Chapter 105: Cult Completion

Fish finished. I find night has fallen, finally. Slipping into my vampiric skin, “let's get this show on the road.” I say while struggling to walk from the jarring change in bodies. Even after all this time, changing bodies sucks.

Feeling my thirst hit like a truck. Realizing this body hasn’t drunk blood in a long while. Heading into my town, I find someone in the cheaper part of town. A young woman clearly in poverty; drinking my fill, I slip a silver coin under her pillow. It’s best to pay those who can use the money over people who are rich already.

Without further ado, I teleport to the cult hideout. Finding a buzz of activity, the vampires having just woken up. Several looks at me as I step into the cult house. A few subtle murmurs echo through the cavernous room.

I quickly find a rather sour-looking Helt. “Hey, Helt, what's up?”

“You know what’s up!” he says with venom.

“Calm down; what have I done?”

“You knew how hard it would be to deal with fledglings, and you gave me 6.” He says with a sour tone. Impatiently tapping his foot.

“And I personally brought them each their first meal.”

“I still needed help. You just dumped your responsibilities on me.”

I clap lightly. “Great observation skills. Look, you had sufficient time to get them up to speed and train them to hunt sleeping targets.”

“Barely.”

“And I can see they are all alive. Good job.” I say, tapping him on his shoulder. He just looks at me, astonished.

I hear a quiet murmur, “shameless.”

Ignoring what he said, I address him. “So, have you taught them of Felix?”

“I told them a little.”

“Well, it’s time I hold a small storytime for them.”

Stepping up to the podium, I allow them to sit down. Curios glances shared between them.

“Hello, congratulations on becoming Vampires. I am here to say a few words, but first. Welcome to the family. Some know me, some do not. It does not matter; I don’t matter. Nonetheless, my name is Aeternum if you wish to address me. I turned Helt; that’s all you need to know.”

That got a few whispers among them.

“Helt is your leader; he is in charge of this vampiric family. You are all bound by blood; take care of your family. This family was created to honor Felix and Lilith. Felix wishes for worship; Lilith the spread of vampirism.”

I allow them to process what I said. “I ask that you say a prayer to Felix whenever you can. Burn gifts in his honor, show you piety where possible. You can learn more about him from Helt. Felix and Lilith eternal partners. I am not here to force religion on you, but I can say I have personally met Felix. He exists, be assured of that.”

“To honor Lilith, we grow the family. Create new families and spread vampirism. But, some rules must be followed before someone can be turned. I created these rules to stop us from being hunted by hunters. Vampires once roamed, but spread too far, became wild. It resulted in lots of death. Something I wish to stop happening in the future, as I am sure you all agree.

“The rules go as followed: Only someone who consents may be turned. We are not monsters; monsters are created when we turn someone by force. Even if your family member is dying if your lover will leave you in death. You must not turn them if they don’t want it. The second rule, only righteous and good people can be turned. Not that it’s a rule with turning but as a rule for us vampires to follow. As you may have noticed, your mind feels different. Becoming a vampire; shifts your mind. Makes you care less for humanity. We turn only good people because even when they become vampires, they won't harm needlessly.”

“Vampires start as fledglings. You are considered an adult once you can stand upon the sun without instant death. Don’t test it; we will tell you when you can try it. Otherwise, you will die a fool. A clear path of growth stands before every vampire. Requirements to be met, you will feel it when you grow stronger. Once you achieve your full potential, you can turn others. Something we restrict you from accessing until you are mature enough to follow the rules.”

“I will allow 3 questions.”

I watch as every single one of them raises a hand. Facepalming lightly, fine, fine.

“You, the young woman at the far corner.”

The young woman stands with confidence. “If we are not able to turn people, how can we follow Liliths wishes?”

“You will one day be able to turn people. But for now, I and Helt can turn people. If you find someone with a good heart who wishes for it, bring them to Helt or I, and we will turn them in your stead.”

She nods acceptingly before sitting down.

“The man over there, what’s your name?” I say while pointing towards the man who nearly died of fright earlier.

“Du… Duran, sir.”

“Good, Duran. What’s your question? Duran.”

“We… Well, I was… was wondering if we can only feed on humans. Hurting people makes me sad.” His face nearly broke my heart.

“We consume blood with vitality. Animals like cows, sheep, larger animals; can all be consumed. Smaller animals, dumber animals; they are pointless to drink. Like eating bad-tasting air; not sufficient to live off. So, if you wish. You can go vegetarian in a manner of speaking. You could also find a way for people to donate blood to you. No biting or hurting required.”

He calmed down considerably after my answer. One of, dropping their hand after my speech; another vegetarian, interesting.

“And you, Jena,” I say with a subtle sigh.

She stands up quickly. Making me regret picking her all the more.

