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“No man knows till he has suffered from the night
how sweet and dear to his heart and eye the morning can be.”
― Jonathan Harker
Below, you will find an extensive collection of lore considered canon to my roleplay story and world. It is influenced by, inspired by, and taken from various works of fiction as well as real life, including history and current events etc. It is continuously being worked on, updated and refined, containing a compendium of the World of Vampires as a whole and even beyond, including: Characters, History, Politics, Culture, Wars -- and more.
The corruption of the Night awaits, and you are more than welcome to partake in it... or become part of it.
VAMPIRE CHARACTERS
The Brides│Virgiliu Dracula│Mircea Dracula│Erzsébet Báthory│Bruno Ikarov││Petar Blagojević│Lady Eleanor│Kakistos
Robin Harker│Jayden Thornley│Countess Dolingen│Maria Goodwin│Robert Hensworth│Karl Lueger│Max│Lord Ezekiel
Agmundr│Camilla Romanescu│Marie Anette Carlisle│Nicholas Carlisle│Javier Crueza│Pavel Marlow │Andrei Ambrožič│
Mama Elaganza││Deiderich Kraus│Nathaniel Renwick│Jelena Santiago│Bahir Pasha│Caelan│Barnabáš│The Father│
Érebos││Frank the vagabond│Balthazar│Katarina Dufwa││
HUMAN CHARACTERS
Abraham Van Helsing│Jonathan Harker│Mina Harker│Lucy Westenra│Quincey P. Morris│Arthur Holmwood│Dr John Seward
R.M. Renfield│Steiner Leichtenberg│Ralph the taxi driver│Giovanni Agosti│Anderson│Rebecca Harris││Maddox
Romenduz Tavala│Doomsayer│Valeri Dojstov│Abraham Sullivan│David Sullivan│Blair O'Connor│Mother Anna│
Heliga Birgitta│
OTHER CHARACTERS
The Dread Doctors│Zoltan│The Wendigo of Castle Dracula│La bête du Gévaudan│Oliver Harker│Synova│Timothy Holmes│
Anna Darvolya││
LOCATIONS WITHIN THE WORLD - VAMPIRE, HUMAN, OTHER SUPERNATURAL
Castle Dracula│The Carpathian Mountains│The Village│Carfax Abbey│Seward's Sanitarium││
The Tavala Village││The City of Enoch││Tomb of Thanatos
Abandoned Building│ │Virgil's mansion │Robin's house│Dracula's Mansions
المدينة الغارقة (almadinat alghariqa, or The Sunken City │
│││
THE WORLD OF VAMPIRES
The Traditions│The Vampire Hierarchy│The Masquerade│Domains│Hunting Grounds│Communication amongst the Undead│
Pax Inmortuae│The War of Ages│Lexicon of the Dead│The Modern Night│The Ancients│The Generation Theory
The Embrace│The Beast Within│Final Death│Blood Bond │Blights│Thrall│Vampire Hunters
Humans loyal to Dracula│The Demeter │The Ichor│Foul Rituals and Dark Beginnings│Romanian Treasure│Antediluvian│
VAMPIRE ORGANISATIONS
The Societas Immortalium│The Sabbat│The Anarch Movement│Malakut│
Children of Caine│The Eye││ │││The Order││
The Night Children││││
THE WORLD OF HUMANS
Humanity and the Supernatural││Vampire Hunters│Faith│True Faith│The Second Inquisition││
HUMAN ORGANISATIONS
The Department of Paranormal Activities│The Holy Order of Saint Michael 'The Inquisition'│The Van Helsing Association│
The Arthur Initiative│The Coalition against Dracula│The Holmwood Family│The Harker Family
The Company of Three│The Church of Father's Glory│ The Hunter Society│The Order of the Dragon│
THE WORLD OF THE SUPERNATURAL
OTHER SUPERNATURAL ORGANISATIONS
The Vampires of the East 'Jiangshi'││
EVENTS IN THE WORLD - VAMPIRE, HUMAN, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL
Concordia Immortalium│Failed London Takeover│The Blood Feud
Dracula's absence │The hunt for the Heartstone
OBJECTS -VAMPIRE, HUMAN, AND OTHER SUPERNATURAL
The sword of Dracul│Dragon key│The Dracul family ring│De Dödas Huvudbonad (Crown of the Dead)│
Quincey's kukri knife│Staff of Ra│Heart Stone│Mysterious box│Seal of Dracul│Bram Stoker's Dracula novel│ │
│Love letter to Timothy│Robin's gun│Malum Praesidium││
MISCELLANEOUS LORE
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Each look taken back, he could already see the silhouette of it, a pale, gangly thing scuttling upon the walls and the rugged floors. It sped after them on all fours, claws scraping against earth and stone at each pounce, joints audibly popping and creaking at each movement whenever its ravenous screams didn't fill the place. The deteriorating condition of the two was inevitable, at some point David realized that their pace was slowing down, every inch of him throbbed and ached like it was the only sensation left to be had. As the only bridge they had crumbled off into the dark, it was his turn to pull him back just before they both fell in, his feet nearly skidding to the edge for a barely decent foothold, sending off a crumble of pebbles and dust.
