Gray, The Great

The sun rose on a new day, the former Fiend's Eye warehouse still not allowing light in. Rusted hooks hung from dark chains, the bodies of those now under my control hanging there so they don't start wondering off from lack of blood. There was so much to consider, and my control wasn't enough to keep a starving body from following the vampiric instincts. It was hard to believe this was one of the three warehouses that fiends were held. The place took a week to even clean properly.

Shaking my head at the memory, I instead focused my efforts on the more important task. My hands dug into flesh, the dulled pain letting me feel what I need, while our Queen processed the other aspects of it. Truly, she was a wonderful Queen, and I wasn't quite there to accept the pain of carving one of my bodies like this. The structure of our new teleporters was functional, but Richard's point was proven when Carter passed out at its appearance.

I needed to make it look more 'welcoming.' Bits of flesh and fat carved, and fused together as fresh blood was infused with the bodies. Small holes where new bugs were placed to allow me to see through it. The faces and opened rib cages covered with silk on the inside. I could potentially dye the flesh a different color. The request was sent to Argus to procure such later in the day. I scratched the scalp around my stingers, still wondering just what was wrong. The memories provided by our Queen did help, but functionality should trump how it looks.

|"Six hours have passed, since you started working."| I looked over at the giant that I designated for keeping track of time. A reluctant sigh left me, as I moved towards the blood room. The door opening to reveal the twenty unturned bodies bound to the walls. The minds of these individuals destroyed, their crimes deemed sufficient to warrant holding them here as nothing more than sustenance for the many bodies I control. My hive's workers feeding with the storage bugs' nutrient slurry.

Blood was drawn, and the process of feeding my other bodies began. Two more called as stingers bore into flesh, and drained the resource. The wounds were addressed, while white termites mended the flesh, knitting it together to stop any unnecessary bleeding. There was so much work to be done, and no new personalities managed to develop. Everyone just as busy as ever, while my forth body moved outside taking in the surroundings, my task here becoming redundant.

I could see the crystals above lighting up, their light not unable to harm any of my bodies. The actual sun would burn any of my bodies to ash, but even that was necessary to understand what was possible. I stood at the top of the warehouse, surveying the local area. A decent number of monsters were heading into their homes, while more were still waking up. Most of them went to the church, to discuss their struggles, all of them kneeling before the alter.

Our take over had been met with resistance, but many were more concerned about the status quo. When our offers were more beneficial to the creatures living here, they accepted us with open arms. Those foolish enough to hold onto loyalty, or the notion that the Fiend's Eye would rise again, were merely eaten with the rest of the bodies from the Arena.

I checked in with the others to find their current tasks. Brick and Clarice were still working on the algae farm. Their efforts not in vain, as most of Brick's hive was successfully living off such. It would still likely take them more weeks before the project was fully finished. Scix was still following targets, unable to decide the best body for him to take. He wanted something small and stealthy, but did not desire gnomes or dwarves. It was complicated as he explained. Beru himself wasn't quite ready for such a step, but he was finally being challenged with a task of his own. The Hive was spreading beyond the walls of Eclipse, and into the forest of the East. Argus managed the local brothels, and brought coin in, as well as information that could have been missed. Rose was expanding the Hive within the walls, the expansion of farms going well. Though Berry and all his copies did most of the work when it came to the finer details.

I smiled to myself, at how well the Hive was growing. The potential that was going to come from the false queen, and the original Hive. The path was cleared to the warehouse where the prismoid were. A gentle nudge got her moving in the right direction. I wasn't much interested in the false queen, her mind hardly a shadow of the true Queen. Still, this was one of the many tasks I was given. I was far more interested in the personality known as Silver, that had yet to reach out to me. As I understood it, it was taking care of the Hive that was branching out from the Cave where it all started. All of it slowly expanding towards Eclipse as originally planned.

My lips twitched into a smile, as the last of the bodies were fed enough to keep them from wandering off. My favorite part of the day finally coming. I teleported to the boarding school that was set up, a place the hags had used to groom the children to become 'dolls' as they called them. Now, a place for us to teach and train them. A wonderful building dedicated to helping the next generation advance. I looked around the room, finding it perfectly clean, the now tiny desks lined up in rows. I donned the glasses given to me by one of the students, the simple gift filling me with a sense of pride.

The children of monsters, and orphans that no longer could tolerate people, filtered in at the appropriate time. The chalk board behind me filled with the diagrams and equations for today's lesson. The other bodies merely moving in the background as they completed various other tasks like buying food, or moving goods. All of it so mundane compared to expanding the minds of these youths, much like our grand Queen did to me that faithful day.

