Chapter 100: The Leader

“Ouch, damn it.” Waking up by biting through my bottom lip. These fangs will take some time to get used to. Rubbing my face as the wound quickly heals. Got to love immortal bodies. Getting up from my black coffin without a tinge of tiredness.

Stretching from habit more than need before going for a walk. Stepping out into the darkness. Looking at the night sky while I walk around my island. A rainbow of bright colors paints the sky. Stars of differing brightness, clouds of colorful gas, lots of beautiful things up in the sky, I've got to visit space at some point.

Normally, even here, this sight is invisible to the naked eye. Human eyes are just not sensitive enough to pick up the subtle colors. Even with improved night vision, I could only see the barest hint in the sky. Only as a vampire, crystal clear night vision, only with these eyes is the hidden tapestry revealed.

I spend a long time enjoying the sight, too long likely. But, alas, I’ve got a job to do today. Today, I make my first vampire. Of course, I will ask for consent. It’s only common decency, after all.

Heading to my hunting ground, I move through the streets like a shadow. Walking down a familiar road. Finding a small wooden home. Dilapidated, wood breaking apart slightly. A house, home to a trapped soul. A man, crippled but with a heart of gold. The perfect option. I’ve prepared a dislocator, a basic one. It teleports to the cult hideout. A pedestal set in a secret room. One on each side for travel between the 2 locations.

The pedestal allows for a dislocator to be locked in place. Once pressed, it teleports you to the bound location. Having one on each side allows for 2 way teleportation between locations.

Knocking on the door lightly, my powerful hearing picks up the slightest stir behind the door. Waiting until the person is right at the door. They are standing behind the door, heart beating fast. Let’s calm things down a bit; “Hello, not a robber, just someone with an offer.”

“Sounds like a robber to me, an offer at this time of night?”

“And steal what, your house is falling apart.” Harsh, but true. That got me a long silence, heart slowing slightly.

After a long, pregnant pause, he finally replies. “I’m so stupid, fine.” Opening the door.

I opted to wear a nice suit today, my favorite purple one. “Hello, nice to see you face to face,” I say, holding out my hand.

His heart rate rises slightly; he cautiously shakes my hand. “As much as I would love to enjoy the outside air, it would be wise for us to talk inside.”

He finally concedes, allowing me into his home. If you could call it that, it is clearly in a bad state. Having stalked this young man for a time, I realized; he struggles to work. Having a bad leg means he cant earn enough coin to escape poverty. A cruel fate he has made his own by thriving, somehow.

I did notice some people had disabilities, which makes no sense. Healing potions should heal them, or so I thought. Genetic disease, cancer, poorly healed bones; these all count as being at full health. I am unaware of what ails this young man, but it’s clearly not healing.

Sitting down on some crates, he opposite me. “Hello, first, let me introduce myself. My name is Aeternum. I give you my real name in goodwill, please don’t tell people I was here. I am not quite ready for the spotlight yet.”

“Hi, my name is Helt. Now, why are you here again?” Caution having fallen away, to confusion and bewilderment.

“To give you another option. I noticed you have a good heart while being trapped in a broken body. I want to give someone as good as you a chance at a good life.”

“Sounds like your trying to sell me a magic potion that does nothing. I’ve fallen for it once before, never again.” He says with irritation.

“Don’t be hasty; I don’t want money.”

He leans back slightly, confusion once again clear on his face. “Then what do you want? I have nothing.”

“Help, I need to build a small group of people. Not for anything evil, mind you.”

“And how am I going to help?”

“Well, I will fix your body. In exchange, you will go through the community you know better than me. Finding people with good hearts and strong morals. And help convert them to my cause.”

“That sounds too good to be true.”

“That’s because it comes with some problems. First, are you willing to hear me out?”

“I have little choice, do I? I am living day by day; I can at least hear you out.”

Finally, progress, almost shouting out in joy. “First, I am a vampire. I am willing to turn you into one. You become immortal, are nearly impossible to kill; and gives you a new body. Stronger, faster, harder, and special abilities come with it. It’s not without problems. As a vampire, you live off blood. You don’t have to kill to take it, but you still must eat. You cannot go out in day time. You also have to avoid garlic.”

He was taken aback by my long-winded description. I considered lying, but first, it’s unethical. He would despise me for being lied to, and I truly believe honesty is the best policy. Even if it does backfire occasionally.

After a long time, he looks up at me. A fire in his eyes, hope; “Is what you said true?”

“Yes.”

“Why me?”

“Because,” placing my hand on his shoulder. “You are a good man, and becoming a vampire impacts your mind. People with bad hearts become warped. As a vampire, your morality is dulled, your consideration for others weakened. So, all vampires can only be created from good people.”

“Okay, I accept your offer.”

“Good, follow me.”

And with that, I guide in in silence to my secret teleportation point.