Only then that the horrified sorcerer notice that the coat he used to bandage him up has already sloughed off at some point in their escape, leaving his innards tumbling out and about. He barely had any time to comprehend that as the fiend closed in with an ear-splitting screech, and for a moment, he was actually able to see what they were up against. Whatever knowledge of human anatomy that remained allowed the young man to recognize the faintest structure of something familiar – something that used to be mortal. Taut skin pulled to cloak an emaciated frame, sunken eyes webbed and obscured by cataracts, bits of decrepit clothing that remained and a tarnished adornment that no one will ever have the time to discern. This abomination was human! What kind of transmutation can produce something this unholy? He was left to stare back in open-mouthed terror as Robin launched himself upon the beast, a noble yet agonizing attempt to subdue which was still met with a disastrous blow.
The vampire went down with a sickening crack, a shredded ragdoll in the face of a brutish canine... and despite all of that he still gave the human what he truly needed – a few precious seconds of surrender to instinct. No rituals, circles, or elaborate stitches of spellwork, merely a response fueled by adrenaline and fear coursing through every cornered prey. With only a feeble torch in hand placed before him like it was a good enough weapon, the sorcerer could feel something swell inside his chest, rushing its way up into his throat. A flicker of sparks bloomed upon the hands that clutched the wood, and focusing upon what was left of the fire, he took a deep breath. For that gaping maw of crooked, rotting teeth, that monstrous face no one could ever recognize, to those outstretched talons caked in blood that was meant to sink into him like a hot knife upon butter – David finally delivered his answer. Whatever ounce of strength left, he breathed into the flame to fortify it – and not once did it sputter. Tongues and flashes of fire reached back in equally fervent vigour, a seething wave of radiance fully funnelled into the direction of the beast, illuminating everything its glow ever cast. The famished blaze was strong, far more potent than he initially anticipated, the guttural roar of the erupting flames almost rivalling the shrieks in his ringing ears. It was enough to momentarily set the cavern alight, painting the jagged stone walls and the fringes of the watery abyss in an outburst of infernal colours and sharp shadows.
The initial comforting warmth quickly burned into a hellish burst of fanning hot breeze. There were no gods to pray to, only a plea for the fires to put an end to this monstrosity. David gasped in a breath, almost choking at a lungful of scorching air, only then that the torch started to flutter at each ragged breath that he took. Bleary eyes frantically swept around for any trace of the vampire, and he wasted no time to rush over.
It was a bold move, a very risky one, but there was no other direction but down, and there was no way in this makeshift hell that he was leaving him there. Within moments, his seared hand latched upon anything left of Robin’s mangled body that he can hold on to, a last-resort attempt to drag him away. He can apologize profusely later if they actually made it out alive.
There was obviously no offense taken for the scathing response. With the human enamored with what he was looking at, might as well say that he was too distracted to hear it at all. No impudence nor apologies, only the mere fact that this was perhaps the very first time he was actually at his happiest since his arrival to Romania, only restrained by the burden of choosing what he could possibly take, and the heartbroken thought of what he will have to leave behind. There were important things that the sorcerer ended up forgetting, but this faint information that fell past his lips certainly sprang up with little to no difficulty. Brief pauses were taken as he quickly presented various things to the vampire, with David happily and feebly prattling on about whatever item his trembling hands ended up clutching upon, and conscientiously returning each one to where it was.