Some of the young minds struggled, but compared to a week ago they were willing to ask questions now. They weren't afraid of each other despite the mingling of monster and people races. Some of them were even forming small groups, and becoming friends. These memories were filtered to Beru, and the Queen herself. Both of them adoring it, and the potential for the future if this continued on. The Queen herself confirmed that Argus enjoyed sneaking peeks during her own lulls, and while the giant would never admit it; I believe Argus would burn any gang to ash should they harm a single child under our tutelage.

Master Bennett, Tracker of the Leeches

The trail was mostly lost, suggesting that our new blood was a kind that could teleport. That, or perhaps they might even fly, but it was no matter. According to the rumors, this young blood was mainly active during the day, versus the night. We have yet to find their haunt, and they are not like other young bloods. One would have expected a frenzy to come from them from their fight with the Fiend, from all the blood they lost, and yet there was no murder spree that left drained corpses.

I looked to my two companions sharing a dimly lit room. The first to wake was sir Bates, a red headed young blood that I was tasked with watching over on this mission from our duke. I noted the pale skin, and burnt sleeves on the man's arm. Recently turned into one of our ilk merely a few years ago. Not even a decade old, still so young and rash. His sire sent to slumber in the sewers above, for breaking the Count's creed.

Master Belfrey emerged from his slumber a few seconds after. Raven hair fell past his shoulders, while a white blindfold covered his blind eyes. The man stood slightly taller than myself by mere centimeters, at an average height compared to the human races. A vampire with experience, but weak blood. He was a clear blood, an oracle that could hear the truth of words. Unlike most of his kin, he was too young to gain the magic of blood he drinks, leaving him with only his ability to detect lies through word alone. At least he knew how to dress himself, the light robes clung to his torso leaving his chest bare. His hair bundled with silk much like his blindfold, and his pants without a speck of dirt.

Still both of them were young, with Belfrey only five decades old from his turning. I had another five decades on the clear blood. I smiled to myself while sir Bates let out a hissing snarl. "What are we still doing here? A week has passed, and the only new lead we gained was the vampire maybe works during the day."

Belfry tsked lightly, shaking his head. "So eager to disappoint our duke. You have yet to see what failure might bring upon us." He rubbed his wrist, as if remembering something. The fire blood snarled again, but it was an empty threat. One that was silenced when Belfry placed his hand on the sword hanging from his hip.

I stood up from my chair, rolling my shoulders. My physique much like it was before I was turned a century ago. A brawler's body, with ample muscle but still lithe. The body of a hunter, ice forming on my skin as the air grew colder. Both eyes found their way to me as I smiled at them. "Bickering will get us nowhere. We have been on this mission for a short time, and there are unnatural aspects to it. Things that deviate from the norm. I understand you are grumpy from waking up during the time of day, sir Bates, but this is the lead we gained from our search so far."

Bates kept his mouth shut, as a proper young blood should when dealing with someone older and more capable. Belfry lowered his head, "Indeed, it was unfortunate we did not find the new blood at the scene. Though I would also suggest it was fortunate they did not die, but instead managed to fell a Fiend." I nodded, knowing even myself with the aid of these two would struggle.

"Rarely is a new blood so powerful, but it is possible they are a type that can regenerate. Perhaps they even can sustain themselves on the blood of monsters, or use such in emergencies to fuel their magic. This suggests a healing blood, or one of flesh if they can regrow limbs or knit what was lost back together. Perhaps even a light blood." They naturally didn't understand the significance.

Bates grumbled to himself, still not used to our enhanced hearing. "What I do not understand, is why we're all here together."

Belfry let out a small sigh, "The will of our duke is not to be questioned. His reasoning beyond our own." It was probably because we all had names that started with the letter B. I wouldn't ruin the surprise, since our duke was an overly casual kind of vampire.

I clapped my hands together, "This will only distract us from our mission. What we do know, is that a vampire was seen working in the area. This is potentially our mark, who we are to bring before the duke to be accepted under his protection. We are to handle this with care, and speak to them first. If a fight breaks out, we are to subdue them without killing." I stared at Bates, while he just smiled back. "Our goal isn't to antagonize a new blood, but to accept them. Such is the creed of the Count, and murder will be met with your own death. Dismember if you need to, but do not kill."

