PSYC Ward: Explorer

INTERLUDE OF THE VAMPIRE

HERC-LOG #06:

Wild success in the patients. Those who woke up are not only demonstrating full capacity, their functioning is actually improved. MRI scans of the patients show increased brain activity on all levels, but specifically in the areas relating to processing information. We can safely say this increased activity is translating to performance. Those we could find previous IQ tests for show a jump of an average of 20 points. This increase is specifically in their capacity to pick out abstract concepts from arbitrary pieces of data. I personally have also noticed a potential increase in, of all things, empathy. We'll be running experiments to determine if there's any substance to that. Injections in people without organ failures of some sort have begun.

Rex Lamia

One month of mental fortitude training later and Paimon was finally confident enough to begin making actual moves. Anira's first suggestion was to separate Kyle from Rachel, and what better way to do that then to bring her back to her family.

Of course, finding the mighty King of Vampires was both difficult and easy. You could make assumptions about where he would be, but Dan himself made certain that his family life was distinct from his professional life. He also had several vacation castles, any of which he could be at at any time. Still, it wasn't enough. Paimon found the only mansion in all of Rome that hadn't been destroyed in the Revolt - and that had to belong to him.

He felt the chill of the night air as the wind billowed through his hair and cape. Still, despite the cold, he marched on through the torn streets. The roads had deep symmetrical crack marks in the pavement - tanks had once driven down these streets. Not a surprise. Paimon had heard that the revolt was caused when the Italian government had tried to crack down on the people because of terrorism from the French and instead hurt a lot of innocent people.

He caught himself scowling. Humans were such trash. This beautiful city stood so tall and proud, but how many times had it been destroyed by one or another's greed? The buildings all had holes in them and Paimon was certain more of them had broken windows then fixed. Crows were strewn about here and there, looking for food but finding none and cawing whenever he got close.

Soon enough, though, he caught sight of the house he was looking for and went straight to it. What an appropriate place for the King of Vampires to live, the last remaining vestige of the ruined corpse of what was once a beautiful metropolis from the ancient times. He reached the door. Made of thick wood and with a wrought iron knocker shaped like a bat carrying a ring in its claws, it made Paimon feel like Dan was trying too hard. He grabbed the ring, smacked it against the door, and waited patiently.

He could hear the echoing of the knocker on the air, which was the only sound save for the fluttering of the crows it had scared off. After about a minute, the door opened. Beyond the threshold stood a girl of about 16 years of age dressed in a black suit with a red tie and white dress shirt. There was a pin on her suit lapel that bore the symbol of the Romanov clan of vampires - a sturdy red line with angled lines growing fangs in opposite directions. She had the red, ringed eyes of the Romanovs as well, with scruffy black hair. Finally, below her right eye were three blue circles of paint in a triangular pattern.

"May I help you?" She asked.

Her voice was low and grumbly. She had bags under her eyes and was pale as a sheet.

"Greetings. I am Paimon, King of the Grimoires. I've come to see your Master about a matter of great interest to him."

He said, making sure to puff out his chest.

"Boss." She corrected.

Who the hell was this? The King didn't have employees, he had servants. He rolled his eyes.