From the most basic tools, bits of surviving accessories, weapons forged from chipped and weathered stone– there was boyish excitement to be had in those eyes, and it bled into his voice that could barely contain it. Poor Mr. Harker, perhaps he didn't have any choice on the matter but to listen in. They were standing before a proof of history more ancient than both of their times combined, and while there was no guarantee that Robin would appreciate this as much as he did… sometimes it just felt pleasant to share it with someone else.
Alas, a few minutes to spare will never be enough to marvel at what the place has to offer. The next thing David knew, a hand already grabbed him, yanking him away. A broken piece of a flinthead fell past his grasp, landing upon the dirt with hardly a sound from the scuffle. He instinctively tried to retrieve that, a springing move akin to a fish caught in a line, but Robin's grip was stronger that he nearly fell back, only held up by the claws tightly wound upon a delicate arm. Beneath disheveled sleeves, the sorcerer seemed unsurprisingly fragile, unable to physically put up a sliver of a fight. "No, no– wait!"
It was useless. His pleas fell upon deaf ears, and for a very good reason. He could feel his blood run cold the moment he heard that screech filling those godforsaken chambers, and that was the only time he willingly allowed himself to be led, legs finally moving to keep him from being helplessly dragged away. They were up and running again, and with one sharp turn, the very sight that he was just fawning over seconds ago was gone, one more thing counted with many losses. Back into the darkness and to reality they went, hunted as prey, with the faint torch in his hand barely illuminating the way.
David knew he would never set his eyes on that place ever again. Not even a proper goodbye. Mr. Harker's discovery will go unheard, barely spoken of– not that they could inform the lord of the house that there was something worth exhuming and studying beneath the castle without giving away their current predicament right before a very important task.
While the threat to his life remained on the trail, to say that David was quite gutted was an understatement. Not in a literal sense as the vampire who was practically hauling him at this point just to get him to keep up. A muted sniffle or two might have escaped him at some point, but really, that was instantly lost with him trying to catch his ragged breath. If not for the cold bruising grip upon him with those claws digging into his flesh, he would have already stumbled many times.
It was starting to grow colder, with his breath fogging up at each gasp. They might be close to any proper opening there was, or at least he hoped. How was Robin even faring in all that pain?
✞The Heir to the Throne of Darknessv✞
For a moment, he cannot decide how to act in regards to his brother’s slight recovery. Whether to coddle him like some frail mortal babe, or to give him space to find footing on his own. It’s almost as if though he somehow cared for the creature though they’d not known each other until now. Cared for in more ways than one cares for a much-needed hammer to hit a nail that’s been sitting loosely into a wooden board. Surely this was but a moment of weakness, brought on by his conflicting emotions. Thanatos was just a hammer, after all, a supposed means to an end. Or, at least, that’s what he should only have been.
Watching Thanatos find his feet, to what extent was possible in his current state, did bring Virgil some form of comfort again. Perhaps he hadn’t made such a big mistake after all - at least not from his side of the story. Fear slowly dissipated as anger towards Dracula once more trickled into his mind like a brook in spring as the snowy mountains begin to melt. The words uttered by his kin helped only to fuel that anger. That wrath. But just as he was about to open his mouth to spew petty insults on their father’s name, the sudden shriek that filled the catacombs, caused Virgil to stumble backwards one step. He’d almost forgotten the beast Thatanos had just mentioned. So caught up was he in emotional turmoil, it was hard to keep his mind on a singular thing. Whatever manner of creature this Wendigo was, it was unlike anything Virgil had even heard before, and it was nearly fearsome enough to make him feel… helpless. And with a brother that could barely walk without breaking a bone, he knew they were not in a position to make a stand. At least not without risking everything.
Virgil drew a quick, almost nervous, breath as the other vampire stepped into his personal space. His neck pivoted backwards slightly - he didn’t truly know his brother’s intentions. He knew he was unreliable - at least according to their father. But it can never hurt to be cautious around things you do not truly understand. But even so, there was something about the confidence with which he was approached that calmed him. “I know only his side of the story. But regardless of whether that story is real or not, regardless of what ‘crimes’ you may have committed-” He paused to tilt his head forward again, eyes locked onto Thanatos’ gaze; “Dracula must learn that he cannot control everything, and that trying will only end in failure.” His eyes broke contact and shifted to the floor as he hissed out between his teeth; “Because of his failings with you, he put me on a leash that he only made shorter and shorter the more I fought against it. Inevitably, the leash broke. And where else could I go but into my brother’s embrace, despite the fate that he brought onto my mother?”. His words were sharp and reeked of anger, but that anger was not directed towards his brother, perhaps why his eyes fell instead to the floor. “I do not blame you for my mother's death” he continued, “She was a victim of his relentless pursuit of perfection. I was meant as your replacement. Your actions were justified”. Whether those last words were meant for his half-brother or himself, he was not quite sure of~
After he’d given his dramatic little speech, he glanced over the other vampire’s shoulder, thinking that they better get moving. Whether or not his explanation was enough or not would probably have to wait, thus he moved even closer yet to his brother. Cheek almost brushing cheek. “Further explanation should perhaps wait until we are out of these dull, unfriendly caves?”
