Dracula: Patient zero

Chapter: 10

Vladus' biggest fan

----

Vladus and Óengus had been traveling west for a few weeks now and were soon to reach Markus’s lair situated in a region that will later become 'Southern France'. They were on a platform type of carriage pulled by a horse.

Some horse-carts found in Celtic graves show hints that their platforms were suspended elastically. Four-wheeled wagons were used in prehistoric Europe, and their form known from excavations suggests that the basic construction techniques of the wheel and undercarriage (that survived until the age of the motor car) were established then.

On their carriage were three wooden boxes, two for the girls and another one for Vladus to travel during the day. At night Vladus would be the one driving while Óengus slept, and vice-versa during the day. Vladus wanted to move as fast as possible to avoid being followed but he couldn't help but notice that a vampire had followed him since Felsina.

Vladus didn't know how he could so efficiently track him wherever he went and was starting to get profoundly annoyed by it. Not that Vladus feared the elders, or any other vampire for that matter but Vladus didn't want his identity to be known.

With celebrity come a lot of annoyance such as 'hunters' relentlessly hunting him, or even a vampire stalking him wherever he went. Vladus simply wanted to keep his anonymity, allowing him to act freely as he wanted to.

If he had waited for the elder to arrive, the elder would have attacked him, forcing Vladus to kill him... What father wishes to kill his children? Also killing an elder would have brought more and more vampires everyday trying to kill him. Who want to be in this kind of situation?

That aside, the one following him was most likely not the elder in question since he had followed since before he had done anything significant... It was most likely since he had murdered the princess in front of the king...

Vladus thought that maybe he had attracted unwanted attention by doing such a 'high profile' murder. Whatever this vampire wanted, Vladus would most likely have to deal with him eventually... They kept moving a few more weeks with his pursuer steadily gaining ground on them.

«Óengus» Master, we have arrived. Said Óengus as they arrived to a deserted part of the forest.

«Vladus» Here?... There's noth- Vladus stopped after perceiving the presence of a few hundred vampires that seemed to be coming from underground.

«Óengus» A good lair is a well hidden lair.. Hehehe

Óengus then walked toward a big rock covered in moss and opened a heavy iron trap door hidden behind it. There was a stone staircase going down into the dark and damp hideout. Leaving the carriage with the two girls on board behind, Vladus and Óengus went down.

They kept going down and down for a few hundred meters before finally reaching a long tunnel that seemed to be going on forever. Óengus lit a torch for him to see where he was walking and led Vladus down the ominous corridor.

After a few minute Vladus and Óengus reached a giant circular underground room. Óengus went around and lit the torches on the walls lighting the entire room. It is then that Vladus finally saw hundreds of wooden boxes, stacked on top of each other all over the place.

There must have been around 400 of them... Vladus was lost for words... There also were barrels filled with unknown products, weapons hanging from the walls with everything a vampire may need to stay hidden long enough to be forgotten.

«Vladus» ...... Markus was a very well prepared man...

«Óengus» Indeed... This is where he stored all his most precious valuables... Look at all this... He said while fiddling with some of the weapons lying around.

Vladus walked to the middle of the circular room, still trying to take it all in. What was he going to do with all these babies... Struck!* Suddenly Vladus got impaled by an arrow. Struck!* and another one.

Pain surged trough his entire body, he grabbed one of the arrows to pull it out but it felt as if he was holding onto red-hot iron rods. It burned like a bitch and was even more dangerous than sunrays. His eyes turning black Vladus turned around to look at Óengus.

He was holding a crossbow in his hand with a mischievous smile on his lips. He then threw what looked like an animal bladder filled with liquid that ruptured on contact with Vladus, completely soaking him with the strange liquid it held.

Vladus entire body started emitting smoke, his skin was peeling off as if he had been sprayed with sulfuric acid. His strength being sucked away by the strange liquid, Vladus could barely move.

«Óengus» Hahahahaha* Stupid monster, you don't even know about the hawthorn bush do you? Hahahaha* Thank to your ignorance, this is Markus revenge!

Óengus then quickly destroyed a barrel filled with oil, and then threw his torch setting the entire room to blaze.

«Óengus» This lair will become your tomb for all eternity!! Have fun down there! hahahaha

He then quickly destroyed some of the support at the entry making the tunnel collapse behind him. Vladus was now weakened, and sealed into the burning room with no way to get out... Óengus had already fled which pissed him off even more.

