Into Darkness

XVII

EDITOR WARNING: THIS CHAPTER HAS NOT BEEN EDITED SINCE FIRST DRAFT (2017). MAJOR PLOTHOLES OR INCONSISTENCIES

SEVEN YEARS AND THREE MONTHS LATER
EREBUS

"Erebus"?
I heard 3 voices call out behind me.
Turning from my desk, I stared straight at my three advisors.
"Aspen, Cyan, Damian. A pleasure" I answered jokingly.
"Erebus, we come in haste" Aspen replied, a concerned look on his face.
"Three vampire children were taken from Lamia. We have reason to suspect they are being contained in Mycion" Cyan added quickly.
"Inform the staff to prepare my horse, I will leave at once. Assign the soldiers to guard the village." I ordered quickly, standing up.
"Erebus, we'll send the soldiers to retrieve the children" Damian pleads, trying to reason with me as always.
"You know how we feel about you going alone Erebus. You're like a son to all of us and we don't want you hurt" Aspen answered protectively, trying to persuade me.
"It is my duty to protect my people. I will be damned if ANYONE is hurt" I answered fiercely, my mind already made up.

Kings that hid behind guards while their people were hurt are despicable. My people saved me, so it is my duty to continue to protect them.

My advisors sighed, knowing well that once my mind was made up, it was impossible for me to change it.
Taking a swig from my goblet of Sanguis, I headed towards my extensive closet.
Pulling on one of my many wigs, I prepared myself to look like a rich French nobleman.
Reaching for my sword, I slung it onto my belt.
One must keep up appearances after all.
Slinking quietly through the castle, I reached the stable.
Ignoring the concerned look on my staff's faces, I quickly mounted my horse.
"If I don't return within a fortnight, send the soldiers after me" I murmured quickly.
"As usual, my advisors will be in charge until I return".
My staff nodded, the worried looks still not disappearing from their faces.
"Why must they worry? I am very competent and I highly doubt the poor village of Mycion has a supply of Gafire able" I thought to myself, almost snickering at the notion.
I adjusted my satchel on my side and flicked the reins.
My horse Ares immediately charged forward, heading into the darkness.
CLOMP! CLOMP! CLOMP!
Sitting atop my horse, thoughts began running through my head.
I was worried about what the daft humans had done to the vampiric children.
I always had a soft spot for children, despite how much I hated being one.
I quickly shook the thought away, not wanting to resurface bad memories.
I had some fresh blood awaiting me.
~
Roughly four hours later around midday, I had reached the human town of Mycion.
As much as I enjoyed leisurely horse riding, it was much more time consuming than running due to my enhanced abilities.
Riding into town, I noticed the inhabitants gazing in adoration at me.
Rearing the reins near the town tavern; La Botte, I dismounted Thanatos.
Instantly, townsfolk rushed to greet me, obviously intrigued by my entrance.
"Bonjour Monsieur!" a women's voice rang out.
"What brings you to Mycion?" she asked curiously.
"Bonjour Madame, I am the Marquis de Cervon; but you may call me Azrael" I answered winking at her.
I watched as her face became flushed.
"I beg your pardon, Marquis. It is an honor to have you visit Mycion".
"I am Abella Bernard, my husband is the mayor. He should be along shortly" she replied quickly, bowing before me.
Smirking, I saw a plump, potbellied man rush out of the tavern and towards Mme.Bernard.
"Abella, who is this?" he asked begrudgingly, eyeing me with suspicion as jealously warped his features.
"Andre, this is the Marquis de Cervon; Azazel".
Apon hearing the fake title, he bowed respectfully.
"Welcome to Mycion Marquis. May I be so bold to ask why you chose to visit our humble town"?
I laughed at that, brushing my hand over the blond wig I wore.
"Mr.Bernard, I am simply passing through" I answered confidently, trying to imitate the cockiness that only a Marquis would possess.
The man nodded at that.
"May I interest you in a drink Marquis"? He asked, gesturing towards the tavern.
"Of course Monsieur!" I answered eagerly.
Following the mayor into the tavern, the scent of sweat, beer, and drugs filled my enhanced senses.
"Disgusting," I thought to myself.
Reaching the bar, I ordered several glasses of Absinthe, easily knocking them back. The mayor couldn't quite keep up with me, but that was to be expected.
After all, it was virtually impossible for vampires to become intoxicated.