It felt like a clock ticking in her very bones, the ones that screamed at Alice to let down, calm down, lay down, and fucking sleep.
It was a good thing she was as stubborn and dead set on getting as many body counts of these disgusting people as she could.
Her entire body jumped from the force of the man's quaking steps. It seemed to rattle her rapidly deteriorating body. The sorry pathetic human thing that begged so much for sleep that she refused to give in to.
Another step and she clutched the hammer tighter in her grasp where she looked up to see the bulking man break the entirety of the door in. Her heartbeat picked up in her ears as she readied for what could very well be a fight for her life. Her teeth bared in a silent snarl that didn't leave her throat. If he wished to be rabid, so would she. "I'd rather ya not." She scavved to his inquiry to come in, though they both knew it was no question. Not with what was left of the brass knob falling to the floor.
Any natural human might be repulsed seeing the minor gore that was the man. The way the nail stuck from his head was enough to make anyone become squeamish. And had Alice not been in the predicament, she might even make a face. However now she only felt a red-hot rage that filled her bones, something she channeled in times such as these that told her to keep pushing. Keep moving forward. Move one leg at a time. Raise that bloody hammer and swing it with the intent to bloody kill.
The talk on the Lord and graciousness was aggravating, to say the least. She allowed it further to fuel her revenge. It was the same words that a long-lost nuisance of a phantom used to tell her. Though there was no God being spoken of that would rapture Alice's soul. More so that of an undead bastard that if she ever saw again she promised herself she would stick a nail in his eye.
Robin's defiance of the man was something that caught Alice off guard once more. Why? She had asked him previously. The answer was stuck in his throat apparently. She'd get the answer some way or another. Right now though, she could worry about where and why he decided to pin his loyalties on her so that the mountain that was currently in their path could be dealt with.
"Don' ya tell me t'bloody run now, ya fuckin' twink! Am no' lettin' this gammy bastard talk shit an' no get hit!" Alice snarled in retaliation to Robin. Answering his question. That he should not hope to a God that had turned his back on the Irishwoman long ago, because she had no sense of what he told her, all she knew was kill.
Because his little punch clearly did nothing, so that meant that it clearly would not be in his favor.
But she would use it in hers as the distraction she needed.
Flipping the hammer in her hand so that the rusty jagged edge faced out, she took a running start and leapt across the table, arm already reeled back as she slammed it into the most obvious spot she thought might stagger him, the beast man's temple. She lunged it as deep into the tender spot as her strength would manage. All the while using the momentum of the swing to twist and land behind the man, yanking out the hammer in the process. She kicked the back of his knees with as much force as she could muster, taking no second chances. And while he fell forward she brought back that hammer again and slammed the head of it into his right Achilles tendon. Shattering it fully with that curdling crunch.
Feeling her window of surprise closing, she backed off several steps to get out of hands reach of him; and breathed out a heavy breath through her lips. Against all better judgment, she took a running start and jumped on his back, her legs moving to lock around his swollen mass of a body, her arm wrapping around his forehead as she attempted to yank it back and to the side to expose his throat. Her nails digging into the hole the hammer made in his temple to get more traction. Throwing the lot of her weight back to throw him off balance, knowing full well that her being the cushion of that fall would take the wind out of her, yet willing to take the risk. The back of the hammer came down on it moments later. Lodging into the side of his neck with enough force to get a few inches deep. Hard. Unjust, and with the last of her remaining strength she raked the piecing back of it across his jugular. Hot blood spayed as she did. An anguished yell bellowed from her as she did. Because this had to be the end.
Gods, let this be the fucking end of him.