«Vladus» ROARRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Vladus didn't know what had happened... All around him the coffins were burning with the girls inside of them acting as fuel to the inferno. Vladus wasn't that badly injured but could barely move with those arrows inside of him.

He mustered all of his strength and pulled them out while screaming his lungs out at the terrible pain it caused him. He was slowly recuperating but the smoke had filled the room making it more and more difficult to breath...

If he died asphyxiated in there he would end up caught by the flames. If he were burned, he would become a dried up corpse once again for who know how many years since he was sealed inside this hidden lair... Vladus was pissed off... He shouldn't have trusted these human. Humans should all die!

Trying to calm down, Vladus concentrated his senses into finding a solution. After a few seconds, Vladus noticed some of the smoke disappearing through a crack on the wall. This could only mean one thing, an exit!

Mustering all of his remaining strength, Vladus punched through the wall, making a hole just big enough for him to crawl into. He then used some mud and stones to patch the hole to prevent the smoke from coming through. Then he sat on the floor, trying to catch his breath.

«Vladus» Cough! Cough! Cough!... When I find you Óengus, I will have you beg me to kill you. Cough! Cough! Cough!..

As he was coughing his lungs out, waiting for the annoying juice to stop burning his skin, Vladus looked around the room he was now in. It was a small circular room with a door that led who knows where on the other side.

But what was more interesting was what was in the middle of the room. An iron coffin... Back then, iron was really rare and expensive... Who could be 'hibernating' in such a coffin..? The iron coffin was wrapped in iron chains, as if inside was the most powerful monster imaginable.

Not only was this coffin made out of iron and chained up, but it also had been sealed in a secret room behind a stonewall... Certainly this was one of Markus biggest secret/treasure. Vladus destroyed the chains barehanded without hesitation and opened the iron box.

Inside was another mummy... Another woman vampire kept by Markus as 'treasure'... But this one had to be special for him to keep her here... Curious, Vladus threw her over his shoulder and started walking toward the door.

It was really awkward since the corpse was dry and rigid... It didn't bend so it looked like Vladus was transporting a human shaped wooden plank over his shoulder. After walking for a few minutes Vladus suddenly stopped. The vampire that had been following them since Felsina was here.

He could feel it, he was very near and had most likely made contact with Óengus by now... Vladus wasn't sure if he was an enemy, an ally or neither... But meeting another vampire while being weakened like this was more than unlucky...

Resigned to face whatever was waiting for him, Vladus kept marching on through the pitch-black corridor, a rigid cadaver on his shoulder. After dragging his weakened body for around an hour through tortuous tunnels, Vladus ended up faced with a dead end.

Discouraged, Vladus dropped the woman's body on the ground and sat beside her. His situation was dire, if he was in top shape he would have dug himself a tunnel to get out but he hadn't enough energy left to do that. Vladus slowly closed his eyes, ready for a very long sleep unsure if he was ever going to wake up again.

A few minutes later, Vladus opened his eyes as he could feel the presence of the 'stalking' vampire nearby. It seemed to be coming from the other side of the dead end. Thump! Thump! Thump! The 'stalker' had visibly felt Vladus’s presence and seemed to be digging his way toward him.

Ready to defend himself, Vladus stood up with his eyes dimly glowing in the darkness. Thump! Thump! Tumblebleble The light from a torch blinded him for a second, a dark figure was standing in front of the newly dug opening, looking at him.

«Dark figure» Finally we meet... My Lord. Said the dark figure before knelling on the floor.

«Vladus» ...Who are you? Asked Vladus, baffled by the turn of event.

«Magnus» My name is Magnus, your humble servant, hooo great vampire God.

«Vladus» ... Thank you for your help, but I ain't no God...

«Magnus» .... You are the first vampire in history aren't you?

«Vladus» How would I know...?

«Magnus» Then let me ask you differently my lord, do you have a maker?

«Vladus» Ha..! No... I don't know how I became a vampire.

«Magnus» Marvelous!! It is such an honor to meet you, great vampire God.

«Vladus» Sighhh I don't care anymore... Call me Vladus... I repeat, I am no God. I used to be human just like you.

«Magnus» Vampire God is the title reserved to the first one of our kind. The father of all vampires. And this is you my lord...