Belfrey nodded, while Bates just looked away, "Are we sticking together?"

I shook my head, "No, I have an idea of where the mark might be already. I'm here to train you both in the art of tracking. You are free to stay with Belfrey or track the mark on your own. We do know the new blood managed to kill a fiend, but we do not know if they had help or not. Assume they did so by themselves until proven otherwise. They might have a talent that lets them regenerate, and there is much we do not know. Never forget that talents carry over upon turning, and in very rare cases the talent will turn with the new blood."

Belfrey smiled, "Extremely rare cases." Bates just grinned, before running out of the room. Belfrey shaking his head, "To be young, not even a word said. I do not suppose you will be watching over us?"

I patted him on the shoulder, "I'll be around, if you hear a fight break out, then come over quickly. Good hunt to you, clear blood."

"To you as well, cold blood." He bowed, as I left the hideout. I quickly climbed a building, watching Bates from above. He was moving quickly through the alleys, stalking and listening to conversations. He was likely a rogue before he turned, his new hunger making him irritable, but still his skills remained. Belfrey on the other hand was walking through the streets, using his sword's sheathe as a walking stick. He wore a ring given to him, that made his skin appear normal, and even hid his fangs. A disguise that would pass at night, but this was the area of the Fiend's Eye. Monsters looked his way, before continuing on with their business.

I hopped from roof to roof, to keep both of them in my sight. Bates might have found something, as he started stalking towards the boarding school I heard about. I had dismissed it previously, since a young blood would have trouble keeping their appetite in check with such vibrant youth. There should only be a few humans or dwarves in there, and they were orphans. It would be acceptable if he had a meal or two, but still I followed close by to stop him in case he frenzied.

I moved to the entrance, peering through the window before stopping at the sight. Bates was at the doorway laughing. "You!" He pointed at the slender vampire with black dreaded hair and gray skin. A pair of glasses sitting on his bridge, and deep gray eyes. Something told me that he was aware of my presence, an instinct I had honed for so long.

The new blood pointed to himself, looking around. "Myself?"

Bates sauntered in, his arms wide. "Yes!" He hissed, while the children moved away. Three of them human, and two dwarves. The rest were monsters like young gnomes, and the other locals. The ones with tentacles on their faces creeped me out. "Nice place you have here, new blood." Bates licked his lips, "mind if I try a bite?" He grinned. The idiot not even trying to reason with the new blood.

I started to walk to the door, when Bates took a step towards the children. I felt a powerful domination wash through the room, Bates frozen where he stood. The new blood walking in front of the children. "This will be a moment, please go ahead with your individual study." I heard glasses placed on the desk. "I shall return soon."

I moved from behind the frame, the new blood not surprised by my entrance, confirming my suspicions. I took in his noble face, with soft features. His bones sunken in, the white mustache separated in four parts. It gave him the look of a scholar, despite his blackened hands. Bates was kneeling, struggling to catch his breath. He didn't need to breathe, but for one so young it helped to keep him balanced. I looked into the new blood's eyes, watching the power that glowed beneath them. They were dimmer than I expected, with nothing that suggested the domination that he just used.

I smiled, "Let's take this outside, there is clearly a lot we need to discuss." My mind ran through the possibilities, and it was clear we needed questions answered.

The new blood pulled out a mask, placing the ivory thing over his mouth. "Lead the way then, I shall follow behind." His voice was deep, yet light. The words filtering out, as if he savored them before saying each one. Not slow, but enunciated and precise, much like a healer or medicine man might talk.

I grabbed Bates by the arm, lifting him to his feet, as he finally shook off the domination. He didn't cause any issues as I shoved him behind me, walking out the door. The new blood was already there, leaning against the window on the wall, his arms crossed. I looked back to see only the children. He was a teleporter, or had a talent that allowed such. Bates hissed a bit, but kept himself in check. I smiled at the new blood, "We have another companion, then we'll go somewhere a little more private to talk."

The new blood moved from the wall, "I'll be honest gentlemen, whatever this is, I desire no part in this. Had a more hostile action taken place here, I would have likely slain you both."

"That confident, huh?" Bates laughed, as he quickly ran into the alleys nearby.

I shook my head, "For what it's worth, thank you for not acting on his provocations." I doubted the new blood could actually best me, but this wasn't about fighting. It was about arranging a meeting with the Duke, identifying his blood, and adhering to the creed of the Count. We needed Belfrey to confirm any story he told us, but also to see if he had intentions of falling in line. If he could beat Bates with that much ease, then he was clearly from a powerful blood line. We needed to learn about his sire.