✞The Heir to the Throne of Dracul✞
Promises of grandeur now standing in front of him, sorry words seeping from the lips of a gangly creature like mist from the cracks of a wall. How this could once have been a great threat, Virgil found difficult to comprehend. But the words affirming what he saw was real did comfort him to some extent; for those who admit to their weaknesses will always have the most potential for greatness. Though, it was impossible for the younger vampyre not to twist his face back and forth between negative emotions. Disgust, fear, dismay, and even worse, a glimmer of pity. How could he not look at a cart of failures fallen to plague with a mixture of pity and disdain? He was promised the despairs of Pandora’s Pithos, but here he stood, facing what could barely even count as a corpse. Disgusting dusty remnants. A failure. But appearances do seldom tell the whole tale, and despite it all, he couldn’t help but also care for the poor pile of bones. A brother he never even knew existed until just moments ago. Someone who could share in his disdain for his father. Someone who could understand why.
.
Virgil reached a pale but sturdy hand to claim the frail reflection of his brother’s own, casting concerned glances across the cavern at the words of warning. A Wendigo? He was not familiar with such creatures though the name seemed not too unfamiliar. Perhaps he’d read about them at some point. But for now, he was more concerned about the state Thanatos was in.
He reached his clawed fingers around the remains of what was once his brother’s hand, gently, out of fear of breaking the bones within. He paused, and let out a low sigh though he hadn’t yet drawn breath, uncertain of whether or not the animated corpse could even withstand being lifted from the sarcophagus. “I know not the nature of the creature you speak of, but one thing I do know.” he started, gently pulling, making sure Thanatos could easily let go in case his body could not handle the movements. “You need to feed, not on the used remains of cold life, but on fresh, young blood.” He paused as he waited for his kin to rise so that they may begin their journey out of the dark depressing halls of naught but stone. Once they were ready to move, Virgil furrowed his brow for a second, casting his eyes upon those of his brother, his countenance changing from disgust to genuine concern. “I admit your release was not planned as well as it could have been. Impulse is a weakness I still work on eliminating. Had I stopped to think, I would’ve brought you life to drain. My naivety may yet be our doom if this ‘Wendigo’ do pose as big a threat as you claim.” And with that, he awaited his brother’s response in both word and action. Thanatos was clearly more familiar with the beast they shared the dark, dank, depths with than he was, so it was best he followed his brother’s guidance in this matter. Experience is always more reliable than physical prowess, even if it comes from a frail, degenerate carcass.
He would have offered himself to the man in a heartbeat without the slightest hint of protest.
Despite the fact that the sorcerer was keeping a watchful eye on the vampire for any drastic shift in demeanor, there was no denying that he was still completely at his mercy. Optimism was never his best suit, but somehow, a part of him believed Robin’s words, wanting to trust his judgment regarding the matter that the next turn taken could be a possible waiting exit back into the surface, or a flight of stairs leading back to the castle. And so, with a cold hand shackled upon his wrist, David allowed himself to be tugged along, grabbed back from any slippery slope or chasm, or yanked up with hardly a peep of complaint. The luxury of slowing down to rest is something they both can’t afford no matter how fatigued limbs ached, how much the cold gnawed at him persistently that it was only the constant movement that kept him warm, or how much any form of agony begged them to stop.
Memorizing these tunnels would have been a whole lot easier with parchment on hand and a mind not plagued with the sole thought of survival but alas, all he could ever give were a few glances back, bristling at each stray sound or shadow cast by the diminutive light he was holding. Just how long have they been here, anyway? Perhaps it was the hiemal conditions underground, the dismal caverns, or just the anxious silence.
It felt like hours.
Robin finally coming to a proper stop did its feat of bringing him back to where they really are – and certainly away from thoughts that depicted far worse circumstances.
This place certainly felt calmer than the last. It was strangely peaceful for something that housed death, in fact, a gentle reminder of the quieter days prior that he took for granted. It wasn’t the most tranquil within the walls of the castle, but David will choose to traipse on broken eggshells over all the running and the effort of moving around for the sake of fleeing. Out of all the places they’ve been or the paths that they’ve covered, however, this place felt like a welcome respite. Partially holding back a breath, he gently tapped on the hand that gripped his wrist to ease back. “Huh. I’d take a closer look if you’d let me–” inching closer, he paused to glance up at the vampire to examine him once more, and now within arms reach, he looked far worse than the mortal originally thought or anticipated.