After my nth glass, I ordered a stronger drink and gestured for Monsieur Bernard to follow me to a very dark, quiet section of the tavern.
Once I was sure he was tipsy, I began questioning him about the children.
"Monsieur, did you have any children passing through here recently?" I asked quietly, keeping my voice low.
"Actually we did. SSsome ssavage children were found near our borderss" he slurred, the alcohol clearly having an effect on him.
Turning his face towards me, I looked deep into his eyes.
"You will take me to them. You will not say a word to anyone either" I compelled, my eyes flashing.
He repeated what I had told him, almost parrot-like and stood up.
Tossing a bag of gold coins on the table, he left the tavern with me in tow.
I followed him through the grubby streets until we reached a dark building completly isolated in a dark alley.
Two Gendarmes stood in front of the doors.
"Let us through" Andre Bernard ordered as the gendarmes stepped to the side.
I could tell the gendarmes were confused about who I was, but neverless let us through, handing the mayor a set of keys.
I followed the mayor through what I perceived to be the town jail.
We stopped in front of a cell where I could clearly tell the children we in.
"Here we areee" the mayor slurred.
"You know, I think I'm going to sssell them to the gypssssy's. Sso barbaric, thessse children" he laughed.
"When the gendarmesss dragged them from the forest they were biting and ssscratching" he laughed louder, pointing to the blood on the floor.
I felt rage bubbling inside of me.
Then he leaned in closer.
"But betweeeen you and me, I bet the girl would make good moneeeey in a brothel" he said mockingly, as I grabbed his collar, yanking him closer to me.
Feeling my fangs jab into his jugular, I drank blood from him in mouthfuls.
Watching his body fall to the floor when I had finished, I smirked.
"FORGET" I compelled him, walking to the children's cell.
Grabbing the key from his chubby hand, I unlocked the cell.
The three vampiric children stared at me in awe.
I looked around the cell, seeing scratches on the walls and floors.
Since ordinary vampires didn't gain all of their enhanced abilities until about 15, they were particularly vulnerable.
"Come." I nodded to them as the two boys rose, yet the girl remained on the ground.
"King, she's hurt," the younger of the boys said, stepping out from in front of her.
I could clearly see the wooden stake embedded in her leg.
Fuck.
Walking into the cell, I lifted the little vampiric girl up.
"Let's go" I gestured to the boys, walking out of the cell carrying the little girl.
The two boys looked at the mayor as I stepped over him.
"King, did you kill him?" the older one asked.
"No. But he got what he deserved" I answered him, peering around the corner as my fangs retreated.
The gendarmes were passed out asleep, bottles of alcohol littering their feet.
"Fucking lightweights," I thought to myself, continuing to walk through the jail.
Reaching the main staircase, I slowly ascended it whilst carrying the girl.
Turning to face them, I handed the unconscious girl to the older boy.
"Wait here while I take care of the gendarmes" I ordered as the boys nodded.
Opening the jail door, I stepped out into the alley.
The gendarmes guarding the door turned to face me.
"Where is the may- one of them asked.
But before he could finish his sentence, I compelled him to sleep.
Just as the other one turned to fight me, I compelled him as well.
Opening the door, I motioned for the boys to come out.
"Stay here while I collect Ares," I told them, walking towards the tavern to collect my horse.
Ares stood in front of the tavern.
Collecting the reins, I quietly walked back towards the alley.
Stopping in front of the jail, I smirked at the two gendarmes laying on the ground.
Walking toward the children, I gently took the girl from the boy's arms.
Once both boys mounted Ares, I handed them the little girl.
Taking the reins, I guided Ares to the forest entrance.

-Six Hours Later-

Entering the vampiric village of Lamia with the children, my people gathered around.
The children's parents rushed forward, taking the children off Ares.
"Thank you King Erebus" the parents thanked me, tears in their eyes.
I smiled back.
"You all have done much for me. It is my duty to repay you for everything" I answered politely.
"LONG LIVE KING EREBUS"! A voice in the crowd yelled out.
The chanting continued as I sat upright on Ares.
"LONG LIVE OUR KING"!
Flicking the reins, I headed back towards the castle.
I knew that I would do anything for my people.
I wasn't only a king, I was a protector.