The new blood nodded slightly, following behind. It suddenly felt as if he wasn't all there, his body slumping every so slightly. He followed well enough, his posture and stride carrying him easily. He mumbled to himself, "Now turn to page forty two..." I chose not to say anything, just letting him follow.

He had no issues keeping up in the alleys, nor did I have to stop whenever we hopped between roofs. I watched as Bates informed Belfrey, and the two quickly turned to our hideout. The new blood straightened up a little, and I smirked at him. "How do you feel about a race?"

The new blood held the chin of his mask in thought. "You will not lose me, and I am inclined to have this taken care of as quickly as we can. By all means, lead the way." He bowed slightly, gesturing that I should start.

I nodded lightly, using a small bit of blood to push my body. The soles of my feet became colder, ice forming beneath me. I jumped from one roof to the next, the ice finished. At the very least he should be able to keep up with his teleportation. I skated, pushing cold before me, and enhancing my movements with blood. A skill that allowed me to chase after many prey, and escape other hunters in my younger years. I easily outpaced Bates and Belfrey, coming to a stop on top of our hideout. A quick look around showed that no body had seen my movements.

I smiled to myself, curious to see if the new blood might have what it took to be a hunter. I couldn't see him, but I wasn't worried about him getting lost. I climbed down the side of the building, only to find him at the doorway. Much quicker than expected, but it was a welcomed surprise regardless. I landed next to him, extending a hand towards him. "My name is Bennett by the way, it is a pleasure to meet you."

The new blood looked at my outstretched hand, slumping a little. Yes, it was clear you didn't want to be here. He shook it, thankfully not lacking courtesy. "Gray, and why have you brought me here exactly?"

"We're just going to ask a few questions, and our clear blood will let us know if you're lying or not. Are you at least familiar with how the bloods work?" I walked towards the door, opening it for him.

He walked inside, "Vaguely, I am most upset that this event has cut into my established schedule. Though, there are perhaps benefits to this meeting. I will answer your questions, should you promise to answer mine in kind."

I shrugged, "Sure, if anything we fully intend on taking you into our protection. It's dangerous for a vampire to be alone out there, I'm surprised you didn't start a spree of killings. You're very difficult to track."

Gray walked down the stairs, while I noticed a few bugs crawling through the door. More for the rats to feed on, and the other two should come in soon enough. "I tend to move around a bit. An idle mind, and an idle body are terrible things to have. So many resources wasted, when they could be put to work. I will say that I do not need protection, though I'm certain we could establish some kind of trade."

I laughed a little, "Oh really? You certainly seem more than capable." We made it into the dimly lit room, a single flame blinking from the oil lamp Bates forgot to refill. The small room lined with couple beds on opposing walls. A couple papers from our findings on this hunt, next to the lamp itself.

Gray walked to the open wall, leaning against it again. He really does like doing that, doesn't he? I shook my head, as he responded. "Perhaps." It wasn't a question, but a pure statement that he didn't feel threatened by being here. I noticed bugs on the wall next to him. They weren't spiders, so I dismissed them.

The other two arrived, Bates jumping down the stairs, and rolling into the center of the room. "You!" He thrust his claw forward, hitting the spot next to Gray's head. Fire wicking off his skin, Gray straightening up from his slumped posture. "I want to fight you!"

Gray shook his head, "No thank you."

Belfrey followed after, "Please forgive him, the urges of a new blood are difficult to control."

I sighed a bit, "He's right, but Bates control yourself. Unless you want me to kick your ass."

Bates hissed, but stepped aside, "I'll declare a duel in front of the Duke!"

I rolled my eyes, "Sure, if the Duke allows it, then go for it. It'll be a couple days, so don't start shit. By the way, this new blood's name is Gray."

"Nice to meet you Gray!" Bates grinned, before stepping to the other side of the room. He was hungry, but keeping himself in check for now.

Belfrey bowed, "My name is Belfrey, and you have met sir Bates, as well as our master Bennett. I trust you have been informed about the reason you are here?"

Gray scratched the cheek of his mask, "I'm the vampire you have been tracking, and I'm supposed to meet a Duke for protection. You're here to confirm if I'm said vampire, as well as other things, correct?"

Belfrey turned to me, and I nodded. The silence carried on, before I sighed. "Yes, and Belfrey here will be asking the questions." There was no professionalism here, not anymore after I nodded at the blind guy.