woo!¡± Scott exclaimed, arms in the air, Amber holding on for her unlife. ¡°Yeah! How! Ya! Like! That! That was awesome!¡±

    The vampires, all fully transformed, ripped open the truck and picked themselves up from the ground, staring at him angrily. They were, after all, super-durable. ¡°Uh-oh.¡±

    ¡°Get him!¡±

    ¡°Cerberus!¡± The vampires surged forward, and the zombie swung its heads around. ¡°Take aim!¡± The middle head opened its mouth, and the beast crouched low. Scott grinned and pulled the lever.

    A jet of flame spewed from the head¡¯s jaws, setting the first wave on fire. The others gibbered and broke ranks as the middle head swept the area, the other two heads pouring out thick black smoke. Scott laughed like a maniac.

    ¡°Ha ha ha! Yes! Burn! Show them the flames of Hell! Burn them all! Ha ha ha ha ha!¡±

    ¡°Why do boys turn into pyromaniacs the second you give them something flammable?¡± Amber lamented as the zombie swung wildly. ¡°Enough!¡± Scott flipped it back and the fire ceased. The vampires screeched and twitched, but extremely wary of the beast¡¯s triple smoking jaws, covered in drool and fangs.

    ¡°Get ¡®em!¡± he cried gleefully, and the parking lot cracked, the ghouls surging out of the ground to attack the vampires.

    The battle was a dizzying, chaotic mess. Though some vampires had been scorched, few of them had perished and they still outnumbered the ghouls three to one, the mutants lost in the chase running up to join in. Cross¡¯s car peeled out, slamming into bodies as she fired out the window, the car steered by a terrified Ebble.

    ¡°Ughnotchu, me glathn-agch, way out of comfort zone!¡± he shouted.

    ¡°Shut up and run them down!¡± Cross snapped, pumping lead into the crowd. It couldn¡¯t put them down, but the shells were enough to put the vampires off-balance, and she turned away as the ghouls tore into her stunned targets.

    ¡°Squads 2 through 6 go underground, take their backs! 7 through 10, advance the front line! We¡¯re collapsing on the right flank, squad 11-eek! Help!¡± Genevieve slashed her blade at the vampires that made it to her position directing. The knife sliced an eye, and the half-blinded vampire growled.

    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that!¡± He lunged, but three ghouls tackled him, and she managed to cut his throat in the confusion. The ghouls dragged the gurgling vampire underground. ¡°Hmph.¡±

    ¡°I always knew you had steel in you.¡± She stiffened up, and turned around to see a mutated vampire. The face was beyond recognition, but the voice¡­

    ¡°Gregor?¡± The battle fell away for her, and he chuckled.

    ¡°It seems you don¡¯t need my help anymore. A pity that you¡¯ve found your steel, thought. It means I must eliminate you.¡± He crouched, preparing to spring.

    ¡°G-Gregor¡­please, no¡­¡± she muttered wide-eyed, backing away in horror. This was the worst thing she could imagine.

    ¡°Do not be consherned vis vhat hast happened in da past. You are here, you are a wampire, spill his blood!¡± her radio suddenly crackled. He sprang, and Genevieve rolled to the side.

    ¡®L-Lord Harvaste is right. Whatever happened between Gregor and I¡­we can¡¯t go back. At least, not right now.¡¯ She took a deep breath, watching him turn and snarl. ¡®Besides, this¡­thing isn¡¯t Gregor. If Kevin could do what he had to, so will I. I decided to come to come here to find him on my own, I will see this through. Besides, we have more at stake here than a personal grudge.¡¯ She whistled loudly, and squad 11 piled on top of him from all directions.

    ¡°Still relying on others to do your dirty work, Jenny!?¡± he spat. He would have gone on, but her boot met the side of his head with the maximum amount of force she could generate.

    ¡°Alright boys, we got a job to do, that right flank isn¡¯t going to reinforce itself.¡± The ghouls cheered enthusiastically, and with a final lingering glance at Gregor, she rejoined the fray.

    ¡°Dat ist mine girl.¡± Harvaste muttered, watching form overhead. He howled as the blood in the flasks took shape, wolves and snakes and bats, all crimson and fury, descending upon his former clan and their recruits while he lashed out with a whip made form his own blood.

 Chapter 23: Undead Warfare

    A hair falling onto carpet made more noise than Nightfang as he landed at the bottom of the stairs, the door to the basement in front of him. He shook his head. Though he was worried about his friends in the fight, he had another job: reconnoiter the lab and disrupt whatever Brian had cooking up down there. When he had asked why, Scott was adamant that the magician had something planned in reserve.

    ¡°He likes to hold onto his biggest trump card until it¡¯s too late for you to do anything about it, then blast you away with overkill. I can¡¯t tell you how many times I¡¯ve lost in Street Fighter ¡®cause he had a charged-up super meter and I didn¡¯t. He didn¡¯t even need to, he just likes doing it.¡± Scott had said sourly. The hero opened the door slowly, quietly, and peeked through. His eyes widened.

    The room had changed once again. Gone were the books, tables, and every other accoutrement of Brian¡¯s lab. The room had been remade into a repository for a gigantic tank, filled with opaque green fluid, strange blue squares giving off enough light to see. The tank stretched down into the ground, even Nightfang¡¯s eyes couldn¡¯t discern a bottom in the darkness below. The only thing on the tank was a circular metal walkway, a path leading to it, and a control panel in front of it, monitoring the tank¡¯s status. The liquid was still and glowing softly. He shivered as he realized it was the same fluid that the mutated vampires had in their systems. Or similar, at least. He made his way forward.

    ¡°Nice costume. Your mom make it for you?¡± a despondent voice called from above. Nightfang jerked his head to see a familiar teenager release his grip on the wall and drop down, blocking his exit.

    ¡°Will.¡± he said softly. He narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°That¡¯s the name, don¡¯t wear it out.¡± Will replied. ¡°So. You¡¯ve come.¡±

    ¡°What happened to you? You look like crap.¡± Nightfang said, crouching lower.

    ¡°What about you? Running around in that ridiculous getup, you¡¯re nothing more than a clown.¡± He smiled a sickly, cruel grin. ¡°I heard what you did to your mother from Master. How does it feel to make yourself an orphan?¡±

    ¡°Shut. Up.¡± Nightfang seethed. Will grinned wider.

    ¡°Aww, poor baby. Did I touch a nerve? Surprised you have any left, after everything. Your dad never wanted you, your mom tried to kill you, you killed her. Not a very nice family. No wonder you don¡¯t have any friends.¡±

    ¡°I said shut up!¡± Nightfang ripped his mask off his face and threw it away. ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that, Will!¡± he shouted and charged.

    ¡°As if you could make me!¡± Will leapt over the handrail, grabbing the bar with one hand and swinging into a kick to the back of Nightfang¡¯s head. He stumbled into the door, but turned around red-faced. ¡°Ha! The Master entrusted me to guard this place, until he was ready! I¡¯ve thrown everything else away! There¡¯s nothing left, Kevin!¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s in the flask, Will.¡± Nightfang said, shifting his feet. Will smirked.

    ¡°The Master¡¯s business, not yours.¡±

    ¡°Raaaaahhhh!¡± Nightfang charged and swung with his fists, trying to hit him. Will dodged every blow with ease, leaving the hero panting. When he kicked, Will jumped; when he punched, Will ducked. Nightfang had a sudden pity for Spider-man villains.

    ¡°See? You¡¯re useless.¡± Nightfang flinched. ¡°I was physically better than you before we became vampires, now that the playing field¡¯s equal we know who¡¯s the real man around here. And I¡¯m not even transformed yet!¡± Nightfang sank to his knees, the picture of despair. He shook his head.

    ¡°Why? Why are you doing all this?¡± he asked, face clouded by sorrow.

    ¡°Because I will not be left behind.¡± Will hissed, eyes glowing red. ¡°I choose to be the one to leave your ass behind. I¡¯m better than that, and I can prove it.¡± Nightfang trembled, biting his lip.

    ¡°I¡­I have one last question, before you attack.¡±

    ¡°Go ahead. This¡¯ll be the final one.¡± Will sneered.

    ¡°If you¡¯re better than me, why didn¡¯t you notice my partner?¡± Nightfang grinned.

    ¡°Indeed, you sound like nothing more than a temperamental child, screaming because you didn¡¯t get your way.¡± Will turned to see Leo reading the control panel, frowning.

    ¡°You¡­I saw die. Where did you come from? Why are you rainbows?¡± he said dumbly.

    ¡°Yes, I did die. But you must know by now that that isn¡¯t the end.¡± Leo possessed the mask again, the mask that Will realized was thrown on purpose, and it floated back to Nightfang. ¡°We must hurry and warn the others, that thing¡¯s creation is complete. The tank is merely a holding chamber now, we can¡¯t affect it.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t do anything here?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s too big, we need more firepower.¡± Leo warned.

    ¡°Got it.¡± Nightfang donned his mask. Will gaped at the now calm and collected superhero.

    ¡°You¡­were never angry at all. You just pretended.¡± Nightfang gave him a sharp glance.

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯m angry all right. I¡¯d rip the heads off of all of you if I could. But a superhero has more important things to do than be concerned with petty things like revenge. Or jealousy.¡± With that parting shot, Nightfang kicked open the door and raced up the stairs. ¡°What did you learn?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Not a lot, it was half in some strange language I couldn¡¯t recognize.¡± Leo said. Nightfang felt a sense of unease emanate from his mask. ¡°But whatever it was, it¡¯s huge.¡±

    Will, now well and truly alone, reeling from his former friend¡¯s words, sank to his knees and wailed in despair.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Yeee-hawww!¡± Scott mimed taking a hat off as the dog zombie reared up, slamming its paws onto a group of vampires bunched up together. It snarled and growled, the very image of the guardian of the underworld with the flamethrower¡¯s smoke pouring from each of its heads. ¡°Come get some, who wants some!¡±

    ¡°Will you please focus!¡± Amber admonished, kicking off a vampire that tried to climb up a leg. ¡°We¡¯re getting nowhere here!¡±

    ¡°I know.¡± Scott said, looking to the sky. No matter how much they attacked, it was just too hard to kill these things outright; the same couldn¡¯t be said for their forces. He winced as a vampire smashed all four arms into a ghoul, breaking ribs and internal organs. The ghoul screamed and attacked relentlessly anyway, becoming easy prey for the mutant. ¡°We¡¯re just spinning our wheels.¡± he growled. Where was Brian?

    ¡°Scott!¡± Nightfang¡¯s cape swept fully open as he launched himself through the second-story food court window, pursued by three vamps out for blood. He landed and rolled, speeding his way punching and kicking through the crowd, and then he was on Cerberus. ¡°We¡¯ve got trouble, Leo says-¡±

    The entire battlefield fell silent.

    Every head turned up as one, to the grinning magician standing in the sky, illuminated clear as day. When he saw Scott, he grinned wider.

    ¡°Well, well, well.¡± he said, punctuating each with a clap. ¡°You¡¯re back. Welcome. You know, I must say I¡¯m impressed. You got away clean under my nose. But your mistake was coming back.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m here to end this, before it gets worse.¡± Scott said.

    ¡°And you¡¯ve managed to find an army of ghouls, too. Well done, very well done.¡± Brian continued, ignoring him. ¡°You¡¯ve brought the ghouls, the vampires, and the humans-¡± he nodded at a bloodied Cross, who flinched ¡°-against me. Bravo. You¡¯re quite clever, making that dog thing too, I like it. It even has a flamethrower! That¡¯s awesome!¡±

    ¡°Yeah¡­?¡± Scott said, not sure where this was going. Brian gave a little chuckle.

    ¡°But you see, no matter how much you fight, you¡¯re still not as smart as I am. After all, I¡¯ve seen your work, and I¡¯ve made my own¡­improvements, shall we say, to your design.¡± He snapped his fingers, his shadow giggling to itself.

    The mall shuddered as walls folded and collapsed, the tank emerging from the ground. The lime-green fluid pulsed and shined, starting to boil. Harvaste sent his blood-form creations to prevent it from opening, but the glass and steel was too thick to penetrate. There was a boom, and an eye ten feet across peered out of the depths. The glass shattered, and the air was rent with a horrible screech as an enormous monstrosity stepped out.

    Scott gaped in disbelief. His Zombie Titan Mk. 1 was an amalgamation of different zombies, fused into one. This¡­thing was a charnel mockery of that now he knew why there weren¡¯t as many vampires as they expected in the battle.

    ¡°SCREEEEEEEEE!¡± the creature cried, its oversized fangs shredding its own mouth, forged form the fangs of nearly six hundred vampires, their flesh twisted and joined into a human¡­ish shape that dominated the parking lot, over 300 feet tall. Its pink skin ripping and bleeding with every step, every labored breath it took, bones, tendons and joints forced in unnatural locations so it simply wouldn¡¯t fall apart standing there. Clawed hands tore at its stringy, balding head in constant pain. Amber was terrified to see faces, arms, other body parts sticking out randomly on its imperfectly fused body, all howling in pain. They were still conscious.

    ¡°Behold, the greatest weapon ever! I call him Sanguis-Triturans! You can¡¯t defeat him, or me, Scott!¡±

    ¡°Jesus Christ, what the hell is wrong with you!?¡± the necromancer cried.

    ¡°You¡¯re just jealous I did a better job than you did. Or at least bigger!¡± Brian gloated, Riepaimva laughing in his ear. ¡°Attack!¡±

    A massive fist swung down, and the ghouls and vampires scattered, Cross peeling out in her car, letting out a stream of curses.

    ¡°What the hell! Can you believe this, Ebble? This is my life now! $%#* that kid, @$#% that other kid, in fact *&%$ every teenager with goddamn magic powers!¡± Ebble peered up form cowering low in his seat, his hands on his head.

    ¡°Uhgnmah¡­Ebble think-¡±

    ¡°LOOK OUT!¡± Cross swerved to avoid a chunk of its flesh falling from its arm. ¡°See what I mean? That thing can barely support its own weight! If I was that kid¡¯s mom I¡¯d tan his hide and lock him up, but noooo¡­¡± Ebble whimpered quietly as she sped up.

    ¡°What do we do!? What do we do!?¡± Amber shrieked, hanging onto Scott like a plush toy. The last time there was a giant monster, it was on their side. She was quite put out at the reversal. He wheezed at her crushing hug.

    ¡°His depravity knows no bounds.¡± Leo said from the mask.

    ¡°Right, but we can stop him! Right?¡± Nightfang asked frantically. Scott grinned.

    ¡°Buckle up and see!¡± Urging the beast faster, Cerberus dodged and weaved the monster¡¯s clumsy, flailing strikes. A hand smashed into the ground, collapsing a ghoul tunnel.

    ¡°FULL RETREAT!¡± Genevieve ordered, having the ghouls dig a new tunnel in record time.

    ¡°M-Master Brian! P-Please don¡¯t-aaaaiiiiieeee!¡± A giant foot came down, the wounded vampire desperately pleading for his life smashed into paste.

    ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha! Attack them! C¡¯mon, everybody! Don¡¯t hold back, kill Scott with everything you have! Your lives are mine to spend as I wish, right? So rip him to pieces!¡± Brain said, laughing madly in the air.