«Vladus» Never-mind that... Can I have some of your blood?

«Magnus» Of course... But for what reaso-

As soon as he said 'Of course...' Vladus was already munching on Magnus arm, drinking the deliciously overpowered fuel. Not wanting to drink too much of his savior's blood, Vladus mustered all of his willpower and released him after a few sips.

«Vladus» Pant* Pant* Pant* Pant* Haaaa I feel a lot better now... Thank you Magnus. Vladus slowly looked toward Magnus to see his reaction but was surprised by what he saw.

Magnus was looking at his arm with big round eyes.

«Magnus» Four fangs?.... And those eyes.... mwhmwhwhwmm.......... MWAHAHWHAHAWHAwhhawhAWHAhahHH!!!! Magnus was ecstatically admiring the four holes on his arm.

«Magnus» Yess!!! Yess!!! No doubt! It truly is you... I finally found God mwahahahahahahahah!!!!! Please my lord drink more!!!

«Vladus» Vampire blood is my favorite meal... I suggest you to be careful as it took all of my willpower not to shred you to pieces.

«Magnus» Hummmm Hoo yessss I'm going to cum... Rip me to pieces!!! Bath in my blood!!! There would be no greater honor my lord! I'm getting hard just at the though of my blood flowing inside you as we speak uhhmmmm yessss!

«Vladus» ....... Great.... Just got myself a nutcase... First let's get the fuck out of here...

«Magnus» Yes! My lord!........... Hmm... Who's she? Said Magnus pointing at the dried up mummies next to Vladus.

«Vladus» No idea... But she's mine now...

«Magnus» Hoo? Has God found himself a bride?

«Vladus» You fucking kidding me? I don't even know her name and look at her... She looks more like a corpse than anything else...

«Magnus» Soo? Said Magnus expecting Vladus to be unaffected by outward appearance.

«Vladus» Anyway... Let's get out now.. There's a rat I want to catch before he gets to far away. Said Vladus as he threw the mummies back on his shoulder.

«Magnus» Rat? .... An old man dressed in black?

«Vladus» Growwwllll* You saw that fucking asshole? Anger surged back making Magnus tremble at Vladus' voice.

«Magnus» That rat is already in my custody...

«Vladus» Mwuhuhuhuhu I'm starting to like you, my dear Magnus... Bring me to him.. NOW!

«Magnus» Yes!!! Thank you my lord! I won't disappoint you!!! Magnus was filled with joy after being praised for the first time by his God.

Magnus was a 70 years old vampire, who looked like 30. He was around the same height as Vladus and had a well-trimmed chin beard, short black hairs and brown eyes. He wasn't good looking but wasn't bad looking either... One would classify him as being very ordinary. As they walked back toward the exit, Vladus took the opportunity to ask a few questions to Magnus.

«Vladus» Magnus... What do you know about hawthorn bush???

«Magnus» I know as much as any other vampire out there... Perhaps... Aren't you aware of what it is?

«Vladus» The fact that I am asking you should be enough of a clue to answer that... I lived at a time when there was no other vampire... I still have a lot to learn about you all... And me at the same time.

«Magnus» Hawthorn is a small tree/bush... Humans have used its wood to make stakes, and it's sap mixed with water to create a liquid that burn vampires like fire. It's little red fruits are also very potent to us vampires but if a human eats them regularly, they become unaffected by our spellbinding ability... It also makes their blood taste like shit...

Crataegus monogyna, known as common hawthorn or single-seeded hawthorn, is a species of hawthorn native to Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia.

In Europe, it was the wood of the hawthorn tree was used for its anti-vampire powers, especially among the Slavs, so it was used to make stakes. There are loads of superstitions surrounding hawthorn from all over the world – It is said to symbolize 'good hope' because the plant signals that winter has ended and spring has begun. In ancient times women in Athens wore it on their wedding day and the Romans considered it a charm against witchcraft and sorcery. Over in England hawthorn was not to be brought in a house, especially if it has flowers. If someone were to bring it inside, they then had to throw it right back out the front door.

«Vladus» So if I understood correctly, it's a bush that is poison to vampires. It's also how Óengus resisted my spellbinding... Sighhh Fucking humans...

«Magnus» Yes!!! Yes!!! Fuck those humans!!! What about killing them all? For you it should be possible right?