“Why?” She says. “Why all this?” Gesturing around her. “A fake cult, turning random people, all the rules, why?” Breathing deeply, “It doesn’t make sense, this all feels fake, yet we clearly are vampires. I don’t get it at all, and it’s driving me mad.”

I can't help but tumble in laughter. Holding my stomach as I am bent in pain. She looks very angry at my response. Taking considerable willpower, I pull myself together. Standing back up, I lock eyes with her. “I am following the will of Felix, and to an extent Lilith. The reason it feels fake? Because I am no cult master, I’ve not made one before. You are looking for signs of a master plot, but I genuinely am trying to satisfy 2 godlike entities with meager social skills.” I say, holding my laugh back.

She looks at me suspiciously but eventually gives in. Sitting back in her chair.

“That’s your 3 questions, anymore? Pelt Helt instead of me. I am a busy man, and I must be going. Please offer Felix your faith. If you find anyone who meets the requirements? Tell Helt and get them turned. We are too small right now; we could use a bit of size.” With a dramatic bow, I leave the podium. Disappearing before I can be accosted by any of the fledglings.

Returning home, I quickly hear a familiar ding. “Congratulations, quest complete.” Before some spawn eggs materialize, in the air. Catching the precious tickets to the ore spawn dimension. Depositing them in my bag of holding for safe-keeping. As I continue to walk, I suddenly feel the ground shake underfoot. Being outside my castle, I look up. A blue fissure has formed in the sky. Slowly ripping apart, revealing the seductress known as Lilith.

“Hello, my darling. You did it; you spread vampirism; how happy that makes me. You even created a family, gave young Helt the power to turn. He will produce many strong vampires, I feel it. Now, a reward for my hard-working little pet.”

I quickly interject, “Only the reward previously stated, please.”

She frowns, “Your no fun.”

“You are not the first to say that, now; day walking.”

“Fine, fine; come here.” She beckoned me to her side. I walk towards her cautiously, feeling the subtle compulsion to go to her side. Reaching her side, she used her long fang to peirce her finger. She slowly draws in her blood runes over my forehead. I try to move but cannot. With every rune drawn, my blood writhes under my skin. Once she finished with the runes, she takes one of her fangs, snapping it out of her jaw. It was clearly painful, looking at her face. She then takes the fang, piercing my heart with it.

The long fang goes between my ribs, breaking past a boundary that shouldn’t be passed. I feel cold pain course through me as she drags the fang through my heart before removing my hand. She steps back as I suddenly feel heat rush through my body. The barbaric ritual setting my blood alight as my skin bursts into crimson flames. Feeling my vitality drain, burned to fuel the fire of the magic.

Eventually, the pain ceases, I collapse onto the floor. Panting even without the need for breath. It helps calm me down. “Why does power always hurt?” I ask Lilith.

She stifles her laughter. “You just got given a gift from a progenitor. Stop being a baby.”

“Didn’t answer my question.” I spit out in a sarcastic tone; Finally regaining enough strength to stand.

Suddenly my body shudders. I feel the hunger, the thirst rise too fast. Coarse dry pain with no comparison wracks my bones. My limbs are weak and heavy as I feel my mind split and tear. The need to feed overwhelming.

In my pain, I didn’t spot Lilith approaching me. “Hello, poor thing. Is someone a little hungry.” She says with an evil smile.

She prods me lightly, my arms and limbs not listening to me. Using every ounce of willpower to suppress the desire to kill.

“Shouldn’t have complained.” She says, the witch.

Eventually, after a painful few minutes, she finally shows pity. Slicing her wrist and dripping blood onto my face. I quickly drinking, feeling my thirst receded; “th… thank you.” I murmur out. She steps away, entering her portal. Before leaving she turns to me. “That gift can be taken away. Always make sure vampires walk the world. And visit me occasionally. I get so very bored.” She says, licking her lips.

The rift slamming shut like a book closing. With my strength back, I stand up. Finding my way to a chair. The comfort soothing my achy body. At least I am not thirsty anymore.

Chic quickly finds their way to me. Sending me mental questions of “are you okay?” “Is bad woman gone?”

I try my best to explain that I was getting stronger, and yes the bad woman is gone. Chic refused to leave my side. Cuddling up to me, soothing my pain. Something she has no idea how appreciative I am of. Hugging the hair bundle of fangs with a smile. I guess I am a hairless bundle of fangs. Finding my bad humor helps relax me.

Putting some music on, I sit there. Slowly stroking Chic while listening to some rock. Enjoying tapping my desk to the beat of the drum in the background. I should try and pick up an instrument again. What instrument I wonder? I used to play piano, not well but I did play. Maybe guitar; that would be fun.

Look at me musing about instruments after founding a cult. I really don’t have any form of linear progression. But hey, at least the jobs are done and I can finally relax for a while. Suddenly realizing what I just said, I rush towards the closest wooden table. But, just before; I hear it. “Ding: Quest accepted; slay the end dragon.” “Son of a…”