    ¡°Oh no.¡± The remaining vampires began screeching wildly and swarming at Cerberus, cutting into its legs and scaling its hide. Scott turned to Amber grimly. ¡°We can¡¯t be stopped now.¡± he said. She gulped, but nodded. ¡°Nightfang, take over, try to keep ¡®em off Cerberus. I¡¯ve gotta settle things with Brian.¡±

    ¡°Okay, but-¡± Scott turned away from the hero.

    ¡°It¡¯s only for a bit.¡± he said gently, pushing back a strand of hair from her face.

    ¡°I-I know. J-Just¡­you¡¯ll come back for me, right?¡± she pleaded.

    ¡°You still trust me, even after all I¡¯ve done, even though I¡¯m a villain?¡± he asked. She nodded. ¡°Then I won¡¯t let you down. You won¡¯t lose yourself, I won¡¯t let it happen. Just let your instincts guide you.¡± She spun around, and he placed a hand on her back, muttering strange, obscene syllables. ¡°Hkes.¡± Scot intoned, draining her of her body¡¯s necrotic energy. Nightfang watched as Amber shuddered. Her skin seemed thinner and wan now, the veins easily visible. Her frame trembled as she seemed to shrink, but that wasn¡¯t it; she was becoming thinner. Her face became gaunt and shallow, cheekbones standing out starkly. She opened her eyes, and her normal blues were dull and lifeless, like an eternal abyss. Her stomach growled.

    ¡°So¡­hungry.¡± she whispered.

    ¡°It¡¯s a code Galactus. Go forth!¡± Scott gave her a small push, and she let out an inhuman shriek her vocal chords shouldn¡¯t have been able to produce, chilling to the bone all who heard it.

    ¡°Code Galactus?¡± Nightfang said incredulously, realizing immediately.

    ¡°LET ME EAT!¡± Amber launched herself down, rocketing into a vampire. With a howl, she ripped off his arm and started savagely beating him with it. When another vampire tried to stop her, she turned and sank her teeth into his throat. Nightfang watched wide-eyed as the normally friendly and cheerful girl closed her jaws and swallowed. He turned away, stomach protesting as she¡­feasted. He stared at Scott in shock.

    ¡°Yeah, this¡¯s why I always kept her fed and made sure she had backup meals.¡± he said, wincing. ¡°Ghouls can be really nasty, and I didn¡¯t want her to turn that appetite on us. She¡¯s not happy about it either, but we both knew that pulling out her vicious, ghoulish instincts could be helpful for this fight. Ironically, by keeping her filled with necrotic energy, I¡¯ve only compounded the problem. She¡¯s much, much stronger than a normal ghoul because she hasn¡¯t been starved all this time.¡± They ducked a spray of limbs as she moved faster than a bullet. ¡°And the corresponding power means a corresponding hunger. Ghouls are ravenous.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve¡­noticed.¡± Nightfang said faintly. He remembered his mission and started kicking the now terrified vampires off of Cerberus. ¡°Look out!¡± The dog lurched as it avoided the monster¡¯s fist smashing the ground. They passed Amber again, chewing on something best left unrecognized, and with very few vampires still left on the battlefield.

    ¡°Guess we pick her up.¡± Scott said, steeling himself.

    ¡°Do we have to?¡± the superhero whimpered. Scott had Cerberus swipe her with a paw, the superghoul flying through the air and landing on its neck, right in front of him.

    ¡°H-Hi!¡± Scott squeaked.

    ¡°Scooott¡­hungry¡­you look¡­tasty.¡± she moaned.

    ¡°Hey, how ¡®boutthateverything¡¯ssekhfine right? Right?¡± he said quickly, holding her shoulder and filling her with necrotic energy once more. She fell to her knees, panting and sweating, the remaining vampires unwilling to get close, and the ghouls cheering like no tomorrow.

    ¡°Ugh, my head¡­w-what happened? It¡¯s all a blur¡­¡± Amber said. The guys turned to the battlefield, now significantly more blood-soaked.

    ¡°Best we leave it at that.¡± Scott said tactfully.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

    ¡°Oh my¡­I don¡¯t feel very good.¡± she groaned, and burped.

    ¡°I suppose you wouldn¡¯t.¡± Leo said from the mask. They would all need so much therapy when this was all over.

    ¡°Hah! And you ask what¡¯s wrong with me? I¡¯m not the only monster-maker here, Scott! Brian said, landing on Sanguis-Triturans¡¯s head. ¡°The difference is, I¡¯m better at it!¡± Sanguis-Triturans raised its arms to crush them. Scott saw the best chance he could get.

    ¡°Hold on, here goes nothing!¡± He released Larry, Moe, and Curly form his backpack and spun Cerberus, charging towards the monster. Sanguis-Triturans¡¯s arms came down, and Scott narrowly dodged them. ¡°Jump!¡± The three-headed dog leapt and land, continuing its sprint up the gigantic arm. ¡°Birds! Attack!¡± As they swooped at Brian, he sighed and waved his hand. All three burst into pieces, their bodies disintegrating into dust.

    ¡°That can¡¯t be all, Scott.¡± Brian said disdainfully a, watching Sanguis-Triturans try to slap the dog like a mosquito. He lazily shot lightning at the trio, smirking in amusement as Scott frantically steered the dog around to evade, his passengers barely hanging on. He chuckled. While inventive, all of Scott¡¯s efforts would be all for naught. After all, they were headed for his trap.

    ¡°Brian! Take this!¡± Cerberus leapt up to the head, spewing flame. Brian yawned as he was incinerated. Riepaimva¡¯s essence made him immortal and invulnerable. He merely stood there as his flesh was blackened, and stomped his foot.

    Sanguis-Triturans groaned as the hidden bone spikes shot through its skin, impaling Cerberus in midair. All three heads struggled wildly, the fire shooting harmlessly in the air until the propane ran out, smoke puffing form the mouths. Scott grimaced at Brian, his body and immaculate suit reforming before their eyes. ¡°Guys, get him!¡±

    The superhero vampire and the ghoul sprang forth, fists raised. Brian shook his head at their stupidity.

    ¡°Face justice!¡± Nightfang cried, kicking Brian¡¯s head so hard it came off.

    ¡°Rraaaaaahhhhhh!¡± Amber screamed, throwing both her hands into his torso, making holes.

    ¡°You know, Einstein defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.¡± His head sneered, divebombing their heads before it reattached, the holes forming in. ¡°You¡¯re pathetic! So dumb and desperate you¡¯re going to do the exact same thing you¡¯ve been doing to try and stop me-¡± A hand clasped down on his head.

    ¡°No. They were the distraction. Let¡¯s see how magic fares against that body.¡± Scott said, then incanted. ¡°Sekh.¡±

    ¡°AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHHHHHseriously, you thought that magic would work?¡± Brian grinned, faking them out. Scott grunted and redoubled his efforts; he could feel the necrotic energy flowing into him, why wouldn¡¯t he go down?

    ¡°Please.¡± Brian removed his hand, Scott whimpering in a grip that felt like steel. ¡°I¡¯m joined with Riepaimva, I¡¯m his avatar. I can¡¯t be killed.¡±

    ¡°C-Cerberus!¡± Scott shouted, imploring the zombie to move. The dogs howled and belched out more smoke, but only wiggled down further onto the spikes.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, Amber!¡± Nightfang said.

    ¡°Right!¡± They charged, but Brian waved a hand and they were encased in a blue bubble, floating off the ground and impervious to escape attempts. They banged their fists futilely on the translucent wall.

    ¡°Ho-hum, far too easy. But that¡¯s the thing, isn¡¯t it Scott?¡± He pulled the necromancer up to his face, reveling in the pain flashing across his face. ¡°When the playing field¡¯s equal, when I have magic too, we can finally see who the better man really is.¡± he hissed.

    ¡°T-T-Tarantulas!¡± Scott choked out. The spiderlike abomination jumped from his bag and wrapped itself around Brian¡¯s face, biting with every mouth it had. Brian calmly ripped it off and tossed it down to the ground, his face already healing.

    ¡°Dude. I don¡¯t even feel pain anymore. Seriously, this¡¯s getting weak.¡± He twisted Scott¡¯s arm sharply, making him gasp and driving him to his knees.

    ¡°W-Why!? Wh-What do you want f-from me? H-Haven¡¯t you already done enough? Why!? Why are you doing this! W-What do you want!¡± Scott pleaded, nearly in tears. His friends were trapped, his zombies pinned down, his magic was useless. He was completely at Brian¡¯s mercy.

    ¡°I want you to admit I¡¯m better than you. I want you to admit you¡¯re trash, compared to me. Then I want you to scream and beg for your life before I kill you.¡± Brian crowed, ecstatic. This was it! Finally, Scott was done for! It was his time to shine now! Scott¡¯s eyes widened in fear.

    ¡°B-But¡­¡±

    ¡°Do it, and I¡¯ll let the others go. I don¡¯t really care about them, anything they do is meaningless anyway. C¡¯mon, Scott. It¡¯s the only thing I want from you. I thought you were the big hero, come to save the day.¡± Brian said, eyes bright and shining cruelly in triumph. At last! After so long, Scott had nowhere to run, nowhere to hide! He would finally be free of this accursed teen¡¯s shadow forever! ¡°C¡¯mon, hero.¡±

    The necromancer grinned and chuckled, still on his knees.

    ¡°What? What¡¯s so funny?¡± Brian demanded.

    ¡°You, you delusional idiot.¡± Brian tightened his grip in rage, and while Scott winced, he couldn¡¯t stop laughing. ¡°That¡¯s it, get angry! Lose focus! Ignore the fact that you¡¯re outnumbered!¡± Brian blinked, and glanced around. There was no one on the head but his captives and himself.

    ¡°What the hell are you talking about? You can¡¯t bluff your way out of this!¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m not bluffing. Haven¡¯t you realized yet? Charging in, boldly cutting down evil, sacrificing myself for the good of others¡­that¡¯s what a hero would do. I can¡¯t do that. If you pulled your head outta your ass, you¡¯d see that. I¡¯m a necromancer. I¡¯m the biggest, baddest necromancer there ever was. You¡¯ve read enough stories. The necromancer is the villain!¡± Eyes glowing with a ghoulish grin, Scott got up and decked Brian across the face, knocking him back.

    ¡°You asshole! You¡¯re just trying to delay my inevitable victory!¡± Brian said, wiping the blood form his mouth. It would be more satisfying to rip him to pieces with his bare hands anyway. Scott stared at him, hard.

    ¡°The only thing I¡¯ve ever done to you was try to be nice to you. But just because I¡¯m better at stuff doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m trying to keep you down, numbnuts. You¡¯re the crazy one who¡¯s got some persecution complex going on, and I¡¯m having none of that.¡±

    ¡°You liar!¡± But that won¡¯t matter when you¡¯re dead!¡± Brian¡¯s arms, fingers, torso, the rest of his body erupted into thin, razor-tipped tentacles, ready to shred Scott to bloody chunks. The necromancer sneered and leaned back.

    ¡°That¡¯s you¡¯re trump card spell? How pass¨¦. You forget the role of a real wizard: sit back and let your minions do the work for you. You lose, loser.¡±

    ¡°Enough! Die!¡± Brian drew his arm back, the deadly whips poised to erase him. He threw them at Scott¡­ and they flopped down, lifeless. ¡°W-What?¡±

    ¡°See, I told you. A real villain brings an army to a fistfight.¡±

    ¡°What are you talking about? There¡¯s no one here!¡± Brian screamed, foaming at the mouth while his body collapsed. Scott crossed his arms and smirked.

    ¡°Y¡¯know, I got to thinking. There¡¯s no actual way to beat you in a magical duel. You know more spells, more kinds of spells, and you¡¯re backed by Riepaimva, who¡¯s using you as an avatar. So I decided to put a little spin on what I did to the last guy who decided to come into my town and I couldn¡¯t beat him. It¡¯s really easy to circumvent the issue when you cheat!¡± he snickered. Brian sneered.

    ¡°Impossible, I know how you beat Hastazemus, but I don¡¯t need food or water. You couldn¡¯t have poisoned me!¡± he cried as the tentacles melted into a steaming pile of goo. He shakily got to his feet with a wet splortch.

    ¡°And I didn¡¯t.¡± Scott nodded. ¡°But you see, Al-Hazared was a person of an ancient era. Back then, even with magical knowledge, they didn¡¯t know everything. Even if the gods knew, they didn¡¯t care. But it¡¯s the twenty-first century, and I¡¯m a twenty-first century necromancer. It¡¯s time to get with the times and evolve. Want a hint? That¡¯s not smoke.¡±

    Brian¡¯s eyes went wide as he stared at the still-impaled Cerberus, black smoke continuing to blow out form all three heads, much more than what should have burned normally. He trembled, and the bubble holding Amber and Nightfang flickered and disappeared.

    ¡°W-What is that? What¡¯s happening?¡± he said, cold fear creeping from his gut.

    ¡°That, dear boy, is my army. Far too small for the human eye to see. Y¡¯know, I¡¯ve reanimated both humans and animals. But this experiment is my crowning achievement. Get some bananas and mash ¡®em up for cultivation, add a few dark rituals, and boom! Zombified bacteria. We¡¯ve been breathing them in since the battle began. The birds and Tarantulas were all carriers. And they want what every zombie wants.¡± Scott grinned, his eyes gleaming a toxic emerald green. ¡°Your brains!¡±

    Brian paled and his hands flew to his head, scratching and shaking furiously to get them out. He laughed as he realized he could just use a spell to cleanse the millions of microscopic undead from his body. But when he concentrated, he found the familiar symbols normally stored in his mind¡­weren¡¯t. He frowned, but it felt like all his knowledge was slipping away, his memories of it being erased by the second. He screamed and thrashed, to no avail while the necromancer laughed. Scott could feel them, the microscopic zombies eating away at every magical memory center, from the hippocampus to the cortex. He grinned.

    ¡°NO! GOD, PLEASE NO!¡± Brian howled, clutching his temples as if to keep the information inside.

    ¡°Your god can¡¯t help you now. Riepaimva¡¯s using you as an avatar, connected and anchored by the magic knowledge in your brain. My zombified bacteria are attacking said brain right now, physically devouring at the neurons that retain mysticism. Microsurgery at its finest.¡± Scott explained, huffing and polishing his nails on his hoodie.

    ¡°N-No! Riepaimva! Rie-!¡± Suddenly, the name that was always so close to him slipped away, forgotten, forever on the tip of his tongue but never to be known again. ¡°R¡­Rutabaga-? Ruination? W-What was it!?¡± His shadow writhed and danced in pain, flowing off the ground, teeth exposed in a grimace. There was a bright light shining off beyond the horizon, and the shadow dug its fingers into the vampire creature¡¯s skull, making grooves in the skin as it was dragged away, the follicles finally tearing as it was stretched to its breaking point and inexorably drawn into the light. With a boom, the dimensional rift closed, Brian staring in horror, hand outstretched to his patron.

    ¡°N-No¡­he¡­but I¡­Aaghghuughhh!¡± His face contorted as white light erupted form him, engulfed in seer torment as the light seeped form his pores, spiraling into the starry sky. When it was over, Brian was left gasping on his knees. Chubby, short, dumpy Brian, before he knew the secrets of the Libris Arcana Malefactorum.

    ¡°Wow. He-he looks normal again.¡± Amber said, marveling at the transformation.