«Vladus» Sighhh... If all humans are exterminated, what will you drink? Animal blood? Magnus immediately showed a disgusted expression and stayed silent.

«Vladus» Then about you tell me why you kept following me since Felsina city... And how come you knew who I was...?

«Magnus» Ho! It's simple really... I am the one responsible for resuscitating you. He said showing a prideful expression.

«Vladus» How did you know about me in the first place? Why didn't you resuscitate me earlier? How come y- Magnus interrupted him before saying:

«Magnus» There's a lot to talk about. It will certainly be a very long discussion but it should wait, we have arrived.

They finally reached the trap door Vladus had used to enter this underground lair earlier. Vladus quickly went up the stairs followed by Magnus. The moon was up high and shining brightly as the two men exited the dark underground.

Vladus dropped the girl's body on the ground as if it was a vulgar bag of potatoes and scrutinized the area. Like daggers his eyes stopped and stared at a man lying on the ground, bound with ropes. Beside him was another man... With blond hairs and green eyes the young man was a true Greek beauty.

But Vladus didn't notice him as he was already boiling with rage, the man bound by ropes was obviously Óengus. Vladus' eyes turned pitch black, and started glowing brightly as black veins rapidly covered his entire visage. Óengus who saw him started screaming and struggling to free himself as terror took over his entire body.

In the blink of an eye, Vladus was holding the man in the air and staring at him in the eyes.

«Vladus» In a minute you will beg for me to kill you, Óengus

«Óengus» HAaaaaaaaaaa I'm begging you! Forgive me!!! I didn't know what I was doing!!!

Vladus violently threw Óengus on top of the horse carriage, using it as a table and began breaking every single bone in his body one by one, starting from the toes up to the neck. The entire Process lasted an hour during which Óengus lost consciousness many times but kept being woken up by Vladus who wanted him to be awake for every minute of it.

«Óengus» AAAAAAAAAaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Óengus screams could be heard for kilometers around and some coyotes had even started howling from deep within the forest after hearing him. Once he was satisfied, Vladus tied Óengus’s limbs into knots, being flexible like ropes after the bones had been broken in hundred of pieces. Then eventually, Óengus died... His heart stopped beating from the pain alone.

Vladus proceeded in draining his body of every drop of blood before ripping him to pieces, leaving them for wild animals to eat. It was a gruesome spectacle to see, even for most vampires. His body entirely covered in blood, Vladus turned his attention toward his two spectators.

One was white like a ghost, urine could be smelled coming from his pants. His heart was beating fast enough for his health to be badly affected by it. The other spectator was... Different... Magnus was exhibiting a expression of awe and boundless admiration. What troubled Vladus the most was that he seemed to be caressing himself with his hand buried deep in his pants.

«Velthur» Hhhhhmm mMmm.... mMmm.. mAsteR..... w.ww.w.wilL we reAllY be Ok? He said with a lot of difficulty as his voice kept cracking up.

«Magnus» Look at him!!!!! Isn't he the purest?!! The most perfect being in existence??? Truly what I was hoping the vampire God to be!!! Mwwhauahhawuahu* ahaa ahaaa I'm cum....mIngggg!!!

Vladus walked toward them while pinching his nose.. Sometime his supernatural sense of smell could be annoying... Gross even... One smelled like piss the other smelled like cock snot...

«Magnus» Master! We should go now. The sun will soon be rising. He said pointing toward his carriage.

Magnus carriage was on a class of it's own. It literally was a black box on wheels. In this they would be protected from the sun while Velthur, his human follower drove it. Vladus went to get in but stopped in his tracks after remembering something.

He was about to forget the two remaining 'harem girls' left on his previous carriage and the girl he had saved earlier. Vladus still didn't know what was so special about her but was dying to find out. The two 'harem girls' were tied on top of the carriage by Velthur while Vladus grabbed the 'special one' and loaded her inside the carriage with him and Magnus.

«Magnus» Great lord, do you have a destination?

«Vladus» None... I need a safe place to conduct a few experiments on these women I just got...

«Magnus» Guhuhuhuhuhu* Yes my lord! I know the perfect place.

The carriage then quickly disappeared in a cloud of dust under the moonlight.

----

Dracula – Patient Zero just passed the “30,000 words” mark. Hope you enjoy the longer chapters.

----

Many thanks to gcman01 for proofreading this chapter!

----