All this time, it seems like he was tottering after a pale corpse walking and gurgling in gore. And yet it was still Robin, with his seemingly impeccable sense of self-control even with all that blood, truly enough – few can pull off being this ‘fair’ with half of their inside slipping in and out like spaghetti.
In the midst of all visible concern, a rogue chuckle escaped him, a very delayed reaction to a joke that obviously went over his weary head moments ago. David quickly quieted before that posed as anything loud enough to draw unwanted attention, before that became loud enough to be unbecoming– and took a moment to dig inside his pockets, pulling out a pressed handkerchief. “How are you feeling? Take this, will you?” He was most likely a mess of his own making, from the unruly tousle of hair generously sprinkled with dirt to the streaks of both splattered blood and grime upon a pale face, down to the disheveled muddle of sanguine and dust upon these things he once called clothes – but Robin seemed to need that more than he does. The plaid black and gray fabric was handed over to the vampire regardless of any response, as David was already preoccupied with inspecting what was upfront with the torch, eyes sweeping upon the closest things he could recognize.
Unlike him, there was little to no hesitation as the sorcerer hovered close, crouching down at the side of the nearest skeleton that he could get to without disturbing the remains. At that moment, there were no stinging joints or an impending threat of a shrieking bloodthirsty monster, just a misplaced scholar in his very own bubble, like a giddy child in a candy store with grabbing hands that didn’t know where to land. Twitching fingers gingerly enclosed on a flinted weapon heavily layered with dust to examine it, and yet with a shuddering breath, he carefully returned this to where it lay.
“Could be burial chambers, these were belongings and various offerings…” David finally mustered, despite the hint of uncertainty in his voice. An incredibly ancient one at that, and a hasty, unsteady glance beneath flickering fire was not enough to determine this specific point in history as of yet. For a moment he was at loss for words, his tongue betraying the sheer glowing excitement that lit his face, and the partial distress and regret that visibly limned it. “Oh, oh– I had friends who will give everything to stumble upon anything like this!” The sight of this alone did seem to bring back a memory or two from the looks of it. There was no way they could even properly examine most of these, no proper way to document anything.
He needed to look further– he needed more time. And out of all days, today, it wasn’t at their side. David instinctively reached to his chest as if intending to fish out the notes that weren’t there, and the young man seemed to go through a range of visible emotions from elation to heartbreak, all at once. “W-we couldn’t even mark this discovery of yours. We couldn’t even return here when we leave.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry–” David genuinely meant that, recoiling over the agony that wasn’t even his. One arm was held up to use the sleeve of his shirt to wipe his face, splotching the creased white with patches of glaring dark crimson. It was already stained from all that ordeal. That didn’t get everything and he didn’t seem to mind, more absorbed in half-dragging Robin back to his feet, gently whispering his apologies like it was a good enough litany to calm the both of them down. It’s not. Where should he even begin? He was the one who wanted to go here in the first place. And to think that he even left for Robin to choose if he wanted to stay – oh, he will truly die here, and nobody will even know. He will be uselessly dismembered, he will join these old rotting relics, those whispers–
With a sharp swallow, he glanced around once more, shaking his head.
This wasn’t the dungeons, was it?
No shit.
They haven’t hobbled away far enough when David felt the man easing away from his grip, bearing the excuses that both of them knew all too well that a pragmatic sorcerer wouldn’t buy. “I’ve never heard the likes of you abstaining from that–” A full sweeping gaze was given to him as he stared at him from head to toe, only flickering up as soon as a raucous shriek was heard from the distance. This place looked so miserable – Robin, even more so. At this rate, he would blend in so nicely with the corpses that were piled on the floor. On this occasion, David wasn’t one to be insistent to pursue the matter, and yet his stance alone already showed great reluctance to let him go. The only time he straightened up with the torch was when he was certain the man won’t simply keel over from his injuries, and even so, he still looked so perturbed.
Who was he kidding, the undead were always so much more irrepressible than this. Brows already furrowed when his lips parted and yet whatever he had to say was already halted. His frown only deepened as soon as the firearm was handed over, and yet he didn’t seem so hesitant to receive it. This wasn’t the first armament he has ever handled, perhaps, but he didn’t spend any further moment checking whether that was loaded or not. “Let’s hope it doesn’t have to come to that,” he murmured to himself, pocketing the pistol. With the lack of a proper holster present, it wasn’t the safest thing in the depths of his pockets and he was sure that this won’t immobilize the creature that attacked them, but the slightest smidgen of defense was always better than none. He followed suit as Robin started his trek down, his unhindered strides a bit more careful now. “I still wouldn’t want to shoot you, on that fair face, for that matter.” That was absent-mindedly added as he stared at his hands, still slippery with all that blood that was just shed. “You could have gotten away easily… do you always get injured on someone else’s behalf? Let me know if you need any help.”