    ¡°Of course. I eliminated the magic from his mind, and that¡¯s how he changed. Therefore, he changed back when no longer possessing it.¡± Scott said. Nightfang easily picked him up with one hand, and Brian found himself face to face with eyes burning redder than the furnaces of Hell.

    ¡°If I hit you now, I bet you wouldn¡¯t come back form it!¡± the vampire snarled, cocking his superpowered fist back.

    ¡°No! Wait, I-no, I can¡¯t-that¡¯s not-¡± In his blubbering, the former sorcerer remembered a trump card still in play. ¡°Y-You won¡¯t k-kill me, I still have my vampires! The l-loss of my magic won¡¯t affect their complete loyalty! Vampires, Sanguis-Triturans, attack!¡±

    ¡°Do you really think that¡¯s wise, trying to throw your ample weight around in your unstable position?¡± Scott said, and pointed his thumb down below. Brian looked down. All the vampires had stopped fighting, staring up at them wide-eyed. When they saw Brian, cries of rage erupted form the battlefield.

    ¡°W-What?¡±

    ¡°Moron. I¡¯ve been seeding the zombie bacteria since the battle began. The microbes that attached to the vampires ate away at your control centers in their brains too. They¡¯re not under your influence anymore. And they know exactly what you¡¯ve done to them, made them do.¡±

    Brian looked down at them again, and went white as a sheet.

    There was a rumbling underneath their feet as the vampires composing Sanguis-Triturans shook, every single one filled with nothing but white-hot homicidal fury.

    ¡°And that¡¯s our cue to go!¡± Scott declared, the spikes retracted, freeing Cerberus and the group rapidly piled on.

    ¡°W-Wait!¡± You can¡¯t leave me here like this!¡± Brian shrieked, scrambling to his feet. They all turned to him, stone-faced.

    ¡°Actually, yes. Yes we can.¡± Amber said coldly, her ghoulish instincts telling her to rip him apart with her bare hands and teeth, and very tempted to give into them.

    ¡°By all rights, I should remove your head-again-for what you¡¯ve done.¡± Nightfang growled, baring his teeth. ¡°You¡¯d be in jail for the rest of your life, or dead. I wouldn¡¯t even want your blood, it¡¯s too tainted and foul. However, I believe justice is best served by some others you¡¯ve wronged. I¡¯ll be satisfied with that.¡±

    ¡°SCAAAAAAAAA!¡± Sanguis-Triturans screeched.

    ¡°No! This-this wasn¡¯t supposed to happen! He said that all I had to do was follow his lead, and I¡¯d be the supreme world leader! I-I can¡¯t fail now! I¡¯m better than you, I finally had my chance! I¡¯m better than you all, I just need one more chance to prove it! I¡¯m better! I¡¯m better than you, SCOOOOOTT!¡± he shouted, flinging his arms out.

    ¡°KAAAANEEDAAAAAA!¡± Scott yelled back, smiling. ¡°But seriously, you¡¯re the one who threw your lot in with a coven for magical power, you¡¯re the one who partnered with an evil deity to take over the world, you proved to be a rotten, cowardly, backstabbing sonofabitch who had to crib off other people¡¯s plans and ideas because you couldn¡¯t come up with anything yourself. You wanna know how I beat you? Because no matter how you remake yourself, no matter how much power you have, I¡¯m. Still. Smarter. Than. You.¡± He kicked Cerberus with his leg, and the zombie began running down the giant¡¯s body, leaving Brian gaping at their wake.

    ¡°B-But I thought good guys had to save everybody!¡± he shouted desperately at them.

    ¡°Villain for life!¡± Scott called back, flipping him off.

    ¡°SKROOOAAAAAAA!¡± Brian finally saw the enormous hand, the vampires composing it all glaring at him, descend like the wrath of God.

    ¡°No NO NOOOOOOOOOO-!¡± His fearful cry was cut off as the hand met the head, smashing hard enough to crush what passed for its own skull and brain. The creature stumbled back, squashing the remains of the mall under its feet, throwing Cerberus off.

    ¡°YAAAAAAHHHHHHH!¡± Scott managed to keep the zombie underneath them, so their fall was cushioned as they skidded across asphalt, leaving a trial of fur and gore. They came to a stop when Harvaste flew down and caught the three-headed dog with his bare hands, his feet digging into the dirt to stop it.

    ¡°H-H-Hi, L-Lord Harvaste.¡± Amber said shakily, scared out of her wits thanks to their fall and crushing the other two in her grip.

    ¡°Indeed. Velcome back, mademoiselle Amber. I see dat you vere successvul.¡± He said, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Let go-need air.¡± Scott coughed, and she loosened up. ¡°Jeez, you¡¯d think with all the high-altitude drops we¡¯ve had lately, you¡¯d have gotten used to them by now.¡± She turned her head and gave him a Look. A Look that said really? You can get over a phobia just like that. Really. The fact that this and other incidents could reinforce it by now never crossed your mind. You¡¯re supposed to be smart, use that big brain of yours to learn some sensitivity, dumbass. And you are a dumbass, because you said all that within arm¡¯s reach of a super-strong ghoul.

    ¡°Really?¡± she said aloud, tone clear.

    ¡°No ma¡¯am.¡± he said, cowed. There was a horrendous noise, which hands clasped hurriedly over ears did nothing to ameliorate. Sanguis-Triturans was shrieking, all the vampires composing it a chorus of pain. Its skull was caved in, and the creature was at its end. It was falling to the ground.

    ¡°Everyone in the tunnels!¡± Genevieve bellowed, and human, ghoul, and vampire alike all dove deep into the holes in the parking lot.

    FWUMPH!

    After what seemed like an eternity, when the fierce winds and tremors of its falling had stopped, Ebble poked his head out of the tunnel.

    ¡°Errnmaghu¡­is safe now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m tired and I¡¯m cold and I¡¯m hungry and I just wanna go home.¡± Amber said, summing up how everyone felt at the moment.

    ¡°Well, just about. It¡¯s over now.¡± Leo said, umpossessing the mask. He floated out and gave a low whistle at the destruction. ¡°Looks bad. It¡¯s a real good thing Mr. Kruger went out of business. Otherwise, well¡­¡±

    ¡°Got that right.¡± Nightfang muttered, climbing up. The mall was flattened, and the surrounding area was brown from the concrete and dust. ¡°But at least everything¡¯s finally done.¡±

    ¡°Woo hoo! Victory! Is! Mine!¡± Scott proclaimed proudly, pumping his fist in the air. ¡°Oh yeah! Check it! Daemons form hell: vanquished! Coven: erased! Brian: a pancake! Scott one, evil elder god zero! Boom!¡± He started shaking and dancing, Amber palming her forehead at his ¡®moves¡¯.

    ¡°No one likes a sore winner, Scott.¡± She called out.

    ¡°Those who don¡¯t can SUCK IT!¡± he said, thrusting his hips. ¡°I am the biggest! The smartest! The baddest necromancer of all-¡± A globule of blood bounced up and burst on his mouth, covering it.

    ¡°Qviet please, I am trying to conshentrate.¡± Harvaste said, turning back to the sigils he was dabbing on the vampiric giant. He muttered in a low voice as Scott peeled the blood mask from his face.

    ¡°Oh, it¡¯s still alive. Sorry.¡± he said quietly, observing how the vampire inscribed the sigils. They all watched as the giant was soon covered in inscriptions, a circle of its own blood surrounding it. Eventually, Harvaste straightened up.

    ¡°It ist done.¡± He looked at the poor creature, the remains of his countrymen, and those who had the misfortune of being abducted and transformed against their will. ¡°Unvortunately, I do not believe you vould last da night.¡± he said, casting a glance at the lightening sky. ¡°Und I do not understand how to undo dis. I am thinking all your collectif power ist being used to merely hold you all together. Und dere ist no vay I vould allow any ov you to continue in pain like dis.¡± He closed his eyes, and breathed in long and deeply. ¡°So, dough it pains me greatly, I vill now release you. You vill not suvver any more, mine children. Askabos etmetious noumhm. Zazavabb koulmatfh holm. Askabos etmetious noumhm. Zazavabb koulmatfh holm. Askabos etmetious noumhm. Zazavabb koulmatfh holm.¡±

    The giant abomination shuddered, then every vampire sighed as the flesh started to melt away, blood bubbling up and consuming the body, forming a knee-high lake of ichor seeping into the earth. The ghouls hurriedly started digging pockets to pool it off for their consumption.

    ¡°Ew, ew, ew, ew.¡± Amber said, hopping back and forth, but her boots were soaked. ¡°Gross.¡±

    ¡°Ah, quit bellyaching, at least your hard work wasn¡¯t destroyed in like two minutes.¡± Scott said, surveying the damage to Cerberus and shaking his head, sighing. The damage was too extensive; the drop left most of its lower body and chest a smear, not even good for spare parts. Even if he reformed the mass of canines, it would only be a quarter of its current size, at best. He spied a familiar ghoul.

    ¡°Hey Thun! You think you could do me a favor?¡±

    ¡°Hmm?¡± Thun turned, holding a deceased ghoul in his arms and absently taking a bite. Amber¡¯s eyes were saucers.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t¡­isn¡¯t that one of your tribe?¡± she squeaked.

    ¡°Mm-hmm.¡± he affirmed, chewing.

    ¡°Ghouls are cannibals.¡± Scott said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

    ¡°How else rest of gh-thnkol get energy to make more ghoul?¡± Thun said.

    ¡°I-I think I need to lie down.¡± Amber said, feeling queasy.

    ¡°You do that. Thun, could you get the ghouls to bury Cerberus underground? You can¡¯t eat the intact parts, but anything too mushed is fair game. Deal?¡±

    ¡°Oh c¡¯hackvousd! Frabjous day!¡± Thun said, pulling a couple others to help him.

    ¡°Excellent. Sheeeemp!¡± Scott called to the sky. A crow descended from the air, carrying a very important bag. ¡°Good bird, good zombie.¡± he cooed, petting its head. ¡°Now go and circle the town until I need you again.¡± He threw it in the air, and the undead avian cawed and resumed flying.

    ¡°What¡¯s in the bag?¡± Nightfang asked. Scott grinned and grabbed a handful of gems from the bag, pulsing with soft light.

    ¡°Everybody within a twenty-mile radius. I whipped up a special zombie to keep these safe, I figured keeping these out of everyone¡¯s hands would be a good idea. Aerial and mobile, you know? Zombies can¡¯t get tired or hungry.¡± The vampire shivered at seeing the stones. He could feel the energy the souls were emitting. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. It¡¯s only been¡­gonna say ¡®bout twelve hours. Still, that¡¯s¡­not good. So without further ado¡­¡± He could feel the souls within the stones. Each one was twisting and swirling with confusion and torment, entrapped in a place that was not theirs. Necromancers had died to obtain even a fraction of the souls that he held in his hand right now. A less scrupulous person could use all that enormous energy to conquer the world, if he so desired. He grinned. What fun would be conquering the world on easy mode like that?

    He threw the jewels into the air, and with a stray thought they froze, supporting themselves. ¡°All right, listen up!¡± he commanded. Every eye turned to him, the air beginning to shake with the sheer potential energy building up. ¡°Here¡¯s how this¡¯s gonna happen! Everyone¡¯s gonna go back to their bodies, and everything¡¯s gonna be fine! The mall¡¯s destruction was the result of a freak earthquake, a shifting on an unknown faultline. The mayor was never kidnapped, it was just an online rumor spread by a couple of kids or trolls or something, I don¡¯t know! The school had an accident, that¡¯s all! The reports of any and all superheroes and villains were greatly exaggerated, it was a prank or a hoax or something. There is no proof of the supernatural, it doesn¡¯t exist, got it? That would be silly. Oh, Mr. and Mrs. Harris, you can totally just ignore what I said. So I say it, so it shall be! Now, I command you! Be free!¡±

    He clapped his hands, and the jewels shattered. The world was filled with a multicolored multitude of souls, whizzing and flying back into their bodies, dancing and whirling free of every care until they returned to their homes. The group below watched as finally, everyone was free, and the ordeal was over.

 Chapter 24: Here Come the Men in Black

    Clay Havenbrook yawned and sat up in bed, stretching. The sun poured in through the window, pooling on the blankets and warming them despite the chill.

    ¡°Mmm. ¡®Nother day-huh?¡± His eyes widened as he remembered that¡­there was¡­something...important to do? That his dad had to do? He frowned, but couldn¡¯t for the life of him recall what. He saw Scott go by his door.

    ¡°Hey, dweeb!¡±

    ¡°Morning to you too, buttmunch.¡± Scott said casually, leaning on the doorframe. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±

    ¡°Hey, this might sound weird, but wasn¡¯t there¡­something important going on? Something big that we had to do?¡± he said, brow furrowed. Scott gave him a funny look.

    ¡°You really awake yet or you still dreaming? We don¡¯t gotta do anything today, remember? The school¡¯s closed ¡®cause of the electrical fire.¡±

    ¡°Electrical fire?¡± Clay said in alarm. Scott raised his eyebrow.

    ¡°Yeah¡­?¡± Remember, a truck hit a power main and that overloaded the transformer? School¡¯s closed for the next two weeks. But next week¡¯s Thanksgiving anyway, so it¡¯ll line up. Meh.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡± Clay said, still feeling something was off but unable to put his finger on it. ¡°You didn¡¯t blow it up, did¡¯ja?¡±

    ¡°Please.¡± Scott rolled his eyes. ¡°If I did, they wouldn¡¯t be able to rebuild.¡±

    When they got down to the kitchen, they started on the cereal, watching their mother flit aimlessly around the room.

    ¡°Something wrong, dear?¡± Michael asked, frowning because he thought something was wrong too, but didn¡¯t want to press it.

    ¡°No¡­¡± she said uncertainly. ¡°I think that¡¯s the problem. I remember I was worried about something, but I can¡¯t remember what.¡±

    ¡°Eh. If you can¡¯t remember, it probably wasn¡¯t that important anyway.¡± Scott advised. ¡°Anyway, I gotta get going. Amber still wants to meet up to study today. I told her that we¡¯ve got a vacation, but she said that made it more important to keep up with schoolwork. Ugh.¡± He slurped down the sugary milk and sighed. A hand held his shoulders fast to his seat.

    ¡°You know I don¡¯t believe you.¡± Clay whispered, grinning. ¡°What¡¯cha really gonna do, make out? Remember, most bras unhook in the back, but you gotta watch out for the ones in the front.¡± He nudged his brother¡¯s ribs, but Scott remained stonefaced.

    ¡°Alright, you caught me. I¡¯m actually the world¡¯s most powerful necromancer, and I¡¯m off to resurrect the dead by invoking dark rituals and elder gods.¡± he said dryly.

    ¡°Clay, stop teasing your brother. Have fun Scott, be back by five.¡± Rebecca said. As he left, she called out ¡°Remember, it¡¯s up and over for a standard bra!¡± She giggled as he shot her an exasperated look and left.

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°So how¡¯re you doing, Detective?¡± Michael Harris said, handing Cross a coffee. She inhaled the wonderful vapors and sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯m holding up. Better than some-¡± she shot a glance at Nightfang, now out of costume and staring forlornly at the magic circle Scott had inscribed for Leo¡¯s resurrection. ¡°But not as good as others.¡± She shook her head at Scott, animatedly describing just how his ingenious plan worked in intricate detail to Amber and Mrs. Harris, who looked to be developing white hairs on the spot.

