“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?”

“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.”

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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.”

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"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!"