Whatever was left of the floors was caked in years’ worth of putrified and liquified remains, mixed with eons of dust, dirt, and grime. He could feel the glutinous, coagulated mixture sticking to the soles of his shoes, bits of bones crunching beneath every step. As they found their first aperture with Harker taking the lead, from time to time the young man noticeably paused, using whatever that was left of the drying sanguine on his hands to draw a few sigils upon the jagged walls that he could reach without trouble. Nothing too monumental, just protective seals that he knew by heart, those that only took a few bits of energy and focus to cast. Never mind if he was using Robin’s– as impressive as vampires were with their staunch resilience, their essence undeniably lacked something vital.
David knew better than to wound himself near an injured nocturnal to use his own, however. At the same time, he can’t expect anything much, for a deranged creature of this caliber, such barriers will simply be another nuisance than any proper deterrent. How different would these circumstances be if he was only back to a self that he could barely even remember? These were all but reprehensible flickers, which left him rather homesick, regardless.
It was not just the lingering smell of decay anymore that bothered him.
Deeper into the path, he finally broke the silence that was only laced by the faint crackle of his wielded torch and the scuffling footsteps. “Mr. Harker,” he started. His voice was far from loud, it still sounded hushed as if knowing that what was chasing them was just a few walls away. There wasn’t any sign of that any time soon, but he remained alert. “Is this path familiar to you, by any chance?”
David cannot find it within himself to complain– that aching grip on his hand that dragged him through was the only thing that kept him from those teeth, and from tripping over his steps. This, however, didn’t change the fact that he was still having a hard time keeping up, and a yelp of pain or two was completely ignored. His heart sank along with the sudden chill that ran through his spine the moment he heard his name once more, echoing through the narrow cavern walls.
That trap that he set off barely even held the fiend back. As if affirming the very worst thought he has, Robin’s sudden halt nearly sent him skidding to the edge of the void if not for his figure blocking the way.
Dead end. He could barely even catch his breath. The sight of that… thing emerging from the shadows was blindingly fast, yet before he could even hold a hand up in a futile attempt to shield himself, it was the vampire who stepped in, taking the blow that was meant to be his.
The young man could feel his entire body shift in his grasp, and even before he could let out a yell, the force of that was enough to send him plummeting right after him.
. . .
The crash was so abrupt that he didn’t even know if he was screaming all the way down. Other than the dull pain that registered when he found the bottom that knocked out his breath, the reeking odor of decay just came next. It burned its way through, and with each lungful of cold putrid air breathed, he could already taste the permeating stench in his mouth, coupled with the rising bile in his throat. The smell of the dead had a bizarre way of lingering amongst the ones that it left, easily violating one's senses way before it was seen. With his eyes watering, it took every shred of his willpower and every fiber of his being not to heave. He was motionless for a moment, still tightly clinging to whatever he just tumbled on that kept him from splattering flat into where he landed.
That was until Robin spoke, obviously startling the poor man half out of his wits.
With a whimper, David scrambled back to free him of the dead weight, sending back a clatter of bones all over the place. The pain that shot through from every sprain, the scrapes, and the bruises was instant but bearable. "I-I'm fine!" The same hoarse voice delivered mortified apologies as his eyes immediately found the light of the torch. That was when the realization hit. These remains littered the place so much that they were already on top of the disturbed, churning pile. Some of these bodies still have the rotting flesh intact, the others were just bare skeletons with shredded clothing. The bloated corpse not too far away was finally registered, and in a way, he found it peculiar that he couldn't help but recoil in visceral horror. The torch has landed not too far away amongst the pile of bones with the flickering firelight on the verge of going out, might as well consider this as an ember. He instinctively reached for it, slick hands fumbling on the handle until the fire was steadily cracking once again, a tiny thing to illuminate what was ahead. Was that blood upon his hands? To this, he took the liberty of inspecting the vampire to help him up. "Are you alright–"
That was a mistake.