    ¡°At least you¡¯re doing better than my roof.¡± he grumbled, eyeing the thin particleboard Scott¡¯s skeleton had duct-taped. The image of a skeleton doing carpentry was absurd, and he couldn¡¯t get it out of his head.

    ¡°Hmm. The kid¡¯s smart, yeah, but he doesn¡¯t have the kind of training or discipline to be in charge of militaristic operations like this, that¡¯s why there¡¯s so much collateral damage. And he likes to play with fire. It worries me.¡± she grunted.

    ¡°Figuratively, or literally?¡± Mr. Harris said. He was still quite put out that one of his propane tanks and several customer supplies were used for the defense.

    ¡°Both.¡±

    ¡°Well Detective, I suppose it all worked out in the long run. He¡¯s proven to be mature and responsible for his age in respects that matter, we should focus on that. Otherwise, I¡¯d have to strangle him.¡±

    ¡°Heh.¡± She formed a tight-lipped smile. ¡°You¡¯re probably right. At least this time there isn¡¯t as much paperwork.¡±

    ¡°Oh! By the by, where are the other vampires? I was quite looking forward to meeting Mr. Harvaste. To think, a chance to talk to someone who¡¯s been walking around Europe for centuries!¡± Mr. Harris said, scanning the crowd for him excitedly.

    ¡°He¡¯s not here. Genevieve said even though sunlight can¡¯t harm them, they still don¡¯t like it and they needed to sleep. I don¡¯t blame-ehh?¡± She turned a raised eyebrow on a ghoul trotting up to her, head bowed with a hand behind his back. ¡°Ebble?¡±

    ¡°Umm¡­stoghnkj¡­E-Ebble¡­w-want you have this.¡± He shoved some wilted daisies in her shocked hand.

    ¡°Huh? Flowers?¡± When she looked up at him again, Ebble squealed and ducked away, burrowing through the concrete at top speed in embarrassment.

    ¡°My floor!¡± Mr. Harris cried, dropping to his hands and knees. ¡°You¡¯d better believe you¡¯re paying for that!¡± he shouted down the hole. Detective Cross just sighed and massaged her throbbing head.

    ¡°Okay, the sigils are ready, and the circle is complete. Who¡¯s ready to raise some dead?¡± Scott said, and Leo eagerly raised his spectral hand.

    ¡°While it¡¯s been a unique experience, I¡¯d like to go back to my body as soon as possible.¡± he said.

    ¡°Tell me about it.¡± Amber muttered, and was pulled aside by Scott.

    ¡°Hey, did you get it? Was it hard to find?¡± he whispered.

    ¡°Nah, I got it. I spent nearly all morning looking for ¡®em. There was a lot of rubble to sift through, you know.¡± she said, tugging her ponytail. She went over and retrieved a trash bag she¡¯d put them in. ¡°Do you really think it¡¯ll work?¡±

    ¡°I think it¡¯s worth a try.¡± he said confidently. ¡°Okay, if I could have the deceased?¡± Nightfang dropped the tarp containing Leo¡¯s body into the circle. ¡°Extra-crispy.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to see how well you looked after burning to death.¡± Leo said.

    ¡°Ahh, you¡¯ll be fine. Now, let¡¯s raise ¡®em on up. Hey! Hey Lagdinras, I know you¡¯re watching!¡±

    Indeed.

    Six fireballs spun in the air, cutting open space to reveal Lagdinras¡¯s golden eye. It emanated a bittersweet, yet proud feeling into the room.

    I Feel most Satisfied with the conclusion, though I Mourn for those who have been lost. Good Job. However, why have You requested My presence, necromancer? You have everything at hand.

    ¡°Yeah, ¡®bout that¡­¡± Scott said, shrugging gat the heat and radiance the messenger gave off. ¡°Yeah, you see, I¡¯ve been thinking. I¡¯d really like to take necromancy to the next level. See, when a vampire dies, you know about vampires, right? You know about Kevin?¡±

    I am Familiar with the Creatures, and the masked one¡¯s¡­Exploits.

    it emanated at Nightfang, making him pale even more.

    ¡°Good. Now, we know they don¡¯t have souls, so get oblivionated when they die. But here¡¯s the thing; energy can¡¯t be created or destroyed. The individual particles of ectoplasmic, thermic energy still exist, they¡¯re just completely absorbed into the natural background field of the universe, or almost absorbed.¡±

    And?

    ¡°They¡¯re in a state that¡¯s completely inert to former form, untouchable and untraceable. It¡¯s simply not possible to detect them, forget retrieving them, even I have my limits. However, that¡¯s the limit of mortal power. An actual god? That might be a different story. You can perceive multiple dimensions simultaneously, and can collect vast amounts of power with your vast knowledge. Therefore, it should be possible for you to metaphorically and metaphysically grab all the Lego bricks and reconstruct a soul manually, right?¡± Scott said. The eye trembled.

    What you are Suggesting is Beyond even My Power. It¡­it cannot be Done. It Should not be Done. By all Rights, I should Strike you down right now for Disturbing the natural Harmony of the Cosmos. However, your Services are required for a Second Chance for Leo Manning.

    ¡°See, here¡¯s the thing. I could do that, sure, buuuuuut¡­oh no, I¡¯m feeling a little too weak at the moment, cough cough. If only I had enough incentive to carry on, and power through my crippling disability.¡± Scott said, affecting languishing illness. The assembled crowed gasped. Lagdinras, for perhaps the first time in its existence, was taken aback.

    Are¡­are you blackmailing Me?

    rang in their memories, the air vibrating with indignation.

    ¡°Blackmail is such an¡­¡± He circled his hand, trying to find the appropriate phrase. ¡°¡­accurate word. Yes, I¡¯m blackmailing you.¡± Scott said, grinning.

    ¡°Scott!¡± Leo whispered furiously in a high voice. ¡°What are you doing! No! Please don¡¯t use my resurrection as a bargaining chip!¡± Somehow, his ghost had paled even more.

    ¡°Sorry man, them¡¯s the breaks. But don¡¯t worry, I can chain you to my soul so you don¡¯t fade into oblivion, your youthful promise cut down in your prime, never again to wield the light of justice upon those who worship at evil¡¯s altar, potentially saving millions of lives, millions of orphans and puppies thanks to your holy work, oh what a shame, it¡¯s too bad I can¡¯t find the incentive to perform the ritual, oh no.¡± He cast furtive looks at the shaking eye. The fires surrounding it were blazing hotter and brighter by the second.

    You-You DARE try to blackmail the Messenger of the great Zet-Mathaig, He who is the Incarnation of Righteousness? This Affront will not-

    <u>Agreed.</u>

    The whole room was very, very still. When Lagdinras ¡°spoke,¡± it was more like arranging reality so he had already spoken, the words appearing in memory immediately.

    This wasn¡¯t like that.

    There was a sense of¡­vastness, for lack of a better term, an enormity so immense and grandiose the sun was blotted out and the entire planet quaked in vibration, though the morning light shone through the window like normal. This was something that had no prospect of dispute, an agreement so final and absolute blood pacts were a quaint notion, beyond the absolute of the concept. Scott broke out into a cold sweat immediately, as he realized he now had just a faint idea of what exactly he was bargaining with. He glanced at Lagdinras, shifting back and forth to find the origin of the agreement.  The fire presumably cut through the dimensional barriers, and it seemed impossible, but it was like the source had been speaking a very, very long way away indeed. He shivered.

    Err, yes. I-It seems we are in Agreement on this Matter.

    Lagdinras emanated, giving off a feeling of embarrassment.

    You shall Resurrect those you have Chosen, those Above have Seen to it. However,

    the burning eye narrowed,

    Do Not presume to take this action again. The Powers Above cannot go against the flow of Fate, not without severe Consequences. It is Fortunate the one you seek has not been deceased long, Scott Havenbrook. Proceed.

    ¡°Y-Yeah.¡± Scott said, shaken to his core, but trying to shrug it off. Did he really just do that? Did he really just succeed? He really must be crazy. ¡°Amber, the package.¡± Amber lugged the trash bag to the middle of the circle and swapped it for the tarp. She glanced over to Scott to see if she should open it, but he shook his head. "Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Ael shith, tivam se ael nath! Follahl xerph''um estios! Ha! Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Ael shith, tivam se ael nath! Follahl xerph''um estios! Ha! Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Allaghvah, goochun esteros. Ael shith, tivam se ael nath! Follahl xerph''um estios! Ha!"

    For a moment, nothing happened. Then, out of nowhere a fierce, hot wind kicked up, a musty odor wafting form the circle now flaring to life with the candles. Tiny particles of light, burnt sienna, began to wink into existence and spiral around the bundle, making it swell and burst. Scott felt another presence in his mind, working with the words he now spoke.  A column of orange light sprang forth as the resurrection was complete, skin, muscle, bone, and soul reforming anew as Kevin¡¯s mother drifted down to the ground. He stared, wide-eyed and gaping, completely stunned.

    ¡°Ha ha!¡± Scott crowed as Detective Cross immediately wrapped her overcoat around the blinking, confused woman. Nightfang found himself walking forward, his feet moving without input. ¡°Take that, causality.¡±

    ¡°I¡­but-I¡­¡± Kevin trailed off, staring at his mother. She saw him, and her lip trembled and her eyes watered.

    ¡°Oh, Kevin¡­how¡­I-I¡¯m sorry, I attacked you, I¡¯m the worst mother in the world, oh my God I¡¯m horrible-¡±

    ¡°NO, I¡¯m the worst son, I killed you, but I¡¯m sorry, I¡¯m sorry I burned the house down, I-I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here, id¡¯s impossible, bud you¡¯re here and dat¡¯s ebryding I wanned¡­¡± Both embraced each other and fell to their knees sobbing and blubbering, each trying to hold onto the other tighter. Kevin turned his stinging eyes to the necromancer.

    ¡°How¡­? Why?¡±

    ¡°Heh heh, my theory was right! The soul can be reconstructed after decomposition! Of course, you¡¯d have to have the knowledge and ability of a god to gather every last scrap of soul and energy... A<sup>2</sup>¡Â(5000x43<sub>10</sub>) with the unity of X, where , that¡¯s kinda a tall order¡­hmm, how to do, how to do, we¡¯d have to start with the inverted Y axis of dimension one as the starting line¡­¡± He began muttering to himself and paging through his notes, nearly missing Kevin throw himself at his feet. ¡°Gah!¡±

    ¡°You¡­you¡¯ve done the impossible. I-I owe you too much for me to ever repay. Please, I am forever in your debt. If you ever need anything, anything at all, I¡¯ll be there and help you out. I owe you a life debt.¡± Kevin said through his tears, unable to stop smiling.

    ¡°Ah, jeez. Look man, get up, this¡¯s embarrassing. D-Don¡¯t sweat it, okay?¡± Scott said, blushing. He pulled his tattered hood up and turned away. ¡°I-It¡¯s not like I did it for you, or to be nice or anything. I just wanted to see if it could be done. Now that I know it can, it¡¯s only a matter of time before I replicate it myself.¡± he muttered, grateful the others couldn¡¯t see his tomato-red face.

    ¡°He really is a bad liar, isn¡¯t he?¡± Amber whispered to Cross, who rolled her eyes and nodded.

    ¡°Seems like the only way he can pull of deception is to be a monster threatening his life.¡± she added dryly.

    ¡°A-Anyway!¡± Scott coughed, lowering his hood and recovering. He started busying himself with the candles as Amber approached him.

    ¡°Still no way to change me back into a human?¡± she asked. Scott sucked in air through his teeth.

    ¡°Yeah, sorry, no. I¡¯ve, ah, been a little busy.¡± he said, glancing at the hole Cerberus made. Amber sighed.

    ¡°And it could be months before you figure something out, and I¡¯ll have to eat garbage or get refills until then.¡± she said flatly. Scott winced and nodded, and she sighed even deeper. ¡°But you can reuse the same magic circle, right?¡±

    ¡°Yeah?¡±

    ¡°Right. Please, Detective, before I change my mind.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t know how you talked me into this.¡± Cross grumbled, then pulled out her gun and shot her in the head, to Scott¡¯s wide-eyed shock.

    ¡°D-Did it work? Am¡­am I still here?¡± Amber said, her eyes screwed shut. She peeked and saw her body on the floor. ¡°Oh. Good, I suppose.¡±

    ¡°Mmm-hmm, mmm-hmm. The hell?¡± Scott asked pleasantly, his eye twitching.

    ¡°I know. Not exactly appealing, seeing your daughter die.¡± Mr. Harris said, holding his shaking wife. Amber had discussed this with them, but it was still hard to take in. ¡°And I know you charge for your services, so we¡¯ll call it even between the parts you used for your creature and the hole in the roof.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, yeah.¡± Scott said, rubbing his eyes. ¡°This¡­no, this is fine. This¡¯s okay. I can¡­fine, okay. Well then, who wants to come back first? It¡¯s only one at a time.¡± The two ghosts looked at each other, and Leo shrugged.

    ¡°Ladies first. I can totally wait for five more minutes.¡± he said.

    ¡°Right.¡± Scott dragged her body into the circle and dropped her there.

    ¡°Careful with the merchandise.¡± Amber said, shuddering at the all-too-familiar numbness she felt as a ghost. ¡®It¡¯s only for a minute, it¡¯s only for a minute. Scott will fix everything.¡¯ she reassured herself.

    ¡°Then don¡¯t just off yourself like that! Jeez, nearly gave me a heart attack¡­¡± Scott snapped, then began the ritual. The candles flared and the circle lit up as he chanted, her body once more dissolving into essential salts that reformed around her soul, this time double-checked to prevent from being raised as anything other than a human.

    This was the chance it had been waiting for. Unbeknownst to everyone, there was a large spider hidden in the dusty rafters of the ceiling, awaiting this moment. From its web it snapped the special strands, releasing a fully-formed web down below. As thick and light as the morning mist, the light of the resurrection allowed the web to drift into the salts unnoticed, everyone focusing on her body restructuring. Had Scott actually seen it, he would have recognized the sigil that the specially-woven spider web formed.

    With a bright flash, Amber¡¯s body was complete and her soul had been reintegrated, becoming human again. Having gone through the process before, she immediately dove for her abandoned clothes and rolled behind a box while the guys averted their eyes. A minute later, she emerged breathing a deep, long-suffering sigh of relief.

    ¡°Did it work?¡± Leo asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure.¡± she said, frowning. Everything felt right, but so did things when she was a ghoul. She raised an eyebrow at Scott, who shrugged.

    ¡°Only one way to find out.¡± He placed a finger on her arm and said ¡°Sekh,¡± toning the necrotic flow down as much as possible.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°Yowch!¡± She recoiled as if stung, rubbing her shoulder. ¡°That hurt. That hurt! I¡¯m really alive again! Yay!¡± She and her parents hugged, and she found it impossible to lift them. Amber beamed in happiness.

    ¡°My little girl, finally whole again. It¡¯s a miracle.¡± her mother said, tears in her eyes.

    ¡°Thank you, I try to make it a habit.¡± Scott said cheekily. ¡°Bring forth the tarp!¡±

    Since Amber no longer had ghoul strength, Kevin easily placed the tarp with Leo¡¯s barbecued body in the circle. After a moment to regain his strength and downing a water bottle, Scott repeated the chant, once more double-checking the Necronomicon to ensure he didn¡¯t turn Leo into a wight or other undead by accident.