I push him through the ghost blocks, finding his startled yelp amusing. Following through, I see his amazement. “Yes, blocks you can walk-through. Cool, I know. We need to get moving though, we are running short on moonlight.” Guiding him through the short area.

“Place your hand on that circular object.”

He looks over his shoulder before stepping forward. Lightly placing his hand on the dislocator before disappearing. Following through, I see him keeled over on the floor. Vomiting his lunch.

“Sorry, I forgot long-distance teleportation is hard on the stomach.”

He just looks at me hatefully until his stomach settles. Once he raises, he finally sees where he is. Looking in awe at the massive structure. I guide him through slowly, allowing him to enjoy the sight. “This is the vampire hideout. A cult hideout if you will.”

He doesn’t even reply, just enjoying the view. Taking him to a comfortable area with a sofa, dragon radio, and other small amenities.

“Now, you become a creature of the night.”

His energy disappears like air from a popped balloon. Reality hitting it home, he will never walk under the sun again.

“Don’t worry, it’s not that bad.” That didn’t help at all.

“Sit down, here have some food.”

Handing him a still warm steak from my bag of holding, “You won't eat normal food, so enjoy this meal while you can.”

“Th… thank you.” He says before quickly eating the meal.

After over half the steak is eaten, he speaks. “I haven’t had steak in years. I missed it.” He quietly finishes the rest. “Okay, I am ready.”

I slice my wrist open before draining my blood into a glass goblet. Baring my fangs, I go to bite his neck.

As I bite down, he shrinks away involuntarily. Slowly enjoying the savory blood, I drain him. By the time I reach half, he is very weak. Arms heavy at his side, face pale and eyes unfocused. I push the goblet to his lips, he drinks it after a slight hesitation. After consuming the goblet, I step aside. Allowing him to fall back into the sofa.

I fall back, power rushing through me. Knowledge rushing my mind, more than normal. The thirst rising rapidly, but I suppress it. Focusing on Helt, he needs me right now. And I am bloody curious how the change affects people from a second point of view.

He suddenly winces before shaking violently. Coiling forward like he has the worst stomach cramp. His veins writhe under his skin. I feel sorry for him as he whimpers. I watch in wonder as his body shifts under his clothes. Skin quickly losing its tone, becoming pale and sickly.

After a time, he slowly sits up. Looking at me, he whispers, “so thirsty.” In a cracked and dry voice. I forgot to get him a meal, that’s bad.

“I will be right back, I promise.” Disappearing back to town. I mesmerize the first person I see. A guard in his standard uniform, sorry buddy, I need you to feed him. Teleporting the guard to the hideout, I bring his neck to Helt’s head.

With pure instinct, his fangs extend from his mouth. Bitting into his neck, draining the guard quickly. I carefully watch the guard's heartbeat. It steadily grows faster and weaker as he drains him. “That’s enough, Helt,” I say, getting no response. “Fine, you forced my hand.”

Prying his jaw off the poor guard. “Don’t kill the nice guard new blood.” Thanking my enhanced strength internally.

I quickly charm the guard into eating a god apple before returning him to his guard duty. A little dazed and confused; but alive, good job I was keeping an eye on him. Returning to Helt’s side, I see his mind return to him.

He looks down at his bloody hands, “I nearly killed him.”

“But you didn’t; that’s why I am here. You will learn control.”

“Okay.”

He slowly stands. Unsteady on his feet, but he successfully stands without his leg caving under him. He lightly jumps, then he jumps higher. Walking around, then running. Moments later, he is running around like a professional runner.

After running for a while, he falls to his knees. I rush to his side, “Is something wrong?” I say before looking at his face. Tears streaming down his face, he looks at me. “Thank you.” I lightly hug him.

He finally settles down. Sitting down on the sofa. I give him some time to think. It’s a big change, no doubt about it.

After some time, he looks at me. “Sorry, I couldn’t help it. I haven't run since I was a young teenager.”

“It’s okay.”

“So, my job now is to find people to become vampires, to join us.”

“Yes, but it’s a little more complicated.”

“How so?”

“First, you cannot create vampires right now. You area fledgling; someone just turned. There are a set of requirements once fulfilled; allow you to become more powerful. Once you are halfway through the requirements, you’re an adult vampire. There are 10 levels in total; once you reach 9, you can create more vampires.”

“I can get stronger?”

“Yes, you can.” Activating my super speed, I use my supernatural reflexes and speed to appear behind him. Getting a startled shout from him. “I will give you a guide on how to meet these requirements. This is for you only. I feel it’s important to stop vampires from getting too strong quickly. You’re the leader now after all.”

“I’m the what?”

“Leader of the vampires.”

“What?”

“Look, you will fully mature, then you will convert other people into vampires. You will control them, stop them from acting out. Build your family well.”

“What about you?”

“I don’t want to lead, it sucks.”

He just looked at me gobsmacked.

“It will take some time for you to mature if you find someone worthwhile before then? I will change them for you.” Lightly smiling. “Now, let me tell you the tale of Felix and Lilith.”