David did remember that monster slashing its claws, hacking through the man and that initially caused the fall, along with the spray of blood and gore that erupted from that single swing. He was left gawking at Robin– or at least what has become of him– glistening entrails spilling out from the gaping maw of a wound as to where his abdomen should be, ribs utterly shattered in smithereens.
“Oh my god– oh no, no, no–" Panic instantly closed upon his throat, it took a hyperventilating David a second to convince himself that this man is a vampire, not a helpless mangled civilian cleanly cleaved by ammunition or some rampaging beast, and certainly not his Lucia. Even with grievous injuries that would kill any lesser man on the spot, Robin still has a better chance of getting through this night than he does. With a hurried glance up as he propped the torch aside, David took off his overcoat to fold, carefully pressing it down on him. At this point, the cold was the least of his worries. There wasn't much time, all he could really do was fashion a tight makeshift bandage out of that to keep what remained of his innards from simply tumbling out any further than that. Even after a while of stagnation, those trembling hands were still adept, it seemed. "This will hurt. Can you move your limbs? Anything?" From a fall that great, he somehow doubted it, chiding himself as to why he even asked.
With another attempt to calm down the nausea, David already crouched down, lifting the vampire's arm to prop him up, draping this over his neck. Whether Robin protested or not, he was already off with a grunt, pulling him up along with him, with one hand firmly placed upon his hip. The torch was grabbed once more, and the human was ready to take in the first viable opening that he could find to exit this mass grave in particular. His progress wading through all these carcasses was significantly slowed, but it was hopefully something.
"I can't leave you here, so don't just bite me out of the blue, alright?"
Perhaps, he went a little too far with that.
Scratching the back of his head, David sighed. A long, drawn-out sigh that was, an attempt to recompose himself. Maybe the vampire truly meant well, as questionable as the definition of “well” was in this context. Admittedly, as of yet, getting away hasn’t crossed his mind. He still needed the shelter, the resource, and whatever crumb of knowledge this cradle had to offer. It’s not like he knew the way of these mountains either– not with Lord Dracula potentially going to the extent of derailing the weather. That, he dared not to forget.
Of course, he knew how cunning their host was, and how precarious of a situation this would be. A single mistake could cost him this life that perhaps, wasn’t meant to be his. But right now, he has nothing. And Robin here, well, he barely knew the vampire other than a few encounters for the past few days. Great, just when he thought he was finally making friends. Green eyes were cast upon the ground, contritely studying the shadows from the torch, as bits of pebbles and dust found their way down. “I truly apologize, Mr. Harker, but–”
It was a hand against his chest that already interrupted that, entirely shoving him down to the ground. The earth was wintry cold– seeping through layers of clothing. The hard fall knocked the wind out of the sorcerer, and he was already sputtering for a breath as soon as he sat up, recoiling in pain. "What is wrong with you–!?”
That didn’t demand response for long. Like a web being strummed, whatever residual bits of starting magic laced that circle was already disturbed, and his gaze instantly averted to its spot, finding himself gaping at this gaunt, spindly figure of bones, lidless orbs, and rows upon rows of teeth that jutted out like spires. It almost reminded him of the way those women in his chambers the moment they were flung– only a hundred times as ugly. Even the smell of rotting flesh was something that he couldn’t ignore. As it rose, uttering his name with a voice that only belonged to Robin– that was the time panic finally set in.
He could rifle through his mind later about what sort of creature this was, for he doubted that it was hardly anything alive. For once, instinct won over curiosity, and every nerve screamed at him to run. David shot up, and without hesitation, he yanked the vampire by the arm, up to his feet. A last-second glance at the crude enclosure of symbols that he constructed upon the earth, and his hand swiftly raised, albeit involuntarily.
Inky tendrils of smoke fulminated forth from the exteriors of the circle, a hasty springing trap of swirling black mist coiling around the beast that dropped therein. Will that even work? He was doubtful, but wouldn’t stay long enough to find out for he was already urging Robin to hurry, even though the vampire will certainly be physically faster than he will ever be. At that instance, to him, there was no other way than forward into the darkness ahead, with only the torch lighting the way. Whether it was even effective or not, David wouldn’t be able to completely hold that for long– not at this moment, at least.
Just run.
“W-what the hell was that!? One of Lord Dracula’s lackeys or something? Did Javier send that over?”
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