    Leo¡¯s spirit drifted into the circle as the blue salts drifting and forming into his body, and Scott frowned. There was a heaviness in his mind, and while the flare of the circle drowned out the other light, he could swear there were soul particles blinking into existence with Leo. However, it was too late to stop now, he didn¡¯t want to condemn Leo to a very short and painful existence in a half-formed body before becoming a ghost again.

    ¡°Follahl xerph''um estios! Ha!" Scott clapped, and with a burst of green, rainbow, and blue light the resurrection was complete.

    Leo blinked the darkness away, realizing there was a green carapiece next to him.

    ¡°Huk. Huuh-ahk!¡± Mielios coughed, rubbing his eyes and mandibles. ¡°My. Oh my. That¡­that was an experience that was interesting. However, I shall endeavor to not have it repeat.¡± Leo¡¯s eyes widened, and there was a moment of silence.

    ¡°AAAHHHHHH!¡± Mrs. Harris screamed, but this time it was her husband that fell into her arms. ¡°Why is there a giant praying mantis!?¡±

    ¡°The hell¡¯s going on!?¡± Cross thundered, her gun at the ready.

    ¡°Mielios! You¡¯re alive too!¡± Leo exclaimed, hugging him.

    ¡°That sneaky bastard!¡± Scott exclaimed, snapping his fingers and grinning. ¡°No wonder he agreed to my terms so readily. I forgot all about him, oh man!¡±

    Indeed. Forgive the deception, Scott Havenbrook. However, Lord Zet-Mathaig, Champion of all that is Right And Pure, felt it was Necessary.

    Lagdinras emanated. Scott merely held up his hands.

    ¡°Ahh, no worries. I can admit when I¡¯m beat. It was a good trick, I ain¡¯t even mad.¡±

    ¡°Cool! This¡¯s great! So many got to come back!¡± Leo said, letting go of the alien. It had completely slipped their minds in the surprise, they forgot the resurrected weren¡¯t wearing clothes.

    ¡°Yeah, you got me, I admiiiiiii¡­.¡± Scott trailed off wide-eyed, once Leo called attention to himself again. That¡­that just wasn¡¯t fair.

    ¡°Oh my.¡± Amber said, covering her eyes, but not so subtly peeking through her fingers.

    ¡°K-Kid¡¯s girlfriend must be happy.¡± Cross muttered, trying to avert her eyes and mentally reviewing the statutory laws.

    ¡°Huh? Oh!¡± Leo said in embarrassment, covering himself with his hand. Then, sheepishly using two for adequate cover. ¡°Um. Sorry about that. Does anyone have any pants I could borrow?¡±

    ¡°Here.¡± Mielios said, rolling his multifaceted eyes. He tore the tarp up into a rough poncho with his claws and draped it over Leo. ¡°Humans are strange. There is no reason to hide one¡¯s body, save unless one is under the covers.¡±

    ¡°Yes, well, not all of us have exoskeletons.¡± Cross said, unable to look anyone in the eye. ¡°So. Well done everyone. Good job. I¡¯m going home to take a sick day and drink myself stupid. Oh,¡± she tossed to Kevin and Mrs. Bachelder. ¡°Come see me when you¡¯re ready. I¡¯ll help you with the paperwork for the police and insurance reports about your house. We don¡¯t want the general public knowing about any of this. You had fire insurance, right?¡±

    ¡°Y-Yeah.¡± Kevin¡¯s mother said, wiping her face. ¡°K-Kevin, I am still so, so sorry. A-And I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t know you were a¡­a¡­¡±

    ¡°Vampire?¡± he supplied with a rueful smile.

    ¡°Yes. How? Why?¡± She shook her head. ¡°No. That¡¯s not important right now. You¡¯re here, and you¡¯re okay, and that¡¯s the best thing I could ask for.¡± she said, hugging him close. A hand touched her shoulder, and she turned to see Amber and her mother.

    ¡°Um, Mrs. Bachelder? Kevin¡¯s been very helpful, so we wanted to let you know you¡¯re welcome to stay in our guest room until you two get back on your feet.¡± Amber said, smiling.

    ¡°It¡¯s the least we can do, for everything that he¡¯s done for us.¡± her mother said.

    ¡°Oh wow, I-I don¡¯t want to impose, but¡­I, I don¡¯t know what to say¡­¡± she said, tearing up again.

    ¡°Say yes, Mom. It¡¯s just for a little while.¡± Kevin said.

    How touching.

    Lagdinras emanated at the sight, floating behind Leo and Mielios.

    But be that as it may, We are still Very busy. I must be away to another crisis elsewhere. But before I go, I Must Ask of you two something.

    The air shimmered and shifted, and Leo found himself holding his sword charm, and a familiar piece of leather hung from Mielios¡¯s claw. The alien¡¯s head jerked up to meet the eye.

    ¡°B-But, Lord Lagdinras! This¡­I am not worthy, not after all that I have spoken, all that I have done against our work!¡± Mielios said, bowing low.

    Rise, Mielios. What happened to You is unfortunate, but not Insurmountable. Rest assured, Lord Zet-Mathaig, Arbiter of the Cosmic Heavens and Great Balancer of Karma, has still Many uses for you, should You Choose. You are Worthy. Should you still feel you must Repent, the crack of your Whip may offer Penance enough.

    ¡°Th-Thank you, Lord Lagdinras. Hail Zet-Mathaig!¡±

    And You, Leo Manning?

    The teen grinned and flung his arm out, slicing the tarp to reveal his smooth, extra-muscular chest. He held the sword aloft and caught the tarp with his fist to form a kilt.

    ¡°I pledge my sword to carry on with justice and righteousness!¡± he declared. The sun emerged from behind a cloud at that exact moment, streaming in through the window and making both his sword and chest gleam. Every person with two X chromosomes present felt very warm.

    Indeed. Fare you Well, until we Meet again! And rest assured, Scott Havenbrook, We Will be Watching.

    Scott blinked as the fires flared and spiraled back, receding into another dimension of reality.

    ¡°Huh. What do you think he meant by that?¡± he muttered worriedly, glancing at the Necronomicon.

    ¡°I don¡¯t think worrying will make it any better.¡± Amber said, dragging her eyes away from Leo.

    ¡°Yeah, kid. Whatever happens, happens. Just gotta roll with the punches. You don¡¯t have to like it, but that¡¯s what you have to do.¡± Cross said, shaking his hand. ¡°Now then, you won¡¯t be pulling any more crazy stunts like taking the mayor hostage or robbing jewelry stores again, right?¡± Her mouth was set in a thin smile, and her grip tightened exponentially.

    ¡°Yeah! Yes yes yes, got it! The straight and narrow for me, oh boy yes!¡± Scott yelped. She glared down at him, still smiling.

    ¡°Good. Glad we could have this little talk. And I¡¯m very glad to see that you understand that this will not happen again, correct?¡± She still hadn¡¯t let go.

    ¡°Oh my word yes there¡¯s completely no reason at all to take such extreme measures, only did it because crunched for time, you know how it goes ha ha ha.¡± he said, sweating.

    ¡°Glad we understand each other. Don¡¯t call me in again unless something like this happens, but if it does you call me immediately, okay?¡± she growled, letting go.

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am!¡± Scott saluted.

    ¡°Good boy.¡± After delivering her number to the Bachelders, she waved and left. Scott breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°Finally.¡±

    ¡°Aw, she¡¯s not that bad.¡± Amber said mildly.

    ¡°Maybe for you.¡±

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s been fun, but we should get going. We have to get our guests settled in, and I have to make some calls.¡± Mr. Harris said, eyeing the holes in his warehouse. ¡°Does anyone else need a ride? I brought my station wagon.¡±

    ¡°I would like a ride to my house, please. I would be most grateful to obtain a new pair of pants. And I really should call Eva, she must be worried.¡± Leo said, adjusting his tarp. He turned to Mielios. ¡°You need transportation anywhere?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m doubting your people would let the sight of a Cimterian riding in your vehicle slip. I can use the forest to go back to the park, my ship is there. I can resupply and conceal my guise in no time.¡± he snorted, then bowed low to the group. ¡°I thank you all for the hospitality you have shown, despite what has occurred. I am full of grate.¡±

    ¡°Uh, it¡¯s ¡®grateful¡¯. Short for gratitude.¡± Mrs. Harris said. She flinched as he turned his multifaceted eye on her.

    ¡°Is it? How strange. Such an unusual tongue, I never got the full hand of it. Fare well, I will meet you tomorrow, Leo. Remember, we still have a half and two months of training to go through as yet.¡± He bowed again and left, slipping through the trees expertly hidden despite the morning sun.

    ¡°Unusual fellow.¡± Mrs. Harris said, a little unnerved. It wasn¡¯t every day you talked to a mantis man from another planet, but he seemed nice. ¡°Coming, Amber?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, just a sec. Can you meet me later tonight at the cemetery?¡± she asked Scott.

    ¡°Sure?¡± he said, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Cool. See you then!¡± She waved and the group left.

    ¡°See you.¡± And with that, the necromancer was alone in the warehouse/secret lab. Well, alone from anything living. He turned to Bones, obediently sitting in the corner. ¡°Alright then! Look alive mister! Or, you know, whatever you do! We got a whole lotta work to do. Tarantulas!¡± The undead abomination crawled out of his backpack and hissed softly. Okay, my supplies of body parts are at an all-time low, and we¡¯ve got to find a place to keep the zombie bacteria. This¡¯s the serious necromancy project I¡¯ve been waiting for, the potential of this¡¯s enormous!¡±

    He grinned as he opened the window and whistled to the two dozen zombies he¡¯d neglected to inform Cross he still had. ¡°C¡¯mon in and start cleaning up people, we¡¯re getting down to business! It¡¯s time to rebuild, and cultivate more bacteria. Holy crap, these guys are gonna be great. In fact-¡± He pulled out his phone and grinned at the record he¡¯d managed to pull up. ¡°-I may have found the perfect test subject.¡± He grinned evilly and chuckled as the zombies moaned in victory.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    After all was said and done, it was late in the evening by the time Scott was free to meander to the cemetery. He glanced up at the stars. Jupiter was unusually bright, but Polaris cancelled it out like most times, so the inevitable small rift between dimensions would be small and swiftly close. Nothing he had to worry about, at least. The waning crescent moon illuminated his path as he wound his way through the graves, dead leaves crunching underfoot. He ascended the familiar hill to the willow tree overlooking the lake, where Amber was waiting.

    ¡°Hey there.¡± He stamped his feet to warm himself up. She turned and smiled, jumping off the headstone. ¡°I see you guys haven¡¯t taken it down yet.¡±

    ¡°Bureaucracy at its finest.¡± she said, patting the stone. It¡¯ll probably stay up until after Christmas. Uh, speaking of which.¡± She retrieved a package behind the gravestone, tugging her ponytail. ¡°I know Dad¡¯s letting you off the hook for the stuff you took from his warehouse-¡±

    ¡°Borrowed to save the whole town, prob¡¯ly the world. It¡¯s a very important reason, no one could say otherwise.¡± he interjected, trying to ensure people believed him. She giggled.

    ¡°I know, I know. You don¡¯t have to convince me.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, guess I don¡¯t.¡± He leaned back against the tree. ¡°You¡¯re about the only one I don¡¯t have to.¡± he muttered under his breath. Amber cleared her throat.

    ¡°Anyway, so I was thinking that since you did mastermind the plan to take Brian down, and calling a debt even isn¡¯t, y¡¯know, exactly the funnest reward around, and since the season¡¯s almost here and all, and I know it gets cold up here, my mom and I went shopping, so. Uh. Here.¡± She presented the box awkwardly. ¡°Merry early Christmas.¡±

    He took it curiously and ripped the wrapping off. Once the box was open, he took the garment and held it up to the moonlight.

    ¡°Oooh!¡± It was a brand new hoodie, longer than his old one and midnight sable, instead of the faded dark grey of the one he was wearing. ¡°Wow, it¡¯s so cool! I love it!¡±

    ¡°Glad you like it. Yours is, ah, not exactly in the best condition anymore, to put it mildly.¡± she said, making a face.

    ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± he asked. She flicked her gaze to the one he was wearing. In addition to the accumulated stains of both condiment and anatomic fluids, two life or death battles in three weeks had not been kind to it. It had been worn almost threadbare, and there were numerous small tears in it. ¡°Oh. But it¡¯s still comfortable!¡± he said weakly.

    ¡°It also smells.¡± Amber wrinkled her nose. That, Scott could not argue. Even after laundry day, the scent of sweat and decay from his graveyard raids had seeped into the fabric. ¡°Well. Good thing I have a new one, right?¡± he said, doffing one and donning the other.

    ¡°Right.¡± Amber smiled, leaning on her gravestone. ¡°After all, doesn¡¯t a hero have to look his best?¡±

    ¡°Villain.¡± Scott corrected with a grin, admiring the new black sleeves. ¡°And everyone knows the villain has a better wardrobe than the hero.¡± He looked up, expecting to see her smiling on the stone. Instead, she was right in front of him, red-faced, her eyes starting to glisten.

    ¡°No, Scott. You have to stop doing this. I-I can¡¯t take it anymore. You¡­you keep saying you¡¯re a villain, so much. And with such sincerity I know¡­I know you really believe it. Why? Why do you think you¡¯re some kind of, evil rotten-hearted villain!?¡± She had been steadily advancing on him, and he found himself backed into the tree. He sighed, and smiled at her, so sad and resigned.

    ¡°Why? Isn¡¯t it obvious? I¡¯m a necromancer. I play around in graveyards at night and with dead puppies and make corpses sit up and dance. And I¡¯m¡­not very nice. Nice guys don¡¯t invent supernatural biological weapons. They don¡¯t terrorize towns they¡¯re trying to save. I¡¯m a genius, and awesome, sure. But a good person? I don¡¯t know what standards you¡¯re using, but by mine? I¡­I fail.¡± he said, his voice cracking. He tried to play it off with a laugh. ¡°My methods, my first instinct is to rob graves and use the corpses. I don¡¯t find anything too wrong with it, but everyone else is repulsed. Even you. Don¡¯t try to deny it-¡±He held up his palms over her protest. ¡°-because when I revealed Cerberus¡¯s materials, what was your reaction?¡±

    Amber opened her mouth, and immediately realized he was right. She was creeped out, but that was normal. She blinked. It was normal to have a reaction like that. But Scott¡­she was beginning to see what he meant. He shifted nervously and smiled.

    ¡°Y-Y¡¯get it, right? I mean, I guess I¡¯m just desensitized to the less, uh, appetizing parts of necromancy. And to be honest, it never grossed me out too much in the first place. I mean, I am a creepy, moldy old necromancer, no matter how awesome I am. And I am pretty awesome.¡± He chuckled when she cracked a smile despite herself. ¡°But y¡¯know, when-when you s-said that I¡¯m¡­I¡¯m your friend despite that, it. Y¡¯know.¡± He shuffled awkwardly, red-faced. ¡°It made me really happy. Like I didn¡¯t have to be alone anymore.¡± he said in a small voice. ¡°I-I understand if-if you don¡¯t wanna hang out anymore. But, um, I¡¯d just like to thank you. This past month and a half¡­it¡¯s been fun. I haven¡¯t, uh, had any close friends since middle school, really. It¡¯s been¡­nice.¡± He rubbed his head and looked at the tree, the lake, the moon, anywhere but the girl in front of him. She sniffled.

    ¡°So. Uh. Yeah. Necromancers are kinda the bad guys, even if they do good. Not exactly pleasant for most to be around. In fact-¡± He sighed and gave her that smile that made her heart crack. ¡°It¡¯s probably best if you, y¡¯know, keep your distance at school. I can¡¯t exactly go around demonstrating my finer points, so the others don¡¯t understand, and I don¡¯t want-¡±

    He felt himself enveloped in a pair of warm arms, trapping him tightly.

    ¡°Stop it!¡± Amber cried, tears trickling down her cheeks. ¡°Just¡­just stop it! Stop putting yourself down! I don¡¯t know where you got the idea that you¡¯re a bad person, ¡®cause you¡¯re not! You¡¯re not a villain! I hate it, I hate seeing you like this! If you keep saying stuff like that over and over to yourself, you eventually start to believe it. How long have you thought of yourself as a villain?¡± She stared at him, and he wilted under her gaze. He realized he¡¯d been subconsciously referring to himself as a villain, not always, but for quite some time after beginning his experiments.

    ¡°Look, it¡¯s alright.¡± she said softly. ¡°I know you¡¯re not a bad guy. Raising zombies, kidnapping the mayor, stealing jewelry, being creepy in general, yeah, that¡¯s what you think of when you think of an evil, villainous necromancer. But when I think about you, I see someone who¡¯s banished an evil ghost, solved my murder, stopped a coven of witches and a daemonic invasion, who was willing to go head-to-head with a vampire alone, fought against an entire army of them, fought his best friend and banished an Elder God, and who saved me from death, along with Leo, and even blackmailed a god into letting him revive two complete strangers, because it was the right thing to do. Don¡¯t give me that crap about ¡®advancing the limits of necromancy¡¯, that¡¯s crap and you know it.¡±

    ¡°Uh. Well¡­¡± Scott trialed off, and Amber continued.

    ¡°You saved the town and probably the world twice over, Scott. I can argue your methods, but not your results. And anyone who really knows you will say the same thing. You need me to call Leo, or Kevin, or anyone else to prove it? And you know what I call anyone who¡¯s done what you¡¯ve done?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± he asked, mouth dry.

    ¡°A hero. Not a villain.¡± She could feel him shaking. He was breathing deeply to try and stay calm, fighting all his instincts telling him to bolt.

    ¡°Um. I guess.¡± he muttered.

    ¡°No, Scott. You know. You¡¯re probably the smartest person I know, you know deep down it¡¯s true.¡± she said, smiling. ¡°You have power, like Stephanie or Brian. They went crazy and became murderous psychopaths doing whatever they wanted.¡±

    ¡°And so did I.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, you did go crazy and do whatever you wanted. And what did you do, what was your first instinct upon being unbound from the normal consequences of the law, of morality? You try to start your own business, and help people in trouble. Such villainy.¡± she said cheekily.

    ¡°Yeah, well¡­I charge for my services.¡± Scott said, looking away. He didn¡¯t want her to know just how much her words had affected him. She smiled in understanding, and gave him a bigger squeeze. It felt good to hug someone and not have to worry about breaking them.

    ¡°Okay, okay, I get it.¡± Scott sighed overdramatically and smiled. A real one, with genuine vulnerability and happiness, not the confidant grins she had become accustomed to, nor the sad ones he gave when expressing his image of himself. ¡°So, uh¡­you gonna let go?¡±

    ¡°Oh! Sorry!¡± Amber said, releasing him. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to actually touch someone in awhile. Firs the ghost thing, then I was worried about hurting somebody as a ghoul¡­¡± she trialed off, giggling nervously.

    ¡°Yeah, I get it.¡± Scott said, stretching. His back cracked, and his green eyes flickered with an emerald glow as he grinned. ¡°But still, I¡¯m no hero. After all, who wants to be a hero? Let Kevin handle that. Everyone knows the villain¡¯s cooler anyway. They get the best costumes, the best lines, every actor loves being the villain. In fact-¡± he held a finger to his chin, grinning like a madman, and tilted his head towards her. ¡°You¡¯ve given me an idea.¡± He leapt from the tree past her grave, and started down the path. Amber sighed, frowning, but then he turned around.

    ¡°Hey. Hero or villain, it doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m still gonna be the best necromancer in the world. Buuuut, every great villain needs good minions. Care to join me in my secret lab?¡± He smiled at her, another genuine one. In that moment, she knew that he understood.

    ¡°You mean my dad¡¯s warehouse?¡± she said, wiping her face off, and smiling back.

    ¡°Secret. Lab.¡± he corrected.

    ¡°Whatever you say.¡± She joined him on the road back. ¡°I think though, I should be promoted form minion. There¡¯s only one of me, after all. Detective Cross isn¡¯t interested in the position.¡±

    ¡°Forget it. I¡¯m the boss, I say you¡¯re a minion.¡± Scott teased.

    ¡°Well, the costume wasn¡¯t bad, but I think it could use a redesign. It¡¯s too drab and boring, like it was mass-produced.¡±

    ¡°Like a uniform? Which it is?¡± he said, eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Yeah, if I¡¯m gonna have a costume, I get to have a say in the design. The black is good, goes with anything, but can we, I don¡¯t know, work some yellow into it? Something bright and cheery? It¡¯s more my style. Ooh, maybe some pastels!¡± Amber giggled excitedly. Scott palmed his forehead.

    ¡°You¡¯re working for a villain! A necromancer! Pastels are not part of the equation for necromancy!¡± he groaned.

    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s the problem, we¡¯ve got a branding issue. We need to reinvent the paradigm, present ourselves as a new villainous group, play up the whole community organization angle; you know, do some volunteer work, donate to Red Cross, clean up litter, the works. I¡¯d bet we¡¯d even be invited to speak at schools.¡±

    ¡°Can any of that stuff be handled by my zombies?¡±

    ¡°No. It cannot.¡± she said primly.

    ¡°¡­I don¡¯t think I want you in my organization anymore.¡± he said.

    They bantered down the path and through the cemetery, into the night, the stars sparkling above them.

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    But even as wounds born of preconceptions were healed, the stars shone down on sinister stirrings as well.

    ¡°-so you said there were rumors of a¡­giant, walking around town?¡± the man in the suit said, taking notes.

    ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the rumor going around town on Halloween. But everyone knows it¡¯s just a rumor, the vandalism was caused by some out of town punk kids.¡± the gas station clerk said. The man had come in, flashed a badge, and now at the behest of his manager he was being interviewed about the strange stories circulating around Craven Falls. He was sweating at first, but the officer seemed to purely be interested in the information.

    ¡°I see. And do you know anything about the old Kruger mall collapsing? Big event, I heard.¡± the officer inquired. The clerk snorted dismissively.

    ¡°Eh, that place¡¯s been abandoned for years, I¡¯m a little surprised it was still standing ¡®til now.¡±

    ¡°No reports of strange lights, unusual noises, or unfamiliar people going around?¡± the officer asked, scribbling in his notebook.

    ¡°Not that I heard. It¡¯s a hangout spot for the local kids, been graffitied to hell and back, nothing major.¡± he said. The officer diligently recorded the information.

    ¡°I see. Now, we¡¯ve had a lot of missing persons cases recently, in Nahumville and surrounding areas. You hear anything about it, anyone who seemingly vanished?¡± The clerk shook his head.

    ¡°Craven Falls is pretty quiet, nothing much like that happens here. ¡®Cept for that serial killer thing a couple of weeks back.¡± he admitted.

    ¡°Ah yes, the Craven Falls Killer. I¡¯m familiar with the case, part of my job here is a follow-up investigation of the incident.¡± the officer said with a grim smile.

    ¡°Yeesh. Good thing they caught her. But why¡¯ve they got you looking into this stuff when the case¡¯s closed?¡± the clerk asked.

    ¡°Ancillary information. We¡¯re trying to see if there¡¯s any connection between cases, probably not but we have to check all leads, not matter how small or unlikely. So, I heard something strange a couple of days ago. Something about a¡­excuse me, superhero running around?¡± he asked with eyebrow raised.

    ¡°Oh, yeah. The news was actually taken in for a sec too, thanks to that building fire. But it turns out it¡¯s just a couple of students doing a, whatchamacallit, live art performance or something. The one playing the superhero just managed to catch the baby from the window. Made a great story though, very poetic.¡± the clerk grinned. The officer dutifully recorded everything.

    ¡°And this supposed supervillain?¡±

    ¡°¡¯The dread Necrysis, mastermind extraordinaire, sworn nemesis of the vampire superhero Nightfang, turning his back on bloodsucking and using his powers to uphold what¡¯s right.¡¯ The stuff these kids come up with, it¡¯s a hoot.¡± the clerk laughed, and the officer smiled as he noted it. ¡°They even got the mayor to go along with it, don¡¯t know how they managed that. It was a blast. Honestly, with that serial killer going around and the school catching fire, this town¡¯s needed some levity.¡±

    ¡°It certainly does seem so.¡± the officer said, finishing up. ¡°Well, I seem to have everything I need, so thanks for your time. I have to go, but your help is much appreciated.¡±

    ¡°Hey, anytime man.¡± They shook hands and the officer left the store. He walked briskly past the gas station lights, his long coat catching in the wind as he headed into the darkness by the woods next to the road, where his fa?ade of amenability dropped. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a special number.

    ¡°Agent Crenshaw, reporting in.¡± he said.

    ¡°Ah, results already. And?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just as we suspected. From this and others I¡¯ve interviewed, the townsfolk seem to have had their memories and perceptions altered to recall events differently, from Halloween and this incident. The news reports during and after paint a very different tale than a couple of college kids playing a prank, but no one seems to care.¡± Crenshaw explained.

    ¡°Hmm, I see. And the arc spikes on the meter?¡±

    ¡°Most of the time, nothing out of the ordinary, sir. But I believe had we been here yesterday the readings would be very different. Even now, every so often the needle pushes close to one, every so often.¡±

    ¡°Dear lord. That¡¯s nearly twice the national average.¡±

    ¡°It is my professional opinion the meter could have read three, or even a four in the last two days, sir.¡± Crenshaw said. There was silence from the other end.

    ¡°Agent, how is the situation now?¡± his superior asked, a note of worry in his voice.

    ¡°Whatever happened, it seems to be winding down now. Whatever¡¯s in charge of all this seems to be trying to keep everything under wraps from the public, at least for now.¡± he said, shooting a glance at the gas station.

    ¡°Thank heaven for small favors, I suppose.¡± the agent¡¯s superior drolled. ¡°Very well. If you or anyone else is in no immediate danger, we have to investigate thoroughly. How long were you cleared for?¡±

    ¡°A week, sir.¡±

    ¡°You have a month. Check into a local hotel, we¡¯ll send you more personal effects and equipment tomorrow. Be as unobtrusive as possible, we don¡¯t want whatever¡¯s going on to be aware of your presence. I expect daily updates at 14:00 sharp, understood?¡±

    ¡°Yes sir.¡± Crenshaw said without hesitation. He knew the drill, but this was the first assignment he¡¯d heard of that would last a month for any agent. ¡°Sir, do you think it¡¯s wise, sticking around so long?¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t afford to leave any stone unturned, Crenshaw. This is a full investigation, and we¡¯re stretched enough as it is. I¡¯m sorry to have to risk you, but we need to know. I¡¯m sure you know what could be at stake here.¡±

    ¡°Sir.¡± Crenshaw said.

    ¡°Any other questions or concerns?¡±

    ¡°Sir. I hereby request type-C equipment to arrive tomorrow morning.¡±

    ¡°Very well, request approved. Sighing off. And Crenshaw? Be careful.¡±

    ¡°Will do, sir.¡± He hung up. Type-C equipment, right off the bat. It was nearly impossible to get their hands on type-C equipment. He shivered at how worried his superior was. But never mind; he had work to do. He walked down the street into the darkness, pulling up his collar against the wind.

 Chapter 25: Parting Promises

    It was late at night in the dark, quiet children¡¯s ward. Connor was sitting up, reading a book under the bed¡¯s light. The nurses always tried to get him to go to bed around nine, saying it was the hospital¡¯s policy for lights out. He always looked them square in the eye and asked them one question.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I¡¯ll get plenty of sleep when I¡¯m dead?¡± He smiled grimly whenever they couldn¡¯t hold his gaze.

    He rubbed his head. The headaches never went away now, only the intensity went up and down. Connor could swear he could feel the tumor growing bigger and bigger. The time between the spikes of pain was getting shorter every day. He knew he didn¡¯t have much time left, even without the doctors and the scans. He flipped the page listlessly.

    ¡°Psst.¡±

    Connor looked up. He was the only one in his room, the other bed lay forlornly empty. There was no one there.

    ¡°Psst!¡±

    Connor frowned, unable to find the source of the noise. Had the tumor made him start hearing things?

    ¡°Jeez. Psst! Hey kid! Over here!¡± Connor turned to the window. He blinked.

    There was a man covered head to toe in a black outfit, a sleeveless coat flaring in the wind behind him, a grinning skull mask over his face. ¡°Finally. Hi there.¡±

    ¡°Hi?¡± he said slowly.

    ¡°Great, great. So, uh, Connor, right?¡± the man said, flipping through pages on a clipboard. Connor recognized it as his medical charts.

    ¡°How did you get that?¡± he asked. The skull grinned up at him.

    ¡°A little bird helped me.¡± he chuckled. ¡°Anyway, I heard you got a tumor in your brain, inoperable, and you¡¯re gonna kick the bucket soon. Ow!¡± He flinched, as if suddenly kicked in the leg.

    ¡°Be a little nicer!¡± a girl hissed, also dressed in black, but wearing a standard face-concealing mask and possessing a skull insignia on her chest and hat. ¡°Especially to kids!¡±

    ¡°Nah, it¡¯s all right. I can feel it, it¡¯s going to kill me soon. Doctor said maybe this week.¡± Connor said casually, making the girl¡¯s hand fly to her mouth. ¡°So anyway, what do you want? Aren¡¯t you that guy from that play, or something? It¡¯s after hours, so if you¡¯re going to kidnap me or something I¡¯ll probably just die tomorrow, so¡­¡±

    ¡°Actually, that¡¯s what we¡¯re here about.¡± the skull mask said, shoving forward. The black eyes shone with two toxic emerald green pinpoints. ¡°How would you like to not die?¡± he said gleefully.

    ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯re full of crap if you¡¯re one of those ¡®new-age¡¯ healers that think singing and dancing on a circle¡¯s gonna cure a brain tumor.¡± Connor said flatly.

    ¡°Oooh!¡± the skull reeled back as if struck in the heart. ¡°You wound me! So cynical, at such an early age! Although, I suppose your imminent death would be a good reason to have a sour outlook. But you shouldn¡¯t count out miracles so easily.¡± He held a gloved finger to his skeletal grin, and Connor got the impression the grin was beneath the mask as well. ¡°Here¡¯s the deal: I¡¯ve got something that could cure your brain cancer. However, it¡¯s still untested. So the problem is also the solution; let me test my method on you, and in return you¡¯re cured. I don¡¯t think there¡¯ll be any aftereffects, so what do you think?¡±

    ¡°I think you¡¯re nuts.¡± Connor said, leaning on the windowsill and the skull deflated. ¡°I also don¡¯t think any new medicine is going to help.¡±

    ¡°Ah-ha! But you deal with the great Necrysis now! My amazing abilities and outstanding intellect absolutely obliterate anything you¡¯ve seen before! It¡¯s not a medicine, but a process! And really, think about it. You¡¯re gonna die either way. What¡¯ve you got to lose?¡±

    Connor mulled his words over for a moment, then shrugged.

    ¡°Makes sense. I mean, the worst that can happen is you kill me, so¡­¡±

    ¡°Exactly!¡± The disguised man threw black dust into Connor¡¯s face, making him hack and cough. ¡°No, don¡¯t cough it up! Breathe it in, try to inhale through your nose as much as possible.¡±

    ¡°It stinks.¡± Connor complained, but obeyed. Scott closed his eyes, feeling the microscopic zombies worm their way through the boy¡¯s system, chewing their way through membranes to reach the brain.

    ¡°Okay, go to work.¡± he muttered, and the zombified organisms went hunting for the engorged brain tissue. Connor clutched his head.

    ¡°H-Hey, I feel weird, it¡¯s like¡­it¡¯s like there¡¯s something tickling inside my head.¡± Connor said, panic beginning to mount. What had he agreed to?

    ¡°Shh, try to relax, that¡¯s normal.¡± Amber soothed, then whispered to Scott ¡°That¡¯s normal, right?¡±

    ¡°I think so. Last time they went for several areas at once, this time they have one specific target.¡±

    ¡°I-I don¡¯t feel so good.¡± Connor whined, sinking to his knees. The pressure in his head was mounting. Blood stated trickling form his nose.

    ¡°S-Scott!¡±

    ¡°I know, I know, it¡¯s worse than I thought.¡± He could feel his bacteria latching onto and digging into the tumor. From the way they were spread out, this thing was huge. He hadn¡¯t counted on it being so big, as it was being dissolved it was being released into the skull faster than the bacteria could move it through his system. ¡°Quick, open the second vial.¡±

    ¡°Amber popped a cork and reached through the window to the moaning boy, the black dust flowing up his nose. She glanced at the door; who knew how long they had until a nurse arrived?

    ¡°That¡¯s it, that¡¯s it¡­crap. They can¡¯t work fast enough, the tumor¡¯s too big-wait a minute.¡± He stared at his hand. Normal disease was the result of an imbalance of the body, life energy twisting and warping to create necrotic energy, but cancer was the own body attacking itself. Sure, the kid¡¯s body was being spiritually wracked with necrotic forces, but the source itself?

    Hoping like hell, Scott reached through the window and touched his forehead. ¡°Hold on, kid. This¡¯s gonna hurt. Sekh.¡± He grit his teeth and tried to keep the flow as small las possible. Connor gasped and whited out with pain, the shock tearing the air from his lungs, preventing him from screaming. The necrotic energy fed into the brain, while the tumor swelled and released its mass. ¡°No, c¡¯mon!¡± The dark magic was starting to curdle the grey matter. ¡°That¡¯s it. No more playing around.¡± Scott¡¯s eyes flashed as he shot more power into it, ramping up the damage to the brain but hitting the tumor hard, rotting and withering.

    The tumor wasn¡¯t the only one affected, though. The zombified bacteria received a power boost, gorging themselves on the excessive tissue until they could physically hold no more, then moving down through the bloodstream. Within heartbeats, the tumor had been erased.

    ¡°Whew.¡± Scott sighed, cutting the juice and wiping his forehead, then realizing he had a mask on.

    ¡°Oh my God, is he okay?¡± Amber said, frantically peering into the window. The boy¡¯s finger twitched, and he moaned and shook his head.

    ¡°Uhh¡­whuh¡­what? Ow.¡± he said groggily.

    ¡°See? There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± Scott said, internally relieved. Looked like he wouldn¡¯t need that resurrection circle after all. He pulled out a notebook and started jotting down the experience. ¡°How do you feel? Any headaches, dizziness, nausea?¡±

    ¡°Umm¡­my head hurts, but-hey, my headache¡¯s gone! It¡¯s gone!¡± Connor¡¯s eyes widened as he realized the constant pressure was relieved. ¡°How did you do that?¡± he asked in wonder.

    ¡°Trade secret, I¡¯m afraid. But rest assured I¡¯ve removed the tumor, broken it down so it should be out of your system within the next couple of days. The doctors¡¯ll need to check it out, but from what I can tell it¡¯s outta there and you¡¯re fine. You¡¯ll wanna take it easy for awhile, had to damage your brain just a little bit, should be nothing some R&R won¡¯t cure.¡± he answered, finishing his notes. ¡°Anyway, you¡¯ve been very helpful, but I¡¯m sure it¡¯s past your bedtime and you need to heal. So have a goodnight and remember: we were never here.¡± He narrowed a glare at him, but Connor just nodded.

    ¡°Who was here?¡±

    ¡°Smart lad.¡± And with that they were gone, disappearing into the night with a swirl of leaves behind their boots. Connor unsteadily got to his feet and climbed into bed, marveling at how normal his head felt.

    In the morning, the hospital staff would be astounded and flummoxed at the tumor¡¯s disappearance. His parents would be too relieved and overjoyed to care. Upon being questioned, Connor could only shrug and repeat the words he¡¯d muttered as he drifted off to sleep.

    ¡°I guess you really can¡¯t count out miracles so easily.¡±

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°This is Tamara Nelson, reporting live from the scene at town hall.¡± the ecstatic reporter exclaimed into the microphone, watching the action. ¡°We¡¯re bringing you footage of the live art performance, the so-called Duel of Hero and Villain, for the whole of Craven Falls to see!¡± The camera zoomed in on the building.

    There, on top of the roof, stood a figure dressed in black, the slash of white on his chest illuminated in the moonlight, cape billowing in the wind. Looming over him was a grinning skull mask, cackling wildly.

    ¡°This time you¡¯re through! It is I, the great and terrible Necrysis, master of all that is evil, shall triumph!¡± he declared, minions dressed in black uniforms rising up to surround the hero.

    ¡°Never!¡± Nightfang declared, throwing his arms out. ¡°The heavens cry out! The people cry out! They cry out for the fangs of Justice to pierce evil¡¯s throat! I, Nightfang, will take you on with everything that I have!¡± The vampire raised his arms and the ¡°battle¡± began, to the delight of the crowd below.

    ¡°Look at them go, folks!¡± Tamara said. Nightfang flipped and twirled in a dazzling display, kicking and punching the bad guys from impossible angles and literally sending them flying. Necrysis was no slouch in the special effects department either, appearing to grow extra-long skeletal arms to whirl and flail at the superhero, both locked in a deadly dance up on the town hall roof.

    ¡°You shall meet your end tonight, villain!¡± Nightfang said, parrying the boney arms.

    ¡°You fool! I will defeat you once and for all, and then the town will be mine! Ha ha ha! Can you not see you¡¯re outmatched? Arise, Corpse Corps!¡±

    ¡°Uuugh.¡± The minions shed their uniforms to reveal what they truly were: emaciated, rotting corpses hungering for the flesh of the living. Gasps were heard from the assembled crowd below.

    ¡°Egads! How did you manage to reanimate the dead!?¡± Nightfang proclaimed.

    ¡°My mastery of the mystical arts is second to none, you boorish bloodsucker! Time and again my genius has proved my superiority, lest you forget. Get him, boys!¡±

    ¡°Have at you, villain!¡± The zombies lunged forward, slamming into one another because Nightfang had leapt straight up. ¡°Hyaaah!¡± His legs lashed out, striking the zombies with unmatched power and precision.

    ¡°Hey, hey! Watch it!¡± Necrysis whispered harshly. ¡°You¡®ll wreck ¡®em!¡±

    ¡°Oops, sorry.¡± Nightfang apologized. The zombies were kicked off the roof, facing away from the crowd. Most there assumed there was a net or something to catch the ¡°actors.¡± Amber winced as the zombies impacted the ground. She sighed and brought out the superglue.

    ¡°Alone at last, Necrysis! Nightfang said, cape billowing in the wind to the cheers and applause below.

    ¡°It¡¯s not over yet, verminous vampire!¡± Necrysis snarled. Kevin raised an eyebrow beneath his mask.

    ¡°¡®Verminous¡¯?¡±

    ¡°Shut up, it¡¯s hard to alliterate the word vampire.¡± Scott said, and the bony arms shot forward.

    ¡°Not today, felonious fiend!¡± Nightfang cartwheeled out of the way on the gutter, then backflipped over him in a mighty jump. Necrysis, having gone through the choreography all day, kicked him and sent him tumbling, scrambling to catch the edge of the roof.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡°Oh no!¡± Nightfang cried.

    ¡°Oh yes!¡± Necrysis cawed, then saw the police begin to arrive. ¡°Cops¡¯re showing up, we gotta wrap up. No triple-axle.¡±

    ¡°Right. CURSE YOU!¡±

    ¡°Ha ha! Farewell, ignorant hero!¡± Necrysis bent down to pry him of, to the delicious boos of the crowd.

    ¡°No!¡± Nightfang grabbed the arm, and with an incredible burst of strength hauled himself up, snapping the bone arm like a twig. ¡°Your villainy will NEVER prevail! No matter what, I shall never give up1 No matter what, I shall defeat you!¡± With a ¡°powerful¡± punch, Nightfang decked Necrysis, making him reel behind the cooling unit and an obvious dummy rolled off the building.

    ¡°Now! This evil has been vanquished forever! But remember, where ever injustice rears its ugly head, I, Nightfang, shall rise to strike it down! Thank you Craven Falls, you were a wonderful audience! Have a good night!¡± Nightfang and Necrysis took their bows to the applauding crowd and took off before the police could get on the roof.

    ¡°That was amazing! Did¡¯ja see that, Vanessa? Did¡¯ja see?¡± a little girl chirped happily, bouncing on her feet next to her big sister. ¡°That was so cool!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I saw. That Nightfang guy was very impressive. C¡¯mon, we have to get home, Riley.¡± Vanessa said, playing on her phone.

    ¡°No, not that guy.¡± Riley scowled. ¡°I¡¯m talking about the other one, Necrysis! He had a horde of zombies, real ones!¡±

    ¡°Sis, those were just costumes.¡±

    ¡°But they were real!¡± she insisted.

    ¡°And zombies are the coolest! Don¡¯t you remember on Halloween, they saved us from-¡±

    ¡°Nothing.¡± Vanessa put her foot down, a manic gleam in her eye. ¡°They saved us from nothing. They didn¡¯t save us, in fact, because they don¡¯t exist. That was a bad dream, nothing more.¡± She hadn¡¯t spent the last three weeks repressing that night for nothing. ¡°Let¡¯s go home.¡±

    ¡°But-¡± Riley pouted as Vanessa took her hand and they started walking back. ¡°Fine. But he was still cooler.¡± She glanced back at the town hall roof, swarming with police. She grinned as she promised herself she would find him, and learn how to make zombies herself. ¡°No matter what!¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°Nothing!¡±

    -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ¡°Hurry up, hurry up! I can still hear ¡®em!¡± ¡®Necrysis¡¯ urged, clinging to Nightfang¡¯s back like a limpet.

    ¡°Well I can hear their radios, they¡¯ve lost us.¡± Nightfang shot back, slowing down. He had to, or the speeds he was running at would melt his boots. He hopped onto the grass, hoping to disperse some heat that way. Scott turned to the figures loping after them.

    ¡°How you holding up, Amber?¡±

    ¡°F-F-Fine!¡± she managed to say. The zombies, while not as fast as the vampire, could still exceed human running speeds so long as they had sufficient muscle left. Amber was currently riding one and trying very, very hard not to think about it. ¡°W-Why can¡¯t I get a lift from Kevin, again?¡±

    ¡°Cause he was my ride down the building!¡± Scott called back, grinning at the memory. There was no way the cops could keep up, it was child¡¯s play for the superhero to avoid them.

    ¡°Glad to see my greatest contribution is as a getaway vehicle.¡± Nightfang said.

    ¡°Hush! Onward, noble steed!¡±

    It only took them twenty minutes to reach the bluff overlooking the town, where Scott had stolen the souls. They climbed off, and Nightfang was instantly enveloped in a hug.

    ¡°Oh Kevin, I was so worried. But you looked fantastic! So this¡¯s your costume, huh?¡± Mrs. Bachelder said, giving her son a once-over.

    ¡°Uh, yeah.¡± he said, a little embarrassed.

    ¡°Hmm, not bad¡­but Nightfang? Sounds like you¡¯re trying too hard.¡± she had to admit.

    ¡°Yeah, yeah. Everybody¡¯s a critic.¡± Kevin said, taking the costume off.

    ¡°So how¡¯re you doing, Leo? Any problems with your body since being brought back?¡± Scott asked the older teen, leaning on his freshly-repaired convertible. You haven¡¯t had any hunger for garbage, have you?¡±

    ¡°No, don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m 100% human again.¡± Leo said, chuckling. ¡°Although, I am a tad concerned. You see, I told Evangeline about what happened and accidentally mentioned that I died¡­¡±

    SSCCCRRRCCHHHHH!

    A white Honda roared down the road and screeched to a halt beside them. The door nearly flew off its hinges as a tall, extremely muscular young woman tore out of it and tackled Leo.

    ¡°Oh my God Leo! What happened? You¡¯re alive? You¡¯re okay? Are you alright!?¡± Evangeline said, after they landed safely on the ground.

    ¡°H-Hi, Eva. I said I was fine, Scott brought me back good as new, no problem at all.¡± Leo half soothed, half begged. He would¡¯ve gone on, except Eva pressed her lips to his and they stayed that way for a solid minute. After letting go, Eva got up and stomped over to Scott.

    ¡°You, the scrawny kid. You the one who got Leo involved in this?¡±

    ¡°Ah, well, that¡¯s a matter of perspective, really. Technically, he involved himself when he promised-¡± he started, trying to hide behind a zombie. She slapped it aside and loomed over him.

    ¡°And you¡¯re the one who brought him back to life?¡±

    ¡°Uh¡­yes?¡± he gulped. She scooped him up in her arms and hugged him as hard as she could, nearly sobbing.

    ¡°Thank you, thank you so much.¡± I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without him, thank you!¡± Amber smiled as Scott nodded wordlessly.

    ¡°Welcome¡­crushing¡­can¡¯t breathe¡­¡± he choked, trying to tap out on her shoulder. She let him go and grabbed Leo.

    ¡°C¡¯mon. I had to use vacation time for this, so I¡¯m going to enjoy it. I rented a hotel room for the next couple of days. You scared me to death, when I heard you died. You¡¯re not gonna get away from me again.¡± she growled seductively into his ear, and he shrugged happily at the others as she dragged him to the car.

    ¡°Bye guys, see you later!¡± he waved. They left in a hurry, leaving the others staring at their dust in confusion.

    ¡°That¡¯s a girl who knows what she wants.¡± Amber said diplomatically.

    ¡°That¡¯s one way of putting it.¡± Scott said.

    ¡°Indeed, a vorcevul voman ist a gut von, vhen her heart ist vull.¡± Harvaste said, stepping out of the shadows with Genevieve and Gregor. They all turned to them, but Amber noticed Mrs. Bachelder stiffening and tightening her hands, knuckles gripped so hard they turned white.

    ¡°Hey. What¡¯re you doing here?¡± Scott said genially. Gregor stepped forward and bowed low.

    ¡°Though my actions were not truly of my own volition, I am aghast at the reprehensible things I have done. I have been a beast, quite beyond the pale. A thousand apologies aren¡¯t enough. Though I do not deserve it, forgive me.¡± he said gravely, not looking up. Scott waved dismissively.

    ¡°Don¡¯t sweat it. The guy who¡¯s really to blame¡¯s squashed like a bug, so we¡¯re doing okay. Oh, speaking of, are you guys still¡­y¡¯know¡­¡± Gregor looked away bashfully.

    ¡°Err, yes. The transformation was permanent.¡± he said, his mouth stretching like a snake to speak to them. ¡°Fortunately, we are in complete control again. We do not have to be in those horrendous forms unless we somehow want to.¡±

    ¡°And a few of them really like it. It¡¯s disgusting.¡± Genevieve said, shaking her head. ¡°Anyway, we¡¯ve chartered a ship and we¡¯ll be heading off in a few hours. Most of the old clan¡¯s¡­gone,¡± A shadow fell across her face, but she pressed on. ¡°But the new people who were transformed and survived have decided to come back with us, at least for awhile. We¡¯ll be training them to live as vampires.¡±

    ¡°Vampire training?¡± Scott asked.

    ¡°Being a wampire reqvires a certain deportment, und I vill giwe it to dem. Und dis modern vorld ist a large place, but it ist shrinking all da time. Dey must learn to valk among humans unseen, hidden. Ve cannot avvord anoder incident like dis vun. Dough wampires are strong, da days ov our rule trough supwerior power are ower. Und to be honest, dese times are fascinating. I haff spent da centuries learning all dat I can, und I  haff been wery busy wit dis era. Since coming to dis country again, I have started learning da Tvitter.¡± Harvaste held up a cell phone, and they stared in disbelief at the page.

    ¡°@realLordBloodSage?¡± Scott read aloud, stunned.

    ¡°As strange as it may seem, da handle ¡®LordBludSage vas already taken. Not vor wery long, I assure you.¡± he said, eyes flashing. ¡°Veel vree to vollow me.¡± He turned to Genevieve. ¡°Vat vas it? Da hashtag ¡°Wampirelive¡±?¡± Genevieve put her face in her hand.

    ¡°Oooooohhhh¡­kaaaaay.¡± Amber said warily, turning back to Kevin. ¡°Wait, so, if all the new vampires will be going home with them to learn how to be vampires, what does that mean for you?¡± Kevin smiled sadly and shrugged, going over to his mom¡¯s car and pulling out a bag.

    ¡°Genevieve and Lord Harvaste visited us earlier, and explained.¡± he said, slinging the bag over his shoulder. ¡°While I¡¯d like to disagree, Scott was right when he said I stood out too much. I need to practice how to move like a vampire, how to hide like one, how to protect my true identity. Then I¡¯ll be able to be a real superhero. It¡¯ll be hard, but I think it¡¯s for the best.¡±

    ¡°Oh, Kevin.¡± His mother hugged him close. ¡°No matter what, you¡¯ll always be a real hero to me.¡± she said, shaking.

    ¡°M-Mom.¡± he choked, hugging her back. After a moment, he reluctantly let go, and shuffled over to Amber and Scott. ¡°You guys¡­thanks. For everything. Especially you, Scott. I mean it, you need anything, you call. I¡¯ll be there in a flash. Like the Flash!¡± Kevin shook his hand.

    ¡°Yeah, sure man. No problemo at all. I got some valuable research data outta it, anyway.¡± Scott said with a grin.

    ¡°But, do you really think leaving¡¯s a good idea? Is it really what you want?¡± Amber asked, looking concerned.

    ¡°No, it isn¡¯t. What I¡¯d really like to do is be at home with Mom. But what I want to do and need to do are different things.¡± he said, his voice steady, his eyes resolute. She gave him a quick hug goodbye.

    ¡°We¡¯ll miss you.¡±

    ¡°But not the trouble you bring.¡± Scott tossed at him. Kevin laughed.

    ¡°We¡¯re very sorry that all this happened, Mrs. Bachelder.¡± Genevieve said to her apologetically. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, I just wanted a meal, I¡¯m the worst-¡± Mrs. Bachelder put a hand on her shoulder.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, dear. I¡¯m not happy about it, but I know you genuinely didn¡¯t mean for this to happen, and I can¡¯t blame you for your dietary requirements.¡± she said, trying to keep calm. It was hard not to break down. Gregor and Harvaste both stepped forward and bowed low.

    ¡°It ist vith a heawy heart dat ve do dis, madame. Iv I had a choice, none ov dis vould haff occurred. Howewer, da vorld ist not kind enough to giwe do-ovwers. Ve must simply make da best out ov da situation ve vind ourselfs in. I can assure you at da wery least, he vill receiwe da best education money can buy. I periodically hire tutors from my wast velth resources, to try und keep up vith da current vorld. Tink ov it like a scholarship, und perhaps it vill be better dat vay.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Lord Harvaste.¡± she said, nodding. ¡°I¡­I¡¯ve been trying to keep everything together, for the last sixteen years. And in two days everything comes crashing down around my head. And then, all of a sudden¡­¡± They turned to where she was staring, at Kevin laughing with Scott and Amber. ¡°All of a sudden, my little boy grows up to be a man.¡± She had to wipe a tear from her eye. Harvaste nodded solemnly.

    ¡°It ist vhen a boy ist put to da test dat he sees da man he becomes. It ist a process I haff seen vor centuries.¡± he said, melancholic.

    ¡°Does it get any easier, knowing they don¡¯t need you anymore?¡±

    ¡°Not vonce in ower eight hundert years.¡±

    ¡°Do you regret any of it?¡± she asked, a small smile on her face, the weight of it matched only by the one on his.

    ¡°Not vonce in ower eight hundert years.¡± he repeated. She nodded.

    ¡°So, I guess this¡¯s goodbye then.¡± Amber said sadly.

    ¡°Not forever, though. I am going to get to come back for vacations and holidays. If I¡¯m good, Harvaste says.¡± Kevin said, rolling his eyes. ¡°Other than that, yeah. Everything¡¯s taken care of.¡±

    ¡°No. Not everything!¡± a hoarse voice called out. From the trees emerged a stumbling Will. Scott pulled out a vial of bacteria, Genevieve drew her knife, and Harvaste split his thumb on a fang, forming a snake with a hastily muttered incantation. However, it seemed their precautions were overenthusiastic; the teenaged vampire was swaying, bruised, one eye puffed up and closed. He had extremely large circles under his eyes, like he hadn¡¯t slept since before the mall collapsed. His jacket and pants were ripped and torn, his ribs showing through his skin. He was shaking, struggling to stay on his feet.

    ¡°It¡¯s¡­not over. Not¡­yet. Not with things like this.¡± he growled.

    ¡°See what I mean?¡± Scott muttered.

    ¡°Everybody, please let me handle this.¡± Kevin said quietly yet sternly, his eyes never leaving his former friend. The others stood aside, though not with guards down. His mother hung on his arm, but he pried her off with a gentile smile. ¡°It¡¯ll be all right. I promise.¡± Squaring his shoulders, he marched towards Will. ¡°Hi. You¡¯ve¡­obviously seen better days.¡± he began, gearing up for a fight. He didn¡¯t know how much of one Will could put up in the state he was in, though.

    ¡°Dumbass. Shut up.¡± Will snapped, trying to keep his remaining eye open.

    ¡°Why did you come here.¡± Kevin said, keeping his voice even.

    ¡°Because. I caught wind of your little going-away party here. I¡¯ve been lurking around the other vamps for a bit now; I hear a lot.¡± he leered, then winced in pain at the bruise on his head. ¡°I couldn¡¯t let you leave for God knows where, not without finishing things between us.¡±

    ¡°I thought we¡¯d pretty much settled things last time.¡± Kevin said, and Will spat at his feet.

    ¡°Don¡¯t give me that! You ran away! I¡­god, I had no idea what to do after Brian died. I¡¯ve been wandering the woods, I fell down a cliff¡­I headed into town, found the busses that¡¯re gonna take the others to the ship¡­then I knew what I had to do.¡± Glaring with his red eye, he stomped over to Kevin. They stared at each other. Will fell to his knees.

    ¡°Kill me.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡± Kevin blinked.

    ¡°You heard me!¡± Will snarled, lowering his head. ¡°I¡­I¡¯ve got nothing left. I backed the wrong horse, I let my jealousy get the better of me, I betrayed humanity and my friends. My best friend. And I didn¡¯t get what I wanted. I thought things would be better. All I got was looked down on even more and this terrible thirst. I did you wrong, I know that. It¡¯s too late for sorry. But maybe your misery will be a bit better if you put me out of mine.¡±

    Kevin stood stock-still, staring at Will¡¯s exposed neck for a long, long time. His emotions were a storm of chaos inside him. The others waited with baited breath. Kevin, trembling, raised his hand.

    This boy was the cause of all of his personal misery. He felt a hot flash of anger sear through him, and his eyes glowed. Why shouldn¡¯t he strike him down? That would be justice! He stared, remembering all the support Will had given him over the years, how much it hurt when Will became a vampire. This wasn¡¯t fair, forcing this choice on him.

    SMAK!

    Will fell to the ground, the side of his face stinging.

    ¡°Wha-? You slapped me?¡±

    ¡°You really are stupid. I should hate you for what you¡¯ve done until the end of time. I should break your neck right now. You deserve it.¡± Kevin said dispassionately. Will grit his teeth and looked away. ¡°There¡¯s nothing I¡¯d like more than to smash your face underneath my boot. But.¡± He took a deep breath, and glanced at his trembling mother. ¡°I am a hero. No, beyond that. I am a superhero. And a real superhero works to save everyone he can.¡± Kevin leaned down and offered a hand.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! You won¡¯t pity me!¡± Will screeched, knocking his hand aside and trying to get to his rubbery feet.

    ¡°It¡¯s not pity. It¡¯s the right thing to do.¡± He offered his hand again. ¡°You¡¯ve done terrible things, for terrible reasons. I don¡¯t know if I can ever forgive you. But Scott¡¯s saved my mother-¡±

    ¡°Hang on, what?¡± Will said incredulously, finally noticing her.

    ¡°Mister magic, that¡¯s me. Wanna see what else I can pull out of a hat?¡± Scott waved.

    ¡°-and now I¡¯m sure miracles are possible. What I do know is, even after everything that¡¯s happened, I miss my friend. I want him back."

    ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t think things can go back to the way they were. But things between us don¡¯t have to be like they are right now.¡± Kevin said, and Will shifted, eyes darting from side to side.

    ¡°You really think it¡¯ll be that easy?¡± he said hoarsely.

    ¡°No. But I do think it¡¯s worth a try. You¡¯ve made a lot of mistakes, a lot of bad choices recently. Do you want to make another one?¡±

    Will stared at Kevin with a baleful red eye, shaking like a leaf. Tears started to flow down his cheeks.

    ¡°Bastard.¡± he said, and took his hand. ¡°Th-Thanks.¡± He tried to stand, but everything was too much. He faded into unconsciousness. Kevin sighed and picked his friend up, and trotted to Harvaste apologetically.

    ¡°Uh¡­room for one more on the ship?¡± he grinned weakly.

    ¡°Are-Are you sure this¡¯s a good idea?¡± Genevieve asked.

    ¡°No. But it¡¯s what has to happen. A hero helps everyone he can, after all.¡± Kevin said, glancing at the unconscious vampire on his shoulder.

    ¡°Wery vell. I leaf him in your care. I vill allow it.¡± Harvaste said, turning his back and starting down the road. ¡°Come, Genevieve, Gregor, Nightfang. Ve must be going.¡±

    ¡°Love you, Mom.¡± Kevin said, kissing her goodbye.

    ¡°Be careful, sweetie.¡±

    ¡°I will. Later, guys!¡± he waved to Scott and Amber, who waved goodbye back. He jogged to catch up to the others. ¡°Uh, Lord Harvaste? My name¡¯s Kevin, though.¡± The elder vampire glanced back at him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be ridiculous. It ist common vor new wampires to take on new names, to reflect who dey haff become. Genevieve has, I haff, und you haff. Dough it ist not vun I vould haff chosen, it suits you und vhat you do, Nightfang. Ewen dough it sounds like you¡¯re trying too hard.¡± Nightfang smiled a toothy grin, revealing his fangs.

    They walked down the road in silence under the stars, vague shapes among the dark and the fog. With the screech of bats and the fluttering of leathery wings, Scott and Amber watched the night swallow them up, and they were gone at last.

 Epilogue: Encroaching Darkness

    In the deep shadows of a desolate stretch of road just before morning, while the stars still danced in the sky, the shadow of the lonely bus stop moved. It shifted back and forth, eventually climbing into three dimensions. The amorphous blob bubbled and writhed, taking on the form of the handsome Brian. He looked at his hands, frowning, then shifted to Amber, Gregor, Will, Cross, Scott, and Harvaste among others. It finally settled on a tall, thin, plain blond man in a long coat.

    ¡°So this is what only three dimensions are like.¡± he said aloud, tasting the air on his tongue. ¡°How limiting.¡± He reached into his coat and pulled out a phone, dialing a number without pressing buttons.

    ¡°Hello?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s me.¡± the man said. ¡°It worked.¡±

    ¡°Wonderful news, my lord! Is it time, at last?¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is.¡± The stars foretelling his forthcoming were as bright as his eyes.

    ¡°Praise by your name, Lord Riepaimva! I trust there were no issues with your plan?¡±

    ¡°No. These mortal children are so foolish. That Brian actually believed he was necessary, a part of my actual plan! He thought him ruling the world was the plan! Pathetic.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°But I see you are free of the shackle his form put on you.¡±

    ¡°Yes. That cheeky little necromancer played his part extremely well, even if he didn¡¯t kill the brat first.¡± A chuckle escaped past his lips. It was easy to use mortals as pawns, if you knew their desires. And human desires invariably fell down to power, preserving the status quo, or wealth.

    ¡°And does he know of your presence, my lord?¡±

    ¡°He will eventually, I guarantee it. So will everyone else. But no, that little show of banishment I put on has pulled the wool over their eyes. After all, that¡¯s what you¡¯d expect when you kill the avatar of a superior being, correct? But by severing Brian¡¯s link to me, I¡¯m now totally free in this realm. I love it when a plan comes together.¡± He leered at the sky.

    ¡°Wonderful, my lord. Shall I send a car for you?¡±

    ¡°No need. I feel like taking the scenic route today. I wish to see this world as you do. I want to stir my hatred, set it to simmer and let it boil. We can begin production when I arrive.¡± Riepaimva said.

    ¡°As you wish, my lord.¡± His servant hung up. A few moments later, the bus came and he climbed aboard. He saw he was the only one there as he took a seat.

    ¡°Morning. It¡¯s unusual for somebody to actually be here, this early.¡± the driver said.

    ¡°Well, it¡¯s a bit of an unusual day.¡± the man said, smiling. ¡°I¡¯m headed downstate for a book signing.¡±

    ¡°Is that right? The book any good?¡± the driver asked curiously, driving through the dark morning mist.

    ¡°I should hope so. This¡¯ll make my first appearance in a long time. But,¡± He reached into his coat and pulled out the Libris Malefactorum Arcana. ¡°I¡¯ve always believed an author should sign his own work.¡±

    The End¡­